A Few of My Favorite Fall Things

I couldn't let the last day of September go by without sharing a few of my favorite fall items:

You probably think my favorite color is orange, don't you?

And, of course, I ALWAYS enjoy a LOT of this:

So what are your favorite fall things?!? What do you like best about Fall?

Sorry to cut this so short, but I'm waiting for Alise's teacher to call me back. We had an "episode" today at school. It involves teeth. More about it later.

Wisdom

One of the first verses I ever memorized was James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach." God knows that I need lots of wisdom. Sometimes I remember this verse when I have a decision to make or struggling in some area of my life. Sometimes I do my own thing. Sometimes I simply forget to ask.

This reminder tonight goes right along with my preparation for Bible study about having other gods in my life. I felt God gently encouraging me that I needed to pray for wisdom to know my gods, wisdom to shut them off, wisdom to know my weak moments, and wisdom to know when to simply say "no".

Oh, God! My gods!

I can't believe it has been so long since I've posted here. It seems like July 31st was just yesterday!! Forgive me, Father, but my priorities have not nearly been as focused on You as they should be lately. I could blame all the things that have been going on in my life since July 31st, but You already know what those were/are. Absolutely nothing escapes You.

I've been preparing for our Bible Study this Thursday. We will begin the study, "No Other Gods" by Kelly Minter. I have been so convicted just preparing for it! Oh, God, my gods!! I can understand why those crazy Israelites had Aaron build that golden calf at the foot of the mountain! They didn't have television, a three year old, a computer, novels, a favorite football team, and a job to steal their focus and control their lives.

I have a confession.

When Wayne and I were at the Bama v. Tulane game earlier this month, God decided to bless me with a "teachable moment." The game was just beginning! The band was playing, the players were running out on the field and the whole stadium was in an uproar. Wayne and I were climbing all over each other - and those sitting around us - with excitment...jumping up and down and hollering for our favorite college football team.

As the team ran onto the field, I heard God whisper, "If only you could get this excited about me."

For just a few seconds, I paused.

I thought, "Wow!"

I thought, "I am doing so much wrong."

I whispered back, "Yes, Lord, if only I had the same passion for you!"

I've lost my First Love. I've lost the passion and I have replaced it with the "joys" of this world. It's like the song the choir sung this morning in church, "We're just playing games/at the foot of the cross/not realizing the cost."

My heart has been heavy for a lost friend. With all the media hype about the economy and gas prices and with all that she-bang, I was reminded this week that we are so close to the end. God promised there would be days like this. The news of the economy are only the labor pains. My brain says, "God, come quickly! Take us away from this mess!" But my heart says, "Lord, give me the chance to talk to him one more time. Father, lift the veil from his eyes before it is too late."

Oh, God. Be my God.