So... I need to update.

Guess what? I am doing great. Why? Because God is so amazing.
Seriously, reading the Bible never gets old. In fact, it seems the
more I read and dig in, the more I find, and the more I want my life
to be consumed by this awesome God.

I've been reflecting lately on the mystery of how something so simple
as having faith can be such a powerful source of change and growth in
people's lives when that faith is in the Creator God and not in oneself
or any frail thing of this world (fame, money, popularity, influence,
etc.).

"But the righteous shall live by his faith."
--Habbakkuk 2:4

"Everything is possible for him who believes."
--Mark 9:23

"I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
--Mark 9:24

"'Why couldn't we drive it out?' He replied, 'This
kind can come out only by prayer.'"
--Mark 9:29

"Jesus looked at him and loved him. 'One thing you lack,'
he said. 'Go and sell everything you have and give to the poor,
and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me.'"
--Mark 9:21

"'Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!'...
'With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are
possible with God.'"
--Mark 9:24; 9:27

"Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all
the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!' ... So they called
the blind man, 'Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you.'
Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped to his feet and came to
Jesus. 'What do you want me to do for you?' Jesus asked him.
'Rabbi, I want to see.' 'Go,' said Jesus, 'your faith has
healed you.' Immediately he received his sight and followed
Jesus along the road."
--Mark 10:48-52

Faith in God and valuing the things he values (serving, giving,
loving others) are so important! What a waste it would be to live
a life that is not rooted in a faith in the Creator, a right
understanding of how loving and just he is, and an ordering of one's
priorities to match up with his.

I was talking to John about this just last night. He said that he
imagines that when we get to heaven we will be able to see so clearly
how so much of what we worried about was such a waste because the only
things that last are the treasures we store in heaven, and not all
these things we waste so much energy worrying over down here.

As we approach Thanksgiving, I must say how thankful I am at having
John back in my life, and how my parents have been receptive to getting
to know him, though they were cautious at first, and probably still are.
I think a big part of this though is that I'm the youngest kid, and
because the Catholic issue struck such a chord with them. My parents
are fiercely protective of keeping a right interpretation of Scripture,
and they have issues with many Catholic doctrines. John and I both
understand where they are coming from, but I am encouraged that lately
they have been more willing to at least try to see where John is coming
from, having attended Catholic and Protestant churches during his
formative years and having received benefits from both traditions.

There's a little update on my relationship status. I'm very happy to be
talking everyday to this amazingly sweet, caring, thoughtful, encouraging,
sincere, spiritually minded, motivated, sometimes extremely silly, and oh,
so affirming man I know named John. It has taken some time and effort
for us to get to this place, but I really feel we understand each other
better then we ever have. It's all such a mystery to me.

Life is not simple or predictable for Lisa's... but it is really good.

What are you thankful about? What are you pondering?

And you know what else? I think I'm going to pass Anatomy and ANOVA.
I'm holding on...