What Do I Want Most?

It occurred to me today that Bearing Fruit has much been on my mind of late. I think about it daily. I walk around in frustration from the lack of fruit in my life.

Debt reduction, weight reduction, even complaining reduction, more joy, more relationship, more kindness and gentleness, more Bible study, more writing, more teaching, more education. These are constantly on my mind. 

See, I want to honor and glorify God. I really do. He has given me life and an eternity in His presence. His Son has redeemed me from wrath. I have been given SO MUCH. There is SO MUCH I want to give in return. I want to live a life of thanksgiving. 

Then it finally hit home. I finally know what my problem is (I hear your thoughts! One of my problems anyway)- it is that I am still all about me. Oh I figured since I wanted to honor the Lord it was fine if I demand things on my terms. I have plans. Great plans. All for Him. Um, except that it has continually been a fight for my terms. 

As I see Him ebbing away at my pride, and my foolish confidence in things of the flesh, I am strangely coming closer to peace. I think my father would say I am getting old. An acquaintance, Pastor Larry Wilson, recently blogged about a similar realization.  

The Apostle Paul also spoke about this many times. He seemed so other worldly and full of rejoicing and thanksgiving. He seemed to fight the fight so well, almost careless of the surrounding circumstances!

The same God that promised He would not forsake Paul, and the same God that promised Paul that He would complete what He began, is the same God that promised He will bear fruit through me. Hmmm.

Ephesians 2:10 puts it well:

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

Joan of Arc? Not in my Defense...

Has it been 2 months?! Whew, I've been so busy with the homeschool convention.

So, my father calls me the fighter in the family. I don't think he meant it to be rude. My name means "lioness of God" for a reason. I have spent most of the last 39 years (yes, I am a 69er) fighting for what is right. Sometimes based on my opinion. Sometimes based on my expectations. Sometimes based on what is in the Scripture- chapter versable stuff. Fighting never-the-less. 

As I have aged (think fine wine here) the Lord has faithfully allowed me to go through some desert experiences (see Deut 8). He has put me through some very humbling times. Isaiah says He wounds and then heals. I have endured some wounds in the last few years, but I have also been given Healing Waters. 

I am less and less inclined to fight- Him and others. I am more and more aware of my testimony as a child of God before others. If I claim His name, I need to be sensitive to show His love to others. I am learning that the world is ever watching, and they are offended by our in-fighting and back-biting manners as "Christians." 

I am tired of the fighting. I don't know that I have the balance down. I think it is important that we take stands. I do not ever want to compromise, but I do not want to fight either. I don't think that was Jesus' example. What do we accomplish? What is our testimony? Do we seek reconciliation? Restoration? Peace? 

Isn't there something better we can do with all this energy? As a wise older woman of God told me this weekend- "I will not defend myself. The Lord does not want me to defend myself." She was in a position where defense was not inappropriate, but she chose humility instead. Instantly. What a beautiful testimony. I want to be like that when I grow up. 

Inconsistency and Anger.

How do I consistently live so inconsistently?! 

On Mondays I meet with two dear ladies to discuss the Scriptures from a counseling aspect. We are currently studying Anger in the Word. We are going alphabetically through themes. Oh that the entire world was alphabetized, I digress. I sat and read at least 50 verses on Anger. I was touched to the core with the Lord's words on the prideful anger in our hearts. I got the difference between sinful verses righteous Anger. I really did get it, and agreed I with His wisdom.

Within an hour the boys woke up and proceeded with their morning routine of annoying each other, along with running around, wrestling, and thundering about upstairs. They weren't doing their chores (so nicely posted on the fridge in colors with alternating weeks so as to be "fair"). They weren't getting dressed, etc. so that they could begin their school work. They were whining about something, but I cannot remember what. Boy did I yell.

I had had enough of their lack of gratitude, self-control, and self- discipline, of their noise, bickering, inefficiency, and so on. Honestly, today I do not even remember what it was that ticked me off so much. I sit there thinking that I am justified in my Anger because they are sinning, again. I think I deserve better behavior from them, and I do. I am not unreasonable in my standards.

Yet I know that my response does not please the Lord. I know that I have not rested on His authority or sovereignty in their lives. They should know that their sinful behavior has consequences, and affects the lives of others greatly, but how to teach them that without raising my voice?! Don't they need to get an idea of the concept of wrath? Don't they need to know they do not sin in a vacuum? Don't they need to know they are driving their mother crazy (to paraphrase my own, dear mother)? I don't know.

I just want peace, and respect, and less sticky stuff all over the house. I would like to say something and just have it done. No arguing. No rebelling. No them going to play PS2 instead. 

Does the word Idol come to anyone's mind?!

Anytime I counsel another or when I reflect on my own desires (that, again, are not in themselves sinful) I hear my precious Father say to me, "My little Lioness, stop roaring and listen to Me. Are you listening to Me? That is all I want from you as well. Not unreasonable, eh? Why can you not meet My requests either? Are they too difficult for you? Are they insane demands from an unloving enemy? Dear, daughter, they are too difficult for you without My Spirit, but I have provided Him to you. You are still a masterpiece in progress, as are your sons. I've forgiven you thousands upon thousands of times. Extend Grace. Extend Forgiveness. Rest. In Me."

So, I  am trying to be quieter today. I have reading in Leviticus to do and also more Anger studying. Wonder what challenges lie ahead today? Thanks be to God that I am not alone and He will give victory. For His glory and for beauty. 

Counseling Philosophy- Final Draft

Here it is! This is the final draft. A little something to give those who wonder what Biblical Counseling is all about. It is not exhaustive, but I hope it is helpful. There is power in the Word, and we are all in this together!

Counseling Philosophy of Arielle Corcoran

People Face Problems

Do you find yourself struggling to trust God in the midst of ongoing trials? Have you replaced Him with wants that are over emphasized in your life? When you face struggles, whether self-imposed or imposed on you by others, you also come face to face with God. You need to seek the truth about Who God is, and what He has promised you. When in a confident relationship with God you can find peace of mind and purpose.

 

God Offers Promises and Principles

When you struggle with issues you need to start at your circumstances and move inward, deeper to the beliefs and wants you have about the issues at hand. This includes a look at your expectations about the situation and the people involved. At that heart level you can figure out God’s guiding principles for changes, endurance, and for hope you need to go on day to day.

 

Freeing and powerful change comes at that heart level through God’s Bible and His Spirit. Just changing behaviors is not enough to endure the messy ugly stuff of life.  Daily you have things that you need to submit to God. Sometimes you face something too large to tackle on your own, and your perspective is too wrapped up in emotion and circumstances to see God or His promises and commands to which you must cling. It is not unusual to need the counsel of another going along with you to help you find life giving perspectives that return you to a strong relationship with the Lord, for His glory and your joy.

 

God Has Tools for Your Help

We are in all the messy stuff of life together. The church is all the Christ-followers in every nation. He has told us all and equipped us all to mentor, or disciple, one another. In times of crisis a biblical counselor’s “one anothering” is able to offer you hope, and purpose, as well as personal change. Their tools and skills come straight from the love, grace and power of the Lord through His Spirit and the Bible. A biblical counselor is under the authority of the Lord through His Bible and His Spirit, and a biblical counselor is also under the authority of the elders of their local group of Christ-followers, their church. The elders hold the counselor accountable as they help you stay accountable to the Lord and what He asks of you as you. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.”(2 Corinthians 1.3-5)

 

Though it is helpful to use resources along with the Bible for the practical application of God’s principles, a counselor must handle these with great care, using materials from authors that believe the Bible is authoritative and inerrant. A biblical counselor ought not use materials from authors that have their foundation in psychology, which does not have a godly foundation and often is at odds with the Lord and what He says in the Bible. What we have been given in His word is sufficient to: bring Him glory, endure life with hope for tomorrow, transform us to Christ’s image, give us strength and guidance. “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” (2 Peter 1.3-4)

Some great resources are at: CCEF, NANC, and  Biblical Counseling Foundation 

Ari's Philosophy of Counseling

Well, I finished it. The first draft anyway. I emailed it two pastors for their critiques. Now it is your turn. What do you think of "My Official Statement of Philosophy of Counseling"? I know it is not edited completely, but I am excited to be so close to finished with something! 

Counseling Philosophy for Arielle Corcoran

 

When man faces struggles, whether self-imposed or from external sources, deep at heart one must face God through His Scriptures and His Spirit, and come to peace with Him. Often we replace Him with wants that we over emphasize in our lives. Other times we struggle to trust Him in the midst of an ongoing hardship. Either way one needs to seek the truth about Who God is and what He has promised us, and rest in these. Then can the striving end and one return to obedience and peace of mind.

 

When people struggle with issues one needs to start at the circumstances and move deeper to the beliefs and wants they have about the issues at hand. This includes a look at their expectations about the circumstances and the people involved. At that heart level one can then go to the Scriptures and the Spirit and seek His guiding principles for changes, endurance, and for the hope needed to go on day to day.

 

Freeing and powerful change comes at the heart level through God’s Word and Spirit. Behavioral changes without addressing the beliefs and desires of the heart Scripturally cannot endure the messy ugly stuff of life.  Daily we have things that we need to submit to God. Sometimes we face something too large to tackle on our own, and our perspective is too wrapped up in emotion and circumstances to see God or His promises and commands to which we must cling. Often we need the counsel of another going with us to the Scriptures and in prayer helping us find life giving perspectives that return us to a strong relationship with the Lord, for His glory and our joy.

 

The church is the people of God. He has told us and equipped us to mentor /disciple one another. In times of crisis this one anothering is still appropriate and capable of bringing hope and change to others for the tools and the skills come straight from the love, grace and power of the Lord. A counselor is under the authority of the Lord, His Word and His Spirit. Practically speaking this takes place in a local family of Christ-followers under the authority of the elders of that group of believers.

 

Though it is helpful to use resources along with the Scriptures for the practical application of God’s principles one must handle these carefully. As a counselor of God’s Word I only use materials from authors that also believe the Scriptures are authoritative and inerrant. I would not want to use materials from authors that have their foundation in psychology, which does not have a godly foundation and often is at odds with the Lord and His Word. I believe what we have been given in the Scriptures is sufficient, “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Cor 12.8-10 There is power and promise in the Word of God. For you. “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him!” Ps 34.8

Faces of Rejoicing

Faces of joy.

http://jaimeschechter.blogspot.com/2008/10/grateful-friday.html

Another dear sister's blog has Grateful Friday posts. What at GREAT idea. Pun intended. :0)

When raising rowdy & rambunctious toddler boys I put a sheet on the fridge that was titled:

"Praise God for Positives".

Everyday I wrote down something positive that had occurred that day. In the midst of numerous "training" opportunities I would often assume nothing pleasant had occurred all day. That sheet helped me see I was wrong. Can you say "good counseling homework idea"?

I wonder now that I am raising two teen aged boys....

Patiently Hope and Quietly Wait

"One affords himself no pity when in this case, because it seems so unreasonable, even sinful, to be troubled without manifest cause. Yet troubled the man is, even in the very depths of his spirit. If those who laugh at such melancholy did but feel the grief of it for one hour, their laughter would be sobered into compassion."

At times all of life seems to be against you. It chews you up and leaves you in an exhausted heap on the floor. It does not make sense. An end is not visible. And you wonder, is it worth the cost? Does my breath make a difference?

Other times you go through things where you watch brothers and sisters hurt each other, and you know, you KNOW that is not what the Lord meant when He left us down here together. We were meant to live in grace, mercy, love. It is especially painful when hurt comes from our "family." And you wonder, does anyone see Jesus in all this?

Then there are times when you know you are on the edge of something. Some ministry. Some responsibility that you know you cannot meet. Not in your flesh. No Way. And that is scary.

What if one finds themselves facing all of those at once? What if the Accuser is reminding you of your past? What if the Author is showing you glimpses of your future? What if your Flesh is screaming for clarity in your today? Could one find themselves weary in heart, body, mind?

I think so. I know so. I've just come away from heart wrenching experiences with brothers and sisters behaving badly. I had no idea how much it saddened my soul. The disillusionment still not fully understood. I have gone through changes of jobs, schedule, church family, my neighbor just found out she may not have long to live- and she has young children, then there are the usual stresses, and on it goes. Now I am about to take the second and final level of the counseling program. It is intense. It forces you to take a good look at your heart. And I have been avoiding some things with the Lord that I will not be able to avoid much longer. Tell me how to be perky?

Last Sunday I was thinking that maybe God wants us to live in parallel worlds? One reality that is all the negatives that must be daily faced- world hunger, poverty, meanness, the budget; one reality that is all the positives that give us the ability to always rejoice, give thanks and sing with abandon. So now I wonder how to co-exist? How does one live in both? At one time, or in seasons of each? I don't want to pretend the one does not exist, but I do not want to wallow in sorrow either. What does this look like? Why is it so exhausting?

And then I figure something is just wrong with me, a defect. Why am I like this? I hear my mother telling me to quit being so dramatic. My father telling me to stop thinking so much- we never thought about these things. [The WE being that more enlightened generation from which he hails.] Smile. And I know I am a disappointment to my Father. A useless tool for the Spirit. A dismal picture of Jesus Christ. So I just sit on the deck watching the sun rise, drinking my coffee and wait to go Home. For I cannot possibly be any use here on this earth to my Lord .

And Then, a message from my Father....

Ah, Spurgeon. His sermon about depression and the spiritual man "just happens" to appear in my Inbox. He tells it like it is with no games and no confusion. He also tells it with power and purpose and praise. I have been down. Really down. The things that just were and the things to come occupying too much of my heart and soul. The Accuser reminding me of my failures every day. On top of that the complete weakness and uselessness of my flesh have weighed heavy on my heart lately. Waking up each day waiting for the night. Waiting for the rest, that never comes.

If you find yourself struggling with hearts- Gods', yours, others'. If you find yourself downcast. Read the sermon by Spurgeon in the above link. It is long. Very long. But therein you will find encouragement for your soul. Purpose for your pain. Strength for your walk. Are you tired? Read on. Are you disillusioned? Read on. Are you dull? Find the Reason to shine again. It is there. He is there.

Psalm 27:13-14

I am still confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the LORD

in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

"Set small store by present rewards, be grateful for earnests by the way, but look for the recompensing joy hereafter. Continue, with double earnestness, to serve your Lord when no visible result is before you.

Any simpleton can follow the narrow path in the light: faith’s rare wisdom enables us to march on in the dark with infallible accuracy, since she places her hand in that of her Great Guide. Between this and Heaven there may be rougher weather yet, but it is all provided for by our Covenant Head. In nothing let us be turned aside from the path which the divine call has urged us to pursue." All quotes -Charles H. Spurgeon

Who Am I?

So do you ever ask yourself that question? I know Whose I am, but who am I? 

So many things can make up a woman's life: Wife, Mother, Daughter of man, Daughter of The King, Friend, Sister, Neighbor, Employee or Employer, Athlete, Hobby Enthusiast, Servant, and on and on. 

So on which one does the woman concentrate? How does she do one well and keep up with the others? Does she just concentrate on all of them depending on which one is in the most need at the moment? You know, survival method. Can she be all that and simplify as well? Is she doomed to failure because so many things are pulling at her?

Some women (people) seem to be really good at one main thing in their life. How do you concentrate on one main thing? Who takes care of the rest?

What about passion, joy, intentionality?! Where do they fit in to it all?

What if the woman likes to do some things better than others, but has a responsibility to fulfill the other things as well? 

And then there is always the, "I'm a failure," thing that women seem to be drawn to- in numerous areas of their life.

Philippians 3:13-15

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.

So, Ladies, I don't know where you are in life: happy, content, at peace, encouraged, concerned, fearful, frustrated, exhausted. But I do know that there is an Ever Present Help, and He has promised that this is not the end but the road to the beginning of forever.

I may not know "who I am," and it may drive me nuts at times, but I know there is One that has a plan and a purpose for me. Day by day He is willing to lead me in it. So I may get discouraged or weary or even fearful, but as long as I know Whose I am- there is hope!!!

Trial and Error and Sometimes Success of Parenting

Two things:

1.  So far we are 1 and 1/2 weeks into the, oh what to call it, experiment to teach the boys the cost of freedom.  So far So Good! They have had wonderful attitudes about it- NO complaining, and only one of them had to start over after a couple of days. 

They are both on half hour increments, and I am quite proud of them. I usually know where they are, and they have been home at much more decent hours. So nice. AND mom has not yelled, or even WANTED to yell in quite some time. Peace. Tranquility. Growth. 

Yippee.

I have budgeted my money, and my time and their chores. Now to live up to it, ah the rub. Well, the boys have been mighty good examples to me of late. Now I just need to budget MY chores, menus and talents. Well, and live up to it. Can anyone say GRACE and MERCY? :0)

2.  If you see this Tuesday, July 22. Please go to Culvers on Tylersville and buy food in the name of the Rosenows to help raise money for this family in need. They have adopted about 14 special needs kiddos and have, I think, 3 of their own. Neat story:  http://www.theshepherdscrook.org/

Check it out!!! That's all for now.

Life Lessons on the Road

The Lord knows how I feel about driving, about traffic. He so very often uses the car to tame my heart. Today I drove some friends to the airport for their 2 week jaunt in Ireland. On the way home I had classic traffic issues on 75N. 

Now I try to plan ahead- potty trips before I hit the road, traffic reports to see what's going on, watch the other side of the road to see what I may have to deal with on the trip back, I even called my hubby to get an up-to-date report 'cause it looked a bit tight on 75N as I was heading South. I tried. 

I even went through the mental counsel as I drove North: you know 71 is worse- stay the course; you know that the middle lane moving faster is just a lie as soon as you switch lanes it will slow down and the left lane will move ahead- stay the course; you COULD get around the semi really quick and go 

back in the left lane- but just stay the course. Be still. Accept.

It is just that the middle lane never slowed. I was stuck looking at the back of the truck, and couldn't see ahead, and was hitting the brake constantly (since the truck was as well). Stop. Go. Stop. Go. On the HIGHWAY! The middle lane just kept moving ahead faster and faster. I SO wanted to change lanes. It is a really tense situation for me. The middle lane was WINNING. I was being LEFT BEHIND. And I couldn't see anything either. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. 

Then it hit me. Another life lesson for you, Dear Daughter. Just like in the Word:

Psalm 119:104-106

From Your precepts I get understanding;

Therefore I hate every false way.

Your Word is a lamp to my feet

And a light to my path.

I have sworn and I will confirm it,

That I will keep Your righteous ordinances.

His lamp and light often only show you what is right ahead, just in front of you. Do you trust Me, daughter? Do you trust where I lead? Do you trust the route I will take? Do you trust My process?

Well, NO. I wanted away from the truck. I only occasionally got a glimpse ahead when on a curve or hill and I wanted a clear view of the road ahead. NO. I wanted to go faster, to keep up with the others and to succeed. Even to win. NO. I had a plan and a purpose mapped out for my afternoon and this truck got in my way. It hampered my plans. Changed them even. Drat.

Then it hit again. This is exactly how I live my everyday life. How often do I fight the Lord in this very way?! I MADE myself stay behind it as a sort of discipline. I told myself I had to stay behind it until after 275, THEN I could switch lanes and plow ahead. Baby steps in discipline. Ironically I switched as soon as I cleared 275 and what do you think happened? So predictable.

The ever-faithful Lord wanted to remind me of the things in my heart, of they many ways I fight His plan and purpose and process. I am not sovereign- I know that does not surprise any of you, but occasionally it seems to surprise me. :0) So on I drove, His way. I got back to their home safely and even more relaxed than when I began. I dropped off their car. I decided to enjoy the ride and the music playing and He was kind enough to return me to my own home in one piece albeit much more humble. Much humbled. 

May the good Lord reign!!! 

I do tend to think my way of going will be a heart attack on the highway- sorry to the other drivers. But then- you'll have driven me to it!!!

Recently

Hello All!
We have been sick, sick, sick around here. I came up with some great ideas for blogs while laying around in a feverish stupor for two days. Of course, now I cannot remember them. They were philosophical, deep, profound. Really. :0)

So all you get is this quick update that we are still passing around the all-over-flu (YES, iin the SUMMER!) and otherwise we are well.

Alex has been at his nature camp all week. He loves it. All day long they trudge through creeks, forests, wetlands and fields. He gets to pick up creatures and get wet. What a blast for him.


Psalm 32:7-9 Oh to train up discerning men...

You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Selah

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you.

Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.

This week we began the tangible lesson on FREEDOM. I wanted to teach them that FREEDOM really does have a cost of some sort. Frequently when they go outside they are gone for hours, who knows where, and they come home late. A mother's nightmare. NOW they get to come home every 15 minutes for the first week for check ins. If they are responsible with that the next week they get 30 minute check ins. Then they get 45 minutes, 1 hour, 1.5 hours etc. When they miss a check in they will start over at 15 minutes. Sound crazy?

Well, no more wondering where they are- they can't go too far and still make it home- and they are earning freedom by being responsible, AND I don't yell or have to ground them any more- I would rather they be outside anyway! So if you have a better idea, feel free to share.

TRYING to teach and to motivate.

Accountable for My Time...

Ephesians 5:15-17 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Time management is something with which I struggle. I do believe I JUST posted earlier this week about NOT being distracted from the things of the world and then yesterday I spent HOURS on the computer. I did not do anything on my list of chores and I am frustrated. I did not even eat all day. How does that happen? One gets on the puter for a few moments to check email, Facebook, Twitter, the Blog and then suddenly it has been HOURS?!

Does anyone else find this disturbing? Sure, I can justify it. I was connecting with friends and loved ones. I was reading or posting blogs about God (well, and recipes, and blog skins since I am STILL dissatisfied with mine- found a lovely French Country one, Pastor Dave, but it would not load). I was reading and passing on prayer requests. This is all good, but did I sacrifice best for good? I don't know. I know I needed to exercise and read my Bible and Pray and do neglected chores and still more deep cleaning. THOSE were sparse or not accomplished at all due to the many hours I was online.

So I have decided that I need to be more intentional (what is the word, Cynthia, Purposeful?) about HOW I use my time. It really matters to the Lord what we do with our time. And it seems the enemy is so very cunning with his distractions. See Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. I cannot ever get past the middle of the book. I get too convicted!

I included a link that gives a brief overview of time blocking- my husband's suggestion. It seems guyish, but effective. So soon and very soon I plan to block time :0) to figure out how to block time so that I can actually get on the computer and still do other things as well.

There really can be no excuses. God has called us to be good stewards of our thoughts, words, actions, time, talents, treasures. I really would like Him to find me more faithful.

If you struggle with this, I would be happy to work on this with you. I crave accountability.
So... Redeem the Time!

You can copy paste this and then type in time blocking into the Google Search box to see the article:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Time-Management-Tip--Time-Blocking-is-a-Key-
Time-Management-Tip&id=629533

Distracted by Stuff

I just finished reading the book, Blessed Child, by Ted Dekker and Bill Bright. It is a work of fiction that seeks to challenge our walk with the Lord. Bill Bright, taking his example from Christ, likes to use stories to reach the heart with the truths of the doctrines from Scripture.

The child has the gift of healing. This is controversial, I know, but he gives all credit and honor to the Father, Son and Spirit. In the book the Lord does some amazing acts, all for His glory, all to draw hearts to His Son and His offer of forgiveness and life. Constantly is it questioned which is more important, healing of the limbs or healing of the heart? The answer is shown to be the heart. The reader is drawn to Christ and to repentance and to worship on a level that most Evangelical Americans do not reach.

Look, this stuff makes me nervous, but I do believe that the mystical is something we either run from or demand in a chaotic manner- here in the states. Why? Why do we, "throw the baby out with the bathwater?" God IS mystical. And, yes, God IS orderly. So....

But that is not my main point of this blog. It is that the book reminded me that so often I am distracted by the cares of the world, and that is choking. So often I am directed by what is seen, rather than what is unseen. There is a whole Kingdom out there beyond the thin skin of this world, and I am worried about my weight, my thinning hair, my color scheme in the house, and so on! Good grief. I spent the last two weeks deep cleaning the house. I have to spend the next week de-cluttering the upstairs so that we can get new carpet. Just HOW is the Kingdom being impacted by all this? All this time? All this effort? When it will all burn in the end?!

These things are of such little value. Yes, I need and want to be a good steward of that which the Lord has given me- hopefully making the world around me beautiful and orderly, but to what extend should this clutter my mind? Do I look like I am a daughter of the King Most High? Does it flow from my pores (think sweet smelling incense rising to the Lord)? Do I even BEGIN to tap into the power of the Lord? The presence of the Lord?

I am worldly. I am weak. And this is not the abundant life to which Jesus Christ calls me. I only have one life on this earth, and I want it to count for Jesus- even in the mundane things of life. I want to live with purpose & power, with clarity & confidence, with simplicity & beauty.

Can anyone say self-denial?

So, how do we spur each other on, dear brothers and sisters? Do you have this struggle?

Conversations with a Teenager

Remember when you really knew that you knew it all? You were probably about 21. I guess it all began around 13, maybe even earlier. You looked at your parents and realized they did not have a clue, or so you thought. We have entered that world. Christopher and I are out of touch and ignorant. I think we are quite mean as well. I do know we are a hassle, requiring chores and thank you notes and whatnot. The nerve. We are on the edge of being. "the enemy."

But we'll keep trying. We'll keep telling him the truth and things of God's truth. Good things that will plant and water the seeds of faith. We'll keep asking questions. Getting one-line answers. Asking more questions until after numerous questions we have almost a full sentence. 'Cause he's our boy and we love him.

And even if he thinks we are a major pain, and talk too much and ask too many questions, at least he knows that we care enough to bother.

And maybe, just maybe one day...

he'll realize that we know something, and that we only want the best for him, and that we really do care about him, and then...

he'll remember that he loves us too!

Our boy, he's fantastic!