Jesus Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed!

This is one of the passages I reflected on this morning:

"But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?  If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.  And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.  More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead.  But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised.  For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.  And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.   Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.  If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.  But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead"

Praise the Lord that we serve a risen Christ, who conquered death for our sins!

"Teresa, you ARE funny!"

I was just reading through some stuff I've written on my blog and on Facebook and was laughing at myself.  I probably shouldn't admit that to all the world, but this is a safe place, people!

Laughing at how funny I apparently think I am made me think of a quote from my college roommate.  I knew Holly before we went to college but not very well.  Then, we bonded the summer before college at a freshman orientation weekend.  And then we continued to become better and better friends our freshman year, which resulted in us rooming together our sophomore, junior, and senior years.  I'm not sure exactly when this quote came about, but it was either our junior or senior year.  Actually, it was our senior year, because that was the only year Holly's bunk was above mine.  It was late one night and we were already in bed and were just talking.  I said something, that must have been hilarious (because isn't everything I say late at night hilarious?!), and Holly said, "Teresa, you ARE funny!"  The way she said it made me think that she had been trying to figure that out for the past four years.  "I don't know.  Is Teresa funny or isn't she?" and then that night she made her final decision!  It still makes me laugh.  I wish I could remember what I said that tipped the scale in favor of my being funny.

'Tis the Season, Take 3

Saturday was the last of the spring weddings I was invited to. Alex and Brittany tied the knot on a beautiful spring day. Just two days before the infamous April snow, but we don't need to talk about that right now! I didn't have a great seat for taking pictures, but here are some that I snapped.

Pastor Fred's message.

A prayer for the bride and groom.

Pronouncing them husband and wife.

While we were waiting for Alex and Brittany to dismiss us row by row, we were entertained by Remy (Alex's niece) who was dancing on stage.  I couldn't get a great picture of her because she was moving too much and all the pictures were blurry.  But she was very cute.  And we found out later that her parents didn't know she was up there!  Too funny.

It was a beautiful wedding and a fun reception also.  I have really enjoyed these weddings this year and am actually a little sad to say that they have come to an end.  But don't worry, there is a reception for a cousin in July.  And I have another cousin who just got engaged but I haven't heard when the wedding will be.  There's always another wedding around the bend...

Reflections/ Hand written/ Studying/ Observing

Several years ago, my pastor challenged the congregation to hand write the book of the Bible he was preaching from.  He said it was a different experience in the Word and that it would cause us to be able to slow down and reflect on God's Word.  I have always loved writing and can remember when I would take a book and just sit and start writing the book out by hand (I know, weird and a little nerdy).  So, I decided to take up the challenge Pastor Ritch had given.  Several years later, this is still something I do often.  At the beginning of the year, we were starting Colossians in Bible study, so before we started, I wrote it out.  I was able to pick up on repetitious words that I had never noticed before.

Recently, when I've had some extra time in my studying for the two Bible studies I am involved in, I have begun to write out Psalm 119.  It is 176 verses long, so I'm just doing 8-12 verses at a time.  While I enjoy writing out Scripture, I have also learned that if I tackle too much at a time, I stop focusing and just write without thinking.  I'm also writing out from a different version than I normally read because it is even fresher that way.  Did you know that all 176 verses of Psalm 119 speak specifically about God's word (well, except for a few, I think)?  I already knew that and have loved the chapter because of it, but did you know that many of the verses speak about not being put to shame when we know His Word?

Did you know that many of the verses speak about affliction?  I did not know these things.  And the affliction has really caught my attention.  Listen to this verse, "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word...It was good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes." (v. 67, 71)  I was so struck by this verse because I realized that it was affliction that must have caused the writer to turn to God's Word.  Before he faced affliction, when life was great and everything was going as planned, the writer went astray.  But once he faced affliction, then he learned to keep God's Word.  And this one: "My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word." (v. 28)  This is a good one for me, because I am so prone to emotion overload.  But when I focus on my emotion, my soul melts away.  When I focus on the truth of God's Word, I am strengthened.  V. 92 says, "If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction."

And this doesn't even begin to talk about all the strong words there are to describe God's Word in our lives. walk in the law...seek with whole heart...having my eyes fixed on all your commandments...guarding it according to your word...stored up your word in my heart...I delight...fix my eyes on your ways...delight in your statutes...will not forget...consumed with longing for your rules...my counselors...give me life...strengthen me...I cling to your testimonies...I will run in the way of your commandments...I will keep it to the end...I long for your precepts...I trust in your word...sought your precepts...I find my delight in your commandments, which I love...comfort in my affliction...your promise gives life...your statutes have been  my songs...this blessing...I promise to keep your word...I turn my feet to your testimonies...I hasten and do not delay...I do not forget...teach me your statutes!  And these are just from the first 64 verses!

A Gilmore Girls Moment (Sorta, but not really)

Last night I had a random Gilmore Girls memory.  Do you remember the episode where Logan hires a coffee cart for Rory?  The guy and the cart just follow her around all day from class to class and give her endless refills of coffee.  I decided I want someone to hire me a fruit cart every day.  Someone to follow me around all day with endless supplies of every fruit imaginable (except blueberries and raspberries) that is already cut up and peeled and is the freshest, most delicious fruit.  I would be so happy.  And I'd probably eat a lot healthier too.  Someone should get right on that.  I'll be expecting the cart outside my door in the morning!

Lesson learned/ Sunkist is evil

Those who know me well know that I don't drink caffeine after 3pm or I am up until 2am.  It has been YEARS since I have deviated from this much past 3:30.  I know what is at stake.  It is not worth it.

However, terrible things happen when you drink a soda that you don't know has caffeine in it.  Raise your hand if you knew that Orange Sunkist has caffeine in it?  Not only does it have caffeine, but it has MORE caffeine than a Dr. Pepper.  And I drank one with my dinner at 6:30 last night.  I was at small group.  I always drink water for dinner at small group.  I saw the Orange Sunkist and thought, "Hey, I haven't had one of those in years.  That would be fun."  Never once thought about caffeine, because it's an orange drink that most kids drink.  So, I was getting ready for bed but wasn't feeling very tired.  So I read until about 10:45. As soon as I turned off the light and closed my eyes, I knew.  I knew that I was not going to get any sleep. See, caffeine doesn't really make me feel awake.  I still feel tired, but as soon as I close my eyes, my mind races and my eyes behind my eyelids don't stop moving.  I know that sounds weird, but it's the best way I can describe it.  So I got out of bed, turned the computer back on, and looked up the dreaded information about the caffeine content in Sunkist.  I almost cried.  Because at that point I have to make a decision: do I stay up until 2am and get some things done/ watch TV?  Or do I lay in bed for 3 hours in hopes that I might at least doze a couple of times?  Usually I choose the lay in bed option, but I knew that I was really frustrated and the laying in bed option sometimes causes more frustration and tears and anxiety when I can't fall asleep.  Sometimes I just calmly lay in bed.  I decided on the first option.  I watched a couple of episodes of Chuck and then read through old posts on my blog until 1:30am.  It was a rough day today because of the lack of sleep, but I made it through.  Sometimes it was even humorous.  My boss had to restart my sentence for me twice when I couldn't remember what I was saying.  Not embarrassing at all, I promise. :)

So, here's to a good night of sleep and a better day tomorrow.

PS.  I just looked up the caffeine content in Orange Crush.  It's caffeine free.  So I'm not entirely crazy for thinking that Orange Sunkist would be caffeine free.

Not for a Moment

This song was sung in church today. It is not the first time I have heard it, but I really enjoyed it today.  Thank you, Lord, for not forsaking me.

"Not For A Moment (After All)"

[Verse 1]
You were reaching through the storm
Walking on the water
Even when I could not see
In the middle of it all
When I thought You were a thousand miles away
Not for a moment did You forsake me
Not for a moment did You forsake me

[Chorus]
After all You are constant
After all You are only good
After all You are sovereign
Not for a moment will You forsake me
Not for a moment will You forsake me

[Verse 2]
You were singing in the dark
Whispering Your promise
Even when I could not hear
I was held in Your arms
Carried for a thousand miles to show
Not for a moment did You forsake me

[Chorus]

And every step every breath you are there
Every tear every cry every prayer
In my hurt at my worst
When my world falls down
Not for a moment will You forsake me
Even in the dark
Even when it's hard
You will never leave me
After all

[Chorus]
Not for a moment will You forsake me

'Tis the Season, Take 2

As I told you last week, it is wedding central here in Central Illinois! Today I had the privilege of attending Josh and Becky's wedding.  I have known Becky most of my 8 years living in Illinois.  I've been on adventures with her, done Bible studies with her, went to a Beth Moore conference with her, and watched 4 years worth of cheesy Christmas movies with her.  And that is just a short list of time I have spent with Becky.  The saddest part of her wedding day is that Josh is taking her away to Nebraska. :(  But we all tried not to think of that while we celebrated with her yesterday.

Above is the full bridal party.  This was another great ceremony that was full of worship and where Christ was central in the ceremony.

Exchanging vows.

A sweet prayer together.  I didn't get a picture of it, but toward the end of the ceremony, Becky and Josh's parents came up and prayed with the couple.  Very sweet.

Mr. and Mrs. Josh Peppers!  I love Josh's face in this picture!

There was a photo booth at the reception and I very excitedly rounded up the Cheesy Christmas Movie Night gals for some pictures.  I love these girls.  We even found some reindeer ears for me to wear for the picture!  Becky will be the second of the group to move away.  But we keep adding to our numbers every year, so hopefully we can continue the tradition.

Susan and I at the reception.  I had a great time laughing with the people I was seated with.  God has blessed me with some great friends!

Congratulations Becky and Josh!  It was a beautiful day and I thoroughly enjoyed celebrating with you!

The Evolution of Country Music in My Life

I've been thinking about this evolution for awhile.  The story is a bit uncharacteristic for me, I think.

We moved to Georgia when I was in 1st grade.  That meant I lived a LONG time in the south.  I don't remember much about country music until I met my best friend,  Nicole in middle school. She listened to country music. Around that same time, I remember visiting family for the holidays and realizing that a couple of my cousins listened to country music.  Here is where it gets uncharacteristic.  I am a pretty good follower. When people I like do something, I often follow.  Take the infamous New Kids on the Block summer, for example.  I spent one summer in Illinois when NKOTB was very popular.  I actually didn't have an opinion on NKOTB.  But I spent the first part of the summer with a cousin who HATED NKOTB.  So I HATED NKOTB.  But then I spent the second part of the summer with cousins who LOVED NKOTB--had clothes and pins and notebooks, etc.  So I quickly learned that I also LOVED NKOTB.  And I bought all the stuff that represented that love and picked a favorite New Kid (I don't remember who it was, though.) I am usually easily swayed.  So, back to the evolution of country music.  For some reason, I refused to catch on to this country music fad in my cousins' lives and my best friend's life.  I verbally disdained country music. And this continued through middle school, high school, college, and part of grad school.

Enter the season of grad school in Texas.  Where my best friend (different from the middle/high school best friend) listened to country music.  I probably started by verbally disdaining country music.  But we went a lot of places together, and if we were in her car, I didn't feel like I could tell her what we could and couldn't listen to.  So, I started listening to the music.  I can't say I immediately liked it, but I will say that I stopped verbally disdaining it.  And sometimes I began to sing along.  And then she got a red pickup truck.  I mean, come on, it was meant to be.  Two girls, listening to country music, in Texas, in a red pickup truck.  I was destined to failure! :)  So I became a closet country listener.  I still refused to admit that I liked it, but I would even listen to it in my car when no one else was around.  I also kind of blame the Christian radio station in Texas.  They played a lot of outdated music that I didn't enjoy.  So they "forced" me to listen to something else.

So, I just admitted defeat and began verbally letting people know that I listened to country music.  Recently I had an epiphany.  I realized that country music fits my personality.  I love telling stories, right?  Well, country music is just a bunch of stories put to song.  I mean, I know that other genres of music tell stories.  But their stories are often hidden in poetry-like language and reading between the lines.  Country music is just straight-up storytelling.  And I like it.  And now you know the story of how I came to love country music. :)

Math is not my friend

This post is really about vulnerability.  I am putting myself out there to help people understand my brain.  So, don't laugh at me!  Okay, just kidding.  You can totally laugh at me.  Because I laughed at me.

Math is a concept that I am good at if I work at it.  I always made good grades in math.  But it DOES NOT come naturally to me.  Here is a story that helps illustrated how my mind does not naturally do math.

I was working on an assessment for work.  I had asked my client when her parents were born.  She could tell me their birthdays and how old they were, but not their birth dates.  So, as I was typing, I was trying to figure out their birth dates.  One of her parents was close to my mother's age, so I started by subtracting a year close to my mom's from 2013.  Then, because it was just a few years off, I quickly came up with her mother's birth date.  So, then I had to work toward her father's birth date.  He was significantly older than her mother.  I again picked a random year and subtracted it from 2013.  Not the right age.  So, I picked another year, and subtracted it.  Still not right.  I did this about three times before I realized that I could subtract his age from 2013 to get his birth date.  If you're not following this post very well, I was doing the math completely backward, creating a lot more work for myself, and didn't realize it for several minutes.

And that's how my brain on math works, folks!