Top 10 CD's of all time ...OF ALL TIME!

Hey, it's Andy. Jenn (or J-izzle, as I call her) let me be a writer on her blog a long time ago and I have never posted. As I get ready to take a trip to Minnesota, I find myself (oddly) with some spare time. So as I procrastinate getting my son, Joash, packed and ready, I have been loading up a playlist on my phone for the 12 hour trip up north.

I did something I have never attempted before: Create a top 10 albums of all time (in my opinion, of course). Each has different meaning for me, and I will explain below.

before I get to that, I have to say that I am an "Album" guy. I like listening to a CD in its entirety because I know that is the way the artist intends it. They have placed each song in a particular order for a reason, and I enjoy being along for the ride as the album progresses. Consider it like a movie almost. You would rarely just watch one scene.... you've gotta take it all in.

My wife, however, is the opposite. She loves a hodge-podge of songs from all kinds of artists and just puts her zune on shuffle and has no problem. Me on the other hand, when I try to use "shuffle", I end up skipping past every song because I don't feel in the mood for it. It's a surprise I can handle listening to the radio, you may wonder, but once again radio is like an experience, adeptly programmed (hopefully!) to ebb and flow and you never really know what song may be next.

With that out of the way, Here is my all time top 10:

Wierd Al - Even Worse

This is the first piece of music I ever owned. I still remember getting this for christmas, in tape form! I couldn't wait to put it in my new tape player boombox! I didn't listen to popular radio as a kid (my parents only listened to oldies) - so for the most part I didn't even know what songs Wierd Al was parodying! To this day I usually still know the parody better than the original :)

Satudray night fever soundtrack

I stayed on that wierd al kick for years. Not much changed until Middle School, where I became best friends with a kid named Blake. he had me sign up for one of those music clubs where they would keep sending you CD's whether you liked it or not. He chose all 12 of the "free" cd's I got, most of it was really hard metal which I didn't like. One day we were at Kmart (which was by his house and we always ended up there when we were bored), and we saw a disco cd at the checkout for 6 bucks. Curious, we picked it up, and after listening to it Blake though it was awful. I, on the other hand, was in love. I bought lots of disco music after that, and my parents would even know if I were having girl problems because I would blast "I will survive" from my room to drown out my sorrows. I don't listen to much disco anymore, but I can get my boogie on with the best of them with the saturday night fever sountrack. I have never watched the movie, however.

wallflowers - bringing down the horse

This was one from my Jr. High days. I remember playing Quake (the PC game) with this CD in the computer. For whatever reason you could play a CD in the game and each level it would play a new track. Was it good music to kill aliens by? The jury is still out on that. But the music was so good it deserved to be heard. Maybe I enjoyed it so much because my dad always played dylan when I was a kid and his son was the lead singer of the wallflowers. Same unique voice, but you could actually understand what Jakob was singing (most of the time)

jars of clay - if I left the zoo

This was one of my first forays into christian music. The first christian cd I remember listening to is something from Al Denson, who played at a billy graham revival that came to our town. I don't like to count that because... well it's Al Denson. The second CD I had was Seltzer, which was a compilation cd that I loved falling asleep to (especially tracks 3&4 together were pretty mellow if I remember). I found out that one of the artists on that was Jars of Clay, and got a full CD of theirs. I know J-izzle doesn't understand my love for Jars, but if it wasn't for them... I don't know if I would be into christian music now.

Five iron Frenzy - the end is here

High school was really hit or miss with me music wise. on one hand, I still liked disco, which really hadn't been cool for over 20 years. on the other hand I was really digging bands like mighty mighty bosstones and reel big fish! I even remember that the cool high school kid in his lifted jeep was blasting "Sell out" and peeling out in the parking lot on the last day of school. I really couldn't believe a type of music I liked (Ska in this case) was cool?!? It didn't last long. But my love continued, and I found a christian band, Five Iron Frenzy, that honestly was better than anything else out there. I finally got to even see them on their farewell tour, and so I have to go with their final 2 cd set, which includes a live CD of their best hits. if you listen closely enough you can almost hear the securtiy guard yelling at my friends for dancing too wildly! :)

ATB- Seven years

I had a good friend in high school, and if you would have seen us hang out we didn't seem like we would be friends. It worked though. She made mention one time that she had never had a nickname before and would like one. so I nicknamed her "carrot".
This is why you never ask for a nickname :) . One day when we were hanging out, Carrot showed me some new music she got from i don't know where... We lived in a small town with two radio stations, country and oldies... so I don't remember where she said she discovered this guy. But she popped the CD in and I was instantly in love. It was a somehow even more dancier version of the disco I loved! Electronic with some really cool lady singing softly in the backfground! Carrot even showed me how to use glowsticks to make figure 8's in the dark. ATB was the first techno guy I listened to and started me down another rabbit hole of obscure music that isn't really mainstream. and I can still do figure 8's with glowsticks to this day :)

strokes - is this it

Now on to college. My radio career started here in the basement of the cafeteria where I played the worst music I could possibly find. Usually my friends would just grab CD's off the rack that the band either a) sounded dumb or b) looked dumb. So we ended up playing a LOT of 80's christian rock music. I did get my radio start there but no musical tastes were acquired through that. Somebody showed me The Strokes, and it was such a departure from what I had listened to before, that I really took to it, and it set me on a path of indie-sounding rock for a while which led me to:

Squad Five-0 - late news breaking

Maybe the band I was the biggest fanatic for (John reuben being a close second at the time) - my friends and I traveled 4 hours to see them at a big christian music festival called Lifelight. I had a friend that lived nearby so we stayed at her place as we spent all weekend in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I don't remember any of the other bands, just how awesome Squad Five-O was. I ended up seeing them a few more times whenever they were near minnesota. And they had a song on a CD that almost seemed prophetic. Check out the "bombs over brodway" cd cover (left). And the lyrics from that song:

Midnight, New York City.
Broadway, going up in flames.
Ground zero, big city.
Big Apple swallowed by the flames.
Bombs away, we never saw it coming.
Bombs away, til the bombs started falling.
Down, to seal our fate.
No time to run, now it's too late.
Countdown 5-4-3-2-1.
The end is near baby here it comes.
The neon lights of the city burn.
And the sirens warn: 'Bombs over Broadway!'
Lady Liberty is laid to rest.
'Give me liberty or give me death.'
Her dream died with her last request.
She didn't expect bombs over Broadway.
So long Manhattan Island.
Our pride in you had no end.
New York, New York.
Our pride has done you in.
Lights out, New York City.
You were the first, but you won't be the last.

Freeky Deeky, huh? By the way this CD was released in 2000. Their sound progressed and they jumped off their christian label to go mainstream. It didn't work for them, but their last CD, Late News Breaking was like pure Rock and Roll candy.

Rancid - ...and out come the wolves

I actually can't remember when I found out about this CD. It was probably in High School when my friend Blake got into Punk music, and installed nice speakers in his crappy izusu pup pickup truck to blast it everywhere we went. I liked some punk, but most of it I didn't like the politicalness of it (which honestly is half of what makes punk punk ) and a lot of it seemed really... rough. just not appealing to my ears I guess. Enter Rancid. This is the quintessential Rancid CD. The other CD's of theirs before and after don't really sound like it, maybe this one was too poppy and they were losing their punk cred. But in the songs you will hear their struggles and stories with crazy good hooks that make you want to sing along the whole time! I still listen to this on road trips and pretend to drum on my wife's leg as she tries to sleep!

The Clash - combat rock

I believe it was my College roommate my freshman year that introduced me to "Better" punk rock. His name was Josh, and he was probably one of the biggest music lovers I have ever met. Most of the stuff he liked was still out of my taste range, but he introduced me to The Clash, and I loved it. The reason this cd makes my top list is one of the songs on the CD happened to be my and a girl I dated in College's song. It was called "should I stay or should I go"

Should I stay or should I go now?
Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go there will be trouble
An if I stay it will be double
So come on and let me know
Should I stay or should I go?

That girl and I decided to "stay" and we are now married :)

Well that completes our musical Journey into the mind of Andy. Please exit on the right, and remember to pick up your belongings before exiting the platform. Feel free to make fun of my musical tastes in the comments below!

Isn't it About Time You Got Married?

I've got a few unanswered questions about my life. I'd like to know if I'll ever be a homemaker and homeowner. I'd like to know how to sell and buy, as well as manage maintenance on a car as a single woman. I'd like to know if I'll ever walk down the aisle as the main attraction instead of as a member of the supporting cast. I've discovered, though, that I rarely have to ask questions like this. There are plenty of other people in my life asking them for me.

At an event one evening, a mere acquaintance asked one. I heard his voice. "So, isn't it about time you got married?" Glancing left and right with the desperate hope that he was speaking to anyone else, I slowly looked up. Nope, I was the lucky target, and he hit the bull's-eye.

"Isn't it about time you got married?" He voiced one of those questions that lurks in the heart of every single adult who desires to be married. It resides next to half a dozen others we've been asked over the years--questions for which we either don't have the answers or don't like the answers:

•Do you have a boyfriend?

•You're a nice girl; why aren't you dating anyone?

•How's your love life?

•Are you looking for a husband?

•So, you're still single?

•Do you want to get married?

If you are single, you've fielded most of these and countless other remarks for which any answer seems inadequate. You've probably mastered the courtesy laugh and polite smile, and chances are you're an expert at shifting conversations away from your marital status.

While I laugh at both well-meaning friends and rude acquaintances for asking such bold things, they are really only voicing questions I have in my own head. I just don't ask them because I know there aren't answers.

If I'll marry, who I'll marry, when I'll marry, are some of God's question marks in my life, unknown obstacles in my race. That's the way God planned it. After wrestling repeatedly with these and other questions about singleness, I've resigned myself to the fact that God is the only One who knows the answers, and He's not telling. Most days I can live with that. Not everybody in my life has struggled through these issues, though, and so for them, I sometimes just don't fit into a preconceived mold.

To married friends and relatives, they sometimes look at us singles as if we should fit in a certain place. In attempts to make us fit, they often ask bold questions. At times they answer their own questions when our responses fall short of what they hoped to hear:

•God has someone very special for you.

•You just wait--your day is coming.

•You'll make somebody a perfect wife.

•He just doesn't know what he's missing.

•You never know who you'll meet.

•I hope you meet someone special; I really want you to be happy.

Begging the forgiveness of my friends and family, I don't have nearly as many problems with the unanswered questions in my life as I do with their answers! I wholeheartedly recognize their good intentions. They never mean to be invasive or rude; they really want only the best for me. I love them for it, and I've learned to laugh at them for it, too.

Like I said, most days I can live with God's absence of answers. But sometimes, I allow myself to listen to the well-meaning advice of bystanders, and I choose to hear their answers above the silence of God. When I filter their pieces of intended encouragement through my emotional sieve, I want to believe them. I want to take their statements as divine wisdom.

Maybe time will prove their words correct in my life, but I can't afford to live with that expectation. God really does have a better track record, just sayin.

Elf

Wow. Great movie & now it's all I can quote...


"THESE TOILET SEATS ARE GINORMOUS!!"

"Your a cotton-headed ninny-muggin." (A grade schoolers cursing)

"WOW! World's best cup of coffee!! Great job everyone!"

"Singing is just like talking you just move your voice up and down. Here, I'll show you."

"OH, I forgot to give you a hug!"

"Buddy the elf, what's your favorite color?"

"Santa? I know him; I know him!"

"We elves try to stick to the 4 main food groups - Candy, candy canes, candy corn & syrup."

"You sit on a throne of lies."

"You smell like beef & cheese, you don't smell like Santa."

"You like sugar, don't you? Is there sugar in syrup? Yes... Then YES!"

"What are you doing? I'm shoppi- Get in here! You can shop on your break! I'm sorry, I didn't know-WELL YOU SHOULD'VE KNOWN!"

"I like your purple dress, it's very purple-y."

"Fransisco...Fransisco...that's a fun name...Fran-sis-co..."

"Why do you wear such a big coat? Do your friends wear big coats?"

"Guess what? I love you, I love you, I LOVE YOU!"

"Can I whisper too?"



**What's your fav quote?

Dreams...

So, I've been having the same dream every few nights for about a year. Yeah. It's about me saying goodnight to my husband, then the next morning I find him dead. The next scene is him in the ambulance and me sitting next to him with both of our cell phones in my lap, about to call our bosses to tell them we won't be in that day. The next scene is doctors guiding me into the morgue. I haven't seen who the guy is up to this point. They lift the cover from his face & I cry and say that's him. It scared me in the dream, because I know this guy. The next scene is the funeral. I'm in the front row, head bowed. All the pallbearers get the casket ready to go & the next thing I know, I'm looking toward the back of the church and there's the silhouette of me & him walking outside, hand in hand.

After over a year, you'd think something would happen. I'd talk to him about it. He'd have a life or death experience or something, but nothing has happened. I came across this definition today:

Recurring nightmares -
Most people occasionally experience the same dream over and over. This is usually a signal that your subconscious mind is trying to send you a message. When you understand the message, and do something about it, the dream will change or end. Scary dreams are a way of generating excitement so you will be more honest with yourself. They should not be feared, but rather welcomed as helpful hints toward a better life.


A message? Ok, not getting it. If I got the message, then I could try to do something about it...then it would change or end...Be more honest with myself? About what?

Now, I'm more confused than before. Any ideas?

"I Love You"

Here are some simple ideas on things you could say to your spouse to tell them "I Love You". If you're not married, practice some of them on your parents or friends:


You look great tonight.
That was a wonderful meal.
Thank you for not getting mad at me.
You're the best thing that ever happened to me.
You're a great listener.
I really appreciate the way you spend time with my parents.
Thanks for being honest with me.
That's a great idea.
I enjoy spending time with you.
Congratulations! I'm taking you out to dinner to celebrate.
Before I met you, my life was boring.
So what if they didn't like your idea? I thought it was great.
You're the best husband in the whole world.
I hope our boys marry girls just like their mother.
I bought this just for you. I hope you like it.
Thanks for laughing at my corny jokes.
You're a big help around the house.
I'm looking forward to growing old with you.
You deserve a kiss.
I'm so proud of you.
You've got a great sense of humor.
You are the reason I'm excited about the future.
That's a great idea. How did you think of it?
I'm glad you were right about that.
Thank you for working so hard for our family.
I'm the luckiest man in the whole world.
When I think of you, I can't help smiling.
I'm glad I said, "I do."
Somebody ought to make a movie of our marriage. It would make a great romantic comedy.
You're more beautiful today than you were the day we got married.
I'm so glad God brought us together.
Have I told you lately how much I love you?
I still believe in you.


Now, you have no excuse to not spread the love!

So I got a call....

The other day I got a call from an old friend in Tulsa. They said, "Just felt like I should call you and tell you that even though we don't get to talk much, I'm praying for you everyday. You are loved. I'm so proud of you and I'm excited to watch (even if from afar) all that God is doing in your life!"

Hmmmm.

That was out of the blue.

Honestly though, it made my day. My day wasn't horrible before. It was actually pretty good.

It made me think, though, what can I do to change someones day? A phone call is not rocket science. I could do that. It's these simple things that make people's days and puts a smile on their face for the remainder of the day. I think Jesus went out of His way all the time to do little things. I think it was at the front of His mind to be kind and to love. I'm learning to pay attention more and to get creative.


Check out a phrase I heard this week: "You don't love God if you're not hiding God's Word in your heart."

I want my time with God to mean something and to show. I want to love God so much, that I love others in the process. So, watch out - I might be calling you soon! Or maybe kidnapping you would be a better way to convey his love...?



What can you do to impact someone today?

Post-Restorationist Perspectives: Giving away 3 more copies of "Drops Like Stars" by Rob Bell

Win a copy of Rob Bell's new book!

Post-Restorationist Perspectives: Giving away 3 more copies of "Drops Like Stars" by Rob Bell

Scripture for the Week (Weak)

"Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for You." Psalm 9:10 (NLT)

Seek Him DAILY. It's just like any other relationship. When you talk with them, you let them talk to you; you get to know them. If you want to know God, know His plan for your life & be in-tune with what to do at any given time - seek Him every day.


"Seek the Lord while you can find him.Call on him now while he is near." Isaiah 55:6

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6

"If you seek Him, He will be found by you." 1 Chron 28:9

"Set your heart on seeking the Lord." 2 Chron 19:3

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart." Jeremiah 29:13

"Those who seek Me will find Me." Proverbs 8:17

"Blessed are those who seek Him with all their hearts." Psalm 119:2

Sometimes, Janelle cannot be trusted...

And here's the cold, hard & somewhat scary proof:





Put it down slowly, please...let's talk about this.



Janelle, you may want to lay low for a bit till this news blows over and settles a bit...

Check out what other crazy stuff she's up to -
Here

Whatever

A survey by Marist College found out the most annoying words in American conversation. The article states,

47 percent of Americans surveyed in a Marist College poll released Wednesday [found "Whatever" to be the most annoying word we use].

"Whatever" easily beat out "you know," which especially grated a quarter of respondents. The other annoying contenders were "anyway" (at 7 percent), "it is what it is" (11 percent) and "at the end of the day" (2 percent).

"Whatever" — pronounced "WHAT'-ehv-errr" when exasperated — is an expression with staying power. Immortalized in song by Nirvana ("oh well, whatever, nevermind") in 1991, popularized by the Valley girls in "Clueless" later that decade, it is still commonly used, often by younger people.

It can be an all-purpose argument-ender or a signal of apathy. And it can really be annoying. The poll found "whatever" to be consistently disliked by Americans regardless of their race, gender, age, income or where they live.

Exactly! I've felt that way for years. When someone uses "whatever" on me in a conversation or email, it's a kick to the gut of non-importance. Beyond annoying, it's rude and dismissive. It's also ignorant, especially at the end of what was supposed to be a friendly debate or argument, because it illustrates that the person had no better retort and is now summarily ending the conversation with a parting shot connoting that nothing you just said mattered anyway. "Whatever!"

In a country sorely lacking in civility, manners, and conversation skills... and ripe with apathy and self-importance, "Whatever" is the motto du jour.

Then again... what a powerful word it can be for our walk with Christ.

It's kind of like when you are reading a play, or preparing to act in one. You have the script before you. There are minimal clues for how any word in the text should be read. What inflection, what level of voice, what tone shall I use? What does the context and the setting and the personality of the character tell me in regards to how this word or line is going to sound? Ultimately, you and the Director decide.

And I've decided that "Whatever" can be, if we so choose, the defining word of the Christian life. Because while few other words carry the same potential for dismissive rudeness, no other words hold the same potential for all-out surrender and steadfast faith.

I find you guilty in your sins.
Whatever you say, Lord, I repent and accept the sacrifice of your Son who atoned for them.

This situation you're in is going to hurt.
Whatever. I know my faith will be made strong through trials, and that I can do all things through your strength.

You don't know what the future holds; only I do.
Whatever it is, you deserve glory and honor and praise. Bring it on!

I want you to [go to Africa / give to this homeless person / quit this job / plant this church / preach my Word]
Whatever!

I know you think this is unfair compared to that person's situation, but do not let comparison steal my joy from you.
Whatever, God. Whatever.

***

I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am (Phil. 4:11). Whatever you say.

Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). Whatever you say.

Whatever a man sows, this he will also reap (Gal. 6:7). Whatever you say.

Whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free (Eph. 6:8). Whatever you say.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things (Phil. 4:8).

Whatever.

The Wonders of IM

This is a typical conversation between me and Janelle over IM:

JK53 says:
sometime we need to talk about things
JK53 says:
no you haven't done anything wrong.
JK53 says:
you done everything right....
Jennifer says:
ok...
Jennifer says:
that's what they all say...
Jennifer says:
...then the hammer comes!
JK53 says:
no hammer from me.
Jennifer says:
alright
JK53 says:
alright
Jennifer says:
copycat
JK53 says:
your mom is a copycat
Jennifer says:
maybe...
JK53 says:
i love your mom by the way
Jennifer says:
good
JK53 says:
i guess you know that too
Jennifer says:
i do now
JK53 says:
so are you ready to have the cmas party at your house??????????
Jennifer says:
haha, sure!
JK53 says:
is that haha sure, "I can't believe she's asking me?" ha-ha OR
Jennifer says:
we need to come up with something to actually DO
JK53 says:
a Of course I want to have it my house!!!!
Jennifer says:
no, I'd love to have it there, for reals
JK53 says:
ok
JK53 says:
a plan is nice
JK53 says:
that's what i like about you
JK53 says:
you are for reals
Jennifer says:
it's true
JK53 says:
hope you think that about me too
Jennifer says:
yep, sure do
JK53 says:
I am funny don't forget that BUT
JK53 says:
i am for reals too
Jennifer says:
I like the fact that you tell me that you are funny.
JK53 says:
it's true
Jennifer says:
haha, yes. most of the time...
JK53 says:
most of the time??
Jennifer says:
...the other times is when you are for reals
JK53 says:
oh right yes
Jennifer says:
and sometimes you are a genious and you mix them together
JK53 says:
lol
JK53 says:
i think i like that
Jennifer says:
good, coin it. But give me some props
JK53 says:
will do

There you have it. Why can't we stay on one topic??

Check out Janelle's blog, here

You Are Loved

I've been thinking about a friend recently that I've lost touch with. We used to hang out all the time. Led worship together, prayed together, laughed together. We had the same interests. My friend went to college a couple years ago, then we hardly ever spoke. My friend calledearlier this year and was crying, broken from the way their life was. They had fallen away from God, rebelled really. They just wanted to live life, experience all the things that they were kept from growing up. They got in a really bad situation and felt stuck. They were ashamed of how they'd changed. I spoke with them and reassured them that God loved them even now. And so did I. God wanted them to come back, broken and ashamed, because He - and only He - could make them whole.

The next time I heard from them, they said they we moving back, got a house and decided to attend a local college. Wow! Talk about a life change. They had visited a church on Easter and God caught them right where they were. Sadly, since moving back I was only able to hang out and catch up one time with my long lost friend. About a month ago they were brought back to my mind and I thought, I need to call them. When I did, their number was disconnected, as well as the other numbers I had for them. I saw a family member of theirs a few weeks ago and asked about my friend. They said they didn't know either. They had moved out of their house, and moved in with a friend somewhere. I was in shock. How could someone make such a dramatic change, then slip back?

I honestly don't know where my friend is right now, how far, or even if they are in trouble and stuck in sin yet again. I do know that the God of the universe love them and still calls them His child.

God knows where my friend is and He knows their heart condition. He also knows how my heart longs for them to be close to Him again.

So many people get in this spot and they don't have anyone to turn to. Rebecca St. James' song "You Are Loved" was on my heart last night as I prayed for my friend.





As Christians, sometimes we get amnesia when it comes to what God has already done for us. We forget what circumstances He has brought us through and turned around for His glory. Maybe try writing down the things that happen to you, so when you get down or caught in sin, you can see proof of what God has done. This way, you never forget.

P.S. Feel free to join me in praying for my friend.

Give This Christmas Away

I love Christmas. I love the oppurtunity to give. That's one of the reasons I love Samaritan's Purse/Operation Christmas Child. We at The House FMPraise 88.7 will be a part of this again this year. Keep checking our website, http://www.thehousefm.com/thehouse.asp, for more info on how you can get involved with a simple shoe box.

This is a video I came across today and I just loved the message:

Refiner & Purifier

Malachi 3:3 says: 'He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.'
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'

He smiled at her and answered,'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

Are you up for an evaluation or review?

We all get nervous when we know that time is coming, here's some humor to lighten it up a bit...


These are actual quotes taken from federal government employee performance evaluations:


1. "Since my last report, this employee has reached rock-bottom and has started to dig."

2. "I would not allow this employee to breed."

3. "This employee is really not so much of a has-been, but more of a definite won't-be."

4. "Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap."

5. "When he opens his mouth, it seems that it is only to change feet."

6. "This young lady has delusions of adequacy."

7. "He sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them."

8. "This employee is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot."

9. "This employee should go far, and the sooner he starts the better."

10. "Got a full 6-pack, but lacks the plastic thingy to hold it all together."

11. "A gross ignoramus - 144 times worse than an ordinary ignoramus."

12. "He doesn't have ulcers, but he's a carrier."

13. "I would like to go hunting with him sometime."

14. "He's been working with glue too much."

15. "He would argue with a signpost."

16. "He brings a lot of joy whenever he leaves the room."

17. "When his IQ reaches 50, he should sell."

18. "If you see two people talking and one looks bored, he's the other one."

19. "A photographic memory but with the lens cap glued on."

20. "A prime candidate doe natural de-selection."

21. "Donated his brain to science before he was done using it."

22. "Gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming."

23. "He's got two brain cells, one is lost and the other is out looking for it."

24. "If he were any more stupid, he'd have to be watered twice a week."

25. "If you give him a penny for his thoughts, you'd get change."

26. "If you stand close enough to him, you can hear the ocean."

27. "One neuron short of a synapse."

28. "Some drink from the fountain of knowledge; he only gargled."

29. "It takes him 2 hours to watch 60-minutes."

30. "The wheel is turning, but the hamster is dead."

To everyone who has ever had an evaluation - just remember, it could have been worse...

Remembering 9/11

Wow, it doesn't seem like it's been 8 years already. I remember I was at home doing school when my Mom was talking loudly on the phone to someone in the Living room. My brother and I walked in there and saw her watching the news and talking to my Dad on the phone. She was saying, "It looks like a horrible movie, surely this isn't really happening..."

I remember going to Walmart that day and everyone's attitude was different. People were more aware of others, nicer even. Everyone was really protective, though. People were walking around just to have something to do. They were really apt to talk too. There was an older lady who stopped us in an isle and talked about her daughter, who was in New York that week, and how she couldn't get a hold of her. We prayed with her right there in the pop isle of Walmart!


Such a tragic day that has marred so many lives. This day always has kind of a grey cloud hanging over it. I don't know about you, but that makes me look to God even more. Only He can heal our pain and be our Ultimate Comforter. Look for that peace that surpasses understanding today.

Prayer for today:
We looked with horror on the terrorist attacks of September 11th.
But we looked with honor on acts of courage by ordinary people
who sacrificed themselves to prevent further death and destruction.

We shed our tears in a common bond of grief for those we loved and lost.
We journeyed through a dark valley, but your light has led us to a place of hope.
You have turned our grief into determination.
We are resolved to do what is good, and right, and just.

Help us to remember what it means to be Americans—
a people endowed with abundant blessings.
Help us to cherish the freedoms we enjoy and inspire us to stand
with courage, united as one Nation in the midst of any adversity.

Lord, hear this prayer for our Nation. Amen.

The wedding dress that keeps on going, and going and going…

No runaway bride here: A Chinese woman recently broke the record for the longest wedding train. The 1.2-mile-long train took 200 guests a whopping three hours to unroll. And in case the thing wasn’t obvious enough on its own, it was adorned with 9,999 silk red roses.




Wow, if you don't want to be able to move on your wedding day, here ya go...

Scripture for the Week (Weak)

"God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we're free of worry on Judgement Day - our standing in the world is identical with Christ's. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life - fear of death, fear of judgement - is one not yet fully formed in love." 1 John 4:16-18 (MSG)

Song of the Week

I'm lovin the new song we're playing at The House from Sidewalk Prophets. It's really heartfelt and the lyrics are powerful! Check it out:


Sidewalk Prophets - The Words I Would Say (2009 Video & Lyrics):

Three in the morning,
And I'm still awake,
So I picked up a pen and a page,
And I started writing,
Just what I'd say,
If we were face to face,
I'd tell you just what you mean to me,
I'd tell you these simple truths,

Be strong in the lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
Gods got his hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why your here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,

Last time we spoke,
You said you were hurting,
And I felt your pain in my heart,
I want to tell you,
That I keep on praying,
Love will find you where you are,
I know cause I've already been there,
So please hear these simple truths,

Be strong in the lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
Gods got his hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why your here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,

From one simple life to another,
I will say,
Come find peace in the father,

Be strong in the lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
Gods got his hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why your here,
Take your time and pray,
Thank God for each day,
His love will find a way,
These are the words I would say

Can You Raed Tihs?

Now try this:

Sewet! It's so ture...Aloguth tihs is my ngihtamre wehn it cmeos to spilleng!

Ok, it's really starting to bug me so, maybe you shouldn't try this...

BTW- I stumbled across this though Twitter... http://www.twitter.com/crowderband They went to the Mayborn Museum in Waco, TX

Song of the Week

This song is stuck in my head right now... and I'm ok with it!

Story Side B - "Everything and More"

Pin it all on me He said as He turned His head to the sun
I'm the only one who can wash it all away
Take a look at yourself
Do you know when things aren't right?
Are you willing to stand up and fight?
For what you say you're believing in?

We all are human we make mistakes but
We were given a choice to make

[chorus]
What do you live for? Is it something to stand for?
Is it everything that you believe in and more?
A reason to give more, finally you found yours
And it's everything that you believe and more

And as I look around
It's impossible to deny
Even though sometimes I try
You still take me back again

My God I've finally found a friend to
Follow to the end

[chorus]

What do you live for?
Is it something to stand for?
Is it everything and more

[chorus]

You're what I live for, you're what I stand for
And you're everything that I believe and more
My reason to give more, finally I found you
And you're everything that I believe and more

A Daily Struggle

Growing up when people asked me what I wanted to do, I always said I wanted to be a wife and a Mom. That is still true today.


Years ago, I was about 11, I stood up on a stage with an audience of about 3,000 and took a "Zero" pledge. I pledged to be pure in a number of areas. (That is what the ring I wear stands for) I'm staying true to that pledge all these years later.

I have to say it hasn't been easy. The urges to do something that everyone else was or go through with what my flesh wanted to do was hard to overcome. Even something that most people wouldn't think of, being asked if I'm gay - that's hard for a kid to handle. All of this is hard and a struggle for anyone. I wouldn't wish the incredible amount of self-control this requires on anyone - yet at the same time I would. It's been worth it.

The ONLY thing that has gotten me through this is God.

Years ago, I had to come to that place where God was enough for me. Even though I long for some things or relationships that people around me have, above all God is enough for me and He sustains me. There are no better arms to run to that His.

When I was about 14, my youth group in Tulsa had us write down our dreams for our life and "nail" them to a cross. (They had a huge wooden cross on stage) I wrote down my dream to be a Christian Artist. At the end they gave us a button with a cross on it to remind us of this. I took that to heart. (Actually, that is what started my button collecting.) The amazing thing is, when you lay down you goal or dream for your life, it allows God to step in with His plan which is so much better. He's not going to short you of something you love, because He knows the desires of your heart. Since then I did a lot of seeking God and allowing Him to speak to me. (That means being quiet!) He has opened doors of opportunity all around me and I am blown away daily at how far I've come in just a few years. Again, though, He is the one who made it possible - I just let Him have my dream and I picked up His.

So, God revealed different ways to do the things I love and opened the doors necessary to make it a reality. (If you haven't heard what I've been up to the last few years - ask me!) Because He has been SO good to me thus far, I have no doubt that He will complete this work. Obviously, that "little girl" dream of being a wife and a Mom has yet to come true. So, I'm doing the same thing I did long ago - and it's a daily thing - laying down my desires and dreams and picking up His. If I just get out of the way, my All-Powerful God can do some mighty things! I'm trusting in that daily.

You know what is even harder than that? Everyday, for a few years, I've told God, "Even if You don't bless me with a husband or kids(the desire of my heart), I will still love You." Imagine that. The one and only thing you've ever wanted to do, yet you love something else so much that even if you can't have what you want - You'll still love Him. Yes, it's hard - unbelievably hard! But I know where the greatest source of love is. Another great thing is that I know where to go if I'm hurting or lonely or need someone to listen. I know where to find joy when I have none.

I hope that touches God's heart. I hope He sees me striving for Him daily. I hope He knows that I can't wait to one day fully understand just how great His love is.



Try that this week. Whatever your daily struggle is or one thing you can't wait to get, say, "Lord, even if I never have ____________, I will still love You."



Lord, I pray over the person that is reading this now. You know all their hopes and dreams. You know the desires of their heart. God, I pray that you would bless them daily as they seek You. I pray that You would become all they need in their life - that they would learn to turn to You in ALL things. The secret to a good life? It's You. All the joy or happiness can't be found in a dream in our small minds. Your dream is SO much better and was made just for us. You care more about us than we will ever know. Lord, I thank you for loving us so much - in turn, no matter what, we will serve You and we will still love You. Amen.




*If you take this to heart, I encourage you to find something to symbolize this decision. A button, a ring, something that when you look at it you are reminded of the hope and vision you have today. If you can't think of anything, ask me. I believe this is really important, because if you make this decision today and a few months down the road you are in a hard situation or you slowly forget today - this will be a reminder; a symbol to point you to God.

Lyrics of the Week

Incompatible, it don't matter though
'cause someone's bound to hear my cry
Speak out if you do
You're not easy to find

Is it possible Mr. Loveable
Is already in my life?
Right in front of me
Or maybe you're in disguise

Who doesn't long for someone to hold
Who knows how to love you without being told
Somebody tell me why I'm on my own
If there's a soulmate for everyone

Here we are again, circles never end
How do I find the perfect fit
There's enough for everyone
But I'm still waiting in line

Who doesn't long for someone to hold
Who knows how to love you without being told
Somebody tell me why I'm on my own
If there's a soulmate for everyone
If there's a soulmate for everyone

Most relationships seem so transitory
They're all good but not the permanent one

Who doesn't long for someone to hold
Who knows how to love you without being told
Somebody tell me why I'm on my own
If there's a soulmate for everyone

Who doesn't long for someone to hold
Who knows how to love you without being told
Somebody tell me why I'm on my own
If there's a soulmate for everyone
If there's a soulmate for everyone

"Soulmate" - Natasha Bedingfield

Not Easily Broken

When God made Adam, He instructed him to do three things; work, cultivate, protect. Down through history men have been measured by how hard they've worked and cultivated, by how well they've protected their wives and children. In the old days women saw their men as conquerors, providers, heroes. But somewhere along the line, that changed. Women started becoming their own heroes. Maybe it was because their men forgot how to be heroic. Or because women didn't want to be protected anymore. Or maybe women had to be their own heroes because of the pain they had to endure in life. But whatever the cause, the world took away a man's reasons for being a man. They told him he wasn't important anymore. And when that happened, it turned the whole world upside down.
-From the movie "Not Easily Broken"


"...A cord of three strands is not easily broken..." Ecclesiastes 4:12


I've been passionate about this for a while now...I see how the majority of women act in relationships and it makes me sick and really sad. Even in the better marriages, the guy can be all attentive and focused on the woman and she's either expecting it, acting like it's no big deal or she's oblivious and ditsy. This makes me so upset and I just want to go up to them and show them a picture of what they are doing! Now, every situation and relationship is different, yes; but there are so many women who have been changed by this world into taking on the wrong role in relationships. If the men would step up and be men and the women would step up and be women - you'd be surprised at how we would fuel each other to continue to play those roles. We were made like this for a reason and a specific purpose! We've been brainwashed into thinking that we are the "weaker half"...is that so bad? I mean, really - Men are here to care for us, it's part of their role. And although I am the worst at accepting help from others, I'm learning that when I do it allows them to play out their role. It's not something that they can hold over me or bring up later...it's their role. They want to, they were designed to. Women are a vital part as well, of course. I just see so many people around me being stubborn, hard headed and they have the mindset that they have to do something because their husband won't. Maybe, just maybe, he won't because you are. Let him take over for a bit and encourage him...oh and pick your jaw up off the ground! Yeah, God designed us perfectly and we just need to play our roles so that others can play theirs.


"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church; and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything." Ephesians 5:22 - 24

Why is it that so many of us take offense to this? I'm thinking it's a heart issue. God wouldn't have this in the Bible to make us mad or belittle us. He wants the very best for us, right? Why, then, would this be a bad thing?


Submission to God is really hard in anyone’s life. First of all, we need to know that everyone that submits to God has to put his or her pride down first. Ouch! Solomon wrote in Proverbs 6 that the Lord hates 6 things and yet 7 are an abomination. He comes right out and tells us that the Lord hates a proud look. If we look at the scripture throughout the Word of God, we find that pride was the downfall of not only mankind, but of Lucifer and one third of the angels. Today, we see pride in families more now than ever. Wives not wanting to be submissive, husbands not wanting to be leaders, and children not obeying their parents.

A wife being submissive to their husbands is in direct obedience to God. In 1 Peter 3:1, Peter said, "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives."

A good example of submission is the fact that instead of showing your spouse where they are wrong and gloating about it, work together to over come mistakes. Allow God to direct your paths together and seek HIS wisdom, which HE freely gives (James 1:5). Wives, submission to your husband’s authority(servant leadership), which God gave him, is submission to God’s authority.

20 Ways to Maintain a Healthy Level of Insanity

20 Ways To Maintain A Healthy Level Of Insanity

1. At Lunch Time , Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.

2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don't Disguise Your Voice.

3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, ask If They Want Fries with that.

4. Put Your Garbage Can On Your Desk And Label it " In".

5. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks Once Everyone has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch to Espresso.

6. In The Memo Field Of All Your Checks , Write "For Smuggling Diamonds".

7. Finish All Your sentences with "In Accordance With The Prophecy".

8. Don't use any punctuation.

9. As Often As Possible, Skip Rather Than Walk.

10. Order a Diet Water when ever you go out to eat, with a serious face.

11. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is "To Go".

12. Sing Along At The Opera.

13. Go To A Poetry Recital. And Ask Why The Poems Don't Rhyme?

14. Put Mosquito Netting Around Your Work Area and Play tropical Sounds All Day.

15. Five Days In Advance, Tell Your Friends You Can't Attend Their Party Because You're Not In the Mood.

16. Have Your Co-workers Address You By Your Wrestling Name, Rock Bottom.

17. When The Money Comes Out The ATM, Scream "I Won! I Won!"

18. When Leaving The Zoo, Start Running Towards The Parking lot, Yelling "Run For Your Lives! They're Loose!"

19. Tell Your Children Over Dinner, "Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go."

20. Share One of These With a Friend to Spread the Insanity and to Make Them Smile!

The Newest Snuggie!

So this is the newest thing in the line of Snuggies...cause we all know our hearts go out to our little pup when we see them shivering while watching a movie. You can't help but tear up a bit when the popcorn won't even warm them up. So if you've tried everything and still can't get your dog warm, try a snuggie. Humans love them, right? So, why not get one for your dog? Besides they come in different colors that make their eyes just POP!

Here's what they said about this new product: "Many Snuggie customers are also dog owners, and we didn't want the owners feeling bad about the jealous glances from their pets any longer."

Right, of course.



I wonder how long it took them to get this picture to come accross realistic?


Oh, if you seriously want one - https://www.snuggiefordogs.com/flare/next?tag=ossmgotm

Back to school time already?

Wow! I can't believe it's already August and school will be back in session soon. Personally, I'm happy to be done with school, but I do miss having an excuse to get new stuff for the school year. You always need new shoes, right? And if you get new shoes, you have to get a belt and bracelet and....it goes on...

Speaking of new kicks though, how about considering some of these?

This is my personal fav...

I think this could be pretty awesome!

2 in 1?

Ouch!

Hmm, no thanks.

They are probably not as comfy as they look.

Yes, please! Do they come in red?

"Like a walk through the pasture..."

I would try these as long as I could stay sitting down.

hmm, different...

That's a violent shoe!

Looks like it's made from K-Nexs....

Wow, don't let that shoe tempt you...

Looks like something out of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe...

I wonder if someone could actually walk in those?

ummm, no.

A little slippery maybe?

You'd better hurry, these are getting sold out!

It's like going barefoot...kinda.

No more bullies for you!

Ok, so maybe you should go to Payless or something...

Do you want more than $3?

"I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please. Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine. I don't want enough of God to make me love a black man or pick beets with a migrant. I want ecstasy, not transformation. I want warmth of the womb, not a new birth. I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack. I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please."

-Wilbur Rees

Scripture for the Week (Weak)

"So chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe that God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. ~Colossians 3:14 (Message)

Morning Time

I don't know about you, but about my favorite time of the day is that 3o-45 minutes, maybe an hour sometimes before anybody in my house gets up. I kinda have to set my clock back a little earlier than I have to. Earlier than anyone would want to get up for anything. Nobody in my house would want to get up as early as I want to get up to do this. I love to get up when it's quiet, maybe a cup of coffee, talk to the Lord and allow His Word to talk to me. I love it. A friend of mine calls it 'Going Steady With Eddy' He says, "You do it Early, you do it Daily, you do it Diligently and you do it Yielding." You know what I found out about me? If I don't do it early, the day will slip away and I won't do it at all. I'll keep meaning to, of course.



"O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee..." Psalm 63:1






"Before the Day" from Newsong

Last night when I was sleeping
You were watching over me
While I dreamt about tomorrow
You knew my every need

Now another day is waiting
For me to make it through
And there's no way that I could face it without You

Before the day slips away
I want to stop and say
I love You I love You
Before the world rushes in again
I want to stop and say there's none above You
There's none above You
I'll just be still and know You are God
Be still and know You are God

There's something about the morning
The stillness of it all
It calms my heart to hear You
When You gently call

Here I am in Your presence
Where I long to be
Alone with You in the silence
Bring down Your love and Your mercy
Whisper softly to me



Try just one morning a week maybe, see what God has for you.

Eye Doc

So I went to the eye doc today for my 6 month check up...I was there for about an hour before we actually had the appointment...so, I waited in an office with crazy equipment...



Also, the lighting is very dim...I started to doze off...

Anyways, the appointment went well. My eyes have improved a lot and are a lot more healthy!

Scripture for the Week (Weak)

"Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done." Galations 6:4 (NLT)

No House Party = Project Week!

Oh, joy. There are never-ending projects at my house, let me assure you. That makes me stressed...

One of the big ones being, I haven't touched my room since I moved in over a year ago...the rest of the house is nice and my room just hasn't been touched. Well, that has all changed now!

And that makes me happy...

Also, I haven't had a dresser for years and my folded clothes were getting out of control! I was going to go shop for one when my Mom said that my bro wanted to get rid of the one he was using that was originally hers. I went and looked at it and had an instant design and vision!

There was no stopping me at that point! I went to the store, got black paint, Paint brushes and new hardware!

Then I went to work for about 4 hours in the 100 and some odd degree weather and produced a painted dresser and a bucket of sweat!

Somehow along the way I talked myself into painting an old curio cabinet that came with the house...

It turned out pretty well...

By the way, I listened to Jackson Waters the whole time...

I'm putting the finishing touches on my room now(hanging things on walls, de-cluttering and all that jazz)more pics to come!

July 4th

This is about what it looked like from where we sat...George Bush was there! Pretty cool vacation, awesome speech and bugs...awesome.

And this is what it looks like when I try to take a decent pic with my bro while waiting for Pres. Bush to speak.