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

When I Say, "I am a Christian"

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not shouting, "I've been saved!"
I'm whispering, "I get lost! That's why I chose this way.

"When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't speak with human pride
I'm confessing that I stumble-needing God to be my guide.

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not trying to be strong
I'm professing that I'm weak and pray for strength to carry on

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not bragging of success
I'm admitting that I've failed and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't think I know it all
I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible but God believes I'm worth it

When I say, "I am a Christian," I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name

When I say, "I am a Christian," I do not wish to judge
I have no authority--I only know I'm loved

(c) 1988 Carol Wimmer

You've Been Left Behind

You've Been Left Behind is a new website that sends emails to your loved ones who are left behind after you, presumably, are whisked away in the rapture. For a subscription of $40 per year, the website purports to give you one last chance to get your unsaved loved ones save. "Imagine being in the presence of the Lord and hearing all of heaven rejoice over the salvation of your loved ones. It is our prayer that this site makes it happen."

I think this website is simply a way to make money by capitalizing on Christians' fears. It also handicaps Christians right now in their efforts to evangelize to their families, and undermines their effective sharing of the gospel.

Consider:

(1) Why spend $40, when you could just hand write the letter and leave it to be found after you are gone? The Tribulation is suppose to be a horrific periodof time, marked with catastrophic natural disasters. What makes you think the web will be working? Or the mail?
(2) Which brings me to this point: Why aren't your evangelizing to your family and friends now? If they are left behind, the most important thing you can leave them with is the knowledge of your beliefs and your discussions with them how to obtain salvation. A single, too-late letter will not have the same impact that your discussions with them today will have. You cannot guarantee that your loved ones will get that letter, but you can guarantee they hear the gospel right now.
(3) I question the intentions of the website when there is no discussion of the Gospel or how to share your faith, but they want your $40.
(4) Do you really want to be in Heaven, celebrating their salvation after the rapture? Because that implies that you have left them to experience the horrors of the Tribulation. Wouldn't you rather meet Jesus with them at your side? I find it hypocritical to talk about leaving a "left behind letter" and then rejoicing over their post-rapture salvation.

So here's my challenge:
(1) Make a list of 3 of your unsaved loved one. List their names in the comments.
(2) Prayer for their salvation. I will pray for them too.
(3) Find the opportunity to discuss the Gospel with them at least once, allowing your discussion to be led by the Spirit. Don't know where to get started? Check out Way of the Master.
(4) Write them a left behind letter in your own handwriting. Put it in a safe place, but one they can find after your gone. Consider writing it from either the point of view of the rapture or your death.

The website is right, it is you last chance. You shouldn't waste it but you shouldn't waste the opportunities you have right now!

What if Musicals Really Did Happen?

Thanks to Kirsten, at www.kirstenwilson.net, for pointing me to this video. Looking forward to CVC's eventual random musical. More information coming. . .

But to Do Justice

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?

Micha 6:8 (NKJV)

I had the pleasure of attending the Nevada Judicial Leadership Summit last week in beautiful Incline Village, North Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Nevada Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Gibbons opened the session on day two by reviewing the above verse. I thought it was particularly moving and powerful to have the chief justice of our supreme court quote this verse.

I studied this verse in depth when I was in law school. It is the moto for the Christian Legal Society, for which I was a member and officer. Throughout law school, I meditated on its command to do justice and pursue mercy. As an idealistic college student, it was a moving verse that drove my pro bono work and my desire to use my law degree to help people out of their worst problems.

Fundamentally, lawyers are problem solvers. We are meant to help people resolve some of the worst conflicts in their lives by the orderly and fair administration of the law. We are meant to put bad things right with the help of the laws.

Sadly, too many of us in the legal field have forgotten that the point of our work is to do justice. Instead, we resign ourselves to administering the law -- to working in in a judicial system, not a justice system. How sad that we have given up on doing justice, as compared to administration of law. This verse should remind us that we should always strive to do what is right, just, and appropriately merciful, all while keeping in mind that we aren't God and shouldn't play fast and loose with other people's lives.

This verse has a unique application to the legal field, but what about to you? In your daily life, have you forgotten to do justice or to love mercy in your "day" job -- whether that is as a stay at home mom, a CPA, a church staff member, a secretary, etc?

Summer Bible Study - Post 1

Welcome to my informal summer Bible study. We're going to be doing the New Testament Basics course available through RCB for free. You'll need to register and start the class here.

This blog is meant to facilitate discussion between the many people joining us for this study. So, after you've viewed the video lecture (Lesson 1.2) and read Matthew 1 - 9 (the reading assignment), please answer the following questions:

1) Who are you? We need to get to know each other a little.
2) What is the most intersting fact you learned from the video lecture? Why?
3) What is the most powerful passage of scripture you read in Matthew 1-9? Why?

Check back often to continue the conversation!

10 Questions for Ministry

Can't figure out who in my blog circle first pointed me to these 10 questions propounded by the pastor at LifeChurch.tv. They are powerful:

1. Is our vision so big that we obviously can’t accomplish it without God?
2. Am I doing ministry from memory or from fresh direction from God?
3. What ministry (or program or meeting) has lost its effectiveness and should be stopped?
4. Is there a person who needs to be moved to another role (or removed), and I haven’t done it?
5. What faith risk is God calling me to take?
6. Have I repented to my team at least once in the last year for a failure in leadership?
7. Have I done everything in my power to make sure my team is living without unconfessed sin?
8. Am I expressing love and care for my team members’ families?
9. Am I living with delayed obedience toward God in any area of leadership?
10. If Jesus my sole motivation for ministry or has my motivation become clouded?

If one of those questions didn't make you say, "Ouch!" then I would be stunned. I know several of them put the pinch on me.

Take some time to earnestly reflect on these questions in your ministry -- whether it is an individual calling (like raising your children) or a more formal ministry (like leading a Bible study, organizing a team of volunteers, or working at an international outreach program). Let them sink in.

I challenge you to write out answers to each. Be honest with yourself and with God. Pray over your answers and seek God's guidance in your ministry.

Summer Bible Study Group

I’m definitely ready for a break from serving and teaching. I am looking forward to taking the summer off. But I know I still need to engage in daily Bible study and conversation with the Lord. I also really like the conversation I have with other believers as we study the same topics.

I’ve discovered free Christian courses from the publishers of Our Daily Bread. This site also provides free classes and training materials to MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), an organization similar to MOMS. In poking around the website, it is a self directed study with courses on the Old Testament, New Testament, Biblical Counseling, and Apologetics. Check it out, poke around, and see if you’re interested. (You’ll have to register to look around.)

I thought it might be fun to try one or two of these courses over the summer with a group of my friends. So, here’s what I propose:

(1) For 4 weeks, starting May 12th, we would do the “New Testaments Basic” class. It’s a 2 session overview of the inter-testament period, 1st century culture, and an introduction to the New Testament. Since it’s designed to be done in 2 weeks, I thought 4 weeks would be a nice leisurely pace.
(2) We would engage in discussion on the class and assignments through this blog. This way you can invite others to join us and we can all engage in discussion together without burning precious gas money.
(3) At the end of the 4 weeks, we’ll take a poll (also through the blog) to see if this experiment was worth it and if we want to take another class this summer.

If you are interested, enter a comment below introducing yourself. (You might need to register with blogger to leave a comment.) Since I’ve invited several people from across my life – including people from across the country – you’ll need to introduce yourselves to get acquainted. Feel free to invite other people, but please be sure that I have a way to contact them so that I can remind them to start the study in 2 weeks.

Christian Study Courses

My new favorite find? Free online Bible courses from the publishers of Our Daily Bread.

UPDATED: The link is working now.

10 Lb Ribbon

A ribbon to celebrate my loss of over 10 lbs!

Stomach Flu

"I'm only one stomach flu away from my goal weight!"

-- Emily, The Devil Wears Prada

Okay, so it's much more than one stomach flu for me. But I have to thank my violent stomach flu for kick starting my weight loss efforts again. Between the vomitting and weak stomach, I lost a lot of weight this week. Plus, I've been able to start fresh today without having to that heavy feeling in my gut from over indulging.

So, thank you stomach flu. I salute you.

A gamer's version of working out?

Due out in the U.S. on May 19, 2008:



The Wii Fit provides a variety of interactive activities and games that focus on muscle toning, aerobics, balancing, and yoga. It will track your weight, BMI, and exercise over time. The program will help you set specific goals and reach them, and rewards you with locked game options -- including additional gaming content.

The Wii Fit is not the only weight loss game that you can use on the Wii. Many of the games for the Wii are active and can be used to help you loose weight, especially the Wii Sports package. There are also dance games, like Dancing with the Stars.

For someone like me this is a great tool to increase activity!

Bye 210's!

Whoo hoo! At my weigh in yesterday, I weighed in below 210! I've now lost a total of 8 lbs in 10 weeks. (Not bad considering Christmas.)

I have been struggling with eating right since Superbowl. (Dang left over chips.) This loss really helped energize me. Now I need to keep it up!

Only another 2 lbs to go to get my 10 lb ribbon. How about I make that this week's goal?

Daily Audio Bible

I highly recommend Brian Hardin's Daily Audio Bible, available at dailyaudiobible.com or as a free podcast through iTune. Brian provides a daily reading from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs in about 15 to 20 minutes, followed by some of his thoughts and prayer. The entire podcast is about 25 minutes.

Lent

Today is Ash Wednesday. I am not Catholic, but I am intrigued by the concept of Lent. Wikipedia describes it as a 40 day period (not counting Sundays) leading up to Easter where a person prepares themselves for the celebration of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. Although most people only give up a vice for the 6 week period, Lent is also suppose to include two other elements: adding or increasing a Spiritual discipline, like Bible Study or prayer; and, giving alms to the poor.

I have been struggling lately with my emotional eating. Chocolate especially - I use it as a band aid when I am bored, tired, sad, or frustrated. I really need to turn to Christ at those times instead. My anxiety and worry should be given over to him, not packed onto my waist. Phillipians 4:6-7.

To that end, I am making a committment to observe Lent this year, something I have never done before. I am going to give up chocolate (a fast), listen to the Bible at least 15 minutes per day (Spiritual Discipline), and take the money I would have used for chocolate and give it to my church's missionary fund (Alms). By fasting and giving, I hope to soften my heart to hear God's Word and to have Him work on my issues of emotional over eating.





Dear God--
In honor of the sacrifice of Your son, Jesus Christ, and at the prompting of Your Holy Spirit, I commit to observing a fast for the 40 days of Lent. I commit to abstain from chocolate until the celebration of Jesus' resurrection.
I also commit to give $5 for six weeks ($30) to CVC's P.E.A.C.E. plan; to give generously in Your name in lieu of spending the money on worldly vices that only distract me from You.
Finally, I commit to listen or read the Bible for 15 minutes every day. I ask that You use this time to shape and soften my heart for Your glory and Your work.
I commit these things in the name of the Holy Spirit, whom I ask to sustain me in my tasks and convict me if I fail at them.
Amen.

Bet you thought I fell off the wagon?

Nope.

Due to weather, my WW meeting was canceled last week. Today I weighed in and lost .8 over the past 2 weeks. A good, modest loss. I could have done better, though. I have been eating all my WPA the last 2 weeks and having too much sugar.

I'm doing better on my medication. My BP has been running low enough to make me dizzy. It's probably time for me to reassess my dosage and back off.

Still chugging along with no major changes.

Project Runway a Motivator?

I love Project Runway. It is absolutely amazing what those designers can do on a shoe string budget and no time. Their looks inspire me, and help me keep abreast of changing fashion trends. (I also love What Not to Wear, and I'm addicted to finding leaked photos of the upcoming Sex and the City movie.) I am just a tad bit of a clothes horse -- more like a clothes pony. If I could bring myself to spend more money on my clothes, I'd actually be a full-grown horse.



Well, today in my bored wanderings of the internet, I wandered over to Bluefly.com for the first time. (I admit the reason I went there is because Bluefly.com is the main sponser for Project Runway this year.) Bluefly.com offers couture accessories, shoes, and clothing at a discounted price. (Like Ebay, Amazon, and Zappos.com.) I admit to wandering the internet for couture, but nothing has ever truly jumped out at me as a "must have."



That is, before today.



Today, I found this Vera Wang silk charmuese dress. It's listed for around $120! Although more than I would spend on a normal day dress, this isn't outside of the normal range for what I would spend for a cocktail dress or a dress to wear to a wedding. I think it's gorgous. It's shape is just fabulous, and it would hide my new mommy pooch.



Problem. . . the biggest size offered is size 12.



I haven't been a size 12 since I was a freshman in highschool. Oh wait, I was briefly a size 12 right after law school but at the strain-the-upper-limits-of-the-pants range. If I am doing my math right, I'll be a size 12 in about 50 lbs. Sigh.


This seems so overwhelming. But, at the same time after reaching my 5 lb goal in just 2 weeks, it also seems pretty doable. Conceivably, I could be wearing this dress in just 6 months. And that is motivating.


I'm going to keep that in mind: if I continue to do well (as I have been for 2+ weeks), I could buy myself the Vera Wang dress I've always wanted. And, if it's by June, I'll even have a wedding to wear it to.


It may seem a petty, selfish motivator. But it's still a motivator.

Week 2 of being back on track and I lost another 3.0 lbs! Whoo hoo! I focused this week on eating enough veggies and drinking enough water. It really does make a difference. I'm going to continue this committment for the next week.

I also took by BP for the first time in several weeks. I have the bad habit of forgetting my BP medication for days at a time, and I was curious what my unmedicated BP would be since I've been feeling fine. It was 130/90. Not bad, but not great.

So, my commitment this week is to take my medication every day.

Small Victory

I'm psyched and wanted to share!

I worked out instead of eating!

I finally reviewed Weight Watchers new week 3 materials. It's an eating personality profile. My top problem? Emotional eating. Not really a surprise. I know I eat when I'm upset, sad, stressed, or bored. But, for the first time, I really paid attention to the ideas for avoiding emotional eating. The key: substitute? If you're still hungry in 15 minutes, then you can eat.

Yesterday morning, trudging through too much boring reading, I had the urge to grab a 3 mustketeers out of my stash. I recognized it as boredom, so I stopped. I looked up some desk work out moves and did 15 minutes of strength training at my desk. And when I was done, I wasn't hungry. (Thirsty, but not hungry.) I repeated the process this morning.

So, now I have a first step defense against boredom hunger at work. Yeah!

Off to a Good Start

After recommitting to Weight Watchers last week, I am off to a good start. My goal is to "attend and perform under Weight Watchers." Iam doing that. This week, I stayed within my points range for the week. It paid off.

I lost 2.6 lbs this week!

I was quite surprised by the substantial loss. I knew I did well, but I had braced myself for a 1 to 2 lb loss, which is healthy and normal for me. I'm very excited.

This week I'm going to add water. I want to drink the minimum eight 8 oz glasses per day.

(Evan, Bobby, and me as of 12-14-2007.)

New Year -- Same Journey

"I am not aiming to 'loose weight' or to reach a certain level. My goal is to obtain overall health by eating right, exercising, and maintaining my mind (i.e. education) and spirtuality."

I wrote these words on January 3, 2006. I can't believe it's been two years since I started this blog! My goal is (sadly) the same today as it was almost exactly two years ago. The vague statement, while useful, has not proved particularly helpful.

I need some very specific goals for 2008 that will get me towards my vague goal of overall health. These are goals for the whole year:

(1) Loose 20 pounds in a healthy and balanced manner. ("Lifestyle Goal")
(2) Complete 3 Bible Studies this year ("Spirituality Goal")
(3) Investigate post-District Court employment and develop a career plan. ("Employment Goal")

There is no specific "family" goal this year, other than to keep things functioning. With Bobby only 2 1/2 months old, this year will be about finding our balance as a family not about making any particular changes.

These goals are my goals for the whole year. Each of them needs to be broken down into discrete steps. For starters, I want to approach each goal by:
(1) Lifestyle Goal: Attend and perform under Weight Watchers
(2) Spirituality Goal: Facilitate Women of Grace for Winter semester. Consider spring and fall studies.
(3) Employment Goal: In August, begin investigation. Until then, just sit on it. This is not my highest priority, but I can see that I will need to obtain appropriate training or education during 2009 for any major job change in the next 2-3 years.

So, this is the place to start: go to Weight Watchers; stay on plan; gear up for WOG starting January 28th.

Even though I feel like I'm in the same place I was 2 years ago, I know that is not true. I want to finish out this entry by examining some of my successes:
(1) Lost 30 lbs in about 15 months on Weight Watchers.
(2) Had a baby. (Hence I have to loose the same 30 lbs. . .)
(3) Stepped up to facilitate Bible study at my church.
(4) Continue with a fantastic job that I love and that fits my age/stage of life well.
(5) Am still happily married, despite said baby, the closing of my husband's business and his change in careers.

Happy New Year's!