Natalie came from D.C. for the weekend and we went to a Tampa Lightning Bolts Game (hockey) and to the Salt Rock Grill for my birthday lunch.
Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown Band Concert- March 19
MORE TO COME...
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Florida Adventures- Part 1
Birthday Weekend- January 16
Natalie came from D.C. for the weekend and we went to a Tampa Lightning Bolts Game (hockey) and to the Salt Rock Grill for my birthday lunch.
Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown Band Concert- March 19
MORE TO COME...
Natalie came from D.C. for the weekend and we went to a Tampa Lightning Bolts Game (hockey) and to the Salt Rock Grill for my birthday lunch.
Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown Band Concert- March 19
MORE TO COME...
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Drowning Out the World
This morning while running on the treadmill at our apartment complex, I was reminded of how difficult it can be to live out the command of Jesus to be in the world but not of it. Jesus in the book of John talks about how we are not to love the things that the world loves and how like him we are not of this world. Paul further commands in Romans not to be conformed to the patterns of this world (Romans 12:1-2). Many of us know these words but they are often so hard to live by.
Sometimes while I work out, I like to listen to podcasts of sermons. This morning I decided to listen to Steven Furtick's (Pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC) latest message in his series, "Grapes and Giants," http://bit.ly/hqnMVl. I started listening to it as I walked to the gym. However, upon entering the gym, I could barely hear my iPod because another guy using the gym had the TV on MTV, watching the morning music videos, at an extremely high volume. It was so loud that I could not hear my iPod at all. Therefore to combat the abnormally loud volume of the TV, I had to turn my iPod up to its loudest decibel level. Even with doing that, I could still clearly hear the music from the TV. In order to pay attention to the sermon, I had to concentrate on the sound coming from the iPod and let the TV noise fade to the background.
I thought that this was a perfect illustration of how Jesus commanded us to live in this world. We often have no control of what is going on in the world around us, just like I had no control over what another gym member was watching on TV. Our responsibility is not always to change what is in the world but it is to not let what the world is about be what we are about. It would have been so easy for me to turn off my iPod and just listen to the music already playing, but God many times has a word for us that contradicts the message of the world. The problem is that the voice of the world is often louder than the voice of God until we attune our focus to His voice.
This morning I had to concentrate on the sound of Pastor Furtick's voice in order to not be drowned out by the music. Once I concentrated on that, I could hear the sermon clearly. God calls us to discern his voice in the world and to fix our concentration on that and then the noise of the world will fade into the background. Many of us (including me) wonder why we are not hearing the voice of God. How can we when we are bombarded with messages of the world from sex, alcohol, partying, living for self, materialism? So just like this morning when I had to concentrate on the sound from my iPod to hear the sermon, we must concentrate on the things of God to hear his voice and by doing that, we will drown out the world.
Sometimes while I work out, I like to listen to podcasts of sermons. This morning I decided to listen to Steven Furtick's (Pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC) latest message in his series, "Grapes and Giants," http://bit.ly/hqnMVl. I started listening to it as I walked to the gym. However, upon entering the gym, I could barely hear my iPod because another guy using the gym had the TV on MTV, watching the morning music videos, at an extremely high volume. It was so loud that I could not hear my iPod at all. Therefore to combat the abnormally loud volume of the TV, I had to turn my iPod up to its loudest decibel level. Even with doing that, I could still clearly hear the music from the TV. In order to pay attention to the sermon, I had to concentrate on the sound coming from the iPod and let the TV noise fade to the background.
I thought that this was a perfect illustration of how Jesus commanded us to live in this world. We often have no control of what is going on in the world around us, just like I had no control over what another gym member was watching on TV. Our responsibility is not always to change what is in the world but it is to not let what the world is about be what we are about. It would have been so easy for me to turn off my iPod and just listen to the music already playing, but God many times has a word for us that contradicts the message of the world. The problem is that the voice of the world is often louder than the voice of God until we attune our focus to His voice.
This morning I had to concentrate on the sound of Pastor Furtick's voice in order to not be drowned out by the music. Once I concentrated on that, I could hear the sermon clearly. God calls us to discern his voice in the world and to fix our concentration on that and then the noise of the world will fade into the background. Many of us (including me) wonder why we are not hearing the voice of God. How can we when we are bombarded with messages of the world from sex, alcohol, partying, living for self, materialism? So just like this morning when I had to concentrate on the sound from my iPod to hear the sermon, we must concentrate on the things of God to hear his voice and by doing that, we will drown out the world.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Food Stamp Challenge
For my Poverty Law class, we are required to do a food stamp challenge. For a week, we are only allowed to use $19.50 to buy groceries. Last night after a delicious meal at Fridays (have to go out with a bang), I went shopping for my food. My first stop was Target. Thanks to www.hip2save.com I knew that Target was giving away a $5 gift card if you bought 10 Smart Ones meals. On top of that, I had a $4 coupon. So the 10 Smart Ones meals were $18 - $4 (coupon) = $14 and I got a $5 gift card! With my gift card, I bought bananas (.69), loaf of bread (.84), box of fruit snacks (1.33), box of peanut butter crackers (1.75), and ice cream sandwiches (1.69). I had to pay an additional $1.63. Total spent at Target = $15.63. If you are looking for a good deal on food, don't overlook Target. They have great deals on snacky stuff and ice cream!
My next stop was Walgreens where I picked up a carton of eggs for $1.19. I always forget to check places like Walgreens and CVS, but they have great deals and good coupons. Today with my remaining $2.80, I am planning on going to Publix to pick up some peanut butter and whatever else I can afford. I also have 8 empty Starbucks bags, so I can get 8 free cups of coffee this week! My whole menu was designed around how I could afford coffee!!!
So, we'll see how this goes. I will eating a lot of Smart Ones meals, scrambled eggs, and PB and banana sandwiches, but I think I will be doing a lot better than some of my other classmates :)
My next stop was Walgreens where I picked up a carton of eggs for $1.19. I always forget to check places like Walgreens and CVS, but they have great deals and good coupons. Today with my remaining $2.80, I am planning on going to Publix to pick up some peanut butter and whatever else I can afford. I also have 8 empty Starbucks bags, so I can get 8 free cups of coffee this week! My whole menu was designed around how I could afford coffee!!!
So, we'll see how this goes. I will eating a lot of Smart Ones meals, scrambled eggs, and PB and banana sandwiches, but I think I will be doing a lot better than some of my other classmates :)
Friday, April 1, 2011
April Fools Day
GOTCHA! Isn't it required that you at least attempt to pull off a prank on this day?
Monday, March 21, 2011
7 Things I Can't Expect
I borrowed these words of wisdom from Perry Noble, Pastor of NewSpring Church in Anderson, SC.
#1 – I cannot expect to win arguments with those who don’t want to settle the argument, they just want to fight for the sake of fighting. (II Timothy 2:23)
Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
#2 – I cannot expect people to read my mind. (I Corinthians 14:8)
Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?
#3 – I cannot possibly expect to have a complete and detailed plan from God that tells me exactly what His plans are for the next 20 years. (Psalm 119:105) – He doesn’t promise to let us see years in advance, but He does promise to show us our next step!
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
#4 – I cannot expect to be a follower of Jesus and keep everyone around me happy at the same time. (Proverbs 29:25)
Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe
#5 – I cannot expect to stay the same and see progress (Isaiah 43:18-19)
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
#6 – I cannot expect to please God without taking steps of faith (Hebrews 11:6)
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
#7 – I cannot expect to hear God’s voice if I am always running at an unsustainable pace! (Psalm 46:10)
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
#1 – I cannot expect to win arguments with those who don’t want to settle the argument, they just want to fight for the sake of fighting. (II Timothy 2:23)
Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
#2 – I cannot expect people to read my mind. (I Corinthians 14:8)
Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?
#3 – I cannot possibly expect to have a complete and detailed plan from God that tells me exactly what His plans are for the next 20 years. (Psalm 119:105) – He doesn’t promise to let us see years in advance, but He does promise to show us our next step!
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
#4 – I cannot expect to be a follower of Jesus and keep everyone around me happy at the same time. (Proverbs 29:25)
Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe
#5 – I cannot expect to stay the same and see progress (Isaiah 43:18-19)
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
#6 – I cannot expect to please God without taking steps of faith (Hebrews 11:6)
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
#7 – I cannot expect to hear God’s voice if I am always running at an unsustainable pace! (Psalm 46:10)
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
"I'm Afraid of Failure"
During the month of March, Grace Family Church is doing a series entitled, "I'm Afraid of ________." This week was "I'm Afraid of Failure." I filled my bulletin with a lot of tidbits from the sermon, so I thought I would share them.
To hear the full message, go to http://bit.ly/fRKps4. The link should be up and working Monday.
* Failure is not a person but an event.
* The question isn't will we fail, but how will we handle it when we do.
* "I'd rather fail at doing something great, than succeed at doing nothing."
* We can't let our past failures define who we are.
* Failure is NOT final. God is not finished with you.
* Fear of failure will keep you from experiencing what God has for you.
* You may gave given up on yourself, but God hasn't given up on you.
Hope this is an encouragement to you as it was for me.
"Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again." Proverbs 24:16a
To hear the full message, go to http://bit.ly/fRKps4. The link should be up and working Monday.
* Failure is not a person but an event.
* The question isn't will we fail, but how will we handle it when we do.
* "I'd rather fail at doing something great, than succeed at doing nothing."
* We can't let our past failures define who we are.
* Failure is NOT final. God is not finished with you.
* Fear of failure will keep you from experiencing what God has for you.
* You may gave given up on yourself, but God hasn't given up on you.
Hope this is an encouragement to you as it was for me.
"Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again." Proverbs 24:16a
Saturday, March 5, 2011
A Proud Wife
Last weekend Josh preached at our church's main weekend services. He did a great job! He preached from a passage in Jonah. Below is the link to hear his whole sermon. He preached the message 3 times in the course of 18 hours. WOW! Let's just say I would dig my own grave and die before attempting that.
http://bit.ly/gD5ifb
I am so proud of my husband. He is a great spiritual leader for me, and I know that one day, he will be an outstanding leader for our family. He seeks God first and aims to please Him above all else. In the past 8 years that I've known him, he has been committed to following God's will for his life and that has led him to 4 different states and 4 different ministry positions. I know that God has been preparing him along the way to take on more and more responsibility. He may be an unlikely candidate (a farm boy from Virginia) to preach God's words to thousands of people, but God uses those who surrender themselves to him.
http://bit.ly/gD5ifb
I am so proud of my husband. He is a great spiritual leader for me, and I know that one day, he will be an outstanding leader for our family. He seeks God first and aims to please Him above all else. In the past 8 years that I've known him, he has been committed to following God's will for his life and that has led him to 4 different states and 4 different ministry positions. I know that God has been preparing him along the way to take on more and more responsibility. He may be an unlikely candidate (a farm boy from Virginia) to preach God's words to thousands of people, but God uses those who surrender themselves to him.
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