Book Giveaway

It's Giveaway time!

I am giving away a free e-book of Crystal Paine's new book: Celebrating and Savoring a Simple Christmas.

You can read more about the book at:
http://www.amazon.com/Celebrating-Savoring-Simple-Christmas-ebook/dp/B00A62H3CA/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1352774098&sr=8-9&keywords=crystal+paine

To enter:
Please leave a comment here by 11:59 pm on Tuesday, November 13th.  Make sure I have an email address for you, so I can email you if you are the winner.

Have a great day!

Nothing is Random

I was reminded yesterday that nothing is random.

I was working at church last night, and my friend who had been working in the nursery that morning came by the church to pick up a specific pen that she had left in the nursery.  She mentioned it was her pen that she used to journal.

The word journal must have sparked something in me, because today when I was at a bookstore that word echoed in my head and I picked up a new journal.  I haven't really journaled in a while.  Yet, I felt that spark.

There is nothing fresher than a new notebook full of blank pages, waiting for their turn to be filled. Sometimes I want to flip to the back page and write something on that page so it is not left out.

Yet, that would defeat the purpose of the journey. Page 1 ultimately leads to page 100, but everything in between matters, even random numbers like 71. The heartache, the loneliness, the joy--they all matter.

You matter.

21 Days to a More Disciplined Life

Do you have high expectations, but when it comes to reality, things just don’t get done? Congratulations, you are like most humans I have met.  
 

I was given the chance to review a brand new e-book, by Crystal Paine.  The book is 21 days to a more disciplined life.  This book is set up in the format of 21 days, which each day starting with a brief introduction by Crystal.  The book gives daily practical application steps, as well as a mega project assignment.   She also discusses forming good habits. Each of these is broken down realistically, so you feel some success each day.

The book includes some helpful resources at the back, including a Mega Project to do list, a habit list and a motivational book list. At 61 pages, this book is an great for busy people, and I would highly suggest you check this out, if you are looking at putting some realistic structure to your life.

Another perk is that the book is only 99 cents! However, this price is just until Thursday, Oct. 25th.  On Friday, the price goes up to $4.99

You can buy the book at:

http://crystalpaine.com/21-days-to-a-more-disciplined-life/

Note: I was given a free review copy and was in no way reimbursed for this review.

I have a blog posted on a Children's Ministry website, which I am excited about, so of course I had to share! :)

http://www.aboutthechildrensdepartment.com/2012/10/parents-night-out.html

Singleness and Loneliness

This topic has been heavy on my heart and mind lately. It sometimes seems that people assume that because I am single, I am lonely. Singleness itself does not define loneliness.  I know many single people have many friends and family in their life. However, it is not the quantity, but the quality of the interactions that I find my personal longing to be for.  I would prefer 1 meaningful conversation with 1 or 2 other people, over 10 hectic group social interactions.

One of the struggles with being single can sometimes be lack of connection. There may be no one to eat dinner with or no one to go on random fun events with.  Sure, friends can be asked, but schedules and interests do not always match up. Feeling lonely can lead to the trap of self-pity. I have been guilty of this myself. Again, it is not necessarily a relationship longing, but a longing for deeper connection with the world around me. Several weeks ago, I lamented that in a world so full of wires, I feel so disconnected at times.

I know that these things are not only occurring in the life of those who are single. Those in different stages of relationships may feel the same things.  I think I have just been pondering this topic lately, in hopes of processing my emotions.  I don’t even begin to pretend to have the answers to this dilemma. For me, I know I need to do a better job of being attuned to my emotions, and being aware of what social avenues are most life-giving to me.

There is a quote that the movie Elizabeth: The Golden Age ends with, and I find it rather poignant to describe the life of singleness.  “God give me strength to bear this mighty freedom.”

Grace, Grace and More Grace

I attended “Grace, Grace and more Grace” at Friends University. My main reason to attend was to hear Richard Foster speak, but I picked up some other great tidbits that I wanted to briefly share.

The first plenary was a roundtable discussion on the topic of Grace.  My favorite moments…

Richard: I think it was Martin Luther who said that a great theologian sees the buttocks of God.

John Ortberg: I think that was Bart Simpson.

And… “A lot of people think God’s not happy and is chewing antacids in heaven.” Jim Smith

Later, Jim Smith talked about Grace and Beauty.  When he was talking about people focusing more on technology than other people, he held up his cell phone and noted that “I don’t think that it is an accident that these things are called an apple.”

I was not familiar with Nancy Ortberg before this weekend, but I thoroughly enjoyed her talk on Grace and Fear. 

“Pay attention to how your body reacts to the fear that your mouth and mind refuse to name.”
“In letting go of fears and anxiety, you are saying you trust God.”

“Grace always leads to hope.”

Richard Foster Is such a wonderful speaker, and I gleaned so much from him. I didn’t jot a lot of notes down, because he had a really great outline.

“Are you intending not to sin? If you are not intending not to sin, than you are intending to sin.”

“It doesn’t depend on the skill of the instrument but the grace of God.”

I feel that I was given a lot to chew on this weekend.  If you want to know more about the weekend, feel free to ask.

Popsicles and People

Some people have such deep joy, that it is contagious any time you are around them. One of those people is Kalika, a college student who volunteers in children’s ministry. She also co-directed VBS with me this summer, and it made the week go so much smoother having her be a part of it.

So this last Sunday we had one of our annual kids events ‘Popsicles on the Playground’ and Kalika came by for a break from the tedious life of college, and later blogged about her time, and this post was too good not to share.

Here is her post—I encourage you to read it.

Kalika's Post 

30.

30 days before my 30^th birthday, I started writing down something each day that I am grateful for.  This is the end result. Since it is a list—please excuse the incomplete sentences.

30. A full-time job that I love and feel that I am doing meaningful work that gives back.

29. A  part-time job that I feel called to do.

28.  Friends that I can trust, who I can vent to when I am frustrated.

27. People who love me, even when I have days I am frustrated with myself.

26. That I have had the opportunity to go to college and graduate school.

25. Friends who make me laugh!

24. Health Insurance.

23. I have days where MOST things go right.

22. Humor and things that make me laugh.

21. Naps.

20. Massages.

19. Books that inspire and encourage.

18. A great group of young adult women at my church.

17. Friends that make me laugh so hard that I cry.

16. Giggles of children.

15. Running, hot water.

14. Funny co-workers.

13. Women of faith that encourage me.

12. For knowing that I don’t have perfect every hour of every day.

11. I have the freedom to worship.

10. I don’t have to agree with my friends, for them to still be my friends.

9. Intelligent, thought-provoking conversations.

8. Laughter.

7. Wonderful kids, families and volunteers at my church.

6. For the little things—like there being money in the meter already when I park at the library.

5. For the opportunity to mentor!

4. For the opportunity to enjoy cultural events.

3. For the rare days I get to sleep in a little.

2. For having had the opportunity to travel around the world.

1. For dear family and friends who touch my life in so many ways.

Chicken

All I have been seeing on Facebook, News etc lately is Chick-Fil-A this, Chick-Fil-A that.

Regardless of your views on the subject—and everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I think there are much bigger issues.

Instead of arguing over whether to boycott or support a chain with greasy chicken, what about the issue of hungry children and adults in this country and around the globe? We sit behind a computer and debate this hot topic issue while there are people that do not have access to adequate nutrition.

I pulled some statistics from http://www.wfp.org/hunger/stats/
925 million people do not have enough to eat and 98 percent of them live in developing countries.
Under nutrition contributes to five million deaths of children under five each year in developing countries.
10.9 million children under five die in developing countries each year. Malnutrition and hunger-related diseases cause 60 percent of the deaths.

So, while it is great to be passionate about a cause, consider your cause. I can’t believe all the arguing I have seen over fried chicken.

Chew on that drumstick.

Noise

Noise
by Liz Wine

Noise.
We are surrounded by it,
day after grueling day.

Children have not met quiet,
it is a stranger to them,
as mysterious as a far off continent.

Our souls yearn for the quiet spots,
away from the clack of the keyboards,
the serenading of I-pods.

Are we addicted to noise?
Are we a culture of noise,
when our souls yearn for quiet?