I drink Crystal Light a lot now.

So wow, did y'all see American Idol this week? (Bailey I think you might be the only person that will care to read this part!) It's getting so good! Everyone left is talented, so there is no telling who will get kicked off each week. I thought for sure Jason was a goner (I don't like that word, it looks like it should be pronounced go-ner). But no! He wasn't even in the bottom two. Crazy. Now, I'm rooting for Jason to stay on each week, mainly because he's an Aggie (he is talented too, but not the best, in my opinion). I definitely think David Cook should win. He is stinkin good! He sings well & puts together amazing music to go with whatever song he picked. I'm afraid that David Archuleta, who sings well but is boring (but you all know I like rock music a lot more than pop anyways so he's just not my style), will win JUST because teeny-boppers have unlimited texting & go nuts for him. Poo. Either way, I'm sure David Cook will make a CD, & I'm so buying it!

I used a lot of parenthesis in that paragraph.

God has been teaching me SO MUCH lately. I think I can say that He has grown & refined me more in this past year than ever before. I have a better understanding of His character & His Holy Spirit & a better grasp on what it is to hear from the Lord & obey when He speaks. Of course, like always, the more you learn, the more you realize you don't know, & I can only hope that He continues to move like crazy so I can look more like Jesus. I'm simply amazed that He finds me worthy of all He's doing in & around me. That's the part that is just GOD - I'm NOT worthy, at all. I'm sinful & fleshy & icky all over. But God's grace is HUGE & Jesus's blood covers me. & for that I am so thankful!

That's all for now. I'm sleepy so I need to go do something. SEE YA!

C

The Fear of the Lord

"I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give an account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

-Jesus, in Matthew 12:36-37

Knees & cars & Jesus

I guess I could update.....

So much has been going on I don't even know where to start.

Well, some of you know my knees have been hurting for about 7 months or so. I kept thinking they would get better, especially since I have not worked out in about a month, but they have only gotten worse. I finally got to the doctor (I hate going to the doctor) & he rattled off a long name, described as "premature arthritis." (After googling, I think the long name he said is Chondromalacia Patella.) He gave me things to do to try to lessen the pain & strengthen my muscles around my knee, & a supplement to take, so we'll see if it helps. I have to go back in 3 months. Hopefully it will get better....

We traded my SUV in for a car on Saturday. God used the experience to show me what a brat I am. After lots of praying & talking we decided that it was wise to get a car, since the car (a Corolla) will last forever & gets MUCH MUCH better gas mileage, & since we travel a lot that will save us a lot of money. I liked my SUV, with the sunroof & butt-warmers & premium sound system, but my upset-ness was very selfish & once I realized what a snob I was, I was thankful that God has provided so much for us. Isn't it all too easy to get caught up in what we "want" & holding on to possessions? God is loosening my grip on "things" - they don't matter! Jesus matters! Maybe one day my thoughts & actions will actually reflect that fact...

I'm reading The Mark of the Lion series again since my book club is reading it (I totally recommend the series by the way!). The main character is a Christian among Romans, & Christians were killed by Romans just for being Christians, so she feels like she has to hide her faith. But some of the other characters mention that they see something different about her, a peace, a gentleness, that they want. & you hear that all the time, people saying that before they came to know Jesus, they knew a person that "had something they didn't have." What I've been wondering is, is that in me? Do people see in me a peace & a light & a joy that isn't man made? Does the barista at Starbucks, the checker at the grocery store, the vet notice something different about me? I hope so. I'm seeking the Lord about this, because I want it. I want people to see Him when they see me. I'm so flawed, so human, but God is teaching me that He wants to use me anyway. I don't have to be perfect first. That is hard for me to accept, but I pray that He uses me.

I think it's time for some cinnamon toast & coffee. Yum.

C