52 Blessings Week 7: Facebook

Yeah, I'd never have guessed it either, but Facebook has turned out to be one of those things that I get talked into that I really enjoy (I believe I have Mundane Jane to thank for that. She gets me into most of these internets obsessions). I've been on Facebook for a while now, but really didn't spend/waste much time there, but now it's moved right up the list of things I have to check. Why? Because now I know some faithful Facebook friends, people who post and comment and write on your wall and send you flair. And it's almost instant. And you can chat with any friend who happens to be online, whether that's a friend from across the street or around the world and whether you talked to them last at lunch or 1991.

Yesterday was my birthday and it was fun to get so many wishes on Facebook. I'm surrounded by great friends now and my family never forgets, so the Facebook friends are an added bonus.
Of course, I understand it's not all happiness and light. There is my looming word game addiction to worry about, but I'll think about that some other time.

(And this is a not-so-secret ploy to add to my Facebook friends. If you'd like to be my virtual friend, look for me! Seriously. And if you can't find me, comment here and I'll find you! Seriously! I'm all about adding the Facebook friends.)

Just thinking of you today...

So, I have another favorite message. In addition to "I saw this and thought of you", I'm also loving "Just thinking about you. Have a happy day." I got these flowers today, unexpectedly, from my brother. How sweet is that? So in addition to being an unexpected gift, which we know I love, I also got flowers! I love flowers. Well, not the actual planting them in the ground and weeding and watering and stuff like that. If they need all that from me, they're going to die. It's a harsh fact of life, but fact nevertheless.

So here's another lesson I need to learn from that...other people need to know I'm just thinking about them and that I want them to have a happy day. I've been on a sort of (internal) rampage lately, briefly interrupted by my conviction delivered via email yesterday in words I wrote myself. Being reminded that someone loves me and wants me to have a happy day helps. It really does.

Six Flags over Jesus

I was emailing with someone this weekend and the subject of religion came up. He said he wasn't much into the whole "six flags over Jesus" thing and felt like it was just more important to be a good person. Really? (Warning: stepping up on the soap box.)

Never heard "six flags over Jesus" before? Me, either (and I would remember because it's a pretty clever little phrase). Basically, it refers to a mega church, which has services like...a coffee shop...a gym...a bookstore...gasp. And it collects money. And has a membership of 20,000 and 8 parking lots...and it's all orderly. And then get this, from the pulpit, you get messages, you know, like maybe a preacher might deliver. In a church!

I've been to a couple of mega-churches...that were not evil, cash cows looking to sucker the masses in to support the man. They were successful. They are successful in reaching people, in drawing them in and, clearly, in getting support and building a connection.

Six flags over Jesus...man, that's cynical, but the world's cynical and ready to enlighten any "poor" person who might believe in the possibility of good in people and hope for the future. Churches are supposed to be poor and struggle, right? Not be successful and powerful and alive. Oh, and you shouldn't enjoy worshiping either, so let's be suspicious.

And trying to be a "good" person...where does the standard come from? There's absolutely no way to be good enough and, in fact, the reason we have mega-churches in the first place is that there are a whole lot of people who realize they will never be good enough. And that's OK anyway because they can still be accepted and still serve and accomplish God's purpose...through His church, no matter the size. What you did matters less than who you know and what you can do.

Whether you worship in a mega-church or a country church or a countryside, that's religion. To me, faith is a relationship. Yes, worship is important, but that relationship, that's life and death. When you realize that just being a good person isn't enough, that there's more to this world than what you can get for yourself, and you reach out to begin that relationship with Jesus Christ, that's faith. And that's critical. And letting something silly like an aversion to mega-churches or televangelism or, even worse, all the hypocrites (or politics or fill in the blank) that fill churches today keep you from that relationship is just a cop out. And it's dangerous. And sad.

But I didn't say any of that. Yet.

I just thought it.

The proper response isn't defense, and really, it's OK to choose to worship somewhere besides the big church. I don't think it's really fair to judge them until you know more about them, and "six flags over Jesus" seems pretty judgmental. What's really more important is the whole "focus on being a good person" argument.

Wonder what I'll say about that? My answer is still pending...

Romans 3:22-24
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

(stepping down off the soap box now)

52 Blessing Week 6: Time Saving Devices

My usual time saving device involves a drive-thru and disposable silverware, but in the effort to turn over my new leaf...I've been cooking. And that means dishes. I think my dishwasher has gotten more use in the past week that maybe the year before combined. (And this is not my dishwasher...either the dog or the household appliance but it sorta goes with the dog chef on the other blog.)

So in the past week, I've eaten out twice.

And cooked all the OTHER NIGHTS! I can't believe it myself. And exercised just a little: up to 10 pounds.

And I bought some jewlery.

Diet Cokes...yeah, well, this may be the first resolution to die.

The book...just outlined a little. I need to get serious about this one.

Soul mate...thank goodness I have a dog. And a dishwasher.

Motivation

This has been one of those weeks where I've done some growing, tried some new things that worked out. I love those times. I like to learn new things, but to be happy, I have to be good at those things. And beginners aren't usually good. Most things take practice and stick-to-it-ive-ness in order to be really successful.

This week, I cooked. I don't cook. This week, I cooked 5 nights out of 7. I cooked new things and they were edible and I call that success.

I tried the American Christian Writers meeting and it was fabulous, so much fun. Of course, the idea that they also meet to critique writing causes me to pause. Memories of my Creative Writing course at Ouachita rear up...I never wanted a class to end as badly as I wanted that one to be over, not even Finance, Economics, or Statistics. And it wasn't the writing. It was the class critique, which was always good but also always had the threat of being not-so-good. And I think if you write, criticism follows (not sure, but I think that's how it's supposed to work, right? Maybe I should rethink this goal!), but that's a worry for some other time. Let's see if I actually get anything written first.

And at our time management Lunch & Learn, I realized that I could do the things I want to do, the things that are a part of my purpose. There is really nothing holding me back. The biggest obstacle: time wasters. I've got to get control of my time wasters. And I'm motivated right now. Maybe I'll try to work on that this weekend, but I really like those time wasters so it's going to take some prayer! So this is another question of focus, keeping my eyes on where I'm going and waving off distractions...yep, gonna take some prayer.

Hebrews 12

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

A little light-headed

I'm doing a little branching out and the change in atmosphere is making me a little light-headed. I don't network. I don't mingle. I'm much better at forming a cluster with my friends than meeting new people. I am pretty good at keeping the cluster together because I hate to see anyone left out, but being out on my own is a scary thing.

So at the last Marketplace Connection lunch, I had to make a decision: force my friend to bunch up to make room for me at their filled table or find someone new to sit with. And in a shocking turn of events (tied mainly to the fact that I don't like to bother people either), I sat at a different table and made conversation with people I didn't know well. And then Mary invited me to the meeting of the American Christian Writers chapter at FamilyLife. And the topic is perfect for me. And I'm going (because, well, you know...I guess I've decided I'm going to try to be a writer and all). All this newness...it's going to be OK, right? Sure it will.

Update

So, while I'm still sticking with the resolutions, here's an update:
1. Jewelry: none. I went a little shop-looking but no buying.
2. Diet Cokes: well, I was off to a good start, but now I'm sliding. I'm back up to 3, one with each meal.
3. Diet and exercise: so far, so good. I've managed to do something to move around a bit more than usual every day and have lost 4 whole pounds. It seems like it should be 400 but no, only 4. In fact, I even cooked this weekend. Twice. It is shocking. AND there were no potholders lost in the effort. I think I'm getting better.
4. The book: I spent some time this weekend re-reading what I've written on the blogs to see if my subject is lurking around here. I think it is, but that's as far as I've made it.
5. Soul mate: well, yeah, see, it's like this...no news here.

52 Blessings Week 5: Encouraging Words

As I was trudging up the hill to my house last night after an unprecedented fifth lap around my neighborhood, I felt like there should be a finish line with lots of people cheering for me. Each lap is only half of a mile, but it's the hills...the hills! It felt like a big deal to me, but the rest of the world...missed it, just went on with their stuff. And that's how it should be. If there really had been a finish line and a crowd waiting, I might never have started. I don't need that much pressure!

Real life is just like that to me. When I feel like celebrating a success, the rest of the world might celebrate with me, but when I'm struggling, it often seems like I struggle alone. And yesterday I was disappointed. Disappointed in people. It's really easy to get that way, but it's a mistake to stay that way. And that's when you need some encouraging words, whether it's that you did a good job or are making progress or don't have to feel bad because you can't do it all or maybe it's just a reminder that you aren't alone.

If you are an encourager by nature, you don't get enough credit. Thank you. You are a joy to be around. I'm lucky enough to know several. I'm not an encourager, not because I don't care or don't want to be, but usually because I'm just oblivious, wrapped up in my own stuff. I need to be more aware because I understand what a difference the right words can make.

1Thessalonians 5:11
11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Ups and Downs

I need some phraseology help if any of you out there are good at that sorta thing. I know there's a downhome saying about having to take your own advice, something about eating what you cooked and this post would be so much better if it would come to me. But it won't, so we move on!

I was reading my first writing sample for Marketplace Connection that went out this morning about resolutions. As I read, I thought to myself, "Well, crud. I did say that, didn't I?" And I made some this year. Of course, I didn't stick to my own advice. That would be too easy. Here's what I came up with:

1. Buy more jewelry (this I can do. Got it. No problem, since more would just be...like, a pair of earrings. I'm not a good shopper.)
2. Work on my Diet Coke thing. I was using "Quit Smoking", but I don't smoke so that's just cheating. Right? It is, right? Because I'd still like to use it because it's easy but...OK, it's cheating. So I managed to cut down to 1 a day. Until yesterday. And already today. This isn't looking good.
3. Lose weight and exercise more. The problem with this one is that it's way too general. And that's probably my only hope of meeting it! Still, so far, I've managed to diet for 4 days. And exercise for 4 days. Not a record, but a modest success.
4. Write that book I've been meaning to get done. This could be the biggest violation on my list: it's not simple and with all the dieting and exercise, my brain is not functioning as well as it used to.
5. And I put "Find my soulmate" down because it was on the list of most popular resolutions. And I thought it was funny. And I figure...if it's that easy for everyone else, I ought to be able to do it too, ignoring all the evidence to the contrary. Right? I'm pretty sure writing the book is going to be easier than this one.

Really, as I look at the list, they're all things I want to do. And with the exception of #5, I think they are all things I can do, things I will do. So, overall, not too bad.

And then I run through the things that I've been thinking and saying to myself all week. Defeating myself before I've even begun. That's the thing with me. I take 2 steps forward and 3 steps back. If you look at the post right before this one, it was all about fresh starts. I believed it then and now I'm beating myself up over the past. And that just has to stop.

I do believe God is going to do a new thing. And He will do it in my life if I'll just get out of the way. I have to keep my eye on the goal, stop looking back. In Philippians 3:12-16 (Msg), Paul wrote:

Focused on the Goal
12-14I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.

15-16So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.

I'm fairly certain this is going to take some patience. And that's not one of my strong points. Paul's a great example. I don't have it all together either, but I can't let that stop me. I've gotta get on the right track and stay on it!

52 Blessings Week 4: Fresh Starts

I love the week between Christmas and New Year's day. I normally store up vacation so that I have a great break at a great time. And it's the time of resolutions and thinking about what you want the next year to be like. And new calendar pages. I really like blank calendars. It's a shame that they get so crowded and cluttered so soon! Today I'm really thinking about what a blessing it is that we get to start over.

I stepped on a scale. And immediately regretted it. But the fact is that the number that shows up there is something that is in my power to change. I should know. I've done it over and over and over and over...but this time could be different. I'm not doomed to the same mistakes (although they seem nearly impossible to break out of) because I get to start over. And in any one of a thousand other areas where I've messed up, I get to start over from where I am. Make a change. Try something different. Make a difference. It's discouraging if I look at how many times I've had to start over, but it does not change the fact that I am so lucky to have a new day, a fresh calendar, to try it again.

Isaiah 43
16 This is what the LORD says—
he who made a way through the sea,
a path through the mighty waters,

17 who drew out the chariots and horses,
the army and reinforcements together,
and they lay there, never to rise again,
extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:

18 "Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.

19 See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.