A fresh look

A little humor goes a long way!
from Wall Vinyl

Around this time of year, winter doldrums seem to be closing in. How can we take a fresh look at our surroundings to renew ourselves? Here are a few ideas:

1. Let's be grateful for what we have. Aren't you glad to be you when you read the news, turn on the TV, or hear about hardships others go through? Me too! Let's focus on what's GOOD rather than our challenges when we can.
2. Add color and spice. Whether it's to our food, our living room, or our life, incorporating bright tastes and hues cheers us and perks us up.
3. Change things around. Is what we're doing not working for us? What small changes would provide a boost, right now?
   
   Here's an example: I hate (yes, hate, not merely dislike) walking up our driveway and street to where my walk levels out. The steep hill daunts me and I'm resistant to the effort, even though it's not physically difficult. Something about that slope repels me, especially in winter.
   
   I've begun driving to the top of the hill, parking the car, and walking for 2-3 mostly level miles before running errands. Sure, driving is ecologically unfriendly. It would be healthier to walk out my door, tromp to the top, and cruise the flats before descending to my doorway. But I've talked myself out of walking for 4 months.
   
   It's definitely time to shake things up a little. Though skipping the steep hike is not the best possible plan, avoiding the hill is working for me! Which routines could use tweaking for your maximum benefit?
   
   

   

   Imagine living in this calm, clutter-free space,
   from Apartment Therapy

4. Find one word to motivate and focus your attention. Some of us chose one word as an anti-New Year's resolution. (If you don't have one, what concept resonates with your spiritual life, mental health, and physical well-being? Condense it to one word.) Let's align our activities with that so we don't waste our time and energy to reap regrets ... or nothing at all.
   
   My word's gratitude, releasing the past to embrace the present and future with a thankful heart. What's yours?
5. Live one day at a time. Life may feel overwhelming or grey. Usually we can take one step after another, even when the pace is slow or halting. Put one foot in front ... again and again to see where the path takes us.
   
   If the way is cluttered, simplify your expectations and your surroundings.
6. Look ahead in anticipation. "I'm an optimist," said a key donor who who helped raise a pledge for $330 million within a month. His goal was to save artwork in the Detroit Institute of Art from the auction block.
   
   "Did you think you would be this wildly successful?" asked the NPR interviewer this morning.
   
   "Well yes. Remember, I'm optimistic and always hope for the best."
   
   What a great attitude. When things look darkest, a rainbow or a ray of sunshine my begin to emerge. Let's not miss it!
7. Finally, share your life and resources with others. Focus outwardly to be happier! Volunteer. Give. Spend yourself on behalf of other people. What you gives comes back to you - even if it's just a realization that God is good and we have a lot to share.

Read more:

*Praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven. Psalm 148:13 ESV

*Surely, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. Psalm 54:4 ESV

*The Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 ESV

*Moravian Prayer: Almighty God, we praise your name. Lord, we worship and adore you, for you are our strength and our shield against the evils that we encounter daily. You are always faithful and never fail your obedient children. As you direct us, we trust in your divine wisdom. Amen.

Enough. Whatever that means.

At the turn of the year, I examine what's in my heart and my house. My home reflects who I am because we do most of our living here. We have people over. We sleep and eat here. And I move the furniture and chotchees around here.

Are you drowning in obligations? Cluttered by too much stuff? Stuck in place because you have too much life and too little time? I'm using three resources to examine my "ENOUGH" this year.

Here they are, offering those ready to consider what "ENOUGH" means three tools to act on that evaluation, materially and spiritually. Enjoy!

• Enough: Finding More by Living with Less by Will Davis Jr. A pastor takes a look at what it means to have "enough" and "not too much." Very engaging and a fun read. It will make you look around your home and office with fresh eyes. I hope it will also help you to engage the world in a new way.
• The January Cure by Apartment Therapy. A daily decluttering challenge that's fun to do.
• Glittering Vices by Rebecca DeYoung. A look at the grooves habits have worn in our souls and how to retrain the heart for the life God designed us for. Cool. Startling. Confrontational - in a nice and inviting way.

Hope your New Year kicked off with great gusto and anticipation, as though "God with us" invites abundant life.

Share your personal resources or goals in the comments below.

Read more:

*When the LORD brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! . . . Restore our fortunes, LORD, as streams renew the desert. Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest." Psalm 126 1, 4–6 [The farmers wept, parceling out seeds from what their family ate, not knowing if there would be drought that killed the seeds or rain to make it grow. They were literally "taking the food from their children" to plant next year's harvest. Ever feel that way when you invest in the future?]

*The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Proverbs 1:7

*Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

*Peter began to speak: “God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” Acts 10:34-35

Moravian Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for creating us and loving us equally. Teach us to love one another in the same manner. In your name we pray. Amen.


* 

What's in your head?

After 6 months of waking with an empty mind and no agenda, my head is full again. This morning, it was full with:

• The calendar is packed this week. Do I have the gifts ready for my friends, the material studied for the discussion, the appetizer ingredients ready to prep for the party? Bzzz.
• Are my workout clothes clean and laid out for the morning session? Bzzz.
• Our daughter comes home today. How will her body respond to Seattle weather? Is the bed made up? What else can we do to make the room comfy? Bzzz.
• A daughter-in-law, our daughter, and I visit the spa tomorrow. Are our Groupons in hand? Bzzz.
• Husband's work party? Do I need to do anything but show up?
• Next Monday's turkey dinner? When to set up tables? How shall I decorate them? Are the serving dishes washed? When to thaw out the 22 lb. turkey? When to make the stuffing? Bzzz.
• Are the gifts wrapped for Sunday's family Christmas? Bzzz.
• Oh yeah, I'm a writer and speaker. Are the presentations close to edited so I can send them off before conference deadlines? Bzzz.
• I babysit our 1 yr old granddaughter Fridays. We have to move the crib from Kirsten's bedroom to another room before K arrives today.
• etc.

There's a lot of buzzing in my brain.

I'm sure your head is as full as mine is, spilling ideas into the day. How can we manage the details that flood us in such seasons of celebration and change?

• Schedule quiet time - at least 15 minutes of reflection and prayer - each morning before the whirlwind begins. This settling of the heart allows us to align ourselves with God no matter what the tugging and pulling of obligations throughout the day.
• Watch and listen to how wise and godly friends and coworkers handle the pressures. Copy what is good and ask for advice if you're getting overwhelmed.
• Take time with your calendar to sort and prioritize. Write detailed agendas for items that require advance preparation. Schedule NO more than 3 evenings out per week, say the experts.
• Cut cut cut! anything and everything that doesn't serve your priorities. Some years require intense focus, while others let us drift through holidays at a measured pace. (Last year's journal, while I was in the thick of writing my dissertation, reports many more no's than yes'ses. That was the only way to stay sane and keep moving forward. Everyone survived and I got the work done.) 
• Give away stuff that doesn't serve you as you clear and declutter. Got old cameras? Clothes that don't fit? Seattlites, the www.bigbuetruck.org (or 800 - 992-2060) will come to pick it up from your porch. Maybe your kids have been eying a favorite teapot or piece of furniture. Do you really need it? Give it away with a smile. (See, you feel lighter already!)
• Enjoy the pleasures of the season. The meaning and blessings of Christmas - God with us! The visitors! The lights! The decor! The ribbons and wrappings! The clean house in which guests feel welcome! They all require effort ... but nothing is free (according to my mother). Since we work so hard, let's relish the results.
• Focus on the good things. Peace on earth, goodwill to those around you. Share God's love in every way that comes to hand. Forgive those who have hurt you as God forgave you when you hurt Him. Hug and kiss your family. 
• End each day with a prayer of gratitude. God is good. He gives us the night and rest. Let's not squander it in worry and sleeplessness. Morning is coming and your head may but full again.

Read more:

*One day Kish's donkeys strayed away, and he told Saul, 'Take a servant with you, and go look for the donkeys.

... Finally, they entered the region of Zuph, and Saul said to his servant, 'Let's go home. By now my father will be more worried about us than about the donkeys!'

But the servant said, 'I've just thought of something! There is a man of God who lives here in this town. He is held in high honor by all the people because everything he says comes true. Let's go find him. Perhaps he can tell us which way to go.' 1 Samuel 9:3, 5–6

*Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Psalm 84:3

*But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:8-9 NIV

*So then, a Sabbath rest still remains for the people of God. Hebrews 4:9

Moravian Prayer: O God, when we are weary, you invite us to rest. In our anxiety and busyness, let us take your invitation seriously today. Make us stop. Let us rest in your embrace from our labors and be renewed. Amen.

The season of desire

The season of Advent is also called "the season of desire." I've never picked up on that phrase before, but this year have noticed it in blogs, a few articles, and a devotional.
"What do you desire?" asks my mentor. (I'm reading Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton.)

Here's my desire list for Advent:

• Renewed intimacy with the Presence. Sit, love, be loved. In all the busyness of the dissertation and tasks, it was easier to focus on doing rather than being with.
• Be present with guests. I love hospitality tasks but find it hard to sit down with company for any length of time.
• Discipline for health: good eating and exercise. Lose 8 lbs.
• Declutter Christmas "stuff": give away ornaments, garlands, and other excess. End up with 4-5 storage bins (from 10).
• Read and watch uplifting things. I want to resist junk on TV and in books.

What's your bucket-of-desire list?

Read more:
*If you obey the Lord your God: Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Deuteronomy 28:2-3

*May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NIV

*Jesus said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!” Luke 11:28

*I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints. Philemon 4-7 NIV

Moravian Prayer: Dear Jesus, you came to fulfill the law, to give the commandments a human body. You obeyed the law and infused it with love. May we know the freedom and joy of obedience. Amen.

Full to the brim

Ever feel like exploding with possibilities? Or are you dragging your heels?

"Morning by morning, new mercies I see.
All I have needed your hands have provided.


GREAT is your faithfulness, Lord, unto me."

That's the music track in my head this morning after a week of spiritual nourishment and physical rest. My spiritual accountability group spent three days on retreat. Then W and I relaxed for three days with dear friends -- on a boat in the middle of God's creation. This morning, I finished a 4-week "Get Unstuck Bootcamp" designed by Kim Martinez.  (I'll write more on that self-coaching system another day.) Wow. What a time of refreshing! (Thanks be to God, especially as the weather changes to Seattle autumn.)

What makes you feel "full" and ready to engage the world? For me, it's interaction with people that is paced by quiet times alone. Without friends and collaborators, I languish and circle in place. Without time by myself, I become exhausted and irritable, numb to stimulation and new ideas.

How do you refill your tank when you're weary? Here are a few observations:

1. Extroverts gather energy by being around people and introverts gather energy from time alone.

2. What you love to do aligns with at least one of your personal strengths or talents. Pay attention the next time you experience joy.

3. What you hate to do may align with a personal weakness. Do you have more choices about things you dread than you think?

• When possible, delegate the task. For this option, accept someone else's "done-well-enough." Don't micro-manage what you hand off to others.
• If YOU have to do it, emphasize parts that line up with things you love. Dislike driving to work but love to pray? Take the cause of travelers in cars next you to God -- while you sit in traffic. 
• Take a mental vacation while you work. Hate maintenance but have to change the oil on your car? Take a great book along or listen to a podcast while someone else does it. While you work, plan a reward that "rings your bells." Washing floors? Look around to see what you can redecorate or reconfigure in the room. (Decor possibilities were my pleasurable mind-escape this morning while cleaning bathroom floors.) 

4. Look around to see how people with your temperament or job cope. Copy copy copy. "There is nothing new under the sun," said the wise sage. What works for others may work for you, too.

*5. Most importantly, recognize and appreciate that The One Who Made Us is interested in developing our full potential. Whom or what has God already brought near you to help you refuel and kickstart the day or the next season?

Read more: 

*I will listen to what God the Lord will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints—but let them not return to folly. Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. Psalm 85:8-9 NIV 

*He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel. The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. Psalm 103:7–8

*I am teaching you today—yes, you—so you will trust in the LORD." Proverbs 22:19

*Declare this with a shout of joy, proclaim it, send it forth to the end of the earth; say, “The Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob!” Isaiah 48:20

*God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by

making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:19-20 (NIV)  

Moravian Prayer: Great and loving God, you bring us redemption and reconciliation and we respond in joy to your great faithfulness. Thousand, thousand thanks to thee, dear Lord. Amen.

Resurrection days

"Life from 30,000-Year-Old Seeds!" Wow - I read via the BBC that scientists have coaxed plants from seeds buried by squirrels. Very old squirrels, apparently. Chinese scientists also found a 300,000-year-old swamp formed "in a few days," beautifully preserved by catastrophe. I always wonder who verifies the dating process. Does someone get into a secret time machine and zip back to check the calendar? Scientists rarely follow their own rule that the simplest explanation is the place to start. Um, the Flood, anyone?

Like the seeds and the petrified swamp, many of us have dormant seasons. I feel like I'm looking ahead to life again. I submitted my dissertation yesterday. The committee will read it and I still have to defend it before it goes to the copy editor and bookbinder. This morning, after waking in a sweat to wonder if I should have read it ONE MORE TIME!, I decide not to look at it until later in the week.

I'm going grocery shopping instead. That may not seem like much of an outing to those who regularly visit Safeway or QFC. (I've been at a regular grocer 2-3X since last summer.) W and I typically visit Costco, Trader Joes, and Grocery Outlet twice or thrice a month. Our pantry is bursting but my eclectic shopping list has been growing for a month. We're low on rolled grains for Mueli, cornstarch, Asian-style corn oil, and silver polish. (The polish has lasted 24 years, purchased at JAFCO in Bellevue the year after we moved to Seattle.)

I'll send off the last tutorial this morning before I head out the door. (I may have to learn to drive the car again: W's been chauffeuring us to church and out to eat out at least once a week.) It will be nice to visit with our daughter, who's been here since early December but travels back home on Tuesday. My house needs more than the once-over that's been its weekly fate. The fresh and saltwater aquariums need an algae clearing. And - if the rain stops - the dogs could use a good walk.

Many of us currently live in stormy winters, dormant or tossed about by circumstances. Some of us can feel warmth ahead, a growing season with longer days and new sprouts shooting up where the earth has been bare and cold. Others enjoy a personal summer, fully blooming with fruit maturing and feeding those around us.

Before I do anything else, I pause to thank God for endings and beginnnings. We're glad our daughter's foot is healing from surgery. We're thankful for ongoing health and strength for W and me. We're grateful for baby Kinsey, who continues to delight with normal development. I'm awed by God's provision in 1001 other ways.

Please join us in praying urgently today for Donny Neary. A high school student, he's suffered loss of central vision in both eyes over the past two weeks and had stroke-like symptoms yesterday. He's in San Diego, where an eye specialist was to see him today. Instead, he's under observation at Children's Hospital because of the other symptoms. Please pray that God intervenes for him and his folks (Dan and Laurie). When children suffer, parents' lives also become turbulent; they need the sustaining prayers of others.

Meanwhile, our daughter's body has flared with severe rheumatoid arthritis symptoms as the rain and winds blow across Seattle. How we would love for God to heal her! She's suffered for 15 years; we'd all be grateful for her complete remission.

Let's look around today to see where God is at work in his Family and in the world. Is he directing us to be his helping hand? A praying partner? An encourager and cheerleader? The one who cooks meals or cleans the house for needy sisters or brothers? The provider of rent or giver to missions? To visit someone in the hospital or a shut-in at home? (cartoon: http://cakeordeathcartoon.wordpress.com)

Let's be like those old seeds, reviving and thriving in surprising and perhaps unexpected environments. God, let us feel your touch today. Water us with the Word, warm us with your presence and interactions with Family, and guard the tender new growth as our prayers rise to you.

Read more:

*I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me. Psalm 17:6-9 NIV

*Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. Isaiah 40:28

*God has not left himself without a witness in doing good - giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filling you with food and your hearts with joy. Acts 14:17

Moravian Prayer: Creator God, you will not faint or grow weary of your people. Your love is endless and your provisions are bountiful. We joyfully give you thanks and praise for your goodness towards your whole creation. Amen.