Yes, in case you missed it, it’s Friday.

For me, it was quite the week. I managed to get through one week of jury duty without actually having to go serve on a jury. I got through the end of the month madness at my job and survived to tell the tale.

I also had another stellar birthday (which means in my case that I was alive to see another birthday and have some fantastic friend and family to celebrate it with me).

The weather was weird as usual. From flash flood advisories to sunny spring-like weather back to dreary winter weather, we had it all. All that was missing was pumpkin spice and falling leaves to mark all four seasons.

Right now, I’m fantasizing about turning off the alarm and sleeping in tomorrow. That’s what us old people dream about — sleep. At least that’s what this old fogey dreams about.

Today marks another day that I’m thankful for amazing grace that I need just as much on sunny days as on those rainy days, just as much when I’m feeling great as when I feel worthless (as I’m sure all of you feel from time to time). In other words, I need grace all the time, more and more as I get older.

So that wraps up another Friday evening for me.

When my time comes to die (which I hope isn’t anytime too soon), I don’t know a lot about what heaven will be like, but I do know that Jesus will be there. That is quite enough for me.

In 7 days, many believers will participate in Ash Wednesday, the start to a 40-day period of fasting called Lent. During this time, people generally will give up something like coffee or sweets or television. I personally have given up social media for the duration.

If you’re stuck for something to sacrifice, here are some good ideas I read about in an email I received today. It’s from Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.

FYI: You can give these up not only for Lent but for the rest of the year and hopefully, for the rest of your life.

1.  Fear of Failure- You don’t succeed without experiencing failure. Just make sure you fail forward.
2.  Your Comfort Zone- It’s outside our comfort zone where new discoveries are made.
3.  Feelings of Unworthiness- You are fearfully & wonderfully made by your Creator. 
4.  Impatience- God’s timing is the perfect timing.
5.  Retirement- As long as you are breathing, you are here for a reason.
6.  People Pleasing- I can’t please everyone any ways. There is only One I need to strive to please.
7.  Comparison- I have my own unique contribution to make & there is no one like me.
8.  Blame- I am not going to pass the buck. I will take responsibility.
9.  Guilt- I am loved by Jesus & He has forgiven my sins.
10.  Over commitment- Do less good & accomplish more.
11.  Lack of Counsel- Wise decisions are rarely made in a vacuum.
12.  Impurity- Live lives pure & without blemish.
13.  Entitlement- Neither the world nor God owes me anything. Live in humility & grace.
14.  Apathy- Life is too short not to care.
15.  Hatred- Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 
16.  Negativity- I will put the best construction on everything when it comes to other people. 
17.  The Spirit of Poverty- Believe that with God there is always more than enough & never a lack.
18.  Going Through the Motions- The more you invest yourself, the more you will get back.
19.  Complaint- Instead of contributing to the problem, be the solution.
20.  The Pursuit of Happiness- God wants something greater & more lasting than happiness. It is called joy.
21.  Bitterness- The only person I am hurting by holding on to this is myself.
22.  Distraction- Life is filled with distractions that will take our eyes off the prize.
23.  Giving Up- God never gives up on us.
24.  Mediocrity- If you are going to do something, then give it all you got.
25.  Destructive Speech- Encourage one another. 
26.  Busyness- It is a badge of honor to be busy. But that does not always translate to abundance.
27.  Loneliness- With Jesus I am never alone. He is with me wherever I go.
28.  Disunity- If 2 of you agree on earth about anything, it will be done for them by the Heavenly Father.
29.  The Quick Fix- Rarely does true transformation happen over night.
30.  Worry- God is in control & worry will not help.
31.  Idolizing- Don’t assign anyone a standard they cannot live up to.
32.  Resistance to Change- Change is certain. It is not if we will change, but how we will change.
33.  Pride- Blessed are the humble.
34.  Small View of God- Don’t tell God how big your problem is, tell your problem how big your God is.
35.  Envy- My value is not found in my possessions, but in my relationship with my Heavenly Father.
36.  Ungratefulness- You have been blessed in a way greater than you realize.
37.  Selfish Ambition- God has a mission for me that is bigger than me.
38.  Self-Sufficiency- Jesus is my strength. I can do all things through Him.
39.  Sorrow- Weeping may tarry for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
40.  My Life- Whoever loves his life loses it & whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

I normally don’t share this kind of thing, but I believe there are a lot of nuggets that will help a lot of people (including me). May these bless you and they have blessed me.

“I am no longer anxious about anything, as I realize that He is able to carry out His will for me. It does not matter where He places me, or how. That is for Him to consider, not me, for in the easiest positions He will give me grace, and in the most difficult ones His grace is sufficient” ( J. Hudson Taylor).

I give credit to Ann Voskamp for the catchy title of this post. That’s also the goal of every believer. Prayer and worship over panic and worry.

Recently, I was reminded again of just how many fellow believers are walking through grief, loss, illness, and suffering. I can’t even begin to understand the trials that some of God’s saints endure yet are more joyful and patient than most.

I don’t believe that God never gives us more than we can handle. In fact, the Apostle Paul says, “We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:8-9, NLT).

That’s the goal of it all. Surrender and trust, not self-reliance and self-help. Paul went so far as to say that he could boast in his weakness, because that’s where God’s power is perfected.

Today, the Old Jeep hit another milestone. I officially crossed 350,000 miles on the odometer.

To help put that number into perspective, that’s the same as completely circling the earth 14 times. It’s also enough to get me to the moon (but only halfway back at this point).

I may be old and crotchety for saying that they don’t make ’em like they used to, but it’s true. I can’t imagine any of those newfangled automobiles lasting for 22 years and 350,000 miles.

Jeeps may not be flashy or sexy, but they are dependable. You might even say they are a loyal brand of vehicle.

Who knows? Maybe I’ll go for another 350,000? You never know.

There’s the smug little face that I love so much.

Peanut is turning into quite the little lap cat. It took her a little while to come around, but I think she’s finally getting the hang of it.

Now I can sit down to watch a movie and she’ll stay with me for the entire experience, barring any bathroom breaks.

Now all I have to do is to teach her to sleep on the pillow next to mine every night. I wonder if catnip will do the trick.

I can’t believe it. I only have two more seasons of Doctor Who left before I’m officially caught up.

I’m currently up to the 12th Doctor, Peter Capaldi, and his latest companion, Bill Potts. I confess I’m still bummed about Clara Oswald being gone, but I think I’ll survive.

It’s been a fun ride. I still love how each new doctor and companion brings a new and fresh energy to the show, as well as a different dynamic.

I’m still having trouble processing that Peter Capaldi was the same age as William Hartnell when he started his Doctor Who run. Peter definitely doesn’t seem quite as grandfather-ly as William did.

I’m noticing and appreciating all the references to the classic series. Especially the picture of Susan on the current Doctor’s desk in that one episode.

I now understand why so many are fanatic about Doctor Who. I get it now. I just hope it continues at the same high level of quality for many years to come.

It’s been raining a lot lately. I mean a LOT lately. Like a flash flood advisory kind of abundance of rain.

I’m seeing people freaking out about how it could be 2010 all over again with flood waters that essentially took over the city of Nashville.

At this point, I’m not overly concerned.

First of all, I’m not seeing near the levels of rain I saw back then. It seemed like a constant and steady downpour without any letup for two straight days. I don’t think I’d ever seen that much rain (or ever will again). Also, there’s a reason why they called it the 1000-year flood.

Second, I remind myself of what God says to His people in Isaiah:

“But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
    O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
    I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters,
    I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
    you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
    you will not be burned up;
    the flames will not consume you.
For I am the Lord, your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior” (Isaiah 43:1-3a, NLT).

That’s my anchor tonight — that peace is a promise God keeps, regardless of rising waters or raging flames or any amount of opposition or danger.