I cannot believe that it has been nearly a week since my last post. The past several days have flown by!
I simply had to post today because I love to share a good laugh! I have written before about Cake Wrecks, my all time favorite lunch-time blog read. Well, today's Cake Wrecks post is an absolute must read. You just will not believe it! Click here and enjoy.
I also wanted to update you on my Ash Wednesday post detailing my Lenten calendar commitment. So far, I have not done so well. The first couple of days were great, but then the calendar became filled with suggestions to go online and read articles or watch videos...this is definitely not at all what I was expecting and I actually had a lot of trouble loading a video that I really did try to see. Looking ahead, I see several more active assignments on the calendar so I think I will be a bit more dedicated to completing them. I'll keep you posted!
I hope you have had a blissful week so far. I am not sure that is how I would initially describe mine, but I am determined to find the bliss amongst disappointment, frustration, stress, and any other negative thing that comes my way. Blessings to you as you journey onward in your bliss!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Today's Bliss: Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is not usually thought of as a blissful holiday, I know. But this year, I have already found some bliss this day and hope that it continues throughout the Lenten season. I have found bliss in the reminders that Ash Wednesday offers to me: of Christ's suffering so that I could live...of God's love that frees me from all bonds...of God's faithfulness and peace that he offers me so freely...of Christ's determination to triumph over evil.
Over the years, I have gone back and forth with "giving up" something during Lent. Some years it feels like the right thing to do and other years it does not. A family joke every year growing up was my grandfather always giving up watermelon and cigarettes; well, watermelon wasn't in season and he didn't smoke, so his Lenten fast was easy for him!
I have given up desserts, sodas, sugar, snacks...all of these were good reminders of the sacrifice I should be making for Christ, but they were not extremely meaningful. A couple of years, I added things to my daily routine instead of giving something up. I added daily prayer time and devotions, Bible readings, meditation. These were a much deeper thing for me and I really enjoyed it.
Last year, a friend in my Sunday School class told me about a Lent Calendar that she was using during her 40 day focus on God. This calendar had a different suggestion for you to follow every day during the season and there were some interesting additions and subtractions to your daily routine! The Lent Calendar is created each year by Mars Hill Church, the home church of one of my all-time favorite writers and preachers in our modern age: Rob Bell. I half-heartedly followed the calendar last year, but this year I am focused and ready. I have a copy of the Lent Experiential Calendar on my desk at work and in my kitchen at home so that I have no excuse to forget to read it daily!
If you'd like an idea of some things on the calendar:
Today's suggestion is to have an ash cross put on your forehead. (I should be able to do this tonight at our worship service at church...day one: done.) Tomorrow's suggestion is to write a prayer to God explaining the habits, behaviors, and sins you want to die to this Lenten season.
If you would like to download and print the calendar for your own use, just click here.
Have a blessed Ash Wednesday and a deep, meaningful Lenten season. I hope that you find bliss in it!
Over the years, I have gone back and forth with "giving up" something during Lent. Some years it feels like the right thing to do and other years it does not. A family joke every year growing up was my grandfather always giving up watermelon and cigarettes; well, watermelon wasn't in season and he didn't smoke, so his Lenten fast was easy for him!
I have given up desserts, sodas, sugar, snacks...all of these were good reminders of the sacrifice I should be making for Christ, but they were not extremely meaningful. A couple of years, I added things to my daily routine instead of giving something up. I added daily prayer time and devotions, Bible readings, meditation. These were a much deeper thing for me and I really enjoyed it.
Last year, a friend in my Sunday School class told me about a Lent Calendar that she was using during her 40 day focus on God. This calendar had a different suggestion for you to follow every day during the season and there were some interesting additions and subtractions to your daily routine! The Lent Calendar is created each year by Mars Hill Church, the home church of one of my all-time favorite writers and preachers in our modern age: Rob Bell. I half-heartedly followed the calendar last year, but this year I am focused and ready. I have a copy of the Lent Experiential Calendar on my desk at work and in my kitchen at home so that I have no excuse to forget to read it daily!
If you'd like an idea of some things on the calendar:
Today's suggestion is to have an ash cross put on your forehead. (I should be able to do this tonight at our worship service at church...day one: done.) Tomorrow's suggestion is to write a prayer to God explaining the habits, behaviors, and sins you want to die to this Lenten season.
If you would like to download and print the calendar for your own use, just click here.
Have a blessed Ash Wednesday and a deep, meaningful Lenten season. I hope that you find bliss in it!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Today's Bliss: Energy
It has been a while since I last posted anything here; the winter blahs have been in full force for me lately. I have also had some stress at work and it has overwhelmed my ability to think clearly and feel at ease in my office. But today was different. Today, I felt energized, motivated, ready to face the day with gusto! Today I greeted the day with a new sense of confidence and readiness to face whatever came my way. It was a good day, especially considering it was a Monday!
As a look back at my day and ask why I felt so renewed, the only answers are: rest and God. This weekend was incredibly restful and relaxing at our house. With little on the agenda, I had time to catch up on some things, accomplish looming tasks, and enjoy time with N. This was complimented by yesterday's church service, which was a very refreshing time. The service began with all of us making a list of things that we wanted to get from the service. I noted: comfort, peace, direction. These pieces of paper were then collected and placed on the altar. Taking time to really think about what I needed from the service was powerful and it really helped the experience be a meaningful one.
Another major highlight of the service was the music. We had a choir visiting from Boston and they had some soul. They moved me with their spirit, energy, and ability to communicate faith through song. I clapped, swayed, and rejoiced with them! The sermon was good also, a reminder of the light that we are called to shine in every corner of the world that we live in. A reminder to be what we are called to be: a shining example of God's love. One of the most powerful parts of the sermon was the gentle reminder that every single person we encounter has God's light inside them...whether they know it or not, whether it is obvious or not, it is there and we are called to help bring that light out so that it can shine in the universe also.
When I left the service, I felt that I definitely received all of the things that I listed on my paper at the beginning of the service. And I was reminded of my very favorite scripture verse. One that I have tried to live every day (even though I frequently do not succeed as much as I wish I could).
Philippians 2:14-18
Do everything without arguing or complaining so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life - in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
The feeling of peace that I felt after the church service was still with me today. Praise God! And I pray that it will be with me tomorrow...and the next day...and I pray that others around me will have the energy and peace to faithfully face the day before them as well.
We are all called to be bright lights in this world. I hope you will help me shine like a star. I'll try to help you, too.
As a look back at my day and ask why I felt so renewed, the only answers are: rest and God. This weekend was incredibly restful and relaxing at our house. With little on the agenda, I had time to catch up on some things, accomplish looming tasks, and enjoy time with N. This was complimented by yesterday's church service, which was a very refreshing time. The service began with all of us making a list of things that we wanted to get from the service. I noted: comfort, peace, direction. These pieces of paper were then collected and placed on the altar. Taking time to really think about what I needed from the service was powerful and it really helped the experience be a meaningful one.
Another major highlight of the service was the music. We had a choir visiting from Boston and they had some soul. They moved me with their spirit, energy, and ability to communicate faith through song. I clapped, swayed, and rejoiced with them! The sermon was good also, a reminder of the light that we are called to shine in every corner of the world that we live in. A reminder to be what we are called to be: a shining example of God's love. One of the most powerful parts of the sermon was the gentle reminder that every single person we encounter has God's light inside them...whether they know it or not, whether it is obvious or not, it is there and we are called to help bring that light out so that it can shine in the universe also.
When I left the service, I felt that I definitely received all of the things that I listed on my paper at the beginning of the service. And I was reminded of my very favorite scripture verse. One that I have tried to live every day (even though I frequently do not succeed as much as I wish I could).
Philippians 2:14-18
Do everything without arguing or complaining so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life - in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
The feeling of peace that I felt after the church service was still with me today. Praise God! And I pray that it will be with me tomorrow...and the next day...and I pray that others around me will have the energy and peace to faithfully face the day before them as well.
We are all called to be bright lights in this world. I hope you will help me shine like a star. I'll try to help you, too.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Today's Bliss: Kindle Fire
Okay, so my Kindle Fire is not just today's bliss...it's every day's bliss. N and I received it for Christmas from his parents and we have really enjoyed having it. I am more addicted than he is, admittedly! I love the games, reading books, reading news on the apps, watching shows...I could go on and on. If you are thinking about adding some technology to your life, I highly suggest the Kindle Fire.
Technology has made such massive improvements in my lifetime. Progress is made so quickly that you cannot keep up. As soon as you own a gadget, there is a newer, better version for you to buy. I am definitely not a person who strives to have the next great thing on the market...in fact, my "dumb" phone (rather than a "smart" phone) has needed an upgrade for quite some time now and I really don't want to trade it in. But the Kindle has been a great addition to our living room and it really made me regain some excitement for new technology.
I have noticed, though, that as much as technology has made our lives easier, it can also make us detached. Just last night, I told N that I would have to give up some time on the Kindle Fire for Lent this year. I find myself holding that thing more than I hold N's hand...look at its screen more than my surroundings...play more games with it than I play with my dog. But I think that rather than giving up the Kindle for Lent this year, I will just need to commit to spending just as much time with N and Scooter, really paying attention to them and focusing on being the best wife and dog-mom as I can.
I hope you are thinking about Lent and what you can give up that will help you remember the sacrifice that God made for us. I have not always given up something, but this year I think that Lent will serve as a time for me to think, pray, reflect, and listen to God's voice in all parts of my life.
Technology has made such massive improvements in my lifetime. Progress is made so quickly that you cannot keep up. As soon as you own a gadget, there is a newer, better version for you to buy. I am definitely not a person who strives to have the next great thing on the market...in fact, my "dumb" phone (rather than a "smart" phone) has needed an upgrade for quite some time now and I really don't want to trade it in. But the Kindle has been a great addition to our living room and it really made me regain some excitement for new technology.
I have noticed, though, that as much as technology has made our lives easier, it can also make us detached. Just last night, I told N that I would have to give up some time on the Kindle Fire for Lent this year. I find myself holding that thing more than I hold N's hand...look at its screen more than my surroundings...play more games with it than I play with my dog. But I think that rather than giving up the Kindle for Lent this year, I will just need to commit to spending just as much time with N and Scooter, really paying attention to them and focusing on being the best wife and dog-mom as I can.
I hope you are thinking about Lent and what you can give up that will help you remember the sacrifice that God made for us. I have not always given up something, but this year I think that Lent will serve as a time for me to think, pray, reflect, and listen to God's voice in all parts of my life.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Today's Bliss: Service
Our church is a weekly site of feeding, housing, healing, and entertaining for homeless men. Every Friday night a diverse group of twelve men enter our doors for a hot meal, a warm bed, some friendly conversation, a movie marathon, and a dose of love. N and I are regular helpers for the ministry, lending a hand when we are able. Last night we had the unique experience of serving alongside my parents. They joined us for the evening, helping to feed the men...then N and my Dad stayed the night with the men as hosts. It was a very uplifting experience and it made me feel like we were doing something right.
Hearing one of the stories that was shared during the evening made me remember that the pain we all carry is a burden, challenging us to focus on love, focus on forgiveness, and focus on the light that Jesus is for us all. Some people have stories that really make you stop and think: how did you overcome all that you have had in your path? I look at my blessed, blissful life and I am so grateful for a wonderful family. For parents to serve alongside. For love that I have never had to beg for or earn. Struggling, hurting people are everywhere and something as simple as a backpack for a homeless man that needs some help carrying his few belongings can make a huge difference in his life.
One of the main things that we see Jesus do throughout the New Testament is serve. He heals, teaches, guides, provides, and helps all of the people who need it. He was never worried about himself; only others. His ultimate act of service was dying so that we could live. So that we can live and help people who need it. So that we can show love to the hurting, suffering people that he has placed in our path. Acts big and small can change the world and can help people see that even in the darkest day there is hope. There is a Father who can save them and heal their hurting hearts. There are people who care about them and want them to succeed. There are places to turn to for help.
God has gently reminded me of a way to truly find bliss. Love your neighbor (Luke 10:27) and serve one another humbly in love (Galatians 5:13).
Hearing one of the stories that was shared during the evening made me remember that the pain we all carry is a burden, challenging us to focus on love, focus on forgiveness, and focus on the light that Jesus is for us all. Some people have stories that really make you stop and think: how did you overcome all that you have had in your path? I look at my blessed, blissful life and I am so grateful for a wonderful family. For parents to serve alongside. For love that I have never had to beg for or earn. Struggling, hurting people are everywhere and something as simple as a backpack for a homeless man that needs some help carrying his few belongings can make a huge difference in his life.
One of the main things that we see Jesus do throughout the New Testament is serve. He heals, teaches, guides, provides, and helps all of the people who need it. He was never worried about himself; only others. His ultimate act of service was dying so that we could live. So that we can live and help people who need it. So that we can show love to the hurting, suffering people that he has placed in our path. Acts big and small can change the world and can help people see that even in the darkest day there is hope. There is a Father who can save them and heal their hurting hearts. There are people who care about them and want them to succeed. There are places to turn to for help.
God has gently reminded me of a way to truly find bliss. Love your neighbor (Luke 10:27) and serve one another humbly in love (Galatians 5:13).
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Today's Bliss: Finished Project
Last week, I posted about Creativity and how much I appreciate the chance to be creative in my work.
Here is a photo of the finished project. Bowling pin mascots for Luau on the Lanes - our 2012 Spring fundraising event at work. I am really pleased with how they turned out!
I hope that you have the opportunity to be creative, express yourself in fun and different ways, and let yourself go in an art project occasionally. It is a fun, freeing feeling and I am so blissful when I get to work on projects like this. And the feeling when I am done? Always a good one!
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| For now, I have named them Luau Lucy and Tiki Tom! |
I hope that you have the opportunity to be creative, express yourself in fun and different ways, and let yourself go in an art project occasionally. It is a fun, freeing feeling and I am so blissful when I get to work on projects like this. And the feeling when I am done? Always a good one!
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