My weekend in NC

How I love this state!
Friday we drove (friends in the housing office here at SBTS) to Wake Forest, NC. The Eastern part of KY and WV is so pretty - especially at dusk with the sun and leaves that are just starting to change. Looking forward to this drive again in November and then back to EK for T-day and B-day.
The Manor House is such a welcoming place for guests and prospective students at Southeastern. I enjoy my stay there - the rooms were dark and quiet and Donna and Jeff Hagood are wonderful new hosts to the place! :)
Saturday morning the housing guys from here met with Sid King (facilities head at SEBTS) while I went and had lunch with Leah, Nathan, and Georgia Finn (and Baxter who arrived Sunday/early Monday). What a great treat it was for me to hang out with them, meet Georgia, talk about life, churches, schools, etc. Thank you Finn's for fitting me in to Baxter's due date (and Leah, I hope the shoes work for you if you got them). We had fun trying to get Georgia to smile and look at the camera. Sorry the last one is blurry - but I really think it is my camera, not Nathan's fault!
Then we had a grand tour of the housing units and campus from Doug Nalley (Housing Director at SEBTS). The Patterson's will be proud of their building - the newest one on campus. I got to see my friends Rach and Sarah - thank you for showing me and us your rooms.
Then we ate at Las Mas and drove on to UNC. Maggie gave us a great driving tour of campus and then Cat showed us her apt - I had never been in those.
Trey then gave us a tour of Duke - all three campuses. The chapel is of course gorgeous - but I loved the Old English style of Duke's west campus - where all the money is evidently put! I got my first glimpse into Cameron Indoor - (personally, Dean Dome is much bigger and better). Caedmon's had just finished a concert there and I saw friends Erin and Keith Anderson who I went to seminary with and they go to Richland Creek.
We then met up with Trey's girlfriend at Southpoint and went to CPK (the only one with a very very long wait). Then to the Rocky Mtn Chocolate Factory, and on to Cook Out for a great shake.
Sunday morning was worship at Providence where I saw great friends Steve and Tina Wright, met Amber Hickman (due in December), and Stephanie Chiulli - great morning. Then drove on to Summit for church. Man - can I just bottle up Chris Gaynor and the choir/praise team/band and take them everywhere with me. I loved seeing Amber, Lauren, Jenn T, meeting Zeke Shelton, Chris, Jason D, Kristin B, Sarah D, meeting Jena-Marie, Danny, Bonnie, Shannon, Lauren, Janel, Clarissa, Jean-Ann, Trina and Doug and Nicholas (at RR), Barbara and Paul Derby, Eric and Leslie, Merriem and boys (save Jase), Carrie, Lynn, Tom S, Jonathan, Douglases (Jason's parents), Courtnee, Leslie, and just feeling loved, missed, and seeing friends! Thanks for the love guys!
Then we went to Red Robin for lunch and hit the road, stopping by IHOP in Kville on our way back to the ville - arriving at 1.10am. I was tired - but so thankful for many things this weekend.

Colts, Conference, and New Babies

GO COLTS!!! The right kind of coaching does pay off. Now, I'm wondering if the Bucs hated the fact that they fired Dungy!

It is sad though - because now there is no football until August (except the Blue Orange game at UF in April).

The 20/20 conference at SEBTS was great this weekend. Went to an eating disorder session with Dr. Sam Williams and then to the dating/no-dating one with JD. Peter Kreeft is a better writer than he is a speaker, or I just wouldn't have put him first on a Saturday morning. Dr. Nelson was great as always. Speaking TRUTH with all the grace that he has been given throughout his life. The Daylight Donuts were great as well! :)

New babies - my friend Bryan and Debby Pickering had a new baby girl. I love hearing people's beliefs about a Sovereign God come into play when events in life don't go exactly as planned:

We are extremely thankful that God has seenfit to preserve her life; we praise God for carryingus through this very difficult time. We praise Himthat He is always good and that everything He does isright--even when we don't understand or when it hurts. He has been, & continues to be, our strength, ourRock and our refuge.

Here is a picture of little Olivia.

Congrats you guys - I'm praying for you and baby Olivia!

Ps 119 applied

As I was looking through blogs and other sites last night and today, I found this one. To my knowledge, one of the designers of this program goes to SEBTS (lots of good things come of that school).
I've always wanted to memorize Scripture, but get so overwhelmed at time and then quit. Accountability hasn't worked. I've tried figuring out how Piper and Davis (FBCDurham Pastor) do it. I've tried it many ways.
This is one of those ways. Figure 8 is a system. After reading it, it sounds great, hard work (but what worth having and doing isn't?) and they have created 3 different levels of intensity. Check it out - let me know what you think.

Tigers, Fighting, Reading, Striving

Yesterday - just b/c I didn't want to blog right before going to bed b/c it was late.
Auburn got a run for their money down in Cock land. It came down to the last play - sorry Steve, try harder next time. We'll hopefully tame the Tigers in a couple weeks for ya.
Time in the Word was good. It had been a battled day at work yesterday with a co-worker. Gave in - but should have just ignored her, answered kindly, God against my foes. Ps 53. He is my salvation and my deliverer. Let Him do it. I don't need to fight. Most of the time I fight wrong anyway.
I fight for my interests and not theirs (Phil 2).
1 Tim 2 - the beginning of the chapter is bookended with commands to pray. I haven't been doing that much lately. We are commanded to because God's glory and for the salvation of the world - therefore, we should pray.
Then I read the Christ-hymns and started reading again in Piper's Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ I read that back in 2001 and now I'm reading it again. I can't believe its been that long ago that I read it. My second year of seminary, 2 years of being in NC. Now that all that may be coming to a close - I'm reading it again. I read it on SEBTS's grounds - looking around, striving, when I should just be thirsting and seeking the only thing that will satisfy me and never let me down - GOD and HIS GLORY.
Anyway...today is Friday - praise God! Work, Yoga, eating at Carolina Cafe with one of my girls - Go Maggie, finally, Harris Teeter to pick up a few things for brunch tomorrow, then home to read and go to bed so I can get up early for cycle and brunch.
HAppy Friday

thoughts on class tonight

As I sat in class tonight - I realized this is the first time one of Dr. Coley's classes is actually having an adverse effect on me. Not to take anything away from the class at all - and I really like Dr. Littlejohn's perspective on thing (Trinity Academy, Raleigh).
But, I sit there, especially if we talk about our current vocation. This is what I get. Mothers or teachers (or administrators). Then I say, oh, I push papers at Duke. Who cares that I already have a degree and I teach Bible studies to women and college girls (yes, I love doing that and I don't mean to downplay that at all) - but do I get paid for it? NO!
So, his class is actually depressing me because I can talk about this all day long and it never seemingly takes me anywhere except to some dead-end low ender job. Will I ever get to do what I love to do and get paid for it? Or be a Mom (but that is a different story).
Anyway...I know, God's plan and His timing is perfect. I just wish sometimes he would let me in on it. But then where would faith be? God I need that gift of faith right now - and yes, faith is a gift (Eph 2.8-9) and I think it applies even outside the realm of salvation.

Post Taxes - Tulips and Jesus

Thoughts...post taxes.
Yes, I just finished my taxes, now I just have to get them photocopied tomorrow at Kinkos and give NC my due. (I got stuff back from the Feds again this year). Believe me, sometimes I wish I still lived in FL - no personal income tax. Such a nice treat!
This flower is definitely one of my faves. They signal the beginning of Spring to me. I guess my first experience of them was at the Seminary. There was a fund just for the tulips every year. Meaning...someone gave money just to buy tons of tulips every year and keep the campus looking pretty. But, I still love tulips. This picture was taken on my trip to DC last weekend. You can see the rain drops on them (from the rain of course). They were gorgeous.
But, even more important than tulips, is what this weekend is. No, its not just a weekend (of which I am very glad that it is), but it is more importantly the life giving event that encaptures the only reason I'm alive and breathing. Its EASTER!!! I love celebrating it with my church family since I don't have my real family here to celebrate it with me. Believe me, it is all found in 1 Corinthians 15 - I love meditating on that chapter. Paul's brilliant (ultimately, God was saying it to him). 15.17 - "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins." I definitely still struggle daily with sins...but thanks be to God for His indescrible gift and the empty tomb that I will not struggle with them eternally - because Jesus has conquered death - therefore, since by grace I have been saved through faith by God choosing me before the foundations of the world to be found in Him - I have VICTORY!! Good gracious - that is good stuff! That is the whole meaning of life right there - nothing else really matters!
Anyway...there is a song done by The Choir a long time ago. I had never heard it until this January while I was in Thailand with my church, two girls out of the band The Cord sang this song - it was great. What was even better was when my co-teacher, Veronica - also known as JD's beautiful wife, and Jennifer, another member of The Cord, played it as part of our worship/prayer set for Wednesday's Bible study. It is called Beautiful Scandalous Night:
Go on up to the mountain of mercy, to the crimson perpetual tide
kneel down on the shore, be thirsty no more, go under and be purified
follow Christ to the holy mountain, sinner, sorry and wrecked by the fall
cleanse your heart and your soul, in the fountain that flows, for you and for me and for all
on the hillside you will be delivered at the foot of the cross justified
and your spirit restored by the river that pours from our blessed Savior's side

At the wonderful tragic mysterious tree
On that beautiful scandalous night you and me
Were atoned by His blood and forever washed white
On that beautiful scandalous night

I hope if you are reading this...and you don't know Jesus...and you live in the Triangle area of NC - come to The Summit (look to the right for the link) on Sunday morning (Easter Sunday) and learn how you can have life and have it to the fullest (John 10.10). If you don't live in the area, find a church (yellow pages are good), or just respond to me, via comment, and tell me where you live, and I probably know a Bible-believing church you can go to to hear the Good NEWS preached from the Bible.
If you do know Jesus - take some time this weekend to meditate on the Cross and the Empty Tomb - its your life source!

Rom 8.32
Blessings this Easter weekend -

LOST - an hour of sleep that is

Today was good. Even though I lost an hour of sleep - good day. Sat with some of my girls during church today, so it was good to see them. Saw one of my girls who is getting married and may actually get to meet with her next week.
Hung out with a friend for lunch over here. Most things turned out ok - rice was bland till you put some fresh salsa over it, but the new dessert things turned out well. I'm such a geek - I watch Food TV all the time. Would never want to be a Food TV Star, but oh how I love to cook. I would never want to get to a point where I hate cooking. Talked theology, ministry, and how the combine.
Then I went to hear one of my fave seminary profs speak at Greystone Baptist here in Durham. He spoke on how to be a better teacher - always inspires me to be a better teacher. Dr. Coley is his name - he teaches at Southeastern and he just started a new Christian school in Henderson NC called Crossroads.
Then I went and hung out with kiddos...then came home and watched some tv and played around on the internet. Good Sunday...
Tomorrow - lunch with a friend, work, walking, dinner with one of my girls, choir practice, baking brownies, GO GATORS - a full day, but it will hopefully end with a FLORIDA win!

worship, augustine, and pride

So...this weekend has been one of head nods and screams. Let me explain.
A great night last night. Ate dinner with one of the people in my Bible study who also happens to be from Florida so you know she is cool. Talked to my friend Michelle while I drove (and my Mom). Then after a volunteer's meeting at Southeastern, I went to Starbucks to hang out with two friends of mine whom I hadn't seen in a while. They are great. Two people that if you haven't seen them in a while, you feel like you can just go back and catch right up like you had never been apart. Then I dealt with the phone company some more, spent the night at Rach's on the couch and woke up this morning.
Went to the 20/20 conference. Cool part was seeing friends and listening to Nelson and Schemm. Nelson gave some good insight into Augustine's idea on ordinate and inordinate love in The City of God. This is a siting what Bob Kauflin (www.worshipmatters.com) used on his: This is what my fave prof had to say today:
Worship is the human response to the self-revelation of the triune God, which involves: (1) divine initiation in which God graciously reveals himself, his purposes, and will; (2) a spiritual and personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ enabled by the ministry of the Holy Spirit; and (3) a response by the worshiper of joyful adoration, reverence, humility, submission and obedience. (David Nelson, Authentic Worship, Herbert W. Bateman, ed., p. 149)

then I was all excited to go the choir retreat, which we are learning fantastic new music from Christ Church Choir from TN (www.christchurchnashville.org). But, soon after walking in, got focused on self and how other people weren't focused on me, so then the Spirit did some convicting. It was hard for me even to sing the words "He lives, he lives" - I know He does, but sometimes I live too and that doesn't make for anyone's Joy! Secret sins, sins that aren't tangible...oh, the Spirit has to work hard on those. Anyway, so now I am home and I have get to teach a Bible study in the morning on pride and comparison. Good thing I'm an expert.

Anyway, I'll shoot off thoughts from that and my time in the Word later on tonight.