romans 12:1-2

recently, at the suggestion of friend/prayer partner jen, i looked at romans 12:1-2. her pastor had challenged the congregation to pray scripture, & as a church, they went through these familiar yet always challenging verses together. i told her that it raised questions for me (mostly of the how variety)... but it was worthwhile. i'll be thinking on this for a while, i feel. here's my prayer, though it's in process, from the above-mentioned tried & true, gloriously penned lines of paul.

help me Father, to keep your mercy in view, in light of it, to present myself to you (& to know what that means/looks like). show me how to be a living sacrifice, to give up the things of the world and my own desires for what you want for & from me. help me live a holy life & be pleasing to you. and to do this for you & not for people's praise or affection. let obedience be what characterizes my life. let it be my pattern. let my actions be a worshipful gift to you. help me not to seek to fit into the world's mold. change me with a mind that's continually made new & a heart that's open & soft to the things that matter to you. i want to know you & do your will- which can be trusted because it's right & best.

thank you, awesome Father!!

what we all need

is someone who fights for us. or more than one. someone (or more than one) who knows where we're weak & pushes us toward strength/growth, & who loves us in the process. this is what i witnessed in the king's speech, where king george VI, or bertie as his family calls him, is played by colin firth, & his speech therapist is played by geoffrey rush. i have two requests- one is for you- watch it. the other is for the oscars guild or whatever they're called- give an award to geoffrey rush!

it's based on real events of course, but i don't wanta spoil it with too much detail about the dynamic between bertie & lionel logue (the therapist). suffice it to say, lionel played a vital role in bertie's life; he helped bertie see past the fear that he'd never overcome his speech difficulties. and he did that by forgiving bertie after some hurtful interactions, & with strong words of encouragement like this:

"you have incredible perseverance, bertie. you're the bravest man i know. you'd make a great king."

i don't think bertie saw himself as persevering well. i doubt he felt very brave. and i bet he didn't think he had the hutzpah to be king. but lionel believed these things for him. and maybe that confidence gave him a glimpse of what could be.

so i might have a third request- be a lionel to someone. and my fourth request will be a reiteration of the first- SEE THIS MOVIE!!!

everything i need to know

this is an excerpt from valley of vision... it reminded me of a favorite line from the old hymn "how firm a foundation"- what more can He say than to you He hath said?

"Thou hast loved me, espoused me, received me, purchased, washed, favoured, clothed, adorned me, when i was worthless, vile, soiled, polluted. i was dead in iniquities, having no eyes to see You, no ears to hear You, no taste to relish Your joys, no intelligence to know You; but You've given me spiritual perception, & opened me to Your word as light, guide, solace, joy. Your presence to me is a treasure of unending peace; no provocation can part me from Your sympathy. keep me, for i cannot keep myself. help me to walk by Thy side, lean on Thy arm, hold converse with Thee, that henceforth i may be salt of the earth & a blessing to all."

winter vegetable beef soup

here is the soup you must try. before winter escapes us. and for we who live in columbia, it could be summer any minute.

throw the below items in a crockpot for seven ish hours on low.
1 pound lean ground beef (browned)
1 large can diced tomatoes
1 large can tomato sauce
1 package frozen mixed vegetables
1 package onion soup mix
1 can beef broth; 1 can water

salt/pepper/texas pete to taste :) the beauty of this is you can have a bowl (or 2), then take the rest to a friend who just had a baby! enjoy the ease & tastiness that is a crockpot soup.