God's Not Dead!!

Holly: Kelly is banished from reading this post until she sees this movie.  Which is looking like Wednesday night at this point.  Because I WILL see it again.  So Kelly, if you're reading this, stop.  Stop now.  Moving on...

Today I saw "God's Not Dead".

I hadn't heard about it, really, until about a month ago.  I'd seen posts about it mostly on Facebook and Twitter, and just a couple of days ago it was really brought to my attention.  Some members of my church were planning on getting together and seeing it because it was showing in a theater nearby.  I was interested, so I took a ticket.  Watched the trailer.  Admittedly was not all that impressed.  Honestly.  Not all that impressed.

Remember how I blogged earlier about how I wish I could travel back in time and smack myself across the face? (I promise I'm not a violent person..?).  Yeah....

First off, I believe that every single college student in America needs to see this movie.  I'm completely serious.  For those of you who don't know much about this movie, the jist of it goes like so: a college freshman enrolls in a philosophy class taught by an outspoken atheist professor.  He has the class write "God's not dead" on a piece of paper, sign it, and hand it in, thus avoiding debate and debacle between philosophical ideas and theist-based ideas.  One student, a Christian, refuses.  The professor challenges the student to defend the "antithesis", so to speak, that God is, in fact, not dead.  Through this, the student is challenged, his relationships fall apart, and he is belittled and threatened by the professor.  There are numerous other character storylines that all intersect as well; many of the characters either don't believe in God at all, or do, but are keeping it secret.  And yet, at the end, all are affected by Him in some shape, size, form, or fashion.

My first thought was what would I do if I were in that student's situation.  I'd like to think that I would take a stand for God, but the sad truth is that I'm not entirely sure what I would do.  I immediately began thinking of my own college days.  While my faith was challenged, yes, I was never publicly belittled, threatened, or forced to believe in something I didn't.  Maybe none of us would every really know what we would do.  God has a time and a place for everything.  One of the things the student kept saying throughout the movie was "I feel like God wants me to do this."  I suppose that, given the circumstances, I would know what God would want me to do.

The biggest take-home message, for me, was this: every single moment is precious, and our time on this earth is limited.  We don't know how much time we have left.  I would say that the storyline that really struck me was that of the atheist professor.  Without giving too much away, all he has for God is hate, but I won't disclose why...spoilers (for which that argument is rebuked by "How can you hate someone that doesn't exist?").  Literally at the last possible second does he see the light of Christ and turn to Him.  I wasn't expecting it to end the way that it did, which is why it probably struck me as much as it did.  Life is so short, too short.  In light of this, I will say that I realize that I don't act as Christ's ambassador as much as I should.  I don't speak or act for God as properly as I should.  I don't reflect God's likeness as I should.  Yeah, I've had people tell me that they can tell I'm a Christian because of how I act, how I handle stress, etc, but it's not good enough to just be "good enough" anymore.  I pray that God will use me, and anyone else who sees this movie, to shine for Him, to stand for Him, to witness, to be brave.  I'm doing my best to live for Him, and I pray every day that others will see Him.  I will keep praying that prayer.  Always.

My God's not dead, He's surely alive! 

One of the lines from the movie was how that we might be the only meaningful experience with Christ that someone will experience.  We only get one chance.  I'm praying that my faith will be strengthened and that God will shine through me.

Wrap up: Run, do not walk, to your nearest movie theater and go see this movie!!! Please!  You will not be disappointed.  God is awesome and this movie was a great reminder of how God works in awesome ways.  P.S. It features the Newsboys (briefly), and I've met them before.  They're super cool- Duncan the drummer follows me on Twitter.  Seriously!  Oh, and there's Duck Dynasty too.  Which (I guess???) is kind of a big deal nowadays :)

Took me a little while to write this post- I have my own personal editor :)

"Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

Kelly: I just read on Yahoo! that the main front runner for Westboro Baptist church passed away today. If you are not familiar with WBC, please spare yourself the images and their viewpoints. To sum them up in the Kelly Korb fashion, Westboro Baptist Church are a family based in Kansas who's websites displays "God Hates Fags." They picket at soldier's funerals, thank God for the death of soldiers and other individuals and preach in my opinion messages of sheer hate and intolerance. But yes, the main church leader has passed on. Without a doubt he has met Jesus face to face and has gotten what God will give him. I will be completely honest, when I first read the news I had mixed feelings. Anger, relief, pity, the lot. I'm ashamed to say at first I thought to myself that perhaps this guy got what he deserved. But the more I thought about it, the more I thought of this; it doesn't matter what I think or feel about this guy and this "church" and their views of others and the world. This guy claimed to follow Christ, as I do. He read his Bible, prayed with his family and went to church every Sunday. I do the same thing. So really, we are the same, but perhaps not. I think it's our understanding of God that makes us different.

I have ZERO tolerance for hate or disrespect of any kind, because the God and Jesus I know and have read about does too. I also know that God is a vengeful and jealous God and He hates sin and sinners...have you read the Old Testament? But here's me; I will flat out say that picketing the funerals of soldiers and saying God hates "fags" is wrong. Flat out wrong. The Bible says Jesus loves all of us, each and every one, right down to the hairs on our heads. I will not picket this guy's funeral or parade around Berea holding signs that say "God hates Westboro Baptist Church," because frankly God loves them too. But I will continue to spread the love of Christ in what I say and do to others, no matter who I meet. I will continue to show the world of the God that I know and love. I will pray for WBC not that they would be changed, but that they too would learn or re-learn of the same love that God has extended to the "fags," the soldiers they protest and to them.

Holly: I'll admit, the first thing I thought when I read of Mr. Phelps passing was something like "I imagine he and Jesus had a pretty interesting conversation."  Then again, I can't claim to speculate what our own encounters with Jesus at the end of our lives will be like.

Straight up, I do not agree with the views of Westboro Baptist Church.  I think it's even a bit of a stretch to call Westboro Baptist Church a "church".  I don't think Mr. Phelps was leading a church; I think he was leading a cult.  But that's just my opinion.  Some of the things he said were just downright frightening.  It's frightening to go on their website and see "God Hates Fags" as plain as day, plastered all over it.  That is NOT the love of Christ I've learned about.  That is NOT the love of Christ which drew me into a relationship with Him.

He and his church were notorious for picketing and protesting funerals of soldiers, celebrities, and others.  I've read numerous comments saying his own funeral be picketed.  But how does that make us any different from them? We're "fueling the fire", so to speak, and you and I both know that that doesn't solve anything.  The truth is that people, ALL people, are going to think, speak, believe, feel, differently than we are.  Perhaps that message never quite got through to WBC.  Maybe it did.  I'm not really sure.  On the flip side of all of this, my human, Christ-following, compassionate side comes out: Mr. Phelps was a father, a grandfather, a leader of a church, someone's friend.  This father, grandfather, leader of a church, someone's friend, has passed away.  Death is a sad thing, regardless of your immediate feelings.

Having said all of this, I will say that because of WBC, I will strive to further spread the love of God, the God who is a God of LOVE.  I will show love to my neighbor: my gay neighbor, my Hindu neighbor, my male neighbor, my black neighbor.  No exceptions.  I will pray for WBC, that they would come to know the God of love that I love.

And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.  But the greatest of these is love. -1 Corinthians 13:13

Empty pages and open books

Holly: I'm challenged by the message I heard today at church.  To sum it up in very, very basic terms, we as Christians are called to act.  Early on, we were asked that if we had our "book of Acts" written out, what would it look like? Would it be worth reading? (referring to the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament).  I believe mine would look something like this:

Chapter 1: Holly starts going to church with her family.  Gets baptized when she's 10 years old.
Chapter 2: Holly goes to a different church with her family.
Chapter 3: Holly goes to church on Sunday and youth group on Wednesday.  This continues for several years.
Chapter 4: Holly goes on a mission trip to Nicaragua, and her mind and eyes are opened, her heart is full, and her spirit and faith are renewed.
Chapter 5: Holly goes to church on Sunday and youth group on Wednesday.  Decides Berea College is THE place to be.
Chapter 6: Holly survives her first few weeks of college, but then realizes that something is just not quite right with her and God.  After a long October night, and a long conversation between her, her sister, and God, she decides to start over with God.
Chapter 7: In May of 2009, Holly and her sister rededicate their lives to Christ, in front of their new church family.
Chapter 8: The years pass.  Times are great, times are hard, and Holly's faith journey is an up and down tirade of events, lessons, truths, prayers, introductions to Lord of the Rings and other things and people that strengthen her faith, etc, etc, etc.  But through that, she has grown with a church family that loves her, built relationships with numerous individuals, tried many different avenues for quiet time, and has done a lot of journaling...among many other things.  She realizes she has such a long way to go, but also recognizes how far God has brought her.
Chapter 9: ???

And that's where I am now.  I know that I am called to act, but to be honest, I don't know where to go from here.  Every day is a step of faith that I must take, trusting that God will walk with me and give me the discernment to make godly decisions and act in accordance with Him.  I don't know what my future holds.  But I thank God that He does!

The title of this post is "Empty pages and open books".  I'm continuing to write my "Acts" on empty pages, because there are so many possibilities out there.  The bible says that with God, all things are possible.  Walking with God is an adventure, and when He extends his unrelenting grace at the start of every day, He is opening His books of possibilities and choices for us.

Kelly: I came up with the title of today's blog based off a song in which the first line of the chorus goes "I'm an empty page. I'm an open book." God is ultimately the author of our stories and He writes our story. In my experience, mine has been full of uncertainty, tremendous joys and successes as well as darkness and despair. If I could title my story, it would be called "But God..." In my college days in the gospel choir we sang in our director, who was full of life and the Spirit, would often say "BUT GOD!" when a student shared a struggle or when we all got together in prayer and prayed for whatever was laid on our hearts. My role as a chaplain in that choir often had that two word phrase resonating in my head not as doubt but as hope. The word "but" usually precedes the "bad news" or something that isn't quite certain. In this case, it was a simple reminder for me to just stop and think "look at what God is bringing me through and what He brought me through." But God.

My story holds no powerful revelations. God hasn't spoken to me through burning bushes. I've never led thousands of people out of slavery, brought a dead man back to life, or calmed a storm with my hands. But God, that SAME God has written me a story that is like no other. My personality is God and only God; the joy of the Lord creeping up when needed. The truth is, I don't know what the rest of my story holds, but I know who's holding the pen, or at least I'm doing my best to get to know Him more and more. So should someone ever read my story, I'm not sure if it would be "interesting" or if anyone would actually want to read it. But that's the beauty of knowing other brothers and sisters; their stories are all different because we all serve the same God and He's made all of our stories different. I have seen God work in wonderful and mysterious ways not only in my life but in those around me. I've turned away from God and wanted to hold onto friendships that weren't meant to be, wanted to hear from jobs on my time, and say yes or no to whatever I wanted. But God welcomed me back each and every time, no questions asked. Ya'll, I'm not a perfect person, far from it. But when you get a not perfect person who is matched up with the perfect God who made her very existence here possible, that equals the greatest acts of faith, hope and love that nothing can buy. That to me is a story worth reading.

Schtuff twin girls say, volume 5 (with guest appearances by Brittany the roommate/friend)

And away we go!

Kelly: (singing to the tune of "I'm Gonna Be 500 Miles"): I hate chopping onions and I hate chopping onions more!

Holly: Oh my gosh! Somebody call Nicholas Sparks! (If you want the full story ask) :)

Kelly: Holly, I'll give you $1 if you can spell "Raxacoricofallapatorius"
Holly: R-a-x-a-c-o-r-i-c-o-f-a-l-l-a-p-o-t-o-r-i-u-s? Well? (mind you, had to ask for the pronunciation a lot too)
Kelly: (brief pause) Yeah...you were off by one letter.  I'm going to give it to you.

Holly: (talking about kids) We were talking about at work that we wish there would just be a rubber room where you could hose them down.

Holly: (Yoda is on her lap, kneading) Wow Yoda. That feels good. It's right on my sore calf.
Brittany: I don't think that's your calf.
Kelly: Uh dear....that's your thigh.
Holly: Wow, yeah you're right. Guys, I promise I'm a biology major.

Holly: So I looked up those autographed cards.  They're 24 pounds.  I love David Tennant but I don't love him that much.

Kelly: (in a span of about 2 minutes apart). Yoda, why are you attacking nothing? Yoda, let's not try to climb up the wall please.

Kelly: (calling Holly at work; left her wallet at home) I'm going to have pop because I'm pissed at myself.

Brittany: Holly, if you want to come sit on my bed and watch Ponyo with me, you can!

(We were listening to "Song of Freedom" from the Doctor Who soundtrack)
Holly: I just want to listen to a scene from Journey's End. Not watch; just listen. (Pulls up on Youtube and we read the video descriptions)
Kelly: NO. WE'RE DONE! STOP! WE'RE DONE!

(while watching Jeopardy, the clue was the German word for "Rich")
Holly: Reich
Kelly: You're a creep (proceeded by a large laughing fit from both of us)

Kelly: Scotland makes beautiful things.

Holly: Can we get an Ood? I want one.
Kelly: Yeah,  I wouldn't even have it do anything.
Holly: I'd just keep it over there (points to a corner in the living room)
Kelly: Stand or sit?
Holly: No, I'd give it a chair.

Kelly: I'm just saying, if I ever married someone with the last name of Who, I'd get my PhD.
Holly: I know! I feel like I'd be doing a disservice to society if I didn't.

Holly: It's spreadable chocolate oh my gosh!

(while waiting for our dryer to arrive):
Kelly: I don't remember what it looks like.

Kelly: Three great things come out of Easter: the resurrection of Jesus, Peeps, and Cadbury Eggs.

(talking about a work incident):
Holly: So what did she kick you with?
Kelly: Uh...her foot.

God Moments: part 3

Kelly: Today's post is very different from our other ones with this title. In light of recent events, we felt it would be appropriate to share a very near and dear God moment we have both had the wonder of experiencing.

The Family That Became

In February of 2009, I, along with Holly, joined the church choir at Berea Baptist church. This process took a series of arm twistings by some friends of ours who were already in it. I remember we were eating dinner and these two friends came up to us and said "Holly and Kelly, you're coming to church choir with us." So we reluctantly came, joined, met some of the members and the rest is history. My oh my how 5 years seems to pass so very quickly. I walked into a church I had barely gone to, sat down, met some people and now am honored and so very blessed to be a part of this every other Tuesday (God's calling at my job keeps me away from time to time but it is all well and understood).

As I posted on my Facebook just recently, to be a part of something that not only changes other people's lives but continues to change mine Sunday after Sunday. It is a blessing, an honor and a privilege to worship God the most high with countless others who love Him too. That's it. I really don't have anything else to say. It's all been said before.

Holly: I remember not even 2 weeks after we had joined we went on a choir retreat to Gatlinburg.  As I was literally dragging my stuff up the street from my dorm to church, I was thinking something like: I must be out of my mind.  Here I am, I JUST joined this choir, and now I'm going to spend the weekend with all these crazy people, none of whom I really know save a few, on a bus for 3 hours there and back, in a cabin in the middle of nowhere, way up in the mountains, it's freezing, I have all this homework to do, I don't want to do this.

I wish I could travel back in time and smack myself across the face.  I'll save all the details, stories, testimonies, etc, but I will say that I will never, ever forget that weekend.  Ever.

I had no intention of staying with this choir for five years, but alas, God's intentions are greater than my own.  This choir is a part of my life now.  It's my family.  We're family.  We are all part of something that is more beautiful and bigger than we ever will be.  I can't speak for everyone, but it's made me better because of it.  I count myself incredibly blessed to be a part of this body of believers.  God has done amazing things with us, and I wouldn't change any part of it for the world.  I thank God every week for this ministry and I sincerely pray it continues to change lives as much as it has changed mine.

Easter 2013- combined program with First Baptist London

Easter 2013- we look sleepy :)

The retreat that started it all

Choir picnic (I believe this would have been spring 2009...?)

Corn Maze- fall 2010

How three 23-year-old working world roommates spend a snow day

Holly and Kelly: We go sledding.

10 Reflections

Holly: Flying solo tonight, for a couple of reasons: 1. Because Kelly is currently writing her own post for her nursing blog, and 2. Because she told me to post this.

I didn't want to, but like I said, Kelly told me to.  Earlier this week we finished our viewings of all the 10th Doctor episodes of Doctor Who (minus The Day of the Doctor...).  Probably some of the most breathtaking (literally!), beautiful, heartwrenching, poignant, and emotional 2 hours of TV we've ever watched.  Talk about an emotional rollercoaster.  ANYWAY...last night I put a pen to paper, and this is what happened.  Hope you like it.  

10 Reflections
written 2/28/2014

Barcelona

first impressions: cute, crazy, a bit manic

and alone

so alone

But there was someone else
Her name was Rose

she made you better

the only one to say those three words directly to you

You and Rose

tumbling headfirst into strange worlds and creatures

Together

Then the parallel- cruel separation

Am I ever going to see you again?

No! was the resounding cry

but fate would have it otherwise

You understood

You became human
You knew what it was like to love and be loved

The love you gave and showed made us all fall in love with you

we followed you once more, with Martha, then Donna

I think you need someone

So alone
Saving the world with your family at your side
Donna: the metacrisis
she must never remember any of it

Utter heartbreak

Rose, then Donna
No more

resigning to travelling alone
trying to make everything right

So much power in the face of loss

the bonds of time are too easily broken

I've gone too far

And with time comes an end

He will knock four times

The end

The all-too-bittersweet end

The final hurrah to a journey of adventure, wit, and love

Your greatest asset and enemy

Every life is sacred

The love you gave and showed made us all fall in love with you

and so

We will sing to you, Doctor.  The universe will sing you to your sleep.  This song is ending, but the story never ends.

In a world of despair, you gave hope

In a world of darkness, you were light

never afraid to wander, to marvel, to grieve

Regeneration begins again

one last round of silent farewells, final glances and moments, rueful acknowledgments

Back to the TARDIS, the blue wooden sanctuary

I don't want to go

But go you did

much like the inside, our hearts shattered, almost beyond repair

the face physically changes, but yours will be imprinted on our hearts until the end of time

We wish to thank you, but the words seem so small

please believe we will never forget

our 10th Doctor

our Mr. Smith

our lonely angel

our soul

Vale Decem