the night the lights went out in...(north raleigh)

We had a 'thunder-boomer' storm a few nights ago that put our lights out for an hour or so.  Boy, it was dark!  I'm used to some light, somewhere:  nightlights all over the house, street lamps right across from our house, little green light on the DVR...even opening the refrigerator I was faced with a dark cave.  It startled me, even though I knew the electricity was out.
I grabbed a 'torch' as the British say (flashlight) and scouted out some candles.  Ah, yes, romantic and calming, but super inefficient.  We stared at each other for several moments in the dimly lit room, then decided to go to bed early...better than the growing anticipation of beams of light.  It was almost like super-thirst or super-hunger...super yearning for LIGHT. 
As "mama in her kerchief and papa in his cap" had just settled down for a long (summer) nap...Wahla, the lights went on.  And the TV, the stereo player, refrigerator, a/c, dehumidifier...all kicked in.  The house was abuzz (is that a word?) with activity and noises.  Our short respite from modernity was over.

The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all his innermost parts (Proverbs 20:27).

Bumper sticker I saw this morning...

Wag more, Bark less.   cute.

I just finished one of the best books I've ever read...I especially like books that challenge me, more than books that only entertain.  This one CHASING FRANCIS by Ian M. Cron, is an unusual way of compiling a biography; this one is of St. Francis of Assisi.  Of course, it describes some history of the Catholic church and monasteries in the 1100-1200's.  Dry, you say?  Nope, super interesting...wish I'd known the guy personally.  Since I embrace Jesus, and he said he did, we'll probably be pals in the kingdom when I get there.
I bought it on Amazon for only $2.67 plus shipping...great deal.  (Ya gotta love Amazon!)

You know how there's times when we evangelicals are more arrogant than other times?  Ok, I'll speak only for myself...there was a day when I heard some say, "Oh, those Catholics...why don't they take Jesus OFF the cross?".  Maybe you've not heard that, but I have and with dripping piety I've thought or said it also.   This book makes me realize...Yes, the cross is empty now...bare of His body.  But, seeing the icons or jewelry with Him still hanging on the Cross reminds me of some of the price He paid for me.  It causes me to stop a moment and reflect on God giving up His only, perfect Son...of the charges against me erased, of a debt paid that I could never, in a million lifetimes pay...of Grace and Love that I can't even comprehend.  And I'm have renewed gratitude before I go on my way.

Thank You, Lord.