Second one of the day. Just woke up from a longer-than-intended nap, so I guess these thoughts qualify for the waking-up blog, right?

Listening to Ben Howard, given to me by a friend, and powering through some late night final exam writing, and really looking forward to the next week. For lent next week I'll be abstaining from listening to the radio or other types of music, and it's finals week.

This week (dead week) was especially challenging to get through without caffeine and sweets. So next week, without music? Wow. Going to be really, really cool. I have made a few exceptions, though. I'll only let myself listen to worship music and play music, which will be good. I haven't played my guitar for fun in a really long time; I think it will be good therapy, and I'm hoping it'll be a really good opportunity to just listen to God and hear what he has to say about everything I've done/am doing/will do. Thank God for music.

I feel blessed, despite some strange events this week, God is still so so good.

"But I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble."
Psalm 59:1-17

The Bible paints so many of God's characteristics in different ways. This morning, I'm particularly drawn to the quality of God's strength. God is really, really strong. So this whole fortress image is nice too. I'm imagining Superman's Fortress of Solitude, but 100 times better. That's what God provides for us.

So even though I have a final today, and I'm still a little headache-y from caffeine withdrawals; and even though you probably have a lot of things to do today (don't we all?), let's take refuge in God's strong fortress, a fortress stronger than final exams or coffee.

Chyeah!