Monday, December 30, 2013

Body Language

What is it about men and their body language?

I’m sitting in a coffee shop, trying to hunker down and do some work. There are two men at the next table. One is turned sideways with his elbow propped on the back of his chair. His elbow extends to the back of the other comfy chair at my table.

There are only two comfy chairs in this establishment. Anyone really wanting a comfy chair might steer clear for fear they’ll be whacked in the back of the head.

I prefer the comfy chairs. Allows me to set my laptop on my actual lap. No worries about table height ergonomics.

I am more opposed to being whacked in the back of the head, however.

Men like to occupy as much space as possible. Stop and watch sometime. I’m not saying it’s right, wrong, or indifferent. It’s just a thing.

Women are taught to behave, act, and sit like ladies. Legs or ankles crossed. Arms close to the body. We aren’t told outright to occupy less space, that’s just the result.

I would imagine this gentleman doesn’t even realize he’s doing it. He probably would even adjust his position should anyone say “excuse me” and lay claim to what I am sure must be the last comfy chair on the planet.

Do I look OCD? J No offense to those who actually are, I just like order and organization.

And I try not to judge. Note that judging, in the evil connotation to which it has been relegated in modern society, is different from calling a spade a spade, calling truth truth, and having some discernment.

Interestingly, said space-occupying gentleman just got up and left. His companion stayed behind. What I could not see before from this angle (because of the space our guy was taking up?) is that the other gentleman is sitting with his little laptop and mouse. Looks like he’s working on something. Maybe surfing social media and just looking like he’s working, but he’s definitely focused on the screen.

Which makes one wonder … was super-space-occupying-man an interruption? Did he overstay his welcome? He sat there for a good half hour after I got here. Was it a planned meeting? I’m guessing not. Perhaps his turned-to-the-side body language was really a way of having one foot out the door, saying, “I’m not interrupting.” Was it a welcome interruption? I have no idea.

So. Deeper questions for today, as we approach the new year. As we make resolutions and/or set goals. In this season of renewal.

Are you where you want to be?

Are you just occupying space?

Are you hunkering down when you need to?

On the opposite end of the scale, though, are you allowing God to interrupt and redirect you when needed?

Our time on this earth is finite. What are you doing with yours?

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Love God, Love People

Love God and love people. That’s what it comes down to.

Jesus threw those extra couple commandments out there not necessarily to trump anything that had come before, but to say, “Hey. Love. That’s what’s most important.”

Love never fails.

The devil has been working overtime lately to distract us from what’s important. Good grief, it’s like a Pharisees versus heretics versus insert-your-favorite-label-here extravaganza out there these days.

I like to kind of chill in December and refocus on what’s important … as much as possible, anyway. Typically I’m pretty busy in October / November with some love God / love people secret elfin missions, so my own holiday preparations get to wait until closer to Christmas. Decorating, shopping, baking, hanging with the inner circle, prepping for the new year … all good stuff that I like to do. And often I’ll end up eliminating several items on my wish list of activities – because they turn out to be not that important.

As I write this, I’m a little distracted because I’m prepping for routine allergy testing first of the week. That means no antihistamines for several days so the doc can get a true read. It’s been 72 hours since my last Zyrtec, and every cell in my body itches right now. The palms of my hands. The inside of my mouth. My eyeballs. My teeth. My Teeth Itch.

Soon I think I may start seeing sounds. Should be an interesting worship service in the morning. Maybe I should take a sketchbook with me and draw pictures of the music when I have a few minutes in the green room.

It probably doesn’t help matters that we’re experiencing torrential rain this weekend. Did I mention I’m allergic to mold? Discovered that one when I lived in Louisiana. Or Wheeze-iana as I like to call it.

Okay, enough whining about me and the color of an F#m7 chord.

Love God and love people.

If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
~ John 14:15 (NASB)

By the way, on the subject of current events … I have taught on 1 Corinthians 6. I recommend going King James with it. J After you read it, before you open your mouth, maybe contemplate this one, too …

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
~ Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV)

So think of it like this. Love is the Christmas tree. Everything else hangs on it.

It doesn’t go away, it hangs on it.

And without the tree to hold it all together, you have a pile of ornaments.

Love God and love people.

Monday, December 2, 2013

You Are a Daughter of the King

Psssst. You. Yeah you.

You are a daughter of the king. Don’t forget it.

That boss who says you should consider a different career? He’s an idiot. Over time people will desert the company because he’s abusive and impossible to work for. And he definitely doesn’t have Jesus. Find someone of influence who does and ask them to help get you out of there.

And those people who think you need to be pigeonholed into a single career? That you owe some debt to society because of what you studied in school? Ignore their narrow minds. God’s will is the only one that matters.

Friends who profess to be Christians and attend church and read their bible will suddenly decide parts of that bible don’t apply to them. Yes, you are your brother’s keeper, but treat them with grace and don’t be holier-than-thou. It’s okay to distance yourself if you need to. They may assume your approval, but they’ll figure it out eventually. Let God work on them.

Free will is a …. well, you know.

And indeed it takes all kinds in this world.

You are a daughter of the king. Act like it.

When that lady wants everyone to “open up your heart chakra” and air your dirty laundry to complete strangers … stand your ground. Have a quiet discussion of faith, works, and karma with your new Hindu friend who is equally bothered by the suggested exercise. It’ll be better for both of you.

You’ve been given a sharp mind and an independent spirit. Use them for good.

Humility is important. Timidity … not so much.

Be consistent and practice what you preach. Perfection is not required, so don’t worry so much. That whole death and resurrection thing? That covered the gaps for you.

You are a daughter of the king.

Never stop learning new things. You’ll notice those who do, and they’ll seem old, really old. And stagnant. Regardless of their chronological age.

Remove the word “can’t” from your vocabulary.

Trust God.

People will be mean. People will take advantage. People will promise help and then disappear. People will try to tell you what you need to do and how you need to be. Unless their opinion is in line with God’s word and God’s will, it doesn’t matter. Change the rules and move on.

People will resent your growth and the changes you make. Let ‘em.

You are a daughter of the king.

Satan is tricky. The original trickster. He will trick you into questioning things you thought were true. He will lead you to believe that sin isn’t really sin. Pick a sin, any sin. It’ll be subtle. It may take you a while to notice or to realize why you don’t feel quite right about something. Once you do, be strong enough to tell him where to go.

Never give up. You are anything but ordinary.

You are a daughter of the king. Don’t forget it.

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Grace and Waffles

I just ate at a Waffle House for the second time ever. I know, I lead a sheltered life. I did learn that cheese grits can be just like regular grits but with a slice of processed American cheese slapped on top. And the waitresses running the juke box are fond of transitions from modern country, to 80s Bon Jovi, to Vince Gill “Go Rest High On That Mountain”, straight into Vanilla Ice. Some dance moves may have been busted out. Just what the doctor ordered, even for this food nazi.

I’m halfway home from Atlanta, somewhere in small town Tennessee, nestled amongst the mountains along the interstate. Bad, bad, dangerous weather is predicted in Ohio tonight, so I didn’t want to drive all the way home.

There are three things I don’t like when it comes to driving. Driving at night, driving in unfamiliar places, and driving in rain or snow. I still do them, they’re just not my favorite. They cause me stress, and they make me tired. Three of the four hours of driving today were in the rain. Interstate driving doesn’t really count as unfamiliar, though, and it was somewhat light outside, albeit overcast. I was hydroplaning like nobody’s business on a regular basis, however.

About a year-and-a-half ago I went on a business trip with a coworker. Our travel arranger had put the rental car in my name. In my past experience, any employee of the company is good to drive the rental car … all part of the contract, yada, yada, yada. I have no idea where my coworker stands on spiritual matters, but I would not be surprised to learn he has legalistic tendencies. He had no interest whatsoever, no way, no how, in driving the rental car. It might not be okay. What if something happened.

Oy vey. So yes indeedy, following some airline delays and re-routing, we had the trifecta of darkness, rainy / wintry mix, and driving two hours from northern Vermont (there are watch-out-for-moose signs) into Quebec ski resort country. I do not mind chivalry at all. I am highly in favor of it, in fact. In my coworker’s defense, he was unaware of my driving preferences, and we ended up with a hilarious story to tell everyone else.

Today’s trip was a day earlier than planned. Normally I’m pretty healthy, and I’m a former road warrior so travel is no big deal, but I do have some chronic health issues that rear their ugly head from time to time. This morning I wasn’t feeling well, so I bailed early on my conference to start heading home. I went to the front desk to check out early, and I chose the riff raff line, as opposed to the I-stay-in-a-hotel-way-too-much line. I do not know where it came from … but my inner wench totally came out. Well, okay, maybe I do know where it came from. In a past life I may have managed unruly, potty-mouthed construction and factory workers with ease, and vicious rhetoric may be among my natural, God-given talents.

The front desk clerk handling the riff raff line called me up, I told her what room I was checking out of, and then … a guy from the hoity toity line interjected to complain that she should be taking care of him first. Keep in mind there were only maybe four or five people total in any line at the time. I politely invited the fine gentleman to “go right ahead and make a lady wait”. He started to take me up on my offer until I added how special he was. J

So I got checked out quickly, thanked the clerk and told her she was doing a great job, and went on my way. I am certain I lost points in the grace department, and feeling ill doesn’t really make it ok. To do list item number one … keep working on that grace thing …

Monday, November 4, 2013

Stuck

I started to write a series of blog posts on healthy eating / what I eat at someone’s request, but good grief, it may actually turn into a book.

So Plan B. And if you want my more detailed advice on healthy eating, get in touch. It’s what I do for a living.

Interesting things and adventures are on the horizon. And I keep getting lessons and whispers and clues along the way. God is so, so funny. Just ask him.

What do you do when you look up and suddenly realize you’ve grown about a bajillion percent? In the spiritual, emotional, and/or intellectual sense of the word. (If you’ve grown physically, and that’s not a good thing, come see me for the aforementioned nutrition advice.)

My answer is keep growing. And don’t apologize for it.

I was mistaken, oh so briefly, for a teenager the other day. Bwahahaha! Wow. I guess I must be doing something right. While I’m cool with perpetuating the myth that I’m twenty-nine, I’m actually hugely flattered when someone thinks I’m in my twenties.

In the words of Audrey Hepburn in “Roman Holiday” … “Thank you.”

I’ve run across a few people lately who seem to be stuck in time. And I mean way back in time. “Are you still doing X? Oh I could never do X. (Insert excuse of the day here.)” Really? It’s not that hard. And it’s a better choice than A through W. Don’t even get me started on the carb fest that was a few feet away during this most interesting conversation.

But the lessons on grace continue. And I’ve been doing pretty well with them. By the grace (ha!) of God.

I’m still a little surprised when I run across those stuck in time fellow-children-of-God. I prefer to keep an open mind on a lot of subjects. What we learned in the past, as schoolchildren for instance, is not always still true. Science and medicine make new discoveries. New inventions and new technologies change the way we do things. History and events happen.

While biblical truth remains the same and always will, and moral relativism makes my head want to explode … eating the processed tv dinners of our youth is bad for us. Period. The way most of us eat is bad for us. Period. Take care of the temple. (Hint, it’s biblical.)

And if you look around and realize you’re stuck – in time, in whatever – I’m here to help expand your horizons and your thinking.

Call me.

P.S. Praise God for growth and his plan.

J

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Hey, Do I Have Something on My Forehead?

No more owl sightings this week. Just umpteen deer in the yard at a time. We’re becoming friends. They like it here.

I may need some mercenary hunter types to assist with a relocation program such as we have for groundhogs in this area. I would never endorse anything that could even remotely be interpreted as illegal, but if you’re a venison fan, just sayin’ …

This amateur student in human behavior has been studying again. I don’t have any brilliant conclusions, I’m baffled.

Most of you are aware I’m in the nutrition business. I’ve been in the nutrition business in one capacity or another for quite a while. I am qualified to speak on the subject from several different angles, and I have gone through my own health transformation as a result of cleaning up my nutrition in recent years.

I seem to have attracted quite the mélange of people recently. One of my business partners asked something along the lines of, “Where do you find these people? How do you attract all the problem types?”

I don’t know, maybe I’m just sorting through more people? Some will, some won’t, so what, next. I’ll save the ones I can. Those who will accept the help.

Maybe I have “bring your problem cases here” tattooed on my forehead.

Maybe my being willing to talk to anyone leads to an interesting assortment of people crossing my path.

Maybe my showing grace and hopefully reflecting the light of Jesus leads to more people being willing to talk to me.

My “talk to anyone” motivation is twofold – it’s the right thing to do for business and, mostly, it’s the Christian thing to do. We’re all God’s children here.

And yes, he made us all different, which brings me to some of the array of folks who have crossed my path …

People with interesting ideas of what can cause cancer in lab rats. Which may lead to me posting things like, “I don't want to brag, but I think you all should know I have the ability to cause cancer in lab rats by giving them the evil eye and playing Thunderstruck at top volume.

(Side note – Yes, it’s true, I did once meet AC/DC’s sound man. Ask me about it sometime.)

People who believe oh-my-gosh-you-have-to-avoid-xyz-ingredient-or-food-group-or-you’re-gonna-die. Yes, read ingredient lists, but let’s be reasonable.

People who believe my business is sinful, who misunderstand by thinking it’s all about outward appearance and money.

I assure you, when friends and acquaintances are facing surgeries and amputations and health problems that really are preventable … it’s not about outward appearance or money, it’s personal. And it makes me sad. And angry.

Ultimately it’s up to God who lives, who dies, who has a thorn in their side, and when.

But if he’s pulled the raft up to your house and is saying, “Get in,” … well …

There goes that free will thing again.

Next!

J

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Wisdom

I haven’t written since the dawn of time. And I’m slightly askew from it. Or I’ve been slightly askew and therefore haven’t written. Chicken or egg. Discuss amongst yourselves.

I’ve gone through this seemingly weird transition where the usual suspects in my existence have fallen off the face of the earth. That’s a slight exaggeration, but rarely have I been so grateful for being grounded in my faith. Something is astir in the universe. And I really don’t need to know what it is. I just keep on keeping on. Doing what I’ve been called to do. And learning.

Today I have learned I really don’t care for jasmine tea. It tastes like you’re drinking flowers. Flowers are to be looked at, smelled, and so forth. Not imbibed.

Back to the subject of being grounded. The other night our small group curriculum included this verse:

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
~ Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)

Read that again and mull over it a bit. It wasn’t even the main theme of the lesson, just a reference verse.

However …

On the way home that night, I was driving down a country road near my house, in the dark, when … a large bird flew over the road in front of me. Buzzards, crows, geese, and even turkey vultures are common sights in my neighborhood. This particular bird landed in the road to the left of me, and I caught just enough of maybe a half-second glimpse before it disappeared from my headlights to figure out … it was an owl!!!

I never see owls!!! Of course maybe that would happen if I wandered around outside at night more often.

It was so completely cool!!!

Owls. Wisdom. Yeah.

And I don’t believe in coincidences.

Let’s all contemplate the deeper meaning. Until next time …

J

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Because I Can

The number of people who doubt themselves astounds me.

I’m talking excessive doubt here, not run of the mill everyday I’m not so sure about this doubt. And along the lines of excessive doubt … people who always, always assume that they can’t.

What a depressing existence to keep schlepping through every day doing the same old thing because it’s what you assume you have to do. Not because it’s something you enjoy or because it’s the right thing to do. (Some might consider things like paying bills and maintaining tax records “have to do” items, but I maintain they’re just the right thing to do. You do actually have a choice, but fines, a lack of electricity, and jail time aren’t especially desirable options.)

A music teacher of mine banned the word “can’t” in her presence. I suppose enough frustrated, whiny students would drive you to that, but it’s a good teaching strategy as well. And a good strategy for life.

You haven’t lived until you’ve played Bach at top volume in a big empty church while practicing for Sunday. Even when Bach is not on the Sunday agenda. Because you can.

I went to Chicago last weekend. Because I can.

I had a regional conference to attend. And one by one my usual circle of traveling companions dropped off the trip for a variety of reasons. I could have expanded the search for a carpool and a hotel room by another circle or two. I could have skipped the conference altogether. But I needed some motivation and an adventure. And I am sure not gonna sit around and wait for that sort of thing to just fall in my lap.

By the grace of God, of course … I make things happen.

Short aside. When people say they can’t afford something, while sometimes that is indeed the case, I often find that they

(a) have other priorities, sometimes whacky priorities
(b) aren’t creative enough
(c) won’t ask for help in being creative
(d) won’t take the time to explore how they might be able to afford it
(e) are so stuck in a rut and so don’t believe in themselves that they assume they can’t.

So Ms. Road Warrior used a combo of frequent flyer miles (but a fraction of what I have) and cash, found a very reasonably priced hotel room at the airport, and rode the L into downtown Chicago.

Have I ever ridden the L before? Nope. New life experience. I did promise my mother I wouldn’t ride the train late at night, so I splurged on a cab at 12:30 in the morning. (Shhhh, no one tell her that I would have cabbed it anyway because I’m well-traveled enough to know that’s the right thing to do.)

And what did I gain from all this?

A sense of accomplishment. Motivation. Inspiration. Nuggets of information I can put to use. Large amounts of personal attention from some successful business people – mentors of mine who I never see often enough. Large amounts of time with friends, both old and new. A bigger network. Examples to follow. New words to use. New stories to tell. And an unforgettable view from the 95th floor of the Hancock Building.

You are the CEO of your own life.

You are the leading lady (or man) of your own life.

Act like it, people. No excuses.

J


Monday, September 9, 2013

Practice Makes Perfect

Have you ever felt invisible? Although attracting attention is something I come by naturally, even I have those moments. So I just go with it … rest and recharge, or maybe go meet new people, change something up.

I read an article that says pessimists tend toward inaction. They sit back and wait. Apparently I’m not a pessimist.

What do you come by naturally?

Playing piano is another one of my things. When that 8am on a Sunday sound check comes, I’m not always fully functional. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone said they could see smoke rising as my brain struggles to get started. Give me enough Neuro and I’m always good by the 9am service, though. The ladies in the kitchen can vouch for me that I’m often in there about 8:30 mixing up my bottle of awesome. The brain connecting to the fingers is important, because for me an F#m7 chord is not E-F#-A-C#, it’s this:


That comes via the grace of God and many years of practice. And the ability to jump on stage for second service with no rehearsal and barely a sound check comes from hours of practice with the same group of people. (Not that that happened recently or anything …)

What are you good at? Do you practice it? Should you? Have you practiced it enough?

It’s funny. Being in a “behavior change” business, I sometimes see people trying something new … and then – despite being really good at it – they will quit at the first tiny little bump in the road.

Do I ever hit the wrong note in front of several hundred people? All the time.

Does the worship leader ever throw in an extra chorus? Sure, we just go with it and act like it was planned. We’re professionals. Unpaid, but we’re professionals. And maybe it looks like the PowerPoint guy’s fault. ;-)

Do I ever eat anything unhealthy or eat too much? Yep.

Do I ever blow off a workout that I really ought to do? Yep.

It’s not about being perfect, it’s about getting better. And using the talents and gifts God gave you to help others.

Practice makes perfect. Or close enough.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Inspiration

Time wasters abound just lately.

I am trying to inhale … exhale … and remember it’s God’s plan, not mine.

Let’s just say if you’re a contractor bidding on work on my house … and I rearrange my entire day to be there for the walkthrough … and you no-show with no phone call or anything … I might be unlikely to call you again.

This is but one example in my life.

So Godincidences. Yeah.

After about a month hiatus, I started seeing all these little signs and that word again. The same word every couple of days. Okay, hey, hi. I don’t know what you’re up to, Big Guy, but it’s something.

Oh yeah, it’s something.

Cue Switchfoot and some Earl Grey and some focus.

One of my mentors says,

“Be inspired. Be inspiring.”

I try to remind myself of that philosophy when I’m feeling scattered and distracted. When seemingly random opportunities keep changing my plan. And on days like today when I’m pretty sure there is ragweed pollen embedded deeply in my lungs. Ain’t nobody got time for that.

Being in the health and wellness field, taking care of myself is actually part of my job. I giggle when I think about that. Working out, eating healthy, getting enough sleep … are all part of my job. That is so cool. How many times have I said this … put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others.

And I don’t call it a job – I have my own business. I’m sure some people think I don’t really have a job, though. Entrepreneurship is so far out of the mindset of some that you can tell they just don’t get it. The confused look on their face says it all.

Okay, fine, maybe I’ll hire you to work for me at some point? You are the CEO of your own life. More people should act like it.

I don’t know why it surprises me anymore, but every now and then it becomes startlingly clear how many people have an employee mindset. Don’t get me wrong, the world needs good employees. And I never say never to the possibility of taking on the right opportunity. In retrospect, even when I have been an employee I had an entrepreneurial mindset. The more enjoyable roles were those where I had more freedom to decide how things were done.

Don’t even get me started on an entitlement mindset.

Newsflash time. It is possible to love what you do for a living. And you do not have to be pigeonholed by whatever your college degree is. Or by not having a college degree.

Being inspiring? Also part of my job. So whatever it takes to make that happen … part of my job. Maintaining good mental and spiritual health … part of my job.

In order to be inspiring you need to be inspired. So I make sure I put forth the time and effort to get inspired. I don’t sit back and wait for it to happen. Other than the aforementioned taking care of myself … for me, getting inspired is reading (the bible, leadership books, random fiction and nonfiction, articles and blogs), writing, thinking / praying / listening, playing in the kitchen, figuring out what makes people tick, listening to music, playing music. Sorry, no arithmetic. You were thinking it, I know you were.

So here’s my thought for the day. When the world starts getting a little too loud and tries to pull you in fifty directions … tell it to talk to the hand and go get inspired.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Discernment

Do you believe everything you read?

I write this blog not as a source of scientific data, but to make you think, to make me think, and because I like to write.

A writer connection shared this thought, “Real writers don’t write for recognition. They don’t do it for fame, accolades, or notoriety. They do it because they cannot not write.” Thank you, Jeff Goins. Guilty as charged.

Most of the time I’m writing about theological and faith-based observations … however on the subject of scientific nerdiness …

I have been noticing a plethora of links on the social media to articles that look perfectly innocent and sciency. (That’s a real word, I’m sure of it.) But many of these posts have no basis whatsoever in scientific fact.

Most often I’m looking at nutrition-related articles, since nutrition is my business. I’ve been on the sales side, the engineering side, and the manufacturing side. I know a good clinical trial when I see it. So anything said in a blog-like post on a site with a URL along the lines of www.eatorganicordie.org, www.vegansrus.com, or www.monsantoisthedevil.net is not credible.

No offense to organic and vegan peeps. I eat some organic things. And while not vegan, I’m frequently vegetarian. (I eat a little poultry.) Just a personal choice. If you want to bring a steak over and throw it on my grill, have at it. Everyone should do their best to eat clean and healthy as much as possible. The exact dishes that constitutes is different for different people. And let’s face it, not everyone is going to go vegan. And not everyone has access to all-organic.

So I chuckle at the posts and comments on some of the social media. If I gave up everything people say you should NEVER eat … I think I’d be left with water, nuts, and twigs. I’m sure someone has a reason not to consume any of those, though, along with a sciency-looking blog post stating “facts” with no backup references.

I was in a discussion online the other day where someone was shrieking again about a particular ingredient being bad for you. I googled some stuff but didn’t really come up with sites other than www.youlldieifyoueatthis.org. So I asked for links and explained that I wasn’t finding anything scientific. “I have a food science background, so I like to dig into the details,” I said. The shrieker told me the exact phrase to google. Which was the exact phrase I had googled. J

Okay then.

Data available from credible research changes over time as we learn more. And sometimes data conflicts from study to study. That’s when we have to use the brain God gave us and dig into the assumptions and methods and so forth. And sometimes we have to act like a judge in a court of law and go with the preponderance of the evidence.

And sometimes we just don’t know.

So let’s remember … finding something on a page on the interwebs … does not necessarily make it true. Consider the data. Consider the source.

I’ll get off my soapbox now.

One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them.
 ~Romans 14:2-3


Wednesday, July 31, 2013

The Beach

Today’s blog entry is brought to you by an eclectic mix including Third Day, Glory Revealed, Michael Buble, Jars of Clay, and … .drumroll … Jonas Brothers. You never know what will happen when the iPod is on shuffle.

I’m also sipping on Earl Grey tea with honey. Good for the soul, good for the scratchy throat. I’ve been popping the Vimmunity and praying to fight off this latest round of sinus ickiness.  Anyone who saw me playing piano at church on Sunday may have noted I was not singing along.  You’re welcome. I’m not usually mic’d but the piano is. So it’s close enough.

Btw the iPod has now moved on to John Berry’s rendition of “O Holy Night”. Yes, it’s July. No, I don’t care. Best version of that song ever.

Last week we were talking about checking a few things off the goals list.

Spend at least one day at the beach – done.

Post-conference last week we had scheduled the Monday flight back home for late in the day. After exploring options, our party of six cabbed it to the Orlando airport, rented a Crown Vic, and headed for Ron Jon’s in Cocoa Beach.

That sounds fairly simple, but I addressed a lot of “but what if” questions along the way.

J

I felt like I was channeling my friend, Christen, whose signature phrase is, “It’ll be fine.”  Trust me, I’ve done this before. Do not underestimate my ability to find sand and become one with it.

God always speaks to me at the beach. And indeed he did. I felt like I never really managed to get still and quiet this time, though. Too much going on. Ugh.

Solution – I will have to go back soon.

God speaks to me all the time, not just at the beach. I just need to get quiet enough to “hear it” / figure it out. I don’t share specifics with many people because so many just don’t understand. I am probably the only one who can truly understand my calling. And that’s fine. It’s just a little disheartening when people inadvertently … or in a well-meaning but misguided effort … try to rain on my parade.

I’ve got my umbrella and galoshes ready, thank you very much.

I received a specific answer to prayer while in Florida. Most people would consider it small. Or nothing. Maybe even coincidental. But to me it was huge. And positive. And smile-worthy.

I don’t know, isn’t anything God does huge and monumental in the greater scheme of the universe? I mean, it’s God!!! The almighty. The omnipotent. The big guy.

So when we recognize that God has taken care of something we are completely incapable of, let’s give credit where credit is due. And be happy about it.

Think about that. I’ll be over here on my beach towel with my SPF50.


JJJ

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Time and Change

Where do I even start …

I’m kind of on top of the world at the moment. In awe of God and his handiwork. And listening to Chris Tomlin today.

I checked several items off my goals list in the last week. That would be my written goals list. Not my manager’s list. Not my CEO’s list. Not a corporation’s list. My list. Mine, mine, mine, all mine, hee hee.

I attend several events for my business throughout the year. One of my goals was to make it to at least one “optional” worship service on Sunday morning at a national event. The service is always fairly early, especially considering that the fun and networking goes on into the wee hours the night before. And depending on how far away from the venue we’re staying, there may be a walk or a cab ride involved.

So it’s really easy to blow off church at 7:30am before another long day when sleep is at a premium. And if no one is keeping you accountable.

What drove me to make this one a written goal was missing the service last fall in St. Louis. I was looking forward to it, truly planning on being there. It was time change weekend … time to turn the clocks back an hour. Officially that happens at 2am I guess. But often it takes a few hours for computers, tv’s, cell phones, etc. to update the time you see displayed in a lot of places. I used to work at a plant where it would take a couple weeks at least for everything to catch up. Talk about confusing.

In St. Louis we were back in our hotel room briefly that Saturday evening to change into Halloween costumes, and I noticed the maid had apparently updated the alarm clock. “Oh how nice,” I thought. So when we went to sleep in the wee hours, I set the alarm on my cell for early early … and not knowing whether the phone would update as expected while I was asleep … and not knowing how that would affect the alarm … I somehow had worked out that when the alarm went off, if the time on the phone and clock agreed then I should get up, but if they disagreed then I had one more hour to sleep. I don’t know, trust me, I’ve taken more math classes than any human should have to, and I aced the analytical section of the GRE. The statistical likelihood of me being right was high.

Except …

It was an atomic clock sitting on the nightstand.

Which means a satellite speaks to the clock at least once a day to keep it updated and aligned with government time standards and the planets and who knows what else.

So my roommate and I dragged our extremely tired selves out of bed and headed across the street. While we were getting ready, I had been messaging my frequent partner in crime / friend / prayer partner asking what time he was walking over to the worship service … followed by a “never mind, we’ll be there last minute, see you there”.

Um yeah, hopefully his phone was on vibrate because by the time we got there, the next breakout session was starting. We completely missed the worship service. Our phones were showing the correct time. The clock in the hotel room had also updated in the middle of the night and was now wrong.

Oy vey.

(Yes, this does bring up a whole discussion for fellow computer nerds on how updates from atomic-land are programmed, but we will leave that for another time.)

Later that morning I was sitting in the general session in the Edward Jones dome, where cell service is practically nil and getting enough of an internet signal to use messenger is worthy of notifying the Vatican. It was about 10:30 – no, really it was actually 10:30, lol. My phone vibrates and this simple message appears … “Your phone should update the time automatically.”

In a testament to how far I’ve come, I skipped the sarcasm and responded with grace and something to the effect of “you’ll laugh, it’s been an adventure”.

Fast forward to Los Angeles in March this year. I was on the volunteer staff for the event and the worship service conflicted with my duties.

Fast forward again to Orlando this past weekend. I didn’t have anyone else in my circle saying they were getting up early and making the twenty-ish minute walk in July-in-Florida-heat-and-humidity to the convention center. But I did it anyway. And it was good.

So, kids, what can we learn from all this?

Write your goals down, even if they seem small and stupid. It’ll spur you to actually do them.

You never know which of your teammates might show up a few seats away from you in church.

I will not hold it against any particular one of said teammates that they could have mentioned they were cabbing it to the convention center and therefore did not arrive damp and frizzy. J

God speaks through the most seemingly insignificant things. Over and over and over again.