1/25/2012

I've always loved author and speaker Francis Chan. I've been through numerous studies based on his books and have enjoyed many online messages he's given. The short video clip here is one of my favorites.

His tell-it-like-it-is style draws me in. He isn't tied to a particular denomination or theology as much as he is tied to the Bible. He is trying to read the Bible at face value and apply it to life in America today. He can read the pulse of the American church in a way that few others can.

Recently I read his newest book: Erasing Hell. This book is a response to a lot of discussion lately about whether there really is a hell. As usual, Francis Chan didn't disappoint. He provided solid biblical answers to common objections, but did so in a humble way.

Francis Chan has a very high view of God, meaning that he knows that God's ways are not man's ways. God is God, the Creator, the Infinite One. We're just the creatures He made. We can't understand Him fully. We have simple, finite minds. Therefore, it makes complete sense that there may be some things that God does that we don't get. But that doesn't make Him any less God or make the facts any less true. We may not like the concept of hell and may wish that there wasn't a hell, but that's not what the Bible says. So we have to come to grips with our humanity and God's deity.

The book is also a challenge to those of us who are Christians. If we believe in hell, then we should be openly sharing the Good News of salvation in order to keep people from going there.

This book is based on the Bible but isn't too heady or deep for the common person to read and understand. If you are a fan of Francis Chan or want to learn more about what the Bible does and doesn't say about hell, check out Erasing Hell.

1/23/2012 Last week I checked out this book from the library: Unplanned by Abby Johnson.

At the time I wasn't even thinking about January 22 being Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. It was just a book I'd heard about and wanted to read. I'm glad I did.

I've been pro-life my entire life. I chose the topic of abortion for my 7th grade persuasive speech. I remember debating the topic with my oldest brother at our dining room table in my teen years. I've never understood why anyone would choose abortion over parenting or adoption.

In many ways my views haven't changed. I'm a mom. Believe me, I know it's hard to be a parent and there are moments I wonder why being a full-time, at-home parent is the path I've chosen when so many other "careers" seem like they'd be easier. But I've also always had a heart children. I simply cannot fathom wanting to kill my baby.

I enjoyed this book because it was a true story. It's Abby Johnson's first-hand account of working at Planned Parenthood for 8 years and then how God changed her heart. The book is easy to read and easy to follow.

What I liked most, though, was how Abby presented "the other side." Because she had been pro-choice, she was able to explain the mindset that she had when she first became a volunteer and then later an employee at Planned Parenthood. I don't think I've ever considered the thought-process and emotions of those on the other side of this issue. I've just stereotyped all pro-choicers together as un-caring baby-killers who have no conscience. This book helped me to better understand that many pro-choicers truly believe they are doing what is best for women. They truly want to help women and see the termination of a pregnancy as the best way to help that woman who is in crisis.

Of course, there is the rub. I agree with author Abby Johnson who contends that what is ultimately best for women who are faced with an unplanned pregnancy is not to just get "rid of the problem" with a temporary fix (abortion). This doesn't do anything to help the women out of the lifestyle they find themselves in (whether that is prostitution, casual sex, etc). While abortion may be a quick fix, it is not a lasting solution to problems. Also, as a Christian, there is a huge component missing from the "help" Planned Parenthood can give - the care for the entire woman, including her emotions and her spirit.

While the abortion debate rages on, I found this book to be insightful. I appreciated the perspective. While my conviction of the value of human life (from conception to natural death) didn't change, I found myself moved with compassion for those who respectfully disagree. I am challenged to pray. I am once again challenged to love people - to look less at the differences that divide us and more at what we have in common.

So no matter where you land on the abortion debate, this book can give you an insightful and thought-provoking look into the mindset of those on the other side of the fence.

1/16/2012

Over Christmas break, I read the book The 10 Second Rule: Just Do The Next Thing You're Reasonably Certain Jesus Wants You To Do.

This book is an easy read. In fact, I read the entire thing in one sitting - during the drive to Wisconsin. I really liked the book. It was very easy to understand and contained lots of stories that kept it real.

The basic principle is just that, basic. If you're a Christian, you have the Holy Spirit living within you. He prompts you now and then to do certain things. Maybe it's a warning to avoid going down a sinful path. Maybe it's a specific command to do something, like help someone stranded on the side of the road. The author is simply asking us to act and to do so within the next 10 seconds. That is, don't over-analyze what you think you're hearing God say. Don't talk yourself out of action. The longer you wait, the more your reason will kick in and convince yourself that it's too late to call that person now, or that wasn't really God talking to you, or someone else will help them if you don't, etc. I've heard it called "the paralysis of analysis." We tend to over-analyze everything and not want to act until we're 100% sure of what to do but that keeps us from acting at all!

I was challenged by the book, to take those little promptings and to truly do it. In the past I have trained myself to disobey rather than to obey. I am an old dog needing to learn new tricks, to be re-trained.

Last week I was at Meijer getting some groceries. I had numerous Meijer gift cards I'd received for Christmas, so my plan was to spend those all up. As I checked out, I didn't end up buying enough to totally max out the cards, surprisingly. So I was putting the cards away, when I saw an acquaintance come into the store. She is a mom of 5 children, 2 of whom are infant twins that were just released from the hospital around Christmastime. I immediately felt a prompting to give her my gift cards. I did. I obeyed. She hugged me and with tears repeated over and over, "God bless you! God bless you!"

My daughter was with me that evening. We walked out of the store and she said "That was fun!" I want her to see that obeying those promptings from God can be fun. It can be exhilarating. It can also be scary. It can push us out of our comfort zone. But how wonderful to be used of Him, to be His hands and His feet, to obey when He wants us to share His resources with others.

So, I recommend this book as a quick read that will encourage you to be bold, to just do it... and do it within the next 10 seconds!

1/10/2012

It's that time of year again, when re-evaluating comes naturally and everyone is talking about self-betterment.

Last year was the first year I set some goals in January and checked in every month to see what progress was being made. It felt really good to aim at something and take steps to get there.

So here I am again, with new goals for a new year.

Health Goal: Maintain a healthier lifestyle by eating healthier (more fruits and veggies, more beans, small portion sizes) and by exercising regularly. Back to the treadmill I will go! I will exercise 4 days a week for 30 minutes. My goal would be to lose at least 10 pounds this year and to continue to lower my cholesterol, getting into a healthy range.

Parenting Goal: To not raise my voice at my children. This is a difficult area for me, but already God is working with me to show more respect to my children. I very much regret the example I've set for my children - of anger, of yelling at others - and I know that it will take consistency on my part to change that example.

Computer Goal: To spend less time on the computer on a daily basis. I am afraid to actually track the time I sit at this computer each day. Minutes add up quickly and I know I'd be surprised at the results. My goal is to check in for 30 minutes in the morning, then for 15 minutes or less around lunch time, 15 minutes or less mid-afternoon and spend 30 minutes or less on the computer in the evening. Blog time is included in there, so this blog may see some cut backs this year too, since I blog as time allows and not out of obligation or guilt. I watch zero TV, so the combined 1 and 1/2 hours of computer time is all of my "screen time" for the day.

So these are three of the areas I'll be focusing on this year. I'm excited! I like to be intentional in making choices. Life doesn't just happen to us. Pounds don't just jump on us - we take them in one bite at a time. And change can happen, one step at a time. I make it happen. You make it happen. Take some intentional steps to your goals today!

1/9/2012

Hi honey. It's me. Yah, everything is fine. I just wanted to tell you about something the kids are up to.

They've been outside playing for a few minutes. I looked out the window and saw this igloo tent-looking thing. Then our daughter runs in to tell me about it. "Mom, we have a house out there. I made it from an umbrella and a blanket from the garage. I made sure the door was not on the side with the wind. We call it a Mongolian ger."

Ok. A what? I had to search Google images to see what she was talking about. Sure enough... a Mongolian ger is exactly what it looks like.

Love it when I learn something new from my 8-year-old!