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27 December 2008

Vacation!

We're on our way!

26 December 2008

After Christmas

Matthew 2:1-12

1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[Wise Men] from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." 3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ[Messiah] was to be born. 5"In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:

6" 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will be the shepherd of my people Israel
.' [Micah 5:2]"

7Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

9After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

25 December 2008

Merry Christmas

Luke 2:1-20 (King James Version)

1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

24 December 2008

Happy Christmas Eve

Hebrews 1:1-6 (New International Version)

1In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

5For to which of the angels did God ever say,
"You are my Son;
today I have become your Father
" [Psalm 2:7] ?
Or again,
"I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son
" [2 Samuel 7:14; I Chronicles 17:13] ?
6And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,
"Let all God's angels worship him." [Deuteronomy 32:43]

23 December 2008

Happy Christmas Eve Eve

Philippians 2:1-11 (New International Version)

1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

18 December 2008

Linkage, Volume 46

Six Famous Siblings
lesser-known siblings of some very famous people

Iron Man and Me
how a Flickr photo ended up in a feature film

Ads Add Up
teacher sells ads on tests to cover printing costs

Migrant Mother
daughter in famous photograph talks about growing up in the Great Depression

Phrase Science
Uncle John explains the science behind some popular phrases

Scrabble
60 facts for its 60th birthday

Kitchen Myths
debunking urban legends about cooking

05 December 2008

Pretty Karate


Candy got her sparring gear today for her karate class. She was soooo excited! There were four color choices (black, red, blue, and pink), and Mom chose pink. Candy likes pink best.
She said, "Hey, Mommy, Look at me! I look so pretty!"
She is the prettiest karate student I have ever seen!

04 December 2008

Christmas Meme

What is a Meme?

Got this list from Debbie over at Finding Normal...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both - depends on the present. I really like wrapping in something reusable, like a scarf or basket or tote bag.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Fake. Preferably pre-lit. Preferably LEDs - they never burn out!

3. When do you put up the tree? I put up Mom's on Thanksgiving weekend. My own tree hasn't left the attic in a few years...

4. When do you take the tree down? Sometime in January. As long as it's down before Valentine's Day...

5. Do you like eggnog? No!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? An orange. Yes, a piece of fruit. One of my Christmas books had a picture of a child's stocking (okay, it was actually a baby bear's stocking...) with an orange in the top, so I asked Santa for an orange in mine. I didn't even like oranges, but I just knew that stockings were *supposed* to have oranges in the top! I got one every year after that!

7. Hardest person to buy for? My parents. Although Mom has given me some very specific requests this year...

8. Easiest person to buy for? My sisters. They love it all!

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Lots of them. I would like to leave them out all year, but there simply isn't room in my little house. Mom leaves hers out all the time.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I love getting Christmas cards in the mail, but I have never sent any. Maybe I should try to send some out this year.

11.Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't remember it, but my parents told me that one year I asked Santa for a Slinky and was *extremely* upset when he brought me two of them. One was orange and the other was purple. I cried and said that I only wanted one!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Miracle on 34th Street (the original black-and-white version, of course). Holiday Inn is a close second.

13. When do you start shopping forChristmas? January. That's when the best sales on Christmas-themed items are.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I gave my little sister a bunch of scented lotions that I got over the years (my dry, allergy-prone skin needs unscented, medicated lotion).

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Grandma's cookies!

16. Lights on the tree? See #2.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Away in a Manger.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel to my hometown.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? "You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donder and Blitzen. But do you recall the most famous reindeer of all? Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer..."

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? New jammies on Christmas Eve (sometimes with accessories like robes or slippers or matching doll jammies), but all of the other presents get opened on Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Doing Mom's shopping (and returns) for her. She lives in a small town, while I live in the big city with big stores and malls. (But I do it anyway, with a smile, 'cause I love you, Mom! Lots and lots!)

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Grandma works at Hallmark, so we have lots of those ornaments as well as lots of other sentimental ones. Our big tree was always a hodgepodge. Mom now does themes on smaller trees (one little tree has angels, one Disney, one Nutcracker, etc) and all the rest go on the big tree. Most of my own ornaments are Barbie, Snoopy, and Looney Tunes.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? All of it! Any time family and food are together, it's my favorite!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I just want big smiles from my little sisters when they get to try out their gifts from me.


Your turn! Leave me a comment so I can come read your answers!

02 December 2008

Linkage, Volume 45

Zero-G Coffee Cup
astronaut invented a space-friendly cup

Hedge Mazes
15 of the Most Amazing Mazes and Labyrinths

'Dog'tor Degree
labrador received an honorary law degree from Baylor University

Illegal Internet
an Italian judge ruled that all websites with headlines are illegal newspapers

Squanto
Thanksgiving history lesson, from a Native American perspective

26 November 2008

Thanksgiving Prayer

As you thank the Lord for your family and your many blessings, take a moment to remember those who are not with their families this Thanksgiving.

*Pray for the safety of our Troops.

*Pray for the adoptable children who need the love of a Forever Family.

*Pray for those who have lost loved ones this year and must spend their first holiday season without them.

25 November 2008

Black Friday

Go to TheBlackFriday.com to find all Black Friday shopping ads as they are released!

Amazon

I joined the Amazon Associates program a while back, enabling me to earn points every time I refer someone to buy something. If you do any holiday shopping on Amazon.com this year, please go there using my customized link:

Polymathamy Amazon

24 November 2008

Linkage, Volume 44

Turbaconducken
"a chicken stuffed in duck stuffed in a turkey, all wrapped in bacon"

Thanksgivings Around the World
surely you didn't think that the Pilgrims invented the holiday...

Thanksgiving Myths
tradition is too often historically incorrect

21 November 2008

Linkage, Volume 43

Popaganda
pop culture propaganda

Siduhe Grand Bridge
first suspension bridge built using rockets

Disneyland
10 cool secrets about Disneyland

Free Dr. Pepper
coupons available this Sunday only

10 Point plus 8 Point
hunter kills 10-Point Buck dragging an 8-Point Buck by the antlers

Urban Camouflage Art
project to cloak unsightly electrical boxes

King Herod
Israeli archaeologists unearth Herod family tombs

Space Spider
astronauts on the International Space Station have lost one of their spiders

20 November 2008

Crafty Inspiration - Photos

I reworked the t-shirt scarf to make it narrower and longer. It turned out great! Still a little shorter than I wanted, but still very cute.

I wore my new scarf to work today. Had an eye appointment this afternoon and even the doctor complimented me on it!
I loved how the parts that were printed look like little flowers.

18 November 2008

Crafty Inspiration: Update

So I started making a t-shirt scarf. Monday evening, during my Monday TV lineup (Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother on CBS, then Jon & Kate Plus Eight on TLC), I cut an old t-shirt in to half-inch strips using a rolling craft cutter and a couple of rulers. I will try to post pictures of the set-up.

I cut the strips almost all the way across the tee, but left it connected down one side. On that side, I cut from one slit up to the next instead of straight across, creating a long spiral of t-shirt material instead of a bunch of separate strips that I would have to sew or tie together.

Lesson learned: t-shirt material does not unravel, so there is no need to finish the edges; however, little bits of cotton dust go *everywhere* when you cut it...

Tuesday, I crocheted the t-shirt "yarn", but it was too short, so I will have to pull it out and do it again with a different stitch to try to make the scarf longer. It was really hard to crochet the parts that had printed design on them, and the whole thing ended up being much stiffer than I thought. I was really expecting it to be soft and cozy like the tee that it came from. I may try again another time with unprinted tees, and use a looser stitch to help the whole thing relax.

I will post an update by this weekend!

Linkage, Volume 42

Tempest
junk car goes for $226,521 on eBay

The Spiral Jetty
sculpture by Robert Smithson

Happy Birthday, Mickey Mouse!
celebrating his 80th birthday today

15 November 2008

Crafty Inspiration

Check out the t-shirt scarf by social studies (under "accessories").
I could make these!
I think I will!

13 November 2008

Linkage, Volume 41

Nanoscaffolding
military technology for regrowing human limbs and organs

Flu Spread
Google searches being used to track flu outbreaks

Rocket Balls
weapon against WMDs

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
other locations with our President's address

Math Jokes
for my fellow geeks

PickUpPal
bus companies in Canada hate carpooling

Hiroshima
The Lost Photographs

12 November 2008

Linkage, Volume 40

Black Hole
be careful how you use it

Stealthy Shrinking
food containers getting smaller while prices go up

Street with a View
staged Google Street View scenes

Swedish Dance Bands
from the 70s

Samuel Truett Cathy
story of the founder of Chick-fil-A

Batman, Turkey
the city of Batman is suing Warner Brothers

Scenes from Antarctica
beautiful photography

Presidential Code Names
code names from the Secret Service since Harry Truman ("General")
Let It Be Known
one U.S. Soldier's memories from Nazi slave labor camps during WWII

06 November 2008

Linkage, Volume 39

Pumpkin Love
story of the love and loss of pumpkins

Honorificabilitudinitatibus
most horrible English words

Presidental Results
tally of votes for the Presidential candidates - all 24 of them

Marshmallow Test
lesson in self-control

Ambulance Voting
92-year-old Texan voted from an ambulance

Lego Kitchen Crafts
hey Mom, can I have my Legos back?

Museum of Useful Things
beauty + function

05 November 2008

Linkage, Volume 38

Kung Fu Panda
brilliant ad or brilliant vandalism?

Corn Ice Cream
review verdict: gross

White Space
free nationwide wi-fi now possible!

Captain Fantastic
teen renames himself Captain Fantastic Faster Than Superman Spiderman Batman Wolverine Hulk And The Flash Combined

National Beard Month
20 Manliest Mustaches and Beards From Facial Hair History

Masters of Disguise
Stunning pictures of the tricks used by creatures to camouflage themselves

Tiny Animals
10 of the world's smallest animals

Senior Basketball Star
73-year-old Scores in College Basketball

02 November 2008

Weekend Thoughts: Baptism

Acts 8:26-40 (NIV)

26Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." 27So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. 29The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."

30Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked.

31"How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

32The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture:
"He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
and as a lamb before the shearer is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
33In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth." (Isaiah 53:7-8)

34The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" 35Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

36As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" 38And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.


Acts 2:38-41 (NIV)

38Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."

40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

30 October 2008

Linkage, Volume 37

Sea Kittens
"Fish should be renamed 'sea kittens' to boost public concern for their welfare, according to animal rights campaigners. "

Candy Code
how to tell which houses have good candy and which ones are giving out toothbrushes

Shockingly Absurd Food Inventions
I think the pizza cone looks awesome!

Coconut Crabs
enormous crabs known for their ability to crack coconuts

28 October 2008

Linkage, Volume 36

How to Expose Flying Saucers
1953 article on how to take photos of UFOs

Man's Arm Trapped in Train Toilet
sometimes it's better to just let things go...

Cave of Crystals
remind anyone else of Superman?

Fantastic Contraption
physics game

Gas Prices
on MapQuest!

24 October 2008

Linkage, Volume 35

Banpo Bridge
fountain added to a highway bridge

Food Myths
Your Mom Was Wrong!

Hide the TV Remote
to encourage activity

The Retriever
advantage: being able to shimmy through a traffic jam to get to the stalled car causing it

22 October 2008

Linkage, Volume 34

Face Broccoli
it's like Where's Waldo for frozen veggies

Parking Rules
brilliant method for resolving disputes

Blah, Blah, Blah
alumni fundraising letter

Paved Paradise
Cemeteries in Parking Lots

Bigfoot Glass Ornament
hide it deep in the tree so your friends can hunt for it

Dogs Ate His Car
and he's really really bummed

Giant Beards
reason 3: great for sledding

17 October 2008

Linkage, Volume 33

Sorry I haven't posted in a while! Here are this week's links:

Black Barn Owl
opposite of albino

Grey Heron Eats Baby Rabbit
warning: photos of baby rabbit being eaten

Doctor's Advice
not always best

How to Embalm a Body
step-by-step instructions

LETT3R$
no more 5T3ALING!

FAIL
phenomenon examined

MIT Hacks
select MIT senior pranks

Graffiti
graffiti wall is vandalised

Last Remaining Titanic Survivor
selling momentos to pay for nursing home fees

Blender Defender
keeps cats off your kitchen counter

Oh, the Lessons of Parenting!
great illustration

13 Tremendous Tree Houses
i just played in the tree...

ZooBorns
adorable baby zoo animals

08 October 2008

27 September 2008

Linkage, Volume 26

Roadsworth

Expensive Typos

Sharpie Art

Campaign ads for the younger crowd

How Many of Me?
- There are 145 of me in the US

Ten Reasons Skirts Are Better than Pants
"8. Twirling in a pair of pants results in 87% less happiness"
Personally, I prefer jeans over anything, but I do like this list.

21 September 2008

Linkage, Volume 25

No adventures today. Just doing laundry and generally being a couch potato...

Pie Chart

Splenda Pumpkin Peeps

Google Pirate

Eating Stones

AyePhone

Watch TV shows and movies on your computer for free:
Hulu
Yidio
IMDB

Top 10 Station Guide

11 September 2008

Linkage, Volume 22

Cash4Gold experiment
Never take the first offer

More Cowbell!
Upload any mp3 for added cowbell!

World Names Profiler
Apparently I have a lot of relatives in New Zealand...

10 September 2008

Linkage, Volume 21

Gaaah! I haven't posted in nearly a week! So sorry! It has been a really busy week...

Explain That!
great party game

JetBlue to auction flights on eBay

Luggage Shipping Services
an interesting alternative to paying airline checked-baggage fees

Bookshelf Concepts

Greetings, Parents

BatRest
folding stand for phone, camera, mp3 player, etc...

51 Things Not on Google Maps

Ice Circles
more photos

Italians vote for ugliest English words

04 September 2008

Linkage, Volume 20

Lost the battle with my eyelids and left work Wednesday mid-afternoon. Went home for a long nap. Feeling much better today, although I seem to have a lingering cough. Waah, waah, waah, I know...

Today's linkage:

The Incredible Sulk
...Don't Make Me Angsty!

After your body dies

How to build an A-bomb

Magazine recalled
...after faulty recipe poisons 4 people!

Park Like an Idiot

Cactus Thieves Running Amok!

SALTED WATER FOR BOILING
...Read the recipe, then read some of the nearly 800 reviews!

02 September 2008

Labor Day

Hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

My weekend was off to a good start. Cookie was the flower girl in a friend's wedding Saturday. I babysat the rest of the sisters while Mom took Cookie to get her nails and hair done. She just *had* to get square french tips to match the bridesmaids' nails. So cute! Her hair was done up in a couple dozen large ringlets (like Little Bo Peep!) with a tiara on top. She executed her part in the wedding perfectly, even if it was the only perfect part. The girls had a blast at the lively reception - lots of food and dancing.

I woke up Sunday morning with a sore throat. By Sunday afternoon, every swallow felt like nails in my throat. Nails on fire. Then by evening, I got congested and headachy, like the front of my face was going to explode. I acquired some NyQuil and DayQuil sinus. Good stuff, that Quil. Slept soundly thanks to NyQuil.

Monday was supposed to be a fun day outdoors. The last opportunity to swim at the uncle's pool, then grilling out at Mom's for dinner. I stayed up on the shaded porch most of the day. When I got home Monday evening, I took some NyQuil and went straight to bed.

Woke up Tuesday feeling extremely groggy and still excessively congested. Decided to take a sick day and stay home. Slept most of the day.

If all goes well, I will feel better tomorrow and linkage will resume...

24 August 2008

Weekend Thoughts: Building

Isaiah 28:16-17 (NIV)

16 So this is what the Sovereign LORD says:
"See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;
the one who trusts will never be dismayed.

17 I will make justice the measuring line
and righteousness the plumb line;
hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie,
and water will overflow your hiding place.


Luke 6:46-49 (NIV)
The Wise and Foolish Builders

46"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."


Psalm 118:22-24 (NIV)

22 The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone;

23 the LORD has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.

24 This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

20 August 2008

Linkage, Volume 11

Ultra-Geek Art Cars

School Lunches

Happy Bologna
(If pork is 80%, what makes up the remaining 20%??? Maybe I don't want to know...)

Bigfoot Is Not Real

Birth of Sausages in Japan
(yep, we saw a lot of them - hot dogs are still very popular, especially as a pizza topping)

17 August 2008

Weekend Thoughts: Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

Mark 6:6b-13 (NIV)

6(b)Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 7Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.

8These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. 10Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them."

12They went out and preached that people should repent. 13They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.


Luke 9:1-6 (NIV)

1When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3He told them: "Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. 4Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them." 6So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.


Matthew 10:1-42

1He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

2These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' 8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; 10take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.

11"Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. 12As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. 15I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. 16I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

17"Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. 18On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

21"Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

24"A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!

26"So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

32"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.

34"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35For I have come to turn
" 'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'

37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

40"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. 42And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."

15 August 2008

14 August 2008

Linkage, Volume 7

EcoJohn
A toilet that incinerates waste instead of flushing with water.
Underwriters Laboratories classified it as a barbecue!


$1 House
Forclosed and looted house in Detroit.
Sale will cost the bank $10,000.


Sentimental Value
Clothing stories from Ebay.
Some funny, some sad, some unbelievable.


12 Worst iPhone Cases
Ugly. Just Ugly.

12 August 2008

No Links Today

I will be traveling to my hometown today for a funeral. A dear great-aunt passed away over the weekend. She will be greatly missed.

10 August 2008

Weekend Thoughts: Prayers of Paul

Philippians 1:3-11 (NIV)

3
I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.


Colossians 1:3-14 (NIV)

3We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— 5the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth. 7You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

05 August 2008

Linkage, Volume 1

Alternative Merit Badges
http://www.boyscoutstore.com/store/Scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=252

Creative constructive punishment
http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/EastVolusia/evlHEAD02EAST080108.htm

Monsters from kids drawings
http://www.mmmcreations.com/

Ouch!
http://wishingfish.com/510677e.html

Sorry Closed
http://chickencrap.com/c.php?c=1800

Olympic Torch History
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/08/01/sports/20080802_TORCH_GRAPHIC.html?hp#

Unnecessary Knowledge - one per refresh
http://www.unkno.com/

Wednesday (August 6) - MythBusters: "Exploding Steak." Tenderizing steak with explosives. 9 p.m. ET, Discovery Channel
http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/mythbusters/mythbusters.html

Dream Omelet
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/83290

Here I Go

I quite enjoyed blogging about my mission trip to Japan in May, so I want to start an "everyday" blog. I will probably start by posting my favorite links of the day, and in time I would like to post about cooking, crafting, and family.

If you are looking for my mission blog, it is here: http://polymathamy.blogspot.com

Enjoy!