Tuesday, July 31, 2012

What I've Learned Today: Drinking Pool Water, Sports, Bible Study, Custard!

Olympics
Something's been bothering me lately. I love watching the swim team. But for the LIFE of me, I couldn't figure out, why the heck these people drink that NASTY pool water. Yeah, I know, chlorine kills the bacteria yada yada yada, but still, just the thought turns my stomach. So why do they do it?? I had to look that up.

What I learned today: Drinking pool water helps with a swimmer's gag reflex.

I turned on the TV and in all my years I never knew that some sports existed as an Olympic sport.

What I learned today: That kayaking is an Olympic sport

My son watches some "unconventional" sports - and after watching, often tries to imitate. He's done that with "Wipeout" - is that a sport? lol, "American Ninja Warrior" - again, same question, Tennis - a little better, and gymnastics. Well, since he's watched the trials in diving, he's been WAITING for it to come back on. He and I had a conversation about it and I realized something.

What I learned today: My son loves watching diving, but don't want to have nothing to do with it lol 

Bible Study
A discussion was going on on FB. It was around the idea of what is the instruction on how to treat believers "in name only". 

What I learned today: The difference between 1Cor 5 and Galatians 6:1 5. 

To say "Amen" is translated as "the Truth" in Hebrew and an agreement before God. 

What I learned today: To say "Amen" to something is to say that it is the "truth" - be careful to who, for what and why you "Amen". 

Custard! and Seeds
We went out for custard today (WI folk don't "do" ice cream...and you ain't had a dairy product until you had custard!) Well, I've always been partial to a place here called Kitts. Some people say they have enough sugar in their custard to give you diabetes off of one lick. Eh, whatever - it's good. But there are some that swear by Leon's. Even presidents have gone there. I went once, wasn't all that impressed, but I'll always give  things another try - you know, maybe they were having an "off" day.

What I learned today: I'd rather have Kitts than Leon's any day.

We have had seeds in our basement for the past, oh I'd say...3 years. Hubby finally decided to plant them.

What I learned today: Seeds do die eventually....

Monday, July 30, 2012

What I've Learned Today: Weekend Edition

Chicago!
So my inlaws are in town. They've never been to the midwest before so we figured, we couldn't let them come this far and not see Chicago. Not because Chicago is so great :-P  But because we "hear" it's pretty cool place to be lol. So we took a quick tour, and I must admit, although I wouldn't want to move there, it really IS an awesome place. The tour we took showed so much rich history, and the buildings were unique and beautiful. The fountain, park, and pier were just full of beauty. So while it's a "rival" city, I must give Chicago two thumbs up. I think I can do that w/o betraying my beloved PACKERS!!


What I learned: Chicago is a beautiful place rich in history. Garret's popcorn certainly lives up to it's reputation. Deep dish pizza from Giodarnos can't be beat - at least not from what I've tasted!

Olympics
I DVRd several events since I wasn't able to watch on Saturday. There's so much talent from these athletes. They train all their lives for an event that lasts approx 2 weeks and some change. That's amazing!

What I learned today: Speed walking is an Olympic sport. There's something to working hard for the prize, even if you've worked all your life and the prize comes in 15 minutes. Even Michael Phelps can be beat. Sometimes you have to give up the most precious thing to attain what you have been called to do.

Church Folk
A lot happened at church today. My husband was called on to give a testimony. I had prayed for him at the beginning of service that God would use him to touch others and that he wouldn't be nervous. Little did I know how God really used him. The bible doesn't lie when it says "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." - Rev. 12:11 And while this is referring to end time prophecy, for me it rings true even now. Many people were encouraged through the words my husband spoke - and I'm sure satan was mad about it. But that's alright because we are already declared more than once as overcomers! You can research for yourself in the Holy Bible and see that I'm not lyin :-)



Something or better yet, someONE else happened. I was in church today, praying for others and doing communion. I saw a "family" come in. And in my "judgmental" mind - they looked "hood". Came in at the last five minutes of church, talkin all loud, having people move out the way to sit in the front etc. Immediately I was like "oh now they need to quit" and I started praying for MYSELF that God would remove that thought I was having, I knew I wasn't right. I then began praying for them. Well, as I finished praying, I was just standing there, and the pastor came and said "Deidra, do you mind going to the other side to help the others pray, I don't think they (those who wanted to be prayed for) can see you over here." I gladly went...and who was waiting for prayer? The woman of that family and her daughters. What did she want prayer for? SALVATION because as she said she had "demons" that she's been trying to get rid of and can't. We went into a long explanation, long story short - I explained that that is something that she couldn't do on her own and that she needed Jesus' help. I explained, that's nothing I could give or do for her (her salvation), she needed to do that for herself, but I would be there with her as she took that step and I would pray for her after. She was scared b/c she "had never done that before" <--that statement in itself is funny to me b/c EVERYONE comes to Christ for the "first time". So I went through some bible verses about salvation and explained it's not as all "holy rollin'" as ppl make it seem...That God wants you to confess to Him that you are a sinner - confess your sins and ask for forgiveness and realize you need Him in your heart and life because clearly you can't do this life alone- accept and believe Him. It was just that simple. And she did - in. her. own. WORDS! That was one of the BEST experiences I've ever had as a "Christian" and I thank God that He let me be a part of it, all while teaching me some lessons.



What I learned today: When you harbor judgement, or ill-will toward a person, you completely remove yourself from being used by God to impact them in the most awesome way possible.


Beware: God convicts, not condemns because conviction shows there's a better way when you humble yourself. Condemnation says "There's no hope for you to get better". 


Allow conviction to happen, you never know what's going to happen when you repent and let your mind be renewed.


Secrets keep us bound. Confession frees our souls. 


You know God is about to do something through you when satan comes in and messes with your thinking, behaviour, attitude, and your spirit. Recognize it for what it is (an attack) don't give in (repent and pray) and move forward (praise God that you know THE better way "I am the way, truth and life - no man comes to the Father but by Me" - Jesus) 


Salvation is easier than what most people make it seem. There's no hocus pocus. And sometimes, you don't get that "holy holy" feeling. Sometimes it's subtle like a gentle breeze - it's not a force, but you know it's there. 


God really wants to teach us some things....we just really have to want to learn :-)



Saturday, July 28, 2012

What I've Learned Today about: Strangers, The Olympics, Sleep Typing

Stranger Danger?
Today has been a very long day. It started with the kids playing hookie from summer camp to go to tennis camp. While there, a gentleman sat next to me and in my head I'm thinking "oh here we go". But he was very nice. And I appreciated his company!
What I learned today: It's ok to speak to ppl, you never know who you may rub off on :-)

The Olympics
What I learned today: There are some beautiful people in other countries. There are a LOT of countries lol The Cook Island was named after Cpt James Cook. How often I forget the world is bigger than the US. For the Olympics Taiwan is now Chinese Taipei. You do enough research, you can find out just about anything!

Typing While Sleeping
What I learned today: Don't do it! LOL

Friday, July 27, 2012

What I've Learned Today about: Movies, Cauliflower, Saying NO!, and evil spiritual powers

Movies
I finally got to watch Manchurian Candidate.
What I learned today: Pay attention in movies. Most of the time, they are not made out of fiction!

Cauliflower Colorflower
Cauliflower has four different colors: white, orange, green, and purple. - Go figure!

Just Say No!
What I learned today: When you do things out of obligation, you usually aren't happy when doing it. So for the sake of your sanity and others - just say no!

Spiritual Warfare
There was a person who was an aquaintance of mine. I didn't know him well, but I knew him enough to know that he is a good guy. From what I could tell, he was mild mannered, and truly loved the Lord Jesus. Then one day something changed, well, he changed. It was like he had two different personalities. In one breath he would apologize, and in the next he would attack - very weird. Come to find out, just like in physical life - when one gets attacked in some sort of way, it affects their character and their attitude. Well this guy admitted to going through something spiritually - hence the attacks. In my quiet time, I've come to the conculsion that yes, it was wise to forgive him. Yes, it was wise to be a person he could confide in if needed. And yes, it is wise to pray for him that he and God would fight the battle together instead of him trying to do it on his own.

What I learned today: the true meaning of Ephesians 6:12 - For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

What I've learned today about: Skin, Domain Names, My Brain, Milwaukee


Skin Deep
What I learned today (b/c I forgot to write it yesterday):  A dog's brindle fur pattern goes all the way to the skin!


Domain Names
I was searching to find a domain name that I could use to "brand" my blog...

What I learned today: The person who took "whatIlearnedtoday.com" hasn't posted since 2005! grrrr


My Brain
I was reading a post and the poster wrote out the lyrics to "Thriller" by Michael Jackson....I couldn't help it.

What I learned today: Even when I read words to a song, I actually sing them in my head and imagine the video...if I've seen it.


Milwaukee
Apparently, there is a city tour here, and it's heresay that part of that tour has some interesting history...

What I learned today: Milwaukee possibly has an "underground railroad" stop here...interesting!

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

What I've learned today about: News, Fun and Games, Shackin' Up, and My Dog

News
JoJo (our Boxer) went in for surgery today. And as a good doctor (vet) would do, they gave all the horrible, most sad, and "doom and gloom" scenarios. Then he gave a glimmer of hope - what he has could just be fatty tissue. I think I'll take the fatty tissue for $500 Alex!

What I learned today: News is just that - news. And it can be accepted or rejected....


Fun & Games
My kids are in sports. And in sports, I only really have two rules: Play hard and pay attention. One of my kids needs more encouragement in these rules than the other. Although, one of them was caught slippin' today.

Today, I was working with my daughter after her tennis class (she and my son both play). She has problems with her follow through, and actually putting power behind her swing. Anyone who knows tennis knows that this does not bode well for getting the ball across the net. Anyway, after class, we were making progress and one of the instructors was playing with my son. The whole day, I had been telling my daughter "HIT THE BALL!" "SMACK the ball!" "C'mon, you can do it!". Well, my son was done playing around with the instructor, and wasn't paying attention. And for some reason, my daughter finally caught the vision of what I meant about "HIT THE BALL!" right at the same time my son was walking by - and SMACK!

What I learned today: Everything is all fun and games until someone gets hit in the face with a racket...


Shackin' Up
What I learned today: The Smoke Shack BBQ joint in Milwaukee has THE. BEST. southern food I've tasted since I left NC....


Dog-on-it!
What I learned today: That cyst was HUGE in his leg, but the vet got it all. Now we just pray it will come back benign!