new windows!

I am so blessed to have new windows! Just installed in the last two days. My old windows were just that—old—83 years. And most of them didn't have screens. I got to do something yesterday for the first time: It was really hot in the room I was in and I got to open a window! Woo hoo!

Here's some before and after pictures.

Living room before ...

after ...

Breakfast room before ...

after (he's still finishing the woodwork but framed it in quite nicely) ...

I got a new back door, too!

election grammar question

I was listening to NPR on the way home from class ... more post-election nonsense—I thought the election was over and we wouldn't be subjected to more of this! Anyway, it stirred a question within me.

Is it really correct to say that someone won an election? Rather, wouldn't it be that he won votes?

sovereignty

Got this question from @richbarrett. Got me thinking. "How would my leadership change if I really believed in the sovereignty of God?"

There's a lot of little (and some big) things at work that press on my heart and mind that keep me from focusing on what God has called me to do. If I really believed in the sovereignty of God, these would be left to Him and I'd be incredibly more effective in leading—specifically in doing the things that matter most—making time for people, encouraging them, supporting the vision of our church and ministry. I wouldn't care when people "interrupt" my work; in fact, that would make my day. And it wouldn't be my ministry at all. I wouldn't need to be in control.

Thanks, Rich.

good news

Great news to remember this election eve:

1 Clap your hands, all you nations; 

shout to God with cries of joy.
2 How awesome is the LORD Most High,
the great King over all the earth!
3 He subdued nations under us,
peoples under our feet.
4 He chose our inheritance for us,
the pride of Jacob, whom He loved.
Selah
5 God has ascended amid shouts of joy,
the LORD amid the sounding of trumpets.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises.
7 For God is the King of all the earth;
sing to Him a psalm of praise.
8 God reigns over the nations;
God is seated on His holy throne.
9 The nobles of the nations assemble
as the people of the God of Abraham,
for the kings of the earth belong to God;
He is greatly exalted.

– Psalm 47