FEELING PRETTY: LOSING WEIGHT, SKEWED PERCEPTIONS AND SELF ESTEEM

One of the interesting things about losing weight is you feel thin at a weight you would have felt fat at 10 years ago. I have lost a lot of weight and feel great. I have never been a shrinking violet (pause for laughter), but I have even more self esteem seeing the outside of myself get smaller.

When I was 30 or 40, I would have shuddered to be at this weight, but now I am happy. I go around singing "I Feel Pretty". I think, I'm as pretty as Obama.

Self esteem is not measured in reality, but in perception. Perception is unreliable, as it is affected by desire, emotion and need.

Still.

I feel pretty, I feel pretty, I feel...

The Pope seems a little confused about who God is.

EXTREME AUTUMN ALERT

from the folks at the Onion.

FOLLOWING UP ON THE TAG

A while back Joanna at Grace In The Home "tagged" me. If I remember right, I am supposed to give some random facts about myself and the tag 6 other people. I don't remember how many facts it was, and most facts about myself are random and many people think I am a bit random.

I think I am just smarter than them.

It helps me cope, ok?

Ok, first fact. I lived in 10 different towns before graduating from high school. No, my father was not a grifter.

Fact #2. My maternal ancestors came to Texas before it was a state and fought in the war of independence from Mexico.

Fact #3. I published a poem in England this year.

Fact #4. The pastor who lead me to the Lord wore two toned shoes.

Fact #5. I have read the Lord of the Rings trilogy 6 times.

I do not think I know 6 people who blog, but here are some:

David Heddle at He Lives.

Lindsey Lewis at The Lewisi.

Mark Byron.

Rebecca at Rebecca Writes.

MCCAIN PREFERRED AS COMMANDER IN CHIEF

"in fairness to everybody here", a poll showS that, 53 to 42 percent, Americans think McCain is better suited to be commander in chief. Tom Brokaw, "Meet the Press" interview with Steve Schmidt and David Axelrod.

REDNECK FIRE ALARM

DESIRING GOD CONFERENCE

The Desiring God conference is over. One of these days, d.v., I will make it there. Anyway, video and blogs of the event are already posted. Timmy Brister is a good place to start. Go here for lots of links. Thanks, Timmy.

One of the things to commend about John Piper and Desiring God is how much they make available free. All of Piper's sermons are online free. Conference material is made available free. Since the conferences cost money and travel is expensive and some of us have to work, this is a great boon, especially the video.

Besides, how can you not like a guy that speaks to a national audience in a $5 sport coat?

So, enjoy and learn from some great speakers.