Sacred in the Ordinary: A Family Favorite

I am tempted to search for the extraordinary. I catch myself longing for the incredible. I fight the urge to notice the spectacular. In doing so, I risk missing the most extraordinary, incredible and spectacular of all... the sacred in the ordinary.

My Moment...

Although we have different music style preferences in the family, the following song is a favorite of all of us. Each time I hear it I am personally challenged, encouraged and inspired to find the sacred in the ordinary.



What moment did you notice this week?

Read more about my thoughts behind the Sacred in the Ordinary.

Leave a comment or do your own post linking back to here. Leave your link in the comment section so I can come enjoy your sacred in the ordinary moment.


"There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day." -Alexander Woollcott

Responding to My Fear

A few years ago, as I listened to a radio program with guest Jan Silvious, thoughts began to formulate in my mind. I took notes. I began thinking through these thoughts. I took each one apart, almost as if I were dissecting it, to be sure I could gain any bit of truth out of it.

What I Discovered and Learned

There is scientific research that shows fear and gratitude/ praise can not exist in the same brain at the same time. It physically can not happen. There are also studies that show new pathways can be created in the brain.

We have seen these new findings used in our own family. One can re-train brain pathways. We have utilized specific therapy to create new pathways in the brain to take over and do the activities that a damaged part can no longer do. I've seen it take place in relation to my child's brain injury. Why would I think I am any different?

365

The Bible says 365 times "Do Not Fear". 365 times... that's one "Do Not Fear" for every day of the year. Numerous times in the Bible, we are also commanded to “Be strong and courageous”.

We are told that “in this life you will have tribulation BUT be of good cheer”.

Tribulation? Good cheer? How can those 2 words exist in the same sentence? Ah, but they do. Why can we be of good cheer during tribulation? Why?... read the rest of that verse. God himself says, “I have overcome the world”.

John 16:33 (AMP) "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]"

God's Will = Giving Thanks

The Bible also says in I Thessalonians 5:18 “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God concerning you.”

So often I pray for God to show me His will. Sometimes I struggle and think, "God, why aren't you showing me Your will?". This verse tells me what part of that will is.

His will for me is that I give thanks… in everything. This command is for my good. If I can be thankful, focus on Him, praise Him... then the fear in my brain will be made small. It has to. It’s now being proven scientifically.

I can retrain the pathways in my brain, in those moments that fear begins to creep in, to move to moments of praise and thanksgiving rather than fear.


If God says, “Give thanks, do not fear, be strong, be courageous, this is my will for you”… then there has to be something significant in that. If there wasn’t, He wouldn’t tell us repeatedly to do it.

Repeatedly I read, “Do not fear… give thanks” and everywhere I look in that I can hear him whisper...trust me, trust me, trust me.

Choices

God created us with the freedom of choice. We can choose how we are going to react, to think, to respond, to feel. We get to choose. Some choices are easy, some choices are hard.

God calls us to make the choice of trusting Him in all things!

Sometimes that is a very easy choice to make. Other times that is a very difficult choice to make, a hard choice, perhaps one of the hardest of my life. It is not always easy, but that is what He asks of me.

I have found that choice of trusting is in a moment by moment situation. It is not a one time thing. I must decide in this moment, with what I am facing... will I trust or will I fear?

I find that sometimes my fear becomes so overpowering that this choice MUST become moment by moment. It is not something I just decide to do and then do it. It must be very purposeful, very determined, very intentional.

I must make the conscious effort, in that moment as fear is gripping my heart, to begin to praise and be grateful to a God that has overcome that fear, my fear… a God that has overcome the world.

One brain, two choices. Praise OR Fear... they can't both be there at the same time. Science is now proving it is not physically possible. So, which will it be? Try it out ... see what you think!

My Tornado Story Part 2

Part I ended with this: ...Eventually, my dad was shouting prayers at the top of his lungs, but all we could hear was the deafening sound of the tornado outside. The noise competition was over and my dad's screaming voice had lost......

When the tornado was over, 28 windows in our home had been blown out. I do not recall hearing the glass break. All I could hear was the deafening sound of the tornado. There was glass buried deep in the carpet throughout our home.

I remember looking out and seeing furniture and a variety of other debris in our front lawn. I do not recall hearing things flying around outside. All I could hear was the deafening sound of the tornado.

Although we had damage to our home, it was left standing. Other homes in our neighborhood were not as fortunate.

Homes next to us were completely flattened. Our neighbor three doors from us lost her life in her home during that tornado. It was complete devastation.

For months after that, when we as neighborhood children would gather to play, it was not the typical play of children. Instead of playing house, or school, or other type of game, we would play... tornado.


FEAR

I did not know it at the time, but this experience planted a seed of fear deep in my heart that would affect me in the days, weeks and years ahead.

Signs of a dark sky would send my heart and mind spiraling into panic. As time went by, it wasn't just the weather that this fear took hold of, it was any situation in my life that I felt my safety and security being threatened.

I learned something a few years ago that has revolutionized what I think and how I respond to anxiety. Join me tomorrow as I share what I have discovered, learned and applied to my own heart.

My Tornado Story Part I

You may, or may not, be familiar with the Omaha tornado of 1975. My family was living in Omaha. I was a young child. Not only were we living in Omaha, we lived in the path of this tornado.

We had no basement at the time. We lived in a basic ranch style home. It was just my sister and I that had been born. I was almost 3 and she was 1. Although I was quite young, there are details of the event I remember as clearly as though it happened this morning.

When the sirens began to sound, our parents took us to the hallway, the central part of the home. It was away from windows and out of the direct line of any flying debris that may come our way.

As we were in the hall, I remember our parents having my sister and I crouch down on our hands and knees as low to the ground as we could get. My dad then crouched over top of me and my mom over my sister.

As my dad was crouched over me in protection, he began audibly praying. I could hear him clearly at first as he was directly over me. As the tornado drew closer, the sound outside became increasingly louder.

My dad increased the sound of his voice louder and louder in prayer to compete. Eventually, my dad was shouting prayers at the top of his lungs, but all we could hear was the deafening sound of the tornado outside. The noise competition was over and my dad's screaming voice had lost.

Part 2 to come...

If you are not familiar with the Omaha tornado of 1975, and would like to know more about it as I head into part 2 of my personal story, you may want to view the videos contained at this site.

In addition to clicking this: Omaha tornado of 1975, you can also google it and find more information as well.

Fear

Do you have an experience that you remember as though it were yesterday? Do you have an experience that completely rocked your world and impacted you greatly, not just in that specific moment, but for years to come?

You may remember the Friday that I referred to enjoying the thunderstorm that came through the area. That has not always been the case for me. There was a time that even the fewest raindrops could potentially spiral me into a full fledged panic attack. In fact, my mother shares that even signs of a darkening sky would trigger restlessness and turmoil for me.

If you've ever experienced a panic attack for any reason, they are not fun. In fact, they can be quite debilitating. They can be all consuming. They can make a person feel like they are dying right then.

It took a few years to put all of the pieces together, but when we did I had something to work with to address and face my fear.

Even with all of the pieces, learning to take charge of my fear did not come easily or quickly. It has taken years of focus, of processing, of delving deep into my own self to find the origin of the seed itself.

I will share with you this week the event in my life that planted my seed of fear and all that it produced.

I will end the week with some promise and truth of what I have learned about battling and taking charge of my own fear. My hope is that it might give others a glimmer of hope as they face and take charge of their own.

Sacred in the Ordinary: Sun in the Soul

I am tempted to search for the extraordinary. I catch myself longing for the incredible. I fight the urge to notice the spectacular. In doing so, I risk missing the most extraordinary, incredible and spectacular of all... the sacred in the ordinary.

My Moment...

The shining sun after days of rain.

A reminder that although life may bring the soul days of rain, I can be sure the sun will once again shine. When it does, what a warmth and comfort it will bring to a dreary soul.


What sacred moment did you notice in the ordinary?

Read more about my thoughts behind the Sacred in the Ordinary.

Leave a comment or do your own post linking back to here. Be sure to leave your link in the comment section so I can come enjoy your sacred in the ordinary moment.


"There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day." -Alexander Woollcott

In Worship

Have you ever...

* received devastating news?
* felt that the world was suddenly closing in around you?
* sensed that the events before you were too much to face?
* felt like darkness was consuming you with no hope of escape?
* felt like you couldn't catch your breath, that the news you just encountered left you gasping for air?

I was reminded of a man that must have felt each one of these things. I know I have felt such things and yet, I can't even begin to imagine facing what this man faced.

The first messenger brought news that the oxen and donkey's had been stolen. The farm hands had all been killed except one. That one was standing before him giving him the news. While this one was still speaking another messenger arrived.

This was the second messenger's words, “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the shepherds. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” As if that wasn't enough, while he was still speaking yet another messenger arrived.

The camels had been stolen and the servants killed. This servant messenger was the lone survivor. And what was that on the horizon? While this servant messenger was speaking... still another messenger.

There had been a terrible storm causing a house to collapse. A house that belonged to his oldest son. A house that had all of his children in it having a feast. A house that now contained no survivors... except the messenger now standing before him.

As impossible as this sounds, it really happened. I know this story to be a fact. I have read and heard of this man's story before. Maybe you have too. Did you recognize these events that are recorded in the Bible in the book of Job... about Job (Pronounced "Jobe") ?

As I was reading the first chapter again, something stood out to me. It was so profound I stopped. I couldn't help but stop. My breath caught in my throat. I re-read the line to make sure I hadn't misinterpreted what my eyes believed they had just read. I could hardly comprehend Job's response.

Me? I would have fallen to the ground in utter grief, in desperation, in overwhelming devastation. I think if any of us were to react in such a way after hearing such news we would understand it. We would not question it. We would probably almost expect it.

What I saw is not what I remembered seeing before. What I saw challenged me.

I saw how Job fell. After receiving these reports one right after the other, we do know that he fell to the ground. The Bible tells us very clearly that he fell to the ground.

There are now two words that will forever impact how I see Job. Two words that I pray will embed so deeply in my own heart that they will now impact how I respond in the face of my worst imaginable circumstances. Two words that caused my reading to stop and my thoughts to center here.

Two words: "In Worship"!!

After rising and tearing his robe in grief, he shaved his head. He then "fell to the ground in worship."

Job had just received devastating news. I'm sure he felt the world was suddenly closing in around him. I'm sure he wondered if he would be able to face these events.

I can only imagine he sensed that darkness was consuming him with no hope of escape. I have no doubts his breathing became a bit more labored and left him gasping for air as he faced this news.

And in spite of it all... he fell to the ground... in worship.

Oh that my heart might be so trusting of God and His sovereignty. I pray that regardless of what I might face, I, without hesitation, will fall to the ground... in worship.

(This account can be found in Job 1:13-22)

A Public Thank You

Just wanted to say a quick Thank You to each one that left such encouraging and affirming words on my post about breaking all the rules. Each word touched me immensely!

Thank You!

If you would still like to comment on that post, please feel free to do so.

Breaking all the Rules

When I started blogging (almost 4 years ago... *gasp*) there were no set rules or expectations. We were all just putting words on a page in cyberspace and learning as we went.

It seems this world of blogging has now evolved with certain criteria suggested to be considered a good blogger. The list of "rules" seem to grow.

I have felt lately that I can't keep up with it all. Pictures, helpful hints, no heavy topic's: keep it lighthearted, engage a wide audience, no post over 500 words max, post frequently, etc........

These are just a few off of the top of my head. I'm sure we could add to this list. In fact, you have probably even heard some that I'm not aware of.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not saying the rules are bad ones, I just can't keep up with my blogging meeting all of these expectations and keep my other priorities in line at the same time. It's just not for me.

To be honest, there have been days that I have not posted because I wasn't keeping to the rules. I wasn't incorporating the items that supposedly make a good blogger. Better to not blog at all than to break the rules of a good blogger, or so I thought.


I have come to a decision. Instead of stopping with blogging altogether because I can't keep the expectations, I am breaking all the rules.

I'm getting back to the basics as I knew them in the beginning. From now on, when you stop by for a visit, you will find me being true to myself... not to the rules of blogging.

There may or may not be pictures. The words may be quick and to the point or the words may flow forth as my heart shares itself. If my heart is being challenged, I will most likely share it, even if it's not the easiest topic to discuss.

Whether what's on my heart is considered politically blogging correct or not, I will bring it forth.

It is too difficult and taking too much time and energy to work towards keeping with all of the rules in hopes of being considered a good blogger.

What good is it being considered a good blogger if I am not being true to myself?

In the days ahead I'm sure I will be breaking all of the rules...

Sacred in the Ordinary: A Child's Prayers

I am tempted to search for the extraordinary. I catch myself longing for the incredible. I fight the urge to notice the spectacular. In doing so, I risk missing the most extraordinary, incredible and spectacular of all... the sacred in the ordinary.

My Moment...

Our little guy independently folding his hands in prayer. He also mutters under his breath during the prayer. His little heart is learning and choosing to love Jesus. It blesses my heart immensely!




What moment did you notice this week?

Read more about my thoughts behind the Sacred in the Ordinary.

Leave a comment or do your own post linking back to here. Be sure to leave your link in the comment section so I can come enjoy your sacred in the ordinary moment.


"There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day." -Alexander Woollcott

Favorites for a Friday

A few of my favorites from this last week:

1. Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte: Tis the season... YUM!

2. Friends: That let you be yourself, speak your mind and still love you.

3. A Day Off: There is no school today due to a teacher's in service. A morning of no rushed routines is a welcome break now and then.

4. Hand Me Downs: My husband walked in from men's Bible study last night with 2 boxes of clothes for our little guy from another family in the church. What a blessing!

5. Stay Put System: We discovered that our little guy likes wearing his great grandpa's boots. Funny thing is, he hasn't realized yet that when he's in them... he can't go anywhere. I can be confident that as long as he is wearing them, he is staying put. Rest assured I am going to milk this for all it is worth! :-)



What have been favorites in your week?

I Believe

I believe in the sun, even when it's not shining.

And I believe in love, even when I don't feel it.

I believe in God, even when He's silent.

--Inscription on a wall in Nazi Germany

Books in my Future

WHEW! I still feel like I have some recouping and catching up to do from the emotions and experiences of our weekend district ladies retreat.

I know part of it is from the amount of prep work and involvement I personally had. I have been preparing for the past 6 months in anticipation of leading the music for the weekend and speaking on Saturday morning. Overall, I think it went very well for which I am praising God and giving Him the glory!

With it now past, I realized I will have time that I was using in preparation to now do other things. I am ready to get back into my reading! I have missed it!!

I have these books coming from the library.


Fearless : imagine your life without fear
By Max Lucado

If God is Good : faith in the midst of suffering and evil
By Randy Alcorn

30 days to taming your tongue
By Deborah Smith Pegues

When the game is over, it all goes back in the box
By John Ortberg

Having a Mary spirit : allowing God to change us from the inside out
By Joanna Weaver

Practicing the Presence of God : a modernized Christian classic
By Brother Lawrence


Have you read any of these? What did you think?

What book/s are you currently reading?

My Weekend Plans

This weekend will find me participating in our church district ladies retreat. I am so looking forward to a weekend of relaxing, refreshing and and re-connecting with friends. I am also welcoming the spiritual rest and refreshment as well!

Prayers appreciated as I will be leading the music sessions the entire weekend as well as speaking on Saturday morning. I am honored to be invited to participate in such a way and beyond excited to see what God has in store!

Trusting you all find time for a bit of relaxing, refreshing and re-connecting with those you love this weekend as well.

I'll see you next week, ready to drop into the routine of everyday life once again. Wait, is there such a thing?.... :-)

Call Me Joshua

"Sometimes obedience is not about the behavior at the moment as much as it is about developing maturity." --Unknown

What must it have been like? I have the end of the story. I can see in a moment (within just a few verses) the outcome. But what must it have been like in the middle of it?

I find the story of my wonderment in Joshua 6:1-27. The Lord comes to Joshua and tells him how they are to defeat Jericho. (vs. 3 -5) Basically, they are to march around the wall of Jericho… one time each day… silently… for 6 days. On the 7th day, they are to march around 7 times, then give a shout.

God had done miraculous things before this point! He had brought the Israelites out of Egypt. He had helped them to conquer before this. He was God and they knew it. He could perform the amazing, the incredible, the miraculous. He had in the past. So why, in this case, did He tell them to march around the city? Not just once, not twice, but in reality a total of 13 times before He chose to move?

The Bible doesn’t give us the reaction of the people when they were told the plans. In fact, it’s not even clear that the people knew the complete plans. They marched around the city the 1st day and returned to camp. They did it the 2nd day and returned to camp. For 6 days this was their routine.

I can just imagine what must have gone through the minds of just a few of them.
* “What is Joshua doing?”
* “Did God really tell Him this is what was supposed to happen?”
* “How does He know it was God that was speaking?”
* “Surely God is going to move in a mighty way… what? Back to camp?”
* “Joshua must be crazy! What in the world is he thinking?”

And on and on…

And then imagine day 7, first time around… ready to head back to camp… but no.. around again? And after the 3rd time around beginning the 4th. (Under their breath because remember, they are supposed to be silent.)

* “Are you kidding me? Joshua has really lost his mind now!”
* “I’m tired, can we just sit for awhile and rest? This is absolutely ridiculous!”
* “How many more times?”
* “I’m sure it couldn’t have been God Joshua heard. He has never asked us to do anything like this before.”
* “He can destroy these people without all of this embarrassment. We must be the laughing stock of Jericho by now.”
* “They think we are a bunch of wimps. Look at us, and we call this an army?”
* “They must think we are the biggest losers ever.”

Joshua was being obedient. He was following what he knew God had said, but there was probably grumbling, questioning, and doubting in the camp.

I have personally experienced similar situations. Following in the direction God has spoken, but it seeming to make no sense. The path seeming to be too long. Others around me (and even ourselves) questioning our actions. Doubting this is what God would have. Wondering if we had lost our minds.

I don’t know about you, but when I look at Joshua and the directions he followed… that was blind obedience! It did not make sense. It seemed so much easier to expect God just to come to the scene and perform. And yet, that is not what was asked. God required obedience before He would provide victory.

Joshua knew in the end, if obedience was completed, their victory would be Jericho. I have also been promised in the end, my obedience will bring forth victory. I have not been told exactly what that “victory” is. (I really don’t want Jericho… thanks anyway.)

I can know, however, that there is a reason for the things God is asking of me. It may not even be so much about what is being asked of me as much as what my obedience and trust is maturing and building in me.

I feel at times I am marching around the same spot, day after day, only to return to camp each time. Occasionally it does seem ludicrous, senseless, tiring, and a waste of time. But, victory can not and will not be attained until I complete the full 13 times. I must take each and every step exactly as God has commanded, regardless of how utterly insane it may be.

If I falter, if I lose heart, if I give up, even on that last lap… that would not be obedience, and therefore, would not lead to the victory intended for me.

So, I will not question the directions. I will sandal up for yet another trip around my wall. I will be silent as I walk, careful not to question, to complain, to wonder why… but simply to trust.

I will walk with my head held high, my shoulders square, and my mind settled that this is indeed what God has asked of me.

I will not attempt to rationalize Him, to explain Him, to excuse Him…

I will only state I am following the directions I have been given. I will march until I am told to shout… and on my journey… You can Call Me Joshua.

A Letter to My Blog

Dear Blog,

I am in utter disbelief that the date now reflects October. I had every intention of allowing you and September 2009 to be very well acquainted, but obviously that will not be happening. Between my vacation, finger injury, starting the children in school (homeschool included) and week of unexpected tragedy... that time has escaped me.

To be honest, I am embarrassed when I look at how often I allowed you and September to meet, or I should say... to not meet.

I hope to not repeat this same pattern during the month of October. It is my intentions to meet here on a regular basis again as I was before September hit me full in the face and laid me flat.

Perhaps we will, together, discover October to be a kinder, gentler and more blogger friendly month than September 2009 proved itself to be.

Apologetically,

The Testing of Faith

"I learned that faith isn't tested by how often God answers my prayers with a yes but by my willingness to continue serving him and thanking him, even when I don't have a clue as to what he is doing."

--Gary Thomas