People have a deep desire for even deeper roots. I guess that's why tracing genealogies has become such a widely popular pastime. We gain a sense of belonging, a stability of sorts, by knowing from whence we come. Spending time with family gives us that feeling. And visiting the resting places of family long gone contributes an important sense of connection to our roots. I’ve only really learned the latter in the past few years.

I've always said that when I die I want to be cremated, have my ashes dumped into a hole, and have a tree planted in it. Cheap. Simple. Useful. But in the last two years, after the passing of several family members, I've observed how important it is to the surviving family to have a place to go to when they feel a need to connect with the one who has died. I've decided it's important to future generations to be able to go to an actual headstone if they can, to ponder the life of an ancestor and how they are connected to each other. So I'm revising my thinking on the subject.

Mike and I accompanied some of his family to a couple of cemeteries in Manchester and Monticello, Iowa this week and visited the graves of Mike's grandparents, great-grandparents, uncles, and great-uncles. We visited his brother's grave in Oskaloosa a couple of days earlier. We pondered life, mortality, and immortality, and enjoyed humorous remembrances of those who lived in our lifetimes. Mom and Dad shared stories about the ones who didn't.

Those connections we have with our family roots give me somewhat of an idea of the roots I have in my relationship to Christ. One of my favorite passages, Ephesians 3:14-19 says, "For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God." Did you catch that part that said, "the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name?" God is the ultimate Father over every family. Every human family exists as a family with a father because of God's relationship as a Father. He's where the idea originated. And the rooting and grounding in Christ's love is how we truly understand that Love.

We long for deep, family connection. We long to be firmly rooted like Colossians 2:6, 7 talks about. "Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude." Rooted. Established. Built up. Our sense of family and ancestry fills that need to an earthly degree, or at least it's meant to in the best context. But it's only meant to mirror and foreshadow what we have available in Christ. We can have roots that not only give us a feeling of belonging (being established), but that are deep enough to carry us into eternity. Now those are some deep roots!

(I'M HAVING TROUBLE UPLOADING FAMILY PHOTOS FOR SOME REASON. I'LL POST SOME AS SOON AS THE PROBLEM IS RESOLVED.)

posted by Joye @ 6:20 PM 4 comments

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Gettin' Testy

Home again, home again, jiggety-jig! I feel like we ate the fat pig while we were in Iowa, so much food at so many family gatherings. I'll try to post some pictures tomorrow, but for now I have a brain cloud (name that movie!) after the long drive home. I had very limited access to the internet while we were gone. I do think I can answer a few questions for Brent's quiz, though. Here goes:

1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, and find line 4. -The book skips from page 17 to page 21 to begin a new chapter, so here's line 4 from page 21: "In other words, it will try to answer this question: How was everyday life in a concentration camp reflected in the mind of the average prisoner?" From Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl.

2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What can you touch? My daily planner. Which is the other half of my brain. I'm touching my left hemisphere.

3. What is the last thing you watched on TV? An episode of The Andy Griffith Show where Andy got sick for the first time ever and Goober was running the town in his stead. Remember, we were with Mike's parents, and his 80 year old dad had unchallenged possession of the remote.

4. Without looking, guess what time it is. 8 pm.

5. Now look at the clock. What is the actual time? 8:15 pm.

6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear? Ceiling fan, very faint T.V. background noise, whir of my computer's CD drive, clock ticking on the mantel.

7. When did you last step outside? What were you doing? An hour ago. I went to Lindsay and Zach's to bring Stinking Sanders home. He was so glad to see me he wouldn't let me visit with the mini's.

8. Before you started this survey, what did you look at? All the blogs I'm addicted to and missed for the last six days.

9. What are you wearing? Jeans and T-shirt.

10. Did you dream last night? I was so tired from a day trip to two family cemeteries, a family reunion, and a hospital visit to meet Mike's nephew's new baby Raiden (he was in to have a shunt put in his little 4-week-old head because of hydrocephalus) that I fell into bed immediately unconscious and remember nothing until I heard everyone up knocking around at 4 a.m. this morning. The Messerlis don't sleep, they don't see the point.

11. When did you last laugh? I think in Missouri sometime earlier today. Or maybe it was Oklahoma. We laughed at an anecdote told by Os Guinness. Winston Churchill once attended an event of some kind where he met an important viscount. The viscount was a man of sizeable girth. Churchill poked him in the belly with a finger, and asked, "Girl or boy?" The viscount then replied, "If it's a girl, then I'll name it Elizabeth after the queen. If it's a boy, then I'll name it George after the king. But if it's just wind, then I'll name it Winston."

12. What is on the walls of the room you are in? A large mirror on one wall; family photos on another; a still life of some magnolias on another; and a Josh. 24:15 plaque and a burlap sculptured bust of Jesus on another.

13. Seen anything weird lately? When we were in a cemetery yesterday, the whole place blanketed in colorful bouquets and wreaths and American flags lining the paths, one headstone stood out. It had one of those little garden whirly-gigs stuck in the ground above the grave, a red, plastic bird doing the breaststroke for all he was worth.

14. What do you think of this quiz? It's causing my brain cloud to thicken.

15. What is the last film you saw? O Brother Where Art Thou. On my computer DVD player, en route to Iowa.

16. If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy? Comfortable shoes.

17. Tell me something about you that I don’t know. I'm a good marksman. I love to shoot guns.

18. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do? Remove the concept of abortion from the human mind.

19. Do you like to dance? Nope.

20. George Bush: Who writes his speeches, and why doesn't he stick to the script?

21. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her? Mary Cordelia Juanita Bedelia Elinor Celia DaVonne. Actually, my grandma had a cousin with a name like that. I can't remember the whole thing.

22. Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him? Uz. Or Buz. Hey, Bible names are always in vogue.

23. Would you ever consider living abroad? I'd consider it. Especially if I was that overnight multi-millionaire, then I'd consider moving my kids and grandkids with me.

24. What do you want God to say to you when you reach the pearly gate? Come on in, daughter, make yourself at home, sit wherever you want, the Wedding Feast is about to begin.

25. Four or Five people who must also do this quiz in THEIR journal: Zach, Caroline, Tinkerbobbie, Uzz.

posted by Joye @ 9:21 PM 3 comments

Friday, May 26, 2006

Get Outta Town

Hello from the bee-yoo-tiful state of Iowa! The weather is so gorgeous. And cool. Compared to home, anyway. We're here for a few days to join Mike's family in some important family occasions, the greatest being celebration of Dad's eightieth birthday.

We had a 12 1/2 hour drive yesterday that seemed surprisingly much shorter. Maybe because Mike and I had some much needed time alone with each other and enjoyed every minute of it. We listened to a couple of outstanding lectures by Os Guinness from The Veritas Forum, which I uploaded to my MP3 player and then plugged into the car stereo system. One was called, "Knowledge is Power, But Truth is Freedom." The other was "The One Unanswerable Objection to the Christian Faith - Christians." Well worth a listen.

Today we drove to Oskaloosa and visited Marty's headstone for the first time. He's Mike's youngest brother who has been with the Lord for about a year and a half now. The most interesting thing to me about his headstone is that on the back of it, his family had a favorite rhyme of his inscribed on it, followed by Marty's own signature. It struck me that a person's signature is as individual as a fingerprint. Even if someone tries to copy it, they must spend time practicing the script and still it would not hold up under close scrutiny. So there, on that piece of stone, was etched something much more personal than a name and birth and death dates to bear witness to any stranger who cares to stop a moment and notice, that Martin Kent Messerli was here: his own unique handwriting.

We've had a great day hanging out with Mom & Dad and some of the clan. Tomorrow and Sunday we'll see the rest of them.

And did I tell you the weather is beautiful?

posted by Joye @ 10:53 PM 3 comments

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Pestiferous Prattling

It didn't take very long to get rid of the ants (see Annual Antics post, dated 4/30). Lindsay told me about a great way to defeat them: a spray bottle filled with soapy water. I sprayed caravans of ants for a couple of days, and then I only had two or three ants brave the front for a few more days. Which was a little disappointing actually. I was really getting into Pesticide. I think the defining moment of the "Ants vs. Me" territorial skirmish came when I discovered ant eggs in my pitiful potted palm. I dumped them, potting soil and all, into a fire ant mound in the backyard and re-potted the plant (take THAT, sugar ant-agonists!). After that, only a few little sugar ants showed up on the kitchen counter acting as if some epizootic blight had left them orphaned and homeless, except I was the blight. They wandered so aimlessly that I almost hated to spray them with the soapy water. I wonder if soapy water would work as well on rats.

Mike saw a rat run across our patio up to the back door the other day. So no more water in the birdbath. Our apologies to our thirsty winged friends, but just thinking about the possibility of rats infesting our house makes me shudder. Twice. And pull my feet up from the floor. No more tea parties at the picnic table for the mini's for a while either. They might leave a trail of crumbs.

So far, I've avoided having to buy poisonous substances to kill household pests. I abhor the use of bug sprays, poisonous pellets, anything of that nature. Probably the closest thing I have to a compulsive behavior is my aversion to getting a household poison on my skin or in my lungs. But I went to Lowe's today and bought two rat traps.

I have some wicked mouse tales I could recount from years past, stories of attempts to exterminate mice by poison; by bait trap; even by feline, which went awry. Stories of man's inhumanity to mouse. Alas, these terrible tales shall remain untold, but suffice it to say that my rodent rhubarbs ended badly. If a handful of mouse altercations continues to leave its mark on my psyche years later, how am I going to deal with RATS? I shudder (again) to think.

posted by Joye @ 11:31 PM 5 comments

Monday, May 22, 2006

Special Day Times Two

Today is our lovely Tiffany's birthday. She adds immeasurable wealth to this family with her sparkle, her intelligence, her genuineness and perspicuity, not to mention her love for our son! I so look forward with great joy at the thought of getting to know her better and better. Happy birthday, Tiffany!

It has become a family tradition for me to bake each of our kids their favorite cake to celebrate his or her birthday (in Zach's case, favorite pie). We all eat a piece, and then they take the rest home. I baked an Earthquake Cake for Tiffany this year. German Chocolate is her favorite, and this is a variation on that. I'd never heard of it, but someone brought it to a group meeting last weekend, and it was so good I decided to try it. Here's the recipe:

Earthquake Cake

1 C. coconut
1 C. chopped nuts
1 box chocolate cake mix
1 8 oz. package cream cheese
1/2 C. margarine or butter (1 stick)
1 t. vanilla
2 C. powdered sugar
3/4 C. chocolate chips

Grease a 9 x 13 pan. Sprinkle nuts and coconut on bottom of pan. Mix cake
mix as directed on box. Pour over nuts and coconut. In separate bowl, mix
together the cream cheese, butter, sugar and vanilla. Mix well and drop by
spoonfuls over batter. Sprinkle with the chocolate chips. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 50 minutes.

Today is also the wedding anniversary of Lindsay and Zach, our daughter and son-in-law. I think it's grand that they've known each other since high school. I wish I'd known Mike back in high school, except he was four years ahead of me and is five years older than I. And lived in a different state! So I guess that's not what God had planned for us. He did for Lindsay and Zach, though. And they started marriage with the foundation of a firm relationship that serves them well in the challenges of parenting their young family.

It's strange to think about the fact that we prayed for Tiffany and for Zach from the time we got married ourselves and anticipated having a family someday. We prayed for them as the future spouses of our future children. Then Ian and Lindsay actually came into the world. And each night as we tucked them into bed and prayed over them, we prayed for Zach and Tiffany as well (though not by name, of course!). In part, those prayers were that they would grow strong and healthy, that God would protect them, that they would love the Lord with all their hearts.

God does answer prayer. And I'm thankful this day that He answered those particular prayers from those many years ago. It brings to mind Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Eugene Peterson called it, "our handle on what we can't see." Thank you, Lord, for letting us see this answer in due time. Thank you for Zach and thank you for Tiffany.

posted by Joye @ 11:44 PM 4 comments

Friday, May 19, 2006

Look Up

I was reading in Psalm 121 this morning. The Psalms of Ascent are the psalms the Israelites would sing on their annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem for religious feasts and celebrations. It was a steep travail up Mt. Zion for them.

The psalm is short, so here's the whole thing-

"A Song of Ascents. I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night. The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever." (NASB)

What does it mean that the LORD will protect the pilgrim from all evil? That He will guard MY going out and coming in? Does God promise to keep me safe?

David G. Barker, author of "The Lord Watches over You: A Pilgrimage Reading of Psalm 121" wrote:

"Did believers never suffer from sunstroke or fall into the hands of bandits? It is apparent that while the psalm speaks of such blanket protection, the pilgrim must understand that everything that invades his or her life is under God's watchful care and providence. The spirit of the psalm is to evoke trust in Yahweh, the Keeper of the pilgrim, and the Keeper of Israel, the Maker of heaven and earth. Often things that happen in the life of the pilgrim would not be his or her choice. But the psalm is not pointing in this direction. The direction is upward, toward God. The believer must recognize that life is a gift from God, the Giver of life. The pilgrim can rest confidently, knowing that God's glory will prevail, and that justice . . . and righteousness . . . will ultimately rule."

I trust God to keep me safe. I trust Him to take care of me, my loved ones, people I care about. But life happens. Invasions come as I ascend my own "Mt. Zion." Do I continue to trust Him if they do? When they do?

I quoted Oswald Chambers yesterday, but since his writing is part of my daily reading, I often find it applicable. Today's reading seemed to fit in with Psalm 121 for the follower of Jesus Christ.

"God does not keep a man immune from trouble; He says - "I will be with him in trouble." It does not matter what actual troubles in the most extreme form get hold of a man's life, not one of them can separate him from his relationship to God. We are "more than conquerors in all these things." Paul is not talking of imaginary things, but of things that are desperately actual; and he says we are super-victors in the midst of them, not by our ingenuity, or by our courage, or by anything other than the fact that not one of them affects our relationship to God in Jesus Christ. Rightly or wrongly, we are where we are, exactly in the condition we are in. I am sorry for the Christian who has not something in his circumstances he wishes was not there.

"Shall tribulation . . . ?" Tribulation is never a noble thing; but let tribulation be what it may - exhausting, galling, fatiguing, it is not able to separate us from the love of God. Never let cares or tribulations separate you from the fact that God loves you.

"Shall anguish . . . ?" - can God's love hold when everything says that His love is a lie, and that there is no such thing as justice?

"Shall famine . . . ?" - can we not only believe in the love of God but be more than conquerors, even while we are being starved?

Either Jesus Christ is a deceiver and Paul is deluded, or some extraordinary thing happens to a man who holds on to the love of God when the odds are all against God's character. Logic is silenced in the face of every one of these things. Only one thing can account for it - the love of God in Christ Jesus. "Out of the wreck I rise" every time."

Mr. Chambers died at age 44 from surgical complications following appendicitis. That fact makes his testimony all the more relevant to me. He was not immune from trouble. But even death did not separate him from his relationship to God. When he died, his wife sent a telegram to the family that read, "Oswald, in His presence."

I don't understand why the assertion of the Bible that God takes care of His own doesn't always line up with my life experience. I do understand that I don't see things the way God does. And I choose to continue to lift my eyes to the mountains and trust the Giver of life.

posted by Joye @ 11:55 PM 4 comments

The Wedding Planner

God likes to make plans.

Larry Crabb says in his book, Connecting, "When Adam sinned, God's plan, to reveal that all goodness was found in Him and nowhere else, began to unfold. Sin began when the suspicion was raised that God wasn't good, that there might be an advantage to looking for something better than God. From that point, the center of God's plan was to disclose His character through a Person, someone we could look at and say, 'So, that's what God is like!'" To see the heart of the Father toward us, look at the heart of Jesus.

What tremendous certainty and comfort in a chaotic world! That God had our best interests at heart eons ago, so much so that He planned out the rest of history to the climactic cross and the crowning resurrection. God is into making plans and seeing them through. He’s even planned the greatest wedding party this planet will ever witness (Rev. 19:7-9).

He has gone as far as letting us in on the whole plan (1 Corinthians 2:9-13). Waiting to see how the rest of history will play out fills me with more giddy anticipation than any sleepless Christmas Eve night I ever spent. Whether on this side or the other, I want a front row seat.

posted by Joye @ 12:57 AM 2 comments

Thursday, May 18, 2006

Meet Nick & Nora

The T.V. is very rarely on around here during the day (unless the minis want to watch Noggin), but it was today. I turned it on to watch while I folded laundry, and found The Thin Man on Turner Classic Movies. It's one of my all-time favorite movies. I'll have to be sure to add it to my Blogger favorites list.

I first became a Thin Man fan in the sixties when I watched re-runs of the television series that aired from 1957-59. (Summer vacations were pretty dull growing up, with both parents at work all day, so I watched an inordinate amount of T.V.) Peter Lawford was pretty suave in my eyes, with his GQ looks and silky smooth, British accent. Phyllis Kirk, though, really lacked the same sophistication.

Then I discovered the original six Thin Man movies on which the series was based. William Powell and Myrna Loy made the T.V. series seem tepid compared to the sparks that flew between them in the films. The best of them was the first one, The Thin Man. It came out the year my mother was born, 1934. It had everything, including their little fox terrier, Asta, who appeared in every film as an additional comic foil.

The plots of CSI could've come straight from The Thin Man. But where shows like CSI are all about the darkest side of humanity, Nick and Nora Charles added a perfect comedic element to the story. They were witty, sophisticated, smarter than everyone else, and madly in love with each other. She, the wealthy, gentile socialite who doesn't seem to understand what's going on but is game for anything; he, the charming, former police detective with a taste for liquor, friends at every level of society, and a penchant for solving mysteries. The verbal jousting between them was as quick and sharp as swordplay:

The couple sits down to have a few drinks after Nora comes upon a young woman talking intimately with Nick:
Nora: (commenting on the young woman's beauty) Pretty girl.
Nick: Yes, she's a very nice type.
Nora: You got types?
Nick: Only you, darling. Lanky brunettes with wicked jaws.

I don't know any recent movie couples with as much chemistry as those two had. I've tried to think of even one, but couldn't come up with any. You almost don't care about the plot itself, just for the fun of watching Nick and Nora. But you do get a whodunit mystery with a nice, tidy ending as well, with career-starting minor characters being played by Maureen O'Sullivan, Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, Keenan Wynn, Dean Stockwell...

This is just the right occasion to use a well-worn cliche'- they just don't make 'em like they used to!

posted by Joye @ 12:34 AM 3 comments

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Code Codicil

Two cents wasn't enough. After listening to Family Life's Dennis Rainey talk about The Da Vinci Code, and reading some of the advanced reviews of the movie, I decided to add a few points.

1. I do believe many ministries have the best interests of peoples' spiritual lives at heart as they try to untangle lies from truth on their behalf, and are not just trying to make a buck. Over 40,000,000 copies of the book have sold worldwide. That's a lot of books with a lot of opportunity for readers to accept Dan Brown's fiction/fantasy as fact. Sadly, not everyone is into investigating what they read, to separate truth from fabrication. (Case in point: the countless cautionary 'forwards' we receive in our e-mail that are internet myths/hoaxes easily debunked by a quick Google search.)

2. The Da Vinci Code movie is already receiving bad reviews that will keep many from seeing the film. After reading a few, maybe even me.

3. Ultimately, though, we all have the same chance to seek and know the truth of Jesus Christ for ourselves. Any entertainment form may lead us down an erroneous path, but if we want Truth, we will choose Truth. 1John 5:6 says, "This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth."

4. And finally, O.C.'s selection for today tells the real truth about Jesus very eloquently: "His Cross is the door by which every member of the human race can enter into the life of God; by His Resurrection He has the right to give eternal life to any man, and by His Ascension Our Lord enters heaven and keeps the door open for humanity."

In a news clip, a man on the street with a microphone in his face said, "If by reading the book or watching the movie you undermine your faith, then your faith was weak to begin with." He has a point. And if your faith is weak, instead of a New York Times #1 bestseller, spend some time reading the #1 bestseller of all time: the Bible. It's the consummate faith-builder.

posted by Joye @ 1:23 PM 1 comments

Monday, May 15, 2006

To Lindsay

Happy birthday, dear Lindsay! I remember the day so well, early on a Spring morning in Tulsa.

There was the humorous moment, when the young, apologetic orderly wheeled me down a wrong hallway while your dad was filling out paperwork (the section of the building at the end of the hall was under construction) and I had to heave myself out of the wheelchair and lumber up about six steps to get back to the open part of the hospital.

There was the insane moment, when I decided that I didn't want to have a baby after all and I was going home (you know what they call that- transition).

There was the tense moment when you had the cord wrapped around your neck and then didn't cry or make any sound at delivery. I think that's why I forgot to wonder if I'd had a girl or a boy in those long seconds, I was waiting with bated breath to see if you were all right. Your first cry was an answered prayer.

There was the joyful moment of holding you in our arms after the nurse wrapped you up in aluminum foil (someone's great idea at the time for holding heat in). Our darling little baked potato.

There was the fun moment, of having you all to myself in my hospital room, and discovering that after one day of life, you didn't want to be separated from your mommy.

Knowing you has brought many and various moments like those to our lives: humor, insanity, tension, joy, fun, and so much more. Like your brother, we gave you back into the Lord's care as we thanked Him for the gift of you. And now you bring so much joy to our lives as a grown woman with an amazing family of your own. We love you, Pooh. Happy birthday.

posted by Joye @ 10:59 PM 4 comments

Sunday, May 14, 2006

When Will the Code War End?

I don't usually use this forum for rants and raves, but today's the day for a healthy harangue.

If I have to see, hear, or read one more reference to "The Da Vinci Code," I will be forced to run to the nearest basin and HURL! The attention given to this book appears to have outdone that devoted to Y2K. I know the movie of the same name will be blockbusting its way into the theaters next weekend, and the media is ramping up to turbo-speed on the subject to garner more viewers, but it'll sure be nice when something new is smeared on the glass slide of scrutiny and placed under the national microscope.

I read the book shortly after it hit the stands. I'd say, being a Ken Follett fan, that it was almost as good as a Ken Follett yarn. Almost. A bit too many convoluted plot twists and turns to suit my literary taste, but it was a pretty good read. When the author Dan Brown spent page after page delving into the whole heretical "background" of Jesus going into hiding with Mary Magdalene to raise their family and the secret society that was formed by people who wanted to conceal the whole event and blah blah blah... well, I admit I skipped a few pages out of bored annoyance. And THAT'S a very rare action coming from someone who habitually reads a book from cover to cover even if it has boring passages.

We've been told repeatedly by Christian media sources that "The Da Vinci Code" is confusing believers and causing them to doubt the validity of the Bible. And that unbelievers are accepting the theories and sources set forth in the novel as true. That these people are asking questions about what's true or false concerning Jesus seems to me to be a good thing. What they do with what they learn is up to them, as it is with each of us.

When I was 17 years old, I went to my city's premier showing of the movie, "Jesus Christ Superstar." If you're not familiar with the story, Jesus is portrayed as sharing a tent with Mary Magdalene. She's the character that sings the song Helen Reddy made famous, "I Don’t Know How to Love Him," which gave the deliberate impression their relationship was more than platonic. It was a radical portrayal of the Gospel peppered with inaccuracies.

During that time in my life, many painful, confusing things were happening in my family. Seeing the film put a question in my mind: "Who is Jesus Christ, really?" I went home and dug out my mom’s old bible from the bookcase and started a long journey of discovery which led me to a relationship with the real Jesus Christ.

The point being: is all this hype and hullabaloo they're heaving at us necessary, or are they just jumping on the bandwagon for their own profit?

There is one thing about the entire fixation on Leonardo Da Vinci that eludes me. Why has he been made the end-all, be-all fount of truth regarding Mary? Did I miss something? The man was born in 1452! What inside scoop would he have had on Mary, who was born around 15 B.C. (or B.C.E. if you prefer), that the rest of us don't have?

I will probably see the movie. The cast is great; Ron Howard usually produces a winner; and hopefully it'll be entertaining. We’ll know after Friday, I guess…

Ahhh, I feel much better now.

posted by Joye @ 11:30 PM 3 comments

Happy Mother's Day!

Some Motherly Advice...

Always change your underwear; you never know when you'll have an accident.

Don't make that face or it'll freeze in that position.

Be careful or you'll put your eye out.

What if everyone jumped off a cliff? Would you do it, too?

You have enough dirt behind those ears to grow potatoes!

Close that door! Were you born in a barn?

If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

Don't put that in your mouth; you don't know where it's been!

posted by Joye @ 9:39 AM 1 comments

Friday, May 12, 2006

AS LONG AS IT TAKES

"This is something I need to pray about." I've had ongoing emotions about a problem in the last few days. Not a huge problem, just one of those kinds where the rabid dog side of life rears up and bites you in the backside. Consequently, they aren't feel-good emotions. I've allowed thoughts of entrapment, frustration, and seething anger to the point of tears to start a little infection in my system. (I did read an apt description of a woman's tears often being no more significant than sweating, a response to stress or frustration. Spot on.) Each time I mull the problem over again, I've had the thought, "this is something I need to pray about." And I do, I do quickly pray a mentally muddled prayer, knowing that God understands my heart. But the next time I think about it, like picking at the scab, I'm pained with the same annoying sequence of emotions. I'm realizing this bite is one that Band-aid prayers won't cure. It's time for the prayer closet and a long talk with my Heavenly Father. For as long as it takes. 'Scuse me while I see Someone about a bite.

In the LORD I take refuge; How can you say to my soul, "Flee as a bird to your mountain; For, behold, the wicked bend the bow, They make ready their arrow upon the string To shoot in darkness at the upright in heart. If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?" The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD'S throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, And the one who loves violence His soul hates. Upon the wicked He will rain snares; Fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup. For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; The upright will behold His face. (Psalm 11 NASB)

posted by Joye @ 10:56 PM 3 comments

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Narcissism in the Form of a Blog

You remember Narcissus. He's the guy in Greek mythology doomed by Nemesis to fall in love with his own watery reflection. He spent all his time laying on the riverbank, staring down at his own image.

After my last two posts, this seemed like The Subject to post on next. In my last post, I counted 26 uses of the words 'I', 'me', and 'my.' Oh my, oh my. That goes against everything I ever learned about the craft of writing.

Among the resonance of blogs on the internet, people have scads of reasons for blogging. For the most part though, they're pretty much journaling their own daily lives, reflections, ideas, likes, and dislikes. Are we bloggers all narcissistic? You bet. Right down to our calloused fingertips tapdancing across our grimy, little keyboards. Who isn't? Is there any value in our blogs? Depends on the content, but I'd say redeemably so.

For some bloggers, it's an easy, efficient, and expeditious way to communicate with all the people in their concentric circles of acquaintance who are spread throughout the continent. For others, it's a teaching or evangelistic forum; a political soapbox; an expression of art... But by invitation it reaches our intended audience, many or few as it may be, and some cultivate loyal followers.

Here's the best part: people who might not otherwise have an exchange of ideas with you in person can read your blog, and "hear" you. In a society where people have forgotten how to listen (or don't have time), blogging conveys what's on your mind without fear of interruption, rejection, or even apathy. There's time to think through what you want to say, let your thoughts coalesce into something articulate (or not), and then post it onto a blog. If you're lucky, someone will leave a comment letting you know that they "listened." They understood. They commiserated. They get you. Or they argue with you, but you have the chance to put your opinion out in its entirety before the argument ensues. If you're not totally lost in the narcissism of the activity, you'll read other peoples' blogs and respond in like kind.

I appreciate how I'm discovering so much more about people I know by reading their blogs. People I know, but people with whom I don't ordinarily have opportunity to spend time. They've taken on more dimensions in my mind's eye. The joys and struggles I read about in their blogs are quietly stealing into my prayers.

The written word is a powerful thing. I can see how innocents can be drawn into a false sense of relationship with strangers on the internet. I've begun to take an interest akin to a penpal connection with one person I've never met. I've saved a list of blogs dedicated to specific topics in my toolbar "Favorites" that I regularly drop in on to read their latest entries.

If narcissism had a good side, blogging would be a way to plug into it. Even though John Donne was correct in saying that, "no man is an island, entire of itself," without exchanging elements of ourselves with elements of others, we would be.

posted by Joye @ 9:23 PM 7 comments

I Believe

"First there is a time when we believe everything, then for a little while we believe with discrimination, then we believe nothing whatever, and then we believe everything again - and, moreover, give reasons why we believe."
-- Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

I've reached the place where I can give reasons why I believe. But at this age, it's called being "set in your ways." I like to think the "set" part is kind of like Jell-o that wasn't stirred long enough when it was mixed in the bowl, and then left in the fridge for several days. It has a tough, solid foundation, holds its shape if you poke it, and is especially flexible when shaken. I like to think.

Random things I believe-

I believe: Jesus loves me. Reason: The bible tells me so.

I believe: Campbell's tomato soup is the most versatile meal. Reason: If I add coconut milk and garam masala seasoning, it's Indian. If I add butter, garlic, basil, Parmesan cheese, it's Italian. If I add taco seasoning and tortilla chips, it's Mexican. The list goes on...

I believe: Brian Regan is the funniest comic of all. Reason: When we saw his live performance, I laughed so hard I couldn't get my breath or keep the tears wiped from my eyes.

I believe: Comfort is way more important than fashion. Reason: My body tells me so.

I believe: Toilet tissue goes on the roll with the paper coming over the top. Reason: the pattern shows on the top side, it hangs more freely, and is easier to tear off.

I believe: Change is a good thing. Reason: I have no choice.

I believe: I'm a child of God (John 1:12) and an heir to God's promise. (Galatians 3:29) Reason: Faith. (Romans 1:17)

posted by Joye @ 12:36 AM 3 comments

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Flames Fruit & French

What I really wanted to post today was a diatribe on health insurance. But I didn't write it; if you really want the tirade, call me. Instead, I give you my day:

I made phone calls all morning, trying to jump through the hoops our new insurance company is holding up for me, in order to get the medication I've already been taking for the past three years. The Flaming Hoops.

I had a pleasant lunch with a friend. We even shopped around Ross Dress for Less afterwards and each bought a little sump'm-sump'm for our own selves. Happy hour.

I made more phone calls for the hoop-holders, in my obedient effort to keep them from snapping the whip and causing my medicine to run out. Tah-dah!

I did a few chores, made some peach tea, spent quiet time with Jesus, and visited with my husband for a while. Peachy.

We went to a minichurch potluck dinner and enjoyed fajitas with the gang. Even had homemade key lime pie. Limey!

I held a precious, little, chubby-toed 4 1/2 months-old baby for as long as he would have me, which wasn't very long- only his mommy could soothe his tired, little self this night. We listened to his parents' presentation about their upcoming missionary life in Guatemala. They did a splendid job of sharing their hearts for ministry and inviting the group to participate in their endeavor. Jehovah Jireh. The Lord will provide.

Now we're back in the Cave. I'm going to stay up and watch a DVD rental so I can return it tomorrow. A Very Long Engagement. French with subtitles, I don't know if I'm up to it tonight, especially if it's a very long movie. Bon nuit, tout!

posted by Joye @ 11:36 PM 1 comments

Monday Me'nage

Mondays make me tired. Make my back hurt. Frazzle me. I LOVE MONDAYS. I spend them with my daughter and granddaughters.

Squish will probably be walking soon. She appropriated a pink cowboy boot that Squeal found under the guest room bed; then insisted Mama put it on her and help her walk around in it. It's a great improvement: up until now she wore everyone's shoes on her hands and scooted about the house on her shoes and knees. She has such a ready smile. If we but look her direction, she crinkles her eyes and beams a big 2-tooth grin that'll melt any heart, I guarantee.

Squeak can entertain herself quite effortlessly, especially if she can conjure up a mischievous way to evoke tattles from Squeal or tears from Squish. Sometimes it's hard to remember that she's only three. She waited patiently, as Squeal painted Lizzie McGuire's fingernails online, for her turn to push the mouse around in her favorite computer games. When she falls into her story-telling mode, she speaks the most beautiful prose. I'm going to have to start jotting down some of the things she says. It's extraordinary.

Squeal needs interaction to be entertained. She thinks Mondays at Gran's are her days. She leads the posse, which includes Squeak and Squish, and me if she can coerce me into her fun and games. Which frequently happens. She's as bright as a brand-new penny, and bountifully bedazzles anyone who would be her friend.

The day inevitably ends up being all about the minis, but it's so nice to have time with my daughter as well. Who knows how long we'll live this close together? I'm thankful to be able to chat with her about wallpaper, or crochet, or even blogging (her influence brought me to the weblog world)! I want to always know her well; to know what her interests are and who her friends are and what's going on in her life.

"Thank you, Lord, for the blessed gift of Mondays. Give me energy to play with the minis and a listening ear for Lindsay. For the future I ask that You help us all to keep open minds and hearts; that even years from now when we've all moved on to other avenues in life, we will continue sharing, laughing, and loving together as a family of women. Amen."

A good life is a fruit-bearing tree. Proverbs 11:30a

posted by Joye @ 1:04 AM 1 comments

Monday, May 08, 2006

Be Generous with Your Life

That phrase has played through my mind over and over since yesterday. Like an earworm- you know, the sound byte from a song that your brain repeats in an unending loop.

I don't have a job. I don't have children at home. So to live life "in community," I try to connect with as many people as I can, to be an encouragement: "If there is any encouragement in Christ..." (Phil. 2:1-5)

Last weekend I determined that I'd keep the week all to myself. Do some things around the house. Get caught up on my reading. It didn't happen. The details aren't important, but before the week ever started, it was filled. The opportunity to make that determination eluded me this weekend as well; the week is filled already through Thursday.

Every week is like that. This isn't an invective, life is good. S'all gewd. Everyone and their Aunt Matilda are too busy these days. But it begs the question: when do you know if you're "being generous with your life," or if you're doing too much and for the wrong reasons?

I want all opportunities to walk in those good works which God has prepared beforehand. (Eph. 2:10) To quote my mom when someone advises her that perhaps she needs a nap, "But I might miss something!" I don't want to miss any of it. But am I prompting people to glorify God? (Matt. 5:16 NASB) That's my objective. My hope. I do know that "the servant life" looks different for each of us according to the gifts God gives us.

If reaching out to someone else sometimes feels like a game of Yahtzee where a winning combination is all luck and no strategy, my heart knows it isn't. Believers don't live in a world of chance and happenstance. We live in a world where nothing is wasted. Where God can use every bit of effort we're willing to give, right down to the last toss of the dice with no five-in-a-row in our sights.

"Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand--shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. (Matt. 5:16 MSG)

posted by Joye @ 1:48 AM 3 comments

Saturday, May 06, 2006

BEATITUDES IN THE MESSAGE

In 1976, then-Governor Jimmy Carter brought the Beatitudes into the media by confessing that he'd "committed adultery in his heart many times." Most Christians have read the Beatitudes in chapter five of the book of Matthew, or at least heard a sermon or two on them. After reading the chapter in The Message by Eugene Peterson (you can read it online) today, I found so much application on living the servant life in the whole chapter, I thought it worthy of posting in its entirety even though it's long. Although The Message is a paraphrase, I compared Matthew 5 in several translations and I think it holds up rather well. The text speaks for itself but I couldn't resist inserting a few personal observations along the way. Just count it a blessing I didn't post Jesus' whole sermon!

(1)When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down (2) and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:
(3) You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
(4) You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
(5) You're blessed when you're content with just who you are--no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
(6) You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
(7) You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'carefull,' you find yourselves cared for.
(8) You're blessed when you get your inside world--your mind and heart--put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. (sounds like Living Inside Out!)
(9) You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family. (I love that- "that's when you discover who you really are," by demonstrating the Christian life.)
(10) You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom. (11) Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. (most of us have lived through that kind of experience, and recognized that the Holy Spirit in us made someone uncomfortable) (12) You can be glad when that happens--give a cheer, even!--for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

(13) Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. (14) Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. (15) If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. (16) Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand--shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. (this is an important reminder and encourager. Sometimes I get a little miserly with my life, if I'm too tired or too busy. I get selfish. I don't believe the concept that emptying oneself out renders one ineffective for God until an infusion of His spirit is attained. If we are but willing, God can reach out to someone through us. How much more He's able to accomplish depends on how prepared we are, but He can still use an emptied vessel.)

(17) Don't suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures--either God's Law or the Prophets. I'm not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama.
(18) God's Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God's Law will be alive and working. (how exciting! "Brief life is here our portion, Brief sorrow, short-lived care; The life that knows no ending, The tearless life is there. There God, our King and Portion, In fullness of His grace, We then shall see forever, And worship face to face." Bernard of Cluny)
(19) Trivialize even the smallest item in God's Law and you will only have trivialized yourself. But take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom.

(20) Unless you do far better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won't know the first thing about entering the kingdom. (21) You're familiar with the command to the ancients, 'Do not murder.' (22) I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother 'idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell 'stupid!' at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.

(23) This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, (24) abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.
(25) Or say you're out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don't lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him. After all, if you leave the first move to him, knowing his track record, you're likely to end up in court, maybe even jail. (26) If that happens, you won't get out without a stiff fine.
(27) You know the next commandment pretty well, too: 'Don't go to bed with another's spouse.' (28) But don't think you've preserved your virtue simply by staying out of bed. Your heart can be corrupted by lust even quicker than your body. Those leering looks you think nobody notices--they also corrupt. (Mr. Carter's ridiculers skewered him for his honesty; I'm thinking they couldn't stand the glare of the light. See verse 11 and verse 14)

(29) Let's not pretend this is easier than it really is. If you want to live a morally pure life, here's what you have to do: You have to blind your right eye the moment you catch it in a lustful leer. You have to choose to live one-eyed or else be dumped on a moral trash pile. (30) And you have to chop off your right hand the moment you notice it raised threateningly. Better a bloody stump than your entire being discarded for good in the dump.

(31) Remember the Scripture that says, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him do it legally, giving her divorce papers and her legal rights'? (32) Too many of you are using that as a cover for selfishness and whim, pretending to be righteous just because you are 'legal.' Please, no more pretending. If you divorce your wife, you're responsible for making her an adulteress (unless she has already made herself that by sexual promiscuity). And if you marry such a divorced adulteress, you're automatically an adulterer yourself. You can't use legal cover to mask a moral failure.

(33) And don't say anything you don't mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. (34,35,36) You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, 'I'll pray for you,' and never doing it, or saying, 'God be with you,' and not meaning it. You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. (Ouch!) (37) Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.
(38) Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' (39) Is that going to get us anywhere? Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.' If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. (40) If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. (41) And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life.

(42) No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously. (43) You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' (44) I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, (45) for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best--the sun to warm and the rain to nourish--to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. (46) If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. (47) If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. (48) In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.

posted by Joye @ 2:00 PM 2 comments

Friday, May 05, 2006

Home Sweet...?

Lindsay and I went to look at houses with a realtor today. I'd forgotten what an uncertain decision-making process house hunting can be. We didn't have a bad time of it; in fact, we enjoyed the chance to be together without the minis for a rare change. (Mike babysat for the four or so hours that we checked out homes. I got so tickled at him. I called him when we were finished and told him we were on our way home. He sort of groaned, "PLEEEASE." That made me laugh. He said later that the hard part was having Squeal and Squeak both talking at him non-stop for the whole time.) And we were able to walk into some of the homes and know immediately that they were not suitable. One reeked of ammonia so badly that we had to leave shortly after crossing the threshold. Another one, lovely but tiny, felt claustrophobic for a family of six. We did tour a home that is worth a definite second looky-loo. But I was reminded how the overall experience can be taxing on the nerves and emotions before it's all said and done and you're propping your feet up on the coffee table in your new living room.

We've lived in our home for eight years now. That's the longest time I've ever lived in one place in my entire life. I hope we get to prop our feet here for a while yet.

posted by Joye @ 10:52 PM 3 comments

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Bullet Points, Volume I

~I like my friends. All of them. They need me, and I them. They give me new perspective and help me to make sense of myself. I’d like to think I give them something, too.

~My husband can’t say, “no.” Come to think of it, neither can I.

~Every time Brent writes about his passion for sports, I think of the annual Westminster Dog Show. That’s the closest I get to being passionate about a sport. When it comes up again next year, I’ll have to post my thoughts about it.

~I wonder if we should’ve stuck with our Mac addiction. We switched to PC’s about 7 years ago, and there are still things about Macs that I miss.

~Sam Cooke’s music is still good. There’s a new British guy that sounds almost like him, James Hunter. But he’s no Sam Cooke.

~Go to Restaurant.com to buy $25 dining certificates for $10! For lots of Dallas restaurants. Indian food tonight!

~Did they really kill off two characters on Lost last night? They did on Alias.

~I was in Family Christian Store today. One of the store clerks approached me, chuckling. I asked what was funny. He said he was just thinking of a joke that made him laugh. I said share. He said, ‘“Waiter, what’s that fly doing in my soup?” “The backstroke.”’ What the hairy heck?

~I think God is good all the time.

Labels: bullet points

posted by Joye @ 5:05 PM 5 comments

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Virtual Reality

Virtual (vûr' choo -ul) adj.

1. Existing or resulting in essence or effect though not in actual fact, form, or name.
2. Existing in the mind, especially as a product of the imagination.

I love that word. Ad agencies used to use it in television commercials a lot, as a way to mislead us into thinking the represented product would remove every spot, stain, blemish, germ, dander, or whatever it was supposed to eradicate from our lives if we would only buy it. But did you ever notice how the animated illustrations they used in those commercials would leave behind one tiny, little spot? That’s where the word ‘virtual’ comes in. “It does but it doesn’t.” “Hear me now and believe me later.” I haven’t noticed lately if advertisers still use that same tactic. I think they’ve gone for broke and given us the no-holds-barred lie. Dropped the word virtual and given us depictions of a full-out, blemish-free world which is ours for the having, and no apologies for the price tag. The devil does that.

And sometimes I buy it. Sometimes I place my faith in something that may not result in the promised outcome. Pie in the sky by and by. 'Unrealistic expectations,' as our pastor often says. And the end product always disappoints.

I don’t want to put my faith in virtual realities. I want to be grounded in reality. I don’t mean set my sights lower and settle for less. But like the apostle Paul, learn to be content in whatever circumstances I am. That sounds healthy to me. Instead of placing my faith in some ethereal essence or effect; in might-be’s or I-want-it-to-be’s, my goal is to plant my faith in Reality. And I’m virtually there!

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 (NASB)

posted by Joye @ 11:07 AM 2 comments

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Personal DNA

Have you taken the Personal DNA quiz yet? I took it a few months ago after seeing the link on A View to an Uzz' blog. The results pegged me as a Benevolent Director then. I took it again today, and it said I'm an Advocating Leader. The bar chart is pretty much the same for both of those, so I guess they're close to the same thing. To see what that all means, you can see my report at http://www.personaldna.com/report.php?&k=hiYnYjQwfHDnOai-OM-ADACD-d360.

But take it yourself, and let me know what yours said about you. Accurate? Way off? I'd be interested to know.

posted by Joye @ 9:13 PM 3 comments

About Me

Name: Joye
Home: Lewisville, Texas, United States
About Me: I write whatever's on my mind or what's going on in my life from a biblical worldview. God has gifted me with His Son; my husband/best friend; 2 children and 2 children-in-love; 4 grandchildren that make my heart soar; dear friends; and an uncommonly loving church family. Life centers around relationships and I thank God every day for the ones He's brought into mine.
See my complete profile