I've having to keep one eye on the clock this morning and it's not for work. I have a training appointment at the gym at 7AM. I gave my trainer permission to schedule me some at 7AM, although it messes up my workday. Sorta. I'm sure I mentioned this before; I have to quit at 6AM so that I can be ready to go out the door at 6:30AM and then get over there with a few minutes to spare. It's colder out now so that makes it a big uncomfortable for me, but 'it is what it is'. We are doing core today. Which means I'm going to struggle through tightening up my belly. Sigh. I wish the tightening would remove he fat, but it doesn't. But working on my core strength helps me stay balanced and not as likely to fall easily. Just like my leg exercises, though they may hurt, help me to stand and walk without swaying or have a fear of falling. Anyway - it's core day at the gym and I have about 45 minutes before I need to stop and get dressed and head over. I'll start work about 7:45AM when I get back and work through my lunch hour and still get off at 4PM. Depending on what I'm doing at that time, I can also work a little later tonight. You needed to know all that, right?
I had fun yesterday. I took a few breaks from work and made several half pint jars of 'Christmas Jam' - which is cranberries and strawberries. I even took a bag of strawberries out of the freezer and finished using up my small jars. And they all sealed. I think I ended up with a total of about 14 half pints and 2 larger ones. Then, I was in the mood to finish up the pickles. And I did. I 'pickled' from about 4PM to about 7PM. I used up all the mini cukes I had still in packages. I have some still in bags in the refrigerator that we can munch on, but finished up what I had out. I think it was like about 9 pints and 1 quart. Some with cucumbers and onions (bread n butter), and some with just pickles. Will see how that works. For me, it was a busy day and evening, but I enjoyed it so much. But I think I am done canning for awhile. I don't need to bake until the middle of next month. Unless I get overtaken by the desire to get some more done! For me, it was a fun day, doing things that I enjoy doing. In between working, of course.
I did make a run over to JoAnn's to pick up lace for the baby quilts I am making. I did not know that people just don't buy lace anymore (I'm guessing), and now I realize why Walmart didn't have much to look at. JoAnn's has all their lace in a 'clearance type' location, and it is nearly depleted. I did a lot of talking with God while I was going through the lace, asking for His help to find what I needed. I finally found two rolls of lace (x3 for three quilts) that could possibly work for what I want on the quilts. Quantity was scarce and I was praying that I could find two rolls (because they are only 4-5 yards in each roll and I needed six yards, of course) of the same design. My next choice would have been Hobby Lobby. I have to feel the lace, otherwise I would just go online and find a place and order it. I wanted a soft lace, not something scratchy. Anyway, I picked up six rolls of lace and hopefully can make it all work. I'll have lace left over so many need to find another project; or make smaller quilts.
Jam-making is done; pickles are done; and now I am ready to start back on the quilts. I love making things and giving them away, have you noticed. I sat down last night after I finished the pickles and was going to start on the quilt - and hubby turned the TV off. Then I had a choice. Read, which I also love to do, or start pinning on the lace to the first quilt. Well, reading won. I can always work with my hands while the TV is on, but I don't often have the time to read. I'm getting way behind and I think I have 9 books to go on my goal for this year - but I am not going to worry nor stress about it. It was a 'toss-out' number anyway. I beat last year's goal on reading, so I still did good. November and December are my busy creating months so all reading slows down anyway.
Psalm 1:1-2 (NKJV): Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1 is referred to as a 'wisdom psalm'. It presents a contrast between the way of a righteous and the way of the wicked. It focuses on character and the different destinies of the righteous and the wicked. It points to the truth even when the falsehoods of our culture begin to cloud our thinking. It tells of walking with God, and turning away from Him. It's an interesting introduction to a large book in the Bible, one which should be read slowly and meditatively. Most of us know Psalm 23. And there may be one or two others you memorized growing up. Do you still remember them?
I'm reading a book by Mark Cahill titled Ten Questions from the King. I haven't gotten but to Chapter 2 or 3, I think, but it is somewhat interesting. He is a bold one, Mark Cahill is. Much more bolder than I, I will admit. He goes around and he easily asks people questions. Questions like "Who do you say Jesus is?" He commented the some of the responses are very vague. Most people anymore have 'heard' about 'this Jesus', but they have no clue who He is. They don't know that He came to earth, that He is the Son of the Living God, that He took on all our sins, was beaten, scourged, whipped, put on a cross to die, (things that WE deserve for our sins!); He took it all for you and me. And not only did He go to the cross for you and I, He died there. He was buried in a tomb no one had used yet. And on the third day, the stone was rolled away and He walked out. Alive. Hallelujah! And He did all that to take our sins to the cross and leave them there. He ascended to the Father, our Glorious God, and lives there, waiting for the time for Him to come back and take us, who believe in Him, back with Him.
So here is a question for you - "Who do you say Jesus is?"
Anyway - like I said, I haven't gotten very far, but Mark Cahill strikes up these conversations and questions with everyone he meets. And he says he gets interesting answers. I'm not that bold, I admit. There was a time, I believe, that I could have been. I can remember standing up at church one Sunday evening at a church meeting, appalled that people were nit-picking over a $2 bank charge for someone's bounced check and how they just didn't see how we could meet the budget the church had set for the following year. In my mind, nothing was too much for God, and instead of having the mind-set of God can do anything He wants with our money, increase it over the budget, or meet the budget - they wanted to reduce the budget to where they felt comfortable in meeting it. I still remember that meeting. I couldn't believe they didn't have the faith to believe in what God could do.
I thought then, and I believe now, that God is more than able to do immeasurably more than we could ever hope or imagine. I have been beaten up a few times and my faith isn't as strong as it used to be. I could debate anyone at one time, but I've not been able - yet - to overcome the broken heart syndrome of being put down and demeaned over my walk with God. I've mentioned it a few times before, I'm sure. I believe; I always will believe in God. It's the boldness I used to have in my faith that I've lost. I pray frequently that I find it again. People like for me to 'stay in my corner' and not make a stand. So I keep reading my Bible and other books so that when I need to take a stand, I will without fear of name calling and demeaning words. What is that saying? 'Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.' Yeah, the words hurt. Deeply. They cut right in to the soul.
And with that - I'm off here - got to get ready for the gym. Have an amazing day!
Blessings!
