So for those of you who don't know I own and ride a motorcycle. Ok ... hold on a sec I know what you're thinking: "You're crazy...don't you know they're dangerous...you're gonna kill yourself..." ...I'm having a momentary lapse on what else I've heard, believe me I've heard it all. I'm not exactly sure why I'm blogging about it, but I've heard/read a lot lately about judging. Anywhere from being prejudged for being a girl in an engineer's world. To thinking we're better than the "stars" who subcumb to the stuff that comes with fame, money, sex, drugs, etc. Who's saying we wouldn't do the same thing if we were in that situation. Who's saying because I'm young I can't do something or learn.
It bugs me when people just assume something based on seeing one thing. For instance seeing a motorcycle accident, this does not mean automatically that the driver was young, stupid, or reckless. This is what a lot of people assume all because they see motorcycles weaving in between cars at a high speed. This is a small percentage of actual drivers who do this. This judgment has always bugged me I have always had a lot of respect for motorcycles even before I got my license.
This really got to me Tuesday afternoon/evening. I was on one of my trips to check on the dogs and passed a motorcycle accident on the other side/in the median. (see here for a pic: http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/Motorcycle_Crashes_on_I575_Killing_One_060209) I knew as soon as I saw it that it had not ended well, when I got to the house I immediately checked to see if there was any news, see if it was anyone I knew. I found one article (http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=130941&catid=8) and at the bottom of the page were already comments judging this human being. It really made me mad that people automatically assumed that this man had being doing something wrong. Have you never had an accident? Did you ever do everything right and still have something go wrong? I wish I could say I don't make snap judgments when I see something but I can't. I just hope and pray that the next time I go to judge I just pray. I can't help but pray for this family. Anyways, I should stop wasting your time with my rant. I hope you pray for the people next time you want to assume something. I know I'll try to. Please call me on it if I don't!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Challenged with Lately
This post is being delayed for the time being, to be revisited at a later date, hopefully sooner than later.
Ok so after a nights sleep I feel slightly better to write at least it will be slightly more coherent.
-John the Baptist doubted? I probably knew this before today aka I have read the story before but it never really processed like it did yesterday. John the Baptist someone who knew from in the womb that Jesus was the Messiah (see Luke 1:5-25, & 39-45). God's hand had been on his life from before he was born in the most seemingly visible way that I've ever really realized. I would love to know my purpose in life like he had, that he was to prepare the way for the Chosen One! I never felt a true connection to John before now, I mean he knew Jesus, he was cousins with Him for goodness sake. He always appeared in my mind to have it altogether being perfect almost probably closest in mind to Jesus. The pastor at my parents church said this statement and it made me wonder and want to look it up. Here are the places you kind find John the Baptist:
John's birth: Luke 1
John preparing the way: Matthew 3 _Mark 1_Luke 3_John1, 3
John doubts: Matt. 11_Luke7
John's death: Matt. 14_Mark 6
So doubt is a strong word and maybe it wasn't the same kind of doubt that I've felt in my life before as much as John questioning God. John knew his purpose and was acting on it yet when Jesus, the one he was preparing the way for came along things didn't go exactly as he thought. I don't know John's exact thoughts and ideas as for how the Messiah would come but I have to think that he believed Christ would come in and take over ruling Israel in a very real tangible sense, that he'd be king and Rome would no longer control Israel. John essentially asks Jesus: Are you really the one I prepared the way for? Jesus answers John with Look at what I am doing. The rest of John's story concludes with his being put in prison and then beheaded b/c of what he believed. What an amazing man.
Back to my connection with John: I recently have had God take my plans and throw them in a shredder of sorts. I had (key word I) come up with this grand plan of how I was going to finish out my college career to me it seemed absolutely perfect and flawless, I was gonna have enough money to pay for classes and even to study abroad one semester. As I stated before this has all been tossed to the wind, it's extremely frustrating on oh so many levels. It has put me taking classes this summer, and left me unsure to the extent of whether I will be taking classes in the fall or not. It has once again put me back to not knowing exactly when I'll graduate. I'm a 4th year college student who has worked 5 semesters off and on to pay for school while a lot of my friends graduated a couple weeks ago or will graduate by the end of this year and all I can say when people ask(which happens alot, especially when you reach my age): so you're about done right/when do you graduate? I don't know. I love to know things, I love to at least have a glimpse of what a movie is about before I see it, what the plans are for a trip, I like to be prepared. To some extent I had been in the I don't know space before these past couple months but I had a very rough idea and had come to accept that and be content with that. Now I don't really have even a rough idea, which is extremely disconcerting. I feel like John asking God "But I thought this is how you wanted it to play out" God has been answering me with a lot of encouragement which I'm very grateful for. However, as one who is far from perfect still wonder and ask why sometimes.
Enough of this though: I want to give testament to how God who loves me has encouraged me. Back up to 2 weeks ago, work has been extremely slow and the BCM has a yearly trip to Panama City Beach for a planning retreat. God allowed me to go on the retreat b/c what is not great work=slow. So +1 for God, turning something bad into good, he does this alot and it confuses me like crazy! Next I was mainly looking at the trip as my only vacation for the Summer, since I'll be taking classes and they start tomorrow, with no real expectations about anything else. I didn't really hope to get alot out of it. As the week started it was what I had expected fun and relaxing but beyond that nothing spectacular. Then the night before we're supposed to leave (why does God always show up this night?) at the very end of everything we went out to the beach to pray for each other. First off the guys (about 34) of them went and prayed for the girls(approx. 11, yay Tech ratio) then the girls prayed for the guys. This experience was extremely humbling and overwhelming for me. I had a couple very good friends pray out loud for me, and I have alot of respect for them, I look up to these guys. Their prayers were so encouraging and challenging, I wish I had a tape recorder so I could replay it everytime I get discouraged about whether God is using me. After we had finished praying, we were free to do whatever, hang out, go back and sleep, anything, I chose to sit at the edge of everyone and try to process it all. I was so so overwhelmed it by far will be one of my greatest memories. I've set it up as a marker of sorts in my life to remind me where I've been and most importantly of what God has done! The night did not end there for me at least, God continued to provide encouragement and challenges through some really great conversations with friends. From a deep heart-felt Thank you, to a talk with a young Lady that has come to me for advice, I have no earthly idea why, to sitting on the beach being immersed in the enormity of it all yet not having to sit alone. I'm so Thankful for the encouragement and love God has shown to me through friends. I love that he has given me friends that will sit with me as I simply don't know what to do and process everything. So as frustrated as I may get with my plans being tossed away I will look back and say My God is amazing and has better things planned for me. My plans will only ever be as good as I can make them. God's plans are so unfathomable and so much more than my finite brain can understand that I will gladly take those though I may not understand them.
I believe I shall stop there for now though there is more to discuss about what God has brought to mind in just yesterday!
- PS One of my dear friends has started a new project check it out let it challenge you: http://4ddays.blogspot.com/
Ok so after a nights sleep I feel slightly better to write at least it will be slightly more coherent.
-John the Baptist doubted? I probably knew this before today aka I have read the story before but it never really processed like it did yesterday. John the Baptist someone who knew from in the womb that Jesus was the Messiah (see Luke 1:5-25, & 39-45). God's hand had been on his life from before he was born in the most seemingly visible way that I've ever really realized. I would love to know my purpose in life like he had, that he was to prepare the way for the Chosen One! I never felt a true connection to John before now, I mean he knew Jesus, he was cousins with Him for goodness sake. He always appeared in my mind to have it altogether being perfect almost probably closest in mind to Jesus. The pastor at my parents church said this statement and it made me wonder and want to look it up. Here are the places you kind find John the Baptist:
John's birth: Luke 1
John preparing the way: Matthew 3 _Mark 1_Luke 3_John1, 3
John doubts: Matt. 11_Luke7
John's death: Matt. 14_Mark 6
So doubt is a strong word and maybe it wasn't the same kind of doubt that I've felt in my life before as much as John questioning God. John knew his purpose and was acting on it yet when Jesus, the one he was preparing the way for came along things didn't go exactly as he thought. I don't know John's exact thoughts and ideas as for how the Messiah would come but I have to think that he believed Christ would come in and take over ruling Israel in a very real tangible sense, that he'd be king and Rome would no longer control Israel. John essentially asks Jesus: Are you really the one I prepared the way for? Jesus answers John with Look at what I am doing. The rest of John's story concludes with his being put in prison and then beheaded b/c of what he believed. What an amazing man.
Back to my connection with John: I recently have had God take my plans and throw them in a shredder of sorts. I had (key word I) come up with this grand plan of how I was going to finish out my college career to me it seemed absolutely perfect and flawless, I was gonna have enough money to pay for classes and even to study abroad one semester. As I stated before this has all been tossed to the wind, it's extremely frustrating on oh so many levels. It has put me taking classes this summer, and left me unsure to the extent of whether I will be taking classes in the fall or not. It has once again put me back to not knowing exactly when I'll graduate. I'm a 4th year college student who has worked 5 semesters off and on to pay for school while a lot of my friends graduated a couple weeks ago or will graduate by the end of this year and all I can say when people ask(which happens alot, especially when you reach my age): so you're about done right/when do you graduate? I don't know. I love to know things, I love to at least have a glimpse of what a movie is about before I see it, what the plans are for a trip, I like to be prepared. To some extent I had been in the I don't know space before these past couple months but I had a very rough idea and had come to accept that and be content with that. Now I don't really have even a rough idea, which is extremely disconcerting. I feel like John asking God "But I thought this is how you wanted it to play out" God has been answering me with a lot of encouragement which I'm very grateful for. However, as one who is far from perfect still wonder and ask why sometimes.
Enough of this though: I want to give testament to how God who loves me has encouraged me. Back up to 2 weeks ago, work has been extremely slow and the BCM has a yearly trip to Panama City Beach for a planning retreat. God allowed me to go on the retreat b/c what is not great work=slow. So +1 for God, turning something bad into good, he does this alot and it confuses me like crazy! Next I was mainly looking at the trip as my only vacation for the Summer, since I'll be taking classes and they start tomorrow, with no real expectations about anything else. I didn't really hope to get alot out of it. As the week started it was what I had expected fun and relaxing but beyond that nothing spectacular. Then the night before we're supposed to leave (why does God always show up this night?) at the very end of everything we went out to the beach to pray for each other. First off the guys (about 34) of them went and prayed for the girls(approx. 11, yay Tech ratio) then the girls prayed for the guys. This experience was extremely humbling and overwhelming for me. I had a couple very good friends pray out loud for me, and I have alot of respect for them, I look up to these guys. Their prayers were so encouraging and challenging, I wish I had a tape recorder so I could replay it everytime I get discouraged about whether God is using me. After we had finished praying, we were free to do whatever, hang out, go back and sleep, anything, I chose to sit at the edge of everyone and try to process it all. I was so so overwhelmed it by far will be one of my greatest memories. I've set it up as a marker of sorts in my life to remind me where I've been and most importantly of what God has done! The night did not end there for me at least, God continued to provide encouragement and challenges through some really great conversations with friends. From a deep heart-felt Thank you, to a talk with a young Lady that has come to me for advice, I have no earthly idea why, to sitting on the beach being immersed in the enormity of it all yet not having to sit alone. I'm so Thankful for the encouragement and love God has shown to me through friends. I love that he has given me friends that will sit with me as I simply don't know what to do and process everything. So as frustrated as I may get with my plans being tossed away I will look back and say My God is amazing and has better things planned for me. My plans will only ever be as good as I can make them. God's plans are so unfathomable and so much more than my finite brain can understand that I will gladly take those though I may not understand them.
I believe I shall stop there for now though there is more to discuss about what God has brought to mind in just yesterday!
- PS One of my dear friends has started a new project check it out let it challenge you: http://4ddays.blogspot.com/
Sunday, April 19, 2009
What is Your Anthem?
I really liked the question that I read today: http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com/2009/04/whats-your-anthem.html . Here is my response; what's yours?
So, I don't know if anyone else has used this, but the Anthem of my short 21 year life so far has been the old hymn "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus"(see below for lyrics) along with the verses: Hebrews 12:2-3 ("Let us fix our eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.")
Though you did not specifically ask why but just "what is your anthem," here's why for me anyways. This is my anthem b/c every time I think I can go through life on my own I quickly discover usually through a not so joyous situation that I cannot. I all to often lose hope in my situation (especially with working and going to school at GT). Then there's of course everything outside of the physical realm, relationships with family, friends, now ex-boyfriends. I know that when I do not focus on my heavenly Daddy who has carried me through so much I cannot make it. So this hymn and these verses help remind me of where my eyes should be looking.
(side note: I was first introduced to this hymn through a production talking about what Peter's life would have looked like nowadays; God spoke through the music so much that me, a very quiet and shy person, stood up in a front of a huge sanctuary (FBCW, GA) full of D-Now kids and rededicate my life or truly dedicate at age 13, talk about terrified and so unsure except about who LOVED me).
I hope that this at least encourages someone out there.
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus:
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
So, I don't know if anyone else has used this, but the Anthem of my short 21 year life so far has been the old hymn "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus"(see below for lyrics) along with the verses: Hebrews 12:2-3 ("Let us fix our eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.")
Though you did not specifically ask why but just "what is your anthem," here's why for me anyways. This is my anthem b/c every time I think I can go through life on my own I quickly discover usually through a not so joyous situation that I cannot. I all to often lose hope in my situation (especially with working and going to school at GT). Then there's of course everything outside of the physical realm, relationships with family, friends, now ex-boyfriends. I know that when I do not focus on my heavenly Daddy who has carried me through so much I cannot make it. So this hymn and these verses help remind me of where my eyes should be looking.
(side note: I was first introduced to this hymn through a production talking about what Peter's life would have looked like nowadays; God spoke through the music so much that me, a very quiet and shy person, stood up in a front of a huge sanctuary (FBCW, GA) full of D-Now kids and rededicate my life or truly dedicate at age 13, talk about terrified and so unsure except about who LOVED me).
I hope that this at least encourages someone out there.
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus:
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Take a Look
- cute and funny little kid, kind of an old video but oh well: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4921695367007985654&ei=mvrCSb-8I4L8rgL1oKX5Cw&q=6+year+old+ethan+piano+on+tonight+show&hl=en
- reminds me of a funny thing I heard a kid say in the bathroom of a restaurant. It struck me as funny when I heard it though it may not seem funny to y'all(I have a slightly offbeat sense of humor). Anyways, this kid is about 3 or 4 and in the stall, while mom is standing outside waiting for her to finish. The mom asks: "Honey(or whatever the kids name was) are you done?" response: "No I gotta go poopy" (not the funny part), Mom: "Well, do you need to go now or can you wait until we get done at the restaurant? Can you go at home?" (Notice the last question, now the funny part) Kid: "Yeah, I go at home all the time." I'm still not sure exactly why it's funny, but maybe it's the honest truthful answer to the question just not the type of answer desired, who knows.
- Next link is to a blog/article one entry that I found, it was interesting: Where have all the Cowboys/Worship Leaders gone? http://timgrandstaff.com/?p=18
Ok, the next 2 are about how God is working here and there:
- First off this week is Spring Break for Tech, this year I had to work and could not go on a mission trip with the BCM. This year there were 3 trips, Numbered, Asheville(aka Cyndi's Magical Mystery Bus Tour), and Beach Reach. The past 2 years I had been able to go on the Beach Reach Trip, I was really bummed about not going on a trip at all. However I have been blessed by being able to watch live feed of prayer requests and video feed of worship. Check it out and continue to be in prayer for them as they have one more week after tonight: http://www.bwebdesign.net/beachreachlive/
- This next blog has a small tie into the one above. Last year my group had the pleasure of sharing the bottom of a house with a group of girls from Texas and 2 amazing ladies who flew all the way from Utah! (They were the only ones from there group, what courage!) Anyways I facebook friended them and have kept up with them a little. One of the girls, Jarah, is over in Africa working as a mission trip. I've been reading her blog and it's been so encouraging to see how God is working on the other side of the globe! So go take a look: http://brightredcords.blogspot.com/
- reminds me of a funny thing I heard a kid say in the bathroom of a restaurant. It struck me as funny when I heard it though it may not seem funny to y'all(I have a slightly offbeat sense of humor). Anyways, this kid is about 3 or 4 and in the stall, while mom is standing outside waiting for her to finish. The mom asks: "Honey(or whatever the kids name was) are you done?" response: "No I gotta go poopy" (not the funny part), Mom: "Well, do you need to go now or can you wait until we get done at the restaurant? Can you go at home?" (Notice the last question, now the funny part) Kid: "Yeah, I go at home all the time." I'm still not sure exactly why it's funny, but maybe it's the honest truthful answer to the question just not the type of answer desired, who knows.
- Next link is to a blog/article one entry that I found, it was interesting: Where have all the Cowboys/Worship Leaders gone? http://timgrandstaff.com/?p=18
Ok, the next 2 are about how God is working here and there:
- First off this week is Spring Break for Tech, this year I had to work and could not go on a mission trip with the BCM. This year there were 3 trips, Numbered, Asheville(aka Cyndi's Magical Mystery Bus Tour), and Beach Reach. The past 2 years I had been able to go on the Beach Reach Trip, I was really bummed about not going on a trip at all. However I have been blessed by being able to watch live feed of prayer requests and video feed of worship. Check it out and continue to be in prayer for them as they have one more week after tonight: http://www.bwebdesign.net/beachreachlive/
- This next blog has a small tie into the one above. Last year my group had the pleasure of sharing the bottom of a house with a group of girls from Texas and 2 amazing ladies who flew all the way from Utah! (They were the only ones from there group, what courage!) Anyways I facebook friended them and have kept up with them a little. One of the girls, Jarah, is over in Africa working as a mission trip. I've been reading her blog and it's been so encouraging to see how God is working on the other side of the globe! So go take a look: http://brightredcords.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
http://sciencedude.freedomblogging.com/files/2009/02/endofrain1.jpg
Just a really cool picture that I thought was worth sharing.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Two in One
Here's the before mentioned "free write," all thoughts are welcome, these are each a pairing of words from my head that kinda mean something to me.
Two and One
Steady and Change
Unique and Same
Country and (City)Classy
Antique and Modern
Rose and Wildflowers
Mountain and Beach
Sun and (Snow)Storm
Listen and (Speak up)Voice
Goofy and Serious
Raw and Callous
Overflow and Thirst
Impossible and Omnipotent
Concrete and Abstract
Shatter and Heal
Sacrifice and Gain(Win)
Death and Life
Mud and Crystal(clear)
Humble and Cocky
Clean and Dusty
Create and Disassemble
Rest and Energy
Free and Imprisoned
Forever and Now
Rooted and Floating(Drifting)
Candle and Blackhole
Read and Write(Express)
Terrified/Uncertain and Sure/Reliant
Desperate and Content
Serve and Lead
Balance and Teeter(Fall)
(Edgy and Soft)
(Alone and Surrounded)
(Redemption and Unworthy)
(Love and Denial)
*() stuff inside was added after original note/in creation of this blog
Two and One
Steady and Change
Unique and Same
Country and (City)Classy
Antique and Modern
Rose and Wildflowers
Mountain and Beach
Sun and (Snow)Storm
Listen and (Speak up)Voice
Goofy and Serious
Raw and Callous
Overflow and Thirst
Impossible and Omnipotent
Concrete and Abstract
Shatter and Heal
Sacrifice and Gain(Win)
Death and Life
Mud and Crystal(clear)
Humble and Cocky
Clean and Dusty
Create and Disassemble
Rest and Energy
Free and Imprisoned
Forever and Now
Rooted and Floating(Drifting)
Candle and Blackhole
Read and Write(Express)
Terrified/Uncertain and Sure/Reliant
Desperate and Content
Serve and Lead
Balance and Teeter(Fall)
(Edgy and Soft)
(Alone and Surrounded)
(Redemption and Unworthy)
(Love and Denial)
*() stuff inside was added after original note/in creation of this blog
Reference for the Future and such
All of this has been found via friends and such.
- Using Children's energy to create energy(might be something to incorporate into personal property):
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Playing+around+and+around+...+This+merry-go-round+works+while+kids...-a0181672715
- Cool New Charity(started by a friend I look forward to helping this grow): http://www.the214project.org/index.html
- Challenge to Leaders (Catalyst video of Andy Stanley worth watching):
http://coffeeshopjournal.com/2008/10/11/catalyst-08-andy-stanley-closing-session/
- Nervous System (Really Unique Jewelry, that is customizeable, haven't had the chance to fully play with it but such an awesome concept created by nerds like me, albeit much much smarter): http://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com/index.php
I believe that's all for those right now. Feel free to let me know what you think about them. In a bit I'm going to post another post that's really a "free write" that happened within 20 mins or so, it might get expanded, but I'm really curious as to what people might say about it.
- Using Children's energy to create energy(might be something to incorporate into personal property):
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Playing+around+and+around+...+This+merry-go-round+works+while+kids...-a0181672715
- Cool New Charity(started by a friend I look forward to helping this grow): http://www.the214project.org/index.html
- Challenge to Leaders (Catalyst video of Andy Stanley worth watching):
http://coffeeshopjournal.com/2008/10/11/catalyst-08-andy-stanley-closing-session/
- Nervous System (Really Unique Jewelry, that is customizeable, haven't had the chance to fully play with it but such an awesome concept created by nerds like me, albeit much much smarter): http://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com/index.php
I believe that's all for those right now. Feel free to let me know what you think about them. In a bit I'm going to post another post that's really a "free write" that happened within 20 mins or so, it might get expanded, but I'm really curious as to what people might say about it.
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