So, on May 1st I am starting a month-long media fast.
What is that, you ask?
Well, I've mentioned before on here about Jen Hatmaker's book, 7. Incredible book. She takes seven areas of her life and gives up different things for a month at a time.
I read this book last summer and have wanted to figure out a way to do it in my life. Two weeks ago, we were at our small group and our leader (who also happens to be our church's preacher) brought up this book and the notion that each of us volunteer to take one area for one month.
My friend, Ada, and I had both already read this book and talked about how we wanted to somehow do our own version. I texted her after small group and said, "I guess God is giving us the kick in the behind to do this thing!"
Originally, I chose a different area. I will talk about that in another post. I'm doing that one in June.
But I also decided to sign up for the media fast.
Starting this Wednesday (yikes!), May 1 and going all month, I will not watch TV, do anything on my phone except make calls (if necessary), not be on the internet (this includes Facebook, all the many blogs I love, etc.), I will not listen to the radio, I will not watch DVDs (even to exercise).
I have made a few stipulations. I can check my work email (obviously) and I will check my personal email up to twice daily. I also am allowing myself to listen to CDs as long as they are Christian music. I just cannot go a whole month without listening to music! Also, I can text if it is a time-saver or necessary (for instance Farrah, my running partner texting to set up our running time, things like that)
I am both super excited and super nervous about this experience. If you are around me, you probably know that I spend way too much time on my phone. I LOVE to text and will text all day long. Dave teases me about it. I also like to check facebook, instagram, pinterest and play games on my phone. Whatever will I do with those few minutes that occur all throughout the day with nothing to do?!?
I know that God is leading me to do this. I plan to read the bible a lot, as well as other books. I also plan to spend more time with my family. More quality time because I gotta admit, I'm constantly checking my phone. It's just plain habit now. A habit I intend to break.
No, I do not believe media in and of itself is bad. But I believe that unhealthy amounts of it is. And perhaps I have reached the point? Maybe? Probably.
I'm not really that worried about the TV part. I don't watch that much, though Dave and I do like to relax on the couch in front of the TV a lot after the kids go to bed. Guess we'll actually have to talk now. Ha!
I'm so excited to share with y'all what I learn in this month. And perhaps I'll get some clarity in my thinking without all the media to distract or sway or even cloud my thoughts.
I'll be back June 1.
Tune in to see what crazy thing I'm giving up next month!
Just keepin' it real!
Monday, April 29, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
Why am I the way I am?
So, I'm a christian.
There are so many facets to that statement, I don't even know where to start. But last year, at a ladies' retreat, we were urged to write out our testimony. Do you even know what a daunting task that is? So, I along with 2 of my closest friends, opted out and chose to sit and chat instead. An even stronger friendship between us blossomed that day, and I do not regret that decision at all.
This morning, though, as I was thinking about my blog and really what direction I want to go with it, I thought about this assignment. So I am going to share my testimony with you, dear reader. I do not want anyone who visits my blog to ever wonder where I stand in my faith or what my ultimate goal is in life.
My journey began as a baby being brought up in the church. My dad was a preacher or minister for much of my life, and we moved around working with various churches. In my family, we had nightly devotions including praying, singing and bible reading. The picture I have of my father is him sitting in a chair with a bible in one hand and a book in another with a pen and notepad and books strewn around him. There was never any doubt of my parents' strong faith in God and their desire to teach that to their children.
So, I grew up in the church and went every time the doors were opened. We were always the first ones there and the last ones to leave. We made some beautiful friendships that have lasted over the years. I even went to a Christian college.
Some really great things happened there. I met my husband, I made great memories in our choral group (The Sonshine Singers), and my bible knowledge deepened with the bible classes I got to take.
Fast forward a couple years. Dave and I married and moved here. This is where things get a little sticky. And this is where it got uncomfortable, but I am so thankful for this time because without it I wouldn't be where and who I am today.
While I have no complaints of my upbringing, I was raised in an extremely conservative church. Big deals were made over what you wore to church (and I'm not really talking about modesty), if you drank a sip of alcohol, if you clapped in church, what version of the bible you used, etc., etc. Everything seemed to be on an imaginary checklist that, if you could mark it all off, you were golden, but if you missed even one, well, that was unacceptable.
I wasn't really able to put my thoughts and feelings into words, though, until we had attended our previous church for a couple years, and I just felt this restlessness in me. Their emphasis on our own works and what we have to be doing missed the mark for me. At times, I felt like we were not even reading from the same bible!
Thankfully, I have a remarkable husband who began to change his mind on a lot of things at the same time. Actually, I truly believe God was working on our hearts simultaneously. I believe He has big things planned for our little family, and He needs us to be on the same page. On HIS page.
So, we began exploring our options. Our thoughts on church had changed, but we did not want to leave what we were raised in. We cautiously visited a church where, frankly, everything we had heard about them was negative.
I think from day one we knew this was where God was leading us.
Here is something I have struggled with for a few years...is our ultimate aim in life as Christians to glorify God or to bring others to Him? A few months ago our church came up with a new mission statement. "Making Disciples who Glorify God by Loving Him and Loving Others." Perfect! And accurate with what I read as being most important in God's eyes according to the bible.
This is the church I prayed for but doubted we would find. I love how God works things out!
It is only in the last year and a half or so that I truly understand my purpose as a Christian and my place in the church. I began to actually hunger and thirst after the Word and not merely read it because I was supposed to. Grace became tangible to me (though my dad can preach a powerful sermon on grace, so I was exposed to it as a child but not enough as an adult). Dying to myself became a goal (though I truly struggle and struggle every.single.day) Loving others, truly loving them, has definitely become a priority.
Many I know might read this whole testimony and be offended that I am talking so much about what I think and how I feel and not enough about what the bible actually says.
So, here is what I base my faith and my Christian walk on:
*I would consider this my life verse.
*I believe in the bible as the inspired word of God. This take complete faith on my part. I cannot prove to you that this is true, but I know it with all my heart.
*I am a sinner saved by Christ who died on the cross and rose three days later!
There are so many facets to that statement, I don't even know where to start. But last year, at a ladies' retreat, we were urged to write out our testimony. Do you even know what a daunting task that is? So, I along with 2 of my closest friends, opted out and chose to sit and chat instead. An even stronger friendship between us blossomed that day, and I do not regret that decision at all.
This morning, though, as I was thinking about my blog and really what direction I want to go with it, I thought about this assignment. So I am going to share my testimony with you, dear reader. I do not want anyone who visits my blog to ever wonder where I stand in my faith or what my ultimate goal is in life.
My journey began as a baby being brought up in the church. My dad was a preacher or minister for much of my life, and we moved around working with various churches. In my family, we had nightly devotions including praying, singing and bible reading. The picture I have of my father is him sitting in a chair with a bible in one hand and a book in another with a pen and notepad and books strewn around him. There was never any doubt of my parents' strong faith in God and their desire to teach that to their children.
So, I grew up in the church and went every time the doors were opened. We were always the first ones there and the last ones to leave. We made some beautiful friendships that have lasted over the years. I even went to a Christian college.
Some really great things happened there. I met my husband, I made great memories in our choral group (The Sonshine Singers), and my bible knowledge deepened with the bible classes I got to take.
Fast forward a couple years. Dave and I married and moved here. This is where things get a little sticky. And this is where it got uncomfortable, but I am so thankful for this time because without it I wouldn't be where and who I am today.
While I have no complaints of my upbringing, I was raised in an extremely conservative church. Big deals were made over what you wore to church (and I'm not really talking about modesty), if you drank a sip of alcohol, if you clapped in church, what version of the bible you used, etc., etc. Everything seemed to be on an imaginary checklist that, if you could mark it all off, you were golden, but if you missed even one, well, that was unacceptable.
I wasn't really able to put my thoughts and feelings into words, though, until we had attended our previous church for a couple years, and I just felt this restlessness in me. Their emphasis on our own works and what we have to be doing missed the mark for me. At times, I felt like we were not even reading from the same bible!
Thankfully, I have a remarkable husband who began to change his mind on a lot of things at the same time. Actually, I truly believe God was working on our hearts simultaneously. I believe He has big things planned for our little family, and He needs us to be on the same page. On HIS page.
So, we began exploring our options. Our thoughts on church had changed, but we did not want to leave what we were raised in. We cautiously visited a church where, frankly, everything we had heard about them was negative.
I think from day one we knew this was where God was leading us.
Here is something I have struggled with for a few years...is our ultimate aim in life as Christians to glorify God or to bring others to Him? A few months ago our church came up with a new mission statement. "Making Disciples who Glorify God by Loving Him and Loving Others." Perfect! And accurate with what I read as being most important in God's eyes according to the bible.
This is the church I prayed for but doubted we would find. I love how God works things out!
It is only in the last year and a half or so that I truly understand my purpose as a Christian and my place in the church. I began to actually hunger and thirst after the Word and not merely read it because I was supposed to. Grace became tangible to me (though my dad can preach a powerful sermon on grace, so I was exposed to it as a child but not enough as an adult). Dying to myself became a goal (though I truly struggle and struggle every.single.day) Loving others, truly loving them, has definitely become a priority.
Many I know might read this whole testimony and be offended that I am talking so much about what I think and how I feel and not enough about what the bible actually says.
So, here is what I base my faith and my Christian walk on:
*I would consider this my life verse.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear,
but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7
*I believe in the bible as the inspired word of God. This take complete faith on my part. I cannot prove to you that this is true, but I know it with all my heart.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16,17
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18
*There is a heaven and a hell, and every person will go to one or the other. As Christians, we want to take as many with us as possible!
For
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
*God wants us to love Him above anything. This should be our motivation for reading His word, praying, obeying Him, really all we do. We don't do to gain His favor. We do because we love Him!
37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment.
Matthew 22:37-38
*God wants us to love everyone else and show that in our lives.
And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Matthew 22:39
Matthew 22:39
*God will take care of me.
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches
in glory by Christ Jesus.
in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
*God always wins. And with Him, I do, too!
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the
victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
1 John 5:4
I do not claim to be a theologian by any means. Nor do I have all the answers. And I know that my journey is far from over. My testimony will grow and evolve, and I'm pretty excited about that. I just know that without God I would be lost, hopeless, alone, and afraid.
If you are reading this and are not sure what you believe about God, I would love to have a conversation with you. Not as one who knows it all, but as a fellow human being in this crazy, twisted world simply searching for purpose.
I am praying for you.
Just keepin' it real.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
How comfortable should we be?
So, I like to be comfortable.
Comfortable clothes (tee and jeans, thank you! Ooh and flip flops!), comfortable temperatures, hanging out with people I'm comfortable with. I like to know what to expect. And I feel best when I have done something before so there are no surprises.
Recently I posted the following as my status on Facebook:
It's time to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Jillian Michaels says this on one of her workout DVDs, and I thought it could apply to many areas of life.
My husband and crazy friends hijacked my comment section and had a field day. It began with Dave suggesting I start in the kitchen. Ha!
But about being a Christian...
I've always thought that to be a "good" Christian (maybe effective is a better word?), you should be out of your comfort zone all the time. A speaker at our church once said that you can't be a comfortable Christian.
I've always agreed with that. Haven't necessarily always lived it, if ever. Which has often created a lot of guilt.
But then I read a thought provoking blog post called Being in Your Element by my high school buddy, and it got me to thinking. Perhaps there is something to be said about the magic that can occur when we are in our element. We each have talents that God has blessed us with. Surely, we can use those to further His Kingdom and bring Him glory. And still be in our comfort zone.
I really admire Jen Hatmaker. She wrote a book called 7 that, if I could ever be so brave, I would love to emulate in my life. The whole thing is about being out of your comfort zone and not doing the status quo. Whoa! Talk about life-changing. And motivating yet terrifying!
This woman spends a good portion of her time with the homeless. And she takes her kids with her! She and her husband decided one day to give it all up and pursue God with all of their hearts. Awesome!
I have this bad habit of saying that I know what I need to be doing more of in my life to bring God glory and show love to others to spread the good news of Christ, but I'm just not sure yet what that's going to look like for my life.
Really?? That just sounds like an excuse. A lame one, at that. I know exactly what it can look like in my life. I'm just putting off doing it.
It will require stepping out of my comfort zone from time to time. But perhaps I really can shine for Christ where I am comfortable.
Or? Here's a thought...
How about every time I stretch myself, it gets a little bit more comfortable?
Kind of like trying to do the splits. I hear (not that I've tried recently) that after stretching and stretching, one eventually gets all the way down and ultimately can do it with no problem at all.
The more we get uncomfortable, the more comfortable we will feel. Our comfort zone grows. Then we won't have to worry about our comfort at all. And we'll still be in our element because our element maybe changed and grew.
Maybe Jillian Michaels is onto something?
Just keepin' it real.
Next time...Uncomfortable Speech
But about being a Christian...
I've always thought that to be a "good" Christian (maybe effective is a better word?), you should be out of your comfort zone all the time. A speaker at our church once said that you can't be a comfortable Christian.
I've always agreed with that. Haven't necessarily always lived it, if ever. Which has often created a lot of guilt.
But then I read a thought provoking blog post called Being in Your Element by my high school buddy, and it got me to thinking. Perhaps there is something to be said about the magic that can occur when we are in our element. We each have talents that God has blessed us with. Surely, we can use those to further His Kingdom and bring Him glory. And still be in our comfort zone.
I really admire Jen Hatmaker. She wrote a book called 7 that, if I could ever be so brave, I would love to emulate in my life. The whole thing is about being out of your comfort zone and not doing the status quo. Whoa! Talk about life-changing. And motivating yet terrifying!
This woman spends a good portion of her time with the homeless. And she takes her kids with her! She and her husband decided one day to give it all up and pursue God with all of their hearts. Awesome!
I have this bad habit of saying that I know what I need to be doing more of in my life to bring God glory and show love to others to spread the good news of Christ, but I'm just not sure yet what that's going to look like for my life.
Really?? That just sounds like an excuse. A lame one, at that. I know exactly what it can look like in my life. I'm just putting off doing it.
It will require stepping out of my comfort zone from time to time. But perhaps I really can shine for Christ where I am comfortable.
Or? Here's a thought...
How about every time I stretch myself, it gets a little bit more comfortable?
Kind of like trying to do the splits. I hear (not that I've tried recently) that after stretching and stretching, one eventually gets all the way down and ultimately can do it with no problem at all.
The more we get uncomfortable, the more comfortable we will feel. Our comfort zone grows. Then we won't have to worry about our comfort at all. And we'll still be in our element because our element maybe changed and grew.
Maybe Jillian Michaels is onto something?
Just keepin' it real.
Next time...Uncomfortable Speech
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Is there hope?
So, this morning something really special happened.
I had the privilege of helping a dear friend with her yard sale raising money for their adoption of a little girl from China.
Several things impressed me. But most of all, it was the outpouring of love and support for this precious family. And not just today but ever since they announced their plan to adopt.
Dave and I are planning to adopt.
And watching my sweet friend go through what she is going through with the support of so many people that love her is so encouraging. Makes me believe that there truly is hope that our dream will come true one day.
Adoption is not cheap. Sadly. But I deeply believe that God funds what He favors. And if it is meant to be He will provide a way.
He is providing the way for this special family.
And today I have faith (and hope) that He will do the same for us.
Just keepin' it real.
By the way, if you would like to follow her amazing journey and see how you can help, visit
We Wait in Hope
I had the privilege of helping a dear friend with her yard sale raising money for their adoption of a little girl from China.
Several things impressed me. But most of all, it was the outpouring of love and support for this precious family. And not just today but ever since they announced their plan to adopt.
Dave and I are planning to adopt.
And watching my sweet friend go through what she is going through with the support of so many people that love her is so encouraging. Makes me believe that there truly is hope that our dream will come true one day.
Adoption is not cheap. Sadly. But I deeply believe that God funds what He favors. And if it is meant to be He will provide a way.
He is providing the way for this special family.
And today I have faith (and hope) that He will do the same for us.
Just keepin' it real.
By the way, if you would like to follow her amazing journey and see how you can help, visit
We Wait in Hope
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Why do we even have to eat?
So, I struggle with food.
I hesitate in sharing this with the concern that those who read it will totally watch what I eat whenever around me and judge me for poor decisions made. But then I remember who I have actually shared this blog with so far, and I'm pretty sure you're not out to get me, so maybe I'm safe?
Here goes.
I love to eat. Junk.
I love to eat junk.
French fries, cheeseburgers, pizza, ice cream, chocolate. If it's bad for you, I probably love it. And fruity desserts? Am I the only one that thinks that is an oxymoron? I mean if I wanted to eat healthy, I would eat fruit. If I want dessert, give me chocolate!
Because of this fact, I make poor decisions. Often. And I love it in the moment. But then the guilt settles in.
Oh, the guilt!
First of all, I do not enjoy cooking. So we eat out a lot. And not only is that bad for me, but it is terrible for my kids. So not only do my actions affect me, they affect my kids.
Then there's the whole 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 (19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.) and 1 Corinthians 10: 31 (Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.) which are not necessarily talking about the food you eat, but I still believe it applies.
So the problem for me is I am not happy with my weight. I have lost weight a couple of times and felt great but then it comes back because I go back to old habits. So put bad body image together with worried about my eating habits being a sin and I am at my wit's end and so sick of the struggle.
I know that God offers grace, but I truly want to honor Him and glorify Him in everything I do. And I do not feel that I am in this area of my life. For me, I believe that is a sin.
Romans 12 also comes to mind. Paul begins the chapter the following way:
1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Again I know that this is not really referring to food. But I really feel it has a place here.
Then there is the whole clean eating issue. The whole processed foods is so bad and causes all kinds of health problems issue. I am so not trying to make light of it, but when I dwell on it, it seriously scares me.
So, I desperately want to change my eating habits. I have thought about this. Talked about this. (Some of you who will read this know I do a LOT of talking about this.) I've prayed about it. I have asked God to take this temptation to eat junk away from me. So far, He has not obliged. But I am sure it is because He is teaching me something in this journey.
And God does show up. Always. In just the right ways. All the sudden a blogger that I read has changed her way of eating and is writing all about it. I feel like she is talking to me and answering all the questions I have along the way.
I've read Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst and even watched her videos. The things she said are incredible. But still I find it hard to put it in practice.
My diet HAS to change. The blogger I mentioned did it cold turkey. Then I've read this blog, and she has suggestions for making gradual changes which I tried. But whenever I try to eat better, as soon as I screw up, it's all over.
I'm sick of it consuming me. I mean, I often wonder what skinny people think about. But I know that we all have some sort of issue that we deal with. Food is mine.
Now, what am I going to do about it? That is the question!
I want to end with the song I have been listening to constantly. One line says, "Let me know the struggle ends."
I know there are people out there dealing with much bigger problems than mine. I get that. But this is my struggle. And I would really love for it to end.
Just keepin' it real.
I hesitate in sharing this with the concern that those who read it will totally watch what I eat whenever around me and judge me for poor decisions made. But then I remember who I have actually shared this blog with so far, and I'm pretty sure you're not out to get me, so maybe I'm safe?
Here goes.
I love to eat. Junk.
I love to eat junk.
French fries, cheeseburgers, pizza, ice cream, chocolate. If it's bad for you, I probably love it. And fruity desserts? Am I the only one that thinks that is an oxymoron? I mean if I wanted to eat healthy, I would eat fruit. If I want dessert, give me chocolate!
Because of this fact, I make poor decisions. Often. And I love it in the moment. But then the guilt settles in.
Oh, the guilt!
First of all, I do not enjoy cooking. So we eat out a lot. And not only is that bad for me, but it is terrible for my kids. So not only do my actions affect me, they affect my kids.
Then there's the whole 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 (19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.) and 1 Corinthians 10: 31 (Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.) which are not necessarily talking about the food you eat, but I still believe it applies.
So the problem for me is I am not happy with my weight. I have lost weight a couple of times and felt great but then it comes back because I go back to old habits. So put bad body image together with worried about my eating habits being a sin and I am at my wit's end and so sick of the struggle.
I know that God offers grace, but I truly want to honor Him and glorify Him in everything I do. And I do not feel that I am in this area of my life. For me, I believe that is a sin.
Romans 12 also comes to mind. Paul begins the chapter the following way:
1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Again I know that this is not really referring to food. But I really feel it has a place here.
Then there is the whole clean eating issue. The whole processed foods is so bad and causes all kinds of health problems issue. I am so not trying to make light of it, but when I dwell on it, it seriously scares me.
So, I desperately want to change my eating habits. I have thought about this. Talked about this. (Some of you who will read this know I do a LOT of talking about this.) I've prayed about it. I have asked God to take this temptation to eat junk away from me. So far, He has not obliged. But I am sure it is because He is teaching me something in this journey.
And God does show up. Always. In just the right ways. All the sudden a blogger that I read has changed her way of eating and is writing all about it. I feel like she is talking to me and answering all the questions I have along the way.
I've read Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst and even watched her videos. The things she said are incredible. But still I find it hard to put it in practice.
My diet HAS to change. The blogger I mentioned did it cold turkey. Then I've read this blog, and she has suggestions for making gradual changes which I tried. But whenever I try to eat better, as soon as I screw up, it's all over.
I'm sick of it consuming me. I mean, I often wonder what skinny people think about. But I know that we all have some sort of issue that we deal with. Food is mine.
Now, what am I going to do about it? That is the question!
I want to end with the song I have been listening to constantly. One line says, "Let me know the struggle ends."
I know there are people out there dealing with much bigger problems than mine. I get that. But this is my struggle. And I would really love for it to end.
Just keepin' it real.
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