Change, please!

I am looking forward to the fall. Fall brings with it change (today was the first day of the fall semester at work), and change is good (please Lord, some cool weather, almost East Coast-like!). Not always easy, but good. I have been figuring out lately that I am far too much a creature of habit. I feel like I talk too much about wanting to do this and that and everything else, changing it up, variety, etc., but I never do it (fear is a factor). People say I’m a busy person, but I don’t necessarily feel like that sometimes. I know I engage in a lot of activity, but it seems like goals are much slower to achieve (it’s like that Sixpence song that says, “I’m going nowhere and I’m going to take my time…”). No, I know I’m not going nowhere (double negative?). To claim the promise of Jeremiah 29:11, a well-known verse: “'For I know the plans that I have for you’, declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’” He said this to those who were in exile from their home in Jerusalem and living in a foreign land, Babylon. God was basically telling them that even in the midst of their exile (and pain and confusion) they should live life, and in seventy years He would return them back to their home. They needed to know that God had a plan and purpose for them through it all. He did reassure them, even though He wasn’t obligated to. I’m not comparing my situation to theirs at all, but I thank God I can claim that promise. Hope is what keeps us going.

A license plate on a car in front of mine tonight said, “POW”, or something to that effect, and the frame around the plate stated that he had been a POW in World War II. That puts my daily “problems” into perspective!

I really have had a wonderful summer – so many blessings come out of friendships. I’m looking forward to church ministry this fall, including an international student friendship opportunity. Please pray for me in that regard. I’ll hopefully be taking the Perspectives missions course at church, too, from September to December. It was suggested to me months ago that I take the course, and honestly, I’m so excited to “keep the fire alive” for missions, even in that way.

Quote: “Your perspective of yourself will determine the possibilities you pursue” -- Mike Evans. Another: “If God can do more than we ask or imagine, why not ask for more imagination?” -- Dave Davidson. And I’m on a roll: “I will place no value on anything I have or may possess except in relation to the kingdom of Christ. If anything will advance the interests of that kingdom, it shall be given or kept only as by giving or keeping it I may advance the glory of Him to whom I owe all my hopes for time and eternity” -- David Livingston.

I must mention that I had the privilege of seeing Nat King Cole’s daughter, Natalie Cole, perform with the LA Philharmonic at the amazing, amazing Hollywood Bowl last week. She started with “The Very Thought of You,” one of my favorite songs, and went on with other standards for about 45 minutes. For years those standards were all I played. She’s got it – I hadn’t seen a solo performer in a while, and imagine a two-hour set of only you singing to a crowd of about 20,000! Her voice is captivating. I also saw Coldplay at another amphitheater, front and center, and stood up the whole time. It was worth it, though, because the stage was only a few feet in front of me! It made for a much more intimate concert. The highlight for me was their acoustic set, including the songs they sang as a tribute to the late Johnny Cash, his “Kingdom Come” and “Ring of Fire.”

Check out this song: "Brighter than Sunshine" by Aqualung.

That’s all for tonight – more to come…