Aaron Ivey: Between the Beauty & Chaos

hopefully, from time to time i will be writing about music that i like. aaron ivey's new cd is absolutely amazing! some of you may know him from spur58. i got the cd a couple of months ago and everytime i listen to it God ministers to me. the very first track "found" is a beautiful reminder that we have our identity in christ and will lead you into worship from the very first word. awesome! the rest of the cd does not disappoint. there are a couple of classic hymns thrown into the mix as well. very thoughtful words and beautiful melodies around subtle, but sweet guitar licks make for a sound that is very pleasing to the ears all while satisfying and challenging the soul. i STRONGLY recommend this one. God bless!

Dek through the years...or year!!

Dek (my beloved dog) turned one year old on December 16. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEK!!! Here are a few pics from the past year....

Get ready to say, "Awwwwww..."

Awkward Moments......

I had a revelation today so I am going to start writing about awkward moments that happen as they come up. It should be amazing!!

Awkward moment number one…

Ok, so I went Christmas shopping in Gainesville with my mom, sister, and niece! I know, I know, that’s awkward in itself but I promise you, if I can actually put into words what happened, you will be thoroughly satisfied. I am going to try so hard, I promise! Now, I was pretty much on this trip to be the driver and entertainer for Hollyn (that’s my niece for future reference). It was awesome, you know, spending good quality time with my family. Well, things happen when you drink fluids. Haha, yeah! You got it! I had to use the men’s room (sorry if I’m too graphic but this was just awkward). Ok, normally this is a pretty routine part of the day (haha I can’t believe I even wrote that) but not on this day! On this day, all bets were off (I found out)! Now, I realize that it’s that time of year and there are a little more (let’s see, how can I put this?) “less-normal” people out and about but why in the bathroom!!?? Of all places! Today, the bathroom was not only a place of “rest” but it was a place for conversation! Pretty much like Starbucks in the men’s room (without the coffee and, well, um…the pleasantries!!!!). Nope! According to my compadre this was apparently the time to ask all kinds of questions, one of which was, “Have you ever been to New York City?” WHAT!!?? Did you really just ask me that !?!? And in the bathroom of all places! Apparently the bathrooms in NYC are, shall I say, close quarters!?!? I don’t really know because I’ve never been but, unfortunately, I think I got a little taste of what it might be like!

Point of the story: don’t take your trips to the restroom for granted! You never know what questions you might be asked!

Haha, alright, MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!!!

'Tis the (R)eason

Christmas is awesome! I love it! It's cool to see how one holiday can bring not just families and friends together, but, basically the whole world. I mean, really, just look around or watch TV. When Chrstmas comes around everything we see gathers around this magnificent theme. Movies come out about Christmas. TV shows make their episodes about Christmas. Musicians release Christmas albums. As you travel from town to town you see a vast array of Christmas decorations. It truly is amazing when you stop for just a minute and think about that!

Why, do you ask? Why does this happen? All because of the simple birth of Jesus Christ. Wait! There must be something different about this birth. Oh, yeah! There is! Jesus is GOD! How in the world can this impact everyone? Because it's the power of God at work. Even in the people who don't want to recognize it. My God is an awesome God!

So, as we celebrate, don't forget why we do what we do. It's a celebration, first of all, because God revealed Himself to us, He gave us His son, who would become, and still is, and forever will be, our Savior. We gather together with our frends and families because the wise men and shepherds gathered together to worship the newborn King. We give gifts to the ones we love because the wise men and shepherds gave gifts to Jesus as an act of worship. We (should) celebrate Christmas as an act of worship. The challenge is for everyone to enjoy themselves thoroughly this Christmas, not in the things you do, or in the parties you attend, or in the gifts you give and receive, but in the worship of an awesome God who made a way for us to be in fellowship with Him through His son Jesus Christ!

'Tis the Reason for the Season!

Merry Christmas!

I'm dreaming...

Well, I made it home for the holidays and I'm dreaming of a White Christmas! (ha, not really, it's too cold!) I wish I had something amazing to say right about now but, unfortunately, my brain is on Christmas break, too! Therefore, I will leave you all (for now) with greetings of mistle toe (if I could only be so lucky), boughs of holly, Christmas trees, gingerbread houses, gifts of love, egg nog, pumpkin spice latte's (ew), and quality family time. This is the best time of the year! (Well, when it comes around. Summer is cool! Football season is pretty sweet, too!) haha. I'm just rambling so I'll just let it be.....