Monthly Archives: January 2010
Another Advent
“Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!”
– Psalm 27:14 (KJV)
Everyone knows Advent is a time of waiting, of anticipation. As the days crawl closer to Christmas, we wait. Kids wait — fingers twitching, mouths running — for presents. It’s almost unbearable. Husbands wait for those few precious days off when they can (hopefully) sleep in, gorge themselves on good (and junk) food while watching football or WW2 movies. Wives wait for it to all be over so we can get back to “normal” life.
Is this reflective of the first Christmas? Was Mary eager to get it over with? Did Joseph simply long for a place to rest? Perhaps our children most reflect the angels — singing, rejoicing, anticipating, celebrating with abandon.
It’s the middle of January and I’m talking about Christmas. Worse: I’m talking about the season before Christmas! But this is my point: we currently live in another advent.
Mary and Joseph and thousands of Jews had waited for generations for the Messiah. We now wait for the Messiah to return.
God had been silent for over 400 years. God often seems silent to us now.
Mary and Joseph had to prepare. They were ready and excited and nervous, I’m sure. But they were obedient. Are we ready? Are we obedient?
During Christmas Advent we wait in anticipation, but I fear that in this other advent, we wait with apathy. Sure, we know Christ is coming again, but do we groan with the earth during His absence? Do we pray with longing toward His return? Are we prepared? Have we done the tasks given us?
This morning Ellie woke with a dilly-dally in her toes. The girl could not move beyond a snail’s pace. After asking her four times to don her coat, gloves and hat, I walked out the door with Zach in tow. I had already warmed the car, but it took a few minutes to get Zach buckled and settled and load the car with his backpack, lunch and rest-time blanket and pillow. I returned to find the girl sobbing hysterically in the middle of the living room, still not wearing her hat, coat or gloves.
I am not a woman of false humility. I’m also, quite possibly, the least patient woman in the world, especially when it comes to traffic or obedience. I would be lying if I said I handled this well. I didn’t. I was furious. I yelled. I took my precious child to school with tears still running down her face, a scowl upon mine. (A whole other post may be warranted to deal with my guilt.)
Why am I sharing this? Because Ellie knew what she was supposed to do; she knew I was coming back and that I expected her to get it done. Instead of completing her task, she cried and complained that I had left in the first place.
I was only gone for a few minutes. She didn’t have time to forget. Have we forgotten? It’s been 2000 years …
I became angry and disappointed at her disobedience. It was only a matter of outwear, not the handling of souls and eternity. Will Christ be disappointed if we fail? Are we even trying? Or have the distractions of everyday life on this earth overshadowed our spiritual responsibilities?
We are in an advent. I want to feel the same excitement, anticipation and fruitful busyness of Christmas all year long. I want to have the promise of His glorious return forever at the forefront of my mind.
“You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man
will come when least expected.”
– Matthew 24:44 (NLT)
Can you hear angels rejoicing?
Zach accepted Christ this weekend. Well, I think he did. Only God knows his heart, and you know my reluctance to trust child conversions. But it seems that way and, in spite of myself, I’m excited. After all, angels may be celebrating, and I’m not one to miss out on a good party!
During an ice cream stop at the mall, Zach confessed that he didn’t want to die. Ellie, being the evangelist that she is, paused from her crusade of telling every passerby how much Jesus loves them to tell Zach that he should just believe in Jesus. I explained that when we put our trust in Jesus, we never die. Instead we just move from Earth to Heaven to live with God forever. Zach decided Heaven must be better than ice cream. He also assured me that Heaven is better than coffee. (The yet-to-be-glorified part of me wonders.) Then my little man prayed a simple prayer:
“God, I believe in you and I believe in Jesus. So does Ellie and Mommy and Daddy. And we all want to go to Heaven with You. Thank You for loving us and making Heaven better than ice cream. Amen.”
Such simple words, and yet such a huge step. Maybe he doesn’t understand justification or the total propitiation of sins. He’s probably clueless (as many of us are) about the depths of grace or the extent of Jesus’ sacrifice. But it’s a start. And it’s a big one.
~~~~~~~
“Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me! I’ve found my lost sheep!’ Count on it—there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.
“Or imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it? And when she finds it you can be sure she’ll call her friends and neighbors: ‘Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!’ Count on it—that’s the kind of party God’s angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God.”
– Luke 15:4–10 (The Message)
Christmas Recap
At the end of November I posted about celebrating Advent and a couple resources I planned to use. I did, in fact, use them. I did, in fact, plan to post about how it went and what we did, but then I remembered the 12 Pearls of Christmas and … well, life got busy and I never got to blogging.
Here’s a very belated, but super-quick recap.
I really enjoyed Christmas this year! We kept our tradition of the Advent calendar, and as always, the kids loved it. Ellie worked hard to think up “good” questions to discuss each night after filling our Nativity scene with whichever little ornament was hidden behind that day’s door.
Using our cool resources, we also reviewed several passages of Scripture and did some fun crafts: made ornaments, cookies, chocolates, snowmen, snowflakes and fruits covered in cloves. We learned about Saint Nicholas, symbols of Christmas, Epiphany and the legends of the candy cane and fireflies (two separate stories).
We went to a drive-through lights show.
The kids performed in two concerts (one for school and one for church). Ellie even played the bells! and Zach was a wise man in the preschool Christmas musical.
All in all, it was a great season. I was more than a little sad to take down our tree this weekend.
There was one lesson of Advent that particularly struck me this year. I’ll not dilute the point by including it in a crazy-long randomness and recap post. Like Whimzie, I think I’ll try to “keep ‘em thin in 2010.”
Stay tuned.
Read with Me: Week 1
We survived our first week, ladies! Way to go!! I am thrilled to announce we are now up to a full 25 members. (A few others still whisper in the shadows debating whether or not they’ll join.) This is way bigger than I expected it to be. Very cool.
Now if you’ve joined this week, please make sure you’re listed in the Ground Rules post. Also, take a moment to follow our group on twitter or join the facebook group. (I still haven’t totally figured out the facebook thing, but it’s started and I’m working on it. Anyone want to take the reigns on that?)
A few items of business first. The links I original used for the reading schedule have been moved or … I don’t know exactly, but they no longer work. If you still need to print the schedule, go HERE instead. While we’ve unoffically called this “the Piper schedule”, it was actually created Discipleship Journal (published through NavPress).
Also, if you’re looking for ways to be more mobile with your reading, check out these sites.
- Mbible.com: Rick really likes this site for his iPhone. It’s great for just reading through. There’s not much searching; rather you just pick a book and chapter and go, but it doesn’t have any of the adds, framing and other junk that can hog tiny screens.
- Mobile Bible Gateway: I use Bible Gateway all the time, but always from my laptop. However, they also have a mobile version. You get all the same search features, study aids and more, just without the annoying ads and frames.
- Olive Tree: This site offers bible software for your phones. It’s actually the parent site of MBible.com and can provide all sorts of resources for your iPhones, blackberries, Droids, even Nokias and Samsungs. Their products include reading Bibles, but also study Bibles, Greek and Hebrew tools, devotionals, commentaries and ebooks.
So, howya-doin? (I think that’s what we’ve decided to call this — you know, instead of the ever-intimidating “weigh-in.”)
I admit I’ve struggled this week. The kids started school, Rick went back to work and I’ve had difficulty finding my groove again. I’ve also struggled with the program itself. Some books (Psalms and Matthew) I start reading and then forget to stop. I’m way ahead on those! Then, when I go to the others, I’m way behind and not quite sure what’s going on. We are, after all, reading about Jesus choosing His disciples the same week as they replace Judas after Jesus’ ascension. It’s not exactly chronological.
It’s been a great week, though. I’ve had some great discussions with my husband about the texts we read. I’ve been intrigued by a few little details and unanswered questions. I posted about Psalm 1 the other day, and may post about some of these questions next week. I want to hash them through a little more before attempting to regurgitate any of the ramblings in my mind.
So, how about you? Comment or link up to let us know!
Psalm 1
“Are you kidding me?! Are you KIDDING ME!!” As I pound my palms against the steering wheel two tender voices reach from the back seat.
“Mommy, what’s wrong? What happened? Are you okay?”
How do I tell them that my fingers ache to strangle the handicapped driver in front of me who, for unknown reasons, felt the need to cut me off then immediately slow down when I’m already running late? Do I explain to them that if I don’t drop them at school (where they learn about God’s love and mercy) and leave the parking lot by precisely 8:06, it will take me 40 minutes of bumper-to-bumper, mind-numbing traffic to drive the 4.3 miles home? How can I lovingly make them understand that, while God has bottomless wells of grace, I have none?
Maybe I woke on the wrong side of the bed. I do vaguely remember telling my husband that I don’t think I like him anymore. This after he let me sleep in an extra twenty minutes or so.
Maybe I need to move to a less densely-populated area where I won’t be as tempted by road rage.
Maybe I just need to start my day earlier so that I’ll have time to allow every pin-headed, ignorant driver the freedoms they desire and will claim at will.
We started the Read with Me challenge last week. (By the way, if you’re still on the fence, jump in! The grass is green, and we’re having a party. Oooh, a PARTY!! We should totally plan a party when we finish this. Road trip anyone? Oh, how fun!! Who wants to be in charge of planning that? — Okay, tangent aborted. If you’re still on the fence, you should totally join us. You can start today and still be okay! Don’t go back to Day 1; Save those for your grace days at the end of the month. We have plenty to keep us from getting overwhelmed. Click here for full details.)
Again, we started the challenge last week. It has us begin with Genesis, Psalms, Matthew and Acts.
I’ve been a Christian for almost 18 years. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Bible. That’s 39 university credits just on Bible and theology. Then, of course, I took Hebrew as my foreign language and spent another 30-40 credits on missions and ministry classes, cultural anthropology and philosophy. I don’t say any of this to brag — In fact, I’m ashamed at how much of what I studied is now forgotten!
I admit all this because, when starting a program like this, my biggest fear is my tendency to just get it done. I like checking off boxes. I like being productive. On top of this, I have a piece of paper in my basement that claims I already know all there is to know about the Bible. I glaze over and take for granted God’s Word and whatever He may want to teach me through it. I am not an advocate of The Message, but I am forcing myself to read through it for this challenge. I need fresh eyes.
Here is how The Message paraphrases Psalm 1:
How well God must like you –
you don’t hang out at Sin Saloon,
you don’t slink along Dead-End Road,
you don’t go to Smart-Mouth College.
Instead you thrill to GOD’s Word,
you chew on Scripture day and night.
You’re a tree replanted in Eden,
bearing fresh fruit every month,
Never dropping a leaf,
always in blossom.
You’re not at all like the wicked,
who are mere windblown dust –
Without defense in court,
unfit company for innocent people …
“Unfit company for innocent people?” You mean, like my children? I’m “not at all like the wicked?” Does anyone else notice a hint of sarcasm while reading this?
This Psalm has haunted me all week, but it shouts at me today.
Lord God, make me new. I want to be the person talked about in this Psalm. I want to be revived. I want to desire You and Your Word more than anything else … more than comfort, more than peace, more than being on time or getting things done. I want You and only You.
Mama Loves & a couple Kid Quotes
This week I have been fully overwhelmed by the love I have for my kids. No, more than that. It’s like God has shown me in greater detail what an honor it is to be a mom. When I think about them, about the intense privilege it is to know them, to witness their growth (even if I do complain about its exponential rate) … emotion saturates my being. I told someone this week that it’s like Christmas every day. Being a mom, watching my kids learn and discover who God made them to be, it’s like every day I get a new present to open. I never know what it will be, and if I close my eyes or my heart I might miss it, but when I catch it opening … Wow.
I have no idea what God will do with these kids. Ellie has such a generous, compassionate heart. Zach is so witty, so funny and yet perfectly focused on details. He’s my cuddly little man, and she’s my sweet little mama. They both love one another to pieces. I watch them fight to bruises and blood over a junk Happy Meal toy, but the next minute they swear eternal devotion and protection to each other. God has taught me so much through them — about Him, about His power, about me, about love, about commitment, about grace and forgiveness.
Mama loves being a mama.
On a completely different note, I forgot to keep track of the December Ellie-isms and Zach Attacks. Here, however, are a few from this week.
Winter Dictionary
- flirting = snowing lightly — ie: “Mama, look! It’s flirting outside!”
- eggma = eggnog — ie: “Zach can’t drink eggma because it makes him spit up.”
- Ho Ho Ho = Santa Claus — ie: “I just saw a statue of Ho Ho Ho and Ho Ho’s wife!”
- I’m really true! = I’m not lying.
And here’s a story retold by Grandma. Since I didn’t witness this Ellie-ism, I may not quote it perfectly. Rick’s parents surprised us by taking the kids and treating us to dinner for our anniversary. While we were out, this is what Ellie shared.
“Grandma, can you keep a secret? I know what Mama and Daddy do after we go to bed! Don’t tell anyone. They study the Bible!”
Read with Me Challenge: Some Ground Rules
I am SO EXCITED about our Read with Me challenge! If I’ve added correctly, our “handful of friends” includes 20 gorgeous ladies. How cool is that? I get giddy just thinking of the possibilities for this year. God promises that He will be found when people seek Him. He promises that where two or three are gathered together, there He is in the midst of them. Imagine what we’ll witness in the next 360 days by seeking Him together. Not two or three, but twenty. Not one or two random passages, but the whole Bible. Are you with me? Are you excited?
Before I go any further, let me answer some questions.
Q: Is it too late to join?
A: Absolutely not! The “program” we’re using (click here for the schedule) only includes 25 readings per month. That means we have plenty of grace built in. For the month of January, we have 6 extra days (31 days – 25 readings = 6 days of grace). Since today is January 4th, you could wait two more days to start and still not be behind!
Q: I’m not on twitter. Is that okay?
A: Yes. So far our group includes tweeps, facebookers, bloggers and … well, I’m sure there are others who aren’t socially networked. Everyone is welcome!
Q: Do I have to do the same program as you? What if I’ve already started a different read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year schedule?
A: No, you don’t have to do the same one. The purpose of our group is simply to provide accountability toward the same goal. The means toward that end can vary, as long as we stay focused on the same goal: to read both Old and New Testaments in 2010.
Q: Is everyone reading the same version? Which one should I use?
A: Not everyone is reading the same version. Use whichever one you want. You don’t even have to restrict yourself to one. I love comparing different versions of Scripture and will likely use several throughout this year. Remember some versions are translations (like the NET and the NASB) while others are paraphrases (like ESV, NIrV and The Message). So far I’ve used The Message for this challenge. I never use The Message for in depth studies (I use NASB or NET for those), but I don’t want to glaze over the more familiar text. You know you better than we do. Choose the version you prefer. If it isn’t working, find one that does.
Q: Can I really do this? I’ve tried before and I always fail. I don’t want to sign up again, just to drop-out … again.
A: YOU CAN DO THIS! I promise. How many novels do we read a year? How many blog pages and newspapers and magazines do we read each year? The whole Bible is about 1200 pages. That’s only three or four novels worth. Still sound like too much? With this schedule, it only takes about 20 minutes a day. You. Can. Do. It.
Q: Are we really going to keep each other accountable? How?
A: Well, let’s talk about it …
I’m not a huge fan of rules, especially when it comes to spiritual endeavors, but I can be a bit OCD when it comes to organization. We have other causes for rules, too. This group is primarily online. We won’t see each other face-to-face. We won’t run into one another at church or while dropping our kids off at school. So how do we actually stay on top of one another? How do we get and stay connected?
I need accountability as much as each of you, so we’re all going to have to do our part. I’ll try to encourage and spur you when the going gets tough, and I’ll need you to do the same to me.
Here’s how it’s going to work:
You can use any schedule, any version and any pace you choose, but you must check in with the group one way or another at least once a month. This site (www.TanyaDennisBooks.com — a.k.a. “In the Dailies”) will be our hub.
We’ll have a “weigh-in” here every Friday. Stop by, leave a comment about your progress and/or which passages said something to you that week. (If you have a better way to say this, please let me know. I understand “weigh-in” doesn’t sit well with most of us!)
BLOGGERS: Feel free to post thoughts on your site then link up here. I’ll include a Mr. Linky (or something similar) in my Friday posts. That way we can easily blog-hop to see how everyone is and what we’ve discovered. Feel free to grab our button and add it to your sidebar. (Please note: I am NOT a graphic designer, so if the image doesn’t fit properly, I probably can’t help. 
I had to jimmy it a bit to get it to fit in my own sidebar. If any of you are graphically gifted, please feel free to share your talents!!)
TWITTER: If you’re on twitter, follow our group. Click here for the direct link. Then, from now on, when you tweet, be sure to check in on the group, see how everyone is doing. If someone is having a rough day, share some encouragement.
FACEBOOK: I’m still researching the logistics of a group there. If and when I start one, I’ll let you know.
I think that’s it. If I’ve missed anything or if you have any ideas, please share! (My husband thinks we should have badges and awards. You know, like the Girl Scouts or something. We could post special ribbons or buttons when we reach certain milestones.)
Just so you know, here is a list of people who have signed-on. I’m not quite sure what to call you all since I only know some of your real names. Also, I’ve not included any last names for facebook people. You know who you are. Please let me know if the list is incorrect or incomplete. Also, if you have a website and I’ve not given you a link, leave us a url in the comments so we know where to find you.
- Me (Obviously!) Tanya @ In the Dailies
- Kellie @ La Vida Dulce
- Gretchen @ Jewels in my Crown Someday
- Whimzie @ Snoodlings
- Mer @ Life at 7000 Feet
- Jessica @ My Fuller Life
- Jennifer
- Stephanieshep @ Olive Tree
- Hippychick_
- Heather
- Jennifer (Zaankali) @ Zaankali’s Adventures
- Sooji
- Dori
- Rebecca @ This Crazy Life
- Melissa @ Breath of Life
- Kristy @ Learning as They Grow
- Robin @ A Little Bit Country
- Tiffani @ Bears & Belles
- Penny @ A Penny for my Thoughts
- Carpoolqueen
- Kendra @ Kendra’s Keepings
- O Mom @ From Home to High School
- Adrienne
- Kadia
- Tricia @ Life is an Adventure … This is Ours.
- Deidre @ For Such a Time as This
- Sarah
- Elizabeth @ Finding Him Bigger
- Mindy @ Ponderings of the Heart
- Mary Jo
- Katie @ It’s Always an Adventure with Dave
Last word … WOO-HOO!!
Pearl Girls Winner Announced!
Hey! I hope you all enjoyed the 12 Pearls of Christmas posts as much as I did. The winner of the pearl necklace was just announced. Unfortunately, it’s no one from this blog BUT if you hop over there, you can leave a comment and enter for one of the consolation prizes.
Follow this link to see who won AND get your name in the drawing for a free book.
In my humble opinion, I’d rather have the book anyway! 
Can it get any better?
Sometimes life really sucks. I know. Things happen that don’t make sense. Timing is cruel. Relationships crumble over the smallest things. And all this happens far too quickly.
I’ve tried to keep this blog positive. I’ve made a conscious effort not to turn it into a cathartic spewing of all my complaints. Yes, I share some of the icky stuff, but I try to do so only when a lesson can be learned from it or when I can see the good that God brings about through it.
I’m really glad I’ve done this.
This morning I skipped through and over most of my posts for the past year. Having cataloged the good, the lessons, the funny, the poignant … it was a great recap. Practicing Phillippians 4:8-9, I’ve focused my thoughts on the good, the pure, the righteous. As such, I don’t remember too much of the bad,ugly and sorrowful.
God is indescribably good. Knowing Him … seeing me … recognizing all the undeserved blessings He pours over and around me … I wonder how life could really be any better.
Here are some of my favorite posts from 2009.
- 10 Years Ago Today: A little wedding and marriage advice
- An Attempted Scripture Reading: What really happens when you read the Bible to kids?
- Victim or Vixen: A 5-part series on Bathsheba (You have to start reading at the bottom.)
- It started with my bra in the toilet.
- Heartfelt Prayers: Witnessing a child come to God
- Adventures in Kickboxing
- All the Ellie-isms and Zach Attacks!
Other highlights of my year include:
- Ellie’s ballet recital
- Our trip to London …
- … and the opportunities included!
All in all, it’s been a pretty spiffy year. Here’s to another one!
