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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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:: Friday, April 18, 2003 ::

YAY! They Are Coming Home Today!

It has been a nice few days. I feel like I have been on vacation. Katie and her kids went to Arkansas to visit with her mom. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time alone here.

I am ready for them to be home. I have missed my friend and her kids. Tiffany left a note on the antennae of the phone that sits next to the computer monitor....it says "I love you and I'll miss you Sue! :-( -Tiffany" I left the note there as a reminder of how much I am loved by those kids. It also reminded me to pray for them while they travelled and while they were gone. I miss them too!

It's been a fun few days for me, but I'm ready for the framily to be together again. Amazing how one gets attached to people...especially through the common bond of God. Talk about a foundation to a friendship!

:: Susan 4/18/2003 07:36:56 AM ** ** [+] ::
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The Selfish ATM

I stopped at my bank this morning on the way to work to use the ATM. I can't remember life before the ATM. I got my first checking account in the 1980's and it was right when the ATM's started popping up everywhere. I rarely stepped foot inside a bank, unless that is where the ATM was. The ATM is an awesome invention. I can get money at any time...at least that's what the kids say. I say..."no, there is no money in the account, they say 'just get some from the machine'".

Anyway, with money in my account and none in my pocket I stopped to get $20 to have on me. (Ok, I confess, really I wanted breakfast out.) Put my card in, typed in my PIN and the machine started spitting out my $20. The slotted door opened and then slammed shut WITHOUT GIVING ME MY TWENTY BUCKS! I thought "hmmmmmmmmm?" and the machine still acted as if it were trying to get that bill out. I figured maybe the little door was stuck and tried to "help" it, but that didn't work. I could hear the "wheels spinning" as though something was stuck, but there was no sign of my bill coming out. I made funny faces at the surveillance camera and said to myself...I'll be back!

The monitor said "Another transaction?" and I pressed "no" so it spit my card and receipt out. The receipt said I withdrew $20. I thought to myself boy I sure am glad I didn't ask for $100! I told the guy in the truck behind me that he may not want to attempt to withdraw from the machine and he told me that they had been working on the machine yesterday. Well, they didn't fix it! It ate my twenty bucks!

So, I called the bank from work and they said they knew it was my twenty bucks and will be posting it back into my account today.

I've been using ATMs for twenty years and this is the first time I never got my money out. I've had to go retrieve cards, but never the money. It's my dad's fault...we call it the "Prince curse"...kind of like a Murphy's Law thing. Why can't I be one of those people where the bills all start spewing out suddenly and I'd have to pick it all up? Oh, doesn't matter, I'm one of those freaks who would turn it all in. I hate that. LOL

:: Susan 4/17/2003 06:44:49 PM ** ** [+] ::
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Am I Getting Old?

I had to mow the lawn today. As I started I debated whether it would be best to start on the back yard since it is shaded by the large maple trees. I thought that if it got too hot I could do the front yard as the sun went down.

Then I thought...when I was a kid and had to mow the lawn, I never once thought about the temperature before mowing! I just revved her up and starting cutting!

:: Susan 4/16/2003 02:59:02 PM ** ** [+] ::
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Grandma

Four years ago Grandpa died. While Grandma lives on, part of her, a big part of her died with Grandpa. He was everything to her. He died a few weeks before they would have celebrated 65 years together. Her heart broke and never recovered.

She has simply wanted to be reunited with her beloved since that day four years ago.

She is 90 years old. Grandma over the past year has been losing her mental capacity. Her short term memory is gone. Her physical health is starting to fail and she has been moved into a nursing care facility. Mom called me with some news today.

Grandma was admitted to the emergency room. The hospital decided to admit her and monitor her condition. She was bleeding from the rectum. The hospital gave her a pint of blood and Grandma just wants to know why they are putting blood back in. She wants to go. She wants eternal peace. She is embracing death and to her I don't think it is coming soon enough. It may or may not come now.

What should my response be to this? A human has an "instinct" to preserve life, but to Grandma her life has been over for four long years. She has no hope for a future and she can't even remember the immediate past. She simply exists. The family has decided to limit medical treatments that might prolong her life. There's all these legal things involved with that, but Grandma has signed some type of document allowing this decision. It is a difficult choice, but it is what Grandma desires. Her son, my dad, is in agony. He has only loved his family with the biggest heart a man could have, and only wants to do what is best and what is right. This is his mother. Oh, my heart hurts.

My Grandma is possibly bleeding to death at this moment. I may not ever see her again. My heart aches. Please pray for her and pray for my dad, that God's will be done through this and that all will seek His Comfort.

:: Susan 4/16/2003 12:36:21 AM ** ** [+] ::
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Christian Witness

I read a lot of blogs. I mostly read Christian blogs, but I don't confine myself to only that. I like to read any well-thought out blog. I have to say that sometimes I am surprised to read some of the language that I do on some sites that claim to be Christian. As a new Christian I moved by God's Will to the "bible belt" and I learned immediately that many who profess to be a Christian, do not seek to live the life of a Christian, that is a life lived through the guidance of Jesus Christ. I originally posted this a couple of weeks ago, but it came to mind again. I have reposted the entry "Christian Witness" below:

Are you the same person at church as you are at work? at home? at the grocery store?

I try to be. If I wouldn't feel comfortable doing or saying something at church, I won't do it or say it at work, home, or the store. Do I sometimes? Unfortunately, and regretfully I do. Sometimes I do not draw on the strength of the Spirit to have a heart like Christ. I am often convicted about the state of my heart, not having right attitudes, choosing inappropriate words, and behaving in ways opposite that how a person representing Christ should behave. (Kind of like Paul, eh?)

When I do not have on the full armor of God, I am susceptible to the enemy. The enemy is not stupid, and he knows exactly the areas in which I am weak. That is exactly where he attacks. In my situation it is usually my time. I want my time to be MY time...know what I mean? Sometimes I feel so selfish just wanting some time to MYself, but I need it and desire it. I am also a very impatient person but God is working in that area of my life. I can tell because I keep ending up in circumstances that require a great deal of patience! Katie keeps telling me "If you would hurry up and get some patience, you might not find yourself in these situations so much!" LOL Thing is, I know that when I do grow in that area, the situations will still be there, but it will be my reaction to them that will have matured.

The Christian walk is a journey. God is taking all the crooked lines in our lives and making them straight. Some of the crooked lines are easily bendable, while others require a bit more, well...a litte more "coaxing".

It is important to remember through all of our growing what our main job is: Mark 16:15 "He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.'" Jesus commanded his followers to be witnesses. He also reminded them that they were going out like "sheep among wolves."

Jesus didn't just send them out. He "armed" them. He had taught them what, and how to teach and he also gave them a bit of advice. He said "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." (Matt 16:10)

I think for the majority of people, the "shrewed as snakes" comes a bit easier than the "innocent as doves" part. Jesus was telling his followers to be intelligent and watchful...He also told them that they would be watched, that their behavior is closely monitored by the world.

Christians are watched. I know I am at work, especially when circumstances arise where decisions on personnel are being made. I know my staff is wondering "how will she handle this?" Katie watches me, as my accountability partner, and calls me on my bad attitudes and if I may be straying from God's path. I never get far before she tenderly guides me back to the light. I know I am watched. The Spirit within me is the first line of defense for those moments that may jeapardize my witness.

What does "be as innocent as doves" mean? The dove is a symbol of peace, and also one of purity as evidenced by its use in early religious sacrifices. The dove symbolizes a childlike purity, an innocense, which is yet vulnerable to the evils of the world.

Evils are all around us, temptations are everywhere, but Jesus says "be innocent as doves". Easier said than done, but what are some ways we can make that happen in our own lives? I have a couple suggestions:

1. Watch what you say Ecclesiastes 10:12 "Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips." James 3:6 "The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." Words can hurt. Words also reveal the heart. One that spews curses or insults is not a problem of the mouth, it is a problem of the heart. Matthew 12:34 "You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." Instead of words that hate, words that hurt, let us use words like Paul prayed for in Ephesians 6:19-20 "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." A Christian should use his mouth to spread the good news.

2. Watch what you do I Peter I:13-14 "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance." 1 John 3:17-19 "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence." Rest in his presence. Rest? I do not rest when I know I have spoken in error. I do not rest when I know I have not done God's Will. I desire to feel that rest that God is so willing and merciful to give me. That rest comes when we are "as innocent as doves".

A Christian witness is a follower of Christ, the Son of God. We are righteous only through Christ and by nothing we have done or could do. God calls us to share His Good News with the world, and has given us guidelines and an example, Jesus, to follow. It is His Grace and Mercy that cover us when we fail, but we should "press on toward the goal" always!

Your words today...think about them. Why were they spoken? Did they demonstrate your love for Christ? or His Love for you? What's your heart condition?

Your actions today...think about them. Why did you do that? Did it demonstrate God's Love and Mercy?

The world is watching.

:: Susan 4/14/2003 11:03:42 AM ** ** [+] ::
...

Dove Award Winners

Here were my pics from last February 24. Lets see how well the Doves did:

Male Vocalist of the Year Jeremy Camp! Oh...drat, he's not nominated (yet). Mac Powell...no doubt!

BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ WRONG ANSWER: Michael W. Smith

Female Vocalist of the Year Rebecca St. James she's class all the way. Love her music, love her style.

BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ WRONG ANSWER, (but acceptable): Nichole Nordeman

Group of the Year Disappointed in the nominees here...I'll go with Third Day. Selling out concerts, supporting a great CD and praising the Lord!

WINNER WINNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

New Artist of the Year Another tough one...Daily Planet - great CD from beginning to end and if you haven't heard it, you need to. I also put a vote in for Souljahz - a wonderful, fun and danceable CD. You can't help but move!

BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ WRONG ANSWER: Paul Coleman Trio

Artist of the Year Tobymac WOW! Go Toby Go Toby! These are Extreme Days! Love it!

BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ WRONG ANSWER: Michael W. Smith

Rap/Hip Hop/Dance Recorded Song of the Year Grits "Here We Go", Tobymac with Kirk Franklin "J-Train", or Souljahz "All Around the World". I'll go with Grits because that song sold some CD's in my store to the secular market when they heard it played. It's awesome! Then again, those other two are songs I can't get out of my head once I hear them and now I'm bouncing and humming as I blog!

BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ WRONG ANSWER, (but acceptable!): "All Around the World" - Souljahz

Modern Rock/Alternative Recorded Song of the Year Get This Party Started - tobyMac or Revolution - Jars of Clay they both ROCK!

BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ WRONG ANSWER: "Breathe Your Name" Sixpence None the Richer

Hard Music Recorded Song of the Year "Electric" - GS Megaphone or "Fireproof" - Pillar I AM FIREPROOF! I'll go with Pillar, but it was another tough choice.

BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ WRONG ANSWER: "Boom" - P.O.D.

Rock Recorded Song of the Year "Speaking in Tongues" - Elms"Everybody's speaking in tongues, we gotta speak in love." The song just has a raw garage band sound and a really catchy hook. Greak lyrics too...how can you resist walking barefoot in the snow?

BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ WRONG ANSWER: "40 Days" - Third Day

Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year Holy - Nichole Nordeman

WINNER, WINNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Urban Recorded Song of the Year "Holla" - Trin-I-tee 5:7 I give it a "10". It's gotta good beat and you can dance to it.

BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ WRONG ANSWER: "Meditate" - Out of Eden

Rap/Hip Hop/Dance Album of the Year "Art of Translation" - Grits No doubt!

WINNER, WINNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Modern Rock/Alternative Album of the Year "Contact" - The Benjamin Gate with Jars of Clay "The Eleventh Hour" running a very close second.

BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ WRONG ANSWER, (but acceptable): "The Eleventh Hour" - Jars of Clay

Hard Music Album of the Year "Fireproof - Pillar" to be honest, it's the only album I've heard (in this category) all the way through...but I love it!

WINNER, WINNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rock Album of the Year "Kutless" - Kutless with a YAY to 38th Parallel for the nomination. I remember them from my Iowa days. When their album showed up in my store here in TN I looked at it and said "hmmmmm, this name sounds familiar...sure enough!"

BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ WRONG ANSWER: "Lift" - Audio Adrenaline

Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year Woven & Spun - Nichole Nordeman I did not like Nordeman's last album. In fact I "hated it". (There's no pulling punches with me!) I didn't even want to listen to "Woven & Spun" because of my dislike of her last Cd, but once I put it in the player...I loved it! I played it so much it was starting to irritate my employees. "Woven and Spun" is excellent. I highly recommend this CD and I'm hoping it will get the Dove nod in this category.

WINNER, WINNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Urban Album of the Year The Fault Is History - Souljahz with This Is Your Life - Out of Eden runner up here.

WINNER, WINNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Praise & Worship Album of the Year Rebecca St. James - "Worship God" Sure, she remakes some of the same worship songs we've all been hearing the past couple of years, but her arrangements are fresh and bring new life to the lyrics. This is a beautiful worship CD and very prayerful.

BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ WRONG ANSWER: "Worship Again" - Michael W. Smith

Special Event Album of the Year All nominees in this category bored me. *yawn*

BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ WRONG ANSWER" "City on a Hill - Sing Alleluia"

Doves were only 6 of 19!!!!!!!!!! I hope they do better next year. Who's in charge? I recommend calling them the "Duh Awards" next year. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

:: Susan 4/13/2003 02:57:35 PM ** ** [+] ::
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