I am still incompetent and have not yet been able to figure out how to edit a post.
So here's the video that was supposed to be in the entry below. It's called Ocean Floor:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_i2xsRiXDU
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
Quizno's, Inscriptions, and more!
Yesterday was my last day working at the used bookstore (behind the Shell gas station). I'm definitely going to miss working with Myrna - the cutest and sweetest old lady that I've ever met. Haha, she even brought Quizno's sandwiches so we could celebrate my last day. I won't ever forget that. :)
This might seem like a random thought, but after watching the movie, Definitely Maybe, I appreciate working in a used bookstore even more. It's really neat to see all the things that end up there. Myrna and I once looked through a bag of donated books and we found someone's yearbook from some high school in the midwest that was dated all the way back to the 1950s. Everyone's picture looked like an old-fashioned glamour shot. And you couldn't tell the nerdy kids from the popular kids because everyone looked so well groomed.
In addition to old yearbooks, there are many other interesting finds...like old vinyl records, and super-old books that used to cost a dollar or less. My favorite part, however, about working in the used bookstore (aside from being able to hang out with Myrna and listen to her talk about her dogs), is that you get to read the little inscriptions inside the books. There aren't many, so when you do find one, it's like finding gold.
Yesterday was my last day, and I guess it must've been my lucky day because I found a book that I was looking for AND it had a nice little inscription in it. The book that I bought was Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home by Richard J. Foster. I got it for two bucks, which was a steal! (On Amazon.com, a new book is around 16 bucks, while the used ones are at least 6.) When I opened the book to the first blank, a bit yellow-ish page, it read:
"November 1996
Dear Jenny,
After much thought, this is the best resource on prayer that I can think of. I haven't read it myself yet, but I have read other works by Foster. He is a master. I hope that this is helpful for you in your pursuit of God. He loves (underlined) you so much and is forever beckoning you to Himself. I love you too!
Laura"
Reading that made my day. It's funny how one person's kindness, love, and thoughtfulness can affect someone else - even a complete stranger like me. It's small things like this that make you think differently of the world, even for a second, that maybe it is not so bad after all. Maybe there are hidden messages and inscriptions everywhere. On jagged rocks, on weeping willows, in the stars... They're invisible to the eye, but nonetheless, they are there. I'd like to think that. And I'm sure in some supernatural way, it is true.
This might seem like a random thought, but after watching the movie, Definitely Maybe, I appreciate working in a used bookstore even more. It's really neat to see all the things that end up there. Myrna and I once looked through a bag of donated books and we found someone's yearbook from some high school in the midwest that was dated all the way back to the 1950s. Everyone's picture looked like an old-fashioned glamour shot. And you couldn't tell the nerdy kids from the popular kids because everyone looked so well groomed.
In addition to old yearbooks, there are many other interesting finds...like old vinyl records, and super-old books that used to cost a dollar or less. My favorite part, however, about working in the used bookstore (aside from being able to hang out with Myrna and listen to her talk about her dogs), is that you get to read the little inscriptions inside the books. There aren't many, so when you do find one, it's like finding gold.
Yesterday was my last day, and I guess it must've been my lucky day because I found a book that I was looking for AND it had a nice little inscription in it. The book that I bought was Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home by Richard J. Foster. I got it for two bucks, which was a steal! (On Amazon.com, a new book is around 16 bucks, while the used ones are at least 6.) When I opened the book to the first blank, a bit yellow-ish page, it read:
"November 1996
Dear Jenny,
After much thought, this is the best resource on prayer that I can think of. I haven't read it myself yet, but I have read other works by Foster. He is a master. I hope that this is helpful for you in your pursuit of God. He loves (underlined) you so much and is forever beckoning you to Himself. I love you too!
Laura"
Reading that made my day. It's funny how one person's kindness, love, and thoughtfulness can affect someone else - even a complete stranger like me. It's small things like this that make you think differently of the world, even for a second, that maybe it is not so bad after all. Maybe there are hidden messages and inscriptions everywhere. On jagged rocks, on weeping willows, in the stars... They're invisible to the eye, but nonetheless, they are there. I'd like to think that. And I'm sure in some supernatural way, it is true.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Grace (with love) In Action!
I just read Jenny Simmon's new post on her blog and I'm giddy with excitement. To read, click here: http://jennysimmons.blogspot.com/
In it, she writes about helping a family in her area. How amazingly awesome is that? By the way, this kind of grace is different from the "loveless grace" that I posted about below. Jenny's example of grace (with love) shows just what a difference people can make in the lives of others. There's no selfish reason behind it, no making a Showtime movie, no wanting to get her curiosity satisfied with a "social experiment." There's none of that. There's just genuine love and a want to help those in need.
After reading The Dangerous Act of Worship by Mark Labberton and watching Ted Rodrigue on Oprah, I've had this unexplainable desire to help those in need. I would stay up late at night, and my heart would be pounding with excitment just thinking about how awesome it would be to help someone. But that would be followed by a feeling of disappointment because I didn't know where I could find people to help. I know that sounds stupid because there are people everywhere that need help. I think we all know this by default. But how often do we actually see or hear about someone who is currently struggling?
I'm totally ready, God. I really do want to help, so use me.
That's what I've been praying for quite a while now, and God answered my prayers today. Even though sending a Walmart giftcard is quite different from meeting a person face-to-face, it's a step in the right direction. At least, that's how it feels to me. I trust that God will continue to show me how to help others in "bigger" ways. That's not to say that every small act of kindness does not count. Of course it does! :)
I whole-heartedly support and give major kudos to all those who are running organizations, like WorldVision and Mocha Club (I really like Mocha Club. It's only seven bucks a month!), to help those in need. But I think, let's call it, "Jenny's Mission," is awesome in it's own special way. Since it's not a big organization thing, there's no money that's being spent on advertisement. All the money or rather, giftcards, are spent buying things that the families need. (Jenny is the one who is going to be using those gift cards to buy the things that the family needs, just in case you were wondering if someone would con her and take the giftcard to by things that they don't really need.)
Anyway, I think what she is doing is really awesome, so I just wanted to spread the news about it. If you have a desire in your heart to help, don't hesitate. If you want to know more about what Jenny is doing, just click or copy and paste the link that I've posted above. Happy helping.
Yay, I'm so excited! And I just can't hide it!!!
In it, she writes about helping a family in her area. How amazingly awesome is that? By the way, this kind of grace is different from the "loveless grace" that I posted about below. Jenny's example of grace (with love) shows just what a difference people can make in the lives of others. There's no selfish reason behind it, no making a Showtime movie, no wanting to get her curiosity satisfied with a "social experiment." There's none of that. There's just genuine love and a want to help those in need.
After reading The Dangerous Act of Worship by Mark Labberton and watching Ted Rodrigue on Oprah, I've had this unexplainable desire to help those in need. I would stay up late at night, and my heart would be pounding with excitment just thinking about how awesome it would be to help someone. But that would be followed by a feeling of disappointment because I didn't know where I could find people to help. I know that sounds stupid because there are people everywhere that need help. I think we all know this by default. But how often do we actually see or hear about someone who is currently struggling?
I'm totally ready, God. I really do want to help, so use me.
That's what I've been praying for quite a while now, and God answered my prayers today. Even though sending a Walmart giftcard is quite different from meeting a person face-to-face, it's a step in the right direction. At least, that's how it feels to me. I trust that God will continue to show me how to help others in "bigger" ways. That's not to say that every small act of kindness does not count. Of course it does! :)
I whole-heartedly support and give major kudos to all those who are running organizations, like WorldVision and Mocha Club (I really like Mocha Club. It's only seven bucks a month!), to help those in need. But I think, let's call it, "Jenny's Mission," is awesome in it's own special way. Since it's not a big organization thing, there's no money that's being spent on advertisement. All the money or rather, giftcards, are spent buying things that the families need. (Jenny is the one who is going to be using those gift cards to buy the things that the family needs, just in case you were wondering if someone would con her and take the giftcard to by things that they don't really need.)
Anyway, I think what she is doing is really awesome, so I just wanted to spread the news about it. If you have a desire in your heart to help, don't hesitate. If you want to know more about what Jenny is doing, just click or copy and paste the link that I've posted above. Happy helping.
Yay, I'm so excited! And I just can't hide it!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)