I've Moved!!

Caffeinated Adventures has moved.  

This should get you to the new site while it's being set up.

Thanks!

Barbara

I'm Coming Back.....Soon I Hope!

To all of you who read my blog:  (all 3 of you)

Sorry for the long silence.  You know that's not me.  I'm always talking......lol!!!

I'm in the process of updating this site and plan to have it back up in a day or two.

thanks for checking in!

More craziness and caffeine coming soon.

Train Up a Child....

Ok, so today was an exciting day.  We kicked off the new back to school series at Momentum Kids with bunches of balloons, closely resembling the cloud of balloons used in the movie, "Up".  This is going to be a great series for the kids, as we are introducing our missions program for them by looking at what back to school means all around the world.  

So, the balloon effect was good, the kids liked them, and at the close of service we were giving each kid a balloon to take home.  Some how, about 15 balloons came untied and floated to the ceiling.  They came to rest at the top of the theater with their nice white ribbons hanging down in front of the screen.  It took me about 15 seconds to realize this is NOT GOOD!  Once service is over, we have about 30 mins to tear down, load up the trailers, and be out of the theater before the movies start.  And now,once tear down is done, I still have balloons hanging in front of the screen, way out of reach, and no obvious way to get them down.

Thankfully, Stacie and Jed came into the theater.  Now, Stacie, along with her other siblings, has grown up in Children's Ministry.  For all of her 21 years, she has gone to church with a mom that was in whatever class was for the kids.  From the time my kids were old enough to count, they have helped with every event that I have arranged.  They have sorted VBS prizes into goodie bags, painted Fall Festival backdrops, stuffed thousands of plastic Easter eggs, and said hundreds of times, "We are always the last ones to leave the church parking lot!"  As kids, rarely did they complain about helping.  But as an adult, Stacie's call isn't Children's Ministry.  So she doesn't often just hang out to help.  Fortunately, her days of training kicked in today.  

Walking into the middle of the dilemma, I didn't even have to ask.  She enlisted Jed's help, and they spent the next 25 minutes fishing balloons off the ceiling with one balloon on a ball of ribbon, topped with masking tape.  

"Train up a child in the way they should go........"

That verse is usually quoted in reference to teaching your child spiritual values.  But I think it can also apply to teaching them to find a place to serve; whether that is at church, or outside the church.  Finding a way to serve others is a largely a matter of habit; being aware of the needs around you, and doing what you can to meet them.  If you are a parent, how are your actions training your children?  Do you find a place to serve?  Or do you just wait on the sidelines until you are asked?  Step up,  look around, and see what needs to be done.  

And bring your kids along with you.

One day you may be glad you did! ;-)

What I Meant to Say Was......

Being on vacation is great, until you get home and get back to the routine of day to day life.  The contrast of days spent at the beach, doing as you please being immediately followed by days of laundry(the same clothes you washed last week), house cleaning(the same dishes you washed last week), and yard work(the same grass you cut last week) is never so apparent as those first days back.

Just as I was whining the most, and sharing my whining with the Twitter world, I saw this picture. (It was posted on Twitter by CharityWater.org ; you should check them out)

So, what I meant to say was;

Thank you, God, that I have laundry to do.  That means I have clothes to wear.  And that I do that laundry in an air-conditioned house, with clean water, in washer and dryer.

Thank you, God, that I have dishes to wash.  That means we have food to eat.  And that that food is prepared in ovens that heat at a touch of a button, the food is purchased at the local grocery store, and there is enough of it that I haven't lost any weight for lack of food.  

Thank you, God, that I have grass (and an abundance of weeds) that need to be cut.  That means we still own our home, in a time when many are in forclosures and are losing theirs.  

And thank you, God, mostly for Your inconceivable patience and mercy to this often ungrateful child, who gets so lost in Your goodness that she doesn't remember to say thank you.

Top Ten Proofs You Had a Great Vacation

Ok, here are my top 10 ways of know that I did indeed have a great vacation:

10.  Mounds of laundry:  despite the fact that there was a washer & dryer available, I still came home with mountains of laundry to do.  Wishing that verse about speaking to the mountain and it being cast in the sea would apply here.....

9.  Nail polish is still smooth:  only on vacation can you apply nail polish on Monday and by Saturday still be able to display your hands publicly without embarrassment.  

8.  A new fitness goal:  you have read enough women's magazines that you are convinced that you can indeed attain the fitness goals that you set 8 years ago and also believe that you will stick with it this time.....

7.  You have tan lines:  a great vacation provides perfect weather, enough that you can easily see your tan lines.  Of course, the older I am, the wider the lines.  :)    Also, contributes to the acquiring of #8....

6.  Sand is everywhere:  When returning from a great vacation, you will continue to find sand in every crevice and cranny of your belongs, including your toothpaste tube, even though it never went to the beach.....

5.  You now need "W" shoes:  it's been so long since your feet were in closed toe shoes that the bone structure in your toes has shifted and it is impossible to pry your feet back into the shoes you wore to work before vacation.  

4.  You cannot remember the day of the week:  waking each morning brings with it the challenge of determining what day of the week it really is.   At least 20-30 minutes can be devoted to trying to recall exactly how long you have been on vacation & how much time remains.

3.  Ice cream is considered an entree:  on the best vacations, ice cream is easily converted to an entree slot on the menu rather than dessert.  If you are really in extreme vacation mode, you proudly twitpic the meal for everyone to see.  

2.  Weight gain:  a truly great vacation results in noticeable weight gain by the return trip home.  Now this gain can not be technically verified, that would require the use of a scale, which, is not allowed on any vacation, much less a great one.  However, this gain is noted in the fit of the clothes, which seem to be a bit snug towards the end of the week.  Please note:  this could be caused by the extreme heat of the dryer in#10, but more likely by the presence of #3, and either way, again contributes to the decision of #8.

1.  And, the very best proof that you had a great vacation is that you finally drag yourself home, too late to get groceries or cook dinner, so you have to order pizza for the last meal of the vacation travel day on your arrival.  

I have had a great vacation and would love to share more, but I have to go eat my pizza...... 

Rest-Less to Rest to Restless

I have had the most amazing week.

I can't tell you the last time I had 7 consecutive days of rest; pre-children at least!  My favorite form of rest is reading and my favorite place to read is the beach, so this has been a dream come true.   I think I was giddy until Wednesday, at least!

But, honestly, I am starting to feel restless.  Something is missing.  The weather and the beach are perfect.  The company is perfect. (There are only a few people you can live with for a week and not get tired of them.  I talked about that here.)  We have said, "This is Heaven!" and "I could do this forever", but, in reality, I don't think I could.  

I wasn't created to rest.  I wasn't created only to read great books, enjoy God's beautiful creation, and share meaningful conversations with a friend who, over the years, has become my sister.   Oh, these are great experiences, great temporary escapes from the day to day routines of life.  And I have had a blast doing them this week.  But it's not why I was created.  It's not my purpose.                            

   I believe my purpose is to show Jesus to the world.  And, specifically, for this time in my life, to the kids at Momentum Church.  It's what I like to do most.  It's what I think I really could do forever, and not be tired of it.  I think this is why I was created.  I posted this picture of breakfast on Facebook and said people should envy me.  It's true.  This was a great breakfast.  But if you could know the joy I get from being with the kids each Sunday and seeing God revealing Himself to them; then you would have the real reason to envy me.  

I'm getting restless.  I'm ready to get back to my life.  Not to say I don't look forward to the next time the beach calls.  In time, there will be a need for more rest.  And reading.  And eating peanut M&Ms and french toast.  But until then, bring on the kids and let's get on with our journey. 

The Chalk Says it All

Ok, this excites me.  Like, really excites me.  I can look at this drawing and get chills.  It's that cool.  

So, what is it?  It's a drawing of our new building and the Momentum Kid's spaces.

Done in sidewalk chalk on Pastor Jared's driveway.

I can't wait.  It is going to rock.

I Like Rocks

     I've decided I like rocks  I spent a couple of days in North Carolina with my husband, Chris, just having some time to ourselves.  We enjoyed the mountains, a little hiking, and taking some pictures of the streams around where we were staying.  That's when I decided I like rocks.

Rocks give the stream character.  

      I took pictures of the stream and noticed that the only parts I photographed were where there were rocks, either under water or above the surface.  Without the rocks, the water is boring. 

Rocks make for great rapids.

     I love whitewater rafting.  But I don't like the class 2 or 3 rapids.  Give me the 4s and 5s.  And before I'm out of here, I'd like to hit a good 6.  But you don't get rapids without rocks.

 You can float down a lazy, slow moving river if you like that, but count me out.  I like it moving.

Rocks keep you out of the picture.

     I took a picture of the stream off the bridge in both directions.  The pretty rock side and the slow, still side.  In the picture of the still water, you can see our shadow.  There is too much going on in the water to see myself on the other side.

     I think I see a pattern.  I can have a calm, easy, boring ride as long as there are no rocks in my path.  But if I want to see exciting times, kick in a boulder or two.  I can have a calm, easy, boring life as long as there are no obstacles in my way.  Or I can see God's hand move, as I get around the boulders that may end up in my path.  And when life is bouncing between boulders, God's provision is showcased.  There's no place for me to be seen!

Bring on the rocks, and give God a chance to show what He can do!

My Observations While Being Observed: Part 3

I had a "team" of doctors, but each one was focused on their own area.

Each doctor was aware that other doctors were treating me at the same time.  But they really were not very concerned with exactly what the other one was doing.  The cardiologist that I saw was intent on finding any irregularities in my heart that could be causing a problem.  He knew about each test, in relation to my heart, what it showed and what it didn't.  He provided every tool available to him at that hospital to be certain that my heart was healthy before he signed off on my chart.  When he had his conversation with me, he discussed just my heart and how it related to my symptoms.  

Each doctor, nurse, and technician afforded me their best care and attention.  Each one carefully explained what each test had revealed and how that pertained to symptoms.  Each one was totally consumed with how their particular area of medicine affected my illness and recovery. 

Many churches have a lead "team" but each person is focused intently on his own area.

As leaders, it's sometimes easy to become obsessed with our area of expertise, our area of ministry, and become consumed with only what we do that affects those that we serve in our congregation.  We need to remember that while we may deal with  a particular area, but we are all serving the same "whole body".  We are a team, and we hope for and encourage each other as we labor together to serve our congregation, not become obsessed with only those areas where  we are "specialists". 

 I am so thankful to be part of the ministry "team" of Momentum Church.  It is a group that truly is a team that purposes to reach others and grow together as fully devoted followers of Christ!

  

My Observations While Being Observed: Part 2

I was going to get better because someone else gave their blood.

It was a creepy thought at first. But as I lay there, it occurred to me that the blood that was going through my body had been in someone else's body before me.  I lay in the hospital bed, not sleeping, of course, thanks to the carefully scheduled visits to my room every 20 minutes by the nursing staff to check my vital signs, change my IV, or take more blood.  I thought about the person who had donated the blood that was dripping ever so slowly into my body.   And if they hadn't given it, I wouldn't be getting better.  I wondered who they were, where they lived, what their life was like.  And I was grateful for them. 

 And my spirit whispered:

I am going to live forever with Jesus because He gave His blood.

It was a very vivid and very personal reminder that true life is in The Blood.  His blood applied to my life, provides the covering and forgiveness that leads to an abundant life now and an eternity with Jesus.  I have known, believed, and rejoiced in this fact for a long time.  But I felt the reality of this "fact" come to life as I lay in that hospital bed. 

 I felt like the kids that I so love to teach when they understand for the first time a truth from the Bible.  You can watch their eyes light up, and see that look that says, "I see! Oh!  So that's how it is!"  The greatest joy I ever experience is when I see that look in a kid's eye.  I smile and think, "They got it".  

I wondered as I lay in Room 218, if Jesus looked at me with the same smile and said, 

"She got it."

My Observations While Being Observed: Part 1

Since my weekend trip to the hospital, I have been encouraged, strongly by some, to rest this week.  In my case, this really doesn't make sense because my physical condition now is much better than it was Saturday when I checked in.  But, I had to promise, so being true to my word, I thought it would be a good time to catch up on my blogging which has lagged as much as I did last week.

After much poking, prodding, and scanning, the ER physician told me I would need to stay overnight for "observation".  I know she was talking about the hospital staff watching me, but I found myself doing much observing as well.  Here are some of the thoughts I had while in and around Room 218:

Your outward appearance in the waiting room doesn't truly reveal the seriousness of your condition inside.

In the emergency room waiting area there were several people waiting to see the doctor.  There were  three little old ladies, hobbling on canes and walkers. (No, I was not one of them)  There was a family with several small children jockeying for a spot to see the TV mounted in the corner.  There was a mom, wrapped in a blanket, leading 2 preschoolers to the far corner seats.  There was a young couple, the wife with a bandaged finger.  As I looked around the room, I realized that some injuries were fairly obvious; the lady with the bandaged finger probably had a cut that would need stitches.  The mom with the miserable expression, wrapped in a blanket may have had the flu.  But, for the most part, you couldn't tell who was most seriously ill just by looking at their outward appearance.  The mom in the blanket could have a bad cold.  Or meningitis.  The old lady with the walker could have some arthritis in her knee; or a kidney that was failing.  Even my own situation, I didn't know if I was having heart failure or blood clots. (Fortunately, neither)In much the same way, we can observe the people in the world around us and still know that:

Obvious outward signs of sin or hurt, or the lack of the same,  doesn't always reveal the true condition of our spirit.

Only God knows our hearts.  We have become experts at concealing our sins and hurts.  We smile and hope people around us don't see the hurt that is deep inside. Or find out about the sin that we continue to live in.   Sometimes it shows.  We can't hide it all.  But  only God knows the true condition of our hearts.  And only He can provide the exact healing to the specific hurt that will make us whole.  

While I was researching obedience for Sunday's teaching, I came across this Proverb, which, being the sarcastic parent that I am, I wondered why I hadn't quoted it to my kids when they were not being obedient;

"The eye that mocks a father

and despises a mother's instructions

will be plucked out by ravens of the valley

and eaten by vultures."

Whoa!  That's gross.  And truthfully, even as sarcastic as I was, I really don't think I would have ever tossed that one at my kids.  The mental picture of Stephanie being chased across the yard by ravens and vultures after refusing to clean up her room is a bit off the wall; and a bit funny.  (Not sure I should admit that.)

But I have chewed on this verse this week.  If the meaning obviously isn't that you will literally lose your eyes to vultures for leaving your toys strewn across the room, what does it mean?  Perhaps in King David's time, if a person despised their parents and the wisdom that they offered, that person would either leave home, or be expelled from the home.  Without guidance, they may wander about the land, surviving as best they could, until they died; at which point the vultures would literally eat them. 

Or, possibly, that without the wisdom of the generation that is before us, we are spiritually short-sighted, or even blinded, and satan has the opportunity to steal our vision.  In a generation now that values everything that is cutting edge, culturally relevant, and globally accessible, the wisdom of the prior generation is easily discounted.  And though the venues for using that wisdom have certainly changed, and are constantly changing, the wisdom itself is of great value.

God hasn't changed.  His Word hasn't changed.  His faithfulness to the prior generation still needs to be rehearsed in the ears of their children just as the Israelites were instructed to rehearse all that God had done to deliver them from Egpyt; 

"Talk about them when you are at home and when your are on the road; when you are going to bed and when you are getting up."

We can "talk" about God's faithfulness on our podcasts and blogs.  We can attend webcasts broadcast from around the world.  We can facebook and twitter His goodness instantly to thousands of people that we may never meet in person.  But let's be careful that in our embracing of the immediate ability to share the now of what God is doing, we don't despise the testimony of our parents by discounting it as no longer valid.  But let's take what they have laid as a foundation, and continue to build on it, and present to the next generation a clear ability to see God and His vision for us today.

The Week of Reminders!

I have a love:hate relationship with to-do lists.  I love the satisfaction of marking off each item, and, by days end, holding a piece of paper full of lined out words.  On the other hand, I hate spending the time to write a to-do list, when I could be doing one of those things instead of composing the list.  Having that list on my desk, in my car, or in my pocket, reminds me of the things I need to accomplish that day.  I believe, part of my issue, is that I don't want to admit I need the reminder.  I want to think that I am aware of what I need to do, and that I will just do it.  I mean, hello?  I am an adult.  I have a brain.  I am aware of the day of the week.  I know what needs to be done.  But, my confession is, I still need reminders.

Last week, I had a week of reminders.  Not concerning my day to day responsibilities, but about what really matters.  Reminders of who God is and what He said in His Word.  Ok, again, I am an adult.  Spiritually.  (not a perfect one, or one who has arrived, but not a new Christian).  I am aware that the "hour is late, time is short, the night is coming when no man can work....".  I know what needs to be done; people need Jesus.  But, again, my confession is, I still need reminders.  These are some reminders God sent my way last week through others:

We are all a hopeless mess.  Pastor Ross has brought the best series I have ever heard from anyone these last few weeks.  You will be changed if you listen to Dysfunktion.  

That God's mercy and grace is evident in our families when we are far from perfect.  Both Stephanie's story at Journey Group and Reggie Joiner's message at the Orange Conference backed up Jeff's quote, "Satan is just giving God more to work with when he throws this junk in our lives."  I don't know a perfect family.  And if there was one, how would those kid's learn of God's grace and healing power?

And in all this mess, we have access to the Creator of the universe and everything in it, who can bring order to the chaos of our lives and get glory from doing it.  Eric and John both reminded me of this unlimited power that our God brings when we go to Him.  Those words flow so easily, unlimited power.  But stop; and be reminded of what ALL ACCESS means!

Then, mark that off your to-do list, put it back in your pocket, and watch God's grace be unveiled!

Lessons from the Mold

Ok, this time of year brings out the deepest desire in me to be able to produce a lawn that is nice.  And for me, that is a high goal.  It doesn't have to be  beautiful.  It doesn't have to be the best in the neighborhood.  I just don't want to be embarrassed.  My gardening skills are, to put it nicely, lacking.  I try.  I just don't seem to have that green thumb gifting.  So, I think the Lord, in His mercy, shows me things from time to time while I'm working in the yard, so that my time invested there isn't completely in vain.  

I was clearing out the leaves that had accumulated along a bed where a row of hostas grow in our back yard.  As I raked out the leaves that had settled there over last winter, I also raked away last year's stems and leaves from those hostas.  I noticed that many of the leaves were molded and wet.  I assumed by now they should have died, decomposed and disappeared into the ground.  But these had laid under those leaves, wet, dark and rotting.  I may not be the gardening expert, but I know that moldy leaves don't help plants grow.  They will actually cause disease to the new growth.

My heart wondered if that same process happens in our spiritual lives.  I can't live on last year's provision.  What was good for me in the past, not only is insufficient to sustain me now, but, if I cling to that, it can hamper my growth.  My walk with the Lord is a daily provision.  He knows and provides what I need today, for where I am today.  

And, can I even apply that to our world today?  If we only offer what sustained growth last year, will it be the best we can offer?  How much more if we only offer what was successful 10 years ago?  

So, I gathered up the moldy leaves and left the new hosta sprouts to breathe fresh air.  And I prayed, Lord, don't let me dwell in last year.  Keep me close to You for what You have for me today.  And as part of Your Church, let me be attentive to what You want to happen today to reach the world around me for You. 

Rest

Rest.  Everyone knows we need it.  Everyone knows that life goes better all the way  around when we get it.  But we often just don't do it.  Life is busy.  To-do lists abound.  "Opportunities" present themselves.  And we answer; we live, cross off one task, add two more to the list.  

I love my busy life.  It seems the more there is to do, the happier I am.  But happier in the moment sometimes comes at the expense of a quality of our work.  We are still doing our best, just our best, isn't really our best.

So, rest.  Find time, make time, take time.

I suggest sand and Starbucks at St. Simon's Island.

(ps - don't forget the sunblock)

What Do You Want?

Several days ago, I read in Luke 18 about Jesus healing the blind beggar.  It was one of those times that the words I had read, probably a hundred times before, jumped off the page as if they were printed in a 96 font; "Jesus asked him, 'What do you want me to do for you?' ".  I was overcome with the question, what if Jesus asked me that right now?  What would I ask?   

I rattled the thought around in my head as I headed outside to do some yard work.  I plugged in my ipod and turned on a podcast by one of my all-time favorite pastors, John Wood.  I was really excited about having his podcast because I hadn't been able to download them until Eric, another fav pastor, got me the right link.  So, I have a year's worth of sermons to catch up on, and start with the first one.  John's passage?  Luke 18, of course.  Sermon:  Jesus heals the blind beggar, of course.  I love it when God makes sure that I get it.  This is for me, right now.  You can't write that off as chance.

So, I continued to rattle that around, and came to some conclusions about myself that have been unsettling for the last week.  If Jesus asked me that question, in person, right now, I can't answer.  I can think of several things that would be helpful to my family life, my ministry, and my church.  But it seems to me that I should KNOW what I want and need most.  

The beggar knew what he needed and wanted most.  He knew what was keeping him from living the life he wanted.   

Have I lost the focus and sense of urgency about what I want to do?  Pastor Ross preached last year, Lord, make us addicted.  We should be consumed by the call You put on our lives.  We should be so focused on the goal of our walk with You, that we are keenly aware of what anything that keeps us from fulfilling that call. It's as though we have let ourselves be blinded by the busyness of the world.  It has distracted us, and caused us to be left sitting on the side of the road, useless for His Kingdom.  

Lord, I want my focus back.  I want to be so consumed by the drive You put in me to reach the lost, that I can give an instant answer to any opportunity You give me to ask.

 

Just have one things to say today.

You better get a seat belt, strap in, and hold on.

It's about to be a wild ride.  Only God can do what has been done for Momentum this week, and how He is going to continue what He has started is going to be wild.  It will have to be.  That is the only way it could happen.  So, like I said, get a seat belt.  Better be heavy duty.

Oh, yeah, and might want to get a new toothbrush, too.  We will have to get all the bugs off our teeth when this ride slows down...you know we will be grinning the whole way...........

Ping, Ping, Ping!!!!

This past week I decided that I was mentally-challenged.  Some of my friends  have thought that for years!  But that's not how I meant that.  I was challenged mentally, to try and keep up with all the thoughts, ideas and insanity that was flying through my mind, especially concerning all the upcoming events, changes and developments with the children's programs at Momentum Church. It has been an exciting week, but almost too exciting.   While working on one idea, 3 more would shoot through my thoughts, so I would jot them on a side note, and try and go back to the original idea, only to be sidetracked by 2 more tangents from there.  All these notes, tangents, ideas, and possibilities made me feel like my head might explode at any moment!  

The best way I could explain it to Steph was that my ideas felt like Ricochet Rabbit bouncing from side to side in my head.  This began a saddening of spirit as I realized that she, along with almost everyone I know, is too young to remember Ricochet Rabbit.  Back in the day, this was the type of television I watched.  Cartoons only came on Saturday morning.  It didn't teach anything.  No numbers, shapes, colors, or foreign language.  Just funny, at least it was to a 6 year old.   

So, if you are interested in what my brain was doing last week, you can watch this.  It's long.  6 minutes.  No interaction.  No redeeming value.  But may have been where I got the first concept that you should have your coffee all day long....... actually, it could explain a lot.  :-)

Ricochet Rabbit

As a Daisy....

A few years ago, I taught a Daisies class.  Daisies are kindergarten-age girls and the Daisies pledge goes like this:  "As a Daisy, I will be happy, good and helpful, letting my light shine for Jesus."  

Though I am many years removed from kindergarten, isn't that still what God wants for me?  To be happy, good and helpful?  Certainly life is more complicated than when I was in kindergarten.  And the issues I face and the decisions I make have more consequences than when I was 5.  But, when I shake off all the hype, the drama, the frills; my decisions should ultimately be guided by those same three adjectives.  If I live so that I am:

Happy:  content, satisfied, pleasant.  Not that we don't have goals or aspirations that we are striving toward,  but the fact that we have not reached those places yet does not cost our happiness in the present.

Good:  Doing what is right.  Plain and simple.  If it's a good thing, do it.  If it's not, don't.  

Helpful:  Looking for ways to help others.  And when you see a chance, do it.  I have opportunities every day to help someone else.  I can help in my own home.  I can help my neighbor.  And now, thanks to the internet, I can help people on the other side of the world.  And it only takes a few minutes of my time.  

And in a world that has produced a culture of people that are unhappy, malicious, and self-centered, living happy, good and helpful will cause our lights to shine for Jesus.

Can you make the Daisies pledge?

Unleash 09

Wow!! 

That's all I can say.

I have been to many conferences, and this has to have been one of the top 5.

-Great worship & Perry Noble.  That is enough to make it worth the drive.

The Lord renewed my vision for two things specifically yesterday:

-Volunteers that live to serve.

-A standard of ministry that is not compromised.

I will be praying about how I can be obedient to His call.

It was an amazing day and I got to share it with the most amazing staff members and volunteers anywhere; those from Momentum!  

AND, as if all that wasn't enough, I met Pete Wilson and Tony Morgan signed my copy of Killing Cockroaches.  I was a happy camper!

 

Would You Do It For One?

I did a lot of driving again this weekend, and, for a change, didn't listen to my podcasts, but just thought.  About a lot of things.  Driving back to Canton from Columbus, I reflected on some ministry undertakings that have failed.  I remember the excitement of starting a new outreach, that was sure to bring many new children and families to our church.  But, instead, it brought 3. 3 kids, not even 3 families.  I felt like I had failed at the time.  But this weekend I was reminded of how valuable one life is, and that if all the efforts and plans were spent to reach hundreds, but only reached one, was it worth it?  Was it worth the time.  Was it worth the planning?  Can I say I will work to reach 25, but not 5?  My efforts are worth 30 but not 3?  

This weekend I was reminded on the value of one.  One life, brought to the Savior.  And now, that one, bringing others.  God, I am so humbled that you let me be a part of that one life.  The tears I choked back driving home told me my answer.

I would do it for one.

You Gotta Laugh!!

We all need to laugh.  In the past couple of days, these things

have made me laugh, or at least smile, so I thought I would share:

Some new coffee quotes:

You know you are addicted to coffee when:

You dab a little on both wrists so you smell good all day.

You aren't waiting for Mr. Right, you're waiting for Mr. Coffee.

It's midnight and you are weighing the pros and cons of 

making a fresh pot

This made me laugh out loud:

.

And this was a great post from Pete Wilson:  secret talent!

Have a cup of coffee, clip some coupons, or learn a secret talent.  

But whatever you do, be happy.

This is the day the Lord has made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it!

Absolutely Perfect

Today was the perfect day.

--My visuals were less than stellar.

--My volunteers for this week were not available.

--My lesson, though planned early in the week, did not flow as I hoped.

--My body was as exhausted as I have ever been when I was going to teach.

--My coffee got cold before I could drink it.  

And, yet, I had the best morning I have had since coming to Momentum Church.  It was the absolute perfect example of 2 Corinthians 12:9:

"My grace is all you need.  My power works best in weakness." (NLT)

Thankfully, in the place of all the problems listed above that were "my" contributions to the day; His power was more than sufficient.  The "It" that Craig Groeschel writes  about was abundant at Momentum Church today. After service, I drove home refreshed and with a continued sense of excitement and anticipation of what the Lord is doing and going to do through us.  This is the day that reminds me again how blessed I am to do what I do, where I do it, with the people I do it with.  

Everything I Need to Know About Killing Cockroaches I Learned on Twitter

          I love Twitter.  It lets me enjoy the insanity that passes through the day to day lives of my family and friends.  And everyone knows that sharing insanity will keep you sane!  It also lets me enjoy the wisdom and humor of those much smarter and more famous who share their lives and insights as well.

          And so it was, that I was fortunate enough to be following @tonymorganlive when he announced the sign up for the early PDF copy of his latest book, Killing Cockroaches.  If you have followed Tony's blog or twitter, then you know the book is going to be good before you ever read it.  And, no surprise, it was great.  The book encompasses many topics common to leaders at all levels. The common denominator throughout is his ability to take the question at hand, and peel away the pat answers, and cause us to consider the true purpose for all the things we do.   And by focusing on those purposes, we spend more of our time doing what we were called to do, not killing cockroaches. The book is divided by topic; many will make you laugh, most will make you think; and rethink.

This is a book you will want to buy, not borrow from your pastor or friend.  The topics may not all apply to you at this point in your life or ministry, but down the road, you will want to be able to go back and read a particular section again.  Cockroaches have a way of reappearing from time to time.

You can find much more concise info about the book at tonymorganlive.com and you can go to Amazon to order your copy.

Counting My Pennies

One of my all-time favorite speakers is John Wood, pastor of Christ Chapel in Macon.  Several years ago, he made a comment in a sermon that I have reminded myself of many times.  To paraphrase it, he said, that each day, we only have a certain amount of "pennies" to spend.  Those pennies represent our minutes and hours, emotions and energies.  He cautioned his listeners against spending them foolishly, because when you are out, you are out.  You just can't spend more than you have.  (at this point, I could make an enormous comparison to the economy, however, I will refrain.  He wasn't going there at the time and neither am I now.) 

At the risk of sounding ( and being) harsh, I wonder how many of us spend way too many  of our "pennies" on needy Christians when it would be better stewardship of those times and energies to reach out to the unchurched around us.  When that thought went through my mind earlier this week, I felt guilty at first.  After all, we are called to love each other.  "For by this all men will know that you are my disciples", right?  And we are called to share each other's burdens, "Bear ye one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ", right?  But when some Christians depend more on other Christians to sustain them, than they do on God, is that helping them?  I'm not saying we should abandon our Christian friends in time of need.  But those people who seem to stay in a time of need, and that need is me, not God, it may be time to cut the cord.

Reaching out to the lost can be time consuming.  And they may require extra patience and grace on my part to show them the true love of Jesus.  If I have spent all my "pennies" on my Christian friends and have none left for the lost, I just don't know that I have been a good steward.  

Where do you spend your pennies?

Not Keeping Score

I have taken some days to think about this one:  Keeps no record of wrongs.  Hmmm.  Not really sure I want to think about it, because when I do, I feel like this is something that is humanly impossible.  I KNOW when someone has "wronged" me.  I can choose not to act like it, but I still KNOW that they did something that was wrong, or mean, or just bothered me.  I can't forget it.  I can forgive them, but the next time I see them, I will remember the deed.  I don't forget much. 

So, I studied some, and I thought some, and this is idea floated through my head sometime today;  "if I'm not keeping record of these wrongs, maybe that's like playing tennis and not keeping score."  If one player is a lot more skilled at tennis than the other, they both know who has won more points.  They just don't talk about it.  

And maybe not keeping a record of wrongs means that I'm not looking for a chance to get even for those hurts.  I'm not watching for an opportunity put someone down, because they were rude to me a week ago.  I don't take the opportunity to share my hurtful experience with others, even if they bring the subject up. 

Often the purpose of keeping score is to accumulate bragging rights at the end of the game.  Maybe when we truly love like Jesus does, we aren't looking for bragging rights.  Because we know that in light of His love, we don't have anything to brag about anyway.

This one still bothers me some.  I'm working on not keeping score.  It really shouldn't be that hard for me.  I'm not real good with numbers anyway.

I'm out of 1 Corinthians 13, finally.  I think I have enough to work on in my own life to keep me busy til next Valentine's Day!  

Trying to be Proud and not be Proud!

Trying to continue in this chapter on love, I have moved on, but not far.  Still in verse 4; these words describe love; "It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud."  I avoided Mr. Webster this time, and went to Google instead!

The world puts great value on being the best and being recognized as such.  There are countless books on self-promotion.  "Promote yourself, no one else will!"  The ends to these advisories are all self-seeking and self-serving.  You can google the "Most Profitable Companies", the "Best Actors & Movies", the "Highest Ranked Athletes", and the "Top Sales Results" and see results that the world applauds.  And, in the church, we should settle for nothing less than being the very best we can be for Jesus.  But the goal of that excellence is to bring Him glory, not ourselves.  When the focus shifts from Jesus to me, I am on shaky ground.  

I don't have to discount my achievements or accomplishments to avoid being proud.  I can acknowledge these with the humility that the only way I can succeed at all is through Jesus.  After all, it is His gifts to me that I use to live my life every day.  All I have and all that I could ever hope to do or achieve is a direct result of His unfailing mercy and grace poured in my life. 

If I use the words, best, most, top, and highest; let them be to make my top priority be to bring my highest praise to the most Holy God who has given His love through the best gift ever, His Son, Jesus.

When my pride is in the Lord, not myself, everything else stays in perspective. 

 

Distraction!

 I have been distracted. Well, I have been made mad. And that distracted me. So, instead of doing the next word in my weekly study on love (which, by the way was, proud), I have to throw my two cents worth into the traditional church debate.

It makes me mad when I hear speakers in places of great influence bashing traditional churches and methods.  Granted, the way things were 25 years ago, is not how things are now.  And the best ways to present the gospel, technically, 25 years ago, isn't the best way to present the gospel today.  However, there were churches that were effective!  They did the best they could with what they had.  Today, I heard a sermon literally ridiculing songs that were sung in the mid 70's as well as some of the methods of teaching that were used.  These were songs that brought my heart to a place of sincere worship of God.  How dare we ridicule those who God used for that time?  Flannelgraph was used to teach kids because we didn't have DVD's or Powerpoint for illustrations.  We sang "How Great Thou Art" because Chris Tomlin was 2 years old, and hadn't written "How Great is Our God" yet.  

God has never had a problem using what was available and seemingly insufficient to meet the task at hand.  He used a willing servant and unlikely tools:

David & some stones to kill a giant.

Samson & a jawbone of a donkey to kill a thousand men.

A boy & his lunch to feel 5,000.

He used Jehovah Jireh and flannelgraph to reach me.

I know there were many churches that were judgmental.  I know there were many people who acted spiritually aloof.  But, there were many that loved God.  And served Him faithfully.  And reached out to everyone with that love.  I owe them my thanks and respect.   And the best way I can do that is by serving God just as faithfully, to reach out to everyone I can with that love, using everything I have at my disposal today.  And in the case where that isn't sufficient, He will meet the need of the task at hand.

 

Love is Patient, Even on Mondays!

So, following my Sunday "love" challenge, I have spent much of today with the word "Patient" floating around in the back my mind.  This morning, I did just some basic research; I got out the dictionary.  I all ready had this sneaking suspicion that this was going to be more than just a week's devotion material.  I imagined that  to look at the scope of these verses in 1 Corinthians 13 would, at best, challenge me to love at a new level, and, at worst, cause me to slink away from my desk shameful that I have ever said that I have the "love of Christ" in me.  So, I didn't get the concordance, or Bible commentaries.  Let's go with something a bit easier to start off.  I got the dictionary.  

I haven't read the biography of Noah Webster, but I think I will be adding it to my list.  He has to be a preacher, son of a preacher, or something religious.  This is what he says about being  patient:

"from Latin, pati- to suffer".  "from Greek, pema- suffering"

ok, all ready I have had enough, but he continues,

"1. bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint

  2. manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain

  3. not hasty or impetuous

  4. steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity."

So, key words here are:  pains, trials, provocation, strain, opposition, difficulty and adversity.

None of those are on my "Happy Word of the Day" calendar.  Where is the definition that says if you are patient you smile if you have to wait in line at Starbucks?  I can do that.  And it doesn't involve pain, trials, strain....etc.  So, I suppose that means that if I truly want to love, I am going to have to deal with those key words.  And deal with them using the other key words, calmly, without complaint, forbearing, steadfast.  

Monday's choice:  Happy Word of the Day Calendar or Patient?

What do you choose?

The Weekend of Love

What a great weekend. Valentine's Day. I got cash and chocolate. 2 of the 3 necessi-C's of life! And I all ready have plenty of coffee, the 3rd "C", so, pretty much, life is as good as it gets on Valentine's Day! Of course, you can't get through the weekend talking about love, without thinking back on 1 Corinthians 13. So, I thought, what better way to end my weekend than to read those flowing, soothing, verses of harmony and peaceful living? I gathered two pieces of chocolate, a fresh cup of coffee, and settled down with my Bible open to page 1949. It all starts so nice, "Love is patient, love is kind..." but as I read, I found I couldn't just skim through those familiar verses as usual. In fact, I had a hard time getting past the first line. Patient. I'm a fairly patient person, most days. And I try to be kind. As the verses go on, I linger on these words, not jealous, boastful, proud, rude, keeping no record of wrongs, never gives up, never loses faith, hopes and endures. So, what I thought would be a soothing ending to my Sunday, has stirred a compelling to look at these verses every day this week and see what they look like lived out in my day, in my house, in my family.  I plan to look at these verses and try to absorb what they mean in real life.

I'll post my thoughts each day. I'd love to hear yours, too.

I hope your Valentine's Day was a good one.

I hope you know you are loved, not just at Valentine's Day, but every day.

And, this week, I hope to make sure I am loving like I should be. God's way.

I Would Switch to Decaf, But....

According to the 2008 CIA World Fact Book, I can expect to live until I am 80.97 years old.   That puts my funeral at Dec. 20, 2038.  (I guess I will miss Christmas that year.  Rats.  I like Christmas.)  I had plans for today that were suddenly changed this morning.  So, with the unexpected, and rare, unappointed morning hours, I began to think of what I should do.  Or could do.  Or wanted to do.  And the more I thought, the more I realized that I have so many "do-s", I probably don't have enough days for all those "do-s".  Here are some of the thoughts that I have contemplated this morning:  

I love to cook.  But recently,  looking at my collection of 75+ cookbooks, I decided to go through them, try what looked good, and then pass them on.  Ok, that means if I could use 1 entire cookbook a week, it will take until August 2010 before I can get through them all.  And most of my days would be spent cooking.  But I can't cook all day, because I also need to:

Read.  I love reading.  My 13 "read next" books on my desk are looming.  I have some on my computer.  If, while I am cooking all day, I can read two a week, by April, I will be ready to start on my bookshelf books, and whatever new ones have come out since then.  Perhaps after reading while I cook, I can:

Write.  I have 3 books started on my computer.  People who have known me a while and know about these keep asking.."How's the writing coming"....Well, I'm thinking about it.  Writing is time consuming, too. You see, right now I'm trying to cook, and read, and..

Teach.  I really, really love teaching the kids.  So, between cooking and reading that writing, I can plan my lessons, and games, and do my followup, and recruit, and encourage volunteers,  and besides that, I have these....

Dreams.  To travel to some of the beautiful places that God created.  To get to hike and white water kayak in (exotic) Idaho.  And then, of course, the ultimate dreams, to have a clean house, and the yard to look nice....and who doesn't dare the dream that you could open your garage door  without embarrassment.

Lord, I just need to ask for an extension.  I just don't see all this happening by 2038.   

And Stacie thinks I should switch to decaf.

Seriously?

One of the best things about teaching children is that it always seems that the lessons apply just as much to me as they do to the kids.  For the month of February, we are following the theme; "Got Love?".  Last week we covered that we all have God's Love, because He first loved us.  And this week, we take that foundation, and apply it to our families.  Since we have God's Love, we can love our families.

Seems simple enough.  But, loving our families isn't always an easy thing to do. I mean, I love my family, but there are days I don't like my family.   Why is it that our own families are the ones that seem to get on our nerves the most.  Why do we often have less patience with them than we do total strangers?

Now, I'm all for Random Acts of Kindness.  I joined, and then actively solicited members for the "365 Club" that challenges it's members to do one random act of kindness a day.  I think that is an awesome concept.  And I have been doing my best to watch for opportunities to be kind to the people I pass along my path each day.  (aka: scenery.  This was a great sermon that Pastor Ross preached a couple of years ago.  Crossroads #3.  If you haven't heard it, get it.  If you did, remember it.  "Every person in your path today is someone that Jesus died for".)

back on track:

I am trying to be kind to strangers.  But I have come to the conclusion that, some days,  it is so much easier to be kind to a random stranger than to my family members.  Maybe it's because we are with them so much, that they have more opportunities to upset us.  Maybe it's because we expect so much more from them because they are suppose to love us most!  Maybe it's because, especially moms, have spent many hours teaching and nurturing our children and when they fail to do the things we have tried to instill, it feels like we either failed as a parent, or worse, that our children (or husbands) know what we want, and they just don't care enough to do it.  Whether it's picking up clothes, closing closet doors, leaving dirty dishes on the counter, or watching TV while we talk, it makes us mad!  And we have a very short fuse for these infractions!

I'm just saying, if we were all as courteous and agreeable with our families as we are with the people at church on Sundays, things might be different at home.

The kids verse for this Sunday is:

"How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers (and sisters and moms and dads) live in harmony."  Psalm 133:1

Got Love?

too cold for Georgia

Looking out my backdoor this morning....

Passion

I sat in a meeting today and realized that people can be passionate about the strangest things. Prior to the main speaker, several people presented their ideas and services for consideration.  And because their particular passion has such a small place, if any, in my life, I found it surprising that they could really care that much about it.  But as I listened to them speak today, I realized, not only do they think it's important, they think everyone else does, too.  I tried to listen attentively.  I only twittered a few times.  And it wasn't that the ideas and services that they were promoting were bad, they just didn't appeal to me.  I could tell that they believed in their product.  That's fine for those who want them or like them, but I'm not buying.  I just didn't see the urgency or attraction of the given topic.  

Thinking about it this evening, it seems to me, that if we want people who are far from God to understand how great He is and how great He makes our lives, we have to convey our passion to them.   It takes more than a list of statistics.  It takes more than a brochure.  It takes more than a 3 minute infomercial stating all the reasons He can make life better.  They need to feel our passion.  Passion comes from the heart.  It comes with sincerity.  I to comes with measured words that are often holding back tears.  It comes with a voice that cannot be ignored, not because of it's volume, but because of the intensity with which those words hit the heart, not the ears.  

Lord, help us convey Your Wonder and Grace, passionately. 

The Eyes Have It

I love kids.  There is nothing I enjoy watching more than a child as they discover something new.  The delight over a pop up toy, or playing hide and seek, is as much fun for me as it is for the kid that squeals at finding the surprise in a toy or game.  Their eyes sparkle!  

It's rewarding to watch a child "get it".  When you are explaining the "why" or "how" that they have asked about, and you see their eyes widen, you know, they got it.  They understand. 

I will never cease to be thrilled at the sight of a child in church when they "get it".  Yesterday I was using flash paper, my oldest, yet still most favored object lesson, to show how, through Jesus, our sins could be completely gone.  No smoke; no ash; just gone in thin air.  Oh, the bright flash caused many oohs and aahs, but I saw one set of eyes widen.  And my spirit leaped.  This is what it's all about; he got it.  

I was running some errands this afternoon and saw some things that I can't get out of my mind.  At the intersection about a mile from my house, there were these signs, like the "for sale" or "yard sale" signs you put out in the yard.  But these signs were for churches.  Four of them. And this thought flew through my mind:  "Wow!  It looks like another election!"  Now, before I go any further, let me make sure you understand my point.  Personally, I am fine with the signs.  I think the church logo/community recognition is very important.  I think we should have 100 churches available to offer the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people who live near this intersection in my city.  There are enough people in my city to fill up all the churches several times over.  I am not against signs.  

I just wonder what the unchurched community thinks when they see all these signs, for four different churches, all on the same corner.  I really would love to know.  I hope they don't think it is like a political campaign; "Come to our church". "No, come to ours, we're better".  "We're right".  

I pray that they do not see this just like a continuation of the denominational divides we are trying to move past.  

What do you think they think?

Old Friends

Spent most of the day talking

with some old friends about

ideas for JumpStart Kid's.

It was a GOOD day.

It's nice having friends that understand your

perspective...and your jokes.

Getting the Splinter Out

From time to time when I was a kid, I would get a splinter in my finger.  I am, and have always been, a wimp when it comes to tolerating pain.  Splinters were a big deal.  Not only because they hurt on their way into my skin, but it hurt again when you took them out.  Consequently, I would not tell when I had one, and would just wait to see if, perhaps, it would just work itself out.  It never did.  Why did I keep hoping, the next time I had a splinter, that this one would go away by itself?  I really, really was a wimp.  I could usually make it several days before I would have to address the situation.  I would be careful not to use that finger, or let it brush up against anything, and sometimes, even forget that it was there for a time.  But, inevitably, I would pick something up, and the quick, sharp sting would make me draw back, look at the puffy red spot and sigh.  It was still there.  And it still hurt.

After a couple of days, it would be really swollen, and sore, and my dad would see it.  I dreaded hearing his voice.  "Come here.  Let me fix that."  I would slink towards him, holding the splintered finger tight in my other fist, telling my dad, "No, it will hurt."  He would just take my hand, and using his pocket knife, carefully pull back the skin and pull out the splinter.  I'm not sure what hurt more, the sight of his knife or the tenderness of the neglected sight.  But I know that it did hurt, but only for a moment.  Then it was over.  All the pain would go away and I could do whatever I needed to with that hand without reservation.

The Lord has called me this week about my "splinter".  It's not a big thing.  Just a little bit of discord.  And I can serve Him and minister without noticing it; most days.  But if I am going give 100%, all out, go for it, living the adventure, following the Spirit life, I need to get rid of that splinter.  He called me this week.  I heard Him.  I didn't want to show Him or let Him remove it.  Am I so spiritually childish that I would rather hurt than let Him take it out?   I have been.  But, I can't live that way.  So He took it.  It hurt.  Mostly because I held it so long.  But now all the pain is gone.

Do you have a splinter?  It wont go away by itself.

Let your Father take it out.