This is what being a celebrity must feel like...
January 22, 2008
What cracks me up about living in my old hometown Hermosa Beach, which is only 1 mile wide, is that it's easy to become well-known by lots of people for not doing much. Maybe I'm a little more controversial than some who move here, but for the most part I'm just living my life.
I do have fun don't I? Like today. Bike riding for the first time in 4 years - felt really good. Another first was my good friends from Hollywood visiting me since I've moved here over a year ago! Felt really good too. I just love that family. The father and son are up for a reality show called "My dad is better than your dad." I hope they get it! They'd be a riot.
Back to my analysis of small town living and instant 'celebrity." If I saw any famous athletes down here I would never know it because sports aren't my thing so those type of celebrities are safe with me!
It's funny when you go out to eat at places and it feels like people recognize you even though they've never met you before. There's the knowing looks between people, the sudden grins, the cold shoulder in certain instances and bad service in others (or maybe that's just standard?) Makes me laugh.
If I am a topic of discussion down here then this truly is a small town. Believe me. I'm truly not that interesting people. Maybe to certain people who've never left the area, or who's idea of a big night out is getting drunk at the local bar, or who are worried certain things might be revealed they're not too happy about, but seriously...
On another note, I went to my little wood church, Bay Cities Community Church, yesterday like I always do (although arriving the latest I've ever been since I was driving home from staying the night at my friend's place in Hollywood after celebrating her birthday till late the night before.)
Dam! If my pastor wasn't speaking right to me! I jokingly told my neighbor at one point that now he's meddling because it was as if everything he was saying was meant only for me. I know many of you don't see the value of organized religion, or understand the fascination with going somewhere to hear someone preach from the Bible, but I just love it.
It's a few hours each week where I can evaluate on a spiritual level, how I'm doing as a person and as a Christian. Sometimes I'm doing ok. Other times I realize the bitchy side has won out yet again leaving me with no other choice, but to rein it in and try to work on it. Pray for me. I can always use it!
Church to me, is like going to a gym for your soul. You're working on certain parts of your personality or your soul that needs to be tuned up, made better or made stronger. In my case, it's my pride. I have a lot of it. I know that.
The more I hang around with certain people who have accomplished so much more than I have, and yet remain completely humble and unassuming, the more I want to be like them. There's a reason God brings certain people into our lives at certain times in our lives too.
We can all learn from each other and realize we can either hate the person who's reflecting our weak areas back to us for bringing up issues that we need to work on, or we can accept the fact we're not perfect and maybe they're right, and/or maybe it is something to deal with.
What I always find is that the people who rub me the wrong way the most, oftentimes have similar characteristics that I have that I don't see in myself until I see it mirrored back to me by them. Does that make sense? Like the people who love to tell me how to live my life when it's none of their business. I realized I was doing that too! Oy!
In any case, yesterday's sermon was on "Living Comfortable With God" Part 4 in the series, Making 2008 Better Than Ever. (You can read the first three parts in my last post. It's really good!)
Living Comfortable with God
Psalm 15:1:
1 LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?
God Wants Us To:
1. Live in a way that is responsible
Psalm 15:2a
2 He whose walk is blameless
Proverbs 20:7:
7 The righteous man leads a blameless life;
blessed are his children after him.
2. Do what's right.
Psalm 15:2b and who does what is righteous,
Proverbs 13:6:
6 Righteousness guards the man of integrity,
but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
3. Speak the truth with sincerity.
Psalm 15:2c
who speaks the truth from his heart
Proverbs 16:13:
13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
they value a man who speaks the truth.
4. Refuse to gossip about others. (Now he was meddling...I love gossip, but if God doesn't, then...)
Psalm 15:3a
3 and has no slander on his tongue,
Proverbs 16:28:
28 A perverse man stirs up dissension,
and a gossip separates close friends.(AINT THAT THE TRUTH?!)
Proverbs 20:19:
19 A gossip betrays a confidence;
so avoid a man who talks too much.(OY! FROM GOD'S MOUTH TO MY EARS RE: CERTAIN PEOPLE.)
5. Not harm our neighbor.
Psalm 15:3b
3 who does his neighbor no wrong
Romans 13:10:
10Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
6. Not speak evil of others.
(NOW JIM, MY PASTOR, WAS REALLY MEDDLING. WHO TOLD HIM ABOUT THIS BLOG? JUST KIDDING. I DID! GUESS I BETTER LAY OFF SLAYING CERTAIN PEOPLE IN HB NOW...DAM! IT WAS SO MUCH FUN TOO... HOWEVER, I'D RATHER DO GOD'S WILL THAN NOT...PLUS, IT MAKES LIFE BETTER WHEN YOUR PASTOR IS HAPPY WITH YOU TOO! THE BITCH BETTER GO BACK IN THE CAGE. NOW!)
Psalm 15:3c
3and casts no slur on his fellowman,
Psalm 34:13:
13 keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking lies.
7. Be disgusted by evil.
Psalm 15:4:
4 who despises a vile man
Romans 12:9b
9Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
8. Honor faithful followers.
Psalm 15:4b
4but honors those who fear the LORD,
Proverbs 21:21:
21 He who pursues righteousness and love
finds life, prosperity [a] and honor.
9. Keep promises even when it's painful.
Psalm 15:4c
4who keeps his oath
even when it hurts,
10. Be generous with what what we have.
Psalm 15:5a
5 who lends his money without usury
Proverbs 11:25:
25 A generous man will prosper;
he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
11. Never take advantage of others.
Psalm 15:5b
5and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.(oooh, this is a good one for some people... did I say that?)
Romans 12:18:
18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
(Ok, this one's for me...Let peace begin with me... Next week. JUST KIDDING! I'll try - say a prayer. I do get passionate about certain issues. It's the Irish in me. But then the German kicks in and I become reserved again.)
12. Have stability and strength from him.
Psalm 15:5b
5 He who does these things
will never be shaken.
Amen and Amen!
Okay, that's all for now. Hope you enjoyed the philosophy lesson.
It's much better up close and personal on Sunday mornings, trust me...
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