GO SEE IT

Just had a night out with my mom.. ahem, 34 dollars later (2 tickets, popcorn, and 2 bottled waters... that my friends is what i call ROBBERY... my honest question is why hasn't THIS issue come up in the election..)... we are not cheap dates.

Well, it wasn't complete robbery.. 16 of those dollars got us into the movie.. and it was so well spent.

You really need to go see The Secret Life of Bees. It is an incredible film that stirs up so many emotions... (i haven't read the book, so those of you that have might be snobby and think the movie is horrible in comparison.. however, i highly doubt it)

JUST GO SEE IT.
then tell me who your favorite character was.

Mine is May Boatwright.

and.. did i mention the soundtrack is UH-MAZING? it is.



"love, baby- love is all around you.."

Advent Conspiracy

Ok, so this is WAY OUT OF MY MORAL CODE, but today's post centers around Christmas (YIKES! It's not even November yet. I mean I'm one of the crazies who doesn't believe in Christmas music until the day after Thanksgiving. i mean seriously.. let's give thanksgiving a chance people..) But today, Im breaking my mold to share something really cool. Check this out:


The story of Christ's birth is a subversive story of an upside-down kingdom. It's a story of promise, hope, and a revolutionary love that is still changing the world to this day. So, what happened? What was once a time to celebrate the birth of a savior has somehow turned into a season of stress, traffic jams, and shopping lists. And when it's all over, many of us are left with presents to return, looming debt that will take months to pay off, and this empty feeling that we somehow missed its purpose.

Is this what we really want out of Christmas?

What if Christmas became a world-changing event again by turning our focus back to the birth of Christ? What could happen to your family if this focus was celebrated in loud, bold and totally unexpected ways? What if you could actually trade your season of stress for a season celebration and unbelievable memories with your friends and family? What if all of this could save a life at the same time? It can.

Welcome to Advent Conspiracy






adventconspiracy.org


if you're like me, this is sewn with the greatest intentions, yet is incredibly hard to be humbled to action. If you're at a loss of where to start "conspiring".. let me help you! Visit here.
It seems like a shameless plug, but I'm telling you, these causes are WORTH IT. Sure, blessing them with these financial needs would be nice, but truth is: it'd be just as meaningful if you wrote them a letter and tell them you're on their side. If you're interested in sharing the Christmas blessing with someone other than yourself, this is a great place to begin living "life- openhanded".

MERRY MERRY!

Lee

READ IT!

One of my sweetest friends, Elizabeth (above), is currently on an 11 month trip around the world, sharing the message of Jesus. It's already been an incredible journey for her and her team. Her teammate,Maris, just wrote this and i URGE YOU to read it.

This is what it's all about. Pray for Team Judah today.

also, on a much more insignificant note: thanks for reading my last post and emailing all the mac help (especially you, meesh!). Where have I been without video chat and garage band and the two-finger scroll? 

Lee

HELP

in lieu of divulging the heavy, actual blog-worthy happenings that have been going on in my life.. i've decided to forgo the weight of it all and go light.

i got a mac today. An Apple MacBook Pro. WHAT??!? Yea I know. I am still in shock. My computer stopped working last night, and in an effort to avoid the arm and a leg costs of repairing it, i went the pay-even-more-than-the-arm-and-a-leg-outrageous- new computer route. Stupid? I haven't decided yet. I never thought I'd be in the same league with all those other Mac-obsessed freaks.. But here I am. 

 

Well I am not obsessed yet.. in fact..  I am so lost. Apples are confusing. . How do I work this damn thing? AHHH!

Help? What the HECK is garage band? This keyboard is funky! And i can make movies? Wait, before all that.. how do I exit an application?

HELP!

Vision

After I huffed and puffed at another Auburn loss (I mean, seriously?), I crawled in bed and started my nightly blog reading. After my first click I found "the one". You know "the one".. "the one" blog that makes you stop and go: "What the?? Have you been reading my journal?!"
I have seriously considered asking him that. I think we're soul mates (ok.. maybe thats pushing it?) Anyways.. my point is: I guess he just has a way of articulating what we're all trying to say.
I love this guy. His heart beats wildly for the things of God. He just gets it.
His words tonight aren't foreign concepts to me.. and I guess he's not really bringing anything new to my table.. but during this dry season of life, the weight of his words bring encouragement and life, and great depth to my shallow attempts of processing the Gospel.

By: Jamie T. (from 'To Write Love on Her Arms').

Vision.

Just wrote this, for the VISION section of the new twloha.com. Wanted to share it here as well:

The vision is that we actually believe these things…

You were created to love and be loved. You were meant to live life in relationship with other people, to know and be known. You need to know that your story is important and that you're part of a bigger story. You need to know that your life matters.

We live in a difficult world, a broken world. My friend Byron is very smart - he says that life is hard for most people most of the time. We believe that everyone can relate to pain, that all of us live with questions, and all of us get stuck in moments. You need to know that you're not alone in the places you feel stuck.

We all wake to the human condition. We wake to mystery and beauty but also to tragedy and loss. Millions of people live with problems of pain. Millions of homes are filled with questions – moments and seasons and cycles that come as thieves and aim to stay. We know that pain is very real. It is our privilege to suggest that hope is real, and that help is real.

You need to know that rescue is possible, that freedom is possible, that God is still in the business of redemption. We're seeing it happen. We're seeing lives change as people get the help they need. People sitting across from a counselor for the first time. People stepping into treatment. In desperate moments, people calling a suicide hotline. We know that the first step to recovery is the hardest to take. We want to say here that it's worth it, that your life is worth fighting for, that it's possible to change.

Beyond treatment, we believe that community is essential, that people need other people, that we were never meant to do life alone.

The vision is that community and hope and help would replace secrets and silence.

The vision is people putting down guns and blades and bottles.

The vision is that we can reduce the suicide rate in America and around the world.

The vision is that we would learn what it means to love our friends, and that we would love ourselves enough to get the help we need.

The vision is better endings. The vision is the restoration of broken families and broken relationships. The vision is people finding life, finding freedom, finding love. The vision is graduation, a sunrise, a Super Bowl, a wedding, a child. The vision is people becoming incredible parents, people breaking cycles, making change.

The vision is the possibility that your best days are ahead.

The vision is the possibility that we're more loved than we'll ever know.

The vision is hope, and hope is real.

You are not alone, and this is not the end of your story.

so refreshing. so real.

(the comment section after this blog is unreal. Their 'vision' is changing the lives of thousands of hurting people)

Lord, Help us. We beg to see life through these compassionate, real, humble lenses. We need Your eyes for this vision. Thank you for loving us more than we'll ever ever know.

for more information on To Write Love on Her Arms visit twloha.com or http://www.myspace.com/towriteloveonherarms

INK

This weekend, I decided to get some permanence in my life.
I got a tattoo. I GOT A TATOOOOO.
Get me a motorcyle and call me Bubba.

Wait, did I really get a tattoo? I REALLY GOT A TATTOO. (this has been the recurring thought in my mind the last 4 days)


I got "hosanna" written in Aramaic (likely the language that Jesus spoke) on the inside of my right wrist.

HOSANNA:
also ho·san·nah interj.

Used to express praise or adoration to God.

n.

1. A cry of “hosanna.”
2. A shout of fervent and worshipful praise
3. A celebration of the messiahship of Jesus

It is also translates "save us" or "salvation is here"

Aramaic translation: הושע נא (Bauer Lexicon)

So there ya have it. I'm inked. (I called my brother after I got it done and said "i just got inked!".. he laughed for an hour. Apparently getting one tattoo doesn't mean you can start using junkie lingo like "inked". I think he's just jealous because he's a sissy.)

Before..

I'm nervous...


Yea.. thats right. It all went down at the Pimp Plaza..

Jeff prepping me

Michelle looking at her work (me freaking out because I'm next..)

No turning back

All done and totally overrated as far as pain

With Jeff (thanks for the horns)..

Michelle's "Love" and Mine..

The news hasn't traveled to my grandparents house yet- If you see them, how bout keeping it on the down low. When they find out (and it'll be dramatic..) I'll let you know how it all went down.

Lee

Answered Prayers and a Yard Sale

Hopefully, most of you read this post back in August. I know some of you did, because we have felt your support tangibly. If you didn't, take a second to read it and catch up to speed! (ps: if you don't read it, you won't understand the rest of today's post.. so hurry.. go READ!)

FIRST things First: I have some REALLY exciting news!! (drumroll please...) Sachile is going back to school! The Louisa Pickard Circle (a group of United Methodist Women) donated the money needed for two years of schooling! PRAISE OUR LORD. He is SO faithful. I'm waiting on my Swaziland contact to get back to me so I can "officially" place the money in their account and when that happens, you'll be the first to know. I'm really at a loss for words, this is such a beautiful thing to see unfold.



So..
As most of you know I'm not real sure what the heck I'm doing in regard to raising the support for those 4 things the Lord showed me in Africa. Let's be honest, I don't have very much to offer financially.. but what I do have.. is JUNK. Lots and LOTS and LOTS of JUNK. So I brushed off my trusty ole' fundraising skills (its been a while since youth group..) and i'm putting that JUNK to good use! We're having a yard sale! It is the first big "event" to raise money for the needs mentioned in my life-openhanded post. The profit will go specifically to meeting the need of Ncobile (right) and her desire to go to University.

We'll be out on Main Street all day tomorrow ready to bargain :)

If you are in our area, please come out.. you don't have to buy anything, but I'd love to get to know you, fill you in onthe mission, and put you on our prayer list! If you need directions, email me at lowrylg@gmail.com.

If you are NOT in our area, we would LOVE your prayers. We (I) don't really know what we're (I'm) doing, but I know that the Lord wants to bless Ncobile with an education. I believe in her, and I believe in this. PLEASE PRAY for no rain, rich shoppers, and many opportunities to share her story.


My hopes are that during the next week I can set up a paypal account so that all of you out-of-towners can donate directly online. Be on the lookout.

Gotta go to bed.. i hear yard sale shoppers are early birds.. like 5AM early. WHAT THE??

oh fall.

"For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."
Isaiah 55:12

Give me a hammock, a journal, and some soft acoustic music. PERFECTION.

This weather makes me ask questions like: How can people not believe? How can we not fall in love with Him over and over again every time we see changing leaves and feel that sweet breeze?


You are a BEAUTIFUL God.