sleeping to dream...

i realized this morning why i love to sleep so much: dreaming. every morning i fight with myself and have to drag myself out of bed. maybe about half of the time i refuse to wake up because i am too tired to wake up. on those days, i easily lose the battle against my body and i go back to sleep without any second thoughts. however, the other half of the time i'm not fighting my body but i'm fighting against my mind. i want to remain in a dream world where i can fly over buildings, fight bad guys, eat with celebrities, or even scarier things like fight demons, battle strangers for my life, etc. but as much as dreaming is wonderful, life is much more rewarding. how can i glorify God if i'm stuck dreaming my life away -- i need to wake up and get out of bed to experience God's grace, love, and presence in my life. so wake up! grab your things and go abide in Him!

amazing grace, how sweet the sound

one of my favorite sites to visit is called The Big Picture. i go and look at the amazing photos on the site (mostly shots done by photojournalists) and am always amazed that so much beauty can be in one photograph. 

this week's photos were centered around Easter, 2009. here are some that i found amazing. 

baptism at Skid Row

beach baptism

women praying at a midnight service. raikia, india

I will not boast in anything,

no gifts, no power, no wisdom.

But I will boast in Jesus Christ,

His death and resurrection.

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer.

But this I know with all my heart,

His wounds have paid my ransom.

"Thou hast made us for thyself,

and our hearts are restless till they rest in thee."

Augustine, Confessions