Ruminations from the Temple

OK, so I love quotes.  I'm drawn like a magnet to those little quote collection books and websites that allow you to find just the right quote with a search word.  Yesterday, while perusing a wonderful little hospital gift store, I found a awesome new addition to my quote library - squeeeee! Ross and Kathryn Petras, brother and sister, are great curators of quotes; this offering has 618 rules to live by...618?  That makes me excited!  They have also written "Age Doesn't Matter Unless You're a Cheese" and a calendar, "The 365 Stupidest Things Ever Said" that may have to be sought out by yours truly. Padawan and I stood in the gift store for quite a while laughing at quotes as we paged through this little book.  The quote on the cover is one of my all-time favorites, and completely describes my life! Everyone at a party is uncomfortable.   Knowing that makes me more comfortable. ~Gary Shandling Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclus...

Favorite movie in the original trilogy... Return of the Jedi. I love the prequels best.  So sue me. *shrug* However, ROTJ has some great scenes; Jabba gets iced, Lando is pretty incredible and Leia gets to sport that overly-coveted metal bikini...how can you not like all that?  I have to admit a pretty strong dislike of Ewoks, but a Jedi respects all life forms, right?  I'll get over it. So, in honor of this week's challenge, I think I'll go plug in ROTJ and enjoy the return of the one who will re-establish the Jedi Order back to it's rightful place in the galaxy and facilitate balance being returned to the Force. (Gosh, Luke, don't you know the Jedi color is brown , not black...*sigh*  Ah well, that's what happens when you are not trained properly.  Actually, Luke looked more like a Jedi back on Tatooine...) Ben! Why didn't you tell me? You told me that Darth Vader betrayed and murdered my father. Your father... was seduced by the Dark Side...

from the Complete Jewish Bible Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. I think of James often.  Well, I suppose I can't say I think of James, himself, but of his words.  Since I definitely affirm that James is my favorite book of the canon, I can easily say that I meditate on his words, find myself quoting him often, as well as recognizing them in conversations and writing. ...

A meditation of rest. Rest for our bodies. Rest for our minds. Rest for our souls. By the seventh day G-d had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work. Then G-d blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that He had done. So they set out from the mountain of the LORD and traveled for three days. The ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them during those three days to find them a place to rest . Truly my soul finds rest in G-d; my salvation comes from Him. Yes, my soul, find rest in G-d; my hope comes from Him. This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength..." “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest . Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls....

So grateful for spring! I'm grateful for my warm slippers. I'm grateful for digital photographs. I'm grateful that I can come up with some gratefuls this morning! I'm grateful that the Spring Flinger letterboxing event went well, even though we couldn't go. I'm grateful for friends who are willing to pray with me. I'm grateful for the LORD's provision. I'm grateful for our wonderful conversation on Monday nights (and, I'm grateful that our next study is ordered and on it's way!). I'm grateful for public assistance that is able to help those who are truly in need. I'm grateful for compassion. I'm grateful for the sweet photo of my friend, Yofi, that sits right beside my computer. I'm grateful for a mini-roadtrip - and for mostly dry weather! I excited that the mountain was visible today! Sunny, blue sky! I'm grateful for some really wonderful friends across the pond. I'm grateful for Lisa...

As many of you know, I have had problems with my character being maligned maliciously, most seriously in the last year.  I have said it many times through this dark time of my life; I have never experienced such pain, sadness, betrayal,  anguish, and sheer amazement at the lack of integrity and purposeful hurt.  Through it all, I have done my absolute best to be humble, righteous, polite, kind and loving.  I have done nothing to be ashamed of, as the LORD has enabled me to be honest and forthright.  I am thankful for a clear conscience. Many friends, both near and far, have expressed their concern, love, hope and prayers for myself, and my close friends, as we have endured.  From the wise words of my husband and parents, to my beloved letterboxing community, to all my wonderful costuming friends, even friends of friends - they were all right.   You were all right ...the writing was on the wall.  Thank you for your continual love, care and compa...

Favorite planet? This city girl thinks Coruscant is definitely the planet to call home, especially since the Jedi Temple is located there.  Such a fascinating place with the many 'levels' - what a melting pot of the entire galaxy.  If you can't find it on Coruscant, it just doesn't exist! Definitely Coruscant is my favorite planet. One big city! the Jedi Temple on Coruscant

I am grateful. I am. I am grateful for good friends...as always. This has been such a difficult season, and I know I sound like a broken record, but I would not be breathing if it weren't for the precious souls the LORD has provided to come alongside me. I am grateful for my new Starbucks cup! I love it! I am grateful for a wonderful Shabbat filled with laughter. I'm grateful for the willingness of Beth Moore to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. I'm grateful for good teaching from Bev Hislop. I'm grateful for my new friend Angel and for Life Center. I'm grateful for time of meditation. I'm grateful for those who are willing to pray with me. I am so grateful for the opportunity to pray for others. I'm grateful for the opportunity to speak sweeter. I'm grateful for the faith the LORD has so graciously afforded me. I'm grateful for the delicate pink blossoms that are blooming on the trees. I'm grateful for love...

In the end, no one can make another into someone or something else without their consent. No one can force anyone to be someone they are not, or to act in ways that go against what they believe or think without their permission. No one can change another's personality, their physical features, or what makes them laugh or cry. No one has the right to tell anyone their feelings or emotions are wrong.  How they feel and react belongs to them, and them alone. No one has the right to request or demand anyone to act disingenuous for their own purposes. And, only the Ruach HaKodesh has the right to admonish us for our G-d given personality, flaws and all.  He is rather good at this, actually.   And, in all truth, He is the only one that can facilitate changes within us; this works best when we are willing and open to His leading. None of this, however, gives anyone the right to act poorly...ever. Serve G-d.   Live righteous.   Speak honest.   ...

A little girl, slight of build with long blonde hair, precariously stands on her bed with her head under the window curtain like a tallit.  She feels the coolness from the glass as she holds onto the sill with her petite fingers and peers up into the night sky. "I know you are up there, G-d," she says in a whisper. "You are there...I can feel you." " Why do bad things happen, G-d?  I don't want them to happen, but I see it all around me.  My mom cries and my dad got hurt so now he can't work.  My family doesn't have enough money sometimes - it gets kinda scary to hear my parents argue or when strangers are yelling or honking at each other in the street. And why, G-d, do some people have to be mean?  Were people mean to them?  So much so that they think that is just how they are supposed to be?  Are they just hiding something?  Maybe they didn't get enough love when they were little...  All I know is that I don't like it when grown ...

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place;  you will protect me from trouble  and surround me with songs of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you...

Favorite type of ship, or specific ship... I love the Nubian ships - they are just so sleek sophisticated. And, it would seem, that you only need to press one button  for all the commands!  Sweet!

I always am grateful for something to look forward to. I'm grateful for a busy day. I'm grateful for opportunities. I'm grateful for laughter. I'm grateful that I'm able to homeschool. I'm grateful that Netanya is being used of the LORD in new and exciting ways. I am so grateful that our first small group study went so well Monday night!  What a thrill, privilege and blessing! I am grateful that we get to see (and volunteer for) a Beth Moore conference this weekend. I'm so grateful that Morgan is doing well with her driving. I'm grateful for Larry - he's definitely my hero. I'm grateful for Spirit-led prayer. I'm grateful for beautiful, colorful flowers that magically appeared in my entry garden!   Thanks, Lisa!  I love you so much. OOps!! I missed posting yesterday due to sheer busyness...yikes! Mea culpa, mea culpa maxima... The grateful post is a little short this week, but I'm so grateful for the wonderful...

My Favorite Droid? OK, some of these prompts for this Challenge are a little canned.  Of course, everyone's favorite droid is going to be R2, wouldn't you think?  Followed closely by Threepio, pit droids from Episode I and the funny battle droids of the Clone Wars animated series.  But, I don't like to be mainstream much, and as a nod to my maternal grandmother who was a diner waitress for decades, I'm going to say my favorite droid is Teedle.  We find her in Dex's Diner in Episode II.  I love her New York accent and the fact that she motors around on a wheel - cool!  A lot of the female droids, especially in the Clone Wars, are a little too feminine in my view.  But Teedle is dressed appropriately for a retro diner, and she's efficient, too...just like my Grandma. TDL-501 or Teedle was a service droid developed by Accutronics shortly before the outbreak of the Clone Wars. The whole idea of droids is a fascinating - and a welcome one.  ...

Oh my gosh, how in the world do you debrief a comic book convention?  Absolutely overwhelming with every type of action figure, superhero, geek genre, science fiction nerd and don't forget the incredibly talented artists...what a crush!  This year Emerald City ComiCon was packed with, in my opinion, twice as many geeks and onlookers as last year.  I was told there was more media coverage, as well.  The line for photo ops with the 501st (Vader and his minions) was constant, as well as lines for popular artists and celebs like William Shatner (Captain Kirk, Star Trek) , Jonathan Frakes (Commander Riker, Star Trek) , and Brent Spiner (Data, Star Trek) ...oh, and so many more.  This convention is really starting to attract some big names.  I do know that a few of my Star Wars buddies got to spend some down time with Mr. Frakes after the convention was done for the day...wow!! (click on the slideshow to go to my Fotki album) This year was a big Star Trek...

Indwelling, overwhelming at times.  The Spirit moves in ways we can never know; the Spirit defies explanation.  The Spirit is the wind blowing through our lives, the words we hear deep in our soul, the longing we breathe every minute.  The Spirit reveals the truth, whispering...calling, beckoning. ...guard the truth that has been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.  ~2 Tim 1:14 Truth.  The truth of the living G-d, the One who directs, the One who knows.  Truth that is immovable, unchangeable, undeniable.  Truth, when acknowledged, leads to wisdom. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me for thou art the G-d of my salvation; for thee I wait all the day long. ~Psalm 25:5 Wisdom that comes from knowing the truth, knowing the Spirit.  Wisdom that dictates the righteous steps, the best choices, the high road...the way of compassion and grace.  This is not the wisdom of this world, but the wisdom that only comes from the Holy...

If wishes were horses Beggars would ride: If turnips were watches I would wear one by my side. And if ifs and ans were pots and pans, The tinker would never work! ~Old English Nursery Rhyme I wish it were sunny. I wish my friend didn't have to work at a stupid job. I wish I had some flowers in my yard. I wish we could be kind and friendly...just because. I wish I was a size smaller. I wish that gas prices wouldn't go through the roof. I wish my gray hairs weren't multiplying so quickly. I wish everyone could say they know the LORD. I wish some songs would last longer than they do. I wish my coffee would stay hot long enough for me to finish the cup. I wish computer viruses didn't exist. I wish friends didn't get sick. I wish I could talk to my Mom. I wish we would all know and believe the truth. I wish someone would find a cure for cancer...and MS. I wish it was easier for us all to forgive and move forward. I wish things like ho...

This morning I just needed to have a shot of springtime,  so I asked my facebook buddies to send me flowers...virtual flowers!  I got quite a bouquet! I got flowers from all over the country... Springtime flowers...so beautiful! Summertime colors from far away places  just make me smile with anticipation!  So delicate and sweet...from of the garden of a dear friend. Thanks, everyone, for the flowers today! “A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart  and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.”