St. Paul {Guy Penrod} Weekend, Part 5...The Concert!!

Concert day finally arrived!  We had a leisurely morning and then left the hotel for an early lunch and a few errands before the concert.  More on those errands in another post. :)  (And more concert photos and memories in the next installment...too many photos for one post!)  But for now...the main event!

There's a recurring theme heard from attendees of Guy's solo concerts: "Guy's concerts are more than just concerts.  Guy's concerts are worship experiences."   Not only does he sing, he does a fair amount of "preaching", too...which is, according to Guy, a big part of why he left the Gaither Vocal Band to go solo: to be able to share the message God has given him in song and in spoken word in a way that is more difficult singing with a group.  "I had some stuff I had to get out, and it had to come out or blow up!"  (I love that thought...it's how I often feel about this blog.)


He comes by the preaching honestly...his daddy was a Baptist preacher.  He says this about him:

My father passed down to me a love for people. He was a pastor -- the real good kind -- who loved those in his congregation from the nursery to the grave and spent his life's energy caring for them every way he could. I am very thankful to have had a father who knew and passed on to me the importance of people and their lives -- their stories. (Baptist Press, June 2010)

Our friend Heidi, the promoter for the St. Paul concert, said this recently:

 I'm finding a common theme as I go to Guy's concerts.  Someone says, at some point, "Isn't it great to go to a concert and feel like you've been to church?"  No one can understand until they've experienced the "singing/preaching/worshiping in person."....Like I say, no one understands why we appreciate Guy's ministry so much until they've been, and then -- then they get it.

So true!

So very thankful for the ministry of this man who glorifies God through his music, his message, and his genuine love for people.  

Sharing as part of focused on Glory, a collaborative, {mostly} weekly blog feature found at Creative Confetti and here at Ponderings of an Elect Exile.

St. Paul {Guy Penrod} Weekend Series:

Part 1- The Very Beginning

Part 2 - The Reveal 

Part 3 - Trip Day 1

Part 4 - "The Friends Who Live in Our Computers"

Daybook Monday

06 August 2012

Outside my window...Hot...a few teasing clouds...almost sunset...

I am thinking...Really just overwhelmed these days with God's goodness and mercy.  Over and over.  In and among and through everything else.  He just keeps reminding me. 

I am thankful...Again today, as Billy brought home another month's supply, I am thankful for our medicine miracle. And so thankful that the meds are working well, side effects appear to be completely gone, and life has gone back to a much more normal state than we would ever have thought possible just a few short months ago. 

In the kitchen...Meatball sliders with meatballs from the crock pot today...yum. :)

I am creating...Tweaking the blog a bit...working on some projects for the Everything Launch Team...catching up on my art journal...and actually making music on the piano for the first time in ages...

I am going...to see Guy Penrod again 2 months from today!!  We're going to have a whole crew at this concert...can. not. wait! 

I am reading...Mary DeMuth's latest book, Everything.  It's due to release in October, but I was selected to be part of the Launch Team, so I'm reading it early.  SUPER-excited about this book!  Mary's writings have impacted my life tremendously, and I was honored to be able to guest post on her blog (here and here) a few months ago.  SO thrilled to be part of this team!

I am looking forward to..."Birthday Week" approaching!  Bay's 13th on Sunday, and Em's 11th on the following Saturday.  How did THAT happen??? :) 

I am hoping...for a calm, quiet, productive week!

I am listening to...

I am learning...God is teaching me much about obedience being a joy, not a drudgery.  Working on a Bible study on obedience that I hope to share on the blog at some point. 

Around the house...Trying to stay cool while keeping up with the basics...sorting through a bunch of paperwork this week...mapping out our plan of attack for needed work when the weather cools a bit...

I am pondering...upcoming changes on the blog...

A favorite quote for today...

 “Servants of Jesus Christ, never be discouraged when you are opposed, but when things run counter to your wishes, expect that the Lord has provided some better thing for you!..." ~ C.H. Spurgeon

So true!  I need to remember this when I feel that "things aren't going my way" angst creeping up. 

One of my favorite things...a brand spanking-new journal and a new package of pens.  Ahhhh.....:)

A few plans for the rest of the week:

     Big kids to TATWH tomorrow...

     Church at OCBC Wednesday night...

     Preparations for a certain young lady's 13th birthday on Sunday...

     Special day at Grace on Sunday...Salad luncheon and early afternoon service...can't wait!

     

A peek into our lives right now...

Officially our new church home, as of yesterday!
God is working mightily, and we are so excited to be  part of it!

Linking up with The Simple Woman's Daybook today.

Oven-Free Friday on Saturday :)

As I said in the Saturday Odds-and-Ends post earlier today, I missed Oven-Free Friday yesterday.  I still almost missed getting a photo today.:)  What I did get is not in any way amazing food photography, but a pretty bad Instagram pic.  But it'll have to do. :)

I'm hoping the recipes will make up for the poor photo.  Anyone up for a couple of super-easy, super-yummy crock-pot recipes?  One can't ever have too many.  And these are just about as easy as they come. 

And I might as well get out of the way the fact that neither of these are original to me.  The first came from a message board friend, and the second from my husband.   Have I ever mentioned that he is a fabulous cook?   :)

Saloon Beef

(Note:  This sounds impossible, I know.  Trust me.  If you follow the directions exactly, it really will work.  And your taste buds will be ever-so-grateful. :))

1. One roast - the cheapest cut you can find.  Seriously.  That's what the original recipe said.  I do not know cuts of beef, so when I started making this I literally went to the store and picked out the roast that had the lowest price-per-pound.  It's always been wonderful.  Twice I've ended up with a better cut of beef because that was all that was available (for instance, today I had a roast from the freezer that I'd bought on sale at a local meat market which was a much "better" roast than I normally buy).  Both times it's been edible, but not its usual tender, juicy, delectable self.  

2. One package Au Jus mix.   It's with the other packaged sauce mixes, but not all stores here carry it, so you may have to look a bit.  I bought four packages when I found it yesterday because I can never remember which stores have it and which ones don't, and it's frustrating not to be able to find it when I need it.)

3. One package Good Seasons Italian Dressing mix. 

Instructions:

1. Spray or grease crock pot well (or use a liner).

2. Put roast in crock pot.

3. Pour dry Au Jus mix and dry Italian dressing mix over roast. 

4. DO NOT add liquid. 

5. Cover and cook on low until done and falling apart.  (Depending on size/shape of roast, I usually cook it 8-9 hours on low.)

6. Shred beef and serve on buns. 

Seriously easy and seriously good. 

Billy's Ridiculously Easy/Ridiculously Good Crock Pot Mac-and-Cheese

Warning:  This is NOT a diet recipe.  If processed cheese, real butter, and heavy cream offend you, then please skip over this recipe. If Paula Deen and Pioneer Woman are your heroes...read on...

(Note:  Neither Billy nor I are the "exact measurements" kind of cooks.  We're more the "tad, pinch, dollop, and taste" kind.  So...for those of you who are "exact measurements" kind of cooks...I'm sorry.  If it's any comfort, it's pretty hard to mess this up.  Billy's done several versions...and I've done a few myself...and nobody's complained yet. :))

1. Pasta. (Billy used two different kinds of pasta that needed to be used up tonight....the equivalent of 1 1/2 boxes, I'd say.  Use whatever you like, in whatever quantity you need to serve your family and fill your crock pot to an appropriate level.)

2. White Velveeta.  (We usually use regular Velveeta.  Tonight we were out of regular, but had half a loaf (1 pound?) of white.  We may never use the regular again.  Yum.)

3. Butter.  (This is really going to depend on how much pasta you use.  Half a stick will probably work.  Billy put a whole stick in tonight's batch.  Move over, Paula Deen. :))

4. Milk/Cream.  (Here again, this varies.  He usually uses half milk and half heavy cream.  Tonight we were completely out of milk so he used all heavy cream.  Best. Mac-and-cheese. Ever. YUM.  I would say about a cup and a half of liquid?  I wasn't watching him tonight, and I always just eyeball what I think will work.)

Instructions: 

1. Boil pasta according to instructions, removing from heat and draining a bit before al dente stage.  You want it a bit firmer than usual because it's going to sit in the crock pot for a while.

2. Spray/grease crock pot.  

3. Add cooked/drained pasta, Velveeta, butter, and milk/cream to crock pot.  Cover and cook until melted and cooked through, stirring occasionally.  (I think we usually cook it a couple of hours on low?)

4. Stir well and serve.  

Oh, my goodness...roll-your-eyes-back-in-your-head rich, but oh, so good.  I suggest small portions...a little goes a long way, especially if you use the full-cream version.  


More Recipes:

Cornbread-Hating Yankee-Converting Cornbread 

Hit It Out of the Park Chicken and Rice 

Crock Pot Lasagna

{Vintage Eats} Daddy's Mexican Cornbread

No-Bake Granola


 

Saturday Odds-and-Ends

1- I left a few things out of Monday's post on our new adventure.  They were part of my mental outline, but never made it from my brain to the keyboard.  That's a pretty common occurrence, unfortunately. :)

First...we are so incredibly thankful for our Oak Cliff family.  You all have truly been family to us for over 16 years, and we love you!   I was going to say more here, about Bro. Kent, Lyndel, and other specific blessings, but suddenly I find I just can't...my heart is too full, and I'm not going to be able to type if the tears start gushing.  So just know that we love you, and God has blessed us immeasurably through you all.

Second...we are so incredibly thankful for our {soon-to-be} Grace Lavaca family.  You have made us feel loved and welcome and part of things already, and we love you! Bro. Gary's already blessing me one minute and stepping on my toes the next with his preaching/teaching.  So looking forward to our first full Sunday there as a family tomorrow!

And third...for those who've asked...we won't be total strangers at Oak Cliff...I'll be bringing the kids on Wednesday nights for a while, which we think will help with the transition, and Bay and I may even sing in Keyboards at Christmas. :)  And the girls and I are definitely planning to keep coming to craft night (aka OCBCGPFC :)).

2- I know I missed yesterday's Oven-Free Friday post, and I apologize.  I actually had a post planned based on a meal I cooked earlier in the week, but then I completely forgot to get pictures until it was too late.  And what is a recipe post without pictures??  I had already planned (at the request of my family) to cook the same recipe today, so I am going to do my VERY best to manage to get a picture or two before my family devours it.  That may be a challenge...it's in the crock pot right now and the house smells so good we're all pretty anxious for supper time to arrive. :)  So...watch for Oven-Free Friday on...well, some other day. ;-)

3-  I'm hoping to finish the next installment of the St. Paul/Guy Penrod series tonight or tomorrow.  I had planned to post it earlier in the week and then realized that I still had pictures to edit.  ACKK.   I've worked on those here and there all week, and I think I finally have them finished and ready to post.  So keep an eye peeled...:)

4- Just because every post needs pictures, and I haven't posted any squirrel photos in a while...these little guys always amaze me!

Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day Revisited, Part 2

In part 1 of this post I responded to the idea that Wednesday's Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day was an unloving act.  You can read that post here. 


Today I want to address the free speech issue involved.  There are those who have expressed that those involved in yesterday's appreciation day have put their right to free speech above the need to show love to others.  Although (as yesterday's post indicates) I don't agree with that assessment, I'm also concerned at the implication that we shouldn't see our right to free speech as a priority, or that doing so somehow makes us "less Christian" or "less loving".


We live in a day when many around the world do not have the right to openly speak of the Bible or the God of the Bible.  We live in a day when the name of Christ is not a welcome one in many places.  As I mentioned in this post, we read each week of countries where Christians *today* are being persecuted for their faith.  We are immensely blessed to live in a country where we do not face torture or imprisonment for speaking the name of Christ or sharing His Word openly.  And yet, there are those in our own country who seek to make sharing certain parts of the Bible illegal as "hate speech".


This issue has put free speech for Christians on the front burner, so to speak.  The question looms...will the United States continue to stand for free speech for ALL, or will our government attempt to silence those who speak uncomfortable truths from God's Word?


Those who seek to curtail the free speech of Christians need to realize that Christians *do* value this right and that we will not sit by idly while it is taken from us.  We as Christians should never feel "less Christian" or "less loving" for working (within the law and in a respectful, loving manner) to preserve that right.  


It seems at times that we feel like defending our right to free speech is somehow selfish.  And yet...it is that very right that allows us to openly share our faith...which is the most loving thing that we can do for a lost and dying world.  As a friend commented on Facebook yesterday, " It is the most loving act to call sin what it is and offer a way to freedom, the Gospel."   


We could certainly continue to share our faith if the government set limits on our freedom of speech...people around the world do so every day.  But it is much more difficult, and it comes at a very high price.  In the meantime, we are currently able to share our faith openly and without threat.  We need to appreciate that blessing and steward it well.  


We should never use "freedom of speech" as an excuse for poor behavior.  We should never take it lightly.   We should always remember that many have given their lives to obtain and preserve that freedom.  As Christians, we should not seize our right to free speech for selfish purposes, but we should defend and stand firm in it for the purpose of the advancement of the Gospel.  

Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day Revisited, Part 1

Yesterday I posted about our family's involvement in Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day.  I was thrilled at all the reports I saw about the event...the kindness, politeness, and patience of those participating, Chick-Fil-A's excellent service in the midst of the overwhelming turn-out, and the care and concern for the protesters involved.

Last night I came home and discovered various social media posts by Christian friends/acquaintances indicating that in their opinion, yesterday's event was unloving and a stumbling block to non-Christians/gays.  I was surprised and saddened by this, as nothing I had seen or heard reflected this at all.

I started to comment on a particular post and then realized that perhaps the blog was a more appropriate venue for my comments, given their length. :)  This is what I wrote last night:

Maybe I'm missing something major somewhere, but I haven't seen anyone say that gay people aren't welcome anywhere.  Chick-Fil-A hires and serves gay people.  From what I have read today, there are gay franchise owners. I don't know of anyone personally who participated in today's appreciation day who wouldn't welcome a gay person to their church.  Most of the people I know who participated today are actively involved in building relationships with and ministering to all kinds of people.  From what I saw in person and from what my friends saw in person (all over the country), the CFA supporters today were overwhelmingly kind and polite and friendly...to each other, to the CFA staff, and to the protesters.  (I did hear of  protesters at some locations being unkind, however.)  

Dan Cathy said nothing about hating homosexuals.  He said, "We are very much supportive of the family, the biblical definition of the family unit."  He has taken a great deal of criticism from those who oppose that, many of whom began calling for a boycott.  For my family, and  for everyone else that *I* know of who participated in today's appreciation day, today had NOTHING to do with being against anyone, and everything to do with supporting someone who had the courage to publicly state, when asked, an opinion based on the Bible rather than on what is politically correct.  That has absolutely nothing to do with my loving or not loving anyone.  There are people I love dearly who do not support the Biblical definition of marriage, including some who are gay.   I think it is sad that so many are unable to understand that people can love each other while disagreeing, even about very important issues.

Are there people who are going to see this as "hate"?  Yes, obviously.  They see it as hate because they are deceived by the master deceiver and the father of lies.  Satan can and will twist *anything* to suit his purposes.  He can also deceive us as Christians into not calling sin "sin" in the name of "love"...when actually, that can often be the most unloving thing we can do.  The point is that just because someone may misunderstand me doesn't mean that I can't or shouldn't share my beliefs.  I shouldn't do it in a hateful way, with hurtful words or physical violence.  But speaking the truth in love is not unloving just because the one to whom I am speaking chooses to misunderstand (or is deceived into misunderstanding).

I've seen reference to the account of the woman at the well from John 4, stating that Jesus reached the woman by building a relationship with her, not by pointing out her sin.  And yet, Jesus *did* point out the Samaritan woman's sin to her. (I just recently heard an excellent sermon on those very verses.)  He knew when He asked that she had had five husbands and was living with a man to whom she wasn't married.  And He did not at that point say, "That's okay, I understand."  He pointed out her need for salvation.  He talked to her about worship, which always involves obedience.  We can't worship until we have been broken in repentance.

I've been reminded today to pray for the protesters.  My heart breaks for anyone who hasn't experienced God's grace.  My deepest heart's desire is to follow God with all my heart, mind, and strength, and to be a conduit of His love and grace to others.   And I firmly believe that within that, I can say, "I support traditional marriage, and I support those who support traditional marriage", all the while still loving those around me and reaching out to them.

While I was searching for Dan Cathy's original comments about marriage and family last night, I came across this article.  I encourage anyone who has any question about the Cathy family's love for people and heart for the lost to read it.  He not only addresses the marriage issue, but also speaks about building relationships and seeing one's work as a mission field and an act of worship.



(Watch for part 2 of this post...in which I lose much-needed sleep over "free speech".  Want to make sure you don't miss it?  Subscribe via the box in the sidebar!)

We {Heart} Chick-Fil-A!!

For those who may have been living deep under the proverbial rock, today is Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day.  We are proud to support a company whose founder stands up for traditional Biblical values (without displaying bigotry or hatred, despite what many, including much of the media, would have one believe) regardless of opposition.  We are thankful for the stand our former governor, Mike Huckabee, has taken in organizing today's event, and we hope CFA sets all-time sales records today! 

Billy was off today, so we went to CFA for breakfast.  Yummmm!!  The only thing I don't like about CFA breakfast is having to make a decision.  Chicken Biscuit or Chick-n-Minis?  

We got there about 9:30 this morning, which seemed to be perfect timing.  Although the drive-through was busy, the lobby wasn't terribly bad.  We were able to order almost immediately, and didn't have to wait much longer than usual for our food.  Just a short time later, though, things began to get much busier, and friends who got there not long after we did had a much longer wait.  The Chick-Fil-A staff were polite as always and seemed to be handling the crowd well.  

There was a small group of protesters out front, which we avoided by coming and going the back way.  That was best regardless, as traffic on Rogers Avenue was pretty beastly. :)  I understand that since we left, police are now there re-routing all Chick-Fil-A customers through the back way in order to keep traffic moving on Rogers.  

I shared the entirety of an email from our friend Lyndel Hobbs on Facebook earlier, but I want to share a few paragraphs here, as he said it much better than I could:

People don't realize that "marriage" is discriminatory already. That's the beauty of marriage. That's what marriage is. It is saying that only you are for me and only me for you. It is saying that you can't marry more than one person at a time. It is saying that you can't marry your sibling, or your parent, or a person of the same gender. It excludes. It excludes everyone except one man and one woman. Anything else is not marriage. God designed it that way. To say otherwise is to defy Him, not to mention thousands of years of civilization.

Frankly, I hope Wednesday is so successful that other companies will see the "benefit" of standing for what is right.

I'm grateful that Bro. Kent, the pastor of our church, ordered sandwiches for everyone from Chick-fil-A for our Wednesday meal this week. My family plans to eat there for at least one more meal that day. The store in Fort Smith always has long lines in their drive-thru, and I comment on it everytime we pass, being somewhat amazed. I've been quite amused and grateful to see that since this newest firestorm the lines to their drive-thru have been all the way out into the street blocking traffic on Rogers Avenue (which I was trying to get past multiple times.) I hope the city comes to a stand-still next Wednesday as all of us try to get there. I hope that happens all across the country.

There is nothing hateful about any of this. I do not hate people who consider themselves gay. I hope to help them and I try to be kind to them just like I want to be with everyone and hope everyone will be with me. The people who are promoting hate are those who accuse us of being hateful. Are they unable to be kind? It is possible to disagree and still be kind.

Excellent words, Lyndel...thanks for letting me share them!

We ♥ Chick-Fil-A!