Freeze

I've decided running two blogs is too much. This blog is now "frozen." Look for updates on my family and other commentary by me at

www.keeping-up-with-the-joneses.blogspot.com

Failure Is Not An Option

More musing from the Leadership Summit:

Failure is not an option. It's absolutely necessary. If you're not failing, then you aren't growing.

--Craig Goeschel, LifeChurch

In our culture, we constantly think of winning as the only valuable experience. Yet, the Bible speaks of how perseverance, troubles, and trial can be just as valuable. James 1:2-4. Indeed, such difficult times come with mouth-watering reward: The crown of Life promised by God! James 1:12. But only if you persevere, seeking the wisdom of God. James 1:5.

What thing are you "failing" at right now? What situation or obstacle seems insurmountable? Instead of thinking about it in terms of failure, reframe it from God's perspective. How can He use this to grow your character? Following the instructions in James 1:5, ask Him to give you wisdom in approaching your particular problem.

Now, here comes the hard part. Make an action plan based on God's wisdom and guidance. Share with us how your action plan will help you grow in your faith of Jesus Christ.

"Bring it on, God. Bring it on!"

This is the prayer of Catherine Rohr.

Her story is amazing. At age 26, in a period of 4 months, she gave up her lucrative wall street job and Manhattan apartment to move to the middle of Texas. She invested all of her money and savings and retirement into the program. In the process of her move, her moving van was stolen. By the time she got to Texas, Rohr literally had nothing.

But four years later, she is the CEO of an incredible program. Now 31 year, she manages a multi-million dollar prison retraining program. The program has graduated 400+ felons, retrained them, and helped with their reentry into society and the work force. In an area where the average re-offense rate is over 50%, Rohr's program has a single digit re-offense rate.

Her strategy is simple: Show up in the morning, get your orders, and execute in obedience.
Her question to us: Why is her story "amazing" or "unusual?" Shouldn't we all be executing our orders from God in obedience?

So I ask you: What has God asked you to do that you are afraid of doing? When are you going to obey?

Paying for School

One of the things I'm struggling with right now is how Evan and I are going to pay for seminary. When I decided to take a class this fall, we had the money set aside in savings and it was not a problem. Then Evan's new computer (which we also had budgeted for) didn't work out; he had to replace it at twice the originally budgeted amount -- essentially using the cash for this fall's classes.

At about the same time, I got an email from the college telling me I needed to put down additional money as a deposit. This was during the point in the month when our cash flow is pretty much non-existant due to paying bills.

Here I am thinking: how am I going to pay for all this? I'm not particularly jazzed on going into debt to pursue my degree. I am, after all, a fan of Dave Ramsey who hardly ever recommends going into debt for school. I was kinda planning on doing this (as much as possible) on a pay-as-you-go system.

For about 10 days, I stuck my head in the sand and mulled this problem. I periodically prayed about it, asking God for an answer. Seeing no answer coming, I gathered everything I needed for the financial aid applications and committed to finding the deposit money -- probably by giving up my Starbucks and lunches out.

And then, last night, I got reimbursed by a friend for some money I had spent on her behalf. I had totally forgotten that she was even going to pay me back. And, lo and behold, it's precisely the same amount of money I need for the deposit at school. It's not much, but it's like I hear God saying, "Don't worry about it. This is what I want you to do, and I will provide a way for you to do it."

So, praise God! And pray that tuition and book funding is forthcoming.

My Application Essay as Art

(click on it to see it bigger)

Seminary

This is the first time I've had what I think is BIG news that I've decided not to put on the family blog (for now). I try to keep the family blog relatively statement free. If I'm discussing theology or personal opinions it almost always goes here. My family blog is more like a newletter. This news is a mix, and until things are more finalized I've decided to keep this announcement here.

*deep breath*

I'm applying for seminary.

That's right.

Seminary.

*breath some more*

It's been on my heart for, literally, years. I think I got my law degree and said, the same day, that I'd only go back to school for a tax or a seminary degree. Well, after much prayer and consideration, Evan and I have decided this seems to be the right time to take some post-graduate seminary classes. I'm planning on enrolling in Tozer Seminary at Simpson College this Fall. After taking a few classes, we will decide if I should pursue a full degree program.

Whew! This stepping out in faith thing is scary.

Adventures in Eating