The BEST "Earworm" I have had in a while…

Ever so often a song gets stuck in my head and will not leave.  Often, it is a commercial for something I don't even like.  Usually, it is annoying.

This time, I am thoroughly enjoying myself!

During the night I woke myself up singing and humming…  Something.  It was majestic and beautiful.  It was familiar, but I don't remember it recently.  It's entirely possible that I sang it in church last Sunday, it just didn't register until today.

I had to look it up!

My favorite earworm…

Turns out it is from our hymnal.  LSB 336

The words are by Charles Wesley, the melody is by Thomas Olivers. 

Lo, He comes with Clouds Descending

Lo, he comes with clouds descending,
Once for ev'ry sinner slain;
Thousand thousand saints attending
Swell the triumph of his train:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Christ the Lord returns to reign.

Ev'ry eye shall now behold him
Robed in glorious majesty;
Those who set at naught and sold him,
Pierced and nailed him to the tree,
Deeply wailing, deeply wailing, shall their true Messiah see.

Those dear tokens of his Passion
Still his dazzling body bears,
Cause of endless exultation
To his ransomed worshipers.
With what rapture, with what rapture
Gaze we on those glorious scars!

Yea, amen, let all adore thee,
High on thine eternal throne;
Savior, take the pow'r and glory,
Claim the kingdom for thine own.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thou shalt reign, and thou alone!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am GUILTY! I want this robot!

I was just sitting here minding my own business and reading my email, when I got a link from TED Talks.  I should NEVER have clicked on that link!  You see, it showed me a control device to connect to the computer (and, by the way, an Assistive Robot Device) that I deeply desire.

We are not just talking, "O, that's cute.  I'll put that as item 420,612,008 on my list of things I might like someday…"

I

WANT

THIS control and robot!

I have to find what this guy uses for his "minute movements" for control.  I don't know that head movement trackers are the answer for me, but I'll bet these people know how to to be creative. http://www.ted.com/talks/henry_evans_and_chad_jenkins_meet_the_robots_for_humanity.html

In some ways, it's an even more creative approach than makeymakey.com, although I often prefer the DIY approach.

Even bigger mistake…  Now ANOTHER short story is forming in my head.  I need to get off this fairly quickly…

But here is the link for "Robots for Humanity" <http://www.willowgarage.com/blog/2011/07/13/robots-humanity> before I go.

I participated in my first "tweetchat" last night

I participated in my first "Twitter/Tweet-chat," and I'm still decompressing.  Twitter and TweetDeck were the tools.  It was a gathering of Lutheran Educators talking about "Digital Citizenship."

Information about the group that gathers is at:

• Research in Lutheran Education
• LutheranTech 
• https://twitter.com/LuthEd

Here is what the most recent conversation looked like.  It is in reverse order: oldest messages at the bottom.   On Monday the 18th, the event should be

11/18/2013

Leveraging technology in faith development projects and curriculum

What are some ways we can model effective faith development in the digital world? What tools have you used to leverage faith building activities with your students? What do you see as the strengths of digital technology in faith dev? Draw backs?

Rob Jacklin @rjacklin

I have to admit that my "Fuddy Duddy" side is definitely showing.  I felt like I was at a really loud and crowded cocktail party where every one was trying to be heard over everyone else.  Since Twitter only allows 140 characters per Tweet AND some of those characters have to be used for the tag #LuthEd, complex ideas do not come across well. After my first adventure in TweetChatting, I sort of fell like I needed about 30 minutes in a sensory-deprivation tank to decompress from the chaos. I will be at tomorrow's event, DV…

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!

How about these?
http://vimeo.com/75542539
http://vimeo.com/65624065

Yeah, I'm a sucker for time lapse videos of the night sky.

CAP Glider Flights - AL Wing, 2013

One of my friends used to be in the Air Force.  This summer, he helped out with Alabama's Civil Air Patrol glider training.  He sent me a link to an 18-minute video put together by the guy who is behind all this, Capt Jim Locke.

I enjoyed it so much that I thought I would share it!

From: Reclaiming Our Heritage: Why Jesus Calls His Disciples Sheep

Reclaiming Our Heritage: Why Jesus Calls His Disciples Sheep



Sometimes the articles and the Internet are worth reading.  This is an example of an article that I enjoyed reading.

Except for the part about being dumb like a sheep.

Baa!

Nifty tool!

I have started orientation at CUNE.  One of the nifty tools available is VoiceThreads.  It will allow for "lectures" with interactions/comments from the students.



Naturally, I am envisioning ways to use this for a bible study with homebound folks for several reasons.  People with disabilities, folks who are old enough to have a difficulty traveling, young mothers…  ANYONE who has trouble in getting to a church for other bible study opportunities…  We all are a part of the Body of Christ.

I do not envision this as a replacement for Word and Sacrament!  This is merely another way to fill your life with some of the best gifts God gives: His Word dwelling within us and the mutual encouragement of The Saints.

I don't know my family tree that well, but… Col. John Paul Stapp…

I don't know my family tree that well, but…  Col. John Paul Stapp is someone I need to claim as a relative, whether it is true or not.  He makes an being a scientist
More than cool.  You can read about him on the official Air Force site, but this is a whole lot more fun

<http://www.badassoftheweek.com/stapp.html>

I so wish I was going! Texas Confessional Lutherans FREE CONFERENCE, "The Christian and the Culture"

TEXAS CONFESSIONAL LUTHERANS

FREE CONFERENCE

Location: Grace Lutheran Church, 1212 W. Jefferson St., Brenham, TX

Dates: Friday and Saturday, September 6-7, 2013

Theme:  “THE CHRISTIAN AND THE CULTURE”

AGENDA

Friday, Sept. 6 5-6 pm              Registration 6-6:15 pm         Opening Devotion and Introduction                           Rev. Dr. Ronald A. Bogs, Program Dir. 6:15-7:15 pm    “Defining the Dilemma: Challenges to                           the authenticity and relevance of the                           Gospel," Rev. Dr. Laurence L. White  7:15-7:30 pm     Questions and Answers 7:30-7:45 pm     Break 7:45-8:45 pm     “The Alternatives to Biblical and                             Confessional Orthodoxy," Rev. Dr.                             Laurence White 8:45-9 pm          Questions and Answers 9-9:30 pm          Evening Suffrages                            Pastor, Matthew Jacobs                            Grace, Brenham, TX

Saturday, Sept. 7 7:30-8 am              Coffee and Donuts 8-8:15 am              Opening Devotion, Pr. Lee Kunkel 8:15-9:30 am         “Understanding the Two Kingdoms"                                Rev. Dr. Laurence L. White 9:30-9:45 am         Questions and Answers 9:45-10:15 am        Break 10:15-11:30 am      “The Urgent Necessity for Biblical                                and Confessional Truth"                                Rev. Dr. Laurence L. White 11:30 - 12 noon     Questions and Answers/Open Mic 12:00 Noon            Closing Prayer, Benediction,                                 Adjournment     12:00 Noon            BBQ Lunch After Lunch           TX Balance/LMA/Concord TX                               (Meeting in Parlor)

A Catered luncheon of barbeque and trimmings will be served at 12:00 Noon on Saturday at a cost of $9.00 per plate for adults and $5.00 for children under 12.  Please order tickets in advance by sending a check to Wayne Coleman payable to “Texas Confessional Lutherans.”

14302 Sweetstone Est., Cypress, TX 77429 (Email: scoleman3028@comcast.net)  The tickets will be distributed at the registration table at the conference.  Orders need to be received no later than Wednesday, Sept. 4, so that we can give an accurate count to the caterer.  For further information, you can call Wayne Coleman (281-213-3028).

RETURN ADDRESS

Grace Lutheran Church

1212 West Jefferson

Brenham, TX 77833

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RODEWAY INN (Formerly “Ramada,” Best Rate in Town)

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979-836-1300

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1503 Highway 290 East

Brenham, TX 77833

979-251-7791

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COMFORT SUITES

2350 S. Day Street

Brenham, TX 77833

979-421-8100

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SUPER 8 BRENHAM, TX (New in 2011)

2831 South Market Street

Brenham, TX 77833

979-830-8885

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ANT STREET INN B&B (Close to Grace Lutheran)

107 West Commerce Street

Brenham, TX 77833

1-800-481-1951

http://www.antstreetinn.com/

La Quinta Inn & Suites
Brenham

2950 Wood Ridge Blvd
Brenham, TX 77833
Phone: 1-979-836-5551

http://www.lq.com/lq/properties/propertyProfile.do?propId=6122

And I did not win Publishers Clearing House yesterday

What a shock…  NOT!  Of course, I suspect you have to enter to win.
I had a good June anyhow.  I was working on this website, specifically this page.

Various things for today

It was a fun day today.  For starters, I've been reading some excellent articles on the Internet - like this one <http://al-franzmeier.blogspot.com/2013/06/ciachristians-in-action-your-will-be.html>

And this one… <http://al-franzmeier.blogspot.com/2013/06/praying-to-our-father-in-parallel.html>

And this one… <http://heremembersthebarren.com/2013/06/26/should-my-friend-get-help/>

And this one… <http://reveverett.com/2013/06/11/religious-nones/>

And finally, this one… <http://www.theatlantic.com/national/print/2013/06/listening-to-young-atheists-lessons-for-a-stronger-christianity/276584/>

Then, Allen and Connie W.  Came by to help me figure out how to get <http://www.makeymakey.com/> so that I can use my computer more easily.

Waiting…

Waiting for news about someone is quite high-stress.

I wonder what is bothering my eyes?

Yes, I have a doctor's appointment for my eyes.  I've just need to take care of them and tell I can be seen.

EVERYTHING seems to bother them.  They are red…  I have been adding tears occasionally.  Last time I had a vision checkup, they said that was fine.  Some of the other things that are over the counter are too strong.

I'm trying to keep them shut more, on the theory that I'm spending too much time on the computer and drying them out.

Do you have any suggestions?

Puppies!

I had forgotten how much I enjoy small puppies.  Today, I got to revisit the fun.

OK, so there is also a downside to this story.  A cherished friend is puppy-sitting while her son-in-law is recovering from an ulcer.  She brought little Gemini by to meet us.  This wee girl climbed all over me and licked my nose.  :-) PUPPY BREATH and new cars…  Something about both smells make me smile.

Juggling 52 things at once

I'm back to my usual antics.  I am trying to do too many things at the same time.  It is working as well as it usually does.

;-)

I will say that I have finished turning in most of my paperwork to be an employee of CUNE.edu.

If I have a headache. I also…

• I also started updating my church's website.  It does not have a lot, yet, but I'm hoping to change that.  A little bit every day, That Should Be The Ticket! 
• Filling out paperwork for a new job is almost a fulltime job!  Now I need to track down a notary.  Apparently, all my intergalactic travel is coming back to haunt me.
• One of my nieces has been called back to interview for a job.  :-) You know that I am rooting for her.
• I have been working on Sunday school lessons.
• I am on hold with social security.  Something interesting I noted: in one of the local offices, they work 9 to 3, five days a week.  Is that how they're getting around providing Obama-care?  If governmental agencies are doing this, what will the private sector do?  

Who knew?  Apparently, comic book characters have religious affiliations!

Two things that I might need to remember:

1.  How to deal with temptation and trial
2.  How to budget when I don't have a regular paycheck

Celebrations

Yesterday, I earned another year.  Pretty cool, considering the fact that doctors has been predicting my death since I was two years old.  Granted, a few bouts with pneumonia and diverticulitis seemed to push me close to "that other side of Eternity," but…  Not yet.

Mom and Leslie found a nifty tool to give me.  It is always funny when my technology is smarter than I am, though…

How do you juggle multiple things effectively?

I'm feeling a little bit overwhelmed.  Yes, part of that flows out of not feeling well.  I'm also looking at everything that I need to do.  (BIG mistake!) Then I read a workshop out of Vision 70, "Multiple Projects: Take Control!"
By
Lazette Gifford

That may have been another big mistake, Lazette writes about a billion words a day.  Still, she keeps all her projects in order and on time.  I could find a worse example to follow…

Maybe I should learn from you.  How do you keep multiple projects in the air and finish them on time without major disaster?

Not So Great Today

Yesterday was excellent.  As usual, Wednesday evening Bible Study was a real treat.  We finished up "Fruit of the Spirit in Congregations." (When the exact link is posted, I will update it here.)

While I wasn't there face-to-face, I also had the privilege of participating in

Deaconesses | Pastors | All those wanting to learn more about deaconesses

Deaconess Symposium

Fort Wayne, Indiana May 15-16, 2013

Dr. Just was speaking when I connected to the Google Hangout.  Then Dr. Bushur spoke on "Woman in the Image of God." (No, this was not feminist theology nonsense.  You know me well enough to know that I don't listen to that drivel!) Then Dr. Weinrich spoke about how important diakonia is.

Today, they had the Deaconess Placement Service.  Seven of my classmates were extended a call!  :-) I am so delighted!

But...

Today, I feel lousy.  I have been on the edge of nausea for almost 24 hours.  I don't know what to do to my digestive tract…

Re-examining My Writing Goals For This Year

Happy Tuesday!

Earlier today, I looked at This post, where I boldly stated my writing goals for the year.   Some people do well by posting goals and trying to live up to that post.

I don't seem to work that way.  For me, it's as if posting the goal means that are never have to think about it again.  It will magically achieve itself.  So…  50,000 words towards that novel that I'm not really writing isn't going to happen.  Not today.

Focusing on learning to teach classes is my number one priority.  Posting regularly on my blog as practice for writing is a new priority that you will be able to observe here.

It's a start…

Yes, I'm excited and delighted. I have a new job!

One of the students in my Sunday School class called me "McGonagall" when I shared my good news.  :-) I can live with that!  "Minerva McGonagall" is quite a cool character: a teacher who is very caring.

My big news?  I am now a teacher for an online course at Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska.  It is for the masters degree in "Family Life Ministry," and lasts eight weeks.  One of the course descriptions that I read says:

This course will examine issues of professional ethics, morality and faith. The course begins with a brief introduction to theological ethics before examining and applying National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) and church body ethical guidelines to case situations. Aspects of professional ethics will be discussed throughout the course. The course moves to practical issues in personal morality, which will be discussed in relation to family and society. Issues such as marriage and commitment, homosexuality, abortion, end of life issues and the development of faith and virtue will also be discussed. Attention will be given to how one’s theological commitments transform secular moral problems and their solutions.

I'm excited.  I'm scared.  I'm juggling books and articles that I might want to include.

I certainly did not see this coming!

Happy Wednesday!
I just got word that's something I wrote for "Internet toolbox for churches" had some unexpected success!  February and early March saw me struggling to write this article:

"11 Example Church Facebook Cover Photos To Inspire You | Internet Toolbox for Churches" http://www.internettoolboxforchurches.com/example-church-facebook-page-cover-images

It took numerous re-framing and rewriting sessions.  By the time I'd turned the article in, I hated it.
Apparently, I am alone in that assessment.  Today I heard from the creator of ITC:

"Your church Facebook cover image article which was posted just over a week ago has been very good source of traffic for the website. It's been the highest-viewed page since being published…"

…  And that is with a few images seeming to have come “unlinked”…

--

Lisa Stapp

Skype: lmstapp or 281-378-3225

Fax: 866-256-1731 | SMS: 281-810-6623

http://joyfullyrollingalong.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/ConfessionalGal