A John Michael Talbot Link...

Via Scot McKnight's blog...John Michael Talbot - Come Worship The Lord

Please take the time to follow the link and listen. It is just wonderful.

My Hands Have Turned Orange

But that is because I have been "gutting" pumpkins. The snow is falling outside, and I am cooking pumpkins! The best part about this is that I get to roast pumpkin seeds. I love 'em!

Here are a couple of sites with VITAL pumpkin/squash information:)

Happy Roasting!

The Pioneer Woman Goes Pumpkin

Pioneer Woman's Pepitas

My Frugal Lifestyle

My Funny Bunch

The Obligatory How Martha Does It

Better Budgeting

Do you make roast pumpkin seeds? If so, what is your favorite way to do it?

Just For Fun...

Church Leader Look-Alikes...

Who looks like Kelsey Grammer, G.W. Bush, Dan Kimball, N.T. Wright, Mark Driscoll, and others?

Click here to find out.

Tommy Dorsey and a Little Bit Of HIstory

My friend Ann sings this song beautifully and allows me to accompany her on the piano. Here is the story behind the song, and the song will follow...






and now the song...



Precious Lord

Baptist Holy Days (Tongue-In-Cheek)

I came across this post this morning and definitely knew that I had to share it. Since the author's wife is Catholic, iMonk came up with a list of "Baptist Holy Days" for those of us with Holy Days' envy:)

A partial list of Baptist Holy Days, quoted from The Internet Monk...

"* Opening night/day of high school/college football season. (Depends on proximity of school, relationships to players, etc. Should include tailgating if possible.)
* Any church potluck or meal.
* Homecomings at any church you’ve ever attended, even once, within 300 miles.
* Any Sunday that starts a revival (or any Sunday that begins a 40 Days of Purpose if your church dumped revivals.)
* Any wedding of anyone in your family within 250 miles.
* Any funeral of anyone in your family within 70 miles.
* Christmas and Easter.
* Any church softball game against another Baptist church.
* Any church business meeting where there’s a chance of a big fight or someone getting fired.
* Any Billy Graham Crusade within 1000 miles."

For the complete list...Baptist Holy Days

Halloween Gross-Out Recipes

My sister-in-law emailed me last night about possible recipes for her office Halloween party. Being the exceptional sister-in-law that I am (Haha!) I began my search for extraordinary Halloween fare. Here is what I found...

(If you are unable to link to these sites on Facebook, click here...

or C&P this link: http://imtakingoffmyshoes.blogspot.com/2009/10/halloween-gross-out-recipes.html)

These Are Awesomely Gross
Cannibal Carnage
Halloween Appetizers
Cool Halloween Recipes
Brain Mold
Gross Stuff
Kitty Litter Dessert and others

Happy Cooking!

Things That Make Me Happy...#1-12

People ponder happiness all of the time, and as I was journaling this morning I felt compelled to write down those things or circumstances that make me happy. These are in no particular order, and I will be adding to the list continuously. So, without any further ado...

What Makes Me Happy...

1. Being in my husband's arms.
2. The laughter of my children.
3. "Electric" sunsets
4. Music that transcends and touches the ethereal, be it Beethoven, Pink Floyd instrumentals, or Mercy Me's "God With Us."
5. Sitting at the beach and watching the waves and listening to them crash on the shore.
6. Body surfing/boogie-boarding and riding the wave in.
7. The smell of a sweet olive tree.
8. The beginning of a road trip.
9. Intense sunshine on a cool fall day.
10. A warm fire in a quiet house on a cool morning.
11. Saturday mornings in the fall - crisp, cool, sunny, peaceful, fresh coffee brewing and bacon frying.
12. Dolphins.

What makes you happy?

Agnus Dei

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi...

Click here or watch on my blog...

Translation...
Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

About Ghoulies and Ghosties and Long-Leggedy Beasties...

An article worth reading...

Chesterton On The Benefits of Fairy Tales for Children

...or C&P this into your browser: http://thinklings.org/posts/chesterton-on-the-benefit-of-fairy-tales-for-children

"Eternal God, unchanging
Mysterious and unknown
Your boundless love unfailing
In grace and mercy shown
Bright seraphim in ceaseless flight
Around your glorious throne
Their voices raised both day and night
In praise to you alone

Hallelujah!
Glory be to our great God
Hallelujah!
Glory be to our great God!

Lord, we are weak and frail,
Helpless in the storm
Surround us with your angels
Hold us in your arms
Our cold and ruthless enemy
His pleasure is our harm
Rise up, oh Lord, and he will flee
Before our Sovereign God

Hallelujah!
Glory be to our great God!
Hallelujah!
Glory be to our great God!

Let every creature in the sea
And every flying bird
Let all the mountains, all the fields
And valleys of the earth
Let all the moons and all the stars
Throughout the universe
Sing praises to the Living God
Who rules them by His word

Hallelujah!
Glory be to our great God
Hallelujah!
Glory be to our great God!"

by Fernando Ortega

I love this song!

A New Cooking Find...

I am always looking for new recipes to cook because I get incredibly bored with the same old-same old. During the week we live off of my crock-pot cooking, and I came across this site while searching for recipes. Maybe someone else can benefit, too:)

Crockpot 365 (or if you are seeing this on FB and the link has not come through, C&P this: http://crockpot365.blogspot.com)

The "S" Word

Courtesy of Pioneer Woman - Please check out this link, or cut and paste this into your browser:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeschooling/2009/09/the-oldest-one-in-the-book/

Deep Thoughts Or Not

As I was thinking about the vast nature of God's creation, I realized that my musings could be considered "deep thoughts." Naturally, Jack Handey popped into my mind. He had many a profound thought voiced on SNL via Deep Thoughts With Jack Handey, but only one really stuck with me through the years..

"Better not take a dog on the space shuttle, because if he sticks his head out when you're coming home, his face might burn up." - Jack Handey

Why this stuck with me, I will never know.

Back to pondering God's creation...

"For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist." Colossians 1:16 & 17 (NKJV)

I like to think about this verse and go on a head trip. I like the NKJV because "consist" is used as opposed to "hold together" in the NIV and newer translations. "In HIM (emphasis mine) all things consist (again, my emphasis)." In Him all things consist. In him all things are. "For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” (Rev 4: 11b)
God could say, "STOP," everything would cease to exist, and we would never even know the difference. We would just cease. But God would still Be.

To quote Ted "Theodore" Logan, "Strange things are afoot at the Circle K."

My All-Time Favorite Commercial

And the original version by The New Seekers...

45 Lessons Life Taught Me by Regina Brett

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone..

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your
friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile..

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what
their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry;
God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood.
But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life,
don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.
Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words
'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone for everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of
anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone
else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."


By Regina Brett, 90 years young, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio

Musical Spirituality

My mom is a piano teacher. When I first learned to play the piano, the keys, learning the notes and then chords, inversions, and scales were drilled into my head. One octave - two octaves - three octaves - accenting keys accordingly. These were the building blocks that my love of music, of playing music, and of listening to music was built on.

The keys are the same wherever you may go, but what people do with them, the musical compositions, from classical to rap and metal to hymns to rock-n-roll to jazz...they are all different styles, just in different arrangements of the notes.

That is a simple way of how I view Christianity. In this analogy, the notes would represent foundational Truth, core concepts about the nature of Christ and such, the virgin birth, and the Resurrection, etc. The way the "notes" are presented in composition varies from fellowship to fellowship.

In a Lutheran congregation, you might find those notes in more of a classical style similar to Mozart. In a reformed congregation, these notes might take on an arrangement similar to that of a waltz. A non-denominational congregation could vary from rap to 70s rock-n-roll to - dare I say it? - jazz (with a nod to Don Miller)in their presentation of "the notes." And biker churches? Gotta be similar to Stevie Ray Vaughn:) But the notes are still the same.

How would your walk with God appear musically? A symphony? A waltz? A great 70s guitar solo? Something that you could slam dance to? Or sadly, a dirge?

Just my random thoughts for this morning, and if you have read this far, you might enjoy the following from Keith Giles...

"What I think we fail to realize is that, conversion to Christ is really a process of falling in love with Jesus over a period of time. When we make this process about a series of steps and a progression of words, we have seriously interfered with something that is far outside our ability to grasp and coordinate."

Read The Entire Article.

This excerpt also reminded me of another quote that I have written in the front of my Bible...

"I think the most important thing that happens within Christian spirituality is when a person falls in love with Jesus." Don Miller in Blue Like Jazz

Q&A on iMonk

Internet Monk - Saturday Is For Asking Questions

Interesting reading this past Saturday morning, and some of the Q&A hit on things that I have been pondering.

Barnes and Noble and Birthday Gift Cards...

My husband truly loves me:) For my birthday he gave me a $150.00 gift card for Barnes and Noble. Yes, I could take the time and use it online and have the books sent to my rural home, but doing that negates the whole B&N experience. So this past Saturday we made the 90-mile drive to B&N, walked in the door, and promptly ordered our caramel fraps. Then, with suitable coffee in hand, I headed straight to my favorite section...theology. I firmly intended on just purchasing one book, but as with any bibliophile, that was clearly not an option. I keep a running list of books that I want to read/purchase, and fortunately (or not:) I was able to find each of those books.

For those interested, here are the books that I purchased...

>The Great Divorce - C.S. Lewis...(This is actually a repurchase. I keep buying this book and then giving it to people to read cuz I just love it:)

>The Jesus I Never Knew - Phillip Yancey

>Reimagining Church - Frank Viola

>Something Beautiful - Leonard Sweet

Well, there they are. I am two chapters into Reimagining Church and one chapter into Yancey's book.

And for those who think that I have a one-track mind, Auntie Mame: An Irreverent Escapade is also on my list of books to read. The movie version (w/Rosalind Russell as AM), is one of my all-time favorites.

Ah, The Things That Sue-Babe Hath Taught

Sue-Babe's memory work...
Only the first line of the the following poem has stuck with me for the past 20 years, but stuck with me it has, so here ya go...

When I Consider How My Light Is Spent
by John Milton

When I consider how my light is spent,
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest He returning chide;
"Doth God exact day-labor, light denied?"
I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies, "God doth not need
Either man's work or His own gifts. Who best
Bear His mild yoke, they serve Him best. His state
Is kingly: thousands at His bidding speed,
And post o'er land and ocean without rest;
They also serve who only stand and wait."

Does Your Church Fit One Of These Models?

Anybody? Anybody? Bueller?

From Subversive article

"FOUR UNBIBLICAL MODELS FOR CHURCH"...

"James Rutz, in his book "Megashift" outlines four non-Biblical models for the modern
Church:

The Harvard Model - Where the professor is the preacher, the lectern is the pulpit, and the students are parishioners. Trouble is, they can sit and take notes for forty years, but they'll never graduate, never get a degree, and never ever become professors themselves.

The Hollywood Model- With its stage, entertainers, polished performances, costumed singers, applauding audiences, etc. All the church needs is popcorn.

The IBM Model - Where a board of directors runs everything from the top down, where permission to do things is denied or granted by the CEO (Pastor) and committees, where finances are the overriding factor behind policies, and where the institution competes with other churches for market share.

The Wal-Mart Model- Where aisles and aisles of tempting merchandise offer something for everybody. Seeker-sensitive mega-churches, with their array of 100+ programs, mirror beautifully the "consumer heaven" ideal of Wal-Mart."

Where is Jesus, on Aisle 9?

Click here for the full article.

Thoughts? Questions? Ideas?

Please Give Me Your Feedback...

There are a total of 10 questions. Please take the time to answer these questions as honestly and as thoughtfully as possible. Feel free to answer either here on my blog or on Facebook. If you would like to answer anonymously, please post your answers in the comments section on the blog entry.

All answers will be respected, and this will not be a forum for arguing/debating. I am really curious as to what people are thinking and looking forward to seeing the different responses.

Feel free to share this questionnaire with those you feel would enjoy taking the time to answer the questions.

*If the question does not apply to you or if you would just not like to answer, please mark N/A.

1. What is your spiritual world view/philosophy?

2. You have one book to choose from that defines your spirituality or lack thereof - what is it?

3. Do you believe in God? If so, who is He?

4. Who is Jesus?

5. How would you define church?

5. If you were a first-time visitor to a church/spiritual gathering, what would you look for?

6. When attending a church/spiritual gathering, what are things would turn you off?

7. Do you like Jesus but have a problem with the way people who say that they follow Him present themselves?

8. Name one good thing about those who follow Christ.

9. Define the term "Christian."

10. Do you share your spiritual beliefs, or lack thereof, freely with others? If so, is it a topic of conversation for enjoyment and growth or one of conflict and apprehension?

Thank you for humoring me and taking the time to at least read this:)

Teaching Creative Writing

I came across this article this morning and thought someone else might find it helpful/informative.

How To Teach Creative Writing

Summertime Treats

Summer time means blender treats here at our home. Two of our favorites our my homemade "slushies" (create-a-term) and a homemade version of Wendy's Frosty. I borrowed the Wendy's Frosty recipe from from Hillbilly Housewife, and they turned out great!

Our slushies are pretty simple...

1 pkt Kool-Aid (unsweetened small packets - any flavor)
1 cup sugar
1 cup water

Put these in the blender and mix until the sugar is dissolved. Add ice one cup at a time and blend until smooth. I usually add about 3-4 cups of ice. The blender is about 7/8 full.

I make a variation of this with Country-Time Lemonade. I use 4 scoops of CTL and 1/4 cup sugar, then adding the water and ice as above.

It's SUMMERTIME!!!

Jesus Manifesto by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola

A Magna Carta for Restoring the Supremacy of Jesus Christ a.k.a.
A Jesus Manifesto for the 21st Century Church
by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola

"Christians have made the gospel about so many things … things other than Christ.

Jesus Christ is the gravitational pull that brings everything together and gives them significance, reality, and meaning. Without him, all things lose their value. Without him, all things are but detached pieces floating around in space..." Read More

Mark Driscoll and The Peasant Princess Series

From what I have been reading, M.D. has been getting a lot of flak for The Peasant Princess series, a study on the Song of Solomon. I loved the series! It was the first honest discussion/teaching on sex within the Christian church that I am familiar with...and frankly it has been a long time coming.

I believe I have linked to it before, but in case I have not, here ya go...The Peasant Princess

Listen to it and decide for yourself.

The Lord's Prayer I Remember Singing...

Brother Maynard at Subversive Influence posted this article/audio link over the weekend. I looked for this all over You Tube last year and was unable to find it. So imagine my surprise and joy when I was checking out my daily blog reads and this was posted!

Subversive Influence - The Lord's Prayer

Give a listen and make sure to read his article, too. If you check into the recent archives, you can also find an article on Larry Norman as well.

Happy Reading and Listening!

Mars Hill Church - Mark Driscoll

If I was in Seattle, I would attend Mars Hill Church. As it stands, I live over 15 hours away, and so I download sermons/teachings from iTunes and regularly read the Mars Hill & Mark Driscoll blogs.

Check It Out: Trial: 8 Witnesses from 1 & 2 Peter. Read the article and listen to the file. You will be blessed!

Prayer Request...

Rick Meigs, blogger at the Blind Beggar, was in a terrible accident in Southwest Idaho. Please keep him in your prayers.

For more information and updates: Subversive Influence

I Hope Someone Has A Sense Of Humor...

I have been reading Lark News on and off for a couple of years. Think of it as The Onion but with the overall tone of poking fun at religious things.

This is satire, folks! Go into it with a sense of humor and laugh at yourself! I hope you get a kick out of the site. I find it hysterical!

Some recent articles I found funny...

Rapture Takes 2

Joseph Smith Rides Again

Perfect Pastor Dead

40 Days and 40 Deadheads

Be sure to check out the links at the top of the page...links for "Bald Men Only" and "Horoscopes." Remember, it is SATIRE!!! Have a good laugh and enjoy the ride:)

Trying Again...

Here's the playlist...some of the names are in the wrong spots and some of the spelling is just, well, atrocious. There should be something here for most everyone. The player just does not fit well on the page. If you click the pop-out player, you can scroll.

Noutheteo 4 Zoe...

Loosely translated (and I am no linguist by any stretch of the imagination) is Admonishing or Warning For Life. The title caught my eye tonight as I was perusing the latest updates in my Google Reader.

The blog is actually by a guy that I went to high school with. I found out recently that he is the pastor of the church I attended during high school. Anyway, check out the blog and see what you think.

Noutheteo 4 Zoe

You can also download sermons here.
Edgewood Baptist Church - Sermon Download

Then, after checking out these links, why not swing up to the northwest and check out the website of the church I attend? We have downloadable sermons, too:)
Just check out the home page or the archive link...Arco Baptist Church

Hmmm...You're probably wishing I had just posted my playlist instead!

My First Playlist...

Well, I was attempting to post my playlist but to no avail...maybe later.

Vision...

We, as a local body of believers in Jesus Christ, are gathering together this weekend to seek God's vision, His purpose for us as a group of people who want to worship Him and to serve Him. Are we going to be self-centered and introverted, seeking only to build a fortress around ourselves, having a faith that only comes out on Sunday morning, or will we be God-centered with our arms outstretched to those who are hurting, lost, tired, and hopeless, with a faith that continues beyond the four walls of the "church" and encompasses our entire life?

Acts 2: 42-47

42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
44All the believers were together and had everything in common.
45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being

Does His vision for us line up with our vision? Does our life with others emulate the above passage? If not, then we need to seriously rethink what we are doing.

Light The Fire In My Heart Again

No, it is not the Vineyard song, although that one is very good. We attended a small foursquare church in Monrovia, CA, over 10 years ago. That is where I first heard this song. Sonicflood did a great version - reasonably edgy - but I cannot find it on the web. I did find this version on youtube. The audio is a little difficult to hear.



The original lyrics are as follows:

Light the fire
In my soul,
Fan the flame
Make me whole.
Lord, You know
Where I’ve been,
So light the fire in my heart again.

I stand to praise You
But I fall on my knees;
My spirit is so hungry
But my flesh is so weak.

I feel Your arms around me
As the power of Your healing begins;
You breathe new life right through me
Like a mighty rushing wind.


Bill Maxwell, 1987 Bloodsmith Music
CCLI #332454

The Hour That Changes The World...

I read this book years ago, and I really loved it. It is a book about prayer based loosely on the Lord's Prayer. Reading it really opened my heart to the power of prayer, intercession, and just worshipping God through prayer. I have been feeling the need for a refresher course of sorts as my prayer life has been bland and ordinary. I began rereading it and it still amazes me how much the teaching blesses me. The book is well worth the read.

Third Day

Originally, I had a direct link w/music in this entry, but it was interfering with my playlist audio, so I deleted it. For more Third Day information, please click the following link:

Third Day

Check out Peter Rollins on Why I Quit Blogging

I want you to take a look at: Peter Rollins on Why I Quit Blogging 

CREEDS, Creeds, and creeds...

I never knew that there were so many creeds in Christendom. I grew up reciting the Apostles' Creed, and frankly, I tend to like that one quite a bit. It is concise, hits all of the major points (IMO), and has a beat so I can dance to it:) The Nicene Creed seems to get a lot of air time these days, but by the time I started hearing a lot about the NC, the AC was pretty well cemented in my thoughts and it was hesitant to any other creed that may usurp its place in my thoughts.

A couple of years ago in a burst of enthusiasm for all things traditional, I accepted copies and study guides of the Westminster and Heidelburg catechisms. I was going to work my way through one or the other catechisms and the Apostle's Creed with my children. After reading through the long and the short versions of the W & H, I decided to take another route.

Please do not take my irreverance in my tone as disdain for the content. I think that both catechisms and creeds can serve a wonderful purpose. My dislike comes when the content, which is systematically put together by man (or men), subjugates God's Word. I tend to think that if God wanted a catechism or creed, then that is what He would have given us. He did not, so I think of them more like Cliff Notes, not the actual Work.

What happens when the answers to the catechism questions are just answered by rote or the creeds are being recited in the same fashion week after week without any heart knowledge of what is being said?

It was in this environment that I came across the Athanasian Creed while studying the Trinity. I really like this creed. Do I know it by heart? Nope. Will I recite it every Sunday, looking to it for truth and answers? nope, Nope, NOPE! But I will read it and see how beautifully the Trinity is expressed in the written word.

******************************************************

Athanasian Creed

Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith. Which faith except everyone do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the catholic faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity, neither confounding the persons, nor dividing the substance.

For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Spirit. But the godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, is all one, the glory equal, the majesty co-eternal.

Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit. The Father uncreated, the Son uncreated, and the Holy Spirit uncreated. The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Spirit incomprehensible.

The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Spirit eternal. And yet they are not three eternals, but one Eternal.

As also there are not three incomprehensibles, nor three uncreated, but one Uncreated, and one Incomprehensible. So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty, and the Holy Spirit Almighty. And yet they are not three almighties, but one Almighty.

So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. And yet they are not three gods, but one God.

So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Spirit Lord. And yet not three lords, but one Lord.

For as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge each Person by Himself to be both God and Lord, so we are also forbidden by the catholic religion to say that there are three gods or three lords.

The Father is made of none, neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone, not made, nor created, but begotten. The Holy Spirit is of the Father, neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.

So there is one Father, not three fathers; one Son, not three sons; one Holy Spirit, not three holy spirits.

And in the Trinity none is before or after another; none is greater or less than another, but all three Persons are co-eternal together and co-equal. So that in all things, as is aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped.

He therefore that will be saved must think thus of the Trinity.

Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation that he also believe rightly the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the right faith is, that we believe and confess, that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and man; God, of the substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds; and man of the substance of his mother, born in the world; perfect God and perfect man, of a rational soul and human flesh subsisting. Equal to the Father, as touching His godhead; and inferior to the Father, as touching His manhood; who, although He is God and man, yet he is not two, but one Christ; one, not by conversion of the godhead into flesh but by taking of the manhood into God; one altogether; not by confusion of substance, but by unity of person. For as the rational soul and flesh is one man, so God and man is one Christ; who suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead. He ascended into heaven, He sits at the right hand of the Father, God Almighty, from whence He will come to judge the quick and the dead. At His coming all men will rise again with their bodies and shall give account for their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting; and they that have done evil into everlasting fire.

This is the catholic faith, which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved.

I really like Keith Giles' blog. Not a day goes by that I do not want to link to his newest post, but I restrain myself because I figure that I should at least publish a few of my own thoughts on my blog from time to time. Well, that is not going to happen today.

Check this out: What If Jesus Could Be You For 24 Hours?

If you get a chance, check out some of his archived articles as well. I mean, the site's name is Subversive, for goodness sake. How can you go wrong with a blog title like that:D

Jesus and Politics...

I am all for political activism, but where are our priorities? This is a great article that addresses the issue...
The End of My Political Career by Matthew Raley

An Irish Blessing...

The wind is blowing, and it looks like it is going to rain. While playing around on Facebook I began adding Flairs to my current collection. I started with C.S. Lewis flairs, looked for Ravi Zacharias, and began pondering what unique flair I could find. I remembered the Irish Blessing that my mother-in-law really loved. She had a plaque that was painted by my sister-in-law, and I thought that would be a nice one to have. I was unable to find it on a flair, but I thought it would be nice to post here.

Irish Blessing

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

May God be with you and bless you:
May you see your children's children.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.

May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near.

May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.

Dealing With Stuff...

I am dealing with stuff. I do not need to get into the specifics here on the WWW, but suffice it to say, it has been one interesting week. The weird thing about it is that I keep coming across things, articles and such, that seem to be appropriate to my current situation. As a for instance, just check out the following from Heartlight

May 21, 2009


VERSE:
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
-- 1 Peter 5:7
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Peter+5:7

THOUGHT:
So often our worries are so heavy because we refuse to put them down. Let's cast our burdens on the Lord. Let's consciously put our future in his hands. Let's trust our worrisome fears to his care.
We know he loves us and longs to sustain and comfort us because of what he has done to save us.

PRAYER:
Holy God and loving Father, I consciously place my fears, worries, anxieties, and burdens in your hands. I know that I have so little power to change the outcome of these events and situations that can cause me to have these anxious feelings.
However, dear Father, I trust that you will work what is pleasing to you, and best for me, out of these situations. Forgive me for my anxious thoughts and for letting my own worry become an idol that robs you of my full trust. Strengthen and empower me to trust you more by the power and presence of your Spirit. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/todaysverse.cgi?day=20090521

Now to add irony to irony, I had just written this verse in my journal, and then my prayer partner quoted it in prayer to me this morning. Then I opened the email. So, okay, God - I'm listening (nod to Frasier:)...I am casting all my cares and anxieties and burdens on my heart upon you.

This Is Going To Be Fun...

Two sites that I keep an eye on - The Pioneer Woman (Subheaded "Flowing Through Life In The Country One Calf Nut At A Time" - I love that!) and This Is Reverb (Found this site through PW) - are getting together for a cook-a-thon...kind of Iron Chef meets blogdom. Check it out. There are sure to be some great recipes, photos, and such, as well as lots of tongue-in-cheek wit!

How Drunks Converted Me

I read this article last fall and have shared it with many of my friends. Talking with a friend about it this morning I decided to share it with my numerous (tongue-in-cheek) blog readers.

Originally Published at The Ooze, September 18, 2008 by Aaron Plum

HOW DRUNKS CONVERTED ME

by Aaron Pluim


Thursday September 18, 2008
I grew up thinking alcohol was from the Devil. Or at least evil. Or at least as bad as dancing. No, wait, it was worse than dancing, but not by much. It was a land of strange logic in which I was raised. For instance, the abuse of many good things often led to the denunciation of the good thing abused. Now I realize it makes sense to denounce the abuse, or misuse of good things and not the good thing in itself. But for whatever reason, I couldn’t grasp this concept. The perversion went further unfortunately. Not only was the good thing often denounced to varying degrees, but also the person or people who abused the good thing. So when I say I grew up thinking alcohol was not a good thing, you can bet I grew up thinking Alcoholics weren’t good people.

That all changed when I actually met some Alcoholics.

We met in the basement of an old church in a small Georgia town. I don’t remember many details about the room itself, but the company and conversations I shared there were unforgettable. There were about twenty of us. Some were younger and working, some were old and retired, and others were going through a mid-life crisis. Bill was one of these people.

Bill was an older man with a larger physique, full beard and raspy voice. I never got to know him well, but he seemed like the kind of man who wore his heart on his sleeve and refused to wear masks. As coffee brewed in the kitchen, Bill began the meeting by introducing himself the same way he always would when we met together:

“Hi everyone, I’m Bill, and I’m an alcoholic.”

I was in my senior year of college and attending my first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. In the next several meetings I attended as a requirement for a counselling course, I listened to men and women chronicle how their addiction to alcohol had taken over their lives and stolen much of who or what they loved. They openly exposed the rationale they would use on themselves in order to have, “Just one more drink.” They would exchange phone numbers, offering support to each other in times of temptation. As I listened to those broken, honest, courageously dependent people, I thought, “This is what the Church, the Bride of Christ, is supposed to look a lot more like.” Broken. Honest. Dependent.

At the time I attended the AA meetings and for the past several years before that, I had my own addiction. Not to alcohol, but to something potentially destructive as well. I was addictively committed to appear to be a “Good Christian.”

While attending college, I earned the reputation with most people that made my acquaintance of being a “Really nice guy.” Yet the reality of my private life was far from nice. This disconnect between who I appeared to be and who I really was, completely frustrated me. On the one hand, I wanted to be honest with people, ask them to stop calling me nice and tell them I was really struggling with a bunch of stuff. Yet on the other hand, I was immersed within a cultural environment that valued dutiful Christianity; and so, lest someone saw me as a spiritual failure, I thought I had this "Good Christian" image to uphold-an image that seemed to be embodied in everyone on campus. I was fortunate to have a few close friends with whom I felt safe confiding in. I expressed to them how much I felt like a fake. Yet, I often concluded those discussions with renewed determination, thinking if I only “tried harder,” things would get better. Things never did get better or issues go away. Things got worse the harder I tried in my own strength to be good/better/obedient/mess-free.

What was so refreshing about the community I encountered at AA was that, unlike me at the time, they didn’t wear the proverbial mask. They didn’t pretend to be someone they weren’t. They openly admitted that their lives were, or had been, in shambles because of their addiction. They didn’t judge each other when confessions of failure were made, but encouraged each other to, “Work through the steps.” Alcoholics Anonymous promotes a recovery program called, “The Twelve Steps.” These steps are guidelines for recovery based on the foundational principles that an alcoholic is powerless in their own strength to overcome their addiction, and the need for reliance on a Higher Power’s strength to stay sober. The first three recovery steps read as follows:

1. “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.”

2. “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”

3. “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.”

The Twelve Steps mirror well the Christian worldview that likewise admits we must come to an end of ourselves and rely on God to live the kind of life we were originally intended to live. Bill Wilson, cofounder of Alcoholics Anonymous once said, "How privileged we are to understand so well the divine paradox that strength rises from weakness, that humiliation goes before resurrection, that pain is not only the price but the very touchstone of spiritual rebirth."

It has always been an engrained belief: that my spiritual salvation has been provided and guaranteed by God’s grace through faith alone. All those years of sitting in the pew, hearing sermon after sermon, not once did I ever hear the pastor say I had to earn my salvation. Yet, in regards to sanctification- becoming more like Jesus at our core, most Christians, like I did for far too long, believe our sanctification matures by our strength and determination in addition to God’s grace. The unspoken message I accepted growing up, and at times find myself still embracing, is that salvation is God’s job but sanctification is mine.

Jesus seemed to disagree with this thinking. He once encouraged one of his early disciples during a hard time, saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." If the grace Jesus provides is sufficient, that means nothing more is needed. It truly is a divine paradox: that by fully embracing our absolute weakness, God gives us his strength when we trust him for it.

This is good news. Especially for people like me who often equate personal worth with personal achievement. Especially for me, for whom it is so difficult sometimes to trust Someone I’ve never seen. Especially for me, who often relies on control and careful calculations to journey through life and for whom surrender of any sort feels like an agonizing death that I must escape from in order to survive.

Maybe spiritual healing would occur within us and in Christian communities like the Bible college I attended if we realized how powerless we are in our own strength to live a holy life. Perhaps then, we could start living like those honest, broken, courageous people I met at Alcoholics Anonymous. Maybe if we gave up on our own strength and stopped trying to fix ourselves and gave God a chance, He would be seen through His broken and surrendered bride. No more reliance on our cute and clever Christianese clichés, fist-clenched, teeth-gritting determination or pre-planned, pre-packaged goals and strategies to be a “Good Christian” in order to display to the world the strength and beauty of Christ. Simply a completely abandoned trusting-reliance on the Holy Spirit to do what only He can: conform us into the image of Jesus Christ, one day at a time.

I grew up thinking Alcoholics were failures. And then I met a few who had given up on their own strength and determination, and were trusting God to stay sober. It's then that I realized they were the wise ones. They were the victors. And I want to be just like them.


"The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' But wisdom is proved right by her actions." -Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in Matthew 11:19

"Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: 'Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.' " -Paul of Tarsus as recorded in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

What Am I Reading...

I know that you must be just waiting with baited breath, wondering what wonderful things I am reading and ready to share with you! NOT!

These Are The Books On My Nightstand:

This is by Craig Groeschel and it is about getting a "vision" for your church. It has some really good information, and I am thoroughly enjoying the writing style. He has profiles throughout of church leaders today and their views on vision and building the church. Mark Driscoll, one of the pastors I listen to, has a piece in the book on what worked at Mars Hill, and I think he hit the nail on the head...Love Jesus, Teach Jesus, Share Jesus...It is all about Jesus!

With all of this said, I struggle with concept of planning to build and/or grow church as opposed to God building/growing the church. Some would say they go hand-in-hand and that there must be organization and structure. Is that what God wants us to do? I suppose I am a little naive, but I tend to think that if you pray and stop to listen, then He will tell you which way to go. I think that is the IT that the author is talking about.

More later when I finish the book.


I have read Wild At Heart and thought it was an enjoyable read, but I am enjoying WWG much, much more. It is more applicable to me where I am.









This is a reread for me. I have read all of the pros and cons about this book, and I have no desire to debate them. I like this book. It was an interesting read, and in some respects I found it nourishing for my soul.










I will finish this book! Yes, I occasionally blow the dust off of the cover and again try to complete what was started almost a year ago courtesy of The Well Educated Mindand KayLynn:)

Is it Just Me...

Or is anyone else noticing that now a second blog that I link to has published a farewell post? Maybe I need to quit linking?

Tattoo Me...

Yesterday I was talking with a friend who is going to get a tattoo. She was discussing the different designs she had in mind as well as what ifs for me. Now, while I will not get a permanent tattoo, I do like the idea of henna tattoos. I also have a tendency to try out ideas on exposed body parts. So with all of this in mind, last night I came up with this design on my kneecap. It is the unfinished version. CREDIT: My husband played around with the jpg and added the background presentation.

Throwing Out The Theological Garbage...

There must be something in the proverbial waters because I keep coming across these different blog entries and crying out, "Yes! That is what I was thinking!" Now I could say that I only read blogs that I agree with, but that would not be true. I like to read from left, right, and center just for some perspective, but it seems like in the last week or so all of those blogs I read are hitting the nail on the head, and least with what I have been currently thinking.

Check out iMonk. Get Rid Of Some Of Your Theology

To Agree or Not To Agree...

I regularly attend church. I play keyboards and participate vocally on our church's worship team. I look forward each week to listening to our pastor teach because he truly has a heart for seeing people come to Christ.

So what is the problem?

I suppose that I had a mental list of "I will never..." when it came to church choice. I grew up in mainline denominations, and after moving to California and attending both Calvary Chapel and The Vineyard churches, I "vowed" that I would never set foot in a mainline church again. It is over fifteen years later, and I am eating my words.

I do not necessarily agree with the beliefs of this denomination (American Baptist). I do not believe that the sun rises and sets on the American Baptist view alone. In fact, the very idea that people will label themselves Baptist (or Methodist or Presbyterian, etc.) tends to grate my last nerve, but that is a topic for another discussion.

So, if these are my thoughts and views, why am I even attending this church? Because I firmly believe God is going to use this group of believers for great things for His Glory. As noted above, the pastor has a heart for the Gospel and for sharing It with those who do not know Jesus. It is not just lip service - It is a matter of the heart.

For a much better exposition of why someone else attends a church where theologically there are differences, jump right on over to Parchment and Pen. He is much more eloquent in his presentation!

Foods That Taste Like Seasons...

I just finished lunch with an enjoyable mix of European greens topped with V&O and some lemon pepper, and I realized that it tasted like spring. The leaves were just so fresh with barely any dressing on them and were just so green. Then I got to thinking about what other foods "taste" like seasons...

This is what I came up with...

Summer: Big red juicy strawberries and fresh peach homemade ice cream

Fall: Trash. For those of you in the south, you will know what this means. For all of you non-Southerners, it is also known as Chex Mix. This has to be homemade by someone who has been making it for years, using either their Mama's, their Mamaw's, or their "Aunt" Janis' recipe.

Winter: To me, winter cries out a bit pot of thick homemade (are you sensing a trend?) chili with jalapeno and cheddar cornbread.

What foods taste like seasons to you?

You Have To Read This...

Amazing Love is truly what living for Christ is all about. I was completely blessed and inspired by this entry.

April 15, 2009

For most people, April 15th brings cold sweats and high blood pressure. The date screams, "TAXES!" But for me, first and foremost, it reminds me of my grandfather as it is his birth date.

Today would have been my grandfather's 99th birthday. That just floors me. He was such a wonderful man, full of insight and wisdom with a wonderful sense of humor. Happy Birthday.

Being Trite

I have decided to surface from the depths and aim for the superficial. I love movies. I will watch pretty much anything within reason. I am a movie snob. I can generally give a brief history or bit of trivia about any movie made prior to 1990. If you have ever seen High Fidelity with John Cusack (one of my favorite actors), just think of his character but with movies.

This is a list of my favorite comfort movies. They are in no particular order or number. Some are indie. Some are more commercial. I can watch them over and over again and never grow tired of them.

Committed
Double Happiness
You've Got Mail
When Harry Met Sally
Sleepless In Seattle
While You Were Sleeping
Chocolat
Die Hard (yes, I do find this comforting - hey, it has part of Beethoven's - that makes it cultural, right? :)
Love Actually
Keeping Mum (new addition)
Death At A Funeral (more recent addition to my list)
Grosse Point Blank

To this list can be added any Hitchcock movie and just about anything with Jimmy Stewart or Cary Grant!

What To Write About...

I have drawn an absolute blank. I have pondered posting quotes from notable authors, Top 10 Lists, and even expounding poetically about some great idea, but then...Nothing.

Top 10 lists seem trite. Posting quotes and ideas from others is fine but impersonal - almost as if I cannot think for myself. (This reminds me of a scene in Good Will Hunting). All that is left is for me to post my own thoughts and ideas. But what if nothing is on my mind?

Generally, my mind is spinning continuously, contemplating and postulating about ideas and what ifs and such. Maybe it was the trip to California or just the vacation in general, but the spinning has stopped. The stress has disappeared. Now I am home. The rain has gently watered the landscape while the clouds drape over the frosted mountain peaks.

The Empty Tomb

He is alive! He has reconciled us to Him!
He still heals! He still works miracles!
We serve a Risen Savior!
Praise You, Lord!

I Am In Southern California...

The place that I would choose to call home. I have hit all of my old stomping grounds, and everything feels wonderfully familiar, fresh, and green. During my trek around town I stopped at a Christian bookstore to browse the selections. I do not live near a Christian bookstore, so this was a treat for me. I began to browse and check out this entity which I used to frequent. The same authors were being promoted. I had to search for those who are now my favorites, and after circling the store a couple of times I finally found them.

There were four books that I have had on my "books to read" list, and I had them all in my hands trying to decide which one to purchase with what little money I had left. Then an epiphany came to me. What new information would I garner from these books? Would I be asked to challenge myself or were these ones that would just stroke my ego and reinforce what I already think, thereby validating my ideas? I decided the latter, and so I happily walked out of the store without the books and walked into the sunlight.

In Case You Missed It Last Thursday Night...

Does Satan Exist?

It is a fascinating look at what people think.

Everything Is Gonna Be Alright...

Everywhere I turn people are going through things that seem to be weighing them down, me included. This song - Three Little Birds by Bob Marley - just makes me happy and somehow seems to make all of the obstacles less insurmountable...

What Are Marshmallows Really Made Of?

This is the subtitle to my blog title, and there is a story behind it (just think high school, Monty Python, and junk food at 2:00 AM), but enough about that. A friend of mine read the subtitle and laughed out loud because she had written a wonderful poem about Marshmallows over at Peace Lives Here. Please check it out!

Be A Marshmallow

I Was Having A Conversation With A Friend...

Were you expecting a joke? I know, the title seemed like a lead-in to a joke, but really, I was having a conversation with a friend of mine just over an hour ago. We were discussing the trappings of seminars, conventions, etc., on how to ______________ (fill in the blank) instead of just following what God has already told us to do - to listen to Him and His direction. Then I read this post by Keith Giles, and he put it so much better than I ever could that I will send you over his way to read his blog. Ironically, in sending you to read the post in a way I am actually doing the opposite of what he is posting about.

Stop. Shut Up. Move.

Okay, for those of you expecting a joke, here you go:

A rabbi, a priest, a pastor, and a monk all walk into a bar. The bartender says, "What is this, some kind of joke?"

Just For Fun

Which Theologian Are You?

What's Your Theological Worldview?

What's Your Eschatological View?

My Results:

Worldview: Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan (This can tend to change depending upon what I am reading at the time.

Theologian: John Calvin (Those who know me will find this quite humorous!)

Eschatologically, I am a Premillenialist. (Yep!)

Have fun and don't take it too seriously:)

Saint Patrick's Breastplate Prayer

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through the belief in the threeness,
Through the confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth with his baptism,
Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,
Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,
Through the strength of his descent for the Judgment Day.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs,
In predictions of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me:
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of demons,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.

Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me abundance of reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation.

Saint Patrick

Ok, I am not Catholic, but I like some Catholic things. I know, technically being of Protestant mindset some say that I really should be wearing orange today, but I dig the green! I put a shamrock on my teenage son's face and sent him to school. My tennis shoes are green paisley, and my shirt is green. I gave Kermit a run for his money in my greenness today!

I am moved by the story/biography/testimony of Saint Patrick. He was completely missional in his mindset. Mark Driscoll talks about Saint Patrick on his blog, and I have to include the following because I just love the way those guys over at Big Idea Productions introduce children to the man behind all of the green:)

Hey, Denice!!!

You know, I could not think of a thing to write,
but I'm sending you a great big Hello!!!

My friend Denice - we have been friends since 9th grade - is visiting New Orleans this week. She is supposed to send me a postcard. Even though I am a Louisiana native, I have never been to New Orleans.

If I were to go to New Orleans, I would have to go on a diet beforehand because once there I would eat my way through the city. Commander's Palace is the first place that comes to mind. Cafe au lait and beignets at Cafe du Monde. Oyster po-boys!!!

Where is that postcard?

I Have Arrived (but where did I come from?)

When I was a teenager, I used to watch music videos on television. I know that today with all of the different nostalgia shows on the "music channels" that this idea must seem antiquated, but that is how it was (in my best old fogey voice) - back in my day. VH1 was for the more mature crowd, and MTV was young and hip. I was never hip, but being young I spent most of my time on MTV. Occasionally I would drift over to VH1 especially on Sunday mornings. I recall a time where I drifted over for a "Sunday Brunch" type of thing, and there on screen was a beautiful ocean with Adirondack chairs sitting on the beach and a Kenny G type of sax solo was playing in the background. The image stuck with me. This is what adults do on a Sunday morning...read the newspaper in bed together, children come to jump under the covers and you relish what is left of the weekend.

Fast-forward almost 20 years. It is not a Sunday morning. In fact, it is a Monday night, and being the techno-geeks that we are, my husband and I are in our comfy-cozy bed, each with our own laptops, and typing away. My son comes bounding onto the bed to peer over each screen to see what is going on. And he anxiously awaits his turn. I have arrived.

The Gospel According To Starbucks

No, it is not a new coffee cult where we bow at the altar of Starbucks with the aroma of fresh brewed beans wafting heavenly as an incense offering. Instead it is a wonderful read about having a "Grande Passion" - passionately sold out to, enveloped by, and completely immersed in Jesus Christ - and sharing Him with the culture we are in. Admittedly, I am only about 50 pages into the book, but the writing appeals to me.

All of this talk of Starbucks has me craving my standard order. If only I were within a reasonably short driving distance to my local SB, I would order a venti - YES, VENTI - iced caramel macchiato.

BTW, if you click here, you can read more about it at Amazon.

I Love Waterfalls...

I have lived near the ocean, and it has a beauty of its own, but waterfalls - WOW - there is just something about them. I love them! I even have one embroidered on my blue-jean jacket:)

Yosemite is a paradise for those of us who love waterfalls. Check out the waterfalls of Yosemite. I have had the privilege of living in Yosemite National Park, waking up each morning to view and hear Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls. I have stood at the bottom and seen the moonbow at night. It was even more special because I was in the arms of my future husband at the time.

The waterfall regularly pictured on my blog is of Amicalola Falls in northern Georgia. We lived there for a few months in 2004, and I found this treasure before we left the state. The boys and I hiked to the top and had a wonderful view of the Georgia landscape.

(My boys may have serious words with me for posting this pic. Afterall, they're teenagers now!)

To stand at the top of a waterfall
as the water cascades down is incredible,
but to stand at the bottom
as the water crashes down onto the rocks is majestic.
The sound is deafening
as the spray covers your being
with the damp mist.

In Revelation Chapter 1, Jesus Christ's voice is described as that of the sound of rushing waters, One of awe, beauty, fluidity, and power. Every time I have the pleasure of visiting one of these majestic creations, I hear His Voice as the water comes cascading down.

While I Am Trying To Get Together This Really Long Blog...

Check out these blog entries on who Jesus is and how the Jesus of Christianity differs with the Jesus of Mormonism. I live in an area where as a Christ follower, born-again Christian, Jesus Freak, I am in the minority. The Mormon church holds the religious majority.

We pray for an awakening for the entire valley in which we live so that God will be glorified, that His Truth will reign supreme. We pray diligently for our friends both near and far to know Him, to love Him, and to worship Him, to come into fellowship with the One, The Only, The Living and True God.

Reclaiming The Mind: Is The Mormon Faith A True Representation Of Christianity?

Eclectic Christian: Reflections on the Diety of Christ

Random Thoughts

After much deliberation and putting aside my reservations, I decided to join a Beth Moore Bible study on the book of Daniel. We are five weeks in and I have to say, "Wow!"

Generally, at the beginning of the study there is a history lesson behind the current chapter/verses, and then there are five daily lessons (I usually cram and do them all on Tuesday night) which allow for personal application of what you have learned. This week we talked about how King Belshazzar had the consecrated vessels of God, which were taken from God's temple, and toasted his foreign false gods with them.

The personal application of this section was a reminder that we are God's consecrated vessels, that His Spirit dwells in those who believe in and on Him. What idols, what false gods are we as His consecrated vessels choosing to "raise our glasses to"?

Another post on the Daniel Study

Way To Go, JoAnn!

I have been wanting to write for a week now, but nothing has really come to mind. My friend JoAnn over at Growing In God's Grace has a wonderful entry on what God is showing her and doing in her life. It is a wonderful read and her thoughts speak to my heart as well.

The Priesthood of All Believers

"All Christians Are Priests of God" at Subversive is a good read on the subject.

"As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by human beings but chosen by God and precious to Him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2: 4,5)

The Church and Mission

I just finished reading a short article on mission at The Resurgence. The first question in the article was, "Is your church doing mission for its own glory or God’s?" This question hit me between the eyes as I have often asked this question of myself, my church. What is our motivation, our purpose? Are we doing things to spotlight ourselves and/or our church? Hopefully, never! Anything and everything that we do should always point to and glorify Jesus Christ.

Mission should not be something that we are doing but something that we are. As believers in Jesus Christ, reaching out and helping and sharing and talking about just who He is and what He has done and will be doing should be a natural expression, not a checklist to mark off. When we are following Jesus and our purpose is set forth by Him, then we are being missional and He will have the glory.

I Have Lived In 7 Different States...

and I went to 12 different schools K-12. No, we were not in the military. We just liked to see the sights:) I am really much more stationary as an adult, but we have moved a lot by some standards. I have a friend who refuses to write my address and telephone number in ink for fear that she will not be able to erase it.

Most of the places that we have lived have many things in common, but there are some things that are unique to certain areas. This entry is something of a "Things That I Miss" blog from the states that I lived in the longest:

Louisiana...

• Deep fried oysters
• Sweet tea offered year-round. Don't try to order this outside of the South. You get weird looks and a packet of sugar.
• The flowers and trees...Camellias, azaleas, my Aunt Margie's sweet olive whose fragrance sweetly permeated the yard
• Susan...you know who you are!
• My mom and dad and grandma
  

Colorado...

• The Tattered Cover Book Store
• The 16th Street Mall and the vendor at the corner of Welton and 16th who had tamales each morning

Georgia...

• Amicalola Falls (We weren't there very long:)

California...

• In & Out Burger
• Trader Joes, the coolest little grocery store around. Check out it out here: Trader Joe's
• Baja Fresh
• Living within a mile of the beach and spending summers playing in the waves with my children
• The smell of the salt air
• My dear friend Julianne who I will get to see very soon!
• My family and friends

David Gilmour

This is just too fantastic not to share...

Pastor Mike Has Updated His Blog...

So everyone should go and check it out: Pastor Mike's Blog

Leave him comments and encourage him to write more and more!

This Article Really Spoke To Me

I needed to hear this today. Listening To The Lost

Rattle and Hum

Eons ago, in a galaxy far, far away, there was an album titled "Rattle and Hum" by U2. Now, I must admit that I was never a huge fan, but I liked this album both then and now. It was a movie, too, but I never saw it. My faves from the album are "Helter Skelter," "When Love Comes To Town," "All I Want Is You," and, finally, "Love Rescue Me." This last song still continues to weave its way in and out of my memory, my soul. The melody moves your spirit in some ways like a beautiful but mournful dirge as the words penetrate the depths of your being.

Take a listen: Love Rescue Me

When I first heard this song, I thought Bono was singing about love, romantic love (eros), rescuing him, but now I think it is much deeper than that. I think the love that he wants to be rescued by is God's love for him (agape).

We live in a hurting world, and this hurt transcends culture and ideology. No one is unscathed by the circumstances of life. Everyone that you meet has a story. We need to take the time to stop and listen to the stories. People need to be rescued, and there is Someone who Saves, and when He Rescues it is once and for all, for eternity.

God is Love, and those that love Him are His ambassadors. Picture, if you will, people crying out for "Love (to) rescue me." God is listening and so should we. We need to be ready to respond both with tangible things (food, money, shelter, a listening ear) as well as with, "For God so loved (you) that He gave His only Son, that (if you) believe in Him (you) will not perish but have everlasting life."

My challenge to you (and I am writing this to myself as well), whenever you listen to this song, is not just to hear it as a nice, soulful song, but to push further and hear the cries a hurting world (your neighbor, your friend, your coworker) calling out. Will you be ready to respond?

Have I Said I Like Mark Driscoll?

Found this youtube video on Internet Monk and thought that it was worth sharing.



Comments? Questions? Bueller? Bueller?

Some New Blogs I'm Checking Out...

And I'm adding them to my list:

http://www.blindbeggar.org/

http://eclecticchristian.com/

http://www.internetmonk.com/

Thought For The Day...

I love the Parable of the Good Samaritan. It speaks to me on so many different levels. Right before the parable in Luke's Gospel, Jesus is talking with a lawyer about inheriting eternal life. They guy has the right answer, but somehow or another I get from the passage that his heart is just not in it. Then Jesus tells him the story of the Good Samaritan...

From
Bible Gateway:

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
26"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"

27He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'[c]; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[d]"

28"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."

29But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

30In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins[e] and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

36"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"

37The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

(NIV Version - Luke 10: 25-37)

Sometimes I think that I get it right, but most of the time I fear that I fall into one of the other categories represented... busyness, self-involvement, or just plain complacency.

Everyone is my neighbor, whether it be by physical location or just by nature of being a member of the human race. In the time period that this was written, the Samaritan and the injured man would have been at "cultural odds."

Who are we at cultural odds with today? Would we be willing to stop and help if the occasion presented itself, or would we just keep walking and turn a blind eye?

My prayer today is that my eyes will be opened to my neighbors and the needs that I can help meet...that I will "go and do likewise."

How Did We Wind Up In Idaho?

Well, take a look at this...US Satellite Map At Night.

If you will notice, in the Northwest US the lights tend to thin out to complete black. There is a reason for that. The black areas mean that there are no lights to be seen by the satellite. The area is secluded and sparsely populated.

To the east and on the west coast there are lights everywhere, i.e. lots and lots of people. We chose the mountains, the peace, the quiet, and the 80-mile drive to Wal Mart! And we are blessed:)

Daily Lit

My friend KayLynn got me interested in this site. We have committed (or should be) to reading Don Quixote per the Well Educated Mind. Sometimes it is easier to read on the computer, and this is what Daily Lit does. You can either receive an email with a sequential daily reading from a selected book or you can view the reading as an RSS. Either way, you are working your way through literature. And best of all...It is FREE! At least it is free for the older classics:)

I Thought The Cat Was Funny...

But apparently some people were kind of grossed out by it.

I did finally make it to Barnes and Noble. I bought books that I did not really need and a Caramel Macchiato that I definitely did need! We braved below-zero temperatures and icy roads and slow drivers and had a wonderful time. If this does not make any sense, please read the previous blog entry.

The books that I bought were either on my list or ones that I have noble intentions of reading...just like Don Quixote that is sitting on my bookshelf!

The Count of Monte Cristo
Les Miserables
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea
The Diary Of Anne Frank
They Like Jesus But Not The Church
Pocket NLT Bible

There is just something about leaving the mall with a Starbucks in one hand and your Barnes and Noble and Bath and Body Works bags in the other hand that just feels right. Ahhh, civilization!

This post is for my friend JoAnn

Who lovingly shared her life in the city with me via a picture of her at Barnes and Noble with Starbucks in one hand and books in the other. Thank you, my friend.

I promised her that I would share tidbits of my life in the country with her, but since my cat has decided to take a sabbatical and spend the winter sleeping, I thought this youtube video would just have to suffice.

So, JoAnn, this vid's for you!

To Blog Or Not To Blog...

Have you ever noticed that the quote that I am ripping off from Shakespeare is not even a question?

Tall Skinny Kiwi (aka Andrew Jones) is one of my regular blog reads (See Sidebar). Today I came across a post of his from 2007 on how and what to blog. Since I am kind of new to this, I thought it was pertinent and that I would share it with anyone will to stop by here and check out my ramblings:)

15 Blogging Tips for 2007

Yes, 2007 is sooooo long ago, but it is still good information!

I almost forgot...

We are having a Ladies' Retreat this weekend at church. It will be on studying the Bible and should be a great time! Pastor "Mo" will be the speaker. If you have any questions, leave a comment or drop me an email!

Lazy Days...

NOT! We have been working on our church's web site. If you have not had a chance to take a look at it, here ya go... Baptist Community Church .

Look around and cruise the site. We are still in the putting together stage. Hopefully, we will soon have audio files so that you can listen to Pastor Mike.

Trusting God...

I know a woman who is trusting God. This woman's daughter had breast cancer, and now the cancer has metastasized into the bone marrow. We prayed with her and for her after church today. She is trusting God for the healing and the health and the well being of her baby girl.

What are you trusting God for?