A list of unrelated things

This is going to be one of those posts that touches on a bunch of topics.

Thus, numbered list:

1) Unauthorized third-party charges on my AT&T bill. ANNOYING. They were really pissing me off (got billed for the second time for something I didn't sign up for) so I finally called AT&T to have them put a block on my account. I also called the third-party company to have the charges refunded. Very scammy. I'm hopeful that my calls today, which totaled more than 20 minutes, will produce a scammy-charge-free result.

2) I've been thinking a lot about the stuff I wrote a couple posts back -- about finding fulfillment in God. Just thought I should follow up and say that I've been putting in more effort than usual and have already seen an excellent return. I started reading the book of Matthew and by chapter four had already taken some interesting things from it that I can actually apply to my life. I love when reading the bible yields practical guidance. To summarize, I have learned that I need to study the ways God has spoken to (or led) me in the past so I can recognize when he's speaking to me (got this from noticing that God spoke to Joseph using the same avenue four separate times... intriguing). And when reading the story about Jesus fasting for 40 days and being tempted by Satan, I picked up a few things I hadn't before, like the fact that Jesus quoted Deuteronomy each time he had to combat temptation. I think I'll be reading Deuteronomy soon, since it appears to have been an important book to my Savior. There's a lot more, but those are my two favorite "Hmmm" moments, so I thought I'd share.

3) I was realizing today that a certain co-worker of mine, who also seeks God, has gone through a whole lot of crap in her life. She's dealing with a tough situation now (the health of a family member is not good) and yet every time I see her go through something difficult, it seems she almost always says something like, "But the Lord is good... and we need to trust him." I wonder if this is what is meant by "Joy in the Lord" because despite the crappy circumstances surrounding her, she has an incredible peace that seems to calm her, even if it doesn't take the pain away. I want to be like that.

4) Fruit is good. I am a vegetable person, but I think I'm learning to like fruit. I'm particularly fond of oranges right now.

5) On the way to work today I was thinking about zombies. I don't like fantasy or horror genres (for either games or movies), but today I think I saw the relevance of zombie-ism to our spiritual lives. No idea where it came from -- zombies aren't usually on my mind and I wasn't listening to the Cranberries. I haven't been able to fully develop whatever idea flashed into my head this morning, but there might be a poem or song coming down the pike.

6) It's not so hard to do the things we want to do in life (I'm thinking about New Year's Resolutions, specifically) if we just DO them. It's amazing how undisciplined we all are in so many ways. I am at the top of the offending persons list.

7) I have a budget this year. I decided it was time to be responsible. Considering my lack of discipline, however, I'd be surprised if I even remember I HAVE a budget by the time St. Patrick's Day arrives. Still, I'm thankful to have a bit of structure for my finances. I think it will help me.

8) Things that fascinate me: www.marcjohns.com, the way the media perpetuates problems of all kinds (makes me glad I didn't go into sensationa--i mean, journalism), www.stumbleupon.com, the fact that I used to be able to sing this in it's entirety, lyrics to any Iron & Wine song, the human attempt to self-save, tattoos (making plans for my third, hope to be inked this fall), the incredible amount of time that has been put into developing all of the content on the web.

9) There is nothing better for a man than to eat, drink, and enjoy his work, for this is his heritage. (Ecc. 5:18, and I think I may have made up this version...)

I think that's all I've got for now. I'm sure I could do a free-write, word-association type thing and spout out about 12 more pages worth of nonsense, but I should finish my orange and get back to work.