Lab Notes

Update Your Links

2009-12-02T17:52:00.000-08:00

Hello all, I have moved to wordpress! The URL should be the same (http://blog.becksterslaboratory.com), but if you come via internal Blogger links (you are currently viewing romans5three.blogspot.com), please note the change and follow me to the blog's new resting place (hmm...that makes it sound dead...i promise this is more of a revitalization).

Christmas Gripes Again

2009-11-30T14:05:00.000-08:00

Why...

1. Do people complain about christmas music/decorations before thanksgiving?
I welcome it if it's something I would like after thanksgiving, such as the music and eggnog. I'm never a fan of oversized baubles or blowup snowman or santa. But I love the greenery and listen to christmas music all year long.

2. Do people throw such a fit over people saying "happy holidays"?
I understand not everyone celebrates christmas. Even if everyone did, thanksgiving and new years are holidays that should be happy too.

3. Does calling christmas christmas even change that it's been totally/commercialized?
I think many christians don't have a problem with all the materialism as long as it's called christmas.

4. Do people stress the true meaning of christmas?
What defines truth? This winter holiday is ever evolving, in name, practice, and all included in that. The Bible is the first way to find Truth. But what about for man-made traditions? At what point do we look to for the true meaning? Seems everyone starts at the part they like, be it christ's birth or kindness to others.

5. Do christians fight so hard for christmas and nativity?
If christmas is about presents and the nativity scene is missing from public displays, does that change the fact that the Messiah did arrive? The nativity scene is inaccurate anyway. Aren't there other things more worth fighting for?

6. Do protestants celbrate advent?
I thought it was a catholic thing. I'll have to look into that this year. Maybe it's a substitution/supplement to keep religion in our December festivities.

7. Is there no War on Easter?
I think that's the most important holiday of the Christian religion. Anyone can be born, but only One died for our sins and rose again to sit at the right hand of the Father forever.

Thoughts?

Gots Some Learnins?

2009-06-24T18:19:00.000-07:00

I need to "interview" more people before writing the post I have in mind.

1) What is your education level (if some college, give units or a percentage)?
2) Are you at a job that requires/utilizes your education level?
If no, why not?
3) Do you plan on continuing your education? Why or why not?
4) If you have a degree and a career to match, did you jump in right after graduating, take a long time to find a job, and/or got training/experience while still in school.
5) Is money or passion your incentive?
6) Anything you wish someone would've told you before you entered the real world (if you aren't in the real world yet, pay attention to others' comments!
7) What role (influence) did your parents play in your education and job/career choices?

Please answer these. I appreciate all answers, short or essay!

How to Be an Obessive Fan

2009-05-01T18:25:00.000-07:00

So I found this essay on an old tripod site (i didn't even know they were still around, much less than my account was still intact). It was for English 1A at RCC. I don't remember my grade, or what I got overall in that class. I just remember that my 1B teacher probably fit this description for LotR (all the required texts were Tolkien's).

How to Be an Obsessive Fanatic
Author:Becky Grove
Date completed: October 7, 2002

When it’s your birthday, no one ever knows what to give you. You are being featured in something, but the writer -- a close friend -- doesn’t know what to put under “interests.” Is any of this sounding familiar? Then this is just what you should be reading. Sure, you have lots of interests, but no one ever seems to know what they are. This is because you don’t show it; you aren’t that enthusiastic about it. Reading this will help you show the world your love, because everyone has to be obsessive about at least one thing.

Before you start you need to choose something to obsess about. It can be practically anything, such as movies, music groups, singers, bands, TV shows, actor/actresses, or books. To make things simple, I am going to be talking about movie obsessions, but these steps apply to anything. When choosing a movie, make sure it’s a movie that you already love, or else it won’t be fun. Once you choose a movie its time to start on the journey to obsession.

The first and most obvious step is to watch the movie repeatedly. If you get an eye roll from someone around you when you turn on the movie for the hundredth time, then good job; you are on your way to obsession. One very important part is that you must own, if nothing else, a copy of the movie. The DVD, if available, is most desirable because of the special features. It is good to have a back-up copy on video just in case you lose your first video or the DVD, or if you leave it at someone else’s house. The back up copy can be something that you taped off the TV since it’s only going to be used in case of emergencies.

When just watching the movie doesn’t satisfy you anymore it is time to move on to the second step. The second step is to go online. There is a lot to do on the Internet, but at this point you are only doing two. One is to find all the pictures you can of scenes and actors from the movie and, print these out, set them as your computer’s wallpaper and screensaver, and save them for later use. Put the pictures you printed out in your notebook, on your walls, or wherever you would like them. The other is to find out all the information you can on the movie. This includes the names of all the actors, the other movies they were in, and official and fan web sites. Also, if it's not included on the DVD, find out about bloopers, background information, and comments of fans or the director. List and print out everything you found. Save the links on your computer for future reference.

The third step is to buy the movie’s products. There are three different sets of merchandise to buy from. These are electronics, apparel, and miscellaneous. Electronics consists of copies of other movies the actors have been in, the soundtrack, and games that have been made from the movie, if any. Apparel consists of clothes, jewelry, buttons, patches, and backpacks. Miscellaneous consists of commodities to put in your car or room, such as: dolls, stickers, stuffed animals, board games, and key chains. Note from modern-day Becky: haha i'm such a girl. What about action figures and whatever else fanboys get?? Guess that falls under dolls... Some movies have a fourth set, which consists of trading cards. You should get these if the movie does offer them. They offer amusement and fun facts.

The fourth step is to attempt contact. Enter all the contests and sweepstakes you can that involve the movie. Be on the look out for local events involving actors from the movie. These two does not guarantee contact, but writing letters does. Write letters to the actors, and request an autograph. Since you are in the mood for writing letters, then write letters to the company (Disney, Columbia, etc.) asking for them to release the director’s cut of the movie.

The fifth and final step is to share your fondness of the movie. You do this by making web sites, screen names, and email addresses that has to do with the movie. Use the pictures and information from step two for your web sites. You also do this by joining numerous fan clubs, online groups, mailing lists, message boards, and street teams. That way, you can talk about the movie all the time with others who love it.

Now that you are an official obsessive fanatic there are some rules you need to follow. Those are to keep executing all that you learned, and make sure you annoy your friends and family by sleeping, eating, and breathing your obsession. You’re not going to get just gift certificates now that people know what you like.

Nathaniel's New Job

2009-04-24T18:06:00.000-07:00

Nathaniel got the job! He found out right away. He went this morning to the corporat office to do the drug testing, background check, etc. Once all that is complete, he will have training, and then be an official Community Manager! Next week he's going to start temping there and in the meantime, he's going to continue temping where he's at right now. So it all works out nicely. Except for the fact that we wil be breaking our current lease, which isn't up until August, but maybe we can work something out. Hopefully.

On top of salary, we get free rent and utilities. Medical insurance for $10/pay period. I'm not quite sure on the details of that, like if or how I would be covered. An additional $10? Full price? I have possible coverage I'm not even using at work. My boss will cover a portion. I don't have a lot of motivation to search for a plan when I have a pretty good, free one through my mom. Even though i'm not a dependent, so i really should get my own.

There's been some confusion about what the apartment is, because Nathaniel's friend used to work/live there, and said it'sa 3bdrm. His boss called it a 2 with a walk-in closet. We have it figured out that the latter is correct, but the closet has been converted into a bedroom. I don't know how that works, but I don't care. Our current place is a spacious 1bdrm with a walk-in closet and i've gotten really attached and don't want to go back to a broom closet.

We can have pets here! There is a white cat that has been following Nathaniel around at the property he's currently at. He says that he's been getting complaints from the residents about it meowing at their doors all the time. He keeps asking if he can keep it. I'm down as long as he is POSITIVE it doesn't belong to anyone. How sad would that be if we took someone else's pet. He says he is sure it's a stray/abandoned. I also want to go to the pet store and see if this one beautiful gray Lynx/Siamese cat named Kiki is still there. We were there looking at rats and didn't even know there was a cat shelter there, but there he was, staring at us with his big blue eyes and it was love at first site. We are also going to get a rat, which i'm most excited about. ;)

So i'm not sure when we are moving in, just some time next month. Once that happens, our only regular expenses would be gas and groceries. We are going to upgrade our car insurance from the state minimum, but besides that, we'll still be trying to live frugally to build up savings because we have no emergency funds or anything. Although we know that if something were to happen, the Lord will provide, and we have a spare credit card. ^__^

Praise Him

2009-04-23T17:48:00.000-07:00

I've been a little brat. The economy is spiraling and here we are, still doing fine. Yet we read Scriptures together for the first time in months the other day, and we already missed last night! I've never been good about a personal daily devotion, but i used to have a little morning routine. Then i slacked off and i've been so bad about even gettin up at a reasonable time for work. I don't even eat cereal anymore, but just grab a bagel or muffin (that Nathaniel toasts) for the car! Not only do we both have full-time jobs (he's a temp and was getting no work for a while, and was unemployed before that), but he gets overtime, i have vacation and sick pay, got a bonus this week, and my salary (also a blessing to be off of hourly because now i get paid holidays) is up for review for an increase next month.

PLUS Nathaniel has an interview this afternoon for position as manager with the company he has regularly been sent to. He made friends with the manager at another property, who help the person who is quitting get her job! So when this opened up, he faxed Nathaniel's resume to his boss, who is going to Nathaniel at work today. So not only does he have an interview, but he is getting PAID for it. This job would be great because it's a free apartment on top of salary plus insurance and benefits.

So dude. It's not like we aren't grateful, but i feel we aren't grateful enough. I feel like we better make sure we aren't materialistic and remember to rely on Him or God will take it all away and force us to. Not that by relying on Him we are somehow earning any of this. It's all solely by His grace that we have anything but death.

So that's where i'm at. How are YOU doing economically and/or spiritually?

Making My Home a Haven

2009-04-20T18:57:00.000-07:00

First, I forgot to post this follow-up to the post "Bye-bye Hanukkah"

Thanks for the post about the camera on your blog. We found it! It was in my duffel bag...which I looked in twice and Fred once...found it on the fourth search after asking St. Anthony for help. By the way, it was Uncle Ken and Uncle Dave, neither had it. Now there are pictures of Grandma's view and some funny Annabelle/magnifying pictures on the camera. - Auntie M

And

After finding such a prized object there was much rejoicing! - Steven

ANYWAY

I've been having the blogging itch but in between work (and how tired it makes me), a web design project, and keeping the house somewhat in order, I haven't had much time, although i've been reading here and there. Mostly skimming for deals. Hey, now that the economy's down, i'm not so crazy, am i? I've got things to do tonight also, but it's so hot i'm going to wait until the sun goes down. It was 97 in Long Beach. I seriously felt like i was going to pass out at work. Is it fall yet?

I'm working harder on trying to save money, but, believe it or not, I'm not very disciplined for that. Pretty much, our budget is "don't spend." I started using Quicken Online, and set goals based on average. I went over in groceries already but I'm hoping that I stocked up pretty good and have enough so that we don't have to eat out (not so much with me, but Nathaniel is a big fast food grabber). I made a bunch of burritos, only to find out that Nathaniel doesn't like the texture of the celery in them. Yet i'm happy to report i think they cost about thirty cents each. Tina's are $0.25 but they are smaller and not as good. I got 10lbs of ground beef for $7.98 at Staters. ^__^

Neither creamer nor milk has been quite hitting the spot for me in coffee, so I tried soy milk and i think I found a winner! Esp since I got a 64oz carton of 8th Continent for $2.75, which spit out a $2 off for Silk at the register. Then I got a 12oz can of Don Francisco's for $4.99. So even though i spent nearly a hundred, I saved over $40 and am pretty stockpiled. So it was a good trip. Even though i couldn't find spring roll wrappers. Which blows my mind, considering that i live in Little Saigon.

Morning Routine: Make coffee & get ready. That's all i have time for. Nathaniel takes care of breakfast and lunch since he leaves after me and is faster at getting ready.

Bedtime: It's supposed to be 10p to read Scriptures, but the internet is distracting so we've been ignoring the alarms Nathaniel set on his phone and going to bed at 12 or 1a. Also skipping reading...yeah, so not good. We gotta pick up on that. I hope he doesn't get home too late tonight. He's at some sort of planning meeting with the worship team leaders at church.

Choosing Love: I have been trying to be organized and prioritize so that i'm not working on a website for hours and making Nathaniel do the dishes all the time. I pass on onions, pork, and other foods he doesn't like in recipes. I'm keeping my eyes open for times when i don't choose love.

Evening Routine: Clean up kitchen, shower, read the Bible. Not sure how much to count as evening. Everything from getting home? Make dinner, eat it while watching tv, internet time. As long as we don't spend to long on the internet, it's okay for me to browse Facebook and read blogs while Nathaniel looks at lolcats, comics, and guns/boats/apartments/whatever his main interest is that week. That's what we do, but is that a routine? I don't think we need to set one. I think as long as we make sure the dishes are done before doing anything else, we are accomplished. I used to think one must never rest, but I eventually learned that a little R&R is good for the body. A time to replenish energy for the next day. I just wish i could do more with that energy than just go to work, but at least it brings in money and i have my weekends. I don't dislike work. It's a good job and i have more energy in general than i did at Knott's.

Waking Up: This is where we struggle. I used to not have a problem getting up (i'm a morning person) but Nathaniel's fondness for sleep has rubbed off on me. I too have realized how comfy a pillow is in the morning. Not a good thing! It takes three alarms with all snoozes to get us up. I like to get up at 6:30a. I try and try but then just end up dreaming about it instead. I need something to get me up...you know how fast a person can bolt if they are late or going somewhere exciting? I just have to think about not being stressed because of rushing. Hmm...not enough. I need to set my personal time with the Lord in the morning. That will get me up. I hope. Marriage has been a blessing because we can help each other get ready in the morning by splitting up tasks. So why is it still taking so long to get out the door? Probably because before i never drank coffee daily or ate breakfast and i hardly ever made my lunch. I think i was a morning person at some point...just so long ago i can't remember. I need to get up when i wake up!

Americans: You Are Michael Scott

2009-03-26T18:32:00.000-07:00

On the latest episode of The Office (Spoiler Alert?), Michael was being really subordinate, immature, and completely ignoring the chain of command. You don't do that in the real world. You report to your superior, who reports to theirs, etc. I learned that firsthand once at Knott's. I was upset with my shift leader when he made me stay past when I was supposed to get off. I knew it was busy and they needed me, but I also knew I needed to study or I wasn't going to pass my midterm that night. I complained to a supervisor, who just told me to talk it through with the shift leader. >.< That's how things are to be done though. You don't go skipping levels until things are settled in the normal manner.

So while it seems cool that the White House is doing that "Open for Questions" things, it's not really anything great. People are saying that the president should be listening to what we have to say. There is a system in place for that though. Our representatives, they are supposed to represent us. Thousands of questions were submitted and millions of votes were cast for this online town hall. How many people bother to write their representatives? Go through the system if you want to be heard. It's all about people and fame. Obama is in the spotlight, representatives are nobodies until they are caught in a scandal. Plus everyone wants to see their name in lights, so to speak. Obviously the chat moderators are only going to pick questions Obama wants to answer and that will make him look good and people cheer. Anyone pay attention on Leno (When, btw, Obama made a total barackary/obamockery of the office of president, imho)? He finally asks a decent question and they cut to a commercial break so Obama can consult his advisors or PR or whoever.

Even so, I still submitted two questions and 89 votes. I'm American too, you know.

Topic: Small Business Votes: 2 Yes, 0 No
"Mr. President, one can look to China, Cuba, Vietnam, and other countries to see that socialism does not work. This country was built on small businesses & capitalism. Please stop tearing our country down with bailouts and regulations. Free markets!"

Topic: Education Votes: 1 Yes, 1 No
"Mr. President, public schools indoctrinate kids with Marxism. Too many private schools produce kids who favor Starbursts over history. Families raise kids, not the government. What are you doing to protect SANE parents' right to educate their kids?"

I have yet to watch the video.

Bye-bye Hanukkah

2008-12-30T09:47:00.000-08:00

Okay i failed miserably. I had planned to write all the entries ahead of time and schedule them to post at sundown each day. I got behind in writing and then all of a sudden i missed a day. At that point, i didn't care because it was Christmas Eve, and i had a sick husband and full schedule. We didn't go to his family function that night, so we had to squeeze in a short visit in between Christmas morning at home and Christmas afternoon at my mom's. We were going to get there at 1, but then i changed it to three so we could have lunch, but i forgot Nathaniel parents were going to my mom's for dessert. So we skipped lunch (just stopped by and said hi at his uncle's house), but still ended up getting to my mom's at three because of traffic and leaving our house late. I got Nathaniel Halo 3 laser tag, and of course we had to try it out.

Friday we went to my grandma's and saw my aunts, uncles, and

cousins. There were latkes there, so i still had some, but i never got around to making them. I bought the mix that same day. Not sure how i thought i would make some before Hanukkah ended anyway. Oh, and let me see if i remember this all: has anyone seen a camera? It was last seen at uncle Kevin's, but maybe uncle Joe's. It could be in the parking lot, but it's NOT in the car. Dang it, i think i got the uncle's names wrong, but let me know if you find it, okay? There is a picture of Lizzie before her winter formal on there.

This weekend we went to San Diego because Nathaniel won a hotel stay at a banquet last year (didn't think he'd be using it). It expired today so we had to use it. It was for Ayres, most of which are in our area. The only one any significant drive away was in Alpine, 30 minutes outside of SD. So we stayed there and went to the Rueben H. Fleet and Aerospace museums. That was a lot of fun, except at the end of the second one, because there was a Star Trek exhibit (costs extra, and we aren't fans) next to the Great War exhibit, so there was this annoying tinkling sound while i was trying to read about the Red Baron. Didn't quite fit the mood.

Yesterday i had to work, and didn't leave until 6:15p, at which point Hanukkah was over. So there are my excuses. Right now Nathaniel is at a test for a job. Hopefully he gets it because then not only will we have a 2nd steady income, but also health insurance! Yeah, we have some now, but each through our parents, so it could be taken away anytime. That reminds me, i need to work on adding him to my auto insurance. The people are slow to respond to email, and this is the only day i have to call during business hours. I always forget/don't have time during lunch.

In addition to laser tag, we also got a couple party games and a PS2 for Christmas, so i think we need to have a gamenight soon.

The Gospel Call

2008-12-22T21:53:00.001-08:00

The Gospel, or Outward, Call is the outward proclamation of the Gospel. It is for all, regardless of nationality, gender, class, etc. It is not to be confused with the Effectual, or Inward, Call, which we will talk about on Day 4. A person can hear the gospel call, yet never hear the effectual call. A person cannot hear the inward call without first hearing the outward call.

Essentially, the goesepl call consists of establishing the truth of man's fallen nature, of telling the existence of a savior in Jesus's perfect life, death on a cross, and resurrection, and a request to repent. God uses men to carry forth the gospel call, but that doesn't mean man has any hand in salvation, since a person can hear the Gospel (many times, even) and never be saved.

Well, i sort of already talked about this in the introduction and i've been really busy, so today's post is going to be really short, but here is a recipe for potato latkes. I never got around to making them the other day.

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
2 cups peeled and shredded potatoes
1 tablespoon grated onion
3 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup peanut oil

DIRECTIONS

Place the potatoes in a cheesecloth and wring, extracting as much moisture as possible.
In a medium bowl stir the potatoes, onion, eggs, flour and salt together.
In a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil until hot. Place large spoonfuls of the potato mixture into the hot oil, pressing down on them to form 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick patties. Brown on one side, turn and brown on the other. Let drain on paper towels. Serve hot!

For further study, please listen to Our World Fallen and Our World Redeemed by Flame.

(Happy Hanukkah!) Election/Predestination

2008-12-21T16:47:00.000-08:00

I'm going to try my hand at potato latkes tonight. I saw a box mix at the store and might just end up going that route. I don't really have the time required to make them from scratch. >.< Cheaper this way. Even easier, but definitely not cheaper OR healthier and probably not kosher, would be to go ot Krispy Kreme. Doughnuts (soufganiot) are another traditional Hanukkah food, believe it or not! Everything's fried, because it's all about the oil. Oh, now you're interested. ;)

I normally find election and predestination separated in Ordo Salutises, but that gives me nine parts, and I only need eight. They've always seemed like synonyms to me anyway.

God created the universe world and man. Man sinned. God sent His Son to live a perfect life and die for those sins, blameless Himself. By grace, some are awoken from their sin and called to repentence. They then repent, believe, and are granted eternal life. This is not the work of the human at all, but completely grace and the work of God. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one goes to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6) This means understanding man's fallen nature and the need for a savior, what Jesus did, and repenting of one's own sins and following Jesus. Only then can one have assurance of eternity in Heaven. The best part? The assurance. Since it's all God's work and all grace, you don't need to freak out about how bad your were, thinking you can lose your salvation. Instead, you repent and ask for grace. Sin isn't something that is going to go away in this life.

I'm not bunny trailing. It's great because when God is immutable, or unchanging. When He decides He wants to do something, He does it. So He decided He wanted to save some from Hell. Many people have a problem with this, that God only saves some and not all, even going as far to say it isn't fair. You want fair? Try Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." God is just, so fair is to punish sin with its due punishment: death. Christ paid that debt. But not for all! He only elected some. Why some and not all, we don't know, but we should be thankful that it is ANY. Some people get sad about this (although I bet the same people wouldn't mind Hitler, Hussein, and their least favorite high school classmate going to Hell), but it would be diminushing God's deity if He let some slip in a "side door" in Heaven because they never heard the gospel even though they have unpunished sins. When someone is saved, they are covered with the blood of Christ and deemed righteous, worthy of eternal Life, but only because they are in Christ. It is nothing they themselves did. So it isn't a pride thing, because if someone is "proud" to be a believer and develops an us vs them mindset, then maybe they aren't really saved, but it's more of a culture thing.

I promise I'm on the same track as the post title tells. I mentioned election. Now what about predestination? Well, God determined all events before the beginning of time. He doesn't change His mind and He doesn't wait for advice from us, the clay. This is what i was getting at by saying God is immutable. He decided He was going to do this, and it was and will be done. Many people think that Jesus died for ALL and is waiting for them to accept Him. If this is the case, then salvation is possible for all but definite for none, as oppososed to the fact that it is definite for the elect. It is only logical that all will be saved or the elect will be saved. We've already seen that Jesus is the only way to Heaven, so the former is clearly not the case.

You can see shadows of this in the Old Testament.

Only Noah, his family, and select animals were saved when God flooded the earth.
When the high priest offered the "big sacrifice," it was still only for the 12 tribes of Israel.
Israel was God's chosen people out of all the world. This was the physical people group of Israel. With Christ's Atonement, it has been limited to only the spiritual Israel, but also extended to the entire physical world.
At Passover, only those with blood on their doors and following the other guidelines were spared the death of their firstborn son.

Here are plenty of examples of limited atonement in the Old Testament that nobody (not literal, because i don't know) is contesting. Yet when this concept is fulfilled in the New Covenant, all of a sudden everybody has a problem with it. It doesn't sit right, but at the same time, it's wonderful if you focus on the free gift God gives out of love. If you are saved, you can understand this. It...makes you speechless when you stop and really try to comprehend what it means for God to save a wretched sinner. Sin and depravity must really be understood first before grace can be understood. Without that, election and predestination does seem like foolishness. It's not, though, and to say so is just showing the foolishness of your own heart.

Okay, so i did not go in the direction I had intended. So sue me, it's a blog, i never promised any groundbreaking theological essays. I'm just finding my own way to celebrate Hanukkah.

For further study, please check out the following resources:

Now go be festive and deep fry something, kay?

Hanukkah:Fulfilled! 2008 - Ordo Salutis

2008-12-16T20:37:00.001-08:00

Wow, Hanukkah and Christmas are really creeping up on me. The month has been flying by so fast. At the same time, it seems like such a long time since Thanksgiving. Yet, here we are five days away from Hanukkah and nine days away from Christmas. I decided that each year I am going to do a different series for Hanukkah. I already have the next few topics picked out. ^__^ This year I have chosen Sotierology.

Why Soteriology? Hanukkah is a celebration of Light over Darkness! Also, as I have stated in my previous post on the subject, it commemorates the rededication of the Temple after desecration. The temple was shadow of our own bodies, and i'm paralleling rededication to salvation. The temple was already God's, as we were from eternity, but then sin desecrated our standing. Then God redeemed us. That just happened the one time and no rededication of our lives is necessary. It's an ongoing sanctification and faith. Just as the Jews don't rededicate the Temple every Hanukkah (that i know of), we can commemorate the atonement. I figure the most natural way to do this in a blog for Hanukkah would be to go the route of the Ordo Salutis and post one component each day.

So check back on Sunday evening for my post on election & predestination. Don't be confused if you thought that the first day of Hanukkah is the 22nd, because it is. By the Hebrew calendar, the days are from sundown to sundown. So Hanukkah starts at sundown on the 21st (making the first day the 22nd) and ends at sundown on the 29th. The first day is always 25th Kislev, but the Hebrew calendar doesn't align with the Gregorian (ours) exactly so that's why it's seemingly jumping around from year to year. Speaking of years, it's 5769 according to the Hebrew calendar. Didn't your history teacher teach you about all that Y5K hype going on in Israel in 1238?

Acid Reflux

2008-12-11T18:58:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the abundance of ad-sy posts recently, folks. I just like to tell people about good deals or causes when I hear about them. I'm working on some more substanstial posts but in the meantime, i've got somewhat of an update.

Last week i woke up feeling sick but i knew i couldn't be pregnant (good thing, we can barely afford ourselves right now!) so i called in to work and went to the doc (on Nathaniel's urging, not my idea). She prescribed me medicine, gave me fact sheets, and told me to go on a acid-reflux diet for two weeks. At first it didn't sound so bad, but MAN i didn't realize how necessary some foods are, and how attached to others i am. Or just how long two weeks really is.

I can't have anything acidic, caffeinated, chocolate, fatty, or greasy. Also not most dairies. That pretty much left me with rice and bread. What made it worse was that we had just done a big grocery shopping two days prior. With coupons in one hand, Target gift cards in the other, and a sharp eye, we packed the cart with great deals. For food that included Candy Cane holiday milk (oh, peppermint is also out), Chocolate Mint Truffle (which i just realized i didn't use a coupon for grrr) creamer, Chocolate Truffle (see a pattern?) Folgers (we're not Folgers fans, but it was on sale, so we'll give this line a try) Gourmet Selections coffee, shredded cheddar cheese, pasta sauce, chocolate (is it real chocolate, though?) cereal, and other stuff i can't (don't want to) remember.

One day last week my coworker brought doughnuts. They were surprised i didn't eat any. Hey, even though i didn't do well in school, i do stick to things. It wasn't easy with them sitting out in the open with that sweet smell wafting up at me when i walk by, but i am rather proud of myself in resisting the temptation. What was even harder was a wedding that i went to Saturday. The pre-dinner snack was coffee, lemonade, chips, and salsa. The last three of which i could tell was homemade. People kept raving about them. I only had one chip but i wonder if i could've had more. I mean, i'm pretty sure they were baked. I hated having to ask the servers what everything was, and then later picking through my food with my husband sitting next to me eating like i wanted to. Then the cake was chocolate and many people at the table got coffee as it started cooling down. ::sigh:: Not as bad was agape feast on Sunday. We had lunch before church and weren't going to go, but i ended up staying. I was still full from lunch so i didn't even have to bother picking out what i can and cannot eat.

Speaking of lunch, i had a soup and salad (and bread-corn, even though the garlic looked soooo good) combo. I thought that would be easy, until the waitress asked me what type of dressing i wanted. Oops, can't have Ranch. I opted for the French. I didn't know what's in it, but figured it to be lower-fat than the others, all of which i know i couldn't have (or want, in the case of honey dijon). It was actually pretty good, and it was at that moment i realized i should look at the bright side of this diet: a chance to try something new. I'm not stubborn or too picky, but if i know what i like, i'm not going to try something else. Same with milk. I am somewhat lactose-intolerant and also vie for the 2%. I swear against whole, 1%, non-fat, and soy. Nathaniel thought it would be a good idea to get me Silk Very Vanilla Soymilk for my cereal, and he was right! She likes it! Hey Becky!

Still, don't think i'm going to give up coffee, salsa, or chocolate anytime soon. Tuesday, i'm having Mint Chocolate Truffle Chocolate Truffle coffee, chocolate cereal, tuna (oh yeah, that's out too) salad, and pasta. I'm starting to grow weary of my consumption of apples, applesauce, and apple juice, the one (three) thing on my safe list that i like-like and not just not dislike. Maybe after that i'll try to keep it easy, because it's not like keeping away from certain foods will make my body like them any better. I'll just stop ignoring it as much from now on.

Mid-Week PSA's

2008-12-10T18:20:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

I'm writing to let you know about a terrible piece of legislation called "The Freedom of Choice Act" (FOCA).

FOCA would establish the right to abortion as a fundamental right (like the right to free speech) and wipe away every restriction on abortion nationwide.

It will eradicate state and federal abortion laws the majority of Americans support and prevent states from enacting protective measures in the future.

FOCA will do away with state laws on parental involvement, on partial-birth abortion, and on all other protections.

FOCA will compel taxpayer funding of abortions.

FOCA will force faith-based hospitals and healthcare facilities to perform abortions.

Please read the expert analysis by Americans United for Life (AUL) and sign the Fight FOCA petition at: http://www.fightfoca.com/

Thank you,
Becky

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Let's help each other out!

As a DSL Extreme client, I know firsthand they provide the ULTIMATE Internet experience. From their ultra fast and reliable DSL connection to their award winning technical support, DSL Extreme is truly superior. Being a DSL Extreme customer has its rewards – like getting free service just for spreading the savings to my friends and family. In fact, every time I refer a friend who joins the DSL Extreme, well both get up to a $20.00 credit towards our DSL Extreme service.

It is a reliable service for only $24.95/mo. Let me know if you want to sign up and i'll send you an email. Or just go sign up and make sure to put kdforever as your referrer on the order form. Just please don't be like Nathaniel's dad and sign up without mentioning us at all. ::sigh:: If you use cable, make the switch to the faster DSL today! If you still use dial-up...first, sorry. Second, now is the perfect time to awake from the dark ages. Here's to a new age of Youtube and Hulu!

Also let me know if you want to sign up for MyPoints.com (i've gotten $190 in gift cards so far) or ING Direct, who have higher interest rates (the good kind that earn you money) than most banks and NO FEES. Of course, both of these have sign-up bonuses for both you and I, so what are you waiting for!?

HBEF Barnes & Noble Bookfair

2008-12-04T07:37:00.000-08:00

I don't know where i'm buying my book (Tales of Beedle the Bard) yet. It's cheaper from Walmart or Target if they have it in stock, but it seems you can only order online from there, which makes BN or Borders the better choice. This isn't just for HP merch though. If you plan on doing any shopping at BN soon, why not take note of this number and help out a non-profit while your at it?

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Make this a Very Harry Holiday by supporting the HPEF (Harry Potter Education Foundation) Beedle Bookfair at Barnes & Noble!

Are you planning to buy a copy or twelve of The Tales of Beedle the Bard this holiday season? Wait! Be sure you get your Beedle from a Barnes & Noble store between Thursday, December 4th (the release day for the new book by JK Rowling!) and Wednesday, December 10th using the HPEF Bookfair voucher. In fact, make all your holiday book, CD, and DVD purchases during the Bookfair dates! Every B&N purchase made then and using the voucher or the HPEF number of 352096 will have a portion of the proceeds donated back to HPEF to continue our literacy endeavors.

So how can you help? Go to any Barnes & Noble from December 4-10, 2008. Shop in the store for anything, that's right, ANYTHING.* Take all your items to the cashier, and give them the voucher or Bookfair number before you pay. After you've made your purchase, take your items home, and know that you just helped HPEF. And if your B&N has a Café, use the voucher for those lattes and scones you get. Every penny helps.

You can double your giving. Every B&N has a Holiday Book Drive. When you come into your store, select a book to purchase and donate to their Book Drive recipient and use the Bookfair voucher. One purchase helps HPEF and a child in your community. See a bookseller in your local store for details.

It's really that easy. Every single purchase you make during our Bookfair helps. It's your gift to us without having to worry about what's on our wish list. Make the gift even better by forwarding this email and information on to everyone you know…family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, other HP fans, and anyone else you can think of. You don't have to be a part of HPEF to make a beneficial Bookfair purchase, and you don't have to buy just HP titles. Anyone can buy anything to help. It's such an easy way to help in these tough economic times.

Want to know more? Need a voucher? Visit our page here for further details and a full FAQ. In advance, thank you for your support, and a very safe and happy holiday season to you and yours.

Heather French
HPEF Bookfair Liaison

*Ok, there's a few exceptions…no gift cards, textbooks, magazine subscriptions, or membership fees will apply to the Bookfair. But, really, anything else helps!

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So what are you waiting for? Get down and buy some books and help people out! It's a win-win situation. I mean dude, it even covers the drinks. That's awesome.

Secret Sale 2 of 3

2008-11-30T09:19:00.000-08:00

I got Nathaniel a calendar from Walmart for his birthday (Used image at right for May). Not sure if this one is the same, but i was able to put pictures on the days even. You can pick different layout and themes and customized messages on days, such as for birthdays and anniversaries. This is a good deal if you are big on personalized greeting cards and/or gifts.

FREE CALENDAR (a $20 value) on orders of $50 or more.

Order by November 30, 2008.

Enter code SECRET2 in your shopping cart.

*Offer is valid for a free 12-month calendar. Qualifying orders do not include any prepaid or membership plans, gift certificates, film mailer bundles or orders placed for in-store pickup. Discounts, promotions or awards cannot be applied to purchase made from Shutterfly Pro galleries.

Many other items are on sale for up to 50% off and free shipping* through the 3rd.

Free Shipping applies to orders of $25 or more. Enter special offer code SHIP25 at checkout. Offer ends December 3, 2008.

Black Friday

2008-11-28T15:29:00.000-08:00

I am not a fan. Well, i'm a fan of sales, but today has been a crazy day, i finished my shopping before 9a. I did all my shopping on Amazon.com

and i wish i could go into more detail on the great deals i snagged, but i can't for obvious reasons. Although, i wish i had added more to my cart last night. I did a lot of browsing and figuring out and only added something when i knew that's what i wanted. However, i found that the selection had drastacly dropped. For example, last night it says that thousands of DVDs were on sale starting at $4.99. This morning it said hundreds. Now it's over 200 starting at $4.99 and 122 available starting at $8.49. I am happy with the selection though. Besides the site being a little buggy, it was an overable enjoyable experience and i was happy to avoid the crowds...or so i thought.

I had actually already encountered crowds the night before. We were out of milk so i stopped at Albertson's on my way home from work. I had a hard time finding a spot, which should've been a red flag to go home. I go inside and there are people everywhere, and i was looking for an ad and didn't find one (there was a coupon in it that if you buy four Kellog's cereal, you get a free gallon of milk). So i go home and we just had ramen for dinner. I couldn't deal with it. I found the ad we got in the mail under my desk, where i placed it for "safe keeping." Sure enough, i found the coupon in it, but it had expired yesterday. We still need milk. Today i stopped at Target on my way home from a bridal shower (i'll get back to this) and in the middle of shopping, Nathaniel calls and asks where i am (he's at work) because our landlord was at our place in response to a complaint about the hard water (nasty deposits on everything but they don't want to buy a water softener). He asks if i even have a Target gift card...oops. I put the milk back and left the cart. I was parked pretty far away and had to go back through the mall. I knew i should've put off Target until after i got home. So that's twice i had to fight crowds for no reason.

Make that thrice. Or two and a half times? I stopped at Macy's this morning in between getting my hair cut and the bridal shower. I was later getting to the salon than i had intended, but i got out at 11a so i was still making good time. If i already had a gift, i would've been on time. But i had put it off, so i stopped at Macy's in Fashion Island and all that took an hour just for a muffin pan. The thing is, we have a Macy's right by us. It's what i parked by when i went to Target. I need to not put off things. I was worried about money and was going to try to find something at Target that was similar to something on the registry, but all of a sudden it was today and i was without a gift. So i ended up getting there 90min late. I only stayed an hour because there were only two other girls i knew, so i left when they did. I'm not good with people, be it large crowds or a roomful of women.

Yesterday we did snag some good deals though. If you aren't familiar with CVS, they sometimes have deals where you get cash back on your store card for future purchases. These are called Extra Care Bucks (ECB). So bear with me as i be weird and post my purchases. There is a point. Oh and check out how long the receipt was!

$1.00 Hershey's Cookies 'N' Cream

$2.99 Aussie spray gel

$7.99 Schick Quattro

$2.99 Colgate Total Advance

$6.99 L'oreal lipgloss

$3.79 Sally Hansen Max Growth nail polish

$3.99 5hr Extra (energy) shot 2pk

$5.99 Covergirl Smoother

$1.49 Gatorade 20oz

$0.05 Bottle Deposit

$1.49 Gatorade 20oz

$0.05 Bottle Deposit

$1.49 Gatorade 20oz

$0.05 Bottle Deposit

-1.00 coupon

-1.50 coupon

-2.00 coupon

-3.00 coupon

36.64 Subtotal

2.99 Tax

39.63 Total

After subtracting the $32.22 in ECB's, the total spending was $7.41. But wait, that's not all! I'm taking back the Covergirl thing because Nathaniel got the wrong one (it was the pressed powder that had a deal and it's not something i'd use unless free) and one of the nail polishes (they are close in color to each other and i have plenty), because i had told him it was limit two, but i see from the receipt they only gave us ECB's for one. So after i do that (and get back $10.54 including tax), the grand total will be $-3.13. Yup, they paid us three bucks to take all that stuff!

Obligatory Thanksgiving Post

2008-11-26T22:03:00.001-08:00

Well, i'm going to be totally cliche and do a thanksgiving post, because i have much to be thankful for. I hate to sound cheesy, but i can't help it if it's true. I first must state that i give thanks to God for everything, and i'm not just "thankful" in general. There is someone to give thanks to, and that is the great Provider. That being said, i'm of course thankful for my salvation, air to breathe, but that's a given.

I thank God for my husband. He is wonderful, so caring, and my very best friend. There are not enough words to describe how much i love Him. I praise God every day for putting this man into my life. On Sunday our pastor did a thanksgiving sermon, and saved some time for people to come up and say what they are thankful for. My DH goes up and say "Proverb 18:22 says 'he who finds a wife finds a good thing.'" Squee!

I thank God for rain. Tuesday night and Wednesday morning it was pouring. First i noticed of it was a loud, long rumble of thunder. I was utterly confused because even though i have forecasts for Long Beach and Westminster on my iGoogle page, i never pay attention to the weather, so i didn't know it was going to rain. I was so excited and wanted to run outside barefoot. My brain and husband thought otherwise, so instead i just sat on the bunkcouch and watched the rain. The next day i was so glad i had a lot to do at the payroll computer because there is a huge window behind it, which set a beautiful backdrop. Weird thing is, i went to the other computer for a second, and when i turned around again it had completely stopped! It was just pouring. Upon closer observation, it was still drizzling, but that slowly tapered off as the sun came out. Then, not too long after that, a guy in shades and Rainbows walks up the alley (i face a side of a Marriot Courtyard, which often lends me interesting stories about people in the alley or balconies), places down a beach chair, pulls out a newspaper, and starts reading. It was like a Snickers or Coke commercial of some sort. Here is this dude, in the middle of a business district in the fall, looking like he's ready for some surf & sun. I guess i'm thankful for that too, because he was there a while and gave us a good laugh.

I thank God for holiday milk. Target has a new line of seasonal flavored milk under their Market Pantry brand. So far i've only had mint chocolate, but there is also Pumpkin Spice and Candy Cane. We are going to pick up the Pumpkin Spice today because Nathaniel doesn't like pumpkin, so we'll take it to a place where there are more people to try it (i can't drink a quart of milk on my own. We'll be trying out the Candy Cane one while we decorate. Nathaniel is weary and not sure if he would like it, nor am i. I like candy canes/peppermint flavor to an extent, but it has to be in the right way. There was a candy cane cake that was really pushing it. It's usually better with chocolate (like peppermint bark or Christmas Oreos....which i do have) I guess we could make shakes if it doesn't turn out too well. Guess we'll find out Saturday. Speaking of shakes, the mint chocolate milk SUPERB mixed with mint chip ice cream and mint chocolate Bailey's. MmmmmmMM!

I thank God for freedom. We were watching 24 last night. I know it's just a show, but it's not fantasy. Things are really bad around the world and we may complain about our government and systems from time to time, but it's humbling to remember that it could be worse, and the amazing grace that God has bestowed upon us. And then with the recent attacks in India...what a better time than ever to consider supporting a native missionary through Gospel for Asia. The founder, KP, says India's poverty is probably largely due to their false religions, and that America has been blessed because of the beliefs she was founded on. Something to think about. They offer a free book, Revolution in World Missions, that is gripping, powerful, and convicting. Yes, times are hard and it doesn't make sense for the economy to send money out of the country, but if you are Christian, then remember the Kingdom to which your loyalties lie.

I thank God for potatoes. I love, love love 'em! In any way, shape, or form! Mashed potatoes is a thanksgiving staple, and i hope that Nathaniel's 'rents will have some. If not, i'm sure mine will. Yeah, we're house-hopping today. The Watkins always have a thanksgiving lunch, while the Groves have the traditional dinner. Makes it easy on us, but i hope we remember to wear something loose so there is enough room for all that food!

I could write a book (encyclopedia?) on what i'm thankful for, but that's all for this year! Maybe Google will make it next year. They didn't this year because i closed my Reader with a few hundred read items and the next time i opened it, there weren't any! I went to start checking some that i definitely wanted to read, but the
"keep unread" box was gone. I googled (ironic?) the problem, and it seems that happens when you click "mark all as read." I didn't though. I couldn't even find a button that does that to everything, just per feed. I'm kind of upset, because that helped me keep track of what i hadn't read on New Reformation yet. Ah well, i think i've found most of the posts from all my posts that i wanted to come back and read. I should start relying on stars and labels more.

Now go eat some yummy food and snag great deals (Black "Friday" actually starts today and runs through Sunday for many places). Treasure God's blessing and remember the original thanksgiving feast (they were running so low on food because the colony was originally communist). Happy Thanksgiving!

Me Encanta...

2008-11-25T18:35:00.000-08:00

The way my husband makes Turkey sandwiches
Extra tomato from sandwich as a snack
Chevron around corner from house: $2.05/gal (Arco i pass on way home is $1.99, but it's all about Chevron and Shell for me)
Credit score up to 683 ^__^
Only one more day of work until a four day weekend & turkey, POTATOES, and pumpkin!

Secret Sale 1 of 3

2008-11-25T07:49:00.000-08:00

I got an email from Shutterfly and it told me to pass it on, so i thought, "sure, why not?" It’s good for 3 days only Order by November 27, 2008. Enter code SECRET1 in your shopping cart for a FREE 16x20 collage poster (a $20 value) on orders of $50 or more. I'm not even getting paid to say that. -__-

* Qualifying orders do not include any prepaid or membership plans, gift certificates, film mailer bundles or orders place for in-store pickup. Discounts, promotions or awards cannot be applied to purchases made from Shutterfly Pro galleries. Shipping and handling charges will apply to the order.

While i'm at it, i'll take this time to say that if you sign up for SMS alerts from Redbox.com, they'll text you a code for a free movie rental on Mondays, which is only good for Monday. After that, it's their standard charge of $1/day. Also, new members get a free rental. Nathaniel didn't even know this when he signed up. $1.08 lost -_- Teehee. So what are you watiting for? Oh, too busy with free shows and movies on Hulu.com?

Hanukkah:Fulfilled!

2008-11-16T17:51:00.000-08:00

Here is the first installment of my new Fulfilled! series. Stores everywhere are decked out for the holidays, so this seems a relevant place to start. Do keep in mind this is an experiment and i'm not trying to uncover new truths or anything. We no longer have obligation to follow any feasts as we are made righteous by Christ's blood. With that, we have the freedom to celebrate as we choose (following that it's good).

To start, I took the definition/meaning of Hanukkah from joi.org and updated some BC words. So many things in the New Testament has an Old Testament shadow, so I amThe word Hanukkah means rededication. It commemorates our particular salvation (as opposed to the rededication of the Temple after desecration by outside forces). I don't mean it in the sense that we run down an aisle and give our lives to Jesus again, but celebrating in a more obvious way than an average day of the year. Of course we should be praising God for this fact daily, but it doesn't hurt to have a special day (or week) to remember this, especially if you "forget" easily, as sin causes us to. It reaffirms the presence of grace in the continuing struggle to live Christian lives in a culture hostile to God's commandments. When we dedicate ourselves, through faith and action, to the pursuit of high religious and human ideals, Christianity is strong. That imperative, to strengthen our faith and brothers, remains an important challenge at this season, in every generation. This is an important point...what a gem this is, and oh so relevant. This is what we need more of: a dedication of faith and action. We need to keep daily in the Word and part of a local ekklesia to strengthen our faith. We need to dedicate ourselves to finding ways to act out that faith through one-anothering and service. We need to aim high, because in our sin we shall constantly fail. Christianity will retain a strong presence and grow if we work and pray hard to keep our faith and brethren strong. This is challenging in a season of extreme materialism and increased faux-Christians. This is true year after year and shall remain true until Christ returns.

Hanukkah is known as the Festival of Lights and the story of the oil that lasted for 8 days (how long it took the high priest to make some more) is famous, but I found that the sites I looked at prefers to emphasize how they got to the point where they only had one day's worth of oil left, and just throws the miracle of the longevity as a side note. Of course I realize that these sites tend to be more liberal and a bit new agey because an Orthodox Jew isn't going to really care about making a website to tell others about their religion. The focus is instead put on the fact that so many Jews were being Hellenized under Syrian rule. The ruler tried to force them to bow down to idols and sacrifice pigs (read: NOT kosher). The Jews rebelled and won against odds in classic fashion. It's tooted as a triumph over assimilation even though it is the most assimilated holiday, with the Hanukkah bush, exchange of presents, Hanukkah lights. Irony at its best.

The thing that sets Christianity apart of Judaism is grace. We have grace and don't have codes to follow, so to celebrate in a secular way is not a sin in and of itself, just easy to commit idolatry (eg materialism, gluttony, etc.) But because of this grace, we can incorporate Hanukkah into our Christian celebrations as a way to celebrate the whole story of salvation. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus (coming of the Messiah) but leaves you hanging until Spring as to what that means. We can celebrate the grace that God has given us in giving us his Son to be the propitiator of our sins and the graces to grow in and live out that faith He has granted us. It is only by God's grace that we can rebel against assimilation (of doctrine) and remember the true Light.

I'm glad that visibly the menorah seems to be central to Hanukkah. That makes it easier to transition to what it means to a Christian. In the Temple, there were 7 lampstands (menorahs -although the kind used in the temple only had 7 branches, as opposed to the 8/9 of Hanukkah). The lampstands, showbread, incense...everything in the Temple (and the Temple itself) were but shadows of things to come. The fulfillment of the menorah is threefold.

Revelation 1:12-20 indicates local churches are represented by golden lampstands
Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12)
Christians are to be a light to the world (Matthew 5:14-16)

Whoever follows Jesus Christ will have the light of life, and thus shall be a light to the world. We have to remember this time and always to stand firm in the faith, sharing the gospel whenever possible, and living, by God's grace, to be Christlike. It's a miracle that God enabled one day's worth of oil to burn for 8 nights, but oh the miracle of bringing men dead in their sins to life and to be a light to the rest of the dead, dark world. This Christmas season, let's not forget these important facts and mercies. We deserve death and God not only gives us life, but uses us to strengthen our brothers and share Light with the world.

For more information, please visit Got Questions?org (Christians on Hanukkah) and Chabad.org (info on Hanukkah and other Jewish holidays).

New Layout!

2008-11-15T22:50:00.000-08:00

Even though i love bright colors (or none at all), I've really been liking green and brown lately, plus i've been wanting a third column. I tried to add one to my old layout, but it wouldn't cooperate and looked all sorts of silly. This one is very plain, but it leaves me freedom to post more colorful pictures and such. I just felt like a change. :)

Hope you all are staying safe. Pray for those being evacuated from their homes, and that the Christians will remember that all our treasures are in Heaven anyway. I am really connected to my things and i just wonder what i would grab in an emergency. A friend told me her friend just grabbed the Bibles, the dog, and the kids, threw them all in the car and left. Someone else started packing as soon as there was a warning in case they do have to evacuate. I think I would be the latter, but the former didn't miss anything important. Even those of you not in the path, i hope you aren't suffering from the smoke. Remember to keep those windows shut, because carbon monoxide is dangerous even if you don't notice!

I just got back from a bachelorette party to find men's discipleship still going on. >.< So i'm locked in the bedroom. -__- Not that i mind though; i would only have a problem with it if my computer were in the living room. ^__^

Me Encanta...

2008-11-14T20:24:00.000-08:00

Albertson's mix & match sale!

6 Cup O' Noodles
2 Ragu Sauce packets
bread
2 Pillsbury Cookie Dough
Country Crock
3 Chicken Helpers
4 Hamburger Helpers
2 Progresso soups
5 Lipton Rice
2 boxes of pasta

Total: $38.12
Preferred savings: $30.50

Then for buying enough of the featured items, we got $15 in store credit. So we essentially got all that for $23.12. Now that's what i'm talking about!

Me Encanta...

2008-11-11T18:02:00.000-08:00

New feature: i will try to post whenever i think of something that brings a smile to my face. The general goal is one a day. It shall be something small, no in-depth article or anything, but the simple things in life. I want to hear what gives YOU happies.

...the dark/light swirls that appear when cream is poured into a cup of tea.

...the lack of traffic on holidays (the bright side of having to work).

^__^

Fulfilled!

2008-11-09T12:05:00.000-08:00

::shuffles out sheepishly and waves::
Hi.

Guess i have neglected writing yet again. It's no surprise. I would be even longer had i chose to participate in NaNoWriMo this year. We are now nine days into the month and i haven't written anything yet, so maybe next year. That is my life motto: maybe next ____(fill in the blank).

However, i am embarking on a new project that i hope to stick with through it's completion. Fortunately, due to it's nature, i have an entire year to finish it. The past couple years i have been trying to figure out holidays and why we celebrate them. It's no doubt that it's mainly attributed to culture and tradition. I grew up loving Christmas decorations and as i got older, i was the only to put up the lights and any yard display. We all would participate in decorating the tree. Well, actually, it would depend on how my mom was feeling that year. Kids don't produce very high quality trees, do they? Throwing handfuls of tinsel on and bunching ornaments together. One year she told us we could only put on our "silly" (handmade and my Little Mermaid ones i punched out of a magazine or something) ornaments in the back. Another year, if i remember correctly, we had two trees. One traditional pine with all (and i mean ALL) the trimmings, and then a small silver one with all new ornaments that played music. But i digress. We didn't celebrate Halloween when i was a kid, but instead went to harvest festivals. Puh-leez, who there is really celebrating God's gift of vegetation or what? It's just a Halloween fair in a church parking lot, but it satisfies people. Is satisfaction enough? Then there's Easter eggs and stuff. I loved decorating eggs and celebrated Jesus' resurrection, not any fertility goddess. My parents never had us believe in Santa or the Easter bunny.

I don't have it figured out fully about Christmas, but to just evaluate carefully any activity or symbol i endorse. I decided to stop being sore (for the most part) about stores that start putting up their holiday stock in October. Also about people that leave their lights up all year long. Who says it has anything to do with Christmas? They should even turn them on, because it looks nice. We have some deer on our balcony that my mom didn't want any more. I wanted something for our balcony because it looks to empty otherwise. Until i find a lifesize Iron Man, this will suffice. Also, i try to call Christmas "Arrival of the Messiah" but am passively looking for a shorter name. I feel that by calling it a different name, we are bringing emphasis to the fact that we still know the reason for the season. I mean, Christ Mass? We need something more fitting.
Like how we call Easter Ressurection Sunday. I haven't decorated eggs in a while only but i haven't had the opportunity either, so i haven't evaluated that. A few years ago i went to a sunrise service, and i do want to do that every year. Stuff just keeps happening. Maybe now being married it will be easier (two people trying to wake up on time). The one thing i have thought about for Easter is how sad that even in churches (as i don't expect secular society to recognize this) is how overlooked Good Friday is and how Easter seems to get second billing to Christmas. Anyone can be born, but only Christ died for our sins and rose again. These holidays need a lot more attention in the Protestant realm.
I celebrate Reformation day just as one would celebrate Halloween. Why? The Roman Catholic church dressed up their lies as truth. We wear costumes and does anyone really believe we are who we are masquerading as? This shows the foolishness of the church pre-Reformation on the day before the Catholic All Saints' Day. Then you may ask what's with all the decorations? It's just my personality...i like the color black and skulls and a lot of that stuff all year round; as i do wearing costumes. With this holiday, i don't care to convice others because it's not in the Bible. Neither is Christmas and Easter, but the concepts behind them are, so i will try to convince, but if someone wants to take a Puritan stance, then that's fine as long as they have good reasoning. I almost became a Christian scrooge, which didn't seem right, so i went through multiple reevalutions with the holiday formerly know as Christmas.
I can't stand Valentine's Day but my husband likes it. Looks like i'll be needing to figure this one out in the next few months.

So my new project? To assess Jewish holidays and see if i can commandeer them as the Catholic church commandeered Pagan holidays. Why? Christianity is Judaism, fulfilled, right? I want the holidays to be fulfilled as well. "But Becky, fulfillment means we don't have to observe these Holy Days anymore." We don't HAVE to, but i want to, as an American whose culture is so party-centered. I'm only posting this in case anyone wants to join in, but not trying to push it as a new requirement! We have so many holidays in this country. If we have two holidays to remember the veterans, then i want even more to remember what God has done for us. "But Becky, you should be doing that all year long." So why not specific days to help you in case you slipped or a day to refresh you if you were getting dry? We have church every week because it's so easy to slip in just a week. So i thought, why not add more days and reasons to celebrate? I just can't stand inconsitancy, so any reason i can think of against this would throw out any other holiday as well. Plus, just as the holidays with pagan roots retained the practices, i intend to retain the feasts. I'm not really a "live to eat" person, but i do love food, especially right now since i'm hungry.

So now i'm going to grab some leftover pizza and head off to church. Stay tuned for the first installment - Hannukah: Fulfilled!

Old Google

2008-10-07T18:12:00.000-07:00

Google has put out a fun search engine in honor of their 10th bday. It's the 2001 version, the oldest they could put up.

2001 Google!

See if it brings back memories in the simplicity of the results. Explore the difference in certain searches. For example, a search of World Trade Center brings up no mention of 9/11 or Ground Zero. Sarah Palin is nobody. McCain or Obama? Senator pages. Mary-Kate and Ashley brings up a lot more merchandise where searching them today produces fansites from people who can't let go. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" and "horcruxes" each bring up zero results. Compare that with the 4,770,000 and 1,990 results (respectively) today. What else can you come up with? The possibilities are endless in this world before myspace, facebook, youtube, iPod, Gmail, lolcats, and Segway personal transporters.

I also like that on many sites you can look at the old version of sites that are still around. whatisthematrix.com advertises The Matrix Revisted, available on DVD and VHS. A search of VHS brings up an article on D-VHS. Aw, they try so hard! Looking at the old Blogger website made me remember my old username. I think. It had me sign in and then connect with my Google Account. Nothing changed though. Maybe i only signed up and never set up a blog! Have fun.

An American Carol

2008-10-06T18:15:00.001-07:00

This weekend me and my husband saw An American Carol. We were going to see Indiana Jones but this is a rare movie in a liberal Hollywood. It is seldom that the political-right has a chance to get their views to the big screen, and he wanted to support that. I hadn't even heard of it before Friday, but when i looked it up, i was excited once i read it was directed by the same guy that did Airplane! and the Naked Gun series. Upon reading the synopsis, i understood the title. It's like the Dickens' classic meets the 4th of July with Michael "Mallone" as Scrooge. I don't think there is any question as to why it's released now in October instead of a few months ago in June or July.

Overall, I thought the movie was a bit far-right, but as exemplified in many scenes, there are times when extreme measures are called for. I would say that the main focus of the movie is that war is necessary and that peace doesn't solve anything. We are stuck in the 60's because the professors indoctrinating new generations are hippies set on passing on their ideals to sheltered kids looking for a way to rebel against their conservative parents paying for their education. I liked how obvious it was that the protagonist was missing so much. They show him in Cuba, raving about the healthcare system there and doesn't see the corruption and very undesirable methods present. There were many potshots taken at him, the ACLU (my favorite scene), and liberals in general.

What bugged me was the large percentage of white people in the movie. The movie starts out with a block party picnic, which is already unrealistic to me, but it doesn't say what state it is set in, maybe somewhere in the midwest where this stuff still happens. So that could explain why every person at the picnic was white, except for one black lady, who got hit with a frisbee. That really struck me as odd that the one non-white person was the one hit. What are they trying to say there. The only other time where you see a lot of (American) non-white people is when they are in an alternate present, a "what if Lincoln was a pacifist?" and Michael Malone had a bunch of slaves. If they want an accurate portrayel of America, then they need more African-Americans, Asians, hispanics, etc. Also not have country music as the favorite of patriots. A lot of people dislike country music, not just democrats. I guess it fits best, but it had too prominent of a role. Well, i guess it could've been worse. This all coming from a white conservative that likes country music. ^__^ Also, I can't stand it when people try to be humorous by making kids be potty-mouths. That is just me though, and it's nothing like Will Ferrel's Landlord video.

The movie did leave me with a weird feeling though, because it portrayed Americans in such a way that sadly enough, seems to be true. Yes, we are a fortunate and blessed country with an abundance of wealth and freedom (collectively; i'm not saying every American is) but that doesn't make us the best. It radiated off this feeling of "we are better than them." It all felt a little over the top, but I suppose you have to exaggerate to catch attention. Patriotism is pride for your country, but not to the point where we diminish others. We should be helping out the other countries, but not so much with our government force (charity is not the government's job) but private organizations. I've been really moved recently by reading Revolutionizing World Missions by Dr. K.P. Yohannan, the founder of Gospel for Asia. He stated that physical means will never end poverty, only the power of the Gospel. Those who aren't Christians may not want to admit it, but our country was founded on Christian values, and that is why we are so strong today. The morals behind our laws were influenced by biblical morals. So yes, pride for our country should be present but we should help the others through missions and private charity groups and government when necessary. A movie can't cover everything though, and one mustn't get confused and think it's a Christian movie. Saying "God bless ___" and the presence of the Ten Commandments in a courtroom is the extent of Christianity present in the film. Except for video propoganda presented by Rosie O'Connell, but you'll need to watch to see that for yourself.

In conclusion, I enjoyed the movie and had quite a few laughs. Again, my favorite part is the ACLU lawyers scene. My least favorite part was the audience. It bugs me when people clap at the end of movies (or at the beginning of movies like in the opening credits of The Dark Knight when Ledger's name came up) but it irks like none other when people clap, hoot, and holler during a movie. Who knew a room full of old people could be so rowdy? Oh yeah, it was dark (naturally), but i'm pretty sure 90% of the people there were white and over 55. I told Nathaniel he was probably the youngest and darkest person in the room.

Bottom line: Go see it, no matter whether you are red, blue, or purple. Especially if you like Michael Moore. Or Leslie Nielson. Or JFK.

Guest Post by Mr. Stupid Sheep

2008-10-03T19:06:00.000-07:00

An American Carol

If there's ever a time when I think it would be imperative to go to a movie on it's opening night, it would be tonight. This movie (An American Carol) is the first big step by the conservative people in the People's Republic of Hollywood, who are hiding in the closet (because they could be blacklisted if they are discovered to not be communists like the rest of em), and if we don't support it, then other conservatives in Hollywood will be afraid to come out. It needs a big opening weekend, or else...

So I think y'all should go see it this weekend. I know we will, Lord willing.

Interjection by Becky: Plus it's directed by the same guy that did Airplane! and Naked Gun so it sounds like a good time.

On another note, there's gonna be a Sara Palin rally tomorrow (Oct. 4) at the Home Depot Center, starting at 2pm. I emailed got this reply about the rally. If you want to go, you need to email them by 5pm TODAY. [SEE UPDATE BELOW]

Thank you for your support of Senator McCain and Governor Palin. If
you are inquiring about tickets to the Saturday, October 4 rally with
Governor Palin in Carson, please allow for 12 hours as our server has
been overwhelmed with a high volume of responses. You will be
receiving an email confirmation of your request that you can present
at the gate and will grant your admission to the event. We look
forward to seeing you on Saturday!

PLEASE NOTE: WE WILL CEASE THE DISTRIBUTION OF E-TICKETS BEGINNING AT
5:00 p.m. ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3rd.

To guarantee tickets, we highly encourage you to visit your local
McCain-Palin Victory Headquarters which can be found at:

http://california.johnmccain.com/California.htm

Thank you,

California McCain-Palin 2008 Team

We'll be attending so let us know if you want to join us.

Solely by His grace,
Nathaniel D.R. Watkins

UPDATE: I got an email with 5 general admission tickets (to the rally), plus I know someone who said he'd give me 5 tickets. So 8 fortunate souls can join us. Please let me know if you want in.

Halloween

2008-09-26T18:33:00.000-07:00

So I was looking my Google analytics reports and saw some interesting stuff in the keywords. Last year I wrote a "review" of a book on Halloween I read. This year, it's bringing readers. Okay, maybe not readers, as all but one spent 0 seconds on the site. And the last? 4 minutes. I'm impressed, considering what they were looking for.

4. christian halloween john piper (this one was not a new visitor)
6. halloween laboratory
7. john piper halloween
8. john piper on halloween
10. outline for "all saint's day" worship service (this visitor also visited another article on my blog and i'm highly curious which one)

Well, that's all for now.

Except...QotD: would you still have a job if economic policy went your way? I'm not sure i would. Without income taxes and with less government involvement, payroll would be much easier to process. So less people would need to outsource for that and more people would be able to do it, making fees less and competition higher. My boss, a tax preparer and financial advisor, would always have business though, because people would always be investing. The stock market would be a little crazy at first though...good or bad? I don't know. Let me hear your opinions!

First Post as Mrs. Watkins

2008-09-24T18:03:00.000-07:00

Althought legally my last name is still Grove. >.< I'm so anxious for the marriage certificate to get here.

Thanks to everyone who came to my wedding and we missed those of you who didn't. We are having a Costume Reformation Housewarming party next month though, so please email (wedding[at]becksterslaboratory[dot]com) me if you are interested. It will be a fun time off BBQ, costumes, chillaxing, and who knows what else. Also, if you took pics at the wedding, please email them to us or send us a link to where you uploaded them. Everything happened in a blur so i would appreciate being able to see it from a slow, third-party perspective!

The honeymoon was great and i'll be blogging on that when i can. I also need to update the website to it's permanent state and there are a LOT of thanks i need to add. Before that, i have to finish unpacking boxes, unpack the suitcases, put away the gifts, and decorate. Which makes it really aggravating to go to work. Maybe we'll be up to the task Saturday. Nathaniel's job asked him to work Saturday in order for them to give him ours tomorrow and Friday. He's telling them no because we need that day too much, which will still probably not even be enough. I don't want to be living like this for much longer. Our apartment is much too cute to be such a mess.

Squee

2008-09-10T07:22:00.000-07:00

If the world doesn't get sucked into a Swiss blackhole and end today, then the above reveals how many days are left until my marriage to my dear little buttercup.

Two in One Day - Go Me!

2008-09-06T18:26:00.001-07:00

So i was looking for Filipino catering places for the reception and ran across this:

This one still tops all:

Then 13 Going on 30 and THEN Michael Jackson's original. Yeah.

Election '08

2008-09-06T07:55:00.000-07:00

Move over Palin, Clinton, Rice; there's a new player in town. Veep? Bella, but of course! (click for campaign commercial)

HT: Frank

Just ONE WEEK until my wedding. Heck yes i'm excited.

Attention Reformed Media Peeps!

2008-09-03T22:20:00.000-07:00

The White Horse Inn has a job opening.

http://www.whitehorseinn.org/jobs-media.htm
The purpose of the Director of Media Strategy for White Horse Inn is to conceive, develop, and manage the delivery systems of White Horse Inn and Modern Reformation content. This is a full-time, on-site position.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Conceive and Develop Delivery Systems
Envision and manage the creation of a new White Horse Inn website portal that effectively and clearly delivers White Horse Inn and Modern Reformation content
Create and execute a White Horse Inn strategic plan for media
Direct and oversee White Horse Inn website redesign
Generate innovative and creative new ways for spreading WHI and MR content through various and evolving media and driving listeners/readers to the White Horse Inn website
Manage Delivery Systems
Ability to manage people, budgets, and timelines for effective execution of organizational strategic goals
Ability to evaluate, plan, create, and maintain a website navigation system and website user-centric design
Remain on the cutting edge of current internet and website trends/technology

Reformed Books

2008-08-29T13:45:00.000-07:00

This site looks pretty cool. In some ways similar to a project i have planned for the future, but still plenty different that i will pick up with again when time permits.

http://www.reformedbooks.net

I haven't had a chance to look over it in depth yet, but it seems to be what a resource site should be. It's straight and to the point but still organized into categories for easy browsing. The layout is nice but not too distracting. It seems to be an easy-to-use site with a good number of books listed. It is a subministry of mongerism.com, who said that they have more to be added. Fifteen cool points. Have fun!

Is it Fall Yet?

2008-08-27T18:21:00.000-07:00

It's been getting colder. Fall is my favorite season. I crave of the crisp air brushing across my face. The best month is October, although September is really climbing up there ;)

I was planing on entering the Worldviews Essay contest the Trinity Foundation is putting on, but I didn't get that far in the book, and then I got really busy with wedding-planning and moving. The receive-by date is Labor Day, so really Saturday since mail isn't delivered on holidays. That's not going to happen. I still have a lot of stuff at my old place and Morgan wants her room back. I did enjoy reading the book though and will eventually go back and finish it. I think it will also come in handy years from now as a textbook.

When you need help is when you find out who your friends are. Kudos to Meaghan, Miguel, Sarah, Vaillen, and Greg for helping us out during this moving process.

Dr. Lehman delivered one of the most powerful semons I have heard in a while. The presentation was a little difficult to follow, but the content made you try. It was on prayer. Just showing examples of how prayer has worked and such. It convicted me for waiting for soemthing bad to happen because I have been blessed so much lately. It makes me want to pray more. It has always been a difficult habit to keep (for many people too, i'm sure), so it's good for a basic sermon like that to remind you of the importance and power of prayer. I'm just sad that I always forget about the prayer meeting at our church when scheduling anniversary dates. This Thursday will be one year since Nathaniel and i started "dating" (courting?). I already have something planned and am not sure if I can reschedule it. I thought they were going to start having weekly meetings on Thursdays instead of still monthly on Fridays. That would be so much better. ::shrug::

The Grove-Watkins Wedding!!

2008-08-14T18:30:00.000-07:00

It's getting really exciting now, because our wedding is less than a month away (one day shy, but that's still less!) There is still so much to do but I think I have it all under control (famous last words?) Anyway, we were trying to limit the guest list because the reception hall capacity is so relatively small (and we can't afford food for more people than can fit in that room). It was a very hard task and we did go over (oops. what? Nathaniel has a very large family). However, we decided that since the church can sit 300, that it will be open. So if you didn't get an invite (check your inbox just in case) and aren't a random stranger passing by the blog (that would be a little creepy for us and boring for you) then please consider this an invitation to attend the ceremony. All the details can be found at the website below.

http://wedding.becksterslaboratory.com

Yeah a shameless plug. I put a lot of time into that site. ^__^ You can contact us through the site or leave a message on our comment wall. YAY!

New Site

2008-07-28T18:19:00.000-07:00

I meant to get this up by June 13th or at least July 13th, but that didn't happen. The wedding is less than 7 weeks away and i still need to get out invitations. I am proud to announce, however, that i have finished my wedding website.

http://wedding.becksterslaboratory.com

Nathaniel and i also found the apartment we are going to live in. I get to move there first, in a couple weeks, while he gets to crash other guys' couches from 9/1-9/12. ^__^

Note from the Mad Scientist

2008-07-07T18:00:00.000-07:00

I have been busy working on wedding stuff and reading some books for a study group i am in and a contest i am entering. I don't even read blogs much anymore, but i got a good laugh when FrankFusion sent me a link to a blog that were both on, pegged as moreyites. You wanna know why? I attend FCC. Oh, the horror! LOL

I am so excited. I'm going to the church (that we're getting married at) again tonight. Hopefully we can figure out for sure how many people will fit in the "reception hall." My bridal shower invites have been sent out. I'm so excited. My mom showed me them, and i saw a shopping list on the fridge, but other than that, i'm pretty much in the dark. Is it August yet?

The paper invites and evites for the actual wedding are nearly finished. Now i just need to work on the guest list. That is getting there too! Once i'm done adding, then comes the sad business of substracting because we can't afford so many people.

Repentance is a Lifestyle

2008-06-09T14:08:00.000-07:00

This life, therefore,
is not righteousness but growth in righteousness,
not health but healing,
not being but becoming,
not rest but exercise.
We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it.
The process is not yet finished, but it is going on.
This is not the end but it is the road.
All does not yet gleam in glory but all is being purified.

--Martin Luther, “Defense and Explanation of All the Articles,” Second Article (1521).

What is Worship? Part 1b

2008-05-26T13:07:00.000-07:00

Happy Memorial Day. It's been a while since I posted the first section. According to the date of my saved draft, I started this post on Christmas Eve. Oops; i've been busy. ^__^ Here is the number two of the nine parts to this study. in this section my sources are John Gill and John Frame. I am picking up where I left off, which was answering the question "who is the object of worship?"

Put simply, God is the object of worship. If you are worshiping someone/thing else, you are in sin and need to repent. It's as easy as that. There is a plethora of articles, audio sermons, and videos that I could point you too for more depth on the topic. So much so that I don't know where to start, so I am moving on. Worship is just too important to put things simply and leave it at that. We worship the one true God, Jehovah (YHWH - LORD). There are different aspects that one can and needs to keep in mind while worshiping. You can emphasize different parts of God's character for different approaches. One must worship with His essence in mind, which is simple, uncompounded, immutable, infinite, and eternal. Remember that He is the Lord "thy" God. In other words, He is your creator, benefactor, supporter, and preserver. According to John Gill, the name Elohim is derived from an Arabic word that signifies to worship. However, I haven't found any other sources that say that, and have only found that it is the plural of El. His citation for it does not even seem to be in English. He could be saying that because El means God, or a diving being, the very nature of which evokes worship. Which happens to be the very argument of this section. ^__^

Trinity
We worship God the One, and we also worship God the three. We worship Him as the triune Godhead, three in one. Baptism is a form of worship and it is administered in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is done under God's authority and command, and to baptise into the name of a creature would be idolatrous. Prayer is another form of worship and it is, imho, one of the best displays of the triunity of God at work. Access and address is most frequently made to the Father because He has no office. Christ is our mediator to the Father, and the Spirit assists our supplications to the Father. Through prayer (not solely of course, nor that it is by any work of our own) the Father grants us, Jesus is the petition for, and the Spirit is the increase of grace and peace. Of course, we pray to Jesus or the Spirit directly as well. Acts of faith, hope, and love are also forms of worship. The Father was the object of Christ's love as man and mediator, so He is the object of love of those that believe in Him (John 14:31). As Jesus' people, we hope in Him for happiness, and have an affectionate devotion for Him. Graces from the Spirit are exercised on the Spirit; we have faith, trust, and hope that He will finish the good work.

Covenant Lordship
This part is an idea that John Frame really likes to push, and rightly so. We worship God as our covenant Lord, our prophet, priest, and king. His relation to us is lord, but it is not a mutually dependent covenant. His divinity precedes our existence. He is the one that is not only in complete control (king role) of the universe, but created it as well. We are totally dependent on Him and our worship should reflect that. His authority (prophet role) denotes his right to be obeyed. We should not question Him. His authority covers all other authorities that may be. He is above all, and therefore should take precedence and those finite authority should be in submission to Him as well. His authority covers all of life and all the ends of the earth. Just as He created the universe, there is no corner that is outside His realm. Our worship should reflect this also. Lastly, as our covenant Lord, He has a great presence (priest role). He is always with us and involved with us. This last role presupposes the previous two, and none of them are independent of the others. They are tied together so closely and are but a different perspective of God's almighty power. This one, i think, is the one that can really bring worship home for someone. How can you know that God is there with you and not worship properly? The very God who gave and sustains your life is there with you. All powerful but made Himself available for us, for our happiness and peace, for His glory. That idea alone should bring you to your knees.

To the exclusion of all others
One cannot worship God in addition to others. A person must not worship idols. This includes images of things in heaven, earth; or the sea or man-made works of gold and silver. All these things are not bad, but it can only point back to God's glory at best and is not something that should be worshiped. This also includes idols of the heart. This one is more tricky since it can often be subtle and not as obvious as worshiping a statuette. A person must also not worship creatures in the heavens or on the earth. It is sinful to worship the sun, moon, or stars. They are but mere creations and with all their radiance only reflect back a fragment of God's glory. We should not worship men, heroes, or kings/presidents, whether good or bad. Even the most virtuous, honorable person is only a sinner created in the image of God. Anyone who worships a man is missing the point. Lastly, we don't even worship angels, and especially not demons. These are celestial beings but they too were created for the purpose of worshiping God and should not be worshiped themself.

Gospel-centered
Most importantly, our worship is to be with the beautiful truth of the gospel front and center. In the garden (of Eden), Adam and Eve had a pure worship, an adulterated paradise of life and God. It was a pretty sweet deal, but, well you know the story. At any rate, pre-Fall it was a unique type of worship. Afterwards, the worship centered around sacrifices. I will get more into more detail on this in part eight of this study. Times where the word group for worship is used in the old testament is referring to the various sacrifices and detailed procedures that God instructed Israel to do. It was atonement of sins of sorts, but it didn't work since they had to continually do it. It was worship because they are displaying the knowledge that they are in need of a savior. It's a recognizing of this Supreme Being and being in total submission to Him. Christ fulfilled so many things on the cross, among which is worship. We now worship a risen Lord. Where all worship in the old testament was a shadow, a pointing forward of things to come, worship in the new testament and beyond is a fulfillment of that. Every act of worship today should point to the wonderful work of Christ. There is no worship without a true understanding and appreciation of the mercy and grace of our great God.

Stayed tune for the next discussion, where we will look into the qualifications of the worshiper. Yep, not any joe can just decide he feels like worshiping. There are some important qualities that must be present first for his worship to have any significant value, by God's grace (ooh spoiler: that is one!).

Life:Gallery

2008-05-20T20:55:00.000-07:00

So maybe you are wondering what sort of fun stuff has been keeping me from posting? What sort of crazy adventures does Becky go on when not playing payroll manager M-F 830-530?

A couple weeks ago I finally drew up the courage to open a box at the bottom of a stack of boxes at the front of my garage. I was afraid because I couldn't remember what was in there but I knew whatever it was, it had to be ruined. I procrastinated through another rainy season. When I saw the writing on top of the box - "FRAGILE! If anything happens to the contents of this box, I will have to kill you!!! (Have a nice day)" - my heart sunk because I realized my porcelain dolls were in there. The top layer seemed in good order (a birthday present from Nathaniel was still in its box and I would be über sad if it were messed up). As I (ok we, I halted the project until Nathaniel came over) rifled through spiders, we realized the dolls at the bottom (therefore, the biggest ones) were too moldy to even attempt to clean. So we salvaged the parts and had a bit of fun in the process.

This weekend me and the girls went dress shopping for them. They helped me pick out the fabrics for my dress. Afterwards we had lunch in Little Tokyo. Ten cool points to whoever can guess who posed first in this picture.

I meant to post more, but I am hungry and anxious to try the Lime Shrimp ramen I made. Bokurano is calling. Until next time...whenever that may be. I don't write much because I am working on the wedding website when I am on the computer with extra time.

My Testimony

2008-05-14T09:19:00.000-07:00

Below is the testimony I gave a few weeks ago as part of the membership process at my church.

..~<@>~..

One day a couple decided to get their daughter a puppy. They took her to the pound, pointed to an adorable mutt lying in a cage and asked her if she liked that puppy. The girl answered positively and her eyes shined with delight as she gazed upon her soon-to-be pet, now standing and wagging its tail, staring back at her with equal excitement. With that, the parents took the girl back home, leaving the puppy behind. They dug out an old doghouse from the back of the garage and scrubbed it of the dust that accumulated over the years. They bought new food and water dishes and chewtoys for the puppy. Sometimes they would buy treats for the puppy as well. When asked if she had a pet, the girl would tell people about her puppy at home. She loved to spend time shaking a chewtoy or grabbing the leash for a walk. There was just one problem; through all this, the puppy was still at the pound. The dogfood spilled over the wet ground around as it was filled more and more but with no dog to eat it or drink the water. The girl must've been quite a sight, waving a squeaky rubber newspaper in the air, and dragging an empty leash around the neighborhood. When people came to visit, they wondered where the famous puppy was, but didn't inquire about it. If the family said it was there, it must be around somewhere out of site, perhaps sleeping peacefully in a bright corner of the yard. They would know if they had a puppy, and who was anyone to question that? Of course, this poses a major problem. The little girl liked owning a dog, but -in reality not owning one- never experienced the pleasure that comes from from actually owning a dog. And as time went on, she has a false sense of security, relying on her non-existent guard dog to protect her as she took the leash on a walk or left the house empty. Her family and friends truly believed she had a dog, so the girl never for one minute doubted her ownership of that puppy at the pound.

This was me for most of my life, if you can compare faith to an animal. At four I said the prayer and at five I was dunked in the Pacific by a Calvary Chapel South Bay pastor. I thought I was set. One time at AWANA, which I was a part of from 2nd grade through junior high, we had to give our testimonies. My mom told me that I had what was called a boring testimony: I was a good Christian all of my life. I never understood what so many people had against God and Christianity, or why there was so much controversy surrounding religion. I didn't get why they wouldn't just say the prayer. It only took a minute! They could carry on with their strange customs if they just accept Jesus into their heart, and it would all be good. My family stopped going to church when I was 12, just when I was old enough to go to the secondary school class. We continued with AWANA, but I stopped going when I got to high school, because no churches in the area offered a varsity program. I didn't want to join a youth group because I was basically just in AWANA for the verse memorization and games (ie, competition). Fellowshiping and spiritual growth was not my goal. Eventually, I started going to church again at 19. I had been feeling guilty that I didn't go. I couldn't state a reason to do so, but I just felt like I should.

I didn't get the gospel. I didn't even know what it meant. Even though the church I attended when I said the sinner's prayer seems to believe that you can be saved without hearing the gospel, that's not the case. I understood the term as a music genre and what the first four books of the new testament are called, but that was about it. You can forget about atonement. I thought that Jesus offered himself up as a hostage exchange for a group of Jews that had been captured by the Romans. I figured they considered that an even trade because, well, he's JESUS. I believed in free will and thought God created the world because He was bored and needed company. I had never heard words such as Fall, Atonement, Sanctification, etc. I thought Grace was just a characteristic or nice girl's name. I was familiar with Christian songs (contemporary and traditional), but didn't pay much mind to them or saw beyond a superficial meaning or nice beat. Church meant pasting cotton balls to sheep shapes. I didn't get why religion was so controversial or why people didn't want to rather be safe than sorry and take a couple minutes to accept Jesus in their heart so they can go to Heaven and watch the angels play harps all day long too.

I can't give a specific date when I became saved. I can pinpoint it sometime while I was reading Desiring God by John Piper, which did take me a while because there's a lot in there and I didn't always find time to sit down and read. I just know that who I was before and after reading it was entirely two different people. I don't attribute it to the book, of course. It was purely the work of the Holy Spirit. As far as the means used, attending Monday night apologetics tore down my worldview and wrong conceptions about religion and life, while Desiring God built it up to the right focus (that's not to say Faith Defenders wasn't edifying). I, like many people, had wrestled with the meaning of life. I didn't believe true happiness existed, that we were only sometimes blissful for a while. The only thing I knew my whole life was that God must've had to put us here for a reason, and we'd have to deal with it. I found out that life is so much more than just dealing. We have meaning and purpose, the basic core of which is to glorify God. I was a new person, and found myself "happy" even when I had every reason to be sad. There was now a firm foundation where there was just sand or pixie dust or something before. I saw a deeper beauty to everything. Most importantly, I had a strong confidence and hope that Jesus paid for my sins, and I was determined to show my respect and appreciation, what little I could give.

Maybe it's a little silly to compare one's faith to an animal, but it's even sillier to think that a little prayer could save someone. Thankfully, by God's grace and providence, I was saved from a meaningless life of guilt and humanism, and brought to a new life of continuous joy and gratitude towards our gracious Creator, ever-loving Savior, and vitalizing Comforter. I am glad to have found a church that follows the Bible and look forward to being a part of Faith Community Church, to edify and be edified.

Praise God!

2008-04-29T13:24:00.000-07:00

My car was broken into Sunday night. It's rather ironic because i have gone whole summers in a variety of neighborhoods will all four of my windows cracked an inch. My fiance advised me not to do that on my street anymore. When i got some things out of my car Sunday afternoon, i rolled down my passenger window just a centimeter to let some air in. Thinking back, i'm not sure why, as it would be cooled down by the next time i would be using it - the next day, for work. So Monday morning i get in my car and saw a napkin on the floor on my side. Something felt off, but i figured i must have just dropped it last time i got out of my car. I do that a lot. Then i looked over and saw my glove compartment open. I figured it must not have been closed well because i have so much stuff in there and it dropped open when i shut that door the day before. Then i noticed the door was unlocked. I remember checking it as i always do. Oh no, i thought...i looked at the spot behind the cupholders where i keep my cd player under the radio - yep, my car was broken into. I automatically thought of what Nathaniel would say. Of course this had to happen the week after he warned me not to leave my windows open. Not even when all four were open more, but just one open a sliver. Skills man, i don't know how they do it! My locks are in the handles even, not on top next to the windows. I looked in my back seat to see if anything else was missing. That's when i noticed my center console was open. That explains the napkins, which, when i bent down to pick it up, realized was several napkins and my lint roller. I noticed some other stuff was thrown around and the contents dumped from my messanger bag. Nothing else seemed to be missing, so i started my car and left for work.

My car was making funny noises and i realized i should've checked my car before driving it. I was running late though, so i just got to work, parked, and hurried up. I told my coworker what happened and realized that i had some CDs in my car. They were hiding so well i forget they are there. So on my lunch, i checked my tires and the body of my car...everything is normal. I open my trunk and saw the source of the noise: my bowling ball was rolling around. I look around and see my shoes and rosin bag are still there, along with my spare tire and gas can. So they just took my bowling bag. I understand why they would want that and nothing else in my car (i have quite a bit of stuff in my back seat). There was a skull and cross pins on it...the coolest bag ever to carry your booty. I checked my car and saw my CDs were still there. Along with a DVD i forgot about. They were hiding behind a McDonald's bag. I brought those inside my room, where my second CD player and bowling bag was. Yep, all the thief got was stuff i had doubles of. I'll take that as a warning and try harder to heed Nathaniel's advice from now on.

Wait, no...i forgot they also got Dr. Bob's sermon that was in the CD player and the book of Romans on CD from the glove compartment. I'm a bit sad about this, as it was a Christmas present from '05 and i hadn't listened to it yet, but there's always a chance they listen to both and get saved. ^__^

Hey Kids

2008-04-26T09:39:00.000-07:00

Yeah I haven't posted in a while. I have quite a few unfinished posts, but i have lots of other projects that i'm working on. Including trying to plan a wedding. I just wanted to post this site i found. I have a Napster subscription, but there are a few albums that are buy-only. A dollar a track was still a little high, so i did some shopping around and found this site that costs ten cents a track! So turn from your iTunes ways and convert today! You have to deposit a minimum of $19.99 into your account to download (if you buy more, there are bonuses) but when you do, i'll get money in mine, so it's a win-win situation really.

Don't delay, sign up today! (please)

I do still regularly add posts of note from my blogroll. See the sidebar at left.

Homeschooling

2008-03-13T07:50:00.000-07:00

The current appeals ruling that deems homeschooling illegal in the state of California is ridiculous. However, I am impressed that people such as the govenator and the superintendent of public education are opposed to this. Maybe "the right to homeschool" isn't in the constitution in those words exactly, but I think it falls unders the categories of our freedoms. Such as freedom of religion. The government only has a right to intervene when a religion directly breaks another law (the woman who tried to be a legal prostitute by claiming the title of pastor in a new, but wildly popular, church). We have already seen that the government doesn't care about the human rights of unborn children, so it's not surprising it didn't end there.

To add insult to injury, columnists at the LA Times stated

There has always been something decidedly elitist and anti-democratic in home schooling. It smacks of a belief that privileged children should not have to associate with the other kids in the neighborhood and that by staying home, they would not be subjected to the leavening effect of democracy.

Now, this is absurd because what is more democratic than having parents have the say in what their own children learn? Things like this should be in the people's hands, not the governement! It also is not elitist because people who homeschool their children work hard to be able to do so. My mom had to work sometimes, and we were in and out of public school, but when i was old enough to watch my siblings, she gave us lessons before going to work. That probably isn't the best way, but she did teach us after. It's just kind of flipped: do the homework in the morning instead of in the afternoon. Homeschooling is so much more efficient because when the teacher to student ratio is lower, more work can get done. Both my brother and I skipped a grade. However, I digress. Parents who have worked hard so that one can stay home and teach the kids should not be punished for rare cases of using homeschooling to hide abuse. They might as well make abortion mandatory past a certain quota for the year and have all the children born become wards of the state, because no parents are fit to raise their own childern, right? Abuse of something should not lead to its rejection, even though that seems to be a popular theme with our government. There are parents out there who don't work and just live off the government's (OUR) dollar. They could teach their kids. I'm not endorsing welfare. I'm just saying, the way things are, it's possible. For the same reason they don't want to work, it's the same reason they wouldn't homeschool their kids. Parents who aren't lazy shouldn't have their rights taken away.

I was planning on homeschooling the children I have someday. I really hope things change, because I don't want to be run out of California. I wouldn't mind leaving somewhere else, as much as I love it here, but I despise the idea of being forced to go. Al Mohler said to watch out for witch hunts, and it does seem like that could be the case. The liberals are just afraid of more people with views that oppose theirs. They want to suppress our freedom so that the future generation will be compiled only of people whose idealogy matches their own. They aren't for liberty and justice for all. They want a socialist country. I don't see evangelicals trying to push a theocracy on the country. That would make me want to leave state as well: it would be Rome all over again! I guess at this point we just have to wait and see, but you know that if something regarding this shows up on the ballots, I'll be first in line, protecting my future children's education.

Up on the Hilltop

2007-12-24T13:10:00.000-08:00

(Sung to the tune of Up on the Housetop)

Up on the hilltop, people pause
Telling Congress "change our laws!"
Christians refuse, making lots of noise
You can't take away our Christmas joys.
No, no, no! We will not go.
No, no, no! We will not go.
Up on the hilltops, sound the drum:
Down in the streets proclaim Christ is come.

First comes the Scripture, the Word of God
Oh dear it's our firing squad
Man's natural law can't survive the shot
With the Truth we'll conquer the whole lot
No, no, no! We will not go.
No, no, no! We will not go.
Up the mountaintop, raise your sword.
Down in the valley scream "praise the Lord!"

Next they're telling us to keep quiet
Oh they can't kill this glorious riot
With heart and mind we preach Jesus Christ
Their reality resembles Kleist.
No, no, no! We will not go.
No, no, no! We will not go.
Your celebration will end soon, but
We praise Messiah the whole year long!

What is Worship? Part 1a

2007-12-20T19:36:00.000-08:00

For a leadership group I am in, I am going to be studying hymnology, but as a precursor it has been requested that I start with what worship is. So, what is worship? That is a broad question not answered easily. However, I have compiled five basic answers from the texts I have been reading to answer this question.

Gill: "Godliness is the ground work of internal worship, and without which there can be no worshipping(sic) God aright." (A Body of Practical Divinity: Book I, Chapter 2)
Piper: "Worship is a way of gladly reflecting back to God the radiance of His worth." (p.84)
Morey: "True worship is ministering to the Lord." (p.105) and "Worship is all of life." (p.14)
Frame: "Worship is the work of acknowledging the greatness of our covenant Lord." (p.1)

You may ask which one is correct, but the point of this is to gain an understanding of what worship is, so I would argue that they all are correct. My study will incorporate all definitions, as they are not contrasting, but simply different perspectives from pastors with different personalities.

First, let's take some time to examine the word "worship" as used in the Bible, in the original languages. (For a more extensive study, see my friend Glenn's blog for starters.) There are two main groups of words that are most commonly translated "worship." The first is "Abodah" in Hebrew, and "latreia" in Greek, which means "service." From this, we can see that worship is an action. A person must actually participate in worship; it is not sufficient to be a mere spectator at some entertainment event. Also, it is a conscious act, not consequential. It is not something you end up doing while singing or clapping your hands. A person must set out with the intent to worship, and then anything else is consequence. This is because worship starts in the heart, which we will get to in a minute. The second set of words is "shachah" in Hebrew, and "proskuneo" in Greek, which means "to bow down." The first thing that this implies is that we are honoring someone superior to ourselves. This is the right mindset to get into, to remember that God is above you, and not your buddy or boyfriend. A person must have the highest reverence for God and understand WHY he is worshiping Him. He is superior in all things, bow to Him! To do otherwise is contradictory in the root of the very word worship itself. The second thing this means is that the purpose is to please Him first, and any benefits we receive are secondary. A person should not worship with the intent of cheering themselves up or reaching some sort of spiritual high. It is to please the Almighty, and then it just so happens that we obtain feelings of joy or bliss from that. Those secondary benefits don't even always come, even when a person is truly worshiping in his heart. It is in those times he presses on, because he has the hope that even if the LORD doesn't lighten his heart in this life, He will in the life to come. That joy is ever flowing. If a person worships to obtain spiritual highs, he will never be satisfied. His worship would be self-centered and one would doubt his salvation. There is no rock to stand on when the tide rises if worship is only a means to happiness. So from the origins of the word, we see that worship is a conscience act of service to a being greater than yourself for their benefit.

Having an understanding of the word worship is not sufficient to say we have an understanding of what it is. We know it is an act towards a being, but what is the act and who is the being? Stay tuned for the answers to these questions and more. Part 1 will continue in two more sections, with a Part 2 to follow, length undetermined as of yet.

The sources I am referencing for this study are as follows:

Frame, John - Worship in Spirit and Truth
Morey, Robert - Worship: It's Not Just Sunday Morning
Gill's Archive (http://www.pbministries.org/books/gill/gills_archive.htm)
Piper, John - Desiring God
Nave's Topical Dictionary

Sharing Time ^__^

2007-12-05T17:52:00.000-08:00

I would just like to take a moment to direct your attention to the left column of my blog, to a content section entitled "Shared Items from Blogroll." These are my favorite posts from the blogs that i regularly read (list of these at left as well). There is, imho, some interesting things worth reading there. I share stuff ranging from new books, current events, hot moral topics, and more. Most recently, I added a post from Josh Harris' blog linking to an article by Al Mohler about the new movie The Golden Compass. I do think that this (and anything i share) is worth a read.

If you want to subscribe to my share feed (think of it as a reader's digest of the blogs i read) or see the posts in full, here is the link for that.

Al Mohler calls the attack via The Golden Compass new, but it seems to me that movies have slowly been desensitizing society's moral standards. Josh Harris made a good point about this in his blog. Attacks on our theology is not new, when you consider gnostic media such as The Da Vinci Code and V for Vendetta. I suppose the difference here is that is so much less subtle. The author of the book is not shy in stating his agenda, in the books and in interviews. I agree with him on one point, though, and that is wondering why Harry got so much more attention than his books. His Dark Materials (The Golden Compass is book 1 of a trilogy) is an obvious attack on Christianity as a way, while JK Rowling's Harry Potter series just uses fantasy witchcraft as a means to show the power of love. What's more, she set the epilogue the number of years after that she did to make sure that none of it suggested teen pregnancies.Note-If you haven't read The Deathly Hallows yet, don't worry, i haven't given anything away besides the fact that two people out of the entire world survived to the end. I don't think this is a movie to be ignored, but i hope people don't fight to the wrong proportions as they too often do when it comes to culture. Press on and Godspeed.

I just finished The Vile Village from A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. I am only progressing at such an excrutiatingly slow pace because i don't own the books. I borrow them from my brother and get a new one when i see him, and i am reading other things. Don't let that fool you! These books are some of the most entertaining things i have ever read. Such sadistic humor though, so while it's written at a kid's level, i'd suggest reading 'em first before giving them to your child. There really are no happy endings, as the back cover promises there won't be.

Caped Crusaders

2007-11-27T00:47:00.000-08:00

Batman is one of the most famous and loved superheroes, and he doesn't even have any super powers. You can understand the appeal, as he is someone you can relate to. Anyone could be Batman, with enough money and the right tailor. Gotham city is reminiscent of New York or Los Angeles (which the majority of you are probably familiar with). He has the coolest nemeses, snazzy vehicles, and fights crime: who doesn't love Batman (except those crazy Superman purists)? However, too many people try to BE Batman. No, you may not see a bunch of people running around in masks or the bat signal in the sky, but an alarmingly large number of Christians attempt to live two lives. (Read the rest at biblical thought.com)

Halloween

2007-10-22T16:21:00.000-07:00

I am reading a book called Halloween: What's A Christian To Do? by Steve Russo, and it's pretty bad. It is filled with exaggerations and rabbit trails. He actually talks about Halloween for a small percentage of the book. He covers other subjects such as the occult (his favorite), media, and education.

The first chapter is about the historical forerunners to Halloween. He gives a nonbias background of the festivities that influenced Halloween. He did include such facts as Halloween is the Catholic conversion name, that it is not as popular anywhere else as in America, and that what Halloween is today is not even recognizable as the holiday's predecessors. Then he ends the chapter with the question of what are concerned parents going to do. What are they supposed to do? I was surprised at the positive view he was giving of it, but then he turns and acts as if any of the information he gave was cause for concern. The logical conclusion to that chapter would be that Halloween is a harmless holiday fueled by American consumership. On multiple occasions he points out that it's not an official holiday. Look at Memorial Day and Labor Day. The government's decree of what makes an "official" holiday is nearly irrelevant. The popularity of a holiday is driven by consumership. Besides the obvious costumes and candy, large sums of money are spent on decorations, entertainment, party supplies and more by the American people.

After this, he spends many chapters discussing how the occult has crept into general society, the evils of the media, etc. He doesn't relate it to Halloween much; it is stuff that is relevant all year long. His arguments never flow and he gets sidetracked often. If i were to try to outline this book, there would be no rhyme or reason to it. He takes this as an opprotunity to say how everything is evil. What is amusing is that he ends with suggestions of what a Christian is to do with Halloween. He accepts all solutions, from turning off your lights and pretending no one is home (maybe even a sign on your door about why you don't celebrate) to "harvest festivals" to giving safety tips for parents who still want to take their child trick-or-treating.

The way i see it, people should have a valid reason for celebrating any holiday. I don't celebrate Halloween, but Reformation Day. Halloween is to All Saint's Day as Christmas Eve is to Christmas. I could care less about the Catholic saints, which ties back into celebrating Reformation Day. I am thankful that there were men in the past that stood up for the Truth. God used them to bring back grace and faith into mainstream Christianity. It's dwindling again, which is why we are in dire need of a modern-day reformation, but that's another story. The second half to my view on holidays is that a person should be free to celebrate however they want, granted it does not conflict with the Bible. I personally enjoy dressing up and free candy, so if i want to reenact Luther's nailing his 95 Theses to the door of Castle Church in Wittenburg with my hand as a hammer on invisible nails and paper, why not? I don't celebrate St. Patrick's Day, but i might happen to wear green on March 17th because it's a nice color and i usually feel like reconnecting with my Irish roots on that day. I don't celebrate St. Valentine's Day/2nd Halloween, but i might wear all black on February 14th and thank God that he loves us and enabled us to love with true love, and that we don't need pink or hearts or cherubs to obtain a weak copy of that love, or what the world calls love. What romance and love means is also another post. As far as Christmas, Easter, and birthdays, i recognize that they all have their roots in early pagan feasts ans rituals as well, but i celebrate them because of the meaning they have to me. A celebration is defined as a joyful occasion for special festivities to mark some happy event. So what i don't get is when someone blindly "celebrates" a holiday. They make the celebration itself the happy event they are celebrating, but that just bring them around in circles.

If someone doesn't want to celebrate a certain holiday, that's fine, but if they try to convince others not to without having any solid scriptural backing to their reasoning, then they should just keep quiet and agree to disagree. So why am i butting in? I support people's freedom in Christ to live how they want when it doesn't conflict with God's Law. I can't stay quiet when i see people trying to opress others. Viva la refomacion!

Life & Liberty

2007-06-08T00:22:00.000-07:00

This is a short story i wrote in December 2006 for a creative writing class i was in at RCC. It started out as a different story on humanism, based on a novel idea i had. I may still write that someday, but this story didn't want to go in the direction i told it to. What a brat, eh? I think i got an A on it though. I know i should get a picture for this post. I have a perfect story "cover" in mind, but haven't been able to make it yet.
__

Outside a storm is raging. Rain beats against the windows of a high-rise apartment building like bullets from a machine gun. Thunder booms like bombs and the dark clouds fuse with the smog to form a smoky canopy over the city. Inside, there is a Polish grandmother making pierogies, the potatoes boiling over a stove that warms the kitchen. Inside, there is a single mom wrestling her kids into the bathtub, the spilled bubble bath and water splashing onto the floor only adds to her workload. Inside, there is an aspiring college student laboring over a term paper beside stacks of textbooks and take-out boxes. Inside, a man plays his saxophone; the resulting melody floats out into the hallway, where a pair of young girls play with their dollies. On another floor, four men play poker, the aroma of their Coronas and Doritos clash with the tamales wafting in from the adjacent apartment. Above, co-ed teens wander away from innocence. Higher up, a woman pours cocktails for herself and her male visitor, who she swears is like a brother to her, while her husband is away on business. Across the hall and three doors down, three girlfriends get ready for a night on the town. Down below, under all of this, in a small studio apartment on the first floor is Liberty, a late-twenties-something living alone. She heats up ramen noodles while sorting through her mail and glimpsing at whatever sitcom is flashing on the tube. She couldn't tell you the name. She had no sincere interest on anything on TV, but she is still hooked, watching it like a ritual. Her motive is unknown even to herself. Perhaps it is to learn something (unlikely), perhaps to hear something amusing to brighten her day (for as long as the laugh track lasts), perhaps to momentarily escape reality (this is most likely the case). It's not that her life is particularly bad. She run in the park, goes to work, runs errands, comes home, and usually goes out again. She's been to Broadway and seen the Nix and the Yankees play. She's taken cooking, painting, and even belly dancing classes. Nothing can excite her anymore. Temporary happiness is all anything has ever provided her.

At one time, she was one of the girls playing dolls. At one time, she was the passionate musician, making beautiful music on her flute. At one time, she was the aspiring student, working with everything she had to obtain the very best grades. More than one time, she wandered from innocence with a boy, but there is only so far a person can go before he or she has to drop the claim of innocence. She was almost the single mom wrestling with her kid every night. She's been one of the girlfriends getting ready for girls' night out plenty of times. The bouncers at one of the clubs would even recognize her at the newspaper stand, he saw her so much. She's followed this trend and that, but whether it was yoga, aromatherapy, or retro sunglasses, at the end of the day, she always found herself unsatisfied. She was definitely living the American dream, the Ms. Independent that every modern woman dreams of becoming, she was sure. She flipped to HBO to watch a rerun of a show about four women that seemed to have so much fun in the city. She used to idolize them, and can say with confidence she had their lives, maybe even better versions of them. She got tired of that life last night and is now looking for something else to energize her. It's always something new. The phone rings as her ramen just reaches a boil. She adds the seasoning and answers the phone.

"Hey Libby," her friend Felicity says in her usual, cheery, slightly ditzy voice. "So...have you, like decided if you want to go to Sway tonight?" Liberty sighs. Felicity, the self-elected group mother had made it a goal for her and their group of friends to visit every nightclub in New York.

"No, I think I'll just stay in tonight," replies Liberty.

"Uuuhn," whines Felicity, "that's what you said last night too. It took forever to convince you to go out. Why are you becoming such a prude al of a sudden?"

"I just don't fee like it tonight, maybe tomorrow night."

"You're not going to flake out on Vegas next week, are you?"

"I don't know, give kisses to the girls for me, much love, buh-bye," Liberty rushes the last few words, half-mocking Felicity by raising the pitch of her voice, and hung up the phone. Last time she went out with them, all the guys were the same, the drinks tasted the same, and the each song mix played was the same as the one before it. Each club looked like the last, and while Felicity's aim may have been to provide her friends with exciting, new experiences, for Liberty it wasn't working. She hears a sizzling, turns and looks at the stove and shouts something that would have offended the pierogie-woman from upstairs, even without knowing English. She turns off the burner as she reaches for a rag to sop up the water that had flowed over. Not feeling like making a new pot of ramen, she grabs her long, black pea coat and pulls it on, fumbling with the large buttons and wondering if the coat would be a sufficient guard against the rain. She grabs her scarf and starts looking for her keys. She heads out the door and begins her quest for food.

She walks to a nearby diner and enters with a ding-a-ling of the chimed door behind her. She notes the varied faces around her. Some are drooping with exhaustion, some are tight with stress, some are tired behind smiles, and some are full of youthful bliss, but those will disappear into weariness too soon. She roots through her pockets as she looks over the specials, then realizes she isn't in the mood for any of it, so she leaves the store, back out into the storm. She pulls the scarf tighter around her head as she walks down the street. Pizza... no... a hot dog... no... tacos... no... Chinese... She let out an exasperated sigh as she thought about the ramen she could have been eating in her relatively warm apartment right now. She continues on, further away from her apartment building. She ignored a beggar she passes sitting under a cardboard box with a tin in front of it. His problems are his own, what's in it for her to help him? Someone tells her "Jesus loves you" as they hand her something from beneath their raincoat. She laughs as she dropped the tract on the ground. Lots of guys have told her they love her, none of it means anything. Love doesn't exist; it's just like happiness, a passing emotion that satisfies only a little while. A car spews muddy water onto her as it speeds by; she screams obscenities ash shakes her middle finger at the vehicle already halfway down the block. Fuming now, she thrusts her hands into her pockets and walks faster and shoves the people with her shoulder as she passes them. She passes a darkened art museum. During the day it boasts of beauty and worth, but right now it looks the same as every other building on the street: cold, aging, dingy. It is nothing more than a quiet block of stone full of weak attempts at a theory called beauty. She passes a middle-aged woman, or maybe a young man, in vinyl boots under her (his?) trench coat. She passes a kitten with gray fur matted to its scrawny body. She passes some well-dressed teenagers swaggering into a cab. She passes an elderly man, with wild eyes to match his hairstyle, talking to himself, she passes a couple standing two inches away from each other so they can hear each other's shots over the howl of the storm. She passes meaningless life after meaningless life, people chasing happiness, looking for something they will never find. She passes buildings and signs that offer these things, but how could they ever provide something that doesn't exist? She found herself at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge. Shivering, she stands staring at the mammoth structure with cars, going nowhere, driving back and forth over it. Under the bridge, East River reflects her life, fast cold, and the falling rain gets lost in it, one big mass of darkness. Walking along the bridge now, she stops and leans over to get a better look. The river takes over anything that dares to enter its realm, not only the rainwater. Life is really no different, she thinks, slipping at first as she steps onto the railing. It absorbs things, she contemplates as she finds her grip on the thick wires, things like new experiences that people want to try out or old routines that they cannot let go of. She pauses, gazing down into the raven abyss, but life is always the same rabble, nothing ever really changes. She lets go of anything she ever held on to in her pitiable existence, nothing ever really matters.

Proverbs 16:9

2007-05-23T12:16:00.000-07:00

I wrote this April 23rd, 2005, a couple weeks after becoming a Calvinist. I was still a baby Christian, only having started going to church again six months prior. That may seem like a long time to be on milk. You're right, i was going through the Gerber stages. Here it is though, raw and exposed. Enjoy. ^__^
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ESV
The heart of man plans his way,
but the LORD establishes his steps.

I want to focus on the second line, but let's talk about the first one a little bit before we get into that. The heart is a very important object in a Christian's life. Not only is it physically how we stay alive, but it is where we keep Jesus, where our feeling sprout from, etc. It is the center of our bodies, the focus of a lot of teaching. I see it as representation of all three of our parts. It is physical, emotional, and spiritual. It has connection with our mind. No, i think what we call mind is more like our spiritual heart. That's where we think. We feel with our emotional heart. It is the center of us and where God works. It's the connection between Him and us, in a way. Am i making any sense? Let me try to get more on track: in the Bible, it seems the heart is not just where we feel, but also where we think. And where we...plan! A plan is not something that is set in stone. It is set in our hearts. A plan is a scheme, a purpose, something that we mean to do. We can not say we are going to do something, and know that we definitely will. Things change. They don't always go our way, but they always go God's way. It is good to plan. We aren't supposed to just sit around and wait for God to do everything. We need to be actively working towards doing His will. We pray and use wisdom to make plans that we think are His will. We may end up being wrong, but that's okay. We just have to know when we are so that we won't be defying Him.

Webster defines establish as such:

· to order, ordain, or enact (a law, etc) permanently

· to set up (a nation, business, etc)

· to cause to be; bring about

· to set up in a business, etc

· to cause to be accepted

· to prove; demonstrate

But before we look at that word, notice that the word "steps" is used. You see - God is not only sovereign over major stuff, our final destination, but also every step that leads to that point. You can go a little further in the chapter and get to verse 33, which says, "The lot is cast into the lap, but every decision is from the LORD." He has designed our lives and the lives of others to work so perfectly together and to reach the end that he has chosen, all of which glorifies Him.

God ordains permanently the things that we do. All that we do has been decided before the beginning of time. The things God has ordered are for sure, definite. Things always go his way. He has no back-up plans or a "plan B." He doesn't need one. He is the great Designer and is in control of everything. He never has to slap his knee and say, "foiled again!" or "oh well, better luck next time." No! He is sovereign over all.

God sets up the things that we do. We all know that God isn't reaching down and moving our arms and legs Himself. What He does do is set up everything in a way that we will do exactly what He planned. He can do this directly or indirectly. He may speak to us, change our hearts, or maybe he does that to someone that we come in contact with. There are MANY ways in which God works, and we may never know all of them (He is so wonderful and complex). Just know that He is working...all the time, in everything. There is no escaping Him. Don't view that in a negative way, but in a positive one. It is sin and guilt that causes a person to feel uncomfortable at the thought. We should really feel at peace; he's always by our side, always setting up things for our good and his glory!

God brings about the things that happen. He doesn't just set the stage then sit back. This proves open theists wrong. Open theology says that God created the world, but he doesn't know what is going to happen, that he doesn't know the future, that he isn't sovereign over everything. God is omniscient, omnipotent, and actively working in our lives and the lives of others. He is ever bringing about the display of His glory.

So far we have see that God ordains something, sets it up, and brings it about. It doesn't stop there. He also sets up in things. Let's say that God wants you to go to a specific college. He sets it up and brings it about. Now what? He also has in mind what classes He wants you to take, so He sets that up as well. People tend to look over the smaller things, but they are just as important. With out all the little small things, the bigger thing would not have happened. So don't forget to thank God for everything. Remember that this life, and his grace and mercy that allow us into eternal life, is a gift. Don't take it for granted. God is constantly at work - yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is setting and bringing about His will in His children's lives. Never think that you have anything to boast for except for the cross. EVERYTHING is a gift from the Lord. It's our job to our part. Not because God needs our help, because He doesn't, but because it's the least we can do after all that He has done for us. He doesn't want us to be lazy. We are representatives of Christ, after all.

God causes to be accepted things that happen. We can work at something, and have it not come to pass. That is God not accepting our plans. If we were actually in control of our own lives in the sense some people like to say, then would hard workers fail as much as they do? Sometimes we are working towards the wrong thing, and we get something else, because God would rather we have that. But sometimes we work towards what God wants us to have, and He lets it come to pass. He allows the devil to do things as well, and that's why bad things happen. But don't despair, for Satan can't lift so much as a pinky with out the Lord's permission (sorry - don't remember what verse this is). We can look to Job for several examples of this. Job was going about His life as usual when everything changed. Did he do anything different to cause his children to die and crops to fail? No, because we aren't in control of our own fate. It was Satan's doing, but God allowed him to do so. God set boundaries where Satan couldn't interfere. Do you really think Satan listened? I bet he wanted to do more, but God made it impossible. Things kept getting worse because God expanded the boundaries a little bit. When Job had proven himself and it was time for him to be rewarded, he wasn't just sitting in his living room when BAM! He had a new family and his business was booming again. He had to go out and work for it himself. He didn't know what was going to happen, but God did, and God made it come about. He caused to be accepted Job's plans for success just as he caused to be accepted the devil's plans for Job's demise. Nothing can happen unless God allows it.

The last definition is a bit harder and I'm not sure if it even applies. This connotation is used in a sentence such as, "the lawyer established the client's innocence." It's a showing of something to the public, setting it forward as fact. There are places that i can go with this, and make it fit, but i really don't think that this is the way this word was meant to be used in this verse. Though you can't doubt that people notice God's works in our lives, and He is glorified when we realize which prayers were significance in a change, when we notice how one little thing could have been changed and things could've turned out in a totally different way than they did. One could say that our steps can be proved to be a part of His will, or that God's glory is demonstrated through our steps.

Some of you may have problems with word studies because of all the different translations. I don't know any of the original languages of the Bible, or else i would do it that way. I used the ESV because it is a literal translation that has been hailed as one of the best modern translations. Please see their official site for more information on this specific translation. The following is the same verse repeated in a few different translations. Do with them what you will. Look at the one you use and then apply what i wrote, read them all and see if you see anything contradictory, etc. I hope that you accept this as truth and that it has better helped you understand the amazing sovereignty of God and how worthy of praise and glory He is.

NIV
In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps.

NASB
The mind of man plans his way,
But the LORD directs his steps.

The Message
We plan the way we want to live,
but only GOD makes us able to live it.

New Living Translation
We can make our plans,
but the LORD determines our steps.

New King James
A man's heart plans his way,
But the LORD directs his steps.