Back to the Ocean...

The "Mine Mine" birds were caught in traffic with us on the way to the park...

We decided to use our 2nd day free tickets at Sea World today. Although we got up a little later than we’d planned, we were able to accomplish an awful lot.

Over the course of the day, we saw Blue Horizons (the dolphin show), One Ocean (the new Shamu show), Sesame Street Christmas (which really missed the mark on the true meaning of Christmas… not that I was expecting a whole lot more from Sesame Street… we went because Ian loves Cookie Monster), and Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island. Miah was enamored with the shows, and especially loved the part in Blue Horizons when the birds come out and fly all around the stadium. Ian also really enjoyed the shows and was quite pleased to have a break from getting on rides!

Grace and Caleb were brave enough to pet the stingrays for the first time ever, but Caleb was not expecting them to feel slimy, so he pulled his hand back, causing the stingray to become a little alarmed. The stingray, in turn, splashed us pretty good. Caleb was super disappointed with the experience, which makes me a little sad, since petting the stingrays is something I really look forward to every time we visit Sea World. We didn’t have much luck petting the dolphins, either, because no one could quite reach them… although Miah sure gave it her best shot!

We did ride everything in Shamu’s Happy Harbor except for Swishy Fishies, which was closed for the day. Ian loved the Flying Fiddler and giggled through the whole thing. He kept saying, “This ride is funny!” I think it was the butterflies in his stomach! We also managed to convince him to try the Shamu Express… (please read “convince” as “bribe”… Ian is now the proud owner of a Shamu stuffed animal…) Funny story… Near the end of our night in the park we had decided that Grace and I would only ride Manta again if the line was short (the lines, overall, were a lot longer than they were on Christmas Eve). Since the line appeared to be to our liking, we waited, and we got on rather quickly. Phil took the rest of the kids out to the parking lot, and it would have turned out great if Manta hadn’t had some “technical difficulties” just as we finished our ride.

Grace and I spent the next 20 minutes, strapped into the ride and unable to get out, because the lock wouldn’t release… But in the end, we have our picture and a fun story to tell, and it was a nice time for just the two of us… so I really can’t complain…

A quick stop by Chick-Fil-A (finally) for dinner ended in my dropping an entire large lemonade in the hotel parking lot. I’m starting to think I need a no spill sippy cup… for myself… Phil replaced the lemonade for me, times two, which I was thankful for, because I really wanted it!

Sleep would be good now…

Lisa

Day 8 Photo Count: 235

Photo Highlights:

Seth telling Miah about the dolphins...

She loved them...

Seth & Grace with the Dolphins...

Sometimes, you just have to make your own fun...

Character Greetings...

Funny...

...but I feel like I'm learning an awful lot from Buzz Lightyear these days. I think my latest profound thought was from the first Toy Story movie, but this one comes from the second. Let me give you a little bit of background information…

In Toy Story 2, there is a scene where several of the toys are walking through Al's Toy Barn (a toy store), and Buzz stops and stands in awe at the Buzz Lightyear aisle. He notices that the new Buzz Lightyear toys have an upgraded utility belt, so he climbs up to the display model to get a better look. The display model comes "alive" and, of course, he believes that he is the "real" Buzz Lightyear, just as Buzz did in the previous Toy Story movie. The model attacks the Buzz Lightyear that we all know and love and tries to shoot him with his laser light bulb, while making claims about himself that are completely ridiculous, since he is, after all, a toy. Buzz rolls his eyes and mutters, "Tell me I wasn't this delusional". And then we all laugh, because we know that he was…

I was startled by a comparison between this scene in an animated flick and the "Christian" lifestyle. Mostly, this thought came to me because I used to be that delusional. And, let's face it, I probably still am sometimes.

Just so you know, I have been trying to write this post for over a month, and I keep getting hung up on some things, but I think this is the night it is actually going to hit the blog. Please be patient…

So, I have this fear. I'm afraid that we (ok… generic term, "we", I'm not actually sure who I'm talking about) keep equipping people with new utility belts. People are seeking a personal relationship with the God of the Universe, and we smile, pat them on the back, hand them the belt, and convince them that it's the real deal… standard issue… you're in, wear it proudly. And, suddenly, they're space rangers!

But I think there's something wrong with the belt.

In Ephesians 6, we read about the armor of God, and He issues us a belt, too. It's called the belt of truth. For most of my life I have been a brutally honest person. In fact, people have, on occasion, asked me not to be so honest. I have shared before that I make both friends and enemies very easily. It often has something to do with my honesty. But I am not claiming to have a corner on truth tonight. It is God who holds all truth. And I think that most people would rather just live with a lie sometimes. This, however, could be another post, in itself.

God equips us with more than just a belt. Here's the text from the NIV:

Eph 6:10-18 "Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."

And, I know it blows my parallel, but it is simplified in The Message:

"Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out."

I'm afraid our new "standard issue belt" is more ornamental than anything else. I'm afraid it's like my "Y" card. It gets me into the building. It proves that I'm part of the club. But it doesn't make me a body builder anymore than the belt makes you a space ranger. My card is useful, and the "Y" offers me a lot of resources that I otherwise wouldn't have. But I really shouldn't let my membership "name" me. Only God can define my worth.

I guess what I'm trying to say here is that there's more to an authentic relationship with Christ than just looking the part. There's more to an authentic relationship with Christ than just having the goods. And, may God help us if we are attempting to fight Spiritual battles with blinking light bulbs…

This is unfinished. My own level of discipline in the matters of Spiritual Formation is far too anemic for me to continue this post without hypocrisy. But God is good… He is working… And there will be more to come in the near future. You can count on it.

In the meantime, any thoughts?

Lisa

I think I'm learning...

...the hard way... that you should never say you're almost done writing something until it's written...

My book that was, in my mind, in it's last stages early in April, is still not completed. Further, I originally set out hoping to write approximately 200 pages, and I think it's going to get a bit longer...

Nothing has really changed since my last post, but I ran across one of my favorite, older songs today, and it was a reminder to me that I've felt this way before... I will probably feel this way again... And God knows what He's doing, so I can rest in that even when absolutely nothing makes sense to me.

These are the lyrics to "Thousand Miles" from Caedmon's Call's 2003 release, "Back Home"

I have stolen, Lord, let me give
I have left your house a fugitive
I have wandered my own way
Squandered everything you gave
But my dying heart you saved and let me live

I have cursed the air and clenched my fists
I have hungered for your righteousness
I have tried to walk the line
I drew between your heart and mine
But you forgive me every time the mark is missed

So take my broken offering and make it whole
And set my feet upon the road that leads me home
Let me walk as one fixed upon the goal
Even though I've got a thousand miles to go

I have sought your grace in my defense
I have plundered your magnificence
Until my journey is complete
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
That I might sow what I have reaped
From your great love

So take my broken offering and make it whole
And set my feet upon the road that leads me home
Let me walk as one fixed upon the goal
Even though I've got a thousand miles to go

As I struggle for Your hand
You use me in ways I can't understand
You take this sinful man and renew me
Working through me

So take my broken offering and make it whole
And set my feet upon the road that leads me home
Let me walk as one fixed upon the goal
Even though I've got a thousand miles to go

Lisa

I feel like life is moving...

...at a snail's pace.

When it comes to the ordinary, every day type stuff, that's OK. But I'm not talking about the ordinary, every day type stuff. It's keeping me busy enough.

There is a time for everything, and I think our time for rest has long since passed. But, seemingly, there is no end to it...

Please pray for us, because something needs to happen!

Lisa