"Good bye, Mr. President"

I want you to visit this link!

"Leaders deserve our support"

Great article by Dr. Thornbury in this morning's Jackson Sun. He talks about the responsibility we as believers have to support and pray for our government. Over the past week I have talked a lot about how important it is to me that America's respect the office of the President. However, I am usually the first person to make an inappropriate joke about the soon to be president or to predict the trouble he will cause in our country. This morning I am convicted after reading Dr. Thornbury's thoughts and I feel refreshed after repenting of my sin. Here are a few good quotes from the article:

"Indeed, there remain significant disagreements on the political landscape,
but this one thing I believe: the Christian community must never be the ones
fomenting talk of civil discord or promises of a "backlash.""

"One of the greatest liabilities confronting evangelical Christians today is
that many people think that they're always negative, cranky or even
downright mean. What a tragedy that is, especially as we prepare to enter
into the Christmas season, in which people around the globe celebrate the arrival of
Jesus of Nazareth, the Prince of Peace."

You can read the rest of the article here.

Thoughts on Masculinity

I know I have not updated in quite some time, but I thought this was a good post on masculinity and I wanted to pass it along.

Ooops!

My nephew, Jack, thought it was pretty funny that Aunt Kellye backed into his mail box!

Being an aunt is too fun!

Those were the days...

Random things I learned this week...

1. Digging through my neighbor's trash is humbling...profitable, but humbling.
2. The branch of a magnolia tree falling on the back of your shoulder really hurts.
3. Smaller offices are much easier to decorate.
4. Being a social worker means you have really cool stories...but can't tell anyone.
5. Prunes should be consumed in moderation.

Kellye's Island

I was not looking forward to this summer because I hate West Tennessee summers...hot and humid. So to 'beat the heat' I decided to create my own little island paradise in my back yard. As you can see, island paradise on my budget leaves much to be desired! Our new pool is just big enough for one person to lay down on a float or for several people to lounge around. Happy summer.

Cuties for the Cure

Cuties for the Cure 5K Walk
Saturday June 21, 2008
8 am – 12 pm
Registration begins at 7:30 am
At the Trinity Christian Academy Walking Track
10 Windy City Road in Jackson, TN
Registration Fee is $20
For Registration Forms Contact: Dana Huey 731-225-2326 or leave a comment and I will email you a registration form!
Pony Rides and Concessions will also be available.

All the Proceeds Benefit the Susan G. Komen 3-day Walk for the Cure.

I know, I know

Ok, so I am a terrible blogger. I thought I would be much better at this (especially after getting such a cool new layout). I think bloggers would be more motivated to blog if you had to pay a fee every time you went to their website:)

Oh, you know...

March has been a busy month. I left the CP Center (Now known as the Therapy and Learning Center) and went to work for Healthy Start as a Family Support Worker. Healthy Start is a child abuse prevention program. We work with first time parents (mostly teenage girls), helping them become successful parents. So far, I enjoy having a job where I am helping others, getting out of the office and...wearing scrubs! I really miss my friends at the CP Center, but my co-workers at Healthy Start are lots of fun. I also have my own office, which is a first for me. So that is what has been keeping me preoccupied. While I love trying new things, transition is never easy, so I feel like I have been "out of it" lately. Hopefully over the next week or so I will get more settled into a new routine. Good times.

Contextualiztion

When I began reading about the C1-C6 spectrum I had already formed an opinion and was hoping to find evidence to support my conclusion. While my studies are far from over, I am surprised to find myself leaning in a different direction from where I started. My thoughts are a work in progress and I would love for my readers to join me in this discussion. Before I share those thoughts, I just want to outline the facts, to give you as much information as I can so that our conclusions are based on truth. If you have done research on contextualization please let me know if you see any holes in my arguments.

In recent years there has been much discussion on how to effectively take the gospel to Muslim countries. The C1-C6 spectrum appears to be at the center of that discussion. I have spent hours reading and have talked with people who hold different views on this subject. It has been insightful and challenging. Based on what I have been learning, I want to encourage you to remember a few things before you begin studying:

1. Let Scripture tell you the answers. My college minister use to always say this to me. It is easy to let our experiences and feelings determine our beliefs. Start with the Word as your foundation and go from there.

2. Be teachable. This is not a black and white issue. Consider all the information and don't let differences of opinion be devicive.

3. Muslims are not statistics or mission projects! They are a precious, unique people with whom we share a common bond - a need for Christ.
Important Terms and defentions:

MBB – Muslim Background Believer, this term refers to a follower of Christ who was formally Muslim.
Contextualization – To place a word or idea into a particular context; refers to the accommodating of words, phrases and meanings into understandable context for a particular culture.
Syncretism – The attempt to reconcile contradicting beliefs, often while melding practices of carious schools of thought. This term may refer to the attempt to merge and analogize several originally discrete traditions especially in theology or mythology and thus assert an underlying unity allowing for an inclusive approach to other faiths.
C1-C6 churches – The ‘C’ stands for “Christ-Centered Communities”. The numbers 1-5 reflect three main areas:
1. The language of worship.
2. The cultural or religious forms which are used in both public life and in their worship.
3. The self identity as Muslim or a Christian.

I received this digragm through an email from and IMB missionary.
It breaks down the general aspects of C1-C6 churches.

If you are new to this discussion, I hope that this little bit of information has been helpful. My personal thoughts are coming later, but some of the questions I have struggled with are: Is is ok for a Muslim to continue calling themselves Muslim? Is it possible to seperate religious and cultural costumes in Islamic countries?

And, still studying...

I have not forgotten to follow on the discussion about contextualization. The past week has been, as you know, stressful. I have found some good resources and look forward to sharing with you!

On Jordan's Stormy Banks I Stand

As I drove to work this morning, the lyrics of this old hymn greatly encouraged me.

On Jordan's stormy banks I stand,
And cast a wishful eye
To Canaan's fair and happy land,
Where my possessions lie.

I am bound, I am bound
I am bound for the promised land;
I am bound, I am bound
I am bound for the promised land.

O the transporting, rapturous scene,
That rises to my sight!
Sweet fields arrayed in living green,
And rivers of delight!

I am bound, I am bound
I am bound for the promised land;
I am bound, I am bound
I am bound for the promised land.

There generous fruits that never fail,
On trees immortal grow;
There rocks and hills, and brookd and vales,
With milk and honey flow.

I am bound, I am bound
I am bound for the promised land;
I am bound, I am bound
I am bound for the promised land.

O'er all those wide extended plains
Shines one sternal day;
There God the Son forever reigns,
A scatters night away.

I am bound, I am bound
I am bound for the promised land;
I am bound, I am bound
I am bound for the promised land.

No chilling winds or poisnous breath
Can reach that healthful shore;
Sickness, sorrow, pain and death,
Are felt and feared no more.

I am bound, I am bound
I am bound for the promised land;
I am bound, I am bound
I am bound for the promised land.

When shall I reach that happy place,
I'll be forever blest,
For I shall see my Father's face,
And in His bosom rest.

I am bound, I am bound
I am bound for the promised land;
I am bound, I am bound
I and bound for the promised land.

Filled with delight my raptured soul
Would here no longer stay;
Though Jordan's waves around me roll,
Fearless I'd launch away.

I am bound, I am bound
I am bound for the promised land;
I am bound, I am bound
I am bound for the promised land.

Words by Samuel Stennett

Studying

I am doing a lot of reading on contextualization and I want to make sure I have all the fact straight before I try to explain it on my blog. If you know of any good resources, please let me know.

"These are a few of my favorite things..."

A few weeks ago, Glenna Marshall posted about things she recently learned about herself. I thought I would 'copy her' (hope that's ok Glenna:) and write a few things about myself that maybe few people know. I may regret this :)...

• I like watching old reruns of sitcoms from my childhood like Full House, Fresh Prince and The Cosby Show.
• I love cold, snowy weather and rainy mornings.
• My favorite time of year is autumn.
• I listen to Elvis and have a blanket with a giant picture of him singing.
• Growing up, I loved watching The Monkees and had the biggest crush on Davie Jones.
• I can sing the entire theme song from Fresh Prince.
• I have read Elizabeth Elliot's The Savage My Kinsmen countless times.
• Someday, I would love to have twins.
• I much prefer going to a live play over going to the movies.
• I love animals, music, getting up early on Saturday, and visiting friends in Chicago.

*Coming soon: methods of contextualization, music I recommend (just look at the list above...I obviously have great taste:)

Almost 1 Million miles...

This is my goal for my Jeep.

How Shall We Love Our Muslim Neighbor?

On this blog I hope to begin a discussion on an issue that is of debate in many missions organizations. How do we present the gospel to Muslims? I have been studying and praying through this for several weeks and have come to the realization that I will not have an answer overnight. Getting to the truth will take much more time, thought and prayer. John Piper has been one of my favorite people to read on this subject. In the next few days, I hope to lay out what I have been learning and give a brief but descriptive overview of methods of contextualization in the Muslim world. Please join and grow with me in this discussion!

Mini Melts

One of my favorite treats in the world is ice cream. I think I could eat it every day! Mint Chocolate Chips is my favorite, but I also like coffee flavor with dark chocolate chunks. Mmmm…
However, one of the coolest ice creams in the world is dip-in-dots. When my parents lived in Mexico there was a little dip-in-dots ice cream shop. You could even buy it by the half gallon. I remember one night begging my dad to go out and get me a bowl mint chocolate chipJ Last night at Wal-Mart I found a box of Mini Melts (which I guess is another brand of the same thing). Oh, they were so good!!!! I think I should open a Mini Melt Shop in Jackson.

*If you go to the Mini Melt web page, there is a video of how the ice cream is made. I just want to warn you that even though it is a cartoon video, it might be a little inappropriate for the men to see. I can’t believe it takes a half-dressed woman to sell a cup of ice cream.

Tonight's Reflections

Unforgivable. That is how I feel sometimes. Looking back on the past few weeks, I feel as if I have been consistently giving my time to sin. I invited temptation into my mind and welcomed sin’s temporary pleasures. What should have been put to death immediately, grew into something that seemed too big to fight. I resided myself to think that the battle was lost. The enemy had me pinned down in a perfect position to fill my head with lies. “You are no good to the church, you can’t hear from God, you have gone farther than mercy can reach you." I had created my own giant, and it was defeating me. Andrew Peterson has expressed my thoughts better than I can in the last few verses of Come, Lord Jesus:

"It's taken me years in the race just to get this far
Still there is no end in sight,There's no end in sight
Cause I've carried my cross into dens of the wicked
And you know I blended in just fine

Well, I'm weak and I'm weary of breaking His heart
With they cycle of my sin, of my sin
Still He turns His face to me and I kiss it
Just to betray Him once again"

Today I have been meditating on the promise that God sees me perfect in His Son, whose blood and grace are sufficient for even me. As a new week approaches, I pray that I will “…put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” (Romans 13:14) I know that this battle has already been won, and I have no right not to fight it. So I pray with the Puritans: “O ever watchful Shepherd, lead, guide, tend me this day; Without they restraining rod I err and stray; Hedge up my path lest I wander into unwholesome pleasure, and drink its poisonous streams; Direct my feet that I be not entangled in Satan’s secret snares, nor fall into his hidden traps, Defend me from assailing foes, from evil circumstances, from myself.”

My afternoon snack...

If your reading this, please don't tell Sarah!

What others are saying

Here are a few posts from fellow bloggers that I have read this week and want to recommend...

• Tim Ellsworth posted this video on abortion.
• In response to a readers poll, Lydia Brownback addressed the issue of time management.
• Join JRazz in a discussion about churches and alter calls.
• Thinking about protecting the environment? Read Glenna's thoughts on going green.

Caffeine and Miscarriages

"What the study found
-- Women in early pregnancy who drank 200 mg or more of caffeine every day - the equivalent of about 1 1/2 cups of coffee - had roughly twice the risk of miscarriage as women who drank less caffeine or none at all.
-- The greatest risk from caffeine was in the second eight weeks of pregnancy.
-- Where the caffeine came from - coffee, tea, soda or some other beverage - did not make a difference in the risk."

Conforming

The past few days at work have been hard. It seems that there have been a thousand little issues that have snowballed into one big avalanche of stress! Office equipment that doesn’t work, conflicts in scheduling, break downs in communication, it seems that nothing will go right for us this week and it's tiring. My greatest source of frustration, however, is my own attitude and the way I have sometimes chosen to respond in certain situations. I have come into work with little motivation, cursed at my constantly ringing phone (a lot of good that does) and been short with my co-workers. As I left work the other day, I pulled out of the parking lot fighting back tears. It’s discouraging to look at my behavior and realize that I sometimes conform to the "images of the world" and therefore present an inaccurate reflection of Christ. A few weeks ago my pastor, Chad Davis, preached from Romans 12:1-2. He pointed out that conforming is something we do and transformation is something that happens to us. Lately I have been feeling as if that transformation is not happening fast enough. It doesn’t seem as if I can do enough “renewing my mind” to keep up with the temptations that I face each day. Chad exhorted the church to “set our minds on the things of God and keep them there until we are radically transformed into people who look like they are a part of the true Kingdom of Christ.” One of the ways I have found to do this is to read the Puritans. In The Bruised Read, Richard Sibbes says,

“In temptation it is safest to behold nothing but Christ the true brazen serpent, the true ‘Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world’. This saving object has a special influence of comfort to the soul, especially if we look not only on Christ, but upon the Father’s authority and love in him. For in all that Christ did and suffered as Mediator, we must see God in him reconciling the world unto himself.
What a support to our faith is this, that God the Father, the party offended by our sins, is so well pleased with the work of redemption! And what a comfort is this, that, seeing God’s love rest on Christ, as well pleased with us, if we be in Christ! For his love rests in a whole Christ, he loves him and us with one love. Let us, therefore, embrace Christ, and in him God’s love, and build our faith safely on such a Saviour that is furnished with so high a commission.”

All my circumstances could change today, but the battle with my sin will be there as long as I am in this flesh. It is good to know that Christ is not only stronger and more constant than my sin, He is the Victor who has already won the battle.

Snow in Jackson

Not really...I just painted a wintery scene for our bulletin board at work and thought I would post it. This is one of the fun perks of my job! I just wish that I could jump into the picture like that scene from Mary Poppins.

Snow in Baghdad

What a surprise this must have been! I heard reports on GMA that many Iraqis where overjoyed at the sight of their first snow and felt it was a sign of peace. My prayers are that true peace will soon come to this broken land.

"Although the white flakes quickly dissolved into gray puddles, they brought an emotion rarely expressed in this desert capital snarled by army checkpoints, divided by concrete walls and ravaged by sectarian killings — delight."

What a great gift from the One who these precious people need most of all.

Caedman's Call Song on Grey's Anatomy Tonight

"Meanest Mom on the Planet'

Jane Hambleton is referring to herself as 'the meanest mom on the plant'. She found alcohol in her son's car and decided to sell it by placing this ad:

"OLDS 1999 Intrigue. Totally uncool parents who obviously don't love teenage son, selling his car. Only driven for three weeks before snoopy mom who needs to get a life found booze under front seat. $3,700/offer. Call meanest mom on the planet."

2008 Puritan Challenge

I am really excited about participating in this! You can read more about it here.

Have you ever...

seen anything like this.

'08 @ 48

This is by far the coolest thing ever done at my house. Sarah came up with the idea of ringing in the new year with a variety show. Preparation for this party took some special skill and a lot of help from Sarah's family. There was hammering, drilling, rearranging...and by the time the guests arrived we had the most awesome little stage...complete with amps, mics and lights! We set up folding chairs for the audience and you would have thought you were in the Ryman

(ok, maybe I should not go that far).

The variety show had everything from musical numbers, stand-up comedy, poetry reading and my personal favorite, the Happy Hands Club. At about 11:30 we spent some time in corporate worship. Worshiping God with other believers was a great way to spend the last few minutes of the year and the first few minutes of the new year.

Doc doing her famous comedy routine!

The excited audience.

Sarah reciting Kara's poem, "The Boy at the Window".

Josh and Katie singing Blessed Assurance.

Susan Hunt singing her original masterpiece, The Mullet Song.

Bob Cali playing, um, I can't remember what this is called.

The Fabulous Hostesses

Happy New Year!