The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

Last night I attended a congregational meeting for our church that might just have been bigger than we all realized.  A night where, maybe years from now, we look back and say that's when it all started.  Or, that's when it all ended.

What I mean is, that's when we finally stopped acting like we had it all together.  It's when we finally started speaking with honesty and realizing that in order to become a beautiful bride, we have to leave our other lovers behind - our pride, our desires to control our church, our ideas of what church should be based on our past experiences.

Based on my past experiences, church hurts.  Church (not God) has let me down, left me bruised and betrayed.  Those times happened when I was still a child, and I quickly learned not to put any church leader on a platform higher than Christ.  I know that church can be a messy, painful place because it's filled with people who are in need of transformation.  Daily.

But I was also know church can be a haven, a beautiful, glorious celebration of the cross and the redemption that came with it.  Church - and by that, I mean any body of believers, not a building or institution - becomes more than music, preaching, and cool videos.  It helps me come to the end of myself, and remember "my story" is not mine after all - it's God's story.  

Church constantly reminds me I am not alone, that living and loving with the body of Christ might break my heart, but the hands that bled for His Church will sew it back up again, transforming me.  Daily.

Praise the Lord!

What is Gungor?

No, it's not a Star Wars planet, although it does sound like it.

  Gungor is my favorite new music find.  I can't remember how I found them, but somehow I stumbled into this album, probably through itunes or something. 

I'm been desperate for "real" music this year.  Music that isn't polished or pretty all the time.  Music with lyrics that speak to a poet's heart.  And this definitely hit the bulls-eye.  Michael Gungor, the founder and lead vocalist, also writes a great blog, where his latest post is about pop music today - it's hilarious and thought-provoking at the same time.

Here are my favorite tracks from the album:

Beautiful Things - starts out mellow, then builds to a point where you wanna roll down the windows and sing as loudly as possible.  Or maybe that's just me.

Heaven (feat. Israel Houghton) - Well, I just love anything with Israel Houghton in it.

Please Be My Strength - I listen to this at the end of the day when everyone's in bed and it's been One. Of. Those. Days.

The Earth Is Yours - The coolest part is the beginning.  I think they are stomping on leaves or something.  Then it becomes this amazing song of worship.  Turns that morning run/bike ride into some serious church.  Then go to YouTube and see how they plunked down in a real forest and played it unplugged.

Call Me Out - So fun musically, but great lyrics, too

Maybe I'm just a wimp now, but Ohio seemed hotter than ever.  We were there during August, so what did we expect, right?  I'll share more pictures soon, but had to throw in one quick one of my sister-in-law, KJ.  She's due with her first baby this December!  Pretty sure we could pass for REAL sisters sometimes!

Soothing an INTENSE child

I'm not going to name names, but there is a certain child in my house who tends to be rather emotional and "spirited".  Do you have one of those?  I'm certain every parent should have one -- keeps y' humble.

I read a great book a few years back -- you can check it out  here -- that offered some strategies to help soothe a child who tends to "lose it" a bit too often.

I can't remember all of those great tips, but one I never forgot was a simple bath.  Or as we have renamed it, "Bubble Time".  When this particular child is having one of those days where he is frustrated at every turn, I strongly suggest time alone in the tub.  He usually sighs and agrees, recognizing his need to be alone and chill out.

And then at the end of the day, I usually need my own "bubble time" as well!

Now everyone turn your laptop on its side....

One more video memory from our weekend in Wisconsin.  This is my brother-in-law, surfing the wake behind his boat.  With his back to the camera is Bob, famous from the Panama video below. :)   Bob had a crazy idea, and we decided to catch it on video.  Wait for it - the surprise comes at the end....and doesn't exactly go down the way Bob thought it would...

Don't Try This At Home

Ladies and gentlemen, for your viewing pleasure -- a moment from this past weekend with KLove and our friend Bob.

Some people refer to this as a "Panama" (you would have to see the movie "Sahara" to understand that...).

Please listen for my favorite part:  my husband yelling, "That is NOT a Panama!!!" after Bob's attempt.  But when I went on YouTube and looked at the actual movie clip, I realized we'd have to blow up the boat for it to be legit.