Monthly Archives: September 2010

If all the promises are true…

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“If”… It’s a haunting word, isn’t it? And I bet a number of you clicked on over just because of that one word. And what is Mandy going to say about this big ugly “if” at the beginning of this post title.

Let’s think about God’s promises for a second…

God never promised the redeemed life would have no pain.

In face, He promised the opposite. And if you pay close attention, you will see it’s there:

Death will still be at work, but so will resurrection.

Sin will still be at work, but so will redemption.

…not only that, but it’s also clear that those who do not know suffering do not know the love of God. We will see that we are to take up our crosses to follow Him. We are to know Him as Paul sought to know Him, by fellowship in His sufferings…

And, if God’s promises are true, and if we tell Him we want to know Him better, then we are fools to call ourselves victims when a season of suffering falls on our souls.

I have been that fool.

And, in some ways, I still am.

The All-Star Super-Fantastic Global Dance Party

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I’m in a good mood. And by “good mood” I mean VERY good mood. (details about how big a deal this is)

And I want to celebrate my good mood. And what better way to do that than by hosting a dance party.

Right here.

Right now.

By “right here” I mean wherever you can find the time, space, and recording equipment to shake your groove thing by Monday October 4th.

And by “right now” I mean on Friday, October 8th, because I want to make sure all of you attend.

Here’s how this is going to go down.

YOUR job:

  1. get 2 sheets of paper: write your location on the 1st, your name/twitter/site or whatever on the 2nd.
  2. dance along to that 30 second clip of music, following my instructions: “show us where you’re from, show us who you are, jump jump jump, hands in the air, freestyle, wave goodbye”
  3. record your dance on a webcam or iSight or digital camera.
  4. email it to danceparty[at]mandythompson.com, using yousendit.com or box.net or whatever you want to use (file may be too big to email directly).
  5. DEADLINE = MONDAY OCTOBER 4th. MKAY??

MY job:

  1. compose some sort of dance party mix for the music video
  2. mix all your dances into a music video
  3. host the dance party video here on FRIDAY OCTOBER 8th

So, grab your camera and get your groove on by MONDAY!

Who’s gonna come to my dance party? And who’s gonna BRING FRIENDS?!

“I like how your brain works.”

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Every once in a while, someone crosses my mind or my path and I think “I like how their brain works.”

I hardly ever say this phrase out loud, because I know it might make them feel weird. Like I’m spying on their thoughts or something. But I’m not. I just trust that the things that come out of their mouth are a good indication of what goes on in their head. And I take note of the moments in life when I meet someone and like how their brain works.

Like my friend from seminary, Jessica. She isn’t like anyone I’ve ever met. And we have different personalities. But I like how her brain works. Still do. And when I go read her blog (which doesn’t happen nearly often enough) I always think “I like how her brain works.”

I like it because she thinks differently than me. She sees things from a different perspective, and communicates in a different way. And my life is richer. More rich. (Whichever is the correct way to say it.)

So, anyway, in my little corner of the world, I consider that phrase a compliment.

But… would you? Would you be flattered if someone said they like how your brain works? or would you feel … assessed?

I’ve wanted to do this for a long time…

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…and ten years later, I did:

There’s this “little” flea market on the side of the road in Florida. And I’ve driven by this big chair more times than I can remember. And every time I’ve thought I wanna climb up in that chair and take a picture. But, I’ve always chickened out, thinking people driving down the road might think I’m crazy.

But, I’m past that. Past that. If I sat around all day wondering what other people would think, I’d never have an original thought. I wouldn’t be an original. Dreaming dreams has made me less concerned about others’ opinions.

I’m not you. And, you’re not me. And, I’m not going to waste time asking forgiveness for taking ten years to get here. I’m just going to be here. Fully here. Fully me.

I’m gonna be the best me I can be, and I’m going to hope that you do the same.