I've been thinking a lot lately about grandparents. Specifically, my grandparents as compared to the grandparents that I encounter these days. My Nana is now 101 and still kickin', though as much as I hate to admit - I know that can't go on forever. She's in a wheelchair now and her mind "comes & goes", but she still plays bingo a few times a week. :) Incredible!
We lost our beloved "Popoo" on New Years Eve 1989, but at least once a day something makes me think of him. They taught me and my siblings so very much - lessons that have helped all seven of us become responsible, law-abiding, respectable citizens - and isn't that ultimately all we ever want for our kids and grand-kids?
I think I'll do a little series on all the little things they taught me, as much for me as for the readers here, because with my first grandson on the way I'm thinking more and more "I want to be THAT kind of grandparent."
Just for the heck of it, I went back and read some posts from a few years ago when I first started this blog. When I changed the name to "Frugal Grace", it was a way of combining two of my passions: saving money and my faith (not necessarily in that order, of course).
Lately, the "grace" part has been scarce here (though not in my mind)... I think it's time to get back to basics and blog more about what God is doing in my life instead of just quickly zipping off money-saving deals. This is not to say I won't post deals, but I need to start looking inward more than outward... I'm babbling again.
I'm so excited to read this book - I hope you will be, too! We need to be RADICAL for Christ!
It's easy for American Christians to forget how Jesus said his followers would actually live, what their new lifestyle would actually look like. They would, he said, leave behind security, money, convenience, even family for him. They would abandon everything for the gospel. They would take up their crosses daily...
BUT WHO DO YOU KNOW WHO LIVES LIKE THAT?
DO YOU?
In Radical, David Platt challenges you to consider with an open heart how we have manipulated the gospel to fit our cultural preferences. He shows what Jesus actually said about being His disciple--then invites you to believe and obey what you have heard. And he tells the dramatic story of what is happening as a "successful" suburban church decides to get serious about the gospel according to Jesus.
Finally, he urges you to join in The Radical Experiment --a one-year journey in authentic discipleship that will transform how you live in a world that desperately needs the Good News Jesus came to bring.
"The poet Muriel Rukeyser said the universe is composed of stories, not of atoms. The physicist Werner Heisenberg declared that the universe is made of music, not of matter.
And we believe that if you habitually expose yourself to toxic stories and music, you could wind up living in the wrong universe, where it's impossible to become the gorgeous genius you were born to be.
That's why we implore you to nourish yourself with delicious, nutritious tales and tunes that inspire you to exercise your willpower for your highest good."
-- Rob Brezsny
What's going into your eyes, ears, head, heart...?
A dear new friend confessed last week that she is a "Chronic Over-Sharer", and it struck a chord with me. This is a theme that God seems to have put in my life the past few months.
Beth Moore says in herstudy of Esther:"We can not realize our destiny without transparency."
I'm sorry to break this to you, but yes, I tend to babble at times. I know this comes as a major shock. Ha! This is something that I have tried to reign in over the past year, and had much prayer about (obviously, God isn't done with me yet if this post is any indication!).
Yesterday's post gnawed at me last night...Satan kept whispering "You shouldn't have posted that long bit about your father. No one cares. No one wants to read that depressing mess...You should delete it - right now (at midnight) or first thing in the morning at least. Really, that was just pathetic!"
I've spent an awful lot of energy and time concealing certain parts of my life from others. I know I'm not alone here - can I get an "Amen" from the sisters?? Some things I just don't share with people - whether I've known them for years or just met them recently. They are shameful, embarrassing, and yes - I fear those people won't accept me anymore if they knew. If you're one of those people who has read my blog from the beginning, you might be thinking to yourself right now "Oh, I don't see that she has ANY trouble sharing...I remember that one post...oh, and THAT one - yikes!"
Butreal transparency?
I want to be transparent.
I want to be a Chronic Over-Sharer if it will help someone else along their journey. And for my friend - your sharing most definitely helps! :)
I want to be a person who knows so deeply in her heart that "There is therefore now no condemnation..."that I can share freely, truly, and be authentic in every part of my life.
I'm just trying to figure out how to do that. Any tips? :)
I'm really trying to get back to a Happy Place here at Frugal Grace, but there's just been a lot going on that I need to process lately. So I hope I'm not totally bumming everyone out here!
This morning, I read the news that Andrew Koenig's body was found in a park in Vancouver. I also read that Brittany Murphy died from a lethal combination of cold medications, which she was taking properly but her body just couldn't handle. Just two more Hollywood deaths, right? Last weekend, my husband and I watched Michael Jackson's movie "This is It", which is a documentary covering his preparations for his final tour which, as we all know, was not meant to be. I cried.
This guttural reaction to these stories surprised me. I mean, I cried about Haiti and I don't know those people either. But that's different, right? These three were Hollywood stars - people who had everything, people who the media have, and will surely continue to, crucify: for being selfish, careless, and downright "crazy" in MJ's case. in the case of Brittany Murphy, they have already accused of being everything from a drug addict to a brainwashed bride. In MJ's case, for being "weird", eccentric, owning a pet monkey, buying all the rights to all the Beatles songs, having an amusement park in his yard...we know all the "crazy" stories. And in case you haven't heard, his "child molestation" accusers have all admitted that they lied for their parents to get his money - one under force by his very abusive father.
I cried because all of their deaths were preventable, Because these were young people that I "grew up with", because they are my age and people my age aren't supposed to die in parks all alone or from trying to get over a cold at home or trying to get a decent night's sleep.
I cried because it could have been me.
Mostly I cried for their families. How do you handle something so tragic as the death of someone in the very prime of life? How do Michael Jackson's children grow up and thrive and become normal adults when they are - MICHAEL JACKSON's kids? How will they deal with the horrible stories when they start reading them when no one is around to monitor them as they get older? How do Andrew Koenig's parents and friends deal with the grief and guilt that they might have been able to save him from the inner demons of depression? How do Brittany Murphy's family and friends handle the fact that they lost their beloved because she took medications as her doctors instructed?
I pray that they were all Christians. I pray that they are all now with Jesus - singing and dancing and acting out wonderful plays for audience of Our Father. I pray that their deaths won't be brushed under the rug or quickly forgotten, because there is so much to learn from each one.
* Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2
So what if Michael Jackson bought a pet monkey and had an amusement park in his back yard? Let's all admit it, if we had the kind of money that he did - after we gave to the poor and fed the hungry and sheltered the homeless - we'd probably buy some things that others think are "crazy", too. He was robbed of his childhood, he tried to recreate it and be as happy as possible in his own Neverland as an adult. Why? Because he COULD. He also gave millions to his friends and family and charities around the globe. He was also a devoted father who was raising 3 amazing kids, from all accounts, and allowing them something he never had - a beautiful childhood. He also ended nearly every sentence with “God Bless You” to whomever he was talking with, or “it’s all in L O V E - love” We never heard that in the press, huh?
* He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. - Psalm 147:3
Andrew Koenig died from depression. He gave away his belongings, sent a note to his parents, and went into his favorite park, where he felt "at home", and took his own life. Depression is very real. It kills people every day. It is a lonely, horrible disease - I know, I have battled it for 20+ years. I heard John Mayer's song "Heartbreak Warfare" this morning and thought of the tragic discovery yesterday afternoon in Vancouver: "If you want more love, why don't you say so?"....when you're depressed, you can't say "I need more love!" even though that's what you're screaming inside. You feel unworthy of love. I've been where he was, mentally. It's scary and horrible and the only things that got me through those suicidal times was my children and my faith in Jesus Christ - for He does heal the broken-hearted and binds up our wounds. Sometimes depressed people don't know Him, sometimes they do but they are too far gone to turn to Him for healing, sometimes they just need someone to shake them and say "LOOK UP! Look to Jesus!" not "Shake it off, get over it, take a walk - you'll feel better."
In Brittany Murphy's case - we need to learn to be SO careful with medications. This is the saddest example of how even mixing drugs that are considered safe on their own can be deadly. We need to be aware ourselves and teach our children to know their pharmacists as they grow up, to pick up the phone when they are sick and call them - to see if combining an inhaler with a painkiller and an antibiotic - all prescribed by a doctor - is safe.
But most of all, we need to learn to accept people.We need to love them, no matter who they are or what they do for a living – everyone is valuable in the eyes of God, everyone is created and loved by Him, and everyone deserves to know Him and SEE him in us. I have been guilty of joining in the Mob Mentality regarding celebrity stories, and sharing in the gossip and debates about their lives. But these three stories have touched me somehow. They have made me realize that they deserve to be loved as Christ loves us – because no matter what – He loves them too. So while I’m praying for my friends and family, and my leaders and children and the prayer requests from church – I will add the famous in our society to that list.I’ll pray that they ALL come to know Christ, because nothing else in their lives – or ours – is seeing that all people know Jesus.
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you,
"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." Romans 7:15
I hate to procrastinate - or rather I hate what results from my procrastination. But I keep doing it! I sit and think "I need to do this, that, and the other..." and yet - I sit and do none of them. I've gone from someone who used to be the one always a little early - just in case - to someone who's hubby tells her daily that she "really need[s] to work on time management".
Last night I seriously prayed about this and asked God to show me how to be more productive and overcome this issue in me. Here's what I was led to:
* Set the Blackberry to "phone only" during work hours. No more checking every text message, email, Facebook reply, or Tweet as they occur. If it's important (my kids, hubby, mom, etc) - they can call me.
* To Do Lists aren't just for enjoying the pretty, colored Post-Its dotting my desk. I need to actually start DOING the things on them. Knocked out at least 1 item this morning so far. Actually 2, if you count the one that says "Blog!" on one of them.
* Possibly, maybe, perhaps....give up the Blackberry altogether.
I'm still struggling with this last one - however, it would certainly help my first goal, and be cheaper! Since Lent starts tomorrow (thanks for the reminder, Joan!) I may just use that as my "excuse". More updates on this matter as they arise...
So, those are my three short-term goals. Oh, one more - get to work before 10am from now on - which means I gotta go!
If you're able to watch this without getting goosebumps (or crying), please let me know. I've heard this a million times, and it never fails to touch my heart. I don't think anyone could do "O, Holy Night" better than Martina McBride except Jesus himself.
Does anyone else ever just feel like their world is spinning out of control? That's how I'm feeling right about now - just too, too much going on in my life lately.
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen.
Reinhold Niebuhr
Huh. I never read the 2nd part of the Serenity Prayer until I just Googled it to make sure I had the wording right in the first part. I used to think this prayer was just something for AA meetings, which frankly turned me off to it right from the git-go since I have a long family history of alcohol abuse in my family. But in the past year or so, I've embraced it as sort of a motto for myself. Accepting the things I can not change - is really hard for someone who has a really, really hard time NOT being in control of things.
Then there are times like this week - and yes, it's only Tuesday, not a good sign. Times when I feel like I have no control over ANYTHING, and I feel spazzed out and like I'm just turning in circles and waiting for the next phone call, or letter, or email to tell me something ELSE has happened that - yes - I can't control! It's not worry, I don't really worry so much anymore. It's just a feeling of helplessness - of too much work at the end of the year, too much craziness with the holidays that have become just....too much, children growing up and out and making mistakes, and parents being sick and dying and family that I don't even know being the only lifeline I have between the past and the near future and ... it makes no sense, I know. That's why I'm feeling so frazzled. I like things to make sense!!!
But now I sit here, thinking I just figured I'd write a blog entry since I haven't in a few days. I started typing the first thing that came to mind. I went to trusty Google to look up a verse, and I realize that has God used this time - right now, tonight, as I sit here feeling like my life is spinning out of control. He allowed me to come upon that particular version on Google, the version with the second part instead of the other "516,000 results for serenity prayer" that only have the first verse.
I can feel him saying "Take a deep breath. It's ok. You don't have to spin with it all...just come sit awhile with me and let me do what I'm doing in your life - with you, for you, and because of you. I have a plan."
Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will.
I'd like to issue a Bloggy Challenge today! Instead of giving gifts this year that will, most likely, end up in next summer's yard sale - why not give a gift that will make a HUGE difference in the life of a stranger? It's so easy, and you - and the recipient - will feel so great for doing it! Just visit Samaritan’s Purse Christmas gift catalog and pick one or two or ten to give.
Here are some of my favorites…
Feed a hungry baby for a week $9
Give an orphan a month of loving care $35
Rescue a child from bondage and abuse $75
Provide care for AIDS orphans and widows $45
Supply a community with clean water $18 (for a family)
Bibles and Christian literature $15
Or choose "Where Most Needed" and make a donation of any amount. It was so hard for me to decide that this is the option I chose.
I wonder how many donations we could get if we all teamed up and wrote one post on our blogs with our favorite gifts of love and a link to Samaritan’s Purse?
Oh, and if you purchase a gift by Sunday at 9pm EST, you have 10 extra entries into this Sondra Roberts purse giveaway at Like A Warm Cup of Coffee! (retail value $107)
Please leave a comment and let us all know what your family chose to give!
Over at ExemplifyOnline, Kristen is treating us to some wonderful Christmas themed fun this month!
Today's is listing your Christmas Playlist. Here's mine, so far:
Oh Holy Night – Martina McBride TSO – Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24b (and the whole Christmas Eve and Other Stories CD) Mary, Did You Know? – Michael English (I get chills just typing that one!) Santa Claus is Coming to Town – gotta love The Boss! (Bruce Springsteen) Do They Know It’s Christmas – Band Aid Happy Christmas (War is Over) – John Lennon Holly Jolly Christmas – Burl Ives Let it Snow – Dean Martin Breathe of Heaven – Amy Grant O Come, O Come, Emmanuel – Nicole C. Mullen God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – Sarah Mclachlan & Bare Naked Ladies Joy to the World – Natalie Grant Away in a Manger – Casting Crowns Anything by Mannheim Steamroller Anything by Bing Crosby!
What are your favorite Christmas tunes??
Link up with Exemplify's Christmas Playlist for your chance to win the new Casting Crowns Christmas CD and be sure to check out the fun stuff the rest of the month there!
So, after blogging and talking and researching it for quite awhile - I finally started my fast. Before you read further, realize that I know that there are people who have done this before, and for MUCH longer, but this was my first time and frankly - God blew my socks off!!
I'd never fasted (on purpose) before, and I was certain I'd cave before afternoon break time. However, being the overachiever that I sometimes am - I decided to do 24 days, ending on Thanksgiving Day - how perfect!
But after 5 days, I started feeling led to stop. I questioned whether it was me subconsciously thinking that I wanted to stop, or God telling me to stop... so I kept going for 2 more days.
Sunday at church, I got this overwhelming sense of peace and felt.... "ok, I'm done." And the crazy part of it all is - after 7 days without so much as a nibble of a crumb of food, I didn't even want any. It wasn't like I was starving and thinking I needed an 'excuse' to stop fasting. I haven't felt better in ...well, ever. Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually - never better. Just typing this makes me want to do it again! My husband was pleasantly surprised at how NICE I was during this, as well. The night before I started he said "Please don't get all cranky and take it out on me." I don't know where he got that crazy idea! o:) Instead of being cranky, I was happier last week than I can ever remember being. Peaceful, content, at times bouncy and energetic (yeah, people were looking at me kinda funny at those times) - but mostly just so at peace. Amazing.
You know how we always say "I'm starving!" or even just "I'm hungry!"? One thing I did while I was going through this fast was to think about and pray for all of those who don't have the choice of whether or not they will eat each day: in my neighborhood, my county, my state, country, world...there are people who die every day because they have no food. It really puts things into perspective. And I'm amazed now at just how little food we really need to survive - and how truly gluttonous we can be, even just eating a "normal meal". Seriously, a regular dinner for one person at say - Olive Garden - could feed a starving family somewhere to the point of them all being stuffed. And yet, we just take it for granted and say "More breadsticks, please!"
Sorry, now I'm babbling ...it's hard to put all of this into words that make any sense. :)
This is definitely something that I will do regularly. I never would have imagined I would/could go without eating for a WEEK, but I did and I'm now walking closer to God than I ever have before. I was hungry - but not for food. I craved worship, I prayed constantly, I didn't want to even watch tv or listen to anything but praise music on the radio... it was incredible and all seemingly out of my control.
It is hard for me to put into words what this has meant to me. Bill Bright of Campus Crusade expresses exactly what I've felt, though:
As I began my fast, I was not sure I could continue for forty days. But my confidence was in the Lord to help me. Each day His presence encouraged me to continue. The longer I fasted, the more I sensed the presence of the Lord. The Holy Spirit refreshed my soul and spirit, and I experienced the joy of the Lord as seldom before. Biblical truths leaped at me from the pages of God's Word. My faith soared as I humbled myself and cried out to God and rejoiced in His presence.
I am posting this so that anyone else who is afraid or wondering about fasting will know that "with God, ALL things are possible". Don't be afraid. You can do it.
If you're feeling led to fast - do it! You will never regret it.
I'm more than a little nervous today. The new ExemplifyOnline meme, The WeeklyWednesdayWhatever debuts today! I am so honored to be part of the amazing group of women at Exemplify, and I thank Kristen and the team for trusting me to write this weekly feature. It is truly humbling to be used in the company of such godly women writers and ministers!
My prayer is that whatever is written will be from Him and used by Him for HIS Glory. I pray that as you read each week, you are blessed by what God gives me to ponder... and that it will draw you closer to Him.
I was flipping through channels Saturday night, and stopped on what looked like a new reality show. This one is different from the usual, though. It's a Christian reality show called Thunder Road! It follows Ben Cerullo and his crew on their missions around the world.
It was *awesome*!
I got online to check out his website, and found his wonderful new book FREE: "Proof of Love" (e-book). This is great for new Christians and old, and can be a great ministry tool for your friends and family! Check it out! :) There are TONS of other resources at the site to help you grow in your walk with Jesus.
This team are not a bunch of bench warmers - they are going OUT to reach people, and don't care how far they have to travel or how desperate the location. It's an awesome thing to see, and so inspirational to see all of the lives changed and people who may never have heard the Word receiving it through this small group of men & women from various backgrounds.
You can watch Thunder Road at http://www.bencerullo.com/ or check your local Christian television station listings.
