Learning Along The Way

What Difference Does the Resurrection Make? (pt 2)

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The tumbling I mentioned has continued.  This question, What Difference Does the Resurrection Make? has rolled around in my head now for two days; the backdrop transforming thought as I have lived a regular life on the outside.

I’ve made a connection, thanks to the comment left on the post.

Right theology can lead to right thinking which can lead to right action. 

Please notice I did not say an absolute ‘does’ or a guaranteed ‘will’ lead to right result.  We can know all the right things but what we do with them, the outcome, has many opportunities to get messed up.

From the spring of 2009 to the summer of 2011 I had the privilege of meeting weekly with a group of younger women.  We called ourselves NTBS (non-traditional Bible study).  We didn’t go through a traditional Evangelical Bible study workbook.  We spent our time looking together at the big idea: “what difference does being a Christ follower make in my daily life?”  We had opportunity to work through Renovare’s Spiritual Formation Handbook and grapple with weekly Soul Training exercises that caused each of us to squirm a bit in different areas of our lives.

After working through the handbook we began to read and discuss and act on The Good and Beautiful God by James Bryan Smith.  In this and the following two books in the Apprenticeship Series a concept was introduced to us that none of us had ever tackled before; the idea of narratives we tell ourselves.

A.W. Tozer said “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

Slowing down to really think about our thinking about God and His Word and, when necessary, work on aligning our false narrative with the True narrative found in Scripture was the focus of our time together.

I miss meeting with these women.  We became a community within our larger community.  One was moving for grad school, my life circumstances weren’t going to allow a weekly meeting in the evenings in the fall, so we agreed it was time to take a break from NTBS.  But I am a changed woman from spending the time with these women, allowing myself to really think about what I believe and how my beliefs affect my actions.

The tumbling thought of What Difference Does the Resurrection Make? is still rolling around in my mind and has bumped up against a false narrative I have told myself for a looonnnggg time.  More on that tomorrow.

 

What Difference Does the Resurrection Make?

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I have spent the better part of today alone and musing.  I did have some lovely outdoor time hiking a nearby trail with a dear friend, but even then I spent more time listening or asking questions than talking about what’s rolling around inside.

Our Pastor Tim asked an open-ended question of his Easter Sunday audience: “What difference does the Resurrection make?”  And I’ve been mulling it around in my head ever since.

Our family shared a huge feast with 25 others yesterday at my friend Sue’s home.  The echo of the question was ringing in my ears keeping me distracted and not 100% in attendance with everyone sharing the Resurrection Cake (angel food—hole in the center covered with whipped cream) and singing three verses of “Up From the Grave He Arose”.  I listened and asked questions, but still “What difference does the Resurrection make?” was tumbling in the background of my mind like a rock polisher at work in the garage.

And just like the rock tumbler sands off the edges and shines up a stone, pondering this gem of a question reminded me of this portion of Paul’s letter to the Colossian believers:

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

That’s a power packed sentence but it says it well.  Accepting the reality and work of Jesus Christ through the resurrection means we accept His rescue operation.  You and I can have forgiveness for all we have ever done or said or thought that has been below God’s perfection.  Not only are we forgiven but He has bought us back from the domain of darkness and put us into His kingdom!

Have you thought about this question?  What difference does the Resurrection make?

It’s big.  There’s more.  Stay tuned…

 

 

New Direction

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My husband was laid off on Thursday.  His work was no longer needed by the company.  That was it. No severance, no two weeks notice, just work through this Wednesday the end of the pay period and good bye.

Now mind you on that particular day I was in the throes of preparing and finalizing details for a retreat I had been asked to lead on Saturday.  So at that time, my response was “Really?!? What a timely distraction from where my mind and heart need to be!  It’s obvious God wants to do a great work on Saturday!”  I didn’t melt into a puddle of tears, I asked my prayer warrior friends to jump in and I simply trusted God.  I didn’t start to worry about what and how and where and why. Not then.

Today however is a new day and the temptation to worry that is common to us all was present again.  I found myself swift to my to do list; taking control of the things I knew needed doing that I had in my power to do.  Three hours into my day, after neglecting my regular habit of entering into the day slowly by having coffee with Jesus, I stopped midstream and sat down and cried.  I cried out my worry, my fear of the unknown, all the pent up hurts from sudden and uncontrolled change in my life to date.  And just as suddenly as the flood came on, it receded.  I picked up my devotional, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young, and read today’s entry:

“Waiting, trusting, and hoping are intricately connected, like golden strands interwoven to form a strong chain.  Trusting is the central strand, because it is the response from My children that I desire the most.  Waiting and hoping embellish the central strand and strengthen the chain that connects you to Me.  Waiting for Me to work, with your eyes on Me, is evidence that you really do trust Me.”

This was a love gift; a tangible reminder of love and provision even when I don’t see HOW. or WHERE. or WHAT. or I don’t know WHY.

GOD, the Maker of the heavens and earth and all created things, KNOWS.  He CARES.  He reminded me of this picture that I took at Christmas of 2008.  It was the first Christmas without both my Mom and Dad.  I saw this sign as just that; a sign to remind me that living in the past was just as it reads: Dead End.

In the same way, when I go down the path of thinking about what if? or how will? or why? it’s the same Dead End.  The knowing belongs to the One who is Omniscient (All Knowing).  What belongs to me is to Trust.  Thank you Sarah Young for your writing such a great devotional book.  Thank you Lord for Your perfect timing of this gift of words to remind me, and hopefully you as you have read this, that GOD is STILL in CONTROL!

I don’t know details, but I know the One who does!  How about you?  Where do you put your trust?  If you’re in a place of unknowing I’d love to hear from you.  Leave a comment or email me.  We can be in this together!

Confessions of a Recovering Control Freak

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I am challenged.  I know that may sound funny, and my family is probably saying, “Duh!” but what I mean to say is I am being challenged.  Challenged to stretch. grow. change.  And it’s not comfortable or easy.

True Confessions?  I am a recovering control freak.  I have mentioned that issue before so I won’t dive too far in.  Just far enough to admit it.  Here’s how.

I have had a skewed view of friendship.  I am happy to spend time with friends, listen to their stories, laugh with them, cry with them, take care of their children, live life.  But when my life gets busy, I put my head down and get busy, withdrawing from others, ignoring calls or letting texts drop.  Definitely not reaching out, sometimes not responding when an invitation would come my way.  In this way, I was controlling my friendships.  I was being a one way friend.  And in a way, I was controlling relationships.

That is not a friend.  A friend loves at all times.

When is all?  Oh yeah.  ALL.

I am challenged.  I want to be a better friend.  I want to reconnect, reach out, invite, participate.

Ann Voskamp and the team at (in)Courage are planning something big to help women like me be more intentional with friendships.  I suggest you take a look at their plans here.  Let me know how you’re being stretched and if you’re challenged like me.  And if you have called me your friend, and I haven’t acted like one, not only am I truly sorry but know that I am committed to change.  Of course that means more FUN!  And that’s the perfect thing for a Friday, right?

 

Thankful

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Ever have one of those days?  You know the kind: the coffee pot clogs and water and grounds are all over the counter, the car doesn’t start, all the lights turn red on your way to your appointment and you’re already late?  What about a day when you get in one of those moods? Your clothes are uncomfortable, your coffee is too hot, and something smells bad in the fridge.  Things seem to go from bad to worse each moment.  The merry go round is going and you want to get off!  How do you stop it?  The best way to throw on the brakes that I have tried is to stop!

 

But it takes more than just telling myself this attitude stinks and I don’t want to be this way.  I have to change my attitude.  The only thing I have found that actually works for me is to force myself to name good things that happened that day.  There are good things happening all the time but when I am in “one of those moods” I don’t see them.  I have to stop and remind myself of what they are.  So the question becomes, What am I thankful for?

 

Sometimes I have to start with the basics: the air I am breathing, a body that is working, water to drink.  But once I get going, recognizing the many things I have to be thankful for I can literally feel my muscles relax and the tense, yucky attitude fades.  It isn’t easy to get there, I really have to force myself out of the bad attitude sometimes.  I have been challenged on many occasions by how opposite my head and heart feel from the straightforward words of Paul …”in everything, give thanks.”  What has really helped me is remembering that change is a process it’s not as simple as flipping a light switch: on – off- on – off.  I have to cultivate thankfulness.  That takes focused attention.

 

If you need help with this like I do, I have a book recommendation for you.  It is life changing!  1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp.  Her writing style is very poetic and visual; as I read I could see the road she spoke of, the trees she described.  But she has an economy of words that I admire; a way of writing that drew me in but didn’t go on too long.  I don’t want to take away from the value of reading her book, but I loved how she unpacked this idea of being thankful.  If you haven’t read it I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you do.  Then when you start to go down the path of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, you can catch yourself and start a thankful list instead!

Grace to Learn

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What is it about learning that takes so long for some and goes so quickly for others? I’ve studied learning theories for years; the variables are endless. In the final analysis, it boils down to one common statement: learning is unique to each individual. Parents know this as they watch their children learn to feed themselves, walk and talk. No one goes through learning in exactly the same way. Wise parents give their children room to try, practice and make mistakes, knowing that the missteps are tools in learning what does work.
Interestingly some of us lose sight of this truth, developing unrealistic expectations of ourselves that we apply to all aspects of our lives. I’ve been spending the past year learning about mindset and it’s affect on our actions. I have also been at work changing mine (mindset) in several areas; one of which is how fast (or slowly) I learn something and what I tell myself in the process.  This actually relates in a big way to why I have been silent in the blogosphere for this past year. Without diving into too much detail, I have spent a great deal of time attempting to learn how to develop my own website using lots of tools and support services available. Notice I said “attempting”. In this process I learned several things: html code is full of details; I have an unrealistic mindset of how quickly I can learn and apply new knowledge; I don’t give myself much grace.
I don’t know if you struggle with an unrealistic mindset/expectation, but I’ll tell you what, it’s a burden! How I think affects how I act. No one “sees” my thoughts but they do see my actions and re-actions. I am hard on myself when I can’t do something quickly and correctly. I have said many unkind things to myself that I WOULD NEVER say to another human being. This internal dialogue leaks out in ways I had not seen until I started to learn about Mindset. Anybody else like that? Where does a negative mindset come from? I have recognized that knowing how I formed a negative, unrealistic mindset is not as valuable as knowing how to change my mindset. I’ve also learned I can’t change my mindset without encouragement and accountability.

Knowing where I am (in this case a negative, unrealistic mindset) and where I want to be (speaking grace to myself when I can’t do something quickly/correctly) has been a big part of my learning along the Way this year.  People close to me know that when I have learned something I think is worth sharing I am ready to burst with excitement to share!  I’ve decided to use my blogging as a venue to share what I’ve been learning, ever hopeful that it will be a benefit to others.  As you see me writing more, I’d love to hear from you.  Or if you are the quiet, vicarious learner just subscribe to my RSS feed.  Either way, I’d appreciate knowing if what I have learned is making a difference for others.

To Teach is to Touch a Life Forever

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Some of you who have known me for awhile already are familiar with my history. But for those who don’t, I have spent more than half my life teaching. I have worked with children, youth and adults in a variety of settings from traditional classrooms to garages to auditoriums. I love to teach!

What I have discovered in working with my coach Kathy is that my passion is really to give the tools to learn so that my students, regardless of age, can continue the learning process on their own. Giving away a passion for learning and growing is not an easy task. But if only one student was inspired in each year’s work, it would have been worth it to me.

The funny thing is, although I am no longer a classroom teacher, I find myself still teaching! I guess it is because I am an eager learning and I want to share whatever new things I have come across. When I am enthusiastic about something it is nearly impossible for me to keep my enthusiasm to myself. I’m not sure if that is bad; you’d have to ask my family what it is like living with me: “Hey you guys! Guess what I just read?!”

Your passion may not be for learning and teaching what you learn. You do have passion about something though. You may be busy today with small children and can’t think much past their daily schedule of needs, or you may be going into a season of change and you don’t know what is ahead. Either way, somewhere inside you is some element of creative passion. I know that is true because each of us is created in the image of God and He is the source of creativity and passion!

I really encourage you to carve out some time to sit in solitude asking your Maker what your passion is if you are disconnected from the awareness of how you are wired. He knows the plans He has for you…

Some of you are really living out your passions right now and you inspire me! I really believe we are intended to share our gifts and talents with one another for both blessing and challenge. How do we get started though? What can you do today to take a step toward living out your passion? I would love to talk with you about what I have been learning (there I go again!) that can help you get the tools you need to learn about your passion.

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