Lisa and I have spent several hours over the past few weeks looking at and trying to get an estimate for a new window for our living room window. The current window was at one time a very nice, high-quality window arrnagement, with two casement windows flanking a large picture window. However, over time the blinds that are between the panes of glass in each window have ceased to function properly in one casement and in the picture window. The casement window with functional blinds had its mechanics break last summer, so we can't open and close the window relaibly or with any ease - so we don't open it. The other casement window operate just fine, but its scrolling up screen was ruined and cannot be replaced - so we can't open it or the cats will get out and the bugs will get in.
Basically, we now have three large pieces of glass that at one time had a functional purpose but now simply act as a transparent wall with a lot of broken attachments. It's not the prettiest thing and it is frustrating to not be able to use it for what it was designed and created for. So we have decided to replace it with a newer, more energy-efficient fully funcioning window. We aren't sure yet if we will have two casement windows again or two double hung windows. In the next few weeks we have two different window companies coming to take measurements and give us a more detailed estimate. We are hoping to have the installation completed before most of the plants in the flower bed that surrounds the window begin to grow this year. We shall see
Christianity in America
“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes? Jews first and also Gentiles.” - Romans 1:16
I was reading through some online devotionals today and I came across a short piece written by Greg Laurie about Romans 1:16. In it he briefly describes how Christians are portrayed as intolerant and the problem in our culture.
He continues...
Yes, it is. However, standing up for what we say we believe in usually costs something that a lot of people aren't willing to lose. In those times, we willingly commit sins of ommission by not acting out our faith. If we do not recognize that these moments of inaction are sin and do not feel compelled by the Holy Spirit to action, is it possible that we might not truly be Christians? Is it possible to be a Christian and not have a heart that goes out to the poor, homeless, destitute and feels drawn to some form of action? Is it possible to claim faith in Christ and not have the desire to attempt to live a life that reflects that in our speech? Is it possible to proclaim to be Children of God and still promote sinful activities of the people around us by not speaking out against it in love?
My conclusion and belief is that the majority of people in America who claim to be Christians are, in all actuality, lost and headed to Hell with a Bible in one hand, a cross around their neck and an ichthus on their car. They may know Scripture and they may go to church regularly, but I do not believe that they have placed their faith in God and have chosen to try and live a life that is pleasing to God. If everyone who proclaimed to be a Christian in America were actually a Christian striving to live for God, our nation would not have some of the issues that it finds itself dealing with today. I believe that our nation would look dramatically different if the majority of people were truly saved by God and I think it would be changed if Christians actually started to live out what they say they believe - myself included.
Until that time, I believe that our nation will continue to be One Nation Under God's Judgement...
I was reading through some online devotionals today and I came across a short piece written by Greg Laurie about Romans 1:16. In it he briefly describes how Christians are portrayed as intolerant and the problem in our culture.
[This]...is so typical of our culture today. You can say anything. You can believe anything. But if you stand up and say there are absolutes, if you say there is right and wrong and the Bible says so, then you are accused of hurting our society. You are the worst possible thing that could happen to our culture. Ironically, the very problems that are the result of society’s rejection of God are then placed at the feet of the Christian, as though the Christian has brought these troubles on our culture.
He continues...
We live in a time when people are standing up for all sorts of causes. We have people standing up for the rights of animals. We have people standing up for the environment. We have people standing up for perverse sexual lifestyles. We have people standing up for everything imaginable, even willing to die for their cause.
Isn't it time that we, as Christians, stand up for what we believe? It’s time to stand up and be counted.
Yes, it is. However, standing up for what we say we believe in usually costs something that a lot of people aren't willing to lose. In those times, we willingly commit sins of ommission by not acting out our faith. If we do not recognize that these moments of inaction are sin and do not feel compelled by the Holy Spirit to action, is it possible that we might not truly be Christians? Is it possible to be a Christian and not have a heart that goes out to the poor, homeless, destitute and feels drawn to some form of action? Is it possible to claim faith in Christ and not have the desire to attempt to live a life that reflects that in our speech? Is it possible to proclaim to be Children of God and still promote sinful activities of the people around us by not speaking out against it in love?
My conclusion and belief is that the majority of people in America who claim to be Christians are, in all actuality, lost and headed to Hell with a Bible in one hand, a cross around their neck and an ichthus on their car. They may know Scripture and they may go to church regularly, but I do not believe that they have placed their faith in God and have chosen to try and live a life that is pleasing to God. If everyone who proclaimed to be a Christian in America were actually a Christian striving to live for God, our nation would not have some of the issues that it finds itself dealing with today. I believe that our nation would look dramatically different if the majority of people were truly saved by God and I think it would be changed if Christians actually started to live out what they say they believe - myself included.
Until that time, I believe that our nation will continue to be One Nation Under God's Judgement...
Snow!
Overnight we received what looked to be around 8 inches of snow.
I woke up with Lisa at 5:30 and went out to clear off and warm up the car for her.
As I walked toward the street to check its condition, I realized that I was going to have to shovel the driveway for the first time in a long time. In the past, when we have had 3 or 4 inches of snow, we simply just drive over it down the driveway and let it melt on its own in due time. While other people in the neighborhood spend hours shoveling and salting their driveways so they are totally clear, we let our sit as a testament to winter weather and the fact that we don't care if our driveway looks postcard perfect.
Thankfully, the snow was dry and fluffy and not all packed and wet. So while the shoveling was work, it wasn't the significant effort it could have been under other conditions. In fact, after clearing off the end of the driveway and the street entrance, I basically just swept the majority of the snow of the remainder of the driveway in a few minutes. It was a good workout and a brisk start to the morning, with temps in the 20s and wind chills in the single digits.
I began my commute at around 7:15 and our street and the service road were still covered but had been plowed a few times throughout the morning, so it wasn't too terrible. Once I got onto 70, it cleared up a lot. While it wasn't absolutely clear, you could see the lane markings and we were travelling at around 45mph consistently without feeling in danger. At around the Rock Road, however, the conditions worsened and you could no longer see the lanes. This deteriorated even further at the Airport, where there were still several inches of snow on the roadway. Natural Bridge and the street our company is on were not plowed, as usual. The city of Berkely will probably get to plowing these by 5pm tonight if we are lucky. All in all it was a relatively painless commute and I was able to be at work by 8.
I like the fact that we finally got a good snow and enjoy the way it makes everything look.
The fact that most of the main roads will probably be absolutely clear by this afternoon makes it even more enjoyable.
I woke up with Lisa at 5:30 and went out to clear off and warm up the car for her.
As I walked toward the street to check its condition, I realized that I was going to have to shovel the driveway for the first time in a long time. In the past, when we have had 3 or 4 inches of snow, we simply just drive over it down the driveway and let it melt on its own in due time. While other people in the neighborhood spend hours shoveling and salting their driveways so they are totally clear, we let our sit as a testament to winter weather and the fact that we don't care if our driveway looks postcard perfect.
Thankfully, the snow was dry and fluffy and not all packed and wet. So while the shoveling was work, it wasn't the significant effort it could have been under other conditions. In fact, after clearing off the end of the driveway and the street entrance, I basically just swept the majority of the snow of the remainder of the driveway in a few minutes. It was a good workout and a brisk start to the morning, with temps in the 20s and wind chills in the single digits.
I began my commute at around 7:15 and our street and the service road were still covered but had been plowed a few times throughout the morning, so it wasn't too terrible. Once I got onto 70, it cleared up a lot. While it wasn't absolutely clear, you could see the lane markings and we were travelling at around 45mph consistently without feeling in danger. At around the Rock Road, however, the conditions worsened and you could no longer see the lanes. This deteriorated even further at the Airport, where there were still several inches of snow on the roadway. Natural Bridge and the street our company is on were not plowed, as usual. The city of Berkely will probably get to plowing these by 5pm tonight if we are lucky. All in all it was a relatively painless commute and I was able to be at work by 8.
I like the fact that we finally got a good snow and enjoy the way it makes everything look.
The fact that most of the main roads will probably be absolutely clear by this afternoon makes it even more enjoyable.
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