Oh What a World!

A disturbing occurrence earlier this week. I was home alone - almost night; on the phone with my daughter.  Suddenly I’m hearing this big commotion on the outside, someone shouting, my dog barking his head off.  So I hang up the phone to check what’s happening and there’s a man at my door - no shirt, bloody or sweaty (not sure), and shouting for me to call the police as he needs help badly.  So I’m hesitating because I’m so shocked, and he keeps shouting, pleading with me now to open the door, so he can use the phone as he’s hurt so bad – he was beaten by some guys. Please, please ma’am. I’m still hesitating, and finally I tell him that I will call the police. So I turn away to do so, and I’m explaining to the police that there is a man outside my door who says he’s hurt, but that I’m hesitant to open the door. The police tell me not to open my door and they’ll be there shortly. So I turn back to let the man know the police are on the way, and he’s not there!  He’s gone! Apparently it was a scam!! And the police did come (within about 10 minutes) and could find him nowhere!

Now don’t give me credit for being smart!! What made me not open the door was that I am a rather finicky/fastidious person and the thought of how I was going to be able to clean the phone after the man was finished with it was what stopped me!!  And now today, I’m listening to the local news and the police are commenting about an increase in forced entries and advising the public, especially persons who are alone, not to open their doors to anyone they don’t know.

Oh what a world.  What was this man’s intention?  Surely it was not meant for good. Thank God whom the Lord keeps is well kept. 

Making sense

Sermons can be s-o-o long! Sometimes to keep myself awake I’ll read the “good book” (or some other good book)!! Jon Paulien in his book “Letters to the Thessalonians” (a companion guide to this quarter’s Sabbath lessons) outlines some steps to “get real” with God and other people.  These include the usual, such as spending time with God’s word, and practicing authentic prayer.  But what caught my attention was the suggestion to use some form of journaling.  According to the author, “when I journal, God uses the writing process to draw up the depths of my being in ways that nothing else can.  I can use journaling to pray, to record God’s answers to prayer, and to take note of the various ways in which God has been at work in my life.  In our search for authenticity it is particularly helpful to invite God to probe whatever areas of our lives He wishes to examine and to expose us to it in what we write.  Many of the greatest Christians of all time, including Ellen G. White, have practiced journaling as a tool of self-awareness”.  Hmmm!!

Another article from Priorities magazine (Year 8-September 2012) entitled “The Amazing Ant” stressed the necessity for teamwork and directs attention to the ability of ants to work together as a community in orderly collaboration and cooperation.  “Without this, you will lack the ability and skill to work in today’s globalized and integrated economy.  The lone ranger model seems to be a thing of the past, and now those who are able to listen and comprehend and communicate effectively with others in order to achieve common goals are in demand”.  Hmmm again!!

Now some things in my online classes are beginning to make sense!! The blog!! The team projects in each and every course!! Go HFU!!!