the Holy Spirit and trusting the Father

I'm learning how to trust the Lord, again.

The Lord shut a door in my life on Friday. A door that I've wanted to close for a while, but that I was afraid to close myself.

Last Sunday I went to the altar and begged the Lord to do "something." And in less than a week He did. It wasn't the way I thought it would look, but it's closed.

Yesterday we learned about the Holy Spirit's role in prayer. And there's something my pastor repeated several times.
If you ask for a fish, He won't give you a scorpion.

The first of many. . .

Yesterday was an amazing day. Crystal looked beautiful, of course. Lots of family and friends. Fun times had by all. But, a little sad too since they will be going straight to Virginia from the airport. Lots of tears, but such a blessing to see them together. Hasn't quite sunk in that she's married!

Here's the first of many pictures to come I'm sure. . .


Crystal and I right before the ceremony started, I think?

Girls Night Out!

Crystal's Bachelorette Party was Saturday night.

We had a nice meal at Cobb Lane. Follow up by Edgar's chocolate cake. . . what else? And then on to Twist and Shout-a dueling piano bar here in Birmingham.

Of course there was something to embarrass her, and lots of laughs along the way.


Crystal and I at Twist and Shout


Crystal with Brooke and Krisha, two of her bridesmaids


me and Brooke

Mercy Is Yours

I heard a song yesterday in church, and the lyrics are still on my heart, such a picture of grace. I can't find the full set of lyrics, but I do remember the chorus, so here it is. . .

Not guilty anymore
by Aaron Keyes

You're not guilty anymore.
You're not filthy anymore.
I love you. Mercy is yours.

You're not broken anymore.
You're not captive anymore.
I love you. Mercy is yours.

Get It?

Prosperity??

May 2007

Lots happens in May of every year. My birthday, then my mom's birthday, then my cousin's wife Holly's birthday, and then Mother's Day. But this year it didn't end there. . . we had a lingerie shower for my sister as well.

Just a few shots of the last month:


Brooke and I at Mudtown for my birthday


Elise, Holly, my mom, and I for our birthdays (not sure why my mom never managed to look at the camera?)


me, my sister, and my mom at Crystal's shower-one of many to come

like a city without walls

So, I've been studying through some stuff about anger with a friend. As I was reading through the scriptures I came across this:

Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit.
Proverbs 25.28

Now, in our day and age that really doesn't mean to much. I don't know any cities around that have walls and that seems perfectly normal. But then the Lord brought something to mind that really made this stand out.

The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa, the capitol, that Hanani, on of my brothers, and some men from Judah came; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped and had survived the captivity, and about Jerusalem. They said to me, "The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire." When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
Nehemiah 1. 1-4

That made it mean A LOT more. First of all, the disgrace that came to the Name of the Lord because the city of His people was without walls. (Later we see Nehemiah in Jerusalem and working to rebuild the walls. Meanwhile, those who surround them are mocking them.) Then, Nehemiah was so upset about the situation in Jerusalem that he fasted and prayed for days before going to the King to get permission to leave and help repair the walls.

All that to say, wow, I never realized what kind of impact it has when I don't control my spirit.

An Epitaph

written by Karen Watson (missionary murdered in Iraq)

When God calls there are no regrets. I wasn't called to a place; I was called to Him. To obey was my objective, to suffer was expected, His glory my reward, His glory my reward . . .

The missionary heart:
Cares more than some think is wise
Risks more that some think is safe
Dreams more than some think is practical
Expects more than some think is possible.

I was called not to comfort or to success but to obedience. . . .

Exciting April

So far this month has been a busy one. Starting with Easter. . .


Me and my cousin, Elise. How stinkin' cute is she??