ITunes Issue
I know many of you have an ipod. Some are you are also quite ipod saavy. This is a question for you.
I have an ipod. I have itunes on a PC of which I have ripped many CD's. I now have a laptop which which I wish to replace my aging PC.
So, I first tried to take my ipod and connect it to my new laptop -- which I thought would download the songs off my ipod and put them on itunes. NO! I was wrong. It basically deleted the songs off my ipod (I think it thought I wished it to take the songs off the yet unused itunes (which was blank... and blanking the songs off my itunes)).
So, the question is: how do I take the songs off itunes on my PC and put them on my laptop and "register" my laptop as the connector to my ipod?
Whew?!?!
All for now,
Lisa
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Monday, April 03, 2006
Friday, March 31, 2006
A Lesson in Tuning In
I had reason to fly to California this past week. I flew into Oakland airport one evening, From Oakland, I drove to my company's headquarters in San Ramon. As I drove out of the rental car company driveway, I turned on the radio in the rental car then did my usual "seek, seek, seek" until I could find an amenable radio station. Let me tell you, Northern CA is stuck in the 80's and 90's! I really couldn't find anything pleasing. I think I circled the FM dial two or three times. By this time, I'd made my way to the mountains. This is where I had an interesting experience.
I finally found a radio station, though not coming in strongly, and settled in for the rest of the drive (about 30 min) -- listening to Contemporary Christian Music (Strong Tower by Kutless). Well, in just a few minutes, I was losing that radio station and another radio station was tuning in. It was also a Christian radio station, but a much more traditional one. On air was a brilliant tenor singing "How Great Thou Art" with great passion. I was amazed that two radio stations (probably separated by the mountains) were transmitting on similar frequencies.
I loved it! Because they were both singing about the same thing... just in VERY different styles. As I drove up and down the mountains each radio station would take turns coming in stronger.
It made me think. It made me think about a couple of things:
- How each of us is transmitting our own praise and worship at the same time. And how God can pick up our frequencies, each and every one of ours, and listening intently and intimately and not missing a beat. How big is He that he can multitask to each of His children with the greatest of intimacy without even working at it???
- How each of us has our own, unique style and yet it is brilliant in its own regard. Because it's not about the style, it's about the content... who God is.
All for now,
Lisa
P.S. he he ... isn't it interesting that He took me to San Francisco to get a lesson in "tuning in" (i.e. it was the hippie Berkley professor Timothy Leary who coined the term "Turn on, tune in, drop out" in the 1960's)
I had reason to fly to California this past week. I flew into Oakland airport one evening, From Oakland, I drove to my company's headquarters in San Ramon. As I drove out of the rental car company driveway, I turned on the radio in the rental car then did my usual "seek, seek, seek" until I could find an amenable radio station. Let me tell you, Northern CA is stuck in the 80's and 90's! I really couldn't find anything pleasing. I think I circled the FM dial two or three times. By this time, I'd made my way to the mountains. This is where I had an interesting experience.
I finally found a radio station, though not coming in strongly, and settled in for the rest of the drive (about 30 min) -- listening to Contemporary Christian Music (Strong Tower by Kutless). Well, in just a few minutes, I was losing that radio station and another radio station was tuning in. It was also a Christian radio station, but a much more traditional one. On air was a brilliant tenor singing "How Great Thou Art" with great passion. I was amazed that two radio stations (probably separated by the mountains) were transmitting on similar frequencies.
I loved it! Because they were both singing about the same thing... just in VERY different styles. As I drove up and down the mountains each radio station would take turns coming in stronger.
It made me think. It made me think about a couple of things:
- How each of us is transmitting our own praise and worship at the same time. And how God can pick up our frequencies, each and every one of ours, and listening intently and intimately and not missing a beat. How big is He that he can multitask to each of His children with the greatest of intimacy without even working at it???
- How each of us has our own, unique style and yet it is brilliant in its own regard. Because it's not about the style, it's about the content... who God is.
All for now,
Lisa
P.S. he he ... isn't it interesting that He took me to San Francisco to get a lesson in "tuning in" (i.e. it was the hippie Berkley professor Timothy Leary who coined the term "Turn on, tune in, drop out" in the 1960's)
Friday, March 17, 2006
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Happy Texas Independence Day!
On this day in 1836, Texas declared its independence from Mexico and actually became a nation unto itself (prior to agreeing to be part of the United States). I believe Texas is the only state among 50 that has this distinction. Can you tell I'm a proud Texan?!
All for now,
Lisa
On this day in 1836, Texas declared its independence from Mexico and actually became a nation unto itself (prior to agreeing to be part of the United States). I believe Texas is the only state among 50 that has this distinction. Can you tell I'm a proud Texan?!
All for now,
Lisa
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Ashes Ashes
Today is Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. Traditionally, the Roman Catholic churches offer ashes to be placed on the foreheads of the faithful to remind them of death. From what I understand, God's words to Adam are often used in the ceremony: “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”
My friend Susan Ince wrote the following last year. I've kept a print out of it above my desk at work since then. I thought it would be worthy to share here:
All for now,
Lisa
Today is Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. Traditionally, the Roman Catholic churches offer ashes to be placed on the foreheads of the faithful to remind them of death. From what I understand, God's words to Adam are often used in the ceremony: “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”
My friend Susan Ince wrote the following last year. I've kept a print out of it above my desk at work since then. I thought it would be worthy to share here:
I would like to suggest one way of making room for God during this Lenten
season: choosing not to do some things (fasting) and choosing to do other things
(feasting). Tradition teaches us to fast during Lent, because Lent
prepares us for Easter, the victory of life over death, we need also to feast on
the life God offers as we seek to deepen the divine life within us. It is
appropriate then to fast AND to feast!
Fast from harsh or mean words.
Feast on words that encourage and support others.
Fast from anger.
Feast on patience.
Fast from worry.
Feast on God's love and care.
Fast from sadness and depression.
Feast on joy and peace of mind.
Fast from complaining.
Feast on appreciation and gratitude.
Fast from bitterness.
Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from resentment.
Feast on acceptance.
Fast from jealousy.
Feast on being oneself.
Fast from self-centeredness.
Feast on compassion for others.
Fast from excess.
Feast on moderation.
Fast from acquiring.
Feast on generosity.
Fast from apathy.
Feast on caring.
Fast from discouragement.
Feast on hope.
Fast from judging others.
Feast on finding Christ in them.
All for now,
Lisa
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Throw Me Something Mister!
Most of you know that today is Mardi Gras (mär'dē grä) or (mahr-dee grah), which is the last day before the fasting season of Lent (40 days of fasting and penitence in preparation for Easter).
Mardi Gras literally means “fat Tuesday” (mardi = Tuesday, gras = fat). I suppose the idea is "eat cake for tomorrow we will fast", which has resulted in a general tolerance for a day of gluttony and excessiveness.
As most of you know, New Orleans, Louisiana, is famous for its Mardi Gras celebration, as is Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (they call it Carnival there), and in Nice, and Cologne (usually in staunchly Roman Catholic regions). Commonly, these celebrations consist of elaborate parades and masked balls usually lasting for about a week before Mardi Gras day. In New Orleans, there seems to be two Mardi Gras... the one no where near the French Quarter. And the one most televised, which is in the French Quarter.
While I'm no proponent of gluttony, I have to admit that one of my favorite "excessivenesses" is the king cake. The king cake most often used is a ring of twisted bread topped with purple, green, and gold icing. Most have filling inside (usually cream cheese). Yum!
The best part about the king cake is the trinket inside. From what I understand, the most traditional trinket is a bean, but all the king cakes I've seen have a plastic baby inside. As the story goes, the "baby in the king cake" was said to have become common after a local bakery chain got a large shipment of such plastic baby dolls from Hong Kong very cheaply in the 1950s.
Did you know it's also Pancake Tuesday?
Pancake Tuesday
In Ireland, Australia, and Canada, Mardi Gras is known as "Pancake Tuesday" - which is exactly what they would do on this Tuesday -- eat a pancake! Pancakes are eaten to use up milk and eggs, which are not eaten during Lent, and would otherwise spoil during this period. Cooked like a French crêpe, the pancake is served with sprinkled sugar or drizzled with syrup (sounds very similar to the king cake) And, as a matter of fact, I found out that in Newfoundland, objects are baked into these pancakes (viola!). Apparently, these objects all have meanings associated with them. Finders of the coins will be rich, finders of the ring will be the first ones married, etc. (which sounds very similar to the New Orleans tradition of baking these sorts of items into the wedding cake).
With all this talk about food, I'm hungry.
All for now,
Lisa
source: http://www.answers.com/
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans
Do you know what it means
To miss New Orleans
And miss it each night and day
Well I know I'm not wrong
The feeling's getting stronger
The longer I stay away
Miss those moss-covered vines
The tall sugar-pines
Where mockingbirds used to sing
And I'd like to see the lazy Mississippi
A hurrying about to spring
The moonlight on the Bayous
Those Creole tunes that fill the air
You know I dream about magnolias in bloom
And soon I'm wishing that I were there
Do you know what it means
To miss those Red Beans
When that's where you left your heart
And there's one thing more I miss the one I care for
More than I miss New Orleans
Lisa
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Life Keeps on Rollin'Yesterday, I visited Cactus Records for one of the last times. Very sadly, it is closing on March 31 after over 30 years of business! That day will be a sad day in Houston. It was always a treat for me to wander in to that store just to lose myself in all those great CDs. Each time I'd go in I'd always manage to uncover a great find. And yesterday was no different.
In those well-used bins, I found "Our New Orleans" which is a benefit CD that has just recently been released. The good news is that all net proceeds will be donated to the local relief efforts of Habitat for Humanity, with a portion specifically set aside to provide housing for local musicians left homeless by the disaster. Just recently, I blogged that we need to keep these folks in the forefront of our minds and not forget to help them. This is another way you can help! And have a great CD to boot!
Here's what Amazon says about it:
Hurricane Katrina may have devastated New Orleans and surrounding Gulf communities in 2005, but it was also a forceful reminder of the Crescent City's world renowned status as the epicenter of much American musical heritage. This benefit album picks up that latter thread, a sometimes bittersweet reminder of how deepy ingrained, yet all-too-fragile, that cultural legacy really is.
Click on the above link to purchase it! It's just that easy.
One other review stated:
Of all the concerts and benefits put on by the music industry in aid of New Orleans in the wake of this year’s hurricanes, Our New Orleans has to be one of the most heartfelt and flat-out best collections of music from and about the Crescent City. It will not only benefit the city’s coffers (actually Habitat for Humanity, in their efforts to rebuild the city) but also serves to document the depth and profound musicality of the city, as well as serving as a calling card promoting the glories of New Orleans’ past to whole new generations of listeners.
All for now,
Lisa
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Ways To Maintain A Healthy Level Of Insanity
I received this in an email from a co-worker:
1. At lunch time, sit in your parked car with sunglasses on and point a hair dryer at passing cars. See if they slow down.
2. Page yourself over the intercom. Don't disguise your voice.
3. Every time someone asks you to do something, ask if they want fries with that.
4. Put your garbage can on your desk and label it 'in.'
5. Put decaf in the coffee maker for 3 weeks. Once everyone has gotten over their caffeine addictions, switch to espresso.
6. In the memo field of all your checks, write “for smuggling diamonds.”
7. Finish all your sentences with “in accordance with the prophecy”.
8. Dont use any punctuation
9. As often as possible, skip rather than walk.
10. With a serious face, order a diet water whenever you go out to eat.
11. Specify that your drive-through order is “to go”'.
12. Sing along at the opera.
13. Go to a poetry recital and ask why the poems don't rhyme.
14. Put mosquito netting around your work area and play tropical sounds all day.
15. Five days in advance, tell your friends you can't attend their party because you're not in the mood.
16. Have your co-workers address you by your wrestling name, “rock bottom”.
17. When the money comes out the ATM, scream 'I won!, I won!'
18. When leaving the zoo, start running towards the parking lot, yelling “run for your lives, they're loose!”
19. Tell your children over dinner. “Due to the economy, we are going to have to let one of you go.”
So, how do you maintain a healthy level of insanity?
All for now,
Lisa
I received this in an email from a co-worker:
1. At lunch time, sit in your parked car with sunglasses on and point a hair dryer at passing cars. See if they slow down.
2. Page yourself over the intercom. Don't disguise your voice.
3. Every time someone asks you to do something, ask if they want fries with that.
4. Put your garbage can on your desk and label it 'in.'
5. Put decaf in the coffee maker for 3 weeks. Once everyone has gotten over their caffeine addictions, switch to espresso.
6. In the memo field of all your checks, write “for smuggling diamonds.”
7. Finish all your sentences with “in accordance with the prophecy”.
8. Dont use any punctuation
9. As often as possible, skip rather than walk.
10. With a serious face, order a diet water whenever you go out to eat.
11. Specify that your drive-through order is “to go”'.
12. Sing along at the opera.
13. Go to a poetry recital and ask why the poems don't rhyme.
14. Put mosquito netting around your work area and play tropical sounds all day.
15. Five days in advance, tell your friends you can't attend their party because you're not in the mood.
16. Have your co-workers address you by your wrestling name, “rock bottom”.
17. When the money comes out the ATM, scream 'I won!, I won!'
18. When leaving the zoo, start running towards the parking lot, yelling “run for your lives, they're loose!”
19. Tell your children over dinner. “Due to the economy, we are going to have to let one of you go.”
So, how do you maintain a healthy level of insanity?
All for now,
Lisa
Monday, February 06, 2006
Blue Tarps and White Trailers
On a whim, I decided to go to New Orleans this past weekend for the Mardi Gras Marathon. A good friend was going to run the marathon and I was going to run the 5K while also supporting her in the last couple of miles of the marathon. Unfortunately, it ended up that she could not run the marathon because of a lingering injury. We both ended up doing the 5K, which was a lot of fun (the weather could not have been better - blue skies and a cool breeze). The run was also was a nice punctuation to a wonderful weekend.
It was an eye-opening weekend.
We took Saturday to drive around the city of New Orleans and St. Bernard Parish. Folks, their ordeal is no where near over. The city is heavily dotted with blue tarps covering half-blown away roofs and white FEMA trailers parked in "trailer cities" as well as in front of once water-saturated homes. The strange thing is the eerie quietness of the city. Entire subdivisions still do not have electricity and there are no inhabitants. The other odd thing is that no one seems to be occupying the trailer cities. They are barren. Cars are parked outside of homes. Not because their owners are inside, but because they have not been moved from where they were before the water covered them.
I took some photos. The link is at the left.
It's been 5 months since Katrina and Rita. Let's not let time fade our memories and still us from action. They still need our help.
All for now,
Lisa
On a whim, I decided to go to New Orleans this past weekend for the Mardi Gras Marathon. A good friend was going to run the marathon and I was going to run the 5K while also supporting her in the last couple of miles of the marathon. Unfortunately, it ended up that she could not run the marathon because of a lingering injury. We both ended up doing the 5K, which was a lot of fun (the weather could not have been better - blue skies and a cool breeze). The run was also was a nice punctuation to a wonderful weekend.
It was an eye-opening weekend.
We took Saturday to drive around the city of New Orleans and St. Bernard Parish. Folks, their ordeal is no where near over. The city is heavily dotted with blue tarps covering half-blown away roofs and white FEMA trailers parked in "trailer cities" as well as in front of once water-saturated homes. The strange thing is the eerie quietness of the city. Entire subdivisions still do not have electricity and there are no inhabitants. The other odd thing is that no one seems to be occupying the trailer cities. They are barren. Cars are parked outside of homes. Not because their owners are inside, but because they have not been moved from where they were before the water covered them.
I took some photos. The link is at the left.
It's been 5 months since Katrina and Rita. Let's not let time fade our memories and still us from action. They still need our help.
All for now,
Lisa
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Passion '06 Conference Photos Now Online
Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. If that's the case, I now have 48,000 words to describe Passion '06.
I have uploaded my photos (as well as a friend of mine's) onto Kodak Gallery. Please click the link at the left to view them. You may have to log into Kodak Gallery (it's free) to view them.
All for now,
Lisa
Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. If that's the case, I now have 48,000 words to describe Passion '06.
I have uploaded my photos (as well as a friend of mine's) onto Kodak Gallery. Please click the link at the left to view them. You may have to log into Kodak Gallery (it's free) to view them.
All for now,
Lisa
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Following Prophecy
I so often have asked for it. I've begged God and reasoned that I would definitely follow through if He just plainly told me what to do. I mean He's done it before. It's not like I'm asking for something He's never done before. Just ask Moses.
But now, I realize that even if God may answer my folly with phrophecy, there's no guarantee I (or anyone else) would follow it. Want evidence? How about the Jews. The Jews knew about Christ. And had prophecy. Yet still denied Him.
I now see the blessing in not knowing the whole journey. Just the next step. The depth of God's mercy has always been profound. I'm just getting close enough to the edge to be able to peer more deeply into it. I'm learning to surrender to the mysteries and enjoy (yes, I said it) the waiting time before each mystery is revealed.
[I wrote the above over a month ago. However, there was a part missing. I couldn't quite touch the thought I was trying to get. However, today's "My Utmost for His Highest" brought it to light]:
Living in a constant state of expectancy. That's it! It focuses our attention on the relationship... looking for Him. Not looking for what He hands out. I've heard this question before and I ask it to you... are you looking to the hand of God or the heart of God?
All for now,
Lisa
I so often have asked for it. I've begged God and reasoned that I would definitely follow through if He just plainly told me what to do. I mean He's done it before. It's not like I'm asking for something He's never done before. Just ask Moses.
But now, I realize that even if God may answer my folly with phrophecy, there's no guarantee I (or anyone else) would follow it. Want evidence? How about the Jews. The Jews knew about Christ. And had prophecy. Yet still denied Him.
I now see the blessing in not knowing the whole journey. Just the next step. The depth of God's mercy has always been profound. I'm just getting close enough to the edge to be able to peer more deeply into it. I'm learning to surrender to the mysteries and enjoy (yes, I said it) the waiting time before each mystery is revealed.
[I wrote the above over a month ago. However, there was a part missing. I couldn't quite touch the thought I was trying to get. However, today's "My Utmost for His Highest" brought it to light]:
As servants of God, we must learn to make room for Him-to give God "elbow
room." We plan and figure and predict that this or that will happen, but we
forget to make room for God to come in as He chooses. Would we be surprised if
God came into our meeting or into our preaching in a way we had never expected
Him to come? Do not look for God to come in a particular way, but do look for
Him. The way to make room for Him is to expect Him to come, but not in a certain
way. No matter how well we may know God, the great lesson to learn is that He
may break in at any minute. We tend to overlook this element of surprise, yet
God never works in any other way. Suddenly— God meets our life ". . . when it
pleased God . . . ."
Keep your life so constantly in touch with God that His surprising
power can break through at any point. Live in a constant state of expectancy,
and leave room for God to come in as He decides.
Living in a constant state of expectancy. That's it! It focuses our attention on the relationship... looking for Him. Not looking for what He hands out. I've heard this question before and I ask it to you... are you looking to the hand of God or the heart of God?
All for now,
Lisa
Monday, January 09, 2006
A Generation for His Renown
I had the priviledge of volunteering at Passion 06. It was an incredible experience for me to be able to peer into what God is doing in His children aged 18-25 or so. I say that and then I think about how He worked in so many more; those there as leaders, volunteers, curious spectators, bystanders. He truly works it all together!
I've been back a few days and have searched for words to be to able to express my thoughts about Passion. This wasn't my first Passion event so you would think I would be able to appropriately tell you about it. Well, I'm coming up a bit empty. But! I was a bit encouraged when I read that Louie himself has the same dilemma.
CCM Magazine did do a nice job of describing the details of the GO center.
I will write more later.
All for now,
Lisa
I had the priviledge of volunteering at Passion 06. It was an incredible experience for me to be able to peer into what God is doing in His children aged 18-25 or so. I say that and then I think about how He worked in so many more; those there as leaders, volunteers, curious spectators, bystanders. He truly works it all together!
I've been back a few days and have searched for words to be to able to express my thoughts about Passion. This wasn't my first Passion event so you would think I would be able to appropriately tell you about it. Well, I'm coming up a bit empty. But! I was a bit encouraged when I read that Louie himself has the same dilemma.
CCM Magazine did do a nice job of describing the details of the GO center.
I will write more later.
All for now,
Lisa
Friday, January 06, 2006
Saturday, December 24, 2005
More on the Subject of Contentment
This subject spurred a lot of response from you all out there in blogreadingland. Thanks for your thoughts!
Most often contentment is talked about in the light of dating/marriage. But I am convinced that we singles have blinded ourselves into thinking it ONLY has to do with that... that once we're married, our contentment will be solved. I really don't think that is true... but you can read more about my thoughts from my earlier blog entry.
So, with that being said, another great article on contentment with singleness came out recently that I wanted to share...
http://www.crosswalk.com/community/singles/1300750.html
This article gives some good advice on what to do while waiting for our special one. It also gives an incredible account, which left me in tears, of Fanny Crosby.
As we approach Christmas day, I pray for you all a wonderful season filled with the love of Christ through the remembrance of His birth.
I love you all!
All for now,
Lisa
This subject spurred a lot of response from you all out there in blogreadingland. Thanks for your thoughts!
Most often contentment is talked about in the light of dating/marriage. But I am convinced that we singles have blinded ourselves into thinking it ONLY has to do with that... that once we're married, our contentment will be solved. I really don't think that is true... but you can read more about my thoughts from my earlier blog entry.
So, with that being said, another great article on contentment with singleness came out recently that I wanted to share...
http://www.crosswalk.com/community/singles/1300750.html
This article gives some good advice on what to do while waiting for our special one. It also gives an incredible account, which left me in tears, of Fanny Crosby.
As we approach Christmas day, I pray for you all a wonderful season filled with the love of Christ through the remembrance of His birth.
I love you all!
All for now,
Lisa
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Good Character, Morality, and the Power of Love
Does character count?
What does it mean to be a person of "good character"? I've heard this recommendation often -- "Lisa, make sure to marry a person of good character". I'm not sure what like looks like, so I thought I'd surf the web to find out more.
I found the Six Pillars of Character, in association with Character Counts, a non-profit assocation for teaching character education in schools:
Morality
I remember Pastor Gregg saying in a sermon recently, "Good [moral] people don't go to heaven. Only Holy people do". Amen. I think the basis of good character comes not from morality but from love.
The Fruit of Good Character
Jesus talks about the mouth speaking out of the overflow of the heart. What's inside you will come out, the facade of good virtues will not stay. I've heard it likened to toothpaste. Squeeze and see what comes out. When I was in Capernaum I saw a huge olive press. Our guide said something I'll never forget, "the quality of the oil cannot be known until the olive has been pressed". And we humans are exactly the same way. Jesus teaches us the way to build good character, especially when struggles come... and we all know about those, don't we?. Luke wrote about it:
The Way of Love
I think true character is derived from the love of Christ and that love expressed. I think 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 does a nice job of summing it up. I'll leave you with The Message version:
All for now,
Lisa
Does character count?
What does it mean to be a person of "good character"? I've heard this recommendation often -- "Lisa, make sure to marry a person of good character". I'm not sure what like looks like, so I thought I'd surf the web to find out more.
I found the Six Pillars of Character, in association with Character Counts, a non-profit assocation for teaching character education in schools:
- trustworthiness
- respect
- responsibility
- fairness
- caring
- citizenship
Morality
I remember Pastor Gregg saying in a sermon recently, "Good [moral] people don't go to heaven. Only Holy people do". Amen. I think the basis of good character comes not from morality but from love.
The Fruit of Good Character
Jesus talks about the mouth speaking out of the overflow of the heart. What's inside you will come out, the facade of good virtues will not stay. I've heard it likened to toothpaste. Squeeze and see what comes out. When I was in Capernaum I saw a huge olive press. Our guide said something I'll never forget, "the quality of the oil cannot be known until the olive has been pressed". And we humans are exactly the same way. Jesus teaches us the way to build good character, especially when struggles come... and we all know about those, don't we?. Luke wrote about it:
"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete." Luke 6:43-48
The Way of Love
I think true character is derived from the love of Christ and that love expressed. I think 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 does a nice job of summing it up. I'll leave you with The Message version:
If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing
but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God's Word with power, revealing
all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that
says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. If I
give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a
martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I
believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love. Love never gives up. Love
cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head, Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first," Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the
sins of others, Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the
flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks
for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end. Love never
dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will
end; understanding will reach its limit.
All for now,
Lisa
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Two Things
Two things God has been teaching me lately. I know, two doesn't seem like a lot, but hey, I'm just glad I'm getting it, even if it's just a little! Anyway, I thought I would take this space to delve into them a bit. I don't have all of it neatly packaged, but here goes:
1. The ever-present reality of God's work in my life. This came from a conversation with a friend of mine about how our requests to God always seem to focus on the future, and our struggles always seeming to be in the present (duh). What I mean is that we realized that it is through our present struggles that God is anwering our future requests. For instance, my friend wants to better share the gospel and her testimony. She recently did it and had the desire to "do it better" (as if it's in our power to "do" it). She was asking God to present her more opportunities and to do a better job. What we realized is that God was answering her very request in that very moment by the very present opportunity. After all, it's not just the last three that count. Meaning, it's not in the attaining, but in the preparing. And He's right there along the way.
2. What will I really take with me to heaven? We all know we won't be taking our things to Heaven. But we really won't even take our faith -- we'll have no need for faith, but all will be seen. We really won't even take our knowledge. We'll be in the face of full knowledge, full disclosure, so to speak. So, what will we take? After finishing Piper's Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ, I have realized that the only thing we will really take with us, packed nicely in our luggage, is our experiences. Our experiences along the way... and I think it will be how we will be known. What this revelation has done for me is help me to have a better kingdom-minded perspective with respect to my every day living.
All for now,
Lisa
Two things God has been teaching me lately. I know, two doesn't seem like a lot, but hey, I'm just glad I'm getting it, even if it's just a little! Anyway, I thought I would take this space to delve into them a bit. I don't have all of it neatly packaged, but here goes:
1. The ever-present reality of God's work in my life. This came from a conversation with a friend of mine about how our requests to God always seem to focus on the future, and our struggles always seeming to be in the present (duh). What I mean is that we realized that it is through our present struggles that God is anwering our future requests. For instance, my friend wants to better share the gospel and her testimony. She recently did it and had the desire to "do it better" (as if it's in our power to "do" it). She was asking God to present her more opportunities and to do a better job. What we realized is that God was answering her very request in that very moment by the very present opportunity. After all, it's not just the last three that count. Meaning, it's not in the attaining, but in the preparing. And He's right there along the way.
2. What will I really take with me to heaven? We all know we won't be taking our things to Heaven. But we really won't even take our faith -- we'll have no need for faith, but all will be seen. We really won't even take our knowledge. We'll be in the face of full knowledge, full disclosure, so to speak. So, what will we take? After finishing Piper's Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ, I have realized that the only thing we will really take with us, packed nicely in our luggage, is our experiences. Our experiences along the way... and I think it will be how we will be known. What this revelation has done for me is help me to have a better kingdom-minded perspective with respect to my every day living.
All for now,
Lisa
Friday, December 02, 2005
Getting Real about Loneliness
Would you believe I just received an email this morning from ChristianityToday speaking to this issue of loneliness. In this article, six singles share their coping strategies and lessons learned from lonely seasons.
Here's the link -->
http://www.christianitytoday.com/singles/newsletter/mind40526.html
There are lots of ideas for coping. If that's the right word... or how about I use the word embracing... does that sound better? Or is that too affectionate a word for such an ugly issue? I say that with a little bit of tongue in cheek because I think most often we singles begrudge loneliness when, in fact, is not a issue of singlessness as much as an issue of humanity. My married friends have shared with me their seasons of loneliness. So, regardless of marital status, is loneliness a bad thing? Something from which we should run?
I'm curious, folks, what are your thoughts?
All for now,
Lisa
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Satisfaction, Gratification, Loneliness, and Being Alone
It seems these have been the topics of many a conversation as of late. Mostly around the subjects of singleness, dating, and the married life. Maybe it's just me, but it also seems like lately there has been a plethora of Christian articles on dating... from Christianity Today, LifeWay, and CrossWalk. But maybe it's like the old adage that if you desire a blue car, suddenly all you see around you are blue cars.
Satisfaction vs. Gratification
I think Paul is saying contentment is a decision, not a feeling.
Contentment vs. Complacency
Learning to be content does not mean learning to be complacent. I think we must learn to continually stir the waters. We have to. So, how does that really look? I'm not completely sure. But I know I cannot move and stay on hold at the same time. It means finding your vineyard and continually tending it. You can even be bold enough to ask God to enlarge it. But don't let anyone steal your joy (and this might even be yourself!)
Loneliness vs. Being Alone
Loneliness seems to be linked to a state of sadness. Being alone seems more like you are by yourself, but not necessarily sad about it. You can be lonely in a room full of people. Perhaps a lot of singles want to be married thinking that it will solve their loneliness. I leave you with a quote from one of my favorites... Rich Mullins.
All for now,
Lisa
It seems these have been the topics of many a conversation as of late. Mostly around the subjects of singleness, dating, and the married life. Maybe it's just me, but it also seems like lately there has been a plethora of Christian articles on dating... from Christianity Today, LifeWay, and CrossWalk. But maybe it's like the old adage that if you desire a blue car, suddenly all you see around you are blue cars.
Satisfaction vs. Gratification
"It is the nature of desire not to be satisfied, and most human beings live onlyI'm not exactly sure what Artistotle meant by this, but let's dig into it. So, if a desire is satisfied, would it be a desire anymore? Say for instance, I have a desire to eat and after I eat I've probably lost my desire to eat right then? By eating, I have gratified my desire; not necessarily satisfied it. I think God made us in a way that we will continually desire. And I am mindful of Paul's comments to the Philippians; knowing the secret of being content regardless of the situation.
for the gratification of it." Aristotle
I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me.
Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not
saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the
circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have
plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do
everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:10-13 [NIV]
I think Paul is saying contentment is a decision, not a feeling.
Contentment vs. Complacency
Learning to be content does not mean learning to be complacent. I think we must learn to continually stir the waters. We have to. So, how does that really look? I'm not completely sure. But I know I cannot move and stay on hold at the same time. It means finding your vineyard and continually tending it. You can even be bold enough to ask God to enlarge it. But don't let anyone steal your joy (and this might even be yourself!)
Loneliness vs. Being Alone
Loneliness seems to be linked to a state of sadness. Being alone seems more like you are by yourself, but not necessarily sad about it. You can be lonely in a room full of people. Perhaps a lot of singles want to be married thinking that it will solve their loneliness. I leave you with a quote from one of my favorites... Rich Mullins.
And it was just a few years ago that I finally realized that friendship is not a
remedy for loneliness. Loneliness is a part of our experience and if we are
looking for relief from loneliness in friendship, we are only going to frustrate
the friendship. Friendship, camaraderie, intimacy, all those things, and
loneliness live together in the same experience.
All for now,
Lisa
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