5 Apr 2012

Test Taking

by | posted in: mothering | 5

Tomorrow is a big day.  I feel like I’ve felt like Annie singing “Tomorrow, tomorrow” or how about the little girl in You’ve Got Mail when she sings it which is doubly as cute, but three times as annoying!

Tomorrow is the day we’ve been waiting for for definitely more than a month, but at least 3 weeks since we got this appointment made.  What is going on?  Our big ultrasound.  Here are some hints to how to survive this evening:

1.  Eat Peep Smores.  I’m so glad its around Easter and these little sugary gems are abundant in the grocery store.  I don’t like them by themselves, but ever since I was invited to a Peep’s Party as one of the females on staff at Providence, I’ve enjoyed them.  And adding more sugary to already yummy smores – what could be better?

2.  Popcorn and a movie.  A comedy – with no baby mishaps or miscarriages or baby deaths in it – one that we can laugh at it and enjoy – don’t know what it will be yet, but I’m sure we will find one.  And at least for movies: it is very difficult for me to watch one without popcorn!

3.  Reading.  I won’t be reading any pregnancy “what to expect” books, I’ve already done all of that up until this point, but E and I will be reading some Psalms that are encouraging and reassuring of God’s faithfulness.  We did this the night we found out we were going to need to have this ultrasound and then I cried myself to sleep.  I won’t be crying myself sleep tonight like I did that night, but instead, I plan on hopefully sleeping well and waking rested to enjoy an ultrasound.

4.  Praying.  This has really been a time of fruitfulness in prayer in this area.  Anxiousness and worrying is not according to God’s wonderful plan for our lives (or our baby’s life) so we could either choose to live in sin or we could hand over those cares and concerns to a God who knows already what we need, what we’ll have, and if the baby will be healthy or not.  We can do nothing to change what He has already done (Psalm 139).

5.  Community.  I have some close friends who I’ve shared specifics to and some others who have asked for specific prayer requests for tomorrow and even more who may be acquaintances but who are very excited to find out what sex Baby Campbell is.  I am so thankful for these friends who share this burden with us.  They are God-given and an amazing support system.  Community is so important when you are going through something important and you need people to walk through it with you.  I remember breakfast with a sweet couple the morning we had our doctor’s appt.  Just being able to share our burden with them and have them pray for baby C right then in Panera was a blessing to both E and me. 

6.  Faith.  Not faith in “everything’s going to work out fine” but faith in a God who works all things together for my good, knows our needs before we even ask them, is in charge of the whole universe and the health and sex of our baby, faith that that God has already given us everything we need in Jesus, so He will also graciously give us all things for His glory (Romans 8:32).

7.  Joy in the suffering.  The last three weeks have taught me many things about doubt and uncertainty.  It has also taught me that I’m impatient, but that’s beside the point.  It is ok to cry.  It is ok to share what your thoughts are.  But, what is needed at the end of the day is the total assurance that God is in control, He loves me, God is for me so who can be against me or my husband, or our child.

8.  Caffeine.  I will be drinking it in the morning to get Baby Campbell awake and moving so our baby cooperates with the little wand and cold gel.  No number two pencils needed. 

 

4 Apr 2012

Reading Update Qtr 2012.1

by | posted in: Books | 1

I was asked to post my reading list and then what I am currently reading (I just thought I’d throw that in as a bonus), so here goes.  This is what I’ve read so far in 2012:

Lit! by Tony Reinke – this was a Crossway book review book and I enjoyed it all.  Very strategic and is probably helping with my reading this year.  And I even was informed of a book that will be great for my husband as a gift.

Healthy Pregnancy Over 35 by Laura Goetzl- this book was helpful as a started this new journey into motherhood, especially that I’m “old” (in maternal years)

You’ll Lose the Baby Weight by Meehan – I liked this book purely for the sarcastic and humoristic nature of it.  Helped me make it through the hardest weeks of the first trimester

Walking in the Spirit by Berding – this was also a Crossway book review book and went through Romans 8.  Very helpful to the Christian life, short read, and one I need to remember more of daily as I walk through this life.

A Tailor Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer – this was a free kindle read fiction, so I didn’t lose anything.  It was ok.

A Promise to Remember by Cushman – another free kindle fiction read – better than the first.

It Happens Every Spring by Gary Chapman and Catherine Palmer – a fiction book, kindle read, good, had some good application for perseverence in marriage.

The Shunning by Beverly Lewis – the first in a series – very good, quick read.

The Confession by Beverly Lewis – I had to keep reading!

The Reckoning by Beverly Lewis – good, predictable (somewhat) end of the series

Husband-Coached Childbirth by Bradley – helped me understand what might be coming by the end of summer.

Family Meal by Tyler Florence – I borrowed this one but would love to have it if anyone just wants to buy me something.  I love reading cookbooks and I love Tyler Florence.  Can’t wait to enjoy some of the recipes!

New Mom’s Survival Guide by Wider – this was helpful to know what was coming after the birth, man and to think this process is a joy! 🙂  (hint:sarcasm)

So I guess that makes 13 so far this year and here is what I’m reading now:

Psalms 1-41 by J P Boice (as a help with my quiet time)

What Did You Expect by Tripp – still working through this as its a great marriage book

Love That Lasts by Gary and Betsy Ricucci – E and I are reading this together aloud for car rides and date nights – love it.  Very practical.  One of my fave marriage books EVER!

Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller – we were going through this as a small group, but the group had to take a break, so we’ll resume this soon hopefully!  It is very thick, but good, Keller writing

Warfield on the Christian Life by Zaspel – this is my latest Crossway book review book and I look forward to reading something outside of the 21st Century!

Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor by D A Carson – this is a biography on his father, Tom Carson, and I am learning much (as I usually do by Christians who have run the race well)

Loving the Way Jesus Loves by Phil Ryken – I am still working through this Crossway book review from last month.  Very hard read (because it is so convicting), but very pastoral as well.

On my kindle:

The Praying Life by Paul Miller – this was a highly recommended book that I hope to finish next week while in Louisville

The Blue Castle by LMM – I look forward to reading this next week as well while I sit in some fun places in my old stomping ground.

 

There you have it.  Besides the Twilight saga and the hunger Games, what else should I be reading?

4 Apr 2012

Christians and Boycotting (with thoughts from D.A. Carson)

by | posted in: Books, ethics | 2

I think the first boycott I remember is the Disney boycott years ago when I was in high school (or sometime there about).  Something about their movies…I think.  It was such a big deal back then and I know to some people it still is, but honestly don’t remember the real reason that Christian’s boycotted Disney.  The latest boycott is Starbucks (where I’m sitting right now, sipping on a Vanilla Bean Creme, just ate a blueberry scone, been borrowing their wifi all morning) because they promote gay marriage as a company.  So much time has elapsed between high school and now, but the problem still remains…

How should Christians respond to companies who don’t line up exactly with Christian beliefs or biblical practices?  Should we boycott or should we keep using their products?

I can’t say I’ve always come down with the same position, but lately I’ve been thinking more about this.  How should we voice our opinions in this world that will most decidedly be against everything that is Christian? 

As I was reading D. A. Carson’s Scandalous in light of Easter, I came to this excerpt that is mainly on the persecution of Christians and how we have triumphed because we know that Christ has triumphed.  I loved his thoughts, especially in light of Christians and our boycotts:

“Do not misunderstand me.  We live in a democracy, which is a different form of government from Paul’s, and our Christian responsibilities in this kind of context may mean that we should give a lot of thought as to how to be salt and light in a corrupt and corroding society.  We dare not withdraw into a little holy huddle.  But we must recognize with every ounce of our being that what finally transforms society is the gospel.  There are responsibilities to legislate correctly and pass good laws; God loves justice and holds every nation to account for justice.  Promose the well-being of the city.  Of course we are responsible to look after the poor.  But at the end of the day, what transforms society is still the gospel. 

How does the gospel advance?  By the word of our testimony: Rev 12:11.  This does not mean that they gave their testimonies a lot.  That may be a good thing to do, but that is not what their verse means.  It refers to Christians bearing testimony to Christ; they bear witness to Christ.  They gossip the gospel.  They evangelize.  That is the central way by which they bear witness to Christ. 

Forbid, Lord God, that we should rest so comfortably in our easy and restless society, that we forget that one of the driving dimensions of Christian experience is warfare – not against flesh and blood but against all the hosts of darkness who are filled with rage against us.  Help us, Lord God, to see the enemy and then to deploy the gospel answers, the gospel arms, the gospel solutions, which alone are sufficient in this conflict.  So return us to the cross, to faithful, glorious, grateful proclamations of the gospel, to self-death that we may follow the Lord Jesus, who died and rose on our behalf.” (Scandalous, pg 104-105, 111).

So, application:

1.  If Christians stopped going to Starbucks, what good will that do?  Even if all the Christians in the world quit going to Starbucks, would they close their doors or change their stance on gay marriage?  (Hint: NO!). 

2.  If you stopped going to Starbucks, never to walk in their door or buy their coffee again, would that local manager and the baristas know your heart for the gospel and Jesus and love for your neighbor or would they just know what you are against?

3.  If we boycott everything that is against Christian beliefs or ethics, we might as well just hide away in our little dirt hut in the middle of nowhere, with no electricity, no food except for what we grow, but where would you buy seeds and fertilizer, and what would your kids wear?

We can’t live apart from this world.  God put us here in this world to be a light to it.  If someone asks you about the stance that Starbucks has on gay marriage, you can tell them lovingly that while you disagree on the stance and believe that God designed marriage to be between one man and one woman for life in a covenantal relationship with God the Father, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy good coffee.  Maybe even have a date night there with your husband or wife!

3 Apr 2012

Pain in Childbirth (Thanks, Eve!)

by | posted in: Bible | 6

* Please don’t hate me because of this post.  I weep with those who weep during miscarriages or infertility.  Ask my husband, this is something always on my mind.

* I am excited to be pregnant and know that having a baby will be a life-changing experience that God has granted for my good and holiness and His glory.  I look forward to being a mom.

There are different situations in life that illuminate familiar passages of Scripture.  Being pregnant is one of them.  Genesis 3 is a familiar passage to most who will read this blog.  After the sin of Adam and Eve, God gives out punishment or tells all involved what will be the ramifications of them not following God’s laws that He gave them.  For the woman, it was to be pain in childbearing.

“To the woman He said, I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children.” – Genesis 3:16a

I don’t know what God exactly meant by this statement, but I’m sure He saw the future of epidurals and different birthing techniques.  And He even saw through time (because He is God) and sees my struggle with being pregnant. I know some women who absolutely love being pregnant.  They would be pregnant all the time because it agrees with them: not much weight gain, no morning sickness, no tiredness.  That is not me.

Here is the timeline for me:

1.  Since before we even found out, I was extremely more tired than I was before I was pregnant.  Even last night (I’m halfway through week 16 today) I couldn’t even get through watching a whole movie (Moneyball with Brad Pitt – good movie) with my hubs before falling asleep on the couch.  I was so exhausted.  And it wasn’t even 9pm when it was over.  I am tired most of the time.

2.  Weight Gain.  This honestly is the biggest problem for me and I know God is working all things for my good.  I had already gained weight since moving back to NC in 2010, but then I had a lost a bit before Christmas.  Excited I mapped out a chart for the year to get back in shape and lose the post-NC/writer weight.  That didn’t happen.  And with my pregnancy, I need to keep food in my tummy to keep from being nauseous.  That doesn’t do well for the scale.  I can’t even do anything about it right now.  It makes me sad to know I won’t be one of those moms that wore their regular pants till they were like 8 months pregnant and got back in their skinny jeans less than a month after giving birth.  That won’t be me either.  I can choose healthier foods (but sometimes I want pizza) and I can exercise (see #1).  My husband has finally said I have to quit saying I’m fat.  I’m working on that.

3.  I dislike throwing up.  Ok – so thankfully its been almost two weeks since throwing up, but that doesn’t mean I’ve not taken Zofran to help me not feel that way, and I’ve eaten something every 2 hours about (except while asleep) to keep that feeling at bay.  But, really, it is no fun.

4. Back pain and stomach pain.  I already have back issues and thankfully have a wonderful chiropractor that has made life better the last decade.  But, there is constant dull pain.  Like that helps with exercising.  I know walking and working out does me well, see #1, and note that I do do this walking and exercising when I can.  And usually, for menstrual cramps, I can take Aleve.  Well, for pregnancy pain, you can’t take Aleve (not good for the baby) so I’m just “dealing with it”.

5.  Emotionalness: Wow, poor hubs.  I haven’t cried this much – EVER!  I try not to be one of those women that blame their anger and irritability on “that time of the month” because even though I know hormones are different that gives me no reason to be snide and snippity and angry and fill-in-the-blank.  There is no excuse for sin.  We must take every thought captive.  This is really tough.  Maybe I’ll quit crying about everything sooner or later!

6.  Faith.  This is a tough part as well.  Before our first ultrasound in February, all I did was stress that I would lose the baby.  I couldn’t even really get excited about being pregnant.  I wouldn’t allow myself that.  Then since then I’ve wondered about how our baby will be: with some tests we have coming up.  I know that God is good and does all things good.  And every good gift and perfect gift is from above and I know that all children are a blessing from the Lord.  And I know when I have to start timing the baby’s kicks in utero, I’ll be nervous if I go for a bit without feeling baby campbell move.  I can’t see my baby.  I can see my expanding tummy (its not all fat), and can see the ultrasound and hear the heartbeat, but all else is faith – and every moment in between those doctors appointments are faith too.

So, while I am excited about the result of this pregnancy (and nervous too – I don’t know how to be a mom), it has been tough.  Thankful for the women around me who are an encouragement and thankful for a husband who always points me to Christ. I do not know how single moms do it – my husband is my biggest cheerleader – and will be there and cheering me on with out without an epidural!

And even with Eve’s sin in the garden, all of mankind’s sin (including mine), and all the pain in childbirth and raising a child, God has provided a way for us: Jesus.  The Gospel is the answer to all of our sin.  He is the answer for the curse of the sin.  As it says in just the verse before:

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring;  he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:15 ESV)

Praising God for the gospel and a chance to bear a son or a daughter that will hopefully come to know Jesus and be a Song for the Nations:

May we be a shining light to the nations A shining light to the peoples of the earth Till the whole world sees the glory of Your name May Your pure light shine through usMay we bring a word of hope to thenations A word of life to the peoples of the earth Till the whole world knows there’s salvation through Your name May Your mercy flow through us
May we be a healing balm to the nations A healing balm to the peoples of the earth Till the whole world knows the power of Your name May Your healing flow through us

May we sing a song of joy to the nations A song of praise to the peoples of the earth Till the whole world rings with the praises of Your name May Your song be sung through us

 May Your kingdom come to the nations Your will be done in the peoples of the earth Till the whole world knows that Jesus Christ is Lord May Your kingdom come in us May Your kingdom come in us May Your kingdom come on earth
2 Apr 2012

Marriage Isn’t…

by | posted in: Uncategorized | 3

* This will be a series on the blog that will Lord-willing become a devotional book in the future. You can pray that these will pierce my heart as I write them and that the devotional book will come together as well. 

I am married to a wonderful man and I love him, but marriage isn’t…

Marriage isn’t there so I can make up for the wrong I’ve done by doing 10 good things later in the day.  Let me explain.  Yes, I don’t know everything perfectly much to my dismay.  So my dear sweet husband has to tell me sometimes things to improve upon or things that haven’t been done in a while and that need to be done.  When I hear these comments, I cringe.  I sulk for a while, I definitely don’t think they add to my day any!  But then I set apart in my head a few things that I can do to make up for the fact that I failed in that one area.  I might do extra things around the house or make his favorite dessert or write him little notes.  These are all good things in and of themselves, but not done with the heart attitude that I have when I do them.

My whole objective for doing these extra nice things is to make E pleased with me again.  I feel like if I can do more nice things than bad things, I won’t have failed as a wife. 

Am I the only one who ever does this?

So, the other day when this situation occurred again, I got a chance to voice this to E.  Through my tears (its a wonder to me that E evens understands what I’m saying) I tried to explain that I do the same thing with God.  If I don’t do my quiet time for a few days, I have a longer one on the weekend to “make up” for the ones I’ve missed.  Fill in the blank with many other “good things” I can do to make up for my sins.  Sorta like praying the rosary.

Friends, we can’t see God in this manner.  Our faithful God has already paid the price for our sins, once for all, and has provided the ground work for our salvation: the blood of Jesus.  Therefore, there is nothing we can do to make ourselves in better standing with God.  We can’t witness more, spend more time in the Word, do our work faithfully, have a cleaner home, or raise better children.  Our God is not fooled by our actions. 

So, the next time you fail in some way as a wife, make sure you don’t try to “earn wife salvation” by doing 15 things to make up for it.  It won’t work.  It doesn’t work in marriage and it doesn’t work in the gospel.

Thankful that the Gospel sheds much light on my marriage relationship.  Marriage isn’t how I can make up for the wrongs I’ve done, the Gospel has already paid the final cost by the blood of Christ.

26 Mar 2012

In praise of small(er) churches and multi-site churches

by | posted in: Uncategorized | 1

I know – here is a girl who doesn’t like multi-site churches (just the focus of the entire multi-site not the churches or the people in the churches) and has been in a large church ever since 10th grade.  What am I thinking with a title like that.

Community.  Life on life.  And no, it isn’t a given for every church that is small or every campus of a multi-site church, but it seems to be more prevelant than in larger, commuter or regional, multi-service churches.  Let me explain my reasons:

1.  Proximity helps with life on life living.  Since I have moved several times since being an adult, I have friends all over the place.  Having friends who are missionaries helps in knowing people all over the world.  But, it is harder to keep in contact with and build community with people who live far away.  Not impossible – just harder.  Some of my dearest friends live in KY or FL or TN, and when I see them it is a great joy and benefit to my soul and life, but day to day life on life living is impossible.  With smaller churches, it is easier because mostly these are community based churches that all come from a small town or a part of town in a larger metro city.  At campuses from multi-sites, these campuses are usually positioned in different areas of a region or city that make it easy for community to form around the location.  My husband and I desire to live life with people who know us genuinely and can pop over for dinner or a movie night or breakfast or a walk without having to clear schedules and plan something for next month. 

2.  Zip codes help you do ministry better.  I just didn’t know of a better title.  Living in North Durham is hard for me because some of the different parts of this area of town are not really safe for a female to go through at different times of the day (or any).  But, I have a sticker on the back of my car that says I Heart Durham.  I love where I live.  It is so neat to be able to drive 2 miles to my local coffee shop, hang out with friends who live the next street over, shop at local grocery stores, or actually pop in to my women’s clinic instead of calling them because its quicker.  But, here’s the thing – the friends that I have in my “neck of the woods” all go to different churches.  That is why I love the bigger idea of the body of Christ.  When I was growing up in north Lakeland, we went to a church in Plant City ( a 15 minute drive).  It was a small church and outside of school friends, these are the people we did life with.  But, our lives consisted of church camp, 5th Sunday dinners, and church services.  We didn’t do much else with them.  I long for the days that we have people in our home that are our friends and don’t have to drive an hour to get here.  I long for authentic community. I do have it with friends who go to various churches.  What would it take to make that happen?  I know friends that attend a campus of a local multi-site church that have owned their street.  They have bbqs with both neighbors that aren’t Christians and church members.  They love their street!  They live down the street from their campus.  I know other friends of same multi-site church that pray for the teachers of the school their church meets at because that is also where their kids attend school.  What an impact they can have! 

3.  Don’t neglect the neighorhood around your church.  There is a local church I drive by often that is made up of a certain type of people who don’t fit that neighborhood at all.  It is a commuter church by all means.  But, there is no real ministry going on in that neighborhood by that church.  Our churches suffer when its members don’t live within proximity of its locale.  When members are spread everywhere (whether in large metro cities or probably even in “olden” days when you had to travel by horse and buggy to get to church) it is very hard to have authentic community with its members because you only see each other on Sunday.  Your kids don’t go to the same school, don’t play on local sports teams together, you don’t visit the same library or coffee shop or local eatery.  It is very much a spread thin, segregated life.

Do you like authentic life on life living or does that scare you because of its intimacy or the fact that you might have to always have your home clean just in case someone pops over.  I LONG for it.  I love the dear girlfriends that I have and couples that I know that when I see them you know the friendship is rich and authentic and they pray for you.  It would be much better if we all lived in the same zip code and attended the same church!

I think of Acts 2 for this but also just remember deep thriving times of life on life living: 

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
  
(Acts 2:42-47 ESV)

Authentic community in the life of a church is something I think that is crucial to the proclamation of the gospel.  Just my two cents worth this Monday afternoon! 

And to all my friends out there that live life with me, pray for me via text or email or phone call or blog, thank you. You are loved and cherished!

21 Mar 2012

Loving the Way Jesus Loves: Phil Ryken

by | posted in: Books, ethics, Uncategorized | 0

Phil Ryken has written one of the most convicting books since Respectable Sins and Mortification of Sin.  Why?  Because I don’t love the way Jesus loves.  Nor do most of us, I would assume.  As a dear sweet man at our church says, “Every sin is a love sin.”  After reading this book, I would agree with him.

Dr. Ryken’s take on 1 Corinthians 13 (the famous marriage love verse chapter) (note: even though the above mentioned man read it in our wedding, we know that it is correctly applied to the local church and not to a husband/wife relationship.) is not a strict commentary, but an applicable look intertwining with stories from the gospels that show us how Jesus perfectly lived out what Paul wrote.  “As a reminder, we are not taking everything from the Love Chapter in order.  As we study this portrait of love, we are connecting everything to the life of Christ.” (pg 47)

One of the most convicting chapters for me personally was the ‘Love is Not Irritable’.  I would consider myself a person who generally gets along with most people.  But, recently, probably since being married, I have come to find out that I am loving toward people who love me, work according to my plan, drive according to my mapped out route, consider me a friend, aren’t overly friendly to me in the cafe early in the morning, or has to repeat my order 3 times.  Otherwise, I’m pretty irritable.  Oh, sin…that it would lose its grip on me. 

Ryken’s book on this love chapter is great for anyone: scholar, lay person, non-Christian exploring the gospels and the life of Christ, would be good for a small group of seekers or on a college campus.

7 Mar 2012

Two New Journeys

by | posted in: Uncategorized | 14

There is some exciting news in the Campbell home to share:

1.  As of mid-April I will be a stay at home wife.  This decision was made with prayer, wisdom, seeking advice, and just knowing that it is time.  My job, which I love, as a writer of curriculum for a local church, was demanding in the deadlines.  It has been a wonderful two years of launching Treasuring Christ with a group of great people at Providence.  But, now is the time to call working for others quits.  I will be grateful for time to spend in quietness and reading and also planning meals, cooking more, cleaning the house better, serving my husband, discipling girls, showing hospitality!

2.  The other piece of exciting news is the main force that prompted #1: E and I are expecting!  That is right…there is a little baby growing in my uterus right now.  Seems kinda strange – but it is a miracle from God the beautiful Creator.  This first trimester has been one in teaching me faith and sharing in this journey with my wonderful husband who will get me pb toast at 3am.  Blessed man! 🙂  He has dealt with having clothes that lay un ironed for weeks on end and a kitchen that’s not spotless!

Before I was married I would have said that I would have liked to have stayed working, thinking it was possible.  Then as a mother, sure, I know others who do it, why can’t I?  But, (actually I’m sitting in the same coffee shop that E and I had that first conversation about this subject less than a year ago) I could dream of not doing what I do.  Now with many changes, the Lord has pried my hands off of this and giving me something so precious: a husband, a baby, and a home to care for.  I need more sleep than 6 hours, I multitask, I don’t want others having the main influence of my child during most days of the week (at least in the preschool years, since we haven’t fully decided on schooling yet), and I don’t have more than 24 hours in the days to care for my husband, cook meals, clean the home, sleep, care for myself, and care for a baby.  Sorry – I’m not that skilled.  I know others do it and as a wise woman told me about a decade ago: its all about priorities.  A wife’s main priority is her husband, home, and children.  If you can work outside the home and keep those as a main priority without them suffering, then do as the Lord leads.  But, like I said, I’m not that skilled. 

So, I have some books in my head, some blogposts that desperately need writing, and it will be nice to freelance and speak more because I’m not writing on someone else’swork schedule (though I know a baby and husband have their own schedules)!

 

6 Mar 2012

The Shunning Series by Beverly Lewis

by | posted in: Books | 1

Truth be told I’ve never been a Christian fiction fan, unlike my former roommate who is a skilled fiction writer herself, I tend toward non-fiction.  But, these days I want something easy and something that doesn’t make my brain think too much.  As the husband and I were watching Courageous, one of the trailers that were previewed was The Shunning.  I wanted to watch it, after hearing the book was good, but decided I would read it first.  Little did I know that I would finish the 3-part series in less than two weeks and love them.   Here are some thoughts

1.  Reading fiction makes me lazy.  Unfortunately, a good fiction book sucks you in to its life and you want to do little else rather than finish the book.  I’ve read nothing else, ‘cept my Bible on some days, while I read this series.  I often wish that the Bible would draw me in like fiction I’ve never read – wanting to see how the story ends up and where the characters are by the end of it.  Note: I’m supremely glad the Bible is not fiction, but all Truth!

2.  Here are some themes:

         a.  Forgivness.  Especially once you know the forgiveness of Jesus, it is easier to forgive others.  If we have been forgiven by an all loving and perfect God, who are we to not forgive others.?

         b.  Intimacy with Christ over religion.  The Amish (which these series is about the Amish) live and die by a set of writings set up by men.  They don’t want to mention much of the Bible and few have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Jesus, in the NT, says we will love him if we obey His commands, so I’m not saying we shouldn’t be obedient to what the Bible says.  But, our works can never save us.  We can never give enough to out give God. 

         c.  Adoption.  An Amish girl is given away at birth.  Should an adoptive child know this early, have it always be hidden from her, ever meet her birth mom or dad?  All these questions are hidden in the mystery and goodness of adoption.

So, if you need a good fiction series, Beverly Lewis’ The Heritage of Lancaster County is a good one to read.

 

22 Feb 2012

Lent 2012

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With all these posts on Lent and questions on facebook from friends – I thought I’d venture in right here.

When I started attending a SBC church in high school, we were given little dots to remind us of what we “gave up” for lent.  I remember wearing my yellow dot sticker in the middle of my marvin the martian watch.  I know – hey – it was the early 90s.  By usually the second week of lent, if not before, the dot was almost worn off and I had forgotten my “commitment”.

My freshman year of college (a very liberal liberal arts college), the first day of lent came and I heard a girl down the hall pondering the question of what she should give up for Lent.  She finally figured out chewing her fingernails would be a great activity to give up.  The only things I knew about her during 3/4 of our freshman year was that there was a constant whiff of pot coming from her room, she would return early morning totally drunk, and she cussed up a storm.  I wondered what good biting her fingernails would do her.  No, I didn’t witness to her.  Just judged her silently in my head. FAIL.

When I attended Sojourn in Louisville, even though I didn’t get up at 630am to attend their Ash Wednesday service – I loved the focus of Lent (in yes, a SBC/Acts29 church).  It wasn’t focused on us – but on Christ.  Amazing thought?

So, as I sit here this year, I don’t really give up anything.  I choose this time of Lent to usually read books on the Cross – Cross Centered Life being one of them.  And yes, I still question when people give up facebook but tell people to still message them through email, twitter, phone, text, or other forms of social media – or give up chocolate or some other food – I wonder what the point of it is.  I guess what it should be is that when you don’t do something that you are giving up (like facebook) that you should instead spend the time (that you would be on fb) and contemplating your life, the Cross, Redemption, salvation.  But, I don’t do that – and I would dare say that most don’t do that anyway.

So, if you are planning on “giving up” something for lent – pray and focus on the Cross when you aren’t eating that bar of chocolate or watching sports.  There is more to lent than giving up something. 

Christ died.  We ponder, mourn, celebrate.