Illness

My seriously ill family member is much worse.  I'll be gone for awhile.  Prayers will be appreciated.  God knows our needs; names not necessary.

Coming and Going in the Summer

One of the commenters asked about my being gone for awhile. This has to do with children, grown and younger, some of whom will be coming and going from the house, and some we will be visiting. And we have just learned that a close family member has a serious health problem. That whole situation hasn't quite sunk into my emotions yet.

I've been itching to blog about two books I've read. I think I need to at least make notes before I forget everything at this busy time.

Summer blessings. I hope you've been able to stay cool enough to be healthy. I went from a hot and humid place to an area of cool nights. I'm actually slept under two blankets last night.

Idealism and do questions have answers?

Here is an interesting discussion by Julie Bogart about looking back at Christian gatherings where she heard messages about Christian idealism and how the young listeners should go out and change the world.

What characters!

I'm caving in to posting one of those things going around the 'net. But it is true.


The next time you feel like G0D can't use you, just remember...
Noah was a drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Samson had long hair and was a womanizer
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
Peter denied Christ
The Disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
Zaccheus was too small
Rav Sha'ul (Paul) was too religious
Timothy had an ulcer..AND
Lazarus was dead!

Now! No more excuses!
GOD can use you to your full potential.
Besides you aren't the message, you are just the messenger.

My other role.

I am off to fulfill a different role for the next few weeks.  See you later.

More on the 300 year old mission in India

Article Here

Perfectionism

Ashley Judd is quoted here
as saying, "A wonderful pastor once told me, 'Perfectionism is the highest order of self-abuse,"' she tells the magazine. "So now I try to remind myself that if I engage in perfectionism, I am abusing myself. Period."

This interested me because I read once in a Christian women's magazine that women who are perfectionistic housekeepers never feel good enough. This can be a spiritual problem, because if one "isn't good enough" then it is hard to accept true Grace and feel forgiven.

How do you react to the quote and the concept from that magazine?

Three hundred year old Lutheran Mission in India

Here is a link to an article about the 300 year old church in Tiruchi, India. It was established by Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg who also started a school for girls and empowered women in leadereship (according to the article.)

He also brought out a dictionary of the Tamil language and established the first printing press in Asia, with the Bible being the first book printed in India.

Isn't it easy to be American-centered in our "Christian culture?" We often forget how far back Christianity has been established in other parts of the world. For example, Christianity has been in Korea for over 250 years, with over 50% of the population being Christian.

A Little Walk

It was about time to get out from behind the computer and take a little walk along a little river, part of God's powerful creation. Life giving water can kill any who stumble. Fortunately, in the Christian life, our scraped knees from stumbling are washed clean and our stumbles are forgiven.