So, I realized that it's been a LONG time since I've written anything on here, so I thought I would make a quick few notes. I spent an hour today doing the Life Chain "rally." For those who don't know what that is, its where you stand on the side of the road holding any one of several anti-abortion signs and just pray about the abortion issue for an hour (without talking, and doing your best to ignore any negative responses you see/hear from those who pass by). So, I've got to say, I've never done this sort of thing before, in fact, never really had any intention to. I am alot more wired to have a one on one conversation with someone about a topic than to stand on the side of the road with a sign. But I was curious about having the experience. So when I was asked by the mother of one of my Jr. High boys to come and take part, I decided to give it a try. I'm sure we've all passed some kind of protest on the side of the road before...be it abortion or something else, I know I've passed my share of them. And to be honest, I'm not really sure what I thought about them before other than that it wasn't really my thing. So as I stood out there, I watched the looks and reactions of the people driving by. Overall they were positive. There were a few middle fingers, and some sarcastic remarks, but nothing that was any more than a little bit of ignorance and a small lack of respect, lol. I don't know about you, but a sarcastic remark or finger in my direction has never really been enough to rattle me too much. Overall it wasn't a bad experience. My sign said "Pray to end Abortion." I thought that would be the least potentially offensive of the choices.
I've been in Deland now for 3 months. I'm enjoying all the new people and friends, and being back close to family and friends here, but I miss Knoxville, my friends there, and the mountains! The beach is no substitution for mountains!!! But God moves us to where He wants to use us, so I'm curious/excited to see what He has in store here.
Maybe I'll try to write more often, haha. Maybe not.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Milligan Trip....Truth Project
I was given the opportunity last night and today to attend a regional training conference for Focus on the Family's, "The Truth Project." For anyone not aware of what that is (like me before this weekend), it is Focus' attempt to teach a biblical worldview through small groups. There are 12 DVD lessons that are really packed full of information. I was a little skeptical about how the weekend would go because a friend of mine had mentioned it and said he wasn't that big of a fan of it. But after hearing Dr. Del Tackett go through the curriculum, and the vision they have for it, I am excited to go through the material. Our society as a whole has bought into alot of lies, from politicians, the media, Hollywood, etc. This was a refreshing look at the biblical Truths that we have traded in for these lies.
The conference usually costs about $150 to attend, but through God's grace and provision, we were given free participant's passes through the son of a staff member here at the college (he is one of the main people invovled with Truth Project), free definitely fits into my budget!! Thank you Cathy and Gary Alan Taylor!
One of the greatest parts of this opportunity was that it was being hosted by Milligan College in Johnson City. I haven't been to Milligan's campus in about 6 years! We used to go to CIY there when I was in High School, but when they started having CIY at Lee University in Cleveland, TN, we started going there instead. It was great to be back at Milligan. I have alot of memories from the years I went to CIY there. The conference was held in Seeger Chapel, so during a break I started roaming around. I went into Lower Seeger, where Milligan's music department is. We had our His Time at CIY one year down there, and I could almost see everyone sitting there listening as Marshall recounted his inability to find Psalms during D-group, and when I went over to the gym I could remember many games of basketball, indoor frisbee, running up the slanted side walls from the lower level up to gym floor. And sitting in Seeger Chapel I could remember the many hours of worship lead by Jeff (I've just blanked on his name, I'll fill it in later! haha), and hearing speakers like Jeff Walling, Rusty Logsden, Tim Gray, Robin Sigars, and Gary Zustiak deliver amazing messages from the Word. And could distinctly remember the first time I heard Rich Mullins sing, as he gave an impromptu concert my first CIY, just months before his death. Or sitting towards the back of the chapel, listening to Willie Bolden preach, and finding myself walking up front during the invitation time! Wow, the memories I have from Milligan! Of course, I can't forget the amazing cave that is minutes away! That cave was the whole reason I went to CIY in the first place that first year!!! God works in incredibly mysterious ways! I'm not 100% positive that I could find that cave again, but I could remember exactly where we parked, haha. But it brought back great memories of roaming around the mountains looking for that cave for HOURS! And the moment when Tim and Tony both came to the realization that they recognized the spot where we were at, and then proceeded to point in the OPPOSITE directions for where we should go!
To top it all off we ate lunch at "The Firehouse," which is a great barbeque place in Johnson City. The restaurant is an old firehouse that has been converted, complete with an old 1925 fully functional fire engine. Part of our CIY "tradition" was to eat lunch there during our extended-rec day.
It was a great trip. The conference was very good, the speaker was awesome, and walking down "memory lane" is always fun!
The conference usually costs about $150 to attend, but through God's grace and provision, we were given free participant's passes through the son of a staff member here at the college (he is one of the main people invovled with Truth Project), free definitely fits into my budget!! Thank you Cathy and Gary Alan Taylor!
One of the greatest parts of this opportunity was that it was being hosted by Milligan College in Johnson City. I haven't been to Milligan's campus in about 6 years! We used to go to CIY there when I was in High School, but when they started having CIY at Lee University in Cleveland, TN, we started going there instead. It was great to be back at Milligan. I have alot of memories from the years I went to CIY there. The conference was held in Seeger Chapel, so during a break I started roaming around. I went into Lower Seeger, where Milligan's music department is. We had our His Time at CIY one year down there, and I could almost see everyone sitting there listening as Marshall recounted his inability to find Psalms during D-group, and when I went over to the gym I could remember many games of basketball, indoor frisbee, running up the slanted side walls from the lower level up to gym floor. And sitting in Seeger Chapel I could remember the many hours of worship lead by Jeff (I've just blanked on his name, I'll fill it in later! haha), and hearing speakers like Jeff Walling, Rusty Logsden, Tim Gray, Robin Sigars, and Gary Zustiak deliver amazing messages from the Word. And could distinctly remember the first time I heard Rich Mullins sing, as he gave an impromptu concert my first CIY, just months before his death. Or sitting towards the back of the chapel, listening to Willie Bolden preach, and finding myself walking up front during the invitation time! Wow, the memories I have from Milligan! Of course, I can't forget the amazing cave that is minutes away! That cave was the whole reason I went to CIY in the first place that first year!!! God works in incredibly mysterious ways! I'm not 100% positive that I could find that cave again, but I could remember exactly where we parked, haha. But it brought back great memories of roaming around the mountains looking for that cave for HOURS! And the moment when Tim and Tony both came to the realization that they recognized the spot where we were at, and then proceeded to point in the OPPOSITE directions for where we should go!
To top it all off we ate lunch at "The Firehouse," which is a great barbeque place in Johnson City. The restaurant is an old firehouse that has been converted, complete with an old 1925 fully functional fire engine. Part of our CIY "tradition" was to eat lunch there during our extended-rec day.
It was a great trip. The conference was very good, the speaker was awesome, and walking down "memory lane" is always fun!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Rock Climbing
Last night, 3 friends and I went to the local Climbing Center to get belay certification training. We weren't sure exactly what to expect, other than that it would be free and should be alot of fun. I don't think any of the 4 of us were disappointed! The two teachers we had were very different, but both very competent and nice to us. They took the time to make sure we understood everything and were able to reproduce the results they were looking for. The Climbing Center charges $8 for a full day pass for students, so I think that the 4 of us will be taking advantage of this offer as often as possible! If you have a Climbing Center anywhere near you, I encourage you to take a few hours and go and enjoy the experience! I'll even belay for you...if you're close by!
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