The True Me

How are you in times of great distress? Do you make your best choices? Say the most brilliant things? I know I don't. I can look back at moments of great grief or trauma in my life and I can't believe some of the things I've said, or didn't say. Some people have the gift of knowing just what to say at key, pivotal moments. I am not one of those people.

Neither was Peter. I always chuckle when I read how Peter interrupts Jesus' conversation with Moses and Elijah during that glorious moment on the Mount of Transfiguration. And, of course, he was the one who rashly cut off the servant's ear in the Garden of Gethsemane. Today I read with such heaviness in my heart for him as he denied even knowing Jesus. Repeatedly. And with cuss words.

After his denial of Christ, though, Matthew 26:75 records that Peter "went out and wept bitterly." John MacArthur's notes in my Bible this morning said something that I just love:

"The true Peter is seen not in his denial but in his repentance."

What a statement! A few years ago our teaching pastor pointed out that David's life, though filled with sin of every kind, was not characterized by sin, but rather characterized by brokenness and repentance. (And praise!) Sin is such a daily battle, isn't it? Praise God that our lives need not be characterized by our poor choices, bad decisions or rash words. But, the key is repentance. In the moment that Jesus made eye contact with Peter, he was brought to a place of brokenness and repentance. That's how he went from the Matt. 26 Peter to the bold, Spirit-filled Acts 4 Peter. The same can be true for me. I must make eye-contact with my Savior. Repentance is the key.

Even as Peter was in the midst of sinning against his Lord, Jesus was on His way to bear the punishment for it. I shared a few months ago a technique that I believe God gave me for prayer, to help me be thorough in my confession. It is based on the word "scars," because He bore those scars for me, and still bears them even as He sits at the right hand of the Father. I need to be reminded of this daily.

I know as I go throughout my day today I will sin, but oh how I pray that the true "me" will be seen in my repentance.

Menu Plan Monday

I'm inspired! I always read everyone's menu plans, and while mine are posted in my kitchen on the island I never post them here. I love to post my menu plans in the kitchen each week, even if it's "Leftovers" or "O.T.E." (out to eat), or my son's favorite: "YOYO" (You're On Your Own) night. It keeps me on track and lets everyone know what to look forward to. I'm sitting here surfin' blogs while waiting for our dinner to "ding!" in the oven and I just got inspired to post my first ever "Menu Plan Monday."

Here's what we've got cookin' at our house this week:

Monday: Chicken Pot Pie, fried okra

Tuesday: Out for burgers at a local burger joint where our Awana club high schoolers are having a mission trip fundraiser

Wednesday: Koko (Chicken) Congolaise and rice (recipe below) This is an African chicken dish that I found in my mom's church's cookbook that looks SO good, the ingredients remind me of our favorite west African peanut soup. (I thought it would be fun to have something African on Valentine's Day, there are so many people we love there.)

Thursday: (gymnastics night) Leftovers

Friday: Beef Enchiladas, guacamole, black beans

Saturday: Church night and O.T.E.

Sunday lunch: A beef casserole recipe I found, or maybe a roast, I haven't decided. (We always go to Taco Bell after Awana on Sunday night.)

(For desserts I usually keep a pan of brownies or a cake baked, a big bowl of banana pudding, or make a batch of cookies for the week. Currently we're munching on a batch of cookies. I also keep a bagged salad ready to pull out to put with dinner through the week.)

Koko (Chicken) Congolaise

1 chicken, cut up
2 T. oil
1 sm. onion, chopped
2-3 T. peanut butter
2 c. water
2 T. flour
Salt and Pepper to taste
Cilantro, chopped, to taste
2 splashes Tabasco sauce
Cooked rice

Brown the chicken in oil. Remove from the pan. Cook onion until soft. Meanwhile, mix the peanut butter with some of the water in a small bowl. Add flour to remaining water and mix well. Pour both mixtures into the pan and cook until smooth, adding water if necessary. Season to tase with spices. Return chicken to pan and simmer until tender. Serve with hot rice. Note: For "Bagara (Beef) Congolaise," substitute beef stew meat for the chicken. ~ from Chef Aleme- Adi, Congo

I'll let you know how it is!

For more menu plans, visit Organizing Junkie. Have a yummy week!

Near the Cross

One of my first posts when I started my blog described my "not-so-quiet-times" each morning. Oh, how the Lord has used His Word to speak to me this morning, weaving the gospel message through my Old Testament reading where I found myself at the foot of Mt. Sinai, learning of the sacrifices to the New Testament reading where I sat with Christ at that final supper where He turned the Passover Meal into a remembrance of His atoning death. God used the perfect hymn to tie it all together for me this morning, and I just had to share its words with you.

Jesus, keep me near the cross; there a precious fountain,

Free to all- a healing stream- flows from Calv'ry's mountain.

In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever;

'Till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul, love and mercy found me;

There the Bright and Morning Star shed its beams around me.

Near the cross! O Lamb of God, bring its scenes before me;

Help me walk from day to day with its shadow o'er me.

Near the cross I'll watch and wait, hoping trusting ever,

Till I reach the golden strand just beyond the river.

May the day and week ahead find you near the cross, my dear friend.

Seeds of Character

"Sow a thought, reap an act.
Sow an act, reap a habit.
Sow a habit, reap a character.
Sow a character, reap a destiny."

George Dana Boardman, The Younger

American Clergyman (1828-1903)

Yesterday we were working around the house (Yey! I finally felt like working! I have never been happier to scrub a bathtub in all my life...) My best-house-painter-in-the-west husband, Luke, was scaling the 20 ft. heights of our family room painting and our son, his faithful sidekick, was helping him. I was on the other side of the bar/sink area working in the kitchen. Every request that Luke made of Kyle was met with a cheerful "Yes, sir" as Kyle diligently and obediently did whatever his Dad needed him to do: take off the plates around the electrical sockets, bring him supplies, reload his paint roller and hand it up to him. Finally, I said from the other side of the counter, "Kyle, you are working so hard. I really love how hard you are working to help your Dad." "Thanks," he replied from down below. A few moments later I said, "You know, it really honors God for you to work so hard." There was a long pause while he kept rolling paint onto the wall. Finally he asked, "It does?" "Certainly," my husband added, and began explaining to him how it glorifies God to work hard.

As I was scrubbing and listening to a father sweetly teaching his son, I realized that Kyle had been pleasantly surprised to learn that his behavior was honoring and glorifying God. I realized that perhaps all along he thought he was simply pleasing his parents. I really want him to know it's bigger than that; he is pleasing His Heavenly Father. I want to start looking for other ways to let my children know that their goal is not just to honor and please me, but to look at how they can honor God. I want them to know the life-long, abiding peace and joy that comes from a life filled with daily, minute-by-minute choices that honor the God Who made them, saved them, and loves them so dearly.

Something so simple yesterday, but hopefully a seed was sown.

It's Not About Me

"For the life of me, I believe Satan trains battalions of demons to whisper one question in our ears: 'What are people thinking of you?' "

Max Lucado

This makes me feel better!

If you are interested in reading any Deep and Meaningful (or perhaps Thought-Provoking) posts this week, I'm afraid you'll need to click around in my archives or click one of the bloggers in my blogroll. This virus has hit me like a ton of bricks. It may last for 48 hours, but it's taking me at least an additional 48 to get back on my feet and feel like "me" again.

Since I can finally read without feeling too dizzy, I've been catching up on some of my favorite blogs, including my newest favorite where I saw this. Since I don't feel like myself at the moment, I decided to see who I might look like.

Just. LOOK!!



I look like WONDER WOMAN! (I actually bought a Wonder Woman t-shirt last spring because I always wanted to be her...) I resemble The First Lady! Oh, how I wanted to be Andie McDowell (the beautiful doctor) in "St. Elmo's Fire" when I saw it in high school. And (my daughter-the-Gilmore Girls-addict) will be so proud that her mom looks like Lorelai Gilmore! And -bonus- it didn't tell me I look like any men.

I'm starting to feel perkier already...

::::off to find my Wonder Woman shirt:::

Commercials

Being sick is no reason to neglect using one's time wisely. With that in mind, I have now watched every commercial that aired during the Super Bowl and I have chosen my favorite:



Speaking of commercials, all of these daytime commercials have inspired me. I'm seriously considering attending ITT Tech or possibly pursuing a rewarding career in the automotive industry. I've also jotted down a few numbers of some law firms, in case I suspect I caught this virus due to someone else's negligence...

(Okay, I need to just put down the remote and step away slowly...)

Two Words:

"stomach virus."

:::shudder::::

I'm finally able to sit upright, but that's about it. I'll be back in a few...

Love y'all!

Sunday Funny

A small country church voted to refurbish their sanctuary. In the interest of frugality and good stewardship, the deacons volunteered to paint the walls themselves. They carefully calculated their budget and purchased the necessary supplies. Early on a Saturday morning, they began to paint. As the work progressed, they began to realize that they had not bought enough paint for the entire job, so they began to thin the remaining supply. As they continued, the paint grew thinner and thinner. They finished that evening, straightened up the sanctuary, turned out the lights and left to let the paint dry overnight.

When the congregation arrived the next morning, they were quite disappointed with the results. The sun streamed through the windows of the sanctuary, revealing the streaky, thinned-out paint job which showed the old paint underneath. The preacher took his place behind the pulpit and silently studied the walls for a few moments, the congregation anxious to hear what he would say. He then turned to the deacons, pointed his finger, and declared in his best preacher-voice, "Repaint! Repaint! Thin no more!"

Call it what you will...

Economical excursion...
Nominally-priced night out...
Reduced rate rendezvous...
Stingy soiree...
On-sale outing...
Depreciated departure...
Discount diversion...

I call it a great idea!

Have you seen what Shalee's got going on next week?

Get all the details here, then visit her site on Tuesday to post your ideas. I can't wait!

One in a MIL

Chris at Come to the Table wrote about Love and Acceptance this week. It was such a great post, and it really made me think. Oh, how I want to be characterized by those words. I want people to look forward to being around me because they know they are loved and accepted. There are so many people I just love so much I wonder if there is any way they can know how much I love them. Oh, how I hope that love comes through in my words and actions.

But one person came into my mind when I read Chris's post: my mother-in-law (MIL), Nancy. From the moment I started dating her oldest son 20 (::gasp::) years ago, I felt her acceptance. We started dating in November, and in December she made me a stocking to hang with the others. With six kids, boyfriends, girlfriends (now spouses), and friend-friends she always makes each one of us feel like we're her favorite. (I just love it! I'm her favorite!) Years ago when the kids were little she came over and my house was an absolute wreck. She walked in, took one look around at the debris and her face lit up. She exclaimed, "Good for you! You've been spending time with those babies!" Oh how I needed someone to acknowledge that that day (and put a positive spin on how my house looked!) Every year on my birthday she calls my mom and thanks her for giving birth to me. Isn't that cool?

I'm thinking of her this morning because last night she came over. My house was a mess. It's been a busy week, laundry is all over, and with painting, stuff isn't where it usually "goes." I loved it because... it just didn't matter. I felt like I could have her come right over and plunk down right in the midst of it, which she did. Then she told me how beautiful our house is. She told me how great my food was. She acted like it's the most beautiful paint color she's ever seen. She thinks her son is the best painter in the world. She loved on all of us and enjoyed s'mores and family Bingo night with us (and won a prize!)

I wanted to write this this morning because she told me yesterday that every day she gets up and reads my blog first thing. (She told me as she came in the door last night I was the Best Blogger In The World! "If you don't write a book someday, it'll be a shame..." :) So I wanted to write this first thing. Nancy, this is for you and for all of bloggy-ville to read because I want to let you know how your love and acceptance have touched me for the last 20 years. You're the kind of person I want to be. I love you!

Without a shadow of a doubt...

Spring is coming early!

Phil didn't see his shadow. (I didn't either, when I went outside.)

Well, some think that Groundhog Day should be outlawed, anyway...

Happy Groundhog Day!

A Good Tired

It's Friday, and I am tired. I'll bet you are too! Moms are busy.

But is it a good tired? For me, it is. Last week I felt so stretched and so pulled, my sweet husband and I were making some decisions and in so many areas I just felt... out of control. This week, I decided to go back to what I KNOW. I know that God loves me and wants His best for me. I know He is holding my family in the palm of His hand. I know that He has good works for me to do that He planned before I ever took my first breath. I know that those good works are to be a wife to my husband, and to mother my children at home. So this week, I got back to the heart of those good works, first and foremost loving and supporting my husband. I started last weekend taking a new look at just what it is that Luke needs from me. I didn't make a formal list, but sort of just clarified some things in my mind. Then I took a good hard look at what my children need from me. I ordered my week accordingly. I left out the things I was hoping to get done for myself or around the house, or what might look good to other people. I simply narrowed my focus to the three other precious souls who live in this house and endeavored to pour myself out for them in a new way.

I realize that many, many women live this way already. You probably do. I know them. I read your blogs. But for me, it doesn't come naturally (and "How To Pour Yourself Out For Your Family" is not the latest topic on Rachel Ray, Oprah or The View to be sure!) I have to work at putting others first and serving them above all, or I naturally default into what I want to commit to do, what I want to read or decorate or what might most fulfill me or make me look good, whether or not that would do a hill '0 beans worth of good for the other three in my family.

SO, this week I spent extra time looking into the eyes of my children as they spoke to me. I worked extra hard on their schoolwork with them. I made meals that they loved each night, and had them ready when Luke was coming in the door (oh, how he's worked so hard this week!) I made sure that my busy Bethany got to her job at the church and to her classes, I made sure that my book-loving Kyle got to dig through lots and lots of books at the library and that he and I are enjoying a new read-aloud together. I bought their favorite snacks at the grocery store. Everyday my focus was them, not in some back-of-hand-on-forehead martyr way, but because I love them more than anyone else on the face of this earth. Of course, this wasn't so new to me, like I usually don't take them where they need to go, feed them, or read to them. I just chose this week to really do these things with great love and "be all there" whatever we were doing. Sometimes I just run here and there with and for them like some sort of robot (mom-bot?) but this week I chose to see it differently. I didn't just wait around like a servant to see what they asked for, either, of course. Our days are purposeful, planned, and full. I just filled those days with what would most bless them.

And you know what? The rest of it happened. I got that haircut that I've so desperately needed. I finished two books I was reading. I blogged. The house is really coming together (we are painting). I got together with one friend and had great phone conversations with two others. I took care of ministry needs. Everything else that I was so frantically trying to accomplish... fell into place. And if it didn't, I have decided that it must not have needed to. It will happen another time. Yes, it's been a lot of work but since it was SO clearly what God had for me to do, and not what I simply added to my own plate the energy was there. His energy.

God is teaching me so much. It's been a good week.

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

I Peter 4:11

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,

and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matt. 6:33

Works-for-me-Wednesday: Oneplace.com

Have you discovered oneplace.com yet? We love it at our house. I listen whenever I get a chance.. to Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Beth Moore, John Piper, and Chuck Swindoll. Many times I'll be listening to a radio broadcast while driving home, or on the way to pick up the kids. Then I'll pull into the driveway or the kids will pile into the car midway through. So, I can just look up that radio ministry on Oneplace and listen to the rest of it later. (Like yesterday when I caught the tail end of this. Oh my word- good stuff.) I just love it!

I've been listening to a great Nancy Leigh DeMoss series this week as part of my morning quiet time/ Bible study. As I type this post, my son is sitting beside me listening to an episode of Adventures In Odyssey that he hasn't heard yet (a big hit in this house!)

If you haven't been to Oneplace yet, I'd encourage you to check it out. It really works for me!

For more tips, visit Rocks in My Dryer. Have a wonderful Wednesday!

It's the little things...

Mother Teresa said, "We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love."

I love this quote because it reminds me of all those small things I do each day for those in my family, and inspires me to do them with great love. Today, a friend of mine did what she probably considers a small thing- she invited me over for a cup of tea and a quick Indian-style (as in, from India) brunch. Each of us had limited time, so I was just at her house for a bit while our boys enjoyed the crisp, sunny air outside. As I sat at her counter sipping tea, watching her scramble eggs and listening to her wisdom, I was touched by the great love with which she did such a small thing.

I just wanted to share that today, as I was reminded anew that so often it is those little things- a scrambled egg, a cup of tea, and a listening ear- that mean so, so much.

In Other Words: What Manner of Spirit You are Of

"Satan's ultimate lie is that you are capable of being the god of your own life, and his ultimate bondage is getting you to live as though his lie is truth."
~ Neil Anderson ~

They obviously thought Jesus didn't have the situation well in hand. Upon seeing the Samaritans reject Jesus, James and John asked, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?" (Luke 9:54) This cracks me up every time I read it. It's just what I do. I can just imagine, if Jesus were still on this earth in the flesh standing before me, I might say the same thing. I might actually ask God incarnate, "Do you want me to handle this? Let me get this one." But Jesus rebukes them, saying, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of." (v. 55) You are not God. He then explains what His plans were- which at that point did not involve charring the Samaritans, but saving them.

It's the first lie that humankind ever bought into. Satan convinced Eve (the woman fell for it first!) that God was holding out on them, that He had something He didn't want them to have, but that they deserved: the position of being God. And, ever since, that's been our main struggle in one form or another. We do not know what manner of spirit we are of.

Sometimes like James and John, I just want to help. Like maybe I'm saving Him the trouble of dealing with my minutia while there are such bigger things in this world for Him to handle. "It's okay, God. You formed me in my mother's womb and died for my eternity, but I can take it from here. You've got bigger fish to fry. Like that whole thing in Iraq." Other times it's more out of a desire for comfort or image. "I'm afraid God won't give me what I want if I leave it up to Him." At times it's out of fear. "I've seen what happens to people who are 'sold out' for Jesus. They end up as missionaries or martyrs. No way!"

I've been struggling personally (off and on) for the past few years with another form of "being the god of my own life," a baptized version of it: Doing God's will in my own strength. It's exhausting! He didn't call me to tasks for which I wouldn't need Him, just the opposite. He is about relationship. He calls me to what will send me running to Him and keep me clinging to Him, for my good and His glory.

No matter how the enemy convinces us we can be our own god, we are as succeptible to it as Adam and Eve were. But I like to remember that even after they fell for the lie God came looking for them. He still sought them. What grace. What love! He still scoops me up, pushes my hair back from my eyes, brushes the dust of self-will off of me, removes that ill-fitting crown from my head and says, "Why don't you let Me, child. You do not know what manner of spirit you are of." No matter what I may have thought I was, His answer is "I AM."

I think I'll let Him.

To read more insights from other IOW participants or to add your own link, visit Christine at Fruit In Season. Thanks for hosting, Christine!

Monday, Meme, and Music

I was tagged by Jenny at Home is Where You Start From to participate in this meme based on the Mastercard commercials. (You know, the ones that list how much certain things cost, then at the end it says one thing that is "priceless?") SO, this is my "Priceless Five"


5 ...... days since I've posted on this blog ::gasp!::

4..... really challenging days are behind me (I hope! They sort of snuck up on me in the first place!)

3.....the number of brain cells I have left to rub together as a result of the aforementioned, which would explain why this isn't going to be a very Deep and Meaningful Post. :)

2...... blogs I clicked on this morning before I found:

1.... that I had never read before: One Woman's World

Priceless.....Clicking on Heather's link to find that I am a
in the category of "Most Thought-Provoking" blog. Wow! And on a day that I haven't been able to provoke any thoughts! (Besides, I was actually going over there to nominate other people. Isn't that fun?) So, whoever nominated me, thank you, thank you. I really needed this today!

As I mentioned, it turned out to be a challenging week. No one's sick, like at Kim's and Sissy B.'s. (I've been praying for them and for all of you who may have viruses making the rounds in your homes.) We are in the midst of "ordering our lives" at our house at the moment, in a radical way. In every area- financially, spiritually, organizationally, and prioritizationally (I just used my three remaining brain cells to make up that last word. Shoot.) Anyway, it's a challenge. It's been lovingly brought about by the Lord Himself, but it's difficult. And it has involved lots and lots of paint, boxes, prayer and a few tears. The upshot of all of it is that I have learned that even when you think you've already come to the end of yourself, perhaps you haven't. I hope I'm there now.

Along the way these past few days, my ever-faithful God Who knows how music speaks to me led me to Travis Cottrell's newest cd, which was my weekend soundtrack. GO. to. this. website. Click on "music" in the lower left, choose the top album, "Found" and click on the first song: "Falling." Turn up your speakers. You will worship. Oh my WORD.

Okay, I will stop typing so you will go there now. (I mean it!)

Have a blessed Monday!

Blast From The Past

I was tagged by Margaret over at GoGo's World to do this fun meme (originally started by Lindsay.) It's so neat, because I used to post SO much stuff... before anyone was reading my blog besides my mom and my sweet friend Holly. I originally started this blog to keep everyone up on our travels and to post updates on my sweet 12-year-old daughter as she traveled without her parents in China last summer. For 5 weeks. (Oh, how I needed y'all then!!) Once I had my blog it just became the overflow of my brain. Now that a couple more of you are reading it, it would mean SO much to me for you to read some of what I've written in the past!

Instead of posting links, I've reposted the posts here so there's not a lot clicking involved for you... just s-c-r-o-l-l-i-n-g. There are four categories: Funny, Serious, Ugly, and All About Me.

Funny:

Butt-Prints in the Sand

originally aired July 17, 2006

This afternoon I read the book The Purse-Driven Life by Anita Renfroe. (SO funny! Short, and perfect for a quick, summer-afternoon read, when it's too hot to think too deeply...) In it, she quotes this poem, written by an unknown author and an obvious take-off on the much loved "Footprints" poem. Although I hadn't see it yet, I Googled it and found it all over the internet!

Buttprints in the Sand

One night I had a wondrous dream

One set of footprints there was seen

The footprints of my precious Lord

But mine were not along the shore

But then some stranger prints appeared

And I asked the Lord, "What have we here?

Those prints are large and round and neat

But Lord, they are too big for feet."

"My child," He said in somber tones

"For miles I carried you alone

I challenged you to walk in faith

But you refused and made Me wait

"You disobeyed, you would not grow

The walk of faith you would not know

So I got tired and got fed up

And there I dropped you on your butt

"Because in life there comes a time

When one must fight and one must climb

When one must rise and take a stand

Or leave their buttprints in the sand."

Now, while it cracks me up (no pun intended- oh, who am I kidding, all my puns are intended) somehow it just doesn't sit well with me (ahem) . So I added to the end:

"As you sat upon the beach

You were never beyond My reach.

Your knee prints that I see beside

Remain untouched by the approaching tide

"They show you knew to call to Me

And I heard your heartfelt plea

Let Me help you to your feet

And your joy I'll make complete.

Remember, draw your strength from Me

As you battle the enemy.

You may leave buttprints in the sand

But no one can snatch you from My right hand."

Serious:

Star Crossed

originally aired July 23, 2006

Last night, our teaching pastor delivered a message entitled, "Stars." The focus scripture was Psalm 19:

"The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they display knowledge." (verses 1 & 2)

If, he pointed out, "day after day they pour forth speech," what are the stars saying?

1. He is God. (verse 1)

2. That we are not. (Isaiah 40 :25-26)

3. We are loved. (Psalm 8: 3-4)

It was an excellent, excellent message (and very timely for us as we are studying astronomy!)

As I listened, I was reminded of a similar message I heard a few months ago by Louis Giglio at a Chris Tomlin concert. There was a certain photo he showed that absolutely took my breath away, so I stayed up late last night searching the internet for it. I found it at the Hubble Site:

This image of the core of the nearby Whirlpool Galaxy, was taken with the camera on NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. It shows a striking , dark "X" silhouetted across the galaxy's nucleus. The "X" is due to absorption by dust and marks the exact position of a black hole which may have a mass equivalent to one-million stars like the sun.

What this looks like to me, is a reminder that "we are loved." (NASA can call it an "X" if they want... the Greek letter "chi" is a common abbreviation for "Cristos" in some New Testament manuscripts.) I love that it's due to "absorption by dust" and marks a massive black hole. My punishment was absorbed on the cross, and my sin may as well have disappeared into a black hole. What a glorious thought!

Our pastor quoted from the book, The Privileged Planet , that "Earth is located in the prime place for life, but also observation." From that he highlighted the fact that "God gave us the best platform to observe and know Him." According to the NASA website, "the [Whirlpool] galaxy is spectacular because it is tilted nearly face-on to Earth, allowing for an unobstructed view of its bright core."

Face-on.

Unobstructed view.

The best platform to observe and know Him.


This morning I am reminded afresh that the cross of Christ is a "face-on, unobstructed view" of the Father's love for us. It is the "platform by which we may observe and know Him." The cross is there, for those who will find it. And it is there to be found.

Ugly: (I categorize this as "ugly" because it was sort-of a rant)

Maybe I'm Missing Something...

originally ranted posted August 2, 2006

but is this really necessary to reach today's youth for Christ?

• Eating melted chocolate candy out of a diaper a la the "Pampered Palate" game


• the "Banana Barf" game


• Girls burping boys a la the "Baby Bottle Burp" game
  

Don't get me wrong. I love fun. I love games. I love games with kids/youth. In fact, my husband and I coordinate the Awana club at our church which draws 400+ kids (age 3 through high school) each week, and one of the key components is the game portion of the night. We've had kids start coming for the games, then begin attending club each week, which eventually led to the entire family joining the church. Praise God! We've played games on the beach in China and in villages in West Africa. I've seen total strangers come together and, through games, build a rapport and eventually hear the saving message of the gospel. I totally get the idea of using games as outreach. But, some of it has gone too far in my opinion. And I've found out that apparently others feel the same way. Since this was on my mind this week, I did a search and found an article (in its entirety at thegoodsteward.com) that was originally published in "World Magazine" back in 2002. I think Gene Veith summarizes nicely why some of the games in today's youth groups, and one in particular that I've witnessed recently, bother me so much:

"What do teenagers learn from these youth group activities? Nothing of the Bible. Nothing of theology. Nothing of the cost of discipleship. But they do learn some lessons that they can carry with them the rest of their lives:

Lose your inhibitions. Young people usually have inhibitions against doing anything too embarrassing or shameful. These exercises are designed to free people from such hangups. For some reason, post-Freudian psychologists—whose "sensitivity groups" are the model for these kinds of exercises—maintain that such inhibitions are bad. Christians, though, have always insisted that we need to feel inhibited about indulging in things for which we should feel ashamed. This is part of what we mean by developing a conscience.
Though being "gross" may not be sinful in itself, overcoming natural revulsions can only train a child to become uninhibited about more important things.

Give in to peer pressure. Defenders of these kinds of activities maintain that they help create group unity. The way they work, though, is to overcome a teenager's inhibitions with the greater desire to go along with the group. In other words, these exercises teach the teenager to give in to peer pressure. Instead, youth groups need to teach Christian teenagers not to go along with the crowd and to stand up against what their friends want them to do.

Christianity is stupid. Status-conscious teenagers know that those who are so desperate to be liked that they will do anything to curry favor are impossible to respect. Young people may come to off-the-wall youth group meetings, but when they grow up, they will likely associate the church with other immature, juvenile phases of their lives, and Christianity will be something they will grow out of.

Teenagers get enough entertainment, psychology, and hedonism from their culture. They don't need it from their church. What they need—and often yearn for—is God's Word, catechesis, and spiritual formation."© World Magazine, 2002. To learn more about World, visit the magazine’s web site at www.worldmag.com or call (800) 951-NEWS (6397).

Though I'm leery of anything labeled "contemplative" these days (another blog topic for another day!) I found a review for the book Contemplative Youth Ministry. The review (which can be found here) has some interesting observations from the book as well as thoughts from the reviewer:

"Mark writes that youth ministry has often lacked a sense of presence, that instead we’ve concentrated most of our ministries on either the anxieties of young people or the anxieties of the adults within our churches."

"When the anxieties that drive us are those of the young people, (Church is boring, God is about conformity, Christians are boring) then we create programs and events that are all about fun and recreation, the programs attempt to be culture friendly involving frozen chickens, data projectors, play stations and mystery trips but lack the deeper, prayerful and mission action of the Christian faith."

I feel I should say at this point that I really admire those who have committed to work in youth ministry. That takes a special calling and a unique set of gifts (most of which I admittedly do not have!) I am awed and humbled by some of the dynamic folks at my church who serve in our youth ministry, motivated by hearts completely on fire for the Lord. It's wonderful to see! Now that I have a "youth" of my own, our family is directly feeling the impact of those dedicated servants.

But I feel the above authors make great points. I think there is a fine line between purpose-driven outreach and anxiety-driven wackiness. When that line is crossed, the message is lost. As I read some of the ideas offered on the internet on youth ministry websites and observe some of the games at gatherings I've attended personally, I can't help but ask myself, "Is this being done to the glory of God? Can this be done to His glory? Is any of this pointing to Jesus Christ? What are we really teaching these kids?"

Does playing Butt Charades , swallowing live goldfish , or drinking nasty concoctions from a blender do a good job of teaching: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit Who is in you, Whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." (1 Cor. 6:19)

Maybe I'm missing something...

All About Me:

I will post a link for this one, since it was so recent and you probably read it anyway. If you didn't, here are 5 Things You Didn't Know About Me.

Well, there you have it. If you've read this far... thank you! Now that I've found your blogs I wish, wish, wish I had known you were there all along. If anyone else does a "blast from the past" let me know, I want to see it! God is using so many of your blogs to speak to me each day.

For now, I tag Laurel, Sissy B., and Iris.

Works-for-me-Wednesday: Highlighting Footnotes

This post was inspired by these fun new retractable highlighters I bought last night. I was so excited, I couldn't wait to open them this morning and... highlight stuff! Woo-hoo!

Perhaps it's weird, but I have a thing for highlighting when I read. That's why audio books are practically excruciating for me unless they are fiction. I desperately need. to. highlight. My Bible looks like it might be a Rainbow Study Bible, but no, it's just all my intellectual artwork.

One year for my birthday a good friend of mine gave me some of these, which combine two of my favorite things: highlighters and post-it notes (which I'm all about for using for bookmarks, since they don't fall out when you toss your book into your tote or purse) and these are huge for me in using my prayer Bible.

Anyway, this post isn't simply about how highlighters "work for me,"though in general they are just about one of my favorite things on the planet. What WORKS FOR ME besides highlighting any text I can reach, is highlighting footnotes in a book.

A few years ago as I was reading I kept noticing that many times when I would highlight a particular meaningful passage it would be footnoted. I started flipping to the back and highlighting the corresponding footnote. When I'm finished with a book, I'll scan the footnotes and see if a particular author or original source was repeatedly highlighted and I'll possibly pick up that book or author. (If they are older books, then frequently I'll find them on Amazon for like a penny or something.) Years ago this is how I found out how much I loved Amy Carmichael- from references to her and quotes of hers in Elisabeth Elliot books. I've also gotten some wonderful Bible study tools because I've highlighted the sources some of my favorite Bible study authors have quoted. This has been helpful for me because I've been able to get right to the source and read some of the authors who are influencing some of the authors who are influencing me.


For more great tips, visit Rocks In My Dryer. Highlight something fun today! :)

In Other Words: Influencing the Lost

"You act more like a Christian by your influence on the lost,

than the saved people you impress"
~ Dr. Alvin Reid ~

It's simple, really. It's why we're still here. What were we created for, exactly? According to the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and worded so well by John Piper, "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." But, we can do that in heaven. If that's all He wanted us to do He could take us all home right now. Are we created to praise Him? Again, we could do that in the heavenlies. (And will! I can't wait!) Fellowship with other believers? We will enjoy that for eternity in heaven as well. The one and only reason we are still on this earth at this very moment is to "influence the lost." Every other purpose for our existence could (and will) be realized in heaven. I will spend eternity being impressed by other saved people, no doubt. Corrie Ten Boom, Jim and Betty Elliot, Joseph, Amy Carmichael, Apostle Paul and Adoniram Judson, among countless others come to mind. It's not wrong to be impressed by the saved, but it's not what we're here for and there's time for that (in the proper perspective) later. The one thing (for which we were created) that we can't and won't do in heaven is influence the lost. The time for that is now.

To read more thoughts from In Other Words participants, visit Laurel Wreath.

Thanks for hosting us today, Laurel!