Prepare Ye

Faith isn't believing in God. Faith is believing God.

US comes from behind to beat Mexico 2-1 to win the CONCACAF Gold Cup. US qualifies for the Confederations Cup in South Africa in 2009. Benny Feilhaber strikes an all time classic volley for the winner. Now after winning the North American title, a young US team goes after the South American title. And yes, a football coach is a big soccer fan. Especially of the US team. I remember turning on ESPN one cold winter night to see the US hosting Mexico in a World Cup qualifier in Columbus. In February. It was 29 degrees, BEFORE the wind chill. Anytime someone's going to that extreme to have a home field advantage, I was hooked.

Well, I promised an update a couple of weeks ago, and I'm afraid my lack of updating may have alienated my audience (both of you). But since my last REAL post (May 10), here's what's been going on. I went to our synod assembly and helped elect a new bishop (by one vote). I have been accepted by the Synod's candidacy committee. Mom's tests have come back cancer free. My house is officially on the market, sign out in front and all. I've (or my belongings) have been part of 2 rummage/yard sales. (Boy, is it awkward when someone finds a gift they gave you for sale -- for a $1!) I'm collecting boxes and filling them and putting them in 2 piles -- Take & Store. The rest either is getting sold (one more yard sale), donated or trashed (my garbageman HAS to hate me.) I delivered a sermon yesterday (I'll post my notes for global amusement soon). Thirty six days to moving, 53 until classes. Yikes, I've got to get busy.

I am smarter than 99.60% of the rest of the world. Find out how smart you are.

Dear God of restoration, thank you for offering me4 the oportunity for a change of heart. Too often my good intentions are rep;aced with sinful desires. Direct me to see your mandates in a new light so that I may answer and obey your call. I want to experience the joy and peace that come from working in your kingdom. AMEN. From Daily Texts from the Moravian Church.

You have to read it!

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. – Jude 1:24-25 Glory is defined as “great honor, praise, or distinction accorded by common consent; renown or adoration, praise, and thanksgiving offered in worship.” We all want glory. We want to be recognized for what we have done or accomplished. When someone recognizes what we have done, it feels good. You get a warm, tingly feeling. You might blush. You try to act embarrassed and treat it like it is no big deal. But at the same time, you are saying to yourself, “Well, it’s about time that SOMEONE noticed!” We crave the recognition, but then act as if it doesn’t matter. Not receiving praise for your hard work tends to make us bitter. Many hard working people have left groups because no one recognized their efforts

Sorry to my ones of readers that I've been MIA, but I'll post a recap of an eventful couple of weeks over the weekend, but I'll soon put up a post I've been working on to tide all of you over. In the meantime, could the Pistons choke anymore than they did last night? Now, LeBron is GOOD, but 4 drives to the basket for monster dunks and NO ONE lays a finger on him? Hopefully the Shock were playing last night or Lambeer and Mahorn may have killed someone. But I now know why there's no coffee in the Piston locker room. Because "Coffee is for closers!"