Learning Along The Way

Few Facts & Fantastic Fun on Fridays

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Few Facts & Fantastic Fun on Fridays

How’s that for an alliteration?

Few Facts:

I love Fridays.

I was born on a Friday; that 14th century poem says Friday’s Child is Loving and Giving, which makes me happy.

I’m an Enneagram 7, which is called the Enthusiast, which means I am a party waiting to happen and of course,

TGIF

Don’t you love to have fun? I’ve been told Girls just want to have Fun. Makes me glad I’m not a boy (sorry guys)

But seriously, I want to add to my Summer Fun Challenge by using Fridays as the focus of ways to have Fantastic Fun. We can do this without breaking the bank and by learning to show up in little and big ways.

I’ve recognized something you probably know too; creativity wasn’t given much value in public education. It’s hard to assess creativity on a standardized test. I have a soapbox of education topics but I’m not climbing up there right now.

I want to confess my struggle with seeing myself as a Creative.

I can see in the rear view mirror how I’ve been creative my entire life but also was not encouraged in my creative pursuits.

Too much time. Too messy. Too much money for supplies. Too much.

I translated those repeated messages as being creative is not worth it. The story I told myself was creativity is frivolous, expensive, a waste. I’m so thankful for the work of Brene Brown. Her research has given me courage to tell myself a different story.

Here's the thing: logic tells me that if I'm created in the image of God, and God is creative, since I bear the imago dei, I am creative with creativity to share. Click To Tweet

I’ve started a new practice: doing something intentionally creative every day.

Often it’s taking pictures with my wonderful camera on my phone.

I’m showing up as a Creative. When someone comes to our latest place we call home for the first time I’m noticing the comments about color and peacefulness. I realize I am more of a Bohemian creative than I gave myself permission to be.

It’s time for a change.

How about some Fantastic Fun challenges on Fridays?

What about taking 10 minutes to make a card with scrapbook paper? Or coloring for a few moments in a coloring book? Or dancing to your favorite music? Or planting some flowers? Or?

I have a new friend who is a Creative, too. She does amazing fun, easy, creative projects. She also is in the process of developing a way to help the rest of us who don’t slip into creative spaces as easily. I’m looking forward to sharing what she’s up to in a post later this month.

In the meantime, how do you share your creativity? If you don’t consider yourself a creative, what story are you telling yourself about creativity?

I shared my story that I’m re-writing. Join me this month. Share your ideas, your stories. We need each other!

 

Word on Wednesdays

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A couple of years ago, I wanted to learn to meditate and memorize three verses. I’ve memorized a lot of verses over the years but I hadn’t dug in, slowed down and let them marinate into my soul. This was a new practice for me.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

This is the passage. Three verses packed with meaning beyond our English translation. Three verses that as I began to sit with them I realized I wanted to slow down even more and consider them phrase by phrase, not all of the three verses together.

What I learned from doing this slow, meditative practice has reframed my relationship with Jesus. That is saying something. I loved this experience so much I want to share it with you on Wednesdays for the rest of the summer. Beyond this month of Summer Fun!

This is another Way we can practice how to Show Up every day.

My desire is to encourage you to meditate on these words, phrase by phrase, allowing them time to get into your bones. Once there, they will transform you from the inside out.

It’s not magic but it is Mysterious; how does a passage of the Bible have the power to change the way we think and act? I wish I had the full answer. I do know there are countless examples of scripture transforming minds & hearts but perhaps as many of scripture being used out of context as a weapon of hatred and control rather than being wielded with grace. My question becomes “what was the context and its intent?”

As we study this passage we’ll get to see photos of the region where He was when He spoke these words, hear more about His audience and what their lives were like, and look for what this means for us as Christ followers in 2018.  I hope each of you will reply with questions or additional things you learn as you study on your own; we are all in this together! Please share. You don’t know how your question or learning may benefit someone.

For this week I’d like to encourage you to do a comparison reading of this passage in several translations. As you read, ask the Holy Spirit to bring these words to life in your mind and heart.  Choose one version that resonates as you read it and then begin to memorize the passage in that version. You have the rest of the summer!

Focus. Practice. Sacrifice.

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A constant focus on adversity defeats many Christians. They walk through a day that is brimming with beauty and brightness, seeing only the grayness of their thoughts. Neglecting the practice of giving thanks has darkened their mindsIt’s Monday. Sometimes just saying ‘it’s Monday’ can bring a deep sigh; a ‘here we go again’ mindset about the daily grind. After a longer break from routine for most, this Monday may have more challenges than usual. This morning I read the day’s entry from the devotional Jesus Calling by Sarah Young and was reminded of a few things.
* Giving thanks takes focus give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thess. 5:18)

* Giving thanks takes practice … and be thankful; …with thankfulness in your hearts; …giving thanks to God (Col.3: 15,16,17)

* Giving thanks is a sacrifice Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. (Heb. 13:15)

Focus. Practice. Sacrifice.

These are words that are associated with training, with work; and work takes effort.

Many friends have made the effort and used social media this month to name what they are thankful for on a daily basis. I have been blessed and encouraged by their posts. You may be one of them. I am thankful to God for you as you live out …let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good deeds (Heb. 10:24)

So if today you’re focusing on the drudgery of your responsibilities, may I suggest a shift in focus? Look for things to be thankful for. Name them. Thank God for each one.

Practice thanking God for the little things. This work has a promise attached to it:
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:7)

And who among us couldn’t benefit from a peace that passes all understanding in the middle of our day?

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