Who He Is, Not Who I Think He Is

"In this way we're a lot like the people walking past the windows of the coffee shop. Instead of looking through the window of God's self-revelation and seeing him, we find it easier to admire our own reflection or to place on him the constraints of our own existence. We judge him by our standards of justice, fairness, power, and mercy. We even measure his greatness by our own ideals of greatness." Josh Harris, excerpt from his book Dug Down Deep (I think), posted on Boundless

This paragraph is very true. I've been aware of this concept after re-reading the Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis last year. In that book, Screwtape advises Wormwood to get his person to focus not on who God is, but who he thinks God is. His own image of God, which turns into a form of idolatry. It is so easy, with our earthly constraints, to place limits upon God or to think that He thinks and feels similar to how we do. I often want God to be like me, and that is a travesty. I am flawed, limited, wimpy. Instead, I want to focus on who God is. To know Him better. As often happens with prayer, I may get more than I bargained for, but that is probably a good thing.

A quick post before I finish my paper that is due tomorrow. I only have about 2 pages left, so it shouldn't be too bad, but it is such a fluffy, dull paper. It's supposed to be 8 pages, but the prompt does not support the length. So, I am being verbose.

I had tea today that tastes like rendezvousing (mountain man reenacting) with my grandpa. It tastes like woodsmoke, and a log cabin heated by a fireplace.

My Yorkshire pudding turned out well, though it was slightly over done. The meat in the middle gets a little dry, so I doused the leftovers with worcestershire sauce. Mmm. Good English food. Sticks to your ribs.

I'm such a fan girl. I was up early this morning and was one of the first commenters on the Stuff Christians Like post today. And...Jon Acuff commented on my comment! Oh happy day!

Yorkshire Pudding

I am making Yorkshire pudding right now, and it smells so good! It's relatively simple to make, but it hasn't finished cooking yet. I hope it turns out. It's so fun to watch it rise and poof. :-)

I have a lot to accomplish in the next few days/week. And, I really blew off the weekend homework-wise, which was not good in regards to school work, but kind of good for my well being.

I hope to get a lot accomplished this afternoon and evening before salsa dancing tonight. Salsa is so much fun and quite the work out. Also, last week was much more even with girl to guy ratio, which was nice.

On Friday, Angy and I went over to a couple's apartment and hung out with friends and watched Firefly and the Olympics. I am now addicted to Firefly. It's pretty brilliant. We are going to get together every other week and watch it, but I don't want to have to wait that long! :-)

I am also really looking forward to game night this Friday with the 20-somethings Sunday school. Sunday school feels like it is starting to mesh and come together more. We are starting to be more comfortable and familiar with each other, and I'm hoping to get to know people better on Friday. I think they've planned Bunco and icebreaker games. :-)

I need to go. Get things accomplished.

Primal Scream

That's what I want to do right now. I just got out of my night archives class that is so boring! And, with all the little big things I need to think about and figure out, I just need to get it all out of my system. Unfortunately, I'm afraid that emitting a primal scream, though liberating for me, would be most socially unacceptable. So, I blog.

There were things to say, but I cannot think of them. Maybe later.

Winter

I am feeling somewhat overwhelmed and apathetic, which is not a good combination. There are so many things that I need to do, taxes, apply for scholarships, think about going to conferences, career days, library group meetings, and the regular classes, homework, work, and volunteering. I also don't want to do most of it. I also need to set up an appointment for new glasses, as my current lenses are cracking. So goes life.

It's funny how the seasons affect one. I like winter, but it wears on me.

I really should do homework, but I really don't want to. I also need to set up an appointment to get help with my taxes. Bleagh.

I did have a good time last night as well as Friday. Last night I visited my friend of the same name and we watched episodes of the Love Boat. Oh 70s cheese TV, how you amuse me. :-) We had a good time laughing at it. One thing I didn't realize about that show though is all the guest stars. They had many of the big names of the era on that show. Jim Nabors, Suzanne Somers, the Jeffersons, Scott Baio (Chachi), John Ritter, Jaclyn Smith, and others. Good times. :-)

Friday one of my friends invited me to a party with other people in the program, and Angy and I tagged along, so I guess we didn't technically crash the party. :-) It was fun, though I didn't know many of the people there. I did see a few people that I don't normally see around, so that was fun.

Life is going well, but it is generally characterized by the winter blahs. I'm looking forward to spring.

Jumbalaya on the Bayou

I had a very good day yesterday, despite having to work. I forced myself to go to the 8 AM service, and then hung out before Sunday school. I had to leave when it started, but I had a 1/2 hour to kill and wanted to talk with people before I left. Ironically, seeing as it was the biggest day for football of the year, I was able to steer the conversation toward the Cubs and baseball, which I am much more knowledgeable about. :-) I'm afraid that most sport conversations devolve that way with me.

I went to a Super Bowl party yesterday evening with people from small group, and it was so much fun. None of us really cared about the game, as our teams weren't playing, so we all rooted for the Saints. I was also pretty impressed with some of the commercials. I love the Betty White commercial! Did you notice Fish (Abe Vigoda) at the end? Amazing! Anyway, it was just a fun, chill time with everyone. And I do mean chill; they keep their house very cold, but I was dressed warm and we borrowed blankets. :-)

I am meeting with one of my professors in 25 minutes to discuss a topic for my research paper. It's for rare books, and I think I want to write about issues that small institutions/colleges have in dealing with their rare books and "cool old stuff." I also have salsa dancing tonight, and tomorrow, one of the student groups is volunteering with Pages for Prisoners, so I think I may do that as well. I've been wanting to do that for awhile, and I have the time tomorrow. So, why not?

You Were Weighed in the Balance and Found Wanting

from the book of Daniel

What Christian book would you suggest I read? Preferably non-fiction. I would like a book that is strong and encouraging in the Christian walk, and something that I could read a bit before bed when I read my Bible. Something thought provoking but accessible. Or, what Christian author would you suggest in general? I'd really appreciate your input.

I do not have work tomorrow, so I can sleep in! It means that I have to work on Sunday, but I am going to enjoy my day off. :-) I also plan on going to hear a band with some friends tomorrow, which is exciting.

Classes are done for the week. I got out of ERM early, as the prof wanted to go to the basketball game. We had to kind of rush our presentation though, as the first presentation took over an hour, as the prof interjected and made comments, and the group had a ton of info in their power point. I should probably try to do work tomorrow, but I don't have hopes for that happening. :-)

Update: I did try to talk and break the ice during rare books. Not the best results, but it was ok. It's frustrating that people weren't really willing to try and keep a conversation going. It just feels dull and boring there, when it shouldn't be. Everyone is content to keep to themselves and not interact. Maybe because there aren't any pairs or groups of friends in the class. That always makes a difference.

I would also appreciate prayer as I attempt to meet new people and be friendly. There is always a balance, and I would like to be careful and in that balance.