An excerpt from Chapter 20:

As we become more and more enthralled by the vision of the kingdom of God, it follows that we want to be shaped by God and so live life more intentionally. We start making small plans and taking tentative steps for this change. With God's grace drawing us along, we arrange our lives differently. We give up certain activities because we want time to do thing we're reasonably sure will help reshape us. Here and there, we give up a shopping trip, doing without an item we thought we needed (frugality), because we'd rather reread a book that really spoke to us (study and meditation). We intentionally take stationery with us to the doctor's office so that as we sit in the waiting room we can jot a note to our friend's son who is in jail, instead of reading whatever magazines happen to be there (service). We make a little effort to arrive at church early to greet that stranger who's been sitting alone at the back of the sanctuary (welcoming strangers). We aren't heroic about these things, and we don't turn them into chores, but we take seriously the ideas for disciplines that come to us that are most likely the prodding of the Holy Spirit. As the means help us, our vision and intention become stronger yet.

I've learned from this study that I am drawn to certain disciplines (study, solitude, meditation), but want to continue challenging myself to grow in others (service, prayer, frugality, fasting).

Wiser

One of my favorite podcasters - Andy Stanley of North Point Ministries - often shares a series called "The Best Question Ever." I believe it is also a book, but the 6-part sermon series is available for free on iTunes.

Anyway, the BEST QUESTION EVER (because I know you want to know) according to Andy Stanley is:

What is the WISE thing to do?
(in light of my past experiences, present circumstances, & future hopes and dreams)

He argues that if we apply this question to every decision we have to make (how to spend our time, where to spend our money, etc.), it will help us all avoid the many pitfalls and traps Satan has laid out for us to sin.

In the part I just listend to (Part 4: Time Bandits), Stanley challenges his listeners to jot down what is MOST IMPORTANT to them in 4 areas so they can start spending their time in the most important things. I'm going to make a valid effort to do just that!

Physically - train for 1/2 marathon, eat less junk.
Relationally - always rember that Eli is my priority relationship, don't let old friends slip through the cracks.
Spiritually - continue my daily devotional time, but also read more Christian books.
Professionally - learn more! stay positive!

Win an ESV Study Bible!

If you don't know, I'm a HUGE Mark Driscoll fan (check out my links on the left to listen to his podcasts) - he's a scholar of the Word, a dynamic speaker, and a missionary to the world. A few months back he published a post "Six Study Essentials" and #1 was Have a Good Bible - his suggestion: an ESV Study Bible. Since then, I have been looking for a good one...

Now, one of my new favorite bloggers, A Boomer in the Pew, is giving away a free calfskin ESV Bible on March 16th!

So read, Mark Driscoll's post, then head on over to A Boomer in the Pew to register to win your #1 tool!

Go Jump Off a Cliff

For the past few months, I have been going to this great class on Wednesday nights at my church. It's a class on being a godly wife. It has been challenging and rewarding, and so fun to get to know some of the wonderful women in my church (in all age groups).

The workbook has been locally published, so unless you are in the St. Louis area you probably haven't heard of it, but I think you can get a copy online. It certainly has the potential to go bigger someday though. It is called "The Cry of the Hidden Heart - Finding Real Love in your Marriage" by Karen R. Bacon (with the Sarah's Daughters). The original group called themselves the "Sarah's Daughters" - after all, if "Father Abraham had many sons, many sons had Father Abraham" then I suppose Sarah had a few daughters as well - and I am one of them! ;-)

Anyway, I digress. Here's a quote from the workbook (pg 131):

God's promise "that they will be my people" (Jeremiah 31:33) is our assurance that we will be a suitable Bride for the heavenly Bridegroom. Joan tells the women she disciples that "you have to just jump off the cliff" into the arms of Christ Jesus. Abandon your fears (What if my husband never changes? OR What if he makes a terrible mistake and our entire family is counting on him? What if I fail my husband? What if I get into his boat and our boat sinks?) Abandon your need to have some control over your life because to a large extent, you do not anyway; abandon, detach yourself from the things (other than God) that you think give you life because they will always disappoint. Jump into the Everlasting Arms. Remember, dearly beloved, when you are in despair, that you belong to Jesus Christ; He knows what your real need is. He lives to intercede on your behalf before the Father. (Hebrews 7:25) He is the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:24-25) All that is His, He makes available to you.

All to often I want control of my life! Control of my schedule. Control of our future plans. Control of who can affect me, who can hurt me, who gets too close. However, every time, I make plans, GOD shows me how much greater His are! Unfortunately, I don't usually understand this at the time that my plans are being crushed. Hindsight is 20/20 and sometimes I don't see how awesome God's work in my life is/was until much later. But when all the pieces fall together, how beautiful it is. How beautiful to simply follow... even if the path is unknown. It wouldn't be a cliff if we knew what was at the bottom. Take the leap of faith. I know Jesus is going to catch me.

Life Update

Hi Everyone,

Please keep Eli and me in your prayers as we are in a weird transition time right now.

As most of you probably know, Eli has been pursuing a job in Johnson County, Kansas. This move would put us closer to our family, but far away from all our friends that we love here in St. Louis.

Fortunately, the timing of this is completely in God's hands. Eli interviewed and tested on December 22-23 and passed everything and was even given a uniform. The only thing pending was a start date. Since then (actually the very next day), Johnson County enacted a hiring freeze. So now, while Eli has a job in KC already, we have no idea when he will start or when we might be moving. I guess it could be weeks, months, or a year? Only God knows.

I do have peace about this, but I am struggling because I am a planner by nature, so please pray for me in that regard. And for Eli because he is getting a little burnt out at the city and he was getting really excited about the new job so it is hard on him that he has to wait longer now.

The great thing is that however much longer God has us here is that much more time we get to spend with our church family here in St. Louis!

In advance, thank you for your prayers.

How many Christians does it take to change a light bulb?

Charismatic: Only one. Hands already in the air.

Pentecostals: Ten. One to change the bulb, and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness.


Presbyterians: None. Lights will go on and off at predestined times.

Roman Catholic: None. Candles only.

Baptists: At least 15. One to change the light bulb, and three committees to approve the change and decide who brings the potato salad.


Episcopalians: Three. One to call the electrician, one to mix the drinks and one to talk about how much better the old one was.

Mormons: Five. One man to change the bulb, and four wives to tell him how to do it.

Unitarians: We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, that is fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your light bulb for the next Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, three-way, long-life and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.


Methodists: Undetermined. Whether your light is bright, dull, or completely out, you are loved. You can be a light bulb, turnip bulb, or tulip bulb. Church wide lighting service is planned for Sunday. Bring bulb of your choice and a covered dish.

Nazarene: Six. One woman to replace the bulb while five men review church lighting policy.

Quakers: None. The Inner Light is enough.

Amish: What's a light bulb?

Church of Christ: Change, what do you mean change?

God Can Still Use Me!

Moses stuttered.
David's armor didn't fit.
John Mark was rejected by Paul.
Hosea's wife was a prostitute.
Amos' only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning.
Jacob was a liar.
David had an affair.
Solomon was too rich.
Abraham was too old.
David was too young.
Timothy had ulcers.
Peter was afraid of death.
Lazarus was dead.
John was self-righteous.
Jesus was too poor.
Naomi was a widow.
Paul was a murderer. So was Moses.
Jonah ran from God.
Miriam was a gossip.
Gideon and Thomas both doubted.
Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal.
Elijah was burned out.
John the Baptist was a loudmouth.
Martha was a worry-wort.
Mary was lazy.
Samson had long hair.
Noah got drunk.
Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse?
So did Peter, Paul - well, lots of folks!