Athaliah

I made this for the kids talk in church this morning.  It was the warm-up/background to the lesson on King Joash (aka Jehoash) from 2 Kings 12.  [Joash is an interesting character.  Like Samuel, he was raised in the temple.  He was brought up by Jehoiada the priest and taught well.  2 Kings tells us that he did good ... all the days that Jehoiada instructed him... but leaves it at that.  Chronicles tells us what happened after Jehoiada died - and it isn't pretty.]

Enjoy.  There is no sound.  If I was clever I'd have recorded the narration over the top... but I didn't think of making it till 8.30 last night and I was pretty tired.  It's a bit boring because of the long gaps left to make room for the narration.

Athaliah had always been powerful. She was the daughter of evil King Ahab of Israel and had grown up as a princess. She liked wearing a crown and she liked being able to tell people what to do.

Now in those days, the northern kingdom of Israel and the Southern kingdom of Judah were friendly with eachother.

When Athaliah was old enough she was looking for someone to marry. Hmm. Who should she choose? She couldn't marry a common man. If she did, she wouldn't get to wear her crown any more. No. It would have to be a king, or a prince at least! Ah! How about King Jehoram of Judah? Perfect. Not too far from home and very powerful! An excellent idea.

So that's what Athaliah did. She married the King of God's people. But should he have married her?

No. Like her father Ahab, Athaliah had no time for God. So the king of Judah shouldn't have married her. But King Jehoram had no time for God either. So they were a pretty good match.

Queen Athaliah and King Jehoram lived together for years. Together they bossed people around, worshipped idols and did all kinds of evil in the sight of the Lord. When God had had enough of this zero out of ten king, he died and Athaliah was left alone and no longer a queen.

Do you think she liked that? Not being a queen any more? No. She didn't.

But she cheered up a little when her son Ahaziah became King. Being the mother of the King gave you a little bit of power... not so much as being queen, but still some.

Ahaziah wasn't king for very long. Just one year. He was up visiting relatives up in Israel when he was killed. And that was the end of him.

So where did that leave Athaliah. Not a princess anymore. Not a queen. Not even the mother of the king. Likely one of Ahaziah's sons, one of her grand-sons would become king. And she would just be the... grandmother of the king?

No way. Athaliah didn't like that idea. She would have no power at all.

So she came up with a plan. A cunning and horrible plan. Athaliah looked at all her grandchildren around her. To get the power all back for herself, all she had to do was to get them out of the way. Then she could take the crown back and rule Judah herself. She would be queen!

It was a terrible plan. But Athaliah was a terrible woman. Remember King Ahab? He was her father and she was exactly like him. She didn't care at all about what God thought and she had no regard for people either. Quickly and quietly she disposed of all of her grandchildren ...

Well, not quite all of them. See this one left over? That's little prince Joash. But he was just a baby and his clever aunty whisked him out of the way and hid him carefully

… and then she made herself Queen of Judah.

So Athaliah got what she wanted. Queen, boss, ruler of Judah. And she got to enjoy it for 7 years.

But then it was found out that little Joash was still alive and all Athaliah's muderous plotting caught up with her. She was put to death – which is exactly what she deserved – and the boy Joash became king.

But what sort of king would Joash be?

five good things

1. I'm going out with friends tonight.

2. The song we are currently working on is going really well. I think it could be better than anything we've come up with for years.

3. I've really enjoyed the Chester book I've been reading.  In the past I've shyed away from Chester mainly because I don't like the art on the covers of his books.  His books have the appearance of unoriginality and boring tedium.  Now I've actually read one, I will more successfully be able to overlook his publisher's poor taste.

4.  Joel was a (very) little bit sick today so he stayed home.  We went to the art gallery and looked at stuff (rather than do the children's activities) which was good.  Joel is a 3D boy and really likes stuff made out of old metal stuff and sculptures of heads with fish on top.

5.  Today I finally sorted out a work over payment problem that I've been ignoring for months.  I had a threatening phone call yesterday saying they were sending in debt collectors...  The initial problem was not my fault at all.  The pay office overpaid me.  Ignoring all the letters they sent was certainly my fault.   But I spoke to the principal and admin officer at my main school and they have sorted it all out for me and I don't have to fill in a single form.  

I normally try not to use my blog to tell people what to do, but...

There are two of you out there who read this blog but don't read Ben's.  This is dumb and you should change your ways right now.  Really, you should.  You must.  Bookmark this or put it on your reader or do whatever it is that you do.  But do it now.  I'll be checking!

Ben's writing is gentle and real and so so funny.  Like this post.  Go over and smile. 

in search of a mainstream non-romantic song

Okay, so my friend is looking for a well known mainstream song to use at a church outreach next week. Something they can perform. The talk is a Kellar reason for belief type thing. The song should raise questions about what life is all about.

Trouble is, a song can't easily be found. A decade or two ago there were plenty to choose from. U2, REM etc were churning them out.

In the last 10 years? Nothing.

Why not?

I think its because these days we interpret any existential angst we might feel as romantic/sexual angst.

So whereas the eighties gave us this, the naughties have delivered...

work

Yesterday I yelled at my kids for most of the day. This particular class need seatbelt locks on their chairs and gaffa tape across their mouths. I didn't let them get drinks or go to the toilet (unless I thought their need was actually desperate) and I insisted that they work. One girl who had been particularly annoying, summed up the class' attitude. When I asked her to stop moving around the room wasting time and to sit and work, she said, "But... I... don't... want... to!" What a shame!

Surely such a class would be glad to see the back of me at the end of the day. Surely I would happily shut the door on them. No. They said they wanted me to come back soon ("When will you teach us again?") and I was hoping for a call back today.

The phone just rang. I'm going in.

you know it's hot...

... when you have a shower at 9pm in the dark because you think the heat of the light globe will push you over the edge.

This is how God shows his love

There's a place of healing
for the troubled soul
Where guilty burdens are released
and sinners are made whole.
A sight that ever comforts,
casting out our fears
The earth may fall, the cross stands tall
towering through the years.

This is how God shows his love-
See, his arms out wide?
See, forgiveness, mercy, love
Are flowing from his side?
This is how God shows his love-
it's written in his blood
God on high took flesh and died
He gave up all for us.

The guiltless for the guilty
him in place of me
His perfect record swapped with mine
that I might righteous be.
Away, all fear of judgement!
Away, all anxious tears!
The cross, our light, is shining bright
and will through all the years.

sar 2010

an easter song

I've been asked to write a kids Easter song - kind of in this style.

I've done easter songs before (like Easter Friday (here) and 1-2-3-4-5 (here)) but this one will be more ambitious.

I need an angle.  Anyone?

the way of the cross

"So what exactly does it mean to follow Jesus?

This is how Jesus answered that question: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me' (Luke 9:23). Following Jesus means following the way of the cross. Later, in Luke's gospel, Jesus says: 'And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot become my disciple' (Luke 14:27).

It's a call to die. For some this may mean a call to literal death - to persecution and martyrdom. ...

But for all of us it's a call to die to self. This way of the cross isn't the calling of a few. It's the stamp of every Christian's life. When Paul says we're to be imitators of God, he spells this out by saying that we're to 'live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God' (Ephesians 5:1-2).

To follow the way of the cross means to show the same sacrificial love that Jesus showed when he went to the cross...

• sacrifice
• submission
• self-denial
• service
• suffering

From Tim Chester, The Ordinary Hero: Living the cross and resurrection, pp49-50.

I'm loving this book.  If there is only one Christian book you read this year, pick this one.  It's passionate, challenging and heartwarming.

love is...

... a physio with tape.

Every step hurt. He made it stop.

Metaphor

I'm a riddle in nine syllables,
An elephant, a ponderous house,
A melon strolling on two tendrils.
O red fruit, ivory, fine timbers!
This loaf's big with its yeasty rising.
Money's new-minted in this fat purse.
I'm a means, a stage, a cow in calf.
I've eaten a bag of green apples,
Boarded the train there's no getting off.

Sylvia Plath

I spent a couple of hours in Borders today, reading books that I wasn't going to buy. I was looking through a book of Sylvia Plath poems also her personal journals (and they are quite personal*). I found this poem, worked it out, then checked that day's entry in her journal to see if I was right - and also to see her situation at the time of writing. I was right about the poem (as you probably are) - but if you think it seems a little ... negative... you're right. She wrote it on a day of frustration and disappointment.

*Is it wrong to read this kind of thing? I find it fascinating.

10 things to do when you are feeling irritable, pathetic, bored and restless

1.Sleep
2. Stay away from chocolate*
3. Go for a swim
4. Vacume the floor or put on a load of washing
5. Write a poem about feeling irritable, pathetic, bored and restless
6. Stay away from chocolate*
7. Say a prayer - Dear God, I am feeling irritable, pathetic, bored and restless.  Please help me to not do any harm to myself or others.
8. Buy a convenience packet of pre-cut stir fry veges and cook them up with some oyster sauce.  Eat them in front of a good tv show.
9. Buy low fat, low sugar yoghurt and eat it in front of a good tv show
10. Stay away from chocolate*


* or whatever else you might use as a crutch when you're feeling irritable, pathetic, bored and restless.

pick a fight.

For Nathan.

I'm happy to argue out either of these.  Because I'm right. 

1.  Poetry appreciation should be a compulsory part of a BTh.


2.  In the interests of the long term health of our ministers, we should not serve coffee at (bible) college morning teas.

Take your pick.  Others are welcome to join in.

Australia Post Does Not Deliver To Mars

My face, I know, is one she won't forget,
My parcel, wrapped, addressed and stuck with stars.
The girl she sighs, feigns patience and regret,
"Australia Post does not deliver to Mars."

Our nearest neighbour! From earth it's but a step!
I'd drive myself, if there were rocket cars.
The sun, from far, sends light each day and yet
Australia Post does not deliver to Mars!

"Look," I said, "I've searched the internet,
I've had a psychic reading and you are
my only hope. I'm ever in your debt,
Take this parcel, deliver it to Mars."

The customers behind, irate, upset.
I know they wished me safely behind bars.
The girl her eyebrows raised, her words a threat,
"Australia Post does not deliver to Mars!"

It's not my fault, the chasm wide is set.
I take your parcel, put it with a vase
of flowers dead and dreams for now unmet.
Australia Post does not deliver to Mars.

sar 2010

Like it like that

Guy Sebastian is still my idol...  

Plantar Fasciitis

Finally, I know what's wrong with my foot!  I'm hoping to be able to run on it again soon.

I've been in pain for 2 months now.

Joel on the Trampoline

Joel has to give a talk at school tomorrow.  He has to tell the class 8 things about himself.

Instead of writing the talk and practising it as we should have done, we've spent the last couple of days making a movie.  If you watch carefully and think really really hard, you can find out 8 things about Joel.  To me, the clearest one is that he has a pretty sick sense of humour.

Enjoy.

(Joel has printed out a copy of his poem on the gravestone for everyone in his class.)

children's rights

There is some big international parenting conference over at UQ at the moment.

I was listening to a couple of experts on the radio this morning.

It seems that 'discipline' is a thing of the past.  Smacking is definitely not on and in Sweden, even 'time out' is too authoritarian!  (They have 'wind down time' instead.) 

I found the whole discussion about children's rights rather annoying.  It seems so hypocritical when abortion and divorce are considered fine. 

I hate the whole idea of 'rights'.  It puts things that I naturally do because I want to do them into a cold and hard 'have to' category.  But if I had to formulate a list...

My children have the right to:
1. be protected, loved and cared for by their parents from the time of their conception.
2. be raised by both parents (assuming both are alive).
3. be prayed for, taught the gospel, trained in the way of the Lord and welcomed into the church
4. be taught how to live in community with others and how to contribute to society.  This will include being corrected when necessary.
5. be provided with what they need (food, clothes, etc.)

Have I left out anything obvious?

It's Mad Skillz Week

over on Nathan's blog.

My mad skillz are in supply teaching.  Go over and learn.

Ben and Amy and Andrew also have mad skillz (in animation, graphic design and opera appreciating respectively.) 

What are your mad skillz?

The Ordinary Hero

I am reading this book at the moment.  It is fantastic.  The best thing I've read for ages.

Five reasons why evangelicals are better at kids' ministry than liberals

1. More is at stake for evangelicals.  For us, kids' ministry (like all ministry) is a matter of heaven or hell.  The children's decision for or against Jesus matters.  For liberals, its a matter of something... or pretty much the same something.  More is at stake for us, so the church as a whole, makes more effort.

2.   Evangelicals have better kids songs.  Because we are passionate about what we believe, over the years, the evangelical church has put lots of time into song writing.  I'm yet to hear a cd from the liberal equivalent of Colin.  Still waiting for kids songs with the titles: Jesus is one of many ways to God, He's just an ordinary guy, Some of it's true (a song about holy scripture), or Still Dead (an easter song).

3.  The evangelical gospel is better material to work with.  It's easier to present compellingly, because it is actually compelling.

4.  Evangelicals have a better grasp on the big picture of the bible (because we read it all and believe it all).  Big picture stuff is more compelling to kids.

5.  [You tell me.  I've run out.]

how to write a congregational lyric that won't get on my nerves

1. Don't use the word 'beautiful'
2. Don't use the word 'Lord' to fill up syllables.  (I count this as breaking the third commandment.)
3. Don't be sentimental
4. Don't be cliche
5. Make sure the logic of the lines makes sense.
6. Be aware of the cross (even if the song isn't actually about the cross)
7. Don't rhyme cross with loss (Unless you are Isaac Watts.  And you're not, 'cause he's dead.)
8. Be meaningful and engaged.
9. Don't use the word 'beautiful'
10. Don't use the word 'Lord' to fill up syllables.  (I mean it!  Don't!)

breaking the silence

Sorry about the silence. I've been busy working and this computer is as slow as... a playground duty at a outer suburbs high school.  ...And it keeps crashing every time I plug anything in the USB port...

Today I taught one of my favourite classes.  They are nice kids, I know their names, they are not particularly needy, they can work silently, and they have an air conditioned classroom.  While they were doing silent reading, I managed to read 40 pages on my new Chester book.  Unheard of!

I wonder if the computer will crash before I hit 'post'.

Limited

Blank spaces count as characters. It’s true.
I wasn’t sure. And then I thought of you.

Sophie Hannah

[SH was commissioned to write this - a text message valentine's day poem.  It had to be fewer than 150 characters.]

No Wonder

This love looks set to grow extremely tall.
I chart its weekly progress on the wall

the way my mum made pencil marks above
my sister’s head and mine. I’ve called it love

since it began, but now I have some proof -
infatuation stops before the roof

while love climbs bravely up to bash its head.
The bleeding starts. No wonder hearts are red.

Sophie Hannah

on depth

Are you a 'deep' person?

I am very deep.  Shockingly so.  Once I drowned in my own thoughts.  That's how deep they went.

But many of you out there, won't have the natural depth that I do.  Nathan, we're told, doesn't.  If you worry that you don't appear deep to your friends and collegues, let me offer you a cosmetic solution.

Things to do to appear to be a 'deep thinker'.

1. In a conversation, what often happens is that someone describes a situation and the apparently shallow person knows immediately what's going on or what needs to be done. (Often their assessment is correct.) If this is you, my advice is: sit on your thoughts. Don't share them. Then come back the next day and say that you've thought about their situation and you think..... They'll think you are amazing (instead of superficial and arrogant)

2. If you are the type who goes to the trouble to make conversation, don't.  Small talk appears shallow.  Let others take responsibility for the movement of the conversation. Don't sulk, but just don't say much. If you are asked a straight question, answer politely, but in such a way as it doesn't lead to more conversation. While you're not speaking, look as if you are wrapped up in your own deep deep thoughts.

3. Carry around an anthology of indecipherable poems. Quote from it occasionally.

4. Take your fonting and general desktop publishing style back to 1990. I know that it will hurt, but to some people, any attention to the more superficial things indicates a lack on the deeper levels.

5. Read lots of self help books (or at least, buy such books and leave them on your coffee table) and try to get to the bottom of the reasons why you are such a lousy sinner - daddy issues, heart hunger... whatever. When someone asks about one of your self help titles, wipe a tear from the corner of your eye...

Yes, I see the irony in all this. Here is a superficial solution to the problem of lack of depth. But my well thought out and deep assessment of the problem is that until your introverted melancholic friends (for it is usually them who bring these charges) understand that depth isn't expressed in the same way by everyone, the appearance of depth is the most for which you can aim.

A Letter to Elise - The Cure

Fire and Ice

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

Robert Frost

Valentine's Day Is Coming!

And with it, a truckload of delightfully shallow love poems!

Obsessive, adolescent schmultz is just good fun.  It's worth having this hallmark celebration, if only for an excuse to read and write frothy nonsense.  So I intend to.  In the next few days I'll be posting a pile of romantic poems.  All light, all fun, some bitter, some nasty.  My favourite is a brilliantly cutting sms valentine's day verse by Sophie Hannah.  Look out for it and others.

For Andrew, I tried writing something a bit more real.  Alas, married love is much trickier to capture.  There are so many more layers of complexity.  I posted my attempt (click here or just scroll down about 2cm to the next post).

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you.  Whatever that means.

Satellite (for Andrew)

I spin faster than you.

My movements hectic to

your slow turn.

I dart while you plod, yearn

while you wait, run

while you tread the steps

of your yearly pilgrimage.

Everything plotted,

nothing to chance.

I'm with you, but

I have my own dance.

It's clockwork regular

and calm for the most part.

But monthly my belly swells,

my temper frays

and I rage

against your shores.

Your hands on mine,

gentle as I assault, revolt

against the forces that bind.

But I am yours.

I will not go.

Cannot.

Didn't you know?

Couldn't you tell

that it's always been about you?

Every turn. Every changing spell

has had to be.

You the earth.

I the moon.

And love, it holds

as gravity.

sar 2010

argh!

Two bad things this morning:

1. I was making stock last night.  Meant to turn it off before bed.  I woke up to a horrible burning smell at 5.30 this morning.  At least I didn't burn the house down, but this place smells like a chicken crematorium.

2. Our computer seems to have died.  Hoping it will ressurrect.  It has before.  Otherwise, blogging might be a little light-on till I get a new one.

some good things about today

• I got to teach at my second favourite school - 2 classes - half a day with each.
• I got to teach my favourite class at this school.  I've had them a lot in the last couple of years.  I know them, they know me, and I think they are delightful.
• A boy I spent most of the 2nd half of my day yelling at, hugged me as he left.
• The second class I taught had several kids with normal-ish needs
• 49 kids I taught today did not cry
• I got paid to read Roald Dahl.  (20 minutes = $20)
• Had friends over this afternoon
• Andrew played golf
• My legendary husband blitzed his MA subject. (Actually, that's yesterday's news, but I wanted to write it anyway.)
• Joel, for the first time ever, is excited about reading.  We've borrowed a few very easy Zac Power books and Joel is ripping through them.  Three this afternoon and now he's begging me to go back to the library for more.
• Nathan has finished the fellowship of the ring
• No one got hurt this afternoon light saber fighting (unfortunately, not so this morning.)
• My foot didn't ache all day today.
• I'm listening to the songs submitted for Emu's next cd.  I'm feeling insecure about ours - but this is good!  If I was confident that all of ours would make it, it would probably indicate that the overall quality is low.  (It's not.)

insecure

What if nobody likes our songs?

motherhood idolatry

No they're not.  Jesus is.

And that's not what Psalm 127 says.

[picture with inspirational verse from here.]

today...

... we are going to try and sort out this RE mess. 

I'd rather do something else.  Most other things, in fact.  The baptists are just as cross as us, which is encouraging.

P&C

I made my debut tonight.

Thrilling stuff.

Perhaps most interesting was debate as to whether our (state) school should continue to say the Lord's prayer on assembly.  It is said every week.  To put it in context, the school creed is also recited, the flag and queen are saluted, and two school songs and two verses of the national anthem are sung,  (I think there is also an additional school prayer said sometimes.)  Overkill?  Yes.

As a Christian, I don't care either way.  I think that saying the school prayer in this context has nothing to do with God or Christianity.  It's a thing of tradition, positioning us on the conservative end of the spectrum, preparing our kids for private high schools and jobs as right wing politicians (like daddy).

Any thoughts?

I went along because I'm establishing and chairing a music sub-committee this year.  I needed to say something to the group and felt a little nervous.  It's a very high powered p&c  I've not been on a committee like this before, and wondered if I'd be able to speak.  After 2 hours of tedium, I realised this was just the same as all the other committees I've sat on.  I know how these things work. I know I've stuff to contribute.  I know I present okay.  I'll never be intimidated by these people again (except when I visit their three billion dollar homes.)

Awake! A Brand New Day (draft 2)

Awake! A brand new day to praise
Arise and sing, proclaim
The wonders of redeeming love
The pow'r of Jesus' name.
Arise, o church, in all the earth
Your hearts and voices raise,
Awake! The Son has risen high
A brand new day to praise!

Awake! A brand new day to serve
Arise! A day to give
For Christ our Lord gave all to us
And now our lives are his.
Arise! For grace it overflows
From us to all the world
Awake! The son has risen high
A brand new day to serve!

Awake! A brand new day to love
Arise! A day of grace
Be clothed in patience, gentleness
In kindness run the race.
My sister, precious in his sight
My brother, bought with blood
Awake! The son has risen high!
A brand new day to love!

sar 2010

I've moved the verses around changed a few words.  At least one really bad line still remaining.

Vagueness and 'Mighty to Save'

A fun discussion is happening over here on Peter's blog.

A commenter said this:


“I’ve grown a bit tired of songs that are like a theological treatise and afraid of getting personal with God.”

I hear this all the time.  Mostly I say nothing.  Not this time.  Here's what I wrote. 


Any song that sings like a theological treatise is probably just a bad song. But I’d love to know what songs you put in this category. We sing stuff that is quite meaty… but also engaging and moving. I don’t think I’d want particular songs on my church playlist if they had the emotional impact of a text book. But maybe we are all different on this, and songs that I experience as moving leave my sister in the next pew cold.

The other question I have is about ‘getting personal with God’. What do you mean by this? Is it through confession of sin, telling God how much you love him, hearing about and feeling moved by God’s love for you, or something else? I don’t have a problem with any of these things – it is just worth exploring what it is that you want a congregational singing experience to give you. I was chatting with a friend the other day and realised that what she wanted from congregational singing was a feeling of nearness to God that could be achieved without the drudgery of daily bible reading and prayer and patience with her children. And I want this too. I’m human so the song that builds for the first 3/4 and then climaxes before finishing with a string of whispered sweet nothings appeals to me. There’s buzz in that. Is that what you mean by getting personal with God?

What do you think?

those grieving should take heart...

... there will be a season 4!

listen to this.

Awake! A Brand New Day

Always hard to write imperative songs.  This is draft one of my latest attempt.


Awake! A Brand New Day

Awake! A brand new day to serve
Arise! A day to give
For Christ our Lord gave all to us
And now our lives are his.
Arise! For grace it overflows
From us to all the world
Awake! The son has risen high
A brand new day to serve!

Awake! A brand new day to love
Arise! A day of grace
Be clothed in patience, gentleness
In kindness run the race.
My sister, precious in his sight
My brother, bought with blood
Awake! The son has risen high!
A brand new day to love!

Awake! A brand new day to praise
Arise and sing, proclaim
The wonders of his mighty love
The power of his name.
Arise, o church, in all the earth
Your hearts and voices raise,
Awake! The son has risen high
A brand new day to praise!

sar 2010

fortunately, unfortunately

Fortunately the kids had a great time at laser force.

Unfortunately they were very tired and wound up afterwards.

Fortunately they got to sleep.

Unfortunately they sleepwalk.

Fortunately I left a light on.

Unfortunately it wasn't the toilet light.

Fortunately it was the bathroom where there was no carpet.

Unfortunately there was a dirty clothes basket.

Fortunately there weren't too many clothes in the basket.

Unfortunately a lot of drinks had been had before bed.

Fortunately the clothes already needed a wash.

Unfortunately I had to wash them immediately.

Fortunately it's now all dealt with!

more rubies

After reading this, I think I'll trust god for the length of my hair from now on.  If he wants it short, he'll make that happen.

status crimes

here.  I've committed some.  Vaguebooking is my biggest crime.

ht: Emma

Nathan is 10!

How did that happen?

(Nathan is the third head from the left)

sh!

Don't tell anyone yet but preparations for the first ever Brisbane twist music ministry conference are underway.  It will be fantastic.  All the cool people will be there doing very cool things.  The uncool people (me) will also be there and we'll be having such a great time that we'll forget to wish that we were cool too.  It'll be the kind of event we'll file away in our minds and rave about when we're 108 and senile.  Don't say anything now, just smile smugly when you see it announced in the sky (or on your church bulletin) and remember that you heard it first here.

SLUAI

SLUAI  [social, limbic, unstructured, accommodating, inquisitive)

(3.9% of women; 2.9% of men)

easily confused, often late, rarely prepared, passionate about better the world's condition, easily distracted, wild and crazy, longs for a stabilizing relationship, prone to addiction, often rushed, show off, prone to worry, frequently loses things, does not accomplish work on time, acts without thinking, not good at sports, easily hurt, scatter-brained, very curious, spontaneous, not too hard working, aware of how the color and lighting of a room affects their mood, believes in a supernatural source of peace and love, can be talked into doing silly things, unpredictable, asks many questions, interested in others, upset by the misfortunes of strangers, believes in the importance of art, prefers have many different interests to just one, does not often know why they do things, moody, likes to be the center of attention, swayed by emotions, focuses on fantasies more than reality, acts without planning, becomes overwhelmed by events, able to disregard the rules, not good at saving money, eager to sooth hurt feelings, afraid of doing the wrong thing, can become aggressive when they feel hurt

Yep.  Harsh assessment.  I think I have it in me to be some of the bad things the list says, but hopefully the grace of God is helping me not to be.  (But I am hardworking and do meet deadlines.)

I think I prefer Myers Briggs.  More flattering.

What do you get...

...if you cross a vaguely evangelical church with a liberal priest?

[put your suggestions in the comments]

Would you give up a few hours a week to do this?

Christian Religious Education
Format : Assembly style
Teaching topic : The school values


No?  Me neither.

Grrrrrrrrr!

above rubies

Al put me onto this.  I feel I have to share.

ENTP disfavored careers

personal assistant, wedding planner, travel agent, secretary, interior decorator, clerical employee, government employee, social worker, pre school teacher, copy editor, child care worker, hospitality worker, occupational therapist, home maker  (from here)

Why fight it?  Home making is just not me!

Big 45 Test Result

I have other stuff I should be doing, so I'm wasting time here.

Advanced Big 45 Personality Test Results Gregariousness |||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 82% Sociability |||||||||||||||||||||||| 78% Assertiveness |||||||||||||||||||||||| 78% Poise |||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 86% Leadership |||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 90% Provocativeness ||||||||||||||||||||| 70% Self-Disclosure ||||||||||||||||||||| 62% Talkativeness |||||||||||||||||||||||| 74% Group Attachment ||||||||||||||| 46% Extroversion |||||||||||||||||||||||| 74% Understanding ||||||||||||||||||||| 70% Warmth |||||||||||||||||| 58% Morality ||||||||||||||| 42% Pleasantness |||||||||||||||||| 58% Empathy |||||||||||||||||| 58% Cooperation |||||||||||||||||| 54% Sympathy ||||||||||||||||||||| 66% Tenderness ||||||||||||||| 50% Nurturance ||||||||||||||||||||| 62% Accommodation |||||||||||||||||| 57% Conscientiousness ||||||||| 30% Efficiency ||||||||||||||| 42% Dutifulness |||||||||||| 34% Purposefulness ||||||||||||||| 42% Organization ||||||||||||||||||||| 62% Cautiousness |||||||||||| 38% Rationality ||||||||||||||| 46% Perfectionism ||||||||||||||| 46% Planning ||||||||| 26% Orderliness |||||||||||| 40% Stability ||||||||||||||||||||| 66% Happiness |||||||||||||||||||||||| 74% Calmness ||||||||||||||||||||| 62% Moderation ||||||||||||||| 46% Toughness ||||||||||||||||||||| 66% Impulse Control ||||||||||||||| 42% Imperturbability ||||||||||||||| 42% Cool-headedness ||||||||||||||||||||| 62% Tranquility |||||||||||| 38% Emotional Stability |||||||||||||||||| 55% Intellect |||||||||||||||||||||||| 78% Ingenuity |||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 86% Reflection ||||||||||||||||||||| 70% Competence |||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 86% Quickness ||||||||||||||||||||| 66% Introspection ||||||||||||||||||||| 66% Creativity |||||||||||||||||||||||| 78% Imagination |||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 82% Depth ||||||||||||||||||||| 66% Openmindedness |||||||||||||||||||||||| 75%

Take Free Advanced Big 45 Personality Test
personality tests by similarminds.com

I have to work!!!

Day 4!  Guess where...