The Silence Is Finally Broken

Yes, it has been almost 2 weeks since my last post. I am ashamed to admit it. There's not one, but many reasons for my silence:

• Preparing to go out of town
• Going out of town for a quick weekend trip...last weekend
• Recovering from the trip
• Jumping right in to responsibilities and commitments upon our return
• Chasing a 15-month-old who has discovered there are stairs and furniture to climb, buttons to push, and cabinets and drawers to investigate
• Attempting to convince the same 15-month-old that naps are still a good idea!

The list could go on and on, but probably the biggest contributor to my absence is my recent striving to be more disciplined. Several months back I had a spiritual crisis of sort. Let me assure you, before you call the prayer chain, that my eternal soul was not hanging in the balance or anything of the sort. However, the simple challenge of my faith was enough to make me realize that my daily spiritual disciplines--prayer, Bible study, daily connection with God, etc.--had taken a back seat to the "more demanding" tasks of managing my home and nurturing my family. After a couple of spiritually-difficult and emotionally-draining days, I made a renewed commitment to make time for spiritual disciplines.

This return to spiritual discipline began to show me my lack of discipline in other areas. So, my next area of focus was our budget. Since we are hoping to purchase a new house next year, this area of our lives really needs to be scrutinized! So I set out planning meals, shopping for sales and discounts, and keeping closer tabs on our day-to-day spending. While there is still room for improvement, I'm happy to say there's been significant improvement in the last couple of months. (Huh..who would have thought a little disciplined action could make a difference!)

My latest area of focus is health and fitness. I've never been the poster child for athleticism, but now that I've had two children and that great big 4-0 is getting closer by the day (although still a few years away!), I'm beginning to see the need for giving more attention to my health and fitness. It's true I'd like to see those last 15 pounds of "baby weight" finally come off, but my initial goals are to be healthy, to increase my energy and feel good, and to set a positive example for my kids. So, we dusted off the treadmill and I dug my running shoes out of the closet...who knows maybe you'll see me in a marathon one day (although I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you!).

You're probably wondering, So, what does any of this have to do with anything? Why in the world did you feel the need to take up an entire post on this? And why have I read the entire thing?!

I have to idea why you've read this far, but if you have...thank you for sticking with me. I'm sharing this for a couple of reasons. All of these things--as any area of discipline--require two things...time and commitment. Commitment is one thing I've never had trouble giving. Time, on the other hand, is a rare commodity these days...more now than ever. That means in order for me to truly remain disciplined in these areas, something else will have to give. Right now that something else is my computer time....thus the main reason for my recent silence. (I finally pulled it all together...aren't you glad you stuck with me?) I'm not saying I'm retiring my blog, or throwing out my laptop...never! I'm simply saying that, for awhile at least, you may see fewer posts from me. Don't worry...I'm still around, and I'll still be popping on as often as I can.

The other reason I'm posting this, is that I believe discipline is something we all struggle with. It's easy to make the time and spend the energy to do something in the beginning...it's new, it's exciting. But after we've done it for awhile, other things start to look new and interesting. If we're not careful, we can replace the old with the new. We'd rather spend time online than spend time with God. We'd rather sleep in...just this once, than get up to work out. We'd rather just relax and watch a movie than plan meals and make a shopping list. (Or am I the only one who does that?) We...I...need to remember it's when we stick with it that we ultimately see the best results.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a
harvest if we do not give up." --Galatians 6:9

What do you do to "keep going when the going gets tough"?

Back to the Basics

Photo by Omerad

From my devotional today...

I am not saved by believing; I realize I am saved by believing. It is not
repentance that saves me, repentance is the sign that I realize what God has
done in Christ Jesus. The danger is to put the emphasis on the effect instead
of on the cause It is my obedience that puts me right with God, my consecration.
Never! I am put right with God because prior to all, Christ died. When I turn to
God and by belief accept what God reveals I can accept, instantly the stupendous
Atonement of Jesus Christ rushes me into a right relationship with God; and
by the supernatural miracle of God's grace I stand justified, not because I am
sorry for my sin, not because I have repented, but because of what Jesus has
done. The Spirit of God brings it with a breaking, all-over light, and I know,
though I do not know how, that I am saved.

--Oswald Chambers

It's not an extraordinarily new concept, nothing revolutionary or earth-shattering...just a simple reminder of God's amazing grace. But I've found that sometimes it's the simplest things that make the greatest impact on me. And this did.

Baby Zoe doing well!

I talked to my sister yesterday and they were on their way back to Savannah for another checkup for Zoe. She said he now weight 7 lbs, 5 oz!! He is doing very well. They removed his feeding tube, and the only thing they are now watching is his liver. It is still slightly enlarged, but they are pleased with the rate at which it is reducing. It's likely we'll get to see him at Christmas, so I'll keep you posted. For now there are new pics of the "miracle baby" on Zoe's web site.

Hail to the Chief

(Two political posts in one week...don't get used to it!)

Anyone who knows me well--for that matter anyone who read yesterday's post--knows that I hold some fairly conservative and traditional views. While last night's election didn't turn out the way I had initially hoped for, there are so many things I am thankful for:

• I am thankful to live in a nation where we, the people, are allowed to have a voice in choosing our leadership.
• I am thankful that I am allowed to speak my mind to openly, and respectfully, disagree with political leaders and legislation.
• I am thankful that I was able to witness history in the making as the first African-American candidate was elected president.
• I am proud to be part of a country who has survived the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement, and came through it all stronger....strong enough to elect an African-American president less than 150 years after ending the Civil War.
• I am thankful that I serve One who is in control of history andthe future--who "holds the heart of the [president] in his hand; He directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases" (Proverbs 21:1).

The American people have spoken and elected Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States of America. He will be the leader of our nation. What does that mean for me as a conservative Christian?

It means that I will respect him. It means that I will show him honor. It means that I will pray for him and support him. Do I agree with everything he stands for? No. Will I like everything he does? Probably not. Will he bring good or harm to our country? Only time will tell. But none of that should be my concern.

My concern should be to live according to God's standard for my life, and according to Romans 13, God commands me to, "submit [myself] to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established."

We may not agree politically, but president-elect Obama has been placed in this position by God Almighty. It is not my job to criticize or malign him (or his followers). It is my responsibility to "give everyone what [I] owe him...if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."

As president of the United States, I owe him my respect and my honor.

You Won't Hear Much from Me about Politics...

However, since the future of our nation lies in the balance today, I figured it is appropriate to share some thoughts. First, let me say I'm not one to jump in to a political discussion or debate. I typically try to avoid them, and if for some reason I can't, I'm usually the first to grow tired of it and leave the conversation.

It's not that I don't think we should be informed or aware. I absolutely believe that as an American and a Christian, it's one's obligation to be informed of the issues and take action in an appropriate manner. But I also grow weary of all the campaign ads, political debate, and speculation and conjecture from the "talking heads." But in this election, both sides seem to agree on one thing--there is so much at stake.

As a Christian, I am saddened, and often annoyed, by the way some "believers" approach political issues and elections. I believe there is NEVER an excuse for a Christian to be defamatory or malicious toward another person, no matter what their beliefs. That's why I was so proud when two friends each posted thoughtful and well-spoken insights on today's campaign. Each demonstrated intelligent arguments presented in a respectful and, I believe, Christlike attitude. You can read them here and here. Thank you Vince and John Jay!

First let me say that I have great respect and admiration for both candidates. I commend Barack Obama for overcoming great obstacles in his life to make a greater life for himself and his family...to essentially realize the American dream. And no one can dispute John McCain's service to his country, both in the military and as a prisoner of war. If, for no other reason, he deserves our utmost appreciation and respect.

As for the VP candidates, my heart goes out to Joe Biden for the personal tragedy he endured early in his career. I cannot imagine losing a spouse, let alone a child at the same time. As for Sarah Palin, I think her record and her reputation speak for themselves. In my opinion she has been treated unfairly by the mainstream media who seem to have a double standard when it comes to liberal vs. conservative women in politics. But Sarah Palin has risen above it and handled it with grace and dignity.

No one should vote for a candidate because of sympathetic circumstances or a charismatic personality. It is every American's duty--and more so every Christian's duty--to vote on the issues. I believe life begins at conception and we should do everything in our power to protect the unborn. I believe marriage should be between one man and one woman, and I believe in the traditional family unit. I believe the role of a Supreme Court justice is to interpret the law and Constitution, not rewrite it. I believe our country was founded by great men who had great faith in a supreme and all-knowing God, and it would serve our country well to remember that.

Whatever your opinions are on economic, military, or other political issues, if you are a follower of Christ, your sole concern should be the issues of morality. Our pastor said it so eloquently last Sunday, "We should be concerned with economic and political issues, but as Christians, moral issues trump every other political issue" (my paraphrase).

If you remain undecided, I urge you to seriously consider the issues--particularly moral ones--and pray fervently for direction. Ask yourself, what's really at stake in this election? It's more than just economics and health care...it's the moral fiber of our nation. Then, go vote! It's Election Day...get out there and vote your conscience!

A Wedding in December: A Book Review

A Wedding in December by Anita Shreve was not on my Fall Into Reading 2008 list, but the cover caught my eye at a bookstore, so I had to see what it was about. (Yes, I am one who judges books by their covers.)

Seven high school friends, now in their mid-40s, gather at an inn belonging to one of them for a winter wedding. The happy couple are two of their own who went their separate ways and have now reunited 25 years later. The group has not spoken to one another since graduation night when a terrible tragedy occurred. Now, at the inn, they must all faced what happened so many years ago, along with the demons and baggage they've collected along the years.

I don't typically read fiction, and now I remember why. I am always left saying, "Really...that was it?" Perhaps I build it up too much in my mind; perhaps my expectations are too lofty, but I often feel disappointed at the end. I get drawn in by the plot and the potential of the characters, as I was with Shreve's most recent book, but then I'm discouraged by the outcome. I LOVE great works of fiction, but find most fiction consumes too much of my time for too little payback. (Apparently, I'm just not reading the right fiction.)

While the plot was intriguing, and the writing was adequate, I felt that Shreve's characters left much to be desired. It seemed to me they were all a bit on the depressing side...always selling themselves short and longing for what they could not have. Now, don't get me wrong, I understand the "draw of the forbidden" and it's potential to inject suspense into a story. But it just seemed that ALL of the characters in this particular story were....well, sad--stuck in loveless marriages, facing life-threatening medical issues, or simply unhappy with their lives.

I've read mixed reviews of this book online (I was curious to see if I was the only one who felt this way). So if you're really into fiction, and this story sounds interesting to you, check it out. Judge for yourself if it's a great piece of fiction, or as one online reviewer put it, "a ho-hum read filled with tired metaphors."

6 years of wedded bliss!

Six years ago this week, I married the love of my life. We chose the last week of October because of the beautiful scenery here in the Ozarks. We were once again able to enjoy God's amazing creativity displayed in a Missouri autumn as we enjoyed a fabulous weekend getaway here.

Last summer, Hubby was awarded this getaway package from his employer for displaying excellence in the workplace. Thanks to his hard work throughout the year, and the gracious offer of my in-laws to watch our kids, we were able to enjoy two, kid-free days of amazing food, luxurious accommodations, and inspiring scenery. We indulged in a relaxing pace and were able to truly relish each other's company without the interruption of little ones. It was the best anniversary gift ever!

Thank you, Babe, for all you do for us. I love you!