Monthly Archives: January 2011
Read with Me: Seizing the Quiet
Today is the first afternoon in I don’t know how long that I have had a quiet, empty house and no pressing deadlines. The kids are in school. My dear husband is at work. I have no appointments, no errands to run, no writing deadlines that must be met within the next twelve hours. Oh, I have stuff to do — the washer and dryer whisper their cycles from the basement — but I choose to seize this quiet. I’m grabbing my Bible, a cozy blanket and my favorite spot on the couch.
I found my list (Woo-hoo!) and am now reading through Romans. I’m not sure how I missed this book last year, but I did. I rather like this two-year program I’m doing. It allows me to focus on one book of the Bible at a time rather than dividing my attention over four different tracks. This works well for me.
Over the next few weeks these Friday posts will include what has worked well for others. Past champions of our challenge will share their testimonies of what they learned on the journey toward reaching their goal. How did they find a groove and stick with it? How did they keep a routine, but also keep their reading fresh?
I pray you all are doing well. Whether you’re “with” me or not, I pray you are seeking God on a daily basis, that He is making Himself known to you in tangible ways. I pray that together we will all fall in love with Him all over again.
Your turn: How are you doing with your reading? What helps you seize your quiet moments?
Living in a Winter Wonderland
I really wish that all you who don’t live near here could see how tremendously beautiful all this snow is! It’s just amazing!
Yes, there are down sides. After experiencing approximately 60″ of snowfall this season, the local schools are forced to eat away our spring breaks and summer vacations. Public transportation is suffering to stay on schedule and, in some cases, on the roads at all. Our state budgets … well, let’s just not go there.
I resolved this year to not complain about winter. If you know me at all, you know cold is not my friend. I would much rather sweat out 100+ degree temps and high humidity than have to sit through a dry, bitter winter. But I’ve been teaching my kids Philippians 2:14–16.
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” (NIV)
As Zach and I shoveled another four inches off the driveway yesterday morning, I felt convicted that perhaps my life didn’t clearly evidence the truth of what I preach to them. I started singing a song based on these verses. That song tumbled into another based on Philippians 4:4.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (NIV)
A funny thing happened. As I sang those songs and watched my son joyfully toss shovels of snow on to our ever-increasing mound, I wasn’t even tempted to complain. I looked around me and simply praised God for all He has done for us, for all He has given me.
It’s true: I still am not fond of the cold. I rather like being able to feel my fingers and toes, and I really should buy stock in all the lotions I tear through each January, but … But I feel so blessed. And I can honestly praise God for this perpetually shaken snowglobe in which I now live.
Psalm 141: Desperate Prayers
“O LORD, I cry out to you. Come quickly to me!
Pay attention to me when I cry out to you!
May you accept my prayer like incense,
my uplifted hands like the evening offering!”
With a start like that, this psalm sounds as if David’s enemies were in hot pursuit. He probably wrote it while hiding in a cave, starving and clinging to his last hope for salvation, right? Consider the urgency of his plea and all those exclamation marks! But look what comes next:
“O LORD, place a guard on my mouth!
Protect the opening of my lips!
Do not let me have evil desires,
or participate in sinful activities
with men who behave wickedly.
I will not eat their delicacies.
May the godly strike me in love and correct me.”
Psalm 141 isn’t about deliverance from armies of enemies. It’s not about being saved from starvation or physical death. No, it’s a desperate plea for sanctification.
A friend once confided in me about her sin. She said she wanted help to grieve over her sin; she didn’t know how. Instead of mourning her sinful acts or repenting of unrighteous choices, she would simply try harder. She would determine to do better next time. But she felt deep in her heart that she should be more upset.
Don’t we often fall into similar ruts? We become so comfortable with grace and forgiveness that we forget how things really are: we deserve death yet the Son of God took on flesh and died a horrible death to save us from those sins we so easily dismiss … gossip, pride, even little “white” lies we tell our children.
I want to pray like David did. I want to take my sin seriously. I want to be desperate for God. I want to cry out to Him in urgency, ardently seeking the transformation only He can produce in my life.
Like this:
Seek and Ye Shall Find: Discipline? (Read with Me Check-in)
I hold great aspirations of discipline. I envision a life in which my dishes are always done before they turn crusty, in which I am prepared for my children before they come home from school, and in which I can easily balance all of my hats with a simple schedule and Excel spreadsheet. In this wonderful life I would have meals planned in advanced and always deliciously ready (not burnt) on time. I would never realize halfway through a recipe that we’re missing a major ingredient. I would be organized. Calm. Collected. In control.
This week I dreamed of a chore chart for my kids, one that would not only teach them responsibility, but would also give them confidence and foster new skills. I imagined handing over one night a week to my daughter. It would be her night to cook. This means she would choose the menu, help me make the grocery list and then learn to follow the recipe. Of course, this delightful chore, which I know she would treasure, would only be granted after she finishes her other less-treasured chores like cleaning her room and sorting socks. I love the idea! But I fear failing once again.
I’m just not that organized. I want to be! And sometimes I am, but consistency eludes me. The stamina to remain organized … well, there’s a scientific law (don’t ask me what it’s called) that states all things naturally move from order to disorder. I am living proof of that law.
What does this have to do with our challenge? Unfortunately, everything.
The longer this challenge continues, the less orderly I am about it. Same as last week, I’m struggling to find the motivation to keep reading. Worse: I’m struggling to find my chart! Yes, I lost my chart with all the nifty little check-marks on it. While I generally know which parts I’ve read and which ones I haven’t, I’m not entirely sure. I skipped around quite a bit last year. So now I’m stuck, debating whether to start all over again or … I don’t know what. I’m seeking discipline and not finding it. Meanwhile, that slimy thought of quitting slowly inches its way toward the center of my brain.
So, you all have to help me!
Your turn: What do you do to stay motivated? What tips do can you share for keeping discipline fresh rather than rote? How do you revitalize a dimming passion?
In other news, please welcome Misty and Robin to our group! Both are new to the challenge this year. Ladies, I’m so glad you’ve joined us!
Gladitudes in Winter
When we moved here last summer, I knew I would be walking our kids to school every day. I knew winters would be no short here than they were in our last town, a mere six miles away. It was then that I resolved not to complain about winter.
Those of you who know me well know that I am not a snow bird. I like snow, but only when I’m inside wrapped in a fuzzy blanket with a good book and nowhere to go. Without fail Rick must remind me every year why we live in this region that boast a four-to-six-month winter.
I determined to stay positive this year! But after 40+ inches of the wet, white fluffy stuff, my resolve has begun to dissolve.
Gretchen hasn’t done her gladitudes since last summer, but today I’m in some real need. So I’m going rogue … or solo … or whatever you want to call it. I’m hijacking her theme. Hopefully she’ll forgive me for the theft. Today, as I sat in a home bereft of electricity while the ice continued to accumulate out my window, I grew very thankful.
- I’m grateful for a fireplace. I’ve never had one before! After over six hours without heat, our house had begun to feel like a giant refrigerator, but my lovely brick fireplace kept our kitchen quite cozy. I cuddled in front of it praising God that the kids were safe at school and that I had a book to read.
- I’m grateful for a gas stove. May I add that I drank hot tea while reading my book in front of the fireplace? I mean, how perfectly picturesque is that?!
- I’m grateful for a loving, protective husband who shovels snow in his suit pants and cleans off my car in sleet all before he goes to work.
- I’m grateful that my kids are able to “unplug” and still be content. We enjoy our computers and TV and all that, but we survive just fine without them, too.
- I’m grateful that Starbucks is only six blocks away and that they didn’t lose electricity.
- I’m grateful that in twenty-four days I will be in Florida. (The kids still don’t know we’re taking them out of school for a week in Disney! Shhhh!!! I am beyond excited about this!!)
- I am grateful that in three months (or less, if we’re lucky), winter will be over and spring buds will grace our front yard.
- I am so very grateful for summer! And I know that without these long, bitter-cold winters, I may not appreciate my June, July and August near as much as I do.
Your turn: What are you grateful for today?
Read without me?
Our kids have had two different responses to their parents doing this Bible reading challenge.
Ellie has started her own. Completely of her own volition, she decided that she will read one Psalm every day from her own “real” Bible. She started on January 1st and has only missed a couple days. I’m so proud of her! I’m also humbled by her pure and sincere desire.
Zach has a different motivation. Right around New Year’s, he asked me if Daddy won. I replied that this wasn’t a competition; it’s just something we want to do together.
“But Daddy finished, right?”
I replied that he had.
“And you didn’t, right?”
“Yes, that’s true, but I’m still working on it.”
“That means you’re the loser.”
I gotta be honest with you here. I know the boy is only five, but I’m feeling the sting of his assessment. That sting has affected my reading, which has been nearly nonexistent since that discussion. I’m not quitting, but I am truly struggling to find motivation.
Sequel Peeps: How do you stay motivated?
Just so we know, here is a list of who is with us for the Sequel:
- Kellie
- Mary Jo
- Rach
- Misty *New this year!*
- Rebecca
- me
It’s not too late to join! If you want some accountability for your Bible reading, sign-up and check back here for encouragement and fellowship.
Need a reading plan? Here is a link to the plan we used last year. If you want something different, Rachel recommends www.youversion.com.
Questions? Send them my way!
Battling Agendas: Opportunity or Distraction?
John Piper said:
“The world sets the agenda for the professional man; God sets the agenda of the spiritual man.”
I’ve been thinking on this much lately. “Lately” meaning for over a year.
One of my goals – Have you noticed that people only talk about resolutions in January? I like the term “goals” better. Resolutions provide too much guilt when you miss the mark, but goals seem to encourage lasting growth. Or maybe my choice of semantics simply reflects (and justifies) anticipated failure. Oh, that could be a whole blog post of pontifications, don’t you think?
Aside from attempting to stop interrupting myself with random tangents and other frequent exhibitions of ADD tendencies, one of my goals for 2011 is to be more intentional. (How’s that for a perfectly vague aspiration?) To be more specific, one aspect of this is to focus more on my writing by pursuing additional avenues of publication.
As a side note (Doesn’t “side note” sound better than “tangent?” It’s almost intentional, right?) — As a side note, whenever I set this goal, my blogging frequency drops off. I started blogging as an intentional practice for my writing, but four-plus years later, the practice has morphed into a form of procrastination. The two, while intended to be cooperative, seem to possess an inverse relationship. The more I blog, the less I write. The more I write, the less I blog.
But my goal extends beyond the realm of writing. I want to be intentional with my projects, yet, but also with my time, my energy, what I teach my kids and how I interact with others. Basically, I want to think more about what I’m doing and why. I want to be focused. The problem is that I’m not sure precisely where that focus needs to be.
Too often I fall into the easy rut of seeking a lifelong mission, a purpose toward which all my daily dealings point. However, (and I’ve blogged about this before) I believe the Christian life is more about daily living and less about grandiose plans. I believe knowing God is the objective of life and the daily doings are the means by which we achieve that objective. I believe those daily doings can add up to a grandiose plan, but I believe the orchestration of that plan is God’s responsibility, not ours. Our responsibilities lie solely on the small, seemingly mundane, one-day-at-a-time acts of obedience.
I fear that when I seek to fulfill the grandiose plan on my own, I lose all proper focus. Roles are transposed. Instead of feeding God’s glory and accepting His sovereign role in the universe, I feed my personal pride and inflated sense of worth. I take matters into my own hands rather than trusting Him fully. When striving to produce my “big picture,” I too often follow the world’s agenda.
As should be expected, the more I seek focus, the more distractions come my way. Orders are stacking high for my book purse business, I’ve received surprising opportunities to write and have even gained new editing projects. Are these distractions or opportunities? Is it God’s divine direction or is it the world trying to keep me from following His agenda?
Here are a few tips toward knowing the difference. If you face similar uncertainties, ask yourself these questions.
Does it glorify God? This is the most important question. If it dishonors Him, if it goes against Scripture, you need to stop immediately and run in the opposite direction. Remember Joseph’s famous flee? Do likewise!
On the flip-side, this doesn’t mean that every hobby, every word, every action must blatantly point to God, but rather that whatever you do, you do it with an attitude that honors Him. See 1 Corinthians 10:31.
Does it utilize your gifts? God has given us all talents and gifts, both spiritual and physical. We need to use them! I’m not a fan of tests and classifications of gifts. I feel those lead to over-analysis. God is passionate and natural, and He made us in His image. I firmly believe that God not only gives us gifts, but He also gives us a passion to use those gifts. Is there something you really love to do? Something that comes naturally to you? Chances are your gift lies somewhere near that.
Does it show love to others? The entire Bible is saturated with the importance of love. We must love God first and love our neighbors second. 1 Corinthians 13 tells us that no matter how great our gifts may be, if we do not possess love, our gifts are useless. Not just useless, but annoying.
Does it pull you away from previous commitments? Remember the guy who started building a tower and then ran out of money? (Luke 14) Everyone laughed at him, called him a fool. You know what else? I bet no one ever hired him to build another tower. God is eternally faithful, dependable. If we aspire to be like Him, we must try our best to reflect those characteristics. If you said you’re going to do something, do it. Complete the job before moving on to something new.
Your turn! How do you decide if something is an opportunity or a distraction?
Read with Me in 2011!
Last year we started the Read with Me Challenge with over thirty women and a handful of silent men committed to reading the entire Bible. Originally it was a one-year initiative, a goal begun and completed in less than 365 days.
Some of us finished on time — WOO-HOO!! I would love to get a head-count. How many of you read the entire Bible, all 66 books in 2010?
Some of us, however, didn’t quite make it — BUT WE CAN! We, myself included, are now on the two-year plan, which is why we need to continue our Friday check-ins for accountability. WE CAN DO IT, PEOPLE!!
Now, I don’t want to be exclusive here. Some of you may not have signed up last year, but want to take the challenge this year. That’s great! Many of you who DID finish on time were so fired up by the challenge that you’ve already started new Bible-reading schedules for the new year. I’m absolutely thrilled that God has started this raging fire for His Word. One of you, when nearing the end of the challenge, told me that you just wanted more. “It’s like getting to the end of a great novel and knowing there isn’t a sequel.”
Consider this the sequel.
Here’s how it works:
- If you’re still with us, whether pressing on to complete last year’s challenge or starting a new one for 2011, sign up in the comments section of this post.
- Let us know which plan you’re using. If you have a link to it, even better. (This is the plan most of us used last year.) This isn’t for accountability, but rather so those who don’t have plans can browse and choose one. It’s perfectly acceptable to change tracks throughout the year. Whatever it takes to keep reading and growing.
- Please stop by each week to check in. Just like last year, I’ll have regular posts (usually on Fridays) dedicated to this challenge. The purpose is to challenge, encourage, and spur one another on in our pursuit of God. Many of us desperately need that accountability. Besides I love hearing about what you glean from your reading!
If you still have questions, check out our “ground rules” and FAQs from last year.
So, who’s reading with me?
Great Expectations of Discomfort
Life is good and things are moving, but I am struggling to get back to “normal” in this new year. Maybe that’s intentional (not by me, of course, but by our Greater Power). Maybe that’s a very good thing. 2010 was a very interesting year. It stretched our family and our faith. We learned a lot. We hope for more years like it.
With that hope comes a great expectation of discomfort. While we complained and hurt and ached and stressed, we grew much. I truly am torn about this.
I like my routine and I don’t like the idea of losing it. I don’t want all that unsettled chaos to envelope us again. I cringe just thinking about facing another transition. Heather wrote about this recently — possessing the desire to be bohemian and spontaneous, but at the root of things preferring predictability and a touch of mundane. That’s me. I like my safe, comfortable, controlled kingdom. But I’m not here to build MY kingdom.
The flip-side of expecting discomfort is knowing it can produce wonderful results. I get almost giddy to know God may have something bigger and better planned for us. That simple unknown wrapped in fully trusting our mighty Creator is … well, it’s invigorating. It thrills me with the prospect of me having a small part in something spectacular.
And so I sit with baited breath. I refuse to make resolutions knowing I’m not in control anyway. I wait, wondering what in the world God has in store for us this year.
Maybe one of these days I’ll find a way to be consistent even without a scheduled routine. In the meantime, I eagerly anticipate what today may bring.
