Treasures

"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21

"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time." 1 Timothy 2:5-6

"Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and the name of his son? Tell me if you know!

"Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar." Proverbs 30:4-6

An Artist's Thoughts

"Art is never finished, only abandoned."

~ Leonardo da Vinci

Treasures

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:14-16

Cool Rides

I've got a new favorite car: the 2006 Ford Mustang. Of course, it's still not as cool as the '65 model.

On the Run

Ran the Turkey Trot this morning. The weather was perfect, so there was record turnout for the event ... I'm guessing the final count was close to 35,000. Because of the massive number of people participating in the run, I wasn't expecting any record times ... clocked 39:25 (a 13 minute pace?)

T-shirt was pretty nifty - and super neon!!

Project Read, The Sound of Us

Tonight I finished reading The Sound of Us, by Sarah Willis. The storyline was fascinating, about a woman who goes through the process to take in a foster child. She first encountered this child one night when the girl wakes her up by misdialing her Auntie's phone number after her mother doesn't come home for a couple of days. I enjoyed Willis' writing style, especially the character development. And granted, it does make one stop to think more of all that's involved when a family takes in foster children, working to meet their needs and helping them to cope with their situation.

On the Run

State Fair 5k

Ran our first 5K in over a year (gosh! has it been that long?) But we're determined to get back in shape for a couple of longer races later this year. The State Fair course changed ever so slightly this year and it started a bit later than it should have, but we did get to see some historic houses in Deep Ellum that I never knew existed before. (I'll have to go back). The weather was terrif! Time was 28:24, a 9 minute pace. (a small improvement from last year, but plenty of room for more progress to be made).

T-shirt ... I'll have to say I preferred last year's.

Project Read 2005 List

I made a list on Amazon.com to help track what I've read and intend to read this year. Check it out: The '05 List

Project Read, The Testament

My friend Lisa loaned me her copy of John Grisham's The Testament over a year ago, and finally I read it. My favorite part of the book was the lawyer's adventure in the jungles of Brazil/Bolivia in his quest to track down Rachel and Rachel's and his talks on the subject of God. How cool that Grisham used the character Rachel to share the Gospel!

Project Read, Jane Eyre

Received a copy of Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte) from my dear friend, Mel, who highly recommended it after reading it late last year. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I found it very good, a bit dark and not at all what I expected. On the matter of the story being a dark one, I appreciate what Mel had to say about it: "It enhanced the beauty of the good things that happened."

Famous Words

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.”

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

An Artist's Thoughts

"My instinct about painting says, 'if you don't think about it, it's right.' As soon as you have to decide and choose, it's wrong. And the more you decide about, the more wrong it gets." ~ Andy Warhol

An Artist's Thoughts

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." ~ Pablo Picasso

A Current Favorite

One of the songs on the Barlow Girl CD is Never Alone, probably one of their best, I think. A reminder that even when I feel completely alone; and I wonder if even God is there still, I know that He is there just as He has promised ... He will never leave me, nor forsake me. He is unchanging. He is omnipresent. He is the great I Am!

Even though I can't see Him, I still know He loves me and is right there with me.

"So I'll hold tight to what I know
You're here and I'm never alone."

Barlow Girl

Project Read, The Spy Wore Red

Interesting account of a spy during World War II ... and of course, I'm a big spy fan. Maybe I should go work for the CIA.

Treasures

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God." 1 John 4:1-3

Project Read, Nighttime is my time

Finished MHC "Nighttime is my time". Really good!

Project Read, Tuesdays with Morrie

Decided to read this after Manning mentioned it in his "Ruthless Trust."

Treasures

"Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, that you and your descendants might live! Choose to love the LORD your God and to obey him and commit yourself to him, for he is your life. Then you will live long in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NLT

Project Read, The House of Mirth

"The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth" Ecclesiastes 7:4

This morning I finished another of Wharton's books, a bit depressing with the tragic ending, but still extremely good. Lily wants to have it all, but especially the life in high society, and struggles to afford it, thus leading to her downfall.

"Once--twice--you gave me the chance to escape from my life and I refused it: refused it because I was a coward." she tells Seldon.