Resplendent Illumination

Unity...

2011-07-25T16:49:00.000-07:00

"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in One Spirit, contending as One man for the faith of the Gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you Will be saved - and that by God." Phil 1:27-28NIV

I have on the margin of my Bible the word Unity. :) This verse was shared with me thru messaging from a co-leader of mine in Youth. She was saying what an amazing privilege it is serving with each other, to further the Gospel. I wonder if Paul understood this at the time he was writing it ? The encouragement that comes from this "giant of the NT" always astonishes me. Here is a man that had a past, yet was so enamored with his future looked in that direction.

I start "fall sports" again this friday... with this comes a hope of a new future, and light... yet also reminds me of our opposition. Opposition in Paul's day seemed to look a tad different at least to us it seems that way... Then I am reminded a few verses later "Do everything without complaining or arguing so that YOU may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which YOU shine like stars in the universe as YOU HOLD OUT the Word of Life :)" Phil 2:14-16aNIV

I will be facing a different kind of opposition this year than last, but I have learned from the past years it prompts me to dig deeper in His Word, to reach out to others, and attempt to strive towards that finish line. Whether this is in Youth, Women's ministry, or even on the Fields/Courts I will stand upon this upcoming year.

Unity is a word in the athletic arena that unless you are coming together as One force, you ARE the weaker opponent. As a believer, I am admonished to HOLD OUT the Word of Life... Living my life as a Child of the Most High and coming prepared for the battle :) My prayer this night is, I am able to focus on His game Plan and not my own. His game plan is proven, and He really is the ultimate Coach :)

Fun w/ Horses and Friends :)

2010-03-26T06:16:00.000-07:00

Last friday, the teachers have a work day... so this meant no kids. On this fun but rare occasions that I get to get off campus instead of doing rehab I get the blessed opportunity to head out and play in the woods :) with my friends Jill and Alyssa. Jill is one of our study hall teachers as well as the JV girls basketball coach, so she takes the day off, since she has no grades to report. The horses are Jill's. She and I plan riding trips often, and I love getting to ride. This day we went to Fant's Grove in Clemson. They have tons of trails!!

And Alyssa, well she is one of our previous players/students at PHS. She is super mature and is going to school to be an Occupational Therapist (she wanted to do Athletic Training- but sees my hours and opted out :)) She is also a great friend and one of Gehrig's favorite sitters :)!!!

This is how our morning began, only 1 mile from Jill's house the truck blew white smoke and lost power, we drifted to the church parking lot and waited for Jill's son Cole to come to our rescue... you would think 3 females, hood up and a truck someone would stop... LOL - NOT! Turned out the truck was out of oil, Thank God that it didn't ruin the truck!!!

Alyssa and Dusty

Me and Smokey. I sometimes ride Sissy, a quarter horse of Jill's, but this day we brought the "boys". They were great, and a much smoother ride. Smokey is a new addition to Jill's farm, and I love riding him! We will have to watch him during the summer though, as we take the horses out to the lake on the trails. Jill has discovered that both Dusty and Smokey LOVE the water, which means getting rolled or going swimming.

Jill and Doley - he foundered last year and we haven't been able to take him on long trips, he was seriously sowing some oats this day! We came to a log that both Dusty and Smokey stepped over, Doley came up and JUMPED IT - NEVER has jumped before, and totally shocked Jill :) I didn't get to see, Smokey was taking me under another low tree that had fallen and i was hugging his back to not loose my head :)

This should be a poster for not texting while riding!!! LOL. I took this over my head pointed back. Jill said it wouldn't turn out :) SUPRISE!

It's days like these I love. Getting away from the hum-drum and really getting to enjoy all that God shows us through nature. Even the rocks cry out... PRAISE HIM!

Atlanta Passion Play...

2010-03-21T15:23:00.000-07:00

In The Beginning Was The Word | APP 2010

FBA’s Easter Classic the Atlanta Passion Play is back again this year with a newly created production that portrays the life of Jesus, from His miracles to His resurrection and ascension.

The official site is: www.atlantapassionplay.org

I just HAD to write something about this!!!! :) I attended yesterday afternoon with my Parents, and Aunt Pat (dad's sis) who traveled the 10 hours from WV. To come and see their younger daughter and son-in-law perform onstage! They were both AMAZING!!! Adrienne is in tons of the scenes as one of the chorus members and dancer. AND actually helped create a great deal on the sets and was at the church constantly. She is such the social butterfly and God so used every bit of that for the past 2 months preparation for this journey she and Jay were on.

And Jay... well he was Simon PETER... :) and I have never been so proud!!! To hear him sing was amazing, but you could see in his demeanor that he held an audience of ONE - the only ONE that mattered! It was an amazing play starting in the beginning... even w/ adam and Eve. Each year the play has some different aspect of it to show out of the scriptures. I won't ruin it for you in case you'd like to attend... but WOW.

I also have to say that God has so answered prayer, in that I have seen such a peace about my sister that I haven't before. They both belong at First Baptist in Atlanta. I am a gushing Proud older sister. Of my sis and her husband, to all those who put together this drama, and the God who made it all come together.

PRAISE YOU LORD!!!

They have shows all next weekend as well. it's being held at the ATLANTA Civic Center. Please be praying for all those who attend, for the workers, the actors and all involved.

Name on the front of the Jersey....

2010-03-03T19:27:00.000-08:00

Do you know the Definition of the word MIRACLE?

Miracle: an event that appears inexplicable by the laws of nature, held to be supernatural in origin or an act of God.

I have to admit to you, I LOVE sports!! every aspect of them!!! From the time and preparation it takes to go the

extra yard, to the impossible task or defeating the "Big Bad Rival".My movie tastes also fall into those categories.My

faves include: Remember the Titans, Blind Side, For the love of the Game, The Natural, Seabiscuit, Friday Night Lights,

and most of all Miracle.

After watching the USA team take it to overtime on Sunday with Canada, I find myself watching the movie all over

again. Nothing beats the 1980's team, in my eyes. A team that did the unthinkable. Defeated a team built solely for

playing hockey in what was once the USSR. Truly a countries name not even recognized by ANY history student,

unless they seriously pay attention. This story line is full of passion and an extreme goal.

Herb Brooks was known as on of the best Ice Hockey coach's, who put together a team of young men, united for one

goal, to win the gold medal- taking it away from the Soviets. He took athletes from not only his own team, but others

he had played, to bring together the "right" team. They all had specific purpose and tasks given to them, to work together

as the unit Brooks needed. They didn't always understand the method to his madness, however, they did understand the

goal they were trying to obtain.

I see the same thing when I look across the body of Christ. We are all united for His Glory, His Renown, we are never

from the same backgrounds and are as diverse as the 1980 USA hockey team, who ultimately won the gold medal.

But, oh what those boys went through to get there. I see this daily in the lives of saints that are around me.

From challenges in marriages, to singleness, divorces, and oh yes, don't forget our insecurities. Fallen pastors,

earthquakes, starvation, our culture in general. We are all pushing ourselves to get to the ultimate goal, and boy does

our culture give it to us in the chops.

One thing I constantly seem to forget, is that we are all on the same team. My mind so many times doesn't wrap

itself around my role in all of it. I am a team player, however, at times my role is just simply following orders, to

condition myself with prayer, to be ready to do battle by keeping my mind in the Word. To shine my Light in the

darkness of places in which I have the experience of life to show others there is a God that you can trust. Yet to also

come along side the player to my right or left, to pass the puck so to speak, when needed, or skate harder, or press

into conditioning more. We may all be from various places, but God saw us fit as His team, to bring Him Glory.

Besides the ending of this movie, which I have pretty much ruined for you, the scene tag below is my favorite.

There is a line Brooks says, " You need to get it through your head, the name on the front of the

jersey, is a "heck-of-a" lot more important than the one on the back", the scene doesn't end there. They continued

until the team captain, Mike Eruizone, says his name, and states he plays for the USA. Brooks had done it, brought a team together unified to fight a tough Soviet team, and onto the gold medal.

Jesus did the same for us. We took off our old "team" jersey's and replaced them with the name YHWH on the front, because the name on the back truly is irrelevant. As we continue to be "conditioned" as athletes, striving toward the prize, I hope we too can lay aside our old teams, and theories, and run the race with the passion of our coach, desiring to honor and Glorify His Father's name. We are apart of that team. We may have to face some serious opponents. Yet our "Coach" has worn our skin, has walked this earth, has sat on the bench and played His game, so we can play in His.

Father, thank you for allowing an incomplete teammate like myself onto your team. I know that ultimately the prize is won, and we will see the victory - let me use my daily conditioning to your Glory, and never let me forget the name on the front of the jersey is the one i represent! I am a called, chosen, and faithful follower, let me do you proud. I love you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9AajQn7b18

Ps. 138

I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;

before the "gods" I will sing your praise.

I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise

your name for your love and faithfulness,

for YOU have exalted above all things

YOUR NAME AND YOUR WORD.

When I called, you answered me;

you made me bold and stouthearted.

May all the kings of the earth praise you, O LORD,

when they hear the words of your mouth.

May they sing of the ways of the LORD,

for the glory of the LORD is great.

Though the LORD is on high, He looks upon the lowly,

but the proud he knows from afar.

Though i walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve mu life;

you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes,

with your right hand you save me.

The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD,

endures forever do not abandon the works of your hands.

Weekend Doggie fun....

2010-03-02T05:55:00.000-08:00

After working the Anderson Co baseball Tournament where Palmetto beat Pendleton (Go Mustangs). I got to return home to my wonderful little home and enjoy some down time..

This was much needed after last weekend spending it in bed w/ a fever and bronchitis... (when i get a cold i know how to do it right)

So on Sunday after teaching the little 4's and 5's about Jesus' healing the blind man, went to mexican with Michelle. Then came home and decided to call up our softball coach and see if the dogs could do a play date in Greenville at the Park. Reedy River aka Falls Park is in Downtown Greenville.

Fran has a Golden Retriever named Jack. Gehrig LOVES to play and Jack is a good buddy. So we met up in Greenville, and walked thru the Dog explosion due to the 50 degree weather on Sunday there were at least 60 dogs out!

Crazy dog time... We ventured up to a wonderful Dog store called the Barkery Bistro ( This is their web sitewww.thebarkerybistro.com)

They have the most wonderful gifts and toys for the Kids :)

We then ventured down to the park... here are some fun pics :) LOL!!

Me ( the rag doll in the middle) while Jack and Gehrig think it's play time :) Gehrig is 55 pounds of pure muscle, and Jack while her height is about 100 lbs!!! (you can only see the blurry grey tail in this one)

notice how i have my feet planted, this is to not fly thru the air .... I literally could not do anything BUT laugh!!!

My attempt to talk to Jack out of running, Gehrig is sniffing something...

This is my friend Fran, with her "boy" Jack. (notice the falls behind them)

Me and my Gal :)

This pic is actually one of the first ones before the battle :) We had a blast... I couldn't believe that Fran had taken all those pics of the "chase" but it proved for good laughs!

Being a Finisher

2010-02-18T03:48:00.000-08:00

I read in my Oswald Chambers devotion for today...about being a finisher. (espec over despair)

The disciples were placed in this situation in the Garden with Jesus when He asked them to pray and they instead slept.

How many times have I looked back onto the past with the same despair of making a decision, and only to regret it later? Yet Christ comes to me just as He did to the disciples and says, "Come, let us get up..." For the Disciples the next thing led their Lord to a cross, one intended for us to bear not the Perfect Messiah.

O.C. last sentence is what really got me. "Never let the sense of past failure defeat your next step." Where would the Disciples be without the next step? Oh yes, it was one that was reaped in tragedy, but We know the end of the story! Jesus took that step for the freedom of our eternal lives.

Despair can cripple a ministry, a friendship, a marriage, or even a career. I don't want to be defined by my past steps, but the ones I have chosen to follow in obedience to His love for me.

In the front of my Bible there is a quote. This quote is not a scholars, or teachers, it's a sports commentator's.. There were 2 commentators talking about the late Walter Payton. My quote reads, " Walter Payton in his career with the Chicago Bears ran for a total of 9 miles in yards. The amazing thing is this was while getting knocked down EVERY 4.6 yards!!!"

Heb 12:2-3 tells us, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter (Teleiotes - to complete, a completer, perfecter, particularly one who reaches a goal so as to win the prize (lexical aids)) of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning it's shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

I love the translation of perfecter...yet what grabbed me was our focus. "let us fix our eyes" or "consider him who endured", these all require our focus to come off our despair and take the next step with Him. Walter Payton was a running back who's main focus is 10 yards. A touchdown is always nice, but his primary concern is getting those 10 yards. He never lost focus as his career stats tell us. I pray that my life with Christ can be seen in the same scope, that one could say, "She never lost her focus, and she finished her race well."

Thank you Lord, for your willingness to take the next step for me. I desire to be a finisher, let me do so today. Let me lay aside all despair from past choices which have the desire to pull me backwards. Let me keep my eyes on you, the author and FINISHER of my Faith. I love you Lord!

Snow in the South

2010-02-15T15:48:00.001-08:00

How amazing is His creation in this beautiful snow.

This is my fave place to go in my back yard during the summer to sit and pray.

Mr. Patch and Gehrig, she wants to play

Patch investigating

Home Sweet Home

My light :) when i first bought the house, i had to call the previous

owners, to see if there was a switch, it's on solar power :) LOL, but

the yellow jasmine that grows lights it up in the summer too ;)

Thought I would share some of the pics from this weekend, my animals went out too. Even Patch got to put Gehrig's leash on and step out into the snow. hope you enjoy...

my fave things ;)

2010-02-09T11:01:00.000-08:00

Sis, Adrienne and myself w/ Gehrig Hiking

(her husband Jay took the pic)

Me and my "girl"

Rainbow Falls, SC

This is one of my fave hikes to do (not right now of course) but as i celebrated my Birthday yesterday, i reflected on a year thru pics. I stumbled upon these as i looked. My sis and bro-in law came to my house for thanksgiving (they live in ATL) so we went hiking (in which i almost did them in - this is a hard hike ;)) But i love the rainbows... which you can really only see about 5 months out of the year bc the trees cover the light getting to the falls. I love the rushing water, and the beautiful pic of the rainbow in the midst of all the noise. Enjoy the Pics.

so I see you're in the mood . . .

2010-02-04T20:01:00.001-08:00

so I see you're in the mood . . .

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SMT Celebration 2010

2010-02-03T08:46:00.000-08:00

Years ago, "encouraged" by a friend, I memorized the Word. However, it turned into more like a competition for me. Seeing which one of us could out-memorize the other. The Words just were words on a notecard, their addresses became fleeting and the meaning behind them lost.

I never thought I would do it again, I had laid down hope of memorizing because I wanted the Word to become more alive than black and white on a page. Boy, DID IT EVER!!!

Last December, as I read LPM's Blog I found myself praying at end of 2008, "Lord - let's do something different...This time I want to meet with you with these verses. Not how many I can memorize but to learn the depth behind the Words You have written to me." It has been my breath for this past year! Beginning with the first verse in Isaiah to the last one in John for December, it has been a wild ride.

Through these 24 verses I could see my year, where I was and where I had needed His extra umph to get me over or thru whatever obstacle I needed to overcome.

On January 22, 2010, I entered into a room of 507 women, all there for the same reason to celebrate the completion of memorizing God’s Word over a year. For whether we realized it, the connection of diving into the Presence of the Living God was found as we clung to our Scriptures. Each Word on a small page held deep meaning for each of us. Truly the Living Word of God!!!

176!!!! WOO-HOO!!! Verses in Ps 119! Broken down into 22 sections, with each 8 verses starting with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and then the lines of each section also starting with the same letter!!! Oh, how marvelous and alive His Words are!!!!

“I am a resident alien…seeking direction… in deep want of wonder…in peril and need…troubled by humanity…especially my own…knowing that to follow, is the only free road… for a straying sheep longing to be found.”

To stand in the courtyard on Saturday and see Siesta’s telling their verses, brought tears to my eyes, and joy to my heart. As I know it did for our King as well…WOW!!! And the weather -PERFECT!!!

I was so blessed to meet some of my fellow siestas, Lifeattheparsonage, Valeriechris, Angie, GeorgiaJan, Momofeleven, Emmy, Twinkle, MooseMama. You ladies ROCK!!!! (Especially after that flight back to ATL J)

Plus I got to Eat Amazing Food!!! (ok – so FreeBirds is SOOO Awesome!! )

Chrystie and I attended sunday morning service at Houston First. Where we heard a wonderful message by Pastor Gregg Matte.

To out Siesta Mama, I have been to so many of your events (I actually miss the dog stories ;) LOL!!! I never grow tired of hearing you teach us what God has shared with you. Thank you for reminding us to not rapidly pass it along, but to receive it for ourselves.

Amanda and Melissa, thank you for sharing not only your mom with us all, but your own lives as well. You two are wonderful godly women.

Travis – I thank you for being man enough to step into a room charged with estrogen!!! J and for leading precious worship !

For the beautiful women of LPM!!! Y’all were so very welcoming – THANK YOU!

Thank you ladies for an amazing weekend, one I will never forget. It was by far the most intimate event I have been to, and to all come together for the common goal of celebrating learning His Word – AMAZING!!! Lets’ Do it again!!!!

What's in a name?

2010-01-31T06:32:00.000-08:00

I figured I may need to explain the title of my blog J See, after visiting the SMT Celebration and seeing so many women connected in a way I had so desired to share, I decided to “bite the bullet” so to speak. So, with the help of my friend Chrystie, Pathfromtheheadtotheheart, I have leapt into the world of blogging. Please, forgive me if I am rusty at this.

One of the verses I memorized was 2 Cor 4:6, “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” This verse although coming late in the year, has become a resounding shout in my heart. A good many of my verses after looking back were about shining God’s light. As I was deciding on a name, the song Sweet Illumination by Shane and Shane came on my ipod, as I listened to the words I thought that’s it… however only to find that name is taken L I had just listened to David Crowder Band sing In the End… the sub title is O Resplendent light…. PERFECT…

His Resplendent Illumination is what I desire… Brilliant Illumination upon all that is around, but also that I may shine the Illumination and be the mirror He needs me to be.

One of my favorite verses in Revelation is 22:23, “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the Glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its LAMP!!”

Let your light shine today!