Being a Flintstone

I'm spending a week in my hometown, Flint. During my layover in Detroit I struck up a conversation with a (so cute) businessman who was traveling to Flint for the first time.
"What is there to do in Flint?" He asked.
"Uhhhhhhhhh……." I drew a blank. There is literally nothing to do in Flint. Nothing.
No-thing.
So I suggested the one novelty, - that he go to Halo Burger (our local fast food joint) and get a Boston Cooler.
He's from Boston, and apparently, Boston Coolers are not.
I'm afraid he is going to be very bored here.
I once loved living here because I never knew there was anything better. I bowled on a league, and actually won trophies. I lived to watch Roseanne on Tuesday nights because it was a sitcom with a family so much like my own. . I wanted to live in a doublewide because they all seemed to have a "garden tub"- very classy. And I thought every family planned family vacations around "strike year." Oh, we were blue-collar through and through.
But when I went off to college, I met an entirely new breed of people. The women didn’t wear tons of giant jewelry, aqua net hair spray, or get square-tip manicures on their pudgy fingers. Men didn't use excessive hair gel, gold chains, or have tiny moustaches. No one referred to cops as "pigs", or have 4 children by 5 different daddies. These new people had hobbies like book clubs, or playing music instead of mowing the lawn or riding four-wheelers. I felt so comfortable with these people and embraced their new lifestyle.
And since then I guess I've been a bit of a Flint Snob. I confess, I 've stubbornly refused to do the things I once found so enjoyable. I wanted to be more refined, like I was educated and had left those others behind.
So when I returned this week, I was surprised that I was enjoying Flint.I think it's the simplicity of things. Unlike Chapel Hill, the houses are quaint, and moderately priced. Groceries don't require half of your salary. For fun, people spend time with their family and they actually go out in their yards and chat with their neighbors. It's a slower pace for life, and it's nice.
I went to a Coney Island and had a real Coney dog. I drank Vernors. I helped my dad pick some garden vegetables. I went to a restaurant, ordered a steak, and threw my peanut shells on the floor. I watched, My Name is Earl. And tonight we have the fans blowing and the windows are open so we can smell the rain. I've been embracing my inner- Flintstone.
Maybe this week I'll go to Ziggies and stand in the parking lot licking my cone super fast so it won't drip on my hands. Or maybe I'll go to Southland lanes and throw gutters balls until my arm hurts. Or, there's always US23 Drive-in.
I'm starting to see a certain charm to Flint. Maybe I'll learn to love it again.

Mark 6

I was reading through Mark 6 today and saw some interesting points about ministry. I'm reflecting on them as I prepare to return to Swaziland.

30 The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and what they had taught. 31Then Jesus said, "Let's get away from the crowds for a while and rest." There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn't even have time to eat. 32They left by boat for a quieter spot. 33But many people saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and met them as they landed. 34A vast crowd was there as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he taught them many things.

We see here Christ's humanity in being pooped out after ministering all day, and yet he still has compassion for the lost. He's willing to sacrifice his rest and refuel time, just for a while, to continue to minister. We need to make a note of this. We run the risk of being too sacrificial to serve others, neglecting the basic care we need for ourselves.


35Late in the afternoon his disciples came to him and said, "This is a desolate place, and it is getting late. 36Send the crowds away so they can go to the nearby farms and villages and buy themselves some food."
37But Jesus said, "You feed them." "With what?" they asked. "It would take a small fortune to buy food for all this crowd!"
38"How much food do you have?" he asked. "Go and find out." They came back and reported, "We have five loaves of bread and two fish." 39Then Jesus told the crowd to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40So they sat in groups of fifty or a hundred.
41Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and asked God's blessing on the food. Breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread and fish to the disciples to give to the people. 42They all ate as much as they wanted, 43and they picked up twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish. 44Five thousand men had eaten from those five loaves!

Here, there was a physical need that people had. And the disciples expect Jesus to do something about it.
What?
Send them someplace else to get food.
But what did Jesus say?
"You do it."
Oh how often do I see a need and the pray for God to move in that situation, when I could be his hands and feet myself. And notice how Jesus asked them to use what they already had. I donÂ’t need to go out and get additional college degrees or training to help meet people's basic needs. Like Jesus, I can ask God to bless the bit I have and God will arrange for it to be sufficient.

Jesus Walks on Water
45Immediately after this, Jesus made his disciples get back into the boat and head out across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home. 46Afterward he went up into the hills by himself to pray.

This last part is so important. After it was all said and done, he did send everyone away and take the time to rest, refuel and spend time with the Father.

Just being Christ-like

I was reading through the story of Jesus calming the storm today in Luke. Did you ever notice where Jesus was when the storm came up? My bible says He was taking a nap. Hmmmmm. Very interesting. Jesus the healer, Jesus the redeemer, Jesus the Napper. So to all of my "friends" who give me such as hard time about napping, -just chill out. I'm just being Christ-like.

The spread...

...But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread.... Exodus 1:12
The devil is coming against Christians with all of his might. But we know what he intends for harm, God will use for good.
We see this in the book of Acts after the stoning of Stephen and the persecution of Christians. As they fled for safety they took the Gospel with them and the word was spread. What the devil did to try and stop Christians actually created more Christians!!!! Ha HA
I love this verse in light of everything that has been happening in St. Louis.
God I claim right now, with the authority of Jesus that these drownings, this suffering of families, and horrible media frenzy will actually back fire on the enemy. He intends to steal, kill, and destroy, but I claim it for Your good! It will blow up in his face! The number of new Christians in that area will skyrocket and the strength of believers will increase because the people will begin to see the fingerprints of God all over this situation. You will soften hardened hearts, you will protect those in danger, you will strengthen the backs of the weary, and you will comfort those who mourn.
Hallelujah!!!!!

All About Me

My first graders so this on the first days of school. Pesonally I hate doing these on email, but I always enjoy reading other people's quirky facts. So here is All About Me. Enjoy

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS
Participate with me on this. I only sent this to folks
whose answers are bound to be clever! This is what you
are supposed to do, and try not to be LAME and spoil
the fun! Just give in and do it. Copy, not forward,
this entire e-mail and paste it into new email. Change
all the answers so that they apply to you then send
this to a whole bunch of people you know *including*
the person who sent it to you. Put your name in the
subject. The theory is that you will learn a lot of
little known facts about your friends.

1. FIRST NAME: Christy
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? my aunt (by marriage)
who helped raise my mother after she was orphaned
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? yesterday
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? no.
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? deli thin turkey
6. KIDS Not yet
7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS
WITH YOU? Yes, best friends becuase I would see what a
fabulous friend I am
8 DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Yep. jennifer gave it to me
last year for my birthday
9. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Only with the right
people
10. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? yes
11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Why would I do that? I can
wet myself at home for FREE!
12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Raisin bran crunch
13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
No, nor do I when I put them on again.
14. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? legs yes, upper body
is a joke. those muscles are for astetic purposes only
15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Boom
choco-locka I really just like saying the name
16. SHOE SIZE? 7.5
17. RED OR PINK? don't care
18. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
Chronic sinus condition. HATE IT!!!!
19. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Wes
20. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
Yep…heck they read it this far, so why not send it
back?
21. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? no
shoes, purple white striped pants
2. LAST THING YOU ATE? 2 piece fried chicken combo
with curly fries. Big shock huh?
23. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? nothing
24. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
tangerine
25. FAVORITE SMELL(s)? honeysuckle, lilac, beautiful
by Este Lauder (it smells like Colleen)
26. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE
PHONE? Heidi
27. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE
ATTRACTED TO? Their blue eyes
28 DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I like
Scott a lot
29. FAVORITE DRINK? Sweet -TAY
30. FAVORITE SPORT. MSU football
31.EYE COLOR? Brown
32.SIZE? don't go there
33. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? no
34. FAVORITE FOOD? fried chicken, mashed potatoes,
m&m's in popcorn
35. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING?Neither! I like
dramas where everyone dies
36. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED AT THE MOVIES? Pirates of
the Carribbean
37. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? black
39. HUGS OR KISSES?why not both?
40. FAVORITE DESSERT? brownies
41. WHO IS LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? wes
42. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? jennifer
43. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Key to midnight by
Dean Koontz
44. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? ummmm? my thumb
45.WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? nothing I had
small group
46. FAVORITE SOUNDS? peace and quiet., crickets.
Farting makes me laugh
47. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? beatles
48. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Swaziland
49. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? I can wiggle my scalp
and hair
50. WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN? 7-28-1977 flint, Mi.
Notice the quickly approaching birthday. Hint hint

Home Alone

Jennifer moved out last weekend. So I've officially lived on my own for 1 week now. I'll be turning 29 in a few days so I guess it's about time. I'm mature right? I'm responsible right? I can do this.
It's interesting.
My house is a less decorated since the dining room table and chairs belong to Jenn. I now have a large empty space in the "Great Room".
Heidi says I've created a dance floor.
That would work for anyone my height (5'1) or below. Otherwise you will smack your face on the chandelier.
Heidi also says that living alone is good because you can walk naked from the bathroom to your room after a shower.
Hmmmm.
I don't think I want to do that.
But I'm learning a lot about Heidi these days.
By far the best thing is doing what I want, where I want, when I want. It's been all about me this week. I've left clothes in the dryer for days before folding them (don't "tsk" me Jean). I left a DVD lying in the middle of the floor because I knew it would just be lying there when I got back. I have exercised at 6:30 am without worrying about waking up Jenn. If Jenn is reading this she'd say I did all these things when she was living here, and she'd probably right, but this time it has effected NO ONE.
Such a surreal life.

Love

Be on guard. Stand up for what you believe. Be strong. Be courageous. And everything you do must be done in love.
1Cor 6:13-14

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and Prophets hand on these two commandments.
Matt 22:37

My small group has spent some time discussing loving others. I know it's important because Jesus says all of the other laws hang on loving God and loving each other. But I guess the magnitude of it didn’t really occur to me until I read this:

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you...by this all men shall know that you are my disciples.
John 13:34-35

How does Christ love us?

Sacrificially.

With patience, kindness, contentment, humility, meekness, forgiveness, protection, trust, hope, rejoicing in the truth, with a serving heart and most of all with perseverance, -all those things in 1Cor 13.
We can basically recite that verse by heart after hearing it so many times at weddings. But can we honestly say we live it out? I know I can't.
Why not?
Too much of myself is still in the way.

But Christ Himself shows us why it's so important that we love others: So people will know that we are Christ's disciples. He reiterates this idea in Matt 7:20 "Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."
It makes since that we are known by our fruit- (love in particular), not our gifts, because Satan can "disguise himself as an angle of light" 2 Cor11: 14. There are accounts of false prophets, false apostles, and people doing "miracles" but not with the power of Jesus. The gifts can be mimicked by Satan's powers so that for those without the Holy Spirit, it would be difficult to discern whether or not it was from Jesus.
But when they see us loving others as Jesus loved, then they know we are in Him.

My Recomendation

I just watched a great documentary called Born into Brothels. A woman who lives among the prostitutes of Calcutta's red light district teaches photography to the children who live in the brothels. It's a great movie that shows the universal loves, needs, and emotions of children. I got it from Netflix, but since it won so many awards, it might be available at your local video store. Check it out.

4th of July

Everyone knows Christmas is my favorite holiday. Thanksgiving is second, after all, it's a holiday devoted to eating and napping. But the 4th of July is a strong 3rd. I've always loved it, and not just because it means my birthday is only a few days away. No it's the fireworks. I love the billions of sparkles lighting up the sky. But tonight as I watched them, I wondered how long it would be until I saw them again on American soil. Hopefully by the time 7/4/2007 rolls around, I'll be long gone. And I'm pretty sure Swaziland doesn't celebrate the 4th. So I guess I'm thankful that I can have enough forsight to appreciate what I have while I have it. No not, just the fireworks, but the 4th and all it represents.