When I was young, I never thought I had a competitive spirit (though in looking back, I did see a glimmer of it during a canasta game - it was a negative glimmer, unfortunately). Two events I participated in as an adult showed me, however, that I definitely have a competitive spirit.
Both incidents occurred while I was living in Boonville, Missouri. When I was in my mid thirties, I took up jogging. Over a period of time, I bought a number of runners magazines and read them faithfully (I think I actually wanted to run a marathon, though I never did). My son Franklin used to run with me; I really enjoyed that.
In addition to giving a lot of training advice, the magazines gave information on upcoming races; and when I found one scheduled for Kansas City, Missouri, (in November I think), we entered it and continued to train until just before race day. I knew I was not really ready for the race, but I decided that it was important to follow through with the event and hope for the best. This was a huge race (by my standards). Everyone lined us up according to the times we turned in; therefore, we were pretty far to the back though a lot of people were behind us.
When the gun went off to start the race, we just stood there; that was a very strange feeling since we went there to run. There was nothing else we could do except stand there enjoying the theme song from "Chariots of Fire," which was thrilling - everyone in front of us had to move out before we could take a step. It took several minutes - I don't recall how long it really was - but finally, we were running. I started off slowly - I had learned that from my magazine reading; if you start out too fast, you probably won't make it to the end. I had two goals for this race. One was to just finish the race (regardless of how long it took), and the other was to finish hard.
There were a number of times during the race that I wanted to give up; I had to really "talk" to myself in order to keep going. The day was cool, and I had dressed accordingly; but even on a cool day, it gets hot when you're running. Fortunately, I had layers to shed and did so as I ran. I mixed walking with running as the miles went by; the important thing was not to give up. There were people ahead of me and people behind me. I lost sight of Franklin early on (of course); he was around ten at the time, and he could certainly run faster and longer than I could.
I finally neared the finish line. I knew that the race ended on an "uphill" note, which didn't seem quite fair, and I reminded myself of my goals. Finishing seemed almost a done deal (unless I fell flat on my face); finishing hard was going to be a little tougher, but that was what I intended to do. A friend of mine had gone to the race with us, and she and her son were on the side lines cheering us on. I started running hard just before I turned the corner; I had calculated just the right time to put on my burst of speed so that it would look like I had been running that way all along. I wanted to finish the race looking good (despite my time, which I was actually proud of), and that is exactly what I did. I set my sights on the finish line and ran as if I had a chance to take first place (I think I also wanted to move ahead of the runners who were near me). I finished hard, and I finished well - I think I have a "kick." And then I thought I might collapse - I just wanted to lie down somewhere; pride, however, saved me as I took deep breaths and "walked it off." As soon as I no longer thought of was going to pass out, I found my son (who had been waiting for me for a while) and my friend.
I was proud of myself. Not a boasting kind of pride; just content with myself that I had finished what I had set out to do - I could hold my head up high and not be ashamed. It was a lot like when I finally graduated from college. At one point, I wasn't sure that I would finish or if I really wanted to. But once I decided that I was going to complete my education and get my degree, I didn't let anything stop me - not marriage, not having a baby, not even losing a baby and almost dying (all of that packed into two years while working and taking classes). Again, I could hold my head up and not be ashamed - not be a failure.
Since this "story" has turned out to be so long, I'll save the second competition for the next time I write.
Blessings to all.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
How Do You Live Your Dash?
I came across this poem a number of years ago and thought it made an excellent point. I think we lean toward those things that speak to us in a special way even if we will not admit what they are saying to us.
I used this poem with students at one point hoping they would give some thought to how they were living their lives before there was too much room for regret. I doubt though that they gave too much thought to it at the time, but perhaps they will remember it at some point through the years.
The poem is written here for your enjoyment and whatever you chose to take from it.
How Do You Live Your Dash?
I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
Her referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning...to the end.
He noted that first came her date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears.
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years. (1930-1999)
For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who love her
Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not how much we own;
The cars...the houses...the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard...
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real,
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile...
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last awhile.
So, when your eulogy's being read
Your life's actions to rehash...
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?
Author Unknown
I still enjoy reading this poem; I hope you enjoyed it too.
Blessings to all!
I used this poem with students at one point hoping they would give some thought to how they were living their lives before there was too much room for regret. I doubt though that they gave too much thought to it at the time, but perhaps they will remember it at some point through the years.
The poem is written here for your enjoyment and whatever you chose to take from it.
How Do You Live Your Dash?
I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
Her referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning...to the end.
He noted that first came her date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears.
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years. (1930-1999)
For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who love her
Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not how much we own;
The cars...the houses...the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard...
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real,
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile...
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last awhile.
So, when your eulogy's being read
Your life's actions to rehash...
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?
Author Unknown
I still enjoy reading this poem; I hope you enjoyed it too.
Blessings to all!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
And the Children Shall Lead Them
"Out of the mouth of babes..."
This morning was Youth Sunday, and a number of young people from age four to nineteen participated in the service. They did a lot of the usual things - read Scripture, gave various readings, led praise and worship, prayed, collected the offering, etc. There was a group of the youngest children who did the usual thing. They had a song to sing; and while in practice they sang out lustily, in front of family and friends they barely opened their mouths. Everyone thought this was cute, of course, which it was (except for the teachers who prepared them for their part) - even the singing that could barely be heard was appreciated.
Despite the fact that the youth were participating in and leading the service, the pastor was to bring the message. Shortly before time for the message, a young men named Micah Carey came to the microphone to read a poem entitled God's Laws (I assumed it was a poem he had found somewhere). This is what he read:
God's laws are perfect;
If I obey them, I will be strong.
God's laws are always right;
If I obey them, I will be wise;
I will always know the right thing to do.
God's laws are fair;
If I obey them, I will be happy.
God's laws are better than gold;
They are sweeter than honey.
As I listened, I was touched by the words Micah spoke.
A couple of other items in the program occurred before the pastor took his place for the sermon. When the he stood up to speak, the pastor's first words were a comment on Micah's poem; he said how much the words of the poem had touched him. He went on to say that in seminary he had taken a course which dealt with simple things, simple words spoken that teach us life lessons - words that immediately touch our hearts without need for a lot of explanation or "sermonizing." The pastor then said that he was going to put his intended sermon aside and ask Micah to come back to the microphone to read his poem again in the hope that everyone would give his complete attention to the words of the poem.
The words of this poem are simple but powerful. God's laws are perfect, and they give us strength because if we follow them, we will not be debilitated by guilt and shame. God's laws are always right; a wise person knows this and follows them. Also, since God's laws are right, we don't have to wonder what to do in a situation. We know what is right, and we do it since we are wise. God's laws are fair. We all hunger for fairness in a world that is anything but fair. Since God's laws are fair, we will be happy when we follow them. God's laws are better than gold and sweeter than honey. There are many things that we seek after; but since God's laws are better than gold and sweeter than honey, what could we possibly value more than His laws?
After church I asked Micah about the words he had shared with us, and he told me that his mother Melita had helped him with it based on an article she had read on the Laws of God. I then told them both how much I appreciated their efforts and how important I thought those truths are.
I want my grandchildren to read the poem and to understand the rightness of and importance of following God's laws. If they will live according to the truths of Micah's words, they will be strong - wise - happy - and have the very best.
This was a great morning; I hope your morning was great as well.
Blessings to all.
This morning was Youth Sunday, and a number of young people from age four to nineteen participated in the service. They did a lot of the usual things - read Scripture, gave various readings, led praise and worship, prayed, collected the offering, etc. There was a group of the youngest children who did the usual thing. They had a song to sing; and while in practice they sang out lustily, in front of family and friends they barely opened their mouths. Everyone thought this was cute, of course, which it was (except for the teachers who prepared them for their part) - even the singing that could barely be heard was appreciated.
Despite the fact that the youth were participating in and leading the service, the pastor was to bring the message. Shortly before time for the message, a young men named Micah Carey came to the microphone to read a poem entitled God's Laws (I assumed it was a poem he had found somewhere). This is what he read:
God's laws are perfect;
If I obey them, I will be strong.
God's laws are always right;
If I obey them, I will be wise;
I will always know the right thing to do.
God's laws are fair;
If I obey them, I will be happy.
God's laws are better than gold;
They are sweeter than honey.
As I listened, I was touched by the words Micah spoke.
A couple of other items in the program occurred before the pastor took his place for the sermon. When the he stood up to speak, the pastor's first words were a comment on Micah's poem; he said how much the words of the poem had touched him. He went on to say that in seminary he had taken a course which dealt with simple things, simple words spoken that teach us life lessons - words that immediately touch our hearts without need for a lot of explanation or "sermonizing." The pastor then said that he was going to put his intended sermon aside and ask Micah to come back to the microphone to read his poem again in the hope that everyone would give his complete attention to the words of the poem.
The words of this poem are simple but powerful. God's laws are perfect, and they give us strength because if we follow them, we will not be debilitated by guilt and shame. God's laws are always right; a wise person knows this and follows them. Also, since God's laws are right, we don't have to wonder what to do in a situation. We know what is right, and we do it since we are wise. God's laws are fair. We all hunger for fairness in a world that is anything but fair. Since God's laws are fair, we will be happy when we follow them. God's laws are better than gold and sweeter than honey. There are many things that we seek after; but since God's laws are better than gold and sweeter than honey, what could we possibly value more than His laws?
After church I asked Micah about the words he had shared with us, and he told me that his mother Melita had helped him with it based on an article she had read on the Laws of God. I then told them both how much I appreciated their efforts and how important I thought those truths are.
I want my grandchildren to read the poem and to understand the rightness of and importance of following God's laws. If they will live according to the truths of Micah's words, they will be strong - wise - happy - and have the very best.
This was a great morning; I hope your morning was great as well.
Blessings to all.
Making a List
The information below was posted by Seth Godin; I received it via email since I subscribe to his blog. I though you might find the information helpful; since regardless of what one is involved in, having a "list" or "prioritizing" what needs to be done would undoubtedly be helpful. If you find this post helpful, you can go to http://sethgodin.typepad.com/ to view the complete blog.
What should you do next?
Is it better to email an existing customer, send a brochure to a prospect or improve your product a bit? Should you tweet or post a new blog post? Should you have a meeting to coordinate your team or spend ten minutes returning phone calls instead?
This is a unheralded skill, something successful people do really well and others struggle with.
How do you decide what to do next?
One of the challenges we have in reducing carbon emissions is that (as far as I know) there's no priority list. Which is worse: leaving your computer on all night or not having the windows weatherstripped? Which is worse: driving a car to Boston or going by plane with 200 other people? Is it worth driving across town to buy a pint of organic strawberries or should I get the ones from the nearby store that came from California? If you have a thousand dollars to invest in making a reduction in greenhouse gasses, should you buy new tires, switch to local foods or perhaps send $900 to help a factory in China switch away from coal and then use the other nine hundred to have a massage?
Without a list, you can see how making intelligent decisions is impossible, so we resort to confusing activity with productivity.
Back to your office: do you have a list? Have you figured out which metric you're trying to improve? Can you measure the impact of the choices you make all day?
I see this mistake in business development all the time. Assume for a moment that the goal of someone in this department is to maximize profit. Why then would this group spend most of its time tweaking existing deals (looking for a 3% improvement in yield) instead of spending the same time and effort doing new, game-changing deals?
From Carolyn: -While the thrust of this post is business related, the overall concept works for anything (or virtually) anything; I know this information can help me and can probably help others also. Seth's tip does not contain new information, but sometimes we have to hear something at the "right" time for us to finally make use of it.
Blessings to all
What should you do next?
Is it better to email an existing customer, send a brochure to a prospect or improve your product a bit? Should you tweet or post a new blog post? Should you have a meeting to coordinate your team or spend ten minutes returning phone calls instead?
This is a unheralded skill, something successful people do really well and others struggle with.
How do you decide what to do next?
One of the challenges we have in reducing carbon emissions is that (as far as I know) there's no priority list. Which is worse: leaving your computer on all night or not having the windows weatherstripped? Which is worse: driving a car to Boston or going by plane with 200 other people? Is it worth driving across town to buy a pint of organic strawberries or should I get the ones from the nearby store that came from California? If you have a thousand dollars to invest in making a reduction in greenhouse gasses, should you buy new tires, switch to local foods or perhaps send $900 to help a factory in China switch away from coal and then use the other nine hundred to have a massage?
Without a list, you can see how making intelligent decisions is impossible, so we resort to confusing activity with productivity.
Back to your office: do you have a list? Have you figured out which metric you're trying to improve? Can you measure the impact of the choices you make all day?
I see this mistake in business development all the time. Assume for a moment that the goal of someone in this department is to maximize profit. Why then would this group spend most of its time tweaking existing deals (looking for a 3% improvement in yield) instead of spending the same time and effort doing new, game-changing deals?
From Carolyn: -While the thrust of this post is business related, the overall concept works for anything (or virtually) anything; I know this information can help me and can probably help others also. Seth's tip does not contain new information, but sometimes we have to hear something at the "right" time for us to finally make use of it.
Blessings to all
Friday, September 18, 2009
Explosions, Fear, and Overcoming
Growing up in St. Louis and St. Louis County, I was aware of Mafia ties in the city - the Cosa Nostra. I don't think I heard about it often, but every once in a while a car was bombed, and the Cosa Nostra was named as the probably cause. I always had a horror of being in a car when a bomb went off - of losing body parts. That seemed worse to me that death.
Shortly before I turned twenty, I went to work for a small telephone company in one of the better areas of the county. It was a small, corporate office were I worked as a secretary. I did not work directly with the president of the company, though I saw him frequently; he was a family man with several children (12 or 13, I think) and was well liked by everyone.
I only worked there a year, and some time after I left the company to go back to college - a few years later, I think - my mother called or wrote me that Mr. L., the president of the company, had been killed in a car bombing in the sub-level parking area of the building in which I had worked. The news was shocking and sad; especially when it was determined that he was probably not the real target. His car, a dark, very upscale sedan looked just like many cars driven by other high level executives in that area. The bomb had been placed in the wrong car; it was intended for someone else.
A number of years later, my husband, children and I moved to a small town in the middle of Missouri. I had not particularly wanted to move there, though there was no concrete reason except that the town was very small and had a reputation for racial problems.
We moved into our new home on a Saturday in mid-June, and my husband had to leave early Monday morning to attend a meeting about 100 miles west of where we lived; he would be gone for several days. I probably got up to fix him coffee and breakfast before he left; however, when he was ready to leave, I was already back in bed since it was about 5:00 A.M. He said good-bye, closed the bedroom door, and left the house. About a minute later the bedroom door opened. He stuck his head inside and said, "Oh, by the way, I've been told there are people here who may try to hurt us." With that remark, he closed the door, left the house, and drove down the highway.
His statement came as a shock to me; I hadn't heard anything about threats against us though I knew this was always a possibility. I was home alone with three relatively small children wondering what might happen. No one saw anything of us for the next thirty hours or so except my left hand reaching out through a small crack when I opened the front door just enough to get my arm out to "feel" for mail in the box by the door. After quickly pulling my arm back inside the relative safety of our home, the door was closed and locked. I was just sure that someone had already or would put a bomb in my car; and that when I turned the key in the ignition, it would explode.
We stayed inside the house until the next afternoon. At that point, I had to decide how I was going to spend the rest of my life. I decided that I could not live in fear; I was not going to be a prisoner in my own home. We had to get out of the house and face the situation head on. Despite this decision, I was afraid as I got us all in the car, especially when I turned the key in the ignition. I was really afraid there was a bomb and that the car would explode. When I turned the key, there was no hesitation like there was in The Pelican Brief. The car started just like it always did, thank God. I backed out of the driveway and drove to Dairy Queen where we had a nice kids' meal, probably followed by ice cream.
While I never forgot what my husband said to me that morning, I don't think I ever really worried about our safety again. We did face some problems in that town, but I came to genuinely like living there and was very sorry when we moved away. It is one of the places I think of as "home."
Blessings to all.
Shortly before I turned twenty, I went to work for a small telephone company in one of the better areas of the county. It was a small, corporate office were I worked as a secretary. I did not work directly with the president of the company, though I saw him frequently; he was a family man with several children (12 or 13, I think) and was well liked by everyone.
I only worked there a year, and some time after I left the company to go back to college - a few years later, I think - my mother called or wrote me that Mr. L., the president of the company, had been killed in a car bombing in the sub-level parking area of the building in which I had worked. The news was shocking and sad; especially when it was determined that he was probably not the real target. His car, a dark, very upscale sedan looked just like many cars driven by other high level executives in that area. The bomb had been placed in the wrong car; it was intended for someone else.
A number of years later, my husband, children and I moved to a small town in the middle of Missouri. I had not particularly wanted to move there, though there was no concrete reason except that the town was very small and had a reputation for racial problems.
We moved into our new home on a Saturday in mid-June, and my husband had to leave early Monday morning to attend a meeting about 100 miles west of where we lived; he would be gone for several days. I probably got up to fix him coffee and breakfast before he left; however, when he was ready to leave, I was already back in bed since it was about 5:00 A.M. He said good-bye, closed the bedroom door, and left the house. About a minute later the bedroom door opened. He stuck his head inside and said, "Oh, by the way, I've been told there are people here who may try to hurt us." With that remark, he closed the door, left the house, and drove down the highway.
His statement came as a shock to me; I hadn't heard anything about threats against us though I knew this was always a possibility. I was home alone with three relatively small children wondering what might happen. No one saw anything of us for the next thirty hours or so except my left hand reaching out through a small crack when I opened the front door just enough to get my arm out to "feel" for mail in the box by the door. After quickly pulling my arm back inside the relative safety of our home, the door was closed and locked. I was just sure that someone had already or would put a bomb in my car; and that when I turned the key in the ignition, it would explode.
We stayed inside the house until the next afternoon. At that point, I had to decide how I was going to spend the rest of my life. I decided that I could not live in fear; I was not going to be a prisoner in my own home. We had to get out of the house and face the situation head on. Despite this decision, I was afraid as I got us all in the car, especially when I turned the key in the ignition. I was really afraid there was a bomb and that the car would explode. When I turned the key, there was no hesitation like there was in The Pelican Brief. The car started just like it always did, thank God. I backed out of the driveway and drove to Dairy Queen where we had a nice kids' meal, probably followed by ice cream.
While I never forgot what my husband said to me that morning, I don't think I ever really worried about our safety again. We did face some problems in that town, but I came to genuinely like living there and was very sorry when we moved away. It is one of the places I think of as "home."
Blessings to all.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
"Old Barns, Old People, Old Friends"
The following is from an email sent to me by a friend (he thought I was old enough to appreciate it). It had beautiful pictures with it; unfortunately, I could not copy them. I did, however, discover how to put my own pictures in this post. I hope you enjoy the message and the old barns.
Old Barns, Old People and Old Friends
A stranger came by the other day with an offer that set me to thinking. He wanted to buy the old barn that sits out by the highway.
I told him right off he was crazy.
He was a city type, you could tell by his clothes, his car, his hands, and the way he talked. He said he was driving by and saw that beautiful barn sitting out in the tall grass and wanted to know if it was for sale. I told him he had a funny idea of beauty.
Sure, it was a handsome building in its day. But then, there's been a lot of winters pass with their snow and ice and howling wind. The summer sun's beat down on that old barn till all the paint's gone, and the wood has turned silver gray. Now the old building leans a good deal, looking kind of tired.
Yet, that fellow called it beautiful.
That set me to thinking. I walked out to the field and just stood there,
gazing at that old barn. The stranger said he planned to use the lumber to line the walls of his den (what a shame - the barn was beautiful) in a new country home he's building down the road. He said you couldn't get paint that beautiful. Only years of standing in the weather, bearing the storms and scorching sun - only that can produce beautiful barn wood.
It came to me then. We're a lot like that, you and I. Only it's on the inside that the beauty grows with us. Sure we turn silver gray too... and lean a bit more than we did when we were young and full of sap.
But the Good Lord knows what He's doing. And as the years pass, He's busy using the hard weather of our lives, the dry spells and the stormy seasons to do a job of beautifying our souls that nothing else can produce.
They took the old barn down today and hauled it away to beautify a rich man's house. And I reckon someday you and I'll be hauled off to Heaven to take on whatever chores the good Lord has for us on the Great Sky Ranch.
And I suspect we'll be more beautiful then for the seasons we've been through here... And just maybe even add a bit of beauty to our Father's house.
May there be peace within you today. May you trust God that you are
exactly where you are meant to be.
And..................I do sincerely Thank God for my wonderful friends and
family who care about me even though I show signs of weathering.
I hope you enjoyed reading this. It is so easy to find beauty in old things; however, we often have trouble seeing beauty in ourselves as we grow old.
Blessings to all!
Old Barns, Old People and Old Friends
A stranger came by the other day with an offer that set me to thinking. He wanted to buy the old barn that sits out by the highway.
I told him right off he was crazy.
He was a city type, you could tell by his clothes, his car, his hands, and the way he talked. He said he was driving by and saw that beautiful barn sitting out in the tall grass and wanted to know if it was for sale. I told him he had a funny idea of beauty.
Sure, it was a handsome building in its day. But then, there's been a lot of winters pass with their snow and ice and howling wind. The summer sun's beat down on that old barn till all the paint's gone, and the wood has turned silver gray. Now the old building leans a good deal, looking kind of tired.
Yet, that fellow called it beautiful.
That set me to thinking. I walked out to the field and just stood there,
gazing at that old barn. The stranger said he planned to use the lumber to line the walls of his den (what a shame - the barn was beautiful) in a new country home he's building down the road. He said you couldn't get paint that beautiful. Only years of standing in the weather, bearing the storms and scorching sun - only that can produce beautiful barn wood.
It came to me then. We're a lot like that, you and I. Only it's on the inside that the beauty grows with us. Sure we turn silver gray too... and lean a bit more than we did when we were young and full of sap.
But the Good Lord knows what He's doing. And as the years pass, He's busy using the hard weather of our lives, the dry spells and the stormy seasons to do a job of beautifying our souls that nothing else can produce.
They took the old barn down today and hauled it away to beautify a rich man's house. And I reckon someday you and I'll be hauled off to Heaven to take on whatever chores the good Lord has for us on the Great Sky Ranch.
And I suspect we'll be more beautiful then for the seasons we've been through here... And just maybe even add a bit of beauty to our Father's house.
May there be peace within you today. May you trust God that you are
exactly where you are meant to be.
And..................I do sincerely Thank God for my wonderful friends and
family who care about me even though I show signs of weathering.
I hope you enjoyed reading this. It is so easy to find beauty in old things; however, we often have trouble seeing beauty in ourselves as we grow old.
Blessings to all!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
New Blog to Check Out
The article below is found on a blog titled "gifted for LEADERSHIP A COMMUNITY OF CHRISTIAN WOMEN"
http://blog.christianitytoday.com/giftedforleadership/2009/09/kyria_chosen_women_called_to_i.html#more
I decided to share this post with you, since I found it interesting and saw myself in it - the never fitting in part, at least. I've also searched for things through the years that I felt were truly interesting though I was often disappointed. A few years ago, however, I found a Christian magazine that really "lit" my fire - at least for a while (several years [I told everybody about it] - I even got a bulk shipment for the women in my church). I couldn't wait to get my hands on the by-monthly issue and literally devoured it (with my eyes and mind). Then they changed it - improved it(?). It went from simple (in appearance) yet deep in content to glitzy (in appearance) and no longer captivating for me. The problem may well be with me - not the magazine, but I felt that it had changed; and I felt guilty for giving it only a cursory read through.
I'll stop "talking" now and let you get to the meat of what I want to share with you. I hope you will enjoy the article and take a stroll over to kyria.com - I'm going there to see what it has to offer. Carolyn
September 3, 2009 |
Kyria: Chosen Women, Called to Influence by Caryn Rivadeneira
When a friend asked me recently what I knew about a certain ministry for children (that shall remain nameless), I sent back a scathing email about how much I hated it as a child. How ostracized I’d felt and how un-Jesus-y I found the whole thing to be, in hindsight. About five minutes later, however, I sent her back another email, apologizing. Because I realized after sending it that in my very cynical and strange walk of faith as a child, I never found a ministry that fit me—that ministered to who I was and what I liked to do. So, I told her, she probably she should ask someone else.
Fast forward to my life as a grown up: my view of many church ministries hasn’t changed much, frankly. I still find myself not fitting in to most places, I still feel like the misfit, and I still feel like I’m the only woman in the world who does not like crafts (though I know I’m not, since we’ve talked about this on this blog plenty before!). But it’s not only been in church ministries that I’ve felt this. So often, I’ve looked at the publications for Christian women and wondered who on earth they were for. What kind of woman reads (or watches) this? I’d ask.
Though every so often, something amazing happens: I come a resource that makes me say (to quote my 2-year-old), “Now we’re talkin’!” Which is what I thought when I first heard about GFL’s new sister site, KYRIA.
As Ginger Kolbaba, KYRIA’s founding editor, told me the things the site would include—a monthly digizine centered around topics that required some grappling and were intended to start conversations; a blog that addressed hot topics and reviewed products and did all things a blog should do; and articles throughout the site written by some of the best and brightest minds on topics ranging from practical tips to reflective essays—my heart started beating a bit faster.
Because KYRIA is for women who care about the world around them, for women who feel called by God to change the world they care about, for women like me and you. KYRIA gets its name from a word in the original language of the Bible. In Greek it means “honored woman.” The epistle of 2 John, for instance, is addressed to one such “kyria,” translated there as “chosen lady.” They chose this name because, just like the biblical KYRIA, it conveys something about the place of women in the life and ministry of the body of Christ, his church. We are chosen, called, and gifted for ministry.
So head on over and welcome our new sister site Kyria.com. Let us know what you think!
Caryn Rivadeneira, managing editor of Gifted for Leadership, is author of Mama's Got a Fake I.D.: How to Reveal the Real You Behind All That Mom. She and her family live in the western suburbs of Chicago. Visit her at her blog or The Mommy Revolution blog. Posted by Caryn Rivadeneira on September 3, 2009
Reposted by me with full credit given to Caryn Rivadeneira
Blessings to all.
http://blog.christianitytoday.com/giftedforleadership/2009/09/kyria_chosen_women_called_to_i.html#more
I decided to share this post with you, since I found it interesting and saw myself in it - the never fitting in part, at least. I've also searched for things through the years that I felt were truly interesting though I was often disappointed. A few years ago, however, I found a Christian magazine that really "lit" my fire - at least for a while (several years [I told everybody about it] - I even got a bulk shipment for the women in my church). I couldn't wait to get my hands on the by-monthly issue and literally devoured it (with my eyes and mind). Then they changed it - improved it(?). It went from simple (in appearance) yet deep in content to glitzy (in appearance) and no longer captivating for me. The problem may well be with me - not the magazine, but I felt that it had changed; and I felt guilty for giving it only a cursory read through.
I'll stop "talking" now and let you get to the meat of what I want to share with you. I hope you will enjoy the article and take a stroll over to kyria.com - I'm going there to see what it has to offer. Carolyn
September 3, 2009 |
Kyria: Chosen Women, Called to Influence by Caryn Rivadeneira
When a friend asked me recently what I knew about a certain ministry for children (that shall remain nameless), I sent back a scathing email about how much I hated it as a child. How ostracized I’d felt and how un-Jesus-y I found the whole thing to be, in hindsight. About five minutes later, however, I sent her back another email, apologizing. Because I realized after sending it that in my very cynical and strange walk of faith as a child, I never found a ministry that fit me—that ministered to who I was and what I liked to do. So, I told her, she probably she should ask someone else.
Fast forward to my life as a grown up: my view of many church ministries hasn’t changed much, frankly. I still find myself not fitting in to most places, I still feel like the misfit, and I still feel like I’m the only woman in the world who does not like crafts (though I know I’m not, since we’ve talked about this on this blog plenty before!). But it’s not only been in church ministries that I’ve felt this. So often, I’ve looked at the publications for Christian women and wondered who on earth they were for. What kind of woman reads (or watches) this? I’d ask.
Though every so often, something amazing happens: I come a resource that makes me say (to quote my 2-year-old), “Now we’re talkin’!” Which is what I thought when I first heard about GFL’s new sister site, KYRIA.
As Ginger Kolbaba, KYRIA’s founding editor, told me the things the site would include—a monthly digizine centered around topics that required some grappling and were intended to start conversations; a blog that addressed hot topics and reviewed products and did all things a blog should do; and articles throughout the site written by some of the best and brightest minds on topics ranging from practical tips to reflective essays—my heart started beating a bit faster.
Because KYRIA is for women who care about the world around them, for women who feel called by God to change the world they care about, for women like me and you. KYRIA gets its name from a word in the original language of the Bible. In Greek it means “honored woman.” The epistle of 2 John, for instance, is addressed to one such “kyria,” translated there as “chosen lady.” They chose this name because, just like the biblical KYRIA, it conveys something about the place of women in the life and ministry of the body of Christ, his church. We are chosen, called, and gifted for ministry.
So head on over and welcome our new sister site Kyria.com. Let us know what you think!
Caryn Rivadeneira, managing editor of Gifted for Leadership, is author of Mama's Got a Fake I.D.: How to Reveal the Real You Behind All That Mom. She and her family live in the western suburbs of Chicago. Visit her at her blog or The Mommy Revolution blog. Posted by Caryn Rivadeneira on September 3, 2009
Reposted by me with full credit given to Caryn Rivadeneira
Blessings to all.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
YouTube and Me
I'll bet you never thought you'd see me on YouTube! Not interested in Efusjon, that's all right. There are some good Christian music videos there as well.
Blessings to all.
Blessings to all.
"The Flaw of a Woman"
A nice read for women to help us feel good about ourselves. We need to recognize our worth without exaggerating it. Find yourself in God; He will never lead you astray or let you down.
The One Flaw in Women
Shared via AddThis
Thanks, Lucy.
http://www.lucyannmoll.com/
Blessings to all
The One Flaw in Women
Shared via AddThis
Thanks, Lucy.
http://www.lucyannmoll.com/
Blessings to all
Monday, September 14, 2009
Whom Do You Follow?
Some people seem to be natural follows, but others may say that they do not follow anyone. On the surface, that may sound good - not being a follower, but is it?
First and foremost, we are to be followers of Christ; I want that to be perfectly clear. But God has provided guides for us to help us as we follow Christ. He has given us His Word, which tells us about the lives of persons who have found favor with Him.
Our ladies' group at church has been studying the book of Philippians for quite some time (summer break caused a two month extension) using Experiencing God's Peace by Elizabeth George. It is a simple book - very easy to follow, the the truths found in it are anything but simple.
As we study Philippians, we are learning more about the life the the Apostle Paul. I have always liked Paul, but now have a much greater appreciation for him, for his commitment to Christ, and for his willingness to give all - including him very life - in his walk with the Lord. Chapter 3:17 of Philippians says, "Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern."
Paul is definitely telling us to follow him; not because he considered himself anyone special, but because he realized that while in an earthy sense he had stood far above other men - Philippians 3:4-6 says "...circumcised on the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, concerning the law a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless" - despite all this, in any sense that really mattered, he was totally unworthy. I Timothy 1:15 says, "...Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." Paul called himself the "chief sinner," yet he had met Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus and was now willing to "follow" Him to death if necessary.
Therefore, following Paul's example and his teachings is a good thing since he was following Jesus. Paul then goes on to tell us to "note" or take note of those persons who "so walk" - those persons who are walking as Paul walked and to follow their example as well. We need to take note of those persons we know who are following Jesus, those persons who are walking as Paul walked and to be encouraged by them.
There is "nothing new under the sun." On our own, we are not going to come up with a better plan for how to live than what God has given to us in His Word. Since we have God's Word telling us how to walk, giving us examples like Paul to follow, we really have no excuse - those who profess to be Christians - to be walking as the world walks. We make life complicated, but it's just that simple; follow God's Word and the examples of those persons who found favor with Jo,, and we will bring honor and glory to Him. After all, that is why we are here in the first place - to glorify and honor God.
Whom do you follow, and who is following you? Something to think about.
Blessings to all. Scripture taken from the New King James Version
First and foremost, we are to be followers of Christ; I want that to be perfectly clear. But God has provided guides for us to help us as we follow Christ. He has given us His Word, which tells us about the lives of persons who have found favor with Him.
Our ladies' group at church has been studying the book of Philippians for quite some time (summer break caused a two month extension) using Experiencing God's Peace by Elizabeth George. It is a simple book - very easy to follow, the the truths found in it are anything but simple.
As we study Philippians, we are learning more about the life the the Apostle Paul. I have always liked Paul, but now have a much greater appreciation for him, for his commitment to Christ, and for his willingness to give all - including him very life - in his walk with the Lord. Chapter 3:17 of Philippians says, "Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern."
Paul is definitely telling us to follow him; not because he considered himself anyone special, but because he realized that while in an earthy sense he had stood far above other men - Philippians 3:4-6 says "...circumcised on the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, concerning the law a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless" - despite all this, in any sense that really mattered, he was totally unworthy. I Timothy 1:15 says, "...Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." Paul called himself the "chief sinner," yet he had met Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus and was now willing to "follow" Him to death if necessary.
Therefore, following Paul's example and his teachings is a good thing since he was following Jesus. Paul then goes on to tell us to "note" or take note of those persons who "so walk" - those persons who are walking as Paul walked and to follow their example as well. We need to take note of those persons we know who are following Jesus, those persons who are walking as Paul walked and to be encouraged by them.
There is "nothing new under the sun." On our own, we are not going to come up with a better plan for how to live than what God has given to us in His Word. Since we have God's Word telling us how to walk, giving us examples like Paul to follow, we really have no excuse - those who profess to be Christians - to be walking as the world walks. We make life complicated, but it's just that simple; follow God's Word and the examples of those persons who found favor with Jo,, and we will bring honor and glory to Him. After all, that is why we are here in the first place - to glorify and honor God.
Whom do you follow, and who is following you? Something to think about.
Blessings to all. Scripture taken from the New King James Version
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Stand by Your Friends
I've posted items by Lucy before. If you haven't visited her site yet, do yourself a favor today and do so.
Stand by Your Friends
Shared via AddThis
http://www.lucyannmoll.com/beautifulwarrior/
Stand by Your Friends
Shared via AddThis
http://www.lucyannmoll.com/beautifulwarrior/
Saturday, September 12, 2009
"Jumpin Jalopy" Revised
If you've already read this post and are now looking at it again, you will see that there is a slight change in the title. I'm fairly sure the title is "Jumpin Jalopy" - singular / not plural. Regardless of whether the word should be singular or plural though, I have never forgotten the song.
The church I attended for a significant portion of my life as I was growing up was a very large church - at least it seemed large to me. It would not qualify as a "mega" church by today's standards, but it was big.
The church had a lot of rooms, especially after they added on to the back of it. Most of these rooms were used for Sunday school classrooms (at least that is my recollection), and in a lot of these rooms were upright pianos. I always loved the piano even though I had never taken lessons and could not play. I could "pick out" songs by reading notes though, which I had learned to do through band/clarinet lessons, but I could not play for anyone's enjoyment. The only thing I could play at a moment's notice was "I Dropped My Dolly in the Dirt."
Since we (my friends and I) were at church frequently - Sunday school, Training Union, GAs, choir practice, visitation and Wednesday night dinners followed by an evening service, we were often in one or the other of the rooms by ourselves. Several (most?) of my friends could play the piano and often played a piece by the same name as the title of this post. I really liked that song; it was very upbeat/lively. It made me feel good just to hear it.
I have probably not heard that song since my senior year of high school (maybe even before that), and I do not recall any piano playing sessions in college. I still remember the song though and can "play" it in my head. Maybe, if I am fortunate, I will get to hear it next summer if a piano is available and if one of the girls - Deanna, Sharon, or June - remembers how to play it. I hope they remember, and I hope I get to hear it once again.
Blessings to all.
The church I attended for a significant portion of my life as I was growing up was a very large church - at least it seemed large to me. It would not qualify as a "mega" church by today's standards, but it was big.
The church had a lot of rooms, especially after they added on to the back of it. Most of these rooms were used for Sunday school classrooms (at least that is my recollection), and in a lot of these rooms were upright pianos. I always loved the piano even though I had never taken lessons and could not play. I could "pick out" songs by reading notes though, which I had learned to do through band/clarinet lessons, but I could not play for anyone's enjoyment. The only thing I could play at a moment's notice was "I Dropped My Dolly in the Dirt."
Since we (my friends and I) were at church frequently - Sunday school, Training Union, GAs, choir practice, visitation and Wednesday night dinners followed by an evening service, we were often in one or the other of the rooms by ourselves. Several (most?) of my friends could play the piano and often played a piece by the same name as the title of this post. I really liked that song; it was very upbeat/lively. It made me feel good just to hear it.
I have probably not heard that song since my senior year of high school (maybe even before that), and I do not recall any piano playing sessions in college. I still remember the song though and can "play" it in my head. Maybe, if I am fortunate, I will get to hear it next summer if a piano is available and if one of the girls - Deanna, Sharon, or June - remembers how to play it. I hope they remember, and I hope I get to hear it once again.
Blessings to all.
"Biggest Little Stressors" for Men
For an interesting article on things that create stress for men, by Mike Zimmerman of Men's Health, go to http://tiny.cc/ezNqs.
Blessings to all.
Blessings to all.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Writing Devotionals
If you are interested in writing devotionals and would like to have them considered for publication in Internet Cafe, read the section below taken from their blog/site.
Guidelines For Writers
The purpose of The Internet Café is to unite women of faith, regardless of our stage in life, our roles as women, our hair color, our political party, or the church we attend. We believe that one of the best ways to do this is to encourage each other in faith, by our spoken and written words accompanied by a short study each day to challenge and motivate you.
Most of our devotions are written by regular monthly contributors but we do accept submissions for use in guest spots. Also, from time to time a writer will step down to pursue other interests that God has placed on her heart and will need to be replaced. That is why submissions are important.
We are seeking devotions that will capture the interest of Christian women and inspire them to pursue the heart of our Father. Devotions should:
* be uplifting and void of condemnation.
* reflect a Biblical perspective.
* contain Bible verses (along with its reference and the translation it was taken from.)
* contain a short prayer.
* have questions to ponder at the end of the post that would welcome dialogue with our readers.
We are interested in inspiring devotions that share the God moments in day-to-day life; the honest transparency that brings you closer to the heart of Jesus; and words that guide readers into Biblical truth. We are not interested in publishing work that is written in an academic tone with the purpose to solely teach as though in a Sunday school setting. We must reach our readers and make the word relevant by using personal stories, experiences, and analogies. We also do not accept poetry. While we enjoy a theological type of writing, this blog is based around devotional material.
Devotions should be approximately 400-700 words in length, and should be well proofed for errors before submission.
Authors must own the rights to any works that are submitted.
Devotions must be submitted in a Google doc, Microsoft Word for Windows format or .pdf files with the author’s name, telephone number, URL, and email address marked at the top. Authors should also include a short bio and photograph.
We will try our best to consider all submissions, but unfortunately, we will not be able to include all devotions that are sent to us.
Please note that all writing is done on a volunteer basis.
Please email your submissions to:
lori@internetcafedevotions.com
http://www.internetcafedevotions.com/2005/01/guidelines-for-writers.html
Hope this is of benefit to someone.
Blessings to all!
Guidelines For Writers
The purpose of The Internet Café is to unite women of faith, regardless of our stage in life, our roles as women, our hair color, our political party, or the church we attend. We believe that one of the best ways to do this is to encourage each other in faith, by our spoken and written words accompanied by a short study each day to challenge and motivate you.
Most of our devotions are written by regular monthly contributors but we do accept submissions for use in guest spots. Also, from time to time a writer will step down to pursue other interests that God has placed on her heart and will need to be replaced. That is why submissions are important.
We are seeking devotions that will capture the interest of Christian women and inspire them to pursue the heart of our Father. Devotions should:
* be uplifting and void of condemnation.
* reflect a Biblical perspective.
* contain Bible verses (along with its reference and the translation it was taken from.)
* contain a short prayer.
* have questions to ponder at the end of the post that would welcome dialogue with our readers.
We are interested in inspiring devotions that share the God moments in day-to-day life; the honest transparency that brings you closer to the heart of Jesus; and words that guide readers into Biblical truth. We are not interested in publishing work that is written in an academic tone with the purpose to solely teach as though in a Sunday school setting. We must reach our readers and make the word relevant by using personal stories, experiences, and analogies. We also do not accept poetry. While we enjoy a theological type of writing, this blog is based around devotional material.
Devotions should be approximately 400-700 words in length, and should be well proofed for errors before submission.
Authors must own the rights to any works that are submitted.
Devotions must be submitted in a Google doc, Microsoft Word for Windows format or .pdf files with the author’s name, telephone number, URL, and email address marked at the top. Authors should also include a short bio and photograph.
We will try our best to consider all submissions, but unfortunately, we will not be able to include all devotions that are sent to us.
Please note that all writing is done on a volunteer basis.
Please email your submissions to:
lori@internetcafedevotions.com
http://www.internetcafedevotions.com/2005/01/guidelines-for-writers.html
Hope this is of benefit to someone.
Blessings to all!
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