Should I Write for the Public? - #write31days 10-23-16

With the craziness in our lives lately, the quote below rings TRUE with me. I seem to be writing my own personal story lately. I feel as though I need to write for myself lately. I wonder if anyone else cares what I have to say. I wonder if someone will be encouraged by what I say. I wonder if someone will relate to what I say. And yet, a part of me doesn't really care that much about the "others". I feel the need to write for me.

"It is better to write for yourself and have no public
than to write for the public and have no self."
~ Cyril Connolly #quote

I began writing as a young child. I wrote only for myself - feeling that what I had to say was of no interest to anyone since it would not relate to anyone. I was also embarrassed of what I wrote and who I was. I was insecure and truly felt that I was not worthy of sharing my views & thoughts with others. As I matured, I began to think that perhaps there might be one other person in the world that might be a little like me. And, I began to feel as though I had to be open about my weaknesses and my battles & challenges. 

As a young adult, I grew in my relationship with Christ and asked God to use my words, thoughts, views, etc. I began to see that many others in the world felt insecure with who they were... with what their worth was. I was also convicted that the feelings of insecurity & self-loathing were a tool... and not a tool of the One I called my Lord & Savior. I felt isolated and helpless in my insecurities. This isolation made me feel powerless. And, I began to question whether others might be feeling isolated and powerless.

So, I began to share openly about what I was facing. I began to write about the things that blessed me and the things that pulled me down. I began to write notes to myself as a reminder in the years to come to not lose perspective of views I had when I was "younger". I began to expose things that I'd hidden for years.

The Connolly quote above reminds me of one of Shakespeare's most famous quotes:

"To thine own self be true."
~ William Shakespeare #quote

"To thine own self be true." ~ William Shakespeare

Should we really do ANYTHING for the public...or for the betterment of ourselves... first? 

5 Minute Free-For-All - Should I Write for the Public? - #write31days 10-23-16

Trust the Engineer

"When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark,
you don't throw away the ticket and jump off.
You sit still and trust the engineer."
~ Corrie ten Boom

I've learned over the years that if I am listening to a lecture, speech, or sermon that I retain more information if I take notes as I am listening. I have a friend who's an author, illustrator, artist, cartoonist & just a generally great guy :) He takes notes of the sermons in cartoon form. They're awesome. You can see some of his work on his Facebook page and on his website. You might have also seen some of his work in magazines, on church bulletins, in Sunday School curriculum, and other places!

Well, Sunday at church, I was holding a 14-month old and unable to jot down notes. I listened as intently as possible but, was afraid I'd forget some of what was shared. I knew I'd be able to access that sermon online in the coming days and could hardly wait. (Click HERE to access the sermon.)

As soon as I got home from church, I was happy to receive an email from a friend with his sermon notes! I've read through those notes & decided to pair one of quotes used by our guest speaker with one of my pictures. By seeing that quote on the picture, I will be reminded that God goes through the hard & dark times with us AND that we need to trust upon Him - especially when we can't see ahead.

Are you tempted to throw away your ticket & jump off the train when life sends you troubles? Sometimes I am :/ I am thankful for reminders like this great quote from Corrie ten Boom!

"When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer."

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today... 

Black Bean Combo & Being Complete

And, how would one segue from black beans to being complete in God...

I recently learned that one of my Facebook friends loves black beans -- just like me :) When I was a struggling single person living from check to check, I "invented" a favorite meal that costs pennies to make. I loved it & continued serving it beyond those single person days.  Over the years, the kids & I gave it a few names - Fiesta Meal, Black Bean Fiesta & the one that stuck, Black Bean Combo. It continues to be a family favorite. Here's the way I make it...

Black Bean Combo

BLACK BEAN COMBO

1. Prepare some rice (we use Basmati Rice most of the time but, saffron rice is yummy & Minute Rice works fine too).
2. Warm up a can of low sodium black beans (or make them the old fashioned way).
3. Cut up some fresh tomatoes (if you are desperate, open a can of cubed tomatoes)
4. Grate some cheese (any kind works; cheddar is our favorite)
5. When everything is done, the BEST way to serve it is in a clear, glass bowl... LAYERED...

I usually put the rice in first; then put the cheese ('cause it melts on the hot rice); then put the tomatoes (they're cold); then pour a couple of scoops of black beans & juice on top. It all melts together & is WONDERFUL!!!

Not everyone knows this but, when people eat rice & beans together, it combines in the body to make a complete protein Third world civilizations have lived on that "complete protein" for ages! Kinda cool how God made that happen :)  

If you know me, you know that almost everything reminds me of a lesson from God's Word. Since I'm FAR FROM perfect and incredibly flawed, one of my favorite scriptures is when Paul tells of Jesus speaking with him... 

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." and Paul responded, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 

Black Bean Combo is similar to what is offered to us by God. Did you know that?!?!?! We thankfully give Him all the imperfections in us AND God's promise from Colossians 2:10a "... and we are complete through our union with Christ" is fulfilled in our lives! 

I'm giving thanks in ALL of what is happening around me... knowing that God will complete it!

I Got Grabbed Today...

Sometimes... things just GRAB me!

It can be a shadow cast by the setting sun...

or the smell in the air from a flower or a spring shower...

or the sound of brook rolling over stones on it's way...

or the whispered sigh of a person passing me on the street... 

or the reflection in a pool of water...

or the lyrics of a poem or song...

This morning it was the lyrics of a song - the beginning line of one of the songs being sung by John Tibbs in the Crossroads services at Madison Park Church this weekend. The song is "Christ is Risen," (sung by Matt Maher). The opening line speaks to all of us...


"Let no one caught in sin remain inside the light of inward shame. We fix our eyes upon the cross & run to Him who showed great love... and bled for us... "

WOW! (I use that word a lot... but, seriously, WOW!) Let not ONE of us wallow in self-pity & shame... but claim the restoration & healing from our God!  Turn from the past.  Embrace the hope of a bright future.

"For God, in all His fullness, was pleased to live in Christ, and through Him, God reconciled everything to Himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross." Colossians 1:19-20

Taken at Miller Chapel, School of Theology,
Anderson University - Anderson, IN

Open Mouth... Insert Foot

Photo by T. Getz... Thoughts below by me :)

I've been thinking about two concepts from scripture today (due largely to 2-3 things that happened). The two concepts are "having God watch over my mouth" before the words even come out and "speaking the truth in love". When I find myself approaching a situation wondering if/what to say or not say, I almost always whisper Psalm 141:3, "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips." I found that scripture several years ago & have relied upon it so many times. My mind goes to the phrase, speaking the truth in love, which is found nestled in Ephesians 4:11-15, "It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." Do I always succeed in combining the two? NO.  But, by getting in the habit of whispering the Psalm 141:3 prayer, it's become much better than it used to be. And, by measuring my actions in light of building UP Christ's body (the church), I find help in my decision making.

May we be open to God's direction moment by moment of each day, so that the body of Christ may be built up - not damaged - through our words, actions & thoughts.

(written 31 Oct 2009)

Worship that Offends God?



photo courtesy of T. Getz

I began this blog somewhat in honor of my BFFBing in New Zealand. I read her blogs daily & enjoyed having a window into her life so far away! Her notes were a glimpse into what she was doing & feeling while down there and how God was working in AND through her :) I believe that self-reflection is like most things - best if not overdone. So, I'll attempt to reflect in my blogs through this site.

First Off... About me: If I had to choose ONE thing over anything as being of most importance to me, it would be my relationship with God (the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit). That relationship is the basis of all my decisions, my dreams, my plans, my actions, etc. My relationship to God as His child is what guides me in my choices for all aspects of my life. It truly is what I hold most dear.

With that said... WORSHIP THAT OFFENDS GOD?

Today my mind is pondering the whole WORSHIP question. The question that recently seems to be pelting God's church, the Body of Christ. There's so much turmoil today in the Body of Christ about what is & isn't worship. Just yesterday, when posed with the question, "Churches are often painfully irrelevant... Your thoughts?", a friend "tweeted" the reply, "People in a church are relevant. The culture within a church can be irrelevant if we can't relate to it. (i.e. choral music)". My attention was caught immediately - being a member of that friend's church choir. I thought about the question and the reply.

What is and isn't worshipful in God's eyes? Is it dependent upon styles of music? Has it changed for God as our cultures have changed over the centuries? The essence of worship is to ascribe worth to God -- to show Him through our thoughts & actions that we value Him above everything else. Is it the same for everyone? Is there a right or wrong way to worship Him? Does someone's worship offend God? Does the song sung by a talented vocalist reach the ears & the heart of God better or quicker than that of an aged saint with a wavering voice? Does God really like those old, slow songs full of "ancient" history or would He prefer a joyous, energy-filled current song? Is He tired of the choir now? Does He like the beating of drums & the sound of guitars? And, what in the world does He think of those "sacred dancers"? So many questions.

As I process all the thoughts about WORSHIP that are flooding my mind & heart today, I find it hard not to believe that God is blessed by ALL types of worship, when offered up to Him in true sincerity, love & adoration. 

Scripture for the Day: "But the time is coming and is already here when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for anyone who will worship Him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:23 & 24

Adding on 1-28-16...