Whew! I was getting worried there. As I mentioned in my last post, I realized that my blog had strayed from the purpose that God intended for it. Upon that realization, I promised to get things back on track and start writing the things that God wanted me to write again. For the last several days since then, I’ve been waiting for God to tell me what to write about. For several days I waited, and I was beginning to worry. But today, He finally put something on my heart..
I received an email from Uncle Butch a couple of days ago in which he was talking about Nebraska joining the Big 10 conference. I wrote about that quite a bit while it was happening a month or two ago and Uncle Butch was sharing his views on the subject. It was while I was thinking about my response to him that God flicked on the little light bulb that floats over my head. What, you don't have one?
In regards to the big move for Nebraska, I was totally against it. Not because I felt it would be a bad move for the University of Nebraska, but simply because I don't like it when things change. Even changes for the better are difficult for me because I just don't like change. In my life, I have spent years at lousy jobs that I hated simply because it was easier to stay than to go to the trouble of finding a new job. It's part of my obsessive/compulsive nature.
I like routine. This sounds dumb to a lot of people, but I like waking up each morning knowing exactly what I’m going to do that day, and when I’m going to do it. When I went blind, it took me months and months to develop a new routine around my blindness, but I did it. It’s something that I really struggle with.
I struggle with it because I know that God doesn’t want us to be so rigid in our lives. I really feel that the more flexible we are, the more useful we will be to Him. I mean, let’s face it, a can-opener is useful, but only when you want to open a can. But if you had a combination can-opener, bottle opener, glass-cutter, hack-saw, jack-hammer, how much more useful would that be? That’s a bad analogy because really the jack-hammer attachment would serve all of those purposes, but you get the point, right?
It’s pretty natural to resist change in our lives, to remain in our daily routines. I resisted the notion of Nebraska being a Big 10 school, but now that it’s a done deal I can see that it’s probably a better deal. If someone had asked me if I wanted to be blind I would have resisted very strenuously, but I have to admit that I am a better person because of it. Turns out God knew what He was doing after all.
I’m going to try to be more flexible from now on. I think it’s okay to have a routine, as long as I don't get so caught up in it that I miss out on some new opportunity that God has for me. I’ve probably missed out on lots of things for that very reason, but God never gives up on us does He? He’ll just hold onto those good things until we are ready for them, and that's a pretty comforting thought.
Genesis 12:1-2 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
Mark 1:17-18 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed Him.
Showing posts with label ocd. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ocd. Show all posts
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Number 100
Wow, this is my 100th post! Hard to believe. My very first post to Drums In The Deep was wayyy back on September 6, 2009 which makes it exactly nine months from then until today. That means I have published new posts an average of 11.1 times per month, or one post every 2.7 days. I told you I was obsessive/compulsive. Didn’t believe me, did you?
Well, I don’t have anything in particular to talk about today, so I thought I would do a little bit of history research. I love studying history in case I never mentioned that before. Since this is my 100th post, I thought I would look up some things that happened 100 years ago, in 1910. Take a look at what I found:
Mother Teresa was born in 1910, as was famous mariner Jacques Cousteau. Bonnie Parker, half of the notorious Bonnie and Clyde duo, was born in 1910, and so was William Hanna, who was half of the Hanna-Barbera cartoon label. If you grew up in the 70's and 80's, you will no doubt recognize the Hanna-Barbera name. I think it was on about every other Saturday morning cartoon I watched as a kid. Speaking of Saturday morning cartoons, one of the ones I watched was Hong Kong Fooey. Hong Kong’s voice was famous jazz musician Scatman Crothers who was also born in 1910. You may also know Scatman as Dick Halloran from Stephen King’s “The Shining.” Last, but certainly not least, my Grandma Howard was born in January of 1910. Four more years and she would have been 100.
In 1910, a pair of famous painters died: Winslow Homer and Henri Rousseau. Also a trio of famous writers passed in 1910: Mark Twain, Leo Tolstoy, and O Henry. I think that last one was more famous for his candy bar than his writing. From the medical profession, Florence Nightingale, who made nursing a profession, and Elizabeth Blackwell, who is credited as the first woman doctor in America, both died. Also, King Edward the seventh of England died in 1910 after being king for only 9 years.
Here are some other things that happened in the year 1910:
A new land speed record of 131 miles per hour was set at Daytona.
The Boy Scouts of America was founded.
The planet Earth passed through the tail of Haley’s comet.
President Taft began the tradition of throwing out the first ball on opening day of baseball season.
The first Father’s Day was celebrated in Spokane, Washington.
The Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian Institute opened to the public.
Orville Wright opened the very first flight school in Montgomery, Alabama.
Wow, 1910 was a busy year! So that’s what was happening 100 years ago. It would have been interesting to live at that time, with airplanes and automobiles the latest technology. I like computers and cell phones and all the technology we have today, but I have to admit that those technologies complicate life a lot. I wonder what people will remember about us 100 years from now. Will they look back and say, “Wow, in 2010 they really did some amazing things.” Or will they look back and say, "What in the heck were they thinking?" I think I know the answer to that, but only time will tell.
Thanks for reading my 100th blog, hope you learned something today!
1 Timothy 6:17-18 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
Well, I don’t have anything in particular to talk about today, so I thought I would do a little bit of history research. I love studying history in case I never mentioned that before. Since this is my 100th post, I thought I would look up some things that happened 100 years ago, in 1910. Take a look at what I found:
Mother Teresa was born in 1910, as was famous mariner Jacques Cousteau. Bonnie Parker, half of the notorious Bonnie and Clyde duo, was born in 1910, and so was William Hanna, who was half of the Hanna-Barbera cartoon label. If you grew up in the 70's and 80's, you will no doubt recognize the Hanna-Barbera name. I think it was on about every other Saturday morning cartoon I watched as a kid. Speaking of Saturday morning cartoons, one of the ones I watched was Hong Kong Fooey. Hong Kong’s voice was famous jazz musician Scatman Crothers who was also born in 1910. You may also know Scatman as Dick Halloran from Stephen King’s “The Shining.” Last, but certainly not least, my Grandma Howard was born in January of 1910. Four more years and she would have been 100.
In 1910, a pair of famous painters died: Winslow Homer and Henri Rousseau. Also a trio of famous writers passed in 1910: Mark Twain, Leo Tolstoy, and O Henry. I think that last one was more famous for his candy bar than his writing. From the medical profession, Florence Nightingale, who made nursing a profession, and Elizabeth Blackwell, who is credited as the first woman doctor in America, both died. Also, King Edward the seventh of England died in 1910 after being king for only 9 years.
Here are some other things that happened in the year 1910:
A new land speed record of 131 miles per hour was set at Daytona.
The Boy Scouts of America was founded.
The planet Earth passed through the tail of Haley’s comet.
President Taft began the tradition of throwing out the first ball on opening day of baseball season.
The first Father’s Day was celebrated in Spokane, Washington.
The Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian Institute opened to the public.
Orville Wright opened the very first flight school in Montgomery, Alabama.
Wow, 1910 was a busy year! So that’s what was happening 100 years ago. It would have been interesting to live at that time, with airplanes and automobiles the latest technology. I like computers and cell phones and all the technology we have today, but I have to admit that those technologies complicate life a lot. I wonder what people will remember about us 100 years from now. Will they look back and say, “Wow, in 2010 they really did some amazing things.” Or will they look back and say, "What in the heck were they thinking?" I think I know the answer to that, but only time will tell.
Thanks for reading my 100th blog, hope you learned something today!
1 Timothy 6:17-18 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Journal - Number 50
Okay, just a few quick notes to catch up on what I’ve been doing.
I’ve been experimenting with my screen reader a little bit, lately. I’ve gotten pretty comfortable with surfing the internet and typing documents, so I decided to challenge myself a little and try some spreadsheets. I’ve always really enjoyed usihng spreadsheets, as any tru obsessive/compulsive would, and used them a lot in my work. Over the years I got pretty good with them and I was kind of missing that. So that’s what I’ve been experimenting with. I made a large database to catalog my audio books. So far, so good. I enjoyed the work, plus now I can find any audio book I want, instead of just listening to whatever is on top.
I called Serotek on Monday of last week, that’s the company that developed my screen reader, System Access To Go. I told them how I had purchased the voice package for my account but it didn't work. After looking up my account and confirming that I had, indeed, paid the forty dollars, the guy told me their system had screwed something up and they would have it fixed by the end of the day. I tried to log in again less than an hour later and they had already fixed it. . I was a little peeved at them over the whole thing, but felt a little better after getting such good customer service. I wish all companies were like that. Don’t they understand that it’s those little touches that will keep their customers happy and loyal?
Last Tuesday we had a little excitement. It seems that the local television station in Kearney recently fired one of its employees. Tuesday, the young man walked into the Wells Fargo bank in Kearney with a gun. I don’t know if anyone really knows what his intentions were, but he ended up holding some hostages for about three hours before finally giving himself up. No one was hurt, praise God. This was a twenty two year old, just a kid. I can only imagine what must have gone wrong in his life to make him do something like that. We used to see stories like that on the news all the time in Dallas, but it’s something of a rarity here. The kid is from Minden which is where we live, although we are several miles outside of town.
Well, this is my 50th post. When I started this blog back in September, I really didn’t know if I would be able to keep it going. I never would have guessed that I had so much to say. Fifty isn’t really a lot, in the grand scheme of things, but I’m pleased. I think it's a great start. So, to celebrate my 50th post, I decided to have a little fun with the number fifty.
In America: There ar fifty states in our union. The fifty dollar bill features the face of Ulysses S Grant, and the fifty cent piece shows the silhouette of John F Kennedy.
In popular culture: There is a song by Paul Simon called “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.” There is a movie called “50 First Dates” starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, one of my favorites. The television show “Hawaii 5 oh” was thus named because Hawaii was the fiftieth state admitted to the union.
In the year 1950: a new house cost about $8,450, a gallon of gas cost eighteen cents, and a loaf of bread cost twelve cents. Popular movies included “Sunset Blvd" and "Cinderella”, and popular musical acts were Fats Domino and Nat King Cole.
Okay, that wasn't as much fun as I thought it would be, haha. Seriously, if you’ve read all fifty of my posts, thank you and get a life. If you’ve joined me more recently, I hope you’ll stick around for the next fifty, and get a life.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
I’ve been experimenting with my screen reader a little bit, lately. I’ve gotten pretty comfortable with surfing the internet and typing documents, so I decided to challenge myself a little and try some spreadsheets. I’ve always really enjoyed usihng spreadsheets, as any tru obsessive/compulsive would, and used them a lot in my work. Over the years I got pretty good with them and I was kind of missing that. So that’s what I’ve been experimenting with. I made a large database to catalog my audio books. So far, so good. I enjoyed the work, plus now I can find any audio book I want, instead of just listening to whatever is on top.
I called Serotek on Monday of last week, that’s the company that developed my screen reader, System Access To Go. I told them how I had purchased the voice package for my account but it didn't work. After looking up my account and confirming that I had, indeed, paid the forty dollars, the guy told me their system had screwed something up and they would have it fixed by the end of the day. I tried to log in again less than an hour later and they had already fixed it. . I was a little peeved at them over the whole thing, but felt a little better after getting such good customer service. I wish all companies were like that. Don’t they understand that it’s those little touches that will keep their customers happy and loyal?
Last Tuesday we had a little excitement. It seems that the local television station in Kearney recently fired one of its employees. Tuesday, the young man walked into the Wells Fargo bank in Kearney with a gun. I don’t know if anyone really knows what his intentions were, but he ended up holding some hostages for about three hours before finally giving himself up. No one was hurt, praise God. This was a twenty two year old, just a kid. I can only imagine what must have gone wrong in his life to make him do something like that. We used to see stories like that on the news all the time in Dallas, but it’s something of a rarity here. The kid is from Minden which is where we live, although we are several miles outside of town.
Well, this is my 50th post. When I started this blog back in September, I really didn’t know if I would be able to keep it going. I never would have guessed that I had so much to say. Fifty isn’t really a lot, in the grand scheme of things, but I’m pleased. I think it's a great start. So, to celebrate my 50th post, I decided to have a little fun with the number fifty.
In America: There ar fifty states in our union. The fifty dollar bill features the face of Ulysses S Grant, and the fifty cent piece shows the silhouette of John F Kennedy.
In popular culture: There is a song by Paul Simon called “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.” There is a movie called “50 First Dates” starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, one of my favorites. The television show “Hawaii 5 oh” was thus named because Hawaii was the fiftieth state admitted to the union.
In the year 1950: a new house cost about $8,450, a gallon of gas cost eighteen cents, and a loaf of bread cost twelve cents. Popular movies included “Sunset Blvd" and "Cinderella”, and popular musical acts were Fats Domino and Nat King Cole.
Okay, that wasn't as much fun as I thought it would be, haha. Seriously, if you’ve read all fifty of my posts, thank you and get a life. If you’ve joined me more recently, I hope you’ll stick around for the next fifty, and get a life.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
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