Yes, I'm alive (and not toofless)

Thanks for all your encouragement and prayer for the last week... everything is in process of being fixed permanently in January, but in the meantime I have a temporary crown so I don't resemble a pro boxer for the rest of December.

If you want to see a picture of how it looks now, click here.

Highlights since the Tooth Escapade:

1) Got to see Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I had never read the books, so I only had a limited idea of what the movie was about. However, I thought it was a great movie and at times the Christian parallels were pretty strong. I agree with some who have said that they were disappointed with the lack of character development of Aslan, especially when considering his being Christ in this story (check out this blog for more about this).

2) Started working on stuff for Christmas - I am making most of my gifts this year. I have a couple of projects pending right now that I hope to have completed before Christmas. It's fun to think creatively about gifts, as long as the gift-receiver enjoys the end result. :)

3) Took a road trip with Jason to Nashville on Sunday. We went to attend a meeting about a mission trip to Brazil that we may be taking, along with Jen and Lisa's parents. Anyway, the meeting was a bit short due to some scheduling conflicts with several of the other students who had originally planned to come to the meeting. However, I was surprised to find out that Jason had planned a surprise for us to go see Andrew Peterson's "Behold the Lamb of God" Christmas concert/presentation at The Ryman at the Grand Old Opry. It was really amazing - it is actually performed by a whole slew of amazing musicians: Peterson, Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken, Andy Gullahorn, Jill Phillips, Ben Shive, Matt Slocum, Mindy Smith, etc etc etc. I went home with a warmed heart, joyful spirit, and fingers itching to pick up my guitar and write a new song.

4) Read through Philippians today after a very sanctifying afternoon. Paul's words of encouragement to rejoice, be content, and be like-minded and unified in Christ were very encouraging and helped clean out those carnal cobwebs of the mind. If you are struggling with discouragement, read Philippians - it is so rich with truth. The Lord is faithful to complete His good work in You by His grace and goodness, and as we walk in grace we are to work out our salvation through fear and trembling. It's a great balance - if you believe on (totally trust in) Jesus Christ, you are totally assured that you are justified by God's grace, and in that grace you are to become like Christ by striving for Him harder and with endurance. And as we strive, we have every reason to be rejoicing in the Lord, giving thanks in our present situation no matter what it is, and to be content in every moment because our present circumstance is allowing us to know God's goodness and provision, even in death, because death has even been swallowed up in victory and we die with confidence that we will be present with the Lord, home at last.

Hope you all have a great week - hope in God and trust in Him for every aspect of your life.