September 15, 2009 at 3:39 pm (Current Events, Thoughts)
Ok, I know I have ignored my blogging for a while. Okay, all summer. And I have been thinking about getting back in the habit. The events of this past week have given me fodder, and something to blog about.
There have been many rude outbursts lately by public figures and celebrities, but I would like to comment on Kanye West. Apology or no apology, he ruined Taylor Swift’s big night. No matter what he says or does, she will never get rid of the image and feeling of standing on that stage that night, with the microphone torn from her hands, and being publicly humiliated by someone she formerly admired. As opposed to others who may have been subject to publicly rude comments, she did nothing to provoke Kanye, save to be chosen for an award.
I also read the tweet from Terry Moran that he sent out during President Obama’s interview with CNBC. He reported that the President called West “a jackass” (off the record). That remark was on Twitter and has since been removed, but not until I personally saw it, along with probably thousands of others.
This reminds me of the “toothpaste” illustration that you’ve probably all heard before. It’s easy to squeeze the toothpaste out, but impossible to get it back into the tube. The warning can easily be connected to all the social media of our day. I use and enjoy some of these tools. But we need to be aware that every picture, text message, email, etc., that we release into the “social communication atmosphere” can be carried on and forwarded without our knowledge or permission. What has been said or written cannot be eliminated, and someone may get hurt in the process (including our own reputations). It’s like we all live in a small town, and now we know everybody’s business. My brother recently told me that someone asked if he disliked living in a small town for exactly this reason. His reply? “No, just keep your business clean and honest!” Exactly.
We can all learn a lesson.
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June 10, 2009 at 8:44 pm (Christian life, Discipleship, Religion)
So this is a very belated update, since my 21 Day Experiment concluded on May 21! But I left for a 11 day trip that day and had limited internet access, so there’s my excuse!
So, how did it go? Was it worth it? I think that anytime you make a plan to accomplish or focus on something and at least begin to put it into practice, that it is a worthy endeavor. For me personally, It was a worthwhile trial. I was able to limit my distractions, namely morning TV shows, computer games, sweets. You always become aware of how much time you waste on some of these distractions when you try to eliminate or at least limit them. Wow. So I think this was definitely good for me. And since my time is up, I have been able to be much more balanced in these areas. Actually, I haven’t played a computer game in over a month now.
The Wordkeeping program that encouraged me to memorize and meditate on Bible scriptures was very helpful. Each day I got an encouraging email, and a list of 10 scriptures to memorize/meditate on. Linda Kirk has an interesting system to help you memorize scripture. You can check it out here. She starts a new program every other month. Even though I did not memorize all the scriptures (there *were* 210 verses!), I did spend more time working on that, and meditating on God’s word. And that is always a good thing!
So thanks for those who joined me and prayed for me. It is refreshing and encouraging to me when God helps me to complete a task that I have felt directed to accomplish. It gives me strength to move onto the next one!
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May 13, 2009 at 1:41 am (Christian life, Church, Discipleship, Religion, Women)
Okay, so I preached at church this past Sunday, Mother’s Day. I felt confident in the message I felt like God had given to me. It was titled, “Mothers & Others”. Ok, I got the title from my Beth Moore Bible study where she told us that their church has a banquet in honor of mothers and others who have been important in their lives.
I know that Mother’s Day can be difficult for many people for a variety of reasons, and this is why I felt like I needed to emphasize the importance of every woman in the church. We all have value, and we all can receive from God, and we all have something to give. Jesus referred to his “family” as, “he who does the will of my Father”. There have been many women in my life besides my own mother, daughter, and sisters who have had major input in my life. I have learned much and been challenged by these women. I have also had the opportunity and privilege to give into the lives of many younger women. These relationships can be so fulfilling and encouraging!
I encourage you to not “neglect the gift that is in you” (1 Timothy 4:14), but to “stir it up” (2 Timothy 1:6), and faithfully use it to administer God’s grace (1 Peter 4:10). You have a gift, God expects you to use it, and we need it!
That’s the sermon in a nutshell, and it probably wasn’t given with the usual humor that Tony brings, but that’s a whole other gifting!! I appreciate that gifting that he has, and that he uses to encourage me and so many others!
What is your gift? Stir it up and use it to bless others!
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May 6, 2009 at 8:55 pm (Entertainment, Legacy, Random, Thoughts)
My friend, Allison & I took our 3 home-schooled kids on a field trip to Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center today. It was different than the highly sculptured garden centers that I have visited in the past. THe focus is on natural and native plants of Texas. They also have an amazing system for rainwater collection and can collect 700 gallons per inch of rain.
Now I am not what you would call an environmentalist, but in the past several years I have made more of an effort to take care of the square feet of earth I occupy. I try to recycle, reduce, and re-use; I’d like to get a rain barrel, and check into solar power for our home. But everybody knows that recycled or organic products are not cheaper than the normal products. It is not an easy road to take care of our planet. I frequently recall the second law of thermodynamics, which I learned in college – In the absence of an organizing force, systems or processes invariably tend to go from order to disorder. I know this is true by observing my children’s rooms. 
And my flower beds, and garage, and closet… You get the pont.
Anyway, I appreciate the work that Lady Bird began and that continues beyond her death. We all love to see the beautiful spring bluebonnets and other wildflowers along the roadsides every year. That is leaving a legacy. This is also a strong theme of our church, Legacy Fellowship. We strive to Live Forward; to think about the future generations in what we put our hand to.
I encourage you to Leave a Legacy where you live, where you work, where you play. Leave things better than you found them. Make the world a better place!
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May 6, 2009 at 8:22 pm (Christian life, Discipleship, Health, Organization)
Ok, I’ve made it this far! I must say, I am enjoying this journey. I have been focusing on scripture memory thru Wordkeeping. I have been avoiding sweets, morning TV talk shows, computer games, and frankly, I have not really missed it. I also am incorporating the 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michaels into my new routine. This is an awesome workout! I still can’t make it thru all the cardio without stopping for a breath, but I can tell it is really helping my endurance and strength. I highly recommend it! I have also lost 3 pounds since Friday!
I am really trying to ask God to order my day. Yesterday, I literally had 6 errands and 4 trips to and from school, and it went very smoothly, and I was not stressed. I also have been getting my workout and my Bible study done daily.
THough I have not had some huge revelation at this point, I have grown in the knowledge that as I press into God, I feel him ordering my days, and giving me peace and direction as to what he intends for me to do each day. This may seem simplistic to many, but for one like me who like schedules and planning, it is giving me a sense of freedom. My desk is super-cluttered, but I’m okay with it today, and I know I will get to it probably next week.
Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
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April 29, 2009 at 10:14 pm (Christian life, Discipleship, Religion)
I am embarking on a 21 day experiment, or possibly it could be called a journey, a renewal (hopefully). I have been challenged by our current women’s Bible study by Beth Moore, “Stepping Up“, a study of the Psalms of Ascent. It has stirred a desire in me to push myself closer towards God. I came across this program, Wordkeeping, by Linda Kirk. I have not gone through this before, but a friend of mine has. It incorporates scripture memory with a 21 or 30 day fasting and feasting commitment. You decide what you need to fast – what is hindering you from seeking God with all your heart. It could be TV, a hobby, sports, whatever. And you choose how that fast looks for you. THen you choose how you will feast on God’s Word – extra time spent reading, listening to Christian music, memorizing scripture.
For myself, I have decided to fast computer games, daytime TV, and all but essential news (let me know if there is a swine flu epidemic! ). These are some things that are time killers for me. I will also fast soft drinks and tea, and limit sweets and carbs. (ARGHH!) These things do not necessarily “hinder” me from pursuing God, but I will choose to channel the urges for them toward my pursuit of God instead.
So, Join me if you dare! I will begin on Friday, May 1, and will try to regularly post my progress, my success and failure on this short journey. I pray that I know God & His word in a more dynamic way on the other side!
Let me know if you will join me!
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April 23, 2009 at 12:35 am (Christian life, Current Events, Kids, Thoughts)
I just want to say that I am amazed/surprised/amused at the response in the media regarding the comments made by Miss California USA, Carrie Prejean in response to her interview for the Miss USA title. While she made room for everyone else’s choice, she stood up for her beliefs, knowing full well who was questioning her (Perez Hilton). And when Matt Lauer asked her if she would give a different answer, knowing that her answer probably cost her the crown, she replied, “I wouldn’t change a thing!”. She recognizes the platform God gave her, and continues to give her and wants to encourage people to stand up for their beliefs, no matter the cost.
I talked with both of my kids about this today. I encouraged them to always take the right stand, but also to recognize that the platform or position the Lord gives you is not for you, but to point others to Jesus. That platform may skyrocket you to success or, as in Carrie’s place, to first runner up. But He is definitely using her where He has her, and I believe it’s no accident that she was given that question.
And if you question her success, answer me this: Who won Miss USA?
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April 5, 2009 at 3:42 am (Christian life, Thoughts)
Yeah, I wrecked my car today. Someone “stopped” at a green light, which caused the car in front of me to brake suddenly, and then I tried to stop and avoid him, but was not successful. So of course the accident was my fault. In January, I backed into a van in the church parking lot – new guests at that! (By the way, they came back and joined!) Tyler put a dent in the Mustang while backing out of a parking space, and one of his friends backed into the Mustang door last week. What is the deal!?!?!
I really don’t know except that of course I am humbled when I mess up – especially in front of my teenage son! (Kind of hard to scold him when I’m doing the same thing!) Anyway, I don’t have any answers to why these things keep happening. It has been a frustrating couple of weeks lately. But I am reminded of what Tony preached about last week. Samuel had petitioned God to help the Israelites defeat the Philistines, which He did. “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, F20 saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” I Samuel 7:12. So I keep thinking of that. Don’t worry about what will happen in the future or how things will work out. But I do know this – “Thus far the Lord has helped us!’
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March 15, 2009 at 2:15 am (Events, Friends, Kids)
Christa & I went down to UT to the Baptist student Union on Tuesday to become a part of history. Our friends, Allison, India & Cooper joined us. Zondervan is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the NIV translation of the Bible. They are traveling across the country and allowing anyone who would like to hand write a verse in the Bible they will be publishing in the fall. We had to write it twice, once for the copy they will use to publish the BIble and one which will be placed in the Smithsonian Institute. So, as Cooper said, “I’m going to be in a museum!’ Pretty cool experience.
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March 5, 2009 at 8:28 pm (Christian life, Organization, Thoughts)
Now that I’ve written a post about passion & priorities, I realize I have made my “schedule” my priority many times. So, here is my goal. To begin each day in time with God, not only to maintain my relationship with him, but to get HIS direction for me for the day. I have started to realize that many times I ignore the still, small voice that tells me to call and check on someone, or take someone to lunch, or etc. etc. I just realized today that God had spoken to me to call someone last week, and I ignored the urge. Later I find out she was in the hospital. For 3 days before I found out. I know that some people have a difficult time calling and telling the pastor when they are in need. That is when the prompting of the Holy Spirit comes in. My prayer today is that not only would I be more sensitive to those prompts, but that I would be quick to obey.
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