18 May 2010

Don't Waste Your Summer!

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You can’t tell by the weather here in RDU today (or from what I hear in the ville as well), but we are more than halfway through the merry little month of May. Most schools are our or just about finishing up finals. College graduations have come and gone; so has Mother’s Day. Things are winding down – or gearing up for summer vacation.
How will you not waste your summer this year? How will I not waste mine?
Well, here are a few resources and tips; then I will share my ideas for my summer:
Johon Piper on Summer is for Seeing and Showing Christ:

God made summer as a foretaste of heaven, not a substitute. If the mailman brings you a love letter from your fiancé, don’t fall in love with the mailman. That’s what summer is: God’s messenger with a sun-soaked, tree-green, flower-blooming, lake-glistening letter of love to show us what he is planning for us in the age to come—“things which eye has notseen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered into the heart of man, God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). Don’t fall in love with the video preview, and find yourself unable to love the coming reality.

Here are some things you can do:
1. Build community – this is why we have longer daylight hours – right?
2. Go see a movie on the side of a building (the NC Museum of Art does this at night)
3. Pick some fresh fruit or veggies. That is one way of caring for God’s creation that He gave us to subdue and work (and enjoy).
4. Read! What else are going to do with all that free time? Watch movies – play video games? Reading expands the mine!
5. Invest in your community around you. Go serve at a local park or shelter or at a year round school.
6. Travel – see the beauty that is God’s creation!

Here are mine:
1. Ministry: College bbq, College Summer Bible Study (going through Philippians), Summer Youth Bible Study (going through Wordliness by Mahaney with middle school girls), Impact Youth Camp, Singles Retreat, and daily life with folks.
2. Writing. Yes, maybe I’ll start this summer (part of my job).
3. Reading: Total Church, A Gospel Primer, War of Words, Future Grace, According to Plan, Parenting from the Pew, any others I should pick up?
4. Trying to lose these 10 lbs I’ve picked up since January 1.
5. Run in a half marathon.

There you have it. What are your plans? How are you NOT going to waste your summer?

“Don’t let the carnal thought take over your mind that summer is a spiritual void. That is not God’s view of things. He is displaying glories to be seen and worshiped. He is caressing the world with mercy (Matthew 5:45). His summer “kindness is meant to lead to repentance” (Romans 2:4). Let’s join God in his love for people in the summer and make it a fresh meeting with him in the light of his love.”

John Piper on Setting Our Minds on Things Above in Summer:

17 May 2010

Jaron and the Theology of Country Music

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Ah – the joy of learning your theology from country music.  I love country music – but this song made me want to puke – but I was in a rental car so I didn’t think that was such a good idea.

What other country music songs make you think twice about the base of your theology?  how do you handle praying for your enemies?

Luke 7.27-36 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

16 May 2010

Power Breakfast (or lunch or dinner)

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My friend, Cynthia, gave me this idea.  Her and her husband would eat this as a powerful way to fuel in the morning.  I just ate some for a quick dinner before heading to church – after a 4 mile jaunt.

I’ve never been one for cottage cheese, that’s my mother.  But, I can eat it like this.  This is high in protein, whole grains, and low in calories and fat.  Top it with fruit and you’ve got a winner!  Remember to drink plenty of water to help feeling full and digestion!  And to hydrate!

1//4 cup low-fat small curd cottage cheese

1/4 cup ff vanilla yogurt

1/4 cup rolled oats

fruit (today I used 1/4 peach and 2 T blueberries)

agave nectar – just a swirl – not much

Mix all and eat.  Delicious!

14 May 2010

Gay Marriage a "Generational Thing"? – Laura Bush

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My roommate and I were just talking about former First Lady Laura Bush the other night.  Speaking of her so highly, classy lady, always kept an air of decorum about her.  I’ve always liked her.

Well, if she is going to take this stance, then I won’t be “liking” her political views any more.

First, the Bible, the very Word of God, Truth for all times – is not a generational thing.

Second, wow – this would be a key topic for my husband and I to agree upon?  Don’t you think?

What are your thoughts?

12 May 2010

DeYoung on the Heidelberg Catechism

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Kevin DeYoung definitely has been the author of the hour the past few years.  He is the Senior Pastor of University Reformed Church in Michigan.  His books, such as Why We’re Not Emergent and Why We Love the Church have received many accolades and awards and are widely read – mainly among seminary students and ministry teams.

This book, The Good News We Almost Forgot, takes a pastoral spin on the 16th Century Heidelberg Catechism.  If I were learning catechisms, or wanting to teach them to my children (if I had them), I wouldn’t start with this one.  It is wordy and long (breaking 129 Q/As into 52 Lord’s Day sections).  And I am not in agreement with everything that it says. 

But, this book is full of pastoral theology and is quite readable (broken into small chapters).  And my copy is underlined well.

“From what I’ve seen and read, the interest in missions among young people is trending away from saving souls and toward saving the world.  The interest is too often social to the exclusion of spiritual.  The two don’t have to be at odds with each other.  Those who deal with the spiritual must not ignore the social and those who engage the social must fully embrace the spiritual.  Every Christian engaged in mission – be it medical, educational, agricultural, or just plain being a good neighbor – should care about real-life pain and long for opportunities to share the good news that every person needs to hear.” p 37

“Jesus saves us from our sins.  The point of the gospel is not that Jesus saves us from low self-esteem, or from singleness, or from our crummy job.  Sin is our deepest, most fundamental, most pervasive problem.” p 64

“We’d probably sin less if we spent less time thinking about our sins, sexual or otherwise, and more time meditating on the love and holiness of God.” p 196

“Perhaps the biggest reason why God has us pray is for His own glory.  God is glorified when He is seen clearly to be the giver of what we asked for in prayer.  If we didn’t have to ask, we might not notice the answer, and we might forget the one who gave us the blessing.  God is glorified in prayer by the expression of our dependence on Him.  He is glorified by the faith we put in Him to ask for things.  He is glorified when we learn to recognize that every good gift comes down from our Father of Lights.” p 212

12 May 2010

Village Church's Jesus Came To Save Sinners – Children's CD

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My friend, Jared Kennedy, children’s pastor at Sojourn in Louisville – wrote a great post on the release of this new CD – which you can download for free.  So, I figured I would let him speak for it.  (Just a personal note: I received it Sunday 3rd hour and played it on the way home – easily memorable and great for kids of any age!)

Post image for Jesus Came to Save Sinners–Village Kids Album!

Village Church released their  new Kids CD on Sunday!  It’s called “The Village: Kids– Jesus Came To Save Sinners.”  You can download it for free from the Village website here: http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/music#albums\

This CD contains 5 original songs that teach children about the character and nature of God and His plan to save sinners through Jesus Christ.  These songs correspond with the five foundational truths taught as a part of Village’s preschool ministry, The Little Village:

  • Jesus Came to Save Sinners
  • God is Good
  • God is in Charge of Everything
  • God Wants to Talk with Us
  • God Made Everything

This great little gospel-centered Texas/Country/Rock LP for kids.  Village has asked folks to listen to the songs, give feedback, and use the songs in your home and ministry.  They are free on the Village website for download.  You can also download the chords and lyrics for free.  And just for those who need to get their songs off of iTunes, you can find the CD here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-village-kids-jesus-came/id370898822

12 May 2010

Chocolate Chip Fudge Brownies

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How bad can butter, sugar, chocolate, vanilla, and chocolate chips be?  If you don’t count the calories – these guys are fabulous.  My friend Ellie made them for lunch when I went to visit the month before I left Louisville.  I loved them – enjoying one with some hazelnut coffee on a rainy afternoon.

You can enjoy these with milk, coffee, on a sunny or rainy day.  Just enjoy them.  I made these for a birthday boy and a dinner where I have to bring dessert. 

2 sticks butter

4 oz unsweetened chocolate

2 cups sugar

1 tsp vanilla

4 eggs

1 cup flour

1/2 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

Melt chocolate and butter over medium heat.  Add in sugar, stirring till dissolved.  Add vanilla.  Remove from heat and stir in eggs, one at a time.  Add flour and combine till no flour remains visible.  Pour in pan – sprinkle with chocolate chips. 

Bake in a greased 9×13 pan on 350 for 30 minutes.  Let cool and enjoy.  Thanks Ellie!

11 May 2010

Connecting Church & Home Conference

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Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY, is hosting a conference that will help you and your ministry team get a picture of what this could look like in your church.

Dr. Randy Stinson, Dean of the School of Church Ministries, has brought together a team of experts on church, family, ministry, and culture including Dr. Albert Mohler, Dr. Russell Moore, Dr. Timothy Jones, Steve Wright, and Jay Strother – with many more. You will get a chance to interact with these speakers and have small group discussion. You will get the benefit of sharing in smaller group learning environments about what is going on at other churches, asking questions, and sharing ideas. This would be the perfect conference for you to not only come yourself, but to also bring your entire ministry team.

Mark your calendars now, register, book your travel itinerary, and don’t miss this exciting conference in Louisville.

10 May 2010

McCulley on Sanger

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I am currently reading Radical Womanhood by Carolyn McCulley.  In the chapter entitled “The Mommy Wars”, Carolyn points out some of Sanger’s bold statements in regards to planned parenthood and birth control and other “motherhood” topics.

Here is one paragraph that I read to a friend today:

“But right observation do not always lead to right interpretation.  Sanger saw poor healthy, poverty, sin, anger, abuse, and numerous other challenges and her interpretation was that the “unwanted” children were the root problem – or even that some poeple shouldn’t reproduce at all.  Thus, she was able to make the ourageous statement that “the most merciful thing that a large family does to one of its infant members is to kill it.”  That is the furthest thing from mercy!  But her thinking has influence our culture.  Therefore, contraception is not the true issue of contention.  (Abortificients, however, are.  We need to clearly distinguisth between prevention and abortion.)  Understanding Sanger helps us to understand why children are now disposable – seen as anything ranging from inconveniences to parasites – instead of being received as gifts from God. (p 132ff)

on this Monday post-Mother’s Day – thankful to all you mothers out there who have seen, even in the hard years or terrible twos or the rough days – that children are indeed blessings from God.

10 May 2010

This Whole Life – a New Beginning

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I have moved.  This will definitely take a little bit of time, but I am ecxited about the many possibilities this will bring.  Social media and blogs have been around a while and conquering them will never happen (at least for me).  But, I’m trying to simplify my crazy but GREAT life – and having one blog – instead of three will definitely help matters.

So…over the next few days I will attempt to move all of my blogs to here, so the recipes and devo thoughts and conferences will be on here.  I think I will also keep my blogger ones, but just not add to them anymore. 

If anyone can offer helpful suggestions, I’ll be glad to take them.   Maybe one day this will be changed into a real dot come of my very own: for cooking, ministry opportunities, thoughts in my head, and photography.  But, until then…this will be it.

Thanks for stopping by and follow away!