It's all about Perspective... My review of "The Noticer" by Andy Andrews

I seriously read this book in 3 days. You've got to read this...it's an intriguing fictional story about a guy (who I believe represents Jesus) named Jones who encounters different people going through difficult times in their life. He shows up just in the nick of time, just when they are desperate, broken, and in need of some help, some wisdom, some perspective. Jones says that wisdom is the ability to see into the future the consequences of your choices in the present. How true that is!And sometimes, to gain wisdom, you need a little perspective. I don't want to give anything away, but there are great stories woven throughout this book that will impact your heart. I cried at several points in the story because it was so moving. It didn't move me as much as The Shack did, but this book called The Noticer was a fast read. You'll want to know what happens next. There are several stories in the book that people I know would relate to, that I would easily give this book as a gift, or as a source of encouragement to a friend.

Hope you can hold on to.

Some people say, "If you just don't have any expectations about anything, you won't be disappointed." They say if you never hold on to hope, you won't be let down. It's a way to protect yourself from being emotionally crushed and hurt. So just don't hope at all, they say. But what kind of a life is that? Hope and expectancy bring life, passion, and excitement. It's true that you can place hope in people, things, or relationships. But people, things, and relationships will let you down. I've found there is an exception, though. True hope that will ultimately last is hope in Jesus Christ. You can always place your hope in Him and in a relationship with Him, because He will never let you down. It doesn't mean we won't ever go through tough times, because that's a given. But especially during those times, this hope is what gets us through. It's what we can cling to. And if we start to lose hope - which God knows that will happen - He gives us renewed hope.

Psalm 94:18-19 says, "I cied out, 'I'm slipping!' and your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer."

Hope shows God that we trust Him and that we believe He won't let us down or disappoint us. Hope is what keeps us going. And even hope that has been lost can be renewed...God gives us renewed hope.

This is what I painted on Friday night. I left my USB cord at work again so I had to take this with my cell phone. I wanted to post this before I got too busy during the week, but a sharper picture will be swapped out soon.

Good for the Soul...

The audio CD's on this Word of Promise Next Generation - New Testament are awesome. I recommend viewing the DVD that comes with it before listening to the audio CD's. The different actors & actresses talk about their experience and after watching it, I was so excited to hear this dramatized version of the New Testament. They were all so passionate about this project, which inspired me to immediately pop it in my CD player in my car. I have the hardest time focusing myself enough to sit down and get in the Word, but I'm in my car all the time. I listened to the CD in the morning on my way to work, and on the way home from work. I also listened to it every now and then on the way to the gym. I got through the entire New Testament in a few months. Hearing it read by different people, out loud, was powerful. I also liked the introductions read before each book.

I'm a part of Nelson's book review blogger program (http://brb.thomasnelson.com/) which is why I'm able to review this CD set. Check 'em out...they're good for the soul.

Lost at Alton Baker

It doesn't matter how old you are, one of the worst feelings in the world is feeling lost. You don't know where to go, what to do, who to call. You've tried everything and still can't find your way. Or maybe you've searched and found your answer, only to realize later that you're still just as lost as ever. Well, on Monday I was as lost as ever. That's not too unusual, if you know me. I can't find my way anywhere. I can't even read a map. They make no sense to me. If I had my mom's genes, I'd be able to locate anything, anytime, anywhere. Unfortunately, I am the complete opposite.

Monday was a beautiful bright, sunshiney day in Eugene. I got off work and wanted to enjoy the last few hours of sunshine. So I decided I would go to Alton Baker park, about 5 minutes (driving) away from my apartment. After I had some dinner, I grabbed my iPod and filled my backpack with stuff for swimming. I was planning to take about an hour long walk at the park and then head to the gym to follow up with a swim.

I usually carry my cell phone with me everywhere, but I figured that since I wasn't going to be out too long, and it was still broad daylight with lots of people out, that there was no need to carry anything by my iPod and car key. I wasn't planning to be out more than an hour - an hour and a half at the most. So I started walking on the path right next to the river. It was so gorgeous. I was having a wonderful time listening to music while I walked, seeing lots of other people who were taking advantage of the nice weather. And I had done this same walk 3 other times with other people, so I figured I knew what I was doing. Well, I got to a footbridge that takes you across the river and into another park (I guess? I'm still not really sure where it takes you.) I was thinking if I started walking heading back the other direction, I would eventually end up where I started, like walking one big loop.

Well, after it got to be 8:00, it started getting dark. I started getting a little worried because I wanted to be back to my car before it started to get dark at all. So then I started jogging, thinking I'll get to the end of the trail faster. It kept getting darker and darker, and the path just kept going.

I didn't even know at that point how to get back to that footbridge I had crossed over. Well, I kept thinking that eventually I would come to the end. But then it got to be 9:30 and I had been out for 3 hours walking and jogging, with no end in sight. I then began to panic. I'm by myself, in the dark, in a park where now - there are not even lights. I could barely see the ground in front of me. They had maps throughout the park and as I stopped to study one, I still couldn't figure out how to get back to where I needed to be. The little thing that said "YOU ARE HERE" really did me no good.

I tried to calm myself down, but it made matters worse when I heard a blood curdling scream coming from a woman yelling "HELP! HELP! HELP!" There were other people who happened to be out riding their bikes this late and yelled back "Is everyone okay?" A man shouted back, "WE'RE OKAY! JUST LAUGHING!" Well that worried me, since it was the woman who had been screaming. A guy on a bike said he was going to try and find them to make sure everyone really was okay. I asked him how to get back to Alton Baker, and he said he didn't know. So I must have been pretty far from where I started.

After walking another 10-15 minutes I decided that the best thing to do was to get out of the dark and go where there were lights. I didn't care if I ended up on the street at an intersection somewhere, I just wanted out of the dark. And that's what happened. I ended up on the street - Franklin Blvd - facing the U of O. But I still didn’t know how to get back to Alton Baker from there, back to where my car was parked. I started walking one way, but it felt wrong (how would I know that? LOL) so I turned around and walked the other way. I finally came to the Ferry Street Bridge that takes me to Coburg road. I knew where I was, but I couldn’t figure out how to get over that bridge on foot. I didn’t see any foot bridge and would literally be hit by a car if I tried to walk over it - there’s no shoulder or anything. Well, I saw a sidewalk that went parallel to the bridge, so I thought maybe it went under and would take me to a foot bridge, but it didn’t. I ended up in downtown Eugene.

So now I really didn’t know what to do. It’s almost 10:00 pm and I’m by myself with no money, no cell phone, and no ID. I decide that I need to get somewhere and use a phone. So I look all around me and see the Eugene Hotel (quite a few blocks away) and the Eugene Hilton (a lot closer). I thought to myself that surely someone at the Hilton would let me use their phone. All I needed was to make a simple local phone call to my parents. So I walked in and started to explain my situation to the two 20-something receptionists. They looked at me like I was crazy so I got right to the point - “I just need to use the phone. Would I be able to make a quick--” and before I could finish one of them looked at me and said “You can use the pay phone behind the stairs.” Well, I had no money so that really didn’t help me. They clearly weren’t interested in helping me, either, but I thought I would try calling Collect. I tried twice, but it didn’t work. So now I’m stuck again. I walked another 4 blocks or more and ended up back where I started - but on the opposite side. Right below the Ferry Street bridge that I COULDN’T WALK OVER.

There was a bar right there on the left, but I was hesitant to go in. It was late, and I never go to bars as it’s an uncomfortable environment for me. But you know what, I was desperate. So I walked in there, and just like a scene in a movie, everyone stopped what they were doing and looked up and stared at me. I’m not kidding. Here I am in workout clothes and near tears, and everyone’s looking at me. But I was already in, so I went up to a girl working at the bar and started to explain my situation - “I’m lost….” my voice trailed off as I was almost crying! The girl just said “Do you need to use the phone, hun?” I didn’t even care that she called me ‘hun,’ I was just so glad to be able to use a phone! So I called my mom and she could tell I was panicked, I mean I’m never like that. She told me to calm down and that my dad would be right there, that I just needed to wait at the bar. So I hang up and then the 70 yr old man sitting next to me asked if he could give me a ride. I told him I had a ride, but thanks for the offer. He said “I wish I would have known before you got a ride, I’m heading that way and could drive you over. All these people here can vouch for me, I’m harmless.”

I thanked him again but politely declined. Then he said, “Well, can I at least buy you a beer?” I said, “No thanks, I don’t drink. But thanks for the offer.”

I should have asked for a Pepsi. Anyway, then the big bouncer guy came over and asked if I had my ID with me. Of course I didn’t, so he told me I needed to wait outside. So I did. But it wasn’t cold, it was still nice out. I waited for a painfully long 25 minutes, but my dad finally came. He gets lost just as bad as I do, so it took us a while in the car to find the park, but I made it just in the nick of time. I got my car right before the park closed. If I hadn’t made it, they would have closed the gates and my car would have been towed.

That was my adventure this week. Here’s what I learned: Never go to Alton Baker by myself period. Even if it’s broad daylight. Always take a cell phone with me everywhere I go, as well as a few bucks. The Eugene Hilton has lost my business. I’ll forever be grateful to that bar on 7th who let me use their phone. I’m glad I have parents in town. God took care of me, and...if you're feeling lost, head to the light!