Any Cardinal fans out there????? I didn't use to be a baseball fan, in fact the only sport you could get me to watch was bulls basketball. It seems over the past few years I have become a little more interested in sports such as baseball, or football (don't get me started on the Colts). Anyhow, I'm quite excited cause the cards are playing in the championship this year and hopefully will go all the way and win the world series.

"Change your stinkin' thinkin'..." That is a phrase my pastor says often and it seems to hit me every time. I sometimes watch Joel Osteen on Sunday nights and he just happened to talk about our thought life and how it effects us. There are a lot of verses that deal with this particular subject. He used the verse in Col. 3:2 "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." When I reread this verse in my Bible I immediately had a profound question enter my mind. What does the Bible say about things above and what does it say about earthly things? That is something I'm gonna have to dig into the Word to find out but I do know this. In Philippians chapter 4:8-9 " Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Wow what a promise. If there is one thing that I know about this earth, it is that there is a huge deficit when it comes to peace. It seems that most people have some circumstance that weighs them down. It occupies there thoughts and as a result they are overcome and beat down. That brings me to another verse, John 16:33"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." Oh my, doesn't it give you goose bumps. It says "in Me you may have peace" Another promise of peace in the midst of tribulation. John 14:27"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." Whoa I could go on all night with this subject probably. One thing I want to mention about this last verse is the "let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." I think the keyword here is let. We have control over this area. We can choose to let our hearts or minds dwell on these things or we can take captive our thoughts and make them obedient to Christ check out 2 Cor. 10. Ok well I'm gonna have to leave on this note, there is so much more I could write but I need to get some shuteye.

Pierogies!!! Has anyone ever tried one? Let me tell you, they are a little piece of Heaven here on Earth. For those of you who haven't tried them i will explain them to you. Imagine a won ton or a crab rangoon if you will, but put mashed potatoes and cheese in the middle. Deep fry them and dip them in sour cream and you are good to go. The reason for this random question is because this week, is our annual fall festival. It is one of the biggest street festivals in the nation. It is known for it's exotic food. It has just about everything from brain sandwiches to fried twinkies. Actually there is one booth down there that will fry anything you want them to. And the catchier the name the better. Like Zippy chicky, i have no idea what that one is. Or Kickapoo chew, another one i'm afraid to try. It is kinda bad for me this year, i'm trying to make sure i don't gain any weight cause i have a dress to fit into. But you can bet your bottom dollar that i will be having some peirogies and a funnel cake at least. Well this is goodbye for now.

Me and Bartley 

My desire is that I create an atmosphere around me that repels the enemy. One in which he can't stand to be around me long enough to attack. One way I can do this is by having a constant attitude of praise and thanksgiving. I'm not gonna lie, it isn't easy. In fact, when i try, i feel more resistance from my flesh than at any other time. Then a light goes on, hello mcfly, maybe i am on to something here.
John 10:1-18. In v. 4 it says that the sheep follow him because they know his voice. And again in v. 14 it says "I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me." Jesus wants us to know Him, not just know of Him. The whole "What would Jesus do" thing was great, and awesome phrase to put on a bracelet, but to be honest i didn't really give it a second thought. A catchy phrase is all it was to me at the time, but i ask myself the question, What would Jesus do in my everyday situations? How would He react? Do i really know? I'd like to think that i do know, but i might be surprised. I mean Jesus is supposed to be our "role model". We are Christians, the word in and of itself means "little Christ" Philippians 2 says we are to have the same attitude as Christ. Why do i forget the important detail? Why do i block this truth from my mind? Going back to John chapter 10, i see where it says. "The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. This is a reminder that there is an enemy out there, that doesn't want me to succeed, he doesn't want me to share what i know with others. He wants to destroy me. And that is terrible news, but if you keep reading, it says that Jesus came that we may have life and have it abundantly!!!!! Now that puts a smile on my face, see i know what abundantly means. Amply supplied. Amply is more than enough. Hallelujah, God is good all the time, and all the time God is good!!!! Well this is my second opener i guess you could say. Stick around and I'll give you more details about the interesting life of Christa Renee.

Ok this is my first post, i'm still trying to figure this thing out. Give me a minute or two or maybe 24 hours and i might have something enlightening to say.