Thursday, December 15th, 2011
Advent reading: Thursday, December 15, 2011
Luke 2:15-20
The shepherds go to the manger.
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
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(Daily Advent readings adapted from those originally compiled at Parish Presbyterian Church, references listed at this website .)
Wednesday, December 14th, 2011
Advent reading: Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Psalm 98
The Lord has made known his salvation.
Oh sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done marvelous things!
His right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
2 The LORD has made known his salvation;
he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
5 Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody!
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!
7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and those who dwell in it!
8 Let the rivers clap their hands;
let the hills sing for joy together
9 before the LORD, for he comes
to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.
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(Daily Advent readings adapted from those originally compiled at Parish Presbyterian Church, references listed at this website .)
Tuesday, December 13th, 2011
Ask and you shall receive
I’m giving away some travel guidebooks over at Tell Me When to Pack. All you have to do is ask for one before anyone else does.
Tuesday, December 13th, 2011
Stocking stuffers for the ADDer you love
If an ADDer has been ADDed to your life, here are a few stocking-stuffer type items for that person you love. Different ADD brains work different ways, but things like these are helpful to me. This is a short list, just what’s at the front of my brain at the moment.
Carabiner key ring. This kind is even better than mine. I just have a plain ring and a cheap carabiner that I hang onto an outside loop on my purse (which means the ring could fall off the carabiner and be lost). Remember. Remember. Remember. Yes, I do have to remind myself to remember. But it’s pretty much a habit now, which is especially important in winter when there are way too many pockets to remember where I stashed my keys without thinking.
Journal. Once I realized I have ADD, a notebook became my almost constant companion. I “transcribe” conversations as they’re happening so I can remember and not misconstrue later. I jot down to-do’s and shopping lists–everything that I used to say “I’ll remember this later,” but didn’t. This size is the type I use. It’s large enough to scrawl more than one sentence on. It fits in the back pocket of my purse and weighs nothing to tuck under my elbow. On the light-colored cover, I can write the beginning date or info about what’s inside. Other styles will suit other people. There are a variety of sizes & covers.
Purse organizer. I’ve stuck an insert into my purse with specific pockets for specific items, so I can reach in without looking and find my chapstick or lozenge or whatever. I scavenged my insert from a backpack I used to have, but this one here looks like it would be a good one. I wouldn’t necessarily choose pink, but hey, it’s down in the dark depths anyway.
“Magic” gloves. I don’t know how many pairs I have of those inexpensive one-size-fits-all gloves. But I don’t think it’s possible to have too many. Somehow, even if I think there’s a pair in every coat or jacket pocket and in all the sofa cushion cracks, still I’m looking for gloves when it’s time to walk out the door. So, lots of inexpensive gloves.
Combination lock. One Noel ADD rule is: Arrange life so there are as few things as possible to hold onto within the brain. For me, one moment that particular rule comes into play is standing in front of the locker at the gym. I do not want the anxiety of mentally walking through every step that keeps me from locking the key inside the locker. I don’t need any extra hindrance to working out. My combination lock is a lot like this one–about the simplest kind possible. I never have been able to open the ancient-safe-door-ear-to-the-tumbler twirling number dial.
Pill organizer. One of the facts of life for many of us is medicine and supplements that make life work better. One of the ironies of ADD is forgetting to take the pills that help control ADD. And if I do remember, the tedium of remembering which bottles and how many pills and of all that opening and counting and closing makes me think, “In a minute.” A minute which never comes. I’m a sucker for organizers (forgetting for the moment that you have to keep on keeping them organized). But this pill box does help. I just fill it up once a week. The compartments are plenty large enough even for those monster fish oil capsules that are supposed to be helping my brain work better. When I’m traveling I fill as many organizers as there are weeks of being away from home.
Due app. Even with the pill organizer, I do need to remember to take the pills. That’s where my Due app has become one of my best friends. The kind of friend that won’t get off your back when you need a kick in the pants (or whatever mixed metaphor I mean). Due has too many good features for me to take time to list right now. Go to the Due website and see for yourself. I think it’s particularly for iPhone or iPad.
Books. I have the impression there are lots more books about Adult ADHD than there were even a year ago. Of the ones I’ve read I’d say they all have pretty much the same basic info about ADHD. The main differences between books would be how they branch out from the basics. I especially appreciate the ones that come at it from a personal point of view. Beyond the official list of symptoms/characteristics, lightbulbs kept flashing on as I read stories of how ADD works itself in daily life and relationships. Here are a couple of books you might consider.
You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid, or Crazy? The title alone sold me on this one. I’d say this one would probably appeal more to a woman with ADD than to a man.
Delivered from Distraction. If you were going to read just one book, I think this would be the one. (Just skip over the product promotion near the end of the book). Johnny and I read this one aloud together to try to grow together in our understanding of ADD.
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Disclosure: If you click on a link and purchase an item, I receive a small commission, which costs you nothing extra. I only recommend items that I think will be of interest to my readers and that I use personally or wish I did.
Tuesday, December 13th, 2011
Advent reading: Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Luke 2:8-14
The angels proclaim the birth of Christ to the shepherds.
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
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(Daily Advent readings adapted from those originally compiled at Parish Presbyterian Church, references listed at this website .)
Monday, December 12th, 2011
Advent reading: Monday, December 12, 2011
Micah 4:1-7
All nations shall find peace from the God of Jacob.
It shall come to pass in the latter days
that the mountain of the house of the LORD
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and it shall be lifted up above the hills;
and peoples shall flow to it,
2 and many nations shall come, and say:
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth the law,
and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
3 He shall judge between many peoples,
and shall decide for strong nations far away;
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war anymore;
4 but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree,
and no one shall make them afraid,
for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken.
5 For all the peoples walk
each in the name of its god,
but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God
forever and ever.
6 In that day, declares the LORD,
I will assemble the lame
and gather those who have been driven away
and those whom I have afflicted;
7 and the lame I will make the remnant,
and those who were cast off, a strong nation;
and the LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion
from this time forth and forevermore.
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(Daily Advent readings adapted from those originally compiled at Parish Presbyterian Church, references listed at this website .)
Sunday, December 11th, 2011
My favorite coffeemaker: 73% off, just today
12/13/11 — I just discovered that the discount is still really good, even though the one-day sale is past. Today it’s 62% off. I don’t know how long this lasts, but I wouldn’t want to let it slip past again.
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Hint: Here’s a gift idea for the coffee lover you love.
For just today, Amazon is selling at 73% off the coffee maker that’s my favorite of all the coffee makers I’ve ever owned (beginning with a percolator).
When my previous coffee maker died several years ago, I went looking for one thing in a replacement: a coffee maker that made hot coffee. Coffee that was still hot after I added milk. Coffee that I didn’t need to microwave before drinking.
My Brazilian daughter-in-law–the family coffee expert– told me her Cuisinart Grind-and-Brew was hot like that. She’s right. I’m sipping my morning coffee right now and it’s just right–doesn’t burn my tongue, but almost.
There’s even a button to push if I’m brewing 4 cups or less, so it’s heated up enough even though the process is shorter than for a full pot.
A bonus is that I could get rid of my coffee grinder, because grinding is part of the process. I’m always glad to clear some unneeded thing off my kitchen shelves.
Enough said. I’m going for my 2nd cup.
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Disclosure: If you click on a link and purchase the item, I receive a small commission, which costs you nothing extra. I only recommend items that I think will be of interest to my readers and that I use personally or wish I did.
Sunday, December 11th, 2011
Advent reading: Sunday, December 11, 2011
Luke 2:1-7
Luke tells of the birth of Jesus.
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
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(Daily Advent readings adapted from those originally compiled at Parish Presbyterian Church, references listed at this website .)
Saturday, December 10th, 2011
A gift from China
Visit my other blog, Tell Me When To Pack, for a chance to win a Christmas gift from China.
Saturday, December 10th, 2011
For your Bible study group
Are you and your Bible study group scrambling to figure out what to do after the new year rolls in?
Thank you to Rick Morton for gifts that can be used by 5 small groups. How many people might that be in all? 20? 50? 100? Each gift to one of you may bless many more than just you.
Rick and Denise Morton were part of cofounding Psalm 139, an international orphan-hosting ministry.
He and Tony Merida are co-authors of Orphanology: Awakening to Gospel-Centered Adoption and Orphan Care.
Orphanology is a practical response to God’s command to care for the fatherless told through the stories of families and ministries who are responding. . . . [and with] real-world ideas and illustrations for engaging in orphan ministry. . . . . Orphanology demonstrates how adoption, foster care, and other forms of orphan ministry are accessible to every believer and every church and introduces innovative approaches to orphan ministry including orphan hosting.
Here’s the gift. Five sets, including:
- Orphanology (book)
- Site license for 6-session Orphanology Bible study. This license gives an entire small group on-line access to the Bible study.
- Visit the Promise 139 website and look around a bit.
- At this post, comment once with impression(s) from that visit.
- One additional entry for following @rick_morton on Twitter .
- Comment once again at this post, to report that you’re following Rick.
- Another additional entry, subscribe to Rick Morton’s blog.
- Comment once again at this post, to report that you’re subscribed.
Saturday, December 10th, 2011
Advent reading: Saturday, December 10, 2011
Exodus 20:1-17
The Law of God that we in our own strength cannot keep.
And God spoke all these words, saying,
2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
3 “You shall have no other gods before me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
7 “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.
8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
13 “You shall not murder.
14 “You shall not commit adultery.
15 “You shall not steal.
16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”
(Daily Advent readings originally compiled at Parish Presbyterian Church. I have taken the reference list from this website and filled in the text from the ESV.)
Friday, December 9th, 2011
Advent reading: Friday, December 9, 2011
Isaiah 60:1-4
Arise, shine! For your light has come.
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the LORD will arise upon you,
and his glory will be seen upon you.
3 And nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your rising.
4 Lift up your eyes all around, and see;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from afar,
and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.
(Daily Advent readings originally compiled at Parish Presbyterian Church. I have taken the reference list from this website and filled in the text from the ESV.)
