In College, I heard this poem and recently it came back to mind. I’ve searched around and most version I found were the same and most author’s were cited as Unknown, but Robert J. Burdette was also credited with writing it.  Regardless, it has a great message of how we as humans want to fix things and not trust God to, not be patient enough to wait for His timing.

Broken Dreams

As children bring their broken toys
With tears for us to mend.
I brought my broken dreams to God
Because He was my Friend.

But then instead of leaving Him
In peace to work alone,
I hung around and tried to help
With ways that were my own.

At last I snatched the back and cried,
“How could You be so slow”-
“My child,” He said,
“What could I do? You never did let go.”

My thoughts… Jesus wants us to share our struggles with Him

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

 

“The hard scripture to live by is ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.'” Philippians 4:6

So much easier said than done…

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

But the reward is great, a peace, we may not understand what we are going through, or why we are going through it, but we can have a peace in our hearts until we do, or until it doesn’t matter any longer. While in college, my grandfather was on his deathbed. I wanted to see him one last time, but I was supposed to be in my best friends wedding, as best man.  The night before the wedding came and I got a call from my sister, and I had a peace that it was time to go. Throughout the next 18 or so hours I questioned why now? What would be one more day? Then I saw my grandmother, and she was so worn out, I questioned if she would have lasted much longer, seeing her husband of over 50 years struggle to breath…. there was the understanding that came after the peace. If it would always come that quickly it would be nice, but it doesn’t always.

I think the day we live day to day, how we treat others, how we work at our job, how we talk to others, the language we in everyday conversation, how we treat that checkout lady at Walmart that is one working one of the 3 lanes open on a Saturday afternoon, matters…  I mention all this because in verse 8 it says 

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”  Philippians 4:8

I think part of our peace that God gives us comes from the way we live our lives daily and this scripture coming right after verse 6 and 7 which talks about peace is no coincidence?

Recent Photos we’ve taken:

Birthday 2010-06-05

Yard Work 2010-05-31

Cooking 2010-05-16

Free Music!

If you know me very well, or if you knew me in college, you know that I have a pretty large music collection.  Recently I starting using Amazon’s MP3 store.  I wanted to share that today, April 30, 2009 there are some Free Christian Music Samplers!

The Back Story

Let’s chase a rabbit, as my sister and I would say.  Last summer I went to Kansas City for a 4 day conference for work.   A few months before that, I was there for a few days of training for a product we use at work.  I was asked to serve on a committee for this company which requires  a couple of trips a year to KC.  The last trip was in January and quick trip.  I flew in, we met that night and the next day and I flew out that afternoon.  Lot of time with the iPod and the ear buds and on a loud plane.

I decided after this trip in January that it was time to find a better solution.  While I would love to by a pair of Bose On-Ear Headphones I really don’t travel enough to spend that much on a pair.

I found web site that gives cash for old iPhones, iPods, and Blackberries, and while that is another rabbit to chase, for another time, I sent in some old stuff and got back about $35 in cash.

I settled on a pair from Sony that were right in my price range ($35).   I’m looking forward to my trip to KC in July to see how good/bad they work on the plane.  The bonus, and the purpose of this “chase” is to share why I’ve been checking out Amazon’s MP3 store daily.  Last week I received and e-mail from Amazon that said:

As a someone who purchased a qualifying MP3 player, accessory, or audio device in the past 3 to 4 weeks, you have automatically qualified for $5 worth of Amazon MP3 downloads.

I will probably be sharing a few more posts with good deals I find.  If you like any of them feel free to comment and I’ll keep them coming!

“State Rep. Hollis Downs will use the realization that Louisiana Tech returns almost $8 for every $1 spent as he argues against cuts to higher education this year.

The rate of return on the investment the state makes in Tech comes as part of a larger study by the eight members of the University of Louisiana System. Tech President Dan Reneau presented the results of the study in a news conference Friday. The university’s spending impact statewide clocks in at $462.5 million.”

Read the entire article at:
http://www.rustonleader.com/news.php?id=5181

Tech’s budget cuts are estimated at being a total of about 12 million this year. I encourage my fellow Tech Alumns, regardless of where you live, to contact the LA Gov.’s office and demand higher education’s funding be restored. If enough of us put pressure on his office, he’ll have to give in. He did on the on the pay raises (see: http://www.nealbreeding.com/blogs/?p=72 for details).

Contact Gov. Jindal’s Office at:

PO Box 94004
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9004
Phone: 225-342-7015 or 866-366-1121 (Toll Free)
Fax: 225-342-7099
e-mail at: http://www.gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=form&tmp=email_governor

Free Day in the Park: Free Admission to All State Parks on Saturday, April 18

In celebration of 75 years of Louisiana State Parks, Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu declared Saturday, April 18, to be a free “Day in the Park.” During this special event, entrance fees will be waived for all visitors to Louisiana’s State Parks and Historic Sites throughout the state.

“For three-quarters of a century, our State Parks and Historic Sites have given locals and visitors a chance to experience Louisiana’s natural beauty,” said Lt. Governor Landrieu, who oversees the Office of State Parks. “We are proud to have one of the finest parks systems in the country, offering recreational and educational opportunities throughout Louisiana. Our parks and historic sites are vitally important to our local economies. I invite you to come see for yourself all our State Parks have to offer.”

For more information about the 75th Anniversary and Louisiana State Parks visit www.lastateparks.com or call 1-888-677-1400.

List of Parks