Busy Day?

So I thought about discussing the political matters that have come up the past couple of days..... but not in that mood today. I'd piss too many of you off I think. Maybe tomorrow. Send me an email if you want to hear it and I'll consider it.

This week has been pretty busy so far, just like last week. I've been frustrated at work with day to day issues, reading about things in the world gets me depressed at times with all the suffering and fighting. But last week I read this in one of my daily devotions and it hits home so well. I thought I'd take today to share it with you. (Thanks to Pico for this being his devotional email... let me know if you'd be interested in getting a daily devotional and I can forward it to you every day or have Pico add ya).

Read Psalm 104:1-9

Praise the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty. He wraps himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants. He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved. You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. But at your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of your thunder they took to flight; they flowed over the mountains, they went down into the valleys, to the place you assigned for them. You set a boundary they cannot cross; never again will they cover the earth.

Prepare to meet your God, O Israel! For lo, the one who forms the mountains, creates the wind, reveals his thoughts to mortals, makes the morning darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth -- the LORD, the God of hosts, is his name! -Amos 4:12-13 (NRSV)

MY day had been frustrating. I woke up to news of my nation at war and soldiers dying. I went to three meetings and listened to petty disagreements. My drive home included an encounter with an angry driver who cursed at me. When I walked into the house, I smelled something burning; I heard on the radio news of murder; and I read a list of who in the family needed to be where at what time and what needed to be repaired.

My head whirled. Then I saw the Bible open to the passage in Amos I'd read that morning. It offered me peace, calm in the storm, and God's power overflowing. I realized that God could change my attitude toward this chaotic day.

In a time of political chaos, Amos asked Israel to prepare to meet God. This morning, Amos reminded me that the weight of the world I live in is like a feather for God to lift from my shoulders. An hour ago I was frustrated,discontented, and weary. Now my frustrations look smaller, God looks big, and my hope is restored.

Pennie S. Hoover (California, U.S.A.)

I again realize that everything I go through in a day is insignificant when compared to who's in charge upstairs. Something to help you through that next rough day. Another favorite of mine is Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Think about the power of that statement and realize it is very true! I try to live by that statement that's usually why I have very few fears in life. Those that know me that I have very few inhibitions and live life to the fullest. Mainly because I know that with everything I do, I have God at my side and his promise of having me live with him forever always on my mind.

Hope this helps someone out there. Like I said, I'm full of surprises for some of you out there.

Song of the Day - Thanks to Jen (Rochester's own 'J-Lo'), I have Wake Me Up When September Ends going through my head. That and XM Radio plays it every 5 minutes on a different channel. Plus it's the beginning of October (doesn't feel like it outside but imagine it is really October with me) so I'm awake now!! I'm going to remake the song and call it Wake Me Up When It's Payday or Wake Me Up When The Bathroom Is Free.

Video of the Day - So I know I'll hear crap about it, but I just finished watching the opera Tosca by Puccini on DVD. I would love to see it live someday because it's an incredibly rich and beautiful opera (one of Puccini's more famous Operas) that of course ends in tragedy. It's funny how all the classic stories (think about Shakespeare and about 99% of the Opera world) always end up in tragedy. I love Romeo and Juliet because of the strength of love but also the tragedy it brings. That's kind of how Tosca goes as well - a woman who betrays her lover and puts his life in danger thinks she has done the right thing to eventually save him. In the end, her plan fails and he ends up dead, so she kills herself. You lost yet? That should be the new title of my blog page... You Lost Yet?

Webpage of the Day - Fainting goats..... I want one! Wonder if my Home Owners Association would let me have one. I'd keep it chained to the house!! Thanks again to Wyatt for the suggestion.

Have a great day!!

Oh yeah - Happy Birthday Paul - you old man you!