Just Do Something

I was spending a little too much time on the computer this morning. I was blog surfing. I really like CJ Mahaney as an author (his book "Living the Cross Centered Life" is a favorite of mine) so every once in a while I meander over to his blog and see what's new. He had a post on there that struck such a chord with me that I had to re-post it, I hope that's legal! Here is a link to it, in case that makes it more legal:

http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/Blog/post/Just-Do-Something.aspx The general gist of it is a list compiled by Kevin DeYoung (who wrote a book called Just Do Something) about not always needing to wait on God to give us some cataclysmic event or sign to prompt us into action, but using the brains He gave us and His word to guide us. I think this promotes living in an attitude of appreciating every day with it's "smallness" and seemingly insignificant details being a day that God gave us, and a day that can bring God glory in the regular things that we do. It resonated with me because I sometimes tend to seek after "fireworks" in the way I see God moving in my life and the lives of others, but this encouraged me to set my eyes to an everyday faithfulness in the small things, that aren't really small at all. Here is where my words end and Mahaney's begin:

Just Do Something
By C.J. Mahaney7/13/2010 8:23:00 AM

To close out his Next 2010 conference message, “The Church,” Kevin DeYoung gave a list of suggestions for how to be a difference maker in the local church. He said:

• Find a good local church.
• Get involved.
• Become a member.
• Stay there as long as you can.
• Put away thoughts of a revolution for a while.
• Join the plodding visionaries.
• Go to church this Sunday and worship in Spirit and truth.
• Be patient with your leaders.
• Rejoice when the gospel is faithfully proclaimed.
• Bear with those who hurt you.
• Give people the benefit of the doubt.
• Say “hi” to the teenager that no one notices.
• Welcome the old ladies with the blue hair and the young men with tattoos.
• Volunteer for the nursery.
• Attend the congregational meeting.
• Bring your fried chicken to the potluck like everybody else.
• Invite a friend.
• Take a new couple out for coffee.
• Give to the Christmas offering.
• Sing like you mean it.
• Be thankful someone vacuumed the carpet for you.
• Enjoy the Sundays that “click.”
• Pray extra hard on the Sundays that don’t.
• And in all of this, do not despise the days and weeks and years of small things (Zechariah 4:8–10).

I cannot recommend this message too highly. Please take time to download and listen to “The Church” by visiting the resource page at thisisnext.org.

There is one more message from the conference I want to highlight. We will do that next time

Going to Greenville

We went to South Carolina in June, to take Matthew & Rachel to Powertime Camp. The kids had all been waiting for this day to arrive for so long, we haven't gone anywhere since last summer, and they were itchy for a road trip! Here they are, ready to hit the road (Irene wore her Mickey Mouse shirt for her little buddy Grant, who loves M.M. !)



After we dropped Matthew & Rachel off for their week of fun, we headed on to my sister Karen's house in Greenvile, SC. Irene & Abbie loved spending time in her neighborhood pool, they are like little fish!

We were able to squeak in a quick visit up to my sister Colleen's as well, she lives in Kernersville, NC. The girls have such a great time with her three girls, who are all teens and so good to my kids. Here are the three of us (Colleen, myself, Karen). One night was not enough time for three sisters to catch up!

It was so different to have just the two girls with me. It took a little bit of getting used to, but we really had fun together. My sister Karen ("Aunt Krinny") and the girls just love each other's company, they all love the same things...shopping, being silly, and more shopping! I have a hard time keeping up with the three of them...

Matthew's Baptism

Matthew Scott Hollinhead (my baby!!)
baptized on May 30th, 2010
at South Point Church,
by Rev. Matthew Means

There is nothing that compares to the joy of knowing that your children truly love God!

Veritas Graduation '10

This year I was so happy to go to my second Veritas graduation ceremony (the first one was Michael's graduation). Both times that I have gone I have left more inspired and encouraged than when I came in.

As I watched the graduates and listened to what their parents shared about their lives with these students I felt truly honored to be there, and to be part of a school like Veritas.

I have known Bethani (above) since she was just barely old enough to babysit, and yet now she has grown into a lovely and mature young woman. As I listened to her dad talk about how quickly she had grown, I relived Michael's leaving home, and wondered what it will feel like next spring as I say those things about Rachel?

I know it is trite, cliche, and all the rest...but my, how time flies!!

a few more air show pictures...

Airplanes!!

Way back in May, we went to Mallard's Landing (a fly-in community in Locust Grove) for their annual "air drop". I am not sure if that's really what they call it, but every year they hold an event where everyone who lives in the community can fly their planes over and drop bags of chalk on a target mark. Our friends the Mitchells were so kind to invite everyone, and feed us, too! We had a great time!
McCulley Means and Abbie watching a plane approach:

Lots of friends to watch with! Here is Matthew, Noah, Nick, Abbie, Judson, Lucy, Irene, Addyson & Samuel:

Everyone racing off to look at the old war planes: