Avenue of the Stars

Everyone needs time away. Donald and I just returned from Los Angeles. His company sent him to a convention and the kids decided I should go along so they helped pay for the ticket to get me there. Maybe they just wanted to get me out of the house, but it was fun nevertheless. We stayed in the Hyatt Regency Hotel on the Avenue of the Stars. Now I didn't see any celebrities, but Donald did ride up in the elevator with Jesse Jackson. And yes, I'm serious.

The ride from LAX airport to the hotel was one to remember. I'm almost certain that Jason, our shuttle driver, once drove in the Indy 500. He sped between lanes without using a blinker once and somehow managed to stop at the red lights without running into the back of the car in front of us. I told Bethany he drove like a bat out of hell and that's a really nice way to describe it. I guess I could say like a demon was on his heels, but I'm sure you get the picture. I'm just glad it was Sunday night and the traffic was lighter than usual. I'm also grateful I was sitting where I couldn't see the speedometer.

We also rode chartered buses to get to the Los Angeles Convention Center where the exhibits were. It was about 45 minutes from the hotel. One night we went to a party sponsored by said company and our bus driver didn't know how to get us back to the hotel. Although he didn't drive as fast as Jason, he did manage to go down a one way street the wrong way. I guess he doesn't know Los Angeles very well. We dropped some people off at another hotel and after driving around for quite awhile (with him on his cell phone trying to find out where to go) we finally recognized some landmarks and told him where to go. We were all glad to get back to our hotel.

Another highlight of our trip was a meal at the well known Palm restaurant. Of course I had never heard of it, but enjoyed the experience anyway. Their web site has this to say: "In Los Angeles, there is no better place to see and be seen than at The Palm. The Palm in West Hollywood has been a staple with celebrities since it opened it 1975."
There were six of us at our table. Mary and her friend, both of whom Donald works with, Donald and I, and the two ladies who were paying for the meal. They work for a company who sells what Donald's company is looking to buy. I thought of my friend Susan because we had FRESH seafood. I'm quite sure she would have appreciated it much more than I did. I tasted crab, some kind of raw tuna (yuck), pickled ginger that went with something, and some seaweed; I just couldn't bring myself to try an oyster. They just looked too bad~! These were just the appetizers. I didn't get a salad since I had one for lunch. Then they brought a huge plate with lobster and filet mignon. A guy came out and broke our lobster for us (there may be a term for that but since I don't eat lobster I don't know what it is). Later he brought out lemon and squeezed it on our hands and gave us hot towels to clean our hands. That was cool and even though I didn't have lobster or butter on my hands I engaged in the ritual nonetheless. I really enjoyed the steak and the three cheese potatoes au gratin. For dessert we shared a piece of chocolate cake. It was four layers and was at least a fourth of a cake. It was really good, but by that time we were all so full we left most of it. Our waiter offered to box it up so we could take it with us; however we declined and left it sitting. I would have loved to bring it home to the kids, but probably wouldn't have been able to get it through security at the airport.

Once in the cab on the way to our hotel I mentioned I would hate to wash dishes in that place. I mean they use real white tablecloths and napkins, and used dozens of plates, etc. just on our table alone. Donald laughed and said only I would think of that after a rich dining experience.

I'm also glad they were paying, because our bill for the six of us totaled just short of $700. And that is not a misprint. I'm glad for the experience, but to be honest there is nowhere I can think of that I like well enough to pay $100 to eat there.

We walked by the Staples Center on our way into the Los Angeles convention center. Now we're talking~! Even though Los Angeles is one of my least favorite teams it was neat because the basketball players I do like have played there~! It looked just like it does when they show it on TV~! Can you tell I'm from small town USA?


Those are the highlights from our trip. I really enjoyed being able to go, but without question am just as glad to be home. I've already started laundry and now have to check the schoolwork the kids did while I was away. It's good to be home~!

living life aware

While reading a daily devotional from Proverbs 31 Ministries this morning (www.crosswalk.com) this statement jumped out at me: "Living Life Aware." The article is by Marybeth Whalen and she says this: "My friend was on a daily adventure with God. Her day began with a prayer to help her see Him at work, and her life became one big "yes" to Him."

That is so exciting to me. I have been so busy the last few weeks that I have been thinking entirely about myself and my responsibilities and how I can find time to escape to my bedroom to paint. Even when I've been out and about I've been way too self-centered and I'm sure I've missed some "yes" opportunities that God was trying to make me aware of. (Update for Shirley M. who found my blog~! I've finished my bedroom except for painting our closet doors. They have been scrapped, sanded, and primed and are waiting on me to put the nice white paint on them. It probably isn't going to happen until the end of next week though. Then I can tackle my bathroom cabinets~!)

What does the squirrel have to do with this post? Nothing really, but they are very alert and aware as they scurry about their business. I need to be more like that. I tend to be "it's all about me" when I get too much on my mind. My prayer is that God will help me become more aware of Him at work in my life and respond with a resounding, "Yes, Lord~!"

Job 9:10-11
We'll never comprehend all the great things he does; his miracle-surprises can't be counted.
Somehow, though he moves right in front of me, I don't see him; quietly but surely he's active, and I miss it. (The Message)

Color Washing

"This decorative effect creates the appearance of floating color. Soft and watery, or bold and striking. The color density varies over the surface and creates appearances from parchment to the softness of an evening sky or the deepness of watery depths. A subtle finish, with little texture, it is an ideal effect to create mood in a room, background ambience. When using earth tones the color wash can have a slightly aged appearance and is ideal for irregular wall surfaces."

This is what I am doing to my bedroom walls. You would think I would be tired of painting by now. Well, I am; but...............

I'm just not happy with the light brown color; I used it in my bathroom and loved it. Go figure. My friend, Vicki, says it is the way the light shines on it. I wish it would of shone some other way. Not being outdone and not leaving something I do NOT like isn't an option with me. So now I am color washing the light brown walls with some of the dark brown and glaze. I'm not sure if I'm doing it right, but I like it. I'll have Hannah take pictures after I'm finished. I still have to prime and paint our closet doors. It doesn't look like what Vicki did in our living room, but I'm pretty sure I like it enough to stop after I'm finished.

Anyway the color wash got me to thinking about sin. The color wash is a color on top of a color. It disguises it, but it's still there. It makes it prettier, but one color is still underneath the other.

I'm glad God doesn't color wash my sin.

Psalm 103:10-12
He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs. As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is his love to those who fear him. And as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins. (The Message)

Perspectives

Isn't it awesome how God takes an ordinary day and blesses you with something different?

Friday Hannah and I had home school enrichment classes. She has some awesome classes this year. One of them is a Movie Making class. They have a director, people in charge of casting, makeup, costumes, and a set complete with camera, lights, and director chairs~! Angelia is coordinating the class and she and her husband are doing an awesome job. I am a helper in the class which means basically I drive kids to the set.

We have a family in our group who live out in the country. They have an awesome home and a small plane complete with hangar and airstrip. They kindly allowed our kids to construct their set for the movie inside their hangar. It is so perfect and they can leave it there and not have to tear it down and put it up which saves lots of time. I drove my van full of kids out to the set and stayed until they finished and drove them back home. Another mom and I were sitting in their house talking to Lisa and her husband. He asked Eileen and me if we would like to go up in the plane. It was awesome. You get a completely different view of things from up in the air. Things look so small and insignificant from above.

I think I needed that. I get so caught up in my life and our problems and responsibilities that I fail to remember that there is a totally different perspective. I need God to remind me of that from time to time. My problems may be huge to me, but God has a different perspective. He is in control of my life.

Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31

Skating and Me

There is no guilt here

There is no shame

No pointing fingers

There is no blame

What happened yesterday has disappeared

The dirt has washed away

And now it's clear

There's only grace

There's only love

There's only mercy

And believe me it's enough

Your sins are gone

Without a trace

There's nothing left now

There's only grace

You're starting over now

Under the sun

You're stepping forward now

A new life has begun

Your new life has begun

And if you should fall again

Get back up, get back up

Reach out and take my hand

Get back up, get back up

Get back up again

Get back up again

So get back up, get back up again

(Only Grace/Matthew West)

This song is quite fitting for me today. I'm getting back up; I blew it. I've been so busy lately I haven't even had a song. When I painted my bedroom last week I listened to a Jeremy Camp CD over and over and over and over.......I really don't know how many times. This week I've been working on our bathroom, a bit here and a bit there. I get frustrated doing it this way, but it's the only way it's going to get completed. With life, and school, and responsibilities, etc. there's just not much time left over to paint.

Back to getting back up again......yesterday I was busy as usual and flew off the handle a time or two. I went to church last night and was so sleepy I wanted to just lay my head on the table and snooze. Then I came home to clean up the bathroom where I had left all my painting mess out. The kids were having a great time watching a movie and the food was still out from dinner and the dishes I hadn't put in the dishwasher were all over the place. I got upset. I complained to Donald rather than doing something about it myself. Now I could have asked the kids to do it and they would have after the movie; that didn't exactly fit with my martyr complex. I cleaned up the kitchen while banging stuff around and sighing about poor overworked me. I guess it might be funny if it wasn't so sad. It seems in my walk with God I take steps forward and steps backward and feel like I end up in the same place. But that is my old self talking. All I have to do is repent and be full of Him once again.

I like to watch ice skating competitions. If they fall, they simply get right back up and start where they left off. Because of Jesus Christ I can do that too~!

"God is faithful and reliable. If we confess our sins, he forgives them and cleanses us from everything we've done wrong." 1 John:1:9 (God's Word translation)

On and On

Yesterday school was like the energizer bunny; it kept going and going and.........

well, you get the idea. It was 9:00 p.m. before I got finished with what I had to do; Daniel had to keep working. The part-time job is going okay; it's just the school that sometimes causes late nights. The thing about homeschooling is that I'm not finished until they are. It's nice to be needed though. I should be grading a test right now. Instead I'm chilling out after our hectic morning.

Bethany's golden retriever, Bright, had some kind of seizure this morning. It was awful. She and Ben took him to the vet as soon as they opened. He did some blood work which was okay. So we have to wait and see if it happens again. If it does there's some medicine he can give him. He said he might or might not have another one. We all love that dog so much. Donald keeps saying he's going to make a "yard dog" out of him and Bright eats it up. Once Donald was going to buy Bright a really nice doghouse at Sam's Club. I told him he better make sure "he" liked it cause it would be him, not Bright, who slept in it. We didn't buy it.

I never thought I'd love an animal the way I do Bright. He knows what we are saying; he really does. He can be asleep in another room and if I say, "Bright, do you want to go?" he comes running and waits for the door to be opened so he can jump in the van. He often goes with me if I don't have to run in someplace. When we drop food on the floor and call, "Bright, clean up on aisle five" he comes running to clean it up. He is one loved dog for sure. So if you are an animal lover (and even if you're not) please say a prayer for him and for Bethany.

It's days like these that I remember and rejoice that we're not alone in this world. We have an awesome God who loves us and provided all that we need. Do you know him? Do you realize how much He loves you?

John 3:16-17

"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again." (The Message)

things i'd buy if.........

I was looking through a catalog I received in the mail a few days ago. You know the ones you keep getting forever if you ever buy even one item from them?? Well, it was one of those. They actually have some neat stuff if money was not an issue. Before throwing it in the trash I decided to take a look and here is what I'd buy if...........

1) a hooded sweatshirt that says "It's good to be me"

2) a long sleeved t-shirt that says "National Sarcasm Society" in large letters; underneath these words it says "Like we need your support."

3) an elephant necklace for Rebekah in honor of her elephant ride in Thailand. (not a real elephant, a small one like a charm on a silver chain)

4) lighted fireflies in a jar (looks like a fruit jar with a handle and has faux fireflies [we called them "lightning bugs"] for Daniel cause he would appreciate this one.

5) a set of three garden plaques that says "I tried but it died", "Grow dammit!" and "I don't remember planting this" in honor of my gardening abilities

6) a Harold Feinstein Daisy Umbrella for Bethany cause she likes flowers and the top of this looks like a giant daisy when it's opened

7) another t-shirt that says "Joan of Arc was not Noah's wife"

8) yet another t-shirt that says "As soon as I finish this chapter......." so I could wear it when reading a really good book. It would be my signal to my family to leave me be.

9) a t-shirt that says "I (red heart) Mr. Darcy." I'd buy three of these: one for Rebekah, one for Bethany, and another one for their good friend Andrea.

10) a t-shirt that says "Mom likes ME best" for Hannah

11) a "fluid graceful cross embraced by a heart" handmade in a Texas studio for my wall because I like crosses

12) a plaque made in a small studio in Ireland that says "Be Still and know that I AM" Hand-cast in resin with a bronzed finish, it is a perfect reminder of my Irish ancestry.

13) for Benjamin a book by J.R.R. Tolkien called "The Children of Hurin"

14) a weather forecast doormat that says:

Rug Wet...............Rain

Rug Burns Feet.......Hot and Sunny

Rug White & Cold......Snow

Rug Gone........Tornado

I really don't see anything that jumps out at me for Donald. I did find "A Christmas Story Leg Lamp" that's pretty cool. It says it made Ralphie's old man proud and it is a woman's leg wearing black fish net hose with fringe on the lampshade. I'm afraid it just won't go in our bedroom so I'm afraid it's totally out of the question.

Let's see, minus the lamp, I would have spent $478.25 and that doesn't include taxes and shipping. It's a good thing I have a good head on my shoulders when it comes to looking through catalogs.

Gee, after all this shopping I need nap~!

those were the days

10, 2, and 4

Oh I wish I were an oscar mayer weiner, that is what i'd truly like to be......cause if i were an oscar mayer weiner, everyone would be in love with me.

two, two mints in one

open wide for chunky

things go better with coco cola, things go better with coke

a little dab will do ya

my dog's better than your dog, my dog's better than yours, my dog's better cause he gets ken-l-ration, my dog's better than yours

double your pleasure double your fun with doublemint, doublemint, doublement gum

please don't squeeze the charmin

Feeling Better

I feel so much better now. If you read my blog I had a post entitled Laura Norder where I discussed one of my pet peeves about misspelled words on signs. Every time I drive by and see "fountian" drinks on that banner it irks me all over again. So this morning I did something about it~!

I called the company and told the lady who answered the phone about it. She was very kind and said she would check with her manager about it. Now whether or not the banners will come down or even be changed doesn't matter. My voice has been heard......at least by someone who can bring it to the right some one's attention.

I was extremely nice about it and told her that I really liked their product and that I am a big fan of one of them. I told her I was afraid it reflected poorly on their company. However I didn't mention how it irked me; that would have been unneccessary in my opinion. If she's an astute person she probably understood that was why she was talking to me.

After I got off the phone I was entirely happy. My kids laughed at me but that's okay. I feel better. Maybe I improved my little world by a word, maybe not. It doesn't matter; I feel smug (highly self-satisfied) and pleased. Welcome to my world.

Things I've Learned

My body is protesting the 4,788 steps up and down my step stool the last two days. Or was it 4,789? Ouch I hurt.

My bedroom is coming along nicely. I was able to get the bed and roll top desk back in place yesterday so we didn't have to sleep in the middle of the bedroom like the night before. That was nice. I have to finish one wall which isn't actually much wall at all due to two double closets. Although that can take more time than a nice wall. I love the dark brown; I'm not sure about the lighter brown yet. The dark brown is much too dark to paint my whole room that color though. When I get my new comforter on I'm sure it'll make a huge difference. I'm not taking it out of the package again until I'm finished. I'm so uncoordinated I'd be sure to spill paint on it, even from across the room. If I still don't like it I'm sure Vicki will have some ideas on what I can do to keep from repainting. Maybe use some glaze with the dark brown in it?? She is so good at decorating.

If I could just stay home and paint I'm sure I would be finished by now. I have somewhere to be every night this week. Then with school, laundry, appointments, cooking (my family still likes to eat even when I'm painting), and all the other life stuff I haven't been able to stick with it. It's kinda like when I used to sew. Once I had the garment cut out I didn't want to stop until it was finished. Or maybe a good book is a better description if you like to read as much as I do.

Here are some things I've learned while painting the past few days:

I accumulate a lot of e-mails in my inbox.

Muscles ache that I wasn't even aware I possess.

Cooking is even worse than usual.

Laundry doesn't diminish while painting; nor dirty dishes.

The van still has many trips to make (although Ben has helped me a lot.....thanks, Ben~!)

My bathroom sink looks pretty bad with brown spots spattered in it.

If I ask nicely Ben will bring me a giant cherry diet coke from Taco D.

Everyone is very good about saying how nice it looks with no offer of help. (couldn't resist the martyr comment; actually everyone else has work or school and work).

If I had some old pajamas I would just paint in those (too bad I actually threw something away).

There's no time to read a good book.

Okay, I could go but you get the idea so I won't bore you any longer. Back to laundry and schoolwork and then I'm going back up that stepladder.......if I can make it up that is.

God Bless Columbus

The painting has begun~! We are off school today due to Columbus Day. God bless Columbus~! I meant to start this weekend, but due to circumstances under my control I didn't. Saturday I moved some things out of the bedroom (we now have to go into the hall to get our underwear) and taped some. I meant to actually start the primer but I had a nasty headache all day and didn't. Then yesterday afternoon I meant to get started, but needed to mop the kitchen floor, do the ironing, cook some meat that had been in the refrigerator thawing, and of course the never ending laundry our family produces. By the time I finished Donald was in the bedroom taking a nap and I didn't want to wake him. So after cooking today's dinner (which was almost consumed last night) I decided I'd take a bath and watch TV. I'm not sure what my family will do tonight for dinner as most of it isn't there anymore. I volunteered to go to the city council meeting with our church's food so I've already told them I'm painting today and will be gone this afternoon so they are on their own.

So this morning I began~! Well actually I'm taking a break/breakfast/blog time out. I've already managed to cut my finger and produce a blood blister trying to use a screwdriver to get my mini-blind down. I am NOT good at all with any type of man-tool. The kids are sleeping in due to no school and I just didn't want to wake the boys to take down a mini-blind. Come on now, how simple can that be? I probably put the thing up.

Wouldn't it be nice to hire a crew to come in and paint it for me (see picture above)? Actually Jeffrey has said he will help me paint today; maybe I can recruit Ben also. Daniel has to work so he's out of the picture and Hannah wasn't feeling well last night. Too many people in one room with the bed still in there isn't going to work too well anyway.

Well my sausage/biscuit is long gone so I guess I better get re-started. My blood sugar dropped and my legs got weak (or maybe it's just my muscles resisting the many trips up and down my step stool). Anyway it seemed a legitimate excuse to stop for a few minutes and proclaim the good news............I HAVE STARTED PAINTING MY BEDROOM~!

More of Him

Pastor Paul has mentioned passion quite a few times lately. I know I am a very passionate person, especially about some things. Miriam Webster's On-line Dictionary defines passion as (and these are only a few of the definitions):

intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction

a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept

an object of desire or deep interest

I am certain I am very passionate about things I love, and I would say I am even passionate about some things I dislike. Take for instance the sign pictured above. I think this is a poor way to tell people about the love of Jesus Christ. I think we are doing people a great disservice when we try to scare them into the kingdom of God. Romans 2:4 says this:

"Do you have contempt for God, who is very kind to you, puts up with you, and deals patiently with you? Don't you realize that it is God's kindness that is trying to lead you to him and change the way you think and act?" I love the way The Message puts the last part of this verse: "In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change." I believe there's enough fear in the world already without using it to try to lead people to Christ. I think we should show people God's kindness; show them Christ's love. Give them a reason to desire Him.

Others are passionate about animals, abortion, politics, starving children in other countries, rights, and the list can go on and on. I'm passionate about many things myself: my God, my family, my church, my friends, even the Dallas Mavericks and chocolate. I hope I grow more and more passionate about my relationship with God. I love the freedom He gives. I love not having a list of rules and regulations about how to live my life; I love being able to listen to Him and to just enjoy the life He has given me. How could I not want more of Him??

Guess What I Found?????

I found a magazine on my bed today. On the front it says "Hormone Survival Guide." Sleep Soundly; Steady Mood Swings; and Cool Hot Flashes (yeah, right~!).

Do you think someone in my family could be trying to tell me something????

My heart cries out

Third Day \ My Hope Is You

To you, O Lord, I lift my soul

In you, O God, I place my trust

Do not let me be put to shame

Nor let my enemies triumph over me

My hope is you

Show me your ways

Guide me in Truth

In all my days

My hope is you

I am, O Lord, filled with your love

You are, O God, my salvation

Guard my life and rescue me

My broken spirit shouts

My mended heart cries out...

Psalm 147:11
"The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love."

Artist Brown

I'm still around, just been fighting off cold/allergy/asthma stuff. It seems maybe I'm getting a bit wiser than I used to be. I used to never slow down or stop until I had to. Now I've found if I will slow down and rest, sometimes my body can fight this stuff off. I didn't even go to church last night. Now I don't believe I have to go; I want to be there. There's a huge difference.

Vicki helped me choose the colors for our bedroom and bathroom. I am going to paint one wall a dark brown and the others a lighter brown. I will have to use a primer over the dark blue I have now to cover it with the brown. I even love the names of the colors. The dark brown is called "Artist Brown" and the lighter one is called "Drawbridge." They should go nicely with the colors I already have. The dark red in my kitchen/dining room is "Chianti" and the other browns I've used are "Kauai Jungle" and "Devonshire." The dark blue in my bedroom now is "Nobilityblue."
I still love the color; it's just that I've had it for over 5 years (maybe even longer; this congestion makes it hard to think straight). Besides it won't go with my new comforter set which is altogether lovely.

I am going to take the wallpaper off the walls in the dressing area of our bathroom and paint it a dark brown and then paint our bathroom the lighter brown. This will mean I will have to refinish the cabinets in there as well. After doing the kitchen summer before last I know I can do this. Hopefully it'll be a breeze since the area is so much smaller and less work. I hope. If I get really blessed I'll have enough stuff left over from the kitchen to do this job also.

Then I plan on replacing the shower curtain. Rebekah and Bethany will probably faint dead away if they read this. I have had the one I have up for 20 years. I love it and just haven't found another one I like better. Maybe it will even go with the new paint job and I can keep it a while longer. I am one to try and get my money's worth.

That brings another thing to mind. The blouse I have on now I recycled from Bethany years ago. I hate shopping for myself and am oh so happy when someone gives me something that fits and I like. I keep saying I'm going to let this particular blouse go, but I can't seem to actually place it in the give away bag after I do laundry. It always goes into my ironing basket and back into my closet after it's ironed. I'm pretty certain we got our money's worth out of it. Maybe I'll set some kind of new record for the person keeping a blouse the longest and actually wearing it regularly.

I can just hear the kids exclaiming about why in the world I would even tell someone this~! I guess because I don't have anything blog worthy and feel the need to run my mouth. I lead a fairly quiet life as you can tell. Definitely a very blessed life~!

How Great Is Our God

The splendor of the King, clothed in majesty

Let all the earth rejoice

All the earth rejoice

He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide

And trembles at His voice

Trembles at His voice

How great is our God, sing with me

How great is our God, and all will see

How great, how great is our God

Age to age He stands

And time is in His hands

Beginning and the end

Beginning and the end

The Godhead Three in One

Father Spirit Son

The Lion and the Lamb

The Lion and the Lamb

How great is our God, sing with me

How great is our God, and all will see

How great, how great is our God

Name above all names

Worthy of all praise

My heart will sing

How great is our God

How great is our God, sing with me

How great is our God, and all will see

How great, how great is our God (x2)

(How Great Is Our God/Chris Tomlin)

facing my giant.....and it was me

I'm still reading "Facing Your Giants" by Max Lucado. I like the book, it's just with school and responsibilities I don't have much time to read. When I do have a few minutes to relax I usually turn on the TV to some old reruns or watch NYPD Blue that I've recorded. I really like that show; I think I've mentioned that before~!

Max is talking about David and his relationship with God. Now Saul was wanting to take his life so he definitely had reason to have something on his mind. He messed up at times; that's what I like about the Bible. God tells us about their failures as well as their successes. I know me, and if God only told me about their victories I would get discouraged very quickly. David was called a man after God's own heart, yet he blew it many times.

There is a chapter entitled "Dry Seasons." He makes a comment, "Make God your refuge.....Let Him encircle you.......Let him be the ceiling that breaks the sunshine, the walls that stop the wind, the foundation on which you stand." In another chapter he says this, "Christ lived the life we could not live and took the punishment we could not take to offer the hope we cannot resist."

How many times do I resist because I'm more concerned about what I want than want He wants for me. Just this weekend I had a serious battle of my will versus what I knew He wanted me to do. Now all along, I knew I was going to do what I should, but I sure resisted and struggled with a bad attitude for a while. After I obeyed I realized it really wasn't that big of a deal; I had just made it one in my mind. Our giants can even be our own attitude. Facing them can bring victory in our lives.

Matthew 11:28 (The Message)
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest."

I'm tired of religion, I just want Him.