09/11/05

This morning started off very peacefully as I was able to get away to the park and set and read 1 Samuel 
chapters 3-9 with a cup of coffee and birds singing. Outside of 1 Samuel having many lessons, I choose 
to meditate today on the fact that Eli had two sons who had no regard for the Lord. (v. 2:12) and died. 
Yet, Samuel also had two sons turned aside after dishonest gain, accepting bribes, and perverted justice 
(v. 8:3) and they were not killed, and the people asked for king instead. Possibly the reason for this might 
be that Eli had been honoring his sons rather than God, whereas Samuel was devoted to Him. 

I was then excited to walk back home to shower and head off to a church I have found called "Spring Hills 
Community Church," with service starting at 10:30am. The worship was wonderful. I am hoping to find in 
my flyer the names of some of the songs as they were very meaningful to me and I would love to get the CD(s). 
Here are the titles: "Middle of Me," "Grace Like Rain," and "Fields of Grace."  The topic of the teaching today 
was "Freedom: Reclaiming What was Stolen and Living as God Intended." I am not yet comfortable with 
their worship as they do not stand, or raise hands unless asked to, and you all know me. I want to give it all! 

I enjoyed cleaning out one of my brother's cupboards in the garage today in order to move the "under the sink" 
items from under the sink. It is amazing how much stuff can be collected and kept even when it is not necessary 
anymore. Makes me think about the stuff we cling to in our lives including things like fear, pride and worship of 
money, time, and others over our Lord.

Later this evening my Mother, brother and I went out to dinner in Bodega Bay. It was an excellent meal and 
interesting place. They only cook one, maybe two things for the menu so you get what they have to offer. 
Tonight was bar-b-que tri-tip, baked beans, and salad.  My brother (Gregg) had been away in Bangkok last 
week and had parked his truck and trailer on the property where he is currently working. On the way home we 
stopped to drop him off to pick it up and bring them to the house. Unfortunately, we discovered that someone 
had picked the locks on the trailer and taken quite a few things. It was very disheartening.  

Mom's energy, breathing and mobility are getting worse almost daily right now. I am reminded of several things. 
As I have had cancer myself in the past, this is part of the process. At 32 years of age, during the last couple 
of months before they discovered my Lymphoma I was barely able to walk a city block without being totally 
out of breath and feeling exhausted. I will be taking her in for more tests on the thyroid cancer in about one - 
two weeks. We have discovered that part of the heart problem is that she has a valve that is leaking and they 
are unable to do surgery on it because of the condition of her heart and her lungs. The have told us that surgery 
at this point would probably be very damaging. 

It is time to lay in the arms of my Lord.