Meredith Andrews - You're Not Alone

Mind games

Sarah and I love watching reality tv. More truthfully, I loved it before we got married and now she likes it (i don't know if she really likes it or just watches it with me). Anyway...last night there was a challenge that required the contestants to have their hands and feet bound while holding a weight that would take them down to the floor of the ocean (12 feet where they were) and then back up. The last person to let go of their weight would win the challenge. It became quickly apparent that this was more of a mental challenge than a physical one.

It got me thinking, most of life is a mental challenge. I've had a really challenging week mentally. There are battles that wage that no one around knows is going on. Things that we are all thinking but never speak out loud. How much do we think and never ever say? Think about that...what do you think the ratio to thoughts thought vs thoughts spoken really is? We've become a somewhat transparent society in which people are who they are and can dress, act, date and live any which way they want to. Our actions aren't hard to read. But what about our thoughts?
The great baseball player and now Aflac spokesperson Yogi Berra once was quoted as saying, "90% of this game is half mental". Our minds wage wars that really never come out in our every day-walking around-going from here to there lives. Still, it affects us and it goes to the core. We deal with these things that even our closest friends and family members never now about or ever will. These things change us and change our attitudes and reactions and color our perspective on life. Yet they go unsaid. They go unspoken and seem to linger until those quiet moments in life. All that to say this:

Even though some of the largest battles that we will face never have words or letters behind them, God knows. He simply just knows and He cares.

Ezekiel 11:5
Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon me, and he told me to say, “This is what the Lord says to the people of Israel: I know what you are saying, for I know every thought that comes into your minds.

You are not alone in your battles. The ones that people can see. The addictions that people can see. The disagreements that people can see. Almost more comforting is knowing that we are not alone in the deeper battles that no one sees. Those fears and scars that only you and God know about. You're not alone. Listen to the song I posted above and just remember that you are NOT alone in your battles spoken or not!

Family Guy Puke-A-Thon

Pumpkin Night 08 edition

Hey here are some pics from our 4th annual pumpkin carving night for the youth group. The carnivore pumpkin came in first and the joker pumpkin came in second.

Encouraging word

Romans 12:9-19 (The Message)
Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

11-13Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

14-16Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.

17-19Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."

Jellyland Update 10.27.08

1. The overnighter went well. The service was amazing! Teens really coming to grips that God LOVES them! One of the best memories I've had at Shiloh for sure.

2. We went to Lazer X in Ft. Wayne and I came in 2nd out of 37 ppl the first game and 1st of out 37 the second game! It is a blast...

3. Sarah and I went to Ft. Wayne on Thursday for a birthday haircut and dinner with the Peggster. It was good...I got an Italian leather wallet for my b -day from Peggy...she just got back from Italy...

4. October is almost over and that means November is here and November is my favorite month...hands down. My birthday, anniversary, vacation...IU basketball starts...Thanksgiving and the start of the Christmas season!

5. I restrung my guitar for the first time last week...I was worried I'd mess something up but it was good.

6. Basketball started on Tuesday night at Plymouth Wesleyan Church. I'm so thankful that they let me come and play...they also just built a new gym with maple hardwood floors! It is nice

7. I'm either tied or in first place in all four of my fantasy football leagues after this past weekend! I know...I'm a geek...deal with it

8. A couple of kids from the youth group have started playing along with me during worship. one is playing the drums and doing a great job! The other is learning guitar and he is coming along really well. It is fun to be able to play music with other people.

9. I stink at Rock Band. I cannot drum to save my life! I'm ok at the singing but I felt stupid doing it...

10. Last but most importantly....God loves us. He LOVES us! Oh how He LOVES us... don't you ever forget that!

LSU vs. USC referee

Updates

Here is an update on the Jellison's of the North:


1. Sarah started the meds for her thyroid problem! That is a big praise!

2. My hand is fully functional...finally.

3. We have an overnighter coming up this Friday. Should be a blast! I am using a lot of ! today...

4. We leave for vacation in 17 days...we are going to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin for a whole lot of nothingness.

5. The leaves are amazing...especially down my favorite road here

6. There are some youth that are starting to play worship with me on Sunday nights...it is cool to see this finally happening!

7. IU had it's first practice last Friday night...granted they might be bad this year...still I will watch every game to the end and root the same as if they were the best team in the country...because they are (in my book)! lol

8. Tri-Way Theatre is closed for the season. We love this place...


9. I'm loving the song that I posted a few days ago, "How He Loves". It has this great line that says that "I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way He loves us"! Wow...

10. Sarah's birthday is thursday....Happy Birthday....I love you so much

The Presidential election

I have to say, I hate politics. I rarely listen to anything that has to do with elections. However, this year has been different. There are so many different things going on and with our country where it is, this election seems to loom larger than others. So...I am not going to be a homer but I just want to say this and be done with it:


I think a lot of people are going to vote for Obama not because of what he stands for or against but because he is different. Some say a lot of people are voting for him because he is black and that sparked something in my mind. Mind you, I am not an authority on Martin Luther King , and I really don't know where he'd stand on a lot of today's issues. However I do know this: He wouldn't want people voting for Barack Obama because he is black. He said so himself.

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

If you don't think people are voting for Obama because of who he is and not what he stands for check out the stevansheets.com blog about a clip from the Howard Stern Show (of all places!).

It goes both ways. If we are judging charcater by what you stand for or stand against, then Barack Obama shouldn't be allowed to represent our country. A country who was founded on Biblical principles and whose currency says in God we trust. As a Christian we aren't defined by whatever color we are...we should be defined by who we are in Christ.

He is radical in his voting, his beliefs and if he wins this election those things will be seen.

Still I know this, whoever wins in a few weeks won't change the fact that my God still reigns. He is still in control and come November 5th that won't change. (I'm off my soapbox now)

How He Loves Us - Kim Walker / Jesus Culture

all I can say is wow...

Happy Fall!

It's finally getting colder and the leaves are turning...I hope things are good for you! I love this pic...so creative!

SPED time

I am getting ready to head to Anderson to spend some time with the SPEDS. I miss them a lot. It is hard when you don't have many friends where you live and in your everyday life. So for those of you that DO have friends that are close...cherish them.

Weekly update

Hey there... not a ton going on right now but here's is what is:


1. Sarah didn't get the charge nurse position. Oh well...it wasn't mean to be.

2. Sarah went to the Dr. last Wednesday and the Dr. said that she would treat her thyroid! Talk about light at the end of the tunnel...

3. October is Pastor Appreciation month...we had a good time last Sunday night at the Moore's house. I had to drive the vans because we don't have a van driver though...

4. My hand is doing good. I played some football Sunday night and didn't even notice it.

5. I am looking forward to going to Marion/Anderson this Friday and spending some quality time with my mom and then the SPEDS.

6. Things are good overall with us. No big changes...no big problems...just small ones nagging away!

7. Sarah's mom, Peggy, is going to Italy! I am kinda jealous...I say kinda because I don't want to fly over the Ocean, I'd much rather crash on land.

8. Vacation is in 29 days! Yay!

9. Sarah got us tickets for the IU vs Gonzaga game at Lucas Oil Stadium for my birthday!

10. I cannot believe that the Colts won! I'm still amazed that they came back and won that game! wow...

Have a great Wednesday!

Rewind

10 years ago (1998):
1. I was a Sophomore at Jay County High School.
2. I was living with my Dad.
3. I was working at McDonalds.
4. I had just been cut from the basketball team.

5 things on today’s “to do” list:
1. Work on the youth group newsletter
2. Meet with our insurance agent to save some $$$
3. Spend time with Sarah
4. Practice my song for the special this Sunday morning
5. Drink some Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. Buffalo Pretzel Chip thingys
2. Funyuns
3. Carmel Apples
4. Cookies and Creme Hershey Bar
5. Those peanut butter kiss things that only come around during Halloween

5 things I would do if I were a millionaire:
1. Pay off my stupid student loans
2. Buy a scooter
3. Go to Europe
4. Let Sarah stay at home or open up a coffee shop
5. Buy my mom a flippin' sweet car

5 places I have lived:
1. Portland, IN: lived there until I was 8 or 9 then again when I was 14 for a year!
2. Anderson, IN: I loved and still love this place...most of my lifelong friends live there
3. Elwood, IN: Interesting place to live...you usually have to go out of town to "do" something
4. Marion, IN: IWU, oh those years were fun and I miss them somedays
5. Plymouth, IN: Present stomping ground lots of cows and corn!

5 jobs I have had:
1. Youth Pastor

2. McDonalds- I loved it...
3. Family Dollar- Assistant Manager at age 17!

4. Paper boy...hated it!
5. Wal-Mart- third shift stocker during my Sophomore and Junior years at IWU...you want to see some interesting people go to Wal-mart after 11pm!

How Deep the Fathers Love For Us

I am singing this song for the special this Sunday and I thought I'd share the words on here. What a powerful song and the line that gets me is "That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure". How deep is the Fathers love? Deeper than we'll ever know.


How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocing voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that helf Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast inJ esus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom