Book Review: The Daylight War by Peter V. Brett

The Daylight War by Peter V. Brett
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Peter Brett thinks his middle name is R.R.....

The concept of the Painted Man was a revolution to me. I loved it from the beginning and I read the book as fast as any other I have ever read. I thought Brett was a bit clumsy at times with his character development, but I've read worse. Overall, it was one of my favorite reads of the past few years, and I looked forward to the sequel. I'll skip right past The Desert Spear, because I enjoyed that almost as much, and I was really looking forward to the Daylight War.

Now. Now I don't know if I will finish it.

Don't get me wrong, it's still a good story, but somewhere down the line Brett must have Danced with some Dragons because suddenly his characters are all thinking with their private parts, and Brett seems to revel every twenty pages or so in dropping a lewd word or reference in that does absolutely nothing to add to the story. I imagine the next book will be reviewed here at Goodreads and also by Hustler.

View all my reviews

This is mostly for me to remember it.

David Crowder said:

Hello!

Dear good soul, greetings, David Crowder here. I trust and hope you are well. I currently have a vision of you in my head and you are smiling. I hold to the strong belief that this corresponds to your reality.

Well, it has been a few days since last we spoke. And those few days have been fantastic on this end. Now, since it's been a bit of time since last we spoke, there's a lot I'd like to fill you in on. But, here's what's happened.

The DC*B came to an end in the early part of this year and I can not express enough how encouraging it has been for all of us to have such kind things sent through the internet machine and through the mail, as in, mail, as in the stuff you get out of your mail box and can hold in your hands and call "material". Yes. It has been wonderful. So, thank you. (If you are reading this and did not send any such encouragement, well, shame on you! But I say now, I don't blame you. What would you send? What could you say? I identify. I am socially awkward in the same way you are composed, as in, i too don't know what to do with my hands. All is forgiven.)

In the meantime…a few from our previous outfit have formed a new band. I wish to be presumptuous and assume you have already discovered, by chance, or unexpectedly, them, but in case you have had some bit of distraction, as in, like your friend Steve needed a ride, and of course, you are an amazing being belonging to the genus Homo and so you gave him a ride and so you missed this. But seriously, www.thedigitalagemusic.com

You are happier now, I know this.

Also…

In the meantime…

Hehehe!!!!!!! (Ah! Can't wait for you to hear this next part! Ugh! If we were hanging out at Olive Garden right now, I would be sitting across the table from you eating Zuppa Toscana and you would observe my facial features forming into a pleased, kind, or amused expression that is typical to the corners of the mouth turned up and the front teeth exposed, and then I would say to you, "OH MY WORD! YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE WHAT I'VE BEEN UP TOO!")

But since we're not at Olive Garden right now, I will tell you what I can.

So. I have been quietly gathering a new group of people to help us, you and me, feel things in our chest that we know are true! Yes!!! AHHH!!! I know! Right!?

Remember when the DC*B dabbled in a little bit of the bluegrass? Remember, "When the foot starts stomping, and the hands start clapping, don't panic. That's part of it. This is a little song called, 'I Saw The Light' by Hank Williams Senior, let's make it rowdy in here!!" And then we would all sing like crazy and feel like we knew something that the rest of 'em didn't, but should!?

Yeah. That thing. When reality shifts, when we would suddenly become aware of that fact that there is very little distance between us all and that we all no less than live and breathe in the very presence of God, and the Light is almost, at times, unbearable.

Well. I thought that moment significant.

And Oh Happiness, I have found a collection of folks that you absolutely have to find a way to hear. I do not kid. (I say that, and then I blow on my spoon full of tasty soup, from Olive Garden (Also, I tell you now, I have no idea why I got stuck on this OG thing, this is absolutely not product placement, I'm just hungry I think and the Zuppa Toscona sounds fantastic. Now if you work at Olive Garden and want to bless me with your ministry, I remain unopposed to such a thing.)

Luckily I have a few ways that may make the perception of the sound of this thing that I am speaking to you of over Olive Garden soup attainable.

Firstly:

We are doing limited dates through the end of the year. (Please Come!!!!!!) The link to where we will be follows. (No. Really. Please Come!!! I so want you to see this. This is like you and me and some friends on the front porch, and I so know you do not disappoint in such a setting!) www.crowdermusic.com

Secondly:

Uh. Brace for this. No. Really.

We, this little outfit and I, recorded an exclusive iTunes Session, which is all live, as in, sorry, you can't use auto tune or do overdubs, or edit bits and pieces, uh, no, as in, you played music and what went into the air is preserved as pristine and sacred. And yes. It felt like that. We recorded at Capital Records in the quaint sunny little town of Los Angeles. I want to tell you this, (I'm now blowing on my soup. Nothing worse than burning your tongue cause you can't taste a thing for like 2 days) I really want you to hear this. As in, really. We made a little video that goes along with it and will explain more of what I'm thinking about this whole thing right now, but honestly, I so want you to hear this stuff. It's special, I think.

And what's coming is something we'll have to talk about next time.

To which I responded:

Dude. Read your update and in the middle of it, like, somewhere near the part where you started talking about that time when we were all together and we started feeling like we knew something that the rest of 'em didn't, but should, well, an amazing thing happened, my heart stirred in my chest, and a tear came right to the corner of each of my eyes, because I REMEMBER that time, man, and whenever I'm having a time like I'm having right now, where I'm busy and I'm tired and I'm tired of being busy, and then I have one of those moments where it all comes together and hits me like a brick that I'm loved and I'm loved and that love is never gonna end...it's the best single moment of the day. So. Since I was reading your update when it happened this time, it made me think of all the OTHER times I've thought about something you had said, and after thinking about what you said my heart leapt in my chest and tears came to the corners of my eyes, and I realized that I am loved and I am loved and that love is never gonna end...and thinking those thoughts made me happy. Because. Last year when I heard the news that DCB was going away. I was sorry and I was sad, but I was thankful for those times that you said those things that made me remember. So we scraped up our change and we drove to the show and we stood in the stands and we danced and we sang, and me and my love watched my daughter in the front row as she jumped and she hollered and she laughed and she screamed and my heart leapt in my chest and tears came to the corners of my eyes and I was thankful. To have one last time. But I was sad. A little. Because I already missed you. and I feared that you were being called to go climb a mountain or start a mission in a far land or maybe just settle down in one place. And there wouldn't be any more new thoughts that you sometimes make me think, in ways that touch me. But. Now. I realize I was wrong. And. I'm So. Happy. And I praise God that you listen when he talks and give your gifts in His service and let Him use you to help us find our way because its so easy to get lost and forget. That we're loved and we're loved and that love is never gonna end. So I'll see you. :)

America's Ruling Class -- And the Perils of Revolution

VERY interesting.

Jesus Cares Sermon - Family Bible Study Notes

Jesus Cares Sermon

Jesus Cares

Mark 6:45-52

Why are things as goofed up as they are?

Things are as goofed up as they are because we are a broken people. The fundamental flaw in all of history and with all things human is that we are a broken and imperfect people. Our brokenness is caused by sin.

Who is Jesus?

The Son of God. He came to deal with the problem of reconciling a broken people to God and Heaven. He came to fix the fundamental flaw of history. He came to fix our brokenness. He died to forgive our sins.

What is a/the gospel?

The word gospel means “good news”. The Gospel is the good news about Jesus and the fact that He has fixed the fundamental flaw of history and made a way for us to be reconciled to God. The good news is that He died for our sins.

What is the Bible for?

The Bible is used to spread the good news about Jesus, to tell us how God provided a way to deal with our brokenness. The Bible is to tell that Jesus died for our sins. The Bible helps us fulfill our purpose.

What is our purpose?

Our purpose is to see unbelieving people become followers of Christ by telling them who Jesus is.

Side Notes

1. What was the American Revolution?

2. Who was the ruler of America before the American Revolution?

3. What does “Up against it” mean? (Example: “I don't know what he is going to do now, he is really up against it.”)

http://www.parksidechurch.com/media-player/2010/1/10/jesus-cares/watch/

Amazed and Disgusted

Every time I think the man couldn't amaze and disgust me with his arrogance any more than he already has, he proves me wrong.

Click here to find out what has me so amazed and disgusted.

For those that don't know George Stephanopoulos was an adviser to Bill Clinton, so would assume that he is at least on the same side of the political room as the President, if not quite so far to the left of it. I admire the fact that he doggedly pursued the issue of the tax here in this article, and I am especially amazed and disgusted by Obama telling the man that referencing the dictionary was an obvious indication that Stephanopoulos was somehow "stretching".

I don't know about you, but when I go to the dictionary, it's so I can look the person I am having a dispute with in the eye and say "Here it is in black and white, so in your face, you are unquestionably incorrect"....In a gentle and loving way of course....

"I don't think I'm making it up," Mr. Stephanopoulos said. He then had the temerity to challenge the Philologist in Chief, with an assist from Merriam-Webster. He cited that dictionary's definition of "tax"—"a charge, usually of money, imposed by authority on persons or property for public purposes."

Mr. Obama: "George, the fact that you looked up Merriam's Dictionary, the definition of tax increase, indicates to me that you're stretching a little bit right now. . . ."

Defying Evolution

Hey, if you can turn give me evidence for micro-evolution and say it proves macro-evolution, I can show you a bunny chasing a snake and tell you you're all wet.

rabbit vs snake.wmv

Jamie Foxx and Miley Cyrus

SO recently Jamie Foxx had this to say about Miley Cyrus:

On an episode of his weekly radio show “The Foxxhole,” Foxx for launched a crude attack on the teen sensation saying, "Make a sex tape and grow up!" Other guests in the background can be heard saying "Be like Britney Spears and do some heroin. Be like Lindsay Lohan and start seeing a lesbian...get some crack in your pipe. Now that's what I want."

Well, Miley's father didn't think any of that was funny, and brought up a very good point when he said, "Quite frankly, I think if I said those things about his daughter he might not find it so comedic.”

Well, the other night Mr. Foxx was on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and he offered this: "I apologize for what I said. I didn't mean it maliciously. You know I'm a comedian. You know my heart."

Yes Mr. Foxx. I know your heart. It's very clear that your heart allows you do to anything for money.

I'm upset because I think Mr. Foxx is a very talented actor and I'm looking forward to his upcoming movie "The Soloist". I really want to like this guy, but sometimes he makes it very difficult.

I wonder if that's what God thinks about me?

Be As You Are?

There is a car in our parking lot here at work which has a bumper sticker that says "Be As You Are". The first time I saw it, I laughed out of incredulity. My first thought was...what if you're an *******? (Sorry, just being honest) Some people just are just not nice.

Anyway, a song just came on Pandora by some artist with the first name Ingrid and an album entitled "Be OK", and I had the same incredulous response. Seriously? Is that all there is to it? Do these people really think that if we just act as we feel, or will ourselves to be okay, everything is going to be okay? Really? No wonder Obama is President.

I'm reminded of a comment from Kevin Costner in Wyatt Earp when he was being confronted by the Earp women. One of them wanted to know if the wives ever counted more than the brothers when it came to making decisions and his answer was:

"No, Bessie, you don't.
Wives come and go,
that's the plain truth of it. They run off.
They die."

I know the wives certainly didn't appreciate the answer, and there's a bit in the Bible which discusses cleaving to your spouse which makes his answer less than Biblical, but nonetheless, the man was on to something when he talked about the strength and importance of family.

People die. Pets die. Money is lost and stolen. Cars get wrecked. Limbs get broken. The cable goes out. People serve you Miracle Whip when you ask for mayonnaise.

I hate to cite a colloquialism which contains more profanity, but "you know what" happens. And it happens all the time. It never ends. Sometimes it's like an avalanche and sometimes it's a rip tide.

What do you depend on when it happens? Who do you turn to? Where do you run?

I'll tell you one thing, "being as you are" isn't going to help.

Willing it all to "be okay" isn't going to get you anywhere either.

The truth is that this life is FULL OF PAIN.

Death is inevitable, and the older you get, the more loved ones you have to miss, and we start missing some way too early.

You can be as you are as much as you want to, but every person has a limit, and when that avalanche hits or the rip tide pulls you under and you can't manage to find a way to get a breath....being as you are is going to mean you are going to be pretty miserable.

Willing yourself to be OK? Please. There comes a time in every man's life when they simply run out of will. Biting into a burger and expecting mayo but getting Miracle Whip will do that to a person.

I'll tell you what. Next time you go through some tragedy, give me a call and I'll tell you to "Be as you are!", or maybe just to "Be OK". See how that works out.

What bugs me most is that the "Be OK" people consider themselves enlightened and consider that believing in Jesus Christ as the Risen Savior is believing in something archaic and outdated. It disturbs me that the "Be As You Are" crowd think that Christians are simple minded.

Here's the thing. I've lived through the blizzards. I've been sucked under by the rip tides. And unlike the picture which the "Be As You Are" crowd espouses about simple-minded Christians, I didn't gleefully chalk it up to "God's will" and walk around with a smile on my face.

I've cried rivers of tears. I've been so empty inside, so broken, so downright all done, that I've asked God to either return or just allow me to die. I've shaken my fist at him in anger on more than one occasion.

And today, I love Him so much. And more importantly, I KNOW that He loves me.

I am thankful, yes, thankful for all of it, and even more, I can see how each and every valley has shaped my life and made me a better person.

So when the "Be As You Are" crowd says I am filled with hate because I think homosexuality is a sin, I attribute it to principle.

When they label my opposition to abortion "religious foolishness", I know that it is based in love for the gift of life.

And when they tell me I am behind the times because we home-school, and the girls aren't allowed to date, and I have a curfew for my sister who is in her early 20's, I know that I am protecting my family.

How can being principled, loving life and providing and protecting my family make me a bad person?

The unfortunate thing is that they're so sure they're right that they won't even discuss it.


So keep on "being as you are" and "willing yourself to be okay" if that's your gig. And keep on thinking you're enlightened because you're not "saddled" with the burden of religion. And when the next blizzard comes and you're blown over by the storm, you'll have some really catchy and well intended phrases to rely upon to get you through it.

But in the middle of a storm, a positive outlook is going to leave you flat on your face. There is no philosophy, no person, no mantra that can even begin to compare to having a personal relationship with God, KNOWING that He loves you, and that He is control of everything.

He loves us and He is in control of everything. That is the only concrete thing you can ever rely upon to get you through.

I often wonder how people can get through the valleys NOT knowing that. And you know what? It's my experience that most never get through whole.

Our world is full of people with excuses for what happened to make them the way they are, and excuses for why they have an exemption from some of the most basic standards of human behavior, and now even those with reasons why there are no basic standards. Without fail, all of those excuses are rooted in a valley or a storm.

In contrast, genuine Christians will tell you how the valleys and storms they endured made them stronger and better people. They will witness to you how God worked through their weakness and their pain to bring them peace and joy.

They will testify that there is a God, and that they have a personal relationship with Him. There are millions of people alive right now that can do that, and there have been countless others who could have throughout the history of time.

Discounting all of that evidence and eye-witness testimony, that's foolish.

If you don't believe as I believe but you're interested in open and genuine two-way discussion, send me an email and I'll share my testimony.

Not my story. My testimony.

It's fact.

Voddie Baucham Sermons

I added a new addition to the "Links" segment on the right. If you are a Christian and you don't know who Voddie Baucham is, it's high time you "met" the man. You can do just that by following the link below to a site with a number of different audio and video presentations of some of his sermons.

Coulter: Guns vs Teenage Sex

No wonder the liberals hate Anne Coulter, time after time she makes them look like fools with simple logic like the following:

It's something in liberals' DNA: They think they can pass a law eliminating guns and nuclear weapons, but teenagers having sex is completely beyond our control.

See what happens when you think.

Top 10 Moments:Waiting

Amy is a big John Mayer fan.

Last night we were driving home after the AWANA Grand Prix and a trip to Friendly's and this song came on.

I had had a long day and was TIRED.

Then Amy sang lead and the girls chimed in from the back seat with the backup "Waiting" parts.

Top 10 moment of my life.

Then I found this video to the song. Check it out.

Jib Jab:Election 2008

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Obama:Change We Can Make Believe In (Part 1)

It seems to me that in the following Obama admits that he lied for votes in the primaries, and that it's okay, because as he notes, politicians always do that.

If he's just doing what politicians do, then how exactly is he changing anything?

Mr Obama recently hinted to Fortune magazine that his strong anti-free trade rhetoric during the primaries may not be reflected in his actual trade policy should he become president.

His remarks are a neat summation of the pressures and temptations that lead politicians to shift their positions during the process of running for office.

"Sometimes during campaigns the rhetoric gets overheated and amplified," he said.

"Politicians are always guilty of that, and I don't exempt myself."

The Ten Lepers and Thankfulness

I taught a lesson tonight in VBS based on the ten lepers of Luke 17: 11-19.

11Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy^[a]met him. They stood at a distance 13and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"

14When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed.

15One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

17Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."

I think that when most of us hear this story, we have a tendency to think about whether or not we would have gone back and thanked Jesus, and that most of us would like to believe that we might have. I'm a stats guy though, and I think when we're honest with ourselves, we know that we probably would have behaved as the other nine.


Honestly though, I think trying to analyze the story in those terms isn't most effective. I think we're better off looking at the story in light of the fact that there were ten opportunities for Jesus to be thanked, and only one opportunity was seized.

For instance, how many of us can honestly reflect on the recent past and ten things we've been blessed with and say that we've thanked God for all ten? I can't. Maybe it's more than one, but it's a far cry from ten.

We Are Not The Center of the World (Acts 1:8)

I just heard something that I found very insightful, and it struck me as insightful because I've been thinking about Acts 1:8 all wrong.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. - Acts 1:8

Now, like many of my brothers and sisters here in America, I have always interpreted this passage to mean that we had a job to go forth and evangelize the world so that "the ends of the earth" can have a chance to hear the Gospel.

Here's the thing though. We are the "ends of the earth". The problem I've had, and perhaps many of you have had as well, is that I read that passage and wrongly ascribe to myself the position of being in the middle. That's wrong. The point of origin is not America. The point of origin is the Middle East. And from that frame of reference, WE are then the "ends of the earth."

This is not to say that we should stop going forth and spreading the Gospel, or that we shouldn't support our missionaries. No, not at all. I just had an insight that there is perhaps more work already accomplished in bringing the Gospel to the world than I thought that there was.

Voddie Baucham - Birth Rates in the Industrialized World (The Muslimification of the World..or at least France)

So,

Today I'm listening to more from Voddie Baucham. In case you haven't noticed, I really like the guy. ;)

Anyway, he just said something that I wanted to share and let you chew on.

The birth rate in America is now below the replacement rate. The birth rate is now 1.8, and the replacement rate is 2.1. Also, a birth rate of 2.1 is not healthy, it just means that a culture is not dying. And we have one of the highest birth rates amongst industrialized nations.

And here is where it got interesting for me.

In France, the birth rate is about 1.5 nationally. But the birth rate amongst Muslims in France is 6.0. Baucham says that France will be a Muslim country in 2 generations.

What do you think the implications of that are?

I don't know how accurate his information is, but I doubt it's fiction.

I found the talk I'm listening to today on this page. I'm listening to part 1 of "Marriage in the Beginning - Marriage by Design.

Baptized in the Jordan

This is a mass email I sent out today.

Hi,

I just got off the phone with my sister Sarah a little while ago. She was calling from Israel to tell me that she was baptized today in the Jordan River, and I wanted to share it with EVERYONE!! It was just a little more than 18 months ago I got down on my knees and prayed intently to God about Sarah. I had tried everything I could to try and have an impact on her life and nothing seemed to work. I told God how afraid I was for her future. I was sure she was headed for a life of misery. As far as I could see, her prospects included pregnancy, alcoholism, drug addiction or even death. I asked God what I should do, and I CLEARLY heard Him tell me to give her up to Him. It wasn't easy, but that was just what I did, and I am amazed...truly amazed...at the changes he has wrought in her life. He has repaid my faith so quickly, so fully, so abundantly....so perfectly...

I could tell you a ton of stories right now about the ways in which God has met this need, the amazing MIRACULOUS ways he has provided thousands of dollars...but instead, I'll just tell you this. Jesus Christ is my Savior, My Master and my King. I have never, ever even dreamed about being loved this perfectly. God has worked in my life, and continues to work in my life, with His perfect blessing and discipline to refine me and bring my life joy and peace. And now, Praise God, Sarah has allowed Him to work that way in her life as well.

There is no other way to live your life which will bring you anywhere near the fulfillment and happiness that living your life according to the Word of God will bring you. Nothing else will satisfy you the way that giving your life to God will satisfy you. It is what we are created for. Getting lost in what THIS life has to offer is folly. We spend a brief moment walking the face of the earth when compared to the eternity we will spend after this life, and the choices we make here will affect us for all eternity.

Jesus had this to say in Matthew 6:20 regarding trying to satisfy yourself with treasures on this earth versus the treasures to be found in Heaven:

Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal

My grandfather used to ascribe to the belief that "He who dies with the most toys, wins", but that isn't true. He who dies with the most toys just leaves the most toys behind.

So today, I am thankful to God for His infinite patience with me. I'm thankful to a mother who kept telling me all of these same things I just shared with you even when I didn't want to hear them. Her words and actions continue to pay dividends not just in my life and Sarah's life, but in so many other lives as well. I can only aspire to be the selfless, faithful and obedient servant that she was.

Today I am also thankful to my church, my family and my friends, and most especially to everyone at Hume Lake who has allowed God to work the miracles that they do. All of you have lifted us up in prayer or pitched in to make this hope we had for Sarah last year into a reality, and you sincerely have my eternal gratitude.

You have stored up treasures in Heaven, but I hope the thought of the change that Sarah has undergone in such a short time, the thought that she was baptized in the very same body of water that Jesus was baptized, is half the treasure to your heart that it is to mine. Because my heart is full today. Our God is a faithful God, a loving God, and a perfect God.

Our God is God, and He keeps His promises.

If you would like to see the pictures and blogs from Sarah's trip you can find them here: http://joshuawilderness.org/news/

If you've got an older teen that is struggling with life, that maybe you don't have any idea what to do with next, I would advise you to check out the other areas of the site as well to find out more about the Joshua Wilderness Institute.

Finally, I've attached a picture of Sarah sitting under a tree studying her Bible in Israel. Who would have thought...

I've prayed for each of you today.

Thanks for listening

Randy


--
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. - John 15:15

Laptop for Sale

We have a tuition payment for my sister Sarah at the Joshua Wilderness Institute due on 2/15 and I'm trying to raise funds by selling a laptop on ebay. If you're in the market for a good laptop at a reasonable price, please click here.

It's been a struggle paying for her tuition since we originally had to come up with the initial down payment of $4500, but God has been faithful and we trust He will be now as well.

The change in my sister has been nothing short of miraculous, and we want for her to be able to graduate with the rest of her class. It was just last year that I was gravely concerned for Sarah's safety and well-being, but God has been faithful to His promise to me to save her, and I will praise His name forever for the changes He has wrought in her life. For more about her, and from her, click here to read her blog.

By the way, if you don't need a laptop but would like to donate something towards Sarah's tuition, contact me and I'll let you know how you can make a donation for her tuition directly to Joshua.

Email to Jesus

Father.

I don't know if this is your email or not. But I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for your grace and mercy in my life. Thank you for waiting for me so patiently, and for being faithful to me even when I failed at being faithful to you. Thank you for knowing me so well, and for molding me into the person that I am today. Please LORD, keep molding me.

Thank you Jesus, for giving up all that it is to be God and coming down here and taking the form of the most defenseless and helpless of forms. Everything is yours, and so you have the right to everything, but you gave it all up, just to come here and show me how much I am loved.

Lord, I still fail you. I still stray and allow sin in my life. I am incapable of living this life that I want with all of my heart to live. I want to live for You Jesus, to show you how much you mean to me, how much I appreciate You, how much I appreciate you and all of Your ways...how much I love You. Thank You for being patient. Thank You for Your forgiveness. Please give me the strength to be better. Please refine me and my ways. Please discipline me when I need it, and please turn Your loving face upon me even when I don't deserve it.

Jesus, I am writing today because I am so overwhelmed at the ways in which You have blessed me even though I don't deserve it. Specifically Lord, today, I want to thank You for all that You have done in Sarah's life. You have worked a miracle in her, and I can hardly stand to think about it without tears filling my eyes. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. Please Lord, continue to work in her, and grow her, and refine her. She is becoming such a blessing to me, and all that I went through Lord, You are redeeming. I didn't think this was possible Lord, but I am seeing in so many ways how anything at all is possible for You.

Thank You Father for being my Father, and please help me as I begin my own road as a father. Help me Lord, because I will surely need it. Help me to be the man of God I want to be. Help me to be Your faithful and true servant. Father, You know me even better than I know me. Help me to trust You. Father, craft for me a life which satisfies me and fulfills me. Make for me a way that allows me to share with others how much I love You. Lord, please let me serve You in ways which I haven't even imagined. This life has been an incredible ride so far, all of it, and I want You to keep refining me so that I trust You completely to lead me where You want me to go. I trust You Lord. I trust You with everything. Help me to be consistent about it.

You are beautiful. You are magnificent. You are everything I ever wanted, and every day you are more and more what I don't deserve. Thank You for blessing me anyway.

I can't wait to be with You forever.

Love

Randy

Today is the best day of my life!!

I wrote this blog back in February on my birthday:

and when I wrote it, I ended it by saying that this would be the best year of my life. I didn't know why I wrote that, and at first I felt a little presumptuous. Honestly though, I felt God making me a promise when I wrote it, so even though I felt a little uncomfortable making such a bold statement, I posted it anyway.

Well, in a little less than two hours from now I am getting married to "that girl from camp", and I can testify wholeheartedly that God followed through on His promise. I am the happiest I have ever been in my life.

This is the best year of my life...so far...and today is the best day of my life as well.

PRAISE GOD!!!!