The Law and Grace

So, I've been on the "church search" since I moved to Knoxville.  I think I've found a place that I can call my new church home.  I have been homesick for Downtown Pres since I moved but I am starting to enjoy Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church.  It's an EPC church, which is a little different than the PCA. Today there was a guest pastor, Tom Henry from WorldServe.  He did a fabulous job and it was one of the best sermons I've heard in a long time.  The regular pastor at CSPC is a great teacher too and I've enjoyed hearing him but really enjoyed Tom Henry today. 

Two verses really stood out to me today from Isaiah 30:

15 - For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strenghts" but you were unwilling.

18 - Therefore the Lord wants to be gracious to you and thereforever he exalts himself to show mercy to you.  For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him.

Verse 15 represents the law and verse 18 represents the Gospel, GRACE and the power of God.

Return. Rest. Quietness. Trust. He LONGS to pour out his grace on us.

Thankful Thursdsay List

old friends
family
spontaneous lunch meetings
a job
new friends
church
good food prepared by others
Jesus
music
a break
home cooked chili on cool fall nights
plans to look forward to
gps (thanks nc)

A Year Ago today

One year ago today I was planning, a lot.
- I was planning on a fab Halloween Party hosted by yours truely. 
- I was planning on going to see the Avett Brothers at the Peace Center with Andy.
- I was planning on buying a condo.
- I was planning on who I would vote for in the most controversial election our country has probably ever had and definitely the most controversial one that I've been able to vote in.

To Do List

1.   Get over the worst cold I've ever had: Check....finally!
2.   Work in the office, rather than in the field: Check
3.   Enjoy living in Knoxville: Check
4.   Hang out with friends in Knoxville: Check
5.   Go to the gym every day: Check
       - went to an Ab class and Zumba this week! Both kicked my butt!
6.   Clean my home: 1/2 Check; on the agenda for the weekend.
7.   Decorate my home for fall: on the agenda for the weekend (Thanks Mom!)
8.   Find a church home: tentative Check
9.   Celebrate friends getting married: Upcoming!
10. Hang out in Greenville for Halloween: Upcoming!
11. Find a renter for the condo: In process
12. Be Thankful: Check

God of Beauty Truth and Goodness

God of beauty, truth and goodness, Lord of wisdom yet unknown
Grant us strength to match the vision, As we come before your throne. Refrain

Stand for truth and cry for justice, Share with those who don't belong
And remember as you serve them, sing for those who have no song. Refrain

Run with faith and live for honor, bearing witness in His call
As disciples, build the future, until Chris is Lord of all. Refrain

Make a joyful celebrationm, God in Christ has conquored death
If you really are a witness, sing until you have no breath. Refrain

Refrain: Sing a joyful Alleluluia, Praising God in all you do
And remember as you witness, God is singing over you

Another Great Weekend

So it's been another great weekend!!

Friday night, I hung out with Carshonda and some of her friends.  She's a friend from ETSU and we have several mutual friends from Morristown, where shes' from.  We had a great time!  Saturday I went up to Carson-Newman for Homecoming.  I didn't stay around too long but got to see several people and enjoy being on campus.  I didn't stay for the game at Carson-Newman.  They beat Catawba for the Homecoming win yesterday! I came back to Knoxville and hung out with Nick and watched the UT/Georgia game.  UT won and it was an awesome game!!

I really enjoyed Carson-Newman's Music Sampler.  CN has a fantastic music department and they worked really hard to show off their program yesterday for all alumni.  It was a great time to enjoy music and worship.  All of the songs they sang were religious in nature.  There were also performances by jazz band and other musical ensembles and they were so good. I'm planning to post the words to a hymn written specifically for Carson-Newman called God of Beauty Truth and Goodness.  It's a beautiful hymn.

Trust

Trust and faith are intertwined in a believer. When we know His truth and what He says about Himself... then trusting Him becomes natural. We know His nature is good, His mercies are unending, His love is unchanging, His truth never fades, His grace is sufficient, His wisdom is all-knowing...

Caldwell's Birthday and Harvest Moon Party

These photos are all from Caldwell's 2nd Birthday party and from the Harvest Moon party at Nellie's in Greenville.  What fun, fun weekends! I love my friends and family!

Birthday Girl!

Nellie and Marie's 2008 Harvest Moon (photo taken by Gregg Johnson)

Nellie and Marie's 2009 Harvest Moon (Photo taken by Chris Schmidt)

Out of Town

So, I went home this past weekend and it was fantastic :) Caldwell turned two.  I can't believe that she's that old already!  Her actual birthday was Monday the 28th but we celebrated on Saturday with a big party at Ben and Beth's!  There were a lot of children there.  They all had a great time and there was crying a lot of the time.  It was fun to be able to be there. I'll post some pics next week probably.  I left my camera at home. 

I went to the Clemson football game on Saturday. It was fun but it POURED down rain the whole second half of the game.  I've never been that wet.  We may as well have just gotten in the shower with our clothes on.  I told Jared that he's owes me one for sticking in there and staying out in the rain the whole game! It was a good game, even though Clemson lost. Thanks to Jared's friend who gave us his coach's tickets we, we were on the 2nd row! It was awesome! I'm attributing my vicious cold to this game and standing in the rain. (Even though I probably would have gotten sick anyway!)

I worked in North Carolina on Monday and Tuesday, had dinner with Melissa in Jeff City and came on home Tuesday evening.  I was already starting to feel bad.  I did not work Wednesday or today.  I'm going to meet my friend Lindsey for dinner and a movie here in a bit, even though I'm still not feeling that great.

I'm headed home this weekend to Nellie's Harvest Moon Party.  I'm super excited about celebrating this annual event.  I cannot wait to see my Greenville peeps! 

Photos to come next week of Caldwell's birthday and the HMP!