Meet THE Parents

"What kind of a family doesn't have time to sit down for dinner?"

"Fugitives"

Time Alone

With Jordan in Tallahassee, I just don't know what to do with myself! It's like someone has robbed me of the one thing I couldn't do without. Just come and sucked the life-force out of me. When I get home after a long day's work and need some encouragement (and nourishment)- she's not there to greet me with that gorgeous smile or delicious dinner. It's gut check time, I don't think I ever took her royal treatment for granted- but I definitely don't now because I've eaten through the leftovers and it's Kraft Mac & Cheese for me tonight.

Nor is she here to come watch me compete in all the sports I'm now playing during the evening. With soccer on Wednesdays, frisbee on Thursdays, and softball on Fridays (and golf this week), who is going to be my cheering squad? I mean, am I going to have to focus during the games now that I don't have a beautiful distraction on the sidelines? I hope a certain level of performance isn't expected of me....

The worst part of it all, when I climb into bed tonight, I don't think I'm going to know what to do. So much space for just little ole me... lying there cold and alone, just staring off into the cold empty apartment. Do I need five pillows? Well, yes...they make a better blanket than a real blanket, but now that I can actually use them I don't know what to do them. I wonder if she misses me more than I miss her. Nah, she can't.

The only upside, the only thing I might be able to appreciate with Jordan being away is that I can multi-task finally! Tonight, when I get home after frisbee, I can watch TV AND play guitar. If I want to read a book with something on in the background (be it movie or music), I CAN! None of this is ever crucial or important, but I don't have to be as courteous as when Jordan remains home.

Honeymoon pix always pull me out of a funk!


Man, that was FUN!


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Now playing: Erwin McManus - Is There a Hell?
via FoxyTunes

Jesus is MY Friend

I don't know if you know this, but iTunes selects several songs to give away for FREE every week. Sometimes they are good, and sometimes they make me want to rip my ears off. My habit is to check the free stuff, and then see what's new in the Christian/Gospel section. That's when I found Sonseed. They are incredible, I hate that I didn't live while they were around (or are they still?). Only when I found their video on iTunes did I realize that someone else had posted a video of this group a while back, and it blew my mind so bad- I forgot about it! Anyways, enjoy it- my goodness, have things changed....





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Now playing: Hillsong United - More Than Anything
via FoxyTunes

A tribute to THREE special ladies

This last Sunday (two days ago), UBC celebrated- and for good reason! Three young women walked down the aisle to meet Pastor Leland and proclaim their faith in Jesus Christ. Caroline, Morgan, and Mattie (respectively above) decided that this life isn't all it's cracked-up to be and it isn't their own, but that Jesus is the real deal and is even more than he is cracked-up to be. No ifs, ands, or buts. He saved me from myself and I want to be his child- kind of love. I'm still soo excited for them and I can't wait to watch them continue to grow in trust and love in/for the Lord. I praise God for drawing them ever closer to His heart. Goodness!!!


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Now playing: Michael Olson - Our First Love
via FoxyTunes

Not what I thought

I felt convicted about something very specific last week. On the sixth floor of Jordan Hall whilest sitting on the pot not doing much of anything, it hit me.

For a while now, myself and several other people I know have utilized 'sunday school' in a negative way. You know, like, "don't give me that Sunday School answer, Carol," or "Give me a real answer, not the sunday school answer," and I don't think it is at all appropriate. One, it doesn't make sense one bit. Two, it perpetuates this idea that Sunday School doesn't offer truth/reality. And Three, it communicates the notion that there are facets of the Christian life or lifestyle that aren't worth retaining. I don't think I'm going to use 'sunday school' like that anymore (well, at least I'm going to fight it).

It all originated as I was thinking about blogging and how I got caught up reading blogs and following people that I thought were 'cool' or 'hip.' I've always shared blogs with people around me, but it got to the point where I only told people about the 'good stuff.' Carlos would write something sweet and inspire me and then I'd naturally want to share it with others. Looking back, it was a logical progression, if something moved me, I'd appreciate it and maybe share it- but if it didn't, I'd just let it slide in one ear and force it out the other. Yes, I know I'm weird. Yes, that is incredibly silly, but it brought all the walls down for me...



Example One: I've always told Jordan that Michael W. Smith was soooo Sunday Schooly that I couldn't stand to listen to his music. And of course, she'd respond with something like, "what does sunday schooly sound like exactly?" Oh, that wily minx (Friends reference). I wanted something not so 90s. I wanted the new millenium, ya know? Give me some Crowder or Hillsong. I was so intent on making the Gospel cool that I was rejecting it. WHAT THE HECK? Who am I to determine what works, what doesn't? What sells and what doesn't? What changes lives and what doesn't? I was making it all about me, me, me and not Him, Him, Him.

Example Two: Example one has a profound impact on my life. Worship music moves me to places I don't know. Music is one of the more effective ways I think I encouter God. It is definitely how I worship (and hope God enjoys)! That being said, music shapes the worship experience for me. So as you might imagine, 'sunday school' thoughts fairly frequently cross my mind during and about CHURCH. I think (or know) the devil gets the best of me quite frequently. Do we have to be told what to say? This hymn, AGAIN? Why shouldn't I invited someone to church just because I don't think they'll want to come or I don't think they will like the music. Just because the Holy Spirit doesn't speak to me with a certain type of music or place does not mean I shouldn't invite others to meet Him there. Should I make it harder for others to commune with their creator? Or even ignore God's voice to invite someone?

I hope Christ continues to show me my place. I think I can say I put myself higher than I should more often than not but I'm learning. I wish I wasn't as slow as I am, but I'm getting there....

Just havin' some fun!

All-star games are pointless. No one wants to play hard and risk an injury, so people show boat. It doesn't matter what sport it is, the all-star games winds up being an excuse to make just a little more money. You know, just squeeze a little more entertainment out of the Pros you've been watching for months already.

I don't know any professional athletes, but I love getting a glimpse into their personalities. Sometimes watching sports on TV, and hearing stats associated only with a number on a particular jersey, we lose sight that athletes are real people (that have a sense humor too). I don't know what brought me to this video last week, but I ended-up watching it and loved it. Man, those big guys can dance. They not only dance, but put on a show!