Friday, May 30, 2008

I got nothing....

....in mind for a witty title for this blog. Sorry.

Just a quick check in for those of you checking in. The new bed ROCKS. Love it! Still need the comforter set of our dreams, but we're all sleeping better.

I had to put down Grand Theft Jesus. Dude kinda went off the deep end a bit. He still had valid things to say-but I was just getting WAY depressed reading the book. If you're up for it- I would still recommend it. I think the CHURCH needs to relook at itself and behave more like the Bride than the Mistress, if you know what I mean. I am still studying the red letters. I have been praying and worshipping a lot lately, and praying about worship, and worshipping while praying... I sense a theme.

I still feel a heaviness about the grand scheme of eternity that hasn't lifted yet. Not sure what that's all about yet. Will keep praying and worshipping.

I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by Big River. The sheer volume is unnerving. I think we will hit our "ceiling" on this one. One of the big issues I am concerned about is space, rack space, dressing room space. One of our goals is to take care of people and if 20 people are crammed into a space that 12 feel tight in.... I also don't know that I made the budget big enough. I guess we will find out. On the up side, I have one of the best construction crews we have ever had, so I am excited about that. And I think it should look pretty good...we will keep you posted.

I don't have much of a weekend, I have to dress both shows tomorrow. I will be taking Sunday off since next week will begin the build and the hilarity/madness will ensue. Just like Theoden in Two Towers, I stand on the wall of Helm's Deep thinking, "And so it begins."

Yikes.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

5 more days until the new bed!!!

Yep- it's a countdown. We flipped the mattress to "survive" the next week. Alas, it's just as uncomfy. I am way looking forward to the bed. Five days and counting......

In other news...I am trying to design Big River. It's HUGE. I think, if I can pull it off, it will be fantastic...but I have to get it designed first. I am hoping I can balance the size, the logistics and the artistry of it all. Prayers appreciated. I shall have no life until mid- July.

I miss the sun. Boo rain. Poor Mickey doesn't understand it's too chilly for him to hang out on the porch.

I am reading "Grand Theft Jesus." I was intrigued by the book at the library. It's very challenging and interesting. It's supposed to be funny, but I think the author just sounds angry most of the time. He has a right to be... I think.... or should he love his enemies.... the religious right, megachurches and their pastors, republicans? Things that make you go hmmmm....

I don't agree with everything this guy says- but he has A LOT of good points to think about- particularly, how the religious right seems to completely disregard the actual teachings of Jesus, which has led me to start studying the red letters in my Bible. If we really follow the teachings of Jesus, yikes. The author, Robert S. McElvaine, does seem to repeat himself quite a bit in the book, and he has his "pet" people and issues he picks on. I don't necessarily disagree with what he has to say about them, I understand his frustration, but I feel he must be careful that his heart is pure before God. I will trust that he does have a pure heart. He does have valid points about social issues that Jesus paid attention to (the poor) that the "church/religious right" doesn't actually support. He talks about how the "church" has lost sight of "good works." I think there might be some validity to that. In our society, we'll do "good works," if it doesn't cost us anything or require any sort of sacrifice of time, energy and emotion on our part. I am also intrigued by his notion of "Christianity-lite"- and how he likens it to a miracle diet, LOSE 50 POUNDS AND EAT WHAT YOU WANT!!! YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE TO EXERCISE! It's a really interesting concept. NAME JESUS AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR AND YOU CAN STILL DO WHATEVER YOU WANT!! It's interesting, I believe that we are saved by grace, and grace alone, and that you can't "work out" your salvation, but I think we need to grow as followers of Christ and that good works are a part of that journey. I don't think all "christians" think the way he talks about, he even admits that himself. But there are the loud "christians," that make a lot of noise, do a lot of damage and cause people like me to call ourselves "followers of Jesus" because we don't want to be associated with the loud and unloving crowd. I tell you what, it's a thinker of a book. But it does bring up some of the issues that I ponder and wonder, was that teaching I received and bought into for awhile in the past truthful? It challenges some leaders that I have looked up to in the past, but you know what? My faith can handle it. My God can handle it. But I want to know the TRUTH. So, I seek the truth in the words of Jesus Himself. I'll keep y'all posted on how that goes.

I've been studying for 3 days and have barely made it through the beatitudes. Talk about things that make you go hmmmm....those beatitudes pretty much go against the american dream. But so far, as I look around at astronomical housing, gas and food prices, we're destroying our economy, our earth- we have a crappy government, healthcare system and a TERRIBLE social security set-up....I think I am vastly UNIMPRESSED with the "American dream."

It boggles my mind to think there are folks out there who don't even think about this stuff. They don't want to take responsibility for our world. I think sometimes, people think that when it says God gave man dominion over the earth in Genesis, it means they can trash it and do whatever the hell they feel like. When really, it means we're responsible for taking care of our earth. We're responsible for taking care of each other, for feeding people, for taking care of the sick and the elderly...for loving one another. I am thankful that some parts of the earth are still untouched and beautiful. I am thankful for acts of love that I see. But many folks don't do even the little things to help the environment-let alone helping people. No, we live in a ME-ME-ME, CONSUME-CONSUME-CONSUME society. The age of reality TV.

Sadly, I think many (I am NOT saying all) churches buy into the whole american dream society thing as well. "Jesus died so I could have an SUV, $300 jeans and a summer home" mentality. Grrrr... I am very discouraged right now. A friend told me that another woman was praying for me, a woman I have never met, and that this woman felt that I was surrounded by sorrow. I think I am surrounded by sorrow. Deep sorrow for a broken world that can't look up from it's selfish and self-centered ways. I know that I am selfish and self-centered at times, many times- but I try to be aware that I am, even though I am quite imperfect at walking out an unselfish life.

Well, it's time to get off my soap box. It's a big jump down. I haven't been blogging because I've been so busy THINKING- about life, about Jesus, about society, about being "green," about conflict resolution, about all those crazy costumes in Big River. My brain is TIRED. It HURTS. I am going to my uncomfy bed and try to sleep it OFF.

I am so thankful that His mercies are new everyday.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

WE'RE GETTING A NEW BED!!!

WHOO HOO! New bed! We bought a new bed! We tried on beds and we bought a new bed! We won't have it until next week, but we have a new bad! BYE BYE BAD OLD BED! WE GOT A NEW BED!!! Thank you tax rebate- we poured it back into the economy and we bought a NEW BED! Neither Marty nor I have ever bought a bed, but today, WE BOUGHT A NEW BED!!! There will be enough room for everyone including the cat, Marty won't toss and turn and bounce me in the night because WE'LL HAVE A NEW BED!!! He won't hit me in the head because he sleeps with his arm straight out because WE'LL HAVE A NEW BED!!! I am very excited. Can you tell? Did I mention WE'RE GETTING A NEW BED!!! Next Monday, our NEW BED will arrive. WHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

new bed
yay.

Friday, May 09, 2008

Yes, Virginia, there is a Sarah....

I know. It's been many moons since I have blogged, and I suspect this one will be short. I just haven't felt like sharing all the kabillion things that have been going on, or I've been spending too much time doing the kabillion things...or I've been playing on Facebook, take your pick. : )

I loved my vacation- and would like another one. I got some sun and am currently peeling. (Delightful) I enjoyed meeting about 900 people (okay- more like 100- but it felt like 900, most of them cousins) I forgot how much I love Florida, particularly Pensacola. I liked hanging out with the Gordon clan. I am fascinated by Uncle Terry's house. Seriously, THREE houses FULL of massive amounts of antiques and "treasures." As a former "Merry Maid," it makes me shiver. And that doesn't include the rest of the "estate" that has a really beat up single wide (to be made into a playhouse...perhaps...never, it made Aunt Jody cry when it made an appearance) and another single wide that is actually livable, there is a full scale antique playground with all the equipment, a couple of full outbuildings, a swimming hole with a sunken boat and full of tires, a swimming hole that looks like you can swim in it- with a cool slide...It was a little overwhelming. I kept thinking, if they would purge and finish project and tidy up a bit- Country Living would be chomping at the bit to do a spread. But really, like Marty said, it's Florida- who needs 140 quilts?
I will share more about the trip as I feel inspired. But I had a great time and it was VERY difficult to come home.

It was probably so difficult because we really hit the ground running. I had to strike Doubt, we start dress rehearsals for Over the River tonight, and I am interviewing stitchers and interns and trying to design Big River (which is a logistical monster). I am wore out and need another vacation. I started back to work the day after we got home, and due to some church events and company, haven't really had any downtime since. The results of which- I have no idea what day it is at any given time. No sense of time whatsoever. Yikes. I do take momentary mental breaks. I read the New York Times business, opinion and style sections- I get depressed, so I go read the Go Fug Yourself website, which makes me feel like an unclassy american, and then I discovered this! http://www.kickette.com/index.php?/site/C30/ The KICKETTE website, which is British and devoted to "Footballers and their Wives and Girlfriends"- suddenly, I feel ever so classy. Wow. It's a hoot and a half. I don't even know who most of these folks are, but YIKES. It's a lesson in keeping priorities straight. And I have become convinced that the reason Victoria Beckham (aka Posh Spice) looks so hacked off all the time is that she is probably hungry. Good heavens! Give that woman some french fries!

And on top of all this "stuff" that really does not matter in the grand scheme of eternity, God is working on some "stuff" that does matter in the grand scheme of eternity. Daily, I pray for balance and that I can learn what I need to learn and be in God's flow of what He is doing.
TTFN