One day after watching Marley and Me, Lily, Lola, 22 and I headed out for week two of basic obedience classes.
The whole Marley and Me thing is a whole extra story and I'll be posting my review on Saturday. But there is one big connection between Lola/Lily/Me and Marley....that would be the doggie behavior issues.
Lily and Lola are uncomfortably close to Marley, the big screen "Worst Dog in the World."
Maybe it's because there are two of them to his one. Maybe, they share his zest for life or the knack for physical comedy.
Who knows. I do know that, for some crazy reason, they behaved in class last night. The trainer passed out "Good, girls!" and "Excellent!" as often as I passed out slimy bits of dog treats. She even gave us some advanced training because our group (Lily, Lola and Sawyer plus their handlers) is so far ahead of the game. What? Seriously?
Of course, this happened after a very, very tense walk designed to knock the vim and vinegar out of them so they'd behave at class.
We are considering taking a camera next week. Don't know if we can pull off any successful shots, but if we do, you'll know where to find them. I'll even post the ones wherein they pounce on the teacher and tip her over and/or knock over a display. I'll have to work on my video skills since it's possible 22 may do some skiing, too, especially if I'm the team photographer and she's doing double-handling. Maybe we should rethink pictures.
Robert Liparulo is cranking out the books. And he's doing a great job keeping his i's dotted and t's crossed. His latest is a follow-up to Deadfall. See my review of Liparulo's other books and his interviews here. Visit Liparulo's website, Deadlock's first chapter and the rest of the details through the book cover.
Book Details:
John Hutchinson thinks it's no coincidence that Brendan Page runs this modern Praetorian Guard, and that the billionaire military industrialist must have had something to do with the atrocities his son Declan committed in Canada. The Canadian and U.S. Justice departments disagree, but Hutch has been digging for dirt ever since.
Brendan Page has some dirty not-so-little secrets. he's built an empire on supplying futuristic weapons and highly trained soldiers to the world's most powerful armies. But he's saved his most destructive weapons for himself.
When Hutch discovers the secret of Page's success, Page decides to teach him a lesson. But the operation goes terribly wrong, and Hutch's son is kidnapped. While a lone man stands little chance against the best black op soldiers ever issued M-16s, Hutch manages to survive longer than Page anticipated. As far as Hutch is concerned, high-tech helmets, machine guns, and hand grenades are nothing compared to a man determined to save his son. It's a lesson he sets out to teach Page-and one that he can only hope works as well in the real world as it does in his heart.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Deadlock, go HERE.
My Review:
Deadlock follows John Hutchinson (Hutch) and his family as he puts his life back together after his harrowing nightmare as detailed in Deadfall. Dillon and Laura have come to Denver for a visit. Life is calm, a little boring, even, except for Hutch's growing obsession with Brendan Page, the billionaire father of Declan. Declan, the young man who nearly killed Hutch, Laura and Dillon and did kill several people near and dear to them paid the ultimate price, but, it seems Brendan Page's money is keeping him safely out of the reach of the law and free to dabble in war games.
After a warning that ends up turning deadly and into a kidnapping, war breaks out between Page and his sophisticated killing forces and Hutch and a rag-tag band of kids and a woman.
Deadlock is a page-turning story that had me rooting for Hutch, not just to take care of the bad guys, but to discover the children who love and need his time and attention. Other than some intense scenes complete with gore, I found Deadlock to be a very good and satisfying novel. The characters are solid and likable, the action is twist and turn complex, the writing continues to satisfy even though Liparulo has several irons in the fire. Action and adventure lovers, gamers, guys, suspense hounds and character collectors might want to look a little deeper.
God’s Holy Spirit is ready to answer that for us in an awesome way, as Henry Blackaby and his son Mel Blackaby make clear in Experiencing the Spirit. You’ll see how the proof of the Spirit’s presence is our awareness of God’s personal assignments for us, plus our supernatural enablement to carry out those assignments. You’ll find essential clarification on the difference between natural talents and spiritual gifts. You’ll explore the dynamics of being filled with the Spirit.
Authors Bio:
Dr. Henry Blackaby has devoted his life to the ministry. A multi-faceted talent, he has served as a music director, senior pastor, college president, missionary, and later as an executive in the Southern Baptist Convention. Blackaby is the author of more than a dozen books with more than one million copies sold, including the best-selling Experiencing God. As the President of Blackaby Ministries, he is a vibrant speaker and the father of Dr. Melvin Blackaby. Melvin serves as the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Jonesboro in Georgia, where he lives with his wife, Gina, and their three children.
My Review:
I was surprised how much information I found in this little book. The Blackabys cover the basics of the working of the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christ follower. They also share different insights, personal experiences and scripture that illuminates different layers and aspects of the Christian faith. I appreciate the insights they shared especially about the role of the Holy Spirit as a sanctifier and the gifts that He gives.
This would be an excellent book for small group studies. Several discussion questions are provided for each chapter. Young believers would benefit as well as more mature Christians. Anyone struggling with their faith and wondering where God is might want to consider getting hold of a copy.
The teacher, Madame Julie, praised Lily and Lola. Said they did an awesome job. (It may be because Lily and Lola were wearing their special face harnesses that keep them controlled so no chance of 22 taking any unexpected ski jumps while out for a walk. Or of store bowling with 22 as the ball.)
Lily and Lola took a stroll around the store. There were no destroyed displays, broken bones or schnuffled children. (Slight correction. Lola kind of took a stroll. Kind of. Lily made it out of the training pen and down the first aisle five times before turning back to start over.)
Only one other dog was present. Sawyer the four month old perfectly behaved golden retriever. Lily and Lola got lots of one on one attention.
They learned the "Get it" and "Watch" commands which were new to 22 and me. "Watch" will come in very handy.
Both Lily and Lola had full tummies by the time the class was over.
Lowlights:
Lily barked when we attempted to put on the harness. A not so charming habit they've developed. Apparently, when they are excited to go on an adventure they must avoid the only thing that makes said adventure a go.
We were late.
My fingernails had bacon scented crumbs embedded in them and Lola nearly ripped the pocket off of my jacket.
This is cool. A website designed to get us thinking about the importance of others in our lives. Click on the book cover to visit the website andhere to join the Facebook Noticer Group.
Here's the basic info. "The Noticer Project is a worldwide movement to "notice" the five most influential people in your life! Noticing those five people can be as private (just a letter or email) or as public (posting to your Facebook page or joining The Noticer Project Facebook group) as you choose, but the movement is meant to encourage us to step outside our busy schedules and avoid waiting until a wedding, graduation or even a funeral to take notice of the special, influential people in our lives. By noticing those who have made a difference for you, you not only acknowledge their contribution, but you may gain a new perspective on your own journey. If you are noticed, you are encouraged to continue the movement by 'noticing' five people in your life!"
I'm not going to lie. I had a little trouble limiting myself.
So here you go:
The List...ala Kelly...I think I will call it...
Five People Who've Influenced Me. Wait. No, Let's Amend that to Five Groups of People Who've Influenced Me. But This List is Not All Inclusive. I Think It's a Good Start, Though.
My husband. My husband and I grew up together. We began crushing on each other when I was fourteen. Through massive ups and downs, doubt, failures, alcohol, infidelity, churchlessness, financial crises and sorrow, we've grown into a unit that is still imperfect but thriving. I trust his heart and I love the man he has become. I respect him for the commitment he has made to me and our marriage. We have survived so much and I respect him for being willing to climb a few mountains, brave a handful of storms and battle some beasts to protect our family and my heart. He is my number one hero.
My kids. My children have been teachers and learners. They've taught me that it's not about me. I've also learned that no matter how big the mistakes I make are, that if I will ask my children to forgive me, they will. Unconditional love pours out of my children. My kids have also shown/reminded me that the world is full of wonder and color and sights, sounds, taste and smells. Each of them has taught me something about life, and something about myself. Each has given me new experiences and splashes of color, joy and delight.
My parents. My mom and dad shaped me and gave me memories, character and boundaries. My mom and dad taught me that a mistake can be a chance to communicate and clear the air and an opportunity to start over. My friends didn't have parents who apologized when they were wrong, my parents did and that, above everything else, made me feel respected and cherished. My husband's parents have become very dear to me the more I've gotten to know them. I was so close to my own mom that I didn't give my mother-in-law the welcome that I should have. They have never pushed. They have always encouraged. Even when what they had to say didn't sit well, the wisdom of their life did. Their generosity and love overwhelms me. Now that I am a mother-in-law I understand so much more what it means to be a mother-in-law and have grown to love my own on a deeper level. My in-laws have taught me about unconditional patience and support.
My friends. I have known and cared about so many people. How can I chose one person? Stephanie, the friend I rarely talk to, who needed me in the darkest hour of her life. Sandi, the friend always ready to take in the stray or the lost, little critter with the broken wing. Christa, the friend who lives life on the edge of the cliff and embraces it as a grand stage with details spelled out in neon. Noel and Shirlee who actually think I'm wise and seek my advice. Evelyn, a woman who encourages me to keep plugging away at my dreams, and has given me an example of what that might look like since she forged through and accomplished huge things. Michelle, a woman who has become an honorary aunt to my children, who has infused my life with laughter, encouragement and generosity. How can I pick between them? Each of them has taught me something or enriched my life in a hundred different ways.
My church. Not just my local church though I have grown and changed and been challenged in my local church. But, my sisters and brothers in the worldwide body of Christ have taught me the reality of gifts and purpose. My local church tends to be like the backseat of a station wagon with skirmishes and warnings not to cross the line or else, and the endless question, "are we there yet?" This is great on a few levels because it teaches me how to get along well with others who I'm glued to whether I'm thrilled about that or not. But beyond that, and there are wonderful sweet moments in the backseat, comforting and rich, don't get me wrong, but beyond that there is a huge world full of people who think slightly differently than me.
The body of Christ has to have a few doctrinal beliefs that are rock-solid, unmoving, foundations. But the rest...oh my, there are exotic scents and strange sounds and wonderful experiences that I don't get to have in my small, conservative Iowa backyard. Some of the most amazing people I've met are friends I've met on-line. Ane, Gina, Jessica and the other Pennies have poured themselves and their knowledge into me. Not to mention shared their spotlights and opportunities. Kim, Nora, Birdie, friends I hope to meet someday, but are special friends in spite of never meeting face-to-face.
I could go on for hours about the people in my life. But I was supposed to pick five. Five measly people...yeah, right. Ha.
After years of writing and teaching on the theme “God owns everything,” in 1990 Randy Alcorn was sued by an abortion clinic (for peaceful, nonviolent intervention for the unborn). Suddenly he had to resign as a pastor and was restricted to making minimum wage. Legally unable to own anything, Randy gave all his book royalties to missions work and need-meeting ministries. He and his family have experienced the reality of The Treasure Principle—that God really does own everything, takes care of us, and graciously puts assets into our hands that we might have the joy and privilege of investing in what will last for eternity.
Author Bio:
Randy Alcorn is the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM). Prior to 1990, when he started EPM, he served as a pastor for fourteen years. He has spoken around the world and has taught on the adjunct faculties of Multnomah Bible College and Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Randy is the best-selling author of twenty-seven books, with over three million in print.
My Review:
This book is simple, and quick, weighing in at a purse-sized 120 pages. The writing is to the point. However, don't expect to read it without doing some soul-searching.
We all know deep down what is expected of us. Really. No matter what we cover it up with, we know there is something bigger than us, something beyond the physical space we take up on this planet. regardless of what we call IT. We also know there is a response of some sort required.
I've lived on both sides of the coin -- living for myself and living for a purpose. Self leaves me feeling empty and unfulfilled. And that's the bottom line. With comments such as " As the wealthiest man on earth, Solomon learned that affluence doesn't satisfy. All it did was give him greater opportunity to chase more mirages." Alcorn cuts through the gunk and the excuses we give for not living our lives for others.
This isn't a comfortable read, at all. If you are not a Christian or are a Christian who doesn't really like the idea of giving God control over your life, I guarantee you'll come away with at least one bruised toe. However, if you are wondering what might be missing in your life, looking for something to bring meaning to your existence, the questions at the back of the book alone are worth the investment you'll make if you chose to purchase the book. Based on Alcorn's heart and principle as shared in this book, I dare say he'd even encourage you to check for it at your local library. The Treasure Principle would translate into a Bible or small group study very easily.
