Sunday Evening Word Nerd Musings: The Great Exchange

Okay, so this morning, I was a total slacker. Everyone in my home was nestled snugly in their beds and it was 22 degrees outside, which is the same as 22 below in south Georgia. Being the woman after God’s own heart that I am (really want to be), I should have gotten dressed and driven on to Blackshear to our home church all by my lonesome and I know that I would have been abundantly blessed if I would have. That isn’t what this slacker did, though. I snuggled into my comfy pjs, poured a few cups of coffee, and reasoned that there were other godly options to consider that didn’t include going out into the cold to go occupy a pew by myself (although there are PLENTY of people to sit with, slackers don’t make such considerations.) So me and my slacker self sat right there in the warmth and comfort of my recliner and took in the wisdom of Charles Stanley, cooked breakfast for by bleary eyed little boy, then caught the live stream webcast of our former church.

I will add here that although this isn’t something I’m likely to do often – at all – it was totally rocking to sit in the comfort of my living room in my pjs with an unlimited supply of coffee and enjoy the message from a pastor who always has a timely Word in due season. As slacker days go, this one was pretty good. Lucy and I did manage to catch the awesome communion service at Emmanuel this evening, so it definitely has ended much better than it started.

To that end, this evening’s Word Nerd musings are less a direct response to tonight’s sermon than they are my heart response to the culmination of different sermons that I heard on this Lord’s Day.

The Great Exchange

Remembering
His Birth
His Life
His Hope
His Peace
His Healing
His Prayers
His Touch
His Betrayal
His Torture
His Death
His Resurrection
His Glory

Acknowledging
My sin
My sorrow
My sickness
My shame
My solitude
My stubbornness
My stain
My self-importance
My scars
My screwups
My sedition
My slough

Receiving
His mercy
His grace
His love
His forgiveness
His Name
His joy
His peace
His patience
His kindness
His goodness
His favor
His compassion

Giving
My heart
My hands
My life
My adoration
My praise
My compassion
My day
My night
My faithfulness
My service
My voice
My all.

My life is no longer my own.
Simply.
His.

25 New Randomocities for 2010

25 New Randomocities for 2010

1) My greatest desire is to be used by God for something AMAZING. I have no clue what that will be.
2) My feeties don't like to be cold.
3) My oldest daughter HATES it when I use the affixes "pimp" or "licious" with any other word, therefore I must use them as often as I remember to do so.
4) Because I am going to be 40 on my next birthday, I remember far less than I used to.
5) I LOVE cupcakes, primarily from Holt's bakery in Douglas.
6) My children are cooler than yours. holla! :0)
7) Refer to #3. She also hates it when I say things like "holla!" I am not supposed to be ghetto fabulous (but I sooo am!)
8) I've seen Sleepless in Seattle a blue million times and would watch it again right now if the Sugar Bowl wasn't on. My handsome hunk of a husband would not find humor in said action.
9) I'm a nerd and nerds ROCK!!!
10) I will teach myself to paint this year - and I will paint something that looks at least a little better than a kindergartener's finger painting.
11) If we could eliminate humidity in south Georgia, my hair would be gorgeous every day, instead of just the few days in winter when it's too cold to be humid.
12) I really do live in the middle of nowhere. really.
13) Tori's right. When I'm old and alone, I will be the crazy cat lady. I can't not adopt a poor kitty who needs a home, especially if they're sweet little furballs.
14) I love to speak in public, but the thought of singing a solo works my nerves exactly like roto rooter.
15) The reason that this master's degree is so important to me is that I'm the first person in my immediate family to have a degree of any sort, and except for the grace of God, I wouldn't have been afforded this opportunity.
16) 4.0 baby! There are merits to going back to school later in life. :0)
17) I have an inner compulsion to help people, whether they like it or not.
18) I LOVE to listen to jazz - but only the instrumental kind. Dave Brubeck, Dave Koz, and Chris Botti ROCK!
19) For the first time since I started teaching, I can honestly say that I LOVE my job with no caveats attached.
20) I do want to write a book one day, but I can't imagine who in the world would want to read anything I have to write, except for maybe 5 people who would read it just because they love me.
21) I'm the most fiscally irresponsible person you'll ever meet. For that reason, Dave Ramsey is about to become my new best friend.
22) If I'm your friend, I'm your friend forever, but I've decided this year to put less energy into one sided relationships. I hope that I'm not talking about you.
23) Coffee rocks my socks.
24) I can turn my southern accent on and off at will. I learned to do this in 8th grade because my friend Lisa told me, "you know that every time you open your mouth to speak, everyone just assumes you're stupid because of the accent." No, I didn't hit her.
25) I have the greatest friends on the planet... their awesomeness defies words. :0)

Word Nerd Musings - Reflections of the Unworthy: A Shepherd's Song

Reflections of the Unworthy: a Shepherd’s song

Unworthy
Of this honor
Unworthy
This Holy night
Unworthy of the good news
Unworthy
Of angels bright

Unworthy
To behold the glory
Unworthy
To worship the king
Unworthy
To see this Prince of Peace
Unworthy
His praises to sing

Unworthy
And completely unclean
Unworthy
How could it be?
Unworthy
Doesn’t he know who I am?
Unworthy
Yet He came for me.

Unworthy
Of anything better
Unworthy
Still He CAME
Unworthy
To enter His presence
Unworthy
But He ignored my shame

Unworthy
To see Your sleepy eyes
Unworthy
To behold Your face
Unworthy
To merit such favor
Unworthy
To share Your grace

Unworthy
But you arrived in stillness
Unworthy
But You counted the cost
Unworthy
But You brought forgiveness
Unworthy
But no longer lost

Unworthy
But you gave me value
Unworthy
You restored my heart
Unworthy
Except for Your grace
Unworthy
Of a brand new start

Unworthy
But I thank You Lord
Unworthy
But You saved a wretch like me
Unworthy
Though I was miserably blind
Unworthy
It’s in You that I see.

Written by: Angie Steedley
©2009
Written in response to Bro. Philip’s sermon:
A Message to the Unworthy

For any of you who would like to read it in French (just because it’s a BEAUTIFUL language), here it is:

Les réflexions de la Unworthy : chanson d'un pasteur

Indigne
de cette honor
Indigne
cette Sainte nuit
Indignes
des bonnes nouvelles
Indigne
des anges lumineux

Indigne
de Voici la gloire
indigne
to worship le roi
Indigne
pour afficher ce Prince de la paix
Indigne
ses éloges pour chanter

Indigne
et totalement impurs
Indigne
comment il pourrait être ?
Indignes
il ignore qui je suis ?
Indignes
encore il vint pour moi.

Indigne
de quoi que ce soit mieux
Indigne
toujours il VENAIT
Indigne
pour entrez sa présence
Indigne
mais il ignoré ma honte

Indigne
pour afficher vos yeux sleepy
Indigne
de Voici votre visage
Indigne
pour mériter telle faveur
Indigne
pour partager votre grâce

Indigne
mais vous est arrivé en silence
Indigne
mais vous compté le coût
Indigne
mais vous introduit pardon
Indigne
mais n'est plus perdu

Indigne
mais vous m'a valeur
Indigne
vous restaurer mon cœur
Indigne
sauf pour votre grâce
Indigne
d'un nouveau départ

Indigne
mais je vous remercier Lord
Indigne
mais vous enregistré un wretch comme moi
Indigne
quoique j'étais lamentablement aveugles
Indigne
Il s'agit dans vous que je vois.

Écrites par : Angie Steedley
© 2009
écrites en réponse à sermon de fr. Philip:
Un message à la Unworthy

The Last Days of the Semester

The Final Days of My Semester
By: Angie Steedley
(Sung to the tune of The 12 Days of Christmas)

In the last days of the semester
What I got done does be
A newly designed drama t-shirt

In the last days of the semester
What I got done does be
2 big ole posters
And a newly designed drama t-shirt

In the last days of the semester
What I got done does be
3 classes done
2 big ole posters
And a newly designed drama t-shirt

In the last days of the semester
What I got done does be
4 computer graphics
3 classes done
2 big ole posters
And a newly designed drama t-shirt

In the last days of the semester
What I got done does be
5 Corny Poems
4 computer graphics
3 classes done
2 big ole posters
And a newly designed drama t-shirt

In the last days of the semester
What I got done does be
6 hours of Pandora
5 Corny Poems
4 computer graphics
3 classes done
2 big ole posters
And a newly designed drama t-shirt

In the last days of the semester
What I got done does be
7 pictures colored
6 hours of Pandora
5 Corny Poems
4 computer graphics
3 classes done
2 big ole posters
And a newly designed drama t-shirt

In the last days of the semester
What I got done does be
8 hugs for churdren
7 pictures colored
6 hours of Pandora
5 Corny Poems
4 computer graphics
3 classes done
2 big ole posters
And a newly designed drama t-shirt

In the last days of the semester
What I got done does be
9 texts for yous’n
8 hugs for churdren
7 pictures colored
6 hours of Pandora
5 Corny Poems
4 computer graphics
3 classes done
2 big ole posters
And a newly designed drama t-shirt

In the last days of the semester
What I got done does be
10 paper stockings
9 texts for yous’n
8 hugs for churdren
7 pictures colored
6 hours of Pandora
5 Corny Poems
4 computer graphics
3 classes done
2 big ole posters
And a newly designed drama t-shirt

In the last days of the semester
What I got done does be
11 papers graded
10 paper stockings
9 texts for yous’n
8 hugs for churdren
7 pictures colored
6 hours of Pandora
5 Corny Poems
4 computer graphics
3 classes done
2 big ole posters
And a newly designed drama t-shirt

In the last days of the semester
What I got done does be
12 cups of coffee
11 papers graded
10 paper stockings
9 texts for yous’n
8 hugs for churdren
7 pictures colored
6 hours of Pandora
5 Corny Poems
4 computer graphics
3 classes done
2 big ole posters
And a newly designed drama t-shirt

A Word Nerd Reflects Upon the Year

Every Word Nerd piece I've ever written came while I was taking notes, listening to our pastor's sermons. For some reason, as I process information, rhymes form uncontrollably, like I'm channeling Dr. Seuss or something. Tonight's Word Nerd monologue comes from the memories my Lord brought to my heart as I listened to my bestie sing "Wonderful, Merciful Savior" this evening. I tuned in to the singing and signing and God showed me how far I've come in exactly a year. This year is one I hope to never repeat EVER, and I'm thankful to be on this end of it and not that end of it, but our Lord used these immensely painful months to bring some dross to the surface that I didn't know I had. Although I wish with everything within me that last year and the events in it didn't exist, I am abundantly grateful to a Wonderful, Merciful Savior who brought me to today when I didn't want to see another tomorrow.

Faithfully Loving Your Own

My Jesus, it was this time last year
That my world was turned upside down
In the months before and the months that followed
No peace in my heart could be found

Lord, it humbles this mother's heart
To reflect upon that day
That my precious daughter, the light of my life
Decided that she'd move away

Wonderful Lord, Merciful Savior,
What a road this journey has been
That You delivered me from deep and wretched despair
That escaped the reason of men

Counselor, Comforter, Healer
Thank you for mending my soul's condition
That I could look beyond all that my mind did perceive
To trust Your divine intervention

The mom in me wanted to make it all better
To seal good choices in stone
But to do so would put myself in Your place
As You're faithfully loving Your own

So much is infused with Your grace, my Lord
Depression releasing its grip on my heart
For you alone know the breadth of our days
Between the ending and the start

I thank You, my Father, for lifting my eyes
To focus them only on You
For although the circumstances are still the same,
I cling to your unchanging Truth

My Lord, I adore my beautiful child -
Enough to trust You with her life
And I praise you for moving us far beyond
Those days that were filled with strife.

Redeemer, through much fasting and hours of prayer
You've revealed a surprise, You see.
That through all of my pleading and seeking Your face,
The one who You changed is me.

A Word Nerd Gives Thanks

Psalm 92:1-4 - "It is good to praise the Lord, and make music to Your name, O Most High, to proclaim Your love in the morning, Your faithfulness at night, to the music of a ten stringed lyre and the melody of the harp. For You make me glad by Your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of Your hands."

Thankful, my Lord, that I am Your child
And Thankful, my Lord, for Your grace
Thankful, still yet for Your blessings divine
And the joy of seeking Your face

Thankful for the children You've generously leant
And for my husband - the love of my life
Ever will I humbly seek Your heart
That I would be a godly mother and wife

Thankful, my Lord for the chisel You use
To remove my every chaff
Not that Your work will ever be done
Comfort comes through Your rod and Your staff

Thankful for a place in which to serve -
For a church that honors Your Word
Thankful that our hearts are focused on You
And that Your praise is abundantly heard

Thankful to worship You in Your choir
And thankful for the praises we sing
For it's more than a melody, more than a song
It's an offering to You that we bring

Thankful for those You've called me to love
And for Your Truth that makes us free
Thankful that You impart that same love to them
As You did to a sinner like me.

Thankful for the career that You alone provided
For my students - my children of paper
Lord, these precious ones alight my soul
Please use me to make their future even greater

Thankful, my Lord, for the friends that You've sent
The kindred spirits who brighten my days
Thankful for the times that they've blessed my heart
In innumerably countless ways

Lord, You've given more than I deserve,
Your goodness binds my wandering heart to Thee
And Thankful, my Lord, that in spite of my faults
You hide not Your face from me.

In Jesus' Name.

Apples of Gold

Apples of Gold
19 November 2009


My daily Bible verse yesterday was Proverbs 25:11-12 – “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. As an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover on an obedient ear.”

Of course, that immediately made me think of King Solomon and wonder if he either had no godly counsel to tell him that perhaps having 900 wives and concubines was a bad idea, or if maybe he didn’t listen to them when they did. If one of his trusted advisers had warned him against the infusion of so many others gods into his life through these women, would he have listened or would he have banished him from his kingly presence forever?

We know what his daddy did. His daddy, King David, exemplifies what I heard a wise teacher say a long time ago: “The most righteous man isn’t the one who never sins; such a man does not exist. The righteous man is the one who knows the quickest route to the foot of the cross.” David was every bit as imperfect as the rest of us and we have glaring reminders of his great personal failures recorded for all eternity, but I love the glimpses that we get of his pure heart for God.

In 2 Samuel 7:17-29, we see the king respond humbly before his Lord in the face of God’s blessings spoken through the prophet Nathan. Then, in 2 Samuel 12 we see him humble himself again in repentance when confronted with his sin and the Lord’s rebuke of that sin through the very same prophet. That’s pretty impressive!

Would we have responded the same way? Would I? If I look at that honestly, I can say that perhaps (maybe) I would today, but that hasn’t always been the case. An honest look reveals a heart that once would have responded in way that looks far more some others who our Father tells about through His Word.

In the New Testament, John 6 reveals our Savior delivering a message to his disciples about communion and it being His body and His blood. Some of them became so offended that they turned back and quit following him completely. Our Lord wisely saw through to the core issue; although they followed Him, they were never really believers to begin with. Ouch. Really? Does that immediately stir up righteous indignation about how no-one can ever judge such a thing? Hmmmmm… hopefully not, but if it did, here’s the first place that we have to examine within ourselves (not toward anyone else, within each of us personally):

1. Can you recall a time when Jesus changed your life? Can you think back to a shift in your thinking that not only included coming to acknowledge Jesus as Lord, but to come to despise the sin that you once had?

2. This instance, whether you can recall the exact time and place or not, must include your shift from merely knowing that Jesus is the Lord to coming to know Him as YOUR Lord, specifically.

3. If so, great! This part doesn’t necessarily refer to you in that sense.

4. If not, there’s no time like right now to make that decision.

The fact is that the Word of God really does offend those who don’t believe in Christ as their Savior. The Word tells us that it is utter foolishness to them, and any conversation with a scoffer will bear witness to that. If it is sincerely the Word that offends us, there is nothing external that can fix that; it must come from within a heart that is in complete submission to our Savior.

But wait, there’s more! We see other instances in the Word where people didn’t respond to a rebuke by a man of God. Are you shocked? I’m not because I know me and how much I have resisted correction on multiple occasions.

Imagine being Stephen in Acts 7. He was delivering a message that God needed to speak to some hard-hearted rebellious people, who could have just as easily had me numbered among them. Their response? Why, the only acceptable one of course. Never mind looking within themselves to find the truth that God was revealing to them through His spokesman. No, it’s far easier to run the man of God out of town and stone him than it is to admit that we have flawed character that needs to change. Do we still do that, metaphorically speaking, when we hear the words of those who correct us? At one time, this would have been my first response: ignore the sin. Immediately dispense with the messenger.

I have to say that one of the wisest things that I ever did was to have specific prayer partners in my life who have my complete permission to come to me with anything they know is lacking in my life. These are amazing women of God who love our Lord and love me and I know that if something comes from them, it wasn’t meant for my harm in any way, but is only for my good.

That was a great place to start for this little rebellious soul, but I’m glad that it didn’t end there. See, God doesn’t need my permission to speak to me in whatever way He chooses through whomever He sees fit. It may come through someone I trust or it may come through someone with impure motives. For that matter, When God needs to get our attention, He’s been known to use mute beasts to do it as well. Just ask Balaam what that’s like.

Getting to the heart of the matter, being in right fellowship with the only One worthy of all of our praise means that we will need to be corrected from time to time. That’s the only way we know for sure that we are truly His children. If we never felt His discipline at all, it would mean that we aren’t His to begin with. When these times come, wisdom dictates that we listen.

To be perfectly honest, being corrected always hurts my feelings. I feel horrible that it was necessary, that I’ve done something that dishonored my Lord, and that my thoughtlessness caused a breach of relationship with someone whose relationship I value. It grieves me beyond words, and it always has. The only difference is that now, I have enough maturity to hold all correction up to the measuring stick of God’s Word.

Does His Holy Spirit bear witness with the thing being said? Whether I like it or not, if it does, I’d best listen sooner than later. If God doesn’t confirm the rebuke, there’s been no harm done. I just put it on a shelf and don’t think about it again unless the situation comes up again to give me a reason to revisit it.

In the end, it all comes down to relationship. I adore my Lord and this Salvation that that He brought to me though I was poor, miserable, wretched, and blind. In fact, I have it on very good Authority that I am the apple of His eye (and so are you!) I deeply love the relationships He’s given me with people whose souls are also tied to Him. These friendships bring such joy to my heart that I can’t even begin to acknowledge it all. Because these facts are true, I cherish those difficult times of correction, because it insures that all of the things I value most in this world remain in proper order.

Today, I am thankful for this reminder that I am no longer who I once was. The road to get here has been paved with more mistakes and tears than I can ever count, but it has been well worth the journey! I pray that like daddy David, I will be one who knows a very quick route to the foot of my Lord in the times that I stumble, and that He would help those times to become fewer and further apart. In the meantime, I praise my Jesus for those who love Him enough and love me enough to help keep me pointed in the right direction.

Proverbs 25:11-12 – “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. As an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover on an obedient ear.”