Glory to God Forever

Do you ever sing along with a song and not really think about what you are singing? I do it all of the time. When it comes to worship songs and I consciously realize I am doing it, then I try to stop and reevalute. My worship to God needs to be as authentic and real as I can be. Singing songs of praise to Him should be a reflection of my praise. I need to mean what I'm singing!

Well, the last few weeks I have been singing "Glory to God Forever" by Fee. I've been jamming out to this awesome song, but haven't stopped to think about God's glory.

This week I started a new Bible study with my friends Katie Decker and Melissa Gober. We are doing Beth Moore's study called Breaking Free. I'm a week behind the other girls, so I've been doing two lessons a day to catch up. Well, yesterday's lesson really struck me hard. It was about one of our blessing as God's children - which is to glorify God. Beth goes into an in-depth study on God's glory and WOW - it was awesome. I haven't ever thought about God's glory before - it is indescribable! The earth is filled with it (Isaiah 6:3), when Moses and Aaron encountered it they fell facedown to the ground (Numbers 20:6), the heaven's declare the glory of the Lord (Psalms 19:1), and the list goes on and on. God is so AWESOME and His glory is INDESCRIBABLE!

But that's not where it stops! 2 Corinthians 3:18 says "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

Ok, go back to the last paragraph about how awesome God's glory is and then reread this passage - we are supposed to be reflecting God's glory! I was so humbled and convicted by that thought. I know that I do not always live that out. But now that I'm more aware of that, I'm going to try harder! I want God to be glorified in me - I want to be a reflection of His glory. It seems like an impossible task, but you know what? Nothing is impossible with God! (Luke 1:37)

Here's a link to Fee's song if you want to listen to it. Click here ! I pray that it has a new meaning for you today!

The Year of Living Biblically

This is not some new project I have for my life. It's actually the story of another man's journey. Author A.J. Jacobs published this book in 2007 about his quest to follow the Bible as literally as possible. I just finished reading it last night and I would definitely recommend it. You should know that A.J. isn't a Christian. He is a Jew by ancestry, but not practicing by any means. Basically, A.J. is a man who decided to study the Bible - including all of the random laws - and find out what it's all about. I actually got to meet him last November in Houston. He even autographed my book!

A.J. is a very engaging author. Whenever I would pick up the book, I would get lost in his story-telling because it was so real and true to life. He's also very funny. There are some great stories in the book about different experiments he tried, his wife's response to some of the crazy things he was doing and just observations he made along the way.

It was really neat to read a book from a non-Christian and see his observations about the scriptures that many of us live by. Here are a few of my favorite quotes:

p. 72 "That's the paradox: I thought religion would make me live with my head in the clouds, but often as not, it grounds me in this world."

p. 176 (after eating some bugs - alhough I can't remember why he did it!) "More and more, I feel it's important to look at the Bible with an open heart. If you roll up your sleeves, even the oddest passages - and the one about edible bugs qualifies - can be seen as a sign of God's mercy and compassion."

p. 220 "'Praise the Lord,' I say out loud. I'd always found the praising God parts of the Bible and my prayer books awkward. The sentences about the powerful, almighty, all-knowing, the host of hosts, He who has greatness beyond our comprehension, I'm not used to talking like that. It's so over the top. I'm used to the understatement and hedging and irony. And why would God need to be praised in the first place? God shouldn't be insecure. He's the ultimate being. Now I can sort of see why. It's not for him. It's for us. It takes you out of yourself and your prideful little brain."

P. 275 (about the story of the prodigal son) "Unconditional love is an illogical notion, but such a great and powerful one."

I won't tell you his conclusions after living a whole year as closely to the Bible as possible, you'll just have to read it for yourself. But I will say that it is a very thought-provoking book and I highly enjoyed. I'm looking forward to trading with my sister Lorin next time I see her and reading his first book "The Know It All" about his year reading the Encyclopedia from A to Z.

Table for One

Ok, really I have a table for four - I'm just the only one sitting at it right now. If you haven't caught my drift yet, the topic of this post is going to be about being single.

This morning I was telling my friend a story about how a room full of people found out I was single and I was really embarrassed. As I was thinking about the story later, I thought "If only it was my choice to be single - that would make it easier." Is that really true?

I realized that I have a control issue when it comes to my life - I want to be in control! I love to be in charge, especially of my life, but you know what? God wants the control. He wants to be in charge of every aspect of my life and He wants me to trust His guidance and His leading. He has never failed me and yet I still struggle with trusting Him with this aspect of my life? Why?

There are so many reason why - because I'm reminded of my relationship status almost daily, because so many people my age are married, engaged or at least dating, because it's a desire of my heart and I haven't seen fulfilled yet, and the list could go on and on. But the truth is that God hasn't revealed that part of my life yet. I just need to wait. Waiting is hard for me, but that's what God is asking for me to do.

As I sit here writing this, God just reminded me of this promise from Proverbs 3:5-6. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." What a wonderful promise! I'm going to claim this today, and tomorrow and probably the next day. My understanding isn't working for me, so I need to stop leaning on it. God loves me. He is my beloved. I'm going to try to relish in that love today and trust His timing for everything else. Here I go ...

Sting 'Em Lowries!

I was going through pictures on my computer at work and found some fun ones from graduation weekend. This year, my cousin Rachel became the third Lowrie to graduate from HPU! It was so much fun to be able to spend my working weekend with my grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins. Being the campus photographer, I end up working lots of events, so it's always nice to get to see friends and family and celebrate fun times together!

Lowrie family at Rachel's graduation: Me, Uncle Steve,

Aunt Debbie, Daniel, BJ, Papa, Rachel, Sarah
Baby Ben and Grandmother

Me and Rachel at Senior Salute

My friend and co-worker Kristy and I were framed

This was supposed to be our exhausted picture ... haha

This is a bonus picture that I took today as I walked out
of the back door of Packer (my new office building).
Pretty good view if I say so myself!

Blessing on the Border

My dad is officially the new senior pastor for the First Baptist Church of El Paso. While dad and mom have been talking to the search committee since around January, I truly believe God has been preparing them for this day for their whole lives. I can't tell you how much of a blessing it was to be a part of this life-changing weekend with my family.

During the weekend, dad shared his heart with the church and told them about the vision that God has given him for this border city. Dad truly believes that Jesus is going to change the city of El Paso, spilling over into Juarez, with the potential of going all the way down the Texas/Mexico border. He shared with the church yesterday that "Jesus is the answer" and it is so true! Only Jesus can save the thousands that are hurting and dying in this ever-increasing war on the border.

While El Paso was rated the second safest city in America this year, the city of Juarez is one of the most dangerous cities in the world, and it is literally right across the river. We drove along the border and it is just astounding the differences.

FBC is so warm and welcoming. I was really blessed by the people and feel like this will be a great place for my family to serve. While there was some confusion as to whether I was the 16-year-old or Mrs. Lowrie, I let everyone know I was daughter #1 and would not be living there, but hopefully visiting often. haha. I really had a wonderful time this weekend, and God blessed all of us with such a peace about this new chapter for the Lowrie family. I cannot wait to see what God has in store!

Here are some pictures I took this weekend of this new and exciting city:

Outside view of FBC

Inside the sanctuary

Inside view between old building and new building

Lowrie Family!

view of the mountains

View of Mexico

View of El Paso from up on Franklin mountain

Me and Jamie on Franklin mountain

Hot Dog-O! I'm headed to El Paso!

One night this past Christmas my dad, Phil and I were watching a great inspirational sports movie - Glory Road. (In case you didn't know this about me, I don't like sports, but I LOVE inspirational sports movies! They always make me cry!) Well, if you aren't familiar with this one, it's about this coach, Don Haskins, who moved to the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and brought in all of these new players to the school, many of which were African American. Well, he proceeded to play the first full starting line-up of African American players and they ended up winning something. Haha, ok, I really don't know a whole lot about the story, but there is this part when one of the players was going through the line in the cafeteria and he was offered a taco, burrito or nacho. He asked for a "hot dog-o," but they didn't have any. My dad and I started joking about that all of the time. We had no idea that just five months later he would be going to El Paso in view of a call to become the next pastor for the First Baptist Church.

I'm so excited for Dad, Mom and Madie as they embark on this new journey. I never really imagined them moving to a place like El Paso, but I know that God has great things in store for them! I'm also so thankful that I get to go with them this weekend and be a part of this exciting time in their lives. I'm so glad I get to see this new place that will soon be my family's home.

I don't know if we are going to find any hot dog-o's while we are there this weekend, but it should be exciting nonetheless. I'll be sure to tell you all about it when I get back!

Lucky Bamboo

I've spent my day sifting through files, photos and just stuff that has accumulated in my office over the past four years. We are starting to move things over to our new offices in Packer and should be all set up by next week.

As a junior in college, when I came to interview for the "Hometown News Coordinator" student worker position, I had no clue that one day I would be Director of Media Relations. It is amazing to look back and see God's provision all along. He knew I was right where I needed to be and He knew that my entire plan for my life would change in such an effortless, natural way.

God is so good to guide and direct us and prepare us for what is to come.

Looking around my office, there are many momentos from my years at the Harrison House. Pictures from events, copies of the LINK that turn up everywhere, cards and pens and a bamboo plant.

My bamboo plant is probably my favorite thing in my office, and sadly I can't take it with me to my new office, because I have no windows and it would die. So, bamboo will be moving home with me. My friend Danielle gave this plant to me back in 2008 when we just became friends. It had something to do with One Tree Hill, I can't even remember exactly what it was about, but I remember that it only had three little leaves on it at the time and I was sure that my lack of a green thumb was going to kill it in a week. Well, here we are two years later and look how beautiful it is! It has grown and thrived and become so much more than I ever thought that it would. This may be kind of sappy, but I feel like it's kind of a metaphor for my time here. Starting out, I knew barely anything and didn't think I'd make it past the summer. Now, here I am, thriving and growing! I still have a long way to go, but God's right there with me, leading and guiding me every step of the way.

I feel like God is preparing my heart for some new things in the future and I am really looking forward to seeing what He has in store. His plans are so much better than mine and so I'm trusting Him to lead me on this great adventure known as life.

Flamingos in the Front Yard

On my way to work this morning,

I stumbled upon an unusual sight -
flamingos in the front yard.
It was so funny, I just had to share!

Lawyers and a Library

I had a great weekend! Yesterday I went to Waco to see my friends Cassie and Lauren graduate from Baylor Law School! It was a really neat ceremony including an address from John Lee Hancock, director of "The Blind Side," who is actually a Baylor Law grad. I am so proud of Cassie and all of her hard work! We have been friends since our very first day at HPU, almost 8 years ago, and it was really neat to be a part of this special day in her life. Lauren and I haven't known each other quite as long. While we did go to HPU together, our first bonding took place in Europe during the summer of 2008. She was studying along with Cassie in Austria, and her best friend Danielle and I decided to take a trip to visit them. We were also bridesmaids together in Cassie's wedding last year. Lauren and Cassie helped each other acheive this amazing accomplishment known as law school graduation and I'm so proud of both of them!!!

Me, Cassie, Lauren and Jessie

After the graduation, I went to College Station to see my friend Kate. We spent the afternoon at the George Bush Presidential Library, which may sound nerdy to some, but I really enjoyed it! haha. I actually learned a lot about Poppy and Bar (their nicknames for each other, cute, right?)! Bush was in the army during WWII, then he went into the oil business in Midland, became a U.S. Senator, U.N. Ambassador, Director of the CIA, Vice President and then President. Quite a resume if I say so myself! I'm glad Kate was willing to appease me by going to the museum/library. I had a lot of fun!

Bush and I talked some politics

Kate worked on some foreign relations with China

I think I might be a Press Secretary someday, what do you think?