01/26/2011 - Bought my new fish, Cam Newton.
January 31, 2011
What a Year for Sports!
This past year was a great year for sports. Maybe not for some people... but it was for me.
Most of you know I was a Gator fan, but I was more rooting for Tebow. Last April, a friend and I made an agreement, I'd be an Auburn fan if he would be a Colts fan. And so began my fanhood of an Auburn fan.
Now when it comes to NBA, I have two teams. Some people don't understand this... so let me explain. Back in 2001, my neighbor Anthony, was the first to get me into NBA. He was a Lakers fan, so that's how I became a fan. In 2002, since I am from Florida, I became a Miami Heat fan. And since then, I have had two teams. Now some years, I'll root for one more than the other. Like last year, Lakers made it to the Playoffs. Or this year, I'm rooting for Heat more than the Lakers, since Lakers have now won two years in a row, I want Heat to go all the way. But then again, a threepeat would be sweet! But like I said, Lakers won the Championship. After a 7 game series, they beat the Boston Celtics!
When basketball was over, James said he wanted to leave the Cavs. I was hoping and crossing fingers he would go to Heat. For many years, it's been a dream for him and Wade to be on the same team. And one night, when I was checking ESPN (most of the time a daily routine), there on the front page, "Lebron joins the Heat". I screamed! No lie, this was one of the best days of my life. Lebron and Dwayne! What a team!
October 23rd, I went with my boyfriend to the Auburn vs. LSU game. This was my first college experince, and I must say I like going to a college game more than a Pro. There seems to be more to it. You have the band, traditions (such as the eagle flying around the field), and the fans seem to be more into it. In the end Auburn pulled the win off! War Eagle!
Start of January came, and this meant Playoff and Bowls. On January 8th, Colts played the New York Jets. They ended up losing, but after the year they had, I was just happy they made it to the Playoffs. January 10th came, this meant the BCS Championship game. Auburn Tigers vs. Oregon Ducks. Auburn won! War Eagle!
Since football is over, basketball begins. As of right now, both Heat and Lakers are second in their conference. Doing pretty good so far.
This year I'm hoping for another good sport year! Go Colts, War Eagle, Go Lakers and Go Heat!
January 23, 2011
Identified in Christ
The other day, my dad was encouraging me in ways I could mature in. I wasn't in the greatest of moods, so I kinda wanted to cut it short. But, I haven't really been able to stop thinking about what he said.
When hard seasons come my way, most of the time I don't deal with it to well. In 2008, I was going through a tough season with basketball stuff, I got sick and had to go to the doctor a few times because of it. I also fell away from God. Then when we moved here in 2009... what happened? I got sick. I really had a hard time with trusting God, and was very rebellious.
Early 2010 God really did a great work in my life, but I did go thru another storm, I didn't get sick, but I struggled with God for a few days, but then realized he had a great plan.
Then back in November, when my boyfriend broke up with me, I got sick and didn't trust God. It felt like my life was over, and God had ruined my life. I hate to say it, but this is really how I felt. This was the hardest season I ever went through.
My dad asked me why this keeps happening. I said because I haven't been putting my trust in God, but he also said because I'm looking to be identified by other things. I'm must say I did find joy in being known as "the basketball girl" or "Mark's girlfriend", but you know, that's not how it needs to be. I need to be identified in Christ alone.
I love the song "In Christ Alone". The first verse says "In Christ alone my hope is found. He is my is my light, my strength, my song. This Cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace. When fears are stilled, when striving cease. My comforter, my All in All. Here in the love of Christ I stand."
He is the only solid ground! My All in All. He is the only one I need to be identified in.
Paul says in Philippians, "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God depends on faith - that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."
Philippians 3:7-11
Please pray that God will give me guidance through this. I want to be "found in him" and count everything as loss like Paul. He was truly a man after God's own heart. Isn't he a great example on how to serve our amazing God?
When hard seasons come my way, most of the time I don't deal with it to well. In 2008, I was going through a tough season with basketball stuff, I got sick and had to go to the doctor a few times because of it. I also fell away from God. Then when we moved here in 2009... what happened? I got sick. I really had a hard time with trusting God, and was very rebellious.
Early 2010 God really did a great work in my life, but I did go thru another storm, I didn't get sick, but I struggled with God for a few days, but then realized he had a great plan.
Then back in November, when my boyfriend broke up with me, I got sick and didn't trust God. It felt like my life was over, and God had ruined my life. I hate to say it, but this is really how I felt. This was the hardest season I ever went through.
My dad asked me why this keeps happening. I said because I haven't been putting my trust in God, but he also said because I'm looking to be identified by other things. I'm must say I did find joy in being known as "the basketball girl" or "Mark's girlfriend", but you know, that's not how it needs to be. I need to be identified in Christ alone.
I love the song "In Christ Alone". The first verse says "In Christ alone my hope is found. He is my is my light, my strength, my song. This Cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace. When fears are stilled, when striving cease. My comforter, my All in All. Here in the love of Christ I stand."
He is the only solid ground! My All in All. He is the only one I need to be identified in.
Paul says in Philippians, "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God depends on faith - that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."
Philippians 3:7-11
Please pray that God will give me guidance through this. I want to be "found in him" and count everything as loss like Paul. He was truly a man after God's own heart. Isn't he a great example on how to serve our amazing God?
January 21, 2011
Gouda Chicken Salad
This is something I made up myself, so it's my first made up recipe.
Gouda Chicken Salad is made up of;
- One bag of Spinach
- Gouda cheese (but I think next time I'm gonna do smoked gouda)
- Glazed pecans
- Craisins
- 1 12.5 oz can Chicken
- Honey Mustard dressing
It was so good, and my dad (who's not big on just a salad for dinner) really like it.
(Sorry, no picture.)
Gouda Chicken Salad is made up of;
- One bag of Spinach
- Gouda cheese (but I think next time I'm gonna do smoked gouda)
- Glazed pecans
- Craisins
- 1 12.5 oz can Chicken
- Honey Mustard dressing
It was so good, and my dad (who's not big on just a salad for dinner) really like it.
(Sorry, no picture.)
January 17, 2011
Brown Stew Chicken
For Christmas, my wonderful sister got me the "NBC Sunday Night Football Cookbook". Recipes all done by NFL players, NFL chefs, NFL commentators, Faith Hill, and John Madden. Most of you know I am a sportsaholic, and love football. So I screamed when I opened it.
The first one I did, of course had to be a Colts recipe. And who better than one of my favorite players and defensive end, #93 on the Indianapolis Colts (a.k.a my team), Dwight Freeney (who I saw on October 3, 2010 when we went to see the Colts play the Jacksonville Jags). Brown Stew Chicken he said is a Jamaican recipe.
It calls for;
- 2 1/2 pounds bone-in chicken pieces (we used chicken tenders)- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black peper
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp all-purpose adobo seasoning
- 1 tsp plus 2 Tbs brown gravy mix
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves. chopped
- 1/2 green bell pepper. diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1 scallion, chopped
- Vegetable oil for frying
*We could not find adobo seasoning so we Googled a substitute. Here it is;
- 4 Tbs salt
- 3 Tbs onion power
- 3 Tbs garlic power
- 3 Tbs ground black pepper
- 2 Tbs ground oregano
*Also, red peppers were nowhere to be found. So we just used the other half of the green, and it tasted just fine.
In a large bowl, sprinkle chicken with the salt, pepper, thyme, adobo, and 1 tsp of gravy mix. Then add onion, garlic, peppers, tomato, and scallion and toss. This needs to be covered in the fridge for an hour or two.
Once marinated, remove chicken from the bowl and brush all vegetables off, and put them to the side. In a deep pan, head 2 to 3 inches of oil and fry the chicken to golden brown. When done, remove the chicken and place in a skillet and pour veggies on top, along with 1 1/2 cup of water. Bring to a boil. When heated, turn it down to a lower heat, and simmer for about 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and tender. Once again, remove chicken into a serving bowl. In a small bowl, mix together 2 Tbs of gravy mix and 1 cup of water. Constantly stire, but gradually add in the gravy to the vegetables. Simmer for another 5 minutes, until thickened. Pour over chicken.
We served it on top of rice with cornbread. But Freeney said he does it over rice and beans. Either way, is up to you.
Bon appetit!
(Yes, I had to drink out of my Colts tumbler)
Preaching the Gospel to Yourself
Have you ever heard this phrase before? Growing up in a Sovereign Grace chruch, you hear it quite often. But what does it really mean? "Preaching the Gospel to yourself"? Well, think about it. Just because we are Christians, does that mean we don't need the Gospel?
I'll answer for you... yes, you do. We need to be reminded of what Christ did for us everyday! And if you are like me, with all the things going on in the day, you tend to forget.
C.J. Mahaney says in "Cross Centered Life" that we need to preach it to ourselves daily.
On the cd inspired by the little orange book, "Songs for the Cross Centered Life" by Sovereign Grace Music, the cd opens up with the song "the Gospel Song". Even tho it's just over 1 minute long, it tells the Gospel:
♫Holy God, in love, became
Perfect man to bear my blame
On the cross he took my sin
By his death I live again♫
I love that, "By his death I live again"! Isn't that an amazing thought?
Also in the book, C.J. Mahaney gives a few verses that you can memorize and use it to preach the Gospel daily. One that really stands out is Romans 5:6-11 (All scripture I have is from the ESV.)
"6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ
died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person -- though perhaps for a good person one would dare even die -- 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation."
Here are some others he gives;
- Isaiah 53:3-6
- Romans 3:23-26
- Romans 8:32-39
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
- 2 Corinthians 5:21
- Galatians 2:21
I'd encourage you to at least take one of these, and memorize it. I took the Romans 5:6-11, wrote it on index cards and have it on my wall. Keeps me reminded. I'm doing better than I don't deserve!
I'll answer for you... yes, you do. We need to be reminded of what Christ did for us everyday! And if you are like me, with all the things going on in the day, you tend to forget.
C.J. Mahaney says in "Cross Centered Life" that we need to preach it to ourselves daily.
On the cd inspired by the little orange book, "Songs for the Cross Centered Life" by Sovereign Grace Music, the cd opens up with the song "the Gospel Song". Even tho it's just over 1 minute long, it tells the Gospel:
♫Holy God, in love, became
Perfect man to bear my blame
On the cross he took my sin
By his death I live again♫
I love that, "By his death I live again"! Isn't that an amazing thought?
Also in the book, C.J. Mahaney gives a few verses that you can memorize and use it to preach the Gospel daily. One that really stands out is Romans 5:6-11 (All scripture I have is from the ESV.)
"6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ
died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person -- though perhaps for a good person one would dare even die -- 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation."
Here are some others he gives;
- Isaiah 53:3-6
- Romans 3:23-26
- Romans 8:32-39
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
- 2 Corinthians 5:21
- Galatians 2:21
I'd encourage you to at least take one of these, and memorize it. I took the Romans 5:6-11, wrote it on index cards and have it on my wall. Keeps me reminded. I'm doing better than I don't deserve!
January 15, 2011
2010: A Year In Review
2010... what a year! It sure had it's up and downs. But God did a lot of work in my life.
- Since summer 2008 I was more on the rebellious side. But early 2010, God really turned me around. He opened my eyes and I was able to see that he was in control of things.
- In March, we joined a group of people that were involved in a church plant. God has put church plants on my heart, and I'm not sure if this means that I need to pray for them and support them, or if in the future I will be apart of one. But it was so exciting to be apart of it.
- April 4th, was 1 year since moving to Florida.
- April 27, was the day I said goodbye to braces.
- May came around, my aunt Andrea gave birth to her and Hugo's 3rd, Sabrina. She has truly been a blessing for out family!
- As well in May, a friend converted me to Auburn. So I am now an Auburn Tigers fan!
- Mid July, Kelsey, Josh and I were able to make a trip up to VA since we moved here April '09. It was so good being with friends and family who we missed so much!
- Also in July, I entered a relationship with one of my dear friends at the time. It was an exciting time!
- First week in October, for my 20th birthday, we went to the Colts vs. Jags game. I SAW MY TEAM! It was amazing being there... seeing my Colts! I saw Manning! They did lose at the last few seconds. But we are now making it a tradition to go to that gave every year. GO COLTS!
- October 15, I turned the big 2-0!
- October 23, I went to the Auburn vs. LSU. That was amazing! Auburn WON! War Eagle! (So I saw the National Champs! =) )
- Also in October, God had other plans and brought us to a Sovereign Grace church in Crestview. And we have really enjoyed going, even tho we travel an hour and 15 minutes 2 times a week.
- Start of November, God clearly had other plans for my relationship. It hasn't been easy, but I can see God at work.
- Mid November, I needed to get away for a while, and made my first plane trip alone. I almost missed my plane from Atlanta to Richmond, but other than it wasn't to bad.
- In December, we made the long road trip to VA for Christmas. It was so great being there. And I had my first white Christmas!
2011 has started, and I know that it's gonna be another up and down year, because that's just how life is what you get older. But I also know God is in control! He's got a plan for my life... and I'm excited to see what he is going to unfold.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." ~Jeremiah 29:11
- Since summer 2008 I was more on the rebellious side. But early 2010, God really turned me around. He opened my eyes and I was able to see that he was in control of things.
- In March, we joined a group of people that were involved in a church plant. God has put church plants on my heart, and I'm not sure if this means that I need to pray for them and support them, or if in the future I will be apart of one. But it was so exciting to be apart of it.
- April 4th, was 1 year since moving to Florida.
- April 27, was the day I said goodbye to braces.
- May came around, my aunt Andrea gave birth to her and Hugo's 3rd, Sabrina. She has truly been a blessing for out family!
- As well in May, a friend converted me to Auburn. So I am now an Auburn Tigers fan!
- Mid July, Kelsey, Josh and I were able to make a trip up to VA since we moved here April '09. It was so good being with friends and family who we missed so much!
- Also in July, I entered a relationship with one of my dear friends at the time. It was an exciting time!
- First week in October, for my 20th birthday, we went to the Colts vs. Jags game. I SAW MY TEAM! It was amazing being there... seeing my Colts! I saw Manning! They did lose at the last few seconds. But we are now making it a tradition to go to that gave every year. GO COLTS!
- October 15, I turned the big 2-0!
- October 23, I went to the Auburn vs. LSU. That was amazing! Auburn WON! War Eagle! (So I saw the National Champs! =) )
- Also in October, God had other plans and brought us to a Sovereign Grace church in Crestview. And we have really enjoyed going, even tho we travel an hour and 15 minutes 2 times a week.
- Start of November, God clearly had other plans for my relationship. It hasn't been easy, but I can see God at work.
- Mid November, I needed to get away for a while, and made my first plane trip alone. I almost missed my plane from Atlanta to Richmond, but other than it wasn't to bad.
- In December, we made the long road trip to VA for Christmas. It was so great being there. And I had my first white Christmas!
2011 has started, and I know that it's gonna be another up and down year, because that's just how life is what you get older. But I also know God is in control! He's got a plan for my life... and I'm excited to see what he is going to unfold.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." ~Jeremiah 29:11
January 14, 2011
Philippians 4:4-7
This week, I read the book of Philippians. And what a great book it is! God really used Paul in an amazing way!
I really like what Paul said in chapter 4.
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
I really like what Paul said in chapter 4.
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
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