Lopsided Halos

Wal-Mart Takes Anything Back

britt_ney07@hotmail.com (Lopsided Halo) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 14:24:00 +0000

Okay...I'm so mad and confused I just have to write blog about his. I was at wal-mart yesterday and had to wait in line FOREVER....I MEAN FOREVER...because the man infront of me was returning a half eaten block of CHEESE....because it expired 1 day early??? Seriously....yes....I'm serious.....he returned his cheese! And can you believe they took it back and gave him the credit back on his debit card????? I'm amazed. I think I'm gonna start returning my groceries when I'm half finished with them so I don't have to pay for groceries ever again. I mean...come on.....I'm just saying!

OK....rant finished....got that off my chest....now on to do laundry :)

Deeper Still

britt_ney07@hotmail.com (Lopsided Halo) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 04:18:00 +0000

DeeperStill - Greensboro NC from Rich Kalonick on Vimeo.

Get "Tight With Christ"

britt_ney07@hotmail.com (Lopsided Halo) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 04:12:00 +0000

I found this lotion in a local coffee shop called "Third Street Stuff" and I just couldn't resist! Yes, I bought it...and yes I put it on!!! At first I laughed my head off and bought one for everyone I know. But then after a few sips of my coffee I got to thinking?

(For some reason coffee makes me feel more philosophical and "deep?" Anyone else...or maybe I'm just strange that way! I grew up in a town w/o a Starbucks and always envied those on TV who walked around carrying brief cases sipping their 15 letter long coffee drinks. I wanted to be "one of those people").

OK OK enough about my love of Starbucks (and did I mention I don't even like coffee...I want to want to like it...but I don't....but I drink it because I feel like I look smarter carrying the cup around...it makes me feel more grown up!)

OK for real,back to my "philosophical" point....Have we reduced our spirituality down to "lotion"...something we put on just to "smell" good and/or look good? Do some people really think that is all there is too it?

OH girls....we have got to start living intentionally and letting people know that Christ is something so much more than something we just "put" on when we want to "look/smell" good. He is so much more!

AND NOT TO MENTION....WE ALREADY ARE "TIGHT WITH CHRIST" (i am crossing my fingers here)!! SO TIGHT, IN FACT, HE GAVE HIS SON TO DIE FOR US. IF THAT ISN'T "TIGHT" I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS!

Live this life girls....and do it on purpose! We only get one chance!!! Let others know how much fun it is to be "tight with Christ"...and NOT just on Sundays....but EVERYDAY!!

britt_ney07@hotmail.com (Lopsided Halo) — Fri, 22 May 2009 03:21:00 +0000

Learning To Moon-Walk!

britt_ney07@hotmail.com (Lopsided Halo) — Mon, 18 May 2009 05:04:00 +0000

The view outside my office window is far from stunning. With a blue garbage can pressed against the window it overlooks the backside of vacant parking lot behind a stained concrete building. To the left sits a small run-down shack with neon poster board stuck in the window and a half-lit sign blinking “fast cash” in Spanish. I often wonder what really goes on inside. It seems strange to me that a business can operate in an empty parking lot and that someone pulling up in an Escalade really needs “fast cash.”
On various occasions a local homeless man can be seen living in the alley (and sometimes the dumpster) adjacent to my window. At any given moment I’ll look up from my computer only to see him “moon walking” and practicing his “air guitar” skills. He has long gray hair and beard to match and is never seen without his oversized sunglasses and a straw cowboy hat. He carries around a small radio propped on his shoulder and dances to the tune of anything that comes his way…and I mean anything! With the music turned up and not a care in the world, this gentleman has often become the entertainment for our entire office. However, last Monday as he “moon walked” in and out of the alley, God spoke to me and made it clear that I was to go and “minister” to this man. The next few minutes of my conversation with God went something like this:
“Isn’t there anyone else around who needs some ministry? What about the cashier at Wendy’s? I’m sure she needs to know You? Or what about the mail man….he is sure to come any minute? I promise I’ll minister to him. Or, I know…what about my boss? I’ll minister to her. She REALLY needs to know you! Please God, I don’t want to learn how to “moon walk” today? Give me anyone….but him.”
With every plea I made, I could hear God whispering “No, Brittney. I want you to talk to him.” I struggled, for what like seemed like an eternity, with God’s request that I go and meet this complete stranger…..a stranger everyone else (including myself) labeled as “crazy.” Maybe they were right….but maybe they weren’t? What if he tried to attack me? What if he was high on drugs? What if he asked me for money, should I give it to him? What would I even say when I walked up to him? I knew what I had to do, but I just needed more time to prepare!
So, like any good Baptist, I decided I needed to eat first and think about it over lunch! I walked to Wendy’s and as I got ready to place my order, it came to me…I could take him lunch. That would be a perfect way to start the conversation! I got myself a chicken sandwich and ordered my “friend” a double cheeseburger, fries, and a coke. As I walked back to my office, I quietly rehearsed my introduction over and over until finally I was standing right in front of him.
“He-e-e-llo, Sir. Are you hungry?” I said.
With his back turned and his “air guitar” in full swing to the Led Zeppelin music blaring through the radio, he didn’t hear me.
Embarrassed and losing any pride I had left , I continued trying to get his attention until finally I found myself leaning over and screaming at the top of my lungs, “HELLO, SIR…ARE YOU HUNGRY?”
At last he turned around. He quickly shut off the radio and apologized for not hearing me earlier. I assured him it was OK and complimented his “dancing” skills, to which he laughed and replied, “thank you.”
One last time, I asked the man again if he was hungry. To my surprise he hesitated, lowered his head and said, “No, I’m fine. I’m not looking for charity, Miss.”
Trying to allow him to keep what dignity he had left, I told the man the cashier gave me the wrong order and that I had some extra food and thought he might like a free meal! After a few seconds, he graciously reached out his hand and grabbed the sack.
With an awkward silence looming in the air, I struggled to come up with another conversation starter and before I knew it, out popped the question I never thought I’d ask, “So, how did you learn to moonwalk?”
What was I thinking? Where on earth did that question come from? Of all things I could have said, and I asked him how he learned to moon-walk? But what came next was even worse.
“Well, come up here on the sidewalk and I’ll teach you how to do it.” He said.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I thought to myself. “Moon-walking? Me? Here? Right now?”
Looking up at God, I sensed he was laughing at me and that just irritated me even more. Before I could explain how “rhythmically challenged” I was, he had pulled me up on the sidewalk and had already started the first session of “moon walking” for dummies.
As the music continued playing, I soon found that I didn’t care what I looked like and it didn’t matter that I had absolutely NO (and I mean, NO) rhythm….I was having fun! Yes, prideful, too-good-to moonwalk me, was having an absolute blast!
As my “dancing” session ended, and we parted ways, I stood there in shock at what had just occurred over the course of 10 minutes. Here was a man who was dirty, hungry, homeless, living in a dumpster and judged “crazy” by everyone who saw him….but yet, he possessed the one quality I’ve been searching for my whole life….joy! He had joy! I’m sure he has his moments, but today he had a joy in his soul that was contagious….and I’m glad I caught “it,”…even if I had learn how to do the “moonwalk!” I walked that day away realizing that in my selfish attempt to “minister” to someone….it was “me” who needed the ministering!
Since that day, I have not seen my “moon-walking” friend and I’m embarrassed to say that in our short time together I didn’t even get his name. But the lesson he taught me has remained: joy is a choice. Even in our deepest pain joy WILL come if we choose it. For God’s word tells us that in Psalm 30:5 “weeping and morning may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning.”
As you go throughout this week I hope you choose joy, and if you’re finding it hard then go “moon-walking” and the choice will surely be easier!

Ice Storm Part 2

britt_ney07@hotmail.com (Lopsided Halo) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:21:00 +0000

Please pray hard! Lexington KY was hit really hard. There is power out everywhere...and in Paducah there is no gas, water, power, or phone service. My grandaddy is running out of oxygen and they told him to "breathe lightly" b/c they can't get to him. We need your prayers!!

Ice Storm 2009

britt_ney07@hotmail.com (Lopsided Halo) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:18:00 +0000

2009 has kicked off with a bang...literally! Trees are breaking left and right around here! We are iced in and snowed in.....but still have power!! Most of my friends power went out so we are having a MASSIVE SLEEPOVER!! PARTTTTYYY!!! I just love it!!! It looks like a war zone here....but beautiful still...even with this honkin' tree in the road. This is not my road...but a picture of what our town looks like!! It is craziness!!! Thank you Jesus for the internet so I can still blog! My entire family lives about 4 hours away and none of them have power. I am getting ready to go sledding and make snow cream!!!! I just love snow days!!! Pray hard for the 400,000 people across KY without power....many of them families with children and eldery needing electricity for medical reasons!

Siesta Christmas Exchange

britt_ney07@hotmail.com (Lopsided Halo) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 23:01:00 +0000

My gift was from Darlene!!! Thank you so much...I just love it!!

Christmas Lights....I've had it!

britt_ney07@hotmail.com (Lopsided Halo) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 17:37:00 +0000

OK...so hanging lights on the house is not my gift. I can't untangle the knots!!! I found this picture online of somone who must be feeling the same way as me! Do you think my neighbors would be offended if I just left them like this?????

Thinking Outside The "Stable"

britt_ney07@hotmail.com (Lopsided Halo) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 04:07:00 +0000

Several years ago around Christmas I learned a lesson from a four-year old little boy in my Mother’s Day Out class that taught me to think outside the “stable.” On this day in particular the kids were very excited about “The Baby Jesus” play we do in our classroom every year. The production is quite entertaining as it is produced and directed by the kids themselves with no help from the teachers, except for narrating the story. The kids cast themselves and create their own costumes using a box of supplies that have some obvious costumes and some simple squares of cloth that always get made into very “unusual” accessories. Because this is a “kids only” production, there are many years we have no Mary and Joseph but tons of angels and animals. There is usually a fight over who gets to be the baby Jesus and no one ever wants to be the Wiseman because they don’t come in until the very end. As the kids were setting the stage a little boy named Christopher came over and announced that he was going to be “God” in this year’s production.

“Christopher,” I said, “You can’t be God. God was not at the stable,” I tried to explain.

“Oh yes He was, Ms. Brittney. God is everywhere!” Christopher insisted.

The perfectionist that I am, I wanted all of the characters to be accurately represented in the play because I thought it would help the kids understand the story better. I tried to explain to Christopher about the “significant” characters in the Christmas story putting an extra emphasis on the Wisemen because that part had not been taken yet. But Christopher wasn’t budging, not even a little. In my final attempt to change his mind I looked at him with frustration and said, “OK, Christopher. You can be God, but how are you going to know when to come out onto the stage and play your part? The story doesn’t mention when God comes in.”

“Umm, Ms. Brittney,” he said, “God never leaves. I’m going to stand there the whole time!”

And he did!

Through an imperfect portrayal of the Christmas Story, God taught me that many times we let the distractions in our life keep us from seeing and feeling His presence. Christopher taught me to never doubt God’s presence in my life even when I can’t see him…and even when the story doesn’t tell me He is there.

As Christmas approaches and the year is winding down each of us are going to be handed a multitude of distractions that will distort the presence of God in our life. There will be gifts to be bought, goodies that must be baked, sales that can’t be missed, and parties that must be attended. But in the midst of all this holiday craziness I hope each of you will take time and seek out the lesson God has for you this Christmas season. Could it be that God wants you to think outside the “stable” and look for Him in places you normally don’t see Him? Maybe you’ll find God this year through the story of the check-out lady at Wal-Mart who you usually don’t speak to, or maybe God will be in the eyes of a homeless man on the street corner who you drive by without noticing …or maybe, like me….you will find God in the persistence of a child who insists God IS a character at the nativity scene even though the picture in the book says otherwise!

Have a Merry Christmas and look for HIM in all you do this holiday season!

Ouch!

britt_ney07@hotmail.com (Lopsided Halo) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:14:00 +0000

OK....seriously, my "startle response" is much worse than I expected. Last night I was walking down the steps to the gym at my apartment when the outside heater kicked on (it was hidden behind the bushes...which didn't help). I jumped thinking it was some scary man coming after me and then tripped...only to save myself, regain my balance, and twist my ankle. Now I'm hobbling around the house with an ankle that does'nt appreciate my attempt to save my own life.

I truly am the picture of grace :)

Halloween Party 2008

britt_ney07@hotmail.com (Lopsided Halo) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 04:16:00 +0000

Time To Act

britt_ney07@hotmail.com (Lopsided Halo) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 04:42:00 +0000

Let's not just let this be another sad story. We can do something about this....we have the chance to change the world for these girls. Let's put our heads together and do something NOW. I'm ready....who is with me? They are counting on YOU to help them....you are their only chance!

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

britt_ney07@hotmail.com (Lopsided Halo) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 05:21:00 +0000

You Might Be A Siesta If.....

britt_ney07@hotmail.com (Lopsided Halo) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:17:00 +0000

Can I just say.....SAN ANTONIO WAS FAB-U-LOUS!!!!!!!! I have so many fun stories to tell it'll take me 10 different posts...and that's just for the first day!!! So, I'll narrow them down to the top 10!!

10. You did the "worm" on the floor during a game of "quest" and impaled yourself with a blowdryer that was attached to your robe
9. You refer to your friends as big, boo, oceanmommy, etc. and 1000 other people know who you are talking about
8. You went to see Beth Moore and got referred to as "one of those computer people"
7. No one knows who you are until you introduce yourself by your blog name
6. If you heard Beth Moore refer to you as her "peeps" and loved it!
5. If you paid $6.00 for a bottle of water with ice at the consession stand at the Alamodome and $20 for a grilled cheese sandwich at the hotel and had to eat out of the vending machine the rest of the week
4. If you went to San Antonio and it was the first time you've ever met your roommate in person...and you didn't even know her real name....you just called
her "speaking thru me" girl
3. You know who "miesta moose" is....and had your picture taken with him
2. You only got 4 hours of sleep this weekend

AND FINALLY YOU KNOW YOU'RE A SIESTA IF.......
1. You walked into what you thought was the PJ party and yelled "heyyyyy siestas" only to realize you had just interrupted a military conference in the middle of a full salute cermony

More pictures will be coming soon!!!!!!!

britt_ney07@hotmail.com (Lopsided Halo) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:26:00 +0000

Have a great weekend :)

Louisville LPL

britt_ney07@hotmail.com (Lopsided Halo) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 03:27:00 +0000

Living Proof Live Louisville KY Simulcast from Rich Kalonick on Vimeo.

Keep Us From Just Singing

britt_ney07@hotmail.com (Lopsided Halo) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:22:00 +0000

This picture makes me sick. How can something like this happen...and the world not know about it....and not do anything to help??? Everyone seems to be waiting on someone else to do something ...and frankly, I'm tired of waiting. I think now more than ever that we are becoming numb to photos like this...and that we are developing the mentality of "out of sight out of mind." As Christians we can no longer put our brothers and sisters across the world out of sight. The orphans, widows, the hungry, sick, tired and poor are our sight....they gives us our passion and allow us to live as Christ did. It is our job to help them. I'm not sure what God is stirring up inside of me...but I have a fire in my soul that won't go out. I am fully convinced more than ever that I can no longer just sing about the glorious God we serve...about how he heals the broken hearted and saves the lost....and not do anything. I'm sure at some point most of us have helped someone who was in need....but what about today? What are doing to help someone today? What about the man on the side of the street? What about your neighbors?? WHAT ARE YOU DOING TODAY? I'm tired of just singing and going to church. People are dying. This winter a man in Lexington, KY froze to death because he had no where to rest his head. Children here in our county are going to bed hungry. Shame on us. We HAVE to help these people....and yes, all of them. It only takes one person to reach out and change the world for another person...and in doing so you can change the path for future generations. Yes, one person can change a nation. WE CAN NO LONGER JUST SING. WE MUST GO. IT IS OUR JOB. NOT ANYONE ELSES....NOT THE MISSIONARIES....NOT THE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS....IT IS OUR JOB AS CHRISTIANS....TO GO AND PUT OUR FAITH INTO ACTION. I'm tired of hearing people say "oh how sad...oh that's awful...how can this be happening?" Let's step out ourselves and make it our job that no man shall die on our streets because he had no where to sleep....that no child on our street or in our county/state/nation will go to bed hungry...that no person will go without the very help we have to offer.

James 2:14-17
14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

A little exta help

britt_ney07@hotmail.com (Lopsided Halo) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 04:33:00 +0000

Somtimes we all we need is a little extra help! Whatever you are going through....keep hanging on! Help is on the way :)

Your Weekend Entertainment

britt_ney07@hotmail.com (Lopsided Halo) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 04:57:00 +0000

The Big Reveal

britt_ney07@hotmail.com (Lopsided Halo) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 21:36:00 +0000

Hey all you bloggers out there!! (exuse any mistakes...I'm trying to eat some Baked Lays while I'll type this post...not a good idea). My blog is finally up and running!!!! Amy at Split Decisionz made the design...isn't she great!!??? (Now for a drink...grape kool-aid...whoops...missed my mouth). Anyways....I cannot wait to start letting you in on the adventures of my crazy life...and showing you where God is in all of it! I'm so excited (do do do...and I just can't hide it!)!! I'll be back later tonight for my first official "real" post!! Don't forget, leave comments!! You never know when there will be a prize :)

Kids Say The Darndest Things

britt_ney07@hotmail.com (Lopsided Halo) — Tue, 20 May 2008 03:14:00 +0000

britt_ney07@hotmail.com (Lopsided Halo) — Thu, 15 May 2008 02:48:00 +0000

My passion is to help victims of human trafficking! I am patiently waiting on God's direction for how I am to go about doing this.....I have a feeling God is up to something quite big....and I can't wait to see what He has instore for me....and He is going to use me! Here is a quick commercial on the effects of human trafficking.

CONSTRUCTION

britt_ney07@hotmail.com (Lopsided Halo) — Thu, 15 May 2008 02:16:00 +0000

Hello everyone!
This blog is under construction! I have no idea how to make it look "cute" so I am hiring someone else to do that for me....so that I can keep my sanity!!! I tried....and well, I just couldn't understand the blogging language of widgets and codes! So........as soon as this blog is "cute" and "user friendly" there will be lots more to read!!! Check back soon for the big REVEAL!!!!

My Soap Box: Human Trafficking

britt_ney07@hotmail.com (Lopsided Halo) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 00:04:00 +0000

After drugs and weapons, human trafficking is the third most profitable crime in the world.
U.S. citizen children are also trafficked within the U.S. It is estimated that annually 125,000-300,000 American children are being sexually exploited. Exploiters include criminal networks, family members and acquaintances, strangers, local pimps, other youth, pedophiles and transient male population. Commercially sexually exploited children cut across socio-economic, race, ethnic and gender lines. 75% of the children are from middle class backgrounds. ( Richard Estes and Neil Alan Weiner, "The commercial sexual exploitation of children in the U.S., Canada and Mexico", University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work, September 2001.) In addition, the National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children report that 450,000 children run away from home each year. One out of three teens of the street will be lured into survival sex within 48 hours of leaving home. (taken from http://www.brycs.org/childtrafficking.htm website).

We can do something to help put an end to this vicious cycle. It is my passion and calling in life to help bring rescue and restoration to these precious women and children. I am waiting for God's direction in my life to see how I am supposed to work in this area....whether it be globally or here in America. But I have a passion in my heart that is only growing by the second. I want to rescue these girls and provide a safe place for them....free of fear......and full of restoration and grace! But for now the following are oganizations are ones that I think are doing a great job in rasing awareness about this issue:
Shared Hope International
Love 146
Children of The Night