Wednesday, November 30 at 12:09 PM
Sunday, November 27 at 10:20 AM
okay, thanks to everyone who shared thoughts on the previous post. i had no idea my couple sentences about house church would cause such a reaction. but it was good discussion...so i'm not complaining.
this thanksgiving holiday has been interesting. the family was supposed to go visit grandma in nashville, but dad wasn't feeling well. so, i stayed in a-town with him. we ate thanksgiving lunch at the golden corral. it actually wasn't too bad. it's the first year in a long time that i haven't eaten mom's turkey and dressing, though...and i definitely missed that.
the last-minute change of plans meant that i got to spend ridiculous amounts of time with my favorite people in the world. i really do have the greatest friends a person could hope for. we had some much-needed, honest conversations about life--struggles, highlights, and everything in between. and we ate good food. and we saw movies. it's truly been a wonderful time.
friends are supposed to remind you of God's faithfulness and His constant presence in your life. they are meant to challenge you to do everything you say you wanna do. they should be a perfect mix of love/encouragement and accountability/honesty. my friends are all those things. as cliche as it may sound, i most definitely see Jesus in them. being around them makes me want to know Him more.
and they are freakin' hilarious. that also counts for a lot.
so, this holiday time leaves me with two important questions...
why don't we kiss each other on the cheek more often? (really, we should bring that back...so sweet.)
and seriously, i understand why kangaroos hop, and frogs hop, and other animals that i can't think of at the moment hop...but bunnies? (that one is just for you karl.)
this thanksgiving holiday has been interesting. the family was supposed to go visit grandma in nashville, but dad wasn't feeling well. so, i stayed in a-town with him. we ate thanksgiving lunch at the golden corral. it actually wasn't too bad. it's the first year in a long time that i haven't eaten mom's turkey and dressing, though...and i definitely missed that.
the last-minute change of plans meant that i got to spend ridiculous amounts of time with my favorite people in the world. i really do have the greatest friends a person could hope for. we had some much-needed, honest conversations about life--struggles, highlights, and everything in between. and we ate good food. and we saw movies. it's truly been a wonderful time.
friends are supposed to remind you of God's faithfulness and His constant presence in your life. they are meant to challenge you to do everything you say you wanna do. they should be a perfect mix of love/encouragement and accountability/honesty. my friends are all those things. as cliche as it may sound, i most definitely see Jesus in them. being around them makes me want to know Him more.
and they are freakin' hilarious. that also counts for a lot.
so, this holiday time leaves me with two important questions...
why don't we kiss each other on the cheek more often? (really, we should bring that back...so sweet.)
and seriously, i understand why kangaroos hop, and frogs hop, and other animals that i can't think of at the moment hop...but bunnies? (that one is just for you karl.)
Tuesday, November 22 at 6:37 PM
on our quest for a recap of the weekend. i'm really tired, so i'm not sure how this is gonna end up...but that's okay.
friday night was the first of the wolfgang simson sessions. if you've never heard of him...you're not alone. but he is a leader in what is known as the house church movement. i haven't read any of his books, but i'd heard enough about him from people i respect to want to attend the sessions and see what he was about. interesting guy. innovative, challenging, thought-provoking ideas on the church and where it is headed. too much info to really sum it up well here. but i will say that some of the most powerful times at the sessions were hearing others share stories, scripture, prayers, whatever. there were children of all ages in the room for most of the time. to hear a little 3 year old girl recite scripture or be led by a 9 year old boy in prayer...dang. that just gets me.
i almost forgot nonnah's. after the session a group of us went to this cola spot that is known for its desserts. fun times with good people.
saturday i slept in. ah yeah. it was freakin' incredible.
later, after doing some work and stuff, i headed to the tipping house to hang out with court and allen. we had some good grub and then went over to adam's to watch the big game. that place is pimped out like you've never seen. stadium seating (made out of couches) and 4 televisions (one of which is huge)...the guys were in heaven. got to meet several new people and just enjoy my spot on the largest, comfiest bean bag ever. oh, and i also made one of the stupidest decisions that i can recall. i had the chance to go to the marc broussard show with some new friends and i passed it up...what? i'm not sure what was wrong with me. i heard it was an incredible concert. and i'm a loser.
sunday morning was the wrap-up of the wolfgang simson sessions (i missed the one on saturday). good stuff. he talked in detail about what church (and for him, house church) is meant to be. one of his main points was that church is not a building, or a service, or one day of the week. church is the body of Christ living and impacting the world. it is a go and tell, not come and see philosophy. there's much more to it than that, but that's one major point.
sunday afternoon was getting ready for the second midtown worship gathering. setting everything up, seeing people we don't get to see too often, and basically making sure things were good to go. the service was very special, at least in my opinion. the atmosphere of worship, joy, freedom, and conviction seemed to build as the evening progressed. we had communion together. it was just a beautiful time.
afterwards was dinner at a wings place with a bazillion people. it took forever. that's all.
there's a lot more going on in my head as a result of things this weekend and just in general...i might try to share that at some point. i might not. we'll see.
also, i just found out that i will be in anderson tomorrow night (if i'm not stuck in traffic all day)...so, if you're around and wanna hang out, you know what to do.
friday night was the first of the wolfgang simson sessions. if you've never heard of him...you're not alone. but he is a leader in what is known as the house church movement. i haven't read any of his books, but i'd heard enough about him from people i respect to want to attend the sessions and see what he was about. interesting guy. innovative, challenging, thought-provoking ideas on the church and where it is headed. too much info to really sum it up well here. but i will say that some of the most powerful times at the sessions were hearing others share stories, scripture, prayers, whatever. there were children of all ages in the room for most of the time. to hear a little 3 year old girl recite scripture or be led by a 9 year old boy in prayer...dang. that just gets me.
i almost forgot nonnah's. after the session a group of us went to this cola spot that is known for its desserts. fun times with good people.
saturday i slept in. ah yeah. it was freakin' incredible.
later, after doing some work and stuff, i headed to the tipping house to hang out with court and allen. we had some good grub and then went over to adam's to watch the big game. that place is pimped out like you've never seen. stadium seating (made out of couches) and 4 televisions (one of which is huge)...the guys were in heaven. got to meet several new people and just enjoy my spot on the largest, comfiest bean bag ever. oh, and i also made one of the stupidest decisions that i can recall. i had the chance to go to the marc broussard show with some new friends and i passed it up...what? i'm not sure what was wrong with me. i heard it was an incredible concert. and i'm a loser.
sunday morning was the wrap-up of the wolfgang simson sessions (i missed the one on saturday). good stuff. he talked in detail about what church (and for him, house church) is meant to be. one of his main points was that church is not a building, or a service, or one day of the week. church is the body of Christ living and impacting the world. it is a go and tell, not come and see philosophy. there's much more to it than that, but that's one major point.
sunday afternoon was getting ready for the second midtown worship gathering. setting everything up, seeing people we don't get to see too often, and basically making sure things were good to go. the service was very special, at least in my opinion. the atmosphere of worship, joy, freedom, and conviction seemed to build as the evening progressed. we had communion together. it was just a beautiful time.
afterwards was dinner at a wings place with a bazillion people. it took forever. that's all.
there's a lot more going on in my head as a result of things this weekend and just in general...i might try to share that at some point. i might not. we'll see.
also, i just found out that i will be in anderson tomorrow night (if i'm not stuck in traffic all day)...so, if you're around and wanna hang out, you know what to do.
i will actually post about this weekend sometime. sometime when i actually have some time. hopefully that will be soon.
in the meantime, i give you some photos from the midtown worship gathering. they're not the greatest, but they'll do...(oh, and i left some out--trust me, that's a good thing. ha.)
in the meantime, i give you some photos from the midtown worship gathering. they're not the greatest, but they'll do...(oh, and i left some out--trust me, that's a good thing. ha.)
Monday, November 21 at 11:47 PM
Thursday, November 17 at 5:12 PM
just an old song by waterdeep that's been in my head today. i haven't listened to them in a while. that's a shame.
the space in my mind
is too small for you
the space in my heart
is too small for you too
and all of the things of the earth that i've known
are too small for all of the greatness you've shown
but in all of this i'm still facing my needs
and i'm scared of how big they feel to me
i know you you you
are big enough to hold me
i know you, Lord, you
will carry me through
the space between stars
is millions of miles
the space for the famous
in millions of eyes
but of all the stars of the heavens and earth
none can compare to your infinite worth
and i still get lonely and wonder out loud
if anyone notices me in a crowd
how great and how high
how deep and how wide
is your love
the space in my mind
is too small for you
the space in my heart
is too small for you too
and all of the things of the earth that i've known
are too small for all of the greatness you've shown
but in all of this i'm still facing my needs
and i'm scared of how big they feel to me
i know you you you
are big enough to hold me
i know you, Lord, you
will carry me through
the space between stars
is millions of miles
the space for the famous
in millions of eyes
but of all the stars of the heavens and earth
none can compare to your infinite worth
and i still get lonely and wonder out loud
if anyone notices me in a crowd
how great and how high
how deep and how wide
is your love
where to begin. i need to go to bed, seeing as how it's midnight, i'm tired, and i have to be at the dentist at 7am. the dentist at 7am? yeah. it's not gonna be fun.
this week has been an interesting one.
what i'm learning--you just never know. you never know how God is gonna use things--good, bad, whatever...i love the fact that i will never be able to see what He sees. i love that He can use any and every situation to accomplish exactly what He wants to accomplish. i really love the knowledge that even the truly hard things (especially the truly hard things) are strengthening my faith, increasing my dependence on Him, and reminding me of my humanness.
*please pray for midtown. our second worship gathering is this coming sunday night at the town theatre. we are very excited about this opportunity to connect with more people in the community who need Jesus. pray for the leadership, pray for changed lives, pray for God to receive every bit of the glory.
i've got to go to bed now so i can get up at the crack of dawn for some stranger to stick pointy metal objects in my mouth and tell me i have a cavity.
this week has been an interesting one.
what i'm learning--you just never know. you never know how God is gonna use things--good, bad, whatever...i love the fact that i will never be able to see what He sees. i love that He can use any and every situation to accomplish exactly what He wants to accomplish. i really love the knowledge that even the truly hard things (especially the truly hard things) are strengthening my faith, increasing my dependence on Him, and reminding me of my humanness.
*please pray for midtown. our second worship gathering is this coming sunday night at the town theatre. we are very excited about this opportunity to connect with more people in the community who need Jesus. pray for the leadership, pray for changed lives, pray for God to receive every bit of the glory.
i've got to go to bed now so i can get up at the crack of dawn for some stranger to stick pointy metal objects in my mouth and tell me i have a cavity.
Monday, November 14 at 5:25 PM
you should check out this guy's photos
for a couple of reasons.
1. they're awesome. all of them. i really like the newest ones.
2. those newest ones remind me why i've always envisioned getting married on a beach somewhere.
for a couple of reasons.
1. they're awesome. all of them. i really like the newest ones.
2. those newest ones remind me why i've always envisioned getting married on a beach somewhere.
hahahahahahaha. hahahaha. ha.
okay, i'm done now.
on the way home for my lunch break, i passed two gas stations (get it? alright...i'm sorry) that were selling gas for $1.99. $1.99!!! i almost went into shock.
okay, i'm done now.
on the way home for my lunch break, i passed two gas stations (get it? alright...i'm sorry) that were selling gas for $1.99. $1.99!!! i almost went into shock.
Sunday, November 13 at 11:00 PM
i think i need to spend more time in the car (or truck, which is what i'm driving right now).
these days, it seems that the car is the one place where i truly get a grasp of whatever it is i'm feeling, needing, struggling with, hoping for, etc....almost as if i let myself completely tune in to my heart when i'm in the car. sometimes it's a song that brings certain things to the forefront. many times it's in the midst of honest, emotional prayer. and often, it's just by simply being in the car...listening to music, watching the world go by, allowing my mind to just go wherever it may.
i wonder why this is true. is the car the only place where i am free from all the stuff of life (computers, tvs, magazines, jobs, people, to do lists, etc., etc., etc.)...those things that vie for the attention of my mind and my heart? or is it just that i only listen to myself in that place?
makes me wonder what else i would learn about myself if i just took the time to listen and feel. makes me wish i would get off the stupid computer right now and talk to God or read the Word. makes me hate the fact that i haven't made those quiet, uninterrupted times more of a priority.
*side(and completely unrelated)note--i'm honestly starting to think that i have the oddest taste in music. in the last week, i've bought three CDs. these three artists seriously couldn't be more different...but i enjoy them all. jeremy camp (live unplugged--good worship music), ashlee simpson (i had to see if the second one was any good--haven't made up my mind yet), and kanye (i can't help it, i love his stuff).
**also...anderson was good to me this weekend. it's still home to me right now. and going home just feels nice. thanks to the special people who made the trip worthwhile. l heart you all.
these days, it seems that the car is the one place where i truly get a grasp of whatever it is i'm feeling, needing, struggling with, hoping for, etc....almost as if i let myself completely tune in to my heart when i'm in the car. sometimes it's a song that brings certain things to the forefront. many times it's in the midst of honest, emotional prayer. and often, it's just by simply being in the car...listening to music, watching the world go by, allowing my mind to just go wherever it may.
i wonder why this is true. is the car the only place where i am free from all the stuff of life (computers, tvs, magazines, jobs, people, to do lists, etc., etc., etc.)...those things that vie for the attention of my mind and my heart? or is it just that i only listen to myself in that place?
makes me wonder what else i would learn about myself if i just took the time to listen and feel. makes me wish i would get off the stupid computer right now and talk to God or read the Word. makes me hate the fact that i haven't made those quiet, uninterrupted times more of a priority.
*side(and completely unrelated)note--i'm honestly starting to think that i have the oddest taste in music. in the last week, i've bought three CDs. these three artists seriously couldn't be more different...but i enjoy them all. jeremy camp (live unplugged--good worship music), ashlee simpson (i had to see if the second one was any good--haven't made up my mind yet), and kanye (i can't help it, i love his stuff).
**also...anderson was good to me this weekend. it's still home to me right now. and going home just feels nice. thanks to the special people who made the trip worthwhile. l heart you all.
Friday, November 11 at 6:45 AM
Thursday, November 10 at 12:04 AM
it's not you. it's me.
but please don't be mad at me. i really do still care for you...i've just been ridiculously busy lately. hopefully sometime soon i will be able to make room in my schedule for some quality time. until then, you'll just have to trust that i haven't forgotten you.
maybe we just needed some time apart? and when the timing's right, we'll be together once again...
sincerely,
me
but please don't be mad at me. i really do still care for you...i've just been ridiculously busy lately. hopefully sometime soon i will be able to make room in my schedule for some quality time. until then, you'll just have to trust that i haven't forgotten you.
maybe we just needed some time apart? and when the timing's right, we'll be together once again...
sincerely,
me
Saturday, November 5 at 10:36 AM
this touched me...
"Live. And live well. BREATHE. Breathe in and breathe deeply. Be PRESENT. Do not be past. Do not be future. Be now. On a crystal clear, breezy 70 degree day, roll down the windows and FEEL the wind against your skin. Feel the warmth of the sun.
If you run, then allow those first few breaths on a cool autumn day to FREEZE your lungs and do not just be alarmed, be ALIVE. Get knee-deep in a novel and LOSE track of time.
If you bike, pedal HARD… and if you crash then crash well.
Feel the SATISFACTION of a job well done—a paper well-written, a project thoroughly completed, a play well-performed. If you must wipe the snot from your 3-year old’s nose, don’t be disgusted if the Kleenex didn’t catch it all… because soon he’ll be wiping his own.
If you’ve recently experienced loss, then GRIEVE. And grieve well. At the table with friends and family, LAUGH. If you’re eating and laughing at the same time, then might as well laugh until you puke. And if you eat, then SMELL. The aromas are not impediments to your day. Steak on the grill, coffee beans freshly ground, cookies in the oven. And TASTE. Taste every ounce of flavor. Taste every ounce of friendship. Taste every ounce of life. Because-it-is-most-definitely-a-gift."
i wanna live like that.
"Live. And live well. BREATHE. Breathe in and breathe deeply. Be PRESENT. Do not be past. Do not be future. Be now. On a crystal clear, breezy 70 degree day, roll down the windows and FEEL the wind against your skin. Feel the warmth of the sun.
If you run, then allow those first few breaths on a cool autumn day to FREEZE your lungs and do not just be alarmed, be ALIVE. Get knee-deep in a novel and LOSE track of time.
If you bike, pedal HARD… and if you crash then crash well.
Feel the SATISFACTION of a job well done—a paper well-written, a project thoroughly completed, a play well-performed. If you must wipe the snot from your 3-year old’s nose, don’t be disgusted if the Kleenex didn’t catch it all… because soon he’ll be wiping his own.
If you’ve recently experienced loss, then GRIEVE. And grieve well. At the table with friends and family, LAUGH. If you’re eating and laughing at the same time, then might as well laugh until you puke. And if you eat, then SMELL. The aromas are not impediments to your day. Steak on the grill, coffee beans freshly ground, cookies in the oven. And TASTE. Taste every ounce of flavor. Taste every ounce of friendship. Taste every ounce of life. Because-it-is-most-definitely-a-gift."
i wanna live like that.
i got in the bed about 7:30pm last night to take a short nap. i woke up at 8am this morning.
wow.
i was ridiculously tired apparently. this week has been super busy...filled with lots of good stuff, new information, and one incredible concert. and i've been dealing with some really nasty sinus stuff. i guess it all caught up to me last night. so, if you called me or something...know that i wasn't ignoring you. i'm sure i love you.
i'm also carless right now, which is a definite bummer. don't know what happened--it just wouldn't go thursday night. i'm really hoping that the problem is fixed soon, as it sucks to have no form of transportation. looks like a day of rest whether i want it or not (judging by the sleeping thing...i certainly might need it).
let's see...what do i need to catch you up on? um. hmmm...
*if you don't know dave barnes,
you're missing out. for real, people. he's so good live. not only is the music wonderfully delicious, he is freakin' funny. i know i've said all this before, but some of you are still clueless...so i'm trying to educate you. new album set to release in january. and if you're a single guy, you REALLY should check out one of his shows. probably the largest gathering of ready-to-be-wooed chicks you'll ever find. of course, you'll have to get their minds off the barnes...but i have faith in you and your hotness.
*does it annoy you when you're trying to have good conversation at a restaurant but the music is so loud that it's impossible to hear? yeah. someone should send a memo to the restaurant industry and let them know we hate that. especially when the guy attempting to entertain is AWFUL. we encountered this thursday night at the mellow mushroom. what was that guy's name again?
*i literally have 4 humongous (and i'm not exaggerating) notebooks to read through from work as part of my staff orientation. fun. but it's all the important stuff i do need to know, so i guess i can't complain.
*how the heck did it get to be november 5th? seriously, people...time has FLOWN by the last few months. like never before. worship gathering november 20th, thanksgiving in tennessee, birthday, christmas in boston, my new niece/nephew, new year's, new orleans trip, midtown service launch...will all be here before i even realize it. hopefully even a trip to the 'nooga will be wedged in there somewhere. man. lots of good stuff coming up.
i'm leaving stuff out i'm sure...but that'll do for now.
remember to tip your waiter. come back again soon.
wow.
i was ridiculously tired apparently. this week has been super busy...filled with lots of good stuff, new information, and one incredible concert. and i've been dealing with some really nasty sinus stuff. i guess it all caught up to me last night. so, if you called me or something...know that i wasn't ignoring you. i'm sure i love you.
i'm also carless right now, which is a definite bummer. don't know what happened--it just wouldn't go thursday night. i'm really hoping that the problem is fixed soon, as it sucks to have no form of transportation. looks like a day of rest whether i want it or not (judging by the sleeping thing...i certainly might need it).
let's see...what do i need to catch you up on? um. hmmm...
*if you don't know dave barnes,
you're missing out. for real, people. he's so good live. not only is the music wonderfully delicious, he is freakin' funny. i know i've said all this before, but some of you are still clueless...so i'm trying to educate you. new album set to release in january. and if you're a single guy, you REALLY should check out one of his shows. probably the largest gathering of ready-to-be-wooed chicks you'll ever find. of course, you'll have to get their minds off the barnes...but i have faith in you and your hotness.
*does it annoy you when you're trying to have good conversation at a restaurant but the music is so loud that it's impossible to hear? yeah. someone should send a memo to the restaurant industry and let them know we hate that. especially when the guy attempting to entertain is AWFUL. we encountered this thursday night at the mellow mushroom. what was that guy's name again?
*i literally have 4 humongous (and i'm not exaggerating) notebooks to read through from work as part of my staff orientation. fun. but it's all the important stuff i do need to know, so i guess i can't complain.
*how the heck did it get to be november 5th? seriously, people...time has FLOWN by the last few months. like never before. worship gathering november 20th, thanksgiving in tennessee, birthday, christmas in boston, my new niece/nephew, new year's, new orleans trip, midtown service launch...will all be here before i even realize it. hopefully even a trip to the 'nooga will be wedged in there somewhere. man. lots of good stuff coming up.
i'm leaving stuff out i'm sure...but that'll do for now.
remember to tip your waiter. come back again soon.
Friday, November 4 at 12:27 AM
the barnes show. SO GOOD. the company. EVEN BETTER. unfortunately, the lighting in jammin' java is horrendous...so photos pretty much always suck in there. couldn't get one of me, lee, and julie that was decent. none of barnes either. boo.
Thursday, November 3 at 7:26 AM
i'm a little under the weather. it's not fun, especially the first week of a new job when you need to be all there. so hopefully this sinus/allergy crap will clear up soon.
tonight is dave barnes. oh yeah. consider me excited. but i'm much more excited about hanging out with some special friends before and after. bring on the good times!
tonight is dave barnes. oh yeah. consider me excited. but i'm much more excited about hanging out with some special friends before and after. bring on the good times!