What I'm Doing

Several people have asked about an update on my life here in Nashville so I figured today (as the snow comes down outside and the entire city is shut down) was a perfect day for an update. So today there will be less profound thoughts and references and more of a basic update on my life. Hope I don't bore you!

For a quick recap:
I moved to Nashville, TN in June '09 to work on my master's degree. I am currently an MSA student (Master's of Sport Administration) at Belmont University; the program is designed to be completed in 2 years and is problem-based learning focused. Classes are at night which allows students to work and intern throughout the work week. It's a fantastic set-up and really allows us to network and meet the right people through real world experience. No spoon feeding information like in college.

Back to current day:

So what am I doing right now? A better question would be what am I not doing?! Life is rather busy for me right now, and it looks to only get busier. I am interning, coaching volleyball, taking classes, and working part-time. :Sigh: I forget how much is on my plate until I type it all out.

When it comes to the "classroom", I'm in my second semester at Belmont, taking Facility +Event Management and Sports Journalism + Media courses. They are problem-based learning, so instead of basic classroom learning I am actively working in the sport industry, learning as I go. For example, my event management class is planning a golf tournament; each of the students are in charge of a particular "industry" segment- sponsorships, press releases, awards + auctions, registration, etc. I'm particularly excited about my journalism course- I've always had a desire to be a beat writer or journalist. Mom is more excited than I am... she thinks writing is my lot in life. (Plus, I think Mom would love to say "I told you so" for the rest of my life if I end up a writer.)

In addition to my classes this semester, I am interning at A-Game under the GM in overall administrative operations. A-Game is a state-of-the-art (and ginormous!) sportsplex that includes 2 hockey rinks, 6 basketball courts, 12 volleyball cours, Bikram Yoga, a skate academy, full fitness center, and turf for speed and agility training. My main project as an intern is to conduct an economic impact analysis for the company and how it affects the city of Franklin and its surrounding community. Quite a project for sure! Luckily I have a CPA that will work closely with me to assist in any way needed. Plus, this June, A-Game is hosting the 11U Girls AAU National Basketball Championships, of which I will be a part of the planning committee. This internship is definitely giving me several looks at the industry and is allowing me to learn and think on my feet with a high level of responsibility. Who knows what I'll wind up doing after all this!

I am coaching volleyball for Alliance Volleyball Club in Franklin, TN, a program with over 450 girls and 42 teams. Needless to say it is very different from Lakes Region Juniors back home in New Hampshire... well, its just bigger. I am the head coach of the 17-2 team, an age group I have coached now for 2 straight years (coached 17-1 in NH last year). We have our first tournament in Birmingham, AL in a couple of weeks. I can't wait. The one thing that has been for certain in my "career path" has been coaching volleyball. Not only am I able to be involved in a sport I am passionate about, but I am also able to be a part of teenage girls' lives at an important stage in their life. It caught me by surprise, but I am becoming more and more fond of the 16-ish year old age group. I never went into coaching to be a mentor, but have found it to be the most rewarding of experiences.

I'm working part-time at a bakery ( The Puffy Muffin ) when I have the availability. Paying the bills is never easy, but as a full-time student/part-time intern, money has never been tighter. The Puff, as I like to call it, is an upscale bakery and restaurant in one of the most affluent towns in all of Tennessee. "Stars" like to show up from time to time (James Cameron, Alan Jackson, etc...) so it makes the day interesting to say the least. My co-workers are absolutely the best part of the job... I have definitely made some of the best friends at the Puff.

Surprisingly, I do have some free time. Sundays you'll find me at my favorite place in all of Nashville: my church. I attend an unbelievable church ( Crosspoint ) and know without a doubt that God has great things in store for me at this church. The pastoral staff is great, and they are real about challenging themselves and the entire church body. Hardly a Sunday goes by that I am not challenged, inspired, or pushed out of my comfort zone at Crosspoint. I'm also getting back into playing again, with my basketball season and adult volleyball league starting next week. I'll be hurtin' for sure!

With all that said, I am blessed. Even with the stress of money, bills, and figuring out "life", I am convinced that I am where I need to be to live the best life possible. Of course, I miss my family, and, if I could, would make them move here to be closer to me. They and I both know that this is where I need to be for now, so we'll just have to make it work. Afterall, who knows where I'll be this time next year!

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So I hope this served to be an interesting update to where I am and what I'm doing with myself... I know I'm bad at updating people personally and keeping them in the loop, maybe this will redeem me for now. :)

Getting Personal

For awhile I was writing in attempts to avoid the mundane day to day activities- what I did with my time, who I am spending with, etc. But then, after a long yet exciting day at work I realized there is no mundane. I (and you, too!) must make each day new, fresh, and exciting. Afterall, today is unlike any other day in my (or your) life. So, I decided to make this blog a little more personal- sure, I'll still have the "light bulb" moments when I'll write vigorously about some spiritual breakthrough or eye opening experience- but I feel as though I've been missing the importance in the day to day activities and where God is taking me. No, this is not going to be a "what I ate for lunch" type blog. For awhile it may even be playing catch up. I just feel like my story has a readable plot line (I'm sure yours does, too!). God has done too much in my life for me to remain silent.

But oh, where to begin?

"I'm Standing on the Rock"

I love me some college football. Anyone who knows me would hardly be shocked at this statement... it may even be the understatement of the new year. So, like any true fan of the game, I sat down to watch the BCS National Championship game last night in hopes of seeing stellar performances by both teams that we'd be talking about for weeks. I made a few predictions with the guys at work, chatted up the possibilities with my Dad (football is kind of our thing), and figured we had covered all the possibilities.

If the O-line can protect McCoy, it'll be a high scoring shootout. Longhorns win.

If the Tide can get to McCoy, much like Nebraska did, it'll be a long hard game for Texas. Alabama wins.

If Texas' defense is really as good as everyone says they are, they can hold Ingram. Close game, Texas wins.

If Texas' defense is only strong enough for non-SEC teams, Ingram will break out. Alabama wins.

If it comes down to the last 2-3 minutes, a defensive touchdown will win the National title for either team.

No one even dreamed to say "Well, if the winningest quarterback in NCAA history for some reason doesn't play..." Why would we? In his 4 years as starting quarterback, McCoy has yet to be injured. And, c'mon, he was sacked by Heisman finalist Ndamukon Suh 4 1/2 times- 9 times total by the Cornhuskers- just one month earlier. McCoy has proven that he can take hits.

But on the Longhorns' first drive of the night, McCoy took a hit he didn't see coming. No, it wasn't Bama's defensive end Marcell Dareus. It was the result of the hit that had him speechless. "I've take that hit my whole career..." But this time, he couldn't feel his arm. Longhorn fans knew it was bad when father, Brad, left his seat and headed to the locker room. Colt wasn't coming back out.

During the second half, McCoy, noticeably distraught, walked with his father and the trainers back to the field. He wasn't going to play again. His collegiate career would end with him on the sidelines of the biggest stage in football. McCoy never dreamed it like this.

He had every right to say "No, thanks" to Lisa Saulters' request for an interview. He could have rightfully slapped hands with the opposing team and headed for the locker room. He chose, however, to test his courage a little further. When asked how he felt, he couldn't speak. It was obvious as he fought back the tears that he was unsure how to complete the interview. So instead of speaking the first thing that came to mind, he paused. Then, all of a sudden, he had the words. It was as if the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7) came over Colt for the entire world to see.

If you missed it (even if you saw it), his interview can be found here: post-game interview
(and if that link doesn't work, you can always grab it here on youtube: Colt post game

After a classy congratulations to Alabama and a few words about his team, Colt inspired all who were watching. "I always give God the glory. I never question why things happen the way they do. God is in control of my life and I know that if nothing else, I'm standing on the Rock."

Standing on the Rock. I still get chills watching the interview. As a Gator fan I often hear the "giving God the glory" speeches. With Tebow under center, after every game he gives credit where credit is due: Above. When Bradford won the Heisman last year he quickly showed the world his priorities: God first. Even this year, Ingram gave God all the glory.

But McCoy, at the lowest point of his career- dare I say of his life- gave God all the glory. Sure, he's confused. I'm sure for a long time he's going to wonder why. But to the whole world, on the most watched game of the entire season, he sent a message louder and shined his light brighter than he ever could have with a crystal football in his hands and burnt orange confetti falling from the sky. He was broken. He was at a loss for any kind of answer. All he had left was his foundation. "[But]..if nothing else, I'm standing on the Rock."

I think what is most moving about Colt McCoy's answer to Lisa Saulters is that we get it. We've been there. Sure, not on as grand a stage as that, but we've all experienced failure. Confusion. Turmoil. Life as we know it crashing down.

Don't you agree? Haven't you been there before?
May we all have a foundation that we, too, can be so sure of.

Yesterday I came across a quote that more than fits this situation.

"In my experience, it’s much easier to act like a Christian than it is to react like one. Anyone can put on an act. But your reactions reveal what is really in your heart."
-Mark Batterson

Last night, Colt McCoy showed what was in his heart, not by some willed-to-win performance that goes down in history, but in how he reacted to the most devastating blow of his career. The world was watching as Colt became sure of one thing: his footing.

"I know that if nothing else, I'm standing on the Rock."

Although we may never be on such a stage, or handed such an audience as he, I only pray our reactions show what is in our heart, and that it is just as glorifying to God as Colt's was.

Are you standing on the Rock?

PURSUIT of wisdom. 31 Day Challenge

On the 1st of the year, my pastor challenged our church to a 31 day pursuit of wisdom. This 31 Day Challenge is as simple as reading one chapter of Proverbs each day throughout the month of January (31 days, 31 chapters). We also have our own blog page ( 31 Day Challenge ) so we as the Church (all of us, even those not at Crosspoint) can share and grow together in this pursuit.

If you'd like to do the challenge, please join! You can share your thoughts on the blog page and, if you have twitter, tweet about it with the hash tag #cp31days . We're all in this together, and I know I'd love to hear what everyone's thoughts are!

I hopped in on this challenge a few days late, so I'm going to briefly blog about the first 3 chapters. My hope is to every day blog about each chapter as well as share on the community page. I'm looking forward to the growth that is imminent.

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Proverbs 1-3

For some reason, I've always viewed the "wise" as an older, sophisticated man who reads books, drinks tea, and speaks in a way that makes you scratch your head. This might be due to my love of C.S. Lewis and the countless images of him sitting in a pub I have of him in my head, but nonetheless the "wise" has never been an ordinary person. I think that's the start of the problem. Solomon writes in Proverbs to all of Israel, not just the prophets, those with an education, or the old and bearded men.

So, where do we even begin?

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline. (1.7)

Seems easy enough, right? But fearing the Lord is probably one of the hardest concepts to grasp. We all would be wise if we truly feared Him, revered Him, stood in awe of Him. In chapter 2, Solomon explains how to understand the fear of the Lord:

My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding,
and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God. (2:1-5)

If you accept His words, store His commands, turn your ear to wisdom, apply your heart to understanding, call for insight, cry aloud for understanding, and search as if its silver or a hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord. When was the last time you did all that? No wonder we are running short on wisdom! No one said it was easy, but we do know that it is worth it.

Chapter 3 hits home for me, as it contains my "life verse" that my parents chose for me when I was young (3.5-6). Moreover, this chapter came alive to me through the summer when I caught a glimpse of what it means to truly trust in the Lord. It's easy to recite a verse, especially when its been in your life since you were little; but it is another thing enitrely when you are living it out.

Have you ever tried not leaning on your own understanding? It's a lot harder than you think. I don't know about you but I always have a plan B... and C and D and E. If things don't go according to plan, I have a back-up. Always. I love to lean on my own understanding. I understand that things don't always go according to plan, therefore I plan more, make sure I don't miss anything. But in my planning, I miss the one thing I'm supposed to encounter - dependence on God. When plans fail, and I turn even my back-up plans over to Him, my reliance and relationship with the One who's got it all under control grows. And that's the point, isn't it? Verse 7 goes on to say "Do not be wise in your own eyes..." When was the last time you said "I don't know" and felt good about it? Shouldn't that be daily? To truly acknowledge God in the day to day? I'm not sure what bothers me more: not acknowledging God's sovereignty in my life or being okay with my own wisdom. Both are disturbing; both require change.

So today, don't be wise in your own eyes. Let God guide you every step, making your paths straight.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
(3.3-7)

Unpredictability

If Christmas teaches us anything about the character of God it is that He is unpredictable. At church on Sunda, we started a new series entitled Rhythm. You can download the podcast off the church's website: http://crosspoint.tv . There are many things to think about as Christmas approaches, but one that is often overlooked: God's shear unpredictability and willingness to do literally everything He can to reach us.

While talking about the typical symbol of the season, my pastor explained the Nativity Scene as follows:

"Nativity" should be a reminder that Christmas is thick with unexpected, transcendent hope. The Nativity scene should be a reminder that Christmas is God telling His people, "You can't predict me! I'll show up at anytime, anywhere, in the midst of the most unlikely circumstances and through the most unlikely people."

To read Pete's blog, click HERE .

He also included a quote from Frederick Buechner, who said:

"Those who believe in God can never in a way be sure of Him again. Once they have seen him in a stable, they can never be sure where he will appear or to what lengths he will go or to what ludicrous depths of self-humiliation he will descend in his wild pursuit of man... And, this means that we are not safe, that there is no place where we can hide from God, no place where we are safe from his power to break into and recreate the human heart because it is where he seems most helpless that he is most strong and just where we least expect Him that he comes most fully."

There were so many things I wanted to say in conclusion, but Beuchner's quote covers it all. We have a God who loves us to stoop to the ludicrous depths of humanity to reach us. This Christmas, find a way to encounter Him. He found quite the way to encounter you.

Exhaustion

"Be exhausted for God, but remember your supply comes from Him."
Oswald Chambers

I saw this quote on a friend's Facebook page the other day. Let's think it through for a second.

Exhaustion.

We all know it - too close of a friend for some of us. Late nights, long days, working more hours than we ever agreed to when we took that job.

Exhaustion.

The reason relationships fail, friendships fall apart, and we continually, each and every morning, dread the alarm. But exhaustion... for God? Colossians 3:23 states to "do everything as if working for the Lord." Do it all for His glory. Not for the promotion, not for the money, but for the glory of the Lord.

Be exhausted- doing His work,

Be exhausted - expanding His kingdom.
Be exhausted... for Him.

It is, afterall, about Him, right? Then go ahead, be exhausted- for Him. Whether it's in your marriage, at your job, or in your church. Put your whole self into it.

BUT REMEMBER: your supply comes from Him.

Isn't this the part we too often forget? We pour ourselves out (whether in work, ministry, family, or school) and never let ourselves get poured into. Regardless of how much of God's work you do, you will eventually run empty. Your exhaustion will overtake your passion. It'll overtake your will to work. It'll dry up your well of joy.

Your supply comes from Him.

So rest in Him. Be exhausted in Him. Let Him fill you up, pour you out, and refill you again. Maybe then your days will have more purpose, and your nights will be more restful. And you might even find yourself looking forward to tomorrow morning.


-xT

Taking Thanks?

Today I spent 8 hours boxing pies, cakes and casseroles for the upcoming holiday. Sadly, all these efforts were not in attempt to feed the hungry, serve a shelter, or give hope to families who have so little to be thankful for. No, I was at work, on the more affluent side of town, boxing up hundreds of orders for our guests. As they pulled up one by one in their Escalades and BMWs, came in with their designer bags and sunglasses, and mindlessly swiped one of their several credit cards, I began to wonder if this was what it was really all about. I caught myself commenting on it to some co-workers, getting rather fired up about "this" being the problem and how sick it made me (luckily this was when I was up back, nowhere near the customers...). I looked at all the food: mainly pies, cakes, and specialty desserts, you know... the things you "treat" yourself to when you're already stuffed. None of it necessary; all of it complimentary. For today's orders alone, I could only imagine just how many thousands of dollars that was about to be spent on the most counterproductive activity on a holiday such as Thanksgiving- overindulgence. While we sit around our tables, eating more than our fair share, we too easily pass off the day's suffering to the Detroit Lions and their fans as they lose yet another Thanksgiving game. We joke how terrible it must be to never win, and how they truly have nothing to be thankful for. Then we go back to the kichen for round 2.

Joking aside, the importance of family and spending time together should never be taken lightly. Those who have family (whether it be 2 or 32 members) should celebrate all they have together. What I discovered today, however, was that I have strong feelings on the matter- and I really struggled to hide them. When did our holidays become about elaborate tablescapes, overpriced casseroles, and decorative cakes? I struggle to accept that a day dedicated to "giving thanks" has anything to do with any of those things. Now, I know not everyone has the same convictions, nor does every person claim to live "like Christ", but this has little to do with religion or beliefs. The last time I checked, or maybe it was just how I was raised but, to "give thanks" was to show appreciation for what you had, and showing appreciation typically included a form of sharing, or giving. True gratitude is passing it along, or what some call "paying it forward." If that's the case, then, on a day dedicated to giving thanks, shouldn't there be an overabundance of such giving?

Another thing I've learned, religion and faith aside, is that its not about me. Hold on, let me retype that for those of you who's eyes blurred at the sight of that statement: It's not about me. Or you. Take a second. Think on that. I know it goes against every message you hear in the media, in our culture, and from society in general.

You deserve a day off.
You need a break.
Seriously, take some time to yourself, and celebrate.

Don't get me wrong- there is nothing inherently bad about relaxing, taking time off, or catching a break. But during our celebrations, how better could we use our money? Or use our time? With Thanksgiving being a time of celebration of all that we've been given, shouldn't we then also give? It is wrong when the focus on ourselves engrosses our every thought to the point we no longer see what is around us.

Hunger.
Hopelessness.
Fear.
Doubt.

Couldn't we better celebrate being thankful? Isn't there something we have that we could share? Now I know these thoughts (maybe moreso rants...) started today due to the massive selling of $35 cakes that would cost less than $5 to make on your own (trust me, I did it myself...), but these convictions are in no way new nor limited to the gross indulgence of the general population during a holiday that is supposed to be of gratitude.

So I guess, this Thanksgiving, I wonder if we could spend a little less on ourselves, and practice giving thanks by actually giving.