a bit of influence from sean

a list of things swimming in my head:

1. I hope Benji likes his swim lesson today
2. I hope Isabell & David get great teachers this fall
3. how much of a 1st aid kit do we need for Ethiopia?
4. I’m not ready for Wed preachin
5. i’m tired from yesterday
6. Mon mornings don’t rank in my top 10 favs
7. resource management:  time, energy, money – with finite quantities, how to best maximize
8. I really like Mark’s new song – maybe he could post the lyrics somewhere bc the tune keeps running through my mind
9. i’m still tired
10. Ethiopia is just around the corner – what to do next summer?  Cambodia?
11. friends: i wonder how Jesse is doing?  what’s new w john & carol?  i liked getting to know margaret & Laef better. our church has some way cool peeps – they blow my mind
12. judi’s volunteer idea – awesome! 
13. I’ve got greek tonight – and i’m not ready

Ok, what swims in your brain besides brain juice?  😉

energy management

Ok, my 3 kids have LOTS of energy.  If you work it right, you can get alot accomplished.  Take for example, dish unloading from the dishwasher.  David is in charge of silverware, Benji does tupperware & Isabell does coffee mugs & cups. I do plates & bowls.  We’ve got it down to a pretty good science & everyone knows their groove.  Another way to use their energy is when company comes over.

We’re having a party later this afternoon, so I turned Benji into the transportation unit – carrying things back & forth, while David & Bell did clean up.  Yesterday, Isabell, David & I cut up 12 lbs of strawberries – yes, 12 lbs.  🙂 All things being considered, we’ve gotten alot accopmlished, although we still have alot to do.  Anyways, its just fun to watch them all pitch in to get things done. 

Do you think God likes it when we get involved with what He’s doing?  Just a thought from Reece’s preaching.

addiction that’s healthy

I like, I want, I need.  Simple progression that can have disasterous results.  You can apply these 3 words (like, want & need) to lots of things:  food, shopping, sex, reading, a relationship, drinking, snowboarding, . . . pick your own fav.  I had this progression well refined with people, so I became proficient in co-dependant relationships.  Great sadness, pain & destruction was the result. 

So how can we have a healthy addiction, given our human tendency to extremism?  Point the like, want, need paradigm in the right direction – the direction with truth.  Point this progression to Jesus because the reality of being human is that we’re designed to like Jesus, we’re designed to want Him & the core reality of being human is that we need Jesus.  Turn to Jesus, bend to Jesus and crave Him.  The older I get, the more I sense my need for Him.  I wonder what this will be like when I’m 55, 62, 70. . . .?  Truthfully, I’m a very needy person and accepting this state has been very liberating.  What I really need is Jesus.

experiments in cooking – I’m no martha stewart

Here’s a good life lesson – if at 1st you don’t succeed, keep trying until you do.  Last night, we had some friends for dinner & we tried grilling artichokes for the 3rd time.  The 1st time we tried to make this dish, I burned them too much.  The 2nd time, they weren’t done enough.  Last night, we pretty much hit the nail on the head – they turned out quite nicely. 

I’ve had the same experience with cooking roast beef – except its been a MUCH longer learning curve.  I’m embarrased to admit how many years its taken to get it where we like it and I’m on the cusp of getting baked chix about right (too dry or not cooked enough).  Did you ever hear about my coconut cream pie disasters?  Let’s leave that for a day when we all need a good laugh.

Anyways, my point is that you shouldn’t quit if you don’t get something right the 1st time, or the 2nd time, 3rd, etc.  Generally, good things are accomplished through perseverance – try my roast beef, butterscotch pie, tres leches cake & I’m still working to get a monte cristo into a form that’s desireable & tasty.

To conclude, please let me give a general thanks to Travis & Keith who let me call them with cooking questions.  My family says “thanks” for helping us eat better! 😉

shout out

Ok, I feel the need for some interactivity.  What are some books / authors that have been very influential in helping you grow with Jesus?  Hopefully, the Bible is in the top ten.  🙂

Here’s a list for me, in no particular order: Richard Foster, RT Kendall, Madame Guyon, E. Stanley Jones, John Stott, G. Campbell Morgan, Thomas Kelly, Roy Hession, . . . .  When I think of some more, I’ll come back w a comment, but that’s a pretty good start.

Who have you enjoyed reading, or who has challenged your growth in God?

simplicity

This summer, we’re trying to save money (along w everyone else) & one way that we’re doing this is by opening windows at various times in the day & running the air conditioning less – translated, not at all.  Personally, I really like this plan.  My body doesn’t have to adjust to various temps throughout the day – it just regulates to the constant.  We’ll see how long this lasts (today is supposed to be 98degrees).  Nevertheless, I like the fresh air, I like hearing the birds, I like hearing my kids playing outside, I like smelling the trees & flowers, etc. 

May your life be filled with the clarity that comes from simplicity.  Remember to turn to Jesus.  🙂

a wed night secret

I’m sure there’s a more savy way to do this (like some link, gidget, widget, patch, lambano switch, . . . . ) that someone will educate me on, soon, but please read sean brage’s blog .  Then come tonight for something possibly in the high octane (not octive) range – we want need God.