Random Corner

Earth House Happenings

2012-01-12T14:42:00.000-08:00

The Earth House is an old church building converted into a coffee shop and event location. They host several classes (dance, yoga, martial arts) throughout the week and several events like open mic night on Thursdays and the occasional local band. Taking place on February 17 (a Thursday) the Earth House will be having a Jazz+Sushi fundraiser; one of its most anticipated events of the year!!! Tickets are $25 and it includes a variety of the towns best sushi and wine. There will be live music and a contest for the best outfit. The theme is 50's!! I know where I will be Feb 17. How about you???

~Typography~

2012-01-11T19:50:00.000-08:00

Typography is the study and manipulation of letters and type. It is an art form in the words themselves. It is the "art and technique of arranging type in order to make language visible." Typeface is the construction and use of different type forms, or fonts. Not every typographer does typeface and not everyone who does typeface considers themselves a typographer.

Enjoy the way letters can say more than the words they spell out....

Plaid and Simple

2012-01-10T19:02:00.000-08:00

Do you ever find yourself going through stages of liking one thing over another? These days it's plaid. Somehow plaid is back of beyond; a call of the wilderness. In many shapes and forms, colors and shades; each plaid is uniquely set apart to itself.

Anecdote of the Jar
By Wallace Stevens

I placed a jar in Tennessee,
And round it was, upon a hill.
It made the slovenly wilderness
Surround that hill.

The wilderness rose up to it,
And sprawled around; no longer wild.
The jar was round upon the ground
And tall and of a port in air.

It took dominion everywhere.
The jar was gray and bare.
It did not give of bird or bush,

Like nothing else in Tennessee.

Songbird

2012-01-07T20:14:00.000-08:00

I used to feel caged. It was when I lived how I wanted and did whatever pleased me. I was a slave to my own desire. To be a child of God means to have freedom.

"What's keeping you from flying free above the trees and seeing clearly?"

a little bit of this....a little bit of that

2012-01-02T17:13:00.000-08:00

I've always enjoyed the idea of making my own "this and that". But where to start? I dabbled in crochet, food prep and making my own journals. Due to inspiration from a friend I've begun experimenting with different hand and body scrubs. The one I like the most right now is a simple mixture.

Ingredients:

2 cups brown sugar
2 cups olive oil (although you may want to add more for the mixture to combine thoroughly)
2 cups oatmeal
optional - a few drops of your favorite scent.

I tried it out with lavender and love the results. Feel free to play around with the combination of ingredients! Perhaps you may want to add a little water or bake the oatmeal instead of adding it raw? Be creative and share your results!

God's Presence For The Journey

2012-01-01T19:49:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to all!! I don't know about you, but 2011 was a LONG year, full of challenges and great joys. I was SO happy that the first day of the year fell on a Sunday because I was able to celebrate it by worshiping the God of creation with His people. Pastor David Whitla gave a challenging sermon in the evening from Exodus 33:1-17.

If you look back through the book of Exodus you see how God brought the people out of Eygpt and all the marvelous works He did for their sake and for the sake of His glory. You see how they dwelt with Him in the wilderness. Amidst these blessings there is also shame and grief. The people worshipped a graven image; forsaking the law of God and His holy name. In chapter 33 God tells Moses that the people will still enter the land of Canaan, but that His presence would not go with them. When the people heard this, they were greatly dismayed. The future must have looked very bleak. Moses went to the Lord in prayer, interceding for the people. The prayer can be found in verses 12-17. When we break the prayer down there are six lessons to learn.

1) Moses confessed his weakness. He had a very heavy burden placed on him to lead the people of Israel. He acknowledged his inadequacy to accomplish the task on his own.

2) Moses expressed his assurance of the Lord's favor for the journey. God knew him by name; He had a deep relationship to Moses. The same is true of all His people. The degree of our assurance that Gods favor is with us will determine our level of confidence in His ability to help us in our time of need.

3) Moses sought growth in grace during the journey. He knew God, but wanted more. Shouldn't each one of us want to know our Creator and Father more intimately? It's important to remember that God is the one who provides the growth. Moses asks God to show himself.

4) Moses pleads God's promises. God had entered a covenant with Israel and Moses approached God with holy boldness. God's children can claim past promises for future blessing.

5) Moses pleads God's presence for the journey. If God's presence did not go with them they did not want to go. They would rather live in the wilderness with God than go into Canaan without Him.

"O my Lord Jesus Christ, if I could be in Heaven without thee, it would be a hell; and if I could be in hell and have thee still, it would be a heaven to me, for thou art all the heaven I want." ~Samuel Rutherford

"I would rather be in Hell with Christ than in Heaven without Him." ~Martin Luther

6) Moses prayed for God to be glorified in the journey. God had set His people apart to bring glory to Him among the nations. How were they to do that if His presence did not go with them? Ask God to go with you, not so you may be blessed, but so that He will.

God answered Moses' prayer graciously and said that He would not depart from them but would keep His promise to be their God. When God calls us to any service, He will furnish His people with all that is necessary to accomplish the task. He will give direction and strengthen us when we seek His face. Why was God merciful to Israel when they were such a "stiff-necked people"? He was pleased with Moses, their mediator. We have a mediator FAR greater than Moses. "My children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world." ~I John 2:1-2

To wrap all this up there are a few reminders of what experiencing God's presence means for us. Having God with you means companionship, confidence, guidance, provision, spiritual needs met, protection, rest, comfort, and the ability to persevere to the end of the journey.

Begin each new morning in His loving arms because every day has the promise of the endless Day (Rev. 22:1-5). Happy traveling, fellow pilgrims!

The Source of Love

2011-12-04T11:57:00.000-08:00

In the Chinese language, the character for "righteousness" is made up of the character for "lamb" over the character for "me." The Lamb, the Son of God, was given as a sacrifice for the sins of man. When I put my faith and trust in Jesus Christ he put himself over me, making me righteous in the eyes of God the Father. The Source of Love is a film about a young man who becomes a follower of Jesus Christ after his friend shares the gospel with him. This young man, Ah Kit, labors to bring his family to Christ. He faces a lot of hostility and resentment from them. It's a story of love and sacrifice and realizing that life is not hard, but Christ is a refuge to any who will run to him. I can relate to his struggles because I too have family members that are resistant to the one true God. But, it's definitely worth it to continue striving for their salvation. Sometimes you may have to give up your rights and comfort. I'm grateful that my dad showed me this piece of artistry and I hope by sharing it with others, they may be blessed as I have been by its powerful message.

Here is where I am

2011-11-14T19:49:00.000-08:00

Someone said to me the other day,

"another day, another dollar." Great gatsby!!

I am glad I live and work for more than that.

Well than, I suppose I shall sleep now and

regain my energy for tomorrow.

Only by

the grace of my Father do I press forward. :)

On the canal

Photo taken by Mary

Spring wears a thin fabric

2011-10-27T19:57:00.000-07:00

As the days grow colder I listen to this sweet melody and look at the pictures to remind me that the cold won't be here forever....spring will come again. :)

Clair de lune by Paul Verlaine

2011-10-25T18:49:00.000-07:00

Your soul is as a moonlit landscape fair,

Peopled with maskers delicate and dim,

That play on lutes and dance and have an air

Of being sad in their fantastic trim.

The while they celebrate in minor strain

Triumphant love, effective enterprise,

They have an air of knowing all is vain,—

And through the quiet moonlight their songs rise,

The melancholy moonlight, sweet and lone,

That makes to dream the birds upon the tree,

And in their polished basins of white stone

The fountains tall to sob with ecstasy.

~~ ORIGINAL FRENCH ~~

Votre âme est un paysage choisi

Que vont charmant masques et bergamasques

Jouant du luth et dansant et quasi

Tristes sous leurs déguisements fantasques.

Tout en chantant sur le mode mineur

L'amour vainqueur et la vie opportune

Ils n'ont pas l'air de croire à leur bonheur

Et leur chanson se mêle au clair de lune,

Au calme clair de lune triste et beau,

Qui fait rêver les oiseaux dans les arbres

Et sangloter d'extase les jets d'eau,

Les grands jets d'eau sveltes parmi les marbres.

Do have a listen to the poem read aloud with the music that was written as the prelude to the poem.

Is there anyone like our God?

2011-10-23T19:36:00.000-07:00

I rubbed my eyes and I stretched as far as I could at such an hour. My feet hit the stairs with less grace than normal, sleepy feet that they were. The red bar stool in the kitchen was the perfect spot to sit and eat my morning meal of granola and raw almonds whilst watching the news. The top story: a group of Italian scientists charged with man-slaughter for not predicting an earthquake. I almost didn't believe the headline. I kept watching and listening.

The city that was hit, L'Aquila, demanded 50 million euros. Six of the seven people on trial were part of the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology. The last was a member of the Civil Protection Agency. They were accused of providing "inaccurate, incomplete and contradictory information about the dangers of seismic activity undermining the protection of the population." Governments and scientists all over the world came to the rescue of these seven defendants. One broadcast did a bit on technology in Japan used for predicting earthquakes and tsunamis. They are among the leading experts and yet they admitted that not all data is 100% reliable and accurate. And at some points, under some circumstances, it is almost impossible to see an earthquake coming. You cannot blame a person for the inability of a machine to predict the future, no matter the amount of data. Why are we putting so much credence on fallible creatures?

After sharing this story with a pastor friend he pointed out the similarity of this circumstance to the book of Daniel. At the start of chapter 2 King Nebuchadnezzar has a disturbing dream. He is desperate to find the meaning so he calls all of the magicians, conjurers, sorcerers and master astrologers to interpret the dream. He tells them that if they cannot tell him what the dream was and it's meaning than they shall be killed. Of course, this was impossible for them to do. Just when the King was going to have all the wise men in the land done away with, in comes Daniel. God grants Daniel the ability to tell the King the contents of the dream and the meaning behind it. By this, the King would see that God alone knew all things and had given him the dream in the first place. I pray that others will learn from this experience. God alone is sovereign and infallible.

Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days

2011-10-16T12:32:00.000-07:00

A good cup of coffee with an extra shot of espresso, because I can.

Listening to Billie Holiday and watching the wind blow around dry leaves. Speaking of music....I recently added a playlist to this blog at the bottom left corner. Have a listen. Start off with Billie if you are so inclined.

At church today I enjoyed an hour with the kiddies followed by some pleasant conversations and class, which was on the book of Ecclesiastes. The verses that stuck out to me were 6:7-9 "All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied. For what advantage has the wise man over the fool? And what does the poor man have who knows how to conduct himself before the living? Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity and a striving after wind."

What is the purpose to life if all you are striving after is riches? You work to eat....you eat to work. It's a selfish and empty cycle. Is the answer wisdom? Is getting wisdom the key to wealth, happiness and a comfortable life? There are poor who are far wiser than their superiors. If we look back to the pilgrim days, the "American Dream" was religious freedom....living to serve God his way and not ours. The dream has morphed into a monotonous and tasteless reaching after more, more and even more. What are we but worms, consuming dirt, if we are living with such a bourn? The teacher in Ecclesiastes moves on to say that it is better to reach for what is attainable than to reach after dreams because it is like trying to grab the wind. What progress do you make in grabbing what cannot be grasped? This means living in reality, this does not mean "don't set any goals." God calls us in his Word to always press onward to the goal. What is the goal? To be more like Christ. Now....you may be thinking "but we can never be perfect. Isn't that an unattainable goal?" Yes. But that's what is amazing about it. We cannot do it on our own. It is only by the grace of the Father that we can reach after Christ-likeness. We will not attain it in this life, and we're not meant to. It is the life to come when we shall receive the prize. But we strive.....oh how we are to strive to be more like our Savior. The preacher is speaking of worldly goals....things we mean to achieve in this life. Be wise.....do not aim too high. But be wise....do not set your standards too low. Hope that makes sense.... :P

Latin!

2011-10-15T19:39:00.000-07:00

I have a whimsical co-worker who has been teaching me latin as our paths cross in the work day. I do a bit of my own learnin' when I'm at home and surprise him with my extensive knowledge of the language. :P Here are some phrases I've especially liked....

Haec dicit Dominus........Thus says the Lord

Dum spiro spero........While I breathe I hope

Coram Deo.........Before God

Cum laude.........With honor

Dominus providebit........The Lord will provide

Semper fidelis.......Always faithful

And here are some classics (for the calvinist)

Sola Scriptura...........By scripture alone

Sola Fide..........By faith alone

Sola Gratia.........By grace alone

Solus Christus or Solo Christo.........Christ alone or Through Christ alone

Soli Deo Gloria........Glory to God alone

P.S. (Post scriptum).....written after. :)

"You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives." ~Clay P. Bedford

Get yourself something hot and yummy to drink

2011-10-04T16:56:00.000-07:00

Greetings Brothers and Sisters!!

If I ever write mass notes it's normally to smaller groups or in smaller forms,

such as a text, but you were the people that God put on my heart to write to

this evening. And I had a lot on my heart. :)

My thoughts started going on rabbit trails this morning when a co-worker came

to me, said, "Mary, if there is one thing you remember, remember this....Haec

dicit Dominus--Thus says the Lord," and walked away. Those words were

strewing for the rest of the day...sometimes bubbling to the front of my conscious

mind and other times going to the back burner. When I came home I started

preparing for a Bible Study and listened to a sermon by Andy Stanley called

"Finding God's Blueprints For Your Life." Andy makes the statement,

"Do you realize that when you became a Christian you lost the right to dream

dreams and set goals outside the realm of God's command to make disciples

of the nations? You are not your own, you have been bought with a price."

Now this quote would definitely spark some good conversation, but the point

I am trying to get at is that God has a vision for his people. For myself,

I know how easy it is to be sidetracked by my own vision for my life. What

does Mary want? What would make Mary happy? How does Mary want

to spend her life? The problem is that I've substituted my name where the author

already had his own. "Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer,

the Lord of hosts; 'I am the first and the last; besides me there is no god.

Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me,

since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and

what will happen. Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and

declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There

is no Rock; I know not any." ~Isaiah 44:6-8

I suppose I'm just writing to encourage all of you to remember your first love and

his calling to you, to us....to make disciples of all nations! How does this start?

Wherever you are RIGHT NOW! Whether that's Indiana, Tennessee, Texas,

Kansas, Oregon, Australia or China. It can definitely be overwhelming....any

christian will admit that. But remember that we are seeking to please God and

not man. "The greatest asset you have is your own salvation." I've made more

friendships at my new job with more hurting people than I could have imagined.

It has humbled me and inspired me. The point isn't to add numbers, but to have

Christ's heart for the lost. There is hope for those aching hearts. How will

they discover it unless they are told? I'd really like to be praying for each of you.

I know that several of you are facing extreme difficulties at this time. If you have

friends or family that you have been ministering to in one way or another and

would like prayer for them, please share that as well. Keep fighting the good

fight brothers and sisters, and walking faithfully with Jesus Christ, our ROCK,

REDEEMER and FRIEND!

Do Hard Things: The Beginning

2011-09-03T19:23:00.000-07:00

In March of this year I had an illness appear suddenly. For several months afterward I was constantly tired, sluggish, low on energy and uninspired to be active at all. As I began to improve in health I had such a huge desire to get out there and do hard things. What does "hard" imply though? In my mind it doesn't include the traditional sports (except for volleyball and ping pong....they will always be acceptable). I'm talking about kayaking, rock climbing, walking the dog (you've never walked Phil before....trust me, its a work out), learning to fly a plane, swing dancing, learning spanish and writing letters (faithfully....that can be difficult to accomplish).

So in honor of this new found energy I would like to start a Do Hard Things series. First, I would like to point one thing out. The things I am introducing are indeed hard, but they are not the hardest things that we face in life. They are merely earthly challenges. If you truly want to Do Hard Things, check out The Rebelution. The hardest thing we will ever be called to do in this world is to live a life that is honorable to God in Heaven......but it is also the most rewarding.

(1) How about we start off with something that has been on my mind for aeons......learning an instrument.

Here are some of my top picks:

I wonder if the legs on this piano were slightly water damaged......

This man seems happy he learned to play the drums! :) Or perhaps he's only beginning and doesn't know what he's gotten himself into....

Ah....the fiddle. Irish fiddling is the grandest if you allow me the pleasure of saying.

What kind of instruments did you practice as a kid? Come on....each of us took a lesson of some sort at one time or another. I played around with piano and harmonica, but never became expert (or even average to tell ya the truth). If indeed you did not, what would you like to learn? What kind of instrument strikes your fancy?

NOTE: The simple fact that I am listing these instruments as part of the "Do Hard Things" does not mean I will necessarily start doing them. I hope to one of these days, but as it is I have no access to any of the above.

Hooowever.....I do own one of these.

But I promise you I don't look that spectacular when I hold it up in the air.

Discontentment

2011-08-21T12:26:00.000-07:00

"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." ~Philippians 4:11-13

The Excuses of a Discontented Heart from "The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment" by Jeremiah Burroughs

1) "One who is discontented says, 'It is not discontent; it is a sense of my condition."

Argument: "There is no sense of any affliction that will hinder the sense of God's mercies. Nay, the more we are sensible of our afflictions, providing it is in a gracious manner, the more sensible we will be of God's mercy. But you are so sensible of your affliction that it takes away the sense of all your mercies." Yes, we may suffer and we do not want to ignore the fact that we are in a rough patch, but how self-aware are we going to be? Are we going to be so focused on the fact we are in a trial that we lose focus on the mercies of our Heavenly Father? Burroughs describes this as "going beyond the bounds," and it is sinful.

Argument: "If it were but a bare sense of an affliction it would not hinder you in the duties of your condition." I am certainly guilty of this. I have been in trials that are so rough I convince myself there are duties I don't need to perform because I am suffering so.

Argument: "If it were but a mere sense of of your afflictions, then you could in this your condition bless God for the mercies that others have; but your discontentedness usually breeds envy at others. When anyone is discontented with their condition, they have an envious spirit at the conditions of those who are delivered from what afflictions they bear." I have been this way. I have been jealous of people who I believe God has blessed more abundantly than me. I have been jealous of people who were given opportunities I wanted. At one point I thought I was justified in being envious because it was a good thing I was desiring and could not do. But God has shown me that each person has their own path he leads them on. I would not give up what God would do with me, what he would teach me.

Five pennies

2011-08-17T19:47:00.000-07:00

I was challenged in my quiet time to consider several things....

1) Do I change the outcome of providence by my complaints? Isn't the Will of God stronger than to be swayed by my anxious thoughts and fretting? Praise God he never changes his mind or the plans he made in counsel before the foundations of the world.

2) How often do I count the burdens and ignore the blessings? If I were to make two lists and put them side by side, which would be longer and more glorious? Is not the blessing of sins extinguished and salvation gained more valuable than any number of troubles in this life?

3) I cannot judge God's plan or purpose by looking at one dot on the canvas. I must have perspective. And even then....I only see as in a mirror....dimly. One day I shall see clearly and know fully, even as I myself am fully known by the Lord.

4) Sometimes a blessing can also be a trial, but every trial is a blessing for the believer.

5) No matter what I go through my joy is firm......Christ is my hope. As long as he is solid, so is my hope.

"Those planted by the Lord
Will in God's courts be seen;
When old they'll still bear fruit
And flourish fresh and green,
And this proclaim-
How upright is the Lord
My Rock, no wrong in Him!"
~Psalm 92:13-15

Whom have I in Heaven but You?

2011-08-02T19:56:00.000-07:00

"And after you will take me into glory." What is glory? Our glory is being fully transformed into the image of Christ Jesus our Lord. My heart longs to be with my Savior. "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Be encouraged, O weary traveler, for earth is the worst place a child of God will ever live.

Covfamikoi 2011

2011-07-24T19:24:00.000-07:00

David Hanson gave talks from Hosea during the Covfamikoi family conference. Hosea was commanded to marry Gomer, a harlot. Gomer was constantly unfaithful and yet Hosea was patient with her. At one point Gomer was living with a man who was not her husband. Hosea humiliated himself by pursuing her in front of all their neighbors. He was faithful to her even when she was running from him and to other lovers. Hosea is a picture of Christ and Gomer is us. However, our offense to God was so much greater. Christ humiliated himself and bought us back. He faced the complete wrath of God for our sins. The reality is that either the roar of the lion will devour us or overcome our sins and our enemies. It's unfathomable to me that some have been chosen by Christ and that when his people turn away to "other lovers" he pursues them. He pursues them with an unfailing love. We am getting the better end of deal in this marriage. How could the Church ever think to turn away from her King? There was so much more to the talks. If you'd like to hear more go here.

The conference also included plenty of time for fellowship. I brought my nine-year-old niece Jayme and my brother for the week. There were popsicle socials, meal times, volleyball, basketball, swimming, soccer, ultimate frisbee, junior olympics (for the kiddies), swing dancing (for the college age), ping pong, pool, dutch blitz, late night laughing, gold fish parties, long talks, and walks around the beautiful campus of Cambellssville University.

Covfamikoi bit

2011-07-23T15:53:00.000-07:00

I spent six days at an incredible conference in Kentucky this last week. More to come on it soon. :)

::FroYo::

2011-07-12T16:52:00.000-07:00

I've always been an ice cream person. I grew up being allergic to corn and that was in about every dessert, other than Bryers brand ice cream. I won't lie and say I didn't have it too often....cause I did. In the past year or so I've had the pleasure of experiencing several different frozen yogurt shops. They are simply delightful! It's fun to experiment with different flavors and toppings. You gotta be careful how much you put in your bowl/cup though....they charge by the ounce (yipes!!). The one with the best taste (in my own humble opinion) is Yogulatte on Mass Ave. My favorite flavors are the original, cheesecake and chocolate.

~Birds eye view~

2011-07-08T19:07:00.000-07:00

Amy Kuney has a classy and smooth sound that is good to listen to at just about any time of the day. Enjoy. :)

New Ties

2011-07-07T16:12:00.000-07:00

I've been struck by inspiration. It comes from sources of all kinds: magazines, people I don't know, people I do know, the Creator himself, music and various other things.

My little sister has begun a new hobby...knitting! She inspires me to make one of these (or more than one....why limit myself? :P )

One beautiful thing about knitting is that there are different colors!

I was looking through Anthropologie issues and found this charming necklace. My parents collect all kinds of unique, colorful and interesting stones. I could definitely use one or a couple of them. And the rope is fantastic! Couldn't remind me more of a warm day sailing on the water (although I've never been sailing....I've always wanted to).

And.....

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

(wait for it)

_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_

Hats!!!

I just adore them. My brother gave me his black bowler hat. I will try my best not to let Charlie Chaplin down. :o)

"Give me something to believe, cause I ain't living just to breathe." ~The Bravery

2011-07-04T14:08:00.000-07:00

Ages back, long ago.....'bout six years, I and my family would go to Culver, IN every year for the 4th of July. We have not gone since the year of 2007 because the very people we went to see (aunt and uncle) moved to Seattle, Washington. We've missed going, but have done our best in making new memories. This last week, however, my younger sister and I decided to revisit the old ones. Culver hasn't changed....not a tidbit. We drove on the same streets with the same trees hanging over. We walked by the same water and watched the same sail boats pass us by. We visited the same restaurants and enjoyed the same tastes. And yet....it was different. It wasn't the place on it's own that mattered, it was the people as well (and more so). I enjoyed spending one-on-one time with my sister. We lived on the edge by paying a bundle for three hours of kayaking. It was well worth the cost. We rowed, we swam, we laughed, we sang and we burned. The evening we left Culver in our tracks it was raining; no, it was pouring. We had a few tornado scares that only made the drive more adventurous. Staying in Lafayette was refreshing because of the smiling faces that greeted us. We laughed with friends over cool glasses of water and ice cream with leftover cake bits from a wedding earlier that day. On Sunday we listened to a wonderful sermon given by Jared Olivetti on one of the trails of Paul. I learned that it's possible to feel convicted without being converted. That afternoon we walked around Mass Ave, taking pictures and investigating Silver in the City*At Home in the City. The day ended with a sermon by Pastor Whitla on Jonah 2. God afflicts in order to have his people rededicate their lives to him and pay the vows they made.

"The only thing that Jonah contributed to his salvation was the sin that made that salvation necessary. We are all Jonahs." ~David Whitla

It's the 4th of July......remember the impact our forefathers had and seek to make an impact in the here and now for the generations to come.

A Weekly Devotional E-mail From Sylvia Gunter

2011-06-27T08:50:00.000-07:00

The world is in a mess! And Jesus is the answer! Read the headlines, follow the stories, if you like, but get your truth from the Spirit of truth.

One of the greatest things about prayer is that you can be a prayer missionary anywhere. In prayer there are no "closed" nations. You have full rights to intercede for any nation that God places on your heart, regardless of what the government of that nation says about God. Using this prayer strategy, in as little as a few minutes you can go in prayer to any country in the world and pray for God to show His glory in that location among those people whom he created. You can also use this same well-rounded prayer prompter to pray for hours, if God directs you. So grab your passport (your identity in Christ), your carry-on luggage (your Bible), and a map or a newspaper and see where God wants to send you today.

7 Prayer Principles Multiplied 7 Days A Week
For The World

1. Lift up Jesus as Lord to the glory of the Father and acknowledge His sovereignty, rule, and authority in your life, in the whole earth, and in a particular country. Glorify the King of kings. God reigns, Ps 47:8. His dominion endures, Ps 145:11-13.

2. By the blood of Jesus and in His all-powerful name, in prayer make an appeal in the court of heaven against all spiritual forces that are operating in the country to blind it, bind it, and hold it captive. Claim that the name of the LORD subjugates every opposing ruling power and causes every knee to bow in submission to His rule and authority. Eph 1:21-22, Phi 2:9-11.

3. Pray for the Spirit of God to open the heavens over a specific area or country. Pray for a Holy Spirit breakthrough over the traditional religious systems that dominate. Confess idolatry and sins of the nation/peoples. Ask God to rend the heavens and come down, Isa 64:1-4.

4. Pray for an awakened church John 17.

Pray for a spirit of humility, repentance, and revival 2 Chron 7:14
Pray for the church to move in unity, love, and power of the Spirit John 17:23, 24, 26
Ask for God's protection and will John 17:4, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19

Pray for use of spiritual weapons and armor 2 Cor 10:3-4

Pray for all in authority 1 Tim 2:1-4
Ask God for just men to rule in the fear of the Lord 2 Sam 23:3

Thank God that he is not willing for any to perish 2 Peter 3:9
Ask for God's provision for sin be applied to the need of all those who do not know the Savior John 17:25
That children and youth hear the gospel and learn the character of God and go forth as the "sent ones" Mark 10:14-15

5. Pray for pastors and Christian leaders who are God-anointed, God-appointed, and God-empowered and for a mighty movement of intercessory prayer that is aggressive in worship andl warfare.

6. Pray for political leaders to repent, receive salvation, and govern righteously and for the "most unlikely" unrighteous men to be converted and become radical disciples. Pray for Christians in leadership to know their God and stand strong in the fear of the Lord.

7. Pray for the Lord of the harvest to reap multitudes for spiritual awakening and salvation and that new believers will be strong, growing disciples in the Lord.

Father, glorify Your name in all the earth.

NOTE: I Did not write any of this. All of this belongs to Sylvia Gunter. However, I did find it helpful and encouraging.

Nick Brandt Photography #1: Elephant With Exploding Dust, Amboseli 2004

2011-06-13T18:44:00.000-07:00

Sanctification: The Forgotten Part of the Gospel Part II

2011-06-03T09:45:00.000-07:00

Given by Pastor David Reese

Text: Titus 2:11-14

You can listen to the sermon for yourself if you wish. These are just my notes, but I hope that they are helpful.

*Every person is conceived and born with that corruption. We have to put off a former way of life. This old nature can be called “worldliness” so we must put off the world. Before all this we were slaves to sin and in bondage to the ways of the world. We had no choice in it. God’s grace has delivered us from our former captivity so that we may not live according to the flesh but according to the spirit.

*You are to live like those who are headed for an eternal rest in the presence of God. Self-control, righteousness, godliness—these are the characteristics we strive for.

*The time aspect of the Gospel is the future. Paul is calling us to live eschatologically (eschatology—the study of the last days). You cannot live like you have no idea what is going to happen in the future. We have been given insight into what the ultimate plan of God is for his people.

    ~There was an appearing in the past and there will be another appearing in the future. The past and the future are inseparably tied together. The very one who will appear in the future is the one who appeared in the past.   Our hope is in the one who has already appeared and already given himself for us.

   ~We live between the now and the not yet. There is still a present work going on that is not yet complete.   That work of transformation will come to completion when he comes again.

*The present work is not possible without the past salvation. And the past salvation is not claimable without the present work. It is entirely a package deal: if you have one you have them all. If you do not have one of them then you do not have any of them. No one can legitimately claim to be saved if the active work of grace is not present in their lives today.

*Paul is saying that Jesus gave himself for us not only to redeem us, but to purify us for himself.

*We are no more sanctified by our own works and we no more sanctify ourselves than we do justify ourselves. The work of holiness is a work of God’s grace.

    ~Until we learn the gospel way of sanctification we will never progress. God will never bless means he did not ordain. He will neither bless mere sincerity.

*The double purpose of the Gospel is Justification and sanctification. Our Justification and sanctification are in Jesus Christ ALONE. May it be in our minds that general purification from the stain of sin in our lives is brought about by Christ and not ourselves.

    ~If we struggle with a besetting sin there is a Savior from that!

*What is sanctification? It is the work of free grace in our lives. What is justification? Justification is an act of God’s free grace. The only difference is that we understand sanctification to be an ongoing work of God’s free grace—meaning we do not contribute to it. It is entirely a gift from Jesus Christ.

    ~ I Thessalonians 5:23 ”Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

~Hebrews 13:20-21 “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

   ~Ephesians 5:25-27 “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.”

*The Gospel is so much better than it is sometimes preached. Too often when we think of salvation it is often consumed by not going to hell when we die. It includes not only freedom from sin, but from the power of sin and its stain. He will take away that guilt and stain of sin; the burden in our lives.

    ~Ultimately God is saving sinners so he may make a people for his own possession. Salvation is designed to accomplish something in this present age—that he would have a people now that are zealous for good works.

Sanctification: The Forgotten Part of the Gospel Part I

2011-06-02T16:48:00.000-07:00

By Pastor David Reese
Text: Titus 2:11-14
You can listen to this sermon for yourself if you wish. These are just my notes but I hope they are helpful.

*Verse 11 beings with the word “for” because it is connected with what Paul has been saying previously. He had been giving instruction to Titus as a young pastor to teach the Cretin Christians to live lives that are consistant with the Gospel. “Teach with what accords with sound doctrine.”

*Paul shows that certain traits should appear in the characters of believers—“That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.” Christian people should live this way because the grace of God has brought salvation for all people. This section is the grand scope of the salvation.

    ~Paul is trying to say that salvation is a matter that concerns much more than people merely not going to hell when they die.

*Paul gives a harsh description of the Cretins because they had been living unholy lives. Even though we might find ourselves lazy, dishonest and evil we are still to live lives that adorn the doctrine of God because the Gospel has come for all peoples. Nobody is left outside of that equation: it does not matter your station in life or how bad you are. Salvation through Christ is a reality for all kinds of people.

*We need to hear the emphasis of grace and salvation. People cannot live in accordance with sound doctrine by just doing it. Paul’s point is not “ok, now that you are a Christian it’s time for you to change your behavior.” Paul tells Titus that he can urge people to live godly lives because of the grace of God. What was impossible before, what we could not do and have the inability in ourselves to do is now possible because of God’s grace brought through the salvation that is in Jesus Christ.

*Salvation is about much more than what happens after you die. It’s much more than an insurance policy. The scope of salvation includes all kinds of people not just after they die, but in the here and now.

*There are past, present and future aspects of the Gospel. The grace of God has appeared in the past and it is training us to live godly lives in the present age; as we wait for our future, blessed hope.

*Possibly one of the main reasons the Church is largely indistinguishable from the world in respect to its morality is that we have largely truncated the Gospel. We do not make clear what salvation really is. We’ve simply preached “Come to Jesus and you do not have to go to hell when you die.”   We need to communicate this grand scope of the Gospel and tell Christians they ought to live godly lives today.
*Paul is saying that something objective and historical has happened. When Jesus Christ lived, died and rose from the dead—that event was the great and definitive manifestation of God in this world.

    ~When the goodness and loving kindess of God our savior appeared he saved us—past tense. We were saved by that past work of Jesus Christ. We need to realize that everything then in the present and everything in the future is based on the final work of Jesus Christ in the past.

   ~You can’t get anymore saved than you already are. You’re saved status is based upon the finished work of Christ which has already been accepted by God. That saved status is not the end for the Christian life. It also now has a vital and major impact on our lives in the present. The grace that was manifested in the past is still active and effectual in the present. It is not that God’s grace has merely done something in the past, but it is presently at work.

*What is God graciously doing right now? Paul focuses on a two-fold activity. The Gospel presently trains us to put off certain actions and characteristics. Secondly, it causes us to put on characteristics mirroring Christ’s. We are learning from the Gospel to put away behavior that is inconsistent with who he is.

*We have been redeemed by him; we have been purchased. We are no longer our own for we have been bought with a price. We are now his people and we are now being trained to live lives that show forth that fact.

"Words words words!" ~Shakespeare

2011-05-28T17:32:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of going to Topeka, KS this last week. My brother, sister and dear friend accompanied me. We went on this adventure to visit several friends. Not old friends, but new friends that seemed like old ones. In the past three months I have become part of a family called the LifeFocus 2011 team. I have been going through fire and their friendship has been like cool water from heaven. We did not see the whole team, but most of them. The other half are in India and Ireland, bravely serving the Lord. We did not climb a mountain or fight terrorists. Instead we played disc golf, played round robin, listened to sound doctrine, talked non-stop, and encouraged one another. Such capital fellowship brings much refreshment to a downcast spirit. Through these dark months I've learned the beauty and substance of prayer.

Corrie Ten Boom was sitting in her dark cell when a warm trace of sun penetrated its way through a hole in the cold stone. She realized her loneliness as never before and called out to her Savior. She recalled Matthew 28:20 and wast at peace. She began singing these words:

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear.
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer.
A woman in another cell began to sing the verses with her (the blessing of fellowship in dark times! :D ).

O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do thy friends despire, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He'll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find solace there.
"Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden." ~Corrie Ten Boom

I am so thankful that we are free to go before the throne of grace!!

Gardens in the Home and in the Heart

2011-05-02T13:10:00.000-07:00

I've never been successful with plants. I know people say this all the time, but it's reallly an issue. I bought a bamboo plant once and bamboo is supposed to be pretty hardy. What did I do? I left it in my closet. Even as it started to go from a lovely shade of green to a yucky yellow I never took it out. I just said, "I'll do it later." Well, "later" wound up killing that beautiful bamboo stub.

In spite of this terrifying experience I still have a mighty strong desire to grow flowers and green things. The sad part is that I live in a condo that faces NORTH. Absolutely no direct sunlight. Dark is the enemy of most living things (not just plants). Last year I had the great pleasure to receive some gardening tips from an older woman in my Church. She gardens to help with her epilepsy and I've seen a light in her eyes since she started getting her hands dirty. She gave me a tour of her tomatoes and the most gorgeous zucchini you ever did see! I left her home very much enlightened and with arms full of fresh produce.

If I were ever to have my own apartment that was lacking in space this is EXACTLY what I would do.Don't you just love the floating shelves in the window?

I've been thinking about flowers on another level, a much more serious level. My name means "living fragrance" (II Cor.2:14 "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place"). My middle name means "from the pasture meadow" and "full of grace". It is my desire (and the desire of my parents) that I be a quiet and sweet aroma of grace unto the lord and in the lives of others. My father introduced me to a beautiful view of the heart. As scripture says, we are all dead in our sins (Ephesians 2:5). By grace alone, Christ comes and takes that desert heart and gives us a new heart. This new heart, new man, is like a tree planted by streams of water (Psalm 1:3). The Garden of Eden was a place where God walked about with man, communing with him on a personal level. Christians enjoy a similar communion with the indwelling Holy Spirit. I have had many precious moments in my secret garden with my Lord. This garden of mine is not perfect, it does contain thorns and weeds. The plants that grow there though, are planted by the Savior. He tends to my heart and helps me to grow in grace. Only he can plant such things as love, peace, joy, faithfulness, patience and long-suffering. He is also digging out the ugly weeds such as covetousness, anger, jealousy, laziness and pride. Isaiah 58:11: "And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong;and you shall be [Jer 31:12] like a watered garden,like a spring of water,whose waters do not fail."

This is all purely jibber-jabber and not very well lain out; I may plainly warn you. Nevertheless, the imagery is lovely to me.

Pigs and Peanut Butter

2011-03-03T08:20:00.000-08:00

MARCH 1

The first day of this blessed month acknowledges pigs. We have Ellen Stanely to thank for National Pig Day. It's a day to be aware of the intelligence of our little friend, the pig. I hear they make excellent pets!!

My sister and our two friends had bible study at McDonald's. It's rather difficult to share one's thoughts on scripture while trying to eat a hot fudge sundae and pepper covered fries.

Earlier that evening we also had the pleasure of seeing a few friends (it had been way too long!).

And even earlier than that we had visitors from Mexico and Bangladesh over for dinner. There was good food and comfortable conversation.

Oh! And little gifts were given. :)

This day ALSO known as National Peanut Butter Day!! How incredible is that? Unfortunately, we took no pictures of peanut butter. But hey.....here's one if you just really were hoping for it. ^_^

My mom never bought this particular brand when we were younger because of the magic. I'm glad she's changed her mind. ;)

Since you entered my life....

2011-01-04T18:53:00.000-08:00

O Lord, you have made my lifeless world full of joy and meaning. The bland was made beautiful......

.....like colored raindrops.

Selected Pieces From Necklace Collection

2010-12-29T19:00:00.000-08:00

Photographs by Emily G.

I. The Fool's Gold Neckalce (this picture was taken by yours truly....therefore not as professional)

II. Another view of The Fool's Gold Necklace

III. Unnamed

IV. Kimbo's Key

V. Songbird

VI. Back of Songbird

VII. Another view of Songbird

VIII. Unnamed

You Say So and I'll just Say "Go Go!"

2010-12-24T18:06:00.000-08:00

Colored bands dividing vision
Pulse and constant joyful light
She broke through the bonds of tough love
Configured new arrangements
For redeemed peace of mind
And if you're lonely at all
There is a heart open for business
Consider yourself....

Found.

The Makings of Silver and Other Objects

2010-12-14T21:10:00.000-08:00

When it comes to jewelry I prefer to tone things down; less is more kind of thing. These pieces are light and elegant. The open spaces seem to pull air and light through, yet the eye is still drawn in. I enjoy a mixture of styles, but I often gravitate towards rustic edges, vintage simplicity and mild tones.

The baker in my finds this adorable. I wonder if the measurements are real. :)

I will (perhaps) post a few of my own pieces eventually.

Simple pleasures....

2010-10-29T21:26:00.000-07:00

Simplicity finds you in unexpected, joyous places. It transfers from nature....to life in the everyday. I wish changing color in life were as simple as the click of a button. I suppose it wouldn't be as valuable then.

Yay for Fall!! And Pumpkins!

2010-10-05T17:52:00.000-07:00

No matter what, I'm going to love You....I'm going to need You

2010-09-24T21:11:00.000-07:00

"God, you are my hope and you'll be my strength."

We're all in this together.

Today my siblings and I attended a concert downtown. Very relaxed...chill. I had one sister with her legs over mine and one sister with her head on my lap. My love languages are touch and words. It meant a lot to just be there with them. I leave it in God's hands to whether I will see all my siblings in eternity. Constantly, I lift them up in prayer. It's comforting to know that as much as I love them and desire them to follow Christ....he wants it more.

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." ~Psalm 37:4
I was talking about this verse with a friend the other night. As we delight ourselves in the Lord we are saturating ourselves in his word and going to him often in prayer. We begin to love what he loves and hate what he hates. Our desires begin to line up with his word, his revealed will. He wants to give us what is good. Why would he ever give us evil desires? I find it incredible how the first part of that verse flows into the second.

Anyway....just some thoughts. :O)

Trying to keep your eyes dry.....

2010-09-21T05:35:00.000-07:00

My Father in Heaven is constantly giving me more reasons to bless his magnificent name. Class was canceled yesterday which gave me plenty of time to work on other assignments. He works in strange and mysterious ways, lemme tell ya.

Self Concept....

2010-09-09T20:47:00.000-07:00

"I am not what I think I am. I am not what you think I am. I am what I think you think I am."

We wouldn't be us, wouldn't even have a concept of self without other people. Think about it.

Your plastic ideals are your demise.....

2010-09-09T08:44:00.000-07:00

We will conquer imaginary cities.

Different Season, Same God

2010-09-05T13:00:00.000-07:00

My favorite season is creeping up. It's colors, smells and tastes are nearly accessible.

"I am your best friend, as well as your King. Walk hand in hand with me through your life. Together we will face whatever each day brings; pleasures, hardships, adventures, disappointments. Nothing is wasted when it is shared with Me. I can bring beauty out of the ashes of lost dreams. I can glean Joy out of sorrow, Peace out of adversity. Only a Friend who is also the King of kings could accomplish this divine alchemy. There is no other like Me!

The friendship I offer you is practical and down-to-earth, yet it is saturated with heavenly glory. Living in My Presence means living in two realms simultaneously; the visible world and unseen, eternal reality. I have equipped you to stay conscious of Me while walking along dusty, earthbound paths." Taken from Sarah Young's book Jesus Calling References: John 15:13-15; Isaiah 61:3; 2 Corinthians 6:10 "As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything."

Labor Day is tomorrow. Me thinks I'll make meatball chili and corn bread and perhaps visit a new place. Of course, I have a responsibility towards my school. It's a huge temptation to become overwhelmed by looming projects, papers, assignments and so forth. Yet when I think of how the Lord has blessed me richly and stands by me, guiding me as a lamp before my feet, even through the most tedious of schoolwork, I relax and sigh. The blessings of this day: oatmeal with golden raisins, comfortable sweaters, siblings who tease, chess playing, a beautiful church family, preaching of the gospel, singing praises with fellow believers to an Awesome God, the smile of little Andrew and Julianna, the encouragement of a sister, the kindness of a mother, sweet brothers who give shoulder rubs, the smell of vanilla, crisp piano sounds in an empty room, a journal to capture thoughts, communion with God, the promise of further blessings. The promise of blessings is a blessing in itself!
I don't know about everyone else, but I get a warm feeling in my heart when I think of the seasons. I dislike being overly cold, but I'm grateful for autumn and winter because the heat of summer becomes tiring. I love my God....my Best Friend, the Creator of fall things. :O)

A Piece of Thread

2010-09-01T12:38:00.000-07:00

Written by Jules Steffen
Blog--Middle Ground: Where Sages Dwell

It’s all about a piece of thread, you know -

This sagious stringed segment lies in wait

For us, as faithful tailors, who long to sew

A life so true, yet misconstrued as fate.

It's all about that piece of thread, you know -

Our wounds conjoined by each sewn strand.

Sequentially repetitive, all aligned in a row,

We wait for the moments when we understand.

It’s all about your piece of thread, you know -

Your sagious strand affixed through needle's eye.

Each piercing stitch, mistaken for wayward woe;

Instead, a teacher, inviting your body to cry.

It’s all about this piece of thread, you know -

That confuse and sadden so many along their way.

The thread they sew and the wounds to which they go

All wrapped in mirrored scripts, imprinted as if to stay.

It’s all about our piece of thread, you know -

That unites us on our quest to feel, and thereby, heal.

We thrust the needle back through the wounds, to know

More deeply who we really are, and what we’ve learned is real.

It’s all about my piece of thread, you know -

An arrowed blade lays open archaic seams

To name and shed the scripted thread I sew

And turn the remnant to the garment of my dreams.

It's all about the piece of thread, you know -

Its imprint takes root in our every cell.

Our body and all our being, from head to toe

find its way to Middle Ground: Where Sages Dwell.

True Blue New

2010-08-25T15:40:00.000-07:00

I've been contemplating how challenging this school semester is going to be and....baking a batch of rocky road cookies. I like new things.

A conflict of interest?? Not necessarily...........

Try something new and exciting this week! Hopefully you won't regret it. :P

Oh yeah

2010-08-24T17:54:00.001-07:00

Someday

2010-08-18T06:13:00.000-07:00

I realize that the multitudes age
I realize that we've all got the same thing in common
You've got me in your grasp
At times your touch is tender
And then it turns to a cold handed clutch
I try to run and you drag
Other times I walk willingly
Change is your middle name
I thought I once saw you stand still
A trick of your own doing
I know you'll lead me to that place
That quiet precipice
And I know I'll close my eyes at last
First a glimpse, and then the dream becomes reality

This One's For the Girls

2010-08-07T16:12:00.000-07:00

I went on an amazing adventure with my dear dear friend Kimberly. We saw the South and the road was ours. Next trip.....WEST. It's proof that dreams do come true.....

One of the many songs we listened to in the car (Ruby). :)

Like Peas in a Pod

2010-07-30T11:22:00.000-07:00

I didn't like it....I LOVED IT!! :D Enjoy ;)

From Beijing to London to......

2010-07-27T18:57:00.000-07:00

Traditions. Everyone's got 'em. Christmas, Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, Easter, Birthdays, ect. However, the joy of traditions are not limited to holidays (or families for that matter). What are high school reunions but traditions amongst classmates? One such repeated "celebration" or "activity" or whatever you might call it in my family has now been discovered. When I say discovered, I don't mean that we just started doing something, but rather we had done something and had not realized the implications. My parents, younger sister and myself were in China (Beijing to be specific) during the 2008 Summer Olympics. I have always desired to travel to England, as have my parents and sister. The next Summer Olympics are to be held in London in the year 2012. Lord willing.....we're going to be there.

A Prayer of the Heart and the Parallel Promise of God

2010-07-26T16:06:00.000-07:00

It started out as a prayer from the heart echoed by the psalmist in 119:35-37 "Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways." The last few words are most striking to me, "give me life in your ways." A heard once that the closer we are to God the more we become our true selves. Being ourselves we are free to enjoy our lives to the fullest for God's ultimate glory. What are we without him? There IS no life without him. In his ways we find fulfillment. A parallel verse and the answer in the form of a promise from God is found in Psalm 32:8 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you." God has given us his word to instruct us and yet he personally speaks to each one of our hearts, revealing different things to us at different times. Have you ever read a passage of scripture and gotten something helpful, then returned to it years later and gotten something completely different? It's pretty phenomenal. I like how both verses here mention eyes. In the prayer it is a plea that God would keep our eyes from sinning and in the promise it is God saying he will watch over his people. He uses his eyes for our good. Not only that, but he counsels whilst watching us with love and care. He is not the God who made the earth and watches silently. He is active and his providence is evident. In the previous verse in Psalm 32 David says, "You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance." When he refers to God surrounding us with shouts of deliverance does he mean shouts of joy or like a lion roaring against the enemy declaring that we are no longer in his grasp? Either way you look at it it's astonishing. Shouting is normally an expression of intense emotion spilling forth. Our God is a God of emotions. For example; Jesus WEPT over the death of Lazarus, even when he knew the outcome would be joyful. It brings me comfort to know my God is not void of feelings. Although his feelings are concealed in the perfect container, leaking out at the appropriate times. Mine are constantly leading me into sin. He is my example once again.

Anyway....these were just some thoughts from my reading today. May the Lord bless you and keep you and make his face shine upon you. :)

Joy in the Body of Christ

2010-07-26T07:54:00.000-07:00

This past week I attended a family conference....Covfamikoi. While there are so many things I could share from the talks given by Pastor Matt Kingswood I think I'll do something a little different. Matt gave me the realization that the body of Christ is more precious, more lovely and displays God's Glory far better than the sun, moon and stars. Here is a compilation of photos from the week spent amongst fellow believers, kindred spirits, brothers and sisters.....the body of Christ. :)

Happy memories indeed. I hope to make this conference a special part of many summers to come.

A memory....

2010-07-14T08:42:00.000-07:00

I was looking through my dad's treasure chest (that's what we call it) which he has filled with antiques. He created a colorful, oriental cushion to wrap around the lid to personalize it to his taste. When I was little he would bring the wooden chest downstairs for family devotions. Each child would take turns each night picking something out of the box. My father had a devotional prepared to go along with each object. There's an old salt shaker, a bit and bridle, a clay pot, a medal stamp, a door knob, and a key along with many other exciting artifacts. I love my dad for who he is, for how he thinks. There's no other man like him.

Oh my heart....

2010-07-13T11:26:00.000-07:00

The Lord has answered a long standing prayer.....college is payed for...COMPLETELY!! What a relief and a huge weight lifted off my parents and myself. My God is always watching out for me. Can I even express the joy he gives me? Words can't describe it.

But maybe a picture will? :P

A crown of beauty, a royal diadem....His delight is in me? He will rejoice over me? Wow

2010-07-10T17:43:00.000-07:00

"The nations shall see your righteousness and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be termed Shemamah (Desolate), but you shall be called Hephsibah (My Delight Is in Her) and your land Beulah (Married); for the Lord delights in you and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you." ~Isaiah 62:2-5

Maybe

2010-07-10T16:59:00.000-07:00

I dream.....maybe someday the dream will come to life?

This is the day the Lord has made

2010-07-06T19:54:00.000-07:00

Your life.
Close your eyes.....what do you see? Think about those words. What do they mean for you? Do your thoughts shift backwards, forwards or are they planted in the present? What do each of those pictures look like? Is the past something you wish you could still live or is it sad and better left where it is? Is the future black or full of opportunity? Is the present exciting? Are you content? Are you bitter? Do you wish it were different? Do you like where you are? Hmm....I'm surprised by my own answers to these questions. Think about it.....do something about it if you need to? Cheers. :)

Everywhere I look is up

2010-07-05T09:41:00.000-07:00

I mentioned in a previous posting that I'd met with a woman from my church to dig into the Word. I enjoy our meetings immensely and whatever we end up talking about is almost always new and exciting. I had been curious about something and brought it to her attention. Together we embarked on a journey for truth. My question concerned the word "bless". Have you ever thought about it? It's used countless times throughout the scriptures, in many different contexts. It's used by God concerning his people, by God's people concerning him and by God's people concerning other believers. I was curious about its meaning in each context. It couldn't possibly mean the same when God uses it and when we use it, right? I'm going to do some digging and research, but I'd like to hear what others think.

It was love at first sight

2010-06-30T07:32:00.000-07:00

If I could only learn one song on the piano.....this would be it.

Oh and if you've never seen the film. I really insist upon it. It's so classy and whimsical.

To hear His song.....

2010-06-28T16:30:00.000-07:00

" The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His Love; He will exult over you with loud singing." ~Zephaniah 3:17

WOW. Can I say much more? I read this verse and I'm in complete awe of our Lord. I used to find things like this difficult to accept. How could an Almighty and Holy God rejoice over me? These words now bring overwhelming peace. He is my Comforter, my Savior, my Song.....my Joy. O my soul bless the LORD.

"Love your neighbor as yourself"

2010-06-26T16:28:00.000-07:00

Remember the beloved in your prayers.....there are silent needs all around us.

Trust in His Love.....for it is stronger than the mightiest of men

2010-06-19T18:09:00.000-07:00

Something I could use more of....

Mr. Worry knows how to get to me and my anxiety is robbing me of my today. But hey....this is a day that the Lord has made, therefore I will rejoice and be glad in it! It's strange how even though my brain is wracked by thoughts that almost seem too much to bear I can lean on someone so much stronger than myself. He promises peace in his presence. And oh, what peace it is. Father God.....you are my all.

All To You I Surrender

2010-06-15T20:14:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending a musical performance by Beckah Shae at Borders in Greenwood. She is a Messianic Jew and has a sensational gift for singing. She was definitely a surprise. Her laugh was giggly and at first a little annoying, but as I heard her speak I realized how real she was. She didn't care what people thought about her. Her love for the Lord of all the earth was flowing from every pore. She was kind and fun and full of LIFE. She is a little further along in life then myself, has been married for six years and has two young children. Her husband was with her and, I tell you, I haven't seen so much love between two people in a long time. I pray that someday the Lord will allow that blessing to come to me as well. The music was lively and everything about the whole evening was refreshing. I'm very thankful for the opportunity to have been there.

Today was filled with incredible blessings as well. In the morning my mother and I went out for coffee, as is our routine. We ran into two missionaries from our church who are going to be in the country for the next month or so. Talking with them was refreshing. They were passionate and driven, but relaxed......very at peace. They knew where they were called. They knew what they were to do, how they were to live. And they were doing it together as a married couple. I find it to be one of the most beautiful things when two people deny earthly comforts to go into a strange part of the world in order to serve the Lord. It makes my heart skip a beat.

In the evening I went out with my sister to help a friend buy clothing for a missions trip she will be leaving for this week. I think she was mostly successful in finding what she needed. I hope. Afterward, I met up with a woman from my church for dinner. This woman has become a dear friend and confidant even though more than twenty years of life separate us. We talked for two hours straight and could most definitely gone on much longer, but the weather would not permit it. I have never in my life met someone who digs deeper in the word and comes out with more profound and beautifully awe-inspiring insight. The most astonishing thing is that most of what she finds is simple and should be pretty obvious, but I believe its her passion that makes it incredible to listen to. We shared our experiences from the Word of late, family stories, happy memories, personal stories and all along enjoyed good food and the beauty of one of Gods storms. Something that was brought up in conversation is here in this outtake from a book I've been reading through recently. May the Lord bless you and keep you close to Himself.

"I love you regardless of how well you are performing. Sometimes you feel uneasy, wondering if you are doing enough to be worthy of My Love. No matter how exemplary your behavior, the answer to that question will always be no. Your performance and My Love are totally different issues, which you need to sort out. I love you with an everlasting Love that flows out from eternity without limits or conditions. I have clothed you in My robe of righteousness, and this is an eternal transaction; Nothing and no one can reverse it. Therefore, your accomplishment as a Christian has no bearing on My Love for you. Even your ability to assess how well you are doing on a given day is flawed. Your limited human perspective and the condition of your body, with its mercurial variations, distort your evaluation.

Bring your performance anxiety to Me, and receive in its place My unfailing Love. Try to stay conscious of My loving Presence with you in all that you do, and I will direct your steps."

Jeremiah 31:3; Isaiah 61:10; Psalm 31:16; Psalm 107:8

EDIT: More to come concerning "Blessing" :)

Hydrogen is explosive! Who knew?

2010-06-11T19:48:00.000-07:00

Do you ever just feel like giggling or laughing uncontrollably? Or does happiness ever bubble up inside you and you feel like if you try to keep it in you're going to look like you have soap coming out of your ears? Speaking of bubbles.....

Bubble tea, bubble tea O how I love thee.....

It's been one of those days. One of those days when I can't control my happiness. And honestly, why would I want to? I live a rich (and I'm not referring to finances) life, the BEST life. My Father in Heaven watches over me. My salvation is in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is at work in my heart. What more do I need? What excuse do I have NOT to be joyful? I cannot express my love for him and more recently I've come to realize how real and deep HIS love is for his people. O how he loves us.

Today I had the pleasure to go with my older brother and sister to a nearby field and practice archery. I feel like a young warrior when I hold the bow. Why hadn't I done this sooner? We lost a couple arrows, but it was well worth it. Afterward we went home with sweat dripping from every pore, but did we care? Not a bit. When I got back to the house I noticed my sister had brought her bike from her place. I begged and she finally conceded to letting me take it for a spin. I quickly realized how small I actually was as my feet stretched to their limit to reach the peddles my 5"5 sister had no problem touching. This didn't bother me. I was too pleasantly distracted by the feel of wind passing through my soppy hair and my muscles tensing with each turn of the wheels. Powering the machine with my own energy was liberating. I took it all in slowly and enjoyed those moments on my sisters bike more than any amusement park ride I've ever been on. The simple things in life keep us smiling. :)

A few hours later I had the pleasure of putting together the refreshments for our churches yearly talent show. I couldn't believe how smoothly things went. Furthermore, I was completely at ease. I wasn't worried about whether we would have enough food (although it turned out our bread supply was kinda low) or whether people would enjoy everything. I was calm. Definitely not because of anything in myself. I thank the Lord for giving me the peace I needed. Why be anxious? It doesn't solve anything and it certainly doesn't improve ones situation. I'm so grateful for all the help my mother (who was in charge of the rest of the festivities) and I received. If any of you read this, thank you so much. :o)

And finally, following the talent show (which was spectacular I might add) I had the pleasure of talking with a friend. It felt like it'd been a long while since we'd had a good conversation. It wasn't incredibly lengthy, but who ever said a good conversation had to be so? I am thankful for real friends.

And now as I head into tomorrow which will soon become today I wish to say.....good night and good dreams. May the Lord watch over you and when you wake he will greet you with a smile. :)

EDIT: By the way, I changed the background....and that will probably happen constantly from now on. Just as a heads up. :P

On Thursdays....Mary likes Pink.

2010-06-10T15:38:00.000-07:00

Its a good day for root beer floats and interior decorating.

I am relieved to know I am not a golem....

2010-06-08T18:43:00.000-07:00

Just watched a movie for the second time and am shocked that I didn't fall in love the first time around. Life is full of surprises is it not?

New Favorite Words: Fastidious, Integer, Inclement

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want

2010-06-07T20:52:00.000-07:00

Ever fallen asleep to the sound of waves and the light of a lava lamp? I have :)

Because of the Love for BASIC (Brothers And Sisters In Christ)

2010-06-06T10:52:00.000-07:00

I was encouraged to hear this song called LIFE by artist Beckah Shae. I hope it has the same effect on you. :o)

I Smile

2010-06-05T20:25:00.000-07:00

I smile because my thoughts are not for me and are yours to see. I smile because I know you're in on every joke, every memory and every thought that passes through. I smile because the future is unknown and its mystery is not a burden. I smile because I can go to you with nothing and still receive everything. I smile because uncertainty is stinging clear, but clarity is yours to have. Oh I smile when I shut my eyes catching glimpses of your home. Time will take me there, but I smile because waiting isn't so hard when you're already here. I smile for you and for the love you gave me, you give me, and you will give to me. I smile and I smile and I'll keep on smiling whether eyes can see or not.

Perhaps and maybe and hopefully....you'll smile back.

Again I Fall

2010-05-15T19:11:00.000-07:00

Take and put it away, this bitter taste of in the mouth of my soul. Backward seems a better path then the sorrow we've felt for countless ticks and unending tocks of the overhead time piece. The aura of these times is carried on a current called life and we're all headed downstream. I know the paddle was never mine to hold. My vision is paper-thin and stagnant water is clouding my already impaired mind. Again I fall. Again you triumph over the heaping failure. Again.....you remember me.

His word in my heart...

2010-04-14T05:22:00.000-07:00

"But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend; you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, 'You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off'; fear not for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." ~Isaiah 41:8-10

Besides the fact that the above verses contain only one solitary period, they minister to my heart. If you are a child of God, if you truly belong to the Most High, if he is your Lord and the Christ is your Savior than his promises here are for you. He calls his people his servants. He is our master, our Lord, the one who disciplines and rewards us. He has chosen each one of us from before the foundations of the world. How is that possible? We are all deprived and wicked from birth, but the Lord is proclaimed "Holy! Holy! Holy!". How could he have such compassion on sinners? By the birth, life, death and resurrection of his Son. We are forgiven by the sacrifice of his blood! We are not cast off. We need not fear, but not only are our sins covered but Christ's righteousness is imputed to us. We need not be dismayed. HE is our God! He will give us strength when we need it most. He will help us because we know we cannot help ourselves. He will uphold us with his righteous right hand. We will be MORE than conquerors through him who loved us! (Romans 8:37) I pray the Lord blesses you and grants the comfort of this scripture to your souls. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

To him be the Glory forever and ever. Amen.

Swing!

2010-03-30T18:23:00.000-07:00

This makes my feet move and my heart soar. (o:

He is by my side....and in front to lead me through

2010-03-27T19:27:00.000-07:00

These words really hit home for me.....

Why are you striving these days
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away

Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run

And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life

(Chorus 2x)

Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you
I'll never let you go

(Chorus 2x)

Backwards and Forwards

2010-03-25T21:16:00.000-07:00

One more haunting for life
One more sad memory
For what?
I know what's better
The tears confirm my hearts true desire

How can one have opposite emotions in the same moment?

I am wind

2010-03-20T17:23:00.000-07:00

Time is love's strongest enemy or closest friend

Either way it stands near by

Watching, waiting, working

Patient to see a forever lost

You had my heart in your grasp

For a moment I belonged to you

Like the very wind around you I passed through your fingers

And floated to another reality

I carried change on my back

And in my hands the broken pieces of a future

The pieces brought together created a picture of my past

The picture stood as a reminder

That the heart is deceitful

And truth only possesses love and beauty and forever

A thing of beauty is forever

2010-03-20T16:56:00.000-07:00

I almost wish we were butterflies and lived but three summer days. Three such days with you I could fill with more delight than fifty common years could ever contain.

He named them one by one....

2010-03-18T20:42:00.000-07:00

Few things can top a good car ride conversation with a kindred spirit. I'm constantly reminded of the importance of christian fellowship. I may have heard the truths they are telling me, but there is something about hearing it from a mouth that is not your own. There's something about knowing someone else shares your ideals, your feelings, your thoughts and your desires. Our God is a God of relationships. Even before the foundations of the earth he has been this way. It's most obvious in the trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He has made us relational beings. We thrive on the love of others, on the friendships we make throughout this journey. I am so grateful for this and for each and every person that God has chosen to bring me into contact with. So many have touched my life in ways they cannot comprehend. Even in ways that I cannot fully explain myself. So if you know me, know that you are loved by the author of this humble blog. More importantly though, I hope you know the love of the great King and Creator of all the earth.

Interesting thought: Think about the promise made to Abraham about his descendants being like the stars in the heavens and the sand on the shore. This promise is referring to Abraham's spiritual children. If we could count ALL the stars in the sky and ALL the grains of sand on the seashore we would know how many saints there would be in heaven. How incredible is that to think about? John said in Revelation how he saw in his vision a multitude that could not be numbered. Now think about how God said there are many mansions in heaven, built for his people. It's mind-boggling! The vastness of the power and might of our God is so overwhelming and awesome (a word that really should be reserved for God). Praise be to God in the highest.

Waited For

2010-03-05T20:06:00.000-08:00

One out of one hundred in days
I sink calmly in victorious fortune
Future becomes less dim
In clarity, peace is marked

I wish for one
Firm in soul, love to eternity looking
He will have to search with strength
To find my heart
Call it buried or call it lost in or to
The love of one unchanging
The love of one eternity
The love of one beauty
The love of one God
But when he comes
The Lord will lead

Days are wasted sighs
For those who have given
Frowns for losing what could have been
Treachery of heart leading self
Too youthful imagery
Tangible failings

I stand upward minded
And if you should come into hearts gaze
Firm in soul, love to eternity looking
Search with strength
To find my heart
Call it buried or call it lost in or to
The love of one unchanging
The love of one eternal
The love of one beauty
The love of one God
When you come
The Lord will lead

Just Another Day

2010-03-02T18:01:00.000-08:00

"Be ready in the morning, and then come up....Present yourself to me there on top of the mountain. No one is to come with you." ~Exodus 34:2-3

The morning is a critically important time of day. You must never face the day until you have faced God, nor look into the face of others until you have looked into His. You cannot expect to be victorious if you begin your day in your own strength alone.
Begin the work of every day after having been influenced by a few reflective, quiet moments between your heart and God. Do not meet with others, even the members of your own family; until you have first met with the great Guest and honored Companion of your life--Jesus Christ. Meet with Him alone and regularly, having His Book of counsel open before you. Then face the ordinary, and the unique responsibilities of each day with the renewed influence and control of His character over all your actions.

Begin the day with God!
He is your Sun and Day!
His is the radiance of your dawn;
To Him address your day.

Sing a new song of morn!
Join the glad woods and hills;
Join the fresh winds and seas and plains,
Join the bright flowers and rills.

Sing your first song to God!
Not to your fellow men;
Not to the creatures of His hand,
But to the glorious One.

Take your first walk with God!
Let Him go forth with thee;
By stream, or sea, or mountain path,
Seek still His company.

Your first transaction be
With God Himself above;
So will your business prosper well,
All the day be love.

~Horatius Bonar

Those who have accomplished the most for God in this world are those who have been found on their knees early in the morning. For example, Matthew Henry would spend from four to eight o'clock each morning in his study. Then, after breakfast and a time of family prayer, he would return to his study until noon. After lunch, he would write till four p.m. and then spend the remainder of the day visiting friends. Philip Doddridge referred to his Family Expositor as an example of the difference of rising at five o'clock, as opposed to seven. He realized that increasing his work day by twenty=five percent was the equivalent of adding ten work years to his life over a period of forty years.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible was penned primarily in the early morning hours. Barnes' Notes, a popular and useful commentary by Albert Barnes, was also the fruit of the early morning. And Charles Simeon's Sketches were mostly written between four and eight a.m.

Excerpt from Streams in the Dessert by L.B. Cowman

This is what my father read for family devotions this evening. I found myself captivated by the message of the words spoken to me in earnest. Doesn't it make sense to start off each day with the one who is the purpose of your life, of your being, the reason why you even live another day? The name of the Lord is to be praised from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets! (Psalm 113:2-3) The wonderful thing about all this is that we have the privilege to meet with Him first thing when we wake up. We can greet Him with a smile that comes from the very deepest parts of the heart and protrudes out. I use to hesitate at this idea because I thought it would be unfair to God to have my quiet time when I was so sleepy. I believed I wouldn't be giving the proper attention or reverence to Him. Although, I was thinking of having a time of personal, in depth bible study. That's not what the message is, although it's true that many have started their days in this way. I know for myself that I am unable to think straight in the early morning. The purpose is for us to rise, giving God the glory directly when we are no longer asleep. We are to rise with a purpose, to make most of our Father in heaven and least of ourselves.

I pray the Lord will give me strength to awake each morning (clear minded) with this focus on my heart. I hope the same for all of you who call on His name and refer to His son Jesus Christ as prophet, priest and king.

"Oh God, you are my God, and early will I seek for You; my soul is athirst for You. My flesh cries out for You from out a dry and thirsty land, a land where no water is." ~Psalm 63:1-3

Fly me to the moon

2010-02-22T09:31:00.000-08:00

Before Lord God made the sea and land
He held all the stars in the palm of his hand
And they ran through his fingers like grains of sand
And one little star fell alone

Then the Lord God hunted through the wide night air
For the little dark star in the wind down there
And he stated and promised he'd take special care
So it wouldn't get lost again.

Now, a man don't mind if the stars go
dim
And the clouds blow over and darken him
So long as the Lord God's watching over him
Keeping track how it all goes on

But I've been walking through the night and the day
Till my eyes get weary and my head turns gray
And sometimes it seems maybe God's gone away
Forgetting his promise and the word he'd say

And we're lost out here in the stars
Little stars big stars blowing through the night
And we're lost out here in the stars
Little stars big stars blowing through the night
And we're lost out here in the stars

I Love The Lord

2010-02-18T07:26:00.000-08:00

I love the Lord because he heard my supplicating plea;
I while I live will call on Him who bowed His ear to me.
The cords of death on every side encompassed me around;
The sorrows of the grave took hold; I grief and trouble found.

Then called I on Jehovah's name and unto Him did say,
"Deliver thou my soul, O Lord, I do thee humbly pray."
The Lord is gracious and is just; our God will mercy show;
The Lord preserves the meek in heart; He saved me when brought low.

O thou my soul, do thou return to thine own quiet rest,
Because the Lord has dealt in grace; His bounty has thee blessed.
Thou has released my soul from death, my eyes from tears kept free;
From falling thou hast saved my feet; I live and walk with thee.

~Psalm 116:1-9

"If it were up to me." These words coarse through my veins as I ponder what my life would be like if I were in complete control. I would be lost indeed if the Father had not chosen me from before the foundations of the earth. I would be lost indeed if the Son, Jesus Christ, had not taken my sins upon Himself and imputed His righteousness to me, a sinner. I would be lost indeed if the Holy Spirit had not entered my heart and changed it completely, giving me altogether new desires. But for the Grace of God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), I would be lost.
I know this life is a rough road to travel. Already in my short time on this earth I have endured heartaches and I have been brought low. By God's grace I carry on for I know that my redeemer lives. Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy HIM forever. And to that I hold. The days of our youth are slowly drip-dropping away. How shall we use the time appointed to us?

I am SO glad I am not the master of my fate. I am SO glad I am not the captain of my soul.

Get off your blunker and get on your bike!

2010-02-17T13:31:00.000-08:00

Find a hobby. Something that takes your fancy. Read about it, gather everything you need and START. It's much easier than one might think. And who says you have to be professional or fantastic at whatever you choose? It's alright to be amateur. Most of us are anyways. Keep yourself from turning into this guy.

You might say, "I haven't a clue what to do. I've never had a hobby." You might be surprised. You've had hobbies you're whole life--such as using your computer, going shopping, watching television, talking on the phone, listening to music, eating or sleeping--and just didn't realize it. In point of fact a hobby is literally: an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation.

Breathing could technically be described as a hobby. So perhaps I should change my previous statement. Find a hobby in which you learn something new. Take up the challenge. See where it leads you.

Hobby recommendations:
*Gardening (home grown vegetables are pure delicacies)
*Sewing (don't throw away that flippin' awesome jacket with the unfortunate hole in it)
*Scrapbooking (makes for a lot of memories and warm, fuzzy feelings)
*Learning a new language (ya never know who you might bump into at the grocery store)
*Reading (you'd be surprised at how many people DON'T do this)
*Writing (no two stories/poems/songs are going to be exactly alike, your writing is as unique as you are!)
*Biking (exercise and a great way to enjoy the beautiful outdoors)
*Collecting (we humans really seem to get a kick out of finding things that are similar)
*Karate (that guy in the parking lot who thought he could get some easy money just lucked out)
*Cooking (nuff said)
*Antiquing (you learn a lot about history, where things came from and how they work)
*Cartooning (take that creative talent scribbled all over your class notes and turn it into your own work of art)

Ennjoooyy! ~ Jacques Paganel from In Search of the Castaways

2010-02-09T18:43:00.000-08:00

Riches, power, fame, and success could never bring as much pleasure to me as a few moments in the company of a true friend.

Bing: the newest (and prettiest) search engine

2010-02-05T13:31:00.000-08:00

I recently became the soul creator of Carrot and Potato and Other Such Things soup. It was delicious.

2010-02-01T16:27:00.000-08:00

You could see through your mask, this you know, but what you never expected was that someone could see in.

Reflections.....

2010-01-27T16:39:00.000-08:00

Im the person on the other side of the mirror looking at you. We're looking at the same person, but we each see someone different. I smile because I love the reflection and the one who is making it. You frown because you can't accept either. The glass is your enemy, an ancient foe and you detest its mere existence of pure reality. We have two minds, dancing far and away from one another. On and on and perhaps one day the movements will cause the dancers to meet on common ground. I wish I could make you not look because looking causes you pain. I wish you would see and live a life outside of glass. We were not made for mirrors, but for living. Live on dear friend and put to shame every thought the reflection had.

2010-01-23T19:12:00.000-08:00

My head is spinning! Ideas are bubbling over and I can barely take it. I'm thankful to God for giving me a thinking brain. Now I've just got to start on something.....hmmmmm

By the way, this picture is in no way hinting that I have buzzed my head.

Thanks Caitlin :o)

2010-01-22T20:31:00.000-08:00

My new favorite song or version of two songs I love.

I want to change into a better version of myself

2010-01-22T19:55:00.000-08:00

I realized today how often people seek to build one another up, but they're often doing it the wrong way. Helping someone to grow isn't all about praising them. Sometimes you gotta let 'em know what're they're lacking. You gotta tell 'em the bad stuff, the stuff they might not want to hear so much. If they listen, then there's a good chance they will change indeed, for the better. By throwing around empty compliments the only thing we're really building is someone's pride. I don't know about the rest of the world, but I'm going to remember the people in my life who care for me enough to tell me when I'm going wrong. I wish to surround myself with people I can show myself to and who, in turn, are not afraid to show me who they are.

Today, I was playing with the secret thing in my pocket and it stabbed me in the thumb.

Forever is long, waiting for it isn't

2010-01-19T19:14:00.000-08:00

Blue eyed boy and hazel eyed mother
With your laughs and giggles you have pieces
You hold the other in your heart
The sad news is you have to let go for now
But its not goodbye
Its not forever
Because in forever you will be together
And I'll say a little prayer for you
That your broken heart will be mended
This life throws hard balls and gives you lemons
Sometimes you get hurt and sometimes you taste the bitterness
But its not goodbye
Its not forever
Because in forever you will be together

Thanks to Leah for enabling my eyes to see this

2010-01-12T06:41:00.000-08:00

Have a look see

2009-12-31T19:57:00.001-08:00

http://www.philpankov.com/-/philpankov/detail.asp?photoID=361810&cat=18915

Star Night...Star Bright....

2009-12-30T20:59:00.000-08:00

I've seen a combination of starless nights
And I made a wish on something I could only see in my dreams
Give me a night sun to guide my thoughts
Cause life's a little too unpredictable sometimes

The age of the book is coming to an end?? Never!

2009-12-29T06:24:00.000-08:00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_Kindle

Is anyone as sad about this as I am? I'm sure there are really great things about this....somehow. But what will become of book stores? Of libraries? Of picking up that hard back covered combination of words and feeling and flipping through each solitary page with your fingers? Of that old book smell? Time will tell.

2009-12-27T13:47:00.000-08:00

The weather outside is frightful. Each snowflake sown in unique beauty. Their number reminds me of the the sand on a beach or the stars in the sky. And from that I am reminded of the promise of God made to Abraham that his descendants would outnumber the stars in the heavens. Not only was he speaking of his biological descendants, but also his spiritual descendants. Each child of God is sown in unique beauty.

Jars of Clay

2009-12-21T16:22:00.001-08:00

A Namesake

2009-12-18T19:31:00.000-08:00

Suddenly before my eyes
Hues of indigo arise
With them how my spirit sighs
Paint the sky with stars

Only night will ever know
Why the heavens never show
All the dreams there are to know
Paint the sky with stars

Who has paced the midnight sky?
So a spirit has to fly
As the heavens seem so far
Now who will paint the midnight star?
Night has brought to those who sleep
Only dreams they cannot keep
I have legends in the deep
Paint the sky with stars

Who has paced the midnight sky?
So a spirit has to fly
As the heavens seem so far
Now who will paint the midnight star?
Place a name upon the night
One to set your heart alight
And to make the darkness bright
Paint the sky with stars.

It's a good day....

2009-12-16T16:24:00.000-08:00

These are the things that have made me happy today.....

cheesecake

sleep

Heaven and Hell by Ted Donnelly

air cuts

walking

good friends

ice skating

birthday wishes

hugs

photography

ave maria

beef stew

driving

maxine

FATHER

SON

and HOLY SPIRIT

2009-12-12T07:02:00.000-08:00

I told you something to make you laugh
I told you something and I didn't know why
I spoke a word with little effort
And as I drove past a road and past a tree I wondered
That maybe a word should not have been spoken

Decisions

2009-12-11T13:25:00.000-08:00

Trying to make some hard choices....

You'll be in my heart....

2009-12-06T17:20:00.000-08:00

Forever and unto eternity we shall be brothers and sisters in Christ our Savior.