So I am completely aware the I am Blog A.D.D. I love to blog but I go through spurts where it happens everyday then won't happen for a while. While I would like to offer up some grand excuse for the reason there has not been a post worth reading in far too long, I will refrain (mostly due to the fact that I have no good excuse and simply trying to make one up is far too much work and would take away from my time to talk to you about the latest blog inspiration). That said-moving on.
American Idol
I like watching American Idol. While I am not the AI fanatic- like I am with Jack Bauer and 24- I enjoy a good singing competition.
AND while we are all thinking about Jack Bauer let me just say that 24 is still the greatest show. I had a discussion with a friend about Keifer Southerland and Jack Bauer. Upon seeing a commercial for the premier I exclaimed "Jack Bauer!" He said "His name is Keifer Southerland." This simple comment from the unknowing, less than fanatic, 24 viewer began a conversation that ended in the simple statement "When Jack Bauer was born, Keifer Southerland died." While I cannot take credit for this very true statement, nor can I give credit where credit is due because I don't know where it's due, I can say with confidence that I used the statement at just the right time, ending the conversation and provoking a thought for those who might be thinking about becoming a T.V. star who kills people and breaks the law and is pretty much the coolest person ever. But I digress...
This post is a bout American Idol. It premiered this week. I didn't watch it. I did however discuss the voting on AI from last year; this prompted from making the statement that my mom paid for all of the people in her family to text their votes in for Taylor Hicks last year. Jordan and I were talking about how crazy it is that more people voted for the American Idol last year than voted for the president. That's Nuts! and LAZY LAZY LAZY.
I'm completely convinced that the only reason a vast majority of Americans who are eligible to vote, don't is because they don't want to get up and do it. Seriously though, if Americans could text in their presidential selection, I would put money on it that the voting numbers would quadruple-at least.
I don't know maybe I'm wrong. I think we should test it though. I mean we have already screwed up every system of voting so we are completely aware that none of them will work perfectly so why not just go with one that will bring the most votes?
OR...we could just quit being lazy and go vote. I'd rather text though. :o)
1.18.2007
1.07.2007
Worship
"'Therefore I am now going to allure her;
I will lead her into the desert and
speak tenderly to her.
There I will give her back her vineyards
and will make the Valley of Achor (trouble) a door of hope.
There she will sing as in the days of her youth,
as in the day she came up out of Egypt.
'In that day,' declares the Lord, 'you will call me "my husband"
You will no longer call me "my Baal."
I will remove the names of the Baals from her lips;
no longer will their names be invoked."
~Hosea 2.14-17
Today Toby's sermon was on the topic of worship, focusing on confession and the true state of our hearts in worship. Toby wasn't preaching though, it was God. It was as if God was standing there using Toby to deliver a message that so many of us need to hear. I can only imagine what it would be like to be chosen by God to deliver a message to his people like that. I suppose today for the first time I saw a little bit of the struggle the prophets must have endured in the messages they carried to the people of Israel on behalf oh the Lord.
Throughout all the prophets we read of Israel's struggle to remain faithful to the God that delivered her. Each prophet cries out to the people to turn back to God and in each story Israel dances between God and the Baals. Over and over we see her turn her back on God.
It is easy as an outsider to say, "Can't Israel see how God has delivered her? Can't she understand what God has done for her?" Yet when we examine our own lives how often do we ask ourselves this same thing? "Mandy, can't you see how God has delivered you? Mandy, don't you understand what God has done in your life? Look around you Mandy, God is here! God is everywhere! How can you call on the Baals?"
When I struggle, the first place it shows up is in my worship to God. As I sing praises to God it is my personal conviction to sing with my whole heart and to listen to the words coming out of my mouth and the mouths of so many around me. Often times I am touched to tears by the statement I make, we make, as the body of Christ in the words we sing. But when I cannot sing the songs of praise, I have learned it is because I am not living to glorify God. Something in my life is not pointing to God; Satan is attacking and has gotten to my heart; I am not praising God I am worrying about me.
God has called me out of this. God has bigger plans for worship. God has bigger plans for me.
"I will allure her. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her."
I love this. When I cannot, God can. God can, and God will. God is going to allure me, you, us back to true worship. Worship for him. Worship in different key's, worship with off-beat claps, worship with instruments, worship without instruments, worship in pews, in a circle, indoors, outdoors...true, broken, pure worship.
God,
Break our hearts and convict us of our Baals. Show us again what you have done for us and how you have delivered us and may we respond in true, broken, pure worship to you.
Amen.
I will lead her into the desert and
speak tenderly to her.
There I will give her back her vineyards
and will make the Valley of Achor (trouble) a door of hope.
There she will sing as in the days of her youth,
as in the day she came up out of Egypt.
'In that day,' declares the Lord, 'you will call me "my husband"
You will no longer call me "my Baal."
I will remove the names of the Baals from her lips;
no longer will their names be invoked."
~Hosea 2.14-17
Today Toby's sermon was on the topic of worship, focusing on confession and the true state of our hearts in worship. Toby wasn't preaching though, it was God. It was as if God was standing there using Toby to deliver a message that so many of us need to hear. I can only imagine what it would be like to be chosen by God to deliver a message to his people like that. I suppose today for the first time I saw a little bit of the struggle the prophets must have endured in the messages they carried to the people of Israel on behalf oh the Lord.
Throughout all the prophets we read of Israel's struggle to remain faithful to the God that delivered her. Each prophet cries out to the people to turn back to God and in each story Israel dances between God and the Baals. Over and over we see her turn her back on God.
It is easy as an outsider to say, "Can't Israel see how God has delivered her? Can't she understand what God has done for her?" Yet when we examine our own lives how often do we ask ourselves this same thing? "Mandy, can't you see how God has delivered you? Mandy, don't you understand what God has done in your life? Look around you Mandy, God is here! God is everywhere! How can you call on the Baals?"
When I struggle, the first place it shows up is in my worship to God. As I sing praises to God it is my personal conviction to sing with my whole heart and to listen to the words coming out of my mouth and the mouths of so many around me. Often times I am touched to tears by the statement I make, we make, as the body of Christ in the words we sing. But when I cannot sing the songs of praise, I have learned it is because I am not living to glorify God. Something in my life is not pointing to God; Satan is attacking and has gotten to my heart; I am not praising God I am worrying about me.
God has called me out of this. God has bigger plans for worship. God has bigger plans for me.
"I will allure her. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her."
I love this. When I cannot, God can. God can, and God will. God is going to allure me, you, us back to true worship. Worship for him. Worship in different key's, worship with off-beat claps, worship with instruments, worship without instruments, worship in pews, in a circle, indoors, outdoors...true, broken, pure worship.
God,
Break our hearts and convict us of our Baals. Show us again what you have done for us and how you have delivered us and may we respond in true, broken, pure worship to you.
Amen.
12.27.2006
Nothing to do
I'm sure everyone got lots of great things for Christmas. I love the stuff that I got, especially my brown and pink luggage! It's so cute! I think my favorite thing however is my black P-coat. I love it!
So here the question...what is your favorite thing you got for Christmas?
So here the question...what is your favorite thing you got for Christmas?
12.15.2006
My Grandaddy
Sometimes it is so very obvious to me that God is God.
Last night was one of those times. An event that may seem little and unimportant to most of you but for me it was 2 seconds of time that quickly shot to the top of my most faithful moments in my life. As I was driving home last night around 11:00, I turned the radio on to a country station that I fequent. While turning and curving with the road, a song played that I have not heard in months but one that means so much to my life. Written below are the words to a song that I heard for the first time after my Grandad died last December.
In the midst of all the things going on in my life I managed to put off thinking about the one year anniversary event for a while but last night as I drove and this song played there was no escape. I was glad. I cried as hard as I have cried before for my Grandad and as I sang the words along with the radio I smiled in anticipation for the day I would again see my Grandad.
As I was smiling and singing and crying the coolest thing happened. I looked up at the sky only to be met by the brightest shooting star I have ever seen. I laughed and thought what a wonderful sign from God that things are gonna be ok and that he loves me.
When I Get Where I'm Going (click the song title to go to my myspace and hear the song)
By: Brad Paisley feat. Dolly Parton
When I get where I'm going
on the far side of the sky.
The first thing that I'm gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly.
I'm gonna land beside a lion,
and run my fingers through his mane.
Or I might find out what it's like
To ride a drop of rain
(Chorus:)Yeah when I get where I'm going,
there'll be only happy tears.
I will shed the sins and struggles,
I have carried all these years.
And I'll leave my heart wide open,
I will love and have no fear.
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
Don't cry for me down here.
I'm gonna walk with my grandaddy,
and he'll match me step for step,
and I'll tell him how I missed him,
every minute since he left.
Then I'll hug his neck.
So much pain and so much darkness,
in this world we stumble through.
All these questions, I can't answer,
so much work to do.
But when I get where I'm going,
and I see my Maker's face.
I'll stand forever in the light,
of His amazing grace.
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
there'll be only happy tears.
Hallelujah!I will love and have no fear.
When I get where I'm going.
Yeah when I get where I'm going.
May your life be blessed!!!
Last night was one of those times. An event that may seem little and unimportant to most of you but for me it was 2 seconds of time that quickly shot to the top of my most faithful moments in my life. As I was driving home last night around 11:00, I turned the radio on to a country station that I fequent. While turning and curving with the road, a song played that I have not heard in months but one that means so much to my life. Written below are the words to a song that I heard for the first time after my Grandad died last December.
In the midst of all the things going on in my life I managed to put off thinking about the one year anniversary event for a while but last night as I drove and this song played there was no escape. I was glad. I cried as hard as I have cried before for my Grandad and as I sang the words along with the radio I smiled in anticipation for the day I would again see my Grandad.
As I was smiling and singing and crying the coolest thing happened. I looked up at the sky only to be met by the brightest shooting star I have ever seen. I laughed and thought what a wonderful sign from God that things are gonna be ok and that he loves me.
When I Get Where I'm Going (click the song title to go to my myspace and hear the song)
By: Brad Paisley feat. Dolly Parton
When I get where I'm going
on the far side of the sky.
The first thing that I'm gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly.
I'm gonna land beside a lion,
and run my fingers through his mane.
Or I might find out what it's like
To ride a drop of rain
(Chorus:)Yeah when I get where I'm going,
there'll be only happy tears.
I will shed the sins and struggles,
I have carried all these years.
And I'll leave my heart wide open,
I will love and have no fear.
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
Don't cry for me down here.
I'm gonna walk with my grandaddy,
and he'll match me step for step,
and I'll tell him how I missed him,
every minute since he left.
Then I'll hug his neck.
So much pain and so much darkness,
in this world we stumble through.
All these questions, I can't answer,
so much work to do.
But when I get where I'm going,
and I see my Maker's face.
I'll stand forever in the light,
of His amazing grace.
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
there'll be only happy tears.
Hallelujah!I will love and have no fear.
When I get where I'm going.
Yeah when I get where I'm going.
May your life be blessed!!!
11.30.2006
Let it Snow!
Stuck in Abilene for one more day. It's snowing, the roads are icy and the temperature is only supposed to reach 30 degrees today. If I didn't have a paper to finish, I would plug in the Christmas tree, put on some Christmas music and dance and play all day! Everyone enjoy the last day of November!
11.14.2006
Some Days
Some days are better than others. In my week, Tuesdays are long. Meetings all morning lunch with the staff which is always great conversation and fun. With all of the events of the day, I don't usually get to start working until 2ish. Seriously!
I say that to tell you this. Today was one of those days. Long and tiring. I feel the most exhausted when I haven't been productive all day. Today when we got back from lunch-remember this is around 2- I got on the phone with Dell because my computer wouldn't load my profile settings. That is bad news. I have two papers due in the next 15 days and all my stuff for them is on my laptop. So this one hour phone conversation ended with good news and bad news. Good news was we were able to restore my profile and I was able to access all of my files and get the stuff I need for my papers. The bad news is after I back up all of my files I have to reformat my harddrive. Lose everything by choice in order to gain full function of this machine back.
Craziness. I am fully aware that this post is less entertaining than usual. I'll try harder next time
I say that to tell you this. Today was one of those days. Long and tiring. I feel the most exhausted when I haven't been productive all day. Today when we got back from lunch-remember this is around 2- I got on the phone with Dell because my computer wouldn't load my profile settings. That is bad news. I have two papers due in the next 15 days and all my stuff for them is on my laptop. So this one hour phone conversation ended with good news and bad news. Good news was we were able to restore my profile and I was able to access all of my files and get the stuff I need for my papers. The bad news is after I back up all of my files I have to reformat my harddrive. Lose everything by choice in order to gain full function of this machine back.
Craziness. I am fully aware that this post is less entertaining than usual. I'll try harder next time
11.09.2006
Christmas Music
Since it has been the topic of a side conversation via the comment area of my blog, I'm gonna just go ahead and throw it out there. When is it ok to begin playing Christmas Music?
I originally went with Nov. 1. After Halloween is over it's time to get into the holiday spirit. Because the weather of our great state generally does not allow the seasons emotions to hit full force typically until after the holidays have past, I think the earlier the better. This in no way undermines Thanksgiving. Many people have persecuted and accused me of forgetting the holiday without chance to explain. Thanksgiving is part of the holiday season. Christmas music helps with Thanksgiving too. Really it does! Besides it's not like there are a lot of Thanksgiving songs out there to get you in the mood- if you know of any please submit them.
No matter. I have become aware of just how offensive this can be to people- playing music starting Nov. 1 that is. That said I have changed my idea of when I think it's ok. I now claim that It is ok to start playing Christmas music when all of the following three things happen.
1. When you see the first commercial selling Christmas decorations and accompanied by a Christmas song.
2. When you decide to get the Christmas decoration down while putting up the Halloween decorations because you don't want to get back in the attic.
AND
3. When Sonic has switched over to the "Holiday Cup" which ever so sneak-i-ly advertises what a GREAT idea it is to give someone a My Sonic card for Christmas (which by the way is a great idea).
Considering these three things (and being immune to number 2)-I now deem it ok for myself to play as much Christmas music as I want!!!
Be Blessed!!!
I originally went with Nov. 1. After Halloween is over it's time to get into the holiday spirit. Because the weather of our great state generally does not allow the seasons emotions to hit full force typically until after the holidays have past, I think the earlier the better. This in no way undermines Thanksgiving. Many people have persecuted and accused me of forgetting the holiday without chance to explain. Thanksgiving is part of the holiday season. Christmas music helps with Thanksgiving too. Really it does! Besides it's not like there are a lot of Thanksgiving songs out there to get you in the mood- if you know of any please submit them.
No matter. I have become aware of just how offensive this can be to people- playing music starting Nov. 1 that is. That said I have changed my idea of when I think it's ok. I now claim that It is ok to start playing Christmas music when all of the following three things happen.
1. When you see the first commercial selling Christmas decorations and accompanied by a Christmas song.
2. When you decide to get the Christmas decoration down while putting up the Halloween decorations because you don't want to get back in the attic.
AND
3. When Sonic has switched over to the "Holiday Cup" which ever so sneak-i-ly advertises what a GREAT idea it is to give someone a My Sonic card for Christmas (which by the way is a great idea).
Considering these three things (and being immune to number 2)-I now deem it ok for myself to play as much Christmas music as I want!!!
Be Blessed!!!
11.01.2006
Director's Spot Filled
So I might have a potential director for my movie. I am really thinking that someone needs to step up and decide to write my script because We need to get started making this movie if it's gonna come out in October.
Also, there have been no official commitments but I believe we may have a leading male actor as well.
Y'all have a great day and Be blessed!!!
(check out the new post MIRACLES)
Also, there have been no official commitments but I believe we may have a leading male actor as well.
Y'all have a great day and Be blessed!!!
(check out the new post MIRACLES)
Miracles
I have been bothered by something lately. Miracles. We read about them in the Bible, we believe them because we have faith, we pray for them when people are sick, we pray for them people have "gone astray" and we even pray for them when people's spirits have been burned. If we don't believe it why do we pray for it?
I have come to see something for the first time concerning miracles. We believe it can happen BEFORE it does, we believe it happened when it's OVER but where the heck is our faith in the midst of it? I'm not talking about the sick person who over night seems to be getting better, it's easy to believe God is part of that because we can write it off if we need to. A miracle disguised in natural processes. I'm talking about the people pray specifically for someone to be free from a certain sin when there is no explanation as to why anyone should know about the sin in that persons life. I'm talking about the people who seem to always be in the right place at the right time to save people. I'm talking about believing what we pray for. Having an expectant faith.
If we would have an expectant faith, would we then be more of a people who see the bread breaking as the 5,000 are being fed, who see the footprints on top of the water as Jesus is walking out to us and who watch the woman at the well spread the word of Christ, or would be still be the people we are, who pray but do not believe until the result is showcased?
I don't know where I fall into all of this. I fear that skepticism has taken over expectation for far too long in my life. What I am finding now, is that in the midst of a miracle my passion for people to believe in Him and my desire to expect God to complete something he has started in the people I care about has fed my spirit in a way that fires me up about my faith! Our human nature drives us to the cynical prayers. No doubt those prayers will always be around but how long do we go on sitting and letting Satan jog around our faith, every now and then poking at it planting seeds of doubt and skepticism in our lass than expectant faith. I'm done with it. For now I will stand strong in the expectant faith God calls me to and I will have no doubt in my mind that God will fulfill his promises in my life. I will expect God to finish what he started.
I have come to see something for the first time concerning miracles. We believe it can happen BEFORE it does, we believe it happened when it's OVER but where the heck is our faith in the midst of it? I'm not talking about the sick person who over night seems to be getting better, it's easy to believe God is part of that because we can write it off if we need to. A miracle disguised in natural processes. I'm talking about the people pray specifically for someone to be free from a certain sin when there is no explanation as to why anyone should know about the sin in that persons life. I'm talking about the people who seem to always be in the right place at the right time to save people. I'm talking about believing what we pray for. Having an expectant faith.
If we would have an expectant faith, would we then be more of a people who see the bread breaking as the 5,000 are being fed, who see the footprints on top of the water as Jesus is walking out to us and who watch the woman at the well spread the word of Christ, or would be still be the people we are, who pray but do not believe until the result is showcased?
I don't know where I fall into all of this. I fear that skepticism has taken over expectation for far too long in my life. What I am finding now, is that in the midst of a miracle my passion for people to believe in Him and my desire to expect God to complete something he has started in the people I care about has fed my spirit in a way that fires me up about my faith! Our human nature drives us to the cynical prayers. No doubt those prayers will always be around but how long do we go on sitting and letting Satan jog around our faith, every now and then poking at it planting seeds of doubt and skepticism in our lass than expectant faith. I'm done with it. For now I will stand strong in the expectant faith God calls me to and I will have no doubt in my mind that God will fulfill his promises in my life. I will expect God to finish what he started.
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