Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Caged
This morning my pastor encouraged us to pick up a copy of Mark Batterson’s book “Wild Goose Chase” and return in the evening for the beginning of a study on the Holy Spirit and so I bought the book and took it home to read.
Scott and I spent the better part of an hour reading the book. I felt the Spirit move in my heart as I was challenged to think outside the cage of church. I felt challenged. I couldn’t wait for the study to begin.
We arrived and quickly discovered that we were outnumbered. We were outnumbered by old people. It was Sunday evening at 5:30 and these faithful followers of Christ were reporting for duty. We saw one other couple in the crowd that perhaps was under 40. Undeterred, I got my book and journal out. The Spirit was going to move. I was sure of it.
But then something tragic happened.
The doors were shut. The cage closed.
The service started.
The music minister did what he was supposed to do. He led us in 3 songs and told two bad jokes. He encouraged us once to think about God as we sang and then prepared the crowd that at our next meeting we would be learning a new song. Change can be hard, I guess.
Then the minister in charge of teaching for the night got up.
I’m not sure he got the right book. He talked about time management skills and making priorities for things in life that are important. He talked about schedules and how to budget our time. He provided 4 copies of some self help book on controlling urgency in our lives.
My husband yawned.
That afternoon when we were reading we couldn’t stop. We talked about scripture. We prayed.
As I realized that the minister was nearing the end of his time, I felt sad. We missed it. Again, we missed it. I wanted to scream out that time management is the very antithesis of the Holy Spirit. I wanted to demand to know when we would stop setting for milk and cry out for the meat of scripture.
I realized that in many ways Batterson has it right.
Church can cage in Christians in the same ways that guilt, fear, failure, responsibility, and assumptions can.
I want out of the cage.
Scott and I spent the better part of an hour reading the book. I felt the Spirit move in my heart as I was challenged to think outside the cage of church. I felt challenged. I couldn’t wait for the study to begin.
We arrived and quickly discovered that we were outnumbered. We were outnumbered by old people. It was Sunday evening at 5:30 and these faithful followers of Christ were reporting for duty. We saw one other couple in the crowd that perhaps was under 40. Undeterred, I got my book and journal out. The Spirit was going to move. I was sure of it.
But then something tragic happened.
The doors were shut. The cage closed.
The service started.
The music minister did what he was supposed to do. He led us in 3 songs and told two bad jokes. He encouraged us once to think about God as we sang and then prepared the crowd that at our next meeting we would be learning a new song. Change can be hard, I guess.
Then the minister in charge of teaching for the night got up.
I’m not sure he got the right book. He talked about time management skills and making priorities for things in life that are important. He talked about schedules and how to budget our time. He provided 4 copies of some self help book on controlling urgency in our lives.
My husband yawned.
That afternoon when we were reading we couldn’t stop. We talked about scripture. We prayed.
As I realized that the minister was nearing the end of his time, I felt sad. We missed it. Again, we missed it. I wanted to scream out that time management is the very antithesis of the Holy Spirit. I wanted to demand to know when we would stop setting for milk and cry out for the meat of scripture.
I realized that in many ways Batterson has it right.
Church can cage in Christians in the same ways that guilt, fear, failure, responsibility, and assumptions can.
I want out of the cage.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Bathing in the Backyard
Oh, how I wish I had stopped to snap some photos last night. But when you are running around the backyard with your 3 year old it's tough to remember things like that!
Last night Scott was able to come home from work early. We had dinner and then spent some time working in the garden. We trimmed our tomato plant, which is MASSIVE and watered newly planted squash and eggplant. Then we decided for a walk around the neighborhood.
Sam loves to ride his John Deer tractor, so he took the lead as our official "line leader." Being the line leader means that you get to be super bossy with the rest of the family making sure no one tries any funny business....like cutting. It's serious work.
We made it home which is a miracle in and of itself. Reagan usually becomes bored with riding at the halfway point and chooses to walk by herself. When you are 1 year old everything is big and exciting. Every rock. Every dirt pile. Every neighbor. You get the idea.
When we got home it was still warm outside and I was thinking about baths. So, despite protests from my husband, I stripped the kids and got out the water hose in the backyard. They ran around the yard and I hit them with the water, soaped them up, and rinsed. Reagan has too much Scott in her and decided this was no fun at all. So, she and Scott snuggled while Sam and I played. Sam has a little of his momma running through his veins. He loved the silliness. He ran around for almost 45 minutes. Part of that time he took the hose and in the end we both ended up soaked from head to toe.
I wish all that running meant that he fell right asleep, but no one was that lucky. I wasn't in the mood to fight bedtime so I opted for a camp out instead. We used the kitchen chairs to build our tent and then slept underneath it together. Of couse we didn't have to worry about bugs or wild animals...Sam had his trusted lantern on ALL NIGHT to keep them at bay!
What a great start to Mother's Day weekend!
Last night Scott was able to come home from work early. We had dinner and then spent some time working in the garden. We trimmed our tomato plant, which is MASSIVE and watered newly planted squash and eggplant. Then we decided for a walk around the neighborhood.
Sam loves to ride his John Deer tractor, so he took the lead as our official "line leader." Being the line leader means that you get to be super bossy with the rest of the family making sure no one tries any funny business....like cutting. It's serious work.
We made it home which is a miracle in and of itself. Reagan usually becomes bored with riding at the halfway point and chooses to walk by herself. When you are 1 year old everything is big and exciting. Every rock. Every dirt pile. Every neighbor. You get the idea.
When we got home it was still warm outside and I was thinking about baths. So, despite protests from my husband, I stripped the kids and got out the water hose in the backyard. They ran around the yard and I hit them with the water, soaped them up, and rinsed. Reagan has too much Scott in her and decided this was no fun at all. So, she and Scott snuggled while Sam and I played. Sam has a little of his momma running through his veins. He loved the silliness. He ran around for almost 45 minutes. Part of that time he took the hose and in the end we both ended up soaked from head to toe.
I wish all that running meant that he fell right asleep, but no one was that lucky. I wasn't in the mood to fight bedtime so I opted for a camp out instead. We used the kitchen chairs to build our tent and then slept underneath it together. Of couse we didn't have to worry about bugs or wild animals...Sam had his trusted lantern on ALL NIGHT to keep them at bay!
What a great start to Mother's Day weekend!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Adventures with farms and ice cream
Today the kids and I loaded up for some "mommy and me" fun. We headed over to Brenham to visit a local farmer who sells organic meats. Our grocery budget allowed us to only buy pastured eggs. The meats are just too expensive. But, I love these eggs. They seem to taste so much better than the ones I can find at the store. And really since I pay three times as much for them...they should be better for us!!!!
Sam put on his overalls and "work" boots for the trip. It's a long way to the farm though. He and Reagan watched a movie in the truck while we traveled. Once we got thre, they were thrilled to see all the animals and meet the "farmer."
When we finished it was about 15 till 11. I knew that the Blue Bell Creamery did tours during weekdays and we were close enough to try and make the 11:00 tour. We hurried and made it just in time! Both kids did great. Sam was especially good with listening and following my instructions. He's getting to be such a big kid.
We got to watch a short film. Thankfully, a VERY short film. I was very nervous about how long I could keep Reagan entertained during that!!! We also got to tour the factory. Ok, tour is a very loose sense of the word. We looked at three rooms, but we did get to see them making homemade vanilla (our favorite!!). It was interesting to see how all of the machines worked.
At the end of the tour we got to sample some ice cream. I got a rainbow sherbert and mint chocolate chip. I thought that Sam might like all the rainbow colors and maybe sherbert is a little better for you than full-fat ice cream. But no. He quickly figured out which one was best and proudly declared to the room that he would be eating the mint chocolate chip. Reagan was just in heaven getting to share with us!
On the way back home, I let the kids eat PB&J in the car. This was a horribly messy idea, but they loved it. Once home we cleaned up and napped.
I've been waking Sam up early from nap to help with evening routines. So, an hour later we were all up and headed to the park. We met Madison and her dad there and played for two very fast hours.
As we were leaving the park, Sam yelled out to Maddie. "I have something for you." He had found a stick that was apparently the treasure of the moment and he asked Jared to break it in half for Maddie and him. This moment started off so sweet. Sharing what's yours (I guess...) with a friend. Then at just the right moment...
"wait, Maddie. I need the bigger one." Sam made sure that he had the bigger of the two pieces of stick.
Sam put on his overalls and "work" boots for the trip. It's a long way to the farm though. He and Reagan watched a movie in the truck while we traveled. Once we got thre, they were thrilled to see all the animals and meet the "farmer."
When we finished it was about 15 till 11. I knew that the Blue Bell Creamery did tours during weekdays and we were close enough to try and make the 11:00 tour. We hurried and made it just in time! Both kids did great. Sam was especially good with listening and following my instructions. He's getting to be such a big kid.
We got to watch a short film. Thankfully, a VERY short film. I was very nervous about how long I could keep Reagan entertained during that!!! We also got to tour the factory. Ok, tour is a very loose sense of the word. We looked at three rooms, but we did get to see them making homemade vanilla (our favorite!!). It was interesting to see how all of the machines worked.
At the end of the tour we got to sample some ice cream. I got a rainbow sherbert and mint chocolate chip. I thought that Sam might like all the rainbow colors and maybe sherbert is a little better for you than full-fat ice cream. But no. He quickly figured out which one was best and proudly declared to the room that he would be eating the mint chocolate chip. Reagan was just in heaven getting to share with us!
On the way back home, I let the kids eat PB&J in the car. This was a horribly messy idea, but they loved it. Once home we cleaned up and napped.
I've been waking Sam up early from nap to help with evening routines. So, an hour later we were all up and headed to the park. We met Madison and her dad there and played for two very fast hours.
As we were leaving the park, Sam yelled out to Maddie. "I have something for you." He had found a stick that was apparently the treasure of the moment and he asked Jared to break it in half for Maddie and him. This moment started off so sweet. Sharing what's yours (I guess...) with a friend. Then at just the right moment...
"wait, Maddie. I need the bigger one." Sam made sure that he had the bigger of the two pieces of stick.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Today we...
...went to the grocery store and save 20 dollars using coupons.
...hit Walmart to score some laundry detergent for cheap. Ok, this was maybe the low point!
...went to Lowes to buy rakes for the kids to use on the yard. Sam's excitement was too much!
...cleaned the house
...did the laundry
...weeded the garden
...kissed lots of boo boos
...played in the playroom
...decided not to take a nap
...weeeded the garden
...ate dinner with dad who got to come home at 6! Yeah!
...bathed two kids
...had adult conversation
What a great day!
...hit Walmart to score some laundry detergent for cheap. Ok, this was maybe the low point!
...went to Lowes to buy rakes for the kids to use on the yard. Sam's excitement was too much!
...cleaned the house
...did the laundry
...weeded the garden
...kissed lots of boo boos
...played in the playroom
...decided not to take a nap
...weeeded the garden
...ate dinner with dad who got to come home at 6! Yeah!
...bathed two kids
...had adult conversation
What a great day!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Private
Well, I feel a little bipolar making my blog private again. This time I am leaving it private.
Moment of total honesty ahead.
I just discovered a blog where someone who knows my family was writing some very personal and altogether awful things. I get that not everyone loves my family. That's ok. Writing horrible things about us in a public forum...not ok.
So, I have been reminded of how public this blog really is. I don't want everyone in creation having access to pictures of my kids or reading about our struggles and joys as a family.
And I need to remember that being kind to others is the right thing to do. I need to be careful of how I talk and how I allow my children to talk (ok....Sam...Reagan is still working on putting two words together!!!:)
Moment of total honesty ahead.
I just discovered a blog where someone who knows my family was writing some very personal and altogether awful things. I get that not everyone loves my family. That's ok. Writing horrible things about us in a public forum...not ok.
So, I have been reminded of how public this blog really is. I don't want everyone in creation having access to pictures of my kids or reading about our struggles and joys as a family.
And I need to remember that being kind to others is the right thing to do. I need to be careful of how I talk and how I allow my children to talk (ok....Sam...Reagan is still working on putting two words together!!!:)
Monday, April 5, 2010
New Beginnings
How come new beginnings in the Lord always seem to come with tests? Oh yeah, the prunning of the bad stuff.
I'm believing today that God is great and His plan is better. It's better when things are going smoothly and it's better when things are getting rough.
In all things, we will give God praise.
I'm believing today that God is great and His plan is better. It's better when things are going smoothly and it's better when things are getting rough.
In all things, we will give God praise.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
