06 Friday May 2011
Posted in Faith, Noteworthy Days, Rambles and Rants
I was born a Christian.
That sentence might not mean the same to you as it does to me. I go into much detail about that here. The short of the story is, I was surrounded by church—becoming a Christian as a little girl, but I didn’t REALLY become a Jesus-follower until my recent adult years. Let’s say I had all the book smarts, but not the heart smarts.
When I first ventured back into church, I hid it. Continue reading »
29 Friday Apr 2011
Posted in Faith, Music / Story Videos, Rambles and Rants
Tags
Christianity, Faith, Fear, Ministry, Mumford & Sons, Music, satan
That’s ridiculous. Right?
Well, it’s what I did this week…
At the top of my lungs (in my car) on the way to work I belted out “The Cave” to satan. “I will hold on hope, and I will let you choke, on the noose around your neck… now let me at the Truth, which will refresh my broken mind…” It’s really just a new “get thee behind me satan” song which I’ll get to in uno momento.
Some might say it’s absolutely foolish to address satan directly. And maybe that is true. Continue reading »
08 Friday Apr 2011
Posted in Faith, Noteworthy Days, Rambles and Rants
I can’t believe it’s been two years. That’s how long I’ve been a consistent, not-miss-a-beat blogger.
While two seems like a small number—it’s actually quite GIANT in the world of blogs. Sure there are blogs that have been around for longer (for instance my cats’ blog—I kid you not) but those blogs post only once every blue moon. In fact, did you know, a blog without a post for more than 60 days is considered a “Deaf Blog.” Hum, that means I own a deaf blog—again that would be my cats’ blog. (I can be very good at displacing blame).
Anyhoo, I’ve learned a lot about myself (and others) through blogging the last 730-days. So here’s ten ”things” I wanted to share today—God willing I’ll have another ten to share next year.
1) Bloggers (meaning me) Continue reading »
01 Friday Apr 2011
Posted in Confession / Truth in Love, Faith, Noteworthy Days, Rambles and Rants
Tags
Art, Christian Living, Christianity, Doubt, Faith, Ministry, Spirituality
I’m jumping out of a plane with parachute in-hand. IN-HAND.
Oh wait— is that not how I’m supposed to do it?
Logic says that if you’re going to jump out of a plane, then either be well prepared, with training, testing, and a parachute securely fastened to you with at least seven straps (and possibly an experienced person strapped to you as well) OR jump out and prepare to meet your Maker.
Apparently I’m doing the latter.
I’ve done scary things before, but what I’m about to do might be the riskiest attempt of my life.
It all started last summer. Continue reading »
25 Friday Mar 2011
Posted in Faith, Rambles and Rants
Tags
Birds, Christian Living, Christianity, Faith, God's Voice, Mary Poppins, Parable, Religion, Spirituality
I’ve always had a fascination with luring birds into my realm. It started in my childhood upon learning of a girl, during the Victorian era, that had a special relationship with birds. For several years of her childhood, birds approached her with the same fearlessness of kittens. She held, stroked, and fed wild birds. Then one day her supernatural power vanished.
I can recall sitting on a swing in pigtails during a lazy summer afternoon, wishing with all my might that the birds in the trees would come to me. Just like they had to that special girl. I focused all my concentration Continue reading »
18 Friday Mar 2011
Posted in Confession / Truth in Love, Faith, Rambles and Rants
I feel 103% affirmed with one of my pet-peeves. The next two short paragraphs validate my feelings. But I’m guessing only a third of you will want to read those because honestly it’s a bit of a snoozer of stats. Feel free to skip ahead to my pet peeve.
The Barna Group does research and stats on cultural and spiritual trends, focusing on the church. (If your pastor is cool and hip, then he/she has mentioned this group before… omgosh yes, I said she.)
I had mixed emotions reading the annual results issued in December 2010 about the biggest trends in the church. Some things were surprising, some great, while others validated my biggest pet-peeves (in relation to churchy matters). The number one trend, disconcerting to say the least: The Christian Church is becoming less theologically literate. Pair this with the third biggest trend: Continue reading »
04 Friday Mar 2011
Posted in Faith, Rambles and Rants
Tags
Art, Christian Living, Christianity, Creating, Faith, Healing, Religion
Self Portrait @January 2011
I’m four.
I am a princess.
Fairytales are true.
I am loved.
I have strawberry Jell-o, gram-crackers, a pretty paper-plate hat, and a beautiful house made from a cardboard box that I play in. I have a little brother who is my friend. We go on pretend adventures and make forts with blankets and cushions. I tie pillowcases around my neck and am a superhero.
Want to know a secret?
{whispering} I can fly…
My only worry Continue reading »
25 Friday Feb 2011
Posted in Confession / Truth in Love, Faith, Rambles and Rants
Tags
Bible, Bible Study, Christianity, Faith, God, Pet Peeves, Small Groups
I’ve got a BIG mouth. Combine that with my invisible soapbox and it can be an awful mess.
It’s my spiritual gift (add whatever level of sarcastic-tone you want here to feel better about me, I always do.)
I recently joined a new small group, of mostly women I know, love, and trust. In small groups of past, my invisible soapbox often came out during gatherings…appropriately because issues of wrong and right with Jesusy matters is where my passion lies. The few women in this new group who know me, have put up with my moments— and still love me. So I’m stickin’ with them—not to mention how fabulously wonderful they are.
This new small group was rapidly rolling through a study called “Women of God”. It was generic enough Continue reading »
18 Friday Feb 2011
Posted in Faith, Humor, Rambles and Rants
Tags
Tumultuous.
That had been my week—no strike that—it had been my month (or dare I say, year).
If you’ve been reading this blog, you know something is up. Something isn’t going right, things are amiss (or rather things are a muck!).
Another pivotal point had come in the virtual mouse-trap-game my husband and I have been living. Just like that old game, everything had to go exactly to plan for the ball to keep rolling. And just when you think the hard part is over, you’re met with another wild concoction and maze.
I paced in the house, waiting for the phone to ring. Continue reading »
11 Friday Feb 2011
Posted in Faith, Rambles and Rants
Tags
Amazing Grace, Christianity, Faith, Grace, Mosaic, Porcelain, Religion
We are born eggshell-porcelain: unblemished, innocent, and ready for the world.
We are a gathering of clay and earth-material brought to intense heat creating something amazing.
Us.
Porcelain.
We are porcelain; contrasting Continue reading »
04 Friday Feb 2011
Posted in Confession / Truth in Love, Faith, Rambles and Rants
Tags
Christian Living, Christianity, Faith, Giving, Money, Pride, Tithe, Tithing
Writing the check for six-dollars, I stopped.
I was embarrassed.
Six measly dollars? This is what I was going to give God? I sat at my desk, considering my journey to this moment.
Two weeks prior I had been speaking with someone about an art piece they’d commission from me. I was excited at the prospect of Continue reading »
28 Friday Jan 2011
Posted in Confession / Truth in Love, Faith, Rambles and Rants
Tags
Bible, Christianity, Faith, Hardship, Job, Spirituality, Suffering
“This isn’t believable.”
Pausing, scanning the manuscript in her hands, looking for the right words, she continued, “The character needs to have less problems. Maybe narrow down to two or three issues—but not seven. This poor girl, she has too many hardships in her life. This just isn’t believable.”
This was the response from a member of the writers’ critique group I attend. What she didn’t know was the paper in her hands wasn’t some fictional account. It was my true and very personal story.
Listening, savoring her wise critique juxtaposed the laughter I held inside. For the most part, I contained the sarcasm that dared to break free and swing about the room like a monkey. Continue reading »
21 Friday Jan 2011
Posted in Confession / Truth in Love, Faith, Humor, Rambles and Rants
I’m not especially fond of my nose.
It’s been said, as we age two things never stop growing— our ears and nose. Something about those being made of cartilage or some other nonsense.
This leaves me doomed.
Let me explain. Continue reading »
22 Wednesday Dec 2010
Posted in Music / Story Videos, Noteworthy Days
Many of you have seen this über cool new video put out by Igniter Media, but if you are one of the few who haven’t seen this - then I think you’re gonna love it. Continue reading »
05 Friday Nov 2010
Posted in Confession / Truth in Love, Faith, Rambles and Rants
I have a wild friend. She’s a breath of fresh air and I think of her as a gypsy-of-sorts. We have many things in common, sans organized corporate religion. She doesn’t like it and I kinda do. And even with this one thing we don’t have in common, I confess—I’m not always a fan of it (church that is); but I am a card holding member of mine, which I love. And I do my best to make that club, of churches everywhere, good and just. I try to do my part at my church—being involved and not just showing up for a service. After all, it’s about the people and our love in action, not the building, the coffee shop, or the “show”.
So back to my friend, I haven’t figured out what religion she subscribes to; as best I can tell it’s a mod-podge make it up as you go monotheistic quazi earth based religion. How’s that for a melting pot? Our life stories are similar; Continue reading »
