Made to Crave Fridays

I couldn't find a way to aliterate, but starting on Jan. 14th I'm going to be hosting a Made to Crave discussion on Fridays. If you're not sure about what Made to Crave is, make sure to follow the link to the new and beautimous website.

Here's the truth. There's a huge part of me that doesn't want to do it. The tiny little part that wants to find freedom from this inner battle with food is speaking loudly though. That little part is saying things like, "Do you really want to see the scale back at your heaviest again?" and "Do you want to lose and gain the same 25 pounds for the rest of your life?" The most compelling argument that this loud, bossy voice is screaming is, "Do you want food and your thoughts about food to control you forever or do you want to be free?!!!"

So Jan 12th the big part of myself that just wants to do what she wants to do and eat what she wants to eat is getting ignored.

Because Jesus is worthy of my whole self and so much more.

Join me in the discussion. If you're in the Apex, NC area, join me in person at Apex Baptist Church. You're welcome no matter where you are in this struggle: outwardly seeming to win the battle but still overcome with food cravings, outwardly obviously losing or somewhere in between. This isn't about skinny girls vs. fluffy girls. This is about all we Jesus girls getting our hearts in line.

I'm going to take a blogging break until Jan. 3rd, so I would like to wish all of you a very, merry Christmas. One of the great blessings of my life is interacting with you. Marry Christmas, and I'm praying a blessed time with loved ones for you.

Toasty

Ooo, baby...it's cold outside!!

Seriously, I talked to a program director of a radio station in Nebraska today. It was as cold in NC as it was in the midwest today. I had to dispel that poor man's pleasant notion of someplace warm. Sad.

So it looks like it's going to be cold for a little while longer, but I've got a remedy.

Chai tea latte.

It's my favorite, and my friends Dara and her mom Debra gave me a yummy recipe for a homemade instant kind. I'm sharing it with you so you can be toasty wherever you are.

Chai Tea Latte Mix

1 C. nonfat dry milk power
1 C. non-dairy powdered coffee creamer
1 C. French vanilla non-dairy coffee creamer
2 ½ C. white sugar
1 ½ C. unsweetened instant tea
2 tsp. ground ginger
2 tsp. group cinnamon
1 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. ground cardamom

In large bowl, combine all ingredients. Stir together well. In a blender or food processor, blend 1 cup at a time until mixture is consistency of fine power.

To serve: Stir 2 heaping teaspoons of mixture into a mug of hot water.

(I'm posting this on Tuesday night, because on Wednesday morning I'm going to stand in line at the post office. The people at the Holly Springs post office are the nicest anywhere, but still...pray for me.)

Peace Making Monday

Yesterday was another small revolution of thought as our Connections class worked through another week of Peace Making Women. As I shared last week, the authors are laying a theological foundation for conflict resolution in our relationships by laying down a basic Christian theology.

Basic Christian theology.

That sounds so simple, so why am I, a Christian of over 30 years, so challenged? Here's the authors' working definition of theology: "...the application of the whole of Scripture by the whole person to the whole of life."

When we begin to realize that theology isn't just a library of thick volumes in a seminary, we start to glimpse the importance of theology. In fact, everyone has a theology, because it's simply our belief system about God and how it shapes our lives. We want to strive for GOOD theology.

Our goal needs to be belief about God based on His unchanging scripture that shapes and molds us spiritually, physically, emotionally and socially in every phase of our life.

Now that's a challenge!

The authors have devoted fully half of the curriculum laying this foundation. They don't actually touch on relational principles until they've fully laid out the basic truths of who God is and how He relates to us. I love and respect this approach!

Here's my big "aha moment" from yesterday: "In Christ we are 'already but not yet'. We are NOT either/or (saint or sinner). We are both/and (saint and sinner)."

This may seem fairly obvious, but I think I live as if it's not. I see myself as "good" or "saint" when I'm doing well spiritually, but I see myself as "bad" or "sinner" when I'm not. Now I'm not saying that we aren't to recognize sin, but I am saying that we need to recognize God's work in us as both complete and in progress.

Tara and Judy gave several scriptures to underline this truth, but this is my favorite. "...by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." Hebrews 10:14

I tend toward legalism, so for me this means that I need to REST. While still being vigilant to places that need repentence, I need to rest in the work that God has done and is doing in me. I need to clutch for dear life to the truth of justification while in the process of sanctification. That rest will be a place of peace and joy for me.

Add Some Spice

If variety is the spice of life, then our writer's group is salsa! Over a month ago at our meeting, I finished reading the devotion just sent out today and sat back to receive thoughtful feedback. We talked a little about structure, and then Dara (the cutie in yellow) said, "But Amy, I don't think what you wrote is true. You're friends with me."

I sat stunned for a second, almost not comprehending what she meant. Finally, it dawned on me that Dara was pointing out our most obvious difference. You see, Dara was born with spina bifida and uses a wheelchair. She has a set of daily physical challenges that make us different.

I looked at the rest of the group. The diversity of our ages, from 26 to 74, and our backgrounds make us different, but after a while all that fades away. Our love for Jesus and writing unite us, and a deep love has developed between us.

Here's a little of what Dara and I have learned about friendship and differences:

Question: How do you think we’re alike?

Dara: We both like being around people and having a good time and talking. We’re not afraid to share struggles with each other.

Amy: We both love to laugh, but we also both love meaningful conversations and going deep with people. We both love Facebook. We’re both girly girls--not too prissy, though. We both love our Sun. school class.

Question: How do you think we’re different?

Dara: I have some physical challenges. I’m not married…yet. I don’t have any children… yet. I think you have it a little more figured out what you’re doing next in life. Maybe I’m wrong about that. I don’t know.

Amy: You're quieter than me and more introspective in a good way. You're a very deep thinker. You know how much Barry loves your Facebook posts because of how thoughtful and deep they are! I know that getting around and doing some simple things are much more difficult for you than they are for me. I think that's made you a very strong person.

Question: Why do you think our friendship works so well?

Dara: Because we’re not afraid to share. I’ve told you all the things that bother me. You love me despite my differences and challenges. My challenges don’t bother you anymore, and I don’t have to question your motives. Sometimes people have said that they only talk to me because they feel sorry for me, so it always makes me wonder about people at first.

Amy: I think that the fact that we're both Jesus Girls is a huge factor. We were joined at the heart from the beginning. You're a tremendous blessing to me, my friend! You're easy to talk to and spread joy wherever you go.

Dara and I would love to hear about your friendship with someone who is different than you that have changed and enriched your life.

Also, Same Kind of Different as Me was the book that inspired my devotion today. If you haven't read it, give it to yourself for Christmas. If you have, give it to somebody else!

Peace with God

Our Sunday school class is going through Peace Making Women, a book from Peacemaker Ministries. The book is already impacting me greatly, so I'm going to blog about what I'm learning once a week both to share with you and help me process.

Here's the main thought for the week: "The ultimate relationship in our lives, our relationship with God, establishes our foundation for godly relationships with other and for peace wthin ourselves." --Tara Barthel and Judy Dabler

The essence of this chapter is that whatever we believe about God will be extended into our relationships with others. We have to build a scriptural foundation of correct belief about God to have correct interactions with friends, family, coworkers, etc.

I had a pastor who said that people fall into 2 groups. You are either a "do-er" or a "be-er". Which are you? I am definitively a "do-er". No doubt. In fact, on one mission trip I earned the nickname "Action Amy" ( my co-leader was "Praying Pam"). Let's just say that my nickname may not have been entirely complimentary.

While it's important to put our faith into action, being a do-er has a definite downside. When I am actively serving God and "on the right track", I feel good. I feel loved by God and close to Him. But when I'm struggling either with sin or finding a place to serve, I feel far from God and I begin to feel unloved.

Is it true that God is far from me and that I'm unloved when my actions don't meet His standard (or sometimes just my own standard)? No. Scripture tells me that as His child I'm holy and dearly loved. It tells me that God never leaves me or forsakes me.

I have trouble with grace. I long for it but find it hard to accept. Here's the problem as defined by the book, if I believe that God extends grace to me despite the fact that I could never earn it, then I will freely extend grace to others. If I believe that I have to work to earn God's grace, then I will expect others to work to earn my grace.

I've been pondering these facts all week and crying out to God for a deeper understanding of His love for me and delight in me. I want to trust His grace even when I don't "feel" like I deserve it. In return, I want to be a lavish extender of grace to others as an example of the grace and love that's been lavished on me.

A Give Away!

Today I'm posting on Karen Ehman's blog, so hop on over for a yummy Russian tea recipe and a chance to win a mug, chai tea mix and a copy of "With Us", one of my Christmas messages. Also, if you're a speaker, you'll win a 1/2 hour call with me to talk about any "speakery" topic you'd like!

Peace on Earth?

These are some of the lyrics that flowed from my car CD player all year this year:

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet their songs repeat
Of peace on earth good will to men
And the bells are ringing
Like a choir they're singing
In my heart I hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men

And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth good will to men
But the bells are ringing
Like a choir singing
Does anybody hear them?
Peace on earth, good will to men

Then rang the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men

Then ringing singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men

And the bells they're ringing
Like a choir they're singing
And with our hearts we'll hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men

Do you hear the bells they're ringing?
The life the angels singing
Open up your heart and hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men

Peace on earth, Peace on earth
Peace on earth, Good will to men

If you love the Casting Crowns Christmas CD as passionately as I do, the melody of this adapted carol is probably running through your head.

Peace on Earth.

Elusive, no?

During this advent season when peace is heralded, my Life Group is starting a book study at church called Peace Making Women by Tara Klena Barthel and Judy Dablerk. I started the book yesterday and already my preconceptions about peace are being challenged.

I'll share some of what I'm learning on Monday, but first I'd love to hear from you. Would you help me with some definitions of peace that I could share with my group? How would you define peace? Have you been able to experience peace in your life and if so, how?

Riches

The tree is up. The lights are on. The decorations are placed. Mornings with the tree on in the dark hours are one of those simple pleasures that make me feel rich.

The truth is that I am rich compared to the majority of people in the world, but often my attitude is one of poverty. Sometimes it comes from a walk through the mall. Other times it comes after a visit to the beautiful house of a friend. Occassionally it's when I check my bank balance! :)

I got an email today that made me rethink riches once again. This is part of a report from a pastor in S. Asia:

God is really good all the time. Very busy these days. . . oh the street kids ministry is really going awesome. We are having each day 17 to 20 people. We used to do friday only before but now we thought to open in everyday. Oh kids are enjoying the time with us. They have found us not beating them, scold them, be harsh on them, but loving them. Oh they are learning prayers, bible stories, songs dances. PTL. Oh I can see many kids have decided to follow Lord and love Lord. They speak with there mounth confessing each day "Though no ones loves me, Jesus loves me and he is beside me" and many things like that. We did calvary story already. Of course the room we rented in faith is so small and difficult to manage kids when they play (games). They are doing crayons too, alfabets. I'm very glad that they got to hear about Jesus and knew that God hears them in the time of troubles.

I've been picturing this pastor, a man who has ministered to the least of these through his own material poverty, in heaven. His head is so over-laden with crowns that he has some held in his hands and even tucked under his arm. His white, linen robes almost as bright as the joy of his smile as he lays those crowns one by one at the feet of Jesus.

Can you see it too? That man is rich.

My heart is crying out in response, "Lord, what is required of ME? How do you want me to invest the riches that I've been given?"