tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785572843473313572024-03-12T20:39:52.455-05:00hardboiled integrityAlyssa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13784542795143039711noreply@blogger.comBlogger388125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-778557284347331357.post-56723796116967117182010-03-09T07:48:00.001-06:002010-03-09T07:49:18.160-06:00word.Desire and delight have this in common: Neither is the Object desired or delighted in. God is. I make this obvious point because all of us from time to time speak loosely and say that the aim of our pursuit is joy. Or we say that we want to be happy. Those are not false or evil statements. A Christian means: I aim to pursue joy in God so that the infinitely valuable objective reality of the universe, God, will get all the glory possible from my life. “I want to be happy” may be Christian shorthand for “I want to know the One, and the only One, who is in himself all I have ever longed for in all my desires to be happy.”<br />
—John Piper, <i>When I Don't Desire God</i>Alyssa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13784542795143039711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-778557284347331357.post-57104926515312042162010-01-01T08:00:00.186-06:002010-04-27T11:39:06.922-05:00Make My Day - 2010<div style="color: #b45f06;"><a href="http://alyssainnashville.blogspot.com/p/make-my-day-2010.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Make My Day - 2010 has moved to Nashville!</b></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: white;">d</span> </b></span></div>Alyssa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13784542795143039711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-778557284347331357.post-35690262753186330082009-09-12T11:50:00.004-05:002009-09-12T11:58:56.909-05:00Nehemiah 9An awesome picture of who God is.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nehemiah 9</span><br />The Israelites have just spent time listening to Ezra read the Book of the Law of Moses and realized that they are way off the mark where God wants them to be. They have been sinning and dishonoring God like no other. So here they gather in sackcloth and put dust on their heads, confessing their sins and the wickedness of their fathers. They spent a quarter of the day reading the Book of the Law of the Lord their God, and then another quarter of the day in confession and worshiping God.<br /><br />Here is what stands out in their praise to the Everlasting:<br /><br />v. 5 Blessed be your glorious name<br />v. 6 You alone are LORD<br />v. 7 You are the LORD God<br />v. 8 You have kept your promise because you are righteous<br />v. 17 You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love<br />v. 19 Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them<br />v. 25 They reveled in your great goodness<br />v. 27 In your great compassion you gave them deliverers<br />v. 28 In your compassion you delivered them time after time<br />v. 31 In your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God<br />v. 32 O our God, the great, mighty and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Blessed. Glorious. God alone. LORD God. YHWH. Righteous. Forgiving. Gracious. Compassionate. Slow to anger. Abounding in love. Delieverer. Merciful. Great. Mighty. Awesome.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">d</span><br /></span>Alyssa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13784542795143039711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-778557284347331357.post-12708919351812364192009-09-02T20:25:00.003-05:002017-03-20T09:45:18.931-05:00i want one in TN.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/Sp8br9adkjI/AAAAAAAABbg/1CWmAdg1gXY/s1600-h/IMG_4941.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: rgb(255 , 255 , 255);">d</span></span><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377046922137539122" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/Sp8br9adkjI/AAAAAAAABbg/1CWmAdg1gXY/s400/IMG_4941.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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What I'm missing in Kansas<br />
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Marley was rescued from the animal shelter in Manhattan, KS on May 16, 2009.<br />
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Alyssa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13784542795143039711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-778557284347331357.post-64545467611862826632009-08-07T23:16:00.002-05:002009-08-07T23:18:51.924-05:00bookworm.Just finished Jodi Picoult's new book, <span style="font-style: italic;">Handle With Care</span>. I'd recommend it. There seem to be some similarities between this one and <span style="font-style: italic;">My Sister's Keeper</span>, but it's still excellent. I'd also recommend Picoult's <span style="font-style: italic;">Nineteen Minutes</span>.<br /><br /><a href="http://alyssareeves.googlepages.com/booksread">Books I've Read (Since 2002)</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/Snz8ioN1t3I/AAAAAAAABVk/A5-hQ8--_Co/s1600-h/igoogle957pm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 111px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/Snz8ioN1t3I/AAAAAAAABVk/A5-hQ8--_Co/s400/igoogle957pm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367442527760004978" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">d</span>Alyssa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13784542795143039711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-778557284347331357.post-39486197206161432802009-07-26T05:27:00.002-05:002009-07-26T05:28:37.120-05:00Between Two Worlds: Calvin on the Gospel<a href="http://shar.es/wN7H">Between Two Worlds: Calvin on the Gospel</a><br /><br />Posted using <a href="http://sharethis.com/">ShareThis</a>Alyssa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13784542795143039711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-778557284347331357.post-51545276204626700682009-07-17T19:27:00.003-05:002009-07-17T19:35:49.906-05:00on the agenda.<span style="font-weight: bold;">Tonight:</span><br />Read & relax. Maybe watch The Office with Abe and Jessica when they get home.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tomorrow:</span><br />Find a place downtown (park or coffee shop) to people watch. I need to do some writing and that's impossible to do in my room by myself.<br /><br />Update resume and do a little interview prep.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sunday:</span><br />Singles group + church.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Monday:</span><br />Work. Only six days left! Crazy.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">I'm Looking Forward To:</span><br />1. Seeing Clarissa in a week<br />2. Visiting friends back in Kansas<br />3. All the craziness that will happen between now and the end of the yearAlyssa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13784542795143039711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-778557284347331357.post-64180890505831716042009-06-22T20:05:00.000-05:002009-06-27T05:42:06.123-05:00things I like.--writing that makes me laugh out loud.<br /><br />Like this, from LifeWay's May 2009 issue of <span style="font-style: italic;">Christian Single</span>:<br /><br />WORST FIRST DATES<br />1. A family event -- save for later<br />2. The mall -- uninspiring<br />3. A trendy, expensive restaurant -- pressure<br />4. The beach -- <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">hello, self-consciousness</span><br />5. The movies -- can't talk<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/Sj7cBY1ZhJI/AAAAAAAABJg/mR48JvcFH2s/s1600-h/beachdate+edit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/Sj7cBY1ZhJI/AAAAAAAABJg/mR48JvcFH2s/s400/beachdate+edit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349955323767129234" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(204, 153, 51);">note: I feel fine about my body.<br />Two words for anyone wanting to take me to the beach: yes please! ;)</span><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">d</span>Alyssa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13784542795143039711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-778557284347331357.post-69897297070147067442009-06-21T18:47:00.002-05:002009-06-21T19:41:38.452-05:00Why Do You?So, I was looking for a video of the beginning of the Oprah show. You've seen it--when Oprah walks on stage and everyone stands up and starts clapping and waving their hands in the air and screaming and trying to shake her hand. Yeah, it's a little ridiculous. I just can't get excited about someone like that. I noticed this when I went to a Goo Goo Dolls concert a couple summers ago. The Goo Goo Dolls are probably my favorite secular band. I know the words to most of their songs, and I like their sound. Our seats were only a few rows from the stage, but I wasn't jumping up and down and screaming and trying to touch Johnny Rzeznik.<br /><br />It makes me wonder... why do these people get so excited about Oprah? Why do people get so wrapped up with celebrities? People were huge followers of the Beatles. Guess what? John Lennon is dead. You know who's not dead? Jesus.<br /><blockquote>But as for me, God forbid that I should glory in anything except the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ --Galatians 6:14</blockquote>I hope that every thought of my Redeemer would get me as excited as Oprah's fans get about her. Oprah will die. Jesus is alive. I ran across a YouTube video from Oprah called <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7pV_jCy9_Q">"Why Do You Watch Oprah?"</a> and it's these testimonies of people saying why they watch the show. What if I took those answers and explained why I read the Word daily? Why do I love Jesus?<br /><br />(Answers alternate: <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Oprah answer</span>, <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">my answer</span>.)<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Every time a question comes into my head, she asks it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Every time I have a question, the Bible has an answer.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Everyone has a friend named Oprah.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Everyone has a friend named Jesus</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">. (John 15:13)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">It's my exhale of my day.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Christ is my source of strength and peace.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"> (Psalm 18:32)</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">It's like having a family member around the house.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">God chose me to be a part of His family. </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">(Ephesians 1:4)</span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">There is so much information that you can take in and then give it back.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">I can encourage my friends with Scripture. </span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">(Ephesians 4:29)</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Good teachers inspire you.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">My inspiration is in Christ alone</span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">. (Psalm 20:7)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">As soon as I turn it on, I can't stop watching it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Christ is the life that flows through my lines. </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">(John 6:35)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">She helps you see the good in you.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Christ shows me grace even though there is no good in me. </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">(Romans 5:8)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">I've learned it's okay not to be afraid.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">If God is for me, who can be against me?</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"> (Romans 8:31)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">She's funny.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">God has a sense of humor.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"> (Jeremiah 29:11; Have you ever tried telling God about your plans?)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">She changes people on a daily basis.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">I was dead in my trangressions, but Christ gives me life. </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">(Ephesians 2:1-5)</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">She touches every generation, young and old.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"> </span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">(Hebrews 13:8)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">There's nothing I'd rather watch.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Magnify the Father; why bother with something lesser? </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">(Galatians 6:14)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Oprah rocks.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">God created rocks</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">. (Genesis 1:9-10)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">The Oprah Show is my "me time."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">God desires to meet with me daily.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"> (Psalm 34:18)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">The Oprah Show is inspiration.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"> (2 Timothy 3:16)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">The Oprah Show is for us.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Jesus is for everyone.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"> (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><blockquote style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">But as for me, God forbid that I should glory in anything except the Cross of our Lord Jesus Chris</span>t --Galatians 6:14</span></blockquote>Alyssa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13784542795143039711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-778557284347331357.post-59845007126378582472009-06-20T05:58:00.002-05:002009-06-20T06:01:46.776-05:00check it out.<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">s</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51); font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Check out Jason Waller's EP samples:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" ><a href="http://myspace.com/jasonwallermusic">myspace.com/jasonwallermusic</a></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/SjzBZEf-gXI/AAAAAAAABIo/dNURIk5-VpM/s1600-h/jwaller+made+new+edit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/SjzBZEf-gXI/AAAAAAAABIo/dNURIk5-VpM/s400/jwaller+made+new+edit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349363093858058610" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">d</span>Alyssa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13784542795143039711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-778557284347331357.post-30275402189852646622009-06-13T15:38:00.003-05:002009-06-13T15:42:33.677-05:00don't waste your life.<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7RWEllqh5J0&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7RWEllqh5J0&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/OnlineBooks/ByTitle/1593_Dont_Waste_Your_Life/">Don't Waste Your Life</a> - John Piper</span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.desiringgod.org/media/pdf/books_dwyl/dwyl_full.pdf">Download </a><span style="font-style: italic;">the full online book for free.</span>Alyssa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13784542795143039711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-778557284347331357.post-38203248261530131782009-06-11T18:43:00.005-05:002009-06-12T13:38:35.243-05:00alyssa in kansas<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">d</span><br />I took a few days off at the end of the month, so I'm heading home.<br /><br />If you want to hang out, let me know. Also, I'm still looking for someone to pick me up from the KC Airport (so if you can, I'd appreciate it!) I'll be in KC Tuesday and Wednesday; Columbia, MO on Thursday and Friday; and Burlington on Saturday and Sunday.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Tuesday, June 30<br />arrive at MCI -- 8:15am<br />Southwest Airlines<br /><br />Sunday, July 5<br />depart MCI -- 7:10pm<br />Southwest Airlines</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/SjGY-J8O6ZI/AAAAAAAABGs/RI2xp79zG6M/s1600-h/airplane.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 125px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/SjGY-J8O6ZI/AAAAAAAABGs/RI2xp79zG6M/s400/airplane.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346222426253355410" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">d</span>Alyssa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13784542795143039711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-778557284347331357.post-53508924357516697672009-06-07T14:14:00.003-05:002009-06-07T15:08:01.028-05:00In View of God's Mercysermon notes from <a href="http://longhollow.com/">Long Hollow Baptist Church</a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><br />Traction, pt. 4 - "The One Thing We Can't Live Without" (Love)</span><br /><br />We love because He first loved us. What sets us apart? Love. They will know we are Christians by our love. God is more interested in the "why" than the "what." Live as an act of worship: our bodies as living sacrifices (Rom. 12:1).<br /><br />Christian love is...<br /><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Genuine</span><br />- Romans 12:9a<br />- Love must be sincere<br /><br /></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Discerning</span><br />- Romans 12:9b<br />- Hate what is evil; cling to what is good<br />- Love doesn't mean being okay with everything<br />- Love the sinner; hate the sin<br />- Love what God loves; hate what God hates<br /><br /></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Demonstrated</span><br />- Romans 12:10-13<br />- love is a verb<br />- Be devoted to one another in brotherly love<br />- Honor one another above yourselves<br />- Never be lacking in spiritual fervor, serving the Lord<br />- Share with God's people who are in need<br />- Practice hospitality<br /><br /></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Radical</span><br />- Romans 12:14-21<br />- Bless those who persecute you<br />- Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn<br />- Live in harmony with one another<br />- Do not be proud or conceited<br />- Be willing to associate with people of low position<br />- Overcome evil with good</li></ul>God doesn't lose here. Even when a Christian is killed for his faith, God wins as the genuineness of the gospel is displayed. Evil is triumphed by good. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /><br />SPOILER ALERT</span>: God always wins.</span><br /><br />What's the "why"? What is my motivation behind what I do? <span style="font-weight: bold;">In view of God's mercy</span>. No casual Christianity. Jesus tells us to come and die and our lives should be radically different when we proclaim him as Lord.Alyssa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13784542795143039711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-778557284347331357.post-46425038662998461542009-06-06T07:43:00.003-05:002009-06-06T07:52:05.886-05:00Cheddar Garlic Biscuits<style>ody {margin:8px} .tr-field {font:normal x-small arial}</style><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />similar to Red Lobster's biscuits, but I've had mine and theirs, and theirs are still better!</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/Sipl-oPThtI/AAAAAAAABE8/da4Dgy84vFI/s1600-h/cheesebiscuits+edit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/Sipl-oPThtI/AAAAAAAABE8/da4Dgy84vFI/s400/cheesebiscuits+edit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344196034456422098" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cheesy Biscuits</span></span><br />2 c. Bisquick (Or Jiffy baking mix -- it's less expensive and is the same)</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">2/3 c. milk</div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;">1/2 c. sharp shredded cheddar cheese<br /></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;">1/4 c. butter, melted</div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;">1/4 tsp. garlic powder </div><div> </div> <div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Mix baking mix, milk, and cheese until a soft dough forms. (It's usually very sticky; you can add more baking mix if you want to roll it out or something.) Drop from a spoon onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 450 degrees until slightly brown (9-10 min.). Mix together butter and garlic powder in a small bowl. Brush over biscuits and serve hot.</div></div> <div><br /></div>Alyssa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13784542795143039711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-778557284347331357.post-42693132250177217332009-06-03T21:36:00.002-05:002009-06-03T21:42:07.306-05:00<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Psalm 13:5-6 (The Message)</span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><blockquote><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204); font-weight: bold;"> I've thrown myself headlong into your arms— </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204); font-weight: bold;"> I'm celebrating your rescue. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204); font-weight: bold;"> <br />I'm singing at the top of my lungs, </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204); font-weight: bold;"> <br />I'm so full of answered prayers.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">s</span><br /></blockquote></span>Alyssa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13784542795143039711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-778557284347331357.post-2591558975117360882009-05-30T15:21:00.002-05:002009-06-09T17:26:44.696-05:00summer in the city<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/SiGVxuMVhcI/AAAAAAAABEc/YqoJW9ZTRcY/s1600-h/nashville2ndave+coveredit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/SiGVxuMVhcI/AAAAAAAABEc/YqoJW9ZTRcY/s400/nashville2ndave+coveredit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341715314484020674" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-size:180%;" >Coming June 1</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Follow my updates at </span><a style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);" href="http://alyssainnashville.blogspot.com/">Alyssa in Nashville</a><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">0</span><br /></div>Alyssa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13784542795143039711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-778557284347331357.post-50834150930387621682009-05-22T15:37:00.002-05:002009-05-22T15:40:43.667-05:00look at that face.<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">I asked Marley if he liked his clean litter box since Mom just changed the litter. This is the look he gave me. I'm pretty sure he's saying, "Litter box? What litter box?"</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/ShcNoaMQOPI/AAAAAAAABDk/vactO6GnppE/s1600-h/IMG_4929+edit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/ShcNoaMQOPI/AAAAAAAABDk/vactO6GnppE/s400/IMG_4929+edit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338750871147657458" border="0" /></a>Alyssa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13784542795143039711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-778557284347331357.post-35279397683091916412009-05-22T11:21:00.002-05:002009-05-22T11:23:54.788-05:00change of plans<span style="font-style: italic;">And by "Nashville tomorrow," I mean "Nashville sometime next week."</span><br /><br />I'm back home after an error in communication and will hopefully be moving to Nashville at least a couple of days before work starts on June 1st. At least I don't have packing hanging over my head now. I'm ready to go so I have a few days to relax.<br /><br />Tomorrow: Erica graduates from SBU.Alyssa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13784542795143039711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-778557284347331357.post-49132171441822053652009-05-21T14:36:00.004-05:002009-05-21T15:02:51.364-05:00Tomorrow: NashvilleI was in Nashville almost exactly a year ago (late May 2008) -- just driving through on our way to Jacksonville, FL. For updates exclusively concerning Nashville, check out <span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-size:130%;" ><a href="http://alyssainnashville.blogspot.com/">Alyssa in Nashville</a></span>. I've got my phone set up so I can blog on the road (not while driving, of course).<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/ShWx0pzOrLI/AAAAAAAABDc/WiGc78mG0UQ/s1600-h/group+in+nashville+edit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/ShWx0pzOrLI/AAAAAAAABDc/WiGc78mG0UQ/s400/group+in+nashville+edit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338368451449629874" border="0" /></a>Lee, Jordan, Jared, and I on the <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&ie=UTF8&t=h&layer=x&g=shelby+st.+bridge,+nashville,+tn&ll=36.164661,-86.772079&spn=0.008887,0.019312&z=16">Shelby St. Bridge</a> over the Cumberland River near Music Row.<br /></div>Alyssa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13784542795143039711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-778557284347331357.post-56266818335704997752009-05-20T21:06:00.002-05:002009-05-20T21:13:05.826-05:00Marley movieA quick clip of Marley hanging out with me today.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzkQ0WX7vg9dv6XDtRtJbGEg_A8qyTaJ3JT-YbutF1iofLf4JliXusQ-FtrGBlHHLTC-sQv43OSIjarOECHmg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Alyssa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13784542795143039711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-778557284347331357.post-50861347514759118962009-05-19T14:05:00.004-05:002009-05-19T14:11:50.976-05:00Meet Marley.We named him Marley. He's pretty cute except that he can't remember where his litter box is.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/ShMD16EeryI/AAAAAAAABC0/6O6Bzu8MwH4/s1600-h/IMG_4915+edit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/ShMD16EeryI/AAAAAAAABC0/6O6Bzu8MwH4/s400/IMG_4915+edit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337614208020164386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/ShMES1ABNMI/AAAAAAAABDE/Folzpm7zD9o/s1600-h/IMG_4921+edit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/ShMES1ABNMI/AAAAAAAABDE/Folzpm7zD9o/s400/IMG_4921+edit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337614704875484354" border="0" /></a>Alyssa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13784542795143039711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-778557284347331357.post-79688734767889314982009-05-16T20:05:00.001-05:002009-05-19T18:25:47.672-05:00rebate kitty<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/ShM_7fTsCFI/AAAAAAAABDM/EWDWEHiQ3-w/s1600-h/IMG_4903.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/ShM_7fTsCFI/AAAAAAAABDM/EWDWEHiQ3-w/s400/IMG_4903.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337680274613078098" border="0" /></a><br /><div id="photocaption">The newest addition to la casa de mi mama. My sister and I picked up this little guy in Manhattan at the city animal shelter and adopted him. Adoption isn't free, but when you get him shots and neuter him, they give you $50 back. Since we haven't come up with a name yet, we're referring to him as "rebate kitty" (you know, like 'clearance puppy'). Look at that face! He doesn't care if he doesn't have a name. He's just happy to have a home. :]</div>Alyssa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13784542795143039711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-778557284347331357.post-26238101112000722762009-05-14T15:39:00.004-05:002009-05-14T21:29:28.106-05:00class of 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/SgyCDbPFybI/AAAAAAAABCc/9FMOcZYZphc/s1600-h/anderson+hall+edit.jpg"><br /><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/SgyCDbPFybI/AAAAAAAABCc/9FMOcZYZphc/s1600-h/anderson+hall+edit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 449px; height: 254px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/SgyCDbPFybI/AAAAAAAABCc/9FMOcZYZphc/s400/anderson+hall+edit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335782653889464754" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >I'm finished! :0]</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /></span></div>Alyssa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13784542795143039711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-778557284347331357.post-82376805587484157762009-05-13T08:36:00.004-05:002009-05-13T08:44:30.441-05:00draw me a picture.My first experience with <a href="http://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator/"><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Adobe Illustrator</span></a> (trial). Unfortunately it took up all my hard drive space (I only have 31GB) so I had to uninstall it.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/SgrNg7Er-wI/AAAAAAAABCM/WNRLM8t5f44/s1600-h/jirafe.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wBXKm6aA0fA/SgrNg7Er-wI/AAAAAAAABCM/WNRLM8t5f44/s400/jirafe.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335302674070633218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >"Jirafe"</span><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span>Alyssa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13784542795143039711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-778557284347331357.post-77185170824631412112009-05-12T21:08:00.001-05:002009-05-12T21:08:55.274-05:00#3. I am the problem.The four questions everyone asks:<br />1) Who am I?<br />2) Why am I here?<br />3) What is wrong with the world?<br />4) How can what is wrong be made right?<br /><br /><b>Postmodernist answer</b>: People are either insufficiently educated or insufficiently governed. That's what's wrong with the world. People either don't know enough, or they are not being watched enough.<br /><br /><b>Christan Theist answer</b>: I AM THE PROBLEM.<br /><br />I am. Me, who is hostile in mind, doing evil deeds. Despite the fact that I am the crowning glory of the creation of God, created to live and bring glory and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ, I am instead hostile toward the One by whom and for whom I was created. That is what is wrong with the world. In short, sin is what's wrong with the world.<br /><br />People are always asking the philosophical question, "If God's so powerful and good, how come bad stuff happens?" Don't answer that question until it is asked properly:<br /><br /><blockquote>Look me in the eyes and ask me this: "How on earth can a holy and righteous God know what I did and thought and said yesterday and not kill me in my sleep last night?" Ask it that way, and we can talk. But until you ask it that way, you do not understand the issue. Until you ask the question that way, you believe the problem is <i>out there</i> somewhere. Until you ask the question that way, you believe that there are some individuals who, in and of themselves, deserve something other than the wrath of Almighty God. When you ask me the question that way--when you say, "Why is it that we are here today? Why has he not consumed and devoured each and every one of us? Why? Why, O God, does your judgment and your wrath tarry?"-- then you truly understand the issue.</blockquote><br /><br />The problem with the world is me. The problem is the fact that I do not acknowledge the supremacy of Christ in truth. The problem is that I start with myself as the measure of all things. I judge God based upon how well he carries out my agenda for the world, and I believe in the supremacy of me in truth. As a result, I want a God who is omnipotent but not sovereign. If I have a God who is omnipotent but not sovereign, I can wield his power. But if my God is both omnipotent and sovereign, I am at his mercy.<br /><br /><i>Who am I?</i> I am the crowning glory of the creation of God, knit together in my mother's womb. <i>Why am I here?</i> I am here to bring glory and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ. <i>What is wrong with the world?</i> Me. I don't do what I was meant to do.<br /><br /><br /><small> <i>from</i> Baucham Jr., Voddie. "Truth and the Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World." <u>The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World</u> Eds. John Piper and Justin Taylor. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2007: 63-64. </small>Alyssa Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13784542795143039711noreply@blogger.com0