Wacky Wednesday -- Placeholder

Its been a couple of weeks since I've written. It's been a busy time, and I apologize to my avid followers who are addicted to my posts. Stop pressuring me, people!! Sorry. Here's a brief recap of stuff that has happened in the last two weeks, and a promise of a post (or two) to come...

1. My Bible as Literature class is over. I passed with a B. I'm happy. I hated that class. After I graduate the B won't matter, and I'm still eligible for reimbursement. Yay me!
2. During the last two days in April I realized with a jolt that I had procrastinated getting the remaining stuff out of my storage unit and I needed to do so asap to avoid paying any rent in May. This led to a conversation with my roommate in which she told me that her situation had changed and we needed to part ways. We are both sad/happy about it. I need to move by the end of June.
3. The day of my Lit final, I stopped to look at an apartment on my way home. I wasn't expecting much. The rent is really really cheap with a lot of stuff included that isn't normally included. I wound up on the wrong block instead, and found the perfect apartment there. It was a total God thing. I went home convinced. I'm moving back to South Tampa. The place where I belong. :)
   
4. My application for the new apartment cleared in record time. I just need to drop off a deposit and sign the lease on Friday. I'm moving June 19th.
   
5. Friday night my "posse" and I traveled around Tampa watching a couple of different bands in a couple of different locations play a couple of different styles of music. We had an impromptu sleepover at Barb's. She's so awesome. She just went with the flow.
6. Saturday AM was the 2nd South African Missions Garage sale. I have no idea how we did, but we sold lots of stuff. What was left got loaded into trucks and taken to Goodwill.
7. Saturday afternoon I took the posse to see my new apartment. They were giving me grief about making such a rapid decision. As soon as they saw it, they knew I was right. God led me to that place. No question.
8. Saturday night was church followed by a birthday celebration unlike any I have ever experienced. Once I get the rest of the pics, I will write a separate blog on that and post pics. Let's just say it's official: I'm PRINCESS G, tyvm. Pay homage y'all. You're in the presence of greatness. YOUR WELCOME! ;)
9. Sunday was supposed to be a total surprise. Due to SOME people (who will remain unmentioned until NEXT post) I knew ahead of time that the posse was taking me canoeing. Let's just say that I couldn't lift my arms for two days. So blame them for the late post. Works for me. (hehe)
10. Monday and Tuesdays became recovery and prayer days as I had a couple of friends who desperately needed prayer. Both had parents in critical condition in the hospital. I believe Crystal's mom is much better, but David's dad is still recovering from surgery.
11. Monday I'm back in class again for the summer. Time sure does fly.
12. I feel ubercool right now 'cause I'm in Starbucks writing this post while tethered to my blackberry, using it as a modem. You had no idea I was so talented did you? You should have more faith, people. Just sayin...
    

next blog: the big birthday bash.
Coming soon: Why I gave up alcohol.

((((HUGS))))
"Princess" G

disclaimer: parts of this post are extremely tongue in cheek. I'll let you figure out which ones.

The Faith of Tim Tebow...

This was forwarded to me via email. I have no way of verifying every fact, and I do not know exactly where it originated from, but I think there are some important truths in what is said here. So without permission or acknowledgement, here is : The Gospel on Offense - The Faith of Tim Tebow

by Mark Earley

America's largest church has a capacity to hold 16,000. But while Tim Tebow may not be a preacher, when he runs into the University of Florida's football Stadium - affectionately known as "The Swamp" - his congregation numbers just over 90,000. And you can bet they're hearing Tim's message.

It's not just that this University of Florida quarterback wears Bible verses etched into his “eye-black” on game days. Tim Tebow hasbeen making headlines for more than simply his Heisman Trophy win as a sophomore and his two national championships. This summer the New York Times, GQ, and Sports Illustrated, all covered the quarterback's strong Christian faith.

Last year, when the Florida Gators won the national championship, the pre-game show followed Tim into a local Florida prison where he can regularly be found sharing his testimony and preaching the Gospel. And this top-notch athlete, who spends his spring breaks and summers ministering to orphans in the Philippines has actually helped change the culture of the University of Florida . According to Sports Illustrated, "Since Tebow's arrival on campus, and in large part because of him, the University has launched a series of community-service initiatives." Even coach Urban Meyer has taken his family on a "Tebow-inspired mission trip to the Dominican Republic ."

The press seems to be fascinated with outspoken Christian quarterbacks like Tim Tebow; Sam Bradford, the 2008 Heisman winner; and now USC's Matt Barkley. Only a few decades ago, it would have been taken for granted that these would be the kinds of fellows any father would want his daughter to marry. Now they are put under the microscope as some kind of curious anomaly-well-known athletes who actually exhibit character.

In our doped-up, mug-shot celebrity culture, sadly these young men do look a little out of step. And that's to our culture's shame. Perhaps that is why last year when the press asked Tim Tebow a rather impertinent question - they were more embarrassed by the response than he was. It was at a Southeastern Conference news media event where one reporter asked in front of the crowded room, "Are you a virgin?" Tim answered with an unequivocal yes and had yet another platform to explain how his faith impacts every area of his life.

That platform for sharing the Gospel is exactly what Tim's parents prayed for before he was born. Tim's father, Bob, a missionary in the Philippines, had been weeping over the millions of babies aborted in America. It was then that he prayed, "God, if you give me a son, if you give me Timmy, I'll raise him to be a preacher." Soon after, when Pam Tebow learned she was expecting, the parents' faith was put to the test. After a series of grave complications, doctors encouraged them to abort the child. They refused. Born small and weak, Timmy struggled from the beginning. But his dad continued to tell him, "God's got a purpose for you, and at some point, He's going to call you to preach."

Dad was right. God's message would come through the roar of the crowd, beamed to millions via satellite. But little did they know, Tim would don a jersey, not robes, and use a stadium for his pulpit. Tim's a great example of an opportunity every believer has - to put our faith to work on the field of play where God has gifted us and called us.

"Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it." William Penn

If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. Isaiah 7:9 NIV

God's Discipline...

Last Saturday was my first official weekend at the Crossings. I was feeling a little stabby and resentful about going, and was having a very passive-aggressive reaction. I told God, "Ok, I'll GO to services, and attend Divorce Care, but I'm NOT getting involved in any other way until after Divorce Care is over!!" Yeah, right.

Last weekend's service was all about getting involved in a "life group". Life groups are small groups that meet in someone's home once a week. The Crossing has hundreds to choose from, depending on the night you prefer meeting, and the area where you want to meet. Pastor Greg was talking about how you need the protection, challenge and accountability of strong fellowships, referencing Ecclesiastes 4:8-12 (among others).

They had a kiosk set up in the lobby with pamphlets for each life group. I grabbed a pamphlet for the only South Tampa meeting on a Friday night, and a few that are meeting down in Riverview. Since I'm not moving until the end of October, I was on the fence about where to go and what to do. On Sunday, I called the couple hosting the South Tampa life group, and had to leave a message. I called again Tuesday night, no answer. I was a little wary at this point, and wasn't sure what to do. Friday morning I finally got a call back: somehow she had missed my message from Sunday and had just listened to it that morning.

I went, and was overwhelmed by how God works in each and every one of our lives. The group varies in age and their stories are soooo powerful. I felt instantly at home with all of these people, and the sense of community is awesome. I can definitely see that I am going to be challenged to grow and develop in this church. God knows what He is doing: I am being ministered to in divorce care on Tuesday nights (and yes, I definitely need this -- I have no idea why I was in denial for so long), and I am going to be challenged to dig deeper into the Word on Friday nights and in Sunday services.

The church has a couple of really cool classes. One is for new believers, called The Journey, which teaches basic Bible facts, and gets them settled on a firm Biblical foundation. The other is for newcomers, called 26.2, which helps them uncover their spiritual gifts and meet the leaders of the different ministries so they can get plugged in to serve. The next 26.2 starts October 11, and I will be going.

I am blessed beyond measure, and I know that God's discipline is painful when it comes, but it is always for our GOOD. I am so excited about the future!!