Friday Five: De-Cluttering

Jan at RevGalBlog Pals writes: Since posting about de-cluttering, I am still muttering about the need for it in my house. How about you?

Yes, I am feeling the need to de-clutter. We (I) definitely have too much stuff … too many clothes, too much of everything. My husband says I am becoming a hoarder, and while I argue, I am feeling very overwhelmed by stuff and the need to take care of the stuff – organize it, clean it, remember where it’s stored.

1. What things do you like to hang on to? I love dishes!

2. What is hard to let go of? This week it’s been tough sorting through my daughter’s collection of stuff. She graduated from college in May, married in July and is moving to San Diego in August. Not much is going with her … just 15 boxes shipped UPS and what could fit in her Kia Forte. She needs the money from stuff we sell to buy new stuff for her new life. It’s another bittersweet moment in our journey through life.

3. What is easy to give away? Things that will brighten someone else’s life … I tend to not mind giving stuff away but when I go to sell it – I always think “gee, you don’t get anything for it – might as well hang on to it.”

4. Is there any kind of stumbling block connected with cleaning out? After moving more times than I can count and nearly ridding myself of everything that wouldn’t fit in a U-Haul trailer or a pickup truck, never thought I would accumulate so much stuff. However, two five-year stents in one place led me to realize I like the stuff – it’s a sign of putting down roots and a desire to stay in one place. If I have too much to move, maybe I’ll stay put. I also am very hesitant to unpack the last box since every time I get to that point, it’s time to move again … this time I’ve left several things in the boxes …

5. What do you like to collect, hoard, or admire? Books, music, dishes, teapots.

Bonus: Tell us about recycling or whatever you can think of that goes along with this muttering about cluttering.

Truthfully, I’m not very good at recycling. However, this past year our church has been part of the Abitibi Recycling program. I find myself disposing of at least a box of paper every week. It feels good, and it’s encouraged me to think of recycling other items.

I’m also a fan of yard sales – which is a form of recycling – but also contributes to my tendency to collect stuff.

Suscipe Prayer Saint Ignatius of Loyola - Loyola Press

Suscipe Prayer Saint Ignatius of Loyola - Loyola Press

Book Review: The Prophecy Answer Book by David Jeremiah

 

I would argue that scripture is deliberately vague about the end of time and clearly tells us that only God will know the day when Christ will return. David Jeremiah writes as though he has the answers – all set in simple little paragraphs for us to swallow easily. His ability to translate current events into the biblical writings seems just a little too glib and marked with a certainty that is troubling.

I recently signed on with Book Sneeze at Thomas Nelson to review new books and the first one I received was The Prophecy Answer Book by David Jeremiah. Having learned the importance of knowing an author’s theological background, I knew before the book arrived that David Jeremiah is labeled as a conservative, evangelical Christian. And, I tend to label myself loosely with those adjectives so I was looking forward to reading his research.

My first impression was negative. I did not like the small, coffee table book format for a topic that has such a diversity of opinion and many who disagree with dispensational theology. Yet it does cover a great deal of information about this understanding of end times. It clearly addresses the following terms and their implications: the rapture, tribulation, antichrist, second coming of Christ, millennium, and the new heaven and the new earth. He includes a great deal of scripture and research.

However, the biggest negative for me is his conclusion that this theory of the rapture, tribulation and the Second Coming of Christ should “provide a compelling motivation for living the Christian life.” I would argue that we are to live life joyfully and bring glory to God’s name, not because we are fearful, but because we are grateful for the work of Christ in our lives. We are to reach out to the world because we are compassionate and want to share the Good News of the Gospel – which includes salvation and redemption not just from the bowels of hell but also from the things here on earth which cause us pain and destroy our ability to praise and worship an Almighty God.

One positive was his list of 10 ways to connect our daily lives with the promise of Christ’s return: refrain from judging others, remember the Lord’s Table, respond to life spiritually, relate to one another in love, restore the bereaved, recommit ourselves to the ministry, refuse to neglect church, remain steadfast, renounce sin in our lives, and reach the lost.

 

This book was provided by Booksneeze.com as a complimentary review copy, and all opinions contained in this review are mine and mine alone.

Who do we worship?

Sally shares a poem, Christ in Majesty...who, in fact, do we worship? and what does it mean?

robbed of voice,

and power,

this untouching,

unseeing Christ,

is safe,

enthroned, (entombed)

in stone,

he receives our worship,

and we unchanged,

and unchallenged

leave,

for we have done our duty...

We have done our duty... I am asking myself tonight how many churches this headless handless stone Christ represents, and I don't like the answer.

Thanks again to Dave Perry for the image and the thoughts.

Friends …

1) Do you remember your first best friend? What did you do together? Are they still in your life?

My first best friend was probably Lilly Dean Sutton – the pastor’s daughter.  We stayed in touch for a year after they moved to Nebraska and even made a visit, but I have no idea where she is now.  One of my best memories was that visit – made while taking my sister to stewardess school – no, they weren’t flight attendants then so I’m showing my age a bit.  While we were visiting there was a MAJOR snowstorm and we were snowed in longer than anticipated. My step-mother and I came home on a bus. It was pretty exciting.

2) Did you ever have to move away or have your best friend move away from you?

I had both happen. The case mentioned above, and then twice I moved between towns growing up. Both times it was painful and I left good friends.

I’ve had several good friends as adults who have moved and I’ve also moved. We try to stay in touch but it’s hard. The funny thing is when we do get together it’s as though we just pick up on the last conversation.

3) Are there people in your life now that you can call 'friend'?

I have more friends now than I had ever had which has been a REAL blessing in the life of ministry. We hang tough for each other – cry and laugh – encourage each other many times. Still, there are always those special few.

4) What are some of your favorite things to do with your friends?

Laugh. Listen. Love. Learn. Pray. Cry. Read. Talk. Serve. Worship. Walk. Eat. Find my center.

I loved Deb’s answer, and I’m keeping it.

5) What is a gift friendship has given you?

The gift of encouragement and the ability to be myself – no pretense.

Friday Five: Happy Project

With the end of RevGalBlogPals' third annual Big Event, I am wondering who went and what it was like. There must be a lot of smiling from the Big Event! Hopefully, the rest of us are not frowning either.

So let us know how your past week was for you.

Write five different aspects of the week
OR answer the following questions:

1. When were you smiling lately?

Although I didn’t get to attend the BE, I did get to spend two days at our houseboat. It was put in the water on Friday. It’s an older boat but is sporting a brand new roof – no leaks to clean up and an open deck on the rear of the boat to sit in the sun and read or fish. Great place to escape the insanity which is life at times.

2. What happened unexpectedly to you this past week?

Much of my week was unexpected but it was one of the better weeks in a long while!

3. How was a catastrophe averted (or not)?

Found that my cell phone screen was cracked on Sunday but fortunately I received my new phone on Tuesday and it’s a better phone than the old one.

4. What was the most delicious thing you ate?

Ham Loaf dinner at Dick’s Place in my hometown. It was a great meal and I saw people I haven’t seen in years.

Also shared a meal with my son at Chile’s on Tuesday.

Enjoyed a great fruit and chicken salad at Bob Evans last night – a sign that summer is truly coming!

5. Did you see any good movies or read any books or articles?

Had a great week of entertainment. Watched “Date Night” with my husband last Friday and had date night with my clerk of session last night at the Pittsburgh Pops concert featuring Cirque De La Symphonie … it was VERY good.

Friday Five … Pack Your Bags

1) Some fold, some roll and some simply fling into the bag. What's your technique for packing clothes?

A combination of both with every nook and cranny filled… including the inside of my shoes.

2) The tight regulations about carrying liquids on planes makes packing complicated. What might we find in your quart-size bag? Toothbrush and paste, hand cream, shampoo, deoderant

Ever lose a liquid that was too big? 

3) What's something you can't imagine leaving at home? My glasses and/or contacts

4) Do you have a bag with wheels?  Is there any other kind?

5) What's your favorite reading material for a non-driving trip (plane, train, bus, ship)? Something that grabs my interest and makes the time go quicker – these days it will be on my Kindle or Zune