one30nine

It's HOT!

2010-06-15T07:29:00.001-05:00

...and it's only June.

Posted via email from pambhm's posterous

BOOK REVIEW: A Million Miles in a Thousand Years - by Donald Miller

2010-02-05T00:05:00.003-06:00

The author of "Blue Like Jazz" has another attention-getting book - "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years". thanks to Thomas Nelson I got a complementary copy to review. The books have the same weird humor, but the latest one has much more emotion and is much more likely to prompt a reader to introspection!

This time Miller's writing his own story - thinly disguised... Here's the plot: a writer gets so caught up in his writing and fictionalizing to 'make a good exciting read' that he ignores that fact that his own life is boring. It's passing by and he doesn't even realize he's not living it!

While he's concentrating on making up a good story, he is offered the chance to write a movie script of his life. He is attempting to conjur up something that people will want to read. So - using first person narrative Miller asks the question - "What makes a good story?" Through his own journey he gives a good example for others to evaluate their life goals and values; what's really important.

By the end of the book, Miller comes to the conclusion that a life lived well should make a good read. I can recommend this book, but be prepared to think about your own story. Does it need to be edited to be something others would consider 'reading'?

2010-02-04T23:34:00.002-06:00

I was given a copy of Eli Gold's book to review - "From Peanuts to the Pressbox Insider Sport Stories From A Life Behind The Mic" - by Thomas Nelson company. However, given that I'm a Bama fan - and the fact that the Tide just won the National Championship - I was very happy to give it a read.

As you would expect the book is an easy read with lots of great stories from Eli's experiences in a variety of sports. In and around Birmingham his voice is recognized easily - from Alabama football or NASCAR. This book doesn't necessarily compel you to finish it quickly or draw you to turn the page, but it does give an insider's take of the sportscaster role..

Eli Gold went from a New York kid fascinated by sports to a widely recognized voice - in Alabama football and for NASCAR. Selling peanuts at Madison Square Garden to Bryant-Denny and Talladega. I can hear his voice in my head saying 'Tide Wins! Tide Wins!" and "TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA". Those are sweet words in a state that bleeds crimson.

Today...

2007-03-09T08:39:00.000-06:00

From Lamp Unto My Feet by Elisabeth Elliot:

Today there are just too many things to do. My natural response is to fret and fear. Both are forbidden: Fret not. Fear not. That tells me what not to do. What, then, should I do?
"I will run the course set out in thy commandments, for they gladden my heart'' (Ps 119:32 NEB).
There will be both time and strength today to run that course, for it is always possible to do the will of God. The course He sets for us in his commandments is not an obstacle course, but one carefully planned to suit our qualifications--that is, not too rigorous for our limitations, not too lenient for our strengths.

The plan of God for me, for this one day, is meant not to trouble but to gladden my heart. Christ's yoke, according to his own promise, is not hard but easy--if we bear it together with Him and if we bear it as Christ bore it, in meekness and lowliness of heart.
"We must run with resolution the race for which we are entered, our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom faith depends from start to finish" (Heb 12:2 NEB).

my healer

2007-02-05T17:46:00.000-06:00

There the LORD made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them, saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer.”

What is a healer? At the end of chapter 15 in Exodus, God said 'I am the LORD, your healer.' This came after an 'if'. What does that mean? God will not heal us unless... Surely God's healing is not conditional?

God's love is unconditional - He does not change. Nothing I can do will change that!

But what about healing?

goals

2007-02-03T12:12:00.000-06:00

2007 is a year of goals - financial, relational, physical and spiritual.

My physical goals include our staff at work being challenged to participate in a 5K on the Saturday of Easter weekend. Another goal is weight loss - I'm enrolled in a WW class at church - and have lost 20 pounds since Thanksgiving. The biggest goal at the moment is a benefit bike ride called the Old Howard 100 set for April 21 at Judson. I'm in 'training' for all three things - eating on a schedule, making better food choices, walking, riding my trainer, etc... The only food I really don't want to 'give up' is Dr. Pepper - I just really like it!!! The biggest food adjustment I've made is going to the grocery store and eating at home MUCH more.

Financially I'm in pretty good shape - I have my taxes almost ready to file for 2006 and it looks like I'm getting a refund. Yeah! I'm also checking into my retirement options and making some investment decisions with the help of a new friend.

Relationships have suffered a bit locally since I have not been eating out so much. I need to work on that one. I've also determined to spend time with my nephew at least once each month - he's 2 1/2 and is growing and changing so FAST. I know that I need to spend time nurturing those relationships that are not local too - apparently I'm not very good at that!

Spiritually, I've been spending time reading through the Bible - in the new ESV version. It's been good to get a new perspective on things I've read so many times before in KJV or NIV. The ladies at work are starting a new study called "Lies Women Believe" soon. I think it will be very good - and it's discussion based instead of video - much more personal and interactive.

Deceived by lies

2007-02-03T12:11:00.000-06:00

"Satan's ultimate lie is that you are capable of being the god of your own life, and his ultimate bondage is getting you to live as though his lie is truth", by psychologist, Neil Anderson.

It's been a long time...I

2007-01-26T20:16:00.000-06:00

...since I posted anything here! Let's see if I can do something about that...

I have lots to do at work, a grad school project to finish this term, two pups to take care of, and a whole lot of ideas and plans to fulfill. One of them is run/walking my first (and possibly only) 5k on Easter weekend - and to ride at least 50 miles in a charity bike ride two weeks later. Needless to say I'm in training - for walking/running and for cycling. Fortunately they overlap - especially at my level. The pups are helping with the walking, but they don't like the indoor trainer for the bike. I'm also on a healthy eating / weight loss plan - we'll see where this leads...

one week later - the ongoing AC tale...

2005-05-28T20:57:00.000-05:00

same song - new verse... still no AC. It's almost June - time to get serious... Since Monday is a holiday --- expect a call on Tuesday. Sound familiar??? (see last Saturday's post)

am I miserable? --no.
is the upstairs unit running? --yes.
do I have ceiling fans to keep the air moving? --yes.
could I temporarily sleep over at a friend's house? --yes.
do I want the AC repaired? --YES.

It's just the hassle of dealing with it right now. The weather has not been too bed - yet.

the name - one30nine

2005-05-25T23:17:00.000-05:00

How this blog got it's name...

Well...it's really not too complicated. 139 is the number of my favorite Psalm. If you haven't read it, please take a minute to do that... Even if you can quote some of it, please just take a few minutes to read it again. There are great reminders about who God is - our Creator, Father, protector...

end of May - no A/C

2005-05-21T15:57:00.000-05:00

OK, so it's been a while. I've had some family stuff happening - moving my Mom from my childhood home, etc... I also had some work to do for a graduate class - can you say waste of time? Add my job and the dogs to that and I haven't posted in two months...

The compressor on my air conditioner is dead. It's Saturday afternoon and the repair guy said expect a call from them by Tuesday... At least it's May and not August!!!!

I've been reading some other blogs lately - Christians who are tech people and/or writers. It's good to hear perspectives from a variety of folks.

He is risen!

2005-03-27T22:29:00.000-06:00

Easter 2005

Wonderful worship at church, shared meals with family and friends

Thanks be to God for the gift of His Son, our Savior.

power washing

2005-03-26T15:56:00.000-06:00

pressure washing - deep cleaning - blasting the unwanted, unwelcomed away

While using the power washer on the driveway some analogies came to mind.

1) When cleaning, don't rush. Doing it right requires strategy, repetition and time. Sounds just like the Christian daily walk.

2) Even the most careful person cannot do major cleaning without splashing water around the target area. Again, people and things around the area being cleaned are gonna get wet! For some there is no effect, others squeal, some help, some are improved as a bonus.

3) It's work!!!!! Experiences, environment, the trade-off of doing other things --- all effect the attitude of those involved in the cleaning.

what's important?

2005-03-21T15:47:00.000-06:00

How do you make choices? - whatever suits you at the moment? - intense, deliberate, conscious thought processes? - flip a coin? - the option that gives the most glory? - the path of least resistance?

And why do you make a choice? - are you forced by circumstances? - is it because of internal motivation for change? - for excitement? - for the reactions of others?

While we're moving in this line of thinking - do your financial decisions have any bearing on your emotional health? what about your physical state? - which quadrant carries the most weight in a decision you have to make: physical, emotional, financial or spiritual factors?

Tough questions huh? I realize that most people never question their own choices and how they make them... Am I - wise is decision-making? - intentional in moving toward my goals with each opportunity that presents itself? - choosing good things or the best?

why blog?

2005-03-20T23:03:00.000-06:00

Joining the blog community today - not sure why? Maybe this is primarily to help me get my thoughts together - not really intended to be beneficial for others to read. If that's a by-product, great! I suspect my musings through this outlet will be random in subject matter, timing, opinion and motivation. If you want to follow along or check in now and then - be my guest.