Sunday, May 25, 2008

I love sexual offenders, gossips, homosexuals, liars and the like. (PS. Wanna buy my truck?)

DID I GET YOUR ATTENTION?

GOOD...! Because God sure got mine this morning at church. (I'll get to truck for sale part at the end)

Do you ever read the bible, or hear a sermon taught from a person that wants nothing more but to make Christs' truth and grace known to the world...and think to yourself "CRAP! I'M SORRY GOD! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!!!! I'm SUCH a loser. Why do you love ME?"

Yah, today was one of 'those' days.

Matt taught on 1 Peter 2:11-12. "11. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."

Here's a Cliff Notes version of the sermon:

Love the unloved, the hated.

Don't judge.

Be prepared for when others make fun of you or assume you're "holier than thou" for claiming CHRIST.

Don't take a "when all else fails, run to Christ" attitude. Rather HOLD TIGHT to Christ constantly, because he'll sustain you when all else DOES fail.

Confess your sins...CONSTANTLY! Never let your guard down, because satan is QUICK to move in and wage war in your soul.

AAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

I'M SO PATHETIC!!!!!!!!!! I'M NO BETTER THAN THE PREACHERS OF FALSE GOSPELS, THE METH USERS, THE LIARS AND PROSTITUTES! Actually...they're probably better off than I am. God DID say that he would rather us be 'cold or hot, rather than luke warm'. I'm so 'luke warm' its not even funny.

Am I TRULY...100% sold out to Christ? Am I loving those who are hated? Those that are un-loved? The murderers, the homosexuals...the (gasp) pedephiles? I'm no better than they.

I confess:

1. I'm a liar. Yes, I have a tendency to be a drama queen and over exadurate a story time and again. I don't 'think' I just flat out lie...but, I DO over exadurate at times.

2. I'm addicted to food. No laughing matter here folks.

3. I'm a gossip. This is one I've dealt with for a long...long...long time.

4. I'm a Judgy McJudge. I judge others all the time. I judge OTHERS for judging. WHAT'S UP WITH THAT????


CRAP!!!!!!!


Oh...and Our 1995 Ford F-150 is "un-officially / officially" for sale.

Here are the stats:

1995 Ford F-150
140,000 miles
4 wheel drive
Dual gas tank
XLT package
Extended "Super Cab"
Front chrome grill guard
Bed Liner
NADA retail is around $6000, loan value is around $4500. So, we're open to offers.
...and...the most important aspect: It is referred to as "The Floyd"

PS. I took a 4 1/2 hour nap today. Whoa...someone (named Shelli) was tired.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

On a happier / less contraversial note (see previous blog)...Well, maybe not HAPPY.

ummmm....anyone hiring?

My super, awesome, wonderful, handsome, extremely talented, godly, husband Justin is needing a job.

His qualifications include:

Recent graduate with a Bachelors in Communications and minor in photography. (see his photography blog: www.sevenonethreesix.blogspot.com )

Over 12 years of experience as a videographer, producer / editor, graphic designer and commercial script writer.

3 years experience as a sound guy and tech crew manager for our church.

Makes a kick ass margarita and brews his own beer. (ok, now he's starting to sound like an alcoholic. Really...he is NOT! He has MAYBE 3 drinks a week. MAYBE!)

Is a Lion tamer.

...and likes to go turkey hunting with my dad once a year....where he practices said Lion taming.

If you are hiring, or know of a job; please contact us ASAP. His office officially closed today. (long story...but Equity Media Holdings is a bad place to work. They don't like to pay their bills...according to the Arkansas Democrat Gazzette)

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Pick up your cross and follow...JOEL OSTEEN??

UPDATE: I thought maybe I should add this little bit before people continue to read this blog entry. I DO NOT HATE JOEL OSTEEN. I'm not a fan of his, and I think that he may be a little misleading in some of his sermons on what Christianity entails. But, he is a preacher that claims the word of God to be truth. In accordance with the scriptures, when Paul was writing to the Phillipians, chapter 1: "15. It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.[c] 18. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice".

Ok, now the original blog entry:

This last weekend, my family went trout fishing. Its become an annual tradition. Justin and I go along to enjoy fun times with the fam...but getting up at 5am to go fishin' just isn't our cup of tea. Know what I mean?

My sister and I have a few things in common FOR SURE...singing at the top of our lungs (in beautiful harmony) and making jokes about our crazy family.

However, I discovered this last weekend that my sister and I have one thing that we DEFINITELY don't agree on...JOEL "I'm not gonna say that Larry" OSTEEN. She loves him...I loathe him. Ok, that may be a bit harsh. I "don't care too much for his choice in words and teachings".

If you don't know what "I'm not gonna say that Larry" is referring to, I would encourage you to google the Larry King Live episode when he interviewed Mr. Osteen. Larry King point blank asked Joel Osteen "...do you believe that a belief in Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven?" His response was "Well, I don't want to say that. I don't want to say who WILL or WILL not go to heaven. That is for God to choose and judge."

He DID say that he believes that the bible is true and what it says is true. He just kind of danced around the subject and did not want to judge someone and say that they aren't going to heaven. He's right on the fact that it is Gods choosing and judgement. However, God CHOSE to put in scripture that "...no man shall come to the Father except through me." That's pretty clear.

Osteen is pastor to the largest church in the nation. I went to his website today to read in depth about their beliefs or "mission statement". I also wanted to see what this multi million dollar church is doing in the ways of global missions.

Lakewood churches mission statement is short basic and is pretty much the nicene creed. Here's a snippet about salvation:

"Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood for our sins. We believe that salvation is found by placing our faith in what Jesus did for us on the cross. We believe Jesus rose from the dead and is coming again."

...as for the Larry King interview, he probably should have just quoted his churches mission statement on the show and called it a day. But, he didn't, which is what troubles me, and troubled many folks in his congregation. I heard (no I didn't research this part) that he had to make a statement of apology to his church about his "dance" on the show.

In their mission statement...they never, not once, quoted scripture to back it up. That's strange to me too...but whatever. If you read the comments people have made about this blog entry, you'll see one from John Nelson that kind of puts the hammer down.

As for missions, they have a great mission to Kenya right now that looked pretty awesome. And they do medical missions every year and go to Mexico. Not too bad...but being the multi million dollar mega-church that they are...I, personally, would LOVE to encourage them to do more!!!!

So, in conclusion on Joel Osteen...who knows if he's really a Christian. Only God holds that secret. I'm not going to make that statement. I think my sister and I are going to "agree to disagree" on his biblical standards and choice of teachings. He also said on the interview with King that he doesn't quote scripture in most of his sermons and only uses scripture at the end of his book. That is scary to me. He could start saying ANYTHING and claim it as gospel. But then again...so could any old Televangelist or preacher on the street. I've watched a number of his sermons. From what I've seen...he doesn't teach on the wages of sin...that Christ is the one and only way to heaven...or how this life totally sucks sometimes. But, if he's leading people to Christ (by accident or intent) then he should probably keep doing what he's doing. I just pray that his congregation members don't lose faith if they have a time of drought and sacrifice.

...he is, however, a GREAT motivational speaker.

Of course, I'm going to esteem MY church now. The Grove. A biblically sound church of about 250 that flaunts sometimes in our sound system and cool graphics...but would rather see our front door revolving from our congregation going out to the mission field, than us to become stagnant and sucked into a comfortable "flame proof" Christianity and not telling others about Christ.

I'm happy to say that we currently have some of our church body members serving in:

China (where we'll be in a little over a year)
Mexico
Turkey
Thailand
South Korea

And, here is a small snippet of our (rather long) statement of faith. This is the portion on salvation:

We believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins as the only sufficient, substitutionary sacrifice. All who believe in Him are declared justified by the Father on the grounds of Jesus' death and resurrection. All who receive the Lord Jesus Christ by grace through faith have been regenerated by and baptized in the Holy Spirit. They become, thereby, the children of God forever and members of the one true church, the universal Body of Christ. This salvation will result in righteous living and good works as the believer submits his life to the control of the Holy Spirit who directs the life of the believer in harmony with the Word of God.

(John 1:12, 3:16, 5:24, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:21-26, 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians1:7, 2:8-10; Titus 3:4-7; Hebrews 10:10-12; 1 John 5:11-13)

Ok...that's all.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Emporium vs. Euphonium AND Celine Dion vs. Alison Krauss...

Here is a quick snippet of a conversation I over heard a couple having the other night...

"What is that instrument called that looks like a mini-tuba?"
"Oh, you're talking about an Emporium"
"An Emporium? That doesn't sound right...are you sure?"
"Yes...its an Emporium, trust me."


NO DEAR SIR...an Emporium is a small boutique full of neat gadgets and gizmo's. The instrument in question would be a brass baritone or EUPHONIUM. I had to hold my laughter in.

Second conversation...same couple...about 3 minutes later.

"I really enjoy Celine Dion, but I think Alison Krauss is better at blue grass".

Now, I don't listen to much Alison Krauss...and I CERTAINLY don't listen to much Celine Dion. But, to my recollection...our french-canadian songstress Ms. Dion has NEVER even uttered the WORDS "Blue Grass"...let alone sing it.

Oh...I SO SO SO enjoy eaves dropping.

PS: On a side note. I really enjoy Alison Krauss. I need to own more of her music. We have the new album she just did with Robert Plant. MUY BIEN!

Friday, May 02, 2008

UPDATE...

FEMA GAVE US $1000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!