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United States, Tennessee, Humboldt, English, Susan, Female, 36-40, Christianity, Bible Study, church, music, trumpet, CD's.

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United States, Tennessee, Humboldt, English, Katie, Female, 30-35, Christianity, Bible Study, church, mom with two kids, full-time student.

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:: Saturday, December 14, 2002 ::

Joy to the World!

For some reason, this Christmas, I have heard this song in a different way than ever before. So many times we sing our familiar Christmas carols without really getting a grasp on the message that God may have for us through the words. I remember the first time I braved singing a Christmas solo at church. It was 'O Holy Night'. I was singing it at home and got so touched and spoken to that I decided to sing it for our church. This was many years ago. I'll never forget the moment. God spoke to me the entire time I was singing. I was moved to tears. I wasn't even paying attention to how I was singing. When it was over, apparantly God had used me to reach out and touch many. One special, unforgetable lady, asked me to sing it every year.

This year, God has done it to me again. It's not a big emotional thing, but He has caused me to ponder a verse in Joy to the World. That verse would be "He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love." I really don't know how to explain my ponderings about this verse but, just the phrase itself proves His majesty and that indeed He is the one in control and all authority belongs to Him. He does make the nations prove the glories of his righteousness and wonders of His love. Throughout history we have seen it. When a nation lives according to His will, that nation is blessed beyond words. But as a nation turns from Him, disaster is the consequence. Yet, His love and mercy always shines through it all. It all began in the garden of Eden. It has continued throughout history.

I have been reading through the Bible with Sue this year. One thing we keep saying is how redundant it is. God blesses, the people worship Him, then they forget His blessings and turn from Him. Next they begin to suffer the consequences of their poor choices to rely on themselves and other false Gods. God warns them of these consequences but they don't listen. Then at their lowest moment, they realize that they can not live without God. So they return to Him with repentant hearts and He blesses them beyond words once again. Then they drift away again and the cycle begins once more. It's history. We never learn do we? Even in my own personal life I find this pattern all to common. But one thing is for sure....In my times of rebellion, He makes me prove the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love. You see, just like all of mankind throughout history, I have a tendency to rely on myself and this world when I should rely solely on God at all times and in all things. When I try to live outside His will, my life ends up in a mess. But, when I come back to Him, He blesses me beyond words. Sometimes He even blesses me in my rebellion by sending just the right person, or scripture, or verse in a song to draw me back to Him and to let me know that I do indeed need Him to have complete authority over my life.

The world in which we live is in such rebellion. But when disaster hits such as 911, we see massive amounts of people turning to God. They run out of ideas, they see that 'self' isn't enough. They turn to God. Sooner or later, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. I'd rather it be sooner myself. What's so amazing about it all is His loving mercy and grace. He truly is loving, joyful, PATIENT, peaceful, kind, good and faithful. He forgives us seventy times seven.....just as He commands that we forgive others. Even in our rebellion, even in a world dominated by sin and unrighteousness........He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove.........

And yet so many still deny that HE IS

This is my Christmas card to all of you. When you sing about the babe in a manger, may you become like a little child, full of awe and wonder at His majesty, completely dependent, trusting in Him alone to be the ruler of your life. May you hear a new Christmas message when you sing old familiar carols. My Christmas wish to you is for you to experience the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love.

Let earth recieve her King
Let every heart prepare Him room

Merry Christmas!

:: Katie 12/14/2002 09:47:04 AM ** ** [+] ::
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IreneQ listed what she feels makes for a good church, at least a church she would find to be healthy. She has shared in her blog all about her search for a church and it helps me realize how blessed I am to have found the church I now attend.

Irene finds these things important:

1. People with passion and hunger for God
2. Caring
3. Authenticity (willingness to be real)
4. Biblical teaching – goes without saying, I guess!
5. Avenues for service/likelihood of being trained & equipped for service
6. A culture that encourages & spurs spiritual growth
7. God comes first, not methods, not systems, not traditions

This describes my church. I have never been a part of anything like it and on Sunday I renewed my committment to it in writing as members must do every year at the Covenant Renewal Banquet. The Covenant helps to ensure that all members are of "one mind" and that our goals to follow Christ in whatever direction he leads together. We do not have one pastor...we have a team called the PLT, the Pastoral Leadership Team. Each of them are accountable to each other and no one pastor makes all the decisions. We have "family talk time" anytime there is a major decision to be made in the church regarding pastors, building, whatever. Our leaderships are top scholars in the fields of ethics, Christian studies, New Testament and Greek, and I never imagined being taught God's word through these intellectuals or any like them! We have a FWF "First WEdnesday Fellowship" on the first Wednesday every month to share dinner, fellowship and invite community members. We are constantly encouraged to readh out to others. Next Sunday we are taking food baskets to the needy and then bringing them back to church for a "party"...hot cocoa and snacks. Needy people don't just need food and that kind of stuff, they need to be respected and need to be loved. During an offering recently (which we rarely do, we simply put a box at the back enterance/exit so as to not make anyone feel obligated to tithe) people were told to "give if you can give, take if you have need. It may be God's way of providing for you today." We try in every aspect of worship, giving, teaching, fellowship, accountability to do things by the Book. We all have hearts for God, so Irene...churches like this do exist!

I am not trying to brag on the people of my church or the church itself, I am bragging about how God uses Northbrook to glorify Himself and to advance His Kingdom. There are healthy, biblically functioning churches out there and God will lead you to them if you seek Him. SEEK HIM! It is amazing what our Father will do with a bunch of humble hearts with eyes focused on Him!

:: Susan 12/14/2002 07:21:27 AM ** ** [+] ::
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Once again a rare occasional blog from Katie:

As if it wasn't enough to get a D in algebra and a C in biology. Now I have no hair! Okay lets begin at the beginning... I had a B all along in biology. I had no fears of getting a grade lower. Algebra, on the other hand was bad from the start. I worked so hard all semester, even with tutors in my free time. I became a lousy mom and housekeeper. I even became less in touch with my Father. I worked so hard and all in vain because I still got the grades I worked so hard to avoid. There was a team of prayer warriors praying me through the toughest semester I've ever had in school. I felt defeated from the beginning and it followed through to the end. When all was said and done I began to get angry at God. I had thoughts like, "What is the point of prayer? All these people were praying and the answer was NO all along. I put forth the effort, why didn't I make the grade? It's so unfair! YOU CALLED ME TO THIS??? WHY ARE YOU NOT PROVIDING FOR ME TO SUCCEED?" (OH BROTHER!) Then, in church on Sunday I found myself praying..."Father, help me to not go there. Forgive me for being angry, please help me through this that I may not turn against you." Well, he answered that prayer almost immediately. He has caused me to see His work all around me and now I wonder...."Maybe it's a lesson I had to learn. Maybe I have made an idol out of what I feel called to." I have an "I must succeed. I have to succeed." attitude that caused me to neglect my responsibilities to God and my family (AGAIN!).

I expected to make it through college without a grade below a B. I had to have scholarships and a high GPA to get through college. I relied on material things, things of this world. Why do I have to keep going through this? Why can't I just keep faith in Him who called me???? If I made all F's, God can still make the impossible possible! Anyhow, He spoke to my heart so big through church, other students who have had semesters just like mine. Also he spoke to me during worship and fellowship with my church family this week.

He especially worked on me through taking my tutor out to lunch to say "thank you". What's so funny is that she asked me if I really wanted to do it because it wasn't necessary. I told her "I couldn't make the grade in algebra, but I can take you to lunch!" Much to our surprise, during lunch we learned something. We thought God brought us together for the purpose of algebra. Well, it turns out that He brought us together for a much greater purpose. I'll blog about that on another day. But to keep you from hanging in suspense, I'll tell you this much, it has to do with my desire to write a book.

I left our lunch with a fire in my soul once again....and long hair on my head....which leads to the next part of my blog.....

I accepted the grades and the fact that I will once again have to take algebra (you must understand that I'm horrible at math and I seem to be plagued by it!). I started out the semester celebrating this being my last semester of algebra........NOT! So, I finally accept defeat and learn to live on when I decide to get my hair shaped up for the big Christmas party................BIG MISTAKE! I went to a scizzor happy hairdresser who was told to cut off half an inch to an inch. She cut of at least FOUR INCHES! I spent most of this year trying to grow my hair out long by Christmas. I wanted to wear it up in a ponytail with curls dangling down. Not gonna happen! In a matter of 10 minutes, all of my waiting and expectations went right out the window...or into the salon's garbage can! I can't even put it in a ponytail! So, now I have to deal with the fact that I am suffering from vanity. I don't think I'm physically beautiful by any means but I had been recieving many compliments on my hair lately. My son, in his effort to help, gave the ever famous, "Mom, it doesn't matter what you look like on the outside, you are beautiful on the inside and that's what counts!" Oh well, his heart was in the right place. LOL.

I guess I needed some touching up in that area of my life as well. Talk about removing anything that causes one to stumble! Well, any reasons I may have had to feel pride lately, have been removed. Now, I have nothing left but my character which isn't all that great since I spent most of yesterday afternoon and this morning balling and swearing vengeance on my hairdresser! (okay so I didn't swear vengeance, but I have bawled and said some not so nice things). What's really bizarre is that even in that God found a way to show me blessings. Talk about making the impossible possible! My daughter used my words against me (I hate when that happens). The blessing came when I realized that she does actually pay attention to the things I try to teach her. She said, "Mom, you are being vain! You always tell me that I shouldn't be that way and you are not setting a very good example for me to follow!" Wow! My daughter sure cut me down to size with that one!

I replied, "You are right and I'm NOT setting a good example. Now you know what NOT to do!" Actually I was setting a very good example...about "what NOT to do!" But at the same time I had to smile. She has learned about vanity, and she has learned about being an example for others to follow. Walking the walk and not just talking the talk. I read devotions and pray with my kids at bedtime. It's a reward for their getting to bed on time and it works! They know that if they aren't in bed by 8:55 that they have to read on their own without my involvement. Sometimes I feel guilty when I don't read with them. But, it does help them to see the consequences of not following rules. Anyhow, I have put up with alot of bickering and disputes between my kids and wondered if they were learning anything at all from our times of devotion. I guess they have........Boy have I rabbit trailed in this blog or what? Oh well, it's my thought page and my thought pattern right?

I guess I'm going to put myself to the test now and go wash my hair (or lack of it). Pray for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eph. 3:20 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

:: Katie 12/13/2002 12:43:11 PM ** ** [+] ::
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Tolerance

What is tolerance? Christians are often accused of not being tolerant. If a Christian says "abortion is wrong", we are not being tolerant of women who choose to end a pregnancy by murder. If a Christian says "cloning is wrong", we are not being tolerant of science or people who choose to clone for whatever purpose. If a Christian says "shacking up with someone of the opposite sex is wrong if you are not married", well, we just aren't being "tolerant". What is tolerance?

Tolerance is defined by Merriam-Webster as "a. sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own b : the act of allowing something"

There you have it! That's tolerance! It seems Christians may be as "tolerant" as their accusers? Tolerance to me is knowing a behavior is wrong, knowing an idea is wrong, and still communicating with, or possibly loving, that person engaged in that behavior or adhering to that idea. Tolerating something simply means you can disagree, but still get along.

I read an article recently in the Christian Research Journal that really said it all so plainly. We are easily taken in by the "tolerance trick". In his article "The Myth of Tolerance" Greg Koukl examines how easily we succumb to the trick.

All views have equal merit, and none should be considered better than another. Don't you agree?

Jesus is the Messiah, and Judiasm is wrong for rejecting Him. Oh no! Can we say thaaaaaaaaat?

Koukl wrote those statements on the board in a class of high school students at a Christian school. Many immediately objected to the second statement he wrote. "You can't say that, it's disrespectful. How would you like it if someone said you were wrong!"

"In fact, that happens to me all the time." he pointed out, "including right now with you. But why should it bother me that someone thinks I'm wrong?"

"It's intolerant" the student replied, noting that the second statement violated the first statement. What wasn't immediately noticed was that the first statement also violated itself.

Is not the second statement a view? as is the first statement a view? So both views should have equal merit, no? yes?

This presents a dilemma. Both views with "equal merit" are contradictory. Koukl says "if all views have equal merit, then the view that Christians have a better view on Jesus than the Jews have is just as true as the idea the Jews have a better view on Jesus than the Christians do."

What is the solution? "Be egalitarian regarding persons, be elitist regarding ideas."

Treat people equal...but understand that some ideas are better than others. Christians need to be respectful and courteous toward people who may have opposing ideas, but we should not, and do not, compromise our belief system in doing so. Matter of fact, our belief system teaches us to be exactly that, tolerant. Loving. We are told to "love our enemies".

I think sometimes our world confuses the definition of tolerance. It seems sometimes that if you simply disagree, you are labeled as intolerant. That is not what tolerance is. Tolerance is acknowledging a disagreement, yet still be respectful to the person with an opposing belief.

There are some ideas Christians should not tolerate...murder, adultery, etc., but simply announcing these behaviors are wrong does not make us intolerant to people. Terrorism is wrong and we can't tolerate that, but we can respect people of the Islam faith. (and no I don't believe that Muslims are all terrorists, nor do I believe all terrorists are Muslims. Just tolerate me here!)

You can hate my blog, think it's all whacked, but still tolerate me!

:: Susan 12/11/2002 07:37:09 PM ** ** [+] ::
...

YAY!

YAY! Got Jeeper's brakes fixed! I no longer need a sports bra when I stop! He stops smooooooooothe as glasssssssssssssss! No more stststststststssttotototototototopopopopopoopopppping! I just slow and stop. It's lovely. Thank you Humboldt Chrysler-Dodge-JEEP, Inc.! :-)

:: Susan 12/11/2002 05:14:23 PM ** ** [+] ::
...

The Covenant Renewal

Every year my church has a banquet. It is a celebration really and we call it The Covenant Renewal Banquet. Each year members gather to celebrate Christ, to celebrate the body of Christ, and renew our commitment to our God and our church. We are reminded of our mission: "We exist to be a healthy, biblically functioning, community of Christ followers that lives out a covenant love for God, a Christ-like love for people, a passionate commitment to truth, and an effectiveness in advancing God's kingdom."

We share dinner, fellowship, testimonies, and worship God with prayer, song, dancing and any other creative way to glorify God.

The theme for this year's banquet was "Whose Church is it Anyway?" The talent that God brought to Northbrook really shined bright last Sunday night with the "Whose line is it Anyway" skit, production, whatever the heck it was! I have never laughed so much at anything in my life. My sides still hurt! I was so amazed at the creativity of the members chosen to do the show...the improvisation blew my mind! I can't even explain all of what went on because it is one of those things that you really needed to witness. It would also help to know the staff members being parodied too! It was a blast! You just need to take my word for it and be bummed you missed it! It was hilarious!

I felt so blessed that night that God had led me to Northbrook. I sit every Sunday in the presence of Him and all of the other family members that He also led to Northbrook. Northbrook is filled with people from every walk of life. Let me give you some examples. Out back of the church there is a trailer hitched...Sandra (who was a wonderful Algebra tutor to Katie) and her husband travel the US and spent the late summer and fall here in Three Way attending Northbrook Church with us. They are humble folk, obviously well-travelled since they have no permanent home...theirs is on wheels and they are just "passing through". On to Florida next week.

David Gushee, George Guthrie, and Paul Jackson are all pastors at the church and professors at one of the top Universities in the nation, Union University. David Gushee and George Guthrie are published authors and speakers, and considered top scholars in their fields, Christian ethics and New Testament/Greek respectively. Paul Jackson, our full-time pastor, is an expert in Greek and an associate professor of Christian studies. These are some top notch educators and God has me being taught His Word through them! I am blessed. People pay big $$$ to get an education at Union and I can attend Northbrook University (the educational system set up within our church) for the cost of my $6 book!

When I first met these people I have to say I was somewhat intimidated...but, then I really got to know these people. Yes they are scholars, but they are God's chosen first and foremost! I watch them serve the lowly and I watch them educate the privileged. I watch them educate the lowly, and I watch them serve God in any and every way. Humble people. That's what Northbrook is filled with. David Gushee and his family (wife and kids) have a burden for Katie and her kids. The kids' dad hasn't seen them in almost two years. He just stopped coming for his visits after the divorce and David Gushee feels that Katie's kids need a male role model. He has committed to being that for her kids and takes them every other weekend. Katie's kids get to see and be a part of a safe, well-functioning family. It is one way God has provided for her and her kids, to break the consequences of "generational sin". It is a miracle in the making.

At Northbrook we have many teachers, and many retail workers. High profile lawyers, (one of which was so awesome in the "Whose line is in Anyway" skit) and homemakers. We have unemployed people without a home, and we have people who open their homes to anyone in need. We have factory workers and administrators. We all come together at the Gathering Place. His Body comes together...a perfect fit! Everyone has their purpose and the leaders at Northbrook really work hard to make sure that all members contribute according to the gifts God gave us.

There are many reasons why I love Northbrook, but the Covenant Renewal is one of the greatest. Each member commits in writing to follow the mission of the church. If you do not commit in writing...you are not considered a member. This is done yearly, so unlike many churches where once you are on the roll, you are there until death, here you have to recommit once a year. Northbrook has right now about 100-150 members, but 300-400 regular attenders. Signing on the dotted line means that you agree with the core values (all of which are straight from His Word!) of the church, and you understand that if you do not that there is some accountability for that. I like that accountability thing (except of course, when I am being held accountable!). I think that is where many churches faulter...they don't hold people accountable. Northbrook doesn't come knocking at your door because you sinned today, but...if you choose to live openly in blatent sin, someone will lovingly approach you and try to restore you. (Galatians 6:1
"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.") I have seen this in action simply by members possibly questioning a behavior and by following conviction of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes the person is restored, sometimes the person needs to leave. It is not an easy thing to go through, but it is important in maintaining the covenental relationship with the church and with God. The last part of that scripture is true too and Northbrook therefore does not a a "lead" pastor, we have a "Pastoral Leadership Team", a PLT. Each member of the team has a certain purpose, but no one pastor has all the say. That is another unique thing about my church.

Northbrook is not perfect, but it is special because it is made up of imperfect people all seeking to do God's Will. We strive to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. We strive to acheive that "oneness" in Him. I was ready to commit once again to my role in the church and I signed on the dotted line. I am ready to serve Him side by side with my brothers and sisters in whatever way He leads me. Northbrook asks nothing more of its members than to follow Christ. That's all. (That's all? That's all? THAT'S a whole other blog!)

:: Susan 12/11/2002 02:07:26 PM ** ** [+] ::
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This is my bloginality:

Bloginality: the ISTP personality My Bloginality is ISTP!!!

:: Susan 12/11/2002 12:10:42 PM ** ** [+] ::
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