Darkness No More

Psalm 63:6-7

When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Because You have been my help, Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.

I have been afraid of the dark since I was little. I was forever scarred after watching Wishbone's version of H. G. Well's Time Machine, and seeing the red-eyed morlocks that haunt the darkness, and can't live in the light. Just as much as that show scared me, this verse has comforted me and reminded me who really controls the darkness. I am reminded to meditate on my protector, and be at peace in his shadow.

Hurricane by Streamline

(You can find this song in the iPod on the side. Personally one of my favorites)

You shimmer like the Northern Star and I’m just the guy with the telescope on the ground
You’re rushing like a waterfall and I’m just the dribbling of a faucet that won’t turn off
I got concrete shoes, and you’re strapped to rockets,
If it’s sink or swim, then I’m swiftly drowning
I’m on the ocean floor and you’re out of the atmosphere

Why do I not see this coming?
The more I try, the less you’re enamored
When it all plays out, well who was I kidding?
To say you’re out of my league doesn’t start to explain it
I’m a drop of rain and baby you’re a hurricane

I whipped out the big guns, aimed to impress,
centered those cross-hairs on your chest
crossed my fingers, pulled the trigger
just hoping for the best
you probably wish the bullet had caught my head
but it landed in my foot instead

Why do I not see this coming?
The more I try, the less you’re enamored
When it all plays out, well who was I kidding?
To say you’re out of my league is a kind understatement
I’m a drop of rain and baby you’re a hurricane

Those chemicals made synapses fire,
made illogical seem probable
Like a cannon ball, I’m bound to soar and fall
I’m just a lead balloon, you’re anti-gravitational.
And I’m out of my head

Why do I not see this coming?
When the more I try, the less you’re enamored
When it all plays out, well who was I kidding?
To say you’re out of my league doesn’t start to explain it
I’m just a drop of rain and baby you’re a…

But if I had what I want, I’d get you off and I’d turn you on
And I’d have what I need, to bring down a goddess to her knees
I’d sell my soul to know, what to give to the girl who’s got it all
I’d conjure the winds to blow and knock you off of that pedestal
I’m calling your bluff, and I bet it all so you better fold
If I don’t strike gold, what’s left to give when you got it all?

Walk And Not Faint

Isn't God amazing? My greatest weakness is diligence and I have let my pen-pals suffer from the lack of diligence, but my spiritual life has suffered too. Back in June, God convicted me and told me I needed more strength in my daily walk and that He would give it to me. I just needed to keep taking one step at a time. And He also promised that I would not grow weary in my walk! He kept bringing this topic into sermons and camps throughout the summer, and here it is again! =) What a wonderful promise, to walk and not faint.

From Charles H. Spurgeon's "Morning and Evening" December 14th Morning entry:

“They go from strength to strength.” Psalm 87:4

They go from strength to strength. There are various renderings of these words, but all of them contain the idea of progress.

Our own good translation of the authorized version is enough for us this morning. “They go from strength to strength.” That is, they grow stronger and stronger. Usually, if we are walking, we go from strength to weakness; we start fresh and in good order for our journey, but by-and-by the road is rough, and the sun is hot, we sit down by the wayside, and then again painfully pursue our weary way. But the Christian pilgrim having obtained fresh supplies of grace, is as vigorous after years of toilsome travel and struggle as when he first set out. He may not be quite so elate and buoyant, nor perhaps quite so hot and hasty in his zeal as he once was, but he is much stronger in all that constitutes real power, and travels, if more slowly, far more surely. Some gray-haired veterans have been as firm in their grasp of truth, and as zealous in diffusing it, as they were in their younger days; but, alas, it must be confessed it is often otherwise, for the love of many waxes cold and iniquity abounds, but this is their own sin and not the fault of the promise which still holds good: “The youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.” Fretful spirits sit down and trouble themselves about the future. “Alas!” say they, “we go from affliction to affliction.” Very true, O thou of little faith, but then thou goest from strength to strength also. Thou shalt never find a bundle of affliction which has not bound up in the midst of it sufficient grace. God will give the strength of ripe manhood with the burden allotted to full-grown shoulders.

Thorn In My Heart

I just wanted to let y'all know (if anyone reads this blog) what I've been up to since I've had the flu for a week. To pass the time, I picked up this wonderful book that I started awhile back, Thorn In My Heart. It's kept me VERY well entertained, I must say; I finished it in the same day and I plan on finishing the second one tonight. I also ordered the third one, I can't wait 'til it comes!

It's a historical fiction/christian romance, which takes place in 18th century Scotland (a place I'm dying to go now!) and is entirely based on the Biblical story of Jacob and Esau, and Rachel and Leah. Just knowing the main plot is enough to keep you fettered to this book! I'm always wanting to know how the author will direct her story, since I know she has such-and-such parts of the story to fill. And though the story is a wee bit fantastical, or radical, it is much more realistic and satisfying than any vampire story. Just a note of forewarning: this book is not for young readers, it has some minor, but mature content. Please don't be mistaken, 'tis very clean, but mature in some respects.

I find myself longing to be as patient and perseverant as the main character, Leana. If anyone has ever read the Elsie Dinsmore series, they will find quite a resemblance. Don't be mistaken, Leana is not an angel and makes some grave mistakes, but she is a very admirable godly character, and a deeply devoted wife and mother in the face of all odds. I find this book not only enjoyable, but even profitable, and if you finish it, be sure to read the others; Fair Is The Rose, Whence Came A Prince, Grace In Thine Eyes and Here Burns My Candle. Happy reading!

Retro Ornaments

Don't these ornaments look awesome? Take a stab at what they're made of... Guess yet? Toilet paper tubes! I saw these in the Family Fun magazine and I'm determined to make a few just for fun. I think I would spray-paint mine with metallic paint though. Here are the instructions:

For each ornament, flatten a 7 1/2-inch length of cardboard tube. Mark and cut it into 3/4-inch-wide rings; you'll need 10 for this project.

On each flattened ring, mark dots 3/4 inches in from each folded edge. With a hole punch, make holes at the dots.

Starting with the inner circle, string the rings onto a pipe cleaner. For the outer circle, twist two pipe cleaners together to make a double-long piece, then thread it through the outer holes in the cardboard rings. Twist the ends together and trim the excess. Hang with thread or string.

Flu Season

Thank goodness for a cup of hot coffee or tea when you have a sore throat. I've been hit with a mild flu this week, which was rather inevitable since the boys I nanny for were running outrageous fevers and noses. lol And I don't think I've ever made a year without catching something at least once or twice during the flu/cold season. Anyway, I'm on the mend and I've been enjoying myself with lots of liquids and movies. Sometimes a flu is a welcome break.