CAPTION, ANYONE?

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY













CAPTION, ANYONE?

High value in Potato Chips!!!!

TACKLE IT TUESDAY

I just returned from the Christian Writer's Guild Conference in Colorado Springs. The Writing for the Soul conference was spectacular--and so were the views!

Stunning!

What a beautiful place!

What a headache I had!

The altitude is significantly higher than what I am used to...no mountains in Minnesota! ;)

Signs were posted throughout the conference, "Drink plenty of water"--so I did.

Day One and Two seemed to go by without incident.

Day Three however, was another story! Devotions began at 6:45 a.m., breakfast at 7:00, General morning session at 8:00 a.m. and my first workshop at 9:15 a.m. I was scheduled to meet with 3 editors in the afternoon--what a day I had planned! And yet, I awoke with a headache the size of Pike's Peak...an the altitude fog so thick, I wasn't sure I could remember my room number once I left to go to devotionals.

Moving very slowly so as not to exacerbate the loss of oxygen to my brain cells, I wandered around the conference center, struggling to force a smile when met. Thinking did not come naturally, but I knew, how I knew, I would NEVER sign up to climb Mount Everest!

While I was waiting for my first 15 minute interview with the Editor of Focus on the Family Magazine, a sweet stranger next to me asked me how I was doing. Waving the nearly empty water bottle in a salute, I explained I was feeling a little "foggy."

The news she shared with me required a News Alert scrolling across my brain. She said, "I understand; while I grew up here, our guests always have difficulty with altitude sickness."

"I've seen the signs," I said, "I've been drinking so much water, there's no sleep to be had at night! That is, unless, of course, I bring my pillow to the commode!" ;) ;)

"I know," she responded. "I wish they would suggest to drink plenty of water...and add salt."

NOW, she had my full attention.

"Salt?"

"Yes, salt! We've discovered that our guests can drink too much water and somehow, someway, the salt adds to the mix and they feel better."

Well, let me just tell you, I raced (for the first time that day) through my interview and ran to the Gift Shop for a bag of potato chips. Carrying them to my room, as though my most cherished possession, I fluffed up my pillows and laid my weary head on the bed and began to eat my chips.

One at a time, letting the salt linger on my parched tongue.

Down to the last chip until I shoved my entire hand into the bottom of the bag and drew the last morsel of salt to my lips.

Image via Wikipedia

It was a spiritual experience!

Within 15 minutes my fog lifted and the pressure in my head was gone. I had two more editor interviews remaining and I looked forward to speaking in full sentences to them! I could breathe without gasping, I could think without hurting. It was gonna be good!

I returned to the conference, but not until I stopped at the Gift Shop for two more bags of chips: one for each remaining day. Carefully placing them in my purse (so as not to be seen), I no longer feared sitting before an Editor--I had tackled an altitude fog...I could certainly tackle an interview with an Editor!

Colorado Springs is stunning and I didn't want to leave!

The Writing for the Soul Conference was amazing and I have already registered to return next year! February 18 - 21, 2010, Denver Grand Hyatt, Denver, Colorado!

Phillip Yancey, Liz Curtis Higgs....and my bags of Potato Chips will be there!

I'd love to see you there too! If you let me know in advance, I'll bring extra chips! ;)

CAPTION, ANYONE?

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Peace

(published 2/11/09)

Read Mark 4:35-41 Peace During Battle

At Woodridge, our current teaching series, The Jesus Chronicles, has brought Jesus to life, for me, in a very real way. In today’s passage, our verse begins at the end of, yet, another very busy day for Jesus. His human body must have been exhausted as he left the crowds, for we find him, next, asleep in the stern of a boat on a cushion when “there arose a great storm of wind.” A wind so strong and so sudden, that it nearly capsized the boat that held the disciples and Jesus as they crossed the Sea of Galilee. Jesus’ public ministry was growing in great numbers and power; Satan must have believed that a preemptive attack was necessary. We learn in Mark 5 of the reason that Jesus was crossing “over to the other side;” he would cast demons out of the demoniac of Gerasenes who was known and feared throughout the countryside. Here was Jesus crossing the Sea of Galilee to do one of the greatest miracles of his ministry. Is it any wonder the enemy would engage in spiritual warfare? “And there arose” is a phrase taken from the Greek word ginomai which means something that happens unexpectedly or taken by surprise. Jesus and his disciples did not expect the storm that night; ginomai emphatically means that this storm took them completely by surprise. And yet, when the disciples responded to this wind (lalaipsi: turbulent or terribly violent wind) with terror and confusion, Jesus responded with authority and “rebuked the wind.” The spiritual battle ceased, the wind “died down and [the sea] was completely calm.” Peace. When Jesus “rebuked the wind,” He took authority over Satan’s dominion demonstrating to the disciples that He was, in fact, LORD of all! Peace. What the enemy meant for harm, Jesus used for His good. The enemy would not stop the Kingdom work. Peace.

Reflection

Are you on the brink of a Kingdom breakthrough today? Peace. Are the winds of a spiritual battle pressing with the weight of a tempest storm? Peace. Do you see the storm as an opportunity to demonstrate the power of God in your life? Peace. Rise up, take authority over that wind, and demonstrate who you are in Jesus Christ. Peace. I'm taking my PEACE up north for the weekend! What are you doing this weekend? Blessings!

CAPTION, ANYONE?

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY



;)



Caption, Anyone?

Philosophy and Crock Pots

Tackle It Tuesday

I have rediscovered my love of Crock pots!

Yesterday, I took my new best friend out of storage, dusted her off, and made the best dinner ever! BBQ ribs! My family thinks I'm amazing! ;)

Honestly, Crock pots make me feel a little too Minne-soooo-tan!

Casseroles? Crock pot.

Hot Dishes? Crock pot.

Egg Nog? Crock pot.

Full course dinner? Crock pot!

I have been ignoring my crock pot whilst I worked on my self-esteem. Yes, I am home-grown Minne-soootan and occasionally refer to the dinner meal as supper. I have been known to say "You betcha" and have been teased about being oh-so-Minnesota-nice. It seems as I have contemplated who I will be when I grow up, I have been tempted to put aside those overt Minnesotan qualities (and appliances!) that really do make a difference as we tackle each day of our lives!

As I have transitioned into this new phase of life called midlife, I have discovered that I have thrown away the baby with the bath water! Yes, I am old enough to resemble that idiom!

After being a SAHM for nearly 27 years, I have now entered the Seventh Stage of life: Middle Adulthood. According to Erik Erikson, my task in this stage is to cultivate the proper balance between generativity and stagnation.

Generativity is an extension of love into the future. Stagnation is as it sounds, ceasing to be a productive person in society.

Where's the problem?

After being SAHM for nearly three decades, I am ready...ready to generate some passion for God's purpose for the remainder of my life. In my enthusiasm for my newly found mission, I can over-extend generativity at the expense of all else. Erik Erikson describes overextension as a maladaptation that occurs while trying to cultivate a healthy balance between generativity and stagnation. "Some people try to be so generative that they no longer allow time for themselves, for rest and relaxation. The person who is overextended no longer contributes well."

Philosophy and Crock Pots?

Dusting off my kitchen appliance went deeper than a good meal. As I sat at my dinner table last night with my family, I enjoyed every compliment; but it was the connection of a relaxing dinner conversation that convicted me the most.

Life gets busy. And if we're lucky, life goes on.

As I took that dusty old crock pot out of stagnation, I realized that I was on the edge of imbalance as I journey through mid-life. How much was I willing to throw aside to make room for something new? In the frenzy of our days, do we toss aside good things as we try to improve and invest for the future?

Crock pot? Yes, crock pots and dinner with our families: Both have some really good features that must be retained no matter where we are heading in our quest for fulfillment. If we throw out the baby with the bath water...what have we gained?

I've been convicted!

"Yeah, sure, you betcha! I LOVE my Crock pot!" ;0)

Friday's Wrap-Up

How I love Fridays!  

How I love blogging!  O.K., I admit, I border on being addicted to blogging ;)

But seriously blogging friends, it just doesn't get much better than this! 

Each day we share our lives; our very hearts with one another--and not just the pretty parts!  This blogging connection is authentic living in action! We tackle together on Tuesdays, we remain wordless on Wednesdays,  and break out in Thankfulness on Thursdays!  

Fridays are my wrap up day; a day to review my endless list of things that must get done and transfer the undone to next weeks list!  It's also a day to smile as I recall all that week taught me. 

I discovered this week that Allison Bottke's life-saving book, Setting Boundaries With Your Adult Children: Six Steps to Hope and Healing for Struggling Parents has been endorsed by Focus on the Family!  

Check out in the lower left hand corner....see the 

? "When you see this symbol, it means Focus on the Family RECOMMENDS this resource based on its message, quality, and alignment with Focus on the Family's philosophy and mission."    

WOO-HOO! Congratulations Allison!  

This week, I learned how to "Print Screen!"  How much fun is that!  And I thought "cut and paste" was fun??!!

This week I rediscovered mercy!  I LOVE when THAT happens! 

I spent the entire week LOVING my new job!  This gift, that God has dropped into my lap, just keeps blessing and blessing!  Isn't it amazing how God takes our pain and gives it purpose for His glory!?!?!

This week was another good week for our MIP.  It is nearly impossible to share the joy I feel as I watch our adult son feel proud of himself as he continues to live independently.  Many do not understand such joy over the ordinary: your adult child maintaining (and prioritizing) a full time job and feeling proud of newly discovered work ethic and commitment to himself.  Yes, these things are expected, they are usual and standard behaviors!  But when your beloved adult child has struggled for so many years to successfully find his place in HIS world...the ordinary becomes extraordinary!  May I also remind those who underestimate joy in the ordinary--of the extraordinary pain involved in setting your adult child free--to discover himself.  The level of pain is matched only by the level of joy you feel when he begins fighting as hard as you did....for his own life!  

This week was a tipping point week for the two SANITY Support Groups I facilitate.  Just four weeks ago, these two groups of 35 hurting parents met as virtual strangers, with little in common except their pain.  It is not easy being vulnerable with friends, imagine the courage required to trust strangers.  Each week we have discovered the unique benefits a Support Group offers and as Week Five unfolded, I began to see strength appear that many thought was impossible, hope previously elusive, and the courage to change--not their adult children, but themselves.  In our SANITY Support Groups, we have discovered the taste of freedom; freedom from guilt and regret.  Freedom because we have begun to understand that we are not responsible or our adult child's poor choices.  As one father stated, "We know we are still involved in a unhealthy relationship with our adult child, when we suffer the consequences of what they have sown."  A tipping point, indeed :) 

Please, if you know a parent in pain, or ARE a parent in pain, please let me know how I can help you start your own SANITY Support Group.  Starting a group is so easy-you'll wonder why you waited for so long.   The six steps to SANITY work!  

How was YOUR week?  

I'd love to hear from you....have a great Friday!

Blessings! 

God's Mercy

THANKFUL THURSDAY

"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

I awoke this Thankful Thursday with a heavy heart; tempted to LAMENT yet again, yet--this verse rang continuously through my mind as I readied myself for another day.

I am so thankful that God's mercy is NEW EVERY MORNING! Why, perhaps because I NEED it every morning! Most assuredly, because of His great faithfulness, but, LORD I need MERCY!

I am thankful for His Word...His living-breathing-word that whispers conviction, hope, redemption, promise and love.

I am so thankful for the family of God! A friend sent me a blessing this week that touched my heart profoundly, "I've been thinking a lot about the scripture that says...whatever your hand touches will be blessed...I believe that applies to you as well. Your hand touches a person...they prosper. Your hand touches a computer to write...your words prosper. It is a VERY BIG promise little lady. Blessings..." Her words of encouragement were a reminder from God--He knows the desire of my heart and has partnered with me with His blessings!

I am thankful for The Internet Cafe Devotion ministry and the award extended to Partners In Prayer for Our Prodigals blogsite this week. Thank you to each of you who stopped by with congratulations and words of encouragement. You are such a blessing to me! You are my "living letters!" ("You show and make obvious that you are a letter from Christ, not written with ink but the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts"
2 Corinthians 3:3).

Isn't gratitude more fun than lamenting!?!?!

Once again, I am thankful for Thankful Thursday--Iris, you bless us with the opportunity spend an entire day in Thankfulness!

No longer am I pleading, "LORD, have mercy?????"

I can now proclaim, "MY LORD HAS MERCY!" Mercy, not because I deserve it, but mercy because it is part of His character. His mercy is new every morning not because I need it but because He is faithful to provide it. All of creation is dependent upon Him--and He has proven Himself faithful, over and over again. As the psalmist wrote, "The LORD is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works." (Psalm 145:9, Amplified)

Kinda' makes you wanna SHOUT! Doesn't it!

May "Mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance", this THANKFUL THURSDAY!

CAPTION, ANYONE?

Wordless Wednesday

Caption, anyone? 

Have a great WW!  

Set the Timer

TACKLE IT TUESDAY

Have you ever been paralyzed by news so desperate, that you can hardly breathe? A phone call so shocking that it hurts to blink? An email so disturbing that you can feel you stomach flip?

When you love a prodigal, you may think you're having a great day....until the phone rings. This is true for anyone who loves anyone....life happens.

Yesterday was a day like that.

News so shocking that I didn't remember to set the timer....until I had wasted four hours of pouting!

Set the timer?

Setting the timer is an effective tool that I have used for years. Ever feel like you just can't face another moment of the day--aimlessly wandering from room to room--feeling guilty about the things you should be doing....but no longer have the energy to do--shoot, to even think about?

I set the timer. I give myself a designated amount of time....to just do nothing.

Well, that's not exactly true: I might cry, I might pray. I might argue with God, I might journal.

What does the timer do? It allows me an official amount of time to sit in my paralysis of thought, action or deed.

It works!

There are only two rules:

While the timer is on....you must do nothing until it rings

When the timer goes off...you must return to functioning.

"Setting the timer" is not just for the overwhelming times in our lives--it works effectively for four year tantrums OR 54 year old tantrums! Putting value on your emotions is never a waste of time. When you set the timer, you are on notice--it is time to feel....so you will begin to heal.

THANK YOU!

My cup....runneth over!  

(I couldn't resist!) 

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! 

Partners in Prayer for Our Prodigals has received a wonderful blogging award:  Top 100 Christian Women's Blogs --"Blessed Aroma 2008"

Nominated in the Caffeinated Blog category: "This is a high energy blog!  Perhaps she is a mom to a dozen or a woman who is wearing many hats.  Her energy and enthusiasm shine through on her blog."  

Well then!  High energy!  Phew!  Not bad for a menopausal, mid-western mamma!  

Thank you for the encouragement!  

I was stunned!  I checked and double checked to be sure it was the right blog!  :) 

You have blessed me with your visits....and with this nomination!  

Please check out the other nominated blogs at Internet Cafe Devotions.  

Thank you Internet Cafe....for blessing so many with your daily inspiration!