Empowered Traditionalist

I woke up anxious. A paralyzing, gnawing, bewildering knot in my stomach scattered any thoughts of going back to sleep.
Flat on my back, I wimpered, “It’s 2009, Oh God, there are a lot of hurdles to be faced in the months ahead. I don’t think I have what it takes…”
Throughout the day, I pushed my anxiety aside through vigorous work and exercise. But the questions still loomed-“What’s in store ahead? Success? Failure? I don’t know what I’m doing!”

It wasn’t till this evening, when I encountered the truth of the scriptures that my spirit bounded up once more.

Christ is the Great Shepherd, (Heb 13:20) and the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4). I think Randy Alcorn had it right when he wrote:

“No other illustration so vividly portrays His tender care and guiding hand.”

The rest I sought emerged at last as I meditated on the guiding, loving hand of our God. He does not leave us to wander alone through 2009, He is not surprised by the future; He is our “guiding hand” and our strong support.

2009, here we come. I’m ready now.

________

Sources: “Shepherd Status”, Randy Alcorn in Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Occasionally, only occasionally I participate in things of this sort- but I need a break from working so here goes:

7 Random things about me:

1. I play electric guitar and classical piano. I play soccer and love high-heels. I love working so hard I almost die, and I love reading books for hours.  odd contrasts

2. I’ve jumped off 2 waterfalls and gone skydiving

3. I don’t like Chocolate unless it’s dark.

4. I deathly afraid of moths (to create this blog header was torture)

5. I square dance, line dance and swing dance.

6. I’m going to Victoria Canada in the Spring

7. I have a clothing line but can barely sew a bib.

Back to Jen at A Daughter of the King

One of the curses of our culture, in America, is banality.
Cuteness, cleverness.
Television is the main sustainer of our addiction to superficiality.

My issue with TV isn’t so much sex and violence, I wouldn’t go there, but what I really susceptible to is banality.

You have to understand how vulnerable I am to banter, to the perfect comeback.
I am a sucker for repartee. I love those “make-over shows” and the surprises of American Idol, I know my weakness.

So what can I do to guard myself? Because if I go there
What use will I be to anybody except: “here is another entertainer”.

That is not what I’m after.

Turn it Off
So I’ve got to turn it off. My family and I have never had a TV. Now some TV won’t kill you, occasionally we watch TV at other peoples homes, but we never have a steady diet because of the harm it does to our souls.

I do not want be entertained by trifles so I lose my taste for deep, stunning, awe-inspiring, moments when God’s greatness floors me, when the wonder of creation, or the beauty of quality literature moves me to tears.

Earnestness is not excessive in our day.

In 2006 the average person spent just over 147 days worth their year on some form of media
Is there something that you are easily addicted to? (Myspace, Facebook, Chatting, Youtube, Magazines, Romance Novels…)

Do you have any helpful tips on combating distractions?

______________________
Adapted from John Pipers 9th message on TULIP.

We found this quite humorous, and I thought you all could use a smile