thankful thursday #115

For the past fifteen months, our church has been under the leadership of an interim senior pastor. (Actually, he's been called the "Senior Transitional Pastor." Does that language make everyone feel more comfortable? I don't know.)

We have loved him so. He is bold in his teaching, with a wild passion for the Word of God. He has, despite his temporary position, provided us with affirmation, and empowered us with his confidence, during a time in which many churches might feel paralyzed to carry out its purpose, and become vulnerable to the enemy.

He has been a rock of sorts. Solid, and firm. He has faithfully represented to us those characteristics of Christ, who of course is the real Head of the Church.

This past Sunday, we confirmed a new senior pastor who will begin his leadership ministry with us in a few weeks. We are thrilled and excited, and we are equally sad to bid our "senior transitional pastor" farewell.

I wonder how many churches can say that?

That, while we are excited about our future, we will miss the pastor who held us together.

That, during an interim period, members did not leave en masse.

That, for over a year, a man effectively led and pastored a flock, knowing he would not be there forever.

That, on the other side of a long transition, we are more unified than we were before the transition began.

That, during a time of potential uncertainty, God allowed us to thrive.

God has been so very good to us through this time; it makes me so grateful.

Thanks be to God.

What are you feeling thankful for today? Go on, be grateful!

the things i listen to

Confession: When skimming a "What's on your iPod?" interview with a celebrity in People, I don't really recognize any of the songs.

I was borderline current on music in college, but that was even a stretch. These days, when I hear a tune that grabs me, I'll download it, but those are so few and far between.

I just do not listen to current music anymore. And in the last few years, I listen more to talk radio than music. (And I used to judge Dad for that. Oops.)

But do you know what really has my interest?

Podcasts.

Oh my word. I'm obsessed with them. Since last summer, I listen to them all the time.

I usually listen to one before I go to bed, if I'm not reading. I often listen to one while I'm running. And I always, always listen to several when I'm traveling, especially in the car.

Here are the ones I stream regularly (they're all free):

for my geeky fix

Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology
This is a new discovery of mine. Grudem is a professor of theology and authored the book, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. At the church where he attends, he taught this forever-long class, presenting every chapter in his book to average church members. He is super smart, but is so organized in his presentation of complicated concepts, even I can follow (usually). For anyone interested in biblical doctrine on an introductory level, check him out. Each lecture is about an hour.

for fun and encouragement

The Boundless Show
This is a ministry of Focus on the Family, specifically targeting single adults. The weekly podcast features a roundtable discussion on an interesting topic; a culture segment featuring an interview with an author, a musical artist, or a leader of sorts; and an "inbox" question, where a counselor weighs in on a relevant issue. Lisa Anderson is the show host, and I wish I could meet her. I think we'd be fast friends.

for solid teaching

The Village Church
Matt Chandler is a dynamic teacher of the Word. Do not even look this one up if you're wanting easy, fluffy preaching. This guy is no joke, and frankly, neither is the Scripture. You'll be challenged and convicted when you listen to his sermons.

The Church at Brook Hills
David Platt (you may know him from his book, Radical) is always a go-to. He also does not sugar-coat our beloved Gospel, but he serves up Truth with more humility than anyone I've heard. He's a pastor here in Birmingham, so it's good to give a shout-out for the locals.

honorable mentions

Focus on the Famly Daily Broadcast can target marriages and families more than I'm usually in the mood for, but it's sound wisdom. I check in with them every other week or so to see if any topics particularly stand out.

Midday Connection is hosted by Anita Lustrea, who is the quintessential radio host, to the point of annoying me. She also has good topics on occasion, but it has to be especially interesting for me to work through the cheese.

Is anyone else crazy about podcasts like me? Share your recommendations. I've got plenty of drive time!

thankful thursday #114

Sometimes, I get surprised by a special dinner date.

They are always spontaneous, and happen right at my office desk. (Long distance, across time zones, requires FaceTime.)

I don't eat, though. I'd rather just admire his face, even when he gives me the sass.

I had one of those dates tonight. He wasn't looking quite this dapper -- pasta and meatballs don't jive with the sweater vest -- but it sure did make me thankful.

I just knew this week would be a good one. What's got your cup overflowing today? Go on, be grateful!

hello monday (picture purge)

One of my dearest friends was in town this weekend for a visit. It made this Monday seem especially dreaded; I did not want to say good-bye!

I also was pretty bummed to work on the Monday that the rest of the country calls a holiday. MLK Day does not make our holiday schedule, which is a crime.

I have no choice but to perk up my Monday with some hellos, and an iPhone picture purge.

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Hello, Starkville snow!

And I thought Delaware would be the only one to deliver!

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Hello, friends trying to schedule a trip.

All hail the iPhone calendars. They keep us orderly.

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Hello, new magazine subscription.

My sister in law gifted me with this for Christmas.

Maybe it will inspire me to get some style.

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Hello, new chair No. 3.

No more chair purchases for awhile. Seriously.

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Hello, alma mater.

My friend and I supported them at their basketball game on Saturday.

I was proud of them.

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Hello, story.

These are the states I've called home at one time or another.

I thought these prints told a good little snippet of my story.

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Hello, crazy hair.

I hope this week shakes out to be just as exciting, although perhaps without the shock value?

Happy Monday, friends. I'm thinking this week has to be good!

thankful thursday #113

Tonight the long-awaited public confession of Lance Armstrong aired on television. I'm watching it as I write.

In the days leading up to this interview, the media has feasted on this celebrity carcass, and the public has condemned the hero they thought they knew.

For me personally, I have mostly been appalled at his addiction not to any substance, but to power, fame and attention, after which he continues to lust, even in this confession -- with Oprah -- and the reinstatement he is seeking.

As I watch his interview, I do not feel sorry for him. Consequences are his burden to bear, and bear them he will, to varying degrees on this earth.

With that said, I do relate.

I have not abused illegal substances, against the policies of a professional sporting organization, and I have not confessed to anything on national television (praise you, Jesus).

But I certainly have committed countless transgressions against God and others. I have kept those sins close to me, and defiantly denied them when convicted by the Spirit. My pride has kept me from coming clean before a holy God, and consequences follow.

When I do come around, release my tight fists, and offer an honest confession, that holy God from whom I was once separated, tells me he's known all along, and that he's been waiting for me.

He takes me back. Every. Single. Time.

Sure, Lance Armstrong is in a big mess. He will find out quickly who his real friends are, and he will reap lifelong consequences for a betryal that seems unforgiveable to most.

But for those of us who claim the name of the Great Redeemer, Armstrong's story is one that, despite our insufficient human efforts to understand it, is redemption-worthy.

Thanks be to God, for in all of us who take him up on it, he brings beauty from ashes.

Despite the tendency to judge, go on, be grateful!

hello monday (quiet house)

How's your Monday? Mine is cold and rainy. Worthy of sweatpants, slippers, and hot chocolate.

And some hellos!

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Hello, quiet house.
All the family have left the building.

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Hello, tears.
I can't help it. I miss them already.

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Hello, new chairs.

You served me well this weekend. Happy to have you in the fold.

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Hello, January birthdays.
I have almost ten friends and family celebrating this month!

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Hello, Something Southern.
I'm hitting you up when I'm town this week.

Stay dry, warm and safe out there, folks, and say hello to the week ahead!

thankful thursday #112

I'm so thankful for my messy little house guest.

What mess are you thankful for today? Go on, be grateful!

holes in my walls

It has been nine months since I moved into my little house.

It's been a labor of love (and has required a boat load of check-writing) to get things in their right place. To get a couple of new furniture pieces. To allow my new space to settle, to be broken in. 

This ongoing process has been painfully stunted by this paralyzing inability to put holes in my walls.

What if I don't like this piece, in this spot? Then what?

I'm not sold on this furniture arrangement, so all wall hangings are on hold.

I'm not sure I love this piece of artwork enough to make it so permanent.

(Like it's art-gallery quality. Please.)

No one will want to buy this house if it's got holes everywhere.

Nine months! Ridiculous.

I am cautious by nature, but at some point, I have to learn to just put holes in my walls.

They're not permanent.

I'm not nesting for future buyers of my home.

This is where I live my life for pity's sake.

So this past weekend, this blank wall ...

... became this wall with purpose.

I'm quite pleased.

Instead of an empty wall staring at me blankly every morning when I go down my stairs, I'm now greeted by the people who make my world full.

My stairwell and I are both much happier, with a lot of holes in our walls.

thankful thursday #111

Last night the SEC was shamed at the Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.

I watched it and reminisced about the year I worked there: Florida played that year too, against Miami. Another pretty sorry match-up back then, as fan travel goes, but I can't lie, as a Georgia fan, it did not hurt my feelings to see the Head Ball Coach go down in flames from that sideline.

I've mentioned before, of my previous experience there, and now the baby brother's current experience. Someone in their office surprised me not long ago with this little gem.

This was my best buddy and me after the 2001 Sugar Bowl, collecting banners and signage after the game.

(Were we the only ones in the entire stadium? Have you ever seen a credential so huge? Don't the radio and cell phones make me look so much more important than the lowly intern that I was? Oh, memories.)

I remember a lot of manual labor and late nights like that, even in dress clothes.

On the other hand, my brother carted off Muhammed Ali following the coin toss last night.

I feel slighted.

Strangely, the Sugar Bowl has been an important place to both of us, and so after watching last night's game, I can't help but feel thankful for that. It's quite the little connection he and I share.

How about you? What're you finding to appreciate, even amidst something as ordinary as a football game?

Go on, be grateful!

the chocolate chip pie that almost eluded me in 2012

Back in Athens, our next door neighbors are generous people, and they share some dish of baked goodness every year at Christmas time.

For many years in a row, it was a chocolate chip pie, which was new to me when they brought it over that first time. It started off tasty, and since I only had it once a year, it grew tastier with every passing Christmas.

They say absence makes the tasty tastier. 

(Not really. But it's true.)

This year, our generous neighbors -- bless them -- elected to share the Christmas cheer with a different dish, and so the chocolate chip pie was missed, indeed.

If I missed their chocolate chip pie, does that make me less grateful?

For New Year's Eve dinner, I needed a delicious, easy dessert that appealed to the lovely Nikol, and since my chocolate chip pie hankering remained yet unsatisfied in 2012, I decided to whip one up myself.

As it turns out, the recipe I chose is published by the one and only Nestle Toll House, and it was far superior to the last one I attempted (let that be a lesson to go straight to the source of all things chocolate chip).

Chocolate Chip Pie

1 unbaked 9" deep dish pie shell (I used Pillsbury's refrigerated version)

2 large eggs

1/2 c. all-purpose flour

1/2 c. white sugar

1/2 c. packed brown sugar

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 c. chopped nuts (I used walnuts, but I bet pecans are equally delicious)

vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup for topping

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


2. Beat eggs in a large mixing bowl on high speed, until foamy. Beat in flour, white sugar, and brown sugar. Beat in butter. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts by hand. Spoon into pie shell.


3. Bake 50-55 minutes.


4. Serve topped with ice cream and chocolate syrup.

*You can make this ahead, and warm up each slice for 10-15 seconds before serving.

I've heard others call this a Derby Pie (can someone explain to me the difference?) -- whatever floats your boat -- but no matter how you slice it, this could not be easier, and even the pickiest of eaters will delight in its goodness.

Do you have a sweet treat that you look forward to every Christmas?

full

I always come back from Christmas vacation feeling full.

Happy to have spent quality time at home, with my family and friends.

Blessed to have given and received.

Refreshed from time away from the office.

Stuffed from my favorite foods.

Over this break in particular, my heart was so full it was overflowing, thanks to a quick trip to see Little Man and his mom and dad.

We did some reading ...

And outside our window, this ...

... turned to this.

It's been a long time since I've seen such a pretty and peaceful snow. In fact, about six years ago, Christopher and I took a picture almost just like this, in the same city ...

And this little guy had never seen snow.

You can imagine my delight, to experience that with him.

He could not contain his glee.

I was ill-prepared, as outerwear goes, so I scored a new parka (on a big sale, and thanks to Katie), and she and I hid away to visit.  And thaw.

Little Man also told me some secrets.

Not really. He mostly just wanted to show me where his hair was.

And so I face the new year ahead, feeling satisfied and full.