GOODBYE, MY FRIEND

My friend, Carl, passed away last week. I understand that no one had seen him around for a few days and that his truck outside his home had sat for too long and caused some for worry. When they entered his home, they found he'd died.

Carl was the plant-man at one of the contract jobs I had long before I'd started this blog. He'd come to water the plant beside my cubicle and we'd always chat. He was an old surfer dude. Crew cut hair and tanned, leathery skin. He had such a twinkle in his eye and such a sweet smile. He always greeted me with "hello, my friend."

He had worked at a strip club as a bouncer many years ago. He said one of the gals had decided to quit dancing and wanted to go to church to find Jesus. She asked him to come with her. He found Jesus too. : )

I cried for Carl tonight. I cried out to God and thanked Him for calling after my friend's heart. I know Carl is in heaven with the Father who loves him.

Lord, thank you for loving Carl. Thank you for taking him home to be with you. Thank you for giving us a place beyond this life...God, you are loving and good.

I'm going to miss you, my friend. Goodbye.

FOUNDATION OF HIS GRACE: A LIFE REDEEMED

We thank you, O God!
We give our thanks because you are near.
People everywhere tell of your mighty miracles.

God says, "At the time I have planned,
I will bring justice against the wicked.
When the earth quakes and its people live in turmoil,
I am the one who keeps its foundations firm." Pslam 75:1-3

Lord, this evening I give my thanks to you for I know you are near.

I'm up again at 3am with thoughts running through my head. Mostly, I'm excited about a short trip I'll be taking out of town with my company. I knew that I needed to be up by 5am and I'm suddenly a bit wired and can't sleep at all.

You guessed it. I'm gonna make some tea and write.

I spent time with Radford in the Redwoods this week. He took this beautiful picture of a tree we discovered in the forest. It isn't a Redwood but it grew near to them beneath their tall lovely trunks of red. When I looked up at this tree, I saw the cross. Do you?

GOD IS OUR FOUNDATION
I learned that the life of a Redwood tree can span some 2000 years. How amazing and long-suffering these trees are. They've survived the earth through generations, their roots planted in the rich Northern California soil. And yet, their root system is surprisingly shallow, going only six feet deep, whereas the tree itself can grow up to 370-something feet tall in height. Wow, that's quite a foundation. What trust these roots have in their foundation!

Hmmm. I believe I'd like to be MORE like a Redwood. I'd love to be so bold as to keep my root system light. Forget going deep into what this world offers me...I want to grow UP UP UP...closer to my King. And yet, I'm always tempted into believing other things will create a lasting foundation for me. And this keeps me as a little tree. My growth, stumped by the distractions of life.

Real freedom is in a life fully devoted to Jesus Christ.

When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: "Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. Luke 9:3

NO BAG, NO BREAD, NO MONEY, NO EXTRA CASHMERE SWEATER

Lord, thank you for being my foundation firm
Father, I want to grow up up up towards you
to break through the fog of this world
to grow strong in you
to grow tall in you

God, you are so awesome
Lord, you made the Redwoods
and you made me
with something in mind
and I love you for this

Lord, I can't wait to see where I'll be
in 2000 years
or tomorrow
because I know you'll be with me
watching me grow
tending to me always...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Everyone, this is Radford.

SOMETHINGS AIN'T EASY TO ADMIT!

I've been tagged by Shenna at Living in Grace to list 6 weird things about me.

Here are the rules: Each player of this game starts with 6 weird things about you. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end you need to choose 6 people (but like, I just chose 4...)to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says "You are tagged" in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

Okay, so here are my 6 WEIRD THINGS:

1) I downloaded 4 Michael Jackson songs off of iTunes last month and I danced to them in my pyjamas.

2) When I was a kid I wanted to attend college where my mother told me Rod Serling taught (Rod Serling who hosted the old Twilight Zone series...He was intense and hot even in black and white!!!!)

3) I barf a LOT on planes.

4) I won't eat fruit with other foods because I think it is bad food-combining but I never tell anyone this. I just decline when offered because I hate going into what food combining is...

5) I used to be in love with Daryl Hall (oh boy...that admission really hurt! But I was, like, 12 years old!!!)

6) I like to go places alone and sit and talk to God when I feel anxious or sad. I do this more often than others realize. They usually just can't figure out why I'm late to events or can't explain periods of absences.

I'm tagging

TiNA @Cello Girl Talks
Marti @Marti's Musings
Diana @Nightwatch
Kevin @Tounge-tied Lightning

(Shenna - trying to figure out how to tag you back! I have my post nearly ready to go!)

Hello All,

Happy Week to you! I've been loving God "off-line" for a bit, trying to rest and refresh. I prayed so hard last night, again, I felt my head would burst. God is so good that sometimes, I come to Him with such enthusiasm that I can hardly wait until my prayer is answered.

Last night I prayed for a sign.

I know with great confidence that I'll have it.

The prayer also involves my beautiful friend Janine.


Lord, I come to you with a joyful praising heart!
There is no doubt you are listening!
There is no doubt you are in control!
There is no doubt you will take my burdens!
Your yoke is light! Much lighter than these burdens!
Thank you, Father, for lifting them from us!

Lord, it is so tough sometimes to wait on You
Because your answers are so powerful and so good!