February « 2008 « Thought Collage

Archive for February, 2008

Why I hate the book, “Why Men Hate Church”

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

I started this post April 2007. I have written and deleted, re-written and deleted – thousands of words. Everytime I start, I get so grrrrrrrr, I have to start over in a calmer state. I don't think God is going to let me actually verbalize it for awhile, especially since I almost belted a guy in the coffee line at church when he told me I was the problem (there was actually a Men's Sunday Morning Bible Study using this this this annoying book!! eeks!) when I suggested that instead of trying to call (American Western Christian) men to their "rightful place of leadership in the church" perhaps we should call them to servanthood?

I am thinking of Jesus Christ, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, on His knees with a towel around His waist…

Isn't the way up in the Kingdom of God, down?…Jeanie

NOTE TO SELF: End this here, quickly and quietly…for now

Posted in Stuff I Actually Think | 8 Comments »

Home, Sweet Home

Tuesday, February 26th, 2008

"Ah! There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort." -Jane Austin

"Home – the abiding place of affections." – who said this?

"Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name…" -lyrics to the Cheers theme song

"For me, home is the coming together of my past memories and experiences, of my love for my children, husband and friends; my optimism tangibly expressed in life-enhancing ways – room by room – and of the tender appreciation that no matter how much of myself I put into this home, I, like everyone on earth, am a temporary guest." – Alexandra Stoddard

This almost makes me reconsider the major paint job on which I am about to embark…Jeanie

NOTE TO SELF: Keep cultivating home-happiness.

pictured: the whole fam in front of our house last April (Gemma and Averi are missing – time for a new picture!)

Posted in Mi Familia, Stuff I Actually Think | No Comments »

Best Song

Monday, February 25th, 2008

Best song at the Oscars this year was, surprisingly and mercifully, a GREAT song ("Falling Slowly") from the movie "Once." My daughters, Stephanie and Stormie introduced me to the movie a while back and it is a great flick! For the first 20 minutes, I was enjoying it so much I was dreading when the "real story" would start and interrupt the music, then Stormie informed me, it was, after all, a musical. It is gentle and pure and soft and well-told and you must see it! You must sing along with it!

See scenes from the movie and hear the song here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=CoSL_qayMCc

From The UK Press:

Former buskers Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova are thrilled with their Oscar win for Best Original Song."When we were kids, we used to watch the Oscars every year and talked about what people were wearing," Glen said following the win. "It's amazing to be here tonight."

Marketa and Glen won the gong for their song "Falling Slowly" from hit indie movie Once which they performed at the Academy ceremony.

"There's things you have to do," said Glen, referring to the performance. "You have to keep going. If you think about the size of it and if you get swept up in it, you're gone."

Glen and Marketa beat off three separate challenges from the movie Enchanted to win the statuette."My mother was sitting beside me and she was just so nervous – she's been so nervous since we were nominated," said Glen. "I was just welling up."

"These days films are being made for different reasons like money, and art is being compromised," added Marketa. "I think people feel this film was done from a very pure point and an artistic one. I also think it's a story of love and we can all connect with that."

See Once…more than once!…Jeanie

NOTE TO SELF: "sing your melody, I'll sing along…"

Posted in Songs I am Singing, Stuff I Actually Think, TV & Movies/Books & Entertainment | 2 Comments »

Need

Wednesday, February 20th, 2008

When you have a spare minute or two, try this little bit of fun, which I heard about from another blogger (Stephanie???):

Google in "[your name] needs" and the first 6 or 7 things that come up will tell you what it is you're really needing in life!

Mine was like this: Jeanie needs…

…more support to accomplish day to day tasks
…more constant attention, at least for now
…Microsoft Framework 1.1 or higher – one year free.
…a shooter, written by Bruce Springsteen
…a doctor
…the money, and frankly, the career boost
…needs some cash

I really could use the support and, true, constant attention would be nice. Anything I can get free from Microsoft would be a blessing. The doctor is a necessity and he should bring his prescription pad! But I can wholehearteddly concur with the final ascertation: cash would be fun!

What do you need?…Jeanie

NOTE TO SELF: I'm supplied, wholly supplied.

Posted in Stuff I Actually Think | 9 Comments »

Psalm 23

Wednesday, February 20th, 2008

My take on one of those things people send to each other on the internet. Whoever wrote it used one-word descriptions. Naturally, I must add more:

The LORD is my shepherd – I am my Beloved's and He is mine/relationship!

I shall not want – He faithfully supplies for all my needs

He makes me lie down in green pastures – Rest, Sabbath rest – in a life-giving place

He leads me beside still waters – Refreshment, washing with the water of the Word

He restores my soul – He renews, reinvigorates and restores the anxieties and anxiousness my soul endures daily/healing

He leads me in paths of righteousness – The LORD is my guide, directing my steps

for His Name's sake – His Name, His fame, His acclaim are the purpose of my life

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death – Crap happens, testing comes, it rains on the just and the unjust

I will fear no evil – I am surrounded b y the ultimate Protector

For You are with me – I couldn't get away from Him if I wanted to, He is faithful, so faithful

Your rod and your staff, they comfort me – The discipline of the LORD tells me He has not given up on me, I am still in training, it isn't over.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies - Even in my most unworthy condition, You strengthen me and feed me with the finest food

You anoint my head with oil – You welcome me into your Presence so graciously, You consecrate and set me apart

My cup runs over – More than full, You have poured out every good blessing/abundance

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life – I am blessed with a steadfast covenant of the love of the LORD, like a shadow, blessing is always right there behind me…

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD – His house is my house. Oh LORD, You have been our dwelling place forever/security

Forever – Eternity is written on my heart, happily ever after

Posted in JESUS, Lover of My Soul, Stuff I Actually Think | 1 Comment »

Lack

Wednesday, February 20th, 2008

Lack of love=heaviness

Lack of friendship=heaviness

Lack of energy=heaviness – or is it that heaviness causes the lack of energy?

Lack of money=heaviness

So, then, how does lack, [being without or low on; having a deficiency or absence of something that is needed; to be entirely without and in need of], lead to feeling such heaviness?

And how can plenty [a full or completely adequate amount or supply; as much as one could want; ample quantity; abundance] make you feel so light?

Posted in Stuff I Actually Think | No Comments »

Janny Grein

Monday, February 18th, 2008

I LOVE the internet. When, all of a sudden, a song from your way past (think 1970's and the early artists in contemporary Christian music-the ones who took the flack for what we freely enjoy today) comes to mind – you can google it and voila!

Today I am singing my head off to Janny Grein's "Covenant Woman!" And even though I haven't heard it in almost 30 years – I still remember all the words!

See a short clip here (along with a couple more of her great songs): http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=d13bfbd2b4785501e524 (or check out her site: www.janny.com).

What a great day to sing…Jeanie

NOTE TO SELF: Stand on the promises of His Word!

Posted in Songs I am Singing, Stuff I Actually Think | 2 Comments »

Grandkids as Cupids

Friday, February 15th, 2008

CUTE!!

My Valentine from Stormie was a mounted 8 x 10 she put together of the grandbabies. The other night at a family dinner, she and the kiddies disappeared for about 15 minutes (where I am told they were swathed in white fabric and photographed) and this is how the whole thing re-appeared. Stormie loves having fun with Photoshop: changing colors, cropping, cutting and pasting. Do you see the word "love" 5 times in it?

They were supposed to be cupids, but kind of look like little forest faeries. Nonetheless – this is my Garden of Love!

Thanks, Stormkins, for always surprising us and cracking us up!…Mom

NOTE TO SELF: Find the perfect frame…

pictured top: Hunter, Guini, Gavin; bottom: Averi (only 8 days old when taken) and Gemma (8 months)

Posted in Home & Garden/Food & Seasons, Mi Familia, Stuff I Actually Think | 6 Comments »

Forever and for Always

Thursday, February 14th, 2008

XXXOOOXXX

I love you, babe, with "so much of my heart there is none left to protest!"…Jeanie

Posted in Love & Marriage, My Most Unforgettable People, Stuff I Actually Think | 2 Comments »

Brooke White’s Doppelganger

Thursday, February 14th, 2008

I really like the American Idol contestant, Brooke White. She is adorably wholesome and cute and talented and sings and plays keys just like my friend Amy Jo! I don't have a pic with Amy Jo's full glory (her hair) tumbling around her shoulders, but if I did, you'd be shocked!

Brooke is very engaging (age 24) and even though I doubt she'll actually become the next American Idol, I am so glad she made the top 24 and I can see a future for her in the industry. She is a very young, fresh Carole-King-type.

Amy Jo (age 30…am I suppose to reveal that?) and I love to sit at the piano and wail out the old hymns.

Apparently I was the first to notice the similiarity between Amy Jo and Brooke, but other people had noticed Amy Jo looking quite a bit like Cate Blanchett and Rosamund Pike. See for yourself:

Amy Jo-you're a star!

pictured top row: Both Brooke White from American Idol; middle row: both Amy Jo; Bottom row: Cate Blanchett and Rosamund Pike (whoever the heck she is???)

Posted in Stuff I Actually Think | 4 Comments »