Luke and Skip Football Fundamentals.

This is flippin' hilarious.

Jesus, Jewelry, and a Wedding dress,

This morning as I was talking to Precious Jesus on the way to church, He kept bringing a Scripture I read a few weeks ago to my mind...When I first read it, I didn't even think anything of it; I just continued reading the rest of the chapter...But, this morning, it just kept coming up.

"Does a young woman forget her jewelry? Does a bride hide her wedding dress? Yet for years on end my people have forgotten me...."--Jeremiah 2:32.

Read it again. and again. and again.

"Does a young woman forget her jewelry?"

The answer to that question is "No." This morning I was running late, and I COMPLETELY forgot to put on my jewelry (which I guess was the Holy Spirit's way of helping me understand this verse). I was wearing a black dress. Do you know how ridiculous a black dress looks without jewelry? It looks UG-ly and dark. I didn't even notice until I got in my car and started it. Then, I realized it. I debated whether I should go ahead and go to church and be on time or go get my jewelry. And, girls, you all know which one I chose (b/c I am sure you all have done it too)...I went and got my jewelry! Then, headed on my way. How many times do we get in the car, realize we forgot to "put on our Jesus" for the day, but we just continue on our way? I do it way.too.often. When I do this, I realize throughout that day that my attitude and words are uglier than a black dress without jewelry. So, why would I risk being late for something to put on jewelry, but I won't risk being late to make sure my heart is in tune with His heart for the day? Our lives are so ugly and dark without Christ radiating in them...and He doesn't radiate unless we let Him.



Second question God asks His people:

Does a bride hide her wedding dress?

Whattttt. Who would hide their wedding dress? NO ONE. It costs a junk load of money...I want to wear my wedding dress every flippin' day to get my money's worth out of it. So what? Judge me. Jesus' blood washes us white as snow (or like a wedding dress). A wedding dress is a sign of purity. Jesus makes us pure. We are His bride, and He gives us the whitest dress possible to wear everyday...It will never get ink or dirt on it...And we hide it. We cover it up... When we put the dress (or, boys, the uh, polo) of righteousness on, we aren't supposed to hide it. We have no good without Him...But, with His righteousness on, we radiate His goodness to a dark, broken world. So, why do we hide the very Light in our souls? Why would we hide something that cost Him so much to give it to us?



God asks His people those two questions and then says, "Yet for years on end my people have forgotten me..."



Jesus asked me those very same questions this morning...

"If you would go back inside to get your jewelry to make your outfit look brighter this morning...Why would you forget to get your heart in tune with Mine some days?

If you would show off your wedding dress every chance you got...Why do you hide my gift of salvation so often?...

Why do you forget Me? I am your very LIFE and BREATH... If you forget Me, you forget to live, you forget to breathe...Remember Me..."

"I love you to the moon and back..."

Unless you have been hiding under a rock the past few years, you have heard of the musical Wicked...And, basically, if you are a girl, you have identified with these lyrics...


"She who's winsome, she wins him
Gold hair with a gentle curl
That's the girl he chose
And Heaven knows
I'm not that girl

Don't wish, don't start
Wishing only wounds the heart
I wasn't born for the rose and the pearl
There's a girl I know
He loves her so
I'm not that girl..."

Sometimes when I listen to this song, I just sit and cry. I think about all the times that I have liked a boy so so so much, and then he ended up with the tall, pretty blonde (with a gentle curl)instead...and I was left saying, "That's the girl he chose, and heaven knows, I'm not that girl..." It hurts. It breaks you. It makes your heart fill with thoughts straight from Satan's mouth...

Words like:
You will never be good enough.
You just aren't as pretty as the other girls...
No guy will ever want you...
You will be the old lady with cats one day...
I don't know why you even try...Just give up.
No one will ever treasure you, love you, fight for you, or pray for you. That's for the pretty girls...
Your dream of a man after God's heart is only a dream...nothing more.
God doesn't have good plans for you...He doesn't.
You are nothing but ashes to Him. Why can't you understand that?


And it leaves you defeated. Until Sweet Jesus frees your heart with His words of truth...His words wash over the lies that bind your soul...He says,

"You are My bride...The one who I gave my life for so that you could come before my Father in a white dress. I've washed you clean...For you, I bleed Myself dry. I am jealous for you... More than you know. My anger towards the things that take you from Me is endless. I will show no mercy towards those things... Nothing can snatch you from My hand--no money, nothing...I am here, always. I am fighting for you...(Prov. 6:32-35) You are beautiful. You aren't good enough without me... A part from me, you are nothing but ashes... BUT, I make beauty from the ashes (Isaiah 61:3). I am enough for you...live your life fully satisfied in ME, and one day, I will bring a long a companion for you...One who I have picked for you...To show you a picture of My love for you...I have a plan...Trust me. Trust me. Your dreams and desires are safe with Me...Trust me. I love you to the moon and back..."

Thoughts on Proverbs 31.

I love Proverbs 31--from start to finish.

vs. 8-9 are the verses that I feel like ABBA has engraved on my heart...They are words that He brings me back to anytime I think about what career to pursue.

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice."

This is what He keeps whispering into my ears... I don't know exactly how He is going to use me to bring these words to life, but He is starting to lay dreams and desires on my heart that are in that direction.



"It is a safe thing to trust Him with the desires which He creates..."-Amy Carmichael.



vs. 20 is what I want my life to be...I want every moment of my life to tell the story of this verse. "She always extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy..."



vs. 25. "She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future..." I want to have such a deep trust in ABBA and His goodness that I don't worry about the future....I want to have such a trust in Him that I realize that every earthly possession could be taken from me, and I would still have complete satisfaction in Him...



vs. 26. "When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness..." I want to be filled with God's wisdom. Wisdom comes from God's Word. So, really, I want to be a someone who is always digging into His Word and putting it into action. I want to live a life of wisdom. I also want my words to be filled with kindness--no matter what. I want my words to give life. (Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose” [proverbs 18.21]).



vs. 11-12 are essential. "Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life..." ALL the days of her life. It is so easy to read this verse and say, "It means after you are married..." No... It doesn't. Crazy. We are to bring "him" good all the days of our lives. Including today. We are to give him reason to trust us by living a life that is respectful to him right now...Which means, not giving your heart to boy after boy, dressing modestly, and most importantly, living life according to God's Word...



Real Talk, real talk, real talk. God's Word always is Real Talk.

Heart Happenings.

Hi, my name is Rachel, and I am a write-aholic. I think I might enter myself into a 12 step program to get over this addiction that I have with words. It's on the verge of ridiculous. When my mind is racing, I pull out my computer or a pen and write it out. That's why there has been about a million blog posts the past few weeks...My mind has been racing,my heart dreaming, faster than Michael Phelps swims.

My heart has recently gone through some changing and realizations...
I am nothing.
I deserve nothing.
Yet, He gives me everything I could ever need.
"The ONE who we deserve the least is the ONE we need the most and the ONE who desires us the most..."
I have realized that we were made for love. I was made to need it, receive it, and more than anything, I was made to give it..."The greatest of these is LOVE..."

I am trying to figure out what the future is going to look like, and Jesus keeps saying, "Wait for it, child...Wait. I'll show you soon...Right now, live in the moment...Live in My presence and power..."

Also, I have this heart-longing to do orphanage work this summer out of the country. As you know if you know me at all, I want to start and orphanage or a teens home, so I obviously need to get some experience...Well, that and I love kids more than anything! :) So, I'm praying, listening, and pursuing with all I have. I know He has a plan...and I'm trusting Him...I'm looking into Uganda, Guatemala (where my precious Isaac lives--the beautiful boy I have been blessed with to sponsor...love him to pieces), and the Philippines. If you think about it, pray that Abba would reveal to me His direction and that I would listen to His voice saying, "This is the way; turn around and walk in it..." even when His plans and mine don't match. "My thoughts are not your thoughts...My ways are not your ways..."

Love. Love. Love.

Goals for myself this semester:

1.) Make an A in my Geology class...Apparently, very few people make above a C in this professor's classes. So, I decided to make an A. And I will. I will work my booty off till I do. Yessss.

2.) Find a job! I need one badly. So, if you know of one, hit me up.

3.) Save $2000 for college next year.

4.) Run/jog/walk a total of at least 16 miles a week. This seems like no big deal, but I have to find the time to do it... I am taking up running as a hobby though, wish me luck.

5.) Stop drinking any kind of soft drink. Boom bam done.

6.) Go to sleep by midnight every night...(except during finals week--duh).

7.) Use my time during classes as straight-up Jesus time.

8.) Put $400 in savings for a new computer...Marshall is about to bite the dust.

9.) Spend one night a week at Panera to just rejuvenate.

That's an odd number. Deal with it.

"I have decided...I have resolved..."

"I have decided, I have resolved to wait upon you Lord...My rock and redeemer shield, and reward...I'll wait upon you Lord

Chains be broken!
Lives be healed!
Eyes be opened!
Christ is revealed!"

These are a few of my favorite things...(in a singing voice of course).

1. Love. I know that sounds so silly, but it really is one of my favorite things. Not the romantic kind, the family and friends kind. I love the kind of love that is full of grace. I love when people "give the room to be and the grace to become"...

2. Rubbermaid bins that are bright colors. Yes, they are on sale at Wal-Mart for $4. Yes, I did just buy three of them. Yes, they are all different colors.

3. Dressing up for no reason. Sometimes, I just dress up for the fun of it. Maybe it's just a girl thing...I'm not really sure. I did this Friday...I put on my black dress and some jewelry and went to Panera to read and write and talk to Jesus...Which leads me to...

4. Going places by myself. Judge me if you want...I love it. I'm an introvert. I LOVE people. I love making people feel at home, laughing with them, sharing stories, and talking about nonsense, but after a while of it, I get drained (mentally, emotionally, and physically)...I feel like I have to be constantly "on" and entertaining... I am good for a week at a time, then I need a day to rejuvenate. (I can be around people that know me really well for long periods of time...) But really, I like to just go places by myself, sit down, read, write, dream (without anyone questioning the dreams), people watch, and just stare blankly (I do this on a regular basis)...Then, I leave, go back to life and its demands, and try to act like an extrovert for the next week...

5. People who dare to dream big, crazy dreams.

6. People who are honest and real...I like when people don't try to hide their struggles. I try to be that kind of person. I'm not perfect. I'm a girl who is full of broken dreams and unanswered questions...and you are too. I don't want you to feel like you have to hide it around me...

7. Eating healthy. I love how your skin looks better, you have more energy, and your hair feels better. It's just beautiful.

8. I love football. I have missed it... and it's now coming back into my life at a crazy pace. I love every second of it.

9. People who are real in their faith. I have recently become annoyed with over-the-top, hit-you-over-the-head with a Bible Christians who are Fox News lovers and talk more about right doctrine than living it. I think Christians are so weird, myself included. We talk weird...wear weird things, etc. We try to put on this perfect facade... One day it's going to crumble...One day.

10. Lists. I love lists. I need them to survive. I have lists for everything....I have one for what I am wearing to church tomorrow, what I need to do to be prepared for Monday's classes, things I need to do to get organized, books I want to read, things to do before I die, a list of characteristics I want to describe me, a list of places I want to visit, things I want to accomplish, favorite quotes, movies, songs, etc. In fact, I am making a list right now. You're welcome.

Organized Chaos aka my mind.

If you have been reading my blog lately, you know that I have been cranking out the entries like no one's business. Welcome to a week in my life.

You are getting a taste of what my mind is like. It's constantly going--all day, every day.

I wake up in the morning thinking about life, issues, ways to fix problems in the world, etc.

It JUST happens. There's never a dull moment... ask my parents and friends. I have a tendency to discuss crazy things at family dinners or in the middle of movies. (such as: how to fix the welfare system in America, how to try to get all orphans in a home (or at least give them love, food, and education), and how to make sure all kids have the support they need to accomplish their dreams....)

I'm a daydreamer...and a realist. Don't ask me how that works out. hahah :)

My dreams consist of:

*Starting children's homes in America that provide love to at risk kids (teens especially)... How will I get the mulah for this? Who knows, but it will happen--no doubt. I believe that with all my heart.

*Developing a support program somewhere in Africa or maybe somewhere else or maybe a bunch of different countries :). By "support," I mean that I want to figure out how to help families provide for themselves. Hand outs are an okay thing for a while, but eventually, it strips people of their dignity and pride. They become dependent. I also want to show them Jesus at the same time.

*I want to start a Sports Ministry in an inner-city. Funny thing is that I don't play sports. I love watching them, and playing them in my backyard, but that's it...I love the passion that is involved. It teaches discipline, the power of hard work, and how to work as a team. All of those things are necessary for living a successful life....I want lots of families involved with ministering to the kids...Then, we will have Bible study with them, feed them, help them with homework, pay for the fees, take them on trips, mentor them, etc.

Beauty.

She is beautiful...and his heart is so handsome.

I might or might not have cried and smiled all the way through this video.

Jesus time.

University of TN started today. And I go there. Therefore, I started today. Typical first day...lots of rules, bad jokes, etc. I love it though. I have like an hour and a half between each class... I was sad about this when I first received my schedule...It seemed like a waste of my precious time. What a wonderfully arrogant attitude I had...Last night, as I was laying in bed, I thought "Crap. I didn't have my quiet time..." Isn't that so sad? I didn't even think about it all day... (Note 1: I don't think a "quiet time" is something that is necessary to have it to be a Christian haha, though it is OBVIOUSLY super beneficial for your walk with Christ). So, I started making excuses for not making time for it (Note 2: I think it's stupid that I even thought about "making time" for it...It should be every minute of everyday...But, honestly, I fail at that 80 % of the time...We all do). So, I felt a little tug at this heart of mine...and God practically told me that the 3 hours total that I have between classes is His time(Note 3: I don't really have audible ABBA experiences usually...aka never. The Holy Spirit leads my mind and heart, etc).

My first response: WHATTTTTTTTTTT. I can do homework during that time.
Answer: You can do homework when you get home...
Response: WHATTTTTTTTTTT. I need to get mentally prepared for class during those times.
Answer: You need to get your spiritual armor on during those times.
Response: Ok. I give in...It's Your time, not mine.

So, that's exactly what I did today. 3 hours of Jesus time. 3 hours of intense heart change. And I loved and hated every single moment of it.

I'll fill you in on this heart surgery that happened during this time in later posts.

Sing it, Frank, sing it.

She brings him good, not harm, ALL the days of her life...

I recently came across a passage that I love/attempt to live out everyday...


"Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
She is more precious than rubies.
Her husband can trust her,
and she will greatly enrich his life.
She brings him good, not harm,
ALL the days of her life..." Proverbs 31:10-12.

I read (and by "read," I mean, truly understood)this passage when I was in 7th grade...Now I'm in college. Crazy crazy crazy.
I believe that the key to this passage is verse 12...

She brings him good, not harm,
ALL the days of her life...

It is easy to gloss over this verse and say, "Well, it's talking about being a wife...Therefore, we are to honor our husbands when we get married..."

Read it again:

She brings him good, not harm,
ALL the days of her life...

ALL the days of her life...That's every single day, including today and yesterday...

I want to honor my future husband all my life. He is going to be the one who leads me... loves me...supports me..treasures me...So, I want to respect him, build him up, encourage him to chase his dreams, love him, support him, etc. And I don't really want to start doing this when I meet him...I am his for life--even today.

So, about 6 years ago, I started praying for him, writing little notes to him and keeping them in a notebook that I will give him one day, etc... Which sounds completely crazy. But I do. Now that I am typing this out, it sounds embarrassing. Hahah. Welcome to my life. But I only tell you this because I think it is SOOO important... It keeps me so focused on Christ and how He has plans for me and how He is the ultimate bridegroom. It makes me see His love more and more...And I fall more in love with Him everyday... My relationship with Christ is always going to be here. It's the one thing that lasts and lasts and lasts...So, it will ALWAYS be my number one priority...It keeps me from giving me heart to just any boy, b/c my heart is Jesus' and then my future husband's...

To be honest, I am already SO committed to this guy that I don't even know...I mean, I don't even know his name, where he is, what he's doing, what his dreams and passions are, or anything. Haha. But I am committed to him by guarding my heart and praying for him on a daily basis...I'm not just talking about some surface bedtime prayers... I mean, "on my knees" prayers...I pray for that boy so often.

Sometimes the Holy Spirit just places him heavy on my heart, and I just pray it out... The thing is, he is going through stuff right now just like I am, and I want to be there supporting him even now. I want to be there for him, praying that he has the strength to run the race in front of him...

I want to encourage you to pray for your future husband/wife...Make a list of things that you believe are important to have in your spouse, and pray that Abba is molding him/her into those things (I'm not talking about physical characteristics)...Here are some things that I pray for on a daily-ish basis...and I pray that I develop these same characteristics...

*Keeps his eyes focused on Christ, even when life is hard...that he learns to follow Christ no matter what the cost.
*that he always puts Christ above me...that we will always center our relationship on HIM.
*that he becomes a man of integrity...that he always does what he says he will.
*that he is disciplined.
*that Abba places people around him to advise him, keep him accountable, love him, support him, make him laugh, etc.
*instills beliefs into others rather than enforcing them.
*digs into the Word...
*experiences success in whatever he does...but also that when he experiences failures, he grows from them.
*that he loves his family.
*lives the Gospel.
*speaks words filled with grace.
*sees best in people/positive attitude.
*hands free of controversy/slow to anger/quick to listen (1 Timothy 2:8--In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.)
*passionate about life.
*gives the people around him room to be and the grace to become.
*lives in love.
*develops a selfless faith.
*Doesn't give up when things are hard.
*Knows what he believes (in terms of faith, politics, etc)
*A voice for those who can't speak for themselves (Prov. 31:8-9).
*A passion for orphans/adoption.
*loves kids and wants to invest in their lives...maybe help start some children's homes too...or an inner city mentoring type deal...Who knows? :)
*Full of smiles.
*Respects all women...Doesn't make fun of anyone about their appearance...Holds door open for all women, etc.
*Challenges people.
*Lives what he preaches.
*compassionate.
*tender-hearted.
*strong.
*Patient.
*Sees a need...Fills a need.
*A servant leader.
*Guards his mouth...
*Makes people laugh and smile.
*Guards his heart.

These are the same characteristics that I want to define who I am...

Make a list. Pray for your future husband/wife. Lift them up. Honor them now. Love them now.

If I had could pick anywhere in all the world to be...

it would be right here.

That's right. Right here in Tennessee. In Knoxville. At the University of Tennessee. Living at my house. Studying communications and Child and Family studies. Going to class.

I know. That sounds so ridic, but it's true in every way.

I prayed that Abba would place me smack-dab in the middle of His Will for my life...And here I am. Right.in.the.middle. The stinky middle. And I am so happy...really. So happy and excited about the lessons I am going to learn and the ways I am going to be stretched.

Honestly, Knoxville isn't my cup of tea. I have big dreams y'all...plans to change the world (public policy plans, feeding programs, children/teen homes, inner city mentoring programs, etc). I want to get out of the comfort of my hometown more than anything...but He keeps reminding, explaining, saying,

"Stay, child...I have more in store here for a while longer...Stay busy in this city I have placed you...Live, love, smile, laugh, worship, serve. Let me show you the depths of My love...Hold on tight, because I have some big plans for you, love. Bigger than you thought...If I told you all of the things I will ask you to do, you would shrink back in fear. It would be overwhelming. I'm going to give you one task at a time...Your platform is going to be increased...Your territory enlarged...Your faith is going to be tested...but you are going to be fine...just keep your feet grounded in My words...Keep searching for answers...You are going to teach people about living My Gospel...You are going to be used to make people smile, hope, and experience love...Keep dreaming; these dreams in your heart are straight from My heart for My glory. Keep trying to change the entire world...You can and will change it for My name...These are the plans I have for you...Don't let anyone look down on your dreams because you are young. Soon, I'm going to take you out of Knoxville into a place that you would never have imagined...I'm going to bring inspiring, wise people into your life soon...and you are going to love it. Wait for it...and worship and serve while you wait. Love you, precious daughter...to the moon and back...forever and ever."
--Abba.

His Words come at just the right time...Always. He speaks words over this weary, burned-out-on-religion soul...Words of Truth and Life. Words straight from Scripture. He is so active in this world...So active. Don't quench the Spirit. Live in it.

So many people I know have been telling me about how He is moving in Christian universities and churches...which He is. But God is moving in the heart of the one forgotten, the mind of the atheist, the hope of a child with dreams, the skeptic who questions our beliefs, the orphan who has been abused, the divorced woman whose heart hurts, the man who can't provide for his family, the baseball player you watch on TV, the business man who spends more time with his desk than his wife and kids, the teacher who is investing in your child's life. He is MOVING IN HEARTS, but Satan is also trying to prevent us from hearing His voice...Satan surrounds us with a million voices so that we can barely hear the ONE voice from Abba. Satan is telling us that God is working in Africa and India, not America...he is trying to convince us that being lukewarm is fine....he wants us to quench the Spirit of God in our daily lives and routines...DON'T BUY INTO IT. Embrace the Spirit of God. Make a home for His power in your heart. Let is dwell within you. Live in it.

GOD is speaking up. His Kingdom is coming. He's fulfilling the words of prophecy. He is MOVING in hearts...in YOUR heart. He is active in America...but are we ignoring His presence among us? Have we closed our ears to His Truth?

Dearest Frank Sinatra,

I'm sorry we haven't had much time together lately...You know how much I love your smooth singing voice...The world is more beautiful after listening to you sing. You can "Moonlight Serenade" me anytime you want. I sincerely mean that. I need a man who will sing your music to me... It's a necessity.

Love,

Rachel

"No, child..."

About a month ago I read my daily Jesus Calling (which is an AWESOME book...so get it), and I read this:

"Pray about everything; then, leave outcomes up to me. Do not fear my will, for through it, I accomplish what is best for you...Take a deep breath and dive into absolute trust in me!" (Ps. 5:2-3; Jeremiah 29:11,& Romans 8:28).

When I read this, my heart stopped a little. Then, I read it again, and Abba made it more personal:

"Pray about everything, precious daughter; then, leave outcomes up to me because I know you better than you know yourself...Remember that thing you were praying for a couple of years ago? I didn't give it to you for a reason...You were upset with me...and you still are. It hurt Me to not be able to say 'YES!' to your request...I'm your Father and love you... It hurt me to see your heart broken about it... But I knew what you needed...Trust me. Learn to trust me when I say 'No.' Open up your eyes in the next few weeks, because I am going to show you the reason behind my answer... It was for the best...I want you to see that..."

So, I prayed that He would make His answer loud and clear...That He would show me His reasoning...show me things that I had been too blind to see.

And He did. This weekend He did. It took one conversation with one person to explain why Abba said, "No, child...This isn't the road I have for you..." If I had gotten the one thing that I had wanted, I am POSITIVE that I wouldn't have been open to His call on my life...I would probably have ignored His tug on my heart. I am so glad/floored/thankful that Abba says "No" sometimes to my prayers...

"God will always give WHAT IS RIGHT to His people who cry to Him night and day, and He will not be slow to answer them..." Luke 18:7.



"Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;in the morning I lay my requests before you...and wait in expectation."--Psalm 5:2-3.

"I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God.Bend down and listen as I pray..."--Psalm 17:6.

Christian-ese... Get your flashcards ready.

Today I was checking out Rosetta Stone. Unless you have been "living under a stupid rock," you know what that is. (Reference: "living under a stupid rock" comes from this lollercoaster of a youtube video. check it out by clicking here.)

Anyway, back to the point. It turns out that there is a new Rosetta Stone for Christian-ese. Obviously, I don't need it. I am fluent in it...I hope you are too. If you are already confused about this, I will pray for you (meaning that I probably won't unless I pull a ninja move and do it right now).

This is the information that was on the website about it:
Do you need help understanding the crazy Christians at your school or workplace? This is the perfect item for you!
$777.77 (God loves the number "7").
Free 0.46 fl oz of Jesus' blood annointing oil.
WAIT! THERE'S MORE! One grain of sand from the sea of Galilee inside a cross necklace!

Ok, I lied (I know, Revelation Revelation 21:8 21:8. Liars go to hell, liars go to hell...Burn! Burn! Burn! Don't worry, the gasoline panties are already on...). This is not a real item...BUT, I think it should be.

Some may be asking what Christian-ese is. In Greek, the word means "a really confusing language used by Christians that comes right after Jesus comes to live inside your blood-pumping organ called the heart..."

There's no problem with using it, really... I use it at times. Though, when used around people who don't know the language, it causes awkwardness, an uncomf silence, accompanied with a confused face.

So here's the dilemma:
Should we stop using it altogether? Or should we just teach those around us what the phrases mean? How in the WORLD will people know we are Christians if we eliminate this spirit-filled jargon? Should we go to the closest Lifeway and purchase a second WWJD bracelet to prove we are Christ-followers?! (I have one on as I type this...) These are just a few questions we will ponder and hope to answer (Oh Lord, grant us wisdom!). Are we becoming like the Pharisees? Jesus says in Matthew 23:13, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to." Are we shutting the kingdom of heaven in people's faces by using Christian-ese? We will eventually talk about this.


This is going to be a weekly series about the language of Christian-ese. This is for 2 groups of people.
1.) Christians who know the language fluently... You will laugh during this series b/c you use each one of these terms in your daily life and blow up the book with them...I know I do.
2.) People who have no idea what Christian-ese is, but they want to! This is for you, too! Get your flash cards out and start practicing.

These are a few phrases we will take a deeper look into:
Praise the Lord!
You are causing me to stumble.
I'm giving this up for the call of Christ!
Traveling Mercies.
Hedge of protection.
Dating Jesus.
An Elijah friend.
Fellowship
I'm praying for God to open some doors.
Thank you for spurring me on!
I have to get off the book, I'm going to have my quiet time.
God is Good all the time. And all the time, God is Good.
I’m feeling convicted about this...
PTL.
&Who wants to pray?


I am already experimenting a little with using these words in public places...I will let you in on these stories a little later.

So, once again, follow this blog and chuckle and giggle (or study your flashcards) along. I'd love for you to comment your favorite Christian-ese phrases or how using them caused uncomfortable/awkward situations.I'll ask God to bless you with lots of money if you do comment. Baller.

PTL. Wayne's on our side.

I have a few post ideas for this blog for the next week or so, so be ready...



This one includes my good friend Wayne aka Lil Wayne...
My best friend Raegan and I love some good ole' Wayne music. She loves him more than I do, but whatevs. We sing it often, unashamedly. Judge us if you want. He's the best. Sure, his lyrics aren't always uplifting. Sure, he drops a *few* f-words. I'm not going to lie to you and tell you I don't jam out to his songs when they come on the radio. A recent poll was taken about Christians and Lil Wayne...

These are the results:
12.3 percent of Christians said they were open Wayne fans
87 percent lied and said they weren't to keep up a clean witness
0.7 held their ground of holiness (hats off to you all). Let's face it, Grits tried but failed us. Christian rap just doesn't cut it.

You know how Christians say "I would like so-and-so so much better if he got his life together and started loving Jesus"? Well, guys, don't you worry...Wayne isn't going to let us down like Michael Jackson did...Halleluyerrr.

THIS is for the 87 percent who lied about their love for Wayne to protect their witness to the outside world...

A few weeks ago, Wayne wrote a letter to me. I know, how nice of him...Okay, so it was to all 7.36 billion of his closest fans. This is what he sent out... Please read all the way to the end of his letter to us (you won't want to miss his last few words). http://weezythanxyou.com/2010/07/13/letter-04-as-time-flies/
In case you didn't go to that site, this is the part you do NOT want to miss...

"I know that people are inquisitive of what I do all day, so here goes. I wake up around 11AM. Have some coffee. Call my kids, and my wonderful mother. I then shower up. Read fan mail. Have lunch. Back on the phone. Read a book or write some thoughts down. Have dinner. Phone. Pushups. Then I listen to ESPN on the radio. Read the bible, then sleep. That’s my day."

Did Weezy just say "read the bible"? He didn't capitalize the "b" in Bible like a well respected Christian would, but we are getting somewhere (Get on your praying knees, sing "Victory in Jesus!" a few more times, get this situation on a prayer list right now). I can feel the excitement in the Christian community already... "Christian rap doesn't have to suck anymore! We have Wayne on our team! I can now openly admit that I love him. Imagine how this is going to revolutionize Christian rap... I was so sick of that "My life be like OOOH AHHH OOOOHHH AH" song! What a testimony he will have! PTL. P-T-L."

Get excited church, we can now come out of the closet about our love for Wayne and not feel bad about it...This is a good thing...a very good thing.

Of course, we will have to give him a classic Christian artist to mentor him (help him eliminate his tendency to use "no-no" words...)Looks like Michael W. Smith it is. Just wait til there is a song that is called "GOT JESUS" Lil Wayne feat. M daddy Smith aka Michael W. Smith. I'm calling Michael now.

This is completely sarcastic...Just in case you didn't catch it.

Not the typical Christian blog.

"Hello...How about that ride in?...I guess that's why they call it sin city..."-Alan from the Hangover.

Though this may seem like an unwholesome movie to watch... I love it (and I'm not ashamed to tell you this). I figured this post should be started with that quote...and a nice dose of honesty. You're welcome.

I have recently changed this blog up a little...Or, if you have never been on here, then, this is how it has always been. I want to take this blog in a little different direction. It's going to have the same honesty to it, but with much more humor and sarcasm (if I am having a funny day). I know that people are blowing up the book (Facebook) about their new blogs. Mine isn't new, so I have had time to develop proper syntax and grammar skills. So, my suggestion to you is to add me to your list of blogs to follow. "Why?" That's a logical question to ask. My answer: so you can have a little humor when the other blogs get into debates about things that really don't matta'...I am not going to get into lots of theological discussions. I don't have a comment policy, and I don't really care if you like what I write (I sound so welcoming, I know)...I would rather debate ice cream flavors, movies (with Will Ferrell in them, preferably), and music than predestination (I know, I am on my way to hell with gasoline panties on)...I don't want your comments if you feel obligated to leave them...I want you to enjoy the freedom to comment or not to comment...The freedom of choice is such a beautiful thing, my friends. I don't want a pat on the back if something made you think, though I would like to hear your thoughts (b/c your thoughts are more than likely a lot different than mine)...I want honesty. That's what this blog is about. It's not a place to slam others' beliefs, religion, or politics. This is a place for us, as stumblers, to realize we aren't alone, and to land in Grace together. It's for us to walk hand-in-hand on the journey to Abba's heart together. So, push that little button on the left side of the page and follow (or subscribe) along...and let's get talking about how to love Jesus, love others, and enjoy the humor in life...Share this blog if you like it... I'm shooting for 3,457 page views(that's filled with sarcasm in case you didn't catch it).

A little about me: I laugh too loud, blow up Facebook with quotes, like Oreo McFlurrys with hot fudge in them, get delirious late at night, write down funny moments, listen to Bob Marley (and don't care that he was high all the time), am a Mother Teresa admirer, enjoy watching the blossoming and beautiful relationship between Gary and Amber on Teen Mom, enjoy chuckling at weird things churches do, have occasional anti-social days, cry on all roller-coasters, and love Jesus more than religion.