by admin on March 1, 2009
NaBloPoMo, National Blog Posting Month, is a group that posts a theme and then members post daily for a month on that subject. This month is giving (up) and I thought it was so relevant for where we are today that I thought I would give it a try.
Giving comes from the word give and when I looked up the meaning I got a page full of definitions. It means to make a present or to grant or bestow by formal action.
It can be a simple act of giving to someone else. A meal when someone is sick, a ride when a friends car breaks down, a word of encouragement to someone who is in need.
Politically, we are being asked to give. In California, my home state, we are being asked to give more to get us out of debt. Nationally, large corporations are asking us to bail them out.
Economically, many are having to give up things as we evaluate what is important in the current economy.
Spiritually, giving is the Biblical principle of tithing, giving 10% to our church. It can also be the giving of ourselves by volunteering at our church, in our community, or overseas on a missions trip.
Really there is no end to what we can talk about this month. I hope you will visit and share your thoughts.
What does giving mean to you?
photo by sherrie – Fotolia.com
by admin on January 17, 2009
It is the middle of the month and so it time to chose a new verse for participating in Beth Moore’s bible memorization. This time it is:
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his might power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Eph 3:20
Last week she created a video with some tips to help you memorize. Check it out here.
by admin on January 12, 2009
Yes, I am known to watch Oprah and last season Tatum O’Neal was on discussing her recent arrest and almost relapse back into drugs. She was talking about the day she was arrested. It was a Sunday, she said, and Sundays are sometimes lonely days.
I never expected to be single at this point in my life. Lately I have noticed this trend the last several years of myself and my single friends struggling to find their place in church. From both my male and female friends, young and not as young, I have listened to them complain about not wanting to go to church alone or how Sunday’ make them feel lonely. Leaving church alone, when everyone else is going home with their family can bring you down.
It was that reason a year ago that made me get in my car and drive from Corona del Mar to Yorba Linda. My family goes there and I don’t have to be alone.
After leaving my job at the local mega church where I had attended for over 15 years I found myself lost. Over the next several years I visited many churches both in Orange County and LA. I served at some, I attempted to get involved in many but I always felt alone and like I didn’t fit. For a short time I stopped going but deep down I had a hunger to have a church home again.
While I might like change in many areas of my life, I want roots at a church. At some point last year I realized I love my church. The worship and teaching touch my soul every week. I am starting to get involved and meeting more people. I’m skipping the sad singles groups and trying to serve beyond myself. I still feel a bit out of place each week sitting among families but I do believe we were created to be in community. I am trusting that God will meet me in my obedience.
If you are single and reading this I’d love to hear from you, how do you feel?
by cheri on January 6, 2009
Do you remember sword drills? Growing up the Baptist preachers kid this was a common Sunday School game. The Sunday School teacher would give a bible reference and we’d race to be the first to find it.
We also used to memorize verses. As I get older I find it hard to memorize, yet I need that knowledge so much more. In 4th or 5th grade, in Mrs. Vandruff’s class, I won a camera for memorizing 100 verses. I am quite sure I picked a few of the shortest verses in the bible to help me along.
Over at the Living Proof Ministries Blog, Beth Moore is leading the charge for bible memorization this year. It is not too late to sign up. Each month on the 1st and 15th readers will go on and post the verse they will be memorizing that month. All you need to do is sign up and buy a set of index cards that are spiral bound.
At last check over 2900 had signed up. I love this blog, probably because I love Beth Moore. Her teaching has blessed and encouraged me over the years. Tonight I am starting her Esther study at my church and could not be more excited. Her blog is written by she and her two daughters. It is honest, funny and sometimes heart wrenching, like last year when she lost both of her beloved dogs in a short time. It is like sipping a cup of coffee with a friend.
I signed up and chose a verse a friend gave me right in the midst of a personal attack last month. As I am sure it will not be the last I will face this will be a good verse to have in my arsenal.
Though a might army surrounds me
My heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked
I will remain confident
Psalm 27:3
by admin on January 4, 2009
After months of not seeing many movies I have been on a movie blitz. Frost/Nixon, Marley & Me and Vallkerie were all good. I have not been disappointed. My favorite so far is The Reader, a small movie starring Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes.
Let me just tell you right away that the first 20-25 minutes is chocked full of nudity and sex. It is the story of a young boy, Michael, in his teens having an affair with Hannah, a woman in her 30’s. The movie is set in post World War 2. So don’t say I didn’t warn you. Still, I really liked this movie. It was one that disturbed me and had me thinking the next day.
The movie is based on a novel by Bernhard Schlink . Today I downloaded his next book The Homecoming, also based on post World War 2. Both are considered semi autobiographical.
The Reader explores themes of guilt, shame and pride. Michael, the young boy grows up and while at college he and his schoolmates discover what went on in the camps. They realize there are the war criminals, but there are also all of the people, their parents included, who stood by and let it happen.
I don’t want to ruin the movie for you but I keep thinking about how personal shame over an inability led Hannah, the main character, down a horrid path. She made bad choices, life altering choices, because her pride and her shame kept her from revealing shortcomings in her life. It was a reminder to me how one poor choice leads to another. How powerful shame can be and how it can shape our future if we do not find healing or let it be the filter for how we live our life.
by cheri on January 4, 2009
New Years is a funny time of year. One day we are looking back and reflecting about what we accomplished, what we did not and then with one minute different it is a new day. January 1 brings hope for the next year, it is a yearly do over, a change to do things differently.
I feel it. It is a beginning. We are optimistic people looking forward to what could be. Over at Simple Mom she has a list of questions you can use to look back on 2008 that will help you set goals for 2009.
Looking back I met several of my goals this year. I started not just one but two blogs, I made major inroads in becoming more financially healthy, I put roots down at church, joined a bible study and volunteered. Our pastor talked about being specific with our prayers and I believe this to be true. How can you move toward a fuzzy target?
Several of my friends have talked about choosing one word to capture the next year and using that to filter your choices. I started thinking about what mine would be. I think Create might capture the goals I have for this year. My biggest goal might be to own a home or a small condo. I want to learn to Twitter and have a few personal creative goals. It is good to sit with them for a few days and ask the following questions?
1. Do they fit with my overall life goals and purpose?
2. Will I be better off if I meet them?
3. Are they attainable? Can I break them into bit size measures over the year?
4. What is the one first step I can take?
5. How will I measure success?
While it is good to have the big God size dreams, it is also helpful to make them doable. Celebrate the bite size goals that get you to the big one.
A few months ago I spent time developing a personal mission statement. I’ll write more about that this week and give you some tips on how to start. Mine is “To live a creative life, communicate truth and inspire others to live in freedom”. So the word create fits into the calling I believe God has given me. What will your word be?
by admin on January 3, 2009
This is one a sorely neglected blog. I hope to rectify that this year by writing more often about my faith journey and things I find interesting.
Reflecting on 2008 I decided it was a mixed bag for me. I have much to be thankful for in a year that was tough for many. I also had some surprises come my way that provided those “opportunities” for reflection on things I thought were firmly behind me.
I was reminded of how blessed I am to work at a place where we give women other choices and help those who felt they didn’t have any find healing from their past through God’s grace. This last year I had the privilege of walking with women as they broke the chains of their past and allowed God’s word to penetrate their souls.
I remembered why truth is such a fundamental value to me. I am thankful to live in the light of God’s truth.
After years of wandering through So Cal churches I finally found my home and put down roots. I never thought I’d give my heart to a church again, I am a girl with some serious church issues after all. I don’t have rose colored glasses. I know my church home is full of imperfect people, they let me in didn’t they? But slowly, week by week, they wore me down. I have met some of the nicest and truly authentic people there. Seeing their heart for others and love for God melted a bit of the wall around my heart.
For fun I started a blog and discovered online community. I decided to start another blog, apparently I have lots to say. I had the fun of watching others discover Facebook. I was no longer there alone. It has been great to see so many faces from my past, including friends from Kindergarten!
My niece, nephews and I had many great adventures this year. They are so smart and funny. We have shared many laughs, a few tears and deep conversations I was not always prepared for.
I am not sad to leave this year behind but I leave it with a grateful heart.
