2007 Year in Review

I have spent some time in bed recently following my tonsillectomy and have been thinking about the year in review. I have enjoyed a full year in my new house and God has blessed me richly with friends and family. Thanks to all who have helped take care of me during my recent surgery and helped take care of me and my family over the past year. God sets the lonely in families and He is faithful to provide everything we need.

Alecia completed 3rd grade with A's and B's in the spring and her first year of Awana TNT's. She had a successful Summer Swim League competition with the YMCA. Getting up to be at swim practice at 7:30 am three mornings a week was grueling but it paid off.

In April she was baptized after receiving Christ in November of last year (see previous post with photo) and I have seen her grow and mature as she learns to follow the ways of Christ. She has been such a blessing and it has been a blessing to see God work in her life.

We got to share in raising a dog for a short period of time. We shared Katie with some very good friends of ours. She recently found a new home better suited to her though.

Alecia completed her first year of piano with a recital and did very well. We got to spend a few days with my brother and his family at the beach and she enjoyed playing with her baby cousins.

She started fourth grade in the fall and has been doing well. We are blessed with a wonderful teacher this year.

We accompanied the youth on a trip this summer to Tennessee and had a wonderful time. I have been blessed to have so many friends help me with home repairs - painting, new ceiling fans, new lights in the kitchen and living room. We have grilled out, camped out and met many new friends from the military through our church. I received a new office with a window as we were acquired by a new company this year. I have seen the Lord bless my work and have received huge blessings from the people I work for and with. I have also seen three close friends get married this year. God is good!

I prayed that God would take me deeper into his word this year and he has shown me my true identity in Him. 1 Corinthians 1:30 says that it is because of God that I am in Christ and he is for me my righteousness, holiness and redemption. I also know that I am totally loved, accepted and forgiven in him. My prayer is that you will know this too. My prayer for 2008 is that he blesses us to be a blessings "glocally" - globally and locally. I also want to know the greatest commandment more fully that I may know His love, love him and love others more. What about you? How has God blessed you this past year? What are you praying for the new year?

Video of the Week

This is an amazing dance by a 4-year old.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7zehZ8ngJE

A Step Back In Time

I visited Fort Toulouse in Wetumpka, AL with my daughter's class on Friday. It a neat experience and a step back in time. They have a fort (duh!) and actors that portray what it was like to dress, dine, kill and conduct business during that time. When you drive up to the fort, you can smell campfires. Each station has people teaching about some aspect of the time period, whether it is music (bagpipes), weapons (man actually throwing a hatchet), dance (Indians dressed in mostly long shirts and chaps ~ and that's all!) or food (homemade butter). They had shops set up where you can buy leather goods or animal skin products. It was an eye-opening experience. Oh and did I mention that every 30 minutes, a canon sounded? I am so thankful that we live in a time where there is running water and electricity!

Nawlins

I visited my brother in New Orleans last weekend and had a great time dining at Landry's and watching the fish jump up out of Lake Pontchartrain. Fun times. We toured around the city on Saturday and saw a very sad part of town, the Ninth Ward. It still reminds me of a third world country. House after house was either gone, leaving only a foundation, or the frame was still their but the roof was caved in and all the belongings gone or washed away. Street signs washed away or stapled to a tree. Then, there were a few houses with people still living in them. I pray for those folks peaking out of their modest, very humble homes from the screen porch and I love them. Christ loves them and weeps over the city. We should too. Oh that we would see the healing waters of love and acceptance and grace and mercy flowing over the city - that the city would well up in revival. With God, all things are possible.

Dancing Shoes

It's hard to find a good pair of dancing shoes. I searched two weeks ago for the perfect pair and after 3 days of traveling from store to store on my lunch hour - determined I was going to find the right shoe or die trying - I walked right into a store and there they were. On my last attempt, I found the perfect shoe and my friend and I went dancing that very night.

Learning to dance is a lot like learning to relate to someone. I liken it to relating to God. He wants lead - but will I follow? He says stay close to me but will I wonder? He says pay attention to me but something else catches my eye. Someone should write a book about it. I sing "Where He leads me I will follow" but do I really mean it? As we get closer to someone and have experience knowing them, it is easier to get into a rhythm. Some don't even want to put on their dancing shoes for fear that they'll get their toes stepped on. Sometimes He does but only to make us more like Him and a better dancer!

I love how The Message interprets James 1:

James 1
1I, James, am a slave of God and the Master Jesus, writing to the twelve tribes scattered to Kingdom Come: Hello! Faith Under Pressure
2-4Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
5-8If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.
9-11When down-and-outers get a break, cheer! And when the arrogant rich are brought down to size, cheer! Prosperity is as short-lived as a wildflower, so don't ever count on it. You know that as soon as the sun rises, pouring down its scorching heat, the flower withers. Its petals wilt and, before you know it, that beautiful face is a barren stem. Well, that's a picture of the "prosperous life." At the very moment everyone is looking on in admiration, it fades away to nothing.
12Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.

I must say, I have never thought of it as a sheer gift to endure trials. I can consider it joy mostly (although not happiness) but joy because I know my heavenly Father will work out all things for my good because I love Him. However, I have never thought of it as a sheer GIFT. I have heard that God whispers on the mountain top but he shouts in the valley and I have heard that it is in the valley where you grow, but I have not often thought of the valley as being a sheer gift. hmmm... "Don't try to get out of things prematurely" relates to "let patience have its perfect work" in the NIV. I don't know about you, but whenver I am going through a trial,
I try my best to figure out a way out of it. Perhaps, I am missing the point - God wants to speak to me, he wants me to grow by going through my trial. He will make me mature and complete through it. I love the part - "if you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help." It seems so simple the way he puts it as if it should be followed with "duh". However, so many times I forget.

A friend sent me a text message once that said "look up" at a fireworks show. I save it as a reminder that I need to look up to heaven often and pray and ask God for wisdom. How about you? How does this passage from The Message speak to you?

Loser!

Today, I will make decisions. According to The Biggest Loser, approximately 500 food decisions. What will I eat? How much should I eat? When should I eat? Today, I will not eat the chocolate mousse pie that our IT director made. Partly, because I ate 2 pieces yesterday and partly because it is now all gone. Today, I will choose. And, I declare: I will choose wisely! Will you? What helps you make wise decisions about food? Monday and Tuesday, my roommate and I walked 30 minutes. Sunday, I walked with a friend 45 minutes. Today, I will walk again! I will make a life decision to be healthy and take care of my body - the temple of the Holy Spirit. I truly want to know - WHAT helps you! How are you making life changes? Wise food decisions?

All Night-er

I am currently at work with some awesome people working an all night-er for charity. For the past 4 years, we have participated in CreateAthon, a 24-hour event where we develop createve materials, web sites, etc. for non-profits. Tomorrow, I will be loopy and have a very emotional review of all the work we have done for some wonderful agencies that are helping so many people with little or no resouces. You can read more about it at www.lwtcom.com

More when I have had more sleep....

Constant

Recently, I have read on three different occasions and different sources that God never changes. I think He might be trying to reveal something to me. You think?

Webster defines Constant as
con·stant /ˈkɒnstənt/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation
–adjective

1.	not changing or varying; uniform; regular; invariable: All conditions during the three experiments were constant.

2.	continuing without pause or letup; unceasing: constant noise.

3.	regularly recurrent; continual; persistent: He found it impossible to work with constant interruption.

4.	faithful; unswerving in love, devotion, etc.: a constant lover.

5.	steadfast; firm in mind or purpose; resolute.

6.	Obsolete. certain; confident.

–noun

7.	something that does not or cannot change or vary.

8.	Physics. a number expressing a property, quantity, or relation that remains unchanged under specified conditions.

9.	Mathematics. a quantity assumed to be unchanged throughout a given discussion.

This description helps so much when you think about the nature of God. Notice that I did not say character. A pastor recently told me that character is indicative of the nature of a person changing - in the case of the Christian becoming more Christ-like. In relation to God - he never changes, so in the word, we study about his nature. Isn't that cool? Comforting to know? Isn't is wonderful to know a person who never changes??!!! I have several acquaintances whom I talk/work with regularly who have differences in their personality and I never know who I am going to get. It's frustrating. But, with God, there is safety in the relationship because he is always the same. There is a paradox there; however, because God is multi-faceted and no human will be able to fully know Him. But, we CAN know him. Have I confused you yet? When I was alone expecting a baby (and numerous other times in my life), I found God to be a constant rock in my life in whom I could trust and depend on. I am intrigued by the above description and will most likely write more about how it relates to the nature of God. How have you found God to be constant in your life? Faithful?

Boston

My mom, Alecia and I visited Boston yesterday. We toured the Freedom trail and visited the home of Paul Revere and the Old North Church.

I am currently in a training class on a computer software and will blog more later with my own photos, but we had a great time

Pure

Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." -Jesus, circa 30 A.D.

Pure is defined as

- free from anything of a different, inferior, or contaminating kind; free from extraneous matter: pure gold; pure water.

- free from foreign or inappropriate elements

- clear; free from blemishes: pure skin.

-	clean, spotless, or unsullied: pure hands.

-	untainted with evil; innocent: pure in heart.

I've struggled with what Jesus meant many times but this definition helped to "clear" some things up. I wrestled with the question, "am I pure by nature or is it something for which I continually strive?" I think it is both. Afterall, Jesus did say in John 13, that we are already clean. We are clean and spotless by nature. But, how often do we go through the day and attract foreign or inappropriate elements?

In Titus 1:15, Paul says "to the pure, all things are pure". In 1 John 3:3, John says that if we hope in Jesus, "we are pure just as he is pure". So, that's it - we're pure, we don't have to worry about anything else. Right?

I don't think so. We are in the world and not of the world. In the world, we contract what is different and impure all the time. In 1 Timothy 5:22, Paul instructs us to keep ourselves pure. In Titus 2, Paul instructs older women to teach younger women to be pure. In Philippians 2, Paul instructs us to live a live without complaining or arguing so that we can become pure. There's the promise! It is something you receive as you live a holy lifestyle and are sanctified by the Holy Spirit. If it was easy to live in this world and not contract impurities, there would be no instruction needed. And, that is what we continue to strive for -- to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. To run in such a way to win the prize. To stay close to the vine to receive what we need for without him, we can do nothing. Thoughts? What helps you in your efforts to stay pure?

Oh, that we may be pure in heart in order to see God.

Lavished

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. (Eph. 1:7-8)

Why should we ever complain? If we realize what we have in Christ - the forgiveness of sins, righteousness, redemption, and the riches of his grace that he lavished on us, we should always be joyful.

When I think of being "lavished", I think of the lost son who squandered his money on wild living. That is the Prodigal Son, but then he came to his senses and determined to go back to his father. He confessed and repented. But, then we read of the Prodigal Father-

But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:11-31)

The Prodigal Father (Our Heavenly Father) gives generously, "lavishly" and recklessly without thought, he gives us all the riches at his disposal because we are of great worth to him. We mean that much to him. It was said once that the greatest love requires the greatest price and our Father gave the one thing (or person) that meant the most - his son. May we see the precious riches of his grace that he lavishes on us!

The Goal

Over the weekend, I accompanied some youth on an adventurous trip to Ocoee, TN where they enjoyed paint-balling, whitewater rafting, ropes courses, rock-climbing, building pyramids, etc. In each event there was a goal whether it was to eliminate the other team in a paint-ball fight, beat the other team in a ropes course, stay alive rafting down the river or ring the bell at the top of a rigorous rock-climbing wall.

I've been reading lately about goals and the goals of our life. Too often, I have made my goal something other than Christ. I have either had a goal to succeed at something, achieve something or just survive the day. However, I am realizing that my goal should be Christ. Christ first, second and third. In everything, I want to know Christ and the fellowship of his sufferings and the power of his resurrection (Prov. 3:10). In knowing Christ, I will enjoy him and glorify him but I must be like Paul and say that I consider everything a loss compared to knowing him (Phil. 3:7). Paul also said, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."(Phil. 3:14) (Prov. 3:5-6) says "Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." I acknowledge him as I choose to know him in every circumstance.

What is the goal of your life? If it is anything other than Christ, you will not experience true happiness.

p.s. The goal of the pyramid is to get everyone up before everyone came toppling down. We had great fun!

The Great Adventure

Climbing Rocks, Whitewater Rafting, swinging from ropes high above the trees all make for a great weekend adventure. I had the chance to do so recently when I accompanied the youth from our church to Oconee, TN. We had a great time and got to contemplate on the greatness of God's creation and the truths of his word.

The boys

I have had the chance to hang out recently with some great kids. My brother and his wife along with their three boys, whom Alecia adores, are preparing to move to New Orleans to embark on the next phase in his career as a full-time student to Baptist Theological Seminary. We hung out at Meemaws a bit during on of their moving days.

Identity

James 1:18
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Whenever a baby is born, people often say that they look like the mother or the father. Then, as the child grows, you can see the traits of the parents in the child. As a Christian, what are we to "look" like?

I was reading James 1:18 this morning and have thought about it before that, God gave birth to us. That is why it is often said we are "born again." When we encounter new birth, it is only natural (or supernatural : ) that we will be like our Father. We have been studying Intimacy with the Father the last couple of Wednesday nights and last week, we talked about the nature of the Father. We have been given the traits of the Father because of Jesus and through the Holy Spirit. He is the one who gives us love for one another, causes us to be holy, allows us to be merciful, giving, kind, joyful, peaceful, and all of the things that Jesus, our older brother and the firstborn among the brethren was on this earth. Isn't it amazing. And, just like our children who grow and mature, we are growing and maturing in Jesus every day. We haven't arrived yeet, but we press on toward the goal.

Are you growing in Jesus? Are you maturing? Are you seeking to be like your Father more and more every day?

Courage

Courage is defined as-

1.	the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.

What does it mean to have the courage of one's convictions and to act in accordance with one's beliefs, especially in spite of criticism?

The Lord said to Joshua:
6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous.

He said this to him right after saying that he would always be with him and that no one would be able to stand against him. Joshua could be courageous because he knew his God. Joshua could accept the charge and execute the Lord's plan with the power of the Holy Spirit because he knew his God. How well do we know our God?

We have been doing this Bible study on Wednesday nights on knowing THE Father. Our worldview is clearer when we KNOW the Father. We are able to face dangers and pain without fear when we know who is on our side and what it means for us.

I wonder when does the 'without fear' part come into play. Is it when we actually step into what God has for us? Often, God has called me to something and I have wavered in my mind certainly without courage, but the moment I determine to follow God in obedience wherever he may lead, that is when I think courage is exhibited. Was it this way with Jesus? When he was in the garden, did he have fear as he said "Father, let this cup pass from me"? Then, did he face the difficulty, danger and pain as he determined in his heart that he would surrender in obedience to the Father? Let us endeavor to be like him. When have you face difficulty, danger and pain without fear lately?

Baptism

Sunday was a very special day for my daughter and a stepping out in faith as she made a public testimony of her faith in Jesus by being baptized. I am so proud of her and it has been a joy to see the Holy Spirit work in her life and heart to bring her to the knowledge and submission to Jesus Christ and of justification, acceptance and regeneration. Wow!

Slowing Down

I haven't slowed down much to blog since my last post but had a slowing down moment on Saturday. Some friends of mine and I drove up to Chewalca State Park and hiked to the Waterfalls. It was a moment in time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and very relaxing.

Gas Station Experience

I have been leaning on the Holy Spirit more and praying for divine opportunities throughout the day and had an awesome experience at the gas station this morning. A lady came out to her car and mentioned something about the number on my pump. Then, she said she is "so happy." I proceeded to ask her what she was happy about and she let me know she had been in a car accident and how she had gotten a new car. She didn't think it was going to happen but it's hers and she is so happy. I took the opportunity to ask her if we could thank God for that and she said yes. We went immediately to the Father in prayer and I thanked him for all Mrs. Annie's blessings and by the time we were through, she was in tears you could tell it really ministered to her. We hugged and it was magical how two sisters in Christ could "randomly" encounter one another and be able to pray together. It also gave me hope to true transformation in our city as two strangers from different ethnicities could come together In Christ over pumping gas! How sweet the Spirit is.

New Leaf

I am going to attempt to blog again. It's been two years and I am not a writer but I need an outlet (and more time!) but here goes...