It’s One Word Friday!
Ok, so I’m not sure how I got there, but after becoming a Christian in my teens, I fell into a default mode that always assumed that God’s will must be the hardest, and most painful choice I was faced with.
Broccoli or brownie? Broccoli must be more holy.
Cat or dog? God surely hates cats so He must want to refine my character by inflicting a cat on me (if this is true, I’m not committed enough to be a disciple) Continue reading
Today we start a new Friday series called “5 Questions About…” 
Recently my friend, Lee Hanssen, who is the director of student ministry at our church, (and just happens to be a rodeo rider on the side :)), preached on Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Oh my gosh, have you seen that verse quoted on all the cards everywhere in the history of the world without end amen for anyone who was sad, or getting married, or graduating, or…? I loved Lee’s message and I wanted him to share some of it with you.
1. What made you choose this popular verse for your text? Continue reading
Happy Father’s Day! It’s raining here in Minnesota and our church picnic has been moved inside for later. As I sat down and started writing this morning, considering people reading this in different places, I wondered what you might be thinking and feeling.
Some people have a really hard time thinking of God as their heavenly “Father”, because their experience of a father has been less than heavenly. The fathers in their lives have been absent or abusive, or untrustworthy, or controlling. So to call God “father” is not helpful. I get that. You may be more comfortable with an image of God as a mother, or a shepherd or a place of refuge. Great, go for it.
I understand too, that on Father’s Day there may be tangled hot mess of regret, anger, and confusion. About Dads and God and longing to feel loved in ways you haven’t experienced, and trying to forgive hurts you don’t deserve.
There are many dad’s who don’t live into the name well. Just like there are Christians who are hypocritical and mean-spirited and don’t live into the name well.
But not all dads disappoint all the time. I’ve been privileged to know many extraordinary dads throughout my family. My own dad, my grandfather, my brothers, and my husband… None of them perfect, but all of them remarkable men who each have modeled different godly characteristics that have enriched my understanding of God. Continue reading
Happy One Word Friday! I think some of the ways we “Choose Life” (my two words) are by choosing truth, choosing grace, and choosing to delight in the gifts of God. I thought I’d share some of those gifts that have been delighting me lately. What about you? Share what’s delighted you lately in the comments! Continue reading
Do you have a nickname? It’s not a nickname exactly, but in our family, and with my close friends, I’m known as “Idea Woman”.
I’ve shared before that husband John says the first line of the 4 Spiritual Laws should really read: God loves you and LAURA has a wonderful plan for your life!
So, I’ll admit that there are people who see me coming with that “IDEA gleam” in my eye and are tempted to run away.
The other thing I’m accused of is grilling asking a lot of questions of people I meet. Frankly, besides wanting to be a spy, I also want to be Katie Couric (and yes, look like her too).
All that to say, I’m really excited about an idea I had for a new blog series called “5 Questions About….” I have so many incredibly talented friends that I thought, what if I send some of them 5 questions about different topics that they have great insights on?
So, one day weekly til l run out of friends or topics, we’ll be doing 5 Questions About… Leadership, Hospitality, Singleness, God’s plans, Mentoring, Risk, etc. (I’ll alternate these with One Word posts.)
“An expert is someone who knows some of the worst mistakes that can be made in his subject, and how to avoid them.” Werner Heisenberg
Everyone is an expert at something. Who is someone with a gift or a skill you’d like to learn from? Give them a call today and set up a time for coffee. You might say, “I really admire your understanding of ________ and I’d love to learn from you. Could we spend an hour together?” Everyone likes to share their knowledge and experience!
There’s so much we can learn from each other!
Proverbs 23:12 says, Give yourselves to disciplined instruction; open your ears to tested knowledge.
What’s a topic you’d like to ask 5 questions about?
Two and a half years ago I prayed about God’s direction for a new season, and He used the story of Elijah and the widow to prompt me to use my “flour and oil” – my tiny bit that He would make enough.
Specifically, this blog. I said, “Ok, I’ll try to show up with my flour and oil if You’ll show up with Your Spirit.” It is no holy-moley exaggeration to say that it’s been a stretching experience of dependence on Him for weekly words. Any value here is Him graciously using me. Last week, for the first time I did a survey to see how you feel it’s going.
People in “real” jobs get a pay check and a yearly review. Students get grades and diplomas. We all grow by evaluating – setting goals and checking to see where we’re hitting the mark and where we need to recalibrate. Other than praying and trusting God, discerning progress and value on a blog is hard.
I know surveys can be a pain, so I want to say a HUGE “Thank you!” to the many readers who took the time to give feedback! I sooooo appreciate it!! It was informative and encouraging! Often I write and post and it feels like my words are flying out into a vast cosmic void. This survey assured me that there are actual PEOPLE reading and being encouraged by these posts God graciously gives me. It was so great getting to KNOW you a little bit through your responses!
Three things I learned from the survey: Continue reading
Last year my One Word was Fearless. Even if it wasn’t your “word”, it clearly struck a cord with many of you.
I’d really like to say, “Fear shmear! Puh-lease! We’ve dealt with you and we’re so done! Shaking the fear dust off our feet! Moving on!”
Unfortunately, like bad hair days and weeds, it can keep showing up. What’s a current fear of yours? Is it a risk in business? A parenting decision? A move or change?
Recently as daughter Maggie was getting ready to head to northern Uganda she was researching snakes – a phobia we both share.
She texted me asking if I thought mace would deter a Black Mamba. I said I thought it might just make him angrier. Her husband, Austin did research and assured her that she’d have 20 minutes to find an antidote (in the middle of nowhere) before she died. And then this:
So, she’s got that advice in her hip pocket.
But a fear of mine, not as dramatic as snakes, has been plaguing me recently – fear of technology.
Laura to technology is like the Cubs to baseball. #Fail. And I HATE making mistakes!
Recently it was creating and trying to figure out how to embed a survey that loomed large. Now on the other side of it, I am trying to reflect on what I’m learning about facing fears, especially when I feel inadequate. Here are a few of my learnings. I’d love to hear yours!
1. Study. Like Maggie googling snakes in Africa, the more I can learn about something the better off I’ll be. Frankly that’s a pain with technology because I’d prefer to have someone sit down and show me, but instead I had to google tutorials. Still, it paid off. Knowledge is power. Or a tiny bit of courage.
2. Ask, “What’s the worst thing that could happen?” For me the worst that could happen did. A wrong button was hit and those of you who subscribe received an empty post. How humiliating! (Again, I HATE appearing incompetent). But was it as catastrophic as the apocalypse? No. You guys are a forgiving lot and I dusted myself off and tried again.
3. Identify the benefits of failure. Often the fear is worse than the thing itself. There can be huge growth, relief, and pride on the other side of walking through our fears, even if temporary failure is part of the deal.
I don’t just fear technology, I basically hate it. It’s detail-y and scienc-y and science is close to math and we all know I don’t do math, so it takes a tremendous amount of discipline to MAKE myself do any projects involving technology. But that discipline pays off in learning new skills, and diminished fear for the future.
4. Pray. (You figure I had to put that one in, eh?). Honestly my prayers regarding my fears are usually an inarticulate “Helpmehelpmehelpme!”. I’m learning I’m better off if I pray scripture – either paying attention and praying for the character qualities of those in the Bible who face their fears – like Daniel, Joseph, and Nehemiah, or claiming God’s promises of His presence and guidance.
So, what’s a current fear of yours? What are you learning?
First of all, a huge “Thank you!” to all of you who took the time to fill out the survey this week! I really appreciate it and look forward to learning more about you and how I can improve. Today’s title implies that the post is just about marriage, but I think every living being deals with this issue…
On July 30th, husband John and I will be celebrating our 31st anniversary. That’s a long time. Longer than the Internet or Chicken McNuggets have been around. A lot longer than Kim Kardashian’s three marriages put together. A. Long. Time.
He puts up with me waking him in the middle of the night to talk about “things”, and I try to take his unusual compliments in the spirit they are given. Like when he says I look autumnal, or compares me to yogurt, or says being with me is as good as being alone. What can I say? Our marriage works.
However, like in any healthy relationship between two beloved riff-raffs, we still have issues. Well, one issue. One very specific issue. Continue reading
Along with Liam Neeson in Taken, I can say, “I have a certain set of skills.” Unfortunately, anything technological is not included in that set of skills.
I am proud of myself for facing my fears and incompetency in this area and persevering in figuring out stuff, but it’s an uphill climb! All that to say, I’ve been trying to publish a post with a survey included, and the tech gremlins have been conspiring to undermine my efforts.
I published the post yesterday, but somehow it didn’t go out to subscribers. Soooo, let’s try this. Please click here: Ten Questions that Will Change Your Life , take the survey, and then pray that for the love of sweet baby Jesus I don’t smash my computer.
Thanks for your patience!
Laura
Ok, maybe that title might be a tad of an over-statement, but I really wanted to get your attention. I started this blog 2 1/2 years ago with the goal of helping people pay attention to the relationships, experiences, and practices God uses to form us.
One of my goals this year is to improve. To write more engaging, relevant, valuable posts that will make you smile or ponder or respond. Well, that kind of thing is a little hard to measure! One thing that would be SUPER helpful is if you would take a second (ok, maybe 2 minutes) to fill out this survey for me.
I asked John if I should include an incentive (like free money) to get more of you to respond, but he pointed out that I have no money, so I’m just banking on your good will and desire to help me get better. 🙂 My goal is to get over 300 responses. Pleeeeease take 2 minutes right now and help a sister out.
Click here > 10 Questions Survey
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