And the king and his men… spoke to David, saying, “You shall not come
in here; but the blind and the lame will repel you,” … Nevertheless
David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David).
2 Sam. 5:6–9
- - - - - - - - - - -

Did you see it? Most hurry past it. Let’s not. Pull out a pen and
underline this twelve-letter masterpiece.

Nevertheless.

“Nevertheless David took the stronghold …”

Wouldn’t you love God to write a nevertheless in your biography? Born to
alcoholics, nevertheless she led a sober life. Never went to college,
nevertheless he mastered a trade. Didn’t read the Bible until retirement
age, nevertheless he came to a deep and abiding faith.

We all need a nevertheless. And God has plenty to go around. Strongholds
mean nothing to him. Remember Paul’s words? “We use God’s mighty
weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil’s
strongholds” (2 Cor. 10:4 NLT).

You and I fight with toothpicks; God comes with battering rams and cannons. What he did for David, he can do for us. The question is, will we
do what David did? The king models much here.

Two types of thoughts continually vie for your attention. One proclaims
God’s strengths; the other lists your failures. One longs to build you
up; the other seeks to tear you down. And here’s the great news: you
select the voice you hear. Why listen to the mockers? Why heed their
voices? Why give ear to pea-brains and scoffers when you can, with the
same ear, listen to the voice of God?

Do what David did.
Turn a deaf ear to the old voices.
Open a wide eye to the new choices.
Who knows, you may be a prayer away from a nevertheless. God loves to give
them.
Peter stuck his foot in his mouth.
Joseph was imprisoned in Egypt.
The Samaritan woman had been married five times.
Jesus was dead in the grave …

Nevertheless, Peter preached, Joseph ruled, the woman shared, Jesus
rose—and you?

You fill in the blank. Your nevertheless awaits you.

-Max Lucado-

 I miss being a kid!!! After hearing "cicada this" and "cicada that" I just realized that was the insect I've been trying so hard to remember for many, many, many years.  I'd get snapshots in my mind of this bug, but I could never figure out what it exactly was.  Whenever I think back at my childhood, 2 "hobbies" that stick out: collecting rocks and collecting some type of "insect shell."  And now I know that this "insect shell" is a cicada's exoskeleton! You have noooo idea how satisfying it is to finally have a part of this memory filled.  The picture below totally brings back a flood of memories!! I can't believe I used to collect those! With the rocks, I was so obssessed that I started taking rocks from someone down the street and the lady who lived there totally caught me red handed and scolded me.  I remember she had pretty rocks out in front! Why would she not want to share?? Okay, while I'm writing this, I'm wondering if I was a really wierd child growing up or do others share similiar childhood memories?? By the way, to clear things up, these two things are not the only things that made up my childhood...just know that rocks and cicada exoskeletons are cool.  Now I can sleep in peace.

Feeling the Pressure

I have to do my taxes...all by myself...and the deadline is April 17th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I thought my dad could take care of it like every other time, but he does not have any of my receipts or other necessary information, and it's just all complicated.  I am the most financially challenged person out there.  If it wasn't for online bill pay, I would be swimming in missed deadlines, late fees, whatever it's called.  Thankfully, I've been paying things right away, which by the way sucks like a mother.  Now I understand those songs, bills bills bills.  I've started filling out info through turbo tax, but I feel like I'm playing "dress up."  At 5 years old, wearing my mom's dresses and experimenting with her make-up thinking I look amazing.  SAME EXACT thing with my taxes!!! ...At 23 years old doing old man things.  What a wierd stereotype I've just created.  What happens if you don't do it by the deadline? Will I be deported??? Haha..just kidding.......................seriously, what happens.   er...I know I'll get it done in time, in fear of what might happen if I don't. 

I am weak.  WEAK I SAY, weak.  I need to be set on fire.  Spiritual fire that is.  I think my boats have all crashed into my light house.  I have fallen asleep and my light is not shining very brightly. 

I've never been on an elevator so much in my life.  I guess that's what happens when you live in a high-rise.  It's so funny who you encounter each ride up and down.  There's the friendly folk who always say, "Good morning!" and just spark up a conversation.  There are those who are absolutely silent and remain that way the entire ride down (ME)  There's old people, kids, the occasional good looking guy (!), weirdos, and my lovely encounter, at the beginning of the year, of two people making out in the corner...

Ooo... I really like this font.  It's like 80s computer font. Doogie Houser computer font.  I can't wait until the summer!! 

I'll be hitting up wonderful NYC with:Anthony Michael Hall, Emilio Estevez, and Molly Ringwald.  It will be great.  My goal: To get back on TRL.