Things to think about...

Sunday evening, as a part of our monthly congregational family night, our youth minister showed the film "Invisible Children" for anyone who wanted to see it. If you don't know anything about "Invisible Children," I invite you to go to their website - http://www.invisiblechildren.com . This is the story of 3 young men who traveled to northern Uganda and discovered children as young as 8 years old who were being abducted from their villages and homes, brainwashed, and forced to fight and kill. It is a sobering story.

I contrast that with my occasional complaining about things that aren't the way I want them to be. There is no excuse. Lord, please forgive me for my ungratefulness.

Thursday is Thanksgiving. For you, I hope that you will find a blessing in the day; and, if you think about it for a few minutes, abundant blessings!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Giving Thanks

I was supposed to be born on Thanksgiving, and my name was almost Diane. Upon my entrance to this world, I weighed slightly more than 5 pounds.

Today I begin the countdown of 365 days until I've lived for a half century. I don't know whether to rejoice or say "ouch".

But in reality I am astounded and thankful.

Astounded because I'm 49. How did that happen? I remember thinking that was so old! I don't feel much differently inside than I did when I was 25, although I'm grateful to have learned a few things along the way.

Thankful for so many things: life, husband, children, family, friends, joys, sorrows, challenges, blessings, the big things, and mostly the small things.

What will the next 365 days will bring?

This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

God's Creation

There is nothing like an Arizona sunset -



- or desert mountains



to awaken you to His creation.

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20 (NIV)