Saturday, January 30, 2010

Heads Up Book Lovers

Coming soon to a blog near you: book reviews!

I recently got involved in a blogging for books program with Multnomah Publishers that I’m pretty excited about.  In exchange for my review on my blog of some of Multnomah’s new books that will be coming out in the near future, Multnomah is providing me with advance copies of some of my favorite authors’ books to read and review.  This sounded like a pretty sweet deal to me, so in the weeks to come, you will be reading book reviews every so often on this blog.

If you are a book lover like me, I hope you will enjoy  the reviews and get some ideas for great new reads in the upcoming months. 

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Two Peas in a Pod

Laura and I went dress shopping yesterday for a formal for her Father/Daughter Ball on Saturday. I’m not sure why I was so surprised to find that my formerly complacent daughter had suddenly grown a backbone overnight.  I mean, it’s not as if I ever have an opinion on anything. (you are recognizing the sarcasm here, I hope)

Our first stop was Saver’s, where I was hopeful we would find a gorgeous gown at a second-hand price.  We tried on a few that were laughable and then, we found, what I instantly decided was THE ONE.  It was from Ann Taylor Loft, which made it about a $200 dress at least.  Shimmery midnight blue, it looked amazing with Laura’s blond hair and brown eyes. It had a halter neck, but was high cut, instead of plunging. The criss-cross straps in back were wire with beads.  The dress skimmed her body without being form-fitting. It was amazing on her! She instantly wrinkled her nose and said, “No, I hate it.”

I was like, “What!? It’s gorgeous!”

At nearly 14, Laura has the body of Kate Moss, so I tried to convince her that she would only be able to wear a dress like this for a few years and tell her how incredible this dress looked on her, yada, yada, yada. Oh, and did I mention it was only $20?

Laura stood firm and stubborn. No way.

I sighed and said we’d look elsewhere.  I quizzed her on her desires on the way to the mall and realized, oh yes, I am dealing with a teenage girl here. We are not going for sophistication, we are going for frou frou.  And as we walked into Deb, with the hundreds of rainbow colored, poufy gowns, I saw her eyes light up.  I tried to explain, these dresses were just a tad more expensive. I saw that new-found firmness in her eyes.

“That’s ok, Mom. I have money from work, I’ll pay for part of it.”

I led her to the sale rack.  She was having none of it. She took me to another rack of not the MOST expensive dresses, but a compromise and picked out a long, ruffley red dress. It WAS pretty, I’ll give her that.

She tried the dress on and when she came out her face just said it all. She’d found THE DRESS.  One shoulder, but high enough to be modest. The one shoulder decorated with a bow and rhinestone broach.  Long and ruffley. She looked like princess, a very happy princess.

She firmly told me, she would pay for more than half of it.  Who was I to argue with that? And she had shoes at home to match. So, OK.

You know, as I think about this, I’m actually impressed.  If she can stand up to her opinionated, strong-willed mother, she can stand up to anyone.  And she doesn’t stand up to me in matters of disobedience, just when she feels it’s right. 

Recently she’s been skiing for the local high school downhill team.  There’s a certain boy, who continues to push all her buttons.  He will ask her to swear, encourage her to disobey and disrespect her parents and just generally push her buttons at practice.  Over and over again Laura has stood up to him and remained strong in her faith and convictions and just basically told him to back off a time or two.  This young man is intrigued by Laura and constantly questions her about her faith and her life at home, as do other girls on the team.

There’s a quote by John Adams I love, and I think it’s starting to describe Laura as well:

“Thanks to God that He gave me stubbornness when I know I am right.”

I guess maybe we’re two peas in a pod. If I was a size two, I know which dress I would have picked, but since I’m not and am never going to be, that’s not the point. 

It’s Laura’s special night, Laura’s dress.  Hers is the opinion that counts here.  I’m proud of her for standing up for what she wanted yesterday. And you know what? She looks beautiful in that red dress.  I just wish she wasn’t growing up so fast.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Grace in the Menard’s Parking Lot

Grace: mercy; clemency; pardon, the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.

Today has been “one of those days.”  It started with me going out to start my van. Only it was too cold and my van wouldn’t start.  Nathan was gone, Pastor Bryan was gone, all my traditional stand-bys for jumping my vehicle were nowhere to be found.  So, I called my neighbor, Steve, across the street.  I felt bad doing it, because he has a really bad back and I did not want him to have to get out on the snow and ice. But, he was quick to come to my rescue and get my van going.  He then insisted that I enter his cell phone number in my phone so that he could come to my rescue anywhere in Duluth if I had any problems the rest of the day.

I continued on with my errands.  I came out of Menard’s, started up my van and backed out. . .right into the side of a small Pontiac.  If you’ve ever had an accident you can remember that sickening crunching sound when two vehicles that are not supposed to collide, do.  My stomach immediately felt sick. The car was so small, I couldn’t even see it. I had no idea what I had hit.  I pulled back into my spot and got out to inspect the damage.  My van was fine, but the little car did not look so good. Actually, the more I thought about it, there was no way my van put two huge dents in that car! I just prayed the owner would be honest about what damage was there previously and what I had done.  The kids just happened to call me then and I quickly asked them to pray for me and I headed into Menard’s to have the owner paged, praying it wasn’t a cranky woman like me or a huge, Harley guy or something.

A few minutes later, a kindly, professorial looking man appeared. I confessed I had backed into the side of his car.  He answered with a simple, but not distressed, “Oh no.” and we went to inspect the cars.

He immediately assured me that most of the damage was already there and I dug around in the glove box for my insurance information. By the time I surfaced, he had changed his mind. In a good way.

“You know what?” he said.  “Never mind. The more I think about it, it’s just not worth it.  Don’t worry about the damage.”  He stuck his hand out, shook my hand and said, “Have a nice day.”

I was dumbstruck. I asked him several times if he was sure and offered him my phone number if he changed his mind, but he just smiled at me and said no, it was fine and walked away. I was left there at my van, in tears, cuz it’s that time of the month and I AM a girl after all, wondering what I had done to deserve this man’s kindness.

Let’s see, number one, I hit his car.  Number two, I DID dent it.  But, he shrugged it off and walked way. That’s grace.  Just a very tiny reminder of the grace God offered to me when He sent Jesus to die on my behalf for my sins.  I didn’t deserve it. I was in the wrong. Yet, I was offered mercy, clemency, pardon. 

Grace.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Cleaning up the Inside

Today I conquered a chore I’ve not done in. . .hmmmm, well, I don’t think I’ve done this particular chore ever since we moved in here. Ahem, as ashamed as I am to admit this, it is true. I have not cleaned my oven in 7 years. But, this week, it started to stink.  Like, when we’d put stuff in the oven to bake, a very gross, burning odor would emanate from the inside of the oven.  7 years of over-flowed apple pies and dropped pancakes had finally caught up with me.

Usually I keep the outside of my oven and stove top looking very nice.  You’d never guess at the ugliness lurking within. In fact, delicious things also come out of my oven despite the build up of crustiness; baked salmon, chocolate cake, cookies, garlic bread, to name a few.  Who needs to clean up the inside, when I can still cook well and the outside looks so pretty? I’ll just scrub the top again, place the teakettle just so, and hang a pretty tea towel on the door.

stove-1

Kinda reminds me of myself sometimes. Oh I can look good on the outside and I can even churn out some good tasting, good smelling stuff, but my insides can be pretty ugly.

“Then the Lord said,’Because this people draw near with their words and honor Me with their lip service, but they remove their hearts far from Me,’” Isa. 29:13

Our hearts are important to God. What is on the inside is far more important to him than our pretty exteriors.

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

“ Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.  Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” I Peter 3:3, 4

Having been a Christian pretty much my whole life, it’s easy for me to “talk the talk.”  I can go to church in my dressy clothes with my hair and make-up just so, but have an attitude that is so far from pleasing to Jesus.  There are sometimes all kinds of ugly things hiding in my heart. Things like pride, lust, envy, anger, and discontent, just to name a few.

We need to clean our ovens, so to speak.  The world sees our pretty stovetops, but God sees inside.  Here’s what He tells us to do:

Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is on account of these things that the wrath of God will come,  and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.  But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him —a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.

”And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.  And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Col. 3:5-17

Of course, the goal in all of this, is to do this “putting on” daily. We really don’t want to wait 7 years for the yuckiness to build up in our lives and hamper our spiritual lives and our walk with God.  But, when we consider that our insides are just as important as our outsides, probably even MORE important, we too, can sparkle and bear good fruit, er uh, cakes…

stove-2

Saturday, January 16, 2010

My New Pet Peeve

I just realized I've got a new pet peeve.  I've been hearing a lot of something lately, and I heard it again last night. I'm tired of hearing it.  Whenever I mention that I homeschool my kids, inevitably the response I get is, "Oh I could NEVER do that. I would never have the patience for that." When that response comes from a Christian it really irks me.  Why?  Well, Philippians 4:19, that's why. 

"I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength." 

I don't what particular difficult thing Christ is asking you to do in your life right now, but I do know that when we are abiding in Christ He gives us the strength to do whatever he asks of us.  It may not be homeschooling he's asking you to do, but I do know that a few years ago I didn't think I could homeschool either and it's definitely not my gift, but He has given me the strength, day by day, to teach my children when I abide in Him.

What is seemingly impossible thing is God asking you to do?  Nothing is impossible with God.  You can do ALL things, not in your own power, but through Christ who gives your strength.  Stop saying, "I can't." And say, "Christ can!"

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Keeping the Sabbath

I realize that even my title sounds old fashioned.  Keeping the Sabbath holy, what an old-fashioned concept.  Has keeping the Sabbath gone out of fashion?  Is it an idea that is still valid in our busy, sports-driven culture? And just what does keeping the Sabbath mean?

During the Summer 1924 Olympics in Paris, runner Eric Liddell was the favorite to win the 100 meters for Scotland.  No one from Scotland had ever won a gold medal before.  However, Liddell was a committed Christian and had always refused to run on Sundays. He believed that Sundays were consecrated to worship God.  The 100 meters race happened to be scheduled on a Sunday.  In spite of intense international pressure, Liddell refused to run in that Olympic race, choosing “rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin; considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.” Heb. 11:37  Instead, Liddell ran in the 400 meters. “The day of 400 meters race came, and as Liddell went to the starting blocks, an American masseur slipped a piece of paper into Liddell's hand with a quotation from 1 Samuel 2:30, "Those who honor me I will honor." Liddell ran with that piece of paper in his hand. He not only won the race, but broke the existing world record with a time of 47.6 seconds.”  - Wikipedia   Eric Liddell is famous for saying, “God made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure.”

These days, I notice many gifted athletes. Athletes that God has gifted, yet I wonder if they are honoring God with their sports. So many teams now have competitions on Sunday mornings.  A soccer complex of maybe 10 fields or so near my parents’ home is filled with teams, children and parents on Sunday mornings when my parents head off to church. 

Another consideration that is often not considered anymore is working in your job on Sundays.  Many people express a fear of being fired if they tell their boss they can’t work on Sunday mornings.  Yes, perhaps this may happen. Yet, what does God promise us? “Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

In many foreign countries like China, India, Pakistan and the Philippines our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ are literally dying to go to church.  We take for granted that we can attend church “if we feel like it”, yet in these countries when Christians gather together they risk imprisonment, beatings, burnings and even death.  These things happen to Christians who worship together on a regular basis and we worry about being kicked off the team or losing a job!?  I wonder where our priorities are.

Hebrews 10:23-25 says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.”

I don’t know what you believe about this and I don’t wish to be dogmatic, but I think perhaps we all need to rethink the issue of what it means to keep the Sabbath in our own lives.  Our God has done so much for us, and to set aside one day for Him does not seem to be too much.

 

Saturday, January 9, 2010

A Missouri Girl’s Guide to Minnesota Winters

I grew up in Kansas City, MO.  Although Kansas City is experiencing some of the coldest, snowiest weather in nearly 20 years this winter, this is not the norm. Missouri tends to have periods of cold and sometimes ice, followed by pretty mild temperatures.  It is normal to experience 60 degrees once in awhile mid-winter.  And spring comes early in Missouri.

For 14 of my 15 married years I have lived in Minnesota.  I’m afraid my blood is permanently thinned and I am perpetually cold.  Several years ago I decided I could whine and pine away during our 8 long months of winter, or I could embrace the winters and learn to adapt. Hence, a Missouri girl’s guide to Minnesota Winters:

The first rule if you come North from points south is to STAY WARM! I’ve gotten better and better at this through the years.  I will admit that to stay warm requires an outlay of cash, but it is well worth it.  Good long underwear is a must.  For many years I relied on Cuddleduds.  Recently, though, I have upgraded my long undies and am reaping the rewards.  I highly recommend Patagonia merino wool long underwear. Buy the top that zips up into a turtleneck. It’s actually quite stylish and looks good as a base layer under a sweater or coat. You can find these at SkiHut.  They will run you about $100 for a set, but you won’t be sorry. 

Another important part of staying warm is warm feet!  The only way I’ve found to keep my feet warm is SmartWool socks.  I swear by them. They will run you about $20 a pair, but again, well worth the investment.  I like the ones that come all the way up to your knees. And SmartWool  comes in all kinds of cute colors, stripes, argyles, etc.  They also have some great PhD, padded skiing socks, if you enjoy that sport.  On a trip to Ely several years ago, Nathan and I visited the Steger Mukluk store and both bought a pair of knee high, moose hide mukluks. Wow! I’ve never had such warm feet. You can stand outside in –20 temps and the rest of you may be freezing cold, but your toes will be toasty warm in mukluks.  No substitutes here will suffice; you’ve got to get the Steger Mukluks.  And yeah, they’re pricey.  But, if you’re on a winter getaway to Ely, you just might get lucky like we did and find them for 50% off. I love a good deal!  I also have a pair of shearling lined Uggs and a pair of shearling lined clogs for everyday and more stylish wear.

I highly recommend a warm jacket, either 600-800 fill down or a 3-in-one Columbia jacket. And BTW, if anything on a Columbia jacket breaks from normal use, you can send it in and Columbia will fix it/replace the jacket free of charge. Send your clean jacket to:                     

Columbia Sportswear                             

Attn: Warranty Department                     

7000 North Leadbetter Road 456 Albert Street

Portland, Oregon 97203

I’ve had Columbia replace many a zipper for us over the years. I strongly also recommend good mittens. Mittens are just warmer than gloves. My mom found me an awesome pair of Obermeyer mittens at TJ Maxx last year. Usually these would retail at $60+, but she got them for $15. Of course, if you are my husband, you will just make yourself a pair of bear hide mittens, modeled here by my friend, Lindsey, which work well too:

Christmas-29-1  I prefer regular mittens though, as big, hairy things on my hands is just plain weird, but if you are strictly seeking warmth, bear hide is the way to go!

I have a tendency to get Vitamin D deficient in the winter too, and like I mentioned, just plain cold, so I seek out fake sun in the long Minnesota winters. Scold all you want, but try living here for 14 years and walk a mile in my mukluks before you judge me. I tan in a tanning booth for about 15 minutes once a week or so. I in no way endorse fake baking to excess, but my motto has always been, “Moderation in everything.” I also admit, I do love my hot tub on a cold, snowy day, which helps my sore muscles made more stiff by fibromyalgia.

The main thing that makes living up North more bearable is to learn to embrace winter! Yes, there are times to curl up next to your space heater with a good book and a cup of coffee or Earl Grey, but for the most part, you’ve got to learn some winter sports and get out there and have some fun!  Since moving to Minnesota I’ve learned to snow shoe, cross country ski and downhill ski.  It’s pretty much the only way to stay sane, in shape and warm outside in the winter months here.  I’ve even learned to look forward to the snow as it makes those ski slopes ready for winter fun!

If you’re lucky enough to live south of the Mason-Dixon line, thank the Good Lord above, but if like me, you are one of the Frozen Chosen, well, stay warm and go play in the snow!

Christmas-06-1