I don't normally blog this early in the morning. I will check some blogs, but if I start blogging, I get sucked into the computer and my day gets totally thrown off. So why am I doing it today? Well, because my day is already thrown off, I'm on spring break, and I need to get some thoughts out.
First, I'm a bit down. I think we have lost the use of our laptop for a long while. Last year I had dropped the laptop on the floor. It wasn't too far of a drop, just from the couch to the carpeted floor, so it didn't do much damage. But it did break the power cord. We bought a new one back then for $115.00 . But the laptop is only a couple of years old, and it's still good. We figured it was a good investment. Well, ever since that time, we've realized the drop loosened something inside the laptop with the power box. I have to have the power cord set just right for it to work. Sometimes I have to wiggle it, or make sure the power cord is at a certain angle. I know, it means there is something loose or broken inside the laptop. We have a friend who works on computers, and I asked him about it. But he said he doesn't work on the power box of laptops, that most people don't. He would have to send it out to get it fixed and it would be at least $200. So we never had anything done to it. Truly, we just can't afford that. He thought we should just get a re-furbished laptop, but we didn't want to. Except for the power issue, this laptop is great and it works fine. Well, it has been about 9 months, and I think we are done with the ability to wiggle the power cord and keep the laptop working. I am so bummed since I use the laptop the most. It's where I do most of all my computer work. I'm only on the desktop in the morning, then I usually am on the laptop the rest of the day whenever I'm on the computer. It frees up the desktop for the kids for school, Paul to use it when he gets home or the kids to play on it. I know, we are completely blessed to even have a desktop let alone a laptop too. But I am still bummed about the fact of loosing the laptop. Today I'm going to be backing up all my files and making a list of my programs while it still has a fully charged battery. Then, unless I can get it to charge again, I will quietly, with remorse, put the laptop away in the closet until we have the money to get it fixed. Which, at the earliest will be August, and that's only enough money to get it looked at and ad estimate given. Let me cry one more time.
Now, I am not a person who believes the Lord gives us trials and temptations. It says clearly in James 1:13 to not say we are tempted by God, for He does not tempt anyone (my paraphrase). But, we do live in a fallen world. And this physical world has been decaying since Adam and Eve chose to sin. And because of that, things do happen. I do believe that though the Lord doesn't specifically give them to us, He does know all, He is in control. He knows whats going to happen and when, and He will use trials, temptations and yucky things to help us grow. Now all that being said, I'm looking at this loosing my laptop and trying to figure out if the Lord wants me to learn something through it. Have I been on the computer to much? Does the laptop make it easier to spend lots of time online? I do know because of my shoulder I can't be at the desktop for extended periods of time. That's why I use the laptop so much. Is there a lesson in here He is trying to show me? Hmmmm, maybe. I also know I have purposely been putting the laptop down more and more, and I know the Lord has been giving me strength to do other things and not just get sucked into the computer hole. But I also know that the Lord has given me the desire to work with computers. I've had it ever since I've been introduced to computers. And the Lord has used it to bless people, through my computer in many different ways. (Please know it's all the Lord and I'm not trying to blow my horn here, I'm just trying to make a point). Just like He has given people other abilities to bless people. You know, some people are great at making cards and little gifts for people, to cheer up there day. Or some people are great at making those phone calls or sending those emails of encouragement. Or some people are great at crafts, quilting etc... and make awesome things for people. So is this the Lord trying to teach me something, or the enemy trying to keep me away from something? Truly, I don't know. But I am going to keep praying about it, and searching for ways to get our laptop looked at for free. Yes, I know free is a tall order. But we don't have any extra money to get it looked at. So it has to be free. And no matter what, the Lord is in control. And I pray that I do His will through this whole thing.
Now, I know I said there are a couple of things I wanted to talk about, and truly there is. So, I guess this will be a long rambling post for me. Hmmm, I haven't had one of those in a while.
The second thing is reading the Word of God. Maybe I'm the only one, but I get so confused when people say we need to read, study, be in the Word of God. What does that exactly mean? I remember being taught at that church we were at (that wasn't the best of churches) that don't ever read the Word like any other book. You need to study it, memorize it, know it. Hmmm, great advice, but you know what that thought has done to me? Made me hardly ever pick up the bible to just read it. If I don't have time to really 'study' it, then I don't even bother picking it up. That can't be good, can it? And now, I'm at a loss on how to read it. I know how to study it. I know how to pull out the concordances, go online to great study sites like blueletterbible. To study the Greek and Hebrew definitions of words, things like that. But truly, who has time for that kind of in depth study every single day? I know I don't. So because I can't do that kind of extensive studying, and I was taught never to casually read the bible, I don't hardly pick it up. I have been praying and seeking the Lord about this for months. And I do believe He is helping me through the cobwebs, getting back to a balanced view of things. That yes, we do need to do in depth studies of God's Word, but that it's o.k. to just pick up His Word and read it too. Dare I say read it 'casually'. And when I say casually, I'm not saying picking and choosing things to believe. I mean, that when I'm reading it I'm not 'studying' it. I'm reading it like a book in a way. Wanting to read it, see what it says, without bringing out all the study guides. But see, I was lead to believe that was a wrong approach. And in my mind I do always want to study it. I do want to read it with the intent of seeing what specific thing the Lord wants to show me. But I don't always want to pull out all the other study guides. So I have been trying more to just open the Word and be in it. Reading it, casually sometimes. In the middle of the day trying to read in the psalms or proverbs. When I have a few minutes, reading some verses from Romans, which is where I know the Lord wants me in right now. Am I 'studying' it, not in the way I was taught was 'the' only way, but I am reading it. And I have to believe that the Lord would want me in it like that throughout the day, even if I don't have pad and paper out, taking massive notes and looking up definitions. I'm such an all or nothing person. I can get so out of balance so very quickly. And I have allowed myself to get out of balance with being in His Word.
So I am going to keep picking up God's Word and reading it in many different ways. I'll do full studies of it, I'll take notes from it, but sometimes I'll just read it. And I'll allow myself to be ok with just reading it. Knowing that even though I haven't done an exhaustive study, I'm still in His Word. Which is the best place I can be.
If you've made it this far thank you so much for sticking with me through my morning ramblings. Maybe mornings aren't the best time to blog, it makes my entries longer. I have to get off the computer now. My shoulder is starting to hurt. I hope to make it to all of your blogs later. After I've done some shoulder exercises and rested it a bit. Any prayers you want to say for me, I would be appreciative of it. I'm blessed by all of you. Thanks for reading my ramblings.
Remember,that economic stimulus check is on its way in May? Perhaps a little could go to fix the laptop. ;-)
And I think you are on the right track with not blogging in the morning, although, I would love to read what you are thinking sooner than the next day because I am an eastern time zoner!
Jenn
I had a laptop a while ago and used it until it wasn't of any use at all. It was so handy, as I could sit in my comfortable chair with my legs up and be with my DH while typing away on it. It died. Now we have a computer in another room, and I don't like to use it in the evenings, as I still enjoy my chair, and of course being with my DH in the evening. (-:
Mama Karen
I feel the same way as you are saying it right now in regards to reading and studying the word. Since applying the HOWTA Approach to our "schooling" I have learned more about the OT and NT than I ever had attending church or going to Sunday school. I have found for myself that when I take something that is applied to everyday and I feel the Lord teaching me somthing I need to stop and listen to him. Even the book the kids and I are doing through the HSB Literary Club has convicted me in some way just by reading the current book Helens Temper. I find it interested that most folks want to condemn those that do not read faithfully but if people recall we didnt always have a bible, we also had to rely on the personal conviction of the Lord on our Souls. Now this is not to say we should pitch the bible, no not at all, I think taking in what the Lord says we are to taken in is better than just reading it as a "book".
I hope you have a wonderful day, I miss our chats chicky
My now three year old, climbed up my desk when he was about 18mo and dropped my brand new laptop off the desk. It didn't shatter anything, but it blew the screen. I bought a cable and used to plug it into the TV so I could use it, but that only worked for about six months. Now it's shot, including the harddrive. I know what you mean. They are expensive to replace and it's really tough when you're used to having one.
I'm sorry I haven't been here in awhile. I can't wait to see your fillet crochet :)
Wow, what a post, I'm sorry about your laptop. Yes, (LOL) I read the whole thing, your writing is easier than most people even if you write a long post ;)
I agree, the word should be where you are to be...don't worry what others say as to how, where, when you should read your bible....that's in between you and the Lord.....I used to worry a lot about this, then I decided I needed to hear from Him....because He looks at the heart....I believe if you open and read, He will lead you into what you need to learn because He knows your heart, He is patience with us His children. But, yes the word at mid-day is a wonderful refreshing glass of cool water ;)
OK, I better get to bed, I did some deep cleaning yesterday and today, I get tired with the house being closed for so many months and all of the winter dust....dust bunnies everywhere ;o)
Good night,
(((hugs)))
Katia
You did have a lot to say. And it was all good. I think the laptop does make it easier to stay on here. I can just move it around with me. I will pray for your shoulder. I hope it is ok. I feel better even if I just read one verse in the Bible.
Hugs,
Christy
I think there is a lot of pressure in the Christian community to do devotions or some sort of in-depth Bible study everyday. Yes, reading the word is important, but not if you are reading it for the wrong reasons. For me it is about my relationship with God. Reading the Bible is part of the relationship because I want to learn more about Him. But that doesn't always have to be "studying."
God knows your heart and when and how you read is between you and Him. It is your relationship with Him. Try to let go of pre-set standards of what that relationship should look like. It sounds like you are heading that way already. So, keep it up!
I'm always leery of someone that says that their way is the ONLY way. If it's not spelled out in the Bible then I feel it's not set in stone. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but by me". That is an absolute, there is no arguing that if you are a Christian, but the Bible does not say you have to whip out your handy concordance every time you study the Word. I know this is just my 2 cents worth, but I really feel they are wrong in teaching that. I hope you are able to get your laptop looked at soon. I wish you lived near me. I have 5 computer guys (experts!) in my family. Out of the 5, surely one of them could figure out what you need. *sigh* I agree with you that the computer can be used to bless people. I truly feel that my friends online (you included!!!!) have been a blessing in my life. I just mentioned last night to Hubby that now that I'm blogging again, my spirits are up! It's hard to get out when you don't feel well and I have felt cut off from people (IRL) this winter since I have been sick for so long, but talking to my friends on the computer have made the days less lonely!!! :)
This blog is so I can share my journey with the Lord, my journey as a wife and mother, and my journey as a homeschool mom. I pray that you will see the Lord in my life through happy and sad times, and that this blog glorifies the Lord.
This is an award and tag free zone, thank you.
Last year I had dropped the laptop on the floor. It wasn't too far of a drop, just from the couch to the carpeted floor, so it didn't do much damage. But it did break the power cord. We bought a new one back then for $115.00 
. But the laptop is only a couple of years old, and it's still good. We figured it was a good investment. Well, ever since that time, we've realized the drop loosened something inside the laptop with the power box. I have to have the power cord set just right for it to work. Sometimes I have to wiggle it, or make sure the power cord is at a certain angle. I know, it means there is something loose or broken inside the laptop. We have a friend who works on computers, and I asked him about it. But he said he doesn't work on the power box of laptops, that most people don't. He would have to send it out to get it fixed and it would be at least $200. 
So we never had anything done to it. Truly, we just can't afford that. He thought we should just get a re-furbished laptop, but we didn't want to. Except for the power issue, this laptop is great and it works fine. Well, it has been about 9 months, and I think we are done with the ability to wiggle the power cord and keep the laptop working. I am so bummed since I use the laptop the most. It's where I do most of all my computer work. I'm only on the desktop in the morning, then I usually am on the laptop the rest of the day whenever I'm on the computer. It frees up the desktop for the kids for school, Paul to use it when he gets home or the kids to play on it. I know, we are completely blessed to even have a desktop let alone a laptop too. But I am still bummed about the fact of loosing the laptop. Today I'm going to be backing up all my files and making a list of my programs while it still has a fully charged battery. Then, unless I can get it to charge again, I will quietly, with remorse, put the laptop away in the closet until we have the money to get it fixed. Which, at the earliest will be August, and that's only enough money to get it looked at and ad estimate given. Let me cry one more time. 
If I don't have time to really 'study' it, then I don't even bother picking it up. That can't be good, can it? And now, I'm at a loss on how to read it. I know how to study it. I know how to pull out the concordances, go online to great study sites like blueletterbible. To study the Greek and Hebrew definitions of words, things like that. But truly, who has time for that kind of in depth study every single day? I know I don't. So because I can't do that kind of extensive studying, and I was taught never to casually read the bible, I don't hardly pick it up. I have been praying and seeking the Lord about this for months. And I do believe He is helping me through the cobwebs, getting back to a balanced view of things. That yes, we do need to do in depth studies of God's Word, but that it's o.k. to just pick up His Word and read it too. Dare I say read it 'casually'. And when I say casually, I'm not saying picking and choosing things to believe. I mean, that when I'm reading it I'm not 'studying' it. I'm reading it like a book in a way. Wanting to read it, see what it says, without bringing out all the study guides. But see, I was lead to believe that was a wrong approach. And in my mind I do always want to study it. I do want to read it with the intent of seeing what specific thing the Lord wants to show me. But I don't always want to pull out all the other study guides. So I have been trying more to just open the Word and be in it. Reading it, casually sometimes. In the middle of the day trying to read in the psalms or proverbs. When I have a few minutes, reading some verses from Romans, which is where I know the Lord wants me in right now. Am I 'studying' it, not in the way I was taught was 'the' only way, but I am reading it. And I have to believe that the Lord would want me in it like that throughout the day, even if I don't have pad and paper out, taking massive notes and looking up definitions. I'm such an all or nothing person. I can get so out of balance so very quickly. And I have allowed myself to get out of balance with being in His Word.
I have to get off the computer now. My shoulder is starting to hurt. 
