I was wrong.

Alright, I give.

For years now I have used two words that people have frequently brought to my attention as inappropriate.  At different times these two words used to be a staple of my vocabulary.  I use them both infrequently now, but they still make an appearance from my mouth from time to time.  And if I were honest, I almost always get a look or concerned comment.

To reveal my excuses for what they are- The word I use more frequently is "retarded."  I use this word as a means to express my dislike of something.  I thought I could use this word because I had a down-syndrome relative.  I figured I was among those who had every reason to be offended by the misuse of this word, yet I wasn't.  So I used it freely.

This morning I was convicted.  As I ate my cereal and caught up on blogs, I read this article.  I don't know why this confrontation was different from the rest (especially considering that it was totally impersonal and not even directed at me), but I have a guess.

I just started meeting with a close friend to intentionally discuss our lives, pray for each other, and hold each other accountable.  Before our first meeting she suggested setting goals for ourselves that we can help each other with.  I was wrestling with what goals to set, because I wanted them to be real and realistic.  I decided I would create a list of 10 attainable goals, but I only had a rough idea for a few.  So I began to pray and ask God to reveal to me areas where I need to improve or be more intentional.


So I'm reading this blog and slowly my actions come to light when BAM!  "And it will also cost you the friendships of those who struggle with being gay.  Like me."


I wish I would have seen the folly of my thinking years ago.  Just because I may not be offended doesn't mean it's not offensive (DUH Nicole!  That's what you've been telling students about cursing...).  It's time to clean up my mouth.

Nicaragua or Bust

On Saturday June 4th, Corey and I will be loading a plane headed towards Nicaragua for a short term missions trip.  Our church has partnered with Mustard Seed Missions in Managua and during our trip we will be participating in on-going construction projects in the Aduano Dos community as we continue to build relationships with the people who live here.  We will also be hosting a VBS for the children who come daily to a central feeding program at the church.  Along with VBS supplies, we are bringing 1,000 pairs of prescription eye-glasses to give to those in the community.

Over the past two months, our team has been meeting and praying about our trip.
I can't believe it's already here!

I'm very excited to hear stories of victory from the missionaries Michael and Lisa Perkins.
I'm can't wait to see how God is working in Nicaragua.
I'm looking forward to serving and working with our team (especially my husband).
I know that God is going to teach me through this experience; I pray I am open to His lessons.

The end of the world?

The world was supposed to end this past Saturday.  I'm sure you heard as it was plastered all over Facebook.  I hesitate to write about it because it seems to be all I've heard about on social networks, but I've had three thoughts I can't shake and would like to share.

The first- I had no doubt that God was not coming back.  But what if He had?  And not because of some mathematical equation a man forced on Him, but because those who believed it acted in such a manner to bring back Christ.  What if those who thought the end of days was near did everything in their power to spread the message of salvation to those who did not know Christ and in doing so created the conditions necessary for Christ's return?  Saturday has come and gone.  I guess their efforts weren't enough.   

The second- In college I created a list of "Things to do before I die."  The list includes things like

      Build and camp-out in a tree house.

      Leave someone a $100 tip.

      Ride a camel.

      Learn to change the oil of my car.

      Crash a wedding.

Since moving to Georgia, I have accomplished (unknowingly) two of the things on my list.  Oddly enough both were in the same week!

      Learn to knit.

      Bake an apple pie from scratch.
I had forgotten about this list until all the hub-bub about the end of days.  Many I will not accomplish unless I purposely set out to do so.  Guess I better start cracking on my list and live intentionally!

The third- How awesome would it be to be in the baptistery at Christ's return?!?

As so many on Facebook have pointed out, the end is indeed near and we should be acting as such all the time. 

Lost and Found

Have you ever lost something?

There are items of necessity that when we lose it's annoying.  We search for these everyday items, the remote control, the car keys, left socks (where do they go?!?), in all the normal places and typically find them just slightly out of place.

There are possessions when we notice their disappearance we panic.  When we misplace a debit card, we search the house, the car, the house again, the car again, and call all the stores we had visited that day.  We cancel the card just to be safe and for months we check bank statements for charges we did not make.

Then there are items that we treasure and when we lose these items we act as if nothing else matters, like the world is coming to an end. The dog runs away and you spend hours driving up and down streets, knocking on doors, posting signs, calling animal pounds.  I have a ring that Corey gave me when we first started dating; it is among my most prized possessions.

Once in college, I noticed that is was missing from my left pinkie finger.  I tore apart my dorm room, scoured the sidewalks and grass, I was completely distracted in class.  Finding my ring was the only thing that I cared about.  Today was the first time in five years I didn't know of its location and in the moments it was missing, I was a wreck.

Why is it lost things put us into such a tizzy?  Is it possible that we are made to care for what is lost?  When Jesus shared three stories about lost items he didn't call it materialism and scorn those who searched.  He used these stories to demonstrate God's heart for those who have not accepted Him as Lord.  He uses all the resources at His disposal in His search for those who are lost and celebrates when one is found.

Do we share God's heart for His lost items?  Are we annoyed with the number of those who are lost?  Are we in a frenzied panic searching out for those who don't know Christ?  Because soon this world will come to an end and nothing else matters but finding those who are lost.

Jonathan's Heart

The current series at Southern Hills is titled "Heros: Champions of the Faith."  (Check out the stage design at my post More Foam Board).  A few weeks ago Mike preached about Jonathan going into battle with his armor bearer and followed it the next week with a sermon on David's heart.  In All Stars (the children's program), Corey focused on Jonathan's friendship with David.

Sitting in these three different services, I heard nothing new, but my brain made a connection with the facts that it had not before.
    -Mike briefly mentioned that Jonathan was the son of Saul the King and thus entitled to the throne.
    -God chose David to succeed Saul.
    -Jonathan was a great friend to David.  He stood-up for David to his father and risked his own life to save David's.

Really?!? Jonathan was best friends with the guy who was going to prevent him from being the next king, a privilege he was guaranteed at birth?!?

Did Jonathan not want to be the next king and thus not mind?  Sure, maybe.  But based on Jonathan's character demonstrated in the rest of scripture, I doubt that was the case.  I think it is more likely that Jonathan recognized the will of God and submitted to it.  As David's close friend he saw David's heart for God and was able to offer him support and encouragement as he prepared for leadership.  Jonathan didn't allow their friendship to be riddled with envy or competition, but he humbled himself and recognized his own role to play.

What a friend.  What a man of God.  What an example.

I pray my heart becomes more like Jonathan's.

Would you like to hear a story?

     How about the one about the step-sister made servant who is visited by her fairy godmother one special evening, given the makeover of a lifetime, and swept off her feet by the prince?
     Or the one about seven hard working minors dedicated to protecting a beautiful maiden in distress?
     Or the street boy who was granted wishes by a friendly genie, falls for the stunning princess, and discovers true love?
     Or the mermaid who gave up her voice to be with the one she loves?
     Or the virgin who was visited by an angel with a message that she was with child?

Using the term "story" in relation to Jesus Christ just grates my nervous.  I believe it casts a shade of fantasy and fiction.  I understand that English speakers also use the term "story" in relation to true events- movies are based on true stories, we share our personal stories with each other all the time.  However, movies are only a version of the real thing with altered facts to make it a better viewing experience and our retellings of events are often doused with exaggeration and skewed by our personal perspectives.  This is not the case when it come to the Bible.

I fear, especially with children, that simply by using this term we are putting Jesus in the category of the Disney Princesses, bedtime nursery rhymes, and Santa.  One of my close friends views this to be more of a positive than a negative, expressing that when their children are old enough to distinguish fiction from reality, they will investigate the Jesus story and thus solidify their faith.  Yes, possibly.  I am not saying that simply altering one term will prevent a child's confusion or suddenly convince an agnostic the truth of the Scriptures, but I don't see how it couldn't hurt.

Personally, I want to begin using the terminology "Biblical accounts" and the "news of Jesus."  In his book Church Planter, Darrin Patrick writes, "The writers of the New Testament refer to the obedient life, sacrificial and atoning death, and powerful resurrection of Jesus as news because they are reporting actual events that occurred in history..."  While the Father of Lies prowls the earth looking for someone to devour, I think changing my vocabulary is a simple war tactic to help in the fight against the deception of the enemy.

So would you like to hear a story, something sugary sweet that will tickle your ear?  Or would you like to hear the news about Jesus and his unconditional love for you?