Those who know me, know that I am not the greatest public speaker... :) Sometimes, I have trouble with just one person. A couple times I tried to speak in front of people, I couldn't.

Halloween Friday, I went to Midnight Oil (gathering of college age people at Uno's Pizza), and read my poem, "Isn't it amazing", in front of about 50 people. The air conditioning system turned on while I was reading, so the people in the back couldn't hear me. So, Don asked me if I would read it again...

The first time I read it, I was holding my right wrist with my left hand, in case it started shaking... The second time, it was a little bit easier. I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. Without Him, I am nothing.

I stopped at walmart on my way there, to get some cookies. On my way from walmart to uno's, the song "voice of truth" by Casting Crowns (song #3 on the CD that we played 11/23/03 in church) was playing on my CD. I believe that it wasn't a "coincidence"... It was like God said "No, you can't do it yourself, so let Me..."

Partial lyrics for "Voice of truth" by Casting Crowns

Oh what I would do to have
the kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
and He's holding out his hand
but the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
reminding me of all the times i've tried before and failed
the waves they keep on telling me
time and time again, "boy, you'll never win!"
"you'll never win!"
but the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says, "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

It was very frightening to "step out of the boat", but I would do it again.