Me, one week and counting. Prayer and Politics. And pictures.

Since this is my blog, about my life, I suppose it is not out of line to talk about me. Part of my being me is my friends and family, and I have been occupied with their lives . . . one friend in particular who has a serious illness, but I've also been reflecting on my own serious illness, specifically how this past year has been my best year, both physically and spiritually, in the last 10 years. I suppose the two go together a bit, as I have grown spiritually as I've been able to drive and to get out there in the world and see how others live. That is not to say, though, that I haven't grown spiritually during the times I am forced to stay at home and rest. This blog, actually, is both the cause and result of some of that growth, interacting with others, and writing about what I'm learning about God.
You will notice my blog has a new look, a more colorful look to reflect my personality and to celebrate two or three years of blogging, and to just change things up a bit.

Today is the 26th, and I wanted to write a little update of things I've been up to, and things other people have been up to on my behalf. So why not just write a new post?? Because I like what I wrote earlier, and I suspect that if I write a newer post, people may not read the older post. Now, I'm definitely not saying that I do that, just read people's most recent post, but I suspect that some less scrupulous people may do exactly that. To get to my point, what I have been up to. I just put my little list of blogs I read in order, according to the closeness I have with the author. (Also, in one section, I ordered the blogs under a certain heading, outline style. The concept of an outline has been on my mind lately, as I am in the midst of doing research for a research paper, and have just begun making the outline.) Yes, this felt a little mean-spirited, putting my friends in order of importance, but it was a technological necessity, I'm afraid . . . and it was logical . . . and it is only who is more cyber-important, which is something entirely different from anything. The cyber- world is completely different from the real world in so many ways. In the real world, there's no way I could play a game of chess with someone in Africa that I've never spoken to, or share my photos with friends across the country. So please don't do the cyber-equivalent of throwing rocks at me. That's what I've been up to. And what have my friends been up to on my behalf? A good friend made me a delicious Halloween/birthday/pumpkin carving party cake last night, complete with glowing eyeballs. (Pictures on my Flickr page. Click the yellow box.) It's good to have friends. I now have nothing more to say, you know all about my life.

Oct.29 Yes, I'm still not ready to write (or is it wready to rite?) a new post. I'm going to wait until I get the magic number of comments. I was so excited writing my research paper today! Everything seems to be coming together, and the paper just might turn out to be the great American novel. (Not a chance.) During a short study break, I heard some saddening news from a friend. I experientially know now what it means to be frozen with fear. I sat motionless in my seat. I was sad. I am sad. Yet life goes on, and I still have a paper to write, and I'm still taking one of my friends out to dinner tonight to get a Cornish Pasty at the English pub here in town.

Oct.30 A special day, today. I got a Wii. I'll be skiing through the living room soon! Mr. M had in mind my problems with balance and coordination when he bought the Wii balance board with aerobics, yoga, and strength training. That was also the idea behind buying the Dance, Dance, Revolution game . . . that, and having fun. Mr. M spoke with some older ladies who have balance problems, and they say the Wii has been a great help to them.
I've been hard at work praying for several special people. I was at the hospital with one of these special people, and I overheard someone say that Christians shouldn't be so bold as to pray for a miracle. I disagree. The Bible tells us we can and should go boldly before the throne of mercy, asking whatever we desire in Jesus' name.
I read the short book of Esther this morning. It made me think of the political situation we are in, and the murmurings I hear about the awfulness of the state of the nation. With this also I disagree. If you have ever read through Esther, you will recall she was the Jewish Queen of Persia and Media. Her Jewish identity was not know to King Ahasuerus. I won't summarize the whole story here, but suffice it to say there was a big hub bub between the Jews and the Gentiles, and a plot to destroy the Jews, and sweet, mild Queen Esther saved her people from destruction. Queen Esther's role was to be gentle and kind, and win the king's favor, and the Jews' role was to pray for her. There was no radical unrest or upheaval of any kind. So, I walk away from that thinking that we Christians should continue to rest in God and love one another and pray for our leaders.
I am part of a private Flickr group with weekly assignments, and this week's assignment is to gain permission to take a picture of a stranger. This means you have to earn their trust enough for them to part the invisible curtain that may separate you, and allow you to take their picture. This is what I have been doing this morning, along with my faithful and completely trustworthy and non-threatening canine companion. Only one person said she'd rather not be photographed, while the other four were eager to help, and wanted to know more about the assignment. It's been fun. I may just ask you someday if I can take your picture; so next time you're walking down the street, don't be too surprised if someone asks if you'll help them with their photo assignment.

A Shout-out to my Peeps.

I've started reading Grown-up Girlfriends by Erin Smalley and Carrie Oliver. In the first chapter, Erin cites a UCLA study of scientists that concludes that when faced with stress, women tend to congregate together while men isolate themselves. From what I've read in the past (in The Friendships of Women by Dee Brestin), this more social behavior in females can even be seen in infancy. Girl babies are more responsive to faces and voices, where boy babies will show the same amount of response to a toy or a mobile. What I read today really caught my attention, as I have been under a considerable amount of stress lately, and I have several friends who are stressed about the same situation, and our mutual stress has caused us to run to each other for comfort and encouragement.
I am also fascinated by the relationship between a woman's friendships and her physical health. I find it amazing that I can improve my friends' health simply by being their friend! So I must thank my friends for my own health, for the difference their friendship makes, and for their prayers.

On a related matter, you will notice that I am a contributing writer for another blog, my dear friend's blog, so feel welcome to visit that blog and get to know my friend.

"Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears.".

It seems I may already have used that as a title. I don't know where the quote is from. (I would venture to guess it was a Roman addressing a group of Romans.)
It has already been a busy month, and it's not even half over. Last night I had the opportunity to join in a prayer vigil for a dear friend of mine. (I didn't actually attend the vigil in person, but I did participate by praying.) . . . (And by looking up the definition of the word, "vigil".) This one act of devotion-prayer-has kept me busy all month, and has been my number one priority.
There are a few friends of mine who are continuously in my prayers. This month has already brought me into contact with many of them. My friends are an extension of my family.
I will soon be receiving in the mail Grown-up Girlfriends: Making and Keeping Friends in the Real World. I am eager to get the book, since I strive to be a loving friend as a mother strives to be a loving mother.
The later half of this month has many more opportunities for friendly meetings, meetings that I will attend in person.

I am also proud to report that Hollywood has read my mind, and has made a movie based on the idea of saying "yes" to invitations, etc., and what you miss when you get in the habit of saying "no."
The White Wave cannot endorse this movie, as it is not even out yet, and even when it does come out in theaters, she will wait for the DVD. (But it sounds interesting.)

Prayer

I am so privileged to be able to talk to, and be heard by, the all-powerful, eternal, all-knowing creator of the universe. I freely share with God my heart's desire for my friends' health. Before I tell God what I want, though, I ask Him to make me the person He wants me to be. I come before Him repentant, expressing my sorrow over the sin that dwells in me. I ask Him to forgive and cleanse me, and to hear my prayer. I ask Him to make me righteous. Righteousness can only be attained through faith in Christ. Christ was righteous in all He did and said, and through faith in Him, God credits me with Christ's righteousness. The letter to the Hebrews tells us that Christ's prayers were heard because of His righteousness. God does not hear the prayers of the faithless. He hears the prayers of His faithful children, and James tells us that those prayers of the faithful and righteous are "powerful and effective" and can heal the sick.
The more devoted I am to having my prayers heard, the more devoted I must be to seeking Christ's righteousness in all areas of my life.