this is absolutely HILLARIOUS. Do yourself a favor and watch it at least 3 times.....minimum. I think I've watched it about 10 by now, but it gets funnier every time.
http://www.stupidvideos.com/video/just_plain_stupid/Wedding_Day_Freakout
"get the champagne, right now....GET THE CHAMPAGNE!"
hahahahahahhhahahaha......
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
what do gas, Jason's Deli, a CVA, and coffee have in common?
Recap of the eventful parts of the past 2 days of my life:
Sunday: I ran out of gas on the Ravenel Bridge on the way to my volleyball game after I left church. That's right - the longest suspended bridge in the United States - Katie ran out of gas as she was driving on it. It was awesome, let me tell you. It's kind of a long story of how it happend - basically, my gas gauge is broken and I thought I had about 50 more miles left in my tank - and it turns out I apparently didn't. Who knew that interstate miles and city miles were THAT different. I figured it'd be about 20-30 miles difference, but nooooo it was more like 40-50 miles difference. Needless to say, my hero, Rachel "Scooby" Beckler risked her life to save mine and brought me a gallon of gas....then proceeded to shimmy up the bridge in a little black dress in heels trying to keep her dress from flying up and carrying a container of gas. It was one of the most hillarious sights I have ever seen. I wish everyone could have been there to see the sheer determination and horror on her face. hahaha. There is only about a 5 foot shoulder - so my car is sitting halfway in the lane on a nice little uphill incline with its flashers on.....but it wasn't totally vulnerable b/c it was kind of at the end of an on-ramp so only certain cars had to dodge me. Needless to say, I missed my game, and it was hillarious, but kinda scary at the same time. I also learned from the experience that I have a 17.5 gallon gas tank in my car. Who knew it was so big???
Also on Sunday I realized that I love studying at Jason's Deli. That's right - when you are starving and have to study - that's the place to go. Get you a salad bar for 7 bucks and get as many drinks as you want, as much salad/bread as you want, as much dessert/ice cream as you want and as much coffee as you want. I sat there for about 2 hours studying and had a few desserts, a few glasses of sweet tea, a huge salad etc. and got to spread my stuff out in a booth and whatnot. It was pretty fabulous if I do say so myself. It's a big place and it's not too too crowded or loud - so it worked out nicely for me.
Today (Monday): We had a real patient come into lab today to do an initial evaluation on. He was HILLARIOUS. He had a stroke a few years ago - and was super-cool. It was interesting to really get to see and do work on a person with real deficits and problems. He had left hemianopsia, left upper extremity spasticity, weakness, sensation deficits, gait problems, and a whole slew of things - that are really not cool and I really hate that he has to live with it everyday - but it is a really great learning tool and really awesome of him to come in and let us work on him and use him as practice guide.
I also went and had coffee tonight with a total stranger. It was also fabulous. We sat and talked for almost 2 and a half hours.....and it was pretty super cool. She is an incredible person and a great "coffee date." It's fun meeting new friends and getting to share and listen to new hearts and be honest and real with people - even if you have never met them before. Cheers for cool people that are new friends!
I'm sure there is more cool and interesting stuff to report on, because let's be honest, my life is always "interesting" - but that is all I'm writing for now. I must read and sleep.
The end. :-)
Sunday: I ran out of gas on the Ravenel Bridge on the way to my volleyball game after I left church. That's right - the longest suspended bridge in the United States - Katie ran out of gas as she was driving on it. It was awesome, let me tell you. It's kind of a long story of how it happend - basically, my gas gauge is broken and I thought I had about 50 more miles left in my tank - and it turns out I apparently didn't. Who knew that interstate miles and city miles were THAT different. I figured it'd be about 20-30 miles difference, but nooooo it was more like 40-50 miles difference. Needless to say, my hero, Rachel "Scooby" Beckler risked her life to save mine and brought me a gallon of gas....then proceeded to shimmy up the bridge in a little black dress in heels trying to keep her dress from flying up and carrying a container of gas. It was one of the most hillarious sights I have ever seen. I wish everyone could have been there to see the sheer determination and horror on her face. hahaha. There is only about a 5 foot shoulder - so my car is sitting halfway in the lane on a nice little uphill incline with its flashers on.....but it wasn't totally vulnerable b/c it was kind of at the end of an on-ramp so only certain cars had to dodge me. Needless to say, I missed my game, and it was hillarious, but kinda scary at the same time. I also learned from the experience that I have a 17.5 gallon gas tank in my car. Who knew it was so big???
Also on Sunday I realized that I love studying at Jason's Deli. That's right - when you are starving and have to study - that's the place to go. Get you a salad bar for 7 bucks and get as many drinks as you want, as much salad/bread as you want, as much dessert/ice cream as you want and as much coffee as you want. I sat there for about 2 hours studying and had a few desserts, a few glasses of sweet tea, a huge salad etc. and got to spread my stuff out in a booth and whatnot. It was pretty fabulous if I do say so myself. It's a big place and it's not too too crowded or loud - so it worked out nicely for me.
Today (Monday): We had a real patient come into lab today to do an initial evaluation on. He was HILLARIOUS. He had a stroke a few years ago - and was super-cool. It was interesting to really get to see and do work on a person with real deficits and problems. He had left hemianopsia, left upper extremity spasticity, weakness, sensation deficits, gait problems, and a whole slew of things - that are really not cool and I really hate that he has to live with it everyday - but it is a really great learning tool and really awesome of him to come in and let us work on him and use him as practice guide.
I also went and had coffee tonight with a total stranger. It was also fabulous. We sat and talked for almost 2 and a half hours.....and it was pretty super cool. She is an incredible person and a great "coffee date." It's fun meeting new friends and getting to share and listen to new hearts and be honest and real with people - even if you have never met them before. Cheers for cool people that are new friends!
I'm sure there is more cool and interesting stuff to report on, because let's be honest, my life is always "interesting" - but that is all I'm writing for now. I must read and sleep.
The end. :-)
Saturday, January 27, 2007
I have come to the conclusion that I could sit and listen to music and think for countless hours and be perfectly happy. Because well, that is what the past 2 days have been, and it's been great. I like to think - about whatever I want to - not necessarily school - or something I HAVE to think about - but just be able to be free with my thoughts and let them run wild. Whether it's politics, or song lyrics, the future, or God, food, or cultural issues, or past/current friendships, marriage, life goals, love, purpose, war, dreams, or money (all of which I have thought about in the past 24 hours) - I like to think.
I also like to write. I wish I could write all of my thoughts down - I don't - it would be impossible and no one would care - but it'd be cool.
I have sat in my room with music on sometimes, and in silence other times, and gotten to think about and do whatever I wanted for the past 2 days - and it has absolutely FLOWN by. I don't know where the hours go. I got out of the shower at 5pm last night - and when 1am rolled around - I couldn't believe that 8 hours had passed with me in my room alone, talking to God, reading, writing, listening, and just being. That is what today has been as well. From 4 o'clock until now (9 o'clock) I've been doing the exact same thing. Letting my mind wander. Trying to do some school work intermittently, but more often than not, my thoughts don't concentrate on that stuff.
I wonder why I get so little done when I have my books open in front of me, but it's because I can't control where my mind goes. I don't waste time watching tv - or chatting online - or talking on the phone often - but it is often due to the fact that my mind likes to run away from me. And I don't mind it one bit. It's relaxing for me. It's an escape. Being alone with my tunes makes me smile......I think everybody needs that at one point or another - I think I just need it a little more than most for some reason.
I also like to write. I wish I could write all of my thoughts down - I don't - it would be impossible and no one would care - but it'd be cool.
I have sat in my room with music on sometimes, and in silence other times, and gotten to think about and do whatever I wanted for the past 2 days - and it has absolutely FLOWN by. I don't know where the hours go. I got out of the shower at 5pm last night - and when 1am rolled around - I couldn't believe that 8 hours had passed with me in my room alone, talking to God, reading, writing, listening, and just being. That is what today has been as well. From 4 o'clock until now (9 o'clock) I've been doing the exact same thing. Letting my mind wander. Trying to do some school work intermittently, but more often than not, my thoughts don't concentrate on that stuff.
I wonder why I get so little done when I have my books open in front of me, but it's because I can't control where my mind goes. I don't waste time watching tv - or chatting online - or talking on the phone often - but it is often due to the fact that my mind likes to run away from me. And I don't mind it one bit. It's relaxing for me. It's an escape. Being alone with my tunes makes me smile......I think everybody needs that at one point or another - I think I just need it a little more than most for some reason.
HILLARIOUS.
Thank you Mego, for your contribution to my morning laugh....
Brian invited his mother over for dinner. During the course of the meal, Brian's mother couldn't help but keep noticing how beautiful Brian's roommate, Stephanie, was. Brian's Mom had long been suspicious of a relationship between Brian and Stephanie, and this had only made her more curious. Over the course of the evening, while watching the two react, she started to wonder if there was more between Brian and Stephanie than met the eye. Reading his mom's thoughts, Brian volunteered, "I know what you must be thinking, but I assure you Stephanie and I are just roommates."
About a week later, Stephanie came to Brian saying, "Ever since your mother came to dinner, I've been unable to find the beautiful silver gravy ladle. You don't suppose she took it, do you ?"
Brian said, "Well, I doubt it, but I'll send her an email just to be sure."
So he sat down and wrote:
Dear Mom: I'm not saying that you "did" take the gravy ladle from the house, I'm not saying that you "did not" take the gravy ladle. But the fact remains that one has been missing ever since you were here for dinner.
Love, Brian
Several days later, Brian received an email back from his mother that read:
Dear Son:
I'm not saying that you "do" sleep with Stephanie, I'm not saying that you "do not" sleep with Stephanie. But the fact remains that if Stephanie is sleeping in her own bed, she would have found the gravy ladle by now.
Love, Mom
Brian invited his mother over for dinner. During the course of the meal, Brian's mother couldn't help but keep noticing how beautiful Brian's roommate, Stephanie, was. Brian's Mom had long been suspicious of a relationship between Brian and Stephanie, and this had only made her more curious. Over the course of the evening, while watching the two react, she started to wonder if there was more between Brian and Stephanie than met the eye. Reading his mom's thoughts, Brian volunteered, "I know what you must be thinking, but I assure you Stephanie and I are just roommates."
About a week later, Stephanie came to Brian saying, "Ever since your mother came to dinner, I've been unable to find the beautiful silver gravy ladle. You don't suppose she took it, do you ?"
Brian said, "Well, I doubt it, but I'll send her an email just to be sure."
So he sat down and wrote:
Dear Mom: I'm not saying that you "did" take the gravy ladle from the house, I'm not saying that you "did not" take the gravy ladle. But the fact remains that one has been missing ever since you were here for dinner.
Love, Brian
Several days later, Brian received an email back from his mother that read:
Dear Son:
I'm not saying that you "do" sleep with Stephanie, I'm not saying that you "do not" sleep with Stephanie. But the fact remains that if Stephanie is sleeping in her own bed, she would have found the gravy ladle by now.
Love, Mom
LESSON OF THE DAY: NEVER LIE TO YOUR MOTHER -- SHE KNOWS
EVERYTHING.
Friday, January 26, 2007
amen.
Oh man God has been moving lately. Changing my heart, filling me with life and joy and wisdom and praise. He has been so incredibly real in my life...every day He shows me His provisions, He hears my cry for mercy, He opens my eyes and my heart to truth. My prayer is that He will explode out of me - that I will be so filled with the Holy Spirit that it will seep out of me endlessly. Tonight I have had an amazing time of worship. Fellowship with the Lord and bowing in the presence of the Almighty God is the most refreshing, humbling, honest, real, joyful, broken, strong, safe, wonderful thing in the world.
"I cry aloud to the Lord;
I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy,
I pour out my complaint before him;
before him I tell my trouble.
When my spirit grows faint within me,
it is you who know my way...."
"Answer me quickly, O Lord;
my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
or I will be like those who go down
to the pit.
Let the morning bring me word of your
unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you,
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord,
for I hide myself in you.
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.
For your name's sake, O Lord, preserve
my life;
in your righteousness, bring me out of
trouble.
In your unfailing love, silence my
enemies;
destroy all my foes,
for I am your servant."
"I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and
ever.
Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom."
"The Lord is faithful to all his promises
and loving toward all he has made.
The Lord upholds all those who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The Lord is righteous in all his ways
and loving toward all he has made.
The lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destory."
"I cry aloud to the Lord;
I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy,
I pour out my complaint before him;
before him I tell my trouble.
When my spirit grows faint within me,
it is you who know my way...."
"Answer me quickly, O Lord;
my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
or I will be like those who go down
to the pit.
Let the morning bring me word of your
unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you,
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord,
for I hide myself in you.
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.
For your name's sake, O Lord, preserve
my life;
in your righteousness, bring me out of
trouble.
In your unfailing love, silence my
enemies;
destroy all my foes,
for I am your servant."
"I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and
ever.
Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom."
"The Lord is faithful to all his promises
and loving toward all he has made.
The Lord upholds all those who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The Lord is righteous in all his ways
and loving toward all he has made.
The lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destory."
we got hosed.
check out the counter in the bottom right of the screen. it's hard to argue with this....but ohhhh well, what can ya do? (except watch this over and over again and think - man - this coulda been the year. haha)
emotional pain
I heard a 14 year old girl say this today on Dr. Phil (in regards to being bullied):
"I thought that cutting myself would hurt worse and make me forget about this other hurt."
Man...emotional hurt is tough. I know. I'm sure you know too. No matter how old you are, no matter what the situation is, it hurts. Hearing this comment was just a big reminder that love wins. No one deserves that amount of hurt or pain - that they would have to resort to physically harming themselves to try to mask their hurt they feel on the inside. No one should have to feel that desperate. No one should have to feel that alone in their pain.
So open your eyes. Listen when people talk. Ask the tough questions and tell people you love them - because no one wants to do it alone - and no one needs to resort to physical harm of their bodies to try to help them cope with the emotional pain on the inside.
"I thought that cutting myself would hurt worse and make me forget about this other hurt."
Man...emotional hurt is tough. I know. I'm sure you know too. No matter how old you are, no matter what the situation is, it hurts. Hearing this comment was just a big reminder that love wins. No one deserves that amount of hurt or pain - that they would have to resort to physically harming themselves to try to mask their hurt they feel on the inside. No one should have to feel that desperate. No one should have to feel that alone in their pain.
So open your eyes. Listen when people talk. Ask the tough questions and tell people you love them - because no one wants to do it alone - and no one needs to resort to physical harm of their bodies to try to help them cope with the emotional pain on the inside.
more than just simple lyrics.
Andrew Peterson is an absolutely amazing lyricist, I know I've said it before - but this song seriously blows me out of the water. Read these lyrics. Really read them. Let them sink in deep. Think about them. God splattered Himself all over the page through the pen of this man...
I could listen to it and sing it over and over and over again....and well....to be honest, I do.
"Tonight in the line of the merchandise store
While they were packing up my bags
I saw the pictures of the prophets of the picket signs
Screaming, "God hates fags"
And it feels like the church isn't anything more
Then the second coming of the Pharisees
Scrubbing each other 'til their tombs are white
They chisel epitaphs of piety
Oh, there's a burning down inside of me
'Cause the battle seems so lost
And it's raging on so silently
We forget it's being fought
So, Amen
Come, Lord Jesus
Amen
Oh, Amen
Come Lord Jesus
Amen
It's taken me years in the race just to get this far
Still there is no end in sight,
There's no end in sight
'Cause I've carried my cross into dens of the wicked
And you know I blended in just fine
Well, I'm weak and I'm weary of breaking His heart
With they cycle of my sin, of my sin
Still He turns His face to me and I kiss it
Just to betray Him once again
Well, I've got oceans down inside of me
I can feel the billows roll
With the mercy that comes thundering
O'er the waters of my soul
So, Amen
Come, Lord Jesus
Amen
Oh, Amen
Come, Lord Jesus
Amen
Tonight in the light of the gathering rain
I could hear creation groan
And a sigh rose up from the streets of the city
To the foot of Heaven's throne
Oh, and the people hear the sound of a sweet refrain
An absolution in the fray, in the fray
It tells of the death of the one for the lives of the many
More than any picket sign could say
So, Amen
Come, Lord Jesus
Amen
Oh, Amen
Come, Lord Jesus
Amen"
{If you want to hear a snippit of the song, go here: http://www.andrew-peterson.com/music# then scroll down to the "Carried Along" CD and listen to song 8.}
I could listen to it and sing it over and over and over again....and well....to be honest, I do.
"Tonight in the line of the merchandise store
While they were packing up my bags
I saw the pictures of the prophets of the picket signs
Screaming, "God hates fags"
And it feels like the church isn't anything more
Then the second coming of the Pharisees
Scrubbing each other 'til their tombs are white
They chisel epitaphs of piety
Oh, there's a burning down inside of me
'Cause the battle seems so lost
And it's raging on so silently
We forget it's being fought
So, Amen
Come, Lord Jesus
Amen
Oh, Amen
Come Lord Jesus
Amen
It's taken me years in the race just to get this far
Still there is no end in sight,
There's no end in sight
'Cause I've carried my cross into dens of the wicked
And you know I blended in just fine
Well, I'm weak and I'm weary of breaking His heart
With they cycle of my sin, of my sin
Still He turns His face to me and I kiss it
Just to betray Him once again
Well, I've got oceans down inside of me
I can feel the billows roll
With the mercy that comes thundering
O'er the waters of my soul
So, Amen
Come, Lord Jesus
Amen
Oh, Amen
Come, Lord Jesus
Amen
Tonight in the light of the gathering rain
I could hear creation groan
And a sigh rose up from the streets of the city
To the foot of Heaven's throne
Oh, and the people hear the sound of a sweet refrain
An absolution in the fray, in the fray
It tells of the death of the one for the lives of the many
More than any picket sign could say
So, Amen
Come, Lord Jesus
Amen
Oh, Amen
Come, Lord Jesus
Amen"
{If you want to hear a snippit of the song, go here: http://www.andrew-peterson.com/music# then scroll down to the "Carried Along" CD and listen to song 8.}
Thursday, January 25, 2007
a lil' somethin' somethin'
"Most of what we do in worldly life is geared toward our staying dry, looking good, not going under. But in baptism, in lakes and rain and tanks and fonts, you agree to do something that's a little sloppy because at the same time it's also holy, and absurd. It's about surrender, giving in to all those things we can't control; it's a willingness to let go of balance and decorum and get drenched."
- Anne Lamott
from "Traveleing Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith"
- Anne Lamott
from "Traveleing Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith"
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Holiness Codes
Buster Brown, the pastor of the church I go to down here is an amazing, amazing man. He is a brilliant man who is clearly in love with the Lord and has a passion for what he does, and he's great at it.
He always says tons of great things, but on Sunday, he said something that definitely surprised me. In my opinion, he was dead on with what he was saying, but it was a little shocking that he actually said it.
Buster is huge on the concept of relativism (versus absolute truth, etc.), and 'individualism that has divorced sin from a caring community' and tons of things of that nature, and a lot of his preaching recently (and I say recently, meaning the past 2 weeks I've been) has been totally applicable to the quote-unquote "issues" that we as a country are being bombarded with in todays society. He's mentioned things like homosexuality, divorce, adultery, sex (out of wedlock), and alcohol...to name a few.
He is totally biblical with his teaching; totally in line with scripture; totally and brutally honest, yet all out of an extremely loving heart, and a heart that is broken for the lost.
OK, so I say all of that to say this: Buster Brown, a 50-ish year old pastor at a very large, prominent, southern baptist church said from behind the pulpit on Sunday "I'm sure I'm about to ruffle some feathers with this comment - but nowhere in the Bible does it say that drinking alcohol is a sin. Nowhere does it say that if somebody has a beer that they are sinning....."
He was speaking about what he called "self imposed cultural holiness codes" - which can be kept by our OWN powers. But, he says, those codes "underscore the fact that it is only by Holy Spirit empowered living that we can declare His praises." The error of holiness codes is that they reflect cultural manifestations, and they can be kept in our own flesh apart from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
People came up with these 'holiness codes' that for the most part aren't Biblical, in my opinion, as some sort of strange way to "prove" that they are Christians, or that they are living holy lives, or for some reason other than that I'm not sure of....but the thing about it is, that I can not take a sip of alcohol in my entire life by MY OWN POWER. So what does it matter? What does that prove? That I love God? Heck no. Just because I read my Bible everyday doesn't mean that I love God, I can do that easily if I put my mind to it, whether I have the Holy Spirit or not. Just because I don't drink alcohol, doesn't mean that I am living a 'holy life.' And if the only life worth living is a Holy Spirit empowered life, then what does it matter that I can live by these 'self imposed cultural holiness codes'? It means nothing.
Yes, he of course spoke about what the Bible says about drinking - and that God says clearly that 'drunkenness' is a sin, and that we aren't to let anything (including alcohol) take over our minds or bodies....and he stated clearly that he does not drink, nor will he...but that he sees no problem with it if someone drinks a beer if they so choose to do so.
It was awesome. Finally, a pastor standing up, and not being afraid to "ruffle the feathers" of the older generation who have so staunchly been taught that consuming any sort of alcohol is a paganistic activity....and saying - hey guys...this is NOT Biblical. Get over it.
He of course backed things up with scirpture - and actually the sermon was about living as Saints (Colossians 1:2; 1 Peter 2:9-10) and how we are to declare his praises (1 Peter 2:13-22: set my hope fully on grace, live with reverent fear and watchfulness, grow in understanding of the cross work of Christ, and fervently love with a pure heart). Also that we are to abstain from the passions of the flesh (2:11); have honorable conduct, especially among non-believers (2:12), and live in submission to God ordained authorities which will 'put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.' (2:13).
Then he talked about a whole lot more, which I won't go into, because this was just supposed to be a simple post saying: "my preacher is awesome - and he said drinking alcohol in moderation isn't a sin like so many people claim that it is - and he said that to a southern baptist church - hence, he is ballsy...and I like it." He is ballsy when it comes to preaching truth - and that is what Godliness is all about. Loving the Lord, backing your life up with Scripture, and not being afraid to speak truth...even if it may "ruffle some feathers."
amen? amen. Preach it Buster Brown....preach it, brotha!
He always says tons of great things, but on Sunday, he said something that definitely surprised me. In my opinion, he was dead on with what he was saying, but it was a little shocking that he actually said it.
Buster is huge on the concept of relativism (versus absolute truth, etc.), and 'individualism that has divorced sin from a caring community' and tons of things of that nature, and a lot of his preaching recently (and I say recently, meaning the past 2 weeks I've been) has been totally applicable to the quote-unquote "issues" that we as a country are being bombarded with in todays society. He's mentioned things like homosexuality, divorce, adultery, sex (out of wedlock), and alcohol...to name a few.
He is totally biblical with his teaching; totally in line with scripture; totally and brutally honest, yet all out of an extremely loving heart, and a heart that is broken for the lost.
OK, so I say all of that to say this: Buster Brown, a 50-ish year old pastor at a very large, prominent, southern baptist church said from behind the pulpit on Sunday "I'm sure I'm about to ruffle some feathers with this comment - but nowhere in the Bible does it say that drinking alcohol is a sin. Nowhere does it say that if somebody has a beer that they are sinning....."
He was speaking about what he called "self imposed cultural holiness codes" - which can be kept by our OWN powers. But, he says, those codes "underscore the fact that it is only by Holy Spirit empowered living that we can declare His praises." The error of holiness codes is that they reflect cultural manifestations, and they can be kept in our own flesh apart from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
People came up with these 'holiness codes' that for the most part aren't Biblical, in my opinion, as some sort of strange way to "prove" that they are Christians, or that they are living holy lives, or for some reason other than that I'm not sure of....but the thing about it is, that I can not take a sip of alcohol in my entire life by MY OWN POWER. So what does it matter? What does that prove? That I love God? Heck no. Just because I read my Bible everyday doesn't mean that I love God, I can do that easily if I put my mind to it, whether I have the Holy Spirit or not. Just because I don't drink alcohol, doesn't mean that I am living a 'holy life.' And if the only life worth living is a Holy Spirit empowered life, then what does it matter that I can live by these 'self imposed cultural holiness codes'? It means nothing.
Yes, he of course spoke about what the Bible says about drinking - and that God says clearly that 'drunkenness' is a sin, and that we aren't to let anything (including alcohol) take over our minds or bodies....and he stated clearly that he does not drink, nor will he...but that he sees no problem with it if someone drinks a beer if they so choose to do so.
It was awesome. Finally, a pastor standing up, and not being afraid to "ruffle the feathers" of the older generation who have so staunchly been taught that consuming any sort of alcohol is a paganistic activity....and saying - hey guys...this is NOT Biblical. Get over it.
He of course backed things up with scirpture - and actually the sermon was about living as Saints (Colossians 1:2; 1 Peter 2:9-10) and how we are to declare his praises (1 Peter 2:13-22: set my hope fully on grace, live with reverent fear and watchfulness, grow in understanding of the cross work of Christ, and fervently love with a pure heart). Also that we are to abstain from the passions of the flesh (2:11); have honorable conduct, especially among non-believers (2:12), and live in submission to God ordained authorities which will 'put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.' (2:13).
Then he talked about a whole lot more, which I won't go into, because this was just supposed to be a simple post saying: "my preacher is awesome - and he said drinking alcohol in moderation isn't a sin like so many people claim that it is - and he said that to a southern baptist church - hence, he is ballsy...and I like it." He is ballsy when it comes to preaching truth - and that is what Godliness is all about. Loving the Lord, backing your life up with Scripture, and not being afraid to speak truth...even if it may "ruffle some feathers."
amen? amen. Preach it Buster Brown....preach it, brotha!
Monday, January 22, 2007
Sunday, January 21, 2007
1 year?!?!?
Well folks, we've made it to our first real anniversary (no more "monthiversaries") - here are some pictures from the evening. We went out to dinner, then walked around the battery for a bit, before going to the grocery store and buying some of the most amazing dessert things ever and making our creation and watching part of Shrek 2. Good times....great company....cheers for a year!
Friday, January 19, 2007
John Reeves is the man.
Here is a small (and by small, I mean kinda long) paraphrase from John Reeves sermon he gave at Radius Church last week (www.radiuschurch.org - go to downloads and "where we're going in 2007") - along with some of my thoughts, some paraphrased scripture, etc....I was just typing some things as I listened online...so excuse the jumping around. I just thought it was some good stuff, and wanted to actively listen, so wrote out some of his points.
"people have to die for things to change..."
Think about it:
Jesus
Gandhi
Martin Luther King, Jr.
We need to have something to die for.
God wants us to stir up a revolution. We need to rebel. The gospels are revolutionary. Jesus changes the entire world.
The closure of the last speech MLK gives in Memphis:
"Like anybody, I'd like to live a long life. Longevity has its place but I'm not concerned about that now, I just want to do God's will. He allowed me to go up to the mountain and I looked over and I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people WILL get to the promised land. So I'm happy tonight. I'm not worried about anything, I'm not fearing any man, my eyes have seen the coming of the glory of the Lord."
He was assassinated the next night. He predicts in some senses his own death, but he's saying to everybody, if you have a cause, if you're in the middle of a revolution, 'my death may be necessary, and I'm good with that.'
Here in the US we have no idea anymore what it means to die for anything. As followers of Jesus, we are confused. Rarely does it feel like we're on a mission that would be worth our life.
Jesus died for His cause. Rose from the dead and went to Heaven. When the leader (Jesus) disappears though, will the followers fully embrace Christ?? In Acts we see a group of young revolutionaries live it out and pay with their blood. In Acts 4 we see Peter 'get it.' Peter, FULL of the holy spirit let loose. Peter and John are standing there in front of all of the big-wigs confident and so sure of themselves that the onlookers just stare at them and have nothing to say against it.
What in churches in America would cause a revolution?? That people would look at us and say that we are companions of Jesus - that we are awkwardly in love with God - that we've got some kind of life within us that they cannot define. Not that we're "christians" or part of the "christian community" but that we are companions with Jesus and that we really seem to know God.
Further along in Acts chapter 4....
As soon as Peter and John were let go (after they were jailed for their comments) they went to their friends and told them what the High Priests and religious leaders had said, and hearing the report they lifted their voices in harmony in prayer. They immediately worship God in the middle of suffering because there is a revolution at hand. They celebrate revolution.
Their prayer:
"Strong God, you made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. By the holy spirit you spoke through the mouth of your servant David...........give your servants fearless confidence....give us courage...."
Real people were in love with God and executed this love in the world. Others embraced it, and the whole world began to change.
The apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and YIELDED to God. In reality, very few Christians in this country YIELD to the Holy Spirit, or give themselves over. A fisherman yielded to the spirit of God and became a REVOLUTIONARY. St. Peter is known by everybody around the world - 10 years after this scripture, he was hung upside down, and glad to do it - because he yielded. Let the Spirit transform you.
The people of Acts - the early church - are overwhelmed with the responsibility to "go." To be outside of themselves, to the point where when they pray they are asking the soveriegn God to give them courage. They were regular people that thought their needed to be a revolution for God.
Let God permeate who you are. Yield to the Holy Spirit and beg Him to give you courage.
"people have to die for things to change..."
Think about it:
Jesus
Gandhi
Martin Luther King, Jr.
We need to have something to die for.
God wants us to stir up a revolution. We need to rebel. The gospels are revolutionary. Jesus changes the entire world.
The closure of the last speech MLK gives in Memphis:
"Like anybody, I'd like to live a long life. Longevity has its place but I'm not concerned about that now, I just want to do God's will. He allowed me to go up to the mountain and I looked over and I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people WILL get to the promised land. So I'm happy tonight. I'm not worried about anything, I'm not fearing any man, my eyes have seen the coming of the glory of the Lord."
He was assassinated the next night. He predicts in some senses his own death, but he's saying to everybody, if you have a cause, if you're in the middle of a revolution, 'my death may be necessary, and I'm good with that.'
Here in the US we have no idea anymore what it means to die for anything. As followers of Jesus, we are confused. Rarely does it feel like we're on a mission that would be worth our life.
Jesus died for His cause. Rose from the dead and went to Heaven. When the leader (Jesus) disappears though, will the followers fully embrace Christ?? In Acts we see a group of young revolutionaries live it out and pay with their blood. In Acts 4 we see Peter 'get it.' Peter, FULL of the holy spirit let loose. Peter and John are standing there in front of all of the big-wigs confident and so sure of themselves that the onlookers just stare at them and have nothing to say against it.
What in churches in America would cause a revolution?? That people would look at us and say that we are companions of Jesus - that we are awkwardly in love with God - that we've got some kind of life within us that they cannot define. Not that we're "christians" or part of the "christian community" but that we are companions with Jesus and that we really seem to know God.
Further along in Acts chapter 4....
As soon as Peter and John were let go (after they were jailed for their comments) they went to their friends and told them what the High Priests and religious leaders had said, and hearing the report they lifted their voices in harmony in prayer. They immediately worship God in the middle of suffering because there is a revolution at hand. They celebrate revolution.
Their prayer:
"Strong God, you made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. By the holy spirit you spoke through the mouth of your servant David...........give your servants fearless confidence....give us courage...."
Real people were in love with God and executed this love in the world. Others embraced it, and the whole world began to change.
The apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and YIELDED to God. In reality, very few Christians in this country YIELD to the Holy Spirit, or give themselves over. A fisherman yielded to the spirit of God and became a REVOLUTIONARY. St. Peter is known by everybody around the world - 10 years after this scripture, he was hung upside down, and glad to do it - because he yielded. Let the Spirit transform you.
The people of Acts - the early church - are overwhelmed with the responsibility to "go." To be outside of themselves, to the point where when they pray they are asking the soveriegn God to give them courage. They were regular people that thought their needed to be a revolution for God.
Let God permeate who you are. Yield to the Holy Spirit and beg Him to give you courage.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Los Angeles Bound...
I will be spending a week in sunny California in March for my spring break, visiting my best friend Erin. You could say I'm a just little bit excited. :-D
Monday, January 15, 2007
just ask.
something to chew on:
"Autonomous individualism has divorced sin from the caring community. Absolute relativism has regarded moral values as so ambiguous that there is no measuring rod against which to assess anything as sin. Thus modernity...has presumed to do away with confession, and has in fact made confession an embarassment to the accomodating church of modernity."
-A. Mohler
So, God is awesome. Seriously. I got into church yesterday morning, and really prayed that God would do something deep. That I wouldn't just sit there and listen to the sermon and think it was good, sing a little more and leave. When I walked in, I wasn't really in the mood to be in church for some reason, so when I prayed this, I really was praying for open ears and even more so, a heart that would be open enough to be stirred.
I had no idea what the sermon was going to be about - but God did just what I asked. I wept inside during parts of his sermon, and tried to hold back the tears from falling down my cheeks. I was able to keep them in for a little while, but then the flood gates seemed to open. My insides were so broken that I was crumbling inside, and the tears began to fall without cease. God was shaking my core with just a few sentences that Buster was saying.
He spoke on two things that distinguishes believers, from a passage in Colossians (chapter 1): having faith in the person and work of Christ; and love for all the saints.
He mentioned some things that ripped me apart inside because of the overwhelming amount of love for a friend that He has put in my heart. The tears began to fall and wouldn't stop. Have you ever loved someone so much that you have been that broken for them? It is sincere. It hurts. It makes your soul ache and long for healing. Tears fall as an overflow of what you are experiencing on the inside that is unexplainable. It longs for truth to be revealed, it knocks the breath out of your lungs, it is humbling to think that you could ever love someone so much that you could feel so much hurt inside for them. It feels desperate.
Jesus Christ can shake your soul. He can give you more love in your heart than you ever imagined your heart could hold - He is grace - He is depth.
God certainly answered my prayer and unquestionably went deeper than simple words from an ordinary man (my preacher) could have ever gone. He penetrated the deepest of deep and for that I am thankful. Prayer is powerful. I don't seem to do enough of it though, for some reason.
Get on your knees. Christ will show Himself to you if you honestly and desperately seek. All you have to do is ask.
So, if you saw me at the end of church and it looked like I had just cried my eyes out...it's because I had. Thank you Jesus for love so deep it hurts.
"Autonomous individualism has divorced sin from the caring community. Absolute relativism has regarded moral values as so ambiguous that there is no measuring rod against which to assess anything as sin. Thus modernity...has presumed to do away with confession, and has in fact made confession an embarassment to the accomodating church of modernity."
-A. Mohler
So, God is awesome. Seriously. I got into church yesterday morning, and really prayed that God would do something deep. That I wouldn't just sit there and listen to the sermon and think it was good, sing a little more and leave. When I walked in, I wasn't really in the mood to be in church for some reason, so when I prayed this, I really was praying for open ears and even more so, a heart that would be open enough to be stirred.
I had no idea what the sermon was going to be about - but God did just what I asked. I wept inside during parts of his sermon, and tried to hold back the tears from falling down my cheeks. I was able to keep them in for a little while, but then the flood gates seemed to open. My insides were so broken that I was crumbling inside, and the tears began to fall without cease. God was shaking my core with just a few sentences that Buster was saying.
He spoke on two things that distinguishes believers, from a passage in Colossians (chapter 1): having faith in the person and work of Christ; and love for all the saints.
He mentioned some things that ripped me apart inside because of the overwhelming amount of love for a friend that He has put in my heart. The tears began to fall and wouldn't stop. Have you ever loved someone so much that you have been that broken for them? It is sincere. It hurts. It makes your soul ache and long for healing. Tears fall as an overflow of what you are experiencing on the inside that is unexplainable. It longs for truth to be revealed, it knocks the breath out of your lungs, it is humbling to think that you could ever love someone so much that you could feel so much hurt inside for them. It feels desperate.
Jesus Christ can shake your soul. He can give you more love in your heart than you ever imagined your heart could hold - He is grace - He is depth.
God certainly answered my prayer and unquestionably went deeper than simple words from an ordinary man (my preacher) could have ever gone. He penetrated the deepest of deep and for that I am thankful. Prayer is powerful. I don't seem to do enough of it though, for some reason.
Get on your knees. Christ will show Himself to you if you honestly and desperately seek. All you have to do is ask.
So, if you saw me at the end of church and it looked like I had just cried my eyes out...it's because I had. Thank you Jesus for love so deep it hurts.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Friday, January 12, 2007
a few things
Ellen Degeneres makes me smile. Seriously - I have a hard time watching her without just smiling from ear to ear several times throughout the duration of her show. Gotta love it. In fact, I'm watching it as I type and she just made me chuckle out loud. (OK - that's twice I've laughed out loud in my room alone).
Something I've learned this week: dry cleaning a comforter is kinda expensive, well, for a girl who has no income.
It should be a fabulous weekend - got lots of things to do including but not limited to: ice skating, shopping, bocci ball and horseshoes at the beach, going to a bar to watch the clemson basketball game, church, spoogy's for lunch, watching da' bears game at nate's with my buddies, and so on and so forth. Not to mention it's supposed to be in the 70's and 80's this weekend, there is no school on Monday, and Mark is coming.
I'm training for a half-marathon, and I've got a pretty painful left tibialis anterior - not conducive for running...or walking for that matter. Let's hope that it starts feeling better in the next few days so I can resume my training.
Ellen just made me laugh again.
Here are 2 studs in my life on top of the roof fixin' things like guys do:
Something I've learned this week: dry cleaning a comforter is kinda expensive, well, for a girl who has no income.
It should be a fabulous weekend - got lots of things to do including but not limited to: ice skating, shopping, bocci ball and horseshoes at the beach, going to a bar to watch the clemson basketball game, church, spoogy's for lunch, watching da' bears game at nate's with my buddies, and so on and so forth. Not to mention it's supposed to be in the 70's and 80's this weekend, there is no school on Monday, and Mark is coming.
I'm training for a half-marathon, and I've got a pretty painful left tibialis anterior - not conducive for running...or walking for that matter. Let's hope that it starts feeling better in the next few days so I can resume my training.
Ellen just made me laugh again.
Here are 2 studs in my life on top of the roof fixin' things like guys do:
Saturday, January 06, 2007
tonight
life....it's so hard to understand and even harder to explain sometimes. my heart is going nuts...
reality hits hard sometimes. and sometimes even makes you cry.
reality hits hard sometimes. and sometimes even makes you cry.
Friday, January 05, 2007
BFF???
Tonight I got to thinking about friendships a little bit. Friendships are such an amazing blessing that we DEFINITELY shouldn't take for granted. I'd venture to say that you can't beat a "real" friendship.
I'm not talking about those "our only communication is through writing on each other's facebook or myspace walls" or "we have small talk once every few months" or "we used to be friends in high school so we are friends by default and talk on occassion" - no, no - that is not at all what I am talking about. Yea, those can be good too, but the friendships I am talking about are those honest, real, deep, caring, loving, I'd give you the shirt off my back friendships. Those, "they know me, and care about me, and love me without question" friendships.
They can be friendships that have lasted for 10 years or more, or 10 weeks or less - but you know when you've found one - and you should never ever take it for granted. Let those people care about you, and you do the same for them. Share with them. Cry for them and cry with them. Hug them every time you see them. Tell them you love them (and the great thing is - they believe you and know without question that you mean it). Ask them the hard questions. Answer the hard questions. Be honest. Be nice. Be unselfish. Look them in the eyes. Laugh together. Be broken together. Spend time together. Take trips together. Get coffee together.
Rarely do my friend Lindsay and I go a conversation with one another without asking the intentional question of "how is your heart?" And the great thing is - we give each other the real answers. Not "it's good, thanks, how's yours?" We give each other the "it's heavy...." or "it's confused...." or "it's rejoicing..." or "it's healing...." and then explain why. And we listen. Whether there is advice to give, or not, and whether we can "fix" each other's problems or not doesn't really matter....it's that we care to ask, and we listen intently to each other's response. That is friendship. It's caring enough to ask, and listen, and do anything in your power to help that person know that they are loved.
So go ahead, be real. Why trod through life with a mask covering up your heart? The people that really care about you truly do WANT to know the real you....and when you find those friendships, grab ahold of them tightly and hang on. They are sometimes rare, so treat them like the blessing that they are.
Here's a good resolution for 2007: Be an amazing friend, because in Godly friendships you will be blessed beyond belief.
I'm not talking about those "our only communication is through writing on each other's facebook or myspace walls" or "we have small talk once every few months" or "we used to be friends in high school so we are friends by default and talk on occassion" - no, no - that is not at all what I am talking about. Yea, those can be good too, but the friendships I am talking about are those honest, real, deep, caring, loving, I'd give you the shirt off my back friendships. Those, "they know me, and care about me, and love me without question" friendships.
They can be friendships that have lasted for 10 years or more, or 10 weeks or less - but you know when you've found one - and you should never ever take it for granted. Let those people care about you, and you do the same for them. Share with them. Cry for them and cry with them. Hug them every time you see them. Tell them you love them (and the great thing is - they believe you and know without question that you mean it). Ask them the hard questions. Answer the hard questions. Be honest. Be nice. Be unselfish. Look them in the eyes. Laugh together. Be broken together. Spend time together. Take trips together. Get coffee together.
Rarely do my friend Lindsay and I go a conversation with one another without asking the intentional question of "how is your heart?" And the great thing is - we give each other the real answers. Not "it's good, thanks, how's yours?" We give each other the "it's heavy...." or "it's confused...." or "it's rejoicing..." or "it's healing...." and then explain why. And we listen. Whether there is advice to give, or not, and whether we can "fix" each other's problems or not doesn't really matter....it's that we care to ask, and we listen intently to each other's response. That is friendship. It's caring enough to ask, and listen, and do anything in your power to help that person know that they are loved.
So go ahead, be real. Why trod through life with a mask covering up your heart? The people that really care about you truly do WANT to know the real you....and when you find those friendships, grab ahold of them tightly and hang on. They are sometimes rare, so treat them like the blessing that they are.
Here's a good resolution for 2007: Be an amazing friend, because in Godly friendships you will be blessed beyond belief.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
a little more of 2006
To add to my previous post, 2006 also had some really great times. School was awesome, I started dating an amazing man, I got a new niece, I got to sit next to Rachel Beckler everyday in class, got to see my friend Carla get married, got to see some amazing concerts, started going to a phenomenal church, went on my first clinical rotation, etc. etc. etc. Don't worry - it wasn't all bad - it DEFINITELY had its moments of greatness.
Chris Rice
If you haven't heard this Chris Rice song, called "Untitled Hymn" (Come to Jesus) - you should really download it, or listen to it online. I wish I knew how to post just a song on here, but I don't, and am not sure if you can even do that. There were a few YouTube videos that played the song, but they were cheesy so I decided not to post them. But it's a good way to hear the song if you want to give it a listen (and watch). The piano and vocals in this song are pure and simple and will move you.
"Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live
Now your burden's lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain, so
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live
And like a newborn baby
Don't be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall...so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live
Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live
O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can't contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live
And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live"
"Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live
Now your burden's lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain, so
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live
And like a newborn baby
Don't be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall...so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live
Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live
O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can't contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live
And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live"
2006.
Reflection:
2006 was by far the worst year of my life. But, along with the worst year of my life, I also think it is the year where I have learned the most and perhaps the year that I have grown the most.
It has been a very "real" year, if that makes any sense. Life was a roller coaster ride, in which (to steal a thought from Incubus), I felt like I was not strapped in a lot of the time.
But, I have truly learned what grace is. I have seen the grace of God cover my life, I have been shown grace not only from the Lord, but from some of my closest friends, and I have experienced what it truly means show others grace. And that, my friends, is huge. Grace is amazing - and it truly is a sweet, sweet sound.
I felt bondage, but then experienced freedom. My heart wept, but was able to sing praises of joy when the tears were dried. I have felt guilt and forgiveness; pain and pleasure; the weight of a broken heart and the weightlessness of picking up the pieces. My soul has been torn apart and mended; my faith questioned and proven, and Christ has shown me His love.
So, in all of the hurt, in all of the pain, in all of the brokenness that this past year brought, I am able to "rejoice in my sufferings, because I know that suffering produces perserverence; perserverance; charachter; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into my heart by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given me." (Romans 5)
Thank you, Lord for the worst year of my life, in which in the end, I have seen and experienced the power of your mercy and the fullness of your grace.
2006 was by far the worst year of my life. But, along with the worst year of my life, I also think it is the year where I have learned the most and perhaps the year that I have grown the most.
It has been a very "real" year, if that makes any sense. Life was a roller coaster ride, in which (to steal a thought from Incubus), I felt like I was not strapped in a lot of the time.
But, I have truly learned what grace is. I have seen the grace of God cover my life, I have been shown grace not only from the Lord, but from some of my closest friends, and I have experienced what it truly means show others grace. And that, my friends, is huge. Grace is amazing - and it truly is a sweet, sweet sound.
I felt bondage, but then experienced freedom. My heart wept, but was able to sing praises of joy when the tears were dried. I have felt guilt and forgiveness; pain and pleasure; the weight of a broken heart and the weightlessness of picking up the pieces. My soul has been torn apart and mended; my faith questioned and proven, and Christ has shown me His love.
So, in all of the hurt, in all of the pain, in all of the brokenness that this past year brought, I am able to "rejoice in my sufferings, because I know that suffering produces perserverence; perserverance; charachter; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into my heart by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given me." (Romans 5)
Thank you, Lord for the worst year of my life, in which in the end, I have seen and experienced the power of your mercy and the fullness of your grace.
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