Those boys are much too much!

Look over there to the right and click on the first item in "Things that make me so happy I just gotta throw something" I saw this commercial this morning at about 6:45 in the morning. I crack myself up every time I think about! That little girl has got it made with THAT dad!

The Intruder...

Let me set the scene. I'm sitting at my desk in my office. I have no windows in my office so I like to make my own productive work atmosphere. First, I light a great smelling candle. Next, I make sure I've got great music playing. Right now I'm listening to Sufjan Stevens presents Songs for Christmas (I highly recommend it). Next I make sure that all projects except the one I'm currently working on is put away in the 'IN' box or filed away and out of my vision. (I know, that part shocks you :) Finally, I fix myself a nice cup of hot tea or hot chocolate or something else hot. Then I almost snuggle down in my chair and go about the business of being completely focused on my task whether it's answering emails, corresponding with church visitors or managing a big gathering. So you can imagine that in this state of comfortable but intense concentration, I was appalled by the strange movement I caught from the corner of my eye. Alanis couldn't have sung it better. It was a cockroach taking a casual stroll across my desk. I'm pretty sure it noticed me long before I noticed it and I'm even surer that when I looked at it, it raised an eyebrow and muttered, "Now how do you like your atmosphere, sister?" My murder attempt failed so now it's lurking about my office plotting it's next appearance.

Why can't I ever be more prepared for the unexpected? When will I ever learn that I'm not really in control of how things go. I can try and try and will probably try for the rest of my life to set the scene for the perfect moment, week...life. So these little 'reminders' that the unexpected is going to happen are healthy wake up calls for me to keep things in perspective. All that said, I'd still really want to smush that roach!

Get Ready

This past Sunday was the first Sunday in Advent. I remember I took a big deep breath and said to God, "Okay God, you've got my full attention". It's not always easy to get our full attention with all the Big Sale shopping opportunities and tasty holiday distractions around us during this time of year. Advent marks the beginning of the church year. We are accustomed to making our New Year's resolutions on January 1st in accordance with the calendar year. What if we left all the losing weight, quitting smoking and all the other regular suspects for January and use Advent to make another kind of resolution? I invite you join me in making a fresh new effort to open yourself up to hearing God in this new church year. In the midst of all that strives to distract and divert us we must learn to be quiet and listen...listen to what the true gift of Christmas is. With the Christ child comes the example of love we are to practice with one another. Equipped with that love our response is to love those around us...stranger as well as those we call friend. In all of this, we get Get Ready for the arrival of the Christ. Take time this holy season to Get Ready. Click here to see our church's offerings for getting ready http://www.firstchurchdallas.org/news_detail_headlines.php?doc=113