Growin' Up Is Hard to Do

Puzzling Parables (Matthew 26:57-Mark 9:13)

2009-04-08T20:00:00.000-07:00

I'm a little confused about some of the parables in this section. I always thought the parables were used to help Jesus' followers better understand what he was trying to say but after reading this section, it doesn't seem like that was the case.

Mark 9-12

When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. He told them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that,

"they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!"

Why would Jesus not want make it easier for those he spoke to to understand what he was saying?

In Mark 4:34 It also says that when Jesus was alone with his disciples he explained his parables. I just don't get why he would explain them to his disciples but not the thousands of people who came to hang on to every word he had to say.

And I've never understood the story in Mark 7 about the faith of the Syrophoenician woman. Here is is:

Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence a secret. In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.

"First let the children eat all they want," he told her, "for it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."

"Yes, Lord," she replied, "but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs."

then he told her, "For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter."

She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

I wish someone would make it clear to me exaclty what this means, I have a few guesses as to what it means but nothing I'm 100% sure about.

Few other comments about this section:
1. Jesus was a rock star! they couldn't get enought of him

2. There were a lot of demon possessed people brought to Jesus. I wonder why I haven't seen a lot of that during my lifetime if it was so prevalently recorded back then? not that I want to see a lot of it, but I have a feeling it has to do with Satan being pretty sneaky.

3. I liked how Jesus sent his disciples out in pairs I think that is a good rule of thumb when doing missions work there is strength in numbers and it can be so hard when it's just one person.

4. There is a lot of repeat between Matthew and Mark and I'm sure Luke and John have repeats as well. I wonder why God thought it was necessary to have 4 different versions of the same story. Probably for validity.

Anyway, that's it for today. Lot's of questions, not a lot of answers. Feel free to leave a post if you can help me with some answers.

Matthew 17-26:56

2009-04-07T18:20:00.000-07:00

"Then all the disciples deserted him and fled." Matthew 26:56

I had never noticed this verse before. It was like a punch in the gut when I read it. Not calling the disciples wimps or anything but getting a glimp of human nature.

In Matthew 24 it talks about the end of the age and in verses 9-13 say "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, BUT HE WHO STANDS FIRM TO THE END WILL BE SAVED.

I pray that I will stand firm to the end and that my love will grow warm again.

Scary stuff but I need to know........ more than anything else in this world right now... I need to know.

Matthew 1-16

2009-04-06T18:02:00.000-07:00

Matthew 28
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of king Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and 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. When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

I knew King Herod was not happy about it but I never thought about how the rest of Jerusalem felt. Interesting...........

Just finished Matthew 2
Never realized how many dreams God used to communicate the Magi and Joseph. I wonder if God would ever use a dream to talk to me.

Disciples in order of mention:
Simon (called Peter)
Andrew
James
John
Philip
Bartholomew
Thomas
Matthew
James
Thaddaeus
Simon
Judas

Beatitudes Matthew 5 ......good stuff

Matthew 7:12
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 16:25
For whever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

Matthew 13:14
In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
For this people's heart has becomed calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
and hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts, and turn,
and I would heal them.

Lord, help me to see what you see and hear what you hear. Open my eyes and ears to your truth.

It's about time!

2009-04-06T17:14:00.000-07:00

Okay so I know this looks bad. I grew up a preachers kid, went to a Christian College and have attended church 99% of Sundays my entire life. Granted none of those things gives me a free pass into heaven just so we're clear. In my 27 years on this planet I have read A LOT of books. I love to read and to my embarrassment, the Bible is not one I can claim to have read cover to cover. I started this year on a journey to read the Bible in 90 days and I felt really blessed and loved that my awesome Pastor decided to encourage me on my journey by being a reading buddy. Of course I knew my perfectionist "do it or lose it" personality would come into play sooner or later and well it's been 90 days and I'm just starting the New Testament. I have to say I'm proud and mad at myself at the same time. I'm proud that I haven't given up completely and yet frustrated that I could not force myself to keep up with the schedule. But here's the deal, I'm not giving up and I'm going to read the New Testament and if I stick with the schedule I should finish in 21 days. 3 weeks, I can do it and I want to do it. This reading is stirring my soul in ways that haven't been stirred in a while. God is trying to get to me and I fear that if I don't pay attention this time, it might be the last that he tries to reach me on a deeper level. I have to admit that many times I feel like a surface Christian, I love God, I feel so stinkin' blessed that he decided to plop me in this world where he did and I know that if I died today I would go to heaven but I'm definitely feeling like it's not enough. I feel like I'm letting my dad down in a big way that he wants to see me do something great and make him proud and I'm working at a gas station. Sorry bad analogy but it's what came to mind. So today is day one of a three week journey. I'm reading Matthew 1-16 today and I will be posting each day to keep me accountable. If you want to join me in my reading or if you just want your own guide for reading the Bible in 90 days go to http://90daybible.haventoday.org

Can I go to hell for blog envy?

2009-03-17T16:01:00.000-07:00

Hello World! Just wanted to let you know that I'm still alive and although I am HORRIBLE at keeping up with my own blog, I love looking at everyone else's when I get a chance. For family out there, I do peek in on each and every one of you when I get a chance and that goes for friends as well that I know have a blog. So if you are out there and I don't know about your blog, fill me in. Also, here are a few blogs that my sister Harmony has filled me in on and I'm totally hooked. Thanks for enlightening me Harmony. It's getting hard for me to type because I'm usually not this nice to Harmony and I don't like her telling me about cool things I like it the other way around but what the heck, their just too good!

http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/ (just won for best webblog at the Bloggie awards)

http://www.soulemama.com/ (super human mom)

http://www.mypapercrane.com/ (lives in the next town and nice to know cool people aren't far away)

Just 15 more days

2008-05-14T11:48:00.000-07:00

I had a crazy day at work and it was because of some of my bad habits which I forgot to list on that little quiz. Better late than never (of course procrastination is one of my bad habits.)

1. Unorganized
2. Bad at communicating details
3. Procrastinator
4. High highs and Low Lows
5. Being to hard on myself and then getting in more of a funk

this is a bummer post, just pray for me to get through the next two days, I have two concerts one Thursday and another Friday. I have the weekend to recoup and then I do it all again next week.

oh by the way, i didn't realize my email wasn't showing in my profile so if you want to know my email, it's melodynwilson@yahoo.com

Getting to Know you

2008-05-13T06:13:00.000-07:00

It's so cheesy but that song from "The King and I" is running through my head. So sorry it's been a while since I blogged, life is moving too fast. I'm moving (not very far to a cottage behind my parents main house) and I have spring concerts happening (6 to be exact) and it's just not letting up for a while yet. I should be a little calmer around June 4th last day of school (yeah!!). I thought it was really cool to find out things about my cousins through this little quiz and I wasn't really invited to join but I'm going to bust my way out into the fun anyway.

10 Years ago I was:
in 11th grade dating a college guy and thinking I was too cool for school

5 years ago I was:
In college at Evangel University in Springfield, MO having the time of my life. (but believe me I'm paying for it now, literally)

1 year ago I was:
About to finish my first year of teaching elementary music and praying to God every day that I would make it just a few more weeks to the end of school. (I was way too nice to kids then)

5 things on my to do list today:
1. teach piano lessons after school
2. clean up at the old house
3. move some more into my new place
4. Hang out with the cutest little baby in the world (Symphony and Joy are visiting)
5. Get ready for spring concerts by cutting out cardboard cookies, making a pretend pet shop for the stage and finding frog decorations (different concerts, different schools - otherwise would look very silly together)

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. pickles
2. chipotle chips and and salsa
3. Hershey's chocolate (kisses, bar, reeses, etc.)
4. starbucks frap (java chip no whip :)
5. breyer's vanilla ice cream (walnuts and hershey's syrup)

If I were a billionaire:
1. Tithe 10%
2. I would pay off my debts and my immediate family's
3. Buy a farmette (MD) and a beach house on a secluded part of the Gulf
4. Go off the grid by providing all my own energy and food needs
5. Invest my money and enjoy a philanthropic lifestyle

5 places I've lived:
1. Lakeland, FL
2. Quantico, VA
3. Jacksonville, FL
4. Hagerstown, MD
5. Springfield, MO

5 Jobs I've had:
1. Mail Processor
2. Nanny (twice)
3. Intern at Springfield Regional Arts Council
4. Assistant to the Director of Authentic Community Theatre
5. Elementary Music Teacher Band/General

5 people I would like to know better:
1. Elizabeth
2. Ashleigh
3. April
4. Emily
5. Joel

That's all folks.

The Perfect Weekend

2008-04-13T17:40:00.001-07:00

Hope everyone had a fun and relaxing weekend, I couldn't have asked for a better one. I'll give you a play by play:

Friday right after school: went to help my new roommate back up some stuff (Harmony, Christina and I will be moving into a cottage behind my parents house the first of May)

Dinner at Chipotle

Watched "There Will Be Blood" enjoyed it but didn't like that way Christians were potrayed in this Academy Award winning movie. Daniel Day-Lewis is a great actor though.

Saturday - got my wheel barrel fixed, worked in the yard, cleaned up the back porch, went kayaking in the creek by my house, made a bonfire and had smores, ate good meals with friends and family breakfast, lunch and dinner

Sunday - church, went out to lunch with family, went to the library, took a nap, my cousin Lauryn, her husband Shane and little Riley came over for dinner, played badminton, read some of my library books

I'm okay with it ending though, If all days were this good I would not appreciate them as much. I would put up pictures but I still suck at getting them uploaded, it takes me forever.

This weekend was all about Friends and Family. I love sharing life with them. This is an open invitation for any friends or family to come out to our house. We've lived here a year and half and we are still discovering the joys of our outdoor space. We have kayaks and a boat, basketball and volleyball court and a city park for grilling in our front yard and fishing off the stone bridge is very fun as well.

Have a great week everybody!

Melody

A Cartoon Just for Me!

2008-03-27T18:47:00.000-07:00

When I was little there was a character like "Hello Kitty" Called "My Melody" and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. Apparently this character is still popular in Japan, she's changed some, she used to be just a cute bunny but now she's more manga-ish. Anway, I found her on youtube and it's kind of interesting. I like the way they say "My Melody". I've never posted a video, I hope this works. Actually, it didn't........but here is the link anyway, if you know how to do it, maybe someone could fill me in. Thanks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ce-SK5YraHc

Who knew?

2008-03-23T17:06:00.000-07:00

What a time of discovery I've had the past few weeks. I think it all started with the Crown Financial class I took a few months ago about being a good steward of everything God has entrusted me with and I've just ran with that concept. I'm trying to be a good steward of my time, money, food, possessions, relationships, it just encompasses anything that touches my life. It's really exciting to look at the world from this new perspective. I've made quite a few changes already and I have many more to go, it's been a lot of research, but I think I'm getting the hang of it. Here's a list of what I've done so far:

1. Started recycling - reduce, reuse, recycle
2. Eating more locally - joined a CSA and buy other things like eggs and meat local as well
3. Spending more time with my Family
4. Started composting
5. Reading through the Bible in 90 days... well maybe a little longer :)
6. Buy used instead of new when at all possible
7. Hanging clothes on the line instead of the dryer

It's been challenging to find new ways to do things, but also rewarding. I feel like I'm connecting the dots when I do things with thought behind them. In our "I want it now" way of life it has a way of passing you buy without realizing it and it has been refreshing to get the root and/or natural way of doing things. Anway, I'm blabbering, of course I always try to do everything I've mentioned (but I'm not perfect by any means). I realize that this will have to be a gradually lifestyle change but I will definitely enjoy learning a little bit more each day.

Here are some pics my sister took today including one of my fabulous new galoshes! (yes new, I had a moment of weakness)

Growing up is hard.......but not impossible

2008-02-17T18:54:00.000-08:00

After many comments from friends and family to put another blog up I've finally given in to the pressure. When I started my blog last fall, I knew I was going somewhere with the title "Growin' up is hard to do" but it took a while for me to process why I thought that and where I was going with the idea.

I'm beginning to understand that the reason I feel growing up is so hard is because there are so many unspoken rules I can't even try to formulate them all right now, that will come with time. Each time I blog I want to share some new piece of knowledge I've learned that is helping me on my path to "growing up" (which coincidentally I think I will be on my entire life). If it helps anyone great, if not at least I've written it down so I won't forget it.

The subject that is rattling around my brain most right now is finances. Tonight I completed a 10 Week Bible Study written by Crown Financial. I took it at my church and the purpose of the class was to understand Gods way of handling money and apply it to my own life. I guess the main idea is that all money is God's and my job is to be a good steward with everything He intrusted in my care.

If you are interested in the class, I highly recommend it. If you want to check it out more you can go to www.crown.org and get more information. After you take the class, you can get certified to teach a small group which I'm doing soon.

Even though I still have a lot of things to figure out, at least I can cross money concerns off this list because if I just stick to Crown's advice I will be in good shape the rest of my life and I can rest easy knowing that God would be pleased with how I'm handling His money.

I guess that's it for now. Hopefully I'll write again soon.

Melody

"Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as being in control of everything. Riches and honor come from you alone, and you are the Ruler of all mankind; your hand controls power and might, and it is at your discretion that men are made great and given strength" (I Chronicles 29:11-12, TLB)

It's Been a While Friends

2007-11-26T14:22:00.000-08:00

I'm ashamed to admit I fell off the bandwagon with this whole blogging thing. These pictures of my cat illustrate how I've been feeling. She likes to hide from the world, every time I put new sheets on my bed, my cat jumps up and gets in the way, either she is doing a silent protest against my sheets and comforter or like me, she appreciates the opportunity to block out the world and it's craziness. I tend to freak out around this time each year because I'm an elementary music teacher and I feel overwhelmed with planning Holiday Concerts and the busy schedule that comes with the month of December. I like Christmas but not the stress that accompanies it. If we took away all the stressful parts of Christmas and brought it back to its original intent I think it would be more enjoyable, but life is also what you make it so this year I'm gonna try and chill out a little more.

I'm a big believer in if you verbalize something or write it down it's much more likely to happen so let me tell you my goals for this week and feel free to check up on me or remind me in the comments section.

Finish reading "Your Money Counts" by Howard Dayton for Crown Financial Small Group and complete the rest of my homework for that class
Buy Christmas Presents online
Do my Christmas Cards so I can chill out and not stress about it
Take some boxes of clothes that have been in my room for over a month to the Goodwill
Watch Project Runway on Wednesday and Samantha Who? on Monday night and THAT'S IT! TV is a trap and I'm trying not to get stuck in it.
Listen to 7 Habits of Highly effective people in the car (I have an hour and a half commute each day I should make better use of it)

If I accomplish all that, I will be pretty ecstatic. I may have to give myself a little treat like a manicure!

Anyway,

Here's wishing everyone has an awesome week and keep in touch!

Love,

Melody

This Better Work!

2007-11-12T17:28:00.000-08:00

Hello,

Today my niece Joy looked so cute, I thought I have to put this on my blog! The only problem was I had to figure out how. After 2 and a half hours I finally figured it out. Windows Vista causes a lot of problems when you are trying to install something and I realized I should multitask when I work on my blog because my computer is so slow. Anyway, below are 6 pics I thought were blog worthy. Enjoy!

My cat

"Kitty Poo Poo Head"

(seriously that's her name :)

Pictures from a day trip my mom and I took on a train through Maryland

Will earning brownie points feeding Keira (my friend's kids)

A picture I took outside of my house, I love where I live

Joy sittin' pretty, we stuck her in a box to see what she would do. She liked it!

Rome wasn't built in a day

2007-11-10T07:59:00.000-08:00

I don't know why it feels so weird to post my first blog. It makes me think of writing in my diary when I was a pre-teen and teenager. Of course because I have trouble following through with things sometimes, I have about a dozen diaries with 8 pages written in each. Hopefully that won't happen with this blog, that's part of the growing up thing I'm working on (commitment/following through).

I think this will be cathartic, I'm not planning on pouring out my soul or anything but it's seems like people are more open when they talk online than face to face. It's almost like the computer screen is a security blanket. I know I have a lot to learn regarding blogs and it'll take some time, but I'll get there. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither will my blog be.

One of the reasons I want to start a blog is so I can keep in better touch with friends and family. I get so inspired when I see a really cool blog I just have this gut reaction - "I want to do that!". So here I am doing it. I've finally gotten the ball rolling and it will be fun to see where it goes.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and if there's a way to leave a note and say hi! please do.
(I haven't figured that out yet)