I've been reading Oswald Chambers' book My Utmost For His Highest. On Nov. 26. He talks about how Paul preached Jesus Christ and him crucified and he talks about the resurrection life of Jesus. Weighty topics. This book is very deep.

There are times when God seems nearer to me than before. If He lives in me, shouldn't I sense his presence all the time? I seem to forget him during the day and live my life as if I don't need his help. It must be me and not him that keeps getting further away. I want to remain in him.

Wow, I have been watching Michael Jackson's memorial service live on CNN.com. The music is awesome. Mariah Carey thanked Jesus at the end of her song. A choir sang about heaven and Lionel Richie sang "Jesus is love". Millions are watching this online and many more are there at the stadium. This is a chance for many people to hear the good news! What an amazing outreach event!

David Crowder Band @ 2008 NYWC in Nashville on Vimeo

more about "David Crowder Band @ 2008 NYWC in Nas...", posted with vodpod

David Crowder Band! woohoo!

more about "David Crowder Band! woohoo!", posted with vodpod

Remedy - David Crowder Band

more about "Remedy - David Crowder Band", posted with vodpod

Collective Soul - Shine

more about "Collective Soul - Shine", posted with vodpod

Graduation from Boot Camp

I am so proud of our daughter Alicia. She just endured 8 weeks of basic training in the air force. Here are some pics. A great accomplishment.

As i look at the past, I wonder if the things I have said and done were pleasing to God. If i was dying, I wouldn't want to look back and find that many of the things I did were selfish. What is the difference between being self centered and loving your self? And why is it that many Christians, including myself, don't see the attitudes and behaviors in our own lives that are not pleasing to God.  I don't know if I have truly been aware of how the words of my mouth and the thoughts in my heart have either helped or hurt others. I know that God loves me and He always will, but I want to be more Christlike. When I get to heaven, i would like to hear God say, well done, you were a good and faithful servant, I know I will never be perfect, and I know that trials are so that I will have more of God's character in my life. When I think of how much joy I have in my 5 year old grand daughter. My grand daughter doesn't always do what I want, but she has an innocence and childlike joy. And it is fun to be around her. I can picture God enjoying me like that. I think the more we know God's love, the better equipped we are to show love to others.

At church, the sermons have been about living as if we were dying. My desire is to live a life, free from worry and stress. I think I would enjoy life more if I wasn't always worried about making mistakes, or about what might go wrong in the future. Many times I am too serious. And Dion is perfect for me, because he helps balance me out. He helps me to have more fun in life! 

I love spending time with my family, but I also love doing the things God has called me to do, and being in God's presence. That is fulness of joy!

Exercise builds endurance.

Well, I did 20 minutes of an aerobic workout at home today. That was about all I could handle at one time. I want to build up some endurance so I can attempt another hike. But the next time I go hiking I won't be so worn out and I'll be able to enjoy the scenery more.

Hiking

Hiking can be a great experience if you are prepared for it. Alicia and I went hiking to Romero Pools on Friday. We weren’t prepared for the length of the hike or for the steepness of the path. I almost gave up about 6 times. I had to keep stopping to rest. We kept asking people along the way, “How much further is it?” They kept saying, “You are almost there. Don’t give up now.” But finally we reached the refreshing stream of water. It is beautiful up there, and the water felt great on our feet. After we rested a while we began the hike back. I wasn’t sure if I was also going to be able to make it back. I was exhausted and couldn’t wait to get back to the safety and comfort of my own home. Sometimes following God’s path seems difficult. But, I guess if we get in shape, we can do things we never thought we could do. I’ll have to exercise more before I attempt it again. But the scenery in the mountains was awesome! Arizona is a great place to be!

My Happy Thought

Sometimes life gets tough. We have to weather the storms. When the storm seems it's worst, I need to pray more. But, one thing that helps me a lot is finding a happy thought to dwell on. It seems so easy to dwell on the negative stuff!

So, here is my happy thought.

My daughter just told me that as she was growing up in the church, she took for granted that God was there for her. Everything seemed to be going fine. But, then things in her life began to get difficult. She has begun reading the Bible more and searching for God’s guidance in her life. She realizes now, more than ever, how much she needs God!

This is an answer to my prayers and to prayers from friends at church!

What makes marriages last for a lifetime?

I love the lyrics to this song by Michael Bolton. I think this helps marriages last for a lifetime. "That's what love is all about".

Valentine's Day

To love someone deeply gives you strength.  Being loved by someone deeply gives you courage.  Lao-Tzu

It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing.  It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving.  Mother Teresa

1 John 4:16-18 (New International Version)

16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Dion and Jayne in our twenties

Dion was hot!!! and his hair looked better than mine!  How about those huge glasses!  You gotta love the eighties!

Here's my bicycle, I guess I should get on it and ride around the neighborhood.  Except the tires are flat right now.  I do have an indoor bike, though.  I can even exercise while watching t.v!  Dion & I began exercising together this week.  I think I overdid it though, because I was in a lot of pain afterwards.  But the more we get in shape, the easier it will get, and we will build up endurance.  Let's see how long we can keep up with our new year's resolutions.  I want to get in shape so I can hike up to Romero Pools.  

You do not have, because you do not ask God, when you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives.  James 4:2,3.  Mt. 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Mt. 7:10 . . . how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him.

I think we need to believe that God is a good Father, and that he will give us good gifts.  I don't think most people believe that He really is a good dad to his children.

I have photo of Dion wearing my pink, fluffy bathrobe, but he won't let me post it on this blog. He was so cute wearing my robe.  That robe was awesome!  It was soft, and warm, and very comforting to wear on a cold winter night!  That reminds me.  I'll need to get another warm one for winter camp in Prescott Pines.  I hope it snows there.  And I hope all of the middle school and high school campers have a great experience with God up on the mountaintop.  And I hope they bring warm clothes.  It should be a lot of fun!

Triniti & Zoey

Triniti got a new dog.  A Chihuahua.  Her name is Zoey.  She is just the right size for Trin to have as a pet, and she is very well behaved!

Heroes

This Christmas I had a few weeks off to goof around and relax.  We had our daughter and granddaughter over.  We sat around in our jammies and had a Heroes marathon.  I had never seen the show before, so we watched all of season one in 2 days.  It was fun, but I felt guilty for sitting around like a couch potato, just eating and watching t.v.  Well, I have 1 more day and then I go back to work.