4 Armadillos and a Flat Tire

If you read Eddo's site on Friday, you knew that Brian and I, along with Eddo and Cat were going bike riding on Sunday morning. The air was clean and crisp, the sun was out but not blazing, and the trees were changing colors. It was a beautiful day for a bike ride. So, we wheeled the bikes out of the garage and Eddo took his out of his truck. I had seen his bike before, but you really have to see it a second time to appreciate the height of his seat.


This should give you a little perspective on it.















The bikes were ready for the adventure, but were we?










So we hit the trails, Eddo in the lead, and he didn't start us off at the normal trail, but went down a steep decline. I became Chicken Little and had to walk my bike down. Yes, I was the only one that did so but I'm all about self-preservation. We rode for several miles, I took my place as the caboose, chugging along but enjoying the scenery along the way. We saw a grand total of four armadillos walking along the path. Very appropriate for a Texan Trail. Then, Eddo's bike met it's demise. A flat in the rear tire. We were almost at the "stop and turn around point". So Eddo walked his bike and I switched gears from my usual turtle speed down to a comfortable snail's pace and accompanied him. Brian and Cat rode back to the truck to drive to meet us at the main road, leaving us in their dust. We figured this would be faster than for poor Eddo to have to walk his bike all the way back.




See, it's flat as a pancake. (or panqueque as I like to say it).












You can tell that the tire is flat in this picture as well. It's not impacting the height of the seat by much though.











When we got back from our adventure, we consumed pizza and then Eddo and Cat got ready for his sister's baby shower. I couldn't resist a photo opportunity.










After they came back, Eddo left and Brian, Cat and I went to church where we sat with K-T and played musical chairs. After the service, we went to Panera Bread where we attempted to eat the hardest baguette known to mankind. But then decided it wasn't worth it, but "oh my, this soup is delicious, isn't it?"

It was a very fun day and I enjoyed hanging out with my friends and family!

Why I'm Not the Great Dane Mom

I have always wanted a Great Dane. ALWAYS. But this might just be a bit too much dog for me....

Happy Friday Everyone!

Just in case you didn't remember, it's FRIDAY! YEA! And the weather is supposed to be perfect this weekend. In the 70's, sunny. nice. I'm planning to spend the weekend seeing family and friends. It just doesn't get much better than that! Have a great weekend everyone!

Life is Good.
God is Good!

Would a Sewer by Any Other Name Smell as Bad?

We're having sewer "issues" in my building today. So why is it that the bathrooms themselves don't smell, but the hallways outside them do? phew! They've been working on it all morning, and they're making progress, but every once in a while I get a whiff. phew!

Life is good these days, but it's also busy. Did I mention that I'm going on a mission trip in a couple of weeks? And that Bianca and Eddo are going as well? How cool will that be? Please begin praying for us, and the people that we will minister too. Pray for effectiveness of sharing the love of Christ and the gospel. And for safe travels too, and for the travel planner (ME!), as I'm feeling the responsibility! But I do enjoy it, and it's going to be a great trip. But I covet your prayers please!

Because I Can't Resist, Part III

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and in celebration of it, I send you this. I will never think of this song the same way again.

Because I Can't Resist, Part II

Saw this on Waiter Rant's Site. Check this out. Notice when the guy on the right's sweat band shoots off his head. He He He!

Because I Couldn't Resist

Eddo has started a trend, and so I simply must follow in his (large) footsteps.

Evidently this is what I need to be doing....


Amstaff Mom needs the earth energy in her life to learn how to ground and be more practical. (and I need regular energy too, because I ain't got ANY today!)

Amstaff Mom needs heavy visual depiction of her subject in order for it all to work (so THAT'S been my problem this whole time!)

Amstaff Mom needs your prayers too (always folks, always!)

Amstaff Mom needs to be charged for her crime ("I-I-I didn't do it!")

Amstaff Mom needs to recognize that both of you do a good job. (Both of you do a good job. There, I said it.)

Amstaff Mom first needs to be made comfortable with the tension and conflicts (because it SURE doesn't come easily to me.)

Amstaff Mom needs to check her Palm Pilot to tell you what she’s doing from day today. (I used to, now I just need Outlook)

Amstaff Mom needs extraordinary help right now (this only scratches the surface)

Amstaff Mom needs the Bachelor of Science degree in psychology she holds just to keep tabs on the 40 plus employees here. (If it were only 40!)

Amstaff Mom needs to know what the piece is to be before beginning work on the piece (obviously). (That would certainly be a crucial bit of information)

Misery Loves Company

Yesterday I went to the State Fair once again, this time with Impatient Chicken and Impatient Bee. I don't mean to imply that my outing with them was miserable AT ALL. Quite the contrary, I had a glorious time with them. Lots of laughs, lots of chills, and unfortunately, lots of food. This is where the misery comes in to play. Would I learn from my previous outting to the fair with Jes, Roger, K-T, Eddo and Jubal? Or from all the previous years of gluttony? Contraire Monfraire. I consumed even MORE food, if that's possible. All under the guise of "sharing".

We got to the fair early, even before it officially opened, and noticed that most of the stands were not yet open. Including the famed FRIED Peanut Butter, Jelly and Banana sandwich stand, which had a long line to it when Jubal ordered his.








There was already a nip in the air, although nowhere near the chill factor that would encroach in the next few hours. So, we stopped by the one place that was open, Owens, where we consumed Sausage biscuits and hot cocoa. yummmm..

Please note that I had consumed 21 grams of fat BEFORE THE FAIR OFFICIALLY OPENED.

sigh.




After that, JLR and RR ate their funnel cake and we wandered around the fairgrounds, sitting in various cars at the auto show, and smiling at the farm animals.

Aren't these little ducks cute? Basking under their heat lamp. Too sweet.









I've always wanted a Jeep. Alas, this is about as close as I get to owning one though. Notice the fancy-schmancy sign on the fender requesting that one climb through the door to sit in the back seat instead of on the tire.










We ate our corny dogs, that were oh so fresh, and then went to watch the Frisbee Dog Show. You just can't go to the fair and not see these dogs fly for frisbees. They are all such sweet and SMART dogs. One of them even learned how to do a handstand on his owner's arm in 2 weeks. Unfortunately, I missed a picture of that.

This one looks like he's floating off the ground.






He really looked like he had springs on his paws. He was flying through the air.













We stopped to see the Budweiser Clydesdales. These horses are HUGE. I love their furry "feet".










It is tradition, that I eat Hast Texas Nachos every year at the fair. Are the chips too cute? Shaped like Texas and washed down with Sweet Tea. yummm..











I really did go to the fair with them. I have many cute pictures of them, but I'm under contractual agreement not to post any of them. I was given permission to take a picture of them "walking away". So here it is. PROOF!









To recap the day, it was cold, cold, cold. After being in the 90's the first part of the week, it was 37 this morning. Yesterday wasn't much warmer, I'm afraid. And I ate, ate, ate. I had a sausage biscuit first, then hot chocolate, a corny dog, nachos, french fries, and a nutty bar (ice cream). I even had two bites of JLR's fried cheesecake. Misery does love company!

Happy Thoughts, by K-T's calendar

I'm at K-T's desk, as we just ate our super-hot Chipotle lunch and now I'm in her office. I thought I would share her Happy Thoughts for the day, as noted on her desk calendar. And all this time I THOUGHT SHE WAS MAKING THEM UP!!!
cheater, cheater, pumpkin-eater!

So, here we go, in no particular order...

1. homecoming (Texas-sized mums included)
2. yelling UNO!
3. the prairie (I ALWAYS misspell Prairie!!)
4. gardenias
5. someone who listens to your ideas

6. Eating lunch w/ K-T and then blogging on her computer!!!

Delightfully British

My grandmother (my dad's mom) came to America on a huge ship at the age of 13 and arrived at Ellis Island. I remember her telling me how her first view of America was of the Statue of Liberty. What promise the new land held, but for a 13 year old, what fear. She had left her homeland in Wales and her family settled into the land in this country that most resembles Wales - Pennsylvania. The Welsh influence is still strong in some parts, and they lived there where the coal mines were plentiful. My grandfather (dad's dad) was born in the U.S., but his parents made the same voyage from Wales, and so he, like his dad, worked the coal mines. I remember his coal lamps that he used to show me, of how he had used down in the deep, dark mines. He suffered from Black Lung from breathing the coal dust in all day and into the night.

My grandmother took me to her native land when I was 12 years old, and we stayed there, visiting relatives and seeing the sights for a month. I developed a fondness for certain British delicacies, such as Fish and Chips (wrapped in newspaper, of course), salt and vinegar crisps (long before they came to the U.S.), Welsh cookies, Salad Cream, and Beans on Toast. My sis and I went back to Britain a few years ago, and I once again enjoyed a good cup of Earl Grey with my Beans on Toast for breakfast. It brought back the memories of my grandmother making it for me every once in a while as a special treat, to bring back the memories of our wonderful trip. Cat and I even got to travel down into a coal mine on a tour. You have never seen such darkness and the absence of light until you've gone down in a coal mine, with the doors shut, and the lamps off. You can feel the darkness, it's so powerful. There are approximately 300 ways you could die in a coal mine, and it was enough to make me appreciate why my grandparents left the coal mining profession behind and came to Texas. It was a fascinating tour, and I really learned alot from it.

Fast forward to this past Sunday, when I was doing my grocery shopping at my favorite Kroger. Thankfully, it is a new one, is close to my home, has a rather large Organic section, and as I discovered, a itty-bitty British section. What's a girl going to do when she sees Heinz Baked Beanz imported from England? Well, purchase a loaf of white bread to accompany them, of course. Last night I was on my own for dinner, and so I decided that I would, for the first time, make my own Beans on Toast. So, I popped two slices of bread in the toaster oven, popped the top of the can off the Beanz, heated, and then assembled the two together.







Memories were made last night as the first bite was devoured. It didn't have quite the pizzaz, as Nana didn't make it for me, and I'm not in England, but it was still good just the same. I like getting back to my British roots. I'd like it so much more if were able to enjoy it "across the pond" in the land of my ancestors. Maybe someday!

Chutes and Ladders

I've always had a fear of ladders. I've had to overcome this fear somewhat being a homeowner. I love color on the walls. I don't enjoy painting per se, but I enjoy the difference a good coat of paint can make on a room. So, I have begun conquering my fear over the years, as having the paint stop at 5 1/2 feet on a 9 ft wall would not be aesthetically appealing. So after 3 homes and lots of practice, I even went up in the attic, at night, by myself the other day. This is a big feat for me. The only mishap was the small tree (splinter) that I managed to impale in my hand from gripping the rungs too tightly.

They are doing some electrical work in the ceiling tiles in my office today. I was standing by the fax machine sending some documents on their merry way, and I was mesmerized by one of the guys on the ladders. He wasn't even holding on as he was yanking foot after foot of wire from the attic, and LEANING BACK the whole time. Then he'd stand on one foot while repairing whatever problem there was with the wiring. Not a second thought that he was standing on a very slim piece of metal 5 feet off the ground.

Brian and his twin used to roof houses, so he thinks nothing of ladders, or of climbing up on the roof. In order to put the lights on our last house, he'd back his truck up with the bed right below the roofline, put the ladder in the pickup bed, and then climb up on the roof, and THEN CLIMB BACK DOWN. I understand what goes up must come down, but oh my goodness, that would make me freak a beak. That precarious first step from the roof to the ladder, because even then, the ladder wasn't tall enough to easily step up or down from the roof. Scary!

To sum up, I am impressed by fearless ladder climbing fellas. Impressed!

Mountaintops

Brian and I were talking over some Spring Creek Barbecue last night. I was telling him how different my life is now than this time last year. How truly blessed I am, and how good life is. I know that our lives reflect highs and lows. Mountains and valleys. There's a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that talks about being up on the mountain and knowing that a valley will come someday, but for now, he will give thanks for being on the mountain. I feel like that's where I am now.

This time last year, I had never been on a mission trip. Now I'm getting ready to go on my third. I didn't know many people at church. Very few in fact. Our church is really large, so unless you get plugged in, you get lost. And I was lost, but now I'm involved with two ministries, and I love it. I recognize people from church when I walk in. I see them when I'm running errands. I love the fellowship.

I had never heard of a blog this time last year. What a change that has brought. I have made so many friends - real, true, friends. Friends that I can talk with online, and sometimes, I even get to hang out with them in person. Godly friends that I can pray for, with, and who pray for me. I've even gotten to know myself better. You know what I mean!

Brian and I are closer than ever, what a wonderful thing it is for your spouse to be your best friend. We were in a different house, in a different "place". Our focus has now shifted to maybe having the two of us become three or more someday. So we moved, are working to pay off his truck, to prepare for the possible future of children.

Physically, I'm getting into better shape than I was last year. This is a scary thing, since I'm not that in shape this year, but I am working on it, and will keep perservering.

My sister was living in Colorado last year. Now, she's back in Texas where I get to talk to her more often and see her much more often. We're in the same neighborhood as Brian's family. What a good thing!

Spiritually, emotionally, physically. I am so blessed. God is so very good. Through the mountains and valleys. I sure do love the mountains though!

Discipline

Why does it take so much effort to do what is good for us? Wouldn't it be nice if the things that tempted us weren't so much more appealing than the things that are right and good? Why can't cauliflower taste better than queso? Why can't jogging be as easy as relaxing in a hammock?

Lately I have begun making the effort to be more disciplined. Both in my physical goals and my spiritual ones. Initially, I think it is hard to try to begin a new habit. In this case, it is jogging, and committing to daily Bible quiet times. Hopefully, as I continue to practice doing these daily, they will become more familiar and therefore easier to do. It's a great thing to have goals, and to discipline yourself in order to improve. But it never seems to be easy or comfortable. What does make it easier though, is to have others there to encourage you and to help you along the way. Accountability is a wonderful thing. It holds you to the standard. It opens you up to admitting where you stand, and it allows you to be a help to others in the process.

So, for my spiritual goal of really getting into my Bible, to spending time alone with God, and of memorizing verses, I have a small group that meets once a week where we can share what we learned throughout the week.

For my physical goal of getting into shape, and to attempt to cross the 8 mile marker on Thanksgiving morning at the Turkey Trot, I have my sister Cat, and Eddo to cheer me on and encourage my goals. Cat and I jogged/walked yesterday and it was great to have her jogging along with me. Hopefully, in a month and a half, we will all cross the finish line together.

These verses are so true, from Ecclesiates 4:9-10, 12

9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:

10 If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!

12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

How great it is to have friends to encourage us along the way. I am truly blessed.

Jubal and K-T take a ride on the wild side. Poor Eddo had been in line to ride too, but he was too tall for the ride and had to sit out. After awhile, the ride began going backwards. Jubal gets the Steel Stomach award for eating all the fried food and then riding this ride. They are on the yellow section, on the outside seats.

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The Weekend Ends With A Bang

After leaving the AAC, Eddo, Roger and Jes all piled into my little car and headed off to the State Fair of Texas with Jubal and K-T following us. We found our parking spot and entered the fairgrounds. The pleasant mixture of fried food and cotton candy greeted our nostrils. It was super crowded, and we after purchasing our coupons, we headed straight for the Fletcher's Corny Dog stand. It was time to give Jubal his introduction to corny dogs as opposed to pronto ups. He even tried one filled with jalepeno and cheese, the brave soul that he was. Unfortunately, he was not accepted by the fair as a participant in the corny dog eating contest, but he would have been a sure-fire winner because he downed his second one before I was half way through my first one.








The fact is, we all enjoyed the fried cornmeal goodness that accompanies each bite of a corny dog. All but Roger that is, who put ketchup on his. I mean, how good can THAT taste? One line of mustard for me please.











Jubal's next mission was to get his photo taken with Big Tex. I'm not sure who's belt buckle is bigger, but he here is posing with Eddo. I think they're trying to intimidate Big Tex. Or Me. I'm not sure.














Then it was time for more fried food. In this case, the fried Snickers. Too rich for my blood.
















After consuming the fried greatness, we got in line for the Texas Star. It's a huge ferris wheel that provides a great view of the fairgrounds, and of Dallas. It said that is seats 6. I think it meant 6 people under the age of 10 that have never eaten corny dogs or any time of fried food, because we were chummy to say the least. Can you see the Cotton Bowl in the background? Where the famous TX-OU game is played?








The sad thing about this photo is that we're not even leaning in or scrunching in for the photo. This is how were actually sitting. Chummy, we were. It was like a bunch of Tweety birds in a cage.









Here's the view from up above. The amphitheatre in the background hosts the Birds of the World show. During the show, they let release an eagle or hawk or some large bird and it swoops from the top of the ferris wheel down to the hand of the trainer that is standing on the stage holding a treat. It's amazing. The famous Big D skyline is in the background.







How can you not think of God's grace at the fair when you're walking behind Jubal?


















Jubal decided that one little taste of Eddo's turkey leg wasn't enough, so they began to fight over it.














Before he left, Jubal had to sink his teeth into the coveted Fried Peanut Butter and Banana sandwich. It was the perfect ending to a great weekend.

He's a ManiAAC, ManiAAC

He's a ManiAAC, ManiAAC!

Eddo is in the middle row, left hand corner. He's got one pants leg rolled up as his trademark. And if you look closely enough, you can see the fringe on his shirt.

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Jubal takes on the Trampoline

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Sunday Morning Praise

The weekend continues. I hope it's not a bad thing that all of my posts this week are of this past weekend. Do you grow bored? I hope not. Now, where was I ? Oh yes, Sunday morning. We had tentatively made plans to get up early and go to the 9 o'clock church service on Sunday morning. This, however, did not coincide with our 3:30 a.m. bedtime, so after consuming hot chocolate, and sausage and biscuits, we lazed around for a little while. Then, I got up the nerve not to just ask Jubal to play, but I went and fetched his guitar for him and placed it at his feet as he was relaxing on the couch. Thankfully, he willingly complied to my request for music and began to play. It was so amazing to just sit there and listen to him play. He really sings from his heart, and puts his all into his music. My absolute favorite song was Blessed Be The Name, complete with a rap! It was AMAZING. If he ever begins selling his CD's on his blog, please buy them, he's got a mad skillZ. So, we didn't get to church, but we did enjoy awesome praise and worship. Too cool.







Abby the Amstaff loved listening to him. She was a huge fan as well. Evidently, his music had a very soothing effect on her.













From there, we headed out to K-T's place to pick up a video for Jes and Roger. While we were out there, Jubal got to pet a real live Texas horse!











We decided Jubal hadn't spent enough time in the car at this point, and so we began the journey to the American Airlines Center to see Eddo dance. We had a hard time finding a parking spot, and when we walked into the arena, only to realize that we had come in on the opposite side of the court as to where Jes and Roger were saving us seats. But, we had come in right in time to hear them announce that the Mavs ManiAAC's were coming out to dance. It was so cool to see Eddo out there dancing. After that, we found our seats and watched a little bit of Mavs vs. Mavs.




After the game, we began the search for our celebrity friend, Eddo. I got to have my picture taken with him. Wahoo!
















I will post videos of his performance, and of Jubal jumping on the trampoline latras.

Happy Birthday to my friend K-T. I hope you have a wonderful, wonderful day!

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Eddo loves the Cluuuuuuuub Cranium cards. And that's exactly how he announces them. Whenver you get a Club Cranium card, both teams compete at the same time. In this case, it's charades. Can you guess the word? I finally had to stop the video. I love Eddo's karate chops though.

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This is how the game of Catch Phrase is played. Guys vs. Girls.

Girls win!

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Eddo is a Mavs ManiAAC, so Roger thought it would be good to give him some tunes to dance to. Then Roger jumped in with his "Hitch" imitation.

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Jubal shows us his pickle flippin' skillZ. Jes, unfortunately, just can't compete.

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This is right up there with the chocolate cake. Except this is alot healthier for the dog. I think.

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Per K-T's request

And because I love this photo.


















Photo Courtesy of Jes

Let the Games Begin!

After sleeping in on Saturday to recover from a late Friday night, the gang arrived at our house for games and eats. Right away, Jubal and Eddo got into it. I think this was a result of Eddo stealing Cowboy Steve's hat, but I'm not sure.










This is my favorite picture of the group. They were all doing their "Wilson" imitation.










After chowing down on hamburgers and grilled chicken, we began a game of Settlers. The strategy began as it was every man (or woman) for themselves. It's a take no prisoners game.










All that strategy requires nourishment. In this case, Jubal resorted to homemade cobbler with his first scoop of Blue Bell ice cream on top. Mmmm, Good.











"Even though I beat you Brian, we can still be friends."

"I don't think so, Eddo"










My Amstaff loves a good game of Catch Phrase.

See how excited she is to get to play?











Jubal's been trying to blame his indigestion on all the fried food, but it's really his affinity for Cranium clay that did him in .













You can't come to Texas and not play a good game of Texas Hold 'Em. Especially at 3 o'clock in the morning.










Videos to follow, as soon as Castpost is up and running (again).

Here's Eddo dancing with my sister, Cat. Please, PLEASE notice the couple that is dancing around them, he's wearing a cowboy hat and a white shirt. Throughout the night, he continued to bounce, either while smoking a cigarette (TACKY) or while "choking" his date, or by putting her in a headlock. Good thing he was out there though so we could make fun of him!

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Here we are at Billy Bob's. We were trying to video a guy out on the dance floor who had a hair cut similar to one of the Three Stooges, but it was really dark and I couldn't make it really obvious that I was taping him.

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Cowboy Steve Comes to Texas

I have so many pictures and videos of this weekend, and I'm going to have to resist the urge to post them all at once. So many great memories and so many things to make me smile. It was truly a great weekend and many thanks to Brian, Eddo, K-T, Jes, Roger, Cat, and Jubal for making it all possible. Y'all are the best!

So, to kick off the weekend, Brian and I met the gang at Joe T. Garcia's for dinner. Unfortunately we had a 45 minute wait, standing up, smelling fajitas grilling the whole time. But soon we were seated and were served our dinner very quickly. It was too dark for any photos at Joe T's, so we'll move right along.

From there, we headed off to Billy Bob's. The World's Largest Honky Tonk. Here's Jubal to welcome us.

We walked around for awhile, and much to our dismay, there was no mechanical bull, and to top it all off, the band of the evening was sub-par, to put it nicely. Basically, this means that the music stank and we didn't get to dance like we had planned. No Cotton-Eyed Joe, no line dancing, not much dancing, period. But, we made the best of the situation and had a good time regardless.










Jubal showed us that Oregonians really can dance. Note K-T's ridiculously shiny hair!

Jes and Roger are in the background.












Eddo is a great dancer, and was even asked to dance twice by a complete stranger! Here he is dancing with his date. Later, he took me and my two left feet out on the dance floor. It was so much fun even though I didn't have a clue what I was doing. Many thanks to Eddo for letting me have a great time dancing!











Here is the Pouty Lips pose once again. Can you see the guns on his shirt? This is Jubal's "Pistoles Grandes" shirt. Infamous around these here parts.












Aren't Roger and Jes just too cute?



















Here's me and my sis, Cat! Yes, Eddo's date is my sister. Too fun!















Here's the rowdy bunch. What great friends I have!






Videos to soon follow!

What day is it????

I'm so confused! First it feels like a Monday, and then it feels like a Wednesday. What is today again? It's been a strange week, with the visitation for Brian's grandfather on Tuesday, we left work early. Then we were off all day yesterday for the funeral, which makes today feel like Monday. But Survivor is on tonight, so it must be Thursday. But I'm off work tomorrow, so it almost feels like today should be Friday.

No wonder I'm confused, I'm just ready for the weekend!

Tagged by Sydney

Per Sydney's request...

The instructions are as follows:

1. Go into your archives.
2. Find your 23rd post.
3. Post the fifth sentence of closes to it.
4. Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions.
5. Tag 5 other people to do the same.

"I also tend to tilt when I'm typing."

I tag:
Jayleigh
Impatient Chicken
Lia
Steph
Impatient Bee

Makes all the sense in the world to me....

I read this this morning on a credit card company's FAQ site....

I can't even make stuff up like this.

Q: What if I lose my card or it is stolen?
A: To report a card as lost or stolen, immediately contact our Customer Service Department at the number shown on the back of your card. Your account will be closed and we will open a new account and issue you a new card.

In other words, please chase down the person that stole it and ask them for the phone number on the back of the card. Or, if you lost it, please find the card and then call the number on the back of it. Kapeesh?

Interesting, huh?

I read this quote the other day in the newspaper and wanted to get your thoughts. The following is a quote by the Archbishop of Washington, D.C., Cardinal McCarrick.

This is what he said when addressing King Abdullah of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan at the Catholic University of America on September 13, 2005:

Your Majesty,


A few months ago, when I was privileged to pray for you on another occasion in this capital city, I asked Allah, the compassionate and merciful Lord of all the world, to bless you and to help you make your country a bridge across which all nations might walk in unity, fellowship and love. As I listened to your words today, I believe my prayer is being answered.
Indeed, the Amman Message of November of last year is a blueprint and a challenge not only to the great world of Islam, but to the whole human race. Your thoughtful leadership is a stirring invitation to all of us, especially to the people of the Book, the family of Abraham, who share so much and who are called to be brothers and sisters in God’s one human family.
You have taken to heart the words of Pope Benedict XVI when he addressed the Muslim leaders gathered with him in Germany last month and invited them all to join him in eliminating from all hearts any trace of rancor, in resisting every form of intolerance and in opposing every manifestation of violence. As you quoted in your splendid talk to us today, Pope Benedict called his listeners, in this way, to turn back the way of cruel fanaticism that endangers the lives of so many people and hinders progress for world peace.
Your Majesty’s call and that of the Holy Father are in so many ways the same. May Allah, the merciful and compassionate, continue to guide your steps along this noble path. May He guide and protect you, your family and your beloved country and may peace and justice come to all lands and all peoples through your efforts, your vision and your courage.
In the name of Allah, the merciful and compassionate God, we pray. Amen.


Do you think we're moving closer to a One World Religion?

Heaven

When I was a kiddo, the "Kids Praise!" tapes were really popular. Did y'all ever listen to them? With Psalty, the singing songbook? Anyways, one of the songs that was on the tape was called "Heaven Is A Wonderful Place". The lyrics went like this...

Heaven is a wonderful place
Filled with glory and grace
I'm gonna see my Savior's face
'Cause Heaven is a wonderful place


There are so many great songs about heaven, but one of Brian's favorite hymns is "When We All Get To Heaven". This is a great ol' Baptist hymn.

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace.
In the mansions bright and blessèd
He’ll prepare for us a place.

When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!

While we walk the pilgrim pathway,
Clouds will overspread the sky;
But when traveling days are over,
Not a shadow, not a sigh.

Let us then be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory
Will the toils of life repay.

Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we’ll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open;
We shall tread the streets of gold.

As believers in Christ, we should set our minds on things above, not on earthly things. We should remember that our life here is but a breath, a vapor, and that it can end at any moment. We may live for 50 more years or 5 more minutes. What matters is not what we were able to buy on this earth, what level we accomplished in our career, but did we trust Christ as our Lord and Savior? Did we realize that we are sinners and that the only way that we will spend eternity in heaven instead of eternally separated from Him, is if we believe that He, being the perfect sacrifice, died on a cross for your sin and for mine. Without his sacrifice, we would be eternally separated from God, because He is holy and we are not. But if we trust in Christ for our salvation, and believe that His death served as the payment for our sins, our sins will be washed away. Then, when our last breath comes, we will pass from this earth into heaven, where there will be no more tears, no more death, no more suffering.

Last week, I learned a verse from 1 John 5:11-12

"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life."

It is so simple, yet so important. Do you know where you will go when you die? And if God asked you why He should allow you to be in Heaven with you, what would your answer be?

I believe that yesterday, Brian's grandfather went to heaven, and that he is no longer suffering from the Alzheimer's disease that has been so cruel to his body for the past 12 years. He passed from death into life. Eternal life with his Savior. Yes, we miss him, but he wouldn't trade heaven for earth for anything. And we will see him again someday. How exciting is that??

Brian is so much like his grandfather, he learned so much from him and he has so many great memories of him. And man, did they look alike. I borrowed a picture from his grandmother yesterday to copy, and the more I look at it, the more it looks like Brian to me. What do you think?



















God is Good.