It has been a long, slow death.

A little over a year ago, in a freak-of-nature moment, lightning struck my TV. Well, it struck the electrical box outside my apartment. All the apartments on my side of the building suffered a strange, supernatural increase in one electrical source and the rest were completely non-functioning. My super-bright light was in my closet. It could not be turned off and no other source of electricity worked. It was a nuts.

In the end I lost my fan, microwave, heated blanket, and several other minor things. (I did gain a greater appreciation for surge protectors). But the biggest loss was my TV. Over time it improved a little. The static lines that made it impossible to see the picture began to decrease but the awful buzzing sound never went away.

This isn't just any TV. It was a gift to me from my best friend. She spent sacrificially to give it to me just before I went to college. I couldn't throw it away. I think of her every time I watch it.

But tonight the end has come. During another sleepless night, the TV suddenly went black. The static lines may be gone, but so is the picture. I can still hear it. And the obnoxious buzz.

I'm secretly wishing for a new TV for Christmas.

You should read Good to Great.

Dear Walmart -

Sometimes it is hard to like you.

Your carts are faulty. For a while I thought it was a quirky little thing about me: I always get the bad cart. But I've realized that I never get a good cart. Your carts need repair.

Your employees, while not necessarily rude, are improperly trained. Recently I asked 4 employees the same question. Each person respectfully told me they didn't know and referred me to another employee. Your employees need cross-training.

Some of your employees are rude.

But I do appreciate your low prices.

Stalled out...

I hear the number one way to kill readership is to post irregularly. I don't have a computer right now so there's not too much I can do about it. I'm sure all 3 of my readers have been very disappointed with my lack of updates.

In case you feel severely out of touch with me, here are the highlights:
1) I have a new job (sort of). I love it.
2) My dogs with special needs are doing better. I love that.
3) God is incredible. I love Him.

:)

Nothing is Impossible

I haven't figured out how to post videos on the blog yet. But don't let that stop you from clicking on the links below.
I cried like a baby the first 3 times I watched it! And I've been singing it for the last month.
Listen to the story.
Listen to the song.

Undivided

This is the time
This is the hour
When I make my stand
There's no turning back
For Your kingdom is all that I want
All that hinders I cast aside
Undivided
Here's my heart
It is Yours, It is Yours
Undivided
Take my life
I am Yours, I am Yours
With open hands I come
With an open heart I come
Everything is Yours
I'm ready, I'm ready to let go
Take all of me, take all of me



- Wade Joye - www.elevation-worship.com

This song has been on constant replay as I upload pictures from Elevation's Spontaneous Baptisms! I am SO proud of the 1,044 people that took the plunge!!!

And we're done.

They don't make 'em like they used to!

Psalty has a website! Who knew?

Its like the best of 80's Children's Church meets "the Internets."

It gets better.

Psalty was touring as recently as 2006.

Wow.

Stuff I Like

I have a crush on the Stuff Christians Like guy. He's incredibly clever and wildly entertaining. But more than that, he posts approximately every 5.7 seconds.

If that doesn't impress you, you'll probably find something you like on one of his five other blogs.

Go check him out. If you don't laugh at GodisGoodandawesome777letussidehug@yahoo.com, you may not make it into heaven.

Go.

Comfortable Socks

All good things come to an end.

I don't mind, though. I've always enjoyed change. I thrive on change. But when God wants to move me, I get a little freaked out. Its not that I don't trust Him. I want to see what He has lined up. I want my faith to grow. More than anything, I want to develop the gifts He has instilled in me. Still, I dig my heels in and remind God of what I think is best for me.

The children of Israel complained about leaving an enslaved, but comfortable lifestyle. God had just stunned their country with plagues and liberated them. They witnessed Pharoah's army drown in the Red Sea moments after they crossed it on dry land. This crowd should be ready to move the second they sense God's direction. But 6 weeks later, they're throwing a fit.

"On the fifteenth day of the second month after they had left Egypt, the whole company of Israel moved on from Elim to the Wilderness of Sin which is between Elim and Sinai. The whole company of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron there in the wilderness. The Israelites said, "Why didn't God let us die in comfort in Egypt where we had lamb stew and all the bread we could eat? You've brought us out into this wilderness to starve us to death, the whole company of Israel!" (Exodus 16:1-3)

God was merciful and fed them for the next 40 years. He brought them out of Egypt to set them free. To lead them to the Promised Land. They screwed up and it took a lot longer than it should have. But, eventually, Israel arrived in the place God designed for them.

I'm involved in a blog-off with these three guys. When Jeff told me this week's topic, I immediately thought of churches that grow too comfortable to move. But God wanted to show me a more personal practical application. For some time, He has been moving me, leading me to a new place. Like the children of Israel, I was complaining.

I'm realizing more each day that comfortable socks are only good for a while. They will eventually wear out. I want to be proactive and try on the new pair of socks that God is providing before the opportunity is gone.

I may miss my comfortable socks. Or I may discover that this new pair is much better.

Its Christina's fault.

I've put off blogging for quite some time. Everyone has a blog. And when you follow these brilliant blogs, it seems unnecessary to add to the blogosphere.
However, a friend strongly suggested (threatened me) that I get on it. Its good to have friends that kick your butt a little. (I kicked hers too. More on that later.)

So here we go. You can blame Christina.