I counted about a dozen wild turkeys hanging around and pecking for some breakfast this morning.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Tuesday at The Sea Ranch
No worries about being lonely...
I counted about a dozen wild turkeys hanging around and pecking for some breakfast this morning.
I counted about a dozen wild turkeys hanging around and pecking for some breakfast this morning.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Sunday at The Sea Ranch
I'm out of town this week in a remote, quiet, peaceful place. Just my bag of groceries from Trader Joe's, an internet connection, and a hot tub (vacation is hard work.) No TV, no Olympics, no noise or busyness, just lots of God's amazing creation to enjoy.
So I guess there's some noise, like the ocean pounding against the shore, and the crickets serenading me... and the surprised sound I made when I found a frog hanging out by the hot tub.
For the next few days, I'm planning to post some pictures of the amazing outdoors, as seen through the eye of my humble digital camera.
Here's one for starters... The sun is setting behind me and to the right, and the white spot in the upper left corner is the moon.
Pebble Beach ~ The Sea Ranch
Sonoma County ~ California
So I guess there's some noise, like the ocean pounding against the shore, and the crickets serenading me... and the surprised sound I made when I found a frog hanging out by the hot tub.
For the next few days, I'm planning to post some pictures of the amazing outdoors, as seen through the eye of my humble digital camera.
Here's one for starters... The sun is setting behind me and to the right, and the white spot in the upper left corner is the moon.
Pebble Beach ~ The Sea RanchSonoma County ~ California
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Thankful Thursday: Joy
Today I met with my friend to study chapter four in our Bible study on grace. By the end, I felt like I was on cloud nine. My heart was bubbling over with joy just from spending time with a good friend to read and study God's word together. There were some trickier questions in this lesson, and unlike in previous weeks, we had to re-read a number of passages and really think about them to feel like we had a clear understanding.
As I think about it now, I would say that I experienced what it was like to be fed by God's word. I felt full, like after a good meal, and it was so meaningful that it just exceeded the capacity of my mind and bubbled over. Probably not surprising considering that this week's topic was "Delighting in Grace" and specifically addressed joy and rejoicing.
While studying this chapter, I not only experienced joy, but I was also challenged. In citing scriptures like I Thessalonians 5:16, "Be joyful always," and noting that God commanded his people to set aside times for rejoicing, the book suggests that joy is not optional but rather a discipline to be practiced in all circumstances. Even hard ones. Even ones that we would never choose. Even when we absolutely don't feel like it.
I have often had a hard time applying scripture when I can't apply the lesson to the situation I am experiencing right this very moment. And right this very minute, I am pretty joyful. I'm in a great place, and it's as easy as breathing to be joyful and praise God for the blessings He's poured into my life. However, having joy in all things is, well, not one of my gifts. It's something I need to work on.
I know that life will not always be roses and sunshine, but that there are inevitably peaks and valleys on the road of life. The lesson for me this week is found in the fact that each passing day brings me a bit farther down the road, so I need to prepare for the next time I hit a pothole, or find myself heading down a small hill, or suddenly realize the road is already in one of those long, dark, winding, seemingly endless valleys. Because even the smallest of valleys appear endless when I can't quite manage to spot any sunshine.
So the challenge is to begin preparing now by practicing joy and making it a habit that becomes a part of who I am and how I relate to God. Oh, to be able to rejoice in God "no matter what." This is a gift of His abundant grace, because even when I can't muster joy on my own, I can turn to God and ask Him to help me. Philippians 4 says this is the solution to anxiety, a definite joy-zapper, and further it says that when we bring our worries to God, He will give us a peace that "transcends understanding." I know for me a heart at peace is much more inclined to be joyful... so that's a promise I plan to take Him up on.
As I think about it now, I would say that I experienced what it was like to be fed by God's word. I felt full, like after a good meal, and it was so meaningful that it just exceeded the capacity of my mind and bubbled over. Probably not surprising considering that this week's topic was "Delighting in Grace" and specifically addressed joy and rejoicing.
While studying this chapter, I not only experienced joy, but I was also challenged. In citing scriptures like I Thessalonians 5:16, "Be joyful always," and noting that God commanded his people to set aside times for rejoicing, the book suggests that joy is not optional but rather a discipline to be practiced in all circumstances. Even hard ones. Even ones that we would never choose. Even when we absolutely don't feel like it.
I have often had a hard time applying scripture when I can't apply the lesson to the situation I am experiencing right this very moment. And right this very minute, I am pretty joyful. I'm in a great place, and it's as easy as breathing to be joyful and praise God for the blessings He's poured into my life. However, having joy in all things is, well, not one of my gifts. It's something I need to work on.
I know that life will not always be roses and sunshine, but that there are inevitably peaks and valleys on the road of life. The lesson for me this week is found in the fact that each passing day brings me a bit farther down the road, so I need to prepare for the next time I hit a pothole, or find myself heading down a small hill, or suddenly realize the road is already in one of those long, dark, winding, seemingly endless valleys. Because even the smallest of valleys appear endless when I can't quite manage to spot any sunshine.
So the challenge is to begin preparing now by practicing joy and making it a habit that becomes a part of who I am and how I relate to God. Oh, to be able to rejoice in God "no matter what." This is a gift of His abundant grace, because even when I can't muster joy on my own, I can turn to God and ask Him to help me. Philippians 4 says this is the solution to anxiety, a definite joy-zapper, and further it says that when we bring our worries to God, He will give us a peace that "transcends understanding." I know for me a heart at peace is much more inclined to be joyful... so that's a promise I plan to take Him up on.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Educationally Blonde
Someone asked me today if I was ready to go back to school. In reply, I asked if she remembered the scene in the movie Legally Blonde where Elle (Reese Witherspoon) arrives at her first class unprepared and is promptly asked to leave despite her polite explanation that she wasn't aware of an assignment. That is my worst nightmare... I only hope that should it come true, there is no *itchy Vivian (Selma Blair) to add insult to injury.
Side note: for true fans like myself, don't worry (as if you would)... there is ZERO chance that I'll show up to anybody's cocktail party dressed as, ahem, a bunny. For those who haven't seen the movie, I'll just mention that she wasn't dressed as the Easter bunny.
On the other hand, no one could fault Elle's sense of style when it came to her back to school fashion choices or her school supplies. When she realized her heart-shaped notebook and fluffy pink pen weren't going to cut it for law school, she upgraded to a Mac laptop. I cheaped out and got a PC. But I have already told people I might get non-prescription glasses because it will make me feel smarter. (I know someone who actually did this in college.)
I did pick up some school supplies last week. It's the season for great deals, as anyone with kids in school will tell you, which means that one might be able to keep the arm and only sacrifice the leg to get the kiddos outfitted. Being the one who now pays the bill for school supplies, I understand why mom may have dreaded the back-to-school shopping: "But mo-om!" - always two syllables when it's life-or-death - "All the cool kids will have folders with Hannah Montana/CARS/Spiderman on them!!! I have to have it!" I was tempted by Hannah, but in the end opted for the loss-leader 5-cent spiral notebooks. I wonder what the cool grad students will choose?
And don't even get me started on what to wear. I can't decide if it should be designer jeans or business casual for the first day of classes. Probably I'm going with the dressier option, assuming it will be better to be over- rather than under-dressed in this scenario. Besides that, I'm sure the cost of designer jeans these days means I'd end up delinquent on tuition payments.
So, am I ready? No idea. But only one way to find out... pray a lot and leave home really early on day one - so I'm not late to class over finding a parking spot. The $135 I forked over for a parking permit does not guarantee a place to park... only that I may park in an empty space should I find one. A topic for another day.
Side note: for true fans like myself, don't worry (as if you would)... there is ZERO chance that I'll show up to anybody's cocktail party dressed as, ahem, a bunny. For those who haven't seen the movie, I'll just mention that she wasn't dressed as the Easter bunny.
On the other hand, no one could fault Elle's sense of style when it came to her back to school fashion choices or her school supplies. When she realized her heart-shaped notebook and fluffy pink pen weren't going to cut it for law school, she upgraded to a Mac laptop. I cheaped out and got a PC. But I have already told people I might get non-prescription glasses because it will make me feel smarter. (I know someone who actually did this in college.)
I did pick up some school supplies last week. It's the season for great deals, as anyone with kids in school will tell you, which means that one might be able to keep the arm and only sacrifice the leg to get the kiddos outfitted. Being the one who now pays the bill for school supplies, I understand why mom may have dreaded the back-to-school shopping: "But mo-om!" - always two syllables when it's life-or-death - "All the cool kids will have folders with Hannah Montana/CARS/Spiderman on them!!! I have to have it!" I was tempted by Hannah, but in the end opted for the loss-leader 5-cent spiral notebooks. I wonder what the cool grad students will choose?
And don't even get me started on what to wear. I can't decide if it should be designer jeans or business casual for the first day of classes. Probably I'm going with the dressier option, assuming it will be better to be over- rather than under-dressed in this scenario. Besides that, I'm sure the cost of designer jeans these days means I'd end up delinquent on tuition payments.
So, am I ready? No idea. But only one way to find out... pray a lot and leave home really early on day one - so I'm not late to class over finding a parking spot. The $135 I forked over for a parking permit does not guarantee a place to park... only that I may park in an empty space should I find one. A topic for another day.
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