Saturday, December 29, 2007

Goodbye 2007!

Now that Andrea has a blog of her own, I feel more of a responsibility to blog. She was the glue holding this site together! I'm not promising something everyday, but I will try to be more consistent.

We have had a busy and fun-filled week celebrating Christmas. Barry and I are so blessed to have both of our families living within about 3 miles of each other in Melbourne. We were able to spend lots of time with our families, visiting 3 sets of grandparents having the kids get to see all of their aunts, uncles, and cousins from both sides. We had 3 babies born in 2007 in our family and it was special to have them all together for their first Christmas.

As I look back on 2007, I have to say that I'm not sad to see it go. I have personally experienced many lows throughout the year, more than I care to count. However, there is nothing more exciting to me than being able to look back on an event or a series of events and see how God not only brought me through the fire, but made me stronger because of it. I'm not saying that I've "arrived" or that I have all the answers, but I can say that I am thankful for the lessons God has taught me throughout this year, even if those lessons did come with great pain.

There are several verses that I have clung to over the past year, but I think these are the ones that spoke to me the most...

Romans 8:35 - 40
35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."[a] 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I am so excited to see what 2008 holds for my walk with Christ, my family, and c3 church. I know that no matter what, NOTHING can seperate me from the love of God!

Friday, December 28, 2007

Whoa... I must calm down!

I'm mentally preparing for a relaxing day. Sounds weird, I know. Mentally preparing to relax?! I just now feel like the holidays are finally winding down for me and I have today off... what do I do with myself?! My house is clean. My husband is fed. My cat is fed. I am fed. There aren't many errands to do. This is stressful for me! I think I'll visit with some friends today. Maybe I'll take a trip to Miss Amy's or my new friend Carrie's with Monica. We may go hang out with Angie and Byron tonight. I can't wait for that! That is always super exciting! Why can't I just sit still?! Oh well... welcome to my crazy little world! I got some blogging in though and that counts for something. Check out my new blog if you have a chance at www.andrealoper.wordpress.com. It is a place for me to filter even more crazy thoughts. I've become a bit of a "blog hog" so I created my own little blog haven.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Random Ramblings of the Sleep Deprived

This was the first year that Darrell and I volunteered our home for Christmas. I loved it but I am wiped out! We had about 25 friends and family in the house and we enjoyed every minute. We celebrated on Christmas Eve with dinner and gifts and then we had some family stay the night. Darrell and I cooked a HUGE Christmas morning brunch. I was impressed with our skills considering that we rarely ever cook. We had more friends over on Christmas Day and then we went to the movies that night. It was lots of fun but it was exhausting! I think I'll pick another holiday the next time I offer up the house though. My retail career is definitely not conducive to planning a large event at the house. I went back to work at 7:30 this morning with my house looking less than desirable when I left. I'm home now, my house is cleaner, and my feet are about to fall off from being on them all day. Enough about that craziness.

I love that my nephew Hayden was so excited that we were celebrating Jesus' birthday. His excitement is contagious! I know the story of Christmas and what Christ's birth represents in my life but there is nothing more refreshing than the faith of a child. It's just so sincere and untainted.

I gave out a bunch of the Christmas CD's at work. I had about 10 people tell me how much they loved it. It's so amazing to have such wonderful, tangible ways to share C3with others.

I'm even more anxious about the move to the theaters now! I've never wanted time to pass so quickly. I'm trying to be patient though because my momma always said that "patience is a virtue."

See you soon!

Monday, December 24, 2007

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year


Merry Christmas! My family celebrates on Christmas Eve and the celebration is at our house so today will be an action packed day. I just wanted to take a minute to tell my C3 family how much I love them before the craziness of this holiday consumes me. Enjoy your holiday with your friends and family as we reflect on the greatest gift ever... the birth of our Savior. I love you all!

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Love Is A Beautiful Thing



This is a group I recently discovered and love. They are from Orlando and sound a lot like The Black Eyed Peas. Check 'em out sometime! I love this song because love IS a beautiful thing!

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Sunday Blog Banter

This has been the slowest Christmas season ever for me at work. I have worked in retail my whole life and have never been this bored at work during the holiday season. Well that all changed Friday and Saturday. It was as if a whirlwind of shoppers overtook Bloomingdales and specifically the YSL cosmetic counter! At one point Saturday I did in one hour the business I can do in a whole day... a busy day at that!

Saturday night my mom's community group came over after I got off of work for a Christmas party at our house. My mom has some really cool people in there. We had a lot of fun and I really enjoyed having them over. It's always a wonderful thing in my world to get to know people better. We talked about everything! I can't even recap because it literally was just about everything! I love having people over and I wish I could more often.

My mother-in-law is in North Carolina for the holidays. Darrell and I have the house to ourselves for the first time since we've lived here. We moved in April and between my sister and nephew living with us at one point and then moving her in it has been exciting in the Loper household. Quite frankly, I love them all dearly but I'm ecstatic the house is empty right now because we all need a break! I love that it is just the two of us for a couple of weeks.

I'm soooo excited to be moving to the theaters in three weeks. I can't believe it's almost here! What an amazing place for us to be to reach out to our community! I can't wait to see the main worship area and Powerhouse. I sing in Powerhouse and from what I understand the theater is going to really be crazy fun for the kids! I went to the children's ministry lunch today after service and I was so impressed with all of the volunteers who were there to serve in children's ministry. I'm so proud of what God is doing at C3! Darrell and I are pumped about all of those who have stepped up to serve in Connections as well. The curb to curb experience it so important and I'm anxious to hear and see what God is going to do through your smiling faces and warm receptions. There are so many vital areas God will use you in when you are just willing. I love the willingness of my C3 family! God will bless that more than any of us even know!

Well I'm gonna get a little shut eye before I head off on my hot date with my hot man! Have a great week and BTW check out the new C3 women's blog ... I can't wait to read some more great, encouraging blogs!

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Exhaustion

Today was a lot of fun. Exhausting but fun. Here's a recap.
Woke up.
Read.
Watched "The Price Is Right"... loving Drew Carey, he's a lot nicer to the contestants.
Read some more.
Hayden came over.
Talked to Amanda.
Amanda and Leigh Ann came over.
Went to lunch with them and baby Jackson.
Headed to pick up Ansley with Amanda at her school.
Took Ansley back to my house to play with Hayden for the day.
Decided to take Ansley and Hayden to Chuck E. Cheese.
Spent hours at Chuck E. Cheese.
Mastered "Skee Ball."
Went next door to Petland.
Played with a cute puppy that loved to bite. The kids got scared.
Went through McDonald's drive through for ice cream sundaes.
Drove home.
Layed kids down at 4:30 attempting a nap.
Ansley went home.
Watched Spongebob with Hayden. I love Spongebob.
Gave Hayden a bath.
Hayden went home.
Cleaned downstairs.
Now here I am with my love D-Lo and the computer.
I love kids but they wear me out! It was fun being the cool aunt today. It was also great spending some time with good friends. Today was wonderfully tiring!

Monday, December 10, 2007

Life in the Gutter

I just finished reading "The Gutter: Where Life Is Meant To Be Lived" by Craig Gross. He is the co-founder of XXXChurch.com. This book talks about how Jesus lived a life of meeting people in their deep, dark places and how we as Christ-followers are called to do the same. It is thought provoking and insightful. I wanted to share some quotes that really stuck out to me.

-Those who are most opposed to the gutter are those who have been there the least.

-The gutter is the place where the "least of them" live. *Matthew 25:45

-If Christians would stop being scared of the world-or the gutter-I think most of them would find out for themselves that it is definitely not the place they want to be. It a change of perception I wish more people would adopt: to focus more on the great life we have in Christ than on the fleeting lures of the gutter. The more afraid we are of the gutter, the larger it looms and the more tempting it becomes.

-When you look at the way Jesus and the things He did, the way He brought light to darkness, you can plainly see we have nothing to be scared of.

-God did not create you to be a scared, irrelevant Christian.

-If you go to the gutter you have to be willing to stay in the gutter. Our Christian mentality is to visit the gutter over spring break or during a summer missions trip.

-Don't blame the dark for being dark. Blame the light for not shining on the dark.

-Jesus was a genuine lover of people, and everyone flocked to Him because He met needs, not because He preached about the kingdom of heaven. He met needs first as a practical way of showing that He loved people, then He got into the meatier theological issues.

-Whom are we fighting? Are we fighting to win the world to Christ? Or are we just fighting among ourselves in church? Are we too much about getting fed and too little about exercising our faith? Yes, we keep fighting the good fight, but must we fight our brothers and sisters in Christ? No one wins that way. Why can't we all put our focus on the lost, those living in the dark places, the "whosoevers" that are so close to Christ's heart?

-Where darkness abounds, love is brighter.

And... this was the most mind boggling to me.

-The unchurched embraced Him (Jesus) then, but they don't now. So when did this spiritual reversal occur? When did the "lost" change their position? They didn't. We did. Christians did. Somewhere between the time Jesus ascended into heaven and now, we Christians, the walking billboards for Jesus' life-changing power, have done a lousy job of maintaining His momentum. Those who despise Him shifted too. The religious who once hated Him now advertise for Him. The lost who once hung out with Him now refuse to acknowledge Him and it is all because Christians changed. God didn't change. Jesus didn't change. His people did. At one point, the God who embraced the gutter was well represented. Jesus walked the streets and took an authentic love with Him-all the way to the gutter. Wherever He went, the unchurched responded while the religious scorned. Fast forward two thousand years and now the reverse is true.

The gutter is different for everyone. God calls us each to accomplish a specific purpose. Where is your gutter? Who are those you
need to reach out to in their deep, dark place? I'm challenged by this.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

This Week...

...Jackson, 9 months old, started crawling -- I mean REALLY crawling. No more of that army crawling or rolling if he sees something interesting. He's exploring EVERYWHERE. We've discovered he likes cards. Maybe he'll be good at Texas Hold 'Em.

...Emma, 5 yrs. old, announced that she wishes our family celebrated Hanukkah because it starts today and they get presents for 8 days instead of just one. We thought we were doing a good job of instilling, "It is better to give than to receive". We have a long way to go!

...Ansley, 3 yrs. old, is scared to death of Santa but LOVES The Grinch. She asks about the movie everyday and gets excited when she sees the Universal billboards advertising The Grinch That Stole Christmas, but she doesn't want to go have Breakfast with Santa at the YMCA on Saturday.

...Barry moved his entire office into our bedroom. Anyone who has ever seen his office OR our bedroom knows that is no small feat. The next few months should be...interesting!

...I ran 13.1 miles. (Yes, that .1 is important...I think it was the hardest part of the entire race.) I finished in 2 hours and 20 minutes. Glad I did it, glad it's over. I also discovered that a big, fat cheeseburger from Chili's tastes REALLY good a few hours after a long run. Angie says I should drink Living Fuel for a week to replenish my body of all the nutrients I lost. I think a cheeseburger works just as well.

...I went to Ikea not once, but twice in the last 7 days. I love that place.

...I got to be a part of one of the most amazing services ever at C3, witnessing 21 baptisms.

Can't wait to see what the next 7 days holds...

A Triggered Life

It is the tendency of most people to want to surround themselves with friends who lift each other up. I'm not any different. As I go through each day I find myself drawn to those that engage in a lifestyle of encouragement. It sustains me. It is God encouraging me through those people. It is my heart's desire to be that person to others as well. My life is not my own. It is God's. I am to be an extension of His love and encouragement. I am reminded in my relationships that I have choices to make everyday. I choose if I'm going to surround myself with those who lift up or those who tear down. I choose if I'm going to press forward or if I'm going to sit and sulk. I choose if I'm going to live in self motivation or if I'm going to focus on others. I choose if I'm going to make Christ my Master or if I'm going to allow circumstances to rule my thoughts. I'm on a journey to be cheerful no matter what. When I choose to have dialog with God in every area of my life I've found that it really does make it possible to live in a cheerful and encouraging manner. He gives me the hope I need no matter what.

I've been praying a lot about some very specific areas in my life lately. I'm excited that I have the promise that God will make everything holy and whole. I know His plan is perfect. I'm refreshed with the people He's put in my life to encourage me in this. I see those in my life now doing amazing things for His glory. I'm encouraged by the selflessness. As I strive to seek Him more the "freeloaders" are finding their ways out of my life making room for the ones who truly need to know His love. The exhausted, the ones who need to be pulled to their feet... the stragglers. The ones who come with nothing and end up with everything as they find their way towards the One who completes us. It is those who are new in their walk with Christ that teach me the most at times. I'm affected by the change, the love, the hope, the journey. I'm challenged by the selflessness. The reflection of God in their lives is like food for my soul. It spurs me on to choose the things that really matter in my life. It releases me from my "freeloader" mentality. The attitude of how everything revolves around me. The attitude of "I've done this... I deserve this." The reminder is clear when I look into the eyes of my friends who have found Christ in circumstances I don't really know if I could have handled in my own life. I've done nothing and I deserve nothing. It is only by God's barbaric grace that I have everything I could possibly ever want or need. This is the encouragement. This is the hope.

My heart is full of gratitude. It beats for those who have a lifestyle of encouragement. It pushes me to encourage as well. My grateful heart presses me to come along side those who are seeking hope. I know the way of hope because I live in that hope. We are the vessels God uses to show others His light. I breathe my next breath living a triggered life. Triggered by the death and ressurection of Jesus. Triggered by His love for me. This life I have is not about MY pain, MY sufferings, MY desires, MY knowledge, MY works, MY whatever. It is about MY God and MY influence for Him to OTHERS. I must choose today to use my influence to be an encouragement. I also want to thank you for yours. No one must be left out. No one left behind.

1 Thessolonians 5:4-24
4 -8But friends, you're not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this? You're sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand. So let's not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let's keep our eyes open and be smart. People sleep at night and get drunk at night. But not us! Since we're creatures of Day, let's act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation.

9 -11God didn't set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we're awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we're alive with him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it.

12 -13And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!

13 -15Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other's nerves you don't snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.

16 -18Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

19 -22Don't suppress the Spirit, and don't stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don't be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what's good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.

23 -24May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it!

Sunday, December 2, 2007

The Faith Factor

I love my C3 family. It never ceases to amaze me how God can use people who have a passion for reaching out to others. All because of barbaric grace. The grace that started at Calvary on the cross and continues with you and me in our world today. It humbles me.

I reflected a lot today about fear. Pastor Byron spoke about Esther which happens to be my favorite book of the bible. I show faith when and where it is convenient for me and then wonder why I live in fear in other areas of my life. I fear many things. When I put it into perspective though I feel somewhat foolish considering that Esther's fear was a life or death issue. I'm so thankful that God's grace is sufficient even when my faith in Him is lacking. He has never let me go or given me reason to doubt yet I still want control at times. God is love. Unconditionally.

Love and gratitude to my C3 family for demonstrating God's barbaric grace. For closing the door on fear and embracing the faith. Because of your faith God is changing lives. My life is changed and I'm never going back.

Saturday, December 1, 2007

The Guy and His Guitar


Darrell and I went to the Hard Rock a couple of weeks ago to see The David Crowder Band. The first opening act was "The Myriad" and they flippin' rocked and a half. They were a band with a cello, violin, guitars, drums, and keys. They reminded me of "30 Seconds to Mars." Then the second act. This poor little guy with only an acoustic guitar. I felt bad for him. After such a huge, amazing performance just an acoustic and a guy. Well.... here's that guy singing with his guitar. This song says it all. By the way, his name is Phil Wickham.

Confessions of A Reformed Joel Osteen Judger (is that a real word)?

*I absolutely cannot sleep! Darrell is away this weekend in North Carolina to meet with a Connections Pastor at a church up there. They are doing that whole "iron sharpens iron" thing. He's excited to see what he can take in from a church that has an incredible connections ministry. I couldn't get off of work so I am in bed... alone.... with Lola (my adorable cat). These are the moments I realize how codependent I really am!

I went to hear Joel Osteen tonight with my mom at the Amway Arena. I used to have feelings about Joel's ministry approach. Feelings is a nice word. I had judgements. Isn't it amazing that the largest church in America is also the most criticized? God obviously sees fit to allow blessings in his ministry in a major way. I sat there tonight and heard truth from the scripture. It spoke to me and it was what I needed to hear. I saw an arena full of people out on a Friday night worshipping God and listening intently to a message from Him. He spoke on joy. JOY! I love joy! I want to pursue more joy! God wants us to pursue Him... the giver of that joy. I told my mom after the message that I'm going to try really hard to not let others steal my joy. This is a tough one for me. I don't know Mr. Osteen but it seems as though he is just trying to pursue a vision bigger than himself. A God-sized vision. It seems as though he knows his gifts and uses those to reach out to those who are without hope. I can't speak for him but I'm done judging his approach or methods. I connected with God in a very real way tonight. God has set apart Lakewood Church and Joel Osteen for a reason.

Sounds familiar. C3 may not be seating tens upon thousands in arenas... yet :) but the vision is clear. We have been set apart for a purpose. Twenty one people will be publicly acknowledging their new life with Christ this Sunday in baptism. If that isn't God's blessing then I don't know what is?! I sat in an arena tonight realizing that ANYTHING is possible with God. It is not about filling an auditorium for the sake of a numerical digit. Each and every seat represented a life... a changed life. God has shown Himself incredibly faithful to me as I've seen the one by one turn into hundreds in just a year. God is allowing a buzz to be spread about C3 and what we stand for. We aren't a body of "churched" people... we are the church. We have the privilege of being led by a pastor who stands firm to what God has called him to. With that has come its fair share of critics but that's okay. Jesus had more than His fair share of critics too. They were too churched for their own good (much like myself at one point). I think we're in good company. So I have joy! Joy in the fact that God is blessing in huge ways. Joy in knowing that God is using the greatest church in the world, C3, to accomplish the Great Commission here in my community. Joy in knowing that things are only just beginning. God rocks my socks off!