Great Minds Think Alike!

This Sunday when Melissa, Coleman and I showed up for worship practice, we were all dressed alike... black shirts and gray pants!

When I was little, well actually not too long ago, I hated matching with anyone, especially my sister. My mom always dressed us like twins and people would even ask if we were (which is pretty funny because I was always a head taller then Mel!). Why did I hate it so much? What was wrong with matching my sister? It was my pride. I wanted to look different. I wanted to look better. I did not want my sister to copy me in what I wore...how dumb!

Sin makes us dumb. It blinds us. A few years ago I probably would have changed my clothes before leaving for church. How funny it is that we get tripped up on trivial things like this, but boy, that is what really goes on in my heart all the time. Through the Lord's conviction and my mom's guidance I was able kill this fleshly desire and learn to love matching with my best friend in the whole world!

Melissa and Coleman, I counted it a privilege to be able to match with you guys on Sunday! Thanks for being my friends.

Happy Birthday Dear Mother!

Today is Mom's 45th Birthday!

Mom we are so thankful that the Lord has given us you as our mom. Thank you for serving us and loving us unconditionally. Thanks for all the meals you've made, loads of laundry you've washed, rides you've given, fights you've helped to resolve, for not only putting up with our crazy parties but joining in on the fun, for being our dear friend, for hurting when we hurt, for letting us talk to you passed midnight on your bed when you're trying to go to sleep, for all the laughing fits while shopping... the list goes on and on!
Most of all thank you for shepherding our hearts. We are forever grateful for your probing questions, wise council and gentle correction. You are always quick to point us to the gospel and comfort us with the fact that God will be faithful.
Mom thank you for showing us how to battle sin and how important it is to have our quiet times. You are so humble to confess your struggles and sin and always ask for observation. Thank you for being an example of how to walk out our Christian faith. WE LOVE YOU MOM!

Running...

This morning on my way to and from workout at school I was listening to a message by Mr. Butler called "Jesus, the Great Divide." It was on Ephesians 4, about how there should be a stark contrast between the lives of Christians and non-believers. In the message Mr. Butler reminds us of how before we were saved we were running toward hell. While I prayed in my quiet time, after I got home, I pondered this thought. Oh how it makes the Gospel so dear when we remember what we were before! After my prayer the Spirit gave me these words. I wrote them down... I guess you could say it's like a poem. I thought it would be encouraging to share and would be a good reminder for all of us of where we were headed before we knew Christ.

I was running
Running hard and fast toward hell
I loved the world and everything in the world
I didn't want to change
I didn't see my sin
Infact, I loved my sin, too much to let go

As I was running I tripped
I tripped and fell, injuring my pride
When I looked up I saw something I had never wanted to see
Something I never expected
I was gazing into loving eyes,
Loving eyes that whispered,

"You are going the wrong way, I will help you turn around. Die to your old self and I will give you new strength to run toward me!"

Why did I get to turn around?
What enables me to run this new race?
The Cross
The Cross turned me around
My Father, with those loving eyes, gave up his only Son to die for me!
His blood covers me and has attoned for all of my sin
His righteousness enables me to run to my Father!

I can't say I'm not tempted to turn around
The other way seems easier to run
The world is so inticing, my flesh cries out to give in
But then I am reminded of when I tripped and fell
Of when those loving eyes pleaded with me,

"Please run to me!"

Sovereign Grace Greeter Team

This past Sunday Melissa had her camera at church so we decided to take some pictures of the greeter team. We love to serve the church in this way and also being able to see everyone who comes in the door!

Finally another post... Labor Day Weekend

Here's what we were up to this past weekend. On Friday night a bunch of families from Church went to a Tides Baseball Game. It was a perfect summer night! The Tides lost but most of us didn't really watch...more socialization! The ball game was finished with some rockin' fireworks!






On Saturday evening Mel and I had some singles over to hang out in the screened in porch.





We had more fun the rest of the weekend up until late Monday night but we didn't get any pics. Sorry! Back to School.

Here's a video of something strange that Joey discovered after he poured some milk. It was hilarious when it happened but its probably not very funny from the video. Anyway... it gave us a good laugh! It only takes something really small to amuse us : )


On Tuesday the secretaries at church had a "fun day." The pastors took their places and answered phones while the ladies got pedicures. Mel and Mom's toes turned out cute. Then the pastors had lunch for them and let them take the rest of the day off! Thanks for working hard Mom and Melissa!