Spiritual Truck Stops.....

I have really been thinking about this concept lately. Why are many churches turning into spiritual truck stops? You stop on in...fill up with whatever the special of the day is...and you don't even have to get off of the highway of life. The guy up there speaking is making you feel too good to stop and think about what you are or are not doing for the Lord. You are anonymous...nobody knows you and you don't really care to know them. When they pass the plate, you put in your tip and move on about your day. You get back in your car and maybe next week you'll find your self stopping in at the same truck stop.

I know that this is not what Jesus intended the church to be. We need to realize that WE are the church....not some building that you go to. Jesus told many stories in His ministry, He made relationships, He lived in community, He loved the unloved, healed the sick and the hurting, He turned the tables on those who thought they were better than the rest....I could go on and on.

Wherever you worship this Sunday, do yourself a favor...do a "head check" as I call it, and make sure that you are not just there to be served, but that you came to serve as well.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you all a great Thanksgiving!! We have much to be thankful for this year. God has seen us through some pretty amazing things and today as I cook my first ever turkey, I wanted to give thanks to Him for the many blessings of this year. One of my favorite sayings is God doesn't want us to wait for the storms of life to pass, but He wants us to dance in the rain. Thank you Lord for shining up my dancin' shoes this year. I've learned quite a few new moves, ones I'll cherish always. Ones that when the time is right I can teach to others. Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!!!

Shedding Condemnation....

This inadvertently came up at small group last night. It had nothing to do with our study, but came up nonetheless. Last night, I had very little to say, but today as I was reading, this stuck with me and I need to share it.

"Some of us have been carrying so much luggage, for so long, that we think it is normal to go through life weighted down. And the truth is that, apart from the cross, condemnation is normal. Without Jesus, we all deserve to be condemned and punished for sin. But in Romans 8:1 the Bible tells us There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. " CJ Mahaney

For many of us, we know our salvation is real and God loves us no matter what, but we have to truly believe it. That is where much of the problem lies. We've been taught or shown a system to keep our boxes check and our ducks in a row. When something gets out of line or we miss a box, we begin to think that He thinks less of us....but not so. It is we who think less, because we spend too much time listening to the wrong voice inside our heads. It's too hard to believe that even when we mess up our Father loves us anyway, and much easier to beat ourselves up for it. So it is time to lay down our luggage at the Cross and let the one who can deal with it.

1 Timothy 1:16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

Paul believed that this was him, but it is us too....we have been shown God's mercy and patience just as much as the next person. I am so glad that He has unlimited patience with us, now we need to show some to ourselves.

They Survived!!!

Sorry it has been awhile since my last post. But since we were having TV free week, it only seemed fair that I spent less time on my computer!! We have had a very enjoyable week. We've played games, and cooked, and played with friends....but mainly just spent time together. We talked and laughed and acted silly at times. =) We've decided that 3 days a week from now on are going to be TV free afternoons. They are actually excited about it and so am I!!

Upcoming TV free week....

Yesterday after school Taylor and Bradley fought over the TV for at least 45 minutes about who got to watch what and how she didn't want to watch waht he did and vice versa. I finally said, that next week, there would be no TV after school. I've been wanting to do this for a while, not really to punish them, because I know that is what it seems like now, but because I think they watch too much TV and they need to do something better with their time. This will also force me to have something planned for them to do because when they get bored, they will want to watch TV. I will keep you posted on how the week goes, and if we make it. If you have any suggestions on stuff we can do send them my way!!!

Are you a plate spinner???

So I am reading this new book this week and the author gave this great analogy about plate spinning and I just had to share. He started out with a story about the 1960's when he grew up and how Ed Sullivan used to have plate spinners on his show. Honestly, I wasn't alive in the 1960's and I've thought about it, and I am not sure if I've ever seen plate spinners, but I am sure somewhere i have...anyway...the plate spinners, they balance their plates and run around letting us, the viewer, think that a plate is going to fall, but he gets there just in time to keep it spinning. The author then turns toward us the Christian. What plates are we spinning; family, job, kids, friends, Bible study, church, looking good, pretending to be something we're not? What things are we doing that are getting in the way of our relationship with Him? We run from one thing to another trying to be that "perfect christian" and keep all of our plates spinning afraid to think about one falling and the consequences that might occur. In the process, we miss the most important thing: God. It's time to take some plates down. Don't worry, He loves you just as you are, no plates necessary. This one I'm still learing, one plate at a time.

A couple random things....

First, last week klove was having this "ultimate worship leader" contest going on. When I first heard it, I thought what a great idea, I would love to call in and give props to David our worship pastor, because he really prepares me to worship Him. It is not horizontal but so vertical and it is just so refreshing and honest worship of our Saviour. David is merely the facilitator. However, after I kept listening, it was a contest to call in and brag on your church and then get entered into a drawing to have Michael W. Smith come and lead worship at one of your church services. Needless to say, I didn't call in....I like things just the way they are.

Second, Bradley who is in kindergarten is learning how to read. I remember kindergarten there was a lot of playing, but very little work....times have changed but that is another post i think. Anyway, back to Bradley. He's reading along the other night the few words he know and he reads the word "but". To a 5 year old it was just about the funniest thing he had ever done. He was so excited that not only was it ok for him to say "but", but he didn't get in trouble either. He must have laughed for at least 5 minutes. It was infectious, and soon I was laughing too. I didn't have to heart to tell him that the "butt" he was laughing about was not the "but" he thought it was. It was just too cute!!!

Jesus for President

With the election only a few days away, and I remembered to bring my computer to work today, I thought that I would take a few minutes and write about my recent read of the book Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw. It was like no other book I have ever read. The first part was about history, and for me it was very interesting to read. There were even a few humorous parts if you applied them to our everyday life now.
In the second part, they compared and contrasted Jesus and Caesar. I had never really thought about how huge it was when Jesus was on the earth to follow Him and what kind of statement they were actually making. (Maybe this is not new to everyone, and I’ve lived in a box for too long….) To proclaim Jesus, a mere peasant in most eyes, as Savior and Lord, above Caesar was asking for trouble, but it really showed me just how much they believed. I had to step back and question myself, and wonder if I would have been that sold out, or not….I would like to think I would. I loved the explanations that they gave about the parables and the mustard seeds…it amazes me that they honestly didn’t kill Him sooner….I wonder if they figured He would just go away, and at what point did they realize that something was going to have to be done. These thoughts lead us all the way up to the crucifixion, and even the similarities with it and a coronation of Caesar. And then we know the rest of that story, and how the risen Savior did something that no Caesar could or ever will be able to accomplish, and yet, somehow that wasn’t good enough for many Jewish people.
The next section, began to talk about the interference of church and state, and how we say they are separate, they really aren’t. To be honest, I had some problems in this section. The authors come across as anti-war and even say that Jesus was against it. (to this they make an excellent point with sound Biblical backup, but....) When Jesus returns to this earth, He is not going to quietly come back and make everything right, there is going to be a battle and He is going to win. This leaves me a bit confused......

My heart does go out to the soldiers who find themselves trying to love God and serve somewhere else and follow someone else’s orders, and now find themselves in a crisis of faith and duty. Does this make me for or against the war in Iraq? I do not know…but I do think that anyone who does find themselves in this position, they should be let out of the military. In the world we live in, protection is necessary, so it is a hard call. Our world was broken from the moment Adam and Eve sinned, and only one person can put it back the way it was intended to be, but it is not time for that. So now, we have to live in the brokeness. That's my take anyway.
I did find it a bit disturbing to read about America and speeches from our Presidents, and one of our campaigners saying that America is the only hope for the future…really?? America who is so far in debt because we keep bailing everyone out…and now cannot bail itself out. I do not see anyone lining up to re-pay us for the billions of dollars we have given out over the years. Although, and I am not in politics or economics, but even I know that the way to get out of debt is NOT TO SPEND MORE MONEY!!!!! It’s time for Americans to stop spending and pull on their waders and get out of the @&$* that we’ve gotten ourselves into. (It does show me that politics and religion are a scary mix.)
This leads me into probably my favorite part of the book. The real stories of real people and the difference they are making to change the world around them for the better. I loved reading about them helping one another and living together and sharing life. I loved the story about Darin and Meegan and their family that included them taking in an elderly woman. I loved the statement about being pro-life that basically said if you are pro-life, then you need to be willing to take a young pregnant woman in and take care of them and show them what God’s life is all about, not just say I am pro-life because I am against abortion. Much of it made me stop and think…what have I missed the boat on? So, now it is time to see what I can do to change the way I ACT since the way I THINK has already been challenged. If you haven’t, go read Jesus for President…heck you can borrow it from me. You may not agree with everything Claiborne and Haw write, but they will challenge you to think about things differently.

Just dry

For the past few months, I have to admit, I feel like my prayer life has been a little dry. God has really moved in my life in huge ways in the past year or so, it has been really a blessing, even the yucky stuff. But now, I sorta feel that I am afraid to take my requests to Him. Part of it is because He answered some huge prayers of mine, but they were not in the way I expected Him to do it, and that has left me feeling a little insecure. (I am not complaining about how they got answered believe me, it was just my Plan b but God's Plan A~) I still talk with Him on a regular basis, but I know it is very different than it was before. Anyone ever been here?? Can you offer me some insight??

Try not to hate people....

This was the bumper sticker of a guy driving to work this morning. Now, bumper stickers annoy me. Just little quips about something stupid or something huge and you think you are making a statement by putting it on your car. Well, for the man who is trying not to hate people, was the most hateful driver I've encountered in a long time. First he tailgated me. When I finally got over in to the right hand lane, going about 75 mind you he, follows me, because I guess he figured that he was better off. 75 is 10 more than I should have been doing, and so I wasn't about to go any faster so there he sat still tailgating me. Finally the traffic cleared on the left side and so he began to swerve in and out of traffic so he could get 5 places in front of where I was. Where are the police when you need them?? Anyway, I just had to share....try not to hate people....but don't put it on your car if you are an idiot. =)

How high, How deep, How far....

Isaiah 43: 1.But now, O Israel, the LORD who created you says: "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.
2.When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
3.For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt, Ethiopia, Cush." and Seba as a ransom for your freedom.
4.Others died that you might live. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you.
5."Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will gather you and your children from east and west
6.and from north and south. I will bring my sons and daughters back to Israel from the distant corners of the earth.
7.All who claim me as their God will come, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them." (NLT)

I do not know where you are today, but if you sometimes doubt like I do, that God isn't there when you are down, trust in Him . One of my favorite things to say in times like these is, "God doesn't want me to wait for the storms of life to end, He wants me to dance in the rain." It isn't always what I do, but I really try. God has been so good to us and I just have to praise Him and trust in Him.

I am reminded of a campfire today when I write this. At the ladies retreat, they had a campfire for us. As I was sitting there being warmed by the fire I had to stop and think about my life for a moment. Sometimes, when we are "in the fire" we are so consumed by the part that is in the fire that we neglect the parts that aren't...and they get cold. It is my prayer that God will reveal any "cold" parts and perhaps turn them toward the fire for a while because I know like the verse says, "When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you" I love that!! It makes difficult times somewhat easier to know that He is there...He loves us that much.

Fireproof....

This past weekend Jim and I went to see the much hyped Christian film Fireproof. The movie was great, however, I am still after a few days questioning part of it's message. While it was appealing to see God's message of love, grace and forgiveness on the big screen, I couldn't help but ponder a couple things. So I thought I'd share.



I take the issue of porn viewing very seriously. It's great that the main character was a fireman, but how many men out there could realistically take a baseball bat to their computer? How many women for that matter? According to a Focus on the Family survey in 2003 found that 47% of families thought that pornography was a problem in their home. (source: http://www.safefamilies.org/sfStats.php )


Pornography Time Statistics
Every second - $3,075.64 is being spent on pornography
Every second - 28,258 Internet users are viewing pornography
Every second - 372 Internet users are typing adult search terms into search engines
Every 39 minutes: a new pornographic video is being created in the United States

http://internet-filter-review.toptenreviews.com/internet-pornography-statistics.html (source)



Let's face it, this is a huge problem, one that is generally swept under the rug and it ruins lives and destroys marriages. Now back to the movie...I would have loved to have seen the next time..for him to become accountable to a friend, to call someone, to walk away...even to fail because that is what happens sometimes. Speaking from someone who has walked a mile in the wives' shoes, it doesn't just go away, it is an on-going battle and one that has to be taken seriously. (please note: Women look at it too, and i am in no way bashing here.)

My second issue was, and I know I may catch some flack here, but the whole concept of now that you've got Jesus your life is going to be great. Again, life doesn't work that way. Suffering is a part of life. When Jesus spoke to the disciples about "taking up their cross" I am sure He wasn't talking about the easy road. Look where taking up the cross got Him. He suffered, bled and died. None of that was great....yes it was for the greater good...our good. But even He asked for the cup to pass from Him, but went on to say, "not my will, but Yours be done." It is a little disconcerting that people will get this prosperity gospel message and wonder why their lives didn't get better. Then what for them? Thinking...look I gave my life to this Jesus and nothing is better, in fact it could be worse....look at the couple in the movie. That guy gave his life to Jesus and he kicked a porn addiction, healed his marriage and even made up with his mom.


I commend the filmmakers for even taking on a project like this, for even attempting to show the world what it is like. It really was a good movie...but since this is my blog, this is my opinion.

Psalm 128 "Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine.."

Psalm 128
1Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.
2For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
3Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
4Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.
5The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
6Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.

Over the past few months I/we have been through allot(just ask my wife, and the kids...) and I have encountered many who are one of the following (mostly out side of our church family):
1. Unhappily married (as if it were an arranged marriage!)
2. Happily divorced (some multiple times)
3. Going through a divorce (with and without children which is a tragedy)
4. The "I Just got married because I need her extra money" group.
5. The "I just got married because I really love my girlfriend and were going to get married anyway so why not now" group.
6. The "I tolerate the old lady because it's too hard to train another one" group.

Then there is the group I feel that I am in, which I have found to be in the small minority most of the time. It is the one that many feminist groups would think holds women down in a subservient role. A role that is detrimental to the growth of young women, especially young mothers. We can't stop there, it's even worse in the World's view: how horrible it is to be a stay-at-home Mom, but also on the flip side there is also a group within the "christian" community that believes that it is horrible if mom needs to find work outside the home also.

Hmm...that's another post.

Anyone who thinks that because she did stay at home with two children she did not 'live up to her potential' as a liberated woman, doesn't have a concept of what it means to be a Godly Woman. Of course what really matters is what God says through His Scripture as to what it really means to be a Woman.

She has raised two Godly kids who continue to amaze her as to their knowledge of the who Jesus is, and their understanding of their place in God's plan . This is where I fallen down in the past as the spiritual leader of the home, and she has taken the lead in many ways. This is part of the reason I am writing this today.

She now needs to work outside of the home full time and I think that this sometimes effects her self-confidence! She often wonders if she is being a 'good mom'. Well here is an observation...The kids are the apple of her eye, or the 'pea in the pod', or the 'collar of the dog' to make it applicable to each of them! From each of their teachers in school, to their Sunday School Teachers who continue to be amazed by their respectfulness, to strangers at the store who complement her on their behaviour, to the things about God that they teach me all the time.
They reflect the Godliness they see in her. I am continually amazed by what she had done over our wonderful almost 11 years of marriage.

Who would have thought that the quiet 'stalker girl'(that's another story) I met 12 years ago (who had lived in the same house her entire life, except for college) would have stepped out of her comfort zone so many times I have lost count. She supported me in moving 800 miles from everything she knows. She has followed me to leave a church she loved and joined a church plant in support of what I felt was God's calling. She has endured physical trials for herself and the kids while I was at work or traveling and not able to be with her. She feels the same strong call to travel to Kenya to serve the poor and trust that God will make it happen. Who would have pictured her as persevering and tough?

God does, as he has given her sufficient Grace, in His time, in His amount. She has weathered many of these things because of her desire for God. I continue to be amazed at her walk with the Lord. Daily she is in the Word, praying and seeking God's guidance for her and her family.
I love the Godly Woman I married. Her son love his mother, and will seek a wife that has a heart for God like her one day, I pray. Her daughter loves and looks up to her mother, and continues to strive to be a Godly Woman like her in many ways. The "olive plants round about my table".

Now, she is working on Proverbs 31; 16 "...she considers a field and buys it and plants a vineyard."(Below) by taking on a full time job. I know it is not easy for her to be away, but again God is giving all that we need, in His time, His amount and for His plan.
I could go on....but I will end with I love you Katie and the Godly woman that you are. I am humbled every day when I go to God and thank Him for placing you in my life. I some times feel very undeserving, but then again, isn't that how it is with many of the blessings the Lord provides!

Proverbs 31 (King James Version)
10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Some Living Water

This past weekend, I attended our church's ladies retreat. Our speaker, Cindy Morris, spoke on John 4, which is below for you to read yourself. One of the things that struck me the most, was when she started talking about water and words for it; waves, ripples, cascades, destroys, erodes, and so on.

When I started to think about it, the word that came to my mind was cleansing. God, who is our Healer, has been so good to cleanse us from sin, but He also cleanses us from a lot of other things too: anger, hurt, betrayal, pain, and suffering. When I began to think about cleansing, I realized that the process, although good, think of a nasty cut and blood for a moment, is very painful and sometimes unwanted. I know on several occasions my kids have cried harder at the thought of cleaning a scrape than the actual scrape itself. Our lives are sometimes full of nasty cuts, and they can be bleeding, oozing, and hurting. But when we allow Christ to pour the cleansing Water of healing over us, miracles can happen.

John 4: 1.The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John,
2.although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples.
3.When the Lord learned of this, he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.
4.Now he had to go through Samaria.
5.So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph.
6.Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.
7.When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?"
8.(His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
9.The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. )
10.Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."
11."Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?
12.Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"
13.Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,
14.but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
15.The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water."
16.He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back."
17."I have no husband," she replied. Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband.
18.The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true."
19."Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet.
20.Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem."
21.Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
22.You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.
23.Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
24.God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
25.The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."
26.Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."

I love that this passage allows us to see Jesus as the person He was. He was a radical of his time...speaking to a foreigner, someone who the Jews thought was beneath them and a woman at that. He revealed Himself to her and she believed.(see vs. 39-42 same chapter)...sometimes even the disciples had trouble with that, and they were with Him all the time. She not only believed, but told others and they believed too....isn't that what it is all about??

On a side note, I am finally getting to reading Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw. Anyone who missed the earlier discussions some at the church had and wants to now...let me know.

Kenya Bound???

Ok, readers...and I know I have a few....=) For over a year now, God has been prompting me to take a trip to Kenya. Living Hope is heading there at the end of the year, and I attended an informational meeting this morning. I am very interested, and honestly, Jim is too. God would have to open a lot of doors for this to work out, so I am asking you to pray for clarity for us. If it is not his time, I know that he is going to close those doors. Specifically, getting off work since I just started a new job, doing something with the kids, especially if we both go, financial support....just to name off a few. I'll keep you guys posted. Thanks so much for your prayers in advance.

Psaml 23 the re-mix.....

Psalm 23: 1-6 The LORD is my shepherd ; I shall not want .
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies : thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever .

(this is KJV, the one I memorized....)

This past Sunday our pastor challenged us to re-write Psalm 23 in our own words how we relate to God....here is mine.

Even though I usually forget, God provides all I need.

He helps me to rest in Him, and gives me undeniable peace.

He completes me; His paths, although not mine, will be just.

When I am on my knees wondering how life got this way; I will continually trust in Him, because He is with me and will always take care of me.

You are above all those who do not think much of me. You treat me like a princess; and I am blessed.

Even when things seem bad, Your grace and mercy are abundant, and until I can be in Heaven sitting at your feet, I will keep on keeping on here on earth.

Presidential election...and the choice.

I found this link posted by ABC, and I wanted to share it. It is for people who I would say are on the fence about who they are going to vote for. While it was humorous in a way, it also has comments from both candidates without reference to which one said it. You choose which statement you agree with more, and at the end it shows you who you had the most in common with. Use and open mind and see who you actually agree with, it was interesting for me because while I did agree with one more than the other, I did find some things I didn't know about both. Check it out for yourself!!

http://abcnews.go.com/politics/MatchoMatic/fullpage?id=5542139

Changes, Change, Changes....

I am having a much better week since Tuesday. There are some days that just get you down and that was one of them. But God is good, He sent a friend over when I needed her, and she helped cheer me up. Thanks for your prayers!

On to my news though....I got a new job! Jim and I have been praying about me going back to work for a while now since Bradley is in school full time. Yesterday, I was offered a full time job teaching a 2 year old pre-school class. It is a 40 hour a week job, but I was able to work out my schedule so that I would be home when the kids get off school. Jim's boss is going to allow him to take the kids to school and then come to work.

Later today, I have to give my notice to my current job. I work part time at the kids' school, but for this season of life, I need something full time. This is going to be hard on me because I have grown to love those kids at school as much as I love mine. They are sweet, precious children who sometimes just need someone to love them. I can be that person. But I know that God will send the right person to them so that they can continue on loving them where I leave off. I am excited to move on to a new place, with new people, and new kids to love on!! The job is in East Memphis, so it is about a 15 minute drive or so, but it isn't too bad.

Also changing, once again, is our small group. Woo Hoo....here goes the roller coaster again. In February, Jim and I started a group, and all of a sudden we had 5 couples and things were going well. By summer, we had one couple move, one couple leave the church, which left us with 3. By August, we really felt God was moving us out of leadership for a season of rest for us. (It has been an interesting year for us) At the same time, the 2 couples who were left, felt that same pull from God. The one couple is out visiting another church, and the other went to the connector and found another group. We are happy for both of them. We became friends with them and they prayed us through a very difficult time. For now, our mentors are starting a multi-generational group and we are going to join them and others for small group.

That's it for now....

Lamenting or complaining....

This past Sunday, Gib spoke on Psalm 13:
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Look on me and answer, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;
my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.

He compared and contrasted lamenting and complaining...to listen to it, click http://tinyurl.com/55poz4

I am somewhere in the middle right now. While I am frustrated with life at the moment, lately, I have found myself lamenting about how much longer I am going to be here. But then comes the complaining....I am tired of this, I don't see why this has happened, and so on, and on and on...you get the idea.

Right now I am having trouble trusting in His unfailing love, because quite honestly, why would some one who loves me put me where I am???? Can you tell I am having one of those days? Now I have the "textbook" answer for this, but it is not ringing so much in my heart as it is in my head right now.

That's it for today...hopefully tomorrow is a better day.....

Here are some photos for ya.

We stayed in the house on the right.

Fire on the beach!

Smores...... need I say more!!

They have some moments when they get along!

First Fish !

Some well needed R&R

We are back from a short weekend trip....it was some well needed R&R for the Schillinger Family. A wonderful friend from church loaned us her place on the Tennessee River about 2.5 hours from here. So Friday after school we packed up the kids and what seemed like a lot of stuff for the weekend.

We had a great time. The "cabin" as Amy calls it, it a 2 bedroom house with all the amenities. There was no roughing it involved. (Which personally speaking, is MY kind of camping.) It was some good family time with our kids. We swam in the water, (well the kids swam, I put my feet in) fished, made a campfire, roasted hot dogs and marshmallows, and just enjoyed the beautiful scenery the God provided for us. Bradley was up at 6:30 Saturday morning, and spent the entire day outside on the beach.

I took some great pictures with my new phone. I finally upgraded my phone with Verizon. My phone I had was sooooo old. Jim had it before Bradley was born and I kinda inherited it. So it was time. The problem is: I took all these great pictures and now we can't get them off the phone without paying to text message them to ourselves....what a crock!! Jim, my computer genius husband is working on a fix to this problem, but it doesn't look like he'll have it figured out by the time I am finished typing this. =)

Now that we are back in some kind of school and work routine, I hope to be back to blogging more. Until then....

Coming off a stressful, but liberating week...

Life has been pretty crazy around our house the past few weeks. Today, as I sit in silence, for the first time in a long week, I am finding myself pondering some of the recent events of our house. My parents are here to visit. This normally would have struck me down with stress and fear for the entire time they were here. This visit, however, has been rather liberating for me. I can see God's work in my life, in my marriage, and thought maybe it was time to share some of what He has done for me with my mom and dad. The good and the bad....in my opinion, it was time to put my cards on the table and be who I am and stop dancing around it with them. For those who didn't know, I grew up in a pretty legalistic, fundamental church. Can you say I went to war?? They are very dogmatic in their beliefs and it was not an easy conversation for me. They told me they didn't like my church, it's Bible, it's music, or our doctrine. They told me that my problems in life were because I had left the teaching a grew up with and was now believing one of Satan's lies.

My very first blog was about using the wings God gave me. This past week, I stretched them yet again. He is so good, and I love Him enough to know that He is enough....I've never been to that point before. It has usually been Him plus and you can fill in the blank. I have never felt like I was "good enough" there was always one more thing to strive for. But this past year, has grown me in a lot of ways. One of my favorite songs, and no I don't know the name, says, "When you find that He's all you have, you'll find that He's all you need." I have finally gotten it.....Amen. =)

It was also great because Jim supported me the entire time. Of course, they chose their moment to have this conversation with me when Jim had gone to work, but later that night, he stood in defense of our family, and I couldn't have been prouder to be his wife as he told my parents that it was no longer ok with him for them to treat me the way that they had. God's family has been very good to us, and for that we are thankful...I may be calling some of you to show me how to cook a turkey come Thanksgiving....

Perfection must be Faked

BEIJING -- China's $100-million Olympics opening ceremony wowed its global TV audience with a lavish spectacle and pizazz that tried to present a perfect image of China to the world, right down to the perfect teeth of the little girl who took center-stage and sang an ode to the motherland. Except the voice was not hers. It was recorded and belonged to another girl, with better pipes but crooked baby teeth and a chubby face. Nor was all quite what it seemed with the dazzling fireworks sequence watched by a billion or more television viewers. Worried about the difficulty of cameras capturing 29 sequential explosions from Tiananmen Square to the Olympic Village, the Chinese visual effects team re-created all but one of the big bangs in an animation studio, and inserted the 55-second clip into the live TV coverage. Perfection, it seems, must sometimes be faked.

LA Times by Mark Magnier ( for the entire story click: http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-fg-lipsync13-2008aug13,0,3009926.story )

It seems that many are in an uproar over this contraversy surrounding the little girls who sang / performed at the Olympics. We as Americans should not be surprised by this, we've done it for years in Hollywood. One of my favorite all time movies is The Sound of Music. I have loved it since I was a little girl. I remember after we got our first VCR, I wanted to tape it off the TV so I could watch it anytime I wanted. My brother, who did not share my love of the movie, was not impressed with my parents decision to allow me to do this. So in great big brother fashion, he taped over it after about 3 months of me watching it constantly. Imagine my surprise, years later as an adult, I found out that star Christoper Plummer, did not sing any of the songs, but another man's voice was dubbed in. As a teenager, I also remember the uproar when it was leaked that a body double was used for Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman.

"Perfection, it seems, must sometimes be faked." How true this is. We in our own lives go through the paces of life, lettting people think that life is perfect, and most of the time, that is simply not true. How many people you see would be shocked to hear how you really are. I really struggle with worring about what people think of me. In part, I know it is because I've grew up and learned that I wasn't good enough. Truly I am working on this, in fact, this quote from Max Lucado hit me square in the face the other day:

"As long as you think you can control people’s behavior toward you, you are held in bondage by their opinions. If you think you can control their opinion, and their opinion isn’t positive, then guess who you have to blame? Yourself. It’s a game with unfair rules and fatal finishes. Jesus didn’t play it, nor should you.” Max Lucado

I am so ready to shed myself of this bondage that I have so long been a slave to. Jesus is the only person who was ever perfect, and I can't live up to that even as much as I try. I am so thankful I don't have to anymore.

Time goes by so fast

I know, I have been silent for a while. But Katie has been doing such a great job, how much could I add? ... This is a short post....

This is for all of the new dads out there with little boys. Today I felt like, Katie was expecting, I blinked my eyes, and then today I was walking our baby boy to school for the first time. We have been to the orientation meetings with him last week and yesterday Katie and I walked him to his class and met his teacher. Today however, was different. I walked him and his sister to the edge of the school grounds and then had to let go of his hand and watch him walk by himself the rest of the way to the school till he was in the door. I got a bit choked up on the way home, as it seemed like we just brought him home from the hospital last year. He is such a strong and smart little guy and loves meeting new friends. I am so thankful to God for sending him to us and allowing us to be his mom and dad. I pray that we as parents continue to stay out of the way and let God grow Bradley into a Godly little boy with a child like faith. I learn so much from the two children God as given us to care for and nurture.

Why we all need a mentor....

I am about to get up on my soap box, and I wanted to give you fair warning....

One year ago this coming week, Jim and I were in church listening to a message on one of the churches of Revelation. (Honestly I don't know which one....) But Gib (our pastor) made a comment that went something like, if you don't have someone in your life who is willing to tell you that you are heading down the road to disaster, or to let you know your house is burning down around you, you are heading down the wrong path. (not his exact words, I'm sure his was much better.) Jim and I looked at each other at that moment, and we knew that there was something missing. Which led me to send an email to the 3 people that I teach Sunday school with just asking for them to pray about several issues for me. In my mind it was just the beginning of my quest for a mentor, but in God's timing, it was the end. From the email, God led us to a beautiful, Godly couple, who a month later took us out to dinner to, as I call it, interview us, to make sure we were serious. I was a nervous wreck, I played with my soda straw the entire evening.

The year has been such a blessing for us. In the beginning, when I met with her, and wanted to list off all the things that my husband needed to change, because I thought me?? I don't need to change, he's the one who really needs a mentor, I just need someone to help me get him into shape. Did God even take those thoughts and make me eat them. =) After we got started, I got to see just how much work I needed, and how I needed to change. After I became willing, He went to work. As I sit here and type, I am a changed person, and I love it. Has it been easy, no way!!!

All that to say this: Last evening, our mentors came over for a visit. Jim and I have been working through an issue that has left us needing some advise from them. What I love about them is that they are willing to ask the tough questions. And they weren't willing to settle for vague answers. God truly blessed us when He put them in our lives. God allowed them to become part of our lives, and they have walked with us through some powerful things this past year.

So if you are reading this and you think, hey I need that, first pray, then act. Do not be afraid to ask someone. It seems like many in my generation are too caught up in worrying about what others think of them. (no worries, I am guilty of this too....more on that to come...) He will lead you to the right people in His timing. I know He did for me.

God's Provision....

One of my dear friends has a saying, "God is never early, He's never late, He's always right on time." We experienced that this weekend. In February, we decided that it would be best for us to go debt free and get rid of all our credit cards. This has been a huge adjustment for us, because we liked being able to do what we wanted when we wanted it. We are now trying to come up from under all the debt we had amassed over the years. It hasn't been fun, but God has been so good to us and has taught us that if we just wait on Him, He will provide.

Today is the first day of school, and this week, my Bradley will be heading off to Kindergarten. Being the mom that I am, I wanted to be able to get him some clothes for school. So one day before "tax free" weekend, we went through his closet. He had a lot of clothes that just fit, leaving not a lot of room for growing. My budget for BTS was small, but I am a frugal shopper and knew that I could get what I needed for what I had. My favorite store to shop for the kids is Gymboree. Now, I know what you are thinking...high dollar clothes....but wait, if you shop there at the right time, you can get your stuff as cheap as wal-mart or target and have better quality clothes that last a long time. Anyway, I hit a sale, and had an additional 20% off and got some great deals. (This was not God's provision...keep reading...)

Saturday morning, we took the kids and went down to the Neighborhood school to help them get ready for the new school year. We had a great time, God is really at work there, and I was blessed to be a part of it. Mike S. and I were talking briefly about the girls and how some of them only have 1 uniform to start the school year with. This tugged at my heart, but I thought, Lord, what can I do? Our budget is really tight and I can't really help them right now. But, He is good and He has made a way. Later that evening, I got a call from a friend, Melissa. She told me that her neighbor had brought her some clothes for her son, but many of them didn't and she thought they might fit Bradley. Her husband was on her way out to get dinner, and she asked if I minded if he dropped them off to us. I said sure and figured he would be showing up with several Kroger bags of clothes, which I was delighted with. But, when he did show up, he brought 6 white trash bags full of clothes, shoes, even a winter coat all in Bradley's size and even the next size up!! So now, I have enough clothes for this year, and probably next too.

And then it hit me, we no longer need the clothes that I ordered from Gymboree because we now have plenty. God has made a way for me to help the girls at TNS in need of uniforms. I can return the things we originally purchased Bradley and buy what they need to get started at school. I am still amazed at how He works. I am continually grateful for the blessings that He has given us. Thank you Lord for once again reminding me that no matter what happens, You are still in control and You will still get the job done.

Worship

Why is it that no matter how I feel, when I drop everything and begin to worship, my whole outlook can change? I know the answer, it's Jesus. He never ceases to amaze me. I have had a really rough week. This afternoon, I felt that I was at the end of my rope. I kept thinking about the Jeremy Camp song, I Still Believe. So off to you tube I went for some free worship while I let my kids watch TV. His story amazed me, when he had been married only 4 short months, his wife died of cancer. It brought tears to my eyes.

This part of the chorus really spoke volumes to me. " The only place I can go is into your arms where I throw to you my feeble prayers in brokeness I can see that this was your will for me Help me to know You are near."

What a beautiful reality to be able to go straight to your Father's arms knowing that even in your time of need, He is always faithful. That His will is perfect, even when we cannot see, and we want to know the how's and the why's. To further that, when we don't get the answers we want or expect, we have to trust Him our Father, knowing that I can only see a tiny microscopic piece of the picture but He can see the entire finished work.

I Corinthians 13:12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

There are some things that I look forward to knowing when I get to heaven. But part of me wonders if I will even care because in His presence I do not think that it will matter.

The Quilt....

I really liked this story I got from the friend in an email, so I thought I would share it. It relates to my previous post.

The Quilt

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us, our life was laid out like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that was our life. But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in everyday life. I saw hardships that I had endured, which were the largest holes of all. I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air. Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise. My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, fortune, and false accusations that took from me my world as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I had often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I had spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I had endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who had unfairly judged me. And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others, who were staring at me with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.' May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!

A new way

Lately, I have had to stop and take a hard look at life. Why I do the things I do, and question some reasons behind them. I know that it is because I feel my life spiritually, mentally, and physically are exploding right now. (and no I am not gaining weight or pregnant.) Because of this growth, I have left some old things behind, or at least I'm trying to. In picking up new things, I have been focused on church life. I love our church. If I could sum it up in one word, it would be: FAMILY. I have never experienced this type of feeling with a church before. For those who do not know, I am a PK and so even though our church was small, it has always seemed like what I did was on display. Until we moved to the Memphis area, we were involved in pretty legalistic churches. Keeping this in mind, I am moving out of the mind-set of you told me so it must be true, or I serve because you told me I should or I go to church because it is Sunday. I could go on.

Back to family, my new family, are unlike most people I've ever dealt with, honestly it is refreshing to be surrounded and supported by people who actually care, people who love me just as I am, and who know all my faults. It was been a huge lesson in unconditional love for me, something I have longed for most of my life. I have found joy serving here. It made me realize that service for Him is not about me. When I get out of His way and let Him use me, that is when I make the most difference. When I just show up, you can tell. I no longer want to be someone who just shows up. I also no longer want to think look what I can do for you, but look what HE can do. I want my life to reflect Him and His glory, so that He can use me how He wants.

Thoughts of Ohio....

In September, Jim and I will have lived in Collierville 3 years. I can't believe it. Last night, however I was reminded of a few things that I miss. While out running around, we found ourselves at the Old Time Pottery on Winchester, and low and behold, I saw a glimpse of paradise...the glowing red "Hot and Ready" of the Krispy Kreme Doughnuts store that was in the parking lot of the Old Time Pottery. As I happily munched on that warm delicious doughnut, I was reminded of Ohio. There seemed to be a Krispy Kreme on a lot of corners in Ohio, and those things you buy in the grocery store do not come close to comparing. If you are out that way and you see the glowing red sign, I recommend stopping, you will not regret it.

It's funny how a lot of the things I miss about Ohio is food. We lived in Akron, located in Northeast Ohio, and I grew up in Sebring, a tiny little place about 45 minutes east of there. There are many things that we still ask the family to bring for us when they come. Our favorite Amish wine, Dan Dee Cheese Twists, Trail Bologna, my Mom's homemade strawberry jam, and Guigsberg Baby Swiss. There are some things that do not travel well....chicken from the chicken house in Barberton, a cheeseburger and fries from Swenson's, and a pizza from Capri's in Highland square. I realize that we generally get our "fix" when we go North to visit, but we are not making it this year.

While there are some things here that compare, there are some standards that just haven't been met yet. If you know of anything close, please let us know.

Growing up

Today began Tennessee's semi-annual tax free weekend. One of my favorite and stressful shopping experiences. Everyone is out trying to buy shoes, clothes, whatever you need to for back to school because it is tax free. If you plan, which I did, the savings can really add up. But you have to be willing to fight some crowds. We have returned home from our little shopping adventure, somewhat poorer, but ready for school to begin in just 10 short days...and then it hit me. 10 days until my baby starts kindergarten. It was kinda a sad moment for me as a mom. I can still remember the day I found out we were finally being blessed with another child, when he was actually born, and all those other milestones that melts a mom's heart. No, I didn't cry, but I probably will when that first day comes. Time goes by so fast, it has made me realize the importance of living each day to the fullest.

It reminds me of this verse: Jer. 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Since it seems like only yesterday he was a baby, tomorrow could see him graduating from high school. I will just keep praying for him...and Taylor too....she was an adult when she was 3 so I am in trouble over her being 9.

Reading for Distraction....

Lately, I will admit, I've been reading a lot. Mainly to distract myself from the things going on around me. My counselor would call it a coping mechanism, I call it getting by. I've read some great Christian fiction, even some great nonfiction...a lot of "fluff" to put things into perspective. Until now, while at my local library in Collierville, I picked up The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning thinking I could add to my list of distractions. For those of you who have read it, I can almost hear you laughing, because you know that I am no longer distracted, but thinking. While I am only at the beginning of the book, I had to share this passage that just jumped out at me.

"The Good News means that we can stop lying to ourselves. The sweet sound of amazing grace saves us from the necessity of self-deception. It keeps us from denying the though Christ was victorious, the battle of lust, greed and pride still rages within us. As a sinner who has been redeemed, I can acknowledge that I am often unloving, irritable, angry and resentful with those closest to me. When I go to church I can leave my white hat at home and admit that I've failed. God not only loves me as I am, but also knows me as I am. Because of this I do not need to apply spiritual cosmetics to make myself presentable to Him. I can accept ownership of my poverty and powerlessness and neediness."

For most of my Christian life, I was basically taught the "great prosperity gospel" if you are a good girl and do the right things He will bless you. What an awakening I have had. I've seen first hand how messed up life can get, and still see the blessings and the grace and mercy that He has given me.

Thank you Lord for letting the the past few months be a distraction, and forgive me for them. It appears that it is time to get down to business. I'll wait for your direction.

Being Pushed out of the Nest

A couple of weeks ago, Jim and I were sitting outside in our backyard one morning. I had just returned from my morning walk, finished my quiet time, and we were having coffee, wondering why Bradley (our early bird) wasn't awake yet. While we visited and read over the morning paper, we heard this strange sounding thump. It was loud enough to raise me out of my comfy chair to see what had caused the noise. As I looked around, Jim found the culprit....a baby bird. We looked up and saw the nest in our tree and this poor bird on the ground, because he obviously hadn't figured out what he was supposed to be doing with the wings he was given.

I have been thinking about that bird lately. For those of you who know us well, know that life here has been...well, interesting here to say the very least. But in reality, I was that little bird, who hadn't quite figured out what needed to be done with the beautiful wings that God gave me. Almost a year ago when He gave me a shove out of my nest, I hit the ground pretty hard. But, just like the bird, I have learned to rely on what He has given me and pressed forward. In the months that followed, I grew stronger in Him, not realizing what the future held. But when Hurricane Life hit from every side imaginable, I was able to stand in Him....in the nest that I had made on my own, letting my Heavenly Father be my guide and companion.

My point is this: we are all in our own little nests of comfort. Some of us need to be pushed out like I did, but now, I can honestly say I am ready to jump out and spread my wings when I am told...no it isn't always easy or fun, but it is so rewarding to follow Him.

Living Hope resource sharing Idea!

I have been thinking about this for a while now and have shared with several friends lately. I thought I would put the idea in a post and maybe get some feedback. I have found that there are many in our LH family that have needs and others have excess resources. How can we bring the two together more effectively?
I was thinking that we could work to set up an online community of sorts for LH. Not just an online bulletin board type website, but an actual community site. One with discussion forums, links to ministry resources, and a place to post a need for a service resource that you are in need of ( garden tools, tiller, auto repair tools, ect) or you could post a service that you are willing to provide in an effort to build relationships. An example of the later would be something like, “I am very skilled at organization and workspace optimization. I would like to share this skill with some you by spending time getting to know you and your family by while helping you become more organized.”
It could even be something as simple as “ I have a Gas Dryer in my garage and it is here for anyone that needs it.”
What are your thoughts on how we could do something like this?

Doesn’t take much for a Kid!

Today I had the day off to spend mostly with my five year old son Bradley. The day started with me asking him “what do you want to do with dad today”. His reply,” It doesn’t matter as long as I get to spend it with my best pal !” Wow, that felt great.

I wanted to do something really special for him. I thought about a lot of things, the park, The Children’s museum, The Zoo. I pondered it all for a while but decided that we should stay home since our budget is very tight these days. We actual ended up just playing in the water in the back yard for four hours. After about an hour or so again I started thinking, I should go to the store and buy my little guy a pool. Instead he was just as happy (as you can see below) with a laundry basket lined with a trash bag and a spray park, made from old hose parts. We had a blast.

When we were getting ready to come in the house he said,” that was the best water park ever! Thanks for playing with me dad.” As I have been thinking about the events of today, the commonality between my reaction to Bradley’s request, and my/our reactions to God requests hit me like a ton of bricks. I thought, how often we try to read the right books, sing the right songs, give the proper amount, and build the grandest church, when just like my son, the only thing that the God of the universe wants to do is spend some time with us, just where we are and an just as I am.

Mat 10 :13People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." 16And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

My thoughts on intentional community in a suburban context.

OK, so here goes…. I hope this is not to deep for my first post to our new blog… but after discussing this with others in our church community I thought I would put it in writing.
I read a recent post by Al Hsu, the author of The Suburban Christian (I am planning to get the book and read what more he has to say) but the post confirms much of what I feel the Lord is compelling me to have a better understanding of. That is, the issues of new suburban poverty. To me this poverty is even more insidious (I know big word) because of the way that our suburban context hides the poverty, isolates people in their poverty and leaves people in despair in ways somewhat different than in urban contexts. I would even argue that these new forms of poverty are taking over the suburbs as thousands have been talked into sub-prime mortgages and various other enslavements(car, Education Debt) which leave them with little or no money for other necessities despite having a suburban home to live in.This subarban context of poverty has been drawing my attention to the importence of a church structure in the suburbs where poverty is not dealt with through another program. Unlike in the Memphis inner city, where people mostly wear their brokenness on their sleeve, the suburban culture of respectability (or the myth of respectability, I should say(I lived it for a while) throws up walls that not only hide ones own suffering, but allows others a convenient means by which to avoid the uncomfortable feelings of seeing our neighbors suffering. People won't know or come to such a program in the suburbs. And the programs will not address anything but short term needs (which is necessary but not sufficient to be called God's true justice). I have felt the need to find ways of becoming a communities of justice in the suburbs,just as my friend JR said the Neo-Monasticism folks have been pioneering in the inner cities. It will look much different in the suburbs for the cost and structure of the burbs is completely different. Yet to me intentional suberban communities are just as important: communities that seek and teach the ways of simple living, loving people, sharing peace and restorative justice to those caught up in the cycles of suburban impoverishment and enslavement.

The last of my two cents on this…. I firmly believe that, especially in the Western Evangelical church, our future as authentic Kingdom building communities is inseparably linked to the marginalized in our society whatever that context might be. I found this quote from Lilla Watson, a Murri Aboriginal woman that sums it up a bit for me:"If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time... But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together."

There are other people writing on this stuff . I think this is an important discussion to have in our Living Hope comunity. Any thoughts on what ways can intentional community in the burbs take up some of the same principles as neo monastic community in the urban contexts?

Just Starting to set up.

More to Come!