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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, March 29, 2003 ::

HUH?

Today I put the new Plumb CD in the player at work. (BTW the new Plumb CD is excellent! I am really enjoying it!) I thought that one of my employees would enjoy it. I am always playing Christian music in my store trying to sell it and also just trying to play some edifying music so I don't have to listen to a lot of the degrading and bad secular music out there. I wonder sometimes why lightning doesn't strike my CD player, having all that evil stuff in there and throwing some Godly music in the mix...I'm always waiting for sparks to fly.

My employee is very liberal. She doesn't claim any religious foundation and she is always reading something. She has read much of the bible, and her background I believe is jewish. She reads many books on religions, I think because she is searching. I really don't know a lot about her, except that she is gay. Very outspoken about it too. She is a great person in need of a savior and she has stated that this is one place where she has been among Christians and hasn't been treated poorly because of her sexual orientation.

Anyhow, when the Plumb song came on, Danielle said "who's this?". I said Plumb. She stated "Oh yeah, they gave me this CD for when I got saved once."

Once? What does that mean? I wasn't sure how to respond to that so I asked "once?" and she affirmed "once."

HUH?


:: Susan 3/29/2003 06:02:35 PM ** ** [+] ::
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A God Thing?

Last year I had an employee that I really had to come down hard on and counsel. She started out as an excellent employee and was for a couple years, then suddenly her performance dropped off. I learned about some personal problems she was having at home and thought that her problems at work probably stemmed from whatever was going on in her personal life. I am the manager and I have a store to run, so I had to counsel her and eventually during one counselling session Melissa got up and walked out. She said "I'm leaving and I am not coming back." She didn't come back.

Until today. Melissa came into the store today and greeted me with a big hug. The first thing I noticed is that she was very pregnant. Hmmmmmmmm...?

Since that day she left I have occassionally lifted her up in prayer and wondered what she was doing and hoping she was getting her life together. We talked and talked today and I learned that indeed her trouble was from hormones and her boyfriend who struggles with alcoholism. I knew it was not a good situation and I told her that I heard she had moved back to Chattanooga. She told me she did, but she and Jeff needed time apart so they took it, and all the while she was dealing with her pregnancy. She said it's been crazy..."but fun!" She looks so happy. I asked about Jeff and she said they are both working on their relationship. I asked specifically if Jeff is getting help with his issues and was told that he was getting counselling from a Christian counsellor. HALLELUJA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I said "answered prayer".

Melissa admitted that she was bringing her problems to work and that she knew I knew something was up. I told her I often thought of her and how she was doing. I had felt bad that things in the "end" were not good and I was so glad she stopped by today. It was really cool to know that she is working hard on her relationship with Jeff and that he is getting Christian counselling. They do plan to marry. So, no hard feelings and it really feels good. God is good.

She'll bring the baby by she said and hopefully I will start to work on her again about getting to church! Say a little prayer for Melissa and Jeff today...for their salvation and that they are able to work out all their relationship difficulties and bring their baby into a healthy and well-functioning home.


:: Susan 3/28/2003 05:53:01 PM ** ** [+] ::
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Our Family Talk

At church tonight we had "family talk time". We do this every now and then to talk about where our church is, where God is moving us, and other important issues. It is a night of communication, and fun, and information. It is a time for all members to voice concerns and work together for solutions and work together for what God's will is for Northbrook. Tonight we also did something unusual.

The hundred or so who came out for the talk witnessed step one of renovations to the kitchen area. We all were asked to get up from our chairs and move over to where the double doors lead into the hallway. Suddenly there was a loud sound in the room across the hall. It was a saw! One member cut out the "serving window". Now there is a big hole in the hallway that will eventually be our "serving window" from the kitchen. Paul, one of our full time pastor's, wanted to give us a "starting point" to launch from, some motivation. I LOVED IT! So, it has started. The renovation and growth of the Northbrook community. God's community at Northbrook Church.

God has been bringing so many talented and gifted people to Northbrook. It is awesome to watch. Everytime someone new comes in through the door I think to myself "I wonder what God will use him/her for here?". It is so awesome to know God is here, and working so big at our church. It is so exciting and I am anxious to see what all He is up to. I know it's something great!

:: Susan 3/26/2003 08:36:47 PM ** ** [+] ::
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Blog from Baghdad

Came across this blog from Baghdad. Don't know how much longer he'll be able to post. Regardless on your view of the war, it is interesting to read.

On the radio today I heard the words of a man responding to the death of his son in Iraq. I don't know all the details like what branch of the armed services he was in, but I remember what the father said "My son died so that the man who killed him could believe what my son believed". I thought it profound and I was amazed that a father could respond to the death of his son so courageously and proud. My heart hurts.

I keep remembering the opening scenes in "Saving Private Ryan". I don't care for the movie much because it was predictable and cliche' to me, but I understand that the opening scenes, the storming of the beaches of Normandy, was portrayed realistically. If you have seen the movie, you know how disturbing it was. I thank God I have never experienced anything like that and I am constantly rewinding the scene in my head these days. I keep thinking about the soldiers over in Iraq, Afghanistan, and anywhere else being so brave and being so scared. They forge ahead and work past their fears. God bless them for that! I pray for them. I pray for Iraq. I am also thankful that America has young men and women willing to sacrifice themselves in such a way. Not only are those serving in the armed forces courageous, but the families of those who serve are brave and unselfish. They, too, are making great sacrifices. God be with us during this very difficult time.

:: Susan 3/26/2003 05:47:39 PM ** ** [+] ::
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New Christian Music

New CDs to add to your collection: #1 Switchfoot "The Beautiful Letdown" is a must have! Good stuff beginning to end, solid rock and tight ballads. Lyrically excellent and thought provoking:

"Maybe redemption has stories to tell
Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell
Where can you run to escape from yourself?
Where you gonna go?
Where you gonna go?
Salvation is here"

from "Dare You to Move" and title track:

It was a beautiful letdown
When I crashed and burned
When I found myself alone, unknown and Hurt.

It was a beautiful letdown
The day I knew
That all the riches this world had to offer me
Would never do.

In a world full of bitter pain
And bitter doubt
I was trying so hard to fit in,
Until I found out

I don't belong here
I don't belong here
I will carry a cross and a song where I don't belong.

Everyday I have a new favorite song off the album. Today it was bright and sunshiny out so I enjoyed listening to "More than Fine" with lyrics like

"When I'm up with the sunshine,
I want more than just a good time
I want more than just okay, more than just okay."

When I'm up with the sunrise,
I want more than just the blue skies
I want more than just okay, more than just okay"

...and #2 CD to add to your collection is Rebecca St. James "Wait For Me: The Best From Rebecca St. James". It is a best of collection from this 26 year old with a career span of 10 years already! Even if you own every album by St. James (as I do) you will still want this. Read the liner notes to gain insight on how/why the songs were written and recorded. I love that about liner notes! The collection is put together very well and chronicles her career from her self titled album through to her latest release "Worship God". There are a couple of new songs too, that I LOVE! THEY ARE EXCELLENT! "Expressions of Your Love" was written with Chris Tomlin and is an awesome happy tune about God's creation along the lines of "Song of Love" which she includes here as well. "I Thank You" is another new one in which St. James thanks God for "believing in me" for "loving me". I highly recommend this CD!

Another new one out, really new is the band Cool Hand Luke and their album "Wake Up O Sleeper". They have a unique sound and they are definately bold with their faith lyrically. I can respect that, but I must say I was disappointed in the CD. I don't much care for it, but I know that their sound will be loved by many. I encourage those of you who like that "indie rock" style and I would call some of their sound "artsy" to check them out. There are a couple of reviews here and more info here.

A few other release I still need to check out would be Stacie Orrico's release ( I don't much care for "pop" music", but I can give my honest review) and I will be trying Plumb's new release soon too. Derek Webb from Caedmon's Call has a new one out, but that bored me just as the new Sonicflood did. I wish Sonicflood would change their name. Their first CD with Jeff Deyo was awesome and this new line up just doesn't cut it. They are ok...that's all...ok.

:: Susan 3/26/2003 04:33:26 PM ** ** [+] ::
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Lynn Auto Repair

Thank God for Daniel Lynn and his Lynn Auto Repair Shop in Jackson, TN! He fixed Gracey, my friends car today and it cost less than a hundred bucks! I panicked when I saw the spot under the car and thought for sure it was an oil leak. I took it to Firestone, who has also done a good job for me, and they gave me the bad news...it was not oil...it was the transmission. Firestone doesn't deal with transmission, so we took it over for Daniel to take a look at it. He determined that the problem was an "o-ring" or something like that and he got the replacement part for us and fixed it! Wooohooooo! Thank you Lynn Auto Repair!

:: Susan 3/26/2003 03:59:43 PM ** ** [+] ::
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Attack of the Killer Beetle

I can't figure out why all of a sudden my page is taking 4 days to load. I haven't changed anything...oh well. I'll see how it goes, maybe someday I will actually pay for webspace so I will have real reason to complain when the page doesn't load quickly.

Ok, so there I was taking some cardboard out to the compactor at work today and after I threw the last bits in I turned around and just as I took a step I looked down. On the ground, just inches from my left shoe was the largest beetle I had ever seen in my entire life. I grew up in Ohio. The largest insect that I ever saw was a June bug. I HATE JUNE BUGS AND ANY OTHER BUGS THAT CRUNCH IF YOU STEP ON THEM! Ewwwwwwwwwwwwww groooooooooosssssssssss! I also hated the way they tap against the screen trying to get inside where the light is. I used to have to get up the courage to run from the driveway up the steps and in through my front door and avoid the June bugs flying around the porch light. I hate June bugs...did I mention I hate cruncy bugs? So this beetle was a light brown color, kind of shiny which clued me in on the fact that it was "armored" and would crunch if I stepped on it. ICK! I'm getting grossed out just remembering it. It was HUGE! Man! Bugs in Tennessee sure are big! It just stood there waiting for me to move or something...and it didn't have to wait long. EWW! I shivered as I headed back into my store. I had more cardboard to take out but I wasn't about to with that beetle who could take over the world out there waiting for me. I HATE BUGS THAT CRUNCH! I waited a good 15 minutes and finally went back out carefully surveying the area in which I last saw that oversized bug! It was gone...whew! Now I made it through another day!

:: Susan 3/25/2003 08:08:32 PM ** ** [+] ::
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