who is god for anyway?

Who knew my fundamental beliefs could get challenged again and again? Guess that's why we walk slowly through this life instead of fast forwarding.

Mark put up a post on Thanksgiving that kind of made me think a bit. He started with Romans 8:31, "If God is for us, then who can be against us?" It's another one of those truths I have always believed, but not sure I have always believed IN. I knew the words, deep down I believed what they said, but not sure I really lived my life as if I truly believed in those words - or honestly thought that was the case as I walked through my day.

Here is his post:

"If God is for us then who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

You + God = a majority. If God is on your side, there is nothing you cannot overcome. Why? Because we are more than conquerors through Christ. That is reality. That isn't optimism. It's biblical realism.

If you know that God is for you, then no challenge is too great, no problem is too big, no obstacle cannot be overcome. But most of us doubt this fundamental truth. And I believe it's one of our root spiritual problems. We aren't sure if God is really for us or against us because we allow the guilt we feel over sins committed to infect our feelings. We think God feels about us the way we feel about ourselves! We need to sanctify our feelings.

You need to settle this once and for all. God is for you. God is on your side. God is in your corner. His intentions toward you are always good. Here's an amazing promise in Psalm 84:11:

"No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right."

Where to go from here? Is God really for me? Is he really in my corner? How can I feel that he is really there for me when Murphy's Law seems to always prevail and win out? I think that makes a big difference - knowing deep down he is really for me.

I'm working on this part of my life, trying to feel as though God doesn't have it out for me. Like in the movie Bruce Almighty - where he says he feels like an ant and God is the mean kid with the magnifying glass burning him with the sun. At the end of the day, I know he is for me - there have been too many times in my life when he has come through for me to completely doubt this fact.

I think my outlook on life would be so much better, and much more clear if I believed he was always looking out for my best interests, trying to keep me on the right path and working for me at every turn. Honestly, if he isn't in my corner, then who is? Who am I relying on when the stuff hits the fan? Me? That's more scary than really believing he is there for me, and loving me, and working towards keeping me safe and happy.

If he is for me, no one can be against me. I just hope all those against me know that...

primal book tour

Who knew my blog could get picked to write a book review????

Mark Batterson has written a new book called Primal. He was offering a few free advanced copies from the publisher for people that would read it and post a review of the book on their blog. It was for the first few people that signed up (don't remember how many). So I thought, "Why not sign up and see what happens?"

I got an e-mail last week saying I was going to get a copy of the book and I'm so excited!!! I can't wait to read it, it will be the first book of Mark's I've read so I'm really looking forward to it.

Book should be in hand next week and I'll start posting as I read through it. Here is a little info on the book - for more information you can go to the link on the word "Primal" above - you can even read the first chapter if you want to get a first look.

Let me know what you think as I post info...

Here is a quick book summary:

"Our generation needs a new reformation but it won’t be born of a new discovery. It will be the rediscovery of something old, something ancient, something primal. The next reformation won’t be led by a single person or defined by a single event. It will be led by millions of reformers who are simply great at the Great Commandment."

thanksgiving

Who knew hard work could pay off?

Well, let's be honest, J and Ann did most of the work - but Thanksgiving was a success. We had Ann, Adam and Ann's father (Conrad) over for the day and had a blast! We had a ton of food - some provided by us and some brought by Ann and family (actually, they brought a ton of stuff!). We had fun hanging out, eating, playing Trivial Pursuit on the Wii (teams were Ann, J, and Nadia vs. Conrad and I vs. Adam and Taylor). Guess who won? Yup, Adam and Taylor...go figure. We also watched the movie Elf while eating dessert - what a great day.

It is hard being so far away from family - growing up Thanksgiving was always a huge event with a ton of family - so not having any family here is tough. We were invited to go to Cheri's for the day (which would have been a lot of fun), but with everything else we had going on this weekend, it just didn't work out. It was a lot of fun being able to have Ann, Adam and Conrad over for sure.

Here are some pictures of the event...it was also Ann's birthday about a week ago so J made a cake for her to celebrate.

perspective

Who knew leaves could turn into hours of fun? Where I see hours of hard work I really don't want to do, Taylor can see hours of fun and imagination.

One of my favorite things in the world growing up was jumping in piles of leaves. I remember raking them over and over again to keep the pile growing full before jumping in, rolling around, and digging through them. This core fun is something I've shared with Taylor - every year since we've had the house, we have made piles and jumped in them just for fun. Of course, after that, I have to stay and finish raking, and picking them up (with the help of J of course).

This year was a little different. Taylor and her friend got the jump on raking the leaves. One day they were hanging out and Tay came up and said, "Is it ok if we rake the leaves in the front yard?" Of course we let them, and here is what they came up with...

Round 2

Who knew Taylor could be cute even with a dirty face and a hump on her back?

Here are some other pics of her play...

Igor

Igor in deep thought

Mr. Hyde

Igor and Luna - the story tellers

Count Dracula

Vampire slayer crew - Dr. Van Helsing, Lucy (his daughter), Jonathan Renfield (his slayer in training), and Mina (Lucy's friend)

Dracula and his 3 brides

Dr. Jekyl and Mary - cutest on-stage couple ever!

The Director - Mr. Rob

Tay's Play

Who knew Igor could steal the show?

Once again, we are the parents of the star of the show...and it's kind of fun being that parent.  Taylor did an amazing job again this time as Igor - which was a tough part to play.  She did an wonderful job and we couldn't be more proud.  We survived through 5 shows in 3 days...pictures of the weekend below.

Thank you to all of the people that came to see the show - it always means a lot to Taylor to have people in the crowd watching her...and it means a lot to us as well.

Ann and Adam

Eddie, Kristina, and Abram

Wroxy, Tay and 'Luna' (Emma - who was the other main character in the show)

Cast Party Cake

Lake, Tate, and Laura took us out for dinner after the Saturday show - we went to Haabs

Not pictured, but showed up to watch were Nadia, Amy, and Emma (a different Emma than was in the show).

4 down...1 to go...

Who knew Taylor's play would be getting press coverage?

So it turns out YYT is getting more and more famous.  Ypsilanti Citizen sent a reporter out to the show on Friday.  You can see his short article and some pictures of the play at this link.  The pictures he took are also posted below in the video slide show.  Taylor is the one in all brown (looks like she's wearing a brown blanket).

Play is going well so far - and they are really coming together.  I would have to say this is the funniest play out of all of them so far.  Taylor is doing wonderfully and all of the other actors and actresses are also performing well.  It's great to see all of the hard work pay off.  I'll post pictures once I get some.

stoopid pelican

Who knew pelicans could cause millions of dollars of damage to one car?

Not sure if I feel sorry for this guy or not...just saw this on yahoo...

LA MARQUE, Texas – A man blamed a low-flying pelican and a dropped cell phone for his veering his million-dollar sports car off a road and into a salt marsh near Galveston. The accident happened about 3 p.m. Wednesday on the frontage road of Interstate 45 northbound in La Marque, about 35 miles southeast of Houston.

The Lufkin, Texas, man told of driving his luxury, French-built Bugatti Veyron when the bird distracted him, said La Marque police Lt. Greg Gilchrist. The motorist dropped his cell phone, reached to pick it up and veered off the road and into the salt marsh. The car was half-submerged in the brine about 20 feet from the road when police arrived.

Gilchrist said he doesn't know if the car was salvageable, but in his words, "Salt water isn't good for anything." He says the man, whose identity hasn't been released, was not injured.

A 2006 Bugatti Veyron was recently offered for sale in Jonesboro, Ark., for $1.25 million.

ouch

Who knew Dilbert could be funny and make you cry at the same time?

This one hit a little too close to home...I think I'm the chump they are refering to as the 'others.'



After 2 nights of long practices, making costumes, and finalizing sets, Taylor's show starts at 10AM today and runs all weekend long. Even last night at the last rehearsal before the show opens, there were still at least 3-4 kids not there because they were sick. It was tough running through the show without key people there and I think they are going to try to find people to fill a few roles today...we'll see how it goes. The good news is that it's still a pretty funny show and I can't wait to see it. They always seem to pull it off in the end, so here's to hoping...

coolest aunt

Who knew having Nadia around would actually pay off? (Just kidding Nadia, you know I love you!)

Taylor has been sick since Sunday (she's getting better, phew) and Monday was the worst day by far. I think she ate an animal cracker, 1/4 of a push up and 1/3 of a vitamin water all day. She slept most of the day and was just generally wiped out. She was being a good sport about it though.

It turns out, Duff from the show Ace of Cakes was in town on Monday doing a book signing - and it was a popular signature to get - you actually had to have a wrist band to get in line and they only had a limited amount. Taylor (and all of us actually) really enjoy that show and she thinks Duff is hilarious...so we knew she would have loved the chance to meet him, but there was no way with her being so sick. This is the part of the story where we introduce the hero...Nadia.

I got a text page from Nadia Monday afternoon telling me that Duff was in town and she was going to try to get over there for a signature...but they only had 100 wrist bands left and she was still at work (see, I'm building suspense). She recruited her friend Jeremy to run down and get a wrist band (since he works downtown A2).

So...



"Hey Taylor" at the top and then he signed mid-page - the signature on the bottom is his brother who co-authored the book with him. How cool is that??? Nadia also told some great stories about Duff and she was able to see him for a while at Borders - even saw them filming for the show...

It was a very bright spot in a tough day for Taylor...way to come out swinging Aunt Nadia...

Twisted Tales of Terror

Who knew I'd be promoting theatre?

Taylor's latest play is this weekend - and she was cast as Igor (another big role for her). She has been working really hard to learn all of her lines and get the acting down as well. We are very proud indeed and looking forward to seeing her in her 4th play. All the info is below if anyone would like to come watch.

She actually got the flu this weekend and was home sick from school yesterday - of course it's the final week of practice so she had to miss last night and possibly tonight as well - I'm sure everyone is stressed to have her missing. She is starting to feel better today though so we are hoping she will be back in her role again soon.

losing sight

Who knew clichés really could get you through life?

Over the last few months, I think I've lost some of my mental vision. I'm having trouble seeing through the fog of life and it's really been bogging me down. During this time, my biggest pet peeve was when people would throw out a cliché to answer my problems, or make me feel better.

"Don't worry, it will all work out in the end."

"You know, the sun will come out tomorrow."

"It could always be worse."

My reactions were always a bit negative when I got that kind of feedback. Thinking to myself, "Yeah, I'm sure it will work out in the end – but when is the end????" "I'm sure the sun will come out tomorrow, but it will just be lighting another terrible and busy day." "I'm sure it could always be worse – but that doesn't mean this is any less painful."

The problem with my reactions above (so I'm starting to figure out) is that I've lost sight of the meaning – and I stopped believing. At church this weekend, they talked about having beliefs vs. believing in something. I think I've always had beliefs, but have not always believed in them.

It's easy to stand up and say you believe in something – going green, budgeting your money, loving your wife, etc – but it's something totally different to stand up and change your life to match your beliefs. How many of us believe in saving the earth? We would say it's a good idea to use less, to waste less, and stop harming the world. But how many times have I used a plastic bag anyway, or simply thrown away a battery, or used disposable things when I could have re-used something else? I'm starting to realize (and maybe I'm the only one on this train) that just having beliefs about something isn't enough – it needs to go deeper – it needs to change who you are to the core. If it doesn't, it's not worth believing in anyway.

I'm figuring out now that if I truly believed, those clichés people are throwing out should give me hope, should help me through my day and should actually make me feel better. If I truly believed it would all work out in the end, shouldn't that give me the strength to keep pushing through today knowing it would all work out eventually? I'm realizing now that the clichés are there to provide one thing – hope. I think I've truly been without hope for a long time. Deep down I had beliefs – I knew everything would work out in the end – but I didn't let it change me, and I didn't really hold onto it. When people are saying, "Don't worry, it will all work out in the end" – what they are really trying to tell me is, "Keep going, keep pushing through – have hope and be encouraged that your fight will not be for nothing." It's a much longer sentence though so I can see why that hasn't caught on yet.

At the end of the day, having hope is what keeps us getting up each day and pushing through life – hope of experiencing the simple things in life (like my morning cup of coffee), hope that some one will notice us and say hello (always nice to be noticed), hope that when we have completed another trip through whatever events we have scheduled we will be able to look back and see the good points in the day.

Hope is important and an ingredient in life that isn't optional. I think I've finally started to turn the corner like the picture at the beginning…I've gone from NO Hope to KNOW Hope…the K and the W make all the difference.

Go Vikings

Who knew just adding Brett Favre would make this season double the fun?

Not only are we winning a lot of games - we are also really throwing packer land into disarray (sorry to all the packer fans out there - it's nice to finally have MN beat you guys though). I though this picture from a fan at the Vikings vs. Packers game on Sunday was great...

I know why they are fired up and I don't blame them...but I also know why I'm soooo excited...I think it's cause we are 7-1.

Happy Halloween

Who knew Halloween could actually hurt? Guess I'm getting old, but I'm a bit sore from yesterday...maybe because I walked around for a few hours in slippers (since they were part of my costume).

Yesterday was the first time in 3 years we didn't spend the entire day getting ready for the Fall Festival at church (we were only there setting it up for about 4 hours). Since J isn't the Director anymore, we didn't have as much invested in it. Hopefully it went well, we didn't end up going since we were hanging with some friends instead. We were together for dinner and then all the kids went out for trick or treating. It was fun and you can see the pile of candy Tay got below - funny thing is, we'll most likely eat most of that since she doesn't eat much candy. That's why we were pushing them so hard last night - "Keep going, we need more candy!" Just kidding...

After trick or treating for a few hours, we went to another friends house for a Halloween party. It was fun and great to see so many of our friends all dressed up (they are all very creative and spend a lot of time on their costumes). All in all, it was a good night...and I need to take a vacation to recover from it.

Taylor dressed up as one of the "Mario Characters" from a Wii game called Mario Galaxy (she was princess Rosalina - Lake was Princess Peach, and Tate was Shy Guy - also characters from the game). Jaimie went as some one that was sick and I went as some one that was tired - so together we were "sick and tired." Pretty original huh? Funny thing is that at the party, one of our other good friends that are a couple showed up as the same thing - go figure. It was pretty funny.

Taylor as Princess Rosalina - sporting her contacts for additional authenticity.

Lake, Taylor and Elisa
Lake, Taylor, Kate, Tate, and Elisa
Laura the Leprechan
Jaimie and Courtney - don't you feel bad for J? She looks so sick! (Hehe)

What will Kevin be eating for breakfast, lunch and dinner the next few days you ask? Please see picture above...