seriously

Joyful's mukluks, E-dog?  Big shoes to fill

Happy Almost Birthday, Little Laddie

inSight of the week

Never fear that someone else's story will be yours.   


While listening to a couple of McKinley colleagues tell medical financial horror stories - you know, ripped-off deceitful hidden costs - I found myself becoming frightened.  It's always good to heed one's thoughts and body.  "Whew, what if that happens to me.  I better remember to ask the doctor if he answers a question, will that be an extra charge?"  I found my shoulders tightening while thoughts swirled.  


Then the sweet Lord Jesus, as close as my breath, said, "Do not fear another's story."  
It reminded me of Aslan's comment to Lucy when she asked a question about her brother in Narnia's Chronicles:  "I tell no one any story but his own."


It is a waste of emotional energy to stew over "What if that happens to me."  If it does, the Lord will be near to teach and to rescue.  I have my own part to play in God's Kingdom drama.  Do not worry about anyone else's part.  God will be in the middle of mine.  To have and to hold.  God in the midst.  Peace

Can We Save America?

Can We Save America?

the screaming vs the Still Small

The key to this Journey is noticing The Kingdom of Heaven at hand.  Yes, as close as the air we breathe. And after noticing, turning to look:

Earth’s crammed with heaven,
 And every common bush afire with God;
 And only ~he who sees~ takes off his shoes,
 The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.
 Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Happy Birthday Lassies and Lads

My precious cousin, Linda, breathlessly opening her fifth year birthday gift.
How cute is she!   And we ~ Bobby, Donny and me

Aaron stoked over his birthday pipe

The Good Scouts of Cary Illinois

The Good Scouts of Cary Illinois

Someone in the White House must wear the pantsuit

Poitin @ Dempsey's in Fargo / Irish Washerwoman

Out and about in downtown FarGo, Dempsey's Pub on Saint Patrick's Weekend with Joy and Nathaniel.
Love this music!!!

Quotes of the week

In answer to the question, "Who am I?"  I am an unceasing spiritual being with an eternal destiny in God’s great universe.  

God’s intent for each of us is that we should grow in character and ability to the point where He can empower us to do what we want to do.   
Dallas Willard 

March 21st

Spring!  Much anticipated, long-awaited. 

21 March - the year of our Lord - 2011.

a face Jesus could love

Alex Rydell has a happy face.  Funny how you can just tell when someone is a Christian.  The lilt to their countenance says, "Joy."

Alex is the fiddler in the Irish Band, Poitin, which played Saturday at Dempsey's in FarGo.  When Joy hears their jig, she always says, "Mom would love this!"  She's right, I did!  Saturday night.  

Alex, a classically trained violinist, plays a mean fiddle with his Irish lads but also a beautiful violin with the worship band, "Saving Reign."  Hearing him at Dempsey's was a blast!  Hearing him lift worship to the King would be even better.  Someday, either here or There.  

BYOB Z!

Sadly, Zero slurping Nathaniel's hops was the only pic snapped this weekend with Noy.  Such a strange little creature.  His favorite pastime is washing down a pair of you-know-who's underwear with a nice cool one.  Mercy.  

You're in the will, Cheri.  You still want the Pugs?  I don't blame you.  :)

Joy, Nathaniel and I sure had fun, cooking together and making a couple of needed purchases.  It's amazing how quickly a person can slide through cash in FarGo.  But I needed a new vacuum and also was able to pick up a walnut table I'd had my eye on.  Nice.  It'll be here for the holidays this year when the whole fam will be together.  Happy Day!  
But serving notice early that the mom/care will not be providing hops-skip-&-jump for the Z Dog.  Naaa-ah!

Cogent points from CS Lewis' "Mere Christianity"

"Enough Already!" says the big guy to the punk bully.  

The justice of it illustrates C.S. Lewis' Law of Nature point perfectly:  There is written on the heart of every human, a right and wrong barometer.  The author of that Law is the Creator God.  Lewis sticks the point with this argument: No one would defend the bully by saying that it is fine to swear and punch someone who is just standing around minding their own business.  Everyone innately knows that pressing a fight with inflammatory language and bodily assault is wrong.  The argument does not lie there; all agree.  God's intrinsic law in action.  

Elisabeth Elliot's Daily Devotional

Title: One of the Mysteries of Our Humanity

Author: Elisabeth Elliot

Have you ever thought much about the fact that we, created by God for his own pleasure and glory, are permitted by the Creator Himself to deny Him? Even though we are totally dependent on Him for our next breath, with that breath we may declare that He does not exist or that we refuse to do what He wants us to do. We live by the life He gives us, moment by moment. We enjoy rain, sunshine, the growth of crops and flowers, sensations, delights, satisfactions of many kinds. Yet we often act as though we were sufficient in ourselves, needing no interference from Him.

I can, by the power mysteriously granted me by my Creator and Redeemer, declare myself master of my fate, captain of my soul, and say, "My will be done." That the Lord should expose Himself to this effrontery in a million forms, for millions of days and nights, is the mystery of love and grace. Still He draws us with cords of love, calls us to come, waits (amazing grace) for us to bow and say, "My Lord and my God!"

Báidín Fheilimí - Traditional Irish Song

World's Largest Traditional Irish Music Session

Palpable hypocrisy

"Uh, pardon me guys, just playin' through."

Quote of the week

"When we talk about spending, even now during these debates, we always hear, 'You can't cut that. You can't cut that.' Well, how come nobody ever says at the beginning, 'You can't spend that'? That's never part of the discipline."  
Rush

mornin' Sis