July 27, 2011

I posted on this earlier in the month, but wanted to do a little update. I am taking the Read the Bible in 90 Days class again at my church. This class is with a different group of people. There is an older couple in the group who seems to be really, truly enjoying this class. They come each week with comments and revelations that they have discovered in their reading. They had borrowed the 90 day Bibles from others who took the class before them, but have become so involved they went and ahead and purchased there own. They also bought to go with them the book the explains each book of the Bible, along with another book that highlights individual people. (that book looks really interesting, may have to buy that one myself).

Anyway, this time through I am reading it on my Kindle. The 90 Day bible was available for it. Down at the bottom of the Kindle for each book it gives the percentage that you have read. As of today, I have completed 45% of the Bible. We are currently in the Psalms. One thing I like is as I read the Psalms I come across phrases and sentences that I recognize being sung in some of today's Christian songs. Like "his love endures forever". And, "rather have one day in his house then thousands elsewhere".

I took this class a second time because the couple leading it asked me if I would. I really didn't want to commit to another long class so soon after Disciple I. But, I must say....I am so glad that I did!

July 21, 2011

We are in the midst of a heat wave. It's been over a hundred for the past couple of days and very, very humid. I've heard several comments from other people that "if this is what hell will be like, I don't want to go there!" Also saw someone post on Facebook that..."Satan called, he wants his weather back!"

All funny...but, really....I'm sure hell will be even worse then this for those unfortunate enough to be condemned there!

July 16, 2011

Today is Saturday and it's a busy day for me. Chris is not working today, but we are each doing our own thing today. He is off to volunteer at the Hoosier Valley Railroad museum. I am going to be helping my brother with his restaurant at the Jasper County Fair. Today, I get to run the Snow Cone machine so I will be outside...and it's supposed to be hot today. Actually, it's supposed to be hot all week which is typical for our fair. Hot, humid....so it must be fair time.

Tomorrow I will at least be indoors where there is AC as I will be running the cash register. Then, I may be working later in the week on Thursday. Not sure yet. I had hoped to work for him more this week, but so far it's just the weekend and maybe Thursday. But, every little bit of extra money helps.

The fair is big in this town and in this county. When I was growing up the county fair for us was a 35 minute or so drive. I was never involved in 4-H so the fair was just someplace fun to go to for one day when it was going on. Here in Rensselaer, it is big and the kids involved in 4-H spend weeks and months preparing their projects. Whether it be something involving animals, or photography these kids work (and sometimes the parents, too) for a long time to get ready. Animals are big here, but then this is a big farming community. I sometimes wish I had been involved in 4-H as a kid. When I look at the sewing projects, the food entries, basket making...it really looks fun and educational.

I work at the fair till 3 today, then Chris should be home. We plan to buy and devour our usual once a year fair food. Fried veggies and an elephant ear. Once a year is about all my arteries can handle of fair food!

July 12, 2011

Been a busy recent couple of days. I have so much going on between my three jobs, activities at church, things with friends. While it's good to be busy, it can also make you overlook the little things you should be doing each day to remain on your walk with the Lord. Like a daily devotion.

When I get overly busy as I've been, I let this fall to the wayside. Or even praying. I don't take the time and praying is something you can really fit in anytime, anywhere. Even taking a shower..you can get in a prayer. I don't think God minds that your standing there naked with water falling on you.

Make sure you take the time to spend a few moments of your day with God. Praying or doing a daily devotion.

July 11, 2011

"Be strong and courageous, Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

July 9, 2011

"For the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught." Proverbs 3:26

July 9, 2011

I've been asked to take over the piano playing for the Worship Team at my church. I learned to play the piano as a child, taking lessons through most of high school. There were several kids in my class who also took piano lessons. I was one of the kids who took the lessons, but did not do much practicing in between. The other kids who were taking lessons then were much better at playing then I was. I'm sure it was mostly because I did not apply myself and it is something I regret now, but I do know my abilities on the piano are not a hopeless cause.

For many things, I've had to go back to the basics. While I can play most intermediate pieces with some work and practice...some of the basics of music I have forgotten. Like exactly which note is which on the piano keyboard. If the music I'm reading is in the center part of the keyboard I'm OK, but go to high or to low...I have to stop and figure it out going back to basically following the scale...A, B, C, etc. Also the dynamics of when to repeat, skip forward, go back.

I am nervous about doing this, there is no doubt. Playing with people who are singing and also someone on drums and guitar..well, if you goof you can't just stop and restart. Plus, it's probably been over 15 years since I really played the piano regularly. Actually I would guess to say it was over a 15 year time span that I never even played at all! So, talk about being rusty.

I do have a good teacher who is helping me relearn a lot of this. Plus a new found desire to actually play again. And also the fact I will be playing for the joy and praise of worshiping the Lord it makes it much easier to face my fears of playing with a group like this.

July 8, 2011

Anyone who may be following my blog will notice I did change the name. What was once "The Pretend Christian" is now "Life, Christ and other things". The original title fit when I began this blog, but since I'm not pretending anymore I really wanted to change it. The new title just seems to fit with my meanderings and ramblings that I put down here.

July 7, 2011

I am going to try and keep my blog more current. I haven't posted anything in almost a month! And a busy month it has been.

One thing occupying my time is I am again taking the Read the Bible in 90 Days class at church. This involves a lot of reading each day. What I am finding this second time through the class is I am absorbing what I'm reading a bit more. The first time through, I was reading fast to try and keep up and some days I felt I really didn't "read" it. Kind of hard to explain. But, this time I'm reading with more purpose and also keeping a notebook beside me. I am pausing and writing things down, especially stories or passages that stand out to me.

Reading the entire Bible is not easy. Parts of it are really difficult and tedious. I made it through Leviticus which is one of the more difficult books...and Numbers. My next hurdle will be Isaiah. I remember that as being a difficult book to read the first time through the class.

But, what an accomplishment. I've read the entire Bible once..and at the end of this summer I will have read it again.