I recently came back from a wonderful vacation in Florida. It was a great thing to get away for a week and spend time with my family and friends. I want to take advantage of every opportunity that I have down there, knowing that we will not be seeing them on a regular basis because of the distance. I thought I would let you know what went on while we were in Florida from June 12 to June 20.
Saturday, June 12
Our flight for Florida left at 6:00 A.M. (yes...A.M.), so we were in for a long day. My in-laws were already planning on dropping us off at the airport...and we are glad that they did. Instead of waking up to our alarms, we woke up to Chris's mom calling. We rushed to get ready so that we wouldn't miss the plane. Even though we were running about 15 minutes late, we still got to the airport on time and made our flight. My mom picked us up in Jacksonville with my grandma and Andrew. We then ate lunch there and made our way down to Orlando for the Southern Baptist Convention and Pastor's Conference. We met Dad at the hotel and had dinner. After dinner, Chris and I decided to take advantage of the pool and hot tub at the hotel. It was a great, relaxing end to a crazy day. That Saturday was also our six month anniversary, and we enjoyed the spending that peaceful evening with each other....though the double bed that we slept in was not enjoyable :)
Sunday, June 13
That morning we went to First Baptist Church of Sweetwater, just 25 minutes from Orlando. Dr. Hershel York and Dr. Albert Mohler were preaching there that morning. Dr. York is a preaching professor at Southern and Dr. Mohler is the president. We heard Dr. York's sermon on the Prodigal and it was fantastic. We then went to lunch and relaxed until the Pastor's Conference began. The Pastor's Conference is the Sunday evening and all-day Monday before the SBC where pastors can be encouraged by other preachers' sermons. We enjoyed that evening and prepared for a busy Monday.
Monday, June 14
Monday was a very LONG day. We heard some amazing sermons that day from Dr. Mohler, Dr. Moore (Dean of Theology at Southern), Matt Chandler, C. J. Mahaney, Dr. Danny Akin, and David Platt. We also witnessed a wonderful event. Dr. Moore spoke on adoption, both physical and spiritual (he says that he cannot separate the two, which I agree). Dr. Moore and his wife, Maria, adopted two boys from Russia several years ago. Since this happening, he has been passionate about speaking, preaching, and writing on adoption. After his sermon, a video showed the story of a pastor and his wife adopting twin boys and speaking about the Pastor's Conference starting an adoption fund for pastors. The couple then came in front of the conference. Dr. Kevin Ezell, the Pastor's Conference president, then told them that the donors of the conference had paid the rest of their adoption. When he said that, there was not a dry eye in the house. I was crying like a baby. Adoption is an issue to which my heart is drawn to. They then took an offering for the adoption fund, telling us later that they had raised $26,000! That was something that I will never forget.
The last sermon was by David Platt, pastor of The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham. Yet again, he preached with great passion and humility. If you haven't heard him, I encourage you to find a sermon of his and listen. After the sermon, Chris and I went to 9 Marks at 9:00. This is an event put on by 9 Marks Ministries as a way for pastors to ask questions to and hear the hearts of men like Mark Dever and others associated with that ministry. It is a great ministry to the local church and I would encourage you to read some of their resources.
Tuesday, June 15
The most important thing that happened on June 15 was my brother, Andrew, turned 19!! I was so glad to be with him on his birthday and I loved spending time with him while we were down there. Tuesday was also the beginning of the Southern Baptist Convention. There was some motions that were made in the morning, including one co-written by my dad to have Baptist Press as a separate entity of the SBC instead of being under the Executive Committee (long story.. :D ). In the afternoon session, the Great Commission Resurgence report was given. After much deliberation and an amendment to the report, the GCR passed overwhelmingly, probably by 75 to 80 percent. It was a great day to be a Southern Baptist.
I wasn't the only one excited about the passing of the GCR. That night, my family (minus my dad) and some messengers from St. Augustine had dinner together. As we were praying, Dr. Joslin and some friends came in to eat, as well. Before we had ended the prayer, Dr. Joslin came behind Chris and shook his back. When the prayer was done, Chris and I looked at each other then looked to Dr. Joslin. We all had a big laugh. He explained that he was really excited (and he was..like a school girl!). It is moments like this that make the SBC so fun. That evening, we went to the second 9 Marks at 9:00. This time, Dr. Akin, Dr. Mohler, and David Platt talked with Mark Dever about the passing of the GCR. We also caught up with some dear family friends. All in all, it was a great day!
Wednesday, June 16
Wednesday started later than the others did. We went to the Southern Seminary luncheon at noon. This luncheon was an opportunity for those who are associated with the school to come together and find out what has been going on at Southern for the past year since the last luncheon. We had some great food and were encouraged by Dr. Mohler as to where the school was going. I again realized how blessed I am to have been a part of this amazing institution. The Lord has done so much with so many people through Southern, and I am blessed to be among that company.
We watched some World Cup that afternoon and had room service for dinner with my family. That evening, Chris and I went to a local putt-putt course. We had so much fun....and I won!! It was great to get out and do something with just each other. We went back to the hotel for the evening and packed up to leave Orlando the next day.
Thursday, June 17
Chris, Andrew, and I spent most of the day at Universal Orlando. We went to both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. We payed out the wazoo for a fast pass to the rides, and it turned out to be a great investment. We would not have been able to get to all of the rides in both parks at a decent time. It was my first time at Islands of Adventure and I really enjoyed it. I loved the Spiderman ride. It was so much fun! I do not like roller coasters, so I would wait for the boys so they could have their fun. Though Chris really enjoyed himself, he was so upset the The Wizarding World of Harry Potter had not opened yet. In fact, we came the day before it opened. Hogwarts Castle was very visible and teasing Chris the whole time. Poor guy :(
We went to Universal City Walk to have dinner at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. We enjoyed a great dinner. Chris was happy to get some shrimp. After dinner, we made our way back to St. Augustine, about a 2 hour drive from Orlando. When we got there, I was greeted by the sweet family beagle, Buddy. I love that do so much and I was so glad to see him!
Friday, June 18
We enjoyed a quiet Friday at the Smith house. We watched the USA/Slovenia game, cheering on ferociously for the red, white, and blue. That evening, we ate dinner at Sonny's with our friends Ethan and Anna Crowder. They were at Boyce the first semester that we were there. They went back to Florida to save some money so that they could start married life wisely. We have kept in contact for the past year and a half, and we loved having dinner with them. They were such an encouragement to us. It was great hearing from a couple who go through very similar things that we do. They will be coming up to Southern in a few years and we can't wait to spend more time with them when they are back in Louisville.
Saturday, June 19
Saturday was so much fun. Chris and I went to the beach for a couple of hours for lunch. The sun felt wonderful and I loved hearing the sound of the ocean again. When Chris lived in North Carolina, he went to the beach all of the time. It was great to see him loving being there. After we got back from the beach, we went to the outlet mall down the street from the house. Chris had to get a few things and we walked around for a little bit. I used to work in the Banana Republic Factory Store and my brother works at the Brooks Brother's Outlet. For dinner, my mom made ham, mashed potatoes, and green beans. It was super delicious. After dinner, my family (minus Andrew) went to see "Toy Story 3". Oh my goodness!! I love that movie!! It met and exceeded my expectations, making me love the Toy Story franchise even more.
Sunday, June 20
That morning, we went to my home church, GracePointe Baptist Church. It was great seeing some familiar faces and being with that sweet fellowship. The interm pastor asked one of our faithful members to pray for Chris and I. It meant so much to us, knowing that there are people who think of us and pray for us. We went out to lunch then went back to the house to pack. We then went to Jacksonville to catch our flight. Our connection in Atlanta was supposed to be 40 minutes after we would land. However, our flight from Jacksonville was delayed. We were prepared to find a new flight once we got there. When we landed, we found out from one of the passengers that our flight had not left yet and we had about 30 minutes to get there, going from Terminal A to Terminal E. We ran to the terminal and made it just in time for the final boarding call. We were so glad to be home after a crazy evening.
Even though I love being with my family, I am continually reminded that I have my own home. Chris and I are a family, and we value each other above anyone else besides Christ. We have made ourselves a place to find rest. I am continually challenged to make my home a place where my husband can relax from a busy day. I am also working at my attitude, so that the aroma of my home is pleasant and pleasing to my husband and to the Lord. I cannot wait for the future with Chris and to see how our home will grow.
Beyond my physical home, I am not really home yet. I am continually sojourning right now until the day when I meet my Savior and see the home that he has prepared for me to live in for eternity. I must remember always to hold things lose and to regard people more than temporal things. I cannot wait for the day when I will praise Jesus for giving me an eternal home.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Favorite Modern Worship Songs
One of the great things about being here at Boyce is the emphasis on theology lived out in every-day life. The gospel should permeate our lives in our thoughts, actions, and relationships. Another area should be in our worship. You may say, "Of course worship is filled with the gospel. It's church." I would have to say that even if you sing a song at church, it doesn't mean that you are actually worshiping. So many modern worship songs are me-centered. Now I'm not saying that worship should not be personal. What I am saying is that the focus of worship should be on the Lord, and anything that involves us in worship should be our attitude of gratitude for the wonderful things He has done.
I go to a church that realizes the importance of worship in the church service. This is one aspect about Ninth and O which I love. Dr. Joslin leads us each week to a place that we could do nothing else but praise God. I have continually become appreciative for those who seek to make wonderful worship music. If any of you out there are interested, please check out Keith and Kristyn Getty, Sovereign Grace Music, and Hillsong. Sojourn Community Church in Louisville also makes cd's of worship music. A lot of their songs are actually new arrangements of songs written by Isaac Watts, the famous hymn writer of the 17th and 18th century.
I wanted to put up a few links to songs that I absolutely love. Some of you may have heard a few of these, maybe even all of them. Please listen to the lyrics and how powerful they are.
"All I Have is Christ"
Na Band, Sovereign Grace Music
I once was lost in darkest night, but thought I knew the way.
The sin that promised joy and life had led me to the grave.
I had no hope that You would own a rebel to Your will,
And if You had not loved me first I would refuse You still.
But as I ran my hell-bound race, indifferent to the cost,
You looked upon my helpless state and led me to the cross.
And I beheld God's love displayed. You suffered in my place.
You bore the wrath reserved for me. Now, all I know is grace.
Hallelujah! All I have is Christ!
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life!
Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone, and live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands could never come from me.
O, Father, use my ransomed life in any way You choose
And let my song forever be "My only boast is You!"
"Jesus, Thank You"
Sovereign Grace Music
The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend,
The agonies of Calvary.
You, the perfect Holy One, crushed Your Son
And drank the bigger cup reserved for me.
Your blood has washed away my sin.
Jesus, thank you!
The Father's wrath completely satisfied.
Jesus, thank you!
Once Your enemy now seated at Your table.
Jesus, thank you!
By Your perfect sacrifice I've been brought near.
Your enemy You've made Your friend.
Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace.
Your mercy and Your kindness know no end.
Lover of my soul, I want to live for You.
Lover of my soul, I want to live for You.
Read the subtitles. Amazing song.
"At the Cross"
Hillsong
Lyrics are on this one, also. Such a powerful song.
"Stronger"
Hillsong
I love this song!
"Revelation Song"
Kari Jobe
"The Power of the Cross"
Keith and Kristyn Getty
Oh, to see the dawn of the darkest day,
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men, torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.
This the power of the cross,
Christ became sin for us.
He took the blame, bore the wrath.
We stand forgiven at the cross!
Oh, to see the pain written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Every bitter thought, every evil deed,
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.
Now the daylight flees, now the ground beneath
Quakes as it's Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two. Dead are raised to life.
"Finished" the victory cry!
Oh, to see my name written in the wounds.
For through Your suffering I am free!
Death is crushed is death! Life is mine to live
Won through Your selfless love!
This the power of the cross,
Son of God slain for us!
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross!
"Still, My Soul, Be Still"
Keith and Kristyn Getty
Still, my soul, be still,
And do not fear, though winds of change may rage tomorrow.
God is at your side.
No longer dread the fires of unexpected sorrow.
God, you are my God.
And I will trust in You and not be shaken.
Lord of peace, renew
A steadfast spirit within me to rest in You alone.
Still, my soul, be still,
Do not be moved by lesser lights and fleeting shadows.
Hope unto His ways
With shield of faith against temptation's flaming arrows.
Still, my soul, be still,
Do not forsake the truth you learned in the beginning.
Wait upon the Lord
And hope will rise as stars appear when day is dimming.
I hope by seeing some of these songs that you were encouraged by what was sung. These songs are a great reminder of the many ways the the Lord proves Himself good and faithful to us. If you do not know of the Lord's faithfulness, I pray that you will know it from this time forward.
I go to a church that realizes the importance of worship in the church service. This is one aspect about Ninth and O which I love. Dr. Joslin leads us each week to a place that we could do nothing else but praise God. I have continually become appreciative for those who seek to make wonderful worship music. If any of you out there are interested, please check out Keith and Kristyn Getty, Sovereign Grace Music, and Hillsong. Sojourn Community Church in Louisville also makes cd's of worship music. A lot of their songs are actually new arrangements of songs written by Isaac Watts, the famous hymn writer of the 17th and 18th century.
I wanted to put up a few links to songs that I absolutely love. Some of you may have heard a few of these, maybe even all of them. Please listen to the lyrics and how powerful they are.
"All I Have is Christ"
Na Band, Sovereign Grace Music
I once was lost in darkest night, but thought I knew the way.
The sin that promised joy and life had led me to the grave.
I had no hope that You would own a rebel to Your will,
And if You had not loved me first I would refuse You still.
But as I ran my hell-bound race, indifferent to the cost,
You looked upon my helpless state and led me to the cross.
And I beheld God's love displayed. You suffered in my place.
You bore the wrath reserved for me. Now, all I know is grace.
Hallelujah! All I have is Christ!
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life!
Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone, and live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands could never come from me.
O, Father, use my ransomed life in any way You choose
And let my song forever be "My only boast is You!"
"Jesus, Thank You"
Sovereign Grace Music
The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend,
The agonies of Calvary.
You, the perfect Holy One, crushed Your Son
And drank the bigger cup reserved for me.
Your blood has washed away my sin.
Jesus, thank you!
The Father's wrath completely satisfied.
Jesus, thank you!
Once Your enemy now seated at Your table.
Jesus, thank you!
By Your perfect sacrifice I've been brought near.
Your enemy You've made Your friend.
Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace.
Your mercy and Your kindness know no end.
Lover of my soul, I want to live for You.
Lover of my soul, I want to live for You.
Read the subtitles. Amazing song.
"At the Cross"
Hillsong
Lyrics are on this one, also. Such a powerful song.
"Stronger"
Hillsong
I love this song!
"Revelation Song"
Kari Jobe
"The Power of the Cross"
Keith and Kristyn Getty
Oh, to see the dawn of the darkest day,
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men, torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.
This the power of the cross,
Christ became sin for us.
He took the blame, bore the wrath.
We stand forgiven at the cross!
Oh, to see the pain written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Every bitter thought, every evil deed,
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.
Now the daylight flees, now the ground beneath
Quakes as it's Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two. Dead are raised to life.
"Finished" the victory cry!
Oh, to see my name written in the wounds.
For through Your suffering I am free!
Death is crushed is death! Life is mine to live
Won through Your selfless love!
This the power of the cross,
Son of God slain for us!
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross!
"Still, My Soul, Be Still"
Keith and Kristyn Getty
Still, my soul, be still,
And do not fear, though winds of change may rage tomorrow.
God is at your side.
No longer dread the fires of unexpected sorrow.
God, you are my God.
And I will trust in You and not be shaken.
Lord of peace, renew
A steadfast spirit within me to rest in You alone.
Still, my soul, be still,
Do not be moved by lesser lights and fleeting shadows.
Hope unto His ways
With shield of faith against temptation's flaming arrows.
Still, my soul, be still,
Do not forsake the truth you learned in the beginning.
Wait upon the Lord
And hope will rise as stars appear when day is dimming.
I hope by seeing some of these songs that you were encouraged by what was sung. These songs are a great reminder of the many ways the the Lord proves Himself good and faithful to us. If you do not know of the Lord's faithfulness, I pray that you will know it from this time forward.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Recent and Upcoming Happenings
Ok. So it has been a while since I have updated the blog. While there has not been a whole lot going on in my life, I am excited for what will be coming up this month. So here is an update to what has been going on and what I look forward to in the month of June.
At the beginning of this summer, I was looking forward to reading whatever I wanted at my own pace. Pleasure reading can be scarce for a college student, and especially rare when your books involving theology and theological terms. While I do enjoy reading some of those books, I cannot wait to do so at my own time. During the semester I started reading "Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother" by Carolyn Mahaney. I had to stop reading because I had to finish other books. I was able to finish it a couple of weeks ago. If any woman reading this wants to know how godliness is displayed in being a wife and mother, read this book. Carolyn Mahaney looks at Titus 2 and what it says about being a wife and mother. She speaks of controversial subjects like submission and homemaking, but these subjects are in Scripture. I very much appreciated this book and was challenged by it.
The next book that I have read is "When Sinners Say 'I Do': Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage" by Dave Harvey. Wow! What a fantastic book. I have quickly found out that some sins that I struggle with did not come out until I got married. It is amazing how the world, our flesh, and the Devil seek to destroy this wonderful union by nasty sins that we are so prone to repeat. In this book, Harvey speaks of how the gospel should be lived out in marriage. If you want to read a light-hearted book about marriage, this is definitely not it. Be prepared to be challenged and convicted by what you read. This book just reaffirms for me the truth that marriage is not primarily for my well-being or for having children. The highest goal of marriage is to display the gospel to the world. (On a side note, another great book about marriage is "This Momentary Marriage" by John Piper. I highly recommend it.)
This past Friday, Chris and I went with my in-laws to King's Island, located just north of Cincinnati. While I have ridden on some rides at Disney World and Universal Studios, I had not really ridden a real roller coaster. Despite much inward protest, I agreed to ride one. Chris said that it would not be that bad. He would soon find out that he and I had different ideas about what a "fun" ride was. I screamed the entire time on the coaster. And it was not a fun scream, but a terror scream. Chris was laughing at the beginning of the ride, thinking that I was having fun. Then he heard my scream and saw my face, realizing that I was not having fun. I did enjoy spending time with my family, but I can tell you that I will not be setting foot on a roller coaster like that any time soon..if ever :)
I am really looking forward to the month of June. On June 12, Chris and I will be leaving for Florida and will be staying down there for a week. My mom will pick us up from the Jacksonville airport and will then drive us down to Orlando. The Southern Baptist Convention and Pastor's Conference is held in Orlando this year. Dad is putting us up in a room for the Witness (the state paper which he is the executive editor), so Chris and I will be running errands around the convention center. This will be a great time to meet up with old family friends.
I am really looking forward to the Pastor's Conference. Dr. Kevin Ezell from Highview Baptist Church in Louisville is the president of the Pastor's Conference this year. He has brought many great preachers to this, including David Platt, C.J. Mahaney, Russell Moore, and Albert Mohler. I cannot wait to hear these men preach the Word. I am also interested to see what business will be done at the SBC. There are many things worth noted in this year's convention, including the voting of the GCR and new president of the convention. I pray that what will happen in Orlando would be for God's glory and for the spread of His kingdom.
On June 17, Chris and I will be going with Andrew to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure for the day. I haven't spent a lot of time with my brother since I left for school, so I am really looking forward to spending this time with him and for him to get to know Chris better. After Universal, Chris and I will be staying at my parent's house for the weekend. We will probably be going to the beach at some point, something we did not do when we came down for Spring Break. I cannot wait to spend a few days with my family, although Dad will probably be writing his little heart out about what had just happened at the SBC. I also cannot wait to see my sweet Buddy!! He is my family's precious beagle that we have had for 4 years. Even though I am no longer down there, I still consider him to be my sweet Buddy-boo :)
In the midst of all this, Chris is getting familiar with his new job selling phones for Cellular Sales/ Verizon Wireless. We just found out that he has met his sales goal for the month. I could not be prouder for him. He has been working so hard this past month, learning what needs to be done to be a better salesman. While it has been an adjustment for me, I know that he is sacrificing himself for the sake of us and our future. I couldn't ask for much more in a husband.
So there it is! If any of you will be at the SBC, please let me know. I would love to see you at some point, if possible. I hope that this summer has been starting out well for you!
At the beginning of this summer, I was looking forward to reading whatever I wanted at my own pace. Pleasure reading can be scarce for a college student, and especially rare when your books involving theology and theological terms. While I do enjoy reading some of those books, I cannot wait to do so at my own time. During the semester I started reading "Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother" by Carolyn Mahaney. I had to stop reading because I had to finish other books. I was able to finish it a couple of weeks ago. If any woman reading this wants to know how godliness is displayed in being a wife and mother, read this book. Carolyn Mahaney looks at Titus 2 and what it says about being a wife and mother. She speaks of controversial subjects like submission and homemaking, but these subjects are in Scripture. I very much appreciated this book and was challenged by it.
The next book that I have read is "When Sinners Say 'I Do': Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage" by Dave Harvey. Wow! What a fantastic book. I have quickly found out that some sins that I struggle with did not come out until I got married. It is amazing how the world, our flesh, and the Devil seek to destroy this wonderful union by nasty sins that we are so prone to repeat. In this book, Harvey speaks of how the gospel should be lived out in marriage. If you want to read a light-hearted book about marriage, this is definitely not it. Be prepared to be challenged and convicted by what you read. This book just reaffirms for me the truth that marriage is not primarily for my well-being or for having children. The highest goal of marriage is to display the gospel to the world. (On a side note, another great book about marriage is "This Momentary Marriage" by John Piper. I highly recommend it.)
This past Friday, Chris and I went with my in-laws to King's Island, located just north of Cincinnati. While I have ridden on some rides at Disney World and Universal Studios, I had not really ridden a real roller coaster. Despite much inward protest, I agreed to ride one. Chris said that it would not be that bad. He would soon find out that he and I had different ideas about what a "fun" ride was. I screamed the entire time on the coaster. And it was not a fun scream, but a terror scream. Chris was laughing at the beginning of the ride, thinking that I was having fun. Then he heard my scream and saw my face, realizing that I was not having fun. I did enjoy spending time with my family, but I can tell you that I will not be setting foot on a roller coaster like that any time soon..if ever :)
I am really looking forward to the month of June. On June 12, Chris and I will be leaving for Florida and will be staying down there for a week. My mom will pick us up from the Jacksonville airport and will then drive us down to Orlando. The Southern Baptist Convention and Pastor's Conference is held in Orlando this year. Dad is putting us up in a room for the Witness (the state paper which he is the executive editor), so Chris and I will be running errands around the convention center. This will be a great time to meet up with old family friends.
I am really looking forward to the Pastor's Conference. Dr. Kevin Ezell from Highview Baptist Church in Louisville is the president of the Pastor's Conference this year. He has brought many great preachers to this, including David Platt, C.J. Mahaney, Russell Moore, and Albert Mohler. I cannot wait to hear these men preach the Word. I am also interested to see what business will be done at the SBC. There are many things worth noted in this year's convention, including the voting of the GCR and new president of the convention. I pray that what will happen in Orlando would be for God's glory and for the spread of His kingdom.
On June 17, Chris and I will be going with Andrew to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure for the day. I haven't spent a lot of time with my brother since I left for school, so I am really looking forward to spending this time with him and for him to get to know Chris better. After Universal, Chris and I will be staying at my parent's house for the weekend. We will probably be going to the beach at some point, something we did not do when we came down for Spring Break. I cannot wait to spend a few days with my family, although Dad will probably be writing his little heart out about what had just happened at the SBC. I also cannot wait to see my sweet Buddy!! He is my family's precious beagle that we have had for 4 years. Even though I am no longer down there, I still consider him to be my sweet Buddy-boo :)
In the midst of all this, Chris is getting familiar with his new job selling phones for Cellular Sales/ Verizon Wireless. We just found out that he has met his sales goal for the month. I could not be prouder for him. He has been working so hard this past month, learning what needs to be done to be a better salesman. While it has been an adjustment for me, I know that he is sacrificing himself for the sake of us and our future. I couldn't ask for much more in a husband.
So there it is! If any of you will be at the SBC, please let me know. I would love to see you at some point, if possible. I hope that this summer has been starting out well for you!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Mother Knows Best......or Does She?
Ok. From first glance, you may think that I have something against my mom. That is not the case. My mom has nothing negative to do with this post....and I am so glad that she does not display the "mother knows best" attitude that so many mothers have.
One of the shows that I like to watch is TLC's "Say Yes to the Dress." This show is about girls going to try to find their wedding dress at Kleinfeld's, the world's larget bridal store. Ever since I was a little girl, I loved thinking about weddings and wedding dresses. When my time came, I had a wonderful experience finding my dress. When I tried on my dress, I knew it was "the one" the moment I put it on. My mom knew, as well. She saw on my face how happy I was in it and knew that it made me feel beautiful. She even said, "That is so you, Lauren." That is what a bride wants to hear from her mother when she is dress shopping. No matter what the mom's style is, the bride is the one that is wearing the dress. I don't even know if my dress was exactly my mom's style, but she knew that it was mine. That meant the world to me. Some girls aren't so lucky.
My heart breaks when I watch girls on this show not have the same experience that my mom and I had. Some of the moms have a definite picture of how they want their girl to look like...and they make it well known. There is one example that I cannot get out of my mind. A mother and daughter go to Kleinfeld's to look for a dress. The mother of the bride is going to be paying for the dress, so she believes that she has a say in what the dress should look like. The mom wants the daughter's dress to have a long, cathedral-length train.....because every real wedding dress must have one. The bride came out in dress after dress that she liked but the mom did not. And why? No long train. The bride finally comes out in a dress that she absolutely loves and is in budget...and she looks beautiful in. The mom is hesitant because the train is not long enough. The bride obviously wants her mom to like the dress, so she comes up with a compromise: a long veil. The mother finally agrees...and then says that she is going to pick the jewelry.
You may think to yourself while reading this "Why do you care? Why should I care?" I believe that this is just a symptom that comes when mothers cannot let go. These women...yes, women...on this show are beginning a new chapter in their lives with their husbands. These moms cannot get over that their daughter is no longer their baby girl. They do not want to let their daughters go. This is not just seen in wedding dress shopping. This happens to girls in every day life. Sadly, this is also the case in Christian women. Christian mothers want to make sure that their daughters are women of faith as they grow up. They want to see the Lord work in their lives. They want to see them grow up, get married, and have children of their own. They want so many good things for their daughters...but they don't want to let them go. While they may not say it, their actions show it.
Mothers who do these things to their daughters do not fully see the sovereignty of the Lord in their daughters lives. When their daughter gets married, she is to be with her husband. While respecting parents does not end when marriage happens, the headship of parents does. The headship of the girl is now her husband, and they become their own family when they "leave and cleave". When the mom interferes with this, she is in a sense saying that being married is not good enough for her daughter. I get so sad when I hear stories of how mothers do not want their girls to leave them when they get married. There is obviously an adjustment that needs to be made when huge change happens, and there are real and good emotions that come from that. However, these emotions should not control the mother, for she will try to control her child.
This is one of many areas why I am so blessed that the Lord allowed me to be Linda Smith's daughter. She loves her "baby girl" and loves to be close to me. She was sad when I went away to college and is sad that she does not see me as often now that I am married. Even so, she does not let this control her. I can remember her telling me when I was a young girl that when the Lord called, I needed to go. It did not matter where, I needed to go. This did not mean that she did not love me, but she loved the Lord more. She trusted that the Lord was the one in control of my life, and she had great peace in that fact.
I want to do the same thing with my daughter(s). I want them to know that following the Lord is greater than staying with your family. I need to be reminded of this fact. I need to hold the ones and things I love loosely, for the Lord can take them away. Trusting in the Lord is the best way...even if it may not be Mom's way.
One of the shows that I like to watch is TLC's "Say Yes to the Dress." This show is about girls going to try to find their wedding dress at Kleinfeld's, the world's larget bridal store. Ever since I was a little girl, I loved thinking about weddings and wedding dresses. When my time came, I had a wonderful experience finding my dress. When I tried on my dress, I knew it was "the one" the moment I put it on. My mom knew, as well. She saw on my face how happy I was in it and knew that it made me feel beautiful. She even said, "That is so you, Lauren." That is what a bride wants to hear from her mother when she is dress shopping. No matter what the mom's style is, the bride is the one that is wearing the dress. I don't even know if my dress was exactly my mom's style, but she knew that it was mine. That meant the world to me. Some girls aren't so lucky.
My heart breaks when I watch girls on this show not have the same experience that my mom and I had. Some of the moms have a definite picture of how they want their girl to look like...and they make it well known. There is one example that I cannot get out of my mind. A mother and daughter go to Kleinfeld's to look for a dress. The mother of the bride is going to be paying for the dress, so she believes that she has a say in what the dress should look like. The mom wants the daughter's dress to have a long, cathedral-length train.....because every real wedding dress must have one. The bride came out in dress after dress that she liked but the mom did not. And why? No long train. The bride finally comes out in a dress that she absolutely loves and is in budget...and she looks beautiful in. The mom is hesitant because the train is not long enough. The bride obviously wants her mom to like the dress, so she comes up with a compromise: a long veil. The mother finally agrees...and then says that she is going to pick the jewelry.
You may think to yourself while reading this "Why do you care? Why should I care?" I believe that this is just a symptom that comes when mothers cannot let go. These women...yes, women...on this show are beginning a new chapter in their lives with their husbands. These moms cannot get over that their daughter is no longer their baby girl. They do not want to let their daughters go. This is not just seen in wedding dress shopping. This happens to girls in every day life. Sadly, this is also the case in Christian women. Christian mothers want to make sure that their daughters are women of faith as they grow up. They want to see the Lord work in their lives. They want to see them grow up, get married, and have children of their own. They want so many good things for their daughters...but they don't want to let them go. While they may not say it, their actions show it.
Mothers who do these things to their daughters do not fully see the sovereignty of the Lord in their daughters lives. When their daughter gets married, she is to be with her husband. While respecting parents does not end when marriage happens, the headship of parents does. The headship of the girl is now her husband, and they become their own family when they "leave and cleave". When the mom interferes with this, she is in a sense saying that being married is not good enough for her daughter. I get so sad when I hear stories of how mothers do not want their girls to leave them when they get married. There is obviously an adjustment that needs to be made when huge change happens, and there are real and good emotions that come from that. However, these emotions should not control the mother, for she will try to control her child.
This is one of many areas why I am so blessed that the Lord allowed me to be Linda Smith's daughter. She loves her "baby girl" and loves to be close to me. She was sad when I went away to college and is sad that she does not see me as often now that I am married. Even so, she does not let this control her. I can remember her telling me when I was a young girl that when the Lord called, I needed to go. It did not matter where, I needed to go. This did not mean that she did not love me, but she loved the Lord more. She trusted that the Lord was the one in control of my life, and she had great peace in that fact.
I want to do the same thing with my daughter(s). I want them to know that following the Lord is greater than staying with your family. I need to be reminded of this fact. I need to hold the ones and things I love loosely, for the Lord can take them away. Trusting in the Lord is the best way...even if it may not be Mom's way.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Finally Done!!
I am finally back on the blog. The past couple of weeks have been busy with the end of the semester. I wanted to make sure that I had everything done before getting distracted by the blog. So here I am :)
I am pleased to say that I AM DONE WITH FINALS!!! I am very much looking forward to next week and to graduating! I have been here at Boyce for 2 years and have spent a total of 3 years in college. I cannot believe that my days as a student are coming to an end. I am very much looking forward to not taking any more tests or writing any more book reviews. Probably what I am looking forward to the most is pleasure reading....reading what I want at my own pace!
In addition to my last weeks of Boyce, Chris has been adjusting to his new job. He just completed his 2 weeks of training on the sales floor with Cellular Sales (a third-party vendor for Verizon) and begins flying solo next week. I am so proud of him. He has been looking for a way to better get him through school and we are so blessed that he is able to do so now. He can go back to being a full-time student, and he will hopefully be done with his Bachelor's in about 3 years. This new job has odd hours and he is probably going to be working a lot the first couple of months, just so he can learn how to sell and what to sell. We are excited to see how this will turn out.
The next week is going to be a busy one. The schedule is as follows:
Monday - Wednesday: Working from 7:45-5:00 each day. In that mix somewhere is preparing dinner, doing laundry, and spending time with the Hubby.
Thursday: Graduation preparation. I will be having a luncheon/run-through mid morning/early afternoon. During that time my parents and grandparents will be coming into town! From 2:30-3:00, we will be at the Mohler's home for a desert with other graduates. We will then probably be doing something that night, though we don't have any plans just yet.
Friday: GRADUATION DAY!!! The doors in Alumni Chapel will open for guests at 9:00 and graduation starts at 10:00. We will probably be going out to lunch after that, then relax and enjoy time with family. The nieces will be in town....and who can't get enough of them! ;)
My time here at Boyce has been such a blessing. When I came up here, I knew that I wanted to be a pastor's wife. I truly believe that it is a calling that the Lord places on certain women, for being a pastor's wife is not a glamorous job. It is amazing to see how the Lord has brought me to where I am today, being married to a man that knows his calling is to pastor. In addition to Chris, I have made such special friends while up here. The girls that I have become close to are so dear to me. We have so much fun together and they are such an encouragement to me.
Because I am graduating in 5 days, I thought it would be fun to look back at my first couple of days here at Boyce.
I hope that this week has been a great one for all of you and that you have seen the Lord's blessings in your life.
I am pleased to say that I AM DONE WITH FINALS!!! I am very much looking forward to next week and to graduating! I have been here at Boyce for 2 years and have spent a total of 3 years in college. I cannot believe that my days as a student are coming to an end. I am very much looking forward to not taking any more tests or writing any more book reviews. Probably what I am looking forward to the most is pleasure reading....reading what I want at my own pace!
In addition to my last weeks of Boyce, Chris has been adjusting to his new job. He just completed his 2 weeks of training on the sales floor with Cellular Sales (a third-party vendor for Verizon) and begins flying solo next week. I am so proud of him. He has been looking for a way to better get him through school and we are so blessed that he is able to do so now. He can go back to being a full-time student, and he will hopefully be done with his Bachelor's in about 3 years. This new job has odd hours and he is probably going to be working a lot the first couple of months, just so he can learn how to sell and what to sell. We are excited to see how this will turn out.
The next week is going to be a busy one. The schedule is as follows:
Monday - Wednesday: Working from 7:45-5:00 each day. In that mix somewhere is preparing dinner, doing laundry, and spending time with the Hubby.
Thursday: Graduation preparation. I will be having a luncheon/run-through mid morning/early afternoon. During that time my parents and grandparents will be coming into town! From 2:30-3:00, we will be at the Mohler's home for a desert with other graduates. We will then probably be doing something that night, though we don't have any plans just yet.
Friday: GRADUATION DAY!!! The doors in Alumni Chapel will open for guests at 9:00 and graduation starts at 10:00. We will probably be going out to lunch after that, then relax and enjoy time with family. The nieces will be in town....and who can't get enough of them! ;)
My time here at Boyce has been such a blessing. When I came up here, I knew that I wanted to be a pastor's wife. I truly believe that it is a calling that the Lord places on certain women, for being a pastor's wife is not a glamorous job. It is amazing to see how the Lord has brought me to where I am today, being married to a man that knows his calling is to pastor. In addition to Chris, I have made such special friends while up here. The girls that I have become close to are so dear to me. We have so much fun together and they are such an encouragement to me.
Because I am graduating in 5 days, I thought it would be fun to look back at my first couple of days here at Boyce.
I hope that this week has been a great one for all of you and that you have seen the Lord's blessings in your life.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Free Books from T4G!
So if you need to know anything about a Boyce or Southern student, it is probably this: we love free books!! Together for the Gospel serves to a seminary student's benefit in that regard. This past week, Chris had the opportunity to go to T4G. In addition, he went to Band of Bloggers, an event before T4G where bloggers come together. He and some of his friends have a blog, so check it out (http://evangelicalmavericks.com/).
So I thought it would be fun to show all of the books that Chris received while at the two events. Here is a picture of all of the books.
On the left side are the books from Band of Bloggers. Here they are from top to bottom:
A Habitual Sight of Him: The Christ-Centered Piety of Thomas Goodwin - Joel R. Beeke and Mark Jones
A Call to Prayer - J. C. Ryle
Welcome to a Reformed Church: A Guide for Pilgrims - Daniel R. Hyde
Holy Subversion: Allegiance to Christ in an Age of Rivals - Trevin Wax
Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream - David Platt
Your Jesus is Too Safe: Outgrowing a Drive-Thru, Feel-Good Savior - Jared C. Wilson
Entrusted with the Gospel: Paul's Theology in the Pastoral Epistles - Andreas J. Kostenberger and Terry L. Wilder
Stray Recollections, Short Articles and Public Orations of James P. Boyce - Thomas J. Nettles
Reaching and Teaching: A Call to Great Commission Obedience - M. David Sills
The Good News We Almost Forgot: Rediscovering the Gospel in a 16th Century Catechism - Kevin DeYoung
When the Church was a Family: Recapturing Jesus' Vision for Authentic Christian Community - Joseph H. Hellerman
Abide: Practicing Kingdom Rhythms in a Consumer Culture - Jared C. Wilson
On the right side of the picture are the books that Chris received from T4G. Here they are from top to bottom:
The Holiness of God - R. C. Sproul
Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God - J. I. Packer
Jonathan Edwards on Beauty - Owen Strachan and Doug Sweeney
What is the Gospel? - Greg Gilbert
The Gospel for Muslims: An Encouragement to Share Christ with Confidence - Thabiti Anyabwile
The Plight of Man and the Power of God - Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Fear Not! Death and the Afterlife from a Christian Perspective - Ligon Duncan with J. Nicholas Reid
The Priority of Preaching - Christopher Ash
Dug Down Deep: Unearthing What I Believe and Why it Matters - Joshua Harris
Marks of the Messenger: Knowing, Living and Speaking the Gospel - J. Mack Stiles
The Jesus You Can't Ignore: What You Must Learn from the Bold Confrontations of Christ - John MacArthur
It Is Well: Expositions on Substitutionary Atonement - Mark Dever and Michael Lawrence
Scandalous: The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus - D. A. Carson
Finally Alive - John Piper
The Unquenchable Flame: Discovering the Heart of the Reformation - Michael Reeves
The Church and the Surprising Offense of God's Love: Reintroducing the Doctrines of Church Membership and Discipline - Jonathan Leeman
He is Not Silent: Preaching in a Postmodern World - R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
The Trellis and the Vine: The Ministry Mind-Shift That Changes Everything - Colin Marshall and Tony Payne
Proclaiming a Cross-Centered Theology - Mark Dever, J. Ligon Duncan III, R. Albert Mohler Jr., C. J. Mahaney
The ESV Study Bible
So if you lost count, that's 32 books....32 FREE books!! While I may not be taking classes after this semester, I will always be learning, especially if I read some of these books. There is just one problem: where are we going to put them all?!?! :)
So I thought it would be fun to show all of the books that Chris received while at the two events. Here is a picture of all of the books.
On the left side are the books from Band of Bloggers. Here they are from top to bottom:
A Habitual Sight of Him: The Christ-Centered Piety of Thomas Goodwin - Joel R. Beeke and Mark Jones
A Call to Prayer - J. C. Ryle
Welcome to a Reformed Church: A Guide for Pilgrims - Daniel R. Hyde
Holy Subversion: Allegiance to Christ in an Age of Rivals - Trevin Wax
Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream - David Platt
Your Jesus is Too Safe: Outgrowing a Drive-Thru, Feel-Good Savior - Jared C. Wilson
Entrusted with the Gospel: Paul's Theology in the Pastoral Epistles - Andreas J. Kostenberger and Terry L. Wilder
Stray Recollections, Short Articles and Public Orations of James P. Boyce - Thomas J. Nettles
Reaching and Teaching: A Call to Great Commission Obedience - M. David Sills
The Good News We Almost Forgot: Rediscovering the Gospel in a 16th Century Catechism - Kevin DeYoung
When the Church was a Family: Recapturing Jesus' Vision for Authentic Christian Community - Joseph H. Hellerman
Abide: Practicing Kingdom Rhythms in a Consumer Culture - Jared C. Wilson
On the right side of the picture are the books that Chris received from T4G. Here they are from top to bottom:
The Holiness of God - R. C. Sproul
Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God - J. I. Packer
Jonathan Edwards on Beauty - Owen Strachan and Doug Sweeney
What is the Gospel? - Greg Gilbert
The Gospel for Muslims: An Encouragement to Share Christ with Confidence - Thabiti Anyabwile
The Plight of Man and the Power of God - Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Fear Not! Death and the Afterlife from a Christian Perspective - Ligon Duncan with J. Nicholas Reid
The Priority of Preaching - Christopher Ash
Dug Down Deep: Unearthing What I Believe and Why it Matters - Joshua Harris
Marks of the Messenger: Knowing, Living and Speaking the Gospel - J. Mack Stiles
The Jesus You Can't Ignore: What You Must Learn from the Bold Confrontations of Christ - John MacArthur
It Is Well: Expositions on Substitutionary Atonement - Mark Dever and Michael Lawrence
Scandalous: The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus - D. A. Carson
Finally Alive - John Piper
The Unquenchable Flame: Discovering the Heart of the Reformation - Michael Reeves
The Church and the Surprising Offense of God's Love: Reintroducing the Doctrines of Church Membership and Discipline - Jonathan Leeman
He is Not Silent: Preaching in a Postmodern World - R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
The Trellis and the Vine: The Ministry Mind-Shift That Changes Everything - Colin Marshall and Tony Payne
Proclaiming a Cross-Centered Theology - Mark Dever, J. Ligon Duncan III, R. Albert Mohler Jr., C. J. Mahaney
The ESV Study Bible
So if you lost count, that's 32 books....32 FREE books!! While I may not be taking classes after this semester, I will always be learning, especially if I read some of these books. There is just one problem: where are we going to put them all?!?! :)
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
I'm a Blessed Girl :)
The title says it all. This morning I was thinking about Chris and about the wedding. We just passed the 4 month mark of marriage. While this may not sound important, it is really neat seeing all that has happened in the 4 months. And then I thought about how Chris and I met and our story. So I thought I would briefly share.
I had become friends quickly with a few people in Fall 08, my first semester at Boyce. My friends and I were hanging out in the patio room, a room at the bottom/classroom floor of Carver where students hang out. Chris walked in the door while I was hanging out with my friends. He already knew a couple of people at the table, so he began to hang out with us. We later played Cranium and I got to see his personality. I thought that he was a fun guy, but I did not think anything of him at the time. He had a beard at that time, tattoos, and was barely taller than me.
The next day, my friends, Chris, and I hung out again. We went to get some ice cream and then went back to campus to decide on what to do. We could not decide on anything, so some of my friends went back to the dorms. Right when this was happening, Chris and I started talking. As he likes to put it, I "chewed his ear off" that night. I didn't think that I was doing that, partially because I thought I was having a great conversation with him and got to know him better. Went I went back to my dorm that night, I really began thinking about him. I called my mom the next day and told her about him...and his tattoos. While she was not thrilled, she got over it :)
The next week was a crazy one. The remnants of Hurricane Ike came to Louisville and brought a terrible windstorm, knocking out the power of the seminary for a few days and shutting down classes for the week. During this week, Chris and I got to spend a lot of time together. Both of us had to stay in town for work, unlike some of our friends. Each night I would go to the patio room and he would walk me back. From that week on, I knew that I liked him. We started talking and hanging out a lot after that point, really getting to know what each other thought about different issues. The bond just grew even more.
Chris called my Dad on December 1, 2008 and asked him if he could date me. Dad said yes and the rest is history. We decided to go down to my parent's house in Florida for spring break. On March 31, 2009, Chris proposed to me and I said yes. The craziness of planning began, and we eventually got married on December 12, 2009.
If someone would have told me before I left for Boyce that I would be married less than 2 years after I started, I would have told them that they were crazy. After all, I was the girl that had never dated anyone.....EVER! But the Lord's plans are greater than ours, and I am SO glad of that truth. Each day I learn more about my total dependency on the Lord in trying to be the best helper for my husband. Grace upon grace is shown to me and the Lord is always faithful. I am so glad that I get to be Mrs. David Christopher Garner "until we are parted by death." :)
I had become friends quickly with a few people in Fall 08, my first semester at Boyce. My friends and I were hanging out in the patio room, a room at the bottom/classroom floor of Carver where students hang out. Chris walked in the door while I was hanging out with my friends. He already knew a couple of people at the table, so he began to hang out with us. We later played Cranium and I got to see his personality. I thought that he was a fun guy, but I did not think anything of him at the time. He had a beard at that time, tattoos, and was barely taller than me.
The next day, my friends, Chris, and I hung out again. We went to get some ice cream and then went back to campus to decide on what to do. We could not decide on anything, so some of my friends went back to the dorms. Right when this was happening, Chris and I started talking. As he likes to put it, I "chewed his ear off" that night. I didn't think that I was doing that, partially because I thought I was having a great conversation with him and got to know him better. Went I went back to my dorm that night, I really began thinking about him. I called my mom the next day and told her about him...and his tattoos. While she was not thrilled, she got over it :)
The next week was a crazy one. The remnants of Hurricane Ike came to Louisville and brought a terrible windstorm, knocking out the power of the seminary for a few days and shutting down classes for the week. During this week, Chris and I got to spend a lot of time together. Both of us had to stay in town for work, unlike some of our friends. Each night I would go to the patio room and he would walk me back. From that week on, I knew that I liked him. We started talking and hanging out a lot after that point, really getting to know what each other thought about different issues. The bond just grew even more.
Chris called my Dad on December 1, 2008 and asked him if he could date me. Dad said yes and the rest is history. We decided to go down to my parent's house in Florida for spring break. On March 31, 2009, Chris proposed to me and I said yes. The craziness of planning began, and we eventually got married on December 12, 2009.
If someone would have told me before I left for Boyce that I would be married less than 2 years after I started, I would have told them that they were crazy. After all, I was the girl that had never dated anyone.....EVER! But the Lord's plans are greater than ours, and I am SO glad of that truth. Each day I learn more about my total dependency on the Lord in trying to be the best helper for my husband. Grace upon grace is shown to me and the Lord is always faithful. I am so glad that I get to be Mrs. David Christopher Garner "until we are parted by death." :)
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