It's official. We have a TV too sophisticated for me to use. I left it on all night and was just chastised. I thought I turned it off before I went to bed; however, I only turned off the cable box.
When Mike & I met he had a receiver hooked to a turn-table, CD player, DVD player, cassette tape deck, a television and radio. I never could remember all the intricacies of the set up and would just not use them. That old system is now downstairs since we purchased a 42" plasma this weekend (well he did all the research, buying, setting up, calling Sears to get the real remote, etc.) I thought great we will only have a TV. Boy was I wrong.
Why does everything have to be so difficult? Why do we have to make everything - a purchase of a new TV set - so hard?
Well, you don't only need the actual TV, but then you have to have a new piece of furniture for it to set it on or you have to purchase a wall mount unit. Then you have to upgrade your cable so you can watch the HD channels. Then there is the desire for Blu-Ray and surround sound, but not the necessity.
Do we make church this difficult for new believers? Do we require too much time from them? Do we require more of them then they should be required to give? After leaving a conference when I first started my job at Covenant I was given a magnet with this verse on it. I kept it on my desk at Covenant and now it will go on my fridge.
I guess tonight I will get a lesson in new TV 101.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Snow Day
So today is a "snow day". We got less than 1/2 an inch of snow. Why a snow day? Brooklyn attends Francine Delany New School for Children so they normally have school when public schools cancel. What I forgot was today was a half day teacher workday anyway so a delay would mean an hour of school. So it made sense and it means I get to spend time with my girl.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Seacoast this Week - My perception
So we are checking out churches trying to find a new home church. I really miss our small group and hope that we can find a church that will have a small group environment for us and for Brooklyn.
This Sunday Mike & I attended Seacoast. The campus pastor, Craig Snook, reminds me of Ed Young the pastor of Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas.
I found Seacoast to be an extremely friendly church. We saw many friendly faces from our days at Covenant. I also saw faces I knew from the Rock (I personally have never attended the Rock but knew people that did and they are at Seacoast now). Even those that we didn't know were very friendly. I wonder how many people they have reached that were unchurched?
The parking lot attendants were great. They were funny, friendly and efficient.
The music was okay. None of the music was new. The newest song was 3 years old - most were much older. I just couldn't get into the worship. Maybe I would have felt more comfortable in the back? I understand they don't really have a place to get together and practice being portable. Hopefully that will change in the future. I'm sure it is hard to get there an hour early to practice before church and when they add the new service at Easter that will make it more difficult.
We sat in front with our friend that invited us so I'm not sure how many people were there, but the theatre was not full. The preacher of the day was their Teaching Pastor, Sean Wood. I'm just not sure if I can get used to a church that uses video to do their main communications. I like a variety of speakers so the main speaker (lead Pastor) can rest; however, I'm just not sure about the video thing all the time. I'll give it another shot to see.
The end was confusing to me. They have a cross that you can go up and write a sin on a piece of paper and stick it to the cross. They have people stationed to pray with you. The band is playing. You can light a candle as a symbol of prayer for something and they have communion. When communion was over people started standing to sing the last song.
As a Christian I would feel comfortable going up front to do something; however, if this were my first or second time in church period, then I don't know that I would connect with this. Also, I wonder if doing communion every week loses some of it's impact. I know that Christ said to do this often in remembrance, but as a society things we do regularly have to become more and more intense or they aren't effective (TV, movies, radio, music - think of the changes in the past 50 years).
So where would you suggest we try? We obviously can't drive 80 miles every week to Newspring (believe me we have discussed options for this), so where locally is a seeker friendly church with a small group philosophy this is reaching out to the community and has a great youth program and a place where we can serve? Or where is a church that has a potential and is growing toward this?
This Sunday Mike & I attended Seacoast. The campus pastor, Craig Snook, reminds me of Ed Young the pastor of Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas.
I found Seacoast to be an extremely friendly church. We saw many friendly faces from our days at Covenant. I also saw faces I knew from the Rock (I personally have never attended the Rock but knew people that did and they are at Seacoast now). Even those that we didn't know were very friendly. I wonder how many people they have reached that were unchurched?
The parking lot attendants were great. They were funny, friendly and efficient.
The music was okay. None of the music was new. The newest song was 3 years old - most were much older. I just couldn't get into the worship. Maybe I would have felt more comfortable in the back? I understand they don't really have a place to get together and practice being portable. Hopefully that will change in the future. I'm sure it is hard to get there an hour early to practice before church and when they add the new service at Easter that will make it more difficult.
We sat in front with our friend that invited us so I'm not sure how many people were there, but the theatre was not full. The preacher of the day was their Teaching Pastor, Sean Wood. I'm just not sure if I can get used to a church that uses video to do their main communications. I like a variety of speakers so the main speaker (lead Pastor) can rest; however, I'm just not sure about the video thing all the time. I'll give it another shot to see.
The end was confusing to me. They have a cross that you can go up and write a sin on a piece of paper and stick it to the cross. They have people stationed to pray with you. The band is playing. You can light a candle as a symbol of prayer for something and they have communion. When communion was over people started standing to sing the last song.
As a Christian I would feel comfortable going up front to do something; however, if this were my first or second time in church period, then I don't know that I would connect with this. Also, I wonder if doing communion every week loses some of it's impact. I know that Christ said to do this often in remembrance, but as a society things we do regularly have to become more and more intense or they aren't effective (TV, movies, radio, music - think of the changes in the past 50 years).
So where would you suggest we try? We obviously can't drive 80 miles every week to Newspring (believe me we have discussed options for this), so where locally is a seeker friendly church with a small group philosophy this is reaching out to the community and has a great youth program and a place where we can serve? Or where is a church that has a potential and is growing toward this?
Sunday, February 24, 2008
God at the Grocery Store
We are having friends over to cook wings and watch some Carolina Basketball (for those who live in SC that read this blog that is the only Carolina - UNC). I had to stop at Ingles on the way home from churchthis morning and get the chicken.
There was a wait so while I was in line to be cashed out I looked at some magazines and what did I find? I found the Idiot's Guide to Prayer. As a country we are so caught up in how to manuals that we need one on how to have a relationship with our Heavenly Father. Now I realize that everyone doesn't have an easy time with this, but why would you buy a book at Ingles that tells you how to pray? Could it be because the church isn't trusted to help us with spiritual matters anymore? Could it be because our country is so consumer driven that we feel Ingles is more qualified to teach us how to pray than we can learn at church? Is it because we go to small groups versus Sunday School and we don't learn "christian skills" anymore because we are too busy socializing to learn how to live?
I'm not answering the question. I'm asking it. Why do we need a manual besides the Bible to show us how to pray? Can we build a relationship with Father God by reading a book and will that make us smart about how to pray?
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
New Job
I'm so excited. I will be going work on March 3 for Jeff & Robin Brooks. They own October Road. I'll be an administrative assistant for the ACT team. It's a 3/4 job with benefits. This is a new company providing the highest level of outpatient care to clients with mental illness and substance abuse. I feel I can professionally grow with this company and knowing that Jeff & Robin had a former employee move from Charleston to come work with them tells me that they are great to work with. I think they exemplify team and this new challenge will strengthen my current skills and stretch my abilities.
I want to keep my CTR (certified tumor registrar) certification, so I will also be doing some part time work for the state and for a hospital in Western North Carolina. God continues to provide financially for our family.
1 Thessalonians 2:8 (New Living Translation) 8 We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.
I want to keep my CTR (certified tumor registrar) certification, so I will also be doing some part time work for the state and for a hospital in Western North Carolina. God continues to provide financially for our family.
1 Thessalonians 2:8 (New Living Translation) 8 We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Where are you?
Yesterday we went down to Newspring Church in Anderson, SC. Brooklyn had received some pants from her sister for Christmas that were too small from Macy's so we thought we could kill a couple of birds with one stone. We attended Newspring and went to Macy's.
I had been reading about their new series Stuck and thought it resonated with where I feel I am. Stuck looking for a job when I loved the one I had, stuck in a house with a house payment that is too big that we no longer need, stuck working two - three jobs to make enough money, stuck working when I would love to be at home being a mommy, etc.
According to Perry, there are three zones. The Dream Zone, the Drain Zone and the Danger Zone. 70% of people, according to his hypothesis land in the Drain Zone. Only 5-10% are in the Danger Zone & Dream Zone.
The things he said that stuck out were:
Life fully begins when we abandon our dream & live His dream.
Great days but a great life?
Dream Zone isn't based on circumstances.
Christianity is a series of next steps
Praise versus complaint
These are the notes that were shared:
Am I In...
The Dream Zone
John 10:10
ID: Passion for Jesus and Life
Goal: Asking God, "What Else?"
Lie: I could never live here (in the dream zone).
Need: Keeping my eyes on Jesus.
Hebrews 12:2
The Drain Zone
ID: Always feel frustred, stressed or tired
Goal: To keep plates spinning
Psalm 45:10
Lie: Things will eventually get better
Need: Vision (let my dreams die)
Proverbs 29:18 KJV
Proverbs 3:5-6
The Danger Zone
ID: Unconfessed Sin
Goal: Not to get caught
Jeremiah 16:17
Lie: I'm trapped and alone
Need: Confession and repentence
I John 1:9
Another thing that really stuck out was He believes that we usually move from the Drain Zone to the Danger Zone not up to the Dream Zone. He had us raise our hands if we felt we were in the Drain Zone and hundreds of hands were raised; thus proving Perry's hypothesis. Next week he will finish this sermon by preaching on the Drain Zone and telling you how to move out of it to the Dream Zone (and he promised it doesn't involve writing a check to his ministry!)
You can listen to the message online. The link is in the bottom right hand page of their website. I guarantee you it is life changing.
I had been reading about their new series Stuck and thought it resonated with where I feel I am. Stuck looking for a job when I loved the one I had, stuck in a house with a house payment that is too big that we no longer need, stuck working two - three jobs to make enough money, stuck working when I would love to be at home being a mommy, etc.
According to Perry, there are three zones. The Dream Zone, the Drain Zone and the Danger Zone. 70% of people, according to his hypothesis land in the Drain Zone. Only 5-10% are in the Danger Zone & Dream Zone.
The things he said that stuck out were:
Life fully begins when we abandon our dream & live His dream.
Great days but a great life?
Dream Zone isn't based on circumstances.
Christianity is a series of next steps
Praise versus complaint
These are the notes that were shared:
Am I In...
The Dream Zone
John 10:10
ID: Passion for Jesus and Life
Goal: Asking God, "What Else?"
Lie: I could never live here (in the dream zone).
Need: Keeping my eyes on Jesus.
Hebrews 12:2
The Drain Zone
ID: Always feel frustred, stressed or tired
Goal: To keep plates spinning
Psalm 45:10
Lie: Things will eventually get better
Need: Vision (let my dreams die)
Proverbs 29:18 KJV
Proverbs 3:5-6
The Danger Zone
ID: Unconfessed Sin
Goal: Not to get caught
Jeremiah 16:17
Lie: I'm trapped and alone
Need: Confession and repentence
I John 1:9
Another thing that really stuck out was He believes that we usually move from the Drain Zone to the Danger Zone not up to the Dream Zone. He had us raise our hands if we felt we were in the Drain Zone and hundreds of hands were raised; thus proving Perry's hypothesis. Next week he will finish this sermon by preaching on the Drain Zone and telling you how to move out of it to the Dream Zone (and he promised it doesn't involve writing a check to his ministry!)
You can listen to the message online. The link is in the bottom right hand page of their website. I guarantee you it is life changing.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Biltmore Estate
Today I had the pleasure of thrilling my mom with a trip to the Biltmore Estate. She's (shhhhh...don't tell her I put this on the internet) 68 years old and she had never been. She had a therapy appointment this morning and then I picked her up and we went.
We talked about having lunch somewhere in Biltmore Village, but my favorite restaurant in Asheville is the Bistro at the Winery at Biltmore. So she said she would treat since someone gave us the tickets and we could eat at the Winery.
I dropped her off in front of the house. As we were rounding the corner I asked her if she was ready. She said yes, and then she beemed. She was crying over how grand the house is. Then I dropped her off and went and parked the car. She, of course, found some old friends to talk to and I walked back to the house (my workout for the day).
It was really neat to be with her as she took all of this in. I've been many times and once had the grand opportunity of having a tour with one of the sales managers so they gave me so insider info that I passed along to mom (yes, she thinks her daughter is smart!). When she saw the statues of the apostles she cried. She was just overwhelmed. She loved Ms. Vanderbilt's gold & purple bedroom (mom has a yellow & lavender kitchen). She was in awe of the grand dining hall and all the books and that the library had secret passages. It was really like watching a kid open a present, but to mom is was like opening a while new world. She hasn't traveled that much. She's never been to the other side of the Mississippi River. She's only been to the beach once after a hurricane. So to her this was a way to see things beyond her grasp.
At the Bistro I had Salmon with pistacheos, citrus peel, olive oil & cous cous while mom had a chicken ceasar salad (she isn't very adverterous) and then we had Chocolate Decadence for dessert. Some friends from her church were there and we talked to them for a bit.
Then we went to the winery. My mom doesn't drink so it was funny to watch her tasting wine. I've never in my 38 years had a drink in front of or with my mom...that was weird. She said,
"I'm going to prove to you that I'm not an old fogey." She's so funny.
"I'm going to prove to you that I'm not an old fogey." She's so funny.
It was a great day. David & Carol, thanks for the tickets. You made my mom so happy!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
The meanest mother ever
So Brooklyn and I were on the way to school this morning and I asked her if she made up her bed. She said, no. Well, the deal was she had to leave her room clean before she left for her dad's for the weekend or she lost her TV. I'm going to take it out of her room. Wow, she's had a TV for six years (since Mike moved in with us) and now, no TV.
I haven't decided how long this punishment will last. I'm thinking at least a month and then with the consequence that if her room isn't clean before she leaves to go to her dad's that weekend she won't get it back for longer.
Maybe it will be a good thing, maybe it will be hard, maybe it will teach her about consequences, maybe she will secretly wish she had a mother that cleaned her room for her. All those things are possible. But I know that I want her to be a responsible adult and she had two weeks to leave her room clean and she didn't.
So pop goes the TV.
I haven't decided how long this punishment will last. I'm thinking at least a month and then with the consequence that if her room isn't clean before she leaves to go to her dad's that weekend she won't get it back for longer.
Maybe it will be a good thing, maybe it will be hard, maybe it will teach her about consequences, maybe she will secretly wish she had a mother that cleaned her room for her. All those things are possible. But I know that I want her to be a responsible adult and she had two weeks to leave her room clean and she didn't.
So pop goes the TV.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Small Group Rocks!
Yesterday, I had a friend call. We were in small group together but we haven't really talked to each other in a while. She was having an issue with one of her children. We had a great talk about motherhood.
She really wasn't looking for advice. She really wasn't looking for sympathy. She just wanted to process through her feelings and make sure she was okay with the decision she had made. She made a tough decision that I don't know I could have made. But I know her child will be better off because she made the decision.
What's great about it is that we were in small group together, even though a while back, and she called me. She knew me well enough to know that I would listen. It's important that we are in small groups together. For accountability, for encouragement, for help when you are feeling low.
Mike & I haven't been in small group for a little over a year, but the people we were in small group with have really reached out to us during times of need. One of the things on my short term to do list is get back into a small group. Whether with a group of women or a couple's group. We need that accountability for spiritual growth and for friendship.
1 Thessalonians 2:8
I've written about that scripture before, but it is so true. We need to spiritually and physically walk among others. Small group is the bomb.
Glenda & Mike thanks for opening your home and small group to me & Mike in the past. I never knew what bonds it would hold for me. Some of them I hope will last for a lifetime.
She really wasn't looking for advice. She really wasn't looking for sympathy. She just wanted to process through her feelings and make sure she was okay with the decision she had made. She made a tough decision that I don't know I could have made. But I know her child will be better off because she made the decision.
What's great about it is that we were in small group together, even though a while back, and she called me. She knew me well enough to know that I would listen. It's important that we are in small groups together. For accountability, for encouragement, for help when you are feeling low.
Mike & I haven't been in small group for a little over a year, but the people we were in small group with have really reached out to us during times of need. One of the things on my short term to do list is get back into a small group. Whether with a group of women or a couple's group. We need that accountability for spiritual growth and for friendship.
1 Thessalonians 2:8
I've written about that scripture before, but it is so true. We need to spiritually and physically walk among others. Small group is the bomb.
Glenda & Mike thanks for opening your home and small group to me & Mike in the past. I never knew what bonds it would hold for me. Some of them I hope will last for a lifetime.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Prayer
I had a wonderful call today from Heather Potts. Heather is the Children's Minister at New Life Community Church in Asheville. http://www.newlifeofasheville.com/
Heather prayed for my family and for me. It was a sweet prayer right out of the book of Colossians. Thanks Heather - you'll never know how much that call meant to my life!
Heather prayed for my family and for me. It was a sweet prayer right out of the book of Colossians. Thanks Heather - you'll never know how much that call meant to my life!
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