Back Porch Conversations

New blog ...

2010-03-30T16:49:00.002-05:00

I have started a new blog ... I might use this one for my devotionally thoughts but the other one will be mine and Jack's life ... especially our upcoming summer in Africa!
Check us out:
http://jackandtl.blogspot.com

A new porch ...

2008-07-07T21:31:00.000-05:00

I have found a new porch to rest on ... my new house. Well, I moved into Jack's trailer when we got married and it has a BIG front porch!! It has always been nice but then we moved my rocking chair over and now its home :-)

So again I have to thank Caedmon's Call for this thought :-) Their music is good seriously ... this is from Overdressed and the name of the song is Sacred.

"when I forget to drink from you I can feel the banks harden - Lord, make me like a stream to feed the garden"

WOW! Seriously read it again (now) ok. When I forget to take time with the Lord either in prayer or reading his word is it any wonder that I'm ill - NO! My banks are hardening and I am not a flowing stream. Now my Mom will tell you that I am a babbling brook :-) (hehehehe - guess I talk a lot) but seriously when I am truly in fellowship with the Lord my life should be a stream to feed those who are dying either because of heat or lack of care. If I myself am dry and dying I can't do the job the Lord has called me to do.
The head pastor where I am interning this summer has challenged the staff to be more intentional about sharing the gospel and then he holds us accountable to it - we have to report on Monday mornings. Yeah, if I'm not a babbling brook that week the whole staff knows. ick! Praise the Lord for accountability!
Psalm 1 is a great chapter to memorize. "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers."
Be a babbling brook ... :-) It's fun!!

Blogging again ...

2008-05-29T10:20:00.002-05:00

I'm gonna blog again ... a lot has changed in the last year :-) I'm married for one! and I LOVE IT!!! Totally recommend it!!! and I'm about to graduate!!! Stay posted for more interesting stuff .... :-)

2007-02-02T15:45:00.000-06:00

Love these lyrics by Mercy Me.

"... In Christ, there are no goodbye
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again ..."

"... I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now."

guess I'm just homesick for Jesus ...
Oh for the nations to hear .... that He may come back!!

The Back Porch has changed ...

2006-12-28T05:00:00.000-06:00

The Back Porch has changed at our house ... It's not quite as friendly and inviting as it once was, there isn't necessarily anything back there to welcome you (besides the rockers and swings) , you see our dog always ruled the roost on the back porch and we had to say goodbye to her yesterday. She was quick to greet you and always thought you were out there for her - no matter the real reason you were out there. It was pretty much awful - not what I wanted for the day after Christmas. While others were fighting and pushing returning things at the mall we were talking things over with a vet and wiping our wet eyes. We cried a lot and continue to as we think of her. She was a companion for the whole family. For Billy, the dog that he wanted at sixteen. He trained her and raised her right. For Me, well she abused me but for summers like this last one she was my partner at work, and managed to take me for a brisk walk every evening. For Mom, she was a companion on days of sickness and a protector when Dad was gone. For Dad, she would do anything. She was always under his desk at work and under foot when it was time to go. For Men at ARC's in three different cities, she was therapy - she made it like Home for a lot of men recovering from Drug and Alcohol addictions. She always wanted to be in the middle of everything - She was the best dog a family could ask for. She had a personality like no other - Oh how we miss her!! Praise the Lord we have a God that comforts even when we mourn the death of a dog. The Back Porch at our house has changed ... I am so thankful for a savior that doesn't!!!
Bless the Lord, Oh my Soul and ALL that is within me Bless HIS HOLY NAME!

Quick verse ...

2006-11-29T01:15:00.000-06:00

After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. " (Genesis 15:1)

I could write for days on all the comfort this brings to me ... Real quick (I am taking a break from writing papers to write about something that actually matters to me!) ... (1) the LORD says do not be afraid but He makes it personal He says Abrams name ... The Lord knows my name and wants to comfort me ... AMAZING!!! (2) He is my shield - He is going to be my protection, the thing between me and harm ... not hard times but even in those He will protect me and teach me (3) My reward - He is ALL that I need - HE is sufficient ... no matter what life brings my way as long as I get HIM what else could I want?!?!

Oh the comfort of this verse as I am bogged down by the weight of school ... PRAISE HIM!!!

My new favorite chorus:
"My chains are gone, I've been set FREE!!! My God my Savior has ransomed me, like a flood HIS mercy reigns, UNENDING LOVE, AMAZING GRACE ..."

Back to papers and projects ...

Truly Believing ...

2006-10-31T19:20:00.000-06:00

(Sorry it's been so long - like forever - School is busier than EVER and of course life is CRAZY - but the Lord is so faithful to teach me - I just don't always have time to "blog it" for ya'll to read)

This Sunday during church I was reading further ahead than the preacher was preaching and I ran across this verse that I have read a gazillion times but something on Sunday made me think ...
John 4:42 "They said to the woman, 'We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."
WOW! They knew when they heard His voice that He was not "just a great man" but truly the SAVIOR OF THE WORLD. How often do I think that He died for me and for my sins and He's mine all mine. All of those things are true, He is mine and He did die for my sins but He truly died for EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE. The gospel is not just for the middle/upper class white american its for the poor homeless man in San Francisco, and the businessman traveling back and forth to asia and it is for the CEO in South Africa trying to make it and the young children in Russia living in an orphanage. It is truly GOOD NEWS to those people who have not heard.
This also bring to mind the many americans who have grown up in the church especially the Bible Belt who for so long have relied on "Mamma and Grandmamas" faith that they have yet to make it their own. How true this statement can be for them when they no longer believe because of what they have heard but now they have truly experienced Him and His grace.
Oh how sweet - His grace - Amazing Grace.

John 4:23-24 " Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

Lessons from Linen ...

2006-09-05T16:15:00.000-05:00

So, I have been reading through Jeremiah for what seems like forever and am still not hardly into it at all ... I am learning which is good, but these people are ridiculous :-) I am reminded of myself often while I read it ... :-)
I want to encourage everyone to read Jeremiah 13:1-11. Too much to type it all out but its AMAZING! It was such a perfect picture to me of what my life is like sometimes.
Quick summary (TL style):
Lord tells Jeremiah to go buy a Linen belt and put it on. He does. Then the Lord says go hide it under a rock. He does. Some days later the Lord says go get the belt I told you to hide. He does. He finds it ruined and utterly useless. The Lord compares the belt to the pride of Judah and Jerusalem.
Now the verse that rocked me:
vs. 10 "These wicked people, who refuse to listen to my words, who follow the stubborness of their hearts and go after other gods to serve and worship them, will be like this belt-completely useless!"
YIKES! Really though, this is so true. When I follow the ways of the world, spend a few days out of the word, or don't care; I become USELESS for the kingdom. Here is the other thing, a Linen belt was the closest thing to the body in those times, shouldn't the word of the Lord be the closest thing to my heart? Then why do I follow the stubborness of my heart? So in the last week I have realized that there have been far too many times that I have hidden under the rock - I am ready to dance on it!

Who would have thought that you could learn SO much from fashion? :-)

The Gospel

2006-08-24T16:50:00.000-05:00

Colossians 2:8
"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than Christ."

I met a girl on campus Tuesday night who this verse fits to a "t". She had a "very open minded" approach to "spirituality". "There are many ways to heaven" and she has "gathered them and combined them through teachings at Auburn and other readings". Pretty much my heart broke - A place that I love soooo dearly has all but led this girl to hell. She has been truly decieved by the philosophy of this world. I realized that there were many out there but I encountered two in a row who were very open about their lack of a relationship with Jesus. Both girls mentioned works getting you to heaven and all I could think was - by grace alone, through faith alone, through CHRIST alone. My prayer as we walked away became all the more that the Lord would awaken souls on campus that hearts would turn towards Him. AUBURN UNIVERISTY NEEDS A SAVIOR!!!!!! I had to rest in the Savior Tuesday night that "his word would not return void." Then on Wednesday night I get to College Bible Study and the Holy Spirit in His ever famous way has Clifford preaching on John 3:1-16 about being Born Again. Why didn't I think of that Tuesday night?!?! I am prepared now Devil - Bring it on!

John 3:5-8
Jesus answered, " I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless He is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be suprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

If only I weren't a baptist ...

2006-08-22T16:15:00.000-05:00

I would dance in the aisles!
Pretty much thats been the thought in my head, especially this last Sunday (esp. Sunday night) if you were anywhere near me you could probably see me dancing. It was all I could do to not jump up and down and dance ... :-)
The Lord has been so good lately!!! He has given me a renewed heart for ministry, specifically at Auburn University and a heart the just longs to see the nations bow their knees. A friend gave me a CD last week and I finally put it in and if you see my driving around town I am singing at the top of my lungs ... anyways one of the songs says "How can hearts not love your name, and how can souls not sing your praise?" I truly have wondered that the last few days!! How can they hear your name and reject it? How can their inmost beings not just be consumed with the praise of the Lord?
This weekend I was able to go to "Bodies - the Exhibition" in Atlanta, which was by far the coolest thing I have seen. It was dead bodies, I know gross, that they have displayed so that you can see how the body really works. LITERALLY everything about us screams "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." I was blown away and I have had the biologies, the anatomies, the physiology classes but to see REAL human bodies ... AMAZING!! The Lord has wired our bodies to PRAISE HIM so when we don't I am convinced we are going against what is best for our bodies! :-)

Psalm 103:1-5
"Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his Holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle is."

Near to GOD

2006-08-17T10:53:00.000-05:00

Psalm 73:23-28
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by your right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into your glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and heart may fail; but God is my strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near GOD. I have made the sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.
I wish I could do justice to explain how this verse/verses has comforted my heart and spurred me to further repentance. Sometimes I think the heart is a tricky thing and all I know to do right now is to be near to the LORD, when all else is confusing and not right, the Lord is ... How faithful. My heart has grown weary of the pettyness of the world but at the same time longing to see it all change. I just want to bring Him glory ...
Oh that my rebellious heart would stop wandering

Stunned Waitress

2006-08-07T10:44:00.000-05:00

Saturday was my 21st Birthday - and it was a great one! My parents took me out to dinner at my favorite Mexican restaurant, gave me WAY too many presents and then we went and saw "The Devil Wears Prada" which even my Dad enjoyed. I think the funniest part of the evening out was as soon as we sat down and the waitress brought us our chips, salsa, and yummy green dip (not guacamole - way better) my Mom told her it was my 21st birthday. We then proceeded to order our drinks, My Dad: a Diet Coke, My Mom: Water with Lemon and Me: a Diet Coke to which the waitress repsonded: You are going to have a DIET COKE on your 21st Birthday! I just smiled and said Yes, I am.
That may not be funny to anyone else but it sure seems funny to me. It was as if just because now I could legally drink, I had to. I have never had a drink before and I don't think just because I can I should. Thats a whole different subject ... Anyways I just wanted to share that you DON'T have to get wasted just because you are 21 and legally can... Here is just another thought - a lot of the people that I know that get drunk on their birthday its not their first time to drink anyways so why the big fuss ?!?!
Oh well ... I only have another day and a half of work left so I should get to work :-)

Finally ...

2006-08-04T17:15:00.000-05:00

I know I have been home for a week and a half and have not posted - I apologize!! Its been crazy since I got back!!
I could tell story after story of funny things and I could share picture after picture ( I have at least 660) but I don't know that you would truly understand.
The Lord was faithful to teach. He taught me more of himself, in a much deeper way than I ever imagined. He was faithful to teach me in the moments that I thought what am I gonna get out of this. Most importantly He was faithful to teach the youth of South Africa of Himself. We know of many professions of faith - we also know that the gospel was shared - there was NO denying that. We shared at every opportunity. I mean literally every opportunity. I know that on average I personally shared the gospel at least four times a day and there were sixteen of us on the team ... :-) May not seem like a lot - trust me it was! :-)
I know too that my heart has grown fonder of that country, really that continent. I was fine leaving Shelly Beach, sad but fine, I was even fine flying out of Durban, sad to say bye to the Flippo's but ok, but flying out of Jo'berg meant leaving the continent. My heart broke - literally broke. I felt even more in my heart the Lord calling me back. As I sat crying on the plane the sweet lady next to me patted my leg and said "Its okay darlin' if the Lord has called you here, He will bring you back. Just Trust Him and don't lose your heart. " (Yeah I just cried more)
As I dream of one day going back - the Lord just reminds me that He has a plan ... a good one, one beyond my imagination. How exciting?? The Lord did remind me that right now I am called to be a student at Auburn University in Auburn, AL and be the best student I can be. I am to bring Glory to His name and share His name. I realized just how easy it was to find the Lord in everything you do and how easy it can be to share with students that I sit next to, people I encounter, why should I care what they think?? Just share the best thing that has ever happened to you!!
Once I write my report letter to my supporters I'll post it!! :-)
Thanks again for the prayers! :-)

I left my HEART ...

2006-07-26T10:07:00.000-05:00

I left my heart in South Africa ... really just in Africa. I am home and severely tired - its a strange feeling being jet lagged! I am soooo thankful for your prayers and will write in the days to come of all the things the Lord taught me! What a blessing it was ...

FOR THE GLORY OF MY KING JESUS ...

2006-07-14T06:59:00.000-05:00

I am getting ready to head to the Church to meet the rest of the team so we can head to SOUTH AFRICA ... I can hardly believe that it is here!!! I AM SO EXCITED - a little sleepy but EXCITED ! ! ! !

Here are some things you can be praying for and some verses:

1. The Youth at Merlewood Primary & Secondary Schools, Genesis Centre Gym, and the Workers and Patients at Murchison Hospital

(John 4:23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.)

2. The Flippo Family - Steve, Cala, Josh, Joseph, Sarah Beth and Samuel

(Colossians 2:2-3 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.)

3. Our Team Members:
Greg Key Ashley Hathcox Karen Allred Scotte Hodel
Terri Leigh Wilson Joanna Henderson Jordan Jenson Ben Knight
Sarah Taylor Audrey Vordenbaum Adam Hodel Becky Knight
Kasey Bodine Matt McVay Hillary Dickey Anna Maddox

(Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others. )

4. That my HEART would increase for the NATIONS:

(Psalm 47:1-2 Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy, How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth!)

Psalm 71:14-16 But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure. I will come and proclaim your righteousness, YOURS ALONE!!!

THANKS FOR THE PRAYERS!!!!!!!

GONE TO AFRICA ...

Home Sweet Home

2006-07-12T17:02:00.000-05:00

I love traveling - absolutely LOVE it!! I like to see new things, try new things and take LOTS of pictures BUT there is nothing like coming home. I promise you that the air smells different, trees look greener and life just seems better when you come back to "the loveliest village on the plains." I miss my parents of course and all the sweet people I work with in San Antonio, but I am glad to be back even for only a few days. By 930 this morning I had already been to Lakeview, been around Campus, and eaten at the Barbecue House. :-) (just a random comment on that note: Yesterday at the airport the security guard wished me a happy early birthday - its not for another 23 days and then I got an AWESOME birthday present this morning - can't go into details but know that it made my day!!!)
I am leaving for AFRICA in less than 2 days and I am SOOOOO excited - a little nervous but oh so overjoyed at going to a country that stole my heart before I ever even stepped foot on the soil. I talked to a friend this morning and I realized that part of my excitement is because I am going somewhere new, but also because I am seeing a new area for ministry. Last year in Burundi we worked on University campuses sharing the gospel and sharing about America and in South Africa we will be working with youth sharing the gospel, things about America and sharing testimonies about why abstinence is so important. I am a little overwhelmed about sharing that part of my testimony. We are going to an area that has one of the highest HIV/AIDS populations. Here comes the Southern belle who hasn't even kissed anyone. I was thinking the other day - what do I have to offer? But then the Lord in His ever faithful way reminded me - that I have the story of His amazing and sustaining grace. If one Zulu girl hears the story of the Lord in my testimony and changes her way or makes the decision not to go down that path - PRAISE THE FATHER! It is only by His GRACE. Colossians 2:2-3 has been a theme verse for my life the last couple of years:

"My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so
that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they
may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the
treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

That is my prayer for the people, mainly youth that we come in contact with. That they would understand Christ, because in Him are found all things. The things that the world teaches you you can find in relationships and sex, can be found in Him and that is a COMPLETE heart. The world takes that away from you, the Lord restores. I'll update with prayer request for the trip tomorrow. On to other errands in AUBURN!!!

AFRICA BOUND ...

Singing to the neighbors ....

2006-07-07T10:24:00.000-05:00

I love to workout - walk or run normally, but lately I've been lifting weights too. Now don't get any crazy ideas, not trying to bulk up just get in shape. Last night my favorite show went off and it was time to walk. I decided instead that I would ride the stationary bike on the backporch, I got my MP3 player and tennis shoes and went out there. I started pedaling and singing ... I was going for awhile when I realized that the house behind us the man was outside and could probably hear me (my mother said I was pretty loud). I got pretty embarrassed and then I realized how silly I was being. I was singing about my cup overflowing, how the Lord has filled me. I was just singing to Jesus until I knew the neighbor heard me. The best part of the song is (Caedmons Call - Walk With Me):

"Will you lead me, beside the still waters
Where the oil, it runs over, and my cup overflows
You restore my soul."

He will lead me, he will fill me. Why not tell the world?!?! Why not share?? Why be so timid?

Update: I am leaving for Africa in 7 days ... CANT BELIEVE IT!!! The super exciting part is that about five months ago I began making plans for this trip as well as a trip to Thailand with my church. The combined cost of the two trips was $3,900.00 - thats a lot of money. I'm a poor college kid and don't have any "rich" friends. I found a note in my journal the other night where during a meeting I asked a friend "Can I raise 3,900 in a year?" Her response was "I don't think you can - Ask Jesus if He can." and I did but with little faith, I am hear to say that He has BLOWN my mind! All the support for both trips has been raised! I am actually over for the Thailand trip - but that money still goes into the account and will bless someone else!!! What an AMAZING GOD I serve. He knows my needs even before I bring them to him and blesses me more than I could expect. People ask me and it is a joy to tell them how the Lord has answered prayers!! I serve a BIG GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Enemy

2006-07-05T16:58:00.000-05:00

I hate the enemy! I just want that stated. I can't stand him - but I am not gonna let him win! I realized this morning that I was down and I was letting those "little things" bother me and then it hit me - the enemies plan. If he can get me down and discouraged (my dad just preached on this on Sunday) then I will not be as excited about what the Lord is doing now and about to do. John 10:10 "The thief comes to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly." This verse came to mind as I was talking to the Lord - what a reminder - he came for US to have LIFE and not just plain life but ABUNDANT LIFE! What a promise!! If I let the enemy steal my joy and get discouraged than I am no longer effective for the Kingdom - how sad to not be effective because of a bad attitude. The Lord has too many WONDERFUL things in store. Things I have to trust him for, things that I don't understand, things that I wonder "how could it be better than that?" , things that I don't see how they will ever work out and get better. The Lord knows, and I have to rest in the fact that He will tell me when the time is right.
Resting in Him ...

Countdown: 9 days til I leave for SOUTH AFRICA. (finally single digits)
6 days til I am back in AUBURN!!!!

Hurt

2006-07-05T05:13:00.000-05:00

My heart aches ... oh Lord, that you would increase my faith to trust in you and your plan ...

The Nations ...

2006-07-04T09:54:00.000-05:00

So, my thoughts wander most days ... and more often that not it wanders to my future and what it will consist of. The first thing that always comes to mind is AFRICA, my heart. Then it goes to all the nations, what will it be like in heaven. On Sunday morning as I helped lead worship I couldn't help but sing at the top of my lungs:
SOON AND VERY SOON
WE ARE GOING TO SEE THE KING,
SOON AND VERY SOON
WE ARE GOING TO SEE THE KING,
SOON AND VERY SOON
WE ARE GOING TO SEE THE KING
HALLELUJAH HALLELUJAH
WE ARE GOING TO SEE THE KING!
Then I thought, I wanna go now! (being a brat of course) I want Jesus to come back on that bright cloud and get us - I wanna go home! Then I think how unfair that is, there are people ALL OVER the globe that have not heard the name of Jesus and I think well lets go tell them. But its so much more than that. I know my thoughts are elementary and I am learning, the Lord is showing me how its not totally necessary but incredibly important to understanding him to know theological things. Anyways, somebody once said you can't just go riding up on a truck and scream John 3:16 at the village and then look to the heavens for Christ to come back. Its more than them hearing its them understanding. WOW! Makes me wonder if He will ever come back ... but He Promised. :-) Then I begin to threaten to quit school and run away to the remote parts of Africa, heck I'll go anywhere if it hastens the return. Here's my thing - I want my life to be worship to the Father, yet I stink at that. In heaven, thats our job 24/7 worship the King, unhindered, totally focused. Oh, how I pray that my life would be that way here and now.

Countdown: 10 days 'til I leave for SOUTH AFRICA! :-) BLESS THE LORD!

Back Porches ...

2006-07-02T17:28:00.000-05:00

I have given into the world of "blogging" - I guess this is just a place for my thoughts to be read and its named Back Porch Conversations because my two favorite places are the front and back porch of my grandparents and parents house. Growing up I would sit on my grandparents porch and watch the trucks and cars go by, it never failed you saw someone you knew. Grandma had these chairs that weren't really rockers as much as they were bouncers, I loved sitting in them. They were just the right size for me to curl up and "bounce" as traffic went by. Late in the evening though the most relaxing place to sit was the Back porch, thats where the rocking chairs were and it would be us (whoever from the family was there) and nature. It was always so peaceful. We could hear the bugs making their noises and see lightning bugs dance through the yard. The occasional buzz of the bug zapper just meant some bug (hopefully a mosquito) lost its life. We would talk about anything and everything and everyone. ha ha I tell you we solved the worlds problems from the back porch of Springer Drive. Even now when I need to be alone and need to spend some time with the Lord, just hearing His voice, I make my way to the back porch. I am thankful that the back porch can't talk - oh the secrets it could tell of my conversations with the Lord. So I guess, when I am away from my parents and grandparents, the back porch is only in my heart. So, here goes public conversations from my back porch ...