Grace and more grace

Grace:
Upon preparing for my Bible study on the Grace of God for tomorrow evening, I came across this verse (in red): Titus 2:11,13,14 " For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ."

So the question that follows a little later in the study about this verse is:
Although God offers salvation to every person, why do only some receive it?

Does God really offer salvation to every person? If God's grace is irresistable, how can anyone refuse it?

I have been looking for an answer in the book "Know your Christian Life" by Sinclair B. Ferguson, and came across the concepts of "General Calling" and "Effectual Calling" which addresses the issue, but I can't help thinking the explanation a little to convenient. Being that there aren't any Calvinists in my Bible study, I thought I would try to represent... so I better read up on this some more.



more grace:
Blockbuster now has a seven day grace period for returns. This is excellent news for me, and upon being told this by the cashier, I replied, "That's great, I need more grace." The cashier let out a stifled laugh. I don't think she knew what I was talking about.

Blogger's made some changes...

I just checked my comments, and there is a new format here. It is fun to see Randy's face smiling next to his comment. I like it better too, because now you can use some html tags when posting a comment and preview it first. So, perhaps Blogger has been busy improving things after all, and not totally slacking off.

Tatoo me (it's New Year, again)

There is a new addition to my dermis, it isn't permanent, however. Yogi Bear has taken residence on my upper right arm, and The Artist is sporting Tom and Jerry on his right forearm. The boys have been sick, so I have tried to break the monotony of laying around, reading books and watching videos with a little body art. I got these freebie tatoos from Cartoon Network, and they are pretty good ones. I wore the Huckleberry Hound one for about a week before it was completely rubbed off by my jeans...still deciding where Quick Draw McGraw and Fred and Barney should be displayed...

Today is also Chinese (Lunar) New Year, Ash Wednesday, and my friend Inge's birthday. I celebrated the latter with Inge but with a little Chinese twist--some China Moon take-out, and some herbal Chinese-ish gifts and some not-so-Chinese-chocolate-raspberry-pudding-cake. Yummmy. We talked so much that there was no time for the movie, so I will have to see it another time.

I am very tired. The Stuntman decided to interupt my precious REM several times last night, and even though I did get a little nap, I am still beat.

Rory and Logan?

Okay I have a few guilty pleasures, and watching Gilmore Girls is one of them. Tonight a little romance started to simmer with Rory and Logan, and Lorelai may have blown it big time with Luke, no thanks to the meddling Emily, watch out! The Gilmore wedding was elegant, and uneventful for the most part, as it should be I suppose. Overall, an enjoyable episode, which left me hanging til next week.

Wondering what my other guilty pleasures are? Well, I won't divulge all of them, but I do admit to watching Blind Date (it is so Bridget Jones of me)--I have to date vicariously these days, you see....and most of the time, I am glad it is them and not me. hehe

Flippery Fish

I am a Flippery Fish in the TTLB ecosystem. What is that you ask? Go check it out and see for yourself. I will add that only a week or so ago I was an Insignificant Microbe, so there has been much progress.

In other news, I haven't felt much like blogging lately as you can probably tell from my most recent posts. I don't feel like talking about me, and I am feeling like it is time to do more with my time... Also, I've been much busier with life and real living breathing people, and for the most part, that is a good thing.

Also, feeling too tired to write and think...Sing me to Sleep, sing me to sleep, I'm tired and I want to go to bed...

First week daily breastfeeding log

As I begin to wean Prettiness, I recall those early days of her life when I was the only source for her nourishment. I don't feel sad about weaning, it is necessary and shows that she is developing and maturing in a healthy manner. Upon tidying up her shelves today, I uncovered the first week of daily breastfeeding log. For those of you who may never have nursed an infant, and are curious, newborns eat, poop and pee, and sleep-usually in that order.

day 1: born at 12:52pm nursed directly after birth, 2pm, 5pm, 9pm; 1 wet diaper, 2 soiled
day 2: nursed at 12am, 3am, 4am, 6am, 10am, 1pm, 3pm, 7pm, 10pm; 2 wet, 1 soiled
day 3: nursed at 2:30am, 4:30, 8:30, 9:30, 12pm, 4:30, 7, 9, 10; 3wet, 4 soiled
day 4: nursed at 12am,1,2,6,8,10, 11:30, 2pm,5, 7,9, 11:30; 6 wet, 6 soiled
day 5: nursed at 12:30am,2, 4, 7,9, 12 pm, 1,3,4,6,8,11; 7 wet, 7 soiled
day6 and 7 were very much like day 5, except day 7 there were 8 wet, 7 soiled!

Okay, you get the idea. Newborns are a full time job.

The squirrel went berserk

Here's a funny little song my folks sent me about how a squirrel can minister in church. Strangely enough, we just watched The Iron Giant, and a similar thing happens to Dean when Hogarth's squirrel gets loose in the Diner.

Music Meme (slightly revised and updated 2-7-05)

Random 10 Albums Semi-Sorta Randomly pulled from my collection:
{Please note that many of my favorite "cool" albums were "ours" and are now "his", so it is somewhat of a slim pickins in my music library. These are ones I have picked or purchased without the influence of "him".}

1. Anne Lenox - Bare (Incredible! it speaks my deep sorrows so soulfully)
2. Police - Reggatta de Blanc (Walking on the Moon is a favorite of my Artist)
3. Enya - The Memory of Trees (played alot while boys were infants as lullabies, also good for bubble baths)
4. R.E.M - Life's Rich Pageant (the car cd player is holding this one hostage, and I miss it)
5. Paris Combo - LIVE (Loungy french music- tres cool!)
6. Nick Drake - Way to Blue Introduction to Nick Drake (For when I am feeling meloncholic or just mellow)
7. Suzanne Vega - Nine Objects of Desire (Heavy on the base and groovy)
8. They Might Be Giants - Flood (Serendipitously zany, fun and wacky)
for the kids:
9. Harry Connick - Songs I've Heard (Favorites from all the musicals I grew up with)
10. Veggie Tales Sing-Alongs - Bob and Larry's Sunday Morning Songs (All the old churchy songs we learned at Sunday school and camp-veggie style)

What is the total amount of music files on your computer?
Uh, what? My computer can play music? (I am not smart enough to know how to do this... actually I don't think I have enough memory on this little lap top for much of anything else.)
The last CD you bought is:
Nick Drake - Way to Blue, but I have one waiting for me that I ordered and plan to purchase it in the next couple of days. It is "Where the Humans Eat" by Willy Mason.
What is the song you last listened to before this message?
The Church - Under the Milkyway, it was on the radio in my car coming home from the store this afternoon. (I love that song too.)

Five songs that you often listen to or that mean a lot to you.

1. Pet Shop Boys - "You are always on my mind" has many memories associated with a certain time, and I recall belting this one out as I thought about my sister after her death.
2. Enya - "Anywhere Is" It is very poetic, and I love the cadence of this one.
3. Anne Lennox - "Bitter Pill" It's melody is fun and funky, and yet the lyrics are dark and and full of pain.
4. Suzanne Vega - "Caramel" Mmmm, caramel.
5. "It is well with my soul" Means a lot to me and it always makes me cry.

*newly added
6. "Oxygen" by Willy Mason check out the words Here to see why.
7. "I will Survive" by Irene Cary (Do I need to explain this one?)

Who are you gonna pass this stick to? (5 persons and why)
Randy, because he asked.
Greg, because he is a music connaisseur.
Tree, because I am curious of her musical tastes.
Julie, because she is my musical sister.
Tif, because we like the same kinds of music, and I need recommendations.

Another mellow Sunday

Snowed in for the second Sunday in a row, and I confess, short of missing worship this morning it has been an ideal day. Lazed around in jammies for several hours, played in the snow with my boys while Prettiness napped, totally organized (well, mostly) the boys room and vacuumed (oh it was gross in there) , baked up some snacks for "Game Night" tomorrow with my Bible study bunch, and I didn't have to wash the salt of my car, because the snow did it for me.

Fresh tunes

I have been listening to WTMD fairly regularly now in my car, mostly, and I have for the most part enjoyed the experience. Last week, as I parked in front of the Jo-Ann fabric store, I had to stay and finish listening to Willy Mason's "Oxygen". This song is so soulful, and it just touched me, so my music store has ordered me a copy of " Where the Humans Eat". I am also diggin' the band Dogs Die in Hot Cars. They have a mod new-wave sound--a blend of Elvis Costello, Howard Jones and their own distinctness. Particularly fond of "Godhopping" although I haven't really taken a look at the words yet.

What do ChristianTherapists read?

My counselor/therapist is a Christian, in fact he is an elder at my church. He rarely tells me anything about himself, as I would expect is most professional of him, but this last visit, he shared that he and the others in the office have been reading this book: A Generous Orthodoxy.
Now I am intrigued, as I too am interested in this topic.

I'm so excited!

It may not seem like a big deal to most people, but of all my "grown-up" years (since 1994) I have only had a dishwasher for two of them. Those were the two years that I lived in apartment complexes paying way too much rent, but I really loved having a dishwasher. The past two and a half years I have been without, until today! My sister-in-law just moved into her new home with her husband and baby-on-the-way, and they gave me their old portable dishwasher. My brother-in-law and his wife just delivered it tonight, and not a moment too soon. I have been cooking all day for my mom's birthday, (Happy Birthday, Mom) and even though Lynn was just here helping me catch up with chores, I have once again filled the sink to brimming with mixing bowls, measuring cups, plates, silverware and a very greasy roasting pan.

If you are interested, here was the menu for this evening:
*Green leaf lettuce salad with Raspberry Walnut Vinegret Dressing
*Hahn Estates 2003 Montery Merlot
*Maple-glazed Roasted Duckling with McIntosh Apples
*Red Potatoes with butter and thyme
*Fresh steamed Green beans
*Chocolate Cream Cake with Chocolate sour cream icing
*Neopolitan Ice cream
*Hot Tea (presently not equipped for coffee making)

Mmmmm, my tummy is full and happy. Just finishing off my wine and feeling very satisfied with the evening. Mother was properly "Birthday-ed" and I am pleased.

Bowl for a Buck!

There isn't much you can do for a dollar these days, but here is one of them. Parkville Bowling Lanes has $1 a game duckpin bowling from 4-6pm every weekday! Rumor has it that many local bowling alleys do this, because it is the slowest time of day for bowling--it is certainly worth checking out. We tried this fun form of recreation today with another homeschooling family and had a blast.

a new hope, and I don't mean star wars...

I feel that since late last week I am starting to feel like my old self again. No, I haven't been ill, just a little depressed. The dark clouds that have been hovering over my head shed some snow, and now they are lighter and not so threatening.

I met with my friend/ former employer, Sarah Veblen, yesterday to catch up and talk about possibly taking one of her classes, and possibly getting back into sewing in a more regular-support-myself-and-the-kids kind of way. She may have some leads for me in the future, and that is hopeful. She is always so complimentary of me and my work potential, it is always a boost of encouragement to visit with her. The visit was cut short, so I didn't get to see what she has brewing in her studio, so we left it open for another visit in the near future.

I appreciate the verses given to me by my mom, and friends, during these several dark weeks, thank you. I make no promises of not repeating this cycle, in fact it should be expected--I am told.

I was especially blessed by this verse last night that was in the boys' devotional last night:
Isaiah 58:11
"I will always guide you. I will satisfy your needs in a land that is baked by the sun. I will make you stronger. You will be like a garden that has plenty of water. You will be like a spring that never runs dry."

I also am grateful for the help of my sisters in Christ who have been lending a hand every now and again...Today especially thankful for Lynn, who washed my dishes, folded laundry and mopped my floor, so I had some time to spend with my boys, and for mom beginning to recover from her illness and to babysit for a couple hours--keep taking it easy, mom.

Garden State

Just finished watching Garden State tonight. *deep sigh* Wow, it hit me hard.

In his attempt to help his son (Andrew Largeman) deal with grief, the psychiatrist father has prescribed him so many meds that he is too numb to feel anything - even the good stuff.

There are many times these days when I wish I could numb all the pain that I feel, and I have tried some of the lesser methods, but they always wear off, and the pain is still there when it does. We can not escape life. It happens and we need to deal with it. "Sometimes life just effing hurts." Unfortunately this film doesn't offer the same kind of hope that we Christians can have in knowing that it is all for a purpose, part of God's intricate design. But yet, somehow the movie is hopeful. Largeman begins to unlock his guilt, anger and grief and deals with it. The healing process comes with unexpected companionship, and clarity (not taking the meds), and some bizarre friendships.

Oh, yes and thank-you, person who recommended the soundtrack to this film, it is indeed worth a listen.

Joyella's disclaimer:
This film is a little gritty with real-life kind of content, which is never tidy. There is a lot of swearing, drug use and other racey material. There, I have warned you.

Bloody lawsuit?

I took the fam to Cheeburger Cheeburger tonight as a little treat, since I rarely take them out, and I really didn't feel like cooking or cleaning up afterward. All went well until when we were getting ready to go, I notice blood all over little Prettiness' hand. Somehow she had cut her index finger and the darn thing would not stop. I guess small people pump their blood rather quickly, and for a reason beyond me it would not clot. I tried holding a paper towel to it - firmly- for many minutes, and it still didn't stop. By the time I had bundled the kids into the car and driven across the vast parking lot to the Blockbuster, selected Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Garden State, and moved up to the check out, she had blood smeared all over her face.

If I were a different sort of person, I am sure I would see opportunity in this bloody event. A chance to make a profit off of some capitalist chain restaurant--I am sure they are at fault (I say tongue in cheek). I really have no idea what caused the cut. It sort of looked like a deep paper cut, but I couldn't find any sharp edges- nor did I really want to, I just wanted to stop the bleeding. For all I know, she could have bit her own finger on a sharp edge of a new tooth, but it didn't really look like that kind of cut. The whole thing didn't faze her a bit. By the time we got back home, she was sucking on her new booboo - it was still bleeding. So I quickly washed her and the cut off and bandaged it. Bandaging a baby's finger is kind of ridiculous though, fortunately she was just about to go to bed for the night and that would give it time to heal before she figures out how to get that bandage off and eat it... I doubt it will still be there in the morning.

My little Potato Eater or Forgotten Pleasures Remembered

Tonight I relished watching little "Prettiness" eat mashed potatoes. There is nothing so pleasurable to a toddler as reaching a chubby hand into a pile of pasty food and smearing into her mouth. It made me want to eat them that way too, only I was holding her on my lap, so I refrained and just observed. No doubt, this eating adventure required bathing afterward, which is something my little girl has been loathing for the past three months. Ever since that horrible case of diaper rash, she has had a bath-phobia and would scream bloody murder at the near sight of anything resembling a tub of water. I had resorted to washing her up while sitting her on a towel on my lap, and once taken her in the shower with me, but she was just too slippery and it is hard to wash my hair using only one hand. Anyway, I ventured to give her a proper bath tonight and she only cried for a few minutes and then began to remember the forgotten pleasures of splashing and pouring water. She didn't even want to get out, but since she was beginning to shiver, I figured it was time. Oh, I hope next bath she remembers that she does like it after all and doesn't give me a fit.

ha ha, that blogger!

Well, for some odd reason unbeknownst to me, my photo finally published into my profile. I have been trying to change it for what two weeks now? I haven't even gotten a response from the "Blogger Helps"...but they are working on it, I am sure....

Which blogs do I read?

A while back, Kris asked me which blogs I like to visit and read on a regular (some are more regular than others, but all are good ones) basis. Well on most blogs there is a place to list them, but I haven't yet figured out how to do that on the sidebar, it may very well be that this template doesn't allow for it, so I thought I would just list and link them here if any of you visitors are curious. It also gives my blog buddies a little publicity, not much, because I am read less than many of them, but that is just fine with me.... So here goes:

Quotidian Light

Jeremygilby.com
Everyday thoughts collected
Jtwenty7
TulipGirl
Amazing adventures of Astrid
Kyrosity
Honest2blog
Gideon Strauss
A Likely Story
World Wide Rant
Notes from a byzantine-rite-calvinist

Good bye HFS

Yesterday was the last day that local radio station WHFS played on the air. It is now a local Latino-Hispanic station, which came as quite a shock when I hit my pre-programmed button yesterday and heard someone crooning en Espangol. (If you are curious like I was about this sudden unexpected change see here and read all about it.) I started listening to HFS back in the mid 80's when it was still an independent alternative station. I discovered it through my punk-rock sister, and really liked it. Then it gradually became, well, not so special. Lots of angry boy-bands and lots of commercials. The Flashback cafe was always fun, and the main reason I still hung in there with HFS. I even attended one of the first HFStivals -the one at Lake Fairfax, that was so fun, like a mini-alternative-woodstock, the Violent Femmes were the headliners. "Do you like American music?" It was very memorable. But now I search for a new alternative station that will play all my high-school favorites as well as new groovy tunes. Perhaps the WRNR is the one, although I always have found it ironic that a disc jockey (remember Damien?) would have a speech impediment.