Monthly Archives: March 2019

#23 and 24

26 Tuesday Mar 2019

Posted by in Personal Aha Moments

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, ,

#23 The Sermon on the Mount by Sinclair Ferguson, 1987

This classic has sat on our bookshelf at home for decades – and if I picked it up previously, there is no indication of it. I’m glad I waited until this season in my life to read it, so that I could blog about it. It’s a great work with a lot packed into about 200 pages. I highly recommend it because while Matthew 5-7 could arguably be some of the greatest chapters in the Bible, I also think it can be some of the most difficult to interpret.

I enjoyed Sinclair’s teaching on the beatitudes–blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, the peacemakers, the meek, and persecuted. I struggle to remember why it is that we are blessed if we are poor in spirit. And, I also have a hard time with blessed are those who mourn. So, Sinclair’s explanation on these two passages was especially helpful. He says that to be poor in spirit is to be emptied of our own sin-impoverished soul apart from the filling of the Holy Spirit–to be emptied of “self-confidence, self-importance and self-righteousness. I need to memorize that!

The mourning Jesus is referring to is grieving over our own sin. I need to be grieved over my sins. Not the sins I committed decades ago. I trust I’ve moved on–repentantly–but to mourn the sin I committed a couple minutes ago. That is when we are comforted with the forgiving love of the Father.

My favorite part of the book, however, was toward the end when he devotes a whole chapter on Anxiety. (Chapter 12, Anxiety States Cured).

Here’s a quote from that section:

Jesus’ teaching is not a form of ‘power of positive thinking.’ The problem with anxious people is not merely that they think negatively about life. It is much more radical than that. Anxious people think untheologically about life! Their mistake is not that they have low self-images; it is that in all their thoughts there is no room for God. It is only when their focus upon the Lord is restored that they can finally experience the conquest of anxiety.

Anxiety–along with depression–is a way of life for many in this present age. And often we try and fix the problem with drugs. Legal and illegal. But is that fixing the problem or just numbing the soul so we’re not bothered by the entrenched sin within? I think we’re just numbing ourselves. And, I promise, I’m not saying this is an easy fix for many who battle with anxiety. But, I also think that the problem continues because we are not waging war against this battle with the right tools. If this is a struggle for you, I especially recommend this chapter.

I wrote about anxiety over four years ago. If you want to read more of my take on the subject (based largely on a few excellent books), you may find it here.

#24 Understanding Poverty by Ruby Payne, 1996.

I bought this book during the years I was enjoying a summer week at Brookstone Camp. Some of my favorite weeks–ever. Blogged about that too four years ago. Oh the joy that floods my soul when I think about those weeks. Sheer fun. Bringing the love of Jesus to children who are eager, filled with wonder, and easy to love. That’s how I remember them.

This book is eye-opening to the ways and thinking of people living in poverty in America. It sounds very tragic and entrenched. There are a couple of key factors in making it out of this life style. They involve emotional, mental and spiritual resources. I prefer to think of it this way:

  1. Great mentors. (emotional resources)
  2. Excellent education. (mental resources)
  3. The people of God sharing the love of God. (spiritual resources)

Brookstone School does all three of these things well. Is it any wonder it’s my favorite place in Charlotte, North Carolina?

#21 and #22

18 Monday Mar 2019

Posted by in Personal Aha Moments

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

,

#21 Audible. Read by the author.

For the past two months I’ve been listening to a woman read her autobiography. A woman who I didn’t think much about — no strong opinions either way, yet a very polarizing woman in America still today. Some love her and some do not. So, when I saw she had written a book, and did the audible version herself – I wanted to know more. I wanted to hear for myself what she was like. It was more out of curiosity than anything, but I had a feeling if I read her, my opinions would change.

As I listened, the words of Bill Richardson rang in my head: I could be wrong. Bill’s words challenge me to embrace others with that notion; suggesting that we really don’t know what is going on in someone else’s life. We don’t know their back stories and the recurring tapes they have trouble erasing. We don’t know the hurts and the joys. Or the wounds and scars. And the bandages they’ve used to cover over all those emotional pains that render many guarded and ashamed at any age.

Straight from the author’s mouth. Listening instead of reading was a great way to actually feel her words. I could hear when she softened her heart and I could also hear when she still harbored resentment toward someone or some group. There was vulnerability as she admitted feeling hurt over comments made by the media. She showed me her side of a situation that was spliced and diced to fit a journalist’s preconceived notion about her.

I was also curious as to what it was like growing up black in the sixties and seventies. She’s four years younger than me. Remembering those times brought to mind my own thoughts of segregation in the South. Busing happened the year I was in the 7th grade. I still remember the crushing look on the face of a teacher when a couple of her two favorite boys had a horrific fight in the breezeway outside the cafeteria – one black – one white.

The early years were my favorite parts of her story; she seemed more mature at four than I am at fifty-nine. I found myself having great compassion on the kid who always questioned whether she was good enough.

We all have tapes that keep playing in our heads. Not pretty enough. Not smart enough. Not thin enough. Unlovable. Nonredeemable. You name it, we’ve probably all felt some of these things at some time in our life, and often we still feel them the minute we feel rejection by someone or an entire group of people.

This book made me thankful that I’m not famous. She didn’t want to be famous or in politics, and I believe her. Who would? When I hear that another person has jumped into the political race, I have to think, are they crazy? Or perhaps just narcissistic. Surely a bit of both.

This was a very long book. I’ve been called apolitical in the past, and still prefer to hold that distinction, so I’ll not comment much further.

Except to say … when you are looking to the world to make you feel good enough, you will always be in search mode. And I do believe she is still in search mode. Not in a bad way, but in “a still knowing you’ve got work to do” sort of way.

I was hoping she’d share more of her faith in the book. There was a smidge and I liked what I heard, but I wanted her faith to infuse every decision and every season of life. I didn’t see that. She surely has some views that don’t line up with Scripture, but as I read and cringed, I also thought, God’s not done with her. I know that to be true in my own life; where the gentle Savior let’s me know, now its time to work on this entrenched sin in your soul.

But I also know that God is not the kind of God you can keep in your back pocket and take him out when the going gets tough. You want to know if you’re good enough? No. None of us are. That’s why we need a Savior. And to be rescued from ourselves most of all. I think if Michelle were to wholeheartedly–with all her mind, soul and strength–embrace God for her eternal soul and current self-worth, she’d be quite the force.

I intentionally waited to the end to share the title, just in case you had your own preconceived opinions that needed challenging. Becoming Michelle Obama.


#22 Understanding Purpose – A Bible study by Carolyn James, 2006.

If you know me well, you know that Carolyn is my hero. One of them. A big one. If you know her too, you know that she’s had lots of tapes whirling around in her head from childhood, and God has smashed them all. In a good way. I wish she’d read some of her books audibly – so I could listen to her voice and remember why it is that I love her so much.

This is a study meant to be done with other women in community. She has a couple of gems in there that I will close this blog with, but for now I shall say a prayer to the Almighty asking Him for the opportunity to one day do this book in community – perhaps in my studio around my wheel.

The Bible is a gracious, spacious place for women.

God’s purposes never fail — no matter what happens.

No matter where God puts us, we have kingdom work to do.

God created you to be like Him. Before you were born, He wired into your DNA the necessity for a relationship with himself. This is true with every woman. We are His representatives in this world — His eyes, and ears, His voice, His hands and His feet. He wants people who interact with us to get a taste of what He is like because of our character and how we treat them. It is a sober responsibility, an awesome privilege. There is no higher calling.

#19 and 20

11 Monday Mar 2019

Posted by in Personal Aha Moments

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

,

#19 Fast Metabolism Food Rx by Haylie Pomroy, 2016

Good4UFoods

I complied the above list from two sources: this book and WW’s list of zero point foods. I got tired of looking at healthy food lists that included foods I’ve never heard of. So I did my own.

The author of this book surely dislikes sugar, flour, and dairy. You will not find any foods that contain these things in any of her food lists. I would die without dairy – I know that, and I’m not ready to go that far with any diet or lifestyle. Perhaps that’s why I love WW–they love Greek Yogurt – and so do I. I battle daily resisting sugary, doughy items. The verdict is still out on whether or not it is addictive, but if you ask me, YES it is — it is my Achilles heel. The moment I eat something packed with sugar and butter and flour, it makes me remember just how much I love these things.

A couple of take-a-ways and recommendations from this book that I found interesting:

Tomatoes have more positive impact on human health than supplements.

Drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces every day.

Start eating within 30 minutes of waking each day and eat every 3-4 hours. This will be fueling your metabolism.

I think I shall make it my goal in the coming week to create a tasty tomato soup.

If you look closely, you may notice the little icons next to many of the foods in my chart. In addition to adding zero point foods that WW approves of eating, there is also an icon for foods that give you more energy; foods that repair problems with digestion; and, foods that help control blood sugar levels. The author had several more food charts dealing with all sorts of ailments that we humans go through, but these were specific to my own needs.

I’ve read pieces of many diet books in my day. And they all have these things in common: Eat fruits, vegetables, lean meats and healthy fats. Stay away from flour, sugar, white potatoes and fried stuff. I imagine heaven being filled with flour, sugar and fried stuff. I look forward to heaven. For other reasons too. But I must say I’m looking forward to the banquets and feasting on delicacies not yet imagined.

But for now, in this here final third of my life on planet earth, I think this list should be my grocery list. I have it as a photo on all my devices. Which makes me thankful for devices. And finally, while we’re on the subject, here’s a shout out to my WW community. We heal in community. My WW community makes me think that I can do this never ending battle with food because they keep me accountable, while making the journey joyful. For me, it really does take a village.

#20 Flourish by Martin Seligman, 2011

This was an audible read that I started last year and recently finished. While I love listening to something inspirational while dozing off to sleep, or throwing in my studio, or walking on the treadmill, there is just not a whole lot of retention going on. But I am happy for the fleeting thoughts that come from a good book, and this one was excellent.

Here’s what I recall: The author is brilliant and positive, and shares his keys to a happy life. These keys include great relationships, thinking positively and doing things with purpose. Practicing gratitude is huge for him as well. I’m on board with all of that. And while I think he is in favor of a spiritual life – he doesn’t specifically advocate for Christianity or any other religion. I do. Wholeheartedly. I think you can put all these flourish elements into practice, but without a mighty God, empowering you to overcome sin and temptation, filling you with his Holy Spirit, its only a band-aid. And then you die. So, perhaps you die a smidge happier than if you didn’t put positive practices in place. But you still die. I would much rather end my days, as well as live my days now, in light of knowing that I get to spend eternity with Jesus, and many of my favorite people on the planet.

For me, I truly flourish because of my relationship with the Creator. However. I also recognize that it is crucial to put those practices into our lives that this book suggests if you want to flourish. I am sure you could argue for each one in Scripture.

Here’s the deal. It’s not just what you believe, it’s what you do. It’s both/and. I think we can forget that. Orthodoxy is dead without orthopraxy [right practice]. Flourish is all about orthopraxy with no orthodoxy–which makes me wonder: Can some people–those who don’t believe in God–put into practice the skills expressed in Flourish, and live with real shalom? And, what of those very orthodox folks who don’t seem to work on their character? And, does every soul wrestle until it finds its rest in God? Ecclesiastes 3 says eternity is in every heart. Does that mean the same thing?

These questions rattle in my brain often–especially the one that seeks to balance right believing with right living. It’s ever present. I admit, I get annoyed when I see those who profess the right things, live loveless lives. Yes, that’s a judgement. Perhaps i should repent and keep it to myself. But there, I said it. Now you know what is rattling in my brain. It’s these big questions about life and how we live out our faith. I think we all should be asking these questions, and not just of others, but of ourselves. Then once we ask them, we need to be about the act of flourishing. It’s a life long practice, but worth the journey.


#17 and 18

04 Monday Mar 2019

Posted by in Personal Aha Moments

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

,

#17 The Story of My Life by Helen Keller ~ 1903

People who think that all sensations reach us through the eye and ear have expressed surprise that I should notice any difference … they forget that my whole body is alive to the conditions about me.

Who writes the story of their life at the age of 23? Helen does. There’s so much about her life that I naively assumed from the movie starring Melissa Gilbert and Patti Duke. Wrong assumptions of course. So, picking up this book that I received as a gift several years ago, was indeed eye opening.

Her family must have had immeasurable resources at their beckoning. And I can’t help but wonder if they had been poor how someone with such disabilities would live out their days. But blessed she was. She met powerful people able to assist her, and her world seemed rich with wonder. She may have been a bit spoiled as the movie portrayed her, but she took great advantage of all the assistance. And to hear her tell her story at twenty something, you’d think she’d had a glorious life. Gratitude filled her soul.

My thoughts however turn to the many children who grow up with debilitating issues but with none of the advantages that Helen had. Specifically, the Korean girls I met in my studio last week. They are perfect from all outward appearances, but the despair that creeps into their psyche is already present. You see, they are orphans, about to age out of the welfare system in Korea; about to be turned out, into a world that may seem inviting and embracing, yet potentially menacing and victimizing, apart from the intervention of God’s instruments.

And God’s instruments are intervening. I met one of them in my studio that day the girls came to play on my wheel. This dear saint, Sarah, has brought these girls to America to experience love and hope found in Christian homes, and share the hope that is found in a God who has more resources than even Helen Keller’s family could fathom. I can’t help but pray with all my might for these women to tap into the embracing and loving heavenly Father who is beckoning them to Himself. Will they choose Him? Will they come to realize the despair that awaits them apart from Him?

It reminds me of myself at their age. I chose the world. In hindsight, it felt as if I had jumped from the huge hands of God that had protected me during my childhood, and into the arms of an alluring world. A world that seemed on the surface to be much more loving than the Church. I thought I knew what was best for me, and was granted the desires of my lust-filled, selfish heart. The result of that choice: about two weeks of what felt like some kind of utopia, then two and a half years of hell. So not worth it! But the lesson of knowing that what I pick out for myself leads to a joy-less, discontented, hellish existence — priceless.

#18 New Life in the Wasteland by Douglas F. Kelly, 2003.

This book was also a gift. From the author. My beloved boss for over 25 years, and professor for a few of them. Dr. Kelly is one of those intelligent Christians I admire. I love that he is on Team-God. His life is an all-consuming passion. His focus so single-minded, there’s not a lot of room for other things. Like packing boxes. I remember helping him pack up his office the summer we both moved to North Carolina from Mississippi. Watching him struggle to tape up a box brought me to a conversation with Jesus that went something like this: Thanks Lord, you gave Dr. Kelly a brain that can expound a wealth of godly wisdom; and me, the gift of taping up boxes. I’m pretty convinced that Tom and I relocated to the same area of the country as he did, during the same summer, only because Dr. Kelly requested of the Lord that his secretary join him again in ministry. He did make me feel I had worth and value to his own calling, while also making me feel I had a calling too. Grading his systematic theology exams for years has sealed much into my brain that is in there for the duration. But back to the book at hand. I love how this book shares Dr. Kelly’s hope in Jesus! I get the feeling that he could care less what Fox News or CNN or the View are all saying about the current state of affairs. His eyes, and this book, are firmly fixed on Jesus and His Kingdom activity. Dr. Kelly actually thinks, from his wealth of historical knowledge, that when things seem to be at their worse, God is perhaps at his best. Our lives are not a result of fate or politics. And it only takes one soul that is firmly planted in the hands of the Almighty God to transform our own corners of the globe. Dr. Kelly does not minimize the depraved and decaying world that we humans have charge of. Nor does it absolve us humans from being responsible for all the depravity and decay. But more importantly and in beautiful juxtaposition to it, he maximizes the power of God. If I were to re-title or summarize the effects of a book like this on my own soul, it would be something like The Redeemed in the Hands of a Mighty God.

Let us fix our eyes not on what is seen! That is what Dr. Kelly is saying on every page and in many ways. It was a fun and wonderful book for me to read, because I could hear his voice in every paragraph. I’ve missed that voice.