36 posts tagged “christian life/ministry”

It's 10:45 p.m. Friday evening, and Matt and I are getting ready to go to bed, but I've had this idea for the past couple of days and I just gotta get it posted!  I'm too tired right now to go into a whole lot of elaborate explanation as to why I believe this is important or give any further disclaimers, so if you have any questions about this, please let me know. 

I have a number of friends overseas and Stateside who are followers of Jesus, who are giving their lives to help others know who Jesus is and to share His love with them.  Sometimes they battle homesickness or culture shock.  Sometimes they are weary and have a lot on their heart.  Sometimes they are tired.  I emphasize sometimes, because they also get great joy in what they do!  But there are moments when they really appreciate some lovin', when they would really like to simply hear from a friend or a family member, just to hear that they're being thought of and that that they are cared about. 

If you have a friend or family member that is serving in ministry, can you take a moment to send them a quick email this weekend to let them know you're thinking of them and that you appreciate them?  You may not even agree with what they're doing or believe the same thing, but that's ok.  What's important is that they know someone is out there who is thinking of them and wanting to show them some love.  I would just ask that you consider reaching out to someone in ministry this weekend by sending them a note of encouragement or just to say, "Hi!".  I know they would be deeply grateful!  And if you don't know anyone in ministry, just pick one of your friends to send a note of appreciation to; I know they'd love that as well!

I will do this myself this weekend, but also want to write a prayer on Ink Pots to those of my friends who are in ministry who I know read this blog:

Lord, we entrust those who are dear to us, who are serving in Your Name, to Your never-failing care and love, knowing that you are doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for.  Defend them from all dangers of soul and body, and help them to draw near to You.  May they be bound together in Your love.  And may they be assured that You are the God of peace, that in quietness and confidence is their strength.  May their joy abound in You this day.  In Jesus' precious Name, Amen. 

Dear ones, you know who you are, and you are being thought of and prayed for this weekend!  Much, much love!

The winning Austin downtown restaurant that was graced with me and my Daddy's presence yesterday was:
Sweetish Hill Bakery!  All I knew was that he would be at the Convention Center, but we didn't have a specific meeting point in mind, so I was a bit nervous about how smoothly it would work out.  You know me and my worry wart complex; I'm sure you can imagine the crazy thoughts that swirled around in my head on my way into downtown.  But praise God, it worked out perfectly!  He was standing outside right as I turned the corner, and we even had a prime parking spot at the Bakery...I was even worried about downtown parking 'cause I forgot change for the meters.  Seriously, praise God!  And seriously, Meg, get a grip!  Daddy was in the mood for the sandwich/soup/salad option, so I took him to the Bakery.  He parted with my list of other restaurant options in his hand for places to eat dinner with his colleagues.  We had a fabulous time together!  I love him so!

We're still waiting for the birth of our nephew, whose due date is TODAY!  Come on, already!  Don't you know that you have people who want to meet you?!  I went to the cutest little baby store the other day with my friend, Leah.  It took me about 5 minutes before I realized that I now actually have a reason to buy baby stuff:  I'm gonna have a little nephew to spoil!  It was a bit of an odd realization, as well as an expensive one, but mostly very fun!

This past weekend, Matt and I discovered a new shopping center on HWY 71 called The Hill Country Galleria.  With beautiful grounds and an amphitheater, we enjoyed eating our sandwiches from Which Wich outside and spent some time reading (and I also took a nap in the big comfy chair) at Barnes & Noble.  While perusing, I came across a small treasure by Henri J.M. Nouwen called With Open Hands.  As you all know from this post, the concept of keeping my hands open in surrender to God has been something I'm learning these days.  So the title of the book grabbed my attention right away and I had to buy it!  It's a quick read that I started about an hour ago and I'm half way through it. Boy, if you want a book that lays out my life right now, this is it!  It describes so well what I'm thinking and feeling these days, things I'm wrestling with and learning about prayer, silence, acceptance, and resting in the Lord.  It's incredible to read this book and feel like I'm saying, "Yep, that's it, that's it!", all the way through it!  I'll have to reread it to make sure I soak it all up, but I'm a bit stunned right now that it so poignantly and accurately depicts this season of my life.  Just to give you a glimpse, this is a quote from Nouwen:

Prayer is a way of life which allows you to find a stillness in the midst of the world where you open your hands to God's promises and find hope for yourself, your neighbor, and your world.

And there's so much more I could spout out, but I want to finish the book and not be rushed with sharing my thoughts.  This book, however, is a perfect segway (is that how you spell that??) to a post that I want to write over the next day or two where I will share with my Internet peep friends some things that I've been learning over the past three and a half months (I can't believe it's been that long already!) since I stopped my job.  So stay tuned.  In the meantime, have a lovely evening and say a little prayer that my nephew comes soon and is healthy!

Yeah!  Jill resubmitted her questions!  Thank you, dear Jill! 

Jill is also a small group girlfriend of mine, and she's also known as Harrison and Hadleigh's momma!  Harrison is the amazing little man I get to tell you about tomorrow who spent the night with us for the first time on Friday.  Miss Jillie is a very special friend who knows me pretty well; she doesn't let me get away with too much because she can call it what it is, straight up.  That is an incredible kinda friend to have, and also a dangerous one...I can't get away with nothin', sour attitude or NOTHIN'!  She makes me laugh a lot, keeping me lighthearted and playful.  She is one of the most authentic and genuine people I know, a true example to me of how to love others with unselfish delight!  It never fails:  whenever she and Molly are together, Molly licks her toes all over!  Moos loves the taste of Jill's lotion, and Jillie gets a kick out of it!

Let me just say it again:  I'm so thankful for all of my friends!  I am truly blessed.  Ok, so onto what I think is the second to last round of answers to the first Q&A session.  I've had lot of fun with this, and I hope you have, too!
Jill asked:

1). What is one of your most favorite things about yourself?
Ok, this is admittedly a difficult question for me to answer because I feel like I'm in a season of learning a number of things about me that I need the Lord to change...but I'm always in that season, so I'll move on.  The first thing that came to mind though is that I like how I'm an organized, detailed person.  I have to be careful though because I can be a bit obsessive compulsive about my organization and detailed traits, and undoubtedly have likely caused angst to friends and family who are more "normal" or less organized in their lifestyle or planning than I am because I'm always asking them about something months in advance (i.e. I've even emailed my friend Corrie already about scheduling a trip to Jordan for next April...that's either kinda awesome or kinda kookoo!).  I love having things in order, things to be in their place, and being detailed enough to where I can effectively event plan, coordinate other such logistics, or even organize a pantry like I did for my Momma.  Even a project to stuff envelopes and get out a mailing for a friend is enjoyable to me.  I guess I'm weird like that.  But it's something about myself I appreciate and hope it can be used as a gift and a blessing to others.

2). What was/is one of the most difficult lessons you've ever had to learn?
Trying not to be a perfectionist/control freak/living in fear of what other people think of me!  I guess it goes along somewhat with my organization/need to have everything in its place, but it's even deeper than that.  Trying to control situations, my future plans (notice the unintended "my" future plans--ha!), and people (this probably comes out more in my relationship with Matt than anyone else); learning to let go of my perfectionism; and trying to not live in fear of what others think of me are some of the most difficult lessons I am continually learning!  And it happens partly because of a fear I have that if I let go then all the balls will drop, something won't be done as well (that sounds awful, I know!), something bad will happen, or someone won't like me.  It's a way of playing god when I am so not, and it's not trusting the Lord and letting Him have His way, which is ultimately the best way. 

I have a friend who recently gave me an image that has stuck with me like peanut butter in hair (ya like my The Office allusion there? <grin>).  She said that sometimes we hold onto things so tightly that it's like our fists are in a constant motion of ringing out water from a washcloth, so closed and tightfisted.  And in many ways, it causes much more pain to give something over to the Lord if we're holding on so tightly as a way to control, as opposed to keeping our hands open in an act of surrender.   So to tangibly put this into practice, I decided to hug Molly differently.  You see, I love this dog, probably way too much.  She's nearly 7 years old, and I have the biggest fear of losing her.  But sometimes,  I hold onto this little girl of mine in my heart way too much.  So when I hug her or hold her now, I try to remember to do so with open hands, in an act that I am saying, "Lord, I give her to you.  I love her, and thank you for her, and I give this little puppy to you."  It's hard!  So I'm still learning.  For sure, I'm still learning.  <sigh>

3). Are you more like your mom or dad?
I like this question!  But I don't have an easy answer for you:  I think I'm split down the middle...although I'd be curious to know how my parents would answer this question for me!  These are just a few things that come to mind:

Things I got from my Daddy:  organization and communication skills; love for learning; joy of writing; way of thinking and processing through things; the ability to go in and out of the store to get what you need and not roam for inessentials <grin>. 

Things I got from my Momma: 

her gift to be uninhibited to dance around the house, be silly, make up songs, or start food fights; her terms of endearment/the way she talks; her love of cooking; her mannerisms--if you spent time watching us both, you'd easily see things we do similarly in actions.  I wish I had a lot more of my Momma:  she is another one in my life who knows how to love and unselfishly serve others!  Her level of compassion and mercy is something I do not have, that I desperately need.  And we look alike!  My boss from church, when he first met my mom, eyed us coming towards him one Sunday and he had to do a double take!

4). Where was your favorite place to vacation and where is one of the top places you'd like to go? (money being no object!!)

As little kids, we were blessed to be able to take vacations as a family regularly and see many exciting places.  My favorite vacation spot growing up was Colorado.  We took several trips to Durango, Aspen, Keystone, Colorado Springs and Denver.  Colorado was one of my family's favorite places and we have lots of fun memories there.  As an adult, Banff, Canada has been both mine and Matt's absolute favorite so far!  I guess I'm a mountain girl!  <grin>  I can't WAIT to go back to Banff!  Which, if you don't know, is part of how we came up with Ink Pots for our blog title:  they are beautiful, bubbling springs that you have to hike a ways to see, but they are worth every huff and puff and ringing of the keys to scare away bears! 

Money being no object (wow, that would awesome!), I really, really want to make it to Jordan to visit my friends, Jonathan and Corrie, and visit the Holy Lands as well.  After that, I think I'd pick Italy.  Matt has been to Rome and raves about it, so I'd like to go see what all the fuss is about.  Oh, but my list is L-O-N-G!  I'll keep dreaming...

Tomorrow, I'll spill the beans a bit about our slumber party with "H" and answer Matt's Q&A question.  Unless there are any other questions between now and then, I'll wrap up this fun Q&A session then.  Until tomorrow, take care!

To wait open-endedly is an enormously radical attitude toward life.  So is to trust that something will happen to us that is far beyond our imaginings.  So, too, is giving up control over our future and letting God define our life, trusting that God moulds us according to God's love and not according to our fear.  The spiritual life is a life in which we wait, actively present to the moment, trusting that new things will happen to us, new things that are far beyond our own imaginations, fantasy, or prediction.  That, indeed, is a very radical stance toward life in a world preoccupied with control.

--Henri J.M. Nouwen

If ever there was a day to admit how frail a human am I,
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to know I cannot go at it alone,
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to cringe at my own sin,
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to cry out, "Help me!  Rescue me!",
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to run to Your open arms,
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to say how much I need You,
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to know I can't survive without You,
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to fall on my knees and pray,
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to stop.  Be still.  Sit with You,
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to glory in Your Name,
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to thank You for being beaten, spit at, and dying for me,
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to stand in awe of You who was slain,
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to look at a cross and not turn away,
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to glory in Your Name,
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to rejoice in the stone being rolled away,
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to shout, "Alleluia!  He is risen!",
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to dance and shout for joy,
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to abandon myself completely to You:  all pretense, anguish, fears,
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to revel in Your grace, Your freedom, Your victory,
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to know You love me, Love me, LOVE me, though I mess up,
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to know You are active and present in my life,
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to live as each day unto You,
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to know You more fully,
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to love more quickly, more fully, more unabashedly,
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to declare my love for You,
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to believe who You are, what You say,
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to rejoice that death does not have a final word,
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to know the power of Your resurrection in my life,
this is the day.

If ever there was a day to glory in Your Name,
this is the day!

This is the day! 

Alleluia!   Alleluia!  Alleluia!  Christ is risen indeed!  Alleluia! 

O God, Creator of heaven and earth:  Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.  

Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood:  Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.  

Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his body to be whipped and his face to be spit upon:  Give us grace to accept joyfully the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.  

I just realized that The Book of Common Prayer has prayers for each day of Holy Week!  So here are Monday's and Tuesday's prayers.  If you'd like to know the reason why I'm posting these prayers, read this.

Monday in Holy Week

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified:  Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

Tuesday in Holy Week

O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life:  Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.