Thursday, February 3, 2011
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
I know this for sure... I want to do something with my life... and make this year something more than it's been so far. All I do is work for nothing more than the desire to keep my dad off my back. Not a very good motive. I want to move. Shake things up... but my dream seems further now more than ever. Ugh. I need a glass of wine... or something.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Untitled Thoughts
So...
Here I start. Well, I kinda started a few days ago. Just go with it. I take ideas, criticism, and any other words put into an order that the common American can understand. Right. Next time, I promise more depth, or something entertaining.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
The Humor of Discipline
Sitting in that downtown Starbucks… across the street from another one… I was living a stubborn discipline. I didn’t know it was an act of discipline at the time, but I knew that I was being stubborn almost to an unbearable point for the recipient of the fall out. That’s almost her own fault, though. She took the job. Anywho, I digress. The trip to Chicago was very much destined to be life-altering. How? I had no idea at the time, and I still am uncovering different ways the Lord used that trip to bless the hell out of a number of people.
About 24 hours ago, I realized something else – completely unrelated to the trip – I am severely out of shape; or in an obvious physical shape (round). I did maybe 45 minutes of work and I wanted to pass out while strapped by my lungs to a tank of oxygen. Here’s the kicker. I have been like that before… out of shape. I just had the discipline to push through the pain and lack of oxygen that wasn’t being fed to my already fatigued muscles. I don’t miss college soccer. So, I’m driving home (still sucking wind) and I realize that mentally I have become lax and way below par for a course designed and played only by me (Such is life…). I had lost the mental determination to keep myself on task, and do the hard stuff and not give up. I lost the discipline. Damn it.
Enter: The idea that stemmed from an oxygen-deprived brain with connections (like the mafia, but way more internal and holy) to a soul searching for truth. In most areas of my life – mainly the ones that mean something to me – I am lacking a great deal of discipline to make my dreams a reality by the grace of God. Check it. Chicago was a vision given to me over a year before I actually went. I didn’t even pick up reading Scripture again until I was there, and even now I struggle to daily motivate myself to read even a few passages of the Word. It’s not a lack of motivation. It’s a lack of discipline. I lack the ability to sit and make myself grow because I let myself get lazy. I can’t point fingers to anyone but myself for falling into such horrid shape.
Here’s the awesome good news: I figured it out. Ha! I mean seriously. I knew something was missing, but really? Could it really be something as simple as discipline? I am sometimes too ridiculous for the term “ridiculous.” I deserve a medal for that, or maybe a cookie. I like cookies.
So, this is Phase 1 (out of a bigger number than one. I’m not sure how many phases there will be. Maybe it’s more like steps in a rehab program? Hello, I’m Lisa and I’m addicted to the idea of being awesome, I just can’t make myself go through with everything that comes with it. Nah… it’s by phase) of my Anti-Ridiculousness Campaign. Phase 1: Figure out what I can do to be less ridiculous. Check. Phase 2: Draw up a plan of action that doesn’t really need to be a plan of action, but give me some idea of what I should do with my schedule and how things could work. Half a check. Phase 3: Don’t suck, just do the damn thing (word to your mother, Vanilla Ice!). Imaginary check.
Ok, so those aren’t the actual phases, but it’s something I just drew up in the last 10 minutes or so. Give me time to put my ideas into words that aren’t ridiculous. Seriously. I need to rediscover the art of discipline in every day life. So, here goes nothing.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
OK, I'm listening...
Marco?!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
I love Imogen Heap's Music
Focker, out.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
A Dream
At first, I payed no attention to him. I was in the lobby getting a snack. Yet for some reason or another, I left the theater, and he grabbed me. "You're coming with me," he hissed. He turned me around so I could face the building since we were now in the parking lot. He held my by the head/neck, and coldly said, "You're going to enjoy this." As I looked up, a fire ball accompanied by a loud explosion rocked the theater where my friends had once been sitting. I watched in horror as people fled the building. I pushed myself away from the man, and began to run. He looked at me over his shoulder with a slight laugh and evil grin that said there's no use running. He was right.
Somehow, he caught me again and I witnessed my friends die in that fire ball again and again. Each time I would find it harder to escape, and then he would catch me again. Until the last time, I found a way to defend myself. After I broke free of his grip, I ran around to the front of the building, and laid flat in the parking lot. There were dead all around me, and those faking dead. I made my way over to one guy who was faking dead and crawled under him. I asked him if he had a gun. He said yes. I pulled his 1982 vest back and pulled out his gun. Using the vest as a shield, that man came into view, and I took aim. I shot twice, hitting him in the heart. He didn't die. He simply looked at me with a soul full of evil and hate and said, "Get her."
I took off running and made it into a cab. When the cab driver turned around, he was a tree (it's a dream! There's gotta be something weird...). I looked down at the chainsaw in my hand and attacked the tree and got the heck out of Dodge. Some time had passed, but the Man was still after me. I knew he was. So, I was hiding out when a couple of my friends found me hiding under a counter. When they bent down to say hi, I killed them. Everyone who I saw had those eyes of hate. Everyone I saw was that Man. I was on the run for what would seem like forever.
Suddenly, I was back in the theater and the movie had just ended. I looked around, and was still freaking out. I looked over at Brianna and put her arm around my shoulder and said, "I'm staying with you tonight," still obviously scared.
Then I woke up. If I hadn't have done so, I knew that Brianna would have been killed by this man. I didn't want to play.
This dream felt so real, like I had lived it. Had I? Maybe. The man was so familiar. He seemed like a guy who would be the most amazing guy ever had he not been evil. Needless to say, I haven't been able to sleep well since Sunday/Monday. What scares me, is that this was my portrait of satan (that's me using the middle finger of grammar and putting the devil on notice), and I felt how real he was. The familiarity I felt about him screams at me to do something, but everytime I try, I fail. Hence the replay of the nightmare several times. The devil is moving - saints be warned!
This has been an interesting week. I promise something a little more cheery next post. As for now, I must go clean out the van before I get dad. It's dirty... and it's my fault. :) 5 days to the opening game of the Olympics (for Womens socceer). Anyone want to come to Haysville to watch a game @ 6.45 in the morning?
Monday, July 28, 2008
Battle Royale

I don't have the most exciting life right now, but I'm ok with that. In my awesome state of unemployment, I have done a lot of things that I wouldn't have been able to do if I were working (Ok, that's not true. It just seems like I wouldn't have the time to pull of the shenanigans that I have if I had a job). This afternoon while reading some posts on this awesome blog, I was thinking about he Olympic games of the average college student. Then I got to thinking about the movie Revenge of the Nerds where there's some bizarre competition to see which fraternity/sorority team was going to be the chair of the Greek Council for the next year.
So, in the spirit of the ensuing kick off to the Olympic games in Beijing, I decided to come up with my own games that should be adopted and played between colleges of all sizes. Mind you, I went to Friends University where it's a dry campus, so these will be non-alcoholic games.
1. Water Balloon Wars
Using only launchers, each team will have a set time period to destroy other team's fort with water balloons launched from semi-close range. The more damage the better. If you happen to get hit by a water balloon, you are a casualty and you can't help until the next round - if you make it. Specialty targets earn each team more points.
2. Best Prank
It's almost a guarantee that you know someone who thinks he or she is the best at pranks or onery shenanigans, each school will have a moch up of a room and they'll have 2 or 3 hours to turn the room into a walk-in "death trap" full of the subtle and not-so-subtle points of mayhem. Maybe, depending on the craftiness, there could be a theme to the room like, "They got me, but I got them better" or the "My Boyfriend Cheated on Me Revenge" or "Congrats on the marriage! Never give me your keys again" room. It's not a bad way to add a few new tricks to your already awesome list.
3. Ultimate Frisbee
This is probably the game that everyone will want to play. It's the one game that can involve everyone - the Flip Flop Gang, the closet bohemian athletes, and dog enthusiasts alike. Everyone loves a semi-contact sport that involves a frisbee. Everyone either feels like their 12. Or in my case, I feel like one of those really cool people who's natural habitat is a coffee shop, and when they are with friends, they smoke a pipe, and have really deep words of wisdom that could only come from Mr. Miagi from the Karate Kid, or Lucas from Empire Records ("What's with today, today?"). These are the people who drive VW vans, or some earth-friendly, tricked out Jeep. I digress. Ultimate frisbee is the biggest test of counter-cultural athleticism, and teamwork on a zen level. Bring it on.
4. Spirit Smack-down.
It seems that most of the time at competitions you get into a shouting match with other schools/teams. The louder the better. The cheezier the rhyme the better. It's a vocal and non-atheltic competition that shows you awesome freestyle skills, and willingness to tempt the fate and see how far you can push the envelope before you get punched in the face. So, this competition would me modeled a little after the battle part on the tv show Wild & Out and the mini cheer-battle from Bring it On. Which ever side comes up witht he best routines and burns the other team the most wins.
I would totally participate. I think I'm well-versed in most of the game ideas I came up with (with the exception of the last one. I have no flow). Also, I have superb aim with a 250 yd. water balloon launcher. Superb.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Long time coming
I did run away for a week and a half to Florida with the family. I don't have any of those pictures yet, because dad hasn't e-mailed them to me. Those will come soon.
Also, it's "hell week" as far as being swamped with Amy's wedding. It's been more than interesting trying to get everything done since I got back. I don't know what's going on, but there's nothing wrong with going with the flow. So, yesterday was the beginning of the bachelorette week and I know there are some awesome pictures that will surface eventually of me looking like a loser with a tiara on. Oh well.
In the mean time, I've been looking for work, trying to decide how I'm going to finish my degree, and just praying for the Lord to make himself known to me in ways that will change my heart. Oh. I watch a lot of soccer. A LOT of soccer. I've been on Fox Soccer Channel a lot, US Soccer has had some games on their MatchTracker thingy that have been fun to follow, and I've been studying old tape that I have recorded to help my girls come February. Oh my.
There's my sad attempt for an update. I hope that soon I'll have some more exciting news to share, but until then, I'll be sitting on my couch... watching paint dry.
Blessings,
Jelly
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Sleep...
Friday, May 23, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
The beginning of something
Then, Miss Brianna decided to speak some truth into me. She said that she didn't like who I was. Not in regards to my soul, but just how I was living. I was living - well, just existing. I'm just doing what I have to to get by.
Well, crap.
I'm glad she said something, but those are words that are hard to hear. However, the more I think about it, the more I realize it's true. I have been given dreams to live bigger than I am. Bigger in the Lord. I've shared those dreams with none other than Brianna. I used to believe in creating your own breaks. I used to believe that I could do anything - and that wasn't that long ago.
Now, after being in the "world" for about a year, a good part of my dreams have been killed or stifled because of people who didn't listed to opportunity knock, or decided against it to do something that they thought is the "right thing." About 6 months ago, I was wide-eyed and idealistic about a lot of things. Now, I feel like I've put my God in this silly box that's just there as another idol there to talk to when I feel lonely, or I want something to further my own agenda. Where, written on any piece of paper - anywhere - does it say that we should confine our God into something convenient for us? Jedidiah 12.20-23?
I don't think so... That theology is so backwards it's just plain stupid. We we weren't created to shrink our God into something containable and tangible. Instead, we're supposed to live our life chasing the unexplained that our God makes real every day. We should be convenient to the calling of our God.
I forgot that. I stopped living that. Well, now is the time to change. The next couple days will be interesting.
Monday, May 12, 2008
How To Be A Role Model
Ok, so I hate being sick. It gives me weird dreams, and makes me thing about deep things that shouldn’t be tampered with even when your blood stream isn’t flowing with mass amounts of cold remedies. Oh well. Here it goes.
I have thought a lot recently about the term “role model” and its importance in modern society. I have no idea why, but the Lord said think about it so I have to. My best outlet is through a blog, or some sort of journaling thing… so here I am. “Who knows where thoughts come from. They just appear.”
Defining any term is the hardest thing for me. Within a definition comes about 30 questions that arise for want of a definite answer. For me, the questions never seem to stop. So, in my struggle to answer said web of riddles, I turn to what the world has shown my through countless observances and experiences. I have come to define “role model” as someone who encompasses (and nearly masters) traits and behaviors that favor kindness, gentleness, and everything the world may lack. These people are [usually] pointed out by someone who is looking to mimic the actions and deeds of someone who spreads joy, compassion, wisdom, strength, and a long list of other things to people who they meet.
Can you master the art of being a role model? Hell if I know. I’m 23, and for the first time about 3 weeks ago I first thought of myself as a role model. I can tell you now that I am far from a master of anything I do, or pretend to do. I haven’t spent my life working to become the role model type. If that were the case, I would be the worst person ever. “Hey! Look at me! I have it all together, and people should do what I do because I’m right. Mary Jo said she wanted to be like me, so it must be true.” I call BS! Gimme your cards. I think that as humans living after the Fall, we spend our lives chasing something: Grades, boys, God, cars, hell even ourselves at times. I think once we have it “figured out” for ourselves only then can we begin to tell people what worked for us. We don’t have anything mastered, but we have things sorted out enough to know how to conquer ourselves and the self-doubt that plagues everyone until the bell rings for the next round.
Living as a role model is strange. As a Christ follower, it’s weird to think of myself as someone who is a role model. I mean, the ultimate role model is obviously Jesus, but we tend to follow other people’s example of their interpretation. Confused? Yeah. Me too. The more I grow older and do my own reading and understanding of the scriptures, the more I stop leaning on man and start leaning on the guidance I receive from the Spirit. I look at what Jack Smack is doing over here, and then look at what John Doe is doing over there, and they both claim to be living the “correct” way of life under the Lord. Uh… for guidance, I turn to scriptures. I found Ephesians 4. I love this! Check it:
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Eph. 4.1-2
We’re supposed to live or lives the way we were told to when the Lord first called us. I recently read in the book Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell that what ever you are called to do, do it in the name of the Lord. If you’re called to be an accountant, be honest and fruitful in the name of the Lord. If you’re called to be a doctor, heal and save lives in the name of the Lord. If you’re called into ministry, let your soul burn and rejoice in the name of the Lord. Don’t compare your life to the works of another.
Anyone can give you advice and words of wisdom in the run of things, but it ultimately comes down to how you use their words in your own journey. If anyone should be taken seriously, wouldn’t you think it would be your brother or sister who encourages you to find your own way? Someone who tells you that you’re not alone in the hell you’re fighting through? This is why I love my friends. They understand that they can’t fight my battles, but they can sure help arm my soul through encouragement and laughter.
Maybe that’s what a good role model looks like: The quiet soldier listening and praying constantly for your troubles. When asked for advice, encouragement and love are the only words spoken. From what I’ve seen, that’s the biggest thing the world is lacking in all fronts. Maybe role models are giant Hallmark cards in human form.
But…is that all? Can they not fight and share our wisdom? I think maybe they can. Later in Ephesians 6, we get to the Armor of God. Read it again.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor: of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6.10-18
I had a professor once say that in the Armor of God mentioned, there is nothing that protects the backside of the soldier. So, would he then not rely on his comrades to get his back in the battle? I had another professor explain the Trinity as the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost existing in perfect harmony; living in perfect community. Since we were created in the image of God, were we not created to live in community with our neighbors? Yet another professor defined love as the perfect balance of grace and truth. Too much truth is damning, and too much grace is flattery. Wow. Add those 3 things together, you’ve got this crazy bunch of theology screaming at you to encourage and fight for your brother or sister.
So maybe the term role model can be summed up like this: A person who is willing to listen and encourage the faint at heart while standing with them in the roughest of storms, and the toughest of battles.
This is idea is in its infancy. What I said was all revelation and word vomit in the span of about 45 minutes. I don’t now where it’s going, but I kinda like it.
If anyone reads this whole thing, I'll give them a dollar.
Monday, April 14, 2008
The Hardest Truth
I am denying my own success.
Sounds absurd, right? Well, let me explain.
Let's rewind... Patrick read from 2 Corinthians 4. You know, that whole thing about a treasure on some ordinary jars; Something so precious stored in plain sight - in the most ordinary and common containers.
Stop. Did you catch that? The most precious thing in the history of EVER is held in a vessel that everyone has access to, or already has in their possession.
Then, there came a story about a little boy in Africa who was getting water for his family. The well is around 2 miles away. Now, the jar the kid was using was old, full of holes, and barely worth keeping to most people. As he walked home he would leak water everywhere. When he got back to his village, he didn't have much left inside.
He went to the leader of the village and expressed his feeling of failure. Mr Village Master walked with the boy back along the path. You could tell that the boy had been making this journey quite a while. When the head of the village saw the route the boy takes, he pointed out all of the flowers and plants that have begun to grow along the path. In what the boy thought was failure actually sprouted new life. Something unexpected. Something beautiful.
Freakin' amazing!
So, what does this have to do with my denial of success? Check it out.
I am that person that comes up with random and sometimes brilliant ideas about anything and everything from pranks to object lessons, to a sweet ministry. I can't tell you how many I've had or been a part of in the past 5 months. However, there's one that just seems to be elusive from my grasp, but it won't leave me alone! I can't shake the idea of doing it no matter how much I cry out to the Lord. It's one I think that was created just for me, but somehow I deny it's truth. Yeah, it's a dream. Yeah, it's huge. Like, bigger than just finding a steady 9-5. But seriously...
I was talking to probably the most amazing man I know about it. He told me that dreams are meant to be chased. He gave me this fantastic idea that I should hand deliver my 2nd letter. When I heard this, my stomach dropped. I can't travel right now. I need to finish school. I need to do this. I need to get that. I came up with more excuses in about 2 minutes than I ever have before for anything. And that's when I realized I had a problem (Hello, my name is Jelly, and I have a problem... I admit it!).
Then tonite I was hit with the truth that I am an ordinary package with an extraordinary gift inside. I am that jar of clay. This dream I have been given is exactly what Paul talks about in I Corinthians 1:
"Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption."
I have read that over and over for the past couple of years. I never under stood why I am so drawn to it until about 20 minutes ago when I put all the coffee in my system to good use. I am that average small-town girl with a big task a head. I trust in the guidance and wisdom of the Lord.
From that, I will be lead into the fire. Refined over and over again until that day where I will be tossed into something beyond my wildest dreams. Will I be scared? Uh, yeah. Nervous? More than likely. But I'll be ready. I can hardly wait! Until then, I will sit and praise the Lord with everything I have to offer.
Praise be to the Lord of heaven and earth who tends to his flock with grace and mercy! May his kingdom forever reign!
Amen
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
How sweet it is...

On a more exciting note... My car has decided to become terminally ill. The doctor bills will run around $1400. I don't have $400. This is going to be an exciting couple of weeks... Bring it on!
Saturday, April 5, 2008
On Thursday night, I had one of those God moments that my heart has been longing for for nearly 5 months. I wish I could say that I've been a beacon of truth and upstanding Christian conduct. However, I haven't been able to find myself in the last few months. I haven't been able to find Jesus. Until Thursday. I cried. A lot. I was about to fall asleep, and next thing I knew, there's a river running down my face and I'm crying out to the Lord to light a fire under my ass, or in my heart or just plain set me on fire. The funny thing is that I didn't notice anything different about me until I prayed with my team on Friday before our game. I don't really know what this change is yet, but I like it so far.
I wish I had more to update, but I don't know where my left foot is half the time let alone what the heck is going on with my life. :) Good times.
Deuces
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Jazz in the morning
I had a dream with jazz music in it. I was jammin out with some soccer players. I woke up later around 8.45 to some more sweet music.
So now while I sit in my office trying not to think about the awefulness of the tasks, the mood of my music is sinking in and making the day wonderful. Hooray Benny Goodman and your orchestra!
Oh. I am also in dire need of some coffee. Anyone want to bring me some?
Monday, March 17, 2008
I can't stop the rain

