His Story To Tell

Remembering Ash Wednesday

2012-02-21T19:44:00.008-06:00

Growing up Lutheran, I have many memories of attending Ash Wednesday services. Truthfully, I didn't much care for them growing up. I'm not really sure that I actually knew what I was celebrating, except that I had some remote knowledge that I was somehow getting ready for Easter. My least favorite part of the night was leaving with a chalky, black cross temporarily tattooed onto my forehead. {Okay, it wasn't tattooed; it was only rubbed. It just felt tattooed.} But I remember exiting the church service with the dusty sign on my skin and feeling more than self conscious for several minutes until we returned home to welcome soap and water.

I've been thinking more lately about what it means to have grown up in a liturgical church. Some parts I don't miss and others I really do. The other day I was having a conversation with another Christian about Ash Wednesday. She asked me what it meant. I answered, "I'm not sure that I really know after all those years of growing up Lutheran. All I really remember is my pastor putting the sign of the cross on my forehead and repeating, 'From dust you came, and to dust you shall return.' "

It was a beautiful memory {aside from the odd feeling of walking around with a cross on my head}. But I needed to remember more. I needed to remember why. When I came home that day, I gave myself a little refresher course on the liturgical church calendar and why exactly Christians all around the world celebrate Ash Wednesday.

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent. I {re}learned that just as Jesus spent 40 days in the desert preparing for ministry, the 40-day season of Lent mirrors this time as we celebrate with fasting and prayer {and a certain bit of temptation, too, as we also identify with Jesus and his sufferings.} The ashes placed on the forehead are in fact a sign of mourning and repentance to God. These are often the burnt palms from last year's Palm Sunday celebrations.

Lent, then, is the season where we focus on the life, ministry and death of Jesus, leading up to the glorious celebration of the Resurrection, which is the ultimate hope of every Christian believer. Certainly this is what all Christians should focus on each and every day, but this season provides the special opportunity to set apart several weeks to uniquely identify with Jesus by denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following Him. I love that you don't have to be Lutheran or Catholic or Anglican to celebrate Lent. All Christian believers are called to deny themselves and follow Jesus daily. The season of Lent just happens to get us back to that mission.

These next forty days before Easter, I'm considering what that might look like in my life. I'm getting new ideas on how to celebrate Lent by reading through the life of Christ. I love the idea of counting down the Sundays in Lent leading up to Easter with candles, much like we do during Advent before Christmas. Ann Voskamp also shares a practical idea this week of celebrating Ash Wednesday with your children. I think we may try it today.

How will you celebrate Ash Wednesday and Lent this year?

Learning to Live What I Believe

2012-01-28T07:43:00.012-06:00

Here's what I'm doing this weekend...
1. Dwelling on my theme of "rest" this year.
2. Considering how life in Jesus is, in Ed Welch's words, "restless rest, with the accent on rest."
3. Learning to shed the "try hard" life one day at a time.

Listen in to more of what Welch has to say. Better yet, read his whole post here. And join me in actively pursuing rest.

He writes,

"I must try harder."

While so many other functional beliefs immediately sound heterodox, this one sounds biblical. Who among us isn’t trying harder to love our neighbor, love God, eat better, go greener, and exercise more? And aren’t we supposed to work out our salvation and live like athletes who want to win a race?

Yet, “I must try harder,” as I have heard it used, is always doomed to fail, as it should. It can mean: “I have tried harder and it didn’t help, and maybe I should keep trying harder, but why bother?” It can mean: “I have tried harder, and it didn’t help, but I will keep trying harder because I don’t know what else to do.” Or it can mean: “Yeah, yeah, yeah, I messed up. I’ll try harder. Okay? (Now stop bothering me.)”

“I must try harder” comes from the set of beliefs in which Jesus, at most, is our [distant] coach, giving direction, encouragement, and a good tongue lashing from the side-lines while we try to compete, without much assistance, against someone clearly more skilled than ourselves. Victory is never really possible. We just hope to avoid an embarrassingly lopsided loss.

Life in Jesus, however, is restless rest, with the accent on rest. Faith, which is the primary human response to God, means that we trust him and not ourselves. More specifically, faith means, “Jesus, help!” And this is very different from a foundational belief, “I must try harder.”

I want to try harder too, but in the right way. We need to be activists in our rest. We actively ask God to show us the way, to do what he is calling us to do, in the Spirit’s power. But the belief I hear most often is the resigned, self-reliant version of “I must try harder.”

Now is always a good time to assign ourselves a new task, such as to rest in, abide in, believe in, trust in, know and enjoy the rescuer of our souls."

-Ed Welch, excerpt from post titled, "What Christians Believe: 'I Must Try Harder' "

And once again, I can say what I believe, but if I don't live what I believe, than it really doesn't matter at all that much now, does it?

A Poem

2012-01-25T06:24:00.002-06:00

Remembering, "It is finished,"
Every day, every hour, every moment,
Surrendering to His better story, quiet
Trust.

The Year of Rest

2012-01-24T17:14:00.010-06:00

She said it best who quietly commented, "I can't even begin to prepare for 2012...I'm still processing 2011."

And my head nods, and my heart knows, and I wonder, too, how I will ever prepare.

Here January bids goodbye, and I'm still pondering.

Deep down, I know, though. If I've learned anything this past year, I'm slowly accepting the truth that I can really only do one thing well. Or shall I say, attempt to do one thing well. I'm learning about the power of one. One task. One pursuit. One goal.

One word? Others have done it. I'm learning from them, too

She had a word. First she choose "Eucharisteo." {and she wrote a book}. Then she lived "Communion." The following year, "Yes." Next, "Here." This is her Year of Koinonia.

I'll sit and listen, too. What's my word?

Strangely enough, the New Year calmly commenced with a day of rest. Can we begin all new endeavors with a day of Sabbath rest? And isn't that really what we all really need? Or isn't that what I, at least, need most? To rest from trying, rest from laboring, rest from wondering and worrying and wishing and working? To rest in the here, the now, the good, the right, the moment, and the mystery? To remember that, "It is finished."

Rest. Yes, rest.

That's my word.

That's how I'll live 2012.

2012. The Year of Rest.

Returning to Eucharisteo

2012-01-23T21:23:00.008-06:00

I walk by it every Monday.

Rushing, readying, racing, racing, racing.

Remembering, oh, yes. I do need to rest and relax and recline with Him, too.

Return to living out eucharisteo.

How desperately I, too, hunger for the meal that reminds me that all is from God, all is good, and all is for His glory.

I need this giving of thanks.

Especially on Mondays.

#214. a homeschool community for my two kiddos
#215. my boy's smile of success
#216. a patient piano teacher
#217. a phone call from a friend
#218. a smile in my husband's voice
#219. reading books at bedtime
#220. the surprising blessing of a martial arts class
#221. dogs...maybe I do like them?!?
#222. learning Latin to catchy tunes
#223. Dairy Queen for supper
#224. watching God work
#225. learning to be the body of Christ
#226. listening to His voice
#227. new friends
#228. embracing life
#229. making it through a mad Monday

A Poem

2012-01-22T16:21:00.003-06:00

“Give me the Love that leads the way

The Faith that nothing can dismay

The Hope no disappointments tire

The Passion that’ll burn like fire

Let me not sink to be a clod

Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God”

— Amy Carmichael

When A Picture Is Worth More Than a Thousand Words

2012-01-10T15:57:00.017-06:00

When I'm old, I want to be like Grandma Moses.

She didn't give up. She didn't slow down. While lives around her were ending, hers was just beginning. She painted. And she didn't start until she was nearly 80 years old. 8-0 years old.

She remembered the seasons of life, lingering over the details. Yet, Grandma Moses loved simplicity. She loved farms, the holidays, people, and snow.

Maple Bush

She valued home, community and family.

Quilting Bee

She lived the truth that “It is never too late to become what you might have been.” (George Eliot)

There's a lot I don't know about Grandma Moses. But this I do know: being an image bearer of God, she reflected her Creator. And reflecting her Creator, she created. Beautiful masterpieces.

Grandma Moses is a picture of what it looks like to age well. She made this world a little more beautiful for 101 years. And her pictures are worth more than a thousand words and a thousand lessons for living life to the fullest. What a lady!

Beautiful World

The Truth of Joy

2012-01-08T15:00:00.001-06:00

Christmas is over, but I'm still singing the carols of the season. I've got one particular song stuck in my head and heart for good. Oh, I've sung it a million times before, but something about this Christmas made it different.

You see, God is good all the time, I just don't always notice it. And the pessimist in me fails to open my eyes to the amazing wonders of all that He has done. Sadly, I notice what's missing. What's gone. What's lacking. What's wrong. Living like this sooner or later catches up with you, and this fall, it got the best of me.

I found myself lost and in a bit of a spiritual crisis. "Where is my joy?" I wondered. I can read about it and sing about it, but I realized that I wasn't preaching the truth of joy to my heart and certainly wasn't living it.

Until one Advent Sunday this past Christmas. Singing the old familiar carol {how many times have I sung it, really?!}, I heard the words for the first time.

"No more let sin and sorrow grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground,
He comes to make his blessing flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found."

Suddenly, an image flashed through my mind of ice-covered Narnia thawing out as majestic Aslan arrives to usher in the life and hope of springtime. How had I missed this? This is the blessing conquering the curse. This is the picture of redemption and restoration. Where there once was curse, now there is blessing. Where there once was brokenness, there is now healing. And where there once was darkness, there is now light. Aslan is on the move, and he is reversing the curse everywhere. In focusing on the deadness of the winter of my life, I had almost missed the glorious renewal of springtime blessing and joy! The truth of joy is that when we finally notice His infinite blessings all around us, He sprouts new seeds of joy in our hearts.

It's a picture of my Savior swallowing up sorrow and sin, and yes, all those nasty, prickly thorns of the brokenness of life this side of eternity, and making all things new now.

And once again I am captured by the wonders of His love and can finally sing again this New Year, "Joy to the World, the Lord has come!"

Remind me of this truth of joy each day, Jesus!

The Best Reason to Be Thankful

2012-01-05T19:51:00.001-06:00

#213. He remains Faithful when I am faithless.

Happy New Year 2012

2012-01-01T17:29:00.014-06:00

"And he who was seated on the throne said,
'Behold, I am making all things new.'
Also he said, “Write this down,
for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Revelation 21:5

I love the beginning of a new school year and the beginning of a new calendar year. Something about setting the "reset" button that gives me new hope and gladness.

And since it's been a bit of a crazy fall, I especially appreciate the chance to start again this New Year. To push the "reset" button of my life and get some priorities back on track.

So what am I looking forward to in 2012?

This year I want to...
laugh more....
build better relationships....
trust deeply....
dream new dreams....
and rest evermore in my changeless God who gives good gifts to His children.

What about you? What are you looking forward to God making new in 2012?

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

2011-11-24T06:00:00.000-06:00

"The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften the heart which is habitually insensible to the everwatchful providence of almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and provoke their aggressions, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict; while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised, nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the most high God, who while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American people. I do, therefore, invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that, while offering up the ascriptions justly due to him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation, and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity, and union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United Stated States to be affixed."

PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S THANKSGIVING DAY PROCLAMATION
OCTOBER 3, 1863

Crazy About Cranberries

2011-11-20T19:41:00.001-06:00

So, this is the time of year that I go a little crazy...about cranberries, that is!

I'm not sure when it happened, but one Thanksgiving I woke up and decided to try something new to jazz up my turkey, and I fell in love with cranberries. Oh, not the open-up-a-can-and-slide-out-the-cranberry-jelly-goo-or-whatever-that-is, but the fresh-bag-o-berries-and-super-simple-follow-a-recipe kind of cranberry love.

First I discovered the best cranberry-orange sauce ever. Here's a little love coming your way.
5 10 15

Cranberry-Orange Sauce

Zest and juice of 1 orange
1/2 cup sugar, plus more if desired
Pinch salt
One 12-ounce bag fresh cranberries, rinsed
One cinnamon stick

In a medium saucepan, heat 1/2 cup water with the orange zest, orange juice, sugar and salt over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the cranberries and cinnamon stick and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the cranberries burst and the sauce has thickened slightly, about 7 minutes. Remove cinnamon stick. Sweeten with more sugar, if desired. Let the sauce cool to room temperature before serving.

Top over turkey, and you've just kicked Thanksgiving dinner up a notch!

Then I discovered cranberry cake. It's about 5000 calories of awesomeness.

And paired with a cup of steaming hot tea, it's simply divine. It's so easy and yummy and bad for you. But since it's the holidays, I say, "Go for it!"

Cranberry Cake
3 c. sugar
4 eggs
1 1/2 c. butter, melted
2 T. almond extract (YES!)
3 c. flour
4 c. fresh cranberries (no substitutes)
1/2 c. pecans

Melt butter and cream with sugar and almond extract. Beat in eggs. Mix in flour, cranberries, and nuts. Pour into a greased 10 x 13 baking pan. Bake 1 hour at 350. Cut into 20-24 squares. Don't forget to freeze several bags of cranberries to make this year-round.

And now I'm also looking forward to testing out a Christmas cranberry recipe that was just passed onto me. I'll get back to you on that one when I try it.

For now, I'm just thankful for a Cranberry Thanksgiving!

2011-11-02T08:19:00.005-05:00

"Christ is not only the way on which we must begin our journey, but He is also the right and the safe way we must walk to the end. We dare not be deflected from this. Here Christ wants to say: 'When you have apprehended Me in faith, you are on the right way, which is reliable. But only see that you remain and continue on it.' Christ wants to tear and turn our hearts from all trust in anything else and pin them to Himself alone." Martin Luther

Martin Luther said it better than few others...except maybe for Tim Keller who sounds quite a bit like Luther as he explains the gospel way:

"The gospel is not just a way to be saved from the penalty of sin, but is the fundamental dynamic for living the whole Christian life--individually and corporately, privately and publicly. In other words, the gospel is not just for non-Christians, but also for Christians. This means the gospel is not just the A-B-C's but the A to Z of the Christian life. It is not accurate to think 'the gospel' is what saves non-Christians, and then, what matures Christians is trying hard to live according to Biblical principles. It is more accurate to say that we are saved by believing the gospel, and then we are transformed in every part of our mind, heart, and life by believing the gospel more and more deeply as our life goes on." Tim Keller

Giveaway:: The Barber Who Wanted To Pray

2011-11-01T08:42:00.004-05:00

Happy Day-After-Reformation Day!

In celebration, I am offering a great deal! I have an extra copy of The Barber Who Wanted To Pray by R. C. Sproul. I just wrote a review on it--check it out. This is a sweet book that offers a gentle introduction to a great reformer in history--Martin Luther. I love his lesson on prayer, not to mention the great illustrations. {Do you think Luther loved cats as much as the illustrator does?}

So....the blog has been a little quiet lately. I'd love to hear from you and make this more of a two-way conversation. Share an idea of how you are teaching your children about prayer, and that will count as one entry. "Like" this on Facebook and that will count as another entry. {Be sure to come back and let me know you did.} Finally, subscribe to this blog and that counts as a third entry. I promise you I won't overwhelm you with blog posts. {Ahem...} I'll pick a winner on Sunday using random.org and let you know who has won this great book!

And in celebration of All Saints Day, read this great prayer by Scotty Smith for a new perspective on the holiday. Loved it!

The Barber Who Wanted To Pray

2011-10-26T11:00:00.000-05:00

This is the perfect time of the year to introduce our little ones to great reformers in history. Recently, I discovered a sweet story based on the life of Martin Luther. The Barber Who Wanted To Pray by R.C. Sproul is a delightful fictional story that is based on the true story about an ordinary barber and one extraordinary man in history.

One night a young girl asks her father how to pray, and he tells her a story of a time when the great reformer, Martin Luther, gets his hair cut and strikes up an interesting conversation with his barber. The barber also asks advice how to pray, and Martin Luther shares a simple model for prayer that changes the barber's life.

I love how people of all ages--especially children--can relate to Martin Luther doing something as ordinary as getting his hair cut. Sproul's book is also a helpful tool to teach our children the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, and the Lord's Prayer. More importantly, it's a wonderful lesson on heartfelt prayer. When we don't know what or how to pray, Luther's lesson of using a model to personalize our prayers can help us grow in our relationship with God.

The illustrations are delightful; people of all ages will be captured by this sweet story and the simple lesson of this great man in history.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this awesome book from Crossway for my honest review, and I honestly love it! Add it to your book list--it's a keeper!

2011-10-24T06:13:00.005-05:00

In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song.

"So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ--that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.

Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life--even though invisible to spectators--is with Christ in God. He is your life."
{Colossians 3:1-3, The Message}

204. Counting gifts with my boy...."But Mom, I'm already thankful..." {sigh}
205. Reconciliation with my preteen....oh, Lord, help me!
206. Finding a deal on Craigslist
207. Pumpkin latte, pumpkin bread, and pumpkin cheesecake
208. Carving pumpkins-a glorious picture of a new identity in Christ
209. Air soft wars with boys
210. A walk with the hubby
211. Soft, humble hearts
212. Fall in St. Louis

Kiddy Catechism

2011-10-11T07:00:00.001-05:00

Years ago my oldest learned the children's catechism. If you're not familiar with the children's catechism, it's a series of questions and answers about the truths of God. Kind of like theology for kids! Now, for those who did not grow up in a traditional church setting or who get a little freaked out by the word "catechism," it really is just a simple way to learn about who God is, who Jesus is, who we are in relation to him, and the basics of the Christian faith. It's not weird, I promise.

Now, just like we were on top of so many other things in raising our first-born, we've been sort of flying by the seat of our pants ever since, and as all experienced parents know, it all kind of goes downhill from there. I mean, you just don't do things the same way with your younger children. You know what I mean.

I've realized for a few years that my middle child learned about half of the kiddy catechism and that my youngest has mastered only about three or four questions. Maybe.

So, this fall we're dusting off our little question and answer booklets, we're adding in the catechism to our handwriting assignments, and we're singing it, as well.

SINGING?

I've been convinced for a long time that the more information you put to a tune the more you can remember. At least that's how my brain work.

So when I found the Ask Me WhoOo series by Diana Beach Batarseh, I was thrilled! These are sweet, catchy tunes for each of the questions and answers in the children's catechism...PLUS wonderful scripture verses to go along with each one. It's all lovely--especially the sweet owl graphics to boot!

This is a three-volume series. We have the first in the series, and we'll see how much we like singing it before we buy the other volumes.

There's a lot to like about her music, but besides the corresponding Bible verses after each set of question and answers, I also love to hear the children's voices sing along with Diana as well as read the scripture. Super sweet.

So...What are you waiting for? Or rather, WhoOo are you waiting for? Check it out now!

Check out these spy kids...

2011-10-10T09:34:00.008-05:00

How have I forgotten thankfulness? Forgotten that all around me whispers beauty and hope. Yes, even grace.

And then there are days that God screams JOY to me...and I am learning to trust that all is well and all will be well.

I woke up to a Monday morning of temptations...mostly to be overwhelmed and failing to trust that God will take care of my cares. Oh me of little faith.

So we started off with recess this morning...and look what my sweet things turned into?!? Spies!I seriously had to laugh out loud...and that was good medicine for my melancholy Monday morning. Not sure if they are getting ready for Halloween or what?!? {I personally like how my girly girl accessorized her spy outfit with a purple belt and purse.}

So today, I'm mostly thankful for children who remind me the importance of being playful and having a child-like faith. A lesson I need each day.

Jesus, Make it well with my soul today. And teach me thankfulness again and again.

191. a new neighbor and friend
192. glorious fall colors shouting endless words of thankfulness
193. Trader Joe's Pear Cinnamon cider
194. hearing my son laugh and enjoy his youth group
195. worshiping all together as a family
196. fall break--even if it's only a day!
197. trying on high heels with my girly girl
198. shopping with my girl and hearing her talk me into buying something for me!
199. an Indian summer
200. my helpful husband
201. a great dentist and a fixed tooth
202. watching my boys play flag football together
203. learning to laugh

In a Nutshell...

2011-10-04T12:39:00.011-05:00

"The Bible is God's story of what he is doing in his world. It is the story of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. We learn from this story that God created us to have fellowship with him, to serve him, and to glorify him. We learn that Adam, our predecessor, failed in carrying out his role, plunging himself and us into a new world order of sin and death. We learn that God, even in his giving of the curse for Adam's disobedience, offers the hope of redemption through the seed. That seed, as the story unfolds, turns out to be his Son, Jesus Christ, the God-man.

Through Christ's work on the cross, he undoes what Adam did. Through his perfect obedience he makes a way for us who were cut off from God, alienated from him, to be brought near, to be reconciled. We also learn that Christ's work set in motion not only the redemption of sinful humanity, but also the restoration of all things, that someday the new heavens and the new earth will come to pass and the curse and night will be no longer.

This comprises God's grand story that pulses through the pages of God's Word to us, the Bible. It is also the story that God invite us to participate in. He created us in his image and gave us a mandate to subdue and have dominion over his creation. He has called us to work, to cultivate, his world. He also calls us into fellowship with him by taking us from being "in Adam" and placing us "in Christ."

And we are called to a life of transformation into the image of the Son. We bear Christ's image as we proclaim, both through our words and our actions, the gospel, the story of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration.

This is the greatest story of all time."

excerpt from Welcome to the Story, by Stephen J. Nichols

Today is brought to you by the letter "P"...

2011-09-29T13:59:00.006-05:00

...and a really cool guy with a great name and a great story.

Tullian Tchividjian, pastor and a regular contributor at the Gospel Coalition, writes about preaching the gospel to yourself daily. He's got a lot to say about relying on Christ's performance rather than our performance. Good stuff, I say! Check it out...

"We no longer need to rely, therefore, on the position, the prosperity, the promotions, the preeminence, the power, the praise, the passing pleasures, or the popularity that we’ve so desperately pursued for so long.

Day by day, what we must do practically can be experienced only as we come to a deeper understanding of what we are positionally—a deeper understanding of what’s already ours in Christ.

I used to think that growing as a Christian meant I had to somehow go out and obtain the qualities and attitudes I was lacking. To really mature, I needed to find a way to get more joy, more patience, more faithfulness, and so on.

Then I came to the shattering realization that this isn’t what the Bible teaches, and it isn’t the gospel. What the Bible teaches is that we mature as we come to a greater realization of what we already have in Christ. The gospel, in fact, transforms us precisely because it’s not itself a message about our internal transformation, but Christ’s external substitution. We desperately need an Advocate, Mediator, and Friend. But what we need most is a Substitute. Someone who has done for us and secured for us what we could never do and secure for ourselves.

The hard work of Christian growth, therefore, is to think less of me and my performance and more of Jesus and his performance for me."

Remembering Sara

2011-09-27T19:59:00.005-05:00

Today I'm remembering a girl I've never met but wish more than ever that I could have known. Her story of living with a chronic illness, one that had eventually trapped her in own home, has captured me. Yet she would not dwell on her limitations or may have even used the word "trapped", for she chose to accept the life that God had given her and saw her own suffering as a gateway to joy. Today I'm remembering a girl named Sara. I've never met her, but I can't wait to meet her one day in heaven.

I'm not sure why her story captures me, except that it convicts me and encourages me to run the race God set before me. You see, Sara had a disease that made breathing air toxic to her body. And yet she lived. She really lived. The first time I read her blog I had to stop and take a breath myself and let that reality sink in. My thoughts raced from "Why, God?" to "How can she not be bitter?" to "How does she really find joy each day?" As I read on and on I started realizing how abundant her joy and life was because she took what God gave, gave thanks, and then broke it for others. She choose joy. I also started realizing that Sara, in her physical limitations, probably knew more about joy than I ever have.

Just a few days ago Sara took her last toxic breath of air on earth and her first breath of pure air in heaven. And as I read on and on about her last days on earth from the people whose lives she so sweetly touched, I discovered a surprising truth. She was a simple Iowa girl like me. She was living her seemingly limited but ever-so-abundant life in the backyard of my hometown. We surely walked the same streets once upon a time. We probably ate at the same restaurants back in the days when she could. And we graduated from college in the same year. She was my age, yet she was ever so wiser in wisdom than our years. She had lived the abundant life that I long to live, and if only I could have met her face to face. I would ask her to teach me joy and teach me surrender. I would ask her to teach me to receive and teach me to give. And of course, I would also ask her to teach me to write like she does with transparency and authenticity and grace. She would be a great teacher, I'm sure.

I feel like I have met her, in a sense, through her writings. She has inspired me to choose joy each day and graciously receive what God gives me. I could say more, but her words are better.

In Sara's words...

"I think, for me, it has been about learning to want what He wants for me more than what I want for myself. It's a tall order and I don't say that flippantly. But my joy has truly come from Him finding His joy in me rather than me finding my joy in what I desire. It doesn't mean I don't long for different, it just means I find peace in fulfilling rather than understanding. In the knowledge that this life isn’t about me, it’s about Him."

Thanks be to God for the abundant life of Sara Frankl, who teaches us all that this life is really about choosing and finding joy in Jesus.

Community 101

2011-09-25T06:30:00.002-05:00

I've been thinking a lot about community lately. A lot. So much that it makes my brain hurt and then I get a headache and then I need chocolate. Or something like that.

A while back a sweet friend let me borrow a book on the topic of community. It was Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian Community. Sounded like something I could think more about. And since I hadn't finished his biography before the library requested it back, I thought reading a bit of the actual writings of the great Dietrich Bonhoeffer would be the next best thing. And while I have yet to read through and digest it all (it takes a lot of thinking and chocolate to finish), I am blown away by this man of God who left such a mark on history.

Here's a little nugget of what he has to say about Bible reading and personal application:

"Consecutive reading of Biblical books forces everyone who wants to hear to put himself, or to allow himself to be found, where God has acted once and for all for the salvation of men. We become a part of what once took place for our salvation. Forgetting and losing ourselves, we, too, pass through the Red Sea, through the desert, across the Jordan into the promised land. With Israel we fall into doubt and unbelief and through punishment and repentance experience again God's help and faithfulness. All this is not mere reverie but holy, godly reality. We are torn out of our own existence and set down in the midst of the holy history of God on earth. There God dealt with us, and there He still deals with us, our needs and our sins, in judgment and grace. It is not that God is the spectator and sharer of our present life, howsoever important that is; but rather that we are the reverent listeners and participants in God's action in the sacred story, the history of the Christ on earth. And only in so far as we are there, is God with us today also."
Life Together, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I love how he makes the connection between how the Word of God becomes our story and how we are connected to the people we read about in scripture from long ago. Great thoughts!

And for a little different food for thought, our friend and pastor shared recently this YouTube video on community. Check it out.

Hmmm...So, what are your thoughts on community?

Welcome to the Story

2011-09-24T14:15:00.009-05:00

Welcome to the Story by Stephen J. Nichols is the perfect title for this introduction to reading the Bible. Nichols offers an invitation to all to learn how to read, love, and live God's Word in a deeper, more meaningful way. Yet he makes it so simple and refreshingly understandable for someone who is reading the Bible for the first time or for someone like me who has read bits and pieces here and there over many years but is finally beginning to understand how it all fits together.

Nichols puts the pieces of the puzzle together by explaining the biblical framework of Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. He weaves personal narratives and makes interesting references to history and contemporary culture so that each chapter even reads like a story. He helps the reader to understand how the individual stories in the Bible with unique characters and plots work together to tell one Grand Story of what God has been doing from the beginning of time until the end of time. Better yet, he points to how God is not only the author but the main character throughout the Bible and how to understand where we fit into this true Story.

My favorite parts were near the end of the book. He suggests how we can see ourselves in the diverse characters throughout scripture. He highlights how God is the main character and His glory is paramount. Throughout the book he also promotes the value of reading the Bible in community. He offers helpful questions to ask yourself while you are reading any passage of scripture. Finally, he focuses on loving and living the truth of God in such a winsome way that you leave really wanting to start digging into scripture out of a genuine love for God and not out of guilt or duty.

This book is perfect for new believers. It is perfect for teenagers and young adults. And it is a perfect refresher course for any Christian who wants to learn how to simply articulate a Christian worldview and gain a better understanding of the big picture of scripture.

Disclaimer: Crossway provided me a free copy of this delightful book in return for my honest opinion. I love this book because it helps me love God's word more. Plus, it fits with my blog theme!

Winds of Change

2011-09-06T07:24:00.000-05:00

Change is in the air.

This fall marks a milestone for our family and a big change for us all. We sent our oldest off to sixth grade away from home. He's in a great school with a great teacher and great classmates, and I am truly thankful. I'm thankful for the years we've had at home together, and now I'm grateful that I can pass the baton onto others to carry out the vision of Christian education I long for our children to have. But it's not without a few tears and sadness. (All mine, not his, that is.) I'm also thankful for the opportunity to spend more focused time homeschooling our two still at home. A friend of mine uses the term "hybrid homeschooler," and it fits well for our new life of blending private school and homeschooling for our family.

These winds of change have caused me to reflect a bit. I've been reflecting on the pros and cons of homeschooling. (You may hear more about that sometime.) I've also been convicted about my lack of trust. I'd like to trust God with my children more than I have in the past. That sounds pretty lame to say that, but when I realize all the ways that I have forged my own path for my children and then just kind of asked God to bless it along the way, I am humbled by how much God even puts up with my arrogance, independence, and false assumptions. Not to mention my lack of faith in how much bigger God is than I am.

One huge way that I can trust God is through prayer. Prayer is a reminder that I am weak and He is strong. That apart from God, I can do nothing. That it is God who softens and changes hearts--not my parenting, or however wise or foolish a parent I might be from day to day.

I've found a great guide to help me grow in this area of praying for my children. It's inspired me to pray more purposefully this fall. There's 31 biblical virtues to pray for our children. Would you consider joining me in 31 days of prayer for our dears ones? Let our prayers be full of faith and hope in all that God will do in the lives of our children.

Day 1: Pray for salvation -- “Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.” (Isa. 45:8; 2 Tim. 2:10)

Unplug and Connect

2011-09-05T08:14:00.005-05:00

My "short summer blogging sabbatical" turned into a "frantic fall get-back-to-school blogging sabbatical" has now turned into some possibly wondering, "Does she still blog?" Or maybe nobody is wondering at all. But the beauty of blogging is that you can blog for one or you can blog for one thousand, and you can take your own vacations and set your own deadlines. (I also needed a little bloggy pep talk recently to remember my original purpose and motivation to write in the first place. Thanks, Christan, dear friend, for getting me back on track.) So for my one reader who is left, here we go!

One of the many lessons I learned this summer is the value of unplugging and getting recharged. Time away from the routine. Time away from technology. Time away from schedules and demands and to-do lists and the stresses of the day to day. I love getting away to gain perspective and to help me once again see the big picture in life. And I love coming home again, too.

True recreation is time to re-create. Time to remember who we are, why we're here, and where we're going. {We don't do this so well in our American culture. We either work ourselves crazy, or we play at our work and work at our play.} But in this age of technology, it seems more important than ever to learn how to press the "off" button and set aside our electronic devices to enjoy the beauty of creation or possibly even the person sitting right next to us.

So this summer sabbatical I examined what drives me and the pitfalls of pursuing my identity in anything outside of Christ. Doug and I started asking ourselves once again where we are and where we are going and praying some big prayers to ask God to lead and guide. And this fall I'm asking God to teach me more about finding balance in life and in all things good. Balance--among other things--when to plug and when to unplug and truly connect.

Bring Me Joy

2011-08-16T08:02:00.006-05:00

I'm a little dry for original content during these final days of soaking up every last juicy drop of summer and gearing up for a wild and crazy fall. I'll pick up my pen again sometime soon, but until then, this prayer by Scotty Smith hit the spot today. I hope it encourages you, too.

A Prayer About Our Anxieties and God's Joy

Unless the LORD had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:17-19

Heavenly Father, as much as I’d love for you to lift me right out of a couple of anxiety producing scenarios, you seem to have another plan in mind. So if you’ll get more glory by keeping me right where I am, so be it. But please, do for me what you did for the Psalmist. Come stabilize my slipping feet with your unfailing love. Make my eternal standing in grace a present reality, or I might lace up my running shoes and head out for my version of Tarshish (Jonah 1).

Console me in my great anxiety with your joy-producing presence. Unlike the Psalmist, I’m not facing “the silence of death,” by the hands of my enemies. My situation feels more like the collision of limitless needs to be met in a limited time frame with limited resources—especially emotional resources. When I get emotionally drained, Father, I tend to make bad choices… but you already know that…

I try to micromanage the unmanageable, and that never works out very well for me, never. I start acting like the 4^th member of the Trinity. In the absence of soul delight I ramp up my duty quota. I listen less, talk faster and try harder. My body may be in the house but my soul is somewhere hiking in the Swiss Alps. People would rather be around the mumps than me, when I’m emotionally empty.

That’s why I need your joy, Father, for your joy is my strength. My lack of joy is my bane and drain. “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11). I need to hear your consoling laugher. I need your invigorating liberating felicity on my piece of the earth as it is in your glorious heaven. I don’t need you to tell me “Everything’s going to be alright.” I theologically know and honestly believe that. I am really convinced, “stoked” and thrilled about our coming life in the new heaven and new earth. It’s the next “fifteen minutes” that have me worked up.

To know you are with me, in joy and for me, with joy, will be enough. And be with my friends who join me in this prayer today—those who have different stories but offer the same cry. Together we look to Jesus, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross that we might be endeared to you forever. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ great and gracious name.

Give Them Grace

2011-08-05T11:00:00.005-05:00

Wow.

I'm discovering what I think could be my new all-time favorite parenting book.

(I'm seriously thinking about throwing all the others away.)

And I'm so wishing that I would have read this 11 years ago.

You'll hear more about it as I digest it all.

For now, here's something to chew on...

"Everything that isn't gospel is law. Let us say it again: everything that isn't gospel is law. Every way we try to make our kids good that isn't rooted in the good news of the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ is damnable, crushing, despair-breeding, Pharisee-producing law. We won't get the results we want from the law. We'll get either shallow self-righteousness or blazing rebellion or both (frequently from the same kid in the same day!). We'll get moralistic kids who are cold and hypocritical and who look down on others (and could easily become Mormons), or you'll get teens who are rebellious and self-indulgent and who can't wait to get out of the house. We have to remember that in the life of our unregenerate children, the law is given for one reason only: to crush their self confidence and drive them to Christ." (pg. 36, Give them Grace, by Fitzpatrick and Thompson)

The title especially drew me in. Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus.

Love that word--dAZzLiNg!

More to come...

Power for Peace

2011-08-02T08:19:00.007-05:00

I've been practicing peace this summer. It's been refreshing and healing, but hard. You see, my natural default is worry, anxiety, and fear. I'm not proud of that, but I'm learning that this is one area where God is transforming me and making me new. And that's a good thing. (Shedding pride is a good thing, too, by the way.)

Most of all, I am learning that when I invite the real presence of God into each area of my life, I am inviting the very Prince of Peace, and I am grafted into Him. While this battle happens in my heart, it starts in my mind. Remembering truth. Resting in God's promises. Relying on what Jesus accomplished for me. Only then can I produce the fruit of the Spirit that I so long to grow. Only then do I experience peace.

Romans 8 explains it so clearly:
"For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God."

When I work from my flesh, I cannot please God. Me, the people-pleaser, wanting to please everyone else but the God in whose image people are even created. How easy it is for me to forget that without faith it is impossible to please God. Yet, how do I even stop living from the flesh and instead live by faith? Thankfully Romans goes onto say...

"You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness..."

and then one of the most incredible power-packed verses of truth--

"...If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you."

Here I find the ultimate promise of new life, new peace, new hope. The resurrection of Christ. The power that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in me through the Spirit. Unbelievable! Here is power for life and peace. For me. For today.

I'm a Granola Girl

2011-07-28T08:40:00.008-05:00

All this talk about eating local, going green, and gardening organically makes me feel all granola-y all over. And that reminds me of a super great homemade granola recipe handed down from a few friends. You'll never want store-bought again. Here it is!

:: Homemade Granola ::

Heat oven to 375 degrees.
Line a large baking sheet with tin foil.

Combine in large bowl:
7 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
Stir until oats are evenly coated.
Spread into an even layer on the baking sheet.
Bake, stirring every 10 minutes, until pale gold, about 30 minutes.
Remove the oats and lower the oven temperature to 300.

While baking, combine in a small saucepan over medium heat:
3/4 cup honey
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
Cook until sugar fully dissolves, about 5 minutes.
Stir into sugar mixture:
1 Tablespoon vanilla
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Set aside and let cool.

When oats are ready, combine sugar mixture with oats in original large bowl.
Add 1 1/2 cups whole almonds.

Transfer back to baking sheet. Spread evenly and bake for 45 minutes at 300 degrees until golden brown. Let cool completely, break into small chunks, and store in an dry, airtight container.

I also like to add dried cherries to my granola when I'm ready to eat it. Yum, yum, I say!

Slugs & Bugs & Lullabies

2011-07-20T22:04:00.009-05:00

Hey St. Louis Crew--Slugs & Bugs & Lullabies is coming to West County this August!! Care to join me and my peeps?

Here's the nitty-gritty:

Date: Saturday, August 20, 2011
Time: 4:00pm-5:00pm
Location: West County YMCA, 16464 Burkhardt Place, Chesterfield, MO 63017
Cost: $5 per person or $20 per family
Tickets can be purchased online.
Hosted by Central Presbyterian Church & West County Fellowship

This looks super fun!

Book Review: The Missional Mom

2011-07-20T06:00:00.007-05:00

I'm a mom. So now what is my main purpose in life? Is it just to serve my family, or does God call us as a family to serve our world? Or more importantly, how do I do that while juggling the responsibilities of being a mom and wife? Helen Lee unpacks the answers to these and other foundational questions in her book titled The Missional Mom. If you're a mom, you need to read this book.

Lee's book is theologically sound and refreshingly practical. She exposes the dangers of child-centered parenting and the pitfalls of raising a family in American culture while highlighting the impact that one mom who raises her family for kingdom purposes can make. She explores what it means to be evangelistic and a third culture parent. Most significantly, she guides women in an important conversation about what it means to live out our callings as mothers with purpose, fulfillment, and joy. Sprinkled throughout her book are inspiring stories of how God has led countless other women to change our world as culture shapers and kingdom people.

Lee writes with conviction, humility, and authenticity. In The Missional Mom, you will be encouraged to see your life holistically with your home as a "missional outpost" to engage in the world and serve where God has planted you. This book is practical and provides not only a great starting place but also a great resource to return to again and again as God shapes our lives and brings new opportunities to live out the Great Commission. Lee writes, "Despite our flaws, despite our weaknesses--or perhaps more accurately, because of our flaws and because of our weaknesses--we are called to bear witness to what Christ has done for us...Every one of us is, in fact, a missionary sent by God, loved and empowered by Him to do His will." (page 23)

The Missional Mom greatly encouraged me. While I want my life to be about more than the five people in our home, with so many responsibilities to juggle I struggle with even having the energy to engage in the needs of the greater world around me. Yet I don't want to go the other extreme and serve the world instead of my family but serve rather alongside my family. Lee's practical suggestions of praying for the Holy Spirit to lead, partnering with other like-minded moms, and even just becoming more aware of the issues and events in the world are simple ways for our family to start to grow in this area. I can tell others that their one life makes a difference, but most importantly I must believe it in my own heart for the five people in our home and start living it out right here and now.

Disclosure: I was given a free review copy of The Missional Mom from Moody Publishers for my honest review. It's now on my list of "Must-Read Books for Moms." I'd love to continue the conversation and see where God leads...care to join me?

In honor of the lastest Harry Potter movie...

2011-07-19T06:00:00.003-05:00

Have you ever seen a church guarded by an owl perched on the top of the doorway? We discovered this curious creature in downtown Memphis this summer during one of our many excursions...

My boys wondered if we had happened to stumble upon "The Holy Church of the Hogwarts."

Hmmm???

Seeing His Beauty

2011-07-18T08:58:00.009-05:00

When life gives you weeds......make a bouquet.
Returning home (for a few days) from our summer of travel. What a summer! It's been a good break from the daily routine and an even better sabbatical from the computer. My blogging vacation is ending, too, but I'm returning with fresh perspective and renewed vision. A rested mind. Strengthened faith. New dreams.

My mind has also been swirling with the theme of story. Is my life telling a good story? (I've been reading Donald Miller's books recently.) How should I respond when my storyline fizzles? Do I trust God to tell a better story than the one that I would have written? Do I see disappointments as God's appointments to surrender, trust, and obey? Do I choose to see the beauty instead of the weeds? Or rather, the beauty in the weeds?

Seeing His beauty and counting again today...

178. Safe travels
179. Precious time with family
180. Shedding fear
181. Purple mountains majesty
182. Rock climbing with cousins
183. Learning to laugh
184. Grace, grace, and more grace
185. Connecting and reconnecting
186. A little girl who loves to walk dogs
187. Learning love
188. Unexpected gifts
189. Getting a second wind
190. Beautiful weeds

Book Review: God's Love Letters to You by Dr. Larry Crabb

2011-07-07T14:41:00.005-05:00

Do you ever see the Bible as one 66-piece jumbled puzzle and wish you knew how each book fit together to tell one story? Psychologist, teacher, and best-selling author Larry Crabb did, and his 40-day devotional titled God’s Love Letters to You helps you to put the pieces of God’s Great Story together on your own. Each day introduces a new book of the Bible, its theme, a key verse, Crabb’s thoughts about what God is saying as he is communicating to us in the book, a few reflection questions, and a short prayer. I was intrigued to discover God’s Love Letters to You because I also want to better understand the big ideas of each book of the Bible, how they fit together, and be able to communicate the bigger story God has been weaving together since the beginning of time. While this simple devotional book has a few strengths, I believe it has more weaknesses, however.

Strengths of God’s Love Letters to You:

1- It’s a greatly condensed version of his previous book, 66 Love Letters, and it helps you to do an even speedier “fly over” the Bible to get the big picture. If you want something fast and simple, this may appeal to you.

2- Reflection questions help you to personalize scripture and see where your little story fits into God’s bigger story. Crabb is big on personalizing scripture and hearing how God is speaking to you through His word. I don’t disagree with that.

3- This devotional motivates you to spend 40 days thinking about the bigger story God is telling and applying it to your life.

Weaknesses of God’s Love Letters to You:

1- It does not cover all 66 books of the Bible, which was the goal of 66 Love Letters.

2- This truly is a companion to 66 Love Letters (or at least it should be) and should not stand on its own. If it were supposed to be used independently, it would have been helpful to include more from the prologue from 66 Love Letters to understand the context and the goal of the study. It is far too simplified and exploratory in nature. While Crabb writes from the perspective of being more of a seeker than a scholar, this devotional guide would be much more helpful and meaningful if it included several corresponding scriptures to read and reflect, as well as historical information for each letter.

3- God’s Love Letters to You takes a different approach of surveying the scriptures quickly in 40 days. While this may appeal to some, God’s Love Letters to You, if not used with 66 Love Letters (and a Bible), is a weak substitute.

4- Crabb’s approach in both God’s Love Letters to You and 66 Love Letters is not my favorite. While it is meaningful to hear how Crabb summarizes each book of the Bible, he does this by writing as if God is talking directly to you in the first person. This is helpful in one sense to hear how he personally applies the message to his life, but I found this continual conversational style annoying. It was also weakened by the lack of scholarly scriptural, historical, and cultural references that would further point readers to the ultimate goal of seeing how God’s story transcends time, is tied together, and while applies personally, also applies corporately to all of God’s people as a whole.

5-The big ideas in God’s Love Letters to You do not correspond to those presented in 66 Love Letters. This is confusing.

6-I wish Crabb would have offered a “So What?” section at the end of his devotional to help guide seekers who are desiring to understand more of how the Bible fits together and how to apply it to life. This would be helpful for people who want to know reliable resources for Bible study and where to go next in their application of God’s Word.

Here’s my recommendation: Read God’s Love Letters to You for a brief overview of the Bible and then let it springboard you into spending more time in God’s book. Dwell there. Dig in deeper and spend more time in the actual Word of God rather than just merely stopping short with Crabb’s insights. God’s own words are the real and best thing that will ultimately bring us all life and hope.

Disclaimer: These are my honest opinions and I don’t get paid to give them, but I did get a free copy of God’s Love Letters to You to review as a part of the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze program. Thanks, Thomas Nelson, and I do look forward to reading and reviewing more of your publications in the future.

God's Handprint

2011-06-27T06:00:00.005-05:00

Lord, rescue us from exchanging the truth about You for a lie and worshiping and serving your creation rather than You, Creator God, who is blessed forever! May we forever love You, the Good Giver, abundantly more than your good gifts. But make us awe and wonder at the beauty of Your handprint in our lives and in our hearts, and may it lead us to You. Here is true blessing...

161. "sandy feet & sea-wet hair"
162. kids listening to Adventures in Odyssey...and not asking for a video!
163. time to read during a long car ride
164. a husband who drives long distances for his family
165. desiring a praying life
166. embracing helplessness
167. bike rides on shady paths
168. four enchanting days in "The Burrow"
169. striped beach towels
170. meeting old and new friends at the beach
171. catching ghost crabs at night
172. beautiful beach pavillions
173. protected sea turtle nests
174. writing messages in the sand
175. returning home
176. a weekend alone with my girl
177. 14 years of marriage

All I Really Need To Know I Learned at Bible Camp

2011-06-25T19:40:00.005-05:00

A tribute to OLBC and summer Bible camps everywhere....

All I really need to know I learned at Bible Camp:

1. Warm fuzzies are free...and priceless.
2. See the need...meet the need.
3. This is the Great Adventure!
4. We are the body of Christ...each one of you is a part.
5. God calls us to make a "Big Dif" for His kingdom.
6. The Lord liveth and blessed be the rock...
7. Yes, I believe, I agree it is so, Amen, Amen, let the world hear my cry...
8. He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it...
9. With Christ in my vessel, I can smile at the storm...
10. KP (Kitchen Patrol) makes you a better person.
11. QT (Quiet Time) after lunch should be mandatory. Always.
12. The Table Prayer CAN be sung to the tune of the Addams Family.
13. People need the Lord...
14. People are precious and important.
15. Take me Jesus as I am, I can come no other way...
16. Lord, You are more precious than silver...
17. Faith-Fact-Feeling train
18. It's worth it all.
19. Peace, I leave with you, my peace I give to you...John 14:27--PEACE!
20. Sending your child to Bible camp is an investment in their lives...forever.

Did you learn life-impacting lessons at Bible Camp? Do share...

World Help in Honduras

2011-06-24T06:00:00.004-05:00

Years ago Doug and I were introduced to the ministry of World Help . World Help was founded in 1991 and is a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian organization that seeks to live out the Great Commission all around the world. They started their great work in Eastern Europe, and today their ministry has spread to over 60 countries. The four pillars of their work are child advocacy, humanitarian aid, Bible distribution, and church planting. This ministry has been changing lives and making a difference all around the world.

For several years now, our family has sponsored a dear young boy from India through World Help. Our monthly donations help to provide him food, clean water, and clothing. His medical and educational needs are met, as well. We receive a letter from him yearly and have watched him grow up across the miles and over the years. Now this young man has a solid foundation to build on through the ministry of World Help.

Currently, World Help is also contributing to the extreme poverty needs of children in Honduras through a program called the Jesus, Friend of Children Center, (Jesus, Amigo de los Niños).

World Help is seeking more sponsors for the precious children living in Honduras with extreme physical poverty. Are you willing to consider how you might give up a few lattes or other conveniences each month? Are you willing to be the hands and feet of Jesus to dear children who need a cup of cool, clean water, vitamins, medication, and most importantly need to hear that Jesus see them, knows them, and loves them dearly?

Many years ago as a young college student I was able to spend two weeks in the beautiful country of Honduras doing evangelistic programs and a work project with others from my college. While we were there to make a impact for the Gospel, the greater impact took place in our own lives as we grew to know and love the dear families and children we met. Their smiling faces and warm hugs made an impression on my heart that has lasted until this day. It was there that God grew my desire to care for children of the world and make a difference in the lives of children. The Honduran people are truly precious, and many children there need our help.

Do you want to spend your life for others and for eternity? Do you want your life to be about the work of God caring for people in need all around the world? Do you know that your life can truly make a difference? One way you could do this is through partnering with World Help to sponsor a precious child from Honduras.

A Holiday at the Sea

2011-06-23T19:00:00.003-05:00

"Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." C. S. Lewis

Guessing Game

2011-06-17T09:48:00.006-05:00

Can you guess where we're going today??

I'll give you a hint....it's warm and sandy and salty and wet and a little bit of heaven!

AND--can you guess who won the Seeds of Courage CD? I'll tell you: Kristin! Yippee! You're gonna love it!

Encouragement, Part 2

2011-06-16T21:36:00.000-05:00

While God certainly uses people and circumstances in my life to whisper words of refreshment and encouragement, I also know that nothing compares to the sweetness of His words. Words that are sweeter to me each day. Not because I can check off my "Good Christian Girl" to-do list, but because God is making it clearer to me each day how hungry I am for the sweet honey of His Word.

Honey that is sweeter than...manicured toes...compliments...breakfast in bed...admiration...a new pair of shoes...an unexpected gift...pay raises...a clean bathroom...raspberry cheesecake...success...obedient children...vacations...coffee...a night off from cooking...{fill in the blank}.

My appetite is changing. Slowly, I want to taste and see more and more each day that He really is good. I am less and less the dutiful daughter who fears rejection or disappointment. {Oh, sadly there are still many days where I have it all jumbled again.} Delighting in Him, His word brings lasting, life-giving hope. And isn't that what every father longs for, a daughter who comes out of delight rather than duty?

So I am reminded, that while scripture indeed brings us instruction and shows us the path of life, that God's Word ultimately gives me the encouragement I so deeply long for to keep running the race marked out for me. For here I find hope.

Do you need a boost of encouragement to delight in God's word? You can hide His word in your heart by listening to music! I'm picking a winner tomorrow for the Seeds of Courage CD from Seeds Family Worship. Enter to win...

Romans 15:4 "For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."

A Lil' Story

2011-06-15T05:00:00.010-05:00

Need some courage? I do daily. Courage and encouragement. I wrote about that recently. While I treasure the encouragement of a friend {or an unexpected gift}, I know that ultimately the courage that God alone gives is what my soul truly needs and hungers for.

But we really do need each other. And speaking of courage and community...

...I'm thrilled to be visiting Dayspring's (in)courage site today as a guest writer! What an honor to be among an amazing community of women who desire to help build up the body of Christ through daily encouragement. Please do visit. I'm sharing a lil' story about my lil' girl who was feeling especially lonely one day. Been there? Me, too.

My lil' disclaimer about her story: She had just seen the movie Ramona and Beezus. I think that's where she got the idea to run. Oh, my.

Leave a comment--it'll be good as gold!

Better yet, for a chance to hide some courage in your heart, enter this great giveaway and share a bit of how God encourages you.

Seeds Family Worship :: Giveaway

2011-06-14T10:00:00.002-05:00

Plants amaze me. They bear seeds that sprout life and beauty and health and some even harvest a rainbow of yumminess. And yet that seed can only grow in the right conditions...good soil, warmth, light, and water. Lots of water.

Psalm 1 reminds us of an important truth. We are blessed when our greatest delight is in God's word and when we meditate on it continually. When we soak it in like a tree planted by streams of life-giving water and nourishment. Our roots grow deep when we have water. Lots of water. Only then do we bear fruit.

Are you bearing fruit? Do you need some help soaking in the water of God's word? I certainly do.

Recently, I won a set of Seeds Family Worship CDs. {A millions thanks, to Amanda at Impress Your Kids and to the generous Seeds crew!} Their music is amazing, but the best thing is that each album comes in a two-pack. One for you and one to pass onto a friend. One seed to sow and one to scatter.

SO...I thought it'd be more fun to host some giveaways with my Seeds CDs. This week, I'm giving away CD #2 of my Seeds of Courage album, which is Volume 1 in the series.

Seeds for you to grow good fruit. Living water to drink in deep while you are in the car or making dinner or while you're out for a jog. Grow courage and encourage your heart.

How do you enter?

Easy peasy.

Three ways to win:

1-Add a comment. Share how God encourages you and builds your courage. Go ahead...share a bit of your story.

2-"Like" me on Facebook. Then come back and add your comment that you did.

3-Subscribe and become a follower. Because life is just better when we share our stories and run this race together. {Be sure to add another comment if you did this...more ways to win!}

I'll pick a winner on Friday with the help of random.org. I can't wait to see where I'll be scattering these seeds off to...

Disclosure: This is just Volume 1 and you will be receiving only one CD. I am not being paid, bribed, or coaxed into marketing for Seeds, I just love their music and want to pass on the blessing. Let's grow courage together!

P.S. Speaking of courage....stay tuned to tomorrow's post. I can't wait!

Considering...

2011-06-13T14:30:00.003-05:00

"O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the works Thy hand hath made..."

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" {Matthew 6}

Consider the black-eyed susans, the queen anne's lace, the marigolds, and the zinnias...

Consider the peppers and the beans and the berries and the melons...

Consider the oregano and lavender and mint and basil and thyme...

Oh me of little faith...consider...

Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. {John 12:24}

"Let us lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross...Consider Him who endured...so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted...For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it..."{Hebrews 12}

"Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, How great Thou art!"

Counting His goodness, His greatness yet again...

143. kayaks and sailboats and canoes, oh my!

144. sunday afternoon lunch with friends

145. baby peppers

146. picnic parties

147. benches for resting

148. breathtaking beauty among wild weeds

149. back rubs from little hands

150. help from hubby

151. start of summer

152. lounging by pool with a great book

153. new friends, old friends; silver & gold

154. growing courage & hope

155. crying at movies

156. tribute of a grieving friend

157. plush green grass

158. honey for the heart

159. fruit and vegetable stands

160. growing peaceful fruit of righteousness

A Recipe for Peace

2011-06-10T11:06:00.011-05:00

{Writing her own Bible verse on the doorposts of our home}

Did you get dressed today?

Or did you forget something?

I get dressed everyday (thankfully), but many days I forget to put on what's most important.

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. {Colossians 3:12-14}

This verse is even written on the doorposts of my home. Literally. Several years ago when we built our home, we chose verses for the rooms and wrote them on the wooden frames all around the house. This was the verse I picked out for the door frame of my closet so I wouldn't forget to put on what was most important. And yet day in and day out, I do forget what is more important than finding the right shoes, the cute shirt, the clean socks...I forget over and over. I forget and forget.

And now I am realizing this is the path to peace. Putting on love, humility, forgiveness, and patience. To remember. This is how peace rules in my heart. Letting the peace of Christ, the very presence of God, have kingdom authority in my heart. Here is my recipe for peace.

Unwrapping the Gift

2011-06-06T23:15:00.019-05:00

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing... {Ephesians 1}

Every spiritual blessing.

Every spiritual blessing.

Imagine that. We have all we need. We have been blessed beyond our wildest dreams. We have won the grand prize. Now what does it look like to claim the blessing that is ours in Jesus? It looks like love. It smells like joy. It tastes like peace. Its touch is patient and kind. It sings of goodness, and it shouts faithfulness. If only we have eyes to see and ears to hear and a heart to receive these sweet blessings all around us. If only we unwrap the Gift. If only...

Every spiritual blessing, friend. Imagine!

Gracious God,
Give me eyes to see and ears to hear and a heart to receive all as good. All as gift. Especially when it doesn't feel good and especially when the gift was not on my list. Especially. I do believe....but desperately help my unbelief. Amen & Amen!

129. Every spiritual blessing
130. Banana Chocolate Chip Scone yumminess
131. All three children playing library together--precious!
132. Bike ride with boy-man
133. Unless a grain of wheat falls and dies...
134. Square foot gardens
135. "In Him" & "In love" & "In all"
136. Mrs. Meyer's all purpose cleaner
137. A sliver of moon
138. Dessert with the ladies
139. Precious little ones
140. Hawaiian melodies
141. He has blessed us in the Beloved
142. Unwrapping the Gift

I Am Convinced

2011-06-02T06:00:00.002-05:00

The ocean is calling my name...

The warm salt water, sugar sand, roaring waves, soaring seabirds, cool breeze and endless rays of warmth and light are the cure to my worn down body, soul, and spirit.

Reminding me once again to taste and see that the Lord is good.

Reminding me to bask in the rays of His light, His glory, His care for all of creation. Yes, even for me.

Reminding me to slow down, rest, trust, and know that He is God.

I drink in the deep, deep love of Jesus.

"Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free! Rolling as a mighty ocean..."

And I remember that the ocean is but a metaphor for how He loves you and me. It goes deeper still. And wider. And greater. Can this be? Do I really experience this?

And do I offer even a cup of the ocean of this glorious love to those around me?

And do I hear the Creator of this ocean perfect paradise whispering my name?

Romans 8:38-39 "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Am I convinced?

I am convinced...nothing can separate me from the endless ocean of God's love in Jesus. Nothing.

Our Home, A Place of Gracie

2011-06-01T06:00:00.001-05:00

Once upon a time we opened our home to Grace. She's got a grand life. Sleeping. Snuggling. Pretty much just gracing our life with her presence. Keeping us down to earth. And reminding us that in the end, we all need a heaping dose of grace in our relationships. Our home, a place of Gracie.

Sock Issues

2011-05-31T06:00:00.003-05:00

Last week I introduced you to my friend, Christan.

This week, I want you to meet her childhood friend, Rie at Home & Harmony. I've never met Rie myself, but I've been a secret admirer from afar. She has a beautiful home. She is a gifted writer. But most of all, I love her tagline: "simple style. peaceful living"

I had to chuckle a bit when I read her recent post on socks. I've almost had a nervous breakdown when it comes to socks in our home. It's no joke that they raise my blood pressure and make my blood boil. They are never clean, matched or without holes around here. And for some silly reason, I just sleep better knowing my kiddos have a decent, matching pair of socks. Call me crazy.

So I've kind of given up on matching socks. It's the kids' job now. It's just better that way.

But I like Rie's system even better.

I went out to Target to buy some Gold Toe brand socks as soon as I read her post. Maybe this is answer to my sock issues. Maybe?

So...what drives you nutty around your house? And what systems work for you?

Blessings All Mine

2011-05-30T06:00:00.011-05:00

Love, joy, peace, patience and all kind of yummy good fruits grow when I plant myself like a tree next to the water of God's word. I dwell in the dry desert land when I trust in my own resources rather than trusting an all-wise and powerful God. Life-giving water nourishes my soul, fears dissolve, and anxiety flees. So I'm either camping out by the healing water, or I'm dying in barren wasteland. Plain and simple. {Reflections on Jeremiah 17:5-8}

114. Sunshine, blue sky, and fresh air
115. Remembering sacrifices
116. Brave men and women who serve our country
117. Brunchy, yummy food & company
118. A weekend to rest, think, & pray
119. Digging in the dirt
120. Slowing down, learning to rest
121. All is light and momentary
122. Heroes, help & hope in Joplin
123. The beginning of summer
124. Planning glorious beach days
125. Freedom in Christ
126. Great is Thy faithfulness (despite my unfaithfulness)
127. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth...
128. Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Friendships with Women

2011-05-28T06:00:00.000-05:00

There have been many times in life when I have met someone and thought, "Wow! I wish she was my next door neighbor--or at least lived in my same town. I'd love for this friendship to grow!"

But because of distance, time, and commitments--and whatever other excuses I'd come up with--I've had to say goodbye to a new friend and to hopes of continued friendship.

Is that just me, or is it you, too?

And there are others times I reflect on friendships in my life, and I think, "I've got this great friend over here, and that sweet friend over there, and I just wish they all lived on my block, and they all knew each other. Like college!"

But that's hard when they are scattered all over. All. Over.

Is that just me, too, or is that also you sometimes?

And then there are times I reflect on past friendships, and I wonder why a particular one has fizzled. Did I not put enough time into the friendship? Did I not care and tend and nourish our good relationship? Or did God just have different roads for us to follow, and while He brings together, He also grows us apart, too?

Is that just me, or have you experienced this, too?

Growing friendships as an adult is different, I'm discovering. I'm also learning that while I need and love my dear husband, he'll never want to go to the spa with me, linger over coffee, give great advice on fashion, or truly understand how my female mind works. And that's okay. That's actually the way it's supposed to be. But I desperately need someone who does.

And then there are many more times that I have to remember that no one person is designed to fill my needs. No husband, no girlfriend. My heart is shaped for God alone, and he is the truest of all friends who indeed sticks closer than a brother. {Proverbs 18:24}

This past year I read a great book that helped me to process through some of these thoughts. Friendships for Grown-Ups:What I Missed and Learned Along the Way was written by Lisa Whelchel. Remember her as Blair from the famous Facts of Life sitcom from the '80s? She has actually been a favorite author of mine, and I even got the chance to meet her a few years back. It's kind of a funny story, and I'll spare you the sappy details, but it was still special to see her.

My college friend, Michelle, and I had a blast meeting her face to face. And yes, she is much shorter in person than I expected!

Reading her books is like sitting across the table from her sipping a cup of sweet tea while listening to her incredible stories and learning from her profound wisdom. More importantly, she's a woman who loves God, and she inspires you to, as well.

So, how do you tend and grow friendships as an adult? And how has that changed over the years? And do you think that technology has really helped us as women who long to connect, or has it just hindered our real connection? And who would like to start a quilting bee with me this summer because I'm not so sure I was born in the right century...

These are just a few of the things I think about when I think about friendships with women.

Is that just me, or is it you, too?

Spring Cleaning My Heart

2011-05-27T20:00:00.008-05:00

I'm no Martha Stewart or Fly Lady, and in the push to finish our school year at home, I've kind of just let routine cleaning or organization fall by the wayside. So this week I've been picking up the pieces and dwelling on peace as I do some much needed housework.

And it's amazing to me how good it feels to deep clean a bathroom or reorganize a closet.

So good in fact, that I finally realized the simple secret to reorganizing my cabinets. Completely empty them out. Sort, throw away, limit, and carefully replace only what is necessary. Voila!

And I'm also realizing how vital this is to my peace journey.

Stop the treadmill. Empty the schedule. Sort through what's important. Set better limits. Prioritize what truly is necessary. Pray about everything. Everything. But most of all, trust God. For trusting Him is the pathway to perfect peace.

So while my home does not have to be squeaky clean or picture perfect to be peaceful, I am realizing that when I let the chaos of my home {and heart} collect, clutter, and overwhelm me, it is often true that I have also neglected to keep my mind stayed on Jesus, my Prince of Peace. I've made things more important than people. And I've allowed worry or fear to replace my trust in God.

Isaiah 26:3 says it simply: "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."

It's kind of like spring cleaning in the summer. Spring cleaning my home. Spring cleaning my heart.

Introducing...

2011-05-26T09:06:00.007-05:00

Today my dear friend and cheerleader in the faith, Christan, is the Daily Guest on Dayspring's (in)courage home for the hearts of woman site. Yippee! She is a gifted writer, but even more than that, she has a heart for God and encouraging women. You can visit her at Repurposed Heart and get to know her a bit. Please do...you'll be blessed a thousand times over!

Thank You, Lord

2011-05-23T06:01:00.005-05:00

If I had to be a cow, I'd be a grass-fed "Nebraska" Longhorn.

I'm listening to some oldies but goodies to kick off the summer. I remember first hearing Cindy Morgan's song, How Could I Ask For More, at Bible camp years ago. It reminds me to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Simple gifts from a good God.

How Could I Ask For More
There's nothing like the warmth of a summer afternoon
Waking to the sunlight, and being cradled by the moon
Catching fireflies at night
Building castles in the sand
Kissing Mama's face goodnight
Holding Daddy's hand
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more...

So if there's anything I've learned
From this journey I am on
Simple truths will keep you going
Simple love will keep you strong
Cause there are questions without answers
Flames that never die
Heartaches we go through are often blessings in disguise
So thank you Lord, oh thank you Lord
How could I ask for more.

Thank you Lord, for these good gifts...
102. The soil of sanctification
103. Celebrating milestones with family
104. Commencing
105. Grandma's hugs (and her Special K bars, too)
106. Ambrosia fruit salad
107. Brothers coming to my rescue
108. Melody of chirping birds
109. Sky shining blue and wispy cotton candy clouds
110. Grazing cows in Nebraska fields
111. Children exploring nature
112. Sunday afternoon in the country
113. A week alone with my boy-man

Seeds of Peace

2011-05-22T14:37:00.011-05:00

Multitasking is a myth.

I cannot do many things well.
I cannot do many things.
I can do one thing.

This summer I'm focusing on one thing. Peace

I'm planting peace.
I'm tilling and hoeing and preparing my rows.
I'm sowing seeds of truth.

Care to see what my garden looks like?

Row 1
Psalms 119:165
Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.

Row 2
Isaiah 26:3
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Row 3
Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Row 4
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Encouragement

2011-05-20T07:00:00.004-05:00

The lovely gift from DaySpring and the women of {in}courage. Thank you!

I've been thinking a lot about encouragement lately. How desperately I need it. How it's the life blood of my soul. And how it's linked to courage. And courage? I need me some courage. Courage, according to wise Webster, is the ability to confront fear, pain, risk and uncertainty. Small fears have mushroomed and snowballed overnight (over years?) leaving me practically paralyzed some days and wondering how to trust again with the faith of a child.

And God knew. And He met me.

This week, encouragement came wrapped up in a box delivered by the postman. A gift. For me? Oh yes...I remember. I had recently applied for a scholarship to a blogging conference sponsored by the wonderful women at {in}courage and DaySpring. And I didn't get it. Oh, I really wasn't surprised. I had actually expected that. And to tell the truth, I was a bit relieved. But I was absolutely overwhelmed when they wanted to send me a gift, just for trying. A gift to thank me, little 'ole me, for trying. For risking my heart and sharing my story. And suddenly my childlike faith is growing.

Later in the week I received a sweet email message of courage from a new friend. Words like honey that, little did she know, gently calmed underlying fears and uncertainty I'd been wrestling with time and again. Encouragement builds courage to take more risks and battle with these crazy fears in my heart. My courage is inflating like a big, beautiful balloon, and I'm giddy with childish delight. These foolish fears start to melt away, and my faith is strengthened once more.

Proverbs 25:11 says, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver." For me this week, it's an email and the gift of a necklace. Encouragement. Gold.

(I'm over the moon about this necklace! It's so, so lovely. Really! A little courage clasped around my neck. Now to get it back from my little girl who loves it, too...)

Happy Syttende Mai!

2011-05-17T08:35:00.009-05:00

Happy May 17th!

Happy Norwegian Constitution Day!

To celebrate, we made a dala horse cookie cake (which I guess is traditionally Swedish, which is a little ironic). But I found these sweet dala horse cake pans at Ikea this past summer, so I had to have an occasion to use them.

They are Scandinavian, though, and that's good enough for me.

Aren't they cute?

I love this yummy cookie recipe I found at allrecipes.com, but I'm not sure we'll be using baking it in the dala horse pans again. Next year we'll just try a regular cake recipes. {There's reasons why I'm not posting pictures of our dala horse cookie cake...maybe it'll still taste okay, though?}

It's the perfect day to remember back to 3 years ago when my children had Norwegian Heritage classes with my very Norwegian grandmother. She even made bunads for them to wear during our visit to their home in Lake Mills, Iowa. It was a special time.

Both of my grandmothers (and one of my grandfathers) are wonderfully Norwegian, and I'm thankful. I have fond memories of growing up with lefse and meatballs, and yes, even lutefisk. They have preserved the traditions and stories of our ancestors well. I love them, and I love my heritage.

Come Thou Fount of Many Blessings

2011-05-16T06:00:00.013-05:00

The internet can either be a glorious gold mine or a dangerous mud pit. Here's a little piece of gold I found this past week: I just discovered an online book club with recent posts from the all-inspiring book, One Thousand Gifts. Check out this amazing series with the author herself, Ann Voskamp. The sweet gals at (in)courage are truly top notch. Have you visited them before? You must! Go, and be encouraged today...

And I'm still counting...
89. Water droplets on green leaves
90. Chocolate brownies & lemon cupcakes with old friends
91. "God is so good"
92. Choir concerts
93. Miss Potter
94. Snuggling up on a rainy afternoon
95. Umbrellas
96. Snappy, happy boy
97. Planting peace
98. Encouragement from (in)courage
99. Cereal Night with Gospel Community Group
100. Remembering truth
101. Tuning my heart to sing His praise

Planting Peace

2011-05-13T18:15:00.000-05:00

This summer I'm living by one word: Peace.

One word to rule my thoughts. One word to govern my decisions. One pursuit to do the kind of heart work that only the Great Gardener can do. Grow peace.

For far too long, I've lived by striving. Worry grows deep, deep roots. Stress shoots up, and its fruit is anxiety, choking out life-giving joy.

So this summer I'm pulling weeds of worry. I'm watering my soul, and resting in the light of the Son. I'm praying for tendrils of trust to climb the dry, barren places of my heart and germinate new growth. New roots. New fruit.

I'm planting peace.

Parenting the Generations

2011-05-13T18:05:00.000-05:00

I stumbled upon these wise words recently in a post by Ann Voskamp entitled, "How Every Parent Actually Parents Thousands of Children." They challenge me. Big time.

"Inside the frames, the bodies, the souls of our children, reside the children still to come. And the children then still to come. Like nestled dolls, future generations dwell within the child whose eyes I now look into, whose hands I now touch. Every day we parent not one child, or even a few children, but every day we parent innumerable, countless children. When I raise my voice, frustrated with a child, I speak to generations of children. When I wipe away a tear, comfort, listen, I honor centuries of children. When we meet our children, children we will not live to meet on this earth, are met, shaped, formed. Parented."

Rethinking Parenting

2011-05-10T12:15:00.003-05:00

Rethinking the whole parenting thing these days. Oh, we've decided to keep the kids {*wink*}, we're just trying to figure out how to keep our sanity. And lead them to Jesus. And get some sleep at night. And...well, you get the picture.

So I can't wait to read the rest of this post by Kevin DeYoung I stumbled across at the Gospel Coalition today. I've skimmed through the beginning, but in the middle of spelling, math, laundry, and birthday parties, I'll have to wait to read the rest until I have a moment to myself. Or until I lock myself in my bathroom for privacy.

In the meantime...check it out, and let me know what you think!

Counting My Blessings (instead of sheep)

2011-05-09T12:43:00.004-05:00

81. Double rainbows, reminders of faithful promises kept
82. Our patio...a little vacation in the backyard
83. Cardinals baseball, hot dogs, cotton candy & autographs!
84. Field Day, friends & fun
85. Klondike Park, Katy Trail & ice cream
86. Mother's Day with my family
87. Two weeks left until summer vacation
88. Counting down days to beach paradise

Mother's Day Thoughts

2011-05-07T05:50:00.007-05:00

This past week the mama bird who built her mansion of a nest in our front door wreath, so big in fact that it fell out of our wreath, lost all of her eggs. All five eggs.

My heart sank at the sight, and I really did shed a tear for those baby birds that died and their mourning mother. And for our children who were counting eggs and so looking forward to witnessing their miraculous birth.

And I had to remind myself just the opposite of what I usually have to remind myself daily: that as much as God loves me, He also loves the sparrow, and he takes care of the birds of the air, too. Yes, He'll even take care of this sorrowing mama bird, too.

This Mother's Day, I have been thinking more about the women who have lost. Women who have lost babies. Women who have lost their dreams. Women who need to remember that God knows and cares and loves them--deeply.

I read a post this past week that helps us understand how to celebrate Mother's Day. It's helpful and gives hope especially to women that will struggle with this day.

I have one dear friend who has been walking a long, hard road of wanting to be a mother but who is still waiting patiently for children. Although she would write her story differently, she chooses each day to say "yes" to the story that God has written for her. I'm praying for her this Mother's Day, that God would fill the emptiness in her heart with His love and hope for the day that her longing heart will be filled. Her heart's desire for children may not be fulfilled in this lifetime, but one day her heart's burden will be completely lifted and she will long no more.

I have another friend who is spending what could be the last days with her dear mother. The news came unexpected, and while they are praying for many more days together, they are also preparing for loss. Getting ready to say good-bye this Mother's Day weekend was not in the story she would have written for her life, but she, too, says "yes" to God and chooses to trust Him in these hard, hard days.

Dear Jesus, You care for the birds of the air. Yes, and how much more you care for your own children! Wrap your arms of comfort around your daughters who are grieving the loss of a child, the loss of a dream, and the loss of a mother and friend. Remind them of your never-ending love, even when they don't understand. Especially today. Come, Lord Jesus!

A "God" Day

2011-05-06T18:30:00.003-05:00

We both got up on the wrong side of the bed.

She knew it and so did I.

And she wrote me this thoughtful note to tell me just what she was thinking.

{She even neatly trimmed it.}

But she first misspelled "good" and wrote "god" so it originally said:

"It is a bad day for me but my Mommy thinks it is a god day for me."

And when she handed it to me, I slowly started to smile again.

Yes, everyday is a "God" day for us, dear one. Especially the bad days.

I didn't want her to correct her spelling {this time}, but she did.

But I'll always remember what it first said.

Let them eat....COOKIES!

2011-05-04T15:55:00.012-05:00

Today my son and I baked up a batch of hospitality to give to our new neighbors. Cookies! And the best part about making cookies is...making cookie dough. Yum, yum!

I discovered this recipe from my friend Megan, who is a Mary Poppins wanna-be. (I think she's pretty close!) It's been one of my favorite cookie recipes since. A little cookie heaven, I say.

Here's Megan's recipe:

Megan's Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies

(makes a double batch--double the fun, double the YUM!)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Ingredients:

1.5 C sugar
2 C softened butter (real butter, not shortening or margarine)
1.5 C brown sugar
4 eggs
2 t baking soda
2 t salt
2 t vanilla
5.5 C white flour
1 package semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 packages of colored M&Ms

Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs, baking soda, salt and vanilla. Add the flour a cup at a time. Mix in the chocolate chips. Form dough into balls and press as many M&Ms into each ball as possible. Arrange on a cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven even if they don't look done. They will firm up on the warm cookie sheet after being in the oven.

Growing in Grace

2011-05-03T14:01:00.012-05:00

I've been obsessed with all things green lately. Maybe it's been all this rain, or maybe it's that my inner green thumb is starting to come out. (Is that even possible?) Every time I see something green poking out of the earth, I am almost beside myself. Growth after a cold, barren winter is so, so encouraging. For the earth, and for my soul, too.

Scotty Smith has been a longtime favorite pastor of mine. While he's not my pastor, he pastors all who are who are his "friends" on Facebook and those who follow him on Twitter. And while his online prayers are super inspiring, I've also been encouraged by the daily shots of wisdom he's been serving up lately in a series of posts I'll call "Signs of Growing in Grace." For me, it's kind of a check-list for my heart. I live in a world where I can't measure much these days, so it's been a good little inventory to assess just how my heart is doing. And when I see little green shoots of love, joy, or peace poking out of my heart, I'm greatly encouraged.

Here's a few of my favorites posts to share with you, thanks to Scotty Smith.

A sign you're growing in grace: You're beginning to understand that suffering is good soil for growing a gospel heart.

A sign you're growing in grace: You care about the impact you have on others, because you know you're capable of harm.

A sign you're growing in grace: Your commitment to loving well trumps your "need" to be understood and liked.

A sign you're growing in grace: The little book in which you keep a record of wrongs done to you has less pages than ever.

A sign you're growing in grace: While not condemning you, the gospel is exposing the depth of your selfishness & greed.

A sign you're growing in grace: You're always coming back to the gospel in order to move forward in the Kingdom.

A sign you're growing in grace: You fully enjoy Christian liberty & you fully enjoy limiting your freedom out of love.

A sign you're growing in grace: You're learning how to correct your children without crushing their spirits.

A sign you're growing in grace: You look to grow through things, not just get over things. Change means more than relief.

A sign you're growing in grace: Fewer sighs of irritation, more signs of sanctification.

And my personal favorite...

A sign you're growing in grace: The hope of the gospel is freeing you from Pollyanna-like denial & Eeyore-like despondency.

Check him out on Facebook or Twitter!

Counting My Blessings

2011-05-02T21:20:00.005-05:00

71. 9 years of life with my middle boy
72. cookie cake to celebrate
73. piano recitals with friends
74. funny, funny boys
75. one, two, three, four eggs in our nest
76. growing in grace
77. planning beach vacations
78. time to unwind at Starbucks
79. my 6 year old baby girl falling asleep in my lap
80. safety, peace, & protection

Count along with me, friends. Won't you?

Breakfast with Jesus

2011-05-01T13:42:00.000-05:00

What do Swedish Fish, goldfish, cinnamon rolls, and our Risen Lord have in common?

That's what was on the breakfast menu in our home the week after Easter! (Yes, we're all health nuts around here.)

Inspired by one of my favorite parts of John where the resurrected Jesus appears to his disciples on the beach for a little morning fish fry, I thought we'd read John 21 together and have our own breakfast of fish and bread. Okay, goldfish crackers and Swedish Fish (left over from an egg hunt). I also thought I'd jazz up our bread with a little cinnamon, butter, and brown sugar for some morning cinnamon rolls. Because, really, I think Jesus would have done the same if he had a little extra cinnamon around that morning, too.

It was the perfect Resurrection breakfast to talk about the joy of being Easter people. And I think it'll become a new tradition.

A Royal Verse

2011-04-29T07:54:00.003-05:00

A royal verse for a royal day...

James 2:8
"If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF,'
you are doing well."

Orphans vs. Children

2011-04-28T12:00:00.001-05:00

Sometimes I am tempted to feel like little orphan Annie. That's not a good day. I forget all the Jesus has promised and done for me.

And some days I feel overwhelmed by the wonderful truth that I am truly God's child. I cry out to God as my Abba, Father. These are good days.

But most days I feel a little of both. Orphan and daughter. And I have discovered that praying through this chart is a good way to ask God to help me experience life more as a daughter and less as an orphan.

You can check out this checklist at World Harvest Mission. Click on the "Orphans vs. Children" PDF link.

Romans 8:15 "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

Lessons in Liturgy

2011-04-27T21:52:00.012-05:00

Growing up in a liturgical church, I often grew tired of the remote prayers and weekly order of worship. The scripted words just kind of rolled off my tongue and were too easy to say without ever thinking or even feeling. I felt like I could go through the motions of worship without fully engaging my heart.

And later I was glad to move on to other styles of worship and more “heartfelt” prayers. At least, that is what I thought back then.

Recently, I have realized the value and purpose of those prayers and liturgy. Much liturgy is straight from scripture. For some churches, it is the only remaining remnant of the Gospel left, sadly.

This past Easter our very contemporary church was having a time of confession during worship. All of a sudden, the familiar words I recited weekly as a young girl popped up on the screen...

Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.

...and as the words and memories flooded my mind, I realized how thankful I am to have learned them at a young age. These prayers taught me how to talk to God. They taught me how to repent. They were a tutor for living the Christian life. And I'm grateful. Now, when I am at a loss for words to pray, these familiar words lead me to God.

My Habakkuk Prayer

2011-04-26T07:00:00.002-05:00

Even though there's no milk for morning cereal,
nor bread and fruit for lunch,
the children are still bickering
and I have no clue what to cook for dinner,
even though they're grumbling about their schoolwork
and my do-list is a mile long,
YET I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Just Right!

2011-04-25T21:10:00.010-05:00

This spring at a homeschool curriculum fair I searched high and low for just the right Bible curriculum. In years past, I've sort of gone the devotional route with our Bible time in school, and of course we've had plenty of verses to memorize for our weekly Awana Club. But I wanted to find a curriculum that did an overview of each book of the Bible while connecting them as one grand story.

So I searched and searched and searched....and I felt a bit like the Berenstain Bears in Old Hat, New Hat.

I found some that were too long. Too weak. Too out-dated. Too much. Too little. Too moralistic. Too fragmented. Too boring!

Then I came home, and as I was cleaning out an old desk and throwing out old curriculum catalogs, I happened to glance at one. Suddenly I spotted it: A Bible course for children that is a historical, chronological study of the Bible for kids. It's called God's Great Covenant, and it's published by Classical Academic Press.
I think I found it--one that is just right!

Here's what their website says about the course:

"Teaching the Bible to young children can be a large task, and is often divided up into many small stories. However, if you would like to teach your students the truly big picture of the Bible, and show them how God has been at work in his people since before creation, you will find God’s Great Covenant to be a unique, surprising, and excellent Bible curriculum. The Bible, taught chronologically, by means of simple and direct stories, chants, and meditation on God’s character define God’s Great Covenant. Even many adults find themselves learning new facts, making surprising connections, and being blessed by reminder of God’s faithfulness, and how he always keeps his promises. Taught from a covenantal and reformed theological perspective, and rooted in Scripture, you will find this series to be a blessing to your classroom or family."

I'm really excited to use this with my youngest two this fall. There's even an audio file that you can purchase to listen to on the go. Nice!

I'm thankful to have discovered this series. I know it's not perfect, as no curriculum is, but it's what I had in mind all along.

Growing a Garden

2011-04-25T15:42:00.011-05:00

Our Garden of Gratitude

"Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow?"

I woke up this morning needing to preach the Gospel to myself again. It's only the day after Easter, but I happen to have a very, very short short-term memory. So it's time to again pave new trails in my mind and think on things that are true, lovely, excellent, and praiseworthy. And grow a Garden of Gratitude in my heart along with my children.

60. Celebrating Resurrection Day with dear friends
61. Amazing Love!
62. Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies...
63. Growing Gardens of Gratitude
64. "Behold, I am making all things new!"
65. Indelible Grace music
66. April showers
67. Safety from severe St. Louis storms
68. Easter Monday faith
69. Let Me Be A Woman by Elisabeth Elliot
70. Leftover Easter candy

Victory!

2011-04-24T08:38:00.002-05:00

When I started my mini-marathon this week, I was hoping some would run with me and join me in reading the Gospel of John this week leading up to Easter. I didn't expect to run with Mary and the disciples of long ago, though.

As I was nearing the end of my race through John, the words jumped out on the page. After Mary sees the stone of the tomb removed, she runs to Peter. She runs!

Then I read...
"So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in...Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed."

They see the empty tomb. There certainly is some confusion, and they can't explain it all, but later Jesus appears and makes the mystery clear. He reveals himself to them several times, but my favorite is when he reunites with his disciples at the sea for a breakfast of fish and bread. After the sadness of the Last Supper, joy returns in the morning of this First Breakfast.

And I wonder: Do I run to the truth of the resurrection each day, yes, each moment of my life? Do I let the new life of Jesus transform my every action? Do I see and believe? Do I live the new resurrected life? Do I experience the victory of the empty tomb every day?

Thank you, Jesus, for your victory that's mine because of Easter. Make me an Easter person every day. May I always run to you!

Last Days

2011-04-23T15:41:00.009-05:00

Nearing the end of our Gospel sprint through John...

What would you do in your last days here on earth? What does Jesus do? He comforts us and prays for us. Amazing love!

John 16:22
"So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you."

John 16:33
"In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

John 17:15
"I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one."

Jesus is betrayed, arrested, accused, mocked, deserted, condemned, flogged, beaten, and crucified. And then he is buried. Thankfully, that is not the end of the story.

Running To The End

2011-04-22T20:42:00.011-05:00

In John today...
"Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end." To. The. End.

Jesus, the ultimate servant, washes His disciples feet. Yes, even the betrayer's feet. He serves His enemy. And how do we treat those who betray us? We are to serve them, like Jesus. To. The. End.

"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
How do we do this? How often do we fail to do this? Lord, help us to love others like you. To. The. End.

"Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full...This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
We abide. We love. We lay down our lives like Jesus. To. The. End.

We cling to the True Branch of Life that was crushed for our death, for our joy, for our life. He did this to His own end--for our new beginning.

Gospel Sprint

2011-04-21T07:19:00.001-05:00

Still sprinting through the Gospel of John this Easter week. Are you running with me?

Yesterday...
I saw the Good Shepherd again. "He calls His own sheep by name." Really? Why do I so often forget this? I forget that He really knows my name. So my heart sang, "Savior, Like a Shepherd Led Us," our wedding hymn from nearly 14 years ago. Thou hast bought us, thine we are...

The death of Lazarus was not just a beautiful prelude to Jesus' resurrection, but it made me once again realize that Jesus really does know our emotions. Really. He too was "moved in His spirit and greatly troubled." He cried real tears of pain and sadness.

And then there's Mary and Martha again. Martha is still serving, and Mary has once again chosen what is best. She uses her best perfume to lavish love on Jesus. Oh, how can I be more like Mary than Martha?

Triumphantly, the ancient words of Zephaniah are fulfilled:
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your king is coming to you;

righteous and having salvation is he,

humble and mounted on a donkey,

on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

And I am rejoicing!

Today...
I ask myself the all important questions:

"Which do I love more? The glory that comes from man or the glory that comes from God?"

and

"How can I wash another's feet?"

and

"What does it look like to lay down my life for my friends?"

and

"Do I truly believe that apart from Jesus I can do absolutely nothing?"

and

"Why do I all too easily forget that I have a Helper?"

Running Through the Gospel

2011-04-18T22:44:00.000-05:00

I'm running a mini-marathon through the Gospel of John.

Today in John...
"Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone..."
John 8:7

So much confusion over who Jesus was. Jesus caused quite a stir...mostly with the chief priests and Pharisees, the religious leaders of the day. How sad as conflicts among followers of God continue to spill over into our lives today.

Jesus, help us see you for who you truly are, and in seeing ourselves as chief among sinners, may we lay down our stones. Forever. For only when those stones disappear will we see new resurrection life in our relationships.

Easter Reading

2011-04-18T15:46:00.001-05:00

I intended to read the Bible in a year last year. Didn't happen.

I also planned to read the whole Gospel of John during Lent leading up to Easter. Failed again.

I even hoped to work on some weekly Bible memorization using my nifty Fighter Verse app from Desiring God Ministries. That lasted just a few weeks. I'm behind now and don't know if I can even catch up.

I live in the land of good intentions and well-made plans. I just stink at the follow through.

This Easter week I've decided I need to keep it simple, though. So I'm reading through the book of John all week this week. (Yes, in my mind, this is simple. Short term goals are better for me.) I'm thinking since there are 21 chapters, that's 3 chapters a day for each day of Holy Week to take a sweeping look at the life, ministry, and last days of Jesus. I can't remember the last time I have read the book as a whole, so I'm excited. This is one goal I'm really, really hoping to keep.

Yesterday...
I met the Word Made Flesh. He is LIGHT and LIFE.

I was reminded that from His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.

John the Baptist announced "Prepare the way of the Lord" and my heart sang a familiar tune from long gone Bible camp days.

Jesus called his first disciples, and I remembered why we named our second born Andrew. We prayed that like this disciple, he would have a special relationship with his brother and with his Savior.

Jesus turned water into wine, and I am thankful that we have a God who celebrates extravagantly.

I was once again reminded that "He must increase but I must decrease."

And today...
I am reminded how much I am like the woman at the well...prostituting my heart out to idols that will never truly satisfy when I am really thirsting for living water. So I say with my sister, "Give me this water, too, Jesus."

I realize that I am also the blind, lame, and paralyzed. Too many days I am blinded by my own sin. I often fail to walk in the fullness of the Gospel. Sadly, some days I am even paralyzed by fear. Thank you, God, for meeting me in my need and bringing healing.

And I can't help but wonder when I read the feeding of the five thousand. How did I forget that when Jesus took the bread and fish from that generous young boy, He first gave thanks? He hadn't even multiplied it yet. It still wasn't enough, but He thanked God for the little, and God made it much. Enough. Ann Voskamp puts it well: "Eucharisteo always precedes the miracle."

Care to join me in reading John this week? You can catch up and we can finish strong by Easter. Kind of like running a little mini Gospel-marathon together. Except instead of 26.2, we only have 21 chapters to cover!

A Gift Giveaway-CLOSED

2011-04-16T21:06:00.001-05:00

I'm hosting my first giveaway. A gift for you. I wish I could give away 1000 copies of One Thousand Gifts, but I have one special copy to send to one very special someone. I'm praying for this person right now. Could it be you?

Ann Voskamp's book has been a best seller for weeks now. Why? It's unlike anything you've ever read. It's a memoir. It's poetry. It's wisdom and honesty and painful questions and a courageous challenge to look at all of life differently. To receive all of God's gifts as good. As Ann bravely shares her story, you, too, may be inspired to count gifts along with her. I was.

So I have a copy of this amazing and beautiful book sitting on my kitchen counter, and as I cook and clean and meditate on Holy Week all week, I will be praying for the next person who will be blessed by this treasure. I can't wait to send it off as my Easter gift to you.

Here's several ways to enter:
1-Simply leave me a comment. I love comments--your words are gifts! And that's one entry.
2-"Like" this post on Facebook, and come back and leave me another comment telling me you did for a second entry.
3-Want to enter again? Consider subscribing to my blog, His Story to Tell. I'd love to share our stories together. Let me know you did by leaving me another comment for a third entry.

I'll randomly pick a winner this Friday, April 22. Good Friday. It'll be good, indeed!
AND THE WINNER IS....Beth! So glad to pass on the blessing! Happy Easter!

Mountain Chickens

2011-04-14T19:09:00.000-05:00

51. The smile of success on my boys--Thank You, Lord for strong minds!
52. Visiting the herpetarium with my snake-loving boys
53. Mountain Chickens--God's creativity in Caribbean animals
54. Two iguanas in love: "They are on a date, Mommy!"
55. Up close and personal...with the giraffe--My, what big tongue you have!
56. Holding my growing girl's hand--please don't ever get too old for this
57. The squeal of joy from my animal-loving daughter as we explore
58. LIFE--all around us
59. A free zoo. Thank you, St. Louis!!

Add to the Beauty

2011-04-11T23:23:00.001-05:00

Love this song from Sara Groves. I can't help but hum along as I count the gifts around me. Listen to the lyrics...

We come with beautiful secrets
We come with purposes written on our hearts, written on our souls
We come to every new morning
With possibilities only we can hold, that only we can hold

Redemption comes in strange place, small spaces
Calling out the best of who we are...

And I want to add to the beauty To tell a better story...

This is grace, an invitation to be beautiful...

49. Mercies new every morning
50. Eucharisteo: finding beauty everywhere

Beautiful Things by Gungor

2011-04-10T13:20:00.000-05:00

Found a new favorite. Kind of reminds me of the folksy music from the movie Once.

This album is on sale on Amazon. Check it out.

Sanctuary in the City

2011-04-09T10:51:00.000-05:00

We walked.

He led. We followed.

"Let's take this street. We've got time," he announced.

"But my way is faster, " I challenged.

Funny, he's choosing adventure, and I'm voting for efficiency. How the tables turn.

Slowing from our quick city pace, we notice the brave blooms of spring and catch the scent of early blossoms and then we discover it...

A sanctuary in the city. Serenity amidst chaos.

"Let's go inside," he suggests.

"But do we have time?" I wonder.

"Should we even be here?" the little ones question.

We enter, and time stands still.

Our eyes are naturally drawn upward. Our feet slow to a still, and our hands reach for other lenses. We have to store up this moment forever.

"Mommy, come pray with me."

Really? She's inviting me to talk to God?

We kneel and pause and whisper and believe.

This mosaic of marvelous beauty transports me from the mess of the menial and mundane.

Our necks strain to gaze heavenward and drink it all in.

Fill my cup, Lord, and let it overflow. Let me never forget the contrast of this moment. In the chaos and cacophony of my crazy life, slow time down and make me rest in your sanctuary of Truth, Beauty and Hope.

46. Following his lead
47. Following His lead
48. Can I say it again, "SPRING!"

Spring Storms

2011-04-08T20:52:00.000-05:00

This weekend our son is off to a "Spring Storm" retreat with bus loads of other tweeners and some pretty amazing superhero-like saints. I'm praying that the weekend will be full of memories and meaningful growth in his relationship with God and his friends. And I'm also thinking about other spring storms we've experienced...

Last year God brought about the "perfect storm" in my life. A trio of troubles, if you will. I was approaching homeschool burnout, our new neighborhood was still empty, and commuting miles to church left us feeling distant and empty each week. I remember one dark night crying out to Doug,

"Something needs to change."

We talked. We prayed and waited. Finally, we realized that God was wanting us to start looking for community closer to home. Imagine that. But it's hard to say no to a good thing and walk in faith towards a God-thing.

I wonder...

"Was this how Peter felt when Jesus gave the invitation to step into water waves towards Him?"

And just like He promised, God gave us bread and fish, not stones or serpents. He led us to a place of refuge and to Refuge, a young community of believers that longs to love God and people extravagantly with truth and grace.

And suddenly I see the rainbow after the rain.

41. Refuge Church, St Charles
42. Purple blossoms majesty
43. "Count it all joy..."
44. Spring Storm and spring storms
45. A weekend away

Counting and Remembering

2011-04-05T17:08:00.000-05:00

Still counting my blessings around here and remembering Easter.

Another favorite tradition I've had since childhood is celebrating Jesus as our Passover Lamb by baking, decorating, and eating yummy lamb cake.

I can almost taste the coconut...

31. Eucharisteo: new eyes to see
32. God is good (always) & He loves me (forever)
33. The lost is found
34. A broken lamp, but an honest son
35. Sweet 12-year old friend leading worship
36. Sunshine & Vitamin D
37. Spontaneous playdates
38. Dear Easter memories
39. Jesus, Lamb of God
40. Coconut, jellybeans, and cream cheese frosting

Keeping Jesus in Easter

2011-04-03T09:23:00.000-05:00

We have had family devotions that have worked. And then we have had many more that have ended up in disaster. I could tell you more stories about the times that our expectations were too high, times we were too tired, and times when we ended up just plain lecturing. One memorable night we even had popcorn flying, people crying, and parents repenting. Not the kind of sweet family together time you've always dreamed of.

But then there's Easter.

Easter is my favorite holiday. It truly is a holy day, the most holiest. Without Easter, there would be no purpose for Christmas. There would be no real thanks in Thanksgiving. All the other days in between would be meaningless and hopeless.

Some years back when our children were very small we started a very simple Easter tradition during Holy Week. It went something like this. On Palm Sunday we would come home from church and act out Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. Doug would be the donkey, and the kids would take turns pretending to be Jesus and ride on his back. We would lay our coats on the floor, wave paper palm branches, and shout "Hosanna!"

Later in the week on Maundy Thursday, we would spread a picnic blanket on the floor of our living room and each a supper of bread, cheese, nuts, and fruits. We would talk about how Jesus shared the cup of wine with his disciples and told them it was his blood. He broke the bread and declared that it was his body. Our family would eat french baguettes together and drink grape juice as we remembered this special supper Jesus had with his friends. Then, according to the John 13 account, we would have a family foot washing ceremony and even sing a song to end the night.

The next day we would celebrate Good Friday. Growing up, I remember meaningful Good Friday services in my little Lutheran church. The churches we have gone to as a married couple have sadly never had a Good Friday service, so we had our own at home. Doug would find two pieces of scrap wood to form a cross. Then, on little scraps of paper, we would write the names of sins we were struggling with or simply the word "SIN," and then we would take turns nailing the papers to the cross. These papers would magically disappear on Easter morning.

One of my favorite traditions at Easter has been telling the Easter story with homemade Resurrection Eggs. While you can buy a beautiful set in the store, you can make an even cheaper and more meaningful set at home with an empty egg carton, leftover plastic Easter eggs, and simple objects like a nail, a piece of cloth, and a tiny stone. These little treasures inside each egg have helped my children to retell the story of Easter over and over and over again.

Thankfully, Easter has been a time of sweet memories, and it has also been a time to recommit to discipling our children. While we'll continue these Holy Week traditions, I'm also considering adding something new to our Easter memories. Here's some Easter ideas I've found on the web:

Noel Piper has a Lenten devotional using candles called "Lenten Lights."
Ann Voskamp has directions to create a beautiful Easter passion tree here.
An article from Focus on the Family shared many of the same Holy Week activities I mentioned above and more.

So, how do you keep Jesus in Easter?

Simple Gift

2011-04-02T09:00:00.000-05:00

She quietly pulled me aside and whispered, "Kara, I have a gift for you." In my hands she placed a small, simple diary, complete with lock and key. It reminded me of something I once had as a young girl filled with childish hopes and future dreams.

"Why?" I asked. It wasn't my birthday. It wasn't Christmas. It was just an ordinary day, but this was out of the ordinary.

"I want you to record in this journal all the verses that remind you of how God loves you. And then I want you to go verse by verse and pray that God would help you to love your husband in the same way that He loves you."

My eyes welled up with tears. She knew my struggles. She knew how often I had rejected God's extraordinary love and how I had failed to love my husband well. She knew, but she didn't condemn. She filled my heart with hope that day. Her simple gift changed everything. And I am forever grateful.

It's Only a Camera

2011-04-01T14:05:00.001-05:00

We arrived home from a little spring break getaway to find a wonderful surprise planted in our front yard. A tree.

This discovery brought pure joy to all of our hearts. A tree! My children imagined climbing. My husband imagined shade. I imagined glorious spring blossoms and majestic fall leaves. Now our house really feels like a home. We have a tree!

One morning later my sweet daughter's voice sang, "Mommy, Mommy! A robin! We have a robin in our tree!" And our feet ran to grab the fancy camera lens to capture a memory of our new friend.

A split second later the winged creature was gone and so was our perfect picture. I set the camera on the ledge to wait for his return.

And then it happened. Moments later, I would experience the first of many a "hard eucharisteo" that Ann Voscamp describes in One Thousand Gifts.

That same sweet daughter, fleeing her schoolwork, wisks her beloved toy off the ledge, and simultaneously knocks the new, expensive camera off the ledge, and it crashes onto the hardwood floor.

I scream, "NOOOOO!" and I hold more words back, and my heart sinks a thousand depths. I hold my breath as I fumble to turn it on, but nothing happens. I inhale slowly, and this time I do not scream. I think, "My daughter's heart is more important than this camera." And, "That's why there are camera repair shops for times like this." And "I'd rather have a broken camera than a broken daughter." But I really, really, really want to scream and cry and hit my tear stained pillow. Instead, the little one runs upstairs and does this for the both of us.

I try to convince the boys to return to their schoolwork while I attempt to console her. My emotional middle son knows, though, and asks, "Can I please come with you and help? I think she needs some love right now."

We talk her through it. We pray together through it. It's only a camera. We have more blessings than we can imagine, and it's only a camera. It's only a camera.

And then it happens. Big brother suddenly appears and announces, "LOOK! I got it to work. It's working! It's working!" And we cry and hug and laugh and breathe again. A small miracle happens to my camera. A bigger miracle happens in my heart.

And I begin to learn the new language lessons of giving thanks and discovering joy in everything. Even the hard things.

Later that day, I hear my sweet girl's words one more time. "Mommy! He's back! He's back!" She quietly asks, "Can we take a picture now?" And we run to get the camera. And we miss him again. But this time, we know better where to leave the lens while we wait for his return. Now we are thankful God has given us new eyes to see. And we count our blessings again.

29. Our first tree and first robin
30. A working Canon Rebel T1i

The Interlude Dance

2011-03-30T17:35:00.000-05:00

Some homeschool families start their school day with pledges or prayers. We have decided to start our day with "The Interlude." And then we pray.

Still Counting...

2011-03-27T21:37:00.000-05:00

Have you heard the new song by Laura Story? It's called "Blessings."
Check it out. Now.

And I'm still counting...
25. Laughing with my children
26. Watching my eldest son serve
27. My little girl's jack-o-lantern smile
28. Our church family

More Gifts

2011-03-24T09:59:00.000-05:00

Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts, is opening my eyes to what she names eucharisteo: grace, thanksgiving, joy. And I keep counting.

16. Red buds bursting
17. The Bread and Wine
18. Cranberry cake--a reminder to taste and see that the Lord is good
19. Son and daughter holding hands
20. Days away...from to-do lists and technology
21. People--red and yellow, black and white
22. Holy Name Cathedral--sweet serenity amidst city chaos
23. Art around my neck
24. Returning home

Gifts

2011-03-19T18:56:00.000-05:00

11. The prayers of my children
12. John 1:1-5
13. A day to return chaos to order
14. Bathed children
15. Getting ready to rest

1000 Gifts

2011-03-17T22:38:00.001-05:00

I started a new book this week. Not because I have finished the pile of books next to me on my nightstand, but because I NEEDED to read this book. Really. It's springtime, and I need new life, too. I need new eyes to see all that is good around me. I need a new heart to receive God's good gifts with thankfulness. Yes, thankfulness. So, I will start to count the gifts around me, too. Do you want to join me?

1. A husband who is teaching me to laugh
2. Dirty socks left in the middle of the floor...reminders of the gift of children
3. Answered prayers of a hurting friend
4. The smile of my melancholy middle son
5. Old friends, new friends
6. My morning coffee
7. Warm spring days after cold winter dullness
8. Music
9. My MacBook and iTouch--keeping me in touch with dear people and in tune with sweet melodies
10. Bedtime--a reminder that I am limited and God is not

Pricey Parenting Lesson

2011-03-02T12:45:00.000-06:00

I recently purchased a new toy and learned a valuable lesson. In our home, we love all things "Apple"--both McIntosh and Macintosh. So when I finally spent some Christmas money on an iPod Touch, I thought I'd let each of the kids download a free "kid friendly" app, and I'd share the joy. On one particular occasion soon after my purchase, I was needing to get something "important" done on my computer, so I let my daughter use my new toy and play the game that I had just downloaded for her. The next morning I awoke to a message from my husband asking "Did you just spend $55 on iTunes last night?" After investigating, I learned that apparently my sweet, innocent daughter had, unknowingly, bought $55 worth of gems in this "sweet, innocent" game. A game that she and I had thought was just like Webkinz where you just buy things with pretend money. There was nothing pretend about our bill, however, and I was sick to my stomach that not only had we unknowingly made this mistake, but I made a bigger mistake by passing off my electronic toy to my child while I probably should have been engaging with her face to face that evening and been a little more intentional in my parenting.

It was an honest mistake, I believe, but she and I felt badly about it. And I really had little hope that we would get our money back from iTunes. Their policy is no refunds. All sales final. I would just have to view this as my costly parenting mistake, I convinced myself. Kind of like getting a speeding ticket after driving recklessly, this would be what I would have to pay for my reckless parenting. Or so I thought.

After unsuccessfully contacting the company that produced the app (they referred me back to iTunes), and searching in vain for customer service information on the Apple website (iTunes doesn't make that too easy, either), I found an email address, sent off a message about our unfortunate mistake, but had little hope that a real person would actually read it, much less do anything to correct it.

Low and behold, what would you know, but the next day, which happened to be a Sunday of all days, I received a surprising email from an iTunes customer service representative--and now my new friend--named Naieanne. After introducing herself to me ("Nice to meet you, too, Naieanne!"), she told me that she understood our purchase was accidental and unintentional. She would be refunding our account. She was even kind enough to teach me how to restrict such "in-app" purchases in the future. Imagine that?!

My faith in internet customer service was restored! My faith in iTunes was restored! My faith in all things "Apple" was restored! And I will never forget what could have been a very costly lesson in parenting. The next time I think to pass off my electronic toys to my children, I will remember what I am trading, what the real cost is, and what is more important--meaningful interaction with my children and opportunities to learn, grow, and discover the truly precious gems in life.

Anger, anyone?

2011-02-28T17:12:00.000-06:00

Anger is something I struggle with. And honesty about my anger. And the courage to talk about it with others. It's an image thing that God is cracking away.

But sometimes, I really want to be honest about it and don't know how to put words to it. But I found someone today who was (honest) and did (communicate) about her anger, and it was a balm to my soul. Read today and be blessed and join me in fighting against my flesh. I couldn't have said it any better.

I Love Words...sometimes

2011-02-19T10:46:00.000-06:00

I love words. I love the alphabet. I love Bananagrams. And I love books. Lots of books.

I love talking and learning and reading and going to great conferences where I listen and learn and reflect...but I reach a point where it makes me weary.

And I remember this important truth:

"The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh."

Thanks, Solomon.

Hey, What's the Big Idea? (Part 3)

2011-02-18T20:03:00.001-06:00

Phil Vischer, creator of Veggie Tales, makes meaning of the mess that he found himself in when the company he founded, Big Idea, landed in bankruptcy court. He talks about this in his book, Me, Myself, & Bob: A True Story About Dreams, God, and Talking Vegetables. And I talked about him here. And here.

So what's the big idea? Vischer draws some significant conclusions about the dreams, desires or goals that we have in life. This was my big "take away" from the book. He recalls learning from a pastor who preached from a passage in 2 Kings 4 about a Shunammite woman. He quotes the pastor's conclusions:

"If God gives you a dream, and the dream comes to life and God shows up in it, and then the dream dies, it may be that God wants to see what is more important to you--the dream or him. And once he see's that, you may get your dream back. Or you may not, and you may live the rest of your life without it. But that will be okay, because you'll have God."

Vischer goes on to question why God would want him to let go of his dream and finally realizes that anything he is unwilling to let go of is an idol and leads to sin. He describes how our "good" works become a "god" and start to define us, drive us, and destroy our relationship with God and others.

He says that he finally learned that the Christian life is not about doing great things for God and making a big impact, but walking with God in faith and obedience. He ends by recalling a speech that he nervously gave at a commencement ceremony. It was at a large Christian university, and his admonishment to this graduating class was unique. It was to take their dreams and aspirations and let them go. To kill them and find their peace in walking with God. It was a speech that flowed out of a past of failure and hard lessons learned, but yet out of the story that God had written for him before the beginning of time. A story that only he, a gifted storyteller, could tell as he finally surrendered to the Greatest Storyteller of all.

So there it is. Phil Vischer created Veggie Tales. He watched his company fall apart. And God has brought redemption and restoration, too. It's a beautiful story. But then again, He's a Great Storyteller.

L'abri

2011-02-15T17:16:00.000-06:00

This weekend I attended a L'Abri Conference. I've had a few people ask, "What's L'Abri?", and to that I have mumbled something quickly like, "I think L'Abri is a French word for shelter." AND "It's a conference about Christian thought and contempory culture and....stuff. Oh, and L'Abri was started by a great man named Francis Schaeffer many years ago. He's dead now." But my vague summary fell so short of what L'Abri really is.

So, taken from the L'Abri International Fellowship website, here's a better picture of L'Abri. (notice that I at least got the first part spot on.)

"L'Abri is a French word that means shelter. The first L'Abri community was founded in Switzerland in 1955 by Dr. Francis Schaeffer and his wife, Edith. Dr. Schaeffer was a Christian theologian and philosopher who also authored a number of books on theology, philosophy, general culture and the arts. The L'Abri communities are study centers in Europe, Asia and America where individuals have the opportunity to seek answers to honest questions about God and the significance of human life. L'Abri believes that Christianity speaks to all aspects of life."

And each year a L'Abri Conference is held in Rochester, Minnesota. So, after a weekend of conferencing with L'Abri folks from all around the world, I have a renewed appreciation for Schaeffer's ministry. And I left with the thought, "I wish I would have gone to a L'Abri study center when I was younger." Not that I can't now, it's just that I have children, a husband, and bills, and responsibilities and such. But perhaps there will be an opportunity in the future.

L'Abri does have a special meaning to me. An elder at a church where Doug was working had studied at L'Abri in England once upon a time. He was the one to encourage Doug to come to St. Louis to study at Covenant Seminary where professor Jerram Barrs was teaching. Jerram Barrs had been his beloved teacher at English L'Abri years ago. Because of L'Abri, Jerram Barrs, and our friend, we moved to St. Louis 13 years ago and have made it our home.

And oddly enough, Doug and I had some unique premarital counseling. Instead of the traditional talks of conflict resolution and the handling of finances, we were given a book. It was titled L'Abri, by Edith Schaeffer. I think our pastor counselor friend thought this book would help prepare us for ministry since we were going off to seminary after our wedding. I'm not sure that it practically helped us in the early days of our marriage, but it opened my eyes to the incredible ministry of the Schaeffers and of their rich prayer life and dependence upon God for all things. Her book chronicles the first days of L'Abri in Switzerland.

My head is still spinning after a full weekend of lectures and learning. I am still processing one particular workshop entitled, "Vocation and Calling" given by a delightful young woman from Canadian L'Abri. It was a lecture I wish I would have heard as a senior in high school, a senior in college, and one I needed to hear as I again reconsider my passions, giftings, and calling in life.

And in the meantime, I'm still thawing out from the cold Minnesota winter weekend, catching up on my sleep, and downloading my brain.

The Greatest Artist

2011-02-10T19:03:00.000-06:00

The image of God. Michelangelo captured this idea hundreds of years ago while painting the magnificent Sistine Chapel. The image of God would forever be an image to always picture in our minds.

Pictures.

Images.

Art.

I've been thinking a lot lately of what the image of God stamped on every person means. How it matters. How it changes the way I view the people He created and how it changes the way I should view myself.

So I found myself in a bit of a time capsule today as I attended a lifelong learning class at the college I attended my freshman year. Fresh out of high school, we were required to take three foundational classes. The one I remember best was called "Human Expression," and all first year students dreaded it. We gathered in a dark room viewing numerous slides of great artists and listening to various composers and reading a variety of literature. I only remember the art. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because I had already been exposed to great literature and classical composers. But art--this was perhaps the first time I had really learned the difference between a Rembrandt and a Renoir. I was captured.

Fast forward almost twenty years, and today I found myself in a similar, but different place. Back in my old college classroom, in an art class on Michelangelo, but surrounded by mostly gray-haired folks with noticeably northern accents and a love for learning. (Even one good-humored gentleman who had a love for limericks. Funny fellow.) Once again viewing art, but not because we were required to study, but rather that we chose to learn. Okay, to be completely truthful, my father dragged me along...not kicking and screaming, but because he thought I would enjoy it. And I did. I also would have enjoyed sleeping in today, but I knew this would be good for my mind. Good for my soul. And good for my heart.

It took me back to a time when I was 18 year old freshman and struggling to find my place in this world. Struggling to find meaning and direction. Searching for my purpose and passion. But with the perspective of a teenager, I lacked, well, perspective.

Not that I have arrived in my 30's, but as I walked the halls of my alma mater today, I realized that I see the world quite a bit different than I did when I was younger, thankfully. And I see people differently. I see them with a passion to know their hearts, hear their stories, and ask questions with them. Not just give them answers (although I hope to have a clearer understanding of truth these day), but I have plenty of more questions. And more importantly a heart to hear, and to understand, and to engage. Those were turbulent days for me, but God had a new setting, new characters, and a different plot in days ahead. Now, I have the perspective of being married and being a mom and learning what truly matters. My eyes are opening to the creativity of God around me in His creation. His image in His people. His glory in His good plan.

Perhaps God is again reminding me of how being image bearers means that all people are created precious and important. And how God is most valuable and the greatest artist of all. And now I finally believe that.