I'm still sick! *growls* Sickness always get me down, 'cause my defenses go down and then I get stuck in a selfish rut. Self-pity, etc. This time is a bit different, 'cause I've recognized it and I am fighting it. The struggle is to constantly let God take control. I keep trying to do things my way and my way just doesn't work.

It's interesting, though, that even though I'm in a down spot, I'm still seeing God showing things to me. I preached a sermon today for Pulpit Speech about Christmas and focused on Joseph. I wasn't sure how to start it, but as I was listening to someone else, the idea of the nativity came to mind. I then told about pulling the pieces of the set out and how we focus on the wisemen or the shepherds and especially Mary and Jesus, but Joseph gets set up next to Mary, almost as an after thought. Then I talked about Joseph's side of the story and the hurt he must have experienced when his fiance told him she was pregnant. But, even though he was hurt, he obeyed God when he was told to marry her and care for this child. The application was obedience. The teacher liked it and I got some good comments from the class. But God showed me that He gives me ideas even when I'm down.