cookies

Today, Christianne and I decided to make some cookies. I took tons of pictures and videos, but I'll only post a few here.












In between batches of cookies, we took goofy pictures:






And finally, one of the 7 videos I took:

never mind

Sorry about that last post. I talked with my mom and now I'm not mad at myself. I'm so glad I have Mom to put me straight.

HELP!

I did something yesterday that I now really regret. And I'm so mad at myself! I know I can't change what I did, but I hate myself for doing it. How can I get over it? Help!

think about it

"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Philippians 2: 3-8

Isn't it so amazing that God, the Creator of the whole universe, would die for us, such insignificant sinners? If God did that for us, who are completely the opposite of him, how can we not serve other humans, who are just the same as us?

basketball

Last night Wes and I went to our first Bobcats' basketball game with Steph and her dad. We had a great time hanging out and watching the Bobcats beat the Suns. :)


the introductions of the players:

we were really high up:

using my zoom:

Wes and Steph:

me and Steph:

the three of us:

on the ride home:

a good song

I heard this song on the radio, and I thought it was really good. The first two verses are really convicting.


By Your Side
by Tenth Avenue North

Why are you striving these days?
Why are you trying to earn grace?
Why are you crying?
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away

Why are you looking for love?
Why are you still searching as if I'm
not enough?
To where will you go, child?
Tell me, where will you run?
To where will you run?

And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life

And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

'Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you
I'll never let you go

randomness

I'm supposed to be in ASL class right now, but CPCC is closed because of the "snow". That makes me a little sad, 'cause I love ASL. Oh well, at least there will be class on Thursday.

Yesterday I worked my longest shift ever. Twelve and 1/2 hours!

Sunday Christianne and I got to go to the Shumate's house after church. We had fun climbing on their roof and exploring their woods. Here are a few pictures:


Shoes!

I love Midnight. :)

Steph, you're so pretty!

On the roof....

Exploring...

Psalm 56:3-4

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?"

I'm still a little nervous about going downtown by myself tonight, but I know God will be with me. :)

Finally Free

sin was my best friend
he showed me all his treasures and promised they would satisfy
I trusted him, believing he was the only one who could make me happy
at first I said, "Yes, this is what I need! I'm happy with my life."
soon i began to feel empty
I questioned my friend, wondering if there was more to life than him
he did not answer

that's when I realized that sin was no friend
he was my enemy
I struggled to break free, but the harder I tried, the tighter he gripped me
I cried for help, but no one came
sin began to bury me
he buried me deeper and deeper, until darkness surrounded me
I was dead

suddenly life flowed into my body and I saw a light shining in the darkness
a man appeared in the midst of the glow
his hands and feet were nailed to a cross, and on his head sat a crown made of thorns
he said, "I have done this, even this, for you."

sin told me not to believe the man, but I did not listen
this man had given me life, how could I not trust him?
then I was carried far, far away from sin, and placed at the foot of the cross
I looked up and saw the man, bleeding in my place

suddenly the cross was empty, and the man stood by my side
he said, "I have conquered death, and so have you. Come, follow me, and I will give you everlasting joy."
I took his hand and ran with him, finally free

CPCC and a few other random things

I'm a little worried about my CPCC class starting next week. It's a Tuesday and Thursday night class, and I'll be with Anna on Tuesdays. But on Thursdays I'll be downtown by myself when it's dark. I'm a little scared by that thought.
______________________________________________________________________

Today at work we were actually busy. Yay!

Tonight is the Panthers' first play-off game. I really hope we win, 'cause I know 3 people who are going, and also if we loose we won't play 'til next year. Go Panthers!

We got our car fixed Wednesday. Finally! It'll cost me about $850, but it'll be worth it. The car looks so much better!

Before:

After:

yesterday

I had so much fun yesterday! Business was slow at work, so I got to talk with a few of my fellow employees for a while. We joked around a lot, which was great, and I got to know them a little better, which was also great. :) Then after supper I went to the family meeting at church. I got to hang out a little afterward with more people whom I'm trying to get to know. That was fun! So, yesterday I actually stuck to my New Year's resolution. I'm so happy!

the great exchange

Jesus Christ became a sinner to die instead of you, and He gave you His perfect sinless life as if you had lived that life yourself.
God looks at you and sees Christ's righteousness. He declares you righteous, even though you are not. Your righteousness will never change, because Christ's righteousness never changes. Jesus' holy life is what makes you acceptable to God, not your own life. So do away with yourself and trust in Jesus Christ!

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My comforter, my all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand
____________________________________________________________________

On a completely different note, business is going really slow right now at work. I think it's because it's the beginning of a new year, but it's a little scary how much it's slowed down recently.

And, I'm trying to write a story. I've been working on it for years, but now I'm starting over, because the plot was getting way too complicated. I really hope I can figure out a better plot.

By the way, the first part of this post was from the message on Sunday. It was a great message!

*sigh*

Looking at everyone's blog and seeing their posts about their friends made me realize that I don't really know anyone. All the people I talk with are just acquaintances, not friends. I would never be able to describe anyone, because I don't know what anyone is truely like. I think the reason for this is that I don't have fellowship with anyone. I never tell anyone what God's doing in my life or what I'm reading in my devotions, I just talk about the things of this world. That makes me so sad.

happy New Year everyone!

Wow. Another year has come and gone. This year, my resolution is to use my time more wisely. Too many days I spend doing things that really don't matter. I need to do more profitable things with my time, like reading theology books and having fellowship with my family and friends. But, even more importantly, I need to use my time to grow closer to God. By His grace, I will keep my new year's resolution!

Happy New Year!