So yesterday was Easter, in case you are in a coma and didn't know this fact. I had the most unique ( I will get to that in a minute) pleasure of playing the violin in the band at a different church. I also got to spend the lovely evening with my family and took a well deserved break from homework and such.
So this church. It's like super huge. And everyone there is VERY obsessed with appearances. The band members have strict dress codes and wear the the same thing to every rehearsal like its a show (which I guess it is to them). The band also has to wear these earbuds that have a metronome in it and a creepy voice that cues when to start the songs so that they stay within the same time. Also, we had two 3 hour rehearsals and "performed" 4 times yesterday. Let me just say, that I do not agree with this at all. Church and worship are not to be so obsessed over that you lose sight of its purpose. The purpose of worship is to please God. We are created to worship and worship doesn't come from playing every single note perfect and looking like a rockstar. It comes from your heart and your soul. At one point in rehearsal, the singers were told to "go all out worship-mode this time, cause the cameras are rolling". THIS IS NOT WORSHIP!!! Worship isn't a mode you can just click in an out of. It's supposed to be how we conduct ourselves all the time, always giving glory to God. I have a HUGE problem with this. I agree that practice is a vital part of being in such an ensemble, I mean college praiseband at Broadway practices. We do it so that we can lead others in worship in a way that isn't distracting by playing wrong notes and not being together. Also, we try to wear jeans, just so that our clothing isn't distracting either. I'm telling you, the worship that we had last Wednesday night at Broadway, FAR surpasses any of the rehearsals or "shows" at said church . It just doesn't seem genuine when you are constantly worrying about being with "the click" or how you look when the cameras are on, or if the stupid smoke is going to get in your eyes. It just isn't right. Another thing I just can't explain is the people. I never really feel welcome there. It's like everyone is so wrapped up in how they look, and impressing other people, or bragging about what's going on in their lives that they don't see the people who are there. They seem upitty and superficial. They are very surface-oriented people. Even their prayers show this. When they pray, everyone starts praying outloud together. Some of them cry. Seriously. Like loud, too. The message I got was, look at me, listen to my prayer, I'm more holy than the rest of this church. I hated it. I despised it. The message was shallow at best, too. It grazed the surface of the gospel, but didn't go deep. It is really sad to see the way the Word is preached there. It's watered down, put into terms that don't portray it correctly, and instead of an invitation after being presented with the gospel, the preacher talks for 15 minutes during the alter call, as if to guilt trip you into making a decision that he didn't even cleary explain. The thing I learned about this experience is how in love with my church I am.
WOW! Broadway is so amazing. The gospel is preached accurately and passionately by the most humble yet righteous men of God I have ever seen. The worship is wholesome and honest. The people loving and accepting. I couldn't imagine a better place to call my church home. I never want to take for granted the place that God has brought me to. I grew up Methodist and about two years ago started going to Broadway. Who knew (besides God) that I would become Baptist?! I have learned so much.
So today was a great day to begin my week. My first class was cancelled, tomorrow's lab was cancelled, Thursday's lab was cancelled, stupid SDCO rehearsal was cancelled and my allergies didn't even bother me that much today!!! And how gorgeous was it?!?! I enjoyed a nice lunch at Lucy's while I studied and I think I did pretty good on that test! I hope your day was as good as mine!! And if you are looking for a church, please, please PLEASE come to Broadway!! You will NOT regret it!
9.4.12
10.3.12
What's going on?
Well, I'm glad you asked!
I have been super duper busy lately with school. This weekend I have a take-home test in organic and tonight our discipleship class at church is going to MSU to witness. I'm super stoked and I am excited about how God is going to move in those situations. I haven't had a whole lot of time to blog, but I just wanted to check in. I find it a lot easier to read other peoples' blogs than write my own.
In other news, this morning I walked a 5K at school and survived. My legs hurt pretty bad. I need to start walking all the time cause this sucks. I am no where near in shape. But it was to benefit Isabel's house so it was a good cause!
I will post later on how things go tonight! Hope everyone is having a blessed weekend so far!!
♪♫ brianna ♪♫
I have been super duper busy lately with school. This weekend I have a take-home test in organic and tonight our discipleship class at church is going to MSU to witness. I'm super stoked and I am excited about how God is going to move in those situations. I haven't had a whole lot of time to blog, but I just wanted to check in. I find it a lot easier to read other peoples' blogs than write my own.
In other news, this morning I walked a 5K at school and survived. My legs hurt pretty bad. I need to start walking all the time cause this sucks. I am no where near in shape. But it was to benefit Isabel's house so it was a good cause!
I will post later on how things go tonight! Hope everyone is having a blessed weekend so far!!
♪♫ brianna ♪♫
7.3.12
All for His glory
So lately I have had a big decision come in my life. I got accepted into the Drury Honors house, but it's very expensive, so I didn't know how I was going to pay for it. So I have had a week to let the lady know my final decision and through this week I prayed that whatever came out of this situation would work to bring glory to God and to further His kingdom. My prayer was that somehow, by living in a house with 5 other people I could witness to them and bring them to church. I do not even know them yet, but I am still so excited. I really want to share the word of God with people.
Anyway, things worked out and I will be living in this house and it's all because of Him. The reason I wanted to post this is because so often I get my hopes up thinking about the things that I want and most of the time they just fall through, but this is the first time I truly felt like I was completely trusting God and it was a very exciting time! I honestly didn't know which way it was going to work out, but it ended up even better than what I thought, and I want to truly trust Him in everything!!!
One thing that I struggle with is being single, but I have gotten a lot better in trusting the Lord. I know that He has a guy for me. How could I doubt the maker of the universe? Anyway, I just pray that my future husband is living for the Lord and that I can be a good wife and for now, I just want to completey be content with where I am in life right now and trust God 100% :)
On a completely different note, I have a ton of cool ideas for decorating once I move in. This summer is going to be BUSY!!! I love it! Also, this summer I have to really celebrate because I will have survived organic. Phew!!! :)
Have a blessed day!
Anyway, things worked out and I will be living in this house and it's all because of Him. The reason I wanted to post this is because so often I get my hopes up thinking about the things that I want and most of the time they just fall through, but this is the first time I truly felt like I was completely trusting God and it was a very exciting time! I honestly didn't know which way it was going to work out, but it ended up even better than what I thought, and I want to truly trust Him in everything!!!
One thing that I struggle with is being single, but I have gotten a lot better in trusting the Lord. I know that He has a guy for me. How could I doubt the maker of the universe? Anyway, I just pray that my future husband is living for the Lord and that I can be a good wife and for now, I just want to completey be content with where I am in life right now and trust God 100% :)
On a completely different note, I have a ton of cool ideas for decorating once I move in. This summer is going to be BUSY!!! I love it! Also, this summer I have to really celebrate because I will have survived organic. Phew!!! :)
Have a blessed day!
4.3.12
I'm jumping back on the blogger bandwagon!
My online presence this week has been pretty faint because I was pretty sick Thursday and Friday, therefore missed school, Bible study, work, and now I have to catch up with all those things. Anyway, last Wednesday night David Botts gave the message at our college service at church. He mentioned that a great way to suppliment daily Bible study was to read blogs. Well, blogging is just an old hat for me! But, the thing is, I don't really blog about my faith or walk with God, and how can I even call myself a Christian if I'm not taking steps to furthering His kindgom? And how easy is blogging?! I mean, witnessing is hard. You have to confront people face to face and it can be intimidating (I would like to post more about this later), but blogging is so less scary. SO... I have spent the majority of the morning catching up on my blog reading because a lot of people from church started blogs, and now I feel it's my turn to jump on the bandwagon. A great place to start, I guess, is my testimony, and it will probably sound much like a lot of other peoples', so please bear with me and I promise things will get much more interesting later.
First off, let me tell you that I currently am a member at Broadway Baptist Church and it's just about the coolest church on the planet! BUT, I didn't grow up Baptist. My whole family is Methodist. We have ALWAYS went to church every Sunday and, although Methodists don't usually have Wednesday night services, we were at church because my family was always very involved. My grandpa was the choir director and my aunt was the pianist. We were just always at church. Well, we went to this old old church called St. Luke United Methodist Church and when I was in 2nd grade I got to go to church camp for the first time. They had an invitation at the end of the weekend and I was curious, but I didn't get up. When I got home I asked my mom about it and I got saved. From that point I tried reading the Bible and learning things about God that I didn't know, but seriously how much in depth was I going to go? I was like 8 years old! So I guess my perception of Christian life from that point was that I got saved, now I'm a Christian, now as long as I don't do bad things and go to church and get involved, I'll go to heaven when I die. So I lived that way all through middle school and even the first part of high school. I just got really involved in church and was a good kid and I thought that was all there was to it. Well, like everyone, I had times where I wasn't as faithful as I should have been. I hung out with some people who called themselves Christians, but I knew they weren't the same kind of person I was, but I never really knew how. They just did things that I didn't think were right. Well, once I got out of that situation (which could very well be another blog post for another day), I got really close to my bestest friend in the entire world, Karasyn Lindsey. At this point, I was attending Antioch United Methodist Church and was super duper involved, but there were only two other people my age and they were both boys, so I didn't have many peers to relate to. I sat during the sermons and paid attention and took notes even, but at the end, I couldn't tell you the theme of the sermon or even where you could find the premise in the Bible. So I started visiting my friends' churches. The first was my friend Melissa and then Karasyn. Well, Karasyn went to Broadway Baptist, which was close to my house and I knew a ton of people there and after visiting only a couple times, I felt very welcome. Not awkward at all, but I was sooo involved at my church and felt trapped in that. I was literally going to church only to run the sound board or sing in the choir, but not to hear God's word at all. I didn't want to let the people in the church down, which is a terrible spot to be in.
So finally, my senior year, I got an offer at my job to get some extra hours in on Sunday and I needed the money pretty bad so I did it. It was the perfect excuse to get out of all this work at church. So every other week I worked at the funeral home and went to the evening service at Broadway, then on my off weeks, I went to the early service at Broadway, but still went to my parents' church. This went on for a couple of months, until I started working every single Sunday. At this point I was going to Broadway exclusively on Sundays and then on Wednesdays going to the college class, because I had just begun my freshman year of college. Drew asked me to play keys in the college praise band and I said yes. I wasn't even a member at this church and I was already leading worship? I wasn't even Baptist!! I mean, yeah, I was a born again Christian, but Methodists and Baptists are pretty different. God worked on my heart a lot that fall and winter and finally in Febraury I decided to join Broadway. I was really scared because my family is really close and I wasn't sure how they would take the news that not only was I not going to their church anymore, but I was changing denominations.
Well, my parents supported me in my decision, and although my grandparents were sad to see me leave their church, they were proud that I was making a decision for my own faith. So I have been at Broadway almost 2 years now and I have loved every minute of it. I have made a ton of friends, but most importantly I have really grown spiritually because the leaders there truly teach God's word, no if's, and's, or but's. So that's where I am at right now, and although there is way more to this story, I'm cutting it off now, because you are probably snoring by now. ;)
First off, let me tell you that I currently am a member at Broadway Baptist Church and it's just about the coolest church on the planet! BUT, I didn't grow up Baptist. My whole family is Methodist. We have ALWAYS went to church every Sunday and, although Methodists don't usually have Wednesday night services, we were at church because my family was always very involved. My grandpa was the choir director and my aunt was the pianist. We were just always at church. Well, we went to this old old church called St. Luke United Methodist Church and when I was in 2nd grade I got to go to church camp for the first time. They had an invitation at the end of the weekend and I was curious, but I didn't get up. When I got home I asked my mom about it and I got saved. From that point I tried reading the Bible and learning things about God that I didn't know, but seriously how much in depth was I going to go? I was like 8 years old! So I guess my perception of Christian life from that point was that I got saved, now I'm a Christian, now as long as I don't do bad things and go to church and get involved, I'll go to heaven when I die. So I lived that way all through middle school and even the first part of high school. I just got really involved in church and was a good kid and I thought that was all there was to it. Well, like everyone, I had times where I wasn't as faithful as I should have been. I hung out with some people who called themselves Christians, but I knew they weren't the same kind of person I was, but I never really knew how. They just did things that I didn't think were right. Well, once I got out of that situation (which could very well be another blog post for another day), I got really close to my bestest friend in the entire world, Karasyn Lindsey. At this point, I was attending Antioch United Methodist Church and was super duper involved, but there were only two other people my age and they were both boys, so I didn't have many peers to relate to. I sat during the sermons and paid attention and took notes even, but at the end, I couldn't tell you the theme of the sermon or even where you could find the premise in the Bible. So I started visiting my friends' churches. The first was my friend Melissa and then Karasyn. Well, Karasyn went to Broadway Baptist, which was close to my house and I knew a ton of people there and after visiting only a couple times, I felt very welcome. Not awkward at all, but I was sooo involved at my church and felt trapped in that. I was literally going to church only to run the sound board or sing in the choir, but not to hear God's word at all. I didn't want to let the people in the church down, which is a terrible spot to be in.
So finally, my senior year, I got an offer at my job to get some extra hours in on Sunday and I needed the money pretty bad so I did it. It was the perfect excuse to get out of all this work at church. So every other week I worked at the funeral home and went to the evening service at Broadway, then on my off weeks, I went to the early service at Broadway, but still went to my parents' church. This went on for a couple of months, until I started working every single Sunday. At this point I was going to Broadway exclusively on Sundays and then on Wednesdays going to the college class, because I had just begun my freshman year of college. Drew asked me to play keys in the college praise band and I said yes. I wasn't even a member at this church and I was already leading worship? I wasn't even Baptist!! I mean, yeah, I was a born again Christian, but Methodists and Baptists are pretty different. God worked on my heart a lot that fall and winter and finally in Febraury I decided to join Broadway. I was really scared because my family is really close and I wasn't sure how they would take the news that not only was I not going to their church anymore, but I was changing denominations.
Well, my parents supported me in my decision, and although my grandparents were sad to see me leave their church, they were proud that I was making a decision for my own faith. So I have been at Broadway almost 2 years now and I have loved every minute of it. I have made a ton of friends, but most importantly I have really grown spiritually because the leaders there truly teach God's word, no if's, and's, or but's. So that's where I am at right now, and although there is way more to this story, I'm cutting it off now, because you are probably snoring by now. ;)
7.2.12
On trust...
I have a hard time trusting other people and even God. I am a control freak!!! Now that I write this, it seems so silly that I should doubt that God could run the entire universe because he made it all. I am so silly. Anyway, here are a few things that I am struggling with lately.
First, I have been broke pretty much since mid-December, and let me tell you, it sucks. I can't just go do whatever I want, I sometimes have to worry whether or not I have gas to get to school and work. I have bills to be paid, gas is expensive, and one thing that I have refused to look over is my tithe. But sometimes I think, well, I could di this or that if I had kept that money. I am really bad about that. But I know that I should just trust the Lord, and I know that my money is SOOOO much better spent giving to the church and furthering the Lord's kingdom than me going to dinner or buying silly things.
Second, relationships. Need I say more?
And last, I have had a really hard time giving up my health to the Lord. Here's the deal. I love to eat, and I hate to exercise. The thought of being sweaty and gross makes me sick to think about. Anyway, isn't the important thing that you love yourself? I think I do. I'm pretty happy with the person I am today, but I am not content and I think my health is the biggest part of it. Now that I have modified my schedule to fit some neccessary studying, I think I can afford to add at least 30 minutes of some type of physical activity to it. So I think this is going to be my plan, take 15 minutes in the morning, before school, and get on the Wii or treadmill and then 15 minutes when I get home, or before I go to bed. I can totally do this!!!!! :)
So this weekend pretty much rocked! I went to the Disney LIVE! thing at Hammons Hall with my mom, aunt and cousin. I felt like such a little kid and it was great! It makes me excited to go to Disney World next summer (yet another reason to get healthy) ! And then Sunday night I went with Karasyn and Tyler to a little Baptist church in Walnut Grove because he led worship. It was really cool. I am so glad that I have such great friends :)
Well, I hope you all have a great week!
First, I have been broke pretty much since mid-December, and let me tell you, it sucks. I can't just go do whatever I want, I sometimes have to worry whether or not I have gas to get to school and work. I have bills to be paid, gas is expensive, and one thing that I have refused to look over is my tithe. But sometimes I think, well, I could di this or that if I had kept that money. I am really bad about that. But I know that I should just trust the Lord, and I know that my money is SOOOO much better spent giving to the church and furthering the Lord's kingdom than me going to dinner or buying silly things.
Second, relationships. Need I say more?
And last, I have had a really hard time giving up my health to the Lord. Here's the deal. I love to eat, and I hate to exercise. The thought of being sweaty and gross makes me sick to think about. Anyway, isn't the important thing that you love yourself? I think I do. I'm pretty happy with the person I am today, but I am not content and I think my health is the biggest part of it. Now that I have modified my schedule to fit some neccessary studying, I think I can afford to add at least 30 minutes of some type of physical activity to it. So I think this is going to be my plan, take 15 minutes in the morning, before school, and get on the Wii or treadmill and then 15 minutes when I get home, or before I go to bed. I can totally do this!!!!! :)
So this weekend pretty much rocked! I went to the Disney LIVE! thing at Hammons Hall with my mom, aunt and cousin. I felt like such a little kid and it was great! It makes me excited to go to Disney World next summer (yet another reason to get healthy) ! And then Sunday night I went with Karasyn and Tyler to a little Baptist church in Walnut Grove because he led worship. It was really cool. I am so glad that I have such great friends :)
Well, I hope you all have a great week!
4.2.12
Random things on my mind.
- I love Disney sooo much!!! :) They movies are amazing and I can't wait to go back to Disney World next summer! Yay!!!
- I need to realy focus on eating healthier and excercising. I think I have finally got into a routine for this semester when it comes to homework and studying. I got an A on my first Organic II test, but now I really need to focus on using my time even wiser to exercise. I never do, and it's bad. I need to start in small increments.
- I really really don't want to start cleaning yet, but I'm addicted to the freakin' internet.
- This weather is really depressing to me, but maybe I am just a little moody.
- I am thoroughly convinced that "love" is just an illusive thing that will never happen for me. Also, I am secretly dreading Valentine's Day. I want to spend the entire day locked in my room. :(
- Today I am really wanting every sweet thing. Cupcakes, cookies, anything!!!! I know I don't need them, and we don't really have them. I need to come up with a healthy alternative.
1.2.12
My random and somewhat conflicting feelings on DGB
For starters, how exciting for Hillcrest to have such a desired football player?! I think it's really cool. Honestly. BUT! Yes, there is always a but. But, I have huge issues with sports being so hyped up.
So I just have to get this out.
1. Hillcrest is kind of known for not being great at anything. I guess maybe except for media. They're pretty smokin'! So I think it is really good for the school to be getting attention over DGB and giving the school a reason to have some school pride, BUT on the flip side, the school really isn't getting this. It's only DGB. I think it is so crazy for one person to get so much publicity. And here's the next point....
2. OVER SPORTS!!! Ok, I understand that sports are like the American past time and a huge source of entertainment, but I have a hard time thinking that sports are a talent. It's athletic ability and it's one of those things that you are pretty much born with. I mean, yeah, athletes train and stuff, but it's just too ridiculous that you should get a full ride scholarship for being able to run fast and catch things. I like to compare this to music. Many people are born with the ability to play music well, others practice hours upon hours a day to become good, but let me tell you from experience, no one. I mean NO ONE gets that much hype over being a prodigy at music (Please note, that I am NOT, by any means claiming to be a prodigy). Anywho, it goes that way for scholarships too. The most anyone at my school gets for music is $3,000. Yeah, thats a lot, but no where NEAR a ful ride. Actually it's only about 15% of tuition. And you only get that much if you are like really stinking good. So I guess you could say that I am a bit bitter, or biased on this.
3. Let me also tell you this. People aren't born smart. Ok, I take that back. Some people are. I have yet to meet one, but I have heard that Einstein was pretty intelligent. Anyway, the majority of people who do well in school........get this, it will amaze you..... WORK FOR IT! You know, study and work hard to do well. These are the people in the world who become doctors, lawyers, teachers, businessmen, AKA the people who affect your everyday life. Why don't we give these people recognition? I mean, I'm sure your dentist has had a direct effect on your health, not stupid football players. These poor people who work so hard and do so much for you are not recognized at all, because all the airtime is spent on athletes and movie stars. I guess you could say I'm bitter on this subject as well, because (and bear with me while I toot my own horn) I graduated 4th in my class, I was concert "mistress" in orchestra, I was in band, in FBLA among other things, and my senior year, I wasn't even selected as a student of the month. I recall actually a couple of people who were, aren't even in college. Wow, Hillcrest. You really know how to make a person feel like their hard work is for something. It's really great to be recognized for it. Nope. You're too busy televising the decision of a football player.
So I realize this has been a pretty negative and ranty post, but to end on a lighter note;
I am very happy for DGB. He chose a great school, close to home so he could be close to his family. If you didn't know, his little brother has cancer. Anyway, I am just as much a fan as anyone else. I've been to the games (which are extremely entertaining), I have kept up with his decisions and this will probably be the start of me watching college football, because yes, I think it's kinda cool that I went to school with a prospective NFL player. I just hope that he puts his fame and money to good use. So I guess in conclusion, DGB, I wish you good luck in your future, but Hillcrest, I hope you can live up to your name now that he's gone. Maybe you could invest some more in those hard working students.
If you read that whole thing, you should comment and leave me your thoughts. I mean, come one, you've already wasted this much time. ;)
So I just have to get this out.
1. Hillcrest is kind of known for not being great at anything. I guess maybe except for media. They're pretty smokin'! So I think it is really good for the school to be getting attention over DGB and giving the school a reason to have some school pride, BUT on the flip side, the school really isn't getting this. It's only DGB. I think it is so crazy for one person to get so much publicity. And here's the next point....
2. OVER SPORTS!!! Ok, I understand that sports are like the American past time and a huge source of entertainment, but I have a hard time thinking that sports are a talent. It's athletic ability and it's one of those things that you are pretty much born with. I mean, yeah, athletes train and stuff, but it's just too ridiculous that you should get a full ride scholarship for being able to run fast and catch things. I like to compare this to music. Many people are born with the ability to play music well, others practice hours upon hours a day to become good, but let me tell you from experience, no one. I mean NO ONE gets that much hype over being a prodigy at music (Please note, that I am NOT, by any means claiming to be a prodigy). Anywho, it goes that way for scholarships too. The most anyone at my school gets for music is $3,000. Yeah, thats a lot, but no where NEAR a ful ride. Actually it's only about 15% of tuition. And you only get that much if you are like really stinking good. So I guess you could say that I am a bit bitter, or biased on this.
3. Let me also tell you this. People aren't born smart. Ok, I take that back. Some people are. I have yet to meet one, but I have heard that Einstein was pretty intelligent. Anyway, the majority of people who do well in school........get this, it will amaze you..... WORK FOR IT! You know, study and work hard to do well. These are the people in the world who become doctors, lawyers, teachers, businessmen, AKA the people who affect your everyday life. Why don't we give these people recognition? I mean, I'm sure your dentist has had a direct effect on your health, not stupid football players. These poor people who work so hard and do so much for you are not recognized at all, because all the airtime is spent on athletes and movie stars. I guess you could say I'm bitter on this subject as well, because (and bear with me while I toot my own horn) I graduated 4th in my class, I was concert "mistress" in orchestra, I was in band, in FBLA among other things, and my senior year, I wasn't even selected as a student of the month. I recall actually a couple of people who were, aren't even in college. Wow, Hillcrest. You really know how to make a person feel like their hard work is for something. It's really great to be recognized for it. Nope. You're too busy televising the decision of a football player.
So I realize this has been a pretty negative and ranty post, but to end on a lighter note;
I am very happy for DGB. He chose a great school, close to home so he could be close to his family. If you didn't know, his little brother has cancer. Anyway, I am just as much a fan as anyone else. I've been to the games (which are extremely entertaining), I have kept up with his decisions and this will probably be the start of me watching college football, because yes, I think it's kinda cool that I went to school with a prospective NFL player. I just hope that he puts his fame and money to good use. So I guess in conclusion, DGB, I wish you good luck in your future, but Hillcrest, I hope you can live up to your name now that he's gone. Maybe you could invest some more in those hard working students.
If you read that whole thing, you should comment and leave me your thoughts. I mean, come one, you've already wasted this much time. ;)
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