Isaiah 32:17

17 The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.

When I read this verse, it really jumped out at me. It's another great verse having to do with peace. Where does peace come from? This verse says it is the fruit of righteousness. We who have faith in Christ are declared righteous. Because of what our Savior has done for us, we have peace. This also says the effect of righteousness is quietness and confidence forever. That is so awesome to ponder!

"Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise"

Savior, again to Thy dear name we raise
With one accord our parting hymn of praise;
Once more we bless Thee ere our worship cease,
Then, lowly bending, wait Thy word of peace.

Grant us Thy peace upon our homeward way;
With Thee began, with Thee shall end, the day.
Guard Thou the lips from sin, the hearts from shame,
That in this house have called upon Thy name.

Grant us Thy peace, Lord, through the coming night;
Turn Thou for us its darkness into light.
From harm and danger keep Thy children free;
For dark and light are both alike to Thee.

Grant us Thy peace throughout our earthly life,
Our balm in sorrow and our stay in strife;
Then, when Thy voice shall bid our conflict cease,
Call us, O Lord, to Thine eternal peace.

Text: John Ellerton
Tune: Edward J. Hopkins

This is such a beautiful, beautiful hymn. It is really cool to pray these words and to know with all confidence our Lord hears us. I love the whole theme of asking God to grant us His peace.

The Friendship Test by Elizabeth Noble

As the title of the book indicates, this novel has to do with friendship. Four very different women become friends while attending Oxford and continue the friendship as adults. When one of the women, Freddie, receives 2 devastating blows, her friends, each in their own way, rally around her. Though some of the characters do some things I wouldn't condone, I love the story of friendship here. There's a great scene with two of the characters that takes place after an incident where one has said some horrible and untrue things to the other. The one who said the horrible things is speaking first:
"Of course it's ruined. We can't come back from this."
"Who says?"
"I say...it isn't ruined. Do you honestly think we'd still be friends all these years later if you were just the geeky girl from down the hall who Sarah made us hang out with. No way. We're friends all these years later because we still want to be."

It is a solid friendship that withstands a lot of stuff. Since most the characters are from England, I also enjoy the way they speak--different expressions and words used for things.

Butterscotch Pudding

I like all different flavors of pudding. And though I love chocolate, there's just something about butterscotch pudding--I think that's my fav. Or a chocolate/butterscotch combo is good...with Cool Whip on top.

Isaiah 26:12

12 LORD, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.

Another great verse about peace, and how it comes from God. It is not something we manufacture for ourselves. We need to be reminded of the second part of this verse often too. Sometimes we like to take pride in our accomplishments, and may think we're all that because of something we've done. But it is always God Who is at work in our lives. It is God Who blesses us with all good things. It's all about Him and what He does for us.

Spellbound

This is a fabulous Hitchcock film starring Gregory Peck and Ingrid Bergman. It's a psychological mystery thriller in which Bergman's character attempts to help Peck figure out what is causing him so much distress and what has led him to where he's at. I love all the psychoanalytical stuff in the film (they actually had a psychoanalyst consult on the film). And I think the way the last scene in the film is shot is pretty cool.

"Lost" Coldplay

Music Video:

Lost by (Coldplay)

Music Video Code by Video Code Zone

The first time I heard this song, it was the very piano driven version which I thought was beautiful. Then I found the version that's in the video--I love the percussion in this. And then there's the version with Jay-Z--the version that's in the video only with a section where Jay-Z raps about how fast people can turn on people who are successful. I really dig that version as well. Great song.

Isaiah 1:18

18 "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

I love the imagery in this verse. It really paints a picture for us of God's amazing forgiveness for our all our many sins. It's incredible.

Toy Story

This is another cute and funny Disney film. Toys that come to life when humans aren't around--but not in a creepy way. Woody is the favorite toy of a little boy, but feels threatened when the boy gets a new Buzz Lightyear toy and Buzz seems to be the new favorite. Though jealous at first, Woody and Buzz must unite and work together when they wind up in the home of a demented little boy that tortures and destroys toys. Tom Hanks voices Woody and Tim Allen does Buzz Lightyear. Enjoyable flick.

Proverbs 17:17

17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

I have often written Proverbs 17:17 in cards I've given to friends. This is a beautiful friendshippy verse, and I do strive to be that friend who loves at all times. Of course as sinful human beings, we don't love each other perfectly. Christ is the only friend Who loves perfectly. I am so thankful for Him. And I'm thankful for the many friends God has blessed me with and for the honor of being able to be their friend.

The Alfred Hitchcock Hour

Originally there was Alfred Hitchcock Presents which was a half hour show. I like this hour format much better. Each episode was like a little mystery story usually involving murder or intent to murder. There were a lot of great guest stars in episodes including Robert Redford, Peter Falk, and so on. I could do without Hitchcock's opening bit. I guess it was supposed to be funny, but I find his little monologues rather inane.

John 14:27

27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

The last few years, I have picked a theme word or motto for the year--something to guide me and be my focus for the year. The word I chose for this year is "Peace." There are several things in my life I feel I need to find peace about. The world talks about peace a lot and promises we can find peace within ourselves if we read a certain book or utilize a certain technique. But the truth is, true peace cannot be found in a book or technique; it can't be found within us. True peace comes from outside us. True peace comes to us from Jesus Christ. In this passage He says He freely gives us His peace. Indeed because of Jesus' death on the cross for us, we do have peace. We have peace with God. We have peace knowing we are forgiven and have eternal life. Since peace comes from Jesus, we need to be connected to Him. We are connected to Him through our Baptism. We live in our Baptism every day. We are connected as we hear His Word. We are connected to Him as we receive His very body and blood in Communion. Can we ever have a more peaceful moment in our lives than when we receive the Lord's body and blood and hear the words, "Given and shed for you." How awesome that no matter how chaotic our lives may be, no matter what struggles we face, we do have peace.

Choxie

Choxie is the brand of chocolates Target started selling a few years ago. It's good stuff! Plenty of varieties. Some of my favs include the artisan truffle tiles and the raspberry lemon candy bar.

Wii Sports

Getting a Nintendo Wii was awesome. I had never played one before but found the technology fascinating. The Wii Sports is so much fun. When you play tennis, you are swinging the remote like you were actually swinging tennis racket to hit the ball. In baseball, you swing the remote like a bat. This works because of a sensor bar that can detect your movements. It's so cool to be able to play this and actually be getting a little exercise. Not as much as if you were playing the sports for real, but still, more than if you were just playing regular video games. The bowling and baseball are cool, but tennis is my favorite. Also included on the game are boxing and golf.

"I'll Remember" Madonna

I'll Remember
By Madonna
Best Video Codes

I think this is my favorite Madonna song. It was from the 1994 movie With Honors (which is a great movie). I love the song musically, and the lyrics really stood out to me from the time the song was first released because they speak of a "wounded" person and the impact another person has on them. Since I love writing relationshippy stories, stories about wounded characters who are impacted by someone else, this song became something of an inspiration to me as I thought about ideas and wrote. I still really love this song.

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

We always get ourselves into trouble when we lean on our own understanding, but because of our sinful human nature we do often rely on ourselves rather than on God. We can pray that God would strengthen our faith so that we would trust in Him with all our heart. And in those times when we realize we have been relying on ourselves, we can rejoice in the forgiveness we have through Christ.

Cyrano's

This awesome restaurant, located in Webster Groves, MO is known for their fabulous desserts. It is hard to choose what dessert to get as everything on the menu sounds wonderful! The Cherries Jubilee is really good. It's pretty awesome to have them come to your table to make it--you see them set it on fire and everything. Pretty cool. They have various martinis at Cyrano's including Chocolate martinis and Tiramisu tinis. They also have some fun warm alcoholic beverages. Great stuff to eat and drink and a nice cozy atmosphere. Can't wait to go back!
http://cyranos.com/

The Sims 2

I liked the first Sims and then eventually got the Sims 2 and all the various expansion packs. You can design people, design houses for the people, and control (to some extent) what the people do. It's quite fascinating. You get your people jobs and then you can buy more stuff for their houses. Of course just like real life stuff can happen like job losses, other people not liking you, fires, burglars coming and taking stuff. The goal is to keep your Sims happy and help them achieve their aspirations. I guess I find it fascinating to be able to create this whole little world and people. Hey, it's a nice little break from life. It's very engrossing, and once you get into it, you can find you've spent hours playing.

Psalm 119:16

16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

I love this verse from Psalm 119 because it makes me think honestly about how I do neglect God's Word sometimes. I am not always faithful about being in the Word like I need to be. But it is so important because the Holy Spirit strengthens our faith through the Word. Just as we need food to nourish our bodies and strengthen us, we need God's Word to nourish and strengthen our faith.

"Once in Royal David's City"

Once in royal David's city
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her baby
In a manger for His bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child.

He came down to earth from heaven,
Who is God and Lord of all,
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall:
With the poor and mean and lowly
Lived on earth our Savior holy.

For He is our childhood's pattern,
Day by day like us He grew;
He was little, weak, and helpless,
Tears and smiles like us He knew;
And He feels for all our sadness,
And He shares in all our gladness.

And our eyes at last shall see Him,
Through His own redeeming love;
For that child so dear and gentle
Is our Lord in heav'n above;
And He leads His children on
To the place where He is gone.

Not in that poor, lowly stable
With the oxen standing by
Shall we see Him, but in heaven,
Set at God's right hand on high.
Then like stars His children, crowned,
All in white, His praise will sound!

Text: Cecil F. Alexander
Tune: Henry J. Gauntlett

Such a beautiful Christmas hymn. It really captures the Incarnation and what is means for us. The words should absolutely awe us.