Meditation for the week:

"If anyone considers himself religious yet does not keep a tight reign on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:26-27 (NIV)

Lyrics to my favorite Christian song:

"In Christ Alone"

In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

Our weekend

Our trip to The Westin on Friday/Saturday was very nice - we enjoyed getting away for a short while. As you can see (pics to the left), the view from our room was beautiful. It's certainly not anything "new" to me considering my office is uptown and I am there 5 days a week :) But Chris rarely gets to go there and I know he appreciates it. Rumor has it that George Clooney was also staying at the Westin over the weekend as he is currently filming a movie in the Charlotte metro area. We must have just missed him :) We had dinner at the Ember Grille - attached to the hotel- which was delicious! But my FAVORITE part was the gourmet "breakfast in bed" - it was heavenly! :) Hope you all had a nice weekend as well :)

Weekend Plans

Tonight I start a new Bible Study with my gal pals on the book of Daniel by Beth Moore. I'm really excited about this because I think Beth Moore is so awesome and I learn so much through her studies. Afterwards, my parents will be coming into Charlotte to spend the night with us on their way out to Alabama (where Harmony and her family lives). They will be our first guests in what I have nicknamed the "Shabby Chic Guest Room - Phase I." Unfortunately they cannot stay long as they will be gone again after breakfast tomorrow morning - but at least they could stop by for a quick visit. They'll also be staying with us on their way back in on Sunday night. This weekend is going to be a very busy one for me. Tomorrow night I'm meeting some girlfriends for coffee and a movie. Saturday I'm hanging out with my Meredith friends (in Raleigh) for lunch and then Jennifer's baby shower. I'll also be spending the night with my BFF, Corrine. Sunday will be church at "The Prov" then back to Charlotte I go - just in time for my parents to meet me back at my house :) Busy, Busy, Busy! Chris will - hopefully - be at home painting this weekend! :) Before I sign off for the day, I'd like to give a big shout-out to my nephew, Donovan - "Happy 3rd Birthday, buddy!!! I love you!"