What are you listening to?

I've been absent for quite a bit now. I just haven't been feeling the desire to blog. Until today as a friend sent me a link to read that brought some thoughts to my mind.

Let me begin by stating, just in case you all haven't figured it out yet, that I'm extremely blessed to be in a church that wants to do things the Bible way and not mans way. That the leadership of our church desires to please God rather than man. Yes, in times past that may have cost us potential members or even chastisement from the community, but in the end it's all served as a purpose for growing and maturing the saints here at Bible Baptist.

One standard that can be a point of contention, besides dress, is music. Christian music is designed to be just that, Christian. Not worldly, or having the "right Bible words" while sharing a rhythm with a electric guitar. If that sounds weird to some of you might I remind you that God has called Christians a peculiar people. 1 Peter 2:9 exhorts us to be so "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:" and we are also exhorted to not be a part of this world and it's snares as well, Romans 12:2, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Part of that perfect will involves listening to music that edifies the spirit. In my experience the CCM movement has not achieved that separation from the world, nor does it edify my spirit.

In the email that I eluded to earlier Alyssa sent me an article written by Bro. David Cloud, a man who does his research supporting Bible doctrines, like the one that I read today on music and the direction that a well known Bible college seems to be going with their music. Here is the article for your own perusal. Mark 3:25 says "And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand". A "house" like West Coast has already set itself up for failure since it's not doing what the Bible says to like in Ephesians 5:19, "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs" and Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord., yet it tries to promote Biblical values. At this point and time there are songs that I enjoy from the WCBC choir that do not fall into this category, but sad to say that usually where there is smoke, there is also fire. SO it might not be very long before I stop listening to their music.

SO if not this music that what? Well...it just so happens that I know a man who has put together a terrific series on messages on this topic, and taught it to our church back ion 2009. There's a series of 5 messages, which are all listed below, or you can also access them from Sermon Audio, along with a few other messages that I enjoy.

God's Music #1
God's Music #2
God's Music #3
God's Music #4
God's Music #5

Have I lost my voice?

I pose this question as I've not really found writing at this particular time very engaging lately. I know I have plenty of stories to tell, but when my fingers touch the keys nothing comes of it. Have I lost my voice? I guess I have for now, but since I'm writing here is terribly unclever update as to the goings on in my life.

My days lately since I've moved in have been spent either with my dog or working. Since T's salvation she and I have started working on discipleship studies as well. Which even though we've had to reschedule most of them have been going along fine and lately it seems as though the messages that are preached piggy back our lessons very well. I've been asked to perform a monologue for our Easter cantata. I'll be the woman at the well. I also have a singing solo as well. I'm more memorized up with the song right now then the actual monolgue though. Riley and I have started obedience classes. He's doing OK but refuses to perform the "lay down" command. Except for right now as he's passed out next to me on the couch. TOmorrow he goes to get his claws clipped since he won't let me do it. And tonight he discovered the joy of rifling through the garbage can. I found him with 2 corn cobs early this evening. Greedy little bugger, but he's a fun companion to have right now.

I think that seems to be about it for now. Maybe I can get past this writers block sometime soon and give a better update on Riley and his personality. Because let me just tell you he totally has one, cheeky fellow that he is. Anyway, TTFN.

I'm Still Alive

WOW it's been a long time since I've written anything. A lot has happened, but being tired like I am tonight what I have to share is not very clever, just an update on the things going on for me right now.

I am now officially moved into my new place, and slowly unpacking, not because I like having all my stuff in boxes, because I really hate that. But more because I'm trying to figure out where everything should go. Last week I discovered that the shelves that were left behind for the "pantry" were only cut large enough for them to fit in between the opposing walls, not the actual brackets that they should go between. Argh, it was very agravating. So I went down to Home Depot to see what I could work out. Normally the HD in my town is sub par when it comes to customer service. However, I came accross a helpful guy that was able to have some particle boards cur down for me and they've worker perfectly! I still need to find a way to make room for all the various GF flours I have though. For some reason sticking them on the shelf next to the bathroom just doesn't seem kosher. Other than that things seem to be coming together. I have another couple refurb projects that I'm going to get started as well, but I'll post on those on my other blog.

Riley is trying to get used his new home and we've come up against some issues, but I'm hoping that he starts to get over those as he starts to get more comfortable in his new home. Right now I think I'm more of an food resource for him than anything else, but he loves his walks in the afternoon and his squeeking Kong toy, oh and peanut butter. It's hilarious to watch him lick his chops when he gets going.

Well I hope that can suffice for now. More to come when I can think clearly.

WIN an Egagement Ring?! Say what???

This was the title of my email from JCPenny's tonight. On a personal note I think that entering a contest is really kinda cheesy in order to give a girl an engagement ring. It should be something that comes from the heart and is thought about considering what you can afford, what she might like and what might look good on the third finger of her left hand. 

However....how could any girl not like this on her finger?

Really...I'm just asking? I might condone my future husband entering a contest to get me my engagement ring if it looked like this!

And no I'm not materialistic...I just call it good taste;)

In Every Thing Give Thanks

1 Thessalonians 5:18 -  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

This is where I have found myself over the past couple days, and having a thankful spirit has been harder than normal. It's mostly surrounding work, nothing extra ordinary just feeling like I can't do anything right. I know that's not true, and that any pity I may feel the enemy loves to perpetuate even further in my own mind. This is not a fun place to be. Which is why when I woke up this morning I made it a point to continually thank the Lord for my blessings, like my job, my new home (another source of recent stress), my Riley:), my friends, my Bible, even the recent trip to the Dentist office which had me diagnosed with TMJ (I clench my teeth at night) got a praise because now that I know why my jaw hurts I can fix it (hey, no cracks about how much I talk;)).

See yesterday I made a couple mistakes on some of my write-ups, and with business being slow right now, it didn't make the boss to happy, which bummed me out because they were really ridiculous mistakes (I like my job and I always strive to do my best so I took it really personally, probably more than necessary). Then I found out that my new land lord decided that she wanted to change her mind on me not paying last months rent, although she is giving me a little more time to pay it since I wasn't prepared for it. This was a major disappointment though, because I had planned on using it to make a big payment towards paying down my credit card, especially since my rent is more expensive now and bigger monthly payments will be a bit more challenging. This was my day yesterday. The only pleasant thing about it was that it ended with me sitting in my usual pew at church for mid week service and prayer, boy did I need it. The message didn't relate to my situation at all, but just being where I could hear from the Lord was all I needed to end my night on a peaceful note.

Thank you Lord for my long exhausting day.

Today was better at work, although I was still mad at myself. I accepted my plight with the rent and I got to take Riley on a walk before the rain came.

Thank you Lord for holding back the rain so I could walk my dog and gain some perspective. It may have been gray outside, but it wasn't snowing like it is on my friends & family back east and it was over 40 degrees.

Shortly after the walk I decided to go to H&R Block and ask them a question about my 1098-T from WSU. I only usually file a 1040EZ, but I wasn't sure what to do with the new Tax form from the school. So the lady explained it to me and I basically had to do a 1040A (well really Tax Slayer did it for me online). I inputted my information when I got home, and the outcome was good...at first, but then it turned GREAT!!! Without talking actual numbers lets just say that after using the education credit I'm getting ALL of my $ back from school and that will help me make an even BIGGER payment on my credit card then I had planned, and pay for my last months rent, AND have maybe a little left over for some paint for my room:)

Thank you Lord for exceeding my expectations and for making me patient, even if I was whining a little. I apologize. It may be the IRS doling it out, but no one can out give God!

If you're facing your own set of trials I hope that you remember to take the time to thank the one that gave them to you, you never know where the blessings will come from.