And no, I'm not talking about my height... ;)
I'm actually talking about my attitude. I moved home 2 months ago (on the 26th). I didn't exactly WANT to move home. Not because my family isn't amazing. (because they are) but because I just really really loved Utah.
Anyway, I've had a serious case of the grumps since I've been home. I've been irritable and angry and unsettled. If you know me, you know that I'm not typically a chronically crabby person. I'm usually a silver lining kind of gal. A cockeyed optimist, if you will. :) I dreaded Sunday morning worship at my home church. Not for any personal reason other than it wasn't Southside. It wasn't MY church in Utah. (really, Sarah, YOUR church? way to be possessive.) Today was the first day I haven't cried since I've been home.
I've been sad and grumpy about legitimate things. I've had all these transitions all at once. Being back home, not having a job, not having a car, going back to my home congregation. Some of my friendships have changed. Some have gotten stronger. Some have kind of fallen apart. Either way, I was a bundle of nerves and negativity. I was starting to annoy myself! (which means I'd probably been annoying others for quite some time)
I kept hearing "Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus." I kinda hoped it would go away because I had already ordered the balloons and punch for my next pity party. (I was going to order a clown... but that seemed a little too ironic.) But there it was again "make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus." SERIOUSLY?! But I don't wanna. I would rather sit here and feel sorry for myself. Wahh wahh wahh. Finally, this past Sunday, I made the conscious effort to not say anything negative for the whole day. Seriously. The. Whole. Day.
I am happy to report that I succeeded. At first, I thought negative things in my head and didn't say them out loud. Then promptly decided that kind of defeated the purpose. So I changed my thinking too. I didn't think or say anything negative all day. Badda Bing Badda Boom! No more grumps! Seriously amazing! I'm TOTALLY not patting myself on the back for this one. It's a God thing. I kept praying for Him to help me change my attitude. I just hadn't been making any effort at all to adjust my own attitude. Just by making the small change in my attitude and the conscious effort to make my attitude that of Christ Jesus (thanks Paul and Timothy, it changed my whole perspective on things! I cancelled the balloons and punch for my pity party. I realize that it's ok to be sad and hurt; but it doesn't do anyone any good if I'm spewing negativity all over the place. I feel so much better! I'm happy and giddy and silly again! I feel lighter. I'm starting to feel like myself again, and less of a zombie. I am so thankful for God's patience and grace.
So, dear friends, my exhortation to you is to try and go a whole day without saying anything negative. You'd be surprised at how your day gets so much better and things don't bother you!
Here's some motivation.
Philippians 2:5-8
"5 Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus,
6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God
as something to be used for His own advantage.
7 Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave,
taking on the likeness of men.
And when He had come as a man in His external form,
8 He humbled Himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death—even to death on a cross."
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
"Oh what I would do to have the kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in"
Here's another old one :)
I teach preschool...at church. I have for a while now, and I love it. Mind you, they still drive me crazy from time to time, but for the most part, it's a joy. To watch a child's faith form, is an incredible thing. That wide-eyed innocence is amazing. I co-teach with my mom. And we do VBS (vacation Bible school) all year round now.
Usually, we spend two weeks on one lesson. So last week's and yesterday's lesson was about Jesus walking on the water.
Just a quick re-cap. The apostles were in the boat, and Jesus went up a mountain to pray. There was a storm, and the boat was being tossed around. So, Jesus, being the Savior that he is, started walking on the water towards the boat.
Let me just pause for a second and say... WOW... I think, because I was raised in a Christian household, and I've heard it all my life, that I take that kind of stuff for granted.
WHO ELSE could walk on water but my Jesus?... no one...that's who.
Ok..back to the story... So the apostles (being the silly humans they were) got freaked out because people really can't walk on water...And Jesus told them "Don't be afraid...It is I"... So Peter (who proves time and time again to be lacking some common sense) says "Alright, if you're really Jesus, then let me walk out to you"... So Jesus says "ok...come on"Peter starts walking on water towards Jesus....and instead of fixing his eyes on Jesus, he looked down at the waves and the wind, and got scared! Then he started to sink (serves him right!)
And of course Peter yells "Jesus! Save me!"And Jesus extended his arm and pulled Peter up...then says "Why didn't you trust me?"
Why didn't Peter trust Jesus?...
And then it hit me... I'm Peter... I've been trying to raise support for AIM and I've completely left God out of it. Why haven't I trusted Jesus?
I've sent support letters, I've made calls, I done presentations...but what haven't I done?
PRAYED!
I'm Peter... I'm sinking and I'm yelling for Jesus to pull me up out of this water I'm in. I'm splashing around making a big scene...but all I have to do is have faith.
I'm tired of being Peter. I'm trusting Jesus. He knows what He's doing. God has called me to missions... and He's trying to teach me something. But I won't shut up long enough to hear Him. I'm sorry, Jesus for hurting you and losing faith.
So from you, my faithful readers, I bequeath prayers. Pray for me to maintain faith and walk out on this water and NOT LOOK DOWN even when the waves are above my head.
As you well know...music is such a huge part of my life and while I wrote this blog, I was reminded of the Casting Crowns song "Voice of Truth"
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out His hand
But the waves are calling out my name And they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again.
"Boy, you'll never win!""You'll never win!"
Chorus: But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
I teach preschool...at church. I have for a while now, and I love it. Mind you, they still drive me crazy from time to time, but for the most part, it's a joy. To watch a child's faith form, is an incredible thing. That wide-eyed innocence is amazing. I co-teach with my mom. And we do VBS (vacation Bible school) all year round now.
Usually, we spend two weeks on one lesson. So last week's and yesterday's lesson was about Jesus walking on the water.
Just a quick re-cap. The apostles were in the boat, and Jesus went up a mountain to pray. There was a storm, and the boat was being tossed around. So, Jesus, being the Savior that he is, started walking on the water towards the boat.
Let me just pause for a second and say... WOW... I think, because I was raised in a Christian household, and I've heard it all my life, that I take that kind of stuff for granted.
WHO ELSE could walk on water but my Jesus?... no one...that's who.
Ok..back to the story... So the apostles (being the silly humans they were) got freaked out because people really can't walk on water...And Jesus told them "Don't be afraid...It is I"... So Peter (who proves time and time again to be lacking some common sense) says "Alright, if you're really Jesus, then let me walk out to you"... So Jesus says "ok...come on"Peter starts walking on water towards Jesus....and instead of fixing his eyes on Jesus, he looked down at the waves and the wind, and got scared! Then he started to sink (serves him right!)
And of course Peter yells "Jesus! Save me!"And Jesus extended his arm and pulled Peter up...then says "Why didn't you trust me?"
Why didn't Peter trust Jesus?...
And then it hit me... I'm Peter... I've been trying to raise support for AIM and I've completely left God out of it. Why haven't I trusted Jesus?
I've sent support letters, I've made calls, I done presentations...but what haven't I done?
PRAYED!
I'm Peter... I'm sinking and I'm yelling for Jesus to pull me up out of this water I'm in. I'm splashing around making a big scene...but all I have to do is have faith.
I'm tired of being Peter. I'm trusting Jesus. He knows what He's doing. God has called me to missions... and He's trying to teach me something. But I won't shut up long enough to hear Him. I'm sorry, Jesus for hurting you and losing faith.
So from you, my faithful readers, I bequeath prayers. Pray for me to maintain faith and walk out on this water and NOT LOOK DOWN even when the waves are above my head.
As you well know...music is such a huge part of my life and while I wrote this blog, I was reminded of the Casting Crowns song "Voice of Truth"
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out His hand
But the waves are calling out my name And they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again.
"Boy, you'll never win!""You'll never win!"
Chorus: But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
switchin over
I'm going to get rid of my other blog so I'm slowly (but surely) transferring some of my posts over. Here's one from 2 years ago. :) This was written the day before I started AIM. It's called "Who me?, why me?, SEND ME!"
I used to struggle a lot with what God's plan was for my life. I remember being brokenhearted, tired, and jaded. I remember lying in my bed, crying, and having this dialogue with God
"God, I give up... I just... give up"
And God said "I know you want to, but you can't"
"BUT GOD!!!" *whiny voice* "Life is tooo hard and I don't know what You want from me... Just tell me what to do...tell me what you want me to do"
and God said "I want you to explore AIM. Step out of the box. You can do it"
"You tell funny jokes, God"
God said: "AIM. Do AIM"
"Um, no thanks...." So I ran. I ran away from God... How do you even do that?! But I did. I ran from church, I ran from my friends, my family, my church family... I just.........ran Obviously, my stubbornness didn't get me anywhere but more disappointment and unsatisfaction. Once again, there I was, crying in my bed, talking to God, bruised, beaten, and tired.
"GOD!!! HEY! Remember me? Look, I know I haven't talked to you in a while, and I'm sorry... but I need your help"
God: "I know, and I'm here. I've always been here"
"Oh, right, that whole omnipresent, omnicient thing...I'm ready to give my life to you"
God: "So... you're going to do AIM?"
Me: "yup. I'm going to do it"
And that's it.. that's the story... I went from being Who, Me? To Why me? And now, finally... SEND ME! I'm in Lubbock and I'm chillin in my hotel room. Anxiously counting down the hours until I can register, move in, and meet my roommates. I have no idea what's going to happen over the course of the next 2 years; all I know is that I'm excited and I'm firmly holding His hand and RUNNING.
Now, don't get me wrong, I know there will be times when I fall... but that's the great thing about MY Jesus...He carries you.
I still struggle with giving Him control... but I'm getting better. If you struggle with these same things, let me pray for you. I encourage you to lean on your family and friends, too.
Lord, thank you for my family, thank you for my friends, and thank you for my supporters. Thank you for sending your Son to die for us. As I enter this new exciting phase of my life, I ask you to help me stay humble, and focused. Please help me shine Your light wherever I go. Please help us to reach people who are broken, wounded, and searching for You. In Your Son's name I pray.
Amen
I used to struggle a lot with what God's plan was for my life. I remember being brokenhearted, tired, and jaded. I remember lying in my bed, crying, and having this dialogue with God
"God, I give up... I just... give up"
And God said "I know you want to, but you can't"
"BUT GOD!!!" *whiny voice* "Life is tooo hard and I don't know what You want from me... Just tell me what to do...tell me what you want me to do"
and God said "I want you to explore AIM. Step out of the box. You can do it"
"You tell funny jokes, God"
God said: "AIM. Do AIM"
"Um, no thanks...." So I ran. I ran away from God... How do you even do that?! But I did. I ran from church, I ran from my friends, my family, my church family... I just.........ran Obviously, my stubbornness didn't get me anywhere but more disappointment and unsatisfaction. Once again, there I was, crying in my bed, talking to God, bruised, beaten, and tired.
"GOD!!! HEY! Remember me? Look, I know I haven't talked to you in a while, and I'm sorry... but I need your help"
God: "I know, and I'm here. I've always been here"
"Oh, right, that whole omnipresent, omnicient thing...I'm ready to give my life to you"
God: "So... you're going to do AIM?"
Me: "yup. I'm going to do it"
And that's it.. that's the story... I went from being Who, Me? To Why me? And now, finally... SEND ME! I'm in Lubbock and I'm chillin in my hotel room. Anxiously counting down the hours until I can register, move in, and meet my roommates. I have no idea what's going to happen over the course of the next 2 years; all I know is that I'm excited and I'm firmly holding His hand and RUNNING.
Now, don't get me wrong, I know there will be times when I fall... but that's the great thing about MY Jesus...He carries you.
I still struggle with giving Him control... but I'm getting better. If you struggle with these same things, let me pray for you. I encourage you to lean on your family and friends, too.
Lord, thank you for my family, thank you for my friends, and thank you for my supporters. Thank you for sending your Son to die for us. As I enter this new exciting phase of my life, I ask you to help me stay humble, and focused. Please help me shine Your light wherever I go. Please help us to reach people who are broken, wounded, and searching for You. In Your Son's name I pray.
Amen
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Tonight I Wanna Cry
Have you ever kept yourself from crying because you know you won't be able to stop and you don't want people to worry about you?
Tonight is that night. I've fought the tears for a while now. I've tried to be a stonewall about it. I've become numb. Sure I shed a few tears every now and then or my eyes well up but I can't ever really seem to squeeze out the tears. It's a weird defense mechanism that I'm not sure I've created on purpose.
But, tonight is the night that it all came out. Runny nose, unstoppable river of tears, inability to catch my breath, sobbing, wailing, screaming into my pillow cry. Tonight is it.
Why am I crying?
I'm crying because I miss Jennifer. I'm crying because I'm leaving Salt Lake. I'm crying because I don't know how to make adult decisions without turmoil. I'm crying because my friend just lost her husband of not even 2 years. I'm crying because she's hurting. I'm crying because he'll never get to hold his baby girls. I'm crying because I miss him too. I'm crying because I'm touched by the love she has for him. I'm crying because I want that kind of love. I'm crying because I miss my family. I'm crying because I don't want to leave Southside. I'm crying because I told my best friend I'm leaving and they don't care. I'm crying because it feels like someone took a machete to my heart because my best friend doesn't care. I'm crying over the wasted last year of my life.I'm crying because I can't seem to communicate why I'm crying. I'm crying because I'm crying! I'm in pain and I'm crying.
The tears will stop and I'll blow my nose. I'll pull myself up by my bootstraps and move on to the next phase just like I always do.
Except this time
you know my secret. You know that I've cried this kind of cry. Now my verbal vomit is all over this webpage and I'm left standing... stripped naked...
and crying
Tonight is that night. I've fought the tears for a while now. I've tried to be a stonewall about it. I've become numb. Sure I shed a few tears every now and then or my eyes well up but I can't ever really seem to squeeze out the tears. It's a weird defense mechanism that I'm not sure I've created on purpose.
But, tonight is the night that it all came out. Runny nose, unstoppable river of tears, inability to catch my breath, sobbing, wailing, screaming into my pillow cry. Tonight is it.
Why am I crying?
I'm crying because I miss Jennifer. I'm crying because I'm leaving Salt Lake. I'm crying because I don't know how to make adult decisions without turmoil. I'm crying because my friend just lost her husband of not even 2 years. I'm crying because she's hurting. I'm crying because he'll never get to hold his baby girls. I'm crying because I miss him too. I'm crying because I'm touched by the love she has for him. I'm crying because I want that kind of love. I'm crying because I miss my family. I'm crying because I don't want to leave Southside. I'm crying because I told my best friend I'm leaving and they don't care. I'm crying because it feels like someone took a machete to my heart because my best friend doesn't care. I'm crying over the wasted last year of my life.I'm crying because I can't seem to communicate why I'm crying. I'm crying because I'm crying! I'm in pain and I'm crying.
The tears will stop and I'll blow my nose. I'll pull myself up by my bootstraps and move on to the next phase just like I always do.
Except this time
you know my secret. You know that I've cried this kind of cry. Now my verbal vomit is all over this webpage and I'm left standing... stripped naked...
and crying
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Kiva
My parents got me a gift card for Christmas. Here's some more info about it
Looking for Holiday Gift Ideas? Give Kiva Gift Certificates!
DEC 15, 2009
Kiva Gift Certificates are one of the most unique holiday gifts you can give. They're perfect for family, friends, and coworkers. And a Kiva Gift is a great last minute gift idea for those far way.
Starting at $25, Kiva gift certificates allow the recipient to make their own loans to entrepreneurs around the world and help alleviate poverty. Your recipient chooses the loans, receives repayments, and can choose to lend again and again! It is a one-of-a-kind gift that keeps on giving.
Spread the holiday spirit this season with this special gift idea that makes a lasting impact!
Email your personalized gift certificate immediately or print it at home today at:
http://www.kiva.org/landing/BuyGiftCertificate.html
They take just seconds to create, but the experience lasts a lifetime!
Looking for Holiday Gift Ideas? Give Kiva Gift Certificates!
DEC 15, 2009
Kiva Gift Certificates are one of the most unique holiday gifts you can give. They're perfect for family, friends, and coworkers. And a Kiva Gift is a great last minute gift idea for those far way.
Starting at $25, Kiva gift certificates allow the recipient to make their own loans to entrepreneurs around the world and help alleviate poverty. Your recipient chooses the loans, receives repayments, and can choose to lend again and again! It is a one-of-a-kind gift that keeps on giving.
Spread the holiday spirit this season with this special gift idea that makes a lasting impact!
Email your personalized gift certificate immediately or print it at home today at:
http://www.kiva.org/landing/BuyGiftCertificate.html
They take just seconds to create, but the experience lasts a lifetime!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Brown Bag #6
Brown Bag #5
Dear AIMers,
It’s with a heart weighing about 100 tons that I write to you… when else but in the middle of the night. My world feels like it’s crumbling around me and my heart feels as though it could just shatter at the slightest breeze.
This brown bag is not going to be like the other ones I have written. Parts of it may be funny or have slightly esoteric vocabulary in it… But it’s not intended to be comical. Because as I write to you my world is being turned upside down, inside out, and any other way you can spin it.
Since you are going to find out your teams soon I’m going to share with you some really amazing God-centered, intimate moments I’ve had with my team. Just know… if you don’t get to go with the people you chose, or don’t get to go to your top field, it’ll be ok… Shucks, I’ve gotten 2 new teammates since teams were formed a year ago. I’ll tell you all about what a teammate is… but let me back up for a minute and give you some context about my world shifting heart obliterating excruciating pain.
I want to tell you about an incredible woman. Her name is Jennifer Mazo. She and her husband Mike were my youth ministers when I was in the youth group. Jennifer is 33 years old and as of 2:54am (mountain standard time), is lying in the ICU in ST. Joseph’s hospital in California… in a drug induced coma, waiting to go home to be with Jesus. About a month ago, Jennifer was diagnosed with stage 4 non-hotchkins lymphoma… Basically, all those big words mean she had cancer in her lymph nodes, and it’s really bad. Jennifer knew several months ago that something was wrong. But, she and Mike were in the process of adopting a baby girl, Maggie. Jennifer knew that if she started the process of treatments and testing, that it would interrupt the finalization of the adoption of Maggie… so Jennifer let it go until right after the adoption was finalized. Jennifer then went into surgery and had a…ready for this? BASKETBALL sized tumor removed from her abdomen. Since then, Jen’s condition has been rapidly declining. Which leads me to the last 48 hours; yesterday morning, Jennifer was put on a breathing machine because she was having trouble breathing… and last night her body went into shock causing her liver and kidneys to fail… and now here I am… in the middle of the night… waiting for someone to call and tell me she’s gone home to be with Jesus.
I don’t understand God’s plan most days. I especially don’t understand why He has decided that it’s time for one of my best friends and mentors to leave this earth. Something else I didn’t fully understand until now was why God put me on the team I’m on. My team has been praying fervently with me for Jen. Tonight, when I told them that Jennifer’s time left on this earth is very short, they came to my aid and held me, and let me be a blubbering mess. They prayed with me and cried with me and let me get angry and yell. This team has been through a whole lot and will probably go through a whole lot more before our time is up. But I am so thankful for them. I have no strength. I’m broken and hurting and sadder than I’ve been in what seems like forever. Let me just give you a little bitty list on what I think a good team is. (Kris and Pat, I’m wrapping this up soon, I promise!!)
Ok. #1. A teammate is a person who drives you crazy… but can also make you laugh harder than anyone
#2. A teammate lets you cry so hard you get snot all over their jeans and they don’t care
#3. A teammate is someone who senses your needs and fills them in a way that only Jesus can.
#4. A teammate is someone who goes to IHop with you in the middle of the night because you can’t sleep and you’re really sad.
#5. A teammate is someone who lays their hands on you and prays when you’re lying in the middle of your floor because you’re crying so hard you don’t have the strength to stand.
#6. A teammate is put in place by God and it may take you nearly 7 months to figure out why you like them… but you wouldn’t trade them for all the tea in China.
Teams require humility, and compromise. We have fought a lot on this team… because oddly enough… teams are made of people and people sometimes disappoint us. Please, dear friends, I implore you to give it a shot. No matter how unlikely your match up may seem… or how perfect… God’s hand is in it, and He won’t let you go through this alone. It’s in moments like these that I’m not sure how I would survive without these people.
Dear AIMers,
It’s with a heart weighing about 100 tons that I write to you… when else but in the middle of the night. My world feels like it’s crumbling around me and my heart feels as though it could just shatter at the slightest breeze.
This brown bag is not going to be like the other ones I have written. Parts of it may be funny or have slightly esoteric vocabulary in it… But it’s not intended to be comical. Because as I write to you my world is being turned upside down, inside out, and any other way you can spin it.
Since you are going to find out your teams soon I’m going to share with you some really amazing God-centered, intimate moments I’ve had with my team. Just know… if you don’t get to go with the people you chose, or don’t get to go to your top field, it’ll be ok… Shucks, I’ve gotten 2 new teammates since teams were formed a year ago. I’ll tell you all about what a teammate is… but let me back up for a minute and give you some context about my world shifting heart obliterating excruciating pain.
I want to tell you about an incredible woman. Her name is Jennifer Mazo. She and her husband Mike were my youth ministers when I was in the youth group. Jennifer is 33 years old and as of 2:54am (mountain standard time), is lying in the ICU in ST. Joseph’s hospital in California… in a drug induced coma, waiting to go home to be with Jesus. About a month ago, Jennifer was diagnosed with stage 4 non-hotchkins lymphoma… Basically, all those big words mean she had cancer in her lymph nodes, and it’s really bad. Jennifer knew several months ago that something was wrong. But, she and Mike were in the process of adopting a baby girl, Maggie. Jennifer knew that if she started the process of treatments and testing, that it would interrupt the finalization of the adoption of Maggie… so Jennifer let it go until right after the adoption was finalized. Jennifer then went into surgery and had a…ready for this? BASKETBALL sized tumor removed from her abdomen. Since then, Jen’s condition has been rapidly declining. Which leads me to the last 48 hours; yesterday morning, Jennifer was put on a breathing machine because she was having trouble breathing… and last night her body went into shock causing her liver and kidneys to fail… and now here I am… in the middle of the night… waiting for someone to call and tell me she’s gone home to be with Jesus.
I don’t understand God’s plan most days. I especially don’t understand why He has decided that it’s time for one of my best friends and mentors to leave this earth. Something else I didn’t fully understand until now was why God put me on the team I’m on. My team has been praying fervently with me for Jen. Tonight, when I told them that Jennifer’s time left on this earth is very short, they came to my aid and held me, and let me be a blubbering mess. They prayed with me and cried with me and let me get angry and yell. This team has been through a whole lot and will probably go through a whole lot more before our time is up. But I am so thankful for them. I have no strength. I’m broken and hurting and sadder than I’ve been in what seems like forever. Let me just give you a little bitty list on what I think a good team is. (Kris and Pat, I’m wrapping this up soon, I promise!!)
Ok. #1. A teammate is a person who drives you crazy… but can also make you laugh harder than anyone
#2. A teammate lets you cry so hard you get snot all over their jeans and they don’t care
#3. A teammate is someone who senses your needs and fills them in a way that only Jesus can.
#4. A teammate is someone who goes to IHop with you in the middle of the night because you can’t sleep and you’re really sad.
#5. A teammate is someone who lays their hands on you and prays when you’re lying in the middle of your floor because you’re crying so hard you don’t have the strength to stand.
#6. A teammate is put in place by God and it may take you nearly 7 months to figure out why you like them… but you wouldn’t trade them for all the tea in China.
Teams require humility, and compromise. We have fought a lot on this team… because oddly enough… teams are made of people and people sometimes disappoint us. Please, dear friends, I implore you to give it a shot. No matter how unlikely your match up may seem… or how perfect… God’s hand is in it, and He won’t let you go through this alone. It’s in moments like these that I’m not sure how I would survive without these people.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Brown Bag #4
ok so I definitely stole the title from my mom. here's brown bag #4
Memoirs of an accidental Baptist
Hello! I hope Mountain View was an amazing God-focused time for you! So this brown bag may not be the most super uplifting and insightful. But, it’s not pointless. It’s to give you a good laugh. It gave ME a good laugh. And also to show you that anything crazy can happen on the field. Even state side fields. Yes, EVEN in Utah!
Ok so there’s this guy. His name is Nick Vujicic. I think his last name is Slovak so hopefully Kris can pronounce it. He was born without arms and legs. He spoke a week ago about overcoming adversity. He’s a Christian. It was at this HUGE convention center downtown. Rachel Holler and I took a group of 6 of our preteens to hear him speak.
Well, you see, this speaker presentation thing on Saturday was put on by the Baptist church. In case you were wondering, there are only like 2 Baptist churches here. Anyway, one of the Baptist churches was running this thing. The speaker was really good and I was really encouraged… but there’s a catch. At the end of his sermon, they had an altar call.
One of my girls ran up to respond, and then, before I could stop them, the rest of the kids went up too. So, I went up to kind of run interference. The speaker had them repeat the sinner’s prayer then told them their name was in the book of life after that. Then, he asked everyone who responded to go to the right and they had some literature for them. I had to think on my toes and told the kids we were going to quietly, respectfully, and strategically sneak away to the left. The kids asked what was going on and I responded in a stressful tone “just… go… and I’ll explain when we get outside.” Once we were Baptist-free, Rachel and I took the kids outside and explained to them that there was nothing wrong with that prayer, OR accepting Jesus in their hearts; HOWEVER, that church does things a little differently than we do. They believe that all you had to do to be saved was to accept Jesus in your heart and pray that prayer. Whereas that prayer is nice, and a good first step, they were incorrect. We told them that they needed to study a lot on their own and with their parents and ask questions and be BAPTIZED. We told them the truth in love. We said we were proud of them for wanting to grow closer to God, but there was more they needed to do.
All in all, it was a positive experience… but now my kids are accidental Baptists. It happens to the best of us. I learned a valuable lesson on how to explain different theologies to my kids, and wound up with a GREAT story to file away in my youth ministry memories. So, until next week, folks. Love God, Love others, and… watch out for them Baptists… they’re sneaky.
Accidentally Baptist,
Sarah Beth Hall
Memoirs of an accidental Baptist
Hello! I hope Mountain View was an amazing God-focused time for you! So this brown bag may not be the most super uplifting and insightful. But, it’s not pointless. It’s to give you a good laugh. It gave ME a good laugh. And also to show you that anything crazy can happen on the field. Even state side fields. Yes, EVEN in Utah!
Ok so there’s this guy. His name is Nick Vujicic. I think his last name is Slovak so hopefully Kris can pronounce it. He was born without arms and legs. He spoke a week ago about overcoming adversity. He’s a Christian. It was at this HUGE convention center downtown. Rachel Holler and I took a group of 6 of our preteens to hear him speak.
Well, you see, this speaker presentation thing on Saturday was put on by the Baptist church. In case you were wondering, there are only like 2 Baptist churches here. Anyway, one of the Baptist churches was running this thing. The speaker was really good and I was really encouraged… but there’s a catch. At the end of his sermon, they had an altar call.
One of my girls ran up to respond, and then, before I could stop them, the rest of the kids went up too. So, I went up to kind of run interference. The speaker had them repeat the sinner’s prayer then told them their name was in the book of life after that. Then, he asked everyone who responded to go to the right and they had some literature for them. I had to think on my toes and told the kids we were going to quietly, respectfully, and strategically sneak away to the left. The kids asked what was going on and I responded in a stressful tone “just… go… and I’ll explain when we get outside.” Once we were Baptist-free, Rachel and I took the kids outside and explained to them that there was nothing wrong with that prayer, OR accepting Jesus in their hearts; HOWEVER, that church does things a little differently than we do. They believe that all you had to do to be saved was to accept Jesus in your heart and pray that prayer. Whereas that prayer is nice, and a good first step, they were incorrect. We told them that they needed to study a lot on their own and with their parents and ask questions and be BAPTIZED. We told them the truth in love. We said we were proud of them for wanting to grow closer to God, but there was more they needed to do.
All in all, it was a positive experience… but now my kids are accidental Baptists. It happens to the best of us. I learned a valuable lesson on how to explain different theologies to my kids, and wound up with a GREAT story to file away in my youth ministry memories. So, until next week, folks. Love God, Love others, and… watch out for them Baptists… they’re sneaky.
Accidentally Baptist,
Sarah Beth Hall
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