Miracle Sunday October 28, 2008

This past Sunday was Miracle Sunday at our church.  We were challenged to pray about and prepare to give a miracle offering over and above our regular tithe.  We were also challenged to come forward and take a stand to make changes in our lives whether it be about money or healing or whatever.  I’ve been feeling convicted about how I spend my money for a while now, even before I heard the message that delivered this challenge.  When Cal talked to us about giving a miracle offering, I looked at my checkbook.  For the last few months, for no particular reason that I can see, all the bills have been paid late, and I have used the dreaded credit cards when the balance got too low.  How would I have anything to give?  All I could think to do was cut up my credit cards and give those.  I felt so guilty.  God deserves an amazing gift, and I’m going to give him my credit card debt?  I prayed for an answer and felt very confused.  Should I write a check for money I know I don’t have so that God provide the miracle?  How can I expect a miracle if I never take a risk?  In 2 Kings 4, the widow had to collect the jars first before the oil started flowing.  But then again, it didn’t really feel right to give a rubber check to God.  On Sunday morning, I still wasn’t sure.  I decided that I would give the credit cards, but I didn’t know if that was enough.  I ripped open my checkbook and quickly scribbled out a check for $50.  As I stood in the line leading to the front, I was so ashamed of my offering.  An envelope full of cut up plastic and $50 courtesy of overdraft protection.  As I prayed I felt God lifting my own disappointment off of me.  I didn’t even know the weight of all that debt until I felt the freedom of giving it all to God.  Now I just pray that the miracle of becoming debt-free will come quickly.  I’ve tried on my own many times, but it always feels too insurmountable and I give up.  This time I’m praying for a miracle.

If you would like to share the miracle you are praying for, please do.  Maybe God’s already done it, and that would be great to hear about, too.

Some thoughts on autumn October 21, 2008

• It’s kind of weird that we have two names for this season – fall and autumn
• I like pumpkin bread/muffins
• I wore my first new sweater of the season today
• It’s funny that lots of people feel very strongly about fall.  They really love it.  I think it’s funny because it’s not like we get a choice.
• I am indifferent towards fall.  I like the leaves, I like bonfires and hayrides and fall activities, but I know that winter comes after fall and I don’t like winter.  (That is a run-on sentence.)
• Seeing the fall colors was one of the few things I liked about living in Connecticut.  If you like the leaves here, you should really go to New England in September.
• Now I can turn on the space heater in my office without ridicule.
• It’s a good thing that I don’t scare too easily because the large oak tree in the yard drops acorns all over the house.  I could really psych myself out and start to wonder if someone is throwing things at my house or if someone is trying to break in.  But it’s just acorns.
• I made a fall wreath last year out of fall-colored fabric, rafia and fake berries.  It’s a very easy craft, very cheap and good to do with kids.  I can show you how if you want to know.  You could make it for any season.
• I am 3/4 of the way through my Pumpkin candle.  Up next: Mulled Cider.  Up next after that: Maple Pecan.  However I have already started burning my Christmas Wreath candle at work.  I’m mixing it up a bit.

That’s enough.  Anything you would like to share?

Don’t think less of me October 15, 2008

I have something to say that may cause a lot of people to wonder about me.  I hope I don’t lose any friends over this.  Some of you will probably wonder if you can ever take me seriously again.  You probably won’t want my opinion about important issues either.  Then you will probably start to feel sorry for me.  You will think, “I don’t know how I would live if that was me.”  But don’t think this way.  It’s completely normal for me.  In fact, I kind of feel that way about you.  The truth is. . .

I don’t like football.

Believe me, I’ve tried.  In high school I went to just about every game during my senior year as a last ditch effort to learn the rules.  At CSU it was impossible to learn the ins and outs of the game because our football team never won.  I would come to the games to socialize and support my cheerleader roommates.  UConn is definitely more of a basketball school than a football school, and I wouldn’t have had the time anyway.

Every year when fall rolls around, everyone else is charged with anticipation and excitement.  I am filled with dread.  I know that I will have to suffer through countless conversations about games, plays, players, coaches and more.  I won’t understand any of it, and no one will want to do anything else.  I will just have to wait patiently for the season to end.  In the mean time, if anyone wants to do something besides talk about football, give me a call.

Under Attack October 2, 2008

Have you ever felt that something is out to get you?  I feel like there is something out to get me this week, and his name is Satan.  He’s mean!  Last night I was missing half my volunteers for Night Lights.  I was also missing a third of the kids.  The ones that did come were crazy.  I felt so defeated this morning as I walked to work (this time with proper footwear).  I just started praying up a hedge of protection around me, the staff of Pointe North, the KidsPointe/Night Lights volunteers, the future volunteers and the children.  I prayed that everyone would have the full armor of God on all day and tomorrow and every day through Sunday.  I did not want to take any chances.  Last night we still had kids memorizing scripture and having a good time at church, so I’m sure Satan didn’t like that.  I’ve got one thing to say to that – Get behind me, man!  Get outta my face!  I felt a lot better today, and I actually came up with some fun ideas.  Please pray for me this Sunday because I will be a little short-handed, and it’s a First Sunday, so it’s going to be busy.  If you feel like being a servant fo’ the Lawd, you can come to KidsPointe and help out!  We could use it!