What has 'religion' given you??

The more I think of 'religion' the more I have come to HATE the word. By way of definition, religion means the state of a religious; the service and worship of God or the supernatural; commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance; a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices; archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness; a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith. Where in any of those definitions is a personal relationship with Christ listed?? To me the 'definition' of the word has given it a more rigid and icy meaning. A personal set or institutionalized system of religion attitudes??? Institutionalized??? System??? Religion attitudes???

When did a personal relationship with Christ have such abrasive words attached to it? There is a new song out right now that has a statement in it that goes, "What has religion left you with? My religion has left me with rocks tied to my feet." Why can't our relationship with Christ be joyful and not 'something tied to our feet"?? My prayer today is that I will go back to my first love-Jesus. The Jesus that thought of me while hanging on that cross. The Jesus that took on my sin without questioning, flinching, or stopping The Jesus that knew when he was put on this Earth his purpose and still did it.

Who, or should I say what, is your first love?? Your computer? The TV?? Work?? If these things or others are on your list..maybe a moment of regroup is in order.

EMPATHY-INTEGRITY-KINDNESS-SELFLESSNESS

I am including today an excerpt from a book that I am reading right now called Season of Life by Jeffrey Marx. It is a book written about Joe Ehrmann, a once Indianapolis Colts player, high school football coach, ordained minister, and philanthropist. Joe Ehrmann attended a 'seminar' type setting to come and speak to our local JFL team--What an honor!!!

This excerpt is referring to a football team that is being co-coached by Francis "Biff" Poggi and Joe Ehrmann. They are adressing the boys on the first day of practice. I find this excerpt a lesson that each one of us can learn from and/or teach our kids:

For one thing, they would make an impact by being inclusive rathan than exclusive.
"The rest of the world will alwyas try to separate you," Biff said. "That's almost a law of nature - gonna happen no matter what, right? The rest of the world will want to separate you by race, by socioeconomic status, by education levels, by religion, by neighborhood, by what kind of car you drive, by the clothes you wear, by athletic ability. You name it - always gonna be people who want to separate by that stuff. Well, if you let that happen now, then you'll let it happen later. Don't let it happen. If you're one of us, then you won't walk around putting people in boxes. Not now. Not ever. Because every single one of them has somehting to offer. Every sinlge one of them is special. "
Biff said, "We are a program of inclusion. We do not believe in separation."
The boys would make also make in impact by breaking down cliques and stereotypes, by developing empathy and kindness for all.
"What's empathy?" Biff asked them. "Feeling what?" "Feeling what the other person feels," said senior captain, a small but solid wide receiver and hard-hitting defeinsive back who had already accepted a scholarship to play college football.
"Exactly right," Biff said. "Not feeling for someone, but with someone. If you can put yourself in another man's shoes, that's a great gift to have for a lifetime."

What a great lesson??? Biff goes on to say that no one -team mate or not - should eat lunch by themselves, they should go get him and ALWAYS make him feel wanted, make him feel special.

How else would the boys make an impact?
By living with integrity...and not only when it is convenient to do so. Always.
By seeking justice...because it is often hidden.
By encouraging the oppressed...because they are always discouraged.
Ultimately, Biff said, the boys would make the greatest overall impact on the world - would bring the most love and grace and healing to the people - by constanlty basing their thoughts and actions on one simple question: What can I do for you??

He goes on to state that it is not about how much money you make, how big your house is, what I can do to get more power/authority/job title...the only question that really matters is: How can I help you today??

I think this is a lesson long forgotten by parents today. Teaching our kids to be selfless is almost impossible when our society teaches adults and kids alike to 'look out for yourself'. I challenge you today to find ways to selflessly help someone else today just because.

football- "He's Only a Boy"

As we embark on our second game of the last JFL season we will see....I remember a poem that my sister-in-law wrote back in 1991.  She watched my husband play several years of JFL and then high school.  She has a great perspective on being a football fan and parent.  Hope that you enjoy this....

He is Only a Boy

Don't curse the boy down there.
He is my son, you see.
He's only just a boy you know.
He means a lot to me.

I did not raise my son, dear fan, for you to call him names.
He may not be a super star,
It's just a Junior Football League game.

So please don't curse those boys down there.
They do the best they can.
They never tied to lose a game,
They're boys and you're a man.

The game belongs to them, you see,
Your are just a guest.
They don't need a fan like you.
They need the very best.

If you have nothing nice to say,
please leave the boys alone.
And if you have no manners,
Why don't you stay at home??

So please don't curse those boys down there.
Each one's his parent's son.
Win or lose or tie, you see,
To us they're number one.

responses...a choice or reaction???

I have worked very hard to teach my kids a 'cooler' response to each other.  Somedays a cake walk and other days???  Not successful.  I keep reminding them that the walls they build today (or tear down today) may be the very walls they will need as they get older.  It has been said many time before that Rome was not built in a day, but has anyone stopped to ask that person if Rome was destroyed in a day???  Well most of us know the answer to that question.  But...let's apply this 'idea' to an everyday situation.  Can relationship walls be destroyed in a day???  In a hour???  In a minute??  ABSOLUTELY!!

So why do we risk the very city that we are choosing to tear down?  Being 1 of 5 children growing up, I see now how (younger) family dynamics can (and usually do) dictate how the (older) family will procede.  Even scarier than that???  What about the next generation of a 'younger family' - how will they procede???  Just as functional or dysfunctional??  Again I go back to my original question - responses... a choice or reaction??  So here is the good news: ( as I mentioned in an early post) WE ARE A NEW CREATION IN CHRIST.  That is how the walls that were tore down can be built back up.  WE have HOPE and a PROMISE!!! How reassuring that destruction does not have to be permanent.

butterflies...

I have noticed lately an abundance of butterflies.  God has reminded me with each one that I am a new creation.  I have seen a lot of yellow butterflies.  I find that detail even more interesting b/c the color yellow/gold  is symbolic of God's presence.  When you are sitting around, whether alone or in a group, and a yellow/gold butterfly flies by ~ God's presence with a hint of a new creation.  WOW....and some people say that God is not concerned with showing himself to us.  REALLY????  If only God's creation was the only thing he revealed to us, wouldn't that be enough???  Wouldn't it be enough with how each creature is made to overwelm our senses with awe???  When you think of a bumble bee, for instance, too heavy, according to science, to fly with their wings and yet they do it everyday???  Because that is what they were designed to do....  What were you made (or designed) to do???  Are you doing it???  Are you holding up your end of the deal by being that new creation???  Doing exactly what you were designed to do???  I have wasted lots of time in my life, but my new creature was designed to not waste time.  I am breathing in God's creation more and more everyday AND really enjoying it. 

forgiveness...

Charles Stanley prints out a free magazine and in the latest issue of the In Touch magazine....this month he wrote a lot about forgiveness and joy.  He makes an amazing point....he asks why do people 'choose' to not forgive???  How does someone forgive??  If we are commanded to forgive then why isn't there clear instruction on how to forgive??  There is clear instruction~~ Love your neighbor as yourself!!!  So I am sitting her asking myself do I??  No, I am not referring to loving my physical neighbor....am I loving to those who are close to me whether it is physical location, relationships, family knit, etc???  Have I been an example of God' true and holy love??  There is more to the article that Charles Stanley wrote stating that sometimes the hurt that has caused the unforgiveness can be deeper than we can 'forgive', but with God's help and renewing of our mind 'We can do all things thru Christ that STRENGTHENS us' (Phil 4:13).  If I am going to remain true to the title of my blog then I have to be real with you and myself.  My unforgiveness is becoming larger than myself...  So each time (ok..as many times as I can remind myself) I remind myself to take captive every unwholesom thought in regards to my unforgiveness.  Am I successful??? Mostly.

Dear Father God, help me to continue becoming more like you.  Strengthen me to be a soldier in your army.  Discipline because you love me.  Love me because your my Heavenly Father that wants the best for your child. Refine me to a purer gold that is fit for My King.  Purify me to sit in your presence.  Build in me a new heart that desires only things that glorify you.  Stop my tongue and quicken my heart to compassion and forgiveness.  Give me wisdom.  Allow me guidance.  Accept me.  Forgive me.  Let me be salt and light in this world that needs you more than anything.  I want to be used by you.  Father my heart is open-heavy-but open...the work of your kingdom is good for the heavy in heart.  I love you and I trust you.  Amen. 

splitting your heart, splitting your time....

Do you ever feel like your splitting your time???  Splitting your time between school and kids??  kids and their schedule??  their schedule and your time with your husband??  homeschooling and your husband??? homeschooling and enjoying your kids?? homeschooling and your kids' schedule??  work and family???   your boss and your husband???

What ever is forcing you to decide between one thing or another--what value is it?? What eternal value does it have?? If you are lucky enough to be at home, have you wondered what it would be like to go back in to the work force??  What will going back into the work force do?

If your children are in public school and your heart is tugging you to homeschool, what is holding you back???  I have learned in my life that the thing that holds me back the most is PRIDE.  Yep, there I said it-PRIDE.   I can do it all-all the time!!! Can you?? When do you break and say I can't do it?  What makes that happen???  Maybe today you need to take a few moments to stop and ask yourself how much am I doing because you want to accomplish it?, how am I doing in my own strength?, how much am I doing with God's help?, how much am I doing without ransoming my family?

firsts...

Today I dropped both of my children off at church camp.  This is the first time they have gone for a whole week...the first time they have been gone for a whole week...the first time they have been gone for a whole week at the same time.  I will admit today has been nice, but we will see how tomorrow goes. :) 

I know that part of letting them go is just simply letting them go.  Any suggestions on how to make that part easier??

I know that there is a first for everything you do...EVERYTHING...why stop today??

"content to receive from God whatever He deems fit for me"

From Joni Erickson-Tada's website/blog:
"our afflictions come from the hand of our all-wise and sovereign God, and although cancer is something new, I am content to receive from God whatever He deems fit for me – even if it is from His left hand (better from His left hand, than no hand at all, right?!). ....utterly convinced that God is going to use this to stretch our faith, brighten our hope, and strengthen our witness to others…"


She is referring to her latest diagnosis of breast cancer.  The statement above is a statement that when i heard it my reaction was, 'I want to do that'.  I want to be able to be content to receive from God whatever He deems fit for me.  In one of my earlier post, I shared that I have often cried out to God to help me be 'healthy again'...but maybe what I need to bring to God's holy throne is guidance on how to learn to be content to receive from God whatever He deems fit for me???  I want that, whatever He gives to me, to be evidenced by the stretching of our faith, brightening our hope, and to strengthen our witness to others--how about you??  

What does learning to be content mean?  By way of definition and the Webster's Dictionary, it means satisfied.  So let's rewrite the above statement like this: I am satisfied to receive from God whatever He deems fit for me...   It reads much differently then doesn't it??  Does the definition fit to your original thought??  Sometimes seeing the definition of a word makes it's meaning much different than how it is being used in a sentence/context. 

Birthdays....

This weekend is my 35th birthday and I can not believe that I made it. :) Don't worry I do not jump out of airplanes, 'play with guns', or take death defying acts lightly....my birthdays have, in the past, not been good.  I decided after my 27th bday that a celebration for my bday would not happen again. 

I am totally okay with aging.  I have children that I have thoroughly enjoyed watching get older (as I age).  I  have someone who I thoroughly enjoy spending time with (as I age). I know that the someone I thoroughly enjoy spending time with grow old with me, and probably quicker since he is older than me (as I age).  I know that when my children get married, have children, and get older themselves it will be because I am aged.... I am excited about my future or maybe I am excited about the legacy we are leaving.  My husband and I have spent a lot of time and energy changing the course of the 'generational curses' dropped on us....  I was reading a blog a few days ago that read 'this curse stops HERE, in this family, in Jesus’ Name.' that has been my motto.  I may go to my grave 'aged', but not rested....I spend everyday working toward placing stop signs all over the place...  Maybe I have a new prayer...  Dear God--my birthdays are no longer 'just another day on the calendar' as I have referred to it for a long time, but rather a day that celebrates another adoption into your kingdom... Amen.

boundaries...

Setting healthy boundaries in relationships...how do you do it???  How do you define them??  Why do you do it???  Why do you not do it???  My pastor once told me that dysfunctional people do not and can not understand boundaries, which is what makes them dysfunctional. What a profound statement!!!  Do you understand boundaries??  Do you recognize boundaries??? Do you set boundaries so that you can enjoy the relationships that you have??  There are many relationships that I crave.  There are many relationships, with people who are dysfunctional, that I still crave.  Maybe setting boundaries is not for anyone else but you... Maybe what causes people that need to set boundaries to finally set them is that they finally have a moment of realizing that they are not going to change the very people they are setting the boundaries from.  I don't want to change the world....  I am changing the way that I respond-my only responsibility!!!!

Father's Day

We have all spent a Father's Day at some point in our lives with a guy that is our father  or, in one way or another, been a father figure to us.  Maybe this Father's Day you will be spending it with your dad, maybe you will be spending it with your husband who is seasoned or who is a first time dad, maybe you will be spending this day with your father-in-law, maybe you will be spending this day with your grandpa, maybe you will be spending this day remembering your dad.  It always amazes me that society does not recognize or emphasize nearly enough the impact that fathers have on families and their children.  ARE you a dad???  Do you realize the impact that you have on your children-namely your daughters???  The breakdown in our society, in my opinion, can be linked back to the breakdown in homes.  Don't be afraid to take the special job God gave us as parents very seriously.

blessings....

When do start counting your blessings???  How do you start counting your blessings???  Do you recognize true blessings??  I used to think that blessing only came to those who deserve them.  What do I think now???  Now I think that blessing are given to everyone.  The sad thing about blessings is that they are much like hindsight...they are only recognizable when looking back.  Why can't blessing be something that is shown or revealed looking in to a situation???  Why???  Because if you could see them going in would you learn the lesson meant to be taught, would you be so willing to be teachable, would they be so sweet, would they make you realize that the growth you have made was well worth and possibly moreso than the lesson. 

Eight years ago this coming weekend something very dear to me was stolen. Something to most people are counted as something that cannot be returned or replaced.  And in that eight years so much more has been given back to me.  It may not be returned or replaced with what was stolen, but something much better.  It was replaced with a mucher larger understanding that God has bigger plans for most of us than what we know.

My heart is still broke, somewhat hard, and will eternally be different.  How do you go back to that moment before your heart is broke???  You don't.  You accept the fact that that moment, like so many, are passed.  Does that stop you from healing??  NO.  It should motivate you to charish every moment to come.  Who do you turn to??  I have spent that past eight years trying very hard to turn to my Lord and Savior....and I have allowed myself to stand in the way.  I find it amusing (almost amusing) that there is a 'support group' for every thinkable and unthinkable heartache...when the best support group is waiting right next you to reach out, help to mend a broken heart, and show you how to heal.  I will not sit here and pretend that I have been perfect at reaching out to my Lord for my support group, and everytime that I think that I need to reach out to 'physical' support groups he reminds me that they will only help air dirty laundry not mend or help me to be healthy again.  He also reminds me that Romans 8:28-29 says that all things work together for those who are called according to his purpose.  To me that says he has an intentional already determined purpose for my life, for my marriage, for my children, and my grandchildren.  Forgiveness is not a pardon.  Forgiveness just means that you leave the judgement to the best judge - a judge that is just.  I thank God that he is that judge and not me.  I would more than likely be too emotional to give the adequate punishment.  He is good like that.

Today....what can we do with today???

Today I asked my children to finish up their reports.  My 13-year-old son will be finishing up his report on 'How snails got their shells', and my 11-year-old daughter is finishing up a report on 'The Great Depression.'  As we were talking about finishing them up it occurred to me that I had not stressed to them that it did not have to be perfect, but rather, finishing to their best ability. 

How many times has God asked us to complete something???  How many times has he asked us to complete something perfectly???  How many times has he patted us on the back and said I am so glad that you finished this 'my good and faithful servant'??? 

Think about today....what can you finish (or complete) and do it as though God is asking you to finish to the best of your ability??? 

Pondering...

How many times have you looked into your child's eyes just to reassure them??? How many times have you recognized how special they are??? How many times have you set back and realized how much God must have thought about you to give you such a special job and person??? How many times have you sat back and really taken notice of your child's God-given ability???



Sometimes God gives us just what we need when we need it, and other times he gives us more than we think we can handle to see our reaction. When I look back at times when God has challenged me or stretched me...I also look at how I reacted. Am I changing how I react??? Have I grown to be someone who looks at what God has given me straight in the face and say bring it on??? I don't think that I necessarily say bring it on, but I am more willing to face adverse times with God's help. Learning to trust him has not been easy the past 8-9 years, but completely worth learning how. My all time favorite verse has been Romans 8:28-29. God gave me this verse at a time that made me wonder why he gave it to me...Times were tough, but now I know. He wanted me to appreciate and understand that my plan and his plan is all about glorifying him--no matter how many roadblocks, heartbreaks, tears, disappointment, joy, laughter, smiles come along. Being grateful for all of them is probably the biggest key, but not always easy. All things do work out together for good for those who are called according to his purpose.