BCS 2011 Nation Champions

THE AUBURN CREED
I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I earn.
Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.
I believe in education, which gives me the knowledge to work wisely and trains my mind and my hands to work skillfully.
I believe in honesty and truthfulness, without which I cannot win the respect and confidence of my fellow men.
I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body and a spirit that is not afraid, and in clean sports that develop these qualities.
I believe in obedience to law because it protects the rights of all.
I believe in the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with my fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness for all.
I believe in my Country, because it is a land of freedom and because it is my own home, and that I can best serve that country by "doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with my God." And because Auburn men and women believe in these things, I believe in Auburn and love it. - George Petrie (1945)

Merry Christmas!

For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulder. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

The Promise of a Our Savior:
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14

O Bethlehem...from you shall come forth the One who will be ruler of Israel

Micah 5:2

The kings of Tarshish and of the isles will bring presents; the kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts.

Psalm 72:10

Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before Him.

Psalm 72:9

Immanuel. God With Us.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

Matthrew 1:18

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem with Mary. While they were there, the days were completed for her to deliver. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manager, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:4-7

And when they had come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Matthew 2:11

The shepheards returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen.

Luke 2:9

I Remember How to Cook!

I actually haven’t forgotten how to cook! It has been so long since I’ve gotten a chance to cook that I was afraid I would forgot how to measure or even turn on the oven but as it turns out, I remembered! Last night I celebrated Christmas with some very sweet friends with an ornament swap. We decided on breakfast for supper (one of my personal favorites). Our hostesses, Katie and Alana, had bacon and pancakes and the rest of brought other dishes.

My mom shared this breakfast casserole recipe with me last year for New Years Eve and it was delicious!
2 cups seasoned croutons
1 pound sausage, browned and crumbled
1 cup shredded cheese
4-6 eggs
2 cups milk or half and half
Salt and pepper to taste

Brown the sausage, crumble and drain

Layer the croutons, sausage and shredded cheese into a casserole dish Mix and eggs and milk and pour over dry ingredients. Season with salt and pepper and place in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes

Delicious!

Christmas Ornament Swap 2010

Christmas Bravery and Courage

The Christmas season is a time for sharing and giving to others. Seeing the look on a loved one’s face when they open that perfect gift from you is exciting, and knowing that you have made someone’s day just a little bit better has a special happiness attached to it like nothing else.

My friend Blythe and I got a chance yesterday to help give to some families who deserve it the most. Blythe’s dad is a Hoover firefighter and they are helping sponsor some military families for Christmas. People have been bringing gifts to the fire station for weeks for this project along with others.

Toys R Us trip!

When we got to the fire station David took us to a room filled with toys....and by filled with toys, I mean toys were stacked everywhere….and by everywhere, I mean not organized! First things first, get a system. Done! Sort. Done! Once the toys had been sorted by gender, age, games, books, etc. We began grouping for the specific families we knew about. We also pulled out some toys that we will take to Childrens Hospital later this week. Finally, the rest of the toys, games, books, etc. we left in their neatly sorted piles awaiting more families, groups, etc. who will have the opportunity to make a child’s Christmas.

I was sorting toys for the specific military families we knew about and just found myself imagining the look on a little boy’s face when he sees his brand new bicycle or how excited a sweet little girl would be making brownies for the first time in her brand new Easy Bake Oven. I was also overwhelmed by the thought that several of these children may be experiencing Christmas this year without one or both of their parents because they are serving in our military around the world. Sacrifice and commitment are concepts that the children of soldiers learn early in their lives. So this Christmas when you are with your family, please remember to say a prayer for the families who are separated by miles and oceans because their loved ones are defending our freedom around the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njIDBfNZ1RY

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

I love teaching Kindergarten Sunday School! December is such a special time to be with children as they experience Christmas and seeing the holiday through their eyes. We have a special opportunity the Sunday before Christmas each year to remind our preschoolers of the true reason why we celebrate Christmas. Happy Birthday, Jesus! Our preschoolers dress up as the characters in the Christmas story and help act out the story as Mrs. Stephanie tells it and sings some songs. At the end of our play, we sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. When we got back to our Sunday School rooms after the party each child as a small cake to celebrate. I had a dream, Joseph. I don’t understand it, not really, but I think it was about a birthday celebration for our Son. I think that’s what it was all about. The people had been preparing for it about six weeks. They had decorated the house and bought new clothes. They’d gone shopping many times and bought elaborate gifts. It was peculiar, though, because the presents weren’t for Jesus. They wrapped them in beautiful paper and tied them with lovely bows and stacked them under a tree. Yes, a tree, Joseph, right in their house. They’d decorated the tree also. The branches were full of glowing balls and sparkling ornaments. There was a figure on the top of the tree. It looked like an angel might look. Oh, it was beautiful. Everyone was laughing and happy. They were all excited about the gifts. They gave the gifts to each other, Joseph, not to our Son. I don’t think they even knew Him. They never mentioned His name. Doesn’t it seem odd for people to go to all that trouble to celebrate someone’s birthday if they don’t know Him? I had the strangest feeling that if our Son had gone to this celebration He would have been intruding. Everything was so beautiful, Joseph, and everyone was so happy, but it made me want to cry. How sad for Jesus - not to be wanted at His own birthday party. I’m glad it was only a dream. How terrible if it had been real.

Author unknown

Supper Club!

Every Wednesday at 5:30 I can be found with the same people….loving life with Supper Club. Kaylie, Blythe, Kristen, Meagan and I started meeting together every week during the summer of 2008. It is a friendship ordained by the Lord and He has held us together. I am so thankful for the blessing these best friends are in my life as we share our hearts together weekly.

Blythe, I feel like we’ve know each other forever but our friendship has grown by leaps and bounds over the last couple of years. I love having a friend and roommate who understands what life in the classroom is like. We can laugh together…and cry too! You never fail to listen and you’re thoughtfulness goes above and beyond, always looking for ways you can help others. You are the Princess of Encouragement!

Kaylie, your sweet spirit radiates in all that you do. You have a heart that chases after the Lord and continually seeks to know Him. You touch hearts every day and leave the fingerprints of God on those lives. Thank you for being a living example of dying to yourself and living for the Lord. You unashamedly challenge yourself to continue to seek, grow in and know our Savior and by your living example you challenge the rest of us to do the same.

Kristen, I love you K-Dilla! I am so excited to be walking this new journey in life with you. As the first member of Supper Club to get married and now become a mommy you are showing each of us what it means to love the Lord, then your husband and family and still recognize the need for accountability and fellowship with other believers. You never side step an opportunity to present truth to the world with grace, love and humility. Thank you for teaching us what is the Proverbs 31 newlywed and new mommy looks like.
Meg, you have a heart of gold and spirit of humility. God has graced you with the gift of mercy. You will drop everything you have to pick up pieces for a friend without a moment’s hesitation. You are a living example of loving others more than yourself. I know that I am a better friend for the time I have spent with you. Thank you for being who you are and loving others. You are a blessing!

One last picture....I LOVE this picture because it's just us. Please notice the right side of picture, lined up, paying attention, all smiles, ready to go. Those of us on the left...well sometimes we struggle....and have enough ADHD in us for the whole group!

I thank my God everytime I remember you. In all my prayers for you, I always pray with joy becuase of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart, whether I am in chains or defending and comfirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ -- to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:3-11

Day 6: El Hakkadosh -- "Holy God"

"Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Host; the whole earth is filled with his glory." Isaiah 6:3

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;

Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

The Bible does not describe God as “Love, Love, Love” or “Faithful, Faithful, Faithful” or even “Almighty, Almighty, Almighty.” It does empathize that He is “Holy, Holy, Holy.” Holiness is the only attribute of God ever tripled.

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee

Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;

Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,

Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

God’s holiness is more spectacular, immaculate, compelling and fearful than we could ever imagine.

Holiness:
1. Perfection – His righteousness is pure and absolute
“The Holy God shows Himself to be holy in righteousness.” Isaiah 5:16
2. Separate – God is uniquely set apart from the rest of His creation – He is exceptionally uncommon
“To whom then will you compare Me, that I should be like him?” says the Holy One. Isaiah 40:25
3. Illustrious – To be holy is to radiate and shine brightly
“Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness, tremble before Him, all the earth!” Ps. 96:9

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee,

Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;

Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,

Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.

Ultimately, God’s holiness is a fearsome yet fascinating mystery. It’s a reality that is beyond our comprehension or understanding. The beauty of God’s holiness attracts us, yet also causes us to utterly tremble at the same time.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;

Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!