In The World But Not Of It

Our world is spiraling crazily out of control.  Would you agree?  It seems you can't look at the news without learning about something horrific that someone has done to someone else.  And, society's values have become so twisted & convoluted, you hardly know which end is up anymore. Half truths & false morality are everywhere.

It's enough to make a Christian want to hide their head in the sand. 

I've been thinking a lot about this issue of 'in the world, but not of it' lately and what our response should be to a world that is so sick and lost.  Having grown up in & having lived in a very conservative area for my whole life, I've seen some very different responses to this issue.  One common response is for those in the conservative Christian community to pull back completely from those 'of the world'.  There is a real separation.  And, on the occasions they need to interact with those outside their community, they will be cordial but not necessarily friendly.

Then, there are others who live a more balanced response....taking care about where they go & the influences they surround themselves with, but still reaching out to others and interacting with a genuine and warm friendliness.

Growing up I remember being taught in Sunday school class, as we neared middle school & high school age, the importance of choosing Christian friends.  I also remember being warned about the dangers of having non-Christian friends....and that we should not be 'unequally yoked'. 

As an adult I look back on that, and while I understand why the adults would have wanted to shield and protect us children, I question the validity of the approach.  First, looking to Jesus as an example of how we should live our lives, I see that He was not afraid to interact with those that the Jewish community scorned & avoided.  There's a pretty powerful statement about our expected response right there!

Then, I looked in the concordance in the back of my Bible.  It's lists key words in scripture, the verse references for where those words are used, and a snippet of that verse.  So, this is what jumps out at me as I look under World/Worldly.....

Psalm 50:12 - ...for the world is mine, and all that is in it
Matthew 5:14 - ."You are the light of the world...."
Mark 15:15 - ....into all the world and preach the good.....
John 3:16 - .....so loved the world that he gave his one....

Of course there are also verses that refer to the foolishness of the world and the judgement that awaits it.  But, it seems clear that God's desire is for those in the world to be saved.

"...'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live'..."  Ezekiel 33:11

And, how do we take a message of hope and love and mercy to the world?  Not by building walls around ourselves I don't think.  Wear our spiritual armor....absolutely!  But, in order to truly reach those around us, we have to be there and involved, on a deep level.

We have to be willing to enter in to other people's messes.  We have to be willing to get a little dirty without worrying about soiling our holy robes.  When you think about those in the pit of despair and sin, who is going to be more effective in reaching them?  Those who stand at the top of the pit and yell down 'You better get out of there!', or worse, just walk by & shake their heads?  Or those who climb down in the pit and help the wounded soul climb back out? 

I'm talking to myself here as much as anyone else.  This is something I continue to struggle with.  Something that is a lot easier to write about than it is to live out.  And, I'll be the first to admit that I find myself making unspoken judgements about people all the time.  It's so easy to look at mistakes someone else is making and shake my mental head.

To love.  To really love a broken world the way Jesus loved it is so much harder.  Lord help me.  Help your Church. 

You Can Check Out My Latest Project And My New Blog....Simultaneously!

Well, I figured I better christen my new blog, My Furniture Obsession, with an actual post.  So, I put my latest project, a refurbished dresser/buffet there.  The blog still needs a lot of work.  I've literally done nothing other than write my first post.  But, I'd be just tickled if you went and took a look!

My First Post!  Dresser Makeover

Why I'm Not Reading This Book

I've heard some buzz about this book called 50 Shades of Gray by E.L. James.  And, I know some Christian women who are reading it or who have read it.  For those of you who aren't familiar with the book, it is a book that falls into the erotica genre and explores the world of sadism, masochism, & bondage. And, apparently a lot of women have become completely drawn into this book.

My cousin's wife posted a link to this article on Facebook today....

I'm Not Reading Fifty Shades of Grey by Dannah Gresh

Dannah sums up perfectly why I'm not reading the book.  Take a minute to read her post.  She speaks a lot of truth.  And, just in case you wanted a little more of my own opinion...here's what I commented on Facebook....

"Very interesting post. I only recently heard about this book because I know different folks who've been reading it. I looked into what it was about, and I'll admit it sounded like an interesting read, I knew it wouldn't be one I'd be picking up.

I'm not one of those Christian women who thinks I can only read Christian fiction. Truth be told, a lot of Christian fiction disappoints, and I think most secular fiction is actually better written. However, I've had to be careful about what I DO read because I can get images & thoughts stuck in my head for a very long time.

I picked up a book not too long ago that had wonderful reviews, what sounded like a really fabulous storyline that followed the lives of 2 sisters over 50 years. But, at the very beginning of the story was a very graphic, disturbing description of one of those sisters being molested by her stepfather. I had to stop reading. It just wasn't something I wanted in my head.

And, I think that's the main reason I won't be reading 50 Shades of Gray. God knows how powerful thoughts can be. He knows how our brains function. Philippians 4:8 sums up how we can discern what we should or shouldn't read or watch pretty clearly...."Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.""

And, finally, taken directly from the synopsis for the book on Amazon.com.......
".....Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever."

 And, I'm pretty sure that's exactly what I don't want.

Stairstep...tractors? And, a winner!

First of all, the lucky winner of the book Mom Connection is Chatty Mommy!  She was also the only entrant...so the odds were in her favor!  :)  Chatty Mommy, I will message you for contact info so I know where to send your book.

Second,  I had to share this picture....

Stairstep boys....on stairstep tractors

No.  We are not farmers.  But, these tractors are all part of our family.  Well,  three belong to my Father-in-law & one belongs to my husband.  Some people collect thimbles or ties.  Some people collect antique tractors.  Can you guess which category we fall into?

A Giveaway & Book Review!

Hi everyone!  I've gotten so caught up in my new little hobby/ side business of refinishing & reselling furniture that everything else (including blogging) has gotten pushed to the side.  I've been working hard & steady for about 3 weeks now & am very close to the original goal I set for how much I'd like to have set aside for our family vacation in October. 

Now that the initial excitement & push to really get started is over, I'm trying to set some realistic goals about how to continue this endeavor.  I still am having a blast and I definitely want to keep going.  I just know I need to find some balance (my house is a wreck, laundry is piled up, & I've had less time for family and friends).  So, I'm going to slow down a bit.

And, this seems like the perfect lead in to the book review I wanted to share with you.  Several weeks back I was given the opportunity from MOPS International to review a brand new book.  It is called Mom Connection: Creating Vibrant Relationships in the Midst of Motherhood by Tracey Bianchi.

This idea of finding balance or creating a rhythm in our lives, as Tracey puts it, is what struck me the most as I read this book.  She describes with charming humor the 'real' life of motherhood.  So often as mothers it's hard to see past the chaos and noise of the moment.  Her description of pre-dinnertime madness - that time between 4 & 6 p.m. had me laughing out loud. 

She writes,
"I trip over piles of shoes while trying to find homework sheets.  My baby girl poops and I keep saying, "Don't worry, Mama will change you."  And then forget instantly that she needs a diaper as I yank pots and pans out of cupboards and wish that I had paid some attention to Rachael Ray.  What's for dinner?  Day-old quesadillas and yogurt cry out to me from the fridge.........Whipping up dinner makes me an anxious, hot mess...." 

So how does one find that balance and rhythm?  Tracey is the first to admit that it's not easy and that it may even seem downright impossible or overwhelming.  But her book walks us through some solid, practical ways to slow down, reach out to others, and embrace our faith in God.  Each chapter ends with "5 Mom Tested Tips" - a.k.a practical applications to the ideas in that chapter.  And, she includes 'Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down" - 2 different questions to make you think a little deeper, as well as a list of resources. 

The part of this book I was especially excited to read was about connecting with others.  She includes connecting with our husbands in this.  But, I was really interested to hear what she had to say about connecting with other women.  Sometimes it feels like some friendships are in limbo during motherhood.  There just isn't the time to invest in my friendships that I once did.  And, making new friends seems almost completely overwhelming to me. 

One of my favorite things that Tracey said on this topic of developing friendships was this...."We needed time to build history together.", she says of a group of women she felt connections to but was still getting to know.  "So, take the risk to connect and then sit back and give that friendship the space and time it takes to grow."

I loved that!  I sometimes felt guilty or bad that, while I've met many women since becoming a mom, it's been hard for me to develop that closeness that I crave in these new friendships.  Part of it, I know, is me needing to reach out more & make time to spend with them.  But, part of it, too, is just that - the need for time.  Close friendships form over time. 

Tracey Bianchi's book is one that you should take the time to read.  She speaks with wit, truth, & grace.  And, don't all of us moms need each of those 3 things!? 

So, here's your chance!  I have one copy of the book to give away.  Leave me a comment below telling me one thing you've learned, or are learning, about staying connected with other during the busy years of motherhood.  The chance to enter will close on Saturday, (May 26) at midnight.  I'll pull one name in a drawing.  And, I'll announce the winner on Monday, May 28th!  Good luck!

Whimsical Dresser

Do you remember the turquoise piece I was painting that was sitting on my hillbilly porch.  Well, I'm finally able to reveal what I did.

I bought this dresser off Craigslist....

I committed a big furniture buying 'no no'.  I thought this was the cutest little dresser at a great price ($15), and so when I went to buy it I didn't check it out as carefully as I should have.  The piece was not solid wood (like I thought) & the drawer faces are actually plastic.  Hubby pointed all this out to me when he unloaded it from the van.

I figured this would be a good piece to experiment with.  So, I chose some colors & techniques that are out of my comfort zone.

Here's the result.....

I painted the dresser part turquoise blue.  The drawers & drawer pulls I painted dove grey.  Then I decoupaged a whimsical lime fabric on the raised part of the drawer faces. 

This project caused me a great deal of frustration.  It was a lot more work than I anticipated.  But, I think the finished product is cute.  Now we'll see if anyone from Craigslist agrees with me....

My Hillbilly Porch

My furniture obsession/ new enterprise has taken over my porch.  We might look a little hillbilly.....

If I just had a space to work/ store my finds it wouldn't have to be on the porch.  But, at least I'm giving my neighbors something to talk about.

Do you see the turquoise piece?  This is a color that's completely out of my comfort zone but I decided to give that paint color a try, plus I  have some special things planned.....You'll have to check back & see how it turns out.

By the way, I will be starting up a new blog (in addition to this one) called My Furniture Obsession.  I figured it would be an organizational tool for me in cataloging my furniture projects.  Stay tuned!