This week we cover a range of Deeply Important Topics: what to do about bare legs in the wintertime, how we like to spend our spare time, our ongoing efforts to develop a vast media empire and why marriage seems to be so difficult for celebrities.

Plus, we talk about Christy Nockels. But this is really nothing new.

And as an added bonus for those of you who have had a difficult time telling our voices apart, there’s a dead giveaway on this podcast: I’m the one who is on a cell phone and sounds like I’m participating in a really sub-par radio remote.

It is sure to be a tender memory.

Listen on the blog here:

Subscribe via RSS feed here.

…because I just finished eating supper with Sister and Barry and am now watching the Bulldogs play football. We’re winning by 21, but you probably know that already because you’ve heard Sister and me screaming like a couple of teenagers who just spied Zac Efron at the mall.

I’m going to write in great detail about the Deeper Still conference at some point in the next day or two – I just have so much to tell you. I learned so much and got me a FRESH WORD (COME ON, NOW) that hit me right between the eyes. It was an incredible two days.

Mandisa sang at the conference today, and if you have not heard her song “God Speaking,” please download it rightthissecond. It is absolutely beautiful, and it was so fun to see her back on the stage with the Living Proof praise team.

Which reminds me: Travis Cottrell is so stinkin’ talented and did a phenomenal job leading worship, as he always does.

And oh, by the way, my ORIGINAL pretend-BFF Christy Nockels was at the conference, too. She didn’t sing, and I didn’t meet her, but, you know, she was there, and just knowing that made me so happy that I had to call Emma Kate and Big Mama so that they could share in my joy.

And seriously, I thought of y’all a thousand times. It was such a sweet, humbling time of digging deep in God’s Word; I wish every single one of you could have been there. I was overcome with gratefulness for you this weekend, and I hope you know how much you bless my socks off every single day.

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. – Ephesians 3:14-19

Have a wonderful Sunday, y’all.

Last night I stayed up until almost one in the morning trying to get everything together for today’s trip to Nashville. I had laundry to wash, clothes to iron and portable electronic thingies to charge.

And speaking of portable electronic thingies, I have totally contemplated taking my laptop into the Deeper Still Conference. But I feel it might be somewhat distracting.

Not to mention rude.

And in a startling new personal development, I decided last night that I’m not even going to try to look cute this weekend. I am going to relax and soak up the teaching and try not to worry about whether or not my roots are distracting other people during the course of a normal conversation.

This is a bold step-out for me, y’all. I feel that the Lord is doing a new work in my heart. Somebody say “hallelujah” one time.

So as soon as I can throw a few more things in my suitcase and say goodbye to my boys, I’m gonna hop in the car with a big ole diet Coke in my hand, comfy clothes on my person and all my favorite CD’s on my iPod.

Also.

You might be interested to know that Big Mama and I tried to record another podcast yesterday afternoon, but when I was editing it last night I realized that NOTHING HAS EVER BEEN MORE BORING EVER OH MY WORD Y’ALL IT WAS SO BORING.

No kidding: when I was trying to listen to it, my mind wandered ALL THE WAY TO THAILAND.

And as you might imagine, I’m understandably exhausted.

But we’re going to try again today.

I’ll try to check in from Nashville, and if I can get the new, (hopefully) improved podcast uploaded, I will. I do hope your heart can handle the excitement.

Because I’m sure you’re all atwitter with anticipation.

And wait! I almost forgot!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SISTER!

Have a wonderful weekend, everybody.

Leigh at Speaking Thru Me sells adorable purses to help support her speaking ministry. We’ve planned to do a giveaway for the last couple of months (I mean, who doesn’t need a super cute bag for fall?), and oh have mercy, the day is finally here.

So, if you’d like to be eligible to win one of TWO Scripture purses that Leigh is giving away, all you have to do is 1) hop over to Leigh’s, 2) take a look around (she has even more cute purses that you can find through her sidebar), and then 3) come back here and tell me which purse is your favorite.

It’s oh-so-simple.

And, even better – you will look oh-so-sassy carrying your new bag.

I’ll leave comments open until next Tuesday.

Have fun, y’all!

Did anybody see Oprah today?

And did anybody wonder WHAT IN THE SAM HILL is going on with Oprah’s hair?

I mean, I love me some Oprah and all, but this whole letting-it-grow-out thing? I feel it’s a terrible hair miscalculation. Oprah is sassy, and as such her hair should be sassy.

But make no mistake: today’s hair was most definitely not sassy. It was the antithesis of sassy. It might even be the hair where sassy throws up its hands and resigns itself to matronly.

And in the interest of Full Hair Disclosure, I have to admit: Bill Clinton’s hair on today’s Oprah? ROCKIN’. He knew it, too. You could tell. In fact, I half expected him to pull a Fonzie by raking through his distinguished gray layers with a black plastic comb while Oprah was asking him questions.

Also: I’ll have to consult my pretend Oprah Hair Diary, but I believe that today was the first time I’ve ever seen Oprah’s hair upstaged by a man’s. This is not good.

Which reminds me.

I keep forgetting to tell y’all that the last time we went to Memphis, I saw a sign in someone’s yard that said “Carol’s Act of Faith Haircare.”

Think on that one for just a minute.

Now I can only hope that Carol’s sign is a physical testimony to the fact that it was an act of faith for her to open her own business. Because honestly, I just don’t know that I’d be entirely comfortable visiting Carol for my haircare needs if a literal act of faith is required on either of our parts in order for her to cut and style my hair.

The irony, of course, is that I type this I’m in a near-panic about what in the world to do about my hair before I leave for the Deeper Still conference in Nashville this weekend. Since the Hair Wizard is visiting South America for the whole month of September, I’m feeling a smidge desperate.

I will even confess to you – because you are my Hair Accountability Partners – that it’s taking every ounce of resolve I have not to run down to the CVS and pick up a home haircolor solution.

And really, I know in my head that the expression “home haircolor solution” is an oxymoron. But the flesh is weak, my friends.

Y’all may have to intercede for me. I’m so blinded by the need for MORE BLONDE right now that I can’t even pray for myself. I fear that I’m destined for a pit of hair despair.

I am but a weak, increasingly-gray-at-the-roots vessel.

Maybe I should hop in the car and head toward Memphis.

It would require an act of faith, but Carol might just be able to help.