plug

So, my friend TLC is amazing.

And I don't think she's starving for publicity...but I can't not point you to her blog.

I mean, it's already on my links over there on the right, but that's pretty passive, whereas I am going for a more blatant approach here.

She sings, she's got mad guitar skills, she writes...she's one of the few people I know who is actually really good at actively maintaining long-distance friendships...and so much more.

The reason I'm pointing you to her today is because she's writing some great stuff there these days, and I basically just think anybody I know would benefit from (or at the very least enjoy) reading it, especially (but certainly not ONLY) anyone in a pre-married state.

a sigh of relief?

"The urgent need for the church today is not for more clever people to explain Jesus better, it is not for more attractive people who by their looks and personality will make Christianity suddenly more trendy and appealing. It is not even more committed and disciplined people who will advance the cause of the kingdom of Jesus by grit and hard work. The great need today is for deep and authentic people."

Taken from Wasteland by Mike Pilavachi - quoting the British evangelist David Watson)

time to make the donuts

Everything seems so crazy right now, I'm sure I'm going to meet myself coming in the door one day soon, just like the Dunkin' Donut guy.

Anybody remember him?

hmm...interesting...

As it's been over a month since my last plug for Stott, I thought this little snippet was worth sharing. Much shorter than usual (and certainly much shorter than the novel of an entry from yesterday).

Doing the truth

Everywhere in the New Testament God's truth is something to be *done*, not something only to be believed. It carries with it demands, duties, obligations. The evangelical faith radically transforms those who believe and embrace it.

--From "Make the Truth Known" (Leicester: IVP, 1983), p. 12.
----------------------------------------------------
--Excerpted from "Authentic Christianity", p. 129, by permission of InterVarsity Press.

this is (now) a grumble-free zone

"Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life..." Philippians 2:14-16 ESV


Someone from my church Pastorate (read: community group) shared this verse as part of a testimony of her journey to/in faith in Christ, and I was immediately mindful of the fact that I have been doing a LOT of grumbling recently about how much stress I'm enduring at work lately, mostly because:

• I feel 100% personally responsible for the success or failure of a major project that affects every single person in my office
• I have to rely on some people outside the company to hold up their end of the deal, and I have no real bargaining position or recourse for their poor performance
• I'm generally stretched for time due to other equally pressing projects

But everyone is stressed right now. So it's not like I'm the only one waving that flag for whatever reason. And other people aren't holding my feet to the fire anything like to the extent that I am.

So when my friend read these and the surrounding verses, I was captivated. It dawned on me that I used to let all the stress roll right off my back, or let off steam within a 'safe place'. But now, I get a bit defensive and am always at the ready with excuses. And people don't need or want to hear defensiveness and excuses (no matter how valid).

My main problem is that I've been too transparent with people along the way, so the fact that the project completion date keeps getting pushed to the right makes me feel like I look incompetent...whether or not that's actually true. (The phrase "under-promise and over-deliver" comes to mind. This is not the tack I've taken up to this point. Note to self for future projects.)

And thinking through dropping the excuses, etc., I'm having to eat the words which I've uttered many times to many different people: "You have to be willing to be misunderstood." Ouch. And then when you throw that "shine as lights in the world among a crooked and twisted generation" bit in, there's even more consequences (tangible or not) of being a grumbling Christian.

I sense there are two trains of thought running here, actually...but it's all related in my mind.

Regardless, I have a new sense of perspective and am feeling rather chilled about the chaos that ensues around me. Gold star for the readers that powered through to the end of this stream-of-consciousness brainstorm.

musical recommendation

Most of you know that I'm more often on the receiving end of this deal, but I've found, of my own accord, a new musician I'd like to recommend.

Admittedly, when I asked a few of my UK-based friends about Duffy, they all already knew about her. BLAST and DRAT!



However, I'm hoping (with fingers and toes crossed) that some of the rest of you won't have heard of her, and I'll get credit, possibly for the first time in my life, for recommending a new up-and-coming music artist to my home country.

i love christopher walken

So, I'm totally ripping this off (well, the link, anyway) from a friend of a friend, but I can't not...

The best line, as the aforementioned friend of a friend also notes, has *got* to be: "Exit Pig One. Pig Two...same story."

Classic. Beyond classic, actually. Whatever that means.

second brush with fame

Some of you may remember that during my first week in the UK, I came very close to meeting the queen . I maintain it as a real possibility that we may have been invited into Balmoral Castle for tea if I'd just thought quickly enough to bump her car ever so slightly with mine.




Today, as I was walking to the Texas Embassy to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, I looked up as people were shouting "Boris! Boris!" to see London's newly elected Mayor ride by on a bicycle. It all happened way too fast to pull out the camera, so you'll just have to believe me on this one.

for michelle

bits and bobs

Today is my cousin Lori's birthday...and she's in Canada, alone. Boo on that, eh?

I went to the store today, twice, and both times, as I was walking back in the door to my flat, I remembered something I forgot to buy...but I couldn't be bothered to go a third time, even though it's only a 2 minute walk down the road.

The one thing I went back for the first time was milk. Just so I could have a cup of tea. Mmm...tasty.

I "made brownies for the office" tonight. Translation: I wanted brownies but want to keep myself from eating the whole pan, so I made them on a non-weekend to be sure others could help keep me from consuming 100% of gooey chocolately goodness.

Yesterday I found out for sure that two good friends are coming to visit me! YAY!!

Some people were not wired to work from home. I'm one of those people.

Today we passed the 1,000 tickets sold milestone for Passion London. The venue capacity is 3,600, so there's still plenty of room, but we're praying for a sell-out. We need more volunteers, so if you want to come and serve...let me know if you're going to be (or be able to be) in the London area on June 5th.