A Young Quiltmaker's Dangerous Surrender

This afternoon, I read Jeff Brumbeau's The Quiltmaker's Journey to my youngest daughter. This was my first time reading this prequel to The Quiltmaker's Gift, one of my favorite storybooks about an old quiltmaker who offers a unique challenge to a greedy king which eventually transforms him completely. The book we read today tells of how this old woman came to be a quiltmaker.

As a girl, she lived in a beautiful kingdom, surrounded by a wall, where everyone was rich. The people of the town were told of the evils outside of the wall, and were warned never to depart from its safety. But despite her abundant riches, the young girl was sad. Eventually she leaves the kingdom to pursue her purpose in life. Once she arrives outside the wall, she witnesses great poverty, but experiences great kindness and generosity. Her eyes were opened to the suffering of others while she lived in abundance inside her kingdom's walls, and she was compelled to make a difference.

It's interesting that I would happen to pull this book off of the library shelves to read to my daughter at this time. I am currently engaged in a women's bible study where we are working through Mark Batterson's study Chase the Lion. We are also reading Dangerous Surrender by Kay Warren.

Chase the Lion is a unique study; not at all what I am accustomed to or prefer in a Bible study. More than studying biblical passages inductively, the author is challenging us to act on what the Bible says, what I already know really. Rather than store up more head knowledge, I am being challenged to:

• defy odds
• face fears
• overcome adversity
• embrace uncertainty
• take risks
• seize opportunities and
• look foolish

Makes you want to run right out and buy the study, doesn't it? Hardly! These things have been uncomfortable and stretching, but God is challenging, blessing, and encouraging me as I press on. While I wrestle through the tough questions to which I don't even want to honestly write the answers in my workbook, I am being confronted with my own pride, insecurities, fear, and failures; all the while being encouraged that God is greater and through Him I can overcome all these things.

Dangerous Surrender has paralleled the study in many ways. Kay Warren's honesty and vulnerability in sharing her inspiring story of how she said yes to God and embraced the cause of HIV/AIDS patients in Africa has challenged me to look beyond the walls that protect my own affluence, and open my eyes to the plight of others. Just as the young quiltmaker could not see the suffering of those outside the kingdom walls and return to her riches, Kay challenges me to be "gloriously ruined," unable to live a life of abundance (running water, electricity, a pantry/fridge full of food, closets full of clothes, cell phone, cable tv, internet, computers...) while others live wounded by violence, in pain and suffering that my mind can not even comprehend, without the hope of the Gospel to sustain them.

Before I joined this study, God was already paving the way for these lessons as I had recently read another book which challenged me similarly. K.P. Yohannan's Revolution for World Missions began to open my eyes to the plight of the "two-thirds world." His challenge when he looked at the affluence of the American church was to recognize WHY God has blessed us so abundantly. The reason is so that we can bless others. His recommendation is to support native missionaries in Asia and around the world who are willingly living in poverty along with those to whom they are ministering. Kay's book takes it a step farther, to not only send others, supporting them financially, but to surrender your own life as well, just as the quiltmaker ended up doing.

Sadly, though the young quiltmaker wanted to make a difference, the elders of the kingdom chided her for it. They refused to participate in aiding the poor who surrounded their city. As it turns out, they had built the wall just so they wouldn't have to see them. I want to be like the girl, but I fear I am too often like the elders.

What walls have I built to protect my comfortable way of life?
What walls have I built to keep out the unsightly, distasteful images of those who have less than I?
How often have I turned a blind eye when others were in need?

Through K.P. Yohannon's book, Chase the Lion, Kay Warren's testimony, and now a beautifully illustrated storybook, God is challenging me to tear down those protective walls, open my eyes, and to surrender my life to the cause of Christ in serving and ministering to the least of these. I do not yet know what that looks like for me, but wherever He leads, I'm going!!!

Will you join me?

Grace and Peace,
Angel

Catty Daughters

Lest you think otherwise, I must state for the record that my life is not perfect. I'm certainly not perfect myself, and I don't have perfect children either.

My girls (ages almost 10, 8, and 6 1/2) have been picking at each other lately. Every day, all day long, for a string of days on end, they've aggravated, irritated, criticized, nit-picked, and picked on each other. It's been exaggerated this week because my son has been at scout camp. I never imagined that that little bit of testosterone had such a counter-active/balancing affect, but I'm beginning to think it does. Wednesday, my husband left for scout camp too, and my mother-in-law came in his stead. All this estrogen has made me weary, and I'm longing for the return of my husband and son tomorrow.

Not only has the continual picking and pestering worn me to an unraveling; it has also been embarrassing. I cringed as I listened to my mother-in-law trying to do a project with the girls, and finally asking them whether they always critized eachother. At one point today I found myself pleading my daughter's case to her grandmother, trying to convince her that she really is a delightful girl! Her actions and words the past couple of days haven't done much to support my case.

I'm not exactly sure what's going on, but I wish I could get to the root of the issue and deal with it. I know there are hormones involved, and find myself beginning to dread having three teenage daughters in the house at the same time, all day long, day-in, day-out.

It's not that the girls never get along, but lately the cattiness prevails more than the kindness and graciousness. It grieves my heart and grates on my last nerve. There is a reason I never joined a sorority.

I'm no stranger to life with sisters. I have three younger sisters myself. We didn't always get along, and we don't have the best relationships now. I'd hoped that homeschooling would cultivate a closeness in my daughters that I didn't have with my own sisters since I esteemed relationships with friends at school so much more than those with my sisters, but I'm beginning to see that all this "quantity time" that I rave about is backfiring. Boy, do I hate typing that. I resist giving anyone that is against or skeptical towards homeschooling any ammunition, and I'm tempted to qualify that statement by writing about how great of friends the girls really are and how well "socialized" they are etc. ad nauseum, but truly, they are almost bored with eachother or something.

Sigh, I don't know! And that's part of the problem. After almost 12 years of parenting, you'd think I'd have a clue, but really I don't. As I enter this next stage of parenting pre-teen/teenage kids, I realize I have no idea what I'm doing. It's not the same as parenting toddlers! I feel unprepared and a bit overwhelmed at the thought of it. I'm trying, really I am, to keep the lines of communication open, to be patient, to point them to the Lord, share appropriate Scripture, and emphasize our need for the Holy Spirit. I'm beginning to feel like a broken record. I'm tired of hearing the word, "Girls!" come out of my mouth. We've been working on, "Be kind to one another," since they were toddlers, and it just isn't sinking in.

It's hard too when my daughter clams up and doesn't talk to me. It's hard to see her withdraw into herself. To be honest, it hurts.

I really want to get this right. Not only do I want my daughters to be BFFs; someday I'd like to be BFFs with them as well. So how do I do that?

Grace and Peace,
Angel

Be the Body

Yesterday, when I went to pick up the girls at dance practice, I was reacquainted with a homeschooling mother with whom I'd had some previous interaction. As we caught up, we discussed curriculum, summer schedules, year round school...the typical homeschooling things. We parted ways as the kids finished their practice, but as we walked out to the car, I was compelled to speak to her again. In this second conversation, I learned that in the past several months, her husband had lost his job, and her brother had died. Wow!

Here I'd chit-chatted with this woman for about 15 minutes, and these deeper issues never surfaced, it appeared that her life was perfect. But in our second conversation, the floodgate was opened, and she was able to share how she was really doing. I was so thankful that God had led me to initiate that second conversation, which enabled me to pray over her, right there in the parking lot. That simple act of obedience on my part resulted in a lifted burden on hers. I was able to encourage her, and now I know to continue to pray for her and her family. I also know that she needs a friend.

As she thanked me for taking the time to talk with and pray for her, we started talking about what it means to be a part of the body of Christ. Far too often, I am afraid that we settle for that initial chit-chat, that surface level conversation, and never get to the deeper issues which are plaguing us. As a result, we are not able to encourage one another as we should, and we don't know how to pray as we ought. We are all broken and wounded, yet we hide our gaping wounds with niceties and pleasantries. We're too busy, or too afraid to really care.

We talk about the weather, while the body of Christ suffers.

It should not be this way!!!

The New Testament is full of instruction on how we as the body of Christ are to behave toward one another:

• be devoted to one another in brotherly love (Rom. 12:10)
  
• give preference to one another (Rom. 12:10)
  
• love one another (Rom 13:8)
• pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another (Rom. 14:19)
• accept one another (Rom. 15:7)
• through love, serve one another (Gal. 5:13)
• bear one another's burdens (Gal. 6:2)
• be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another (Eph. 4:32)
• with humility of mind, regard one another as better than yourselves (Phil. 2:3)
• bearing with one another (Col. 3:13)
• with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, (Col. 3:16)
  
• comfort one another (I Thess. 4:18)
• encourage one another and build up one another (I Thess. 5:11)
• live in peace with one another (I Thess. 5:13)
• always seek after what is good for one another (I Thess. 5:15)
• encourage one another day after day (Hebrews 3:13)
• stimulate one another to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24)
• confess your sins to one another (James 5:16)
  
• pray for one another (James 5:16)
• fervently love one another from the heart (I Peter 1:22)
• be hospitable to one another (I Peter 4:9)
• clothe yourselves with humility toward one another (I Peter 5:5)
• love one another (I John 3:11, 23, 4:7, 11, 12; II John 1:5)

I could list many more verses, but it is of no use if we aren't willing to allow them to penetrate our hearts, and enable them to change us and compel us to actually obey them. Love, encourage, build up, pray, comfort, serve...all of these things are possible through the power of the Holy Spirit! And each one of us is capable of doing each one of these through the Spirit.

If you were to read each one of these in its context, you would not find caveats. They do not read, "if you are comfortable doing so, pray for one another." NO!! We are simply commanded to pray. I Peter 4:9 does not say, "If you have the gift of hospitality, and a beautiful house that could be featured in Better Homes & Gardens, then be hospitable." NO!!! We are all commanded to be hospitable without complaint.

It's time to stop making excuses. I couldn't have anyone over, my house is too small. I don't feel comfortable praying out loud; I'd be too embarrassed to ask if I could pray for them. I'm too busy!

It's time to stop expecting others to do what you've been instructed to do. She's so much better at that. He's the pastor, that's his job. They've been to bible college; they're much more qualified than I. I'm sure they have many friends who they can talk to and pray with.

These "one another" passages are not directed to specific, uniquely qualified, individuals, who've graduated from seminary or bible college, but to every member of the body of Christ. Every believer needs to be doing these things for the building up and edification of the body! Every. believer.

When every believer does his part, the church can accomplish the wonderful purpose God intends for it. When these "one another" instructions are neglected, the body suffers, its growth is stunted, and we miss out on the blessing God intended the body of Christ to be.

Are you longing for something more?
Do you want something deeper?
Are you dissatisfied with the current state of the body?

Begin to apply these one another passages through the power of the Holy Spirit, and you will slowly and surely begin to experience the blessed riches of life in the body of Christ. I guarantee it. There is no better feeling than to walk away and know that you did what God wanted you to do, to know that you blessed and encouraged another person. Obedience yields peace and joy. Start yourself, and do not lose heart in doing good, for in due time you will reap if you do not not grow weary. That's God's promise; you can cling to it!

I Peter 4:10 says, "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."

Are you being a good steward of the manifold grace of God?
Do you really want to stand before Him and say you weren't?

Surrender yourself to Christ, yield yourself to the power of the Holy Spirit, and begin to walk in Him. You'll be amazed at the amazing things HE can accomplish through you, if you are willing to allow Him to do them.

It's time to be the Body.

Grace and Peace,
Angel

Personal Reading List 2009

I'm belated in posting my Personal Reading List for 2009. In fact, I don't think I updated my 2008 reading list after February or so. I'm not sure how well I can remember what I read in 2008, as I struggled a bit to remember everything I've read thus far in 2009 (and probably forgot something). That's precisely why I try to record these things.

A Light in the Window by Jan Karon I'm a little behind the times in becoming acquainted with Father Tim having read the first book in the Mitford series in the summer of 2008. This is book 2 in the Mitford series; I didn't love it as much as I loved the first one. In fact, I thought it was (I know I'm inviting outrage)...boring. I finished reading it, and hoped that the other 5-6 I received for Christmas would be better.

These High, Green Hills by Jan Karon Book 3 in the Mitford series was much better, or maybe it was just my own mood when I read it. I fell in love again with the endearing characters.

The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life by Charles Stanley I think every. believer. should. read. this. book!! I began reading it in 2007 (my initial reflections are posted here), misplaced it for a while, and was tremendously nourished by finding and finishing it. Remarkably well-written, biblically sound, essentially foundational, immensely practical book on the Holy Spirit and living the wonderful spirit-filled life. Read it!

Holy Spirit Power by Charles Spurgeon Excellent, practical, solid treatise on the Holy Spirit by a classic theologian. I highly recommend it!

Living Water by Chuck Smith Written in Chuck Smith's (Calvary Chapel) lay-man style, fabulous, anecdotal, practical, and balanced view on the Holy Spirit. I gleaned so much from it! Are you beginning to see a pattern?

Secret Power by D.L.Moody This one was great too! It left me wanting to know more about D.L. Moody.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronté Dark, gruesome, lacking any redeeming value, and containing one of the most twisted, vindictive, and vengeful literary characters ever. I only kept reading so that I could say that I had. NOT recommended no matter how "classic" it is!!

A Garden in Paris by Stephanie Grace Whitson A cotton candy, modern, Christian romance set in Paris to compensate for all the deep, theological Holy Spirit books, and the horrible Wuthering Heights. It was okay. I kinda liked it. Generally well written and interesting, good character development, but it won't make my list of favorites by any means.

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers Raw, graphic, gripping, compelling story based on the biblical book of Hosea. I found the ending to be lackluster, but overall, I thought it was a remarkable book, representative of so many many women! Worth reading!

Emerald Windows by Terri Blackstone Another fluffy, pop-Christian novel. My first Terri Blackstone read. Eh. I definitely prefer historical fiction to modern.

The White Gypsy by Annette Lyster A new release from Lamplighter books, originally written in...a long time ago. Admirable characters, redeeming story line, beautifully written!

Konshaubi by Georgi Vins A re-read of a book that profoundly influenced me in 1988. The story of Russian/Soviet pastors who were persecuted and imprisoned for preaching the gospel. I posted more about it here. Read in preparation to perform in "Stalinism" and "The Vins Scene" from the play No Place to Flea.

Jungle Pilot by Russell Hitt The life and story of Nate Saint. Inspiring, challenging, excellent companion to Elizabeth Elliot's Through Gates of Splendor. Both books should be on every Christian's "must read" list!

Redwall by Brian Jacques Preview before my son read it. Immensely enjoyable tale! I loved it! Highly recommended for all ages (reading level average 9-12 years).

Revolution in World Missions by K.P.Yohannon Extremely challenging, eye-opening book! The American church would do well to read it, and make radical life-style adjustments in response. Unfortunately, that includes me. Praying!

Out to Canaan by Jan Karon Book 4 of the Mitford Series, and I have now drunk enough koolaid to be head over heals with Mitford. I'm not sure, but this may have been my favorite yet. Not on the Mitford bandwagon? Start reading!

Saving Levi by Lisa Misraje Bentley What an amazing, faithful, sovereign God we serve! There's no way you can read this book and deny that God is, and that He is a rewarder to those who seek Him. His intimate dealings to save a horribly burned and then abandoned Chinese baby, and to unite individuals from all over the world to accomplish His purpose completely overwhelmed me!


For a busy, homeschooling mom of 4, I'm pleased with the number of books I've managed to read this year. And of course, I'm always open to suggestions for more! What books do you think I should add to my "must read" list?

Grace and Peace,
Angel

P.S. If you click on the book titles, you can visit the Amazon page for each of the books. And if you actually purchase something while you're there, you'll be funding my habit. ;) Thanks! :)