I need God...

...more than anything else.

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42

Knowing him...there is no greater thing.

"All things else, with regard to worthiness, importance, and excellence, are perfectly as nothing in comparison of him...for God is infinitely the most worthy of regard. The worthiness of others is as nothing to his; so that to him belongs all possible respect. To him belongs the whole of the respect that any intelligent being is capable of. To him belongs ALL the heart."

"Thus it is fit, since there is an infinite fountain of light and knowledge, that this light should shine forth in beams of communicated knowledge and understanding; and, as there is an infinite fountain of holiness, moral excellence, and beauty, that so it should flow out in communicated holiness. And that, as there is an infinite fullness of joy and happiness, so these should have an emanation, and become a fountain flowing out in abundant streams, as beams from the sun."
Jonathan Edwards (The End For Which God Created the World)

"...for grace is unique in that it is but the free overflow of all the other excellencies of God for weak and dependent creatures to enjoy. Grace is the overflow of fullness and sufficiency..."
John Piper

What is Art? Part 2

"Whatever it is, surely art involves creativity and originality. Whatever form art takes, it gives outward expression to what otherwise would remain locked in the mind, unshared. One individual personality has definite or special talent for expressing in some medium, what other personalities can hear, see, smell, feel, taste, understand, enjoy, be stimulated by, be involved in, find refreshment in, find satisfaction in, find fulfilment in, experience reality in, be agonized by, be pleased by, enter into, but which they could not produce themselves.

Art in various forms expresses and gives opportunity to others to share in, and respond to, things which would otherwise remain vague, empty yearnings....
... One area of art inspires another area of art, but also one person's expression of art stimulates another person and brings about growth in understanding, sensitivity and appreciation....

... The only artist who is perfect in all forms of creativity ... is of course God - the God who is Personal."

Edith Schaeffer (The Hidden Art of Homemaking)

PS: I love this book.

What is Art?

"Authorities do not agree. Definitions differ.
Who draws the line that separates

Art from Design?
Sculpture from Ornaments?
Poetry from Jingles?
Great Music from Pooh's Hums?
Great Literature from Daily News?
Is Art beauty, or depth, or expression?
Is Art communication calling for response?
Is Art the talent for involving other human beings in what otherwise would remain locked in the mind?
Is Art something that draws many into the beauty, joy, and vividness of another person's understanding?
Is Art something that includes others in the torn struggling of another person's suffering?"

Edith Schaeffer (The Hidden Art of Homemaking)

These are the questions that open a book I just began reading. They immediately drew me into the book since I have had numerous discussions on this very topic! Her answer is the best that I have heard or read. I'll post an exerpt tomorrow...for now I'll leave you to contemplate these questions... what do you think defines art?

Maryland: 72, Duke: 60

In honor of the Terps defeating Duke (or should I say, creaming Duke)... I thought I'd post some pictures from back in November when my dad took my sisters and I to see them play at the Comcast Center.

It may have been early in the season at that point. But, we were ready to start cheering them on.

Testudo came and sat in front of us...

There's a little glare in this picture, but this is Dad with the National Championship trophy.

On Wednesday my mom and dad are going on a double date with Joy and Daniel to see MD play NC State... please pray for the unity of our family.

So, it has been almost a month since I posted. oops. Things get busy and the blog is the first thing to go...sorry to anybody who might still be reading.

Anyway, I've got a lot of things in my head that I want to put on here, so maybe the posting will pick up a little!

A couple people have asked for a picture of my new car... it is coming, as soon as I remember to take one while it is daylight. In the meantime, it is a black 2002 Mazda Tribute. John - you probably know what that looks like without a picture :)

Jo's been reminding me to put up pictures from our family's trip to Hilton Head over New Year's weekend...so here are a few....

The first day Julie, Jo, and I explored the premises:

It was a busy day.

Checking out the putting green.

awww, man... I guess I could have packed a little lighter.

We found some dolphins...

And a seal.

We finally made it to the beach...but it was a little windy...


So we decided to enjoy the view from the deck.

The next day was a little less windy, so we enjoyed the beach:
It was a great beach for riding bikes...


...and playing Bocci.



Eventually we ventured out to other parts of the island...

Flip Flops on New Years day...it doesn't get much better than that.

That's all for now...more pict's to come.