I really think CCC has "it" and Dave Ferguson has "it." John Burke quoted Dave Ferguson during the unscripted session. This is when I realized that I am part of some radical movement. I know Dave Ferguson. He has emailed me personally! (It was an honor!) First, I have to explain my Dave Ferguson "obsession." Its not that Dave is some really popular and famous guy and that I know him, in as much as he has made it possible for me to be a part of this radical movement. No, I don't work for him. That is the best part. Dave is the face on our church, and I feel that CCC has a culture where I am a part of the church and I am responsible for the church whether I am on staff or not. So, my weird "groupie" following of D.Ferg is just my way of boasting in my church. I can boast in Dave, Jon and Tim. I can boast in all the members of our church! I love our staff! Dave just happens to be the public face of our church. I like Dave because he is down to earth, and really truly humbly has a heart for God. I like Dave because he cultivates the culture where I am that has given me the best part of my life. I cannot explain it. I love the way he talks about his daughter, sons and wife. His life is shared openly with the church, and gives me hope. Its not an obsession, its a fondness. I promise you Dave, I am not stalking you. No more than I am stalking Eric Bramlett.
You will all think I am crazy now, and that is just fine. But, let me assure you the reason I am crazy is because of Jesus. Jesus has changed my life. Opening my life up to God has made me a better person, and I actually enjoy life. Like Bill Hybels said today, God's plans for you are way better than what you could have made on your own. I am just praising God for what I have, where I am, and the blessings I have.
I haven't really made that stuff public, so maybe if you want to know, ask me, email me. I will gladly tell you about it. All I can say is this: when God saved us, saved our home from the fire, I realized a lot of stuff. One of them is that stuff is just stuff, and I want to use what I have been blessed with to help others. Another is that God is always with you. Always.
God loves you and wants you to give in to him. The life I am living is not one I picked, but God has picked for me and it is wonderful. I am so blessed. I love the family that He has picked for me, you know who you are.
Now, I must go. I have to organize my sock drawer.
Yes, I woke up at 7am (think I finally fell asleep around 2) and spent my quiet time with God and coffee and cereal. By 8:20 I was out the door and by 8:45 I was inside the building. I picked up my book and name tag and proceeded upstairs. I bought a bottle of water, I was thirsty. I found my "date" and settled in. We started with some good worship, although the crowd seemed sleepy. Stiff perhaps to worshiping via satellite. I enjoyed Bill Hybels, having never heard him speak before. Okay, I haven't heard any of these guys or gals before. Dave Ferguson totally distracted me by sitting in front of me for the first session. I was disappointed he didn't come back, but better off cuz I could pay attention. I watched over his shoulder as he blogged this post. I admit, I was jealous of laptop and saw many people with crackberries up and running.
I was personally touched by Gary Haugen, figuring if his tips help him to fight slavery and forced prostitution, they can certainly help me in my struggles and with my darkness. I was reassured that God is for justice.
I was most hyped for John Burke. His church is the "come as you are" church and I felt what he had to say most related to my ministry. (Celebrate the Journey- duh) It lit my fire, and I bought his book. I wrote in big letters THIS IS MY CALL on my notepad as he talked. I wanted to scream it. STILL DO!
Efram Smith followed him and preached it! I would love to sit in on a few of his sermons.
I couldn't wait to share what I learned with my husband, but it just sounds so much better coming out of the guys mouths that spoke.
The most interesting part is I spent a day doing "normal" work hours for most people. This is what it is like? I am tired, probably due to the 5 hours of sleep. I see other people when I walk the dog... its wierd. AND I can watch my show on regular time, not re-run or on the net.
Tomorrow I have to be somewhere at 8:30 am. It is not like me to want to be somewhere that early. I am going to my church. They are a satellite site for the Willow Creek Leadership Summit. Two days of hearing from talented, experienced leaders. This should be cool.
Yesterday I was busy, and stayed up late to watch Batman Begins on our new, no-name DVD player. The player was attempt number 3 at getting a working DVD player, and I ended up getting the cheap no-name one to work. The first one skipped chapters at random moments. The second one wouldn't read any disc. This one works. Fancy names mean nothing in the long run.
Tonight is the wake for my friend's wife who passed recently. I won't be able to make it, much like I didn't make it for the wake of my co-worker who passed recently. If I am not related, I cannot get off work. Yet life is for living, and I know my friend will be surrounded by so many people that it wont matter much. He knows I am praying for him and his kids.
I remember my mom's wake, and how it was for catching up with all the people who did not come to visit her when she was alive and dying. No offense, but its hilarious how some people can make it to the funeral, but won't come visit while they are still alive. Dude...
My belief is WE ARE A SOUL, WE HAVE A BODY. Not we are a body and have a soul. Too many folks have that backwards. My mom is in her new body, dancing with my friend's wife in her new body, and having a great time in the presence of the Lord. I am not sad for her. I am sad for my friend's family and their loss. One day soon, all too soon, we will be up there with them.
My body aches and yawns for the next one, the eternal, painless one that doesn't need sleep. Until that time, I have to do the best I can. Speaking of which, I have things to do! Got to go...
Last weigh in weight: 239.7
Today's weight: 238.2
Total weight lost: 39.4 lbs.
Weight to lose to mini-goal: 13.2
How can this be?
Only God can be helping me, because I am not doing this on my own.
I was COMPLETELY surprised I lost.
Thanks God, I can't do this without you. Sooo many answered prayers this week.
I have a friend now who calls me "Dear-one" and it means the world to me. I have a friend that has blessed me tremendously with her time, love and energy. She tells me that I have blessed her with mine. She is my mentor, so wise, beautiful and strong. She loves God most of all, and she gets it. She gets me. She prays for me. I never knew friendship would be, could be this way. Thanks God, you rock for giving me a friend like Diane.
Dear Tammy, and whoever else is following me on my weight loss journey. I did not forget. Monday I had such a good post, I didn't want to add numbers. Tuesday I mean to post, but I spent my morning at the church capturing video to edit for the judge. I will be editing next Tuesday, pulling it all together.
So, without further ado, I will step on the scale:
Last weigh in weight: 240.2
Today's weight: 239.7
Total weight lost: 37.9 lbs.
Weight to lose to mini-goal: 14.7
Back to losing... lets keep it up!
There was a time in my life when I would drive down the street and see Jesus hanging from the cross on every utility pole. I had to make myself stop. I can still see it if I want to.
In my Bible reading, I am still in Romans 5. I am going through the Message, so that scripture is fresh to me. Romans 5 is kicking my butt still.
Click here to read it online.
There is so much I could point out. Like why I associated Romans 5:6-8 specifically to me seeing Jesus hanging from utility poles. This sentence in particular sticks out :"
He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready."
I was far too weak and rebellious. I was that sinner that held Jesus to the cross.
But it didn't just end at Jesus's death. No, He rose from the grave, He conquered death. So, now I have this chance at a resurrection life that He offers. "
If, when we were at our worst, we were put on friendly terms with God by the sacrificial death of his Son, now that we're at our best, just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by means of his resurrection life! Now that we have actually received this amazing friendship with God, we are no longer content to simply say it in plodding prose. We sing and shout our praises to God through Jesus, the Messiah!"
So what is this resurrection life?
This is the chance to start over, the chance to be clean. The end of chapter 5 compares Adam's sin to Jesus's redemption. It is actually quite a beautiful allegory. From the second Adam screwed up, Jesus was intended to redeem us. It took quite a few years, but it happened. "If death got the upper hand through one man's wrongdoing, can you imagine the breathtaking recovery life makes, sovereign life, in those who grasp with both hands this wildly extravagant life-gift, this grand setting-everything-right, that the one man Jesus Christ provides?" Oh, let me grasp this life-gift with both hands! Reading that sentence, or should I say, misreading that sentence, I saw a phrase that is not really there, but it is. See the words "recovery life" together? What they intended recovery as a verb, I saw as an adjective. Maybe its because I work in the support and recovery ministry.
Jesus offers us the chance at recovery. This "resurrection life" I am living, in modern terms is also a "recovery life." Have you ever met someone that truly embraces their recovery? They sing and shout the praises! I have embraced Jesus! I want to sing and shout HIS PRAISE!!!!
Anywho, back to living this resurrection life, instead of sitting on the computer typing about it.
Thanks to Jason, this will include a "Balls Tee." I think I am a mega-dork, but I love this idea.
Maybe I can get my photo taken with one or several pastors at church in the shirt. Hey, its a NewThing, baby.
