Feeling Better

I'm reading "The Enchantress of Florence."

I read a short story by Rushdie once several years ago for class, and I liked it. He's an Indian author who lives in the muddled confusion that involves every culture influenced by globalization. Only he doesn't write about it head-on. He writes about its roots (in my current novel), or he just writes a really great story that involves a humanistic philosophy (what other philosopher would ponder 'the first person singular--the "I"'?) set upside down by the uncivilized world's march toward progress. At least, I hope it's a really great story. This one seems to be.

One very non-humanistic, very Christian idea (or is it?? Would Rushdie's main character learn a Christian lesson before Christ was born? Is it, instead, some Hindi religous idea that also just happens to be a Christian concept?) which I love: "The lessening from which growing could begin." Sounds to me like this: "I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds."

Current Status: Watching Benjamin Button

I've been feeling crummy all week...finally, Saturday morning, my head hurt so bad I went to the doctor. Turns out I have strep throat and a migraine that might or might not be a migraine and might or might not be related to the strep throat! Two prescriptions, lots of juice and water, and three slices of pizza (the medicine calmed my nausea so I could finally eat a full meal) later, I am happily ensconced in blankets on the couch, watching movies and drifting off whenever I feel like it. It is wonderful to have a legitimate reason to feel crummy :).
Funny, though, how I still have problems sitting still. Even when I have strep and a really bad headache.

Melt

I have excessive amounts of pride. Sometimes it seems to ooze out of my pores, there's so much of it. The thought occured to me yesterday, in a fit of choking frustration, that the tremendous lengths Jesus went to to win our freedom were neccesary, or my heart would never be softened.
It is the heart of Jesus that wept for Jerusalem, spent hours in the heat, in the sun, in the rain, on the dusty paths, just so He could gather His flock, teach His children (and His betrayers), long to reach the lost because we were worth it.
It is the gashes carved out of his back by Roman floggers, the gentle hands that used to hold a universe together and touch and heal a lepers skin, now torn sinew from sinew by blunt nails and a heavy cross because it was worth it.
It is the King who achieved His victory, who is simultaneously not ashamed to call me "brother" even in the face of the honest frankness that I am not worth anything alone, but worth everything in Him.
He melts my prideful, frozen heart and reminds me, "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains [just one grain; it never becomes more but lives] by itself alone. But if it dies, it produces many others and yields a rich harvest."

Worth It

He's the remedy. (David Crowder)

It will be worth it. (Rita Springer)

Peter: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

-1 Peter 1

Focus on the humility that led to my freedom.

Focus on the holiness that creates and holds together a supremely majestic universe.

Focus on the love that plans my steps. Footstep by footstep.

He has written His faithfulness and His trustworthiness on my heart for times such as these.

He is the remedy.

It is worth it.

the 46 stages of Twitter

or, round two in my epic Sarah vs. Twitter battle. So far, Twitter 1, Sarah 0.

THE 46 STAGES OF TWITTER

Little did he know...

Genius:

Genius for:
Harold: Ten seconds ago you didn't want to help.
Dr. Hilbert: It's been a very revealing ten seconds.

and

a subtle, highly ironic-but-ironic-with-tongue-in-cheek irony plot

and

lots of scenes filmed in the rain. Bravo.

New profile pic, courtesy of Spiegel.

In other news, a Turkish Reality TV Show Aims to Convert Non-Believers. A transsexual, imams, the Vatican, and blondes. Great story.