Daniel SAFARI: Week 3.

In this week's study, we are discussing fortitude vs. compromise. To be clear, we're not talking the type of compromise where everyone gives a little bit and then wins a bit. We're talking about compromise as it relates to letting go of our values during times of duress.

The questions I'm choosing to address are the following:

• Post about a time when you got an unexpected benefit as a result of a trial.
• Are trials a necessary part of Christianity? Discuss.

Three weeks before I turned 30, my mother died.  In February, it'll be 11 years. Oh, dear.  That means I'll be 41 next month.  Shhh.  Don't tell anyone.  She died on my father-in-law's 60th birthday.  I don't love February.  Not only is it a gray month, but, even 11 years later, I still have gray days when I think of my mom.  I often try to plan little treats and/or vacations during February to make it a more palatable month.  Tell me you do those types of things, too.  Well, not planning trips and treats in February, but planning little happies when you know you're not going to be so happy on your own.  Just me?

My mother and I had a tenuous relationship in my 20s.  Probably this had something to do with my growing independence from her, and my lack of codependence regarding her alcoholism.  It was not pretty.  In fact, because of her drinking, I had very little to do with her. Like a toddler who touches the stove, I was tired of being burned.  I learned to avoid her, so I saw her and spoke to her as little as possible.

And then I had children.  And I had a mother, who, jaded and diseased as she was, loved me and dearly, fiercely loved my children.  Yes, that's right.  She loved us all well.  As well as anyone could who didn't love themselves. She wanted to be a part of their lives, and part of mine, of course.  About 10% of me wanted that, too, so the other 90% came along for the ride.  Why?  Because I was torn between having a broken grandmother for my children (and mother for me) and not having one at all.  So, we bumped along until the last time I saw her conscious:  Feb 16, 1999.  She had come to visit me for Valentines Day weekend, to see the kids (then 2.5 and 8 months) and care for them while Big and I had dinner out.  I'll never forget her out in the snow on the morning she was scheduled to go back home, trying desperately not to freeze to death as she had her first ciggie of the day.  When she came in to warm up and have coffee, I asked her if she was ready to get home.  She said, "Well, it would be nice to have my coffee and my ciggie in the same place."  We both chuckled.  I remember that she didn't feel all that hot when I dropped her off for her ride home.  Five days later, she died.  Diagnosis?  Strep pneumonia.  Seriously?  Yes.  She was misdiagnosed as having the flu, so wasn't given any meds.  When I was called to see her on Saturday afternoon, Feb 21st, she was full of tubes and had only hours to live. 

And yet.

In this instance...her death was a beautiful, tragic, amazing mercy.  I believe that God was there, and further, I believe to my core that my mom was healed completely and utterly that day. Not healed here.  Not healed such that we could have a relationship.  Perhaps God knew that our time would be better spent having coffee someday in heaven, after the dust settled down here.

I do not believe that I would be as strong in my faith were it not for the "untimely" death of my mother, at age 54.

Losing my mom was a trial.  To this day, it remains a trial of sorts because...as much as we were broken in our relationship together, I loved her as fiercely as she loved me.  And I miss her.  Every day.  For, as much as alcohol was a part of our lives, so was her sacrifice and hard work and love for me.  She did the best she could with what she had, and then...I believed God released us both.
 
I believe my trip down to the hospital chapel where I released her into His care was a turning point in my faith.  A turning point which allowed me to seek and see something bigger than the intricacies and inadequacies of our mother-daughter relationship. Bigger than what I could ever hope to create or be apart of on this earth. 

Are trials necessary in the lives of Christians?  In the pre-sin era, I'd say definitely not.  However, based on what we're learning on this SAFARI, I know that we must consider them His refinement for our eternal benefit. 

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
James 1:2-3 (NIV)

Disclaimer:  To those of my friends who have lost parents, especially recently, please know that nothing in my post was intended to harm you in any way.  May the Lord bless you and keep you on your journey of grief.  May you feel His sweet new mercies each day. xxxooo

GladiTuesday!

I can hardly believe that I've hit 290 posts at this particular blogular location.  I had two previous blogs, but have settled in nicely to Jewels in My Crown Someday.  I still like the name. Still lurve the idea of penpal-ing around with all of you.  And I've very much enjoyed the growth in my walk with Jesus--yes, even as a perk of this blog.  Stay tuned.  I might call all you lurkers out of the woodwork for a 300 party.  Why?  Because.

Ahem.  On to my gladdy mcgladdisms of the day:

10. So frightfully glad I don't have to wear this to work every day...

Though it is quite fetching in a beaver hunting sort of way.

9.  Glad that I was able to spend a day and a 1/2 with S., probably my closest friend in WA.  We scooted out to Whidbey on Friday at midday and returned after dinner on Saturday.  She just gets me.  And I think...it would be fair to say I just get her.  Iron constantly sharpens iron, but also knows when to share a bottle of wine and relax over Fritos and bean dip. And tuna casserole.  And Real Housewives of Orange County repeats.  Mercy.  And you CAN brag on these hats.  They're our we-bought-them-on-Whidbey-and-may-never-wear-them-but-it-was-fun-anyway!-hats.

I love you, S.  God has blessed me so richly in our friendship!!!!!

8.  Gladdy mcglad that I had the privilege of singing on the worship team last Sunday.  Truly, this is one of my favorite things to do, evah!  I am not always a confident singer, but have full confidence in the richness of His grace.  No problem at all worshiping that!  I also happen to adore and admire all the folks with whom I am honored to sing.  *contented sigh*

7.  Super-duperifically glad that my husband had a flat tire because it FORCED him (ahem) to get his tires replaced.  Don't ask me whether I may have nagged incessantly supported him in this very safety wise decision.  Lying doesn't look good on me.

6.  I'm not sure if this is something to be glad about...but i'm lurving the new Scrabble app on Appletini!  I am learning all these smart-people words, like "da", and having so much fun.  I'm sure my productivity is just the same as it ever was.  I went all out and spent $4.99 on this app.  Previous to this, I had maxxed out at $.99 purchases. 

5.  Board games make me gladdy.  The kids think I'm wacko, but I'm not sure that's unusual.  Either I am wacko, or they're going thru a stage.  Anyhoo, I make them invite everyone to the table after dinner--probably once or twice a week--to engage in stimulating rounds of:  Farkle, Blokus, and other nifty strategic pursuits.  I am REALLY into Farkle.  Doesn't it sound like a naughty word?  I know.  My name is Gretchen, and I am 12.

4.  Glad Mt. Washmore is a mere foothill as I type this.  Holla!

3.  Glad that we're looking into possibly doing some pet therapy with D and Annie (our Golden Retriever).  Both of them would benefit, I think, from serving others.  Waiting to hear if this might be a "go".

2.  Infinitely glad when my husband is home for math homework questions.  I have struggled and struggled with math, and truly only in the last few years have let some of that shame go.  You know the shame--"I can't to _____, so I must be a l.o.s.e.r."  Don't have time for that negative self-talk when I'm raising a daughter with similar challenges.  Trying to be glad about what we CAN do, versus what we can't.  Good training in seeing that God makes all of us with unique purposes in mind.  BTW, did you likey how I used the vocabulary word, "infinitely"??? huh?  Oh...oops.  I wrote that out loud.  Humility, Gretchen.  Need to write HUMBLE in my web.

1. Glad, and so grateful for...a warm bed, a sound house, food in my belly, family and friends, and faith worth grasping.

Blessings to you this week!

Daniel SAFARI: Week 2

Our assignment this week was to choose one of the following: 

• Describe a time when you've had to rely on faith rather than on your own understanding
• Tell of a time when you found yourself struggling with paying attention to the Word...What did you do to get back on track?
• Be bold! Take the time to outline exactly what you believe about God on your blog or social media page today.

Since I  feel equally inept at answering all of them, but slightly better about the first one  couldn't really decide, I thought I would take a stab at the first one, since, for me, it related best to my thoughts as I was studying this chapter.

I have 3 specific situations which are coming loudly to mind right now re:  living in faith rather than upon my own understanding.  But as I know that you have other activities in your life besides reading Gretchen's blog, I am now editing it down to one.  Perhaps the others will come up again later.  But as I type, God is assuring me that this is the story which needs telling...

Wha I'm learning is that trusting in Him and His ways is not easy, but it's really my only choice if I want to keep the anxiety demons away and the pride demons at bay.

Many of you know that i am part of an unequally yoked marriage.  I cannot tell you the tears of anger, frustration, and selfishness that I've cried over this. Surely over the last (nearly) 20 years, buckets have been filled. I have railed upon my husband and upon God until I am just spent. I've questioned, coerced, cajoled, ignored, been passive-aggressive, and martyred my way through wishing, hoping, and begging so that my husband would go to church.  Big picture?  Godly enough, at least on the surface...I want him to have a saving knowledge of Jesus, so that his life in eternity is secured, and so that he would take the reigns of godly leadership over in this family.  As I dig deeper, though, this is more what you might see, if I'm being honest.  This picture is more human.  Selfish.  Full of sin.  Let's see...I want him to come to church so I'm not alone there.  I want him to believe as I do, so that the children have a consistent upbringing.  I want him to go to church, so that he realizes THAT IT IS NOT A PICNIC getting two kids where they need to be, ON TIME.  I want him to open up this gift with me.  The precious gift of faith.  I want him to want this as much as I do. 

Guess what? 

It's not happening the way I had envisioned.  I go to church alone.  I sit alone, or with girlfriends.  I worship together in a body, but apart from my husband.  I go to worship team alone, choir alone, Bible study alone, and I pray alone.  I am deeply, gratefully rooted in the body of believers at my church.  But I am also largely alone. 

God, in His never ceasing mercy has led me to friends, some of whom happen to be pastors, and I've even had the opportunity to sit down with them to discuss my unequal yokedom.  And do you know what?  Without fail, they lead me to the Word.  They lead me to trust in Him.  They lead me to pray for my husband.  They lead me to submit to my husband.  They lead me to love him where he is and with God's eyes.  And I can do this because of Jesus.  Because of His strength, I can be merciful.  Because of His suffering, I can be long-suffering.  Because of His grace, I can be gracious.  Because of His forgiveness, I can forgive.  Because of His timing, I can be patient.  Because He never leaves, nor forsakes me, I am never alone.

So...how's our marriage? Well, because of faith...we are happily married.  I no longer cajole or press.  I do invite.  I share what i learn.  I listen.  I hope.  I give thanks because I see seeds of faith in my husband.  I see many seeking behaviors which tell me that he may be close to accepting Jesus without reservation or hesitation.  Then again, maybe he's not as "close" as I think--at least right now.  I am prepared for that.  I don't like it.  I often have to repent of my worries where he is concerned, because I do want him to have this.  I DO.  After all--what is the Great Commission about if not to gather more believers to the saving grace of Jesus? 

But I'm standing on faith--somedays, it's firmly, while on others, hanging on only by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin, or by my fingernails.  God is gentle and faithful throughout this journey.  And ever so patient...with me. 

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold othat for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do:  Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God ha called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)


"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.  "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."  Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)


Soli Deo Gloria!

GladiTuesday!

I got this idea from Sarah, from In the Midst of It.  She focused on a list of things she liked.  So...w/o further ado, I give you things that make me glad:

10. 

I kid you not:  this is the breakfast of champions.  I have enjoyed Go Lean Crunch over the years, but this is so nummy, I've even had it for dinner. 

9.  My DVR.  Sigh.  Everyone must be good at something.  I happen to be good at watching TV with my husband when the kids go down.  Right now, we are so rich with possibilities (recorded shows of Chuck, CSI,  and Law and Order, SVU), that we're just giddy with TV watching excitement.  Oh, how I'm glad that we forced ourselves to work out last night.  So we could enjoy with impunity.  I also might be good at watching General Hospital, since 1976, but who's counting.

8.  Books!  I'm currently reading The Sugar Queen, by Sarah Addison Allen , and am just about to start "Mom, I Feel Fat!" , by Sharon Hersh.  I'll be posting reviews of both here when I finish them. 

7.  This store makes me all kinds of happy.  Today, I used a gift card and purchased some paper organizers for scrapbooking paper.  One day, I hope to get back to it.  Might be easier if it weren't in a pile of piles.
6.  This toilet bowl cleaner.  Yeah, I actually pause a moment from blog reading and writing, and all my other hobbies to do things like scour toilets.

5.  THESE JEANS.  Sorry to the one or two poor souls of the male persuasion, who may be lurking...But girls, can we talk?  Good. Because I have a tummy. In fact, other than my "top rack", I'm very much made like a man.  Broad shoulders, narrower hips, no butt (or we could call it an "aspirin" butt--round, flat, and with a line in the middle--too much?), and I carry my weight in my gut.  I have FINALLY found jeans that fit, and that have a long enough inseam, because my other issue is that my waist (well, the area which would be my waist if I had one) is directly beneath my breasts.  Sigh.  This means that most of my pants look like high waters, when I'm only 5'6".  Barely 5'6".  So, if you happen to be one of the few "apples" buying women's clothing, these jeans just might be your ticket.  They also have jeans which are touted as "no gap", if this is your problem.  Anyhoo...check these out. 

4.  This Christmas gift.  Oh, how I've coveted thee.  I have even burned out a lesser wannabe until she sparked in anger.  But you, my darling.  You are my hair's soulmate.  I am too cheap to buy your affections for myself, so I'm so gladdy mcglad that my in-laws wanted a list. ;)

3. My church.  I feel like my church has been in a valley for a long time--about 5 years.  Recently, however, it feels like spring in our body.  New folks are coming through the door.  Relationships are forming and thriving.  We still have our problems, like any other church, because we are h.u.m.a.n., but I feel a focus and general sense of growth.  Thank You, Jesus.  What an encouragement.  As I looked around the other day, too, I thought..."Wow.  There are so many people in this room that I not only know, but love and admire."  Cool stuff.

2.  My marriage.  How blessed am I that after almost 20 years of marriage, and nearly 26 years of being together, my husband is still the person I want to cuddle up with at the end of a long day.  His is the first and last voice I want to hear each day.  He gets me and supports me, and provides so well for our family.  None of which is a picnic for him, I'm sure.  I am honored that our children get to witness a working marriage in their lives, and even more honored that it's ours.

1.  Facebook.  Okay...I know...I'm a freak.  But get this. One minute I can be talking to a high school friend, and the next, I can be connecting with a neighbor whom I haven't seen in 9 years because we moved away from the 'hood.  I don't do the games.  Lordy!  I hate the games.  Well, except for some quizzes.  ;)  But I don't judge them, either.  However, I do check in about twice a day, and have had the best time, just feeling connected to those with whom I've lost touch, as well as my current friends.

Okay...your turn...what item or product or person or place makes you glad?

Daniel SAFARI...Week 1

According to my sources, "fear not" or "do not fear" or "do not let your heart be troubled" , a.k.a. "don't be afraid" occurs at least 100, (probably more) times in the Bible.  Whatever the number, when we're talking at least triple digits, that's a LOT.  God apparently knew there would be slow learners, such as myself, and wanted to be clear:  do.not.be.afraid. 

You know, for someone (hello, TMI) who has struggled with anxiety and her evil step sister, depression, off and on for most of my adult life, one would think I could embrace these 366 Biblical quotations completely and wholeheartedly.  I'm a Christian, after all.  But I haven't.  You want to know why?

Because.

I.

Was/Am.

Afraid. 

Here's my segue...In our Bible Study, His Girl gives us several ideas for posting.  Here's my chosen topic:  "There are several times angels tell people in the Bible to 'Fear Not'.  Find them and then compose a post or not about what you can draw from these scriptures."

Okay, segueing back to me...I've discovered a dirty little secret:  fear = lack of faith.  I think there's a good reason God only asks us for a mustard seed of faith--He knows that a mustard seed is about all most of us--even "good Christians"--can muster.  And it's clear to me, though I want to walk the walk of a born again believer...Though I want to live my life for Christ...It's clear that I am a poser 50, 60, 75, 80 95% of the time.  Maybe more. 

Why is it clear that I'm a poser?  Because I still fear (a.k.a. worry or obsess over):

• my kids will get hurt (socially, physically, emotionally) when they're at school or with friends.
• my husband will continue to seek, but not find, Jesus.
• I will never have the discipline to: ________. (fill in the blank--here are some ideas:  lose 20 pounds, finish this study, show my faith to nonbelievers in a believable way, etc.)
• abandonment.
• change.

The assignment specifically said to note the passages that angels told folks not to fear.  I'm going a little rogue here, and am going to list some "do not fear" passages which speak to me, whether spoken by angels or not.  Whether indirectly or directly, they're all from God, anyway.  All of these are from the NIV translation.

• Deuteronomy 31:6:  "'Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.'"
• Joshua 1:9:  "Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you whereever you go." 
• Isaiah 41:10: "So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
• Isaiah 43:1:  ..."'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.'"
• Matthew 1:20;  "But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.'" 
• Mark 5:  (Jesus) "Don't be afraid; just believe."
• Luke 1:13:  "But the angel said to him, 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.  Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.'"
• Luke 1:30-33:  "But the angel said to Mary, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, you ave found favor with God.You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High...his kingdom will never end.'"
• 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline."

So at this point, I see that I have a choice.  I can read this Bible and even nicely quote it, and wish that I could be just like Jesus, or really just admire/be jealous of those folks who were used and so pivotal in the Bible.  Or...I can repent.  I can turn away from my "little thinking" (a term used by my good friend, Jean), and I can embrace (by faith) that God is who He says He is.  That He has a plan for me.  That he didn't want folks to live in fear back in Moses' time, in Jesus' time on the planet, not in Timothy's time, and not in Gretchen's time.  He was and is, and is to come.  The Alpha and Omega--the author and perfecter of my faith (Hebrews. 12:2).

Lord, I thank You for being who You say You are.  Thank You that I can lay down any family of origin and self-inflicted drama and just be in Your presence.  You are amazing and Holy, and that You've made me blameless in Your sight because of the cross is unbelievable.  But I believe.  Nothing is impossible with You.  Forgive me for my fears, Lord.  Vanquish them, I pray.  Bind the enemy from my thoughts, and help me cast all worries and fears aside, that I may be bold and courageous in my faith, like Daniel and his friends.  Help me "throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us (me) run with perseverance the race marked out for us (me)."  And Lord, thank you for my brothers and sisters in Christ who are running their race, too.  Help us to sharpen each other and build each other up.  Thank you for His Girl's creativity and obedience in bringing this study to us.  In Jesus' name. Amen.

Oh, Rats!

My "check engine" light has been on for about a month a little while, so it was time to get the car into the Honda dealership to see what was what.  I never enjoy this little adventure, for it is generally a losing battle wherein I hope to hold onto my money, but the (winner) dealership takes its cut.  But I am a responsible car owner, so the day after Big returned from China, there we were at the dealership, chomping at the bit to get in at 8:00 a.m.  Then they did their diagnostics.  And called us back.


I wasn't prepared for this:

in my

.

Yeah, evidently, Mr. Rat crawled into my engine and started gnawing at wires.

I can give you 308.65 reasons why I'm going to purchase some D-Con the next time I'm out.  Gonna add some of that to the inside of my hood in strategic places to discourage any repeat offenders. 

Thank the good Lord that Mr. Rat et.al limited his excursions to the engine.  For if I had seen "evidence" in the interior...I'd be somehow, some way...getting a new car.

My husband calls me Rat Girl. 

He thinks it's funny.

GladiTuesday!

I'm going to do something a little different with my glad + attitudes today.  I'm going to focus on one word and list 10 things associated with that word for this past week of reflection.  M'kay? 

The word is:  Grace. 

I won't define it, here.  Though, I did look up the actual meaning, just to be sure.  But you know what it means.  Seems grace is so big that it takes several pages of printing from Dictionary.com.  Who knew?  I guess God knew.

1.  I am glad that I'm in Big's good graces after spending a week alone with the kids and working on some projects he asked me to work on. 

2. I'm thankful for the Lord's gracious provision of Big's job, thus providing us a home and the ability to care for our children's needs.

3.  Saying grace each night at the dinner table makes me glad.  Even when the prayers are short and perfunctory, they're a sign that we make a habit of thanking God for our food.

4.  I thank God for the grace He gives by strengthening me for parenting.  He graces me with the wisdom and knowledge that my kids are too precious to be "friends" right now.  It's important that I allow them to be mad at me while I parent them. Yet, I also thank God for the loving grace and mercy he pours upon me when I want nothing more than to show those kids some JUSTICE and TRUTH (I may be saying, HMPH! at the end of that sentence.).  John's post re: Mark made me think of this...

5.  I adore the graceful curve of my daughter's smile.  And the grace she gives her brother. And the grace with which she's dealing with 6th grade.

6.  You know what? David's clumsy about it.  He doesn't like to talk about it, but he gives her grace, too.

7.  Grace notes make me happy.  So very glad to be going to choir tonight!

8. Pure Grace, by Philosophy is my newest fragrance.  My gracious in-laws purchased it for me for Christmas.  My, I smell so good and feel so glad when I wear it.  (This is grace, not humility)

9.  Grateful for the gracious examples of mentors who go before us.  Mentors don't have to be older than us, but usually they are.  Many of you are my life mentors, and many of you are younger than me.  I saw a retweet from Whimzie yesterday (via Shaun Groves) talking about how we women eat each other for lunch.  I think this is true.  And I hate it.  However, I'm also very aware that women supporting women--getting by with a little help from our friends--is the lifeblood of many of us. God made us to need and love on each other.

10. Very, very grateful for gracious hosts in NC.  In Feb.  Hosts who might look like:  this and this.

HOLLA!

How has God been gracious to you, today or this past week?

10 on the 10th!

Holla!  It's that time again.  Since Mer is going "random", I am happy to follow suit.  Here, sans further ado are 10 random, and hopefully, little known facts about me.

1.  I was born with carrot-y red hair. 

2.  I have travelled to Mexico, Canada, Hawaii, and Europe, but have only been to the following in the lower 48:  WA, OR, ID, MT, NV,WY,CO,CA, AZ,NM, UT, TX, OK, KS, NE, SD, IA, MN, (?)MO--Kansas City, IL, CT, NY, NJ,NH, VT, MA, PA, DE, MD, VA, SC, GA, and FL

3.  I would have a daily massage if possible.  For at least an hour.  And then a facial.

4.  I wish I were kinder when interrupted.  Like. I wish I wouldn't wish people to go.away.right.now!  Terrible, isn't it?  Growth needed.

5.  One of my favorite songs from when I was little is Saturday in the Park, by Chicago.

6.  Another favorite is December 1963 (Oh, What a Night!), by the Four Seasons.

7.  Speaking of songs, I used to think small people were in the radio of our '71 Vega, making the songs come out right as my mom pushed the buttons.  Yeah...

8.  I lurve reading novels about the Low Country.

9.  I started a new reading blog.  :-o

10.  If I had one selfish wish, it'd be that my house was always kept up, so I could craft.  I use a lot of guilt, avoiding crafting, and not getting my house clean.  But you know what...I also spend a lot of time doing what a I love, with whom I love.  I have a great life.  Truly.

Thanks, Mer, for the bloggy fodder.  It's so fun to learn about you and others as we do this meme.

Ranger Rick Safety Tip

" Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. " ~ Santayana

Feb 2000
Jan 2010

P.S. Thank You, God, for Your hand on her.

GladiTuesday!

10. Gladdy mc glad for a new year and clean slate of gladitudes on each GladiTuesday.

9. Glad to be learning discipline regarding exercise. Lord knows how I hate to sweat, or make any effort more than running to the refrigerator. Unfortunately, however, I find myself needing to be an example for "those people", and as I told Bev, yesterday...even though I won't ever be model-thin, I really want to be the fun grandma. IN.ABOUT.15-20.YEARS.

8. Gladdy Mcglad for my 6:00 a.m. coffee and b'fast with my friend, S. We have so little time to cultivate our friendship, so we make the ungodly hour work the most of our busy schedules.

7. Glad for new starts on spiritual growth here, and here.

6. Glad for new novels, both from the libarry and from Christmas giftation. I'm going to set a goal for 50 books this year (in addition to all 66 of the Bible-guffaw). My husband read 66, and logged all of them, and liked this process so much, he's doing it again. Now, I'm no Gretchen's Husband, and I don't have trips to China for copious readage. But I DO lurve to read, and perhaps with a goal in mind, I won't watch as many reruns as usual. I mean, a girl's GOTTA have her TV, but trust me--even a TV junkie like me has "dead spots" in her channel surfing day. If I get my act together, I'll be keeping track of my books in my side bar and might even do a book blog (akin to my friends' recipe blogs). Stay tuned.

5. Speaking of TV... which we kind of were...I am glad for my iPhone headphones, which plug into the elliptical or treadmill at my health club. Watching QVC (I know...Big is embarrassed for me)makes the time go by much quicker. Lucky for Big, I can't make purchases while walking or climbing. I'm too clumsy. I fear a head injury if I tried.

4. Glad we made it through my daughter's first post-Christmas break day of school. Monday's goal: getting through. Today, we'll work on getting through with a sparkly attitude. The boy goes back today, too. Smile when you write that...

3. I'm glad for times when I remember to be as gentle to myself as i can be to my friends. Case in point, I really "should" have made dinner Monday night. Should've pulled a magically tasty repast from the pantry. BUT...I didn't. I knew I would run out of energy, and based on that, I gave us a pass and we had Taco Bell. My husband would do things like that in a heartbeat sans the guilt. I need to learn from him.

2. Glad for goodnight kisses, and for reading whilst soaking in a warm bath, as soon as I put this on autopost.

1. Glad that in 10.5 short months, I'll be able to put up Christmas decorations again.

What maketh your gladitudes today?

Dive

I'm pretty sure 90% of my readers either have heard of or have an abiding lurve for Stephen Curtis Chapman--hereafter, noted as SCC. :) One of his many amazing songs, Dive, has been so overplayed by me, my radio station, and a few years ago, our worship pastor. I'll link the lyrics, here, if you don't know it. Thing is, i don't think it would've received the play time were it not somewhat deserved, either by some snappy chorus (done), or inspirational, relatable lyrics (done). Lately, we've all chanced to see how he has lived his faith in the face of perhaps the worst nightmare ever: one of his children dying (accidentally) at the hand of another.

I want that.


Obviously, I don't want what happened to him to happen to me. I want the faith he has. I want to be so dependent upon Jesus that I need Him for every breath, every decision, and every action. Because the truth is, I DO need Him for all of those things. And I cannot believe that I'm saying this, but if having a faith similar to SCC's (he is well known and therefore relatable, but so many others have this type of faith, as well), and living this faith brings me misery of my own sort--no matter what it is--I have to want that, too. Not in my every day "I want a new outfit" kind of way, but in the "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done." (Luke 22:42, NIV) vein of longing. I want to have the faith that can be so battered and worn. So threadbare, that my Savior knows I'm at the end of my rope and loves me through it anyway. I want rich, inexplicable, amazing faith.


Getting to the point...(smile)...I'd like to encourage you to take a "dive" with me and go deep in your faith this year. It's always more fun to grow together. Maybe you're like me--a "maturing" Christian who has better intentions than follow through. Maybe you don't really have a belief system, per se. Or maybe you'd like to have a belief system, and are seeking your purpose under heaven. I invite you to come with me and meet my Jesus. I was raised as an only child, so I don't like to share much. But I'll share Jesus. He can be your Jesus, too. And I know He wants that.

Here are 2 opportunities I'm participating in, and invite you to join:






If you click on the pictures, you should be led to a synopsis of each "challenge". The first is a Bible reading challenge. I have been through most pages of the Bible at least once, and several parts many, many times. But this challenge (based on John Piper's doable program) encourages us to read the Bible each day, finishing within one year. The bonus? Grace days. I'm sure none of you has ever wanted to just have a day off, but I do. And there are 5 days off each month for you to schedule around. Though, there are no penalties for reading EVERY day, mind you. Thank you, Tanya, for spearheading this.

The second picture depicts a Bible study Safari on the book of Daniel. My amazingly talented teaching friend, Amber, has written this 12 week study, and it begins next week.

"But we will never know the awesome power

Of the grace of God

Until we let ourselves get swept away

Into this holy flood

So if you'll take my hand

We'll close our eyes and count to three,

And take the leap of faith

Come on, lets go..."

(Dive, by Steven Curtis Chapman)

The First Step Is In Admitting It...

I think I have a problem. I've seen this movie 4 times now, and it's becoming my new "Love Actually", "Notting Hill", "A Few Good Men","Steel Magnolias", and "A Charlie Brown Christmas". The aforementioned shows are beloved to the point of near obsession and annoying recitation. My kids are mercilessly telling me to stop reciting lines, and to refrain from showing excitement before certain scenes. Whatev.

Live long and prosper, baby.