Broad Paths and Twisted Ankles

How very appropriate that today's YouVersion reading plan directed me to Psalm 18.  David, having just returned from rescuing his wives and family; along with the rest of the city, from attackers, penned this psalm of praise to God for His provision.

I'm reading this, propped on the couch with my ankle wrapped from a mis-cue off an unseen step

yesterday evening.  epsom salts, lemongrass oil and Motrin are all on hand to help ease the swelling and stiffness this morning as I read verse 36...

"You provide a broad path for my feet,

so that my ankles do not give way...."

Timely, yes?

David knew that as he was pursing the enemy that had attacked and burned the city, then kidnapped the women and children, God had provided a clear, broad route to give David the ability to overtake the enemy and rescue the families that had been taken captive.  David and his men were many hours behind the route of the enemy, but sure paths allowed them to make up the time and reach the place where the enemy had camped.  David simply focused on following the path God set before him.

There was a broad path for me to walk, as I was making my way to the parking lot yesterday.  It was clear and straight, with nothing in the way.    The problem was that I was texting a reply as I made my way back to the parking lot.  And I was thinking about an earlier conversation that was going to need followup, and I was totally distracted.  I wasn't looking at the path.  I wasn't paying attention to the fact that this was an unfamiliar place. I was focused on what had taken the place of urgency in my mind; relaying this message, making the next call.  Until I took a misstep off a step I didn't expect to be there, and landed in the grass, twisting my ankle in the process.  Suddenly there was a new sense of urgency.  My ankle hurt! 

So, today, I'm reminding myself two things.  First, God has a path for me.  If I will be intentional to stay focused on where He is guiding me and not let myself be distracted by the busyness of the moment, my journey will go much smoother. 

And.  Watch where you're walking.  #donttextandwalk

For International Women's Day: For Such a Time as This

When I think about International Women's Day and those women I admire for putting their all on the line, my mind always goes back to Esther.  No, she didn't help earn me the right to vote, or drive a car, or work a job. But from a very young age, she gave me encouragement that, as a woman, God had a plan just as vital for me to follow for those around me, as He did for any other person; man or woman.

For such a time as this.

It has brought purpose to steps and paths and jobs and seasons without jobs, that otherwise would seem only wasted time, accomplishing little of value.

Esther was taken from her home with her cousin, who had raised her after the death of her parents, to be among those the king would survey to select his new queen.  She didn't volunteer.  She didn't fill out an application.  She didn't show up for auditions for the show "So You Think You Can Be Queen?"  She was taken; a beautiful, young Jewish girl and placed in the harem of the Persian king.

Yet, she didn't complain.  She didn't despair.  She didn't sulk.  She trusted that her steps were known to God, and she trusted the advice of the one who had taught her to trust Him.

We know the end of the story.  We know it was very much "For such a time as this" that she was there.  But Esther didn't know the rest of the story.  Until it was done.  I have taken much comfort in knowing that when my steps seem to be where I didn't choose to go and the tasks that have occupied my time are not what I would have chosen to do, that these still came as no surprise to God, so there must be a purpose to come.

And while the seasons of my life have never led to the salvation of a nation from destruction, I have had relationships that were life-changing and amazing opportunities that never would have happened had my path gone as I had wished.

Esther was the first woman I knew made an international difference.

She gave me courage to believe I could make a difference, too.  And so can you.  If the place you find yourself today isn't what you had hoped it would be.  Or if you are doing a job, or you lack a job, that causes you to doubt your purpose, take Esther's lead.  Don't complain, don't sulk and most of all, don't despair! Find your voice in the place where you are today. You don't know what the next steps, next week, next month may hold.  And as those days come, be that difference.  No one else can use your voice, your hands or your heart.

Today may be the day just before you are needed For Such a Time as This.

Aliens and Tenants

Even though these are the words God spoke to Moses regarding the possession of land, leading to the year of Jubilee, it wondered how much better our lives would be if we took the same perspective:

"The land must not be sold permanently because the land is mine and you are but aliens and tenants."

How much contentment might there be in remembering that it is all His. We're just enjoying it for a while.  And, while there is nothing wrong with having nice things, holding those things loosely gives a new-found freedom.  Enjoy what you have, but if the price of having something else, something more costs too much of your life, your heart, your love, your peace; let it go.  It's not worth such a price for something that is so temporary.

Those "Nevertheless" Folks

I'm sure everyone has those "nevertheless" folks in your life.  You know, the ones that ask you for advice, help, suggestions, and then do just the opposite.  I am following a chronological Bible reading plan for this year, it caught my attention that Moses dealt had those in his crowd, too.

They were told, 'Hey! Since you're grumbling so, God's going to send you some food.  It will show up in the morning.  Get just what you need for the day and don't keep it overnight.'

"Some of them paid no attention to Moses and kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots...."

SMH.

Give it a couple of days and now it's the day before the Sabbath.  Moses tells them, 'Look, gather enough for today and tomorrow because there isn't going to be any out here on the Sabbath.'

"Nevertheless, some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather it, but they found none."


Nevertheless people exasperate me.  I have little patience or pity for those who won't take instruction. And my tendency is to shake my head and wipe my hands and walk away mumbling under my breath, "I told you so."

But Moses had compassion on these 'nevertheless' people.  Yes, he got angry.  Yes, he lost it a few times.  But he always came back to a place of compassion for them.  He prayed for them, he pleaded for them and he never walked away from his opportunity to lead them to follow God.

My challenge is to stop shaking my head and shake off my impatience. To pray for the 'nevertheless' folks that I know, to plead on their behalf.  And then, when given the opportunity, continue to lead them to what God has for their next steps.

Back to the Scratchpad

Wow.  Looking back it's been 3 years since I've attempted to blog, or post, or share, or whatever you call putting your thoughts down somewhere and letting other people read them. I've decided it would be better called a scratchpad.  Just some where to scribble down my thoughts, whether they are inspired by me, or Him, or the salsa that I ate last night.  I like having a scratchpad that I can look back at, read through again and decide if those thoughts represent something I need to act on, or just something I needed to say out loud, or in writing, and then continue on with my day.

And having them here will help clear off my desk from stacks like this:

Note pads scribbled with thoughts and ideas and other distractions that occur to me when I'm in the middle of doing something else!

So if no one else ever benefits from anything written here, at least I should end up with a cleaner desk. 

Here's to a better scratchpad.

Budgeting the Bible

Over the weekend I was reading Romans 12 and decided that my "budgeting" mode for the month of March, might just apply to my Bible study, too.  Well, not so much to budget how I study, but more, to budget how I apply it. 

As I read through verses 9 to the end of the chapter, Paul lists out a whole, long series of instructions:

"Love must be sincere."

"Hate what is evil, cling to what is good."

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love."

"Honor one another above yourselves."

"Never be lacking in zeal."....

And he goes on to list 17 more instructions.  This is just in half of one chapter! 

My thoughts as I read this was, I'm just glossing over this as I read.  I'm thinking, yes, those are all good things.  I need to be good.  But really, I need to do all of these.  Individually.  And not lose them in the fact that it's a long list.  So I'm going to (fully intending here, at least on day 1) take one a day and focus on it and look for opportunities to live out that point.  My hope being that if I can focus on one a day, that will help me remember, ongoing, to live that out when presented with the opportunity.  

So, I'm budgeting my Bible.  Today is Day 1: Love must be sincere. 

I'd love for you to join me if you'd like.  While I doubt I will blog every day, I will definitely tweet my "Budgeting Bible of the Day" so you will see there what point I'm on each day.

I want to be a doer of the Word, not a hearer, or a "glosser", only. 

I

Budgets, Lists & Life

So getting back into a blogging rhythm is taking a little longer than I thought.. but here's to hoping March will be more "budgeted" than February has been!  In my quest to make time to breathe, I am learning that old habits are easy to fall back into, and, let me just be honest, budgeting isn't one of my natural gifts.  Ok, it's not one of my gifts, it's not one of my priorities, nor is it something I even like.  And budgets don't apply to just money.  We budget our time, we budget our energy, and, yes, we budget our money, too.  Here's my issue:

Budgets have limits and I don't like limits.

Especially when I know that I have more to do than those limits will allow.  That's why I don't want to put it on paper.  There's no way.  It can't be done.  And writing those things down only makes it even more plain to see that I can't do all that I want to do.  So, I tend to make mini-budgets and daily to-do lists.  And leave the big picture stuff off the paper completely.  I like to live each day, doing all that must be done that day, and beyond that working on all the other "non-urgent" projects and duties as they present themselves.

Sometime back I watched David Allen's Do Lecture "The Mind is for Having Ideas Not Holding Them".     He lays out a template for staging idea, projects and getting all the stuff swirling in your brain OUT of your brain and ON a file, a to-do list, a calendar.  Whatever your mode of follow-up, put your ideas there.  First, it frees up your brain for new ideas and second, it gives you a systematic way to approach those unending projects that, for me, end up lost between today's urgent and next month's project, never to be accomplished.

I'm going to attempt to put some of this into practice this month.  And while much of what I have unending, the house, the yard, the laundry, doesn't ever get finished, there are many other projects that I have dabbled with for years that may benefit from a bit of budgeting.

 I will share how that goes.  Here's to teaching an old dog new tricks!

Breathe

So, I'm back at this again!  I have chased away all the spiders that had made themselves at home in my blog space and cleared a spot for my ever-tumbling mind to dump it's contents again.

Thanks, both of you, for returning to read what I post!  

It has been a year and a half since I have posted here.  That's a long time for someone who loves to read and write and talk.  But during that time I was having trouble breathing, mentally, much less doing the things I love.  I'm thankful to say that the chaos and mayhem was not caused by any tragedy or illness in my family, simple a complete upheaval of life.  In fact, I stepped into my dream job in the middle of this.  And in all of that, I did what I have told so many others not to do.  I didn't rest.  I didn't stop.  I didn't force myself to balance.  

I didn't breathe.

I didn't breathe mentally and I even found myself often holding my breath physically.  As I would be thinking though pressing situations and making plans to accommodate those, I would realize I was actually holding my breath as I thought. 

I pushed and struggled and stayed up late and got up early.  And while it's inevitable to have to push and struggle and stay up late and get up early if you are going to make a difference in the world, you can't live that way night and day, day in and day out.   

I know that. I've taught that in conferences on how to lead.  But how often do we do what we know we should do?  And how often do we do what we know we shouldn't do?

It all comes back to that sabbath thing.  We know what we should do.  We know that it's wise and sensible and logical.  But how often, when we are pressed, do we give that up first.  

Before I miss a deadline, I miss my sabbath.  

Before I cancel a meeting, I cancel my sabbath.

Before I let the laundry go, I let my sabbath go.  (Ok.  That one's not a struggle for me)

God gave commandments to keep order in our lives.  Don't kill, don't steal, keep the Sabbath. 

And while we would never consider killing or stealing, it just doesn't seems as big of a deal to let the Sabbath go.  

It became apparent to me this last year that He listed that one as well and it's that important.  I've learned (am learning still) to let somethings wait.  And somethings, I have let go completely. 

And I'm breathing.  You can do so much more when you breathe.

Celebrating Heros: Chipper & More.. Much More

You know I'm a Braves fan.  And you know that I am as sentimental as any over this being Chipper's last year.  It has been fun watching him play with all the amazing talent that he has, in the good years and the not-so-good years of Braves baseball.  Stephanie was the Chipper fan when she was young, while Stacie wore the Lopez jersey, so it was even more special since the girls were into the Braves, too.  As I watched the farewell ceremony last night prior to the game, my eyes teared up more than once and I was jealous of those in the stadium who got to celebrate in person and thank him for his loyalty and entertainment.  I have tickets for the game Sunday afternoon, purchased in case this last regular season game at home would turn out to be his last game at Turner field.  I wanted to be there.  I wanted to be able to clap and cheer and say "thanks".

This morning, in the back of my  head, I'm contemplating making a sign to take to the game.  What can I say that would be camera-worthy and get noticed and maybe get on the big screen?  That would be awesome!  And in mid-thought, this question came to mind:

"Have you ever gone to a fraction of this much thought or trouble to thank those who have made a life long impact on your kids?"

Ouch.  I don't think there is anything wrong with celebrating a phenomenally talented Braves player.  We have enjoyed his entertainment.  But, honestly, that's all it was.  Entertainment.  Have I ever taken time to say thank you for those who have invested their lives into my children and made a lasting impression on them?

Do I have to answer that?

So, mid-Saturday morning, I'm stopping here to make a small step in that direction.  There are some people who have poured into my children's lives, and today, I'm thinking particularly of the girls.  I need to say thanks:

Eric Gordon:  you have been the big brother to them both, and the spiritual mentor to Steph that goes beyond human understanding.  I'm thankful God put you in our lives back in Neverland and that you are now part of our family.  There are not words in the English language that express how grateful I am and what you mean to me or them.

Sheldon and Cassie Sundell:  you were the youth pastors that led my girls through the hardest part of their spiritual lives as well as those lovely teenage years.  I can't thank God enough for leading you to Smyrna.  The fact that you are still some of Stacie's dearest friends speaks more than I can say about the influence you have had on her life.  Thank you for your years, for your love, for the tears, for all you endured, and the way that you lived that has been such an impression on them.

Matt Wilkie:  you led Steph into a journey with Convoy of Hope that forever changed her persepective on life, on missions and on serving others.  And though your time of leading officially was only for that summer, you have forever changed the course of her life.  Thank you for using your life to shape the lives and hearts of interns; especially Steph's.

I don't have banners to wave.  30,000 people will not gather in a stadium today to applaud you.
But I know the angels of Heaven, along with my Father, will agree with me today.

Thank you!

Pleading My Case & Helping My Friends

Ok, so this post has a two-fold purpose.

First, to show that Twitter is a viable resource and networking spot.  Some people I know think it's still just all about sharing where you are today and what you're having for lunch.  Those of us who KNOW better, always look for chances to prove our point. And I believe the #kidmin community does this whole networking thing better than anyone,  so that is my chance to prove it.  If you responded to this from my tweet, it helps prove my point.  But I have to have a way to show that you did respond.  So...

Secondly, my friends from the Anthems band, see the previous post if you missed it, are trying to get their first album recorded.  In order to do so, it takes money and I'm trying to help them raise that.  Now, don't leave me yet!  What I'm going to do is give away $100 Amazon (or other if preferred) gift card, from me, here on this site, regardless of the number of people who enter.  So, if I only get 2 entrees, one of those two will win the $100.  No minimum.  But, I HOPE to have way more than 2, or 10.  Again, to prove a point.  That 100 investment can bring more than 10 responses through twitter.

This is how you enter:  The guys have set up a way to donate $10 which gets you a copy of the album when it's finished (scheduled for Jan 2013).  Basically, it's pre-buying the album.  If you will go to their link below and do that,  donate the $10, I will put your name in the drawing.

And, you can get an extra entry by tweeting this:

"I pre-bought the @Anthems album & may get $100 for doing it  http://bit.ly/pe1xBt "


This is their Facebook page:  Go there to the link to donate.  And you could "like" their page while you're there, too!

http://www.facebook.com/anthemsworship

A Little Secret & a Money-Back Guarantee!

So, for the last few days I have tweeted and facebooked about this new band, Anthems, that has been formed by some of the guys in our worship band at Momentum Church.  Now everyone knows that a friend helps a friend, and so if a new band is forming, friends are usually obligated to promote their cause.

Well, forget that.  This is far from that.  These guys are amazingly talented.  They are four of the most gifted musicians I have ever heard.  Seriously.  But then, there are lots of talented musicians in the world who make music.  So, what makes this group different?  I think it's the heart that they share to simply bring glory to God.  Their music is powerful and anointed.  If you have been in a worship service at Momentum, you know what I mean.

So, here's my deal to you.  These guys are in the pre-recording stage.  It takes money up front to get this recording done, and this is where you can help, and I'll guarantee you will be glad you did.

Go to their Facebook page, check out some of the videos they're sharing, and then check out their $100 gift card giveaway.  If you donate $10, you will get a copy of the record when it's released, and a chance at the gift card.

My guarantee:  If you donate this week, by Saturday, the 15th, and you aren't happy with the music when you get it, I'll give you your $10 back myself.

They are that good.

Back to the Beginning

Well, it looks like I have found my way back to where I started when I began blogging 3 years ago.  This was the sight I used first.  Later I moved to an iWeb account, barbaragraves.net and barbaragraveslive.com but that was swallowed up when we lost iWeb to iCloud.  So.. while I'm in the process of re-arranging blogs, yet again, I will be using this site for my personal blog, which is a nice word for a place where all the overly-caffeinated crazy thoughts I have will end up.

Thanks for sharing my crazy life.


You can find my children's ministry resource page The Kidmin Carpetbag.

I've Moved!!

Caffeinated Adventures has moved.  

This should get you to the new site while it's being set up.

Thanks!

Barbara

I'm Coming Back.....Soon I Hope!

To all of you who read my blog:  (all 3 of you)

Sorry for the long silence.  You know that's not me.  I'm always talking......lol!!!

I'm in the process of updating this site and plan to have it back up in a day or two.

thanks for checking in!

More craziness and caffeine coming soon.

Train Up a Child....

Ok, so today was an exciting day.  We kicked off the new back to school series at Momentum Kids with bunches of balloons, closely resembling the cloud of balloons used in the movie, "Up".  This is going to be a great series for the kids, as we are introducing our missions program for them by looking at what back to school means all around the world.  

So, the balloon effect was good, the kids liked them, and at the close of service we were giving each kid a balloon to take home.  Some how, about 15 balloons came untied and floated to the ceiling.  They came to rest at the top of the theater with their nice white ribbons hanging down in front of the screen.  It took me about 15 seconds to realize this is NOT GOOD!  Once service is over, we have about 30 mins to tear down, load up the trailers, and be out of the theater before the movies start.  And now,once tear down is done, I still have balloons hanging in front of the screen, way out of reach, and no obvious way to get them down.

Thankfully, Stacie and Jed came into the theater.  Now, Stacie, along with her other siblings, has grown up in Children's Ministry.  For all of her 21 years, she has gone to church with a mom that was in whatever class was for the kids.  From the time my kids were old enough to count, they have helped with every event that I have arranged.  They have sorted VBS prizes into goodie bags, painted Fall Festival backdrops, stuffed thousands of plastic Easter eggs, and said hundreds of times, "We are always the last ones to leave the church parking lot!"  As kids, rarely did they complain about helping.  But as an adult, Stacie's call isn't Children's Ministry.  So she doesn't often just hang out to help.  Fortunately, her days of training kicked in today.  

Walking into the middle of the dilemma, I didn't even have to ask.  She enlisted Jed's help, and they spent the next 25 minutes fishing balloons off the ceiling with one balloon on a ball of ribbon, topped with masking tape.  

"Train up a child in the way they should go........"

That verse is usually quoted in reference to teaching your child spiritual values.  But I think it can also apply to teaching them to find a place to serve; whether that is at church, or outside the church.  Finding a way to serve others is a largely a matter of habit; being aware of the needs around you, and doing what you can to meet them.  If you are a parent, how are your actions training your children?  Do you find a place to serve?  Or do you just wait on the sidelines until you are asked?  Step up,  look around, and see what needs to be done.  

And bring your kids along with you.

One day you may be glad you did! ;-)

What I Meant to Say Was......

Being on vacation is great, until you get home and get back to the routine of day to day life.  The contrast of days spent at the beach, doing as you please being immediately followed by days of laundry(the same clothes you washed last week), house cleaning(the same dishes you washed last week), and yard work(the same grass you cut last week) is never so apparent as those first days back.

Just as I was whining the most, and sharing my whining with the Twitter world, I saw this picture. (It was posted on Twitter by CharityWater.org ; you should check them out)

So, what I meant to say was;

Thank you, God, that I have laundry to do.  That means I have clothes to wear.  And that I do that laundry in an air-conditioned house, with clean water, in washer and dryer.

Thank you, God, that I have dishes to wash.  That means we have food to eat.  And that that food is prepared in ovens that heat at a touch of a button, the food is purchased at the local grocery store, and there is enough of it that I haven't lost any weight for lack of food.  

Thank you, God, that I have grass (and an abundance of weeds) that need to be cut.  That means we still own our home, in a time when many are in forclosures and are losing theirs.  

And thank you, God, mostly for Your inconceivable patience and mercy to this often ungrateful child, who gets so lost in Your goodness that she doesn't remember to say thank you.

Top Ten Proofs You Had a Great Vacation

Ok, here are my top 10 ways of know that I did indeed have a great vacation:

10.  Mounds of laundry:  despite the fact that there was a washer & dryer available, I still came home with mountains of laundry to do.  Wishing that verse about speaking to the mountain and it being cast in the sea would apply here.....

9.  Nail polish is still smooth:  only on vacation can you apply nail polish on Monday and by Saturday still be able to display your hands publicly without embarrassment.  

8.  A new fitness goal:  you have read enough women's magazines that you are convinced that you can indeed attain the fitness goals that you set 8 years ago and also believe that you will stick with it this time.....

7.  You have tan lines:  a great vacation provides perfect weather, enough that you can easily see your tan lines.  Of course, the older I am, the wider the lines.  :)    Also, contributes to the acquiring of #8....

6.  Sand is everywhere:  When returning from a great vacation, you will continue to find sand in every crevice and cranny of your belongs, including your toothpaste tube, even though it never went to the beach.....

5.  You now need "W" shoes:  it's been so long since your feet were in closed toe shoes that the bone structure in your toes has shifted and it is impossible to pry your feet back into the shoes you wore to work before vacation.  

4.  You cannot remember the day of the week:  waking each morning brings with it the challenge of determining what day of the week it really is.   At least 20-30 minutes can be devoted to trying to recall exactly how long you have been on vacation & how much time remains.

3.  Ice cream is considered an entree:  on the best vacations, ice cream is easily converted to an entree slot on the menu rather than dessert.  If you are really in extreme vacation mode, you proudly twitpic the meal for everyone to see.  

2.  Weight gain:  a truly great vacation results in noticeable weight gain by the return trip home.  Now this gain can not be technically verified, that would require the use of a scale, which, is not allowed on any vacation, much less a great one.  However, this gain is noted in the fit of the clothes, which seem to be a bit snug towards the end of the week.  Please note:  this could be caused by the extreme heat of the dryer in#10, but more likely by the presence of #3, and either way, again contributes to the decision of #8.

1.  And, the very best proof that you had a great vacation is that you finally drag yourself home, too late to get groceries or cook dinner, so you have to order pizza for the last meal of the vacation travel day on your arrival.  

I have had a great vacation and would love to share more, but I have to go eat my pizza...... 

Rest-Less to Rest to Restless

I have had the most amazing week.

I can't tell you the last time I had 7 consecutive days of rest; pre-children at least!  My favorite form of rest is reading and my favorite place to read is the beach, so this has been a dream come true.   I think I was giddy until Wednesday, at least!

But, honestly, I am starting to feel restless.  Something is missing.  The weather and the beach are perfect.  The company is perfect. (There are only a few people you can live with for a week and not get tired of them.  I talked about that here.)  We have said, "This is Heaven!" and "I could do this forever", but, in reality, I don't think I could.  

I wasn't created to rest.  I wasn't created only to read great books, enjoy God's beautiful creation, and share meaningful conversations with a friend who, over the years, has become my sister.   Oh, these are great experiences, great temporary escapes from the day to day routines of life.  And I have had a blast doing them this week.  But it's not why I was created.  It's not my purpose.                            

   I believe my purpose is to show Jesus to the world.  And, specifically, for this time in my life, to the kids at Momentum Church.  It's what I like to do most.  It's what I think I really could do forever, and not be tired of it.  I think this is why I was created.  I posted this picture of breakfast on Facebook and said people should envy me.  It's true.  This was a great breakfast.  But if you could know the joy I get from being with the kids each Sunday and seeing God revealing Himself to them; then you would have the real reason to envy me.  

I'm getting restless.  I'm ready to get back to my life.  Not to say I don't look forward to the next time the beach calls.  In time, there will be a need for more rest.  And reading.  And eating peanut M&Ms and french toast.  But until then, bring on the kids and let's get on with our journey. 

The Chalk Says it All

Ok, this excites me.  Like, really excites me.  I can look at this drawing and get chills.  It's that cool.  

So, what is it?  It's a drawing of our new building and the Momentum Kid's spaces.

Done in sidewalk chalk on Pastor Jared's driveway.

I can't wait.  It is going to rock.

I Like Rocks

     I've decided I like rocks  I spent a couple of days in North Carolina with my husband, Chris, just having some time to ourselves.  We enjoyed the mountains, a little hiking, and taking some pictures of the streams around where we were staying.  That's when I decided I like rocks.

Rocks give the stream character.  

      I took pictures of the stream and noticed that the only parts I photographed were where there were rocks, either under water or above the surface.  Without the rocks, the water is boring. 

Rocks make for great rapids.

     I love whitewater rafting.  But I don't like the class 2 or 3 rapids.  Give me the 4s and 5s.  And before I'm out of here, I'd like to hit a good 6.  But you don't get rapids without rocks.

 You can float down a lazy, slow moving river if you like that, but count me out.  I like it moving.

Rocks keep you out of the picture.

     I took a picture of the stream off the bridge in both directions.  The pretty rock side and the slow, still side.  In the picture of the still water, you can see our shadow.  There is too much going on in the water to see myself on the other side.

     I think I see a pattern.  I can have a calm, easy, boring ride as long as there are no rocks in my path.  But if I want to see exciting times, kick in a boulder or two.  I can have a calm, easy, boring life as long as there are no obstacles in my way.  Or I can see God's hand move, as I get around the boulders that may end up in my path.  And when life is bouncing between boulders, God's provision is showcased.  There's no place for me to be seen!

Bring on the rocks, and give God a chance to show what He can do!