Tuesday, February 16, 2010

2010 Vancouver Olympic moments


Since I'm only seeing Canadian coverage of the Olympics, I thought I'd go check out what the Americans were saying on CNN and Sports Illustrated(SI). Oh my. This article made me laugh out loud in several places in complete agreement.
Alexandre Bilodeau Gives Canada Reason to Cheer

Just a little friendly ribbing between friends.

Note: We did watch the medal ceremony late last night and I WAS singing along spontaneously with the thousands of Canadians as their national anthem was played in honor of Bilodeau's accomplishment. So I'm not completely without Canadian pride, you see. And the fact that after seven+ years of living here, I can say I do know most of the words to the anthem, until they sing those parts in French sometimes...then I mumble. :)

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Piper and Carson

Last year, both John Piper and D.A. (Don) Carson spoke at a gathering in Chicago addressing the twinned topics of a pastor as a scholar and the scholar as a pastor.

John Piper spoke about his personal journey and I really enjoyed it.  I have not yet finished listening to Don Carson's address but I expect to enjoy it as well.
The Pastor as Scholar (Piper)

The Scholar as Pastor(Carson)

snowfortress!




Friday, February 12, 2010

Run

On the eve of the start of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 9 have given me a reality check. He writes:
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (NIV)

The last few days have left me feeling that I am like a man running aimlessly as if I have no idea what my goal is. I am mostly being carried along by the whims of my strongest desires. If I feel like it or absolutely have to then I do it. Otherwise I am content to be lazy. Paul is teaching here that it is only through strict training and self-discipline that the race can be accomplished and the prize won. I understand what my goals are as a wife, mother and child of God, but I have not been following a training regimen that will actually help me achieve those goals. How can I expect to stay on the course if I consistently allow myself the freedom to sit back and coast wherever I please?

A few months ago, in a quiet reflective moment, it occurred to me that despite what it appears, I am a very undisciplined person in several major areas. It was disconcerting to acknowledge that but it did not spur me on to seek change. However, seeing I cannot go on in this aimless meandering way and still expect to reach my goals, I am now looking for opportunities to train myself. This site and my kitchen are two places I frequent daily. One of the first changes is to put up reminders of my goals where I can consistently see them; visual course-markers that will enable me to remember to stay on the track.

Yes, I am tired and missing solid, restful sleep, but how long can I continue to excuse myself when I have no guarantee that my race will continue tomorrow? My goals for my children as dictated by the word of God are but for a season. They will soon be grown-up and my role as their mother will be changed. I do not have much more time. I must run this portion of the race now with no further excuses.

The torch has been lit and the race is already on; I need to run as the prizewinner.

Thursday, February 04, 2010

so sweet and so quiet


Baby L at six months. Shhhh....don't breathe, it's been a long six months.

Wednesday, February 03, 2010