NOTICE:

Due to extreme spam content of my blogger account, I will now only be updating my wordpress blog. It is: www.bittersweetjess.wordpress.com .

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So, if you'll come over there and catch back up with me, I'll be so glad you did! :)

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Thanks!

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Wit and Wisdom of Grandma Mary

Tomorrow would have marked my Grandma Mary’s 99th Birthday. And man, do I miss her. I would love to know what she would’ve said about approaching 100. And had her mind not been taken from her, I believe she would’ve seen it.

Of course, hanging out with her for just one day, you’d be left with some pretty good guesses at what she might say if she were still around today. She was always full of one-liners, at least one for every year she’d been around.

So, in memory of my hilarious, off-the-cuff, nonconformist Grandma, here’s my meager list of Grandma Maryisms. And if you think of any I’ve missed, by all means, let us hear ‘em. ♥

*Warning* Some content not suitable for young viewers. Ha! :)

• 
  Dear Gussy!
  Heavenly days, ba-gee!
  Sweet 16, never been kissed … (pause) … or never been missed!
  Looks good enough to eat!
  Must’ve been somethin’ I et (ate), I ain’t drunk nothin’!
  Well, I’ll be diddly-damned!
  Ooooh! Opportunity corner! ;o
  Texaco …. Tex-e-o, Frank used to say!
  Here, Tit-n-tat! (Kitten Cat)
  Makes me no never mind!
  Whoop-de-do! (Inevitably followed by) Whoop-de-DO-de-do!
  Can’t remember… slept a few nights since then!
  (When asked how she’s been) Still puttin’ one foot in front a the other!
  Well, sh*t and 2 is 8!
  Scared me outta a year’s growth!
  Take your time leavin’, but hurry back!
  Doodness Dracious!
  Oh that’s nice … nicey-nice …
  The Lord is my shepherd … I got all I want!

Happy Birthday, Grandma!!!

♥ Love you and miss you !!! ♥

Diligent or Drifting?

Warning to Pay Attention

We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard,

so that we do not drift away. (Heb. 2:1 ~ NIV)

I enjoy the ocean. But, I’m generally more of an onlooker. I enjoy just sitting, looking at it and listening to it more than anything. But, once in a while, I will venture out and take a plunge.

And I don’t know about you, but once I’ve taken the plunge, I pay special attention to everything around me. I’m alert. After all, this is no chlorine-balanced, pest-free swimming pool. It’s the ocean. Powerful. Ebbing and flowing with undeniable energy and force. The floor is uneven. The surroundings constantly changing. And don’t forget about the creepy things that lurk within. Slimy things. And things that could chomp your left leg off in 5 seconds flat. *Bleh*

But, if you’re like me, once you get in there and get your bearings (and get the theme song from “Jaws” out of your head), you begin to really relax and enjoy it. You start to rest in the gentle current. You stop worrying about any predators. You don’t worry about losing your footing. You begin to just ‘go with the flow’ and all is right with the world. Taking in the warm sun and gentle breeze.

Until you realize you’ve just been carried down the shoreline about a mile and a half. You look up and all the hotels look the same. And you’re not exactly sure which one is yours anymore. You don’t see your family and friends. And you can’t seem to find your footing. And….. Ewwww!!! What was that that just slithered past my arm???

How easy it is to become complacent when all seems to be going well.

The same is true in our walks of faith. How diligent are you when life is going smoothly? I know I find it more difficult. When all is well, I think most of us have a tendancy to ‘drift’. To coast. Take it on cruise control. But, I know I’ve learned that it’s then that you hit the rough waters. Lose your footing. And begin to feel like shark bait at feeding time.

~

“It doesn’t take any effort to drift. If you’ve ever gotten on a raft and floated down a river on a sunny day, you know that there is real pleasure in drifting – at least for a while. But it doesn’t necessarily take you where you want to go.

“We have been invited to tie up our rafts to the safe and secure harbor of salvation. But some of us have just never made that commitment. We haven’t tied ourselves to Jesus. And we’re in danger of drifting. We may be interested in Christ and intend to stay close, but time and circumstances cause us to drift and without even realizing it, we may find ourselves slipping away completely from the opportunity to know Jesus in a saving way.

“Others of us have tethered ourselves to Christ, and yet in our hearts and minds we are drifting. If you’re honest, would you have to say that as you look back over your life, there was a time you were more in love with Jesus, more fascinated with his Word, more attuned to his Spirit than you are now? Was there a time you were closer to Jesus? You never made the decision to drift away. You never intended for the relationship to gorw cold. But you’ve drifted. You’ve lost that firm grip.

“This word of warning is for all of us. We need to nurture our furious obsessions with Jesus. Let’s anchor ourselves to him, stay close to him, and not allow ourselves to drift” (N. Guthrie ‘Hoping for Something Better’ ~ a study on the book of Hebrews).

~

The Rope (Martina McBride)
http://www.last.fm/music/Martina+McBride/_/The+Rope

Click on link to listen to "The Rope"

In waters calm I sailed from shore

To see what I might see

And having never sailed beforeI drifted aimlessly

A warm breeze rocked my boat until

In slumber I fell sound

But woke to find the light grown dim

And dark clouds gathering ’round

In haste I worked at turning back

But now the wind blew wrong

And when the night came cold and black

My strength was almost gone

But with one last small thread of hope

I bowed my head to pray

Then through the dark I saw a rope

And heard a calm voice say

‘Grab the rope hold it tight

In the distance shines a light

Neither fear nor feel alone

There is One Who’ll lead you home’

I heard my heart beat loud and fast

But did as I was told

And with the rosy dawn at last

Dry land I did behold

I kissed the sandy banks and swore

My sailing days were through

But should I ever stray from shore

I know now what to do

‘Grab the rope hold it tight

In the distance shines a light

Neither fear nor feel alone

There is One Who’ll lead you home’

‘Grab the rope hold it tight

In the distance shines a light’

~

Sunday Stirrings

Back when Jodi kicked off “Sunday Stirrings” , I had every intention of sticking with it and knocking things out every week. All the revelations revealed to me week by week.

That was just over a month ago and I may have done two S.S. posts in that amount of time?

I’m glad to be able to say that it’s not been due to lack of insights and profound revelations. As a matter of fact, I just wrapped up an amazing study on “Ruth” by Kelly Minter and am headlong into a mind-blowing study by Beth Moore on the Tabernacle.

To say that He has tugged on some heartstrings through these women and their indepth studies would be a gross understatement.

Not to mention the numerous books I’ve read and blog posts that have both inspired and encouraged me.

It just seems right now He’s more interested in me listening than me sharing. So frustrating, too! Because I want so badly to share what has been revealed to me! Just seems I don’t even know where to start. And words fail me anyway. (Hence all the reposts lately.)

So, all of this to say… He has undoubtedly been stirring within me.

Perhaps I just need to work on getting myself out of the way before I can relay some of what’s been impressed upon me.

In the meantime, I’d encourage you to check out some of the posts that have inspired, encouraged or just really made me stop and think in the last several weeks:

Arms Wide Open
Blessed Builder
Bring the Rain
Donald Miller
Heal the Wound
Highway 41
Notes from the Soul
Random Thoughts from the Revolution
The New Normal
Thursday’s Child

* Since I’m home unexpectedly (YAY!) on this beautifully SNOWY day, I just thought I’d steal Pioneer Woman’s idea and do my own post on the things that I love. *


Well, let’s start with the most befitting…

♥ I love snow days! I love snow and love being home to enjoy it!

♥ Spending time with my niece and nephew.

♥ Sundays.

♥ Chocolate… GOOD chocolate!

♥ Blankets.

♥ The sky when it’s that perfect beautiful midnight blue.

♥ Crisp, cool Fall air.

♥ Music. Music, music, music.

♥ The smell of old books.

♥ Clothes fresh out of the dryer.

♥ Variety Puzzles.

♥ Campfires.

♥ The moon, especially when it’s full and seems close enough to touch.

♥ Old hymns.

♥ iTunes.

♥ “Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers.

♥ Sweet old people.

♥ Seeing benevolence in a broken world.

♥ “Roman Holiday”.

♥ The latest fragrance ‘agave’ from WoodWick candles.

♥ My parents.

♥ Bible study.

♥ Boston, Mass.

♥ Flying.

♥ Old notes from my grandmas and great aunts.

♥ Large spreads of poppies on the side of the cold interstate.

♥ Chili cheese fries.

♥ Needtobreathe’s “The Outsiders” album.

♥ Glimpses of God.

♥ Publix “Chocolate Trinity” ice cream mixed with “It’s Your Birthday Cake” ice cream.

♥ Watching “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” with my sister.

♥ My sweet (crazy) cat.

♥ #50, half-order with chicken at El Charros.

♥ Ashley Judd’s “Wonderful” perfume.

♥ My church home/family.

♥ Sunsets.

♥ “Streams in the Desert”.

♥ “Castle”.

♥ Orange juice at midnight.

♥ The lead singer from Nickelback’s voice.

♥ Flannel sheets and a cold nose.

♥ Old pictures.

♥ Trains.

♥ The reminder of the cross.

♥ The power of the cross.

♥ The fact that it’s still snowing beautifully and piling up ouside!!!

~

Learn Something New Every Day!

I got a burst of motivation the other day. I don’t know where it came from ( or where it’s gone ) but I decided to run with it.

So, I cleaned.

And we’re not talking just the usual laundry and vacuuming here. Stuff got thrown away. Floors got cleaned on hands and knees. Stove eyes were removed, scrubbed down and replaced.

And as I Windexed the dresser mirror, I thought “You know, I should write something up here to wake up to every morning.” And I knew exactly what thought I wanted to be reminded of every day.

So, I took out an old tube of lipstick and beautifully scripted out before me:

~

Choose this day Who you will serve!
~

I stopped briefly to both admire my handiwork and question what I wrote. I thought “Is it Who or Whom?” Hmmm…. I knew it didn’t sound right, but I could not think for the life of me which one it should be. ( I blame all the fumes in the air. )

This is all it takes to torture someone like me.

I spent probably the next 2 hours or more fighting that little battle out in my mind. I finally decided it was most likely Whom and looked it up for verification. ( I mean, I had to sleep that night! )

In my search for verification, I came across Grammar Girl. Who knew?? Adults have their own “WordGirl“!

So, for anyone who may not already know ( and might actually care! )… here’s Grammar Girl’s “Quick and Dirty Tip” on the whole ‘who -vs- whom’ matter:

“Like whom, the pronoun him ends with m. When you’re trying to decide whether to use who or whom, ask yourself if the answer to the question would be he or him. That’s the trick: if you can answer the question being asked with him, then use whom, and it’s easy to remember because they both end with m. For example, if you’re trying to ask, “Who (or whom) do you love?” The answer would be “I love him.” Him ends with an m, so you know to use whom. But if you are trying to ask, “Who (or whom) stepped on Squiggly?” the answer would be “He stepped on Squiggly.” There’s no m, so you know to use who. So that’s the quick and dirty trick: if you can’t remember that you use whom when you are referring to the object of the sentence, just remember that him equals whom.”

And now, you, too will be able to wield your power of grammatical knowledge!

And I can start focusing on the message at hand instead of the grammar!!

~

Lions and Deserts and Keys... Oh, my!


“Fear is a manipulative emotion that can trick us into living a boring life.” (‘Million Miles in a Thousand Years’)

“God is in the business of strategically positioning us in the right place at the right time. But the right place often seems like the wrong place, and the right time seems like the wrong time.
“Our calling is much higher than simply running away from what’s wrong. We’re called to chase lions ~ look for opportunities and take risks to reach for God’s best.
“When we don’t have the guts and step out in faith and chase lions, then God is robbed of the glory that rightfully belongs to Him.” (‘In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day’)

“Maybe I ain’t too old to start over, I think and I laugh and cry at the same time at this. Cause just last night I thought I was finished with everything new.” (‘The Help’)

“God gives each person on earth a set of keys, keys to live this life down here on the earth. Now in this set, there is one key you can use to unlock prison doors and set captives free.” (‘Same Kind of Different as Me’)

“Never look ahead to the changes and challenges of this life in fear. Instead, as they arise look at them with the full assurance that God, whose you are, will bring you through them. Hasn’t He kept you safe up to now? So, hold His loving hand tightly, and He will lead you safely through all things.” (‘Streams in the Desert’)

“It might be time for you to go. It might be time to change, to shine out.I want to repeat one word for you:Leave.
Roll the word around on your tongue for a bit. It is a beautiful word, isn’t it? So strong and forceful, the way you have always wanted to be. And you will not be alone. You have never been alone. Don’t worry. Everything will still be here when you get back. It is you who will have changed.” (‘Through Painted Deserts’)

“Father, thank You that no matter what is ahead for me, I can be secure because of Your presence.” (perpetual desk calendar)

~

Does anybody else sense a theme here?

I’ve been fasting from Facebook for several weeks now and as a result have found much more time to read. And read, I have. Steadily and methodically, I’ve been dwindling down the piles that have been patiently waiting on me for months now. And still some patiently wait.

But, it’s funny how I seem to get pulled to read certain ones at certain times. And in almost certain succession. The quotes above are just a representative glimpse into the theme that seems to be knocking at down my door.

And I so often find assurance when these themes present themselves in my life. They almost serve as a roadmap or at least a trusty reception tower. Things just seem to click into clarity and there seems to be some semblance of order to life.

But, I must admit… this theme….. though it does bring me a sense of comfort on one level, has got me a just a weee bit unnerved on every other level. I’s skeered! I mean, I don’t even know what direction this thing is headed? or how I’m expected to live it all out??

And I’m a creature of habit, comfort, familiarity. I don’t like stepping out of my comfort zone. I fear any sort of change. I like feeling like I know what to do, what to expect. I find great solace in the monotony.

But, that’s not the life we’re meant to live as Christians. That’s not life at all. And I guess it’s time for me to ’step it up’ and step out in faith. To whatever He has in store for me.

Eeek! ~ So, wh-h-h-ho’s w-w-w-ith me?

"Do You Trust Me?"

(repost from 7/08)

~

Blame it on the little ones, but the other day, in all my recent frustrations about moving on and how exactly to go about that, my mind just kept going back to the movie ‘Aladdin’. The part where Aladdin shows up outside Jasmine’s balcony and invites her to go for a ride with him… on the magic carpet. And he simply looks her in the eye, hand stretched out and says:

~
“Do you trust me?”
~

And she knows that she must decide. Should she take the chance of a lifetime and see all this Prince has to offer? or stay within the confines of her structured palace, settling for a ‘comfortable’ life full of certainty? And all week long, I kept hearing this very question asked of me.

~
“Do you trust Me?”
~

Only it’s not ‘Prince Alla-b00-boo’, rather it’s the Prince of Peace. Ruler over all of creation. Mighty hand stretched out to me, challenging me:

~

“Jessica, do you trust Me?”
~

And you’d think by now I would know. That it would be an almost instinctive “Yes! Of course!” Of course, I would know that I could entrust my life and my heart to the very One who formed them. That ‘the One Who loved me enough to die for me could be absolutely trusted with the total concerns of the life that He saved’. And that even though He doesn’t promise it to be a smooth ride, He promises to hold my hand the whole way through. You’d think I’d be ready to take that leap of faith. Right into His arms, wherever they may take me. On the ride of a lifetime. Full of hope. Promise. Peace. But, you’d be amazed at what fear can do.

~

'The Help'

Reading the latest ‘big book’ ~ “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett.

And, believe me… it is definitely a BIG BOOK.

But, very intriguing. And peculiar that it would come to my attention right after reading “Same Kind of Different As Me”.

Taking longer to read this one, but actually enjoying taking my time with it.

…. Now, off to knock out the next few chapers… Gotta see what happens next!!!

Contentment -vs- Complacency (aka ~ Sunday Stirrings)

Let me just say: I love the Israelites.

Not to say that I’m proud of it, but I must say they’re my kind of people. And they never fail to make me feel better about myself and my own self-centered, stubborn inclinations. I know from them that I’m at least in ‘good company’.

But, as I read up on their journey through the desertlands tonight, I have to admit that even they are making me look bad! And leaving me to rethink where I am on my own path and what kind of ground I’m covering… or rather not covering.

Allow me to explain.

We are told back in Exodus 15 of how the Israelites were led from the Red Sea into the Desert of Shur. There, they traveled for three days without finding any water. No water. In the desert. For three whole days. Not good, right?

So, from there they pressed on to Marah. And finally, they found water!! But, wait… not so fast… it’s too bitter to drink. What?!? Might as well have been a mirage. Now, that’s just cruel. Who can blame them for their grumbling? Something just tells me that I would be right there with the best of ‘em.

But, as it turned out, the Lord had a simple solution that they discovered upon crying out to Him. Problem solved. Moving on…

Next destination: Elim. And all we get is one verse to tell us of this stop. “Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.”

(Next verse): “The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the 15th day of the 2nd month after they had come out of Egypt.”

Next thing you know…. they’re back at their grumbling and complaining. So, first thing that crossed my mind: Why didn’t they stay longer in Elim?? My word, it sounds like Paradise! They had it made in the literal shade! Palms and springs in the desert?! Who would want to pull up stakes from there to continue on to the Desert of Sin?

Well, evidently the Israelites. And I’m thinking “Why???“

Then, I’m reminded, that even through the grumbling and complaining, bad attitudes and rose-colored rear view perspective…. they were still set on being obedient (at least for the overviewed, generally speaking, most part) and pressing on toward God’s promised land.

And that’s when it occurs to me, that my ‘good and plentiful company’ just left me in the dust. In the land of ‘good enough’. Left alone to determine the fine line between contentment and complacency. Completely missing out on the provisions of His hand in the Desert of Sin. And eventually forgoing the promised land flowing with milk and honey.

Withering in the shade of my 'prosperity'. Pruning up in my plentiful springs. Forced to live on coconut milk.

And I really hate coconuts.

.... If you'll just .... excuse me .... for just one .... minute....

….. “Hey, everybody! …. Wait up for me!!!!”

~

*For more Sunday Stirrings: http://www.jodiyork.com/2010/01/24/sunday-stirrings-forgiveness/

My Latest Read

Breezed through yet another book this weekend ~ “Same Kind of Different as Me”. And wow. Yet another inspirational true life story.

Don’t know how to better describe it than the back of the book
cover, so here you go… If you haven’t checked it out, I encourage you to. Quite a story!

~

To read more about it:
http://www.samekindofdifferentasme.com/

A Little SuNdAy FuN!

~

I’ve been on a kick lately with working puzzles out of my Variety Puzzle magazines. And in going through some old posts of mine, I came across this little gem, so thought I’d resurrect it for those who haven’t seen it yet and let you share in the fun. (And in the spirit of full disclosure, I’ll have you know that it’s been so long since I’ve worked it, that I’m still looking for the last two!) Enjoy!

~

Find the Books of the Bible

I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible. It was a lulu, kept people looking so hard for facts and for others it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the names of the books were not capitalized, but the truth finally struck home to numbers of readers. To others, it was a real job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments for you. Yes, there will be some really easy ones to spot. Others may require judges to help them. I will quickly admit it usually takes a minister to find one of them and there will be loud lamentations when it is found. A little lady says she brews a cup of tea, so she can concentrate better. See how well you can compete. Relax now, for there really are sixteen names of books in the bible in this story!

~

… No cheating!!!

~

This is My Story... (continued)

(for previous ‘Story’ posts: http://bittersweetjess.wordpress.com/2009/09/14/this-is-my-story-this-is-my-song-continued )


Okay. So, I’ve actually been intending on continuing on with my testimony posts for some time now, but, tonight I find myself needing the reminders of God’s provision and hand on my life more than anyone.

They say that ”timing is everything”. Well, I don’t know that it’s everything, but it sure can make an impact. And you may call it coincidence. But, I choose to believe in something more. Especially, when you feel in your heart of hearts that it’s something more.

By the end of the last post, I was in a new school (10 x bigger), in a new state (750 miles closer to the equator), and a whole different culture, muddling through just to make it to graduation. High school was basically “survive and get out” those last two years. Never was big on the whole school thing anyway, but not really having many friends just perpetuated that feeling.

So, about halfway through Senior year (I guess?) they had a college fair, with all different colleges represented. I hadn’t even been here long enough to really know what was out there. But, having to ‘go with the flow’ anyway and not having anyone to hang with, I just remember slowly walking through the tables, just half-heartedly picking up a brochure here and there.

Then, I heard a friendly voice say “You looking for a small school? or a large school?”

Looking up, I said “Definitely small. I’m out of my element even here.” He said “Well then, Piedmont’s the school for you!” It was Mark Whiting, from Piedmont College up in Demorest (that I’d never even heard of) and oddly enough, without ever having even seen the place, something in me just knew that he was right.

From the moment we exited for the first time off of 365, I knew that’s where I belonged. It just felt like ‘home’. Always did and I suppose, always will.

Got up there the next fall, made some quick friends, and all was going well. Even got me a serious little boyfriend… Things were finally falling into place. By that first summer, I couldn’t wait to get back up there. I had two different friends wanting to room with me and I’d be seeing much more of the fella.

Well, summer didn’t even end before hearing news that one friend wouldn’t be returning to school. The other was coming back married and pregnant. And it wasn’t even October before boyfriend “got in a car accident, hit (his) head and forgot (my) phone number”. (No lie. Verbatim right there, folks. Smoooth, eh?)

Needless to say… not the year I had anticipated. As it turned out, many of my quick friends did not return, many of them were friends of the fella, and the other friend was a little preoccupied, being newly wed and preggo. And the roommate I ended up with? Let’s just say she wasn’t the sweetest thing on the block. And it seemed as though any friends I had anywhere up to that point just…. disappeared from my life. Many hurts and many betrayals during that time.

I think, for whatever reason, I was already headed for depression that year, but all of these factors just put me completely over the edge. I don’t know that anyone really knew (aside from my roommate… that is, if she even noticed). But, I cried every day. For the better part of that school year. And thank God for the preggo friend. Without her, I wouldn’t have so much as eaten all year either. I only ate when she invited me over for dinner.

That was the hardest year of my life.

And it kills me now, to think that it never once occurred to me to turn to God, a Bible or even to church. Not once. I felt so alone. And so helpless. The tears sting my eyes even now. I wouldn’t wish that feeling on my worst enemy.

Thankfully, the following year, I wound up with a much sweeter roommate. She was rarely there, but would leave me sweet beautifully scripted notes if someone called for me. And yet again, I had gotten to the point of “Just get me out of here and I will put it all behind me”. Muddle through. And move on.

But, even though I had that thinking, my heart reminded me that I couldn’t move on. I needed closure with the boyfriend. I don’t remember what prompted it, but I remember as if it were last week… I just broke down and finally cried out… to Whoever was listening… “Please just give me closure. I miss him as a friend. I miss all my friends. Please. All I ask is for closure. I have got to be able to move on.”

That was about 10:00 on a Saturday night. And about an hour later, the phone rang. I assumed it was either crazy Javier or a wrong number. It wasn’t. It was the boyfriend. Mr. Bumped His Head called on a Saturday night. First time in over a year. Just to talk. And we talked for nearly 3 hours that night. Both knowing it would be the last time.

But, what mattered even more than talking to him, was the fact that I was ‘heard’. By Whoever. I hung up the phone that night… and moved on… with a peace I had not known in quite some time…

"Sunday Stirrings"

In the middle of the night something startled the man, and he turned and discovered a woman lying at his feet. ”Who are you?” he asked. ”I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer.”
“The LORD bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character. Although it is true that I am near of kin, there is a kinsman-redeemer nearer than I. Stay here for the night, and in the morning, if he wants to redeem, good; let him redeem. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives, I will do it. Rest until morning.”

I’m just wrapping up the Kelly Minter study on “Ruth” this week and though each section has held interesting tid-bits I’ve never had the opportunity to nibble on before, there was a day this week that just really tugged at my heartstrings. A connection I had never made.

To read this passage of Ruth, you just appreciate the topical story at hand, if you’re like me. But, Kelly makes a correlation using it, that just gives the whole story a richer, more relatable meaning. She likens it to that of the time Jesus spent in the Garden of Gethsemane.

They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”
He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”
Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Kelly points out “both Boaz and Christ waited through a long night before arriving at a place where they were able to redeem. Both had obstacles standing in their way. Both had people whose lives depended on their ability to save.”
And, whether we’re asked to ‘rest until morning’ like Ruth or ‘keep watch and pray’ like the disciples, we are to remain close to our Redeemer as we wait.

And I don’t know about you, but I needed that reminder.

*For more Sunday Stirrings, check out my sister Jodi’s blog. She’s just begun hosting Sunday Stirrings as an outlet to share our weekly ’stirrings’ of the soul. And if you have a 'stirring' you'd like to share, C'mon! The more the merrier!!

~

Recommended Read

So, I read a new book. I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later, with all these piles of books laying around here.

But, actually, this is one I just stumbled upon Monday afternoon and picked up just to glance through at about 6:00 that evening and did not put down until I read the last page at 1:30 am. So much more than I expected!

I don’t really know how to describe it other than…. well… yeah, I really don’t know how to describe it. He talks about everything from architecture and art museums to cease fires and Hubble telescopes. Extravagent construction of private islands to inventors such as (my most favorite EVER) Willis Carrier ♥.
...And then some.

And somehow, he cleverly weaves all of this together in this one little book about the phenomenon that we know as ’facebook’. He talks about the developer of this break-through internet website and our basic human behavior, further explaining why it’s become such a seemingly overnight sensation and why it will probably continue to flourish.

Sooooo… all of this to say…. you’ve got to pick up a copy of “The Church of Facebook®”. You won’t be sorry.

And if you need Jesse himself to promote it, here ya go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaUzpgCVy-Y

And please, whatever you do, promise me that you won’t miss the footnotes! They’re the icing on the cake.

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Living out Your Story

Read a blog post the other day (yes, I still read them, even though I’ve gotten quite lax about writing one…) that was an interesting take on the whole New Year’s Resolutions idea.

It comes from Donald Miller’s blog and he, being an author puts our lives in the perspective of a storyline, if you will. Each month, each year, merely chapters making up a larger life story.

I just keep thinking about my storyline and the direction it’s taken and perhaps the direction I’d like to see it take. Any possible protagonists or antagonists I have met, or may encounter along the way.

I already know the main characters and setting. But, what about the plot? The recurring theme? The tone? Is it a work I could be proud of? What could it be titled up to this point? What would I like it to be titled? How can I live my life in such a way that this title would be fitting?

Like I say… very interesting. And thought-provoking. And maybe it’s just me, but I know I’m going into this whole new year with a whole new outlook on my life. And who knows… maybe a year from now, I’ll be looking back on a whole new story.

“If we don’t want something in our lives, our stories feel boring, long, meaningless and tired. We feel this way because we are sitting in the theater of our mind watching a story that isn’t getting started. Or worse, we are praying and asking God to give us a story while the entire time God is handing us a pen, telling us to write it ourselves. That’s why he gave us a will.”

Is there anything you would rewrite about your life if you could (bearing in mind, you can only change the present and the future… not so much the past)? If so, what and how?

~

For the video links to the Grace series I had referenced to back in November, from Passion City Church...

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http://bittersweetjess.wordpress.com/2010/01/03/follow-up/

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'Tis the Season...

*Please don’t take this post the wrong way and know that the true meaning of Christmas is certainly not lost on me and that it indeed means the world to me and I am not the least bit ashamed to say that. That said… *

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I feel sorry for the word ‘holiday’. I’m sure you know where I’m going with this. It’s become such a heated subject. ‘Christmas’ -vs- ‘Holiday’. ‘Christmas’ -vs- ‘Holiday’. I remember when the two were synonymous and joyfully went hand in hand and yet now, it seems, one is good and the other evil. I just feel like ‘holiday’ got caught in the crossfire. So, I can’t help but feel bad for it.

Now, I understand how folks (aka- corporations/ gov’t offices…) in today’s culture use it as a watered down, generalized, politically correct, don’t-wanna-step-on-any-toes replacement for the real deal ‘Christmas’. And, yes, that’s right up there on my list, along with no prayer in school and doing away with ‘In God We Trust’ on the currency (slowly, but oh so surely). And maybe if the alternate was a more secular word, I’d be more ruffled, but ‘holiday’ couldn’t have a more innocent intent. Aside from the British referring to their vacation time, its meaning is simply: ”A religious feast day; a holy day”. *Gasp!* Is that not what Christmas is?

Now, when it comes to those situations where officials try to dictate that you cannot say “Merry Christmas” (as a store clerk, for example), you certainly should take a stand, if that’s what you choose to say. But, I guess on the flip side, I resent being dictated to say “Merry Christmas” in order to prove to others that I am, indeed a Christian. Not that I wouldn’t say “Merry Christmas” otherwise. But, it’s become such a political stand now that it almost feels like I’m more trying to prove something than just sweetly wish folks (what should be) a blessed Holy Christmas season. And I resent the fact that now, should I get a Christmas card from someone that sweetly says “Happy Holidays” on the front, that my immediate reaction is that of judgment and bitterness. Instead of simple joy and appreciation.

Oh, how satan must love this time of year.

I guess I just hate all the lines being drawn in the sand. But, I guess it’s just the times we live in. And if I have to choose which side of the line I’m on, I will side on the politically incorrect side of “Merry Christmas”. But, not without feeling a little bit sad for the word ‘holiday’. That’s all.

~

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You know, there are great advantages to living so close to Atlanta, Ga.

One is that it’s the home of Chick-Fil-A and Waffle House. ~ Top that.
Another is that Hartsfield airport is one of the major hubs of air travel.
Third, we’re close to the Atlanta gift mart. (Major plus when you’re in retail.)
And lastly, we have the opportunity to go to regular worship with the likes of Louie Giglio and Chris Tomlin. ….Awesome!

Two weeks ago, I mentioned having gone to Passion City Church for the first time. It’s Louie Giglio, from Northpoint Community Church, heading up a new church for the greater Atlanta area. And the last time we checked it out, it was a message on grace being the power of Christ in us. Very powerful.

Well, I was excited to get to attend again this week for a continued message on grace: “Grace: The One and Only”.

Louie said, that in response to his previous messages on grace, he’s usually confronted with four common concerns:

1. 
   It all sounds too easy.
2. 
   Isn’t grace just permission to keep sinning?
3. 
   Shouldn’t I be doing something??
4. 
   I tried. It didn’t work.

Last night was his effort to address these concerns.

First concern: “It all sounds too easy.”

Louie refers us to Philippians 2:5-8. “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

It may sound all too easy. But, it certainly wasn’t easy when he was crushed, broken and pierced, paying the price, all alone, for our transgressions.
And as for our part… it may be easier said than done. When’s the last time you tried to humble yourself to complete obedience and die to self?

Moving right along….

Second concern: “Isn’t grace just permission to keep sinning?”

You know, sometimes I just love how the human mind works. Always looking for loopholes. Dressed up in the appearance of justification. And I love how God calls us out on it. In this instance, through Paul, in his letter to the Romans.
Paul responds to those who may have had a somewhat distorted view of God’s grace, arguing that since grace would be more abundant where sin was greater, they should just go on sinning in order to experience more grace. …. You know, just to help God out and give Him all the more glory. (I love it.)

In Chapter 6 (verse 2), Paul says “May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?!” Louie says that the Greek equivalent to “May it never be” or “By no means” or the likes is our “ **** no!” (So, needless to say, Paul was rather emphatic on this point.)

Paul reiterates in 15-18: “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! (Yikes! Here it is again!) Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”

We are all enslaved to something. Either to Him or to our sinful earthly nature.

To this point, Louie reminds us that true grace develops a desire to be more like Christ. The key is freedom. If the desire is not there to become more holy (set apart for God), you have not yet experienced true grace. It’s not until you feel the weight of the sins that He bore for you, that you have entered the grace that He is offering you. True grace propels you toward obedience. True grace births a hunger for His holiness.

Third concern: “Shouldn’t I be doing something??”

To address this concern, Louie directs us to 1 Corinthians 15:9-10: “For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church. But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.”

This goes back to the whole Christ working through me message.

Louie states that “Grace fuels furious work” but quickly reminds us that it is “with a whole new motive.”
We begin to act purposefully in grace not SO THAT we (fill in the blank) but rather BECAUSE we (fill in the blank). For example, we live out our lives in a manner of grace BECAUSE we are children of God, not SO THAT we will be a child a God. And so on and so forth…

His grace is already extended. We don’t have to earn it. We never could, even if we tried. Which brings us to the last concern.

Fourth concern: “I tried. It didn’t work.”

This one kind of hits back on the previous message, too, of Christ at work through me. And the whole idea of rededication. But, this time Louie points us back to Philippians 2:1-4: “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tenderness and mercies, make my joy complete, being likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord and of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem the other better than himself. Look not every man to his own things, but every man also to the things of others.”

In other words, Louie says “Don’t work FOR your salvation… work it OUT.” This begins with a humble spirit… with grace and with others.

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” (Phil. 2:13)

God works in us, to will and do (aka: the want-to and the know-how) accordingly. But, sometimes, Louie realizes, we even need a want-to to want to. And sometimes we don’t even want THAT want-to. But, he says “That’s alright. Even without a want-to, God’s grace is still there for us. Grace is about the next step, no matter where you are on the journey.”

God is extending His grace to you.
It’s up to you to believe it and receive it and see what it will do in your life.

~

All a Matter of Perspective

“Listen to this, you pleasure-loving kingdom, living at ease and feeling secure. You say, ‘I am the only one, and there is no other. I will never be a widow or lose my children…” (Isaiah 27:8)

~

Today, I am disheartened. Frustrated. And quite honestly, embarrassed.
To live in a nation such as ours and see such a skewed perspective on the whole.

We can mourn the passing of iconic (unnamed) entertainers for months, and even the future retirements of other iconic (unnamed) celebrities… and yet not give the downtrodden a second thought.
And we indulge in the richest foods known to man… while there are countless brothers and sisters in the world who’d be thrilled just to have clean water to drink.

The other evening, I had the great opportunity to hear Shaun Groves. And I’m so glad I got to go. Not only a gifted musician and singer, such a great example of a man after God’s own heart. Performing his music (for free) all over the country, he now not only shares his musical talent, but also his heart for Compassion International.

In raising awareness for Compassion, he told the story of how he got to meet one of his sponsored families. I encourage you to read it straight from him.

But, the part that made the greatest impression on me and hit me straight in the gut, on behalf of our entire privileged nation was this:
He described visiting one home in particular, that would fit in most of our garages here. With one little bench to sit on, that the father had made and discarded trash as a roof over their heads. At night, the ladies got to sleep inside, their fellas out in the street. And with eyes aglow, the girl proudly asked “Do you like my home?”

Later, he described being led through town, past complete squalor and desitution when he noticed big tears in the girl’s eyes. And when he asked what was wrong, she said “Oh, nothing! I just love God SO much!”

It was then that Shaun had to ask himself. Who are the truly poor here? Us, living under the shelter of false security of wealth and privilege? Or them, trusting in the shelter of the Most High for their every need for mere survival?

Jesus said that when we do for the least of these, we do unto Him. How about this year for Christmas, we focus on the One whose birth it is all about and do unto the least of these, in His name.

It’s so easy, in our culture, to turn and look the other way. We’re blessed to have that choice. But, others don’t and they need our help.
Let’s not go down as just another self-indulgent Babylonian empire saying “I am self-sufficient and not accountable to anyone!” (Isaiah 47:10)

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“No end in sight that I can see,
Today is blocked by the mirror in front of me.

A wreck, a death, tsunami tide,
It mildly stirs me, I must confide.
TV claims tens of thousands gone.
Oh well, let’s see what else is on.

Numb to the stunning sight
Of each new dawn,
Sinking fast in Babylon.” (Beth Moore)

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