Southland Christian Church

Southland has come under a lot of scrutiny lately over the new Richmond Rd  Lexington Mall purchase/expansion.  -Southland doesn't pay property taxes, so property values will plummet;  Why does Lexington need another church;  Why would anyone want to go to a mega-church;  Why not put the money into Africa;  Does it really need to cost $30 million, etc. With that said:  We live in a country that has 300,000+ churches and more wealth than any other time in history, and while America is in a terrible recession, we still have it better than most of the people of the world.  1/2 of the population of the world lives in poverty, 24,000 children per year die from starvation, over a billion people do not have access to adequate water supply, 40,000,000 Africans have HIV/AIDS, 1 million people die from malaria each year, and a large population of the world are muslim, buddhist, or hindu (info from compassion.org). We love that we are involved in a church that "Loves God and Loves People."  Southland's goal is not to give people what they need, but to give people what they're worth.  It's time for Christians to step-up and start living as Jesus, to cast nets out and fish for men (from Jon Weece).  I believe Brian and I are living in the right city at the right time.  I believe God has a plan and a purpose for us to be in Lexington.  It took me a long time to realize that, I was constantly looking at other cities around the country to move to.  The first year we lived here I was sad, and for 3 years I was miserable in my job, so I was really ready to move.  But I was absolutely in awe of what I saw God doing at Southland:  Jesus Prom, Bruised Reed, The Medical Refuge Clinic, the community garden, Room at the Inn, Helping Through Him, Feed My Starving Children, the supplies donated to Haiti, the backpack program, Celebrate Recovery, support of missionaries, etc. I believe God has opened several doors with the new location, and I know the leaders of the church and thousands of members have been praying about this for years, and I trust the leaders of the church to make the best possible decision.  We also believe that if we can get more people of Lexington to follow Jesus, it will then in return have a global impact.  So we're on board with the new Richmond Road expansion.   We're excited to help serve in any way needed.  We can't wait to see what God has in store for the old mall.  We're taking that step in faith. 

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

Golf date

Brian and I went to church last night so we could go to the driving range this morning.  We had a great time just messing around. 

The Kearney Hills Clubhouse is really pretty. 

Nice rockers to sit back and enjoy the view

I so do not look like a golfer.  

Some things I learned from today: 

1.  I like getting out and hitting some balls, but I am a terrible golfer. 

2.  I look stupid in hats, esp a Purdue hat. 

3.  I need to eat before any activity in the morning - by the time we were done, I was ravenous.  

4.  .  I need to concentrate more.  I was more consumed with people watching and the views than playing. 

5. When I play again, I really need an outfit.  The University of Kentucky Women's Golf Team was next to us on the driving range in their cute outfits and I looked like a hillbilly trying to hit balls. 

 

I love the water, but...

a reason to not love the ocean.

Happy Anniversary

Happy 3rd Anniversary, Melissa and Michael!!  We hope you both have a great day!  

The beautiful bride getting her hair styled.

 

The Happy Couple!!

Crazy Love

The Awe Factor of God -Francis Chan

My bible study has been reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan and I admit that I love this book!  It's an easy read, but also so...compelling.  Brian and I started our 465 People Challenge last month and have been trying to love people, so this book fits in perfectly.  Some of the points I have gotten from this book are:  Jesus wants us to love others so much that we go to extremes to help them;  we have to intentionally and consistently remind ourselves of Jesus and His love; some people waste their lives;  lukewarm Christians rarely share their faith with their neighbors, friends or coworkers;  Jesus wants all of me or none of me;  nothing should concern us more than our relationship with God;  people who are consumed with Jesus live lives that connect them to the poor in some way;  and what did I do with what God gave me.   I don't want to live a wasted life. 

' "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."  This is the first and greatest commandment, And the second is like it: "Love your neighbor as yourself." '   Matthew 22:37-40

Birthday weekend continued

Yesterday we had an open house for Mary's 60th birthday and Dick and Mary's 40th wedding anniversary. 

 I missed getting a picture of the cake before they started cutting it.

 

The boys were the first into the cake

My parents were able to come over and hang out for a little bit

Mary's Birthday Weekend!

Yesterday we picked Chris and Brittany up from the airport and spent the day at the zoo and the mall before meeting Melissa and Michael at Buca di Beppo to surprise Mary for her birthday.

A few pictures from the zoo

At the dolphin show

 

Waiting to surprise Mary

 

We were seated in The Pope Room

 

 Dessert

Engagement- August 18, 2006

Happy Engagement Day, Brian!  Love you more than ever! 

Cheryl/Share-Bear

I really think I smiled when I first met Cheryl back in 2004.  She is so full of life and energy.  I also believe that Jesus smiles when he thinks about her.  I believe one of her spiritual gifts is exhortation.  She's such a joy to be around, you can't really stay down when you're around her, she is so quick to offer encouragement and always maintains a positive attitude.  I love her excitement and passion for everything, when she sets a goal, she accomplishes it - from getting me to run the mini-marathon with her, to starting and finishing grad school while working full-time.  We first got to know each other on a ski trip back in January 2004.  I loved that trip!  I have already posted this picture, but it brings back so many amazing memories from that day. 

Sheri, Me, Kara, and Cheryl

 

The next picture is our camping trip, also so...much fun.  Summer 2004?? Brown County??  It's sad that I can't quite remember the year or where we camped, but we had a blast, thunderstorm and all.

Kara, Me, Chelsea, Cheryl, Julie and Leah

I never really wanted sisters until I watched Cheryl with her sisters.  

Cami, Cheryl, and Cara- Such wonderful women!

Cheryl, Laura, and Heather and Tony and Julie's wedding 10/2007

 

At Texas Roadhouse

Cara, Lexi (her niece), and Cheryl

 

One of my favorite memories was her birthday weekend in Chicago.  I wish I had some pictures to post.  We had such a great time -eating pizza at Giordano's and ice-skating at Millenium Park.

I'm thankful she was one of my bridesmaids.  I had the best day ever!  I felt so loved.  

Kara, Molly, Me, Julie, Cheryl, and Sheri (and Drew-she doesn't look the slightest bit pregnant)

Cheryl is an amazing servant, she has so much compassion for those less fortunate.  A few years ago she went on a mission trip to Muldova and I'm sure she was a blessing to everyone she came in contact with.  I know Julie was very thankful she was on the trip with her.  She also loves the Pine Valley kids in Kokomo and has planned several vacation bible schools for the kids.    

Cheryl, you are a lovely, dear friend!!!  

 1 Jon 3:1  "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"

Chris Tomlin at Southland

I'm so excited!!  Chris Tomlin is coming to Southland October 20.  It's a Wednesday night, which kind of stinks, but we would love it if any of our Indiana friends came down and go to the concert with us.  How Great Is Our God is my favorite song.  Let me know if any of you want to go and we'll get some tickets. 

"Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!"  Philippians 4:4

Goals

The next 9 months are a big deal to me.  Next May I will no longer be in my twenties, which excites and terrifies me at the same time.  I have finally started feeling like an adult and something about turning 30 really solidifies that feeling.  With 30 in mind, I have set some goals and want to make this year as great as possible.

Goals:

1.  Fall more in love with Jesus.

2.  Become more like Jesus.  Become more loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and develop self-control

3.  Love as many people as possible.

4.  Serve more people like Jesus.

5.  Fall more in love with Brian.

6.  Spend more time with my family.

7.  Strengthen all of my friendships.

8.  Serve more at church.

9.  Read my bible more.

10.  Take time to slow down and enjoy everything.

11.  Travel as much as possible.

12.  Take more pictures.

13.  Develop better photography skills.

14. Watch less television.

15.  Exercise more.

16.  Be generous with giving.

17.  Develop a better prayer life.

18.  Take in more sunsets and sunrises.

19.  Help Brian build our deck.

20.  Finish our house

21.  Co-lead a day at Sunday School- way out of my comfort zone

22.  Bake Brian more cakes--I love cooking, but not baking.  And of course he loves Cake!

23.  Learn to take 1 day at a time.

24.   Learn more about Kentucky

25.  Explore Kentucky more.

26.  Talk Brian into a boat.

27.  Come up with a way to keep the deer away from my plants!

28.  Learn to golf better/invest in some lessons.

29.  Eat more fruits and vegetables.

30.  ____ _ ____ ---My secret goal.

I realize a lot of these cannot be achieved in year, and are actually lifelong goals.  But I also know that it's going to be a fun time working on all of them.  

Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart."