Daylight Savings

Twas a quarter 'til five when I looked out the window,
And there I was met with a great reminder.
Our summer has ended, long days are gone.
Winter is upon us - shorter, colder, and dimmer.

High Places

God setteth the solitary in families... (vs. 6)

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. (vs. 19)

-From Psalm 68



Ponder that for just a moment. Let it fill you up inside. The Almighty God of the universe doesn't leave us alone. He places us in families. He gives us brothers and sisters. He doesn't want us to wander through this world alone. Our pilgrimage is not to be isolated. We have a family. Families, to be exact. I have families sweetly settled in Jasper, Tuscaloosa, Akron, Birmingham, Orlando, Dallas, all throughout the U.S., the Phillippines, Kenya, Tanzania...EVERYWHERE!

And not only does he bless us with families, but he daily loadeth us with benefits! I cannot begin to comprehend the innumerable blessings the Lord grants me each and every day, from the seen to the unseen.

What a mighty, merciful God we serve and love because he first loved us.

Music to Motivate

As I was flipping through my ipod Sunday evening on the way home, listening to an assortment of songs, I decided it was time to make use of my playlists in iTunes. There are several songs I flip to on a regular basis to get motivated, praise Jesus, and renew my inner man. Thus, tonight, I created the playlist, "Christian Motivation". (Although, I've decided I like the title I gave this blog post even better. So, I might have to change it.)

I'm a HUGE fan of Christian music from the late 90's and early part of this decade. I think I have almost every Point of Grace CD, and several CDs from Third Day, Jars of Clay, Audio Adrenaline, Twila Paris, etc. I'm constantly adding to the collection. Because you can never have too much Christian music, right? Right.

So, I thought I would share my newly created playlist in its current form. It may change, but this is how it looks right now. If you have never heard some of these, I highly recommend you do so. Let me know what you think, and be sure to share your favorites with me.

Song Name - Artist - Album

1. Who Am I - Point of Grace (Steady On Album)
2. I've Always Loved You - Third Day (Time)
3. By His Wounds - Various (Glory Revealed)
4. Son of Man - Eden's Bridge (The Best of Celtic Praise & Worship)
5. Ocean Floor - Audio Adrenaline (Greatest Hits Album)
6. Because You Are - Point of Grace (How You Live)
7. Nothing Compares - Third Day (Offerings II)
8. I Surrender All - Clay Crosse - (WOW: The 90's Album)
9. What If His People Prayed - Casting Crowns - (Casting Crowns)
10. You Are the Answer - Point of Grace - (Life, Love, & Other Mysteries)
11. God of Wonders - Third Day - (Offerings II)
12. In Remembrance of Me - Cheri Keaggy - (My Faith Will Stay)
13. The House That Mercy Built - Point of Grace - (The Whole Truth)
14. All the Heavens - Third Day - (Offerings I)
15. What Did He Die For - Twila Paris - (Where I Stand)
16. Waters Gone By - Shawn Lewis - (Glory Revealed)
17. Crucified with Christ - Phillips, Craig, & Dean - (WOW: The 90's Album)
18. Sometimes By Step - Rich Mullins - (WOW: The 90's Album)
19. Jesus Freak - DC Talk - (Jesus Freak)
20. Any Road, Any Cost - Point of Grace - (Life, Love, & Other Mysteries)
21. Good Life - Audio Adrenaline - (Underdog)
22. Better Days - Point of Grace - (Steady On)

The Color of Leaves

The leaves have turned magnificent shades of yellow, orange, and red just overnight it seems. It began about two weeks ago, but with this sudden cold snap this weekend, the colors just burst forth. It is so easy to overlook when we see it every year, but it truly is marvelous. This past week we had the great privilege of not only hearing Elder Martin Onyani from Kisii, Kenya, preach to us, but he also stayed in my parents' home. The equator runs through Kenya, and Elder Martin has never been outside Kenya or Tanzania until this past week. He was amazed at the colors of the leaves. He asked Dad, "What makes the leaves change color?" Dad's reply: "God." (As Elder Harold Hunt has said, "The Gospel is simply profound, and profoundly simple.")

So, I started thinking about Elder Martin's question. Usually, we tie the seasonal changes of the leaves to the time periods in our life. In the spring, new life buds forth, and full growth is in the summer. Then, in the fall the leaves fade, just as we grow older, and in the winter, the leaves die and fall to the ground. And, we even take that further. Some leaves fall "early", just as some of us leave this earth at tender ages. And some hang on until the very last days of winter. I was pondering all these things this afternoon, and then I took it another step.

I decided that perhaps the color of the leaves represent something, too, about our "older" age. For example, the brown leaves are the crusty, bitter older people who always seem to be in a sour mood. Not very pretty, nor fun to be around. Then, you have your red leaves - those people who are firecrackers. Always telling you exactly what's on their mind. Or the orange ones, the mellow ones, cool and content. And let's not forget the yellows. Bright and cheerful, bubbling over with excitement and energy.

I'm hoping to be more yellow and orange when I get older. How about you?

Readings

Hosea 11

(7) And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.

(8) How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

(9) I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.

In three verses we have both man's complete depravity and God's innumerable mercy. Truly, the whole book of Hosea is about God's people turning their back on Him and worshipping idols. They seek fulfillment in the world, and have forgotten their Maker. God tells His people through Hosea that judgment is coming. But, ah, look at verses 8 and 9! Admah and Zeboim were cities that were destroyed with Sodom and Gomorrah. God says he will not execute the fierceness of His anger. He will not destroy his people, as with Admah, Zeboim, Sodom, and Gomorrah. And why? Because He is God, and not man. What a truly marvellous thought in seven words.

I Dreamed A Dream

Initially, I was in a car with my cop partner. Suddenly, we were chasing a car through downtown Birmingham, following it until it stopped at a small hole-in-the-wall diner. I was the only one who had gone unnoticed, so the task fell to me to go in and make the arrest. I walked into the diner, and moments later, the crooks were in custody.

Suddenly, I was hiking a long, long journey. I did not know my destination. Only that the journey was to be long. My companions and I made a small camp fire and had a meager dinner. The next night we found ourselves camping in a Wal-Mart. I searched for the perfect spot to watch the Alabama football game. Instead of watching it on the big screen tvs, I had to resort to watching it on a smaller screen. And the cost of a coke was ridiculous - $4.75.

Then I awoke.

And this is what I really did over the last couple of days:

Thursday night I watched Police Women of Broward County on tv.
Saturday I went to Walmart to pick up a few items, and watched football games at home later that day.
And, at various points throughout the weekend and over the last week I have been reading The Fellowship of the Ring - they just started their journey South.


Coincidence? No, afraid not. It happens quite often. My reality often gets mixed with my dreams. Confusing at times? Sometimes.

My Life According to Alison Krauss & Union Station

Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, answer these questions.

Pick your Artist: Alison Krauss & Union Station

Are you a male or female: Molly Ban

Describe yourself: The Lucky One

How do you feel: Restless

Describe where you currently live: Bright Sunny South

If you could go anywhere, where would you go: Faraway Land

Your favorite form of transportation: Choctaw Hayride

Your best friend is: Crazy As Me

You and your best friends are: Missing You

What's the weather like: Rain Please Go Away

Favorite time of day: Teardrops Will Kiss the Morning Dew

If your life was a TV show, what would it be called: Crazy Faith

What is life to you: A Living Prayer

Your last/current relationship: You're Just A Country Boy

Your fear: Every Time You Say Goodbye

What is the best advice you have to give: Forget About It

Thought for the Day: How's the World Treating You

How I would like to die: My Poor Old Heart

My soul's present condition: Happiness

Most Faithful Companion: But You Know I Love You

My motto: Wouldn't Be So Sad