Friday, July 31, 2009

Me & P-Dub = BFF4L

About a year or so ago, a friend introduced me to The Pioneer Woman...and my life has never been the same. Since meeting The Pioneer Woman, or P-Dub as she is often called (though her real name is Ree. I've never known anyone named Ree. I might name my first born Ree. Or maybe, I'll name her Rhiannon, because I've always loved Stevie Nicks and Ree would be a cute nick name. What was I talking about, again?)

Um, so anyway...yeah...my friend recommended Ree's blog to me and my life has never been the same. I said that already, but...its my blog and I can repeat things if I wanna.

Moving on.

Since I started reading her blog, I've discovered a desperate need in me to make cinnamon rolls and chocolate sheet cake from scratch; collect whimsical china place settings; eat new and strange foods like bacon jalepeno thingys, something called migas, and pots de creme; to own every lens Canon has to offer; and to move to the boonies and get a bassett hound. Her blog'll do that to ya! And, you'll probably gain some weight.

Despite these desires that are alltogether new to me, P-Dub and I do share many common interests and character traits. I mean, its like we are the same person, she and I. She loves to cook. So do I! She loves photography. So do I! She has red hair. I sometimes dye my hair red. She is tall. I am tall...er...when I stand on my tippie toes. She's a homeschool mom of 4 married to a rugged cattle rancher. I want to be a homeschool mom married to a rugged rancher...or carpenter...or plumber...or English teacher. Uncanny, huh?

I know!!

I generally check out P-Dub's blog on my breaks at work and in the evenings when I'm home...every 15 minutes or so. She likes to spring these give-a-ways on me. Kitchenaid Mixer give-a-ways! Need I say more?

Anyhow, it would seem that my frequent visits to her highly-addictive, and Kitchenaid dangling, blog has had an effect on me besides the urges for china and bassett hounds. Two nights ago, I dreamt about The Pioneer Woman. I dreamt I was at her house visiting. At the first, or the first of what I can remember, we were sitting down for lunch. Obviously, if I visit the creator of The Pioneer Woman Cooks, we are going to eat, right? So we did. But instead of the elaborate and amazing meal she serves all of her other visitors, and chronicles for us on her blog, I was handed a plate and directed to grab handfuls of fresh, raw veggies off the counter. So...um...I did. As we were sitting down at the table, one of my carrots fell on the floor. I picked it up and I ate it. P-Dub germs are like sugar on a strawberry to me! So we ate our lunch together, chatting and giggling like friends from way back, when her sister-in-law, Missy came strolling in. In my dream, the character of Missy was played by Naomi Watts. Missy (Naomi) had a bag of tortillas with her. She walked over to the counter without stopping her stride and scraped a tortilla against a halved avocado and continued on her way. Ree offered to make guac, but Missy (Naomi) gave her a polite "No thanks. I'm good." and walked out of the dream and my life forever.

At some point during lunch but before the next "scene", her baby boy took a liking to me. So, from this point forward you can just picture him on my lap or on my hip or on top of my head.

After lunch, my small group from church showed up. We decided to have our small group meeting at Ree's house. I have to confess, I was very rude to my friends. They kept trying to come and chat with me, but Ree and I were a huddled, giggling, impenetrable social stonewall. That is, until there was a rucckus outside. Sirens and screeching tires and barking bassett hounds commanded everyone's attention. So we all ran outside and the cops told us there was some drug activing going on in town and they needed me to ride along and help catch the perps. Of course, having extensive criminal background in the form of one criminology class in college and copious hours of crime TV watchin' and book readin', I felt up to the challenge and obliged to help.

Once in town, I boldly hopped into the perp's car, subdued them and carefully placed the evidence in an evidence bag.

Then I woke up.

If I'd known I wouldn't make it back to P-Dub's house, I would have at least hugged her goodbye...and given her baby a big kiss right on the top of his blonde head.

Sigh.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

This is My Beloved and this is my Friend

He is altogether lovely. This is my Beloved and this is my Friend. (Song of Solomon 5:16)

Why is thy Beloved more than another beloved? (v. 9). That was the question asked of one who was so unworthy of her Beloved that she had grieved Him until He had to withdraw himself from her. She sought Him, but she could not find Him. She called Him, but He gave her no answer. It could not be otherwise, for her thoughts were moving round herself so that there was no room for Him.

But now she forgets herself in thinking of Him and showing Him to others. She cannot find words beautiful enough to show Him worthily. He is altogether lovely, she says. This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend. And instantly she is with Him in spirit. She knows where He is. There is no more separation.

There is nothing that can surprise our Lord in our unworthiness; He knows us through and through. But it must surprise Him sometimes that we ever stay even for one minute in the dark and cold, when we have such a Beloved and such a Friend that we have only to think of Him (instead of ourselves) to find ourselves with Him, embraced by His warm love on every side.

From "Whispers of His Power" by Amy Carmichael

This is My Beloved and this is my Friend

He is altogether lovely. This is my Beloved and this is my Friend. (Song of Solomon 5:16)

Why is thy Beloved more than another beloved? (v. 9). That was the question asked of one who was so unworthy of her Beloved that she had grieved Him until He had to withdraw himself from her. She sought Him, but she could not find Him. She called Him, but He gave her no answer. It could not be otherwise, for her thoughts were moving round herself so that there was no room for Him.

But now she forgets herself in thinking of Him and showing Him to others. She cannot find words beautiful enough to show Him worthily. He is altogether lovely, she says. This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend. And instantly she is with Him in spirit. She knows where He is. There is no more separation.

There is nothing that can surprise our Lord in our unworthiness; He knows us through and through. But it must surprise Him sometimes that we ever stay even for one minute in the dark and cold, when we have such a Beloved and such a Friend that we have only to think of Him (instead of ourselves) to find ourselves with Him, embraced by His warm love on every side.

From "Whispers of His Power" by Amy Carmichael

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Faith Brings Forth Praise!

Psalm 56:4 - In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

“Faith brings forth praise. He who can trust will soon sing. God’s promise, when fulfilled, is a noble subject for praise, and even before fulfillment it should be the theme of song. It is in or through God that we are able to praise. We praise as well as pray in the Spirit. Or we may read it—in extolling the Lord one of the main points for thanksgiving is his revealed will in the Scriptures, and the fidelity with which he keeps his word of promise.

In God I have put my trust. Altogether and alone should we stay ourselves on God. What was a gracious resolve in the former verse, is here asserted as already done. I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. Faith exercised, fear is banished, and holy triumph ensues, so that the soul asks, “What can flesh do unto me?” What indeed? He can do me no real injury; all his malice shall be overruled for my good. Man is flesh, flesh is grass—Lord, in thy name I defy its utmost wrath. There were two verses of complaint, and here are two of confidence; it is well to weigh out a sufficient quantity of the sweet to counteract the sour.”

- Charles Spurgeon, commenting on Psalm 56:4 in The Treasury of David

HT: Of First Importance

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Ten Kinds of Crazy: A Memoir

A while back, I decided if I ever wrote a memoir, "Ten Kinds of Crazy" would be the title. I chose it, for no other reason than I like the way it sounds.

If I had to name the 10 kinds of crazy I am, here and now...it might be boring. As crazy people go, I'm pretty garden variety. I'm a coffee snob; I don't like my food to touch; I have issues with eyeballs...serious, deep seeded, gag-in-an-instant kind of issues; I am afraid of heights; I still, 13 years later, have dreams about missing exams in college; I regularly have nightmares about teeth. Long story; I am convinced no one really likes me and that even people who act like my friends are just being polite; I am terrified of brown recluse spiders, though I've never seen one in real life; I have a hard time eating store-bought pastries; and I am generally suspicious of dairy products.

Now for the catchy titles/headings:

Ten Kinds of Crazy by Tina Gaspard (note to self: work on a pen name)
1. The Coffee Snob or Get the Folgers Outta My Face
2. The "No Touchie" Foodie
3. Like, totally, gross me out with an Eyeball.
4. High Anxiety (thank you Mel Brooks)
5. Lost. Missed the Final. Sometimes Naked.
6. New on DVD: When Teeth Turn on Their Owners!
7. Nobody loves me. Everybody hates me. I'm gonna eat some worms.
8. Brown. Recluse. Spiders!
9. Don't Fear the Fake Baker.
10. Expiration Dates and the Big Bang Theory.


Sounds like a best-seller to me! No one steal my idea, ok? I mean, I know there are lurkers out there...people who stop by and think they don't leave a mark. But, I'm tellin' you...you steal my idea and I will find you. My cousin-in-law is a lawyer, so are three guys at my church, so...um...I'll bring it like O.J....legally speaking, of course. I won't have a knife cuz I'm not Eleven Kinds of Crazy.

Or maybe I am?

11. Paranoia on Parade?

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Read the Word

This is my first webcast. It is an experiment, but meant to bless and encourage just as anything I would write on here. But I promise, next time, I will do something more to make my visage more appealing. Until then, I thank you for extending grace.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Wisdom from George Mueller

I first heard about George Mueller while listening to a sermon series by John Piper. This series, called "Men of Whom the World Was Not Worthy", is comprised of biographical sermons on great men in Christian history: Luther, Newton, Spurgeon, Wilberforce, Augustine...and lesser known greats like Athanasius, Brainerd, and Mr. Mueller.

George Mueller is best known for his prayer life and for the orphanage he ran. It is said that his every breath was a prayer and that he cared for tens of thousands of orphans without every askng anyone but God for the funds to do so.

Since he qualifies as a man of prayer, I think knowing and learning from what he had to say about prayer is good and right and would be profitable for all of us. A friend shared this with us at small group last night...and, so...I am passing it on here:


1. Entire dependence upon the merits and mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ as the only ground of any claim of blessing. "Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do" (John 14:13,14).

2. Separation from all known sin. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me" (Psalm 66:18).

3. Faith in God's Word of promise as confirmed by His oath: "He that cometh to God must believe that He is...a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).

4. Asking in accordance with His will. Our motives must be godly. "Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts" (James 4:3).

5. Importunity in supplication. There must be waiting on God and waiting for God, as the husbandman has long patience God and waiting for God, as the husbandman has long patience to wait for the harvest. "Shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him?" (Luke 18:7).