AIDS, Obama, & Rick Warren...

This story immediately caught my eye this morning. Actually, it infuriates me. Evangelicals are dogging Rick Warren (pastor of Saddleback Church in California and the very successful author of “The Purpose Driven Life”) for inviting Sen. Barack Obama (a Democrat—GASP!) to the church’s 2006 Global Summit on AIDS and the Church. Why should Pastor Warren have to apologize for inviting any government official to his church to discuss something that is a worldwide issue?

It is high time that the Church get real. If we truly want to connect with the world in its current state, as Christ did in his time, we must get off of our high horse. It appears to me that Pastor Warren is trying to do a good thing in bringing to the church’s attention the need to minister to what today would equal “the leper” in biblical times.

Here’s a concept:

Matthew 10:8: "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.” In other words, minister to those who are in need physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Look beyond yourself!

Do you think Christ meant, “and you can do this with the help of those who believe only what you believe to the very letter”? Really?

This antiquated way of thinking is what has alienated the “evangelical” church on so many levels. It certainly isn’t a way to show the way to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is divisive not only to the unchurched but to their very own members.

I say “Go for it!” to Pastor Warren and Senator Obama. You’re doing good work, even if your own “constituents” don’t support you.

Tag, I'm (One Of) "It"

My buddy, John, over at Salem's Lots has tagged me to reveal 6 weird things about myself. This is a "chain" that is circulating through Nashville's blogging community. Others to check out are: Sista, Kat, SaraClark, KathyT, and Malia among many others.

Ok...so here goes...

1) I was born & raised in Miami (15 minutes from the beach), and never saw snow until the age of 18. I cannot swim. I can snow ski. Ironic, no?

2) My favorite drink of all time is a Sonic Route 44 Diet Coke with Chocolate.

3) I must have a box Kleenex with me at all times: by my bed, at my desk, in my car...

4) I go ballistic if my daughter gets her feet anywhere near where my face will be lying on in the bed (pillow, top edge of sheets, blankets, etc.). It just grosses me out.

5) I can tie a cherry stem in a knot with my tongue in less than 5 seconds...and I think it's fun to do on every occasion that I have a cherry stem in my presence.

6) I turn on the TV as soon as I get home from anywhere. Before I watch anything else, though, I must check CNN to be sure there is no "Breaking News" of any significance happening in the world. Then and only then can I go on about my business.

Is that weird enough? Scary--it really wasn't very difficult to come up with 6 weird things about myself. Guess I'm weirder than I realized.

Ok, I hereby tag the Blonde Mom, Big Orange, the one we call Linda, Sharon, the Pop Culture Idiot, Amayesing Angie, and the insight of Miller. Your turn to reveal your weirdities...

Absolutely AMAZING!!!

...and we were there!!!!

A day of miracles...I got an e-mail at 2:15pm from a dear fellow blogger who had scored 2 tickets to today's game (that started at 3:15pm!). I jumped at the chance to go, because this would be my daughter's first real Titans game! So, after parking in the worst possible part of town, we made it safely to the stadium and to our seats, which were awesome! We were pretty darn bored for the first half and third quarter. In fact, many many fans left, and we would have if we hadn't seen a friend who graciously agreed to give us a ride back to our car (a total God-send!).

Then the fourth quarter happened. It appeared that we were going to be completely shut out. It was 21-0, and hope was bleak.

Well, Vince Young was having none of that.

Vince lead this team through some amazing drives and even scored his FOURTH touchdown of the season!! We have entered the era of Vince Young.

Pacman is now my daughter's favorite football player. She has informed me that she wants his number to replace her McNair jersey. He was amazing today. Two interceptions received, people! This guy can spin out of any tackle like I've never seen before! Awesome.

Then through 2 amazing plays with 23 seconds left, Vince set the field up for the 49 yard field goal that Rob Bironas kicked with 6 SECONDS left!! We WON!!!

The crowd was jumping up and down, high fiving each other, and going nuts! What a game! What a first game for my daughter to witness!!! She even got to meet T-Rac!

And we made it back to our car and then home safely!

What a night!!!!

Note to JH: THANK YOU! I owe you one!

Today, I am thankful for life, health, love, and laughter. For a beautiful daughter who has been more of a blessing than I could have ever dreamed she could be. I am thankful for my family, who even though we are separated by distance, I love very much. I am thankful for good friends, good co-workers (well, most of them-lol), a car that runs, a house that keeps me warm, a faithful kitty cat who's always there when I get home, the people who cross my path everyday and are a blessing to me even when they don't know it, and for my new online buddies.

I am thankful for music.

I am thankful for so much that this small space cannot contain it.

Most of all, I am thankful to God who has sustained me through some very difficult times in my life and who never fails to bless us.

Happy Thanksgiving

I Concur

Swoon!

Fantastic Game!!!

Now that's what I'm talkin' about...

Tennessee Titans 31
Philadelphia Eagles 13

Good game, guys!

Gifts from Afghanistan

This picture is so sweet. My daughter's best friend's dad is fighting the war in Afghanistan. Their class sent him a care package, and he in return sent the class a package with traditional hats for the boys, and beautiful scarves for the girls. Aren't these precious faces?

We Salute You

Lights of Hope

This afternoon I had the privilege to sing at the Service of Love & Remembrance at Baptist Hospital. Every year their Obstetrics department provides this memorial service for families who have experienced the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, or the death of a baby at Baptist. It is always a time to reflect and meditate as prayers, scripture reading, poems, and music are shared. The speaker was a parent that has experienced the same type of loss, and was a source of encouragement and sympathy to those in attendance. The parents are invited to light a special candle and speak the name of their baby, and plant a bulb in the Serenity Garden in their baby's name.

I sang a song by Michael W. Smith called "Hello Goodbye". He wrote it for some close friends of his who lost their baby. While I sang, the names of all of the babies lost this year were shown on a screen. It was extremely moving, and was a time for many tears to be shed. The service was closed with the song, "Blue Skies" (Point of Grace), to end the moment with the hope that we have in Christ even when everything feels like there is no way to go on.

Baptist Hospital is known as "Nashville's Baby Hospital" for the over 6,500 births they have each year. It is great that they also take the time to honor the parents who experienced a loss. I hope that those who attended today were able to mourn yet leave with a small glimer of hope as they journey through their grief.

My Little Soldier Girl