Just a Little Bit Odd: 06/01/2005

6.29.2005

The Classics Revisited: Part 2

First, a Blog. Now, a Book! (From 09/22/04)
It seems like everyone is writing a book these days. Whether you have something to say or not, if you're a celebrity (especially an uninhibited and unapologetic one) you can find someone willing to publish every thought you've ever conceived. Consider the latest lit from such infamous notables as:

Former President Clinton. Ironic considering that old quote by Ronald Reagan, "Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many rewards; if you disgrace yourself you can always write a book."

Pamela Anderson. Why do people feel the need to write about their careers once they’re over with? Don’t the words overkill and has-been ever occur to these people?

Paris Hilton. My first thought before perusing her book was that Paris needs to stick to posing for photographs and quit trying pretend she's in the same league as people with brain cells. However, believe it or not, Paris actually had some practical, easy-to-use advice to pass along: "Be born with perfect skin to millionaire parents, hire a bodyguard, wear lots of pink, and use men for accessories."

So now I'm thinking if all those people can write a book, then I can too. I figure the same people who buy their books will be too idiotic to realize they’ve never heard of me if I just make the dust jacket exciting enough. I can visualize it already . . .

After twenty three years, Wendy finally breaks the silence! In this tell-it-all, no-holds barred account of hedonism at its zenith, Wendy reveals . . .
Her family's unrestrained, excessive abuse of teriyaki sauce: "My parents put it on everything," she admits!
Two paragraphs of nothing but the most graphic, shocking details of every one of her love affairs: "Sock sizes and all," she promises!
The traumatic death of Shedrick, her childhood hamster, and the lingering impact she still feels to this day: "My brother cried, my dad sang 'When That Long Line Forms' and I wrote, 'Poor ole Shed. He is dead. Joshua dropped him on his head' on the cardboard tombstone," she sobs!
The real reason why she always covers up that fantastic bod of hers: "Too many moles," she confesses!
Why she always runs stop signs: "They're for tourists," she protests!
Her biggest turn-ons: "Pretty feet, muddy trucks, and Democratic political candidates!"
Plus, see exclusive, never-seen-before photos exposing her elbows, knees, and even toe cleavage!
All for only $24.95! Get yours today!

Throw a scantily-clad photo of me wearing an ankle length dress on the front cover and bam! I will be right up there with Hemingway, Shakespeare, and Kelley. Hey, if it worked for Paris, why not me?

Questions, comments, concerns? E-mail me! I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.

6.27.2005

Just a Little Bit Odd: The Classics Revisited

All but one of you (thanks, Blonde Moment!) failed to write me with your comments concerning Friday's great debate about dating. Therefore, I decided not to belabor a point none of you seem terribly interested in. (Probably because you, like me, aren't dating all that much anyway, so the point is moot before we even began!) Instead, I decided to feature some early blog entries of mine, especially the more humorous ones.

You all seem to like my funny stuff best, and since I'm backlogged on homework this week, I thought I'd take a few days off by revisiting some of my favorite oldies. This is especially for my newer readers who probably missed them the first time around, but for those of you who've been with me since the beginning I love you! and I hope you enjoy a recycled laugh or two. If not, stick around this week, as I might also be adding some stuff written years before I ever heard of the word blog. (But, shhh! That's a secret, so don't tell anyone!)

I hereby dedicate this week to my red-haired aunt, who enjoys my funny stuff more than my serious stuff. (Obviously, some of us would rather laugh than think. However, I won't chunk rocks at her for that, as the two of us are alike in many ways, that preference being one of them.)

So without further ado, I present to you "Just a Little Bit Odd:The Classics Revisited." Enjoy!

Odd People, Part II (From 09/02/04)
Today, I’m so excited to have a very honored guest in the JALBO Studio with me: Chunkadee, a very special friend of mine. Chunkadee, welcome to Just a Little Bit Odd.

Chunkadee: Thanks! Wonderful to be here. You know, I always knew you were destined to be odd.

Me: Oh, no doubt. Now Chunkadee, why don’t you tell my readers who you are.

C: Well, I’m the imaginary friend you had when you were two.

Me: That’s right. So, Chunk, what’ve you been doing for the past 21+ years?

C: Well, I’ve been hanging out in the recesses of your memory, of course. You know, there’s some really strange things floating around up there.

Me: Yes, well, we’re not really here to discuss any of that –

C: What you did in front of that vanload of kids at camp meeting back in ‘92? That’s still cracking me up!

Me: Chunk, I was twelve. I don’t think I can be held responsible for –

C: Was that before or after the policeman drove up?

Me: Chunkadee, we’re really here to talk about our friendship way back when. Do you remember those days?

C: Of course! You were a lot cuter back then.

Me: Thanks.

C: Anytime! Anyway, my fondest memories are of the meetings we had, especially the ones with John and Pete.

Me: Oh, yes. The meetings. I was career woman from the start, wasn’t I?

C: Actually, I think you just liked bossing people around.

Me: So, um, how are John and Pete these days?

C: Well, John achieved his life’s goal of becoming a bathroom. But Pete . . . well, what happened to Pete was tragic.

Me: Oh no! What happened?

C: Well, he finally went skydiving for the first time last year. In Malaysia. You know, Pete always was the exotic type.

Me: Uh-huh. And?

C: There was a flaw in his parachute, and well, let’s just say when the cannibals found him, they proclaimed him the best Split Pete Soup they’d ever had.

Me: How awful! Well, Chunk, we’re out of time. Thanks so much for stopping by.

C: It was a thrill. Listen, I’m going up the tear duct route this time. I came down out of your nostrils, but your nose is so big I got lost in there and wandered around for hours.

Me: Uh, fine. Bye now!

Questions, comments, concerns? E-mail me! I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.

6.24.2005

Dating: Not Just for Marriage Anymore?

ChristianityToday’s Single Connection recently published an excerpt from a book by Dr. Henry Cloud entitled How to Get a Date Worth Keeping. In this excerpt, he argued that dating should not be a means to an end – or in other words, it shouldn’t be only about marriage. Cloud lists other ways to view dating:

1. See dating as a wonderful time to find out about other people and what they are like.
2. See dating as a wonderful time to find out about yourself and how you need to change.
3. See dating as an end in and of itself.
4. See dating in a way that takes the pressure off.
5. See dating as an opportunity to love and serve others.
6. See dating as an opportunity to grow in skills.
7. Perhaps promise yourself that you will make no serious commitment for a certain length of time.

Of course, the article stirred up a fury of feedback from other readers, which you can read here. So . . . what do you think? Should people date only those people they would consider marrying, or should they date for the reasons listed? Or are you one of those people who prefer the “friendship and courtship” format popularized by Joshua Harris’s I Kissed Dating Good-bye? Write me your thoughts, whether single or married, and I’ll incorporate them into Monday’s entry along with my not-always-humble opinion!

Questions, comments, concerns? E-mail me! I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.

6.22.2005

Christian Carnival

I participated in the Christian Carnival this week, which is up at In the Spirit of Grace. As always, it's full of interesting thoughts from Christian thinkers and thought-provoking musings from Christian writers (a great description, if I do say so myself), so go check it out.

Questions, comments, concerns? E-mail me! I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.

Something to Ponder

Came across this quote on Plaidberry today (thanks Chad!):

I believe that the greatest trick of the devil is not to get us into some sort of evil but rather have us wasting time. This is why the devil tries so hard to get Christians to be religious. If he can sink a man's mind into habit, he will prevent his heart from engaging God.

--Don Miller, Blue Like Jazz

Questions, comments, concerns? E-mail me! I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.

Little Girl in the Lion's Den

Kidnappers and lions and rapists, oh my! If you haven't heard about the little girl in Ethiopia being saved by lions, you should definitely read this story. Part Jungle Book, part Daniel in the Lion's Den, the story is about a miracle of Biblical proportions.

Apparently, in typical Ethiopian custom, seven men abducted, beat and probably would have raped a twelve-year-old girl in an effort to force her into an arranged marriage. (Seven men for one twelve-year-old girl? Does that not seem extremely lopsided to you?) Apparently three lions appeared on the scene, scaring the men away. The lions continued to stand guard over the girl for half a day, fading back into the jungle only when she was discovered by her family.

There are a lot of attempts to rationally explain it: the lions were trying to decide whether or not to eat her (they must be slow deliberators, to have stood there for hours!) or else they mistook her cries for the mews of a lion cub and thought they were protecting one of her own.

As for me, I'd rather believe in miracles! I'd be willing to bet that girl had been praying . . .

Questions, comments, concerns? E-mail me! I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.

6.21.2005

Better Late Than Never: A Little Ditty for My Dad

I was out of town all weekend, so I sort of neglected to write a little Father Day’s tribute in honor of my dad. Okay, I didn’t sort of neglect it, I did neglect it. So, Dad, better late than never, right? This is written stream of consciousness because I just don't have the creative juices these days to come up with anything cute or profound.

Here goes: A Little Ditty for My Dad

My dad is a dichotomy of sorts
But I don’t suppose it’s nice to call your dad something he can’t spell.
It’s true though --
One of the smartest men I know can’t spell worth beans.
He is both the scholarly professor and the class clown
Depending on what mood he’s in.
He is the man who modeled to me
Staying up until all hours of the morning reading great books.
If you ever saw him
You’d know I come by my big nose honestly.
As well as those things my family refers to as “Bolgiano Buns”
Although those really come from my grandmother,
The woman who taught him how to be a saint.
A man of endless patience.
A man of endless strength.
The greatest saint that ever lived is the one you know the best.
I was born on his 26th birthday.
He says I was his best birthday present ever.
And sometimes I believe it.
And other times I wonder
What he ever did to deserve me.
Was it something good?
Or is he reaping what he sowed?
I hear he was quite the red-haired, freckled little rascal
When he was young.
That seems like ages ago.
Every day he dresses up in blue Nomex
And heads off to his job.
Whether he’s sick or healthy
Vigorous or in pain.
It seems the doctor has less and less good news these days.
And he doesn’t deserve this
For all the sacrifices he’s made.
A man of endless sacrifice.
A man of endless love.
My mom wants me to marry a man just like him.
I have no problem with that
But I told her that God broke the mold a long time ago
I wonder why?
This world would be a much better place
If we had more men like him,
And words are inadequate to express just how much I love him
But I'll say it anyway because it's all I have.
I love you, Daddy.

Love,
Your Birthday Girl.

Questions, comments, concerns? E-mail me! I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.

6.17.2005

Jesus Loves Me

My friend The Supermodel (so named for her tallness and thinness and awesome cheekbones) and I were driving home from IHOP the other night when we saw the following bumper sticker on a beat up truck in front of us:

“Jesus Loves You”

it proclaimed in flowery letters. The bold, block letters underneath read,

“Everyone else thinks you’re a bleepity bleep bleep.”

Now, I know it’s improper to laugh at an irreverent bumper sticker, especially one spewing curse words, but The Supermodel and I had a bit of trouble repressing our mirth. The incident reminded me of an advertisement for a t-shirt on this site (link courtesy of Jody) which reads,

“Jesus Loves You!
Then again, He loves everybody.”

The bumper sticker and t-shirt, while possibly humorous to one’s cynical, jaded side, points to a darker, more serious mindset that’s always lurked underneath my faith in Jesus, which goes something like this:

“Jesus loves you. Big deal. That doesn’t make you any different or more special than anybody else. He loves an infant rapist as much as He loves you. Some “good news” that is.”

Christian Clichés that Contradict Christ
That’s the title of a newletter I received this week, written by David Kirkwood of SheperdServe. It’s a myth, he writes (and I paraphrase) that God loves everyone the same and unconditionally. He cites John 15:9-10, a scripture I’ve read before but apparently never considered deeply. The scripture reads,

Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

“Notice the conditional word if in the declaration," David writes. “. . . Jesus’ disciples are responsible to abide in His love, just as He said, and they do that by keeping His commandments. Only those who keep Jesus’ commandments abide in His love. If we don’t keep His commandments, we don’t abide in His love. That means Jesus’ love for us is conditional, and there is no getting around that fact . . . Incidentally, the Greek word translated love in these two verses of John’s Gospel is agape, which is often defined as “unconditional love,” a definition that is obviously not correct according to these verses.”

This verse isn’t contradicted by John 3:16, the famous, “For God so loved the world . . .” verse so beloved by Christians everywhere, David says. The trick to reconciling the two scriptures is understanding the difference between the two different types of love being spoken of in each verse: merciful love (or unconditional love) and approving love (similar to the kind a person has towards his/her spouse).

Writes David, “ . . . Merciful love . . . is a love that says, ‘I love you in spite of.’ It loves undeserving people. It is the kind of love God has for those who are not submitted to Him . . . God forestalls His judgment upon them all of their lives as He gives them years to repent. Jesus gave His life for them, providing a way for them to be forgiven. To that degree and in that way, it can be said that God loves them.”

So in what way are the Christ-followers among us loved? David writes that we are favored with Jesus’ conditional love, which states, “I love you because you deserve my favor.”

“Unfortunately,” continues David, “many of us mistakenly think that if love is conditional it is not love at all. Or we even belittle such a love, saying it is purely selfish, and contrary to God’s love. The truth is, however, that God does indeed possess conditional love, as we have just read from the lips of Jesus in John 15:9-10 . . . Thus approving love should not be sneered at. Approving love is the primary love that God has for His true children. Stop and ask yourself this question: ‘Which kind of love would I rather people have for me—merciful love or approving love?’ I’m sure you would prefer that people love you ‘because of' not ‘in spite of.’”

Hmmm
What a relief to find this out! I feel special again! So now I’m wondering: would it be arrogant and non-Christian or simply blunt and honest to get me a bumper sticker or t-shirt that says,

“God loves me better than you!”

What do you think? :)

Questions, comments, concerns? E-mail me! I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.

6.16.2005

My Theological Worldview

You scored as Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan.
You are an evangelical in the Wesleyan tradition. You believe that God's grace enables you to choose to believe in him, even though you yourself are totally depraved. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives you assurance of your salvation, and he also enables you to live the life of obedience to which God has called us. You are influenced heavly by John Wesley and the Methodists.

Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan 100%
Emergent/Postmodern 68%
Fundamentalist 64%
Reformed Evangelical 61%
Charismatic/Pentecostal 57%
Neo orthodox 39%
Classical Liberal 39%
Modern Liberal 25%
Roman Catholic 4%

What's your Theological Worldview? Take the quiz.

Questions, comments, concerns? E-mail me! I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.

Brave

Have you ever heard a song jump out of a radio and speak to you right where you are in your life at a certain moment? That happened to me the other day with Nichole Nordeman's latest song, "Brave." I have a feeling this song is going to be my theme song for a long, long time. Check out some of the lyrics:

The gate is wide
The road is paved in moderation
The crowd is kind and quick to pull you in
Welcome to the middle ground
You're safe and sound and
Until now it's where I've been

Cause it's been fear that ties me down to everything
But it's been love, Your love, that cuts the strings

So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave

I am small
And I speak when I'm spoken to
But I am willing to risk it all
I say Your name
Just Your name and I'm ready to jump
Even ready to fall

You can check out the rest of the lyrics here, or you can listen to the song online here. Definitely listen closely the next time it hits your Christian radio station!

Questions, comments, concerns? E-mail me! I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.

6.14.2005

Vacation Highlights (and some Lowlights)

Well, well, well, what can I say except what a great time I had last week? Special thanks to Little Black Glasses, Thing 1 and Thing 2, Queen of Shoeba, Jimmy Machine, and many others for making my trip so memorable. Here are some of the highlights:

Arriving in Indianapolis at 1:30 a.m. to be greeted by a welcoming committee, including Little Black Glasses looking goofy and fabulous in a gray sweatshirt and a blue and black leopard print shirt.

Having my face fried at the lake prior to my trip, so that I greeted friends I hadn’t seen in years (and others I’d never met before) with a red, swollen and peeling face. What a gorgeous first impression I made!

Meeting Queen of Shoeba in person for the first time after meeting her online. If you’re really clever, you can probably find out who I’m referring to, but I’m not telling.

Thing 1, who escorted me to her place, was relieved Queen of Shoeba didn’t turn out to be a 200 pound ax murderer, mainly because he neglected to bring his blow torch for protection.

Meeting Queen of Shoeba’s friend Jimmy Machine, a guy with a very dry sense of humor. He and the Queen kept Thing 1 and I cracking up all evening long.

Jimmy Machine, who works at the Olive Garden where we went for dinner that night, sneaking me more Andes mints when we left. Score!

Shopping at Bakers and sniffing perfume at Dillards with the incredibly knowledgeable Queen of Shoeba, who introduced me to a new favorite, Miami Glow. Mmmm, smells like nighttime at the beach!

Little Black Glasses and I sunbathing in her grandparent’s lake, only to be informed later that a bunch of chemicals had just been added to it, rendering it unsafe to swim. We must be blessed, however, because we didn’t wind up with weird rashes on odd body parts.

Hanging out with Thing 1 and Thing 2, who are crazy as loons. Thing 2 and I have similar noses and similar feet. We agree that if we ever got married, our kids wouldn’t have a chance when it came to their noses. They would, however, have exceptionally beautiful feet.

Cooling off in the Bumper Boats at Rascal's Entertainment Complex and discovering that one gets much wetter in Bumper Boats there than at the entertainment complexes we have here where I live.

When one finds herself completely drenched in the company of gentlemen, the best thing to do is walk very closely next to your girl friends in order to shield oneself. Hopefully your friends won’t be sneaking pictures of you while you’re not looking, unlike the betrayers I have for friends.

Having Little Black Glasses empty her closet and giving me as many clothes as I could stuff into my suitcase. I love having generous friends!

The absolutely gorgeous wedding of Little Black Glassess to the man she loves and who adores her in return. She made one of the most beautiful brides I think I’ve ever seen.

The warm, melt-in-your-mouth homemade cinnamon rolls Thing 1 and Thing 2’s incredibly sweet mother made for me the morning we left for the airport. Mmmmmm . . . I’m still tasting those.

Realizing I’d lost my driver license, being labeled a “Flight Risk” and getting searched before entering the airplane. What a laugh, because I’m so small and fluffy I couldn’t hurt anyone if I wanted to.

Eating at Chili’s with my dad, who picked me up in Houston, and our fascinating conversation that ranged from the Nephilim (giants) of the Bible to Extraterrestrial Biological Beings (EBEs), whom my dad sincerely believes exists. My dad and I have the best conversations.

There’s nothing quite like that glow that comes from basking in the company of true friends, making memories and laughing a lot. Thanks everyone!

Questions, comments, concerns? E-mail me! I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.

6.12.2005

I'm Back!

I have returned! I'll tell you all about my vacation when I'm not so tired.

I read the contents of my blog that have been published while I'm gone and all I've got to say is . . . wow! Jody and Shana did a great job. And that "Hooray for Wendy" stuff? I'm blushing, I'm humbled, I'm honored, and I'm going to get you for that, Jody!

Questions, comments, concerns? E-mail me! I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.

6.10.2005

Hooray for Wendy!

I know she'll protest, but she's great at what she does and she needs to know it! I am not sure when exactly she is coming back but I wanted to start the compilation of praise for Wendy now so she couldn't shut me down before I had a chance. If you have more to add, please let me know at thebandwagon@gmail.com and I will add it to the list (and I will forward it to Wendy, so she can read them all)!

First let me say, that Wendy has been a favorite of mine, even though when she first started I have to admit, I wasn't even too sure about her. But she settled into this thing and found her voice and what an interesting journey it has been. Wendy has made me laugh, made me think, made me cry and made me just teeny bit upset, too. Blogging isn't easy all the time and it is time consuming. Wendy takes from her already busy days being a student, a mom and an employee to try to give us a little something to encourage us or provoke us or just lets us into her busy life so we can laugh and relate at the craziness of it all.

So here are a few reasons why we're saying right now, "hooray for Wendy":

She writes with honesty, sparkle and verve.
She draws you in with her insight, her wit, and her willingness to tell it like it is.
If she realizes she has "goofed" or if she stands corrected in any circumstance, she is always willing to concede, and not without a bit of self-deprecating humor thrown in.
I love Wendy because when I read her blog, I feel that I can relate, that there is a little chunk of me between those typed lines she posts regularly.
I love Wendy because when I click ... to Just a Little Bit Odd, I find myself in a familiar,
welcoming, sometimes fun-filled, sometimes a little more sober place in the vast, intimidating space of the blogosphere.
Integrity and humor
Willingness to laugh at herself
Wisdom beyond her years

Got more to add? Email me at thebandwagon@gmail.com with subject line "Hooray for Wendy" (before they make me leave!)

- Jody

6.09.2005

Google for the Answers

I really enjoyed ninetyandnine.com's article about Apostolics on the Web and their e-panel. I also thought it was interesting to read what other Apostolic bloggers were saying. In this technological age, it does appear that most Apostolics have been slow to embrace the internet and all the ministry opportunities there. Ministry on the internet? Well that's just crazy talk!

No, it's the future. When I need to look up anything at all, I "google" it and sometimes when I'm feeling really wacky, I'll "yahoo". A book is an almost foreign object to me. The evening news on television is completely ignored. The newspaper? I read it online. Most of my information comes from the web. Yes. I have to be careful to discern what is accurate and true, but for any news or information source this is a good practice. After all the Mainstream Media hasn't been doing a great job lately, have they?

I email my friends to stay in touch and IM them instead of call them. I am always connected online. An answer to a question is one or two keystrokes away. On my blog, I was receiving a lot of hits from the google search "painless way to die". The reason my blog was receiving these visitors? Because I had written during the Terri Schiavo controversy that starvation was NOT a painless way to die as her husband's lawyer claimed. The people though today who still hit on my blog are not searching for information about Terri Schiavo, they are looking for a way out.

What have I done because of this search? I added another post for google's web crawlers to find also about "A Painless Way To Die". About the fact, that there is no such thing. So now when these desperate souls hit my blog for their "answer"; they are given the national suicide hotline number and a heartfelt plea that their life does matter.

What comes up on the google search for those searching for the answer to their problems? Do they get a Pentecostal website to lend a helping hand? What about those who are in search of healing? Are they led to finding about a physician that can heal their heart? Those searching for the emptiness to be filled? Where are they led on the internet?

Why is it important for Apostolics to have a presence on the web? Because that is where this generation is searching for answers.

email me at thebandwagon@gmail.com.

- Jody

6.08.2005

What if I had brought Jesus to work with me?

Yesterday, I had "one of those days"... You know that day were nothing goes right? I usually love my job. It is very challenging and always filled with something to do. I work at a community hospital run by Seventh Day Adventists in north Central Florida. The people I work with for the most part are some of the best people I know. We have a lot of fun, do a fairly good job and enjoy working together. And in case you are worried, I am a Data Analyst in the pharmacy department so no patient contact here.

But yesterday, one person ruined it for a lot of us. He just couldn't seem to "get it." His emails were frustrating and antagonizing. People from other departments were running down to our department to try to figure it out. And there was absolutely no resolution. He thought he needed to take control of a situation that we already had control over.

Driving home I began to wonder, could I have handled that situation better? I was mad and upset and frustrated just like everyone else but I'm not supposed to be like everyone else, right? Did I need to contribute to the already frenzied environment caused by an instigator? What purpose did it serve me to help rile up the "troops"?

I then thought about a ninetyandnine.com article published a few weeks ago about taking Jesus to lunch.

Do you know if Jesus had been in my office, He would have told me to calm down. He would've tried to take more time to explain to the guy who was causing troubles for us all. He would've been patient and He would've shown love and understanding. This "troublemaker" was just trying to do his job. Unfortunately he doesn't understand everything he is supposed to be doing, and instead of coming down on him and getting everyone else even more worked up; I could've taken the time to explain. And care about him.

Jesus should come to my office more often. He should come everyday and He should shine through me.

Tell me what you think at thebandwagon@gmail.com and don't forget our little project!

- Jody! :)

6.07.2005

Okay, Kiddos...

Well guys, Shana's guestblogging time has come to an end and if you're expecting more quality, thought provoking posts then you can check her out at her regular blog because now unfortunately you're stuck with me.

I know, I'm kind of wondering what Wendy was thinking, but we'll just chalk this one up to temporary insanity and just try to enjoy our time together...ok?

Just to quickly introduce myself, my name is Jody and I am 26 years old, married with a two year old ~~terror~~ daughter named Evelyn. She is the best! I began an attempt to write a blog this January and I have had marginal success. I have about 150 to 180 visitors a day and have had up to close to 800 daily...I find that it can be therapeutic and I love to write but also it can be very time consuming, so my biggest challenge is finding a balance between everything that I do and my hobby. But I know balance is something we all struggle with occasionally.

I thought one thing that might be fun is to ask for emails from *YOU* to do a big "Hooray for Wendy" post later during my visit. I know she'd hate it but I think she'd appreciate it as well. I know she helps me a lot by being a consistent Apostolic voice in a not so consistent world. I trust her words and I know when she is wrong, she isn't afraid to admit mistakes. If you have reasons as to why you "love" Wendy; let me know. Being a blogger and a prolific reader of other blogs, I can surely attest that Wendy is one of the most talented out there, Apostolic or not.

So guys, I am counting on you!! Haha, you didn't expect reader participation so soon did you? :)

Email me at thebandwagon@gmail.com, I actually do receive quite a few emails so if you could place in the subject line "Hooray for Wendy", I'd appreciate it! And if you'd like to see what my other blog is all about (if you figure it out, please let me know!), you can click here.

Is anyone counting down the days until Wendy comes back? I am!

6.06.2005

the box

i have a box where i keep momentos. i have boxes fillled with pictures, but this box is different. The items in the box mark various events of my life that have had great impact, and that I wanted to remember. Sometimes I take the items out of the box and reflect on them.

There's a letter that I wrote to myself in high school. It was an assignment from my Modern English teacher to describe our ideal spouse in two pages, and to put it in a sealed envelope to be opened later on in life. It will be interesting to see how my ideals have changed (or have they? I don't remember what I wrote!). It's been a trial not opening that letter, but there it sits, in the box, marked "My Ideal Spouse, 11-28-94". I've vowed not to break it open until I'm engaged.

My Grandmother's graduation announcement card is in there. It's yellowed with age, and it bears her maiden name. She doesn't even know I have it.

There is a purple plastic fork in there from a sermon preached at my church that really affected me. It was about keeping your fork, because the best is yet to come with God.

There are several notes in the box from various friends. I read them when I need a reason to smile, and to remind myself of how blessed I am to have those people in my life.

In a baggie, there are some dried flowers from the hills in Greece from my trip a few years back. They aren't as pretty as they were, but I'm never getting rid of them. We went to many of the places that the Apostle Paul went, and I want to remember.

We put sentimental value on lots of things. Even little objects can become objects of value to us, even though they might not seem important to anyone else. It's the emotion attached. I'm convinced that God has a box, though probably much bigger than mine. After all, it says in His word that he puts our tears in a bottle and stores up our prayers. He could probably take out a vial for each one of us, and each one has a story.

"See?" he would say. "This is from the night she accepted her call into the ministry".

Or, "Look, this one's full of prayers for their loved one's healing. It's almost filled to the top".

"I remember this," he'd say. "This is from the time I helped her find her keys". Yes, really.

"I showed her how I was working on this day. She finally understood".

He cares about the things we care about. It doesn't have to be only the "spiritual" stuff. It's just like in a relationship in the natural. You don't just have conversations about how much you love each other and what you need. He just likes to hear about our day, because he's already in it. When is the last time you talked to him and didn't ask for anything or complain about anything, you simply enjoyed being around him? It doesn't happen often enough. You can't get to know anyone if you don't spend time with them, and God's the same way. He wants to be more than an acquaintance. We tire of people who never go beyond the shallow level with us.....I would hate for God to think that of me.

Questions, comments, concerns? E-mail me! I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.

6.02.2005

One Humble Opinion Amplified

I love the King James Bible. However, now that I own a Parallel KJV/Amplified, I feel like I’m getting a clearer appreciation of God’s word.

There are lots of “versions” of the Bible out there. I think a certain prayerful selectiveness is required when choosing one to study by. The purpose of these variations is to expound the Word of God for clarification. The verses of the Bible must be read and prayed in context with how they were written. So many people today have a habit of taking a verse and trying to wrap it around their situation so that it soothes their conscience. I won’t start a war and leave Wendy with a mess to clean up, but when the King James is wielded as “the only”, it’s usually based on the assumption that it is also the original.
The problem with that is that it’s in English. The original texts of the Bible were written in Hebrew and Greek, and both of those languages have words for which our language has no equivalent. So, the most comparable words were put in those places. So, in that seemingly small adjustment, we are already diverted from the “original”. I still believe that the King James is a great standard, but that other versions have something to contribute as well. They can help our feeble human minds understand what God has said. Which, incidentally, is the same purpose as preaching. It’s His words, explained by His mouthpieces.

Questions, comments, concerns? E-mail me! I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.

6.01.2005

Spiritual Identity Theft

Blogsitter. That’s my identity for the next few days.

It’s not my only identity. I’m also a granddaughter, a friend, a confidante, a youth staff member, an employee, a shopaholic, and a million other things. I choose to take on these personas and behave so that I fill these roles.

The Bible has lots to say about me (and about you). According to its author, I’m a king, a priest, called, chosen, a bride, His friend, and child. I belong to Him. He has spoken these identities over us and His Word cannot lie, so we are those things. Still, we have to choose to step into those shoes and behave like we do belong to Him.

You don’t see royalty struggling to achieve or wanting for anything. They know exactly who they are and what they can ask for. God expects no less of us. When we understand who our Father is and what’s available because of Him, we lose our peasant mentality and get the confidence that comes with knowing exactly who you are.

God’s not the only one who knows who you are. Satan is pretty aware, too. We make the battle pretty easy for him when we believe his whispered lies, lies that say we aren’t special to God, that we are alone, that we will never have anything, that we’ve messed up and God won’t let us back into the fold. If doubt takes root, Satan’s work is over and we do a fine job on our own cultivating a mind full of things that are contrary to the word of God. It’s spiritual identity theft, making us think that we have no right to behave like we belong to God. Remember, Satan’s a thief. He wants what belongs to you, which according to God, is everything that He has.

Get into the Word and see what your Father has said about you, and then don’t just be a hearer, but a doer. Choose to take on that identity that has already been set aside for you, and don’t believe the lie.

Questions, comments, concerns? E-mail me! I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.

Just a Little Bit Odd