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feeling old...sort of

Wow.  That is what I have to say about the past few days.  Here are my thoughts:

Friday- got a new hairdo.  Really straight is now the way to go.  I was told today that i look 12 years younger.  So I guess I look about 13 because people typically think I am 25. 

Saturday- more learning at the Chick.  I have a good job with new insight into being a servant almost daily.  It is so not about me.   Oh and a fun time with some friends- cold times on the porch, some poetry, some great food, fun conversation and RockBand.  (I gotta work on it but I know some folks who are great at it if you need some help.)  Heard that everything seems to be okay with my home inspection. Appraisal is ordered and I AM PACKING.  Woo hoo.  God is amazing...and gracious to answer my request for MY timetable! 

Sunday- Can I say that I am tremendously excited about the May Uganda trip?  I am.  We had our second team meeting today.  The first with everyone in attendance.   The team ate, filled out paperwork and then told our "stories"  I loved hearing them.  There are 5 college students going this trip and I loved hearing how God is working in their lives.  It made me feel old to remember how long ago it was that I was in college.  But it made me feel so young to hear the trust, faith, and the God bragging in their stories. These students are seeking to love on and speak the truth of God's word into those individuals around them.  In their circles.  And they are seeking to make less of themselves and more of Jesus.  My heart rejoices to think of what I heard today.  And look forward to spending time with them in the future.  I think this trip in May is going to be a lot of fun!

I have invited the team to share a little about their stories/journey toward Uganda with you so you may see some guest posting here in the future.  I will post pictures of everyone late in March after our next meeting.  

As I sat and listened to their stories and discussed what life looks like currently I kept being reminded of the passage AGAIN from Ephesians 3:20-21 ²⁰Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Posting this on faith with a little God bragging based on that....

Okay...sorry for the long title.  I don't like subject lines on email or on blog posts somedays.

I had posted selfishly about selling my house a week or two ago.  Well....

Contract signed.  Cash Sale on the line.  Home Inspection today.  Checked out my new living arrangement and am excited about that possibility being set up and arranged.   On faith that everything will work out I will begin packing tomorrow!

Did I mention my new digs includes a fireplace?  Can I say I LOVE fireplaces?  Can I say that I don't have one in my home I am selling?  God is full of surprises and attention to detail!  

My community group has been studying Ephesians....great book.  Love it.  Did a project/paper on part of it in Seminary (which made me love it more).  

I feel like I am learning new things about this :

^{Ephesians 3:20}Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

And as a side note...I think one of the home inspection guys must have sat on my couch today because my couch pillows smell weird.  Like a dude.  (that comment is blog bonus material :)

Have a great weekend.  Look for God.  Because He is here. and there. at work. 

A furious, broken heart

This is Gloria Kirabo.  She is 9.  In first grade.  Available for sponsorship through our project in Buloba, Uganda. 

 

Until today.

I received an email this afternoon from ARM's office in TX to remove her.

"She has gone home to be with the Lord."

It made me sad.  It broke my heart.  

I sent an email back and asked if they knew the circumstances.  

"All they said was malaria.  It's quite sad that a mosquito net which cost $7.00 could help prevent many cases of malaria along with some education on the proper use.  But $7.00 may as well be a hundred when you just don't have it."

That made me furious.  Something so "simple" and "preventable" took this child's life.  Furious that such injustice and inequality exists.  Righteous Fury.  Jealous Fury.  For the life of a child lost.  But oh how GREAT that she is with the Lord.  I trust she knew Jesus in her heart from such a statement.  I pray it is true.  A redeemed child that has gone to heaven.  But it still makes me angry.  

" Be fair to the poor and to the orphans.  Defend the helpless and everyone in need. Rescue the weak and homeless from the powerful hands of heartless people." Psalm 82:3-4

If you doubt your money sent to sponsor your child in Buloba makes a difference...it does.  Love the kids.  Here and there.  

Burn Your Ships

I have this great shirt that says "Burn Your Ships"  It came from the youth ministry I worked with in College.  When I went to Seminary the youth minister used an idea I told him one day.  Back in the Late 80's early 90's somewhere there was a song that spoke about burning your ships.  Great concept.  Unless you are the guy who wants to go back in the ship.

I finally found through the magic of Google who the explorer was who burned the ships.  Good ol Cortes.  See, he wanted to show his men that he was so committed to his work in South America he had the ships burned...no going back.  

I sit and think about the times that I wished my proverbial ship had been burned so I couldn't turn around and go back.  And I see how my proverbial ship was burned by God so I couldn't go back (much to my dismay several times).  God's way is the best way.  Sometimes I think that I am done with what He wants, so I head back towards the ship.  Then He informs me there is more.  Or says "Oh yeah, I burned the ship.  Keep going."  The times when my flesh rises up and forgets about the redemption of my soul and desires things it shouldn't.  I try to go back.  And the Holy Spirit speaks truth to my heart about turning around and going the way I should. 

I know there are tons of things wrong with this analogy.  But I know there is a ton right with it.  But what it boils down to is this:  I am a Christian.  Follower of Christ.  The old is gone, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5  Through the power of His blood. The life giving God breathed Truth of His Living and Active Word. (2 Timothy and Hebrews)   I don't want to go back.  Ever.   I want to press on, with His plan in my hand and His light leading the way to my path. (Psalms)

hope that made sense...i think I explained it terribly.

Happy New Year!

So how is 2009 working for you?  We successfully made it to February.  Inauguration, bye Bush, Hello Obama.  Stimulus bill finally passed.  It was cold for a little while, now it is warmer and we are already wishing for Spring.  How are those resolutions?  Honestly, I don’t really make them.  For those of you who do, I wonder if you remember them?  Just curious.  Just wanted to know because once January is gone it seems we don’t talk about our resolutions much, even in joking.

 

I feel like I am fast forwarding my life again.  Already thinking about May.  Already trying to figure out where I will be, what I will be doing, if my house will be mine still, what job will I be doing…. I mean it is already April in my head because I did my taxes already and got some money back, right?

 

Enter my big mouth meeting my prayer partner’s brain.  I explain how I am trying to figure out the formula to knowing how God works.  You know- “If I just do _____, then I know God will think I am ready to have this________.”  Knowing I am SO off base.  Knowing it DOESN’T work that way, but confessing outloud what I think my head has been doing lately.  And she simply said “just quit.  Just quit doing it and relax.”  End of conversation, but I am still processing how to make that happen.   Simply trust.  Simply rest.  Simply let HIM tell me when a decision needs to be made.  And to stop “What if, Then this….” 

 

I am glad God is a BIG God.  He loves me.  Pursues Me. Redeemed.  Forgiven.  Sung Over. 

 

Renew your mind daily…..spend time with Him, In His word, talking to Him...

•  Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.

• Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

It’s like “Happy New Year” everyday.  Good times. 2009 is working good for me today and I think it probably will tomorrow too.  Because God is there too.  And Oh yea.. He is in control too. 

Yep, she's my child

As many of you know out there in blog world, I sponsor a child. 

Her name is Resty.

This is her picture.

She is a sassy little thing.

I love her.

Have since I first saw her.

This is my first letter from her.

Her favorite color is blue (mine too).

Her favorite song is Baby Jesus (one of my English Ugandan favorites).

 

Just thought you might want to know.

You can sponsor a child too! First Sunday each month- worship space or go by the office when it is open and they can hook you up.  Only about 140 to go!

 

Local Opportunity-especially if you like planes!

I got this from the Red Cross.  CUMC supports them financially and we want to send some volunteers their way.  If you are interested there is an application link at the bottom of this post.  This is the first Saturday of Spring Break but a great opportunity for service!

As you may have heard, the Lee County Red Cross is gearing up for the Heroes Take Flight Fly-In at the Auburn Airport on Saturday, March 14, 2009. This is a fundraiser where we charge admission to the public so that they can see aircraft, military vehicles, and other displays brought in from Red Cross supporters. We also honor veterans at this event with a VIP area, where they can congregate and enjoy the day. 
 
We are also in great need of volunteers for the day. Last year we had about 250 volunteers, and this year we will need about 300. The volunteers need to be at least 16 years or older and physically able to do manual work throughout the day. We also need help the Friday before to help with setup at the airport. But the main event is where we need the most help. 

Download Fly-In Volunteer Application2009 

One of my favorite past times

Yes, this will pretty much have zero spiritual content, but I liked it.  If you love the muppets like I do, If you were around when the TV SHOW was actually on (and not just Sesame Street), then this might be fun for you.  

Go and check it out

And I promise to soon post something a little bit more spiritual and definitely talk about what God is doing around here.  

Bill Gates and his mosquitos

You gotta  love ol Bill.  And I love the point he was trying to make.  And I love even more the reaction of the Ebay executive.  (that last sentence was dripping with sarcasm). 

Read about it here

First Saturday

If you missed it this morning, you missed it! We had a TON of people come to join in on serving in our community.  

Shout out to Heath for helping with the youth construction site- 

Joe and Beth Ann from Alabama Rural Ministries for helping at both sites 

and all the TON of people who came.  

13 folks headed to Tuskegee to help paint the parsonage.  ARM staff stay there in the summer and work teams stay there during the year to help serve that community.   We had a crew of freshmen boys who got as much paint on them as they got on the hall wall.  Fun times.  

4 folks headed to a lady's home in Auburn to help clean up her yard.  I think 4 bags of stuff were picked up total between the trash and the leaves.  

And I don't know how many went out to the youth site- my guess is probably 30 folks?  Parent types, youth worker types, youth types, and some random other helpful types.  Amy Coxwell got some photos, so I will post them when I get them.  

Thank you to each of you who came to serve.  It may not seem like much but it WAS! 

First Saturday next month the youth will have a project then help clean up after the yard sale.  Everyone else is welcome to come help with the yard sale.  Especially from 11-12.  And as always - BRING US YOUR STUFF! :)  

Have a great Saturday- enjoy the weather and warm and SUN.  

View the pics here