I'm reading a book right now called, The 100 Mile Diet: A Year of Local Eating by Alisa Smith & J.B. MacKinnon. In it the pair challenge themselves to one year of eating food grown only within a 100 mile radius of where they live. What they find is that nearly all processed foods are eliminated...as are staples such as flour and sugar. Even healthier options such as bananas, oranges, and pineapples are no longer on the menu. At first their meals are somewhat bland....incorporating a lot of potatoes. But, as they research and explore the farmer's markets and back roads of this self-imposed radius, they discover a treasure trove of local, fresh foods. Their diet becomes anything but bland and instead showcases flavors and experiences with food that have long been forgotten by much of today's society.
Their writing is part foodie literature, part ecological and sociological history. Much of the book is written in the style of other authors who describe food and food experiences in an almost sacred way....authors such as Ruth Reichl. M.F. K. Fisher, and Julie Powell. Food is discovered, described, and devoured in it's most natural form. And, the beauty of a single heirloom tomato, or the earthy delight of the first tender green shoots of the season become a source of wonder.
And, when I read books like this I feel inspired. I feel inspired to eat real food. To become more connected to the food that I'm eating rather than mindlessly shoveling handfuls of heavily processed 'food' from mysterious sources into my mouth. It creates a hunger in me. A hunger for freshness and sunshine and earth. It creates a hunger for colors - green, reds, purples....colors that are sorrowfully lacking from my current diet. Most of all, this concept of eating food in it's most natural form feels......natural.
Over Lent this year I had gone on a 40 day fast. Our church was encouraging a congregation-wide season of prayer and fasting. I felt led to take my fasting a little deeper than giving up a single pleasure of mine....in the past I've given up chocolate, or caffeine, or wine over Lent. These were small sacrifices - items I missed at first (at the worst, suffering caffeine withdrawal headaches in the first day or two) but my life didn't change much with their absence.
So, after a bit of researching and prayer, I decided on The Daniel Fast. In short, the Daniel Fast was a food fast with a strong spiritual component. The fast often results in increased health or weight loss, but it's main focus is increasing one's relationship with God. The fast is fairly restrictive. It allows fruits, vegetables, nuts & legumes, healthy oils (this one is somewhat up for debate...some people totally eliminate all oils), and whole grains. It eliminates all meat, all dairy products & eggs, all sugar & other sweeteners (including honey, molasses,etc.), all preservatives, all grains that are not a whole grain (no white flour, white rice, etc.), and all beverages other than water. It was a fast that only allowed food in it's most natural form.
I will admit that the Daniel Fast was difficult. It was a struggle at first to figure out what to eat. But after a while I got into a groove and I became creative with my meals. I frequently ended up preparing two meals - one that my family would eat and one that I could eat. The first week of the fast I felt cruddy. I felt lethargic and icky. My body was detoxifying. After that first week I felt great - with increased energy and clarity. And, I lost about 20 pounds over the course of the fast.
After my fast was officially over, I slowly added some things back into my diet, but I tried to remain as close to this new pattern of eating as I could. I lost an additional 15 pounds. I did really well up until about August. Then, I fell off the bandwagon....and I fell hard. I reverted to my old patterns of binge eating and eating heavily processed 'comfort' foods.
Since then, I know I've gained back weight....perhaps most of it. I'm afraid to step on the scale again because I'm so disappointed in myself, I don't want to know how badly I've messed up. And, I'm embarrassed. While I was eating well I shared updates on my progress and photos of the foods I was eating on Facebook. Folks congratulated me and cheered me on. When people saw me in person they saw the difference and they would comment on how good I looked.
One of those people was the mail lady. In the warmer months when we're outside more often she will often pause and chat for a minute or two as she's dropping off our mail. When she noticed my weight loss she asked what I had been doing and I shared a bit about the fast. Like me she has struggled all her life with her weight and, like me, she has tried many different things with various degrees of success. As we stood there talking she said, "It's so hard to lose weight. Whatever you do, try to keep it off because if it comes back it's even harder to lose." I nodded, knowing this to be truth.
And, here I am a few months later, already noticeably heavier than I was over the summer. And, I'm ashamed. I'm ashamed to acknowledge that I've virtually thrown all my hard work from earlier in the year down the toilet. And I can't seem to find the motivation or the strength to pick myself up again and plunge back into treating my body well. I feel cruddy and depressed. And when I feel cruddy and depressed I turn to food - foods that offer that quick release of endorphins...foods loaded with sugar, and salt, and fat, and mystery ingredients.
One of the things I also became aware of when I was doing the fast is that, for me, my relationship with food is a spiritual battleground. And, oh, how my spirit rebels against this concept. I don't WANT to believe that the way I choose to use or abuse food can affect me spiritually. And yet I see it play out time and time again. When I willingly and knowingly treat my body poorly, when I rely on food for comfort or entertainment, when I treat food like an idol, I am not using food as God intended.....and that opens the door to sin.
Like Paul said in Romans 7:15, "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do."
And, so, I find myself craving something different....something more natural. I find myself longing use and enjoy food the way God intended. Hear me when I say that I think food is a gift from our Creator God! He could have merely created food to be bland nutrition. Instead He created a wealth of flavors and textures. Food in it's natural form is both nourishing and pleasurable.
The struggle continues. Someday I hope to conquer this mountain. For now, I'm still learning and surrendering.
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
God's Protection? Part 1
A few weeks ago I came across something as I was reading the Bible that I've been thinking a lot about. In Acts 4 verses 24 - 30 there is a prayer recorded that the early church prayed when Peter and John were released after being imprisoned for preaching about Jesus. The young church was experiencing persecution that was only about to get worse.
There was something in this prayer that struck me immediately. Verse 29 says "Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness." This prayer is distinctly different from how I would have likely prayed. My prayer would have sounded more like, "Now, Lord, consider their threats and protect us Father."
I pray for protection a lot. Protection for my husband. Protection for my children. For family and friends. For myself. One of my greatest fears is harm coming to someone I love. 'Protect them Lord'. This is a common prayer of mine.
Yet, here was the early church - facing true danger- and instead of praying for protection...as I would have....they prayed for boldness. Even though that boldness may cost them their lives, it's what they prayed for.
That has really stayed with me. Could I willingly place myself and my loved ones in danger for the sake of the gospel? I want to believe that I could. But, I just don't know.
Then I came across this video today produced by Voice of the Martyrs. It's called Liena's Prayer. Oh dear friends. We have Christian brothers and sisters who are facing this very question today.
And so I'm wrestling with this question of God's protection. What does that mean for a Christian?
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Confessions of a Mom in a Quiet House
This is me right now.
I'm supposed to be working on supper. My husband was gracious enough to take all four boys out of the house for about 15 minutes (They're gearing up to work on their dirt bikes tonight) and give me some peace & quiet.
It's been a rainy day today...and they had early dismissal from school. So, there were a lot of energetic boys stomping around this afternoon and making a great deal of noise.
Sometimes a momma just needs a little quiet in the midst of the chaos.
So, here's my confession. I could be taking these precious minutes to put the finishing touches on supper without any interruptions. But, instead I decided to jump on here and say 'hi'.
P.S. - I'm really not liking my hair right now. Certainly that's not a major world issue. But, I'm still lamenting that I cut my hair a few weeks ago. It had gotten really long and I liked it that way. So, why did I cut it in the first place? I'm not really sure. I wanted to get rid of dead ends, freshen it up a bit, and get a little more shape/ movement. Instead, I ended up with a haircut I regret. But, hey! It'll grow back.
It's been a rainy day today...and they had early dismissal from school. So, there were a lot of energetic boys stomping around this afternoon and making a great deal of noise.
Sometimes a momma just needs a little quiet in the midst of the chaos.
So, here's my confession. I could be taking these precious minutes to put the finishing touches on supper without any interruptions. But, instead I decided to jump on here and say 'hi'.
P.S. - I'm really not liking my hair right now. Certainly that's not a major world issue. But, I'm still lamenting that I cut my hair a few weeks ago. It had gotten really long and I liked it that way. So, why did I cut it in the first place? I'm not really sure. I wanted to get rid of dead ends, freshen it up a bit, and get a little more shape/ movement. Instead, I ended up with a haircut I regret. But, hey! It'll grow back.
Monday, October 20, 2014
What I'm reading
My point in sharing about the media fast is to say that I've been doing a LOT of reading lately. I have always been an avid reader. But, in the last several years I'v done a lot less reading and have allowed myself to get sucked into excessive tv watching in the evenings as a way to relax....or excessive computer use (especially Facebook).
I have really enjoyed reading again! And, I've come across some good stuff. I thought I'd share.
I really enjoy non-fiction...especially memoir type books. I came across the book, Spiritual Misfit by Michelle DeRusha, and was immediately drawn in. She shares her story of being raised Catholic, realizing at a young age that she didn't really believe in God, and re-discovering faith in God many years later slowly and tentatively. She's funny. She's honest. She's profound. Her writing was refreshing. And, she's totally relate-able.
Also, I've discovered the A.D. Chronicles by Bodie & Brock Thoene. This historical biblical fiction series is set in the time of Jesus life here on earth....from his birth to his death & resurrection. There are 12 books in the series. I've actually been reading them out of order because I get them from my library & I've just signed out whatever is available. But, the books are written in such a way that you don't have to read them in order. And, they are just absolutely incredible. They focus on so many different characters...some from Biblical accounts and some created as those who may have encountered Jesus. They bring to life the stories from the Gospels unlike I've ever experienced before. And while, it's a fictional series, they remain biblically accurate and they have done painstaking research on Jewish culture at the time. It's truly a fascinating and moving series.
Finally, I'm still in the process of reading this book. But, the book Radical, Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream by David Platt has been eye-opening and challenging to say the least.
What are you reading? What reading suggestions do you have for me?
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Looking Around
Some of my favorite posts to go back and look at are ones where I simply posted pictures of some of my favorite things and favorite moments. I didn't usually write a long thing to go with it. I just let the pictures speak for themselves.
I haven't done that in a really long time. And, sometimes I get so caught up in the craziness of life, that I forget to look around. I forget to embrace the joy in small things. I forget to be thankful.
And so, in the last couple weeks....as I looked around....and really SAW.....I saw plenty to be thankful for.
So as I loaded these pictures to this post, they loaded in a totally random order. I had planned to give a brief line or two to label the pictures....some are from camping with friends, some from a weekend away with my sister and brother-in-law at the Fingerlakes in NY, some of my boys sorting pumpkin seeds, some of my boys just being silly, etc.
The old me would have agonized over this and would have worked to the point of frustration to fix it, put them in order, and add my labels.
But you know what, it's ok. They still bring me joy.
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
What I Could Tell You
There's so much that has happened that I haven't written here about. I barely know where to start. Should I tell you about the 40 day Daniel Fast I did over Lent this year that jump started both a new spiritual awareness and some weight loss? Should I tell you about my continuing struggles with weight loss/ gain/ maintenance/ body image? Should I tell you about the Discipleship classes I'm taking at church and the media fast we've been challenged to do...and that I'm not totally successful at?
Maybe I could tell you about my kids....my gosh they've grown a lot since I last wrote about them here! There's never a shortage of boy stories to share. Most of them I've been sharing on Facebook in witty (well, I like to think they're witty), limited-sentence anecdotes. People tell me they miss my Facebook updates now that I'm doing my (sorta) media fast.
Ooh! Maybe I should tell you how since I've stopped making Facebook updates over the last two weeks, I've realized how every interesting, notable, or even un-notable experience becomes a Facebook post in my head. Things that are otherwise non-events quickly organize themselves into 2 or 3 sentence snippets.
What I should really tell you about is how our Vintage Sale events (done as fundraisers for local ministries) have been growing...how we have our own Facebook page, are in the process of having a website designed....how I'm freaking out a little because I'm not business-minded at all yet I find myself with something that has the potential to be either a business or a non-profit venture. Either avenue seems totally overwhelming and out of my comfort zone. And, I don't know how to take this from hobby to something serious.....or if I even want to.
Or, I could tell you about how I still struggle with losing my temper with my kids, managing my time, and keeping a relatively clean house....and how I fail desperately at all of these over and over. I could also mention that contentment is another area I sometimes think I've got a grasp on, until I think of ways I could be even more content.
There's so much I could tell you. Someone remind me that if I wrote here on a regular basis picking a topic wouldn't seem so overwhelming. Someone remind me that I really like have past posts to go back and read and re-live moments I'd long forgotten. And, then someone remind me to write again in a few days.
Maybe I could tell you about my kids....my gosh they've grown a lot since I last wrote about them here! There's never a shortage of boy stories to share. Most of them I've been sharing on Facebook in witty (well, I like to think they're witty), limited-sentence anecdotes. People tell me they miss my Facebook updates now that I'm doing my (sorta) media fast.
Ooh! Maybe I should tell you how since I've stopped making Facebook updates over the last two weeks, I've realized how every interesting, notable, or even un-notable experience becomes a Facebook post in my head. Things that are otherwise non-events quickly organize themselves into 2 or 3 sentence snippets.
What I should really tell you about is how our Vintage Sale events (done as fundraisers for local ministries) have been growing...how we have our own Facebook page, are in the process of having a website designed....how I'm freaking out a little because I'm not business-minded at all yet I find myself with something that has the potential to be either a business or a non-profit venture. Either avenue seems totally overwhelming and out of my comfort zone. And, I don't know how to take this from hobby to something serious.....or if I even want to.
Or, I could tell you about how I still struggle with losing my temper with my kids, managing my time, and keeping a relatively clean house....and how I fail desperately at all of these over and over. I could also mention that contentment is another area I sometimes think I've got a grasp on, until I think of ways I could be even more content.
There's so much I could tell you. Someone remind me that if I wrote here on a regular basis picking a topic wouldn't seem so overwhelming. Someone remind me that I really like have past posts to go back and read and re-live moments I'd long forgotten. And, then someone remind me to write again in a few days.
Friday, August 8, 2014
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Am I Failing? A Note For Young Moms
This question was posted on Facebook by a relative of mine with young children. Lots of people responded to her question...so many that I didn't think it was necessary for me to respond too. But, then I felt like I had something I wanted to add.
Her question: "As a mom I worry I am not teaching my kids to be good people. Anyone else feel this way?"
And here's what I felt like I needed to share with her...
Yes. All the time. I worry all the time that I'm failing to teach them to be considerate, loving, compassionate, and patient. I worry that every time I fail to be compassionate & patient toward them that I have negated any small smidgeon of that which may have gotten through to them before. I worry that I don't do enough to teach them about God's love and His Word. I worry that I don't pray with them enough. I worry that I don't pray FOR them enough. I worry that when I get frustrated and angry that my own behavior will make them reject any bit of Truth that I've managed to impart to them. That, like so many in today's world, they'll decide that Christians are just hypocrites. In a family we see all of our worst flaws & imperfections.
When I first became a mom another mom with older kids than me told me that when she became a mom she realized how selfish she was. I didn't understand that at the time....after all aren't moms supposed to be self LESS and giving? But, now I know exactly what she meant. Children are needy & demanding & require SO MUCH. And, our own selves....our own desires rebel against this...sometimes even resent it. It's hard to give and give and give. And, it's exhausting. And, as someone else said above, children are selfish little creatures too. And, while as adults we've learned to hide that a bit, our children reflect back to us something that's sits at the very core of our being too. They reveal our own flesh.
A couple weeks ago I had one of the worst parenting weeks I had in a long time. I was angry and frustrated pretty much from sun up to sun down. I felt like banging my head against a wall. I was barely...and I mean barely hanging on. I was asking God for enough grace just to get me through. And, here's what I felt like He said to me (it wasn't immediate...this was something that came to me over the course of that horrible week). I felt like He was saying that he can give me just enough, but He wants to give SO much more than that. He wants to give overflowing grace...much, much more than enough.
I was like 'Ok God. That's cool. I'd like that. But, HOW do I tap into that? How do I get that abundant grace when I'm in the middle of a funk so deep I can't see any way out?'.
I didn't feel any immediate answer to that question either. And, I'm still figuring it out. Maybe the first step is accepting that as truth. Even that is hard for me to do.
The one verse I try to hold on to is 'Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.' Lots of people quote that verse...to the point where it seems to lose it's meaning. But, here's what I always take from that verse. It doesn't say 'he will never depart from it'. It says, 'when he is old...' There will be bumps and crashes and rebellion and tears along the way. But as that child grows and gains wisdom & experience they will recall the wisdom taught to them in their youth and they will embrace it.
Wow. That was a really long response...and I don't know if I really answered your question or just went off on a dozen different rabbit trails. All that to say, you and your husband love your kids and are trying to raise them right...and God will honor that.
Her question: "As a mom I worry I am not teaching my kids to be good people. Anyone else feel this way?"
And here's what I felt like I needed to share with her...
Yes. All the time. I worry all the time that I'm failing to teach them to be considerate, loving, compassionate, and patient. I worry that every time I fail to be compassionate & patient toward them that I have negated any small smidgeon of that which may have gotten through to them before. I worry that I don't do enough to teach them about God's love and His Word. I worry that I don't pray with them enough. I worry that I don't pray FOR them enough. I worry that when I get frustrated and angry that my own behavior will make them reject any bit of Truth that I've managed to impart to them. That, like so many in today's world, they'll decide that Christians are just hypocrites. In a family we see all of our worst flaws & imperfections.
When I first became a mom another mom with older kids than me told me that when she became a mom she realized how selfish she was. I didn't understand that at the time....after all aren't moms supposed to be self LESS and giving? But, now I know exactly what she meant. Children are needy & demanding & require SO MUCH. And, our own selves....our own desires rebel against this...sometimes even resent it. It's hard to give and give and give. And, it's exhausting. And, as someone else said above, children are selfish little creatures too. And, while as adults we've learned to hide that a bit, our children reflect back to us something that's sits at the very core of our being too. They reveal our own flesh.
A couple weeks ago I had one of the worst parenting weeks I had in a long time. I was angry and frustrated pretty much from sun up to sun down. I felt like banging my head against a wall. I was barely...and I mean barely hanging on. I was asking God for enough grace just to get me through. And, here's what I felt like He said to me (it wasn't immediate...this was something that came to me over the course of that horrible week). I felt like He was saying that he can give me just enough, but He wants to give SO much more than that. He wants to give overflowing grace...much, much more than enough.
I was like 'Ok God. That's cool. I'd like that. But, HOW do I tap into that? How do I get that abundant grace when I'm in the middle of a funk so deep I can't see any way out?'.
I didn't feel any immediate answer to that question either. And, I'm still figuring it out. Maybe the first step is accepting that as truth. Even that is hard for me to do.
The one verse I try to hold on to is 'Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.' Lots of people quote that verse...to the point where it seems to lose it's meaning. But, here's what I always take from that verse. It doesn't say 'he will never depart from it'. It says, 'when he is old...' There will be bumps and crashes and rebellion and tears along the way. But as that child grows and gains wisdom & experience they will recall the wisdom taught to them in their youth and they will embrace it.
Wow. That was a really long response...and I don't know if I really answered your question or just went off on a dozen different rabbit trails. All that to say, you and your husband love your kids and are trying to raise them right...and God will honor that.
New Look
I know I've sadly neglected my poor little blog. And, I miss a lot of things about blogging. I definitely miss the interactions with other bloggers and readers. I miss writing. And, from a purely selfish standpoint, I miss having words captured here that I can come back and read again and again. I miss having enough blog posts that I can print out and put into a 'blog book'...something I can hold in my hand...proof and record of how I thought, how I felt, how I reacted over the years.
So, I gave the header a new look. I found some freebie sites that were actually easy to use (well, easy once I figured them out) and created a new header. I hoped that giving the blog a fresh look would inspire me to start afresh with writing. New look....new beginnings.
So, I gave the header a new look. I found some freebie sites that were actually easy to use (well, easy once I figured them out) and created a new header. I hoped that giving the blog a fresh look would inspire me to start afresh with writing. New look....new beginnings.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Questions I Would Ask An Atheist Over A Cup Of Coffee Or A Glass Of Wine
As I mentioned in my previous post I've been thinking a lot about the topic of Christian apologetics. I have been delving into why I believe what I believe and how I can clearly communicate those reasons. I've also been thinking a lot about my atheist/ agnostic friends. Beliefs about religion are one of those topics that can quickly become heated and uncomfortable. Unless we're talking to someone we already know agrees with us we don't typically bring it up.
Yet the internet is chock full of discussions about faith....most of them heated & uncomfortable. I've seen some videos on youtube along the lines of 'Questions for an atheist' or 'Questions for a Christian'. And, those videos for the most part ask questions that are designed to challenge the other person's worldview.
And, don't get me wrong. Challenge can be a good thing. If I hadn't been challenged on some of my core beliefs by others I never would have gone deeper and reached a point where I felt I truly understood what I believed and could articulate that.
Challenge can also be combative and divisive and fruitless. It's a fine, hard line that we're called to walk when challenging or questioning others. And, I've already failed miserably on that front more times than not.
So, this whole concept of asking someone with opposing views questions got me to thinking. What kind of questions would I ask if I could sit down face to face in a totally non-hostile environment with someone who believed differently than me? What do I really want to know from the atheist or agnostic?
You see. I'm fascinated by people. I'm also an introvert by nature. But, I love to observe & listen & consider what seems to be what makes people tick. I love hearing other people's stories. I love getting beyond what's on the surface and finding out what's deep down.
So, if I had a chance to sit down with an atheist or agnostic...say over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine...what do I really want to know? And these are the questions I came up with. I posted this on Facebook hoping that some of my atheist/agnostic acquaintances might answer some of them for me. And, I'm taking a risk by posting them here too.
Please understand, I don't ask these questions to initiate a debate. I would just like to better understand. This is what I posted...
"I have a some questions for my friends who would consider themselves atheists or agnostics or who have no religious affiliation. I'm wondering if any of you would be willing to answer them for me. They are an attempt for me to do a bit of research and better understand how you've reached the conclusions about life, faith, religion, etc. that you've reached. I don't intend to use your answers in an effort to debate with you.
As I've been exploring Christian apologetics and have been learning how to better discuss my faith intelligently and my reasons for believing what I believe, I realized that one thing I'm lacking is understanding how people with opposing viewpoints have reached their views. I'm not talking here about scientific evidence/arguments for or against a Creator. I'm talking about the personal journey that each of us make in life and in arriving at our belief systems. Rather than making assumptions, I'd like to understand better.
One of the things that I've been learning is that when we discuss things that are at the very core of who we are and how we approach life, it can become easy to slip into a combative mode. In my attempt to enter in more discussions I've slipped into that pattern myself. It's sometimes hard to discuss something with fervor & passion without sounding argumentative.
So again, let me assure you, these questions are just to help me have a better understanding of what you believe and why. And, for my Christian friends, I want to stress that I want this to be a safe place for my non-religious friends to answer these questions. I don't want to start any debates, discussions, or arguments.
1. Growing up were you involved in any church/ religious experience?
2. If so, how did this influence or shape the views you hold now?
3. If not, how would you describe the worldview you were raised with?
4. Did you at any point believe in God or the possibility of God?
5. What experience or experiences did you have that most shaped what you believe now?
6. Have you ever had any doubts regarding your current world view?
7. Do you feel you have an understanding of the Bible & what's in it and the Christian view of God? Or do you have a less in depth understanding?
8. Are there other religions that you explored or researched? What were your thoughts on those?
9. If evidence for the existence of God were presented to you, would there still be other roadblocks to being able to accept that evidence?
10. What is your opinion of Christians? If you have a negative view, what is your main complaint?
11. What do you feel is a misconception that Christians have about atheists?
12. What are your thoughts on amiable debates? Are you open to them or are you closed to having discussions with those you disagree with?
13. Can you briefly explain what your current world view/ view of life is?
I know these are a lot of questions, but I appreciate any input you can give me. Thank you so much. "
Yet the internet is chock full of discussions about faith....most of them heated & uncomfortable. I've seen some videos on youtube along the lines of 'Questions for an atheist' or 'Questions for a Christian'. And, those videos for the most part ask questions that are designed to challenge the other person's worldview.
And, don't get me wrong. Challenge can be a good thing. If I hadn't been challenged on some of my core beliefs by others I never would have gone deeper and reached a point where I felt I truly understood what I believed and could articulate that.
Challenge can also be combative and divisive and fruitless. It's a fine, hard line that we're called to walk when challenging or questioning others. And, I've already failed miserably on that front more times than not.
So, this whole concept of asking someone with opposing views questions got me to thinking. What kind of questions would I ask if I could sit down face to face in a totally non-hostile environment with someone who believed differently than me? What do I really want to know from the atheist or agnostic?
You see. I'm fascinated by people. I'm also an introvert by nature. But, I love to observe & listen & consider what seems to be what makes people tick. I love hearing other people's stories. I love getting beyond what's on the surface and finding out what's deep down.
So, if I had a chance to sit down with an atheist or agnostic...say over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine...what do I really want to know? And these are the questions I came up with. I posted this on Facebook hoping that some of my atheist/agnostic acquaintances might answer some of them for me. And, I'm taking a risk by posting them here too.
Please understand, I don't ask these questions to initiate a debate. I would just like to better understand. This is what I posted...
"I have a some questions for my friends who would consider themselves atheists or agnostics or who have no religious affiliation. I'm wondering if any of you would be willing to answer them for me. They are an attempt for me to do a bit of research and better understand how you've reached the conclusions about life, faith, religion, etc. that you've reached. I don't intend to use your answers in an effort to debate with you.
As I've been exploring Christian apologetics and have been learning how to better discuss my faith intelligently and my reasons for believing what I believe, I realized that one thing I'm lacking is understanding how people with opposing viewpoints have reached their views. I'm not talking here about scientific evidence/arguments for or against a Creator. I'm talking about the personal journey that each of us make in life and in arriving at our belief systems. Rather than making assumptions, I'd like to understand better.
One of the things that I've been learning is that when we discuss things that are at the very core of who we are and how we approach life, it can become easy to slip into a combative mode. In my attempt to enter in more discussions I've slipped into that pattern myself. It's sometimes hard to discuss something with fervor & passion without sounding argumentative.
So again, let me assure you, these questions are just to help me have a better understanding of what you believe and why. And, for my Christian friends, I want to stress that I want this to be a safe place for my non-religious friends to answer these questions. I don't want to start any debates, discussions, or arguments.
1. Growing up were you involved in any church/ religious experience?
2. If so, how did this influence or shape the views you hold now?
3. If not, how would you describe the worldview you were raised with?
4. Did you at any point believe in God or the possibility of God?
5. What experience or experiences did you have that most shaped what you believe now?
6. Have you ever had any doubts regarding your current world view?
7. Do you feel you have an understanding of the Bible & what's in it and the Christian view of God? Or do you have a less in depth understanding?
8. Are there other religions that you explored or researched? What were your thoughts on those?
9. If evidence for the existence of God were presented to you, would there still be other roadblocks to being able to accept that evidence?
10. What is your opinion of Christians? If you have a negative view, what is your main complaint?
11. What do you feel is a misconception that Christians have about atheists?
12. What are your thoughts on amiable debates? Are you open to them or are you closed to having discussions with those you disagree with?
13. Can you briefly explain what your current world view/ view of life is?
I know these are a lot of questions, but I appreciate any input you can give me. Thank you so much. "
Friday, April 11, 2014
My Journey in Christian Apologetics, Part 1
(I include a lot of links in this post to previous posts that I wrote...reading them will give you even more of my story)
My church just wrapped up a 5 day Apologetics Conference. It featured the speakers Dr. Norman Geisler, Ray Ciervo, and Simon & Nel Brace. I had been looking forward to it ever since they announced we'd be having the conference again this year. Our church held it's first ever apologetics conference last year...which I also attended. Apologetics is a topic which fascinates me and I am always hungry for more teaching on it. I've been on a journey of sorts for the last three years in coming to understand what it means to be able to defend my faith. The first time I heard the term 'apologetics' was when I was in my 20s. It was also a time that I was not following God. I had fallen away from the church and most of the standards and values I had held to be true in my early years. Interestingly enough I still attended a Christian music festival every year during this dark decade. It was there that I encountered books with the topic of apologetics. Like many people I misunderstood what that term meant. I thought it insinuated 'making apologies' for faith.
The term 'apologetics' actually comes from the Greek work, 'apologia'. And, rather than meaning 'an apology', it is the word for 'making a defense or argument' for a case. As a matter of fact, the word 'apologia' was used in the Greek manuscripts of the New Testament. In I Peter 3:15 Peter writes, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason (apologia) for the hope that you have." Christian apologetics is making the case for/ giving the reason for our faith.
That experience left me so rattled & raised so many questions that I didn't have a response to that I began a serious battle with doubt and sank into a place of despair and desperation. I was in a spiritual crisis. I started to write about that in "Dealing with Doubt, Part 1" and "Part 2" I started searching for answers but had no idea where to begin. I started doing some reading and some of the books I found that I'd hoped would help me answer my questions either a. left my questions unanswered or 2. raised even more doubts.
I continued to write about this issue in That Thing About Doubt, That Thing About Doubt, continued, and finally in That Thing About Faith...Seeking Revelation where I was finally starting to climb out of the depression and pit of doubt that I had been wallowing in. Looking back at those last three posts written about 2 1/2 years ago I realized that now I've come even further in this journey. For instance, in the one post I used quotes from the book No Argument for God...Going Beyond Reason in Conversations about Faith by John Wilkinson. I no longer embrace everything that was written in that book. Certainly it touched on the mystery of faith...which is absolutely a component of faith. But, I no longer agree with the premise that Reason is not a vital component of faith and the conversations we have about it. In fact, I now believe that Reason is essential.
We live in an age of atheism, agnosticism, & skepticism. Christianity is looked upon with contempt. We need Christians who are willing and able to have conversations with those around us who are asking very difficult questions. I learned this the hard way. But, looking back on that encounter I had on Facebook three years ago I am actually grateful now. It has started me on a journey of study and spiritual growth unlike what I have experienced before. My faith has grown stronger exponentially. While I feared that the dark time of doubt was going to destroy my faith, it was a necessary refining process. I think a lot of Christians are afraid of that process. But, that's why I want to write about it here...to encourage other Christians to consider challenging themselves to think more deeply about why they believe what they believe so that we may be better equipped to reach others in this world.
Check back again soon & I'll tell you more about this journey.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Fasting and Seeking God
It is only 2 days away from the beginning of Lent. I had not really considered doing anything in particular this year for Lent. At least not until yesterday.
At church they called for a congregation-wide time of fasting & prayer over Lent. Fasting is something I've never really done before. It's a spiritual discipline that wasn't really discussed in the church I grew up in. But, yesterday one of our pastors laid out some very practical tools for fasting, gave reasons for fasting, & encouragement to consider it.
As we sat there I felt led to consider a fast over Lent. But, more about that in a bit.
First I need to back up to the previous Sunday. I felt God's presence move very strongly in my heart & in my mind. As we were singing during worship, we sang songs about Christ's sacrifice on the cross and the redemptive power of his blood. The following thoughts came to me & I sat down and wrote them out as quickly as I could.
" As we were singing I felt this impressed on my heart. I believe & accept whole-heartedly the redemption Jesus has given me from my past - from the darkness and sin that threatened to destroy me there. But He didn't just take those sins to the cross. When He went to the cross He took all our sins. All of them!
He wants us to experience complete redemption. Just as I would never dream of returning to the life I lived then - it is completely behind me- my life restored- Jesus wants the same for me in other areas where I struggle. Areas like apathy, discontentment, feelings of being overwhelmed & frustrated, anger, depression, & fear. He has redeemed it all!
Why would I continue to wallow in these when they were also nailed to the cross?"
This really spoke to me. I even momentarily thought about sharing it with the congregation. But I didn't. (During our worship time, if people feel they have a word from God to share, they can approach one of the ministry leaders. They give them a brief synopsis of what they would like to say so the ministry leader can assess if it is something biblical & not completely off the wall. Then they signal the worship leader that someone wants to share. They pause the music while that person shares with the congregation).
As I wrote those words and for a while afterward is was a physical experience too. I could feel such a powerful sense of peace & relaxation. I told John I even felt a little tingly. That experience really had me thinking this past week. As a matter of fact, as I was writing just now I thought, "Why have I only been thinking about this over the week? Why haven't I claimed it? So, just now I prayed and claimed this word as a promise from God. And, I accepted it as a gift of redemption from all that holds me back from Him and the life that He would have me live.
So in many ways that previous Sunday had prepared me for the message this Sunday about fasting. Here's what the pastor had to say about fasting...
-Fasting deals with our distractions and helps us focus on God. Faith increases.
-Fasting often brings about breakthroughs and helps us to find freedom & clarity in situations we have struggled with a long time.
-Just as we fast before a medical surgery, so we should fast before a 'surgery' on our spirit. He shared these verses from Hebrews 4:12 & 13
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword; it penetrates even to dividing soul & spirit, joints & marrow; it judges the thoughts & attitudes of the heart.
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered & laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."
And as I prepare for a season of fasting, I plan to do that - to lay myself bare.
Here are some steps that he suggested we take during a season of fasting...
1. Hold struggles & burdens out to God in prayer. Ask God what to focus on during the fast.
2. Seek the Lord about the fast (what type of fasting should I do?). Ask what He will give me the grace to do.
3. Agree with God about the fast.
4. Write a fasting plan for each day of the week. Include what you will focus on in prayer that day, verses to read, etc.
5. Consciously surrender yourself to the Lord.
6. Declare why you are fasting.
7. Keep a journal.
8. Know that you will be tempted to break your fast. Jesus was & so will you.
9. Read your Bible while you are fasting. Isaiah 58 is a great passage to read.
10, Set apart times too pray when fasting.
Tomorrow I will share what type of fast I feel called to. It's not a 'complete fast'...in that I will not be giving up food entirely. More to come!
At church they called for a congregation-wide time of fasting & prayer over Lent. Fasting is something I've never really done before. It's a spiritual discipline that wasn't really discussed in the church I grew up in. But, yesterday one of our pastors laid out some very practical tools for fasting, gave reasons for fasting, & encouragement to consider it.
As we sat there I felt led to consider a fast over Lent. But, more about that in a bit.
First I need to back up to the previous Sunday. I felt God's presence move very strongly in my heart & in my mind. As we were singing during worship, we sang songs about Christ's sacrifice on the cross and the redemptive power of his blood. The following thoughts came to me & I sat down and wrote them out as quickly as I could.
" As we were singing I felt this impressed on my heart. I believe & accept whole-heartedly the redemption Jesus has given me from my past - from the darkness and sin that threatened to destroy me there. But He didn't just take those sins to the cross. When He went to the cross He took all our sins. All of them!
He wants us to experience complete redemption. Just as I would never dream of returning to the life I lived then - it is completely behind me- my life restored- Jesus wants the same for me in other areas where I struggle. Areas like apathy, discontentment, feelings of being overwhelmed & frustrated, anger, depression, & fear. He has redeemed it all!
Why would I continue to wallow in these when they were also nailed to the cross?"
This really spoke to me. I even momentarily thought about sharing it with the congregation. But I didn't. (During our worship time, if people feel they have a word from God to share, they can approach one of the ministry leaders. They give them a brief synopsis of what they would like to say so the ministry leader can assess if it is something biblical & not completely off the wall. Then they signal the worship leader that someone wants to share. They pause the music while that person shares with the congregation).
As I wrote those words and for a while afterward is was a physical experience too. I could feel such a powerful sense of peace & relaxation. I told John I even felt a little tingly. That experience really had me thinking this past week. As a matter of fact, as I was writing just now I thought, "Why have I only been thinking about this over the week? Why haven't I claimed it? So, just now I prayed and claimed this word as a promise from God. And, I accepted it as a gift of redemption from all that holds me back from Him and the life that He would have me live.
So in many ways that previous Sunday had prepared me for the message this Sunday about fasting. Here's what the pastor had to say about fasting...
-Fasting deals with our distractions and helps us focus on God. Faith increases.
-Fasting often brings about breakthroughs and helps us to find freedom & clarity in situations we have struggled with a long time.
-Just as we fast before a medical surgery, so we should fast before a 'surgery' on our spirit. He shared these verses from Hebrews 4:12 & 13
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword; it penetrates even to dividing soul & spirit, joints & marrow; it judges the thoughts & attitudes of the heart.
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered & laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."
And as I prepare for a season of fasting, I plan to do that - to lay myself bare.
Here are some steps that he suggested we take during a season of fasting...
1. Hold struggles & burdens out to God in prayer. Ask God what to focus on during the fast.
2. Seek the Lord about the fast (what type of fasting should I do?). Ask what He will give me the grace to do.
3. Agree with God about the fast.
4. Write a fasting plan for each day of the week. Include what you will focus on in prayer that day, verses to read, etc.
5. Consciously surrender yourself to the Lord.
6. Declare why you are fasting.
7. Keep a journal.
8. Know that you will be tempted to break your fast. Jesus was & so will you.
9. Read your Bible while you are fasting. Isaiah 58 is a great passage to read.
10, Set apart times too pray when fasting.
Tomorrow I will share what type of fast I feel called to. It's not a 'complete fast'...in that I will not be giving up food entirely. More to come!
Monday, February 24, 2014
Downton Abbey! I miss you already!
I'm finding through recent comments & posts on Facebook that you either love Downton Abbey or you don't get it. I fall in the the LOVE category. I was a latecomer to the show. I heard a bit about it during Season 1 & 2 and decided to see what all the hoopla was about. I caught up with Seasons 1-3 through Netflix & DVD's borrowed from the library. Season 4 was the first season I watched on tv as it was being aired. I loved having something to look forward to on Sunday evenings ( I think the last time I had a show that I looked forward to watching each week was when 'Friends' was on the air. Yeah. It was that long ago). So, I'm sad the the season is over already. It was too short!
Last night I laughed OUT LOUD several times. I almost never do that while watching tv or movies. Here were some of my favorite parts of last night's episode...
-Carson's face when the young American valet asked if he could speak to him 'man to man' in hopes of getting some information about Daisy. Oh dear Carson! He looked so horrified.
- Daisy's response when the American valet asked her if she was excited about the upcoming events in the house. "I'm never excited." she replied.
-Any scene with the Dowager Countess & Mrs. Crawley is always fabulous. Their conversations are just hilarious. I love that the show has developed their relationship from merely being bickering biddies with very different outlooks on life to the obvious respect & affection they have for each other despite their differences.
-Mr. Carson & Mrs. Hughes sweet interaction at the beach & holding hands while walking into the water.
A couple other thoughts....
- Have you ever noticed that everyone has impeccable posture? The women in particular are always straight as a pin whether they are sitting or standing.
-Will poor Edith ever find happiness? I'm curious to see how the storyline will play out when her secret child is brought closer to home & is living on the estate with the pig farmer's family.
-Was anyone else annoyed that they skipped ahead 8 MONTHS from the previous episode to last night's? I know they've made dramatic skips in time between seasons, but it seemed a bit much for between episodes. We never even got to see Edith looking pregnant. There was a lot of story development that could have happened.
-A lot of new characters were introduced last night & I had to play close attention to keep track of who was who & how they were connected to the other characters & story lines.
What were some of your favorite parts from last night's episode?
I had Downton Abbey so much on my brain last night that I was dreaming Downton Abbey the whole night. Even the show's music soundtrack was playing through my sleeping head. I had a rather bizarre dream with Lady Mary in it. Except Lady Mary looked nothing like herself. Instead of a filmy, elegant & exquisite dress she was wearing a hideous 80s version of the drop waist dress with large shoulderpads. And, instead of a fabulous 20s hairstyle she had 80's feathered back hair. Also, she wasn't the waif-like creature that she is in the show. In my dream she was rather....plump.
Last night I laughed OUT LOUD several times. I almost never do that while watching tv or movies. Here were some of my favorite parts of last night's episode...
-Carson's face when the young American valet asked if he could speak to him 'man to man' in hopes of getting some information about Daisy. Oh dear Carson! He looked so horrified.
- Daisy's response when the American valet asked her if she was excited about the upcoming events in the house. "I'm never excited." she replied.
-Any scene with the Dowager Countess & Mrs. Crawley is always fabulous. Their conversations are just hilarious. I love that the show has developed their relationship from merely being bickering biddies with very different outlooks on life to the obvious respect & affection they have for each other despite their differences.
-Mr. Carson & Mrs. Hughes sweet interaction at the beach & holding hands while walking into the water.
A couple other thoughts....
- Have you ever noticed that everyone has impeccable posture? The women in particular are always straight as a pin whether they are sitting or standing.
-Will poor Edith ever find happiness? I'm curious to see how the storyline will play out when her secret child is brought closer to home & is living on the estate with the pig farmer's family.
-Was anyone else annoyed that they skipped ahead 8 MONTHS from the previous episode to last night's? I know they've made dramatic skips in time between seasons, but it seemed a bit much for between episodes. We never even got to see Edith looking pregnant. There was a lot of story development that could have happened.
-A lot of new characters were introduced last night & I had to play close attention to keep track of who was who & how they were connected to the other characters & story lines.
What were some of your favorite parts from last night's episode?
I had Downton Abbey so much on my brain last night that I was dreaming Downton Abbey the whole night. Even the show's music soundtrack was playing through my sleeping head. I had a rather bizarre dream with Lady Mary in it. Except Lady Mary looked nothing like herself. Instead of a filmy, elegant & exquisite dress she was wearing a hideous 80s version of the drop waist dress with large shoulderpads. And, instead of a fabulous 20s hairstyle she had 80's feathered back hair. Also, she wasn't the waif-like creature that she is in the show. In my dream she was rather....plump.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Slow & Steady
"Slow & steady wins the race, right? Years & years (since I was a preteen!) of being on the weight loss/weight gain yo-yo ride has been discouraging & terrible for my overall health & well-being.
I've determined that I don't want to try any sort of weight loss methods that aren't going to have lasting results. I truly, truly want to change the way I think about food, act around food, the way I live. When I look at all the changes I can and/or should make for a healthier lifestyle it is so overwhelming.
My past method has been to jump all in, be really gung ho for a couple weeks (or in my best efforts, a few months) and then not be able to keep it up, make a few mistakes & throw in the towel completely. I've been an all or nothing kind of gal. The problem is, all or nothing doesn't work for me. I can't live that way. I need to ease into things a bit.
So, I've decided I'm going to start slow. I'm going to tackle one goal at a time. And, hopefully I can make some real, lasting changes. My first goal? To stop my night-time snacking. This is by far one of my biggest weaknesses...and honestly I think a lot of my weight gain recently has been because of this area.
And, I've been trying to keep this verse in mind when those night-time cravings hit (and they sure do hit hard!)..."For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7). Combining that knowledge & promise along with thinking about how much better I feel when I wake up in the morning without the bloat of night-time eating, I can usually hang on through those cravings. Continuing to pray for the strength in this area!"
This was a post I made on Facebook this week. And, I wanted to record it here so that I'd be able to come back & look at it when I needed to remind myself of my goals.
I actually started with another goal that I didn't mention in this particular post. That first goal was to make it a daily habit to spend time with God...in prayer, in reading His word, in worship. This, has been a really, really hard thing for me over the years. I'm not sure why. But, I go through seasons of hungering for His Word, and then longer seasons of spiritual dryness and spiritual apathy.
I had been in another rather long dry season. Oh, I was still going to church & feeling the presence of God & knowing I wanted more of Him. But, during the week I'd get so caught up in everything that needed done, or distracted by 'more interesting' things...like tv, the internet, etc that I really didn't spend time with God other than to throw out quick prayers now & then or occasionally listen to the Christian radio station. But, it wasn't enough.
I'm not sure what signaled a change in me recently. I guess it began around the time that I joined a group of women who were watching the video series that accompanied the book 'Made to Crave'. I had read about half of the book well over a year ago and came away somewhat discouraged actually. But, I thought maybe I wasn't reading the author's intent properly...and maybe seeing her speak would bring clarity.
The whole premise of the book & the video series is that we have a spiritual yearning & need for God. But, oftentimes we try to fill that spiritual need with other things....in this case, food specifically. I knew this to be true. And, I really felt like my first step at making any changes whatsoever HAD to be making time for God. Before I jumped into any other aspect of lifestyle changes related to healthier eating I HAD to tackle this issue first.
The first thing I did was write down 4 immediate goals...the idea was to tackle one a week. Those were...
1. Time with God each day. Even though the same time of day doesn't always work each day, I wanted to find a portion of time each day where I could read the Word & pray. I also didn't give myself a specific amount of time. I wanted to set easy, simple goals. The fewer parameters I put on myself, the less likely I was to fail. So, some days I've really gotten into my quiet time and have gone half and hour...even up to an hour. Other days it's been less...maybe 10 minutes or so. And, that's ok. I just try to find a time when no-one is around because I like to read the Bible out loud & I like to pray out loud. I find I'm able to concentrate & focus better that way & I find it feels more like I'm really communicating with God instead of it all just being in my head.
2. Night-time snacking. That's the main one I addressed in my Facebook post. But, I didn't feel like I could even begin to start that one until I had #1 under my belt. And, you know what, it hasn't been as difficult as I thought it might be. The first couple nights were rough. Man those cravings hit me hard! But, when I thought about how good I would feel the next morning if I didn't snack I was able to hold on. Also, I've found that having a good book to read instead of just passively watching tv has helped me keep my mind off food.
3. Water. I'm pretty good about drinking water throughout the day. I always have a glass of water sitting on the kitchen counter. But, I want to be more conscious of drinking even more.
4. Movement. I want to do something each day to get my body moving more...whether it be taking a walk, sledding with my boys, playing Wii boxing, dancing. I want to do something to get my heart rate up a bit. Notice I did NOT call it exercise. Exercise sounds so formal and...well, intimidating. But, movement I can do.
So, I'm on items 1 & 2 right now. And, I'm pleased with how it's going. I'm not seeing a change in my weight yet. But, I FEEL better. And, I'm going with that. I'm keeping in mind that the ultimate goal is lasting changes. And to get there, it has to feel natural. For it to feel natural, it will take time.
I've determined that I don't want to try any sort of weight loss methods that aren't going to have lasting results. I truly, truly want to change the way I think about food, act around food, the way I live. When I look at all the changes I can and/or should make for a healthier lifestyle it is so overwhelming.
My past method has been to jump all in, be really gung ho for a couple weeks (or in my best efforts, a few months) and then not be able to keep it up, make a few mistakes & throw in the towel completely. I've been an all or nothing kind of gal. The problem is, all or nothing doesn't work for me. I can't live that way. I need to ease into things a bit.
So, I've decided I'm going to start slow. I'm going to tackle one goal at a time. And, hopefully I can make some real, lasting changes. My first goal? To stop my night-time snacking. This is by far one of my biggest weaknesses...and honestly I think a lot of my weight gain recently has been because of this area.
And, I've been trying to keep this verse in mind when those night-time cravings hit (and they sure do hit hard!)..."For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7). Combining that knowledge & promise along with thinking about how much better I feel when I wake up in the morning without the bloat of night-time eating, I can usually hang on through those cravings. Continuing to pray for the strength in this area!"
This was a post I made on Facebook this week. And, I wanted to record it here so that I'd be able to come back & look at it when I needed to remind myself of my goals.
I actually started with another goal that I didn't mention in this particular post. That first goal was to make it a daily habit to spend time with God...in prayer, in reading His word, in worship. This, has been a really, really hard thing for me over the years. I'm not sure why. But, I go through seasons of hungering for His Word, and then longer seasons of spiritual dryness and spiritual apathy.
I had been in another rather long dry season. Oh, I was still going to church & feeling the presence of God & knowing I wanted more of Him. But, during the week I'd get so caught up in everything that needed done, or distracted by 'more interesting' things...like tv, the internet, etc that I really didn't spend time with God other than to throw out quick prayers now & then or occasionally listen to the Christian radio station. But, it wasn't enough.
I'm not sure what signaled a change in me recently. I guess it began around the time that I joined a group of women who were watching the video series that accompanied the book 'Made to Crave'. I had read about half of the book well over a year ago and came away somewhat discouraged actually. But, I thought maybe I wasn't reading the author's intent properly...and maybe seeing her speak would bring clarity.
The whole premise of the book & the video series is that we have a spiritual yearning & need for God. But, oftentimes we try to fill that spiritual need with other things....in this case, food specifically. I knew this to be true. And, I really felt like my first step at making any changes whatsoever HAD to be making time for God. Before I jumped into any other aspect of lifestyle changes related to healthier eating I HAD to tackle this issue first.
The first thing I did was write down 4 immediate goals...the idea was to tackle one a week. Those were...
1. Time with God each day. Even though the same time of day doesn't always work each day, I wanted to find a portion of time each day where I could read the Word & pray. I also didn't give myself a specific amount of time. I wanted to set easy, simple goals. The fewer parameters I put on myself, the less likely I was to fail. So, some days I've really gotten into my quiet time and have gone half and hour...even up to an hour. Other days it's been less...maybe 10 minutes or so. And, that's ok. I just try to find a time when no-one is around because I like to read the Bible out loud & I like to pray out loud. I find I'm able to concentrate & focus better that way & I find it feels more like I'm really communicating with God instead of it all just being in my head.
2. Night-time snacking. That's the main one I addressed in my Facebook post. But, I didn't feel like I could even begin to start that one until I had #1 under my belt. And, you know what, it hasn't been as difficult as I thought it might be. The first couple nights were rough. Man those cravings hit me hard! But, when I thought about how good I would feel the next morning if I didn't snack I was able to hold on. Also, I've found that having a good book to read instead of just passively watching tv has helped me keep my mind off food.
3. Water. I'm pretty good about drinking water throughout the day. I always have a glass of water sitting on the kitchen counter. But, I want to be more conscious of drinking even more.
4. Movement. I want to do something each day to get my body moving more...whether it be taking a walk, sledding with my boys, playing Wii boxing, dancing. I want to do something to get my heart rate up a bit. Notice I did NOT call it exercise. Exercise sounds so formal and...well, intimidating. But, movement I can do.
So, I'm on items 1 & 2 right now. And, I'm pleased with how it's going. I'm not seeing a change in my weight yet. But, I FEEL better. And, I'm going with that. I'm keeping in mind that the ultimate goal is lasting changes. And to get there, it has to feel natural. For it to feel natural, it will take time.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
My Proverbial Wake Up Calll
I debated on whether or not I was going to share this because I'm kinda embarrassed & sobered all at the same time. Last night I went to the ER because of severe chest pains. I thought I might be having a heart attack.
The pain came on suddenly around 7 & was quite intense. Friends of ours had just arrived for our small group Bible Study. One moment I was talking & smiling and the next this sharp pain hit me out of the blue. It was on the left side of my chest & radiated down my arm. I tried to keep smiling and talking, but the sharp pain kept returning. Finally I pulled John aside and told him I was having really bad chest pains & I needed to go upstairs & lay down for a minute. When I lay down it was a duller pain, but it never went away. When I stood up or moved around I'd have sharp, stabbing pains again.. I was a little freaked out.
After laying down for a few minutes I decided to just try to suck it up and go back downstairs and be with our group. I felt silly & I didn't want to draw attention to myself and wanted to try to proceed with the evening as normal. I tried sitting & interacting, but the pain came back with a vengeance & I couldn't concentrate on anything being said. My one friend noticed that something seemed wrong. They prayed for me. And another gal, who is a nurse, even took my blood pressure (It was normal). After everyone left, I lay down some more while John got the boys ready for bed.
I had a really hard time deciding whether or not to go to the ER because I hoped it was just a fluke & I didn't want to go in unnecessarily. But, at the same time, I didn't want to just poopoo it in the event it was something serious. Not to sound melodramatic, but I definitely considered how important it is for my four little boys to have their mom. So reluctantly I had John take me in. His sister (who lives next door) came over & stayed with the boys.
After an EKG, chest xray, & blood work all the results came back normal. When the doctor came back to talk to me, he asked if I had done any strenuous activity lately. At that point I already had been given some pain medication & a relaxant. I was feeling pretty mellow & was really tired. I wasn't thinking too clearly & I couldn't think of anything unusual I had done. The doctor felt that the issue was probably muscular. And, he told me that I should take pain medicine as necessary & follow up in a couple days with my family doctor.
It wasn't until I got home that I remembered that I had gone sledding with the boys the day before & done some light shoveling. The part that really perplexed me, & still does, is that I hadn't had any pain or soreness prior to last night. And, it come on suddenly & acutely. The thought that it could be stress related also occurred to me. I love my boys fiercely, but raising four boys age 10 & under is sometimes loud, chaotic, messy business. And, we're all kind on top of each other during these winter months in our little house. In addition, John & I have been under some financial strain & the weight of multiple responsibilities weighs on both of us.
Anyway. Why am I sharing all this? Well, as I mentioned, in addition to being embarrassed for going into the ER thinking I was possibly having a heart attack & finding out it was probably only muscle spasms, it also got me thinking again about my health.
I hated having to admit my weight to the nurse last night when she asked my height & weight. I know I'm not as healthy as I can be. And, I know I'm overweight. I want to be an active mom with my boys. And I still want to be active and healthy when I hopefully someday have grandkids.
I am beyond frustrated with the yo-yo effect I've experienced with weight loss over the course of most of my life. I am beyond frustrated that I can't seem to gain any self-control in this area of food. And, I'm beyond frustrated with how quickly I can feel my body aging & failing me.
I know lots of folks have tried lots of different programs that have helped them lose weight. I have had many friends share their success stories that they've had with some of these different programs. But, none of those programs feels right for me. As beneficial as some people have found it, I just don't want to take dietary aids, drink shakes, do cleanses, count calories religiously or use any other point system involving food. I just want to learn how to eat food like a normal, healthy person. I want to learn how to LIVE.
So, while this wasn't a heart attack, I was sobered last night because I know that someday it COULD be. If I don't take care of myself I'm inviting a whole host of health issues to take root. When I was younger, I could ignore all that. I still felt invincible. The older I become the more aware I am of how fragile the balance is & how much of a blessing good health is.
Last night was my wake up call. I just need to figure out what's next.
The pain came on suddenly around 7 & was quite intense. Friends of ours had just arrived for our small group Bible Study. One moment I was talking & smiling and the next this sharp pain hit me out of the blue. It was on the left side of my chest & radiated down my arm. I tried to keep smiling and talking, but the sharp pain kept returning. Finally I pulled John aside and told him I was having really bad chest pains & I needed to go upstairs & lay down for a minute. When I lay down it was a duller pain, but it never went away. When I stood up or moved around I'd have sharp, stabbing pains again.. I was a little freaked out.
After laying down for a few minutes I decided to just try to suck it up and go back downstairs and be with our group. I felt silly & I didn't want to draw attention to myself and wanted to try to proceed with the evening as normal. I tried sitting & interacting, but the pain came back with a vengeance & I couldn't concentrate on anything being said. My one friend noticed that something seemed wrong. They prayed for me. And another gal, who is a nurse, even took my blood pressure (It was normal). After everyone left, I lay down some more while John got the boys ready for bed.
I had a really hard time deciding whether or not to go to the ER because I hoped it was just a fluke & I didn't want to go in unnecessarily. But, at the same time, I didn't want to just poopoo it in the event it was something serious. Not to sound melodramatic, but I definitely considered how important it is for my four little boys to have their mom. So reluctantly I had John take me in. His sister (who lives next door) came over & stayed with the boys.
After an EKG, chest xray, & blood work all the results came back normal. When the doctor came back to talk to me, he asked if I had done any strenuous activity lately. At that point I already had been given some pain medication & a relaxant. I was feeling pretty mellow & was really tired. I wasn't thinking too clearly & I couldn't think of anything unusual I had done. The doctor felt that the issue was probably muscular. And, he told me that I should take pain medicine as necessary & follow up in a couple days with my family doctor.
It wasn't until I got home that I remembered that I had gone sledding with the boys the day before & done some light shoveling. The part that really perplexed me, & still does, is that I hadn't had any pain or soreness prior to last night. And, it come on suddenly & acutely. The thought that it could be stress related also occurred to me. I love my boys fiercely, but raising four boys age 10 & under is sometimes loud, chaotic, messy business. And, we're all kind on top of each other during these winter months in our little house. In addition, John & I have been under some financial strain & the weight of multiple responsibilities weighs on both of us.
Anyway. Why am I sharing all this? Well, as I mentioned, in addition to being embarrassed for going into the ER thinking I was possibly having a heart attack & finding out it was probably only muscle spasms, it also got me thinking again about my health.
I hated having to admit my weight to the nurse last night when she asked my height & weight. I know I'm not as healthy as I can be. And, I know I'm overweight. I want to be an active mom with my boys. And I still want to be active and healthy when I hopefully someday have grandkids.
I am beyond frustrated with the yo-yo effect I've experienced with weight loss over the course of most of my life. I am beyond frustrated that I can't seem to gain any self-control in this area of food. And, I'm beyond frustrated with how quickly I can feel my body aging & failing me.
I know lots of folks have tried lots of different programs that have helped them lose weight. I have had many friends share their success stories that they've had with some of these different programs. But, none of those programs feels right for me. As beneficial as some people have found it, I just don't want to take dietary aids, drink shakes, do cleanses, count calories religiously or use any other point system involving food. I just want to learn how to eat food like a normal, healthy person. I want to learn how to LIVE.
So, while this wasn't a heart attack, I was sobered last night because I know that someday it COULD be. If I don't take care of myself I'm inviting a whole host of health issues to take root. When I was younger, I could ignore all that. I still felt invincible. The older I become the more aware I am of how fragile the balance is & how much of a blessing good health is.
Last night was my wake up call. I just need to figure out what's next.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Snow Day
However, this morning as I looked at the snow & I felt the excitement of my children...SNOW and a DAY OFF....I thought about the kind of mom I want to be, the kind of mom I often think about. I want to be a fun mom. Do you know that it's probably been years since I actually went out and PLAYED in the snow with my boys. Oh, I've stood there & watched sometimes or ran outside to snap a few pictures, but usually I just watch from the kitchen window inside my nice, warm house.
I recently read a story that someone had linked to on Facebook. I won't go through the whole story here. But suffice to say it was one of those that are touching...and maybe just a little sappy. But, the part of the story that really stuck with me was a mom who decided to run & dance in the rain with her daughter. I want to be the kind of mom who dances in the rain with her children. Or for that matter, who plays in the snow & screams her head off while sledding down the hill with them.
So what was I waiting for?
I threw on my boots & put a pair of sweat pants over my jeans because I don't have a proper pair of snowpants. Thankfully I DO have a good winter jacket my parents bought me for Christmas a couple years back. I couldn't find my hat & gloves so I grabbed an extra hat & pair of gloves that belong to my boys (Ugh! How are they big enough that I can wear some of their things now?) And out I went.
A couple of my boys were already planning to head out again. Another one was planning on staying in for a bit. He had just come back inside. But, when I announced that I was heading out with them, there was a bit of disbelief at first. But, then they ALL ran for their snow stuff to head outside with Mom.
I sledded with each of them. I screamed like a crazy woman going down the hill. I got cold & wet. My non-snowpant covered bottom was freezing. I just hung out with my boys. I thought about taking out a camera to capture 'fun in the snow' moments. But, I decided instead just to be out there with them. In the moment.
And, I gotta say, it was pretty cool.
Friday, January 3, 2014
A Fresh Start
Happy New Year. I hope everyone had a truly blessed Christmas.
I've been thinking about this coming year & some things I want to accomplish or change. I'm really terrible at resolutions because I usually fall off the bandwagon so quickly...and can't even remember what I resolved a couple months into the year. So, these aren't resolutions per se but these are some areas I want to be more intentional about this year....
1. Get healthier. Eat better. Exercise more (anything is more than not at all!). I've gained all the weight back that I lost a couple years ago...plus some. I feel uncomfortable & lethargic most of the time. My father was just diagnosed with diabetes and I found out that diabetes runs on his side of the family ( didn't know this before). It's time for me to take my health more seriously before I have a serious health problem.
2. Less time on Facebook. Facebook has been both a blessing and a curse. It has been an outlet for me & a way to stay connected. As a stay at home mom I often feel somewhat isolated. I enjoy the interaction that Facebook allows. And, I've gotten to know people better through Facebook. But Facebook has it's negatives too. First of all, it can become a cop-out for real face to face interactions with friends. It pulls me away from valuable time with my family & becomes a huge time-wasting distraction. And, I end up spending way too much time following links & reading things that just break my heart & make me wonder what is happening to humanity. ( Even positive article links usually contain vile, hateful comments in the online comments section).
So, I'm not abandoning Facebook altogether. I still think it can be a valuable tool. But, I don't want to let it control my time, my relationships, and my emotions any more.
3. I want to become more hospitable. I have used the excuse that our home is small & not conducive to entertaining as an excuse not to have people over. I guess I've worried that people wouldn't WANT to come if they will feel cramped. Well, our home IS small. But, I love the idea of hostessing more. So, this year I want to turn it into reality. Granted I can't have large dinner parties or other huge events. But, I can have people over for coffee or dessert. I can start small.
4. Become better organized. This is a tough one for me. And, I could go on and on about this topic. But, what it comes down to is that I feel better when I feel more organized & less cluttered or scattered. I want to take areas in my home in small chunks this year & slowly work toward having a more organized home. I will never be like some of my Type A or OCD friends. But, that's ok. I think sometimes I've held that in my mind as the standard & it seem so completely unattainable to me. So, I had kinda given up hope. But, I don't have to meet someone else's standard. I just would like our home to be warm, inviting, & manageable.
5. Get to know God better. Explore, Read, Pray, Question, & Meditate on Who He is. It might seem an odd one for someone who accepted Jesus into her life at a very young age. And, although I fell away for almost a whole decade (in my 20s), I came out of that time with a better understanding of Grace. But, I feel like I'm still just scratching the surface. And, I've been really searching in the last couple years. I want my Faith to be more than just surface deep. In this changing world, my Faith HAS to be more than surface deep to survive. I want to hide the Word of God deep in my heart & mind & soul. And, I want to be more than just a nominal Christian. I want to understand what it means to be an ambassador of the Father's radical love.
Oh, and I'd like to start blogging again more regularly. :) What are some things you want to do in this coming year?
I've been thinking about this coming year & some things I want to accomplish or change. I'm really terrible at resolutions because I usually fall off the bandwagon so quickly...and can't even remember what I resolved a couple months into the year. So, these aren't resolutions per se but these are some areas I want to be more intentional about this year....
1. Get healthier. Eat better. Exercise more (anything is more than not at all!). I've gained all the weight back that I lost a couple years ago...plus some. I feel uncomfortable & lethargic most of the time. My father was just diagnosed with diabetes and I found out that diabetes runs on his side of the family ( didn't know this before). It's time for me to take my health more seriously before I have a serious health problem.
2. Less time on Facebook. Facebook has been both a blessing and a curse. It has been an outlet for me & a way to stay connected. As a stay at home mom I often feel somewhat isolated. I enjoy the interaction that Facebook allows. And, I've gotten to know people better through Facebook. But Facebook has it's negatives too. First of all, it can become a cop-out for real face to face interactions with friends. It pulls me away from valuable time with my family & becomes a huge time-wasting distraction. And, I end up spending way too much time following links & reading things that just break my heart & make me wonder what is happening to humanity. ( Even positive article links usually contain vile, hateful comments in the online comments section).
So, I'm not abandoning Facebook altogether. I still think it can be a valuable tool. But, I don't want to let it control my time, my relationships, and my emotions any more.
3. I want to become more hospitable. I have used the excuse that our home is small & not conducive to entertaining as an excuse not to have people over. I guess I've worried that people wouldn't WANT to come if they will feel cramped. Well, our home IS small. But, I love the idea of hostessing more. So, this year I want to turn it into reality. Granted I can't have large dinner parties or other huge events. But, I can have people over for coffee or dessert. I can start small.
4. Become better organized. This is a tough one for me. And, I could go on and on about this topic. But, what it comes down to is that I feel better when I feel more organized & less cluttered or scattered. I want to take areas in my home in small chunks this year & slowly work toward having a more organized home. I will never be like some of my Type A or OCD friends. But, that's ok. I think sometimes I've held that in my mind as the standard & it seem so completely unattainable to me. So, I had kinda given up hope. But, I don't have to meet someone else's standard. I just would like our home to be warm, inviting, & manageable.
5. Get to know God better. Explore, Read, Pray, Question, & Meditate on Who He is. It might seem an odd one for someone who accepted Jesus into her life at a very young age. And, although I fell away for almost a whole decade (in my 20s), I came out of that time with a better understanding of Grace. But, I feel like I'm still just scratching the surface. And, I've been really searching in the last couple years. I want my Faith to be more than just surface deep. In this changing world, my Faith HAS to be more than surface deep to survive. I want to hide the Word of God deep in my heart & mind & soul. And, I want to be more than just a nominal Christian. I want to understand what it means to be an ambassador of the Father's radical love.
Oh, and I'd like to start blogging again more regularly. :) What are some things you want to do in this coming year?
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