9.42/10.
Tuesday 28 December 2021
Monday 27 December 2021
Saturday 25 December 2021
Church notes in 2021
January '21: https://www.deviantart.com/brenorenz/journal/Church-notes-January-2021-868818026
February - March '21: https://www.deviantart.com/brenorenz/journal/Church-notes-February-March-2021-874578210
April '21: http://fardell30.deadjournal.com/148153.html
May - June '21: http://fardell30.deadjournal.com/155261.html
July '21: https://www.deviantart.com/brenorenz/journal/Church-notes-July-2021-886737029
August '21: http://fardell30.deadjournal.com/168072.html
September '21: http://fardell30.deadjournal.com/175548.html
October '21: https://www.deviantart.com/brenorenz/journal/Church-notes-October-2021-896497459
November '21: http://fardell30.deadjournal.com/194192.html
December '21: https://www.deviantart.com/brenorenz/journal/Church-notes-December-2021-901834021
Church notes - December 2021
On LiveJournal: https://fardell24.livejournal.com/527236.html
On Dreamwidth: https://fardell24.dreamwidth.org/675168.html
Church notes - 26th December 2021
26th
Hebrews 7:11 - 24
Hebrews 6:19
Hope is realised in Jesus' birth and will be fulfilled in His second coming.
The world desperately needs hope.
Jesus is superior in every way to the Levitical preisthood.
The order of Melchizedek
Psalm 100:4
Jesus predates the Law
Hebrews 7:6, 11
We don't know when things are going to happen. But Jesus offers stability. An anchor to hold onto.
Hebrews 6:18 - 20
It is a firm foundation.
The anchor holds us securely.
Will your anchor hold?
Remember that Jesus will come again.
Friday 24 December 2021
Church notes - Christmas Day 2021
Merry Christmas
Christmas Day
Isaiah 9
Matthew 1:18 - 25
The Christmas Search Engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVIOpS6A7rE
Being transcendent, God is both unknown and unknowable.
- Anything we can say about Him is inadaquate.
Matthew 1:22, 23
Emmanuel
God with us.
Baby - non confrontational
Jesus grew as we did. What was this like for Him?
Hebrews 4:15
Jesus comes to meet us in our circumstances of brokeness and sin.
Repentance - acknowledging that a your sin has caused a rift between you and God.
Church notes - 24th December 2021
Christmas Eve
John 3:16
John 1:1
Matthew 3:16
Psalm 16
Isaiah 10:33 - 11:9
Hope is important
It allows us to get up when we're knocked down. We have a strong, robust foundation in our hope.
10:33, 34
The forest was no threat at all.
One day our fears will disappear.
All sorts of problems.
This is the hope we have.
God has not forgotten us.
We have a strong and powerful God.
Isaiah's stump - the stump of Jesse.
11:1
God's judgement had chopped down the tree.
A new shoot - the baby Jesus.
The Messiah - God's promise
- To bring Salvation and hope to people.
- A descendent of David will rule forever.
A fallen world.
- Experience of loss
- Sin causes loss - the loss of fellowship with God.
Genesis 3
Disobedience and Sin.
God's restoration plan.
Jesus restores our relationship with God.
A picture of peace.
11:6 - 9
All our hopes come together in Jesus.
Tuesday 21 December 2021
Daria in the Background - Part 6
6. Extracurricular Activity
Lawndale High School, 12:34 PM
Having had a ‘discussion’ with her parents the previous
night, in which she was roped into having some kind of extracurricular
activity, Daria entered the office.
“How may I help you, Ms. Morgendorffer?” the assistant
asked.
“I’m looking for a list of the extracurricular activities
that are available.”
“Oh.”
“Is there such a list?” Daria asked.
“I’ll have to look.”
“Sure.”
Five minutes later, the assistant came back. “Turns out,
there is a list. I suppose Ms. Li had it put together for some reason.”
“I guess so,” Daria said as she took that list. She
looked at it as she left without saying anything more to the office assistant.
1111 Glen Oaks Lane 8:13 PM
Daria sat in the kitchen looking over the list while her
mother was looking over her shoulder. “There has to be something interesting
there,” Helen said.
There was a large number of activities Lawndale High
students engaged in.
Fashion Club
Talk about the latest trends…
‘Indeed, that seems to be all that Quinn and her new
friends seem to do together,’ Daria thought. She looked further down the list.
Programming Club
Talk about programming languages and practice coding.
‘Not what I’m into,’ she thought. Her interests were more
‘soft’.
Chess Club
Play and discuss strategies for Chess.
‘Maybe if I can’t find anything else.’
“Have you found anything?” her mother asked.
“Some may be interesting,” Daria said, guardedly. She
didn’t like her mother’s challenging tone.
“I’ll give you some time.”
‘Just not much time.’
Creative Writing Club
Discuss the art of creative writing and share and
critique short stories.
That was more up her ally! But she was sure Mr. O’Neill
was involved somehow. ‘If nothing else, though.’
Anime Club
‘No.’
Daria went through the entire list. The number of
actually interesting activities, including the Creative Writing Club, were very
few.
There was the Lawndale Lowdown, if she was able to
chose a column which suited her. There was also the History Club, but she
wasn’t sure what sort of history they talked about. Or there was the French
Club. Her admittedly poor French could use some practice.
‘One of those,’ she decided.
Lawndale High October 20th, 8:34 AM
Daria entered the office.
“Ms. Morgendorffer?” the assistant asked.
“I’m joining an extra-curricular activity,” Daria said
quietly.
“Ms. Li will be glad to hear that!”
“I’m not surprised,” Daria said as she handed over the
list with the activity in question marked.
“The Creative Writing Club?”
“Yes. More ‘low key’ than the Lowdown and I don’t
know how many tournaments the Chess Club would hold.”
“Sure, Sure,” the assistant said. “Done. You are now in
the Creative Writing Club.”
Saturday 18 December 2021
Church notes - 19th December 2021
19th
Luke 2:9 - 20
Philippians 2:5 - 8
Prayer - Housing for the new Youth and Children's Pastor and his family (when he starts in February).
Titus 2:11 - 14
COVID isn't over. There is a lack of confidence.
A danger of losing hope.
Because of what Jesus has done we have hope.
Blessed Hope.
His return should fill us with hope.
We need to be concerned for other people.
When He returns injustice will disappear.
Blessed Hope
We need to put hope in His return.
Romans 8:18 - 25
Renewal of the Earth
Revelation 21:1
Redemption of the Creation
The last days
2 Peter 3:3
2 Peter 3:8, 9
Hebrews 10:24, 25
A Practical Hope
Imagination
Desire
Belief
Acts 1:7 - 12
Friday 17 December 2021
Home Alone review
58. Home Alone
Rewatch. The tale of how an eight year
old boy in a wealthy suburb of Chicago gets left home alone over Christmas
while his family goes to France, and then has to defend his house from a couple
of easily-outwitted burglars. Kevin’s resourcefulness is portrayed very well,
as the desperation of his mother, Kate, to get home to be with him. The
characterisation of the two bumbling villains was also done quite well. 9.0/10.
Thursday 16 December 2021
Wednesday 15 December 2021
Party 111 Howard - Part 4
Party at 111 Howard – Part 4
Andrea sneaked out of her house, as she usually did. She
then headed towards Howard Drive... She hoped to have some kind of fun.
Back at the Blum-Deckler's, Tiffany had finally chosen
something that she thought was close enough to perfect. “Six Fourty,” Sandi
said, once her friend had dressed.
“We can get there just after seven,” Quinn said.
“That's a good time,” Sandi said.
“Perfect,” Tiffany responded.
Angie arrived at the house in Howard Drive. 'Gosh! This
place needs work!' she thought as she walked up the path. She knocked on the
door. Brittany answered it. “Hi, Brittany.”
“Angie. You haven't seen Kevin, have you? He's supposed
to be here by now.”
“I haven't,” Angie admitted.
“I hope he hasn't forgotten!” Brittany exclaimed.
“He could have,” Angie said.
“Come, I'll introduce you to the hostess,” Brittany said.
Angie nodded.
“Jane?”
Jane turned at Brittany's voice. “Yes?”
“This is Angie.”
“I have seen her around,” Jane said. “How did you find
out?”
“I think it was Nikki,” Angie said. “She's coming too.”
“Another cheerleader,” Jane considered. “So, who told
her?”
“I don't know,” Angie admitted.
Daria answered the door again. She had seen Angie arrive,
and hoped there wouldn't be too many others. “Hello?” she said as she opened
the door.
“Is this the house with the party?” Andrea asked.
“I haven't heard of other parties in the street,” Daria
answered. “But it hasn't really started yet, if you're thinking of gate
crashing.”
Andrea chuckled. “Oh! I can wait, hang around
upstairs...”
“Just don't take anything, or mess any rooms more than
they already are.”
“Of course not,” Andrea said as she entered. “By the way,
I passed several other fellow students down the street. They were taking their
time.”
“I'll warn Jane,” Daria said. She watched Andrea go up
the stairs before heading out to be backyard.
Daria found Jane talking to Jodie and Brittany near the
Gazebo. “Andrea is here,” she said to Jane.
“And who else?” Jane asked.
“She said she passed several more who were on their way!”
“I'm sure we can handle it,” Jane said.
“It's going to spiral out of control!” Daria groused.
“I hope not,” Jane considered.
“Don't worry, Daria,” Brittany said cheerfully.
“There's plenty to worry about,” Daria groused.
“I'll make sure it won't get out of control,” Brittany
said encouraging.
“That doesn't inspire me with confidence.”
“I've learned from experience,” Brittany responded in a
lower tone.
'I guess so,' Daria thought.
Meanwhile, Angie was talking to Max Tyler, one of the
other Mystik Spiral members.
“...Criminale?” Angie asked.
“We go all out, man!”
“Really?” Angie asked in a dubious tone.
“We do. We're, like on the edge!”
“I'll see,” Angie said.
The Fashion Club had left Tiffany's house. “So, where in
the street is this party?” Stacy asked.
“111,” Sandi answered.
'Why does that sound familiar?' Quinn wondered.
“Right,” Stacy said.
“We should be there on time,” Sandi said.
“Sorry that it took time,” Tiffany said.
“Don't mention it,” Sandi said.
Mack answered the door and saw a few of his team mates.
“Joey, Jeffy and John?” he asked.
“It's Jamie!”
“Sorry, Jamie,” Mack said. “You can come in.”
“Is Quinn Morgendorffer here?” Joey asked as he came in.
“She isn't, but Daria is.”
“Daria? Really?” Jeffy asked.
“Yes,” Mack said. “It seems she's the only one who was
actually invited.”
“Oh, it's Jane's place!” Joey realised.
“You didn't know before?” Mack asked.
“I haven't been here in years!” Joey said.
“Cool,” Jamie said.
“Then maybe you can show us the way to the kitchen,”
Jeffy said.
“Sure,” Joey said.
Mack looked at Jeffy.
“What? I'm hungry.”
Andrea was looking through the rooms, wondering which was
which. She opened a door, and looked in. She smiled. She had found Jane's room,
it being the only one with an easal. She slipped into the room.
Brittany slipped into the kitchen and saw the Three J's
there. “Hi, Joey, Jeffy, James,” she said.
“It's Jamie!”
“Sorry,” Brittany said. “Jane sent me to start bringing
stuff out into the yard.”
“It's out in the yard?” Jeffy asked.
“Yes,” Brittany answered.
“Cool!” Jamie said.
“So, grab something!” Brittany directed, as she grabbed a
bowl of chips. 'I hope Quinn won't arrive to distract them!'
“Of course,” Joey said as she grabbed a couple of soda
bottles.
Monday 13 December 2021
Sunday 12 December 2021
Psalm 68
Psalm 68
68 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.
2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.
4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name Jah, and rejoice before him.
5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.
7 O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:
8 The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9 Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.
10 Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.
11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.
12 Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil.
13 Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.
14 When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon.
15 The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan.
16 Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the Lord will dwell in it for ever.
17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.
18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.
19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
20 He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death.
21 But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses.
22 The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea:
23 That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same.
24 They have seen thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.
25 The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.
26 Bless ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel.
27 There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.
28 Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us.
29 Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.
30 Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war.
31 Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.
32 Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah:
33 To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.
34 Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.
35 O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.
The Grinch 2018 review
Rewatch. Based on the book by Dr. Seuss. A
misanthropic being, living to the north of a town called Whoville, despises
Christmas. There is also a young Who named Cindy Lou, who wants to talk to
Santa Clause. The Grinch’s plan to steal Whoville’s Christmas intertwines with
Cindy Lou’s plan in an interesting way. The emotional journey the Grinch undergoes
over the course of the film was portrayed very well. Better than I remembered. 9.02/10.
Saturday 11 December 2021
Church notes - 12th December 2021
12th
Romans 8:28
Hope
- Expectation
- For Jesus to come to Earth and for us to have Eternal Life.
- Deliverance from our sins.
- It isn't disappointed
Psalm 139
Ruth 1
Christmas - A time of hope
People need the Hope of the Cross.
Romans 15:13
Our hope is built on the Resurrection of Jesus.
Naomi's life didn't turn out as she thought it would.
Ruth 1:16, 17
Ruth had to figure things out on her own.
Naomi was in dispair.
But Ruth returned with her.
Ruth 1:22
A seed of hope. Ruth had faith and hope.
Ruth 2:2
Hope
Emotions have reasons
Feelings including hope need a reason.
We need to be able to give a reason for the hope we have.
Naomi didn't have hope. Her life was filled with despair.
Boaz
Ruth 3
Ruth 4:15
Obed, Jesse, David, and generations later, Jesus.
There is hope for anybody in any situation.
We have our reason for hope.
Friday 10 December 2021
No Time to Die review
56. No Time To Die
The latest in the James Bond movie franchise,
based on the novels by Ian Fleming (albeit not on any particular novel). A retired
James Bond is brought back into the fold at MI6 after he discovers a threat to civilization.
(A recurring theme through the various films.) The cold open depicting a
defining moment from Madelaine Swans childhood was appropriately chilling, and lead
to payoffs later in the film. A sequence with an inexperienced CIA agent in
Cuba was also enjoyable. Overall, the film was very good. Certainly, one of the
best of the recent films.
Even with a bittersweet ending. 8.91/10.
Thursday 9 December 2021
Mysteries of Lawndale - Night of the Coffee House - Part 8
Part 8
Charles waved to Daria after she had got
her food. Daria sighed and came over. “Have you found any of the people?” she
asked.
He took out the sketch he had been given
that morning. “No one said that they recognised them.”
Daria picked up on what he wasn’t saying.
“But someone did react when they saw it?”
“Yes,” Charles answered.
“Who was it?” Daria asked.
“He’s one of those who started here the
same day as you and Quinn.”
“His name?”
“Dewey Rogers, but he has picked up the
nickname ‘Shaggy’ due to his resemblance to a certain cartoon character,”
Charles answered.
“I have seen him around,” Daria said. “How
did he react?”
“He was startled. He obviously knows who
it is,” Charles said. “But he didn’t say anything more.”
Daria thought on it, as she sat across
from Charles. She decided she would talk to Dewey Rogers after school.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Charles said as
she took a bite from her lunch.
“I will find Dewey Rogers after school,”
Daria responded. Even so, she glanced around the cafeteria to see if he was
there.
“I’ll see him in class,” Charles said.
“I’ll tell him you’re looking for him.”
“I’ll be waiting in the Library.”
“I’ll be sure to tell him.”
They sat in silence as they continued to
eat.
Jeffy found Joey and Jamie. “Joey!”
“Yes?” Joey asked.
“Quinn gave me these sketches.”
The rest of the afternoon was mostly
uneventful. Mostly. The trio who were involved in the break in plotted…
“This Daria and her Mystery Club are
likely to prove it is us…” one said.
“Then we’ll do something…”
Charles entered the Maths class. He saw
that Dewey Rogers was already there. He went to sit near him. “Hi, Shaggy,” he
said.
‘Shaggy,’ sighed. “Hi, Upchuck,” he
said with irritation.
“I told Daria that you know one of the
people in the sketches. She’ll be waiting in the Library after school.’
“When was this?”
“At lunch,” Charles answered.
“And how many people would have
overheard?”
“No one. We were alone at the table and
were talking rather quietly.”
“Good,” Dewey said quietly. “Then I will
meet her in the Library.”
Joey and Jamie showed a few other people
the sketches Quinn gave them to a couple other members of the football team. “I
have no idea who this is,” Robert Koreleski said politely after looking over
his sketch a couple of times.
“I’ll ask a few more people,” Joey said.
“I’ll ask a few too.” Robert said.
“You can take it.,” Jamie said.
“Thanks.”
After school, Daria entered the library.
Dewey wasn’t there yet. ‘Hopefully, he won’t be long,’ she thought. She grabbed
a copy of the Lawndale Sun-Herald and sat down. There wasn’t much new in
that edition. She had almost finished it when Dewey came in.
“Daria?” he asked.
“Over here,” Daria said.
Dewey came over. “You have another copy of
that sketch?” he asked.
“I do,” Daria responded, she took it out
of her pocket.
“Cool,” Dewey said. He took the sketch
from Daria and looked at it. “I was right.”
“So, who is it?” Daria asked.
Dewey looked around nervously. Daria
couldn’t fault him. There could be anyone else in the library.
“Or do you want to meet elsewhere?”
Dewey thought for a moment. “Elsewhere,”
he decided.
“So, where?” Daria asked. “We can go to
your place, if you want.”
Dewey handed the sketch back to her.
“Where has the Mystery Club been meeting?”
“We haven’t had formal meetings yet. It’s
been more of an ad hoc thing.”
“Oh. I guess your place would be good. I’m
sure I can trust you and your family, given that you are also new to Lawndale.”
“Sure,” Daria said, slightly surprised.
“We can go now.”
Jane entered the room where her homeroom
was usually held. Ms. Morris was waiting for her. “Well, I’m here,” she said.
“Good Lane. Now sit and be quiet!”
Jane sat and glared at Ms. Morris.
Quinn met the three boys as they left the
school. “So, did anyone recognise the people in the pictures?” she asked Jeffy.
“No, they didn’t,” he said.
The other two shook their heads.
“Oh.”
“So, we’re still at square one?” Jamie
asked.
“I didn’t say that. I haven’t checked in
with Daria and Jane all day. I’ll find out when I get home if they made
progress,” Quinn answered.
“Can we come with you then?” Joey asked.
“Sure,” Quinn responded. “If you can keep
up!”
“You’re jogging?” Jamie asked.
“No! Silly, I came on my bike!”
“Oh!”
“But we didn’t come on our bikes,” Jeffy
said.
“You can still come,” Quinn said.
“Cool,” Jamie said.
“But we’re waiting for Stacy first,” Quinn
added.
“Sure,” Jamie said.
Officer Peterson met Daria and Dewey at a
café halfway between the High School and the Morgendorffer’s neighborhood.
“Daria!” she called.
“This is Dewey. He suspects he knows who
one of the culprits is.”
“Oh,” Xanthe said. “But the evidence would
be circumstantial. It won’t hold up in court.”
“I know that,” Daria said. “I’m planning
to have them confess at the Coffee House.”
“That could backfire,” Peterson said with
a warning tone.
“I know. Which is why I would like you and
a colleague you can trust present,” Daria responded.
“I’ll see if I can swing it.”
“In any case, here are copies of sketches
Jane Lane made.”
“The Lanes…” Peterson considered as she
took the sketches.
‘What has she heard about Jane’s family?’
Daria wondered.
“Thanks,” Peterson said. “I look forward
to tomorrow night then.”
Thursday 2 December 2021
Daria in the Background - Part 5
Part 5
Lawndale High, October 19th, 9:42 AM
“Class, I thought today we'd take a break from the
tragedy of Romeo and Juliet to discuss the real-life tragedy that
happened last night here in Lawndale. Let's share our feelings of violation
following the loss of our beloved cybercafé, alt.lawndale.com,” Mr. Timothy
O’Neill said to his Sophomore Language Arts class. He looked at one of the
other students.
‘As long as he doesn’t look in my direction,’ Daria
thought, not for the first time.
“Charles. Charles did you hear me?”
“You mean, Kevin?” Kevin Thompson said.
Mr. O’Niell paused as he looked at his seating chart.
“Kevin I'm sorry. You uh, look like somebody else. What do you have to say
about last night's horrible event?”
“I was home all night. You can ask my parents. Besides, I
already have a computer.”
“No, Kevin. I mean, how did the theft make you feel?”
“Um… Said?” Kevin responded.
“Are you asking me or telling me?”
“Angry?”
Mr. O’Neill looked to one of the other students. “Jodie,
how about you?”
“I think the cybercafé served one very particular segment
of the community, but it still pisses me off when people take what isn't theirs,”
Jodie said.
“That's how I feel!” Kevin interjected.
‘No, you don’t,’ Daria Morgendorffer thought.
“Thank you, Kevin. Jodie, about that word,
"community." Isn't that the whole idea of a cybercafé? To jack us
into the global community? I think what's most disturbing about this crime is
the symbolism involved. Don't you agree, Jane?
“No,” Jane Lane said.
“Suddenly, we're cut off. We can't hail our friends
across the globe and say, "It's a beautiful day in the cyberhood."
They didn't just take a few computers. They took the symbol of our virtual
community. To visit alt.lawndale.com was to come together with the planet!”
‘Oh, come on!’ Daria thought. O’Neill was just reading
too much into it. She didn’t say that out loud as she didn’t want the
attention.
O’Neill tried to continue to engage the class about the
Cyber Café break in, but eventually turned back to Romeo and Juliet halfway
through the period.
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