What one fancy writer dude taught me about writing

They say to be a good writer you have to be a good reader.  I've never been really great at reading until I wanted to become a better writer.  

I remember the days of 8th grade when Mrs. Volz was my reading teacher.  Back in ancient school times, it was required to learn to read well and fast.  I've must of flunked that class.  I still remember the intimidating and archaic machine that projected lines of words on a white screen at the front of the classroom, ticking off words line by line.  I remember the blur of words that I peered so hard to read fast and furious from the back of the class, sitting on my knees just to see the screen.  I didn't learn to read that well and was just mesmerized by the black block that was keeping pace with the metronome set at hyper speed.  It seemed to float fast across the front of the room.

This was my reading world, class assignments, that I failed daily at and it was a process that failed me.  I wasn't one of those students that got it.  I just wanted to shout at that 80-year-old teacher for her teaching technique that left me out and feeling inferior to the rest of the class.

I gave up reading at that point in my life, believing that if I couldn't read fast there was no point in reading at all.  I still had a fascination for books however and over time I practiced just reading at my own pace, very slow on a good day, and I taught myself how to read and absorb what I was reading.

By reading, I have improved my writing.  There's a fancy blogger I like to read that has taught me about reading, writing, and all things fancy.  He's been one of the best teachers in this process, and has really read me like a book.  The funny thing is that we have never met, but through his influence in words, and through my growth in reading, he has made me believe that I can do this writing thing.

He believes in me without having met me.

He's taught me how to own my story, how to own how to spill my story and how to be a good writer.  In teaching me how to be a better writer, and he is coaching me in a way that has benefited well for him.  I might have been wrong about the importance of reading well.  But because I have stayed the course, I am earning my right to write better.

One of the things that Jeff Goins, Michael Hyatt and John Maxwell have all taught me is the same, that if you want to learn about a topic you need to read about it for 5 years.  I've been blogging for going on my seventh year now, and I can tell you that I am getting better at this.

They have all taught me it's okay to admit you were wrong about something.

I was wrong about where my confidence in writing was coming from.  I have been wrong about why I am doing this.  The other day, God again refreshed my purpose, thus the resurgence of this blog.  I was wrong about why this needed new energy.  I'll admit I was distracted and defeated in writing.

But God...reminded me that He wasn't done with this little fancy thing just yet, through the words of one fancy writer.   What Jeff is doing right now is a 21-day challenge for blogging, with the purpose of being intentional with what and why we are writing.

Can you handle one more "I was wrong" statement?

I've been wrong about this blogging process too.  Jeff reminded me that blogging is just practice at writing and at reading, and if you want to get better you have to do both.  Oh how I need to find balance in this process, because I was relying on my own strength to revive this effort, versus God's strength that He has equipped me with.

I don't know about you but there are days when I want to do this writing thing all by myself.  I think I'm strong enough to compose a few fancy words, string them together to make sense, and then pray that it will make a difference in someone's life.

What I was wrong about was the fact that I could do something without the work of the Holy Spirit to do what He is asking me to do.  I was really wrong and I thought I was prepared to do it already.  This blog is an evolving practice of my daily dependence on what God can do through me and is doing in me.

I was also wrong about what I was afraid of.  I'm not afraid that you aren't reading this stuff.  I'm afraid you are rejecting what I'm writing about.  So this might be a wrong question, but do you tire of my spiritual stories?

Have you ever had to admit that you can't do something on your own?  Have you been wrong about how you are to practice what God's has passionately placed within you to develop?  Do you lack confidence in striking out on your own?  This process of blogging helps me practice what I call spiritual inventory, dealing with conflicts, which brings spiritual healing and wellness, and brings balance to my life.  I tend to hide behind my servant's apron to serve you some fancy words but in all reality it's the transparency and the struggles in which you connect the best.

One of the most fancy writer dudes has taught me the most about writing, that would be Paul, the New Testament writer.

Paul must have known something about the writer's struggle too.   I read his struggles with the people around him, his ministry, his identity in Christ and finding his place in the writer's world,   But yet, it's in those struggles that I am inspired to be a better writer.  Think about how his simple words of encouragement still inspire millions today.

Talk about one fancy blogger.  Yup, Paul would definitely fit that bill.

So friends, I am encouraged by this blogging process, and I am encouraged by this practice of writing, and I'm encouraged that I can read, read slowly and let the words that I do read, impact my writing, but mostly I am encouraged by the courage of one fancy blogger who was a great reader, writer and teacher.  He has shown me because of my identity in Christ, I have the confidence in the craft that God has planted deep inside of me.  I'm inspired to make a difference with the gift that God has placed within me.  A fancy place indeed, in which I can string words of truth together to make a difference.

I haven't been wrong about life change that this process has brought.  I know of one person who has been changed by what I have written about.

Me.   There's nothing wrong with that.

Good Friday with my 18-inch hole

I grew up in a Christian home. My parents were faithful to take me to church every Sunday and raise me in the Christian faith. So faithful that we were there every time the church doors were open. I grew up knowing the stories of Jesus. I never missed a day of Sunday school. I had been confirmed in the faith classes, memorized a lot of prayers and petitions. So I naturally assumed the faith of my parents. I didn't have to question what I believed because it was what I always knew. 

As a young mom, it was important to me to raise my little ones on a firm faith foundation. I was doing all the right things and repeating prayers like I was taught. I was taking my kids to church & Sunday School every Sunday. It looked like I had it all together and knew all the right answers, but in reality, I didn't have a personal relationship with Christ. I only knew of Him. I had studied Him and acknowledged His existence, but there was something missing, a 18-inch connection between my head and my heart. I was a good person, thought I was going to heaven, but I was like everyone else that had fallen into some bad habits and behaviors. Just like any other young married mother with a couple of kids, I was trying to make the best of my life. Little did I know, though, that I was really running in the opposite direction...away from God.

That was ...until one Good Friday...

The church ladies hurried into the sanctuary and started removing items one by one....The lights were dimmed in quiet solitude. One by one the candles were extinguished and the flowers disappeared. The room was practically empty except the few people who sang silently. A simple wooden cross hung over the center of the bare stone altar. I watched as the room was emptied of the familiar, leaving it practically void. My soul ached with an emptiness I couldn't describe. I sat alone in the cold, dark reality of my sin. 

In that quiet and holy moment, it seems that I was the only one in the pew. God bent down and touched my soul in a way that I knew I needed a Savior. Heaven opened up and grace came down. As I sat still in that dimly lit minute, I realized the altar of my heart had become barren and cold. I suddenly felt God chip away at that hardened surface as it if were a block of ice readied for a masterpiece. 

Whispers to my heart..."I sent my Son for you, He died for you. That's how much I love you. And yes, even if you were the only one on this entire planet. I did that ....just for you." 

There were no trumpets blaring, no special lyrics, no confetti, party horns, no balloons, no compelling preacher, just Jesus bending down. 

My eyes were opened as they brimmed with tears. I knew I needed to change. I confessed what God already knew. I prayed to receive His free gift of Grace. My soul soon spilled with His love and forgiveness.

I am a life that has been changed by the power of the Gospel. Jesus is...my Savior, always and forever. And forever will I live with Eternity stamped on my heart. I owe Him my life as He continues to give me new Life. 

That was years ago ....and I remember it like it was yesterday. 

Find out for yourself what you believe and why. Right now, ask yourself, if you died tonight, do you know....that you would see Jesus face to face? If not, stop reading right now, and ask Jesus to bend down and quiet your heart. 

It's that important. 

Ephesians 2:8 - 9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God;not by works, so that no one can boast."

God's grace and forgiveness is a gift. You can't earn it nor can you get it by osmosis. Even if you have been in church all your life. Even if you think you are a good person. You have to choose to accept Christ's death on the cross as payment for your sins. But the best news is that your guilt has been taken care of, long ago on that simple cross. The Gospel changes lives. It's grace, it's love, it's forgiveness, and this Jesus changes...lives. Jesus bridges the gaps between heads and hearts, sins and righteousness, life and death. 

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

No Separation Anxiety

Are there days when you feel as if your head is spinning with all the distractions calling for your attention?  Wait don't answer that....I already know your answer.  

Yes, I have those times. It's the consequences of living in the midst of all this web-driven commotion.  There's an art to being still before God, to quiet myself enough to enjoy the presence of God. I want to talk with Him and hear what He wants to tell me.  

I am so desperate to hear from God in many areas. 

One challenge for me is the "multiple hats" syndrome. I'm a mom, a mentor, wife, missionary, writer, employee, volunteer, confidant and friend.  So many things to do . . . and so little time to do it all.  As one whose work requires many hours each day at a computer and on the Internet, I find myself in the midst of this neurological challenge. Yet, the desire of my heart is to be so attuned with my Father that I hear Him when He wants to teach me,  reveal to me, comfort me or guide me.  

I don't believe the answers are easy.  

If I don't attend to the desire in my heart to spend time with God . . . God will get squeezed out and my life will remain wanting. He'll be there waiting . . . but I won't be there with Him to receive.

More than ever before - in the random noise of this time - daily quiet time with God is essential for my life of faith; a time when we can step out of "the world" and into the peace of God. Paul writes describes himself as a "bondservant" of Jesus Christ, called to the devotion that He wrote about.  Separated from the world around him, devoted to Christ.  Separated to the gospel, separated for the gospel of God.

Paul devoted his life to solitude with Christ.  Romans 1:1

Clearly, we need to be separated from the world in some ways, so we can live the life He wants for us and so He can show Himself to us and through us. So as we find our way on the super-highway of technology, little changes and little steps can make a big difference. Not watching so much television, setting up a daily time in the Word and for prayer, simplifying our lives and just not doing "so much." 

Solitude....Separates.

We can carve out that sacred separated time and meet with the One who loves, cares, creates, and (get this mind-blowing fact).... craves our time with Him.

It's worth the risk of separation from this world to invite Him into mine.

The Pretenders

I think it's interesting the way we pretend.  We Christians really project the wrong image.  We act like we have it all together....like we don't have any problems.

Think about how many times we respond with....

 "I'm fine" when asked if we are ok?

You say..."Not much" when asked, "What's God up to in your life these days?"

And this line..."Oh, I don't have anything to share, life is great!", when asked "How can I pray for you?"

Hey...don't ask if you really don't want to hear the answer.

I don't know why we do that.  


Are we that prideful that we can't be open with each other?  


Get real.  Be honest.  


We all have problems because we live in a fallen world.  If nothing else we all know there is someone who needs Jesus and one person who could be prayed for.


There seems to be a very fragile glass house we like to construct around our perfect structured lives, to make it appear like the Christian life is grand.  It's the story we like to share with people because we don't want to be a burden with our own little problems, or our big problems.   But in doing so we really are cheating God. 


We are robbing God of the glory that belongs to Him.  By not being open and honest with our struggles, we dismiss the chance to give witness of any kind of God-change that happens, if we allow the work of God to take place.  


I might be guilty of this myself.


To outsiders, it might appear that I have all things under control and put the nicely ordered details of my life in a neat little Christian package with a pretty pink bow on top.  But honestly I have the same kind of struggles in many areas just like you.  


God is growing me into becoming a quirky God-fearing woman but it's not without my fair share of lessons along the way.  Buy me a cup of coffee sometime and I can tell you some stories.


Some potential believers think that they have to clean up before accepting Christ.  One look at our less-than-perfect-but-clean-on-the-outside lives and it makes Christianity look so unattainable.  What is needed is a wrecking ball loaded with God's awesome-ness to hit dead center on target to the delicate barriers we have carefully crafted.  


I don't have it all together.  I don't know of one person who does.  There is always something that we are hiding, covering up, or tucking into the inner ugly places and we don't want to deal with it.


Let's be honest with each other.  We need Jesus daily, we need to show our weakness and struggles with others so that they can see how God is working in our life.  We need addictions to be revealed so that we can be a living testimony to the saving and healing power of Jesus.  We need to go to our own burial grounds so that Jesus can roll away our stones and say "Come forth!"


I can't bring any perfection to this picture.  But I am thankful that God brings Jesus to the picture and sees me in His eyes of perfection.  By faith, I can share in that perfect big picture, but I know that I will never have it all together until I land in heaven.  I can't fix my broken parts.  God can and always has a better answer.  Let's just say...He has a lot of work to do.  


"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith." Ephesians 3:16-17

God has made great progress too.  At each turn in this road He will show me my godly response and actions as He aligns my heart with his.  If only one step at a time, with just enough light for the very next step, He will guide as He leads, fixes and heals.  With each correction, it's He who is the Answer to the questions, the why's, the hows, the whatever's.  There is plenty to give witness to from this heart. 


I don't assume to know it all.  But I love the One who does.  Oh and that protective glass barrier...that was destroyed long ago.  Ask me...I'll tell you!    

Why I Don't Watch Extreme Home Makeover

A sport I'll never compete 

It's the right mix of emotions, sawdust, sweat plus a heart-string story that makes Extreme Home Makeover, the TV show, a success.  Not to mention that well-deserving family gets a home totally paid for with a million dollar price tag.  It really is a show of community, support and healing.  I don't have a problem with that.  


But I don't watch that show.


Extreme Home Makeover certainly has helped a lot of communities and has given many families a brighter future by making major home improvements.  They have the reputation of being honest with their intentions and doing a ton of good things.  Every week, they also highlight wonderful companies that have exhibited over-the-top generosity.


Each episode is packed with many moving moments and plenty of tears. It's not that I am against home improvements, because I am not.  I am all about making home spaces appropriate and adequate.  


But I can't watch....because...It breeds discontentment in my heart.  


When I see each episode, I forget how blessed I am.  I have the natural urge to compete, I want to line my house up next to the guy next door.   And then, in true competition (it's sad but true)....I want you to chose my house over the other guy's....from what you see from the driveway.  The discontentment fever doesn't stop at the front door, it spreads to every other area of my life.  


I soon find myself wanting to....

Run like Forest Gump. 
Be skinny like Jillian Michaels.
Be published with a book series with a sequel already written.
Placing a stick of dynamite in my blog stats and be read around the globe. 
Be better than my neighbor at anything or something. 


I have remember that God hates my comparison sheet. This competitive sport of comparison are deadly. Comparison brings disgust in His heart.   


2 Corinthians 10:12 says, "We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." 


It's not a good practice to measure myself by the standards of man. Eventually there is always someone who is prettier, skinnier, smarter, faster, more connected, blogs faster and better plus has more readers or is just all around better than me. It makes me prideful, resentful and ungrateful.   


  "We say that people are proud of being rich, or clever, or good-looking, but not really. They are proud of being richer, or more clever, or better-looking than others. If everyone else became equally rich, or clever, or good-looking, there would be nothing to be proud about." ~ C.S. Lewis.

Knowing who are in Christ is also knowing who you don't have to be.

My danger in the sin of comparison is that I find myself looking to other people for my value and determining my value by how I compare myself with other people. It's fine for bargains, cars, and shoes… but not for people, not for things that matter, not for matters of faith. When I compare, I focus on the "i". The list lengthens of who gets what.  The best car, the higher paying job, designer trinkets, or even the most talented, the bigger blog, or even who has the latest iBook, iMac, iPhone or iPad, or anything in the land of shiny things.  

The measure of men doesn't satisfy. 

Only God's opinion matters..
and He thinks I'm pretty special just like I am..


"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. " Philippians 4:11-12.

Do you compare yourself to others?

Five Minute Friday {Grace}

Grace is a big topic so I will just define grace as...

And.......

     God's 

       Riches 

At 

        Christ's

          Expense

Do you see what I see?

Do you see grace?

Do you need grace?

Have you received God's grace?

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians. 2:8-9

Do you give grace?

Dance-Baby-Dance!

So You Think You Can Dance?

In Africa, our team learned a child's game that involved acting silly and dancing like white people only could while getting schooled by rhythmical kids.  Well...ok, maybe I was the only who might have felt a tad  inadequate while doing the chicken dance.  It was a game that involved a lot of kids as it showed their sweet personalities.  We cheered from the outer edge of the circle chanting..."Dance Baby Dance".  It good mixer game and needless to say, those kids knew how to dance.


Every time it was my turn there were people laughing of course, I will be the first to tell you that I am one uncoordinated white girl...ahem.  The next dancer was one of your choosing.  So as I scanned the smiling, chanting faces, I tried to pick one who hadn't had a turn yet.  That's why I picked her.


Her demeanor was quiet and timid.  I figured she didn't get picked often.  I knew how that felt as I was always last to be picked.  

When it came to playground games, I was usually on the fringe of fun.  

I think we do this with God sometimes.  Stand on the fringe of opportunities.  We want Him to pick us to play, and but then once asked to dance, we are are shy about getting involved in His work.  The way I see it accepting Christ as your Savior is a choice, but being his disciple isn't.  It's obedience.  It's His command.  The great commission in Matthew 28 is Jesus' first directive to move.


Go!  You can't go if you are standing still or standing on the sidelines, those fringes areas of faith.  God didn't call you to be a spectator.  God involves us because he wants to use us.  This party is really about Him, and proclaiming His name, making it known.  It's not about what we bring to the circle, with our dance moves or special talents.  He knows your abilities, He is more interested in your availability.  We must give Him an all access pass to our hearts!


Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

Did you see the word between go and make?  Once you go, there is a second part.  Go and...get involved.  Engage your neighbor, serve in missions, reach the lonely, be an example or mentor.  Share history, share HIS-story.  Wear the Christ that lives in your heart!  Do anything, do something!  We can't do everything but we can do one thing that affects one person to let them know that they matter!  Make a difference, care about someone outside your circle of influence.

What are those fringe faith areas where you have been hanging out?  Go back there and teach people how to dance, make disciples.  Invest in someone.  Show them a few of your dance moves, tell them how Christ has changed your life.  Once they see God's skills....they will see real change.  Show kindness, show love, live compassion.

Music Monday [Live Like That]

Thanks to Sidewalk Prophets 

for speaking the inner circle

prayer of every believer!  

Sometimes I think 
What will people say of me
When I'm only just a memory
When I'm home where my soul belongs

Was I love
When no one else would show up
Was I Jesus to the least of those
Was my worship more than just a song





(Chorus)
I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You
If love is who I am
Then this is where I stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back
I want to live like that
I want to live like that

Am I proof
That You are who you say You are
That grace can really change a heart
Do I live like Your love is true

People pass
And even if they don't know my name
Is there evidence that I've been changed
When they see me, do they see You

Chorus
I want to live like that
I want to live like that

I want to show the world the love You gave for me
(I want to live like that)
I'm longing for the world to know the glory of the King 


My favorite line in this song is two words..."Recklessly abandoned".  I want to live with reckless abandonment to the cause of Christ.  I want everything I say and do to point to Him.  I want the world to see the Love you gave to me.  I want to reflect you Jesus.  That is my heart's cry.  

God you have changed my heart to reflect yours.  

May you always find your home in mine. 

Yes, I want to live like that. 

Finish the Devil's Sermons

"The name of Jesus alone is enough to send your enemy running for the hills."

One of the great bloggers I read on a regular basis is Steven Furtick.  This is his post from yesterday.  It spoke to me...I hope it speaks to you.  

As you navigate the story that is unfolding in your life, you’ll be quick to find that discouragement is everywhere. It seems that the harder you run after God, the harder the devil is going to try to prevent you from getting where you’re going. And all he really has to do to trip us up is drop one little hint of discouragement in our ears.

You’re unworthy.

You’re a terrible father.

You’ll never be any better than this.

He’s said it to me and I know that he’s said it to you. The worst part is, the devil doesn’t necessarily speak in complete lies. He gives us half-truths with just enough reality to hit us between the eyes. But here’s an easy way that you can overcome those conniving schemes:

Finish the devil’s sermons.

It’s simple. The devil is only giving you half of the truth—give him the other half.

Yes, I am unworthy. I am absolutely nothing without Christ. But thankfully, He died so that I may become a new creation, void of you and full of the purpose that He has for my life.

No, I may not be a perfect father, but I am loved unconditionally by a perfect father who breathed the stars yet knows the number of hairs on my head. And He’s making me more like Him every day.

 You’re right. on my own accord, I can’t do any better than this. But I am not doing this by myself—I serve the LORD, who is able to do immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine.

 You don’t have to be Charles Spurgeon to preach the devil out of your life. The name of Jesus alone is enough to send your enemy running for the hills.

The devil will always try to show you the downside of your story. Make him pay. Show him who Jesus says you are.