About Me

My photo
I'm just a 28 year old woman that married the man of my answered prayers on July 18, 2009. We have our sweet Ella that was born in September of 2010 and our precious Charlotte that was born in February of 2012! On March 24, 2013, our first son was born, Josiah Warner. After a complicated pregnancy, he was born very prematurely and lived less than an hour before going to be with Jesus. Through life's ups and downs, I'm trying to figure out how to follow Jesus. I mean, really follow Jesus. The kind of following where things start to change. It's time to put action to the passion

Monday, March 30, 2009

My Man Has Left Me...For The Week

John left yesterday afternoon bound for the Dream Center in Atlanta, Georgia. He and 55 teenagers from Ampd Student Ministry are in for a week of loving the broken in that area. They come back Saturday afternoon, which will not be a moment too soon for me!

One of the first things that attracted me to John was when he talked about the Dream Center in Los Angeles, California. When sparks first started flying between John and I, he had just come home from a 2 week trip to work with DC in California. He couldn't stop telling stories about all of the cool things they were doing for Jesus. And, if you couldn't tell from my last two blogs, I like cool things for Jesus! So, this cute guy definitely had my attention while he talked passionately about why he didn't understand how every city didn't do outreach like the Dream Center.

I am so excited he's in Atlanta this week! Him and I talk all the time about going (or even moving) out to Los Angeles and helping with the Dream Center in some way. We can't wait until we actually get to go out there!

Even though I already feel like a lost puppy without my beloved fiance, I know he'll have a great trip! Golly, I really do miss him already, but Saturday will be here before we know it!

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Soapbox Sermon

Those that have known me for any extended length of time know that I don't mind climbing up on a soapbox to tell it like it is. Well, this week has been no different. I carry an oversized purse to keep my portable soapbox handy at all times, so let me get it really quick...

Okay, here's the deal, I went to an event at a local college here in town that featured three keynote speakers: a Jewish Rabbi, a Christian Pastor, and a Muslim Imam. Each speaker was given around 20 minutes to just talk about their religion and how it's different than the other two Abrahamic faiths. The event happens every year and is sponsored by three different organizations on campus that represent each of the religions. After the speakers discuss, there is a short break for people to write out their questions, then we come back to a question and answer time.

I sat with my friends that are of the Islamic faith and we got ready for the big discussion of all the religions. First, the Rabbi. He was there last year, so I pretty much knew what to expect. Now, it's time for the Pastor. This was his first time being there, because the prior two years it was a different man. I'm all ready for this guy to knock one out of the park for the home team!! But instead...

He spent 19.5 of his 20 minutes talking about Genesis and how God is the creator. Um, did you miss the sign on the door? These are the three Abrahamic faiths, we all agree that God must be the creator. And, um, did you miss the presumably fine print on the sign on the door? The Jewish Rabbi had Genesis covered.

But, I guess you're right, sir, a 30 second spiel where you mention Jesus' name twice would be sufficient to this crowd. I mean, why bore them with the whole Messiah/Son of God/Savior of the world sermon? Because, let's face it, the Rabbi or the Imam won't acknowledge Jesus as those things, so why should we? Right?

WRONG.

I almost stormed the stage and took the microphone. Even one of my Muslim friends was wondering why the Christian speaker didn't talk about Jesus. Really? I mean, really?? My friend that has never even stepped inside of a Christian gathering was wondering why the Pastor guy wimped out and never discussed Jesus. Of course I told her it was ridiculous and that Jesus is the center of our faith.

Is this the state of American Christianity? Have we become so scared and numb that we can't even talk about Jesus in a platform that we've been given to freely do so? Don't get me wrong, it may come off as though I am bashing the guy. But, believe it or not, I really don't hate him. I am sure he had great intentions and that he truly loves Jesus. I just think that we as an American Christian sub-culture are becoming more and more apathetic. I think we have just learned from other apathetic people that came before us.

We're scared. We were burned once or twice. We've forgotten what it's like to live with passion and share Jesus with the world. We've forgotten what it was like that first year we were Christians and everything we learned about Jesus was so exciting.

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control" 2 Tim 1:7

It's time for me to start living like Jesus. It's time for me to boldly proclaim His death and resurrection no matter what the situation.

"And he [Jesus] was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words." Luke 19:47, 48

I hope my words are so filled of truth that no one could even try to shut me down because all of the people are hanging on every word...

Thursday, March 19, 2009

It's Time to Put Action to the Passion

Here I am. Blogging. I'm really gonna stink at this whole blogging concept. I have recently become obsessed in following people's blogs and they are all much better writers than me. But, hey, this will make it easier to follow them now, right?

What's the first thing to do when making a blog?
Come up with a cool name!

Am I cool enough to come up with an awesome name?
Well, no.

Should I just listen to my favorite songs from the Antioch Church in Waco, TX and steal a quote from Heather Mercer as my blog name?
YES! Clearly, this is the only option!

It's time to put action to the passion. I'm tired of sitting around with all of this bottled up love for Jesus.
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? James 2:14

I mean, I'm ready to start living my life as close to Jesus' life as possible. I want to start having actions where even other Christians begin to think, "ummm, not sure about that..."
If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? James 2:15, 16

I want to be doing exactly what God is calling me to do when Jesus comes back. I think that I would probably be pretty ashamed if Jesus came back right now. I'm getting ready for that 'something more' in living my life out for Jesus.

it's time to put action to the passion