Did I mention...?

Clueless

2011-11-30T08:18:00.000-05:00

Apparently, even when they get older our kids have no idea what we do at work. My husband, Jim, is Environmental Services Director over 2 Community Network hospitals. He's been in the cleaning business like 20 years. Here is the conversation I had this morning with my oldest daughter, Hannah, which I found very entertaining:
Me: I have officially decided that what I want for Christmas is a new vacuum.
H: Good luck with that.
Me: Why?!?
H: Because I don't think Dad is the one to really know how to get you a vacuum.
Me: Seriously? Who better than Dad? He buys vacuums for a living.
H: No he doesn't. He buys paper towels and toilet paper.
Me: *hahahahahahahaha*
H: He does. I always hear him on the phone asking if the toilet paper got ordered...

We can make it!

2011-08-11T00:16:00.000-04:00

Another video (I'm on a kick). First saw Mike-E a few years ago at an American Cancer Society/Relay for Life leadership event. Liked this song immediately. Never regretted snatching up his CD right away. This is one of Hannah's favorites, too. Don't know how many times I've sung over and over to myself, "Alrught. Everything will alright - we can make it." And it helps. Love the message that we are all one, different but one.

Everything's Coming Up Roses

2011-08-10T16:41:00.000-04:00

This song pretty much sums me up today. So had to share. Hopefully it will brighten your day a little if it hasn't exactly been sunshine and lollipops for you. (Come on, can you really frown through a whole Ethel Merman performance?)

I am so crazy blessed. It's overwhelming to me.

There's Gold in Them There Teeth

2011-08-10T02:38:00.000-04:00

Kaylie story: (because it has been awhile)

(If you know Kaylie, you'll appreciate this; if you don't know Kaylie, I'm not quite sure what you'll think...)

Kaylie has decided she needs money to buy some random toy she doesn't need and I will not purchase. (Have you seen the child's room? .... please tell me no, if you have, I don't want to know) So, when she unearthed some teeth when cleaning her room today, she decided she was going to claim what she apparently failed to previously claim from the Tooth Fairy.
"Mom, I found some teeth when I was cleaning my room - and one of them, Mom, has a silver filling in it - and anyway, Mom, I found some teeth and I need some money; I really need some money, so I am going to turn them all in to the Tooth Fairy."
To which I probably said something lame like, "Ok" because I was trying to remember how much cash I had on me.
But then she says, "Or, I think I might start a tooth collection." (Like she needs another collection in her room. Once again, have you seen the clutter in there?) "I'm either going to save them, to remember my childhood, or I am going to sell them."
Me: "Who do you think is going to buy them?"
K: "Well, one has a silver filing in it. Or people who need dentures."
That's one small set o' dentures, kid.

(PS - I read the Tooth Fairy's note - oh, yes, there is always a note. Usually because she is instructed to leave one, answer multiple questions about her lifestyle, AND draw a picture. And while the Tooth Fairy might be adept at disguising her handwriting, she is definitely not an artist. She draws stick figures. ANYWAY (see where Kaylie gets her ramblings?), the Tooth Fairy's note said Kaylie is too grown up and she (Tooth Fairy) can't keep coming back. I love and treasure the notes and the sweetness and innocence of it all, but Asperger's or not, she (Kaylie) has to grow up, too. *sad*)

(PPS - above photo is Kaylie at Colts Camp. In Anderson. Reading. Because that's how she rolls.)

Do Everything!

2011-08-09T12:53:00.001-04:00

Tune-in Tuesday!
Today is the release date for Steven Curtis Chapman's latest album, re:creation. You need to check it out. Here is the clever and fun video for the single "Do Everything". Enjoy!
(PS - if you haven't heard, he'll be performing at Traders Point in September!)

Scales of Blahness

2011-08-01T13:33:00.000-04:00

So I bought a new bathroom scale because I felt my old one was not consistent enough.

OK, how stupid was that? What was I thinking? Am I delirious from the heat?? Before, if I was too heavy, I could turn a blind eye and blame it on the scale; if I was extra light, I could rejoice in my "success", even though I knew that I could step back on the scale 5 minutes later and be 5 pounds heavier.

Did I choose to revel in and enjoy this blissful ignorance? No, I had to go purchase a new (presumably more accurate) scale. Can I just tell you how depressing that was? To make it worse, this new scale also measures body fat. (Trying to remind myself why I thought that would be a good thing to know.) I think I had naively convinced myself that I was thinner than I am. The readings on the scale were depressing enough to send me into milkshake therapy.

But I am trying to use it for good. Hopefully this is the slap in the face I need and I will finally start reversing the past several years and get back to a decent weight. Always a challenge with the meds I take and working in a French bistro, surrounded by fattening foods and tempting, delicious, calorie-laden desserts. But I am going to do it. I will see those numbers go down.

I hope. (Did that sound convincing?)

Happy Independence Day!

2011-07-04T11:18:00.000-04:00

Lee Greenwood getting patriotic - love it!

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Start a Movement

2011-05-10T17:31:00.000-04:00

The Life Book Movement has big plans for the 2011-12 school year.

Printing is underway for 1.2 million Life Books, and half of those have already been spoken for. Don’t miss your chance to let the churches in your area know how they can get involved in this fall.

What is the Life Book Movement? Founded by The Gideons International, The Life Book Movement is an innovative strategy to reach high school students with the Word of God. The movement is a Christian mission centered on The Life Book, a unique presentation of Scripture designed to engage high school students with the truth of God’s Word, created by Carl Blunt, president and CEO of The Life Book Movement. The Life Book presents a brief overview of the Old Testament and the Book of John using an interactive format with honest student comments and real-life questions in the margins. Readers are drawn into the only story that can change their lives forever.

The Life Book Movement works with churches throughout the country by providing free copies of The Life Book for students to give as gifts to their friends and classmates during school. Blunt’s organization brilliantly takes advantage of a student’s freedom to distribute religious literature by getting The Life Book into the hands of Christian high school students and having them pass the books out to classmates at school—a practice that is acceptable, as long as the books are not distributed by school staff or other adults. In less than two years since the Life Book Movement got it’s start, over half a million Life Books have been distributed and the movement is growing by leaps and bounds.

Summer is almost here, but now is the time to think about mobilizing your students to reach their classmates this fall. Don't miss out! 1.2 Million students will be reached with God's Word in the coming school year and we want Christian students in your area to reach them. If you wait until the fall, you may be too late - books are being spoken for every day.

Watch the promo video here.

A full online version of The Life Book is available for you to take a closer look at by clicking here.

http://www.thelifebook.com/ – www.twitter.com/carlblunt – www.facebook.com/carlblunt

TCM International

2011-03-29T15:55:00.000-04:00

Here is a video clip about the ministry that I will be serving in May - so excited and blessed to be traveling to Austria again this year!!

TCM International from Traders Point Christian Church on Vimeo.

Victory in Jesus - Standing Firm and Overcoming

2011-03-22T16:20:00.000-04:00

Victory in Jesus

Warren Wiersbe Studies Standing Firm and Overcoming

Developing an intimate relationship with Christ is a life-long process, and the study of His Word is one of the primary avenues through which we learn and draw closer to Him. Dr. Warren Wiersbe’s ability to explore and explain the Bible has been a foundational resource for many during this life-long pursuit, and now his well-loved “Be” commentaries are available in a series of eight-week Bible studies. These small-group studies will enable readers to reach deeply into the riches of God’s Word and gain a clearer understanding of who Christ is and how He taught His followers during His ministry here on earth.

Each eight-week study includes an introduction to the particular book of the Bible, tips for small group study, self-introspective questions, and practical applications. Throughout the study, portions of Dr. Wiersbe’s “Be” commentaries are included to provide greater insight and to encourage those participating in the study to continue to deepen their study of God’s Word. Students of God’s Word may then decide to explore Dr. Wiersbe’s commentaries more completely as they move through individual books of the Bible.

Dr. Warren Wiersbe has devoted his life to the deep examination of God’s Word. He is an internationally known Bible teacher, former pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago, and the author of more than 160 books. Among this large body of written work, the “Be” commentary series has become a resource that millions have come to rely on for over thirty years. Dr. Wiersbe also served as the contributing editor of The Transformation Study Bible. The timeless insights on Scripture provided by Dr. Wiersbe have helped countless numbers of readers to better understand and apply God’s Word to their daily lives. Known to many as the “pastor’s pastor,” Dr. Wiersbe combines historical explanations and thought-provoking questions with the unchanging truth of Scripture in such a way that believers at every level of spiritual maturity can easily grasp its relevance.

Studies to be released this spring include:
Nehemiah: Standing Firm in the Face of Opposition – Nehemiah was an ordinary man given an impossible task: to rebuild the war-torn city of Jerusalem. This Bible study examines the life, legacy, and perseverance of Nehemiah. (ISBN: 9780781404556/softcover/144 pages/$8.99/February 2011)

Revelation: In Christ You Are an Overcomer – The book of Revelation is one of the Bible’s most mysterious books. This Bible study takes a practical approach to Revelation and shares how one can experience a victorious life. (ISBN: 9781434702319/softcover/144 pages/$8.99/February 2011)

Dr. Warren Wiersbe’s commentaries and his world-renowned knowledge of God’s Word can now be enjoyed in a format that allows everyone to enjoy spending time getting to know the Savior. David C Cook plans to continue releasing volumes in the Wiersbe Bible Study Series over the next few years.

The Wiersbe Bible Study Series by Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe
David C Cook/February 2011
http://www.davidccook.com/

A BIllion Reasons Why

2011-03-02T17:45:00.000-05:00

Practically Perfect

Can God’s best include passion and security?

Katie McKenna had resolved to live a quiet life, marry a practical Christian man, and leave all her “worldly” desires behind. Since moving to California, she’d made it her goal to live life logically and for the Lord. She has the perfect life—a fulfilling job, a cute apartment, and a wedding to plan with her soon-to-be fiancé, Dexter.

But then in walks Luc DeForges, the handsome ex-boyfriend who’d broken her heart. After graduating college and rejecting Katie, Luc cornered the organic food market and became one of the most eligible multi-millionaire bachelors. But now he’s back and asking her to go home to New Orleans to sing at his brother’s wedding. She hasn’t fallen victim to her emotions since leaving New Orleans, and she’s invested too much to give into them now.

When Luc was in his element, there was nothing like it. His excitement was contagious and spread like a classroom virus, infecting those around him with a false sense of security. Katie inhales deeply and reminds herself that the man sold inspiration by the pound. His power over her was universal. It did not make her special.

Katie’s boyfriend, Dexter, is a practical man. As Katie’s roommate Eileen offers, “Katie, no matter how many entries you put in that book, Dexter is not going to be a romantic. I mean, fine, you’re going to marry him. He’s a good man. I just don’t want you to be disappointed. No matter how many junior high school hearts you draw next to his name, Dexter is going to order you what the Internet says is the proper gift for each anniversary. He’ll probably have a program created that does it for him.” But Dexter is safe. He’ll be a good dad. He’s very intellectual. He’s punctual. He’s everything she needs in a husband.

And Dexter will propose as soon as she gets her grandmother’s ring from her mom. And Luc will provide her with a free trip home for just that purpose. Plus, she needs to go home to New Orleans. It’s her last chance to find out why Luc tossed her from his life like a banana peel off the back of her father’s pickup. Love is a decision. A choice. All the leading experts said so, and she’d decided she would love Dexter in a way that honored and respected him. The way she’d loved Luc left her worn out and depleted, like an empty air mattress. Then what use was she? She’d get her ring and closure as well. Then nothing would stand in the way of her life with Dexter.

But what if God has more in store for her? What if God’s desire for her is a heart full of life? Can the passions she had as a young woman, which led to many of her past mistakes, still have a place in her life?

Kristin Billerbeck is a successful novelist from northern California. She has authored more than 30 novels, including the Ashley Stockingdale series and the Spa Girls series. She is a leader in the Chick Lit movement, a Christy Award finalist, and a two-time winner of the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year Award. She has appeared on The Today Show and has been featured in the New York Times.

A Billion Reasons Why by Kristin Billerbeck
Thomas Nelson/February 2011/ISBN: 978-1-59554-791-0/320 pages/softcover/$14.99
http://www.thomasnelson.com/ ~ http://www.kristinbillerbeck.com/

Tricia here: Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy. I feel badly, however, as I was not super-fond of this book. Had I been able to spend more quality time with the characters, I think I would have really liked it, but it just made too many leaps - I would have liked things to be developed a little more and see the changes in the characters take place over time. Perhaps it is because I read the book over several days, but it just seemed like a lot of flip-flopping only to serve plot, not because the characters got there on their own. But it was a fun book and nice to read something set in New Orleans.

Daffodil Days

2011-02-16T18:07:00.000-05:00

Don't forget to order your daffodils to support the American Cancer Society!

To place an order, please visit my page. Not in Central Indiana? You can still give a Gift of Hope that will benefit ACS and provide daffodils to local cancer patients.

Thanks!!

No thanks for your "support"

2011-02-10T16:06:00.000-05:00

Police fund telemarketer man calls.

Dude: "(blah, blah, blah) We're the police fund that doesn't use telephone telemarketers"

Me: (to myself) didn't you call me?

Me: I can't give anything this year because all of our charitable donations for the year have already been allocated and we don't have any to spare.

Dude: (disbelieving) In February?

Me: Trust me, we are dedicating a significant amount this year and it is all allocated. You are going to say, "you can't even give $10?" and I'm going to say "no, I can't even give $10".

Dude: grumble, grumble "have a good year" (um, you could tell this is really not what he wanted to say)

Is that bad? Should I have broken down for him the $10,000 for mission trips we are taking (prayerfully not all of this will come out of our pockets, but a really big chunk will), plus our church giving, plus the Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, Taylor University, our sponsor child in Haiti, the missionaries in Central Asia we help support, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera?

I just don't think I should have to justify to some dude how I choose to do my giving, but I also don't like somebody judging me and thinking I am a horrible person because I won't give $10. Grrrrrr.

We're not alone....

2011-02-02T10:02:00.000-05:00

Lest we forget that the rest of the world has to deal with extreme weather too, I present this photo taken via satellite over Queensland, where they are feeling the wrath of Tropical Cyclone Yasi.

(Click the link below to access this and additional photos attributed to NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center - there are several really intriguing photos!)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/5409839027/

Nachoterians

2011-02-01T11:38:00.000-05:00

It's a snow day, so the girls and I are at home today. Had a late breakfast of coffeecake, so I told the girls we'd have a snack later in lieu of lunch.

H: I know what I'm gonna have. Nacho cheese and chips!
K: You eat that alot. Why do you always eat that?
H: Because I like it.
K: Well at least your not a nacho-terian
Me: (snorting the coffee I just drank)
H: What on earth is that?!?
K: Someone who says they are a vegetarian so that they can eat nacho chips and cheese all the time.

So next time someone tells you they are "vegetarian", maybe you should keep an eye on what they actually eat. :)

Interrupting Life...

2011-01-31T19:57:00.000-05:00

Have you or your teens seen or heard the TV and radio commercials for Groundwire?

From MTV to Popular Hip Hop Stations, Groundwire Interrupts Teens with Answers to Life

Teens today can be overwhelmed searching for meaning amidst depressing hopelessness, negative self-image, and the pressure to be perfect. To meet the needs of hurting teenagers across the country, Groundwire, a current and innovative outreach, has become a ministry where teens find comfort, guidance, and answers delivered through multi-media communication.

Groundwire leverages media and technology to meet teens exactly where they are — viewing, listening, texting, or chatting — and to invite them to voice their questions and struggles so they can find answers in the message of the Gospel. With a raw and real approach, the ministry builds its burgeoning impact through broadcasting that strategically places television and radio spots on secular stations. Teens listening to popular radio broadcasts or viewing favorite shows on networks like MTV, VH1, Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim programming, and Comedy Central are interrupted by direct spots. These spots catch their attention, resonating with where they are today. Groundwire’s targeted, authentic, and well-produced commercials are grabbing the attention of teens by the millions. Teens responding to the broadcast messages are invited to visit Groundwire’s website where they can chat with a live spiritual coach available day and night, as well as find a collection of resources such as podcasts by Groundwire’s founder and executive director, Sean Dunn, and daily devotionals.

Relevant topics, cutting-edge communication, the dynamic speaking and content of founder Sean Dunn, and powerful truths have made Groundwire a growing ministry. “Eighty-six percent of teens today believe in God, but don’t believe God is loving,” explains Dunn. “Even fewer believe that they are lovable. What would happen if those teens truly understood God’s purpose for their lives and the hope and meaning he offers each one?”

What began on radio over seven years ago has now expanded to also include television broadcasts in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, San Diego, Phoenix, Tampa, Denver, Little Rock, and Spokane. Groundwire is experiencing growth as the ministry cuts right to the heart of the issues teens are wrestling with today and invites them to a safe and honest conversation where they can find answers in the truths of God’s word and in his love. Life-changing stories are received from teens of different backgrounds across the nation.

“I was struggling with a lot of things—cutting, not eating, depression, and suicidal attempts. I was angry and wanted to talk to someone. I felt that I would be judged or shunned if I talked to anyone I knew about such sensitive subjects. I heard an ad on the radio for Groundwire and decided to check it out. I logged on one evening, and since that night my life has changed in a lot of ways. The people at Groundwire chatted, prayed, and encouraged me. I could log on at pretty much anytime of the day and there would be someone to chat and/or pray with me. Since then, I’ve come a long way with their help, and most of all, God’s.”

“We are committed to expanding our reach even further in the coming year. We plan to grow our radio reach from 14 to 20 million listeners each week and our television audience from 20% to 40% of households in the US, and to even replicate our message into other languages,” says Sean Dunn. Groundwire has captured a unique opportunity to use mainstream media to “go into all the world” and reach an entire generation right where they are with the hope of the Gospel.

There are several ways you can help Groundwire reach their goals for 2011!
Post about Groundwire and spread the word about what they are doing.
(check out their website below to get the HTML to post a video)
Pray for them!
Learn how to become a coach.
Let your church know about Groundwire.
They are looking for partner churches to point young people to.
Financial support to aid in getting the spots to air in your area.

For more information, visit http://www.groundwire.net/ and http://www.broadcasthope.com/

My Debut as a Band Mom

2011-01-28T21:05:00.000-05:00

Hannah had her first band concert the other night. Here's an excerpt. Unfortunately, you can't see her most of the time because the director is in the way. But if you get a glimpse of half a head with a big bow...that's her!!!

(PS - my dad, the criminal defense attorney, posted this to YouTube. His username is Mr. Soddi, which stands for "some other dude did it". Hee hee. Guess he hears that alot.) :]

What Does It Mean To Be Healthy?

2011-01-26T16:12:00.000-05:00

The health care system may be a mess—

but you don’t have to be

Your health and wellness belong to you—and you alone. While it’s true that doctors and the health care system play a role in your care, they’re only one part of true wellness. If you’re ready to venture into real health, read this book.

Dr. Scott Morris, founder of the church Health Center in Memphis, TN—the largest faith-based clinic of its kind in the United States—shows how your physical health is being affected by your spiritual well being.

In Health Care You Can Live With, Dr. Morris explains how
• health care went wrong
• the church offers real answers
• you can take charge of your own wellness

Showing that healing—both physical and spiritual—is a key aspect of the Christian faith, Health Care You Can Live With provides an understandable framework for wellness and the encouraging real-life stories of those who found a better life within the overarching love of God.

With twenty years as a family practice physician serving a diverse population in Memphis, the nation’s poorest major city, Morris is uniquely experienced in the challenges of our health care system today and Health Care You Can Live With offers a surprising behind-the-scenes visit into the troubles we are currently facing around the issues of health care and health care reform. With a thoughtful yet candid approach, Morris invites the reader to question what we really know about health care. Who does our health care system serve, and what does it do or not do for others? Do we even know what medical research is really accomplishing? With clarity, Morris informs the reader, drawing from history, current research, and personal stories taken from the thousands of patients he has cared for, and equips the reader with both practical and valuable knowledge.

Health Care You Can Live With:

Discover Wholeness in Body and Spirit

by Dr. G. Scott Morris

Barbour Publishing/January 2011

ISBN: 978-1-61626-247-1

http://www.healthcareyoucanlivewith.com/

Listen to an interview with Dr. Morris on uReadBooks!

Would you like to review this book on your blog?

Email Audra at The B&B Media Group to find out how!

The Cabbage and the Cat (by Kaylie)

2011-01-25T15:53:00.000-05:00

Here is a story Kaylie wrote in computer lab last week. Not sure what the assignment was or how focused she was when she wrote it. Thought you might find it interesting, though. (If you know Kaylie, you can hear her telling you this story as you read it.)

There was a cabbage and a cat in Arizona, on the rough desert sands. The cabbage was rough too, in texture. The chair they played on was sometimes pulled by the wind. One day, the cat, whose name was Ashley, had a flag. It was not a cute flag, but a crude one. The rough cabbage didn't do anything, because, well, cabbages are not alive. Ashley told the cabbage that the flag was from King Arthur's court! Again the cabbage did not do anything, Ashley and the cabbage, okay, the cabbage is called Rico, Ashley and Rico went off for King Arthur's court. When they got there the cabbage finally did something! He gave King Arthur the flag. Then he started doing nothing again and they went home. The End.

It's No Secret

2011-01-24T21:32:00.000-05:00

(Tricia here: I wasn't too sure about this book at first, but I am glad to say I was pleasantly surprised. It was an enjoyable read, with some lovely nuggets to take away. It would make a good group study, too.)

ARE YOU TIRED OF LIFE AS USUAL ?

Done with feeling exhausted—or worse, bored? Ready to trade your issues and hang-ups for greater intimacy and fulfillment? Then it’s time you did some digging for biblical “bling” and discovered the shining secrets to life in God’s kingdom. Rachel’s writing is lighthearted and fun, but she’s serious about helping you uncover biblical secrets that can make your life shine. This book will help you:

o Overcome the comparisons and competitive urges that leave you lonely
o Accept help from others
o Discover God’s surprising source of spiritual beauty and strength
o Embrace your need for rest
o Find adventure as you yield wholeheartedly to God

o Dig into the Bible for yourself and understand what you find there

Grab your Bible and a girlfriend, and come discover twelve secrets the world doesn’t know.

About the Author:
Rachel Olsen is a writer, editor, and speaker on staff with Proverbs 31 Ministries. She writes for and serves as senior editor of their popular online devotions, “Encouragement for Today,” with a readership of more than 300,000. She also writes for and serves on the editorial board of the P31 Woman magazine. Olsen is a national women’s speaker and enjoys interacting with audiences at women’s retreats and conferences from coast to coast.

Watch Your Words

2011-01-21T16:01:00.001-05:00

This is what I posted on my SparkPeople blog today after having one conversation almost ruin the perfect day I'd been having.

Just want to remind everyone of the profound effect our words can have.

I have a big mouth (it has to be for my foot to fit in it so much), so I totally include myself in this. Our words have the power to do so much. They can encourage, comfort, enrich, inform, embrace, uplift, entertain. Or they can discourage, deter, tear down, crush, defeat.

What have your words done today? What have you done to counteract the negative words of those around you? What have you done to encourage yourself and those around you to use words in a positive way?

(I am making a choice not to let some discouraging words get me down today. Going out for a run to regroup and refresh and perk up a bit. Who would have thunk I'd be running to improve my mood instead of noshing on milkshakes??)

SMILE!!!

Hungry?

2011-01-20T17:44:00.000-05:00

Check out this video tour of our three Ghyslain locations!

Reaching Out to Older Adults (and Robin Roberts interview)

2011-01-17T21:10:00.000-05:00

(Even if you don't read this whole post, please scroll down and click on the link below to watch Missy's interview with Robin Roberts (of GMA) and Robin's mom.)

I would like to introduce you to Missy Buchanan, an author and advocate for senior adults.

Missy was born into a family that treated their elder adults with love and respect. Her own grandparents lived in her home when she was a child, so it only came natural for her to care for her parents as they aged. Even though they chose to live in a retirement facility, Buchanan visited them regularly to help provide for their physical needs. But it wasn’t until her mom mentioned how long it had been since she had been served communion that Buchanan began to realize that their needs were far more than physical.

And so began her journey as a writer and an advocate for senior adults. When Buchanan visited a bookstore to learn how few resources were available, she began writing devotions for her parents. But soon word spread in their community, and others wanted to read her devotions also. And it spiraled from there into books to minister to aging adults.

Q&A with Missy Buchanan

Even when age creeps up on the body and mind, and life changes from what it once was, is it still possible to have a purpose in life? When it is no longer possible to venture out and do the things you once loved, can you still find a reason to look forward to each day? Missy Buchanan, a leading expert and advocate for senior adults, believes that you can. Buchanan wants to encourage older adults to find their purpose, share their stories, and make an impact on those around them.

Q: What made you decide to start ministering to and writing books for older adults?
Well, as a middle-aged adult, I never had any intention of becoming an author of books for older adults. But because of the journey that my own aging parents were on, I realized how they had become disconnected from their church as their lives changed. They started off as active older adults and then that circle got smaller as they had more needs and physical limitations. As I would visit them at their retirement community, I would also see so many others that were just like them. They needed spiritual encouragement. And so that’s why I got started. The first book began as a project just for my own parents. I wrote devotions and kept them in a loose-leaf notebook. But others started asking for them and things just spiraled from there.

Q: What do you think children need to know about their aging parents?
What I realized personally was that I had been so caught up in my parents’ physical needs that I had neglected their spiritual needs. They were no longer connected to their church, at least in regular worship attendance, and that had been such a huge part of their lives. I almost made that mistake of just totally missing that, and that was the point where I began to write. I looked and there were other books written about older adults but not very many that were written to them and for them. So the first thing I would tell their children is to pay attention not only to their physical needs but also to their spiritual needs.

Q: What is your opinion about role reversal with children and their aging parents?
I hear the whole idea of role reversal where the older parent becomes a child and the grown children become the parent, and I understand what they are talking about because my own parents became more dependent on me. But I think that when we refer to it as a role reversal, and we begin to think of our aging parents as children, we strip away their dignity. We rob them of respect and we overlook the fact that they are not children. They have had a lifetime of experiences that a child has not had. And I think that is an important difference that grown children need to think about and pay attention to. It’s more of a role shift in responsibilities and not a role reversal. I know how much it hurts an aging parent to feel like they are being treated like a baby or like a child.

Q: Other than aging adults, who else has benefited from your writing?
A friend of mine in an assisted living facility asked me to bring some books for one of her tablemates. Her tablemate explained that these books were for her adult children. “They don’t understand what it feels like to grow old, and I can’t seem to make them understand, but your books say it better than I ever could.” My books are all written in the first person as if an older adult is speaking directly to God. There are a lot of adult children that are buying them for themselves and older adults buying them for their grown children.

And I’ve heard of different youth groups that have been reading my books in order to better understand what it’s like to grow old. Instead of just mocking their older peers, they are learning that they share a lot of the same feelings—feelings of insecurity, feelings of fear. As a result of reading the books, one youth group in Tennessee has even adopted the residents of the senior living center across from their church.

Q: How can faith change our idea of growing older?
So many see aging as a punishment, and they dread it so much. But even though it is difficult to be limited by an aging body, they need to look at it as a gift that God has given them. They still have so much to give. They have great wisdom to share and stories to share. I always tell my older friends that their story is not yet over.

Missy Buchanan is the author of Talking with God in Old Age: Meditations and Psalms and Living with Purpose in a Worn-Out Body: Spiritual Encouragement for Older Adults (Upper Room Books).

Click here to watch Missy Buchanan’s recent interview with Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts and Roberts’ 86-year-old mother. (Note from Tricia: this is a cool interview, please take a moment to watch!)

Visit Missy Buchanan’s website, http://www.missybuchanan.com/, and blog, http://missybu.wordpress.com/.

Talking with God in Old Age: Meditations and Psalms
In Talking with God in Old Age, Missy Buchanan sensitively address the worries, fears, and frustrations of older adults and extends hope, encouraging them to maintain an open dialogue with God. Each reading features:
· A candid conversation with God
· A related passage from Psalms
· Easy-to-read print

Seniors grappling with the aging process will readily identify with these reflections and will find reassurance of God’s Presence. Caregivers, family members, and others seeking to understand aging loved ones will gain insight into the thoughts and emotions of the elderly frail.

Living with Purpose in a Worn-Out Body: Spiritual Encouragement for Older Adults
Birthed out of real-life experience, Living with Purpose in a Worn-out Body is a big does of authentic spiritual encouragement for frail elderly who struggle to find purpose a the end of their lives. These devotionals addressed to God raise in prayer the many concerns of the frail elderly and provide opportunities to reminisce and reflect on their blessings.

Each devotional offers the following:
· Easy-to-read print
· Reader-friendly format
· Comfortable, nonacademic language
· A first-person address to God
· Brief supporting scriptures from the New and Old Testaments

Just who you callin' strange?

2011-01-16T20:31:00.002-05:00

Video illustrating the need to not just sit back and listen to the Word but be doers as well. It co-stars a man who, just two short days ago, actually inferred that I am weird.

Hello, Pot, it's your ole pal, Kettle.

Workout from Traders Point Christian Church on Vimeo.

PS: best part is cameo at the end.
PPS: by way of explanation if you happen to be viewing this and are not a member/attender or past member/attender of TPCC - the first man is our lead minister, the second is our senior high minister, and the third is our former lead minister and now Pastor Emeritus.

Slip Slidin Away!

2011-01-11T18:22:00.000-05:00

Safely made it through week 2, run #1. But feel like I barely made it. Y'all know how much I love running in the snow, but today it was REALLY slick and so I was pretty busy trying not to fall the whole time and just wanted to get home in one piece as quickly as I could. Definitely need to get those Yak Trax!! (Actually, my hubby got me some for Christmas, but they were the walker ones, not the running ones. I was afraid to try to use them because someone on the Spark People message board said to be sure to get the running ones. But thinking should have gone ahead and used them anyway because that would have been better than nothing!! Maybe can get them exchanged later this week.)

ANYWAY, had a really slow time today, but made it home without falling (despite slipping alot). AND, I haven't missed a training run/walk yet! (Which is really good for me)

Only 15 more weeks of training to go!!

TPCC History Video

2011-01-10T22:07:00.000-05:00

So proud to be part of a church that is over 175 years old! And very, very grateful for the pioneers who laid the foundation for the church I have called home for over 25 years. So many changes, but God still remains Lord over all.

TPCC History from Traders Point Christian Church on Vimeo.

I've Got the Music in Me

2011-01-06T17:33:00.001-05:00

Had a pretty good training run today. It was crazy cold (did the whole "dress like it is 20 degrees warmer" thing and it was NOT working for me today) - BUT I had my tunes to keep me warm and motivated! (Plus it was snowing and even though it was little pellets instead of fluffy snowflakes, snow always makes me happy.) UPDATE: the pellets have changed from pellets to beautiful big fluffy snowflakes and it is all I can do not to go back out - I LOVE to run when it is snowing!

I finally sat down and put together a play list to run to. I spent so much time on it this morning that I almost made the same error I did the other day and waited TOO long after I ate to run. But a quick snack cured all that. Plus it was worth the time and effort - the play list was a success!!

My current training schedule is run 3, walk 2, so I loaded my mp3 with a bunch of 2ish and 3ish minute songs and alternated them. Using the music to know when to switch was so much more fun that looking at my watch and I had a great time running with my tunes!! I know I am not supposed to increase my running time too much, but I did run a little longer because I got back home before my songs were done, so I added another quick loop.

So, what did I listen to? The list includes:
It's My Life - Bon Jovi (one of my faves, plus it reminds me of good times)
Movin' - Group 1 Crew
Holding Out for a Hero - Bonnie Tyler (which is actually like 5:41, but it makes you feel like Rocky (or Kevin Bacon) so how can you not include it?)
Shine - The Newsboys
Respect - Aretha Franklin
Believe - Amy Grant
Get Down - Audio Adrenaline

And a few other random ones, including some by The Lads, a Christian band from New Zealand that is actually geared toward kids and tweens, but that means their music is fun and great to dance to (read: jump up and down to). And a Beatles tune which has got to go, but for now, it fits the length requirement.

Two things I noticed that I need to watch for:
1. Pushing my pace too fast to go with the song
2. Busting out the dance moves (don't want the neighbors to think I've gotten into the liquor)

Now I am ready to face the day with a smile on my face, a song in my heart, and some warmer socks!

MMT, WK1 D4

2011-01-04T13:06:00.000-05:00

Not much to report today. Didn't sleep very much at all last night and had very, very, very little energy today at Zumba class. My body was not gonna "join the party" no matter what. Can't believe how little energy I had...

Going to use medicinal assistance tonight to ensure I get my 40 winks and then hopefully have a productive rest day tomorrow.

Tah-tah for now!

Training Tales.....

2011-01-03T16:09:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday!!!

I am going to try to regularly post about my Mini-Marathon run/walk training. (I officially started on 1/1, using a run/walk training schedule someone gave me years ago when I was training to walk the mini - this time the goal is to run at least half the time and significantly beat my walking time from 8 years ago) Hopefully this will help me blog regularly, train regularly, and give y'all license to keep me accountable if I suddenly seem to have fallen off the face of the earth. Even if nobody reads it, this is something I want to do for me. Not usually one to share my ups and downs like this, so hopefully this doesn't blow up in my face.

So...............all that to say, here's the latest:

Sunday: lesson reinforced: don't let yourself get hungry! Came home from church yesterday afternoon and I was STARVING. Thus I proceeded to eat everything in the kitchen that was readily available, not nailed down, and edible. Basically a bunch of cookies, candy, and cheese, with some carrot sticks thrown in for good measure. Once I get that hungry, the floodgates open and all hope of sticking to plan is dashed. Especially since yesterday I had a really bad migraine, so all I wanted to do was crawl in bed and have someone chop off my head. So, aside from church, I ate, drugged up, and slept. Good thing it was a planned rest day. Need to start planning ahead better in these situations so it doesn't get that far.

Monday: you would think today is close enough to yesterday that I would not have already forgotten the "don't get hungry" lesson, but.....not so much. I got up, ate a light breakfast, got distracted for about 2 hours, then finally got around to heading out the door for today's run. By that time I was hungry again, but I was too stubborn to stop and eat before I ran - and also too afraid that if I waited much longer I would keep finding reasons to delay my run and would never get it in. So I headed out the door and about 37 seconds into it, I was SO TIRED. No energy at all. I finished the planned run, but I was much tired-er than Saturday. Although, I had an almost greater sense of pride because I did not give up even though sometimes I felt I was going so slow I was almost running backwards. Also was very pleased to find that I was still running pretty strong at the end. Need to listen to body better and give it the fuel it needs to function better.

Tomorrow: cross-training, Zumba style!

Running in a Winter Wonderland

2010-12-12T17:33:00.000-05:00

Surely now I can claim to be a real runner. I still can't run more than a few minutes without having to stop and walk, but surely going out today and running in a snow "storm" gets me a few points toward "official runner" status, right?

I have never been an athlete. Ever. (Those of you who've known me since 7th grade feel free to chime in and support this claim. You were there. You saw it.) I was the only person in Fellowship of Christian Athletes who was not an athlete. I was the one who hated gym class because it drug down my GPA and it was so incredible humiliating. I was the kid who could not climb the rope or do a single pull-up when we did the President's Physical Fitness test.

But I love snow. Won't it be funny if winter is what turns me into a runner? I was so excited today at the thought of going running out in the snow, that I went out before I even ate lunch. (Which shows how stupid I can be, because I knew I needed something for energy, but was too impatient.) So I was so tired and in my walking intervals I was going really slow because I was enjoying the moment (and because I am notoriously horrible at negotiating slick surfaces and was slipping along - had I known it was easier to run on slick roads than walk on slick roads, I might have started running years ago). But I did it. I was the lady you would drive by and shake your head at the sight of. But I am now thinking that the people running in the snow are not as crazy as we non-runners have always believed. I mean, if you are going to be uncomfortable anyway, why not do it in beautiful, serene surroundings rather than in the heat and humidity of August?? Right?

Just amazed at how much I am loving winter running. (or winter wogging, actually) Which is good since there is a lot of training to do this winter if I want to actually run most of the Mini in May. Not that I wouldn't love it more if Santa would get me some warm running clothes, smart wool socks, and yak trax!

(And yes, this blog post has a record number of "I"s in it, but it is a "yeah me" post so that in the middle of February I can look back and have some encouragement. Next time I will try to write from a less self-centered point of view)

NY2LA

2010-12-08T19:28:00.000-05:00

I think I will make today "Watch It Wednesday". Here is another You Tube clip. This is one of the songs Kaylie's dance class is working on this session. Get to see them perform on Sunday!!

iBand

2010-12-08T16:49:00.000-05:00

Another example of people with too much time on their hands....

The Life Book Movement

2010-11-29T21:11:00.000-05:00

Bible Smuggling 101

Legally Saturating High Schools with God’s Word

In today’s divisive culture-war society, when news stories about separation of church and state thrive with controversy, one cutting-edge Christian ministry is having remarkable success spreading the Word of God. What makes it remarkable? They are doing it by distributing Bibles in public schools—legally.

Carl Blunt is the president and CEO of The Life Book Movement, a Christian mission centered on Blunt’s own contemporary, youth-oriented edition of a portion of the Bible called The Life Book, a unique presentation of Scripture designed to engage high school students with the truth of God’s Word. The Life Book presents a brief overview of the Old Testament and the Book of John using an interactive format with honest student comments and real-life questions in the margins. Readers are drawn into the only story that can change their lives forever.

Founded by The Gideons International as an innovative strategy to reach high school students with God’s Word, The Life Book Movement works in collaboration with churches throughout the country to provide the books for free to high school students. Blunt’s organization brilliantly threads a separation-of-church-and-state loophole by getting his publication into the hands of Christian high school students and having them pass the books out to classmates at school—a practice that is entirely legal, as long as the books are not distributed by school staff or other adults. Blunt says, “It’s like we’re helping students smuggle God’s Word into a closed country (public high schools) to reach an unreached people group because studies show that only 4% of today’s teenagers are Bible-believing Christians.” The goal is to ensure that every student in every high school in the United States has an opportunity to receive the gift of The Life Book. This approach presents a phenomenal opportunity to impact a generation with the good news of Jesus Christ.

The Life Book Movement is best described to students as a week-long mission trip to their local high school. Local churches work together in targeted areas to ensure The Life Book is offered to every student in each chosen high school. All churches involved receive the books at no cost from The Life Book Movement and provide the books, along with some evangelism training, to the students in their youth groups. The students then spend a week passing them out to their friends and classmates at school. One student who received the book said, “I got one today. I read it in almost every class today. I like it. It’s pretty neat and other people asked to look at it and then asked where to get one.”

Flying under the radar since its inception last fall, The Life Book Movement is rapidly closing in on distribution of more than 300,000 copies in public high schools across 21 states and even the British Virgin Islands. A quiet success, indeed, but extremely ambitious, The Life Book Movement has an ultimate goal of distributing The Life Book to nearly 18 million high school students when all is said and done. And, so far, the outlook is extremely promising.

http://www.thelifebook.com/

Become a fan at www.facebook.com/carlblunt and follow the movement at www.twitter.com/carlblunt.

On The Road Again

2010-11-10T16:02:00.002-05:00

Looks like Waggers is going to be accompanying me to San Francisco. This "gift" was on my pillow when I went to bed last night.

Will post pictures of his adventures when I return home.

UPDATE: Not to be outdone, Kaylie left me this little note...

(I love our Hoops & Yoyo panic button!)

Un-Happy Meals

2010-11-09T15:51:00.001-05:00

Can't let this go without chiming in. Toys in Happy Meals are not the reason why our kids are overweight. Don't even get me started about parental responsibility. Grrrr. Maybe when I go to San Fran this week (see yesterday's post), I can pop over to city hall and give them what for.

San Francisco may order Happy Meals to go -- permanently
By the CNN Wire StaffNovember 9, 2010 7:05 a.m. EST

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Ordinance would require most McDonald's Happy Meals to meet new city nutrition criteria
If nutrition standards are met, McDonald's and other chains can offer toys with meals
The measure is part of a "food justice" movement; officials expect a legal challenge

San Francisco, California (CNN) -- Happy Meals could become a thing of the past in San Francisco after a vote by the city's leaders Tuesday.

San Francisco's board of supervisors is expected to formally approve a ban on most of McDonald's Happy Meals in current form during a meeting Tuesday.

The move to turn Happy Meals into healthy meals was proposed because some in the northern California city felt that McDonald's offers toys to entice kids to buy meals that don't meet nutritional criteria.

The board already approved the ban during a preliminary vote last week.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has indicated he would veto the ordinance, but the board has enough votes -- eight out of 11 -- to override the veto, said San Francisco Supervisor Eric Mar who initiated the proposal

Under the proposal, McDonald's and other restaurants would have until December 2011 to improve their meals' nutrition with fruits and vegetables -- if the chains want to keep offering Captain America figurines or toys tied with latest films.

The proposed ordinance is part of a "food justice movement" and is designed to address how about 50 of the city's restaurants use giveaway toys to sell fast food whose nutritional content is being challenged by the city.

Officials said they hope their measure, the first of its kind for a large city, would encourage similar standards across the country. The San Francisco proposal was modeled after a similar law for unincorporated Santa Clara County, California,

Mar said the ordinance would be "a tremendous victory" in fighting childhood obesity. His fifth-grade daughter is in the 6-to-11 age group in which rates of obesity have quadrupled the past 30 years -- coinciding with the lifespan of the Happy Meal, he said.

"I do believe that toys and other incentives attached to foods that are high in sugar, fat and calories are a major reason for the alarming rise for childhood obesity in this country," Mar said last week. "This is a very modest ordinance that is an incentive for the industry to take responsibility for healthier choices for children and parents."

McDonald's spokeswoman Danya Proud has said the company was "extremely disappointed with the decision."

"It's not what our customers want, nor is it something they asked for. Public opinion continues to be overwhelmingly against this misguided legislation," Proud said in a statement. "Parents tell us it's their right and responsibility -- not the government's - to make their own decisions and to choose what's right for their children.

"We are extremely proud of our Happy Meals which give our youngest guests wholesome food and toys of the highest quality. Getting a toy with a kid's meal is just one part of a fun, family experience at McDonald's," Proud said.

Under the proposal, the food and beverage would have to contain fewer than 600 calories, and less than 35 percent of total calories would come from fat.

The meal would also have to contain 0.5 cups of fruit and 0.75 cups of vegetables and offer less than 640 mg of sodium and less than 0.5 mg of trans fat. Breakfast would have the option of offering 0.5 cups of fruit or vegetables.

City officials expect a legal challenge from McDonald's once the ordinance is approved.

"They hired fancy lawyers for this and flew them out here to meet with us and basically to strong-arm us into not doing this," Linshao Chin, legislative assistant to Mar, said. She said McDonald's attorneys argued corporate First Amendment rights.

McDonald's declined to respond to Chin's comments.

McDonald's, Burger King and Subway are among the restaurants that offer such toys or other incentives in San Francisco, but McDonald's was described by city officials as taking the lead in opposing the ordinance.

The California Restaurant Association also objected to the ordinance because, said spokesman Daniel Conway, "it's insulting to parents and it's more generating headlines than trimming waist lines."

We Are Family

2010-11-08T09:57:00.002-05:00

Guess who I get to see this week???!!?! Below is a video jeopary clue:
(you don't have to watch the whole thing, but if you want a giggle, watch starting around the 1:15 mark)

The G.O.A.T.

2010-11-04T22:12:00.000-04:00

Follow-up: Guess it is not surprising, but the number one player (at least for this poll) was........Jerry Rice! (Or, as John Gruden apparently refers to him: The GOAT (greatest of all time))

The top ten:

Jerry Rice
Jim Brown
Lawrence Taylor
Joe Montana
Walter Payton
Johnny Unitas
Reggie White
Peyton Manning
Don Hutson
Dick Butkus

I mock the whole concept of these ultimate lists, but gotta admit, it is kind of interesting. Not a football mensa or a big debater, but intrigued by who isn't on the list - especially when stacked against some of the guys who are on the list. (Randy Moss, 65? Really? Jus' sayin')

Now you have something to ponder as you drift off to sleep tonight....

Who Will Be Number One?

2010-11-04T11:57:00.000-04:00

If you've been paying attention and are inclined to care about these things (and actually get the channel via your cable or satellite or whatever provider), you have noticed that the NFL Network has been counting down the Top 100 Greatest NFL Players, "as determined by a blue-ribbon panel of knowledgeable football minds" (complete with clips and background on each player during a series of documentaries). Or at least the top players until next year, when they do the top players born on a Tuesday, followed by the top players over the past six years but not including 2005, followed by the top water boys, most mockable kickers, top sound bite, top "top ten" list, and on and on forever. Aside from folks paid to talk about football and cranky people who like to yell at others via the anonymity of the internet, I wonder how many people really care about all these lists. It seems like they are always doing one, so what makes this the be all and end all?

(According to NFL Network, this list is crucial to the betterment of society because:
"The Top 100 members not only contributed to the lasting legacy of the game, but have also shaped the lives of football fans from a variety of backgrounds, age groups and eras through memories and "remember when" moments. It is these unique and personal recollections that set this series apart as notable individuals from the world of sports and entertainment serve as presenters for each featured player.")

Anyway, I digress. Tonight the top ten are finally revealed! I know, you haven't been able to sleep. It is kind of exciting because somebody will be number one and a bunch of somebodys will be ranting and raving. Here is a partial list of who won't be number one:

Deion Sanders (cuz he's #34. Ahead of Ray Nitschke, Bart Starr, Ditka, LT, and Joe Namath, just to name a few)
Mean Joe Greene (who I was much more familiar with as a guy from a Coke ad than an intimidating ball player. PS: he's #13)
Emmitt Smith (#28)
Bruce Smith (#31)
Ray Lewis (#18 - Behind Ronnie Lott (11)? Really?)
Deacon Jones (#15)
Barry Sanders (#17)
Brett Favre (#20 - wonder if staying in the game has lowered or raised his stock)
Merlin Olsen (#27)
Randy Moss (#65?!?!? Seriously? Wondering if he'll still be a Titan by the time the play the Colts Dec. 9 and again Jan 2, 2011)
Michael Strahan (#99)

Haven't heard a lot of it this year, but if you are into the whole Tom Brady vs Peyton Manning vs current-hot-QB-who-just-won-a-Super-Bowl (or even just won a game) argument, um, Peyton won. Or at least he got ranked higher than Mr. Brady (who was #21, right behind Brett Favre. Interesting.). Peyton must be on the list, because not only are Favre and Brady, but Fran Tarkenton and Terry Bradshaw - and if they are in, Peyton's in. So he is somewhere 10 or higher, which ranks higher than 21. And I have a hard time seeing some upstart beat out some of the quality guys lower on the list. I don't think Peyton should be number one, though - I have a lot more "remember whens" featuring other players not even ranked than I do Peyton ("Hey honey, remember when Peyton went up to the line of scrimmage and then backed up and hollered some stuff at his line and then took the snap?" doesn't get said a lot around our house) - but it will be interesting to see who ends up in the top ten and how they line up. There's got to be somebody assumed to be in the top ten because they are nowhere else in the top 100 that isn't going to make the cut. Wow.

(I did not get the express written consent of the NFL to utilize their name and players' names in this blog, but hopefully I have not violated their very strict copyright code) :)

In my defense, I'm a Republican

2010-11-03T18:49:00.000-04:00

Today one of our brides was in for lunch at the restaurant where I work. She introduces herself and I told her I'd be working at her wedding on Sautrday and was looking forward to it. Then I turn to her companion, an older lady who looked very familiar. I go to a rather large church and so there are lots of people you see and recognize, but don't know by name. About once a week, someone comes into the restaurant, looks at me and says, "Don't you go to Traders Point?" So, making the (very dense) assumption she was probably from church, I turn to the second lady and say, "You look very familiar, do I know you?"

Why, oh why, can't I just keep my mouth shut???

She (very graciously) smiles and says, "I'm Judy O'Bannon" (aka former First Lady of the great state of Indiana). Well duh, yeah, that would explain why she looked so familiar. After I turn sixteen shades of red and trip all over myself trying to save what little dignity I might have left, she says, "Do you watch the show?" Oops! What show? Mrs. O'Bannon has a show?? So of course, I had to say no - to my even greater humiliation. Oy vey. Fortunately she was very kind and gracious, but I was horrified over the whole ordeal - and relieved I would not be the one serving her. At the rate I was going, I'd have ended up dumping soup in her lap.

PS - I looked it up and she has a show on PBS entitled Communities Building Community. Guess what I'll be watching Thursday at 7:30pm?

Halloween Memories

2010-10-31T22:25:00.000-04:00

Sitting at home after another fun Trunk or Treat and watching Sunday Night Football. Having flashbacks to a Monday Night Football game played on Halloween many, many moons ago. Memorable because the Colts won. Big time. Did I mention this was back in the day when any Colts win was huge, let alone a prime time TV domination??? Good memories, good memories.

Here is how the Chicago Tribune remembers it...(I know, how random is that? But it was the only article I could find online about the game. Ok, I didn't really search very hard.)

Last Halloween Monday Night Game No Treat
October 31, 1994
By Don Pierson.The last Monday night Halloween football game was a frightful affair in Indianapolis when the Colts beat the Denver Broncos 55-23 in 1988. It was so out of character that the Colts haven't scored nearly that many points in any game since. In two subsequent Monday night appearances, they have scored a total of only one touchdown.

The night even featured players dressed in unfamiliar costumes. It was Eric Dickerson's first Monday night game for the Colts after his 1987 trade from the Rams. Dickerson celebrated by scoring four touchdowns in the game's first 19 minutes, his last great game on a national stage.

Denver's running back was Tony Dorsett, playing his only season in a Broncos uniform after a Hall of Fame career with the Cowboys.

The Colts had a 45-10 halftime lead, eliminating suspense early enough to leave viewers plenty of time to trick-or-treat. Denver thought the ball was a pumpkin, losing 4 fumbles.

Go Colts and Happy Halloween!!!

The Mark of Love (GIVEAWAY!)

2010-10-27T22:16:00.000-04:00

The Mark of Love

The Mend Mark tells a powerful story in two words

Have you been “Marked?” The Mend Mark is a mission, a movement, an entire revolution. It is a bracelet meant to remind its wearers of Christ’s love and sacrifice, and its message is the passion of its creator, Hunter Harrison.

The Mend Mark is an innovative and distinctive bracelet that is designed to reflect the scars and nail holes of Jesus. When worn, the band resembles the deep holes of the nail driven into the wrists of Jesus during his crucifixion. By bringing the story of Jesus’ life and death to constant awareness by wearing a bracelet, Mend Mark is meant to powerfully remind wearers of the ultimate act of love Jesus made for all of humankind.

Harrison’s mission is to remind all to remember Christ’s love in both his life and death. But more than only a poignant recollection, the Mend Mark is meant to inspire and motivate wearers to live a life of service. Harrison strives to bring people together around the simplicity and power of love as lived by Jesus. But this is no example of passive love. The Mend Mark calls individuals in all walks of life to love with a profound sincerity and commitment great enough to change a neighborhood, a community, a world.

Harrison leads this call to love and sacrifice by example and joins hands with each Mend Mark bracelet purchaser to take the first step in global change. A portion of each bracelet sold goes to support Living Water International, an organization combating the clean water crisis victimizing over one billion people worldwide. Each $5,000 given will result in one well drilled, providing a community with clean water.

But wearers should be prepared to be seen. Unique in its design, the Mend Mark is sure to be noticed and gives wearers an opportunity to share the story of the profound love of Jesus for each and every person. “It was important to me that the design was simple and generic enough that the observer had to ask about it to know what it meant. But I also wanted it to appear distinctive enough that it sparked curiosity,” reveals creator Hunter Harrison. “I wanted it to require the wearer of the product to engage in conversation about the love of Christ (and hopefully show that love to others) instead of just letting the product talk for them.”

Launched in late 2009 after a year and a half of packaging, material, and design development by Harrison, the bracelet has been sold across the United States, Canada, and the UK and has been featured in retail stores as well. The Mend Mark bracelet movement has grown to further fame after being worn during performances by American Idol winner Lee Dewyze, Idol runner up Siobhan Magnus, Decifer Down, Israel Houghton & New Breed, Pillar, and Finding Favour, to name a few. Says Harrison, “I want it to be more than just another bracelet; I want it to represent a movement.” Based on the way things are going, a movement is exactly what it is becoming.

Order online for $9.99 at http://www.mendmark.com/.

GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment on this blog post by the end of the day Saturday, November 6 and I will enter you in a drawing for your very own Mend Mark bracelet!! (Be sure to include your email address so I can contact you if you win!)

Brotherly Love

2010-10-26T12:23:00.002-04:00

I love my brother, but I don't think I'd let him sleep on me.

Nicaragua? Okay...

2010-10-25T13:26:00.000-04:00

How do I communicate this without getting too long-winded? Here goes: As you may know, my daughter Kaylie has Asperger's Syndrome. She has participated in the special needs ministry program at our church since she was around three years old. Like she does at school, at church she participates in the mainstream classroom, but when she was younger she had a "buddy" who accompanied her to class.

In 2005, our church began partnering with Nicaragua Resource Network to serve special needs kids in the Managua area (the capital of Nicaragua). In this culture, special needs children are often hidden away by their families and not afforded the same opportunities as other children. A special needs classroom was created to bridge this gap and this Agape Program continues to be supported with finances and mission teams from our church.

A recent team pictured with some of the "Agape kids"

While I have known about this program and the girls have helped with service projects geared to benefit this school and these kids, I never really felt called to go serve on-site. I think I have been in general avoidance mode because I feel inadequate as the mother of a special needs child. I am not near the advocate that I should be and come up severly lacking when measured against my fellow special needs moms.

But now there is an opportunity for the whole family to go serve and we feel God is telling us to go. Kaylie, with her loving, generous heart, wants to know if it is time to start packing yet. She is beyond ready to go (I am excited to see what plan God has for her as she becomes an adult. I am convinced He has big plans for her servant's heart.) Hannah, for now, is most excited about the airplane ride. Jim wonders how we will pay for the trip, but he, like Kaylie, is always ready and willing to serve. And then there is me. (Somewhat) reluctantly going along for the ride because I am convinced God is ordering me out of my comfort zone and to face head-on what He has given to our family. If I am going to serve other special needs moms, I better learn how to be a better special needs mom so I can set a better example. And I better learn fast and save fast, as the trip is in January. (That's a lot of betters, so you see why I am overwhelmed!)

This trip does not excite me the way going to Austria did, or serving in the inner-city has, and I have not anticipated it the way I do one day getting to go to Haiti, or Africa, or China. But I am excited because I know God's hand is in it and I think sending special needs kids to serve other special needs kids is a beautiful idea and will be a marvelous little glimpse of heaven.

Pray for us, please, as we prepare to serve that God would continue to put all the pieces in place.

To learn more about this work in Nicaragua, please visit the Nicaragua Resource Network and the TPCC Short-term Missions Blog. Thanks! If you would like to sponsor our team financially the address to send donations to can be found here.

Foliage and Falling

2010-10-20T19:14:00.000-04:00

Are you into foliage? I don't think I even knew the word existed until I moved to New England and some friends invited me to go north to look at the foliage. Beautiful. Gorgeous. Wish you were here. Who knew? How I got that far in life liking fall that much without learning such vital terminology, I have no idea.

Have foliage on the brain because A) it's fall and the leaves are, in fact, changing and 2) it's my anniversary!!! Fifteen years ago this week we were married and had a lovely fall honeymoon. To Vermont and Williamsburg. Foliage, USA. Exotic, no; beautiful, yes. (Plus that was a horrible hurricane season, so it actually worked out in our favor to NOT be Bermuda-bound.)

All of the most memorable things to happen in my adult life have happened in the fall: my wedding, the birth of my children, my daughter getting baptized. Which pretty much cements fall as my ab-fab time of year.

Random recent fall photos:

Zoo Boo 2009

Pre-Anniversary trip to Mackinac Island to celebrate our 15th!

Clowning around at my cousin's fall wedding in very un-October-ish weather.

Do you fall for fall too?

Be Available

2010-10-11T10:29:00.000-04:00

The official word:

Timeless Wisdom from the Pastor’s Pastor

Dr. Warren Wiersbe’s BE series offers simple but not simplistic knowledge

The Old Testament contains vast riches of spiritual knowledge, and Dr. Warren Wiersbe mines the depths of that wisdom with straightforward clarity in David C Cook’s latest updates to the “BE” commentary series. Wiersbe carefully examines many aspects of the Old Testament and makes spiritual applications as Christians explore the lives of the Jewish people. The lives of God’s chosen people paint a picture of courage and bravery, despite their tendency to disobey, and the rulers and prophets of this time played a vital role in bringing God’s message to His people. Throughout these commentaries, God’s faithfulness to respond to cries of repentance provides strong examples of how He continues to lovingly lead His people.

Dr. Warren Wiersbe has devoted his life to the deep examination of God’s Word. He is an internationally known Bible teacher, former pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago, and the author of more than 150 books. The “BE” series is comprised of fifty titles and, with more than four million copies in print, has helped countless numbers of readers to better understand and apply God’s Word to their daily lives. Dr. Wiersbe’s commentaries combine historical explanations and thought-provoking questions with the unchanging truth of Scripture in such a way that Christians can easily grasp the relevance of the Old Testament.

· Be Available: Accepting the Challenge to Confront the Enemy—This is a study of the book of Judges and encourages people to be available, no matter how dark the day. Be available to trust God’s Word, yield to His Spirit, and do His bidding. (September 2010/ISBN: 978-1-4347-0048-3/199 pages)

Tricia's Take:
I loved this book from the get-go, as it started with the premise that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things - one of my favorite biblical truths. This book was more than just a study on a book of the Bible, it included life application as well. (Something we don't always get in Old Testament bible studies.) Dr. Wiersbe, as always, has wonderful insight and does not shy away from the tougher portions of the book, but attacks them head on and helps us to understand a little better. I love how he pulls out the theme of "Be Available" from the stories of these fallen men and women who agreed to serve God and who He then used to do powerful things.

It was a very dark time in the life of Israel. As is repeated often in the book - there was no king at that time and everyone was doing what was right in their own eyes. Rather than hide or isolate themselves, the judges chose to answer God's call to serve Him and His kingdom, even in dark and overwhelming circumstances. What an example for us to follow today - to not be discouraged, but to bodly stand up and make a change. (Thank you, as always, to the publisher for providing me with a review copy.)

Yum!

2010-10-09T20:56:00.001-04:00

(DEEELICIOUS hand-painted chocolates!)

I've been working at Ghyslain Bistro at The Sanctuary (Nancy Noel's art gallery) for about 6 weeks. Very excited to see us in the food section of the paper last week. Check it out!

Click here to view the article

Pierced Ears!

2010-10-08T20:56:00.000-04:00

(Ugh! So far behind on the blogging. Need to get focused....)

Hannah has been begging for pierced ears for some time now. I kept putting her off, but planned all along to let her get them pierced around the age she is now. Unbeknown to her, I bought earrings for her at the Swarovski store when I was in Austria and was holding them for her birthday. On Hannah's birthday my cousin Kacia came over to surprise Hannah and pierce her ears. We told Hannah we needed to run an errand and Hannah said, "Can't I just stay home?" I told her sure, but she might change her mind after she opened her present (the earrings). She was SO surprised and excited. Until it was time to actually do the piercing.

Suddenly not quite so sure about this...

"Wait, I'm not ready." I was so sure she was going to hit Kacia's hand and Kacia's finger would get pierced.

Success!!!

God Knows YOUR Name!

2010-09-14T19:01:00.000-04:00

(Enjoying this book by Beth Redman. It is nourishment for the soul and encouragement for anyone who's ever felt less than worthy. God loves each and every one of us!!)

God Knows Your Name

An excerpt from God Knows My Name by Beth Redman.

“I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” (Isa. 43:1)

A name is given and considered. A name imparts meaning, value, identity, and significance. Your name was chosen specifically, and especially, for you. A name gives both humanity and dignity to a person. The Enemy would have you live a nameless existence—feeling anonymous, illegitimate, unknown, unimportant, inglorious, and unfit to be named. Nineteenth-century London was a time of such material, emotional, and spiritual poverty that “children were so utterly uncared for that some were even without names, and were known to each other by nicknames.”

In direct contrast, God says that He has a name for us. Where we feel worthless and insignificant He bestows worth and significance upon us when He calls us by name and chooses us for His glory.

Anyone expecting a child has flipped through baby-name books, looking at the meanings and origins of names and thinking about how they sound. I’ve found names I loved and then been dismayed to find out they meant something like harlot, wench, or crooked nose!

Click here to watch the God Knows My Name book trailer!

Someone recently told me of a child who had been named Jezebel Harlot! That’s a pretty negative connotation to speak over a child every time she is called. Ideally, a name needs to suit the person carrying it. When my husband suggested that we name our third child “Rocco Redman,” I thought he had gone a bit mad! Normally my husband’s track record in making decisions is spot on. There really is no point arguing with Mr. Matthew Redman because over the years I have found he is nearly always right. However, on this occasion, I wasn’t so sure.

I wanted our third child to be called Benjamin, but Matt got the older children on board—and in the end I came to peace with the fact that if he was anything like his dad and his brother and sister, he would easily live up to something as strong and bold as Rocco! The name means “rest,” and so far he has turned out to be the most relaxed, peaceful, deep-sleeping, and gentle-spirited boy… and he has the confidence and joy required to be Rocco Redman. In new environments, his name still causes a little reaction, but it is so perfect for him, and I love that every time I write or call him by his full name, Rocco Benjamin Courage, I am affirming and speaking rest, sonship, bravery, and boldness over him.

In the same way, your Father God named you as precious, chosen, and beloved. You may not be named Rocco, but when God calls you, He speaks over you His truth, freedom, and life. Your part is to make a good choice—to continually believe and live under those things He named you and never to seek to hide behind another name. Many of us each day live under other labels that the Enemy has given us from past or present experiences—unwanted, failure, doubter, ugly, unlovely, needy, drama queen, mistake, disgrace, shamed, forgotten, and many more lies.

Click here to download Beth Redman’s song “God Knows My Name,” written exclusively for this book.

Those thoughts and feelings cannot possibly originate from God—for He is the giver of good and perfect gifts, and the God of all comfort. Those negative impressions of yourself and the words my own dad wrote in his email to me originate from the Enemy—who we know to be a dirty liar.

Perhaps you think your problems and insecurities are too great to overcome. By the kindness and mercy of God in my own life, I can assure you that this is not the case. I was abused physically, put down verbally, and rejected. I suffered humiliation many times and sadly began to act out how I felt about myself. In public I felt wretchedly insecure. I couldn’t go out with friends without feeling self-conscious and unimportant. I hated myself inside and out.

Then Jesus called my name. And everything changed. I hardly recognize the person I was back then. Our names may conjure up memories, but not always truth. I know that ultimately I am defined not by what others think of me when they hear my name, or what my earthly father says about me. Instead, the authority and compassion of the God who called my name define me. He loves, He shapes, He convicts, and He lavishes us with affirmation.

It’s time we heard His voice the loudest.

God Knows My Name: Never Forgotten, Forever Loved by Beth Redman
David C Cook/July 1, 2010/ISBN 978-0-7814-0365-8/188 pages/softcover/$14.99
http://www.davidccook.com/

Labor Day Bridge Walk 2010

2010-09-07T21:57:00.002-04:00

It has become tradition for us to walk the Mackinac Bridge with Mom and Ron every Labor Day. Well, actually, Hannah and I walk and Jim and Kaylie meet us at the Levering Cafe (aka "Big Chicken") for lunch. And we don't technically walk with Mom and Ron, as Mom is usually trying to set land speed records and leaves us in the dust shortly after we start walking. I was really worried that this year we were going to have to walk in the rain, but the weather turned out great!

7:00am: Bus ride to the north side of the bridge

Mom & Ron (and the arms of a really loud lady sitting in front of them) Take a good look, you won't see them again...(until the walk is over)

7:45am: Port-o-potty lines. Fortunately this year Mom didn't have to go

7:48am: No Running. Unless you join the Governor on her "fitness jog" before the Walk begins. Would love to do that sometime, but you have to get picked from a lottery. With my luck, by the time I got picked, I'd be too old to run it.

7:49am: We're walking, we're walking...

7:57am: Yay! Sunshine!

8:15am: Almost to the first tower

8:22am: Looking down: This is the base of the pillars, as seen through the grates on the bridge. At this point, I think we are about 200 feet above the water.

8:22: Looking up: The towers rise over 550 feet above water.

8:30am: I love sunbeams!!

8:33am: Dudes at the top of the south tower. I bet that is an amazing view!

8:42am: Self portrait. We have matching freckles.

9:09am: The end!! Five miles complete!

Running on Empty

2010-09-04T19:15:00.000-04:00

Friends, this is a blog entry I posted on Spark People. Since I've been doing horrible keeping up this blog, I've decided to post some of my SP entries here as well. At least then it looks like I've been blogging. :) On both fronts, I am sure very few people read this or care, but I am getting it off my chest and this is my blog, so in this little corner of the blogosphere it is all about me.

(I need to start taking a dictaphone with me when I go jogging or walking. I come up with all these things I want to say while I am walking and then by the time I get home, shower, do a few chores or go to work or something, and then sit down to put my thoughts on paper, I forget half of what I meant to say. I might be the next great American novelist but for a dictaphone...)

I ran four miles today!!! I was so proud of myself. (Note the "was". This will come up later.) We are up at my mom's and I went out and ran the streets around her home. They have hills and everything - no hills in my neighborhood, so that was a nice change. So, I'm out there, I'm feeling good, my HRM isn't squawking at me to slow down, I'm running hills, I've got all the time in the world, so I am adding distance, and life is good. I ran a whole hour.

(Yes, I know - don't do too much too soon. But the hills were really unavoidable (unless I want to run past the neighbors house upwards of 10 times, which I don't) and for once I wasn't trying to squeeze in some quick exercise before running (ha ha) to the next thing on my calendar. And it was cool, so I did not feel like I was going to internally combust, so I kept running.)

At this point I must interject (yet again) and say 1)I could never be the next great novelist because I have too many tangents when I write and 2)I feel dishonest saying I ran four miles and for 60 minutes. I didn't run 60 minutes, I did what someone on one of the message boards has dubbed "wog"-ing. (Kind of like the Mog on SpaceBalls, the movie, but yet totally different) When I run, I am still at the point where I walk, then jog, then walk, then jog, then walk, etc, etc, etc. This week it was 3 minutes walking, 5 minutes jogging. I know Jeff Galloway (and whoever else) says I'm running, but I'm not. I'm walking. I'm jogging. I'm walking. I'm jogging. (Lather, rinse, repeat) Spark People, defender of the reasonable, advocate of moderation, doesn't even consider what I am doing to be running or jogging, as my pace is generally more than 12 minutes/mile. I don't know what to call it, but it ain't runnin'.

Which brings me to the letdown phase of the blog post. Back to me right after I ran: I'm exhilerated. I did hills, I did distance, I did time, and I felt great. At the end of the run, I still had more in me - I wasn't totally exhausted by any means. This is something I never thought I could do and were I not physically there to witness it, I would have sworn it was all a dream. Can't tell you how many times in my life I have tried to run and couldn't make it 1/2 a mile. Including back in my "in shape" days when I would power walk with a stroller loaded with 2 kids, a diaper bag, sippy cups, hats, snacks, etc. And here I am, 38 years young, and I am running. For 5 minutes straight at a time. And not passing out from lack of oxygen. Never underestimate the power of the "I did it!!" feeling you get when you overcome a physical hurdle. It is incredible.

Until you get home. And you realize that in those 60 minutes, you only ran 4 miles. Which gives you the unremarkable time of 15 minutes/mile, your slowest jog/walk logged to date. And your hard work netted a calorie burn that would barely offset a mocha. Why can't I just appreciate that I did hills, extra distance, extra time, all while doing a better job than normal of keeping my heart rate in range?? No, I have to focus on the depressing fact that I "walked 15 min/mile" and burned a very puny number of calories. It totally threw off my groove. (Another side note, I think the cooler temps made a BIG difference heart rate wise - will be interesting to monitor this as we hit fall and I get more conditioned (hopefully)).

I have come to grips with being a scale-oholic and am at a good place on that front, only to found out now that apparently I am a fitness calorie-burn monger who feels like a loser if she doesn't achieve a certain level in the fitness tracker. Bah humbug. What is wrong with me?

Superwoman Revisited

2010-09-04T18:40:00.000-04:00

So, I finally finished Chasing Superwoman (see original blog entry below). Have I mentioned that I'm stubborn? If not for my own stubborness, I would have dropped this book after the first 50 pages.

I feel guilty for not liking it, but yet, I didn't like it. Not sure how much of my dislike is that it wasn't what I expected. I thought the book would offer some kind of insight on work/life balance as a mother, but it was more of a collection of stories about the author's life with a few spiritual thoughts thrown in at the end almost as an afterthought. Not even great stories about her life. Better outlet for her ramblings would be a blog or something (which I think the author also has, actually); then she can do what I do and get it off her chest and it may never been seen by human eyes, but you feel better because you've rationalized whatever you're doing at the time that is leaving you guilt-ridden. Surprised this manuscript got her a book deal. Surprised and jealous - I could so do what she just did.

I wasn't even going to finish this book, but stuck to it expecting something to pop out anytime and it just never did. Fortunately it was a very quick read, so not as frustrated about spending time on it as I might have been.

Well, so now you know...

Old Bibles

2010-08-31T07:52:00.000-04:00

Where do old Bibles go when they retire? This isn't a joke, I really am wondering - when you get a new Bible, what do you do with the old one? Surely you wouldn't just throw it away, but can you give away a used Bible? Mine tend to get marked up and would be a hot mess for anyone else to try to wade through.

See, I am not exaggerating. This is a page from the Bible I used in high school.

Me, I've saved all mine. (Of course, I save a lot of stuff)

Some are on bookshelves...

some live in my bedroom...

and on the bookshelf in the bedroom, I think there is one more. Plus a huge family Bible that never comes out of its box.

It is kind of cool to pull them out and flip through and see how God was talking to me at that point in my life. Also is fun to look through a Bible you haven't used in awhile and see what you left tucked between the pages. Here are some recent findings from the Bible in the first picture.

Inside the front cover: a letter written to me from younger friend when I was going off to college and she was still in high school. Haven't talked to her in years. It was surreal to read.
My bookmark was in Isaiah 40 & 41. Guess I have loved those passages for a long time.
Between Matthew 5 and 6, a piece of paper with a friend of mine's address (again, from HS youth group) in my handwriting and a personal message from him in his: "Git [sic] a real life". On the back of the paper: The Beatitudes. Quite the eclectic mix.
In the back, a Christmas card from 50 Watts, my fave youth group leader; a bulletin from the church we visited on the TPCC senior spring break trip; the playbill from a play I was in (I think senior year?); and a timeline I wrote in 1990. Unfortunately the time line had no future predictions for me to look back on, but very cool to look back at some past events that when I was 18 seemed like milestone moments in my young life.

So, back on the shelf until next time, I guess...

Chasing Superwoman. And she just lapped me. Again.

2010-08-25T21:06:00.000-04:00

Tricia here: As further evidence of my non-supermom/superwoman-ness, not only am I late with this post, but I haven't finished the book yet, even with the extra time. I've always done some amount of work outside the home, so I was intrigued to hear what this "working mom" had to say. So far I am undecided as to my opinion of the book. Will let you know. (Assuming I ever finish!) FYI: The article below was written by the author.

Lawyer

Devoted Mommy

Susan DiMickele gives insight to the struggle between “Cathy Career and Susie Stay-At-Home”

Article written by: Susan DiMickele

Who has it easier, a mother who stays at home, or a mother who works outside the home? Actually, I should probably be asking a different question -- who has it harder. Motherhood is hard work, no matter how you slice it.

As a wife, mother of three young children, and lawyer who works outside of my home in the face-paced environment of a large law firm, I can’t even begin to answer this question. Nor would I want to. Based on my own journey and my limited perceptions about what’s going on in the homes of other women, I can’t advocate one path over another or declare that the path I’ve lived is more or less demanding, exhausting, or rewarding. Sure, human nature is such that I always tend to believe that no one understands what it’s like to walk in my shoes, but my self-absorbed pity party is hardly unique.

The short answer is that all mothers work. And we don’t just work, we work hard. Instead of focusing on the differences between stay-at-home mothers and mothers who work outside the home, I often wish we could focus on what we have in common. Shouldn’t the church be a place where we come together?

Let’s face it, there are certain misconceptions about motherhood and careers. And there has been little healthy dialogue about these stereotypes within the church.

What stereotypes am I talking about? I’ll start with career women, since I fall into this camp. (I not only fall into this camp -- as a working mother in a demanding profession who is likewise very passionate about raising my children, I’m the first to acknowledge the constant tension between my two worlds of work and home.)

Cathy Career is selfish. She’s careful not to have more than two children because they might interfere with her success. Her husband is forced to do laundry and fend for himself around the house, and she doesn’t have time to bake cookies or pack her children nutritious lunches, so her family is always eating junk and picking up fast food. She doesn’t have time to volunteer at church (or get involved in a church for that matter) and she’s lucky if she shows up once a year to volunteer at her kids’ school. She’s intimidated by stay-at-home moms because she assumes they think she’s a bad mother -- that she’s putting herself or her job before her family. After all, what’s more important, your family or a paycheck? Her identity rests on what she does outside the home.

Susie Stay-At-Home is obsessed with her children. She takes her kids to “Mommy and Me” classes and spends her spare time making homemade jam and elaborate family scrapbooks. She never buys any new clothes, spends most of her time cooking and cleaning, and she barely gets out of the house -- except when she is volunteering at church or school. She’s a Sunday School teacher and a proud “Room Mom.” She serves her husband like a king and never makes him do chores around the house. She’s intimidated by career women because she assumes they think she doesn’t have ambition -- or worse, that she doesn’t have a brain just because she’s with her children all day. Her identity rests on what she does inside the home.

Do these stereotypes sound familiar? While I’ve never met Cathy Career or Susie Stay-At-Home, it didn’t take much imagination on my part to write about these two fictional women. Yet, in reality, these stereotypes hold little value. I would go one step further and argue that these stereotypes even hurt us, especially inside the church. Why drive an artificial wedge between women of faith who desperately need one another?

In reality, mothers who follow Christ have much in common. For starters, our identity is in Christ. He defines us. It’s not about whether we work or stay at home. It’s not about us, and it’s not about what we do -- it’s about who He is and what He’s done for us.

And when it comes to our children, we’re all on this road of motherhood together. The world is threatening -- even screaming for -- the hearts and minds of our children. As mothers, we’re striving to protect their innocence, teach them about Christ and model a life of faith so they can be transformed, not conformed, to the world we live in. So we pray that our daughters won’t derive their identity from pop culture and our sons will grow up to be honorable men of character. And while we do our best, we all make mistakes, and we know that God’s grace will far surpass our own efforts every time.

Yes, all mothers work. We all want the best for our children. And, as mothers, we really need to come together. What better place for mothers to unite in faith and values than inside the body of Christ?
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. I Corinthians 12:1

Be Compassionate

2010-08-22T11:18:00.000-04:00

Tricia here: As someone who grew up in church, I have heard countless Sunday School lessons and sermons on the gospels. Probably have Luke 2 memorized from hearing and reading it so often. Dr. Wiersbe still managed to provide new info and new insight and help me to think about these passages, not just skim them over out of familiarity. The book was easy to read and would be good for the young or the mature believer. Dr. Wiersbe gives several verse references in his commentary which were great for going deeper into the lesson and text. Looking forward to reading my next "BE" book!

Dr. Warren Wiersbe Equips Believers to Meet Today’s Challenges

An exciting group of revised editions of the timeless “Be” series to release this summer

The twenty-first century Christian faces unique and disturbing moral challenges that demand a great degree of Biblical wisdom and understanding in order to successfully defeat a tireless enemy. With greater and faster technology bombarding lives with an ever darkening array of moral depravity, it is essential that Christians be able to discern the enemy’s attack and answer God’s call to share truth and light both responsibly and dependably. Dr. Warren Wiersbe’s “Be” series is filled with the timeless truths of God’s Word, and his books will adequately equip today’s believers with the tools they need to reach a world in desperate need of an eternal hope.

David C Cook’s latest additions to the revised “Be” series include insightful introductions by Ken Bough, updated content for today’s readers, as well as new study questions for each chapter. Each of these expositional commentaries incorporate material from Dr. Wiersbe’s “Be” series into a small group Bible study format and focus on a specific book of the Bible. This effectively updated series of books incorporates topics as they were originally presented in the “Be” books.

Be Compassionate: Let the World Know That Jesus Cares uses the first thirteen chapters of Luke to explore the believer’s responsibility to tell the world that Jesus cares about them in a very personal way. (ISBN 978-1-4347-6502-4/softcover/185 pages/$12.99/July 2010

Seen or read The Blind Side?

2010-07-31T22:00:00.000-04:00

(Tricia here: When you are reading a good book or watching a good movie, sometimes you don't want it to end. And when it does, you want to know more - what happens next, that kind of thing. Well, if you enjoyed The Blind Side, allow me to introduce In a Heartbeat, a look inside the minds and hearts of the Tuohys, the family that adopted Michael Oher)

In a Heartbeat: Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving by Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy with Sally Jenkins (Henry Holt, July 13, 2010) takes readers on an extraordinary journey of faith and love and shares unforgettable lessons about the power of giving. The Tuohys’ deeply inspiring memoir offers readers a detailed picture of a family that makes giving a way of life, the huge blessings that decision has brought to them, and the ways we can all make a difference in our own communities.

Q & A with Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy Authors of In a Heartbeat: Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving

Q: Besides dominating the New York Times bestseller list, The Blind Side has also broken Hollywood records. Why do you think your family’s story has captivated so many people?

A: We think people love the story because they recognize some aspect of themselves there. We want to be the kind of people who really make a difference in the world, but so many people are convinced they don’t have the resources to be that kind of giver. We wrote In a Heartbeat to share our story in our own words precisely so that people will begin to realize that they can be the kind of people who help change someone’s life.

Q: Let’s talk about the problem of homeless and needy children in America. How do you believe this problem can be solved?

A: There are a lot of intractable problems in the U.S., from terrorism to health care. But the problem of children in need is curable; we can all do something about it today, individually, through the smallest acts. If every church in the U.S. sponsored one child, we could wipe out the problem of homeless children in this country. There are a million Michaels. Not every kid has the potential to become a star player in the NFL, but he or she may be the person who grows up to cure cancer, or becomes a great husband or wife to someone.

Q: How do you respond when people marvel at the risks you took as you brought Michael Oher into your family?

A: You know, you take a risk every day of your life. When you get in your car and drive across a bridge you take a risk. You don’t know if your tires are good, or if the pilings are going to hold, or if the bridge will fall in. But you don’t really stop and think about it, do you? You don’t get up every morning and kick all four of your tires. You don’t stare at the bridge and say, ‘Yeah, I think it’ll hold me.’ How did you know that bridge wasn’t going to fall? Yet you went right ahead and crossed it. Everybody takes risks, every day. You just don’t realize that’s what you’re doing.

Q: How do you define “cheerful giving”?

A: This is not giving to impress someone who may be watching, and it’s not giving because you feel guilty. The Bible says it best: “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”-- II Corinthians 9:7

Q: In the book, you sum up your philosophy of giving in “The Popcorn Theory.” Tell us more about that.

A: The Popcorn Theory is about noticing others. It’s about seeing, not turning away from the immediacy of someone in need. It starts with recognizing a fellow soul by the roadside—even if he doesn’t seem to belong in your lovely red brick neighborhood and he is the biggest damn piece of popcorn you ever saw and his problems seem too immense to take on. It’s about assigning that person value, and potential. Like popcorn, you don’t know which kernel’s gonna pop. They just show up. It’s not hard to spot ‘em. The Popcorn Theory goes like this: “You can’t help everyone, but you can try to help the hot ones who pop right up in front of your face.”

Q: What if I don’t have many resources? How can I be a cheerful giver without a bunch of extra money?

A: Too often we think we lack the means to improve someone’s lot. We’re wrong. The Popcorn Theory doesn’t require you to write a large-scale check, or to take a hungry boy with eyes like leaping flames into your household. But it does require that you perceive the person standing right in front of you, and extend a hand in kindness. Consider this story we heard from a U.S. Senator during a trip to Washington for an Adoption Coalition convention:
There is a little-known Congressional initiative to give internships to young people who were so unwanted they have aged out of the foster care system. This Senator employs one such young man. One day the Senator passed by the mailroom, and paused and turned around. He noticed that his intern, fresh out of foster care, had reorganized all the old files. “This room has never looked so clean,” the Senator said. “You did a great job.” A few minutes later the Senator decided to get a cup of coffee. He returned to mailroom and found that his intern had tears streaming down his face. “Son, did I offend you?” he asked. “No,” the young man said. “That’s the first time anyone has ever told me that I did something good.” This gift had nothing to do with money. What this kid needed most was encouragement and self-worth, and that’s what he was given.

Q: As you share your story, one of the points you stress is that generosity is not just your personal value. It’s a core value for the entire family. What specific things have you done as parents to help your kids become cheerful givers?

A: One of our practices is something we call “Get one, give one,” which means when you receive something, give part of it away. To impress the lesson on our daughter Collins, we sent her to camp with underprivileged kids and on a searing mission trip to the Guatemala City Dumps, where she saw families living in lean-tos amid the garbage, yet with pictures of Christ hung amid the wreckage. Collins came to understand how fortunate she was: “He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” (Acts 14:17) She also learned how important it was to share some of what she’d been given. Long before Michael came into our lives, Collins and Sean Jr. learned to accept the presence of kids sleeping on the sofa or lounging around the house. Friends at the Briarcrest School whose parents worked two jobs. One afternoon 7-year-old Sean Jr. came home to find them playing with his X-box. He sought out Leigh Anne and said, “What gives?” She replied, “We’re just helping them out. Be generous.” Sean Jr. went back downstairs and watched the brothers play a video game. “I’ve got the winner,” he said.

Q: In the book, you point out that the most important gifts your children gave each other had nothing to do with money. Tell us about those gifts.

A: As Michael became a member of the family, he and our other kids gave each other two small but crucial mutual gifts—loyalty and protection. At Ole Miss, Collins and Michael went everywhere together, and they and their friends achieved a new level of racial integration at that old southern school. Even now, when our family attends Michael’s games, he remains extremely protective of his sister, insisting on one occasion that his teammate walk her to the car to keep her away from unruly male fans. And for Sean Jr. having Michael in his family means they do more as a family—he gets much more of each of them.

This is one of the blessings of cheerful giving. We have always felt that Michael gave us far more than he received. All we did was put a roof over his head. He has given us back a stronger sense of home and family.

In a Heartbeat: Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving
by Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy with Sally Jenkins

The Exhorter

2010-07-13T22:54:00.000-04:00

How would you describe an "exhorter"? Here is one definition. I am looking for others. Input, anyone?

EXHORTER: That special ability to find and communicate to others practical ways of serving God. The exhorter is a positive motivator, knowing practical Christianity will change the lives of others (Rom. 12:8; I Timothy. 4:13; Heb. 10:25).

Rise Up and Sing

2010-07-10T21:17:00.000-04:00

Me here: I am not a worship leader, nor is that my giftedness or calling. But I serve on a worship team under a female worship pastor and I love anything that will lead me to be a better worshipper and closer to God. So I was curious to read this book. I really liked it and think that any female with a worship role in her church should read it. It was a quick read and gave good insight into what it is like to be a female worship leader.

Discovering Your Spirit-led Ability to Lead Worship

Buckley offers a guide for women called to lead in worship ministry

Women are being called to lead worship in larger numbers than ever before, but many may feel ill equipped to do so. Lex Buckley discusses this trend in her new book, Rise Up and Sing: Equipping the Female Worship Leader. Buckley recognizes the unique challenges that women face as they enter positions that have been held primarily by men for many years. As a musician who served as a worship leader for Soul Survivor Ministries and who now serves with her husband leading the worship department for River City Church in Jacksonville, Florida, Buckley wants to encourage women to be discerning and Spirit-led about worshipping the Savior. She offers practical, down-to-earth advice to women who feel called to lead in this area of church ministry.

Drawing from the Bible, her heart, and her own experiences, Buckley begins by defining the many areas of worship ranging from worship leader and musician to worship team pastor and songwriter. She defines each role and discusses the differences that exist between men and women within these positions. From the pitch of the voice itself to the instrument of choice used to lead worship, there are many functional and practical differences that become obvious when a woman steps into a leadership role populated primarily by men. Understanding these differences and their impact on the style of worship enables a woman to lead confidently and more effectively, because she is able to better relate to the men with whom she is called to serve.

Buckley wants women who feel called to serve as worship leaders to be confident in their ability to lead and offers practical suggestions on songwriting, how to work with a worship band, and even ways to recruit members for and pastor a worship team. Rise Up and Sing also includes valuable insight from others in worship ministry including Beth Redman, Christy Nockles, and Kathryn Scott. These women want others who feel called to serve in this type of ministry to be well-prepared to follow God’s leadership in their lives and to wholeheartedly lead others in worship of their Savior. Women have much to offer their church family, and they can follow the examples set in God’s Word as they share their gifts with others.

Rise Up and Sing: Equipping the Female Worship Leader by Lex Buckley
David C Cook/July 1, 2010/ISBN 978-1-4347-0058-2/168 pages/softcover/$14.99

Get back up again

2010-07-10T20:58:00.000-04:00

So what is this, day 2 of the new Mediterranean-eating me and I am already a mess. Except for having some yogurt and not eating a hamburger, I don't think I was very Mediterranean at all today. I am sure the 500+ calories I consumed eating a Reese's Cup Blizzard are NOT part of the plan. Can you see a lady sunbathing on the beach in the south of France while downing a Blizzard? Probably not.

But I did try to end the day on a positive note and for that I am proud. Went on a bike ride and actually rode in the street. (No, not in the middle of the street) Usually I ride in our neighborhood, around the school adjacent to our neighborhood, or on a bike path. The street scares me. My old boss was hit while biking on the roads near her home and my Jim was hit by a car when crossing the street (not on a bike, but still enough to make me nervous). Both of them walked away with no major injuries, but I don't want to push it.

I did it, though. I rode in a big square on the streets near the house. A square so I wouldn't have to make left turns (did I mention I feel like an idiot trying to do those bike signals they taught us in elementary school that no one actually uses?). AND I kept going even when I realized my grand plan involved going over the railroad tracks. Twice. God was very good to me and kept me out of any hazardous situations, for which I am very grateful.

So I turned a bad day upside down and ended it on a good note. (Yay, me!) Now I feel much better and I am ready to conquer tomorrow - the Mediterranean way! (but not topless)

Eating, Mediterranean Style

2010-07-09T20:49:00.000-04:00

So the latest recommendation from the good doctor is that I should follow a "Mediterranean" diet. Other than "Eat Fish and Olive Oil", I don't know very much about eating according to this lifestyle, so I am surfing the internet trying to learn more.

Here is what I have learned so far. If you have something to add, or follow this plan/know someone who does, I would love to hear it!

Heeding Good Advice

2010-07-06T16:18:00.000-04:00

Did you ever not follow advice that in hindsight was really good advice, that you definitely should have followed?

If the crew of the ferry says "You will get wet," they mean it. They know what they are talking about. Listen to them.

(view from top deck of ferry and another brave/clueless traveler during a brief moment of not getting splashed to death - note the water drops on the camera)

This actually happened last summer. Top picture is Hannah at the car, post-soaking. You can tell she is miserable. You can't tell how wet she is because I put my new sweatshirt on her (she was so wet and cold that she was shivering). Taking another trip to Mackinac soon and got me reminiscing about last year...

Walking like John Wayne

2010-06-29T21:21:00.000-04:00

If you see me and I am walking like John Wayne, it is because we having been doing a lot of biking lately and it is killing my tookus. Today we rode over 12 miles and I think my rear started seriously protesting at about mile 7. When I am riding with the girls, we ride fairly slow, so 12 miles of biking is a LONG time on the ole bikero. I think I am going to have to cave and spring for some padded bike shorts. And maybe even a new seat. And 50 inches of foam padding.

Whaddya think??

My Trip to Austria

2010-06-29T10:19:00.000-04:00

In May I was blessed with the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Austria and also do some touring of the country. I know what you are thinking: Mission trip to Austria?? Well yes, it was a mission trip, even if it was what someone teased was the "sissy mission trip". I was serving at a Christian institute outside Vienna, TCM International Institute as a short-term worker. TCMI provides seminary training to students from eastern Europe and central Asia, providing an education that otherwise would be out of reach. TCM's short-term workers provide housekeeping, hospitality, kitchen and groundskeeping assistance to the full-time staff of TCM, who in turn are serving the students living and studying there. It was an amazing experience and I cannot wait to go back. It was awesome to meet the students and faculty of TCMI and hear about what God is doing in their home lands. Our group was extra fortunate in that we were able to attend this year's graduation ceremony. Here are just a few photos from my time there.

Haus Edelweiss - the "big house", which holds the kitchen & dining room, student and staff housing, and a large classroom.

Our pastor, Aaron Brockett, giving the commencement address. Graduates are seated to the left. Isn't this room amazing?? It is in a very, very, very old monastery just up the road from Haus Edelweiss.

A very happy graduate and his family. His name escapes me at the moment, but he is from Hungary.

Me and my fellow Hospitality peeps.

Another building at the Haus Edelweiss campus. With the red and green door, it looks like Santa's cottage.

A view of Vienna from most the way up one of the towers of St. Stephens cathedral. It was 300 some small winding steps up to this point. Notice the overcast day - this was order of the day most the time we were there. Except when it was raining.

Coffee at a real Viennese coffee house!! The stuffed animal is Hannah's, like a not so Flat Stanley. Also note the huge piece of apfelstrudel. Yum!

One of the never-ending amazing views from the train on the way from Salzburg to Innsbruck. As a native "flat lander", I could not get enough of the mountains. So beautiful.

Looking down the street in old town Innsbruck. Can you imagine having that kind of view everyday?? I don't think I would ever take it for granted. (Did you notice the blue skies?! God was very good to provide sunshine for the tail end of our trip. I think I appreciated the beauty of everything so much more because I was so grateful to see the sun)

Okay, that is all for now. I have billions of photos though, and will show you more later. (I'm sure you can't wait!)

Divorce

2010-06-28T12:20:00.000-04:00

My parents split up the summer before I went into 5th grade. Actually, we had been living in Florida and my brother, sister and I flew by ourselves from Florida to Indiana on the day our new school started. (Mom and Dad were still in Florida at that point.) Imagine starting at a new school in a rather small town (the day after everyone else) and dealing with the separation and being away from your parents and being in that wonderfully awkward 5th grade place all at once. It was a not-so-stellar time in the life of me.

I don't remember my parents fighting, ever, but I do remember in 4th grade sitting with my mom on a plane and asking her if she and Dad were going to get divorced. As an adult, I figure there must have been something I had seen/heard/picked up on, but I have blocked it out of my memory. I considered myself pretty observant or sensitive or something (to have picked up on this impending change to our family) until I had this recent conversation with the girls:

(We are biking through the neighborhood)
K: Momma, are you and Dad going to get divorced?
Me: (almost flipping over the handle bars of the bike) Noooooo. Why?
K: Well lately, you have been fighting a lot.
Me: No we haven't. When? We have not been fighting.
K: Well, you have...
(commence argument about arguing; honest I can't recall any recent argument with the hubby)
Me: Me and Dad are fine. And we haven't been fighting.
H: (to K) ALL married couples are supposed to fight. It's like a rule or something.

And, I guess that's how it is. Who knew.

Monon Moments

2010-06-27T20:20:00.000-04:00

Took a family bike ride down the Monon Saturday. Some random thoughts:

From Kaylie: "You know what I like about the Monon Trail? Number 1, the restaurants where you can stop and eat. Number 2, the shade from the trees. Number 3, the signs. And number 4, the line." (with special emphasis on lii-iiinnne)
We rode 11 miles. I didn't think this was that long, but anytime the hubby tells someone they say "Wow!". Did we really ride that far, or do people just think he's out of shape?
I am concerned about all these people walking the trail in flip flops. I hope they are not walking far. Don't they know this is bad for their feet?
Saw a dude with baggy bike shorts. How does that happen?
Saw another dude with a pocket in his bike shorts, right on his lower back. For some reason, I found this really icky.
I think I need a cushier seat.
I love strawberry frozen yogurt. (oh, yeah, we stopped for a snack) Remember how popular frozen yogurt used to be? Does TCBY even exist anymore? (If so, where is the nearest location??)
HOW do people do multi-day 25+miles per day rides? They must be made of steel. Or marshmallow.

(I know this qualifies as one of those inane, who really cares posts, but it is my blog and no one is forcing anyone else to read it, so I can say whatever I want (within reason, of course). Right?)

A closer look at Esther

2010-06-26T21:20:00.000-04:00

I am a big fan of the biblical heroine, Esther. Have read a few commentaries on the book, but this was a very unique way of examining her life. I liked this book, it made Esther and her contemporaries very real and led you to think of her story a little differently.

Ginger Garrett’s retelling of this classic story gives new perspective

to one of Scripture’s most beloved figures

Based on the historical account of Queen Esther of Persia, Chosen, by Ginger Garrett, is a contemporary account of this beloved and ancient story. Uniquely written in first-person diary format, renderings of Esther’s thoughts and experiences are interspersed with current-time news excerpts, which show how Esther’s tale is woven into our own lives.

Chosen tells the story of Queen Esther, the young woman with the future of her nation in her hands. Wrenched from a simple life for her beauty, Esther finds herself at the mercy of King Xerxes. Leaving behind her only relative, her cousin Mordecai, and her first true love, Cyrus, she is thrown headlong into the unrestrained extravagance of palace living. Quick of mind and strong in spirit, she refuses to suffer the fate of her harem sisters and boldly challenges Xerxes to give of his heart before taking his pleasure, thus sealing her place beside him as queen. While conspiracy spins its diabolical web, Esther’s mind and spirit waver, and she is forced to confront the past in order to save her future—and that of an entire nation.

Here is the video book trailer:

Chosen, by Ginger Garrett from David C. Cook on Vimeo.

Music to Move By??

2010-06-22T08:50:00.000-04:00

Interesting music choices in boot camp aerobics Monday. First we are holding these squats while David Crowder Band is singing "forever and ever and ever..." Not like it didn't already feel like I had been holding that position forever already. (Here's the song if you don't know it. The "and ever and ever and ever and..." part comes near the middle of the clip.)

Then, further into the workout some song is playing about living for today like you are going to die tomorrow. Me, I just hope I don't have a heart attack in the middle of class. Course, if I die tomorrow it means I survived today's class, at least.

Going to have to ask instructor if he plans playlist this way on purpose... (at least it gave me something to think about other than sore thighs.)

Cool VBS or Sunday School Project

2010-06-21T06:47:00.002-04:00

Operation Kid-to-Kid™ Blankets a Hurting World with God’s Love

Tonight in countries around the world, children will go to sleep hungry and cold, without parents, without homes...without hope. Now your ministry group can send a simple, tangible expression of God’s love to those in need.

Group Publishing, the premier publisher of children’s Bible curricula, including Sunday school and VBS, believes that some of the best ministers to children who are experiencing disaster and hardship are other children. Through the Operation Kid-to-Kid (OK2K) program, Group partners with nondenominational Christian ministries like Biblica (formerly International Bible Society) and World Vision to provide opportunities for children in North America to share God’s love with other children in difficult or disastrous situations. In 2009 alone, Operation Kid-to-Kid reached almost one million children. Since its inception 12 years ago, Operation Kid-to-Kid projects have impacted over 4.5 million kids and their communities all over the world. Highlights include:

Over 100,000 care kits distributed to countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Albania
More than 380,000 gift boxes sent to needy children worldwide
Over 310,000 pairs of shoes and 200,000 pairs of socks given to orphans across the globe
Over 1.5 million Spanish Bible books delivered worldwide
More than a million cuddly prayer bears and copies of The Survivor’s Bible provided free of charge to underprivileged children all over the world

“Operation Kid-to-Kid is a great way to teach kids compassion and service,” says Joani Schultz, cofounder of Group and OK2K. “Children learn by doing. It’s one thing to drop a nickel in the offering plate, but when kids make a gift with their own hands, when they can be creative and personal, this leaves a real impression on both the givers and the receivers.”

This year’s OK2K project is a simple no-sew fleece blanket that proclaims “God Loves Me!” right in the fabric. Each 56” by 42” blanket will also include a hidden surprise—a little white heart concealed between the fleece layers. The heart is a sweet secret kept by those who create the blankets, one that symbolizes God’s love for the world and our love for others. Project participants are encouraged to pray specifically for the unknown person who will receive the blanket as they tuck the heart inside.

The OK2K blanket can easily be incorporated into any Sunday school or VBS curriculum. This year, the “God Loves Me” blanket is included as a special activity in Group’s two new 2011 VBS programs, Egypt: Joseph’s Journey from Prison to Palace and High Seas Expedition. The multi-generational participants will learn about the 40 million children around the world who are desperately vulnerable because of the AIDS pandemic and the effects of extreme poverty. Through Group’s partnership with World Vision, blankets created this year will reach children in Africa coping with the pandemic’s effects on their communities or families, including those who have been orphaned. Instructions for delivering the blankets to World Vision for distribution are included with each blanket kit. To make the gift extra special, churches can send a personalized “God Loves Me” coloring book with each blanket.

Over the years, OK2K has become one of the largest forces mobilizing children in serving other children around the world through gifts of school supplies, Bibles, hygiene kits, Christmas gifts, Bible coloring books, and socks and shoes. But the ministry opportunities are not just for kids. Between recent natural disasters like the earthquake in Haiti and the lingering effects of the global economic crisis, there are more opportunities than ever for Christians to show the love of Christ to others in need—and not just for a VBS event. Operation Kid-to-Kid can mobilize service projects any time of the year. Because the “God Loves Me” blanket project is so simple and practical, it is a perfect fit for a variety of ministry opportunities, from youth or women’s groups and short-term mission trips to neighborhood outreach initiatives and ministry to the homeless. With a little imagination, a ministry group of any size and age can customize the project to support its own ministry vision.

“For many of us, a mission-focused heart is something that develops over time. Like any aspect of Christ’s character in us, loving others like Christ loves them takes practice. This is a lesson for adults as well as children,” says Schultz. “Hopefully, OK2K service projects like the ‘God Loves Me’ blanket will encourage Christians of all ages to commit greater time and resources to missions.”

To find out how you can get involved, visit www.ok2k.org!

The Meeting of the Waters

2010-06-20T20:46:00.000-04:00

Here is another book you may want to check out...

The Meeting of the Waters takes a look at seven trends that will impact the future church

A young Christian from Ireland moves to India—not to evangelize but to help girls escape prostitution. A retiring missionary in Brazil who long ago left all remnants of home encounters a thirty-year-old, laptop-carrying family man who rarely stops texting friends in the States. A Kenyan pastor struggles to connect with a congregation that watches a mega church pastor on the Internet every Sunday morning.

The community of Christians around the world—also known as the Global Church—is stunning in its scope and spiritual impact. But what is happening to the Church as technology, generational transitions, and cultural shifts make their mark?

In The Meeting of the Waters, Fritz Kling identifies seven trends—mercy, mutuality, migration, monoculture, machines, mediation and memory—having an impact on today’s Global Church. Equal parts travelogue, character study, and global documentary, this breakthrough book is for anyone eager to make a difference in a changing world.

The Meeting of the Waters is the result of Fritz Kling’s intensive research of the global church. Kling has spent the past decade in the heart of the global Church, traveling through villages and cities in every corner of the world. As a foundation executive, he has worked alongside both high-level leaders and grass-roots workers and has an insider’s story to tell. In 2006 alone, Kling conducted 151 hour-long interviews with church leaders in 19 developing world countries which is the basis for The Meeting of the Waters.

“Over the past eight years I have met with more than a thousand indigenous church leaders from forty different countries. I have earned Premium Elite status on United Airlines, bounced through endless van rides, and drunk gallons of coffee, Coke and chai in both slums where you could not drink the water and skyscrapers. Secular commentators have long written about globalization’s wake, and I have witnessed it firsthand—through a Christian lens,” explains Kling.

Kling’s travel experiences are truly fascinating. “During my travels, I have walked where Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci walked in 16th century China. I have accompanied an Australian nurse as she tended to the elderly in an Asian leper village. I have learned from Russian preachers who were jailed during communist times. I have been spellbound by Ugandan underground church pastors as they described private audiences with heinous strongman Idi Amin,” Kling recalls.

He goes on to explain, “During those years, I have also had the privilege of meeting hundreds of people like Mission Marm. These people are my heroes. I find it impossible to travel the world seeing firsthand the sacrifices and fruit of past Christian workers’ efforts and not feel humbled and grateful. In difficult years past, fully expecting to live out their days in their new country, missionaries left port for their assigned country with their belongings packed in coffins. I can relate to 1950’s U.S. statesman Adlai Stevenson who, after visiting mission stations in Africa, was asked about what impressed him most. ‘The graves. At every mission station there were graves,’ he said.”

Fritz believes that God is on the move globally like never before. Neither an institution nor a bureaucracy, the global Church is incredibly adaptive and vibrant. It has long been the world’s most effective relief agent, meeting needs across the globe through justice advocacy, material aid, counseling, biblical proclamation, education, and more. That’s why understanding the seven global currents discussed in The Meeting of the Waters is so important.

The Meeting of the Waters by Fritz Kling
David C Cook/March 2010/ISBN: 978-1-4347-6484-3/233 pages/softcover/$16.99
www.davidccook.com

The Meeting of the Waters, by Fritz Kling from David C. Cook on Vimeo.

Unlikely Disciple/The Jonah Project

2010-06-19T13:03:00.000-04:00

So I just finished reading the book The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner's Semester at America's Holiest University. The book was written by a Brown student who decided to go undercover for one semester at Liberty University, a Christian liberal arts college founded by Jerry Falwell. The author, Kevin Roose, wanted to have a cross-cultural experience and, rather than travel abroad, he traveled to Lynchburg, Virginia to learn more about a subset of people a world away from his: evangelical Christians.

As an evangelical Christian who attended a Christian liberal arts college (Taylor University), I was a little scared to read this book. I was afraid it would be mocking and sarcastic, and make the Liberty students out to be extreme caricatures. I was pleasantly surprised that he seems to have presented the students and professors pretty fairly. It is disappointing that Kevin had some of the experiences he did have - those that make me cringe and give Christians a bad reputation, and with "Christians" who inaccurately represent what living your life for Christ really is all about. But it was encouraging that Kevin did learn something and grow from his time at Liberty and Kevin seems very sincere about his desire to learn and desire for people to come together.

One way the author is showing his sincerity about bringing cultures together (as well as his book-promoting ability) is a project he began called The Jonah Project. With this project, Kevin Roose is encouraging people with philosophic, political, religious (etc) differences to come together and have a conversation (not a fight), and then share what they learned (or didn't learn) with the blogosphere. (Oh, and they each get (and presumably read) a copy of Kevin's book). Not sure how much will be gained from it, but I think it is a pretty good idea.

Below is a speech Kevin recently gave about the book and the Jonah Project. It is long, but gives a good overview of his experience and the tone of the book.

Love to hear if you have any thoughts on this, or if you have read the book and want to share what you thought.

Kevin Roose at Gel 2010 (author, The Unlikely Disciple) from Gel Conference on Vimeo.

Peanuts on a Plane

2010-06-17T12:52:00.000-04:00

How do you feel about peanuts on planes? According to a recent AP release, Federal officials are once again considering banning peanuts on planes. Is this really necessary? Do we need to legistlate all these little details of our lives? Even though the girls have a peanut allergy, I still think this is a little extreme. What is next? The article estimates that 1.8 million Americans are allergic to peanuts. That is a lot of Americans, but it isn't even close to being most or all. Once we outlaw one thing that poses a threat to a minority of Americans, it opens the floodgates for anything and everything that might threaten anyone and everyone to be outlawed. (I do think that airlines should take seriously requests from passengers who are extremely sensitive and provide some viable alternative, but that is far different than a blanket ruling).

And that is what I have to say about that.

Snow White With A Twist

2010-03-30T08:35:00.000-04:00

Okay, maybe I just think this is hilarious because she is my kid, but I was laughing so hard I was in tears. It is totally Kaylie, so if you know her, you'll get it. That being said, it is long and a little hard to follow, but I hope you enjoy.

One of us (all of us)

2010-03-29T18:11:00.000-04:00

Not generally a chain, joke, fake hoax, or dire warning email forward-er, but got this one today and thought it was cute.

There were 3 good arguments that Jesus was Black:
1. He called everyone brother
2. He liked Gospel
3. He didn't get a fair trial

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Jewish:
1. He went into His Father's business
2. He lived at home until he was 33
3. He was sure his Mother was a virgin and his Mother was sure He was God

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Italian:
1. He talked with His hands
2. He had wine with His meals
3. He used olive oil

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was a Californian:
1. He never cut His hair
2. He walked around barefoot all the time
3. He started a new religion

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was an American Indian:
1. He was at peace with nature
2. He ate a lot of fish
3. He talked about the Great Spirit

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Irish:
1. He never got married..
2. He was always telling stories.
3. He loved green pastures.

But the most compelling evidence of all - 3 proofs that Jesus was a woman:
1. He fed a crowd at a moment's notice when there was virtually no food
2. He kept trying to get a message across to a bunch of men who just didn't get it
3. And even when He was dead, He had to get up because there was still work to do

God is always speaking...

2010-03-23T18:42:00.000-04:00

I wanted to share with you this email from a co-worker whose husband was recently diagnosed with cancer. It is an encouraging testimony of God's faithfulness, presence, and amazing timing. How cool is it that God spoke to them right where they were with the encouragement they needed! (Yesterday was the day they met with the doctors to find out if recent tests showed his cancer had spread.)

Please forgive me for one more e-mail. But I am compelled to share with you the verses God has given us yesterday and today.

Yesterday morning on the Promises Calendar on my desk: I Peter 1:6 (TLB)
“So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down there."

This morning on our calendar in the workroom: Psalm 27:14
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

This morning on my Promises Calendar on my desk, this thought for today:
Add to your joy by counting your blessings.

We are looking for the wonderful joy ahead, waiting for the Lord, and counting our blessings.

My prayer is that you find these verses and thoughts encouraging for you with any trials you are facing or that you will use them to help others you know who are in need of encouragement.

Who enjoyed The Lads more, Tricia or the tweens?

2010-03-22T17:48:00.000-04:00

Pre-Super Start I had never heard of the Lads. Now I can't get their songs out of my head. We bought the DVD of their TV show and it was like the Monkees meet the Wiggles meet Jesus meet a venti mocha with whip cream and a triple shot of espresso. (Me and Kaylie were cracking up - she is so her mother's daughter!) What is not to love about that?? Here is a video for you to enjoy...

Be Authentic

2010-03-16T07:43:00.000-04:00

(I have Be Authentic in my to be read pile, but a number of these also sound good. I'll post review when I finally get it read and then maybe I'll try to get some of the other ones.)

New Look at the legendary insights of Dr. Warren Wiersbe

David C Cook releases revised editions of Dr. Wiersbe’s trusted Bible commentaries—the “BE” Series

As pastors seek to make the Word of God more understandable in an age that is unfamiliar with the Bible and as growing disciples seek to discover the truth of Scripture in a skeptical culture, there is a great need for guidance in both the preaching and study of God’s Word. Whether you’re a pastor, a seminary student or a truth-seeking disciple, an understanding of the Bible can be made clear to you with the help of one of the most influential, in-depth and practical Bible scholars in modern history.

A man who has given his life to a deep examination of the Word of God, Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe is an internationally known Bible teacher, former pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago and the author of more than 150 books. For over thirty years, millions have come to rely on the timeless wisdom of Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe’s “Be” Commentary series. Dr. Wiersbe’s commentary and insights on Scripture have helped readers understand and apply God’s Word with the goal of life transformation. Dubbed by many as the “pastor’s pastor,” Dr. Wiersbe skillfully weaves Scripture with historical explanations and thought-provoking questions, communicating the Word in such a way that the masses grasp its relevance for today.

Easily accessible for both pastors and lay people alike, Wiersbe’s profound study guides can be used in personal Bible study or with a group. David C Cook’s third installment of eight revised “BE” series volumes each feature updated content for today’s readers, a new introduction by Ken Baugh and new study questions for each chapter. The 2009 expanded Bible commentaries will include the following studies:

· Be Diligent (A Study of Matthew) encourages us to follow Christ’s example and actively serve others and God. (ISBN: 978-1-4347-6631-1/176 pages/softcover/$12.99/January 2010)

· Be Wise (A Study of 1 Corinthians) explores 1 Corinthians, Paul’s practical guide to seeking Godly wisdom. (ISBN: 978-1-4347-6636-6/192 pages/softcover/$12.99/March 2010)

· Be Authentic (A Study of Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph) shares how we can pursue authentic relationships with others and God. (ISBN: 978-1-4347-6630-4/192 pages/softcover/$12.99/January 2010)

· Be Basic (A Study of Genesis) gives fundamental truths from the book of Genesis on relationships, faith, sin and spiritual fulfillment. (ISBN: 978-1-4347-6635-9/176 pages/softcover/$12.99/January 2010)

· Be Obedient (A Study of Abraham) explores the remarkable life of Abraham and shows how we too can be obedient through faith. (ISBN: 978-1-4347-6632-8/160 pages/softcover/$12.99/January 2010)

· Be Strong (A Study of Joshua) shares the need for strong believers of purpose, while encouraging us to lead victorious lives. (ISBN: 978-1-4347-6637-3/176 pages/softcover/$12.99/March 2010)

· Be Decisive (A Study of Jeremiah) powerful insights for making the decisive, powerful choice to live by God’s absolute truth and values. (ISBN: 978-1-4347-6634-2/204 pages/softcover/$12.99/March 2010)

· Be Encouraged (A Study of 2 Corinthians) is a lively commentary that will help you be encouraged no matter what challenges come your way. (ISBN: 978-1-4347-6633-5/176 pages/softcover/$12.99/March 2010)

Acclaimed worldwide as a pastoral resource for international leaders, the “BE” series will soon include companion study guides—the Wiersbe Bible Study Series—with each study guide correlating with the appropriate “BE” book. David C Cook plans to release additional editions of the series over the next few years.

Screen Play

2010-03-15T18:12:00.000-04:00

(Could I BE any further behind in my reading? I was drawn to this book because it was about acting/theatre. I haven't finished it yet, but what I have read so far is good. The author writes with a lot of metaphors (or maybe they are similes) and lots of gratuitous adjectives, but once I was accustomed to his writing style, it stopped distracting me.)

Sometimes the person farthest away from you is the one who’s closest to your heart.

Author Chris Coppernoll explores Broadway, Hollywood, love and online dating in his latest novel, Screen Play

Screen Play (David C. Cook 2010), the third novel from author Chris Coppernoll is an inspiring story of friendship and faith set amidst the complexities of Hollywood and cleverly combined with an uplifting love story reminiscent of Sleepless in Seattle.

At thirty, Harper fears her chances for a thriving acting career and finding true love are both fading fast. After a devastating year of unemployment and isolation in Chicago, Harper is offered an unexpected role in a Broadway play—as understudy to New York’s biggest diva––and everything in Harper's world changes.

Harper also hopes to find love in NYC, but when it doesn't happen, she reluctantly signs up to an online matchmaking site. Frustration mounts when the only match Harper is even remotely interested in lives in a remote territory on the opposite coast, thousands of miles away. A faith conversation during her year in Chicago shapes how Harper sees everything. She wants to see God at work in her life, but His ways are mysterious, and she's faced with challenges in the secular world of Broadway. Harper feels like an actress who doesn’t act and a woman in love with someone she's never even seen, but God's about to change all that.

Linked through the contemporary, text message world of internet dating, Harper learns it's possible to care for someone outside her own universe, even when that someone can't be touched, and ultimately how to love. She reaches out through the impersonal world of cyberspace and becomes more aware than ever of God reaching out to her. Sometimes the person farthest away from you, she discovers, is the one who's closest to your heart.

“Screen Play is a story about believing that God can do great things, even when we’re at our weakest,” say Coppernoll. “I hope readers will be swept up in Harper’s story instantly and that their excitement won’t let up until the very last page.”

Romantic Times Online Magazine has given Screen Play 4 ½ stars and selected the novel as a “Top Pick”.

Theology Thursday on Friday

2010-03-12T08:14:00.002-05:00

(No pun intended, but did I already mention this??)

A New Small Group Resource that includes the legendary insights of Dr. Warren Wiersbe

David C Cook releases four studies based on Dr. Wiersbe’s trusted Bible commentaries—the “BE” Series

Finding good small group material can be tricky. Some studies look slick on the outside but lack the kind of depth that can help the group move from a social gathering to a place of spiritual intimacy. Other studies focus so heavily on information and detail that relational connection is an afterthought. More than ever there is a need for a balanced study guide that combines community building with in-depth Bible knowledge. Thankfully, both of these priorities can be made clear to your group with the help of one of the most influential, in-depth, and relational Bible scholars in modern history.

A man who has given his life to a deep examination of the Word of God, Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe is an internationally known Bible teacher, former pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago, and the author of more than 150 books. For over thirty years, millions have come to rely on the timeless wisdom of Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe’s “Be” Commentary series. Dr. Wiersbe’s commentary and insights on Scripture have helped readers understand and apply God’s Word with the goal of life transformation. Dubbed by many as the “pastor’s pastor,” Dr. Wiersbe skillfully weaves Scripture with historical explanations and thought-provoking questions, communicating the Word in such a way that the masses grasp its relevance for today.

The Wiersbe Bible Study Series will incorporate material from Warren’s popular series of expositional commentaries (known as the “Be Books”) into a small group Bible study format, consisting of a Bible book introduction, tips for small group study, self-introspective questions, and practical application. The studies will be Bible book specific and follow along with certain topics respective of how they are presented in the “Be Books.” The studies will not overshadow the actual commentary but instead give the reader just enough of a sampling of Wiersbe’s enduring wisdom that he will want to go out and read the rest of what Wiersbe has written.

Available now:
· Galatians—Offers believers the alternative of exchanging legalism for true spirituality. (ISBN: 978-1-4347-6509-3/softcover/128 pages/$8.99)
· Proverbs—A rich study of the fundamental truths from God’s guidebook on wise living. (ISBN: 978-4347-6511-6/softcover/144 pages/$8.99)
· 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon—Encouragement from the writings of Paul on what it means to press on and never give up. (ISBN: 978-1-4347-6510-9/softcover/128 pages/$8.99)
· Matthew—An exploration of the remarkable life of Christ and wise teaching on what it means to follow the King of Kings. (ISBN: 978-1-4347-6512-3/softcover/144 pages/$8.99)

Acclaimed worldwide as a pastoral resource for international leaders, the “Be” series has inspired these companion study guides—The Wiersbe Bible Study Series—so that each study guide correlates with the appropriate “Be” book. David C Cook plans to release additional editions of the series over the next few years.

Watch out world, here I come!

2010-03-11T20:13:00.000-05:00

I have an awesome opportunity that I am quite excited to tell you about.

I am going to Austria!

For several years our church has sent a team to Austria to serve Training Christians for Ministry (TCM) at the International Institute they hold just outside Vienna. TCM International Institute trains Evangelical Christians from Eastern Europe and Central Asia for ministry in their homelands. The work of TCM fills a gap by providing the necessary training without the financial cost that would typically come with this level of education. (I encourage you to visit http://www.tcmi.org/ and http://www.tcmi.edu/ to find out more.)

I have wanted to serve TCM by participating in their Short-Term Worker program for many years and am so fortunate to have this desire finally fulfilled! I will be working alongside the full-time staff, serving the Christians who have come to Haus Edelweiss to study and grow. Short-term workers perform a variety of tasks on-site such as cooking, cleaning and grounds keeping. I have been told that it is long days of hard work, but extremely rewarding.

I was drawn to this opportunity because I will be doing physical work in service to Christians in Eastern Europe. I have long had a heart for the Christians in this area of the world who have faced much turmoil and persecution while spreading the name of and answering the call of Christ. Our church sponsors several missionaries serving in this area and it is always encouraging to hear what God is doing in these countries. The specific trip I am taking (May 12-21) is an especially opportune time to visit TCM, as we will be serving at graduation time. We will be privileged to sit in on graduation ceremonies and hear updates from all the participating countries on what God is doing there. (How cool is that going to be?!)

The trip has always seemed out of reach to me due to cost, but when we were blessed to be able to send both Jim and Kaylie to serve in Mexico last year, I realized it probably wasn’t so impossible after all! We have been very fortunate to come up with much of the funding for the $1200 trip, but we still could use help if you are able to provide it.

More important than your financial support is your prayer support. Please pray for the men and women training at Haus Edelweiss – that God would provide for them, strengthen them, encourage them, protect and bless them. Pray also for the staff of TCM, and the other short-term workers. (A prayer calendar for TCMI can be viewed here.)

For me personally, I would appreciate your prayers for health, safety, and a steadfast frame of mind. As you know, I have chronic migraines. Please join me in praying that, despite the traveling, time zone changes, and other conditions, I will remain headache free during the trip so I may serve to my fullest ability. As many of you also know, I will be leaving my full-time job effective June 1 (just a few short days after we return!) and I pray that preparation for that life change will not take away from preparation for or focus on the trip.

Thank you for the privilege of your support, love, and friendship. I will keep you all updated on the trip and when I return I’ll send you a nice long report of all I experienced.

Check out this DVD set

2010-03-01T17:25:00.000-05:00

If, like me, you enjoy Discovery Channel specials, here is something that might appeal to you...

Discovering the Surprising History of the First Christians

New DVD series examines Christianity’s global roots.

Click here to view the trailer!

Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX—There are two billion Christians in the world today, a third of humanity—Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, Pentecostal, and many more. Though Christians, by definition, are well-versed in the story of Christ and the apostles, many have given little thought to the details of their Christian heritage—the miraculous transferring of their faith from the first Christians huddled at Golgotha, across two centuries worth of cultures and languages, wars, and the rising and falling of empires. How did this small, obscure Jewish sect that preached humility and personal sacrifice become the biggest religion in the world? The answer will surprise you.

A History of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years is a six-part series co-produced by the BBC, the Open University, and Jerusalem Productions and presented by Diarmaid MacCulloch, one of the world’s leading historians and Professor of History of the Church and Fellow at St. Cross College, Oxford. As MacCulloch reveals the true history of Christianity, he explores the question, “What does it really mean to be a Christian?”

While most Christian histories start with St. Paul’s mission to Rome, MacCulloch asserts that the Christianity stayed much closer to its Middle-Eastern roots and that, in fact, the first Christians actually took the eastern road from Jerusalem, spreading their faith across Asia, even to parts of China.

“Today, Christianity is seen as a Western faith. Indeed, many in the Muslim world would see Western lifestyles as Christian lifestyles. But Christianity is not by origin a Western religion,” MacCulloch says. “Its beginnings are in the Middle East, where there still exist churches which have been Eastern since the earliest Christian era. The story of the first Christianity tells us the Christian faith is, in fact, hugely diverse with many identities.”

MacCulloch is one of the most widely traveled Christian historians, and A History of Christianity is the first retelling of the Christian story that is truly global in scope. Filmed in high definition, A History of Christianity takes viewers on a 2,000-year odyssey that reaches the farthest corners of the world, from Palestine in the first century to India in the third, from Damascus to China in the seventh century, and from San Francisco to Korea in the twentieth.

A scholar whose fascination with Christian history was cultivated at an early age, Diarmaid MacCulloch is the last in three generations of Anglican clergy. That personal connection enriches the storytelling, as he describes not only the main ideas and personalities of Christian history, its organization, and spirituality, but how it has changed our views on politics, sex, and human society.

“Religious belief can transform us for good or ill. It has brought human beings to acts of criminal folly as well as the highest achievements of goodness and creativity. I tell the story of both extremes,” MacCulloch says.

The twentieth century brought what many perceive to be the greatest threat to Christianity—skepticism and spiritual apathy. Still, MacCulloch contends that the future of Christianity is filled with possibilities.

The DVD set will arrive in stores, including Sam’s Club, in time for the Easter Season. The series will also be available on Amazon.com.

A History of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years 6 DVD Set presented by Diarmaid MacCulloch

March 2010

http://www.ambrosevideo.com/

The Airplane Song

2010-02-25T21:15:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite songs ever. And now the girls love it and we listen to it over and over and drive Jim crazy. Worried I would wear out my cassette, but I see that there is actually a CD on Amazon. Who knew? Think I need the ringtone.

(It is nothing to look at, but the song is the point.)

Daffodil Days

2010-02-23T19:34:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again....

Daffodil Days!!!

If you know me, you hopefully know this is one of my favorite fundraisers. Every year the American Cancer Society sells daffodils to raise funds to support all the wonderful programs they provide for those touched with cancer. It is a beautiful way to celebrate spring, honor or remember a loved one, or just brighten someone's day. I strongly encourage you to participate in your area. You can go to cancer.org/daffodils to find a site near you. If you are local or want to just make a donation, contact me or go to my personal page.

Each year you can order your daffodils alone or with a commemorative vase. This is what this year's vase looks like (at least in this neck of the woods - I don't know if they do the same ones nationwide, or if each district does their own thing).

Thank you for your support!!

Whassup?

2010-02-22T19:01:00.000-05:00

Hey Tricia, you haven't blogged in weeks, what's been goin' on? Didja get snowed in or something?

Oh, friends, if only I had time. But soon I shall bore you to tears with tales and tales and tales of tales.

In the meantime, here is my nephew cleaning house.

SNOW!!!

2010-02-06T15:07:00.001-05:00

I think snow is one of the most beautiful things God created.

Such evidence of His handiwork, testimony of His power, a beautiful example of the intricacies of His creation.

If you have never taken the time to lay down in the snow (especially when it is snowing) and just be, you are missing something awesome. It is the most peaceful, tranquil experience. Try it. I could sleep in the snow if it wasn't for the whole freezing part.

(Yes, that is me in boots and my pajamas)

Excellence: Ever Elusive

2010-02-06T10:01:00.002-05:00

Received an email today from Superintendent Jones containing this sentence:

"Together, we are advancing to the next level of excelllence!"

Maybe they should re-think the no spelling test policy.

Update:
Today I went to nfl.com to check out the NFL's contest to win a trip to the 2010 Combine. Here is how they describe the Combine:

The 2010 NFL Scouting Combine, which will be held from Feb, 24 to March 2, is the annual job fair for prospective new NFL players. For six days at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, players are put through a series of drills, tests and interviews with more that 600 NFL personnel including head coaches, general managers and scouts.

Does no one read this stuff first? I know I am setting myself for everyone to start pointing out my mistakes, but, in my defense, I don't have 5 layers of management and/or my own staff to check my work.

Looking for a Small Group Bible Study?

2010-02-03T16:46:00.001-05:00

(Tricia here: Hopefully I already mentioned Dr. Wiersbe's "Be Books" - which I haven't had a chance to read yet, but I have one on my short list of TBR books (to be read) - as opposed to my very long list which probably won't get read until I retire. Here is an example of a Bible Study related to that series. I am working on getting a copy of this particular study, so let me know if you'd like to see it.)
PS - As a small group study, I also highly recommend Unexplainable by Don Cousins. Good stuff.

A New Small Group Resource that includes

the legendary insights of Dr. Warren Wiersbe

David C Cook releases four studies based on Dr. Wiersbe’s trusted Bible commentaries—the “BE” Series

Finding good small group material can be tricky. Some studies look slick on the outside but lack the kind of depth that can help the group move from a social gathering to a place of spiritual intimacy. Other studies focus so heavily on information and detail that relational connection is an afterthought. More than ever there is a need for a balanced study guide that combines community building with in-depth Bible knowledge. Thankfully, both of these priorities can be made clear to your group with the help of one of the most influential, in-depth, and relational Bible scholars in modern history.

A man who has given his life to a deep examination of the Word of God, Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe is an internationally known Bible teacher, former pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago, and the author of more than 150 books. For over thirty years, millions have come to rely on the timeless wisdom of Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe’s “Be” Commentary series. Dr. Wiersbe’s commentary and insights on Scripture have helped readers understand and apply God’s Word with the goal of life transformation. Dubbed by many as the “pastor’s pastor,” Dr. Wiersbe skillfully weaves Scripture with historical explanations and thought-provoking questions, communicating the Word in such a way that the masses grasp its relevance for today.

The Wiersbe Bible Study Series will incorporate material from Warren’s popular series of expositional commentaries (known as the “Be Books”) into a small group Bible study format, consisting of a Bible book introduction, tips for small group study, self-introspective questions, and practical application. The studies will be Bible book specific and follow along with certain topics respective of how they are presented in the “Be Books.” The studies will not overshadow the actual commentary but instead give the reader just enough of a sampling of Wiersbe’s enduring wisdom that he will want to go out and read the rest of what Wiersbe has written.

Studies to be released this spring include:
· Galatians—Offers believers the alternative of exchanging legalism for true spirituality. (ISBN: 978-1-4347-6509-3/softcover/128 pages/$8.99)
· Proverbs—A rich study of the fundamental truths from God’s guidebook on wise living. (ISBN: 978-4347-6511-6/softcover/144 pages/$8.99)
· 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon—Encouragement from the writings of Paul on what it means to press on and never give up. (ISBN: 978-1-4347-6510-9/softcover/128 pages/$8.99)
· Matthew—An exploration of the remarkable life of Christ and wise teaching on what it means to follow the King of Kings. (ISBN: 978-1-4347-6512-3/softcover/144 pages/$8.99)

Acclaimed worldwide as a pastoral resource for international leaders, the “Be” series has inspired these companion study guides—The Wiersbe Bible Study Series—so that each study guide correlates with the appropriate “Be” book. David C Cook plans to release additional editions of the series over the next few years.

The Wiersbe Bible Study Series by Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe
David C Cook/January 2010
http://www.davidccook.com/

Shopping for a Cause

2010-02-02T21:44:00.000-05:00

Something I love to do is shop for a cause. I love accomplishing two things in one. I get something I want/need and a worthy organization/person gets something, too. Girl Scout cookies? Check. Scrip fundraising cards? Check. Market Day, popcorn, American Cancer Society stuff? Check, check, check. One year I bought half my Christmas gifts from missions partners at our church Missions Fair.

Here are some sites I'd like to share with you of some very groovy products helping some phenomenal individuals.

http://www.bytavi.com/ by Tavi is a line created by the Center for Global Impact (visit their site), providing an outlet for women in Cambodia to earn income by marketing the products that they create in their home city of Phnom Penh.

http://www.missioncoffee.org/ Coffee!! Need I say more?? All proceeds from the sale of Mission Coffee
fund the mission of Panama Christian Evangelism - the proceeds are returned to the mission in cash or in medicine.

http://www.threadsofyunnan.com/ Threads of Yunnan is a project that helps rural women in China learn a skill and create income for their families. They also receive other training to help them lead safer, healthier lives.

I have items from all of these sources and they are wonderful. A number of ladies in my office recently purchased pashmina scarves from by Tavi for the awesome price of $15!

These are just a few on my mind this evening. Many similar organizations are assisting individuals world-wide with micro-enterprise operations that bring hope and a future where poverty is very, very real. I encourage you to support these operations when and where you can and share with others whenever you find an opportunity to do so. So share any other good Shopping for a Cause tips/strategies!!!

Theology Thursday - Peace in Troubled Times

2010-01-28T20:57:00.000-05:00

(Tricia here: Check out this little devotion book from author William Moss. Who couldn't use a little peace, benefit from taking some time out to focus on peace in our lives? I like how this book is simple, so you can get right down to applying the principles. Got me thinking about how contradictory it is to add chaos to your life, trying to get through another long study on peace and quiet in your life. With simple thoughts and plenty of room for notes, this would be a good book to get you started on the practice of inner peace.)

Q & A with William Moss, author of

Finding Inner Peace During Troubled Times

(To listen to an interview with William Moss, visit www.ureadbooks.com/moss)

Q: Our world is characterized by war, violence, and conflict, and many of us experience that conflict in our inner beings. What would you say to those who long for inner peace but wonder if it is possible to find?

A: I believe God wants us to find peace and will show us the way, if we are willing to accept it. But for many of us, the peace of God is elusive, and we are not sure how to accept it. How do we search for this peace? Should we isolate ourselves from the world around us by withdrawing and adopting an inward focus, that we might gain that peace for ourselves? Though this seems the obvious answer, I believe those who are in Christ should avoid the kind of self focus and withdrawal that would preclude us from being involved in the solutions of the many problems that confront us. Instead, we search for inner peace because we want to share it, that we may be able to help others. Inner peace, like life, is a gift from God that is for His glory—and it is meant to be shared.

Q: If God wants us to find peace, why is it so rare to meet someone who has truly found it?

A: Obviously, there are many difficulties, distractions, and hardships that stand in the way of our inner peace.
As Paul said to the Galatians, “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law of Moses.”

Paul says, “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.”

Today there are some distractions Paul did not include such as: worry, self-preservation, hunger, lack of money, arrogance, competitiveness, criticism, and illness, to name a few. It is these distractions—whether due to circumstances or the attitudes of our hearts—that stand between us and the inner peace we crave.

Q: Who is the source of our inner peace?

A: The Bible clearly tells us, time and again, that Jesus Christ Himself is the source of that peace. In Romans Paul says, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Again in Ephesians, Paul says, “For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.” In Colossians, we read, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.” And consider the words of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, found in the book of John: “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Jesus gives peace to every believer. But so often, we allow the distractions of our days and our choices to pursue sin instead of the character of Christ to prevent us from accepting that peace.

Q: Some Christians have been wary of the art of Christian meditation because they have associated the word “meditation” with Eastern religions. Why is meditation so vital to our search for inner peace?

A: We live in a strange and changing world shaped by banking collapses, recessions, wars, politics, famine, hurricanes, pollution, and diverse economies and demographics. How does this changing, strange world affect our daily decisions? Where does God fit into all of this? One of our biggest hurdles to hearing God’s voice is the fact that we simply are not listening.

Many people wrongly believe that Eastern religions have the monopoly on “meditation.” The truth is that meditating on scripture was a spiritual discipline valued by the early church fathers, and it is a practice the church desperately needs to return to today. Whereas the aim of eastern meditation is to focus on nothing (in effect, emptying the mind), Christian meditation is about filling the mind—focusing on Holy Scripture and Christ. With the constant stream of media, noise, commitments, conflicts, and other distractions, you will not likely find times of quiet, stillness, and spiritual reflection unless you are intentional, unless you pursue meditation as a discipline. Through prayer and meditation we can transcend all the distractions and difficulties of our days if we live by the Spirit and put God’s love and presence first.

Q: What role does the Holy Spirit play in our search for inner peace?

A: God’s Spirit is within us constantly. As we read in John, “We know that we live in Him and He in us because He has given us His Spirit.” Therefore, because God is in Jesus, Jesus is in you, and you are in God. The Holy Spirit dwells in you at all times, and it is the Holy Spirit that connects you to Christ and to God, the power source that brings inner peace. Prayer and Christian meditation takes on a completely different quality when we realize that God knows us intimately from within. And God is love; within God’s love are the seeds for inner peace. When God comforts and encourages our souls through His love and when we share that love with others, He is guiding us along the path that leads to inner peace.

Q: Because the practice of Christian meditation has been neglected for so long, many Christians aren’t sure how to begin. Can you offer an example to get them started?

A: Start prayer and meditation by finding a quiet comfortable place, by closing your eyes, by breathing deeply until you are completely relaxed. Quietly and slowly open your heart and mind to a loving God whose Spirit is dwelling within you.

Breathe in love, breathe out anger.

Breathe in peace, breathe out despair.

Relax: let God’s love into your heart.

Be calm. Be at peace. Take more deep breaths, and feel the stress, anxiety and fear drain from your bodies.

This exercise will prepare you to listen to God’s voice as you concentrate on a scripture passage and to respond in prayer.

Q: What is the most important message you want to communicate in Finding Inner Peace During Troubled Times?

A: If we seek inner peace we will find it. In the book of John, Jesus says “And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it.” So many people don’t experience inner peace because they haven’t truly sought it. My hope is that through reading this book, people will commit themselves to that search for inner peace and share this peace to the glory of God.

Finding Inner Peace During Troubled Times by William Moss
The Barnabas Agency December 2009
ISBN: 978-0-578-04244-2/64 pages/softcover/$5.99
www.WilliamMoss.org
http://store.believerspress.com/shop/finding-inner-peace-during-troubled-times/

Super Dee Dooper

2010-01-25T18:03:00.001-05:00

Why is it that the two times the (Indianapolis) Colts get into the Super Bowl, the Super Bowl logo is primarily orange?

Look at all the lovely logos the NFL has had in the past (go on, look!) - and the two that are mostly orange are....Super Bowls XLI and XLIV.

Is it the Miami connection? The Orange Bowl? If they are going to use Miami Dolphin colors, why not some lovely turquoise or teal or whatever color that is?
However, I would much rather deal with orange splattered on my blue and white merchandise than watch someone else play next week.

Rock on and GO COLTS!

Thursday Theatrics

2010-01-21T20:47:00.000-05:00

(I am thinking maybe this could be the start of something. Three out of the four people living in this house are drama queens, everyone but me seems to have some kind of alliteration day-of-the-week thing going on in their blog, so why not, right?)

Tonight I am in the kitchen decorating my Bigger Better Blue Friday cupcakes and the girls call from the other room, "When we come in the kitchen, take our picture!" "O...kay...." "Is the camera ready, Mom?" And this comes walking around the corner:

That is one strong chick!

Of course, then they had to reverse it:

(Don't tell the girls I posted pictures of them in their pajamas!)

(Oh, and do you like where the dogs tore up the floor?)

Pray for Jessie

2010-01-20T20:55:00.000-05:00

The youngest daughter of my dad's cousin Steve went into a coma Saturday night. It was very unexpected and they are just torn up about it. Please take a moment from your busy day to read about Jessie and say a prayer for her and Steve and the family. Thank you.

http://jessieupdates-steve.blogspot.com/

The Rocks Cry Out

2010-01-20T17:13:00.000-05:00

A whole host of people and companies have jumped on the Haiti bandwagon - which is great that they are helping, hopefully for altruistic and not selfish reasons - but please use caution and give to a reputable organization with experience in Haiti. Jim and I have supported a child in Haiti for many years through Lifeline Christian Mission (www.lifeline.org). I wanted to share with you this update from one of the founders.

January 19, 2010

Gretchen DeVoe (Lifeline Administrator & Co-founder) has been in Lifeline's Haitian headquarters at Grand Goave through this entire earthquake experience. Gretchen, Bob DeVoe and Bobby & Lakey Curlee are ministering to the Haitian people and coordinating relief efforts in Grand Goave and other Lifeline communities.

The following update was sent by Gretchen this afternoon:

The Rocks Cry Out!

Today as I was thinking about all that has happened, the scripture came to mind that tells us that even if God's people remain silent and fail to proclaim His name, the rocks will cry out! (paraphrased).

Never had I experienced an earthquake. I think we had a small one in Ohio a few years ago and you just felt a little shaking, but no big deal! I vividly remember what happened last Tuesday, day 1. I was starting to leave my computer desk when I heard a loud noise that sounded like the box truck or tractor was right outside the window. At first I thought it had hit the house. But it was only seconds before I knew it was an earthquake. I was thrown sideways and up the ledge into the small dining nook with the kitchen. It wasn't until 6 days later that I discovered an abrasion on my elbow; such a minor injury, but I'm just sharing this to help paint a picture of how consumed we were with what was happening. Many of the women commented that they could tell the direction from which the quake traveled. We were shaken sideways and everything fell over in the houses. The lockers in the big dorm fell over and the gals who were in their dorms at the time said the bunk beds shook horribly.

I recall yelling for the women's team to get out of the house. We ran into the field and had all the women get with their groups and stay there on the ground. And they didn't need told to pray! The initial quake lasted for probably a minute or two but the aftershocks came constantly, one right after the other. I have learned from Dr. Bill Rutherford and others who have lived in California and experienced quakes before that they never heard the aftershocks coming. I can tell you WE HEAR THEM COMING here. The rocks rumble beneath the ground and then the shock hits and the buildings tremble. You also feel it rumbling underneath you off and on all the time as the earth is shifting and settling. The sensation is akin to walking on a ship. But in all of this, what I want to point out, is that the rocks are literally crying out! And they testify to the power of our awesome God.

Bob DeVoe, Lifeline Founder & President, is in Haiti

Bob arrived safely this afternoon after a two long days of flying first to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and then hitching a ride in a private jet to Port au Prince.

On his way to Grand Goave he stopped at our Children's Home in Carre Four at Mahotiere and the children are fine but the two-story Lifeline school that includes high school is gone and a home fell into the church. Bob also stopped at Leogane, which is basically totally devastated. I'll leave it to Bob to update you later on what he has witnessed and experienced.

Food Relief

Here in Grand Goave it is time to begin food and housing relief. For the most part people have been paralyzed because of fear and no homes to return to. I briefly met this morning with one of the mayors and another official and we are developing a food distribution plan. Bob will help us get a rebuilding plan established.

There are other centers here in town where people naturally migrated to because they have wide open, outdoor space. We think there are 4 or 5 of these around Grand Goave.

The plan, as it stands now, is to develop a community committee and we will meet tomorrow morning to begin final arrangements for distributing the Kids Against Hunger (KAH) food.

Each refuge center will have a name and the people there will be identified by a colored card representing that center. The plan is to deliver the food to each of these locations simultaneously and distribute simultaneously at a given hour to avoid people going to more than one location to get food.

The quantity of KAH food we have on hand is about 10 pallets or 150,000 meals. But we have 2 containers in port that we think we'll be getting soon. Those 2 containers will feed 600,000 meals.

Pastors of the community will be part of the "committee" or leadership of each center in their area. When it comes time to distribute the food, there will be prayers and singing. Then the head of each family will be given the same amount of food, regardless of size of family and they will have to make that sufficient until the next distribution. We believe we should distribute 3 times a week giving enough food to last for about 2 days.

Clean-up & Housing Relief

The next plan is to tackle the job of clean up and rebuilding. The mayor is in agreement that the people themselves have to clean up their own rubble or recruit family and friends to help. After everything is cleaned up and out of the way, rebuilding or a total new house will be constructed. Again this will be done by zone.

We are asking the officials to try to have the government dedicate some plots of land where multiple homes can be built in the same area. Sort of like the Petit Paradise area where so many Lifeline homes have been constructed. (Side note: all 150 homes constructed by Lifeline stood firm through the earthquake!) This will make delivery of materials easier and the people themselves can provide the water and security for the materials for their home. Clustering them together will make it more efficient.

Here's what we are encountering now

These are all things to pray about specifically.

•We need fuel - both diesel and gasoline. If we don't have diesel for the generator, then we don't have electricity to email, pump water, or have electricity in the medical clinic. We need gasoline to run the trucks to pick up the diesel.

•Banks remain closed so we can't get our money here to us so we can start rebuilding.

•Shortage of construction and other materials.

•Shortage of food.

•The port in Port au Prince is not accepting ships yet due to damage, so shipments/containers of relief supplies can't be sent until we know they can get here. The shipping companies are not accepting shipments until the port opens up, but when it does open we want supplies to flood in. (Please note: Through a generous donor, Lifeline has aquired 50,000 square feet of warehouse space to stage supplies and containers. Lifeline will ship them once the ports open up.)

Fuel Follow-up

Lesly just returned from Petit Goave where we were able to purchase 2 drums of diesel; this will last 2 days. We go through 55 gallons a day.

God bless you; thank you again for all that you are doing. Please continue to help.

Living and loving to serve,

Gretchen L. DeVoe, Administrator
Lifeline Christian Mission

On behalf of Bob, Gretchen, Bobby & Lakey in Haiti, the Lifeline staff thank you for your continued prayers and disaster relief assistance! You have answered the call! Donations and disaster relief items are flooding into our Ohio office and to drop off locations across the US. We deeply appreciate your support for the Haitian people and Lifeline's ministries!!

Serving Him,

The Lifeline Staff
Lifeline Christian Mission
http://www.lifeline.org/
614-794-0108

Raising the Bar

2010-01-19T13:48:00.001-05:00

So, last week I was showing off the lovely Blue Friday treats I made for work. (I was very impressed with myself getting this done on a work night.) They may not have been the most beautiful things in the world, but they were yummy. I also made brownies with the horseshoe logo in blue sparkle gel on the top of each square. Those, also yummy!

Of course, our beloved Colts have won, and now I have to come up with something better for the upcoming AFC Conference Title Game Blue Friday. Like the Colts, I need to up my game.

(I know, I know, I shouldn't have used the extent of my creativity on the first playoff game, but as a fan who has faced at least as many disappointing playoff endings as the Steelers have rings, I was playing it safe. No second game, no good cookie-bringing-in excuse.)

So, ideas, please!!

Faith, Hope, and Love in the midst of suffering

2010-01-18T19:01:00.000-05:00

(Tricia here: I thought what the author is doing is pretty cool. Haven't had a chance to read it - am I the only one whose to-be-read pile never gets smaller, no matter how many books I read? - but I hope to soon!)

Author Gil Ahrens Reaches Out to the Suffering in Haiti

Author Gil Ahrens, who shares his personal story of loss and adversity in the new book Shattered, Shaken and Stirred, is reaching out to the thousands that are suffering in Haiti. In response to the horrific earthquake in Haiti, Gil has created a special promotion to raise funds for earthquake relief.

Gil Ahrens has reduced the price of Shattered, Shaken and Stirred by 10% for all Amazon purchases of the book. Gil will donate 25% of book sales to Food for the Hungry www.fh.org, which is providing food and relief to Haitians in need.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/098428950X

The official word:

Personal experience with loss and adversity leads Author to help others

During a weekend trip to attend his cousin’s wedding in Denver, Gilbert Ahrens’s world changed forever. His wife, Kim, had just given birth to their first (and only) child, and although she was still recovering from her C-section, they used the occasion to introduce their daughter to Gil’s extended family. After leaving the reception early, the Ahrens’ car was hit head-on by a drunk driver traveling 95 mph. Gil’s first book, Shattered, Shaken and Stirred: Reconnecting with What Matters Most After Loss and Adversity, is his account of the aftermath of the collision that left his wife paralyzed but their three-week-old daughter miraculously unscathed.

“People who go through challenges often think they are alone and that their struggle is uniquely incapacitating,” says Gil. “Part of my intent in writing this book was to say that they—we—are not alone. That the journey of hardship, no matter the form, is not an isolated trek. It is on a road shared by many others. And it is a road everyone travels on eventually. In fact, it is a foundational element of life, dating back to Adam and Eve and carrying through to the greatest example: Jesus. It’s incredibly naïve and selfish of us, really, to believe that we should be somehow immune from hardship and suffering, that somehow we are entitled to a blissful life, free of profound suffering.”

In Shattered, Shaken, and Stirred, Gil tenderly encourages readers with an eternal truth he has learned through personal trial and affliction: When there is hardship, it is for a reason. “Any valuable tool or piece of equipment needs to be tested and pushed to its limits in the laboratory before it can be ready for service in the field. God is not testing us to see if we are worthy; He is preparing us for something greater than we can imagine. The key to everything—to surviving, coping with loss, adapting to changed realities, and managing to get by—is Faith, Hope, and Love; that is how we find and reconnect with joy.”

Shattered, Shaken, and Stirred by Gilbert Ahrens
Positano Press/October 2009
ISBN: 978-0984289516/224 pages/softcover/$14.95 ISBN: 978-0984289509/224 pages/hardcover/$24.95

http://www.gilahrens.com/

Playoffs?!?

2010-01-17T21:14:00.000-05:00

The girls asked me why Jim and I always start going "PLAYOFFS?!?!?!?!?" when the topic comes up. I explained to them about the Jim Mora press conference and they were cracking up. (I must do a good Jim Mora.) So I looked it up on YouTube to show them the real thing, and came across this enjoyable SportsCenter Top 10.

Wishing and hoping...

2010-01-16T03:00:00.001-05:00

I want an eReader. I have officially decided on the Sony Reader Touch Edition. Isn't it groovy?
I love to read and love to carry a good book with me, but sometimes it isn't super-practical. With this however, I can travel with zillions of books (ok, 350 of them, but that is still at least 340 more than I can usually travel with) and not break my back or have to carry a ginormous purse. Plus, the Sony Reader works with the eBooks from the library, so I can still get free books! Now I just have to find someone to get it for me. My birthday is in two weeks - is there a birthday equivalent of Santa Claus?

Blue Friday

2010-01-15T18:44:00.000-05:00

Ta dum!

I was creative!

(those are #1s and feet, which was as close to "football" as I could get)

Pants on the Ground

2010-01-15T16:41:00.000-05:00

Can I get this playing on some loudspeakers in my neighborhood?

What is/will be your faith path??

2010-01-09T18:02:00.000-05:00

(Tricia here: I haven't read this yet, but I am hoping to - it sounds really interesting. Might be a good small group or family study.)

What is faith and why does it matter?

Make sharing your faith a priority in the new year!

Everybody has faith. They may not be aware of it, but every person you know trusts in something that they can’t prove or know in an absolute sense. And everybody has what author Mark Mittelberg calls a faith path, a way of deciding what to believe that leads them to their spiritual point of view. “Faith. Everybody lives by it—even skeptics and atheists! That’s right. Everyone you know trusts something they believe in but can’t prove or know absolutely. They take it on faith,” Mittelberg says. “If you want to talk to your friends about your faith, it helps to understand what they believe and how they got there. Because badgering people to change their minds just doesn’t work.”

Many people don’t realize they’re living by faith, and few would be able to describe their faith path. But in the Faith Path workbook and DVD series, based on the book Choosing Your Faith, (which Mittelberg coauthored with Lee Strobel), Mittelberg discusses the six common faith paths (relativistic, traditional, authoritarian, intuitive, mystical, and evidential) and how some are definitely more helpful than others. Not all faith paths lead to something good. Some are dead ends.

Many Christians cringe at the thought of talking with non-Christians about faith. It’s almost like trying to explain music to a deaf person or a painting to someone who is blind. But one important thing any Christian can do is understand their friends—listen to them and consider how they think. Then it becomes possible to truly communicate God’s truth.

The Faith Path workbook and DVD can be used by church groups and individuals with a heart to more effectively engage unbelievers in faith conversations. The program builds on Mittelberg’s sensible, evenhanded approach to evangelism. DVD segments include teaching from Mittelberg, as well as short interviews with fascinating people talking about the faith paths they were on before they came to Christ. Interviews seen on the DVD are then discussed in a thought-provoking, enjoyable group format, as well as in workbook entries. Among other things, participants will learn to recognize the danger of paths that lead away from Christ and will deepen their own faith in Christ and reinforce their reasons for believing.

Faith Path (Workbook & DVD) by Mark Mittelberg
David C Cook/October 2009
Workbook-ISBN: 978-1-4347-6513-0/softcover/141 pages/$12.99 DVD-ISBN: 978-1-4347-6514-7/$24.99
http://www.davidccook.com/

Colts' Manning corrals NFL-record fourth MVP

2010-01-09T12:22:00.001-05:00

Colts' Manning corrals NFL-record fourth MVP

Posted using ShareThis

50 watts per channel...

2010-01-08T18:32:00.000-05:00

This post, courtesy of some resourceful person on You Tube, is dedicated to Pam and Dwaine. Two people who played a very important role in my teen years, two very precious people to me then and now, two people who I am so glad to call friends, and two people who can be just as silly as me. I love you zillions.

(Props also to my cousin Bryan, who posted this on his Facebook profile.)