BookClub

Hi friends. This thought came to me one restless night. Use my blog to stay connected with you all as we embark on the book, A Woman After God's Own Heart. I hope you all will avail yourself of the tool. One of the things I want to do is build our momentum. It's been my experience that I am often more talkative after meeting together; I've had time to process and think about what others have shared. Anyone else had that experience? So please....let's get on this 'blogger highway' and discuss the book as we read. I want (we want!) to hear from you. What's on your mind? It's helpful to include the page number so we can all look up the sentence or paragraph. Feel freedom to include links or songs that are meaningful to you. I want us to be eager to get together for the next bookclub. Monday June 28 :)

Our first meeting we will be discussing Part 1: The Pursuit of God.

Before we even begin the book I want to say this....this book is primarily focused on the disciplines we can follow to place ourselves before God to transform us.

Remember Elizabeth's comment about the "path of disciplined grace"

"It is discipline, because there is work for us to do. It is Grace, because the life of God which we enter into is a gift we can never earn...Discipline in and of itself does not makes us righteous, it merely places us before God....The transformation...is God's work"

Of first importance is that we truly understand that no discipline makes us acceptable to God. Jesus Christ did that work on His cross. He perfectly lived and died. That's all done. Ours now is the joy of living out the good of those realities; to get on with the good works He has prepared for us. We would miss the whole point if all our discussion and meeting were lost on working harder for God. May I present the idea that it's quite the opposite. All that we are going to discuss is birthed out of Jesus' work. We get to shatter the alabaster box at His feet and fill the room with that sweet aroma of worship and devotion for all that He has done for us. And not only that, but He enthusiastically welcomes us to come join Him in the work He is doing today on the earth. Indeed, it is a wonderful time to be alive! I can't wait to see what treasures are store for each one of us!

See you Monday. :)

Here's a link to feast on. www.offirstimportance.org

Mary Kay and Katie

You never know what a phone call will bring. I still don't have caller id so sometimes I just have to rely on my voice recognition skills (or lack thereof) to identify callers. Other times I'm totally at a loss, hoping for some "clue" that will reveal who I'm talking to!

Last night I heard from my childhood friend, Wendi. We've know each other since we were 7 years old. That's 39 years! Wow....anyway, after a few moments of jubilation, the conversation became very somber. Another mutual friend of ours just received the worst news...Her nine year old daughter, Katie, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Please, all of you who still believe that God's miracles have NOT ceased for our day, please pray for her. She lives in L.A. All I know is that a few weeks ago she was just like any other little girl, playing soccer and enjoying life. Mary Kay and Bob are her parents. She has an older sister. I believe she is 12.

Thank you friends. "Daily bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the love of Christ."

Real Estate

Hi family and friends. Ellie Mae...I especially wanted you to see this. I passed my real estate exam! Yep...I'm joining Tim and together we have a plan to do this real estate thing. I've been consumed for more than a month (60 hours of Principles of Real Estate) plus study time just getting ready for my exam. I enjoyed learning all the new terminology and the general scope of what this field is all about. Today I met with Tim's broker; soon to mine as well. He says that being a team will really bring some stuff out...good and not so good. I'm especially excited to work with Tim and learn from him. Wow...I can't wait to meet all these new friends and see God's plan unfold.

Double Dutch Bus Won't Let Me Off

What do you do when you can't shake an idea, a thought? What do you do when you have time to "dream" and your thoughts run to kids jumping between two ropes, giving it all they got? I guess you start asking more questions. Hey, is this something I should pursue for our kids?

And so, I find myself on websites like the Jumping Bulldogs and the Superskippers. How did they start? They started with a thought which led them to the next step.

I can see the kids gathering around learning the basic skills. I can see those who want to belong to something standing around hoping they could get up the courage to hop in and give it a try.

Watch and see if things happen here. Let me know if you have a similar dream.

Double Dutch Does Good

The other night, I went to a game night with a bunch of teenagers on Spring Break. What a blast. Usually, I have a hard time staying up past 9:30, (except on Monday nights). This night was different though. I truly didn't want to go home even when the clock said it was 11 p.m. A few different things happened. My dear friend and I turned rope for double dutch. If you've never seen it or tried it, well, let's say it's something you won't forget! If you turn the double ropes, you will immediately know if you are coordinated or not. Also, your physical fitness will be put on display! (The jumpers are not the only ones who are workin' it!)

So here we are, two moms just having fun as we watch the group grow in size and see various guests try to get into the "mouth of the whale." Frankly, I just couldn't stop laughing. I had to turn my head away at one guy (JD) who approached the ropes with a little jig, hoping to get the rhythm first before he got into the middle. Some kids got it right away. Some came flying in and thought that maybe if they hopped around enough and high enough, they might get the beat. Sorry! The ones that surprised me the most were some of the basketball players who came over. They were determined to "get it." And some really did!

I didn't know that two ropes, with two moms could produce so much fun. I only wish I had gotten pictures to post it. I am thinking though...uuum...what would it take to organize a "double dutch team"? Is there such a thing as "Double Dutch for Dummies?" I can see it as a way to attract a crowd, a way to talk to people, get to know them a bit, invite them over. Uuum...it's got me thinking.... Could the Father use double dutch team to build a bridge to share the Good News with our community? I think He can. What about you?

Go ahead...jump in!

Gratitude

"It is a sign of mediocrity to show gratitude in moderation."

Let it not be said of us that we are mediocre. Help me with this girls.

Bye Chuckie. See You Next Year.

Yep...we put Charlie and his pals away in the shed. Still have remnants of Christmas around...a random wreath here, a Christmas mug there. It was great to be quiet this year.

I wonder what this new year will bring. I hope for a softer heart towards God and others. I hope for more freedom in my mind as I learn and live what grace is and does. I hope for more joy and enthusiasm in every area of life. I hope for more of God's presence, more clarity in hearing His voice...not just when I'm praying but when I'm doing dishes or cleaning laundry or driving around or standing in line somewhere. I know He speaks; I hope I hear.