Miss California

Carrie Prejean is someone I admire for her strength to stand by her conviction. Even if I don't agree with her stance on the issue of gay marriage, I believe each of us should have that type of courage to answer others according to our personal belief systems.

patience

Sometimes, well a majority of the time, I wonder: how come God is so patient with me? I mean, really, I have the attention span as long as my Shih Tzu sometimes. I get distracted by so many things, some good and some not so healthy. A good analogy would be cross country running. I don't do cross country because I'd get distracted along the way.

Oh look! A pretty flower!

Oh look! A squirrel!

Oh look! A wooded area!

I want to become more like Paul. In Romans he writes, "I am forgetting what is behind and straining toward the goal." I think it's Romans, someone correct me if I'm wrong.... I want to be that focused and most times, I am and can be. Other times, and I want these to become less, I am a wandering tumbleweed. Father, give me direction. Show me what focus looks like and cause me to model after it.

freedom

I asked my facebook friends to define the word "Freedom". Most of the responses received had either a religious back story or were silly answers.

Sitting contently by a stream, just me, my journal, and Jesus. Maybe a camara. Or, spinning circles on a vaulted stage floor, with an empty auditorium. The ability to just BE.

Surrendering to death...the ultimate oppressor...allowing it to consume you, dragging you to the one place you could never go, and being redeemed..........then walking in that reality every single day.

Freedom = Walking naked into a restaurant and telling the waitress, "I'd like to try the special." This of course prompts her to ask the more obvious question, "Table or booth?"

Does freedom only come through spiritual belief or religious faith?

funny stuff

Here's a laugh for the day and why person-to-person is always the best way to build a relationship.

http://mail.google.com/mail/help/autopilot/index.html

new eyes

'Give Me Your Eyes'
Brandon Heath

house of hope

God did it! His people are faithful! We raised $524 for House of Hope Nicaragua between the Sufficient Grounds benefit, the Bethel on-campus cookie sale, and the pool exhibition. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

benefit

"A Stand to Stop"
Friday @ 7:30pm
Sufficient Grounds
1001 W McKinley
Mishawaka, IN

I am going to Nicaragua on February 13-23, 2009. While there, the team will visit House of Hope (www.houseofhopenicaragua.com). Their mission is help women in prostitution by providing them with an alternate means to make a living and establish them in the Lord.

I have been inspired by the Lord to raise $500 for this ministry to purchase chickens, roosters, and materials for their housing. The benefit will provide great entertainment while taking one more step toward the end of human trafficking.

Come. Bring friends. Listen. Give as God directs.




Informational clip...

Christmas

It's almost Christmas and I can't believe it is so close. Working in the real world has smushed all the days together. May you have a restful holiday season. May the new year bring refreshment and rejuvination.

Presidental Candidates

Just a note and a thought worth pondering this election season...

wisdom

Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it. –Buddha