Who's that girl...?

I need to remember that this is true:

"Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it."

(James 1:19-25, NLT)

A blast from the past...

Yesterday in Daniel's sermon he quoted something along these same lines, and it reminded me of this post from long ago. So here's to remembering what we hear/learn:

Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Food for thought...

In a casual, yet poignant, conversation with a prominent worship leader a few weeks ago over scrumptious gellato and decaf tea, he mentioned to our little group of three a very insightful comment he'd taken from some pastor somewhere: (something to the effect of) We all need to repent. The difference between unbelievers and believers is that unbelievers repent of their wrong deeds and believers repent of their good deeds. As I've reflected over that the past several weeks and examined my own heart, how TRUE that resonates with me!

My heart is so treacherous that, while I would never SAY that I believe my good deeds, good reputation, acts of self-control (few and far between as they may be), biblical knowledge or anything else contribute in any way towards my standing with God or my righteousness in him, I find that this thought lies behind a lot of the choices that I make, attitudes that I take, or responses I have to people or situations.

How often I feel like I deserve good things---financial security, creature comforts, the respect and esteem of others, even the favor of God. Because, after all, I'm not THAT bad...

Then this morning I was listening to one of Derek Webb's albums (courtesy of my pal Bobby) and heard these lyrics:

I repent of my pursuit of America's dream
I repent of living like I deserve anything
My house, my fence, my kids, and my wife
In our suburb where we're safe and white
I am wrong, and of these things I repent

I repent of parading my liberty
I repent of paying for what I get for free
The way I believe that I am living right
By trading sins for others that are easier to hide
I am wrong, and of these things I repent

I repent
Judging by a law that even I can't keep
Wearing righteousness like a disguise to see through
The planks in my own eyes

I repent of trading truth for false unity
I repent of confusing peace and idolatry
Of caring more of what they think than what I know of what they need
And domesticating You until You look just like me
I am wrong, and of these things I repent

That totally hit home with me. May we repent of our good deeds, stop trying to buy what we can get for free, and cease trading sins for others that are easier to hide...

One of these days...

This week has been long... What?! It's only Tuesday. Yep.

Actually, the Lord allowed me to realize how good He is to me today! As I was driving to work this morning, DREADING the day that lie ahead, I began meditating on the truth that Christ is my "strength". So my prayer was that the Lord would empower me to do well what I didn't feel like I could do on my own: make it through this day, finish all the work I'd procrastinated on until the very last minute, not become an ogre in the process...

And (surprise, surprise), He TOTALLY did! Some would say (including me, usually), "Whew! I did it!" but I know it was all because of Him and his faithfulness to be who He says He is: my strength, my Sustainer.

Wow.

I've been studying up for a women's class on purity that I'm team-teaching tomorrow night at Sojourn. There have been SO many great quotes and thoughts I've come across, but I don't have one handy to post at the moment. In the meantime, go visit Boundless and read up on all the goodies they've put up lately!

Still kickin'...

Guess WHAT?! I'm still here.

And you should read this!

Oh! And, if you haven't already, check out Ingrid Michaelson. She graced The 930 with her presence on Monday night, during The Blizzard of '08, and it was amazing. Not only is she a funny girl, but she's got quite the set of pipes on her!

You're a great guy, but...

Ladies and gents,
A little something for your edification: here.

Good stuff.

A couple of things...

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of attending Forest Fest, a small bluegrass festival held in Jefferson Memorial Forest. SUCH a relaxing atmosphere. And it was in Fairdale, a tiny little town outside of Louisville, and home of "Bushwackers"...Family Hair Care (!).

It was my first exposure to the pleasing vocal stylings and masterful pickin's of Bluegrass 101. I really liked them! See if you can find the online and check them out.

In other news, here's a funny little tidbit for you...

My colleague, Colleen, was on the phone with her friend Nicole this morning and they were having a conversation about names their current children deem appropriate and, therefore, suggest for their upcoming children. Before her latest child was born, Nicole was asking her daughter, 4, and her son, 7, what they should name the new baby. Sadie suggested that, were the baby a girl, she should be named Headband. If the baby was a boy, he should be named Trundlebed.

Jonah simply declared, "Yes, the baby will be named Sparkles...Sparkles Bon Soir (pronounced, "bon swah"---it's French)."

And last, but certainly not least, Daniel's sermon on Sunday, titled "Jesus and Singleness", was amazing. You can download and listen once the mp3 is uploaded to the Sojourn website. It may take a few days or even longer, but keep checking back. It's worth it. And not just for singles either, so even if you've already tied the proverbial knot, give it a little listen. It's worth it.

A month's gone by...

Wow. It's been so LONG! KT sent me a few interview questions (click on her link to the left to check out her witty, thought-provoking, enjoyable blog) and I decide to quit slacking and start answering. So here goes:

1. You must choose a country to live the rest of your days, which one and why? (Oh and it can't be a country that you have in the past or currently are living in, nor can it be one you have visited.)
Given those disclaimers (which--not to be cocky--make it a little hard for me), I'd say...Costa Rica. I've heard it's gorgeous, seen great pictures and am already quite accostumed to the laid-back lifestyle (meaning, I'm late everywhere I go and I get to things when I get to them). Not to mention the beaches...

2. Describe in detail the perfect lazy Saturday.
I wake up late, but not too late. Get up and make a delicious brunch, take it out to deck and eat by the pool. (I don't really have a pool, but we're talking ideals here, right?) Lounge in my swimsuit while reading a great book until it gets too warm, then jump in the pool to cool off. I repeat this sequence until bored. Then I call someone to come over and hang by the pool with me. Then we make plans for the evening---somewhere fun (with outdoor seating if its cool enough) to eat and then maybe dancing, live music or a movie (the drive-in?!). Then we go back to my place and end the evening with night swimming and laughing around the pool.

3. You are stuck in some sort of wild time loop and must relive one childhood memory at least once a year, what memory is it?
These questions are SO hard! (Not to mention I have a terrible memory...) Um... Maybe the summer of our family beach vacation tour along the coasts of (the states of) São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro... Are we detecting a theme here? :)

4. If forced to change one thing about yourself what would it be and why? (it can be anything: physical, mental, emotional,etc.)
If only I could irradicate selfishnessandjealousy (see, that's just one word) from my life...

5. What is one unrealistic and yet attainable thing that you hope to do/accomplish before you die?
Record an album? Raise a child? Travel to all the places on my To See list? Any of those would be nice...