I don’t normally make New Year’s resolutions that I take very seriously. Last year I swore I would quit buying clothes for myself at Wal-Mart and make an effort to purchase clothes that didn’t look like I had either just rolled out of bed or was headed to the gym. And I did it. I made a conscious effort to get dressed every day. After having three babies in four years, I felt like I was really accomplishing something by wearing real clothes. This year, my goal was more serious. After the chaos that ruled my life in 2010, I was ready to be more focused. I wanted this year to be a year of purpose, direction and thoughtfulness in every area of my life. Instead of life spinning me around like a blindfolded kid at a birthday party, playing Pin The Tail on The Donkey, I wanted to be focused and present in every moment of my life. I wanted to stop multitasking so much and pay full attention to each task that needed to be accomplished. For example, instead of writing on my laptop outside … [Read more...]
Quiet Time
I grew up “in the church.” I don’t remember a time in my life when I ever doubted that God existed and that He loved me. But I was in college before I had an authentic realization of who God was to me and that I was utterly useless without Him. That is when I began to seek a relationship with the Lord on my own and wondered what His plans were for me. I started going to Bible study groups and attempting to read my Bible on my own. It was enlightening and simultaneously foreign. I was surrounded by people speaking in code: quiet time, meditation, seeking the Lord (did He go somewhere?), walking with Him (where were we going?) I was a bit overwhelmed, but there was no way I was going to look like an idiot by opening my mouth to ask someone what these words and phrases actually looked like in their daily lives. Quiet time and meditation were totally alien concepts. For one thing, I’m a talker. I probably even talk in my sleep. Sitting still and waiting for God to “speak” seemed … [Read more...]
Is Jesus Still A Baby?
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9: 6-7 (NIV) It was a morning like every other. My two blond daughters sat on bar stools in our kitchen, eating breakfast and getting ready for school. I was pouring myself a cup of coffee and packing lunches for the day as they chitchatted together. You never know when children will open their mouths and say something so brutally honest it makes you laugh out loud or ask a question which leaves you speechless for an answer. Occasionally they unknowingly speak a truth so profound you wonder why you never realized it on your … [Read more...]
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