Blizzards, blogging, Subarus and cinna buns!

Who ever said that the internet doesn’t foster true community?  I am the very thankful recipient of this hot, homemade, fresh-out-of-the-oven, personally delivered to my house, cinnamon bun. (yes, there are eleven more to match this one)  It is the iced version of these.

Blizzard Fun – I’m 4 for 2

Well, Christmas finally finished arriving today. Forunately for me, those warm snow boots and sheepskin slippers that I ordered during the last blizzard did arrive before this one hit. This blizzard promises to be much more fun. No worries about Mom arriving safely and the clutter of Christmas is over. Now we have nothing to do but read, eat, watch the weather report (and of course catch up on a few posts to this site).

BTW, I’m currently 4 for 2. I’ve been stuck and bailed out twice now. But I’ve helped dig and push out four others. Just stroll down the street and you’ll likely run into someone who needs a little shove. The most recent pickle was when my Mom got her Texas sized (and I might add rear-wheel drive) Suburban stuck in the street -perpendicular. No one, no 4×4 or hummer monster was going in or out until we got her moving.

I finally added a few pics from Blizzard #1. Select the tab above or click here.

Update 12/30/2006:  Yippee!!!  I see the blue sky.  Our street has finallllllly been plowed.  (this is the first time since the first blizzard began).  Time for a trek to Starbucks!  I’ve added a few new picks.

Twelve Delights of Christmas…

1.  Sitting at my desk, writing this on Christmas Eve and watching the flakes come down in an already beautiful winter wonderland.

3.  Getting my minivan (Santa can I please have some new tires) stuck in front of my house twice in two days.  (Yippee I had an excuse for being late for Sunday School – which was packed on Christmas Eve day!!!).

4.  Enjoying a fresh cup of coffee (with half-n-half which is real treat with empty dairy shelves at the store) on a cold, windy day.

Blizzards and Bonhoeffer…

“This text speaks

of the birth of a child,

not the revolutionary deed

of a stong man,

or the breath-taking discovery

of a sage,

or the pious deed

of a saint.

It truly boggles the mind:

The birth of a child

is to bring about the great transformation of all things,

is to bring salvation and

redemption to all of humanity.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Blizzards and shopping…

As of 8 am this morning I had not begun my Christmas shopping (we keep it fairly lean and practical). Is is now 2 pm. I’m still in PJs and slippers (though rather thin slippers that are not keeping my toes all tosty warm on this rather snowy day – yes I’m getting an upgraded pair for Christmas) and all or almost all of my shopping is now done. Thank-you Amazon and Amazon Prime – now we just wait to see what actually shows up before Christmas 🙂

Update:  As of 8 am this morning (2 days and 3 feet of snow later) I’m optimistic we’ll hit about 80% on delivery by Christmas.  Keeping in mind the airport is closed and has been closed  for well over 24 hours.  At least several packages are here in the city already!!  One package was scanned in Dallas at 9 pm on Wed night and then scanned in Commerce City about 4 hours later…hmmmm….

Final Update:  The UPS truck got stuck in front of your house on Friday.  Not wanting anyone’s Christmas to be “ruined” everyone pitched in to get that monster thing unstuck.  On Sat. UPS delivered about half the Amazon order – perfect!!

More on the Gospel…and the Contemplative

Tim Keller nails it! (HT: Justin Taylor).

The Gospel is my nourishment. Keeping my eyes focused on my Savoir and who he is and what he has done and the fact that I now have intimacy with him 24/7/365 (yes, even while doing laundry and cleaning toilets) is what mends my broken heart and transforms my focus from an inward one to an outward one. Engaging in contemplative mind-altering states (such as centering prayer) or practicing a silence in which I watch my thoughts from a distance like watching clouds is not a discipline advocated or supported by Scripture. “Going deeper” is not some advanced spiritual technique (like it is for eastern pagan religions) but a long, slow process in which we engage God with our entire being, through His Word, and through prayer, and community, and service, and evangelism and through enjoying his ever present presence. But it all starts with the Gospel, grows through the Gospel and culminates with the Gospel.

The Gospel…

At the end of the day, when I’m weary, when my bones ache and I haven’t the energy to drag myself to bed…I need to hear the Gospel.

In the midst of a crazy, hectic day filled with demanding clients and a fitful four year old and sassy six year old…I need to hear the Gospel.

It’s official, I am now “cool”

On Saturday, my family left bedrock and entered the cool world of the iPod. Yes, we are no longer chasing the Joneses down the street flailing our arms, but are now the tech savvy owners of the not just cool, but ultra cool iPod shuffle (note we did not shell out the modest $79 but all the employees at my husband’s company were the beneficiaries of the owners generosity – exceptionally enjoyable Christmas party and nifty present). Now this is not just the “world’s smallest mp3/music player,” it’s an uber hip accessory that makes you feel cool (and perhaps a bit idolatrous). If you believe Apple’s marketing campaign, it truly is an article of clothing, something you would dare not be caught without.

Grapples and Smart Epistemology (one more reason I love my husband)

A friend of mine invited me to lecture in his class this week and the text for the class has been “Mapping Postmodernism” by Robert Greer. One hole in the book comes in the chapter on “Foundational Realism” where Greer incorrectly paints all foundationalists as Cartesian and picks Francis Schaeffer as their representative. He then proceeds to blast the straw man. So I chose to speak on relativism in general and then more specifically address the current state of epistemology and bring Tim McGrew (strong foundationalism) and Robert Audi (modest foundationalism) in to the discussion. Wow – this was a big task and a blast. I am incredibly indebted to Becky’s wisdom and advice and her previous ponderings (not sure that’s a word) that integrate epistemology into spiritual formation. Posts and fascinating discussion can be found here, here, here and here. So I had my work cut out for me (boy do I have renewed appreciation for profs of all stripes). Audi is hard to read, but builds a strong argument. McGrew was clear and fun to read (still craving an In-n-Out burger). Fortunately, for those not inclined to shell out $50 for Pojman’s anthology, McGrew’s cogent defense of foundationalism can be found here.