Claude Monet once said,
"Color is my day-long obsession, joy and torment..."
With good reason too, the color in his art speaks for itself.
More recently, my own obsessions have been brought to mind. Nutella. New York. Needless writing. And numerous other things. So why the obsession in the first place?
In my opinion, obsession is love. In the fact that it is an overwhelming fixation of something on the mind. A compelling notion, so to speak.
Like many of my ruminations, these thoughts led me to this thought; what then is God's obsession?
It hit me one day in midst of a hymn. People. Countless books, chapters, and verses from His Book tell us again and again of His obsession with us.
Our creation by His hand. The Israelites being led through the desert by Him to the Promised Land. Prophets sent by Him to tell of our need for Him. Prophets telling us of His coming. His actual coming. His healing of our brokenness. His redemption of us. Paul and other folks' writings of His relationship with us.
Many have said that His Book is His love letter to us. Each time I read it, I believe it, more and more. He's always thinking of us. We should definitely always be thinking of Him.
Obsess over Him. His obsessiveness needs to be reciprocated.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
紅山紅海?
Old habits die hard.
Another outing to Wally World to "win" some sundry toiletries. Woo.
When I came in, I was met with a sea of red, pink, and white. Another pre-V-Day sale, of course. Those colors against a background of that sterilizing fluorescent lighting was almost TOO much, yet so captivating. I wish I'd taken a picture of it all.
As I wandered through the aisles of oddly shaped Mylar and perfectly crafted polyester to the aisles of soap, I couldn't help but think about Moses.
God split the Red Sea so that Moses could lead His people into the Promised Land. How truly wonderful is His love for His people.
How beautiful is the One that moves mountains and waters because He loves us. Among other things.
John 3:16-17.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Another outing to Wally World to "win" some sundry toiletries. Woo.
When I came in, I was met with a sea of red, pink, and white. Another pre-V-Day sale, of course. Those colors against a background of that sterilizing fluorescent lighting was almost TOO much, yet so captivating. I wish I'd taken a picture of it all.
As I wandered through the aisles of oddly shaped Mylar and perfectly crafted polyester to the aisles of soap, I couldn't help but think about Moses.
God split the Red Sea so that Moses could lead His people into the Promised Land. How truly wonderful is His love for His people.
How beautiful is the One that moves mountains and waters because He loves us. Among other things.
John 3:16-17.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
三代同堂
At most holiday/festivals/celebrations is this a likely occurrence.
In my better-late-than-never-slow-recognizance-of-the-fact, I've seen it where it has been 4 generations together, one of which has been the case of my own family. Needless to say, privacy with this many people in the house can only be few and far between. AND, the old woman living in the shoe thought she had it bad?
With so many shared meals and maybe not enough living space, it is almost inevitable that ideas, thoughts, and the so called wisdom of the ages are exchanged. I can't help but wonder at times, why the discourse at all?
The Pentateuch has countless times mentioned somebody giving due props to the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Israel. Certainly wisdom of the ages worth mentioning.
Yes, there will be sweat, blood, and tears included in the deluge of words with the folks we call family. But,幸福 comes, showing its pretty little head in the mire of it all. 通過祂的恩典 and A WHOLE LOT of prayer.
In my better-late-than-never-slow-recognizance-of-the-fact, I've seen it where it has been 4 generations together, one of which has been the case of my own family. Needless to say, privacy with this many people in the house can only be few and far between. AND, the old woman living in the shoe thought she had it bad?
With so many shared meals and maybe not enough living space, it is almost inevitable that ideas, thoughts, and the so called wisdom of the ages are exchanged. I can't help but wonder at times, why the discourse at all?
The Pentateuch has countless times mentioned somebody giving due props to the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Israel. Certainly wisdom of the ages worth mentioning.
Yes, there will be sweat, blood, and tears included in the deluge of words with the folks we call family. But,幸福 comes, showing its pretty little head in the mire of it all. 通過祂的恩典 and A WHOLE LOT of prayer.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
重新開始
Février est ici!
Full of good stuff, hands down.
Groundhog Day, 春節, Super Bowl Sunday, Valentine's Day, Presidents' Day, etc. etc.
Black History Month!
And why is this month so freakin' cold?!? (I love it though.)
Yet another month to start over. Another month to do it again. Another month to set it right.
Yet, still remembering all is contingent on the fact that He gives me tomorrow; further, still remembering to fight today.
馬太福音6:34.
Full of good stuff, hands down.
Groundhog Day, 春節, Super Bowl Sunday, Valentine's Day, Presidents' Day, etc. etc.
Black History Month!
And why is this month so freakin' cold?!? (I love it though.)
Yet another month to start over. Another month to do it again. Another month to set it right.
Yet, still remembering all is contingent on the fact that He gives me tomorrow; further, still remembering to fight today.
馬太福音6:34.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
being a crybaby
發脾氣. Actin' up. Throwing a temper tantrum.
Anyone who has dealt with children of any age has encountered this at some point or another. For the "unfortunate" ones who have had to deal with the REALLY little youngins, I empathize.
Once again, I played caretaker (read: babysitter) for my dear cousin again. I secretly enjoy this, it's like people watching. Albeit, really little people and actual interaction.
Tempers had been brewing and a throw-down or two were in order. The inevitable happened, of course.
In the midst of the pandemonium and as I wiped away my crocodile tears, I received another insight. (This seems to be a recurring theme for me...)
There are some cries (read: bellyaches) you don't necessarily have to respond to. I'll qualify that, for fear of CPS coming down on me. I WANT THAT TOY! THIS IS MINE! I DON'T WANT TO EAT THAT! etc. etc. Ignoring such in hopes they realize that there is reason behind it all.
In the same way, although much more refined, we as "grown ups" have the very same gripes. Which led me to this...How many of our complaints does Our Father ignore in hopes that we wise up?
Obviously MUCH wiser than us, bar none. Psalm 139 repeatedly reminds me that He knows me, better than I do. All of us, for that matter.
Quit the bellyachin'. His reasoning is much better.
Anyone who has dealt with children of any age has encountered this at some point or another. For the "unfortunate" ones who have had to deal with the REALLY little youngins, I empathize.
Once again, I played caretaker (read: babysitter) for my dear cousin again. I secretly enjoy this, it's like people watching. Albeit, really little people and actual interaction.
Tempers had been brewing and a throw-down or two were in order. The inevitable happened, of course.
In the midst of the pandemonium and as I wiped away my crocodile tears, I received another insight. (This seems to be a recurring theme for me...)
There are some cries (read: bellyaches) you don't necessarily have to respond to. I'll qualify that, for fear of CPS coming down on me. I WANT THAT TOY! THIS IS MINE! I DON'T WANT TO EAT THAT! etc. etc. Ignoring such in hopes they realize that there is reason behind it all.
In the same way, although much more refined, we as "grown ups" have the very same gripes. Which led me to this...How many of our complaints does Our Father ignore in hopes that we wise up?
Obviously MUCH wiser than us, bar none. Psalm 139 repeatedly reminds me that He knows me, better than I do. All of us, for that matter.
Quit the bellyachin'. His reasoning is much better.
Monday, January 24, 2011
兩面三刀
Quite the description for someone two faced.
Polonius' famous last words to Laertes come to mind.
I think I've been guilty of NOT doing this TOO much lately. I used to pride myself in overcompensating too much truth to people I know to compensate the too little truth to people I don't know. Let that marinade for a little bit.
The question of balancing truth and privacy on one's shoulders is enough to make a professional tightrope walker quit their profession.
James was writing some hard truths in his letter. His written words cut into me like those of the 3 proverbial knives cutting into the person I just stabbed.
Maybe He's gardening again.
James 1:2-8, James 4:7-10, John 15:1-8.
It's time for some new fruit.
Polonius' famous last words to Laertes come to mind.
I think I've been guilty of NOT doing this TOO much lately. I used to pride myself in overcompensating too much truth to people I know to compensate the too little truth to people I don't know. Let that marinade for a little bit.
The question of balancing truth and privacy on one's shoulders is enough to make a professional tightrope walker quit their profession.
James was writing some hard truths in his letter. His written words cut into me like those of the 3 proverbial knives cutting into the person I just stabbed.
Maybe He's gardening again.
James 1:2-8, James 4:7-10, John 15:1-8.
It's time for some new fruit.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
eating His words...with butter?
DISCLAIMER: I was not put up to this by ANY company.
I was in the bread aisle looking for such. So long as it isn't sawdust dry, I consider it game to eat.
Like any typical bread aisle of the Eastern seaboard and its neighboring states, I came across some Sunbeam bread. Yet the logo wasn't the usual Little Miss Sunbeam munching on a slice.
She was praying.
In words right beside her praying hands were: "Not By Bread Alone".
I know this isn't an unusual sight for the avid Sunbeam aficionados, but it caught me off guard.
Such a bold statement for the Israelites coming into the Promised Land. For the devil when Christ answered him after fasting for 40 days in the wilderness. For the land of plenty when millions still suffer from having not enough to eat.
In Greek, (λόγος) "logos" is used to describe Christ in the Gospel of John. In Spanish, "pan" means bread. In Greek, it means all.
Pan for pan? Logos for pan is the much better deal.
John 1:1 and Deuteronomy 8:3.
I was in the bread aisle looking for such. So long as it isn't sawdust dry, I consider it game to eat.
Like any typical bread aisle of the Eastern seaboard and its neighboring states, I came across some Sunbeam bread. Yet the logo wasn't the usual Little Miss Sunbeam munching on a slice.
She was praying.
In words right beside her praying hands were: "Not By Bread Alone".
I know this isn't an unusual sight for the avid Sunbeam aficionados, but it caught me off guard.
Such a bold statement for the Israelites coming into the Promised Land. For the devil when Christ answered him after fasting for 40 days in the wilderness. For the land of plenty when millions still suffer from having not enough to eat.
In Greek, (λόγος) "logos" is used to describe Christ in the Gospel of John. In Spanish, "pan" means bread. In Greek, it means all.
Pan for pan? Logos for pan is the much better deal.
John 1:1 and Deuteronomy 8:3.
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