Love

Ever since God brought Horizon into my life, I have been engulfed by the concept of loving people. Christ said basically "Love God and love people" (paraphrased of course). Sounds simple but those of us who are trying daily to do those two "simple" things know otherwise. Meeting people where they are, loving them for what they are, no matter who they are is what Horizon does. I have been fortunate to be a part of this church and to be discipled by someone who does these three things very well. Clay Carver loves people like no one I know. I remember a story he told once where his response to a friends gut renching confession of sin was "I never thought you were perfect and I love you just as much now as I did before we talked" Man, that revolutionized my thinking. To not let the sin in someones life surprise you and love them where they are.
Anyway...I guess the reason I say all this is that I want to love people the way Christ did. That is really hard to do and I would venture to say darn near impossible. How do we love those that take advantage of us or get under our skin. How do we love those that lie to us or try to hurt us. I know recently that Mark talked of loving your enemies for one of the Sunday Morning talks. Ok, but what if they really aren't my enemies. Maybe they just need help, I can't help them and they won't get it for themselves. I pray for them and ask to see these people through the Lord's eyes but it is so hard to know what that looks like. Do I confront, do I accept, do I cry with, do I pray with, do I show my hurt, do I give up and allow others more fitting to love and love from afar.
I have conquered alot of physical , mental, emotional and spiritual trials in my 27 years of life but I have to say that figuring out how to love people and actually loving them in a way where they feel and sense that love is the hardest thing I have ever tried to do. Some harder than others of course but still hard none-the-less.

Coffee Talk

I started working on my business plan last night. Man, is this going to be hard. I am not so sure I know what I am getting my self into. I have faith that the Lord who saved me will certainly help me do this. I got an e-mail from a friend over in Owings Mills who wants to talk with me about my vision of the coffee house. I can't wait cause this guy gets stuff done. He is a doer. I have met wtih so many people who want to help. I wish I knew what to tell them they can help with. I am getting super siked about writing my plan, though. That is new.
Anyway, I started this book that my bro recommended to me called The Preaching Life by Barbara Taylor. I have been pondering this idea of me speeking at church. Being part of a preaching team? Hmmmm. I don't have a problem with that, only I really feel that whoever is up there on sunday morning should know that they have some calling to be up there. I am not so sure I have that calling. This has been the subject of much prayer as of late and I am sure it will be revealed to me. But for now, I will work on enhansing whatever skill is to be had in this area of ministry and see what doors come open.
Until later, yours truly!!!

My week

Retro 2 sunday's ago was awesome. All of the Horizon peeps came out in there 70's get up. I have to give major props to the ladies. I must say that the females really out did the guys this year. There was the occasional few, like Banks, that put one in for the guys but over all the ladies won.
My kitty ran away last week but he came back the next morning. In the process, Christina brought home a new kitty. She is so cute. I call her Fatty. Now we have three, George, Gizmo and Fatty. I don't think Christina will let me keep the new one though. I can see myself as one of those old spinsters with all the cats...............Interestingly, that idea is pleasing to me at this moment.
Ashes Remain played at the Pour House this last Sunday night. They sounded really cool. I had never heard them acoustic before. My friend from work came with me and a new girl at church looking to move to Maryland. The place was packed out. Man, I know I need to get this coffee house off the ground. I need to get off my rear and do it....such is the source of much anxiety for me right now!
Anyway, last night I got to hang out with Rebecca and Suzanne. Those ladies are the tops. We talked of what we find attractive in guys. It was very freeing. It was also very revealing. I know myself better now. That's always good. Ahh girl time. I love it.
Yay! tonight is linkgroup. That is always a highlight. We have some tremendously rockin' people in our linkgroup. Why has God blessed me, by letting me know such people. Well, more later.

Coffee back in my life!

This week was fun. Tuesday, I got some hang time with Mel Reichley! I met her friend Bridget. She rocked and she is coming to Retro this weekend. Yay! Wednesday, I got to hang with my bro again. That was cool cause we went to Bahama Breeze. I love that restaurant. Thursday, Rebecca, Megan Wise and I went shopping for our 70's clothes for Retro. Major props to those ladies for hangin in the rain. We put some Horizon fliers in a really hip boutique down there. I love shopping. Ok! so I am a girl..........shoot me why don't you! Anyway, then I met with a guy from Horizon to talk a little about his vision for a skate park in Towson. That was cool cause we share similar visions only mine is coffee house in nature. It got me thinking and praying about my vision for a coffee house again. I have put this coffee house thing off way too long. I prayed alot about it that night. The next morning God confirmed His direction for me in a big way. I need to get off my rear and get to it. And I need to stop depending on all these people for confidence and vision. God has given me vision and desire. I just need to have faith and follow. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!! I am super scared.
Last night was awesome. My friend Kyle and I went to a Baltimore Blast game and stayed after to see a Jeremy Camp concert. Jeremy Camp rocks! He is a phenominal singer and his lyrics are stellar. We saw a bunch on Horizonites there. Cool!

This Sunday is Retro! I am so siked. Beth Ann is coming up for it and a bunch of people from my work said they were going to stop by. Yay!!!!!!!! I have loved the last 2 years and I have a feeling this one is giong to be just as good. Until then.