To Own A Dragon

So I am currently finishing C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia series, the 5th book - The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I know that many people argue the current production, but the way I have been reading them is by chronological order, as opposed to the original publication. Either way, this is a great series!

To the point, this book out of the series has been my favorite so far. Each book has a high moral theme, often with a child learning a lesson. This one explores the spiritual life. Each chapter is a mini-battle where a different character is the main hero. So far I have yet to find an overall connection, aside from a single point of finding 7 men that were banished from Narnia in an earlier book. I suppose the next chapters would explain that part further...

I have noticed something about one of the characters, Eustace (what a name...), as in the chapters "The Adventures of Eustace" [chapter 6] and "How The Adveture Ended" [chapter 7]. In these chapters Eustace becomes a dragon... Here is my connection, which may lend some explanation to the title of this blog: the dragon represents sin.

In the book The Oath, by Frank Peretti, sin is portrayed by a dragon. Each character that has unconfessed sin in their lives, receives this oozing black smudge over their heart, and when it has gone on too far and too long- a dragon from the woods comes and takes them away! Also, in To Own A Dragon, by Donald Miller, he discusses a life growing up without a father present; dealing with such a life is tough- and the basis for this blog...

As I have recently concluded, my life has been a long battle with many dragons. I have sinned. I still do (but this is not the proper place nor is it the proper time for confession- sorry!). The biggest "dragon" in my life is my father, and the anger I hold against him. He left my mom when I was about 8 years old and, up until I was a senior in high school, I saw him every other weekend. This loss in time created a divide, a deep crevise, a canyon between us that still exists today. I have made attempt after attempt to reconnect or to urge him to attempt, but I often feel like Wile E. Coyote and end up being blown up or falling a long way to sudden impact. After this impact, I must once again pick myself up and attempt to chase this goal of connection with my father.

Much to my dismay, my attempts always seem to be in vain. My "dragon," my anger towards my father, has to be slayed. I must own my dragon. I must control it. Just like any sin (beit an addiction to drugs or pornography, a failure to forgive someone, lust, you name it because you have your own) you must face it head on and confess it and seek to find resolve. If you don't, then I suppose you might end up like Eustace and become a harbor for sin, and you may become a dragon yourself. I could become one.

That's it! It's settled! I need to face my dragon. I need to own it and slay it. I need to release the anger that I have for my father. You need to forgive him. You need to stop looking at her and wondering what she looks like naked. We all need to face our dragons- before we become one.

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Let me know what you guys think! Tell me if this was stupid, dead on, fresh, exciting, or if it challenged and spoke to you. Better yet, tell God.

WERD.

---AN

A Sunny Day for a Bible Study

So Whitney and I went to Tidwell Park, which is just down the street from my house, with a blanket, two bottles of water, Baked Cheetos/Doritos (mmmm...), and our Bibles. We set up camp just above the shoreline (which was normal, and a few years ago receded from the shore and is slowly coming back up), sitting in some shade- just enough light was hitting us to keep us warm.

Now, we have been studying 1 Corinthians recently, and today we finished chapter 1 (and 2:1-5) today. We would like to share our WOW discoveries and, perhaps, enlighten your day as Christ's love shines down on you, and like the sun on us today, will bring you warmth and hope.

We broke it up into 3 sections (well whomever translated it broke it into three sections) and then we further separate the scripture into groupings based on relevance. Make since? Good. Let's go!

I) 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Greeting & Thanksgiving
*vs. 1-3
>Paul begins to greet the people of Corinth... Not much happens here

*vs. 4-6
>Verse 4 speaks of God's grace. Verse 5 is about their blessing of speech and knowledge. Verse 6 is where Paul is encouraging the church by telling them that they are a "success story." Paul is positively encouraging them.

*vs. 7-9
>God has given us spiritual gifts that we should use, because Christ will continue to strengthen us. As God looks down on us He will see that we have been strengthened and covered by Christ's grace, which will make us blameless. God is faithful, and we were made to worship.

***How Does This Affect Us?
-We should be encouraging to others
-Acknowledge our Spiritual gifts and use them
-God is faithful.

II) 1 Corinthians 1:10-17
A Church Divided Over Leaders
*10-17
>Denominations ≠ separation/judgementalism
---We should not let our denominations separate us from other Christians.
---We should not let our denominations be used to judge other Christians.
>We are all covered by God's love and as long as we believe in Christ as our Savior, and as long as we are pursuing Him, then nothing else matters.
>Jesus is for everyone!

***How Does This Affect Us?
-We should not be judgemental to other denominations.
-We should accept everyone because God first accepted us.
-Jesus is for you and I!!! :-)

III) 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 - 2:1-5
Christ the Wisdom and Power of God
*vs. 18,19
>The Cross is LIFE for Christians, and for nonbelievers it is a form of death (meaningless; also as in capital punishment) :-(
>Knowledge of God is not enough without a relationship with God.
>Wise people like to spread their knowlede onto other people (whether it is good or bad).
>Intelligent people prefer to keep to themselves.

*vs. 20,21
>Worldly wisdom is powerless, while Godly wisdom is powerful.
*Reference Noah & Gideon*

*vs. 22-24
>Jesus is for everyone, regardless of what they believe. Jesus is the way! :-)

*vs. 25
>Kind of satirical - Even if God is foolish and weak, He is still wiser and stronger than the WORLD can ever imagine.

*26-29
>Pre-Jesus, we failed to meet worldly standards (i.e. influence, class, wealth, education, and importance).
>However, God chose:
>>>foolish things (like PB&J sandwiches; if you don't get this, ASK US!!!)
>>>the weak
>>>lowly things
>>>despised things
>>>things that are not
because it would take God's hands for these things to exceed worldly standards.

*vs. 30,31
>Post-Jesus, we were shown how to meet Godly standards:
---we are redeemed {Godly wisdom through Jesus}
---made holy {Godly wisdom through Jesus}
---made righteous {Godly wisdom through Jesus}
*"Everything Glorious" by David Crowder Band* --- "You make everything glorious/ I am Yours/ What does that make me?" --- Play the video below

>GIVE GOD THE CREDIT AND GLORY FOR EVERYTHING HE DOES IN OUR LIVES.
*Passion --> "Living to make Jesus' name famous."*

*vs. 2:1-5
>Paul is exemplifying verse 1:31
>>>He proclaimed the testimony about God.
>>>He renewed his mind. *Reference: Romans 12:1-2*
>>>He came afraid (weak, fearful, and trembling).
>>>He was REAL --> and demonstrated the power of the Holy Spirit "so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power." - vs. 5

***How Does This Affect Us?
-The Cross is Life!
-Knowledge of God is not enough without a Relationship with God.
-Worldly wisdom is powerless, while Godly wisdom is powerful.
-Jesus is the way (sorry Oprah...! :-()
-God is stronger and wiser than the world can ever imagine!
-God chooses the weak and the unqualified. *--- "God doesn't call the qualified, but qualifies the called." Louie Giglio ---*
-With Jesus, we are made holy, righteous, and we are redeemed.
-Give God Credit for EVERYTHING!
-Be REAL!
-Rest your faith on God's power!

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Now, we want you to tell us what you thought. Let us know if you find something interesting, powerful, challenging, or if you want to challenge us (either question or correct us). We would love to hear from you!


...lovelove...

Cake and a Survey

Yay! It's the weekend! Yesterday was such a busy day! I had a cake due yesterday for a friend's sister (she is graduating high school today!). I really like how it turned out! Usually during some point of my cake process, I get frustrated and want to throw it out, but yesterday I took my time and made it look great (partly because I was paid). Here's a picture of it!

I am really pleased with the way that it turned out! What I love about it is the meaning and all the thought I put into it. I bet no one will have a graduation cake quite like this one! I chose to do a scene with a bridge to signify going from one phase of life into another. She is graduating from Forsyth Central, so on the top-left portion of the cake, I used red and black (Central colors) and a bulldog with with a diploma (mascot). Then there is the creek with rocks and a bridge, leading into the new, college, phase of life. She will be attending North Georgia, so I used black and blue for the school colors. I also really like the quote! i found it in one of my craft books, and I think it fits really well with the theme. I hope they enjoy it!

So next week, I have another cake to make, but this one will be a beach scene! I am so excited! Can't wait to see how it turns out!

Oh, and because I was tagged to fill out this survey, here it is!

Rules:
A. Post the rules
B. Answer all the questions about yourself
C. After you are done posting, tag 5 people

What were you doing 10 years ago? Let's see... I was probably hanging out with Alyssa! We would always do crafts or jump on the trampoline!

Five things on your to do list today: 1) Clean my room. 2) Clean the kitchen. 3) Fold the laundry. 4) Read. 5) Have fun with Andrew!

5 snacks you enjoy: 1) Reese's 2) Oreo's 3) Strawberries 4) Apples with Caramel dip 5) Ice cream - with sprinkles!

What would you do if you suddenly became a millionaire? I would give some to my parents/church, look into a vacation, and save some!

3 bad habits: 1) Waiting till the last minute to study/do homework. 2) Biting the inside of my mouth. 3) Picking at my fingernails.

5 places I've lived: 1) Suwanee, GA. and 2) Gainesville, GA. (Pretty short list.)

5 jobs I've had: 1) Chick-fil-A 2) Receptionist for the American Kidney Fund 3) Decorate cakes on my own

5 things people don't know about me: 1) I am very crafty/creative. 2) I took 4 cake decorating classes at Michaels, and now I have been making cakes for family and friends for about 2 years now. 3) I am almost done with college, yet I have no idea what I want to do as a career. But, then again, I think that is fairly normal. 4) I have changed my career choice 4 times since I have been in college (something dealing with Business -> Teacher -> Cake shoppe owner -> Something in business) 5) I am actually more outgoing and talkative than you would think.

...lovelove...

We're Back!

Well well, it's been a very long time since either Andrew or I have written in our blog! But we're making a comeback! We added a few little pictures here and there just to give it a twist. Now it looks pretty spiffy if I do say so myself! Oh and here's a shout-out to Alyssa! Thank you for helping us get the "Scrapblog" all figured out!

So here's the latest in the wonderful world of Andrew & I... School was definitely very busy last semester, but luckily we made it out alive! Summer is almost over for me, and soon enough for Andrew as well... I have a couple summer classes that will start in a little over a week... :( I am sooo ready to graduate! Oh well! But anywho... Andrew is still workin' hard at Target, while I am staying busy with cakes! I have 3 over the next three weeks... Which reminds me.... I need to go and make icing!

Have a great day!
...love love...