Living God's Way - Part 1

A few weeks ago in church, during the prayers of the people, I heard something I have not been able to get out of my head. The priest saying the prayers prayed the following: “Forgive us for our failure to act like Your (God) holy people and grant us the courage to be different.” I have been thinking so much about those two statements and my mind has been left spinning on more than one occasion as I contemplate the implications of what they could really mean. Even now my mind is racing with the thoughts I want to share. My fingers cannot move fast enough…I fear I won’t get it all out.

It’s true, in modern day America, we Christians fail miserably at living as people belonging to the one true God…holy and set apart by Him for a special purpose. What purpose is that? Going out into the world and making disciples of all nations – exactly what Jesus commanded us before He went back to be with the Father. It’s become a game almost of trying to figure out the “right” way to tell people about Jesus. We have biker ministry, sports ministry, urban ministry, suburban, ministry, working women’s ministry, stay at home mom ministry, and the list goes on and on and on. We are broken down into tiny groups that seem to fit our needs. But when did Christianity become about fitting into our needs? How is the gospel message any different for any of those groups? We fret and fear that if we don’t have a way to relate to a certain group of people we won’t possibly be able to reach them. Well news flash, WE aren’t doing the reaching. WE aren’t doing the saving. WE aren’t doing much of anything as long as we are convinced that there needs to be a certain atmosphere or music or style in order to get the message of Christ died and risen across to people.

I’m guilty of this in so many ways and I am really trying to figure out how to make sense of it all. I do think there are better and worse ways to reach people – but does that take power away from God and give it to the lighting in our youth room? I tend to cast judgment on the in your face, handing out tracts, street corner type of ministry. I don’t think that is they best way to reach people. But lately I wonder if I am too concerned with making people feel comfortable…about making their experience of God so comfortable that life WITH God hardly seems different that life WITHOUT God. I shake my head as I consider all of the mile wide and inch deep Christians I know and yet, as part of the establishment that has helped create them, I feel a keen sense of responsibility. In many ways I think the blame for the failure to live as God’s holy people rests squarely on the shoulders of the church. We can boo-hoo all we want to about society and how devoid of God it is. We can cry rivers about the influence the media and entertainment industry has on society. We can wring our hands over the push towards self-reliance in our world and the quest for peace that turns to all kinds of remedies that don’t stand a chance of working. But until we realize that there is nothing new under the sun we don’t stand a chance of turning the tide. God has seen it all before, we aren’t so much worse off then some of the cultures in the time of Jesus.

So what now? In many ways I have no freaking idea. The thoughts to follow are a rough first draft – born out of thought and prayer and a heart that is really trying to discern what God is saying.

Jesus spent the majority of his life out of public ministry. I wonder so much about those first 30 years. I wonder about the ways God was prepping him for the work that lay ahead…I wish we knew more about it. One thing I am sure of is that it had to involve a lot of prayer and fellowship with the Father. In our drive thru, photos in an hour, pizza there in 30 minutes or less world it is hard to imagine a life dedicated to prayer. It is hard for us to plan time in our day for prayer that lasts longer than a few moments. Many days I fall into bed thinking, “well at least I prayed before all of my meals”. How pathetic is that? My life is full and it is busy but that is NO excuse. It is my responsibility as a child of God to build in time for prayer. How can I possibly know the Father without it? I can I even hope to live as one of His holy people if I am not in fellowship with Him. (and fellowship that is deeper than “hey, thanks for the chicken”) So number one on my list of how to live as God’s holy people is prayer. Prayer that changes us. Prayer that allows God to reach into our lives and speak His truth. I don’t begin to know what that looks like, but if we ask I’m sure God will show us.


While I think most of the other ways to live a holy and different life will spring from time spent in prayer I do think that there are a couple of other things that are clear from scripture. We need to care for the people that are close to the heart of God. The people Jesus mentions more than any other in the Gospels are the poor…and it cannot be by accident. The poor in this country (we’ll leave the rest of the world out of it for now…that will come later) need us. They don’t need the government they need the church. They need us to take seriously the words of Jesus and move into action. I just don’t see how it is negotiable for Christians. And writing a check isn’t enough, as I’ve said before…throwing money at the poor isn’t the way to solve the problem.

We also need to cut off our love affair with stuff. Stuff love is a death sentence spiritually speaking. I’m as guilty as anyone else when it comes to this. Sometimes stuff brings me comfort and helps me feel better – but I don’t want that false sense of comfort anymore. I listen to people talking about getting a better computer when the one they have is more than sufficient…getting a more powerful iPod or cell phone or PDA when the ones they have are just fine. I watch the way I desire stuff not only for myself but also for my children and then I am ashamed of the example I am setting for them. I can rationalize it saying that it isn’t for me…but it is. We have to stop. We don’t need newer, better and more. Our closets are bulging, our world is overloaded with garbage, and our souls are suffering a slow death…one that is barely noticeable until we are really bad off. It isn’t worth it – you know it and I know it.

Okay, that is enough for now. My mind isn’t spinning quite so fast anymore. I seek your thoughts on all of this…I welcome them regardless of where you fall down on these issues. Peace.

What a Difference a Week Makes

It was one week ago that Jack got sick. He is almost all the way better today and seeming more and more like himself. So now I just need to fatten him up a bit (he probably lost 3 or 4 pounds throughout the ordeal) and we should be all set.

I have spent a lot of time thinking this week...at first becasue I was sitting in the hospital and then because we stuck close to home and kept life very low key to aid in recovery...thinking about life and death and how we have so little control over any of it. It is amazing to me how a child (or anyone really) can seem so healthy and strong one hour and the next be so fragile and sick. When Jack first got sick something in my gut (aka. mother's intuition) told me that he was really sick. Because I am a worrier by nature I tried not to say anything...my worry has become somewhat of a legend in my family...but finally at 3 in the morning I just blurted out "I think something is really wrong". I called the Pediatrician and we were sent to the ER. Jack got 900ml of fluids (which is a HECK of a lot for a kid his size) and even with that he never wet his diaper or perked up. I must have asked about that 5 times before we left and was assured he would be fine. WRONG. I knew he was still sick...I knew in my gut we would end up back there, but I knew he was well enough to go home for the night. I knew we had a doctor's appt the next morning...and I trust my pediatrician implicitly.

Because I worry and because that worry has negatively impacted my life throughout the years, I have learned to not listen to myself. What an awful thing. My gut feelings are very rarely wrong...and I have to listen to them more than I do because I believe that is how God chooses to speak to me. I'm going to start listening because God is reliable and can be counted on.


So no, we cannot control much of what happens in this life but if we can learn to listen for God - in the ways He speaks to us - we can find peace and hopefully leave the worry behind.

Birthday Photos!!!

Here are three great photos from Jack's birthday!!!

Happy Birthday A Little Late

I know some of you who follow the events of our family may be wondering if I lost it completely by not posting on Jack's third birthday. No not at all.

At his party on the 10th, Jack began throwing up. (a funny note...a soon as he threw up for the first time Annie, the ever loving big sister, said "well this is the worst party ever"!!!) The throwing up (and other things...yuck) continued for hours and hours and he began to throw up dried blood. So to the ER we went where he was given fluids and we were sent packing (before I felt comfortable). Monday we went to our Pediatrician who was dismayed that we were sent home with such a sick little boy. So back to the ER we go!!! This time Jack was admitted to Children's Hospital whrere he remained for 24 hours. We are home now and all got a good night's sleep last night. Jack, while not 100%, is much better and we hope for a continual (yet gradual) upswing for him!!!

Believe it or not we did get some great birthday pictures before the puking started so I will post them another time. We are so grateful to everyone who offered us support these past few days...many without even being asked. Especially for Grandma who kept Annie and Lucy while we were tied up. But for dinners, surprise visits to the Hospital, meals here at home, and the plethora of phone calls and prayers, we are truly thankful. We are blessed to have such a rich source of love and friendship in our lives.

As always we are most thankful to God, our healer and protector, for His amazing love and all sufficient grace. Amen.

Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. Lent is the 40 day period before Easter in Western Christianity. It is a solemn season in the church, a time to reflect and have our hearts softened by God in preparation for the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus. When I was growing up in the Roman Catholic Church the focus in Lent was sacrifice. We were encouraged to "give something up" for Lent. I remember giving up chewing gum in seventh grade, cursing in high school etc. The point was to sacrifice something to God in the hopes that it would bring you closer to Him. I don't know if it ever did that but I like the concept.

About 10 years ago I was working someplace where my commute was approximately 30 minutes each way. I enjoyed listening to my stereo on the drive there and back. That year for Lent I gave up listening to music in the car. Though I had left the RCC the idea of giving something up for Lent never left me. I was determined to use that 60 minutes a day to pray in an attempt to renew my relationship to God. I did pray...everyday I made that commute and I did notice a change in my relationship to God. It seemed to deepen and strengthen and I liked that.

Well Easter came and went the radio went back on in the car. I actually never even considered keeping my Lenten discipline up after Easter. But then one day about a week after Easter I went put to my car to discover that the stereo had been stolen! Replacing it was not a financial priority at the time so I went without. I didn't start praying right away again and I don't think God "took" my radio...but eventually when I did start praying on my commute again I was able to embrace the missing radio as a pathway to God.

Tonight we will go to church for the Ash Wednesday Service where we will have ashes (made from the palms from last year's Palm Sunday Service) placed on our foreheads in the shape of a cross. This is a symbol of repentance before God and it is an outward expression of our faith. There aren't many of those anymore...for me at least...so it is a good reminder.

As I have grown as a Christian I have determined that giving something up for Lent isn't enough. A while back I decided that I also wanted to add something during Lent. This year we are going to read from a Lenten family devotional each night at dinner. I hope this will be a rich experience for our entire family. I haven't fully determined what I am giving up..but I can tell you it won't be Grey's Anatomy or blogging!!!

Thoughts on Pop Culture

It's a snowy day and we've been inside a lot so I thought I would take a moment to pass along my most recent thoughts on movies, music, TV etc.

Movies

I have to admit that this is one ares of popular culture that I am sorely lacking in. We don't get to many movies these days...but we try and see them on demand or on DVD when we can. I did see The Pursuit of Happyness with Will Smith and I really loved that. I love Will Smith and was pleased to see him in this kind of role. I also recently saw Little Miss Sunshine and thought it was absolutely brilliant.

Music

Since getting satellite radio I have been listening to a lot of the singer/songwriter genre and enjoying it very much. But I'm also loving Justin Timberlake's newest effort (go ahead and laugh - he rocks it out) as well as a kid's record by Dan Zanes. And I couldn't be more thrilled that the Dixie Chicks kicked ass and took names at the Grammy's this year. Their album is fantastic!

TV

Best show on TV, hands down, Grey's Anatomy. I love it, every moment of it. For the warm fuzzies nothing beats Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. I'm warming up to Life with Brian and still enjoying NUMB3RS.

So there you have it...my faves for right now!!! Check them out, I hope you won't be disappointed.

Calling All Moms

Before I was a Mom...
I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed.
I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was a Mom...
I cleaned my house each day.
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom...
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Spit on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom...
I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests. Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom...
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom...
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom...
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

Best Valentine's Gift?!

Mom’s #1 request this Valentine’s Day?

TIME FOR MYSELF.

MomJunction.com surveyed mothers across the country about what they really think about the Holiday of Hearts. The answers might surprise you.

New York (February 10, 2007) – Hey Dads: Don’t rush off to the florist or Chocolate Shop so fast this Valentine’s Day. Turns out that moms across the country actually just want 24 hours to relax.

In an exclusive survey conducted by MomJunction.com, the premiere online resource for moms to find and share information, 51 percent of moms said that for Valentine’s Day this year, they would gladly forgo flowers, chocolate, and jewelry in exchange for 24 hours to simply do nothing. No kids, no husband, no car pool, no cooking. Just serenity.

And some more info for eager-to-impress fathers: Over 85 percent of moms surveyed said that they’d prefer a small romantic gesture on a random night of the year over any kind of gift strictly on Valentine’s Day. So think twice before hiring the private chef this Wednesday.

“We all know that being a mom is the hardest job in the world, so we expected some answers to be of the ‘I wanna sleep’ variety. But we were shocked at how many, especially given the other possible choices in our survey, which included spa treatments, a romantic night with your special someone, and of course, flowers and candy,” said Rory Murray, Senior Vice President of Mom Relations at MomJunction.

Only 14 percent of moms preferred flowers on Valentine’s Day this year, as opposed to 86 percent wanting them on some random day. As one mom put it, “I’d prefer a bouquet of ’Because it’s Tuesday‘ flowers, as opposed to ‘Oh, I had to get you these because the greeting card company said I did.’”

70 percent of moms thought every day gestures are more meaningful than momentous Valentine’s celebrations, with many expressing their wish that dads would be less forgetful about saying “I love you,” or showing it outside of Valentine’s Day.

When given the power to “stop time,” and get a free day, “sleeping,” “reading,” “relaxing,” and “spa treatments,” were the top four choices. Only 19 percent of moms would choose to spend their free day with family.

The survey was conducted by MomJunction, Inc. and includes responses from over 300 moms across the country.

Hmmm interesting. I have to say that the idea of 24 hours by myself is very very appealing to me. To sleep without interruption, get up at my leisure, watch the morning news, surf the internet, read the paper, go to the bathroom alone, knit, take a walk, pray, watch the evening news, take a long hot bath, curl up on the couch with a chick flick and a glass of wine...it all sounds so great. I could never appreciate when I was single the quietness and solitude of that stage of life. It felt intimidating then and scary. But now that I am married and a mama I long (just a little bit) for some solitude. I would say that 90% of the time I love the noise of my life...it feels alive and abundant and I cherish that. But there are moments when I recall that commercial from my youth and yearn for CALGON to take me away!

All that makes me is human I guess. I think sometimes, as mamas (and especially ones who have made motherhood a career), it feels a little like failure to admit we want/need time away from it all. Take heart, even the moms who don't admit it still want it...they are just too afraid to say it. So honey, if you're reading, forget the flowers and cards, send me to the nearest Hilton for a night!!!

Bad Blogger!

I've been really swamped lately but I'll be back later today with something I hope is worth waiting for!!!

Baby, it's cold outside!

My goodness the deep freeze has set in. I'm glad I took the kids outside to play last night because the next few days are going to be too cold for much outside time at all. The pic above (not mine...found it by googling Pittsburgh snow pictures!) is of the dinosaur statue outside of the Carnegie in Oakland. He looks cold too, no?

Stay warm my friends. Pop some popcorn, cuddle up under a blanket with your loved ones, and settle in. I'm thinking warm thoughts of you all!!!