Adventures in Reading
Friday nights I usually reserve for low-key activities. Mostly, by Friday evening, I am tired of being at work (although I usually go in for a few hours on Saturday as well) and I NEED undivided attention with the Lord. By then, I crave prayer and Bible reading, and usually find myself engrossed in a piece of Christian literature. Last night I continued in John Bunyan's "
Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners".
If only John could see me now.
I believe I am reading at about paragraph 153 (not for sure, I'm at work at the moment) and John is discussing his discovery regarding the cure for the wounded soul, his most favourite book, Martin Luther's commentary on Galatians. What John doesn't know is that his Grace Abounding has provided the same solace for me. John found a friend in Martin, and I found a friend in John. I cannot thank either of them for their steadfastness in running the race, but I can stand on their shoulders (or perhaps in their shadows, at this point).
When my heart wants something a bit lighter, something that doesn't exact its discipline upon my soul with every word and prove spiritually taxing (though invaluably necessary and beneficial) , I turn to a bit of history. I began
A Monk and a Mallet last night as well. And I'm engrossed.
You see, there are two kinds of history teachers. There are the kind who give you facts and dates in a rather abstract vacuum, and then there are the teachers who present history in a way that relates to humanity. This author is one such teacher.
I had ONE history class in architecture school out of many who alone taught the subject with great interest. For that reason I astounded him with my test grades and insight on the subject. He even took me aside and questioned me on the fact that I had done so well (I'm assuming my classmates weren't, and I'm pretty sure he thought I was cheating), and I was honest with him: he was a good teacher, and made the subject interesting. Modern architecture. That is one history subject I LOVE now because of him. I ALWAYS have fond memories of what I learned and for that reason never have any hesitation to read anything further on that topic.
I highly recommend Stephen Nichols' book. It's short and interesting. And if I didn't have to put in a few hours at work today, I'd still be in the living room reading it.
Labels: books, friends, practical theology, where I am right now
The sorrow that marks a Christian's life...
SINFor me, it comes from those weaknesses of the flesh, unbelief, and constant frustation of the disparity between my own convictions and the way I live my life.
Cristina wrote a very eloquent post about the deep sorrow that marks a repentant heart when they understand how deeply their sin stands in utter contrast to the desire to be more Christlike.
Labels: friends, God's Word, practical theology
It's OUT!!!!
http://www.boston.com/travel/getaways/us/articles/2007/08/19/a_perfect_storm/I hope this will make you all want to come storm chasing with the pros next spring!!!
www.tempesttours.com
Labels: current events, friends, photography, storm chasing
I like weather
Especially
bloggers who blog about the weather.
From a God-centered point of view.
Now, THAT'S my kind of meteorology!!!
Labels: friends, meteorology
John Bunyan said it first
...and said it best.
THE CONCLUSION
1. Of all the temptations that I ever met with in my life, to question the being of God, and the truth of His gospel, is the worst, and worst to be borne; when this temptation comes, it takes away my girdle from me, and removeth the foundation from under me: O I have often thought of that word, Have your loins girt about with truth; and of that, When the foundations are destroyed what can the righteous do?
2. Sometimes, when, after sin committed, I have looked for sore chastisement from the hand of God, the very next that I have had from him hath been the discovery of his grace. Sometimes, when I have been comforted, I have called myself a fool for my so sinking under trouble. And then, again, when I have been cast down, I thought I was not wise to give such way to comfort. With such strength and weight have both these been upon me.
3. I have wondered much at this one thing, that though God doth visit my soul with never so blessed a discovery of himself, yet I have found again, that such hours have attended me afterwards, that I have been in my spirit so filled with darkness, that I could not so much as once conceive what that God and that comfort was with which I have been refreshed.
4. I have sometimes seen more in a line of the Bible than I could well tell how to stand under, and yet at another time the whole Bible hath been to me as dry as a stick, or rather my heart hath been so dead and dry unto it, that I could not conceive the least dram of refreshment, though I have looked it all over.
5. Of all tears, they are the best that are made by the blood of Christ; and of all joy, that is the sweetest that is mixed with mourning over Christ: O 'tis a goodly thing to be on our knees, with Christ in our arms, before God: I hope I know something of these things.
6. I find to this day seven abominations in my heart: 1. inclinings to unbelief; 2. suddenly to forget the love and mercy that Christ manifesteth; 3. a leaning to the works of the law; 4. wanderings and coldness in prayer; 5. to forget to watch for that I pray for; 6. apt to murmur because I have no more, and yet ready to abuse what I have; 7. I can do none of those things which God commands me, but my corruptions will thrust in themselves; when I would do good, evil is present with me.
7. These things I continually see and feel, and am afflicted and oppressed with; yet the wisdom of God doth order them for my good: 1. they make me abhor myself; 2. they keep me from trusting my heart; 3. they convince me of the insufficiency of all inherent righteousness; 4. they show me the necessity of flying to Jesus; 5. they press me to pray unto God; 6. they show me the need I have to watch and be sober; 7. and provoke me to look to God through Christ to help me, and carry me through this world.
Amen.
--Taken from his Grace Abounding to the Chief of SinnersLabels: books, friends, practical theology
Where are we headed? or Things aren't necessarily getting "better", people!
I had a wonderful time, as usual, having coffee with Gayla from Journey of the Heart. She lives practically right around the corner from me (plus a few miles). She's very honest about what she thinks, and desires to learn more. When we get together, I know it's not just to "keep the friendship going" as I remember doing with so many friends. With them, it was almost an obligation to get together. If there had been mutual cell phone number exchanges, and we went to the same church, it was almost an obligation to keep that friendship going. We also had no clue what doctrine was or that we should be concerned about sin or living a righteous life in all things. Oh, the folly of youth. Many a night wasted through idle talk in a Chili's booth.
Not so anymore. There are people out there who desire God. And who will answer your questions with the mind of Christ, given by God. And who point back to the Bible when there is confusion. Gayla's one of those people, just so you know.
After coffee, on my way home, I detoured to Best Buy to pick up a digital voice recorder to help with scripture memorization. Finding a good middle ground features-to-price-point ratio model, I took it to the register.
"Would you like to buy our warranty for $12?" From the sound of the sales pitch, she was selling me, basically, the ability to return this item for an exchange or in-store credit. I declined. Is this where we have arrived? We no longer guarantee our products, but would rather SELL you the ability to bring back something you paid for that doesn't work? How about rolling that into the sale price of the item, and extending it to ALL merchandise... for FREE!
A novel idea, I'm sure...
I got home and opened my new gadget. I read the instructions and my heart sank.
Engrish.
The grammar was horrible. Why do we Americans claim sovereignty if we subject ourselves to such poorly translated material? Why do we even think that English will be a majority language for long? And where it is spoken, will it even be spoken properly anymore? Will a legal document have such grammatical errors as to require allowing a criminal caught red-handed to go free?
Just some thoughts.
For the record, I do like my voice recorder. It comes with software to upload files to the computer...
Labels: coffee, friends, redeeming the time, where I am right now
"Does Not Play Well With Reality"
Martin is submitting my
Macho photo to
Optima Batteries for a testimonial from
Tempest Tours.
Wow. I turned all school-girlish and couldn't stop giggling.
And to think I wanted to get out of photography for a while...
Labels: friends, photography, storm chasing
The Tornado Alley Leg
So, what did we do on our trip? Erik Trinidad was there, with an eagle eye and a great sense of humor. Check his blog of our trip at
The Global Trip.
Labels: friends, storm chasing
OUN Sounding Analysis
No CINH. All CAPE. I am probably the only one finding this stuff fascinating. Thanks to
Matt for a very detailed analysis of how this all works. I'm still reviewing my copy paper.
Labels: friends, meteorology
Postcards From the Edge
On a personal note, this is where I hope to be this summer.
Less than a quarter of a mile from the base of a tornado.
It's a completely selfish pursuit, and a dangerous one at that. No, no silly Tinman Tornado vehicle. No HiDef recording devices. Just lots of Diet Mountain Dew and bathroom breaks.
And our faithful companion Sven, the NOAA Weather-Bot.
For those of you who have deftly avoided ever watching this video with me (and you know who you are), THIS is the one amazing scene that was worth sitting through the hailstones for.
If you don't believe me, at least look at
this.
Labels: friends, photography, storm chasing
Stolen
I stole this from a friend's blog, because I don't think he could be more right. I've known this "kid" since not too long after he graduated from high school... I admit, it was a little strange hanging out with someone 8 years my junior. But I got used to it. And I forged an amazing friendship with an amazing person as a result.
And now, here's a word from
Captain Impossible:
I often read that people think they can solve social and political issues by human means, that we can improve ourselves. Can we? Here is what I have seen. I have seen fad diets come and go and still every day I watch as more and more people in this nation are diagnosed as obese. I've seen countless self-help books that promise to make you a better person in a certain amount of time, yet violence and depression are on the rise. I've seen conferences, summits, and revolutions to end hunger or poverty or anything else, and I've seen all kinds of statements and promises come as a result, and then watched as absolutely nothing changes. I've seen that the harder we try, the more we fall on our face. Think of it this way. You are trying to remove red dye put in a glass of water. You can try anything from chemical additives to filters, but try as you might, that water is still dyed and it's going to stay that way. It's not until you give up, dump out the dyed water, and ask for a brand new glass of water that you're ever going to see pure water. Everything is broken, and can't really be fixed. That is why all things must be made new.Labels: friends, this is me before
I love weddings
I was going to do a 40 mile trek from River Legacy Park to the Gaylord Texan Resort with the Lone Star Cycling Club this morning... until I remembered Friday that I had a wedding to shoot for one of my dearest friends!!!
Her father-in-law shot the formal poses, but I was on hand to do candids and from different angles than what most photographers usually get... mostly from inside the bridesmaid area (no guys allowed, you know).
I think I'm slowly growing my portfolio.
I need to go full-frame.
Labels: friends, photography
Shakeup
My friend Debbie said that sometimes we just need to shake things up in our life. I feel that this is one of those times. I don't take things seriously enough because not only have I found the groove, I've found the rut.
Please, God, let me out long enough to take a fresh breath. Shake things up a bit. Let me pull the pieces loose long enough to rearrange them correctly with a fresh perspective.
Labels: friends, this is me before
University Celebrity
Congratulations to my friend Matt for winning first place in the Collegiate Inventors Competition!!!!
See? Weather is cool.
http://www.normantranscript.com/localnews/local_story_297002639www.nanowx.comLabels: friends
No Doubt
Do you have friends who are the occasional emailers, who don't keep up all that often, but when they do they send you something you needed to hear? I have a friend like that who sent me these lyrics this morning from the band Petra.
I really needed to read this, and remember James 1:5-8 as well.
No Doubt
Words by Bob Hartman
Based on James 1:6
There are times when you feel like you can't go on
There are times when you feel like giving in
And there are times when you feel like you can't try anymore
There are times of trouble in believing
This test of your faith will last
As long as it takes to pass
Till you have no more doubt you'll endure
And your faith will emerge true and pure
(Chorus) No doubt it'll be alright
With God it'll work together for good
No doubt in the end it will be understood
No doubt it'll all work out
With faith He can move any mountain for us
No doubt in the power of Jesus
And after all is done we find out
All we really need to have is no doubt
There's a time to take a reckless leap of faith
There's a time to be cautious and to wait
And there's a way of learning from the past
That this time of trouble won't last
And sometimes we want to think we know
The ways He will choose to make us grow
But it's never the way of our choosing
And we can't always see what He's using
There will be winters in the seasons of our soul
With a cold and bitter wind that chills our lives
But our faith can be building a fire
That will warm us till springtime arrives
Labels: email, friends, practical theology
