What is your Passion?



This weekend I was so excited to see the move OctoberBaby again! Also playing was Hunger Games and many people were excited to see this movie as well. People were out in droves as movies were sold out. People were cheerfully talking about the book they read of Hunger Games or the special preview they saw of OctoberBaby. You could just feel the strum of excitement and joy in the atmosphere. It still amazes me to see of the prices of snacks at the movie theatre. My favorite snack is popcorn but I fight the overwhelming desire to buy it at the movie theatre unless three of four of us were sharing in the price and consuming of a large tub of goodness!

The following Sunday, I happened to be entering church and noticed the atmosphere –quiet and dutiful -which is different from reverent and peaceful. There was not much excitement and joy like it was at the movie theatre. Not that everyone’s disposition should have been like happy elves running around but there should be some sign of that which one has a passion –Jesus Christ (or at least I think so anyway). I began to let my mind wonder and ask myself ‘If someone would come to my home, would they be able to tell that this is a Christian home? Does the atmosphere exemplify Christ? Will our actions and words be in line with of Christianity? Would God be pleased?’

Of course we have a few scriptures and inspirational saying displayed around the house that is mixed among Dallas cowboy paraphernalia and gardening things but outside of that, are we living out loud? I am not saying that we should lose our exuberance over things that excite us or that we enjoy but that Christ should reign supreme! If He is supreme in our hearts then all others things will become properly ordered in our lives. I challenge you with this question from John Piper:

“I love your enthusiasm for the things you get excited about. You’re so free and expressive about good movies and nice clothes and cool apps. It seems odd to me that you don’t seem to be as expressive about the way you feel about Jesus and what he’s done for us. Have you thought about why that might be?

Alpha Phi Omega

Alpha Phi Omega has come to Regent!

Alpha Phi Omega (APO) is a national co-ed organization based on the cardinal principles of leadership, friendship and service. The purpose of Alpha Phi Omega is to assemble college students in a national service fraternity in the fellowship of principles derived from the Scout Oath and Law of the Boy Scouts of America; to develop leadership, to promote friendship and to provide service to humanity; and to further the freedom that is our national, educational and intellectual heritage.

Since I have become a member of APO here at Regent, I have had the pleasure to work alongside others Brothers to serve our campus, community and nation through volunteering ourselves to be used to help others. Last year we participated in Operation Christmas Child, Wounded Warriors, volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House in Norfolk, and Regent Housekeeping Appreciation Day.

To help us build skills to transform from followers to leaders, we will attending Sectionals which will be held at the University of Virginia in April. Various classes will be offered to enhance our leadership abilities.

Friendship is also an important part of APO! Brotherhood is the spirit of friendship. It implies respect, honesty and dependability! This means that we overlook differences and emphasize similarities as we join together in unselfish service. Last week we got together and went to see the movie -OctoberBaby. We fellowship and have fun along with our service.

If you need a helping hand with an event or personal you can call on us to be of service. To contact us email us at apo@regent.edu



Its Spring and I'm trying Something New!!

Yes that is correct!! I joined a Zumba Class!! This is totally our of character for me as I suffer from un-coordination and belong to the rhythm-less nation! I must admit I am having a ball and the workout is great. There are people of all ages and sizes in this classes and yes I try to find the most un-coordinated confident and secure person to stand next to.

What can I say, it is Spring and all things are new! Can't wait to see what's next?!?

Treasures in the Rain!

I have had a membership to the gym for two years and probably used it 10 times! So I have purposely rededicated my efforts at living a wholesome life with God first this time. Today was suppose to be my cardio day. On my way to the gym, my daughter passed me in her vehicle just waving as if she had not seen me in a long time. I had the sudden urge to turn around and go home.  After I got there, I said let's walk to Wal-Mart! Totally not me! It was just beginning to rain outside. I thought she would say 'No Thanks' but to my chargrin, she said -Sure let's go!

On the way, we laughed and chat about nothing and everything. She is away at college and out on Spring Break and I can definitely tell that she is maturing into a beautiful young woman. On the way to Wal-Mart we stopped and shopped in one of the local retail stores. It occurred to me that we were both in a store that we BOTH liked and AGREED on the styles. That has not happened since she was in the 6th grade! We bought a few accessories and headed to Wally-world. We did not buy a thing in there and could not figure out why we wanted to go to Wal-Mart! This made us laugh so hard till we had to stop for a potty break.

We sat outside a pizzeria and had a slice of pepperoni pizza each. Then she had a bright idea. She wanted to buy a large pizza for her brother as a surprise. With the help of a coupon, she purchased a 20" jumbo pizza for him. This huge pizza comes out and we prepare to leave the pizzeria. Only then do we realize that carrying a huge pizza box in the rain was not going to work! By this time, it was pouring. After we regain our composure from our second round of hysterical laughter we decided to call my husband to come pick us up. We were laughing so hard, he thought we were kidding!! So down our phone list we go until we finally got someone who was available to come pick us up. As soon as we go into the house, it started lightening and thundering. My daughter is still afraid of storms!

This was the best day -unplanned and plain full of heart felt warmth and sharing. No computers or other distraction just enjoying each others company and I still got my cardio in! Today was a wholesome day.

October Baby

 

For you formed my inwards parts; You move me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my uniform substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.

Psalm 139:13-16

I had the opportunity to view a preview screening of October Baby last night. I can honestly say ‘I have never thought about abortion survivors’! This is not a movie of religiosity or doctrine. It is a picture of life, love, forgiveness, hope, and healing.  It sends a clear message of just how beautiful life is for any of us –through natural birth, adoption, fostering, or life after abortion. I believe many hearts and lives will be changed upon viewing this movie.  On March 23^rd let us take our families and friends to opening night and make a great impact in our movie industry. Let us use the power that we have to send a clear message to Hollywood of the things we value. Let us support a movie that has the potential to SAVE lives.

This is not a chic-flick. This is a wonderful story about the importance and sanctity of human life. Please visit www.octoberbabymovie.net to find where this movie will be playing soon.

On a final note, the producers and one of the actors from the movie made an appearance after the showing of the movie. The insight was spectacular!

Faith-Works

Here is something I read this morning that I thought I would share with you. It is from a small devotional entitled ‘God Calling’ by A.J. Russell

Faith-Works

Pray daily for Faith. It is My Gift. It is your only requisite for the accomplishment of mighty deeds. Certainly you have to work, you have to pray, but upon Faith alone depends the answer to your prayers – your works. I give it you in response to your prayer, because it is the necessary weapon for you to possess for the dispersion of evil – the overcoming of all adverse conditions, and the accomplishment of all good in your lives, and then you having Faith, give it back to Me. It is the envelope in which every request to Me should be placed. And yet “Faith without works is dead.” So you need works, too, to feed your Faith in Me. As you seek to do, you feel your helplessness. You then turn to Me. In knowing Me, your faith grows – and that faith is all you need for My Power to work.

You Are Ever With Me

Upon reading the 23^rd Psalm, I reminded of a poem written by Thomas Merton. Merton was a Trappist Monk known as Father Louis and considered one the 20^th centuries greatest American Catholic authors. I personally enjoyed this book ‘The Seven Storey Mountain’.

You Are Ever With Me

My Lord God,

I have no idea where I am going.

I do not see the road ahead of me.

I cannot know for certain where it will end.

Nor do I really know myself,

And the fact that I think I am following

Your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you

does in fact please you.

And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing.

I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.

And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the

right road, though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always though I may

Seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.

I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and

you will never leave me to face my troubles alone.

Hmmm ... Random Thoughts

It is ok to use four letter words and adult language in your household and personal life. Try using four letter words like LOVE, HOPE, CARE, GOOD, BEST ...
and adult language like RESPONSIBILTY, DETERMINATION, TRUSTWORTHY, INTEGRITY, HONESTY, PURPOSE ...
Go ahead and try them and see how they can empower you and others around you.