Just. Wow.
Yeah, that about describes it. Let me tell you, people: God is AWESOME. He is INCONCEIVABLE. He is AMAZING. Just... WOW.
Ok, so today was my birthday, and some folks from the theater took me out. Well, (this is me, owning up:) I had a little too much to drink. Instead of nursing one, I had two and a half tonight, which made me feel a little tipsy. So we call it a night, and a friend asks me to come back to her hotel room for some girl talk for a little while. I really wanted to get home--seriously. But I just felt a tug, y'know? Like she really needed it.
So I gave into the Spirit and I walked over with her and chatted for a while. About a half hour later, she's walking me back to my car and I can just tell she's yearning... she's just searching, you know? And she doesn't even know what she's looking for... So we continue to talk, for about another hour, standing by my car. Most of it was on recognizing spiritual influence, etc... like, Satan is attacking, putting thoughts in your head, etc... you have to recognize that and fight against it, etc..
We finally wrap up, we're both tired, and all that. We hug and go our separate ways... By this time, my head has completely cleared, and at this point, I get into my car and start to drive off... Then I notice something funny about my brakes.... Hmmm, ok...well... The next thing I know, my brakes are completely gone. I'm dead serious. They no longer function.... gone... Just. Plain. Gone.
HOW FREAKING AWESOME IS GOD??????????? I wanted to leave while I was buzzed and He wouldn't let me, because I'd probably be dead right now. So yeah, I'm literally coasting home (averaging about 6 miles an hour) with my hazards going, and I call up the friend I just left and I'm like "Ok, THIS is how real the spirit world is!!" And I tell her what happened. How great is that? I mean, yes, how unbelievably scary--but just imagine if I had climbed behind that wheel when I wanted to...
Wow... ok, I just had to tell y'all all that. I wasn't even gonna blog tonight, but I just had to tell you. And the kicker: right when I started the car, track 5 from Hope (Hillsong's new album) started up...."...My hope is in the name of the Lord... My trust is in the name of the Lord... You are faithful..." Great song at any rate, but especially appropriate in that circumstance, I do believe. He is so great, and so faithful! All I could think was "Thank You for not letting Tate be in the car."
Don't just love Him, prove it!!
-Jack-
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Happy Birthday To Me...
Happy birthday to me...
Happy birthday, dear Jaaaaack
Happy birthday to meeee!
Oh yay... I'm officially twenty-five... I can no longer get away with describing myself as being in my "early twenties". Ugh. Life's a-wastin'--I've had twenty-five years and I haven't accomplished much. I'd really like to get started.
Oh wow, I'm just too tired... I promise I'll give you more to think about in the next couple of days. I really will. I'll give my diatribe on my sister, and I'll even throw in a good hearty moral debate for fun. Get ready to participate.
Good night, folks. Love God, love others, love life, live it OUT LOUD--and leave a legacy.
-Jack-
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No Comment.
Still... sheesh. Emails but no comments. Are y'all afraid to leave a message that can be viewed by others? Where's your spirit of adventure? (What kind of dog are you anyway?... um, nevermind)
So I still don't want to talk about my sister yet. I'm just checking in then signing off for bed. I'll do better tomorrow, I promise.
Here's something to amuse you though: I got bit on the neck tonight, by a human being, and it bled... Talk about weird. Chris (who plays the lower half of my body) was goofing off while I was sitting on the couch in the greenroom (playing electronic yahtzee---ADDICTIVE). So he jumps on me and starts pretending to devour me (this is not entirely unusual for these people; I get jumped on at least 4 times a week). Well, he's eating a starburst while he's doing this, and so he's actually chewing. Well, his teeth get just a little too close to Jack's neck, and rather than pretend to take a bite out of her... He. Actually. Does.
Seriously.
It was really bizarre. And Eddie cracked me up onstage in the middle of my song. It was a crazy night. Anyhow. Love God, love others, love life, live it OUT LOUD--and leave a legacy!!
-Jack-
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Emails Are Swell.
Ok, I'm so stinkin' happy! I got a really great and encouraging email from Doreen, and it just totally made my day! She's a student at HILC and I just LOVE reading her blog to see what she's up to in the great Down Under. I hope I get to meet her someday--she's such an awesome Godly Girl. I seriously recommend checking out her blog.
Oh, by the way, I found my card and license, just to let you know. It was back in the pile of papers I had left it in. God's so great!
Anyhow, the potty-training isn't going as well as I'd like, partly on my account. It's just hard to remember to take him to the bathroom when I'm busy building a Mega-Block Monstrosity on the floor of his bedroom with him. Or when I'm tickling the living daylights out of him. That's one our favorite things to do.
He got mad at me today. Made me feel like such a terrible mom. I was folding laundry while he was playing with his little dump-truck thingie (ok, so it's not really little, it's one of those little tykes motorized vehicle thingies that he rides on, only I don't have a sidewalk, and my driveway is sand, so the only place he really gets to ride it is through the living room, dining room, and kitchen)... I finished (well, not finished, I just got tired of it and stopped), and kicked back on the couch to read... He got all upset because I wasn't playing with him. I felt horrible, like I was neglecting my child. I know it's silly, but my heart still broke for a minute. Anyway, just thought I'd tell you.
Well, good news, of a sort: My older sister has agreed to stay on through this run (of Filddler) to keep watching Tate for me, and I only have to pay her $50/week to help with her expenses while she's here. That's SO awesome!!! It saves me some money, and buys me a little time.
And for bad news, my little sister is back in detox. I'll have a rant about that another time. I just don't have the energy for it right now. It's more than sad--it's pathetic. She's not addicted to anything, she just does it for attention. And don't sit there telling me I'm being cruel. It's the truth... but as I said, I won't go into it now. I'll need to vent about it in a day or so, so watch out for it.
But all things considered, God is so awesome. Heh, all things chucked out the window, God is still so awesome. Sometimes I just sit back and think about how wonderful He is. And I get filled with such excitement and awe. It's really great to think about Him, and what He is, and what He's done, and how great His love is. He's just plain great. Well, ok, not plain, LOL!
Oh! And I got the new Hillsong CD (Hope) today! TOTALLY AWESOME!!! Yeah, then when I got home, I found out that Hillsong was running a sale on it. Buy the DVD and get the CD thrown in free. UGH! Oh well. I'll just order that and give the CD to my older sister for Christmas. I want the DVD really bad too. Good thing I've got a bit of birthday money coming soon.
Oh, wow! It's my birthday this Sunday. Cool! It always sneaks up on me... wow, I'll be a quarter of a century old... that's not a happy thought. I haven't accomplished nearly enough for God yet--I better get started!
I'm being really chatty tonight--good grief! Sorry, I'll stop now. GOD BLESS EVERY SINGLE SOLITARY ONE OF YOU!!! Go with Him, 'cause nothing else matters! And remember: Love God, love others, love life, live it OUT LOUD--and leave a legacy!!
-Jack-
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Keep the fire burning...
So, yeah, I really want to be in Australia, studying Worship and Creative Arts... Ok, so what's keeping me from starting now? With effecting others for Jesus, that is... I mean, why can't I get started here with stirring up passion for worshipping our Lord? I'm so dense sometimes. I've already got several instrumentalists who have committed to helping me start a weekly worship event. So what is it that I'm waiting for? I don't have to go study worship in order to organize a small independent group here that just gets together to worship. Ok, I'll get started, then. If any of you live within reasonable distance of Central Florida, or you'd just love a reason to move here, I'll be starting a weekly worship event then. Email me for details!
By the way, I love your emails--keep them coming! I want to hear from all of you--yes, even you! I love to connect with other believers. I'm so thirsty for Christian companionship sometimes it's painful. Ok, most times it's painful. I just want to find others who long to worship and live out loud--and be used by God in a loud and major way. It's like people think you have to be stuffy and mean and boring if you want to serve God. Heck no! It takes daring, a spirit of adventure, a love of excitement... it takes BOLDNESS.... so be bold!
I love you all, and thank you so much for coming here to visit me. I hope some of my own struggles and insights can help you. If you have any questions or comments or anything at all you'd like to ask or say, just email me or leave a comment. I'll be getting more regular and regimented with my posts very soon now that my schedule is (sort-of) settling down. Again, I'd love to hear from you.
I'll post the sermon notes from my church tomorrow for you. I'm very very very tired, and I'd like to go to bed now. Tomorrow is my first whole day off in over two weeks!! Woo-hoooo!!! Hopefully I'll manage to potty-train Tate tomorrow. Did I tell you how incredibly big he's getting?? Oh, wow, is he big... Ok, peoples: Love God, love others, love life, live out loud--and leave a legacy!!
-Jack-
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Frumah Sarah Takes A Break...
Well, I've shot my voice... I knew I would, but it still stinks like molded Colby. That sounds like a name of a 90's garage band, "Molded Colby", LOL! Ok, anyway (I'm punchy when it's this late). My understudy is playing my feature role for a while until I get my voice back, whilst I join the ranks of the "Ensemble"... It's ridiculously easy, and I think I'm getting spoiled. I dance, and pretend to sing, and make large facial expressions and appropriate noises of response when the main characters talk... It's also rather humbling to be a "peon". I suppose I need it.
They wanted me back on Chris' shoulders tomorrow, but I don't think that's a good idea. I think the understudy should finish out the week so that I'll have a few more days of rest. I told the SM tonight that I can't risk blowing my voice out again, and he seemed to agree...
I'm sure you all care so very much about all of this wonderfully exciting news. It's just that I don't really have anything else to talk about. I'm doing a lot of internal struggling lately, and I can't quite yet articulate it.
Oh, and I lost my check card.... and my driver's license. Please pray they turn up. I left them (stupidly) under some papers at my dressing table after using them at work to buy dinner, and I hate to think that a coworker swiped them.
Ok, I know this post stunk (like "Molded Colby"), but I'm going to bed now... sweet dreams, peoples.
Love God, love others, love life, live out loud--and leave a legacy!!
-Jack-
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We must findses resssssst... preciousssss
Good great DOGS, I need some sleep. I'm very tired, in case that notion escaped you in the title or opening sentence. The show opens tomorrow, and I don't have the slightest idea whether we're going to be able to pull it off or not. This has certainly been an experience...
Isn't Golem the cutest little guy ever?? Yeah... anyway. My mom used to joke about looking like Golem when she first started losing her hair from chemo. It was really funny. That's mom for you--she's got a marvelous sense of humor. I didn't realize until I'd moved out and been on my own for a while just how funny she was. That woman should do stand-up.
It's tough to see her so tired, though. Seems like she's sleeping all the time. I wish there was something I could do (I tried to shave my head for "solidarity, sister!", but she forbade it). Please keep her in your prayers. Pray that God's will be done in her life, and in those around her.
I think one of the things that has made this (mom having cancer) the easiest to deal with is realizing the fact that Mom is a child of God. Not just in a generic sense, but really, fully comprehending it... first of all, that I am a child of God, and that He loves me, and has a plan for me, and is looking out for me... and then broadening that realization... so that I know that not only am I a child of God (and all that that entails), but that so is she. That concept has enabled me to be strong for her and for the rest of my family. It was a matter of changing my perspective from "God is allowing something to happen to my mom" to "God is working out His plan for one of His children." He cares about her every bit as much as He cares about me. He loves her, and is watching over her, and He's using her for whatever purpose He has laid out for her.
I hope that someone reading this will find new strength in my discovery... I hope that it can help someone struggling with something similar... I hope that it speaks to your heart, and that the Holy Spirit can reset your focus or perspective the way mine was reset. It's been so wonderful, this process of changing my way of thinking. We are not for earth, rather we are for Heaven. We do not belong here--we're only visiting this place, with a job to do. When you truly realize that, it changes EVERYTHING... it really truly does. It's like everything suddenly makes sense... your whole world opens up... and EVERYTHING in your life takes on new meaning, or loses its meaning entirely. You realize how trivial some things are, and how vital are others. Your old priorities just vaporize in the new light of understanding that God gives us through His word and His Holy Spirit. It's truly mind-blowing.
I'd like to recommend that you read A Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren. It was given to me as a gift, at just the right time (I finished it while mom was in the hospital getting tests done--just before the cancer was found). I can honestly say that it changed my life. Everything just became so crystal clear, and my thinking began to metamorphose. This new understanding is what allowed me to draw on the peace and comfort of God at such a devastating time... I would have been blind to it. But instead of being devastated, I am able to see the implications of such a time and experience, and the wonder of God and His mysterious plan.
I do not want my mother to die... But I realized that if she does, I will be alright...
Love God, love others, love life--and leave a legacy!!
-Jack-
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Patience: A Virtue I've Yet To Acquire
For the most part that is... I'm finding myself increasingly disenchanted with my job. Which is amazing to me, since I haven't been at it for long, and I was so incredibly psyched up about it just a short time ago. But ever since God set my feet on fire with the desire to study W&CA, I can't seem to get myself into the show. I spend all day listening to worship music and singing my lungs out, rather than rehearsing the music I have to have down pat in two days. And it's not like it should take me more than a couple of hours to learn this music. UGH... I want to say that God just told me too early, but that isn't the truth. Rather, He's making me learn the lessons of patience and perserverance... of doing those things which aren't always what you want to do but that need to be done. I'm blessed, really, that it's starting with something easy--like fulfilling a contract to perform. I do love theater, and musical theater is the best--or so I thought... And it's not like anything has happened at the theater to change my opinion of it. I still think it's great. It's just not what I want to be doing, do you know what I mean? It just seems so trivial... like a big waste of time. And everyone knows it doesn't pay much--I'm blessed to be getting the most she'll pay for non-equity, which is a whopping $200/wk for a full time job, so it's obvious that the money is not what's keeping me. I'm not complaining, I'm really not. I'm just anxious, I suppose. I want to go out and get started already. But I know that there is work for me to do still, in preparation and in service to Him. I know He's using me as an example to some other people there... To show them it's not so hard to stand up for Him. There's finally a Christian presence in that place, and it's a joy to see--and a relief as well.
With the end of My Fair Lady, I'll be losing Julie Ruth's daily presence. I've asked her to pray for strength and boldness in the Christians that remain at the theater. I hope you'll pray for us as well. We're going to need it. Satan's minions appear to be hoping to set up camp with this newest cast, and they aren't shy about it. It's going to be a long six weeks--and my fledgling patience is already looking to bolt on me.
At any rate, drop me a line if you feel up to it, or just leave a comment. I'd love to know if y'all need prayer as well. We can all use all the help God sends our way. Also, if you think of it, please keep my mother in your prayers--she doesn't seem to be faring well as of late. Thank you so much, truly.
Love God, love others, love life--and leave a legacy!
-Jack-
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No Comment
I get emails... But no one ever leaves comments. Why is that? I'll probably never know. Ok, new rule: if this is your first visit, you must leave at least one comment. If this is not your first visit, you must leave at least one comment, and send me an email telling me how wonderful my site is, and how fabulous I am.
But, how is she to enforce this, you may wonder. I'll tell you: I'm not. I can't possibly enforce this rule. Therefore, it isn't really a rule at all, is it? Rather, it's a suggestion, at best--merely delivered with forcefulness or conviction. Soooo... with what does that leave me, exactly?
No comment.
Hmph. Well then, I'll just keep rambling on, without comments...
So, I thought I'd tell you today where I got the name Jack. You see, my real name is Jessica. And when I was living in bigtime sin with the father of my son, Jason, I used to take care of his other son, Jarret, on his days. 'Round about the age of two, Jarret had trouble pronouncing his "S" sounds, so instead of calling me "Jess", he called me "Jeck", though from his young voice it sounded remarkably like "Jack". Well, Jason thought that was cute, and started referring to me as Jack and it just sort of stuck. His family started calling me that, our friends followed suit.
But Jack, you now live eleven-hundred miles away, how could anyone in your new town know that name? Well, I'll tell you (I'm so nice, aren't I? Patiently answering all your questions...). The first job I took here in Florida was as a server for a Tony Roma's restaurant. Dear Tony was already employing two Jessica's that were neither one of them myself, which puts us at a grand total of three Jessica's. And so, Ken--whose "life-partner", or whatever you'd like to call it, is also named Ken (I always thought that was VERY funny)--told me I needed a nickname... and since I've never been granted a professionally appropriate nickname aside from Jack, I blurted it out under duress.
When I started at the theater, my boss asked me, in what I assumed was an offhand manner, if I ever had any nicknames or anything, so I told her the "Story of Jack"... the next thing I know, that's my name all over again. The only people that still call me Jess or Jessica are my parents and 2 of my 4 siblings. That's it. Oh wait, that's not true. Some people at church still call me Jessica (the ones that never went to Tony Roma's when I worked there and haven't seen me at the theater). Even the worship team calls me Jack.
So there you have it and there you are. Not altogether too terribly interesting, but you asked for it.
I'll be back later--it's my one partial day off (don't have to work until 7pm), and I'm going to take a NAP! Yay!!
Love God, love others, love life--and leave a legacy (and a comment)!!
-Jack-
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Tired + Bored = Nothing Worth Reading
Blah... Blah blah blah... Blah blah...
See? I told you it wasn't worth reading. Nothing very exciting happened today. Unless you count my being consumed alive by the desire to go to HILC. ARRRRGHHH. Someday, I WILL get there. I. Will.
So yeah, we have to be at rehearsal at 9am tomorrow... whoever heard of such a heinous thing?? Ugh... There will be 30 of us, dancing in a small rehearsal room at 9 in the morning. I'm laughing right now. Seriously. I am. I think it's going to be very funny. It won't be funny while it's happening--it'll be a nightmare. But in a year or so, it's going to be very fun to reminisce. That's one of my favorite things to do, you know. Soon, I'll probably start reminiscing in my posts here... about stuff y'all don't have a clue about. I'll try to fill you in as I go.
Ok, I'm going to bed. SMOOOOOOOOOOOOCH!!!! I love you all so much!
Love God, love others, love life--and leave a legacy!
-Jack-
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Busy, Busy Bee...
Hey, Kids!
Sorry I've been so scarce lately. Things have been a little crazy 'round these parts. I hope you miss me. A lot. Never fear, little ones, I shall return to my former blazing glory soon. Well, ok, it depends on your definition of soon, but still...
Once the show opens and the schedule settles into normalcy... ok, bad choice of words, because it's not normal... and the schedule settles into regularity, I shall carve out new time for you! I'm so nice... and so gracious. *big cheeky grin*
Seriously, though, I should become a serious blogger again within a week or two. I hope you'll bear with me until then. Oh, and just for fun and to keep you occupied, there's actually a pretty cool site I found the other day. It's a... aherm...personals...aherm...site. For Christians. How cool is that? I thought it might be fun and silly, but there seem to be some really great people out there (just like ME!!), looking for friendships, etc... so it's fun, but not silly. So if you're bored, or you need some Christian pen-pals, head on over and join the fray!
Love God, love others, love life--and leave a legacy!
-Jack-
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Sleep, Oh Sweet Blessed Sleep
I got TONS of it last night, and I feel SOOOOOOO much better. Rehearsals are in full swing for Fiddler. They started yesterday. The show opens a week from tomorrow. We don't get a whole heck of a lot of time to rehearse. Ah, the joys of the theater. At any rate.
I've gotta find some way to have Tate potty-trained by next week. How am I supposed to do that with all-day rehearsals? Any ideas, lemme know. Gotta run for now.
Go with God!
-Jack-
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BUILDING A STRONGER FAMILY, wk 3: Take God Seriously
The third commandment says: "Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God." Ex. 20:7. NLT
God's names are used to signify His...
-Character
-Reputation
-Authority
**Timeless Truth**
Gad calls us not to misuse His name in our families. The third commandment instructs us to honor, reflect and use appropriately God's name.
Incorrect ways to use God's name:
1. In profanity (God Damnit!; Oh, for Christ's sake!, etc.)
2. To make excuses (well, God told me to divorce this woman and marry this one...)
3. To manipulate (God told me that you should be the one to do this or that...)
4. To Impress (Acting "worshipful", using religious and spiritual expressions to look Godly)
5. Without thinking (Chuck gave ex: He was in line waiting for coffee, for exorbitant amount of time, getting frustrated, etc... woman apologizes for the delay and he says flippantly--as to make the woman smile or chuckle--"Yeah, God's just teaching me patience... )
Chuck made it a point to discuss that example, saying that some people might say there is nothing wrong with that, or that he is splitting hairs. But he knew that it was wrong. It was the intention behind what he said that made it wrong. He was not being serious about it--rather, he was just tossing a phrase to ease the tension. He could have easily said something like "Hey, I'm just learning patience" and it would have had the exact same effect, so he knew he was misusing God's name.
How to honor God's name in my family? 3 ways!
1. WATCH your words!
Jesus said "...For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of." Luke 6:45 (GN)
"Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise are healing." Prov. 20:7 (NLT)
After this Scripture, Chuck brought up a study done a few years back that sought to get to the bottom of why people get divorced. They wanted an actual reason, a pin-pointed specific one. What they came to realize was actually quite interesting: they studied the communication habits of a whole bunch of newlywed couples. For those couples that ended up getting divorced, they were in the habit of making 10 cutting remarks or more out of every 100 remarks to the other partner in their first year of marraige... those that ended up staying together made five or fewer cutting remarks out of every hundred they voiced. Over time, that 5% dwindled to even less cutting remarks aimed at each other. The ones whose cutting remarks comprised 10% of their comments to their spouses actually increased over time, until the complete breakdown of the marraige.
Chuck had something very insightful to say about this. Your spouse is made in the image of God. So why on earth would you put them down? And also, the Bible talks about how when a man and woman are married, the two become one... So really, if you are making cutting remarks to your husband or wife, you are really cutting down yourself. You are slapping or hitting yourself, emotionally. Not good.
Then he went to the next verse, and suggested we make this a prayer to God:
"May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord..." Psalm 19:14(NLT)
WALK In Integrity!
"The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children after them." Prov. 20:7(NLT)
"A person who calls himself a Christian should not be doing things that are wrong." 2Tim 2:19(LB)
Here, Chuck talked about how big of a responsibility that is, and that no one can live up to it. We all fail, but we have to pray that DESPITE our failures, others will still be brought to the Lord. That God can use us anyway, and that our failures and shortcomings won't turn people off to God. But we must be conscientious about these things, and remember that non-believers are observing us, and that we must set a good example.
"And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus..." Col. 3:17 (NLT)
3. WORSHIP Wholeheartedly!
"Give honor to the Lord for the glory of His name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness." Psalm 29:2(NLT)
"The Lord said, "These people claim to worship me, but their words are meaningless, and their hearts are somewhere else..."..." Isaiah 29:13(GN)
"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life - and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out." Romans 12:1,2(MES)
(WHAT AN AWESOME VERSE!!!!!)
We must worship Him with all our hearts, shutting out everything else and offering ourselves and our praises to Him and only Him. We don't sing songs just to sound pretty and to bond. We do it to enter into His presence and offer all we have to Him. We offer Him those songs--the words and the music and every effort behind them--all to Him. We MUST do it, just for Him. Otherwise it is pointless.
I just LOVE the second verse there, about not being so well-adjusted to our society. I think it's AWESOME. Just. Plain. Awesome. We are not of this world, we are merely ambassadors for God. We are not for earth, we are for HEAVEN. We need to act like it. If we pay attention to the spiritual world, to God, and to Heaven, and to His purpose for us, rather than the petty, sinful, selfish, TEMPORARY world around us, it will completely blow us away, and change us from the inside out.
Chuck ended with this verse:
"Everything that we have - right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start - comes from God by way of Jesus." 1 Cor. 1:30 (MES)
Everything we have was made possible by Jesus. When we have doubts and we sin and we fail and we slip up and fall astray... it can all be restored through Jesus. We may say "but God, I just... or I need... or I can't... " and God says "Just see my son... Look, would you just see my son?"
I hope this is helpful to you. I know it was to me. Go with God, and live out loud!
-Jack-
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If I Love God... (and eternal bear hugs)
If I love God, then why do I continue to hurt Him? Why is that? I mean... am I really that self-serving? The answer to that must be "yes"... I don't like it one bit. I think of myself, too often, too much. My entire thought process needs to change. When confronted with a problem, I immediately start thinking of ways that I can solve it. And I use "I" way too much, for someone who claims she wants to become like Christ. It's time to put God first. I have a feeling this is going to be a long, hard road. Wish me success...
Isn't it amazing, though? I continually let Him down, I disappoint Him, I hurt Him, I anger Him... and His love NEVER changes. Ever. No matter what I do, or where I go, or who I associate with, or anything else... He will ALWAYS love me. He will NEVER refuse me His forgiveness. His love is so much stronger than ours, so much better, so much more complete... it's the only thing worth having. Oh, I can hardly wait to meet Him face to face... I get excited just thinking about it. I'm gonna bust through those gates and make a beeline for God, running as fast as I can... and then I'll LAUNCH myself into His arms, and it'll be the best hug imaginable!
Well, I suppose that depends on "the mood" when I get up there, lol. It's like that song, I Can Only Imagine, by Mercy Me... I might just fall over in awe. That would be GREAT too!
Spiritual bear hugs to all of you!!
-Jack-
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Please Respond
Hey, y'all. Just real quick, could each of y'all leave a comment and tell me whether you can see my picture (the one of me above the "about jack" paragraph) or not? I think I might be the only person that can see it. Hope to hear from you.
God Bless You!
-Jack-
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"Dysfunctional Bliss"
I think I should change the title of my blog... It's not like you'd be able to SEE it anyway, except at the top of your browser, and who actually pays attention to that? Not I, usually.
Many thanks to Chris as he tried to help me sort out this tangled mess of html. He's probably running scared from this web-design nightmare, lol. God bless you, Chris!
Well, Tate's fussing and I forgot to pay my rent (ever the scatter-brain). I should probably go take care of those things. See you all in a while!
Go with God...
-Jack-
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New Friends Are Swell
I've been developing a new friendship, ladies and gentleman. She's in the show I'm working right now, and she's such a breath of fresh air in the theater. Sometimes it gets a little hard to breathe, spiritually. Julie is another Christian, and boy am I glad to have met her. We've gotten in the habit of having a little jam session before the show, it's really nice. Only problem is, she'll probably be moving to New York come November. Talk about a bummer. But I definitely think we'll keep in touch.
I'm a bit tired for now, but I'd love to articulate some of my thoughts concerning my conversations with Julie. Remind me to do that sometime in the next couple of weeks, won't you? Thanks. You're swell too.
Stay fixed on Him!
-Jack-
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Thar She Blows!!
Well, here it is, in all it's dysfunctional glory... I'm now operating in my new template. But there are still a few kinks. Like the fact that my page title and description aren't showing up. I've been over the code a dozen times. I cannot find the problem. Oh well. Hey, if anyone is just dying to view my sourcecode and you happen to spot a problem, let me know.
Well, another day is done, folks.
I just noticed how all-over-the-place my posts are. I really need to stop that. I need to focus each post on at least one general topic, if not specific. Ok, then, I'll stop this one short. G'day!
-Jack-
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Hello there
I'm still working on the new template. The images STILL aren't cooperating. Ah well... No sense in continuing to frustrate myself tonight. I'll just put it aside.
We had Worship Team rehearsal again tonight. It actually went really well, despite a rough start. I just felt off when I came in... My heart just wasn't right, I don't know. At any rate, during "Heart of Worship" everything just seemed to come together, and we just took off straight into God's presence... it was wonderful. An instrumentalist who wasn't participating in that particular song was completely blown away. It was very moving.
I love it when that happens. God is so awesome! Dave calls it "spiritual singing"... I just think of it as "congregational worship"... where we connect with each other and offer up our worship as one, perfected through Him. It's not us... it's His beauty, shining through us... there's a wonderful energy moving through us, and each conduit strengthens it as it goes...
At least that's how I felt, lol. I don't know how y'all feel when you worship, when it's real and true and exposed and offered to God... We always have to be mindful of the time in things like this, otherwise we'd go on all night, and our families wouldn't much appreciate it, lol.
At any rate, I hope all of you are.... well, I was going to say having a wonderful day... but I'd rather pray that you are living fully in Christ... It's far more important than a nice, happy day. I strive to. But I know there is so much more I have to offer up to Him. I struggle with trying to control too much of it myself... More on that another time, though...
Oh, and don't think I've forgotten to tell you why I'm called Jack. I most certainly haven't... just thought I'd string you along a bit longer. You never know when I'll post it... perhaps the day after tomorrow? Maybe even tonight...hehe. Fare well, friends. Keep close to Him--it's a jungle out there!
-Jack-
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How Incredibly Frustrating...
I'm working on a new template for my blog. It's so very cool. But there are two images that it needs, and I can't seem to get them to cooperate with my efforts.
Tate went POOP on the POTTY today!!! Yay for Tate!!!
Ok, just thought I'd tell you... Also, he's been accepted to The Bronte Preperatory School!! I'm so excited. He's a bit young, but I work with the husband of the director of the school and she'll take him on for Wednesdays and Thursdays starting with the opening of the next show at the theater, which I'm in (so I'll have to be there all eight shows each week). I still need to find care for him for Wed, Thurs, and Fri nights, but at least I have Wed and Thurs days figured out. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that my parents will be able to take him for the Sat mat and eve, and for the Sund eve.
I think I'll go toil on the new template again for a bit. If all else fails, I'll just have to find a simpler one without any images.
I wish you all God's best!!!
-Jack-
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