just got off the plane…

Last week I started a book club in our home. One of my friends commented that this time of year was a good time to read about the faith journey, so this is what we’ll do. I  first learned of Anne Lamott from two of my dear friends from the Quad Cities. Cindy and Jenn liked Anne, I probably would too. I remember Jenn reading an exerpt and not bleeping the language – hilarious! A year and 1/2 ago, I read Bird by Bird – enjoyed it enough to put a couple more of her books on my Amazon wishlist. In September I received two of her books from another friend for my birthday, thanks Analisa! And today, on a plan to Nashville, I had with me Traveling Mercies.

At one point in the book it is said that many things can go wrong as an effort to distract us from the really good thing that is trying to be born.  The suggestion is that the miraculous will break through if we aren’t aware of it enough to manage it, control it and screw it up. I have often said that it is when I whine about how bad things are, it is then that something really good happens to remind me that I do not have the final say – I am not in control – I am an ungrateful little bratt that needs to increase in faith and gratefulness.

So, Gene and I are in Nashville. The boys are with their Aunt ‘Ne. We will be attending the ZMG (Zavitsan Music Group) Holiday party tomorrow night.

Honestly – I even said this out loud – I would really like this to be the time that we hope…and what we experience is even a bit more that what we could have hoped for. Dream big – I want my dreams to pale in comparison to the life God has in store for me.  Many would say I am living a dream life now. I cannot really argue with that. I have an awesome life. While I’m distracted by dreaming big – God continues to unfold more of the miraculous.  I’ll be looking for more of what God is unfolding this week. How about you?

SuperFriends Day!

 

Today is “Super Hero” day here. We are throwing a party and celebrating super heroes.

On a day that much of the world is honoring the tradition of the thinned veil between the spirit world – allowing for the ease of access to spirits, we are going to be praying and honoring those who uphold the ways of our God and King. We pray for protection and the justice of God. We pray that God’s will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. We desire to be vessels to be used for good, for God’s purpose. We live to honor our Creator and the only mediator, the only way, the life and the truth, Jesus Christ.

 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)

“whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:16-17)

 

Don’t worry, we are getting plenty of candy! The kids have seen to that as they plan this party – cupcakes are made, pumpkin treats and caramel apples…and yes candy!

 

these things have in common…

• Jack Bauer a household name. (a hero of sorts)
• the “Brady Bunch” and “Everybody Loves Raymond” move to the documentary category.
•  a TV and computer in every room.
• setting up tents in the back yard when hosting guests overnight.
• dinner at 6:30, every night.
• the merging of 9 people and 6 small animals into one household!

…community.

At the beginning of June we began a journey with our friends – an experiment in community. We introduced the Nobrega family and Jenn M. to you as part of our team. We didn’t discuss too much of the idea of all living in the same house together. This came, at first, out of necessity as all parties moving from La Crosse also were still trying to sell houses. (Which is still the case.) But as we journey together – sharing chores, our lives, our meals, our time and resources- we wonder if this is something that God is calling us to do on a longer term basis.

This move has been fun, tough, rewarding, challenging…all at the same time. Jesus seems to live his life in an interdependent stance. He encourages his disciples to the same.

Today, I reread some of what Henri Nouwen wrote in his book, Creative Ministry.

For a Christian is only a Christian when he unceasingly asks critical questions of the society in which he lives and continuously stresses the necessity for conversion, not only of the individual but also of the world. A Christian is only a Christian when he refuses to allow himself or anyone else to settle into a comfortable rest. He remains dissatisfied with the status quo. And he believes that he has an essential role to play in the realization of the new world to come – even if he cannot say how that world will come about. A Christian is only a Christian when he keeps saying to everyone he meets that the good news of the Kingdom has to be proclaimed to the whole world and witnessed to all nations (Mtt 24:13). As long as a Christian lives he keeps searching for a new order without divisions between people, for a new structure that allows every man to shake hands with every other man, and a new life in which there will be lasting unity and peace. He will not allow his neighbor to stop moving, to lose courage, or to escape into small everyday pleasures to which he can cling. He is irritated by satisfaction and self-content in himself as well as in others since he knows, with an unshakable certainty, that something great is coming of which he has already seen the first rays of light. He believes that this world not only passes but has to pass in order to let the new world be born. He believes that there will never be a moment in this life in which on can rest in the supposition that there is nothing left to do. But he will not despair when he does not see the result he wanted to see. For in the midst of all his work he keeps hearing the words of the One sitting on the throne, “I am making the whole of creation new” (Rev. 21:5).

I think those ideas are some of what have made us willing to engage in this experiment, to consider that God has something planned for this community that is glorious – if we are open to His agenda and willing to “lose our lives for the sake of the Kingdom, in order to find life (Mtt 10:39). This week, the “honeymoon” of this happy family came to an end and we had to do some of the tough work of togetherness. It won’t be the last of our difficult conversations. I’m sure that there were thoughts of “I can’t do this anymore.” And then the next day one of the boys ran in the house “Mom, where are my swim trunks?!” and from upstairs, I heard Becky answer, “They’re hanging up in the laundry room.”, “Thanks!” and without a word from me, Sam was out the door to go swimming. In that moment, I felt the Spirit of God encouraging me… “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).

So, maybe that’s what it’s all about.

 

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. (ephesians 3:20)

On my (Juli’s) list of “things to do before I’m 40″ is sailing. Now, I may have shared this before, but I had in mind getting to ride on a sailboat – with a friends, or paying a lot of money to go on a tourist boat. Today, with my friend Jenn, I joined Hoofers Sailing Club. I hope to receive my membership card in one week and then will begin taking lessons. They say 2-3 lessons and I will be qualified to sail a tech boat – and take a couple friends out. It’s a smaller boat, but if I enjoy this new hobby as much as I have enjoyed dreaming about it, it’s only the beginning.

 

Today with many other things in my head that need to be done and considered, I am extremely grateful for this opportunity. I pray that God would use this for His glory. I’m so glad that my God loves fun!

 

I’m going to learn how to sail! I’m pumped about that!