cRaZy...CrAzY...cRaZy...CrAzY

Frank emailed this out today. I felt it was worth repeating here, for those of you who neglect your email inbox!

Music Review from Planet Wisdom @ www.planetwisdom.com

The easygoing, original "Crazy" was pre-released as a single in April. Unlike most songs you might hear these days about sex, love, and money, this one deals much less common topic of conversation. Whether "Crazy" is referring to true mental illness or the youthful invincibility, Barkley successfully captures the state of mind with honesty and maturity.

He begins the song by reminiscing, "I remember…when I lost my mind/ There was something so pleasant about that place…Yeah I was out of touch." Oddly enough, he seems to have fond memories of this time period; there is something freeing about "losing your mind" and not caring what the world thinks. He ends with the question, "Does that make me crazy? Possibly."

In the second stanza Barkley addresses the listener, "I hope you’re having the time of your life/ but think twice, that’s my only advice…who do you think you are... bless your soul/ You really think you’re in control." Now he seems to be addressing a different type "craziness" -- perhaps a person who seems to have it all together or even a person who thinks of he can do whatever he wants without consequences (not much different from the warning Solomon gives to youthful people in Ecclesiastes 11:9-10). This time he concludes, "I think you’re crazy, just like me."

"Crazy" is an interesting song because Gnarls Barkley may be right -- we all have times that we feel like we’re going crazy. Sometimes it’s just silly things, like losing our keys for the third time in one day. But sometimes we struggle with deeper issues, too. We live in an increasingly chaotic world in which we receive mixed messages from every direction, and these messages directly influence how we see the universe and how we see ourselves. It’s often easier not to care and just focus on the "here and now" issues instead. But we can’t ignore the big questions forever; our answers to those foundational questions -- about God, faith, the origins of the universe, careers, money, popularity, sex, etc. -- influence everything we do and say.

As the song lyrics point out, we are not in control even when we think we are. It’s tempting to act crazy and irresponsible when we can’t make sense of what’s going on around us. But we also need to remember that God didn’t create a world of chaos and confusion -- that’s the result of Satan and his influence on our culture. When we focus on a biblical perspective and what God tells us about who we are and how the world works, things begin to fall in place and seem less crazy. John 8:32 says, "Know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Frustration and confusion can manifest themselves in lots of different ways -- drugs, alcohol, sexual promiscuity, or reckless behavior like the choking game. If you’re struggling with something like that, I encourage you to talk it through with a Christian adult you trust.

I love you all!!!

Dogledanji!!!

P.S. Whirrrled Peas.

To get, we much give...contrary to what the world says!

From today's Morning & Evening...

"And he who waters will himself be watered." (Prov. 11:25b NASB)

We are here taught the great lesson, that to get, we must give; that to accumulate, we must scatter; that to make ourselves happy, we must make others happy; and that in order to become spiritually vigorous, we must seek the spiritual good of others. In watering others, we are ourselves watered. How? Our efforts to be useful, bring out our powers for usefulness. We have latent talents and dormant faculties, which are brought to light by exercise. Our strength for labour is hidden even from ourselves, until we venture forth to fight the Lord’s battles, or to climb the mountains of difficulty. We do not know what tender sympathies we possess until we try to dry the widow’s tears, and soothe the orphan’s grief. We often find in attempting to teach others, that we gain instruction for ourselves. Oh, what gracious lessons some of us have learned at sick beds! We went to teach the Scriptures, we came away blushing that we knew so little of them. In our converse with poor saints, we are taught the way of God more perfectly for ourselves and get a deeper insight into divine truth. So that watering others makes us humble. We discover how much grace there is where we had not looked for it; and how much the poor saint may outstrip us in knowledge. Our own comfort is also increased by our working for others. We endeavour to cheer them, and the consolation gladdens our own heart. Like the two men in the snow; one chafed the other’s limbs to keep him from dying, and in so doing kept his own blood in circulation, and saved his own life. The poor widow of Sarepta gave from her scanty store a supply for the prophet’s wants, and from that day she never again knew what want was. Give then, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and running over.

"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon and you will be pardoned. "Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure--pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return." (Luke 6:36-38 NASB)

Pismo: Final Countdown

This is a repeat for those of you who check your email...

Howdy y'all...(and to Sasha who is in Florida right now at the Epcot Center - crazy!!!)
This time next week, we'll be finishing up our game of paintball! Are you just beside yourselves with excitement??? I am!!!

IMPORTANT:
We have a change of location for departure on Sunday. We are NO LONGER departing from the church. We are NOW departing from our house. You should all know how to get there as you will be dropping off all your baggage on Saturday, right? We are meeting at MY house at 9:00 am on Sunday. We are departing at 9:30am. This will happen because you will have NOTHING to pack. Everything you bring on Sunday morning is riding in YOUR seat on YOUR lap with YOU. REMEMBER to eat breakfast before you come. We will NOT stop for breakfast...we WILL stop for lunch around 12:30 p.m. or 1:00 p.m.

REMINDER:
You are supposed to drop off your luggage (ahem, ONE suitcase with a WARM jacket), sleeping-bag, BEACH CHAIR and/or air mattress, etc., at our house by NOON on Saturday, August 5, 2006!! If you need directions to our house, just call.

I just checked the weather at Oceano and it is around 67 degrees! However, the sun is shining! And, the sun is expected to be shining while we are there next week - so PACK YOUR SUNSCREEN!!! The evening temperatures are in the high 40's to low 50's...brrrrrrrrrrrrr...so PACK YOU WARM JACKETS AND SWEATS!!! And, it is looking like we might have clear skies...so Frank is thinking about lugging up my telescope for you star-gazers.

So far, all the seating arrangements for the trip to Pismo are the same. However, if we do not find a larger vehicle for me to drive, we may have to do some switching. I'll try to accommodate your seating preferences...but, I know you'll understand if I have to move you around a bit. IT IS NOT A PROBLEM, but we have one more going up with us than was originally planned...hence the possibility of rearranging seats.

So with the exception of the 4 early birds, y'all are to be at my house by 9:00 am Sunday, August 6th.

And, you'll remember to pack your flashlights, bibles, warm jackets, beach chairs...right?
Any questions, call or e-mail me.

Love in Christ,
Mary
Psalm 46:10

Pssst, "Is it now?"