[JustAmy]

12-3-4
Graphic by MamaBear

California Dreamin

All the leaves are brown
And the sky is grey
I went for a walk
On a winter's day
I'd be safe and warm
If I was in L.A.

California dreamin'
On such a winter's day

Stopped into a church
I passed along the way
Well, I got down on my knees
And I pretend to pray
You know the preacher like the cold
He knows I'm gonna stay

All the leaves are brown
And the sky is grey
I've been for a walk
On a winters day
If I didn't tell her
I could leave today

- Mammas and Pappas -

[The Mayor]

December 3, 2004

Looking For God?

Read: Matthew 21:28-32

Tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. —Matthew 21:31

Bible In One Year: Ezekiel 45-46; 1 John 2

---

My wife and I were having dinner with another couple at a fishing lodge in Montana. It was interrupted when a fellow fisherman in a drunken rant began to regale us with tales of the houses of ill-repute he had visited.

Though his comments were crass and offensive, I caught a note of pathos in his voice and thought of something G. K. Chesterton had said: "Even when men knock on the door of a brothel they're looking for God."

Chesterton was right. Many desires are evidence of a deeper hunger for God. This man, who seemed so far from God, was closer than he realized.

Every man knows he was made for lofty pursuits, yet he easily wanders into paths that demean and debase him. He becomes less manly than he ought to be, and he knows it. There's a nagging feeling that he ought to be something more. Some cover it up with self-righteousness, as the Pharisees did, or else they ignore it. Others know they have lost their way. That elusive feeling, when followed up, may bring them to God.

"Tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you," Jesus told the Pharisees (Matthew 21:31). That's why I think the drunken fisherman is much more likely to repent than the Pharisees were. —David Roper

Our heart is made for God alone,
For only He can satisfy;
But oh how much we yearn for things
That in the end are but a lie. —D. DeHaan

Within each one of us there is a God-shaped vacuum that only God can fill. —Pascal

[JustAmy]

[Conspiracy Guy]

Morning.

[international american]

Good morning, Amy. Great graphic MamaBear. Looks like the back yard when I was a little boy.

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Friday! TGIF!!

Have a cup while you Freep !

[Darksheare]

I am.. in.

[tuliptree76]

Hi everyone. Here are the holidays that we will get to celebrate this weekend.

Friday, December 3:
Flamenco Guitar Day
International Day Of Disabled Persons
Telescope Day
Make A Gift Day

Saturday, December 4:
International Hug Day
Cookie Day
Santa's List Day
Day Of The Artisans
Wear Brown Shoes Day

Sunday, December 5:
Blue Jeans Day
Play Hooky From Work To Go Holiday Shopping Day (This should have been on a Monday!)
International VolunteerDay
Twenty-first Amendment Day (To jog your memories - the 21st Amendment repealed prohibition)

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you for the precious lyrics and graphic!

[Grzegorz 246]

[SpookBrat]

Not to be a name dropper or anything.....

BUT...

I got a Christmas card from George and Laura today, postmarked from Crawford, Tx. I'm thrilled to pieces. It will get it's very own special page in my scrapbook. Did anyone else get one? I guess they got my name and address from the volunteer work we did. I don't know. But anyway, it's really exciting and made my day.

I'm important. We're on a first name basis, you know. :)