MOVING!! Ha! I know that some of you might have been wanting me to tell you something different like PREGNANT, but maybe I will write a note like that within the next two years!
After much prayer and counsel I have accepted the position of teaching pastor/HS student pastor at Grace Family Church in Tampa FL. Grace is a wonderful church with an amazing background of reaching people far from Christ. Some churches talk about reaching lost people, others do it! Grace is one of those churches. Starting 16 years ago in a jazzercise facility under the leadership of senior pastor Craig Altman, Grace has grown to over 4,500 and they are still growing, planting other campuses throughout the city of Tampa, with a desire to do more! Check them out at www.gracefamilychurch.org!
It has been amazing to see how this all came about. Obviously, we had no intention in only being at IBC for just 2 years. Our plans were to serve there for 4 or 5 years and then go and serve in a teaching pastor role at a church like Grace. But like scripture tells us, His ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts, and His plans are sometimes not our plans. His plans are however, the plans that bring about life, so we must follow his plans and his dreams for our lives no matter what! Because as I preached last week at the Underground, "a God given dream will bring about God given results" in our lives.
God gave me a dream to do ministry when I was 19 years old. Pastor Steven Furtick talks in his book Sun Stand Still (www.sunstandstill.org) of his "page 23 vision" and told his readers to think of their own page 23 vision, well mine is my EXIT 42 experience. My exit 42 experience was when I was driving home from an awesome week of working at a Christian camp in the mountains of VA, I was pulling off the interstate and God spoke to me and said, "Josh, you are mine". At that point my entire life changed, my values changed, my friends changed, everything I was chasing after and thought I wanted changed. I gave up my acting career and started chasing after the dream that He was placing in my heart to serve Him, love others, and point people to Him. Why am I telling you all of this? Because I believe He has given me some amazing opportunities to do this ever since! I have gotten the privilege of serving and working with some amazing people, teams and leaders from my time as a FUGE camp pastor, to Student Life, Philly, Calvary, and IBC all the time preparing me for I what I believe to be the dream that God placed in my heart as a college junior at a Passion conference in Knoxville, TN and to the ministry that I believe God has called Ashley and I to for life and that is the ministry at Grace Family Church in Tampa FL!
I know that is a pretty audacious claim, but it is one that I believe to be true! The only reason why we are leaving a wonderful, thriving student ministry at IBC is because we believe that Grace is the place that God has prepared for us to love God and love people for years to come! We are leaving knowing that we are not running from anything but we are running toward something great!
I hope that in 5 years I will look back and read this note, (if facebook still exists) and be able to look back and see the wonderful things that God has done through a faithful servant, trying to live for a creator that is so much more wonderful than I can ever imagine! I know that God has amazing plans not only for me but for us all! His word says so! This week I was speaking to a group of students at a chapel service about this very thing and I said, "Every time I think on how the bible tells me that, HE has PLANS for my life, it is hard for me to believe". That God in His infinite wisdom, sovereignty, love, grace and mercy has "plans" for my life, totally blows me away! We believe that! We believe that He has shown us and given to us a part of His plan by going to Grace.
He has opened so many doors to show us this! He has opened the door for Ashley to continue law school at Stetson Law (www.law.stetson.edu) and she will be able to begin next semester! Most law school's will not let people transfer mid year! This was definitely a "Sun Stand Still" prayer for us that God answered! He also opened the door for me through the Vanderblomen Search Group (www.vanderbloemensearch.com) a wonderful search company that you should check out if you are a minister thinking of a move.
There were many more along the way that I would love to have conversation's with you about. But, for now I just wanted to share this exciting news with you! Please pray for us in this move, please pray for IBC and our current students in this move and please pray for Grace Family Church! Pray with us that God would begin to prepare the way for incredible movements, moments and times when we can look back at Grace Family with a wonderful team of fellow believers surrounding us and as Furtick says, "Only blame God for the results"! I love you guys!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
I LOVE Fall!!!
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."
Ecclesiastes 3:1
Thursday, September 23, 2010
10 Personal Growth Questions
Saw this on Perry Nobles website and thought I would share it. Although hard, It is necessary as a Christian to evaluate our personal growth to determine if we are living out biblical principles in our life. I've added a little of personal commentary. Feel free to add yours!
1) Am I reading my Bible for information or transformation? (James 1:22-25)
2) Am I allowing people or circumstances to steal the joy that Jesus promised to me? (John 10:10)
This is a definite yes in my life. I let the busyness of life steal my joy. I have to, on a daily basis, focus my life on God and ask him to give me joy amidst the stresses of life.
3) Is there anything in my life that God is consistently dealing with that I am trying to ignore? (Ezekiel 14:1-5)
I know that God is constantly dealing with my need to control my life. For years I have ignored his working in that area of my life, and even now, that I recognize it, it is a daily struggle to relinquish control. I have found, however, the days that I give up control even if everything is hectic in my life, I have an inner peace knowing that it is not in my control.
4) Who are the people in my life that God has placed around me for the purpose of me sharing Christ with them and/or inviting them to church? (II Corinthians 5:16-21)
I have felt burdened about this lately, especially since we have started our new church service, Pulse. I know that, at law school, I am surrounded by people who need God, and I pray that God will give me boldness to invite them to Pulse.
5) Is there anyone I need to apologize to? (Ephesians 4:25:27)
6) Is there anyone I need to forgive? (Ephesians 4:32)
7) Is there a sin I need to confess to others and ask for help? (James 5:16)
8) Am I fully utilizing the gifts and abilities that God has blessed me with…or am I simply choosing to waste my life? (I Peter 4:10)
One of the greatest fears of mine is that I will get to the end of my life and realize that most of it was spent on things that are meaningless.
9) Do I know more lines from the movies that I love than verse from the Bible that I read? (Psalm 119:11)
10) Is there anything going on in my life privately that, if it became public, would cause me and/or the body of Christ to be embarrassed? (I John 1:9, James 5:16)
1) Am I reading my Bible for information or transformation? (James 1:22-25)
2) Am I allowing people or circumstances to steal the joy that Jesus promised to me? (John 10:10)
This is a definite yes in my life. I let the busyness of life steal my joy. I have to, on a daily basis, focus my life on God and ask him to give me joy amidst the stresses of life.
3) Is there anything in my life that God is consistently dealing with that I am trying to ignore? (Ezekiel 14:1-5)
I know that God is constantly dealing with my need to control my life. For years I have ignored his working in that area of my life, and even now, that I recognize it, it is a daily struggle to relinquish control. I have found, however, the days that I give up control even if everything is hectic in my life, I have an inner peace knowing that it is not in my control.
4) Who are the people in my life that God has placed around me for the purpose of me sharing Christ with them and/or inviting them to church? (II Corinthians 5:16-21)
I have felt burdened about this lately, especially since we have started our new church service, Pulse. I know that, at law school, I am surrounded by people who need God, and I pray that God will give me boldness to invite them to Pulse.
5) Is there anyone I need to apologize to? (Ephesians 4:25:27)
6) Is there anyone I need to forgive? (Ephesians 4:32)
7) Is there a sin I need to confess to others and ask for help? (James 5:16)
8) Am I fully utilizing the gifts and abilities that God has blessed me with…or am I simply choosing to waste my life? (I Peter 4:10)
One of the greatest fears of mine is that I will get to the end of my life and realize that most of it was spent on things that are meaningless.
9) Do I know more lines from the movies that I love than verse from the Bible that I read? (Psalm 119:11)
10) Is there anything going on in my life privately that, if it became public, would cause me and/or the body of Christ to be embarrassed? (I John 1:9, James 5:16)
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
New Spring Leadership Conference
This past week, I (Josh) went to an incredible Leadership Conference where I was renewed and inspired. I wanted to share with you a few of the things I came away with. Below are my notes from the various speakers. I encourage you to check out each of the pastors and their churches. They are all doing amazing things for God!
Perry Noble (New Spring Church, Anderson, SC)
If your always' accessible to people then your inaccessible with God.
You can't experience intimacy if you are always going 900 miles an hour
The reason I don't like to get alone with God sometimes is that He always tells me the truth.
Listen to God and do what He says and see what He does next.
Deal with your sin or it's gonna get dealt with.
Don't rejoice in your activities rejoice that your name is written in the book of life.
Judah Smith (The City Church, Seattle, WA)
Jesus has left us in His physical presence and He uses willing vessels. You don't know the then and when.
When you try to make God a mathematical relationship, then He will make sure that your equation doesn't work.
What do you do in the meantime?
The meantime matters to God and what you do in that meantime is what drives your visions and ministry.
Apart from God we will never to get to the next steps or vision that He gives.
Admit that your not there is the first step to getting to the other side.
Just because you are delayed does not mean that your dream is denied. Galatians 6:9
Stay in the boat no matter what the wind and the waves are telling you.
It is by His grace and Love that takes us to where we are supposed to be.
Francis Chan (Cornerstone Church, Simi Valley, CA)
To boast in anything we've done is ridiculous. It is all the hand of God that has placed us exactly where He wants us.
Moses said “God if you don't go with us then I don't want to go there”. Make that my prayer God, that I don't want to go anywhere without you.
That's stuff to brag about.... “I know God” and He answers in the little things.
When we read scripture it seems perfectly normally to not know exactly what happens next.
When you look at your life on the page of scripture does it really look Radical or would you just skip over to the next page.
Philippians 1
The same God that allowed Elijah to call down fire from heaven is the same God that can use someone today to call down fire from heaven.
People will come to God when we know for sure that God has conquered our enemies.
I know my God is coming through so why would I ever be afraid. Satan wants to take your courage and faith away. It's always been about Him not our gifts, leadership, and vision abilities. If satan can take away our courage and boldness, then the world will never notice.
Are people stunned by the boldness of the people of our churches???
Steven Furtick (Elevation Church, Charlotte, NC)
Have we become immune to the firework show that God wants to show in our lives?
Don’t be afraid to do things that no one has ever done.
If no one has laughed at the size of your vision lately, then you are not dreaming big enough.
There is something about immediate obedience the God loves to use.
Some of us have lost our wide-eyed ability to trust God and do what HE is calling us to do.
There are powerful things inside of you that God wants to do through you but in order to do them we have to believe that all things are possible with God.
There’s noting more powerful than one of God's promises in our lives.
Andy Stanley (Northpoint Church, Alpharetta, GA)
Churches gravitate toward insiders not outsiders. Church was never supposed to be for insiders because when the church started there was no such thing.
There should always be something about the church that attracts the culture around us because Jesus attracted the culture around Him.
We must focus externally.
Big church is nothing, growing church is everything.
Church gravitates toward the law and not grace. Churches gravitate toward complexity not simplicity.
God has seen every story and wants to redeem every story.
Acceptance isn't approval but acceptance paves the way to influence.
Jesus by the way that he lived always took the risk with people far from God but did so with grace and truth.
May we be the church in town that people think of when crisis happens.
Partner not pioneer with people that are already doing great ministries that you would never be able to do with excellence.
Churches want to preserve not advance.
Always try to think like a church plant. When we don't we think about all the things we have to lose.
God has not called us to protect anything he has called us to advance.
Jud Wilhite (Central Christian Church, Las Vegas, NV)
May we be called the “church” the people of God that saved my life. 98% of the people polled said that his church had changed their life.
I have to put my hand to the plow and not look back.
The church is the most powerful and important thing happening on the planet.
Jesus sovereignly choose to interact with the woman at the well instead of the ones in power. Reach out to the broken and you will always have an audience.
Who is hurting that we can help and how can we reach those who are not be reached??
Find the Yes, don't stop in your church because of constrictions.
The bolder we become about preaching the truth of who Jesus is the more impact I will have on people's lives that are far from God.
Teach the truth and release it in love. The goal should always be Jesus in whatever we do not us. Tell the truth and don't apologize for it, it is God's truth not ours.
Mark Driscoll (Mars Hill Church, Seattle, WA)
If you want God to use you greatly then He must wound you deeply. You will suffer because of your faithfulness. Jesus suffered so that when we suffer we will become like Him.
God's word always come through God's servants and not His rock-stars.
God must prune before harvest comes. To have a great harvest you have to have a great pruning. Suffering I the way that God prunes the church.
Suffering is correction from a loving father not a angry God.
I must preach out of my loses not my wins.
The closer I get to Christ the more of my sin I see.
Are we in a religious culture where we don’t' think about suffering and shame. We must repent of our religious sins.
The church is a family and like any family we annoy one another.
God uses the church the nobodies from nowhere just like Jesus was to impact the nations.
Perry Noble (New Spring Church, Anderson, SC)
If your always' accessible to people then your inaccessible with God.
You can't experience intimacy if you are always going 900 miles an hour
The reason I don't like to get alone with God sometimes is that He always tells me the truth.
Listen to God and do what He says and see what He does next.
Deal with your sin or it's gonna get dealt with.
Don't rejoice in your activities rejoice that your name is written in the book of life.
Judah Smith (The City Church, Seattle, WA)
Jesus has left us in His physical presence and He uses willing vessels. You don't know the then and when.
When you try to make God a mathematical relationship, then He will make sure that your equation doesn't work.
What do you do in the meantime?
The meantime matters to God and what you do in that meantime is what drives your visions and ministry.
Apart from God we will never to get to the next steps or vision that He gives.
Admit that your not there is the first step to getting to the other side.
Just because you are delayed does not mean that your dream is denied. Galatians 6:9
Stay in the boat no matter what the wind and the waves are telling you.
It is by His grace and Love that takes us to where we are supposed to be.
Francis Chan (Cornerstone Church, Simi Valley, CA)
To boast in anything we've done is ridiculous. It is all the hand of God that has placed us exactly where He wants us.
Moses said “God if you don't go with us then I don't want to go there”. Make that my prayer God, that I don't want to go anywhere without you.
That's stuff to brag about.... “I know God” and He answers in the little things.
When we read scripture it seems perfectly normally to not know exactly what happens next.
When you look at your life on the page of scripture does it really look Radical or would you just skip over to the next page.
Philippians 1
The same God that allowed Elijah to call down fire from heaven is the same God that can use someone today to call down fire from heaven.
People will come to God when we know for sure that God has conquered our enemies.
I know my God is coming through so why would I ever be afraid. Satan wants to take your courage and faith away. It's always been about Him not our gifts, leadership, and vision abilities. If satan can take away our courage and boldness, then the world will never notice.
Are people stunned by the boldness of the people of our churches???
Steven Furtick (Elevation Church, Charlotte, NC)
Have we become immune to the firework show that God wants to show in our lives?
Don’t be afraid to do things that no one has ever done.
If no one has laughed at the size of your vision lately, then you are not dreaming big enough.
There is something about immediate obedience the God loves to use.
Some of us have lost our wide-eyed ability to trust God and do what HE is calling us to do.
There are powerful things inside of you that God wants to do through you but in order to do them we have to believe that all things are possible with God.
There’s noting more powerful than one of God's promises in our lives.
Andy Stanley (Northpoint Church, Alpharetta, GA)
Churches gravitate toward insiders not outsiders. Church was never supposed to be for insiders because when the church started there was no such thing.
There should always be something about the church that attracts the culture around us because Jesus attracted the culture around Him.
We must focus externally.
Big church is nothing, growing church is everything.
Church gravitates toward the law and not grace. Churches gravitate toward complexity not simplicity.
God has seen every story and wants to redeem every story.
Acceptance isn't approval but acceptance paves the way to influence.
Jesus by the way that he lived always took the risk with people far from God but did so with grace and truth.
May we be the church in town that people think of when crisis happens.
Partner not pioneer with people that are already doing great ministries that you would never be able to do with excellence.
Churches want to preserve not advance.
Always try to think like a church plant. When we don't we think about all the things we have to lose.
God has not called us to protect anything he has called us to advance.
Jud Wilhite (Central Christian Church, Las Vegas, NV)
May we be called the “church” the people of God that saved my life. 98% of the people polled said that his church had changed their life.
I have to put my hand to the plow and not look back.
The church is the most powerful and important thing happening on the planet.
Jesus sovereignly choose to interact with the woman at the well instead of the ones in power. Reach out to the broken and you will always have an audience.
Who is hurting that we can help and how can we reach those who are not be reached??
Find the Yes, don't stop in your church because of constrictions.
The bolder we become about preaching the truth of who Jesus is the more impact I will have on people's lives that are far from God.
Teach the truth and release it in love. The goal should always be Jesus in whatever we do not us. Tell the truth and don't apologize for it, it is God's truth not ours.
Mark Driscoll (Mars Hill Church, Seattle, WA)
If you want God to use you greatly then He must wound you deeply. You will suffer because of your faithfulness. Jesus suffered so that when we suffer we will become like Him.
God's word always come through God's servants and not His rock-stars.
God must prune before harvest comes. To have a great harvest you have to have a great pruning. Suffering I the way that God prunes the church.
Suffering is correction from a loving father not a angry God.
I must preach out of my loses not my wins.
The closer I get to Christ the more of my sin I see.
Are we in a religious culture where we don’t' think about suffering and shame. We must repent of our religious sins.
The church is a family and like any family we annoy one another.
God uses the church the nobodies from nowhere just like Jesus was to impact the nations.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Why I'm in Law School
My contribution to the "Students for Public Interest Law' bake sale gone VERY VERY bad!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Without Excuse
"For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities- his eternal power and divine nature- have been clearly seen, being understood form what has been made, so that men are without excuse." Romans 1:20
When a good thing becomes a God thing, it's a bad thing.
This morning our church, Immanuel Baptist Church (www.ibc-lex.org) started a new service designed to reach 20s and 30s. It was awesome to see our church taking strides to reach our community, which is full of young professionals. Josh had the privilege of preaching this morning and did a FABULOUS job! God is really using him to help give the church vision.
His message was about the things that we let take the place of God in our hearts. Isn't it so true that we let the mundane, the routine, the temporal things to run our lives and rule our hearts? We let the small things become the big things in our lives. While our jobs and our commitments and our hobbies are not in their nature bad, they can become sin in our lives when they take the place of God. Therefore, to quote my husband, "when a good thing becomes a God thing, it's a bad thing."
What things are you letting take their place on the throne of your heart? A throne only meant for a King!
"You shall have no other gods before me." Exodus 20:3
His message was about the things that we let take the place of God in our hearts. Isn't it so true that we let the mundane, the routine, the temporal things to run our lives and rule our hearts? We let the small things become the big things in our lives. While our jobs and our commitments and our hobbies are not in their nature bad, they can become sin in our lives when they take the place of God. Therefore, to quote my husband, "when a good thing becomes a God thing, it's a bad thing."
What things are you letting take their place on the throne of your heart? A throne only meant for a King!
"You shall have no other gods before me." Exodus 20:3
Thursday, June 24, 2010
The MARY KAY Opportunity
I know you were all anxiously awaiting the return of our blog, so here it is! We have, believe it or not, been super busy. I actually think I have been busier these last couple weeks than I was when I was in school, if you can believe that. One source of my business is my new job- being a MARY KAY consultant. For those of you who know me well, you are probably a little surprised that I would choose to do this. I am not a huge make-up person nor can I be defined as a social butterfly.
So you ask why Mary Kay?
Well, I did the research and I discovered that I could make some decent money only putting in a couple of hours of work a week. It's a great opportunity for me to make some money while I'm in school and start paying down some student loans and just do some extra fun stuff. Also, I figure if I can grow my business over the next two years of law school, then when I graduate I can work part-time as an attorney and part-time as a Mary Kay consultant. I have been thinking for awhile that I would ideally like to work part-time once I have a family and doing Mary Kay in addition will allow me to do that. After what seems like forever of odds and ends jobs and trying to figure out what I want to do with my life, it seems to be falling into place this summer. Thanks be to God who is faithful on all his promises.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Ashley's Oscar Picks
This year I decided to watch all the films that were nominated for Best Picture so I would be better informed to make my Oscar picks. Of course, this had to be the year that they upped the nominees to 10! But I was determined...so in between studying Property, writing briefs, interviewing, I fit in 8 of the 10 movies. I only missed the other two (Precious and An Education) because they are not yet out on DVD and my commitment did not consist of paying $10 to see the movies in the theaters.
So, drum roll please..... Here are my Oscar picks!
BEST PICTURE
Avatar- I did not want to see this movie at first but after hearing rave reviews from several people all with different tastes, I gave in and experienced it in 3D. I chose this movie mainly because it was the only one I saw that had the "WOW" factor.
Consolation picks- Up In the Air and Inglorious Basterds. The Blind Side was a favorite too but It just doesn't seem Oscar worthy.
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker). I have to admit I did not see the performances of Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart or Colin Firth in A Single Man. From the three I did see, I would have to say that Renner's performance was the most inspiring as he played a soldier whose job it was to disarm EADs.
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Meryl Streep (Julie and Julia). Once again, I only saw the performances and Sandra Bullock and Meryl Streep. So maybe I will let you know after I view the others, my real pick. I love Sandra Bullock and will not be disappointed if she wins, Meryl Streep is a great actress and an excellent portrayal as Julia Childs.
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones). I am making this decision on behalf of my husband since I did not see The Lovely Bones. My runner-up pick is Christoph Waltz.
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Maggie Gyllenhaal(Crazy Heart)
DIRECTOR
Quentin Tarantino for Inglorious Basterds
Tune in tonight to see how I did! Next year I will strive to watch all of the nominees.
So, drum roll please..... Here are my Oscar picks!
BEST PICTURE
Avatar- I did not want to see this movie at first but after hearing rave reviews from several people all with different tastes, I gave in and experienced it in 3D. I chose this movie mainly because it was the only one I saw that had the "WOW" factor.
Consolation picks- Up In the Air and Inglorious Basterds. The Blind Side was a favorite too but It just doesn't seem Oscar worthy.
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker). I have to admit I did not see the performances of Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart or Colin Firth in A Single Man. From the three I did see, I would have to say that Renner's performance was the most inspiring as he played a soldier whose job it was to disarm EADs.
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Meryl Streep (Julie and Julia). Once again, I only saw the performances and Sandra Bullock and Meryl Streep. So maybe I will let you know after I view the others, my real pick. I love Sandra Bullock and will not be disappointed if she wins, Meryl Streep is a great actress and an excellent portrayal as Julia Childs.
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones). I am making this decision on behalf of my husband since I did not see The Lovely Bones. My runner-up pick is Christoph Waltz.
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Maggie Gyllenhaal(Crazy Heart)
DIRECTOR
Quentin Tarantino for Inglorious Basterds
Tune in tonight to see how I did! Next year I will strive to watch all of the nominees.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The Best Sex Ever
Ok, you can pick up your chin off the floor because this is not going to be about what you think it is. This month, being February, Josh is doing this series at The Underground, which is our youth service. He purposely named it this instead of 'True Love Waits' to get people's attention and to keep it from being the same old thing that students here every year. Last Sunday was the first session, and he talked about sex being a heart issue. If you have teenagers or work with teenagers, are a single adult, or have been married for 20 years, this message is relevant to you. You can check it out at www.ibc-students.org/listen.html.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Suits, Stilettos, and Smiles
This past month, I have been interviewing for summer legal clerkships. What a taxing process that is! Not only do you have to wear suits that are mildly uncomfortable and heels that leave blisters on your feet (maybe just mine from the lack of exposure), you have to smile and look overjoyed for a solid hour as if you were high on the gas from the dentist's office. Needless to say, interviewing has not been the highlight of my legal career.
Although I do feel that I have a solid resume and good experience, I always feel guilty in an interview as if I am trying to deceive the interviewers by selling them something that won't live up to the hype. I feel that cover letters, resumes, and interviews come very close to crossing that thin line between proud and pride. I find myself after every interview feeling defeated and there is a 100% chance that I will not get the job.
Thankfully, my identity is not found in my ability to wow interviewers or in my GPA or class rank. If I placed the whole value of my life in things I have achieved, I will always fall short. There will always be people with better grades. There will always be those with better speaking and interviewing skills. Law school has been both a humbling and rewarding experience. Humbling in that, it is always putting me back in my place. Rewarding in that through my humility, I have been able to put my reliance on God. Praise be to God that I can place my identity and worth in him
To Stand (Josh)
STAND- "To remain firm or stedfast in a cause"
Does this describe you? Would people say that you take a stand for a cause? Not just a cause of buying a Haiti Tee Shirt because it's the "cool thing" to do. No one is going to persecute you for that cause. But what about causes and stances that are not so popular. Would people say that no matter what comes your way that you wouldn't budge, you would remain firm in your stances for those causes? Say what you want to about Tim Tebow but one thing you have to respect him for is his ability to stand firm for his cause.
Are you dedicated to the cause of Christ? Would people say that you take a stand for your faith? Or would they say that you are wishy washy and you don’t really stand for anything, only what is cool, hip, or will give you an advantage to increase your popularity at school or the workplace.
At the end of my life I want to be known as someone who stood firm for what he believed in. I want people to be able to say that just like in the song "The Stand" that my soul was "completely surrendered"to the cause of Christ.
There are days where this is true and then there are days where Standing for a cause gets tiresome and I think that life would be so much easier if I just didn’t have to stand up for a cause that sometimes I think no one is listening or responding to anyways. Because if I am going to Stand then it better be for something worth standing for.
I have been to concerts where it was standing room only, sweat dripping all over me, and every single minute of it was worth it, because it was a cause worth standing for. I remember going to UT football games where I was completely on the edge of my seat the whole time, waiting for the next play to unfold, standing and cheering my heart out for a cause that I believed was worth standing for. Back in the days of Shakespeare people would walk for miles and mile and stand to watch a six hour play because to them it was worth standing for.
People will stand for something great that they want to be a part of and this is where I need to show the world that I am standing for something great, something worth standing for. Something that is so far beyond me and my wildest dreams, a life where God himself wants to reach down and touch my life and do incredible things through that touch to reach the people around me. That is worth standing for.
Sitting in pews and singing songs and reading a book for five minutes is not worth standing for.
But, sitting in a pew wanting to hear something from the word of God because you know it has the power to change your life is worth standing for.
Singing songs to the top of your lungs screaming out to the God of universe praise for giving you your last breathe, for you know He is worthy of all praise, is worth standing for.
Spending more than just five minutes with the creator of the universe because you know that encounter will fill you with the Spirit to be able to go and into the world and bless others is worth standing for.
That is what I want to stand for, not some boring religion, but I want to stand for life change, I want to stand for a creator who blows me away with his creation, I want to stand for something that not only changes my life but the lives of those around me because they see it is something worth standing for.
And what I am standing on? The ROCK, CHRIST, THE SOLID ROCK, all other ground is sinking sand.
Will you join me?
Does this describe you? Would people say that you take a stand for a cause? Not just a cause of buying a Haiti Tee Shirt because it's the "cool thing" to do. No one is going to persecute you for that cause. But what about causes and stances that are not so popular. Would people say that no matter what comes your way that you wouldn't budge, you would remain firm in your stances for those causes? Say what you want to about Tim Tebow but one thing you have to respect him for is his ability to stand firm for his cause.
Are you dedicated to the cause of Christ? Would people say that you take a stand for your faith? Or would they say that you are wishy washy and you don’t really stand for anything, only what is cool, hip, or will give you an advantage to increase your popularity at school or the workplace.
At the end of my life I want to be known as someone who stood firm for what he believed in. I want people to be able to say that just like in the song "The Stand" that my soul was "completely surrendered"to the cause of Christ.
There are days where this is true and then there are days where Standing for a cause gets tiresome and I think that life would be so much easier if I just didn’t have to stand up for a cause that sometimes I think no one is listening or responding to anyways. Because if I am going to Stand then it better be for something worth standing for.
I have been to concerts where it was standing room only, sweat dripping all over me, and every single minute of it was worth it, because it was a cause worth standing for. I remember going to UT football games where I was completely on the edge of my seat the whole time, waiting for the next play to unfold, standing and cheering my heart out for a cause that I believed was worth standing for. Back in the days of Shakespeare people would walk for miles and mile and stand to watch a six hour play because to them it was worth standing for.
People will stand for something great that they want to be a part of and this is where I need to show the world that I am standing for something great, something worth standing for. Something that is so far beyond me and my wildest dreams, a life where God himself wants to reach down and touch my life and do incredible things through that touch to reach the people around me. That is worth standing for.
Sitting in pews and singing songs and reading a book for five minutes is not worth standing for.
But, sitting in a pew wanting to hear something from the word of God because you know it has the power to change your life is worth standing for.
Singing songs to the top of your lungs screaming out to the God of universe praise for giving you your last breathe, for you know He is worthy of all praise, is worth standing for.
Spending more than just five minutes with the creator of the universe because you know that encounter will fill you with the Spirit to be able to go and into the world and bless others is worth standing for.
That is what I want to stand for, not some boring religion, but I want to stand for life change, I want to stand for a creator who blows me away with his creation, I want to stand for something that not only changes my life but the lives of those around me because they see it is something worth standing for.
And what I am standing on? The ROCK, CHRIST, THE SOLID ROCK, all other ground is sinking sand.
Will you join me?
Monday, February 1, 2010
Valentine's Day Candy
I (Ashley) LOVE the little Valentine's Day candy hearts, hence the background choice. I used to go through boxes of them during the month of February when I was in college. I was so sad last year because I did not have a single one, so this year I made sure to buy them as soon as they hit the shelves in the middle of January. Buying candy hearts is tricky because there are two different kinds, one kind is hard and a little more sour and the other is softer and sweeter. I prefer the softer ones. If you are a candy heart lover like me, you know that there is a huge difference. I'm glad these hearts are only available for purchase one month out of the year because if they were available year round, I might be several pounds heavier and visiting the dentist more often than I would like. But for now I will enjoy my candy heart addiction!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Help for Haiti
If you love this logo and want to help the earthquake victims in Haiti, then you need to buy a t-shirt. T-shirts with this logo will be sold for $12 ($3 extra for shipping) and $10 from every sale will go directly to Haitian victims. You can purchase a t-shirt by going to www.ibc-students.org and clicking on the Haiti link. You can also let me know if you want one. This is a great way for us to be the hands and feet of Christ. Many of us will not have the opportunity to go to Haiti and help with the relief efforts, but we can each invest a small amount and together make a HUGE impact, both here and in Haiti. Haiti, you are in our prayers.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
A Note from Josh
So in my studies recently for our new sermon series TIME, I came across a statement that said something like, "Our primary responsibility as a Christian is to make the work of Christ our primary responsibility". This made me think in so many ways, I mean most of us think that our "primary responsibility" is to be a good __________________ (fill in the blank) a doctor, a mom, a student, a pastor, but in reality if we call our self a Christian then our first and foremost responsibility is to take the work of Christ and make it our own. That means that we make it the first and foremost thing on our mind, we make it the thing that we strive for even over our jobs, hobbies, sports and academia.
Think about how much our world would change if we took the love of Christ and made it our number one reason for living over all the other idols that we have in our lives. When you read the stories of the disciples and other men and women in the 1st century church you find out that is exactly what they did. They made the redemption story of Christ the first thing on their minds and made the work of Christ their main responsibility. So much so that they even died for it.
How different would your work place or school be if you went in looking for the divine, making the work of Christ more important than a promotion, good grades or popularity?
I believe that until we see the work of Christ as the most important thing in our lives, then our faith will mainly be lived out in a building that we meet in on Sunday and Wednesday nights or (Saturday nights if you are progressive) instead of being lived out all around us changing and rocking both our lives and the people that we do life with all around us. May I make His work my work and may you join me in His work and may we see Him do incredible things through His work.
Think about how much our world would change if we took the love of Christ and made it our number one reason for living over all the other idols that we have in our lives. When you read the stories of the disciples and other men and women in the 1st century church you find out that is exactly what they did. They made the redemption story of Christ the first thing on their minds and made the work of Christ their main responsibility. So much so that they even died for it.
How different would your work place or school be if you went in looking for the divine, making the work of Christ more important than a promotion, good grades or popularity?
I believe that until we see the work of Christ as the most important thing in our lives, then our faith will mainly be lived out in a building that we meet in on Sunday and Wednesday nights or (Saturday nights if you are progressive) instead of being lived out all around us changing and rocking both our lives and the people that we do life with all around us. May I make His work my work and may you join me in His work and may we see Him do incredible things through His work.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
A Season for Sport
In the past few months, we have had the opportunity to attend several sporting events. We kicked off the football season at the UK-U of L game. We only stayed until half time though because we had to get home for the start of the UT game! (have no doubt where our loyalty lies).
The next stop on the road was Knoxville for the UT- South Carolina game. Thanks to my sister Rachel, who is a graduate assistant trainer at USC, for the tickets. It poured the whole game but that didn't stop us from attending the Vol Walk and celebrating a victory. Go Vols! Good luck on your next coaching search.
Our next game was the UT-UK game at Commonwealth Stadium. All six of us (Josh, me, Mom and Dad, Lauren and Brett) sat in the student section, which was an adventure in itself. After a nail-biting game, UT extended the streak to 25!
The final football game for the season was the Papajohns.com bowl in Birmingham. South Carolina got killed by Connecticut and it was really, really cold. It was still fun and our first bowl game!
The next stop on the road was Knoxville for the UT- South Carolina game. Thanks to my sister Rachel, who is a graduate assistant trainer at USC, for the tickets. It poured the whole game but that didn't stop us from attending the Vol Walk and celebrating a victory. Go Vols! Good luck on your next coaching search.
Our next game was the UT-UK game at Commonwealth Stadium. All six of us (Josh, me, Mom and Dad, Lauren and Brett) sat in the student section, which was an adventure in itself. After a nail-biting game, UT extended the streak to 25!
The final football game for the season was the Papajohns.com bowl in Birmingham. South Carolina got killed by Connecticut and it was really, really cold. It was still fun and our first bowl game!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Out With the Old, In With the New
Happy New Year! As many of us do at the beginning of a new year, we throw out the old and embrace the new. I have decided to discard the old blog and start a new one, with the hopes of being a more faithful blogger. The former blog was giving me a lot of trouble and after trying to fix it, I gave up and decided the best thing to do was to just move on. I have great expectations for this new blog and hope that it will be both informative and entertaining! I promise more updates, more background changes, and more pictures. Please leave plenty of feedback and hold us (I mean me (Ashley), let's face it Josh may write a post once a year or so) accountable. What a better way to usher in a new decade than with a new blog!
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