A HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE MOVIE!!!!!!!!!

Don't go see it, two huge thumbs in the downward position!
Good company makes good times, but a horrible movie makes for a....horrible movie!

Thanks Bednars for living through that with us.....

I do believe the boys actually enjoyed parts of the movie though...I will let Bryan post his thoughts too!

HORRIBLE MOVIE!

My Husband teaches me, a lot. He is constantly teaching, lovingly teaching and telling me things that I admittedly do not always understand right away. He is patient and kind and always willing to wait on my acknowledgment...whenever that may be. I'm sure this is something that he'd rather not have to endure, but I think its God's way of teaching him patience and perseverance.

One thing that he brought forward to me about a year and a half ago was the book "When Sinners Say I DO". He read it and i listened to the deep insight he found while reading it...we tried to read it together, but time wasn't on our side....or I wasn't paying attention (who can tell?). We laugh because the pattern in our marriage is Bryan teaching me something and me not "getting" it until months, or in this case years later. Not that I did not understand the basic gist of what he was saying. I do listen to him and nod in agreement. Its almost like when someone knows a lot of facts about Jesus and His death, when he died, why he had to die...etc., but they don't really understand personally their need for him. That is kind of how it is with us. The holy spirit (in both cases) has to reveal the truth when the heart is ready to receive it. So Bryan, I apologize for the delayed understanding on my part. Thank you babe for being so loving and patient!

My point....

Marriage reflects Christ and his union with the Church. As the body, we depend on our union with Christ to deliver, sustain, uphold and ultimately make us Holy. We do not depend on Christ to just make us happy. Although, a life spent in fellowship with our Savior often brings us immense joy, the goal is not our satisfaction...its goal is to make Christ's holiness known, so that He may be glorified. Our marriage is not to make us happy, its to make us holy.

As we struggle in our Christian walk we say things like: "This is for my sanctification"..."Christ is made perfect in my weakness....when i am weak He is strong". We are called to rejoice in our sufferings bc we are becoming more like Christ as we do suffer. We should see this same blessing in our marriages. When we suffer and fight for joy we should remember that the end goal is not to make one another happy, but to make Christ more holy. We are two unholy people coming together to display a holy union. What a more perfect way to do it. We should be so lucky that we can fight and battle with one anothers sin, only to find grace and forgiveness in a physical form; one another. When I have hurt Bryan I see the immediate implications or consequences of my sin all over his face, in his actions (or reactions) it crushes me. We do not get to see how our sin devastates our Holy God. Then Bryan has the chance to lovingly bring me back with mercy, forgiveness and grace. He is demonstrating Christs' (on a small scale, but in a huge way) abundant love and forgiveness toward my restoration. After all, Bryan's job is to love me as Christ loves the Church...and is that not how Christ would react to our sin, as believers?

So my application to this is....How would i react to Christ in His loving restoration to my soul in times of brokenness? I would accept his forgiveness and be thankful for my salvation and pursuit of holiness. Instead of doing this in our marriages, we remain bitter at one another and forsake forgiveness to defend our selfish need for happiness. Wow! (So true....just sounds horrible reading it)
We do this and completely miss the boat on allowing these momentary troubles to bring us closer in our understanding of Grace in the Flesh, closer in our relationship with Christ and ultimately closer in our pursuit of Holiness. I have been convicted that i should lovingly submit to my husband; respect him and allow his merciful love to pursue me right towards holiness. I would pray that my love and forgiveness toward him would do the same.

"Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you."
Psalm 33:20-22

" Our soul waits for the Lord...."
Does my soul truly wait on the Lord? Have I made my own decisions and walked in my own selfishness so that I would be exalted? Have I been patient and trusted in His perfect plan? Or have I taken control and failed to be content in all things?

"....he is our help and our shield...."
Have I looked to tangible things for help and security or have I trusted in the unchangeable Rock that is my salvation? Have I allowed my sin to shield me from my Father or have I hidden beneath the shadow of His wings?

"For our heart is glad in him because we trust in his holy name...."
Is my heart glad in Him or in myself...my husband....my job....my security? Am I glad because I have another day to live for Christ or myself? Is my heart filled with my desires or desires He has given me? Am I alone trusting for my gladness to come from His holy name or in my attempts at satisfaction in the world?

"Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us..."
Do I resonate in Christ's sacrificial love for me, or am i relying upon others love for me?

"...even as we hope in you..."

Praise be to God that even though He sees my sin, and remembers it no more. He is still my help and my shield. My heart is glad in him because he has forgiven me, for I have made his name unholy. His steadfast love is upon me, even when I don't hope in him. He is good to me, when I am not good to him.

Of course we know that the greatest gift we can ever receive as sinners doomed for destruction (bc of our sin nature) is Jesus and His grace. Which has so wonderfully delivered us from this path of destruction. Of course we know this....

But i am reminded that as we continue to live in this sinful world, we battle our sin nature day in and day out. And only because of Jesus, as Christians we can KNOW with full assurance that our faith will become sight. What must we do until then....

"Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice rubies, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and NOTHING YOU DESIRE CAN COMPARE WITH HER." Proverbs 8:10-11

Wow, our greatest gift to sustain us through our journey is WISDOM. I am thankful that the Lord has graciously given us the Holy Spirit to help us SEEK and KNOW true wisdom. So i am thankful, this Christmas that the greatest gift i have been given is eternal life, but also the ability to seek wisdom and allow it to lead me in my path to redemption.

I have spent the past several months praying through the Psalms and I must say it has greatly enriched my prayer life, devotion and worship. When i first became a believer (actually in the months prior to my conversion) the Lord graciously used the Psalms to call me to salvation. He allowed the Holy Spirit to remove the scales from my eyes and see and taste that the Lord is not only good, but great.

I mainly connected to David and his heart-felt pleas for Gods mercy and forgiveness. I would pray with David
"Hear O Lord my righteous plea; listen to my cry." "I call on you O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Show the wonder of your great love you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes....hide me in the shadow of your wings." "They close up their callous hearts and their mouths speak with arrogance. They have tracked me down, they now surround me..." Ps. 17: 1, 6,7,8,10.

While, yes my foes were not trying to kill me (like david's), however the life i was living was leading to spiritual death and separation from God. I was plagued by "friends" trying to persuade me to continue on a path that I was beginning to understand led to utter emptiness and despair. Exactly the opposite of what they were promising. Sin is so cunning.

I can remember praying this before and while i was being tempted...
"For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me. I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin"..."O Lord, do not forsake me, be not far from me, O my God. Come quickly to help me O Lord my Savior!" Ps. 38:17-18, 21-22

My hope was held in His promise that:
"All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. My heart pounds, my strength fails me.." Ps. 38:9-10

Now, at a very different season of my life, the Lord has used the Psalms again as an encouragement and bridge to greater joy in Him.
" The Lord has done GREAT things for US, and we are FILLED with JOY!" Ps. 126:3

The past six months has been one answer to prayer after another....and i am incredibly thankful. And as i turn to the Psalms i cannot help but be absolutely overwhelmed with a heart that longs to praise my God! All i can see are the prayers God used to bring me out of the depths of my sin and to a life that is life everlasting. I now, read new words that bring about a new heart to worship.

Many of you have been recent recipients of my text messages of scripture that I have been praying specifically for you. I feel there is nothing better to do than to lift you up to God using His perfect Word, which is His perfect will for your life. No other prayer is as fitting than the one God has given us. Its brought generations upon generations to their knees! I hope you have been as blessed as I have by these Psalms. Here are a few that I have been meditating on over the past several months...

"Say among the nations. The Lord reigns, The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved." Ps. 96:10 (No matter who is the political leader, economic status, etc.)

"Praise be to the Lord, to God our SAVIOR, who DAILY BEARS OUR BURDENS. Our God is a GOD who SAVES; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death." Ps. 68:19-20

"My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; POUR OUT YOUR HEARTS TO HIM, for God is our refuge." Ps. 62:7-8

"We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our sheild. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you." Ps. 33:20-22

And those of you who really know me, know that i struggle deeply with being content. I am praying to truly be thankful for the many blessings God as given me and not over look them to desire something else....bc there will always be a "something else" out there. Pray with me to be content in His abundant blessings...

"Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup, you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a DELIGHTFUL inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is GLAD and my tongue rejoices; my body will rest secure because you will not abandon me to the grave." "You have made known to me the path of life, you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Ps. 16:5-10, 11

I am overjoyed to praise God for His faithfulness to both Bryan and I.
"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." Ps. 126:3

So if i was tagged twice does that mean i have to think of 14 things....or does that mean i am that popular..hahaha...neither, i am sure!

Ok, here goes!

1. I love, love, love to dance, sing, sing and sing...when no one, but my dog and husband are watching. I used to dance a lot in public when i had too much liquid confidence (if you know what i mean). Especially love to dance today to Michael Jackson (old stuff) Madonna (old stuff), Hip-Hop and most 90's dance/club music (I know, right?).

2. I would love to be a make-up artist and/ or cosmetologist....just for fun and possibly for money.

3. I used to have a tongue piercing, nose ring and tried, unsuccessfully to pierce my belly button...twice. I also used to fake tattoo chinese symbols on my lower back with Sharpie marker when i was a freshman in college...bc it was cool to have back in '02.

4. I loved high school! Everything about it. I went to an all girls, catholic high school. I had an awesome experience. You either love it or you hate it. I made some of my closest friendships there (we're all still bff). I loved the uniform, the pep rallies, soccer, art classes, teachers, and the actual building! I love SHA! I would love to work there.

5. When i played house as a kid....I would pretend that my fake husbands name would be "Bryan"....who knew i was prophetic! Haha.

6. I am the reason that both my dad and mom are married to their current spouses. I introduced them both to each other, when i was a kid....I introduced my dad to his wife Susan when i was like 12. I introduced my mom to my stepdad, Philip when i was 10. In some funny ways...good story for another blog...but yes, I am a match-maker!

7. Bryan and I talk to each other in a totally disgusting annoying tone, using un-recognizable words and movements...that only the two of us understand. Its ridiculous...but we both love it and would both deny it and refuse to do it in front of you.

NO TAGS! I read no blogs, other than the ones that were already tagged!

Nothing really too new to get excited about, but really more of the same. However, since we have this blog and I have not written in like three years i felt it necessary to give some updates....even if there are few... Ok, here goes it..

1.) WE ARE OFFICIALLY MEMBERS OF IMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH!!!
And we love it! What a wonderful display of a truly biblical church that not only seeks to be correct in the importance of right doctrine and biblical teachings, but MOST important this church lives to share the gospel of Jesus Christ! Without receiving grace and continual sanctification through the gospel a right theology is worthless. We are blessed to have found both in this church. We LOVE it here. We feel authentically loved by a body that truly does seek to honor Jesus in all that it does. Praise the Lord for answered prayer, bc that was definitely a huge request about a year ago when we officially decided to move to Louisville.

2.) Bryan LOVES SCHOOL!
Like this is really a huge shocker to most of you all. However, i am very please to report (he is going to hate this) he is doing really well in his classes. I am so proud of his diligence to see his work as a spiritual discipline. He is really enjoying learning new things and allowing sound teaching to sharpen the things he already knew. With about a week to go in Bryan's first semester I think he would definitely appreciate your prayers for his finals. He is going to enjoy this much needed break after finals. Pray for rest and renewal. Thankfully, Bryan really managed his time well. We pray this pattern to continue in our years here.

3.) Sunglass Hut is still standing....
Ironically, i have been encouraged during this time of economic uncertainty...especially in the retail world. It is, however depressing to see all these stores close...even in my affluent, snobby mall (it is). However, thanks to Gods continued providence in my life....my store continues to do well. I am so thankful for his watchful care over me regarding finances and actually being in work. A job where i can use some of the gifts he has gifted me in. I pray that I would reflect Christ in all of my conversations with ppl as the come to my store. That they would receive more than great customer service and sunglass knowledge...but that they would be enticed by the spirit of our Lord. May my conversations be salty and His light blinding. Isnt that why we are here anyway? My treasures cannot be in my earthly possessions and worldly comforts. Moth and rust surely will find it and destroy. My hope is in the unchangeable rock of my salvation! Thank you to my friends that have graciously helped me through my discontentment with my current career. I covet your prayers daily. Please pray with me to keep the focus on the gospel.

4.) Calvin is getting BIG!!!
He seems to have less of that puppy skinny look. He's "manning" up lately. He's beefy and gassy (not going to lie there) our poor friends can attest to that truth. Seriously though, he still has energy for days.....but seems to love the seminary campus and its hills. He gets exercise running up and down them, chasing sticks and getting caught pooping when mommy does not have a bag to pick it up. (Yes, we got caught!) He is still "hot and heavy" with Zoey. Shes the sassy black "lab" he's been pursuing for about three months now. She was "hard to get" in the beginning, but he won her over with the over-bite, excessive kisses (with tongue) and incessant games of tag through the trees. She seriously is the only dog that is faster than Calvin. He loves it too! Anyway, how ridiculous that i am blogging this much about our dog! We love him, what can we say! We just need to give him a baby to play with....he really needs kids to watch and love! (Lord willin')!

5.) FELLOWSHIP GALORE!
We are super thankful for Gods providence in graciously giving us many friendships here in Louisville. We already have great memories and a list of ppl that will forever be receiving Christmas cards, emails and yearly visits when our time here at Southern is over. But thankfully its just the beginning. So i will put the fruit baskets on hold and for now and continue to invite them over for food, tv, games and hopefully fun. We love you guys!

Thank you all for your prayer and continued support in the gospel. Please pray for continued unity for Bryan and I in all things. That I would submit and respect Bryan and that he would love me as Christ loves the Church. Pray that we would live out what we are learning here in the classroom. Pray also, that we would continually place our hope in the soverignty of our Lord Jesus Christ and not in this world or one another. Our goal is to live radically for the gospel and not for ourselves. Help us to "press on towards this goal" in the "race that was set before us" "running in perservance" with Christ, who because "of the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame" so that we, "who are more than conquerors" "will not grow weary or lose heart".

John Mayer is amazing.....he plays like he was born with the guitar in his hands. This song is great. I want to hear Shane and Shane do it. I love the melody....scripture to it would be great.

Listen...

Today I found myself lost in my thoughts. It can be a scary place, but this venture was quite pleasant. I was watching Bryan do his normal "Bryan-thing", which this time consisted of watching SNL skits with I-Pod earphones in his ears, laughing so loud that I think the Bednars down the street could hear his ridiculous cackle, when it hit me: I am going to be spending the rest of my life with this person.......

Don't be scared. I thought about that before I said yes to the diamond proposal, but today it was somehow different. It was good. It wasn't new, it was comfortable. I think one of the best compliments someone can give is to tell someone they feel "at home" or "comfortable" around them. It is my desire to have my home be comfortable, casual and relaxed. I grew up in a stuffy, clean and almost sterile environment where you didn't dare move a pillow or keep dirty socks on too long (don't even think about brining shoes into the house). I know some of my desires for organization and tidiness come from these beginnings, but I never want to reach the point of utter insanity that is my parents house.

Anyway, back to the point. Bryan is home. He and all his qwirks are my comfortable, safe, relaxed, easy, secure nook. I choose to say "nook" because I feel most at home when his long baseball pitcher arms are wrapped, tightly around me and my face is nestled in his neck. Every girl knows this spot on her man, and we love it! While I was watching him, I was trying to remember my life before I met him. When I was Danielle Centineo. I still remember, but when I do its like I am watching someone else's life. I had a hard time remembering what it felt like to be me, without Bryan and I must say I didn't like trying to picture life without him. Isn't it strange how someone can become so apart of you that you cannot remember the you that you were without them.

I love Bryan. Every last bit of him is what makes me, me. I like the me that begins with him. I am so thankful that the Lord brought us together young so that I can enjoy every last moment with him that makes this temporary home truly home. I can say with all honesty and sincerity I did not know home until I met Bryan. You may think this is sappy, but it truly is a testimony to my wonderful mate.

Enjoy some of these pictures from when we first started our journey together..........

Ok, its no secret that I (Danielle) know very little about politics. Its also no secret that I married (Bryan) the conservative lovin', friendly debate engaging, volunteer political analyst, Pro-Life, no fence riding conservative. Let me just state that when Bryan met me, I was on the fence about where i stood politically so much so that I did not even vote! I was under the impression that if i was so ignorant to policy and the people running, I had no right to vote. An un-informed vote was pathetic in my mind. So i didnt vote! Yes, yes I know...I was lectured, so no need to voice your complaints on my un-American behavior.

I do now however, exercise my right to vote and freedom of speech. I am a supporter of McCain and am excited to see what he has to say at the RNC. Bryan and I have been watching the DNC, bc we believe its important to be informed on all sides. I have to admit, I thought the DNC was pretty good. Obama is trying to separate himself from the current administration. He is doing it BIG! Oh my goodness, does he have huge audiences and popular celebrities backing his every move. As i predict many ppl will jump on this band wagon bc of the simple reason that everyone wants change and something sexy.

But change for the sake of change, is NO change at all! (As my husband says)
I am very eager to see what McCain and his new running mate (its rumored to be Gov. Palin) will bring to the table. Both tickets are firsts for our country. A young African American and seasoned VP vs. a seasoned POW with a uber conservative, young, (former sports anchor) WOMAN! How exciting. I know there has been a woman who has ran before for VP, but it would be a first to actually have a VP in office that is a woman. I think this is wonderful for our country.

Feel free to leave a comment on what you think. Please be nice, no hate comments. Ha!
Rock the vote baby!

I was truly touched today by a few things at church today....

1.) The sermon was extremely convicting in that it was about sin and its consequences. The text was 2 Samuel 11. It talked about how sin manifests itself in our lives when we are not doing what God has called us to do. When we are bored. Sin eventually gives birth to lies and other means to it up leading to destruction; without repentance.

2.) I loved the music today. Not because the right people were singing (although they were great find Andrew Case here), but rather because of the joy of worshiping with the body of Christ. Especially next to someone with such a gift. I was sitting next to a guy named Brad and his voice truly brought tears to my eyes. It was wonderful to see a man sing praises to his God, whom made him blind, but hear how he trusts his faith will become SIGHT one day. Brad is literally blind, but sings like his faith is already been made known before his eyes. Praise God! What an inspiration to know that one day Brad will be in the presence of the Lord and for the first time seeing....and seeing holiness as the only thing he has ever laid his eyes on. Wow!

This song, "Merciful God" lyrics were an encouragement. Hopefully you find it an encouragement to you as well...

Merciful God, O abounding in love,
Faithful to all who draw near You;
Hearing the cries of the humble heart,
Showing the cross they may cling to.
Broken I come, helpless in sin,
Found at the feet of Your mercy.
Father, forgive; may my sin be remembered no more.

Merciful God, O abounding in love,
Faithful through times we have failed You;
Selfish in thought and uncaring in deed,
Foolish in word and ungrateful.
Spirit of God, conquer our hearts
With love that flows from forgiveness;
Cause us to yield and return to the mercy of God.

Merciful God, O abounding in love,
Faithful to keep us from falling;
Guiding our ways with Your fatherly heart,
Growing our faith with each testing.
God speed the day struggles will end;
Faultless we'll gaze on Your glory.
Then we will stand overwhelmed by the mercy of God.


Amen

Recently I have been reading through Genesis and its been really great. Today I read about Potiphar's wife and Joesph. I read about how she noticed how handsome he was and how God blessed him in everything he did. She was attracted, rightly so, however she reacted to it in a not so good way. She repeatedly tried to get Joesph to sleep with her. He resisted multiple times until she stooped to physical persuasion. Joesph again resisted, however in his attempt to escape her literal grasp he was set free with a clean conscious, while leaving his robe in the struggle. This gave potiphar's cunning wife an opportunity to scream rape and "punish" a Godly man of an un-Godly act which had not been committed. The proof was the robe. Joesph was sent to prison to await his trial for 2 years. Can you image what must have been going through his head?

I would be thinking: "Lord, why me!" "My brothers sold me into slavery and now you have left me as well." "No longer will I follow God because look at where it has lead me!" "I resisted temptation, tried to do my best in every task Potiphar gave me....I even gave you all the glory for my success and this is how you repay me thankless God?!"

Just to name a few thoughts...I'm sure you can imagine a time in your life where you have doubted God's leading in your life...been so unsure of your circumstances that you could swear He has left you all together. I know I can.

Today as i read this passage i began to reflect on the past few years of my life. When i got married two years ago God provided a great job at a Sunglass store where i was the assistant manager. I enjoyed the job and did a fairly good job to the point I was promoted to Store Manager. God was good in blessing me and bring such great providence to Bryan and I's situation. Sometime later i began to view this job as a means to an end. I anxiously awaited my pending graduation when I would get a "real job". Well, the time came and I got a "real job"....and it turned out to be a "real" flop. Not to say God wasn't leading me there, because He was. I believe He ordains all things, knows all things and we cannot escape that predestined will. However, I do believe in my pride i overlooked His providence and desired something that in my mind was "better".

God forgave my ignorance and brought me back to the same Sunglass store i was at previously. Sometime passed and Bryan and I followed God's call to seminary here in Louisville. Again i am faced with the pending decision of a career. My immediate thought: "Get a real job; something to do with my degree." I prayed about what avenue to take and where to start when God threw into my lap yet another Sunglass Store opportunity. When i left my previous store, before we moved to Louisville I prepared to go in the opposite direction of Sunglasses for various reasons. However, here was God again with the same providence through managing a different Sunglass store. What was i to do?

My circumstances were exactly the opposite place i hoped to find myself. However, God had a greater plan. Much like Joesph when he found himself in jail, he must have thought "Lord i resisted and did everything to not find myself here!" How confused Joesph must have been. He could have turned and said "NO GOD, no more!" However, Joesph brought God glory despite his confusing circumstances. I think when we are confused about why God is bringing us to certain circumstances we must look to the past and see how faithful God has been and trust He will again bring all things for the good of those who believe. Even if its not our idea of "good", we are called to trust.

Having said all of that....I am trusting God in His provision in bringing me back to Sunglasses. I am incredibly thankful and extremely excited to see what the Lord will do. I am pretty sure it will have nothing to do with interpreting dreams, but all in the same I will do my best to honor God with all He chooses to bless me with.

Bryan and I have been experiencing some minor difficulties within our relationship. We were lucky enough to share these difficulties with a small group we are currently attending through Crossings Church. We are so thankful for their loving hearts and prayerful acceptance of our struggles....

We are over joyed being here in Louisville, but are currently struggling in our marriage relationship. Both Bryan and I feel we have been fighting more than usual over the past few weeks. Typically when we fight we seek a resolution quickly and forget what we were fighting about even moments after the argument. Such a blessing! However, recently we have not fallen into our typical pattern. Obviously, this has caused a huge toll on us. Once you start arguing and do not have resolution its like a snowball effect which continues to get larger and larger until you cannot avoid it. We couldn't live like this much longer without bursting, so when it came our turn to share our highs, lows and prayer requests to the group we divulged our plight. (I sound British!)

While the group was praying for us i came to the understanding as to why Bryan and I are struggling.. I do not know where you stand with your understanding with spiritual warfare, but this is absolutely what I think has plagued us. Satan likes nothing better than to bring division to one of the most precious gifts God has given us; marriage. It makes sense. Ever since we started packing to come here he has tried to bring us down. We are a threat to his "kingdom". There is certainly a huge responsibility on our part to be exercising our spiritual disciplines in prayer and scripture reading; which undoubtedly aids in our defense, but we were not. However, thankfully we can take refuge in the fact that satan has been defeated by Christs death and resurrection. We have nothing to fear, but rather rejoice that we are not left to fend for ourselves, alone. Satan can try with all of his might to steal, kill and destroy, but God's grip on our lives is everlasting. Praise be to God!!!

Now having some much needed light shed on our predicament I am thankful we are experiencing this oppression. It means that God has much in store for us here as we begin to step into a lifetime of full time vocational ministry. I would rather be oppressed and on my knees than complacent and on my feet. So for now we are arming ourselves with the full armor of God and remaining thankful that we are instruments in the Redeemer's Hand.

Yes, it has been too long....

We said we weren't going to do it, but we did. We've allowed three months to come between us and the blog. I feel ashamed. However, to our defense we lost internet connection and never established it again until we moved....yes moved.

For those of you who do not know, we have officially taken up residence in Louisville, Kentucky!! Thus starts the beginning of Bryan's seminary career at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. It has been a long time coming too. We could not be more excited and encouraged at the same time. We've already meet wonderful people and visited some great churches. For the first time since we've been married I can officially say i feel like we are exactly where we should be. God has opened doors and allowed things to manifest to bring us to this point.

Mainly i am very excited for this journey to begin for Bryan. I cannot tell you how wonderful it is, as a wife to see her husband's gifts utilized and "exercised". If that makes sense. Today, Bryan looked at me and said " I have read almost two of the four books i have to read for my first class and...I LOVE IT!" Finally!! I scream inside. Bryan is so gifted at retaining information and being able to teach it almost immediately after he indulges in it. He is finally able to indulge in the information he chooses and enjoys (even if it is for class). Who thought History of the Baptists reading material would light up a mans face as it has! Praise God.

We are settled and unpacked. Believe it or not. We are organized and ready to walk through unknown doors and trust in God's plan. We are excited to learn, meet new people and grow as a couple. We cannot wait to see where this next three years will take us. Thank you God for your grace and mercy. Thank you for calling us by name and bringing us here. Help us to do your will as we strive to bring you glory.

The other night Bryan and I were in Louisville having dinner with my parents when "religion" came up. I have been earnestly praying for my mother's salvation for the entire 5 or so years of my Christian walk. Each year I see God's faithfulness as he brings Christians in her life and gently softens the hard places in her heart. It really is amazing to watch and know that only God is responsible for such a remarkable transformation, previously thought impossible by myself countless times before. 'Forgive my disbelief', I continue to say.

Mom, like many other people think that being a good person is enough for God to find favor in us and save us. "As long as I live a good life and do my best to be a good person God will accept that...right?" She asks. Well its not quite that easy (or hard, bc that way is much harder). However, this thought has been entertained for thousands of years as "religion" and the world continue to collide.

For instance Hinduism teaches a religion based on the idea that karma and good works is not enough for the soul to reach spiritual "enlightenment". They believe it takes about 6.8 million rotations through reincarnation for the good and evil to balance out...and thus we achieve nirvana; the ultimate level of spiritual enlightenment.

In other areas of the world we see religious festivals where men insert several metal hooks into their backs and pull a large load full of rocks through streets in hopes of gaining forgiveness from their sins. In Mexico, the devout crawl miles upon miles on their knees in pilgrimage towards God and forgiveness of sins.

This is the problem. So many people believe we must do several things in order to gain favor in Gods eyes. Religion teaches obey, obey and obey therefore I am accepted. How many times do we obey, obey before we are accepted??

This is the truth. Christianity teaches I am accepted therefore I obey because of the JOY of MY SALVATION.
A friend of mine use to use this analogy to explain this paradigm.

When we go to take a shower we do not take a bath first. We go to the shower as we are to get clean. There is no need to take a bath first to become clean and therefore "ready" to take a shower. The same is with Christ. We come to him dirty and ready for the cleansing of our sins. Because no matter how many ceremonial "baths" we take it will never be enough to take away our sins. Only the power of Christs death can wash away our sins.

But yet we see people everyday adding to this idea that I must be good enough to come to God. This is what my Mom believed. Slowly this belief began to crumble as Bryan and I explained that "There is no one righteous, not even one" Romans 3:10.

When we continue to do good for God to gain his favor we are making sacrifices to idols and not God. (See 1 Cor. 10:20) God implores us to not take part in such activities. Christians and non-Christians fall prey to this mindset everyday.

There is little we can do, but much we can believe: "Yet we know that a person is NOT JUSTIFIED by the WORKS of the law but through FAITH in JESUS CHRIST, so we also have BELIEVED in CHRIST JESUS, in order to be JUSTIFIED by FAITH in Christ and NOT by WORKS of the law, because by WORKS of the law NO ONE WILL BE JUSTIFIED." Galatians 2:16. Clearly we learn we cannot add to our salvation or earn it; we are justified alone by what Christ has done on our behalf.

This problem may seem sad to Christians, but I rejoice as I see the spirit of God move so many people to conviction of their sins. This conviction causes many of us to do things to gain salvation. However, we must learn that we can put thousands of "hooks" in our backs and "crawl a thousand miles" to get to God, but until we see the hooks in our Savior's back and the miles that were already trudged out by a perfect God we will toil and toil and get no where.

Christ received the penalty on our behalf, we must come to the understanding that we are accepted and thus we must obey by loving and worshiping the King who has paved the way for our salvation.

Well, its official we have jumped into 2008 head first and strong as ever. What a great way to live it; on a blog. Sharing our thoughts, experiences and musings. Hopefully you will get "something" out of it, as we merely benefit in "unloading" it all. Especially Bryan....he has so many thoughts exuding out of his brain that it is better for him to write them, than watch me suffer as he entertains them (silently), while i continue to ask: "Are you ok, you haven't said anything in an entire hour"...and he replies: "Really!? Wow, i was just thinking about this thing i read and how i would teach it to someone else, sorry babe." This is the price you pay when you marry someone with more intelligence in his big toe, than in my entire being. (Haha, just kidding, but the man is smart). We compliment one another well and i think you will see this through the blog.

My entries will be mainly comical with a serious twist. While Bryan's will be mainly serious with a comical twist. Either way; entertaining. I will also warn you mine will be heavy laden with grammatical errors, spelling mistakes and a few made up words. So bare with me. I tend to write as i speak and with active voice. Bryan tends to write (as we have a good laugh about) with passive voice.

Our main goal is to honor God through our reflections and praises, while also blessing you, and making a few of you laugh. We are excited to see how this idea will unfold. Hopefully we will remain diligent to posting and not leave months in between and even years; as we have with past blogs. Since we do everything together we thought if we did a blog together we would remember to post. As you get married you learn that you are much better as a pair than apart.
Thankfully, we became a pair a little over a year and a half ago and we're enjoying every moment since. Hopefully you will see this as you read....