Dutchess wouldn't get off the porch
He can never be serious!
Les's snowman... haha
And of course- Dad's "snow tea"- yeah this is definitely the South!Monday, December 29, 2008
a day in the snow...
The settings on my camera were messed up- that's why the picures are so grainy but some pictures are better than none in my book...
Dutchess wouldn't get off the porch
He can never be serious!
Les's snowman... haha
And of course- Dad's "snow tea"- yeah this is definitely the South!
Dutchess wouldn't get off the porchHe can never be serious! Les's snowman... haha And of course- Dad's "snow tea"- yeah this is definitely the South!
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Peace on Earth?
A friend of mine named Mattie Babb wrote this the other day- I thought it was pretty good:
I used to think it was so easy
I'd figure it out...just give me some time
Peace on Earth
Was it too lofty a goal?
It seems to me that everyone here is running in circles
heads cut off
hands in the air
It seems to me that peace is a word without a definition
No one knows WHAT exactly it means.
Yet we greet eachother with it
In the streets and to strangers
Shalom.
What a potent word
That has lost it's edge
Do I know what it means?
I know peace in the context of my God.
I know it as an unseen, calming force
I know it as a melody.
As a cradle.
But what does one do when their god has called them to war?
Or when religion is without faith or hope...when it is merely a routine, passed down through generations?
What does one do with millions of people, all in pursuit of of what they BELIEVE to be true.
I quit.
wait. maybe I don't.
I don't know anymore.
Most days, I look into the eyes of those around me
Those who, like me, have come to heart of the swell
In hopes of changing the tide
And while ambition surrounds us
I wonder if we are really capable
{We aren't}
No matter how smart
How passionate
Or how charismatic we are....We aren't strong enough for this
Not on our own merit, at least
So like I child, desperate, frightened and confused
I turn to the father
and i ask...
What now shall we do?
he speaks
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.{1 John 4:4}
It's ok
I'm not supposed to have all the answers
But I must act
I cannot be still
And so I ask again
What shall I do?
And he responds
With simplicity and clarity
3 words.
That is all
{Pray}
and never stop praying
{Love}
and never stop loving
{Believe}
and never lose heart
I'll move the mountain
I'll calm the sea
That is all
That is all
That is all
For love, which conquers all, is the only force strong enough to pull us out
And prayer, as quiet or as secret as it may be, holds power beyond our knowledge
And faith, the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, is the means by which we are able to carry on...it keeps us alive.
So hold on my children
Be strong my friends
We're in deep
But everythings not lost
I used to think it was so easy
I'd figure it out...just give me some time
Peace on Earth
Was it too lofty a goal?
It seems to me that everyone here is running in circles
heads cut off
hands in the air
It seems to me that peace is a word without a definition
No one knows WHAT exactly it means.
Yet we greet eachother with it
In the streets and to strangers
Shalom.
What a potent word
That has lost it's edge
Do I know what it means?
I know peace in the context of my God.
I know it as an unseen, calming force
I know it as a melody.
As a cradle.
But what does one do when their god has called them to war?
Or when religion is without faith or hope...when it is merely a routine, passed down through generations?
What does one do with millions of people, all in pursuit of of what they BELIEVE to be true.
I quit.
wait. maybe I don't.
I don't know anymore.
Most days, I look into the eyes of those around me
Those who, like me, have come to heart of the swell
In hopes of changing the tide
And while ambition surrounds us
I wonder if we are really capable
{We aren't}
No matter how smart
How passionate
Or how charismatic we are....We aren't strong enough for this
Not on our own merit, at least
So like I child, desperate, frightened and confused
I turn to the father
and i ask...
What now shall we do?
he speaks
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.{1 John 4:4}
It's ok
I'm not supposed to have all the answers
But I must act
I cannot be still
And so I ask again
What shall I do?
And he responds
With simplicity and clarity
3 words.
That is all
{Pray}
and never stop praying
{Love}
and never stop loving
{Believe}
and never lose heart
I'll move the mountain
I'll calm the sea
That is all
That is all
That is all
For love, which conquers all, is the only force strong enough to pull us out
And prayer, as quiet or as secret as it may be, holds power beyond our knowledge
And faith, the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, is the means by which we are able to carry on...it keeps us alive.
So hold on my children
Be strong my friends
We're in deep
But everythings not lost
It's not about Obama
Early yesterday morning I came to before my alarm went off not knowing who had won the election. As I was pondering who it could have been the Lord spoke to me and said: " Obama won the election but my people are not to worry. Do not fear or let doubt arise in your hearts. For this is a time of true separation from the world. This is a time that the true Body of Christ will rise up and be able to be clearly distinguished from the religion and hypocrisy that I so despise. In this time there will be a great weeding out for I am drawing a line in the sand separating the true believers from the fake, self-seeking people. Either you are my people, righteously walking in obedience to my word in communion and fellowship with me and the Body, or you are not. But this is a time where the world will know who the true followers of Christ are because they will see the way that you live in correlation to the things you say." I just wanted to share that with y'all.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Guilty
After talking to Deanna last night I realized how long it's been since I updated this thing. In my defense I've been working on a post little by little- it's just taking me forever to get everything down. That will be coming soon...hopefully ;)
On another note things are going by fast. I can't believe the first semester of senior year is almost over! As much as I don't like school I must say that this year has been the best so far. I think mainly because I can see a light at the end...I am so thankful for everyone God has put in my life. The relationships I have with you all prove to me everyday His unending faithfulness. God has really been doing a lot in me and I can type it all out (I'm working on it) but it just takes so long to explain. For those of you who don't know I'm going to be going to Louisiana College in the fall. August 25th to be exact. I'm excited to see how that is going to go. There is just a lot of change going on but it's not unwanted- I can say that for sure. Anyway, I just wanted to drop a couple of lines to make it look like I'm not completely neglecting this thing, lol. Hopefully I get something else posted soon.
Just for you Deanna! I miss you and love you very much!
oh and by the way- if y'all think about it try to take some pictures of people so we can send them to Deanna...
On another note things are going by fast. I can't believe the first semester of senior year is almost over! As much as I don't like school I must say that this year has been the best so far. I think mainly because I can see a light at the end...I am so thankful for everyone God has put in my life. The relationships I have with you all prove to me everyday His unending faithfulness. God has really been doing a lot in me and I can type it all out (I'm working on it) but it just takes so long to explain. For those of you who don't know I'm going to be going to Louisiana College in the fall. August 25th to be exact. I'm excited to see how that is going to go. There is just a lot of change going on but it's not unwanted- I can say that for sure. Anyway, I just wanted to drop a couple of lines to make it look like I'm not completely neglecting this thing, lol. Hopefully I get something else posted soon.
Just for you Deanna! I miss you and love you very much!
oh and by the way- if y'all think about it try to take some pictures of people so we can send them to Deanna...
Saturday, September 13, 2008
So it's been a while...
I know....one month and four days. With school starting and the hurricane it has made for a very interesting month. The simple fact that I'm a senior in high school and this time next year I'll be in college somewhat scares the mess out of me! I feel too little to go to college :) But I'm excited. School so far hasn't been to difficult yet. For those of you who don't know I'm taking six classes this year due to the dumb rule set up by the school but I won't complain too much. Hopefully it will help me. I get out at 1:48 now- that's nice. I'm taking Physics with BJ's old Physics teacher...it's okay. Most of my friends are already in a bind with that class but I'm sure it'll get better. Advanced Math honors isn't so bad thanks to my Algebra II teacher last year- he did a very good job. Art IV is just okay right now. We are drawing instruments- and most of you know how much I just adore still-lifes! English IV AP is rather irksome, The Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad I believe will be the death of me. I (for lack of a better word) hate it. Psychology is the most boring class I've ever taken in my entire life (minus economics- at least Mr. O'Brien is interesting as a person). My favorite class believe it or not is my Bible (as history/lit.) class. I love it. Mr. Mitchell is an amazing teacher and the discussions that we have...lets just say I'm havin' me some fun! :D.
About my Bible class: We have been studying Creation/The Fall of Man. Which has been neat. There has been some things that I've never seen before. As we were talking the other day I was thinking about some things...
Philo's commentary (a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher born in Alexandria, Egypt) suggested that in the Garden Adam and Eve were covered/surrounded in light and that's why they didn't know of their nakedness until their eyes were opened. I like that thought and saw some interesting things that I have seen before, I just saw more of it :).
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." John 1:1-4
The Word says that God is light and in Him their is no darkness. If Man was surrounded by light and God is light then they were in God. Genesis also says that God breathed into Man the breath of life and Man became a living soul. This wasn't just talking about physical life but spiritual- so not only were they in God but God was in them. When they rebelled against Him by the whole eating the fruit thing they sinned and darkness came into the picture therefore God had to leave them. Light and darkness couldn't mix and Man tried to hide from their Creator. After this God doesn't have this same kind of close relationship with Man. (Man in Him and Him in Man). But then Christ comes, to walk among the people as the Son of Man. I then thought about the Scripture everyone knows, John 3:16.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
That's nice but when you read on into verse 19 this struck me:
"And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." John 3:19-21
We know that the light that came into the world was Christ but men loved the darkness instead. They don't come to the light lest what they have done be exposed. But those who do the truth come to the light and their deeds are done in Him. God's heart is relationship with Man. Jesus prayed in the garden...
"that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."John 17:21-26
All these things tie together and may seem so very simple but in my eyes this week I got a greater revelation of His will, His purpose. It's easy for people of the world to ask why, to challenge God's reasoning for doing the things that He has done but, God just confirmed in me this past week that it's all about relationship with Christ and Man...for His ultimate glory!
For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous." Romans 5:19
When Christ died the veil was ripped from top to bottom. A symbol showing that God left to never again dwell in temples made with hands(Acts 17:24) but in us who are called to be a holy habitation for Him, the author and the finisher of our faith. To live and move and have our being, our very essence in Christ. For that is the mystery of the gospel- Christ in you the hope of glory! (Col. 1:27)
So this past week God has just reconfirmed and encouraged me in some things. Refocused may be a better word. Reminded me of the importance of walking out this life in total obedience to Christ and His will. The importance of digging my own well, a deep well, and drinking from it. Drinking from the waters of life. We are filled with God's life, light, and love and by these things in us all men will know Him!
"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14,16
About my Bible class: We have been studying Creation/The Fall of Man. Which has been neat. There has been some things that I've never seen before. As we were talking the other day I was thinking about some things...
Philo's commentary (a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher born in Alexandria, Egypt) suggested that in the Garden Adam and Eve were covered/surrounded in light and that's why they didn't know of their nakedness until their eyes were opened. I like that thought and saw some interesting things that I have seen before, I just saw more of it :).
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." John 1:1-4
The Word says that God is light and in Him their is no darkness. If Man was surrounded by light and God is light then they were in God. Genesis also says that God breathed into Man the breath of life and Man became a living soul. This wasn't just talking about physical life but spiritual- so not only were they in God but God was in them. When they rebelled against Him by the whole eating the fruit thing they sinned and darkness came into the picture therefore God had to leave them. Light and darkness couldn't mix and Man tried to hide from their Creator. After this God doesn't have this same kind of close relationship with Man. (Man in Him and Him in Man). But then Christ comes, to walk among the people as the Son of Man. I then thought about the Scripture everyone knows, John 3:16.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
That's nice but when you read on into verse 19 this struck me:
"And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." John 3:19-21
We know that the light that came into the world was Christ but men loved the darkness instead. They don't come to the light lest what they have done be exposed. But those who do the truth come to the light and their deeds are done in Him. God's heart is relationship with Man. Jesus prayed in the garden...
"that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."John 17:21-26
All these things tie together and may seem so very simple but in my eyes this week I got a greater revelation of His will, His purpose. It's easy for people of the world to ask why, to challenge God's reasoning for doing the things that He has done but, God just confirmed in me this past week that it's all about relationship with Christ and Man...for His ultimate glory!
For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous." Romans 5:19
When Christ died the veil was ripped from top to bottom. A symbol showing that God left to never again dwell in temples made with hands(Acts 17:24) but in us who are called to be a holy habitation for Him, the author and the finisher of our faith. To live and move and have our being, our very essence in Christ. For that is the mystery of the gospel- Christ in you the hope of glory! (Col. 1:27)
So this past week God has just reconfirmed and encouraged me in some things. Refocused may be a better word. Reminded me of the importance of walking out this life in total obedience to Christ and His will. The importance of digging my own well, a deep well, and drinking from it. Drinking from the waters of life. We are filled with God's life, light, and love and by these things in us all men will know Him!
"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14,16
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Jason Upton Lyrics
There's a power in poverty that breaks principalities
It brings authorities down to their knees
There's a brewing frustration
In ageless temptation fight for control my some manipulation
The God of the kingdoms and God of the nations
God of creation sends this revelation for the homeless and penniless:
Jesus the Son
THE POOR WILL INHERIT THE KINGDOM TO COME
Where will we turn when our world falls apart
and all of the treasures we've stored in our barns can't buy the kingdom of God
Who will we praise when we have praised all our lives
Men who build kingdoms and men who build things
but Heaven does not know their names
and what will we fear when all that remains is
GOD ON THE THRONE
with a child in His arms and love in His eyes
and the sound of His heart cry...
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Grace...
Something I found written by Ron McGatlin:
Either we are changing more every day into the image of Christ or we are not...This determines the sincerity of our Christianity...However, many "American" Christians seem to lean on the "Grace of God" as a means of getting to Heaven when it is in fact not some secret password through the Pearly Gates.
One abominable lie causing dangerous deception today involves a misconception of the biblical word "grace" and the work of the cross. The implication of the lie is that we can enter into the fullness of kingdom of heaven living carrying our unclean, covetous, lying ways with us. The lie says we are righteous and acceptable in the sight of God to enter into the kingdom of God lifestyle because of the grace of God and the blood of Jesus shed on the cross; we are righteous and acceptable in His sight to enter into the good kingdom of God lifestyle without changing.
The biblical word "grace" was redefined to mean only “unmerited favor” and that was interpreted to mean that we did not need to quit sinning and in fact could not in this life on earth. Here is the Strongs Greek dictionary definition of "charis," which is the word translated "grace" in the New Testament.
G5485. charis, khar'-ece; from G5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstr. or concr.; lit., fig. or spiritual; espec. the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude.
Please look at that definition carefully. Does unmerited appear anywhere? The Bible translators translated charis into a number of English words none of which contained the concept of unmerited favor. Charis does have to do with a gift or work of God in man. Grace is the influence or impact of God upon the heart and its reflection in the life. The word "influence" sounds benign, but not when you consider that the influence of God could change all creation in an instant. The influence of God is potentially very powerful. Grace is God in us changing our hearts and our lives. Grace is the empowerment of God to live godly and do the supernatural works of God. Grace empowers us to stop doing sin and live holy lives. Grace is the work of God in us and through us. Grace is not a whitewash covering for our continued sinful living. Grace does not forgive our sin; it stops our sinning. Grace is the love of God changing us from living as sons of Adam to living as sons of God through Christ the last Adam.
It is God’s mercy that forgives sin. Mercy forgives our past sin, and grace prevents our future sin as it empowers us to live holy. We are not destroyed because of the mercy of God. We have abundant life by grace.
Mercy relates to the cross of Christ and the absolution of the curse of sin and iniquity. Grace relates to the resurrection of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit influencing our hearts and lives with the resurrection life of Christ.
Either we are changing more every day into the image of Christ or we are not...This determines the sincerity of our Christianity...However, many "American" Christians seem to lean on the "Grace of God" as a means of getting to Heaven when it is in fact not some secret password through the Pearly Gates.
One abominable lie causing dangerous deception today involves a misconception of the biblical word "grace" and the work of the cross. The implication of the lie is that we can enter into the fullness of kingdom of heaven living carrying our unclean, covetous, lying ways with us. The lie says we are righteous and acceptable in the sight of God to enter into the kingdom of God lifestyle because of the grace of God and the blood of Jesus shed on the cross; we are righteous and acceptable in His sight to enter into the good kingdom of God lifestyle without changing.
The biblical word "grace" was redefined to mean only “unmerited favor” and that was interpreted to mean that we did not need to quit sinning and in fact could not in this life on earth. Here is the Strongs Greek dictionary definition of "charis," which is the word translated "grace" in the New Testament.
G5485. charis, khar'-ece; from G5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstr. or concr.; lit., fig. or spiritual; espec. the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude.
Please look at that definition carefully. Does unmerited appear anywhere? The Bible translators translated charis into a number of English words none of which contained the concept of unmerited favor. Charis does have to do with a gift or work of God in man. Grace is the influence or impact of God upon the heart and its reflection in the life. The word "influence" sounds benign, but not when you consider that the influence of God could change all creation in an instant. The influence of God is potentially very powerful. Grace is God in us changing our hearts and our lives. Grace is the empowerment of God to live godly and do the supernatural works of God. Grace empowers us to stop doing sin and live holy lives. Grace is the work of God in us and through us. Grace is not a whitewash covering for our continued sinful living. Grace does not forgive our sin; it stops our sinning. Grace is the love of God changing us from living as sons of Adam to living as sons of God through Christ the last Adam.
It is God’s mercy that forgives sin. Mercy forgives our past sin, and grace prevents our future sin as it empowers us to live holy. We are not destroyed because of the mercy of God. We have abundant life by grace.
Mercy relates to the cross of Christ and the absolution of the curse of sin and iniquity. Grace relates to the resurrection of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit influencing our hearts and lives with the resurrection life of Christ.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Lazy, I know....
I had to delete the slide show of 346 photos because it was messing with my antivirus...sorry
Just click the picture below to see the pics individually.
Just click the picture below to see the pics individually.
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| North Carolina Vacation 2 |
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Friday, July 04, 2008
Chimney Rock
Thursday we went to Chimney Rock Park. It was about 18 miles from Hendersonville. It has 75-mile views, nature trails, and a 404-foot waterfall with a bunch of rocks. Huge rocks. To get to the top of the mountain, the Chimney, you can take a 26 story elevator that lasts for exactly 30 seconds. This park is where "The Last of the Mohicans" was filmed. It was one of my favorite places.
Blue Ridge Parkway Any Day
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
We took the Blue Ridge Parkway from Hendersonville all the way to Cherokee. It was fun. Our goal was to see waterfalls but that's the only thing we didn't end up seeing....oh well.
Okay, these little fish really gross me out for some reason...
How Fast Can You Go?
We took the Blue Ridge Parkway from Hendersonville all the way to Cherokee. It was fun. Our goal was to see waterfalls but that's the only thing we didn't end up seeing....oh well.
Okay, these little fish really gross me out for some reason...
Let's Go See Some Waterfalls
How Fast Can You Go?
Isn't It Pretty?
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