New STUFF

Hey, check out the new specs on my blog. I have my very own counter (Oooo...Ahhhh)! And for all you political cats....a brand new MINIPOLL(YAAAAAAAAAAAH!!). Check them out, vote, be counted, and stuff!

Lovin' the Jazz!

So last night I finally finished Donald Miller's book "Blue Like Jazz". I started reading it at CIY in July! But at the time I was needing a book that was more...Christian subculture...and this book wasn't that. It is an incredible book about Christian subjects taken from a non-Christian slant! Throw your traditionality (?) out the window! Donald fills the book with his essays on Christian subjects ranging from dating to worship, and from today's church to Jesus himself! But don't think this is some master's thesis for seminary. Miller shoots straight....straight at us Christians who have dug ourselves into our safety shelters we call the Christian subculture. He makes it obvious how seeker-friendly we aren't by shooting our doors to our non-believing neighbors, co-workers, family, and friends.

The reason it took me nearly 6 months to read the book is because I hate reading, but was dead-set on finishing it. It isn't a long book at all (only 20 smaill chapters!). But each page stuffs my face with new consepts and wierd views that take longer than a second to digest! Now that I have finally finished it....it is a must read for any mature Christian. It shouldn't be your first book to read as a new Christian, but if you are settled in and need something to blow apart your safe-house...Blue Like Jazz brings that bang!! Hope and Peace!

Phil. 4:13)

Senior Adults, Though Slow, And Dangerous Behind the Wheel, Can Still Serve A Purpose!! Don't You Go Dieing On Me!!

Today is my dad's 48 birthday!! This man is "The Dad" of all dads!! I couldn't have a better friend, psychologist, dating advisor, handy-man, or Christian example!! He and my mom have been married for...wait a second...25 years?!? And they still do that puppy dog love stuff...gross!! When I grow up...I want to be just like him...except for hopefully not bald!! Love ya Dad. Hope and Peace!!

Phil. 4:13)

Rock My Face Off!!

Today i booked my first show!!!! i have been working as a booking agent for nearly two weeks now and have just booked a show for a band called The Fold in Wilmington, OH! Though I won't really make any money from this show...this booking stuff was really getting old...coming in everyday...sending emails to promoters...getting NOTHING back! But...as the theme of the week continues...God loves to use me when I am completely weak, and ready to give up. He knows that He has the power, but He is just sitting in heaven waiting for us to realize that we definently can't do it on our own! I think sometimes we really get on His nerves, when He sees something that would be so easy for Him to do (Everything that is) and yet we try and push Him aside so that we can do it our own way...which, by the way, NEVER works right. So the ball is rolling again, and I am starting to understand why I am here and how I am going to make it through!!
"God, once again You have rocked my face off!!!!" Hope and Peace!

Phil. 4:13)

Sometimes We Should Sit the Bench!

I can imagine how Abraham felt the day that God spoke to him with brand new news about moving away from his family to a land that was completely foreign to him! He was just tending his father's herds one day, minding his own business, and then God happened!! That was me this past Sunday. The night before was inventory at Dillards...which meant I was counting merchandise until 4 a.m.! Needless to say, waking up early to sing in the praise band at church the next morning wasn't on my to-do list. But there I found myself, 8 a.m....3 1/2 hours of sleep...NO voice...hoping to make it to the afternoon so that I could sleep before going back to Dillards for another exhausting night of "fun"! That's when God happened... Though I was absolutely exhausted, barely conscience, God decided to rock my face off. Here's how it went:

Sunday School class was small...just Mark, Joyce, and me. So we spent the hour just talking about our weeks. I was discussing the slow week that I had had, not booking any shows and being a little frustrated because of that. So Mark told me to call another agency that was looking to hire. It would be the same type of job, but working specifically with Christian Music only!! He told me that I would fit much better there than where I was...I agreed to contact them. God-sighting #1!!!!

Just earlier, Randy, our minister approached me about meeting with him sometime this week. He told me he had some things to ask me...being a new person at the church, I figured that he was just wanting to officially welcome me or something! He told me that he was interested in having me lead the college-age bible study...immediately my mind began racing. Thoughts from Encounter and other campus ministries were racing through my mind for the rest of the day. Literally, I had to begin writing all the ideas down so that I wouldn't forget them all. There wasn't enough room in my brain for God!!! We met, yesterday, to discuss this opportunity. Randy relayed to me what the bible study was now, and what their ideas were for the future....he was excited. Then he asked me about my ideas...I shared my ideas of a coffee house atmosphere, relaxation, music, and a short devo...exactly what Encounter was....he was again excited!! So, I am now working my way into becoming the college/career-age volunteer minister at Lakeshore Christian Church!!! God-sighting #2

Even though I was absolutely exhausted, just wanting to survive the week...God shot through and used my weakness as His strength. I had nothing to give for the day...so God supplied all that I needed!!! I think the bible study is going to be called "Floor 27" (check out my earlier post about floor 27)!!!

That was my day...nothing from me....everything from God.....sounds good to me!!!! Hope and Peace!!

Phil. 4:13)

TechnoloWHAT?

Today I became technologically illiterate! I have spent my whole work day switching from computer to computer while accomplishing nothing. I was a traveling bomb...each computer would immediately shut down and die just as I was in the middle of accomplishment. Is there something uzzing from my fingers? Do my eyes send death threats? Am I just completely clueless to all computer workings? I love the fact that God is so simple...I don't need a computer to accomplish His will or talk with Him! I just ask, speak, listen and He is there!! Amazing communications. Hope and Peace!!

Phil. 4:13)

Move O

Can my walk with God be like a walking-escalator? You know, the ones that are in airports that are constantly moving forward. I want my life to be on a constant trek forward! But I think it is more like a never-ending flight of stairs, and I am on the 27th floor...struggling for breath, wanting to quit...and yet am too far to turn back! I'm stuck on the 27th floor. Please....move me Lord!! Hope and Peace

Phil. 4:13)

Packing it all Home!!

Christmas was a blessing this year! I was able to make the long trek...through the snow-covered hills of Kentucky...past the nothingness of Illinois...to the promised land that is Missouri!! It took 10 hours, but I made it home at 4 a.m. on Christmas morning!! I was able to spend the next 4 days chillin with my family and friends. Here are some of the things that I received:
Electric drill, air compresser, tool box (stuffed with tools!) from my parents
Dances W/ Wolves Special Edition, Beatles ONE from my brother and sister-in-law
Dances W/ Wolves dvd from younger brother (received We Were Soldiers in return!!)
Moster's Inc. from my not so little sister
My grandfather's old tool box with tools, and one of his old shirts from my grandpa and gramdma Butler!
Blueberry Syrup, Chocolate Sauce from my grandpa and grandma Green
Money from both my Aunt Mary and Aunt Julie!!
You've Got Mail as a GAG gift from Wendi (I HATE CHICK-FLICKS!!!!!!!)
I was able to make it back to Nashville just in time to pick up where I left off!! Hope and Peace!!

Phil. 4:13)

Satisfied?

This post is satisfaction for a friend that I left off the list of people that I missed in one of my recent blogs! Her name is Sara....check her out....she's an amazing daughter of God!!

Fingers that tickle....the ivory!
A voice that shouts....God's praise!
Sara just happens to possess amazing talents that have been hidden for too long. While seen as the put-together administrator....Sara loves times where it is just her and kids and just hanging out. Sara has the talent to take a group of kids and transform the meeting into a time where the kids actually experience a God that is beyond their amazement! Sara is caught right now in a weird place where she is waiting for God's will to be revealed...an exhausting, yet transforming place! Sara and I first met in college and developed a great friendship during the two years we were at Central. She is the type of friend that loves selflessly...but also loves to be loved (don't we all!!). She's also a great setter in volleyball...but could never compete against the guy's team!! Okay....I miss Sara too. This one was for her! Hope and Peace!

Phil. 4:13)