I Always Wanted a Convertible March 26, 2010

It’s not the problem, it’s how you respond….right?  This is a huge theme in our equine therapy program.  It really doesn’t matter which task you assign for a group, you learn their patterns of communication and ability to solve problems.  The individuals’ willingness to tackle a difficult problem with no obvious and easy solution.

I was returning from Philadelphia where I presented science investigations (lots of stuff that airports might not allow aboard).  My fellow science teacher and my daughter drove with me to PA to present at the national teachers’ conference.  It was lots of fun, blah, blah, blah.

When we arrived, I told the valet at the hotel, “Do not role the driver’s side window down.  It will not come up.  I have 20 hours to go to get home…days on the road…it may rain between here and there….DO NOT ROLE DOWN THE WINDOW.”

“You got it.  I’m glad you told me.”

Three days later, I call for the car and the valet pulls up with the window securely tucked inside the driver’s side door…rolled down all the way.  Besides, it was a gorgeous, sunny day.  I will not cry.  I will not cry.  It’s a beautiful day.  Don’t cry.

I pulled onto the Pennsylvania Turnpike with my window down, everyone’s hair was blowing all over the place, we were unable to hear what anyone was saying.  I kept telling myself, “I can do this.  What would it have been like to settle this country?  The settlers came in wagons and on foot or horseback.  horseback?“  I had to stop there…I would love to have been on horseback right about then….

“I can do this.  I can do this.  I’ve always wanted a convertible.”  There that’s better.  I’ll go with the convertible-pretend.  Wind blowing.  Not a care in the world….I can do this.

Two hours later, after continually playing with the window button, my fingers were raw and sore, the window finally, slowly rose to the very top.  Ahhhhh.  There.

I did it.  Now I know what it would be like to have a convertible.

Unity March 15, 2010

How is unity to be attained when there are so many differences and disagreements between Christians?  We know that unity was of utmost importance to Jesus when he walked on this earth.  In his final prayer, he prayed that believers would be one just as he and the Father were one.  However, when we look around and see all the factions and splinters of believers, it sometimes feels hopeless.

What do you think about this?  In Ephesians 4…

^“11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, ¹²to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

¹⁴Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. ¹⁵Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. ¹⁶From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

Read verse 12 & 13 again, “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

Could these works of service lead us to unity?

Look at verse 16, “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

Could these works of service be a tool that unifies the body and helps the body to grow and mature in unity?

What effect does it have on me when I hear of churches and their works of service?  Can I see beyond our differences and see the work of the kingdom?  Can I appreciate the love that is evident in their works of service?  What about individuals with whom I have differences?  When I hear or witness their works of service, do I grow in unity and love?

The whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (verse 16)…unity is part of the fullness of Christ.

Just a thought…

The Emergency Dismount March 11, 2010

I laughed and teased about learning the emergency dismount at a training I went to recently. When would I ever use that!?!

The Emergency Dismount

Before you get started, you should know how to do an emergency dismount — unfortunately, it is likely that you will have to do one sometime while riding bareback. An emergency dismount is always the best way to go if you feel yourself falling. You are less likely to be hurt.

To emergency dismount, lean forward, drop the reins, slide one leg over the horse’s back, and land on your feet… before you land on your head. You have to do this very quickly, though. Your horse may stop, but he also may keep going. That’s fine. Most likely, you’re in an enclosed area, so he can’t go far.  from WikiHorses

(I had no saddle and no helmet, though my official position is to always ride with a helmet.)

Monday, I needed and used, quite successfully the Emergency Dismount!  I climbed up on Spirit for a nice quick bareback ride and he was ready to go before I had my balance.  I was flopping all over his back.  I knew I was coming off.  My choices were to either flop off his back or dismount using my handy, dandy new skill.

I chose the skill.

I will not make fun of the Emergency Dismount ever again…I will use it with pride and teach it with flourish.

I was rattled and shaken up, but climbed back on and rode for a while.  The next day, I took the time and effort to put his saddle squarely on his back.  It is much easier to hang on that way!

Contentment March 8, 2010

We hear it on the news almost daily.  Job losses.  No one is hiring.  Factories and schools are closing.

There are some question marks about the stability of my job.  Will there be enough funds for it to continue next year or will this be the end of the road for this position…

Contentment.  How can I be content with all of the questions and the unknowns?

Paul said the secret to contentment is (This is a test.)

a.  preparation.  Prepare for all of the possibilities.

b.  fun.  Just have as much fun as possible along the way.

c.  busyness.  Keep busy so there’s no time to think about it.

d.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.“  Philippians 4:12-13

Really?  That’s it?  I can handle any situation because of Jesus.  Everything!  I can do it.  He said it.  That’s the secret, the key, to contentment.  I can do everything through him who gives me the strength.  Nothing is exempt from everything.

It’s not the ability or foresight to plan.  It’s not the pleasure of lots of friends.  It’s not the luck of dodging life’s arrows.  It’s the promise that I can do everything through him who gives me strength.  He gives.  I receive.  Thank you, Father.

I can do everything because of the one who gives me strength.

Wow.

Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross March 4, 2010

For a thousand years her existence has been denied. She is the legend that will not die–Pope Joan, the ninth-century woman who disguised herself as a man and rose to become the only female ever to sit on the throne of St. Peter. Now in this riveting novel, Donna Woolfolk Cross paints a sweeping portrait of an unforgettable heroine who struggles against restrictions her soul cannot accept.  from barnesandnoble.com

Great historical fiction.  A fun read.

Short-Term Memory…Who Needs It March 1, 2010

Where am I?  What am I doing here?  How did I get here?  (No…I’m not in the Walmart parking lot…this time)

These are the questions my son was asking after a particularly hard hit on the ASU rugby field.  I know…what mother, in her right mind, would allow her son to play rugby.  In the south…with a bunch of rough and tumble college students.  For starters, he’s 18…I guess it ends about there, too.  He’s 18.  How did that happen!  Anyway…

The college students with him did all the right things.  They took him out of the game.  He would not have volunteered that! Someone sat with him and periodically asked him questions.  He had his sense about him pretty quickly.  I don’t think he blacked out, but he did lose his short-term memory for a spell.

When he came home, I told him I would wake him up occasionally and ask him questions just to check on him.

About 3:00 AM I asked him, “In what county do we live?”

“White.”  Yeah!  He’s doing ok.

At 6:00 AM I woke him and asked, “What day is it?”

“The 27th.”  Hmmm….I’ll have to go check. What about….

“Could you tell me the day of the week?”

“Sunday.”  Good.  We’ll leave it there.  I’m not sure what the date is…. Perhaps someone else should be checking his short-term memory.  Mine’s not so great either.