Worthy Blog Stalking

If you have some time over this Thanksgiving and Christmas break, I have some worthy blog-stalking. Common Ground is an inner-city ministry in Montgomery. I was blessed to be there for a week this summer, and the Lord really blew me away with all that He is doing there! Before I try to explain their ministry without doing it justice, just watch the video they made that explains it all. 
Watch this first!
Now, here is the website! These blogs are awesome! 
Common Ground Montgomery

Here are some pictures from our trip this summer. 

mass chaos time with kids in the gym

Katelyn and I pulling 8 million nails out of studs. They are redoing several houses in the neighborhood.

Michael and I reppin our hometowns (Brookhaven and Montgomery) on the Civil Rights Memorial. I'm not sure what Yankee Nate is doing b/c I know his hometown ain't on there! :)

I am OBSESSED with this child. His name is Lil' Zo and he is some kind of precious.

The Year 1521

So I know it’s a couple weeks late for a Reformation-themed blog. But, the other day in World Lit I was skimming through my book and I came across the entirety of Martin Luther’s speech at the Diet of Worms. I had never read the whole thing, and it really gave me a renewed appreciation for this great man of God. For those of you who slept through world history and church every last weekend of October, I’ll set the scene. Martin Luther was a German monk who began to see serious issues with the Catholic church of the day. He read the Bible for himself (which was unheard of at the time) and the Lord revealed to him that we are given the righteousness of Christ completely by the grace of God and not based on any works of our own. The church was making money off of the works-righteousness attitude, and grace would go against everything they were teaching. So naturally they had a problem with this bold monk who began to spread what he was learning. 

Here is the end of Luther’s speech to the Holy Roman Emperor, who wanted him to recant all that he had said and taught regarding free grace:

“Since then your serene majesty and your lordships seek a simple answer, I will give it in this manner, neither horned nor toothed: Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. I cannot do otherwise, here I stand, may God help me, Amen.”

The thing that jumps out at me the most is Luther’s love and respect for the Word of God. They are his ultimate authority. How many times to we tend to ignore passages that don’t sound like much fun, or that call us to leave behind our comfortable lives and obey Christ with radical abandonment of all that is not of Him? God has given us a great gift in his perfect Word! Let’s stand for it unashamed, as he did.

“I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes.” Psalm 119: 48

“For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 

He was a cutie. What can I say? Haha!

All I do is WIN WIN WIN no matter what!

This post is devoted to one of my favorite things in the whole world: Auburn Football. 

The last home game is tomorrow, and after that my first season in the student section will be over. If you had told me six months ago that we would be one of the top teams in the nation, I don’t know if I would’ve believed you. BUT IT’S TRUE! And I don’t love Auburn because we rock this year. I love Auburn regardless of the numbers on the scoreboard. Here you will find tradition and a family atmosphere that is absolutely phenomenal. There is just something indescribable about the way my whole body gets chills when the eagle flies. The band’s entrance builds excitement. By the time the team comes out the entire stadium is electric. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I said it’s great to be an Auburn tiger! 

Here are a couple pictures my talented grand-big Leigh Hendry took at the homecoming game. She is awesome! 

On a more random note, here are a couple things I've learned throughout the season. 

1) Jesus doesn't count cussing when it's in cheers

2) My little brother looks like he's trying to sneak alcohol into the stadium

3) Coke tastes better in Jordan-Hare

4) There is never a wrong time to tell Alabama to go.... somewhere

5) The moment of silence during "All I do is Win" is my FAVORITE!

6) Sometimes it's dangerous to get too excited. You might fall off the bleachers.

War Eagle!

What I Found in My Bathtub Last Night

This is what happens when you live with a horticulture major! Love you Molly!

So right now, I have a hurtin to get outside the states. And I figured I'd post a picture from each time I've left. Good memories. :) Someday I'll write more about each time.

I don't even remember what year this was. July 2007 I think? This is in Lima, Peru.

Brother and I in Guadalajara, Mexico in April of Sophomore year.

GDL take two in July of 2009. In the La Floresta church plant.

Reading the Bible Lesson to La Floresta kids last April. 

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim to Zion, "Your God reigns!"  Isaiah 52:7

"He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?" declares the Lord. Jeremiah 22:16