Beyond the Churchyard

Happy Asperger's Feet

2012-02-10T07:59:00.000-08:00

I've been the third grade leader inAWANAS for several years now. Third graders have been my favorite age groupever since I taught 3rd Grade in Prague years ago.

One of the new kids in my classrecently introduced himself, "Hello, my name is ___and I have asperger's.It is a form of autism."

Usually I ignore the labels kids give me, because in the past some have usedthem as an excuse for why they should have extra helps for their memory versesand I want to see what they are capable of before I make exceptions.

But this little guy doesn't need anyhelp. He has a phenomenal memory and is more articulate than many adults Iknow. While the rest of the class was running around getting ready for thenight he brought a serious question that seemed to have been plaguinghim.

"Do people choose careersbecause it is in a field they have talent? Or because it is something they wantto do?"

I thought for a moment and told him,"Usually because it is something they want to do. But you cannot always dowhat you want, for example: someone might want to play baseball--but you haveto have lots of talent to do it for a career."

He was deflated. So Iwaited to hear what upset him.

"I want to be aninventor." He said. "But I am really good at tap dance."

Of course I told himhe needed to invent a new kind of tap dance shoes. But then I asked him abouthis lessons.

"Oh, I've neverhad lessons. I found out I was really good at the theater--when I watched HappyFeet." Then he walked away, made sure I was watching out of the corner ofhis eye, and danced a few steps to prove his talent.

I think next time he introduceshimself he should switch to, "Hello my name is___, and I'm reallycool."

Time Travel is Biblical

2012-02-06T07:01:00.000-08:00

Matt Smith, The BBC Dr. Who website.

Of all fantasy, time travel holds a special place in my heart. Sometimes I even dream about it. I used to dream about mermaids and flying--so I think I'm growing up.

There aren't enough Christian time travel books in my opinion. Randy Ingermanson has a series I enjoyed called The City of God Series, he also talks about time travel on his website here.

We watch the Dr. Who series as a family--meaning we only watch it together so we have to do it on a night when everyone is home and finished with homework. Because of a friend who owns all the DVDs we've been able to see the latest episodes.

Think Geek

One of the reasons Dr. Who has been the longest running science fiction television show is that The Doctor regenerates into a new form every so often. We've had three doctors so far. We were reluctant to love Matt Smith as much as David Tennant--but we felt the same way about Christopher Eccleston at first, so I guess we just need to weather the regenerations with patience.

Dr. Who may not be biblical...but while reading Revelation with my youngest each morning, we have decided that time travel is.

See if we're wrong. One day when the world is hiding in the rocks from fiery hail and all of humanity unites against God--even though three seals of plagues have wiped a third of the population, we'll look over and see John recording the whole event...for the first time!

"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually—from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint—it's more like a big ball of wibbly-wobbly... timey-wimey... stuff."

— The Doctor, Episode: "Blink"

Don't you think we should be reading/writing/publishing less books about the "prairies of the past" and more about creatures from the future with teeth like lion's? You know, since it's Biblical.

If you have a time travel book suggestion--please post it in the comments.

How to save for your anniversary

2012-02-02T06:50:00.000-08:00

Kevin and I have are celebrating 18 years today!

Last year I read on a friend's blog that she saved all her loose change for one year. She saved enough to buy herself a bicycle. I decided I wanted some splurge money for our anniversary. Sometimes it is hard to justify spending on yourself when three teenagers have so many needs and wants.

So Kevin and I set a jar on our bathroom counter and saved every silver coin we could find from last year on February 2. We ended up with more than $170. We plan to do a little redecorating in the master bedroom, new paint at least.

Something unexpected happened, all year long--when I would see the jar--I had a mindset that our marriage was worth depositing into. It was worth guarding those coins, to not pull from that jar a little money for incidentals or even one of the kids when it belonged jointly to my husband and me.

In fact, it is worth guarding every little bit of your life that belongs to the two of you alone.

One Twelve Inch Square

2012-01-24T10:01:00.000-08:00

When I was little I remember my mom occasionally wearing a bandana over her hair on cleaning days. Once, I asked her if she had one I could wear. I followed her around the house, feeling so grown up--until I got bored imitating and ran off to play dolls with my sisters.

To me, the bandana represented everything domestic and feminine.

Jayne Cobb likes my bandana

Since then, I've found that a bandana is the perfect tool to keep ornery curls out of my eyes when I want to get a great deal of gardening done. (Hurry up spring!) Once, when I woke up my kids, all ready to tackle a day in the yard, the first noise of reply was a dramatic moan from my sleepy-eyed-son.

Apparently the bandana represents work to him. (In fact when I pulled out my bandana for this picture, he had a similar notion.)

Po likes it too

This little square of material can hide the face of a stage coach robber, cover the head of a cancer victim, distinguish gang members, add flair to a pirate costume, help square dance partners match, and keep my animals entertained! Can you think of a more useful cloth with a more illustrious history?

I submit that you cannot.

While you are deciding, here is a great site with 30 survival uses for a bandana. Think twice before you leave your house without one.

Paul said he became all things to all people. He submitted to the law that he might win those who were in bondage to the law--even though he wasn't. I find myself feeling sorry for those under the law, but not always tolerant or compassionate. How good of God to teach us that even if we are not bound, to become like one so that we may reach those who are, not with ridicule or piety--but with empathy.

Free Book--Deliver Me From Evil by Kathi Macias

2012-01-16T16:57:00.000-08:00

I am giving away a new copy of Deliver Me From Evil, generously provided by author Kathi Macias, in honor of MLK/Idaho Human Rights Day.

Deliver Me From Evil is the first book in The Freedom Series published by New Hope Publishers. It tackles the issue of modern day sex slavery--not an easy topic. One that most people would prefer not to hear about. The book is not always an easy read, but it is worth it--just like every story of redemption.

I spoke with the editor of a well known Christian publishing house last fall and he told me that the sex industry is "too dark" of a topic to publish. I'm glad New Hope Publishers is taking this brave step out. I'll admit that I don't always want to hear about all the evil in the world, but who else can bring light into dark corners if not the ones who claim to have that light?

To get my copy for free: All you have to do is comment with a modern day slavery statistic. Any statistic, from any (reliable) source will qualify you. It's true that 34.7% of all people make up statistics on the spot. So include the source in your comment. A link will suffice. I will randomly select a winner on Friday, January 20.

Can't wait? You can buy your own copy of Deliver Me From Evil anywhere, including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and CBD.

You can also hear a great interview by Kathi about this title and several others, by clicking on livingjoyfullyfree.com (Look on the right, under "previous guests" to find Kathi's name.)

Visit Kathi online – Web site | Facebook | Twitter

Lightning Words and the Perfect Word

2012-01-10T10:33:00.000-08:00

My husband and I met through martial arts, we have been working out together for almost 20 years. So, since lately I've really enjoyed Pilates, I decided my husband needed to give it a try--that it would help him with pain management.

It took me fifteen minutes to convince him. Three breaths into the video, the instructors says "Lift your heart up." She says this instead of "chest" or "rib cage."

Well, that was all he could take. He left. It's true, some of the things she says are a little goofy--now that he's brought it to my attention. Her phrase "place your palms on the earth" has started to bug me since it's obvious that she's several floors up in a New York city studio.

"The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter--it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning." Mark Twain

Whether you are writing, speaking counseling, or chatting, the words you plan to use are significant...choose wisely. (Shouldn't all arguments start with that warning?)

A friend, who is also a police officer, recently told me that when committing suicide: women tend to shoot the heart and men, the head.

The perfect Word affects both the heart and the head.

John 1:1, 14 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

A Gift App in the Mouth

2011-12-21T07:47:00.000-08:00

Amazon App store has a free app available everyday for Android devices. It is an app which normally costs. I check it regularly because I've been able to find some fabulous prizes. For example: office document apps--normally $10-$15.

However, nearly everyday, I am surprised by the reviews given to free apps. The complaints are especially funny when it's obvious the person got it for free. As though they couldn't just delete it when it doesn't have enough background color options. I envision someone waiting for panem et circenses--but complaining that the line is too long.

Today's app is Gift Shoppe Pro.

If you look at the reviews, all of the bad ones are in regards to timing. One or two stars because they would have liked it better three weeks ago. Seriously?

It's the same for the free books. I wonder if authors regret having their books available for free since the entitled crowd seems to take so much pleasure in biting the hand that feeds them.

At first I wondered if it was our churchy culture that propagated this mentality. Most people know that salvation is free. They expect it. We even start to expect it on our terms.

My dad taught martial arts while I was growing up. His heart was always to help those who couldn't afford it. But the students who received it free were usually the ones who dropped out first. My husband and I have found this to be true now that we are teaching.

How many of us will look at our Christmas gifts this weekend and wish something was a different color/size/style? Why do we criticize generosity?

Matthew 20 tells us that it isn't just our culture. Being unappreciative and criticizing generosity seems to be part of the human experience.

Do people need to sacrifice to appreciate the value of something? Why is salvation free?

Jalapenos? Kitten food...

2011-11-17T11:21:00.001-08:00

My husband has developed a taste for spice that few peppers can temper.

We had a whole garden bed devoted to the fiery little bits. This is a small portion of our harvest, in the back you can see the bell peppers...second class citizens.

We've dried and pickled serenos, jalapenos, Thai chilies, Tabasco "super chilies" and habeneros . And made dozens of jars of something we've named "Hab-Sauce." I also tried a batch of Habenero Gold this year--it was a new project from my favorite canning book.

Habenero Gold is a glorified adaption of jalapeno jelly, which you can eat with tortilla strips and cream cheese or brie. Last year I just substituted jalapenos with habeneros and it was such a hit that this year I decided to try the recipe that showed dainty bits of golden apricot and red bell pepper suspended in the spicy jelly.

But my husband was not pleased I used even a handful of his habeneros on an experiment. It actually turned into a "discussion."

He said I could make it but he wouldn't eat any. And I lamented to my daughter that I wanted him to both eat it and like it. She was a little disturbed that she understood me. Her comment was that if a man made some jelly and another man said (use a donkey voice from Shrek) "No, I don't want no jelly." The first guy would say "Cool."

But a woman? No. "You'll eat it. And if you love me, you'll like it."

Girls, help me out here. Who else has a neurotic drive for sharing, community and an intimate society? Is it only women?

Mind Over Madi releases November 15

2011-11-03T09:09:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity this week to read an advance copy of Mind Over Madi, by Lynda Schab.

MadiMcCall is an insecure woman who believes she finds proof of her husband's affair. With a house full of teenagers, a chocolate addiction, a bitter mom, and a diet group coordinator hounding her at church, Madi has plenty of distractions.

But not everything is in Madi's head. The novel is filled with quirky characters, hilarious situations and pithy observations about a woman's mind. I did not expect to relate with her as much as I did. I had more in common with Madi McCall than an upcoming 20-year high school reunion.

It was fun to be convicted by Madi's reactions and thoughts. Lynda's humor makes the story entertaining and personal. This is lighthearted women's fiction at its best.

This is what Lynda says she wants readers to take away from the story:

"Anunderstanding of just how infinite God’s love is. That no matter what we’vedone, God will never stop pursuing our hearts or desiring a relationship withus. His mercies are new every morning and His grace covers our weaknesses, our mistakes,our ignorance."

And Mind Over Madi did that for me.

How you can connect with Lybda Schab:

Website: www.lyndaschab.com.

Her blog address: on-the-write-track.blogspot.com.

You can also connect with me on Facebookand Twitter

Mind Over Madi will be available November 15.

How do you recharge your day?

2011-11-02T06:53:00.000-07:00

One thing we learned about running this summer is that there is a difference between speed and endurance running. We started off not carrying anything but a music player. It wasn't until we brought water that we were able to run more than a few miles and when we finally tried "Gu," a runner gel, we broke our 5 mile plateau.

There are several different options. The hydration gels and chews are basically electrolytes and calories. "Gu" was really hard to get down, it is very thick, almost like toothpaste. "Hammer gel" was a little thinner and easier to swallow. But we could have just been getting used to it by then. My favorite ended up being a more natural version called "Honey Stinger." Lime-Ade is awesome.Although, we also like to use honey packets occasionally.

It's funny, I grew up thinking calories=bad, so why take something like this? But not only were we able to run further--I didn't feel like crying as much after.

I have two kids in a college prep high school and my freshman is still learning to transition from my laid back homeschool style to the work load.

Sometimes they have to choose which extra curricular to forgo in order to complete homework. But I think they need those extra-curricular. (Particularly their dynamic youth group.) Of course nothing beats a night at home to regroup and recharge, but fellowship with their Christian friends, worship and a great message can be the difference between an overwhelmed-stressed out week and the endurance to make it through.

Adults need the recharge too. What do you do to get through your week?

Finding Balance in Fear

2011-10-31T12:47:00.000-07:00

We grew up trick-or-treating. The last year was the year my parents got saved. My biggest memory was how evil it seemed for the first time. When we came home and riffled through our bags of candy looking for anything from suspicious to malicious--no one was interested in the holiday anymore.

When my kids were little, "Halloween Origins" was one of the first things I searched on the strange and confusing World-Wide-Web. Then we watched Halloween: Innocent Fun or Spiritual Deception (see below) and that solidified any doubt my husband and I had about participating in the holiday.

The first few years we just shut off lights and prayed. Then we moved into a neighborhood where we knew too many kids and we started passing out tracts and candy. Plus our kids had gotten word about the insane amount of sugar one could consume--all on your neighbors expense! So we bribed them to stay home saying we would let them pig out on candy we bought...and the bonus was no razor blades!

The next step was a new church which had a big Bible-themed harvest party where we actually had to dress up and go out.

On one end you have the gory costume--and on the other--hiding and praying. Those and anything in between are really your choice, depending on where you are in your walk with God. Let no one judge you. For me it was a good idea to go to an extreme. It can almost be a way to detox from previous thought patterns.

Today as I started roasting pumpkin seeds, making gingersnaps and pumpkin dip (don't you love fall?) I compared how at times I wouldn't have even done this much because it too closely resembles participation in the festivities. I'm getting better: last night, I freaked out much less when the neighbor kid came by screaming he was a demon here to kill and maim....

But it isn't that I am becoming desensitized. I still believe that Halloween is more than just a cute time for kids to go against everything you ever told them and take candy from strangers.

The horror movies, amusement park rides, masks--they are all trying to evoke fear. Scare you. And the spirit of fear is not the one Christ came to give. He came to give power, love and a sound mind.

He came not to kill and maim, but to give life more abundantly. The now kind of life, not just eternity.

Long ago I delighted in the scariness. Sought after the fear for one night only. But that is just the thing, I am liberated not to fear. Delivered from the bondage of it, as a child of God. And remembering that, gives balance.

I wore out a pair of shoes this month

2011-10-29T11:18:00.000-07:00

Today is our last race for Run4Heaven's Gate. Thank to all of our sponsors, I can't express what an encouragement you've been.

When we first started, I worried that the money we spent on shoes and race fees should've just been sent to the orphanages in India--but you who sponsored us made it worthwhile. We raised far more than we spent. Praise God! I don't know the total all 80 runners have raised, but I will post it when I find out.

I am sorry I can't embed this 12 minute video, but if you are interested to know how everything got started in India--here is the story: Tapestry of Grace It is beautiful.

Today is an unofficial race, it will only be our Heaven's Gate runners and not timed. But I still intend to make it our fastest speed yet. Below are group pictures of our team.

Run for the Hills Half Marathon, October 1, 2010

City of Trees Half Marathon, October 9, 2010

High Speed Pursuit Half Marathon, October 22, 2010

If you still want to sponsor us, the deadline is November 1, 2010.

Fiction isn't edifying

2011-10-27T06:44:00.000-07:00

I noticed our church's bookstore/restaurant had a few empty shelves this past Sunday.

It was the fiction shelves.

I stopped by the desk on the way out and asked if they were phasing out the fiction.The girl said "Yes, making room for more ..." she looked up, and searched her mouth with her tongue for a word, "edifying books."

Sigh.

I will admit that I never pay full retail so I didn't contribute to keeping fiction in stock there. My point: I was done with school and a married mom before I willingly read a non fiction book.

It was Liz Curtis Higgs, Bad Girls of the Bible. Those who have read it know each chapter starts with a fiction or fiction-style story. I don't know if I would have transitioned without it.

Even still, I skim most non fiction with the thought that they stretched a fabulous article 200 pages too long.

I'm not going to argue that some believe a movement began with Uncle Tome's Cabin, I'll leave those essays to the literary.

But I will say--think of the demographic lost! The readers who can only be reached through fiction. More and more my heart turns to the young adults (YA) who read plenty, but have their non fiction quota filled with school required material.

Leave a fiction title which moved you. For me, the very first title was "Where the Red Fern Grows."

He Sees--El Roi

2011-10-25T07:20:00.000-07:00

My son came running inside a few weeks ago, there was something trapped under our car.

It turned out to be a kitten, so small it didn't yet have the cat meow sound. Just a pitiful baby cry.

He was pretty mangy. I gave him a bath under my faucet with some puppy flea shampoo, wrapped him in a towel and took him upstairs to apologize to my husband.

We have so many cats running around our neighborhood--probably the undeveloped land surrounding us contributes--I just planned to take him to the humane society. We already have two dogs, and they couldn't stop shaking and salivating when they caught sight of the kitty. I didn't desire to rescue him so he could become a meal. Plus, that last thing I want is a male cat...a long haired one was worse.

Unfortunately our city shelter doesn't take cats. There are a few volunteer cat rescue operations in the area, but they were full with four to six week waiting lists. I thought about taking him to the county humane society, but one of the cat shelters said they euthanize the too weak or too small.

It didn't take long to realize that this cat was intended for our family.

I wanted to post about how God cares for the tiniest creatures. He sees when a sparrow falls to the ground...and that we are worth many sparrows.

But my husband came home and told me about a news video of a child run over in China--twice, and the many people who walked by in disregard. This is the kind of thing that whispers, "how can God be good*?"

If God is not good, what hope do we have? I admit I struggle sometimes when I peer out of the churchyard and see/hear the world. One place that I put my faith--He sees.

There will be a reckoning. He sees. We (individually, not collectively) can either answer for our sins or let them be absolved by Christ.

One of God's names: El Roi means the God who sees. We are told in Proverbs 5:21 "For your ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all your paths." In Genesis 16 Hagar called Him "The God who sees me."

Be absolved by Christ, the reckoning is coming. El Roi does see.

(*when he lets humans do what they want)

One Race Left

2011-10-24T10:57:00.000-07:00

We have completed three of four races for Run4Heaven's Gate.
Our first was Run for the Hills, then the City of Trees, and last Saturday we ran High Speed Pursuit.

Each race has been different. High speed pursuit was fun because it supported the fallen officer's memorial and we started at the prison, with a handful of officers wearing riot gear.

That is pretty impressive. To run past those guys all decked out--none looking too friendly.

Still, Naomi and I goofed off, taking mugshot photos.

In all honesty, this was my hardest race, even though I hurt more after the first one. I ran it with a head cold and mentally, I just felt defeated. I think I forgot to focus on the reason we are doing this, and just tried to plow through in my own strength. Which is lacking...

Interestingly enough--here is my morning's devotional:

“The spirit helps in our weaknesses. . .” Romans 8:26.

At the hour of prayer, sometimes our thoughts scatter like a flock of sheep, or flag and faint before the spiritual effort of stirring ourselves up to take hold on God. Who does not have times, when (to use Jeremy Taylor’s similitude) prayer is like the rising of a lark against an east wind? We even tire in maintaining the attitude of devotion; and how much more its spirit! We know not what to pray for; we are ignorant of the best arguments to employ; we ask amiss; we cannot keep in the perpetual spirit and temper of devotion; we lack that calm faith, which can leave its burden at the mercy-seat, and be at rest. In all this the Spirit helps us.

- F. B. Meyer

Anniversary

2011-10-20T08:07:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago today a lady slammed into my husband's Land Cruiser while he was waiting at a stoplight.

The witness said she didn't hit her brakes. And there were not any skid marks. She hit him hard enough for her plastic sedan to move his FJ62 a car length, and the pickup truck in front of him, shoving both into the SUV in front of everyone. Texting?

I think the hardest thing for him, besides the pain, was that there wasn't anything he could have done to prevent it. He is a good driver, defensive and alert. But you just can't protect yourself while stopped.

But God is good. One reason--He thwarted my husband's plans to get a motorcycle this summer. The story would have a different ending.

Of the things I am thankful for:
my husband's life
the kids weren't with him

witnesses who took the time to submit for the police report
the driver was insured
Land Cruisers and all old steel vehicles
Chiropractors and pain meds

Do you have any praises or things you are thankful for in your current trial?

Going through the motions

2011-10-19T14:03:00.000-07:00

September/October is crazy this year.

With homeschool and tomatoes begging to be harvested...canned...dried...whatever, we also joined two different homeschool co-ops. Six days a month doesn't seem like a huge chunk but when you loose a day of school it changes your whole week.

I traveled to St. Louis this fall, we've had guests in and out (though I wouldn't change that,) and we're running four half-marathons in addition to the usual dentist appointments, AWANAs, youth groups, etc. Actually I wouldn't change any of it.

As I tally the events of the last six weeks, I realize I've neglected writing time and devotion time. When my mom pulled out her Bible study book during her visit I wondered how long it had been since my morning time was sacred.

The early morning hours are my most productive and creative. A good day is spent with coffee and a Bible study, then writing, then waking the house up.

There are on the tip of my tongue...many valid excuses. But they don't taste true.

It is funny how you can "know" your body needs something but not follow through--not be in the mood to complete it, or make time for it.

I feel how much is missing in my spirit, how meaningless the chores become when I neglect time with God.

Sacred sunrise or desecrated day.

Negative-Split

2011-09-08T07:12:00.000-07:00

BoiseRunWalk has been awesome to offer free training to the Run 4 Heaven's Gate competitors. One thing they've emphasized in the training is a negative-split. This is where you run the second half of your race faster than the first half.

The idea is to "finish well." Not just for the cameras, which take your picture at the end, but so that you actually have energy to finish the race.

You see, it's so easy--with nerves and excitement--to start running full speed. Not a brilliant idea when you have hours of running ahead of you. Doesn't it remind you of a January 1 exercise plan? Or the glorious start to a new home-school year?

Starting off full speed isn't necessarily the way to finish well. And I have so many things I need to finish right now. Two things that have always helped me get over the occasional task-tornadoes:

Make a list
Sometimes, particularly at the start of a new season, I feel overwhelmed. I can't get everything done that I want to do.

My mom's advice--make a list. Then you can see what needs to be done and it suddenly feels more manageable.

I love Evernote but something about a yellow pad makes me think: get to work.

Consistency
Think of water, a consistent drizzle will erode rock. Even if you can only do one tiny thing toward your goal, it is better than crouching, chilled in the shadow of its impossibility.

And now I am adding something new, the concept we've been training to use for our October runs.

Negative Split
Start slow, with manageable goals so success is tangible. Sometimes I will add finished tasks to my to-do list just so I can see more things crossed out. The psychological help is unmeasurable. Also, work with the goal of finishing...and finishing well.

Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Sin

2011-09-02T09:20:00.000-07:00

Yesterday's post, God Hates, and Unsaveable were prompted by a book I recently read about homosexuality and Christianity.

The Edge of Grace, by Christa Allan is a story of a recently widowed, young mom named Caryn Becker. Caryn's brother, an integral part of her small network of support, surprises her with the news that he is gay. She initially avoids him and rejects the news--until he is brutally attacked because he is homosexual.

There is a concept that God hates homosexuality more than other sins. But when you read 1 Timothy 1:9, it appears that homosexuality is in the same category as all sexual immorality.

"We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me."

Homosexuality vs. Pornography
I have talked to enough women regarding pornography to know that it is truly destructive. When I hear people indicate that homosexuality is worse than looking at pornography, I picture a teenager I once knew who tried to convince me (with dilated eyes) that he was a better driver stoned...and alcohol destroyed lives. He was also convinced that if everyone smoked pot there would be no more wars.

Homosexuality vs. Selfish Ambition?
The deeds of the flesh are obvious, says Galatians 5:19. But they are not always so obvious to me. Sexual immorality is listed there and I believe it includes all kinds--but so is hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy.

Think of that next time someone shoes up with a cute pair of shoes to Bible study.

Jack Handy
"If any man says he hates war more than I do, he better have a knife, that's all I have to say."

God Hates

2011-09-01T07:36:00.000-07:00

It caught me by surprise to find those two words together in the Bible. It is true though, they're there.

Let me clarify, I know God is Love--the epitome, the definition, the embodiment of a greater concept than we can naturally grasp--agape love.

I also know that all sins can be forgiven. But if you had to guess, what is something God hates?

Yes, sin, I am sure he hates sin and what it does to us, too. It divides us from him and ruins the life he intended. Anything that comes between us and him arouses his righteous anger. (Remember the marketplace in the temple?)

Most people will consciously or unconsciously assume that he hates one particular sin more than others, because some are more obviously destructive than others. But here is the verse:

Proverbs 6:16 (NASB)

There are six things which the LORD hates,
Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:

Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that run rapidly to evil,
A false witness who utters lies,
And one who spreads strife among brothers.

I could quickly acknowledge the innocent blood--that is natural to hate. But haughty eyes? strife among brothers?

That is likening the first rumblings of a church split and dissension in the body (who hasn't felt that earth-tremor over doctrine?) to murder. Murder of an innocent.

Does this surprise anyone? Search, and let me know if there is anything else, according to scripture, that God hates.

Run 4 Heaven's Gate -- Help us

2011-08-29T11:47:00.000-07:00

This October my daughter and I will run four half-marathons to help raise money for children in India who are affected by HIV/AIDS.

We are not runners. Last year I thought it would be fun to run in something like this, it took me three tries to run one mile.

A half-marathon is 13.1 miles. We plan to participate in:

Run for the Hills, October 1
City of Trees, October 9
Nursing our Wounds, October 17 (Not a race, just a weekend off)
High Speed Pursuit, October 22
Heaven's Gate, October 29

We have been training since April this year, trying to run consistently. It isn't always easy. The longest run we've completed was last Saturday, eight miles. We ran four minutes, walked one minute--until the last few miles we just ran. We are not fast, I am happy to average 12 minute miles the whole way through. Then I came home and napped. Like I said, I am not a runner.

Now, we need to add at least a mile each week to our long runs. Next Saturday is nine miles, the following is ten...etc.

Today, I paid for all of our participation fees. We pay for our own fees, so 100% of the donations we raise go directly to the homes in India. Right now, the Heaven's Gate program supports 200 children. Last year this event raised $41,000. That much money goes a long way in a place like India.

On the right is a letter I will be mailing out, it contains more information about this event. You can also check out the vision here at Eye on the Sparrow.

We attend Calvary Chapel, Boise, Idaho--the sponsor of the Heaven's Gate Program. The children and adults who are helped by this program are not required to convert--they are just helped by a loving family in midst of a country that can be very ignorant about AIDS.

This has not been easy, even after the decision to do it...however we are committed, and we will finish the races no matter how long it takes.

If you are interested in partnering with this event--we need your sponsorship. On this Sponsor a Runner page, there is a drop down box if you'd like to sponsor me, Hilarey Johnson or my daughter, Naomi Johnson.

Thank you!

Unsaveable

2011-08-26T07:19:00.000-07:00

I like that un-saveable isn't a real word. It shouldn't be a concept either.

But we do think it's true sometimes--that a certain person (people) are not reachable for Christ, and some mission fields are just not ripe for harvest.

It occurred to me that Christ did speak once about it being difficult for someone to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but it wasn't a "lifestyle choice" or a cult...it was a rich man.

Of course, with God, all things are possible.

There is one other group has an extra hurdle beside those who rely on their wealth, it is the religious. Mark 2:17

Next time the conversation turns to "those people," whoever is considered the most deviant at the time, remember that it was the ones who believed they were pleasing God who Jesus called vipers.

Unleashed

2011-08-12T10:19:00.000-07:00

Unleashed, Release the Untamed Faith Within, by Erwin Raphael McManus is about leaving the domesticated, cultured lifestyle where the Christian religion has settled and returning to the primal, barbarian-way of the first followers of Christ.

McManus says that Jesus' death wasn't to free us from dying, but to free us from the fear of dying.

He also talks about how a rule-based religion tries to motivate us the way love should, and that most of Jesus' fire and brimstone sermons were directed toward the religious. He brings up the thought that Christ didn't "endure the agony of the Cross just to keep us in line."

I cannot say enough good about this book. It is well written, engaging and easy to read. I found myself reading with a pencil in hand. I usually try to refrain from writing in books but I couldn't help circling or notating so that I could come back later and mull over certain concepts.

I was particularly challenged when he discussed his own experience as a barbarian and a parent. He said it was okay for him to live the "irrational faith and breathtaking adventure," but for his daughter he wanted security and safety.

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review. It is one I recommend without reservation to anyone. If your faith feels stagnant, you are new to Christ or you are curious why Christians seem boring, mean or hypocritical at times--this book delves into what Christ intended, and offers.

Family Spider

2011-08-08T03:44:00.000-07:00

Our family has a weird game going called "family spider." Of course, this is not the actual spider we use, the real one is at camp with my youngest.

This is how the game goes: whoever finds the spider silently hides it for someone else to find it. It pops up regularly under pillows, between sheets, inside of shoes... sometimes we get really creative and use floss to string it so it is found dangling, or moving.

The only rule is to not put it in unwrapped food (we know where it has been) and the winners are the ones who can get a squeal of fright out of someone.

Sometimes it takes weeks or months to see it again but we never know if that is because it just hasn't been found or it is circulating through other members of the family. This has been going on for years and years.

I had to wrap it up inside of my son's bath towel so he could watch it tumble to the ground some night on the way to the shower at camp. Although, I'm not sure if junior high boys will shower when they aren't forced.

Probably unsurprisingly, no one in our house is afraid of spiders. (If we lived in Australia or some other tropical location it might be different.) I bring up this point because today I read something in a book called Unleashed, Release the Untamed Faith Within by Erwin McManus.

McManus's son asked him, "Dad, would you purposely put us in danger?"

And he answered "Yes, of course."

I believed him, and appreciated the point he was trying to make. But I couldn't think of anytime I would do that to my own kids. Then I realized that making your kids too comfortable is the worst thing you can do to prepare them for life.

Initially, McManus's question and answer don't sound like good parenting. What McManus is trying to tell us it that our "civilized" view of Jesus--that he is Superman, and his purpose is to ensure our saftey, comfort and convenience--is wrong.

I am going to post my review for Unleashed on Friday. But during this week, I want to share a several interesting things I've read from it.

One way I pushe my kids: when they were babies, my mom told me to put them on the floor at least once a day, with their toys just out of reach. They would get frustrated and reach and wiggle and eventually...they went and got them. What other ways can you think of where it is beneficial to your children to not let them get too comfortable?

SSSSalsa!

2011-08-05T07:01:00.000-07:00

According to Seinfeld people only eat salsa because the like to say "SSSSalsa!" But I remember the first time I had fresh salsa as a teenager, I abandoned the chip and used a spoon.

We also love variations on the traditional tomato salsa. My grandfather in California gave us peaches and nectarines last week. I canned 14 half pints of nectarine salsa as soon as we got home. It is the one benefit of winter (non-gardening season,) opening jars of like this.

You can make variations on salsa by substituting many different fruits for the tomatoes. Our favorite is:
1 lg can crushed pineapple
4 diced mangos
handful of torn cilantro leaves
1 red onion, diced
2 sereno chillis, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tlb lemon or lime juice
dash of salt

The first time we ate mango salsa it was served on an Ahi tuna steak sandwich with blue cheese. We added the pineapple one time when mangos were running a bit expensive and decided that we preferred it that way. My kids love it with chips.

Last night we tried SSSSalsa! with cucumbers instead of tomatoes. It tasted so green and crisp.
We have also tried raspberries as a substitute, but I wasn't impressed. Any other suggestions?

The Artful Edit

2011-08-04T18:47:00.000-07:00

A friend recommended "The Artful Edit," by Susan Bell.

A couple of quotes stood out right away and I wanted to share them.

"Write the story that needs to be written--not what you want to write. Refrain from imposing an inorganic idea in it or turn it into something it isn't meant to be. To write falsely is to not write at all."

and

"Relinquish your dogmatic agenda, be it highfalutin or low riding. Listen to what moves you, and if it isn't what you expect, rejoice in the surprise."

I know I was afraid to write the book I recently finished. I was afraid to identify with the heroine. Has anyone else experienced this? Given up on what you thought you wanted, and found another story entirely?

Christiany Fiction

2011-08-03T03:00:00.000-07:00

Should Christian fiction always have a "conversion scene?"

I have been mulling over this thought for a few months because I read a blog stating emphatically that there is a place for all kinds of Christian fiction: from those heavy-laden with analogy to those that are simply devoid of graphic sex scenes.

These are the thoughts which keeps surfacing--should the two characters in a romance end up together? should there be a chase scene in an action/thriller? something hidden in a mystery?

As far as the "conversion scene," they can be pretty hokey, especially when forced, or out of place. I don't personally need one, but in "Christian" fiction, I do want to see some sort of spiritual growth in at least one character.

A good book has growth (of some sort) in the protagonist. A fear is conquered, justice served, a resolution of hope, whatever...if not, then it is technically a tragedy.

If there isn't a spiritual element at all, why would it be classified as inspirational? Are we content to call it Christian simply because we have removed the erotic scenes, the descriptive murders and the cussing?

The blog I read suggested that the books which were not overtly-Christian had the opportunity to reach the lost, those who would not normally pick up a Christian book, if they weren't too Christian.

I just read a book that would fit this classification. Cash Burn by Michael Berrier.

It was extremely well written, but ended in tragedy, without a single character experiencing any hope or finding a relationship with God. The reviews were still high, because of how it was written. But the Christians complained that it ended unsatisfactorily, and the non-Christians complained that it had this lame pastor in the middle--trying to convert the hero.

If you know of a Christian book which successfully placates both sides, mention it in the comments. If I feel it makes both sides happy--based on the reviews--I will send you a 10$ Starbucks card. If more than one book fulfill the requirements, I will randomly choose one to win the card.

So I guess a better question would be: "Is there a place for a tragedy in Christian fiction?"

Perspective from the opposite sex

2011-08-02T07:36:00.001-07:00

I recently read an article reminding writers to keep a realistic perspective in your charter's point of view. It reminded female writers that men don't notice the ecru petticoat fluttering gently against burnished-umber boots.

True enough. But then, while I was reading a book with a romantic element last week, the hero started describing the gal with intense detail. It was beautiful--but at one point I flipped to the cover, thinking "how did she get away with the male character thinking like this?"

Only then did I realize that the book was written by a man. Every scene, not just the amorous ones, were surprisingly emotive.

As a teenager, the two authors I read most were Jack London and John Steinbeck. One story, The Sea-Wolf, has a romance thread but it is from a man's perspective. I will never forget when the main character describes the girl's hands and fingernails, I remember thinking, "Boys look at girl's fingernails?!"

I suppose female writers can go too far the other way when they try to write a male character who is realistic in their mind...making him dense, unfeeling, insensitive, thick-headed, single minded... I can't remember where I was going with that.

Would you rather read a book from the perspective of the opposite sex--or keep your assumptions secure?

Raspberries

2011-07-25T05:52:00.000-07:00

Lifting a branch and finding spots of edible color is one of my favorite things. It makes the work worthwhile when I can bring in a bowl of raspberries for breakfast. Or eat a tomato that is still warmed from the sun. Nothing tastes like minute-old fruit!

Of course my Mr Knightly complains when the fruit is so fresh it crawls. I think I need to pick up some Dr. Bronner's (or other) vegetable soap. Sometimes a few bugs will even make him lose his appetite for raspberries. Ah, the pleasures of organic gardening.

Everything else is really starting to bloom.

Quilting

2011-07-22T05:58:00.000-07:00

I have been trying my hand at quilting lately. Thanks to my husband's aunt who visited this summer, I got a crash course. I love learning new things.

Here is my first project:

When my aunt asked my uncle, "What do you think?" He said, "I've seen better."

He's honest, she is a fabulous quilter. But for me, the project was special because I didn't purchase any of the material. It was really important for me to make something out of unusable scraps. Plus, I am ~~frugal~~ cheap.

Even the backing is a mismatched sheet. If you have ever given me material, look closely. Most of it I don't know where it came from, but I can see some of my mom's old curtains in there.

My mother in law noticed some fabric that was a souvenir from Africa. (The bright pink and blue one.) I didn't even know or I might not have thrown that one in the mix.

Here is the one I am working on now, it is also made from discarded/inherited fabric. My seams are crooked--I sew like I cook: imprecise. This is why no one can ever follow my recipes.

This pattern is Whimsical Windmill.

I do plan to pick out material one day and make a beautiful work of art. Of course, I will have to find someone else to sew it. The other drawback is I certainly won't be able to drag it down to the park for a picnic lunch.

More Irony

2011-07-21T05:35:00.000-07:00

The only reason I know this is a preying mantis egg case is that we once ordered one. I followed direction precisely but still found a web near the orifice after it opened and assumed few made it out alive.

We love preying mantises. They are such a fun, interesting bug. When I grew up (in the Sacramento Valley) we saw them constantly. I hardly remember a time when my dad didn't come in from the yard without one hitching a ride on his back.

My husband wasn't as familiar and he thought they were the coolest bug in the world. So, when we found our first one several years ago--I brought it inside. We looked at it and held it for hours. I once had a friend who said she allowed one to live in her house, on the window sill, because it ate flies .

We considered that but with great deliberation decided that it needed to live outside...run free...be who he was meant to be. I think one of the kids in particular was crying that it would die inside.

So we carefully walked it outside and set it free.

Before it hit the ground our dog ate it.

Irony

2011-07-20T15:20:00.000-07:00

This is a Cat Face Spider. When we first moved to Idaho, I found one in the yard and captured it. I didn't think anything so ugly needed to live.

Don't get mad, it was right after we were tormented with tales of Hobo Spiders. An aggressive, poisonous spider that lives here. I wondered why God had brought me to such a place.

Big wimp, I know.

But I came from Lake Tahoe, where we don't have to worry about poisonous spiders or snakes.

Now that I know Cat Face Spiders kill Hobos, they have become my favorite garden pet. All you need is a little perspective.

I am not a photographer, I can hardly take a picture in focus, but I love this one:

Isn't it cool?

The Garden

2011-07-05T13:56:00.001-07:00

I promised a few pictures of my garden, though it seems to change weekly this time of the year.
I am not sure how many square feet my garden is, but my hobby seems to grow like my hops vines. (lots) We doubled our raised beds this year.

For our scarecrow, I used an old shirt I wore when I served tables at a place called the Garden Cafe. I think the logo is appropriate because the birds think that is what my strawberry bed is..their garden cafe. though it doesn't work, I leave it up to startle myself.

I also have a peach tree, a nectarine tree and two apple trees on our standard lot. But after reading some great info about compact back yard orchards from DWN Home Gardens, I plan to add a apricot and a plum tree soon.

I pruned back our apple trees to fit the expected addition, and so of course pondered the idea of Christ pruning us for grow. You know, a hard-pruned tree in the hands of a novice is not the most beautiful thing in the world. Good thing God knows what he's doing!

Spring

2011-06-02T09:36:00.000-07:00

This is the time of the year where I spend many hours outside. Writing and even reading drop off quite a bit. The garden is planted though, and the worst chore (moving compost) is done for the year too.

This year we've also taken on an exchange student. He is from Korea, which of course is fun because we study a Korean Martial Art.

I tried to make Kimchi for him, actually, I am still making it. It has to ferment 6 days. The day I made it, he grabbed the bowl as soon as he saw it and tried to walk away with it. I had to explained that it wouldn't be ready for a week--his grandma makes a big batch in the winter and so they just pull jars off the shelf whenever they want. They pretty much eat it every day. We'll see what he says after we try it.

I got the recipe here and after we read the ingredients, my oldest was like "why aren't we already eating this all the time?" That site also had some ideas to incorporate Kimchi into things like Reuben sandwiches...I think I should get another batch going.

The Importance of Conversion

2011-05-14T06:02:00.000-07:00

You probably thought I meant proselytizing, but I'm talking about arithmetic.

People are often good in either math or language. I hated math in school, but since we started home education with Singapore Math, everything I missed fell into place and I began to enjoy math.

My gardening hobby is growing, as hobbies tend to do, and my husband built me a few extra raised garden beds. I know how to find volume easily enough: length X width X height, and I felt confident with my understanding of converting cubic feet to cubic yards. 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet.

So I took my simple equation (16 feet X 4 feet X 4 inches X 27 X extra beds) and checked it with a calculator...unfortunately I did not change the 4 inches in height to feet (.3)

Two days and 12 yards of dirt later, we rest our weary muscles. My sweet husband.

In love with stories

2011-05-09T07:18:00.000-07:00

We had the opportunity to watch a live performance of The Secret Garden with our homeschool group last week. It was a musical rendition of the book by Music Theater Idaho.

It occurred to me during the performance how intent the actors were trying to just "tell us a story." What an interesting sensation to think that so many adults came together, used sets, costumes, music and plot to convey a theme. (They declared that they took a little theatrical liberty with the story.)

The actors could've had individual agendas, but they came together for the story. I've heard that authors are storytellers first.

The reason I agree with this because of a Chris Issac concert my husband and I attended. Sometimes musicians say "it's all about the music," but the reason I remember that concert so well is he made it all about the entertainment.

Recently, when I tried to tell someone about a story that moved me, I couldn't remember if it was written in first person or third. I was overcome by the story.

It was a nice reminder that it's the story which matters. Not only the cogs and bolts of walking characters through an organized plot.

When Nathan told David a story about the pet lamb in 2 Samuel 12, David was immediately moved. This intrigues me because most people read to become another person for a time, but here, David was able to disassociate himself from the main character. (So much that he accidentally passed judgement on himself.)

They aren't necessarily mutually exclusive, but to you read to become or to be removed.

Book Review Subjectivity

2011-05-06T07:07:00.000-07:00

I am more likely to try a book based on someone's suggestion than any other influence.

Of course some people's opinions sway me more than others. If a reviewer equally loves or criticizes each book they read--where is the scale to judge?

It was not difficult to criticize a book before I started writing, or to be vocal about it. But now I feel guilty. (Probably just because I know someone out there is waiting to rip my future book to shreds.)

Another reason it is hard to give a book review, at least for me, is that my opinion morphs after I have had time to digest the story. Napoleon Dynamite was probably the worst movie I had ever seen, the first time I watched it. A few days later I would start chuckling about it. Then a week later our family began saying lines from the film. (Quoting lines from films is a major recreation in our home.) It wasn't long before we had to see the film again. Then again...many times.

My opinion on books doesn't change as drastically, but I do find that I occasionally go back and modify the number of stars I give to books.

This could have anything to with the mood I was in when I finished it, to the underlying theme that needed time to take root.

What unusual factors (beside the story and writing skill) contribute to your enjoyment of a book?

The best mother ever

2011-05-05T07:22:00.000-07:00

I once wrote an article about how to get your kids to read. I was over confident because I had two excelled readers. Then came an analytical third. He didn't have the patience for fiction. Worse, he compared himself to his older siblings and decided he was not a good reader.

Isn't it interesting how your perception of success can affect your effort?

The ideas to inspire reading still worked, but they took more effort. My mom used to tell me that the best parents are those who've never had kids.

I would like to take that a step further and say the (self-proclaimed) best parents are those who've had a little success.

Imagine how Mary acted until her second-born became a toddler. And then instead of offering everyone advice about how to raise a perfect child, her mantra became "Why can't you be more like Jesus?"

Each Step

2011-05-03T06:44:00.000-07:00

I am always disappointed when events don't unfold as I envisioned. I don't know why I'm surprised when my well laid plans fail, God never intended us to scheme our lives into perfection.

It seems he wants us to walk this way. He promises "Whether you turn to the right or the left, this is the way, walk in it." Isaiah 30:21

He never promises we will be given the whole plan, in fact He says "I know the plans I have for you..." Jeremiah 29:11 I looked in the second part of that chapter, unfortunately I never found anything like 'when I tell you about those plans,' or 'I will take counsel on your thoughts.' Actually, I am thankful about that second part. Some of my ideas retrospectively stink.

Even when we make decisions, we are supposed to clarify, "If the Lord wills.." James 4:13-17

Just enough light for your feet--not the whole trail. I think he does that so you keep your eyes on that light. Why do you think he does it?

My hard thing

2011-04-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

A little while ago I finished the Book Do Hard Things. As a family we have chosen a hard thing: to run 4 half marathons in 5 weeks.

The goal is Run 4 Heaven's Gate, to support our church's foreign missions in India. None of us are runners, so this is especially ambitious. I was reluctant to mention our goal before--because I hate failing. Even worse, to publicly fail. Maybe that was just an excuse to not give it my best try.

We have entered our third week of training and while none of us can run a full three miles without stopping, we are getting closer. I twisted my ankle during the second week and had to take it easy, I seem to be recovered now and can start pressing forward.

I am told there is a 'runner's high,' but I haven't experienced it. In fact, I remember as a kid my dad pointing out the window and commenting "That's why I never wanted to run, I've never seen a runner smile, they all look like it is the pits!"

So right now I just focus on putting one foot in front of the other without scowling.

Just finished

2011-04-28T09:47:00.000-07:00

I finished my third manuscript this morning. What an interesting journey. Watch this video posted on the Fliterary blog to see what I mean.

My first manuscript took me nearly ten years to write. There were years in between sections where I feared finishing it because I didn't know what I'd do with it after. (I hadn't yet read The War of Art. Speaking of that--I need to finish it.)

My second story took about five years to finish. I even spent a little time editing that one.

This one took me one year from start to finish. My Mr. Knightly said that was a "go out to dinner" kind of celebration.

Now what? I think I'll take the advice I read on Novel Matters this morning and find a copy of Stein on Writing.

Have you created/completed any goals lately?

Gospel Tracts

2011-04-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

I have been told that Gospel tracts are too offensive. Although, maybe it is the gospel itself which causes offense.

After spending ten years in a church which discussed issue like: whether or not God truly parted the Red Sea--or if the battle hardened soldiers just tripped on weeds, my dad found a tract. I was eleven years old.

His life was forever changed by the time he finished reading the message. And consequently, so was mine.

Happy Good Friday! Happy Resurrection Weekend!

Here is a link to some tracts I created for a vacation Bible school several years ago. English Page 1, Page 2 They are a simple Roman's Road tract. You can print them on Avery business cards 8869. Here are the dimensions:

I had a friend who speaks Spanish and was good enough to translate them for me if you can use them as well. Spanish Page 1, Page 2

If you print on both sides of the business cards, you can punch them out and staple them together to create a little booklet. Here is the finished product:

Books

2011-04-20T07:08:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid, I believed books were other-worldly, sacred. I thought that merely being in print made them worth reading.

But that is like saying if something is spoken out loud--it becomes truth.

I was an adult before I realized I did not have to finish every book I started. I don't remember the first book I stopped, but I remember it sitting on my dresser for many months. I wanted to read something else, but didn't believe I was allowed to cast a book aside like that. Instead, I read nothing.

Doesn't that sound like the work of an overzealous librarian or teacher?

While I do believe books are one of the top 2-3 assets for learning, not every book is for every person, or for every season of life.

Except the Bible.

Not so bad words

2011-04-18T07:43:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed that some of the more mild language is subjective? It can be funny when you meet people that allow the ones you don't like or forbid the ones that you use.

My daughter was babysitting several kids the other day. She mentioned a new cartoon movie that she thought was cute. Two of the very adorable girls looked disappointed.

"Yes," one said, "it was a pretty good movie."

The other leaned in and whispered, "Except for the cussing."

My daughter couldn't remember any bad words in the movie, but she shook her head in agreement and said, "Yeah, it's stupid when they do that."

Both of the girls slapped their hands over their mouths in shock until one found the courage to to say, "You just said one of them."

The details

2011-04-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, our pastor taught on God's Sovereign Providence in Genesis 24. At the end he mentioned a "romantic interlude," describing the moment Rebekah and Issac first met.

Watch the video (search 4/110/11 "God's Sovereign Providence," Bob Caldwell)

He said that God didn't have to have Rebekah arrive at evening...while the sun was setting...just when Issac had walked out into the field to pray. But God cares about the details.

When we were talking about it later as a family, my 16 year old told me that his study recently discussed Jesus' first miracle. Apparently, it was the obligation for the wedding feast to provide wine during the entire feast. It was a financial obligation that--if not fulfilled--resulted in disgrace.

Turning water into wine wasn't just about the party...it was the details!

The number 10,000

2011-04-11T10:52:00.000-07:00

Micheal Hyatt's Blog on Friday was part of a two day post about "Why Real Creativity Requires Work." He mentioned a book which discusses a 10,000 hour rule--the time required to become good at any task.

The reason the number jumped out at me is because we have a saying in martial arts:

When you practice a form 100 times, you begin to understand the moves.
When you practice a form 1,000 times, you begin to see an opponent.
When you practice a form 10,000 times, your spectator will see your opponent.

My husband grew up studying the same style of martial arts and it was a saying often repeated in his school as well. Of course we say it to our students now too.

The idea behind it--that you only become good at something after you have invested a certain amount of time has realyl encouraged me. Some people have a natural talent or a little "beginner's luck" but people who are really good at what they do have invested hours above all else.

Imagine waiting 35 years for the gospel

2011-04-05T16:05:00.000-07:00

Thirty-five years. Isn't that hard to grasp in a society where people tap their foot after the third telephone ring? (And slam the phone down if voicemail hasn't engaged by the fifth.)

"Our Witchdoctors Are Too Weak," is a biography written by Davey and Marie Jank. The book describes a fearful tribe from the Amazon who wanted "God's Talk" for twenty-five years before missionaries ever arrived.

Once Davey Jank reached the Wilo people, it took him (and his team) ten years to learn the language, create a written form, and study the culture before they could present the gospel.

As guests in the village, with limited ability to communicate, Jank describes his desire to break the bondage of fear before it was possible. His humble perspective on several cross-cultural situations was very thought provoking.

I thoroughly enjoyed the humorous writing style, wit, and sensitivity of the authors. The short chapters made it a great book for reading aloud with my kids. Sometimes I read aloud just because they wanted to know why I was giggling.

I received this book for free, in exchange for my honest opinion. It is an entertaining, satisfying read and I found myself invested in the Wilo people's lives even before I reached the conclusion of "Our Witchdoctors Are Too Weak."

Mirrors

2011-03-29T07:57:00.000-07:00

We had a little bit of excitement last night when our one year old Lhasa apso-poodle mix began barking like crazy. He is a great guard dog, very intelligent. Anything out of the ordinary sets him off. What happened was: he discovered another dog upstairs--in the mirror. Did I mention intelligent?

Even after we all came in, he growled, crouched and paced around the perimeter of where he could see himself. What fun!

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. James 1:22-24

Unobservant Mom

2011-03-22T18:11:00.001-07:00

Last summer I put my kids on an airplane to spend a week with my parents. That is not the easiest thing to do, regardless of the fact that it was a direct one-hour flight and they were together.

It was only the second time they flew and I was as nervous as any parent doing something out of the ordinary. I got the pass to walk them directly to the gate, fretting over the fact that it was the last year I was going to be able to do it--they would soon be too old.

I huddled them together for one last prayer, a blessing, anything that would protect them while I wasn't there to do it myself.

I begged God with everything in me that He would take care of my kids while I couldn't. After I finally said Amen, my son told me that their gate had been changed. Apparently they had announced it while I prayed. He told his brother and sister to get their carry-ons and follow him.

It was almost an instant answer to prayer, God is always taking care of them better than I could.

Mountaintop Experiences

2011-03-17T07:25:00.001-07:00

My kids have been raised in the church, just like me, and they know enough not to seek out "Mountaintop Experiences" in lieu a daily walk. (You know, those high emotional places that don't last beyond the final day of camp.)

But I remember a time when I was a teenager, not trying to walk with God, actually trying not to walk with Him. We were on a trip to Mexico, building houses. I decided to walk up to the top of a hill early one morning, overlooking our camp. I think I wanted that emotional connection. I didn't want God to see me where I was, I wanted to go meet with him instead.

It was a pretty sunrise, and I plopped down to enjoy it. I didn't get all of the way to the ground--I was met halfway by a cactus.

So I trudged down the hill and had to ask a youth pastor to pull out some of the needles I couldn't reach...

So here's to mountaintops and valleys, meeting God and being-met-by-God--right where you are!

Coffee Time

2011-03-14T07:31:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago, our two year old coffee pot broke. It stopped turning off after it brewed and I had to plug and unplug it instead of using the dial. This was fine with me because I wasn't eager to spend the money on a new insulated carafe pot. Unfortunately, the coffee started tasting chemically-burnt. We tossed it and managed as long as we could--my husband even resurrected the ash-covered, camping percolator to bide time.

Eventually we coughed up the money, read reviews and ordered a Zojirushi coffee pot. It was like Christmas when it arrived. Only...it didn't work at all. We rinsed, repacked, returned, and went out to coffee. Next, we stomped to a department store and purchased another.

This one touted "fastest brewing machine available." It was so fast that the gold filter couldn't transfer the liquid into the pot in time, spewing it all over the counter.

By now we were asking God for a sign to quit coffee. Just one sign...

We didn't want another rush decision. My husband brought home his single serving French press from work to keep us content while we shopped. Right away, we wondered "When did we forget how delicious French press coffee is?"

So we bought a $20 Bodum, 8-cup press. Best coffee I've had in years! You can see the delicate coffee oils floating in your cup--which I assume are normally trapped in the paper filter. It is unbelievably hot, you have to wait several minutes to drink it. And--it uses less beans than any of the automatic machines we've ever tried.

The crow and the cheese

2011-03-10T06:53:00.000-08:00

While reading today, I came across John 4:55 "How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?"

Suddenly, I could hear my mom's voice reading, and see illustrations from the fable "The Fox and the Crow." It's funny, until today, I always thought the name was "The Crow and the Cheese." I think I assumed the story was only a lesson about that--what you stood to loose if you believed false praise. Rather than possibly: deliver criticism with a compliment or being kind will get you what you want...

Either way, I still don't trust praise. I believe I crave approval as much as anyone, but whenever a person is very complimentary--I quickly assume the compliment giver is somewhere between insincere and manipulative.

Occasionally, I have a hard time giving compliments too. Even when I notice things I admire, I have to remind myself to verbalize it. All this from Aesop's tale? Maybe.

Praise and compliments are not evil. When motives are sincere, they can be a way to love each other. (And it sure helps when your critique partners point out something good in the midst of your shredded manuscript!)

But according to John 4:55, accepting praise or glory from each other without seeking it from God changes you. Jesus asks "how can you believe since..." as though their ability to believe in God was altered. Unless accepting glory from men was merely proof that they didn't believe.

Beside belief in God, what other abilities are affected when you seek men's praise over God's?

Book Covers

2011-03-08T07:06:00.000-08:00

My son and I had an interesting discussion the other day about choosing a book by the cover. He almost exclusively chooses that way.

He attended a writer's conference with me to help out. Between sessions he browsed some of the self-published books. I have done enough simple web design and even designed a few book covers for print on demand (POD) books so I don't always trust my judgment about book covers, I think I can be too picky.

When my 16-year-old said he would never read a book where it looked like the author's photo had been shrunk-to-fit, I listened. You might say that I passed a criticizer's eye to him but I would bet he learned it in his high school design class.

It is so simple to re-size and crop a picture that if the cover designer didn't take the time to do it-- but rather hit ctrl-F --what else did they compromise?

I know as a writer I should never chose a book by its cover... I know traditionally published writers have little control over their covers...I know...but I did it anyway.

And I am so glad. Look at how intriguing this cover is:

My son thought so too, so he grabbed the whole series. When I realized it was written in first person (how I write) I decided I needed to read it. But the back cover didn't interest me because I am not a fan of "spiritual thrillers." Or at least that is how I categorized myself. It sat there several days, almost calling to me.

Why is that guy in the water? Did the water make him pale and small?

It ended up being one of those books I couldn't put down and I finished it instead of writing, ironing my husband's karate uniform, making bread...I haven't shirked my life for a book in years.

Have you ever successfully chosen a book by the cover?

Writing Contest Calendar, by Fliterary

2011-03-07T08:10:00.000-08:00

Fliterary (Fun for the Literary) is a blog Lisa Buffaloe and I write. We've started a Google calendar to keep track of writing contests for both published and unpublished authors. If you have a google calendar--all you have to to is click on an event and choose "copy to my calendar."

If you don't have a google calendar, you can still use it. The contest calendar is located on the right hand side of Fliterary. Or you can save this blog post to revisit the calendar, or you can visit the calendar page and copy the URL.

We need your help to add as many contest opportunities as possible. Email us at fliterary@gmail.com with a link and details for (published or unpublished) writing contests.

the churchyard gate

2011-03-01T07:53:00.001-08:00

This is a topic where I catch myself arguing both sides. The idea of creating a safe environment for your children is both beautiful and Biblical. Song of Solomon 2:14-15 Talks about the little foxes that spoil the vines. This is usually applied to the sanctity of marriage but could also describe our need to keep distraction and idols rising up between us and God--as well as protecting our children.

True, our children are our first ministry. And this is the biggest argument I hear in homeschool circles. One way we tried to keep the foxes out was unhooking the cable. (Sorry to offend those who use PBS as a teaching tool.) It worked for us.

Others make sure their kids only meet similar families. "Homeschool only" or "Our denomination only" functions, plays and events. The problem is: when do you eventually merge into the world? And the safer your group becomes, the harder it is to leave it.

"Those brazen public school girls...calling my son on the phone, they just aren't like homeschool girls."

"We want our kids to only meet people who believe like us."

When I heard that second comment I was desperate for a homeschool community, and she was explaining why I hadn't yet found one.

This isn't just homeschool families but any group who shuts out the world. Some families go so far they don't allow their kids to attend their own church's youth group because of the risk of contamination by the world.

It is good and right to guard your vineyard. I wouldn't suggest otherwise. But if we create a churchyard, lock the gate and stay inside, what is the ultimate goal?

To live in a garden where our children are never tempted to sin?

To pat ourselves on the back for how well we raised them, send them off to college and wish them luck? (Then pray for their prodigal return.)

Or make sure they are married at a young age to another, similarly raised?

Otherwise, when do you unlock the gate?

Grace for granted

2011-03-01T07:39:00.000-08:00

Sometimes toward the end of a pay period, the cupboards can get a little bare. Yesterday it seemed like everything my daughter reached for was out.

We can get whinny when the Dave's Good Seed Bread is gone, and all we have left is the dumb Kirkland brand. But in reality, we aren't going hungry at all.

The longer you go without feeling hunger, the less you appreciate food. If you want to really enjoy a meal, skip the one before it. Or even fast for a day.

Don't you think it is the same in our Christian walk? Does it seem like the longer you go without remembering your broken life, the easier it is to take grace for granted?

Out of my comfort zone

2011-02-28T08:06:00.000-08:00

"Do Hard Things," written by twin brothers, Alex and Brett Harris, pushes a counter-culture rebellion.

The culture is that all youth stuck between childhood and responsibility should rebel, screw-off and satisfy self. Of course, we have a new phenomena of teenagers that never outgrow this and well into their thirties they still wonder what they should do with themselves. Relationally, vocationally, spiritually...

My 16 year old son eyed me one day while reading "Do Hard Things," and asked "Isn't that book for teenagers?"

But think about it: who places menial demands on the youth? Parents, teachers, coaches.

Children usually rise to expectations placed on them, why would it be any different for teenagers? While reading, I began to realize the expectations I put on myself as well as my children.

I have always admired people who pushed themselves, but it has never been a conscious effort of my own. I believed I was brave and adventurous enough to enjoy life. However, the concept of stepping out of my comfort zone, on purpose, to grow...scared me. And I realized that I have let my little circle shrink since I was a teenager.

I won't be surprised if the authors write a middle aged sequel when they hit their thirties and forties. In the meantime, I think everyone involved in a teenager's life should read this book. I received it for free as part of my participation in Multnomah's Blogging for Books.

Second Generation Christian

2011-02-24T07:22:00.000-08:00

I've been a second generation Christian, even though I grew up under my grandmother's prayers, not just my parents'.

Anyone raised in a religious home can become a second generation christian. You are brought up knowing Christ at a young age. But you become complacent because you don't know what the fallen world is really like.You somehow inherit a generic, meaningless faith--just through the culture.

Even so, you are afraid to step out of your sheltered life.

The parents could have
-always been religious
-grown up wild and unchurched, or
-be reformed backsliders

But when we try to create a churchyard for our children, it places a burden on them which we couldn't carry.

There are blessings in the churchyard--if we don't become the prodigal son's older brother or a Pharisee--but there is LIFE when we stop playing church.

The Promises She Keeps

2011-02-17T10:50:00.000-08:00

The Promises She Keeps, by Erin Healy is a story about the impact you leave in life.

I struggled a little with the first few chapters. I wasn't immediately swept up into the story. But I am glad I continued because it is a worthwhile read. It isn't the typical fiction story where you are dropped into the middle of the action and feel like you are just along for the ride. The experience of this book is more about the trip than the destination.

I wouldn't recommend it for readers who are sensitive to reading about a character who is a witch. However, Healy handles it very well and does not delve into dark rituals, merely alludes to them. The good and evil are obvious.

This is not an overtly Christian story to me because there is not a "conversion" scene. As a Christian, I saw beautiful images that an unbeliever might find benign. I think that this book would be enjoyable for both Christians and non Christians--anyone who hopes for immortality. I will read it again.

Disclaimer: I am not required to give a good review since I received this book for free from BookSneeze.com, however I do personally recommend this book.

Free Books

2011-02-14T10:19:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to share two books that I thoroughly enjoyed which are currently free on Kindle.

"Listen" by Rene Gutteridge
This story has a valuable take-away but doesn't read like a preachy, theme oriented plot. Imagine if all of a town's conversations were suddenly published on an anonymous website. The idea makes me thankful of the things I've said in haste which are now lost. While I devoured the story, it made me think twice a few times before I spoke--I hope it lasts.

The second is book "Just as I am" by Virginia Smith
From the first chapter, when the heroine's mother complains that she is getting baptized in pink "hooker" panties, I felt so much compassion for the un-churched who join our subculture. (After I stopped laughing) You won't walk away feeling guilty about our "churchyard" but it does remind you that life is wonderful when truly dedicated to Christ. She even deals with some of her presuppositions about Christians and finds that we all judge the outer at times.

Shared Reading

2011-02-04T18:09:00.001-08:00

My daughter read Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers this week. She had read the Lineage of Grace series before but I don't think this story was quite what she expected.

She was enveloped for two whole days and toward the end I asked her if she was ready to have her life back. She said yes.

But then the next day she recanted that she wasn't actually ready and...what else has Francine Rivers written?

It has been awhile since I enjoyed a book like that. It was fun to ask her what part she was at and enjoy the story a second time, through her eyes.

Lady in Waiting

2011-02-03T21:25:00.000-08:00

Lady in Waiting by Susan Meissner by follows the stories of two woman separated by hundreds of years but connected by a name, a similarity in what seems like helplessness in their circumstances, and a ring.

Normally, I don't care for stories that follow two plots at the same time, and you flash back and forth. It can feel like I am barely starting to connect when I'm jolted to the parallel story that doesn't interest me as much.

Susan Meissner does a good job building both plots to stand on their own and yet connect in a way that allowed me to see a bigger picture in the theme.

I liked the new twist, it wasn't just someone reading an ancestor's journal.

There is a realistic element--not everyone's story ends perfectly, but there is enough tender hope to make it a pleasant and satisfying read.

I received this book for free, so I am not required to give a favorable review. But I would wholeheartedly recommend it to fans of Woman's fiction and historical fiction.

Our words do not last forever

2011-02-01T06:50:00.000-08:00

One of the romantic things about being a writer is that after you are gone people will still be able to know you in a way. A piece of you left behind just like an artist, an architect and many other professions that create.

Not everything written is preserved well, but this is not what I am referring to when I say our words won't last. I know I do not hold all the mysteries of the universe in my mind and most of what I plunk out with pen and keyboard is meaningless.

I just wrestle with things I know and think and think I know.

Even in this computer era where we are cautioned that everything we say and every picture we upload will last forever--what is forever to us? The extent of our lives? But that isn't the real forever.

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. 1 Peter 1:24-25

Kingdoms will rise and fall, revivals will ebb and flow, apostasy will threat and fade--yes, even the earth will be destroyed. But God has promised that his words, his living word will last forever.

Self Idolatry

2011-01-31T09:31:00.001-08:00

Yesterday our pastor compared Adam and Eve's sin to our current temptation to self idolatry.

Satan told her that eating the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil would make her "like God." She decided the fruit was pleasing and it was desirable to become wise, to be the master of her own destiny.

Satan himself is a fallen angel because he desired to ascend to heaven and become like the Most High. Notice that he isn't claiming to be God. I hear people say they won't be The God, just a god. Like God. Satan hasn't really changed his tactics. People are still deceived and led astray by the same lusts as the fall.

One variation of self idolatry that our pastor touched on was the self effacing kind. The: I am no good. I've had a hard life. Look at all the missed opportunities and problems I've had... Basically, even if you feel like you are worthless: if every sentence in your mind has a "I" or "Me" then you are still worshiping yourself.

I think this is one reason I like to read. Entertainment in the form of television and magazines is so advertisement oriented that I tend to obsess with needs. Eye cream, clothes, hair,food, new cars, health, and a zillion other products that someone wants me to buy. But in fiction--you can live as someone else for awhile!

Not that fiction is any substitute for what really needs to occur--the submission of my whole heart, soul and mind to Christ. And truly that can only happen as I read His word and become transformed through it.

News

2011-01-28T10:57:00.000-08:00

I have begun a new blog with Lisa Bufaloe. It will have fun posts for writers. Check us out at fliterary.blogspot.com. We will have games, tips and just plain fun with words.

Just a reminder that your opportunity to win a Nook ends on Monday, January 31, 2011. The entry fee is only ten dollars and one thousand words.

Also, our local ACFW chapter, Idahope, is putting together a conference on February 26, 2011.

The key note speaker will be ACFW agent of the year, Sandra Bishop of MacGregor Literary. Save ten dollars by signing up early. $25 no, $35 at the door.

Abounding in Thanksgiving

2011-01-25T07:46:00.000-08:00

I flossed off a crown last week. Aren't tooth troubles frustrating? This crown has a history, it has been doomed from the beginning.

The dentist originally dropped it before he could position it and the cement dried. He sent me home to have a new crown made but it no longer fit by the time it arrived. Somehow he made it fit.

It popped off a couple of times and he would glue it back on. He seemed irritated every time, but it wasn't like I could peak inside my mouth and make a suggestion. We moved out of state and it came off again. He offered to pay a new dentist in my area to glue it for him, although in truth I think he was eager to pass along the responsibility of it.

The dentist in the new area explained to me how my tooth was filed down too small to really hold a crown. He sighed and laughed the whole time, insulting the other dentist's work. I was livid. I left the office angry, betrayed.

We are at the mercy of dentists, they can do what they want and charge what they want. It isn't like we can go home and fix it ourselves. Even some medical situations can be treated holistically, at home. Not dentistry--unless you just yank the whole thing out.

Sure enough, it came off a few days later. The new dentist couldn't fit me in but his office suite partner could. So I stormed into the office and plopped down, complaining about how I had been mistreated.

He was calm and gentle. He said it was true that the walls of the tooth really had no retention, but he was sure the other dentist did the best he could with what he had. He didn't excuse the work, but he actually encouraged me to not hold it against him.

The crown stayed on for eight years.

I look back on the situation and have nothing but respect for the third dentist. He offered professional courtesy rather than insult. He didn't have to tell me how much better he was than the other dentist. He showed me.

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29

Trustworthyness of the Bible

2011-01-10T08:10:00.000-08:00

Whether or not God is real hinges on the validity of the Bible. I say this because God promises that though the grass withers and the flowers fade, His word will endure forever. Isaiah 40:8

So if he couldn't keep this promise, if he could not prevent his followers from accidentally corrupting his word, or he couldn't stop his enemies from maliciously destroying/altering his word--would he really be God?

We don't have to worry about asking questions like this, not if God is real. If he is real, he will be able to stand up to the toughest scrutiny.

It fascinates me that when Satan first spoke with Eve, he misquoted God's word. See Genesis 2 and Genesis 3. (Notice that before Eve took the fruit, she also misquoted God's word in verses 2-3)

This is one of his oldest tactics and he uses it all the time, twisting God's word or getting us to doubt God's ability to preserve the original text for us. (Think of all the "prophets" who have been visited by an angel of light declaring the Bible had become corrupted and given different versions.)

Yesterday we had a guest speaker at church, Charlie Campbell, author of "Archaeological Evidence for the Bible" and many other books and articles you can see on his website: AlwaysBeReady.com

We bought the DVD presentation and are looking forward to it, but here is yesterday's message summed up.

7 Evidences for the Bible's Validity (Charlie Campbell)

Fulfilled Prophecy
Archeological Evidence
Internal Consistency (impressive because there were about 40 authors, across 3 continents, spanning 1500 years.)
Extra Biblical Writings (Verification of people and events in non religious writings)
Scientific accuracy and foresight (such as Isaiah 40:22 and Job 26:7)
Manuscript Evidence (Dead Sea Scrolls)
Persecution of the Disciples (No one dies that kind of death for something they know to be a lie)

His DVD will go into detail about all of these points. I found his site pretty hard to navigate but the DVD I am talking about is "Amazing Evidence for the Trustworthiness of the Bible" and it is $8.95 Click here and scroll down.

Newness

2011-01-06T06:51:00.000-08:00

I love the feeling of January. Sometimes it is just relief that the holidays are over but there is something exciting about anticipation.

It is the same as the feeling you get if you rise early, well rested of course, before obligations and the rest of your family. It is a day untainted, full of promise.

We pulled out a rationed jar of raspberry syrup last night for my son's 16th birthday. It made me eager to be out in the sun again, listening to the bees. (Temperatures consistently in the 20s might have spurred that desire though.)

But newness wears off quick. Only a few days into the regular routine and I am already sleeping through the alarm.

My family never did New Year's resolutions growing up, so my husband and I haven't either. But I do agree that they are a good way to capture that expectation which feels so good.

Here's to summer--and a New year. "A garden is never so good as it will be next year."-- Thomas Cooper

Book Giveaway

2010-12-29T07:19:00.000-08:00

Read to the end of this post to find out how you could be eligible to win Safely Home by Randy Alcorn.

One of the things I love about the Kindle app on my phone is that when I travel I don't have to worry about space. Another benefit is that I don't consider whether or not I am close to the end of a book, if I finish--I always have more to read waiting.

While traveling for Christmas I finished "Safely Home" by Randy Alcorn, a free download from Amazon. There is a thought from the book that keeps popping up in my mind. One character always gets his wife an orange for Christmas. He was unable to do it during the timeline of the book, and when he finds out one was provided for her, he praises God.

The other character considers that he has never praised God for an orange. When I went shopping for my kid's stockings this thought echoed in my brain the whole night. Not only did this guy praise God for an orange--he praised God for one he didn't even eat!

This is an enjoyable read, but it is a lasting experience as well. The kind of book that opens your perspective. The author and the cover artist have donated all the proceeds to the persecuted church. See the Eternal Perspective Ministries website.

Since I received the book for free: I wanted to buy one to support the ministry. So, leave a comment on this post anytime before January 3, 2011 and you will be eligible for a random drawing to win a copy. (Make sure you leave an email address if you are "anonymous" in your comments.) The winner will be selected on the first Monday of the new year.

Writing Contest

2010-12-13T15:21:00.000-08:00

Our local chapter, IdaHope, of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) is hosting a writing contest to support our annual conference.

The grand prize is a Nook from Barnes and Noble.

Here are the details:

Mail the first 1,000 words of your current work-in-progress (novel or short
story) or a completed story up to 1,000 words in length, along with a check in the amount of $10.00 (members) or $15.00 (non-members) to: IdaHope Writers, PO Box 16221, Boise, ID 83715-6221.

Or submit your manuscript as an email attachment to idahopesec@gmail.com and pay the contest fee through the PayPal link on our Website: www.idahopewriters.org. (Whether you choose to submit your manuscript by mail or email, you can pay the contest fee by check or through PayPal.)

Use standard formatting (one-inch margins, Times New Roman or Courier New 12-pt. font, paragraphs indented five spaces and double-spaced). Include only the title of the story and page number at the top of each manuscript page (NOT the author’s name), but add a title page that lists the title plus the author’s name and contact information (address, telephone, email).

Please, no published works or erotica. ALL ENTRIES AND ENTRY-FEES MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5PM JANUARY 31, 2011, TO BE INCLUDED IN THE CONTEST.

Want to join Idahope Writers or renew your membership? Add $10 to your entry-fee check.

1st Prize — B&N Nook Reader
2nd Prize — $50 B&N gift certificate
3rd Prize — $25 B&N gift certificate

Honoring my over-commitments

2010-12-08T07:04:00.000-08:00

We keep a pretty busy schedule now that all my kids are teenager or nearly-teenager. When they were younger we spent most mornings eating breakfast late and reading by the fire, now it seems like we have somewhere to go every day of the week.

I added a new commitment this fall, and so I dropped one to compensate. However, I keep feeling pricks to go back. So I wrestle in my mind about the busy holiday, a commitment that makes me drive at night, in the winter...and any other excuse I can find.

I am not content refusing, but I keep trying. Worse is when I offer help, but then the call comes, "Oh, you mean right now?"

I have been on the other end often too, when people promise but can’t be counted on. No one shows up to teach one of the Sunday school classes and the leaders scramble to cover. (Of course God always provides.) But wouldn't we be fired if we treated jobs like we treat our church commitments?

Here is another place where we need to obey Christ and let our yes be yes and our no be no. Matthew 5:37

Doesn't it seems service to God is rarely convenient? For example, meals ministry usually calls when the budget is tight. It makes me laugh to think that if I was at a hospital and called the pastor for prayer he might answer, "I really didn't get enough sleep last night, I'm too tired." We serve because there is need, not because it is easy.

Fortunately it isn't without reward, even here on earth. The commitment I have been skirting is helping on Wednesday nights. Last Sunday our church had a baptism and I watched three separate kids, whom I taught last year, go forward. I didn't have anything to do with their declaration, but I was personally invested in their lives. The reward? A satisfaction I didn't expect.

Prayer from the Heart

2010-12-06T06:49:00.000-08:00

...if a prayer is not from the heart, it is nothing before the Lord. No matter how excellent a prayer seems on the outside, its life comes from inside the heart and nowhere else. - Leighton

This came through in my email devotion this morning. It made me think that sometimes we consider God looking at our hearts as an Entomologist studies through a microscope. He is the judge, seeing error and sin. This is true, Hebrews 4:13 says nothing in creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered, laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. And 1 Corinthians 4:5 warns that there is a time when all motives will be exposed.

But there is another way to look at God's omniscience: Once we have given our life to him, while there is still the need to have our hearts searched, we can feel more freedom in the process.

It means coming before God, knowing that he already knows our vain and selfish motives, and dropping all pretenses. We can be understood and known in the intimate way we have always longed. We don't have to work hard to say things correctly to him. We don't have to fear being misunderstood.

Ecclesiastes 5:2
Do not be quick with your mouth,
do not be hasty in your heart
to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven
and you are on earth,
so let your words be few.

Frustration

2010-12-03T10:49:00.000-08:00

I have been dealing all morning with an irritating learning curve on my new phone. It makes me wonder about all the electronic devises I have in my life--how many are truly necessary to create ease and save time when I spend so much effort trying to figure them out!

Anyway, Mary Demuth's blog is one that I read on a regular basis. Today's post was intended for me. (Even though we have never met.) Confession: I freak out I hope you enjoy it too.

Against the flow

2010-12-01T07:30:00.000-08:00

Whenever you chose to do something counter-culture you have to be prepared in your argument.

Don't you?

When my mom decided to breastfeed me, she had to sign something at the hospital that basically meant she was aware of the risks--essentially she was going to be responsible for the consequences of choosing not to give me the FDA approved formula. She planned to feed me oh-so-risky mother's milk.

Born out of that era was the La Leche League and other breastfeeding support groups. Quickly though, these pioneers found a platform and confidence. But have you ever met someone who became obnoxious in their stance? Someone who placed burdens on moms who were physically unable to breastfeed or breastfed so long that...

Same with home school. I cannot count the number of assumptions and clichés there are about those of us who teach our kids at home. Enough that some parents are compelled to practice their argument. Occasionally, we even take the offensive. Reflecting on this with grown home school kids, the description of evil public school (when exaggerated) produces bitter memories.

Be careful in your argument. Kids who are told "parents of public school kids don't love them enough to sacrifice or aren't invested in their future," will uncover this falsehood when they are adults. And they will (possibly) mistrust the true things you told them.

This Sunday, our pastor joked that being a radical no longer meant growing out your hair and smoking dope. He said if you want to rebel against society--stay married.

If we follow Jesus in this way and revolt against our culture, we should have a ready defense, but where do you draw the line of scrimmage?

What you give

2010-11-29T07:16:00.001-08:00

We watched our first holiday movie this weekend and my daughter told me she was already tired of the season.

We were slicing leftover pie and had just finished putting up the tree so I asked, "The decorations? The food?"

"No," she said, "The clichés."

She's right, the Christmas special we watched was typically drenched in nacho sauce, "find the true meaning... giving...not getting."

It is good to acknowledge that "get what you really want/all that you want" is not satisfying. And it is nice to talk about the magic of the season, the importance of giving. But giving a few presents isn't a substitution for the widow's mite.

I had a friend once who told me that her childhood church collected items from the congregation for a "poor box." She said she had no idea they were poor until the box was delivered to them on Christmas Eve. It contained old socks and mismatched shoes. The kinds of things second hand stores don't bother to sell.

If we give from our abundance and call it Christmas, we are likely to feel the same disillusionment on December 26 as those who are lost.

But the issue is not the sum or even the gift. Not all needs are met with money. Some require a harder sacrifice--time, dirty hands. When the widow gave all she had, she was either overcome with gratitude or she trusted God, implicitly.

Her heart: what beauty.

Thanksgetting

2010-11-27T10:15:00.000-08:00

It seems every holiday has some distraction which prevents the spirit of the celebration from touching or changing us.

Easter it is candy, Christmas is presents... I know I am not on to anything new here.

I used to think that the distraction from a heart of thanksgiving was the food. We are too full to be thankful, too full to be comfortable.

But I realized this weekend that the food isn't the main diversion. It's the early bird sale.

Free on Kindle

2010-11-15T13:07:00.000-08:00

There are always several free books for kindle users. If you don't have a Kindle, you might be able to get one for free on your smart phone or click pc/mac to get one on your computer.

I have been reading Kindle books on my phone for awhile. I love it because I always have a book with me. Actually I have Kindle on my computer as well and it conveniently syncs to the latest place I've read.

First, you will need an Amazon account. Then go to "Kindle Store" instead of "Shop all departments."

Search for "Christian Fiction," or whatever you want. And Sort "Price- Low to High."

Here are a few examples of books which are currently free:

Perfect by Harry Kraus

Safely Home by Randy Alcorn

Writing Fiction For Dummies by Peter Economy and Randy Ingermanson

The Churchyard garden

2010-11-04T09:14:00.000-07:00

One drawback to homeschool is that some parents choose it to keep their kids pure. (I only pick on homeschoolers because I am one--but I have seen the exact same tendencies in public and private school families.)

There is an interesting line in “Wild at Heart” by John Eldridge. He says, “Femininity cannot beget masculinity.”

Just as a woman cannot pass all the secrets of becoming a man onto her son, we cannot pass “sin-less-ness” onto our children. Unfortunately, sometimes we think we can create an upbringing so pure, our children will never make the same mistakes we did. That our babies are perfect, and if we can just raise them right…

It is in arrogance that we think we can create a garden for our little seedlings that is greater than the one in which God placed Adam.

When God made Adam, he made him in His own image Genesis 5:1 “This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;” Adam was made perfect, and placed in the perfect garden of Eden, yet Adam chose to sin. Adam was no longer a perfect being. He was a sinner.

Here is the point: when Adam fathered Seth, Seth was born in Adam’s image, not God’s. Genesis 5:3 “And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, and after his image; and called his name Seth:”

This is because “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” John 3:6

We are each born sinful, having inherited our vain way of life (behavior or conversation) from our fathers. 1 Peter 1:18 The spiritual did not come first, but the natural…1 Corinthians 15:44-46

It has been this way since Seth. We start off with a nature of wrath: a sin nature. Ephesians 2:3 Because through Adam, sin entered the world. Romans 5:12 And then through sin, death entered and passed to all men. We start off: dead.

I chose to homeschool, so I am not against the idea of creating a nurturing environment where kids are protected…and have less opportunity to sin. (Let’s leave the other reasons out for a minute) But there comes a time when the kids need to be given the sense of responsibility to take charge of this area of their life. And really, the sooner the better.

We had a pastor who once said, “If you put a muzzle on a mean dog, you still have a mean dog.”

So their protection, ultimately, doesn’t come from their inability or lack of opportunity to sin. It comes…take a deep breath…from their personal choice.

Shouldn't we all give our kids a safe, sheltered childhood? I want to. I love “the churchyard.” But at some point I need to see beyond.

I won't encourage my kids to put themselves into those tempting situations where they are forced to make irrevocable decisions.

But I need to be realistic. Their redemption does not come from their upbringing. But through (here it is again) their personal choice. Jesus is called the "Last Adam" because judgment and condemnation came through the first Adam, and through his disobedience many were made sinners so then the free gift also comes through one man, Jesus. Romans 5:17-19

Don't think this concept removes your control from their lives. Since there is only nature we can pass on--it is not the external obedience we need to pursue as parents, but the heart. Direct their heart to Christ.

Love and Brotherhood

2010-11-02T07:15:00.000-07:00

Happy Election day. Is there more hope, anticipation and fear entwined with some elections rather than others? Here is local Idaho votes info.

At the end of this post I have included a great sermon from our pastor. I saved this sermon because it is particularly applicable for those emotions. It is also freeing in so many ways, after you have fulfilled your responsibility (voted,) trust God with the rest.

My pastor talks about how Christians won the hearts of the Roman empire. "These people speak of love and brotherhood." Their lives persuaded the whole culture.

Our conscience before God will do more to move the world than any the outcome of any election. And "God will honor obedience."

The Rule of Government and the Rule of Love

Romans 13:1-14

A door on my lips--and keyboard

2010-10-27T08:50:00.000-07:00

Normally I cling to the idea of keeping my mouth closed to prevent offending people. It doesn't always work, but I try. I have a card with "Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalms 141:3" printed on it. Sometimes I carry the card around in my purse, sometimes I slip it into the sun visor of my car.

Since I read this blog post I have been thinking about how important watching words is in writing as much as in speaking. Even in the informal blog, facebook, email venues. It is so quick to type out as I think...or a little faster.

So I pulled up my verse card and found another: "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29"

Remember when mom or grandma would say, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."? But Ephesians 4:29 is so much more.

Could you imagine being around someone who had grace ready with every word?

What grade are you in?

2010-10-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

Last night my we went to a ceremony at my son's school where he was admitted into the National Honor Society.

After saying the pledge and signing a book, his principal came over to say hello. He asked my other kids where they went to school. When they answered "homeschool," he remembered my oldest was also taught at home before he entered highschool.

He promptly assured me "He (the one who just received the honor) is doing fine." As though I would be concerned how my homeschool student would assimilate. I wanted to say that it never occurred to me that he wouldn't...fortunately I just smiled.

He wasn't being rude. In the ten years we've taught at home, I've learned there is a legitimate concern. Because of this, I do poke fun at ourselves once in awhile. I am not going to get into reasons for homeschool versus public or private school, there are benefits and sacrifices intertwined with each option.

When the simple conversational "What grade are you in?" comes: teach your child to know where they would fit according to their age. It is really just a generic way for an adult to converse with a child and ask them how old they are. Just like when we ask "How are you?" and we don't really want to know.

My kids and I joke that the typical homeschool answer is, "In what subject?" The problem with this is that even though your 11 year old does 8th grade math, if you tell everyone he is in 8th grade, they will assume his maturity is at the same level. And it isn't.

Once in awhile a really young kid will show up in my kids' youth groups. A kid who should be in 5th or 6th grade, age-wise, but is ahead in a subject or two. Or maybe the kid just doesn't "get" the immaturity of the other kids their age. So the parents think he'll be more comfortable with older kids. But the older kids notice the difference, and this adds to the homeschool stigma.

It especially reflects badly on homeschoolers if the child is not at 8th grade level in all their subjects. If your student goes fast because they can--great. Teach them to say they are a 6th grader who is ahead, in math.

More than others

2010-10-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

I usually don't know much about celebrities and idols because I try to avert my eyes at the grocery checkout. But a little while ago I came across a quote from a teen star regarding her current love. She said they were "deeper than normal people." I guess her experience of being in love somehow touched a place Romeo and Juliet never felt...

I think I am old enough to laugh when a kid says something like that. It reminded me of a scene in "Look Who's Talking." Kristi Alley is just about to give birth and she asks the nurse for a pain killer because she thinks she may be in "more pain than women normally feel." (I would have posted a video of it here but there is a cuss word in that scene and my kids read my blog.)

This leads into the reason I write women's fiction. When I was newly married, I read every time I nursed. Novel after novel, until one day I realized: I was already married so, naturally, my quota for romance was filled!

I decided I wanted a book that explored some of the other loves a woman feels in her life, specifically--the mother child bond. Go figure. Maybe I thought my emotions toward my child were unique.

That was before I had ever heard about women's fiction: A story which stands without the boy meets girl, boy looses girl, then they finally have that conversation which clears up the misunderstanding and get married plot.

To me, romance in a book is the frosting. I like cake with a little frosting. Some just eat frosting. I knew a gal who had the perfect description, she called all fiction "brain candy."

What elements in a book make it most relaxing/enjoyable for you? Romance, allegory, action, surreal landscape?

ACFW Novel Track

2010-10-25T08:41:00.000-07:00

I am participating in American Christian Fiction Writer's (ACFW) Novel Track this month. Novel Track is ACFW's version of the National Novel Writing Month NaNoWrMo.

I did great the first six days, nearly half my goal. I guess I got complacent after that because I let company, a birthday and a computer on the fritz prevent me from anything more than a negligible word count.

Or maybe, I just wanted the deadline pressure for the last six days of the month.

Writer's Conference Double

2010-10-22T08:33:00.000-07:00

There are two different writer's conferences going on this weekend in Boise. The Idaho Book Extravaganza is Friday and Saturday and the Booktoberfest is Saturday only.

Idaho Book Extravaganza
http://idahobookextravaganza.com/
The Future of Writing and Publishing
Friday October 22 3:30-7:30PM
Saturday October 23 10:00AM-6:00PM
Silverstone Plaza – 3405 E. Overland Road
Meridian, ID, 83642

Booktoberfest
Host: Borderline Publishing
Phone: 475-495-0208
When: Saturday, October 23 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Where: University of Phoenix, Meridian 1422 South Tech Lane Meridian, ID 83642

If you go to the Booktoberfest, stop by the Idahope table and say hello to Adam Gramm. He is the current president for Idahope.

Both events are free.

Judge and let judge?

2010-10-21T09:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my daughter and I were discussing freedom in Christ which causes your brother to stumble. A verse I often cling to is Colossians 2:16, "Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day."

I don't use this verse to justify my beliefs --but as a reminder of a time when I offended. I felt motivated for a short term fast, and in my zeal told someone. He was a good, godly man but he got this look on his face: stress.

We lived in a resort town full time back then, and shortly after, a family stayed in our neighbor's house for a vacation. Immediately we became friends and I started to explain my reasoning and decision to homeschool. The mom politely said "The problem with homeschoolers is they think everyone should do it." I guess we are like vegetarians in that way.

It's hard when you feel convicted of something: to not declare it. The early church was guilty of this and Peter asked them "why put a yoke on the Gentiles that neither they, nor their fathers could bear?" Acts15 So they decide to give a shorter list than the whole law, the gentiles needed to merely: abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.

Since I didn't grow up around sacrificing and pagan temples, it is hard for me to grasp "food sacrificed to idols." This is where the conversation turned with my daughter.

She told me about a youth pastor's conviction (and struggle) to give up music by a band that we listen to. Music means little to me, so that would not be an area of my life that I contended with God.

But if next time we gave that youth pastor a ride, I knowingly put that band on the stereo, wouldn't I be in violation of exercising my freedom in such a way that it causes a stumbling block? 1 Corinthians 8:9

Just when I feel comfortable with the concept, I read the whole chapter of 1 Corinthians 8. It tells me knowledge puffs up. So I want to emphasize, that while I believe there is an ablsolute truth concerning the NIV version of the Bible, email on Sunday, drinking wine, dancing at weddings and homeschool, I don't necessarily have it in completeness.

Besides balance, we need grace for others who are not where we are in our walk. And hopefully it will be extended back.

Who are the "other" sheep

2010-10-19T07:05:00.000-07:00

God often uses the analogy of a shepherd and sheep in the Bible. Followers of Him are called 'sheep.' To an outsider this sounds insulting, but whenever I need a little comfort, it is a wonderful image to picture an all powerful God standing near, ready to slay lions and wolves.

The first time I saw this bumper sticker, I thought, Yep. We are all pawns in this game. Some sheep just don't have a Shepard.

David says in Psalms 23 the Lord is my shepherd. In the New Testament, Jesus says he is the Good Shepherd because he lays down his life for his sheep. (John 10:11)

Jesus prophesies in John 10:16, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring,” He promised “they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” Only one flock gathered together with his chosen people Israel, under one Good Shepherd, Christ.

This is the reason for this post. A passionate LDS woman once told me, with tears in her eyes, that this prophecy in John 10:16 was about the Mormon people and it proved the whole religion.

So what is this about two flocks? I did a little research:

Because of Israel’s idolatry, God said “They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.” Deuteronomy 32:21

So, “they will not be a people,” and “they will be a foolish nation.” A foolish nation, or a nation with no understanding.

Hang on to that for a second. God first came to the Jews, through Abraham. Similarly, In Matthew 10:5-6, Christ first sent out his disciples to first preach to the lost sheep of Israel. The gospel went to the Jews first.

The Jews had relied on the fact that they were God’s chosen people and missed the point that God wanted a relationship with them. John the Baptist speaks of this when he said in Matthew 3:9 “And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham as our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.” This is a warning. I laugh thinking, God could give his promise to rocks if he wanted.

Jesus said to the Jews in Matthew 21:43 "Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.”

Paul also speaks in Romans 10:19 about God’s words “I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding." It made a way for non-Jews (Gentiles) to know God even though they had no understanding of the law, there were foolish. Even more than know God, Gentiles were then able to enter into a relationship with God.

Romans 1:12-16 tells us that because the Jews stumbled* it resulted in riches for the Gentiles. We receive those riches through the Good News of Christ. It is the power of God producing salvation – first for the Jew and then for the rest of us.

If we accept the good news (gospel) of Christ then--we who were formerly far off from God can be brought near by the blood of Christ. When we were excluded from the promise, foreigners, Christ destroyed the dividing wall. Ephesians 2:11-15

This mystery is that through the gospel “the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel” Ephesians 3:6

Our ability to become children of Abraham through adoption in NO WAY detracts from the original covenant between God and his chosen people Israel. They are still the chosen people. Because even a contract between men is not changed after the agreement, even more so, will God not go back on his word or change his promise. Galatians 3:15-17 and Romans 11:11

The other sheep then, are simply Gentiles who accept Christ. We had no understanding of the law (because it was originally given to the Jews) and we were not a people. Gentiles are not a nation. Gentiles are in every nation. Yet once we believe in Christ we are gathered into one body regardless of our nationality. 1 Peter 2:4-10. Verse10 “Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”

And as Jesus promised, he gathered the two groups into one. Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”

*1 Corinthians 1:23

Same Kind of Different as Me

2010-10-17T21:48:00.000-07:00

Recently I finished "Same Kind of Different As Me" by By Ron Hall and Denver Moore. I enjoy memoirs, but especially when they read like fiction.

The story is about the lives of a homeless man and a wealthy art dealer, colliding for God's purpose. I chose this book simply because I was curious about the homeless. I didn't choose this book so I could loose myself from worldly trappings...or feel such conviction that I wanted to sell all my possessions. Fortunately, that isn't the book's motive.

The most enjoyable thing was the sincerity of their story. Ron Hall's approach was not pretentious or stereotypical. He expressed things that someone might really feel, but be reluctant to admit. For instance, he was wondered about disease at the homeless shelter. Denver Moore was equally transparent about his impressions and experiences.

That kind of honesty made me vulnerable to seeing both sides of homelessness. And that did challenge some of my assumptions. Mostly, that not everyone is where they are because of choices they made.

I received Same Kind of Different as Me for free from Booksneeze.com but I am not obligated to approve of or promote this book.

Faith

2010-05-09T05:40:00.000-07:00

It takes faith to be a writer.

While unpublished you put countless hours into a manuscript without any guarantees.

You have faith that God will give you the knowledge to become a skilled writer.

You have faith that God will stop you or redirect you in writing if you are not to become a novelist.

And right now I have faith that I will either find the missing first two chapters of my new book or I will write them better the second time...

Creative Writing Class-book review tips

2010-04-12T10:11:00.000-07:00

For the junior high and high school Creative Writing Class students who are writing reviews:

If you are writing a review for BookSneeze, here are their guidelines for fiction and non fiction. Often, I start working on a sentence in my head that becomes the focal point or theme of my review. Is there an overall feeling or impression that you got from either the topic of the book or the writing style?

Did you feel it was relevant to modern day, interesting, exciting, or encouraging? Basically, what would YOU want to know about this book before you bought it? (But don't give away endings.)

Here is a list of reviews from other reviewers. However, don't read a review for the book you are going to write about until after you write yours. Or your review might become tainted to the other person's opinions.

The best was to start is to jump in! Type the title...

You will be surprised how easy it is to type 50-200 words. This post itself is 287 words. Here is an easy way to check the word count in Word.

When you write your first draft, let the words come out badly, poor grammar/sentence structure - just let the ideas flow. Then take a deep breath and move sentences around and rewrite them so they express your opinion concisely. Don't forget a simple paragraph structure should have a main idea expressed first and several supporting sentences.

There are new FTC guidelines for writing reviews. Basically, you need to let your blog readers know that you received a free book but you were not required to write a "good" review. This is to express that you are not writing a false review for payment.

What's in a Word

2010-04-01T15:29:00.000-07:00

Everyday we use colloquialisms. Sometimes the elements of the phrase are obvious, sometimes we only assume they are obvious.

For example, I always thought mad as a hatter came from "Alice in Wonderland," but it actually had to do with the fact that hatters used Mercuric nitrate to make felt.

I learned this from the most delightful book, "What's in a Word" which I received from Book Sneeze,* Thomas Nelson Publishers.

With this book, you don't have to become an etymologist to learn the quirky details of word and phrase origins. You don't even need to be interested in word origins and history to be amused by this book. Each word or phrase has a quick paragraph summarizing the original language and if possible, a bit of history about the word. It was easy to read and easy to go back and find specific words when I wanted to share a specific detail.

It is a perfect book to keep with you and read whenever you need to kill a few minutes (or more.) Although I read it cover to cover, it is separated into chapters such as Fine Arts and Religion, Household, Growing Things, etc.

Even chapters which covered subjects that don't interest me had intriguing stories. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

*I am not required to write a positive review for my free book.

Sleep like a baby

2010-03-19T08:22:00.000-07:00

My daughter asked me why when you say "I slept like a baby," it means deep, peaceful and without a care.

Shouldn't it mean "I woke up every two hours, crying, starving and wet"?

Smile in public

2010-03-02T06:50:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I walked through the grocery store stealing unattended shopping lists.

Not really, but the thought of doing it gave me such a smile that shoppers everywhere started moving out of my way.

Of course I found that silly. And smiled even more.

I got out of there in no time!

Heart and Motivation

2010-02-24T09:26:00.000-08:00

For months I keep coming back to a passage in the Old Testament where God strikes Uzzah dead because he tried to prevent the Ark of the Covenant from falling to the ground. I have begun to challenge all of the things in my life: impending adoption, possible ministries, writing... to see if they are from God.

We used to watch this British tv show called Primeval. After awhile I got tired of it because I often found myself identifying with the "bad guy." You had one group who did the wrong thing for the right reason and the other group doing the right thing for the wrong reason. I hated both.

My current challenge goes beyond motivation. It may be the right thing: preventing the ark of the Living God from falling. For the right motivation: to honor Him. And yet still be wrong. (I don't really know Uzzah's motivation.) So I have been trying to ask myself: Is this still the right thing-

at this time
in this way
for these reasons
...for me?

I don't think it is so complicated that we have to labor over being struck dead while we are trying to please God! I have to believe Uzzah knew the law.

But pursuing my desire to do the right thing, regardless? I pray I never charge down that path. Many will stand before God and say 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' Doing the right, in Jesus' name is not enough.

You could complain that isn't fair. These people claim the name of Jesus. Maybe they even put his name on their buildings and t-shirts.

C.S. Lewis writes in Mere Christianity that God didn't ask our opinion when he created sex. And in fact, the first time a child hears about it they think it rather odd. (I would add gross.) "Now the God who arranged that process (he is talking about the process of inheriting our old life through sex) is the same God who arranges how the new kind of life -- the Christ life -- is to be spread." He says that too, you will think rather odd.

At least those untrained to Christian rhetoric will. We eat flesh and drink blood. We are re-birthed in Spirit. We get dunked in lakes to die and rinse away the old...

But when you reduce it to the basest element, it is weird but not uncomplicated. It is our heart He is after. He does not delight in our sacrifices. Psalms 51:16-17. A philanthropist can have the actions without the heart. A true Christian cannot have the heart without the actions.

Meanwhile, I trust God will stay my hand as I trudge along reaching for the nearly tipping arks.

Trials and Outcomes

2010-02-16T12:30:00.000-08:00

I often wish and pray to know the reason for trials in my life. I feel like if I knew what characteristic I was to learn or the benefit I would achieve, then I would get through easier.

Imagine as a parent, trying to tell your child about the benefits of a sibling:

You will have someone to play with, of course I will be objective about arguments instead of taking your side as I do with your friends.

No one will be a friend like the new baby, of course that will be because I never want to drive you over to friends' houses because the little sibling will be jealous or lonely.

The dining room table wont feel so empty, which is a good thing since we won't be able to eat out as often.

You'll have someone to share with, I mean someone that you will have to share with...

I guess it is a good thing you don't walk into financial trouble with the knowledge that you need to be more compassionate about others' needs. Or suffer loss with the thrill that you will become empathetic.

Maybe God keeps us on a "need to know" basis in his mercy.

The Long Road Home by Andrew Klavan

2010-02-14T20:16:00.000-08:00

The Long Road Home is book two in The Homelanders Series. You hold your breath from the first sentence and the rest of this young adult novel does not disappoint.
The Long Road Home is a little like the thrill of emerging from the teen years into adulthood. And like an actual near-adult, the hero, Charlie, wrestles with his identity in a world that believes the worst about him.
Charlie can’t remember the previous year and he doesn’t know who to trust. He runs for his life, chased by the question “who are the bad guys?” Nowhere to turn, he is forced to find refuge in a place that once brought terror.
Both young adult girls and boys would enjoy this fun and fast-paced series.

Faith in the Bible

2010-02-13T21:57:00.000-08:00

A funeral is an unhappy reason to see an old friend. I didn’t attend the service, but watched her son while she supported her family in a farewell to a baby.

My friend is a Christian, and the family is Mormon. She came over after the service with her sister-in-law to pick up her son. The situation is tragic beyond the fact that was a baby. The baby is with the Lord, we know. They drank tea and we discussed the hope of heaven and redemption, for our own comfort mostly.

The sister-in-law expressed her anticipation that there would be mercy on the other side of this life.*

She felt that only those who intentionally follow Satan will be lost in eternity. She needed to believe that. She hoped beyond hope that there would be heaven awaiting all others.

How sad to live life with an unfounded hope.

Is faith something more? Faith is being sure of what we hope for…Hebrews 11:1

Serenity, one of favorite movies, has a death scene where the preacher grabs the hero and tells him it doesn’t matter what he believes in, so long as he believes. It is the only scene which causes inappropriate emotion. I laugh every time.

Even an atheist has faith, faith that there is no God. So is faith in itself enough?

…sure of what we hope for, certain of what we do not see. How can anyone be certain?

Would God expect us to pick blindly from the many options in this life? How could he be a good God if he let us bumble around choosing from the ever changing, blurry shades of doctrine?

I praise God for the Bible! That we know we can draw near with confidence (Heb 4:16) and we can know that we have eternal life (1 John 5:11-13.) Of this I am certain.

*The standard LDS belief is that there is no redemption for murders. D&C 42:18 At the risk of reiterating my point, not all LDS believe this.

Scam-Scam-Scam

2010-01-22T10:47:00.000-08:00

Oh how I wish Gore had declared it global bad weather! That way, as God giggled at the hype, we would be sitting on our patio every night for dinner this winter.

Email Forwarding

2010-01-20T10:57:00.000-08:00

Dear Friend,
I belong to a non-forwarding e-mail cult. Please forward this to everyone you think might be interested in joining.
Sincerely,
Hilarey

If you forward this to 100 people in 1 hour, from within the time you first open it, you will lose 95 friends.

If you forward this to 25 people in 25 minutes, from within the time you first open it, you will lose 19 friends but you will gain 43 new anonymous e-mail addresses within 2 weeks.

Warning!! If you do nothing except delete this e-mail you will probably stop finding so much junk in your e-mail box.

Religion

2010-01-15T08:13:00.001-08:00

I have a fond memory of a fig tree in my back yard as a child. It had massive branches and wide leaves. I loved to climb it any summer day which was not yet hot enough to force my mom outside as a swimming supervisor.

The tree had several branches my sister and I could sit on or walk across. Ample room for both of us, though I am sure we still occasionally fought over a favorite spot.

We didn't need a tree house. Its shape lent enough to our imagination.

The only problem with the tree was the leaves were incredibly itchy. I avoided touching them whenever possible. Every time I read about Adam and Even sewing together fig leaves, I remember how bare arms felt rubbing against those leaves.

What a perfect picture of the first religion. Instead of running to God and being reunited, Adam and Eve tried to cover themselves.

And like all religions -- it was insufficient, and a little itchy.

Boys, Birthdays and Brothers

2009-12-21T10:43:00.000-08:00

My youngest is 11 today. I sent him outside to enjoy Christmas break. On his way I called out for him to wear socks, zip his coat...and asked him if he needed a hat.

He huffed and told me an 11 year old boy could figure out how to ride a scooter by himself.

My older son chimed in, "Our three year old neighbor can ride better than you. You fell off last time."

Then he looked at me and said, "Of course, I pushed him off."

I grew up in a house of girls and these kinds of things just weren't funny.