The Reading

Hello www friends and family,

I am currently typing left handed with a bulky cast on my right wrist and arm from the 7-14 carpal tunnel surgery. But, I am thankful to God that all went well and the cast comes off next week. In the meantime, there has been ample time to read through teaching materials, do a few Sodukos left handed and read. I have been reading three books: To Live is Christ by Beth Moore (a study on the life of Paul), Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper and the English translation of The Koran (which means The Reading). No, I am not planning to convert to Islam. But, I do want to be able to have more of a mindset of where Islamic extremists are coming from (Hezbollah, Hamas, Al-Quaeda, etc.) especially in light of what is happening in the Middle East right now. I doubt that there will ever be peace in this region. The hatred goes too deep and is ingrained in childhood for many. My son Joe had a copy of The Koran from a comparative religions colloquium class at UAkron. It is obvious that occupation of sacred land is a biggee for many of different religions. Is it Israel or Occupied Palestine? Depends on who you talk to and when. Hezbollah has made it clear that their goal is the destruction of Israel.

From my last post, I had the opportunity to have an instructor from Israel who is Jewish in a music workshop. I fear for her safety in Acco just as much as the innocent folks in Lebanon. I will say reading The Koran has been helpful to know what a Muslim believes and how "works-oriented" this religion is. I will continue to read the various surahs (chapters) to take it all in. I am thankful that I do believe that Jesus paid the ultimate price for my sin......His death and resurrection. The more I read in the Koran, the more I see I would never know if I was good enough to attain heaven. That is too unsettling with a lack of peace and joy.

Also, I will pray for peace in the Middle East. Maranatha! Other opinions out there?

July 2006

Greetings www family and friends,

It appears that I may have settled into blogging once per month at this rate and that's OK. Since my carpal tunnel surgery is coming up Friday, 7-14-06, better post now because the next one will most likely be August!

Outer Life Stuff:
The June things (week-long course at Walsh University and the most excellent and relaxing Florida vacation with partial extended family) are now over. Ft. Myers Beach was just lovely AFTER the tides took back all the algae globs that looked and smelled like whale doo-doo that had been churned up from Tropical Storm Alberto a few weeks earlier. So, we weren't in the ocean for a day and a half but the rest of the time----YES!! It was nice relaxing with family and having alone-time with God to simply bask in the warm beauty of His salt water creation and the pristine beach by the motel. We had fun! Flew back to OH on July 1. On July 2, our beloved dog was hit by a van, since he hasn't figured out to look both ways when he gets loose from us. Pete and I both saw it happen and I was fairly hysterical since screeching brakes and a thump sound along with seeing it were just awful. We both figured he's dead, he's gone, it's over. But, get this...............After a very short time, he manages to wiggle his way out from the undercarriage of the van and RUNS to our neighbors house. Of course, I am still semi-freaking out, but he appeared fine with the exception of a little scratch on his leg. Just to be sure, he jumped in our van and we took him to Metro Vet Hospital and spent a tidy little sum on an exam and x-rays to make sure there was no internal damage, and there wasn't. Our neighbors were all wonderful and I thanked them all the next day. They had all been trying to catch Frodo prior to the van impact. Anyway, Frodo is alive and well and being his regular dog-self. And yes, I am thankful to God for watching out for this goofy black lab.

Inner Life Stuff:
The lady that taught the Walsh U. course was from Acco, Israel. She is Jewish. The little town where she lives has Jews, Arabs (Muslims) and Christians living peacably together. This pretty much blew my mind, since what we read in the papers is ALL about fighting in the mid-east. She said there are definitely hot spots of dissension, but it's not all over Israel. One day, I want to go to Israel and see where Jesus walked and visit my new friend, Efrat. (She speaks Hebrew, Arabic, and English.) Of course, just thinking of Israel and the middle East ties in with the book I am currently reading, To Live is Christ---Embracing the Passion of Paul by Beth Moore. Excellent book!!......with much to ponder over after each chapter. It is a fairly exhaustive study of the entire life of Paul. Joe gave me this book as a Christmas gift and I am now getting to it. I really like to read. And of course, the Bible is a biggee for me and other books by Beth Moore or C.S. Lewis and numerous others. Sometime, Animals in Translation by Temple Grandin will be another must-read. Going to Borders or B Dalton Books is like a candy or toy store to me.

Anxious to see Lindsey since it's been 3 weeks of her away in CO and now DC. Besides having Jesus as the central part of all areas of my life, I am most thankful for a good husband and three great kids. I know I am immeasurably blessed and I never ever want to become ungrateful regardless of good or bad life circumstances. Since He is over all things, I want to remain grateful to Him and His faithfulness to me and then go and serve others!! Mark 10:45 is a biggee for me-----For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.