So How DOES the Devil Feel About The Church in America?

My pastor played this clip in church today. It's very funny, but there's a lot of truth behind the humor. I think, many times, people look at Christians and see only the bickering and the self-righteousness.... and not the Love that God is.

(The church who produced this video is Life Church, pastored by Craig Groeschel. Neat place.)

2 More Tributes (The Surreal Variety) to the King of Pop

1. Young Saudi Men Who (sorry to say it) Have an Utter Lack of Rhythm.


2. Phillipino prison inmates re-enact "Thriller" (pretty impressive!)

My (Sort Of) Tribute to Michael Jackson

I've never been a huge Michael Jackson fan. I bought "Thriller" on vinyl WAY back in 1982 (like everyone else), but when Jackson's personal life became a train wreck, I was just..... saddened and disgusted by the whole thing.

However, all that being said, he was a really really talented singer.

So, here's a link to one of his best songs, covered by Chris Cornell (I like Cornell's version much better).

I pray that Michael Jackson's children will be raised by people who will love them and will give them some semblance of a normal childhood.

"Lest We Forget"

Whitestone is the film company for 12Stone. This is their most recent film.
This video is less than 5 minutes, but very powerful, and will stay with you.

Lest We Forget from Brandon McCormick on Vimeo.

My Secret to Peace

Know What's Weird?

My new job pays FAR less than what I was used to making (about 20 - 25% less), plus it's a LONG drive from home, AND my "time freedom" during the week is all but GONE.... but I am so CONTENT now.

I truly, truly am.
And it's a beautiful thing.

I've decided to focus on GRATITUDE and it has really made just a HUGE difference for me.

Sure, there's stuff I still want, but when I start the day by thanking the Father for all the stuff I already have, and focusing on my blessings rather than my wants, it's amazing how that "re-centers" me, and what a BIG difference that makes.

It's HUGE in fact.

And it's a good GOOD thing.

I heartily recommend it.

Stephen Colbert's Humorous Tribute to the "Murdered" White House Fly

LOVE Stephen Colbert!

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Murder in the White House - Fly Widow Interview
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Stephen Colbert in Iraq

"Thank You Wave", RIP

What ever happened to the "thank you wave"?
Do you remember it?
Has it gone the way of the dodo bird, Vanilla Ice music (good riddance), and RSVP'ing for parties?

Is it just not DONE anymore?

Y'all know what I'm talking about, right?
You let someone out into traffic.... they USED to give you the friendly little wave that signified "thanks!" or "Appreciate it!"

Now - NOTHING. At best, you get a blank stare.

Is it just me?
Is it just Atlanta Drivers?

SIGH.

I think the thank you wave is truly a thing of the past.... I just don't see it anymore. So sad.

The Foundation, The Cornerstone

.... I know I talk about my church a lot, and the cool music, the artwork, the fact we do our own short films, have an in-house recording studio, etc.
And it IS true - it's an amazing, accepting, LOVING, REAL community of believers where people THRIVE!

However, one thing I feel I must say... 12Stone is very much a biblically sound place. In fact, when we were preparing to open our doors in our new building a year and a half ago, Kevin (our pastor) felt it was critically important that the entire Bible be read aloud, from the stage, before the first service. So that was done. Non-stop. Out loud. Around the clock.

I forget how long it took, and how many people volunteered, but many, many people came in and volunteered in 2 hour stretches and read the word, from the 1st chapter of Genesis through the 22nd chapter of Revelation.

And it was a beautiful thing.

Freddy Mercury Would've Been Proud!

Only at 12Stone can you get sound scriptural teaching and a BLISTERING cover of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" by our kickin' band! (And let me tell you, this video does NOT do it justice! It was about 10 times better in person!) If I had had a lighter, I would have been holding it up and swaying, concert-style....

I LOVE my church!

Take This Important Quiz....

Take The Following Quiz========================
You don't need a pen, pencil or paper.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for Best Actor and Actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series Winners.
How did you do?
(Not very well, huh??)

THE LESSON
NONE of us remember the headliners of yesterday.
There are no second-rate achievers on the above quiz. They are the best in their fields.
But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Now here's another quiz.
See how you do on this one:
1. List a couple of teachers who really made a difference to you in school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time in your life.
3. Name three people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name five heroes whose stories have inspired you.
Now, wasn't that quiz a whole lot easier?

The lesson?
The people who make a difference in your life aren't the ones with themost credentials, the most money, or the most awards.
They're the ones who care enough to spend personal time and effort foryou.

Take a minute to send this to a friend. Or do you have to go accept an award? :)

(The above is from the always inspirational and thought provoking www.mountainwings.com )

Is it Just Me....??!

.... or do you also want Jon and Kate to just GO AWAY!

Candidly, I don't care where they go - anywhere would be FINE....

I just REALLY don't want to hear about them anymore. (!!!)

I've NEVER watched the show, and I sure as heck don't want to see it NOW.

Does every single cough and sneeze (or sighting at the local Starbucks) have to be captured and broadcast on "Entertainment Tonight"???

Really?

I think it's almost reached Octo-Mom frenzy status.

Sigh.

(And I just really feel sorry for those poor kids.....)

A Fond Farewell to Jay Leno

I love Jay Leno.... I mean REALLY love him. I think he's a class act.
Hubster and I got married on 5/22/92 ..... which was, ironically, Johnny Carson's last night on the air as the host of the Tonight Show. So I've always known how long Jay Leno has been the host.... because it's been as long as my marriage.

Anyway, I've been sad that Jay is leaving the Tonight Show. (Nothing against Conan O'Brien, but I just don't think he's quite the same caliber as Jay is.)

Here's a clip from last night's show, and Jay's farewell. This almost made me cry.

Thank you Jay for 17 wonderful years! You will be GREATLY missed!

"Me-Me-Me" (....at long last, KBL!)

Normally I don't do these tag-things, BUT because KBL is the COOLEST chick around, I'll do it. (Plus I really like the questions.... they're not the normal "plain vanilla" questions.)

OK, here goes:

1. What are your current obsessions?
Embarrassing confession coming..... our finances are rather "bruised" from when my business was torpedoing to the bottom of the sea, so Obsession Numbero Uno is "righting the financial ship". But we're well on the way. A much more FUN obsession to discuss is transforming my home office (which I really don't need anymore, now that I'm back in corporate America), into a Teen Den/Hangout Room, etc. The kids are getting to the age where they need their own "space" to chill out. I'm working on finding (inexpensive yet fun) furnishings to make it a fun place for them...

2. Which items from your wardrobe do you wear most often?
a) My demin capris. I love them and they fit me perfectly. Plus they're perfect this time of year. I also have a top my next door neighbor brought me back from Bombay that I absolutely love. It's a gorgeous shade of green, very comfortable, and every time I wear it I get so many compliments. Unfortunately, a certain someone ATE my favorite sandals. (I won't give her full name but her first name is DIVA.) :(

3. Last thing you bought?
a) a pint of blueberries (my very favorite food)
b) a really pretty $12.99 dress from Ross (LOVE that store!)
c) a Lotto ticket last night (I spend a whopping $1 per week on the lottery).
d) some bones from Red Bandana for Diva and Ruby.

4. What are you listening to these days?
The White Stripes; The Doves; U2; The Raconteurs; Led Zeppelin; Peter Frampton; Coldplay; Chris Tomlinson; Duran Duran; and PlayChase Music (12Stone original tunes). Like KBL, I listen to a wide variety..... just depends on my mood.

5. Favorite kid's film
Ole Yeller (yes, I still cry EVERY time he dies!), Bambi, Wizard of Oz! The Lion King, Snow White (the original), Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty (all the Disney Classics).... but Ole Yeller and Wizard of Oz are my 2 faves!

6. Favorite Vacation Spots
Tybee Island, GA; Maui; Cayman Islands; New York City

7. What are you reading right now?
I'm not reading ANY FICTION, which is very bad. I have (literally) stacks of books under the windows in my bedroom. I love, love, LOVE to read, but my new job is leaving me tired.

8. Four words to describe you:
Wife, Mother, Friend, Christ-follower

9. Guilty pleasure?
Godiva dark chocolate truffles with raspberry puree.... better than sex (well, not REALLY... it is just a saying after all....)

10. Who or what can make you laugh until you are weak?
My husband, and now, more and more, my kids. I have a houseful of Very Funny People.
And John Pinnette. I love John Pinnette!

11. First Spring thing?
Here in Atlanta, we see the daffodils, tulips and hyacinths all bloom in late February or early March. Taht's when we know Spring is coming.

12. Planning to travel next? Just got back from Tybee Island for Memorial Day weekend. Possibly taking the kids to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville later this Summer.... no big trips on the horizon for now.

13. Best thing you ate and drank recently?
My husband's home made mac & cheese. He uses 6 different kinds of cheeses, then crumbles bacon on the top. Yes, it's a heart attack on a plate, but BOY it's good.

14. When did you last get tipsy? It's been a LONG time. Unfortunately, I suffer from migraines, and alcohol is a trigger. So, I'm always the "DD" when we go out with our friends.... which is fine.

15. Favorite ever film? Too many to say just one, but here are some: It's a Wonderful Life, Bella, Lord of the Rings trilogy, Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind.

16. Care to share some wisdom?
I love what KBL put, so I'm going to leave that in here.... in the immortal words of Mahatma Gahndi, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." (I really love this!)
Last, in the (paraphrased) words of Jesus: Love God. Love people. (If you can do these 2 things, you will have lived a very good life! Jesus said that the whole law boiled down to those two simple principles!)
Last, relax. Enjoy the ride. Life is not a dress rehearsal!

17. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Being a petite curvy brunette my whole life, I've always wondered what it would be like to be a tall leggy blonde. Just for a week or so. Other than that, I really like being me. :)

As far as who I tag, I tag anyone and everyone who wants to play! (And let me know if you did it.... I want to read your answers!)

17 Years

Hubster and I celebrated 17 years of Wedded Bliss on Friday, May 22nd (and we celebrated by taking the whole family to the beach for a nice long, extended weekend... in fact we just got home).

Very nice and relaxing.

I really can't believe we've been married 17 years.

Time really flies, doesn't it?

Amazing that I was only THREE years old when I married him. :)

Speaking of Amazing Girls.....!!

MY amazing 5th grader graduated from elementary school tonight!

Here is a pic of her, and all her BFF's.... aren't they all just beautiful girls? And not only that, they are all great girls.... all are straight A, or A/B students, and nice girls. I am so proud of ALL of them, but especially proud of MY beautiful daughter (who is the one in the black, by the way).

I got a little choked up tonight (which doesn't happen often).... but I was realizing, as she walked across the stage to get her elementary "certificate", that my baby truly isn't a baby anymore and is quickly becoming a young woman.

Time goes by WAY too quickly!

Cherish those babies, my mommy friends!