New music today

Switchfoot fans, here it comes.

Sparrow Records/Columbia Records will release Oh! Gravity., the eagerly-awaited sixth studio album from the multi-platinum-selling San Diego-based rock band on December 26.

In anticipation of the release, Switchfoot will hit the road for an extensive U.S. fall tour, including a stop at Denver's Ogden Theatre Oct. 23. A first peek at new album material with the song “Dirty Second Hands” is available on iTunes starting today.

Also hitting iTunes (and stores) today is sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records’ lead-worshiper Chris Tomlin’s fourth studio album, See The Morning, Check out the album’s e-card at http://www.seethemorning.com/ for samples of the music, a slide show, tour itinerary and more.
Good stuff!

Shelters—update on lessons from the stye

Yes, the stye is gone. And I’m even following my own advice by making an intentional effort to spend time attending to what’s going on inside and do what makes me come alive.

I said “no” to teaching yoga and starting massage therapy classes in January. Though it saddens me not to be starting something new, I’m excited to embark on the adventures that await.

Last night our pastor taught from Luke 9:28-33. He built a blanket fort and compared it to the church. He asked, “Are we withdrawing, seeking shelter from the world, rather than seeking ways to redeem it?”

Interestingly, the same morning in my Beth Moore Breaking Free Bible study, she emphasized, “When opressed, the children of God have a tendency to prepare shelters for themselves rather than do what liberty demands. These shelters can easily turn into strongholds.”

I don't know if I explained the connection very well--but it made sense to me. It's funny how God will emphasize a point in several ways in one day--just to make sure we're paying attention.

I no longer want to shelter myself with busyness or pride in various accomplishments.
I want to use my uniqueness to make a big deal of God (see next post).

Use YOUR uniqueness

My wonderful mother flew to Colorado to visit me and attend the Women of Faith conference. Besides my time with her, some highlights for me:

Lisa Smith brought tears flowing from my eyes that not any of the polished speakers or singers could evoke. A beautiful girl with Down Syndrome signing during Sandi Patty’s performance. Such passion, gusto, and grace Lisa displayed as her hands flickered and twirled. Head thrown back and body swaying, worshiping with child-like reckless abandon. It amazes me how God uses the weak to shame the strong.

Isn't it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these "nobodies" to expose the hollow pretensions of the "somebodies"? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That's why we have the saying, "If you're going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God." --1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (The Message)

Max Lucado’s main message: “Use your uniqueness to make a big deal out of God every day of your life.”

Lisa perfectly displayed using one’s uniqueness to make a big deal of God. No credentials or bio in the program, she didn’t need to try to impress anyone—yet she brought nearly all the 17,000 attendees to their feet. Her sweet joyful spirit impressed upon my heart that it’s not those who are perfect that can be used by God. I’ve never seen such poetry moving from hand to hand. No pretenses, no performance, just praise!

Sad Starbucks and spinach news

Sadly, effective Oct. 3, Starbucks is set to raise beverage prices by five cents.
Starbucks spokeswoman Valerie O'Neil said that rising business costs, including health care and raw ingredients, prompted the price increase.
O please, don’t they make enough off a $5 latte? In even sadder news, I will still be purchasing my pumpkin spice lattes there.
The saddest news of all: U.S. restaurant chains removed spinach from their menus last week after the leafy green vegetable was linked to more than 100 cases of E. coli. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned consumers not to eat fresh spinach until further notice. The vegetable was linked to 109 cases of E. coli infection in 19 states, including one Wisconsin adult’s death.
However, spinach-hating children everywhere rejoice. “Mommy, I told you spinach can kill you!” Those of us who actually like the raw leafy-green delight mourn its demise.

Hiking Pikes Peak

It was a blast—literally, mixed in with miserably cold and memorable.

Though this was my third time hiking to the summit, I’d never trekked up the back side, and never tackled it with blasting winds and frigid temps--all this after only FOUR hours of sleep.
Please read Katie’s excellent account of our adventure.

Like her, I felt tempted to focus on how cold and miserable I felt. Can you see in the picture I look like I’m going to cry?

And I did my share of feeling sorry for myself and my friends. But when I realized that pity wouldn’t make us feel any better, I chose to be thankful. One of the things I was most thankful for was the promise of a hot bath when I got home. I knew without doubt that rest would come.
Though I couldn’t change my painful circumstances in the moment I could find joy in the journey.

Ever tried Diet Coke and Mentos?

Mix together and you have a fun explosion. Check out www.eepybird.com for an extreme experiment video!

What is it about reading a book?

What is it about reading a book in a bookstore that makes it so much more captivating?
I dare not buy one lest I take it home and set it on my night stand with the piles of others waiting to be finished. Sure they’re attended to occasionally, but usually as I’m falling asleep or distracted. But I can think of few indoor stationary activities that revive my soul and inspire my spirit more than ingesting the contents of a bookstore.

I turn first to magazines to warm up my page-flipping fingers and truth-searching eyes. Then meandering for deeper longer-lasting meaning, I wander to the book rows. I settle down on a sofa chair with a stack in my lap. I can sit for hours, absorbed as I sink into the chair and deeper into a good volume. I typically trust myself to take nonfiction works off the shelves. It’s what I find closest, most applicable to my life. But perhaps I don’t stay long enough. I let my eyes skip over pages trying to find the truth in short snippets or snapshots.

Regardless, I’ve come to a connection with the author, this world, and find a place that reflects an otherworld where time goes by unnoticed, where forever isn’t long enough.

Telluride pics

Desert vs. Mountain

The desert has much to teach—lessons of bareness and brokenness. But in the mountains beauty flows forth from flowers and foliage all around. From a waterfall through rivers, vigorous life-giving water flows freely. In the desert there’s little moisture. Where there’s green you stop to pay attention to it. You notice more of the dead details—rocks, driftwood, dust. The dryness allows you, prompts you to call out for help. You would not linger long lest you be burnt by looming sun. Whereas a mountain’s shadow invites rest or conquest.
I’m thankful for seasons—whether it’s dry like the desert or lush like the mountains, He’s still present, still active.
I felt like this trip brought me full circle. Last year I visited Moab with my parents, a wonderful time of exploration and connection. Since then God has brought me from the desert to a green valley, up on a mountain, and back.
He brought me blessings to make my heart sing and trials to make my character stronger. This trip with friends Jenny and Kjersten revealed how much I’ve been blessed.

Moab pics

I lift up my eyes

to the red jagged cliffs of Moab. Where does my strength come from? It comes from the Rock, my firm foundation, tower above all else. He made the rust-tinted rocks, the desert-green trees, the cooling breeze, and everything in between. In the midst of all this natural glory, He created us to add to the beauty.

Check out Agia Sophia

The best local coffee shop/bookstore/hangout I've yet to experience in Colorado Springs.
Thanks to Kjersten for telling me about this place. If you'd like to learn more, click here.
A friendly barista greeted me and took my order. I wandered upstairs and discovered a priest chatting with another man next to a mountain-view window. I browsed the "Athletes of Prayer" books, sat down on a comfy leather sofa, then enjoyed my scone and Thai spice latte (which the lovely barista brought up to me) while taking advantage of free wi-fi. I'm considering having my writing group meet here at least every other week. Don't you think small independent coffee shops and book stores should be supported? Check it out!

And the winner is...

my friend Jess with her "Dean of athletics," tying in both previously unrelated photos. How about Jars of Clay's new CD, Good Monsters?
After tucking in James Dean I realize there are many more intense pranksters out there. Mr. Dean points to Katie who "made" us get all muddy (and took the great action shot). Anyway, this was basically an exercise in posting random photos and seeing what you could come up with. Thanks for playing!