tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37694642012-02-04T02:40:05.815-06:00You already knew all this...but it's nice to have an occasional reminder.Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.comBlogger751100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-17753527063182399882010-07-26T19:30:00.002-05:002010-07-26T19:37:47.230-05:00

With August approaching, I felt the urge to take my son Mark back-to-school shopping.  To be accurate: I drug Mark to the shopping mall.  Mark would have been satisfied for me to select shower caddies, sheets, and towels on his behalf.  But I was the one who needed today.  I needed one last shopping expedition before he leaves home for college. In a surreal moment, as we selected sheets, I found

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-35093837337918642362009-04-03T16:16:00.002-05:002009-04-03T16:20:50.771-05:00

Note: prior to the sermon, the Senior Minister Dr. Sam R. Matthews and the Lay Leader, the Honorable Robert E. Flournoy, III, washed one another's feet.Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.He got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-36563354029376349752009-03-12T05:11:00.002-05:002009-03-12T05:17:32.145-05:00

It was my first year of seminary. The choir director of my local congregation asked me to put together a narrative, in three parts, interspersed between the choir’s Christmas anthems. Flattered, I imagined a one-woman drama, in which I played a character in the Bethlehem narrative. I imagined seeing the tired but proud mother, the soft cry of the baby, the choir’s lullaby, stepping over sheep

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-53742487329447662632009-03-01T05:12:00.001-06:002009-03-12T05:15:04.786-05:00

To you, Lord, we lift up our souls. We turn to you with praise and adoration, with thanks for your steadfast love and faithfulness. We are overwhelmed by the ways that you reach out to us, desiring us to turn to you. We are overwhelmed, by your presence during times of silence, by your presence in scripture and in listening. We are startled by your presence when we gather with others. We are

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-29199498954504326492008-11-26T06:34:00.003-06:002008-11-26T06:48:57.390-06:00

O God, in all ages you have imparted yourself to man and set alight the fire of faith in his heart, grant to me the faith which comes from search. Cleanse my life from all hat negates and crushes out faith, and fill it with the purity and honesty which foster it. Cleanse me from the evil which makes unbelief its friend, and drive it far from me, so that, being wiling in all things to do your will

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-43131863514898773572008-11-26T06:32:00.000-06:002008-11-26T06:33:54.758-06:00

I’ve tried for years to grow tomatoes, not always successfully. That perfect combination of acidity and sweetness is found only on a tomato plant coaxed to grow in Georgia red clay. My grandfather, known for his gardening acumen, warned me not to plant too early. Don’t be tempted to plant tomatoes on a sunny spring day; frost may destroy your plans. Instead, watch the pecan trees. When you can

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-47188208961767980992008-11-19T11:17:00.001-06:002008-11-26T06:51:03.934-06:00

Matthew 25:31-4631“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34Then the king will say to those at his right hand

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-53040485154724757812008-11-14T13:03:00.001-06:002008-11-26T06:49:15.305-06:00

I’m not tired of praying. I love the quiet, the listening, the stillness. I'm not tired of praying with words. I especially enjoy praying with others who have written their prayers—I so appreciate that they took the time to write these down, to struggle and express their condition, their longings, their praises. I'm not tired of praying. Craziest of all, sometimes I’ll be reading one of Paul’s

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-2687186378901378732008-11-10T13:20:00.002-06:002008-11-26T06:51:30.154-06:00

One of my favorite songs is one that I learned as a child in Vacation Bible School—maybe you know it— “I am the church, you are the church, we are the church together…”The song captures exactly what it means to be the church. It’s you and me, working together, making sure that the church gets done everything that the church needs to do. And the church has a lot that needs to be done.You see,

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-82405446665299814052008-10-14T13:07:00.001-05:002008-11-26T06:49:34.340-06:00

Sunday morning I stepped out of the call and response prayer box. For some reason it seemed important to include something humorous in the prayer. So I added a line about frustrations with parents, and yes, there were congregational snickers during the prayer.It meant a lot to me to laugh with others while praying. Laughter is so much of my ongoing conversation with God, part of practicing the

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-57403045845903238592008-08-02T07:03:00.002-05:002008-11-26T06:50:29.823-06:00

Yesterday I was called to pray with a young woman requesting financial assistance, and I listened to her chant her litany of health problems, describe her isolation and the pain of an abusive situation. Normally when wearing my pastoral care hat, I listen and pray back someone’s words…here is what I heard, God hear us say this together. I try to pray prayers that respect their understanding of

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-38652127530479445932008-01-28T15:25:00.001-06:002008-11-26T06:49:56.934-06:00

Feb 20 was my first time behind the rail at First Marietta. I led the prayers of the people with the following (the "speak your word, Lord" was followed by the congregation responding "your servants listen":Gracious God, Your Word comes to us, calls us, challenges us.As we pray, speak your word, Lord.Your servants listen.Speak words that strengthen all who respond to your call.Fortify those who

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-19063307667859768062007-06-15T07:25:00.001-05:002007-06-15T14:55:58.888-05:00

Since returning from the Middle East I've had difficulty communicating with our puppy Sophie.  She has been persistent in trying to get me to do something--but it's taken me all week to realize that it's not a walk or playing in the grass or food that she wants in the morning.  Instead, she wants to swing.  For the last three mornings I have followed her lead and lifted her up to the swing, where

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-21428048572826025982007-06-13T09:03:00.001-05:002007-06-15T14:56:44.227-05:00

Our Disciple class met for the last time--it was sad, and yet nice. By the end of the program, I'm usually ready for a break from the weekly reading and study requirements. Even with a three-week break while I was out of the country, I was still ready for the end.Since our Pastor wasn't able to meet with us, instead of communion we had a "love feast". We met in our (Ed and my) home, and I served

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1165694180157273932006-12-09T13:56:00.000-06:002006-12-09T13:56:20.186-06:00

I have been procrastingating on writing a paper for my SystemmaticTheology class. I'm looking at the emerging church movement, inparticular the missional praxis, and describing how the movementredefines one, holy, catholic, apostolic. (I always go for paperswith a tight focus).Unfortunately, it's so easy to get bogged down wasting time exploringwebsites for people in these "conversations". I

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1161383588231043452006-10-20T17:33:00.000-05:002006-10-20T17:33:08.236-05:00

About a year ago I decided to go to a lecture at Central MethodistCollege. I had told several members of my congregation about thelecture, and although I was overwhelmed with work and sermonpreparation, I decided to be a martyr and attend in case anyone frommy congregation showed up. (No one did.)When I arrived about 15 minutes before the presentation, the largeauditorium where I assumed that

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1161383160978324612006-10-20T17:26:00.000-05:002006-10-20T17:26:00.983-05:00

GE has a beautiful commercial that they aired recently. It depictsimages of women and babies from many cultures, with a woman's voicesinging "da da dum day dum day dum" over and over, to the sort of tuneone sings without even thinking when rocking a baby—a mother usingsound to bring comfort to her child.Since the commercial is by GE, andit praises ultrasound, which uses "sound to bring comfort"

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1161382838193595942006-10-20T17:20:00.000-05:002006-10-20T17:20:38.203-05:00

In my liturgical writing class, we have been talking about liturgicalpractices for the season of lent. Today someone mentioned the"stations of the cross" as a practice of their home church. Last yearmy parents' church set up a "stations of the cross" time of devotionfor the week before Easter. My mom was asking about this, and so Iexplained to her that at each station is a place of rest where

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1161381906124127372006-10-20T17:05:00.001-05:002008-11-26T06:52:10.394-06:00

For the last year at Candler, whenever I have talked with other students about dreams of future ministry, I have asked, "Have you ever been part of a healthy church? What did it look like?" So far, I have heard two positive replies.One described a church in which the leading elders made it a point of demonstrating servant leadership by taking on the most menial tasks. The most senior leaders

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1161381242539380382006-10-20T16:54:00.000-05:002006-10-20T16:54:02.630-05:00

I was riding home from school with a fellow Candler student, and wewere doing the usual...comparing churches. One of the most importantparts of worship at the church where I am now is the "passing of thepeace". Since every Sunday is a mini "family reunion" it's importantto shake hands and welcome one another. My friend described the firsttime she went to a service which included the "passing

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1145557584253180212006-04-20T13:23:00.000-05:002006-10-20T17:09:55.536-05:00

I took the Theological Worldview Quiz, and decided that it was a good thing that I am at a United Methodist Seminary.You scored as Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan. You are an evangelical in the Wesleyan tradition. You believe that God's grace enables you to choose to believe in him, even though you yourself are totally depraved. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives you assurance of your salvation, and

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1140492462057619852006-02-20T21:27:00.000-06:002006-02-20T21:27:42.106-06:00

I know Zacchaeus. He's hopping around, trying to see over the headsof the crowd, frustrated. He's heard about Jesus, rumors about aprophet who eats with sinners and even invited a tax collector tofollow him. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, this chance to seeJesus, and Zacchaeus can't see through the crowd.I know Zacchaeus, because I am Zacchaeus. Finally at seminary, a oncein a

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1129512649156214042005-10-16T20:30:00.000-05:002005-10-16T20:30:49.193-05:00

I have spent the last three hours reading Miller-Hayes' History and Hayes' Interpretation of O.T.  I feel as though I have been hit, over and over, until beaten down.  Although, it's not really sharp pain as much as sadness...or grief.  I feel like I am losing my Bible. I keep thinking about a lecture from History of Christian Thought a few weeks ago, when I heard about the Coptic monks who were

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1129386646755352062005-10-15T09:30:00.000-05:002005-10-15T09:30:46.780-05:00

The big news for this week was Mark--he fell in a soccer gameSaturday. His wrist hurt, but brave boy that he is, he didn'tcomplain. We took him to the doctor Monday morning since everythingon the Internet said that if it still hurt a day later to go todoctor, and he had broken a bone in the wrist. He has his first cast,and has lots of signatures on it. He has to drink 5 glasses of milk,or take

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1129162593970478202005-10-12T19:35:00.000-05:002005-10-12T19:42:25.806-05:00

I bought a digital recorder to record all of my class lectures, andfound that I can listen to lectures at 1.5 times normal speed, withoccasional stops to gloss my class notes. It makes me aware of howmuch wasted time there is in a lecture. :-) Plus, it's fun to listento my professors talk fast in a high pitch.Cathy suggested a daily 30 minute power nap, and this works well. Iset my timer 40

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1129162995013698032005-10-12T19:20:00.000-05:002005-10-12T19:40:35.663-05:00

Toward a Trinitarian Image of Humanity(Reflection on an article by Nancy J. Ramsay)In her essay describing recent developments in contemporary pastoral theology, Ramsay describes how transitions in pastoral theology have coincided with the recent paradigm shift from modernity to postmodernity.[1] She identifies two theological themes with these changes, an increasing theological emphasis on

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1129078622130609552005-10-11T19:57:00.000-05:002005-10-11T19:57:02.156-05:00

I keep telling myself that I am not behind, that I am caught up withthe things that matter...but then I notice it has been a month sinceschool started and not one blog item. Here's what I can recall of thefirst week.If I leave for school at 6:00 I can make it with time to spare for the7:30 daily office, with plenty of time to get to the 8:00 class. I'velearned since then that even leaving at 6:

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1125276910723929962005-08-28T19:55:00.000-05:002005-08-28T19:58:26.480-05:00

For the last 3 weeks my only access to the internet has been to drive to the library. It's been a good excuse to take a Sabbath and rest from being online.For the first two weeks in our home we had access to one static-filled television channel. If the antenna moved by a hair, the picture changed to a snowy black and white. Poor Mark seemed to be going through withdrawal, and begged to go visit

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1121372810354418562005-07-14T15:23:00.000-05:002005-07-14T15:36:28.683-05:00

This is the home that we are purchasing in Canton, GA. Mark will be in one of the two upstairs bedrooms, and the ceiling is high enough to accomodate his loft bed.There is some unfinished space in the basement for Ed's power tools.The neighborhood has a "green space", a large green field behind the home maintained by the neighborhood association. The green space is in the flood plain zone, and so

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1121371352342768592005-07-14T15:02:00.000-05:002005-07-14T15:02:32.346-05:00

I was so excited when I saw the schedule request form for Fall semester. One of the courses offered is a full semester on preaching Deuteronomy. A whole semester studying Deuteronomy sounded so appealing, a great opportunity to get into the text. When I turned in my course request form, Deuteronomy was ranked as my number one selection. While waiting to learn which courses were scheduled, I

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1121370639655430722005-07-14T14:50:00.000-05:002005-07-14T14:50:39.660-05:00

Tuesday / ThursdayIntroduction to History Of Christian Thought9:30AM - 10:50AMBible & Sermon (Deuteronomy)1:00PM - 2:20PMWednesday / Friday New Testament Greek I 9:30AM - 10:50AMInterpretation Of The Old Testament 11:00PM - 2:20PMWednesdayContextual Education Ia2:30PM - 4:30PM

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1121368321431730542005-07-14T14:12:00.000-05:002005-07-15T11:50:13.536-05:00

(This is a reprint of a devotion I wrote for the CUMC website.)When I was learning to drive, my Dad gave me the following words of wisdom: When you are driving on the expressway, if you use the brakes, someone made a mistake.I still think of this advice and learn from it. Whenever on the expressway, if I use the brakes I ask myself, "who made the mistake?". Usually it's me, following too closely

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1120594370771414492005-07-05T15:12:00.000-05:002005-07-14T14:20:08.956-05:00

An interesting quote from a FlyLady fan's testimonial. There's a lot of truth here!".. Much of the stress that people feel doesn't come from having too much to do, it comes from not finishing what they sarted.." David Allen

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1086289936797048632004-06-03T14:11:00.000-05:002004-06-03T14:12:16.796-05:00

What a resource! I find the Blue Letter Bible overwhelming! Commentaries, Greek interlinear, Strong's ... lovely!

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1086289634725760322004-06-03T14:03:00.000-05:002004-06-03T14:07:14.726-05:00

Lines in the Sand - Glenn Miller provides a lovely discourse as to why we cannot draw lines in the sand (i.e., you must believe this to be "saved"). The net: The concept of a 'minimum set' of propositions that must be accepted is probably a strange way of looking at this process...it is much more an issue of 'how must one respond as a person to the truth they are gently confronted with about

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1085431418501916842004-05-24T15:15:00.000-05:002004-05-24T15:43:38.500-05:00

Children's Prayer: A friend emailed the following description, sounds lovely! One Sunday the pastor of my (then) church called all the adults up to the front and we all stood in a big circle (small congretation.) Then he had all the children form a corresponding inner circle, rotating and standing before one adult and then another as we prayed for the children whatever was in our hearts. The

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1085427755202588002004-05-24T14:42:00.000-05:002004-05-24T14:42:35.203-05:00

CS Lewis’s famous statement at the end of The Weight of Glory: “It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1085426941532650242004-05-24T14:28:00.000-05:002005-07-14T14:03:21.433-05:00

From the CFSF list. "Wouldn't it be wonderful if my students could say the same about me?""What gave [Francis] extraordinary personal power was this; that from the Pope to the beggar, from the Sultan of Syria in his pavilion to the ragged robbers crawling out of the wood, there was never a man who looked into those brown burning eyes without being certain that Francis Bernardone was really

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1085426713210931522004-05-24T14:24:00.000-05:002005-07-14T13:59:59.296-05:00

A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the coffee each morning. The wife said, "You should do it because you get up first. Then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee."The husband said, "You are in charge of the cooking around here and you should do it because that is your job. I can wait for my coffee."She replies, "No, you should do it. It's in the Bible

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1081454180498976932004-04-08T14:56:00.000-05:002004-04-08T15:00:02.793-05:00

I feel like a dufus. I never connected the prayer of St Patrick with "put on the full armor of God". Christ beside me Christ before me Christ behind me Christ before me Christ beneath me Christ above me... Christ in heart of all who meet me.

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1079472760447443532004-03-16T15:32:00.000-06:002005-07-14T14:39:22.733-05:00

Oh the truth hurts!I'm was reading the prayerfoundation.org description of steps to take for a more disciplined (read disciple) life, Growing in Christ, and nodding my head in agreement, and then the writer described the how to find time for these practices...and as usual, the writer suggested less time could be wasted watching television, and I nodded my head in agreement, as I am so proud of

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1079464273609763182004-03-16T13:11:00.000-06:002004-03-16T13:14:43.280-06:00

From Andrew Murray, Lesson 13 in With Christ in the School of Prayer: Prayer is the reaching out after God and the unseen; fasting, the letting go of all that is of the seen and temporal. While ordinary Christians imagine that all that is not positively forbidden and sinful is lawful to them, and seek to retain as much as possible of this world, with its property, its literature, its enjoyments,

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1079464038828438232004-03-16T13:07:00.000-06:002004-03-16T13:11:23.123-06:00

From Gordon MacDonald in Leadership Journal A monk was brought up before the brotherhood for having committed a grievous sin, and it was decided that he would be excommunicated. As the monk left the sanctuary, his head bent in shame, the esteemed Abba Bessarian stood up, fell into step behind his fellow monk and in a clear voice announced, "I, too, am a sinner."

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1079142799108052502004-03-12T19:53:00.000-06:002005-07-14T13:57:47.760-05:00

Mark was writing a report on Ulysses S. Grant.Matt changed the "autocorrect" feature in word so that when you type the word Grant that word word correct it to be "Hi Mark!".Hilarious!

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1079131847379516152004-03-12T16:50:00.000-06:002005-07-14T14:00:52.843-05:00

I always hate to predict how well I did on a test...but I felt so much better after today's Greek quiz than previous tests this semester.Last night, after hours of studying, it seemed to start to come together (at least I was able to remember the verb stems and endingings better than previously). I shared this with Matt. Then I told him that I had only finished chapter 16 (quiz is for 16 & 17).

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1079123964872442252004-03-12T14:39:00.000-06:002004-03-12T14:43:01.686-06:00

I really enjoyed this quote in a recent TechNewsWorld's Interview: From Technology and Religion: An Interview with the Episcopal Church's Tom Ferguson TNW: How do you explain the concept -- or even the believability -- of god in the context of a digital world, in terms of cause-and-effect science and the general consensus among the technology community that the concept of god is untestable

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1079039225544685222004-03-11T15:07:00.000-06:002004-03-11T15:10:11.576-06:00

No, I'm not suggesting fasting as a means of weight control. This idea reminds of something I once heard: "There's a special spot in hell for those who attend church because they've heard that church attenders have lower blood pressure."

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1079035021886522232004-03-11T13:57:00.000-06:002004-03-11T14:00:07.500-06:00

From Wesley's Sermon 116 It would be easy to show, in how many respects the Methodists, in general, are deplorably wanting in the practice of Christian self-denial; from which, indeed, they have been continually frighted by the silly outcries of the Antinomians. To instance only in one: While we were at Oxford, the rule of every Methodist was, (unless in case of sickness,) to fast every Wednesday

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1079034593517751112004-03-11T13:49:00.000-06:002004-03-11T13:53:00.793-06:00

Two bits from John Wesley: When you seek God with fasting added to prayer, you cannot seek His face in vain. I advise you to keep...a day of fasting and prayer.

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1079033750089993532004-03-11T13:35:00.000-06:002005-07-14T15:44:00.703-05:00

Still haven't commented on the moral weight of obesity. Saw that Obesity is gaining on Tobacco as the number one cause of preventable death. Assuming that current trends continue, more Americans soon will be dying of obesity than from smoking.Interesting, because I remember sermons saying that "the body is a temple" is why smoking is a sin, but I don't recall this used to condemn overeating.My

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1078889048464216742004-03-09T21:24:00.000-06:002005-07-14T15:42:57.956-05:00

Did not put post-its with Greek verbs on the car dash. Left the one old one on, but after thinking about Cathy being hit by a car when crossing the street, decided that it's best not to schedule driving time as a study time.Besides, when I turned on the car, the Newsboys CD Worship started--so much more fun to sing along at full volume (my voice being full volume--not car radio being full volume-

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1078888893428584482004-03-09T21:21:00.000-06:002004-03-09T21:25:27.950-06:00

What's next? April 22 is the deadline for the following: Submit a written response providing evidence of understanding and expectation concerning the following: i) the most formative experiences of your Christian life; ii) God's call to ordained ministry and the role of the church in your call; iii) reflect on your year's experience in leadership in the congregation; iv) your future usefulness

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1078784580677565552004-03-08T16:23:00.000-06:002004-03-08T16:26:02.610-06:00

No time to study a lot of Greek, but here's a thought. I'll write out the principle parts of a few verbs on post-it notes and stick those to the dashboard of the car.

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1078768862876946862004-03-08T12:01:00.000-06:002004-03-08T12:04:04.873-06:00

I will have to comment on this one: http://www.natcath.com/NCR_Online/archives2/2004a/030504/030504a.php Moral weight of obesity Christian teachings on reverence for the body, on the sin of gluttony speak to moderation and a healthy lifestyle By ARTHUR JONES The nation is awash in obesity awareness and details of obesity?s costs in personal ill health and financial burden. But is there a

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1078763543495286222004-03-08T10:32:00.000-06:002004-03-08T10:36:54.983-06:00

The Washington Post has an article about fair trade coffee. I like the idea of fair trade coffee. DH purchases fair trade coffee through the church, which purchases through equal exchange. Sometimes it's quite good, but the quality is not as consistently good as that of our local gourmet coffee house, and the local store offers fair trade regularly.

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1078698424876304452004-03-07T16:27:00.000-06:002004-03-07T16:30:05.546-06:00

More of Hordern's description of Barth. I think I'll have to get a copy of Hordern for myself, as well as delve into Barth more. The Christian does not obey out of fear or weakness; he obeys out of joy and strength. The man who obeys without joy is disobedient in the deepest sense. He is like the man in Jesus' parable who comes dutifully to the banquet because he is invited but fails to wear

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1078697669141901072004-03-07T16:14:00.000-06:002004-03-07T16:18:01.920-06:00

I saw this quote at What’s the Difference? A Comparison of the Faiths Men Live By by Louis Cassels and while the quote is attributed to Horden, I don't recall actually reading it myself in the book. :-) The heart of this movement lies in loyalty to the faith of historic orthodoxy, not because it is ancient or orthodox, but because it is believed to be true. Modern Orthodoxy believes that in

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1078696875024323582004-03-07T16:01:00.001-06:002004-03-07T16:08:39.623-06:00

More from A Laymans Guide to Protestant Theology by Authors: William E. Hordern Men often ask what is new in Christianity. Neither its ethics nor its theology is unique. For Barth, the answer is that the uniqueness of Christianity is Christ himself. To be a Christian is to be a new man through knowing the reality of the crucified and risen Savior. The basis for all missionary work and

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1078696919806936322004-03-07T16:01:00.000-06:002004-03-07T16:05:00.686-06:00

Anthony Sizemore "I don't care what Al Mohler said, the Bible is not the full revelation of God. Jesus Christ is God's revelation," the Texas pastor said. "As I shared, I believe the Bible is a book that God has given us for guidance. It's a book that points us to the truth," Sizemore added. "We're not supposed to have a relationship with a book."

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1078695632089793262004-03-07T15:40:00.000-06:002004-03-07T15:43:32.420-06:00

I'm sorry Martin, but I am wondering about the "scripture alone" thing. I am thinking that perhaps we should say "Jesus alone". The earliest creed was "Jesus is Lord", so it would seem that this is consistent with the earliest Christian tradition. No, I still don't have a rubrick for truth. A good rubrick is not whether or not a truth is displayed / followed by the earliest Christians.

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1078694508529326282004-03-07T15:21:00.000-06:002004-03-07T15:24:49.110-06:00

Barth distinguishes between religion and faith. Religion is man's search for God and it always results in man finding a god that he wants to find. Because God is the living God, Barth warns against identifying the Word of God with any human form or institution. Not even the Bible can be identified as the Word of God. The error of fundamentalism, as he sees it, is that it takes the Bible as a

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1078590127876865862004-03-06T10:22:00.000-06:002004-03-06T10:25:38.373-06:00

I hate washing pantyhose. (Is pantyhose one word or two? Too bad that blogger does not spell check.) Instead of washing a pair of hose by hand after taking it off, one of those 5 minutes things that should be done every day, I would throw hose into a laundry basket. You can't put hose in with the laundry, it will tear and snag and be covered with runs. It is very embarassing. I filled a

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1078589079267018692004-03-06T10:04:00.000-06:002005-07-14T15:46:07.256-05:00

There is a problem.There are too many good things that "only take a few minutes" that I would like to do every day. I would like to do "Christian Believer" readings every day, an extra passage from the gospels, a time of prayer, a time of re-reading favorites like Brother Lawrence and Andrew Murray, unload the dishwasher every morning (so dishes are put there instead of building up in the sink),

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1078588368037833852004-03-06T09:52:00.000-06:002004-03-06T09:55:46.576-06:00

How much sugar should go into sweet tea? The family likes sweet tea, and seemed like it would be good for everyone if we put less sugar in the tea. So I thought I would gradually reduce the amount of sugar in the tea. We usually put a cup of sugar in a 1 gallon pitcher--so I put slightly less. And every time they noticed, and complained that the tea isn't sweet enough. A hairline less than a

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1078585667489746622004-03-06T09:07:00.000-06:002004-03-06T09:10:46.623-06:00

Took 5 minutes this morning to clean the foyer area. This included the basket at the top of the stairwell with "stuff" that belongs downstairs. The idea is that "stuff" will be put in the basket, and then carried downstairs and put up as a family member goes downstairs to watch t.v., etc. Contents: The empty peanut butter jar (to be filled with screws / nails / whatever), the Christmas

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1078585053838691222004-03-06T08:57:00.000-06:002004-03-06T09:00:33.060-06:00

Marcus, how do we decide what parts of our religion are "truth"? Can we trust that there is a God because people have always sought God? That the evidence of religions throughout the history of man means that we were designed for worshipping God? This seems very slippery--does that mean that we can only accept as "truth" that which has been revealed through multiple religions?

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1078584797490232222004-03-06T08:53:00.000-06:002004-03-06T08:56:16.733-06:00

The alternative to Marcus? In the Judeo-Christian tradition, God chooses to reveal self through a chosen community. God tells Abraham that and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you (Genesis 12:3) I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6) Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1078583907232617792004-03-06T08:38:00.000-06:002004-03-06T08:55:51.826-06:00

Marcus Borg is killing me. Ok, just making me wrestle with issues. Still, it hurts. From "The Heart of Christianity": Seeing this commonality between the way of Jesus and the ways of the world’s religions is sometimes disconcerting to Christians, given our history of “Jesus is the only way.” But the commonality is cause for celebration, not consternation. Not only does it mean, to echo an

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1078583533855322652004-03-06T08:32:00.000-06:002004-03-06T08:36:46.466-06:00

A student was talking about one of the professors. When I mentioned that the faculty member is a Christian (or at least part of a Christian church) the student was surprised. Apparently, one of the assignments in the faculty person's religious studies class is to list contradictions across the 4 gospels. Based on this assignment, the student concluded that the faculty person is not a Christian

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1078583273420270872004-03-06T08:27:00.000-06:002004-03-06T08:30:52.310-06:00

Part of a post on the flylady group: I have always joked that if you wanted to see how my marriage was going, check my visa bill. If it's high with lots of $100 trips to Target or Marshalls, we're not getting along. If it's low, things are better. ... When my first son was born, it all happened again, only with baby things, clothes, toys etc...I had multiples of everything! People called my

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1078519110877177902004-03-05T14:38:00.000-06:002004-03-05T14:41:28.543-06:00

I suppose that I did OK on the Greek quiz. I seem to rebel against sitting down and memorizing. I would much rather review notes, go through examples, reread translations; anything to avoid memorizing verb stems. Yesterday I met with my pastor to discuss whether I am truly prepared to enter the ministry. My concern is that some of my beliefs are contradictory. I do not yet have any rubric

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-1078438293392250102004-03-04T16:11:00.000-06:002005-07-14T15:50:27.906-05:00

Tomorrow I have a quiz in Greek. The FlyLady says that I should set my timer for 15 minutes, study for those 15 minutes only , and then take a five minute break. But even when I set my timer for 30 minutes, I feel like I'm just getting started, and I am irritated by the beeping.Even more irritating is when Ed leaves a cup of coffee in the microwave. The microwave keeps reminding, your coffee is

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-838780532002-11-01T10:04:00.000-06:002002-11-01T10:07:39.000-06:00

flammescat igne caritas, accendat ardor proximos. and love light up our mortal frame, till others catch the living flame.

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-813751772002-09-09T17:23:00.000-05:002002-09-09T17:25:11.000-05:00

When I was first given a copy of My Utmost for His Highest, it seemed dated. The language seemed hard to read. Later, when looking for an online devotion to read regularly, I started reading this online. On screen, it seems so much easier to read and I don't notice the language usage differences.

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769464.post-813744862002-09-09T17:05:00.000-05:002002-09-09T17:29:02.000-05:00

I am amazed at how Oswald Chambers (My Utmost) is what I need on that day. No coincidences. This weekend I mentally struggled with choice between service to the institutional church and serving. I often feel as though the institutional church discourages potential volunteers from saying "no". Instead, we assume that the church knows what is best for everyone involved, and more involvement is

Cyndi McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13200683877352913947noreply@blogger.com0