THE HIKE

Last weekend I had the awesome privledge of seeing my son and his friends at college.  The weather turned out to be so beautiful that we decided on saturday to take a "little" hike up the mountain. 

 Now the original sight we wanted to see was only about a 15 minute hike...But Once we got there, my son's roomate asked if we wanted to get a "little more exercise and see more of the mountian. My son's roomate worked on the trails there and said he knew of a great spot that looked out over the mountain. It was such a beautiful day, so why not?

I soon found out why not....almost 2 hours later.  I had lost feeling in my shins, thighs, and booty!  I was sweaty, tired, and my mouth was so dry I could spit cotton.   All I could see was the mountain in front of us, that kept climbing up!  When we finally got to the top and it was really beautiful. 

I wish I could say I drank it all in and enjoyed the majesty of nature and how creative God is!  I can't, because all I could think of was getting down the mountain to sonic and getting a 44oz Cherry Limade...(it was happy hour!) 

The next day I realized I had not allowed myself to enjoy the hike as much as I should have.  I got great exercise, fresh air, and I did sleep like a baby that night.   It had really been a great day, but I was not as prepared as I would have liked (like using the bathroom and bringing water) so I didn't get as much joy out of it, as I should have.

How many times have we done that in our life?  God has the days planned for us.  He says so in Psalms 139:16.  He also says in 2 Timothy 3:17 "That using scriptures, the person who serves God will be capable, having all that is needed to do every good work." 

Everyday God has something wonderful to show us, but we choose to sleep in, not open his word, so we feel so unprepared that we miss the adventure laid out before us.  God has given us all we need in His Word and through the Holy Spirit living in us, that we have all we need to "Hike" through each day and enjoy it.  Didn't God also say He came to give us life MORE abundantly! 

I don't know about you, but I don't want to be at the end of life and realize I never fully enjoyed the view!

And Bryan I take back all the bad things I said about you...You can still be friends with Stephen!  Love you man!

PASTOR'S WIFE

I was on line and came aross these video's about being a Pastor's wife.  They truly touched my heart.  If you are a Pastor's Wife please know you are not alone.  If you have ever wondered what it would be like to be a Pastor's wife then click on the link below and enjoy.  There were 3 different video's, this one was my favorite.

http://vimeo.com/3733204

MANDISA IS FREE!

I'm pretty sure Mandisa would say she is free in Christ.  But, I'm actually talking about my Mandisa CD.  If you have followed me on my blog you know I got my favorite CD stuck in the car CD player.   I was slightly devastated, then it turned to annoyance, then it became a mission.

Every time I got in the car I'd, hit eject hoping the CD would pop out.  Then I started hitting potholes on purpose so it might just pop out.  Finally, I googled.  (Yes, I googled) 

Not that it was much help...At first.  Everything said, "take it to the car dealer" or "Take it to a place that installs stereo equipment"  Duh, I knew that.   Finally one last entry I read said, "Take a thin knife and put tape on the end, backwards.  (So it's sticky all the way around.)  Hit eject and the CD will stick to the knife and you can pull it out!"  Genius!!!!!  ( I won't tell you the site was called "You might be a redneck...") JK

Well it worked!  I am waking up to "A Good Morning"  everyday this week!  As always I had to stop and ask, " Is there a spiritual lesson in this?"  THERE IS!!!!

I had read the google entry about the knife and tape several days ago.  I just didn't try it, because I thought it was a little silly.  Crazy really.  When I was out of other options I had nothing to lose...Then I tried...and it worked.

How many times has God told me to do something?  Something silly or even crazy.  You know, send a card, call a friend, invite someone to lunch.  OR  Trust God and tithe when I have bills due and don't get paid till NEXT week.  Apply for that job, Don't apply for that great job, write a blog, get on your knees and pray...in front of people!!!  AWWWWWW 

Just a few I have personally heard.  Yet I hesitate or don't try because it makes No sense whatsoever. 

You know I serve a God who asks crazy things of His people.  "Be in the world NOT of the World.   Love Your enemy as yourself"  "Love Me with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength"  "Be anxious for NOTHING"  "Pray about EVERYTHING"  oh the list goes on and on.

So maybe the next time I hear that voice, or feel that nudge from the Holy Spirit I will remember my favorite CD.  I will remember how it got stuck and how I got it out and I will obey without hesitation, no matter how crazy it sounds.  

I bet if I do it will make me "STRONGER"!  (Oh I crack myself up!)  hint listen to Mandisa CD