Jerks (Selfish people)

I've just completed reading "Don't Let Jerks Get the Best of You" by Dr. Paul Meier. This is a heavy book. I find myself analyzing myself and almost everyone I know!! (mostly family members) There are 1st degree jerks (everyone is one of these sometime except the most "spiritually" mature of the universe.) Second degree jerks are pretty nasty (very selfish) Nth degree jerks don't even feel guilty when they abuse others. Dr. Meier is an Christian MD and a psychiatrist. He is a partner in the Minirth Meier Clinics. Some of us are masochists who set ourselves up to be hurt, victimized, or taken advantage of. (I don't see me here)

This book really makes you think about your family of origin, traumatic experiences you may have had in your life, and your immediate family. I'm still reeling from a lot of it but it is a very interesting and informative book! I would highly recommend it. Now I hope I can go on to some "lighter" fare. I'm so thankful for great books that teach us so much and can inspire us to change!

Giving Your Life for Jesus--No Compromise

Every year I try to read some biographies. I am currently reading the biography of Keith Green, a Christian musician and songwriter from the 80's. This book has been in our library for probably 20 years. I am only beginning to read it and I can't put it down!! This guy was radical. He was only a believer for a few years before he tragically died but he had been searching for most of his young life. I can't wait to finish this book and find out how it ends.

It is so inspiring to read about any of the great people of our world. I don't just read about Christians. I read about journalists, political people, etc. I believe that biographies give us insight into others and the world around us.

The Secret Place

Just recently did a Bible study on Matthew 6--"Keeping a Secret Life." Something happens in the secret place. In the secret life God comes to restore my soul! The secret life with God, will give me power in my life. I must be intentional about spending this time with God. There will be an audience of one there. I will be made righteous with God in the secret place. When it feels like all hell is coming against me, I must break heaven loose in my secret place.

Home Again and Settling In

It's hard to believe all this time has passed so quickly and July is almost over. We have celebrated two family birthdays--fun, fun!!

Just returned from 6 days in Indiana. It was nice to get away from the routines of home and just lay back and relax. We spent the time at a baseball world series. Our team won the championship. Games were exciting. Down time was quiet --just shopping, fixing meals, or grabbing a burger.

It is always wonderful to return to your home--it is the place where you can be yourself and you feel a part of the surroundings. I am enjoying the unpacking, laundry, cleaning etc as my life does not have a lot of commitments at this time. I hope I can keep it like this for the rest of the summer at least.

Sad Days

Tonight I am having difficulty. I just want to cry. First there is a friend that is dying. Of course, we know he will be with Jesus shortly but I grieve for his wife and family. Second a miscommunication of times/events caused a problem for some family members--I know tomorrow or the next day it won't matter but I'm allowing it to worry and sadden me tonight. Thirdly, incorrect dates may cause some difficulty and problems --again for family. Three little things (well someone dying is NOT a little thing) I just don't know if all three things together are causing my sadness and difficulty concentrating and enjoying the evening.

Lord, please help me to give all these things (and several others!) to you and allow you to carry them. I need your perfect peace--and maybe some comfort now. Thank you!

Balance and Routines

The past few days I have had the chance to catch up on some rest and on a few jobs around home that have been sorely neglected. June was a busy month with lots of extra responsibilities with grandchildren, travel baseball, and the children's musical. Baseball is still in full swing and the musical opens this weekend but some other things have slowed down.

I'm beginning to be able to think about the normal routines. I sorely miss Bible studies and the time studying and fellowshiping with the other ladies. Something is really missing. We don't normally do a regular study in the summer but often have periodic drop in sessions. I guess it is time for that to occur. I don't feel balanced when I'm not studying with others, keeping up on things around the house or having time to think or dream. I pray that the rest of the summer will be slower paced and some of these things can come back into our lives.

Children often get bored or so they say when it is quiet and things are routine. However, we all need structure, routines, and some quiet in our lives. We can get so busy with activities (like the children) that when it slows down we don't know what to do. I so long for the quiet to read, dream, and think. How about you?

America My Heritage, My Homeland

This is the time of year we celebrate our freedom. I do love and appreciate my country. I will be attending a party today and one tomorrow--including fireworks at one. God I am thankful to live in this wonderful country!

The last few weeks have been a busy blur. I feel unbalanced I havn't had time to do the normal routines. I am trying to get back to that place now that things have settled down some.

We have had some HOT days and summer is really here in Michigan. Baseball is still in full swing and will go for all of July.

I am music directing a children's play which opens next weekend. It has been great fun working with all of the young people--but especially my precious granddaughter. Music and drama are our passions--but she also is a great dancer. (not this two left footed, untrained grandma)