G - giving praise to the Creator for the creation and its daily show of reds, yellows, greens, blues, browns, purples.

R - refusing to give into resentment, choosing to be thankful for another day to live gratefully

A - accepting that what is happening right now is life. Life is not what is on the other channel. This is life - with its warts and its wonders.

T - tasting all of life - refusing to nibble at its edges - eating the whole pie!

I - infusing life with joy. Laughing deeply from the inner recesses of your being

T - touching all around you with a smile. Enjoying the smiles that return to you

U - understanding that its not what life serves you that determines your joy, but understanding that its what you do with what life serves you that determines your profound happiness

D - dancing in the moonlight, dancing in the shower, dancing into work - letting your feet declare your thankfulness for the ability to move and be in this world as it is

E - embracing the fulness of life and shouting outloud, "THANK YOU!!!"

2006 (c) Ronald Friesen

By now you probably have heard about O.J. Simpson and his new book -"O. J. Simpson: If it Happened, Here's how it happened." There will also be a two night interview with OJ on Fox.

Most people have already figured out this is a confession. So it s a manual on how to do the perfect crime and get away with it!

Violence against women is a problem! If you don't believe it - just read the statistics on domestic violence - or better yet, find a dv shelter and talk to the people who work there. Every day at our agency we are rescuing women from domestic violence through our Sister's Place and our DIGNITY programs.

Here is my problem. I am a member of those who count themselves followers of Jesus - and yet, many Christians do not stand up against this violence. In fact, in some churches violence against women is perpetuated and even taught. It is a small step from 'a woman has no right to speak' to 'I'll put you in your place' - and the violence used to keep a woman in 'that' place'. I seldom hear male church leaders actively speaking against this kind of violence against women. Men, our silence is perceived by other men around us as a consent to perpetuate this violence. It is time to speak out.

As to this book and TV Show - Call FOX and tell them to cancel it. Call FOX sponsors not to advertise. Don't buy the book!

Sit down with your family and talk about violence and about why it is wrong.

If you are follower of Jesus and talk about the Prince of Peace at Christmas - now would be a good time to tell those around you that you really do believe that Jesus is the Prince of Peace and that there is no place for violence against women in the lives of those who follow the Prince of Peace!

A lot of people seem to be low right how - change of seasons?

Many times life seems to be throwing dirt in our faces. Think about these thoughts:

Love defeats hate.

Life defeats death.

Care defeats neglect.

Respect defeats self-degradation.

Purity defeats pornography.

Courage defeats weakness.

Hope defeats despair.

Self-control defeats impulsivity.

Joy defeats depression.

Faith defeats fear.

That is my list for today. Can you add to it?

Here are some Blogstream additions:

Optimism defeats negativity

Humor defeats seriousness

Healing defeats pain

Music defeats silence

Harmony defeats chaos

Good defeats evil

Sunshine defeats cloudy skies

Humility defeats pride

Good works defeats boredom

Truth defeats Gossip

Trust God Defeats Everything

A Smile defeats Anger

Humility defeats pride

Trust defeats lonliness

Encouragement defeats despair

It is Remembrance Day weekend in US and Canada. (I assume that many other western countries including Australia and New Zealand also recognize November 11 as Armistice Day - the Day that WW I ended).

In the United States we have just engaged in the great act of being able chose those who will lead us. We went to the polls and cast our vote! We did so without violence (at least I didn't hear of any). We did so without threats from anyone. We did so in peace and safety.

Who do we thank for this liberty and freedom?

We thank all those who gave their lives in the past and present for our liberty and freedom. We thank all those who sacrifically gave of their physical, mental and emotional selves for us. We thank all those who shared the pain of losing a loved one or seeing a loved one severly injured in fighting for the freedom we enjoyed on Election Day!

So I say, 'THANK YOU!"

Here is a thought-provoking quote that I was sent today - the day after November 7, 2006:

"Something I find a little distressing in America is that the Christians are so often relying on POLITICS to accomplish SPIRITUAL results. Thus they ally themselves fervently with one particular party and treat it like "God has won" if that party wins - and "God has lost" if
it doesn't." Andrew Strom

What do you think?