One of my co-workers said - out of the blue - to me on Monday, "I was thinking over the weekend, I don't think that a loving God would send people to hell. I've grown up thinking that there is a hell. But now I don't think that God is like that."
I just said that God created us for choice and wants us to choose Him. I explained that Hell is the eternal destination for people who knowingly didn't choose to trust in Jesus. I don't think that God sends babies who haven't been baptized in a certain church to hell. I believe that God knows all hearts and acknowledges (and allows) the free choices that His creatures make. He doesn't want robots that love Him - He wants people to freely choose Him, trust Him, and follow Him.
I'm so glad that God is gracious and just. What a combination of love and holiness is found in Jesus! I serve a God that is so worthy of praise and thanksgiving!
Thursday, July 22, 2004
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Beloved Disciple
I met with Renee last night at the Mall of America for our first study from "Beloved Disciple" by Beth Moore. It was a fantastic time of sharing about Jesus, John the Baptist, and Christ's unique call of John & James from their dad's fishing business. What a privilege it is to meet and talk about God's Word!!
On the home front, the triangle windows were installed yesterday in the new room. Today, the siding is being worked on and the air conditioner is hooked back up. The contractors are less than 2 weeks away from being done. Then, Tim and I get to do all of the fun stuff like painting the whole house, installing the floor, and staining the woodwork.
Only 2 weeks until the State Amateur at Hillcrest. I have a lesson with Karen Weiss in 2 days in prep for playing with the "young" women.
On the home front, the triangle windows were installed yesterday in the new room. Today, the siding is being worked on and the air conditioner is hooked back up. The contractors are less than 2 weeks away from being done. Then, Tim and I get to do all of the fun stuff like painting the whole house, installing the floor, and staining the woodwork.
Only 2 weeks until the State Amateur at Hillcrest. I have a lesson with Karen Weiss in 2 days in prep for playing with the "young" women.
Saturday, July 17, 2004
Tooth and Blood
Yesterday, Tim and I were outside doing yard work when we heard Boo and Peanut "battling". Soon it was obvious that the battle had escalated to injury and I could hear both of them crying. Peanut was yelling, "I'm sorry - I'm sorry." Yikes - I ran into the house to find out what had happened!
I found Boo holding his mouth with blood coming out between his fingers. I got him to remove his hand and I could then see that only his lip/mouth was bleeding. Then I noticed that the front tooth that had been "hanging there" for TOO long was gone. I told him that Peanut had done him quite the favor.
Peanut was obviously very upset. She was getting up from the floor when she accidentally kicked Boo in the face. It scared her so.
I found the tooth on the rug and it was placed safely under Boo's pillow to await the Tooth Fairy.
(On a side note, Tim and I took Boo to see Spiderman 2 last night. Peanut slept over at a friends. The movie was quite good. And they definitely left it open for Spiderman 3.)
I found Boo holding his mouth with blood coming out between his fingers. I got him to remove his hand and I could then see that only his lip/mouth was bleeding. Then I noticed that the front tooth that had been "hanging there" for TOO long was gone. I told him that Peanut had done him quite the favor.
Peanut was obviously very upset. She was getting up from the floor when she accidentally kicked Boo in the face. It scared her so.
I found the tooth on the rug and it was placed safely under Boo's pillow to await the Tooth Fairy.
(On a side note, Tim and I took Boo to see Spiderman 2 last night. Peanut slept over at a friends. The movie was quite good. And they definitely left it open for Spiderman 3.)
State Match Play
Wow - what a fun week I've had on vacation at home.
On Tuesday I played the seeding round for the State Match Play at Hazeltine. Conditions were very tough - the course played long due to recent rains and the wind was really blowing. I played o.k. except on 4 holes where I had 2 doubles and 2 triples! I ended the day with a four putt... and limbed in with an 87. The field had much the same trouble... so I ended up in a playoff for the 32nd spot of the championship bracket. It took 5 holes - but I finally won. During the playoff I wondered if it would be better to lose. If I lost, I would be the #1 seed in the First Flight and would tee off the next day at 10AM. If I won, I would be the 32nd seed playing against the defending champion at 7:30AM. My competitive spirit won over and I finally made a putt to end the affair.
I left the golf course at 8:30PM - quickly got home and went to bed.
On Wednesday, I took Peaunut with me as my caddy. It was early waking her up at 5:45AM. But she jumped out of bed. She was excited.
The defending champion just completed her freshman year at Nebraska. She is almost half my age. We tied each of the first 7 holes. Then I 3-putted the 8th - but then won 9, 10 and 11 to be 2 up. By 16, we were square again and it wasn't looking so good. But I just tried to stay calm as I had nothing to lose. I was the 32nd seed playing the 1st seed. I kept telling myself to be patient. We both made pars on 17. And on 18, I hit a good drive down the fairway and she hit into the rough. I hit a good heaven wood up to the pin and that was the match. I was thrilled - especially to have Peanut there pushing my bag on a cart. (She was approached by many many ladies asking her how old she is, etc. - I was so proud of her. It was very fun showing her off to many ladies that have watched me grow up.)
I didn't get to enjoy my victory for long as the next match was scheduled 1 hour after we walked off 18. Peanut and I grabbed a quick lunch at Culvers and we were back at it. This time my opponent was a young lady who will be a freshman at Oklahoma in the fall. She was a very long hitter. She out drove me on every hole by over 50 yards. I tried to challenge her... and I did make a couple of putts to get to only 2 down at the turn. But frankly, I was hot and tired... And by 12, I was 4 down and the writing was on the wall. So we left in defeat. 6 and 4.
It was a super experience though. I'm very excited that the State Am is in a couple of weeks. I really think that my best golf is yet to come. To God's Great Glory.
On Tuesday I played the seeding round for the State Match Play at Hazeltine. Conditions were very tough - the course played long due to recent rains and the wind was really blowing. I played o.k. except on 4 holes where I had 2 doubles and 2 triples! I ended the day with a four putt... and limbed in with an 87. The field had much the same trouble... so I ended up in a playoff for the 32nd spot of the championship bracket. It took 5 holes - but I finally won. During the playoff I wondered if it would be better to lose. If I lost, I would be the #1 seed in the First Flight and would tee off the next day at 10AM. If I won, I would be the 32nd seed playing against the defending champion at 7:30AM. My competitive spirit won over and I finally made a putt to end the affair.
I left the golf course at 8:30PM - quickly got home and went to bed.
On Wednesday, I took Peaunut with me as my caddy. It was early waking her up at 5:45AM. But she jumped out of bed. She was excited.
The defending champion just completed her freshman year at Nebraska. She is almost half my age. We tied each of the first 7 holes. Then I 3-putted the 8th - but then won 9, 10 and 11 to be 2 up. By 16, we were square again and it wasn't looking so good. But I just tried to stay calm as I had nothing to lose. I was the 32nd seed playing the 1st seed. I kept telling myself to be patient. We both made pars on 17. And on 18, I hit a good drive down the fairway and she hit into the rough. I hit a good heaven wood up to the pin and that was the match. I was thrilled - especially to have Peanut there pushing my bag on a cart. (She was approached by many many ladies asking her how old she is, etc. - I was so proud of her. It was very fun showing her off to many ladies that have watched me grow up.)
I didn't get to enjoy my victory for long as the next match was scheduled 1 hour after we walked off 18. Peanut and I grabbed a quick lunch at Culvers and we were back at it. This time my opponent was a young lady who will be a freshman at Oklahoma in the fall. She was a very long hitter. She out drove me on every hole by over 50 yards. I tried to challenge her... and I did make a couple of putts to get to only 2 down at the turn. But frankly, I was hot and tired... And by 12, I was 4 down and the writing was on the wall. So we left in defeat. 6 and 4.
It was a super experience though. I'm very excited that the State Am is in a couple of weeks. I really think that my best golf is yet to come. To God's Great Glory.
Monday, July 12, 2004
7/12/2004
My family officially expanded on Saturday morning when Josh and Jessica welcomed little Max to the outside world. He was 6 lbs 2 oz - very good size considering that he is > 3 weeks early. I'll post a picture of my new "psuedo" nephew.
Tomorrow I play golf in the State Match Play tournament. My t-time is 12:10. I hope that I play well. I would like to qualify for the championship bracket. That means that I have to finish in the top 32. There are many good golfers competing this week. But hopefully my putter will be hot and I'll keep the "big numbers" to a minimum.
I am extremely excited to report that my friend, Laura, is coming to visit on Aug 20th. I haven't seen her in 1.5 years. It will be a fun "girls" weekend.
Tomorrow I play golf in the State Match Play tournament. My t-time is 12:10. I hope that I play well. I would like to qualify for the championship bracket. That means that I have to finish in the top 32. There are many good golfers competing this week. But hopefully my putter will be hot and I'll keep the "big numbers" to a minimum.
I am extremely excited to report that my friend, Laura, is coming to visit on Aug 20th. I haven't seen her in 1.5 years. It will be a fun "girls" weekend.
Thursday, July 08, 2004
7/8/2004
Today is day 2 back at work following the July 4th weekend. We had a great time in Hayward with the "Family". It was especially nice to play 9 holes with Sunny, Shaye, and Timothy. Peanut and Boo were very good... And Peanut had a nice birthday celebration. I can hardly believe that she is 10 years old.
Boo's new word lately is "unexpected". If I kiss his neck on the sly, he's likely to say, "Mom, that was unexpected." I'm sad that today is his last day of summer school. He has really progressed during the past 4 weeks. It has really helped to have 3 hours a day of 3:1 student/teacher ratio. I wish that he would work with Tim and me at home. But it's obvious that he's coming along. He's reading signs while riding in the car and while shopping. I just have to remember that the Boo has his own pace - period.
Last night Peanut and I saw Annie at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater. It was good - but too long... 2.5 hours for the musical - after sitting at the table for 2 hours for dinner. It was especially fun because the company. Nana, Aunt Kristi, Sunny, Piper, Peanut and me had a table all to ourselves.
The new room project continues to progress. Insulation was installed yesterday. Soon it will be time to paint and stain. It will be so nice when it's done.
I feel so very blessed.
Boo's new word lately is "unexpected". If I kiss his neck on the sly, he's likely to say, "Mom, that was unexpected." I'm sad that today is his last day of summer school. He has really progressed during the past 4 weeks. It has really helped to have 3 hours a day of 3:1 student/teacher ratio. I wish that he would work with Tim and me at home. But it's obvious that he's coming along. He's reading signs while riding in the car and while shopping. I just have to remember that the Boo has his own pace - period.
Last night Peanut and I saw Annie at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater. It was good - but too long... 2.5 hours for the musical - after sitting at the table for 2 hours for dinner. It was especially fun because the company. Nana, Aunt Kristi, Sunny, Piper, Peanut and me had a table all to ourselves.
The new room project continues to progress. Insulation was installed yesterday. Soon it will be time to paint and stain. It will be so nice when it's done.
I feel so very blessed.
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