Look who’s 4 today!

It’s my blog’s 4th birthday!

When I hit Publish for the very first time on 8/8/08, I had no idea of the adventure that was beginning.

Thankfully, God did.

In the past four years he’s brought me new friends, new insights, and new healing, all through a simple little blog.

I thank him for these gifts of grace.

And I thank you for your friendship. Oh, the places we’ve gone. I appreciate you hanging with me, more than you know!

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My very first post
(in which there seems to be no ending...not sure what I was thinking...trying not to edit, trying not to edit)

Friday, August 8, 2008
Take the Pain

Dr. Laura Schlessinger in Stop Whining, Start Living (© 2008) says that most people underestimate their ability to face pain (p 7).

We think of ourselves as wimpier than we even are. One reason is because we're surrounded by advertising that encourages us to eliminate pain at its first sign. Don't live with it at any cost.

But as Dr. Laura points out, “sadness, fear, disappointment, embarrassment, loss, frustration, etc., are just a part of normal life, and need to be endured as a feeling, and appropriated with solutions, if possible.”

Is it really in our best interest to eradicate normal, but painful, parts of life?

I live with pain. Some physical, some emotional. I'd rather not.

But a little pain isn't an immediate reason to reach for the medicine cabinet. In fact, a little pain has life lessons—compassion for others, appreciation for when you have no pain, indication for a problem you need to address before it becomes bigger pain...

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Do you blog? What have you enjoyed the most about it?

Why I blog

My blogging friend Nikki began A Life of Words on June 28.

She interviews a different friend each week to show the heart behind their blogs.

I answered her questions this week.

Here's how and why I blog. . .

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What about you? If you blog, too, why?

Another reason I blog?

Because many of you pray!

Special thanks for praying for my mission trip to El Salvador. We're back with such love in our hearts for the people there. God heard your prayers and answered.

Gracias, mi hermanas y hermanos.

More stories and pictures from El Salvador coming soon!

Why I quit blogging

(for a week)

A week ago Sunday night, I was complaining.

I was frustrated from looking around me and seeing piles of stuff. I was discouraged by too many projects to do in a competing amount of time.

I went to Jeff for help.
But I didn’t like his suggestion.

“Why not cut out blogging for a week?”

Blogging?
My spiritual outlet? My source of encouragement?
Are you serious???

He was serious.
And I was desperate enough to listen.

So I did it. I shut down writing for a week (except for this commitment and an archive re-post).

Was I happy about it?
No.

Even though I got more done around the house. And knocked out two projects. And got in bed earlier a few nights. 

I missed you—your writings and encouragement and insights. 
I missed me—I felt cut off from myself when I wasn’t writing.
And I missed my time of reflecting on God, with God, through words.

Why I’m starting back

So was it worth it?

Frankly, I’m not sure. I’m still processing the lessons.

I do know blogging can eat up as much time as I let it. Both in the writing and the reading.

And that’s not good.

So I’ll keep a better check on it. As is, I don’t have a set time for writing; I just grab snatches of time here and there. Maybe a more orderly schedule would help me weigh the worth versus the costs.

What I do know is this: God will provide all I need. He’s promised (Philippians 4:19).

If he wants me to have time for blogging (I hope he does; just being honest), he’ll provide it. I will seek his wisdom as I re-prioritize my schedule.

I’ll look for his answers. And reach for more faith to implement them. 

Hopefully, without complaining.

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Do you have a writing schedule for your blog? Have you intentionally taken a blogging break? What did you learn?

Curios—38

1. Don’t make Jesus more of a mediator than he is
by John Piper
Because of Jesus, we can go directly to the Father.

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2. Is being “church nice” really nice?
“Sounds like a lot of churches to me,” by Bill Mounce.

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3. For bloggers: 5 Steps to Captivating Readers
What I liked best was this exercise:
     Describe in five adjectives the message you want
     readers to get from your blog.

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4. The 40 Best TV Theme Songs of All Time
See how many you recognize.

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5. The Good-O-Meter

HT: Sandy

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Curios—37

Bible memory in 2011
Want to memorize with a group? Take this challenge (I’m in!): 

Partnering to Remember:
The 2011 Philippians Memory Moleskine

Goal: Memorize all 4 chapters of Philippians by Easter Sunday. I’m still getting my notebook ready (doesn’t have to be a Moleskine, obviously).

You still have time to get the instructions and the printable pages.

UPDATE:
I just added a “first letters” memory aid here if anyone wants to use it.

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13 tips for sticking to your New Year’s Resolutions
by Gretchen Rubin at The Happiness Project.

1. Be specific
2. Write it down
3. Review often
4. (more here…)

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You’re never going to get it done.
But be thankful for that. Why? 

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8 Amazing Blogging Lessons from Albert Einstein
Well, lessons for anything.
Lesson 1 is Persevere—“It’s not that I’m smart; it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” Read all eight.

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Trade one big resolution for 10,000 little ones by Paul Tripp at Desiring God.

You and I live in little moments, and if God doesn't rule our little moments and doesn't work to recreate us in the middle of them, then there is no hope for us, because that is where you and I live.

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Curios - 34

6 Things Every Christian Blogger Needs to Know by Ann Voskamp.
“Your blog is service, your blog is art, and your blog is worship…
You need not be a gifted writer—you only need make your words a gift.
To Him.” 

Do your live your life Coram Deo?
Maybe you’re not aware of it, but it’s a big deal.

What were you thinking? - You’re Fooling Yourself.
Four looks at our foolishness by Paul Tripp. 

Don’t say this if it’s not true.
You don’t have to say “I’m fine” anymore...from Heart to Heart with Holley.

Photos worth your time.
From National Geographic’s Photography Contest 2010, displayed at The Big Picture.

Here’s a small one:

Oasis. (Photo and caption by Nam In Geun)

Curios - 33

3 ways to cultivate humility by Brian Croft.
He writes it for pastors. Ignore that. It applies to everybody. I especially like # 3.

One short sentence that increases trust.
(Are we really this gullible? I like to think not.)

Improve your writing. Here are 7 ways at Copyblogger.

Successful blogging looks like this.
If you’re a Christian blogger, please read this post from Ann Voskamp.
     “Your blog is not about you.”
     “…You are a successful blogger, the most successful blogger, from the very first day you ever posted, if you simply do it as an act of loving service unto Jesus.”
     “…Because the only platform in the upside down kingdom is an altar.”

I have to laugh:

Curios - 32

The Freedom of Less – How stuff enslaves us physically, psychologically, financially. And how to break free:
1) Declutter, declutter, and declutter some more.
2) Realize you are not what you own.
3) Ask “Why?” before you buy.

100 Blog Topics I Hope YOU Write by Chris Brogan.
If you get stuck writing, scan Chris’s list. Some won’t be applicable, but many will be.

It’s called 5 Dangers for Young Men, but these dangers apply to us women, too. From J.C. Ryle.

A map of the world using words at Abraham Piper’s. For some odd reason, I’m drawn to this.

A prayer for your week from Holley – what you really need for a new week.