Field Notes

Thanksgiving Stories

2008-11-22T07:48:27-06:00

As we head into Thanksgiving week, I'd really enjoy hearing a childhood Thanksgiving story or memory from you.

Write it in a comment or email it to me, I'll cut and paste it into a post.

Thanks.

BTW...I'll start posting them Sunday.

Christmas Gift Ideas (part 3)

2008-11-22T07:45:00-06:00

Christmas Peeps?? Are you sure these aren't Easter leftovers that morphed and molded?

Please...Peeps are an Easter yucky, don't do this to us more than once a year.

November 22 | OYB Together

2008-11-22T07:40:13-06:00

link to today's reading

1 Peter 1:8-9
You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

What an incredible depiction of faith...though you do not see Him, you love Him, you trust Him!

I choose to trust and love the One whom I cannot see.

Friday Afternoon Funny

2008-11-21T12:00:00-06:00

Remember this famous quote from space, "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

Add this new famous quote, "Oh great!"

Some people can't catch a break

2008-11-21T08:58:33-06:00

Though the election is over, the Palin media obsession continues. Not sure if you caught this yesterday, but talk about PR gaffs!

WASILLA, Alaska — Gov. Sarah Palin has granted the traditional Thanksgiving pardon to one lucky turkey, but the video that shocked some viewers captured what was happening in the background.

As she answered questions Thursday at Triple D Farm & Hatchery outside Wasilla cameras from the Anchorage Daily News and others showed the bloody work of an employee slaughtering birds behind the former Republican vice presidential candidate.

On the video, Palin didn't comment about the slaughter as she answered questions, saying she's thankful that her son's Stryker brigade is relatively safe in Iraq and the rest of her family is healthy and happy. She said she's glad to be back in Alaska.

"This was neat," she said of the outing. "I was happy to get to be invited to participate in this. For one, you need a little bit of levity in this job, especially with so much that has gone in the last couple of months that has been so political obviously that it's nice to get out and do something to promote a local business and to just participate in something that isn't so heavy-handed politics that it invites criticism. Certainly we'll probably invite criticism for even doing this, too, but at least this was fun."

Here's the video if you have the stomach. Kelly, don't watch!

Christmas Gift Ideas (part 2)

2008-11-21T08:52:13-06:00

Around our house we call it the human cheese grater. While it is a modern marvel for sure, most people do not want to be reminded of their scaly heels while sitting around the tree!

November 21 | OYB Together

2008-11-21T08:41:52-06:00

link to to day's reading

James 5:7-8
Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. 8 You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

We were having a conversation at church yesterday about the coming of the Lord and the end of it all. With the current condition of the world, it seems those conversation are on the rise.

Prophecy conversations are intriguing, stimulating and fun, and unfortunately often lead to a pile of pure speculation.

All I know for sure is what James says, "The coming of the Lord is near." He will come, let there be no doubt. His coming is imminent, it could happen at any moment.

Beyond that, the Bible does not encourage us to speculate, but simply wait.

Obama, FOCA and Benedict

2008-11-20T22:56:34-06:00

Interesting article in Time about Obama's promise to sign into law the Freedom of Choice Act and its impact on the relationship with the Pope and the Catholic Church.

The best reason to have yellow fingers is...

2008-11-20T19:58:58-06:00

Garrett's!

Thanks to both Erik and Holly. Erik brought in a bag one week and Holly the following week.

If you've never had Garrett popcorn, you've never really lived!

Christmas Gift Ideas (part 1)

2008-11-20T08:20:15-06:00

I was waiting for a prescription to be filled at Walgreen's yesterday.

While wandering around, I was struck by just how much weird stuff they carry.

So I thought I'd do a series leading up to Christmas...

These are gifts that you should resist buying at all cost!

Gift #1: The Rosary Air Freshener!

Oh, my word...no matter how religious your grandma may be, please...

What's wrong with my hand?

2008-11-20T08:15:57-06:00

Overwhelmed

2008-11-20T08:07:28-06:00

Yesterday was my day off.

I spent it at church trying to figure out how to pack up my library in a way that will be accessible and useful.

I love books...not in an idol worship sort of way. There's just something about a book. It agrees with the way I think.

I've been trying electronic books. They do save space, but they don't feel like books. I can see how it may take years before I am fully comfortable with that format.

I've been giving several of them away. I figure a book being read is better than a book in a box.

Let's face it, some reads are once and done. I think from here on out I am going to get in the habit of giving away the once and dones immediately.

Regardless, I'm glad I have an excuse to pack.

November 20 | OYB Together

2008-11-20T07:58:27-06:00

link to today's reading

James 4:17
Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

Sin falls basically into two categories: commission and omission.

A sin of commission is doing something that is wrong.

A sin of omission is not doing something that is right.

It is just as wrong to not do the right thing as it is to do the wrong thing.

Going back to Sunday, it is a sin of omission to neglect our nature as salt and light.

Do the right thing! It makes God smile.

Got a spare brain?

2008-11-19T16:37:26-06:00

I found a good use for it.

Read this news blurb:

The CEOs of the Big Three automakers reportedly flew private luxury jets to Washington to plead for a $25 billion taxpayer bailout to save their debt-ridden industry — ringing up tens of thousands in charges even as they cried poverty.

HELLO!

Do these people not have a clue?? AIG, Wall Street, Detroit, Washington...wake up!

What you do matters. SouthWest has great rates, and you'd actually earn a crazy little thing called credibility...it's only the currency of leadership!

Clueless, just clueless!

Podcast 11.16.08 "Get Off Your Donkey"

2008-11-19T13:25:43-06:00

Sale update

2008-11-19T08:32:39-06:00

We got word yesterday that the other church has full approval to make a move.

Last hurdle...our meeting this Sunday @4:00.

Good stuff

November 19 | OYB Together

2008-11-19T08:29:46-06:00

link to today's reading

James 2:25-26
Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. 26 Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.

So...

Do you think that when James was writing his letter he could have just said Rahab? We would all politely smile and say, "How nice." But he adds her profession...the prostitute. Still saying, "How nice?"

There is not an extraneous word in the Bible. Every word is intentional and fully inspired.

That being the case, James put that there on purpose.

I don't know about you, but when I read that Rahab THE PROSTITUTE serves as an example of great faith, I feel like I might actually have a chance at faith too!

The people God chooses to use...grace just blows you away!

Battle of the Squirrels (part, I forget)

2008-11-18T08:32:19-06:00

With winter upon us, the squirrels have stopped reading the sign...you know, the one that says, "Bird feeder."

Yep, I'm one of those crazy old men that tells squirrels to get off the bird feeder.

Yesterday I began another phase of my squirrel relocation program.

I got out the trap...peanut buttered it up and put it out.

I was leaving for church (where all good squirrels find a new home) and was bummed that the cage was empty.

No sooner had I noticed an empty cage and a squirrel appeared.

I said, "Come on, go in the cage." He went straight in.

I said, "Come on, spring the trap." He did!

I wish fishing was this easy!

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

2008-11-18T08:24:50-06:00

We have a signed contract.

As of yesterday afternoon we are quite officially on track for a December 19th closing date on the old building.

There are only two hurdled left.

Both involve votes, one on their part and one on ours.

So, keep praying...their vote is later today, ours is Sunday.

November 18 | OYB Together

2008-11-18T08:20:40-06:00

link to today's reading

James 1:19
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

is there a more practical verse in the Bible?

Is there a less practiced verse in the Bible?

The Verse

2008-11-17T15:28:41-06:00

One of the Next Steps for yesterday was to commit Matthew 6:21 to memory. I learned today that I did not include it on yesterday's worksheet.

Here it is:

Matthew 6:21
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

fun with my son

2008-11-17T09:50:44-06:00

In less than a month, Brian will turn 19. That is utterly unthinkable to me, but more about that as the day approaches.

Last night we were downstairs watching TV. We were flipping between channels and came across Angels in the Outfield, which I would dare say was the most viewed movie in our house when he was between 6 and 12.

Here's the thing with this movie...he cannot watch it without quoting every line, and I mean EVERY LINE! I have several key lines down, but he can do the whole script.

It just made us laugh.

I wish I had a mind like that, the type that recalls word for word what I read in a book or watched in a movie. My mind remembers in concepts, not quotes; in the way it feels, not the exact details. I'm glad his works the way it does.

need sun...

2008-11-17T09:31:07-06:00

Hey November, what did you do with the sun?

I'm wilting over here!

November 17 | OYB Together (part 2)

2008-11-17T09:29:38-06:00

link to today's reading

I wish James went on as long as Ezekiel has!

The NLT translates this passage beautifully.

The message is so clear.

I appreciate the way they say it is an opportunity for great joy, one we too often pass up.

Testing leads to growth in endurance...

Then comes my favorite part. Verse 4 exclaims, "So let it grow!" It's like he's saying, "What are you nuts? Let it happen, let it grow, you want to grow, right?"

James 1:2-4
2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

November 17 | OYB Together

2008-11-17T09:22:41-06:00

link to today's reading

You have to read this Psalm.
It has such a beautiful conversational feel...the way prayer was meant to be.

Psalm 116

1 I love the Lord because he hears my voice
      and my prayer for mercy.
2 Because he bends down to listen,
      I will pray as long as I have breath!
3 Death wrapped its ropes around me;
      the terrors of the grave overtook me.
      I saw only trouble and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the Lord:
      “Please, Lord, save me!”
5 How kind the Lord is! How good he is!
      So merciful, this God of ours!
6 The Lord protects those of childlike faith;
      I was facing death, and he saved me.
7 Let my soul be at rest again,
      for the Lord has been good to me.
8 He has saved me from death,
      my eyes from tears,
      my feet from stumbling.
9 And so I walk in the Lord’s presence
      as I live here on earth!
10 I believed in you, so I said,
      “I am deeply troubled, Lord.”
11 In my anxiety I cried out to you,
      “These people are all liars!”
12 What can I offer the Lord
      for all he has done for me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
      and praise the Lord’s name for saving me.
14 I will keep my promises to the Lord
      in the presence of all his people.

15 The Lord cares deeply
      when his loved ones die.
16 O Lord, I am your servant;
      yes, I am your servant, born into your household;
      you have freed me from my chains.
17 I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving
      and call on the name of the Lord.
18 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
      in the presence of all his people—
19 in the house of the Lord
      in the heart of Jerusalem.

Praise the Lord!