get away
Question of the Day: What's your dream vacation (where, when, with whom, doing what)?
I don't know ( I usually won't cop out like this, but I figure since it's my question and my blog I can do anything I can choose to alter the rules for a day). One of the best I've had so far was a week in Paris with Sarah doing all the touristy stuff and having a cafe au lait and a croissant every day.
kind of random
I realize this is my third post of the day, but I had to share this. I think I would like a profession in which the primary goal would be to be cheery and have a good attitude with customer service representatives. I just love doing that! I got to have a great attitude with not one, but two Frontier Airline customer service representatives. It's amazing how far that goes when it comes to their providing the help and information one needs. So, next time you're on the phone with someone who makes a living as a customer service rep., go ahead and make the extra effort to be extra nice and have a great attitude. (If any of you know of such a profession, please do let me know. I would love that as a side job ;)).
what's your favorite radio station (any city, satelite, etc)?
KBCO 97.3 Boulder, CO (you can listen online; it's really phenomenal; just click on the dots at the beginning of this post)
life has no tragedy like our God ignored. Every problem is a theological problem, and the habitual discontent of us singles is no exception.Can God be any less good to me on the average Tuesday morning than he was on that monumental Friday afternoon when he hung on a cross in my place? The answer is a resounding NO. God will not be less good to me tomorrow either, because God cannot be less good to me. His goodness is not the effect of his disposition but the essence of his person—not an attitude but an attribute.
It is a cosmic impossibility for God to shortchange any of his children. God can no more live in me apart from the perfect fullness of his goodness and grace than I can live in Nashville and not be white. If he fluctuated one quark in his goodness, he would cease to be God.Warped theology is at the heart of attempts to "explain" singleness:
"As soon as you’re satisfied with God alone, he’ll bring someone special into your life”—as though God’s blessings are ever earned by our contentment.
"You’re too picky”—as though God is frustrated by our fickle whims and needs broader parameters in which to work.
"As a single you can commit yourself wholeheartedly to the Lord’s work”—as though God requires emotional martyrs to do his work, of which marriage must be no part.
"Before you can marry someone wonderful, the Lord has to make you someone wonderful"—as though God grants marriage as a second blessing to the satisfactorily sanctified.
Accepting singleness, whether temporary or permanent, does not hinge on speculation about answers God has not given to our list of whys, but rather on celebration of the life he has given. I am not single because I am too spiritually unstable to possibly deserve a husband, nor because I am too spiritually mature to possibly need one. I am single because God is so abundantly good to me, because this is his best for me. It is a cosmic impossibility that anything could be better for me right now than being single, The psalmists confirm that I should not want, I shall not want, because no good thing will God withhold from me.Such knowledge of God must transform subsequent knowledge of self-theological readjustment is always the catalyst for renewed self-awareness. This keeps identity right-side-up with nouns and modifiers in their correct place. Am I a Christian single or am I a single Christian? The discrepancy in grammatical construction may be somewhat subtle, but the difference in mindset is profound. Which word is determinative and which is descriptive? You see, we singles are chronic amnesiacs—we forget who we are, we forget whose we are. I am a single Christian. My identity is not found in my marital status but in my redemptive status. I 'm one of the "haves," not one of the "have-nots."
The gospel is the only antidote for egocentricity. Christ did not come simply to save us from our sins, he came to save us from our selves. And he most often rescues us from us through relationships, all kinds of relationships.Obedience knows no ages or stages.excerpts taken from Singled Out by God for Good by Paige Benton
fun fun times
I got to use one of my favorite phrases (malice aforethought) in an e-mail today! My e-mail at work has a virus. The nice people upstairs failed to let us know that vital piece of information before we started sending e-mail this morning. So, as is my custom, I sent out an e-mail to the house church group list to let them know of the good news that one of our members got through knee surgery this morning. One person received that said e-mail 42 times. The response from those 42 e-mails follows:
For some reason, you sent me this message 42 times.
Seriously. I am glad to hear that Carolyn did well with her surgery, and I will pray for her, but probably not 42 times.As you can imagine, I didn't receive that information quite well.
So I sent out another e-mail, this time from my personal account, to apologize and let them know there was no
malice aforethought. I tried to be diplomatic and tactful.
I don't think I can contain my excitement.
the way I see it
Starbucks has, for a little while now, quotes on their cups. They call it 'the way I see it.'
For any of you who know me even in the slightest, you'll get a kick out of the one on my tall non-fat raspberry mocha yesterday. I was minding my own business, taking in the enjoyment of the stroll through Barnes & Noble with Andrea, and I look at the cup to read:
"Risk taking, trust, and serendipity are key ingredients of joy. Without risk, nothing ever happens. Without trust, fear creeps in. Without serendipity, there are no surprises." -- Rita Golden Gelman from
Tales of a Female NomadWill I ever come to a comfortable existence with these ideas permeating my every moment? Certainly not on my own. May God continue to break and mold me to become who He's made me to be. May He continue to use phenomenal people to help me along the way...
the little things in life
Soemtimes it doesn't take much to make me happy. The latest thing that has made me quite happy is moving so that my commute has gone from 45-60 minutes to
7 minutes. Amazing. No highway, no traffic, no road rage...just a nice drive to work. So today I am thankful for the proximity of my new living space to my work space.
Typically, the littlest thing that makes me happy is a yummy bowl of ice cream. Especially on a hot summer's day (actually, that's not true...just about any time of any kind of day is the best time for ice cream).
With that said, I give you the QOD:
What's your favorite ice cream?Hagen Daaz CoffeeStarbuck's Mocha Java ChipMoosetracks
name sake
I'm not sure I've ever really said much concerning the name I gave to this blogomine. The idea of single intelligence started out as a rant, then proceeded to an article and it has pretty much fizzled into nothing at the moment. I've only let one or two people read what I've written, but today I'm feeling a bit more gutsy. Here's about half of what I got started. It's been a little while since I wrote this, but I think I still feel mostly the same.
bitter. alone. Free. Independent. All words to describe the plight, the condition of the single person. There are groups, clubs, and grocery stores all intent on bringing people together in hopes of making matches made in heaven. What’s with that phrase anyway?
Perhaps several different pictures pop up in your mind when the word ‘single’ is mentioned. I’m not talking about a hamburger from Wendy’s or a runner making it to first base.
the whole idea that ‘all we need is God’
I heard a song the other day that said something to the effect that God is all I need, which theologically speaking may be closer to correct than not. Realistically speaking, I really think we were made for relationship…relationship with God, relationship with others, relationship with one other. I think that the whole idea of a single adult is sort of tragic in the fact that some singles are intent upon being independent, self-sufficient…that’s not what life is about. Life is about living in community with one another, with a group of people. Marriage just happens to be sort of a built-in community. But, being single does not, really should not, hinder the human necessity of community.
I’ve learned it the hard way, am still learning to need people. To realize that being dependent on others is healthy. It’s almost impossible to live on one’s own. I know there are people out there who would LOVE the idea of living all alone for the rest of their lives. That just doesn’t sound fun to me.
From the beginning, there have been communities of people. We, as single people, need to realize that it’s not about a conglomeration even of single people gathering to bask or dwell or wallow in our singleness, instead it is about forming a healthy community of people who are intent on bettering the world around them. That does not exclude anyone by gender, marital status or age.The reason I bring this up now is that I was checking my e-mail just a moment ago and got sidetracked by one of the stories to the side...it was about how to answer people who ask all the time about marital status. I rather appreciated some of what this woman had to say (please note...this in no way constitutes lack of desire to be married on my part, just what is possible for me in the meantime). My thoughts in green.
- look at some of our cool single role models:
Catwoman: Single.
Buddha: Single.
The Lone Ranger: Single.
Actually, virtually all superhero types are single: Superman, Wonder Woman, Dudley Do- Right. And then there’s The Ultimate Superhero: God—also single (kind of seems a little over the top and theologically interesting if not questionable, but I had to leave it in since she included it).
- It's easy to become married. Millions of people do it every year. If you want to pressure me to become something, hey, why not pick something a little more challenging—like an astrophysicist.
- True love is rare. That's why it's called "love" and not "really like" or "settling." And why we don't say: "I’m settling for you, honey" over candlelit dinners. True love is worth waiting for…and that’s what I’m doing.
Karen Salmansohn is a life coach and the best-selling author of 27 books. Visit her at www.notsalmon.com. Adapted from Even God Is Single: So Stop Giving Me A Hard Time, copyright 2000 by Karen Salmansohn. Used by permission of Workman Publishing Co., Inc., New York. All rights reserved.
PLEASE COMMENT
Even if you've never commented before, even if you make it anonymously, please comment to this question:
QOD2: What is your favorite website (not only for content, but for aesthetic purposes (how it looks, ease of use, etc.)?
Mighty Leaf TeaNike
easy way out
I tend to take the easy way out if I can. I've been convicted about that lately...especially when communicating or trying to make an effort with something. Leaving it alone is just easier...and a lot less involved.. Seems like I've been doing the same with the blog lately. Just simply having a QOD is the easy way out because I post each day, but there's not much depth. Then I think, is that the way my relationship with God, and consequently my life as a Christ follower, boils down to some days? Am I just trying to take the easy way out? A verse here, a prayer or two there...but what am I doing about the brokenhearted, the captives, the poor, the orphans, the widows? May I not take the easy way out...
QOD: What perfume/cologne/l'eau du toilette do you currently use (assuming you use one)?
PURE (Eddie Bauer)...quite telling, don't ya' think? (please note the sarcasm, as well as the pride that would suggest that there is always truth in jesting)
Just the QOD for now
If you could choose a different name for yourself, what would it be?
Or what is the inner you named?
Or if you were to use a pseudonym when published, what would it be?
(Perhaps some will have different answers for each of these; that is simply not the case for me.)
Jane Anderson
latest fave
So I'm pretty big into music. Not only the melody, but also (if not more so) the lyrics. This may not come to a shock to those who a) know me and/or b) have read my previous posts on this blog. So I'm listening to my yahoo station and a song I've never heard before comes on. Glen Phillips' (former lead of Toad the Wet Sprocket) "Duck and Cover." I really appreciate what it has to say. Perhaps it's just where I am in life these days, although I hope and think it goes deeper than that. I plan to share my musings regarding all that he packs into it later on...
one way or another, we'll all need each other
nothing's gonna turn out the way you thought it would
but friends and lovers, don't you duck and cover
cause everything comes out the way it should
someone's in the back yard, banging on the door
daddy's gone away, he's coming back no more
his baby's curled up on a stranger's floor
mama's thinking family dinners weren't too much to ask for
everybody here's got a story to tell
everybody's been through their own hell
there's nothing too special about getting hurt
getting over it, that takes the work
cause one way or another, we'll all need each other
nothing's gonna turn out the way you thought it would
but friends and lovers, don't you duck and cover
cause everything comes out the way it should
blessed are the hungry, blessed are the weak
blessed are the humble, blessed are the meek
blessed are the ones on the other side
blessed are we for just being alive
one day i stopped wanting anything at all
the heavens opened up like a waterfall
no use in worrying about when it ends
just for now be thankful for what i get
cause one way or another, a man's gonna suffer
it makes no difference the way you wanted it
but friends and lovers, don't you duck and cover
cause everything comes out the way it should in the end
seems like life is a palindrome
you cry when you die, you cry when you're born
in between it's all about the ups and downs
add 'em all together, they cancel each other out
cause one way or another
one way or another
you won't get what you wanted
you'll get enough, for sure
one way or another
winter pays for the summer
won't get what you wanted
what you got'll be good
someone's in the back yard, banging on the door
daddy's gone away, he's coming back no more
his baby's curled up on a stranger's floor
mama's thinking happy endings weren't too much to ask for
moving on
I've moved...on from several 'places' in my life over the past couple of weeks. In the literal sense, I moved Sunday. Well, I say 'I' but I didn't do much of anything because of the knee. I had some GREAT help. But it's weird because all my stuff is in my new 'place' (room in the basement of a house occupied by a family of five). While all my stuff is there, I, however, will not be there until Sunday. I agreed a while back to dog sit so I have to stay there. Moving was rather anticlimactic because it would've been rather exciting to go from an hour commute to a ten minute commute overnight, but I did nothing of the sort. The place I'm dog sitting is just about as far away as my former pad. So just for another week I have to endure. It could totally be much worse, so I'm not complaining. Just stating that I've moved on, but not really...in more ways than one.
QOD
If you had to pick a theme song for your life, what would it be?
This is a tough one for me, and it pretty much changes daily, but I think I'd like it to be "Walking on Sunshine". Although, "Smile" is a close second.
to be or not to be
that's not the question of the day...that would be cheating.
what's your favorite US city?
San Francisco
vain
So I'm working in the library (oh so stinkin' thrilling) and a group for a class decides to gather on the couches right outside the library. So I can't help but hear EVERY WORD that is said. They're working on lesson plans or something. Earlier today they were picking apart Psalm 23 (way too much overanalyzing). This afternoon, I still can't figure out what they're talking about. Regardless, one of the guys in the group has such an irritating voice. And either he just has lots to say or he likes listening to his own voice (or maybe both). Anyway, it gets me to thinking...what if I fell in love with a guy who has a truly annoying voice? My first reaction is, would I do that? I mean would I even like the guy (inside and out) if his voice were annoying? My second reaction is, how stinking vain of me. There's much more to being in relationship with someone. But really (annoying voice guy is talking right now) would I ever get used to it? Would I come to love it? Just things I think about as I work this mundane job and wait on God to pull through with Mr. Right. I guess I'll go ahead and throw in a prayer asking that I enjoy listening to the guy's voice. That'd be a plus.
Thinking of this also reminds me that I was talking with a friend on the phone the other day and asked him the QOtD of 'what's your favorite sound' and being my smart aleck self I added at the end of that, 'besides my voice' (ha). To which he says, well actually, if we're talking voices, yours would be up at the top of the list for me. I thought that was a rather nice thing to say.
and again
Not much to say these days. Am in a somewhat better mood than yesterday. Part of that is due to prayer (I hope, anyway) and part of that is probably the productive evening I had last night. I got three more boxes and one more suitcase packed. It really seems my stuff multiplied since I've moved here. Perhaps I felt the need to fill the space I had, which seemed like a palace compared to the place from which I moved. But I digress.
So, here's the QOtD:
What's your favorite time of day?
dusk...the time right before the sun goes down...love it
just a question of the day
I'd blog what's really going on in my head and my heart, but I don't think there's enough space for that here. Plus, I'm hoping it'll pass and then if I shared and it passed, there would still be the remnant of insanity and bitterness to deal with.
With that said, here's the question of the day:
If you had to live on an island for the rest of your life and could only pick five food items to bring with you, what would they be?
orangeschickenpotatoesspinachice cream
yeah...so there...
In her final address in 1938, former WMU leader Annie Armstrong said, 'After the study of God's Word comes the study of the fields. Then people pray, then they give.'
While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and 'sinners' came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, 'Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?' On hearing this, Jesus said, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.' Matthew 9:10-13
QOtD (question of the day)If you could only drink one beverage for the rest of your life (in addition to the must-have H20) what would it be?
first answer: sweet teasecond answer: cabernet sauvignon
idea
talking to a friend last night and he said something and then thought it'd be a good album name, so I thought I'd take it and run with it. Don't have time to now, but wanted to remember it so I can comment on it later: arthritis of the mind. Quite intriguing, could definitely be unpacked.
That's all for now.
I also think I'll begin on the blog a question of the day. We had question of the day at my last place of employment and I highly enjoyed it. So I'll post the question (or questions) along with my answers and look forward to others' answers.
What is your favorite smell?
fresh cut grass; chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven; the smell right before it rains; gardeniasWhat is your favorite sound?friends' laughter; swish of a basketball through a hoopWhat CD is currently in your player?
At home: Chris Tomlin's latestAt work: Howie Day's latest
day to day
it's a lazy Sunday kind of day. i have no motivation to do much of anything. i just want to sit outside with a good book and enjoy the sun. i may just do that. but first, i need to pack my kitchen belongings (probably just four cups and a bowl) and my bathroom stuff. i'm moving next Sunday. doesn't seem like it should be happening right now, but such is life i suppose.
i wondered aloud today if i'd ever be content in the place (geographically speaking) God has me. it always seems i want to be somewhere else. this morning i woke up and thought for sure i could spend the day in a much better way if i were in san francisco or boston. but alas, i'm in denver, and will have a cookout with total strangers today and will force myself to mingle and chat and learn about others and maybe in that way, i will have traveled to other parts of this place we call earth in search of finding out more about loving God and loving others.
