Chris Loehmer Kincaid's Blog, page 141
January 6, 2015
What I read in 2014
The other day, as I was posting my list of 40 things I had done in 2014, I was hit with a stroke of genius. I can milk that list for a couple more days! Coz I am sure you looked at some of those things, and went “What is she talking about?” So without further ado, here is the explanation of my reading list from last year. 1. finish Ragged Hope 2. finish Sell Your Book like Wildfire3. finish the book of Numbers 4. read the book of Matthew 5. read the book of Deuteronomy 6. read the book of Mark7. read the book of Joshua 8. read the book of Judges9. read the book of Daniel and Decoding Daniel10. read Miracle at Tenwek
You probably said to yourself, “so what, she read ten books – or finished them – as I bet those first three books on her list she had started the year before.”To which I would respond, “Bingo”. Yes, I read more books last year, 22, I believe, if my Goodreads list is accurate. Seven of the books on this list are books of the Bible (and not part of the 22 books on Goodreads, by the way), which shouldn’t be a challenge, but anyone who has read the Bible knows that’s not true. I tend to only read my Bible at bedtime. It’s too big and bulky to drag around and read at lunch or while waiting for an appointment. I have one version of the Bible downloaded on my Kindle, but if you look carefully at my list, I tend to jump around, which I find hard to do on the Kindle.
Several other books simply were a challenge. Neither “Sell Your Book Like Wildfire” or “Miracle at Tenwek” kept my interest much, but I just kept plowing through. “Decoding Daniel” was also a challenge and way over my head. We read it for my Tuesday morning Bible study, so it took forever and parts of it were over the heads of everyone else in the room some mornings. Which should explain which books made my reading list and why. What books are on your reading list for 2015? What kinds of books are they? The latest best-sellers? Classics? Self-help?
January 4, 2015
40 in '14
I seem to still be wrapping up 2014. I have an aversion to change so it only figures that I wouldn’t deal well with the New Year. I’ve only had to write “’15” once so far. That is another advantage of on-line banking.
Anyway, last January I wrote up a list of 40 things to do in ’14. I had to tweak that list a lot over the year and I am just today adding the final few things that brings my number back to 40. And of course, I categorized the entire list. You knew I would.
READING1. finish Ragged Hope2. finish Sell Your Book like Wildfire3. finish the book of Numbers4. read the book of Matthew5. read the book of Deuteronomy6. read the book of Mark7. read the book of Joshua8. read the book of Judges9. read the book of Daniel and Decoding Daniel10. read Miracle at TenwekWRITING11. finish writing Early Life of Jesus in 40 Days12. publish Early Life of Jesus13. finish writing Tale of an American Woman14. start writing Early Ministry of JesusNONPROFIT15. apply for tax exempt status16. do a large scale fundraiser for Tumaini17. set up Etsy shop18. make $1000 selling our Kenyan crafts19. get tax exempt statusSEWING20. sew scrub top from Kenyan cloth21. sew curtains for Palm room22. sew retro summer dressHOUSE AND YARD23. clean my office and keep it clean!24. update my Snoopy list25. paint my bathroom 26. plant my garden27. plant my flowers28. make another trail in the woods29. clean the Palm roomTRAVEL30. go away in the spring31 take a road trip with my sister32. go camping in the summer33. go away in the fallCHURCH34. work on Easter Dinner 35. write children’s Christmas program36. do the Christmas programFAMILY37. host Trink’s BD party38. host Thanksgiving dinnerHEALTH39. walk half the streets of town40. start running again
Yes, some of these items seem pretty trivial, but sometimes the challenge is just getting the motivation. Plus, some things which seem so small are really quite big to me. I should have added taking my Kinship kid horseback riding and to the Renaissance Festival, coz those were really big, but then I would have had to re-work half of the list. Which inspires me to start on a list for 2015 and maybe then I can remember everything that I should be doing.
The problem with the 2015 list is should I make it 50 things long?
This is my Palm tree room in the basement. It hardly ever gets used, so can anyone tell me how it gets so dirty? (This picture was taken 18 months ago, after I cleaned it the last time. I didn't get any "before" pictures of it.)
Anyway, last January I wrote up a list of 40 things to do in ’14. I had to tweak that list a lot over the year and I am just today adding the final few things that brings my number back to 40. And of course, I categorized the entire list. You knew I would.
READING1. finish Ragged Hope2. finish Sell Your Book like Wildfire3. finish the book of Numbers4. read the book of Matthew5. read the book of Deuteronomy6. read the book of Mark7. read the book of Joshua8. read the book of Judges9. read the book of Daniel and Decoding Daniel10. read Miracle at TenwekWRITING11. finish writing Early Life of Jesus in 40 Days12. publish Early Life of Jesus13. finish writing Tale of an American Woman14. start writing Early Ministry of JesusNONPROFIT15. apply for tax exempt status16. do a large scale fundraiser for Tumaini17. set up Etsy shop18. make $1000 selling our Kenyan crafts19. get tax exempt statusSEWING20. sew scrub top from Kenyan cloth21. sew curtains for Palm room22. sew retro summer dressHOUSE AND YARD23. clean my office and keep it clean!24. update my Snoopy list25. paint my bathroom 26. plant my garden27. plant my flowers28. make another trail in the woods29. clean the Palm roomTRAVEL30. go away in the spring31 take a road trip with my sister32. go camping in the summer33. go away in the fallCHURCH34. work on Easter Dinner 35. write children’s Christmas program36. do the Christmas programFAMILY37. host Trink’s BD party38. host Thanksgiving dinnerHEALTH39. walk half the streets of town40. start running again
Yes, some of these items seem pretty trivial, but sometimes the challenge is just getting the motivation. Plus, some things which seem so small are really quite big to me. I should have added taking my Kinship kid horseback riding and to the Renaissance Festival, coz those were really big, but then I would have had to re-work half of the list. Which inspires me to start on a list for 2015 and maybe then I can remember everything that I should be doing.
The problem with the 2015 list is should I make it 50 things long?
This is my Palm tree room in the basement. It hardly ever gets used, so can anyone tell me how it gets so dirty? (This picture was taken 18 months ago, after I cleaned it the last time. I didn't get any "before" pictures of it.)
What holiday is this week?
This week the Christian church celebrates Epiphany. In Greek, the word Epiphany means manifestation or striking appearance, thus this holy day commemorates the revelation of God’s Son Jesus Christ as a human being. Different denominations emphasize every time in the life of Jesus from birth to the visit of the Wise Men to His baptism as an adult by John the Baptist. The church I attend has always celebrated Epiphany as the day when the Wise Men showed up, which makes sense to me because these travelers from afar were the first non-Jewish people to acknowledge Jesus. It’s one thing if your own people recognize You, but when foreigners say, “Hey, this is the One we’ve been looking for”, I feel that is a revelation.
Also, “The Early Life ofJesus in 40 Days”, which tells about this visit in detail, was just published, and I’d like to share some excerpts of it with you this week.
Day 16After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory – this was during Herod’s kingship – a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. (Matthew 2:1)We always think of the wise men showing up at the place of Jesus’ birth. In reality, they probably arrived at least several weeks, if not months, later.Who were these scholars? No one really knows for sure, but they traveled out of the East, perhaps from Persia, or Babylon. They may have been astrologers, magicians, or even physicians.We also always picture three of them; somewhere, somebody even named them Melchior, Balthazar, and Gaspar. The Bible, though, never names them and never says that there were three of them. Once again, our imaginations want to make this Bible story more personal. We picture the magi riding camels across the desert, showing up just in time for Jesus to be born. It’s not important, though, how many there were or when they found Jesus. What matters is that the wise men do eventually find Him.We will learn as we continue to read Matthew’s account that the wise men don’t just stumble upon Jesus. They travel many miles, for many months. They have been searching for a very long time, studying Scripture and other documents, as well as asking around until they eventually find Jesus.
If you have recently let Jesus into your life, you can read the Bible and talk to others to learn as much as you can about Him. Ask questions, then be willing to commit your life to Him.
Also, “The Early Life ofJesus in 40 Days”, which tells about this visit in detail, was just published, and I’d like to share some excerpts of it with you this week.
Day 16After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory – this was during Herod’s kingship – a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. (Matthew 2:1)We always think of the wise men showing up at the place of Jesus’ birth. In reality, they probably arrived at least several weeks, if not months, later.Who were these scholars? No one really knows for sure, but they traveled out of the East, perhaps from Persia, or Babylon. They may have been astrologers, magicians, or even physicians.We also always picture three of them; somewhere, somebody even named them Melchior, Balthazar, and Gaspar. The Bible, though, never names them and never says that there were three of them. Once again, our imaginations want to make this Bible story more personal. We picture the magi riding camels across the desert, showing up just in time for Jesus to be born. It’s not important, though, how many there were or when they found Jesus. What matters is that the wise men do eventually find Him.We will learn as we continue to read Matthew’s account that the wise men don’t just stumble upon Jesus. They travel many miles, for many months. They have been searching for a very long time, studying Scripture and other documents, as well as asking around until they eventually find Jesus.
If you have recently let Jesus into your life, you can read the Bible and talk to others to learn as much as you can about Him. Ask questions, then be willing to commit your life to Him.
January 3, 2015
Another Challenge
Two years ago I took the January Ultimate Blog Challenge. It is simple enough – post to your blog daily for a month. When I first started blogging in 2010, I actually wrote a blog nearly every night as I wanted to share my entire life story with the entire world. Over the years, it is not that the stories have dried up – I have a few left which I am saving for a rainy day. But as anyone who has a life would attest, it is a challenge to blog every day. I guess that’s why they call it a challenge.
Two days ago, rather out of the blue, I decided to take up the Ultimate Blog Challenge again. I had been lax in blogging, or doing much of any writing for the last two months, and I thought I needed something to get me going again. A commitment to BICFOK (butt in chair, fingers on keyboard).
So here I am. 28 more days to go, and not a lot of ideas in my head. Yet I will forge ahead. If you read yesterday’s post, you may remember that my word for the year is anticipation. I anticipate a year filled with words covering my computer screen and for that to happen I must start somewhere. This is where I begin.
(My writing space when I am on a roll. It has been a while since that has happened, but I will get it back again this month!)
Two days ago, rather out of the blue, I decided to take up the Ultimate Blog Challenge again. I had been lax in blogging, or doing much of any writing for the last two months, and I thought I needed something to get me going again. A commitment to BICFOK (butt in chair, fingers on keyboard).
So here I am. 28 more days to go, and not a lot of ideas in my head. Yet I will forge ahead. If you read yesterday’s post, you may remember that my word for the year is anticipation. I anticipate a year filled with words covering my computer screen and for that to happen I must start somewhere. This is where I begin.
(My writing space when I am on a roll. It has been a while since that has happened, but I will get it back again this month!)
January 2, 2015
And this year's word is . . .
I don’t know how – or why – this word got stuck in my head last night. But there it is and there is not much I can do about it.
ANTICIPATION
Just like the kid with the ketchup bottle, we wait with impatient anticipation for something really good. Or we sit on the edge of our seats, holding our breath in anticipation of some news. Or we just plain look forward to tomorrow or the next day. We wonder when the sun will come out. We wonder when the snow will melt. We wonder if we will ever see green grass again.
I have always lived in anticipation. I love to plan. I love to look at the calendar and try to figure out what to do on my next day off. I search the internet plotting trips to places like Michigan and Missouri. I count the days until we can jump in the car and my planning comes to life. I page through the calendar and mark any day when anything is supposed to happen.
ANTICIPATION
And if I have nothing to look forward to, if there are no vacations on the horizon, no family gatherings on the calendar, nothing to count down to, I get pretty bummed out.
This year, however, I am going to thrive on my anticipation. If there is nothing in the works, I will anticipate tomorrow’s sunrise, I will anticipate kicking my shoes off at the end of the day, I will anticipate a peaceful evening on the couch.
I can live for today, but I will anticipate tomorrow!
January 1, 2015
ACCEPTANCE
A year ago, I ran across another blog which was talked about choosing a word for the year. I did some research and discovered this is actually rather popular. Many people, whether bloggers, Christians or random strangers on Facebook, pick a word to concentrate on in the coming year. A word which can offer support and inspiration, a word which can pull your focus back to where you need it to be.
My word for 2014 was ACCEPTANCE. I typed it up and put it on my desk for the year.
That's a picture of my Compassion girl in Kenya above my word. Occasionally during the past twelve months, I would look at that word and would indeed get my focus back. More often, however, I would look at it and think, “What am I supposed to do with that word again?”
As the months passed, I forgot more and more about that word on my desk. The first of October I sent my third book to my publisher, he accepted it and we began the stressful process of preparing my shoddy manuscript for publication. Though I knew it would be tight, I had high hopes for the book being out by Christmas.
And I came so close. Until I started getting emails from my publisher apologizing for there being a snag with their printer. The days dragged into weeks and the 25th of December loomed large on the calendar.
And a certain word loomed on my desk.
ACCEPTANCE
Then there in the mail on December 23 was a neat little package containing the proof copy of “The Early Life of Jesus in 40 Days”. At this point, I always feel like just tossing it to the side. I don’t know if other authors feel the same way, but after all that work, it feels anticlimactic to hold your finished book in your hand.
I grudgingly opened the package, turned the book over and found three mistakes on the back cover. I was crushed. I really did want to throw the book across the room.
ACCEPTANCE
I don’t know why, but God had a reason for the delay in printing the book and the further delay caused by these errors (errors I should have caught on the electronic proof).
I don’t know what the New Year will bring (hopefully a case of “The Early Life of Jesus in 40 Days” within the next two weeks) and I don’t know what word to choose to keep me on track for the year. I do know of one word that has worked well just recently.
ACCEPTANCE
My word for 2014 was ACCEPTANCE. I typed it up and put it on my desk for the year.
That's a picture of my Compassion girl in Kenya above my word. Occasionally during the past twelve months, I would look at that word and would indeed get my focus back. More often, however, I would look at it and think, “What am I supposed to do with that word again?”As the months passed, I forgot more and more about that word on my desk. The first of October I sent my third book to my publisher, he accepted it and we began the stressful process of preparing my shoddy manuscript for publication. Though I knew it would be tight, I had high hopes for the book being out by Christmas.
And I came so close. Until I started getting emails from my publisher apologizing for there being a snag with their printer. The days dragged into weeks and the 25th of December loomed large on the calendar.
And a certain word loomed on my desk.
ACCEPTANCE
Then there in the mail on December 23 was a neat little package containing the proof copy of “The Early Life of Jesus in 40 Days”. At this point, I always feel like just tossing it to the side. I don’t know if other authors feel the same way, but after all that work, it feels anticlimactic to hold your finished book in your hand.
I grudgingly opened the package, turned the book over and found three mistakes on the back cover. I was crushed. I really did want to throw the book across the room.
ACCEPTANCE
I don’t know why, but God had a reason for the delay in printing the book and the further delay caused by these errors (errors I should have caught on the electronic proof).
I don’t know what the New Year will bring (hopefully a case of “The Early Life of Jesus in 40 Days” within the next two weeks) and I don’t know what word to choose to keep me on track for the year. I do know of one word that has worked well just recently.
ACCEPTANCE
December 30, 2014
My wish for you
When I got to church Sunday morning, these three words were etched in the Snow along the sidewalk leading up to the church doors.
Funny. We usually go to church on Saturday night. If we would have last weekend, I would have missed this in the dark. Or maybe the words hadn't been written in the snow yet.
In any case, I discovered these words when I did because that was part of God's wish for me.
My wish for you in the coming year is that you are granted peace, your heart is filled with hope and you are surrounded by love.
Funny. We usually go to church on Saturday night. If we would have last weekend, I would have missed this in the dark. Or maybe the words hadn't been written in the snow yet.In any case, I discovered these words when I did because that was part of God's wish for me.
My wish for you in the coming year is that you are granted peace, your heart is filled with hope and you are surrounded by love.
December 28, 2014
Post-Christmas Post
We all know what Mary and Joseph found in the manger on the first Christmas.But what did I find this Christmas?
In my woods, I found the perfect little Christmas tree. But I thought he looked perfect in the woods and wouldn't look so perfect in my living room.
In my living room, my husband had already put up and decorated the perfect Christmas tree. It maybe wouldn't be everyone's perfect tree, but it is perfect because it is in my very imperfect house.
Santa paid me a visit and brought me a treat. The only thing cuter than his treat is he himself.
I found a ridiculous amount of presents with my name on them. I may be spoiled, but I am blessed too.
Dino is spoiled too. But all he really wanted for Christmas was to be with his family, but he found this old bone in his toy box and that made him even happier.
And at the end of the day, when the sun had set, I found that the lights had come on like always.
I also found that I have a family who loves me as much as I love them.
I pray you all were also blessed this Christmas and that you found what you were hoping for.
I pray you found Jesus in your heart. May God bless you in the coming year.
In my woods, I found the perfect little Christmas tree. But I thought he looked perfect in the woods and wouldn't look so perfect in my living room.
In my living room, my husband had already put up and decorated the perfect Christmas tree. It maybe wouldn't be everyone's perfect tree, but it is perfect because it is in my very imperfect house.
Santa paid me a visit and brought me a treat. The only thing cuter than his treat is he himself.
I found a ridiculous amount of presents with my name on them. I may be spoiled, but I am blessed too.
Dino is spoiled too. But all he really wanted for Christmas was to be with his family, but he found this old bone in his toy box and that made him even happier.
And at the end of the day, when the sun had set, I found that the lights had come on like always.
I also found that I have a family who loves me as much as I love them.
I pray you all were also blessed this Christmas and that you found what you were hoping for.I pray you found Jesus in your heart. May God bless you in the coming year.
December 21, 2014
Four Days Til Christmas
As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed. Luke 2:15-18
The shepherds were used to staying up all night watching their sheep. But that doesn’t mean that they didn’t get tired and bored. The message from the angels had to have startled them wide awake. They were maybe even pleased to have a little excitement, a change of pace. Perhaps they looked at each other, shrugged and said, “We better check this out.” So they left their sheep to fend for themselves and headed into town.When the shepherds saw the baby, they knew the angel was right; this wasn’t just any baby. This little boy was special and would grow up to save us all.
How did the sheepherders know, just by looking at this newborn, that He had come to save them? Had the angels’ message been that convincing? Perhaps. But more likely, the Holy Spirit came into their hearts and minds and showed them the truth.Have you ever had a moment where things suddenly came clear to you? Maybe you were unsure of something, and without explanation, you suddenly understood? Perhaps God’s Holy Spirit revealed the truth to you.
(From "The Christmas Story in 40 Days", published by Life Sentence Publishing, 2013)
From the Children's Christmas program at my church last night.
The shepherds were used to staying up all night watching their sheep. But that doesn’t mean that they didn’t get tired and bored. The message from the angels had to have startled them wide awake. They were maybe even pleased to have a little excitement, a change of pace. Perhaps they looked at each other, shrugged and said, “We better check this out.” So they left their sheep to fend for themselves and headed into town.When the shepherds saw the baby, they knew the angel was right; this wasn’t just any baby. This little boy was special and would grow up to save us all.
How did the sheepherders know, just by looking at this newborn, that He had come to save them? Had the angels’ message been that convincing? Perhaps. But more likely, the Holy Spirit came into their hearts and minds and showed them the truth.Have you ever had a moment where things suddenly came clear to you? Maybe you were unsure of something, and without explanation, you suddenly understood? Perhaps God’s Holy Spirit revealed the truth to you.
(From "The Christmas Story in 40 Days", published by Life Sentence Publishing, 2013)
From the Children's Christmas program at my church last night.
December 14, 2014
Eleven Days Til Christmas
So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendent of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant. Luke 2:4-5
The people in Bible times placed much importance on their family line, and they were expected to return to their ancestors' hometowns for the census. Various characters throughout the Bible have whole lists written of their descendants. It would only make sense to them that if they were all going to be counted, they would go to the hometowns of their ancestors. Looking on a map, Nazareth appears to be fairly close to Bethlehem, approximately ninety miles away. It would’ve taken them at least several days to walk that distance, especially with Mary being pregnant. We picture Mary riding a donkey with Joseph walking beside her. There’s no mention in the Bible, however, that she rode a donkey. Since they were relatively poor, it is possible that she walked right along with Joseph.
When we take a trip somewhere, we make plans. We study a map and pack our bags. Things were different in Jesus’ time. There was no GPS, no triple A, and no spacious SUV. The donkey might have been their only luxury. Maybe. If they had a donkey. Imagine taking a week-long trip without any of the comforts we are used to. Now, imagine being pregnant besides.
(From "The Christmas Story in 40 Days", published by Life Sentence Publishing, 2013)
The people in Bible times placed much importance on their family line, and they were expected to return to their ancestors' hometowns for the census. Various characters throughout the Bible have whole lists written of their descendants. It would only make sense to them that if they were all going to be counted, they would go to the hometowns of their ancestors. Looking on a map, Nazareth appears to be fairly close to Bethlehem, approximately ninety miles away. It would’ve taken them at least several days to walk that distance, especially with Mary being pregnant. We picture Mary riding a donkey with Joseph walking beside her. There’s no mention in the Bible, however, that she rode a donkey. Since they were relatively poor, it is possible that she walked right along with Joseph.
When we take a trip somewhere, we make plans. We study a map and pack our bags. Things were different in Jesus’ time. There was no GPS, no triple A, and no spacious SUV. The donkey might have been their only luxury. Maybe. If they had a donkey. Imagine taking a week-long trip without any of the comforts we are used to. Now, imagine being pregnant besides.
(From "The Christmas Story in 40 Days", published by Life Sentence Publishing, 2013)
