This year I made a goal to read through the entire Bible. The reading plan I chose is a straight-through plan: Genesis to Revelation. A lot of popular reading plans give you passages from the Old Testament, New Testament and a Psalm or Proverb each day, but I preferred to read it front to back. I bought a Bible divided up into daily sections, each with an introduction that gives a bit of historical/spiritual input.
The entire month of June has been devoted to the book of Psalms: 150 chapters of verse over 30 days. That breaks down to an average of 5 Psalms per day (though some are much longer and take an entire day's reading to themselves). Today's introduction for the last day in the Psalms asked, "How have you been affected by spending a month in the Psalms?"
I think what affects me the most are the honest, unabashed moments of fear and despair. David is God's chosen one, and yet he still doesn't have all the answers. He and the other authors cry out to God, asking why they can't see Him, can't feel Him, can't understand His ways. There are quiet, lonely moments of despair and angry, wailing cries of fear and doubt. They mourn, rant and plead...but they are always calling out to God, baring their hearts to the Lord.
To me, this is one of the truest and most vulnerable expressions of spirituality and faith. Being a
Christian means that our path is set and our destination assured, but
it doesn't mean there won't be roadblocks and ditches and times of utter darkness along the way. The Psalms show us that it's OK to express fear and doubt and despair...but always remember to cry out to God. Every time, every place. Cry out to God. Don't walk alone when you don't have to. There will be darkness, but He is there and He is listening.
"I call to You, Lord, every day;
I spread out my hands to You." (Ps. 88:9)
And then, to counter each lament, there are Psalms of praise and thanks. Some are tumultuous in their joy, piling wild and extravagant praises unto the name of God. Others are quiet, respectful and subdued. And those, to me, speak the loudest.
"In you, Lord my God, I put my trust." (25:1)
"In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety." (4:8)
"The Lord remembers us...Praise the Lord." (115:12,18)
He will always remember us.
Monday, June 30, 2014
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Summer Reading Goals, year 2
Last summer I set some specific goals for the types of books I hoped to read over the mid-year months. I read all the time, no matter what, but I do sometimes get into a rut of reading the same type of book all the time, and not going back to revisit old favorites or branching out into new genres. For example, earlier this year I read just about every Ender and Bean book that Orson Scott Card has ever published, then followed that with an epic, 3-book high fantasy series. I really enjoyed them all, but now need to take a break from space and magic and read some realistic fiction or a good biography.
So, for June 8 (I meant to post this a week ago)-September 1, I plan to include in my reading:
- An old favorite/something I haven't read in several years. (same goal as last year; I have so many books that are very good but have only been read once!)
- A biography, memoir or piece of historical nonfiction.
- A "classic" that I've never read before (so many I know but haven't read! Such as something by Jane Austen, Ray Bradbury, Charles Dickens, etc.)
- The first in a new series.
- A devotional/commentary/Biblicaly-driven "guide" or, I suppose, "inspirational piece."
What are your reading goals? Will you pull up your comfy reading chair and join me?
So, for June 8 (I meant to post this a week ago)-September 1, I plan to include in my reading:
- An old favorite/something I haven't read in several years. (same goal as last year; I have so many books that are very good but have only been read once!)
- A biography, memoir or piece of historical nonfiction.
- A "classic" that I've never read before (so many I know but haven't read! Such as something by Jane Austen, Ray Bradbury, Charles Dickens, etc.)
- The first in a new series.
- A devotional/commentary/Biblicaly-driven "guide" or, I suppose, "inspirational piece."
What are your reading goals? Will you pull up your comfy reading chair and join me?
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Take my hand, take my whole life, too.
A few weeks ago my brother Shim got married, and my dad officiated the ceremony.
My brother and his fiancee had approached Papa about it several months ago, and he was thrilled. He went through the ordination process and prepared a simple but meaningful service. The big day came: ceremony and reception held on B.'s family acreage. A small barn near the house had been emptied, cleaned and decorated for the ceremony. It was gorgeous.
B.'s bridesmaids and Shim's groomsmen (my four other brothers) filed in to stand next to Shim and Papa at the front. Family and friends stood and turned as B. came down the aisle to Ingrid Michaelson's haunting and heartfelt cover of Elvis's "Can't Help Falling in Love."
Ingrid sang:
Take my hand,
Take my whole life, too...
and B. caught her breath, barely holding back tears, smiling radiantly.
Shim had tears of his own as they came together, took hands, and turned toward Papa.
Scripture, rings, vows and a kiss, and they became husband and wife.
To me there's almost always a moment that stands out during a wedding; other details get lost or forgotten over time, but one moment remains clear. At my friend T.'s wedding it was the moment a remote-controlled helicopter floated down from the ceiling bearing their rings; at Matt's sister's it was the joyous song that played as they danced down the aisle and into the reception; at another friend's it was the over-the-top cake feeding moment that was hilarious and loving all at once.
At my own, it was the moment our pastor invited our family and friends to come up and pray over us and the stage was flooded with people, hands on our shoulders and heads bowed.
My brother had a beautiful wedding and I pray it leads to a beautiful marriage. It isn't always easy to start a life together, but I think they are off to a wonderful start.
My brother and his fiancee had approached Papa about it several months ago, and he was thrilled. He went through the ordination process and prepared a simple but meaningful service. The big day came: ceremony and reception held on B.'s family acreage. A small barn near the house had been emptied, cleaned and decorated for the ceremony. It was gorgeous.
B.'s bridesmaids and Shim's groomsmen (my four other brothers) filed in to stand next to Shim and Papa at the front. Family and friends stood and turned as B. came down the aisle to Ingrid Michaelson's haunting and heartfelt cover of Elvis's "Can't Help Falling in Love."
Ingrid sang:
Take my hand,
Take my whole life, too...
and B. caught her breath, barely holding back tears, smiling radiantly.
Shim had tears of his own as they came together, took hands, and turned toward Papa.
Scripture, rings, vows and a kiss, and they became husband and wife.
To me there's almost always a moment that stands out during a wedding; other details get lost or forgotten over time, but one moment remains clear. At my friend T.'s wedding it was the moment a remote-controlled helicopter floated down from the ceiling bearing their rings; at Matt's sister's it was the joyous song that played as they danced down the aisle and into the reception; at another friend's it was the over-the-top cake feeding moment that was hilarious and loving all at once.
At my own, it was the moment our pastor invited our family and friends to come up and pray over us and the stage was flooded with people, hands on our shoulders and heads bowed.
My brother had a beautiful wedding and I pray it leads to a beautiful marriage. It isn't always easy to start a life together, but I think they are off to a wonderful start.
Friday, February 14, 2014
Faith and Love
"Marriage is from God, about God, to God, and for God, so we neglect God at our peril."
-Tim Challies
In his article "6 Deadly Enemies of Marriage," Challies outlines how damaging it is for married couples to neglect the following: Biblical foundation, prayer, fellowship, communication, shared interests and sex. Marriage is a covenantal relationship built on God's Word and needs mutual prayer to survive. If husband and wife don't communicate or share any interests, they become two separate people living separate lives under the same roof. And if sex is neglected...well, as Challies puts it, "to neglect sex is to disregard one of God's great and indispensable gifts."
Marriages are made up of two people who are often very different from each other, which is why communication is almost always at the top of marriage lists. "When differences arise and conflict begins to rear its head, it's important to be equipped with the ability to interact and communicate in an open, honest and healthy way. Get real with the kind of communication you are actually investing into your relationship, because what you put into it will inevitably determine what you will get out of it." (Debra K. Fileta, Relevant magazine.)
I recently read this excerpt from Timothy Keller's new book The Meaning of Marriage. Keller talks about how people clearly understand that it takes hard work to become a professional athlete or famous author, but for some reason we expect marriage to work perfectly with nothing more than love. Love is a concept thrown around like magic pixie dust - it's all you need! It fixes everything! So what happens when love is painful? When you love someone with all of your heart and yet can't resolve debilitating arguments, issues or marital roadblocks? We are all flawed people, Keller points out, so why would creating and maintaining committed, sacrificial, lifelong relationships just come naturally?
You don't become a concert pianist just by buying a piano, just as saying "I do" does not automatically create a happily ever after. To excel at marriage is the same as working towards any other goal: it takes work, effort and concentration. But trust me. It's worth it.
That being said, I've never stressed about doing something huge on Valentine's Day. I have nothing against the holiday, but it is rather over-hyped and silly to concentrate all of your affection on one day of the year. Matt is and always has been my one and only valentine, and I think we do a pretty good job of expressing our affection for each other on a regular basis :-).
Valentine's Day was originally the celebration of a man whose faith and love cost him his life but saved others in the process. Valentine expressed honest, selfless love towards those around him and was never afraid to share God's truth. He truly demonstrated that faith and love go hand in hand, and that's the most important thing to remember every February 14th.
-Tim Challies
In his article "6 Deadly Enemies of Marriage," Challies outlines how damaging it is for married couples to neglect the following: Biblical foundation, prayer, fellowship, communication, shared interests and sex. Marriage is a covenantal relationship built on God's Word and needs mutual prayer to survive. If husband and wife don't communicate or share any interests, they become two separate people living separate lives under the same roof. And if sex is neglected...well, as Challies puts it, "to neglect sex is to disregard one of God's great and indispensable gifts."
Marriages are made up of two people who are often very different from each other, which is why communication is almost always at the top of marriage lists. "When differences arise and conflict begins to rear its head, it's important to be equipped with the ability to interact and communicate in an open, honest and healthy way. Get real with the kind of communication you are actually investing into your relationship, because what you put into it will inevitably determine what you will get out of it." (Debra K. Fileta, Relevant magazine.)
I recently read this excerpt from Timothy Keller's new book The Meaning of Marriage. Keller talks about how people clearly understand that it takes hard work to become a professional athlete or famous author, but for some reason we expect marriage to work perfectly with nothing more than love. Love is a concept thrown around like magic pixie dust - it's all you need! It fixes everything! So what happens when love is painful? When you love someone with all of your heart and yet can't resolve debilitating arguments, issues or marital roadblocks? We are all flawed people, Keller points out, so why would creating and maintaining committed, sacrificial, lifelong relationships just come naturally?
You don't become a concert pianist just by buying a piano, just as saying "I do" does not automatically create a happily ever after. To excel at marriage is the same as working towards any other goal: it takes work, effort and concentration. But trust me. It's worth it.
That being said, I've never stressed about doing something huge on Valentine's Day. I have nothing against the holiday, but it is rather over-hyped and silly to concentrate all of your affection on one day of the year. Matt is and always has been my one and only valentine, and I think we do a pretty good job of expressing our affection for each other on a regular basis :-).
Valentine's Day was originally the celebration of a man whose faith and love cost him his life but saved others in the process. Valentine expressed honest, selfless love towards those around him and was never afraid to share God's truth. He truly demonstrated that faith and love go hand in hand, and that's the most important thing to remember every February 14th.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Spring is (almost) in the air
February in central Texas means that spring gardening is only about a month away! I am in full-on planning mode (even though today it's about 35° outside and rainy).
Gardening in Texas can be tricky. Here we have long, harsh summers which causes plant stress, but also very mild winters, which extends the fall planting season. The ground never gets that cold, meaning pests aren't dormant during the cooler season like they might be in other areas. Our soil is sandy or full of clay, meaning some plants won't grow without plenty of nutritional soil supplements. And then there's the whole drought problem...
So, all that being said, it is still possible to produce a flourishing Texas garden if you have the right resources. Here are some of the best I've found so far.
Something I didn't really know about until last year are hardiness zones. Hardiness zone maps divide the US based on seasons, how cold the winters get and average dates of final/first frost in the spring and fall. Central Texas is in zone 8 (or 8b, according to some really specific maps). This zone has fairly mild winters, with lowest average temperatures of 15-20° F. Final frost date is estimated to be between March 15th-30th, which gives us a nice long spring season before the summer kicks in full-force. Those dates are an estimate, though, and not a promise! Last year I put out transplants in mid-March and they suffered through 2 hailstorms and a freeze warning before the spring temperatures stabilized.
Another great resource is the Texas AgriLife Extension Service's site. This site is specifically tailored to Texas gardeners. It can be frustrating to read generic gardening books that are like "happy, warm summertime! Flourishing plants in July and August. First frost in late September!" In Texas, August is dry, scorching and cruel. Plants struggle and need extra care. And the first autumn frost date is usually not until early December, giving a whole second planting season in the fall.
Last year I did a spring garden only. This year I'd love to do spring and fall. There are some plants that Texas gardeners recommend planting ONLY in the fall, such as strawberries! Strawberries won't survive the harsh summers, but should flourish in the cooler fall temperatures.
I've found some good tips and planning ideas that I've posted to Pinterest. Ideas for garden planning, creative solutions for small spaces, fertilizing tips and pest control. Oh, my adventures with pests last summer...
Last summer I lost all my squash to the larvae of squash vine borer beetles. These are vicious grubs that hatch inside the vines and suck up all the nutrients, killing the plant from the bottom up. No use trying pest control at this point: once they're inside, your plants don't have a chance. It made me so sad to watch my beautiful plants die. One day they were covered in blossoms and the next day...dead. Never saw it coming. But this year I will treat the soil ahead of time and consistently apply pest deterrents to try and prevent eggs from being laid, as suggested here.
Last spring I tried 3 different planting areas: a small raised bed (3 ft. x 3 ft.) filled with gardening soil, a traditional in-ground bed with natural soil + some gardening soil, and large pots/planters (filled with the same gardening soil, which wasn't the smartest decision).
This year I hope to expand the raised bed and continue using the pots, but buy 2 different soils. Potting soil is generally less dense than gardening soil and gives confined roots more air, water and growing space. I also want to place my small, potted herbs on a raised table or platform so they are easier to prune, water and harvest.
Some other good resources:
The Cook's Garden is a seed catalog that has tons of great online articles about soil, planting tips, plant varieties, etc.
Raised garden bed instructions from The Pioneer Woman.
This Kitchen Garden Planner from Gardener's Supply Company is amazing. They provided pre-planned diagrams you can print out or a design-your-own tool that makes it easy to work with the space you have! Great articles and other resources available on their website, too.
Yay gardening! Now to bundle up on the couch and wait for spring. :-)
Gardening in Texas can be tricky. Here we have long, harsh summers which causes plant stress, but also very mild winters, which extends the fall planting season. The ground never gets that cold, meaning pests aren't dormant during the cooler season like they might be in other areas. Our soil is sandy or full of clay, meaning some plants won't grow without plenty of nutritional soil supplements. And then there's the whole drought problem...
So, all that being said, it is still possible to produce a flourishing Texas garden if you have the right resources. Here are some of the best I've found so far.
 |
| Click the link in the accompanying paragraph for a larger, interactive version. |
Another great resource is the Texas AgriLife Extension Service's site. This site is specifically tailored to Texas gardeners. It can be frustrating to read generic gardening books that are like "happy, warm summertime! Flourishing plants in July and August. First frost in late September!" In Texas, August is dry, scorching and cruel. Plants struggle and need extra care. And the first autumn frost date is usually not until early December, giving a whole second planting season in the fall.
Last year I did a spring garden only. This year I'd love to do spring and fall. There are some plants that Texas gardeners recommend planting ONLY in the fall, such as strawberries! Strawberries won't survive the harsh summers, but should flourish in the cooler fall temperatures.
I've found some good tips and planning ideas that I've posted to Pinterest. Ideas for garden planning, creative solutions for small spaces, fertilizing tips and pest control. Oh, my adventures with pests last summer...
 |
| This beetle has evil, evil babies. |
Last spring I tried 3 different planting areas: a small raised bed (3 ft. x 3 ft.) filled with gardening soil, a traditional in-ground bed with natural soil + some gardening soil, and large pots/planters (filled with the same gardening soil, which wasn't the smartest decision).
This year I hope to expand the raised bed and continue using the pots, but buy 2 different soils. Potting soil is generally less dense than gardening soil and gives confined roots more air, water and growing space. I also want to place my small, potted herbs on a raised table or platform so they are easier to prune, water and harvest.
 |
| Last year's adorable little garden. |
 |
| Maybe some day... |
Some other good resources:
The Cook's Garden is a seed catalog that has tons of great online articles about soil, planting tips, plant varieties, etc.
Raised garden bed instructions from The Pioneer Woman.
This Kitchen Garden Planner from Gardener's Supply Company is amazing. They provided pre-planned diagrams you can print out or a design-your-own tool that makes it easy to work with the space you have! Great articles and other resources available on their website, too.
Yay gardening! Now to bundle up on the couch and wait for spring. :-)
Monday, February 10, 2014
Continuing adventure
Today, after almost 4 months of unemployment, Matt starts a new job.
Tomorrow marks 1 year since I returned to employment at our church.
(after almost a year away I returned last February: same office, same desk, but a new position in a new ministry.)
Last week was Matt's 30th birthday and a couple of months ago we celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. Our life together is - in many ways - set and established, but at the same time still filled with new experiences and change.
New is good. New is exciting. New is scary.
But most of all, new things are a necessary part of life. A new chapter. Not an entirely new story, but an additional volume in an established collection. A continuing adventure.
Tomorrow marks 1 year since I returned to employment at our church.
(after almost a year away I returned last February: same office, same desk, but a new position in a new ministry.)
Last week was Matt's 30th birthday and a couple of months ago we celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. Our life together is - in many ways - set and established, but at the same time still filled with new experiences and change.
New is good. New is exciting. New is scary.
But most of all, new things are a necessary part of life. A new chapter. Not an entirely new story, but an additional volume in an established collection. A continuing adventure.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
New Start
A few weeks ago Matt and I celebrated 5 years of marriage. As
readers of this blog may know, this year has been a hectic one. I am
thankful every single day that this year is not ending the same way it
began. January 1, 2013 Matt and I were barely speaking to each other,
and it only got worse from there.
If either one of us had taken one more step backwards, one more angry, hurtful, tearing tug away from each other, our marriage would have been finished. I don’t like to relive those moments. There are still times when I am afraid. There are still days when I lash out with words that I know will wound. There are still moments and memories that leap up and make me ache with silent pain, but I am starting to learn how to fight through that, to stand against it and not let fear become bitterness and hate.
We have learned and grown and been strengthened this year. By making
changes together and separately we have become stronger together and
closer in our relationship with God. I wanted so many things to be
different and for that change to happen instantly, but no real progress
was made until I stepped back and said, "God, this is Yours. It has to
be Yours. I can't try to control it anymore." When pushing and nagging and fighting becomes praying and encouraging and collaborating, things change. Hearts change. Futures brighten.If either one of us had taken one more step backwards, one more angry, hurtful, tearing tug away from each other, our marriage would have been finished. I don’t like to relive those moments. There are still times when I am afraid. There are still days when I lash out with words that I know will wound. There are still moments and memories that leap up and make me ache with silent pain, but I am starting to learn how to fight through that, to stand against it and not let fear become bitterness and hate.
2014 is starting off with lean finances, bills to pay, cars to repair. But it is also beginning with hope and strength and renewed vision. In 2013 we began serving in ministry together every week. We got to do mission work together for the first time. We are part of an on-going small group that is marriage-focused and gives us relationship goals to achieve. As 2014 begins, Matt and I like spending time together. We want to be in each other's lives. We are glad to be married.
And that, my friends, sounds like a great way to start a new year.
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