Sunday, January 27, 2008
First Annual Watersled Polar Bear Run
We challenged a couple of the youth on our ski trip to Snowshoe, WV to a race around the hotel in the -5 degree temperatures. It warmed up a little bit, but the wind was still stinging. Watch to see the amazing results :)
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Putting Actions to Our Thoughts
So almost a year ago, I met this guy, and though at first, he made no immediate impact on my life, I look back now, and I see how much I have been changed by him. The first night I met him, it was cold and dark, and yet I could see the warmth of his love for his Savior. It just glowed out of him; sure he complained here and there; it was the genuineness of his heart that drew me towards him.
Who is this man you wonder?
The man's name is not important; it is what he shared with me that is significant.
He showed me that I have it good. No really. I have been blessed beyond belief, and I don't deserve a lick of it.
In America, particularly in the city and suburban areas, people are driven and motivated to get out of bed everyday by success. They will do anything for it. They will steal; they will cheat; they will even sometimes murder for it.
We are so blessed; yet we don't realize it.
When I moved back to Atlanta, I did not want to be here. I wanted to be back in the rural areas of Northeast Georgia, where I thought I belonged with my horses, farmland, and open spaces. However, God had other plans.
I see now that the need is greater here in the city. There are people hurting everywhere - no matter their station in life. They can be millionaires, middle class, or broke. They are all hunting for something.
This man....he had found it. He had nothing else, and he was losing his health by the day, and yet he had it. He had that joy that so many crave.
I am supposed to have that joy...do I show it to the world? or do I hide it in the midst of wanting more? Do you have it?
I know I want to show it...and I know I want to help...how are you helping? How can any of us help to make a difference? There are so many ways...just start looking, and if you need some help, let me know...I know a ton of people looking for workers...
"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few" ~ Matt. 9:37
Who is this man you wonder?
The man's name is not important; it is what he shared with me that is significant.
He showed me that I have it good. No really. I have been blessed beyond belief, and I don't deserve a lick of it.
In America, particularly in the city and suburban areas, people are driven and motivated to get out of bed everyday by success. They will do anything for it. They will steal; they will cheat; they will even sometimes murder for it.
We are so blessed; yet we don't realize it.
When I moved back to Atlanta, I did not want to be here. I wanted to be back in the rural areas of Northeast Georgia, where I thought I belonged with my horses, farmland, and open spaces. However, God had other plans.
I see now that the need is greater here in the city. There are people hurting everywhere - no matter their station in life. They can be millionaires, middle class, or broke. They are all hunting for something.
This man....he had found it. He had nothing else, and he was losing his health by the day, and yet he had it. He had that joy that so many crave.
I am supposed to have that joy...do I show it to the world? or do I hide it in the midst of wanting more? Do you have it?
I know I want to show it...and I know I want to help...how are you helping? How can any of us help to make a difference? There are so many ways...just start looking, and if you need some help, let me know...I know a ton of people looking for workers...
"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few" ~ Matt. 9:37
Sunday, January 13, 2008
American's Dumbification
So tonight was quite possibly a highlight for 2008 already. Besides getting to spend most of the day with two of my favorite guys in the entire world, I got to watch Monster Trucks go airborne and squash lots of other trucks. No....really...you have to experience it before you judge.
We've always talked about how cool it would be, and this year, I did some research and found just the event. Monster Jam 2008. We planned elaborate outfits weeks in advance, later deciding it might be too much, though we were proven wrong, and next year, the outfits will be going.
When we got there, one of my friends commented that we were about to witness the dumbification of America. It is true that it has no intellectual value at it, but it is quite an awe inspiring thing to see tons of metal flying through the air...one of those Tim Allen moments as one of my friends did all day every time we talked about it. The risk these drivers take - all for the sake of our entertainment, and to win what looked like a foam trophy.
It's sad that we enjoy destruction so much....it makes me stop to wonder why...oh well...it just entertains me like nothing has before, and I'm already counting down until next year. :)
The winning truck
We've always talked about how cool it would be, and this year, I did some research and found just the event. Monster Jam 2008. We planned elaborate outfits weeks in advance, later deciding it might be too much, though we were proven wrong, and next year, the outfits will be going.
When we got there, one of my friends commented that we were about to witness the dumbification of America. It is true that it has no intellectual value at it, but it is quite an awe inspiring thing to see tons of metal flying through the air...one of those Tim Allen moments as one of my friends did all day every time we talked about it. The risk these drivers take - all for the sake of our entertainment, and to win what looked like a foam trophy.
It's sad that we enjoy destruction so much....it makes me stop to wonder why...oh well...it just entertains me like nothing has before, and I'm already counting down until next year. :)
The winning truck
Just a little excited :)
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
So It's 2008...the year of Surrender
As every other person in this world, I have to pause and reflect about the past year...
God has taken me through a lot this year - lots of change, lots of pain, but so many great things have resulted from that pain. Deciding to go back to grad school was more difficult that I ever imagined, yet I needed the challenge, and I see now that God has better plans than me...okay yes you are saying, "Duh!" Honestly though, He blows me away with how much better His plans are for me, and how He still uses me for His Kingdom no matter how many times I fail Him. I always think it's going to best this one way, and then He throws me for a loop that takes me to an even deeper journey with Him.
The pain of losing so many loved ones, particularly my Grandpa Gene this summer, has encouraged me to spend more time with my family and other loved ones. It has always reminded me that I can't be in control, and so my theme for this year, instead of a New Year's resolution, is "Surrender."
Even though I have surrendered my life to Jesus, there are so many things that I still try to control within my life. I don't know why I waste my energy worrying about so much or stressing about things, when really the whole time, God is looking at me shaking his head lovingly and saying, "I already took care of that" or "I have this all planned out already."
So I will strive to surrender....all of it...my worries, my stresses, the good things, the bad things...I have to let go and let Him.
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes."
As simple as it seems, it's going to be a tough year. He's already been showing me things I need to give Him, and that's painful and difficult. However, by this time next year, I know I will have lots of more faith in Him, and perhaps be a little stronger.
God has taken me through a lot this year - lots of change, lots of pain, but so many great things have resulted from that pain. Deciding to go back to grad school was more difficult that I ever imagined, yet I needed the challenge, and I see now that God has better plans than me...okay yes you are saying, "Duh!" Honestly though, He blows me away with how much better His plans are for me, and how He still uses me for His Kingdom no matter how many times I fail Him. I always think it's going to best this one way, and then He throws me for a loop that takes me to an even deeper journey with Him.
The pain of losing so many loved ones, particularly my Grandpa Gene this summer, has encouraged me to spend more time with my family and other loved ones. It has always reminded me that I can't be in control, and so my theme for this year, instead of a New Year's resolution, is "Surrender."
Even though I have surrendered my life to Jesus, there are so many things that I still try to control within my life. I don't know why I waste my energy worrying about so much or stressing about things, when really the whole time, God is looking at me shaking his head lovingly and saying, "I already took care of that" or "I have this all planned out already."
So I will strive to surrender....all of it...my worries, my stresses, the good things, the bad things...I have to let go and let Him.
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes."
As simple as it seems, it's going to be a tough year. He's already been showing me things I need to give Him, and that's painful and difficult. However, by this time next year, I know I will have lots of more faith in Him, and perhaps be a little stronger.
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