Courtesy: Robert Phillips, Photographer
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Walking With God - He Still Speaks
I went and saw John Eldredge speak this week on the topic of walking with God. I had read a few of his books, my favorite being “Waking the Dead”. I was excited about hearing him and learning how to better walk with the Lord. I was not disappointed.
John is as eloquent and entertaining in person as he is in his books. His down to earth, practical style is appealing to the ear and his beliefs are sound and biblical. He talked about learning to hear God speak and getting quiet enough to do so in the chaotic world we live in. We practiced learning to listen and hearing God’s voice a few times at the lecture but I only heard myself say, “I love you, I love you”. I have heard God speak to me a few times over the years and I do believe that he still speaks to us and desires to lead us but that night He didn’t speak to me. Armed with his new book in hand, the evening ended much too soon for me.
Today as I was reading “Slowing Down to Listen” out of John’s new book “Walking with God” I decided to give it a try by asking God a simple question. I prayed, “Lord, Do you want me to clean the basement or continue to read”. I followed John’s suggestion of trying on each question and see if I got any negative feelings or heard the Lord’s voice directly on which option to do. I heard nothing. So I tried again, “Lord, do you want me to clean the basement then?” Pause. Nothing. “Lord, do you want me to read then?” Pause. Nothing. Tried again. Nothing. Tried again. Nothing but silence on each question. So I said, “Lord I’ll just read until you tell me what you want me to do”. And then it came. “Marie, call Marie”. Oh dear, that wasn’t the question and I didn’t want to call Marie. Again, “Marie, call Marie”. You see I’ve been thinking of Marie for quite a while and knowing I need to call but just not following through. Her husband, John was an ex-patient of mine at Hospice who I befriended when he was transferred to another facility. I had traveled to see him for over a year at that facility until he died. He had lung cancer and Marie also has cancer. John had asked me to watch over her before he died. Something I have failed to do. But today the Lord told me what I needed to do. I called Marie.
Later on in the day when I sat down to read some more, John pointed out that sometimes when we question God he will tell us something that we are not asking at all. And so He had… “call Marie” he had said.
He still speaks. He doesn’t always say what we want to hear. But He still speaks.
John is as eloquent and entertaining in person as he is in his books. His down to earth, practical style is appealing to the ear and his beliefs are sound and biblical. He talked about learning to hear God speak and getting quiet enough to do so in the chaotic world we live in. We practiced learning to listen and hearing God’s voice a few times at the lecture but I only heard myself say, “I love you, I love you”. I have heard God speak to me a few times over the years and I do believe that he still speaks to us and desires to lead us but that night He didn’t speak to me. Armed with his new book in hand, the evening ended much too soon for me.
Today as I was reading “Slowing Down to Listen” out of John’s new book “Walking with God” I decided to give it a try by asking God a simple question. I prayed, “Lord, Do you want me to clean the basement or continue to read”. I followed John’s suggestion of trying on each question and see if I got any negative feelings or heard the Lord’s voice directly on which option to do. I heard nothing. So I tried again, “Lord, do you want me to clean the basement then?” Pause. Nothing. “Lord, do you want me to read then?” Pause. Nothing. Tried again. Nothing. Tried again. Nothing but silence on each question. So I said, “Lord I’ll just read until you tell me what you want me to do”. And then it came. “Marie, call Marie”. Oh dear, that wasn’t the question and I didn’t want to call Marie. Again, “Marie, call Marie”. You see I’ve been thinking of Marie for quite a while and knowing I need to call but just not following through. Her husband, John was an ex-patient of mine at Hospice who I befriended when he was transferred to another facility. I had traveled to see him for over a year at that facility until he died. He had lung cancer and Marie also has cancer. John had asked me to watch over her before he died. Something I have failed to do. But today the Lord told me what I needed to do. I called Marie.
Later on in the day when I sat down to read some more, John pointed out that sometimes when we question God he will tell us something that we are not asking at all. And so He had… “call Marie” he had said.
He still speaks. He doesn’t always say what we want to hear. But He still speaks.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
My Mother Likes Me Again
Many of you may recall my photo I posted a while back about why my mother hates me:
Now she likes me again:
Don't know why she's so fickle!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
A Man Who Lies
For the past year, I have made excuses for a man who doesn’t know the meaning of the word honesty simply because we were such a good match in all other areas. Why is it I was willing to overlook such a major character flaw?
We seemed to connect in so many ways. We liked some of the same things; we disliked some of the same things. We had an easygoing manner together. We laughed together. We talked together. We did the things that couples do and we planned to be married. We planned our future together.
Back in the beginning, when I first discovered he lied I made excuses and blamed myself. Maybe if I was better at handling the truth he wouldn’t lie. After all, I had my own issues. I made numerous excuses for his bad behavior. Meanwhile I was honest, loyal, and giving. I told the truth even when it might cause an argument. I changed in ways that made him happy. I quit complaining about the overtime he worked. When I felt lonely, I learned how to entertain myself rather than depending on him to entertain me. I grew as a person. For that I am thankful. Yet, he continued to lie. He lied to avoid arguments and he lied to cover up. He lied to get his way. He lied.
One day, when he looked into my eyes and told the biggest boldest lie he had ever told I decided enough was enough. I finally realized I deserved better. I deserve a man who I can respect. I realized I cannot respect a man who isn’t capable of honesty.
Now he will go on to his next love and she will be the one to decide if she has enough self respect to demand more. As I think about the love lost and the potential we had I feel sorry for him…so very sorry and yet within there is a hope that somewhere there is a man who will look deeply in my eyes and know that to lie to me would be like death itself to his soul and he will be the man I can respect and share my love with.
We seemed to connect in so many ways. We liked some of the same things; we disliked some of the same things. We had an easygoing manner together. We laughed together. We talked together. We did the things that couples do and we planned to be married. We planned our future together.
Back in the beginning, when I first discovered he lied I made excuses and blamed myself. Maybe if I was better at handling the truth he wouldn’t lie. After all, I had my own issues. I made numerous excuses for his bad behavior. Meanwhile I was honest, loyal, and giving. I told the truth even when it might cause an argument. I changed in ways that made him happy. I quit complaining about the overtime he worked. When I felt lonely, I learned how to entertain myself rather than depending on him to entertain me. I grew as a person. For that I am thankful. Yet, he continued to lie. He lied to avoid arguments and he lied to cover up. He lied to get his way. He lied.
One day, when he looked into my eyes and told the biggest boldest lie he had ever told I decided enough was enough. I finally realized I deserved better. I deserve a man who I can respect. I realized I cannot respect a man who isn’t capable of honesty.
Now he will go on to his next love and she will be the one to decide if she has enough self respect to demand more. As I think about the love lost and the potential we had I feel sorry for him…so very sorry and yet within there is a hope that somewhere there is a man who will look deeply in my eyes and know that to lie to me would be like death itself to his soul and he will be the man I can respect and share my love with.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
NCL Cruise - Majesty Ship
I recently went on a cruise out of Charleston, SC through the Norwegian Cruise Line on the Majesty Ship. I was psyched about getting to actually drive to get on the ship and avoid the airport hassle. I was looking forward to visiting Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Key West. NCL's "freestyle cruise" promised to be a relaxing time where I could enjoy being "off the clock" as NCL says.
While I got some great pictures and made some good memories cruising is not what I remembered from the past. Years ago I took a Carnival cruise to the Bahamas and the memories were so much better than the reality of the NCL cruise. Is it that the cruise lines are so different or that everything has become so commercial? It seems as if the whole pitch while on board was to get money out of my pocket.
A 
bar drink automatically included a 15% tip...a bit much I think since the majority of people don't generally tip 15% for a bar drink. They don't point out the tip is included either so you might end up double tipping until you catch on. While the servers were happy to bring any alocholic beverage for you and constantly try to sell them to you...when asked for a glass of tea they replied, "oh, I can't bring you that".
bar drink automatically included a 15% tip...a bit much I think since the majority of people don't generally tip 15% for a bar drink. They don't point out the tip is included either so you might end up double tipping until you catch on. While the servers were happy to bring any alocholic beverage for you and constantly try to sell them to you...when asked for a glass of tea they replied, "oh, I can't bring you that".Four games of Bingo ended up costing me 40 bucks and the cash prize of only 100-150 bucks a game seemed really small. Although this did include a Jackpot game worth 1000 bucks they only allowed you so many numbers to fill your card (they didn't tell you this fact while paying to play). No one won the jackpot.
Every show I attended was preceded with a cruise members trying to sell "crack offs" claming you could win 2000 bucks for the small cost of 20. They sold many of these to the crowd each night. I heard a few people say they won a whole dollar.
In the casino I put 10 bucks in money changer thinking I needed quarters to play the slots. After realizing the slots only took dollars, I cashed in the quarters to be given back $9.95. The change machine shafted me five cents...while it was only a nickel there were countless people using the change machine...the boat operates 7 days a week 10 months a year...you do the math.
The shore excursions were another way NCL made money...Parasailing in the Grand Cayman's costed me 69.00 for a six minute ride that tied up four hours of my time. Although I had a blast, this indicated to me that NCL did not value my time...only my money. The Jeep and Snorkel Adventure at Cozumel also left much to be desired. The jeeps were in bad shape and NCL did not deliver on what the package had promised. The Premier Ball Stroll in Key West proved to be the only shore excursion that was worth the money.Are all cruise lines this way now? Guess I'll have to book another one on the Carnival so I can judge for myself. It just seems sad that customer service seems to be a thing of the past anymore. I would have rather paid a higher upfront rate and been treated like a valued guest than made to feel my money was the end all for NCL.
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