Hello world!

This looks like fun! You mean I can post just about anything I want, and you viewers will actually read it and make comments? Cool! I can’t always get comments when I talk to people one-on-one. In coming to this realization, I’ve put tremendous pressure on myself, for sure. But the only way I can get better at this blog thing is if you leave comments. Can I count on your help? Don’t you hate when someone just drones on and on about a topic? I mean, they just won’t let it die. If I ever get like that, please promise me you’ll tell me to let it die. I can’t promise I’ll be entering something brilliant every time…or even once. But I can promise that my topics will be heartfelt, or at least something I believe in…or not believe in. Either way, I can promise I’ll have fun delivering it to you–hopefully as much as you will have fun reading it. Feels good, and thanks for allowing me to enter the world of blogdom. Comments, anyone?

The I’s have it!

  

 

 

Ear (Photo credit: Menage a Moi)

 While listening to others talk, are you listening to their message and what they’re trying to convey? Or are you listening for a subtle message behind the message? One that tells you that they really think a lot about themselves. Hmmm. Like how many times they said “I” in their speech. Don’t get me wrong, we have to talk about ourselves some. When we are asked point-blank about how we are when someone hasn’t seen us in a while, they really want to know what been going on in our lives. But come on, when we see someone every day and they ask how we are, they don’t want a moment by moment itinerary. Let’s face it, some of us talk about ourselves way too much, and some people will start avoiding us because they don’t get to enter the conversation unless they butt in. And if they don’t butt in, we don’t know how they are feeling or what’s going on in their lives. Maybe God led them there today to have you pray for them and what they are going through.  We are to think of others better than ourselves. Maybe…we just talk to be talking. And when we’re self-oriented we tend to say the word “I” way too often. God can’t use us for His purpose when we don’t listen to others and put their needs before our own.

 

 There’s no “I” in team. Have you heard that quote? Christians are a team, or we’re supposed to be anyway. This is an even better quote: There’s no “I” in team but there is in “win.” When we work for God–we win. Plain and simple. When we visit someone in the hospital, we can talk with other patients there, find out about their loved one, and ask if we can pray with them. Or we can simply take down the name of the patient and what they are having done, a little background on them if it’s serious, and pray on our own. We win!

Win Win (film) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 The bible tells us to be slow to anger, quick to listen and slow to speak. And since God gave us two ears and one mouth, maybe, just maybe we are supposed to listen at least twice as much as we talk. A lot of words are wasted in any given day. We don’t only talk about ourselves, but we also talk about others, and this in a derogatory manner, perhaps hearing it from another source. Gossip. If we don’t know something we know to be true, we need to allow it go in one ear and out the other. Again, the bible tells us to mind our own business, and not be busybodies. This is sound christian doctrine, and words we should all try to live by. Let’s do what we can to let this “me” generation fizzle out. Let’s ask ourselves how many times a day we say “I.” Then if it’s too often–we can change. Change is good. I’m  just saying.

Thanks for viewing.

Laugh a little!

 We’ve all been in certain situations where we’ve said the wrong thing, misunderstood someone, or been misunderstood. I know you have. Many of those situations are comical. Take Archie Bunker from the 1970s sitcom 

All in the Family, for instance. This show was based on misconstrued, or as Archie would say, misconscrewed information or ideas.

Another example of these situations is one of the characters Gilda Radner portrayed in the early years of Saturday Night Live. She played a  young woman, Roseanne Rosannadanna, a regular on Weekend Update with Jane Curtain or Chevy Chase. She gave commentaries on the news segment.

A photo of the original cast of SNL. From left to right: Laraine Newman, John Belushi, Jane Curtin, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, Garrett Morris and Chevy Chase (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 I got to thinking–we all need a good laugh once in a while, right? It’s good for our health. So for your enjoyment, and mostly because I got lazy and didn’t prepare a post–I’d like to present these characters to you. And if you are not familiar with them these links will bring their characters to you. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=Z7gLJr03vNQ

And here are some Archie Bunker quotes:

A woman should cleave into her husband. Right here in this house is where Edith’s cleavage belongs.

Like ships that clash in the night.

Just ’cause “there’s snow in the basement don’t mean there ain’t no fire in the roof!”

I got bigger fish to fly.

Hell hath no fury like a woman’s corns.

Executioner of a will.

It’s waddya call, wash your hands (one hand washes the other).

Birth patrol pills.

The dent in his car is hardly cold and he’s coming over here to claim his pound of fish.

We better not, ya know, kill our chickens before they cross the road.

Ifso fatso.

Get the hanging dog expression off your face.

We’re just sweeping dirty dishes under the rug.

Talking to you is like casting pearls into wine.

Up the creek without a saddle.

In the words of Harry S Truman: “If it’s too hot in the kitchen, stay away from the cook.”

You painted us into a corner, then you threw away the key.

Position is nine-tenths of the law.

I’m a man. Men have got another thing….they got waddya call, a carnival instinct.

Don’t be accusing me of taking a bribe. You know what they call that, “definition of character.”

It’s too late Edith, my bus has sailed.

That’s the kind of luck poor Mr. Lincoln had the night he went to the movies….and he sat in John Wilkes’ booth.

All girls go cockeyed during pooberescency.

Hot flushes

Mentalpause

A woman doctor is only good for women’s problems…like your groinocology.

The 2 of you was intricate together.

(To Denise the waitress) I count myself as an adult, and you, an adulteress.

That’s what Abel was saying when he got it in the back from his own brother with a cane.

Gonna take all of my thinking and all of my consecration.

Even Robinson Crusoe had company on Friday.

With all due regrets.

I’m sympathising my watch with yours.

You’re breakin’ about 18 laws, maybe even a dozen.

Take a cruise down to the Virgin’s Island.

Let me know some of your own or someone else’s blunders. I’m all ears–I mean eyes.

Thanks for viewing.

1-2-3-Go!

 

While reflecting on certain times in my life, I’ve come to realize that many of those times I’ve acted a little less than perfect. Okay, a lot less. So in doing this I have to say that I put important matters on the back burner instead of tackling them head on. Procrastination. That sounds like such a dirty,ugly, horrid word. And it is, really. Putting things off until the last minute like I did only made for restlessness and anxiety for me, and gave others the idea that I wasn’t worthy of their trust. It also lead to being late, giving others around me the feeling I didn’t care.

I do care!

  My solution—1-2-3-Go!   

This method helped me tremendously. I still fall victim to procrastination once in a while, but mostly I have managed to change that bad habit before any more damage was done–letting those I care about know they can rely on my word. What are we if our word is no good?

So, 1-2-3-Go! goes something like this:                                                                                                                                                                        

1 -FOCUS   –   on what needs to be done, write it down in order of importance if needed.

2 -PRAY  –   for the Holy Spirit to guide you and hold you accountable if the task is incomplete.

3 - TAKE ACTION   –    Get up! Seriously, stand up and move toward whatever it is that needs doing. By doing this you have already taken control. This is half the battle.

GO!   –   Just do it! Tackle the task now, and don’t forget to thank God for your new attitude of godliness. 

     

It will get easier. You may have devised your own method of avoiding procrastination. If so, that’s great. That means you’ve recognized this as a problem that needed to be combatted, and I give you props. Let me in on your method. C’mon, share.

Thanks for viewing.

 

 Related articles

3 Ways To Tackle Your Procrastination Problem (fastcompany.com)

Procrastination Sucks! But what is it telling me? (kathyarchersblog.com)

Forty Days

This is a celebration! An opportunity to share just a little in Christ’s suffering. Forty days from February 13 (Ash Wednesday) until Easter. 

It’s not just for the Catholics and Protestants anymore. Churches of various faiths have participated in this loving act for years now. It is a time of reflection, servitude, prayer, fasting, spiritual growth, and giving. When I say giving, I mean giving of yourself or doing without one thing you really love. Here are a few things  people give up: chocolate, candy, movies, tv, internet, Facebook (just kidding), potatoes, soft drinks. Anything that shows your willingness to do without for a time to reflect on what Jesus suffered for all of us.

 I read an article about Lent where this woman did Lent differently. She and her family decided not to give up anything. Instead, they would add one word to their thoughts to focus on totally…all the time and every day. When they woke up, the word consumed their thoughts for the day and they lived it.

Yeah, not giving up a single thing. I can do this!

So on Ash Wednesday I decided on my word to focus on and began the period of Lent. My word is PATIENCE. I could do with a little more of that, so I started with concentration and a little effort and was pretty much handling the situation, when a couple of days into it I hit a snag. Certain things bothered me and I began to snap at my husband, wasn’t kind at times, and found myself being downright disagreeable. Where had this attitude come from? This was harder than I thought it would be. Truth is I thought it would be a breeze. Was I fooled. I had a lot more work cut out for me than I thought. I prayed.   So here I am, Lord, with a haughty attitude that you hate. Please forgive me and let me have at least a little of the attitude you had when you saved me from an eternity in Hell.  - Amen.

 I thought of the passage of scripture that says: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Ouch!  

So now I’m trying harder and keeping in mind that I live to serve a much higher power, and that this is nothing compared with what He went through when He was in the Garden of Gethsemane, and all  the way to the cross where He gave His life for mine. He humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. He was sinless and He did this without thinking about how he was treated — brutally beaten – for me. It’s personal. He did this for all of us.

After familiarizing myself with these passages, and repeating them to myself, it was easier to be kinder and at the right times to keep silent when I had nothing nice to say.

How about you? Are you participating in Lent? Let me know your thoughts or share a story with me.

I want to wish all of you a joyous and Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! (Photo credit: eyeore2710)

 

Remember

Christ is risen!

 Thanks for viewing.

 

Related articles

• Ash Wednesday (yourmesshismessage.wordpress.com)
• Lent. Really?!! (ispygod.net)

AND THE ANSWER IS…

   These are the answers to last week’s famous movie catchphrases. I hope you all did well with your answers and had fun in the process.  And for those who didn’t read last week’s post–Don’t let your eyes travel any farther than this until you do!

 Go back to previous post!

 

 

Now for those who participated in my

 movie trivia post — here are the

answers:

“I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse.” and “It’s nothing personal. Strictly  business.”   THE GODFATHER (1972).

“You can’t handle the truth!”  A FEW GOOD MEN (1992)

“I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!”   NETWORK  (1976)

“Go ahead; make my day.”  (a Dirty Harry film)  SUDDEN IMPACT  (1983)

“Just the facts, ma’am”   DRAGNET  (1983)

“Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.”                   FOREST GUMP  (1994)

“I’ll be back.”   THE TERMINATOR  (1984)

“May the Force be with you.”  STAR WARS  (1977)

“You talking to me?”   TAXI DRIVER  (1976)

“Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” LOVE STORY  (1970)

 “E.T. phone home.”  E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL  (1982)

                (This one was a given)

       “A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.”   THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS  (1991)

“I’ll have what she’s having.”  WHEN HARRY MET SALLY  (1989)

“You’re gonna need a bigger boat.”  JAWS  (1975)

“I see dead people.”  THE SIXTH SENSE  (1999)

“Houston, we have a problem.”  APOLLO 13  (1995)

“You’ve got to ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do ya, punk?”          DIRTY HARRY  (1971)

“You had me at “hello.”  JERRY MAGUIRE  (1996)

“There’s no crying in baseball!”   A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN  (1992)

“They’re here!”   POLTERGEIST  (1982)

“No wire hangers, ever!”   MOMMIE DEAREST  (1981)

“Surely you can’t be serious.”                                                                                                                         “I am serious…and don’t call me Shirley.”   AIRPLANE!  (1980)

“Yo, Adrian!”   ROCKY  (1976)

“Listen to me, mister. You’re my knight in shining armor. Don’t you forget it. You’re going to get back on that horse, and I’m going to be right behind you, holding on tight, and away we’re gonna go, go, go!”  ON GOLDEN POND  (1981)

“I feel the need – the need for speed!”  TOP GUN  (1986)

“Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.”  DEAD POETS SOCIETY  (1989)

“Snap out of it!”   MOONSTRUCK  (1987)

“Nobody puts Baby in a corner.”  DIRTY DANCING  (1987)

“I’m king of the world!”   TITANIC  (1997)

“I love the smell of napalm in the morning.”   APOCALYPSE NOW  (1979)

“To infinity and beyond!”   TOY STORY  (1995)

How did you do? I’d love to know, so please leave me a comment. Also let me know if you want more trivia posts.

Thanks for viewing.

GUESS WHAT!

I’m not blogging about my usual stuff this time. I thought I’d do this instead. So, let’s have some fun with movie trivia. How good are you at guessing famous movie catchphrases or famous movie quotes? Well let’s just find out, shall we? See how many you know and I’ll post the results at the end of next week. C’mon, you know you’re dying to try. And it’s not like you’re doing anything important, or you wouldn’t be looking for a blog to read.  So, are you ready?  Okay, here’s a hint.  None of these catchphrases listed are from movies before the year 1970.

Hey! That was a good hint–I didn’t have to give you one, you know. Now…let’s play!

Famous Movie Catchphrases

“I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse.” and “It’s nothing personal. Strictly business.” 

“You can’t handle the truth!”

“I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!”

“Go ahead; make my day.” 

“Just the facts, ma’am”

“Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.”

“I’ll be back.”

“May the Force be with you.”

“You talking to me?”   

“Love means never having to say you’re sorry.”

“E.T. phone home.”

“A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.”  

“I’ll have what she’s having.”

“You’re gonna need a bigger boat.”

“I see dead people.”

“Houston, we have a problem.”

“You’ve got to ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do ya, punk?” 

“You had me at “hello.”

“There’s no crying in baseball! ”

“They’re here!”

“No wire hangers, ever!”  

“Surely you can’t be serious.”                                                                                                                         “I am serious…and don’t call me Shirley.”

“Yo, Adrian!”  

“Listen to me, mister. You’re my knight in shining armor. Don’t you forget it. You’re going to get back on that horse, and I’m going to be right behind you, holding on tight, and away we’re gonna go, go, go!”  

“I feel the need – the need for speed!”  

“Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.” 

“Snap out of it!” 

“Nobody puts Baby in a corner.” 

“I’m king of the world!”  

“I love the smell of napalm in the morning.” 

“To infinity and beyond!” 

“You can’t handle the truth!” 

I hope you have fun with this. Let me know if you’d like more trivia posts. I”d love hearing how well you did.

Thanks for viewing.

Funny thing is…it worked anyway!

One of the funniest things about some inventions is when they fail and turn into a whole new invention.  Many of these became famous. When these people failed to carry out their goals how do you think they felt? Failure is inevitable. We learn from our mistakes just as these inventors did. Mistake sounds like a much kinder word than failure, doesn’t it? Even though that’s what they are at that moment, right?

I don’t think of people as failures, only what they try to accomplish. Some mighty tasty treats have resulted from these failures, though. Take a look and you’ll see what I mean.  

Check out these links:  

 
http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/inventions/10-accidental-inventions.htm#page=10

http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/galleries/2010/08/31/famous-accidental-discoveries.html#slide91

http://www.businessinsider.com/these-10-inventions-were-made-by-mistake-2010-11

Brain scanning technology is quickly approaching levels of detail that will have serious implications (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Why we learn from our mistakes:

          
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070702084247.htm

So you see, we’re not infallible. And that’s okay. It’s how we’re designed…imperfect, yes, but able to learn, be trained, and grow in knowledge.

 I certainly hope everyone

had a great Christmas, and remembered

that Jesus is the reason for the season!

I would like to take this opportunity to

wish all of  my viewers

a very Happy New Year in this

joyous holiday season.

Please drive safely, and be

safe in your travels.

And as always, 

thanks for viewing.