Monday, February 21, 2005
Friday, February 18, 2005
Did That Really Just Happen???
Instead of discussing something intellectual or thought provoking tonight, I've decided to share a little story about what happened to me this evening.
I've lived on the same dead-end road in Portland my entire life. I know the area very well. The freeway is about half a mile from my house, and in that period of time, the speed drops 10mph. I was about 50 yards to the freeway onramp when all of a sudden I have flashing red and blue lights tailgating me. "Oh crap!" is the first thing that runs through my head. So I pull over and turn my radio down and roll down my window and wait for the inevitable old crabby man to approach and say, "Can I see your license and registration?" However, what I found outside my window was a young, very attractive police officer saying, "Good evening, miss. How are you doing?" WHAT??? I've NEVER had a policeman ask me how I was doing before (not that I've really been pulled over that many times...wink wink). So in a smiley, joking voice I uttered, "I'd be better if we weren't about to have the conversation we're about to have." He smiled and took my license from my hand. He took it back to his car with him for about five minutes and then returned. He handed my license back to me and with a big grin on his face said, "I've just run a scan on you, and since you have a pretty clean driving record, I'm going to let you off with a warning. Be sure to get your tail light fixed, and remember that the speed through here is 35, not 50 (I wasn't going 50!!! I was only going 43). Have a wonderful rest of the evening, and by the way, you have some very beautiful eyes." Then he walked away.
Okay...holy cow. Did that really just happen to me???
Just thought I'd share my interesting story that in a weird way brightened my night. Is that wrong?
I've lived on the same dead-end road in Portland my entire life. I know the area very well. The freeway is about half a mile from my house, and in that period of time, the speed drops 10mph. I was about 50 yards to the freeway onramp when all of a sudden I have flashing red and blue lights tailgating me. "Oh crap!" is the first thing that runs through my head. So I pull over and turn my radio down and roll down my window and wait for the inevitable old crabby man to approach and say, "Can I see your license and registration?" However, what I found outside my window was a young, very attractive police officer saying, "Good evening, miss. How are you doing?" WHAT??? I've NEVER had a policeman ask me how I was doing before (not that I've really been pulled over that many times...wink wink). So in a smiley, joking voice I uttered, "I'd be better if we weren't about to have the conversation we're about to have." He smiled and took my license from my hand. He took it back to his car with him for about five minutes and then returned. He handed my license back to me and with a big grin on his face said, "I've just run a scan on you, and since you have a pretty clean driving record, I'm going to let you off with a warning. Be sure to get your tail light fixed, and remember that the speed through here is 35, not 50 (I wasn't going 50!!! I was only going 43). Have a wonderful rest of the evening, and by the way, you have some very beautiful eyes." Then he walked away.
Okay...holy cow. Did that really just happen to me???
Just thought I'd share my interesting story that in a weird way brightened my night. Is that wrong?
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Windshield Worries
On my way home from Salem this evening I encountered a bit of rain. It didn't last long, but it was enough to put several beads of water on my windshield. Because they didn't necessarily obstruct my view, I didn't turn the windshield wipers on them. As I drove in the dark, however, going between 80-85 mph, I realized that my eyes were focused more on the beads of water than I was on the road. I was so focused on the rain drops that the scenery behind them became blurry. I kept having to tell myself to watch the road instead of gawk at the rain. It captivated my attention for some unknown reason.
This got me thinking. How many times in my life do I focus on and worry about the problems right in front of me instead of looking out toward the bigger picture??? How often do we all do it? I know that I'm not alone in this. We become so wrapped up and focused on the "here and right now" of life that we seldom take the time to sit back and see the beautiful view just on the other side..."the not yet."
Once I was able to look past the rain drops, it was amazing how much bigger, brighter, and more clear my view was. It's also worth noting that all I had to do was put enough effort into flipping a switch, causing the windshield wipers to clear the path for my eyes to focus on what they needed to. Maybe it really is just that easy.
Ask God to wipe the windshield to provide you a view of what really lies ahead. Ask Him to take care of the worries that face tomorrow. Tomorrow is a new day with new challenges.
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear...Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Matthew 6:25-27, 34
This got me thinking. How many times in my life do I focus on and worry about the problems right in front of me instead of looking out toward the bigger picture??? How often do we all do it? I know that I'm not alone in this. We become so wrapped up and focused on the "here and right now" of life that we seldom take the time to sit back and see the beautiful view just on the other side..."the not yet."
Once I was able to look past the rain drops, it was amazing how much bigger, brighter, and more clear my view was. It's also worth noting that all I had to do was put enough effort into flipping a switch, causing the windshield wipers to clear the path for my eyes to focus on what they needed to. Maybe it really is just that easy.
Ask God to wipe the windshield to provide you a view of what really lies ahead. Ask Him to take care of the worries that face tomorrow. Tomorrow is a new day with new challenges.
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear...Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Matthew 6:25-27, 34
Friday, February 11, 2005
Simple Things #3
In the effort not to divulge too much information at once, I've been trying to spread out these Simple Things posts. So here's #3 for your viewing pleasure.
One of the things that I appreciate the most in this world is a good nap in the middle of the day. I don't get to enjoy these very often, but that just increases the satisfaction when I do.
Taking a good nap could be construed as a beautiful art. I like to come home, throw my stuff on my cheap Target imitation papasan chair, and take off my shoes. One of the keys to a good sleep is having your feet at a comfortable temperature and relaxed. If you're just getting home from work, make sure you give your feet a few minutes to calm down before napping. The next step is to slip into a pair of sweat pants that are about three sizes too big. Now it's time for the fan to be turned on (since I am one of those weird sleepers who needs the noise to fall asleep). The next part is crucial. You have to un-make your bed. Ruffle it up a bit. Make some wrinkles. Now it's time to slide into the sheets and arrange the pillows. I'm the type of person who likes a lot of pillows. I have two under my head, two to my right, and two to my left. That way, it doesn't matter how much I toss around (like I tend to do), I will always have pillows under my head and pillows to snuggle with. Once you've adjusted your head to the most comfortable position, pull the blankets up over your shoulders so that they are tucked into your neck space. If you feel so inclined, this would be the time to have one leg come out from under the covers. Now it's time to fall into a deep, dreamful, wonderful sleep.
This is what I consider proper nap-taking technique. Try it, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
One of the things that I appreciate the most in this world is a good nap in the middle of the day. I don't get to enjoy these very often, but that just increases the satisfaction when I do.
Taking a good nap could be construed as a beautiful art. I like to come home, throw my stuff on my cheap Target imitation papasan chair, and take off my shoes. One of the keys to a good sleep is having your feet at a comfortable temperature and relaxed. If you're just getting home from work, make sure you give your feet a few minutes to calm down before napping. The next step is to slip into a pair of sweat pants that are about three sizes too big. Now it's time for the fan to be turned on (since I am one of those weird sleepers who needs the noise to fall asleep). The next part is crucial. You have to un-make your bed. Ruffle it up a bit. Make some wrinkles. Now it's time to slide into the sheets and arrange the pillows. I'm the type of person who likes a lot of pillows. I have two under my head, two to my right, and two to my left. That way, it doesn't matter how much I toss around (like I tend to do), I will always have pillows under my head and pillows to snuggle with. Once you've adjusted your head to the most comfortable position, pull the blankets up over your shoulders so that they are tucked into your neck space. If you feel so inclined, this would be the time to have one leg come out from under the covers. Now it's time to fall into a deep, dreamful, wonderful sleep.
This is what I consider proper nap-taking technique. Try it, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
The Tongue
This blog is based on the devotional that occurred tonight in the Delta meeting...
With a group of about 28 girls sitting around in a circle we began a game of telephone. Y'know the old game, someone starts a phrase and it is whispered ear to ear until at the end the original message has been so messed up that it doesn't make sense. I, being the devious girl in the middle, of course changed the entire message on my own. Don't tell the rest of the group. I just didn't like hearing about someone's doodoo smelling like Captain Crunch. So I changed it to the infamous line, "For your love I would kill a whale with my sandal." By the end of the line it turned out a little something like this, "A whale's blow-hole is like a sand-dollar."
The next thing that we did was close our eyes. Our chaplains walked around the room with something in a bowl that we were supposed to feel. I barely touched it before I came to the conclusion that it felt like a bald cat. If any of you out there truly understand my hatred of cats you would know that a bald cat would just freak me out. When everyone had touched what was in the bowl we found out that it was...
A WHOLE COW TONGUE!!!
EWW!!!
Relative to its size, the tongue is the strongest muscle in our bodies. A cow's tongue is probably like 8 times the size of a human's. Human tongues can either be used for good or evil. The same tongue that can be used to encourage a friend in a time of need one minute, is also the one that can tear down a person's entire reputation the next minute. As we think about the power that we hold inside of our mouths, I want to encourage each of us (including me) to be people of integrity. Let us speak sweet words of love and encouragement...being Christ-like in our words and deeds.
The Bible has several things to say about tongues.
James 3:5-10 "So also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life... People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God. And so, blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth."
Matthew 12:36-37 "And I tell you this, that you must give an account on judgment day of every idle word you speak. The words you say now reflect your fate then; either you will be justified by them or you will be condemned."
Ephesians 4:29 "Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them."
Proverbs 12:18 "Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing."
Proverbs 10:20 "The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless."
Proverbs 15:4 "Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit."
Proverbs 18:21 "Those who love to talk will experience the consequences, for the tongue can kill or nourish life."
With a group of about 28 girls sitting around in a circle we began a game of telephone. Y'know the old game, someone starts a phrase and it is whispered ear to ear until at the end the original message has been so messed up that it doesn't make sense. I, being the devious girl in the middle, of course changed the entire message on my own. Don't tell the rest of the group. I just didn't like hearing about someone's doodoo smelling like Captain Crunch. So I changed it to the infamous line, "For your love I would kill a whale with my sandal." By the end of the line it turned out a little something like this, "A whale's blow-hole is like a sand-dollar."
The next thing that we did was close our eyes. Our chaplains walked around the room with something in a bowl that we were supposed to feel. I barely touched it before I came to the conclusion that it felt like a bald cat. If any of you out there truly understand my hatred of cats you would know that a bald cat would just freak me out. When everyone had touched what was in the bowl we found out that it was...
A WHOLE COW TONGUE!!!
EWW!!!
Relative to its size, the tongue is the strongest muscle in our bodies. A cow's tongue is probably like 8 times the size of a human's. Human tongues can either be used for good or evil. The same tongue that can be used to encourage a friend in a time of need one minute, is also the one that can tear down a person's entire reputation the next minute. As we think about the power that we hold inside of our mouths, I want to encourage each of us (including me) to be people of integrity. Let us speak sweet words of love and encouragement...being Christ-like in our words and deeds.
The Bible has several things to say about tongues.
James 3:5-10 "So also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life... People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God. And so, blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth."
Matthew 12:36-37 "And I tell you this, that you must give an account on judgment day of every idle word you speak. The words you say now reflect your fate then; either you will be justified by them or you will be condemned."
Ephesians 4:29 "Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them."
Proverbs 12:18 "Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing."
Proverbs 10:20 "The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless."
Proverbs 15:4 "Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit."
Proverbs 18:21 "Those who love to talk will experience the consequences, for the tongue can kill or nourish life."
Monday, February 07, 2005
Chipotle - Restaurant Review
Supposedly Chipotle is a very large restaurant chain in California (much like a Baja Fresh here). I had never heard of it before the other day. A good friend was telling me about it, and being the Mexican Food Enthusiast that I am, I agreed to try it.
When I walked into the restaurant the first thing I saw was a woman walking toward her table with this HUGE thing wrapped in tin foil. I thought, "Oh man, I wonder what she ordered," and "Hahaha, I wonder how long it's going to take her to eat that!" I got up to the counter and the next thing I saw was some very reasonable prices listed. Carly instructed me that I first had to choose whether or not I wanted a burrito, quesadilla, or a fajita burrito. Once I decided that I wanted a burrito, then I chose the type of meat I wanted. It was all about the spicy beef for me (however, next time I want to try the chicken - they also have pork and something else I can't remember). Once they knew my order, they completely took over. Oh, and did I mention that this is the Subway of mexican food? You get to watch them put it together right in front of you!!!
So the lady takes this enormous tortilla and warms it up in their crisper, adds enough rice to feed several people, and then adds the pinto beans. At this point there is enough food in this burrito to last me a few days. But no, she wasn't done yet. She added the spicy beef, any vegetables that I wanted, and finished with a big handful of cheese, then the home-made salsa, followed by the drizzling of some sour cream. Before I knew it, I was carrying around the same thing I was halfway laughing at earlier.
Let me tell you, though, my tastebuds were forever grateful!!! I can't even express to you the yumminess that was this burrito. All I can say is that if you're ever driving around by the Lloyd Center, take a trip down Weidler and find Chipotle. You'll find two days worth of food for a price that is less than Baja Fresh, and food that is MUCH better!!! (This is coming from a HUGE Baja Fresh fan, just so you know).
Hmm...I wonder what I'm doing for dinner tomorrow night.
When I walked into the restaurant the first thing I saw was a woman walking toward her table with this HUGE thing wrapped in tin foil. I thought, "Oh man, I wonder what she ordered," and "Hahaha, I wonder how long it's going to take her to eat that!" I got up to the counter and the next thing I saw was some very reasonable prices listed. Carly instructed me that I first had to choose whether or not I wanted a burrito, quesadilla, or a fajita burrito. Once I decided that I wanted a burrito, then I chose the type of meat I wanted. It was all about the spicy beef for me (however, next time I want to try the chicken - they also have pork and something else I can't remember). Once they knew my order, they completely took over. Oh, and did I mention that this is the Subway of mexican food? You get to watch them put it together right in front of you!!!
So the lady takes this enormous tortilla and warms it up in their crisper, adds enough rice to feed several people, and then adds the pinto beans. At this point there is enough food in this burrito to last me a few days. But no, she wasn't done yet. She added the spicy beef, any vegetables that I wanted, and finished with a big handful of cheese, then the home-made salsa, followed by the drizzling of some sour cream. Before I knew it, I was carrying around the same thing I was halfway laughing at earlier.
Let me tell you, though, my tastebuds were forever grateful!!! I can't even express to you the yumminess that was this burrito. All I can say is that if you're ever driving around by the Lloyd Center, take a trip down Weidler and find Chipotle. You'll find two days worth of food for a price that is less than Baja Fresh, and food that is MUCH better!!! (This is coming from a HUGE Baja Fresh fan, just so you know).
Hmm...I wonder what I'm doing for dinner tomorrow night.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Broomball
There's a tradition around Cascade...if you consider a couple of years a tradition. Once a semester the Student Activities Committee rents an hour of space down at the Lloyd Center ice rink for a game of Broomball (pretty much hockey). All the students will meet at the rink around 9:30 pm, get into two teams (distinguished by colored helmets), grab their what can only be described as hockey clubs (long wood sticks with square plastic tips), and duke it out with each other in their street shoes on the ice, hitting two heavy plastic balls toward the opposite goal. It's amazing that this tradition continues, as each year it is anticipated that some new injury will occur. Last year it was a fight between two gents because one could not control his aggression. This year there was bloodshed. During an amazing play, a chin collided with the ice, creating a nice gash in the chin (thus creating the need for stitches) and a nice smear of blood on the ice. It was a beautiful moment...in the most grotesque sense of the word of course.
It's always amazes me how an event such as Broomball (and many others) can bring together the masses. It doesn't matter the social status that you hold...when you're on the ice, you're part of the team. It also doesn't really matter what team you're on since everyone is slide-tackling everyone else anyway. Everyone is cheering everyone else as well, it doesn't matter what team you play for. Broomball is one of many things that puts the differences, attitudes, and bias' outside our living arena (pun intended).
This got me thinking about the church. Today in chapel our math professor stood before us and told a little bit of his personal testimony. He became a Christian late in life and he was, to say the least, a very gruff man beforehand. Through an act of divine intervention he became a believer in Christ. The very first Sunday that he went to church as a believer, some women made a snap judgment on him. Because he wasn't the most tidy and well groomed of men, they assumed that he was a drifter. "Oh he won't stay long, he'll be gone in no time," they said to themselves (later to tell him). Despite this assumption, today he is an incredibly faithful...man, husband to his wife, father to his two sons, and probably one of the most tender-hearted men I know.
I've been around long enough to know that snap judgments are made all of the time. They're in our workplaces, our schools, the places we work out, our coffee houses, etc. But the church? What? How many times have we in the church made a snap judgment on someone inside the church? I know I have. I'm guilty of it. Big time. There's a woman I know that I always considered to be SO needy. It seemed like every single week she would go to the front of the congregation during the invitation song and ask for prayers for yet another crisis in her life. It took me a long time to finally figure out that I was just as needy as she was. I had my own set of circumstances that I needed prayers and support for. Then it occurred to me that everyone in the entire congregation probably felt the same way, only this woman was the only one brave enough to do anything about it. I know I wasn't about to go up front and tell everyone what my problems were. No way. Everyone, however, is needy...and that's why they go to church. They are desperately in need of Jesus and the healing power that he provides in God the Father.
How can the church improve this area? This is something that I'm still trying to answer. The answer cannot be found in a tidy, pre-packaged box with ribbon on it. Since you, me, Joe Schmo, and even some of the people that I tend to dislike make up the body of Christ, the answer has to come with a transformation from within us.
For me...maybe the challenge will be to just imagine that life is one big game of Broomball...
It's always amazes me how an event such as Broomball (and many others) can bring together the masses. It doesn't matter the social status that you hold...when you're on the ice, you're part of the team. It also doesn't really matter what team you're on since everyone is slide-tackling everyone else anyway. Everyone is cheering everyone else as well, it doesn't matter what team you play for. Broomball is one of many things that puts the differences, attitudes, and bias' outside our living arena (pun intended).
This got me thinking about the church. Today in chapel our math professor stood before us and told a little bit of his personal testimony. He became a Christian late in life and he was, to say the least, a very gruff man beforehand. Through an act of divine intervention he became a believer in Christ. The very first Sunday that he went to church as a believer, some women made a snap judgment on him. Because he wasn't the most tidy and well groomed of men, they assumed that he was a drifter. "Oh he won't stay long, he'll be gone in no time," they said to themselves (later to tell him). Despite this assumption, today he is an incredibly faithful...man, husband to his wife, father to his two sons, and probably one of the most tender-hearted men I know.
I've been around long enough to know that snap judgments are made all of the time. They're in our workplaces, our schools, the places we work out, our coffee houses, etc. But the church? What? How many times have we in the church made a snap judgment on someone inside the church? I know I have. I'm guilty of it. Big time. There's a woman I know that I always considered to be SO needy. It seemed like every single week she would go to the front of the congregation during the invitation song and ask for prayers for yet another crisis in her life. It took me a long time to finally figure out that I was just as needy as she was. I had my own set of circumstances that I needed prayers and support for. Then it occurred to me that everyone in the entire congregation probably felt the same way, only this woman was the only one brave enough to do anything about it. I know I wasn't about to go up front and tell everyone what my problems were. No way. Everyone, however, is needy...and that's why they go to church. They are desperately in need of Jesus and the healing power that he provides in God the Father.
How can the church improve this area? This is something that I'm still trying to answer. The answer cannot be found in a tidy, pre-packaged box with ribbon on it. Since you, me, Joe Schmo, and even some of the people that I tend to dislike make up the body of Christ, the answer has to come with a transformation from within us.
For me...maybe the challenge will be to just imagine that life is one big game of Broomball...
About me
- I'm Christi
- From Portland, OR
- I am addicted to coffee, movies, and board games. Everything else in my life is in healthy dosages.