"As for an idol, a craftsman casts it,
and a goldsmith overlays it with gold
and fashions silver chains for it." Isaiah 40:19

“They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen” Romans 1:25

"As I sit here and ponder the news as of late, my heart becomes heavily burdened. From Michael Jackson and Anna Nicole Smith to the latest media frenzy, the rich and famous don’t seem to be holding up too well. I wonder if there isn’t some common denominator between these troubled souls. How could those who have so much fame, talent, and not to mention enough money to purchase for them their every object of desire, be so self-destructive? I can’t help but think of the fates of those such as Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, and Kurt Cobain, whose status of fame may as well have been elevated to sainthood. And then it hits me, what if the common denominator is not solely their individual self-destructiveness, but what if it includes the destructiveness of American Idolatry?

It seems to me that idolizing a human being isn’t just unhealthy and destructive for the one doing the idolizing, but also for the one being idolized. If there is any truth in this notion, namely, that it simply is not healthy (or to use politically incorrect language, it is simply morally wrong) for a person to be worshipped and idolized, then the American population is partly to blame for the broken state and the troubled fate of so many bold and indeed talented souls." Melissa Moore

"Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:28-31

It's so good to know that God is able to renew our strength - even YOUNG people get tired and stumble. Can you renew my mind right now, too, Lord? I am so distracted by phone calls, kids, Michael, RotoRooter guy, stinky sewage from the basement, blackberry vibration, bill payment, etc etc. So instead of having coherent thoughts, I'm just going to type and see what happens.

Last night we watched the Oscars. I like seeing the dresses and also watching the character of the celebs. I love seeing when some are humble (really, not just fakely), and it's interesting to see the weirdness of others. It's not like idolatry - more like watching a car accident and people either in a terrible mess or behaving like heroes...

The issue with my hubby has gotten much better. He allowed himself several days to process his thoughts and Friday we took a long mall walk with the double stroller and talked about it. I like talking while walking. I tend to loosen up a bit more (those great endorphins!) and feel like I get alot more out of my head. After the walk, Edward, Genevieve, and I stayed in Sears while Michael warmed up the car. We were in the tool section where they have outdoor furniture "rooms" set-up. So E and I had a game of testing out the chairs and make believing we were eating and drinking from the plates and cups on the tables. It's so fun to be at that stage. I love how interactive and creative he's getting. It's amazing being a mom.

Well, my thoughts aren't taking me anywhere and Genevieve needs fed. The RotoRooter guy is still here making lots of noise in the basement, Edward is yelling to Daddy downstairs, Michael's on his cell phone. Elmo's World is on TV. Cardboard lines the floor. The blackberry's blinking at me. An empty water bottle sits in front of me. My back hurts from sitting slumped at the computer. I need to go!

Father God, thank you for being the God of not only the big struggles and big blessings but also the little ones. Thank you for having enough money to pay for the sewage back-up problem to be fixed, for having cardboard available to help keep our carpets clean(ish), for a Sunday school class who is excited to rally around our friends in need, for my son and daughter who are a daily delight, and for a husband who takes care of it all. Thank you most of all, though, for sustaining me through everything huge and tiny. You are the Lord of my heart and my life. I am so grateful, joyful, and yes, HAPPY because You "are". Who is like the "I AM"?