It's the small things

So in the midst of a crazy season - when I find myself flying down the freeway of life at breakneck speeds - it's then that I realize - it's the little things that matter.

Tonight my 7 year old daughter made her own Barbie Monopoly. Each property was defined by places or things that make sense in her little world. Property #1 - "Hannah Montana Van" - this is her most prized possession. It's big, purple, hideously ugly and by far the most enticing toy she owns. So it makes sense that it would be property #1!

Her other properties included Walmart & Costco (which I believe we spend entirely too much time at), Virginia City (a local town that is by far the biggest tourist attraction to the 'wild west' set), and in place of Broadway and Park Place were the "Swim Center" and "Waterslide".

It could have been so easy to overlook the value of this board game created by 4 1/4 sheets of binder paper all taped, stapled and glued together.

But the star of this story - as much as it may seem like my daughter - is my husband. He is the one who pointed out that this game was a keeper, that this game was a reflection of our 7 year old's little world. And in doing that - he caused me to take a moment to really pay attention, to come up for air, and just take a look at my surroundings. And while it was a small thing - to suggest we keep this made up board game - it was indeed, a very big thing.

Thank You

To those who have kissed their loved ones goodbye, only to wonder if they'll see them again - this side of heaven. To those who have given up hopes and dreams, home and things - to fight for our freedom. To those who have lay in a hospital bed, been bandaged, stitched, broken, not fully mended. To those who have held tight to secrets of fear, intimidation & loneliness in hopes of providing strength for their loved ones thousands of miles away. I say, THANK YOU.

Thank you for protecting my freedom to live my life. My freedom to worship God, my freedom to raise my children. My freedom to work where I choose. My freedom to wear what I wear. My freedom to marry whom I love. My freedom to vote, to think, to speak and to write.

Brent Yamada ● Ed Menezes ● Steve Kincade ● Louis D’Hondt ● Jennifer Abbott ● Ben Abbott ● Josh Nauman ● Nate Shaw ● Rudy Bisson ● Kirt Robinson ● Rudolph Bisson ● Charles Alkula ● Meredith Stringer ● Jason Meyer ● Steve Gardner ● Ryan Lacroix ● Elixabeth Lacroix ● Nathaniel Stamps ● Steve Lochridge ●Jason Noble ● Ron Rogers ● David Dirksen ● Aren Hansen ● Eric Vance ● Claude Johnson ● Tina Johnson ● Mark Kostelecky ● Lydia Woodbury ● Dean Woodbury ● Mark Bowers ● Patrick Cannon ● Pat Ryan ● Don Giard ● Vicki Giard ● Ron Giard ●And Countless Others...

Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for your bravery. Thank you for your selflessness. And a special thanks to your spouses who are a whole other type of veteran!

Go Vote

We are blessed to live in a nation with freedoms that we all too often took for granted. We have a right, a privilege and an obligation to vote. It breaks my heart to hear stories from people who believe it doesn't matter. It does! Get out there and vote today! Your vote counts!

Halloween

For the past 12 years - I have tried to hide from Halloween. It's evil. Or is it? Years ago, a wonderful friend of mine asked me why "we" (Christians) let the enemy have all the fame and glory on Halloween. Why not reclaim it for Christ? Hmm... what a clever thought!

So for a few years - our family did harvest parties. At churches. Because that's reclaiming the day for Christ right? A church spending copious amounts of money and resources so Christian kids can play games and get loads of candy. Well it may have been reclaiming the day for Christ on the church's behalf - but I have to be honest - it was not on mine. It was a safe hiding place. I never did anything unique or special to give God glory or to share Him with anyone - at these harvest parties.

This year is different, for a few reasons:

1. Our church isn't hosting a harvest party
   That is the sad truth... our church not hosting a harvest party is the catalyst for change. Nothing I did.
   
2. Our kids are older - they have an interest in some of the "creepy stuff"
   We have a 9 year old boy in the house. He owns sweatshirts, shoes, t-shirts and I'm guessing countless toys with skulls and crossbones. So how do I now tell him he can't do a skeleton on his pumpkin. Wait - when did a skeleton become evil anyhow?
   
3. God has planted a holy discontentment in my heart.
   After realizing our church wasn't hosting a party - He began to give me a holy discontentment towards my own view of Halloween. He's been teaching me in some subtle and some very direct ways that Halloween provides a unique opportunity to build community in our neighborhood. How many other times a year are you encouraged to go visit neighbors, unannounced and interact with them?

So what are we doing about it? We're going trick or treating! That's right. We're going trick or treating in our neighborhood. We're going to go be a part of our community. And next year - we're going to consider how we can make a difference for Christ - in a way that honors and pleases Him - but speaks the common language of our community. At this brainstorming stage - I am seeing a bounce house, disco ball, Toby Mac on the stereo and some seriously good - high quality candy. We'll be praying about it - seeking His will on how we're going to claim this day for Christ!

If I had the enthusiasm of barista...

Today I ran through the Starbucks drive-thru (a shock huh!). As the barista served my drink she pointed to a new product:

B: "Have you tried our new [product]"

T: "Yes", I wrinkled my nose (I always forget how expressive I am - until it's too late).

B:"What you didn't like it?" she genuinely continued "Why?"

T: "It tasted like [insert description]" **Note - at this point I was brutally honest about my experience with this product.

The barista was concerned that I'd had a negative experience. I mean really concerned. It was clear she loves this product, and she believes that everyone else will too. And so with all of her enthusiasm she asked me to stay put at the window as she ran off to find a free sample of this product. A moment later she brought the sample back along with a delicious sounding recipe for how to use it. And that's it - I all of a sudden, had a renewed interest in this product. I wanted to dash home and try it out.

This barista went above and beyond in making sure I knew about the product. She was unabashed about encouraging me to try it - and she was genuine in hearing why I didn't like it. There was no pride. My excuse didn't dissuade her from telling me more about it. She even offered me an alternative for the same product.

So it got me thinking... am I like that for Jesus? Now first off - I have to make it very clear. Jesus is everything, He is not just a product! But let's just consider for a moment, the passion held by this barista. And then ask - if she can be that passionate about a coffee shop product - then shouldn't I be a gazillion times (yes that is a real word - I looked it up in the urban dictionary) - as I was saying, shouldn't I be a gazillion times more passionate about Jesus?

I have to ask myself,

• When is the last time I unabashedly invited someone to church or told them about Jesus?
  
• When is the last time someone told me that tried church once and it was [..............] - and I truly listened?
• When is the last time I took what I heard about their previous experience at church - and offered encouragement for them to try it again - even if it's a different church, a different style but the same Jesus?
• When was the last time someone left a conversation with me feeling like they were heard? That they were cared for?
  
• When was the last time someone saw my passion for Jesus - and they caught it?
  

Hmmm... looks like I need to take notes from this passionate, unabashed barista. Maybe I'll go back there tomorrow - just for a little observation time... and if I pick up a latte - who can blame me?

Random

So I absolutely hate the movie "The Princess Bride" (I know - I can imagine the look on your face - I've seen it a thousand times when I tell someone this)... but in debating what to blog about - what lesson I've learned from life - I couldn't help but think... "Mawwiage..." and even I - being the #1 anti-Princess Bride proponent - had to look it up on youtube.



That's it. There was no actual point this - except the random thought that I had a freakish recall of the Princess bride.

Oh - and for those movie fanatics who are still hyperventilating over someone saying they hate this movie.... I've never seen Star Wars. And I don't ever intend to. Sorry.

10 things I love about ministry

I absolutely love what I do - and here's why:

10. I absolutely love knowing that what I am doing is for the greater good. It's not a prideful thing - it's not about making my mark. It's about knowing that the blood, sweat and tears (and all the joy too) - matter.

9. I love being in my sweet spot. For 29 years - I really had no idea what I was "good at". I mean I knew I could do this - and do that - but what my genuine gifts and talents were - I had no idea. Then God put me in this ministry role. And I am totally in my sweet spot. I love it! I love giving everything I have to serve Him at the fullest capacity.

8. I love needing God. Being in my sweet spot is a great experience - but the best part of it - is not being able to do it alone. He is regularly giving me new ideas, creativity and ingenuity. And I need it! I pray daily for Him to equip me. Because without His faithfulness to me - I wouldn't be able to do what I do. And I love that!

7. I love being on the team. Unlike in the "business" world - everyone I work with is on the same team. We all follow the same playbook (the Bible) - and we're all in it for the win!

6. I love submission. I do! I love working for leaders who are wise, seek godly counsel, have discernment, and a devotion to God. That means submitting to their authority is a blessing.

5. I love planning. Call me weird - or neurotic - but I love planning. Give me a Plan A, and I'm on board - but know that I'll be working on a Plan B in my head! And in ministry - this can be a great asset.

4. I love seeing other people discover their sweet spot. There is nothing like the overwhelming experience of discovering who/what God created you to be. And in my work - I often get to see people discover it. How awesome is that!

3. I love to have fun. And ministry is fun. In many ways - ministry is a thrill ride. You never know what's coming - it can be exhilarating.

2. I love the accountability. Not one person that I work with will allow me to settle for complacency. I love that when I am wrong - I am lovingly held accountable for it. And I am challenged to put God first in everything. And it shows when I don't - but my ministry family loves me through it - and redirects me when I need it.

1. The number one reason I love ministry... I love people. I love being a part of a team whose focus is to see lives changed. I love getting to hear stories of how God has changed someone's life. I love meeting new people at church and helping them grow roots. I love having the opportunity to put others first.

Notice It's easy is not one of these top 10! It's not. Ministry is hard. It can be very difficult at times, but it doesn't mean I don't love it!

Back to school shopping & customer service

I am a new forever fan of The Children's Place. Went back to school shopping. With 4 backpacks, 4 lunch boxes, 4 first day of school outfits, 4 pairs of jeans and two sweatshirts I hefted it all onto the register counter and jokingly asked for a "bulk discount" - they said "yeah - we can give you 15% off." (on top of the sale prices) I couldn't believe it! I was stunned. But that's not all...after leaving the mall we realized they forgot to ring up a pair of jeans. So back at the mall they gave us a 50% off the already 50% discounted price - for a grand total of $7.50!!! Now that's customer service!

Oh - and if you don't know - their backpacks and lunch boxes are the BEST. We've never thrown one out - even after being used for 2 years (and at $16.55 for both - it's a bargain you can't pass up)!



Roller Coaster Ride

These past two years have been... well quite the roller coaster. A year and a half ago, God was completing the final preparations to bring my husband, John to take a huge leap of faith. At the time we were engaged. He lived in North Carolina - I in Nevada. God was preparing him to quit his job as a licensed electrician, sell his house and move across the country, marry me and change careers. Obediently John did just that.

We were married in July. In September we announced the arrival of a baby, expected in April. Two weeks later, we lost the baby. John had a sure thing job. It fell through. He had another sure thing job. It fell through. And another. And it fell through. Our first year of marriage was a roller coaster of monster proportions. Our hopes soared high. And we experienced intense disappointments.

But we have never, ever, for one moment been apart from God's grip. There have been moments - when I have looked around at the storm surrounding us - and have begun to sink. But He has not let me drown. He has not let me become submerged. Every time - He has immediately reached out and grabbed me.

While it has not been easy - it has been a journey that has been necessary. God has taught me to rely on Him in new ways. He has taught me to trust Him. And He has taught me how compassionate, caring and loving He is. He has also knit my husband and I together tighter than we could have ever imaged - because our loving, faithful Father is at the center of our family. So for that I am grateful to have the opportunity to ride this wild ride.

In a funk

Have you ever been in auto-pilot and known it was time to hit the "off switch" but had a hard time finding it? I've had this experience before... and here I am again. It's a surreal sensation. I don't know what has brought it on, or what it will take to shake it. I do know that God is doing something though and it's only a matter of time before I'm recognize what it is that He is up to. And that revelation will be the "off switch" to the auto-pilot.

The Right Task vs. The Right People

This morning, on his blog, Tony Morgan discussed the difference between two types of leaders:

This post stands out out to me because I have had the privilege of learning from and working for both types of leaders. And I have grown from working for both types of leaders.

Working for a “Right Task” leader I grew: · Insecure: I knew if I did not measure up – my job [and therefore my self-image] was at risk · Afraid of Failure · Overwhelmed: The harder I worked, the more capacity I appeared to have – and the more work I was expected to accomplish · Dependent: I stopped thinking for myself. Once while working for a right – task leader, I came back from lunch to be met with a lecture informing me that I had put my paper clips in the wrong spot and that I was not to move them around again b/c if I did, this person would not be able to find them. I was expected to make sure every detail of my work life was a mirror image of this leader. · Boring: I stopped problem solving. I resorted to the method I was allowed to use, and stopped trying to think outside the box. And unfortunately so did everyone else who worked for this leader. This led to poor health, low morale, insecurity and frustration for everyone. · Exhausted: No matter how hard I worked – it simply wasn’t enough.

Working for a “Right People” leader I grew: · In knowledge: I was excited and willing to learn new things · In creativity: I learned to think outside the box, to view “problems” from different angles & enjoyed looking for solutions. · In faith: As I learned new things and tried attacking issues from new angles – I learned to rely on God more, for ideas, creativity and follow-through. · In confidence: I began to see my strengths, my gifts, and my talents at work the way God intended them to be – and was able to grow confident in what He created me to do. · As a team member: I could see my role on the team – that I was valued – that I was a part of the team – but that I was not the entire team by myself. · In satisfaction: I loved my job. That satisfaction by-far outweighed any financial compensation and drove me to work harder and smarter. · Energized: Being valued, and having a chance to use my gifts and talents gave me energy and drive. I was excited to do my work, and to do it well.

I am very privileged to work for nothing but "Right People" leaders now. Whether it's my direct supervisor, or a pastor - my "chain of command" at LifePoint Church is completely comprised of "Right People" leaders who take the time to examine God's gifting in each person - and encourage and love team members as they grow into God's potential for them. And that is just one of the many reasons I absolutely love my job!

Facing The Giant

This spring, my 8 year old son, Jonah (#23) played his first season of tackle football. Never before in my "career" as a mom had I experienced the pride, anxiety, excitement, and trepidation that came with watching him play. See Jonah's a little guy. I mean little. He's about 3 inches shorter than most of his classmates, (don't tell him I told you this) and he's so skinny he could still fit into toddler clothes. But that didn't stop him from being willing to take on the world of tackle football! You can only imagine our surprise at that first practice when we realized that he was not the smallest child on the team. Jesse (#24), was even smaller than Jonah; by at least a good 3 inches.

This little guy was tiny. He wore the smallest size football pants possible. His knee pads acted more as shin guards (his thigh pads as knee pads). What's amazing though is that his height difference didn't slow him down. At practice he would be one of the first out on the field ready to roll. Then the first game came along. There's Jesse on the field, excited. Ready to see some action - and onto the field, comes the other team. And there standing just a few yards away from him - ready to demolish him is a kid who must have been nearly 5 feet tall. So now we're talking more than a foot taller than Jesse. This kid is the tallest kid in the division, and here's Jesse facing him head on. From the sidelines, I heard Coach ask him "You ready?" to which Jesse replied "I'm freakin' out in here guys!" and then the whistle blew.

The quarterback snapped the ball - and the game was in play. Jesse played hard. I mean hard. He stood strong against his giant. He didn't let his guard down. And he made history for that team. As the smallest (and one of the most adorable) players in the league - Jesse set the standard for his entire team.

He was afraid - but he didn't back down. His bravery, loyalty and commitment overruled his fear. He faced his opponent with determination to claim the victory. I don't remember the score of that game - but I can tell you - Jesse claimed the victory on that field when he refused to back down.

So what/who is the giant you're facing? How often do you think inside "I'm freakin' out in here guys!" and then what do you do with it? See fear is just an emotion. A feeling. Our feelings are not wrong - but how we act on them - that's what counts! So next time I'm faced with fear, anxiety, uncertainty or any other feeling - I'm going to choose to stand my ground. Stay strong and act with courage. Just like Jesse did. I'm going to claim the victory!

Hello my name is...

I'm sitting at my 9 year old's swim lessons having a great conversation with another mom about the progress her daughter has made in swimming. We're having a great conversation when about halfway through the lesson another mom walks up to the bench this gal and I are sitting on and although she and I are clearly in a personal conversation - and in the middle of my sentence this other woman turns around and sits down in the 6 inch space between this gal and I.

I was shocked. I mean really - she didn't even bother to excuse herself before sitting right in the middle of our conversation? Odd. Rude. Down right intrusive. Now those who know me will attest my greatest strength is my greatest weakness - and my loudest - my big mouth. I sat back a few inches (she was nearly sitting on my hand) - and said "Excuse me" (Trying to not be rude, but still make a point). And without looking at me she says in a sarcastic tone "Thank you!"
This woman shows up every single day - late. She is not at all friendly. But I can deal with that. Here's where I cringe. She shows up wearing her name tag from work. And I don't mean an entry-level position. She's a professional. It is clear that in her line of work people skills matter. And my first thought is "I would never give her my business". All I know about her is that she has a son in swim lessons and that she is far from flexible, friendly or courteous. Now why would I give someone like that my business?

Now before you get all bent out of shape that all I do is complain on this blog... stop for a moment and hear me out. I am not saying I would not give her my business because she had a momentary lapse of judgment. In the week and a half that I have "known" this woman - the only impressions I have had of her are negative. She is representing the company she works for with this name tag - and this is the impression she leaves on people. That can't be good for business.

So as I sat on the bench - no longer in conversation - with another 15 minutes of humid, loud swim time left for my 9 year old - I had to ask myself - what name tag am I wearing? Who do I claim to represent? As a Christian - I represent God. Do my actions always reflect that? I wouldn't say "Always" - but I hope for the most part they do. I hope those who come in contact with me feel loved on, cared for. Lord - teach me to be an image of grace and love to those you bring into my life. Refine me - so that I may be a reflection of you. Lord I want to be - and for others to see less of me and more of you.

Not using snopes.com or google.

Thanks @prodigaljohn for sharing this post on your blog stuffchristianslike.net


Not using snopes.com or google.

Yesterday, in my excitement about a possible cage match between Justin Bieber and Harry Potter, I shared some wildly inaccurate information on Twitter.

Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Harry Potter in the movies, said that he initially thought that Bryan Adams 2.0, Justin Bieber, was a woman. In the bottom of the article I saw he said, “I think she’s kind of amazing, she’s really got a voice. She can really sing.”

I thought that was a funny thing to say about Justin Bieber so I tweeted it. Only that quote wasn’t about Bieber, it was about Lady Gaga. Radcliffe thought Bieber was a girl, but he was actually talking about someone else when he made those other comments. (I would argue that Lady Gaga is a good performer/entertainer, but I don’t think she’s particularly known for the power or awe of her voice.)

It wasn’t a big deal, a few folks on Twitter corrected me, but in doing that stupid tweet I did what lots of Christian often do. I shared something online without checking it on snopes.com or google first...read more

3 marketing tactics that turn me off

This morning I came into work to find a message from a very pushy sales rep. This rep is relentless. She will not take no for an answer regardless of the fact that I am no buying what she is selling. After having to directly ask her not to call me again - I had to consider the fine art of successful sales, as well as the three sales tactics I despise most:

1. Guerrilla Marketing - tell me about your product or service one time. Tell me how to reach you. If I'm interested - I'll call you when I'm good and ready. But DO NOT put flyers on my windshield (we call this litter), do not fill my email inbox with newsletters about the updates on your product and please, please, please do not inundate me with so much information about your product that I can't focus on the things I need to keep my attention on.
   
2. Pushy Sales People - if you want me to enter into a business relationship with you - make it a pleasure - not a burden. I should never have to tell you that you've overstepped your bounds. If I do have to have that conversation with you, I don't want your product.
   
3. Gimmicks - if your product is as great as you think it is - it will sell itself. I don't need cheap pens that run out of ink in the middle of a meeting. I don't need a fluorescent green key chain - and I certainly don't need to mess up the paint on my car with your bumper sticker - especially if I don't even know if I believe in your product.

Ultimately - if your product is worth believing in - let me build trust, let me see you believe in it, let your product speak for itself. Not that I don't want to hear praises about your product - I do - but I don't want the unnecessary hype.

So now I have to ask myself... do I ever promote God in the same way the gym (or any other business) down the street promotes their business? Do I ever over promise and under-deliver on what it means to be a follower of Christ. Do I ever destroy the credibility of my relationship with Him by being pushy and overbearing to others? Or do I allow His praises to ring through my words, my heart, my actions? Do I draw attention to the saving grace He has extended to me - or do I put people off (such as through condemnation and judgment) (OUCH!)?