ATTENTION!!! NEW BLOG ADDRESS!!

*  *   *   *   *   *AS OF TODAY . . . this blog has been moved to http://jenbush.blogspot.com. *  *  *  *  *  *

We’ll try it and see if there’s a difference in uploading, in pictures and in publishing.

Thanks for checking it out! 

new blog . . . ?

I’m thinking of changing my “wordpress” blog to a “blogspot” blog.

Here’s where it would go . . . jenbush.blogspot.com (it’s up and running now). . .  the only thing that would change is “wordpress” to “blogspot”.

Any ideas? Does anyone even care if I DO change it?

All comments (or non-comments) are welcome here- or there. Whatever!

jenbush thinks . . .

. . . that a quiet night in a comfy chair listening to God’s creation can be quite magical.
. . . that writing can be very therapeutic, very cathartic.
. . . that wine is certainly not a cure-all, but it’s a darn good band-aid.
. . . that my Bible is my favorite read.
. . . that having 2 big brown dogs to sleep with every night are the very best stuffed animals- and quite comforting to have around, especially when you’re a single girl.
. . . a picture is worth at LEAST a thousand words.
. . . that maybe love lost isn’t better than having never loved at all.
. . . that family is not limited to blood relatives alone.
. . . that listening to a 6 year old sing “Hosanna in the highest” on the way home is WAY better than anything I could hear on a CD or the radio any day of the week.
. . . that I have the best parents in the world, and I’m SO glad I have the relationship I do with them.
. . . that God’s miracles and provisions are often overlooked.
. . . that there are way too many cool inventions to name . . . but a few off the top of my head are fine-tip Sharpies, flat screen TVs, Blackberrys, email, digital camera (and their resulting paraphenalia), internet, ceiling fans, sushi, motorcycles, running shoes and sports bras.
. . . that she could write a note every day on different stationery. . . and not run out for 14 months. (An estimate.)
. . . that her friends are WAY too good for her.
. . . that apartment and condo living are highly underrated.
. . . that moms should have 2 hours added to their day and single moms/dads should have an extra 4.
. . . that any day at the beach, under any weather condition, is better than the most perfect day at home.
. . . that she might just have a little problem with her temper. . .
. . . that her father might be the wisest, Godliest man she’s ever known, and he got that from his mother, who was the wisest and Godliest woman she ever knew.
. . . that puppy breath and horses smell fantastic.
. . . that there are few things better than children’s laughter (sweet, sleeping children not withstanding), a cup of Primavera coffee, Sunday mornings with David Platt and 2000 other people, a great pair of heels, and driving with the windows down, sunroof back and music blaring.
. . . that giving is SO much better than receiving.
. . . that she is constantly having to fight going to back to get into her soft, comfy bed.
. . . that he’s out there, right? Somewhere?
. . . that cigarettes are pretty much the most disgusting, worthless consumer product out there.

And what about you . . . what do you think?

You want great customer service? You got it.

If you have children (or like me, just babysit all the time!), you know that trying to find someplace to feed your children that is healthy AND fun is near impossible sometimes. That’s why I really like (dare I say “love”) this place . . .

They have great, clean, usually-indoor play areas for the kiddos, it’s ALWAYS clean inside, their drive-thru service is ALWAYS fast, the inside service is quick, it’s fairly inexpensive and it’s the healthiest place to go if you want all that in one fell swoop.

But it gets better.

Recently, I hit up the ChickFilA (that’s “chickolay” for some of you) in Alabaster (and that’s “alabastard” for some OTHERS of you). I had 3 precious little girls with me, one of whom left the house without her shoes on. Awesome. (And good call for me- way to pay attention.) We strolled in with what seemed to be all of Alabaster and Helena’s mama’s and children, and I thought to myself “Ohhhh, great. We’re not going to find a place to sit, it’s gonna take too long, they’re already hungry, maybe we should have just driven thru….UGH.”

Oh, ye of little faith.

I had 2 little girls on my hips and one attached to my hand when we walked in and IMMEDIATELY found a 4-seater next to the window . . . . that had just been cleaned by the most professional, attentive 17-year old Chick-Fil-A employee I’ve ever met. She asked if she could do anything to help me out, but I was good for the time being. We all walked up and got in line, were greeted by a friendly face, the girls ordered their food and I mine, and we paid. (That’s right- everybody got to give the sweet cashier some money. Fun times.)

Then the cashier started getting our food together on the serving tray and proceeded to pick it up like she was going to take it out to the table. “Oh, I’ve got 3 little girls here who are itching to hold stuff…..I can get that!” I told her. She politely shook her head and said, “Oh, no, ma’am…I have to!” with a smile. And she brought it out and set it up (and all the girls thanked her) and we enjoyed our meal.

But it gets better than that.

I don’t know what the age is to start working part-time now- what, 16? 17? Younger? Whatever the age, this kid must’ve had his birthday the day before. But he was just as nice and professional as all the others we’d met. He came by with nothing but a smile and said, “Can I refresh a drink for anyone? Can I dispose of some of this trash for y’all?”

WOW.

I knew Chick-Fil-A was a top-notch establishment, but this puts them over the top in my book. I don’t know if this is just the new way of doing things all over the company- as new company policy- or if this is simply excellent management at the Alabaster location, but you can bet that’s where I take kiddos when they’re on my watch.

We love us some “chickolay” and “lemolade”, don’t we? 

These are a few of my favorite things . . .

We are SO blessed, so COVERED in grace and blessing we take for granted every day. Even as I sit here, there are new things coming to mind. Here some of my all-time favorites- people, places and things.

This….my favorite possession, if you can call it that. I’m actually thinking of getting a new one, but then I’d have to transfer all of my underlining and notes and quotes…hmmm….oh, the choices we have.

Have you ever stopped to think about how RIDICULOUSLY spoiled we are in the sense that we can walk into most any bookstore and have at our fingertips at least 7 translations of the Bible, in different colors of leather or hardback or some sort of cover….and others around the world don’t even HAVE the Bible?

My fantastic Blackberry. LOVE this thing (and yes, I do mean “love”.) It keeps up my productivity and lets me connect to the rest of the world. With just a few touches, I can send an email, text, find important information on the web, download music, take pictures AND video…OH, and make phone calls, too. 

Speaking of increasing productivity…this new computer is fantastic. SO fast, and I’m even starting to get used to Vista….

. . . I looooove this place.

   This is just one of the NEATEST inventions ever. Where there is cell service, there is internet service. YAY!

  So far, these are pretty much my favorite flipf lops.

So, per the previous post, y’all know how much I like (read: love) this Barnes and Noble purchase.

My church! I LOOOOOOVE my church! www.brookhills.org if you want to check it out- or go with sometime!

Of course, I can’t talk about my church and not talk about . . .

 . . . this guy. Unbelievable Christ-follower. This man inspires me in the way that John Piper and Al Begg and RC Sproul do. And he’s MY local pastor. What a thrilling notion. Careful in making idols of men, though….

  There’s my sweet boys!!

 

. . . . gotta love these guys . . .

. . . and this guy- my amazing brother.

 Love some of THIS kid . . . .

 . . . . and his sweet little brother . . .

 . . . . and maaaan, do I love me some of these ladies . . . .

. . . then there’s this big lug . . .

I loooove me some o’ this girl- the embodiment of “precious” . . .

. . . and this girl is priceless . . .

 . . . and this adorable little one.

 And, of course, you gotta have F.R.I.E.N.D.S . . . .

. . . and The Office . . .

Surin’s coconut curry tofu soup . . . YUMMY! . . .

. . . and their spicy tuna . . .

AND FAAAAAACEBOOOOOOOOK!!!! Yaaaaaaay!

These are a few of my favorite things . . .

love and planners, love and planners, go together like….

I’ve gotten into a habit of not saying “love” unless I really mean it and it truly calls for the term. “LOVE” is such an overused term these days that I’ve really started paying attention to how much I say it and saying it only when I really mean it.

That said, if any of you need a good planner, this is it. $16 at Barnes and Noble and SUCH a trooper. I LOVE this planner- God willing, I’ll never have anything else.

OK, friends…. need a home for this little guy :)

Beautiful baby boy needs a home!

I found this guy, a 10 week old (approx) Beagle, at an apartment complex I was showing on 7/22. He was sad and lonely and scared and hungry, soooo… J I took him to the vet and put about $200 into him and got him TOTALLY fixed up- got his mange and infection cleared completely. He’s SO happy and playful and sweet- good to go, but I can’t keep him as I have 2 big guys. I don’t want anything back for this little man . . . JUST A LOVING HOME (and maybe some updates every now and then!).

CALL ANYTIME, day/night- 205.705.4685- Jen Bush
e-  jenbushjj@gmail.com, jenbush@apt4you.com

Don’t be coveting my donkey . . .

That may be the best title yet. Really quite funny.

This was my Bible verse for the day. How INCREDIBLY pertinent- for all of us, but especially for me, right now, at this point in my life.

Exodus 20:17- You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

The word covet does not come up in everyday language much. But it certainly is a part of everyday life! The definition for coveting is: to desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others. Behind this is a heart of ingratitude, selfishness and a belief that God has somehow withheld something from us. “I sure wish I had one of those… or, “why isn’t my spouse more like them…or, “why do I have to stay in this job…?”

Wanting what we don’t have displays that we are not satisfied with God’s provision in our life. “I deserve better than this!” And, “I know what I need better than God does.” When we believe that God is infinitely good, and we remember that he alone is sovereign, we can set all coveting aside. Another way of translating this command would be, “Be satisfied with what your generous God has given you!”  (Today’s Commentary by: Caesar Kalinowski, Pastor Soma Communities)

Yes, Lord. I’m listening.

 

Daddies and daughters :)

My father never ceases to amaze me. He is such an astounding picture of my Heavenly Father and His love and adoration and abounding grace for me.

Those of you who are fathers (and mothers, for that matter) know what it’s like to feel unconditional love for your child, to do everything in your power to never let them be bullied or be sick or feel an ounce of pain, to want only the best for them and expect nothing in return, to shower love and grace and mercy on them as if they were the only ones in the world. I do not. I am not a parent. I have 2 dogs and that’s about as close as I come to not wanting anyone to hurt “my babies”. (I know all of you parents are rolling on the floor laughing at this HORRIBLE analogy and how far off it is from relating to human children that you birthed yourself, but it’s the best I can do.) 

My father, God love him…he’s a different breed. His life story explains a LOT of why he is the way he is, thinks the way he does, acts the way he does, etc. He is a lawyer AND a pilot, so he’s DOUBLY as anal as one of those occupations would be singularly. He has his quirks and flaws like everyone does, but my father…is gracious and merciful and content and generous and loving and kind and maybe the Godliest man I know. His wisdom and knowledge far surpass anyone I can think of- I think there’s nothing he doesn’t know. As many times as I fail him, he continually picks me up and help me out and pushes me back on the road. I know that it is only by the grace of my Savior that I was given to him (and he to me) and not to a family of 15 in Uganda trying to live on 15 cents a day and have never heard the name “Jesus”. It is only by God’s unimaginable, undeserved grace and mercy that I lived the life I did while growing up under the shelter and care of my parents.

I hear some of the things my dad used to say when I was growing up, and I heard it…but I never REALLY understood it until the world took hold of me and started vying for my time  and attention, wanting every piece of me and to mold me into what IT wants rather than what my God wants and expects of me…. things like “remember who you are and what your name is.”    “Remember who you are and Whose you are.”     “Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.”     ”What do we have that is not a gift from God? The very air we breathe, the car you drive, the parents He gave you, the faith to believe that He IS God and is the ONLY God…these are all gifts, sweetheart.”     ”In the overall scheme of things- in the big picture- does this really matter?”     “Obey your father and mother, for this is good in the sight of the Lord.”   ”Live below your means.”      “Obey the first time, every time, and with a good attitude.”      “What else could that money have been spent on, sweetheart? Sending Bibles to China? Sending a missionary a month of meals in Nairobi, Kenya, while they do the work of the Lord?”       “Because I said so.” (NOW THIS MAKES SOOOO MUCH SENSE! Unfortunately, THAT is the first things that comes out of our mouths, not “because mama asked you to do this and you should obey mama because Jesus asked you to obey mama”…)   “Do you need an attitude adjustment?…because I can make that happen.”        ”If you don’t have time to do it right the first time, you SURELY won’t have time to do it right the second time.”         ”…SEE the key….” (as in, “do you see they key in your hand? Do you have the keys in your hand before you lock the door?”)      “…YOU do the right thing.” (as in, “I don’t care whatever everybody else is doing, THEY are not my children or my girl. YOU are. So YOU do the right thing.”)   “Hey, my girl…” (as in what he says when I call him and he answers the phone)      “I wouldn’t take anything in the world- not anything- for you and your brother.”        ”Don’t miss this, dear friends….” (as in, adopted this from our long-time pastor, Dr. Carter, and used it for his own!)       “Just act as nice as you look and you’ll be fine…” (as in, picked this up from my grandmother [mom's mom] and used it for his own- it makes sense, right?!   )

I’m reminded so much of a song by Laura Story. It’s perfect for this post!

“Grace” by Laura Story  

My heart is so proud, my mind is unfocused
I see the things You do through me as great things I have done
And now You gently break me then lovingly You take me
and hold me as my father and mold me as my Maker

I ask you how many times will You pick me up when I keep on letting You down
and each time I will fall short of Your glory,  how far wil forgiveness abound??
and You answer, “My child, I love you ,and as long as you’re seeking my face
you’ll walk in the power of My daily sufficient grace.”

At times I may grow weak and feel a bit discouraged
knowing that someone somewhere could do a better job
for who am I to serve You? I know I don’t deserve you
and that’s the part that burns in my heart and keeps me hanging on…

I ask you how many times will you pick me up when I keep on letting you down?
and each time I will fall short of Your glory how far wil forgiveness abound??
and You answer “my child, I love you, and as long as you’re seeking my face,
you’ll walk in the power of My daily sufficient grace.”
You are so patient with me, Lord…

As I walk with You, I’m learning what Your grace really means
the price that I could never pay was paid at Calvary
so instead of trying to repay You, I’m learning to simply obey You
by giving up my life to You for all that You’ve given to me

I ask you how many times will you pick me up when I keep on letting You down
and each time I will fall short of Your glory, how far wil forgiveness abound??
and You answer “my child, I love you, and as long as you’re seeking My face
you’ll walk in the power of My daily sufficient grace.”

Thank you, Daddy- I love you!

The WONDER of our salvation- HIS cleansing, healing, soul-saving blood

Our regular pastor, Dr. Platt, was out of town this Sunday, so we had the honor of having our newly accepted Pastor of Biblical Training teach us today from the pulpit of Brook Hills. His name is Bart Box, and he is incredibly passionate about preaching, teaching and learning the Word of God. One of the friends I was with today and I both agreed that we are SO excited about what’s coming to Brook Hills, and we can’t wait for them to get started so we can begin hitting those classes up! The chuch is starting a Bible Training Facility where classes will be taught, either for earning a degree, for further, in-depth Bible study or just for brushing up on ill-remembered facts and figures that bring everything together. We are SO excited Dr. Box and his family have come to join the Brook Hills faith family! But I digress…

Passionately and with great conviction today- as always- Dr. Box geared us toward remembering the wonder of our salvation, and there were more than a few things he said that really stuck with me. A#1 that really hit home (and has actually been on my mind a good bit lately) is that he said he’s preached this exact sermon on 2 very different continents, here and in South Afica, in a place where the literal translation (in the native tongue) of the town he was in was “hell”. He said he preached it here and MOST of the time, he got a “great sermon, preacher- great job, I really needed that…hey, how was the game last night?” However…in South Africa, when people hear this sermon and hear what Dr. Box preaches, it’s “AMEN” and “HALLELUJAH” and “JESUS SAVES” and people falling on their knees and faces with their hands raised in the air. Not, of course, because of the greatness of Dr. Box…but of the GREATNESS of Jesus Christ and the power of His cleansing, healing, soul-saving blood. Dr. Box said he doesn’t know why that is- that power is POWER wherever we are in the world, and when it TRULY is life-changing, it IS life-changing. So why do we take it for granted here? Why does is not “mean as much” here? Why aren’t we on our faces and hands and knees every HOUR of every DAY, especially at church around our faith families who are supposed to, praising Jesus for His awe-inspiring very nature, His life-giving breath each and every day and the many blessings we so blindly take for granted every day, like we’re owed something because we were born as Americans.

I think I know why, and Dr. Box touched on it ever so briefly in his sermon this morning- he mentioned our affluence. And I’m very much inclined to agree. My daddy has actually mentioned it before, and ever since he did, it’s aaaaaaaall started to make sense. I GUARANTEE you that being a Christian in Mountain Brook (or any other “over the mountain” area in Birmingham) looks very different on a daily basis than being a Christian in downtown Birmingham or Roebuck or Centerpoint or on Lorna Road. I guarantee you that being a Christian looks different in the affluent suburbs of _____ (pick a place) than it does on the borders of Texas and Mexico or in the slums of a major metropolitan city or on the outskirts of a poverty-stricken town where few dare to even set foot in America. And I can without a DOUBT guarantee you that being a Christian here in America is vastly different than being a Christian in the Gaza Strip…or in Uganda…or in South Africa…or in China. Does not the same faith and grace alone that saves the unemployed, AIDS-infected, uneducated widow in ____ (again, pick a place around the world) save us here in the United States? Of course it does. SO WHY DOES IT SEEM TO MEAN SO LITTLE???

I think- no, I’m certain- it goes back to our affluence. Now I’m sure many of you (rolling of eyes- of maybe the 6 people that read this blog!) are thinking “affluent? Have you SEEN my bank account lately? I’m not affluent in the slightest- you have got to be kidding me.”. And you’d be sorely mistaken. Take myself, for example. I moved last week to a different apartment- and I couldn’t help but think over and over again….” I don’t use half of this stuff. And really, I probably only use about 30% of this stuff.” Why do I have all this STUFF??? It’s just stuff!! Really! And it’s because we live in America, where the unmistakable mantra is “the American dream”. More and more stuff. More money to buy more stuff. More hours at work to make more money to buy more stuff. A bigger house- which means more money to make which means more hours at work- then you add in…let’s say….time with the family (soccer games, recitals, shopping [inevitably for more stuff], watching TV and movies, bath time, etc.), dinners out to eat with friends and family, going to the gym, church on Sunday morning, gotta have some alone time in there somewhere….oh, and gotta fit God in there somewhere because if I don’t, I might feel guilty.  ? ? ? ? ! ! ! ! ! ? ? ? ? ! ! ! ! ? ? ? ? ! ! ! ! What is wrong with this picture?

And I’m speaking to myself, as well, because I am FAR from perfect- but I am called to REGULARY examine my life and right myself back on the straight and narrow. Here’s one of my sins- it’s easy to be a Christian here. We have it SO easy here in America- we can go to church each Sunday in a beautifully orchestrated, well-oiled machine of a church, with its air conditioning and/or heat, its children’s programs and up-front parking for first-time guests, bikers and the handicapped. We can buy a new Bible when the “old” one has a tear in it. We can hear Christian songs on the radio, sung by artists with God-given talent doing what they know they’re supposed to be doing….listening to them on a radio…in a great car with A/C and heat and leather and a sunroof…driving down a paved highway or interstate…in really great clothes that were most likely bought within the past 6 months to a year…drinking $4 bottled water which we’ll conveniently throw in a garbage can on our way to a meeting or lunch with friends or the job that has been so graciously provided to us. Where does God fit in to all that? To the typical (and yes, I say TYPICAL because that may or may not be you) American, God- the Holiest of Holies, the one and only Living Savior, the God of Universe, the One who decides whether you take your next breath or not, the Almighty Father, the Trinity, the Most High God, the God whom our predecessors trembled before and had such fear that they literally DIED- yes, that God… is an afterthought. Maybe. If you’re “lucky”. Maybe you think of Him and say a quick prayer for “a good day” or to pass your test or thank Him for the [over-priced] meal you’re about to inhale on your yacht before cruising to the next destination. Maybe you take His name in vain when someone pulls out in front of you in traffic or takes your parking space at the mall. Or maybe you treasure the time you get to spend alone with that God, making time throughout your day to praise His HOLY Name and thank Him for what He’s done and is doing in your life. Maybe you make it your goal to give 10% of your income each month in a tithe to your church and then give another 10% to it’s missionary fund that gives necessary income and essentials to its teachers and preachers around the world.  Maybe you have a heart for people and a desire to see those around you and those around the world come to know and have a true, honest, DEEPLY PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP with the Living God. Maybe you are regularly astonished at the state of our nation and those around you and find yourself turning your personal compass back to Him on a daily, hourly, minute-by-minute basis, always  keeping in mind that everything we have is a gift from God and HIS name is to be glorified and praised and honored. OH, I hope to be something like the last person.

Here’s what Dr. Box was touching on today- it’s easy to be a Christian here in America for one specific reason I can think of off the top of my head. The typical American has NO idea what it’s like to be a true Christ-follower, a “Christian”, for we have turned the term “Christian” into something wholly wrong and ugly and totally unlike what Christ wants of us. We do not identify with the Christ of the country club, the $90K SUV, the vacation homes in 3 places or the excessive “bling” we wear when going out to fancy $200 dinners at trendy bistros. We, as Christians, saved by the redeeming blood of the Son of the Most High God, should identify with the poor, the needy, the destitute, the diseased, the filthy…with the nails on the cross and the throngs of people yelling and spitting on Him. We, as “owed Americans”, have taken Christianity, removed all the things we don’t like about it and turned it into something “easy” and “light” and “mainstream” so that everyone is “loved” and nobody’s feelings are hurt. (Yep, that sounds like an American response to things these days..) It’s not a term to use lightly or that anyone can just “pick up on” and run with and claim they are, not a “good person mentality” or throwing money at the church every month or even volunteering in the nursery or going on misison trips. It’s a lifestyle, it’s a total sacrifice of this earthly life for the next life spent praising and glorifying Christ, it’s a “dying-to-self-and-living-for-Christ-day-in-and-day-out-no-matter-who’s-looking” kind of life. Is affluency bad? No. Is “stuff” bad or inherently wrong? Of course not. But we are used to a lifestyle here in America- rather, we have been ABOVE AND BEYOND graced with these lifestyles- and it’s way too easy to depend on ourselves for everything we do and need and buy and see and think. We don’t have to wholly and assuredly depend on our Savior for our every need every day. Our faith is so small because our problems are so few. Our walk with the Lord is so backward because every day life is so easy. Our faith would look a lot different if we depended on our Savior and our local church for our food, toiletries, any sort of medicine we might be able to get our hands on, clothing and some sort of shoes to cover our feet.

It’s very easy, we talked about Sunday, to miss out on the WONDER of our salvation. On the very wonder that we are by NO means owed ANYTHING in this life, yet we are graced with so many blessings we take for granted on a daily basis. On the very wonder that the Father was not only able to save us from our sins, but was WILLING to save us from our sins and watch us mess up on a daily, hourly and minute-by-minute basis, only to forgive us (should we ask) over and over and over again. Missing on the WONDER that we were DEAD in our sins- not sick, not diseased, not dying….DEAD. Not flailing about in the sea begging for a savior, but DEAD  at the very bottom of the abyss of the sea, and the Father dove to the bottom, pulled up our lifeless corpses and brought us to the top and then to shore, then breathed His breath into us, thereby giving us NEW life. And again, we come back to the fact that dead people can do NOTHING- if you’re dead, you’re DEAD. No life whatsoever, so to say that we “accepted” Christ isn’t entirely accurate. No, instead, we were GRACED with the very ABILITY to believe that Jesus Christ was the one and only Son of God who came to the earth as a baby, born of a virgin, lived a sinless, perfect life, taught and preached and lived every emotion and feeling that we do as humans created in His image…and then died a horrific, torturous death on a cross 33 years later, was buried and RESURRECTED HIMSELF TO LIFE again 3 days later.

And we have the audacity to take that for granted?

OH, MY…how I need to be reminded of that every second of every minute of every hour of every day of the rest of my life.

Easter, part 1

Below is a link to the blog of one of the Godliest men I know. He is incrediby intelligent, generous, diligent, kind, has an incredible heart for the Lord and will make a fantastic doctor one day. He also happens to be my “little” brother.

http://michaelldouglas.wordpress.com/2009/04/09/worthy-is-the-lamb-who-was-slain/

Here’s a bit of what he says.

A blog that I frequent a lot had a link to a video that, to be quite honest, shook me up a little bit.  It is one thing to make statements like the title of this post (”Worthy is the Lamb Who Was Slain.).  It is another thing entirely to make that real.

Imagine yourself in Israel 2500 years ago.  You are a farmer, or a wife or son/daughter of a farmer.  You live a nice little life(for 500 BC standards).  You grow enough food for you and your family, you enjoy your children, you enjoy going to the tabernacle.  But every year, this thing called Passover comes around, and it just tears you up – as it should.

Passover IS the Gospel.  That God would accept the death of an innocent lamb as “payment in full” is the best news ever.  Now imagine your family preparing for Passover.  You don’t just take any lamb in your flock.  You have to take a young lamb, a lamb without any outward spot or inward disease.  Perhaps it’s your favorite, because it is the one that gives the best milk or the one that you think follows your lead the best.  Nonetheless, the Torah is clear – only the best.

So you prepare for Passover.  You make sure all of the food is ready.  You make sure the choice wine is ready.  You have the children all ready, maybe even teaching your older children what you’re doing.

And then it’s time.  Now you take that unblemished lamb, the best of your flock, the one with the most potential, and you take it to the High Priest.  He prepares the lamb.  He shaves its neck to make sure that bare skin is available.  He has his assistants hold the lambs legs.  Imagine being the lamb.  “What are they doing?  Why are they holding me down, and why is everyone chanting and singing.  Now why is it so quiet.  What is this guy doing?”  And the Priest says, “Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of the world, who has sanctified us with his statutes and commanded us concerning the [ritual] slaughtering.” And the priest takes a knife, and with bowl underneath, slits the throat of the lamb.

Now imagine that lamb is a man.

Could you imagine having to kill your own lamb?  How about your own son?

Maybe this helps… (and an explanation of why this is important)

Now imagine that lamb is a man.  Imagine that lamb is your son, your only son.  This is hard to stomach.  It’s not easy.  But this IS the Gospel.  That God would send His Son here, for you, and that His Son, named Jesus, would die in YOUR place.  The name for this is Substitutionary Atonement.  Substitutionary because it is your sin and his death, not his sin and his death or your sin and your death. Atonement because by His death, your sin is atoned for – forgiven, cleaned, taken off the ledger sheet. And not only is your sin taken off the ledger sheet, but you are given the righteousness (perfectness, in God’s eyes) of the Man that just died for you  Both Christ dying for Christ’s sins and you dying for your sins don’t solve the problem.  If you die for your sin, then you can’t live with God.  If Christ dies for Christ’s sin (Christ didn’t have sin, but for argument’s sake), it would be the same thing – it doesn’t take care of us (or him, for that matter).  The only way salvation works is if someone innocent (without sin) does for someone who is sinful.  And that’s what happened two thousand years ago.

Jesus was real.  He died for you, in your place, taking your punishment on Himself, that you would be able to live with Him and God forever. Yes, we can celebrate Easter on Sunday, and yes without the empty tomb, Christ’s death would be pointless.  But the Cross – the alter of the Lamb of God – IS the Gospel.  “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10.

more Blue Angels pictures

Here’s the link to my Picasa web album-  THESE are the best pictures I took. 

http://picasaweb.google.com/jenbushjj/BlueAngelsTuscaloserRegionalAirport04032009?authkey=Gv1sRgCIWEktCxmMH-fw&feat=directlink

Blue Angels, baby!

or maybe THIS one is my favorite...

                                                             * * * * * MY DADDY AND I WERE ABLE TO GET PASSES TO THE FULL DRESS REHEARSAL FOR THE BLUE ANGELS SHOW THIS WEEKEND. IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE!!!!  I HAVEN’T SEEN THOSE BOYS FLY IN AWHILE, SO IT WAS GREAT TO GET OUT THERE ON SUCH A GORGEOUS DAY AND GET UP CLOSE (ISH). WE HAD SO MUCH FUN, AND IT WAS A GREAT DRY RUN FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW . . . . . IT’S NICE TO KNOW PEOPLE AND BE ABLE TO PULL STRINGS SOMETIMES, ISN’T IT???     * * * * *

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OK, maybe this one's my favorite...and YES, they flew directly over my head!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

or maybe this one is... BEAUTIFUL.

AMAZING!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

love this one

goooooooorgeous

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

too many good ones to choose from!

love this one as well- a favorite

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

whew- is that cool or what?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

gooooooorgeous!!!

Holy crap, batman.

This post is dedicated to my best (boy) friend in the whole world. Living in Georgia, we so rarely get to see each other, but our phone calls are right on point due to the fact that we’ve known each other since 3rd grade. He is hysterical- beyond hysterical. He is my real-life Chandler Bing. He never fails to make me laugh- “it’s a gift” (in addition to his humility…), he says incessantly. He has been a constant source of laughter and support through these last few weeks and couple of months, though he might tell you otherwise depending on the day. He knows waaaaay too much about me and threatens to tell everyone who DOESN’T  know everything about me all my inmost secrets. Punk. He IS the one who knows me best- at least for the time being . We have SO many memories between us, and I am thankful for him and his friendship, love and support.

Small Southern miracles :)

IT’S SNOWIN’, Y’ALL!!! it’s really coming down, too- blowing and swirling, and it’s just magnificent. such a beautiful, albeit rare sight here in the South. I wonder how long it will continue…! I thought i might run in it this morning but i tried for 10 minutes or so, and the snowflakes kept hitting my eyeballs. (not fun.) SO…i am content to watch the snow fall from INside where it’s not snowing in my eyes!

sitting here having a quiet moment with my Savior before church, i’m reminded of the awe-inspiring nature of my Lord. everything He does is grand, everything He does is done with a flourish, everything He does is done to bring glory and honor and praise to His name and His name alone. why would I not want to be a huge part of serving that God??!! I am so blessed to be a daughter of the King. and now, as dr. platt said last week, it’s not about me anymore- it’s about all those billions of people out there who don’t know Jesus and may have never heard His name. it literally is my God-given duty to make His name known.

the trees are covered, and there’s a precious beauty to see the contrast between the bright, white, fresh snow and the dark color of the bark. one of my favorite things to photograph. the dogs were bewildered when we walked outside- then they figured out they’re snow-proof and started playing around in it and were as frisky as i’ve ever seen them, if not more. they played and ran, and i caught more than a few snowflakes on my tongue!  :)

me…i just stare at it. it’s actually hard for me to sit here and write this because i feel like i’m missing out on one of God’s great shows. so many words come to mind here- undeniably one of the most beautiful sights ever. mesmerizing. captivating. rare. amazing. romantic.  unbelievable. awesome. quiet. still.

i think those might be my two favorite words to describe it- “quiet” and “still”. have you ever noticed how still it is after a snowfall? it’s like a big white blanket of hush. well, that is, until children come out and start giggling and playing and yelling and screaming because they have the guts to get out there and do what most adults won’t let themselves do…play in it! be silly and vulnerable and child-like for a few moments. let the beauty and majesty and wonder of God’s creation wrap you up and revel in His awesome-ness.

I love the snow- LOVE IT- and I’m glad it doesn’t happen as often as it does elsewhere. we revel in it, are completely and totally caught up in the beauty and splendor of it- and then it goes away in 24 hours or less…doesn’t stick, doesn’t cause road issues (except w/crazy birmingham drivers!). it’s the best of both worlds.

dear Father, thank you for small Southern miracles.

Make your words sweet…

…for you may have to eat them later! 

I say that because I am eating my words and they’re quite bitter.  :(  I said I didn’t want to attend this church because of numerous things that have since been reconciled, but I was too proud to admit I didn’t know it and was too haughty to think I would go anywhere other than what I found by myself. And now…what was my church is now the church I used to attend. I was going to join, but I missed the membership class on Sunday by about 2 weeks. I am convinced that was the hand of God leading me to be patient and wait- the church only has membership classes every quarter or so…and I just missed it. Now, had I already joined, it would make this process I’m going through now much harder. But God, in His sovereignty, knew that I needed that church at the time, and He knew what was coming down the road. I am now going with S to his church, and I’ve just recently completed the membership process there. We have an amazing senior pastor who brings The Word of God every Sunday with a passion and fire that are unrivaled, yet in the most genuine, urgent and modern way. The heart of the church is undeniably mission-minded, and our pastor is moving every day toward being even more solid in that aspect. I’m excited about going to church, I love to be in that building on Sundays, surrounded by a faith family who shares the same goals I do, and I have actually very much gotten used to the worship style. I didn’t think I would be able to- rather, I thought it would take much longer than it has- and I’m now very much at ease and comfortable with it all- well, most of it. I still tear up every time someone is baptized. 

All that to say, make ‘em taste good, y’all…they may come back in the menu of the day- and soon.  

funny things….

…about me. I guess I’ve always realized this, but it was brought to light the other day. 

I’m NOT a girly-girl. (I know you all are laughing hysterically right now, but contain yourselves, please.)  :)    

I’m not girly in a lot of ways that other girls are. I’m a “guys’ girl”- always have been, and I hasten to say I probably always will be. I’ve always had more guy friends than girl friends, but my girl friends are OH SO SPECIAL, and our relationships are so meaningful and deep. I like a lot more things that guys like than girls like and a lot fewer things that girls are supposed to like. I guess I could throw in a Sociology lesson here from last semester, but I will not. That would take all the fun away. 

I found myself wandering off in thought later that night, thinking, “he’s right!” So here it is:
- I really, REALLY like fast cars. I like to drive fast in them, and I rarely trust the skills of the driver in comparison to mine.
- I like very curvy roads. I feel like I could keep up a conversation about cars and which ones which are and WHY they are the way they are- now when it gets down to CCs and horsepower and torque and blahblahblah, I’m lost.
- I looooove motorcycles. They smells good!!! I love being on them (on the back, anyway), I love all the lingo that goes along with riding, I love hearing them, I love watching them, love them love them love them. 
- I REALLY like a good steak. Rare, please- and still bleeding would be a treat.
- I love loud music- sunroof back, windows down, tunes cranked to as high as I can stand it. Oh, yes. (Although at the same time I love loud music and the crazy stuff we listen to sometimes, if I’m by myself sometimes I like to have the ballads and softer stuff playing for awhile- it just depends!)
- I love sports and have always excelled at them (not bragging, just saying how very competitive I am). I LOVE soccer, football, beach volleyball, gymnastics, swimming (not doing it, mind you!)
- I think there are appropriate situations to let out a vile word or two- nothing sacreligious, just…pointed.  :)  Like a few rows ahead of here…I wanted to say something other than “heck yeah”.  HA!  :)
- Nothing like a good beer and some pizza. Good, cold beer. Rarely will you see me drinking one of those fancy, uppity, “girly” drinks. 
- I never want to pay for a manicure- pedicure, yes, b/c darn it, those things are just hard to reach sometimes and I have ingrowns that need to be fixed. Fingernails, I can do and don’t need the treatments and the fake nails and the acrylics and the blahblahblah. Bylech.
- I love shoes. You can only have so many brown and black and printed purses, then the novelty sort of wears off. But shoes….oh. Now, there, I am a TOTAL girl. Jewelry…not so much. A few great necklaces, some really nice earrings and a ring. I’m done. 
- I don’t get offended easily- say whatever you want. Better to be honest and go ahead and deal with it if it’s something that needs to be dealt with than harbor it and squash it only to have it come up in some conversation way down the road at an inappropriate time. Bring it up, talk about it, fight about it, be done with it. 

In the same ways that I’m very much not a girl, there are some things that are just intended to be girly. Having HIM- whoever HE is, wherever HE is, open doors for me (church, car, home, restaurant, etc.) is just fantastic. It makes me feel so special and loved.  :) All the “girly” things surrounding a relationship that really are special and really do mean something, the things that make the other person feel appreciated and giddy and like they’re the only person in the world to you- aaaaaall that stuff….the hand-holding, the surprise of flowers on a…Tuesday, being sweet and letting down the guards we put up to be vulnerable and open with the other person, kissing everywhere in public and not caring who sees, getting all caught up in the other person. Undeniably, one of my favorite things is to be wrapped up in his arms, staring up at him while he looks down at me and makes me feel incredibly safe, protected and cared for.  These are just a few of my favorite things. Just wait ’til HE shows up- y’all will see.

being a girl….

Good gracious. If you’re a girl, you know what I’m talking when I say being a girl just sucks sometimes. (If you’re a boy, you’re probably already agreeing, nodding whole-heartedly and rolling your eyes.)

As women/females/girls, we have so much to deal with. Now obviously not all this applies to me, but here’s the short list of things I can think of. Off the top of my head: hormones that make us sad then happy then down then up, weight gain that boys don’t have to deal with, having babies and raising children (not bad, hear me- it’s just that most of the rearing falls on our shoulders in most cases), cooking/cleaning (again, in most cases), hair coloring, waxing, making dinner every night, shaving, keeping the men in line , boobs (hahaha), keeping up the stereotypes that women (in general) have, dealing with that monthly enemy of ours, etc. That said…. boys seem to have it so much easier! They can pee outside, go to work, then come home and sit on the couch, relax, wait for dinner to be made, rarely have to help clean up and can blame it on “being a woman” if we get upset about something. They don’t have to work near as hard, on the whole, as women do to get and stay in shape, they don’t have hormones to deal with, they don’t have to birth children, worry about keeping up their nails and hair, they can burp and fart and blame it all on being a guy. 

Now…the same hormones that make it hard to be a girl sometimes also make us kind and caring and compassionate and sweet and make our boys want to hug us and kiss and love on us. They make them want to pull us close when we cry- and sometimes laugh at us when we cry (though, believe me, that won’t happen often!). The same things that we complain about physically are the same things that make our boys look at us the way they look at us. The same hormones that make us feel crazy sometimes are the same hormones that make the ones around us feel loved and cared for, even when we don’t think they do. The crazy monthly stuff we have to deal with is a part of making beautiful, adorable, lovely, make-you-crazy-sometimes children to nurture and protect.

It’s a double-edged sword being a girl, isn’t it, ladies…?  

Auburn Nation…UNITE!

 

As one of the biggest Auburn fans you’ll ever meet, I am a bit perturbed over the Auburn Nation’s continued bashing of new head coach Gene Chizik. No, he’s not Tommy Tuberville. No one ever will be. No, he’s not the one we “wanted” (though those were all over the place); however, HE IS OUR NEW HEAD COACH, SO LET’S GET BEHIND HIM!

He is the one Jay Jacobs picked- he didn’t play “pin the random coach on Auburn” or get drunk one night and go through the “coaches phonebook” (as it were) to find the craziest person he could. He made a justified, sound decision based on the research done and communications held between him and the administration- and coaching staff! Here’s a great example- let’s look at our former coach, Tommy Tuberville. Whoever gets him, should he decide to coach somewhere else, is going to get a fantastic coach- and an all-around good guy!    BUT…when the fans of his new team take a look at his last seasons, what will they see? LOSSES. Many more than the Auburn Nation would like to count. But we KNOW he can coach, we KNOW he’s a great coach and we KNOW that the players and fans respected (and still respect) him.

So why can’t we show Gene Chizik the same respect?

I say, congratulations, Coach Chizik. You’ve just stepped into some big, big shoes and our Auburn Nation is behind you. Make us proud!

post-Thanksgiving pictures

The boys and I were able to go out to the soccer field on Friday and play for a little bit- this was before the rain and cold set in!   :)

do you see what I see?

Chewie and his tongue

 

I LOVE this one- SO funny!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

introducing the AMAAAAAZING....chewie!!!

    

Chewie, flying dog

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

sweet boy

 

Chewie- rolling

 

Jackson, rolling

I’m in love…with my church.

Yeah, yeah…don’t go gettin’ the wrong idea. I haven’t found him yet.  

I realized (again) how fortunate, how blessed I am to have found my church home- after only how many months of searching??? I’m sitting in church today, after getting to hear my assistant pastor teach our community group (read: Sunday School, core group, small group, etc.), listening to my senior pastor preach a sermon on Thanksgiving, after numerous (more than I can count on 2 hands) people stood at the mic and tell us circumstances, blessings and life lessons they’re thankful for. Now my senior pastor, Tim Kallam- amazing dude. The only flaw I can find is that he has 2 children going to school in Tuscaloosa- oh, well. We’re all human, right?  :) The man has a gift- he was absolutely made to be a pastor. His sermons are online if you want to hear some of them. 

Here’s my church    

 

 

 

 

Not only was it a great service in that there was great teaching- solid, applicable, modern-day teaching from the Word of God- but we stood up when we read Scripture. Not all the time, as we would have resembled a high school football pep rally (which, in that sense, is good because that means we’re delving into the Scriptures…), but for the main passage of Scripture he was teaching from. I love that- LOVE that. It’s so reverent- we stand for the Word of God being read. And any service that starts with “blessed assurance, Jesus is mine, oh, what a foretaste of glory divine…” is a great place to be. 

But wait…there’s more.

We had communion as well. I hope this is an ordinance that is practiced on a regular basis. It is so important and so meaningful and so purposeful- not to mention at the very least a command from the Lord Himself! (I Corinthians 11:24-26) I am so happy that I’ve found “the very best place for me”. (Only my mom and dad will get that- maybe my brother if he remembers.)

One of my most favorite things about today’s service wasn’t the pastor speaking, the music (which is just right, by the way), meeting new people in community or taking communion, though. It was a guy named Ruben Grant who walked up the mic and introduced himself as “Ruben Grant, justified sinner bound for glory”. And I found myself grinning and shaking my head, thinking, he’s totally right!! Man, I wish I had a claim on that statement! That’s fantastic! So whenever you hear repeat that, it’s said with Ruben Grant in mind. 

We sang a song toward the end of communion- I don’t remember the name but the last words ring out loud and clear. “What can I do but praise You every day…make everything I do a hallelujah, a hallelujah.” 

Jackson’s “don’t like it” face

Unfortunately, I don’t know how to edit videos, so you get the whole thing. Oh, well. Believe me, I know I’m a dork.  :)

Congratulations!!!!

Congratulations to my best (boy) friend in the world, Ryan and his sweet wife Allison, who just had their 2nd little girl this morning. Her name is Amelia Mary Hooks and she’s a healthy 8 pounds, 1 ounce. Short and sweet, everything went beautifully and all involved are happy as can be and healthy. Praise God for this new little life!  

(Sorry, y’all- I stole this picture from your website…!) LOVE Y’ALL!  

Just in case…

…you were wondering if the country we live in is completely backward from where it should be… here’s another great example (besides the fact that we just elected Barack Obama as president of these great states). This song just won CMA’s “Song of the Year” award. It’s a song about a chick having an affair with a married man (implied married). She wants him to leave his WIFE, he won’t, she’s left alone crying while he goes home to the woman he married…well, read it for yourself. I can’t befreakinlieve this won song of the year. What in the world, people??!

I’ve been sitting here staring at the clock on the wall
And I’ve been laying here praying, praying she won’t call
It’s just another call from home
And you’ll get it and be gone
And I’ll be crying

And I’ll be begging you, baby
Beg you not to leave
But I’ll be left here waiting
With my heart on my sleeve
Oh, for the next time we’ll be here
Seems like a million years
And I think I’m dying

What do I have to do to make you see
She can’t love you like me

Why don’t you stay
I’m down on my knees
I’m so tired of being lonely
Don’t I give you what you need
When she calls you to go
There is one thing you should know
We don’t have to live this way
Baby, why don’t you stay

You keep telling me, baby
There will come a time
When you will leave her arms
And forever be in mine
But I don’t think that’s the truth
And I don’t like being used and I’m tired of waiting
It’s too much pain to have to bear
To love a man you have to share

Why don’t you stay
I’m down on my knees
I’m so tired of being lonely
Don’t I give you what you need
When she calls you to go
There is one thing you should know
We don’t have to live this way
Baby, why don’t you stay

I can’t take it any longer
But my will is getting stronger
And I think I know just what I have to do
I can’t waste another minute
After all that I’ve put in it
I’ve given you my best
Why does she get the best of you
So next time you find you wanna leave her bed for mine

Why don’t you stay
I’m up off my knees
I’m so tired of being lonely
You can’t give me what I need
When she begs you not to go
There is one thing you should know
I don’t have to live this way
Baby, why don’t you stay

“Thank you” seems so futile…

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR VETERANS who have served overseas and on our home soil, who have sacrificed so much time away from their families (immediate and extended), missed the births of their children, bedtime stories and bath times, soccer games and flute recitals and birthdays. Thanks to those who have taken shots to the body, lost limbs and eyes and organs and senses or given up their earthly lives….all to protect the freedom that comes with being a citizen of the United States. 

THANK YOU to the men and women, moms and dads, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, aunts and uncles, boyfriends and girlfriends, cousins, friends and people we’ll never know or meet for fighting our foes for us so we don’t have to…for keeping our daily lives and standard of living the same day in and day out while theirs change on a daily, sometimes hourly basis…for keeping the best symbol of our freedom flying high and with pride and for making America “the land of the FREE and the home of the brave”. 

Since only less than 1% of Americans serve or will serve in the military, as a whole, we have no idea what they go through and sacrifice and see, all in the name of “liberty and justice for all”. So to all you veterans and current military personnel and those families who support you, a huge THANK YOU from this Southern girl. May God bless you and your families beyond your wildest imaginations.

No shadow

Today has been a day of….realizations? That’s not a good word, but it’ll have to work ’til I think of a better one. 

As I look back on my life (short so far- I HOPE), I realize some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned have come much later than everyone else learned them. I don’t know why. It’s been said that the lessons that stick the most are the hardest learned and sometimes come with the highest price paid. I hope to learn every day, but hopefully not at as high a price as I could have paid. 

A quick history: I accepted Christ as my Savior when I was around 8 years old. I was baptized that same month. At the time, I only knew “I’m a sinner and I need a Savior because my sins and lack of perfection are always greater than what I can do to overcome them.” That was all I understood- and all I needed to understand. I lived my life after that as best I knew how- having a “budding” relationship with a living God, going to church, obeying my parents, being a part of the youth group and choir, participating in mission trips and volunteering for things in and out of the church. Went to high school, met my boyfriend and thought I could do it on my own. Don’t get me wrong- I didn’t go crazy with drinking, drugs, pregnancies and treating people like crap, but I wasn’t living my life NEAR like I should have been. We rarely went to church, and we spent our time, money and energy on things other than furthering the kingdom of God. Compared to the world’s standards, I was great. Compared to the Lord’s standards, especially for a so-called Christian? Not by a long shot. We got married 6 years later and the cycle continued. We divorced in July 2005, and I was left with a life very unfamiliar to me. Instead of turning to God, I turned away from Him, lost in a pit of depression and self-loathing that apparently can be part of the “recovery” process. Again, I wasn’t “bad”, raging against the world and doing things I hadn’t previously been “allowed” to do, but I was not living my life for Christ. I knew it, and I could feel His call, His presence, but kept my wall up. It was not ’til August 2007 that I really realized (read: let God in and allowed His conviction of my heart) how far I had strayed from the truth. I remember being on my hands and knees in my apartment upstairs, crying out to God to reform me, save me, change my heart to want to live my life for His glory only and make me His servant. Literally, when I got up, I was a new person. I knew I was a Christian and had already accepted Christ, which meant that my name had already been engraved in the Book of Life. I needed a rededication (which my father will tell you happens every day if you’re a true believer. Excellent point, but not this drastic here.) I was at a precipice of huge transition in my life (unbeknownst to me at the time) and He was preparing me for that. Had I not been rededicated, re-redeemed, reborn, re-humbled and revived as a believer….oh, me. What a mess. Well, what more of a mess. My God, my Savior, slapped me upside the head and said “take My hand- I’m still here. I was here when you didn’t want Me and thought you didn’t need me. I didn’t take you out of this world and send you straight to Hell where you belong and I’m giving you a second chance. Here I am- come back to Me, My child, My love.” 

(I said it would be quick and I was wrong, wasn’t I?   OOPS!) 

The death of Rick Burgess’ son in January of 2008 really drove the point home to me. We are but a wave tossed in the ocean, the flicker of a light, the blink of an eye, the falling of one raindrop. Our lives are so short…AND SO POINTLESS IF THERE IS NO CHRIST WITHIN US, SHINING THROUGH TO A DARK WORLD AND BEING SHOWN AND SHARED WITH THE PEOPLE OF THAT DARK WORLD DAILY. Our God, in His all-knowing, ever-present and Almighty ways, brought so many saved lives- and rededicated lives to the Lord- out of that awful tragedy that no parent should ever have to go through…mine being one of them. I vowed to God as I listened time and again to Rick’s message that I would live for Him and tell as many people about Him as I could (since, really that is the only reason I am on God’s green earth). Anyway, since then my life has been lived differently day in and day out- never perfect, of course, but so much closer to that perfect standard that God set. And a few things have occurred to me over the past few days and weeks and months (this is where those late realizations come in):

- In Jesus’ eyes we are all the same. Just because I have never smoked (anything), didn’t drink ’til I was 21, didn’t have sex ’til I was married, was nice to almost everyone I met and everyone knew me as “the good girl” doesn’t make me any better of a person than Hitler. Jeffrey Dommer. That crazy man in Waco with the compound. Kim Jong Il. The man in the prison system accused of raping, murdering, dismembering and burning an unknown woman. I am no better because I am a sinner- because I was born, I am by default a sinner in dire need of life-saving blood of Jesus Christ. 
- Here’s another one I realized, though not in the past year. I even remember where I was! I was riding with my daddy past what is now the new Starbucks on 31 in Hoover (across from Bruno’s) when it clicked: When God parted the sea and the Israelites crossed on dry land and Egyptians were swallowed up in the sea behind them…they crossed on DRY LAND! Dry. Not wet. Not muddy. Not damp. Not with puddles and patches of wet spots where the Israelites got mud on their moccasins. IT WAS DRY. How did I not GET that before?
- This is my most favorite as of late: there is no shadow in the presence of Jesus. He alone projects no shadow.  Did you get that? Can you…grasp that? I can’t. That’s incredibly humbling. Nothing outshines Him, nothing is brighter, nothing is more lovely, nothing is more wonderful. We know how bright the sun is. How does that NOT outshine the Son?  Isn’t that awe-inspiring? Does that just blow your mind? It does mine. How is that possible? How is there no shadow? There has to be a shadow! No, there doesn’t. Why? BECAUSE HE’S JESUS, THE SINLESS, SPOTLESS LAMB OF GOD who is not of this world! John MacDuff (1870) says this: “He is the true ‘Angel standing in the sun,’ who alone projects no shadow; so bathed in the glories of Deity that likeness to Him becomes like the light in which He is shrouded—’no man can approach unto it.’” Mind-boggling.

The final thing that I haven’t so much realized but am unbelievably and forever grateful for on a daily basis is this: we are saved by GRACE ALONE  through FAITH ALONE in Jesus Christ ALONE, saved by no effort or goodness of our own AT ALL. Nothing we EVER do will be good enough because the standard is perfection. PERFECTION. Even if we tried our absolute hardest, we could never attain that goal. And I am so thankful because there are days when I think “well, screwed up again”. And yet He continues to forgive me because He knows I am His child. I am so in debt to Him for saving my life, but He doesn’t care. He knows that I am in debt which is why He paid that price. He cares only that I love Him, that I praise Him, that I call Him “Father” and that I tell others about Him and the sacrifice He’s made for us.

I remember hearing a sermon that made such a difference in the way I think. Sort of “self-confidence 101 for Christians”.  At the foot of the Cross, at the feet of Jesus, in the presence of the Father… I AM REDEEMED! He sees me as His forgiven, saved by faith, redeemed-by-His-blood-alone child of the living Savior. What a comfort! Just because I’m saved by Him doesn’t make me any better, any holier, any more perfect, any more righteous (the world would say “self righteous”) but it makes me FORGIVEN! REDEEMED! My sins cast as far as the east is from the west! YOU try to see how far that is, and get back to me when you have a number.  

The link to a link to a link cycle

Ever notice how you go to someone’s blog and an hour later, you’re on a stranger’s blog in cyberspace and you can’t remember how you got there? This is not one of those stories. But you know what I mean!  :)  

I was on my brother’s blog the other day and linked up with Jen Pinkner, who is the wife of his teaching pastor at his church in Knoxville. One of her most recent blogs was about Daniel Smith, a friend of hers whom she watched go through cancer- squamous cell oral cancer, to be exact- and he had such faith and conviction. You MUST read this blog. It’s long because it records everything from the day he found out (the blog was to relieve stress and stay in touch w/everyone) on May 4 of this year to just a couple of weeks ago. I don’t know him, and I never will because he died a few weeks ago. I wish I could have known him and spent time with him- I’m sure he would have been a friend for a lifetime and could have taught me so much. I’m learning, though, from his writing and thinking, his courage in the face of such adversity most of us can’t imagine and his faith…his strong, deep, unwavering faith in a loving-kind, relentless, amazing God. This blog is an absolute must-read, even if it takes you 2 days.

The second link is to a previous mentioned man. His name is Greg Pinkner and he’s the teaching pastor at my brother’s church, Fellowship Evangelical Free, in Knoxville. I went a few weeks ago to Michael’s white coat ceremony @ LMU-DCOM. We stayed and went to church with him and Jen that Sunday where Greg taught one of the best lessons I’ve heard in awhile. This is another must- you have to hear it. Then you’ll want to keep it on your computer for those days when you really need a good…lesson. It’s grounding and humbling to say the least. Read it and share it. Here it is: http://fefc.com/blog/2008/10/20/sermon-truth-the-anchor-of-the-gospel/

a preview of MY weekend

First off, Billy Graham’s 90th birthday is today. Just think back at the impact that man has had on so many generations of people! What a servant, what a man of God. 

Now to my weekend- I’m babysitting my precious babies this evening, which I’m so excited about because I haven’t seen them in so long!  My mama’s birthday is tomorrow and we have fantastic plans tomorrow night- but it’s a surprise, so I can’t talk about it here…because occasionally she peruses this blog and I don’t want to spoil it for her! I’m also trying out a new church on Sunday, so that should be exciting, too. 

Then there’s THIS monster, who’s staying with me this weekend. 

Here’s the preview of MY weekend…

Quirks- and other weird things

I was tagged and asked “what are your quirks?”- you know…what are things about you that people would look at you and say “well…that’s just a little bit weird.” So, friends, here they are:

- With very few exceptions, I write everything in lower case. I don’t know why.
- All of my carbohydrates have to be buttered, creamed or smeared in all corners and crevices.
- I proofread and correct even when I don’t want to- I can’t stop myself.
- I always drink something when shopping (maybe that’s not so weird).
- I have never ever colored my hair.
- I have never NOT  had music on in the car.
- I’ve never broken a bone in my body- OR had braces! (I know- I just “jinxed” myself…)
- I’m really, REALLY funny about my pens that I use to write- and I’ll NEVER use a pencil
- I can’t use a nail file on my hands or feet- it gives me heebiejeebies
- I will NOT use wide-ruled paper….ever.
- I’m self-diagnosed OCD…or CDO, which is as it should be.
- Though we were born 3 years apart, my brother and I were born on the same day…in the same room…delivered by the same doctor…our birth DAYS were 3 weekdays apart and we were born 3 hours apart and 3 minutes apart.
- I take showers by candlelight….to save power.
- All dishes have to be clean (or being cleaned) before I go to sleep.

If y’all know of anymore that I missed, let me know!

movies

So… I rented 3 movies this week- didn’t need to considering my lack of funds, but whatever…! – I rented August Rush, The Bucket List and Dan in Real Life. All of these are fabulous movies- none of ‘em involve murders or politics and it’s a great way to “get away from the real world.” First off- August Rush. A terrifically fake movie (I mean, who wants to see a movie about real life anyway? That’s the reason some of us watch movies!) about a one-night stand between 2 musicians who have sheet music and harmonies for blood and oxygen who have a child and don’t know it until a rash of circumstances that can only happen in a movie bring them both together on the same night in New York City where he’s the youngest composer ever of the Philharmonic- they meet again, they laugh, they grab hands, he turns and somehow knows it’s his parents. Of course- because that’s how real life happens…. anyway, it’s a long stretch, but SUCH a great movie. Worthy enough to keep in your colletion when you need a pick-me-up.

Second, Dan in Real Life- great movie. A bit more real than August Rush. Steve Carell, who is one of my all-time favorites, gives a fabulous, all-too-believable performance of a newspaper columnist who is the widowed father of 3 girls and meets the woman of his dreams in a bookstore (where they meet, talk and laugh for hours) while on a trip away to see the extended family. (Are you nn to the plot yet?) She leaves after she gets a phone call, saying she’ll be there in minutes, doesn’t know if she can see him yet b/c she’s just starting a new relationship. He wants to see her again and is reliving the time they spent together on the way back to the cabin. He walks in, tells his brothers he’s met someone great, everyone gathers around to hear about it, then one of the brothers bring HIS girlfriend around the corner, who’s there meeting the whole family for the first time….and of course, it’s her, the woman from the bookstore. They spend the next few days tip-toeing around the obvious tension between them because they both realize she likes Dan better than the current brother. Annie realizes she likes Dan, she leaves the “compound”, she calls Dan saying she wants to leave but didn’t get very far (code for “I left but I want to see you still”) and they end up kissing on the floor of the local bowling alley…where the WHOLE family promptly walks in on them, demanding an explanation. There’s punching and crying and sighs of exasperation…but it ends with the two together who should be together and the other two, who you KNOW are going to be together considering their pasts and the double date and . . . well, you need to see it. Also a good one.

(I don’t know why I’m starting to sound like a movie connoisseur or Siskel and freakin’ Ebert. We all know I’m not.)

Then there’s The Bucket List. Great movie with Jack Nicholson (eh…) and Morgan Freeman, who is one of my favorites! They play 2 men who end up in the hopital together- both with cancer, but from different income levels and backgrounds. Carter (Freeman) is a life-long mechanic, Edward owns the hospital in which they’re staying. They both get the news that their cancer is inoperable and they have between 6 months and a year to live. Edward gets the bright idea to complete everything on Carter’s “bucket list”, a to-do list before he “kicks the bucket”, which Edward found on the floor after they got THE news and it wasn’t possible anymore. They complete most everything on the bucket list, talking and getting to know each other and spilling secrets along the way.

There’s one conversation, as they’re flying over the polar ice caps, that really got me- enough to watch that part again and put it here. See how many things you can find wrong with this conversation.

Indescribably beautiful…the stars- it’s really one of God’s good ones.

So you think a “being” of some sort did all this?

You don’t?

You mean, do I believe if I look up in the sky, and promise this or that… the Biggie will make all this go away? NO….

Then 95% of the people on earth are wrong?

If life has taught me anything it’s that 95% of the people are always wrong.

It’s called faith.

I honestly envy people who have faith; I just can’t get my head around it.

Maybe your head”s in the way…

Carter, we’ve all had hundreds of these discussions and every one of them always hits the same wall…. is there a…sugar plum fairy or not… and nobody has ever gotten over that wall.

So… what do you believe?

I resist all beliefs.

No big bang, no random universe?

We live.. we die…and the wheels on the bus go ‘round and ‘round…

What if…you’re wrong?

I’d love to be wrong! If I’m wrong, I win….

Not sure it works that way.

Well you’re not claming you know something I don’t. . . .

Uhuh- I don’t. I just have faith.

 

Yes, I know- it’s a movie. But this is one of the things that is so wrong with the way some of us think these days. WE NEED THE TRUTH! What did you find wrong with that conversation?

 

“If I look up in the sky and promise this or that…the Biggie will make all this go away?” – - – hmmm, OK. If you ask Jesus to come into your heart, it has to be for the right reasons (you realize you [and everyone else on the planet] are a sinner and need the saving grace and redemption of the one and only Living God and want to live, now, according to His will for your life), not because you think it’s going to make your life better and all the bad stuff will “magically” disappear. Come on! Second of all, don’t call the God of the Universe “the biggie”- it’s disrespectful and demeaning. 

 

Second- “then 95% of the people on the earth are wrong?”- - - 95% of the people believe in God? I doubt that. Then, 95% of people on the earth have prayed THE prayer and accepted Christ into their heart, turning their lives over to Him to work His will through it? Unfortunately, I doubt that, too. 

 

Third- “I honestly envy people who have faith; I just can’t get my head around it.”- – -  Yes, that’s the point. You CAN’T get your head around it. You don’t have to. That’s why it’s called FAITH- believing in something you can’t physically see or hear or touch. Quit being so selfish and actually HAVE faith- don’t just talk about it.

 

Fourth- “Maybe your head’s in the way.” – - - Yes, I would agree with that. Our heads are often in the way! 

 

Fifth- “We’ve all had hundreds of these discussions and they all end the same way…is there a sugar-plum fairy or not….and nobody has ever gotten over that wall.” - - - Yes, we will continue to have these discussions. It is one way we get to the “we’re-all-sinners-in-need-of-the-Savior” result. We believe that by faith in a living, loving God. He is NOT, however, a “sugar plum fairy” (see #3 above) and does not, under any circumstances, tell us anywhere that because you accept Him as Lord and Savior that your life will all of the sudden come together and be wonderful and everything will be happy and rosy for the rest of your life. He DOES, however, tell you should you accept Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, saving us from the pit of hell where we would otherwise burn forever, consciously and eternally.

 

I don’t think I have enough energy to complete the rest of this. Those are the biggest ones, anyway.