Finding Heaven

when the garden is overrun

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

When the garden is overrun, even if it is full with a beautiful bounty, too much of a good thing can still be, well, too much.

I realized the other day that having so many things I could do -- all good things -- gives me such the adrenaline rush. Sometimes it's hard to kick the habit, to leave the high, to slow down the race, to sit awhile.

But on Thursday, the day I take my sabbath while the kids are at school, I could feel beyond that addictive draw, the pulse that beat in my heart was rest.

rest.
rest.
rest.

And as I sunk into my chair, I buried my head in my book and when my thoughts threatened to deviate from the storyline, I remembered His words to me:

You have permission not to think.

And so, I buried my head again and again.

I buried my head and tried to let my heart beat with the heart of God, when He rested that seventh day.

And finally I could read no longer and I took at the pencil set, gifted to my by my sweet husband for Christmas. I tore off the plastic wrap and opened...

And the world of art laid out before me, a new playground each time on which to dance, a play with Jesus as He helps me overcome that which got to be to much.

And through the curves, He whispers.

I AM your hiding place.

same picture, but I love how the light plays on the girl

*original 9x12 on Bristol paper available for purchase.

Linking with Emily at Imperfect Prose.

voting TIME & Soli Deo Gloria Party

2012-01-30T19:30:00.000-06:00

It's time to pull up your chair. Do you know you have one here in this space we call Soli Deo Gloria? You do. It's reserved every week only for you. This place would be different if you weren't here and we miss you when you are gone. This is a place filled with women who seek to honor your words, you heart, your tears, and your laughter. Scooch in close. You won't want to miss a word.

To read more about the Soli Deo Gloria community, please click here.

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photo source

No, I'm not going to ask you to vote for the next Republican candidate. Actually, much more fun and exciting matters await you...

It's time to vote for the Soli Deo Gloria tagline.

It was actually very difficult to narrow down the field, so I had my husband do it. Really. He also took his red pen to his favorite, so I'm posting the original and edited versions. So instead of just 3, you actually have 5 choices. Sorry, folks.

Choice 1

Soli Deo Gloria :: Separate cities, connected by the same Savior

Choice 2

a) Soli Deo Gloria :: The glory of His Story in our story (unedited)

b) Soli Deo Gloria :: The glory of His Word in our story (edited)

Choice 3

Virtual friends, real sisters. Soli Deo Gloria

Choice 4 (because I just can't help myself!)

Life works better with a sister by my side. Sharing life with the Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood.

So glad you have the hard work to do and not me (clearly I already had the hard task of going through all the fabulous entries -- thank you to everyone who participated)! Leave your vote in the comments, please. I hope to have the shirts designed by our next SDG meeting!

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On another note, I'm moving my bible study class vlogs to Thursdays since that is when I've been exploring my thoughts about cultivation, my word for 2012. Please join me if you can! This week, we will look at the first chapter of Habakkuk if you want to read ahead to get a grasp of what we will be discussing.

AND HUGE ANSWER TO PRAYER!! I asked my Monday morning Bible study to pray for the last $217 to come in so that I can pay off the deposit before my credit card bill is due. No sooner did I finish the request, but one of my sweet ladies pulled out her checkbook and wrote out a check for exactly $217. I am thankful and humbled and astounded!!

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Soli Deo Gloria is all about sharing our hearts. Since I've taken up your time with the above business, I'm just going to summarize here:

It's easy to write about your kids when things are peachy, but a bit harder when there is a problem that still needs to be resolved. Around our house, we are really working on being honest and obedient. I'm excited on one end -- we have a behavior plan in place, a tangible goal to work forward, and I'm am armed with prayer. I've highlighted some great scriptures in Beth Moore's Praying God's Word and I've printed out some prayers that specifically help parents pray for the development of different character attributes for their kids. On the other end, it just kills me that it's an issue. Not so much the obedience, but the dishonesty. Question for you parents out there -- did your kids go through a dishonesty phase? Any illuminations for me?

Every week, I look forward to seeing your sweet faces. Since my class is in full swing, I don't always get around to each one of you, but I want you to know that your participation is so valuable to me. Even more important than that, though, your participation is important to the entire body of the Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood.

SDG Community Builder: 1) Vote! 2) Before leaving a comment on another sister's page, pray for words from the Holy Spirit to flow from your heart to your fingertips as you leave a comment.

Bob Dylan & The Lord's Prayer

2012-01-29T14:51:00.000-06:00

Who knew that Bob Dylan would ever come up in church, much less a sermon?

Not me. (Although, interest piqued, I just read that Dylan became a born-again Christian in 1979.)

And yet his song, Gotta Serve Somebody, gave perfect illumination to the gospel lesson today from Mark 1: 21-28.

In these verses, the people in Capernaum are astounded at the authority Jesus has over the unclean spirits who had recognized Him as He taught in the synagogue.

Jesus "engages the forces of evil in a decisive battle," declares Fr. Parker in his sermon today.

I don't often picture Jesus in this form. I know that He has authority. I know that He commanded crowds of people. I know that He spoke out against evil and all temptations, but sometimes I get so enamored with the overwhelming love and grace that He extends to me that I miss this part of why He came into the world in the first place.

photo source

Father Parker begins to recite the Lord's Prayer as illustration:

"Our Father, whose name is holy...
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done...
on earth as it is in heaven."

Jesus came to establish God's Kingdom on this earth, this earth that we know is a fallen world. The enemy has sunk his nasty claws into the dirt of our existence and fights daily for our attention, for our allegiance, for our life.

You gotta serve somebody.

Jesus came to earth and walks with us today not to just remind us how to be, how to act, what good things there are for us to do.

He came and He walks so to equip us for this same battle so that when the forces of evil threaten to snare us, to bury us, to drown us in the sea of temptation and evil, we will prevail in His name. There is a war going on every day. Every day we as a people battle addiction -- addiction to alcohol, drugs, shopping, busyness, pornography, money, power. Seems like if you name it, we can make it a god. Could we not, instead, become addicted to the only thing that will never betray us? Could we become addicted to Jesus? When He says, "Follow Me," can we drop our nets, dock our boats? Can we respond with the entirety, the very entirety of our beings, "Yes?"

Yes.

His Kingdom on this earth.
His Will, not ours.

You’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You’re gonna have to serve somebody
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody

Bob Dylan

Linking with these lovelies: Michelle @ Graceful, Shanda @ Pause on the Path, Laura @ The Wellspring

Cultivate: knowing when to turn over the tools

2012-01-26T07:00:00.000-06:00

photo source via Pinterest

I realized this afternoon (writing here on Wednesday) that I don't have a good shut-off valve. God gives me a task, a job, a mission, and I push forth with everything I have to do what I believe He has called me to do. I get so focused on the task that I don't realize that my energy is depleting at a rapid rate and if energy was blood, I'd be due for a transfusion any minute now.

I go out and meet God in my garden. He stands there with His hand outstretched. I hide the spade in my hand, promising that I can enjoy the space without toiling, really I can. But why don't you let me keep the spade just in case a little weed pops up and I need to take care of it real quick, I say.

He doesn't say anything. But He looks into my eyes and He shakes His head. Finally, His words break the silence and I hear the whisper:

This is my garden. And I need my tool. It's my turn.

Like a little girl, I shyly pull the spade from behind my back and place it in His hand. I look around and the work that has been done, the seeds that have been planted, and there is simply nothing more that I can do in this moment.

Trust me, He says. Believe the words I have given you.

photo source via Pinterest

And I think back...

Psalm 27:3

Joshua 1:9

I don't want to get point where I have built fences around my garden, shutting out the one who gave me this space to begin with.

So I put down the tools, surrendering to the Ultimate Caretaker.

I find a bench not far. I curl up with a good book. And I read.

when you feel mismatched

2012-01-25T07:00:00.000-06:00

photo source via Pinterest

sometimes i feel...mismatched

like

my frame is too small to carry this burden
my heart too fragile to feel this pain
my mind too incapable of navigating this obstacle
my fear too strong for this mission
my endurance too short to finish the race

sometimes the feat just seems bigger than i could ever be

and so i seem to shrink even further
i blow farther with the smallest of breezes
i lose my footing so easily because somewhere
i've started to trod on shifting sand

and i beseech Him,
like a small child worming her way out of something her mom asks her to do,
"do i hafta?"
it's not a stubborn unwillingness
(or...is it?)
it's a genuine fear of messing up, of asking too much,
of biting off more than i can possibly chew

and i ask and He graciously responds,
Psalm 27, verse 3
and i plod my way past the old testament and i read these words:

"Though a mighty army surrounds me,

my heart will not be afraid.

Even if I am attacked,

I will remain confident."

how many people in His Word have felt so, so little.

mismatched.

it seems that's how God likes it best

because He wants us to keep walking on the firm foundation

that is HIM.

if the task was achievable on my own merits,

wouldn't i be so ever ready to toot my own horn?

but He knows my heart:

soli deo gloria

for God's glory alone.

photo source via Pinterest

and besides all that, have you ever been astounded by things put together

that would not ordinarily be paired

but when they are,

oh.

the beauty, the astounding beauty that results.

photo source via Pinterest

Linking with Emily at Imperfect Prose and Jennifer at Getting Down with Jesus.

you want to enter THIS contest & the Soli Deo Gloria Party

2012-01-23T19:30:00.000-06:00

To read more about the Soli Deo Gloria community, please click here.

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photo source -- well, pay comes in the form of the free t-shirt...

I was thinking about making t-shirts for our little Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood as a fundraiser for our retreat. What better way to know you are covered by your sisters than by well, being covered by your sisters (or at least a t-shirt that says sisterhood). I pulled up a design your own t-shirt site and um, sat there. No inspiration. Nada. Suddenly it was time for family movie time in which my husband had ordered Pee Wee Herman's Big Adventure from Netflix (while watching I think I actually LOST brain cells, and thus, at this point had absolutely no hope for further inspiration.) But then I thought, why not have the sisterhood come up with a cool tag line for our group here? Just a thought -- the tagline should address the sisterhood and not the retreat, as not everyone is able to come to the retreat, but every woman IS able to be a part of our group.

And so, an idea was born -- you are in charge! Come up with a tagline and leave it in the comments. I'll select the 3 that I like best and we shall vote on the one we all like next week. The winner of tagline contest will receive a FREE t-shirt!

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Another idea I had (obviously borne before PeeWee's Big Adventure) was that I would take what I'm teaching in my class at my church and share it here in the form of a vlog. If you'd like to join in with our class content virtually, just hit the play button (and I promise I will get better at this vlogging thing!):

If you can't view the video from here, you can view it on YouTube by clicking here (email subscribers, you can either come to my blog or just click the YouTube link).

SDG Community Builder: 1) Join in the tagline fun contest! 2) Pray as you look over the faces of those women who have joined today. Which face pulls on your heart? Take that as the Lord's prompting and go visit, leaving some encouraging words before you leave.

Looking for how to donate to the SDG Retreat?? Want to help a sister who wants to come but needs a little financial help? Click here and scroll down to the bottom of the page. Only $218 until the deposit is paid off!!

Mercy.

2012-01-22T15:35:00.000-06:00

photo source via Pinterest

I haven't heard much talk about Jonah. He only takes up 48 verses in the entire Bible. I have to say, though, the times that I have read it, God always seems to pack a punch within the few words contained within its pages.

At first glance, it seems the main lesson is this:

Do what God tells you to do the first time, lest you want to get eaten by a big fish.

While I think this is an important lesson, I think the bigger reason why Jonah's story is included in the Bible is because it is a story of mercy.

Sure, God shows Jonah mercy by giving him another chance to fulfill his calling, but God also teaches Jonah the importance of being merciful. Sometimes we are quick to receive mercy, but hesitant to give it away.

The whole reason that Jonah didn't want to go to Nineveh is because he knew what would happen if he went there, opened his mouth, and let God's words tumble out. He knew that Nineveh would repent and that God would then spare them. He cries out to God,

"Didn't I say before I left home that you would do this, LORD? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and rich with unfailing love! You are eager to turn back from destroying people!" Jonah 4:2

It all sounds kind of silly to my ears at first. Who would blame God for being compassionate and merciful? Would not we sink into this truth instead, filled with gratitude that we serve a God that will not turn away from our desperate repentance?

But then, Fr. Mike goes on, comparing Jonah to the elder brother in the story of the prodigal son. It is at this reference that I understand the heart of Jonah in that moment. It's a heart of pride. It's a heart that says:

I'm better than them.
My works are more meaningful.
It's not fair that he..., when I have...

It's a heart that cultivates a false image of myself for a myriad of reasons -- self-protection, self-elevation, self-image. The key word is self -- when I neglect to extend mercy, I choose myself. When Jonah wanted an entire city of 120,000 people to perish so that he could feel good about his own life, his own culture, his own people, he chose himself.

I wonder if Jonah got the message. I wonder if it pierced his heart so much that he couldn't help but allow God to free him from the worldview that so consumed his life?

I want to be pierced. I don't want to go through life living for myself. I don't want to bind myself in chains of comparisons and judgement. When God says go, I want to go freely, ready to embrace the amazing qualities of God that daily transform my soul. Plus, I don't really want to spend three days in the belly of a fish, or some sort of equivalent.

What about you? Have you had times when it was hard to be merciful?

Linking up with Michelle at Graceful.

And don't forget: Soli Deo Sisterhood link opens Monday night at 7:30pm CST.

And did you know? We are planning a retreat!

Cultivate: Remember Your Progress

2012-01-19T07:00:00.000-06:00

photo source via Pinterest

With cultivation, I envision slowness. In many ways, then, cultivation is the antithesis of the rhythm of my day. What I realize now, though, is this: If I take in things that are happening around me and to me with a pace that is frantic, hurried, and fast, I am unable to recall the lessons that God has taught me previously. However, if I take in these events or words or relationships and mix them into the soil of my life, I can more readily either see how they fit in. When I digest events instead of attack them, more than likely, clarity ensues.

Example:

In the past, I have always freaked out about money. If an expense popped up that I didn't expect, even if we had money in savings to cover it, I would chose to deal with the situation often with worry, anxiety, fear, and a fair about of tears. Even if we could pay for something, I viewed the expense as something that took away my security (i.e. my savings account) and that left me vulnerable (i.e. What if something else happens and we've spent all our money here and then don't have money for this?). When the new expense popped up, I immediately reacted, which meant that all the times that God had provided meant nothing to me at the moment. I couldn't assimilate this new happening with those of the past because I was too busy trying to figure things out with an anxious and restless heart.

Today when the heater repairman came to diagnose my unusually loud A/C unit and then, about 15 minutes later told me that the motor was out and it would cost approximately $1100 to fix, I went through this process:

1. Okay, we have the money in savings to cover this.
2. It doesn't leave us with a lot, but God is faithful. He will provide if we need money for something else.
3. Oh my goodness! Maybe I need to go back to working part-time so these things don't require us to take so much money out of savings!

photo source via Pinterest

4. Wait, God did not say anything about going back to work. He has called me to do what I am doing, even if it's not making any money right now. God is faithful. He will provide. He is my security.
5. Breathe and continue folding laundry.
6. God will provide. God will provide. God will provide.
7. When the repairman says, "Oh, I forgot to add on the $69 diagnostic fee," repeat step 6, coupled with the phrase, "Do not hit the repairman."

It wasn't a perfect process, but I didn't call my husband crying. I didn't start looking up part-time jobs on the internet. My stomach didn't tie itself into knots. And on the whole, it's a heater and we need heat, so I'm just going to be thankful that we have the money and pay the man. With joy! (that last part, I'm totally being sarcastic -- I'm still a work in progress)

I just wonder how many times I have gone through the same thing over and over again simply because I chose to ignore the lessons God had taught me previously and instead react with worry, anxiety, and fear. This little (expensive) event has given me new insight on how I can react to new events with the spirit of cultivation instead of a frantic panic.

What about you? Is there some trigger that normally sends you over the deep end? How would a spirit of cultivation help keep you sane and grounded on His foundation?

Identity and iPhones

2012-01-18T12:00:00.000-06:00

photo source via Pinterest

No matter what it's doing, my iPhone always remembers its identity.

If it is sending an email, it still rings.

If it is processing my latest Words with Friends move, it still rings.

If it is playing Adele on my docking stereo, it still rings.

It still rings while browsing the internet, sending a text, or loading Facebook.

My phone does not get sidetracked by it's bells and whistles. It always remembers that it is a phone first and foremost. When someone calls, it lets me know, and casually offers me the choice to accept or decline.

Do I always remember that my identity is simply this:

I am a CHILD OF GOD.

My bells and whistles? Well, there is an assortment, I tell you.

How often do I get wrapped up in the fact that I:

photo source via Pinterest

mother

teach

write

speak

draw

create

decorate

clean

organize

cook

wife

friend

run

volunteer

read

consume

give?

How often do I wrap myself so tight that when He calls, I do not answer? I do not ring. I do not accept. How often do I decline?

I want to remember my identity as well as my iPhone. HIS FIRST.

all else, secondary.

a simple bell

or a simple whistle.

When He calls, I will answer

now.

Linking with Emily at Imperfect Prose...

20 Seconds of Courage & Soli Deo Gloria Party

2012-01-16T19:30:00.000-06:00

To read more about the Soli Deo Gloria community, please click here.

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Clearly, I am still processing life through the lens of the movie, We Bought a Zoo. One of the key life lessons that the main character, Benjamin Mees, learns from his brother is that he can do anything -- all he needs is 20 seconds of courage.

How many times have I felt the Lord nudge me to do something, but instead of gathering my courage and just doing it, I rationalize, I over think, and then I talk myself out of the whole thing? But what if I heard the call and realized that all I needed is 20 seconds worth of courage? When I think about delving into a new adventure (mundane or not), the hardest part is just getting started. Can you relate?

via Pinterest

Last Sunday, I knew that God wanted me to ask my priest if he would consider donating money toward the Soli Deo Gloria retreat to help defray the cost for those wanting to attend. I saw him across the parish hall, finishing up a conversation with two other men. Could I ask him for money in person or should I hide behind an email? My stomach was filled with butterflies (oh, how I hate asking people for things!), but I knew that I needed to start the conversation and now was the time. All it took was about 20 seconds to walk over him and start opening my mouth. And do you know, after that conversation and one more follow up conversation on Wednesday, he told me he was sending me a check for $500 out of his discretionary fund?

20 seconds of courage in this case ended up being worth $500 -- and so much more. Not only am I closer the goal of raising $3000, but I also have more confidence, further confirmation that this is a worthwhile pursuit, and even more courage to go on asking.

So, what about you? Is there a task or adventure or conversation where if you thought, "All I need is 20 seconds of courage..." and I could do this? Tell us about it in the comments!

SDG Community Builder: 1) As you visit, is there a way that you could inspire courage and confidence as you leave your comment for the author? 2) (summoning up my 20 seconds of courage) If you feel led, would you consider making a donation (no matter how small or large) to the SDG retreat? If so, you can donate by using the ChipIn widget that is now housed here? (thank you Nancy!). Funds are securely processed by PayPal. 3) Grace for me this week? I might not get around as much as I'd like. My first class of the semester that I am teaching at my church starts next Monday and on Tuesday I really need to prepare. Thank you, sweet ladies!

Adventure awaits?

2012-01-15T14:00:00.000-06:00

photo source via Pinterest

I love how God can work through any medium. I also love how He brings things full-circle. Things that I've pondered in my heart, but didn't really know what to do with, He brings back up and shows me more. He shows me why He planted them there. Or, perhaps He doesn't explain, but He gives me another illustration, and that which has laid dormant is now alive again.

And all this writing is pouring forth because we went to see We Bought a Zoo. Yep, never thought God would speak through this one.

During Christmas I read something or I heard something that focused on how Mary went to the inn and the door to that space was closed. And yet, it didn't mean that Mary wasn't supposed to have the baby. She didn't look at the closed venue, throw her hands up to God, and say, "Clearly, You are telling me I'm not supposed to have this baby." The closed door didn't equal don't' give up.

In We Bought a Zoo, (SPOILER ALERT), it's opening day for the zoo and there is no one lined up at the gate. The son screams, "Something has to be wrong!" He takes off running and they discover that a tree had fallen into the road, prohibiting people from passing through. As far as the eye can see, cars and people are lined up, ready and willing to venture into this new space in the community. The Mees and the zookeepers can't move the trees, so instead, they help people through the trees so they can get to the zoo.

Benjamin Mees could have looked at the fallen trees as a closed door, a sure sign that this zoo wasn't meant to be. He could have said, "Sorry folks, we can't open the doors because there is a tree blocking your cars."

He could have missed the best grand opening of his life.

Mary could have complained about her surroundings and missed the bundled joy.

Sometimes I get so focused on things going right that the slightest veer from my intended path starts me questioning if I should have gotten on the road to begin with.

I dare to say that I don't think this is how God wants us to live. I'm actually kinda starting to think that God wants us to be a bit...adventurous. Scary thought for the likes of this girl.

And yet. When we are called to overcome odds, God gets glorified. When projects seem insurmountable, God helps us to overcome. When the only way through seems a bit unconventional, it means God is so incredibly creative.

Obstacles don't necessarily mean we aren't doing what God wants us to do. Obstacles can mean that we fulfill our destiny as overcomers. Sure, when the doors keep closing, God could be giving a sign that this is not the way to walk. For me, though, I am realizing that just because it gets hard, it doesn't mean that God doesn't want me to keep persevering. I'm realizing that life really is an adventure. When we get on the ride, we can be in for the thrill of a lifetime. But we have to get on.

My oldest daughter has this streak of adventure. She oftentimes looks forward to the unknown, to the thrilling. She might be a little scared, a little anxious, but she doesn't want to miss out on the fun. Here she is on the back of her grandfather's motorcycle:

I want to be on my Father's ride. And when He pauses, I want to be ready to go again with this type of enthusiasm. I want to be ready for adventure, tucked behind my Father, who is steering the ride, even if I am unsure of where I am going. Even if there will be some bumps in the road.

Linking with some beautiful ladies, whom I grow to love more and more each week: Michelle @ Graceful, Shanda @ Pause on the Path, Laura @ The Wellspring, and Jennifer @ Getting Down with Jesus)

The Process of Awakening

2012-01-13T08:01:00.000-06:00

From the Gypsy Mama:

For only five short, bold, beautiful minutes. Unscripted and unedited. We just writewithout worrying if it’s just right or not.

Won’t you join us?

3. Most important: comment and encourage the person who linked up before you.

OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes on:

Awake…

via pinterest

It's not my best time of the day. In fact, there are few times when I'm ever much worse. It's those first few moments after my eyes finally flutter open and the first words that have to interact with another's.

At first "awake" I am grumpy by nature. I don't want to talk. I don't want to hear whining. I certainly don't want to be the commanding officer of the morning routine with my children. I have to really work to be pleasant. I have to work to keep my temper in check because when all I feel is the need for silence and my house sounds like a deafening roar, well, let's just say I have a harder time controlling my tongue.

To fully awaken is a process for me, but not just in the morning. In my relationship with Him, too. Sometimes I feel like I come back to revisit the same bad habits and sins simply because the last time He went through it with me, there was part of my soul that was still asleep. It wasn't sensitive to His touch. It wasn't cognizant enough to hear those words that He breathed into my heart.

So much of life is a process of being awakened. Awakened to His grace, His beauty, His gifts. So even if it means I might be grumpy for the first half an hour, my soul hungers to be awake, alive, and singing.

Also, linking with the beautiful Michelle for Caffeinated Randomness.

Cultiviate: A Sabbath

2012-01-12T07:00:00.000-06:00

photo source

How many of you are tired of me talking about rest? How many of you think, "When will she just learn to take a day off and be done with this? How many days, months, years, decades, will it take her to get this?"

I wouldn't be mad if you looked at the title of this post and scoffed. I wouldn't be mad because I look at the title and scoff. When will I give in? When will I fully surrender? When will I just do it?

To be fair, I have actually taken a full Sabbath a few times. The best one ever I chronicled here. I know it's good. I know it's right. I know that taking a day off is pleasing to God. So what's so hard?

photo source

It comes down to one thing.

Trust.

Do I trust that if I stop, God will make up for my lack? It sounds like a silly question, but I know that when I stop, it means that things get left undone. When I stop, the world keeps going. Do I trust that when the Sabbath day is over and the next day arrives, God will show me how to manage my time, my attitude, my steps?

Last Thursday, I woke up glad it was the Sabbath day for me (I claim my Sabbath as a time when the house is empty. I try not to blog, work on the SDG retreat, do housework, run, etc.) But when my mind kept turning to the details of this and that, I couldn't help but go try to iron out some of the kinks. I couldn't help but send another follow-up email. I couldn't help but get ahead on the laundry so that I wouldn't be waylaid the next day.

And then, as I was folding laundry, I realized that even if I got still enough to read a good book, my brain would not be at rest. And I felt God say this:

I give you permission not to think.

It was such a shift for me to match the idea of my physical rest with my mental rest. I've never been good at putting things out of my mind. If there is a problem, solution, idea, I want to work on it now. But the problem is, if I am always working on the future, I miss the present. I know it's cliche, but what happens is when I don't get physical and mental rest, I regret that I missed the time to take a break. And then I get a little bitter or a little down or I don't have the energy to be the person I really want to be.

For me, I have now realized that a sabbath is something that needs to be cultivated. Just like I mentioned here, there are preparations to be made. But there lies on the Sabbath day, permission to put aside. In the act of putting aside, there comes the gift of relishing the moment. There comes a gift of being able to trust the Father, that He will hold the thoughts, the ideas, the problems, the solutions, the laundry, the whatever, in the palm of His Hand.

Cultivating the sabbath is an act of cultivating trust.

How Much Is Your Faith Worth? and the Soli Deo Gloria Party

2012-01-09T19:30:00.000-06:00

To read more about the Soli Deo Gloria community, please click here.

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Saturday morning came with a sense of fear. As the light filtered through the slats, all I could hear was my husband's words the night before:

photo source

How many people do you need to attend the retreat to make ends meet?

My response: I don't know.

In the morning, my response was this: ohmygosh. I don't know! And I have to pay this deposit and what if people don't come and what if I'm crazy and what if I can't figure out what I'm doing. And is God really asking me to do this? ohmygosh. ohmygosh. ohmygosh.

And then I heard, "Is your faith worth $750?"

And I said, "Lord, I'd love to say yes. I'd love to say it's worth much more than that, but I'm going to need some pretty specific confirmation here."

I padded downstairs and opened my devotional to the day's reading (only just now did I realize that I read the wrong date). Kristin Armstrong, in her devotional, Heart of My Heart, writes this:

God takes our meager offerings, limited by our knowledge and our energy, and He multiplies them -- just as He did with the loaves and the fishes. He takes the little that we have to offer and He makes it sufficient. (page 6)

Even though $750 doesn't sound meager to me, I got the point. We give a little in faith and God takes care of the rest. By His grace, He covers our offerings and makes them enough. He covers us and He makes us enough.

Okay, I say I got the point, but I wanted something more. So, I asked God to direct me to a place in scripture to give me further confirmation and I heard a whisper in my head -- John 11:8.

"But his disciples objected. 'Rabbi,' they said, 'only a few days ago the people in Judea were trying to stone you. Will you go back there again?"

Confused? Yes, me too, until I read the context. Jesus had to go back to Judea because that is where Lazarus was. He was going back to comfort Mary and Martha and then raise Lazarus from the dead. The disciples think Jesus is crazy because they equate the journey to Judea to a possible death sentence. Obviously, Jesus knows better, but the disciples only see the risk. But then, something beautiful escapes from the mouth of Thomas. In verse 16, Thomas says something beautiful:

"Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, 'Let's go too -- and die with Jesus.'"

And there, yes there, from the words of Thomas, my eyes start to brim with tears. To Thomas, his faith is worth his very life. To Thomas, allegiance to Jesus is all there is. To Thomas, it didn't matter the risk. The only thing that mattered was going where Jesus was going.

So, friends, I'm putting down the deposit on this retreat. I don't know what lies ahead, but I know where Jesus is telling me to walk. And I've decided my faith is worth at least $750.

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To find out more details about the Soli Deo Gloria retreat, please click here.

SDG Community Builder: 1) If you would like to be on the SDG prayer team (meaning you will commit to praying for this retreat for the planning and actual event), please let me know by email or in the comments. 2) If you know of a small business or organization that might be interested in sponsoring the event so to help defray the cost for the participants, please let me know how to contact them. 3) Give lots of comment love as you are visiting each other! 4) Oh, yes! Would you consider putting the retreat button on your blogs? 5) And if you haven't liked s(He) Listens on Facebook, do that too, so you can catch all the latest news!

(I'm a little pressed for time this week, so I'm linking this post with some other very nice linky ladies: Michelle @ Graceful, Shanda @ Pause on the Path, Laura @ The Wellspring, and Jennifer @ Getting Down with Jesus)

5 Minute Friday & A Sale! A Sale! A Sale!

2012-01-05T18:59:00.000-06:00

From the Gypsy Mama:

Let’s do it. Let’s just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. For only five short, bold, beautiful minutes. Let your mind and your words and your heart fly free; wild – no editing, no over thinking.

The Rules:

3. Must: leave a comment for the person who linked up before you – encouraging them in their writing!

OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes on:

Roar…

source

Roar? Really? I do not roar. I do not like to draw attention to myself like that, you know. But as I read on about Gypsy Mama's calling and her passion that wells up inside her, well, I can definitely relate to that.

That's how I feel about Soli Deo Gloria. That's how I feel about creating spaces for women to bare their hearts to God on a continually real basis. That's how I feel about community. If I could roar about Jesus' undying, unchanging, fierce love for women, I would roar until I no longer had a voice.

Why does the lion roar? I'm afraid I don't have regular access to the psyche of a lion, but I'm sure at some point because they roar to protect their space. As I make plans for the Soli Deo Gloria retreat (more info to come!), I hear God telling me to pray for protection. He warns me not to get lost in the details because He will be in charge of those. He asks me to stand and protect the pride -- standing, covered with the armor of God, roaring my prayers, asking Him to send His angels, His warriors, His Holy Spirit to descend upon the preparation, the retreat, the lovely women who will be there, perhaps even the city of Austin itself.

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Just a note...

Who doesn't love a sale? And what about FREE?

Oh, I love getting things for free, don't you? If you are like me, then you simply must check out Vyrso. They have several ebooks that you can download for...you guessed it...FREE! Essentially, they are all about bringing books written by Christians for Christians. They have ebooks that you can also integrate with your LOGOS Bible software, too.

I highly recommend that you check them out by clicking here. (They also have an app that is...well, FREE!)

Linking with The Gypsy Mama & Caffeinated Randomness today on this lovely Friday!

Cultivate: A Weeding Session

2012-01-05T07:00:00.000-06:00

via Pinterest

You see, the first morning we had to get up and get ready for school was fabulous. And when my darling daughters arrived home, everyone was in a good mood. They willingly did their homework without arguments. They ate what was fixed for dinner without complaining. They were kind to me and kind to each other.

It was a good day and I went to bed fulfilled and satisfied. Their little love tanks must be full. Things are going to be good. Being a mom was so much fun today.

And then Tuesday happened.

The first words out of my oldest's mouth were, "Hannah hit me." It just went downhill from there. Shuffling feet, angry words, rejected breakfasts. What has happened to my children? How can I put them to bed one way and have them wake up completely different people?

I was mad. I was grumpy. I grumbled while I ate breakfast. I grumbled while I did my quiet time. I grumbled while reading SDG blogs (I hope that didn't spill over into the comments, ladies). I grumbled until I was 8.5 miles into my 10 mile run.

via Pinterest

It took a full morning and 8.5 miles for me to get out of my own head long enough to hear God speak to me about the events of the morning. And what did He say? Ahem:

And what did you cultivate this morning?

A particularly painful question because this happened on January 3rd. Yes, only 3 day into my new word and, um, clearly I was failing. But instead of arguing, I just listened. Paraphrased, this is about what He said to me:

You reacted to their mood. You were so focused on getting them to be respectful in that moment, so focused on getting them ready for school, so focused on what it felt like to wake up to completely different kids, that you missed the opportunity to cultivate a different environment for them. You contributed to the grumpiness. You did not cultivate an environment in which they might want to change. Grumpiness begets grumpiness. You cultivated more grumpiness.

Yes, He does have to repeat Himself with me sometimes to get His point across. But I did get it. The environment that I want to cultivate for my family has to have time to grow, to really take root. At the same time, some of the old behaviors need to be uprooted (hence the conversation I had with God this morning). If God didn't point out the weeds, I wouldn't have the space for the fruit.

I'm learning that cultivation is not just bringing in newness to spaces, but it's also about de-cluttering. And with any job I want to do well, it takes time. It takes not rushing. It takes being intentional. It takes being willing to bend and extend grace and realize my part in it.

The kids came home from school and I started using my word in conversation with them. So far, I've just been asking them if their actions cultivate love. Right now, I'll admit -- it's a bit more for me than it is for them. I have to say my word out loud a lot in order to keep the goal in front. But, I'm really hoping that one day, they'll start using the word, too, calling me on my actions and words.

"Mommy, are you cultivating love?"

In so, they will be a part of the uprooting and the sowing, the weeding and the nurturing.

Hopefully, when that day comes, I won't be so grumpy.

What about you? How do you cultivate an environment of love in your house? How do you climb out of your own funks so that you don't react, but instead, rebuild?

Linking with Jennifer at Getting Down with Jesus.

What Will You Cultivate? and the Soli Deo Gloria Party

2012-01-02T19:30:00.000-06:00

To read more about the Soli Deo Gloria community, please click here.

via Pinterest

I love routine. I love clean spaces. I love to organize and reorganize. I love to clean out, rearrange, and start fresh.

And thus, I love January.

I also love the fact that God's mercies are new every morning and it doesn't have to be January for me to start over, to seek forgiveness, to change something that needs alteration. But since I love schedules and routines, I love when change starts at a beginning. I like it when life fits together like puzzle pieces.

Coming home from Disney World at the beginning of December, I received a gift. I heard God whispering permission to find a routine again. It was like receiving an award after a long race. I had run as God had asked me to, along paths that did not seem feasible in my eyes, along roads that took me to places where I was not comfortable. From August through December, He asked me to give up my own schedule and lean on Him at every crossroads for direction. He asked me to view my time as something not my own. It was a journey in which I learned that things in life really were beyond my control, but were not beyond God's. I learned to listen for His promptings in small things, which sometimes, when they all add up, can end up being more meaningful than the big. Perhaps the biggest lesson I learned through all of this is that there is no question too small for God.

Perhaps that's not the biggest lesson. Rather, perhaps the most rewarding and tangible lesson I've learned through all of this is surrender. That word used to have such a negative connotation for me. I viewed it as God standing tall above me, finger pointing in my face, saying LAY IT DOWN...OR ELSE. Surrender to me was fear-based. But looking back, I realized that I was afraid to give up something because I had so closely identified that something with me. I was only worth how much I had or did or knew or created.

When I think about surrender now, I think about a soft pillow. I think about falling into His arms. I see kindness in His eyes when He opens His hands and I see a heart that longs to teach me and hold me. I see Him valuing me above anything I do. Surrender, I have found, is love-based.

I never picked one word last year to help me frame out my year or guide my efforts. But God knew that 2011 would be about surrender. 2011 would be about laying down and picking up. It would be about dying to self, dying to ambition, dying to control, dying to expectation. I think I still have a few more "dyings" on which to work, but the one that stands out clearly in my mind right now is rushing.

I rush a lot. To and from. To this and that. I must believe that if I hurry up and get something done, there will be more time for something else. But chances are, I'm going to rush through that, too, because isn't there always something else to be tackled? And so, perhaps that is why I keep hearing God whispering the word cultivate. It all started when God's word from Luke struck me during Advent: Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2: 19) It's hard to treasure and ponder while rushing. It's hard to savor and store up when I'm looking ahead and expending energy on the next thing.

I'm starting a new series on Thursdays about how the act of cultivation fleshes out in the real-life. If I don't have practical, tangible ways to integrate spiritual process in my life, the spiritual process usually takes a nosedive. Perhaps this is why I have not had much success with past New Year's resolutions. After a few weeks, I would like to open it to guest posts, so if the world "cultivation" hits you or has meaning for you, would you consider writing for me? I'd love how you cultivate space and time for God and the things that He has put in your life.

SDG Community Builder: 1) Notice the new poll in the top right of the blog? Would you take a moment and prayerfully consider your response about coming to the SDG retreat? Planning is underway and I would be blessed beyond belief by your presence! 2) If you haven't liked s(He) Listens on Facebook, would you do that, too? I'm planning on announcing a lot of retreat details through that and it would be a great way to generate more publicity for the retreat for some other sisters that might not know we exist yet! 3) Tell me in the comments which button you like best:
#1 #2

to the one not with me

2011-12-29T16:23:00.000-06:00

Dear Grannie,

I just wanted you to know that I thought about you through this whole Advent/Christmas season. Well, I actually think about you quite often, but somehow the holidays always make me a bit more wistful. I imagine my hands interlaced with yours. My tears are closer to spilling over. I take more moments to snuggle into the blanket you made for me a bit more deeply.

Today, I started taking down the Christmas decorations and as I was replacing garland with picture frames, I realized that I did not have a picture of you in my living room. It was never an intentional oversight, but one that sorely stuck out to me today as I placed my With My Grandmother Willow Tree back on the mantel.

You are missing, I thought.

Of course, you are always missing. Although there are these intense moments in which I receive a gift from God -- a whiff of your scent, a stranger on the street that looks like you, a phrase you used to say being passed between two friends -- you are missing from my life. And I feel this loss deeply. Do you know how many times I still long to call you? Even though you have been gone for over a year and a half, I only just recently took you off my speed dial. Do you know that there are certain things that I only really told you? Not because they were any big secret, but because I knew you would understand. I knew you would have just the right thing to say. I knew that even though we were separated by 1,040 miles, somehow you would be able to wrap yourself around my shaking shoulders.

That's the power of a grannie. That was the power of you.

I just want you to know that you were memorable. Your great granddaughters still fill their worlds with your memories. They pour through their scrapbooks and their fingers linger on your picture. Hannah still gets teary-eyed when Selah's song, You Raise Me Up, plays over the radio. Oh, do you know the extent that you were loved? I hope you realize that you left a legacy. A legacy of rich, selfless love. A legacy that I desperately want to pass on, but I fall short.

But you taught me a thing or two about grace and so I've learned to not dwell on my shortcomings but to just press into His heart more deeply. I wish you had more grace for yourself while you walked on this earth. Even though you gave the world everything you had, you never quite thought it was enough. I want you to know that it was. It was enough. You were enough. You taught me that I was unconditionally loved. That is the best gift of all.

I love you.

Jen

To read more about my journey through grief, please click here.

Linking with the beautiful Emily for Imperfect Prose.

soli deo gloria lite

2011-12-26T17:49:00.000-06:00

Welcome. Tonight is the lite edition of soli deo gloria. I've thought about what I might write about all day, but I haven't gotten to the computer until now, which is less than 2 hours before the link up. And, my kids are asking for yet another round of Battleship...

So, have fun reading this week those who had a moment to blog. We will be back to the full edition next Monday, January 2nd!

Much love,
Jen

Nourishment: 4 Things

2011-12-22T06:00:00.000-06:00

Have you ever just craved nourishment? How do you get it physically, emotionally, spiritually? Because I have these questions and I want answers, I've asked a series of people to come in and share how they find nourishment. Will you come along for the journey? We will meet here every Thursday until the posts run out. Have something to share about nourishment? Contact me and we will set a date!

Meet Dea. Do you ever just happen upon a blog and as you begin reading, your jaw just drops. That's the way I felt over at her place. Her words are just so rich, her spirit so humble. Needless to say, you are going to love what she writes...

photo source

The early morning sky is marked by a contrail of a jet airliner passing overhead. The roar of its engines follows. I lay back on the concrete patio---stationary, while the earth spins in the middle of vast universe. The sliver of silver moves quickly across the sky with its white cloudy tail trailing behind. Soon the plane will be out of site. I wonder where it will land.

Eleven years have passed so very quickly. The years race by like the plane in the sky.

Memories surface to the time when I had it all. My husband was a successful pediatrician in a small town, well loved and respected. I had three beautiful healthy children, the older two homeschooled while the little one made messes all over our big house on the cul-de-sac.

My life was full. I had taken incredible opportunities to serve God on mission trips to Cuba, served on the board of a crisis pregnancy center, and had a group of really close friends with whom I shared a church and social life, friendships that were deep and real.

But then there was the past. As much as the present was good and beautiful, the past kept creeping in on me.

One morning, I was studying God’s Word when the Spirit urged me, “Let’s take care of the past. It is time to bring to the Light the things you have shoved to the darkness.”

My reply, “No, thank you.”

I was serious. And I did pray, “Lord, You are Sovereign. It isn’t necessary to deal with the past. You know it so you deal with it. I will let you have it. I am moving on.”

I didn’t get far. God’s ways are not our ways. His plan was to redeem the brokenness, the pain, the fear, the need to control. I would not let Him have those things. I would not give up who I really was----the me that no one else knew, the me that I lived with everyday.

For months I struggled to keep the dark things in the dark, but they began to roll over and over in mind.

Eventually, they took over and I found myself unable to mother, to sleep or to eat. Having it all would not hold me together. I fell apart.

I turned back to God at His prompting on a beautiful September day just over eleven years ago. I was in a lock-down unit of a mental health facility. My diagnosis: severe clinical depression. God met me in the darkness and brought all to the Light.

Even with an assurance of healing, I had to pick up the pieces to see if I could put my life back together.

Where would I start?

When I got up eleven years ago and walked back into my house, time was slow. I couldn’t drive for a while because of medications. Someone had to take me an hour to my counseling sessions. My preschooler went to the babysitter even though his Momma was at home. My kids were in school.

I was healed and being healed. Moment by moment.

I focused on four things:

Everyday I would eat. For me, the menu was coconut yogurt, banana, and turkey sandwiches until my appetite was restored.

Everyday I would spend time with God in his Word. I wrote in a journal about what God was teaching me. I started with the book of Job.

Everyday I would exercise. I began first with a stroll and then more of a power walk. Eventually I would run.

Everyday I would intentionally talk to someone. I initiated the encounter. This was usually over the phone, but sometimes included a visit with a friend.

I was going to the doctor and seeing a godly counselor, but these four things were the baby steps that got my life moving again.

I made my bed instead of getting in it. I dressed for the day no matter if I was going out. I went through the motions and my heart joined me in the desire to do those things. My open heart believed that God loved me and wanted good things for me---simple things like food, sleep, fresh air and people to share my life.

As quickly as I lose sight of the silver glint of the airplane, eleven years have passed and disappeared into the history of my life.

I have landed in this time and place to live on the other side of healing. It is a gift of grace that has let me LIVE. My story is a life redeemed by the God of Love who has blessed me more than I could ever dreamed or imagined.

Time still races like that plane. I no longer have to rely on the short list of four things to get me moving. I move because He allows me to awaken to live another day.

God trusted me with four things, so that he could give me many things. That was His plan all along.

My journey through depression humbled me but did not humiliate me. Still, it is not always easy to live life on the flyway. I gave God my past and I give Him my future.

The contrail marks the sky. And I rise to live in the now.

Want to read more of Dea (of course you do!). Click here to visit/follow/subscribe to her blog, Most Mornings I Meet with God.

sometimes, it's simple

2011-12-21T07:00:00.000-06:00

sometimes helping isn't a big production.
sometimes it's inviting people into your home to be a part of something small.

like decorating sugar cookies

and making cards

not for neighbors, but for those who have no neighbors.
The ones who stand on the street corners,
whose motives are constantly under scrutiny,
the ones holding the signs that say
anything helps

so we made an anything
batches of cookies piled high with icing
and sprinkles
and Christmas cards
handmade, complete with misspellings,
but with etchings such as
we are praying for you

and I know that their Christmas might not be merry,
but I said it anyway
and the three of us in the car delivering,
we looked into their eyes
and we smiled,
offering kindness and a bit of hope...maybe

but their smiles revealed their acceptance
of our offering,
a special treat just because
it's a season that was meant to be about
simple gifts

and my littlest piped up from the backseat
why didn't we bring apples and oranges, too?
and I think, next year, hannah,
next year we will add on a little more love
to our simple gifts

and I smile because it looks like the heart of my daughter
has grown just as big as the smiles
of those who received our cookies
and I think oh,
it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Linking with Emily for Imperfect Prose.

Consumed & Soli Deo Gloria Party

2011-12-19T19:30:00.000-06:00

It's early Monday morning and the only reason that I'm up is because I told my dad I'd get up early to check him in for his flight so he's assured a good seat on the plane on his way back to Florida. But, I'm also grateful to be sitting in front of the computer here because it's so quiet. For the next two weeks with the kids out of school and lots of things to do, quiet will be a rarity. Sure, I could be sleeping but being aware of the stillness just might be even better.

At church yesterday, I heard this line in the sermon (paraphrased):
"Perhaps we could all stand to be more like Mary who was consumed by the Holy Spirit. Instead of being consumed, we have become consumers during this Advent/Christmas season."
Since yesterday this thought has continually rolled through my mind: Am I consumed or am I a consumer?

Clearly, I can be consumed by things by other than the Holy Spirit, but if I remember this question in the context of the sermon, it is a good way for me to gauge my heart in the heat of the moment -- when the stress surmounts, when I am frantic to make things perfect, when I go back and forth in my mind about whether or not I have bought enough, done enough, am enough.

I ask: In this moment, am I consumed with the Holy Spirit or am I consumer of the ideals and expectations of this world?

If the answer is the latter, I am grateful for the grace of God, who is sends His Holy Spirit to fill me when I ask. I only have to ask. That is all.

SDG Community Builder: What if we passed a prayer around? What if we all prayed for each other that we would be consumed by the Holy Spirit? When you go to visit, after you leave a comment, would you also leave this prayer (or even this prayer alone without a personal comment would be a blessing!). You can copy and paste this one, if you wish...

Father God, You know the trappings this time of year. You know how easy it is to fall into the ways of the world. I pray that You would send Your Holy Spirit upon your servant so that they may be enraptured and consumed by You, this day and every day. May she feel and know Your presence in her life. May she be swept up in a dance with You. Amen.

Because I've not had a lot of time for blogging, I'm also linking this post to sweet friends:
Michelle at Graceful, Laura at The Wellspring, Jennifer at Getting Down with Jesus, and Shanda at Pause on the Path.

The Word on Nourishment

2011-12-15T07:00:00.000-06:00

Meet Amy. Do you know what I just love best about her? Her hunger for the Word. She commits to going deep with Him, to understand, to study, to glean, to hide in her heart. Just thinking about it makes me want to go get my Bible...

photo source

How sweet are Your words to my taste!

Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! ^{^[1]}

It is that time of year when the festivities aroundChristmas offer us many temptations to overdo the intake of poor nutritiouschoices. We bake more, eat more, andattend more parties where we are seduced by the food. After all, we may not get to eat “this” againuntil next Christmas. Munch, munch,munch.

Following such extravagance, we awaken the next morning withthe resolve to be a better steward of our appetites going forth.

Our minds and stomachs hunger for extravagance it seems.

However, this may not be the case in our approach to thesound nutrition found in God’s Word.

If anything, we may err on being a bit anorexic when itcomes to partaking of the Bible.

What we need is a steady diet of sound doctrine found thereas we partake in the words of life that come off the page and into our minds,proceed to our hearts, and apply to our lives.

Once we feast on the divine precepts there, we realize howvery hungry we have been and we begin to desire more of the nourishmenttherein.

In his first letter to Timothy (Paul’s apprentice “son” inspreading the Gospel), Paul said to and of him, “In pointingout these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantlynourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which youhave been following.” ^{^[2]}

You see, those within Timothy’s sphere ofinfluence, could have easily fallen prey to the false teaching going on intheir midst (referred to as “these things” above). The buffet, if you will, of spiritual junkfood was plentiful. And as most buffetsappeal to our senses of sight, smell, and taste, I imagine these falseteachings were also appealing to the spiritual senses.

Itsounds good.

Itlooks so right and pretty.

Mostpeople are flocking to it.

What’sone little sample going to do to me?

It’sreally not a big deal.

Not only could they have fallen prey to the false teachingaround them, but Timothy also could have succumbed were it not for his constantnourishment on the words of faith and the sound doctrine he followed.

Constantnourishment.

Wordsof faith.

Sounddoctrine.

When it comes to your spiritual nourishment, where are youfeeding? Man’s words? Or the abundant buffet of God’s inerrantWord?

It is so easy to pull up a chair to the table of worldviews. It’s pretty. It’s plentiful. But, know that the intake there producesnothing of long value. It’s prohibitiveto our producing fruit as sound servants for God.

Like a sugar high’s effect on us, we will take off quicklyand just as quickly crash when we try to live off of junk as our dailybread.

Daily nourishment in the Word is vital to our spiritualwell-being.

At this time of year, and every day forward, let us gatherat God’s table and partake of the goodness of His Word as part of our dailynourishment.

Thelaw of the Lord is perfect,restoring the soul;

Thetestimony of the Lord is sure,making wise the simple.

Theprecepts of the Lord are right,rejoicing the heart;

Thecommandment of the Lord is pure,enlightening the eyes.

Thefear of the Lord is clean,enduring forever;

Thejudgments of the Lord are true;they are righteous altogether.

Theyare more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;

Sweeteralso than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. ^{^[3]}

Encouragement:

Read the above verses from Psalm 19 and note the nourishingqualities of God’s Word.

Opportunity for Response:

How has God’s Word nourished you recently? Please leave a comment below or you may go toDigging Deep and post a comment there.

Want to go deeper with Amy? Click here to follow/subscribe/comment on her blog, Digging Deep.

^{^[1]} New American Standard Bible : 1995 update.1995 (Ps 119:103). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

^{^[2]} New American Standard Bible : 1995 update.1995 (1 Ti 4:6). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

^{^[3]} New American Standard Bible : 1995 update.1995 (Ps 19:7–10). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

Imperfect Vlogging & Soli Deo Gloria Party

2011-12-12T19:30:00.000-06:00

Happy Soli Deo Gloria day, friends. Life isn't as rich without you.

SDG Community Builder: Where someone might see an imperfection, will you point out His beauty? Lavishly love one another as you visit.

If you are interested in an art piece, please click here.

Isaiah, John, and Me

2011-12-11T14:48:00.001-06:00

"The spirit of the LORD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion - to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, to display His glory." Isaiah 61:1-3

This was the scripture spoken out into our hearts today as we sat in the pews. Oh, sometimes I am awed by the power of the Holy Scriptures spoken out loud. It is as though I can almost visibly see the words spreading out among us, reaching to our hearts, longing to be taken in, ushered into the deep spaces.

photo source

And as I heard these words, I said to myself...I want that job. I want the job where I can bring good news to the oppressed, the job where I bear witness to His holy power binding up the brokenhearted. I want speak the words: You are free, in the name of Jesus! Can you just imagine the privilege of handing out garland to one who has only known ashes? Can you contain the excitement within yourself as you think of offering an oil of joy to someone who has been destitute, held in the chains of forever mourning? Oh, the exuberance of seeing the faint fade away, morphing into a strength that was never even imagined!

Glory.

Fittingly, the sermon today was about our vocation, our vocation that God has equipped us to take on so that we might glorify Him and proclaim His power to save. No matter if you are a garbage collector, a software engineer, a writer, or a priest -- all can be done for the glory of God and unto His purpose. As someone who seems to change careers overnight, I know that no matter what my vocation is at the time, He allows me to use the gifts that He has given me to impact His kingdom in some way. But I still struggle sometimes with thinking that I am a quitter. I look back and think about how I used to dream about being the top special education teacher and getting invited on the Oprah show. I look back and think how I could have advanced up the ranks of college professor or been a creator of curriculum for Christian formation. I look ahead, squinting to see if this speaking/writing/art thing will stick, or if I will wander from thing to thing forever.

photo source

And then, in today's words from Isaiah coupled with the words about John the Baptist, a man sent by God who came as a witness to testify to the light so that all might believe through him (John 1: 6-7), it all becomes so much clearer. I don't want my life to be about me. I want it to be about Him. I have the privilege of giving up my will to the Father who places me where and when He wishes to use me. And through this movement, I lose my tight grip on the dreams and goals I thought would fill me to no end, because instead, I find that tightly gripping God is what really soothes my soul and softens my hearts and makes me melt with mercy and compassion. And no matter what my vocation, no matter how much I get paid, or if I get paid at all, oh to be handing out garland and speaking words of healing balm from His heart, what more could a girl want?

May we all be a voice in the wilderness (but maybe not eating wild locust), proclaiming, "Make straight the way of the Lord!" wherever God has placed us and with whatever tools He has given us.

Linking with Michelle at Graceful, Shanda at Pause on the Path, Laura for Playdates with God, and Jennifer at Getting Down with Jesus.

Also, would love for you to join us tomorrow for Soli Deo Gloria (link opens Monday evening and goes through Wednesday night).

oh my soul

2011-12-09T08:00:00.000-06:00

A few weeks ago, Big Fat Mama from Cooking Up Faith asked me to share a story about a time in my life where I was held captive and God ushered in freedom. I immediately thought back to a guest post that I wrote many months ago. Here it is again, but rewritten with God's amazing words entwined with mine. Will you join me over there? Not convinced? Here is a teaser...

Photo source

My husband is arecovering porn addict. I am a recoveringtrying-to-control-my-husband’s-every-last-move addict. His captivity provided monstrous amounts offuel that powered my desire to cure him, rehabilitate him, to help him becomeconsumed with anything but porn. Ibought him books. We arranged counseling. I monitored his email accounts, his webbrowser history, his time on the computer. I drilled him, I questioned him, I cried out to him – How could you do this to me? And before I knew it, we were bothenslaved. We were trapped by differentchains, but they were chains nonetheless. They held us back from Jesus. They held us back from each other. They threatened to keep us seated in our own personal prisons forever.

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

And forget none of His benefits; (Psalm 103:2)

As much as I prayed that God would heal him fromhis addiction, and as much as I knew that he could be set free, I simply couldnot let God handle this one on His own.

Please click here to continue reading...

Also, I was included in the Around the High Calling Community (what an honor!). Click here to see who/what has been featured by the newsletter editor, David!

Nourishment: The Simple, Sweet, and Pure Drink

2011-12-08T07:00:00.000-06:00

Meet Abby. She's preparing to live in Hungary for an indefinite amount of time with her husband and two kids to minister to the people living there. She is passionate about Jesus, about spreading His Word, and about helping people to know the depth of His love and grace. It is a privilege to know her. I'm sure you'll feel the same way.

It was a night in thefall of my freshmen year of college and I knelt by my bed and sobbed greatheaving sobs. They were the good sobs ofrelease. surrender. Love. Joy. Peace.All of the Fruits of the Kingdom.

I had been preparing for the next small group meeting of theSonship Discipleship Course that I wasparticipating in through {thankfully} the persistent invitation of my R.D. I was reading an article entitled ‘the End ofthe Struggle’ and in plain speech and illustration it explained that I didn’tneed to strive for my own righteousness any more. Icould let go of the burden, this great struggle to please everyone and be theBEST at everything. Grace could be myvery own food any time. Anywhere. For all time.

As I describe it,this sounds like my conversion, and in many ways it was. Yet I had been a committed believer manyyears, had shared my faith with everyone that I could. I reallydid know Jesus died for me and I wanted to please Him.

But, it took this sobbing night to realize in the blood andguts stuff of me that, clothed in Christ, I alreadywas forever pleasing to God. The message of the Gospel, the life-givinggood news, became not only my ticket to eternal life, but the food by which Ilive.

I cannot say I have never wandered from this life-changingtruth. But, it is true that I continue 19 years later to know in the very deepplaces that I will NEVER find life outside of the Gospel of His Grace.

I feel so blessed to have learned at 18 years of age thiskey understanding which shapes my mind, heart and soul into the image ofChrist. It has become my intimate centering reality that ‘just as I received Christ so I walk inHim.’ And I view all that I take in through thisGospel lens.

And this is how I nourish:drinking the pure and simple water of the Gospel. No matter where I am in the Bible, I look forthe Gospel. Just like in the Jesus Storybook Bible, Ilisten for the whisper of my Rescuer’s, Jesus’, Name. And with years of practice, I have to believeI can hear more quickly and clearly this heartbeat of my Savior.

Whatever book I amreading, I tune my heart to the rhythm of the crosswork of Christ. All of Him given for all of me. And if I can’t hear the Gospel in the book, Iput it down and pick up the Word or put on a song that takes me there.

I listen to sermonsby people like Tim Keller because in every message He ends with thisbeautiful will-never-get-dull rendering of the good news. And that’s why I say I can listen to thesekinds of sermons all day, because they resonate Gospel. My eyes become fixed on Christ and taking inHis Glory.

It is like the purewater of Aslan’s country, this Gospel drink. Youknow the one that Reepicheep tastes in the Voyage of the Dawn Treader and says‘sweet!’ The closer I am to Hisheart, His thoughts of me in Christ, the sweeter the drink and the more of it Iwant.

And the more I comethe more I learn to come.

Also, the more bitterand perverse is the taste of the lies that try to get me to think that it’sstill about me. My performance. Myperfection. My striving. And then, the more quickly and fully theseuntruths are spit out like the bile they are.

So, I raise my glassof the sweet, pure drink of the Gospel to you all and say let’s all lift it toour parched lips and take it in. It willnever stop being poured for our taking and we will never stop being healed andfilled and every-kind-of-nourished by it.

Want to read more of Abby? Of course you do! Click here to follow/subscribe/read her blog, Fan the Flame.

Longing for the Midnight One

2011-12-07T08:38:00.001-06:00

photo source

I'm longing for the candlelight midnight Christmas Eve service this year. The one where at the end, we all sing Silent Night and they turn off all the lights, and the only thing you can really see is the flickering from the candles on the alter, which shine their lights dimly over the red poinsettias.

All is calm, all is bright...

There is a silence and a reverence here that I cannot seem to capture at the 4pm children's service. I smile greatly at the parade of sheep and shepherds, of donkeys and camels, of the angels surrounding them all. My eyes get a bit teary as Mary and Joseph take the stage and I mentally count the years when it might be my daughter's turn. I think fondly of the time when I played the mother of Jesus, up there on those same altar steps so many years ago. My Joseph would be my boyfriend for a short stint the next year. I then shudder at the thought of my baby girls having boyfriends. Oh my.

As much as I love these thoughts, as much as I love watching my children, as much as I love that there is a service that allows them to celebrate the birth of their Savior, I long for a private moment of worship, of my thoughts being unclouded and undistracted. Perhaps I am just a romantic at heart...music, candles, the scent of flowers...they make me swoon. They wrap me up tight in love and I can sit there for hours, talking and worshipping and loving Him in the dimly lit sanctuary of the midnight gathering.

I know that there will come a time when I will attend that midnight service and there will be a piece of my heart that longs to be back amongst the children dressed in robes and animals ears. Don't we always long, at least a little bit, for something that we cannot have right now? But I take heart, as I type out these longings, the Christmas lights dancing on the tree, that my heart is fashioned for worship and that God loves and accepts it in any form that I can give to Him on Christmas Eve, or any day of the year.

Alone in my house, I give myself the gift that I long for, this gift of worship. I may not be in the sanctuary of the church, but God is still here, in the sanctuary of my home, candles lit, music softly playing. All I have to offer Him, laid out of my heart, my mouth open in praise, my mind attune to Him, my Savior born on Christmas morn.

Linking with the lovely Emily at Imperfect Prose.

Plane Thoughts & Soli Deo Gloria Party

2011-12-05T19:30:00.000-06:00

My sweet niece, EK, and my daughter, Hannah

I had the pleasure of sitting with these 6 year-old munchkins on the way home from Disney World. They were, overall, fabulously behaved considering that they had been together for six days and were sleep deprived (FYI, Disney is not a relaxing kind of vacation). Because they were so well-behaved, I actually had a few moments to think (FYI, there is not much time to gather one's thoughts at Disney, either).

As I started typing out my lllooonnngg to-do list for when I arrived home, I started praying that instead of feeling anxious about all I had to tackle, that God would give me peace and show me how to plan my days ahead leading up to Christmas. I've learned to ask Him for the plan instead of formulating my own. In this, I learned to be dependent upon Him in ways that my controlling nature would not normally allow me to do. For example, in college, I would routinely leave my roommates on the couch while watching a movie I picked out because I would feel the need to start working on a paper that was due in a week (or two). I found security in having things done. And so, through this last semester of life, as I juggled teaching a brand new class, as Soli Deo Gloria began to grow and grow, as the amount of writing I wanted to do began to increase, God took the opportunity to take planning away from me. As much as I wanted to plan my class weeks in advance (and towards the end at least by the Tuesday before the Monday I was teaching), God would not give me the ideas. I had to surrender to His timetable and put my own aside. In doing that, I learned this:

I don't want to be in charge. I could have pushed through and planned my class before the inspiration came, but the words that came from my mouth would have been my own and not God's. Dangerous territory, for sure! Do you ever feel like you are pushing through to get something done and it feels like it takes all the effort in the world? Sometimes this can be due to spiritual warfare, but sometimes it's just because we are jumping ahead and not waiting.
Security does not come in the form of a checked off to-do list. Sure, it feels good to get things done, to be productive, to even be ahead of schedule. But, if I put all my stock in that, if I depend on that to help me feel good about myself and my life, what will I be like when I get nary a check on the list? How can I depend on God to help me accomplish what He wants me to do if I am a slave to my own agenda?
He is able. When it seems impossible, He is there. When it seems insurmountable, He is there. When it fails, He is there. Surrendering to Him means allowing myself to understand that nothing goes to waste, that there is a purpose to everything, even when I can't fathom it. Holding this worldview makes life a whole less about me and more about Him.

I believe these lessons are rooted in my foundation (although I'm sure the college student in me might rear her head a few times down the road). As such, I've felt God releasing me to begin to think about a structure to my days (because He knows I love structure and routine). I was so far on one side of the pendulum of begin organized that I was rigid. These past few months have made me softer, more malleable, more open to God's reorganization. Perhaps now I can put a bit more structure into my life without falling into the traps of controlling and rigidity. May I walk this life with softness, with freedom, and with the trust that God has me in the palm of His Hand every second of every day.

If you look into your life, are there parts of you that are rigid and resistant to His touch? Would you be willing to soften, even if it means stepping out in faith, knowing that ultimately, His touch is gentle and loving?

SDG Community Builder: As you visit blogs, tell your SDG sister about one sentence or phrase that she wrote that touched your heart and why it made such an impact.

P.S. Don't forget to link up with your permalink (the specific blog post you want us to read, not your blog address)
P.P.S So glad I'm back in town (thank you for your prayers -- we arrived in plenty of time to make Hannah's birthday dinner!) so I can visit you this week!

Nourishment: Give Us This Day

2011-12-01T06:00:00.000-06:00

Meet Melanie. I had the privilege of meeting her while we did a 31 Days Series together back in May. Then, we went to She Speaks together, but didn't actually meet, which I am so bummed about. Melanie has an amazing heart to help writers and speakers and is so full of talent herself, as you will find out by reading below...

photo by Melanie Saccomanno

I’m a runner and often while running I pray and meditate onscripture. I usually follow the Lord’s Prayer as the pattern for my petitions.

Inevitably when I reach the part, “Give us this day ourdaily bread,” I am struck by the request in present tense. Our Father is apresent tense God. He is the now inour lives – and in His words, the “IAM.”

As I run and pray this portion I ask God to help me live inthe moment. I pray that I am not tempted to worry about tomorrow and fret overyesterday.

“Father, give me what I need for thisday—provision for practical needs, guidance for today’s decisions, and gracefor each moment.”

We women, especially, are often tempted to try and controlour world. Perhaps subconsciously we believe that if we are good enough, do enough and follow some kind of magical religious formula thatour lives will be nice and neat – that we can ward off trouble. However thiskind of thinking, rather than relieving us, actually leads to a kind of whiteknuckle living. We’re hanging on for dear life fearfully hoping we do not losecontrol. The idea that we even have that kind of control is a fallacy. For ifyou live long enough, trouble comes - like a bad houseguest who arrivesuninvited and stays too long.

Our family has faced one of the worst tragedies of life. Welost a child. Our son, Andrew, was twelve years old when an odd symptom alertedme to take him to our pediatrician. Later that day an MRI and a phone callforever changed our lives. Andrew was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer. Nocure. Little hope. Only God.

This Christmas will be our 3^rd one without ourboy. He went to his heavenly home 10 days before Christmas 2009 - less than 4months from the heartrending diagnosis.

I share this to tell you that I know how easy it is to worryand fret. It would be very tempting for me to worry that something elseterrible will happen tomorrow.

But as I pray, “Give me this day my daily bread,” what I’mreally asking for is the empowerment to live faithfully unto God today. I know that I need dailysustenance - daily nourishment - to live unfettered from ruminating over thepast and being anxious for the future.

“Man shall not live by bread alone, butby every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matt.4:4)

In the first few months after Andrew passed I had noappetite, I lost weight and I was drowning in my clothes. My face was gaunt andI began to walk stooped over. Physically I was undernourished. My spiritualconditioned mirrored my physical one. I found it hard to read my bible andpray. One afternoon I cried out to God and experienced a spiritualintervention. I made some physical and spiritual changes. Two of which were toget back to running and a scripture memorization plan. Soon I regained myappetite for food and for His word.

Never in my life have I lived more in the present than I dotoday. My highest offering to God is to daily surrender my desire for controland purpose to Him. I can’t change the past and I can’t predict the future. Ican, however, truly live in thepresent trusting the I Am who isenough for me.

Want to read more of Melanie? Oh, yes. You do! Click here to go to her personal blogs, A Faith That Endures and Fun Farther, Faster, Fearless. Subscribe today!

Bribery, Retreats, and Soli Deo Gloria Party!

2011-11-28T19:30:00.000-06:00

This is me and the lovely JanJohnson trying to pose for a picture while holding a phone camera afoot or so away. It only took us about 4 times to figure out the picslooked funny because we weren't looking at the right dot. Anyway, Icouldn't focus on my smile because I had to make sure my eyes were looking inthe right direction. Hence, the enormity of my teeth. Oh well. Jan is beautiful, yes??

So, a few weeks ago, Jan drives downto see me and take me out to lunch (I told you she was cool). She paysfor mine (yep, she just gets better and better) and I say "Thankyou!" of course. And then she says, "Well, it's kind of abribe..."

oh?

"Remember that blog post I wrote about my summervacation and one of the SDG girls mentioned a SDG retreat?"

sure...

"Well, I want a retreat." (okay, so she was pretty much this bold, but I amparaphrasing here)

And, if you would have been there,you would have seen my mouth drop open because (and I so love it when God worksthis way) because God had just been putting on my heart that, yes, it mightjust be time for an SDG retreat.

And so, I am 99% sure that our themeis: Lost in the city, Found by God, which means, we are notretreating from the city, but still relaxing and reveling nonetheless indowntown Austin, Texas in October 2012.

Yes, less than a year. LESSTHAN A YEAR!

I'm thinking October 19-21, 2012, butI am currently in the process of getting bids from area hotels and scoping outmeeting spaces. My heart is to make this as inexpensive as possible andit seems like perhaps, the more people we have, the less it will be per person. Plus, we will have options of rooming, like how many people per room,etc. I'm also hoping that Friday night will be super cheap (pizza, wine,and soft drinks??).

So, details are fuzzy, but the heartand the mission are becoming clearer by the minute. God is in charge andI am simply following His lead. It's an adventure for sure because I amnot an event planner!

What can you do to help now?

1. Pray. Please pray forthe retreat, pray about if you can come, pray, pray, pray!

2. Let me know if you areconsidering coming and how much you would be able to spend without includingyour personal transportation costs (include lodging, helping with meeting roomcosts, and food). You can either email me or let me know in the comments.

3. Be thinking about others who might want to come and join us. What an exciting way to build our community!

SDG Community Builder: Pray for our retreat. Start talking about it as you visit other blogs to make sure people know that they are welcome, loved, and important.

P.S. I'm on a fun family adventure, so I won't be able to visit around this week.

P.P.S. If you missed last week, I've started selling my art. If you are interested, please click here.

Winds of Distractions

2011-11-27T14:03:00.001-06:00

It's windy here today.
Windy as in difficult-to-stay-in-my-own-lane-while-driving-my-car-kind-of-windy.

While sitting in church today, I strained to keep my attention focused on the words of the sermon, but the wind continued to rattle the windows of my church. It rattled the cross that extends itself into the sky. It rattled the large brass cross that comes down over the alter.
As I strained to hear, I myself became rattled.
Will the roof cave in?
Will the cross topple?
Will the windows crack, the shingles rip off, the roof crater?
And before long, I was imagining the church where I have been since I was 7, standing no more.

How easy is it to be distracted by the winds that whip around us. Winds that are not born of the Holy Spirit, but rather winds that seek to taunt us with needless worries, endless speculations. Winds that seek to rock us off our foundations so that we are easily swept up by the world.

Have you ever felt whipped around by the wind? Have you ever gotten to the point where the battle against it is so hard and you are so tired that you consider just surrendering to it, allowing it to carry you this way or that?

I pondered these things while straining to hear that sermon and all the while, I hear the still small voice saying this:

Remember your foundation.

And I think of times that I nearly surrendered to the wind, throwing up my hands, my exhaustion, my will. Surrendering to those things that I thought would soothe, would numb, would help me forget.

But then...

But then, my Protector stepped in. And I remembered my foundation and I saw the safety of surrender to Him, though I knew it would not be something without pain or tears or struggle. But, I would be rooted. I would be found. I would not be aimless, flapping the winds, this way and that. No.

I would be in the safety of His wings, surrounded by His Wind, the world's noise quieting once again.

As we prayed the Prayers of the People, me in my pew, head bent down, heart opened, communing with God that which I laid in front of Him on behalf of myself, on behalf of those I love, I was oblivious to that scathing, cold wind. I was oblivious to the creaking, to the fear, to the howling that sparked worry in my heart.

It was only when I arose out of that prayer that my ears attuned to it once again. And so I learn not only to remember my foundation, but to pray without ceasing.

Are you caught in the windstorm? Have you ever been?

Linking with Michelle at Graceful, Shanda at Pause on the Path, and Laura for Playdates with God.

Also, would love for you to join us tomorrow for Soli Deo Gloria (link opens Monday evening and goes through Wednesday night).

Nourishment: A Choice

2011-11-24T06:00:00.000-06:00

Meet Jenny. Jenny and I have been friends since high school. She is one of the most deep-thinking, yet fun, people I know. She is currently on a blogging break, but wanted to share her thoughts on nourishment on a holiday like Thanksgiving.

photo source

I breathe deeply and I pause. The Thanksgiving begins.

Amidst the “hello’s” and “nice to see you’s” there is anawkwardness. A hmm, do I really know these people? I wonder and I wander.

Between tables, around corners. Through conversations, amidst scents. Dancing with the fragrances around me. Turning around them as they swirl around me.

Family and food. Thisis what this holiday is.

Or is it?

I think about nourishment because my friend has asked me to. My definition of the holidayexpands. I am nourished because I chooseto be. Not by what I eat or don’t eat. Not by what I say or don’t say. Simply in the act of showing up I feedmyself, I am fed. By positioning myselfto love, and be loved, I choose to nourish, and become nourished.

The Source of all nourishment is the Source Himself, the Godof Life and Love, Yahweh, Ancient of Days. When I open myself up to family, food, wandering conversations andwafting scents, I open myself up to love. I open myself up to Him, His presence, His here and now.

I open myself up to…

…the unexpecteddeep connection with a cousin in the corner;

…the moment when I can speakencouragement over an in-law in the hallway;

…the laughter I hear emanating fromthe children in the playroom, that brings a smile to my face;

…the gifts all around me, wafting like the scents, both tangible andintangible, physical and ethereal, but all good and each substantial, fillingand full-fulling.

As I push through the awkwardness that can be the holidays,as I open myself up and make myself vulnerable, I am nourished. And, I am thankful.

May you be blessed with the perspective of His presence thisThanksgiving, and it may it feed you more than ever before.

Like I said above, Jenny is on a blog break, but if you would like to read more of her words, you can find her at In the Becoming.

When I First Encountered Him...

2011-11-23T06:00:00.000-06:00

I'm guest posting today for Amy Wards' series on thankfulness for the Word. Would you join me over there? Here's a little teaser to lure you over...

photo source

I’ve spent most of my life in the Episcopal Church, whichhappens to mean that I didn’t grow up clutching a Bible to my chest when Iwalked into the sanctuary doors. Ididn’t have one in front of me amongst the Books of Common Prayer and hymnalswhen I sat down in the wooden pew, softened by crushed red velvet cushions.

The Bible was read from the pulpit and for most of my life,except in times of distress, that where it stayed.

And then, in what seemed like a flash, the Bible becamesomething living, something fresh, something relevant to me. I was on a YWAMmission trip far from home and as we sat through training, the leader asked usto grab our Bibles, close our eyes, and listen for God to reveal His promisesthrough His written Word.

“He can do that?” Ithought.

And so I closed my eyes and strained to hear thevoice of God... To continue reading, please click here...

Art and Soli Deo Gloria Party

2011-11-21T19:30:00.000-06:00

The purpose of Soli Deo Gloria is just this: to be a community of women who encourage each other as we share our hearts, bare our souls, and walk the road with God. As the facilitator of this group, sometimes my posts become more about the group and not so much about what is going on inside my heart. But today, I write with a bit of trepidation and anxiety in my heart because, well, I'm in the process of beginning to sell my, um, art. Crazy.

Above is a piece that I did for my beautiful, talented, most wonderful friend, Amy. This is how it came about:

1. I asked her if she had a verse (most all my art is scripture-inspired) she wanted me to use as inspiration or if she wanted me to pray and ask God for a verse. To which she said, "Oh, I totally want YOU to pray and get a verse." Of course, she would say that.

2. So, in the shower, I prayed and two verses came to mind. Upon toweling off and dressing, I looked up both verses, sent them to Amy, and had her choose.

3. After I received her response, I re-read the verse, asked God for vision, and started drawing. What really came through to me in this verse was God's rescue and the fact that in His strength, provision, and protection, we can have REST. I thought about all the things that we need rescue from: the storms of our lives, the walls we build around our hearts, the briar patches along the roads. When I think about all these things in conjunction with what it means to feel safe in my Father's arms...oh, it soothes my soul.

So...I can do this for you. I can do this for your friends or your family or anyone else. I can either pray and ask God for a verse or you can give me one that is close to your heart. Each piece will be done in charcoal pencil with an acrylic spray finish so that it doesn't smudge. My paper is 9x12, but I can also create pieces that are more suitable to framing (sorry, Amy, I didn't think about this when I did yours) like 8x10 or 5x7.

I have to thank my sweet bloggy friend, Rachel. Do you know that right when I began typing this post (doubting myself all the way), I received an email from her? This is what she said: "i adore your charcoal art. it's beautiful. i only wish you sold your work, so that i could buy a piece." I'm kind of taking this as confirmation that I need to go ahead with this, at least for now. We'll see what comes of it, I suppose.

If you are interested, please email me at jenfergie2000@me.com. I am really insecure about this whole charging people money thing, but I'm gonna go with $30 per piece, plus shipping. If that sounds good, just give me a shout.

Oh, and if there is a piece in the My Art section of my blog that catches your eye, email me and I'll let you know if it is available. Most all of those charcoal pieces are 9x12.

Alright, 'nuff said about me. What's going on in your world? How can we love and encourage you? Link up your blog and we will come with our words and our prayers.

SDG Community Builder: As you visit each other and leave your encouragement in their space, would you offer up a prayer for them, too? It doesn't have to be long, just a sentence or two.

Linking this also to Sneak Peek Friday at Studio JRU!

The Lost Offering

2011-11-20T15:26:00.001-06:00

Did you ever play King of the Hill? I didn't but our priest describes it as a childhood game in which, through trickery or pure force, one seeks to dominate, control, and retain power on top of the hill.

Sounds much like the world today, yes? He contrasts this with idea of servanthood, connecting his words with the words of Matthew in the 25th chapter and Ezekiel's in the 34th. He talked about God as both the King and One who was homeless. And our priest posed the question (paraphrasing here), What would happen if we spent more of our time serving instead of shoving with flank and shoulder, butting the weak sheep?

And I wonder, what about all those times that I seek to prove that I am right instead of just serving the one who contends with me? What about all those times that I covet the roles and responsibilities of others instead of just sitting under their teaching and being thankful that I can learn from them? What about all those times that I choose to build walls so to supposedly protect myself when instead, I just end up judging and hiding and limiting my ability to be light in darkness?

All these thoughts are swirling in my brain and the offertory plate starts to flow from pew to pew. Just as it comes to us, my smallest one drops one of her quarters on the floor and even with a frantic search, we can only find two of the three. There is no consoling her, for she simply must find it, she must put it into the plate. This is her offering and she wants to give it fully. And I try shushing and soothing, but to no avail. She will not be quiet. In the consoling, my eyes finally fall upon the quarter. We pick it up and look back to where the plate has finally made its way. It is too far back, but one of the ushers realizes our crisis and she comes to our rescue, allowing my smallest to place the quarter in her hand so that she may safely deliver it to the plate, to the people to whom this money will serve, to the very Hand of God.

"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" Matthew 25: 40

Will I be so frantic to serve? Will I be undone when I cannot find my offering? Will I choose to stop pushing and shoving and claiming what I deem to be my own, in order to bend down and humbly serve?

Will you?

Linking with Michelle at Graceful, Shanda at Pause on the Path, and Laura for Playdates with God.

Also, would love for you to join us tomorrow for Soli Deo Gloria (link opens Monday evening and goes through Wednesday night).

As of Late...

2011-11-18T07:00:00.000-06:00

Lately, I've been able to say "Life is good."

Lately, I've been saying "Thank You" a lot.

Lately, I've learned that God is teaching me that I can say "Thank You" even when life isn't perfect.

Lately, I've been watching rain fall upon our parched land.

Lately, I've marveled at the spring flowers in bloom in the fall because the weather patterns are confusing them.

Lately, I've seen God color outside the lines.

Lately, I've realized that I don't get 7 year-old humor sometimes.

Lately, I've been so thankful for community.

Lately, I've surrendered more of my leadership to my husband.

Lately, I've gotten to meet some of my blog peeps in person. Simply amazing.

Lately, I've been in love.

What are you up to lately? Come share at CrittyJoy's place.

Also, for some Caffeinated Randomness, visit Michelle.

Nourishment: Better Than Cow Therapy

2011-11-17T07:00:00.000-06:00

Meet Marty. She loves cows and her heart's passion is to encourage women into a deeper experience of the Father's heart for them through the giving out of His Word. Clearly, what is there not to like? I think we are kindred spirits. Perhaps you will think so, too...

"The Lord is my shepherd; I haveall that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows; Heleads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,bringing honor to His name."

Ps 23:1-3

Haveyou ever noticed? It’s impossible toremain stressed while watching a cow eat grass. Seriously. Try it. No, I mean really try it. Take sometime. Watch the process. Let your mind enter into the grazingmoment. Anxiety melts. Pressures deflate. Worries subside. It’s a total “Ahhhhh…” experience. I stumbled upon this astounding discovery elevenyears ago during the second-home-in-the-mountains chapter of our lives.

As we wouldrace to the somewhat nearby Blue Ridge Mountains for 48 hours of weekend bliss,I began to notice in interesting phenomenon: cows were impacting my life in some significant ways. Oddly enough, throughout our trip, Idiscovered my heart relaxing and breathingmore and more fully with each successive cow sighting along the way.

Withoutfail, this marked unwinding intensified and culminated on the last leg of our 3½ hour journey, as we inched our big-city car down the quaint, pasture-lined,dusty road leading to our beloved rural bungalow. Inevitably, I experienced the need to pausealong the way, gazing eye-to-eye with various members of the grazing herds, completelytransfixed by their laid-back modus operandi. Prior to this season in my life, I don’t think I had ever looked a cowstraight in the eye at close range...ever. It was the commencement of authentic and lasting transformation for me.

In thiscontext, cow therapy wasbirthed. The treatment plan for this approachis amazingly simple: Stressed out? Go watch a cow eat grass…for a while. I was the original guinea-pig for theresearch behind this revolutionary medical discovery. As a result, my life has been personallyenriched by the exhaustive list of anti-stress indications linked to this tremendousbovine breakthrough.

In fact,truth be known, I’ve been keeping it a secret all these long years. Actually, I hadn’t intended on sharing thishighly effective therapy with anyoneuntil I could figure out how to market it…and retire early with my proceeds. Alas, I’ve had a change of heart - for the better,I might add - and I have decided to disclose my treasure without regard topotential personal monetary gain… As a point of interest, my research into theimpact of bovine behavior on the human heart has actually expanded into theequine field, and I’ve made an amazing discovery: HorseTherapy is equally as effective; maybe moreso...But that’s another topic.

Whatis at the core of this revolutionary cowtherapy modality, you may wonder? What is the secret behind this innovative remedy for modern man’s (and modernwoman’s) pressing malady of heart and spirit called, stress? I’m not sure; eventhough now I am a self-acclaimed expert in this field. I have watched a lot of cows eat a lot ofgrass during the past eleven years.

Perhaps thesecret lies within the cow countenance; the inescapable expression in theireyes throughout the grazing process…steady, unhurried, self-assured enough to unraveleven the most tightly-wound, adrenaline-addicted soul. With every bite, they seem to say, “What’sthe big deal? Relax…Chill…All iswell….Here, have a blade or two. Trustme. It’sreally good.” Or, maybe theclandestine power of this radical therapy, so mesmerizing to the spirit, ishidden deep within the nonchalant way cows – of all breeds and backgrounds, Imight add – methodically, yet somewhat randomly, move throughout a pasture,blade by blade, seeking out their next bite.

Yep. I’m thinking that might be it. Possibly, the effectiveness of cow therapy lies hidden within the wholeblade by blade thing. From our highlyproficient human perspective, this incredulously inefficient process is in desperateneed of an overhaul.

From a timemanagement point of view, the grazing habits of cows are an utter (pardon thepun) disaster. I mean, really…How Neanderthal! Where is the cow-version of a fast-foodMcDonalds? Think of how much more they could cram into their cow-schedules if only somuch time wasn’t squandered with the whole grazing thing? And we humans know that more is always better. Right?

If I’mhonest about the whole thing, however, I am forced to concede. In spite of its agonizingly measured,methodical pace, somehow, the blade by bladeapproach to cow-life does, in fact, minister a tremendous measure of grace andpeace to my frequently over-scheduled, frantic, frustrated heart. It’s beyond my comprehension, but once again,I am indeed indebted to the cow for this poignant revelation.

So now thatI’ve disclosed my life research, where does that leave us? What are the practical implications of thisradical therapy? Moreover, what possiblerelevance exists between these discoveries - regarding the connection betweenbovine behavior and human sanity - and those who sadly find themselves without thebottom line commodity, essential for beginning this therapy: accessto a cow…better still, a herd of cows???

For manyyears, I too found myself restrained by this unfortunate category of lifecircumstances. As a result, cow therapy was completely inaccessibleto me. (Fortunately, however, at thetime I wasn’t even vaguely aware of whatI was missing.) What to do for frazzledhearts caught in this situation? Wherecan those of us locked within the confines of an urban lifestyle find rest andrejuvenation for the heart, when cowtherapy simply is not a viableoption, for obvious reasons?...

Well, layingall cow-fun aside for the moment,fortunately, lasting hope is within easy reach for our weary hearts, regardless of our life circumstances. It’s as close as the pages of God’sWord. Truly, Scripture is the Light our paths require, and the Lamp our feet so desperately need as wejourney through this life. Psalm 23reminds us, “The Lord is [our] Shepherd; [we] have all that [we] need. He lets [us] rest in green meadows; He leads [us] beside peaceful streams. Herenews [our] strength. He guides [us] along right paths, bringinghonor to his name.”

Familiarwords….familiar concepts…Today, however, as we close our “clinical analysis” onthe intricacies and benefits of cow therapy, let’s fully embrace the Psalmist’s words, and be drawn into thatwonderful place of rejuvenation and peace our spirits crave. Truly, Jesus is the one and only eternal remedyfor our exhausted, thirsty hearts and lives.

In fact, in thesedays just prior to His return, those of us who claim to know Him must to be onthe alert more than ever before. Theintensity of the times in which we live, necessitate us being scrupulouslyaware of the condition of our hearts and lives, with the Spirit’s help. Only as we follow His lead, can wesufficiently tend to our souls and feast on His Presence, averting the manypitfalls aimed at our demise. It is timeto heed the delightful invitation to abide in our Lord, drinking deeply of Hispowerful Presence, in an unprecedented way. His Arms are open wide, inviting us to come closer, to stay longer, and toknow Him as our All-Sufficient Shepherd, more powerfully than we ever have in thepast.

The issue ofwhat to do with over-stressed hearts will remain a pressing dilemma for everygeneration. And as much as I am a devoted proponent of the prolific benefitsof cow therapy, (and plan oncontinuing to practice it on a regular basis) the heart of the matter trulylies in connecting with, The Heart ofthe matter. He longsto be the One Who hold us close, whispering to the depths of our spirits, andfilling us to overflowing in the midst of our over-crowded, stressful lives. Thisday, let’s pull aside from the hassles and heartaches of our circumstances longenough to feed, blade by blade, Word by Word, on His faithfulness…and bethankful.

As we closefor today, may your heart be renewed, and your eyes be on the lookout…Whoknows? Your next opportunity to engagein some peaceful, rejuvenating cowtherapy may be closer than you think…

“Father, Youare so gracious and abundantly extravagant in caring for us as you do. What a treasurewe have in Your Presence. Open our eyesto see You more and more clearly. Freeus from all that distracts, depletes, discourages, and degrades. Thank You for Your lavish reservoir ofpatience, mercy, and thirst-quenching Love which more than abundantly ministers to the depths of our parched, stressed-outhearts.
Lead us,Holy Spirit, this day into the fullness of Youragenda for each one of us. Cause usto follow; to linger; to revel in Your Presence, as never before. Open to us fresh, new pastures previouslyunknown in our experiences with You. Fillus with a sense of excited anticipation over the journey ahead, as we devoteourselves to intimacy with You. Take ushigher and deeper into Your Heart, O God, for You alone truly know usintricately and have the power to fill us abundantly as our souls require. Shepherd us, protect us, renew us, guide usand most of all, bring honor to Your Name through our lives, this day.”

Want to know more about Marty? Read more of her wise words? Click here to visit/follow/subscribe her blog, Rhythms of His Grace.

The Room That Is Not Yet Done

2011-11-16T08:19:00.001-06:00

I take a mental tour of my house. I pass the public areas -- the living room, kitchen, the dining area -- and they look presentable, pretty even. I am satisfied.

I trek upstairs and while things look a bit more lived in up here, they are still pleasant, comfortable, clean, and not pretentious. But if I travel around the curve that leads from the master bedroom, I enter into chaos. I enter into The Room That Is Not Yet Done.

It is the place where household management, art, and my husband's music collide and the collision is not pretty. Someday, we will have enough money to turn the room into what we want, and because that day is not today, I choose to ignore it. I ignore the cluttered, confused room that is not suitable for eyes other than mine.

As I finish up my mental tour, God asks me to tour the confines of my heart. He leads me by the hand and we travel through all those public places, the rooms where people regularly reside and enter in with welcome. We travel into the rooms where I only let in a few trusted people, but I feel as though God is satisfied with the state of these dwelling places. And then, then, we get to The Room That Is Not Yet Done.

We stand outside the door, the door that is covered in "caution" tape, whose handle is hot to the touch, whose lock is big and to which I only hold the key. And He asks me the unthinkable.

Will you let me into this space, this Room That Is Not Yet Done?

And I stand there silently, I shake my head, a defiant "No!" for this is the uncomfortable place where chaos and confusion run rampant and I like to think that my life is order and chaos and peace.

He doesn't open the door, but somehow, He shows me what I look like when I operate inside this room, this Room That Is Not Yet Done, and I see myself small and cowering in a corner, the darkness threatening to overcome me. I am tied up in rope, but there is no one else in the room that is my captor, no one tightening the noose. But, oh yes, there is myself. I am the one who keeps the ropes tight out of self-protection, out of fear, out of comfort because this pain is known.

photo source

And as I watch this little girl in the chaos, as I feel her heart yearning for freedom, I see that she does not know how to get out. And He says, There is only one way. You must let me cut the rope. Imagine the freedom.

But somehow, all I can imagine is the pain that will come with the unleashing, my sore arms so taught, so tight, so unused to being able to bend and flex and lengthen. I think of my tight runner's body before I knew yoga. I think of the handcuffs around the accused and how he rubs his wrists after the release. There is still pain, but it is the pain of the body stretching for freedom. A pain born out of yearning and reaching. Quite different from the pain of being encased in rope.

And so the question still hangs in the air. Will you let me into this space, this Room That Is Not Yet Done? Will you let Me cut the rope that binds you? Will you let me unwind you, carry you through this pain of release? Will you trust me to bring wholeness to your heart?

I see that small girl rise. I see the glint of the scissors raised. I see a small hand reaching for the door. I breathe in and slowly turn the handle.

Will you turn the handle, too?

photo source

Linking with the lovely Emily at Imperfect Prose and Shanda at Pause on the Path.

Happy Belated Birthday, Soli Deo Gloria!

2011-11-14T19:30:00.000-06:00

photo source

(I'm nearly 2 weeks late wishing our little group a happy birthday. Time just gets away from me. Do you ever get so caught up in the living that sometimes you miss the big dates?)

I'm in a reflective mood tonight. I've finished my preparation for my final class of the semester tomorrow (I'm writing this Sunday night) and so my mind has a bit of room to wander. I think back to over a year ago, remembering so clearly the call from God to start this group. I relive the pruning process that God took me through so that I would have the time in which to facilitate in this space. Does anyone remember the tree? Each branch holds a job or role that I filled...

I think back on that first morning in which we went live, filled with anticipation and a little bit of worry that no one would show up on the opening day. What has this community been for me? Oh, the list is too long to count. You have prayed, you have supported (emotionally, spiritually, financially), you have encouraged, you have loved. You respond to me and to each other and most importantly, to God. Any of you that I have met in person, I can attest, you are just as genuine "in real life" as you are on your blog. (And do you know I got to have a fellow SDG sister in my house today?? Joy, I enjoyed every single moment. You are a doll and a precious friend. Oh, and she also got to come to my class today. See below!)

I think about the verse from 1 Chronicles: "Who am I, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?" I just want you to know how privileged I am to host you in this space. It is an honor to read your words. It is an honor that you ask the people who enter here to pray for you. It is an honor to know your heart and to love you.

Oh, and um, what's a birthday without presents? I have this amazingly wonderful friend who makes these amazingly wonderful candles. Seriously, you will not believe how much scent is packed in this beautiful blue jar. Once you light her candle, you will never want another brand. Yes, that is how good they are. She has four scents to choose from that fit perfectly in this fall season: Apple Jack, Pumpkin Brûlée (my favorite), Amish Quilt, and Bodine Brew. How can you join in this birthday fun and win the best ever candle? Just leave a comment on this post. If your email is not connected to your account, please leave your email address, too, so I can contact you if you win.

So now, please raise your coffee/tea mugs or whatever else you are drinking. Happy birthday, Soli Deo Gloria. The best is yet to come.

SDG Community Builder: In the comments section, let us know this: What has Soli Deo Gloria meant to you? Then, hightail it over to someone that you have never seen before and leave her some love.

A Bad Habit

2011-11-14T07:00:00.000-06:00

I'm guest posting today at Melanie Dorsey's WINGS blog. What is WINGS, you say? WINGS stands for Women In God's Shadow and it is a resource for Christian writers and speakers.

Here's a little teaser to get you over there...

art by Jen Ferguson

I’ve developed a bad habit -- something that threatens toderail my relationship with God. It isnot something that one would ordinarily herald as a blatant red flag. It’s more insidious. It catches me unaware. I’m learning, though, to watch for thesigns. Perhaps you might have experiencethe symptoms of this bad habit?

Click here to see if you suffer from the same syndrome...

Unexpected: 5 Minute Friday

2011-11-11T08:48:00.001-06:00

From the Gypsy Mama:

Most importantly: leave a comment for the person who linked up before you – encouraging them in their writing!

OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes on:

Unexpected…

Unexpectedly, I am at home with a sick child. So my long run of 14 miles got cut short to 10 because that is all I had time for before I took my youngest to school. 10 miles in the dark. In the cold. And as I run, I am alert for the nocturnal creatures that sometimes like to come out...the possums, the raccoons, the coyotes, and deer.

Fortunately, I only had to commune with a single doe. I think it was a teenager one -- he was all by his lonesome and I think he was hurrying home to make it back before curfew.

I was thinking while I ran in the dark, the full moon illuminating my path, how it easy it is to sometimes let darkness and chill invade a heart. Thoughts can run wild if we let ourselves be infiltrated, if we don't arm ourselves with the protection that only He can give us. Those unexpected thoughts that pop up in our head -- the ones that we know we need not pay attention to -- but when we are dark and chilled, we let them sit with us for a bit. And perhaps we find ourselves on the out-of-control side because we've been away from warmth and light for a few minutes too long.

When I break free of the thought that has held me captive for this moment too long, when I realize that this dark and cold is not something I want to carry into my heart, I reach, unexpectedly on this 10 mile jaunt, out to Him. Like a little child, I ask Him to chase away the insidious thoughts that have intruded on my safe haven that I have with Him. I ask Him to wash me in His light. I ask Him to be strong in the face of my weakness. I ask Him to be a big Daddy.

And He is. As the light of dawn begins to illuminate my word, as the warmth of the rays slowly thaws this aching heart, I am safe once again.

Nourishment: Crying in my Wheaties

2011-11-10T07:00:00.000-06:00

Meet Jessica. I connected with Jessica through Facebook. She was at She Speaks, but unfortunately, I didn't get to meet her in person. But through her posts on her blog and her passion for quality products for our kids, I'm getting to know her a little bit better. So will you after she fills you with this nourishing post.

photo source

It’s been almost 4 years since we broke it off. Everything Idid centered on our relationship and I hadn’t even noticed how dependent I’dbecome.

Four years ago thisspring, I kissed wheat goodbye.

That’s no secret codename for a man, it’s the real stuff:wheat was killing me from the inside out. The day the doctor proclaimed that Isuffered from extreme gluten sensitivity was one of the best days of my life.He said if I wanted to function and enjoy life, I needed to get rid of thewheat in my diet. After nearly a decade of undiagnosed symptoms, I couldfinally hold a diagnosis in my hand, a solid reason for why I felt so crummyall the time. I wanted a certificate, or a trophy, or someone to slap an A+onto my shirt.

I was free.

However, once in my car, I began to feel sorry for myself. Ithought about all the ways our lives revolved around food. The social butterflyin me grieved. I was crushed over the thought of my deprivation. In a flash,the joy I had was gone.

My focus became about what I couldn’t eat instead of what Icould. Right there in that car, I put food on a throne. I made it my god. Ithought about it constantly. I loved it. I hated it. I worshiped it. I thoughtI was entitled to it.

{The very day thetruth set me free was the same exact day I willingly became a slave again}.

From that moment forward, I never ate wheat again. Yet, nomatter how we acquire them, food-related-strongholds don’t die easily. If thereis one lesson I have learned over these four years it’s simply this:

{If food is onthe throne, God cannot be}.

We cannot serve two masters. Yes, we need food to live, butif we can’t live without our favorite comfort foods for one day without cryingin our Wheaties, we have a problem on our hands. I know I certainly did! Godwants us to be healthy, but we are mind, body, and spirit. If one of those isneglected or abused, then we cannot be balanced. Eating God’s way is not easy,but I’d rather have the abundant life God created for me, than one day with aslice of birthday cake.

“Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus, “Rabbi, eatsomething.” But Jesus replied, “I have a kind of food you know nothing about.”“Did someone bring him food while we were gone?” the disciples asked eachother. Then Jesus explained, “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God,who sent me, and from finishing his work.” John 4:31-34

{Lord, you made food to give us physicalnourishment and we thank you for the abundance of food in our country. Yet, ifwe have put it on Your throne, forgive us. If food is causing us physical,spiritual, or emotional pain, set us free from its’ grip. Let no weapon formedagainst us be able to prosper. Show us each day how to correct the mistakes wehave made, so that we might live the abundant life Jesus purchased for us onthe cross. May we never trade fleeting physical pleasure for doing Your will,and finishing the work you have given us. In Jesus name, amen.}

Want to learn more about Jessica? Jessica Kirkland lives in Southeast Texas with her husband, Robb, and five-year-old triplets. She is the Founder of Christian Apps 4 Kids, where she writes and creates interactive book apps that are Christ-centered. Jessica is an author and speaker whose greatest passion in life is to see young families grow deeper in their walk with God. When she isn't writing, playing with her kids, or chasing her rebellious dog through the neighborhood, you can find her blogging on her personal blog Jessie's House found at http://www.jessicakirkland.com. Jessica also helps others navigate the gluten-free lifestyle on her new website: http://www.glutenfreegab.net

Living & Soli Deo Gloria Party

2011-11-07T19:30:00.000-06:00

photo source

Last Friday night was date night and I was armed with a Groupon for a local pub that featured live music. (Aren't date nights better when they are cheap??). The band started playing to the eight of us in the room and I was struck by how when the applause started one of the singers gave out this most genuine, "Thank you." It seemed to matter little how many of us were listening, only that we were. The band was completely swept up in the music, in the art of performing. They knew they were small time -- they are a group of school teachers, hence their name, The Detentions -- but it didn't matter. Their zest for singing about eating "deep-fried grub" and heading out to "Nassau town, watch the pirate sun go down," was simply life-giving.

There is something about living into one's calling that sets people's hearts aflutter.

These guys, up on the stage, they were using inherent gifts. Sure, they weren't singing to Jesus, but they were singing, and in that, they found happiness. They enjoyed what they were doing and as I looked out into the audience (there were only eight, so it didn't take long), we enjoyed the outpouring of this gift. I saw girlfriends snuggle closer to their boyfriends. I saw grown women get a little weak in the knees when the band took her request. I myself backed my chair up next to my husband's and laid my head on his shoulder.

As the band played, I had a little conversation with God about callings and such. I thought about how even though I still get nervous when I'm about to start speaking, I still wonder how I'm ever going to pull the next talk together, I sometimes still ask God if I still really "have to..." And yet, there are moments when I'm studying, when I'm planning, when I'm teaching, that I reach this high-like state, where no matter what the circumstances, I touch and feel and receive joy. And remembering that feeling and carrying it so close to my heart, it gets me through the times when the ideas don't flow, when I stumble on my words, when it is Sunday night and I still don't know how this will all come together.

He has equipped you. He has equipped you with just enough so that you can do what He has called you to do and yet...still rely on Him to bring you through your own weaknesses and deficiencies. I will be the first one to tell you that I cannot speak on my own. I am desperate for His help every single time I open my mouth in front of my class.

No one is without His gifts. No one. You have them. You. Have. Them.

Go use them.

And remember, even if you stumble, your gifts are not your identity. Whatever comes out of any encounter in which you use your gifts, who you are in Christ never changes. You are still a new creation, a child of God, a branch of the True Vine, a temple of the Holy Spirit, a fellow heir with Christ.

SDG Community Builder: Participate in the Soli Deo Gloria prayer list. What's that you say? I send out an email on Sunday to the group, asking for people to send me any prayer requests they have. I compile them Monday afternoon and send out another email that has all the requests on it. It has been amazing to see God work. If you want to join, you can either email me your email address or just leave it in the comments at the end of this post.

The Smell of Dirt

2011-11-06T14:13:00.001-06:00

Confession: We skipped church today.

And yet, we found God in the garden. Somehow, He always seems to makes Himself known there to me. Have you met Him there, too?

It seems like in our society, dirt has become a bad thing.

Here's some dirt on her.
He's a dirty, rotten scoundrel.
I wouldn't want to get my hands dirty in that.

But today, as I cleaned out my garden, as I got my hands dirty, I smelled the dirt. It was fresh. As I turned it over and over in my hands and shook it out from the clasp of the roots of weeds, all I could smell was life. As I looked over my poor, pitiful vegetable garden, or rather, what remained there, I realized that in this case, it wasn't the dirt that was bad, but rather my own neglect, my willingness to let weeds take over instead of tending the dirt.

At the other end of the yard, my daughter calls over to me. I need some help, she says. She had dutifully been pulling little clovers out of the grass. It looks like your are doing just fine by yourself, I say. But it's better with two people, she retorts, and really, how can I argue with that? Pulling weeds is never fun, but perhaps having company makes it more bearable.

And then I think about sin as weeds and how we often try to overcome our sin by ourselves. Yes, we ask forgiveness from our Savior, but oh how easy it is to continually fall into those sinful traps again, to make the same mistake twice, or discover new ways in which we can turn down the wrong path. What if instead of keeping the sin just between me and Jesus, I told some others. Others who might keep me accountable. Others who might notice when I'm starting to turn in the opposite direction of where I should. Others that might gently guide or empathize or weep with me when I realize how I've turned away or hurt my Father or hurt my friends or even hurt one I do not know. Could working together make the task of rooting sin out of my life, out of our lives, a little less arduous? Does the work of two or three, tilling the soil of us, make it easier?

I think about what is banished in the face of a confession that goes beyond my internal pleas to my Savior. When I open my lips and spill my life into the hands of another, sin and all, what is it that disappears?

Pride?
Masks?
Idols?

How do we know if we can really be loved unless we share the parts of our hearts that seem mired? How can we know if we can really trust unless we give someone else something that we are hesitant to expose? How can we give God the glory of our refinement unless we show that we are desperately in need of being refined?

I think about a particular weed in my garden today. It was much too big to conquer on my own. I needed help getting to the root. Perhaps as that old Sesame Street song goes, 4 hands are better than 2, 4 hands are better than 2. If you have a job that must be done, 4 hands are better than 2.

Linking with Michelle at Graceful, Laura at The Wellspring, and Shanda at Pause on the Path.

Nourishment: Chewing on Words

2011-11-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

Meet Diana. Can I just say that from the moment I met her, I have loved her? She is intentional, she is wise (oh-so-very-wise), and love spills out from her heart as she responds to me and to others. My life is richer because I know her.

From my earliest memory, I have loved books. All kinds ofbooks. I love the sight of them on shelves. I love the sound a new book makeswhen you open it for the first time. I love the smell of ink on paper. Ilove books. This love is an inherited one - my mother was a reader, alover of words. And she encouraged me to love words, too. Especially words thatmight make me think, that would encourage my imagination, that might open awindow into a different space, time, or way of thinking. (She introduced me toa lot of great authors, including C.S.Lewis and Paul Tillich when Iwas an early teen.)

When I was an elementary school kid, we had a mobilepublic library - a big van, filled with books to peruse. I was the first personin line from about 2^nd grade on, checking out the legal limit everytime. I read books about people and about animals. I read books set in farawaytimes, fantastic places, and usually peppered with unforgettable characters.From Nancy Drew to Anne of Green Gables to Sherlock Holmes, I particularlyenjoyed serial collections, reading every volume produced by favorite authors,finding nourishment for my spirit and my imagination with each new edition.

When I was in high school, my mom discovered the writingsof Catherine Marshall and Elizabeth Goudge, the former writingChristian commentary on life and the latter, beautifully crafted novels withdiscernible spiritual depth to them. When we found it tough to communicateverbally with one another (as teen girls and their mothers often do!), we stillshared our love of reading with, often leaving notes about what we haddiscovered on pillows or dresser tops.

The snapshot above shows just a small portion of one ofseveral bookcases in my home, each of them filled with volumes that have provenedible, digestible and nourishing to me. Some of them are fiction, some of themare not. All of them speak to me of beauty, truth, grace - and the power of thewritten word. And most of them, adhering to that serial-loving-tradition begunin childhood, belong to a group of favorite authors. If you have not dippedinto any of this writing, may I encourage you to try a little of this, a littleof that? When life feels overwhelming, when the baby won’t sleep, when the bossis demanding, when television is SO old hat - falling into the well-writtenwords of one of these authors will offer you a taste of something rich andsatisfying. I list them, in no particular order, with a title or two and alittle bit of annotation.

MadeleineL’Engle - especially the non-fiction, but I adore the fiction aswell. If she is new to you, begin with the Crosswicks Trilogy (non-fiction) orthe Wrinkle in Time series (fiction).

FrederickBuechner - especially love his memoirs and non-fiction - apersonal favorite? His sermon collection, entitled, A Room Called Remember.Fab.u.lous.

EugenePeterson - anything and everything the man has ever printed, with aspecial note for his last 5-volume set. The easiest of those to enter into is EatThis Book, a magnificent portrait of why and how to read scripture.

AnneLamott -again, especially the non-fiction. Bird-by-Bird isa superb book about writing/creativity and her memoirs paint a lovely portraitof the way in which she discovered that she belonged to God. (Allow room for4-letter words here and there.)

KathleenNorris - poetry and non-fiction which is soul-stirring. Dakota,The Cloister Walk are 2 favorites.

MarilynneRobinson - only 3 novels in 25 years, but oh.my.goodness - theyare grand, especially Gilead.

BarbaraBrown Taylor - one of the outstanding preachers of ourgeneration (meaning 50 and older here…), her sermon collections are justwondrous to read. And her memoirs are also excellent, beginning with LeavingChurch.

HenriNouwen - anything and everything. Really, truly. Same for Brennan Manning.

IanMorgan Cron - 2 volumes thus far - both superb: a memoir, Jesus, MyFather, the CIA and Me, and a novelthat brought tears at multiple points for both my husband and me as we read italoud from my Kindle on a recent car trip: Chasing Francis.

ParkerPalmer, Gerald May, Richard Rohr - an educator, a psychologist andspiritual director, and a priest, respectively - each of these men has writtenremarkable volumes about authenticity, spirituality, faithfulness over time.Try: Palmer - Let Your Life Speak, May - Addiction and Grace, Rohr - Falling Upward. Amazing,thought-provoking, even if you don’t agree with every single word. Each ofthese was life-changing for me in some way.

LuciShaw, Wendall Berry, Mary Oliver, Paul Willis, Rainer Maria Rilke - poetsall. Multiple books for each, all of them food for the soul.

Want to read more of Diana (oh, yes you do!)? Click here to follow/subscribe to her blog, DGRT/Just Wondering.

in which i fly with yellow wings

2011-11-02T07:30:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago I did a giveaway on my blog. One of the items was a custom art piece based on a scripture of the winner's choosing. About a week or two after the giveaway happened, I actually started thinking about how I had to paint something. Something that this winner might like. I honestly had no vision for what was supposed to appear on this canvas until I took a Sabbath day.

I had been outside on my patio, reading a book, when I just happened to look up. As I gazed at the clouds, this bright yellow goldfinch flew over my head.

Hope, He said. Paint hope for her.

And so I got started on the sky. And I finished the blue. And then I stopped painting so it could dry. It dried for about another week or so. You know, the It's drying excuse can only last about 24 hours, but you see, I knew I had to paint the bird next and I didn't know how. All I remembered was yellow. Bright, vibrant yellow against a clear, beautiful blue sky.

And so, I did research and looked at dozens of goldfinches online. Did you know, their bodies are yellow and their wings are gray, brown, and white? And did you know that it looks really funny when I paint a body of yellow and wings that don't seem to match. And though my colors were realistic, when I stood back, I did not see hope in this bird. I saw...blah. The yellow body -- the hope -- looked so small in comparison to the drab wingspan. And so, frustrated, I railed at God a bit. I railed at myself a bit for undertaking such a task. And then, when I finally shut-up, He said,

Paint it like you remember it. There is power in the vision. There is power in how you saw it in the beginning. There is power because I gave this to you as a gift.

And so, I painted the wings with more yellow. And it is not realistic, but it is hope. And I think to myself often these days as I speak in front of my class, as I try to grasp hold of what He is asking me to do, and the grayish-brown substance that I call reality keeps getting in my way. It starts to taint the vision that He has given me. It starts to lay out the shoulds and the supposed-tos. It sets expectations and lays down the rules. And yet, I now start to ponder...

Is my reality the same as God's reality? Am I assuming a grayish-brownish world is true and the yellow feathers on the wings are not? Do I trade hope for logic? Do I box God into my world or do I let Him take me with Him into His? And I think...I want to be free from the constrains of the world.

I want to fly...with yellow wings.

What about you? How is your world colored?

Linking with Emily at Imperfect Prose and Jennifer for Sneak Peak Friday.

Unwrapped & Soli Deo Gloria Party

2011-10-31T19:30:00.000-05:00

photo source

What I am about to share may entice you to have second thoughts about me when you read this fact, but alas, it is such a good example of my point that I have to share. Here is my confession:

I used to think that if I lost a game of Words with Friends that people would think I was stupid. And, to be honest, perhaps I had built up my supreme wins so much that I thought that if I started losing, people would start seeing me differently. Perhaps, if I started losing, I would begin to see myself differently. Perhaps I would say: "Well, there is something else you aren't the best in..."

Ridiculous. I know! And yet, at the time, I really didn't know. You see, my whole life, I never entertained the fact that my failures were separate from my identity. I never considered that just being who God created me to be would be enough. But perhaps the problem was, I didn't know what my identity in Christ was.

Last week in Bible study, I asked my class to respond to this question and write their answer down in their journals:

"How would you define yourself?"

I then handed out two sheets of paper. One was entitled "Who Does God Say I Am?" You can find the whole document online, but here is a snippet:

• I am a child of God.

But to all whohave received him--those who believe in his name--he has given the right tobecome God's children … (John 1:12).

• I am a branch of the true vine, and a conduit of Christ’s life.

I am the truevine and my Father is the gardener. I am the vine; you are the branches. Theone who remains in me--and I in him--bears much fruit, because apart from meyou can accomplish nothing (John 15:1, 5).

• I am a friend of Jesus.

I no longer callyou slaves, because the slave does not understand what his master is doing. ButI have called you friends, because I have revealed to you everything I heardfrom my Father (John 15:15).

The second sheet of paper held a list of spiritual gifts, such as encouragement, evangelism, teacher, leadership, hospitality, writing. I asked the class to compare their definition of themselves to the content of the sheets. Which list did their definition most resemble? Which list would yours?

Most all of them defined themselves by their giftings from God, but not by God Himself. And thus, when our self-worth and identity is based on something we can do and use, when we fail, when we don't measure up, when we don't rise to the place we deem success, we feel pretty low. And when we feel low, we compare ourselves with others, we try to over-achieve, or we just shut down and don't do anything. Maybe we delete our Words with Friends account completely...

Your gifts are not your identity. Gifts are something that are meant to be picked up and used for a time and then set back down again. God created us out of love and equipped us with gifts that enable us to do His work, but it is when we clothe ourselves with our gifts, we feel naked and exposed when they do not fulfill the expectations we set out for them, and for ourselves. God doesn't want us to be naked and exposed. He doesn't want us comparing ourselves to each other. He doesn't want us overachieving, leading to fatigue and burnout and a low sense of self-worth. He wants to clothe us with His love, with His Spirit.

Unwrap yourself today, friend. You will be surprised how beautiful you are when it's just you. May you see yourself as Jesus sees you -- a new creature, a friend of Jesus, a citizen of Heaven.

SDG Community Builder: God gave me this prayer to pray the other night. Would you pray it with me?

Father God,

May the women who enter here feel welcomed. May they feel loved. In turn, may those who enter here welcome and love by Your power and grace. May she know that her worth is not in the number of comments she gives or receives, but by You, and You alone. Amen.

If you would like to be on the Soli Deo Gloria prayer request email list, please let me know in the comments.

Also, a fellow SDG girl is in need. You can read more at Cooking Up Faith, A Meal in the Mail Ministry.

oh, and last thing. I promise. s(He) Listens Ministries is now on Facebook. If you have a second, will you like me on FB, just like you do in real life? :)

Nourishment: Beginning with "No"

2011-10-27T07:00:00.000-05:00

Meet Daniele. I met her recently, when she asked if she could contribute to this series. And I'm so glad that she asked because now that I know her and visit her place, I have another space in which to find nourishment (really, the moment you enter her blog, you just want to rest). I pray that you are nourished as you soak up her words. Here is Daniele...

{Thank you Jen for the opportunity to share words and thoughts on this journey of nourishment :: a practice so necessary for us all.}

How many times do I wish I had simply answered ‘no’? Or at least ‘not now’...giving breadth and room for an intentional,

and not simply an emotional response?

To pause and listen, to wait on counsel, to ask of Him.

How many times have you?

We humans have this strange and often unexplainable capacity to overwhelm ourselves. Over and over, decisions we make clutter life with fullness that does not feed. And we stand empty-handed, spent and lacking, frustrated and disappointed.

Then we firmly resolve to ‘never again’, only to find we did it again. Sigh. I’ve lived this cycle one time too many.

In the midst however, there is hope. A movement towards life abundant.

Nourishment begins with ‘No’.

photo source

There is incredible value in the practice of boundaries, in the walking of life with clear expectations. An understanding of how the resources of time, focus and energy are to benefit and not deplete us.

In my own personal journey of seeking nourishment, I am repeatedly struck however with the need for not only external organization -- figuring out schedules, clearing house, weighing opportunities, taking time for refreshment...

...but to seriously evaluate internal motivations of why I choose to live malnourished in the first place. In the past year especially, I’ve wondered. Do I feel I don’t deserve it? Why don’t I act on what is known to be good for me? Perhaps it’s a simply a time issue? -- but, not really, since hours are given to things of lesser importance.

I have made one observation in particular :: I can declutter my home, strip the schedule, journal regularly, study Scriptures and exercise faithfully and still be left clanging like a cymbal.

It’s true -- I’ve seen it. Sometimes I’ve lived it.

I offer today that nourishment should be approached not just in the doing of specifics, but in the knowing of just why we should. Think of approaching caring for mind and body with the deep conviction that we are loved. Showered lavishly by One who delights in our goals of feeling well, living well, being well.

These are also His plans for those He loves.

He too is eager, determined even, for our best to shine. I believe we find tremendous favor in seeking to live intentionally within this back-and-forth love relationship with God. This knowing provides inspiration for our nourishment practices to find root. The more convinced I’ve become that He wants this for me too, I choose nourishment over living in lack.

I only offer suggestions, not prescriptions. The ways we seek to nourish are as numerous as individuals who pursue its path.

But today...

with the purpose of welcoming deeper ways of caring for self...consider saying ‘no’.

A resounding ‘No!’ to any feeling, any question,

any distraction or any mentality

that would rob of living fully in the reality of God’s incredible love for us. Let this conviction then feed our heart motivation to live life well!

To read more of Daniele and to subscribe to/follow her blog, Domestic Serenity,please click here.

Pervaded

2011-10-26T09:25:00.001-05:00

O God, you are my God;

I earnestly search for you.

My soul thirsts for you;

my whole body longs for you

in this parched and weary land

where there is no water.

Psalm 63: 1

I've been thinking lately --

what prohibits us from seeing this life from a God perspective?

Yes, sometimes I forget who God is.

Sometimes I forget who I am.

And a lot of times, I choose to forget what the Word says.

And I am seeing what competition this world is --

this world view that so often floods my very being,

photo source

a world view that tells me I must compete for what I have,

for what I deserve,

for even what He has called me to be.

That people are secondary and things are of primary importance.

How often do I choose things --

things that need buying

cleaning

adorning

over people?

Over my children?

And how often do I choose people simply because they could

adorn me?

fill me?

elevate me?

How quickly the God perspective is drowned out

by the drone of the television

or in the books

or in the to-do list

or even the blogs

and the class

and the prayers.

And the question becomes:

Am I pervaded by God?

If I am, I do only the things He puts on my heart

and I am filled by the living water,

and not by this dry and parched land.

If I am, I love simply for the sake of loving,

not cautiously, but extravagantly,

without regard to what I could get,

but simply with regard to what I could give.

If I am...

And I read this Psalm 63,

this first verse,

and every time, it seems,

I am moved to tears.

Because I know what my soul truly longs for.

And I know how my mind and body often choose

to simply believe the lies

that there is something better than God

photo source

or that He needs some kind of supplement.

And I imagine myself,

myself without God,

living a life unpervaded,

and I am simply a straggly girl,

crawling across the sandy desert floor,

yearning and despairing and dying

for a drink.

I don't want to be a straggly girl

who acts out of desperation.

I want to be in His sanctuary.

I want to be satisfied.

To be filled to the brim even when my worldly circumstances

are less than.

But, I must be pervaded.

Infused.

Permeated.

With Him.

Him alone.

Linking with Emily at Imperfect Prose. And Michelle at Graceful.

God's Perspective & Soli Deo Gloria Party

2011-10-24T19:30:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Soli Deo Gloria. This is a place to share what is on your mind. It is a place where vulnerability is accepted, where heart cries are honored, where struggles are heard. It is a place where we are unconcerned with the quality of your words, but about the state of your heart. We are a community of women that seek to encourage, support, love each other with our words. There is laughter. There are tears. There is everything in between. No matter where you are, who you are, where you have been, I want you to know that you are in the fold and that as you leave your link, you are prayed for. Desire more information? Please click here for the full scoop.

Last week, I told you that I had been thinking about some things. I had a crazy dream and felt like God had asked me to lay down trying to go to all of your blogs and leave an encouraging, thoughtful comment. It was hard to not visit all of you. I sincerely want to know what is happening in your lives. I desire to pray for you. My heart longs to encourage you. I also know, though, that in the process of sacrifice and surrender, there always comes new growth. I think this is already happening, as I read in your incredibly loving comments how y'all desire to carry this community, picking up my slack, so to say. Do you know how much that blessed me? But in truth, a community has to be more than one person. I am so blessed by the ways in which you interact with me and each other. Each week, I am overcome with all the ways that God uses us to support each other.

The past few weeks in my class, we have been talking about hearing God's voice, and in turn, answering His call. In preparation for the class, I've been digesting the first six chapters of Nehemiah, looking at God's call on his life (to rebuild the walls and community of Jerusalem), and trying to discern how he was able to do the amazing job that he did. I boiled it down to this: he listened and prayed with God's perspective, not his own.

How was he able to keep God's perspective?

He remembered who God is.
He remembered who he was.
He remembered the Word.

In the very first prayer that we are privy to, we see evidence of all three of these keys to keeping God's perspective. He opens his prayer with this:

"O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel." Nehemiah 1: 5-6a

Nehemiah remembers that God is great, awesome, and faithful. His love is unfailing.

He continues on:

"I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, decrees, and regulations you gave us through your servant Moses...The people you rescued by your great power and strong hands are your servants." Nehemiah 1: 6b-7, 10)

Nehemiah remembers that he is a sinner, imperfect. And he also recognizes his place -- a servant of God.

Finally, Nehemiah remembers the oral tradition that has been passed down, generation to generation:

"Please remember what you told your servant Moses. 'If you are unfaithful to me, I will scatter you among the nations. But if you return to be and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.'" Nehemiah 1: 8-9

Nehemiah remembers the promises of God, the same promises we find in the Bible.

Here is my question for you: Do you lose God's perspective sometimes? If so, what is that you forget? Who God is? Who you are? What His Word says?

For me, as noted in my strange warehouse dream, I often forget who I am. I forget that my worth is not found in my giftings, but rather, I am worthy and loved because I am simply made by His hands. I find myself always striving, always trying to prove myself because I don't see myself as God sees me. Instead, I look at myself through the world's eyes. And there is a place in which I will never fully measure up.

Okay, enough of my words. I pray that you would be encouraged and be an encourager as you go out among the Soli Deo Gloria community.

Community builder: As you look among the many faces, find one that you don't recognize. Go hang out at her place for a bit and leave a note of welcome and encouragement.

A Better World Facebook Review

2011-10-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

I get addicted to word games and my husband gets addicted to war/slay the dragon/samuri type games. To be honest, I have stayed away from even the tamer things like Farmville, etc, simply because I see how easy it is to get caught up in fantasy land and neglect the real life world we actually live in. My kids however, are growing older and though they are still too young for a Facebook account, I want to be a type of mom who knows what's out there. What will pull them in? What will they be attracted to? Will the game hold the same values as we try to uphold in my house?

When I had the opportunity to review a new Facebook game called A Better World, produced by ToonUps, I thought it would be great to dive into a fantasy world that might actually parallel with our real-world and encourage us to live out those "do-goods" off the computer as well.

The goal in A Better World is to get rewards for doing good and for helping others do good. While I think the goal for doing good things in our house is to do them just for the sake that is the right thing to do, there does need to be some sort of tangible goal in any game. The moral reasoning for doing good things will have to come through our family teaching/scripture anyway, so I am not opposed to the reward system in the game. There are many areas in the game, as there are in life, in which to do good. In addition, the game takes on a personal touch in that you can play and interact with other friends who play the game on Facebook as well.

Character Creation & Clothing Boutique

I have to be honest -- when I created my character for this game, I was a little disappointed with the lack of modest shirt options. In addition, the standard body type given was a bit on the "perfect" side. When/if my kids play this game, I don't want them to encounter yet another unrealistic body image.

However, when you travel to the Clothing Boutique, there are an array of modest options. In addition, you can also choose from several cute pairs of glasses, which I love.

All Around Town: Positive Encouragements

Fun highlights that encourage us to take initiative in our real-life communities:

Positive Post: Send a message to a fellow Facebook friend in the game.
Arcade: One of the games focused on recycling. When we recycle we diminish the amount of stuff in our landfill. Playing the game may not green up our earth, but perhaps will make us think twice about putting something in the trash next time.
Clothing Boutique: Not only can you buy things for yourself, but you can also buy for someone else and leave gifts for them at their house. Next time we are out shopping, perhaps we will pick up a little happy item for someone we know may not have had the best day instead of filling our carts with just stuff for ourselves.
Community Garden: Start out virtual and by the end, you just may be excited about planting seeds in your own backyard.

To get a complete overview, you can click on the trailer below:

To find and play A Better World on Facebook, log in to Facebook and then click here. You can also get started by clicking here to access A Better World homepage.

I was given the opportunity to share my thoughts and opinions on A Better World. ToonUps provided a $50 gift card as a thank you for my participation. All thoughts and opinions are my own.