Recently on her blog, Lysa TerKeurst wrote the following, "If you've read my book, "Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl" tell me how it has impacted you... stepped on your toes... interrupted you... made you laugh... made you cry... made you want to throw the book across the room-whatever. I'm all ears."
I read these words more than a few days ago and since have had the thought lingering in my mind. It was nearly 5 months ago when I picked up the book and started reading and honestly in one way or another each of the chapters spoke to me. To answer her question, I was impacted, stepped on, interrupted, I laughed, I even cried, but the book never did fly across the room!
I've been thinking about how I could summarize what this book has meant to me and for someone who usually enjoys writing and putting my thoughts to words this has been a challenge! I just can't seem to put it all into something neat and tidy, but as I think about it that makes sense.
The subtitle to the accompanying study of Lysa's book says, "Living the Faith after Bible Class is Over" and I don't know about you, but that's not always a neat and tidy process for me! When I think about it being a good Bible study girl is usually much easier than truly "becoming more."
Think about it, we've been reading and answering questions since our days in school, most of us can show up to a Bible study or Sunday School class with our work done, smiles on and right answers, but faith is about more than that! God never intended His word to be something we study in order to show up to class and have more right answers than the gal to our left. No, this is a, THE Book, we must study repeatedly and the test doesn't come when the unit is complete. This is a test that takes place daily, I suppose you could call it life and really it starts when class is over. Becoming more isn't about having the right answers it is about applying them and living them out daily. And finding the courage and strength to get up and try again when we don't.
Lysa's book was not just another collection of words for me to read, "Becoming More" has challenged me to truly live this message. No matter how much I study, I will never know all the answers the Bible holds, but that doesn't mean I should be overwhelmed and quit trying. God will lead me to what I need to know and hear as I dig into His word, seek His wisdom and ask for His guidance.
In one of her other books, Lysa talks about walking in faith and I see a connection - with every step I take on this journey with God I should be becoming more!! Sometimes that means stepping out of my comfort zone and following Him, but it all starts in my heart - one that needs to be connected to Him. Which means I need to hear from Him and He needs to hear from me, basically I must read His Word and He needs to hear my prayers.
I love how Lysa talks about the Bible being God's love letter to us! As someone who's love language is words of affirmation, I had never really thought about this. But this simple truth has changed my thinking, though I understand the importance of studying the Bible, I'm beginning to see the significance of really reading it as a personal note from a Father to His daughter. What a privilege and responsibility it is to hold these Words in my hand!
I pray this journey of becoming more will continue for me and you in the days ahead! If you haven't had the opportunity to read "Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl" I hope you will pick it up soon! You will appreciate Lysa's honesty, relate to some of her stories and be touched by her passion, but most importantly I pray, like me, you will be challenged to live out the message of this book!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
A year older...
Last week was my birthday and for the first time in 34 years I honestly felt like I was getting older! I suppose 4 children will eventually do that to a person! As I thought about this, my mind took the next step - if I'm a year older, shouldn't I be a year wiser?
I'm sorry to say I wasn't as quick or confidant with an affirmative answer to that question. Lately it seems I've unintentionally fallen into some old habits - primarily doubting when I should trust and worrying about other's approval rather than focusing on God's!! When I realized this I felt more like someone turning 3 or 4, not one with the 3 in the ten's place!
I look back at my life, even in just the year that has passed, and I know God is faithful and worthy of my trust. I also know seeking the approval of anyone aside from God is simply setting myself up for failure, so why do I do it? Like I said, my body and mind get the older part that comes with another birthday, it's the wiser part I'm not so sure about.
Needless to say I wasn't surprised when our Sunday school lesson for the week was from Proverbs - one that specifically contrasted the fool's walk with that of the wise. I know the fool's walk is one I want to avoid, which means the only other option is walking in wisdom.
To do this I must remember this is a walk that will never end - though birthdays will come and go there will never be a magic age when I receive a gift full of wisdom guaranteed to get me through. No, this is something I must constantly seek and sometimes it will be found as I walk along this path of life.
Now a few days into this new year of my life, I believe God is making me wiser as He reminds me it's not just about seeking wisdom and even asking Him for it, it's more than that - I must receive it and then comes the hard part - apply it!
I'm looking forward to the year ahead - chances are a year from now I'll feel even older (my baby will be walking!! - which means I'll be running!!), but I also believe God will bless me with wisdom too!
I'm sorry to say I wasn't as quick or confidant with an affirmative answer to that question. Lately it seems I've unintentionally fallen into some old habits - primarily doubting when I should trust and worrying about other's approval rather than focusing on God's!! When I realized this I felt more like someone turning 3 or 4, not one with the 3 in the ten's place!
I look back at my life, even in just the year that has passed, and I know God is faithful and worthy of my trust. I also know seeking the approval of anyone aside from God is simply setting myself up for failure, so why do I do it? Like I said, my body and mind get the older part that comes with another birthday, it's the wiser part I'm not so sure about.
Needless to say I wasn't surprised when our Sunday school lesson for the week was from Proverbs - one that specifically contrasted the fool's walk with that of the wise. I know the fool's walk is one I want to avoid, which means the only other option is walking in wisdom.
To do this I must remember this is a walk that will never end - though birthdays will come and go there will never be a magic age when I receive a gift full of wisdom guaranteed to get me through. No, this is something I must constantly seek and sometimes it will be found as I walk along this path of life.
Now a few days into this new year of my life, I believe God is making me wiser as He reminds me it's not just about seeking wisdom and even asking Him for it, it's more than that - I must receive it and then comes the hard part - apply it!
I'm looking forward to the year ahead - chances are a year from now I'll feel even older (my baby will be walking!! - which means I'll be running!!), but I also believe God will bless me with wisdom too!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
A book I can't wait to read...
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Today I'd like to welcome author and speaker Susie Larson. Susie's new book Growing Grateful Kids has just released and I've invited her to share a little bit about this great resource.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.
My husband and I have been married 25 years and have three grown sons (all in their early twenties). Our oldest son Jake works on the business side of the Christian music industry. Our middle son Luke is married to his beautiful wife Kristen; he works full time at a bank and part time as a worship pastor. Our youngest son Jordan is studying to become a surgical nurse. My husband Kevin is a commercial construction manager by day and manages my ministry by night (and weekends). Bless his heart. I am an author, speaker, and an on-call radio host for Christian talk radio. Together, Kevin and I serve as advocates for justice on behalf of modern day slaves and human trafficking victims.
Tell us about your new book, Growing Grateful Kids: Teaching Them to Appreciate an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Places.
Even when economic times are tight, our children enjoy an abundance of material possessions. Yet, amidst all this wealth, discontentment and competition seem to be on the rise. Instead of teaching children virtues such as gratefulness and patience, many parents are bending over backwards to get their children the latest and greatest item - or feeling guilty when they can't. In spite of the currents of materialism and entitlement that flow so strong, it is possible to raise children who are simply grateful. Though teaching perspective and gratitude to our children is critical, it is not difficult.
Why did you want to write this book?
To be completely honest, I never wanted to write a book on parenting. I wanted to protect my kids’ privacy and give them time and space to become the men God wants them to be. But in the last few years, I have been especially burdened with the level of selfishness, entitlement and disrespect I see among children today. Furthermore, moms seem more stressed than ever. When I asked my sons their thoughts on writing this book, without pausing they all said, “Do it, mom; that book needs to be written!” I think I wrote a book that not only equips young moms to raise humble, grateful world-changers, but also one that nourishes the soul of the reader and encourages her personally.
Throughout the book you remind the reader that we cannot impart what we do not possess. Can you explain?
If we never deal with our own fears, insecurities, and hang ups, but we try to teach our children to believe in their divine value, over time, our words will not ring true to them. First God wants to do His work in us before He does it through us. They say that lessons are more often caught than taught. If we parent from a place of conviction and real freedom, our children will be affected by what we teach them.
One of your chapters is titled, “Take Time to Play.” How does taking time to play teach our kids to be grateful?
To me, taking time to play says a lot about the level of faith we possess.
If our children hear us confess that we love and serve a BIG God and yet they see us striving and straining through life, they will come to believe that more is on our shoulders than on God’s. If we can trust God enough to step away from our busy-important lives, to make a fort in the basement, or play a game with our children – even in the most desperate of economic situations – we will give our children a sense of much needed security and that all is well in their world.
What do you want readers to take away from this book?
To answer this question (I hope you don’t mind), I would like to share an endorsement from one of my sample readers. She expressed my deepest desire for my reader:
“Growing Grateful Kids is such a great source of conviction, encouragement, and inspiration to spur me on to finishing this parenting race well and not sputter out along the way. This book compels me to submit my own character to the refining of the Holy Spirit that I may be equipped to impart those lessons onto my children. Thank you, Susie, for taking the time, for submitting in obedience, and writing this down for a generation in desperate need of this kind of parenting book!” –Gail Miller
This is a Hearts at Home book. What is Hearts at Home?
Hearts at Home is an organization that encourages, educates, and equips women in the profession of motherhood. Hearts at Home encourages moms through annual conferences, our extensive website (www.hearts-at-home.org), a free bi-weekly electronic newsletter, a radio program, and an entire line of books designed to meet the needs of moms all over the world!
Any closing thoughts?
I am very excited about the message in this book. It is my prayer that every one who reads it will be nourished, encouraged, and equipped to parent from a place of fullness, conviction, and confidence. Raising grateful, confident kids will be one of the most heroic, important things you do in your lifetime. God’s blessings to you!
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.
My husband and I have been married 25 years and have three grown sons (all in their early twenties). Our oldest son Jake works on the business side of the Christian music industry. Our middle son Luke is married to his beautiful wife Kristen; he works full time at a bank and part time as a worship pastor. Our youngest son Jordan is studying to become a surgical nurse. My husband Kevin is a commercial construction manager by day and manages my ministry by night (and weekends). Bless his heart. I am an author, speaker, and an on-call radio host for Christian talk radio. Together, Kevin and I serve as advocates for justice on behalf of modern day slaves and human trafficking victims.
Tell us about your new book, Growing Grateful Kids: Teaching Them to Appreciate an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Places.
Even when economic times are tight, our children enjoy an abundance of material possessions. Yet, amidst all this wealth, discontentment and competition seem to be on the rise. Instead of teaching children virtues such as gratefulness and patience, many parents are bending over backwards to get their children the latest and greatest item - or feeling guilty when they can't. In spite of the currents of materialism and entitlement that flow so strong, it is possible to raise children who are simply grateful. Though teaching perspective and gratitude to our children is critical, it is not difficult.Why did you want to write this book?
To be completely honest, I never wanted to write a book on parenting. I wanted to protect my kids’ privacy and give them time and space to become the men God wants them to be. But in the last few years, I have been especially burdened with the level of selfishness, entitlement and disrespect I see among children today. Furthermore, moms seem more stressed than ever. When I asked my sons their thoughts on writing this book, without pausing they all said, “Do it, mom; that book needs to be written!” I think I wrote a book that not only equips young moms to raise humble, grateful world-changers, but also one that nourishes the soul of the reader and encourages her personally.
Throughout the book you remind the reader that we cannot impart what we do not possess. Can you explain?
If we never deal with our own fears, insecurities, and hang ups, but we try to teach our children to believe in their divine value, over time, our words will not ring true to them. First God wants to do His work in us before He does it through us. They say that lessons are more often caught than taught. If we parent from a place of conviction and real freedom, our children will be affected by what we teach them.
One of your chapters is titled, “Take Time to Play.” How does taking time to play teach our kids to be grateful?
To me, taking time to play says a lot about the level of faith we possess.
If our children hear us confess that we love and serve a BIG God and yet they see us striving and straining through life, they will come to believe that more is on our shoulders than on God’s. If we can trust God enough to step away from our busy-important lives, to make a fort in the basement, or play a game with our children – even in the most desperate of economic situations – we will give our children a sense of much needed security and that all is well in their world.
What do you want readers to take away from this book?
To answer this question (I hope you don’t mind), I would like to share an endorsement from one of my sample readers. She expressed my deepest desire for my reader:
“Growing Grateful Kids is such a great source of conviction, encouragement, and inspiration to spur me on to finishing this parenting race well and not sputter out along the way. This book compels me to submit my own character to the refining of the Holy Spirit that I may be equipped to impart those lessons onto my children. Thank you, Susie, for taking the time, for submitting in obedience, and writing this down for a generation in desperate need of this kind of parenting book!” –Gail Miller
This is a Hearts at Home book. What is Hearts at Home?
Hearts at Home is an organization that encourages, educates, and equips women in the profession of motherhood. Hearts at Home encourages moms through annual conferences, our extensive website (www.hearts-at-home.org), a free bi-weekly electronic newsletter, a radio program, and an entire line of books designed to meet the needs of moms all over the world!
Any closing thoughts?
I am very excited about the message in this book. It is my prayer that every one who reads it will be nourished, encouraged, and equipped to parent from a place of fullness, conviction, and confidence. Raising grateful, confident kids will be one of the most heroic, important things you do in your lifetime. God’s blessings to you!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Disconnected
Early last week, something was wrong with our internet connection. On one of those days I was without my cell phone and on another snow cancelled our MOPS meeting. You might say I was feeling a bit disconnected.
There were no emails, quick calls or friends’ smiles, which in the midst of a long winter could get a person down. I worked to combat this though as our leadership team agreed to reschedule our meeting and I called tech support to fix the computer.
The latter job wasn’t so simple - one day I spent close to 2 hours on the phone trying to trouble shoot and solve our problem. On top of that my determined self stayed up too late working on a tool I appreciate, but really don’t understand!! I was going to fix this, but the more I tried the more frustrated I became.
We eventually solved the problem, but it was a couple of days later when my frustration level hit it’s high point. I don’t remember all the details, but I know life had been busy and I allowed the work to take priority in my days. I was tired and chose a few extra minutes in bed rather than spending time with my Father. I was disconnected.
That was frustrating, but what really increased those feelings was the contrast in my desire and determination to “fix” that problem. Only days earlier I was driven to figure out the computer. There were various reasons, with one being connecting to the outside world. Where was the same, stop everything attitude until this is right?
Trust me when I saw the contrast I was convicted and hurt. Really what’s it matter what people (some I haven’t seen in years) put on face book? It doesn’t. And those emails I needed to respond to, really they could wait. But spending time with the One who created me, loves me and has a plan for me, now that’s what is important!
I once heard someone say, “Not feeling close to God? Guess who moved!?!” It wasn‘t God, but this experience reminds me sometimes I do. It was not intentional, but it happened. I’m grateful He’s drawn me closer and once again ignited my desire to seek Him more. Technology glitches and winter weather can alter my plans, but even that can’t affect my connection with Christ. Well, as I’ve learned it can, but not as long as my eyes are on Him and He is the focus of my life.
I’m thankful our computer is running and I was blessed at our MOPS meeting this week, I feel I’ve left the dark ages! But I’m especially grateful my connection with Christ is strong once again and I pray your’s is too!!
There were no emails, quick calls or friends’ smiles, which in the midst of a long winter could get a person down. I worked to combat this though as our leadership team agreed to reschedule our meeting and I called tech support to fix the computer.
The latter job wasn’t so simple - one day I spent close to 2 hours on the phone trying to trouble shoot and solve our problem. On top of that my determined self stayed up too late working on a tool I appreciate, but really don’t understand!! I was going to fix this, but the more I tried the more frustrated I became.
We eventually solved the problem, but it was a couple of days later when my frustration level hit it’s high point. I don’t remember all the details, but I know life had been busy and I allowed the work to take priority in my days. I was tired and chose a few extra minutes in bed rather than spending time with my Father. I was disconnected.
That was frustrating, but what really increased those feelings was the contrast in my desire and determination to “fix” that problem. Only days earlier I was driven to figure out the computer. There were various reasons, with one being connecting to the outside world. Where was the same, stop everything attitude until this is right?
Trust me when I saw the contrast I was convicted and hurt. Really what’s it matter what people (some I haven’t seen in years) put on face book? It doesn’t. And those emails I needed to respond to, really they could wait. But spending time with the One who created me, loves me and has a plan for me, now that’s what is important!
I once heard someone say, “Not feeling close to God? Guess who moved!?!” It wasn‘t God, but this experience reminds me sometimes I do. It was not intentional, but it happened. I’m grateful He’s drawn me closer and once again ignited my desire to seek Him more. Technology glitches and winter weather can alter my plans, but even that can’t affect my connection with Christ. Well, as I’ve learned it can, but not as long as my eyes are on Him and He is the focus of my life.
I’m thankful our computer is running and I was blessed at our MOPS meeting this week, I feel I’ve left the dark ages! But I’m especially grateful my connection with Christ is strong once again and I pray your’s is too!!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
A Party for the Princess
A week ago our little Jaylyn celebrated her 3rd birthday! It was an enjoyable day for all of us! She was excited about everything and thankful for even the littlest thing! "Peanut" was a princess and the party was hers!! She even sported a nice princess crown most of the day and in the week since!
I'd have to say the crown is fitting for my little girl of royalty! She is beautiful, inside and out! Most of the time she's tenderhearted and she really wants to help. Jaylyn is soft-spoken and usually expresses herself more with her eyes than her words. She's a little girl we love and thank God for!
As I thought about my little girl turning 3, I realized she is growing up! She knows her colors, is learning her shapes and wants to do everything her big sister does! And when I look at her 3 month old brother it's obvious that she is not a baby anymore! She is becoming more independent every day!
In my reflecting during this last week I've thought of another birthday that took place a couple of months ago - mine. Not the one with candles, cake and cards, but one that's more significant than that - my spiritual birthday. It's been 10 years since I gave my life to Christ and my what a decade it has been!
I have plenty of thoughts to share, but for now my focus is this - a party for the princess. Honestly it makes me laugh to type those words, it made sense for my little Peanut, but this basketball loving, jeans wearing tomboy has never, and I mean NEVER considered herself a princess! I don't think I even dreamt of it as a child!
But as we celebrated our own little Princess's birthday I wondered if God had done the same for me. We know He is our King, so as His daughter, I am a princess and so are you! Perhaps like me, the title makes you laugh and that's OK, the important thing is understanding what that means.
You, my friend are royalty! Your Father, the King, loves you more than I love Peanut, my princess. Even if others (and even you) don't see it, He knows you are beautiful. The King created you and made you in His image! When others won't listen or can't understand, turn to Him and trust in His plan.
As I thought about these princess parties my mind made some comparisons - God sees me the way I see my child! He knows the good and bad, but loves me anyway. He cries when I hurt and is honored when I obey. I help Jaylyn learn, grow and mature and He does the same for me.
There were many similarities, but one difference came to mind - my little girl is becoming independent and will do so more and more as the years go by. But me on the other hand, I depend more on my Father than I ever have! In the 10 years I have grown as a person, matured spiritually and learned much about faith, but little by little my desire for independence has decreased. Unlike my 3 year old, I realize I am not in control!!
In the years ahead I know my little one will only continue to need me less and less, but I pray every step of independence only leads her to take another step towards complete dependence! I look forward to more parties for our princess (and her sister too!) not just ones that celebrate the day we held her in our arms, but also the one that marks the anniversary of when she welcomed HIM into her heart!!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Under Attack
The other day I was watching a basketball game and as one team applied a full court press, I recalled my days on the floor as the point guard and also my time on the bench as a coach. When I was the one playing I loved the opportunity to play full court defense; as a team we prided ourselves in forcing turnovers. As a coach I appreciated the opportunity to change the tempo of the game and take the opponent away from their game plan.
I also remembered times when I was on the flip side - the games when I or my team was the one facing the pressure, basically when we were under attack. The press could be intimidating and at times frustrating as it pressured you into mistakes you normally did not make and caused you to play at a speed faster than you wanted to.
All in all the press made sense from an defensive stand point, that is until the offense figured it out. Once they beat it, an easy two points is almost a guarantee. As I thought about this and even watched one team's press impact a game my thoughts went a little deeper - I no longer play or coach but at times I'm still under attack.
Granted there is no full court press facing me with traps and crowd noise, but there is an opponent trying to distract me, intimidate me and force me into making mistakes. This time the rival isn't the Saints or Huskies, no the opponent is more powerful than that! It's not just bragging rights or even a conference championship that's on the line, it's bigger than that!
This time the name on the jersey is Satan and this attack isn't a game, it's life. But his tactics are the same - he wants to force me into mistakes, so he distracts, he busies, he lies, he gets me going at a pace that's faster than I want, he bullies, simply put he attacks. Just like those days on the basketball floor sometimes when the press is working, the intensity increases and the mistakes do the same. He wants to bury me just like we wanted to do to our opponent.
It's true, I've seen it happen in my own life! As I thought about this truth my mind took another turn, how did we combat the press?
First of all, we had to be aware of it - teams like the element of surprise and I believe Satan does too. He wants to attack when we least expect it, he's more powerful when we're surprised. Back in the day, steals were easy when opponents got lazy and simply went through the motions. He wins when I do the same.
Still there were times when we were aware of the press and opponents ran it effectively. Why? Typically because we got in a rush, went away from our game plan, got frustrated or tried to break it alone instead of as a team. Those strategies never worked on the basketball court and they don't work in life either.
When Satan is attacking, I must listen to my heavenly coach and follow His game plan. I can't take things into my own hands and assume I'm in control. I must not get frustrated and give up. I need to remember I have teammates in the game of life and communicate with them and rely on them for help. When I do the outcome will be the same, the press will be broken and the attack will stop, but better than 2 points added to the score there will be a light shining brighter for Christ.
In those moments when your back's against the wall and the enemy seems relentless, remember the press can be broken and don't forget in this game the victory has already been won!!
I also remembered times when I was on the flip side - the games when I or my team was the one facing the pressure, basically when we were under attack. The press could be intimidating and at times frustrating as it pressured you into mistakes you normally did not make and caused you to play at a speed faster than you wanted to.
All in all the press made sense from an defensive stand point, that is until the offense figured it out. Once they beat it, an easy two points is almost a guarantee. As I thought about this and even watched one team's press impact a game my thoughts went a little deeper - I no longer play or coach but at times I'm still under attack.
Granted there is no full court press facing me with traps and crowd noise, but there is an opponent trying to distract me, intimidate me and force me into making mistakes. This time the rival isn't the Saints or Huskies, no the opponent is more powerful than that! It's not just bragging rights or even a conference championship that's on the line, it's bigger than that!
This time the name on the jersey is Satan and this attack isn't a game, it's life. But his tactics are the same - he wants to force me into mistakes, so he distracts, he busies, he lies, he gets me going at a pace that's faster than I want, he bullies, simply put he attacks. Just like those days on the basketball floor sometimes when the press is working, the intensity increases and the mistakes do the same. He wants to bury me just like we wanted to do to our opponent.
It's true, I've seen it happen in my own life! As I thought about this truth my mind took another turn, how did we combat the press?
First of all, we had to be aware of it - teams like the element of surprise and I believe Satan does too. He wants to attack when we least expect it, he's more powerful when we're surprised. Back in the day, steals were easy when opponents got lazy and simply went through the motions. He wins when I do the same.
Still there were times when we were aware of the press and opponents ran it effectively. Why? Typically because we got in a rush, went away from our game plan, got frustrated or tried to break it alone instead of as a team. Those strategies never worked on the basketball court and they don't work in life either.
When Satan is attacking, I must listen to my heavenly coach and follow His game plan. I can't take things into my own hands and assume I'm in control. I must not get frustrated and give up. I need to remember I have teammates in the game of life and communicate with them and rely on them for help. When I do the outcome will be the same, the press will be broken and the attack will stop, but better than 2 points added to the score there will be a light shining brighter for Christ.
In those moments when your back's against the wall and the enemy seems relentless, remember the press can be broken and don't forget in this game the victory has already been won!!
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