What a Difference a Week Makes...

...or Reclaiming the Weekend.

Pictures from the "Adventure" Weekend:

gorgeous scenery


ouch!


getting it home


Last weekend we decided to go back, reclaim the weekend and ride the steam train as originally planned.

The train


The scenery


A perfect little lamb (I'm partial to black sheep)


Thank you Daddy


Mission accomplished--a lovely day out in the Lakes and not a four hour truck ride to get home!

In Other Words--Does it Have to Be Feast or Famine?

The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign LORD,
“when I will send a famine through the land—
not a famine of food or a thirst for water,
but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.
Men will stagger from sea to sea
and wander from north to east,
searching for the word of the LORD,
but they will not find it. ”
Amos 8:11-12

I've experienced times of drought in my life. Times when I've not regularly sought to spend time with God in Bible Study or prayer. I've known periods where I did not have good sound Biblical teaching available. I've become weary of lackluster preaching on cultural topics rather than delving into the difficult passages of God's word. The drought has been there intermittently in my life. Once or twice, that drought has taken hold and famine has set in.

fam·ine (fām'ĭn)
n. A drastic, wide-reaching food shortage.
A drastic shortage; a dearth.
Severe hunger; starvation.

One thing that I have learned over the years is that if there is a drought in my spiritual life, I probably started it.

In this passage, Amos is warning the people that they are going to become desperate for something that they are currently rejecting. The people were self-focused. They had no need for God, and they did not earnestly seek him. Any religious activity was more out of habit and ritual than significant relationship. The previous verses in the chapter paint a picture of not only pursuit of gain and money, but of oppressing those who were in need. God is essentially saying through Amos, "you are going to want me and you won't be able to hear me and you started it."

For the people in Amos' day, the famine was a clear and deliberate punishment for their ingratitude and behaviour. In my life, the famine is the natural consequence of not deliberately, consistently seeking God. Have you experienced this? How do you get back to a land of rain when you've allowed drought to set in? For me, I find at least five things that help me return. Maybe these will also speak into your experience.

First, I must confess that I started it. I must take responsibility that I have, whether consciously or unwittingly, allowed other things to take the space of my daily seeking a relationship with God.
In that confession, I must be specific about the things that are encroaching on that time and enabling the famine. Often the things that crowd out my study time are actually good things that our taken the wrong precedence.
When I've identified the famine causers, I must ask God to help me prioritize to keep those things in their proper place.
Then, I need to just act on it. I need to sit down and study or pray or wait before God. I need to put action behind the desire, recognizing that it may take some time before it becomes easier or natural. Just as the first drops of rain do not end a physical famine but are the hope of the end to come, so it is with my study. Those first "drops" of study are building for the hope of more to come.
Finally, I need to seek a friend who can hold me accountable. In college I had a friend who started letters not with "how are you" but with "how's your quiet time." I often did not want to answer the question, but I always did because he cared enough to seek the hard question. Sometimes that is the question I need to answer. Other times I need to answer "how many blogs about a relationship with God did you read today instead of developing your relationship" or "how many books about God did you read instead of the Bible". These are areas of good things that I can get out of priority.

Those steps can start me on the road back to health instead of starvation. They can keep me thriving in a relationship rather than fading in a famine. They also remind me that in those times of feasting, I need to store away God's word for the more difficult or busy times so I am less likely to become complacent and move away.

I don't know where you are today. Maybe you are feasting. Celebrate it! Enjoy it! But don't forget you are storing God's word in memorization and meditation for days that may not be this easy. You may be in the place I am right now--carving out the time for a relationship although it is not the feast it has been at other times. Let me encourage you (and remind myself) to stick with it, keep developing the relationship and not to become complacent. But maybe these were tough verses for you because you are in the midst of famine. I pray that something in this post encourages you. I would also consider it an honour if I could pray for you in this time. Just leave a comment or drop me an email (see side bar for address) and I will gladly do that for you.

Father I pray today that each reader of this will know a time of intimacy and relationship building with you. I pray that those who are struggling to find the time will take small steps to build that time into their lives. I pray that I will keep my priorities ordered with your priorities and I will not forsake the time of study and prayer. Thank you that even in famines of our own making, you are always willing to draw us back and bring back the rain. May we always seek your rain. Amen.

I am so honoured that you are joining us today for 'In Other Words.' I am looking forward to visiting your sites and reading how you interpreted these verses and how you keep the word of God forefront in your lives. Bless you for joining us. Please leave your link below.

Hosting In Other Words

Next Tuesday, I have the honour of hosting In Other Words. I have chosen a passage from Amos that intrigues me and brings me pause. I realize that the passage is a judgment passage of the past, but I wonder how it speaks to us today. Have you felt a famine for God's word? What has that looked like in your life? How did you come back? I would love Tuesday to be a dialogue of how we can keep the word of God alive and well in our lives and in the lives of others. Please come back on Tuesday and join the conversation.

The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign LORD,
“when I will send a famine through the land—
not a famine of food or a thirst for water,
but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.
Men will stagger from sea to sea
and wander from north to east,
searching for the word of the LORD,
but they will not find it. ”
~Amos 8:11-12~

In Other Words--Trifling Circumstances or Grand Adventure?

Let me tell you about our weekend adventure. Our company car lease had come to an end and we received a new car on Friday. It has a great "sports" mode that makes it feel more "race-car" and German wanted to try it out. So Sunday after church we loaded up and went a couple hours up the road to the "Lake District" which is where the tallest mountains in England are located. Some great winding roads. Totally amazing scenery. Our destination was a little steam train that we planned to travel on through the sheep pastures whilst watching the baby lambs frolic in the fields. It was a perfect day.

Until.

Until we stopped at the train depot and in a casual walk around the car, German discovered that the front tire had a tear from end to end and was losing air fast. Did I mention that the train depot was on top of the mountain? Did I mention that there was no phone service up there (and the lady in the depot was not willing to let us use their phone either?) It might also be worth mentioning that these are "run flat" tyres so no spare is included in the car. uh-oh

We did not ride the train. Instead we edged about half way down the mountain to a little village where we found a pay phone. Help was dispersed to collect the car and us on the recovery truck and take us to our home where we could get the tyre fixed on Monday (hopefully). Two and a half hours later the recovery truck arrived. YAY!!! It took almost four hours to drive the eighty miles home in the truck with the car on it. Home hadn't looked so good in a long time!

Whilst we were waiting for the recovery truck, German was apologising for the day being ruined. I wouldn't hear it. I told him we had a choice, we could be frustrated or we could celebrate God in it:
*the day was gorgeous
*there was no rain (a rarity in the Lake District)
*we had seen the tear before the tyre totally came apart, possibly causing an accident or being on a one-track mountain road with nowhere to stop
*there was a pay phone
*there was an actual car park beside the pay phone and not just a lay-by
*there were public toilets beside the car park (which both girls needed during the wait)
*there was a trail leading to the Japanese Gardens leaving from the carpark that allowed the girls to burn energy and use part of the time. We would have never seen it without the tyre trouble
*the lease company has a recovery program so we were not stuck in the middle of nowhere
*the girls were going to get to ride in a truck (which they thought was tremendously exciting--at least for the first hour)

The truth is, I would not have always seen the adventure in the experience. I could have easily been frustrated, irritated and condemning. The day had been about German "playing" in the new car, but it had also been about letting our minds go and not dwelling on things that are frustrating. For the last year, we have found ourselves in the midst of "trifling" circumstances with difficult people. We have seen God lead us on a path that most of our friends, and our church family in particular, criticized, ridiculed and attempted to thwart. We have had many relationships totally severed and others damaged beyond human repair. Yet in all of that, God has repeatedly taught us to lean on his love and wisdom.

"If monotony tries me
and I cannot stand drudgery;
if stupid people fret me and
little ruffles set me on edge;
if I make much of the trifles of life,
then I know nothing of Calvary love."

~If: What Do I Know of Calvary Love?~
~Amy Carmichael~

Through the drudgery of life we have learned to choose God's blessing in it rather than strive against it. That is what we did on Sunday. And because German and I chose that, the girls did not see Sunday as trifling or trying. Instead they stood on the rocky "stage" and sang praise songs for almost an hour. They laughed and ran and giggled as the driver loaded the car. Hopefully our attitudes demonstrated something of God's love to the driver who had to take us four hours to our home and then return at least three hours to his base.

The icing on the cake? Yesterday as Flower and I went for a walk she said, "Mum, I really loved our adventure Sunday. Can we do it again?" I laughed and said probably not any time soon. And I thanked God that she saw joy in the circumstances.

As for the car? Well, there were no tyres that fit the car in the country. It has to be brought across Europe. And since there are no airplanes...hopefully one will arrive by truck on Friday. Until then, the car sits in the garage. But it makes me smile everytime I see it.


Visit Patricia at Typing One-Handed to see her take on this great quote and follow the links to other participants.

In Other Words--Giving What We Have

It only takes a few minutes of my time to consider the impact my words may have on someone and adjust the tone.

It only takes a few muscles to smile at someone and perhaps change the course of their day.

It only takes a few coins to take the homeless man a burger or buy the newspaper from the homeless lady trying to get back on her feet.

It only takes a few pounds (or dollars) a month to sponsor that child in a third world country to have clean water and an education.

It only takes a few hours a week to commit to a ministry of calling and choice.

“God can use small ingredients to make big miracles happen: fabric and thread to lift hope in the sick, five loaves and two fish to feed five thousand hungry people, and faith the size of a mustard seed to move a mountain. Shouldn’t we give all that we have to God just to see what He might do with it?”
~~What I Learned From God While Quilting~~
Ruth McHaney Danner and Cristine Bolley

Whether we have an extra few minutes, an extra few hours or even more. Whether it is a few coins in our pockets, some money in our wallet that can be reallocated or even a lot more. Maybe it is just a little energy or a kind word. Whatever we have to give--big or small--God can make it grow to meet the need.

What do you need to share today?

Today's hostess is Nina at Mama's Little Treasures. Come and be blessed.

On Being an ExPat and Dealing with Grief

Thank you dear friends for your kind words, prayers, thoughts and emails over the last several weeks. They have been most assuredly felt and appreciated. I'm actually doing much better than my absence would indicate, and have been writing many incredibily insightful and witty posts in my head. Unfortunately, in the busyness of life I have not done well to get them on paper (or screen) and by the time I do get around to thinking about blogging they are neither insightful, witty or timely. *sigh*

But I need to make a start somewhere, and this post seems to be the one bouncing around my head the most.

This grief thing is weird when your life straddles two sides of a great big pond called the Atlantic.
On one side of the pond, this side, life is basically the same. The girls still need to be directed in school (although this has been quite lax honestly), meals still need to be planned and prepared, dishes still have to be washed, Mt. Laundry still needs to be conquered. Everywhere I look things seem *normal*. The only thing that is out of balance is when I reach to make a Friday afternoon phone call and realize that there will not be anyone on the other end of the phone to answer.
On the other side of the pond, life has radically altered. A house sits empty. Court proceedings are making decisions. Attorneys are at work. Decisions need to be made. Relationships are hurting. I know all of this in my head. The problem is, I can't see it. I can't see the empty house or the items that need to be sorted or the bills that need to be paid. And since I can't see it, it all becomes rather theoretic--at least until Friday afternoons when there is not going to be anyone on the other end of the phone line.

So I find myself trying to reconcile my two lives--the altered American life and the status quo British one. And it makes my head hurt. And it makes me tired, mentally and physically. So I stop writing. Even when I know that writing is one way I reconcile my two lives. (Yes, it is this cyclical in my thinking).

It won't always be this way. Some upcoming events will help in the reconciliation. We will be returning to Texas in the nearish future to go through the house and give things away. That will most definitely make this less theoretical and more realitic. I anticipate that is when I will encounter the grief more profoundly as well. I won't have the denial of distance to dampen the grief. After the Texas trip, I will be able to focus on the other big change in our life---moving. German started a new job just as we returned from the funeral (reality was that his first day was supposed to be the day of the funeral and had to be postponed) so he is working away from home Monday through Friday. We have started our house hunting in the area of his new job, but can't realistically plan to move until after the US trip. When we are able to put plans into place to actually live as a family again, and I can stop being a single parent 5 days a week, I should be able to focus more mental energy on moving on and through the grief.

I'm well versed in the techniques of coping with grief. It was one of the areas I focused on in my years as a social worker in nursing homes. That has given me insight into "this is normal" feelings and honestly allowed my head to just kick in and do the things I needed to when I didn't have the mental energy to figure it out. But I will be more content when my two lives stop being parallel and reconnect. Until that happens, chances are I will still remain fairly silent. I promise, I will be back.

In Other Words--Move in My Less

Thank you for joining me for In Other Words this week! I pray you will be blessed as you follow the links and read what the amazing ladies who write for this meme add to the conversation.

“There’s somethin I learned when I was homeless:
Our limitation is God’s opportunity.
When you get all the way to the end of your rope and there ain’t nothin you can do, that’s when God takes over.”
~ Denver Moore~
Same Kind of Different As Me
(co-written with Ron Hall, with Lynn Vincent)

I'm sure it won't surprise my regular readers that I have a few control issues. I like knowing what is happening, why it is happening and when it is going to happen. I don't do surprises well and it takes very little to to move me out of my comfort zone. God has lovingly and methodically expanded that comfort zone over the years, but when the circumstances get rough I definitely try to reign it in.

This past year been one that God has said to me "I'm in control, just trust me." And it has been hard. Who am I kidding, it is still hard. Yet there are some eye-opening things that God has done and has taught me and has allowed me to see in this year. One of those things he used to open my eyes was this book, "Same Kind of Different as Me." It challenged me, it made me cry, it made me laugh--sometimes simultaneously. I walked away wanting to be a little bit like any of the three main characters in the book.

When I read this quote (above), my heart resonated with it. The logical part of me said "but I've never been homeless." God whispered in my spirit, "but you have been ----less." I let you fill in the "----less" for you. Maybe it's jobless, or childless or friendless or courageless (*shrug* it could be a word). You know what is the "----less" that has brought you to the end of yourself. The thing that made you say "ok God, I get it, I'll trust you." I know what it has been for me. Before reading this book, I would have labeled that thing as being a liability, a character flaw, a problem. But Mr. Moore reminded me that it is none of those things. It is instead the opportunity for God to move in my life. It is the breathing space that moves me out of the way so that God can move unhindered by my interference.

Are you at the end of your ability? Do you see no way forward? Have you faced your "----less" and shuddered or cringed? Maybe it is time to embrace it. Maybe it is time to thank God for the opportunity that he has created in your life for his spirit to move. Maybe it is time to let God take over.

Father God, you know the "less" in my life. You know the "less" in the lives of the readers who visit here today. Help all of us to see the opportunity for you to move in those qualities. Develop in us the trust that is necessary to not interfere. Make us "less" so you can be more. Amen.

A Battle Fought, Finally Won

A chronic medical condition changes the way people relate. And it changes everyday life.

It's been that way for my mother. For twenty-two years she has lived with a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. For eighteen of those years she has had little mobility, and the last several been totally confined to a wheelchair. She has had round the clock care and has found it easier to simply sleep in her recliner rather than be transferred into her bed. I know that each visit is most likely the last visit.

Last Tuesday night (23rd) she altered her routine. She held her head up for her evening medications and then at ten o'clock she asked to be put in her bed. At eleven-thirty CST (five thirty a.m. GMT) I received the call that she had gone into a comatose state. Her lovely caregiver held the phone to her ear, and I said good-bye. Joyce said she smiled. We hung up.

At eight-thirty Wednesday morning, she opened her eyes. Joyce asked her if someone was there to get her. She looked past my niece through the window. The doorbell rang. It was the pastoral care minister from Mom's church. During the time it took to go and answer the door, my Mom left. As one of my cousins later put it "she fought that MS battle a long time and she finally won it."

Obviously I did not make it to her home in time to physically say good-bye. I did not get there until Thursday night. The last week has been a whirlwind of decisions, family and things that have to be done. The service honoured her well. The time with family was lovely to have under the circumstances. The decisions are too many, too soon. Therefore many are being deferred for a few months. I've returned home to get some things done here. We will return to Texas at a later date to deal with things.

Please forgive me if I am more quiet than normal. Words are not coming yet. They will. Words are how I put things in line in my head. But right now, there is just silence.

Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
~Habakkuk 3:17-19~

The fig tree forms its early fruit;
the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling;
my beautiful one, come with me."
~Song of Songs 2:13~

Hosting In Other Words

I'm sorry for my abrupt absence. I'll write about it soon, but still trying to find the words. In the meantime, I have the privilege of hosting In Other Words this coming Tuesday. The quote I chose is from the book "Same Kind of Different as Me" and is the telling of a friendship that grew between an art dealer and a homeless man. It is well worth the time, tears and laughter you will spend if you choose to read the book. I'm focusing on the following quote:

“There’s somethin I learned when I was homeless:
Our limitation is God’s opportunity.
When you get all the way to the end of your rope and there ain’t nothin you can do, that’s when God takes over.”
~ Denver Moore~
Same Kind of Different As Me
(co-written with Ron Hall, with Lynn Vincent)

I hope you will come back Tuesday to read how God is speaking to me in this quote. I'd love it if you would write a reflection on the quote and link back to us as well.

Have a blessed weekend!

In Other Words--Masquerade Ball or Wedding Feast?

I'll never forget the moment. I was at a Steve Camp concert. I was surrounded by loads of fellow believers. And I was having a terrible, no good, awful, very bad day. In fact, I had gone to the concert alone hoping to fade into the crowd and just experience a little of the body of Christ without anyone knowing me. But it wasn't working and I was sitting there in tears before the concert even started.

I looked up and wouldn't you know it, the person sitting in front of me was someone from my Christian Fellowship at University. I did not want to see anyone I knew--I was just too vulnerable on this particular night. But he is an extrovert and he was speaking to everyone around him and he turned around and noticed me. "Hey," he said, "how are you doing?" Huge goofy smile facing my tear streaked face. I did not have it in me to pretend. So I answered, "You really don't care." (yes, I know it was a snarky comment, but you had to know they guy). "Great!" he responded, "glad to hear it!" He turned to sit down. WHAT??!! I could have easily decided at that moment to never be vulnerable within the body of Christ again, to be certain that tears were never seen because words and actions were not even heard. Obviously, he really didn't care and whether I knew it or not, I needed him to care. As I sat there in rather stunned silence, an arm on a body I had never seen before in my life, and would never see again after that night, reached out and hugged me. No words, no platitudes, just a hug. It was a quiet affirmation that Someone cares.

It's been twenty years since that night. And I sit here writing this feeling the same forlornness that I felt that night and remembering the same lessons that I learned.

Vulnerable people take a risk when they show the depths of their heart. That should be held in honor. So when you ask someone heart questions be ready for the honest answer and hold it honor.

That night was the beginning of becoming aware of how many vulnerable people there are all around us. I began to learn, and continue to learn, that if you ask the quiet penetrating question and then waitfor the answer, people open up. I found that the more vulnerable I became the more "real" others became as well.

"So with a painted grin, I play the part again,
So everyone will see me the way that I see them...

Are we happy, plastic people
Under shiny, plastic steeples,
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain,
But if the invitations open,
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain,
On our stained glass masquerade..."

~Casting Crowns~
from the song Stained Glass Masquerade

It's not always possible to live lives totally open. Sometimes those masquerades that we create are for protection of others as much as protection for ourselves. But a masquerade should always be temporary, not permanent. The purpose of the mask should be fleeting. The problem is that so many of us in the church have gotten comfortable with our masks and (worse) with the masks others wear. Masks are less complicated. Openness and vulnerability are messy. God seeks to meet us in the messiness.

Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew's house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus' followers. "What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riffraff?"

Jesus, overhearing, shot back, "Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: 'I'm after mercy, not religion.' I'm here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders."
~Matthew 9:11-13 (The Message)~

Jesus has made a way for all of us vulnerable and broken people to come to the throne of grace. He has shattered our need to dance the masquerade. He did not invite us to a masquerade ball but to a wedding feast. He's even provided the attire we need to wear!(Isaiah 61:10, Matthew 22:1-13) So, why do so many of us get up on any given day to go to a corporate worship time and before we leave the house put on our mask that says "I'm well, nothing wrong with me." If that is true, then we don't need a Saviour and there is no reason to go to church. We all need a Saviour. We are all unhealthy and broken. We all need healing.

One of the roles of the church is to be the avenue of healing. We are to pick up our fallen brothers and sisters.

If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
~Ecclesiastes 4:10~

But how can our brothers and sisters pick us up if we are propped up with masks pretending that we have not fallen? How can we assist them if they look to be standing? In order for us to properly be the church as God has established us, we need to show our needs and we must notice the needs of others. Until then, we will be attending a masquerade ball and not a wedding feast.

Father God, help me to watch with eyes that are blessed by you for those who are hurting around me.  Help me to ask the questions that allow someone to share their vulnerability.  Help me take the time to be present and to listen to their answers--not just their words but their demeanor.  Give me the courage to live a life vulnerable, to allow others to see that I am a broken vessel put back together miraculously through the blood of Jesus.  I want to let go of the mask.  I don't want to be stuck in a masquerade ball trying to determine what is real and what is false.  I want to come to the wedding table and be clothed in robes of righteousness.  Help me to live a life that reflects you for your glory alone.  Amen.

Loni is hosting In Other Words this week.  Come and see what others are writing about the Casting Crown lyrics.

Stitchin' Post February 13, 2010

Not much to show for my efforts this week. Here is the start of a Quaker Heart that will be part of one of the set of Bride's Tree ornaments I am making this year.



What are you stitching this week? I hope to finish this whilst watching the Olympics in the coming week. Hope you have a great weekend!

In Other Words--Noun or Adjective

We were watching an episode of a British car show on television recently. The presenter has a disdain for all things "American." He will tell you that Americans (the people/the noun) are "loud," "brash," "overindulged," and "fat". I try not to be offended, but I often can be. He is harsh when he describes the people of America (and by that he clearly means the U.S. because the rest of the Americas do not register), but when he describes an American (the adjective) car, all bets are off. American as an adjective to describe a product to him automatically means "rubbish." He uses the two words interchangeably.

It makes me wonder about our use of words. Are we adequately able to encompass the meaning of a word when used both as a noun and an adjective? Sometimes, perhaps. But not always.

“Christian is a great noun and a poor adjective.”

Rob Bell

"Christian" as a noun should mean a follower of Christ. It should be attributed to someone who has made a deliberate decision to align their allegiance with Christ and follow in his footsteps. The names is an identity moniker.

That seems to work well. Just as I am an American because I was born in the U.S.A. and my national allegiance is to that country, I am a Christian because I was born again into the family of God and place my allegiance with Christ.

The problem comes when when use "Christian" as an adjective to describe everything from books and music to t-shirts and tattoos (go ahead and google it). What does it mean for a product to be Christian? Does the product itself serve allegiance to Christ? Of course not. The use of the word as an adjective is usually as a marketing tool. Christians (the noun) are the target market for the product so the product gets labeled as Christian. The problem is, describing some product as Christian tells us nothing about the product. And we end up with no real comprehension of what the descriptor means.

It can actually become a detriment, both to the product and to the target market. The presenter in my opening scene has a bad experience with an American car, so in his mind all American cars are rubbish. Someone has a bad experience with a Christian book so all Christian books can be seen as not-worth-reading. That would be a shame. There are, truly, a lot of books out there marketed as Christian that are shallow, or worse untrue to the Scripture. I have read some. I'm sure you have too. If I thought that was the standard for "Christian" I would want nothing to do with it. And I would end up missing blessings in so many other books. This scenario is sad, but the next scenario is more telling. I do not know which came first his caricaturisation of Americans or his disdain for products from America. But they feed one another. A bad impression by a "Christian" product can offput someone from wanting to be around Christians. Likewise, we as Christians can create such a reputation that someone would not want to utilize products that are deemed Christian.

Ironically, the author of today's quote is a perfect example of this. His books and videos are marketed in "Christian" book stores. But even among Christians the verdict is divided. Some say that he gives Christians a bad name because he is not direct enough in his presentation of the gospel. Others say that he is a breath of fresh air because he speaks to people in a way to catch their attention and intrigue their interest in things of Scripture and church. Some say "that's not my brand of Christian" whilst others praise "I'd be interested in that kind of Christian." I personally look at his work and his public ministry and I see a someone living out their understanding of their call and Scripture. I do not agree with everything he writes, but I do find that he makes me think and evaluate what I believe. I know that not everyone agrees with me. On this blog, I do my best to live out in words what I see as my calling to follow Christ. For some of you that works. Others, may think that my flavor of Christianity is too serious. Still others may question why I have things like my stitching on their when this is a "Christian" blog. Every blog writer knows that she/he will never please everyone in their audience. For my experience, and for what I see Rob Bell saying, we can take the moniker Christian as our identity and become the noun. But when we try to apply it as an adjective we start a slippery slope of "by who's definition" and will rarely find a consensus.

“Christian is a great noun and a poor adjective.”

My dear sister in Christ and blogging, Tami, is our hostess today. Please visit. Have a blessed day!

You Can Still Wear Cute Shoes--a review

I don't do many book reviews on this blog.  But this just isn't any book.  This is a book I've anticipated the release and I could not wait to get my hands on it.  And it did not disappoint. 

I first *met* Lisa McKay  when Iris pointed her readers to an online Bible Study that was starting called "I Am."  I was pouring a lot of me into teaching other people and not enough allowing myself to be refilled.  This study was the refresher I needed.  I found Lisa to be deep, funny, penetrating, accessible and an amazing communicator.  So, I started following her blog.  Her blog is also funny, challenging, and accessible!  When she announced that she was writing this book I was excited for her and committed to pray for her.  Sometimes I succeeded, other times I dropped that prayer ball totally.  I eagerly watched as she wrote the book, sent it off for editing and finally had a print release date.  I can tell you that the end result of this book was worth the wait.

You Can Still Wear Cute Shoes is a handbook for pastors' wives everywhere.  You are probably shaking your head in wonderment because you all know that I am not a pastor's wife.  But I know a lot of pastor's wives and Lisa also speaks to the layperson about what it looks like behind the door of the parsonage.  This book will touch you and will make you laugh, but it will ultimately make you think about how you impact your pastor's family with your words and actions (or silence and inaction).  Whilst giving guidance on how to maintain your own person and ministry alongside being one's husband's greatest supporter, she is reminding the layperson to extend grace to the pastor's wife and allow her to use her own gifts.  The discussions about pastor's children remind us to allow their kids to grow up without too much pressure to be something they are not.   Her advice about moving and preparing children for the move, or more specifically praying for God to draw the child's heart as he is drawing your heart to the next place, was timely advice for me to heed!

One thing that amazed me as I read this book is seeing all of my past and current pastor's wives somewhere in the pages.  I've had pastor's wives who were extroverts and others who were introverts, some who were involved in everything and other's selective in their ministry contribution, some with young children at home and others who were empty-nesters.  In the pages of this book I saw things that *I*  had held against some of them or that I know others held against them.  I found myself thinking "that makes so much sense" or "I wish I had known/considered that."  I know that this book will lead me to be more understanding of the needs of the pastor and his family (I know it could be 'and her family', but not really in my denominational tradition). 

Lisa is open in her writing.  The reader gets a good look at her life as a pastor's wife, including the struggles and the mistakes.  I appreciate that realness.  She uses humour well to make her points.  But do not get the impression that this book is fluffy stories of her life with some advice attached.  It is not.  It is Biblically grounded, with solid reflection on the Scripture and plenty of going back to the original Greek language to keep this word-geek intrigued.  This is not fluff.  It is amazing teaching around the subject of supporting one's spouse in his calling from God. 

Read this book if you are a pastor or minister's wife.  I am sure you will be blessed to see that your life is very much like those who share your path of life.  Read this book if you are friends with a pastor's wife.  It will help you see ways to encourage and support your friend.  Read this book if you are just someone in the pew who knows the pastor's wife but is not close to her.  It may help you find a ministry of support, of prayer or just of understanding.  In case you have got the message, read the book.  It is a blessing.

For the record, no one asked me to comment on the book and I purchased it myself.  I just found after my marathon-I-can't-put-it-down reading that I wanted to point my readers to a blessing.  Let me know if you do read it and what stands out to you!

Oh, and Lisa if you are reading...I have always been convinced that if we had met when I was still in Alabama we would be fast friends.  After reading the opening of chapter five I know if for sure.  Who wouldn't become fast friends with someone who understands "please don't breathe in my face"! LOL!

Stitchin' Post for February 6, 2010

I finally finished the border for my Neighbourhood Round Robin as well as my Texas square.  The pictures are not great, but they do give a sense of what it looks like.  I cannot get a good shot of the whole thing--our weather is too dreary.  First sunny day I'll take better pictures.






Thanks for looking!  What are you stitching or crafting this week?

February Goal Post

January Goals revisited:

1. Finish border of NRR--5 hoursabout 30% complete, this is taken much longer than I anticipated since I estimated and I've already logged more than 10 on it!
2. Piece and quilt mystery quilt for a friend--pieced, not quilted
3. Finish Washington and add charms to Alabama, Texas and Missouri--nope
4. Move 2009 files out of filing cabinet and set up 2010 files.--YES!
5. Shred any paperwork that does not need to be kept.--YES!
6. Blog at least bi-weekly on my homeschool blog--oops, wrote the first post forgot to post it until yesterday (yes I know it is February), maybe next month

February Goals (look unsurprisingly like January goals):

1. Finish border of NRR
2. Quilt mystery quilt for a friend
3. Finish Washington and add charms to Alabama, Texas and Missouri
4. Finish cleaning out office
5. Assist girls in organizing toy room
6. Blog at least bi-weekly on my homeschool blog
7. Begin a 365 project and update 101 list

In Other Words--The Heart of a Child

"He who can reach a child’s heart can reach the world’s heart."
~Rudyard Kipling~

If anyone knew how to capture the imagination of a child, it was Rudyard Kipling. Generations of children have been enthralled with his The Jungle Book or the Just So stories. I was one of those children. My grown up mind tends to over analyze his works, but as a child I was thrilled as I imagined how the animals got their stripes, spots, trunks and humps. Pure joy in reading.

Capturing the imagination of a child is one thing; capturing the heart is quite another. Yet it is the heart of a child that will largely motivate how he or she sees the world as they grow into adults.

The majority of what I believe about people, about how to live my life and about God was developed in my early years. True, it has been nuanced and deepened as I've grown older but the foundations were laid early. Even last week, as I conversed with someone about Scriptures the ones that came to mind that I could quote were the ones I learned as a child. The injustices that I noticed as a child, or saw my parents notice as a child, are the ones that I feel the deepest need to address. My adamant belief that tithing is not optional comes from watching/hearing my parents discuss tithing on the way to church. The fact that I believe that we have an obligation to vote comes from going to the polling place with my parents and grandparents. Even my love of math and reading were developed in my childhood. The foundations that my parents, grandparents, teachers and neighbours laid in my childhood have a huge impact on how I interact as a world citizen today.

Jesus understood the importance of children.

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Matthew 19:14

He knew that the time to capture a heart for the kingdom was when it was young. What he was saying was nothing new. From the days of the children of Israel going into the land of Canaan they had been admonished to use the early days of a life to lay the foundations.

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates,
~Deuteronomy 11:18-20~

As a homeschooling mom this is one of those things that brings me incredible joy and strikes me with utter fear. Joy that I am building the very foundations that will impact their world in the future. Fear that I am building the very foundations that will impact their world in the future. It is not a task I take lightly. I want to lead them to capture a vision of how God sees the world. I want them to develop His heart. It is the desire of this mama's heart that they will develop into young women who want to seek their Saviour with all of their hearts and actions. That is a daunting task. Thankfully, He is the one who will draw their hearts to His own. He is the one that will kindle their desires. It is only up to me to provide a learning space for that to happen, as much as I am able to faithfully model seeking Him, to pray and to trust the results to Him. Easier said than done, but I'm working on it.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
~Jeremiah 29:13~

Who captured your childhood heart? How does that impact how you interact with your world? Trust the Saviour of our pasts to use them to lead the children in our lives.

Nina at Mama's Little Treasures is our lovely hostess today. Please visit. Be blessed!

Marriage Monday--Valentines all Year, Just Speak My Language

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Welcome to another Marriage Monday! This month we have been asked to talk about how to celebrate Valentine's Day throughout the year. In other words, what are the things that we see as important in our marriage to keep romance all year and not just on one day.

There are so many ways that we live out our love in our everyday lives. It often changes daily based on the needs of the day. There does seem to be a common thread through the ways that love is celebrated in our marriage--it is in attempting to speak a language that the other hears as love. As I've said before, German and I are literal opposites in so many ways. Our love languages (see Gary Chapman's book of the same name for more insight) are a clear demonstration of this. His love languages are acts of service and physical touch; mine are words of affirmation and quality time. It would be so easy for us to go days upon end and not feel the love or romance of the other if we were not cognizant of how love is being spoken. I have to "hear" him when he is speaking his natural language as well as try to speak his natural language. He needs to hear me in my native language in addition to trying to speak my language. The days we are aware of how the other needs to hear love are definitely the days that we speak romance in our home the best.

And we need to plan for that. A funny example was seen just this weekend. Every week German asks me to put together a list of what needs to be done on the weekend. He needs to speak "service" and he wants those acts of service to actually bless me rather than just take "time" away from me. Honestly, I never ask for more than one thing to be accomplished because I want to just "be" with him in the time we have. But this weekend I had informed him that he could speak his native language and help me clean up the wreck of an office. We awoke Saturday morning and he said "what am I doing today?" and I reminded him and he said "but we haven't gone for a drive lately." I quickly said okay and we set off---to go to Edinburgh, three hours away. We had a delightful day. And I felt better Sunday than I have in ages because I had received his love in my language---time. He had sensed that I was needing to hear love in my own way more than he needed to speak it in his way. The result was a perfect day. (And if I'm industrious this week I'll get the office cleaned up myself in an act of service for him--speaking his language.)

So, in our house, recognizing what love language needs to be spoken/heard and following through with actions that speak love is how we keep Valentine's throughout the year.

Do you know your love language? Do you know your spouse's love language? Feeling like you don't connect the way you want or that you are not loved the way you want to be? Maybe it is time for some foreign language lessons. I highly recommend Chapman's book to help you speak and receive love in the language needed.

Please visit the Marriage Monday writers at Chrysalis. You will certainly find things to bless you and challenge you.

Who I Am--a poetic challenge

E-Mom at Chrysalis has challenged us to use the "Who I Am" poem template to explore our childhood memories and write a little poem about ourselves. Here is my little attempt at capturing some of "Who I Am." Hope you enjoy.

I am from Kerr canning jars, from Palmolive soap and Pine-sol.

I am from the brown-sided house by the cotton field, dusty, barren, of darkness enveloping like a blanket--the nearest porch light a half mile away dimly easing the loneliness.

I am from the cotton---pink and white blossoms to white fluffy balls, and the tumbleweed rolling across the sandy plain.

I am from shelling peas to freeze and snapping beans to can and from dogged stubbornness and thriftiness, from Cliff and C.P. and the “California relations“.

I am from the never-empty coffee pot and ongoing Skip-Bo or Domino games.

From “math is in your blood” and “You are better than B‘s“.

I am from Southern Baptist with Primitive roots. From church potlucks, and play dough theology, “no dancing” intoned by old voices singing ancient hymns.

I'm from Germany and Ireland and Scotland all merging in Texas, from cornbread dressing and hot cherry cobbler served with love. From “cook enough to feed a few more” which always meant too many leftovers.

From the cow trails across Colorado bonding brothers and with long-lost magazine cover photos. I’m from the gold brooch for wedding “oldness” bonding cousins across the generations.

I am from a tin box in the spare bedroom, sneaking peeks at photos long hidden. From albums in the formal living room brought out with ceremony then celebrated with laughter, and from 8mm film of swimming in cotton.

In Other Words--Division or Peace

Do not suppose that I have come to bring
peace to the earth.
I did not come to bring peace,
but a sword.

~ Matthew 10:34~

I've been dwelling on this verse, trying to decide what it is I needed to say. Honestly, my desire was to just skip writing this week. But one of my commitments is to not avoid the week's that are straight out of the Word of God. So, in other words, I needed something to say.

We started school work and I caught out of the corner of my eye a couple walking through the neighbourhood. "*Ugh*" I thought, I'll need to send them on their way. But that little voice that so often interrupts my plans impressed on me to just talk a few minutes. In fact, the few minutes became quite a few minutes. They wanted to talk about the role of governments and the need for us to not even vote because God's government will crush all the governments of the world... I spoke my mind, they spoke theirs. They quoted a few carefully chosen proof-texted verses at me and I quote a few carefully chosen proof-texted verses back. It was actually a very interesting discussion. But at the end, when they made a more directed move to "enlighten" me on why I was wrong I told them "we need to agree to disagree." That was not good enough for the gentleman so the question was asked if they were going to change their minds with anything I said. "Of course not!" came the emphatic answer. I then indicated that they were not going to change my mind either so we needed to "agree to disagree." Pleasantries were exchanged and they left.

Afterwards I spoke with Jewel that sometimes people have different interpretations of the Scripture and we have to be true to what we believe God is telling us in the Scripture. She was confused at how we could talk so nicely and say things that were mostly alike, but "disagree." I explained that in the bigger picture of what those people believed about the Bible and Jesus there were things that are very different from how I believe. We talked about how God will separate those who believe from those who don't believe and how our goal each day should be to know Him more and do what He leads us to do. She asked how we would know that what we believed was right and I told her that God gave us contentment in what He said. (remember she is only 7, so this is simplified!) She was satisfied and we finished schoolwork.

"That's the message---God will separate," whispered in my heart. This verse is not about Jesus crushing the government with a physical sword or disrupting governmental peace. It is about the separation that He makes in the Kingdom. It is about how our priorities and our beliefs will divide us from even those that are close to us (see verses 35-37). When we take on the name of Christ we are standing on one side of a dividing line. The line may look imaginary, but it is real. It is a division of ideology, of priority, of time and of resources. The division will cause some around us to be uncomfortable. It may even make some angry. Others may become distant. We may lose "peace" with those around us who do not share a love or a belief in Jesus.

That is not to say that we should be throw up our hands and say that our lives will be full of conflict. Not at all. Although there may be division, there is also a different kind of peace.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
~Philippians 4:6-9~

From where does our peace come? From leaning on God, from seeking His will and from putting His directives into action. Yes, there will be division. But we need to leave that up to God. Lean on Him, and then we will find a deeper peace.

Are you feeling the pain of division? Do you feel separation more than peace? Struggling to know where to turn? Turn to God. Lean on Him. Allow him to pour his peace into your life.

Today's hostess is Esthermay at The Heart of a Pastor's Wife. Please visit the incredible ladies writing on this verse. I know that you will be blessed.

In Other Words--Happenstance or God Ordained?

Every happening, great or small, is a parable whereby God speaks to us, and the art of life is to get the message.” -Malcolm Muggeridge

I was standing on the platform to board the train. It was late. Go figure, this is England not mainland Europe. I was trying to keep Flower entertained in her stroller, whilst judging the exact moment to get her out of the stroller to get her and it on the train, all the while trying to keep Jewel from wandering off.

A very-American voice said, "You sound as if you are from my neck of the woods." Turned out, it was pretty close as they were from Arkansas. They "happened" to be waiting for the same train. They "happened" to overhear my voice. Their interaction "happened" to entertain Jewel for those few minutes that I needed to keep my sanity.

But this was a two-way interaction. They were being seen off by a missionary couple I "happened" to know in a vague way. This couple "happened" to be traveling for the first time by train and for the first time to London. My presence gave them a contact on the train that was somewhat familiar.

The train arrived, they went to get in their carriage, I got in mine. We were on opposite ends of the train. There was no easy way to get to them. I felt that little voice in my head, "you need to give them your mobile number, just in case." "Sure, Lord, happy to, but how?" "Just write it down. I'll do the rest." I dutifully wrote my name and phone number on a piece of paper and slipped it into my pocket.

The train arrived in London. I looked around and did not see them. I headed for the taxi stand with my 4 year old and 2 year old in tow. I'm about to get in the next taxi when I "happen" to see the couple getting into the taxi in front of mine--that I have to walk past. I leaned in the window, gave her my number and told her to have a good time in London. The taxi sped away. They never needed my number, but I had been faithful to give it. And, yet, there was still something about this "chance" encounter.

The next morning came and we were wandering across the Millenium Bridge. The couple came to mind. I prayed "God I don't know why, but it would bless me to see them again." Yeah, I know, I'm in London. They are on a tour. Yada, yada, yada.

Mid-afternoon came. My family and I were leaving the Tower of London after a full day of sight seeing. We are walking down the steps to leave. "Look up" a voice says in my head. There they were...coming into the Tower of London. We hugged and chatted for a moment. They "happened" to get bored with their official tour and ventured out on their own, straight to where we were. As quickly as it happened, they went on their way, and we went on ours. Nothing profound said. Nothing needed or shared. Nothing shared that is except a "chance" meeting by a loving God.

I don't know the full reason for those chance meetings, but I do know that I see God all over them. The story, the threads, the art of seeing God in the seemingly coincidental. And, somehow, my life is never the same.

Thank you Father for showing yourself in the story of my life. Thank you for those moments when you allow me the ability to see the artistry of how you weave it all together. May I always look for your story in my days. Amen.......(and somewhere there is a couple in Arkansas who you used to bless me, please show yourself to them today in a special way)Amen.

Our hostess this week is Kathryn at Expectant Heart. Go be blessed by the God-incidences she shares. And if you have a story of a God-incidence, I'd love to hear it. You can link up to In Other Words at Kathryn's site.