Mecry Me - Move (Live)

I've not always been the biggest fan of Mercy Me (musical style thing). But this song is pretty darn good...especially live. Plus, there's an acoustic base and hand clapping. (notice he's reading the words off his iPhone).

P.S. - The lead singer looks like Dave Key... any NGC folks will know who I'm talking about.

Usborne Books!

I just recently found these books. I was in Florida visiting my family when I saw some of these in a gift shop. I fell in love with all of them. Then a couple of weeks ago I went to a expo where I found out this was a home based business. Well, at first I just wanted to get free books so I hosted a party. Well, then I realized I could get even more free books as my kids grew up if I became a consultant. If you have ever seen these books you already know how awesome they are. Feel free to check out My Website. You can actually buy stuff right online and they will ship it to you. Also, if you are interested in earning some free books yourself, host a party. I am super excited about this new endeavor. Truett is really starting to like books we read them everyday. Just so you know, if your child has a birthday party and we are invited, you'll most likely get something from Usborne.

Shana's Update: It has been a long time.

I am sorry it has been forever since I have posted an update. I know the grandpa and grandma's are itching for new pictures and videos.

Truett is growing up so fast. He started walking really well last week. This morning I watched him walk from one side of our living room to the other. Makes my heart sad and happy at the same time. He has been even more snuggly lately I think because of the new motor skills. I am soaking it all in because I know before long it will be long gone. He will be running by me with very little time to snatch a hug or kisses.

Today we went to the pool, and we have a kiddie pool on campus and he was zooming all around it. I got a video but it is messed up kind of and not good to put on the website, I apologize. I really will try and be better. He really loves going to the pool and mommy loves it too.

Life has been nice and normal around here because Josh is done with his J-term. We have had lots of family time. I am heading home next week to atl for a couple of weeks. I am super excited, Josh will follow a week later.

In other news. I turned 30 on the 9th. To celebrate I finally got my nose pierced, and then Wednesday I cut all my hair off. I think my mommy makeover is complete. I will try and post some pictures later.

A Gospel Primer (A Review)

A few months ago I won a book at Manskool (our church's men's ministry) called A Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent. I wasn't really sure what to think of it except to start reading it. The premise of the book is that Christians need to hear the gospel after conversion as much as, if not more than they/we do before conversion. This book is designed to show you how you can preach the gospel to yourself every day and to "savor and enjoy the glories of God's love and experience the life-transforming power of the gospel in all areas of life."

The book is broken up into four parts. Part one is a series of smaller sections in paragraph form that give reasons to rehearse the gospel on a daily basis. Vincent shows that the gospel is for all areas of life and a seasons of life. I've read this portion of the book quasi-devotionally. Its how I would recommend reading this book. Its not a "sit down and read" kind of book, although I guess some people might find it beneficial to read it that way. The other sections of the book focus on different ways to see and read the gospel. He uses a prose version and a poetic version to describe the gospel narrative.

The book has been very helpful in helping me to better define the inworkings and outworkings of the gospel in my life. It has also been helpful to be reminded how much I need the gospel as much now as I did before I was saved. Here's an excerpt:

Perspective in Trials

More than anything else I could ever do, the gospel enables me to embrace my tribulations and thereby position myself to gain full benefit from them. For the gospel is the one great permanent circumstance in which I live and move; and every hardship in my life is allowed by God only because it serves His gospel purposes in me. [Rom. 8:28-29; James 1:2-4; 2 Cor. 12:7-10] When I view my circumstances in this light, I realize that the gospel is not just once piece of good news that fits into my life somewhere among all the bad. I realize that the gospel makes genuinely good news out of every other aspect of my life, including my severest trials [Rom. 5:1-5]. The good news about my trials is that God is forcing them to bow to His gospel purposes and do good unto me by improving my character and making me more conformed to the image of Christ.

Preaching the gospel to myself each day provides a lens through which I can view my trials in this way and see the true cause for rejoicing that exists in them. I can then embrace trials as friends and allow them to do God's good work in me.

The ESPY's

I didn't watch the ESPY's last night. However I heard about Seth Myers' (of SNL) opening monologue. I watched on YouTube today and thought it was really funny. HE was funny. What wasn't funny was how seriously all of these athletes take themselves. If you watch this clip notice all of the athletes' reaction when Seth is picking on them. Particularly Stuart Scott. He's just an ESPN anchor. But he looks angry and unamused the whole time. Especially when Seth spends a little time picking on LeBron's "Decision." I've been meaning to blog about that but then I remember how little I actually care. I find it sad that these multi-millionaire athletes can't take a time out and laugh at themselves a little. They don't even realize how ridiculous sports are in the big picture. And that is being said by someone who loves sports. They're 20 somethings, or in some cases teenagers, who can put a ball in an iron hoop or throw a ball. Lighten up a little.

Here's another clip featuring Steve Carell...

Birthday Party Planning

Hello all. I know I have some seasoned birthday party throwers out there reading this right now and I need your help. I am trying to find some stuff for Truett's first birthday party and get good deals. Any of ya'll have any recommendations? I am looking at a Tractor/Farm theme. I would love to get a helium tank for balloons, any advise? Thanks a ton.

In need of MP3's

Tomorrow (Tuesday) I'm driving to Atlanta for my uncle's funeral. My dad's brother, Marvin, passed away early this morning. He died from surgical complications. The family is doing well which is a testimony to my family. I hate the circumstances that bring me home this time, but I'm really glad to be able to see the family. I haven't seen my extended family in over 2 years. I'm always working or in school for family Christmases and holidays. So this is important to me to be there.

Anyway, the funeral is actually on Wednesday. I will leave after Hebrew, hopefully by noon, and arrive in Atlanta by 6pm, in-time for visitation. I will leave Atlanta to come back to Louisville after the funeral on Wednesday. I hope to be on the road by 4pm. Needless to say I'll be driving a lot in the next 36 hours. I need some good driving tunes/audiobooks/preaching. So, if any of you have any suggestions on what I might listen to on the drive, or better yet, a way to send me whatever you are suggesting please send away. You can just post a comment or if you have my email address send it that way. I'm downloading several podcasts and have a few audiobooks but I'm certainly open to whatever you have to offer. Thanks!