I just read a story about President Lincoln that will probably stick with me for a while. This is an excerpt from a book I just got at Harvest Thrift Store in Auburn, AL for $0.50....this story alone already makes it worth a lot more than I paid for it. Here's the story:

We love HIM(God) because of who He is, and "because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). God longs for our love and ministry to Him; but too often, we have only gone to Him to receive things from Him and to ask favors of Him.

How much this reminds me of a story I heard somewhere about President Lincoln and a very elderly lady who made an appointment to see him one afternoon.

As she entered the President's office, he arose, seated her, and asked, "How may I be of service to you, madam?"

The little lady said, "Mr. President, I know you are a busy man. I have not come to ask you for anything. I simply came to bring you this box of cookies, for I heard that you enjoy them so much."

A silence followed in which tears overflowed the eyes of the President. Finally, he raised his head and spoke to the little woman. "Madam, I thank you for your thoughtful gift. I am greatly moved by it. Since I have been President of this country, thousands of people have come into this office asking for favors and demanding things from me. You are the first person who has entered these premises asking no favor, and indeed, bring a gift for me. I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

In the same way, God longs for us to come to Him for Himself, instead of simply for what He can give us. He has formed us for Himself, and it is we who are to present ourselves to Him and offer Him our worship.

I heard about this comic strip spoof on Buzz Out Loud today and was intrigued.  I looked it up after I got back to my computer.  This is pretty hilarious if you are a fan of Calvin & Hobbes or if you follow any news about Steve Jobs.

Here is where I found the comics.  *Note:  You may have to click them twice in order to make them legible.

The countdown has begun.  In two days I will be embarking on my European Odyssey along with Kentymac. Here is a brief itinerary of our trip.

May 14       - Depart San Francisco
May 15       - Arrive in London
May 17-20  - Ireland
May 21-24  - Prague, Czech Republic
May 25-27  - Budapest, Hungary
May 28-29  - Vienna, Austria
May 30-31  - Venice, Italy
June 1-2      - Cinque Terre, Italy
June 3-4      -  Rome, Italy
June 5-8      -  Scotland
June 9-10    -  London
June 11        -  Return to San Fran
June 12        -  Return to Nashville(just me, not Kentymac)

Pics to come.........