Tuesday, May 31, 2011

bits and banjos

I'm going to get around to a Memorial Day post soon, but right now there are only three things on my mind.

1) When are overalls coming back in style? I'm ready.

2) Will people at work make fun of me if I bring strawberry shortcake for lunch tomorrow?

3) Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers. I'm hooked. Here's one of the only decent quality videos I can find:


Somebody get me a mandolin STAT. And tell me to ease up on the excessive video posting. Also, you should keep an eye out for Sarah Jarosz in the future. I'm calling it: she's going to be a big deal.

First I was loving Scottish music; now bluegrass.


Next stop: polka.



Saturday, May 28, 2011

Give a hot mess a new meaning

I feel like I took a nap in April and woke up on May 28. Where has this month gone? What have I been doing?

I'll tell you what I've been doing.

A whole lot of "not blogging." With work, celebrations and a beach trip mixed in. Add some devastating tornadoes that ripped through the state, and you've got the roller-coaster months that were April and May. Rejoicing with those who rejoice. Weeping with those who weep. Relief. Sorrow. Complete joy. It's been a doozie.

I have also been learning this fun lesson called "Brittany is farther from perfect than she ever imagined." It's been really fun.

I'm reading a book called Don't Call it a Comeback: The Old Faith for a New Day by Kevin DeYoung. I highly recommend it. In a chapter called "Being Authentically Messed Up is Not Enough," Owen Strachan, one of the book's other authors, says this:

"[Sanctification] is not a mood. Neither is it a code. Sanctification is a dynamic outworking of the gospel in the life of every believer. This process of conforming to God thrives not when we tweak our attitude here, and modify our behavior there, but when we grow entranced with God, and Christ the 'founder and perfecter of our faith' looms large before us, magnificent in holiness, awesome in splendor, tenacious in love."

And my favorite:

"Sanctification is at base a tenacious grip on the robe of Christ, a wrestling with the Lord to bless us, a sojourn in the valley of death in pursuit of a city we cannot see."

Gripping, wrestling, and pleading. That sounds about right. I sure hope He continues to perfect this faith. Because I'm a mess.

Speaking of not being perfect:


I hope you all have a wonderful long weekend. I'm headed to the lake for a little R&R (Ribs and Relaxation). Happy Memorial Day to all, and to all a good night!

*Yes, the title of this post is from a Black Eyed Peas song. Judge away.