luke 8:18
so pary attention to how you hear. to those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. but for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.
luke 9:45
but they didn't know what he meant. it's significance was hidden from them, so they couldn't understand it, and they were afriad to ask him about it.
luke 24:45
they he opened their minds to understand the scriptures.
i was reading in luke the other day and thought these three verses shared a common theme... god gives us understanding.
the first passage: if we just listen to him, he will give us more understanding. how can we listen if we are studying his word and talking to him? so i have to read and pray to hear from him. if we don't, then he actually takes away understanding. just when i thought i couldn't get stupider...jk!
the second passage: this is why sometimes people don't understand why you believe the way you do or why you make choiced to follow god that might not make sense. god hides it from them! so that means non of my preaching or arguing or convicing is going to change that.
the third passage: god can open minds that are closed! we can pray for god to open our minds and others' minds too. i can't do it...it's out of my control. but god can. god gives me understanding. it's nothing from me...all from him.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
go mike!
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Hendrix College junior forward Michael Bertrand scored eight points out of the Warriors’ 12-4 run late in the second half to overcome Concordia University, 72-60, on Monday in their final game of the Land of Magic Classic at the ICI Center.
i am so proud of my little brother. i am hoping to be able to see him play this saturday in san antonio, but i can't find anyone to go with me yet. i have never seen him play in a college game...it would be awesome.
http://www.hendrix.edu/athletics/default.aspx?id=22028
i am so proud of my little brother. i am hoping to be able to see him play this saturday in san antonio, but i can't find anyone to go with me yet. i have never seen him play in a college game...it would be awesome. http://www.hendrix.edu/athletics/default.aspx?id=22028
Thursday, December 25, 2008
the reason for the season...
some verses i read the other day that seem timely to share on christmas day
i am like a tree that is ALWAYS GREEN; all your fruit comes from me.
HOSEA 14:8
but you, o bethlehem, ephrathah, are only a small village among the people of judah. yet a ruler of israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past...and he will stand to lead his flock with the lord's strength...and he will be the SOURCE OF PEACE.
MICAH 5:2,4,5
...look! the virgin will conceive a child! she will give birth to a son and will call him immanuel(which means GOD IS WITH US.')
ISAIAH 7:14
happy birthday jesus!
i am like a tree that is ALWAYS GREEN; all your fruit comes from me.
HOSEA 14:8
but you, o bethlehem, ephrathah, are only a small village among the people of judah. yet a ruler of israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past...and he will stand to lead his flock with the lord's strength...and he will be the SOURCE OF PEACE.
MICAH 5:2,4,5
...look! the virgin will conceive a child! she will give birth to a son and will call him immanuel(which means GOD IS WITH US.')
ISAIAH 7:14
happy birthday jesus!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
stockings
i told a friend of mine that i had decorated for christmas...put up a tree, have a wreath on my door, hung up stockings, etc. and she asked, 'you have one stocking?' i said, 'no! two...one for me and one for henry of course!'
it's so funny how i see henry as such an obvious part of my 'family.' i don't live alone...i live with henry. one time i was talking on the phone and watching a movie and this guy asks me what i am doing. so i say, 'oh just watching a movie with henry.' (he really does just sit there and watch it with me.) and he was like, 'who is henry?' i guess it doesn't help that his name is not buster or biscuit or cowboy...people at the park always call him king henry! he sure does think he's in charge around here...
it's so funny how i see henry as such an obvious part of my 'family.' i don't live alone...i live with henry. one time i was talking on the phone and watching a movie and this guy asks me what i am doing. so i say, 'oh just watching a movie with henry.' (he really does just sit there and watch it with me.) and he was like, 'who is henry?' i guess it doesn't help that his name is not buster or biscuit or cowboy...people at the park always call him king henry! he sure does think he's in charge around here...
Monday, December 22, 2008
one year ago...
last december henry had his little vasectomy. he was so sweet when i picked him up...all calm and sedated! i have never seen him like that..except for maybe when he was sick a couple of weeks ago. gosh it was awful...he threw up 5 times (i think it's becausei fed him cesar's, which i hardly ever do so he probably just wasn't used to it), and then as i am cleaning the throw up out of his face i find a tick on his neck. ewww...gross! so i take the tick off (and after realize i should have used alcohol and i hoped the head wasn't still in his body...when i went to check the tick out to see if he was headless (so gross!) he was gone from the tissue, so i was paranoid the whole night that the tick was going to get on me!).
so finally we start to go to bed (it's like after 12 already) and henry starts itching like crazy so i look what he's itching and he has these red streaks all over his tummy and then i realized his body was so hot...he had a fever too! anyway, i was so worried and prayed the whole night that he wouldn't die. but the next day his little tail started wagging again and i knew he was okay...just really thirty. poor thing -he got dehydrated...
it's also, exactly today, two years ago, my divorce was finalized...seems like a lifetime ago. i remember i had been waiting so long for things to be finalized and finally being done with everything was the best christmas present i got that year.
here's a picture of henry that i took after we got home. i had to take off the next day from work to stay home and take care of him. the groomer still asks me 'how long ago did he get fixed?'... yes, it's been a while and yes, he's STILL really hyper. :)
so finally we start to go to bed (it's like after 12 already) and henry starts itching like crazy so i look what he's itching and he has these red streaks all over his tummy and then i realized his body was so hot...he had a fever too! anyway, i was so worried and prayed the whole night that he wouldn't die. but the next day his little tail started wagging again and i knew he was okay...just really thirty. poor thing -he got dehydrated...
it's also, exactly today, two years ago, my divorce was finalized...seems like a lifetime ago. i remember i had been waiting so long for things to be finalized and finally being done with everything was the best christmas present i got that year.
here's a picture of henry that i took after we got home. i had to take off the next day from work to stay home and take care of him. the groomer still asks me 'how long ago did he get fixed?'... yes, it's been a while and yes, he's STILL really hyper. :)
Sunday, December 21, 2008
cheating...
i was talking with one of my friends who is a teacher about cheating that goes on in her classes and how she catches kids doing it...and i realized that people cheat in their eye exams all the time. once i had someone pretend to be blind to get disability. but the most common cheater is the kid who wants glasses...and this happened just a couple weeks ago.
a 7 year old boy comes in and the OA (ophthalmic assistant) could only get him seeing 20/40 with glasses, which is concerning when you can't see 20/20 with glasses. so i walk in after he is dilated and he sends me around in circles with the 'which is better, one or two' test. (people always think they aren't doing a good job on that test, but believe me, we know when you aren't making sense!). so i finally go to scope him, which just means that i don't need his input at all and i can just shine a light in his eyes to see what his prescription is, and i show him a red/green chart and ask him what colors he sees while i am scoping him. i don't need to know what colors he sees, but i usually ask kids because it helps them stay focused and looking at the chart. and he tells me he sees red and blue. so i know he is 'faking.'
so i tell his mom i need to talk to him alone for a minute, and i walk him to take another measurement, and while we are walking we have a little talk...
'do you want glasses?'
'yeah, i tried on my friend's glasses at school and i saw so much better!'
'well you aren't telling me what you really see. and i can't give you glasses if you don't tell me what you see... so we are are going to go back into that room, and i need you to tell me what you see, and if you do, you might get glasses.'
he thinks about it...'i won't get glasses if i don't tell you i can see?'
'nope.'
'okay.' as he nods
so we walk back into the room, and yay!...now he can see all the letters! it's a miracle! so i tell his mom he doesn't need glasses, but there is a small prescription that won't hurt him and may help him 'psychologically' and i leave it up to her...she said he could get the glasses. he was so excited. kids are hilarious.
my favorite memory of a kid was when i told her at the end of the exam that she needed glasses, and then i gave her the dark glasses you get after being dilated and she started crying. her mom asked her what was wrong and she said 'i don't like my new glasses.' :)
a 7 year old boy comes in and the OA (ophthalmic assistant) could only get him seeing 20/40 with glasses, which is concerning when you can't see 20/20 with glasses. so i walk in after he is dilated and he sends me around in circles with the 'which is better, one or two' test. (people always think they aren't doing a good job on that test, but believe me, we know when you aren't making sense!). so i finally go to scope him, which just means that i don't need his input at all and i can just shine a light in his eyes to see what his prescription is, and i show him a red/green chart and ask him what colors he sees while i am scoping him. i don't need to know what colors he sees, but i usually ask kids because it helps them stay focused and looking at the chart. and he tells me he sees red and blue. so i know he is 'faking.'
so i tell his mom i need to talk to him alone for a minute, and i walk him to take another measurement, and while we are walking we have a little talk...
'do you want glasses?'
'yeah, i tried on my friend's glasses at school and i saw so much better!'
'well you aren't telling me what you really see. and i can't give you glasses if you don't tell me what you see... so we are are going to go back into that room, and i need you to tell me what you see, and if you do, you might get glasses.'
he thinks about it...'i won't get glasses if i don't tell you i can see?'
'nope.'
'okay.' as he nods
so we walk back into the room, and yay!...now he can see all the letters! it's a miracle! so i tell his mom he doesn't need glasses, but there is a small prescription that won't hurt him and may help him 'psychologically' and i leave it up to her...she said he could get the glasses. he was so excited. kids are hilarious.
my favorite memory of a kid was when i told her at the end of the exam that she needed glasses, and then i gave her the dark glasses you get after being dilated and she started crying. her mom asked her what was wrong and she said 'i don't like my new glasses.' :)
Saturday, December 20, 2008
3 times a charm
god has shown me this verse THREE times over this past week. i loved it the first time i read it last week in my morning bible study time...and the second time it came to my mind when the girls in my sunday school class were getting together so i read it, and then this novel i just finished reading quoted it at the end. so here this one is...
even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
yet i will rejoice in the lord!
i will be joyful in the god of my salvation!
the sovereign lord is my strength!
he makes me as surefooted as a deer,
able to tread upon the heights.
HABAKKUK 3:17-19
even though i'm not a farmer, with all the recession and economic crisis going on, i could relate to these verses. here's my own version...
even though the unemployment rate is rising,
and people are losing their jobs left and right;
even though the dow is dropping like a rock,
and 401Ks are looking more like 41Ks;
even though terrorism across the world is increasing,
and god is being rejected more each day here in america,
yet i will rejoice in the lord!
i will be joyful in the god of my salvation!
the sovereign lord is my strength!
he makes me as surefooted as a deer,
able to tread upon the heights.
it just reminds me that my security is in god. no matter what seems to be crashing down in the world...
even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
yet i will rejoice in the lord!
i will be joyful in the god of my salvation!
the sovereign lord is my strength!
he makes me as surefooted as a deer,
able to tread upon the heights.
HABAKKUK 3:17-19
even though i'm not a farmer, with all the recession and economic crisis going on, i could relate to these verses. here's my own version...
even though the unemployment rate is rising,
and people are losing their jobs left and right;
even though the dow is dropping like a rock,
and 401Ks are looking more like 41Ks;
even though terrorism across the world is increasing,
and god is being rejected more each day here in america,
yet i will rejoice in the lord!
i will be joyful in the god of my salvation!
the sovereign lord is my strength!
he makes me as surefooted as a deer,
able to tread upon the heights.
it just reminds me that my security is in god. no matter what seems to be crashing down in the world...
Thursday, December 18, 2008
daniel 10:12
i heard this scripture twice in the same day. when god tells me something twice, it means it's important! the first time was in my morning bible study...and the second was at beth moore's converge conference last thursday. so here it is...
then he said, 'don't be afraid, daniel. since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your god, your request has been heard in heaven...'
this verse is so awesome...and such a great reminder to me to TRUST god completely. he answers our prayers the moment we tell him. we may not see the prayer answered right away...but know and believe that he has heard. so we can wait patiently, confidently...but of course i always want to leave my prayers as 'thy will, not mine.' i may ask for something, but in the same breath i acknowledge that god knows what i need more than i do and i do trust his plan for my life.
then he said, 'don't be afraid, daniel. since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your god, your request has been heard in heaven...'
this verse is so awesome...and such a great reminder to me to TRUST god completely. he answers our prayers the moment we tell him. we may not see the prayer answered right away...but know and believe that he has heard. so we can wait patiently, confidently...but of course i always want to leave my prayers as 'thy will, not mine.' i may ask for something, but in the same breath i acknowledge that god knows what i need more than i do and i do trust his plan for my life.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
seriously?!...
i am walking into an exam room at work yesterday to see an 11 year old...
me: 'hi, i'm dr. bertrand,' as i go to shake the mom's hand
patient's mom: 'no you're not.'
yes i am!... right?!
me: 'uh...well...yes, i am,'
did i say my name right? was she expecting someone else?!
patient's mom: 'you look like you're in high school...you can't be the doctor,' and she laughs a little.
ahhhh, so that's what she's talking about! seriously?!?! i am lost for words so all i say is...
me: 'well thank you' and i move along to the check the little girl's eyes.
hold on! i don't think looking like you're in high school is a compliment.
i am seriously thinking about cutting my hair to make me look older or at least more mature and professional! goodness! and today, to top it off, a patient asked me 'how long have you been doing this?' i told him 'five years, why do you ask?' and he said when i walked in he thought i looked young and he thought i might be new. great! and then i looked to see how old he was and he was only 25!i think hearing comments like this all the time makes me excited to be 40 someday...people will finally take me seriously! seriously...i just realized how much i am saying that word here. haha...
me: 'hi, i'm dr. bertrand,' as i go to shake the mom's hand
patient's mom: 'no you're not.'
yes i am!... right?!
me: 'uh...well...yes, i am,'
did i say my name right? was she expecting someone else?!
patient's mom: 'you look like you're in high school...you can't be the doctor,' and she laughs a little.
ahhhh, so that's what she's talking about! seriously?!?! i am lost for words so all i say is...
me: 'well thank you' and i move along to the check the little girl's eyes.
hold on! i don't think looking like you're in high school is a compliment.
i am seriously thinking about cutting my hair to make me look older or at least more mature and professional! goodness! and today, to top it off, a patient asked me 'how long have you been doing this?' i told him 'five years, why do you ask?' and he said when i walked in he thought i looked young and he thought i might be new. great! and then i looked to see how old he was and he was only 25!i think hearing comments like this all the time makes me excited to be 40 someday...people will finally take me seriously! seriously...i just realized how much i am saying that word here. haha...
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
tv
i just realized that it's been like a week since i have turned on my tv! i think it's because i have been reading more lately. and working on the cross stitch, taking henry to the park, etc. i don't think about it too much except for when people talk about a new movie coming out...did i see the preview? no... i might watch the o'reilly factor tonight though. i need to know what's going on in the world still.
but the weird thing is...i haven't missed it too much. i even considered cancelling my cable, but that's a big step for me. plus dancing with the stars starts up again this march. although i always miss the results show because tuesdays in have my bsf bible study class.
but the weird thing is...i haven't missed it too much. i even considered cancelling my cable, but that's a big step for me. plus dancing with the stars starts up again this march. although i always miss the results show because tuesdays in have my bsf bible study class.
Monday, December 15, 2008
salad anyone?
i have a salad almost every day now (part of my eating better plan). so this is what i put on it...
-mixed field greens and spinach
-cut up tomatoes and avocado
-shredded carrots
-dried cranberries
-walnuts
-a little feta cheese and parmesan cheese
-salt and pepper, hummus (so i get my 'bean' serving for the day)
-and a cap full of balsamic vinaigrette and a cap full of olive oil.
it's actually really tasty. :)
the hard part is not eating sweets after dinner. i have had no chocolate in my house now for like four days...and i finished off my last sugar cookie two days ago...tonight i had an apricot for dessert. it wasn't too bad i guess. i am going back to the nutritionist in a couple of days and i am going to see what i can do about this sweets craving!
Friday, December 12, 2008
torn
i have also been studying in exodus (25-27) about the tabernacle and all the specific things god left instructions for. one in particular was the large continuous curtain that was to separate the holy place from the most holy place, which held the ark of the covenant, or the dwelling place of god.
this tabernacle symbolized where god prepared to meet with israel. the high priest was the only one who could enter the most holy place, and he only did this once a year (on the day of atonement) and he could only enter offering a blood sacrifice, which atoned for the sins of the people. no one can approach god who has sin, or they will die.
this symbolism is so beautiful...because after JESUS, the perfect lamb, died on the cross, he covered the sins of the world and atoned for all of us, so that we can each approach god on judgement day. and after his spirit was taken, the curtain was TORN...symbolizing that we are no longer be separated from god. now god can dwell within us, as the holy spirit. he is no longer in a tabernacle, but in us!
then jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. at that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. (matthew 27:50-51)
this tabernacle symbolized where god prepared to meet with israel. the high priest was the only one who could enter the most holy place, and he only did this once a year (on the day of atonement) and he could only enter offering a blood sacrifice, which atoned for the sins of the people. no one can approach god who has sin, or they will die.
this symbolism is so beautiful...because after JESUS, the perfect lamb, died on the cross, he covered the sins of the world and atoned for all of us, so that we can each approach god on judgement day. and after his spirit was taken, the curtain was TORN...symbolizing that we are no longer be separated from god. now god can dwell within us, as the holy spirit. he is no longer in a tabernacle, but in us!
then jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. at that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. (matthew 27:50-51)
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
'the 10' revisited
i just studied the 10 commandments in my bible study class (BSF) and it just brought to light this list i thought i had heard over and over. it helped me look at some of them in a new light and apply them to my life right now. (exodus 20: 1-17)
1. must have no other gods before me
-this means that nothing is more important to me than my relationship with the lord.
2. must not make an idol for yourself
-god is my first affection. not a relationship. not my family. not money. not my job. this one has a punishment associated with it (4 generations would be affected) but also a promise (he will lavish unfailing love on thousands of generations). this shows god's goodness... he punishes for 4 generations, but loves on 1,000s!
3. do not misuse my name
-having reverence for yahweh. this is more of a cultural challenge. for me, i am trying not to say 'holy cow' anymore. what does that mean anyway?! god is holy, not cows!
4. observe the sabbath day and keep it holy
-giving god control of my time...we as christians aren't under the law of the 10 commandments because we are not a theocracy like the nation of israel was, so we don't go to church on the sabbath day, or saturday. we worship on sunday, the lord's day, because this is the day the tomb was empty!
5. honor your mother and father
-this is the only commandment with a promise attached to it (you will live a long, full life). how do i treat my parents? what do i say about them? also, this can be applied to any authority over me... parents are the first authority we meet, but also includes teachers, employers, law enforcers, etc.
6. you must not murder
-god is telling us here that life is precious in his sight. he decides when to end a life...not us.
7. you must not commit adultery
-purity is important to god...includes our impure thoughts, sex before marriage, lust and homosexuality...
8. you must not steal
-god wants us to honor others' property and have an attitude of respect. also means giving my best to my job.
9. you must not testify falsely
-having honesty and integrity in everything i do.
10. you must not covet your neighbor's house
-this one's a hard one for me. being content with what i already have. sometimes i always want more...those cute jeans someone has or a nicer this or that. but i am sooooo blessed...this shows me to focus on the goodness of god and his provision.
all we have to do to be with god in heaven when we die is accept the sacrifice that was already made for us through jesus christ. his sacrifice cleanses us and atones for our sins and makes us holy so that we can boldly enter god's presence someday. you can't get to heaven just because you are a 'good person,' or by doing 'good works.' kind of cool now that we are no longer under the law. we are saved by grace!
1. must have no other gods before me
-this means that nothing is more important to me than my relationship with the lord.
2. must not make an idol for yourself
-god is my first affection. not a relationship. not my family. not money. not my job. this one has a punishment associated with it (4 generations would be affected) but also a promise (he will lavish unfailing love on thousands of generations). this shows god's goodness... he punishes for 4 generations, but loves on 1,000s!
3. do not misuse my name
-having reverence for yahweh. this is more of a cultural challenge. for me, i am trying not to say 'holy cow' anymore. what does that mean anyway?! god is holy, not cows!
4. observe the sabbath day and keep it holy
-giving god control of my time...we as christians aren't under the law of the 10 commandments because we are not a theocracy like the nation of israel was, so we don't go to church on the sabbath day, or saturday. we worship on sunday, the lord's day, because this is the day the tomb was empty!
5. honor your mother and father
-this is the only commandment with a promise attached to it (you will live a long, full life). how do i treat my parents? what do i say about them? also, this can be applied to any authority over me... parents are the first authority we meet, but also includes teachers, employers, law enforcers, etc.
6. you must not murder
-god is telling us here that life is precious in his sight. he decides when to end a life...not us.
7. you must not commit adultery
-purity is important to god...includes our impure thoughts, sex before marriage, lust and homosexuality...
8. you must not steal
-god wants us to honor others' property and have an attitude of respect. also means giving my best to my job.
9. you must not testify falsely
-having honesty and integrity in everything i do.
10. you must not covet your neighbor's house
-this one's a hard one for me. being content with what i already have. sometimes i always want more...those cute jeans someone has or a nicer this or that. but i am sooooo blessed...this shows me to focus on the goodness of god and his provision.
all we have to do to be with god in heaven when we die is accept the sacrifice that was already made for us through jesus christ. his sacrifice cleanses us and atones for our sins and makes us holy so that we can boldly enter god's presence someday. you can't get to heaven just because you are a 'good person,' or by doing 'good works.' kind of cool now that we are no longer under the law. we are saved by grace!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
it's the most... wonderful time...of the year...
lindsey came over this past weekend and helped me put up my tree! we had hot chocolate (with yellow marshmellows!) and danced to mariah carey's 'all i want for christmas...is YOU....!' thanks for your help linds! :)
ahhhhh...so pretty! :) it's been great relaxing on my couch, listening to christmas music, and enjoying my tree.
ahhhhh...so pretty! :) it's been great relaxing on my couch, listening to christmas music, and enjoying my tree.
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