Most people know little t
I'll never forget the ongoing Quaker joke at Jefferson Middle School. I was on the basketball team there. I was ok on defense but never quite made it into the starting lineup...hardly made it off the bench. One day in class we were talking about the game to be played that night and a friend of mine told everyone to come out for the half-time show. We were all confused and asked what the "show" was all about. His response..."Cori is going to show everyone how Quakers churn butter!" Everyone, including myself, cracked up at the thought of me sitting in the middle of the basketball court, on a stool and wearing an apron, repeatedly jamming a plunger into a wooden barrel until I had made butter. I'm sure I would have needed much longer that half-time to get to Country Crock quality!
I've always looked back and laughed at that joke. It was not only hilarious to visualize me in high tops & an apron, but also to think of all the things that others thought of when they thought about Quakers. Without knowing what Quakers were, how could someone begin to understand and respect our beliefs? The same holds true for me and this blog. Without knowing who I am as the author, how can anyone relate, engage, and enjoy this blog? That's why I want to let you know that Quakers don't churn butter, at least not any I know. And a little bit more about me.
1. SAVED
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God"
~Ephesians 2:8
I was saved at age 11 at Friendsville Quarter Youth Camp in Townsend, TN. My parents had gotten divorced a few years earlier, which had been a difficult time for me. The message that night was about God taking away guilt and blame that we felt for things that happened in our lives. After the message, when we were dismissed, for some reason I couldn't leave. I didn't know it, but I had felt guilt after my parents' divorce and God took it away that night. My heart was overflowing and I said the prayer that saved my life!
2. ALL ABOUT FAMILY
"So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." -Romans 12:5
I am blessed with a huge family all the way around! My first introductions to church were through my Aunt Cindy and my Mamaw Sue. My family has taught me that no matter what you go through, you can make it through because God is with you. We are loud, overbearing, nosey at times, brutally honest, and sometimes just all around difficult. But these are all the things that have kept me in line and helped me mature into the person I am. My family drives me to make myself better. They are one of the most important aspects of my life. Spending time with them always puts a smile on my face. Though we all have our faults, my family is full of love, always looking out for each other, encouraging, fun, and one of a kind. God knew I would need Angels here on earth when he brought those that make up my family into my life!
3. HAPPILY MARRIED
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." -1 Peter 4:8
September 22, 2012 was one of the best days of my life! I married the man that God created for me! I know a lot of people say this, but my husband truly is my best friend. Although we are far from perfect and fall short of God's plan daily, we love God and love each other, both deeply. We pray together, explore God's word together, laugh together, cry together, challenge each other, explore new things, and just enjoy life with each other. My husband is a Godly man, who loves me and our families with all his heart. He is strong, supportive, compassionate, and makes me a better person and Christian. Now if I could just get him to trade his Georgia Bulldogs gear for Volunteer Orange, he'd be perfect!
4. NON BUTTER CHURNING QUAKER
"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." -2 Corinthians 4:6
By now you know that I'm a Quaker...and don't churn butter. I'm sure by now you are also wondering what the heck a Quaker is? First and foremost, we are a Christian based faith. I attend Lost Creek Friends Quaker Church and have since I was a young child. We have a pastor but also spend time in silent worship, which is common among Quakers. The name "Quaker" actually originated from times in the past when those sitting in silent worship were so moved by the Holy Spirit that they would physically shake. People mocked them by calling them Quakers and the name stuck. Quakers believe that every man has that of God in him; honesty is a necessity; simplicity in life helps you focus on Christ; and that everyone is equal and loved in God's eyes. As a Quaker, I was taught to develop a personal, active relationship with Christ through actively seeking him every day! Check out this article on Lost Creek Friends to learn more about our meeting and Quakers!
5. THINGS I LOVE
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." -1 Corinthians 10:31
I am definitely a "doer". Most times, I get myself so piled up with stuff to do, that I get overwhelmed. I think part of the reason is that I truly love the life that I live and want to do whatever I can to experience and enjoy it...even if it overwhelms me! Some of my favorite things I've already mentioned...church, family, my husband. I've always enjoyed being creative. I love to write, paint, sing, and create things. I am competitive by nature so naturally, sports have always been part of my life. I love being outside...playing softball, snowboarding, enjoying the mountains or beach. I am constantly in awe of God's creation. Music speaks to me. Football season and church camp are two things that I look forward to every year. I love reading non-fiction, inspirational books, poetry, and magazines. My husband calls me the "elevator talker" because I MUST begin a conversation with pretty much everyone I meet, even in the elevator. Mainly, I love doing things with people that bring joy...whatever those things may be!
6. IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." -Psalm 119: 105
I have many aspirations for my future. I want to be a good Christian, wife, daughter, sister, family member, and friend. I would love to become a mother someday as well. My heart is always searching for things that God has called me to do...I look forward to exploring whatever that may mean for my future. Traveling, learning to play guitar, and continuing to share through this blog are all things I hope to do within the next 10 years. I would love to write more poetry, and read the Bible from cover to cover. Making memories with my husband will always be part of my future plans. Overall, I want to look to God to find out what he has placed me on this earth to do. Our time here is, after all, temporary and fleeting. I want to be as much of a light for God as I can in the future...no matter if that's 10 years or 100.
7. WALKING WITH MY JESUS
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." -Philippians 3:12
I am a sinner. I am far from perfect. I do and will always fall short of the glory of God. Lucky for me, and you, God loves me in spite of my shortcomings. Grace is "God's riches at Christ's expense." Do you hear that? Not my expense...or yours. It's at Christ's expense! I'm able to walk with God because of this grace. My walk with Jesus is always going to be a priority to me. I may stray, but I will always come back. Right now, I'm working to exercise the spiritual gifts that God has given me. I'm also trying to see God in everything. Sometimes, life gets in the way of our walk with Christ. We focus on things that really aren't all that important. This blog is a place where I (and you) can begin to learn to walk every hour of every day right beside Christ. As I live my life as a Christian, I want to show God's love to those around me, grow in my relationship with him, and identify and exercise the spiritual gifts that God has given me in order to glorify him.
I hope this helps you know more about me as a person, a Quaker, and a Christian. Feel free to share some things about you in the comments or by e-mailing me!
Love In Christ,
Cori
o nothing about Quakers. ~"Quakers don't wear buttons!" "Quakers don't have electricity!" "They're all like the man on the Quaker Oats box!" I've heard it all.I'll never forget the ongoing Quaker joke at Jefferson Middle School. I was on the basketball team there. I was ok on defense but never quite made it into the starting lineup...hardly made it off the bench. One day in class we were talking about the game to be played that night and a friend of mine told everyone to come out for the half-time show. We were all confused and asked what the "show" was all about. His response..."Cori is going to show everyone how Quakers churn butter!" Everyone, including myself, cracked up at the thought of me sitting in the middle of the basketball court, on a stool and wearing an apron, repeatedly jamming a plunger into a wooden barrel until I had made butter. I'm sure I would have needed much longer that half-time to get to Country Crock quality!
I've always looked back and laughed at that joke. It was not only hilarious to visualize me in high tops & an apron, but also to think of all the things that others thought of when they thought about Quakers. Without knowing what Quakers were, how could someone begin to understand and respect our beliefs? The same holds true for me and this blog. Without knowing who I am as the author, how can anyone relate, engage, and enjoy this blog? That's why I want to let you know that Quakers don't churn butter, at least not any I know. And a little bit more about me.
1. SAVED
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God"
~Ephesians 2:8
I was saved at age 11 at Friendsville Quarter Youth Camp in Townsend, TN. My parents had gotten divorced a few years earlier, which had been a difficult time for me. The message that night was about God taking away guilt and blame that we felt for things that happened in our lives. After the message, when we were dismissed, for some reason I couldn't leave. I didn't know it, but I had felt guilt after my parents' divorce and God took it away that night. My heart was overflowing and I said the prayer that saved my life!
2. ALL ABOUT FAMILY
"So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." -Romans 12:5
I am blessed with a huge family all the way around! My first introductions to church were through my Aunt Cindy and my Mamaw Sue. My family has taught me that no matter what you go through, you can make it through because God is with you. We are loud, overbearing, nosey at times, brutally honest, and sometimes just all around difficult. But these are all the things that have kept me in line and helped me mature into the person I am. My family drives me to make myself better. They are one of the most important aspects of my life. Spending time with them always puts a smile on my face. Though we all have our faults, my family is full of love, always looking out for each other, encouraging, fun, and one of a kind. God knew I would need Angels here on earth when he brought those that make up my family into my life!
3. HAPPILY MARRIED
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." -1 Peter 4:8
September 22, 2012 was one of the best days of my life! I married the man that God created for me! I know a lot of people say this, but my husband truly is my best friend. Although we are far from perfect and fall short of God's plan daily, we love God and love each other, both deeply. We pray together, explore God's word together, laugh together, cry together, challenge each other, explore new things, and just enjoy life with each other. My husband is a Godly man, who loves me and our families with all his heart. He is strong, supportive, compassionate, and makes me a better person and Christian. Now if I could just get him to trade his Georgia Bulldogs gear for Volunteer Orange, he'd be perfect!
4. NON BUTTER CHURNING QUAKER
"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." -2 Corinthians 4:6
By now you know that I'm a Quaker...and don't churn butter. I'm sure by now you are also wondering what the heck a Quaker is? First and foremost, we are a Christian based faith. I attend Lost Creek Friends Quaker Church and have since I was a young child. We have a pastor but also spend time in silent worship, which is common among Quakers. The name "Quaker" actually originated from times in the past when those sitting in silent worship were so moved by the Holy Spirit that they would physically shake. People mocked them by calling them Quakers and the name stuck. Quakers believe that every man has that of God in him; honesty is a necessity; simplicity in life helps you focus on Christ; and that everyone is equal and loved in God's eyes. As a Quaker, I was taught to develop a personal, active relationship with Christ through actively seeking him every day! Check out this article on Lost Creek Friends to learn more about our meeting and Quakers!
5. THINGS I LOVE
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." -1 Corinthians 10:31
I am definitely a "doer". Most times, I get myself so piled up with stuff to do, that I get overwhelmed. I think part of the reason is that I truly love the life that I live and want to do whatever I can to experience and enjoy it...even if it overwhelms me! Some of my favorite things I've already mentioned...church, family, my husband. I've always enjoyed being creative. I love to write, paint, sing, and create things. I am competitive by nature so naturally, sports have always been part of my life. I love being outside...playing softball, snowboarding, enjoying the mountains or beach. I am constantly in awe of God's creation. Music speaks to me. Football season and church camp are two things that I look forward to every year. I love reading non-fiction, inspirational books, poetry, and magazines. My husband calls me the "elevator talker" because I MUST begin a conversation with pretty much everyone I meet, even in the elevator. Mainly, I love doing things with people that bring joy...whatever those things may be!
6. IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." -Psalm 119: 105
I have many aspirations for my future. I want to be a good Christian, wife, daughter, sister, family member, and friend. I would love to become a mother someday as well. My heart is always searching for things that God has called me to do...I look forward to exploring whatever that may mean for my future. Traveling, learning to play guitar, and continuing to share through this blog are all things I hope to do within the next 10 years. I would love to write more poetry, and read the Bible from cover to cover. Making memories with my husband will always be part of my future plans. Overall, I want to look to God to find out what he has placed me on this earth to do. Our time here is, after all, temporary and fleeting. I want to be as much of a light for God as I can in the future...no matter if that's 10 years or 100.
7. WALKING WITH MY JESUS
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." -Philippians 3:12
I am a sinner. I am far from perfect. I do and will always fall short of the glory of God. Lucky for me, and you, God loves me in spite of my shortcomings. Grace is "God's riches at Christ's expense." Do you hear that? Not my expense...or yours. It's at Christ's expense! I'm able to walk with God because of this grace. My walk with Jesus is always going to be a priority to me. I may stray, but I will always come back. Right now, I'm working to exercise the spiritual gifts that God has given me. I'm also trying to see God in everything. Sometimes, life gets in the way of our walk with Christ. We focus on things that really aren't all that important. This blog is a place where I (and you) can begin to learn to walk every hour of every day right beside Christ. As I live my life as a Christian, I want to show God's love to those around me, grow in my relationship with him, and identify and exercise the spiritual gifts that God has given me in order to glorify him.
I hope this helps you know more about me as a person, a Quaker, and a Christian. Feel free to share some things about you in the comments or by e-mailing me!
Love In Christ,
Cori