Parakletos

After being out of town on weekends for about month now, visiting with our families' churches, Tori and I were finally home and ready to begin visiting local churches; looking for a new church home.

Our main interest - A Spirit-led church.

Sure, we have other things we like - AWANAS, young adults, good kids programs, etc - but the overiding desire is to find a Spirit-led church. You can just sense it. When you are among a body of believers whose true heart is to love and serve the Lord.

We have been in prayer about where we would end up. This morning the plan was to go to a church that is out towards Toccoa. I called this morning and turns out their service started at 10 AM. Thats the only service they have and thats earlier than we had expected. So it was already too late to go there. Even then, I said a quick prayer as I was ironing a shirt; that we would go wherever God wanted us to go today. So we decided on another church, Bethlehem Baptist, out in Clarkesville. Wow, I'm glad God led us there today.

Is it where we will end up going? Don't know. But I can't imagine why not. There were definitely two or more present (more like hundreds), and the Sprirt was definetly present. The Pastor has been there only a little less than a year. He was a missionary for a long time apparently. (From what I gathered about him in that short period of time.) And his heart and the passion in his sermon was undeniable. Not only him, but the other leaders in the church that spoke and even the layperson that prayed. It is so sweet to be with people whose sincerety is so effervescent. I definetly believe God led us there today. I think he confirmed that in a host of ways (the back-stories of which would take too long to type.)

At any rate, it was truely a worshipful time. Really was. Even the music was great. It's a pet peave of mine when congregations groan out hymns or songs not even thinking (and often not even knowing) what it is their mouths are saying. The music minister spoke about the songs we were singing, making sure the people knew what they were singing and why. Really nice. Can't wait to go back.

We actually did go back this afternoon. They were actually showing a movie. But the best part came after the movie, when the pastor got back up and talked about the Gospel message.

I especially appreciated this analogous story. I had never heard it before. This is the summary of it:

Back in the pioneer days in our country, people would often be trying to head west, many times crossing through the great plains. While doing so, there was a specific danger they had to watch out for. Wild fires. Wild fires were common in the great plains and very dangerous. With a push of the wind a wild fire could actually overtake a caravan of wagons and destroy them and the travelers. (Reminds you of the problems Californians often face.) So often times travelers were on the lookout for the first sight of smoke. As soon as they saw the smoke in horizon, they would round up the wagons and burn a giant circle of the tall grass around them; making sure they stayed in the middle of that burnt circle on the ground. As the raging wild fires would come, when they got to the travelers in the burnt circle, the fires would part - and go around the people. This is much like God's wrath that will one day fall on sinful man. But there is an important rule here; God's wrath will never fall where it has already been. And for those of us who have accepted salvation through Jesus, God's wrath has already fallen in its full force on Jesus on the cross; all the while Jesus having our names on his heart. And when God's righteous wrath comes to judge sinful man, it will not fall on us; having already fallen on Jesus.

That was a powerful analogy to me. I'll be sure to remember it. I tend to think in mental pictures like that, so I can really hang my hat on those.

Every once in awhile God touches us in our heart, and reminds us in a powerful, heartfelt way of what He did for us. Tonight was one of those times for me. I had to spend the remaining time in the invitation with a lump in my throat; only able to sing half the words in the stanzas.

Thank you God, for again tapping me on the heart, and reminding me of what you did - and who You are. G.R.A.C.E. - God's Riches At Christ's Expense - how true

Muy awesome.

I just found the coolest online translator thingie. Not only can you translate text you type in, but you can type in a website address and it translates the whole website. I have now seen Cranium Threads in Espanol. You can also do emails. It's called World Lingo. Check it out.

whoah, cool

I just got back from the video store. Tori and I were in there to...well, I think you know. I wanted to know how soon they would start renting XBox 360 games after it came out next month. But there was just this girl working the register. I decided to just ask her anyway. I just mentioned getting games for game systems that would be coming out. She's like..."The XBox 360?" I'm like..."uh...uh...yeah...the XBox 360." Next thing I know she's all talking about it using words like "console" (which chicks don't know) and telling me what she thought the package would come with and stuff.

just kind of caught me off guard

I am cool

Today I took my Language Arts class outside. They were finding things and writing them down with adjectives. It was a fun little outdoor assignment. I had taken a toy away from a girl before we went out. It was a two foot long or so skinny eraser. It looked like a twizzler, only of a little heavier weight. I walked around outside fiddling with it and twirling it while I instructed students. Then...in mid-sentence...I nailed myself in the groin.

Jammin'

My Zen Micro is currently flowin' some groovy beats into my brain. This thing is awesome.

Get one for Christmas I shall. Play it, I will.

What tagboard?

?

......?..................?............?...

At work I have access to the County Classifieds. I believe over 900 County Education Employees look at it. You can sell about anything you want.

Earlier today I had a funny thought. Funny to me, anyway. I would list something "For Sale" next to my name.....and when people clicked on it they would see "a bridge somewhere". When I thought of it, I thought it was so funny. I put it on there. Soon after I got that sobering feeling. That....it wasn't really funny. And now....hundreds of people.....think I'm an idiot.

Thank you.

Reach out and touch (someone?)

Somewhere, there is a guy sitting in his jail cell waiting for his brother to bail him out. Unfortunely, if he is only allowed one call... - that brother's not coming. I got a call from somewhere leaving me a message on my voicemail telling me to come bond my brother out of jail. Except, ...it's not my brother. To my knowledge, Robert is not in jail. Funny thing is, the person surely heard my name when my voice mail picked up. I guess they just didn't put two and two together.

Oh well. I'm sure Big Bubba needed a new friend.

Boom-shaka-laka

I have just sold my xBox. I am raising money for the "Help Charlie Get A New XBox 360 Campaign". On eBay, xBox systems are selling for like $85 - 90. Madden is selling for $30 - 35. So I thought about putting my system and 2 games on ebay and thinking I would be doing good if I got $130 - 135 or so. Instead I put it on the classifieds at work, and decided just for the heck of it to ask $175. I have gotten steady emails ever since. I just sold it for $175. A large increase over what I probably could have done on ebay. .....but because of the large response, I am kicking myself that I didn't ask $200.

Oh well. I'll take it.


If you would like to make a tax-free contribution...please contact "People for Charlie's Xbox 360" at PayPal address ckmail1@yahoo.com

Look! Asians!

Jared likes to tell people that I have a habit of pointing out Asians when I see them. For no real reason....just do. Kind of like pointing out an airplane in the sky.

We often go walking in our subdivision. Micah enjoys it too. There are a good bit of Asian families living in our neighborhood. That is fine. I love all people.

On our walk the other day, (a very quiet, peaceful day) some Asian-folk pull into the subdivision and start very, very slowly and carefully creeping past us to turn into their driveway. They are in their moving vehicle...so I...as I often do...rather loudly announce to Tori that "It's the Asians"; right as they are beside us rolling by. I don't know how much any of you know about 4-Runners, but as I was then reminded.....the back windows are electric and can be rolled down. As this one was. And since it was a quiet day outside and they were going 2 mph and there were right beside me with a window rolled down.....they now know that their neighbor is onto them and has properly identified their Asian heritage.

eBay = sugar daddy

Tori has been raking it in on eBay recently. But this is the premium example. This is a matching Raggedy Anne and Andy costume set. She bought it for $3. (I think at a yard sale) With shipping it just sold for $94.

Congratulations to the Rogers.

Mr. Roger's neighborhood seems to grow bigger by the minute. Congratulations to Michael and Audra on the birth of their daughter. You can see pictures on his "drivetrain" blog. (See link on sidebar)

Creative Zen Micro

I went with the Zen Micro. It seemed to get better reviews overall. 5 GB Harddrive; USB port, voice recorder, FM tuner and FM recorder, etc. I went with the silver. I actually would have preferred the green, but I went for the professional look since I may take it to work. It can also double for a to-do list, alarm clock, etc. I subscribe to Yahoo! Music. I paid $60 for a years subscription with access to all music. I don't listen to alot of the trash on there, but there is a lot of good stuff. My little buddy here will let me take it with me.

Accessories that I bought (or were bundled with) the Zen Micro. FM Transmitter --> Plugs into the Zen Micro and transmits whatever radio signal you tell it to. Works in the car or at home. A player cradle/belt clip and some Noice Cancelling earphones (player also comes with earbuds)

T.H.E. B.I.G. M.P.3. P.L.A.Y.E.R. D.E.C.I.S.I.O.N.

iRiver H10 or the Creative Zen Micro

Tonight, my saving and eBaying will come to fruition and I will buy one of the two. I have been comparing and I am leaning towards the Zen. I know nobody probably cares, but I am going to post about it anyway...I will probably post again later tonight if I go ahead and order it.

The Vicarious Zone

what if?

Race Relations

I tried to tell David to stop playing with the time machine buttons.

Two small people, who fully believe...they could fit the other one in their mouth.

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