Quote of the Day

The discipline of thanks only comes with practice.
When we practice giving thanks, we practice the presence of God, stay present to His presence, and it is always the eyes, and a practice of the eyes.

We don't have to change what we see, only the way we see.
Why is it so hard to re-tune the impaired senses to sense the spirit I wonder? To see the grace before us in every circumstance? Why is it so hard? Practice. Practice. Practice.

Fish Tanks or Flash?

What is the most expensive build you have ever completed and what made it so expensive?
A $4.7 million arch aquarium that we built for IBOC (Inspiring Body of Christ) church in Dallas, TX…..70,000 gallons of magnificence.
Flabbergasted is the word I want to use in this moment. A church in Dallas Texas felt it was necessary to install a $4.7 million dollar aquarium in their sanctuary.

This tank was built by the 2 guys from the reality TV show, "TANKED." Brett Raymer is the COO of Acrylic Tank Manufacturing (ATM). 
I'd say this is definitely a tank of beauty. Seeing God's creation in the form of fish and all manner of sea life is awe-inspiring; it's gorgeous but I struggle with the reason behind putting an aquarium inside of a church structure.
70,000 gallons of water could have been used to provide clean drinking water to the poverty-stricken inhabitants living in the horn of Africa, or India, or any other number of countries. Clean water is a necessity, but a fish tank, even though it's full of salt water? Drinking water! Wells, Bibles translated in native languages for indigenous people. Yeah, that means something to me. As does paying for uniforms and education for those who cannot afford something so valuable.
Have I missed something? Is attracting people to a church with a "wow factor" somehow more relevant than giving them bread and water and the gospel message and a safe haven? Is ministry falling by the wayside as churches become bigger and more extravagant?
The twelve met in homes. They distributed any money that came in and fed people, clothed people. They also had day jobs as I recall, but I digress.
I was equally aghast after watching an interview with Joel Osteen in which he said he was thrilled to have spent approximately 25 million on the children's ministry section of his mega-church Lakewood. Now bear with me, I may have not have the exact figures correct here, but I did watch the interview Joel did on Oprah's Next Chapter. His children's ministry had been designed to resemble a Disney theme park so that the children would love coming to church on Sundays & Wednesday nights. So now we need theme parks and fish tanks.
And Joel makes a valid point in his interview about reaching people. I'll give him that because I'm not writing to bash the man. Again, I question the issue of spending millions to be attractional.
Lakewood is an operation… getting people their to the church, getting people there with their children, etc.

• If we don’t take care of children people won’t come.
• If we make the space for the children that’s great, they will want their parents to bring them.
• It takes nearly 5,000 volunteers to make a weekend happen at Lakewood.

I think we need the Bible, a whole lot of love, and simplicity. Really, I'd probably love to interview the pastor of IBOC about his fish tank idea and Mr. Osteen. I'd like to ask how these ideas became so important in light of community or ekklesia.
Until next time, breathe.

My New Journal

Amber showed me her sweet journal last night!! I mean it was so nice, all leather bound, full size, with lined pages. Therefore, I did what any girlfriend would do and blurted out, "where did you get that?" I must have one for myself asap! I coveted her journal, for its beauty. Good old T*J* Maxx.
I mean I literally just blogged yesterday about needing a new notebook so that I could indeed begin putting down on paper how I learn to see the grace & goodness in everyday life.
I no longer want to wake to the discontent of life in my skin. It's a poor substitute for joy and being grateful for all of life's gifts...It's a really poor way to live, bogged down by anxiety, fear, self-hatred, neglect, complaining my way through another year. Here's to A Dare To Live Fully Right Where I am.

Random Thoughts about 2011

Resolutions rarely stick, if anything I am a frustrated mess by January 10th because I've already failed miserably. Having time to reflect on some amazing things I was privileged to experience 2011 is by far a better way to start 2012.

I'm currently reading a book my daughter slyly recommended to me. I admit I read the first chapters on my Amazon Kindle and put the book down sometime last fall because I felt it was too "christiany" for me at the time. I didn't get it perhaps and was not ready to hear someone, the author Ann Voskamp, tell me how to be grateful for everything, good and bad, in my life. I was so not there. So here's the official title of this book, "One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully."

December 2011 was I think a life changing month for me for many reasons, certainly too many to express in a blog post, but I will attempt to share a few of them.

1. Prayer became real. Some days like breathing, other days not so much, but I was consciously aware of my need to pray for those battling cancer, health scares, persecution, religious freedom, marriages and prodigal children,
2. In Kenya we met Erin's mom Debbie and dad Larry for the first time. Joyous! We fed and loved on babies whose mothers were incarcerated. We wanted to adopt those babies but all we could do was cry.
3. In Kenya, Erin & Robert said, "I Do!" It was the most fun and spirit-filled wedding I think we've ever been to. And the rain stopped days before the wedding and God brought out the sunshine. 
4. Baby Girl finished her work with CMF & MOHI and came back to SC for 3 weeks. We celebrated Christmas with a simple tree, some cookies and lots of deep spiritual reflection. We were and are thankful that God watched over her for 21 months and brought her safely home.
5. Rafael Rivera! Now a son and part of the family. We look forward to seeing how God uses him as a minister, husband and family man. Welcome.
6. Meals on Wheels. I hope you're not sick of hearing me talk about it, but honestly I love my clients and the conversations that we have. I'm blessed by these kind folk who have let me be a part of their life. 
7. I'm ready to start a new journal. I just this morning put the ending of my "Kenya" journal down on paper. It's there, finally finished with a strong ending. It's my tale of angst, and letting go of things that I held on to for selfish reasons; it's now my journal of joy in the journey. You don't want to read it, but trust me when I say that God had to work on my hardened, crusty, selfish heart in 2011. Letting go and finishing the journal feels right.
8. New Journal will be based on "One Thousand Gifts," where I write down a few things each day I am grateful for. The fog rolling over the lake this morning, health, breath, a computer to write on. A family that loves Jesus. Grace. You get it. Awkward conversations that I cannot control? Yes, even those. 

Guest Blogger: Follow-up to "The Big C"

So after I published "The Big C" I received an e-mail from David Haas asking if I was receptive to a guest post. Guest Post! My little blog had a guest post request! Cool. David submitted what he had in mind it is a great fit. I hope you enjoy.  Here goes:


Exercise Improves Energy and Body Image of Cancer Patients and Survivors

Several years ago, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) assembled 13 researchers with expertise in the areas of cancer, fitness, obesity and exercise training. The researchers formulated fitness guidelines for cancer patients, and individuals who complete cancer treatment. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise published the guidelines in July 2010.

Most people understand the benefits of regular exercise, including lower blood pressure, reduced anxiety, enhanced cardiovascular improved body image and better self-esteem. However, when a person receives a cancer diagnosis and treatment, it may take some time for the individual to get over the initial shock.

In time, these individuals face more challenges, which make it difficult to get the necessary exercise. Often, fatigue keeps cancer survivors in a weakened state—lasting as long as five years after completion of treatment.

Focus of the Guidelines

The lead author of the study, Dr. Kathryn Schmitz of the University of Pennsylvania’s Abramson Cancer Center, points to heavily documented cases that show improvements in fatigue and overall physical functioning. Dr.

Rachel Ballard-Barash, of the National Cancer Institute’s Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences said, the data confirming the relationship between exercise and an improved lifestyle, for active cancer patients and individuals who have completed treatment, “is incredibly strong.”

Another co-authored of the guidelines, Dr. Kerry professor and Canada Research Chair in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, at the University of Alberta, states in a 2008 study, lack of physical activities by cancer survivors increase the recurrence risk of cancer.

The researchers emphasize objectives and targets for people with cancers, which have adequate evidence for making recommendations, including colon, gynecologic, prostate, mesothelioma and breast cancer. For cancer patients who require surgery, which significantly changes their appearance—neck or head cancer, according to Dr. Schmitz, “There’s good evidence in the literature that physical activity can improve body image and that may be one mechanism through which exercise can improve quality of life.”

Work With Your Doctor

Cancer patients and survivors must consult with their doctor to develop a fitness routine that works for them. For example, a male who have completed the required therapy for prostate cancer, need a routine that considers his increase risk to fractures. Performing resistance training and aerobic exercises under the supervision of your doctor ensures the safe and proper volume, intensity and progression of your fitness program.



David Haas

Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Guest Blogger - 
http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/

WHAT CHURCH IS AND ISN'T

Read this today in N.T. Wright's book, "Simply Christian."

I know that for many of my readers that very word "church" will carry the overtones of large, dark buildings, pompous religious pronouncements, false solemnity, and rank hypocrisy. But there is not easy alternative I, too, feel the weight of that negative image. I battle with it professionally all the time.

But there is another side to it, a side which shows all the signs of the wind and fire, of the bird brooding over the waters and bringing new life. For many, "church" means just the opposite of that negative image. It's a place of welcome and laughter, of healing and hope, of friends and family and justice and new life. It's where the homeless drop in for a bowl of soup and the elderly stop by for a chat. It's where one group is working to help drug addicts and another is campaigning for global justice. It's where you'll find people learning to pray, coming to faith, struggling with temptation, finding new purpose, and getting in touch with a new power to carry out that purpose. It's where people bring their own small faith and discover, in getting together with others to worship the one true God, that the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts. No church is like this all the time. But a remarkable number of churches of partly like that for quite a lot of the time.

Couldn't have said this any better than N.T. Wright did. Selah.