Stuff That Matters in Life

Katy’s Weblog

On another Sabbath, Jesus entered the synagogue and was teaching. Now a man was there whose right hand was withered. The experts in the law and the Pharisees watched Jesus closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they could find a reason to accuse him. Luke 6:6-7

The Pharisees probably had more faith in Jesus’ ability to heal than any of the disciples.

They had no doubt that Jesus COULD heal. In fact they were there watching to see that he does it, so that they could. . . what? Believe in him as the Messiah? So they can also receive healing? So they can learn from him?
You’d think that if the Pharisees believed that Jesus could heal, and then actually saw it, then they would want to be his followers.

No! They were there hoping Jesus would heal the man so that they have proof that he broke their Sabbath laws! Doesn’t that sound insane?

Do I also believe in Jesus, but like the Pharisees, don’t really want to submit to him completely? Do I believe Jesus but at the same time, just want to continue living my life the way I want? Do I believe in Jesus, but like the Pharisees, want Jesus to fit the picture of what I think God should be like?
(Thanks, Dave for that insight)

Did I ever mention where the picture on this blog’s banner came from?

These are the water drops on the sunroof of our car while we were washing the car. Elliot took the picture.

The simple pleasures in life are the Stuff that Matters – the title of my blog, in case you haven’t noticed.

No waiting at Astro Blaster. We came out of it and went right back in to ride it again.

No waiting at Pirates of the Carribean. The updated improvements were well done. No more “Hoho, hoho, a pirate’s life for me…”

15 minutes wait at Indian Jones. Too bad we didn’t want to go on it. It’s too scary and jerky for Amy. It hurt my neck last time I was there.

5 minutes wait at Autopia. We went on it twice.

5 minutes wait at Splash Mountain. Didn’t go on that, nor Space Mountain, nor the Matterhorn, all a historical 15 minute wait only. We wasted the only opportunity we would ever go on those rides. But Amy and I can’t stomach the roller coasters. Well, I would’ve done Matterhorn.

This was two Fridays ago when Mike, Amy and I went to Disneyland. This is our annual trip to watch Audrey march in the Disneyland Parade with Walnut High School band. We’ve done this every year for 4 years. This is the last year we will be able to see her march in a parade at Disneyland! It is too sad…

But God gave us a perfect day. The weather was a near perfect 70F. We bundled up in the evening, but it wasn’t that cold.

The only disappointment was the fireworks were cancelled “due to winds.” I didn’t feel any wind.

chinatown-small.jpg

Among our many highlights of the day: up close and personal with Captain Jack Sparrow.

Entangled

Filed under Bible, Generalby Joyful

Today in my Precepts Bible study group, Hebrews 12:1 came up in our discussion: “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles…”

To be honest, I can think of many sins that entangle me in my Christian life. The writer of Hebrews says to throw off everything that hinders, which makes sense.
But he went on to say “…and the sin that so easily entangles…”

What is THE SIN that EASILY entangles me? Some people think that this is referring to the sin of unbelief. That is certainly the core of most, if not all sin.

But could it also be that we each have a particularly sin that we are especially prone to? Is there one sin that we fall prey to easily?

There are some temptations that are not hard for me to resist. I feel pretty good about that. There are some sins that I struggle with and sometimes overcome, but sometimes succumb to. I feel okay with that because I know I am working on it.
Then there is that one sin that I seem powerless against.

I fall for it easily every time. Most of the time I am not even aware of it until afterwards. Afterwards, I realize that I did it again. It so easily entangled me…

Let us throw off everything that hinders us in our relationship with God, even that one sin that so easily entangles us. Let us persevere in the race.

Often we seem bent on ensuring that the next generation will have a better life than did the preceding generations – the ability to live “the good life.” But we define that life as the presence of comfort and secuity combined with the abasence of hardship and disappointment. Well-intentioned parents often try to buy experiences and environments that foster a soft and satisfying lifestyle for their progeny.

Read more of “What do we want for our children?”

Today is Elliot‘s birthday, same day as Martin Luther King’s.

A small incident today woke me up to the realization that Elliot is a man, no longer a boy.

We went to visit my friends to see their bunny (why we wanted to see their bunny is another story.)

When I introduced Elliot, Audrey, and Amy to the husband, he stuck out his hand to shake Elliot’s hand.

Elliot was treated like an adult, not a child that you pat on the head.

I enjoyed taking care of him and watching him grow as a child. I no longer take care of him like I used to. But I continue to enjoy watching him grow; I am proud of him as my grown son.

Happy Birthday, Elliot!

Good answer

Filed under Generalby Joyful

I was confronted by 4 doctors the day before President Bush announced the US policy on embryonic stem cell research. Without asking my opinion, these friends demanded to know: “Why do you oppose stem cell research?” I told them I was very much in favor of stem cell research. But I do have 2 questions for them.

“Do you know that you too have stem cells circulating in your blood?” These doctors, who got their degree some 30 years ago, never heard of that.

“And if you are so unfortunate to have a disease that only stem cells can cure, which one would you use: your own stem cells or embryonic stem cells isolated from unmatched embryos?”

From Dr. Richard Yen

If I am asked about stem cell research, I will use that response.

Reflections

Filed under Generalby Joyful

It’s been almost a week since Chocolate died.

I am wondering why I am taking it so hard. My sadness is surprising to me.

He was technically Audrey’s dog. She had been very responsible in taking care of him since we adopted him from the Humane Society when she was 10 years old and Chocolate…

Read more of “Reflections”