sadness

I always feel such a profound sadness when someone young dies, don't you? We found out last night that one of Stevie's friends committed suicide. They were kindred spirits suffering together all of the challenges that come with growing up with ADHD, and he had multiple other issues that I can't reveal.

I just hate that he felt his life was hopeless and that the only way to deal was to end it. He left behind siblings and parents who will mourn forever. I can't imagine a problem so large or despair so deep that would cause me to kill myself, but many people do. The problem is very real amongst younger people, and especially those with challenges. They feel that the world is against them because teachers, parents, friends, etc. just don't get them. I have seen the struggles that my own child has faced with insensitive teachers and church people. Those with whom she should have felt very safe, but didn't.

It's sad....so, so sad. Please, I beg you, try kindness. You never know when the words you say may prevent a tragedy like this.

Socastee competition

WE MAY BE SMALL, BUT WE ARE LOUD AND PROUD!!

NORTH CENTRAL MARCHING KNIGHTS BAND

band

You guys know that when it comes to posting pictures, and especially videos that blogger hates me. So, I will instead direct you here to hear Luke's band at the Homecoming game--which wasn't much of a game, but the band was good!

hunger games

After being instructed that I JUST HAD TO read this book by children and adults alike, I relinquished. Mostly, because last Sunday, I found myself bored and unable to nap. I grabbed the book off of Luke's shelf and away I went.....into the world of District 12 and Panem, that is.

I was actually suprised to find that I really, really liked it. So much so, that I finished it THAT. DAY.  I just had.to. Couldn't put it down! Now, let's not forget that this came as a shock-a-roo to me because the last time my kids wanted me to desperately read a book....it was Twilight. And that book? WAS JUST AWFUL. I know, I know, most people liked it. But me? No thank you ever again to a Stephanie Meyer of any kind.

I liked Hunger Games so much, that on Monday, I read Catching Fire--the sequel--and today, I finished Mockingjay--the final in the trilogy.

So, if you find yourself bored--pick it up. I don't like science fiction, but was completely compelled by this one.

let's talk Jesus

Jesus, and only Him.

How do we know Him? Truly, honestly, without question, KNOW HIM?

It's interesting that this week's chapter of Radical discusses this concept as this has been a question we have struggled with over the last month or so in our home about the people who sit in the pews at our church.

Do you hunger?

Do you really, REALLY, want to know Him or are you scared of what you may find should you look too deep?

The situation is dire and heart-wrenching. So many who believe they are saved because they walked an aisle, said a prayer, momma went to church every Sunday, etc. are gonna wake up in Hell one day and wonder what happened or be left behind when the Bride is called home.

Can you be truly saved when your number one question to yourself isn't how will my actions affect those to whom I am a witness?

Many times I have mentioned to my husband that he needs to "just preach Jesus" and let Him take care of the rest. The beauty is that God is taking care of what needs to happen. He is reaching into the depths of hearts that do not even know how rocked their world is about to become. I know, for me, my views are being shattered.

God is a God who expects something, and we are people who owe something. Not the other way around.

radically speaking

I don't think it's a coincidence that our lives starting turning upside down when I decided to do the Radical read-a-long. While I don't necessarily agree with every concept or idea that David Platt has in the book, I  do believe that we can ALL do more.

Let me give a little background on us.....

In 2007, my husband and I walked away from the ministry feeling spent and used-up. What we intended to be "the end", was really just a much-needed respite from the constant concerns associated with being a "pastor's family". In 2008, our wise-beyond-his-years then 12 year old son said, "Dad, why did God send you to seminary just to have  you not be ministering?". A hard question, but one that required an answer. So, we began to pray about God's calling on our lives. We felt that we had MANY, MANY times given up all material possessions, family connections, decent salaries, and concern for the well-being of our children (believing that God would see them through) to do what we felt "called" to do. To do a thankless job where abuse is the norm.

God, in His infinite wisdom, knew how we felt and provided a place for us to come where people would genuinely love on us while we ministered to them. However, again, that meant walking away from decent salaries, health insurance, and close proximity to family. We knew (and still do) that this was the right choice.

So, the past year and a half, while busy and demanding, has been fruitful.

What does this have to do with Radical, you ask? Well, I'm getting to it!

We are past the "honeymoon" phase that every pastor encounters when he starts a new church. Meaning, not everyone still likes him...or us, as the case may be. However, we feel that we were sent here with a mission, and it's our job to fulfill it (actually, Steve's job...I'm just along for the ride!). AND, that mission has come to fruition or the beginning stages, at least.

Our church needs to step outside of itself and begin again to minister to the community. Now, they have done a beautiful job in all of the areas that have been asked of them (sacks of love, feeding the HS band, etc.) but, there's so much more work to be done! AND, Satan's not so happy. Here's the deal: how to lead through this stage in the game where you know the hard part has only begun. We're not on the goal line ready to score a touchdown yet, we are on the 50 with a 3rd down and inches to go. Are we going to let Satan and his demons hold us back? I hope not.

However, living "radically" is not a common thing for everyone.....and can be scary! Giving  up the creature comforts we have come to know.....like the jobs we've held in the church for 30 years, or the SS room that's always been yours; or holding onto the pew in front of you that keeps you from RUNNING to the altar when you know God is calling.

Our church is at a crossroads. Steve and I have had the privilege of seeing God in action over the past two weeks..... He is alive and well in our community.

However, to get this back to chapter one of Radical, Platt discusses what  you are willing to give up. Sometimes, giving up doesn't mean necessarily material things, but emotional ones as well. While it's nice to talk about the Christians being persecuted in China (and we do need to pray for them), and go to foreign countries to see orphans starving, it is JUST AS RADICAL for some to give up control when they don't understand how God works.

So, while my take on chapter one is significantly different than those I've read...the ideas presented in it are not lost on me. Nor is the timing of my reading it. I believe, with everything in me, that we are about to experience a GOD-EXPLOSION of some kind in our small community and church. Will we get out of the way and let God be God or will we throw our human ideas into the mix? The answers to those questions and more are to come..........

I pray, Lord Jesus, that we are radical in our efforts to open up our hearts and arms to those around us who are hurting.....emotionally, physically, spiritually....because only then will we see Your Holiness in all of its glory!

good things

I've found some good things over the past few days, and I thought I would share!

Carrabbas 
Now, this is what I call some GOOD food! I had the Pollo Rosa Maria

Stuffed with fontina and prosciutto, topped with mushrooms and a basil lemon butter sauce

Can I just say....YUMMO!! That was the best chicken I have ever had in a restaurant. We also shared
Sogno Di Cioccolata "Chocolate Dream"
A rich fudge brownie brushed with Kahlua, with velvety chocolate mousse,
fresh whipped cream and homemade chocolate sauce

Which was the BEST DESSERT EVER!

All of this from a gal that does NOT like Italian food.  Needless to say, they cured me.

I also found this great sweater tonight at JC Penney's.

That's it for now! Ta-Ta

all is well

For those of you who read my blog and found yourself in the middle of a family dispute....trust me when I say that there was no other choice to rectify this situation.
However, there MUST be some mighty powerful prayer warriors out there because.....

All is now well.

Amen.

love

Love has many faces.

There's the love a mother feels when she sees her newborn baby...that feeling that you could never love another living thing as much as you do that little person.

There's the love that a father feels when he sees his daughter move into a college dorm knowing that he must allow her to fend for herself and find her own way.

There's the love that a newlywed couple has when it's fresh, and then as it is renewed with each passing year.

And then, there's the love that comes after being married for seventy years and that dear one dies, that feels as though you will be torn in two simply because half of you is gone.

We've witnessed this love, and Steve saw it fresh and anew the other day.

This was his view........

A little ninety year old woman standing, facing her husband's fields where side-by-side she had labored with her one and only.....holding his cap up as though she could still see him there and was waving to him. Perhaps she did see him there. Oh, Mrs. Louise, we love you so.....and we know that you miss Calvin more with each passing day. One day, precious lady, Jesus will call for you, too and we all know that Calvin will be the one at the gate holding it open for his love. But He leaves you here to be an example to everyone around you of what TRUE love and faithfulness means.

our life

Our life has been super busy and complicated lately. Between my work schedule, Stevie's school schedule, Luke's band schedule, and Steve's multiple schedules I feel like we don't always have the time communicate. I certainly feel like I don't have time to adequately blog, so I thought....why not combine the two?

So, here's our update on our lives!

Steve: Started his Doctorate degree classes this week. He's taking three classes, and he thinks that he's going to like them. He has also been voted president of the newly formed band booster club. On top of all of that, he's been having to make many decisions...not all of them popular....at the church. A leader has to do what's right, not necessarily what's popular!

Stevie: Started back to college this semester taking four classes. She is riddled with homework, but we have been so proud of her commitment to her school work. She also babysits most Thursday nights which gives her a little spending money. Please, please, please pray that when she takes her driving test this month that she passes! This will make Steve's life a ton easier as he won't be tied to her schedule.

Luke: He is now playing the trumpet and the saxophone in the high school marching band. They go to most football games, have competitions on Saturdays, and practices every day except Wed. after school. On Wed., he continues his lessons with Mr. Jim whom he is learning a ton from! Luckily for him, his school schedule isn't too hard for him this semester. He has very little time for himself.

Me: Fortunately, I am the least busy. I am extremely busy at work, but I can only do so much with the hours they are willing to give me and I am having to learn to let it go! I cannot do anything about the situation, so I am settling in and getting it done. I still don't have an answer to my platelet problem, but I am trusting God to take care of me in that situation as well.

Satan has been attacking us this past week. There are a lot of great things happening in at our church, (like 100 or more in services), but Satan is not happy about it! He is trying his best to put a damper on our spirit, but as I wrote the other day, we are simply going to let God fight this battle for us. What else can we do, really?

So, all in all, things are good. Busy, but good.

disappointments

Sometimes, people disappoint. This week has been one of those weeks. It's been long and frustrating. We've had several things happen that were just annoying and irritating.

However, I take comfort in the fact that God does not disappoint. EVER. He is always with us. Always faithful. Always true.

So, I'm hoping for better things to come. And believing that HE. IS. ABLE.

I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. " Matt. 17:20

faithful

I originally went to booksneeze.com to order one of the new Max Lucado books that they had sent an email to me about because, you know, I love Max. However, when I got there, intent on getting his newest children's book to review, I saw that Lo! and Behold! there was actually a christian fiction book available although not by Max.

I ordered it straight away, and I am so glad that I did. In today's christian literary world, with books like, Radical by David Platt; Crazy Love by Frances Chan; and Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado I would have never thought that I would stumble across a book that preaches faith the way this little book did. And, oh boy was it GOOD!

I couldn't put it down....which these days is saying something since I literally have no time to read! (I know, I know...weird for a librarian!) This book, Faithful by Kim Cash Tate focuses on marriage and relationships while remaining faithful to God and His widsom during the rough times. And, there were some rough times. I loved all of the characters and hated when the book was over and I had to say good-bye. I need me a sequel, y'all! It was THAT good.

This book deals with real-life issues in a way that will have you laughing and crying all in the same chapter. The picture on the cover of the book depicts various colors of roses which is used very prominently in the book to show the progression of courtship and marriage and God's great design for that. The book is powerful, with a great message, and is an asset to the genre.

radical read-along

I am participating in a read along with the book Radical by David Platt on this blog. I am excited to read this with a group of people who are interested in discussing the book as well. We heard David preach at the convention this year, and then met him at his book signing.

I just hope that my cynicism doesn't get in the way of what I need to get out of this book. I am praying that I will be open to anything the Lord has for me to learn from this young pastor. Can't wait to share with all of you what I am learning, and if you are interested in joining in, go to Marla's blog and introduce yourself tomorrow!

to my GA friends!

Trying to find one of these in Large for Luke to wear to school this coming Friday. If  you find one, please msg me on FB so that I can get it from you and pay you.....no chance finding one here in the middle of Gamecock country!

gotta love this time of year!

Oh, the fun!!

Lovin' the whole sit with friends while cheering for the Knights (who, btw, broke an 18 game LOSING streak last night--Way to go Coach Clyburn!)

Yelling into my megaphone....

AND

listening to that AWESOME band play some suh-weet sounds!!