destruction

Thankfully, our neighborhood was spared - we didn't even lose power for very long and sustained very minor damage, but as we drove through other parts of town we quickly realized what a big difference living only 10 miles East made! These pictures were taken in our old neighborhood, where we lived only 2 months ago. They are still without power.
We are so grateful and continue to pray for those who were affected by Ike!

preparedness

Here we go again! As we prepare for and wait for Ike's arrival, it brings to mind those who choose not to prepare. I don't go overboard, but just prepare in case the stores will be closed for a few days or if we have additional guests who need a place to stay. Those who do nothing to prepare end up not only putting a needless burden on others, but miss out on the peace and security of being safe and keeping your family safe.

Thinking about this brought the "parable of the virgins" found in Matthew 25:1-12 to mind:

"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not."

As I continued researching this parable, I found a summary that says it perfectly:

The thing to note here is that they all had the lamp (the Word), but it is only those (the wise) who had the oil that were allowed into the marriage. What is the oil ? The Bible says," Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."(He 1:9). This "oil of gladness" is what seperates the virgins in the above parable. It is only in the utter abandonment to the love of God that one truly becomes "the Bride of Christ". And this in turn brings on the "oil of gladness". The above parable shows that even though some people have the Bible and read it, that they are missing it's most important value by not having that intimate, personal and total relationship with the Lord.

So what I'm trying to say is while being prepared for a storm is good and wise; are you prepared for death? Do you have the "oil of gladness" - a personal, real, relationship with Christ Jesus?

Stay safe.

Randomness

I was asked to share 6 random things by Christina and to tag 6 others. I doubt 6 people read this (I would know you do if you commented every once in a while), but here goes:

Here are the tagging rules:
Post the rules on your blog
Write 6 random things about yourself
Tag 6 people at the end of your post
If you're tagged, DO IT and pass on the tag

1. I've never been much of a "reader", but I've been deliberate lately to try to change that. It takes me forever to finish a book, so I usually keep my latest book in my purse so I can read a little at a time (I'm currently reading The Shack). I also love books on tape. My favorite way to stay informed is to read online newspapers and listen to talk radio.
2. I have some spelling and grammatical pet peeves. It annoys me when people use the word "anyways" and misuse "your" and "you're".
3. I'm an introvert and get really nervous when any attention is put on me. I even took 4 years of drama in high school to help me come out of my shell. It didn't work. :)
4. I used to be extremely obsessed with having things done a certain way, such as the way I would fold and hang my towels, but then I had kids and got over it. Life is too short to lose sleep because there are dirty dishes in the sink.
5. I don't understand why so people love Obama SO MUCH. I don't pretend to know everything about him, but such a fundamental issue like allowing partial birth abortions is big enough for me to not want to vote for him. I take everything the candidates say with a grain of salt - they're applying for a job, after all, and will tell you what you want to hear. Judge them by their past actions and experience.
6. I don't "forward" emails and I have "broken" more than one chain letter/email in my life, so I don't plan on tagging anyone. Sorry, Christina!

I'd love to hear from some of you! Have a happy day!