I am not a clutter bug, meaning I do not like clutter nor do I have a tendency to collect such.  I like a clean office.  I like a desk that is not piled high but organized.  I am not afraid to throw things away to keep the paper from piling up.  If it hasn’t been used in 6 months throw it away.  That is my philosophy.  I have always believed that the computer saved us from the trap of clutter.  In fact, it is my dream tool!  Keep it on the computer and throw away the papers.

That is a good philosophy, right?  If you look at my computer you will see alot of documents.  I have them organized on there.  I have files that I have collected for years, ever since Windows 3.1.  It is amazing how much we can hold on a 250gb hard drive.  Files and more files. Clutter and more clutter!

Is there is a difference between clutter on the computer and clutter on the desk?  One is seen, the other unseen!  One is seen by everyone, the other only by the person who has access to the hard drive.  Sounds alot like the heart!

Often in life, we have all of our ducks in a row.  Our desks are clean.  We look neat and well put together.  No clutter going on in our lives.  But what happens if we look within our hearts; is there any clutter there?  We have a tendency to look the part but inside our hearts are cluttered with all kinds of things.  Things that are only seen by us and God.  Sin, pride, anger, bitterness, hurts, pain, issues that have yet to be dealt with.  We try to keep the outside looking good because on the inside we are cluttered up.

God wants to work in our hearts and remove the clutter.  He wants to do some spring cleaning in our spiritual lives.  There are things we keep hidden in our hearts that have been there for many years.  Isn’t it time that we throw away some “stuff”?  What is it that is cluttering your life?

Many people have been wondering why I haven’t been blogging as much the last couple of weeks.  No need to worry, I have been pretty busy with alot of other things.  We have some projects we are working on at the church and the house.  But one of the main reasons I haven’t been writing as much is because I have been suffering from writer’s block.  When I sit down to write it just does not seem to “flow”.  I don’t like to write unless it can “flow”, so I have been struggling with my creativity.  I believe that is changing and hope to be back in the swing of writing this week.  Pray that I will overcome the writer’s block.

I have an honest and curious question this morning if anyone can help answer it.  You know I often write “tongue in cheek”, but this is an real question for a serious problem. 

I heard this morning that we are not to call the swine flu, swine flu anymore because it is not caused by pigs.  This revelation comes after Egypt ordered 300,000 pigs slaughtered. Hence my question, “If swine flu is not caused by pigs, then why was it called swine flu in the first place?”

Somebody please help my understanding. If you have an answer, please leave it in the comments.

Today is Josh’s 15th birthday.  It is hard to believe that he is that old.  It seems like yesterday that he was born. 

I am proud of Josh and the man that he is becoming.  I am thankful for the way he is and the characteristics that God has given him.  He is a headstrong boy that is not easily swayed.  He stands for what he believes and does not waver from it.  He is a kind-hearted young man that gets along well with others.  He is well-behaved and respectful of his elders.  He serves in church any way he can and is willing to be my “pastoral assistant” (aka grunt labor). 

I am also thankful that Josh would rather read a book than do other things.  He would rather communicate with his parents than hang out in his room and listen to his ipod (which he refuses to own).  He would rather sit down and play board games as a family than to hide in his room and play video games.  He is a much different kid than I was at 15.  Josh is a gift from God and I look forward to what the future holds for him.

Happy Birthday Josh!  Your mom and I are proud of you!

"The exuberant joy of the early Christians was one of the most potent factors in the spread of Christianity."

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Spiritual Depression, page 5.   HT: Ray Ortlund

Intercessory prayer might be defined as loving our neighbor on our knees.
-Charles Bent-

I had Chinese food yesterday and when I broke open the fortune cookie, I got a good fortune (not that I believe in that kind of stuff).  I, at least, thought it was a good word.  The fortune: “The star of riches is shining on you this month.”

Hey! that was exciting:)  We’ll see if those fortunes really work!