What a beautiful morning. It's crisp and cool out; my second favorite time of the year. We get about a month of this in the autumn and maybe a month and a half in the spring. I turn off the air conditioner and turn on the fan. I can open the doors and get some fresh air circulating in the house, effectively airing out the summer (and conversely, airing out the winter in the spring). I guess it all balances out.
This morning, I was awakened by that urgency that most of us wake up to. The one that sends us into the privy...I will spare you the details. It was just starting to get light out. I went into the kitchen and got my coffee going and then stepped into my back yard. I watched the east as the light began to gently kiss the sky in greeting. The sun started making his appearance as the third rock continued to spin on it's axis. Everything around me seemed to greet me with a cheery "Happy Sabbath!"
Now, as I sit here, I have the front door opened and sipping on a hot cup of coffee (made from God's own java bean), I am so thankful for the Sabbath. I love that I can just put away all the troubles and trials of the week. Groceries to get? Bills to pay? Car to wash? There is always Sunday. But for 24 wonderful hours I can enjoy complete freedom from all of that, if I choose to do so. And I do. Interestingly, in a book that was not written by a Seventh Day Adventist, science has apparently confirmed that the best times for our bodies to rest and rejuvenate is from Friday night sundown to Saturday night sundown. In that 24 hours, our bodies can recoup a lot of what is lost during the week.
I am thankful for the Sabbath, although there have been times when I have taken it for granted. I find the older I get, the more I appreciate it. I know that SDA's can put a legalistic spin on the day, but I hope that I will remember that the Sabbath was made for me; I wasn't made for the Sabbath.
I think back to when I was a young teeny-bopper. There was a group of adults that hung out together and a lot of times all the families would get together after church, spending the rest of the afternoon and most of the evening/night together. One house in particular stands out in my memory. The Pinckney's. The rule was that no dishes were to be washed until sundown. They would put away any food that might go bad if it wasn't in the fridge and that was it. The rest of the afternoon was spent visiting and playing Bible games. And if the weather allowed, there was hiking and seeing what we would discover of God even in a barren desert. We would have sundown worship, singing and fellowshipping out the Sabbath. What a blessing! Then and only then, did the dishes get done.
I would love to relive some of those Sabbaths. They are dear to me for the time spent with these wonderful friends (some that are no longer with us) and for the example it set. Because in those Sabbath hours there was joy and laughter and none of the constraints of legalism. (By the way, I believe that our joy and laughter brings a "proud papa" smile to our Creator's face.)
In keeping with these memories, I am looking for things that will bring the joy back to Sabbath. I want to make the most of the Sabbath hours and not just sleep them away during my "lay activities". I'm going to have to put on my thinking cap and get creative, but I'm sure Divine inspiration will help me.
In the meantime, I hope you have a blessed, restful, and rejuvenating day. Happy Sabbath to all and to all a Divinely inspired day.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Divine Lunacy: Of Treasures and Bucket Lists...
Last weekend, Julie (a friend of my sister, Crystal) had a pre-birthday party for my sister. She is coming to a landmark birthday: The big 5-0. Her present from all of us was a trip to Boston, along with tickets to see the Patriots play on their home field. This was an item from her "Bucket List". To see the Patriots play on their home field on or near her birthday. The look of sheer joy; the tears of happiness were all the thanks we needed. You could tell this was "the best birthday present ever!" just by her reaction.
I've been mulling over what I would put on my own"Bucket List" and in what order they would be. I've been able to cross one from my list. For my 40th, my sister took me to Savannah, Georgia for a three day weekend. We stayed in a beautiful B & B called the Eliza Thompson House. We packed as much as possible into those three days, even managing a quick side trip to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. It is one of the few places I would like to visit again.
So, here are the things that are on my Bucket List:
1. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, Florida.
2. Go to the United Kingdom, touring the English countryside, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.
3. To record a CD of completely original songs.
4. To write and publish a novel and/or a compilation of short stories.
5. To write a play.
6. Win the California Mega Lottery (of course, you have to play to win).
7. To have a pool in my backyard.
8. To play Beatrice in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing (although, age wise, I'm a little old for that part).
9. To intern for three months at Big Cat Rescue.
It's not a long list. I have no desire to jump out of a perfectly good airplane or off of a perfectly good bridge. I don't want to climb the highest mountain (although being able to see it IRL would be awesome). I have no desire to do any death defying stunts of any kind. Just the few simple things I have listed. (Although, technically, working with any big cat could be considered dangerous and therefore death defying.)
Anywho...thinking of Bucket Lists got me thinking in another direction. Which brings me to these Bible verses: Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. Matt 6:19-21 (MSG)
How much of our Bucket Lists are our treasures? Do I want to do all these things badly enough that I would pray "Don't come just yet, Lord. I want to complete my list and then you can come."? If Jesus came and I hadn't completed this list, would I look back in regret like Lot's wife? Or would I shrug and say, "Oh, well. It doesn't matter because I'm going home with Jesus?"
I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with having Bucket Lists. I think we need things to look forward to while we are here. I just think we need to put it all in perspective, looking at these things through the eyes of Heaven. Yes, it would be great to go to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but I'd much rather go to the Kingdom of God. I guess I'm saying don't let your bucket list be your heart.
So, I'm going to add a few items to the above list as follows:
10. Not to make accomplishing the above items the most important things in my life.
11. To live a life worthy of the daughter of the King of Kings.
12. To love myself as God loves me so that I may love the people I come in contact with.
13. To let God's Spirit guide me in using the talents He's given me to spread His Word and His love.
14. To catch the Spirit by letting the Spirit catch me.
15. Completely surrendering my will to His will.
16. By growing into the person that my Father-God imagined I would be.
I think I can live with this Bucket List. If the first part of this list never comes to fruition, I can live with that. I'm more concerned with completing the second half. What about you?
I've been mulling over what I would put on my own"Bucket List" and in what order they would be. I've been able to cross one from my list. For my 40th, my sister took me to Savannah, Georgia for a three day weekend. We stayed in a beautiful B & B called the Eliza Thompson House. We packed as much as possible into those three days, even managing a quick side trip to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. It is one of the few places I would like to visit again.
So, here are the things that are on my Bucket List:
1. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, Florida.
2. Go to the United Kingdom, touring the English countryside, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.
3. To record a CD of completely original songs.
4. To write and publish a novel and/or a compilation of short stories.
5. To write a play.
6. Win the California Mega Lottery (of course, you have to play to win).
7. To have a pool in my backyard.
8. To play Beatrice in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing (although, age wise, I'm a little old for that part).
9. To intern for three months at Big Cat Rescue.
It's not a long list. I have no desire to jump out of a perfectly good airplane or off of a perfectly good bridge. I don't want to climb the highest mountain (although being able to see it IRL would be awesome). I have no desire to do any death defying stunts of any kind. Just the few simple things I have listed. (Although, technically, working with any big cat could be considered dangerous and therefore death defying.)
Anywho...thinking of Bucket Lists got me thinking in another direction. Which brings me to these Bible verses: Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. Matt 6:19-21 (MSG)
How much of our Bucket Lists are our treasures? Do I want to do all these things badly enough that I would pray "Don't come just yet, Lord. I want to complete my list and then you can come."? If Jesus came and I hadn't completed this list, would I look back in regret like Lot's wife? Or would I shrug and say, "Oh, well. It doesn't matter because I'm going home with Jesus?"
I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with having Bucket Lists. I think we need things to look forward to while we are here. I just think we need to put it all in perspective, looking at these things through the eyes of Heaven. Yes, it would be great to go to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but I'd much rather go to the Kingdom of God. I guess I'm saying don't let your bucket list be your heart.
So, I'm going to add a few items to the above list as follows:
10. Not to make accomplishing the above items the most important things in my life.
11. To live a life worthy of the daughter of the King of Kings.
12. To love myself as God loves me so that I may love the people I come in contact with.
13. To let God's Spirit guide me in using the talents He's given me to spread His Word and His love.
14. To catch the Spirit by letting the Spirit catch me.
15. Completely surrendering my will to His will.
16. By growing into the person that my Father-God imagined I would be.
I think I can live with this Bucket List. If the first part of this list never comes to fruition, I can live with that. I'm more concerned with completing the second half. What about you?
Friday, August 30, 2013
Divine Lunacy Takes a Stroll Down Amnesia Lane
Good evening, all. Come on in and sit a spell. I'll put the kettle on and make us a pot of tea. I have some Tazo Rest tea. It's a lulling herbal infusion of rose petals, valerian root, and citrusy herbs. Says so, right on the box. It's funny, I've started drinking more tea over the last year or so. I really enjoy it quite a bit.
Today was a rather slow work day. Late this afternoon, pretty much everyone had left and there weren't too many people in today as it was (three day weekend, you know). So, I switched on the iPod and cranked up some great 70's and 80's tunes. Listening to that music sure took me back. Isn't it funny how music can do that to you. You hear a song and you remember on old flame or you associate it with a major event in your life. I had a little of that with the songs I was listening to. Some of them reminded me of the early days of MTV, you know, when it really was Music TeleVision. All those great music videos. One song in particular was "Come Dancing" by the Kinks. It is a favorite of mine, both the song and the video. The kid playing his tennis racket like a guitar is just so classic.
Anywho, as I was putting my stuff into my car and a tune came on that took me back to the early 70's. I smiled as I thought of my two BFFs back in the day, Christie Greenfield and Paulette Sage (now Christie Cooper and Paulette Johnson). We loved that song (at least in my memory we did). The song? Precious and Few. It's a bit sappy, but it has a catchy tune and the lyrics are fairly easy to remember.
I just love when a song takes you someplace nostalgic, full of warmth and friendship, don't you? And speaking of that, what about you? What songs take you back to someplace wonderful? What songs help you walk the back roads of your mind?
Well, that's all for this writing...thanks for coming...see you again, soon
Happy Sabbath. Sweet rest and sweet dreams.
Viscountess Babbles On
Today was a rather slow work day. Late this afternoon, pretty much everyone had left and there weren't too many people in today as it was (three day weekend, you know). So, I switched on the iPod and cranked up some great 70's and 80's tunes. Listening to that music sure took me back. Isn't it funny how music can do that to you. You hear a song and you remember on old flame or you associate it with a major event in your life. I had a little of that with the songs I was listening to. Some of them reminded me of the early days of MTV, you know, when it really was Music TeleVision. All those great music videos. One song in particular was "Come Dancing" by the Kinks. It is a favorite of mine, both the song and the video. The kid playing his tennis racket like a guitar is just so classic.
Anywho, as I was putting my stuff into my car and a tune came on that took me back to the early 70's. I smiled as I thought of my two BFFs back in the day, Christie Greenfield and Paulette Sage (now Christie Cooper and Paulette Johnson). We loved that song (at least in my memory we did). The song? Precious and Few. It's a bit sappy, but it has a catchy tune and the lyrics are fairly easy to remember.
I just love when a song takes you someplace nostalgic, full of warmth and friendship, don't you? And speaking of that, what about you? What songs take you back to someplace wonderful? What songs help you walk the back roads of your mind?
Well, that's all for this writing...thanks for coming...see you again, soon
Happy Sabbath. Sweet rest and sweet dreams.
Viscountess Babbles On
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Divine Lunacy: Of Reminsces, Thank Yous, and Goodbyes...
Yesterday, I received the Rio Report. It's basically a news letter for the alumni of Rio Lindo Adventist Academy. It keeps the alumni up to speed on what's happening on campus, when Alumni Weekend will be and who the honor classes are, tidbits from alumni on what they have been up to, and, sadly, a section called "At Rest".
As I looked over the "At Rest" page, a few names jumped out at me. One of my fellow classmates passed this last September and a few of the faculty that were at Rio during my time had passed during this last year as well. One name in particular started the tears flowing. Florence Boodt-Adams. She was the Dean of Women during my two years at Rio and she was a great influence in my life.
Mrs. Boodt taught me a lot of things. Two of which are to be careful what I asked God for and that God has a sense of humor. During one of our evening worships she told us a bit of her story. How her husband had left her and their daughter; how she had always wanted a large family; how she cried to God, asking Him to give her the large family she had always dreamed of. She explained that God did answer her, even though it was not the answer she had been seeking. He put her at Rio and made her "mother" to a dorm full of girls.
Mrs. Boodt was fun on road trips and weekend outings. I was in Speech & Drama class for the last half of my Junior year and all of my Senior year. Both years, we had a couple of spiritual dramas that we did. We would go on day trips to schools and perform. We would go on weekend tours. This usually meant wolfing down a homecooked meal and performing at the Friday night vespers for one church. We would spend the night, then get up early the next morning and hotfoot it to the next place to perform for the church service, wolf down some food at a potluck, and then hightail it out to a third church for a Sundown worship service. The worst part was mingling with everyone after the performance. Mrs. Boodt always told us to mingle. She was teaching us how to graciously accept compliments on our performances without getting big headed. I think the best tour, by far, was when we got to go to my home town, Las Vegas, Nevada.
We left Rio, located three miles outside of Healdsburg, California, at 1am on a Friday morning. We arrived in Bakersfield, California at around 7:30am. We set up at the Bakersfield Adventist Academy and performed our play for their 8:15am worship assembly. We hit the road again at around 11am, making a few stops along the way and arriving in Las Vegas at about 5:30pm. We stayed at Las Vegas Junior Academy, sleeping in the classrooms. We put the entire weekend program together, from Friday night vespers to Sabbath afternoon's Drama performance. Mrs. Boodt let us make the descisions, guiding us here and there. She was teaching us to be leaders and how not to be afraid to step up to the plate.
Mrs. Boodt was quite a prankster, as well. The Las Vegas Tour, she and some of my classmates, participated in a "Chinese Firedrill". At a stop light on Flamingo Road. Where it intersects with the Strip. Yeah, I know. You're smiling aren't you...At the Albion Bible conference, she would help the girls pull capers on the boys. One April Fool's day, she opened her office door to find that person or persons unknown had taken spools of thread (how many spools is unknown to this day), weaving back and forth from the back of the office to the door so that the only way to get into the room was to literally cut your way to the desk. Mrs. Boodt laughed; she thought it was hilarious. She taught me that pulling capers and a sense of humor will keep you young.
She was a very supportive person, too. She encouraged us to study and challenge our beliefs in order to confirm them. When a group of us started prayer bands, she gave us a thumbs up. I remember a group of us, 11 in all, would get together and study the Bible and other spiritual writings. We would discuss and debate what we read. We decided that we wanted to have a spiritual retreat during a long weekend and one of our number invited us to his house for the weekend. Mrs. Boodt was one of the invitees. We planned out an itenerary, which included a Friday night communion service. It was simple, yet so meaningful. There were 12 of us around the table. That night, I understood communion in a whole new way and Mrs. Boodt was part of that.
I learned so much from her. In the years since my Rio days, I have acted in and directed several spiritual dramas, I've led out in Pathfinders, Juniors, Youth, and Young Adults. I've used a lot of what she taught me. I was so blessed to have her in my life for a season.
I wish I had sent her a note to telling her what she meant to me. How much I appreciate what she taught me and that I consider her to be a mentor during that time.
She is now resting in Jesus until He returns. After we get to heaven and things settle down, I plan on having her over to my mansion so I can thank her properly for being my "Mom away from home" for two years.
Is there someone in your life (or several someones) that has been a mentor to you? Why not shoot them an e-mail or snail-mail a card to thank them. You won't regret it.
As I looked over the "At Rest" page, a few names jumped out at me. One of my fellow classmates passed this last September and a few of the faculty that were at Rio during my time had passed during this last year as well. One name in particular started the tears flowing. Florence Boodt-Adams. She was the Dean of Women during my two years at Rio and she was a great influence in my life.
Mrs. Boodt taught me a lot of things. Two of which are to be careful what I asked God for and that God has a sense of humor. During one of our evening worships she told us a bit of her story. How her husband had left her and their daughter; how she had always wanted a large family; how she cried to God, asking Him to give her the large family she had always dreamed of. She explained that God did answer her, even though it was not the answer she had been seeking. He put her at Rio and made her "mother" to a dorm full of girls.
Mrs. Boodt was fun on road trips and weekend outings. I was in Speech & Drama class for the last half of my Junior year and all of my Senior year. Both years, we had a couple of spiritual dramas that we did. We would go on day trips to schools and perform. We would go on weekend tours. This usually meant wolfing down a homecooked meal and performing at the Friday night vespers for one church. We would spend the night, then get up early the next morning and hotfoot it to the next place to perform for the church service, wolf down some food at a potluck, and then hightail it out to a third church for a Sundown worship service. The worst part was mingling with everyone after the performance. Mrs. Boodt always told us to mingle. She was teaching us how to graciously accept compliments on our performances without getting big headed. I think the best tour, by far, was when we got to go to my home town, Las Vegas, Nevada.
We left Rio, located three miles outside of Healdsburg, California, at 1am on a Friday morning. We arrived in Bakersfield, California at around 7:30am. We set up at the Bakersfield Adventist Academy and performed our play for their 8:15am worship assembly. We hit the road again at around 11am, making a few stops along the way and arriving in Las Vegas at about 5:30pm. We stayed at Las Vegas Junior Academy, sleeping in the classrooms. We put the entire weekend program together, from Friday night vespers to Sabbath afternoon's Drama performance. Mrs. Boodt let us make the descisions, guiding us here and there. She was teaching us to be leaders and how not to be afraid to step up to the plate.
Mrs. Boodt was quite a prankster, as well. The Las Vegas Tour, she and some of my classmates, participated in a "Chinese Firedrill". At a stop light on Flamingo Road. Where it intersects with the Strip. Yeah, I know. You're smiling aren't you...At the Albion Bible conference, she would help the girls pull capers on the boys. One April Fool's day, she opened her office door to find that person or persons unknown had taken spools of thread (how many spools is unknown to this day), weaving back and forth from the back of the office to the door so that the only way to get into the room was to literally cut your way to the desk. Mrs. Boodt laughed; she thought it was hilarious. She taught me that pulling capers and a sense of humor will keep you young.
She was a very supportive person, too. She encouraged us to study and challenge our beliefs in order to confirm them. When a group of us started prayer bands, she gave us a thumbs up. I remember a group of us, 11 in all, would get together and study the Bible and other spiritual writings. We would discuss and debate what we read. We decided that we wanted to have a spiritual retreat during a long weekend and one of our number invited us to his house for the weekend. Mrs. Boodt was one of the invitees. We planned out an itenerary, which included a Friday night communion service. It was simple, yet so meaningful. There were 12 of us around the table. That night, I understood communion in a whole new way and Mrs. Boodt was part of that.
I learned so much from her. In the years since my Rio days, I have acted in and directed several spiritual dramas, I've led out in Pathfinders, Juniors, Youth, and Young Adults. I've used a lot of what she taught me. I was so blessed to have her in my life for a season.
I wish I had sent her a note to telling her what she meant to me. How much I appreciate what she taught me and that I consider her to be a mentor during that time.
She is now resting in Jesus until He returns. After we get to heaven and things settle down, I plan on having her over to my mansion so I can thank her properly for being my "Mom away from home" for two years.
Is there someone in your life (or several someones) that has been a mentor to you? Why not shoot them an e-mail or snail-mail a card to thank them. You won't regret it.
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