Football and the Church

I am a Detroit Lions fan. If you pay attention to football at all you will know the Lions had an 0-19 record going into yesterdays game. At the end of the fourth quarter it seems the Lions would beat the Redskins 19-14. Lions Win! This is a big day for any Lions fan. As I was reading up on the NFL this morning, I clicked on the "what did we learn in week 3" link. There is a feature on the Lions win, yada yada but what I noticed were the comments people were leaving.

They said things like "I'm a thirty year Packer fan but nothing makes me happier (almost) than seeing the Lions win. Go Lions Go!", "Congrats Detroit faithful. From Baltimore", "Happy for Detroit here in Colorado" and "Congrats Detroit, and I'm not a "Lion". "

All over the country excitement for the Lions is expressed. It's kind of crazy but it does make me smile.

It also makes me wonder if the Church* couldn't take a lesson from football fans. What would it look like for the Church in Tennessee to route for the Church in Oregon. Or the Church in California hears something great about the Church in New York and says "way to go, way to be!" Not that the Church necessarily needs a cheerleader, but that we can all be excited about what God is doing across the country and not so consumed with just our Church (team). What if the Church actually noticed and encouraged each other?

The Church could use a lesson from NFL fans.

*Church--big C, not individual little "c" churches...not individual denominations but all the believers.

Compliments

I am a words of affirmation girl! If you have ever read "The Five Love Languages" you will know what I mean. If you haven't read it--you should. It's very enlightening! Try not to get bogged down with the fact there are the love languages for singles, for teenagers, for children and for couples. If you get confused...just go for the original "The Five Love Languages". A short overview--there are 5 basic love languages that everyone needs, however typically there is one that is your "main" source of love...or you feel loved more so when this love language is used. Make sense? I hope so.

Anyway, as previously mentioned, I'm a words of affirmation girl. I remember what people say about me, good or bad. This can be crippling. Crippling if its a negative comment--I can get stuck in that identity for a long period of time and have a demeaning view of self. Crippling if it's a positive comment--I can get stuck in that identity and become very prideful.

In the last few months I have had an outrageous number of people give me good words to remember. They probably aren't even aware that what they have said was a compliment. Unintential compliments are my favorite. For some reason they seem pure and untainted. They are so refeshing, like jumping in the water from a fire hydrant on a hot summer day or a drink of cold water after you get done working out.

Compliments are precious. Words can change a life. Be intential with your words, you never know what people will remember.

30 was Full

Well, in one hour it will officially be my birthday. I thought I'd reflect a little on how 30 went. As I was gearing up to turn 30, my older and wiser friends kept telling me that your 30's are so much better than your 20's so here is 30...in review.

*Parasailing in Tampa
*First Annual Fall Fest O' Rama
*New Years Eve Benefit
*Survived Tax Season
*lost a pant size
*Planed/spoke at first annual BNL Retreat
*Stopped teaching Awaken
*Went to Italy
*Began writing first book
*Lost my job
*Learning to wait

It's been a full year. I'm definitely much different now than I was last year. Its an odd feeling--maturing, --not just getting older--but seeing yourself make different choices, take new risks, understand yourself a little deeper, I have to say it's definitely better than my 20s.

A Journal Excerpt...

Today is a day of review. Some days I am weary with review but today is not one of those days. Its more of a "remember" review--there is a sweetness to it. I'm sitting at Starbucks, listening to the rain over the hum of conversation and typical jazz music. "Our God Reigns" was a lyric I heard today. Not only does He "reign" but He "rains" too. He is Sovereign and doesn't make my brain to comprehend the future--but to be in constant communication with Him. Peace will continue to allude me if I constantly plan--and according to Sarah Young--always planning is a form of unbelief.

My verses for today: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may life you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. I Peter 5:6-7. "In his heart man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9. "Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him and He will do this." Psalm 37:5.

In the last two weeks I have referenced all three of these verse in conversation--not only to encourage others but in my story as well. I need to remember that God wants to lift me up--in due time. I need to commit to and trust in Him--today. He's not asking about tomorrow--just today. Don't plan--trust. Fight against society and trust.

awake...

So, I'm awake. I'm not normally awake at this time, so I thought if I got my thoughts out of my head, maybe I could sleep. I hope my eight faithful readers will enjoy the randomness.

*I should not trash talk, my team always loses. (sp?)
*After the emotional roller coaster that was today, you would think I'd be more tired.
*Am I sure that tea was decaffeinated?
*I wish one of my friends who lives far away was on facebook so I could chat with them.
*Seriously, I only have four thoughts right now?

Maybe I'm more tired than I realize...

Are You Kidding Me?!?

When I was in Italy, Tiff and I spent two nights in an area is called Cinque Terre. It was fantastic! It's called Cinque Terre because the 5 (cinque) towns are so close together. We took a day and did the 9km hike between the 5 different towns. My friend had warned me to start in town #5 and work my way down to town #1. She said it would be easier that way.

What I do not remember her telling me is that town #5 started with stairs from Hades! They went on for-e-ever! We'd stop and see the overwhelming beauty of the Italian coast, catch our breath and then keep climbing. As we rounded what felt like the 5,000 corner of stairs I exclaimed "Are you kidding me!?!", caught my breath and continued to climb. About 30 steps later we were at the top and were able to walk on flat land for a while.

Skip ahead a few weeks and I am traveling in Michigan via I-69. If you are not from MI you do no realize that summer in MI is also known as "road construction season". As I am sitting in construction traffic I see a sign that says "Construction--Next 26 Miles". After I drove the 26 miles I see another sign that says "Construction--Next 10 Miles". Again, I exclaim "Are you kidding me!?!" After a little eye rolling, I realized that construction only lasted a mile as it had already been completed.

I say "Are you kidding me!?!" a lot. It's only in the last month or two I realize I say that just before break though happens. Whether that is seen in flat ground or no more construction. So, when I felt the Lord asking me to wait, my first reaction was okay. I don't know why, but I will trust you. I'm at the point in waiting where I want to say "Are you kidding me!?!" How much longer?!?"

Maybe my waiting is just another mile. Maybe its just 30 more stairs.


"Those who wait (hope) upon the Lord will renew their strength, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" Isa 40:31