She's coming!!!

4 days and counting until my Beth comes to visit!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay so another post about this mysterious Sosthenes.

Sosthenes mentioned only two times in the Bible, in Acts 18 and in 1 Corinthians 1:1. Both times by Paul and in context of Corinth. The first time as being beaten by the Jews and the second as being a brother.

Okay so the pastor postured that they are the same person and that Sosthenes was beaten because the Jews didn’t get what they wanted in Acts 18 and by 1 Corithians he had made a complete turn around and was a brother in Christ.

Okay so I agree with the fact that they are the same person but my question is…Gallio told the Jews that he wouldn’t judge the problem (Paul) because they were their laws and not his. Now Sosthenes was the synagogue leader who took the problem before Gallio. Now wouldn’t Sosthenes be next in the chain of command for the decision on what to do with Paul? And if so they why would the Jews beat him? Wouldn’t they want to treat him special so that he would rule in their favor? And wouldn’t being beaten suggest that the Jews realized that Sosthenes wouldn’t judge the way they wanted due to the fact that he was a follower and believer? Just my posturing and questions.

Any help or answers or anything would be much appreciated in this. Thanks!!!

THE COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN...

Well it is finally official. We have a date and so let the countdown begin. My Grandmum and I are headed to Scotland September 8th for a 15 day tour of the highlands and the islands with a two day stop to visit family in Glasgow. I am so excited. And the count is 198 days from today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM SO PHSYCHED, MY DREAM IS FINALLY COMING TRUE!!! I have been dreaming about this since I was five years old. So a couple of prayer requests to go with this dream...

Pray for my Grandmum's continued health.
Pray for my continued health as I pick up more hours at work and another part-time job and babysitting jobs to save enough money.
Also pray that my passport will come with no problems.

My Best Friend

MY BEST FRIEND IS COMING TO VISIT ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to see her and spend some time together. She has never been to DC before and I am phsyched!!! Anyway she is one of the most beautiful people I know. It will be nice to get to spend some time with her in my "world". :-)

Smell the Color Nine

A song about blind faith!

I would take no for an answer,
Just to know I heard you speak,
And I'm wondering why I've never,
Seen the signs they claim they see,
A lotta special revelations,
Meant for everybody but me,
Maybe I don't truly know You,
or maybe I just simply believe...

Cause I can sniff, I can see, and I can
count up pretty high; but these faculties
aren't getting me any closer to the sky,
but my heart of faith keeps poundin' so
I know I'm doin' fine but sometimes findin
you is just like tryin to smell the color nine.
Smell the color nine...

Now I've never felt the presence,
But I know You're always near,
And I've never heard the calling,
But somehow You've led me right here,
So I'm not lookin' for burnin' bushes,
Or some Divine graffiti to appear,
I'm just beggin You for Your wisdom,
And I believe You're puttin' some here...

Cause I can sniff, I can see, and I can
count up pretty high; but these faculties
aren't getting me any closer to the sky,
but my heart of faith keeps poundin' so
I know I'm doin' fine but sometimes findin
you is just like tryin to smell the color nine.
Smell the color nine...

Nine's not a color...
and if even if it was you can't smell a color, no
that's my point exactly.

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF - The Survey

Name: JoyAnna Suzette Neiner
Birthday: June 26, 1980
Birthplace: Sellersville, PA
Current Location: Washington, DC
Eye Color: Hazel
Hair Color: Brown
Height: 5'9”
Right Handed or Left Handed: Right
Your Heritage: German, Scottish
The Shoes You Wore Today: Brown sneaks
Your Weakness: peanut M&M’s
Your Fears: heights, spiders
Your Perfect Pizza: wheat crust, pepperoni, extra cheese, mushrooms, and black olives
Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year: get a car, go to Scotland
Your Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger: ha ha
Thoughts First Waking Up: how much longer can I sleep in and not be late for work “ditto”
Your Best Physical Feature: my eyes “ditto”
Your Bedtime: between 11 and 12
Your Most Missed Memory: uh……what memory J
Pepsi or Coke: don’t drink soda
MacDonalds or Burger King: don’t eat fast food
Single or Group Dates: both
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: don’t drink iced tea
Chocolate or Vanilla: chocolate
Cappuccino or Coffee: Cappuccino
Do you Smoke: No
Do you Swear: no
Do you Sing: yes
Do you Shower Daily: yes
Have you Been in Love: yeah
Do you want to go to College: been there and now in grad school
Do you want to get Married: yes
Do you belive in yourself: try to
Do you get Motion Sickness: if I am not riding in the front seat yes
Do you think you are Attractive: uh do I have to answer that one
Are you a Health Freak: sort of
Do you get along with your Parents: most times
Do you like Thunderstorms: Love Them!!!! “DITTO”
Do you play an Instrument: used to play piano and baritone
In the past month have you Drank Alcohol: no
In the past month have you Smoked: no
In the past month have you been on Drugs: no
In the past month have you gone on a Date: no
In the past month have you gone to a Mall: no
In the past month have you eaten a box of Oreos: no
In the past month have you eaten Sushi: no
In the past month have you been on Stage: no
In the past month have you been Dumped: No
In the past month have you gone Skinny Dipping: no
In the past month have you Stolen Anything: no
Ever been Drunk: 1
Ever been called a Tease: no
Ever been Beaten up: no
Ever Shoplifted: No
How do you want to Die: well I would prefer to have Christ come back but if not that way then quickly and peacefully
What do you want to be when you Grow Up: work for NASA, travel, be a mom
What country would you most like to Visit: SCOTLAND!!!
In a Boy/Girl..
Favourite Eye Color: don’t have one
Favourite Hair Color: probably brown
Short or Long Hair: short
Height: over 6'0
Weight: average
Best Clothing Style: stylish yet can be comfortable in casual
Number of Drugs I have taken: none
Number of CDs I own: tons
Number of Piercings: 2 in each ear
Number of Tattoos: none
Number of things in my Past I Regret: just a few, like getting drunk, no fun will never drink again

Sosthenes

So we officially started digging into 1 Corinthians last night. We started off with who wrote it, whom for, when and why. So this name Sosthenes is mentioned in the first verse as a brother but do we really know who he is? Some, at church, said that he could have been a secretary or messenger but for the most part we didn't really know. The other place he is mentioned is in Acts 18:17 as being leader of the synagogue who is beaten by the Jews (I think).

I kind of want to go with the secretary aspect and/or messenger because we do know that as Paul got older his eyesight started to fail him. I want to believe he probably wrote down everything that Paul dictated to him and then delivered it to the church in Corinth. Paul only makes a point of mentioning that he is writing by his own hand the greeting at the end. I will have to do more research on this fella.

So anyway it was really neat to look back over the whole book that we read through last week and notice Paul's humility. Can you imagine God using you to be a divine source of knowledge for us now by way of the Bible and for them then by way of a letter. It's amazing!! I am really enjoying this study because it isn't like your normal Sunday service where you just sit and get we actually get to discuss and share. You get to hear everyone's opinions whether they be like-minded or differing. It is refreshing to get a chance to study the Bible indepth verse by verse with a whole group of people who want to learn just as much as the next person.

My Sob Story

Okay so yeah, it was V-day yesterday. I really can't stand that "holiday." So anyway I decided to treat myself to an evening starbucks coffee. Then I made myself my favorite sandwiches, grilled cheese with tomato. Then I headed upstairs to work on some homework and watch a little of the Olympics. Well...I got up stairs and my cat knocked my coffee over right into my sandwiches. So to say none the least I didn't want to eat caramel latte flavored grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches. So I was pretty upset with her and decided to order pizza instead. Well when I called all the pizza places they were so busy I couldn't order any. So I didn't really eat anything after all. Oh well, maybe next year will be better!!

Jesus! What a Friend for sinners!

Okay one more...this song is very true and I needed to be reminded of this today.

Jesus! what a Friend for sinners!
Jesus! Lover of my soul;
Friends may fail me, foes assail me,
He, my Savior, makes me whole.

Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.

Jesus! what a Strength in weakness!
Let me hide myself in Him.
Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing,
He, my Strength, my victory wins.

Jesus! what a Help in sorrow!
While the billows over me roll,
Even when my heart is breaking,
He, my Comfort, helps my soul.

Jesus! what a Guide and Keeper!
While the tempest still is high,
Storms about me, night overtakes me,
He, my Pilot, hears my cry.

Jesus! I do now adore Him,
More than all in Him I find.
He hath granted me forgiveness,
I am His, and He is mine.

"The Hand Song"

I absolutely love this song!!!

The boy only wanted to give Mother something
And all of her roses had bloomed
Looking at him as he came rushing in with them
Knowing her roses were doomed
All she could see were some thorns buried deep
And the tears that he cried as she tended his wounds

And she knew it was love
It was one she could understand
He was showing his love
And that's how he hurt his hands

He still remembers that night as child
On his mother's knee
She held him close and she opened her bible
And quietly started to read
And seeing a picture of Jesus he cried out
"Momma, he's got some scars just like me."

And he knew it was love
It was one he could understand
He was showing his love
And that's how he hurt his hands

Now the boy's grown and moved out on his own
When Uncle Sam comes along
A foreign affair, but our young men were there
And luck had his number drawn
It wasn't that long till our hero was gone
He gave to a friend what he learned from the cross

But they knew it was love
It was one they could understand
He was showing his love
And that's how he hurt his hands

It was one they could understand
He was showing his love
And that's how he hurt his hands

Before the Throne of God Above

This is one of my all time favorite hymns. I know that I only seem to be posting lyrics lately but these songs really have had an impact on me and I just wanted to share them with everyone.

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!

Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou my Vision,
O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me,
save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought,
by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping,
Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom,
and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and
Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father,
I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling,
and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield,
Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity,
Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter,
Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward,
O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not,
nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance,
now and always:
Thou and Thou only,
first in my heart,
High King of Heaven,
my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven,
my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys,
O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart,
whatever befall,
Still be my Vision,
O Ruler of all

SNOW!!!

So we got our first and hopefully only big snow storm in DC over the weekend. We got a total of 8 inches. It was crazy. Here is a picture of the aftermath that I took on my way into church the next morning. It is pretty but I really don't like snow.

I wish...

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final goodbye.

For Granny and Jodi Packard, I MISS YOU BOTH!!!!

You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

In Christ, there are no goodbye
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
To see you again

And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

1 Corinthians

So we finally started our study of 1 Corinthians last night. I am so psyched! We read through the entire book and then next week we will start the verse by verse study. I am so looking forward to it. I didn't bring my notes with me to work but below are just some of the verses that I am looking forward to studying and getting a better understanding of. There are some others. Like the book covers divorce, lawsuits and women in the church. It will be good and I am very excited.

10:13No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

13:4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,
13:5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,
13:6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
13:7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
13:8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.

February

Okay so I know noone wants to hear this or read this, but I really hate this time of year. You know you try so hard to be content and happy with where you are in your life and then February comes around with that horrid holiday “valentine’s day”. There’s nothing like watching everything around you push the whole couple thing and knowing that you aren’t one.

I think the hardest thing for me is knowing how bad I want to wait on God’s timing but also want so badly to have someone to share my life with now. The other hard thing is being the oldest child in my family and watching my younger siblings be in healthy relationships. My sister is almost engaged and my brother is seriously dating this great girl. It’s really rough and sometimes I just want to curl up in a ball and cry. I know that God has the perfect mate out there waiting for me but it just gets so hard to wait for him to come along.

The other thing is the process of finding him too. I am currently on eharmony and have about 6 different guys who want to communicate with me. It makes me so nervous because I just…well I don’t know. It just takes a lot of faith and sometimes I feel like I am losing that faith. I know that eharmony works because I have a couple of friends who have tried it and are either in a healthy relationship or are now married.

I guess I just worry that I will end up an old maid cause I have this ideal guy in my mind yet I just can’t seem to find him. I don’t want to lower any of my standards cause then I would be settling and I know that God doesn’t want me to do that. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO!!!!!!!!!!?????????

If you are reading this please pray for all of us single folk who desperately want to do what God wants us to do.

2006 edition of getting to know your

1. What time did you get up this morning? 5:30 am
2. Diamonds or pearls? pearls
3. What was the last film you saw at the theater? Family Stone
4. What is your favorite TV show? CSI’s, NCIS, Lost, Smallville, Numbers
5. What did you have for breakfast this morning? Shredded wheat
6. What's your favorite cuisine? Italian and Mexican
7. Least favorite cuisine? chinese
8 . What is your favorite chip flavor? Sour cream and onion, sour cream and cheddar
9. What is your favorite CD at the moment? All the Mercy Me’s and Kelly Clarkson "Breakaway”
10. What kind of vehicle do you drive? Public transportation, don’t have a car
11. Favorite sandwich? Egg salad with lettuce and tomato on wheat
12. What characteristics do you despise? self righteousness
13. Favorite item of clothing? My red turtle-neck sweater
14. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you
go? Europe
15. What color is your bathroom? white
16. Favorite brand of clothing? Gap, Ann Taylor
17. Favorite time of the day? afternoon
18. What was your most memorable birthday? 21st my best friend took me to NYC to see Peter Gallagher in a broadway show. Thank you SARAH!!!! I will never forget!!!
19. Where were you born? Sellersville, PA
20. Favorite sport to watch? NFL Football GO PATRIOTS!!!!
21. Who do you least expect to send this back to you? ??
22. Person you expect to send it back first? ??
23. What fabric detergent do you use? ERA
24. Were you named after anyone? My Aunt, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother
25. Do you wish on stars? rarely
26. When did you last cry? a week or so ago-sounds about right J
27. Do you like your handwriting? sometimes
28. If you were another person, would YOU be friends with you? probably
29. Are you a daredevil? Sometimes…I went skydiving and I am afraid of heights and it was my first time in an airplane. J
30. Do looks matter? A bit, I have to be attracted to someone.
31. How do you release anger? Um never really thought about it probably journaling
32. What were your favorite toys as a child? Legos and trees
33. What class in High School was totally useless? study hall-totally agree
34. Do you use sarcasm a lot? sometimes
35. Favorite movies? Pride and Prejudice(Colin Firth), The Hunt for Red October, The Bourne Identity, Kate and Leopold and many others.
36. What are your nicknames? JJ, Neiner, Neenermyer
37. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? yes
38. Do you think that you are strong? Not so much
39. What's your favorite ice cream flavor? Mint choco chip
40. What are your favorite colors? Red, yellow, green, orange, pink
41. What is your least favorite thing about yourself? selfishness
42. Who do you miss the most? My best friends and the good times I had with my friends in college.
43. Do you want everyone you sent this to send it back? I guess
44. What color pants are you wearing? black
45. What are you listening to right now? iTunes a shuffle of all my CD’s
46. What did you last eat? my breakfast
47. If you were a crayon what color would you be? Red
48. Last person you talked to on the phone? A co-worker
49. What is the first thing you notice about the opposite sex? Their eyes
50. Favorite Drink? Skim caramel latte
51. Do you wear contacts? yes
52. Favorite Day's of the Year? Fourth of July, and my birthday as long as I don’t have to admit I am getting older J
53. Scary Movies or Happy Endings? happy endings
54. Summer or winter? summer)
55. Hugs or Kisses? hugs
56. What Is Your Favorite Dessert? Cherry pie
57. What Book(s) Are You Reading? Bible, First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong, Be Complete
58. What's On Your Mouse Pad? SRA International, Inc Honesty and Service
59. What Did You Watch Last night on TV? NCIS and Criminal Minds
60. Favorite Smells? New car, fresh rain, cut grass, coffee beans, leather, new rubber (what can I say I am weird J), freshly bathed Baby ( I love you Garrett)
61. Rolling Stones or Beatles? Beatles
62. What's the furthest you've been from home? Bermuda with Scotland on the horizon 63. Wasn't this fun? It killed a little time

True or False

I am a cuddler. - true
I am a morning person. - false
I am an only child. - false-oldest
I am Catholic. - false
I am currently in my pajamas. - false
I am currently pregnant. - false
I am currently single. - true
I am currently suffering from a broken heart. - semi-true
I am okay at styling other people's hair - false
I am left handed. - false
I am married. - false
I am addicted to my myspace. - false
I am online 24/7, even as an away message. -true, except for when I am commuting home from work
I am very shy around the opposite gender at first – semi-true
I bite my nails. - false
I can be paranoid at times. - false
I currently regret something that I have done - true
When I get mad I curse frequently. - false
I don't like anyone. - false
I enjoy country music. - true...love it!!!!
I enjoy jazz music. - true
I enjoy smoothies. - true
I enjoy talking on the phone - false
I have a car. - false
I have a cell phone - true
I have/had a hard time paying attention at school - true and false
I have a lot to learn - true
I have a pet. - true
I have a secret that I am ashamed to reveal - false
I have a tendency to fall for the "wrong" guy/girl - typically true
I fall in "like" easily - false
I have all my grandparents - false
I have at least one brother - true
I have been to another country - true
I have been told that I am smart - true
I have been told that I have an unusual sense of humor - false
I have OR HAD broken a bone - true
I have Caller I.D. on my phone. - true
I have bathed someone - true...a baby
I have changed a diaper - true
I have changed a lot over the past year. - true
I have done something illegal. - false
I have friends who have never seen my natural hair color - false
I have had major/minor surgery. - true
I have killed another person - false
I have had my hair cut within the last week. - false
.I have had the cops called on me - false
I have mood swings - false...
I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life - false
I have rejected someone before. - true
I have seen The Lord of the Rings trilogy. -true
I have seen the television show The O.C. - false
I have watched Sex and the City- true
I like Shakespeare. -true
I like the taste of blood. - false
I love to cook. - true
I like to sing. - true
I love Michael Jackson - false
I love sleeping. - true
I love to play computer games. – true
I love to shop. - false
I miss someone right now. - true
I own 100 CDs or more - true
I own and use a library card - false
I practice a religion that is not considered mainstream - false
I read books for pleasure in my spare time. - true
I sleep a lot during the day. - false
I strongly dislike math - true
I was born in a country other than the US. - false
I will try almost anything once. - true
I work at a job that I enjoy. true
I would classify myself as ghetto. - false
I would get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free of cost, and scar-free. – false
I am currently wearing socks. - false
I am tired. - true

PARTY HEARTY!!!!

Well I have never thought of church or Heaven in this sense but my Pastor preached a sermon today from Luke 14:15-24. It was very eye opening. He was talking about how the man in the parable throws this great feast which in today's terms would be a party. Everyone who was anyone was invited. When it came time for the party to start the man sent out his servants to reinvite the guests, each one declined claiming nonsense excuses. The man was angered and sent his servants back out to instead invite anyone and everyone they saw. Heaven and the Church is this big party...everyone is invited all you have to do is accept the invitation. Everyone who accepts the invitation is headed for the greatest party to ever be held.

100,000 people all over the world every day come to have a personal faith and relationship with Christ.

Heaven has nothing to say to the world until it throws better parties :-).

soooo....

So I was a little disappointed the other night. I went to my old church cause they have a really great Wednesday night Bible study. I really was looking forward to it because of everything that has been happening in my life. I attend a really great church on Sunday's that I absolutely love but they don't have any Wednesday service. So anyway I got there and was able to catch up with one of my old roommates and another girl that I used to know. It was really nice, however the service/study ended up being "canceled" because the Pastor's wife was in the ER. I don't begrudge them that but instead of getting one of the Associate Pastors to look through a different passage they had one of the deacon's read a sermon from someone else. I was disappointed because I was really looking forward to the indepth Bible study. We were supposed to be starting a study in the book of 1 Corinthians. Oh well there's always next week.