let's all be a rivet

The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, . . . without partiality and without hypocrisy. —James 3:17

Scientists have determined that faulty rivets may have caused the rapid sinking of the "unsinkable" HMS Titanic. According to researchers who recently examined parts recovered from the wreck, impure rivets made of wrought iron rather than steel caused the ship’s hull to open like a zipper. The Titanic proves the foolishness of spending resources on fancy equipment and public promotion while neglecting the "ordinary" parts.

In a sense, churches are like ships, and many of their people are like rivets. Although rivets seem insignificant, they are essential for holding the ship together and keeping it afloat.

Feelings of insignificance are rampant these days, even among Christians, and some do (and say) hurtful things to make themselves feel important. James says, "Where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there" (3:16). People corrupted by worldly desires for beauty, wealth, and power can bring down great churches, but people who are pure and undefiled (1:27) hold churches together.

As members of God’s church, we need to be "rivets" without defect. When we are pure (James 3:17), strong (Eph. 6:10), and steadfast (1 Cor. 15:58), we will be used by the Lord to keep His ship afloat in times of crisis. —Julie Ackerman Link

excerpt from our daily bread

amen!

we need to keep in mind of what the ultimate goal is. there are so many things around us that we can get caught-up in...such as making money, the corporate ladder, putting people down (to make themselves feel better), shopping, food...things that make us happy "now". how can we pursue the right things? especially on how to keep a church together and putting the distractions around us aside.

so special!

i got home yesterday and found these at the door for me 'n my betrothed:



this is the first time i have ever had flowers delivered to me! :)

thanks to my dear jenny-o! i'm feeling pretty special. hee hee.

"the one"

since starting w-planning, i read that the bride-to-be will find "the one" bridal gown. i'm not the kind of girl who "dreamt" of her wedding and has all these pre-planned ideas (except trying to incorporate cupcakes into the wedding;). i'm not into the whole dress shopping thing either. i sucked it up last friday to get the whole ordeal over. lo and behold, i found "the one" and "the one v. 2". unfortunately, "the one" was way out of my budget. practicality won out and now "the one v. 2" is "the one". "the one v. 2" is also a little bit out of my budget but if i can save a little somewhere else it'd only be over budget by maybe $100. :`(

"the one" now has ruined me for other dresses and designers. i don't see other dresses as the same as "the one". i also don't want to go back to the bridal salon to try any other ones. i know there are cheaper dresses for maybe $300-500 but are a bit sketchy and it's not "the one"!

lesson for future brides...search the internet first for el cheapo dresses and then go to the bridal salon. maybe "the one" won't ruin you. :P

am i only dreaming? or is this burning...

this is officially "our park"! ;)

i can't fall asleep!!! i am betrothed to MySS! :D