Do you ever feel like you have a ton to write about but can't seem to nail it down.My head is all over the place. From today to our future to...like I said, it's all over the place.
How do you get your "focus" back? I mean, nailing down that ONE purpose or ONE goal? Or do you constantly feel like you are juggling several different things that are all so important?
That's where I'm at. I think I will be there for a while and that's OK. So, where are YOU at? Are you feeling scattered or focused? Narrowing in or broadening your scope?
~Christi~
Showing posts with label questions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label questions. Show all posts
The Answer
Merrick's teacher is very passionate about math. She wants them to leave 3rd grade knowing how to do certain problems and how to complete them in the right way.I was thinking about this today and came up with this analogy. Hope my ramblings make sense to you:) Sometimes in math people don't know the answer but need help finding it. There are others who know the answer but are too lazy to do the work. Then, there are the ones who know the answer, but want to get to it a different way than others. There are also some who want to skip steps to get to the answer (but even though they know the answer- they must learn how to get it or they cannot repeat it).
I think the same is true in Christianity...
- There are some seeking out God that don't know anything about Him.
- There are others who know about Him but are too lazy to pursue Him.
- There are some who do seek Him, but do that differently than how others seek Him.
- There are even some who want to skip steps to get to the Answer but since they haven't laid the foundation, it falls apart.Meaning they want to be at a mature place in their relationship with Christ without serving Him, reading His word, etc.
Thoughts?
~Christi~
I need some parenting help!
Gratefulness...how do you teach it? Do you model it? What about when you model it and your kids still seem to be ungrateful? Do you punish? Do you lecture?
We had the talk tonight about why we can't have it all. Yet, we have SO much! A friend of ours was blessed this past weekend with a gift. We talked about being happy for them instead of wanting what they had. Instead of wondering why we weren't "blessed" with this gift instead.
We have shown our kids people who are homeless. We have taken them with us to give out food. We have lived in Mexico for 2 months. We have modeled being frugal and thankful. We have done all we know to do and still, the ungratefulness comes out often.
Is it their age? (8 and 6). Is it our culture and society? Should we just keep doing what we are doing and pray that God will show them in time? I have heard that sometimes you might have to teach something 100 times before it is learned. I'm pretty sure we are getting close. HELP!!What are your thoughts on this?
We had the talk tonight about why we can't have it all. Yet, we have SO much! A friend of ours was blessed this past weekend with a gift. We talked about being happy for them instead of wanting what they had. Instead of wondering why we weren't "blessed" with this gift instead.
We have shown our kids people who are homeless. We have taken them with us to give out food. We have lived in Mexico for 2 months. We have modeled being frugal and thankful. We have done all we know to do and still, the ungratefulness comes out often.
Is it their age? (8 and 6). Is it our culture and society? Should we just keep doing what we are doing and pray that God will show them in time? I have heard that sometimes you might have to teach something 100 times before it is learned. I'm pretty sure we are getting close. HELP!!What are your thoughts on this?
In the valley to the mountaintop...
It's strange how over the course of a month, so much can happen. A couple of weeks ago, I was on bedrest and sort of begging God to let everything be OK. I actually wasn't sort of begging, I was downright pleading begging. You all know the outcome. We lost the baby and my only remaining tube to conceive with. Now, I don't say that easily. I know it seems like I just blunted that out but I have been very blunt with God over the past 10 days. I'm going to be real with ya'll today.....
I have asked him "why" so many times that it's annoying. I have been mad at Him. I have wondered what the past month meant in my lifetime. I have been raw, let me tell ya. R.A.W.
But in a weird way, I feel closer to God than I did a month ago. A LOT closer. I was in a rut. I was in some murky, dirty water focusing on myself and my plans for my life. I can hear me now.." Ok, I want to adopt before Christmas and oh, won't it be fun to decorate the nursery and maybe I should go back to work, and I need to organize the house...." I could literally go on for a lot longer. What I needed to be doing was focusing on the Lord and what He wants for me, what He has planned for me and my family. I was not being a good helpmate for my husband and honestly, I wasn't being a very good mommy. I was focusing on ME.
After my grumbling stopped (around Sunday or so), I started asking him healthier questions like "what can I learn from this", and "How do YOU want me to proceed from here?". What a difference 3 days makes. I feel I am thinking clearer than I have in a long time! I feel the presence and peace of the Lord and it feels good. It's been awhile.
I can truly thank God for our struggles in the past month because it brought me here. I have to "Embrace the friction- because although it might be unclear, uncomfortable and sometimes painful, the friction of life takes us somewhere farther than we could have went without it (our tag line). I see many areas where I have a lot of work to do. Now I have the focus and drive to try to be who He wants me to be.
I don't quite have it all figured out, and never will, but I'm glad on the way back up rather than down in that lonely gutter.
I don't want the hard, questioning times to come back any time soon. But, I'm thankful the Lord got my attention. OUCH! He did it in a way that hurt, but I know He will restore me. I'm forever grateful for a Father who pursues me even when I don't think I need pursuing.
Thank you Lord for working all things out for good and for your glory!
I have asked him "why" so many times that it's annoying. I have been mad at Him. I have wondered what the past month meant in my lifetime. I have been raw, let me tell ya. R.A.W.
But in a weird way, I feel closer to God than I did a month ago. A LOT closer. I was in a rut. I was in some murky, dirty water focusing on myself and my plans for my life. I can hear me now.." Ok, I want to adopt before Christmas and oh, won't it be fun to decorate the nursery and maybe I should go back to work, and I need to organize the house...." I could literally go on for a lot longer. What I needed to be doing was focusing on the Lord and what He wants for me, what He has planned for me and my family. I was not being a good helpmate for my husband and honestly, I wasn't being a very good mommy. I was focusing on ME.
After my grumbling stopped (around Sunday or so), I started asking him healthier questions like "what can I learn from this", and "How do YOU want me to proceed from here?". What a difference 3 days makes. I feel I am thinking clearer than I have in a long time! I feel the presence and peace of the Lord and it feels good. It's been awhile.
I can truly thank God for our struggles in the past month because it brought me here. I have to "Embrace the friction- because although it might be unclear, uncomfortable and sometimes painful, the friction of life takes us somewhere farther than we could have went without it (our tag line). I see many areas where I have a lot of work to do. Now I have the focus and drive to try to be who He wants me to be.
I don't quite have it all figured out, and never will, but I'm glad on the way back up rather than down in that lonely gutter.
I don't want the hard, questioning times to come back any time soon. But, I'm thankful the Lord got my attention. OUCH! He did it in a way that hurt, but I know He will restore me. I'm forever grateful for a Father who pursues me even when I don't think I need pursuing.
Thank you Lord for working all things out for good and for your glory!
It's been a LONG week!
I wanted to write and get you all up to speed on our lives this week. I am finally getting up and around (although I am still pretty sore). I have not been feeling well the past few weeks and had many different symptoms. The doctors originally thought it was a miscarriage, but turns out I had another ectopic pregnancy. I had my right tube rupture back in 2003 from an ectopic but this one felt different and it was hard to determine for some reason.
They had me come in Monday for a D and C and an exploratory laparoscopy. My left tube ruptured during the surgery while they were trying to clear the tube and unfortunately they had to remove it. They also cut out a lot of scar tissue that had built up from 2 previous c-sections and my previous ectopic.
I should be starting to feel good again soon. Right now we are just dealing with the physical symptoms and I haven't dealt with the emotional affects yet. My doctor talked to us about in-vitro being an option but we have honestly never thought about going that route. We are still moving on with the adoption(s). I'm still a bit shocked that I had another ectopic even though they warn you that you are at higher risk once you experience one.
I have been a bit out of it with the drugs they have me on, but I'm starting to try and wean off of those. They knock me out completely and I don't like being a zombie.
We have had dinners coming all week and that has been so nice. What a blessing our friends and family have been to us! Poor Brandon has been running around like a mad man getting the kids off to school and to Konnect. We are looking forward to today when he is off.
This scripture has been quoted to me several times and I am holding on to it with thankfulness:
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. - Isaiah 55:9
His ways are higher- I have to believe that! THANK YOU for praying (even though some of you weren't sure what to pray for). We feel the Lord's love and peace all around us. I am still having a hard time accepting this path because it's different than what we had hoped for, but I will hold on to the promises of the Lord.
They had me come in Monday for a D and C and an exploratory laparoscopy. My left tube ruptured during the surgery while they were trying to clear the tube and unfortunately they had to remove it. They also cut out a lot of scar tissue that had built up from 2 previous c-sections and my previous ectopic.
I should be starting to feel good again soon. Right now we are just dealing with the physical symptoms and I haven't dealt with the emotional affects yet. My doctor talked to us about in-vitro being an option but we have honestly never thought about going that route. We are still moving on with the adoption(s). I'm still a bit shocked that I had another ectopic even though they warn you that you are at higher risk once you experience one.
I have been a bit out of it with the drugs they have me on, but I'm starting to try and wean off of those. They knock me out completely and I don't like being a zombie.
We have had dinners coming all week and that has been so nice. What a blessing our friends and family have been to us! Poor Brandon has been running around like a mad man getting the kids off to school and to Konnect. We are looking forward to today when he is off.
This scripture has been quoted to me several times and I am holding on to it with thankfulness:
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. - Isaiah 55:9
His ways are higher- I have to believe that! THANK YOU for praying (even though some of you weren't sure what to pray for). We feel the Lord's love and peace all around us. I am still having a hard time accepting this path because it's different than what we had hoped for, but I will hold on to the promises of the Lord.
Trust (pt 1 of 4)
Trusting God
Trusting God is hard to do. At least for me it is. I say I do but when times get tough I go right back to doubt and worry.
We had something come up this week that shook our faith. People will tell you when you are struggling with something to "give it to God". It seems like such a churchy answer. I mean we know that's what we are supposed to do, but how?
Through this week, I have realized that there is no formula for having faith in God. It's just a time when you have to realize that you are not capable of dealing with things on your own and you need God to take it from you, to carry it.
So, that's where I am. I'm saying "Lord, take this from me- I trust you! Even if the outcome is not what I hope for, I trust you completely". Now that's FREEING! And it's the truth so that's even better.
Is there something that you need to "give over to God"? Do you need to let it go and trust that He knows best? We can work on that together. Trust God!! He won't let you (or me) down.
Trusting God is hard to do. At least for me it is. I say I do but when times get tough I go right back to doubt and worry.
We had something come up this week that shook our faith. People will tell you when you are struggling with something to "give it to God". It seems like such a churchy answer. I mean we know that's what we are supposed to do, but how?
Through this week, I have realized that there is no formula for having faith in God. It's just a time when you have to realize that you are not capable of dealing with things on your own and you need God to take it from you, to carry it.
So, that's where I am. I'm saying "Lord, take this from me- I trust you! Even if the outcome is not what I hope for, I trust you completely". Now that's FREEING! And it's the truth so that's even better.
Is there something that you need to "give over to God"? Do you need to let it go and trust that He knows best? We can work on that together. Trust God!! He won't let you (or me) down.
Enquiring minds want to know!
If you had to listen to one CD over and over all day- what would it be and why? (and if you only use your I-pod, still play along with a favorite artist)Hmmm, mine would be UNITED, (with Phil Wickham or Gavin Degraw as a tie for second).
How about you?
Nurture vs. Nature?
OK- if we can remember back in our psychology classes (maybe even science) they talked about kids' behavior either being formed by nature (just how they were born), or from nurture (how we train them to be).
Our kids are total opposites. One is independent, strong willed, smart. The other is dependent, easy going, and funny. Now, I realize that some of that is due to birth order. I still wonder if we have influenced it some in the things we say and do.
What do you think plays a bigger role? Why? Is it equal? They say most of who we are is formed from birth -5yrs. Do you think we, or our kids, can truly change negative behaviors?
Our kids are total opposites. One is independent, strong willed, smart. The other is dependent, easy going, and funny. Now, I realize that some of that is due to birth order. I still wonder if we have influenced it some in the things we say and do.
What do you think plays a bigger role? Why? Is it equal? They say most of who we are is formed from birth -5yrs. Do you think we, or our kids, can truly change negative behaviors?
Pursuit of Happiness??
We just finished a sermon about the movie "Pursuit of Happyness". The question I have is this.Chris G., in the movie, says:
"Maybe happiness is something we can only pursue; maybe we can never have it"
What do you think about that statement? Do you agree? Let me know your thoughts.
Out of your element?
I think I'm starting to grow up a bit! I'm starting to realize things that I enjoy and don't enjoy, as well as things I am good at and not so good at.
Recently, I have been put in situations where I am leading where I just don't feel comfortable. It's a stretch for me. You know how you do things that come natural and easy? Well, that's where I like to be. Not that I want life to be easy, but I want to function in areas where God has gifted me. I want to be challenged for a season, but I shouldn't stay there- it's just NOT natural.
Let me give you an example. I love to love on people. I do that through hospitality. Hospitality can be shown in many different ways. My way is trying to make people feel relaxed and comfortable. There are times when I am not "trying" at all and people will tell me that I made them feel "welcome" or comfortable. It's something that just comes natural.
Then, put me in a situation where I am out of my element and I crumble. I begin to look inward, get insecure, get nervous...it becomes something that I think I can do but really can't. I take it all in my own power rather than letting God work through me. I am learning to say no in these situations because it's OK to not be good at everything! I would rather do a few things well, than do several things mediocre.
What are your natural gifts? What makes you "out of your element"? Tell us about a situation where you have succeeded or a situation where you bombed.
Recently, I have been put in situations where I am leading where I just don't feel comfortable. It's a stretch for me. You know how you do things that come natural and easy? Well, that's where I like to be. Not that I want life to be easy, but I want to function in areas where God has gifted me. I want to be challenged for a season, but I shouldn't stay there- it's just NOT natural.
Let me give you an example. I love to love on people. I do that through hospitality. Hospitality can be shown in many different ways. My way is trying to make people feel relaxed and comfortable. There are times when I am not "trying" at all and people will tell me that I made them feel "welcome" or comfortable. It's something that just comes natural.
Then, put me in a situation where I am out of my element and I crumble. I begin to look inward, get insecure, get nervous...it becomes something that I think I can do but really can't. I take it all in my own power rather than letting God work through me. I am learning to say no in these situations because it's OK to not be good at everything! I would rather do a few things well, than do several things mediocre.
What are your natural gifts? What makes you "out of your element"? Tell us about a situation where you have succeeded or a situation where you bombed.
Questions (pt. 4)
(more lighthearted today:)
Night owl or early riser? Baths or showers? Cold drinking water or room temp. water? Dine in or carry out? Chocolate or vanilla? Spend or save? Comedy or Drama? Clean or messy? What's the scoop on YOU?
Night owl or early riser? Baths or showers? Cold drinking water or room temp. water? Dine in or carry out? Chocolate or vanilla? Spend or save? Comedy or Drama? Clean or messy? What's the scoop on YOU?
Relationships (pt. 4)
The spiritual relationship
Ok- that title sounds weird but I'm not sure how to label a relationship with God. Brandon and I both have personal relationships with Christ and we experience that in a different way. I will let him share about his :)
For me- my "salvation" started with rules and regulations. I was the do-gooder type. Then I transitioned to more of a grace relationship where I realized I don't have to be perfect. I try to keep a balance in between those. I think I am called to obey and do what's right, but God still loves me either way. Sometimes, in certain seasons, I tend to lean more towards one side or the other.This is a relationship that I am challenged to put more time into. Honestly, I know that I should spend more time with God to cultivate this relationship. That sounds so generic or rigid but that's the truth. I can write about marriage and friendships all day but honestly this is one relationship that I am still growing in.
Are you a Christian? What does your relationship with Christ look like? Are you more of a rule follower or are you more comfortable with your actions? When have you felt closest to God? When have you felt most distant? Do you see God as a best friend? or more of a Father?
Ok- that title sounds weird but I'm not sure how to label a relationship with God. Brandon and I both have personal relationships with Christ and we experience that in a different way. I will let him share about his :)
For me- my "salvation" started with rules and regulations. I was the do-gooder type. Then I transitioned to more of a grace relationship where I realized I don't have to be perfect. I try to keep a balance in between those. I think I am called to obey and do what's right, but God still loves me either way. Sometimes, in certain seasons, I tend to lean more towards one side or the other.This is a relationship that I am challenged to put more time into. Honestly, I know that I should spend more time with God to cultivate this relationship. That sounds so generic or rigid but that's the truth. I can write about marriage and friendships all day but honestly this is one relationship that I am still growing in.
Are you a Christian? What does your relationship with Christ look like? Are you more of a rule follower or are you more comfortable with your actions? When have you felt closest to God? When have you felt most distant? Do you see God as a best friend? or more of a Father?
Random #2
We have had a ton going on. Here's our Friday update (which seems to be a regular thing around here now).My sister is getting married tonight. The boys are the ring-bearers, Brandon is performing the ceremony and I am the matron of Honor. We are very excited! I will have to post some pics on here for you to see :)
I went to get a spray on tan today for the first time. Spent $20, took about 2 minutes, and I def. look tanner tonight. I think I likey.
We watched "Dan in real life" the other night (LOVED it!) and we also watched "Cloverfield" (LIKED it) Have you seen those? What did you think?. Seen any good movies lately??
We have our 3rd week of adoption training this Saturday. We are learning a lot about ourselves through this process (which is a god thing). Just a few more weeks and we can check the training part off of the list! yah! Are you working on completing something on your list?
Only one more month of school- summertime is calling our name! The boys are doing swim lessons. We are also planning park days, library days and "craft corner" days....can't wait!! What are your plans for the summer?
TGIF! What are your weekend plans? What have you been up to that you'd like to share about?
It's all in the NUMBERS
Why are we so concerned with numbers? We think about how much money we have/don't have, how many friends we have, how many readers we have, how many people attend our church, how many people live in our state, how much we weigh, how much we score on schoolwork, how much money we give, our "rankings", ...... I could go on and on. It's a game of numbers. I think sometimes we get lost in the translation of those numbers.I also think I might be speaking more to myself than others, but it truly should not be about the numbers (whether good or bad). It should be about the process. About the growth inside. About the positive change. There is no way to measure that- and I think that's a good thing.
It's what's on the inside that counts, right?
Do you love the unlovable?
Do you love the unlovable? If I think about that question, I would usually say "YES!" as my first response. I do love to reach out to those that are alone, or new, or that seem to need being reached out to. But that's about as far as I go. I have the "gift" of hospitality and love to make people feel comfortable. Most people would say I am generally friendly. But again, that is as far as I go.
I have heard recently about a guy that drives about 30 minutes out of his way to pick up a man for church that cannot attend on his own. I know someone who wakes up every Friday morning at the crack of dawn to serve the homeless. I know someone in California who picked up their rude, old neighbor every Sunday and drove them to church. I have never went that far!
I love to reach out- but I don't embrace. I don't shepherd. I don't go past those initial few meeting times. I love to get people "set up" and then move on to the next person in need. I realize there are qualities in all of us that are needed. Some people may not enjoy the first impressions but love the one on one consistency. Some people may not reach out at all and it's all totally out of their comfort zone.
So, that's my question- Do you LOVE the unlovable? What does that statement mean to you? How would you define "loving" them?
Another quick one.....
We've been extremely busy this week so the posts have been a little shorter. I've got some in the works though:) Can't wait to tell you about what's coming in a couple of weeks- you don't want to miss reading our blog the week of April 11- 17!!!
For today, let's flip yesterday's question. What would you NOT want to do? Is there anything you are hoping God does NOT call you to? Anything you just don't think you could handle? Anything you dislike or despise? Sometimes I see someone working a job and think "I would not want to be that person right now!". You?
(Not trying to be Debbie downer here, just curious what you are thinking)
For today, let's flip yesterday's question. What would you NOT want to do? Is there anything you are hoping God does NOT call you to? Anything you just don't think you could handle? Anything you dislike or despise? Sometimes I see someone working a job and think "I would not want to be that person right now!". You?
(Not trying to be Debbie downer here, just curious what you are thinking)
The Inconsistent God vs. The Inconsistent God (3 of 3)
PART THREE - STEP OF FAITH
We have seen the two definitions of an "Inconsistent God." We have also seen that we have substantial evidence to consider as we decide which definition we believe. Of one thing we can be certain, only ONE idea can be true, and each of us live our lives in a way that exposes which one we believe.
To conclude, I would like to explain the role of faith. Putting your confidence in either idea of the "Inconsistent God" will require a step of faith. The role of argument and evidence can clarify and show us good reason to put our faith in one, but in the end that final step is a step of faith. This is the step many have not taken. There are many Christians who claim to be followers of Jesus, yet their actions expose a trust in something other than God. There are atheists who claim to believe there is no God, yet there actions and decisions will not follow through fully with that profession. Professing to believe, wanting to believe or hoping to believe is weaker than actually believing something. Believing it is resting in it. This is where faith is seen. You can say you believe that a chair will hold you up, but the way you sit in that chair will be an indicator of your faith in it. Your posture will give you away. The same is true about your faith. You will live what you truly believe.
I like the analogy of the bridge to show how faith and evidence work together. You can learn everything there is to know about a bridge; every detail, how much it holds, how big it is, what it is made of, where it leads. You can know everything about it and have good reason to believe your information is very accurate, but to take a step (even for a bridge expert) on that bridge and cross it is still a step of faith. Faith gets you to the other side. The knowledge and evidence gathered just helps you gain confidence in taking that step of faith. This is where I try to direct my discussions with people whose views differ. Talking and learning everything about a bridge is easy (and enjoyable for a few of us nerds), but taking a step on that bridge is a much bigger deal. It will define our morality, our beliefs, our actions, our lives.
How does this affect your life? your discussions?
We have seen the two definitions of an "Inconsistent God." We have also seen that we have substantial evidence to consider as we decide which definition we believe. Of one thing we can be certain, only ONE idea can be true, and each of us live our lives in a way that exposes which one we believe.
To conclude, I would like to explain the role of faith. Putting your confidence in either idea of the "Inconsistent God" will require a step of faith. The role of argument and evidence can clarify and show us good reason to put our faith in one, but in the end that final step is a step of faith. This is the step many have not taken. There are many Christians who claim to be followers of Jesus, yet their actions expose a trust in something other than God. There are atheists who claim to believe there is no God, yet there actions and decisions will not follow through fully with that profession. Professing to believe, wanting to believe or hoping to believe is weaker than actually believing something. Believing it is resting in it. This is where faith is seen. You can say you believe that a chair will hold you up, but the way you sit in that chair will be an indicator of your faith in it. Your posture will give you away. The same is true about your faith. You will live what you truly believe.
I like the analogy of the bridge to show how faith and evidence work together. You can learn everything there is to know about a bridge; every detail, how much it holds, how big it is, what it is made of, where it leads. You can know everything about it and have good reason to believe your information is very accurate, but to take a step (even for a bridge expert) on that bridge and cross it is still a step of faith. Faith gets you to the other side. The knowledge and evidence gathered just helps you gain confidence in taking that step of faith. This is where I try to direct my discussions with people whose views differ. Talking and learning everything about a bridge is easy (and enjoyable for a few of us nerds), but taking a step on that bridge is a much bigger deal. It will define our morality, our beliefs, our actions, our lives.
How does this affect your life? your discussions?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)