Extravagant News

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them,

"Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among those

with whom he is pleased!"

How extravagant God's announcement of His Son's birth all those years ago. Such extravagance shared with the least of these - the shepherds in the field. 

And this is how I feel skiing on one of the most extravagant ski areas in the world. Surrounded with beauty all around me -  a sinful servant of the Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Mundane Melts like Marshmallows

This post is part of a series called

Mundane Mondays
To see how I started the series click HERE.

Well folks,

(despite how slow today has been)

I feel mundane slipping away. I have 3 more days in the office and then a whole blessed week in my favorite state: COLORADO! with my parents and grandmother. Then after a few days back in Chi-town I rush off for my first trip of the new year. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC!
I had no clue where I was going with this series 2 months ago - when out of frustration with my desk job I started blogging regularly on Mondays about turning the Mundane into something,

something...

resourceful

faithful

beneficial

less frustrating

something with PURPOSE for (and with) God.

And through ups and downs

goods and bads

those REALLY humbling moments

I. Found. God.

a God who just wants me - 

with all my weaknesses,

 to accompany Him down the trail with a smile on my face and a trusting heart.

And so this last week in the office before the New Year I'm choosing to celebrate what God has done in my heart.
And how do I celebrate?

with a CROCK POT!

And a new delicious drink every day!

Today: Nutella Hot Chocolate

 The simplest thing I'll probably ever stick in my crock pot

Ingredients:

Milk (Whole, 2%, or skim... whatever you prefer)

Nutella

Directions:

For every 2 cups of milk you put in your crock pot add 1/4 cup Nutella.

Pop it onto high for about 45 min to an hour. Whisk together and then pour into mug to enjoy.

You can keep the crock pot on all day and enjoy this delicious drink multiple times!

And of course, don't forget the marshmallows or whip cream. I  probably put in a 50/50 ratio mallows to hot chocolate, because honestly, I drink this more to eat the chocolate soaked mallows than anything else.

Enjoy!

Holiday Rest

This post is part of a series called

Mundane Mondays
To see how I started the series click HERE.

'Tis the Season...

To be SICK :(

Whether it was the flu bug that is being passed around these days
or perhaps just a small case of food poisoning
I've been unfortunately uncomfortable, had the worst case of tummy aches and been friends far too often with the least comfortable seat in the house

(okay, i'll stop before I give away too much information 

and really gross you, 

my dearly devoted readers, 

away from my blog forever.)

It kept me home from work on Friday and I enjoyed a little alone time at the house
with free hours for reading and channel surfing - which was GREAT!

And then MIRACULOUSLY 

I felt fine enough to enjoy a full Saturday and Sunday of holiday events and community.
Sunday night brought me back to the realization that my body wasn't done craving for

REST!

And making me feel like my stomach was actually a rock quarry and it was trying to grind up some HUGE boulders.

I made it through most of Monday, but returned to the comfort of sweatpants and a fuzzy blanket just to wallow with my stomach pain. Several times I told my host mom, "I can't be sick any longer. There is too much going on this week." 

as I thought through my list of activities:
Community Group, Moving my room,
prayer meetings, Secret Santa gift giving,
Student Training Events, Christmas Parties,
Movies, Weddings... 

all these things that seem so good to me!

But as Barb said,

"Sometimes you don't get to choose when to take a break."

"By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work."

Gen 2:2

In this busy season, where the mundane is quickly slipping away, am I remembering to rest?

Both physically and spiritually...

Am I remembering that this season isn't really about gift giving, or family vacations, or Christmas parties,

or even the mundane things that I'm living with and growing to love,

But that it is about remembering the beginning of a NEW chapter in God's story!

It's about RESTING in the truth that God has a plan

and God is working out that plan,

and another chapter is COMING!

What are you doing to REST this holiday season?

Soup's On!

Welcome to another Thursday

another Community Meal

and another recipe!

Today's Meal is...

SPICY POTATO SOUP

taken from 200 Slow Cooker Creations by Ashcraft and Eyring

Makes 10-12 Servings

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb gorund beef or sausage, browned and drained

(we used pork sausage and it was a good choice)

4 potatoes, peeled and cubed

(we choose to use golden potatoes, which of course required way more than four, but it saved some time because we didn't peel all of them since the skin is so thin)

1 small onion, chopped
5-6 cups of water
3 (8oz) cans of tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon hot pepper

(those last three we didn't really measure)

Optional: cheese, ketchup

(a couple of my co-workers added these ingredients and really liked the flavors they brought out)

INSTRUCTIONS:
Combine all ingredients in a greased 4 1/2 to 6 quart slow cooker.

(I've found liners that fit into your pot... really helps with the post lunch clean up!)

Cover and cook on low heat for 7-9 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours.

Note: For a more mild soup, omit the black pepper and hot pepper sauce and replace with 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.

(It's not that spicy on the scale though, though so we left it as is.)

At the last minute a few people ran out and found some soft white bakery bread 
and it really made the meal!

super easy and was quite delicious for a semi-chilly Thrusday

Next week in the office we've got a Christmas Party on Thursday, and the management kick everyone out of the office at noon so they can set up. Therefore, no Crock Pot meal...

But we can't go two weeks with no Crock Pot use.
HOWEVER
I've claimed it as 

DRINK WEEK!
and I'll be concocting some great tastes that can simmer away all day long.
I'll be posting pictures and recipes throughout the week so check back!

I See the King of Glory

This post is part of a series called

Mundane Mondays
To see how I started the series click HERE.

So again, I know my MUNDANE MONDAYS are not arriving on Mondays...

But yesterday was anything but mundane,

as I flitted in and out of staff meetings,

fulfilled curriculum orders that were flying in from our 1st 12 Days of Christmas Sale,

and then ran off to a high school to run some pre-trip training for the students who will join me and Shane for our first trip of the year in the Dominican Republic - woot woot!

I even got in some painting with my host mom, Barb, as we transform the infamous BLUE room into a stylish new Green and Beige room - super cute and I can't wait to move in this weekend!

However, when your days do become mundane, don't forget the power music can play in reminding you of the important things.

Take this one for example - not a Christmas song specifically, but since we're in the season of ADVENT and it speaks of the second coming of the Lord I found it quite powerful when we sang it in church on Sunday!

What songs are you currently listening to that helps pull you out of the MUNDANE and remind you that our Savior has come and is coming again?

Crock Pot Thursdays

SEVERAL months ago I wrote about my deep deep affection for Crock Pots.

And with the return to the office this past September I decided to bring back

CROCK POT WEDNESDAYs

but now they actually fall on

THURSDAYS

(worked better for more of the staff)

And last week I was discussing recipes with a dear sweet college friend and she desired to have some of the great recipes I've been trying over the past two months through this weekly tradition. So I told her I'd email her the recipes. However, today as we chowed down on another delectable treat from the Crock, I thought why not share these recipes with my devoted readers here at Attraversiamo.

So welcome to THURSDAYS

won't you cross over with me to some hopefully delicious slow cooked meals!

This week:

Easy Crock Pot Salsa Chicken

recipe found on food.com by erinBOberrin

Prep Time: 2 min
Total Time: 8 hours 2 min

Servings: 10

Ingredients

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 1/2 lbs)

32 ounces salsa

(we used a conglomerate of mild, medium and hot salsa)

2 cans corn, drained

1 can black beans, drained

Directions:
1) Place ingredients in crock pot
2) Cook on low 6-8 hours - since we do this for lunch I put my crock pot on high for about 3 1/2 to 4 hours and it came out perfect!

3) Prior to serving (anywhere from 30 minutes to right before) remove chicken, shred and return to crock pot
4) To serve, get creative!
Today we made tacos with tortillas, sour cream, guacamole  lettuce, & cheese. You can also see by the picture that my second round ended up more like nachos, also delicious! My friend Grace made a salad option out of it with the tortilla on the side. The sky's the limit my friends.

My co-worker Robbie claimed this was his favorite so far - not a unanimous decision around the office for those of us who partook in the FABULOUS chicken a couple weeks ago (I'll share that recipe sometime soon), but still a WINNER!

Hope you enjoy, and if you've got any smash hits coming out of your slow cooker feel free to share the recipes!

Memorizing Monday's

Okay, so I'm a date late, but Monday's can actually be busy sometimes,

This post is part of a series called

Mundane Mondays
To see how I started the series click HERE.

... especially when your office goes all out with the CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS!

 (another way that the days are becoming less MUNDANE)

If you've been keeping up with my Mundane Monday's, then you know that one thing that's been a continuous thread over the past month and a half is scripture memory. I've been trying hard to commit to memory different scriptures to help me through some of the slower points of faith. 

So not only have I been working on it when I stock books,

and write encouraging letters

But  I also just keep it at the fore-front of my mind around my office spaces

Must be something I got from my mother
because while I was home over Thanksgiving Week
I noticed her memory verse cards posted around the house.

And my friend Beth is working hard to sharpen her SWORD too!

Check it out!

So what verses have been on your hearts and mind recently?

STAY

So I'm gonna try something new
Something I've never done
Something else to break the Mundane of not only my Mondays
But my Fridays as well.

The FIVE MINUTE FRIDAY

One of my favorite bloggers does this because one of her favorite bloggers.

A topic is picked,
then you set a timer for 5 minutes 
and just write,
no editing
just whatever comes, comes.

So here goes nothing.

Today's topic is 

STAY

Ironic for me since I'm about to travel all the way back down to OKC in the next two days
but in the midst of travel and go
I feel that stay is important too

This word reminds me of a feeling I get sometimes

When I know I'm about to step into something that's bigger than me

Something that's really hard

Something that is uncomfortable.

I used to get this feeling in college in chapel, when something was falling apart in my life outside the walls of the cathedral and I knew that whatever was going to be said (or sung) in that hour time was actually going to challenge and benefit me, but I just wanted to run away.
I had to make the conscious decision to STAY

STAYing meant listening

STAYing meant fighting

STAYing meant depth

And I never regretted it.

So here I am again, in a life situation that is difficult, challenging and hard - and I want to run and move on to something easier, something "better"

but I'm choosing to STAY

choosing to fight

choosing to listen

choosing the path that God has for me.

"Be still and know that I am God."

I've got a 9 hour car ride tomorrow and another 4 on Sunday -
All by myself
Some great time to STAY and listen
The question is will I choose to actually listen?

Lord, help me to stay. Help me to listen. Help me to choose your plan and wisdom over my own despite the depth, challenge and sacrifice.

Breaking Mondays of their Mundane

This post is part of a series called

Mundane Mondays
To see how I started the series click HERE.

Sometimes I can feel like I'm the only one who feels like things are MUNDANE.
Like I'm alone in my experiences

or the way I feel about everyday life.

But some 89 cent post-Halloween candy reminded me that I've got communityA community who possibly 
feels the same way I do
And I can break my own MUNDANE 
while ENCOURAGING them to break theirs as well.

Remember that verse I was memorizing to break the habit of stocking books?
Well I'm still working on it, so I decided to continue the memorization process
and share it with all of my co-workers in their encouragement letters

               

Using colorful pens always makes things less MUNDANE
and reminds me to pray for the sweet friend who gave them to me for my birthday this year

Using left-over resources from Christmas cards last year.
It may not have snowed up here yet this year, but festive paper is always better.

And where would I be without my cup of tea
(erm... or 4th cup.. ha ha)

Candy Packaged.
Notes Written.
Stashed on everyone's computer board.
Hope this helps
Breaking Mundane

In addition - 

A little nugget (or seed - thanks Becky)

from God's Word this morning:

Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them."

Prayer Packed

This post is part of a series called

Mundane Mondays
To see how I started the series click HERE.

Last week I shared with you all the UNpacking process

This week I want to share with you my PACKING PROCESS.

I'm in charge of fulfilling curriculum orders that come in for both LeaderTreks and DNOWOnline.

PEOPLE 

serving STUDENTS 

with NEEDS visit those websites 

and pay money 

to receive all the curriculum 

that I share an office with every day.

First step to making this MUNDANE TASK part of my spiritual training is to never forget these facts:

1) I AM SENDING OUT LIFE CHANGING MATERIAL

2) REAL PEOPLE ARE ORDERING THIS CURRICULUM

3) GOD WANTS TO USE THIS LIFE CHANGING MATERIAL IN THESE REAL PEOPLES LIVES

Second is the realize the power of getting the material to people in a timely fashion and in great condition
It's called

GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE 

and sadly even the smallest things take people by surprise these days because of the lack of it in the business world - and I get to be one of the people to 

MAKE PEOPLE'S DAYS

 by the simple acts of quick and good packaging.

 Thirdly, I should

NEVER EVER EVER

forget the power of

PRAYER.

So I'm committing to pray by name for every church and person who orders curriculum. As I package it up, the most simple prayer is sent heaven-ward in faith that God will use it.

"Lord, May (insert youth pastor) use this curriculum with your will in mind. May the students of (insert church name) be impacted by the truth in this curriculum."

So out they go, EVERYDAY

our prayer packed packages!

What are you simple prayers have you been faithfully saying everyday?

Mundane Mondays

If you missed it, last week I talked about the Waiting Period I've found myself in this Fall.

But in all things, even as you wait - there are things to DO,

places to GO

people to SEE

tasks to COMPLETE...

YET, 

I've found most of my tasks to be pretty MUNDANE,

and yes, even sometimes (okay, it can be a lot of times)

BORING!

                                                (sorry LeaderTreks)

But I also know that it is the waiting periods  are TRAINING GROUNDS for battle.
So I've been purposefully infusing the mundane with specific training TACTICS.
And here, every Monday for the next several weeks I want to share some of those with you.

MUNDANE MONDAY #1
STOCKING SHELVES

Part of my duties at work include upkeep of our warehouse

(an office that not only has my desk, but SEVERAL bookshelves with all of our curriculum on it.)

 And part of upkeep means making sure there is plenty of curriculum filling the shelves
so when orders come in,
it's easy to
GRAB,
PACK,
& SHIP
the resources.

So to help break up the mundane...
I hang a verse on the shelf stocking
or place it in the box I'm unloading
and work on
MEMORIZING SCRIPTURE.

What mundane task do you have to do this week that you can make into battle training?

I Will Wait

For those of you who have been following my blog you might have picked up on the fact that I'm in a period of waiting in my life...

a transitional period...

a Mundane Mondays (and every other day) type of lifestyle.

A close college friend of mine teaches English to student in China... and I imagine her life to never have a dull moment (though she possibly might argue with me on that fact) She's currently teaching an American Culture class and they recently covered the American Civil Rights movement. After a great experiential example of what segregation and elitism felt like she had them write a letter to America with advice on segregation  She recently posted a few of their responses on her blog. Check them out HERE.

One statement caught my eye though:

" Finally, America is just a young country. You need more time to integrate and be equal."

America is just a young country... 
In the American mind set of "Give it to me now!" and "Faster, Faster, Faster" we think all our problems should blow away in the wind like chaff.

I feel like that right now...

That all my problems should blow away and answers should be immediately found. 

Forget the waiting in line I'd like the Fast Pass please!

But you know what -
I'm still YOUNG!

And there is plenty of waiting ahead of me in my life.

I just need time.

And God knows that.
Check out what his scripture says in Psalm 37
especially vs. 7

REST IN the Lord and WAIT patiently for him

that's a COMMAND my friends.
So I guess that's where I've got to be right now.

Resting in the Lord 

while sitting in the difficult balance of waiting and going

If you haven't already heard it, Mumford & Sons came out with a song that speaks directly to my heart.

Take a listen below and then check back on Monday for the start of my newest series.

Training Schedules

I am becoming a RUNNER.

I never thought those words would slip out of my mouth 

(or more appropriately out of my fingers.)

But as I actually commit to running this 5K in 11 DAYS
what is a laughable 3 miles to many
is a BIG step for me.

And I'm ENJOYING it.

Last week I added to my scheduled 3-run week a spontaneous 10 min additional in a already jam packed day. I've gone running on Sundays just to enjoy the fall weather on my favorite near by trail. On Monday I ran almost 10 minutes straight, and thought to myself, I could push myself to keep going if I wanted to... and at the end of the run thought, I really liked that: mud, fallen trees, hills and all.

So I'm becoming someone who trains my physical body

But what about my spiritual body?

Which brings my mind to this verse:

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No I beat my body and make it my salve so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

And this verse:

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." 

Hebrews 12:1-3

And at times I feel like I've been running aimlessly?
I don't have a training schedule for my spirit like I do for my body.
So I want to create one - a schedule that focuses on Scripture memorization.
And I'm going to start with 2 verses a week from now until January 1st.
Want to join me, check in on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the week's memory verses.

And I'm starting with these two verses

Do you have a training schedule?

What are you doing to keep yourself from running aimlessly?

Regular Wonderment

So if you don't know...

I've been building

HABITS.

Today was the start of my 3rd week as a regular at La Spiaza, a local coffee shop.
Every morning: M-F, 7am.
Bob (the cutest 90 year old man, also a regular) even noticed my late arrival today since I didn't quite get my hinny out of bed on time and spent way too many minutes in front of the mirror trying to figure out what to do with my ridiculously short hair today...

...but I digress.

Today I'll be running my 8th day of training for my 5K at the end of the month. (3 more weeks to go!)
Yesterday I even went for a spontaneous "run", for the 5th time in one week - and it was additional to my training schedule.

WHAT?
Who is this girl!?!

I've been fasting from breakfast every Monday morning to get my heart centered in the right place and
help rely on God as I continue in my second year at LeaderTreks.
Wednesday lunch and dinner are also fasted meals as I prepare my heart to seek God with my church family concerning the direction God is taking Jericho Road.

A fear of mine with all this habit making though?

That it's awesome and new right now. 

I'm afraid that complacency with grow and I'll find myself simply leading a practical life. 

That I'll begin to miss the experience of 

AWE, REVERENCE, and WONDER.

I spent Sunday morning with Brennan Manning at Starbucks. He told me:

"We should be ASTONISHED at the goodness of God, STUNNED that He should bother to call us by name, our mouths wide open at His love, BEWILDERED that at this very moment we are standing on holy ground."

(okay, so I didn't get to actually have coffee with Brennan, 

but I was reading his book The Ragamuffin Gospel).

So as my habits get rolling and regular, my prayer this week is that I never stop noticing the wonderment.

"Dear Lord, grant me the GRACE of wonder.
SURPRISE me, AMAZE me, AWE me
 in every crevice of Your universe. [...]
Each day ENRAPTURE me
with Your MARVELOUS things without number." 

(Joshua Abraham Heschel)

Some of the things that I've marveled at last week:

Getting up at 6am to be at La Spiaza by 7am does have its advantages. SUNRISES!

Grace, my 5K training buddy, and I after our 2.6 interval run in the FREEZING rain last Thursday. 

The sunset on my drive home after the "Rain Run"... so BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

After taking the above sunset picture, I turned my car around to leave the parking lot I was sitting in and found this fiery bush. God's wonder displayed so clearly.

What is God amazing you with in your life?

Listening In The Silence

At Jericho Road on Sunday's we are currently focusing on values that the Leadership hopes we share as a church body.

Last week Karen Mains talked about HOSPITALITYYesterday Jeff talked about Listening to God.

The Patriarchs listened:

"Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, 'Abraham!' 'Here I am,' he replied."
(Genesis 22:1)

"The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' Then Samuel said, 'Speak, for your servant is listening.'"
(1 Samuel 3:10)

Jesus listened:

"One of those days Jesus went out to a mountain side to pray, and spent the night praying to God."
(Luke 6:12)

"Jesus answered, 'My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.'"
(John 7:16-17)

The First Church listened:

"Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, 'Go south to the road-the desert road-that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.'"
(Acts 8:26)

"About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. [...] While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, 'Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs . Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.'"
(Acts 10:9,19-20)

I love the Greek word for "said" in this last passage.

                                  λέγω legō

1) to say, to speak

a) affirm over, maintain

b) to teach

c) to exhort, advise, to command, direct

d) to point out with words, intend, mean, mean to say

e) to call by name, to call, name

f) to speak out, speak of, mention

He's calling by name, He's exhorting, advising, commanding and directing.

Are you listening for it?

I stink at this - and I've found I'm even worse in public areas

 (since I've been doing my dates with God at La Spiaza, the local coffee shop). 

But I'm committing to doing it this week.
 I'm committed to hearing what God is saying to me.

Will you join me?

Here's how:

1) Grab your Bible, blank journal/paper, 2 different colored pens (use one color to write your prayers and the other to write/draw what comes to mind.)

2) Start off by Adoring God (praising him simply for who he is)

3) Get right with God. Confess what is on your heart. You can do it free verse or find a liturgical prayer

4) Ask God to open your ears and heart to his voice

5) Listen - seriously, sit back, close your eyes if you need to, and just listen. I find it helpful to pull out a verse to meditate on just to help my mind not wander too far - however, sometimes God speaks through those wanderings. This morning I used Psalm 63:1.

6) Draw/Write down what comes to mind. If a specific scripture comes to mind flip open your Bible and read it. Go with your gut.

7) End your time Thanking/Adoring God. 

This can seem weird to do on your own at times. It is amazing to do together in a group. Currently a group of about 30 people from my church are meeting once a week and following this basic method. After we listen, we take some time to share with each other what we heard. It is truly amazing how all the images/words are along the same lines. If you are nervous about doing this, find a buddy and see how God rewards your faithfulness together.

I'd also love to hear what God is saying to you.

If you'd like to share just leave a comment!

In Pursuit of Community

Or "The Forming of Habits"

Despite what this photo communicates to you. I am NOT a runner. I am a not-so-regular walk/jogger. Therefore I took great pride when I successfully walk/jogged two 5Ks my junior year of college.

(and yes I beat my personal best by 7 min the second time around... but I'm beginning to think that was just luck).

However, ever since those races I've had a small dream in the back of my mind:

to run a WHOLE 5K straight through.

But what would actually help me accomplish this goal - I didn't know - so I just tucked it away in the

"Never Gonna Happen"

box in my mind.

But then it hit my last Sunday -

COMMUNITY.

I went on a "run" with two of my friends and pushed myself to almost breaking point (at least my body thought I was breaking the next day). On that 4 mile trek I told my friend Grace my secret 5K desire. She told me that if I found a 5K she'd train with me for it - not being a runner herself we'd be starting from the same point.

And so the journey began:
We

1) Found a training schedule - Couch 2 5K provides a wonderful app that tells us to switch from warm up to running to walking to cool down

2) Found a race - actually we just happened to find TWO! the Thriller in Schiller and the Schiller Chiller

3) Found community - I think I got frustrated with running in college because I always did it on my own, and I didn't know how to pace, encourage or correctly challenge myself. 

Tuesday Grace and I ran our first work out for the training. It was wonderful! I got back and wasn't out of breath, didn't have stitches in my side and felt accomplished. For the first time I felt like I was on the right path to accomplishing the goal.

This is only one of several habits that I've begun to form for life back in Chicago, and I realized this morning - I'm doing most of these activities (hopefully soon to be habits) because I'm pursuing community.

I enjoyed running on Sunday and Tuesday because of the COMMUNITY

I'm fasting and praying on Wednesdays to support my church  COMMUNITY

I'm going to a local coffee shop every morning during the week because it puts me out in the COMMUNITY of Wheaton and because it gives me solid 45 minutes of community with my Redeemer in his word.

I think I've found my secret to forming a habit -
do so in pursuit of a community.

What habits are you forming?

and Why are you forming those habits?

Expect the Unexpected

Written by Louise Cheek on a women's encouragement thread

Last month I went to a small group women's retreat.  Just an hour away in Norman, OK, it was a time to get away from the busyness of life and have time to think and pray.  On Saturday afternoon we were given about 3 hours of alone time.  It was nice and sunny but not too hot, so I sat outside (with my hat on of course, to shade my face).  I sat for quite awhile, asking the LORD what He wanted me to read, think about, pray about, etc.  I had no "bolt of lightning" answer.  But as I took the time to just sit in His presence, I thought that I would read some scripture in the same way that I work with my therapy students in reading comprehension.  Together we read a sentence, a paragraph, few paragraphs, or a page, depending on their stage of comprehension.  Actually, I will model this technique for them with the first paragraph, then they will do the second paragraph, and so on.  These are the steps we do:  

1) RESTATE the main idea of paragraph in one sentence 

2) choose a vocabulary word to DEFINE

3) ask the other person a QUESTION about the paragraph 

4) PREDICT what will happen next.

I had recently started reading in Acts, so I just picked up where I had left off at chapter 3. The first paragraph was verses 3-5.  Here are my thoughts as I wrote them down that day:

1) RESTATE

When the man crippled from birth requested monetary aid from Peter and John as they approached the entrance to the temple, Peter sought the man's full attention by saying, "Look at us!" 

2) DEFINE

ATTENTION: current thinking, presence of mind, focus of thoughts 

3) QUESTION

Why did Peter seek attention from the man, even as the man was seeking Peter's and John's attention?  (Perhaps the man was mindlessly calling out to each who passed by without paying attention.  Maybe Peter was preparing the man to receive something unexpected, something more than money.)

4) PREDICT

 the unexpected is about to happen, divine intervention!! This was unexpected to the crippled man, but it was not so for Peter.  Peter was prepared, he expected to be used by God that day and was ready for it when the opportunity came along.  Right when the man caught Peter's attention, Peter turned around and caught the man's attention.  Am I expecting God to interact with me and through me today so that I am ready to interact with what circumstances He brings my way?

I was actually amazed at how that familiar passage came alive to me in a different way to such a degree that I continue to think about this passage and am slowly continuing to go through Acts with this comprehension method.  God blessed me with His Word and I pray He blesses you in a special way today.

Louise Cheek is the husband of Earl Cheek, raised three wonderful children who are now all grown up (including myself). She spends her weeks continuing to maintain the Earl Cheek household and working from home as an educational therapist. Above all she is a beautiful woman of God and amazing role model to all who know her. 

Go.

This week a friend sent me this card in the mail:

This mornings sermon was focused on the disciples example of what a missional community looks like. There were a lot of things said - the message that I got though was...

GO!

Defined as follows -

go

¹    [goh]  Show IPA verb, went, gone, go·ing, noun,plural goes, interjection, adjective

verb (used without object)

1.

to move or proceed, especially to or from something: They'regoing by bus.

2.

to leave a place; depart: People were coming and going all thetime.

3.

to keep or be in motion; function or perform as required:Can't you go any faster in your work?

4.

to become as specified: to go mad.

5.

to continue in a certain state or condition; be habitually: togo barefoot.

My favorite word is the last one there
(no, not barefoot... although those of you who know me know I like that also.)
be habitually.
The continuation of something.

So this week I'm GOING to start a new habit.
Starting is the difficult place to sit.

 It means you have to work through all the good excuses NOT to make something a habit. 

The things that allow you to stay the same.
The things that allow you to be safe, and lazy, and apathetic.

But NO!
The disciples were going!
We, as disciples should be going.
So I will.

Tomorrow I'm going to set aside time for prayer and scripture reading. 

In a public place. 

Where I can get to know people, and get to be known. 

Where I'm visible and missional.

Where are you going this week?