Oddly,I've just returned from up north. Oddly? Because it was an odd trip. I'm beginning to think that the common denominator is moi or mine...
This family we've bonded with seems to be as strange as ours. For starters, we love many of the same obscure and slightly inappropriately funny movies. Clifford (with Martin Short) and the Three Amigos to name a couple. Not exactly PC films.
Secondly, the adult females have a bizarre "out Martha" competition. The one who can make the most folks weep at any meal wins. Not necessarily weeping from the beauty and presentation. More like quantity, and now it seems, fiber.
Thirdly, there is often a health issue that crops up. For example, I vomited for twelve hours during their first New Year's visit. And again, during their second. My friend claims that this is some sort of sick Martha thing wherein I don't have to eat because of "queasiness" for a full 24 hours, thereby winning that round. But, then, she turned around and had female troubles requiring a complete hysterectomy a week after we left their place once. Hmmm. How many Martha points did she grab while entertaining with a hemoglobin level of 9? Yeah.
So this time, their oldest had an appendectomy the day before we arrived. His sisters and 22 look on with concern during his big outing to the park. My friend claimed that "Martha" missed her house this time what with the surgery and all.
I'm still crying.
Probably a good idea.
Please enjoy the pictures (and sarcasm) while I connect you with your party.1) Minnesota Water Lily
2) Iowa Bejeweled Lily
EER privately shared that she is frightened of me now.
I simply post a few shots of beans and share a stupid rhyme and I get sideways looks and folks moving very s-l-o-w-l-y around me. "Not making any sudden moves...it's all okay, really, peace and all that."
But I know EER will love this. She shared it with me.
Apparently the entire face of CPR has changed. No more Recessa-Annie lips. Nope. Don't have to breathe into people's mouths and either cringe at the thought of whom might have passed out at your feet or hope for the hunk (or babe) down the hall to have a little incident so you could "save his (or her) life (and play a little tonsil hockey).
The new face of CPR is the BeeGees. Remember them? Yep. Apparently chest compressions are to be done to a rapid beat like Stayin Alive.
What EER added to the whole thing was the additional song with the perfect beat.
Another One Bites the Dust.
Yeah. Just a suggestion y'all. Don't pass out at my feet.
Book Description:How is it possible to make the Good News of the Gospel better? How can truth be enhanced? Can Jesus Christ be improved upon? In his new Bible study, author Neb Hayden emphatically answers, “Impossible! The Gospel gets even better only when it’s more clearly understood. The Good News gets even better only when we read the Gospels as they were communicated and in the way they were meant to be seen.”That’s why in his new study, When the Good News Gets Even Better (David C Cook, June 2009), Hayden gives students of the New Testament the opportunity to walk through the Gospel narratives in Hebrew sandals. This unique Bible study allows readers to see these letters just as their original audience did and provides vital insights into the Jewish culture, customs, and perspectives, giving a fresh and thoroughly relevant context to the life of Christ.“The Gospels are the foundation of our faith because our faith is built on a Person,” explains Hayden. “He was a Jew, living in a Jewish world, and communicating with Jewish people. This study offers readers the chance to walk the dusty roads with Him, to be there as a participant rather than simply as an observer.”Using a three-month format, When the Good News Gets Even Better combines all four Gospels into one comprehensive and chronological narrative, allowing readers to focus on the overall themes and truths as they occurred. Among many other subjects, Hayden examines the births and childhoods of Jesus and John the Baptist, Jesus’ public ministry, the training of the twelve disciples, and Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension. Features also include days sectioned into key points of Jesus’ ministry, suggestions for when to skim or thoroughly read a selection, and interactive questions for individual study and group discussion.“The Gospels are just the beginning of God’s continuing pursuit of intimacy with mankind,” says Hayden. “These biographies of Jesus are our stories too. Every move Jesus made and every word He spoke has direct implications for our lives in the twenty-first century. I pray that readers will be permanently transformed as they become first-hand witnesses to the Gospels’ miraculous events and times explored in this guide.” Author BioNeb Hayden is director of International Student Development at The King’s College in New York City. A former quarterback for “Bear Bryant” at Alabama, Neb has been involved his adult life with the fellowship in Washington, D.C., which works behind the scenes to nurture and encourage the leadership in over 180 nations. The group also works behind the scenes of the National Prayer Breakfast. Neb speaks and teaches extensively at seminars, conferences, and retreats. He and his wife, Susan, live in New York City and are the parents of three grown sons and two daughters-in-law.When the Good News Gets Even Better: Rediscovering the Gospels Through First-Century Jewish Eyes by Neb HaydenDavid C Cook/June 2009/ISBN: 978-1-434767-00-4/240 pages/softcover/$16.99My Thoughts:
I've just spent a few hours perusing this Bible Study guide and am impressed with the depth and the overall quality of material. I'm not able to review it at this time and did not complete the study. But my overview and initial thoughts are that When the Good News Gets Even Better is not overtly preachy, or bogged down with Christianese or theological weightiness. Hayden presents information in a system that is user friendly. Connecting the four gospels and using the knowledge Hayden has gleaned from his study of the Jewish culture of the day he adds a layer of rich information to the time Christ physically inhabited the earth. Great idea for a small group study or a one on one discipleship where the Word is the focus. Also would be a great resource for anyone teaching on the life of Christ.
So, inspired by this...(Nicole's blog is one I plan to check out frequently. I like free stuff, don't you?) I clicked a few places and found this opportunity for a free book.
If you've not read Eric Wilson and you like great writing, intense scenes and 3-D characters, you might want to give him a shot. See how he handled the Dregs Q & A.
