R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Well, for the first time of what I am sure will be a few, I have lost my post. Due to some unfortunate clickings and mistakes, it went poof! So I shall try to recreate what I wrote for you.

Soccer: Landon Donovan has failed for the second time to make it in European soccer. As many know, he is a tremendously skilled play that doesn't have 'it'. When there are big situations, don't ask for him because he is hiding. That's what happened in Europe and Mexico. When they put him in for a start against Liverpool he didn't play well. When the USA needed him against Mexico on Sunday his skills were nowhere to be found. On Wednesday night in an easy game against Guatemala though, he played wonderfully. He is supposed to be the saviour of American soccer?!?! He is known as a quitter in Europe. American soccer is trying to gain respect in the world and this is yet another setback for us.

In other news, I have small group tonight. Tonight we are doing something a bit different. I am the co-leader of the group and was given the responsibility of coming up with something tonight. So I took an idea from one of my favorite musical artists. It should prove to be an interesting time and I will let you know how it went tomorrow.

Cleanliness is next to Godliness?

What is the surest way of making sure one's place is clean? Why, invite people over, of course. This is where I am this evening. I do not like to clean. I will most of the time find anything to do rather than clean. But alas my back is against the wall. My place needs to be cleaned by tomorrow night and tonight is the night.

In other news, it is a beautiful day outside. One of those days where you want to leave work early and go outside. Be sure to thank God for these days. Finally it looks like spring is upon us. I know that some of us which shall remain nameless have been waiting for this day since about mid-fall last year. Well enjoy it. Get out and enjoy it.

Do we trust God?

I've been thinking lately about how unhappy we can be with ourselves: I can't do this very well, I am not very good at that, why do I look this way. We are not happy with our gifts, we wish that we were more talented like somebody else. We wish that we didn't have to struggle with something that we are going through. Well guess what? God made us who we are and He didn't mess up. He gave us the amount of gifts we have in the areas that He chose to. He created us to look like we do. Now I believe that we should always try to better ourselves, but we should still be grateful with what we were given. God made us in that special way(His image). He made us because we have a special combination of trials, gifts, personality and life experiences to accomplish what He made us for. Think about it. You are not a loser. God didn't make any losers. If He did, then we have a loser God and I am sure not going to go there. I'll leave you with a Psalm that highlights this fact. Especially the bolded parts.
Psalm 139 NASB
1 O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar.
3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all.
5 You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it.
7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
9 If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,"
12 Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day, Darkness and light are alike to You.
13 For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb.
14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.
17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand When I awake, I am still with You.
19 O that You would slay the wicked, O God; Depart from me, therefore, men of bloodshed.
20 For they speak against You wickedly, And Your enemies take Your name in vain.
21 Do I not hate those who hate You, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
22 I hate them with the utmost hatred; They have become my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.

Bunnies, Eggs And Chocolate

As this weekend approaches, I am amazed at how it seems to prop up out of nowhere and how flippantly it is treated. I, for one, am not mentally or spiritually prepared for the days to come. This is very possibly the most incredible weekend of the year. It celebrates the ultimate sacrifice of my Lord Jesus Christ. Without Jesus' sacrifice, I would have no hope of being able to spend the rest of eternity with God. In fact I would spend the rest of eternity forever separated from God. The misery that that would be. WOW.

As you go through the weekend, here are some thoughts. Thursday was the last meal that Jesus had before His death. And He chose to have it with a few of His closest friends on earth. Even He needed to be ministered to by those closest to Him on this earth. How much do you value the people you are closest to? Imagine knowing that in a few hours they would run away from you and deny you. Friday, He gave up His life and took all my sin so I could be reconciled. He even endured being separated from God the father. How hard must that have been? I can't even imagine. He accepted being separated from the Father so that He could be with me. I am the one that turns my back on Him every day. Yet it was completely worth it to Jesus. Sunday is the victorious day. He rose again. Power over death, and everything. How awesome.

He did this for us. No matter how much we screw up, He loves us and wants us. The ultimate sacrifice. That phrase seems to get overused but it is so true. I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend and remember that this is about Jesus' death and resurrection, not bunnies, eggs and chocolate.

Redemption Songs - To listen or not to listen

Well, here I am again. Today I am bringing you my first review of an album. The album of choice is the newest Jars of Clay offering, 'Redemption Songs'. This album was released on Tuesday and contains hymns redone as only Jars of Clay could redo them. As with their last album, they stick with the roots sound yet at the same time managed to give it a fresher feel. For the most part they kept the melodies the same for the hymns and tried to freshen up the arrangements. They did this fairly well. Some high points of the album are 'God will lift up your head', 'God be merciful to me' and 'Nothing but the blood' which is sung with the gospel quintet 'Blind Boys of Alabama'. Although the album seemed to drag at points, it was overall a good listen. Again the polished sound and excellent musicianship that Jars provides is to be appreciated. If you are a fan of roots-type music, you will love this album. I am not a huge fan of this style but was still able to appreciate this latest offering. If you would like to give it a listen, the Jars of Clay website streams the entire album for your wonderful ears. Decide for yourself.

In other news, props to Pat Summit for having the most wins by a coach in Division 1 Basketball. She is very good at what she does and should be given major credit for this accompishment. All this from a UConn fan who hopes that Tennessee loses their next game.

The NCAA Men's Tourney resumes tomorrow with the Sweet Sixteen matchups. The best game of Thursday and Friday promises to be Washington vs Louisville. Be sure to watch some this weekend to see who advances to the Final Four.

Welcome One and All

Here is the blog of one who seeks to live by a couple of simple rules.

1. Fear GOD and keep His commandments
2. Enjoy life

In the future, I am apt to write about anything, but most likely there will be some recurring topics. Some of these will be God, life, music and sports. Other topics will be apt to appear as my mind likes to wonder and ponder many things.

Thanks for coming and God bless.

PS In closing I shall leave you with a couple favorite verses of mine:
Isaiah 26:8 and II Chronicles 7:14