Know Any Lizard Catchers?

There's a lizard in my house. I hate lizards. They're disgusting (well, the wild ones are...pet ones are cute). It's just sitting by the sliding glass door. I was going to open the door and scurry it on out, but it's sitting next to the lock and he'll just move and go away and I will be able to hear him in walls as I sleep.
So this is what I have learned...I have to get married. Right now. I am shrinking my long list of husband requirements down to one: keep lizards out of my house. That's all I need.*^ So first man at my door with a ring and proof he can keep out lizards is the winner.
Please hurry.

*ok, you need to love Jesus
^and take out the trash

Vacation Ramblings

I'm hanging out in Raleigh, NC today. Great city and I absolutely feel like I conquered it. Ask me about my quest (and success) to find breakfast and, then, batteries. You'll be proud of me. After my nap, I really wanted to play guitar, but mine are at home. Thus, I headed to guitar center. The one here is probably my favorite of all time, chiefly because the guy who helped me is my new best friend. We talked for quite awhile. He had gauges in his ears and an awesome beard. Normally, gauges freak me out, but not on Jon. He showed me a bunch of guitars and let me play the ones that are super expensive even though he knew I wasn't going to buy one. He told me about playing a show at Murray Hill a few months ago which I thought was cool given that it is JAX and he's from Raleigh. Overall great experience.
I was a left babbling a little when he asked immediately if I wanted a guitar for playing at church. That was his first thought about my playing. I spent the next hour that I was there picking on a Taylor and wondering what about me screams "church girl." I'm not sure its necessarily a bad thing, I just don't know what his basis for it was. I wanted to ask, but I only have so much courage and I have used up all my reserves this past week. Is it something I wear (b/c non-christians were jeans, purple pullovers and pearl earrings, too)? Was it that I have a sugary sweet, 10 year old sounding voice that only speaks in pleases and thank yous and I smile a lot (b/c non-christians have manners, too)? Was it the I heart Jesus and you should too tattoo on my forehead? I'm just not sure. I didn't think that one could tell just by looking at someone, but maybe they should and maybe I should think about the presence I give b/c I have no clue what happened today. I plan to start watching people and the presence they have and maybe I will figure out what gave me away.


p.s. kidding about the tattoo

Why I Hate Church Signs

The worst church signs are the ones with some stupid cutesy saying on them. My favorite-"fight truth decay...read the bible." Stupid. Well, I thought these were the worst until I was driving home yesterday. This is what the sign read-"Happy Mothers Day! Mothers are special, that's why God made sure we all got one." Harmless at first and I am all for celebrating moms, but what about those people who don't have a relationship with their moms. What about orphans or adopted children. I know what the sign means and all. I even understand that the cleverness of it is that someone had to birth us, so we all have moms. But there is an underlying meaning that says if you don't have a mom active in your life, then God didn't make sure you had one. It says that God didn't care enough to put a mom in your life. Well that is horrible theology. To imply that God isn't just as active in your life if you don't have a mom. I had to fight the urge to run into the church's office and beat everyone in the office with a bouquet of mother's day flowers, fortunately I realized that it was after 5pm so everyone was gone.
I just wish that church's would think before they advertise something to the world. We send so many messages to people, even if they aren't what we meant to and those messages can do a lot of harm.

If ever I have made a mistake...

...that's right, I admit it. I made a huge mistake. At the time it seemed like a great idea, clever even. But, alas, it has turned into quite a nuisance. "What am I talking about?" you ask. I decided to get a UGA themed debit card. See, I had to get a new debit card and the options were stupid blue Bank of America card that a trillion people have or something a little more personalized. And being that I have a strong need for individuality I decided to get a red debit card with the Georgia "G" on it. In my head I was thinking "what could be better? I love the dawgs and the world needs to know it." So I got the UGA card.
Here's the problem-I use my debit card at least a trillion times a week (don't freak out mom, me saying "a trillion" is hyperbole...not an accurate picture of my spending habits...I don't need a talk on financial responsibility). And about 1/2 a trillion times, the person making my transaction feels the need to comment on the card. Now I know that Jesus tells us to love our neighbors, but he doesn't say that I have to talk to everyone I see and sometimes I just don't want to talk to you Old Navy checkout lady. I just don't...give me my clothes and let me be. But now they see a way into conversation and that way is the Georgia "G." I mean what am I supposed to say? "Yeah, I'm an alumna and probably the only one that never went to a band party" or "Yeah, my team is better than your" and, then poke them in the eye? I don't know...It is awkward and I don't like it.
So here are your lessons...get over your need for individuality and get the normal bank card-trust me no one says a word to you about it. Or if you are one of the many who are employed by a business who accepts debit cards, don't comment on the card. I know you think that a personalized card says of its owner "hey, talk to me about my card b/c I took extra time picking it out", but it doesn't say that and if you aren't careful you will get poked in the eye and that isn't fun.

ridiculous bumper stickers

I have never really understood bumper stickers. I can buy into sports teams or even bands, but the ones that have a lot of writing and pack a punch of personal belief really kind of chap me. I saw one the other day that was especially annoying. It was sticker that ran along the entire back window of an SUV. It read impeachobama (it also had a website, but I refuse to post it). I voted for McCain. It's cool for you to know that. I tend to have republican ideals...whatever. But to impeach someone is a big deal. Why in the world would someone not only think it was okay to impeach a president without proper reason, but to plaster that on your car for 100's of others to see...really its just stupidity. So this is my declaration: people, be cautious of what you put on your car. We are the ones that have to look at it. I don't care about your "honor roll kid" or your "kid that beat up the honor roll kid". If "Jesus is your co-pilot", I don't want to be your friend. If you have a pink "University of Florida Girl" slapped across your silver Honda Civic, I automatically want to run you off the road. Please, just make good decisions. If you need some help on deciding what is bumper appropriate I am more than willing to tell you.

Hope

This I call to mind and therefore I have hope, because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed. His compassions never fail

This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Euphemsims

Euphemisms-I don't like them. Especially when referring to death. I think they are pointless. There really isn't a nicer way to say that someone died. I started noticing when I was in college that it wasn't until somewhere between 18 and 20 that one starts using euphemisms. Don't believe me? Talk to a 16 year old. They will shoot it straight. Maybe that's why I appreciate teenagers, they don't try to pretty things up. I resolved a few years ago to not use euphemisms for death...just thought I would share.

Winter is Here

Dear Florida,

Thank you for granting my request...I am enjoying the cold weather very much.

Sincerely,

SD

Winter

Florida,

For your information it is January. Please don't cheat me out of winter. Stop being so hot.

Thanks.

Beloved

In the last week I have felt an incredible amount of stress. I cried...in front of people...and that is a big deal for me. I wasn't granting myself any grace in any area of my life. I was demanding perfection from myself and those around me. This is not the world of perfection. God has been so gracious to me in the last week in revealing Himself to me and covering me with His peace. A friend shared this story with me and I have been mulling over it the last few days. She was talking to her younger sister who was being overly hard on herself and saying that she was stupid. My friend reminded her sister of her baptism and that she is united with Christ. That means that she can't say that she is stupid because she is loved. How great is that?
A few months ago I talked to high schoolers about when Paul says that he has a thorn in his side and that is a "messenger from Satan." What that means is that that thorn comes with a message of "I'm not good enough" or "I'm not worthy", but that is not true because the truth is "I am loved." So whatever I face, the truth is that I am loved deeply and completely and I am united with Christ.

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness --Lamentations 3:21-23

Show me that smile again...

I was thinking last night as I drove past some pretty tacky Christmas lights (oh the joy) that there are some pretty random things in this world that make me ridiculously happy. They are silly to be honest, but I enjoy them tremendously and they make me really thankful. I thought I would share them. Any insight on why stupid, meaningless things bring such delight to us is welcome. The only thought I have is that God loves us. Here is my list:

1.) Tacky Christmas lights
2.) The Growing Pains theme song (Show me that smile again...show me that smile)
3.) Waffle-knit fabric
4.) Open windows (in your car or at home)
5.) Playing monopoly next to a lit Christmas tree


...there are more, but this is enough for now...later

Sweet December

I love November and December. There is so much excitement. I mean, you have Thanksgiving, a lot of birthdays (including my own) and, then, Christmas. Plus, with all the traveling and time off I get more time to catch up with people. In the last 42 hours I have talked with four people that I never get to talk to anymore. It's fabulous. And then you have the decorating, fun music, Christmas movies and getting to wear sweaters because it is cold. It's just a good time.
I spent Thanksgiving last week with my family at a state park in SC. It was so fun. I was also able to visit one of my best friends from college and her family. It was really wonderful. I think the best part about these visits and the conversations I have had lately is that it has allowed me to talk about what I am thankful for. Day to day we deal with the mess and the problems and we talk them to death. But when I get to talk to people that I don't see everyday, I get to give them the big picture. I found that in talking about life as a whole-the challenges and the blessings-my heart softened and I was encouraged. I got to tell them how I see the Lord working both in and around me. And that is good. And that is just another reason that I like this time of year.


p.s. I am making a gingerbread house tonight and the christmas tree in my house is sweet-there are three layers of lights-at the bottom:white lights, in the middle:multi-colored lights, on top:multi-colored flashing lights---all powered by a foot switch. It is beautiful.

With Life Comes Chaos

What do you do when life surprises you in a way that you didn't expect? It's hard. I struggle with it (note previous blog...God's ironic that way). I read today that "in chaos comes opportunity." That is so true. I look forward to that. But right now I don't feel the hope that comes with opportunity. I just see and feel the chaos. Now I know that God is sovereign and loves me, He is my Father, however it would be a lie to say that anything feels like it will be okay. So what is the answer. I think that all the emotion I feel is fine. But it doesn't control me. I stand on what I know, not on what I feel. Truth first, emotions second. And the beauty of that is that it is in these times that God shows us His comfort in a tangible way. I choose to trust Him, because that is better and I have found that it is then that I find hope. 1 John says that "God is bigger than our hearts."
I looked to the Psalms of Ascent yesterday. I like them because they are songs that the Israelites sang while they were climbing mountains. It was dangerous and difficult. The words are practical (He will not let your foot slip), but at the same time they are metaphorical. I am memorizing Psalm 121. It reminds me of the steadiness of God when the world around me is in chaos:

I lift my eyes up to the hills-

where does my help come from?

My help comes from You, Maker of heaven and earth

He will not let your foot slip,

he who watches over you will not slumber.

Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep

The Lord watches over you-

He is the shade at your right hand;

The sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm-

He will watch over your life;

The Lord will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

Suffering

This is a talk I gave at Sunday School last week. I thought it might be worth the post. Forgive the format, it was written to be spoken, not read. And I took out the examples.

Suffering. No one wants to teach about. It’s one of my favorite subjects though, because it is so crucial to our lives as believers and, yet, so misunderstood in our culture. We think that being a Christian and suffering are mutually exclusive. That couldn't be more wrong. We have bought into this idea that once we are a Christian our lives will be easier, but that is not what Scripture says. The Bible is full of people who are messy, hurting, abused, and misunderstood and in the struggle, namely Jesus. But that isn’t what we see in our “Christian” setting today is it? We come to church and youth group prettied up, hiding our pain. We plaster on a fake smile, hide under the flag of “God is in control.” That’s our pride and its wrong. One of my biggest pet peeves is someone who qualifies their real life pain with the sentence of “it will be fine though, no worries.” That is junk. It isn’t real and it hacks me off. We kick at the goads of God being in control and mask our lives of struggle because we don’t want to be judged. We don’t want people to think that we don’t have it all together. And we don’t want to admit that God isn’t who we thought He was because struggle has entered our lives, and a “good god couldn’t be a part of pain.” But, until we let go of the idea that pain has no part in our lives, we will never know the fullness of God’s grace, mercy, kindness, faithfulness and goodness.
We continue to look at Paul’s life. He provides us with a picture of suffering that we can relate to. Because, honestly, Paul faced every type of struggle imaginable (short of taking on humanity’s sin).
1.) Suffering is a part of our lives and that is good
2 Corinthians 6:4-5, 11:23-27
What would we think of someone who had that account of their life?
-to have more faith
-that the person were missing something, because God wouldn’t put that much adversity in lives if they were walking with Him
But that’s not true. It’s in our suffering that we learn and mature the most, because it is in our weakness that we are dependent on God.
Example:
How can suffering be good?
We don’t think that suffering and rejoicing can coexist. But Acts 5 says that we should rejoice in suffering. We are counted worthy to suffer. What does rejoicing in your suffering look like?

2 Corinthians 1:3-4….God comforts us, so that we can comfort others. God gives us hope, grace, insight and tangible comfort through His body, so that in turn we can comfort others both in the body and out.
We have experiences in life that allow us to relate to others and comfort them. And even if we haven’t gone through the exact circumstance, we have suffered and tasted God’s goodness and comfort. And that is good.

2.) Thorns
Let’s be honest, Paul is a stud. He’s tough. He endured. He went through a lot, positively influenced a lot of people, saw incredible things. He suffered and survived. If I were Paul, I would be so prideful. But Paul says that he “boasts in weakness.” How?
2 Corinthians 12:7
So because of the revelations Paul experienced, God gave him a thorn in his flesh, more accurately it is a sharp stake in his side. Why? To keep Paul from exalting himself, to keep him humble. This is hard for us to understand. No one knows exactly what the thorn was, theories range from a physical deformity such as epilepsy or a humpback to extreme persecution or temptation. We know that three times Paul prays for its removal and God doesn’t take it away. So why is that hard for us? Because God puts something in Paul’s life that hurts so much that Paul refers to as a “messenger from Satan.” That means it must have been so tough that it could have and practically should have kept Paul from doing the work God called him to. And how do we reconcile that with our understanding of God? Well, I don’t think we do reconcile those things, I think we get a better picture of who God is. He is sovereign and uses all things for His glory. This thorn kept Paul from pride which is sin, and God used it in Paul’s life to better Paul for his calling.
Why do we hate the idea that God put a thorn in Paul’s side? Because we think that God exists to make us happy. We think that being in good standing with God leads to a smooth, comfortable life. That’s a lie. If you think that God equates a life of ease, happiness and fun, you don’t understand the Living God. And hopefully we will all experience these things at some point, but they aren’t promised and you aren’t owed any of them.
Quotes:
“If fun is your ultimate goal, then you won’t follow Jesus very far, because His path was hard.” -Rob Edwards
“Life is not about your being comfortable and happy and successful and pain free. It is about becoming the man or woman God has called you to be”
-Charles Swindoll

Don’t be mistaken. God does not exist for you. You exist for God. Interchanging the two is idolatry and that is a sin. See Paul understood that it was never about him, 2 Corinthians isn’t about Paul, it’s about God. Your life isn’t about you, it’s always been about God.

3.) The Good News
a.) God’s grace is sufficient for you
Three times Paul prays for God to remove the thorn, but what does God say? 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” God’s plan for us is bigger than we can see. So everyday God tells us “my grace is sufficient for you” and Paul reminds us that when we are weak, then we are strong. It is in our weakness, that His strength is perfected. We are taught that success is power, not weakness. Success makes us proud and independent, but in weakness we are dependent on the Lord and He pours His strength into us. And that should change the way we look at suffering and weakness and success. Paul shows us this attitude when he says that he delights in hardships. His view on strength and success come from God.
b.) God’s grace is sufficient for everyday
i.) Paul calls his thorn a “messenger from Satan.” What does that mean? It means that with this thorn comes a message from Satan. It says “you aren’t good enough,” “you can’t do this,” “you should quit,” “you are weak,” “you are sinner,” “you can handle this on your own,” etc, etc. But God’s grace covers all of this. So when you are in the midst of struggle you can rest on who He is and what He is doing. Exodus 14:14, Psalm 35:1-3. God’s grace fights this message from the thorn, because He gives you strength, makes up the gap for your sin and leads you.
ii.) Another way that His grace is sufficient is that it sustains you when you want to give up. 2 Corinthians 1:8-11. Paul says that they hated life. They didn’t want to be here anymore. Paul also says that “to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Christ is our hope everyday at every moment.
c.) God’s grace is sufficient in giving us hope
The struggles of this world will fade away. They are not eternal. Because of grace we will be glorified and the pain goes away. See we think that this world is supposed to bring us happiness, ease and a pain free existence. That’s not this life, but the next. And that is the hope that Christ offers, that because of His grace one day, some day we are in heaven with Him, free of sin and struggle.

Heads Up

Since I haven't been able to really write on here about anything meaningful as of late (b/c I don't think it is cool to put really personal info on your blog) I thought I would give you a list of things that I have been digging as of late. So here it goes...

1.) The book, Do Hard Things. A lot of my students are reading it, too, and I have really seen a change in their attitudes. Its cool to see. The writers have a blog, therebelution.com, and the articles on chivalry are excellent. The modesty survey is good as well, and the definitions make me laugh a lot.

2.) Music: Inevitable and Breaking by Anberlin, Hallelujah by Bethany Dillon and White Horse by Taylor Swift (I know she is a little bubble gummy, but I like the song anyhow)

3.) Forgiveness. I have been thinking about this a lot lately and how it is part of the process of sanctification. It is hard to forgive somethings. And just when I think something is forgiven, a new layer opens up and I feel like I am at square one again. I've been pondering this week if it is possible to forgive something when you are still hurt over it. I welcome your feedback.

4.) Real Simple: both the magazine and the website. You should see the amount of decorating I have done recently.

5.) All things fall. I love the smell, the attitude, the cooler weather. It's beautiful and, yes, I attended two bonfires this weekend. Be jealous.

p.s. Jenn, your present is on the way...I just stink at actually mailing things...and you will love it

Wordle

I'm a nerd and re-did it after my friend Jenn told me how to snip it....

Ramblings

I haven't updated in awhile...so here are some things I have been thinking about:

1.) The average height of an American woman is 5'4"...I am 5'3" and the majority of women I know are significantly taller than me...so I think the average is off or the people they used for their research were abnormally short

2.) Although I have a great respect for the people who put the words to songs in PowerPoint (hey, I've been that person before...it's not a super fun job), I would just like to remind them that a comma does not need to be after every line...really...you don't

3.) New Kids on the Block have made a comeback...so how much longer will the world have to wait for an N'SYNC reunion?

4.) Martin Davis retired from his blogging...the world is now a much sadder (and less witty) place

5.) Fall is my favorite season for the following reasons: I like the colors orange, brown and green. Pumpkin carving is a good activity. And humidity goes away and everyone's hair behaves better and when people's hair behaves better, people are nicer.

Sweet Peaceful Mornings

I am currently in SC on a retreat with my coworkers. This morning I went up to a local coffee shop by myself for a little quiet reading time. The weather is gorgeous-slightly chilly with a breeze and being that fall is quickly approaching I am enjoying the weather even more. I know that fall is supposed to symbolize change and winter represents death, but they are my favorite seasons regardless. Anyhow, I sat outside this coffee shop in an adirondack chair with my hot chocolate, Life Together by Bonhoeffer and my ipod playing Phil Wickham and Patty Griffin. It was glorious. Then I walked around some shops that were close by and talked to a local pottery store owner. She was sweet and excited to talk to someone.
It was just a nice morning. Slow and easy and coming off of the previous night of sweet fellowship (and a ping pong victory) it just felt full.
That is all...greetings from the great state of South Carolina...

Miracles

I wrote this a couple years ago...I haven't proofread it, so I apologize for that...its just something I have been thinking about again.

I believe in the natural. I believe that the Lord is active, daily, in our lives. I also believe that “believing” in the supernatural is our man-made way of magnifying the Lord. The problem with magnification of this sort is that it is impossible. How do you make something infinitely, out-of-our-comprehension huge even larger? You can’t. You don’t need to. Yet that is what we attempt to do with this so called supernatural. It’s because our view of an infinite King somehow gets emaciated and bastardized into something unrecognizable. You could call it idolatry. I think the problem is not the belief in the supernatural, but a lack of belief that the Lord is working in our lives at all times-good or bad. Also, we are so content going about our lives expecting to be under whelmed that we don’t acknowledge the everyday, seemingly mundane miracles that the Lord performs everyday. We expect so much less than He has promised us. Why is our waking or taking another breath not seen as miraculous to us? We cannot make ourselves perform these acts. Is that not what a miracle is? Something that is unexplainable, that is not caused by anything other than the Lord. If this is true, then it has to be that everything, other than sin, is miraculous, because in and of myself I find only sin. However, the Lord causes all good things. So it must be that when I am able to love someone, it is miraculous. But it is not seen that way…I don’t see it that way. Yet, like all Truth, it is true regardless of how it is perceived.
Another way we “magnify” the Lord is by not acknowledging the work that He has been doing in one’s life, but calling one single act miraculous. Take a surgeon for example and say that this given surgeon performs an extremely delicate procedure with unusual success on an ailing patient. We call this miraculous and rightfully so, but on the wrong merit. Yes, the Lord was at work and ordained the preservation of the patient at that single moment in time and that is miraculous by definition, but let’s look at the entire situation. Did the Lord not allow that surgeon to be trained and taught? And why did that surgeon want to be a surgeon anyhow? And where did not only the desire, but the dedication that it takes to be a surgeon come from? What about all the factors surrounding his life, his character, upbringing, etc and etc that make this surgeon who he is and capable of performing what he does? Are not all these things remarkable in and of themselves despite of the status of any given patient? This is not even acknowledging all the other factors that come into play. Point being that God’s entire plan for our lives is miraculous. The way that every fraction of life, every person, situation, and experience are swept together in such a way that creates a person capable of accomplishing any given obstacle is a miracle.
This brings me to another point of how sinful and content with pretty rubbish we all are. Let’s continue using the scenario of the surgeon, but this time the patient dies. Is the Lord any less good? Is this less of a miracle? We see it that way. But might I propose that the connotation of a miracle being something that is undisputedly great and in one’s favor is a bit of an opiate for mankind. It makes us feel frilly and fuzzy on the inside and we like that, but the fact is that not everything can be seen through our naturally preferred rose-colored glasses. The patient dies, but the Lord is still at work. Why do we only associate miracles with good? Is the miracle not that the Lord is still active in our lives and sanctifying us? This is the big picture miracle. That the Creator of the Earth, the I AM, has been executing his flawless plan from before the beginning of time. That part of this plan is to sacrifice His Son as atonement for people who don’t deserve it. But we don’t acknowledge this miracle as having implications in every aspect and corner in our lives. The dictionary says that a miracle is “an event that is inexplicable by the laws of nature…[exciting] admiring awe.” The gospel, all alone, is a miracle. Not make-it-through-the-day watered-down occurrences. It is through this true miracle, the gospel of Christ, that we should view our lives.

Hallelujah

It's the title of the blog, so I figured sharing this night of my life was appropriate. It's one of those times that are just right because they encompass all that we were created for-glorifying the Lord through pure enjoyment of Him and His creation. It is one of the rare times that the tension we live in disappears and we are precisely who we are meant to be...a worshipper. And in that moment our whole being cries out "Hallelujah!" I aspire for my entire life to be like these moments. So here is the story:

I was with some of my students, four girls to be exact. We were on a retreat and decided to take a walk on the beach just before bedtime. In case you have never walked on the beach late at night, without a little creativity it is pretty boring. Basically it is just dark, but with a little imagination and understanding of God's presence, it is magic. And the next thing I knew the five of us were in an intense sand-ball fight (we don't have snow in Florida). We were throwing sand and kicking saltwater at each other. We were so disgusting, but laughing like 4year olds. Then we decided it was time to go swimming...in our basketball shorts and t-shirts and at 1am. We had so much fun laughing at ourselves and enjoying the beach. It was glorious. Then we went inside...

First everyone else laughed at how dirty we were..and let me tell you we were disgusting. So after showering and cleaning up all the leftover sand in the bathrooms, we being girls ended up talking in the kitchen. And that moment happened, the one that youth leaders worldwide hope and pray for and rarely have happen...the girls say, "teach us." They didn't care what it was, but they wanted to know more about Jesus and who He is and how much He loves them. And so we talked and looked at Scripture and thought about application.

I was so encouraged by these high school girls. Their love for the Lord, for each other, and their desire to share Christ with the world are a blessing to those they interact with. They have a passion for life and living it in such a way that God is glorified at all times. These girls will be dangerous, so take note.

I feel blessed to have this memory of them and an ongoing relationship with them in which we can continue to enjoy what the Lord has given us. And that experience has reminded me of just what our lives should be like all the time....hallelujah.