I don’t even know why I’m issuing it, but my friend Katrina insisted that I post it so I am.

Spunky Jr. is no more. Surprise, surprise :lol:

Since Spunky left the blogosphere a while back, it seemed pointless in my (humble) opinion to continue blogging here. So… my permanent blog home is Beauty from the Heart.

No, I haven’t forgotten to blog here!  It’s just that my computer crashed and when I do get online (which is very limited), unfortunately I’m busy doing other things.  My computer is still in the shop, so I won’t be blogging here until it’s fixed.  While you’re waiting for my return, here are a few links to check out. 

Regenerate Our Culture has launched Issue 14 with a theme on Purity.  Not only have we launched another issue, but ROC now has a couple of new podcasts that are coming soon – Without Excuse (hosted by David MacMillian) and Midrash (hosted by David Ketter).  From the site: 

Ever since Regenerate Our Culture began, part of the vision has been to get involved with the spoken word. Regenerated Radio is the first step in fulfilling that vision, echoing the same message that we’ve been putting out through the magazine and blog network: embrace Christ’s regeneration in your own life, then take that and regenerate the culture around you.

I’m very excited about the launch of these two podcasts.  Both David MacMillian and David Ketter are passionate about what they believe and in addition to reading their blogs, I look forward to listening to them! 

I recently found Inklings – a new-to-me-blog by a homeschooled graduate Rachel Thomson.  She is a published writer and shares many tips on writing.  As an aspiring writer myself, I enjoyed her blog and have bookmarked it for future reference.  Her blog is very down-to-earth and fun to read.  Make sure you check it out!   

And lastly, Beauty from the Heart, the co-blog that I started last October, celebrated its first birthday on Oct. 3rd.  I have been happily blogging with three cyber-friends who have become more like sisters to me.  Each of them challenge and encourage me in my faith so much.  In mid-September, we all met in north Texas (which is another reason I had been absent).  It was the first time we were all together and we had a blast! 

On the health front:  (If you’re not familiar with my illness, click here.)  I am still experiencing quite a bit of joint pain.  I have also come down with a nasty cold that has taken a lot out of me.  Because my immune system is weak, I am liable to catch anything.  I’d like to humbly ask for your prayers that the cold would go away and that I wouldn’t catch anything else this winter.  Thanks!

A few weeks ago, I decided to take up Heidi’s challenge and read the Bible in 30 days.  It’s definitely been quite the challenge!  Unfortunately, due to illness, I haven’t finished yet.  I’m still plugging along, but it’s taking me a while.   I have also been reading What the Bible is All About by Henrietta Mears.  While reading the other day, I stumbled across this quote,

Read a book [of the Bible] in a week.  Now don’t suppose that this is impossible.  It is not.  How much time do you spend reading in 24 hours?  How much time on newspapers?  magazines?  How much time do you give to fiction? to other reading? 

And I suppose you could add blogging in there too :lol:  

Consider an engaged couple.  They can’t seem to spend enough time in each other’s presence. They go out multiple times a week spend many hours talking and planning their wedding and their future life.    When they’re apart, they’re constantly writing emails or talking on the phone.  Their love is evident, isn’t it?   Telling them to spend time together isn’t necessary, the WANT to be together.   

Is our love for God that deep?  Do we constantly seek His face?  Do we eagerly wake up each morning, jump out of bed and grab our Bibles and see what God has to speak to us that day?  Or instead, do we hop online and look for that latest email from someone?  Or grab the novel on the nightstand and start where we left off the night before?

On a good day, I typically spend 45 minutes on devotions and prayers.  Sadly, I spend more time reading pleasure books!  I wonder, what if we picked up our Bibles and read them just as often as we pick a novel up off the bookshelf.  Unfortunately, I tend to go for the novel instead of my Bible.  Personally, I put God and my relationship with Him in a box.  I spend 45 minutes each day to “learn” about God.   What I have failed to realize is that it takes more than 45 minutes to strengthen a “relationship” with God – or anyone for that matter. In order to grow in my relationship with God and learn to love and keep my eyes on Him, I can’t limit my time to 45 minutes!  Besides that, reading the Bible more than once a day isn’t going to kill me!

God isn’t a like a box to be stored on the shelf and pulled out each morning!  If we want a loving and thriving relationship with Christ, we need to pull Him off the shelf and bring Him into our daily lives – not just once a day, once a month or once a year – but every hour of the day!  And guess what, God is waiting for you to take that step of faith and to incorpoate Him into your life.  He wants and desires a deep realationship with you.  He wants it to go past your 45 minute devotions.  The moment you take that step, the joy, happiness and love for Christ will overflow inside of you. 

See you next week…

World Trade Centers

 

…Peggy Noonan has written an excellent article on 9-11.  She includes many stories of people who left messages and talked to loved ones for the last time.  It’s a tear-jerker.  Reading these stories always makes me want to hug my parents before they leave the house - I never know when it’ll be the last! 

Agent Tim has had an excellent post on history and why it’s important to continually remember the past.  He says,

[History] is the very thing that makes our lives as they are, explains why we are as we are, and helps us in learning about who we can become. Without history, our nation would be nothing – lessons of the past would not lead to wise decisions. The United States would be farther down the slippery slope than it is today without history, which cannot and must not be ignored.

Amen – and we can never forget what happened on 9-11.

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