I have never understood what Paul Simon’s Graceland was talking about. As I was listening to it today, it hit me that it might relate to what I have been thinking about lately: what makes a person resilient? Here are a few of the lines that I always questioned how they related to Graceland.
“She comes back to tell me she’s gone
As if I didn’t know that
As if I didn’t know my own bed
As if I’d never noticed
The way she brushed her hair from her forehead
And she said losing love
Is like a window in your heart
Everybody sees you’re blown apart
Everybody sees the wind blow…
There is a girl in New York City
Who calls herself the human trampoline
And sometimes when I’m falling, flying
Or tumbling in turmoil I say
Oh, so this is what she means
She means we’re bouncing into Graceland…
And I may be obliged to defend
Every love, every ending
Or maybe there’s no obligations now
Maybe I’ve a reason to believe
We all will be received
In Graceland”
1. He explains the feelings of the loss from love, and the idea that everyone sees that you are going through a trial.
2. He talks about tumbling in turmoil and thinking that is what it feels like to be a human trampoline.
3. He decides that there is no obligation to defend or explain every ending.
While I do not think this totally is the short answer with what I have been thinking about with resilience, I think he brings up a good point. We should all have a goal of going to Graceland. The true one, not in Memphis, Tennessee, but where God is in Heaven. We are all going to go through trials, but we have some where to look forward to going. If we hang on and do what God wants us to do, then “I have reason to believe we all will be received in Graceland”.
"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6-9
Next week I will be posting a three part series on my thoughts this week on resilience. I would love your input!
Kathy
Friday, March 9, 2007
Thursday, March 8, 2007
What Are You Equiped With?
It is so easy to fall into the trap of religion, going to church. I have heard peple people talk about coming in the middle of the week to recharge their battieries. And while this has some truth to it, this is a dangerous habit. Yes, Hebrews chapter 10 says don't forsake the assembling of the saints. It says before and after this challenge why. We are to spur one another on and encourage one another. Fellowship is good.But, what are we spuring others to? Love and good works. Life is lived outside the church building. The fourth chapter of Ephesians speaks of God appointing some to equip the saints for works of service. We need to be equiped with something. I think Paul elaborates in part on what that equipment is in chapter five.
We come together for encouragement. We come together for worship. But, maybe the most important reason is to equip us to go out.
This is a post entered by James. Kathy found the cartoon and suggested I post it with my thoughts. It's good to be the editor.
What do you think? Did I leave something out? Please share your thougths.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Strong and Sane Women
The following are notes I took at the ladies’ retreat several years ago with OU Girl’s Basketball Coach Sherri Coal:
7 Habits of Strong and Sane Women
1. Count your ripples - Everything you do could have an effect on someone else’s life, even if you do not realize you have done something significant. Take note, if you do not see an immediate result or gratification, you still might have planted a seed.
2. Write worries in the sand - A man’s doctor prescribe a day at the beach for stress reduction. His instructions were to listen, reach back, examine motives, and write worries in the sand. As he was leaving he saw the tide washing away his worries.
3. Believe in talking horses - A man caught a stray horse and when the owner, the king, found him with it, he sentenced him to death. The man bargained with the king by asking if he could have a year to teach the horse to talk. The king saw a value in a talking horse so he agreed. Later, a fellow prisoner asked the man what makes him think he could teach a horse to talk. The man responded, “a lot can happen in a year; the king could die, or maybe this horse might talk - either way, I have been given an extra year to live.” We have to remember that David can slay Goliath and Goliath can be slain. Believe in your own potential that God has given you.
4. Don’t wrestle with pigs - Sheri told a story of when she was an assistant coach and got into a ‘discussion’ with an aggravated parent. Her head coach reminded her of a warning he had given her. He said, “If you wrestle with pigs, you will both get dirty and they‘ll like it. There will always be negative people, but don’t let them bring you down.
5. Avoid dehydration - We have been given everything we need (gifts, resources, talents…), but we don’t always use our resources to the best of our abilities. We need these things just as we need water, don’t let yourself run dry of them.
6. Categorize lumps - There is a big difference between a lump in your oatmeal, a lump in your throat and a lump in your breast. If something is an inconvenience, treat it like that instead of responding as if it is a major problem. Learn to relax even when you find a lump in your life.
7. Sharpen the saw - There was a lumberjack who continued to use the same saw and was not getting anything cut down. Someone encouraged him to stop and eat and get some rest. He complained about how many more trees he had to cut down. The other man said, “Well at least sharpen your saw.” Stop occasionally; take care of yourself so you can be sharp enough to cut down the ‘trees’ in your life.
Kathy
We have by-passed the button problem by using another computer. I will take suggestions on what I can do to solve the problem with my computer. Thanks!
7 Habits of Strong and Sane Women
1. Count your ripples - Everything you do could have an effect on someone else’s life, even if you do not realize you have done something significant. Take note, if you do not see an immediate result or gratification, you still might have planted a seed.
2. Write worries in the sand - A man’s doctor prescribe a day at the beach for stress reduction. His instructions were to listen, reach back, examine motives, and write worries in the sand. As he was leaving he saw the tide washing away his worries.
3. Believe in talking horses - A man caught a stray horse and when the owner, the king, found him with it, he sentenced him to death. The man bargained with the king by asking if he could have a year to teach the horse to talk. The king saw a value in a talking horse so he agreed. Later, a fellow prisoner asked the man what makes him think he could teach a horse to talk. The man responded, “a lot can happen in a year; the king could die, or maybe this horse might talk - either way, I have been given an extra year to live.” We have to remember that David can slay Goliath and Goliath can be slain. Believe in your own potential that God has given you.
4. Don’t wrestle with pigs - Sheri told a story of when she was an assistant coach and got into a ‘discussion’ with an aggravated parent. Her head coach reminded her of a warning he had given her. He said, “If you wrestle with pigs, you will both get dirty and they‘ll like it. There will always be negative people, but don’t let them bring you down.
5. Avoid dehydration - We have been given everything we need (gifts, resources, talents…), but we don’t always use our resources to the best of our abilities. We need these things just as we need water, don’t let yourself run dry of them.
6. Categorize lumps - There is a big difference between a lump in your oatmeal, a lump in your throat and a lump in your breast. If something is an inconvenience, treat it like that instead of responding as if it is a major problem. Learn to relax even when you find a lump in your life.
7. Sharpen the saw - There was a lumberjack who continued to use the same saw and was not getting anything cut down. Someone encouraged him to stop and eat and get some rest. He complained about how many more trees he had to cut down. The other man said, “Well at least sharpen your saw.” Stop occasionally; take care of yourself so you can be sharp enough to cut down the ‘trees’ in your life.
Kathy
We have by-passed the button problem by using another computer. I will take suggestions on what I can do to solve the problem with my computer. Thanks!
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Monday, March 5, 2007
Marriage on Mondays - Ephesians 5 Part 3
Past, Present and Future
Before I was married, one expectation that I had for a spouse is that they would care more about me getting into heaven than anything else. That is what I thought Ephesians 5:25-30 was talking about.
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church—for we are members of his body.”
In the muddle of marriage, I lost sight of that goal.” I wasn’t thinking about helping him to be glorifying to God and I know he wasn’t giving me that encouragement. We quickly were caught up in the day to day. Once we began to regain the godly expectation for each other, we made a purposed effort at being an eternal encouragement to each other. I have heard James pray for insight in guiding his family towards heaven. That alone is an encouragement to me to do the same for him. That is the respect that comes natural from his loving us in that way.
This passage illustrates the love that Christ had for us in the past by dieing for us (his bride). It shows His present love by sanctifying (or preparing us to come before God) us now. As for the future, we can look forward to Him presenting us in flawless perfection to God.
The comparison to marriage in this passage would be the husband’s original love that gives him the willingness to give his life for his bride. (That makes the request of the wife to submit pale in comparison.) This could be daily applied by putting her needs first. The present demonstrates the hallowed regard for his wife that keeps affections, motives, desires, thoughts and will as pure, nourishing and honored. If you have all of that in place, then your future together is more certain because you have kept your marriage unflawed and blameless.
This passage continues to talk about the reciprocal relationship. The couple is to love each other as themselves. (Which first indicates that they should love themselves.) The couple is interdependent on one another and equal of possessing each other. They belong to each other.
Here are some ways we can apply this:
1. For your past:
a. Remember your original commitment to each other
b. Forgive each other of what has happened in the past.
c. Put the past behind you if it is a hindrance for going forward. Commit to not use your past against each other.
d. Use past memories and emotions as a tie to cherish.
2. For your present:
a. Make your life right with God and your spouse. Change behaviors that can prevent a positive relationship and improve behaviors that promote a positive relationship. Reach out for help, we all need it from time to time.
b. Pray for your spouse daily. Specifically mention their: needs, concerns, joys, ways that they could better themselves, and ways for you to help them with that.
c. Encourage each other daily with the way God wants you to live. Use scripture, songs, and actions that place the other’s needs above yours.
d. Do not take away each others authority with your kids or disrespect each other in public. (ie: don’t interrupt, condescend, speak harshly, or discredit each other)
For you future:
a. Set enjoying growing old with your spouse as a goal. Anticipate good times.
b. Pray for your kid’s future with spouse and try to be a healthy example for them.
c. We all will meet our Creator some day. Let Him prepare your heart for that reunion.
Past, present and future diamond jewelry became popular about five years ago. It was to signify the love the couple had for each other when they started, that they share now and that they will grow to have. The three times represent a forever unity the couple made. Let this scripture be an encouragement to you to think about your past, present and future with both your God and spouse.
Kathy
Before I was married, one expectation that I had for a spouse is that they would care more about me getting into heaven than anything else. That is what I thought Ephesians 5:25-30 was talking about.
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church—for we are members of his body.”
In the muddle of marriage, I lost sight of that goal.” I wasn’t thinking about helping him to be glorifying to God and I know he wasn’t giving me that encouragement. We quickly were caught up in the day to day. Once we began to regain the godly expectation for each other, we made a purposed effort at being an eternal encouragement to each other. I have heard James pray for insight in guiding his family towards heaven. That alone is an encouragement to me to do the same for him. That is the respect that comes natural from his loving us in that way.
This passage illustrates the love that Christ had for us in the past by dieing for us (his bride). It shows His present love by sanctifying (or preparing us to come before God) us now. As for the future, we can look forward to Him presenting us in flawless perfection to God.
The comparison to marriage in this passage would be the husband’s original love that gives him the willingness to give his life for his bride. (That makes the request of the wife to submit pale in comparison.) This could be daily applied by putting her needs first. The present demonstrates the hallowed regard for his wife that keeps affections, motives, desires, thoughts and will as pure, nourishing and honored. If you have all of that in place, then your future together is more certain because you have kept your marriage unflawed and blameless.
This passage continues to talk about the reciprocal relationship. The couple is to love each other as themselves. (Which first indicates that they should love themselves.) The couple is interdependent on one another and equal of possessing each other. They belong to each other.
Here are some ways we can apply this:
1. For your past:
a. Remember your original commitment to each other
b. Forgive each other of what has happened in the past.
c. Put the past behind you if it is a hindrance for going forward. Commit to not use your past against each other.
d. Use past memories and emotions as a tie to cherish.
2. For your present:
a. Make your life right with God and your spouse. Change behaviors that can prevent a positive relationship and improve behaviors that promote a positive relationship. Reach out for help, we all need it from time to time.
b. Pray for your spouse daily. Specifically mention their: needs, concerns, joys, ways that they could better themselves, and ways for you to help them with that.
c. Encourage each other daily with the way God wants you to live. Use scripture, songs, and actions that place the other’s needs above yours.
d. Do not take away each others authority with your kids or disrespect each other in public. (ie: don’t interrupt, condescend, speak harshly, or discredit each other)
For you future:
a. Set enjoying growing old with your spouse as a goal. Anticipate good times.
b. Pray for your kid’s future with spouse and try to be a healthy example for them.
c. We all will meet our Creator some day. Let Him prepare your heart for that reunion.
Past, present and future diamond jewelry became popular about five years ago. It was to signify the love the couple had for each other when they started, that they share now and that they will grow to have. The three times represent a forever unity the couple made. Let this scripture be an encouragement to you to think about your past, present and future with both your God and spouse.
Kathy
Saturday, March 3, 2007
That’s Mr. Thunderbolts to You!
Jesus was helping so many people that he needed help so he named his main helpers. Jesus called two of them‘Thunderbolts’. I wonder what they did to get that name.
James and his brother John (Zebedee’s sons whom Jesus named Boanerges, which means “Thunderbolts”).
Mark 3:17 (God’s Word Translation)
Josh
Friday, March 2, 2007
Yesterday's Funny List
Yesterday, several things happened that I thought were very funny. Here is a list of them:
1. Kobi received a cone cardboard birthday hat at a school party on Wednesday and has worn it every where since. It makes a great shadow.
2. For some reason Kyli decided it was her birthday and sang the “It’s my birthday song” all day long. When James called to say goodnight, the kids sang him a song and Kobi said “I love you”, Josh said “Good night” and Kyli said, “I say it’s my birthday”.
3. The girls put their dress up clothes on and went out side to watch Josh play ball.
They looked like they were sitting court.
4. Josh had his Darth Vader voice changing helmet on saying, “You want a piece of me?” and “Let’s get ready to RUUMMMBLLLLE!” It sounds most impressive with the voice changer.
5. I checked out a football book for Josh at the library called “The Miracle Halfback”. I was shocked when after he read it he said it was a real Cinderella story. I thought it was a tough guy book so he went on to explain that the small boy had two evil step brothers and a mean step dad that made him do chores and not play football because he was too little. There was a fairy God father who told him to use an absent kid’s uniform and get dressed before everyone came to the locker room after the game. He played a great game and in his haste, he left his really small football shoe in the locker room. You guessed it, the coach realized it was not the player he thought it was, but since he played so well, the coach tried the shoe on everyone until he found a match. The coach talked to the dad and the boy got to fulfill his dream of playing football. Surely there is a sermon there somewhere. I should have known something was up if I would have read the back of the book: ""I wonder who could wear such a small shoe,” the coach said. “Whoever it is, I’ve got to find him. That boy is the halfback I need for my team. With him, we could win the championship!” I may like this story better than the original.
6. Jay Leno said that atheism numbers are on the decline although they don’t believe it.
7. Jimmy Kimmel showed news footage of a man dragging Anna Nicole’s burial dress on the floor of the airport. He commented saying, “This is the news and yet multiple people lost their lives in the tornado in Alabama.” His point was well taken. My heart goes out to those families and I can only imagine how scared all the people were. There was also a lady that got pegged on the forehead with a nectarine. I am not usually up late enough to watch him and I think the lateness made it hysterical.
Did something funny happen around you yesterday? I also am going to give a devotional at Bunco on Monday with the requested theme of Irish sayings. I have the sayings, I just wonder how you would apply them spiritually?
Have a funny day,
Kathy
The picture above is of Kobi. I haven't down loaded the camera lately and it was funnier than the picture I have of Josh. We call it Darth TuTu.
1. Kobi received a cone cardboard birthday hat at a school party on Wednesday and has worn it every where since. It makes a great shadow.
2. For some reason Kyli decided it was her birthday and sang the “It’s my birthday song” all day long. When James called to say goodnight, the kids sang him a song and Kobi said “I love you”, Josh said “Good night” and Kyli said, “I say it’s my birthday”.
3. The girls put their dress up clothes on and went out side to watch Josh play ball.
They looked like they were sitting court.4. Josh had his Darth Vader voice changing helmet on saying, “You want a piece of me?” and “Let’s get ready to RUUMMMBLLLLE!” It sounds most impressive with the voice changer.
5. I checked out a football book for Josh at the library called “The Miracle Halfback”. I was shocked when after he read it he said it was a real Cinderella story. I thought it was a tough guy book so he went on to explain that the small boy had two evil step brothers and a mean step dad that made him do chores and not play football because he was too little. There was a fairy God father who told him to use an absent kid’s uniform and get dressed before everyone came to the locker room after the game. He played a great game and in his haste, he left his really small football shoe in the locker room. You guessed it, the coach realized it was not the player he thought it was, but since he played so well, the coach tried the shoe on everyone until he found a match. The coach talked to the dad and the boy got to fulfill his dream of playing football. Surely there is a sermon there somewhere. I should have known something was up if I would have read the back of the book: ""I wonder who could wear such a small shoe,” the coach said. “Whoever it is, I’ve got to find him. That boy is the halfback I need for my team. With him, we could win the championship!” I may like this story better than the original.
6. Jay Leno said that atheism numbers are on the decline although they don’t believe it.
7. Jimmy Kimmel showed news footage of a man dragging Anna Nicole’s burial dress on the floor of the airport. He commented saying, “This is the news and yet multiple people lost their lives in the tornado in Alabama.” His point was well taken. My heart goes out to those families and I can only imagine how scared all the people were. There was also a lady that got pegged on the forehead with a nectarine. I am not usually up late enough to watch him and I think the lateness made it hysterical.
Did something funny happen around you yesterday? I also am going to give a devotional at Bunco on Monday with the requested theme of Irish sayings. I have the sayings, I just wonder how you would apply them spiritually?
Have a funny day,
Kathy
The picture above is of Kobi. I haven't down loaded the camera lately and it was funnier than the picture I have of Josh. We call it Darth TuTu.
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