Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Distinct Roar

Saturday afternoon I found myself sitting where even a week ago I would not have bothered to go. On a log, by a river, after a little walk in the woods. It was beautiful.

A friend had mentioned hearing this generic roar, and following it to the river that was creating it. He found that where he expected a single, generic roar, there were actually a few distinct sounds combining to make that roar. Here the gentle whoosh of water rushing over the rocks. There a tiny trickle persevering to flow. Over there, a deeper pool with a deeper, more hushed swishing sound. All combined so that from a distance all one hears is a roar, but when one moves closer one discovers there is more there than originally met the ear.

In the constant rush of humanity, and the loud noise of life, one wonders how in the world God can hear all our prayers at once. But He hears every disctinct sound we make - be it the enthusiastic new believer praying like crazy, or the beaten down person fighting to hold on.

As I sat on that log, I found myself glad that God's hearing is so much better than mine.

Monday, November 06, 2006

My Accent

What American accent do you have?
Your Result: Boston

You definitely have a Boston accent, even if you think you don't. Of course, that doesn't mean you are from the Boston area, you may also be from New Hampshire or Maine.

The West
The Midland
North Central
The Northeast
Philadelphia
The Inland North
The South
What American accent do you have?
Take More Quizzes

Is disagreement automatically intolerance?

That's my question today. Is disagreement automatically intolerance? How about hatred? Is disagreement automatically hatred?

Is it possible to be friends with someone who has chosen to live in a manner which might be considered to be outside of God's values?

Well, do you have any friends who are gossips? Who speed? Who have sex outside of marriage? (Ooohh - touchy one there...)

I think it is possible to love and respect people even while they choose to live a different way that you.

So why is it that if I think someone is wrong, I might get called a "-hater" or a "-phobe" or any number of things?

Just thinking.

Friday, November 03, 2006

Toothy Friday Five

Friday once again, and the Friday Fivers ask us to consider our dental tools...

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Friday Five: Nothing But the Tooth


We are in the throes of what will (hopefully) be the final set of braces in this family, and so my mind is on the tooth, the whole tooth and nothing but the tooth.

Please share your thoughts on the following:

1) The Tooth Fairy

Caught in the act when I was young! And she is conscious of inflation apparently, because my niece got four quarters recently...

2) Flossing

Painful sometimes, but necessary. Minty floss is my favorite.

3) Toothpaste Brands

Grew up on Colgate. Now I use Crest. I rememeber seeing Crest commercials on TV as a kid. Guess they worked.

4) Orthodontia for Adults

If adults want to go through that, they should go a head. I had braces as a kid, teeth pulled to make room, bands shoved between my back teeth...Ugh. But I appreciate not having impacted wisdom teeth.

5) Whitening products

Don't use them myself, but I've been thinking about trying them. At first I thought they were only for vain Barbie types, but I see the point. My teeth are naturally not white like magazine teeth. Of course, magazine teeth aren't either. Thank you, Photoshop and other like programs, for making us all think we need to look a certain way...

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Choices...

OK - not the right word for the song reference - should be Changes. You know - David Bowie.

Anyhow, I was thinking about choices today. Mostly how we choose to respond to circumstances and situations. I had a big decision to make - choosing Drum Majors and Color Guard Captains for next season's marching band. We hold auditions and interviews, the staff and I confer, and I make the final decision. I am happy with my choices - I think the individuals who will serve in these positions next season will be great.

When I told the parties involved, they had a choice. They could accept or reject their appointments and the associated conditions. Or not.

They chose to accept.

Then I had to tell all the candidates - some of whom would be disappointed. They could then choose how to respond. We will see tomorrow how they did respond. One has already emailed me to find out why. I appreciate the question, and hope it comes with a teachable spirit.

Then I thought about how I responded in class today to the fourth, fifth, sixth, twentieth time a couple of kids made the same mistake - and were laughing about it. I chose...not exactly well. I went on too long, and I wish I had not. But I did get my point across, and they then hunkered down and succeeded three times in a row and I got to say good job. Liked that!

We have choices to make all day every day. Do we say something, so we remain silent, do we take that second brownie in the cafeteria line...all sorts of things.

Lord, give us the wisdom and will to choose Wisely.