tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124358922024-03-07T15:28:25.536-06:00Kitchen TalkIn the hope of lively discussion and feedback, keeping in touch with friends, and making an effort to share our thoughts...we choose to blog.Owl of the Deserthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17744606271353048227noreply@blogger.comBlogger242125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12435892.post-53956134005066592162011-11-21T17:51:00.001-06:002011-11-22T23:58:26.138-06:002 Oreo Desserts + 74 Cookies = Anniversary MeetingThis past weekend was my church's Anniversary Meeting. We invited Elder Gary Harvey from Arkansas to preach to us. It was an AMAZING weekend. The Spirit of the Lord was with us, and I felt truly revived by Sunday afternoon. The preaching was greatly blessed, and the fellowship...well, there are not words to describe it. My soul is knit with these people, and I love each of them dearly.<br />
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Friday night my parents housed at least 10 people, myself included. We stayed up laughing and talking, and then awoke early Saturday morning to be at the meeting house at 10:00. The song service was rich, filled with praise to our Savior. Elder Sam Bryant of Vestavia PBC in Birmingham, AL, preached first, instructing us to "awake, thou that sleepest." He reminded us that the devil is a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. And, he's smart - he doesn't prey on the strong; he'll go after the weak and sleeping sheep. He shared a story that goes like this:<br />
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<i>A young Indian boy, before becoming a Brave, was required to solo climb a cold mountain. When he finally reached the top, he found a rattlesnake. The rattlesnake said, "Please, take me down to the bottom of this mountain. It's cold up here!" The young Indian boy replied, "You're a rattlesnake. You'll bite me!" The snake, in defense, said, "I promise, if you'll take me down this mountain, I will not bite you." So, the young Indian boy picked up the snake and took him down the mountain. As soon as he reached the bottom, the rattlesnake snapped, and bit him! The young boy, in sorrow, cried, "You promised you wouldn't bite me!" And the snake answered, "You Knew what I was when you picked me up."</i></blockquote>
Bro. Sam made the point that we often know exactly what troubles await us the moment we pick them up (drugs, porn, etc.), and choose to ignore them. That is why Peter tells us to "be sober" and "be vigilant". 1 Peter 5:8<br />
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Elder Gary Harvey followed Bro. Sam, and preached the remainder of the morning service, as well as the afternoon service. His subject matter was "Human Suffering". He said there are a lot of CRAZY ideas in the world, one of them being that "a loving God would not allow all the suffering in this world". Human suffering is NOT inconsistent with a loving God. Much suffering is the result of our own sin. Some suffering is for our own growth and maturity. He gave at least 5 Biblical examples of this. I'll give you two: sheep and oxen. Sheep are dumb. They like to wander from the fold and are easily led astray. Guess who God's children are compared to in the Bible? Yep, sheep. Sometimes, a shepherd will actually break a stubborn sheep's leg, to keep it from continually wandering from the other sheep. He does this to protect the sheep from wolves and lions. (See the parallel?) One more example...oxen. An ox is actually just a male calf who was castrated at birth (suffering, no?), and whose sole purpose is to work. He is trained to work by an older ox, and once he is completely trained, his sole joy is his work. His natural drive is taken away, that he may fulfill another purpose to the utmost. God's children are also compared to oxen. Fascinating, huh? <br />
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Saturday night we enjoyed another sweet evening of fellowship with the saints. And Sunday morning, Bro. Gary preached for us again, this time on the topic, "There is Still Much Land to Be Possessed". <br />
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Sermons have been uploaded to our church website: <a href="http://www.zionrestpbc.org/">www.zionrestpbc.org</a>. I encourage each of you to download and listen when you time. Below are a few pics from the weekend:<br />
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Oreo Dessert! (In-Progress at time of photo) </div>
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74 Chocolate-Chip Cookies (all devoured by Saturday night)</div>
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Group shot!</div>Owl of the Deserthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17744606271353048227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12435892.post-55451507911055141962011-11-13T17:26:00.001-06:002011-11-13T17:55:28.429-06:00Great WeekendPlease excuse me if this post seems scattered. I have lots of things on my mind. Friday I seemed to experience a variety of emotion. I found myself thinking of all the veterans who have selflessly served our country and defended our freedoms - friends and family in their twenties and thirties, as well as the ninety-three year old deacon in our church who can remember vivid details of his World War II service in the Pacific. I am so thankful for each and every one of them. Happy Veterans Day.<br />
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Bro. Charles G. Kitchens and me</div>
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I also found myself overwhelmed by the Total Depravity of man. Friends and I at work discussed the scandal at Penn State, and it is utterly despicable and disheartening. We should all be in prayer for the victims and their families during this tough time. I can only look to the Righteous God we serve during times as these.</div>
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Then, Friday night, my mom and I went to see <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1720182/">October Baby</a> at the movie theater. I highly recommend this movie to everyone. It is an amazing story of the gift of life and the power of forgiveness. At 18, the protagonist, Hannah, discovers that she was adopted as a baby after a failed abortion attempt. You will be moved as she makes her journey. The showing in Birmingham was a limited release. Hopefully, it will hit theaters everywhere in the spring. Pray that funds are raised to distribute this film throughout the USA. Many of the scenes were filmed in Birmingham and other locations in Alabama. In fact, several friends are sitting in the scene at the theater.</div>
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Saturday was an absolutely beautiful fall day in Alabama. I assisted my mother and brother-in-law to rid our yard of leaves. The end result was a Great Wall of Leaves that resembled a fortress for the outer boundaries. Where is a Four-Year Old to jump in the pile when you need him/her?</div>
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And today, I heard the beginning to an amazing series of sermons by my pastor. It is titled "The Importance of Godly Parenting". I was convicted, encouraged, and inspired. I can't wait for the rest. Check them out at <a href="http://www.zionrestpbc.org/">www.zionrestpbc.org</a>. </div>
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Yes, it has been a wonderful weekend.</div>Owl of the Deserthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17744606271353048227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12435892.post-52544248526587879012011-10-26T00:03:00.000-05:002011-11-03T09:55:42.386-05:00Thoughts from IsaiahYesterday I had the opportunity to do some reading in Isaiah. I'm currently on September 17th in my One Year Bible (KJV), but sadly I'm not a month behind. To be quite honest, I believe I'm on year 3 trying to work my way through. Pitiful, I know. But, maybe this will be the year to finish, and I can begin again next year. <br />
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I read Isaiah 25:1-28:13. But, I was particularly struck by 25:4,8-9 and 26:3-4. They are below:<br />
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<i>25:4 - For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.</i></blockquote>
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<i>25:8 - He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.</i></blockquote>
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<i>25:9 - And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.</i> </blockquote>
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<i>26:3 - Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.</i></blockquote>
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<i>26:4 - Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.</i></blockquote>
The last month has been trying. I can think of at least 6 funerals that I have attended for friends, and friends of friends. I have known of several others. Many others I know are facing difficult circumstances, whether it be illness or something else. Verses 4 and 8 provide such comfort and encouragement! Even when we've heard it o're and 'ore, Christ told even John the Baptist's disciples, "go and tell John again." We're a forgetful people. We need reminding. God said HE would be our strength. HE would be our refuge. And not only that, but death itself is swallowed up in victory. Though we often say "So and so lost the fight", truthfully, they won a great victory, for their tears are forever wiped away now, and they are dwelling in joy with Christ their Savior.<br />
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Verses 3 and 4 in chapter 26 reiterate the point again. When we trust in the Lord, He gives us peace. It's so easy in this world to become distracted, but when we keep our focus on Him, and completely trust Him, He provides peace. I can think of sweet moments when I have been frazzled, and prayed to the Lord, and before even saying "Amen," I could already feel a sense of peace. It's one of His many promises to us. And I'm so thankful.Owl of the Deserthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17744606271353048227noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12435892.post-78140417691229020352011-09-29T23:20:00.000-05:002011-11-03T10:25:45.409-05:00ALA | Banned Books Week<a href="http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/index.cfm">ALA | Banned Books Week</a><br />
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Hello friends. It has been a long time. I have no excuse, other than I really have not been on my computer much over the last several months. My iphone has proven quite helpful in that area. But, enough of that. I came across this article today, and I wanted to share it. </div>
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Did you know that it is Banned Books Week? Yes, yes it is.</div>
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I was curious to see - what books have made the list? Have I read any of them? Would I consider them controversial? Unfortunately, it was difficult to find an all-inclusive list of all books that have been challenged or banned. But I did come across a list of "classic" banned books. Books that many of us have read and/or were required to read in school. You may notice that some of the numbers skip. Originally this was a list of Radcliffe's Rival 100 Best Novels. If a number/book is missing, it hasn't been challenged or banned. So, to fill you with random knowledge, below is the list:</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: white;">1. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The Great Gatsby</em>, by F. Scott Fitzgerald <br />2. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The Catcher in the Rye</em>, by J.D. Salinger </span><span style="color: white;"><b>3. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The Grapes of Wrath</em>, by John Steinbeck - read in 12th grade<br />4. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">To Kill a Mockingbird</em>, by Harper Lee - read in 9th grade</b><br />5. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The Color Purple</em>, by Alice Walker <br />6. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Ulysses</em>, by James Joyce <br />7. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Beloved</em>, by Toni Morrison <br /><b>8. </b><em style="font-style: oblique; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The Lord of the Flies,</em><b> by William Golding - read in 9th(?) grade</b><br />9. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1984</em>, by George Orwell<br />11. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Lolita</em>, by Vladmir Nabokov <br />12. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Of Mice and Men,</em> by John Steinbeck <br />15. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Catch-22</em>, by Joseph Heller <br />16. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Brave New World</em>, by Aldous Huxley <br /><b>17. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Animal Farm</em>, by George Orwell - read in 9th grade</b><br />18. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The Sun Also Rises</em>, by Ernest Hemingway <br />19. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">As I Lay Dying</em>, by William Faulkner <br />20. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">A Farewell to Arms</em>, by Ernest Hemingway <br />23. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Their Eyes Were Watching God</em>, by Zora Neale Hurston <br />24. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Invisible Man</em>, by Ralph Ellison <br />25. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Song of Solomon</em>, by Toni Morrison <br />26. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Gone with the Wind</em>, by Margaret Mitchell <br />27. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Native Son</em>, by Richard Wright <br />28. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest</em>, by Ken Kesey <br />29. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Slaughterhouse-Five</em>, by Kurt Vonnegut <br />30. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">For Whom the Bell Tolls</em>, by Ernest Hemingway <br />33. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The Call of the Wild</em>, by Jack London <br />36. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Go Tell it on the Mountain</em>, by James Baldwin <br />38. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">All the King's Men</em>, by Robert Penn Warren </span><span style="color: white;"><b>40. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The Lord of the Rings</em>, by J.R.R. Tolkien - read last year<br />45. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The Jungle</em>, by Upton Sinclair - read as a sophomore in college</b><br />48. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Lady Chatterley's Lover</em>, by D.H. Lawrence <br />49. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">A Clockwork Orange</em>, by Anthony Burgess <br />50. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The Awakening</em>, by Kate Chopin <br />53. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">In Cold Blood</em>, by Truman Capote <br />55. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The Satanic Verses</em>, by Salman Rushdie <br />57. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Sophie's Choice</em>, by William Styron <br />64. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Sons and Lovers</em>, by D.H. Lawrence <br />66. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Cat's Cradle</em>, by Kurt Vonnegut <br />67. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">A Separate Peace</em>, by John Knowles <br />73. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Naked Lunch</em>, by William S. Burroughs <br />74. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Brideshead Revisited</em>, by Evelyn Waugh <br />75. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Women in Love</em>, by D.H. Lawrence <br />80. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The Naked and the Dead</em>, by Norman Mailer <br />84. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Tropic of Cancer</em>, by Henry Miller <br />88. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">An American Tragedy</em>, by Theodore Dreiser <br />97. <em style="font-style: oblique; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Rabbit, Run</em>, by John Updike </span></span></div>Owl of the Deserthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17744606271353048227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12435892.post-70961018514440129192011-03-25T22:48:00.000-05:002011-03-25T22:48:13.512-05:00SouthernismsA dear sister in our church and I have been going back and forth for a couple of weeks now describing our past week with "southernisms" as I'll call them. Then, we try to describe what they mean. We wind up just laughing and laughing. Here's a few we've come up with:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Middlin' - this means to just be doing fair. You don't feel great, but you don't feel poor either. It's somewhere in the middle, thus you are middlin'.</li>
</ul><ul><li>Piddlin' - this means to be doing something with no particular purpose. Twidlin' your thumbs is a perfect example. Whitlin' is another example. I'll cover both these next.</li>
</ul><ul><li>Twidlin' - twirling something, usually in reference to your thumbs. But I suppose it could be any other object as well.</li>
</ul><ul><li>Whitlin' - this term is used most often in reference to wood and cutting away at it with a knife. I think it probably originally comes from the word "whetting", which means to sharpen. Most people are "whitlin" with no particular purpose, thus they are "piddlin' while they're whitlin".</li>
</ul><ul><li>Fiddlin' - this term has two meanings. It could mean to play a musical instrument, namely the fiddle. Or, it could mean to attempt to fix an object. You may fiddle with a radio, a car, or anything else electronic or mechanical.</li>
</ul><div>Which words have I forgotten? Do you have a different definition for some of these? Please do share!</div>Owl of the Deserthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17744606271353048227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12435892.post-3132989627670328102011-02-24T22:33:00.000-06:002011-02-24T22:33:48.981-06:00Shuttle Discovery Launches!<a href="http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/rss_feed_above_snip_collection_archive_1.html?sms_ss=blogger&at_xt=4d66e89a47111ce3%2C0">Latest Space Shuttle News</a><br />
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<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110224/ap_on_sc/us_space_shuttle">Space Shuttle Discovery Launches on Final Voyage</a><br />
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It was a bittersweet moment when I saw this article today. The Shuttle Discovery has launched successfully for its 39th and last time.<br />
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I have always loved reading and learning about the space program. I suppose I come by it naturally. My dad loves looking up at the stars at night, as do I. And since I was a young child, I have always dreamed of traveling to space. How amazing must it be to look on our tiny earth and see the immensity of space. I cannot imagine orbiting the earth and not thinking of our amazing Creator nonstop. But, alas, science was not my best subject.<br />
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For my entire life I have only know the shuttle program. I have seen its joys as we have built the International Space Station (ISS), and its sorrows when we lost the Challenger and the Columbia. I know the technology it has brought the U.S., and the advances it has made in science. Some of the most basic tech tools we have today are a result of the space program.<br />
<br />
So, reading this article was bittersweet. The Discovery will be retired when it returns, eventually making its way to the Smithsonian Museum, where it can long be treasured and admired. And, after Atlantis and Endeavor make their journeys this year, they, too, will be retired. And the shuttle program will end. And since President Obama has cut back on funding for NASA and instead encouraged the private sector to take over, it may be a long time before we return to space.<br />
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It is my prayer and desire that this mindset be changed, and we return to the heavens soon. Thank you, Discovery, for all you have done. You and your crews have served your country well. May God bless the current crew, and return you safely home.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/520259main_image_1872_346-260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/520259main_image_1872_346-260.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
**Thanks to nasa.gov for the use of the picture. This is a picture of the lift-off this morning. Below picture also from nasa.gov.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/517535main_image_1867_428-321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/517535main_image_1867_428-321.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Owl of the Deserthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17744606271353048227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12435892.post-9611678255699800172011-02-22T23:57:00.001-06:002011-02-22T23:58:37.223-06:00The Story of Jonah<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Z4VrujheblY?fs=1" width="425"></iframe>Owl of the Deserthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17744606271353048227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12435892.post-62766102294357185512011-02-19T23:36:00.000-06:002011-02-19T23:36:26.572-06:00Let the Countdown Begin4 months until Singing School. Get excited.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffmJWaS3EZ6b3sc9EdTE5JYSJhkpW5BHpQGPidyad21cJy-7Y5Dpk35aggjDSB16kuLqf_8JPbV4fKIEuIDfyM3-A5eqlOQAlz3FD70NuvrNwUQzV8RAZuVTK7Rw1C7XewHE/s1600/37248_826811665905_27422722_45585300_5413554_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffmJWaS3EZ6b3sc9EdTE5JYSJhkpW5BHpQGPidyad21cJy-7Y5Dpk35aggjDSB16kuLqf_8JPbV4fKIEuIDfyM3-A5eqlOQAlz3FD70NuvrNwUQzV8RAZuVTK7Rw1C7XewHE/s320/37248_826811665905_27422722_45585300_5413554_n.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>Owl of the Deserthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17744606271353048227noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12435892.post-89379622282564724292011-02-18T23:09:00.002-06:002011-02-18T23:10:58.127-06:00Crazy LoveTonight I went to dinner at Nabeel's. It's almost becoming a weekly tradition. The food is delicious, and the atmosphere takes you to somewhere else. Somewhere in the Mediterranean. I like it, though, because I can simply bring a book or two and read while eating something fantastic.<br />
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<div>So, I brought my One Year KJV Bible and the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I have not followed the "days" at all, so I'm reading somewhere in June. Before reading, I asked God to reveal whatever I needed in his Word. And He did. Of course He did. I read 1 Kings 19:1-21. It tells the story of Elijah, who after defeating the prophets of Baal, runs away from Jezebel. He tells the Lord how hard he has worked and that only he is left among his servants. And God reveals himself to Elijah in a small voice. Elijah repeats the same words, and God tells him to go anoint Elisha. Usually the focus of this story is that God had 7,000 others who had not bowed down to Baal. But, tonight I focused in on the fact that God sent Elijah to anoint Elisha. At one of Elijah's weakest moments, God reminds him that he is raising up servants to serve the Lord. He is not the only one right now, nor will the ministry die with him. What a comforting thought!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Then, I started the 2nd chapter of my book, Crazy Love. I can already tell that it is going to be a perfect accompaniment to the Bible Study I started on Tuesday night. The first chapter was all about re-discovering God. Realizing just how awesome He is. If you haven't seen this, you should really take a few minutes to watch the video below:</div><div><br />
</div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LpChZxPfa-c?fs=1" width="425"></iframe><br />
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Pretty amazing, right? That doesn't even do it justice. <br />
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The 2nd chapter, then, is all about death. That may seem strange, but Chan points you to the fact that the "Movie of Life" is not about you. It's about God. He makes this parallel. If you were an extra in a movie, and only your head was seen for about a second, yet you rented the entire movie theater out so people could see it, they would think you were crazy. The movie obviously isn't about you. And so it is with life. We are here for a fraction of a second, and our entire purpose is to glorify God. That's what it's all about (not the hokey pokey...sorry, I couldn't resist). Let us be about our Father's business.<br />
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<i>"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."</i><br />
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</i><br />
<i>"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."</i><br />
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<i>Colossians 3:2,17</i>Owl of the Deserthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17744606271353048227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12435892.post-21778962927385610352011-02-17T00:40:00.002-06:002011-02-18T22:29:57.080-06:00Birmingham SunsetI've been thinking a lot about seeing God in the nature all around us. I've always known that to be true, but I've really tried to dwell on it lately and not miss it. It's so easy for a day to pass by and truly miss all the beauty that surrounds us and testifies of a magnificent Creator.<br />
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Tonight, as I travelled to Jasper, I couldn't help but be amazed at the sunset right before my eyes. Now that spring is approaching, I don't leave work in the dark. I can actually see the sun in its waning moments. Sunsets are absolutely beautiful. They leave you speechless and completely inspired. Whether it's trying to comprehend the light itself or the magnitude of its size, or trying to count the many colors the sunset inspires - purples, blues, pinks, oranges - it all points back to Christ. He is our light. He sees and knows each of us individually. He loves us.<br />
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</span></span>Owl of the Deserthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17744606271353048227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12435892.post-80002841283024276512010-12-13T14:41:00.001-06:002010-12-13T22:29:04.229-06:00Food Court Surprise!<iframe frameborder="0" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SXh7JR9oKVE?fs=1" width="480"></iframe><br />
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How fun would that be? A LOT! Merry Christmas!<br />
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<em>"For unto us a Saviour is born."</em>Owl of the Deserthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17744606271353048227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12435892.post-55609337182797081392010-12-09T23:39:00.001-06:002010-12-13T22:28:33.099-06:00Gift ExchangeI have a Christmas party to attend tomorrow night where we are having a gift exchange. There will be males and females there from ages 22 to 50+. So, what do I get? Oddly enough, I found it hard to find a good list of " great gifts for both genders under $15-$20". I wandered around the mall tonight for a while, and came up with a list of my own. Hope it helps anyone else out there struggling for an idea!<br />
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1. Blanket/throw (I gave this last year and it went over well.)<br />
2. Ornament<br />
3. Flash drive<br />
4. Hand sanitizer, lotion. (my gift this year - perhaps slightly on the girlie side, but who can't use hand sanitizer, especially during the flu season?)<br />
5. Serving pieces (nice platters, cake knives, salad tossers, etc.)<br />
6. Movie package (vouchers or DVD rentals)<br />
7. Cocoa and mugs<br />
8. Homemade gift, for the artsy types! Someone did a painting last year that was a big hit.<br />
9. Magic 8 ball? Magnetic poetry? Rubix cube? These just came to me spontaneously. You probably wouldn't buy it for yourself, but you know you can't refuse to pick one up if someone else has it and just play with it.<br />
10. And of course, if nothing else, gift cards are always wildly popular. Chic-fil-a was a popular one last year for grabs. Any restaurants or coffee places are great.<br />
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What ideas do you have? Comments? Thoughts?Owl of the Deserthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17744606271353048227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12435892.post-86291850585092816582010-12-07T17:35:00.001-06:002010-12-13T22:28:03.471-06:00All CleanLast night I got in a cleaning mood. I came home from work about 6:00 and I cleaned until my phone rang at 9:00. I...<br />
<ul><li>washed the dishes</li>
<li>laundered my bed sheets and clothes</li>
<li>cleaned the fabric softener dispenser, which was starting to look gummy</li>
<li>wiped my counters (AND) polished them - Ok, so I cheated. It's a cleaner/polisher solution all-in-one.</li>
<li>Disenfected and Sanitized my sink, toilet, and tub</li>
<li>Scrubbed my bathroom floors (think Cinderella...on the floor on my hands and knees scrubbing)</li>
<li>Dusted all my furniture</li>
<li>Vacuumed my floors</li>
</ul>It was a very productive evening! I felt much better sitting down and relaxing after that, and not somewhat lazy as I usually do. :-)<br />
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It also probably didn't hurt that I had Pandora Radio blaring over my phone for the entire 3 hours. It helps pass the time so much more quickly. It was set to my favorite customized station - Blackbird Radio. LOVE it. You should check out Pandora for yourself <a href="http://www.pandora.com/">here</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-13316619-woman-dusting-table.php" id="img_13316619" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" class="e_loupe " height="200" id="imageThumb_13316619" src="http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/13316619/1/istockphoto_13316619-woman-dusting-table.jpg" style="position: static;" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of istockphoto.com.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Owl of the Deserthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17744606271353048227noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12435892.post-84696069177497818142010-12-03T14:36:00.000-06:002010-12-03T14:36:42.557-06:00ThanksgivingI would say that I am late, but it is never to late to give thanks. I have so many things to be thankful for. If I tried to list them all, I don't think I could. But, it is so important to make every effort as often as possible to give thanks and see what the Lord has done in our lives. If we fail to remember, it will be easy to forget. So, without further delay, a wee glimpse of my thanks:<br />
<ul><li>Family - immediate, extended, church...I love them all.</li>
<li>Friends whose love is unconditional</li>
<li>Living in the United States of America - still the greatest country in the world to live, though I pray for it daily.</li>
<li>My Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and his gift of hope to each and every one of his children. Without this solid hope, I would be lost many days.</li>
<li>Chic-Fil-A - My food pyramid some weeks really does consist of 1) Chic-Fil-A, and 2) everything else.</li>
<li>Sweet Tea</li>
<li>Music</li>
<li>The Written Word and the Preached Word</li>
<li>Blankets and Gas Heaters</li>
<li>Health</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Grace</li>
</ul>So many more...<em>The Lord has been so good to me, I want to sing his praise, I want to glorify his name, all my remaining days.</em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31eZZRuVC1DTW-0wBMGkE1M_5mmdxwM6kWE_VMXQf_pf1pmUeRuSxHxruY9RZwjFq3gx3k5a0rpXecIZiOxlSUEAyf3fmRORqeXs7EZnHyE0UXyXAIzk5qntfGgykInZGQ2Q/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31eZZRuVC1DTW-0wBMGkE1M_5mmdxwM6kWE_VMXQf_pf1pmUeRuSxHxruY9RZwjFq3gx3k5a0rpXecIZiOxlSUEAyf3fmRORqeXs7EZnHyE0UXyXAIzk5qntfGgykInZGQ2Q/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Owl of the Deserthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17744606271353048227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12435892.post-1231272933268031302010-12-02T22:30:00.001-06:002010-12-02T23:03:28.823-06:00Abide with MeI feel as though I have been in a spiritual rut for the past year. I knew I needed to come back to Jesus. <em>"Draw near to me, and I will draw near unto you."</em> But, I felt myself turning farther and farther away.<br />
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The Monday before my church's anniversary meeting, as I was walking on the treadmill listening to one of my playlists in my iPod, I heard the song by Third Day, "I've Always Loved You". I was struck by the words - "Though you turn away, I tell you still, Don't you know I've always loved you? And I always will." The song is written as if spoken by Christ, and I felt like I could hear what he was trying to tell me. <em>"I love you. I always have. Why are you turning away? Come back beloved."</em><br />
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Then, on Wednesday night at church we sang this hymn, "Abide With Me". I've sung this hundreds of times probably, and never truly paid attention to the words.<br />
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<blockquote>Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;<br />
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.<br />
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,<br />
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.<br />
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Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;<br />
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;<br />
Change and decay in all around I see;<br />
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.<br />
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<strong>I need Thy presence every passing hour.</strong><br />
<strong>What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?</strong><br />
<strong>Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?</strong><br />
<strong>Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.</strong><br />
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Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;<br />
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.<br />
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;<br />
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.</blockquote>Again, it was like Christ was speaking to me. And, if he was speaking to me through these songs, then when the meeting arrived and the sermons were preached, I think he actually grabbed me and shook me! I had been praying all week for the meeting to be blessed, but I was still amazed that God blessed ME. I felt as if the messages were being preached directly to me. I was humbled and awed. And renewed. And thankful. It was exactly what I needed. Rebuke, exhortation, encouragement.<br />
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The Lord is good and very good. Praise his holy name.Owl of the Deserthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17744606271353048227noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12435892.post-63479236370027007972010-11-23T11:32:00.001-06:002010-11-23T11:33:34.932-06:00Halloween Pics!Yes, I'm a little late - such is my life these days. But, I wanted to share these pics. I haven't carved a pumpkin in about 4 years, but I was invited to a carving party this year and had a ton of fun. I love being creative when I have the time. I decided to go with a spider, and was quite happy at the spooky effect it had in the dark.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9UTbxWXN9noEQ3P77u3570EwTMB7dW8m_wS3xARcZNM_3DQ2u0oKvfzB1hEe7IoXiORVqqpUfQ1e4F3MNPlV71fobErsxbWWYWVoraayRfDOO1bOQtK357ZfO0OPcBzfILLU/s1600/DSC_0144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9UTbxWXN9noEQ3P77u3570EwTMB7dW8m_wS3xARcZNM_3DQ2u0oKvfzB1hEe7IoXiORVqqpUfQ1e4F3MNPlV71fobErsxbWWYWVoraayRfDOO1bOQtK357ZfO0OPcBzfILLU/s320/DSC_0144.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeilREtbGbNcUkq_0ecmypaq4tGpbY8Tr1V7IatFoD9jKzpS9IP-WJFzyR7Z2SRQrar-vS1vs-l74kQ1zX7HBpTErKDirdElRaQnIKgts8Uhu0qWFFzbFrr_QisDNOVQyO_FI/s1600/DSC_0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeilREtbGbNcUkq_0ecmypaq4tGpbY8Tr1V7IatFoD9jKzpS9IP-WJFzyR7Z2SRQrar-vS1vs-l74kQ1zX7HBpTErKDirdElRaQnIKgts8Uhu0qWFFzbFrr_QisDNOVQyO_FI/s320/DSC_0151.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Owl of the Deserthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17744606271353048227noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12435892.post-69552495962867798212010-11-09T14:59:00.000-06:002010-11-09T14:59:28.200-06:00Mark of the Beast?<a href="http://www.google.com/gwt/x?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.reuters.com%2Farticle%2FidUSTRE6A754720101108">Look out, your medicine is watching you | Reuters</a><br />
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Well, probably not exactly. But, it is disturbing that these "chips" are becoming closer and closer to a reality. Stomach today, wrist tomorrow.<br />
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I think if I eat Chic-Fil-A every other day, that's my own business. And they can get my vitals the old fashioned way. No, thank you, big brother.Owl of the Deserthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17744606271353048227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12435892.post-70384425089500185492010-11-05T22:57:00.001-05:002010-11-05T23:02:12.604-05:00Whew...that was a long break!It seems I have been away for a few months. And I have missed you. So, let me explain...<br />
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Sometime after my last post, my computer decided to go CRAZY on me. It started by shutting down on its own. And failing every time I wanted to run media, or a large application. Seeing as my lappy is eight years old, I began to be concerned. So, I researched my little problem. I discovered after searching several sites that it appears that my screen is trying to go bad...something about the battery being next to the driver and over time it just goes bad. As unfortunate as this sounds, I began to feel very blessed the more I read. Most owners had lost their screens within 3 years. And the manufacturer had stopped making a replacement at this point. So, as I said, having had mine for 8 years, I felt very blessed. But, all this information didn't solve my problem. I disabled my driver, but now my screen will often appear in a checker-board pattern. And, it appears the only solution will be to break down and buy a new lappy. This has not happened yet.<br />
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So, my computer spends most of its days looking pretty on my desk, untouched. I'm hoping for some good holiday sales. Some REALLY GOOD holiday sales.<br />
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And then, I will return. (Or post from an alternative computer.) Until then, my apologies.Owl of the Deserthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17744606271353048227noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12435892.post-17875370966839644812010-03-08T22:27:00.001-06:002010-03-08T22:31:22.736-06:00What Does a Raven Have in Common with a Writing Desk? Movie Review: Alice in WonderlandI really appreciate the vision of Tim Burton. Ever since I saw the first announcement that he was re-making Alice in Wonderland, I have been super excited. I knew it had potential. Tim Burton has a reputation for darker, edgier, creative, artistic visions and an amazing talent for making it all beautifully come together. The story of Alice in Wonderland lends itself to all of these things. A hookah-smoking caterpillar, talking flowers, a mad hatter, a talking rabbit, a queen who loves to take the heads of unloving, unthankful, unobeying servants, and a young girl who finds herself in the middle of this strange land.<br />
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And, you ask, did he succeed? Yes, most wonderfully. If I had any disappointment, it was that he didn't take his vision futher, deeper. He created a beautiful, confusing, mad, mad world, that at the same time helped our young heroine find her own way back in her real life. I think that is what I appreciated most. He took Alice and gave her journey through Wonderland meaning. She wasn't just visiting a strange Wonderland, she was exploring her own values, decision-making capabilities, and her inner strength. But, you don't have to get bogged down in the deep-thinking aspects if that is not your thing; you can simply appreciate a well-made, funny movie. Even the approximately four year old beside me was chanting, "Off with her head!" You will fall in love with the Mad Hatter, and find yourself wishing to return.<br />
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I give it an A+ and cannot wait to get it on video.<br />
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In keeping with Women's History Month, I must highlight three notable performances: Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen, Anne Hathaway as the White Queen, and Mia Wasikowska as Alice. Absolutely amazing performances. Each completely nailed her role.<br />
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And of course, Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter must be mentioned. Charming, adorably crazy, perfect. Owl of the Deserthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17744606271353048227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12435892.post-78541170941277923502010-03-05T00:13:00.000-06:002010-03-05T00:13:20.858-06:00Women's History MonthDid you know that March is Women's History Month? I didn't. Maybe I did, and it had gotten lost in my brain somewhere. But, now it knows. So, what can I offer to honor this month? A book recommendation, of course. :-)<br />
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Many years ago a dear friend of mine recommended I read 5 books by one of my now-favorite authors, Francine Rivers. These 5 books comprised the Lineage in Grace series. Each book tells the story of one of the women listed in the lineage of Christ - Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. First, if you haven't already, go read each of these women's stories in the KJV Bible. What better way could you kick off Women's History Month than to read about the amazing women in the Bible? They are a few of several examples for us, for good and bad, after all. Then, when you are finished, go buy, borrow, etc. these books. If I remember correctly, they are written from a 1st person perspective, giving you an idea of what it may have been like to have been each of these women - what they might have been thinking, feeling, circumstances, etc. These are things we should think about each time we read the Bible, but we rarely do. Put yourself in their shoes. What would your thoughts have been? The Bible isn't outdated. We are just like each of them. What a wonderful blessing to be able to learn from them.Owl of the Deserthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17744606271353048227noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12435892.post-18419825969208793782010-02-27T21:50:00.001-06:002010-02-27T21:51:33.498-06:00New Music<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love music. My tastes are various. Lately I've been digging the sounds of a well-played acoustic guitar, violin, and upright bass (think Act of Congress or Nickel Creek). But, on another day, you may catch me listening to Fleetwood Mac or Jim Croce. And on others, it's a 90's Christian kind of day with the likes of Audio Adrenaline, Jars of Clay, and DC Talk. And let's not forget acapella, instrumental, etc. This list could go on and on. So, this week, I bought some new music. I have been wanting these CDs for months, and well, Barnes and Noble was having a VERY good sale. :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div align="center">She & Him is the work of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward. You may recognize the name of Zooey from the movies - Elf, Failure to Launch, The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Her voice is silky smooth, and unlike anything my generation typically hears. It takes me back to a sound reminiscent of perhaps The Andrew Sisters. It's a clean album, with beautiful, unique poetry. It's something you should check out. :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/6105Yh%2BzROL._SL500_AA240_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/6105Yh%2BzROL._SL500_AA240_.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center">I bought the first Glory Revealed cd a couple years ago. This collaborative effort, led by Mac Powell of Third Day, puts the Word of God to music. Verses from all throughout the Bible are sung by these various artists. It's a great way to worship in your car, in your house, where ever you are. I love Christian music, but I especially love that this is taken directly from the Bible. What better things could you listen to?</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">So check them out. Let me know what you think!</div>Owl of the Deserthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17744606271353048227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12435892.post-39749688150360640382010-02-17T00:30:00.000-06:002010-02-17T00:30:12.300-06:00AvatarI finally joined the masses and went to see Avatar yesterday at the recommendation of a Mr. Logan G., among others. I went with a friend to the 11:15 am 3D showing, hoping to get a matinee price, which we did. But, being 3D, it only helped a little.<br />
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Everyone I had spoken to did not have much to say about the plot, but rather spoke about the beauty of this film. And I have to agree - this is a <u>beautiful</u> film. James Cameron's creativity and terrific cinematography shine through, and the actors portraying the various characters were spot on. <br />
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Pandora is a beautiful world, and whether you consider yourself a tree-hugger or not, I think saving Pandora and it's native people is a cause you can get behind. Think, saving the rainforest. Have you ever heard anyone say, "No, we should destroy the rainforest. Destroy, destroy!" No. Why? Because of the diverse life that lives there, and the possiblities it holds to cure diseases, etc. There are other plot depths that make this an interesting film and has probably fueled additional controversy, but I think it's worth seeing for yourself and making the decision.<br />
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And do go see it in the theater. Even if it's the dollar theater. You want to see it at its biggest and fullest. Owl of the Deserthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17744606271353048227noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12435892.post-23218233939391616182010-02-12T18:44:00.000-06:002010-02-12T18:44:39.792-06:00Snow Day!I stayed up until midnight last night - no snow. I awoke at 7:00 am - no snow. And then, all of a sudden, the beautiful, cold, whiteness, each flake completely unique, began to slowly descend at 10:00 am, right on time. The office was mostly quiet until that moment, and then the excitement grew and grew. We could hardly tear ourselves away from the windows. It was SNOWING! We had an inch within an hour. All I wanted to do was run out and play in it. And, at noon, I did just that. Our office closed early, and I went to my apartment, stunned by the beautiful winter wonderland that surrounded me. I saw God all around me, in this white, still, quiet world. <i>Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow...Isaiah 1:18.</i><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></b></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">**I guess with 49 of the 50 United States being covered with snow, we should all start to be really worried about global warming.** </span></div>Owl of the Deserthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17744606271353048227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12435892.post-35979291844373369782010-02-11T22:52:00.004-06:002010-02-11T23:17:27.044-06:00Completely & Officially Tied & KnottedMy dearest sister has married her best friend, my new brother. I don't have any pictures yet (we are anxiously awaiting!), but as their own personal paparazzi for the last several years...here's a few of them for you to enjoy from my archives.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437219744950789730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtXpZKNaBDzg5Bpor3H5TxaZNdVsSD75sDrwTvVU_vkAJa2mGrWiyaVKIrNKpx5bWTPxfCZq-SDJLK4iABY_cba9y947SCsvIJSFF6aub1ApYsteMHYF7HVo3byaYTZkIZuQ/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437219732914907874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBL8Ly3qS6BZzmPsgQ1K6po58E5Tfj3EE5wPKRYrQS9oE1X42LbCncaH15hIfgoJnsF03ug7U6ju76LjGD0lVcEGXspG8q1DhNkbns6fPY7wLYEAV4n_TziYtBHwRvm7q8Ao/s320/DSC_0093.JPG" /><br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437219730770124418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iXCUdc5eYrROCCaNK5aPTUgTP1zEOj5qVfcNaAZWXHUDki4jEfVd663xkgoMB0xLAK1FOxR1oUSusUIfRVpfPovcrYAffUJ-jKTUSN2MSGrH-PJ9-su9GunHufdm54cou4Y/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" /> </div>Owl of the Deserthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17744606271353048227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12435892.post-54622032695752950212010-02-02T12:17:00.004-06:002010-02-11T23:18:06.712-06:00Lilies That FesterI read some of Shakespeare's Sonnets last night, and I happened upon the following:<br /><br />XCIV<br /><br /><em>They that have power to hurt and will do none,</em><br /><em>That do not do the thing they most do show,</em><br /><em>Who, moving others, are themselves as stone,</em><br /><em>Unmoved, cold, and to temptation slow,</em><br /><em>They rightly do inherit heaven's graces</em><br /><em>And husband nature's riches from expense;</em><br /><em>They are the lords and owners of their faces,</em><br /><em>Others but stewards of their excellence.</em><br /><em>The summer's flower is to the summer sweet,</em><br /><em>Though to itself it only live and die,</em><br /><em>But if that flower with base infection meet,</em><br /><em>The basest weed outbraves his dignity:</em><br /><em>For sweetest things turn sourest by their deeds;</em><br /><em>Lilies that fester smell far worse than weeds.<br /></em><br /><em>–William Shakespeare</em><br /><br />I was especially moved by those last two lines. What an apt description of the importance of our conversation - our behavior, our conduct, our speech. These things require daily tending. And we must always be aware of the temptations lurking at our door.Owl of the Deserthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17744606271353048227noreply@blogger.com0