I told him that I own the house, and he said, "Oh, you look so young!"
80D
Monday, February 28, 2011
Best Compliment Ever
Some guy (trying to sell windows and siding) came to the door today, and said, "Are your parents home?"
I told him that I own the house, and he said, "Oh, you look so young!"
80D
I told him that I own the house, and he said, "Oh, you look so young!"
80D
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Act of Service
One of Justin's love languages is "Acts of Service," so I decided to give him one for his birthday. After reading a couple how-to's and watching an instructional video, I was ready. After the kids went to bed, I got out the ironing board, iron, and all of Justin's dress shirts. From about 10pm to 3am, I ironed. It probably shouldn't have taken that long, but I have almost no experience ironing. I know what you're thinking: "Poor Justin." Yeah, well now that I've gotten a little practice, maybe he can go to work with unwrinkled shirts on a regular basis. When I finished, I was exhausted and my back killed me. I sure hope he appreciates it!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Not Very Christian Thoughts
This evening I went to the Y for a step aerobics class. As I was driving through the parking lot looking for a spot, I noticed that there was a car parked halfway in its parking spot and halfway in the lane. I just want to say that I was really tempted to hit it with my car. In fact, I think it deserved to be hit or keyed or something. I mean, seriously? I'm not the best at parking, but if I don't do a good job the first time, I back up and try again. I, unlike many in this world, actually have consideration for others around me.
I also think that we should nuke Somalia and any and all pirate ships operating in that region of the world. I'm actually serious. We don't need another Black Hawk Down. That place isn't worth losing a single American life over.
I realize that the two situations have nothing to do with each other, except for the fact that the world would be better off without horrible parkers and Islamo-fascist pirates.
I also think that we should nuke Somalia and any and all pirate ships operating in that region of the world. I'm actually serious. We don't need another Black Hawk Down. That place isn't worth losing a single American life over.
I realize that the two situations have nothing to do with each other, except for the fact that the world would be better off without horrible parkers and Islamo-fascist pirates.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Spoken For
Here's a scriptural examination of the song "Spoken For" by MercyMe.
Take this world from me
I don't need it anymore.
John 15:18-19a - If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world
1 John 2:15-17 - Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravin.gs of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
I am finally free.
John 8:31-32 - Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 8:36 - "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
Romans 6:22 - But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.
2 Corinthians 3:17 - Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
My heart is spoken for.
Song of Solomon 6:3 - I am my beloved's and he is mine.
Romans 14:8 - If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
Oh, and I praise You
Oh, and I worship You...
Covered by your love divine
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 - Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
Romans 8:38-39 - For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Psalm 32:1 - Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Child of the Risen Lord
Galatians 3:26 - You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 4:4-7 - But when the time had full come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
Luke 24:5b-7 - ...the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Gallilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'"
1 Corinthians 15:20 - But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead...
To hear you say, "this one's mine."
My heart is spoken for.
Hebrews 7:25 - Therefore he (Jesus) is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Revelation 3:5 - He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.
Now I have a peace
I've never known before
Romans 5:1 - Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we not stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Philippians 4:7 - And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I find myself complete
James 1:2-4 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
My heart is spoken for.
Romans 1:6 - And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 6:19b-20a - You are not your own; you were bought at a price.
By the power of the cross
You've taken what was lost
And made it fully yours
And I have been redeemed
By you that spoke to me
Now I am spoken for
Colossians 1:13 - For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 2:13-15 - When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Take this world from me
I don't need it anymore.
John 15:18-19a - If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world
1 John 2:15-17 - Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravin.gs of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
I am finally free.
John 8:31-32 - Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 8:36 - "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
Romans 6:22 - But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.
2 Corinthians 3:17 - Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
My heart is spoken for.
Song of Solomon 6:3 - I am my beloved's and he is mine.
Romans 14:8 - If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
Oh, and I praise You
Oh, and I worship You...
Covered by your love divine
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 - Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
Romans 8:38-39 - For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Psalm 32:1 - Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Child of the Risen Lord
Galatians 3:26 - You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 4:4-7 - But when the time had full come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
Luke 24:5b-7 - ...the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Gallilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'"
1 Corinthians 15:20 - But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead...
To hear you say, "this one's mine."
My heart is spoken for.
Hebrews 7:25 - Therefore he (Jesus) is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Revelation 3:5 - He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.
Now I have a peace
I've never known before
Romans 5:1 - Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we not stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Philippians 4:7 - And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I find myself complete
James 1:2-4 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
My heart is spoken for.
Romans 1:6 - And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 6:19b-20a - You are not your own; you were bought at a price.
By the power of the cross
You've taken what was lost
And made it fully yours
And I have been redeemed
By you that spoke to me
Now I am spoken for
Colossians 1:13 - For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 2:13-15 - When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Walmart Woes
Yesterday was kind of stressful. At least, the part when I was at Walmart with the kids. I really need to start going grocery shopping early in the morning without Josie and Deuce, while Justin is still awake. It's not that they are naughty, but they take up so much room in the cart!
I had two weeks worth of groceries to buy yesterday, including a 25 lb bag of flour, toilet paper and diapers. That's a lot of stuff, with not a lot of room to put it. I normally bring an insulated bag to put my frozen foods in, but I couldn't find it. So, I brought a soft cooler instead. I also brought two reusable grocery bags to limit the number of plastic bags I bring home. At first, I had both bags and my diaper bag/purse in the cooler. As the cart started filling up, I realized I should reorganize a bit. I pulled the cooler out, and set it on the floor. I moved some things around (including my children) in the cart, and went about my merry way. It wasn't until a few aisles later that I realized I didn't have the cooler (or my purse, more importantly). For those of you know me well, this is no surprise. I tend to be a forgetful loser. Maybe I should say "forgetful misplacer," because loser sounds so negative haha. Anyway, I frantically started backtracking through the aisles to find it. When I didn't see it, I went to customer service. They didn't have it, so of course I'm a little stressed. The cooler was a Christmas gift, but more importantly, my wallet is in my bag. I started looking in other people's carts, because let's face it, I'm in Walmart. Thankfully, I got called back to customer service just a few minutes later. They had either just found it or someone had turned it in. Either way, I was very relieved!
Now, it was back to shopping. I wanted to get toilet paper, but realized I had no room for it. Also, after attempting to rearrange my cart to fit the box of diapers, I had to put those back too. I can't tell you how many times I stopped to move things around. For example, where do you put bread so it's not squished by little hands, yet not squished by other heavy objects? Finding a spot for the carton of eggs is also tricky. Josie loves pointing out eggs, but she doesn't yet realize how fragile they are.
At one point, I decided to put some of my groceries in the two reusable bags and fill the cooler. As I pulled the bags out, I realized that the diaper bag was drenched. One of the sippy cups had spilled. I mean, it was sopping wet; I could squeeze water out of it. I had nothing to use to clean up the mess (which was thankfully, just water), so I went and grabbed a roll of paper towels off the shelf. I squeezed out and dried and wiped up as much of the water as I could, meanwhile singing, "This is the Day that the Lord has Made." Impressively, both kids sat quietly while I took care of the mess. I think if they had not cooperated, I would have been a lot more frustrated. So, thank God for that small mercy!
I ended up spending more than an hour and a half in Walmart. I was exhausted by the time we got home, and I still had to put all the groceries away. At least I didn't go over budget (helps to skip the big ticket items like diapers haha) and didn't buy anything that wasn't on the list (that doesn't include my Starbucks stop on the way, of course). Considering how hectic the trip was, I'm glad it turned out as well as it did.
Plus, I had a huge bowl of Moose Tracks ice cream for lunch. I figured I deserved it. ;0)
I had two weeks worth of groceries to buy yesterday, including a 25 lb bag of flour, toilet paper and diapers. That's a lot of stuff, with not a lot of room to put it. I normally bring an insulated bag to put my frozen foods in, but I couldn't find it. So, I brought a soft cooler instead. I also brought two reusable grocery bags to limit the number of plastic bags I bring home. At first, I had both bags and my diaper bag/purse in the cooler. As the cart started filling up, I realized I should reorganize a bit. I pulled the cooler out, and set it on the floor. I moved some things around (including my children) in the cart, and went about my merry way. It wasn't until a few aisles later that I realized I didn't have the cooler (or my purse, more importantly). For those of you know me well, this is no surprise. I tend to be a forgetful loser. Maybe I should say "forgetful misplacer," because loser sounds so negative haha. Anyway, I frantically started backtracking through the aisles to find it. When I didn't see it, I went to customer service. They didn't have it, so of course I'm a little stressed. The cooler was a Christmas gift, but more importantly, my wallet is in my bag. I started looking in other people's carts, because let's face it, I'm in Walmart. Thankfully, I got called back to customer service just a few minutes later. They had either just found it or someone had turned it in. Either way, I was very relieved!
Now, it was back to shopping. I wanted to get toilet paper, but realized I had no room for it. Also, after attempting to rearrange my cart to fit the box of diapers, I had to put those back too. I can't tell you how many times I stopped to move things around. For example, where do you put bread so it's not squished by little hands, yet not squished by other heavy objects? Finding a spot for the carton of eggs is also tricky. Josie loves pointing out eggs, but she doesn't yet realize how fragile they are.
At one point, I decided to put some of my groceries in the two reusable bags and fill the cooler. As I pulled the bags out, I realized that the diaper bag was drenched. One of the sippy cups had spilled. I mean, it was sopping wet; I could squeeze water out of it. I had nothing to use to clean up the mess (which was thankfully, just water), so I went and grabbed a roll of paper towels off the shelf. I squeezed out and dried and wiped up as much of the water as I could, meanwhile singing, "This is the Day that the Lord has Made." Impressively, both kids sat quietly while I took care of the mess. I think if they had not cooperated, I would have been a lot more frustrated. So, thank God for that small mercy!
I ended up spending more than an hour and a half in Walmart. I was exhausted by the time we got home, and I still had to put all the groceries away. At least I didn't go over budget (helps to skip the big ticket items like diapers haha) and didn't buy anything that wasn't on the list (that doesn't include my Starbucks stop on the way, of course). Considering how hectic the trip was, I'm glad it turned out as well as it did.
Plus, I had a huge bowl of Moose Tracks ice cream for lunch. I figured I deserved it. ;0)
Monday, February 14, 2011
Valentine's Day Dinner
My husband isn't very romantic. I've known that from the beginning, and I've always been okay with that. However, that doesn't mean I don't appreciate a little effort toward romance now and then. Such as: my birthday, our anniversary and sometimes Valentine's Day. I have low expectations (not that I don't think Justin can deliver, but because it doesn't take much to please me) when it comes to romance. Several days ago I assured Justin that I don't want him to buy me anything, but I would like him to do something special for V-Day. A couple days ago, I mentioned that if he didn't know what to do he could make me dinner. He let out a big sigh of relief and thanked me for the idea, because he had been racking his brain all day for ideas. Knowing that he spent time thinking about doing something sweet and/or romantic for me is almost as good as the actual thing itself.
So, anyway, Justin made dinner tonight while I napped on the couch (a double gift!). He made stuffed pork chops and twice baked potatoes, as well as broccoli and wild rice. It was a very yummy dinner, and I enjoyed the effort and result!
I love my husband!
So, anyway, Justin made dinner tonight while I napped on the couch (a double gift!). He made stuffed pork chops and twice baked potatoes, as well as broccoli and wild rice. It was a very yummy dinner, and I enjoyed the effort and result!
I love my husband!
Splish Splash!
As I mentioned in a previous post, Deuce finally likes - no loves - taking baths. I've been bathing him and Josie together, and they have a blast playing and splashing in the tub. Here are a few pictures I took yesterday.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Like Every Other Saturday, But Better
After all the hard work I did yesterday, I really just wanted to be a lazy bum. And I was. Until about noon, then I talked myself into cleaning up after Deuce's party and making the house look presentable for Justin's family to come over. Justin's sister, Lindsay, came early to take some pictures of Deuce as a birthday gift. She's got a great camera and some other professional photography equipment. The ones I saw looked great, so I can't wait to see the rest! His dad, wife and other sister, Alana came a bit later. Deuce (well actually I) opened his presents, and then just hung out for a little bit. Alana's highlight of the night was that Josie said "Alana."
I took more pictures today. I'm going to get a lot of use out of this camera. Hope you don't mind seeing the results on my blog!
He got a bit tuckered out. So Grandpa got in some snuggle time.
Josie, being lovely and silly in a matter of seconds.
I took more pictures today. I'm going to get a lot of use out of this camera. Hope you don't mind seeing the results on my blog!
Deuce playing on his new riding toy from Grandpa Jones and Grandma Vicki, wearing an outfit from the Bessas, which needs to go back to Kohls. ;0)
Little Monkey
We decided to keep Deuce's birthday celebration very small. We just had a few families over last night for a couple hours for appetizers and a whole lot of noise. The theme I chose was monkeys and bananas. I spent almost nothing on decorations - I made my own by printing and laminating pictures from the internet, and I made a birthday banner by taping several papers together. Plus, bananas are a pretty cheap decoration at $.49 a pound. ;0)
Here are a few pictures from the party (Thank you to Ty and Kim for taking some of them!):
Here are a few pictures from the party (Thank you to Ty and Kim for taking some of them!):
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| Love the outfit, not so sure about the hair. |
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| Kennedy's hair is crazy. Deuce looks like a big boy on the couch. |
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| Imagine this picture without the boogers. |
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| He was cranky all night. |
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| This is how we opened most of the presents. (By the way, I didn't know how loud and annoying this lawn mower was until the kids started playing with it.) |
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| Max is checking out one of Deuce's new toys while simultaneously putting a choke hold on the baby. |
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| I wonder what he wants? |
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| Weebles wobble but they don't fall down! |
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| Hi Emily. 80) |
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| Max and Kennedy looking cute. |
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| Raven really wants a bite of Kennedy's banana. |
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| Deuce eating his banana cupcake, which he loved. |
New Camera
Awhile back I had misplaced the charger and usb cable for our camera. I eventually found it, and decided to put them all together in a safe place. A safe place that I cannot for the life of me remember. We went without a camera until it really started driving me crazy. The kids were doing cute things that I couldn't capture for my scrapbooks (Yes, the scrapbooks that haven't been touched in months, but that's besides the point). I finally decided to go to Target and get a new camera. It's a Canon PowerShot that was $70 off its original price. And it was the display, which happened to be the very last one in the store. I wasn't in the mood to haul the kids (in sub-0 temperatures to another store for one in a box) I don't need a fancy shmancy camera, but I think this one will do its job just fine. I do wonder if I'll ever find the old camera back though.
Here are some pictures I took this past week:
Contrary to her performances in professional (or at least talented) photo shoots, Josie does have a lovely smile. 80)
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| Josie loves her room. |
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| "Cheese!" |
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| You can see part of our newly painted kitchen behind her. |
Deuce is getting cuter and cuter, as you can see. 80) He just turned 1 on Wednesday the 9th. It's hard to believe it's been a whole year already! Now if he would just sleep through the night, that would be awesome. He was on a roll for awhile, but between traveling to my parents' house and having his mom come visit, his schedule got off. Either way, he's adorable, so I forgive him every morning. 80)
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| He looks so sweet! |
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| He likes playing in his sister's room, and vice versa. |
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| He also likes playing with her toys. (At least it's not a doll in this pic.) |
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| Look at the presents mailed from Grandma Jones and Grandpa & Grandma Perryman! |
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| Starting to get a little clingy. |
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| Now Josie and Deuce are fighting over me. |
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| He looks really excited about his new toys. |
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| Just standing and chillin. |
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| Snuggling with Auntie Kim, and loving it. |
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Pour Out
The story of the sinful woman who anoints the feet of Jesus with perfume while he is dining with a pharisee is a well-known one. However, I think most people have a different view of this story in their minds than what it probably actually looked like.
Luke 7:36-38 NIV
36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
I don't know how many times I read this passage and completely skipped over the word "reclined" and just envisioned Jesus, the Pharisee (and whoever else might be there) sitting on chairs at a table. In verse 38, we read that the sinful woman stood behind Jesus, at his feet. If he were sitting on an upright chair, how could she have been behind him AND at his feet? Why I never questioned this before is a puzzle.
According to Roman custom, tables were set up in a horseshoe with cushions or special couches around them. A diner would recline - lie on his stomach or left side - while eating. Now, picturing Jesus lying on his stomach to eat, we get a different perspective of this story.
Imagine what courage it must have taken for this woman, well-known for being sinful, to walk right into a Pharisee's home while he was having dinner with guests. I think she was there to see Jesus, because she believed he could change her life somehow. She could have walked in the middle of the tables like the servants did, and plead her case to Jesus. She could have apologized and begged for forgiveness to his face. Instead, she shows incredible humility by simply standing behind him, weeping.
Maybe she thought through her tears, "Lord, I am not worthy to be in your presence. I don't want to live this sinful life anymore, but I don't know how to get out. I've heard about what you've done for others - how you've healed and forgiven people, changing them. I want to be changed. I believe that you can change me, but I am so ashamed of who I've become." Falling to her knees, perhaps in desperation, she began wiping his feet with her hair and kissing them. ((Remember, Jesus is on his stomach, so the sinful woman is kissing the bottoms of his feet.))
Then, looking at the alabaster jar of perfume that she had brought, she may have wondered if the gift was enough, coming from someone like her. Even so, she began to pour the perfume all over his feet while she continued to wet them with her tears and wipe them with her hair. In the same way that Jesus knew when the woman with the issue of blood touched his garment, I believe that he felt her heart being poured out as she poured out the perfume. He sensed the love for him and the faith that she had. I think of a worship song:
Jesus knew her heart. He knew that she longed to be different, to be changed by him. The Pharisee did not, which is why he spoke accusingly toward Jesus for allowing a woman such as this one to touch him. Jesus then told the Pharisee a parable about two men who owed money to a lender. One had a debt of 500 denarii, well over a year's worth of work. The other had a debt of 50 denarii, less than 2 months' worth of work. The moneylender forgave both debts. Who loved more? The one with the bigger debt, of course.
Luke 7:44-48, 50
44 Then he turned toward the woman ((I picture him sitting up, facing her, and touching her face or holding her hands)) and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
How astonished she must have been. How grateful and amazed. What a weight that had been lifted from her shoulders to know that all of her sins had been forgiven. And then to make matters even better:
50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Jesus did not tell the woman not to sin anymore. I don't think he needed to. She got the change she was looking for. She was forgiven, saved, at peace, and filled with a love greater than she had ever known. She could ask for nothing more. Her soul was satisfied.
The same could be for you, if you would just pour out.
Luke 7:36-38 NIV
36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
I don't know how many times I read this passage and completely skipped over the word "reclined" and just envisioned Jesus, the Pharisee (and whoever else might be there) sitting on chairs at a table. In verse 38, we read that the sinful woman stood behind Jesus, at his feet. If he were sitting on an upright chair, how could she have been behind him AND at his feet? Why I never questioned this before is a puzzle.
According to Roman custom, tables were set up in a horseshoe with cushions or special couches around them. A diner would recline - lie on his stomach or left side - while eating. Now, picturing Jesus lying on his stomach to eat, we get a different perspective of this story.
Imagine what courage it must have taken for this woman, well-known for being sinful, to walk right into a Pharisee's home while he was having dinner with guests. I think she was there to see Jesus, because she believed he could change her life somehow. She could have walked in the middle of the tables like the servants did, and plead her case to Jesus. She could have apologized and begged for forgiveness to his face. Instead, she shows incredible humility by simply standing behind him, weeping.
Maybe she thought through her tears, "Lord, I am not worthy to be in your presence. I don't want to live this sinful life anymore, but I don't know how to get out. I've heard about what you've done for others - how you've healed and forgiven people, changing them. I want to be changed. I believe that you can change me, but I am so ashamed of who I've become." Falling to her knees, perhaps in desperation, she began wiping his feet with her hair and kissing them. ((Remember, Jesus is on his stomach, so the sinful woman is kissing the bottoms of his feet.))
Then, looking at the alabaster jar of perfume that she had brought, she may have wondered if the gift was enough, coming from someone like her. Even so, she began to pour the perfume all over his feet while she continued to wet them with her tears and wipe them with her hair. In the same way that Jesus knew when the woman with the issue of blood touched his garment, I believe that he felt her heart being poured out as she poured out the perfume. He sensed the love for him and the faith that she had. I think of a worship song:
Here I am Once again I pour out my heart For I know that you hear Every cry You are listening No matter what state My heart is in You are faithful to answer With words that are true And a hope that is real As I feel your touch You bring a freedom
To all that's within In the safety of this place I'm longing to Pout out my heart To say that I love You Pout out my heart To say that I need You Pout out my heart To say that I'm thankful Pout out my heart To say that You're wonderful
Jesus knew her heart. He knew that she longed to be different, to be changed by him. The Pharisee did not, which is why he spoke accusingly toward Jesus for allowing a woman such as this one to touch him. Jesus then told the Pharisee a parable about two men who owed money to a lender. One had a debt of 500 denarii, well over a year's worth of work. The other had a debt of 50 denarii, less than 2 months' worth of work. The moneylender forgave both debts. Who loved more? The one with the bigger debt, of course.
Luke 7:44-48, 50
44 Then he turned toward the woman ((I picture him sitting up, facing her, and touching her face or holding her hands)) and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
How astonished she must have been. How grateful and amazed. What a weight that had been lifted from her shoulders to know that all of her sins had been forgiven. And then to make matters even better:
50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Jesus did not tell the woman not to sin anymore. I don't think he needed to. She got the change she was looking for. She was forgiven, saved, at peace, and filled with a love greater than she had ever known. She could ask for nothing more. Her soul was satisfied.
The same could be for you, if you would just pour out.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Ketchup and Mustard
I've been wanting to paint our kitchen for a long time now, but it just never reached critical importance for us. That is, until this past week when I decided I was tired of off white walls in the kitchen. I knew Justin would appreciate a change too, so I started planning to secretly paint the kitchen while he was at work and surprise him when he came home the next morning.
I conspired with my friends Kim, Raven and Mo about a week ago. All I had to do was prep the room for paint and they would help. (Well, Mo stood around and watched, but I can't fault the pregnant chick.) Prepping a room for paint in a house as old as ours isn't as simple as washing the walls. I had to wash the walls of course, but I also had to spackle and sand many cracks, holes, and chipped paint.
Anyway, the big snowstorm threw a small wrench in my plans in that I wasn't able to go to Home Depot to buy the paint until yesterday evening, shortly before the girls were planning on coming. Now keep in mind that this was all supposed to be a secret from Justin. So I had to have another reason to go out. I told Justin I wanted to go to Target to get some things for Deuce's birthday. Could I have picked two places that were any farther apart? Because I was just supposed to be at Target, I had to make my HD stop as quick as possible. Unfortunately, the man behind the paint counter was in the mood to give a lesson on red paint. Plus he talked me into buying an extra gallon of grey primer, which was $20 on top of the $66 I was already spending on paint. Meh. So, as I'm hauling butt (I think that sounds ridiculous. You know what I really want to say.) to Target, Justin calls me to inform me that I forgot the Target gift card and debit card. Since I just spent nearly all of my cash at HD, I had no choice but to come home, acting like I was really upset about "wasting time at Target."
So, as soon as Justin walked out the door, I quickly started getting the room ready: I took stuff off the wall, moved furniture and appliances and started taping. The two colors I chose for the kitchen are Ruby Ring and Campground by Behr. My plan was to do one wall in a deep red and the other 3 in a tannish color. We primed the soon-to-be red wall. And then went to work on the other 3 walls, edging and painting it what was supposed to be taupe-ish.
Actually, it was more like spicy brown mustard. It also resembles a breastfed newborn's poop (after the meconium stage) minus the seeds haha. And now, come to think of it, I'm pretty sure my first car (a 1980 Toyota Celica hatchback) was this color. "Campground" my butt. However, as someone who likes mustard, breastfeeding and the memories of my first car, I can tolerate the color.
When we finally got to the red wall, it was past midnight. And what a disappointment it was to know that the paint was not going to cover in one coat. So, I would have to wait 24 hours and do another coat (or more) myself. I ended up waking up this morning at 5am (less than 3 hours after I went to bed) to do the 2nd coat of mustard, I mean Campground before Justin got home. I also did some tape removal and clean up.
Justin walked in the door, and into the kitchen, and I said, "surprise!" He responded with a big smile. He was definitely surprised! And happy that I took the initiative to finally paint our really boring kitchen. He doesn't love the baby poop tan either, but like me, can tolerate it. Just about any color is better than white or off-white, I think.
I hear that red walls make people eat more. My walls look like ketchup and mustard. I wonder how my diet is going to go now? Psh. ;0)
I conspired with my friends Kim, Raven and Mo about a week ago. All I had to do was prep the room for paint and they would help. (Well, Mo stood around and watched, but I can't fault the pregnant chick.) Prepping a room for paint in a house as old as ours isn't as simple as washing the walls. I had to wash the walls of course, but I also had to spackle and sand many cracks, holes, and chipped paint.
Anyway, the big snowstorm threw a small wrench in my plans in that I wasn't able to go to Home Depot to buy the paint until yesterday evening, shortly before the girls were planning on coming. Now keep in mind that this was all supposed to be a secret from Justin. So I had to have another reason to go out. I told Justin I wanted to go to Target to get some things for Deuce's birthday. Could I have picked two places that were any farther apart? Because I was just supposed to be at Target, I had to make my HD stop as quick as possible. Unfortunately, the man behind the paint counter was in the mood to give a lesson on red paint. Plus he talked me into buying an extra gallon of grey primer, which was $20 on top of the $66 I was already spending on paint. Meh. So, as I'm hauling butt (I think that sounds ridiculous. You know what I really want to say.) to Target, Justin calls me to inform me that I forgot the Target gift card and debit card. Since I just spent nearly all of my cash at HD, I had no choice but to come home, acting like I was really upset about "wasting time at Target."
So, as soon as Justin walked out the door, I quickly started getting the room ready: I took stuff off the wall, moved furniture and appliances and started taping. The two colors I chose for the kitchen are Ruby Ring and Campground by Behr. My plan was to do one wall in a deep red and the other 3 in a tannish color. We primed the soon-to-be red wall. And then went to work on the other 3 walls, edging and painting it what was supposed to be taupe-ish.
Actually, it was more like spicy brown mustard. It also resembles a breastfed newborn's poop (after the meconium stage) minus the seeds haha. And now, come to think of it, I'm pretty sure my first car (a 1980 Toyota Celica hatchback) was this color. "Campground" my butt. However, as someone who likes mustard, breastfeeding and the memories of my first car, I can tolerate the color.
When we finally got to the red wall, it was past midnight. And what a disappointment it was to know that the paint was not going to cover in one coat. So, I would have to wait 24 hours and do another coat (or more) myself. I ended up waking up this morning at 5am (less than 3 hours after I went to bed) to do the 2nd coat of mustard, I mean Campground before Justin got home. I also did some tape removal and clean up.
Justin walked in the door, and into the kitchen, and I said, "surprise!" He responded with a big smile. He was definitely surprised! And happy that I took the initiative to finally paint our really boring kitchen. He doesn't love the baby poop tan either, but like me, can tolerate it. Just about any color is better than white or off-white, I think.
I hear that red walls make people eat more. My walls look like ketchup and mustard. I wonder how my diet is going to go now? Psh. ;0)
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Josie
Josie has been really cute lately. I love how her personality has been coming out more. She's still very sensitive, and I'm hoping she'll outgrow the whining stage soon. However, I know that she's got a big heart. She often shares her food and toys with her brother, saying, "Here you go!" I've also heard her say, "What happened?" or "What's wrong?" when Deuce is crying.
She's definitely learning more. I'm not sure if I mentioned it before, but she can count backwards from 7 (maybe higher, but I haven't heard it yet). She has gotten much better at shapes - she knows square, circle, triangle, rectangle, star, octagon, and as of last night - heart! Lately she's been saying the sounds that some letters make - "D-d-dee" and "J-j-jay". Yesterday she said, "A. Abby."
I've been enjoying listening to Josie try to sing or talk along with her TV shows too. And sometimes she repeats things that she heard hours later. She also has been singing "Yes Jesus loves me" ("loves" sounds more like "wuh") and voluntarily saying, "Amen" after our prayers.
I love my little girl, and I love watching her grow and develop. She's such a delight!
She's definitely learning more. I'm not sure if I mentioned it before, but she can count backwards from 7 (maybe higher, but I haven't heard it yet). She has gotten much better at shapes - she knows square, circle, triangle, rectangle, star, octagon, and as of last night - heart! Lately she's been saying the sounds that some letters make - "D-d-dee" and "J-j-jay". Yesterday she said, "A. Abby."
I've been enjoying listening to Josie try to sing or talk along with her TV shows too. And sometimes she repeats things that she heard hours later. She also has been singing "Yes Jesus loves me" ("loves" sounds more like "wuh") and voluntarily saying, "Amen" after our prayers.
I love my little girl, and I love watching her grow and develop. She's such a delight!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Apples?
The kids have a container of extra large plastic buttons in several different shapes and three colors. (Thanks Em for the hand me down!) Whenever Deuce gets a hold of them, his goal is to get them as far away from himself as possible by thrashing his arms about, sending them flying. He tends to do that with most toys actually. Anyway, this evening, Josie was picking up the buttons that had been strewn all over the living room while I was in the kitchen feeding her brother. I could hear her naming shapes, so I wanted to see if she had them right. She correctly identified the squares, circles, triangles and flowers as she was putting them back in the plastic container. Then she picked up a heart shaped button and said, "apple!" I didn't correct her, but I guess I'll have to teach her what a heart is eventually!
Hardworking Hubby
I can only imagine how tired my husband is right now! Justin woke up yesterday afternoon at 3 (if you didn't recall, he works 3rd shift), and is still awake as I type this. The roads were treacherous as he drove to work in downtown Milwaukee; he almost got stuck in a snow drift on Lake Dr, and going over the Hoan Bridge was insanely windy! Because the roads were so bad this morning when his shift ended, he had to stay an extra hour. It took him a long time to get home, and he didn't even make it all the way. His truck got stuck down the street. So he walked to the garage (he had to walk through chest deep snow to get to the door), got out the shovel and snowblower, and went to work clearing the sidewalks. When Justin finished with that, he went back to his truck to dig that out. He was finally able to get his truck unstuck from the snow, but had no place to park it. The street in front and the alley behind our house were both impassible. So he drove around for quite awhile trying to find a parking lot that was plowed. He ended up parking at a local Walgreens, which is like 1/2 a mile away. He then walked home, and you can bet he was tired and cold! I gave him some dry clothes to change into. I figured he would be ready to crawl in bed by then, but he wanted to do a little more shoveling first. In the meantime, the alley was plowed, so Justin decided to walk back to his truck and drive it home! It's crazy how much he's had to do today. I hope he's able to get home and go to bed soon. It's 3-4 hours past his bed time! I'm really proud of my hardworking husband!
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