Several things to say tonight, so I'll just pick one to start with (logically). The guy over at truthbecomeslies, whose name I always forget, has had a lot of good things to say lately. I'm still hesitant to put up a permanent link to him since my agreeance with him waivers frequently, but he was really on it these past few weeks. One short comment that he had was "Do what you want. God's will for every person's life is that they live full lives under his Lordship." This is something I wholeheartedly agree with. This comment came in the midst of a much longer post, but it nearly sums up the point of it all. I, also, believe that if you are living your life to please God, He wants you to go after whatever it is that you desire. "You have permission to do anything you want," as Rex Briant put it. The only stipulation is that you primarily seek to live "in God's will," as we often put it. This means that you seek to please God with everything that you do. If that's what you're doing, He allows you to do whatever you want. I think this is something we all need to remember. We often look at God's will as making the right choice in a given situation. We think when there are two equally good options that God wants us to pick a certain one, when in reality, He wants us to pick the one we want! At a confrence I went to during first semester of this past year it was put this way: "You don't have to pray about which cereal to eat in the morning. Pick the one you want!" In the context of the lesson, the speaker meant that in some situations there is a definite right or wrong choice, while in others the "rightness" is simply based on preference. He gave the example of his little son having the choice to play with a toy truck or a chain saw; obviously, there is a specific one Dad wants the son to pick. But when it comes to choice of cereal, Dad really doesn't care (all nutritional considerations aside). There's not really an ending point to this topic. I simply wanted to say that I believe God gives us freedom of choice to a far greater extent than we give Him credit for. That's it.
In other news, my brother's wedding was yesterday. It was simply beautiful. I have never seen more of the "real David" than when he and Amy were saying their vows. He was absolutely sweet, for possibly the first time in his life! The reception was fun. Quite casual, in comparison to many wedding receptions. They served chicken and ribs from Country Caterers! After a long day of standing, walking, and a little dancing in my little black heels, my toes were screaming with painful blisters! And the sad part was that I knew full well that I had to get up this morning and put the same shoes back on for church. (I sang in an ensemble today, so I had to wear the black shoes to match what we wore.)
Tonight at church we had an ordination service for a man from our church that has been called to serve at another church, as youth pastor I believe it was. The service was great. The man who is entering "the ministry," Terry Ryan, is a wonderfully godly man, and every member of his family seems to share the same quality. He gave his testimony; the pastor from his new church, Long Branch Baptist, gave a charge to the church; and Bro.Keith gave a charge to the pastor. After the testimony time, the ordained men of our church laid hands on Terry and prayed for him, as we all prayed with them. The laying on of hands is one of those things mentioned in the Bible, yet often neglected in our modern church. I always enjoy when we get to take part in this wonderfully symbolic act of worship. Following the service, of course, was a fellowship, which in the Baptist church translates to "yay, we get to eat again!"
After the service, I went to pick up the key that my brother left under his door mat for me. I'm taking care of their cats this week while they're gone on their honeymoon. They're not the go-sit-and-be-romantic type; they're gonna do fun stuff this week like wakeboard in Orlando, and possibly go down to the Keys where my uncle owns a little double-wide. Not so fancy living quarters, but it sure is a cool place. We went there when I was little. Anyway, not much else to say. Take a look at the new links I put up. (I only link to blogs that I really feel are worth while, so they won't be a waste of your time!) Later.
Jul 20, 2003
Jul 19, 2003
Okay, my fourth post for the night, but I promise it'll be the last. I was reading The Friday Five to see if I wanted to bother answering, which I don't, but one of the questions made me think of a funny story. Number 4 for this week asked, "When was the last time you broke or vandalized another's property?" While I can't remember a time that I have intentionally done such, I do remember a time for a friend of mine. A certain someone, who shall remain nameless, once became very irritated that her sister continually borrowed her Doc Martin shoes after being told not to. When the shoes were discovered, out of place and slightly stretched, the nameless individual found the nearest black magic-marker and wrote boldly across the sister's white bedroom door "GET YOUR OWN DOCS!!!" The parents were out of town. After many hours (possibly days) and several coats of paint, the door was restored to near perfect condition. The mom, however, didn't really "scold" the nameless individual, since the sister was also in the wrong, and the door was restored. What a great story!
I was looking at my tracking information on ServuStats, and it's funny what people search for and come up with my sight. These are some of the things people wanted to find, but found my sight instead. While most of them are things I have written about, I wonder why they get to my sight rather than a more appropriate one.
-"gap employee discount"
-"ginny owens karaoke if you want me to cd"
-"the galatian people"
-"brooklyn tabernacle blog" (??? they have a blog?)
-"quote if you want to get something done ask a busy person" (I don't believe I ever posted this one!)
BEST of all, I got six hits for "lele sobieski," which was only mentioned once in some song lyrics!
The good news is--I guess it's good news--most people find my sight by looking for Christian song lyrics which I have actually posted. Hopefully I've helped a few of them out in their search. If you're one of the people that has found my blog by using a search engine, please tell me what off-the-wall subject you were actually looking for! I'd love to put a name with a topic! Later.
-"gap employee discount"
-"ginny owens karaoke if you want me to cd"
-"the galatian people"
-"brooklyn tabernacle blog" (??? they have a blog?)
-"quote if you want to get something done ask a busy person" (I don't believe I ever posted this one!)
BEST of all, I got six hits for "lele sobieski," which was only mentioned once in some song lyrics!
The good news is--I guess it's good news--most people find my sight by looking for Christian song lyrics which I have actually posted. Hopefully I've helped a few of them out in their search. If you're one of the people that has found my blog by using a search engine, please tell me what off-the-wall subject you were actually looking for! I'd love to put a name with a topic! Later.
Jul 18, 2003
In my devotions lately, I've been reading in 1 Thessalonians. Tuesday I studied 4:9-12, which I paraphrased like this:
"Paul said, 'I don't even really have to mention that you should love one another because you've pretty well figured that out. I just encourage you to do it more and more. I do remind you to be responsible in all areas of your life and to live honestly so you will be a good witness without being fake.'"
which prompted me to write this as an application:
"Do things, not for the end result, but for the honest desire to do them. Love your neighbor, not so he will think you are a good person, but because God commands us to, and it therefore should become our desire to do so."
This reminds me of a great lesson I learned once while watching an episode of Boy Meets World, which I've been trying to work into my blog for some time, and I finally found a way to make it work! In this particular episode, as usual, Shawn was going through a rough time. I don't remember the specifics. Cory, being the great friend that he is, gave Shawn a basketball as a gift. (The basketball had some significance, but that's one of the specifics I've forgotten.) Shawn, however, was very unappreciative; he was still caught up with the gravity of whatever his current situation was. When Corey realized Shawn's unappreciativeness, he became angry. Mr. Feeny, of course, stepped out his back door in time to realize what was going on, so when Shawn stormed off, Mr. Feeny stepped in with his ever-ready advice-for-life. He reminded Corey that true generosity doesn't do something to receive something in return. Corey, logically, protested, saying that he didn't expect anything in return, only a "thanks." Expecting a "Thank You," however, as Mr. Feeny pointed out, IS expecting SOMETHING in return. It's very humbling to see that TRUE generosity means you don't even take into consideration whether or not the person will appreciate what you do for them. That just about wipes out every time I've ever thought I had been generous in my whole entire life! On the same note, I wrote last week, in reference to 2:1-8, "True discipleship is when you not only teach someone from the word of God, but also pour yourself into that person with the honest desire for their very best. Truely investing in someone's life with no desire for yourself is the most God-like form of love." I pray that I could learn to do things without some hidden selfish motivation. It's a constant decision we must make to lay aside what's best for us for the benifit of others, and mostly the benifit of Christ. It's tough, but I pray that Christ would make it possible for me. We have a glorious hope in Christ. We have not been abandoned. We are not forgotten. He dwells in us and with us, and makes all things possible. How inspiring!
"Paul said, 'I don't even really have to mention that you should love one another because you've pretty well figured that out. I just encourage you to do it more and more. I do remind you to be responsible in all areas of your life and to live honestly so you will be a good witness without being fake.'"
which prompted me to write this as an application:
"Do things, not for the end result, but for the honest desire to do them. Love your neighbor, not so he will think you are a good person, but because God commands us to, and it therefore should become our desire to do so."
This reminds me of a great lesson I learned once while watching an episode of Boy Meets World, which I've been trying to work into my blog for some time, and I finally found a way to make it work! In this particular episode, as usual, Shawn was going through a rough time. I don't remember the specifics. Cory, being the great friend that he is, gave Shawn a basketball as a gift. (The basketball had some significance, but that's one of the specifics I've forgotten.) Shawn, however, was very unappreciative; he was still caught up with the gravity of whatever his current situation was. When Corey realized Shawn's unappreciativeness, he became angry. Mr. Feeny, of course, stepped out his back door in time to realize what was going on, so when Shawn stormed off, Mr. Feeny stepped in with his ever-ready advice-for-life. He reminded Corey that true generosity doesn't do something to receive something in return. Corey, logically, protested, saying that he didn't expect anything in return, only a "thanks." Expecting a "Thank You," however, as Mr. Feeny pointed out, IS expecting SOMETHING in return. It's very humbling to see that TRUE generosity means you don't even take into consideration whether or not the person will appreciate what you do for them. That just about wipes out every time I've ever thought I had been generous in my whole entire life! On the same note, I wrote last week, in reference to 2:1-8, "True discipleship is when you not only teach someone from the word of God, but also pour yourself into that person with the honest desire for their very best. Truely investing in someone's life with no desire for yourself is the most God-like form of love." I pray that I could learn to do things without some hidden selfish motivation. It's a constant decision we must make to lay aside what's best for us for the benifit of others, and mostly the benifit of Christ. It's tough, but I pray that Christ would make it possible for me. We have a glorious hope in Christ. We have not been abandoned. We are not forgotten. He dwells in us and with us, and makes all things possible. How inspiring!
Jul 17, 2003
It's a great day when you get the four new CDs you ordered in the mail, especially when they come sooner than you expected! I got Passion: Our Love is Loud, Chris Tomlin: The Noise We Make, David Crowder: Can You Hear Us?, and Delirious?: Deeper--the Definitive Worship Experience. Good stuff. I'm sure most everyone who is interested in this music has had these CDs for quite a while, and I'm the last to get them! Anyway, I'm off to finish listening to them. Later!
Jul 16, 2003
John Donne's Holy Sonnet X
Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for, thou art not so,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poor death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.
Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy, or charms can make us sleep as well,
And better than thy strokes; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.
Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for, thou art not so,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poor death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.
Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy, or charms can make us sleep as well,
And better than thy strokes; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.
--THE ROOM--
I have this analogy [this one's for you, Allie]. You and God are in a dark room where you can't see anything. Your goal is to reach out and grab God's hand, but you don't know which direction to go. God has His hand streched out and is calling out to you: "take my hand." You reach out and begin moving in the right direction, but you pause and wonder if it's the right way to go. "It's dark and I can't see, so how do I know where God is?" you ask yourself. You were moving in the right direction, but the darkness threw you off and made you think twice. You can't see God, so how do you know which way to go? Because you can hear Him. You know becausse you can hear Him, Allie. Don't rely on your eyes. Just listen. And usually our first instincts are right anyway.
I have this analogy [this one's for you, Allie]. You and God are in a dark room where you can't see anything. Your goal is to reach out and grab God's hand, but you don't know which direction to go. God has His hand streched out and is calling out to you: "take my hand." You reach out and begin moving in the right direction, but you pause and wonder if it's the right way to go. "It's dark and I can't see, so how do I know where God is?" you ask yourself. You were moving in the right direction, but the darkness threw you off and made you think twice. You can't see God, so how do you know which way to go? Because you can hear Him. You know becausse you can hear Him, Allie. Don't rely on your eyes. Just listen. And usually our first instincts are right anyway.
Jul 15, 2003
Got to see Scott Yirka today! He's my old youth pastor from middle school. Mom and I were out to lunch and saw him and his dad. So good to see him! He is now pastor of his own church, which always was his goal, so it was awesome for him when that actually happened. When I look back at my life and realize how many totally awesome and godly leaders I have known, it blows me away. God's been so good to me. Not much else to say today. I'm just really thankful today for so much. Later.
What a good day! It's just incredible! Starting from the time I got off work, everything has been so amazing for me. It's not like anything huge has happened; it's just a bunch of little things that all seem to fit perfectly. And right now, I just have such a complete peace. I've been praying for some of my friends lately just to have a peace about various situations in their lives, and it's pretty cool that God turns that around and makes it work for me, also. Between the e-mails I got earlier and the conversation I had tonight, there's like a million things on my mind. Usually, this would give me ample "reason" to feel either stressed out or overwhelmed or just to be thinking way too hard about stuff that doesn't really matter currently, but tonight--tonight I'm just at peace and it's really nice.
It would probably be really effective for me just to leave it at that, but like I said, there's a million things on my mind, so I have plenty to say! First of all, to some dear friends of mine who are both dealing with a lot right now (hopefully you know who you are), just know that God already has it all planned out for you--whatever "it" may be. Nextly--if you've never been away for an extended period of time from the people who you've always known, for example going away to college, then you CANNOT understand how much it changes everything about your life. I know I'm not alone when I say this, because it seems to be a common trend among those who go away--more specifically, those who go away and come back. Don't assume that I mean that my life is horrible now, or anything like that. In fact, it's quite the opposite. But never-the-less (that' supposed to be all one word, but it's harder to read that way) my life has been drastically changed by going away and coming back. Like I said, you can't understand unless you've been there. Here's how it is, as best as I can describe it. Every day that I'm here, I'm pining to be back in St. Augustine. The sights, the sounds, the places, the people, my school, my church--everything. I miss it so much. Laci and I talked tonight about how we both have decided that we're ready (with some other girls) to get a place to live down there, which means we would basically stay there permanently, or at least till-we-graduate kind of permanent. And very possibly afterwards, as well. Erin was talking to me last night and she said, "Megan, I don't want you to go back" and added, "you'll come back a lot, right? like every weekend?" I just said, "well....." which implied, "no, not really." That's hard for me to tell people because these are the people I know and love. What, then, you ask, would make me want to leave? Like I said, it's hard to explain. Laci said it's something that gets inside of you and calls you back and makes it impossible for you to stay gone. (I told her that sounded like the theme for a scary movie that we could make!) I guess what it really is, for me at least, is that I know if I stay here, things will always be like they've always been, which isn't horrible, I just feel like it would hold me back from ever reaching my potential, in a way. I'm not quite sure how that all works; it's just how I feel. I feel like getting "my own" place in St. Augustine would be the only way in which I could become a fully independent adult. Somehow I think that if I tried to stay here I would never completely be out on my own. It would always be Sunday dinner at Mom and Dad's, not for the fellowship, but just because it was a free meal. If I move to St.Aug, however, a Sunday dinner with the parents would be a lot more special. Okay, I'm really just rambling at this point, and trying to rationalize why I want to leave all these great people that I have here. Completely unexplainable. It's just something that I feel like I need to do. Maybe I don't need to completely understand it. And I certainly don't believe that I am required to explain it to anyone else. So, to all my friends, let it be known that this very well may be my last summer in Jacksonville. No, I won't completely abandon you; I'll be back for visits. And I'm already planning for Uno nights at "my place" whenever we get an apartment or something. It'll be fun to have a bunch of you guys come down and hang out. On that note, I'm headed for bed. G'night.
It would probably be really effective for me just to leave it at that, but like I said, there's a million things on my mind, so I have plenty to say! First of all, to some dear friends of mine who are both dealing with a lot right now (hopefully you know who you are), just know that God already has it all planned out for you--whatever "it" may be. Nextly--if you've never been away for an extended period of time from the people who you've always known, for example going away to college, then you CANNOT understand how much it changes everything about your life. I know I'm not alone when I say this, because it seems to be a common trend among those who go away--more specifically, those who go away and come back. Don't assume that I mean that my life is horrible now, or anything like that. In fact, it's quite the opposite. But never-the-less (that' supposed to be all one word, but it's harder to read that way) my life has been drastically changed by going away and coming back. Like I said, you can't understand unless you've been there. Here's how it is, as best as I can describe it. Every day that I'm here, I'm pining to be back in St. Augustine. The sights, the sounds, the places, the people, my school, my church--everything. I miss it so much. Laci and I talked tonight about how we both have decided that we're ready (with some other girls) to get a place to live down there, which means we would basically stay there permanently, or at least till-we-graduate kind of permanent. And very possibly afterwards, as well. Erin was talking to me last night and she said, "Megan, I don't want you to go back" and added, "you'll come back a lot, right? like every weekend?" I just said, "well....." which implied, "no, not really." That's hard for me to tell people because these are the people I know and love. What, then, you ask, would make me want to leave? Like I said, it's hard to explain. Laci said it's something that gets inside of you and calls you back and makes it impossible for you to stay gone. (I told her that sounded like the theme for a scary movie that we could make!) I guess what it really is, for me at least, is that I know if I stay here, things will always be like they've always been, which isn't horrible, I just feel like it would hold me back from ever reaching my potential, in a way. I'm not quite sure how that all works; it's just how I feel. I feel like getting "my own" place in St. Augustine would be the only way in which I could become a fully independent adult. Somehow I think that if I tried to stay here I would never completely be out on my own. It would always be Sunday dinner at Mom and Dad's, not for the fellowship, but just because it was a free meal. If I move to St.Aug, however, a Sunday dinner with the parents would be a lot more special. Okay, I'm really just rambling at this point, and trying to rationalize why I want to leave all these great people that I have here. Completely unexplainable. It's just something that I feel like I need to do. Maybe I don't need to completely understand it. And I certainly don't believe that I am required to explain it to anyone else. So, to all my friends, let it be known that this very well may be my last summer in Jacksonville. No, I won't completely abandon you; I'll be back for visits. And I'm already planning for Uno nights at "my place" whenever we get an apartment or something. It'll be fun to have a bunch of you guys come down and hang out. On that note, I'm headed for bed. G'night.
Jul 14, 2003
Don't have time to say much because I'm about to head out to the movies with Lace. HAD to post real quick though, because I'm SO excited! First of all, reading my e-mail a few minutes ago was like the most encouraging thing that's happened to me in a week. Had some really nice ones from friends, and some informational ones from my St. Augusine church folks. My St. Augustine church, Anastasia, was starting a new college Bible study right before I left to come home for summer. I knew from the begining that it was eventually going to be huge, and I was so excited about it--kinda sad that I had to come home. Anyway, they've been in the planning stages all summer, and it's really starting to come together. It's called Fusion, and I found out today that some of the people put together a websight. The websight's pretty tight, too! So on top of being excited about that, I got a secod info e-mail, in which I learned that Darrell Evans is going to be at The Edge next month!!! I'm way, way excited! As if I don't get excited about The Edge enough, it's pretty cool to have a "big-name worship leader" coming! Wow. It's such a good day! I'm off to the movies! Later.
GOOD TIMES
The college and career group did "2nd Sunday" tonight, where we all go to somebody's house to hang out and have a little fellowship time. It was really good tonight. We did this "pass the candle" thing, where all the lights were down and we passed the candle as we named someone in the room who had been an encouragement to us. The first person would explain a person who had encouraged him, name the person, and pass the candle to that person. That person, in turn, would do the same and pass it to whomever they named. The whole thing really encouraged me. (I know I've already over-used the word "encouraged"!) For the first minute, when the activity was being explained, I almost struggled to think of someone who had been an encouragement to me, but once we got into the whole thing, I realized more and more that I could have named something about every person in the room that inspires me in a different way. I realized that, in a way, I have too high of standards. Now, don't get me wrong, I think high standards are a good thing; but sometimes I seem to expect people to be perfect, and since no one can live up to that kind of expectation, I miss out on the good in people because I'm too busy looking at the bad. This is horrible of me! I certianly don't think I'm perfect, so why in the world do I expect other people to be? I don't really actually tell myself, "they're a failure because they're not perfect" or anything like that, because obviously I know that people aren't perfect. I guess what the real issue is is that when people struggle in an area that I don't happen to struggle in, I sort of get the mentality of "why can't they get that right? It seems simple to me. They must not care enough to do anything about it." But at the same time, I struggle in areas that they don't struggle in, and they could just as easily say the same thing about me: "why can't she get that right? She must not care enough to do anything about it." People are different and struggle in different areas; therefore, what's easy to one may be hard to another, and vice verca. It's like any part of our lives. For example, me and Laci. Laci is a visual learner and I'm auditory. I'll meet a guy and tell her about him, and she'll want to know what color shirt he had on, what style his pants were, how his hair was comed, and whether or not he wore a watch. How the heck should I know?? It boggles my mind that she can take in all that information! I'll say, "I don't know, but his voice reminds me of so-and-so." "You know people by their voices?" she'll ask me. She can't comprehend how I work, and I can't comprehend how she works. It's not that one of us is better than the other; we're just different. I can also recognize the sound of certain people coming down our hall. I'll say, "Heather's out of class" as if I'm psycic or something, but really I just recognize her sound. You can't explain that to a visual person! Nor can she explain to me how, in two minutes' time, she can memorize every visual detail of someone! I believe it's the same way in our spiritual lives. We're each different, and we often can't even explain "how it is" to someone who hasn't experienced the same thing as we have. We, or I, should learn to appreciate the differences in people because our strengths are in different areas. If we all had the same strength and the same weakness, the Church would be very lop-sided! No one could help us up when we fall because they would all be right down there with us. It's like the discription of the Church as the Body: if we were all hands, we would never get anywhere because none of us were feet. If you're a hand, be thankful for the one who's a foot. If you're an ear, be thankful for the eye [I'm thankful for you, Lace!]. If you're the musician, be thankful for the cheerleader [love you, Al!]. You get the point. We need each other, not necessarily to survive, but definitely to thrive. God has called us to thrive, and not merely survive. Remember to appreciate the strengths of your fellow Christians, and thrive together in the name of Christ. Later.
The college and career group did "2nd Sunday" tonight, where we all go to somebody's house to hang out and have a little fellowship time. It was really good tonight. We did this "pass the candle" thing, where all the lights were down and we passed the candle as we named someone in the room who had been an encouragement to us. The first person would explain a person who had encouraged him, name the person, and pass the candle to that person. That person, in turn, would do the same and pass it to whomever they named. The whole thing really encouraged me. (I know I've already over-used the word "encouraged"!) For the first minute, when the activity was being explained, I almost struggled to think of someone who had been an encouragement to me, but once we got into the whole thing, I realized more and more that I could have named something about every person in the room that inspires me in a different way. I realized that, in a way, I have too high of standards. Now, don't get me wrong, I think high standards are a good thing; but sometimes I seem to expect people to be perfect, and since no one can live up to that kind of expectation, I miss out on the good in people because I'm too busy looking at the bad. This is horrible of me! I certianly don't think I'm perfect, so why in the world do I expect other people to be? I don't really actually tell myself, "they're a failure because they're not perfect" or anything like that, because obviously I know that people aren't perfect. I guess what the real issue is is that when people struggle in an area that I don't happen to struggle in, I sort of get the mentality of "why can't they get that right? It seems simple to me. They must not care enough to do anything about it." But at the same time, I struggle in areas that they don't struggle in, and they could just as easily say the same thing about me: "why can't she get that right? She must not care enough to do anything about it." People are different and struggle in different areas; therefore, what's easy to one may be hard to another, and vice verca. It's like any part of our lives. For example, me and Laci. Laci is a visual learner and I'm auditory. I'll meet a guy and tell her about him, and she'll want to know what color shirt he had on, what style his pants were, how his hair was comed, and whether or not he wore a watch. How the heck should I know?? It boggles my mind that she can take in all that information! I'll say, "I don't know, but his voice reminds me of so-and-so." "You know people by their voices?" she'll ask me. She can't comprehend how I work, and I can't comprehend how she works. It's not that one of us is better than the other; we're just different. I can also recognize the sound of certain people coming down our hall. I'll say, "Heather's out of class" as if I'm psycic or something, but really I just recognize her sound. You can't explain that to a visual person! Nor can she explain to me how, in two minutes' time, she can memorize every visual detail of someone! I believe it's the same way in our spiritual lives. We're each different, and we often can't even explain "how it is" to someone who hasn't experienced the same thing as we have. We, or I, should learn to appreciate the differences in people because our strengths are in different areas. If we all had the same strength and the same weakness, the Church would be very lop-sided! No one could help us up when we fall because they would all be right down there with us. It's like the discription of the Church as the Body: if we were all hands, we would never get anywhere because none of us were feet. If you're a hand, be thankful for the one who's a foot. If you're an ear, be thankful for the eye [I'm thankful for you, Lace!]. If you're the musician, be thankful for the cheerleader [love you, Al!]. You get the point. We need each other, not necessarily to survive, but definitely to thrive. God has called us to thrive, and not merely survive. Remember to appreciate the strengths of your fellow Christians, and thrive together in the name of Christ. Later.
Jul 11, 2003
THE FRIDAY FIVE
1. Do you remember your first best friend? Who was it?
Yes. Allison. Known each other since... well... since before either of us would be able to remember!
2. Are you still in touch with this person?
Yes, still very good friends.
3. Do you have a current close friend?
Well, sort of. I'm still really "close" with Allison, even though I'm away 9 months out of the year. And I think I'm becoming quite close to Laci.
4. How did you become friends with this person?
Allison: already mentioned. Laci: "met" in middle / high school; found out we would be going to the same college; signed up to be roomies, hoping for the best, since we didn't really "know" each other, and have been having a blast ever since.
5. Is there a friend from your past that you wish you were still in contact with? Why?
There are a lot of people that I've known that I wish I still got to see. Specifically, I guess I can think of two. Adam and Jessie. Adam, I was only good friends with for about a year (or less); he is older than me and moved for college. He's seriously one of the most "real" people I know, and he was always kind and encouraging, even if that included picking on me. Jessie and I were close for a bunch of years, and then it just kind of faded. I miss all the good times we had. You can't force something that's not there anymore, though. I'm glad for change, but sometimes it would be nice to revisit the past, or at least the people of the past.
1. Do you remember your first best friend? Who was it?
Yes. Allison. Known each other since... well... since before either of us would be able to remember!
2. Are you still in touch with this person?
Yes, still very good friends.
3. Do you have a current close friend?
Well, sort of. I'm still really "close" with Allison, even though I'm away 9 months out of the year. And I think I'm becoming quite close to Laci.
4. How did you become friends with this person?
Allison: already mentioned. Laci: "met" in middle / high school; found out we would be going to the same college; signed up to be roomies, hoping for the best, since we didn't really "know" each other, and have been having a blast ever since.
5. Is there a friend from your past that you wish you were still in contact with? Why?
There are a lot of people that I've known that I wish I still got to see. Specifically, I guess I can think of two. Adam and Jessie. Adam, I was only good friends with for about a year (or less); he is older than me and moved for college. He's seriously one of the most "real" people I know, and he was always kind and encouraging, even if that included picking on me. Jessie and I were close for a bunch of years, and then it just kind of faded. I miss all the good times we had. You can't force something that's not there anymore, though. I'm glad for change, but sometimes it would be nice to revisit the past, or at least the people of the past.
If You Lead Me
words & music by Jason Gay * November 1998
I’m not really looking for a heavenly sign
no burning bush or the turning of water into wine
I’m just looking for a sense of clear direction,
I’m listening for your tone and the slightest of inflections
If you lead me, I will follow
every morning, each new morrow
I would beg, steal, and I would borrow
just to have you lead me that I may follow
I pray to you who touched the blind man’s eyes
Can you reach into my darkness and give light to mine?
I call to you who can make the deaf man hear
Can you quell the deafening silence that is ringing in my ears?
If you lead me, I will follow
every morning, each new morrow
I would beg, steal, and I would borrow
just to have you lead me that I may follow
Could it be that the harvest of your perfect will in me
All begins with the planting of a restless seed
I hold my breath as I lay trembling in the dark
Waiting for the slightest little movement in my heart
If you lead me, I will follow
every morning, each new morrow
I would beg, steal, and I would borrow
just to have you lead me that I may follow…
words & music by Jason Gay * November 1998
I’m not really looking for a heavenly sign
no burning bush or the turning of water into wine
I’m just looking for a sense of clear direction,
I’m listening for your tone and the slightest of inflections
If you lead me, I will follow
every morning, each new morrow
I would beg, steal, and I would borrow
just to have you lead me that I may follow
I pray to you who touched the blind man’s eyes
Can you reach into my darkness and give light to mine?
I call to you who can make the deaf man hear
Can you quell the deafening silence that is ringing in my ears?
If you lead me, I will follow
every morning, each new morrow
I would beg, steal, and I would borrow
just to have you lead me that I may follow
Could it be that the harvest of your perfect will in me
All begins with the planting of a restless seed
I hold my breath as I lay trembling in the dark
Waiting for the slightest little movement in my heart
If you lead me, I will follow
every morning, each new morrow
I would beg, steal, and I would borrow
just to have you lead me that I may follow…
A Place Called Hope
Words & Music by Jason Gay & Tim Helmen * March 2000
I’m not proud to confess
I know the back streets of Shame too well
Or that I’ve spent more than a couple nights in Disgrace
On the floor of a cheap motel
Spent three years laid out,
Laid out on the streets of Revelry
Just stopped in for a few drinks when I got lost
In a place the locals call Misery
Lord don’t you know I mean it, yes I mean it this time
When I say a new address would be suiting me fine
In a place called Hope
A place called Hope
Don’t you bother to come looking for me
In the places where I used to be
I am bound for a place called Hope
I quit town and drove all night
And even made it as far as Regret
By sunrise I was well past Good Intentions
But I found that I wasn’t there yet
Too proud to ask for some direction
So sure I would find it on my own
I just kept pressing on til I ended up
In the middle of Nowhere, all alone
Broken upon the place where all make-believe dies
I finally gave up, and that’s when it took me by surprise
This place called Hope
A place called Hope
Don’t you bother to come looking for me
In the places where I used to be
I’ve been found by a place called Hope
Now don’t get me wrong
The sun still goes down around here
And it’s cold in the dark
But that’s when the stars appear
Can’t you see them shining down
On a place called Hope
A place called Hope
It don’t matter where you’ve been before
There’s always room here for one more
Come on home to a place
Where you never have to be afraid to show your face, child
I’m talking about a place called Hope...
Words & Music by Jason Gay & Tim Helmen * March 2000
I’m not proud to confess
I know the back streets of Shame too well
Or that I’ve spent more than a couple nights in Disgrace
On the floor of a cheap motel
Spent three years laid out,
Laid out on the streets of Revelry
Just stopped in for a few drinks when I got lost
In a place the locals call Misery
Lord don’t you know I mean it, yes I mean it this time
When I say a new address would be suiting me fine
In a place called Hope
A place called Hope
Don’t you bother to come looking for me
In the places where I used to be
I am bound for a place called Hope
I quit town and drove all night
And even made it as far as Regret
By sunrise I was well past Good Intentions
But I found that I wasn’t there yet
Too proud to ask for some direction
So sure I would find it on my own
I just kept pressing on til I ended up
In the middle of Nowhere, all alone
Broken upon the place where all make-believe dies
I finally gave up, and that’s when it took me by surprise
This place called Hope
A place called Hope
Don’t you bother to come looking for me
In the places where I used to be
I’ve been found by a place called Hope
Now don’t get me wrong
The sun still goes down around here
And it’s cold in the dark
But that’s when the stars appear
Can’t you see them shining down
On a place called Hope
A place called Hope
It don’t matter where you’ve been before
There’s always room here for one more
Come on home to a place
Where you never have to be afraid to show your face, child
I’m talking about a place called Hope...
Dude over at truthbecomeslies posted this, and I thought it was beautiful.
"What, then, is my God? What, I ask, unless the Lord God? Who is Lord but the Lord? Or who is God but our God?
Most high, most good, most mighty, most almighty; most merciful and most just; most hidden and most present; most beautiful and most strong; stable and incomprehensible; unchangeable, yet changing all things; never new, and never old, yet renewing all things; leading proud men into senility, although they know it not; ever active, and ever at rest; gathering in, yet needing nothing; supporting, fulfilling, and protecting things; creating, nourishing, and perfecting them; searching them out although nothing is lacking in you.
You love, but are not inflamed with passion; you are jealous, yet free from care; you repent, but do not sorrow; you grow angry, but remain tranquil. You change your works, but do not change your plan; you take back what you find, although you never lost it. You are never in want, but you rejoice in gain; you are never covetous, yet you exact usury. Excessive payments are made to you, so that you may be our debtor - yet who has anything that is not yours? You pay debts, although you owe no man anything; you cancel debts, and lose nothing. What have we said, my God, my life, my holy delight? Or what does any man say when he speaks of you? Yet woe to those who keep silent concering you, since even those who speak much are dumb."
-St. Augustine, The Confessions
"What, then, is my God? What, I ask, unless the Lord God? Who is Lord but the Lord? Or who is God but our God?
Most high, most good, most mighty, most almighty; most merciful and most just; most hidden and most present; most beautiful and most strong; stable and incomprehensible; unchangeable, yet changing all things; never new, and never old, yet renewing all things; leading proud men into senility, although they know it not; ever active, and ever at rest; gathering in, yet needing nothing; supporting, fulfilling, and protecting things; creating, nourishing, and perfecting them; searching them out although nothing is lacking in you.
You love, but are not inflamed with passion; you are jealous, yet free from care; you repent, but do not sorrow; you grow angry, but remain tranquil. You change your works, but do not change your plan; you take back what you find, although you never lost it. You are never in want, but you rejoice in gain; you are never covetous, yet you exact usury. Excessive payments are made to you, so that you may be our debtor - yet who has anything that is not yours? You pay debts, although you owe no man anything; you cancel debts, and lose nothing. What have we said, my God, my life, my holy delight? Or what does any man say when he speaks of you? Yet woe to those who keep silent concering you, since even those who speak much are dumb."
-St. Augustine, The Confessions
Several days ago, I read where Susan responded to The Daily Biscuit from gooddogbaddog. The topic was describe your faith as a garment. I've decided to write about this as well because I like the topic, but I'm not sure what I'm going to write, so this may get continued at another time. Here goes....
okay, this is what came to my mind just now, so if the analogy isn't perfect, it's because it hasn't been thouroughly thought out yet.
My faith is like flip-flops in Florida. (nice alliteration, huh?!) Not a single pair, but a whole assortment of flip-flops. Here in Florida, flops take you anywhere. You've got your going-to-the-beach flops, your half-worn-out/not-afraid-to-get-dirty-in flops, your going-out-with-friends/casual-yet-nice flops, and finally your "dress" flops. [Yes, as a matter of fact, in Florida, there is such thing as "dress flip-flops"!] Flops take you from the streets, to the beach, to the shopping mall, to the restaurant, and have even been known to take some to the prom! While flops seem more appropriate in some situations than others, there's still no law saying you can't wear flops anywhere (except possibly those silly fire-codes in schools). The key benefits of flops: they protect the soles of your feet while still giving your feet room to "breathe."
So, how does this relate to faith, you ask? And remember this is my faith, so if it's not a great analogy for yours, then come up with your own analogy. Faith takes me anywhere. By that, I mean faith isn't limited to certain places, such as church, and then left out of everything else. Flops in Florida are not limited to the beach; they go everywhere. My faith is a part of me in all aspects of my life: work, school, home, church, social stuff, whatever. Some people think faith is only appropriate for church--mostly the people who don't go to church--and they think you should leave it out of other stuff. But like my flops, I don't like people delegating when they are or are not appropriate. An important fact is the part about the law: there's no law saying we must leave our faith out of any part of our life. In fact, America's constitution protects our faith. People try to tell us there's a seperation between church and state, but the truth is, that's not a law, just somebody's idea. However, like the fire-code, there are places where faith is "prohibited." In other countries, people may be told that they are not allowed to "practice" their faith, but that does not mean that their faith does not go with them; it just means it can't be obvious, like a kid wearing flops to school and trying to hide them under his long, baggy jeans. It's sad, though, that some people are forced to hide their faith like that. But what's good to know is that their faith is still a part of them. Finally, some key benifits of my faith: it is my security and protection, yet it is not limited and confined. There are the basics, which are necessary, yet the walls are left open to make room for expansion. God gives me room to express my faith in the way I choose, and He certainly doesn't give us a stopping point for growth. He wants us to grow as much as possible.
That's it for my flip-flop faith...from Florida. Hope you liked it. Tell me what your faith would be. Leave a comment, or blog about it. Later.
okay, this is what came to my mind just now, so if the analogy isn't perfect, it's because it hasn't been thouroughly thought out yet.
My faith is like flip-flops in Florida. (nice alliteration, huh?!) Not a single pair, but a whole assortment of flip-flops. Here in Florida, flops take you anywhere. You've got your going-to-the-beach flops, your half-worn-out/not-afraid-to-get-dirty-in flops, your going-out-with-friends/casual-yet-nice flops, and finally your "dress" flops. [Yes, as a matter of fact, in Florida, there is such thing as "dress flip-flops"!] Flops take you from the streets, to the beach, to the shopping mall, to the restaurant, and have even been known to take some to the prom! While flops seem more appropriate in some situations than others, there's still no law saying you can't wear flops anywhere (except possibly those silly fire-codes in schools). The key benefits of flops: they protect the soles of your feet while still giving your feet room to "breathe."
So, how does this relate to faith, you ask? And remember this is my faith, so if it's not a great analogy for yours, then come up with your own analogy. Faith takes me anywhere. By that, I mean faith isn't limited to certain places, such as church, and then left out of everything else. Flops in Florida are not limited to the beach; they go everywhere. My faith is a part of me in all aspects of my life: work, school, home, church, social stuff, whatever. Some people think faith is only appropriate for church--mostly the people who don't go to church--and they think you should leave it out of other stuff. But like my flops, I don't like people delegating when they are or are not appropriate. An important fact is the part about the law: there's no law saying we must leave our faith out of any part of our life. In fact, America's constitution protects our faith. People try to tell us there's a seperation between church and state, but the truth is, that's not a law, just somebody's idea. However, like the fire-code, there are places where faith is "prohibited." In other countries, people may be told that they are not allowed to "practice" their faith, but that does not mean that their faith does not go with them; it just means it can't be obvious, like a kid wearing flops to school and trying to hide them under his long, baggy jeans. It's sad, though, that some people are forced to hide their faith like that. But what's good to know is that their faith is still a part of them. Finally, some key benifits of my faith: it is my security and protection, yet it is not limited and confined. There are the basics, which are necessary, yet the walls are left open to make room for expansion. God gives me room to express my faith in the way I choose, and He certainly doesn't give us a stopping point for growth. He wants us to grow as much as possible.
That's it for my flip-flop faith...from Florida. Hope you liked it. Tell me what your faith would be. Leave a comment, or blog about it. Later.
Jul 10, 2003
Yesterday (Tuesday) was slightly less eventful than Monday! After work, however, I got to hang out with Laci, which was great since we haven't even seen each other in like two months. (We decided that was pitiful, since it's a whopping 10 minutes between our houses.) We sipped Honey Dew Green Tea I.C.s at Panera, which are the best drinks at the best place ever, while discussing the events of the past two months. We had QUITE a lot to say. From there, we went to her house and watched Minority Report, which is an incredible movie! If it had ended any other way, it would have been horrible. The ending is awesome! And you seriously don't exactly know what's going to happen up untill the last second. Anyway, it was a good day. Oh, and once I came home from her house I had one of those really cool times with God where I just felt like I was able to be really honest about a lot of things and lay them in His hands. I'm glad He's in control and not me!
Today (Wednesday) was pretty good. Work was normal--praise God! Then I went to church, where the message was so-so, but I thought the worship time was pretty great. I miss the worship services that I'm involved in while I'm at school. Over the summer I'm missing out on a BUNCH of worship time, which I really miss. (That was redundant.) Anyway, tonight was Zero Uno at Danny and Tina's (yes, that is practically the only place I go).
I have some other stuff I want to post; I just have to find some time... not in the early AM hours. Maybe tomorrow, since I don't go into work early. Well, it's definitely time for bed. G'night.
Today (Wednesday) was pretty good. Work was normal--praise God! Then I went to church, where the message was so-so, but I thought the worship time was pretty great. I miss the worship services that I'm involved in while I'm at school. Over the summer I'm missing out on a BUNCH of worship time, which I really miss. (That was redundant.) Anyway, tonight was Zero Uno at Danny and Tina's (yes, that is practically the only place I go).
I have some other stuff I want to post; I just have to find some time... not in the early AM hours. Maybe tomorrow, since I don't go into work early. Well, it's definitely time for bed. G'night.
Jul 8, 2003
In connection with what Katie and Susan and I have been conversing about, I thought this would be an appropriate comment. Darren said "We are always in God's presence, but in prayer we place ourselves in God’s presence in an especially attentive way." It's from an older post of his, so I thought it was cool that it applied so well currently.
Jul 7, 2003
We all know people like this...
"Wonder (if she'll get it)" by Superchick
(phone conversation) I got the news, plus I found the one! And would you be the maid of honor? What's his name? Um... I'm not sure yet.
Dear diary, I saw this guy at the show. He was singing to me, at least I think so. All the world around me stopped when he said "hi, what's up, babe?" He's the perfect guy! His hair, his eyes, oh I love his smile. When he opened the door, knew he was worth while. He looked so good standing right next to me. So beautiful I know our children will be.
This time I know it's true love.
He is the one that I've been waiting for. I promise to love him forever more. I have waited my whole life for the day I am his. I just know he's the one -der what his name is...
Dear diary, today I found a new guy. With the movie star face and the perfect lines. Knight in shining armor hero to rescue me. It'll be so romantic, just like in the movies. He'll play the role of a boyfriend for me, like in Here On Earth with Lele Sobieski. There's just one problem, something I might have missed-- he's a movie star, he doesn't know I exist.
This time I know it's true love.
He is the one that I've been waiting for. I promise to love him forever more. I have waited my whole life for the day I am his. I just know he's the one -der what his name is...
Dear diary, I thought my dreams had come true. Last week I found the one to give my heart to. Told all my friends about him, even tried his last name. Didn't see that to him it was all just a game. He seemed so nice, I'd known him for a whole week, but my friends didn't like him; didn't know him like me. No more crushes or rushes. Learn to be satisfied with being single again.... Wait, who's that guy? You are cute!
This time I know it's true love.
He is the one that I've been waiting for. I promise to love him forever more. I have waited my whole life for the day I am his. I just know he's the one -der what his name is...
Wonder what his name is?
Wonder what his name is?
He is the one that I've been waiting for. I promise to love him forever more. I have waited my whole life for the day I am his. I just know he's the one -der what his name is...
Wonder what his name is?
Wonder what his name is?
What's up? My name is Matt. I lost my phone number, can I have yours?
"Wonder (if she'll get it)" by Superchick
(phone conversation) I got the news, plus I found the one! And would you be the maid of honor? What's his name? Um... I'm not sure yet.
Dear diary, I saw this guy at the show. He was singing to me, at least I think so. All the world around me stopped when he said "hi, what's up, babe?" He's the perfect guy! His hair, his eyes, oh I love his smile. When he opened the door, knew he was worth while. He looked so good standing right next to me. So beautiful I know our children will be.
This time I know it's true love.
He is the one that I've been waiting for. I promise to love him forever more. I have waited my whole life for the day I am his. I just know he's the one -der what his name is...
Dear diary, today I found a new guy. With the movie star face and the perfect lines. Knight in shining armor hero to rescue me. It'll be so romantic, just like in the movies. He'll play the role of a boyfriend for me, like in Here On Earth with Lele Sobieski. There's just one problem, something I might have missed-- he's a movie star, he doesn't know I exist.
This time I know it's true love.
He is the one that I've been waiting for. I promise to love him forever more. I have waited my whole life for the day I am his. I just know he's the one -der what his name is...
Dear diary, I thought my dreams had come true. Last week I found the one to give my heart to. Told all my friends about him, even tried his last name. Didn't see that to him it was all just a game. He seemed so nice, I'd known him for a whole week, but my friends didn't like him; didn't know him like me. No more crushes or rushes. Learn to be satisfied with being single again.... Wait, who's that guy? You are cute!
This time I know it's true love.
He is the one that I've been waiting for. I promise to love him forever more. I have waited my whole life for the day I am his. I just know he's the one -der what his name is...
Wonder what his name is?
Wonder what his name is?
He is the one that I've been waiting for. I promise to love him forever more. I have waited my whole life for the day I am his. I just know he's the one -der what his name is...
Wonder what his name is?
Wonder what his name is?
What's up? My name is Matt. I lost my phone number, can I have yours?
RATED 'g'? I'M NOT QUITE SURE....
HOLY COW! What a day we had at work! For the most part, it was completely uneventful. Aside from moving a bunch of new merchandise around, it was kinda slow in the store for most of the day. THEN sometime after lunch I was working cash register and I had this customer.......... She came through my line with a baby in a stroller, which I assume was her grandchild since she seemed a little old to have a newborn. FIRST of all, she had on a pair of shorts from the store that she had not yet purchased, so she pulled off the tag and gave it to me so I could scan it. She also had three or four tee shirts with her. [ You always start to suspect that a person is slightly strange when they seem to have no concept of what size they wear.] She had with her a boys size 8 tee shirt, which she wanted to know did I think would fit her. She informed me that she usually wears a boys 10. (Why does she wear boys tee shirts in the first place? I have no idea.) I told her I thought it would be a little tight on her, so she decided not to purchase that shirt. One of the other shirts was a boys XXL, and she had me call one of the other employees on my headset to see if they could find an XL or L. (Why didn't she have the right size to begin with? I have no idea.) While I was waiting for a response from my coworker, however, the UNTHINKABLE happened. The woman decided to try on the shirt.... WHILE STANDING IN MY LINE!!! She removed the shirt she was wearing [I prayed "dear Lord, PLEASE let her have on her undergarments!"] and tried on the XXL tee shirt, and told me that she thought it fit fine, so she would get that one. Mind you, there are two or three customers in line behind her! She pulled the tag from the shirt she was now wearing for me to scan, I quickly completed her transaction, and then the next exciting circumstance developed. The shorts... remember the shorts?... the shorts still had the security sensor on them, which has to be removed before you leave the store. In normal situations, this is no problem. However, since the woman had the shorts on, this was to be a rather difficult situation. The security sensor is on the inseam of shorts, and since the inseam of the shorts is only 3 and a half inches long, it was practically in the woman's crotch! The sensor releaser is mounted on the side of my register counter (on the inside where I, the cashieer, stand) so the woman came around the counter and attempted to remove the sensor from the shorts while wearing them. Removing the sensors under normal circumstances can be difficult, especially if you've never done it before, so this situation was completely unsuccessful. The woman -- who had by now removed her old clothes, placed them on my counter, and asked me to THROW THEM AWAY -- decided to go back to the fitting room, remove the shorts, give them to an employee, have the employee take them back to the front to remove the sensor, and return the shorts to her in the fitting room. While in the fitting room, she decided she wanted a different pair of shorts INSTEAD of the ones she had on, so she gave the first pair of shorts, the new pair of shorts, her credit card, and her receipt to an employee to have her go to the front, do a return for her, and return the second pair of shorts back to the fitting room. As if she had not caused us to go to enough extra effort already, she had the nerve to ask the fitting room attendent to call the employee who was doing the return and ask how much longer it would be! All the while, the woman was standing in the middle of the fitting room in plain view WITHOUT any pants on! [Oh, and here's some information that I wasn't sure where to throw in: the woman's reason for buying and wearing these clothes was that she had gotten dirty in the garden. Now, if I had gotten dirty in the garden, presumably at my house or a relative's house, I don't believe my first instinct would be to load up the baby stroller, drive to the mall, and buy new clothes to put on. I think I could have found some clean clothes at the house!] This concluded our eventful circumstance of the day. Pam, one of my managers, scooped up the old clothes that were still on my counter into a plastic bag, taking care not to touch them, and whisked them away into the back room to be disposed of. For the next several minutes all the employees and many of the customers just kept giving each other looks, as if to say, "What just happened here???" Frankly, I'm not quite sure.
HOLY COW! What a day we had at work! For the most part, it was completely uneventful. Aside from moving a bunch of new merchandise around, it was kinda slow in the store for most of the day. THEN sometime after lunch I was working cash register and I had this customer.......... She came through my line with a baby in a stroller, which I assume was her grandchild since she seemed a little old to have a newborn. FIRST of all, she had on a pair of shorts from the store that she had not yet purchased, so she pulled off the tag and gave it to me so I could scan it. She also had three or four tee shirts with her. [ You always start to suspect that a person is slightly strange when they seem to have no concept of what size they wear.] She had with her a boys size 8 tee shirt, which she wanted to know did I think would fit her. She informed me that she usually wears a boys 10. (Why does she wear boys tee shirts in the first place? I have no idea.) I told her I thought it would be a little tight on her, so she decided not to purchase that shirt. One of the other shirts was a boys XXL, and she had me call one of the other employees on my headset to see if they could find an XL or L. (Why didn't she have the right size to begin with? I have no idea.) While I was waiting for a response from my coworker, however, the UNTHINKABLE happened. The woman decided to try on the shirt.... WHILE STANDING IN MY LINE!!! She removed the shirt she was wearing [I prayed "dear Lord, PLEASE let her have on her undergarments!"] and tried on the XXL tee shirt, and told me that she thought it fit fine, so she would get that one. Mind you, there are two or three customers in line behind her! She pulled the tag from the shirt she was now wearing for me to scan, I quickly completed her transaction, and then the next exciting circumstance developed. The shorts... remember the shorts?... the shorts still had the security sensor on them, which has to be removed before you leave the store. In normal situations, this is no problem. However, since the woman had the shorts on, this was to be a rather difficult situation. The security sensor is on the inseam of shorts, and since the inseam of the shorts is only 3 and a half inches long, it was practically in the woman's crotch! The sensor releaser is mounted on the side of my register counter (on the inside where I, the cashieer, stand) so the woman came around the counter and attempted to remove the sensor from the shorts while wearing them. Removing the sensors under normal circumstances can be difficult, especially if you've never done it before, so this situation was completely unsuccessful. The woman -- who had by now removed her old clothes, placed them on my counter, and asked me to THROW THEM AWAY -- decided to go back to the fitting room, remove the shorts, give them to an employee, have the employee take them back to the front to remove the sensor, and return the shorts to her in the fitting room. While in the fitting room, she decided she wanted a different pair of shorts INSTEAD of the ones she had on, so she gave the first pair of shorts, the new pair of shorts, her credit card, and her receipt to an employee to have her go to the front, do a return for her, and return the second pair of shorts back to the fitting room. As if she had not caused us to go to enough extra effort already, she had the nerve to ask the fitting room attendent to call the employee who was doing the return and ask how much longer it would be! All the while, the woman was standing in the middle of the fitting room in plain view WITHOUT any pants on! [Oh, and here's some information that I wasn't sure where to throw in: the woman's reason for buying and wearing these clothes was that she had gotten dirty in the garden. Now, if I had gotten dirty in the garden, presumably at my house or a relative's house, I don't believe my first instinct would be to load up the baby stroller, drive to the mall, and buy new clothes to put on. I think I could have found some clean clothes at the house!] This concluded our eventful circumstance of the day. Pam, one of my managers, scooped up the old clothes that were still on my counter into a plastic bag, taking care not to touch them, and whisked them away into the back room to be disposed of. For the next several minutes all the employees and many of the customers just kept giving each other looks, as if to say, "What just happened here???" Frankly, I'm not quite sure.
Jul 6, 2003
I had a pretty good weekend. Friday, the 4th of July, I had to work for a while, which was fine with me because I got holiday pay, and then I went to Tina and Danny's. From there we all headed downtown for the fireworks, which I enjoyed because I had never gone. When I was little there were always fireworks at the mall, so my family always went there. Anyway, Friday was nice, even though it rained, because we got to sit on the edge of the river right near where the barge was that shot off the fireworks (that's what it's called, right? a barge? just sounds really funny now). Afterwards, of course, we headed back to Danny and Tina's. Some people headed home earlier than usual, but some of us hung around. The guys played their typical game of Zero Uno while the girls were entertained by Leslea's dance moves! She's a riot!
Saturday... now here's a story. I had been hoping since Friday a week ago that I wouldn't be called in to work on Saturday because I desperately wanted to go to St. Augustine for The Edge. So I had mentioned to my manager during the week that I really didn't want my on-call to be used Saturday and that I was trying to find someone to take it for me. No one was available to take it, so I just kept hoping that I wouldn't be needed. Saturday rolled around, and I wound up only having to work from 3 till 6 instead of till 11. I was extatic! So after work I went home, changed, and headed for St. Augustine around 7:00. When I got to Anastasia I realized they were not having the service that I had made such an effort to get to! "You've got to be kidding me!" I thought to myself. Mind you, I had been logical and checked the websight beforehand to make sure they were having the service, since it was a holiday weekend. The websight said they were, but in fact they did not. "What to do now?" I thought. I was already in St. Augustine, so I had to take advantage of it somehow. So I picked up a frosty from Wendy's and finally decided to head for the Outlet Mall to the Gap Outlet because I have my employee discount card (Old Navy is owned by Gap). I told myself I would not buy anything unless I absolutely needed it or unless it was an incredible deal. I did pretty good. I got a black T-shirt to replace my old black Gap tee because the old one is getting faded, and I do believe Gap has the best T-shirts I've ever worn. And I got a pair of jeans, which technically I could have lived without, but they were marked down to $19.99 with an additional 20% off and then I get 30% off with my employee discount, so they were just over $11! Good deal for a really comfortable pair of Gap jeans. I got to talk to the really cute cashieer guy and found out that he used to work at my store, and I got the impression he might go to my school, but I didn't ask. (I might have to make another trip to the Gap outlet!) Anyway, the Outlets were closing as I was checking out, so I got in my car and headed home. The trip wasn't completely waisted. I got some good deals, and I also got to see a really beautiful view of the sky when I was crossing the 312 bridge. It was one of those moments that I decided was worth an hour drive just to see something so wonderful. I wish I could put into words how it looked. God is amazing!
Today was a good day. Started off a little weird, though. We had "general assembly" this morning in place of Sunday School. That was interesting. (I'll be polite and leave it at that.) The morning service went well, as usual. Bro. Keith preached from Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth: to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." It was kinda funny because I had some little notes written in my Bible about that verse, and they were basically the exact points that he made this morning. This evening's service went well also. The choir and orchestra had a break tonight, which was nice for once. Bro. Keith is doing a series of messages on "classic revival texts" right now. Tonight was from Habakkuk 3:2. Aside from delving into the points of the verse itself, Bro. Keith also noted that we often leave out half of the characteristics of God. We are prone to see God from one of two extremes: either we focus on His love and mercy and grace, or we focus on His judgement and wrath. He pointed out that we must keep our view of God in proper balance. Very true. During the sermon I was reminded of this song: "Revive us again- fill each heart with Thy love; May each soul be rekindled with fire from above. Hallelujah, Thine the glory; Hallelujah, amen! Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Revive us again!" I wrote down the words, and not long after, Bro. Keith proceeded to quote those exact words! Pretty cool. I remembered tonight that there are things I need to do in my life that I seem to always neglect. I need to lift up our leaders in prayer; I need to pray for revival as Habakkuk did; I need to seek God diligently in my personal life. As I wrote down these things tonight I wrote that seeking God diligently needs to be top priority. It's not that our purpose in life is to shut out the world and learn about God, but we must seek God in order for everything else to fall into place. I know I severely lack in the evangelism aspect of my Christian life, but I also know that the more I seek God above all else, the more this will begin to fall into place.
Random note of the night: my brother David is getting married on the 19th. Finally! Actually, I'm glad he's waited this long to get married because Michael rushed into it and that didn't work out too well. Selfishly, I hope I'm not almost 34 by the time I get married. But then again, if that's what it takes for me to find the right person, then I guess that's best. The weird thing is my parents were my age when they got married! I couldn't imagine being married now! I want a happy medium, I guess. For my brother, it took this long for him to grow up enough! Not to say that he's actually grown up now; just enough to handle the responsibility. He still acts 19. In a "perfect" world, I would say that I want to be married around 22. But in the real world, that's in like 2 years and I don't know anybody that fits the job description! I guess things'll just happen when God wants them to. G'night.
Saturday... now here's a story. I had been hoping since Friday a week ago that I wouldn't be called in to work on Saturday because I desperately wanted to go to St. Augustine for The Edge. So I had mentioned to my manager during the week that I really didn't want my on-call to be used Saturday and that I was trying to find someone to take it for me. No one was available to take it, so I just kept hoping that I wouldn't be needed. Saturday rolled around, and I wound up only having to work from 3 till 6 instead of till 11. I was extatic! So after work I went home, changed, and headed for St. Augustine around 7:00. When I got to Anastasia I realized they were not having the service that I had made such an effort to get to! "You've got to be kidding me!" I thought to myself. Mind you, I had been logical and checked the websight beforehand to make sure they were having the service, since it was a holiday weekend. The websight said they were, but in fact they did not. "What to do now?" I thought. I was already in St. Augustine, so I had to take advantage of it somehow. So I picked up a frosty from Wendy's and finally decided to head for the Outlet Mall to the Gap Outlet because I have my employee discount card (Old Navy is owned by Gap). I told myself I would not buy anything unless I absolutely needed it or unless it was an incredible deal. I did pretty good. I got a black T-shirt to replace my old black Gap tee because the old one is getting faded, and I do believe Gap has the best T-shirts I've ever worn. And I got a pair of jeans, which technically I could have lived without, but they were marked down to $19.99 with an additional 20% off and then I get 30% off with my employee discount, so they were just over $11! Good deal for a really comfortable pair of Gap jeans. I got to talk to the really cute cashieer guy and found out that he used to work at my store, and I got the impression he might go to my school, but I didn't ask. (I might have to make another trip to the Gap outlet!) Anyway, the Outlets were closing as I was checking out, so I got in my car and headed home. The trip wasn't completely waisted. I got some good deals, and I also got to see a really beautiful view of the sky when I was crossing the 312 bridge. It was one of those moments that I decided was worth an hour drive just to see something so wonderful. I wish I could put into words how it looked. God is amazing!
Today was a good day. Started off a little weird, though. We had "general assembly" this morning in place of Sunday School. That was interesting. (I'll be polite and leave it at that.) The morning service went well, as usual. Bro. Keith preached from Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth: to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." It was kinda funny because I had some little notes written in my Bible about that verse, and they were basically the exact points that he made this morning. This evening's service went well also. The choir and orchestra had a break tonight, which was nice for once. Bro. Keith is doing a series of messages on "classic revival texts" right now. Tonight was from Habakkuk 3:2. Aside from delving into the points of the verse itself, Bro. Keith also noted that we often leave out half of the characteristics of God. We are prone to see God from one of two extremes: either we focus on His love and mercy and grace, or we focus on His judgement and wrath. He pointed out that we must keep our view of God in proper balance. Very true. During the sermon I was reminded of this song: "Revive us again- fill each heart with Thy love; May each soul be rekindled with fire from above. Hallelujah, Thine the glory; Hallelujah, amen! Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Revive us again!" I wrote down the words, and not long after, Bro. Keith proceeded to quote those exact words! Pretty cool. I remembered tonight that there are things I need to do in my life that I seem to always neglect. I need to lift up our leaders in prayer; I need to pray for revival as Habakkuk did; I need to seek God diligently in my personal life. As I wrote down these things tonight I wrote that seeking God diligently needs to be top priority. It's not that our purpose in life is to shut out the world and learn about God, but we must seek God in order for everything else to fall into place. I know I severely lack in the evangelism aspect of my Christian life, but I also know that the more I seek God above all else, the more this will begin to fall into place.
Random note of the night: my brother David is getting married on the 19th. Finally! Actually, I'm glad he's waited this long to get married because Michael rushed into it and that didn't work out too well. Selfishly, I hope I'm not almost 34 by the time I get married. But then again, if that's what it takes for me to find the right person, then I guess that's best. The weird thing is my parents were my age when they got married! I couldn't imagine being married now! I want a happy medium, I guess. For my brother, it took this long for him to grow up enough! Not to say that he's actually grown up now; just enough to handle the responsibility. He still acts 19. In a "perfect" world, I would say that I want to be married around 22. But in the real world, that's in like 2 years and I don't know anybody that fits the job description! I guess things'll just happen when God wants them to. G'night.
Jul 3, 2003
I had a conversation last night with a friend and at some point we got on the topic of the different ways in which different people worship (in a collective setting) and how other people are not always accepting of that. I said something about how usually the "old farts" are the ones who get cranky about the way the younger people act during worship. And by "old farts" I specifically mean those older people who are so dead-set in the way they've always done something that they refuse to see the good in a new way of doing something; NOT just older people in general because there are plenty of wonderful and completely godly older people around. Anyway, today I was thinking a little more about all of this, and I look at it in this way. Different people, often categorized by their generation or age group, often approach God and worship God in different ways. Like way back in the day, say the early 1900 and even much later than that, the whole idea of church and worship was centered around being solemn and reverent. Jumping forward to my generation, the modern concept of worship is often with a band containing drums, electric guitar, electric bass, and so on, and often involves singing, the raising of hands, and even jumping around in some cases. I doubt very seriously that the people of the 1900s could have even imagined that to be worship. Yet both time periods were able to worship in their own way. [I would like to announce that I have no idea what my point is. I'm just writing till I find out!] One generation understood that God is to be reverenced and revered, yet failed to see that it is perfectly fine to get excited about the things of God as well. My generation, on the other hand, understands the getting excited part, yet I believe may often fall short in the reverence area. The true problem comes when a generation thinks their way is the best and that they "have it all figured out." The truth is we all have our strong points and our weak points. We should never think we are the group that has "arrived" at the perfect form of worship. Furthermore, the truth is worship is a state of the heart, and although what we do with our physical bodies during worship is somewhat important, we are commanded to worship God in spirit and in truth; not in body and in perfect form. My challenge to all of you as well as to myself is to worship God in the right spirit rather than simply conforming to the most popular "worship trend." And secondly, to be accepting of the next wave of worshippers that come along (and for that matter, the ones of the past generations, as well) because there may be something very valuable in their form of worship that is lacking in ours. I believe I've found my point, so I'll stop while I'm ahead! Later.
Jul 2, 2003
I love this song. It's so good. I posted it a long time ago, but it's worth a second time.
"No Sacrifice" by Jason Upton
To You I give my life;
Not just the parts I want to.
To You I sacrifice
these dreams that I hold on to.
Your thoughts are higher than mine;
Your words are deeper than mine;
Your love is stronger than mine;
This is no sacrifice; here's my life.
To You I give the gifts
Your love has given me.
How can I horde the treasure
that You designed for free?
(chorus)
To You I give my future
as long as it may last.
To You I give my present.
To You I give my past.
because... (chorus)
This is possibly my favorite poem. Or at least the one that I can most easily quote a certain phrase from!
Sonnet CXVI (116)
Shakespeare
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O, no! it is an ever-fixed mark,
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, althought his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.
I'm going to bed now. I promise!
"No Sacrifice" by Jason Upton
To You I give my life;
Not just the parts I want to.
To You I sacrifice
these dreams that I hold on to.
Your thoughts are higher than mine;
Your words are deeper than mine;
Your love is stronger than mine;
This is no sacrifice; here's my life.
To You I give the gifts
Your love has given me.
How can I horde the treasure
that You designed for free?
(chorus)
To You I give my future
as long as it may last.
To You I give my present.
To You I give my past.
because... (chorus)
This is possibly my favorite poem. Or at least the one that I can most easily quote a certain phrase from!
Sonnet CXVI (116)
Shakespeare
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O, no! it is an ever-fixed mark,
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, althought his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.
I'm going to bed now. I promise!
Jul 1, 2003
I wrote this in response to Katie's post where she mentions that she feels as though she does not pray enough. I thought it would be worth posting here as well.
"I understand completely the situation you find yourself in. It is very similar to my own. I would like to say, however, that recently I have begun to see prayer in a slightly different way. Although prayer as we typically think of it--a deliberate time of conversation--is important, we should also be mindful of the fact that we spend every moment of our lives with God since He has said that He will never leave us. Prayer can be simple statements/questions/requests mentioned throughout the day, like if you see a car accident and simply say "God be with them" you didn't have to set aside 30 minutes of "conversation time" for your prayer; you just said it as if He was right beside you, because He is. Like in a human relationship, although times of serious conversation are important, they are no more important than the minute to minute conversations we have with our friend as we walk throught the shopping mall together. without the latter, the former would be, at best, awkward. don't neglect the latter in your pursuit of the former. I should take this advice as well."
Please tell me what you think.
"I understand completely the situation you find yourself in. It is very similar to my own. I would like to say, however, that recently I have begun to see prayer in a slightly different way. Although prayer as we typically think of it--a deliberate time of conversation--is important, we should also be mindful of the fact that we spend every moment of our lives with God since He has said that He will never leave us. Prayer can be simple statements/questions/requests mentioned throughout the day, like if you see a car accident and simply say "God be with them" you didn't have to set aside 30 minutes of "conversation time" for your prayer; you just said it as if He was right beside you, because He is. Like in a human relationship, although times of serious conversation are important, they are no more important than the minute to minute conversations we have with our friend as we walk throught the shopping mall together. without the latter, the former would be, at best, awkward. don't neglect the latter in your pursuit of the former. I should take this advice as well."
Please tell me what you think.
There's appearantly a new movie about Jesus coming out in the near future with Mel Gibson in it (he's not Jesus). It's called "The Passion." Read here for details.
[part two]
On to Saturday. My weekend started at 6:00 am! (I haven't seen 6am in a long time!) The alarm went off and eventually I rolled out of bed around 6:15. I got dressed, cooked breakfast, and all that good stuff, and was at the church by 7:00. We, the college and career group, were going to Ichetucknee for the day, which, for those who don't know, is a river (or spring, or whatever you call it) that you float down on tubes or rafts or whatever. I had fun, but that's probably because I wasn't the victim of friendly tube-flipping. Poor Allison, she was the victim of the day! She only lasted the first half of the river and left at our lunch break. If the guys don't drive her insane by the time she's 25, nothing will! The first half of our day was quite cloudy and therefore quite cold in the 72 degree water. The sun finally came out after lunch though. As we got in the cars to go home, the rain finally hit and it poured the rest of the day. When I got home I was supposed to call Laci because we had talked about going out to a movie or something. I took my hot shower, got dressed, ate, and finally called her, sorta hoping that she had decided she didn't want to do anything because I was exhausted. To my surprise, that's exactly what she said--she didn't want to go out because she was tired from working all day. We did get to talk for quite a while on the phone, though, which was good. We did two months worth of ranting to each other in 20 minutes! Record time! It was good to talk to her again.
Sunday was Westside's "God and Country Day." It was good. First of all, I started going in Danny's new Sunday School class last week and I think I'll really like it, so I'm gonna stay while I'm here for the summer. The past two weeks he's just been sharing his heart as to where he wants the class to go. What I love about Danny is he gets a vision and will go after it with everything he has till he gets there. Tina, Philip, Erin, and JR are also helping out in the class in various aspects. I'm really excited about what's going to happen. I'll have to leave in September for school, but it will be cool to see where they are when I'm home on break.
During the morning service Bro. Keith preached from Jeremiah chapter 8. It was a really good message about the state of a nation, dealing with the Public, the Pew (the church), the Politician, and the Preacher. One verse he mentioned was 22 which says, "Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?" I paraphrased it this way: "Have I not given you everything you need to be cured (of your sin)? Am I not capable of healing you? Then why do you still live in sin?" The message dealt with a nation's "health" problem: the nation is sin-sick. Is there not a cure? Jeremiah proclaims: Yes, Christ is the cure, yet the people will not repent. They would rather hear the lies of false teachers who tell them that they do not have a problem. Bro. Keith's message was really good and really eye opening as to where our responsibilities lie. I always enjoy hearing him speak.
Sunday evening our guest speaker was Cheryl McGuinness, as well as her daughter. Cheryl's husband was the pilot of the first plane that hit the World Trade Center towers. I wouldn't necessarily say that Cheryl was the most powerful speaker I've ever heard, but the faith that she and her daughter displayed was incredible! It was so obvious how important their faith was to them and to their healing process. And their faith is what allows them to reach out and encourage others. My favorite part of Sunday night's service was when we (the choir) sang "It Is Well," as well as "How Great Thou Art" which was in a great arrangement. Those two songs are so powerful.
Monday I got called in to work, which is great because I need all the extra hours I can get. It was a full length shift, too, so I was very grateful.
The only other thing worth mentioning is God's incredible wisdom. He always seems to provide things for me that are exactly what I need, even when I don't know what it is that I need. The last few weeks have been full of things like that. I'm so glad that God always surpasses our meager expectations of Him.
On to Saturday. My weekend started at 6:00 am! (I haven't seen 6am in a long time!) The alarm went off and eventually I rolled out of bed around 6:15. I got dressed, cooked breakfast, and all that good stuff, and was at the church by 7:00. We, the college and career group, were going to Ichetucknee for the day, which, for those who don't know, is a river (or spring, or whatever you call it) that you float down on tubes or rafts or whatever. I had fun, but that's probably because I wasn't the victim of friendly tube-flipping. Poor Allison, she was the victim of the day! She only lasted the first half of the river and left at our lunch break. If the guys don't drive her insane by the time she's 25, nothing will! The first half of our day was quite cloudy and therefore quite cold in the 72 degree water. The sun finally came out after lunch though. As we got in the cars to go home, the rain finally hit and it poured the rest of the day. When I got home I was supposed to call Laci because we had talked about going out to a movie or something. I took my hot shower, got dressed, ate, and finally called her, sorta hoping that she had decided she didn't want to do anything because I was exhausted. To my surprise, that's exactly what she said--she didn't want to go out because she was tired from working all day. We did get to talk for quite a while on the phone, though, which was good. We did two months worth of ranting to each other in 20 minutes! Record time! It was good to talk to her again.
Sunday was Westside's "God and Country Day." It was good. First of all, I started going in Danny's new Sunday School class last week and I think I'll really like it, so I'm gonna stay while I'm here for the summer. The past two weeks he's just been sharing his heart as to where he wants the class to go. What I love about Danny is he gets a vision and will go after it with everything he has till he gets there. Tina, Philip, Erin, and JR are also helping out in the class in various aspects. I'm really excited about what's going to happen. I'll have to leave in September for school, but it will be cool to see where they are when I'm home on break.
During the morning service Bro. Keith preached from Jeremiah chapter 8. It was a really good message about the state of a nation, dealing with the Public, the Pew (the church), the Politician, and the Preacher. One verse he mentioned was 22 which says, "Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?" I paraphrased it this way: "Have I not given you everything you need to be cured (of your sin)? Am I not capable of healing you? Then why do you still live in sin?" The message dealt with a nation's "health" problem: the nation is sin-sick. Is there not a cure? Jeremiah proclaims: Yes, Christ is the cure, yet the people will not repent. They would rather hear the lies of false teachers who tell them that they do not have a problem. Bro. Keith's message was really good and really eye opening as to where our responsibilities lie. I always enjoy hearing him speak.
Sunday evening our guest speaker was Cheryl McGuinness, as well as her daughter. Cheryl's husband was the pilot of the first plane that hit the World Trade Center towers. I wouldn't necessarily say that Cheryl was the most powerful speaker I've ever heard, but the faith that she and her daughter displayed was incredible! It was so obvious how important their faith was to them and to their healing process. And their faith is what allows them to reach out and encourage others. My favorite part of Sunday night's service was when we (the choir) sang "It Is Well," as well as "How Great Thou Art" which was in a great arrangement. Those two songs are so powerful.
Monday I got called in to work, which is great because I need all the extra hours I can get. It was a full length shift, too, so I was very grateful.
The only other thing worth mentioning is God's incredible wisdom. He always seems to provide things for me that are exactly what I need, even when I don't know what it is that I need. The last few weeks have been full of things like that. I'm so glad that God always surpasses our meager expectations of Him.
[part one] (Here goes my fifth or so try for that post that got erased.)
I shouldn't be at a loss for things to say since I haven't posted in a while. I'll start with last Wednesday.
Wednesday night Bro. Mark spoke at Alpha and Omega. It was quite a good message. One of his first points was "Doubt is not a lack of faith; Doubt is being caught between two beliefs." That's huge! Some people may think that when Christians begin to doubt we've somehow lost our faith in God, but that's just not the case. It's good to know when doubt comes into our lives we can still rely on God to help us overcome that doubt. Mark was speaking from Matthew 11:1-6 where John is in prison and sends some of his disciples to ask Jesus if He is the real deal or if they should look for someone else. Mark equated John's questioning with doubt, which isn't necessarily how I would read that passage, but all the points he made about it were good, so I wouldn't make a big deal out of that. Mark pointed out that when John asked Jesus a question, Jesus didn't make John the issue; Jesus made Jesus the issue! In other words, it's not about us, it's all about Christ. One of the final points Mark made was when he quoted an author who said, "The person who finds the courage to go back to square one finds the strength to go on." He meant that when we begin to doubt we must go back to the foundational elements of our faith--the things we know to be true. Overall, it was a really good message.
Thursday in my devotions I read Proverbs 12:11-19. I wrote this: "This passage speaks much of the tongue, the mouth, and the lips, which all refer to speech. The speech of the righteous has been considered before it is spoken; it is healing and not hurtful; it is truth and will endure. The speech of the wicked gets him into trouble, is hurtful, and is fleeting." Then I wrote, "Make your words worth being heard. No one really listens to the person who talks all the time. Like James says, if you can tame your tongue you can do anything." This passage reminded me of something a friend told me during first semester this past year. She said something to the effect of "Megan, you never have much to say, but when you have something to say it's always valuable." That's so important to me. Without me ever really even putting much thought into it, it's always been one of my goals to be a person who only talks when she has something important to say rather than talking to be heard. It's not like there's anything wrong with being a talkative person; it's just that that's not who I am and it's better for me not to try to be something I'm not.
As my week ended, I planned on having a rather packed weekend, which is rare for me, but a few things changed. My friend Melissa from high school had invited me and some of our other high school friends to come over to her house to watch movies and hang out Friday evening. I got off work around 7:00 on Friday and called her to let her know I was going to stop to get gas and then come straight to her house rather than going home first. I called mom to let her know what I was doing; got on the interstate; got off the Wilson exit to get gas (the exit I normally take when going home); got gas; got back in my car; turned the key; nothing happened. Great. Tried several times to start my car and still nothing. So, I called home and dad headed up to the gas station to get my car started. He jumped my battery and followed me home. The only thing wrong was the battery had gone bad. I was really glad that's all it was because we've just finished spending a bunch of money on getting my car fixed and I couldn't imagine that there was anything left to go wrong! Anyway, by the time we had the new battery put in, it was too late to justify the long drive to and from Melissa's house, so I wound up staying home. I'm just glad I got gas near my house so I didn't have to sit for an hour at a weird gas station or anything.
I shouldn't be at a loss for things to say since I haven't posted in a while. I'll start with last Wednesday.
Wednesday night Bro. Mark spoke at Alpha and Omega. It was quite a good message. One of his first points was "Doubt is not a lack of faith; Doubt is being caught between two beliefs." That's huge! Some people may think that when Christians begin to doubt we've somehow lost our faith in God, but that's just not the case. It's good to know when doubt comes into our lives we can still rely on God to help us overcome that doubt. Mark was speaking from Matthew 11:1-6 where John is in prison and sends some of his disciples to ask Jesus if He is the real deal or if they should look for someone else. Mark equated John's questioning with doubt, which isn't necessarily how I would read that passage, but all the points he made about it were good, so I wouldn't make a big deal out of that. Mark pointed out that when John asked Jesus a question, Jesus didn't make John the issue; Jesus made Jesus the issue! In other words, it's not about us, it's all about Christ. One of the final points Mark made was when he quoted an author who said, "The person who finds the courage to go back to square one finds the strength to go on." He meant that when we begin to doubt we must go back to the foundational elements of our faith--the things we know to be true. Overall, it was a really good message.
Thursday in my devotions I read Proverbs 12:11-19. I wrote this: "This passage speaks much of the tongue, the mouth, and the lips, which all refer to speech. The speech of the righteous has been considered before it is spoken; it is healing and not hurtful; it is truth and will endure. The speech of the wicked gets him into trouble, is hurtful, and is fleeting." Then I wrote, "Make your words worth being heard. No one really listens to the person who talks all the time. Like James says, if you can tame your tongue you can do anything." This passage reminded me of something a friend told me during first semester this past year. She said something to the effect of "Megan, you never have much to say, but when you have something to say it's always valuable." That's so important to me. Without me ever really even putting much thought into it, it's always been one of my goals to be a person who only talks when she has something important to say rather than talking to be heard. It's not like there's anything wrong with being a talkative person; it's just that that's not who I am and it's better for me not to try to be something I'm not.
As my week ended, I planned on having a rather packed weekend, which is rare for me, but a few things changed. My friend Melissa from high school had invited me and some of our other high school friends to come over to her house to watch movies and hang out Friday evening. I got off work around 7:00 on Friday and called her to let her know I was going to stop to get gas and then come straight to her house rather than going home first. I called mom to let her know what I was doing; got on the interstate; got off the Wilson exit to get gas (the exit I normally take when going home); got gas; got back in my car; turned the key; nothing happened. Great. Tried several times to start my car and still nothing. So, I called home and dad headed up to the gas station to get my car started. He jumped my battery and followed me home. The only thing wrong was the battery had gone bad. I was really glad that's all it was because we've just finished spending a bunch of money on getting my car fixed and I couldn't imagine that there was anything left to go wrong! Anyway, by the time we had the new battery put in, it was too late to justify the long drive to and from Melissa's house, so I wound up staying home. I'm just glad I got gas near my house so I didn't have to sit for an hour at a weird gas station or anything.
Jun 30, 2003
I'm irate! I just typed up this huge long post about everything that's happened from Wednesday till Sunday and it got erased! I'm begining to be very angry with these Blogger people. This is not the first time this has happened. But this time it's with the new system, so I thought all the bugs would have been worked out. Oh well, no use crying over spilled milk, as they say. I'll try to redo it tomorrow (actually, later today). Later.
Jun 24, 2003
I've noticed as I've been reading through some of the blogs I've listed to the left that often people (Christians even) use the comment section of blogs to bash the mess out of other people's opinions. Rather than even trying to be polite, people basically just flat out say "no, you're wrong. your opinion is stupid. I have all the answers, not you." Okay, first of all, those who have a blog have the right to freely post their opinion in any way they want to. If you disagree, at least try to be kinda nice about it! It's not your websight!
I would like to say that I have something new and exciting and phenominal to write about today, but alas, I do not.
"I believe we are here for a reason. As each day unfolds, we see less of the shadow and more of the sun."
-a quote from a greeting card
I do believe we are here for a reason. And as each day unfolds, I pray that we each see more of the SON. In His presence all shadows of darkness flee.
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace."
I would like to say that I have something new and exciting and phenominal to write about today, but alas, I do not.
"I believe we are here for a reason. As each day unfolds, we see less of the shadow and more of the sun."
-a quote from a greeting card
I do believe we are here for a reason. And as each day unfolds, I pray that we each see more of the SON. In His presence all shadows of darkness flee.
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace."
Jun 21, 2003
I hate to even mention this, but all this Harry Potter nonsense is crazy. Christians who (in my opinion) are being completely rediculous are making such a big stink about the fact that there's witchcraft and wizardry in it so we shouldn't let our young people read it because it will corrupt their minds and make them Satan-worshippers and on and on and on. Darren from The Living Room posted about it (but he's on the same side as me; not one of the rediculous ones!). You can read his post rather than me rehashing all the info. But I will say, on a similar note, that when all of us church kids of my generation were little we weren't allowed to watch The Smurfs because of witchcraft, yet The Gummie Bears with their magic bouncing gummy juice was perfectly fine because it wasn't stirred in a black cauldrin! (I'm probably slaughtering all these words that I've never had a reason to spell before! If I am, sorry!) But if my memory serves me right, it was a "natural" substance (i.e. herbal, i.e. so are drugs) so what are we saying, that you can do drugs but not cauldrins? In real life, witches don't go around riding on broomsticks and wearing tall, black, pointy hats, so why should we give the kids the impression that that's what they should beware of? If we're harming the kids in any way, I would be quicker to say that these arguments against HP are giving them the wrong impression of what "evil" looks like. Satan isn't red with a pitchfork and a pointy tail either! If you want to teach the kids anything, teach them that books like HP are FICTION and to be read only as entertainment, not something to pattern your life after. And for those who are ready to say "that's not the kind of entertainment our kids need," dare I ask you what movies you watch? I'm sure they're not oozing the gospel message either! Teach the kids the books are fiction, and move on to teaching them that the Bible is different because it is Truth and IS something we should pattern our lives after. If nothing else, redirect your energy from complaining to teaching.
I'm done ranting for now!
I'm done ranting for now!
I long so very much to have a day to go out and enjoy some great part of God's creation. Between the fact that I'm currently in the uneventful westside of Jacksonville (versus the beautiful and ever-popular St. Augustine) and the fact that it's been quite rainy, I've not had much to gaze at in wonder as of late. [I've recently become fond of the phrase "as of late." Not typical for most Americans, but I've picked it up from an Aussie.] I recall with fondness the days while I was at school that I broke away from my studying and sat at the fort on the edge of the Intracoastal, watching the tiny waves splash against the coquina wall and the ever-changing clouds overhead. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with the westside.... well, that could be argued.... but there's just not much great scenery here. Anyway, I suppose I should try to find some time just to be outside for a while this weekend. Maybe it won't rain after I'm off of work tomorrow. Speaking of which, I have to go in earlier than normal tomorrow, so I should get to bed. G'night.
Jun 20, 2003
Got one of those forwarded e-mails today. I don't usually care much for them, but this one was pretty cool. Rather than posting the whole thing, I'll just give the short version. It compared trying to figure out our lives on our own to trying to open a rosebud without tearing any of the petals. Just as God is the only one who can open a rose perfectly, He is also the One who can unfold the events of our lives perfectly. Let Him be in control and wait on His time. Good message.
Jun 19, 2003
A few posts ago when I talked about drinking, the blog that I made vague reference to was this one. (I might as well link to it if I'm gonna talk about it, even if my opinions differ from his in several areas. His post advocating drinking was on Thursday June 5.) I was re-reading his post last night to try to figure out if I agree or disagree with him. No matter what, I will say I am impressed by the appearant research he has done on what he writes. On this reading, I also read the TWENTY-FOUR comments that had been left (now 25 thanks to yours truely). Many interesting points were brought up. (I won't delve into which ones I agree with or disagree with.) In my quest for "answers" I realized, or rather God revealed to me, that far too often we focus on one particular aspect of life and make it seem like much more of a priority than it really should be. I think if we could keep our main focus on doing EVERYTHING to the glory of God life would be much better. However things like this have become issues in modern Christianity, and to some extent I guess we are forced to deal with them. There's a fine line to be drawn, I suppose, between the things we see as absolutes and the issues which should be left to personal conviction. Hmmm.... where I'm going with this I'm not sure. My main point I guess is to focus on God and not what other people are or are not doing. Don't make mountains of mole-hills. Don't judge people so harshly for believing slightly differently than you on little issues. Don't become like the Pharisees with their high-and-mighty list of DOs and DON'Ts. Most importantly (and slightly redundant) do what God calls you to do and also listen when He tells you "no."
Jun 18, 2003
Danny spoke at Alpha and Omega, our college and career service, tonight. It was incredible. It just so happened that there was a scaffold in the Teachy Chapel from some new lights being installed or something, so earlier in the day Danny asked them to leave it there for tonight (he used it as an object lesson). His example was that God was up at the top of the scaffold and our goal is to get up there with God. (He made clear that no example is perfect, so if there's something "wrong" with this one, he already warned us that it would not be perfect.) His point was that we can't get up to the top without first going "to our knees," in other words, through prayer. It's not our strength that gets us up to God, but us letting God take control. So, yes, Danny climed up about 15 feet in the air to "where God was" and made the point that when we get on one of our "mountain tops" with God, we will automatically fall if we look "down" at all the other people, thinking to ourselves, "look how high I am compared to all of them," because we've taken our eyes off Christ (like Peter) and we get proud. So, yes, he jumped down to the ground, symbolizing his "fall away from God." The next part is the incredible part, though, that we often overlook. He said, "No matter how many times you fall, God's grace lets you climb back up." Think about that! When somebody fails us, we pitch a fit and vow never to trust them again, so-on and so-forth. Yet we ourselves are sinners who also fail. The sinless God of the universe, however, calls us back to Him every time we fall. He never says, "Okay, that's it. You've had plenty of chances. No more climbing back up for you." Instead, He cheers us on and encourages us. "Yes, the climb back up can be hard and tiring," Danny said. "You might even make a lot of racket and feel embarrassed when people look at you" (the scaffold was noisy, so the analogy fit perfectly). He talked about how non-Christians will often be the first to point the finger when a Christian fails, which can make it hard for us to want to get back up and try again, yet by faith in God's grace we can climb back up once again. That's about all for the object lesson, but that led into a bunch of other incredible stuff. Danny touched on the concept of being consumed by God. We're told to love God with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and our strength. Danny said, "God, how can I do that if I'm also supposed to love my wife and kids and the people around me?" He explained that when we are consumed with God all else falls into place. I instantly thought of "seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." It means that if God is our first priority, He makes it possible for us to fulfill all the things He has in store for us. Oh, I never mentioned what scripture Danny spoke on. It was Genesis 39:1-3. It talks about how Joseph was taken into Egypt and bought by Potiphar (vs. 1), God was with Joseph (vs. 2), and Joseph's master (who basically had no idea about Jesus and the one true God) could see God in Joseph (vs. 3)! The scripture worked in with the object lesson in that when you're truely close to God ("on top of the scaffold") everyone can see that-- even the pagan world who has no prior concept of God. I'm not sure how he crammed so many topics into one night, but Danny also mentioned stepping out of your comfort zone. He said that when we're out of our comfort zone is when God can use us the most. He didn't say a whole lot about that, but it was something I definitely needed to hear. I get so comfortable in my daily routine, with my typical group of people, sitting in my usual spot at church, doing what I'm used to doing, etc. I think that's something God's been trying to show me lately, but it took tonight's message to make me realize it. Something I could not be reminded of enough is that the world does not revolve around me! God's plans and purposes are far more important than my own, so the right thing for me to do would be to surrender daily to that concept and let God have His way instead of me having mine. I'm gonna quit now, but I could go on forever. I'll probably think of more to say tomorrow on this same topic.
I've been pouring through websights today, just for the heck of it mostly. As I read many different opinions on many different subjects, I realized (actually remembered) that it seems as though I have sort of "reconsidered" my stance on several issues within the past year. I guess that's something that comes with going away to college; your eyes are opened to a whole new world, so to speak. But do not fear: I am not implying that I am in any way turning my back on my Christian upbringing. It's just that some things which I had a firm opinion on for no particular reason now seem more negotiable to me. Not the basics, just the details. The foundational principles of my faith are still the same, yet I am becoming more leniant on some of the "detail" items, which quite honestly may challange the opinion of the majority of the people (at least older people) in my church and even denomination. Okay, before you think I've completely gone off the deep-end, I'll explain what I'm talking about. Two particular issues come to mind: tattoos and drinking, neither of which do I participate in. About a year ago I probably would have told you that I absolutely positively think both are wrong. For that matter, on any given day in the present, I would probably come close to saying the same thing. Yet within the past year my convictions on those two issues have come into question.
As for tattoos, I would have sited Leviticus 19:28 as my reasoning for thinking that they were wrong. As I began truthfully thinking about the issue, however, I began to think about the fact that there are many other Levitical laws that we completely disregard in our modern lives, such as not eating pork. I studied Leviticus 19 on my own for a short while and concluded that even though there were things in it that could not apply to our lives today, such as laws for sacrifice, the majority of it could easily apply. More importantly, however, I came away with the belief that God simply wants us to be different from the lost world -- devoted to Him and seperated from the world's system of beliefs. I am no longer sure of my opinion of the wrong-ness of tattoos, but I do know that that is not the issue. The issue is whether or not we are devoted to God to the point that we would do whatever He asks of us, and furthermore would NOT do whatever He asks us not to do. Although it is weird not having a firm opinion, I'm actually glad I don't because it's helped me become less judgemental. Whether you do or don't have tattoos, I no longer care. (Not that I particularly cared in the first place. I wouldn't have hated you for it or anything.) Moving on...
As for drinking, I realized today how much I have shifted on this issue when I read a guy's site that more or less condoned it and backed it up with scripture, and I didn't throw a fit about how ungodly he is to use scripture in that way. For me not to make a big deal out of a "Christian" condoning drinking is a new thing. What he said kinda made sense, I'd have to say. Before, I would have said that to drink at all is wrong. I am beginning to think, however, that it is not so much the "drinking" but rather the being "drunk" that is wrong. The problem is most people can't do the former without eventually getting to the latter. In our society of "do what feels good" few people would stop after one or two drinks. And most people drink more to "fit in" than because they have a taste for the drink. That I do believe is wrong. A glass of fine wine with a formal dinner, I am beginning to think, is a decent thing. A beer at a ballgame, however, I think I still would not approve of. Dare I mention that I'm contemplating having a champaign toast at my own wedding (in the distant future!!)! Actually, that may not happen. I would rather not have it than offend people who would be there. Besides, seeing as how I've never drank ANYTHING, I don't know if I would like it. At any rate, I still would rather steer clear of drinking for the most part for many reasons. First, I know for me it would go against what my parents would want. Also, you never know what other people would think of it. If it would make me look like a "bad Christian" to someone, even if I thought they were wrong, I would rather not drink. Some people would suggest, in that case, only drinking in the privacy of your own home. But truthfully and honestly, how many issues really stay inside homes?? Eventually someone finds out, and then it looks like you're trying to hide something, which can make you look worse than if you just did whatever it was out in the open. Okay, this is getting long!
In conclusion... I'm not sure why I decided to post about this. Probably more for me than for anyone who may read this. I will say one last thing that my opinion has NOT changed on... actually two. Sex and abortion. I believe sex is exclusively for marriage. There's not much else I could say about that one. As for abortion, I do believe it is murder. I read somewhere today that supporters of abortion have called it "reproductive freedom". REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM???!!! Reproductive freedom is choosing whether or not to have sex in the first place!! HELLO!! No sex = no "unwanted" pregnancies. Seeing as how the majority of abortions are with unmarried girls, I think I covered my opinion of that in the first part of this paragraph. Anyway, it's too late for much of a rant on this topic tonight. Comments?
As for tattoos, I would have sited Leviticus 19:28 as my reasoning for thinking that they were wrong. As I began truthfully thinking about the issue, however, I began to think about the fact that there are many other Levitical laws that we completely disregard in our modern lives, such as not eating pork. I studied Leviticus 19 on my own for a short while and concluded that even though there were things in it that could not apply to our lives today, such as laws for sacrifice, the majority of it could easily apply. More importantly, however, I came away with the belief that God simply wants us to be different from the lost world -- devoted to Him and seperated from the world's system of beliefs. I am no longer sure of my opinion of the wrong-ness of tattoos, but I do know that that is not the issue. The issue is whether or not we are devoted to God to the point that we would do whatever He asks of us, and furthermore would NOT do whatever He asks us not to do. Although it is weird not having a firm opinion, I'm actually glad I don't because it's helped me become less judgemental. Whether you do or don't have tattoos, I no longer care. (Not that I particularly cared in the first place. I wouldn't have hated you for it or anything.) Moving on...
As for drinking, I realized today how much I have shifted on this issue when I read a guy's site that more or less condoned it and backed it up with scripture, and I didn't throw a fit about how ungodly he is to use scripture in that way. For me not to make a big deal out of a "Christian" condoning drinking is a new thing. What he said kinda made sense, I'd have to say. Before, I would have said that to drink at all is wrong. I am beginning to think, however, that it is not so much the "drinking" but rather the being "drunk" that is wrong. The problem is most people can't do the former without eventually getting to the latter. In our society of "do what feels good" few people would stop after one or two drinks. And most people drink more to "fit in" than because they have a taste for the drink. That I do believe is wrong. A glass of fine wine with a formal dinner, I am beginning to think, is a decent thing. A beer at a ballgame, however, I think I still would not approve of. Dare I mention that I'm contemplating having a champaign toast at my own wedding (in the distant future!!)! Actually, that may not happen. I would rather not have it than offend people who would be there. Besides, seeing as how I've never drank ANYTHING, I don't know if I would like it. At any rate, I still would rather steer clear of drinking for the most part for many reasons. First, I know for me it would go against what my parents would want. Also, you never know what other people would think of it. If it would make me look like a "bad Christian" to someone, even if I thought they were wrong, I would rather not drink. Some people would suggest, in that case, only drinking in the privacy of your own home. But truthfully and honestly, how many issues really stay inside homes?? Eventually someone finds out, and then it looks like you're trying to hide something, which can make you look worse than if you just did whatever it was out in the open. Okay, this is getting long!
In conclusion... I'm not sure why I decided to post about this. Probably more for me than for anyone who may read this. I will say one last thing that my opinion has NOT changed on... actually two. Sex and abortion. I believe sex is exclusively for marriage. There's not much else I could say about that one. As for abortion, I do believe it is murder. I read somewhere today that supporters of abortion have called it "reproductive freedom". REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM???!!! Reproductive freedom is choosing whether or not to have sex in the first place!! HELLO!! No sex = no "unwanted" pregnancies. Seeing as how the majority of abortions are with unmarried girls, I think I covered my opinion of that in the first part of this paragraph. Anyway, it's too late for much of a rant on this topic tonight. Comments?
Jun 17, 2003
I was looking at a sight today called Brick Testament that has scenes from Bible stories depicted in LEGGOS! It's actually quite incredible! Not only are the guy's Leggo models very good, also -- if you know anything about photography -- the pictures are really good. He must have a LOT of time on his hands! I heard rumor that the guy is possibly an atheist. If that is true, he sure has devoted a huge portion of his life to depicting Biblical things.
I'm also trying to update my links on the left. I'm going to add some blogs that I've come across that I find interesting.
I'm also trying to update my links on the left. I'm going to add some blogs that I've come across that I find interesting.
Take a moment to stop what you're doing and just think about how good God is. Sing a song to Him. Talk with Him. Lift up your hands in praise. Do a little dance, if you feel so inclined! [What? You feel silly praising God in your own house? Then where in the world will you ever feel comfortable?] Remember this: church on Sunday is not the only place and time where we meet with God, nor is it the only place and time where God deserves our praise. He is worthy always. When we fail to acknowledge Him in our day to day lives it's like saying that our agendas are more important than the holy God that we say we worship and serve. So take second to praise Him.
Jun 16, 2003
What a good day! Nothing particularly special about it, just good. I guess I cleared my mind of several things this weekend, so despite my battle with a sinus headache all day and the drizzley rain outside, I still had a great day. Still nothing especially exciting to post about... but I KNOW everyone's favorite store is Old Navy of Orange Park and I know everyone wants to come see me while I'm working this week (Thursday evening or Saturday daytime). If you happen to be at the mall, come say hi. Anyway, that was really random and useless! I'm gonna quit now before I bore you completely!
Jun 15, 2003
This morning in choir we finally got to sing a song we've been practicing for a while that I absolutely love. It's called "Total Praise" and it's by the Brooklyn Tabernacle people. It says...
Lord, I will lift my eyes to the hills
knowing my help is coming from You.
Your peace You give me
in time of the storm.
You are the source of my strength.
You are the strength of my life.
I lift my hands in total praise to You.
It's such an incredible song with a powerful picture of true worship. I'm really glad we got to sing it today.
In my quiet time lately I've been reading in Galatians. Paul is writing to the Galatian people and explaining to them that they have been set free from the law because Christ provides salvation through His grace. Here are a few "application" type things I wrote down.
"We should not begin to think that our good works make us any better than someone else. If we feel that way, Christ's death is in vain." (2:15-21)
"Christ's blood not only saves us, but also is the only way by which we can be perfected. It is Christ, not ourselves." (3:1-9)
"Funny how we try to come up with our own way of doing things even after God has told us the way He wants it done!" (3:17-22)
"Although we are corrupt, God loves us enough to ADOPT us and clean us up and make us royalty! How incredible! We are now princes and princesses!" (4:1-7)
"Don't leave behind your excitement for Christ when circumstances aren't perfect. Remain zealous!" (4:8-18)
"The promises of God are always stronger than our ability to keep the law. In salvation through faith when we fall God's grace catches us. There's nothing to catch you under the law, yet you WILL fall!" (4:19-26)
"God has set us free so we should live like it. At the same time, we are to honor, not abuse, the grace He's given us." (4:27-5:1)
The Galatians had been saved, yet they still tried to keep the law as if that was what would "keep" them saved. Paul tried to get them to understand that God isn't concerned with how good you are because He saves us just as we are. I remembered this morning that our good or bad deeds do not make us more or less saved, and also do not make it easier or harder for Christ to save us! He had to die for our sins regardless of whether we only told one little lie or were murderers. This is not to say that Christ does not want us to pursue good works after our salvation; we simply should not act as though our good works are what saves us or as if they will give us more favor in the eyes of God. God sees us all the same: we're either His children or we're not. There's only two possibilities. Good works are simply what we should be compelled to do in response to what Christ has done for us. I hope this all made sense. Feel free to leave comments or questions if I've confused you on any point! Later.
Lord, I will lift my eyes to the hills
knowing my help is coming from You.
Your peace You give me
in time of the storm.
You are the source of my strength.
You are the strength of my life.
I lift my hands in total praise to You.
It's such an incredible song with a powerful picture of true worship. I'm really glad we got to sing it today.
In my quiet time lately I've been reading in Galatians. Paul is writing to the Galatian people and explaining to them that they have been set free from the law because Christ provides salvation through His grace. Here are a few "application" type things I wrote down.
"We should not begin to think that our good works make us any better than someone else. If we feel that way, Christ's death is in vain." (2:15-21)
"Christ's blood not only saves us, but also is the only way by which we can be perfected. It is Christ, not ourselves." (3:1-9)
"Funny how we try to come up with our own way of doing things even after God has told us the way He wants it done!" (3:17-22)
"Although we are corrupt, God loves us enough to ADOPT us and clean us up and make us royalty! How incredible! We are now princes and princesses!" (4:1-7)
"Don't leave behind your excitement for Christ when circumstances aren't perfect. Remain zealous!" (4:8-18)
"The promises of God are always stronger than our ability to keep the law. In salvation through faith when we fall God's grace catches us. There's nothing to catch you under the law, yet you WILL fall!" (4:19-26)
"God has set us free so we should live like it. At the same time, we are to honor, not abuse, the grace He's given us." (4:27-5:1)
The Galatians had been saved, yet they still tried to keep the law as if that was what would "keep" them saved. Paul tried to get them to understand that God isn't concerned with how good you are because He saves us just as we are. I remembered this morning that our good or bad deeds do not make us more or less saved, and also do not make it easier or harder for Christ to save us! He had to die for our sins regardless of whether we only told one little lie or were murderers. This is not to say that Christ does not want us to pursue good works after our salvation; we simply should not act as though our good works are what saves us or as if they will give us more favor in the eyes of God. God sees us all the same: we're either His children or we're not. There's only two possibilities. Good works are simply what we should be compelled to do in response to what Christ has done for us. I hope this all made sense. Feel free to leave comments or questions if I've confused you on any point! Later.
Jun 12, 2003
So, work is good. I like the fast-pace so far and I work with some really great people. There's A LOT to remember when you're first learning it, though, but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it really soon. Long day yesterday: VBS, work, church, and Tina and Danny's house. I skipped out on VBS today. I'm going back tomorrow, though. Nothing else really to post about right now. Sorry. I'll try to be more interesting in days to come. Later.
Jun 10, 2003
"We judge too much in the disputable matters, without standing firm nearly enough on those matters that God is clear about. We might turn a blind eye to an affair in the congregation, but watch out if you walk in full of tattoos."
A guy wrote this in a post on his sight a few days ago. Something to think about.
A guy wrote this in a post on his sight a few days ago. Something to think about.
Okay, nobody gave me any feedback when I asked about devotional journals a few days ago. Have you guys never used one you liked? No interesting commentaries? No wonderfully laid out programs? Fine. I'll just find my own then! Who cares what you think anyway? (JK, I care! You can still leave a comment if you feel so inclined!)
ugh... I just typed up a post but then it got deleted. here goes round two.
Here's a recap of my weekend: my dad and I dropped my car off at the mechanic for it to be checked out one last time. It was dropped off Saturday evening, but they said they couldn't get to it till Sunday, which was fine. Sunday afternoon we had not heard from them, so we gave them a call. Turns out the mechanic who was supposed to work on my car forgot that he wouldn't be coming in to work on Sunday. Okay, honest mistake, he had to drive his daughter to Gainesville or something. So, we were told my car would be worked on first thing Monday morning. By the middle of the day on Monday we still had not heard from them, so my mom called.... THEY LOST MY KEY!!!!! So, needless to say, my car had still not been worked on! We brought them another key and by the end of the afternoon my car was finally fixed. And yes, they gave us a discount for all the trouble. They're supposed to call if/when my key turns up, but we haven't heard from them yet.
In other news, I've been working in the nursery for VBS this week. I love it! I spent most of yesterday with Ethan who's about 3 months old, and most of today with Madison who's 1. Both of them are angels! Tina tells me I need to get all my baby-lovin' out now cause I don't need one for quite a while. Not like I had planned on it or anything! Even if I rush my "life-plans" a little, that still gives me a good 5 years before I would even think about it. Anyway, that about concludes this dramatic episode of Life with Megan. Tune in tomorrow for updates on cashier training at work! Later!
Here's a recap of my weekend: my dad and I dropped my car off at the mechanic for it to be checked out one last time. It was dropped off Saturday evening, but they said they couldn't get to it till Sunday, which was fine. Sunday afternoon we had not heard from them, so we gave them a call. Turns out the mechanic who was supposed to work on my car forgot that he wouldn't be coming in to work on Sunday. Okay, honest mistake, he had to drive his daughter to Gainesville or something. So, we were told my car would be worked on first thing Monday morning. By the middle of the day on Monday we still had not heard from them, so my mom called.... THEY LOST MY KEY!!!!! So, needless to say, my car had still not been worked on! We brought them another key and by the end of the afternoon my car was finally fixed. And yes, they gave us a discount for all the trouble. They're supposed to call if/when my key turns up, but we haven't heard from them yet.
In other news, I've been working in the nursery for VBS this week. I love it! I spent most of yesterday with Ethan who's about 3 months old, and most of today with Madison who's 1. Both of them are angels! Tina tells me I need to get all my baby-lovin' out now cause I don't need one for quite a while. Not like I had planned on it or anything! Even if I rush my "life-plans" a little, that still gives me a good 5 years before I would even think about it. Anyway, that about concludes this dramatic episode of Life with Megan. Tune in tomorrow for updates on cashier training at work! Later!
Jun 8, 2003
This morning we (the choir) sang a song called "It's Still the Cross." What an incredible message. It talks about how things in life may change, like public opinion and social whims, yet the message of Christ remains the same. The chorus says, "It's still the cross, it's still the blood of Calvary that cleanses sin and sets the captive free. It's still the name- the name of Jesus that has power to save the lost. It's still the cross." How good to know that no matter what new opinion or trend may come along Christ is faithful and unchanging. He doesn't suddenly decide that there's a new way that you must come to Him; the way is always the same- through Christ alone can we approach the Father. That reminds me of another song called "Paid in Full." I wouldn't normally quote two songs at once, but this one has a great message, too, so here it is.
see our Savior hung between two thieves
hear the soldiers mock His name
see his followers as they cry in disbelief
"this could not be the reason why He came"
see Him realize His life is through
and feel the love burn from His eyes
behold the temple veil as it is torn in two
and hear the One on Calvary as He cries...
paid in full, I've done the work I came to do
paid in full, I've paid love's final price for you
when all hell tries to tell you that you'll never win
just remember that the debt for your sin is paid in full
see His children torn between two ways
some still choose to mock His name
hear His followers now as they can boldly say,
"we are the reason that He came"
see the ones who trust themselves alone
to do what only Christ can do
THROUGH JESUS' BLOOD ALONE
WE MAY APPROACH THE FATHER'S THRONE
and hear the words that He still calls to you...
(chorus)
see our Savior hung between two thieves
hear the soldiers mock His name
see his followers as they cry in disbelief
"this could not be the reason why He came"
see Him realize His life is through
and feel the love burn from His eyes
behold the temple veil as it is torn in two
and hear the One on Calvary as He cries...
paid in full, I've done the work I came to do
paid in full, I've paid love's final price for you
when all hell tries to tell you that you'll never win
just remember that the debt for your sin is paid in full
see His children torn between two ways
some still choose to mock His name
hear His followers now as they can boldly say,
"we are the reason that He came"
see the ones who trust themselves alone
to do what only Christ can do
THROUGH JESUS' BLOOD ALONE
WE MAY APPROACH THE FATHER'S THRONE
and hear the words that He still calls to you...
(chorus)
Jun 7, 2003
"The Valley" (live version) by Ginny Owens
The pathway is broken and the signs are unclear,
And I don't know the reason why You brought me here.
But just because You love me the way that You do
I'm gonna walk through the valley if You want me to.
No, I'm not who I was when I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet.
So if all of these trials bring me closer to You,
Then I will walk through the fire if You want me to.
It may not be the way I would have chosen
When You lead me through a world that's not my home.
But You never said it would be easy,
You only said I'd never go alone.
So when the whole world turns against me
and I'm all by myself
and I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering Your love put You through
and I will walk through the darkness if You want me to.
(So when I cross over Jordan I'm gonna sing, gonna shout,
gonna look into Your eyes and see You never let me down.
So take me on the pathway that leads me home to You)
and I will walk through the valley if You want me to.
Yes, I will walk through the valley if You want me to.
I was listening to this song today and it really spoke to me... in more ways than one. I've heard the song like a million times, but I needed it today. I came to realize that stuff in my life that discourages me and gets me down at times are potentially things that can draw me closer to God, if I let them. There are "things" in my life right now that, honestly, I'm sick of. It's stuff I've been dealing with for what seems like a long time. When I pray according to how I feel, I tell God that I'm sick of "it," and I'm tired of feeling how I feel, and that if I had Him answer my prayers my way this would all be over and done with. But then I'm reminded of what this song says: sometimes we have to go through suffering because it will bring us closer to God. On the other hand, when I'm reminded of that message, I ask myself how I can even call the situations in my life "suffering" in comparison to what Christ endured. My life is like a walk in the park compared to that. As odd as it may sound, I am often comforted to know the extent of Christ's sufferings (not even including His actual death) such as His friends all turning their backs on Him and rejecting Him. It helps me keep my "suffering" in true perspective. Christ went through far more in His life here than I will probably ever even come close to going through.
"I'm so tired of living for the kind of love that only comes and goes,
but Your love- Your love lasts forever."
-from "Healer" by Ten Shekel Shirt
The pathway is broken and the signs are unclear,
And I don't know the reason why You brought me here.
But just because You love me the way that You do
I'm gonna walk through the valley if You want me to.
No, I'm not who I was when I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet.
So if all of these trials bring me closer to You,
Then I will walk through the fire if You want me to.
It may not be the way I would have chosen
When You lead me through a world that's not my home.
But You never said it would be easy,
You only said I'd never go alone.
So when the whole world turns against me
and I'm all by myself
and I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering Your love put You through
and I will walk through the darkness if You want me to.
(So when I cross over Jordan I'm gonna sing, gonna shout,
gonna look into Your eyes and see You never let me down.
So take me on the pathway that leads me home to You)
and I will walk through the valley if You want me to.
Yes, I will walk through the valley if You want me to.
I was listening to this song today and it really spoke to me... in more ways than one. I've heard the song like a million times, but I needed it today. I came to realize that stuff in my life that discourages me and gets me down at times are potentially things that can draw me closer to God, if I let them. There are "things" in my life right now that, honestly, I'm sick of. It's stuff I've been dealing with for what seems like a long time. When I pray according to how I feel, I tell God that I'm sick of "it," and I'm tired of feeling how I feel, and that if I had Him answer my prayers my way this would all be over and done with. But then I'm reminded of what this song says: sometimes we have to go through suffering because it will bring us closer to God. On the other hand, when I'm reminded of that message, I ask myself how I can even call the situations in my life "suffering" in comparison to what Christ endured. My life is like a walk in the park compared to that. As odd as it may sound, I am often comforted to know the extent of Christ's sufferings (not even including His actual death) such as His friends all turning their backs on Him and rejecting Him. It helps me keep my "suffering" in true perspective. Christ went through far more in His life here than I will probably ever even come close to going through.
"I'm so tired of living for the kind of love that only comes and goes,
but Your love- Your love lasts forever."
-from "Healer" by Ten Shekel Shirt
Aw, man. I'm so, so, sooooooo upset. I don't get to go to St.Aug after all tonight. I'm so upset. It's a long, frustrating story. The main jist of it is this: when something goes wrong with my dad's truck it gets fixed in like a day or two, but my car on the other hand.... a month and a half after the problem shows up we finally decide to do something! And, of course, we have to put it off long enough so that the one day out of the month that I really need my car is the day we have to leave it at the shop. And, of course, this all must coincide with other "driving delimas" for my room mate. AND, of course, my dear friend Eric WOULD stand me up! Thanks, Eric... 'preciate it! J/K. So, I now have the joy of staying at home and possibly eating out with the parents and being driven to and from church tomorrow. Ugh. Cars are so frustrating!
It's been far too long since I posted a Superchick song, so here's one for ya. It's called "High School"... a time of my life that I'm glad is over! This song is so true!
High school could be a mini-me of the rest of society, there's always a prom queen, there'll always be, always be sororities, and sadly some will be eternally keeping score of popularity, but just cause they all do doesn't mean we have to act like we're in high school, doesn't mean we have to act like we're in high school
High school is like a big competition, beauty contest, prom court is the mission, there can only be one queen, one king, everyone voting, everyone competing, but these are the rules, the way of high school, if someone puts you down- that's so high school, someone talks behind your back- that's so high school, thinkin' you have to get them back- that's also high school
I know I'll be graduating early cause...
High school could be a mini-me of the rest of society, there's always a prom queen, there'll always be, always be sororities, and sadly some will be eternally keeping score of popularity, but just cause they all do doesn't mean we have to act like we're in high school, doesn't mean we have to act like we're in high school, doesn't mean we have to act like we're in high school
High school is like the state of the nation, some people never change after graduation, believing any light you shine makes theirs lesser, they have to prove to everyone that theirs is better, these are the rules, the ways of high school, if someone puts you down- that's so high school, believing they're too cool for you- that's so high school, and you believe it too- that's also high school
I know I'll be graduating early cause...
High school could be a mini-me of the rest of society, there's always a prom queen, there'll always be, always be sororities, and sadly some will be eternally keeping score of popularity, but just cause they all do doesn't mean we have to act like we're in high school, doesn't mean we have to act like we're in high school, doesn't mean we have to act like we're in high school
We've all got bad year book photos which we forgot to let go, and just like acne our insecurity should be something we left with the JV, so here's to letting go of year book photos and things we kept that hold us down, that was yesterday, there's always tomorrow, we are tomorrow, we are tomorrow
I know I'll be graduating early
High school could be a mini-me of the rest of society, there's always a prom queen, there'll always be, always be CELEBRITIES, and sadly some will be eternally keeping score of popularity, but just cause they all do doesn't mean we have to act like we're in high school, doesn't mean we have to act like we're in high school
High school could be a mini-me of the rest of society, there's always a prom queen, there'll always be, always be sororities, and sadly some will be eternally keeping score of popularity, but just cause they all do doesn't mean we have to act like we're in high school, doesn't mean we have to act like we're in high school
High school is like a big competition, beauty contest, prom court is the mission, there can only be one queen, one king, everyone voting, everyone competing, but these are the rules, the way of high school, if someone puts you down- that's so high school, someone talks behind your back- that's so high school, thinkin' you have to get them back- that's also high school
I know I'll be graduating early cause...
High school could be a mini-me of the rest of society, there's always a prom queen, there'll always be, always be sororities, and sadly some will be eternally keeping score of popularity, but just cause they all do doesn't mean we have to act like we're in high school, doesn't mean we have to act like we're in high school, doesn't mean we have to act like we're in high school
High school is like the state of the nation, some people never change after graduation, believing any light you shine makes theirs lesser, they have to prove to everyone that theirs is better, these are the rules, the ways of high school, if someone puts you down- that's so high school, believing they're too cool for you- that's so high school, and you believe it too- that's also high school
I know I'll be graduating early cause...
High school could be a mini-me of the rest of society, there's always a prom queen, there'll always be, always be sororities, and sadly some will be eternally keeping score of popularity, but just cause they all do doesn't mean we have to act like we're in high school, doesn't mean we have to act like we're in high school, doesn't mean we have to act like we're in high school
We've all got bad year book photos which we forgot to let go, and just like acne our insecurity should be something we left with the JV, so here's to letting go of year book photos and things we kept that hold us down, that was yesterday, there's always tomorrow, we are tomorrow, we are tomorrow
I know I'll be graduating early
High school could be a mini-me of the rest of society, there's always a prom queen, there'll always be, always be CELEBRITIES, and sadly some will be eternally keeping score of popularity, but just cause they all do doesn't mean we have to act like we're in high school, doesn't mean we have to act like we're in high school
Jun 6, 2003
I went for my day of training for my new job today. Aside from the fact that we had to sit and watch endless hours of videos, it went really well and I really think I'm going to enjoy the job. I think I'll like the fast pace of retail. Sure, it'll stress me out at times, but it's way better than having a job where you never have anything to do. And what could be better than getting to wear a headset microphone thingy?! I might get to work tomorrow, but if not then I'll officially start on Monday. Anything to get me out of this house!! Anyway, nothing really exciting to post about other than that. But for those of you who were praying about me getting a job, thanks!
Jun 5, 2003
Okay, even though it's not Friday (yet) and even though this isn't something I normally do, I'm going to do The Friday Five, which is a list of five questions that is posted every friday for people to answer on their web pages. This one's from last week, but I liked these questions... kinda thought-provoking. So, without further delay, here's the Friday Five.
1. What do you most want to be remembered for?
I guess this isn't really something to be remembered for, but it's sorta the same. My thing would be that I want to live so that no one could find anything bad to say about me. Sounds a little crazy, but I guess what I mean is just that I want to have "a good name."
2. What quotation best fits your outlook on life?
I'll have to think about this one. I know what my mom's is... "better safe than sorry," and when it comes to umbrellas and jackets it's "better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it." Man, I've heard that my whole life! Hmmm.... I'll answer the other questions and maybe I'll think of my quote by then.
3. What single achievement are you most proud of in the last year?
I would have to say that completing 31 credit hours and 50 practicum hours is my greatest accomplishment this year. Gee, only 2 1/2 more years like this one... except even tougher... the end is nowhere in sight!
4. What about the past ten years?
Getting saved! (Not that that is something I can take the credit for) 10 years ago at children's camp I got saved, and I've never regretted a moment of it.
5. If you were asked to give a child a single piece of advice to guide them through life, what would you say?
I suppose I would tell them not to worry about the future, but rather focus on what you can do right now. And also, I'd tell them not to believe all the lies about how easy it is to get college scholarships!!! It's all a conspiracy! There's not really any money! They just want you to work your butt off writing useless application essays for the heck of it!
Okay, now for my quote from number two. I guess number five helped me think of one. Matthew 6:34a "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about it's own things." The verse before it is a good one to live by, too. Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
1. What do you most want to be remembered for?
I guess this isn't really something to be remembered for, but it's sorta the same. My thing would be that I want to live so that no one could find anything bad to say about me. Sounds a little crazy, but I guess what I mean is just that I want to have "a good name."
2. What quotation best fits your outlook on life?
I'll have to think about this one. I know what my mom's is... "better safe than sorry," and when it comes to umbrellas and jackets it's "better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it." Man, I've heard that my whole life! Hmmm.... I'll answer the other questions and maybe I'll think of my quote by then.
3. What single achievement are you most proud of in the last year?
I would have to say that completing 31 credit hours and 50 practicum hours is my greatest accomplishment this year. Gee, only 2 1/2 more years like this one... except even tougher... the end is nowhere in sight!
4. What about the past ten years?
Getting saved! (Not that that is something I can take the credit for) 10 years ago at children's camp I got saved, and I've never regretted a moment of it.
5. If you were asked to give a child a single piece of advice to guide them through life, what would you say?
I suppose I would tell them not to worry about the future, but rather focus on what you can do right now. And also, I'd tell them not to believe all the lies about how easy it is to get college scholarships!!! It's all a conspiracy! There's not really any money! They just want you to work your butt off writing useless application essays for the heck of it!
Okay, now for my quote from number two. I guess number five helped me think of one. Matthew 6:34a "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about it's own things." The verse before it is a good one to live by, too. Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
The devotional journal that I've been using this year is almost finished, and although I enjoy it, I've been using the same program for quite a while and think it's time for a change. If you guys have one that you have used and would recommend, leave a comment for me. I'd like to hear which ones you think are good. I have till mid-August before I'm done with this one, so I have a while to decide, but I'm really looking forward to something a little new. Let me know what you think.
I should mention that Saturday night (the 7th) at 8:00 at Anastasia Baptist Church in St. Augustine is "The Edge" (which is a praise and worship service) and all who are interested are invited. And for future reference, it's held the first Saturday of every month, so if you'd like to become a regular, you're more than welcome. I couldn't begin to say enough about it. It's the number-one thing that I look forward to every month. My super room-mate from school (Laci) and I always go, and we usually are able to round up a couple of friends, too. Did I just use the phrase "round up"?? Where am I, on a farm? Anyway, just thought I'd put that little plug in. Hope to see some of you there!
Jun 4, 2003
Mr. Chuck Sowers spoke tonight at Alpha and Omega. He talked about the importance of Christian fellowship in the form of small group type meetings and the importance of encouragement (all from Hebrews 10:23-25). Something that he touched on a little but that I thought about quite a bit was the cool way God's "system" of encouragement works (he didn't call it a "system"; that's just how I see it). Like how if one person (person-A, to prevent confusion) is encouraged by another person (person-B), and person-A tells person-B, then person-B is encouraged by knowing that he encouraged person-A. Okay, so that didn't prevent any confusion whatsoever! In simpler terms (hopefully!) it's encouraging for you to know that you've encouraged someone else. That's really my only point. If I drag it out any longer I'll only be rambling! And, most likely, will have someone in utter, hopeless confusion! Oh, but do take note, as mentioned previously, Megan is now employed! G'night!
Jun 3, 2003
Jun 2, 2003
LIFE'S A PARADE
I do not feel that I can do adequate justice to this analogy, but I hope you can understand the concept of it anyway. Mrs. Linda reminds us of this analogy often in Sunday school, and I feel it is a really great one. She explains that life is like a parade. We are spectators standing on a street corner who can only see one float at a time. God, however, is the one up in the helicopter who can see the whole parade from beginning to end. Do not be misled, however. This is not to say that we are "only" spectators and have absolutely no control of events in our lives. The analogy merely implies that we only see one event at a time while God knows the past, present, and future all at once. Continuing the analogy, it's like if I see one bad "float" come along, I might assume that the rest of the parade can only get worse. God, on the other hand, knows that the best floats are yet to come. Hopefully this made a little sense. It's just something that helps me grasp the concept of God knowing our futures.
I do not feel that I can do adequate justice to this analogy, but I hope you can understand the concept of it anyway. Mrs. Linda reminds us of this analogy often in Sunday school, and I feel it is a really great one. She explains that life is like a parade. We are spectators standing on a street corner who can only see one float at a time. God, however, is the one up in the helicopter who can see the whole parade from beginning to end. Do not be misled, however. This is not to say that we are "only" spectators and have absolutely no control of events in our lives. The analogy merely implies that we only see one event at a time while God knows the past, present, and future all at once. Continuing the analogy, it's like if I see one bad "float" come along, I might assume that the rest of the parade can only get worse. God, on the other hand, knows that the best floats are yet to come. Hopefully this made a little sense. It's just something that helps me grasp the concept of God knowing our futures.
