Do You Really Get It?

Today's My Utmost for His Highest is so good I have to share it here - but first with my two cents! After all.. isn't that what blogging is all about?

The bottom line is that, hello, it's not about us. It's really not. The focus is and should be on God alone. That's the focus Christ had... to do what God had called Him to do. We were just in the way. I first heard this from John Piper, nearly 10 years ago, when he spoke at Passion 98. I was slackjawed to hear that statement for I always gripped John 3:16 as my ammunition. But these thoughts can coexist. God did love the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son. But that's not why Christ came to earth (to take Chris Rice's words.. wrapped our injured flesh around Him)... but He did and I'm thankful. For this reason and this reason alone, I will one day see God face to face. Amazing Grace!

Here's the devotional...

The death of Jesus Christ is the fulfillment in history of the very mind
and intent of God. There is no place for seeing Jesus Christ as a martyr. His
death was not something that happened to Him— something that might have been
prevented. His death was the very reason He came.

Never build your case for forgiveness on the idea that God is our Father and He will forgive us because He loves us. That contradicts the revealed truth of God in Jesus Christ. It makes the Cross unnecessary, and the redemption "much ado about nothing." God forgives sin only because of the death of Christ. God could forgive people in no other way than by the death of His Son, and Jesus is exalted as Savior because of His death. "We see Jesus... for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor..." (Hebrews 2:9). The greatest note of triumph ever sounded in the ears of a startled universe was that sounded on the Cross of Christ— "It is finished!" (John 19:30). That is the final word in the redemption of humankind.

Anything that lessens or completely obliterates the holiness of God, through a false view of His love, contradicts the truth of God as revealed by Jesus Christ. Never allow yourself to believe that Jesus Christ stands with us, and against God, out of
pity and compassion, or that He became a curse for us out of sympathy for us.
Jesus Christ became a curse for us by divine decree. Our part in realizing the
tremendous meaning of His curse is the conviction of sin. Conviction is given to
us as a gift of shame and repentance; it is the great mercy of God. Jesus Christ
hates the sin in people, and Calvary is the measure of His hatred.

All for now,
Lisa

Adventures Abound!

The past two weeks have brought very fun adventures for me:

Two weekends ago, a group went to Bastrop to enjoy the inaugural journey of an inland paddling trail - the "El Camino Real Paddling Trail". It's a new 6-mile paddling trail where the legendary El Camino Real crossed the Lower Colorado River. That Saturday was B-E-A-utiful and it was a day-long trip full of fun - and even a last-minute detour to a winery (the Lehm Berg winery in Giddings). We had a GRAND time. Photos at left.

Last weekend (my birthday weekend), a group traveled to Martin Dies, Jr. State Park to enjoy a weekend of camping... and kayaking... and mountain biking... and road biking... and even a late-night marshmallow gunfight! All that, along with campfires (with s'mores and guitars), great food and lots of laughs, we had a BALL!!! Photos at left.

Here's the top six quotes that were brought home from the trip...

6. "I'm on a dinner date, and I can't stop thinking about you. I find you very intriguing," wrote Ryan's new "friend"
5. "Yep, some people are driving the canoes over to the lake," said the park ranger.
4. "Oh, I put her away," explained Melissa
3. "Man, I love Immodium!!!" expressed Paul with relief
2. Sharing lofty dreams and sincere longing, Melissa sighed, "I've always wanted a mag lite..."

And the number 1, never-to-be-acted-out-again quote comes from the Bee-Day
girl, "Wanna see my sting?" (wink, wink)

All for now,
Lisa

Biking Among the Giants

One beautiful Saturday recently, I found myself riding my mountain bike around town with a few of my friends. It was a brisk day, but we had so much fun discovering wonderful sights right here in the middle of the city. This photo was taken at David Adicke's studio.

David Adickes is a local sculptor and is famous for his larger than life sculptures. He is the creator of such notable works as the 60 foot tall Stephen F Austin statue, the 67 foot tall Sam Houston, and the 20 foot tall busts of the U.S. Presidents in President’s Park.

From what I understand, the 36 foot tall Beatles statues will stay here in Houston and be located along I-10 that runs right beside his massive warehouse studio.

Well, it was an amazing day and I wanted to share it with you.

All for now,

Lisa

Satisfied

sat·is·fied - Pronunciation [sat-is-fahyd] –adjective

1. content: a satisfied look.
2. completely paid, as a bill.
3. convinced, as in an argument: Their opponents were finally satisfied.

[Origin: 1565–75]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) Based on the
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

This past summer, we saw this tombstone in Kenya - in a cemetary where many missionaries had been buried. Obviously, a tombstone like this catches your eye. It made me wonder about K.W. Allen MD. Was it a he or a she? In their roughly 69 years on earth, what made them want to put "satisfied" on their tombstone? How long had this person been a missionary?

Then a long ago sermon replayed in my head. In it, the preacher talked about our lives here on earth. And the fact that it is so brief. So brief, in fact, that only a dash on our tombstone represents our entire life! (for Dr. Allen, it's 1886 - 1955).

What will you do with your dash?

All for now,
Lisa

And I—in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness (Psalm 17:15 NIV)

LiveSTRONG ride - at a glance

On October 14, I rode the LiveSTRONG challenge in the Austin area. In my opinion, it's one of the hardest, yet most beautiful, rides I've ever done. I got to view wonderful vistas, beautiful small dams, amazing longhorn cattle, and tall wheatgrass swaying in the breeze.

And talk about challenging! At one point, we climbed 550 ft within 10 miles.

I hope to do this one next year. It was very well organized... I was impressed. But I will definitely need more hill training!! ;-)

With the contact sheet at left, you can relive it with me!

All for now,
Lisa