Thursday, November 18, 2010

November 18 Ramblings

As I believe I've posted before, this year our Bible study is looking at the "God of the Bible" -- exploring God himself, all his facets and characteristics. It's quite fascinating. I recognize that I truly believe in the truth of the material in the Bible -- that is my starting point. I also recognize that in no way, shape, or form, do I behave as God would like me to. In his wisdom, he allowed free will and, for me, I seem to abuse it all the time. Which brings up a common question -- how can God be sovereign yet allow man to choose? Isn't it more like we're chess pieces and he's just moving us around in order to achieve his end goal? And if that's the case, why on earth do "bad" things happen? In my heart I understand this, yet cannot really explain it. In yesterday's lesson, however, the video had a good explanation that helps. Picture yourself on an airplane. During the time you are on the airplane you can choose amongst many ways to spend your time -- talking, reading, working, dreaming, sleeping -- yet at the end of the trip, you've reached your destination (I know the skeptics and cynics are out there saying "what if you're grounded due to weather?" or "what if you're hi-jacked?" -- kindly leave the room and we can differ in viewpoints). THAT's how God's sovereignty works -- no matter the choices we make along the way, we'll get to the endpoint as God intends. So there.

In other news, life here is good. It's nice to have a break between Maggie's sports seasons and have her home in the afternoons. She's taken to going to the gym a couple times a week in the afternoons to train a bit. The weather is thinking about moving towards fall temperatures, although sandals adorn my feed with some regularity! And Maggie's mid-term grade report was excellent (haven't gotten Abby's yet). Tom's home from Houston today, so life is just grand.

Oh, and it was quite convenient yesterday when my crown fell off my tooth while I was having them cleaned. Easier than making a second appointment to have it re-cemented at another time!

Saturday, November 6, 2010

me again -- 6 november

Perhaps you thought I'd gone away or something. Nope, just wrapped up in kiddos and driving all over the place -- QUITE thankful that not only was Tom in town this past week but that he was able to help me out with two conflicting schedules.....

Actually, what sparked today's entry was not only what we've been up to but something I read in a novel this past week on faith vs. hope. The character in this book ("Never Wave Goodbye" by Doug Magee) is a Presbyterian minister whose son has been kidnapped. She comes to her church as normal on Sunday morning to offer her sermon, despite the turmoil she must be feeling in her heart. She talks of how she's always offered "hope" to people to comfort them and how it's given her comfort in the past when she's be in the midst of difficult circumstances. But she'd come to the personal realization that hope was, to her, something like fear -- reflecting "an anxiety about the future...(and that if she were) hoping for an outcome, (she) was doubting God and his perfection." Instead, she believes that FAITH in God is what will help her during this crisis -- faith that God is in control and that, even if her son is not returned, her faith will not "wither in hope and fear." As an example, she refers to Abraham -- he did not (in her -- and my -- view) "hope" that God would send a new message when Isaak was about to be slain by his father's hand -- rather Abraham had FAITH that God was in control and whether or not Isaac would end up dead, God had a reason for it. So, do we want hope, or faith?

In other news, the past week or so has (as always) been busy. Maggie enjoyed celebrating Halloween with a friend of hers. The fashioned "shoe" costumes which were adorable -- hi-top Nike shoes with bright pink and leopard print. She's completed cross country with a personal-best time this morning and will have a couple months off before track season starts. Meanwhile, she plans to go to the gym in the afternoon.

Abby and her friend went out in our neighborhood -- Abby was a witch and her friend Alice in Wonderland. I enjoyed visiting with her mom as we walked and Tom directed us with his trusty flashlight.

I'm still busy with the same old activities but looking forward to a less-hectic after-school time for a short while!

Enjoy fall - it may have FINALLY arrived here -- two days in a row I have socks on my feet..............