I’LL HAVE A BLOODY MARY, A STEAK SANDWICH AAAND A STEAK SANDWICH
Easier than writing lots of individual emailsArchive for December, 2008
UH-OH, I THINK I HAVE A NEW FAVORITE
Gospel Reminders
Tim Challies says about it…
“Here is a new site that offers “Christ-Centered Quotes for the Renewing of Your Mind.” “The aim of Gospel Reminders is to provide daily, Christ-centered quotes from throughout Christian history which stir you to continually renew your mind for the glory of God.” “
Yes, please.
I cruised around and was totally encouraged and challenged and loved that they were short, powerful zingers that you could chew on all day (and longer).
And, a hearty thank you to GoogleReader… Thank you GoogleReader, for being a tool to help me keep my mind focused on Christ. 
You’re sweet.
A LEADER IS OFT TIMES A READER
Soooo, as you know, I’ve been getting back in the reading saddle.
I have a big list (always) and little time.
BUT, I do have more time than the President of the United States and somehow he managed to run the most powerful country in the world (through 9/11 fallout, controversial war, a ‘recession’, immense criticism and scrutiny, a bajillion meetings scheduled down to the minute, married off a daughter, etc.) AND read 186 books in the past 3 years. I think I read 10-15ish. Wow. I’m lame.
Here’s an article about the reading competition between old friends President George Bush and Karl Roves.
I am cheerfully warmed by President Bush’s spirit and kindness and have always loved the fact that, though people are unspeakably rude and malicious to him, he still continues with a smile, to do soul/mind enriching things… he seems to turn away from the option of bitterness. And, I love that one way is to read…even in friendly competition.
Just my impression.
JENNENE MEETS CHEMO TODAY
Just a little reminder, that my best friend Jennene will be taking her first hit of chemo on Monday at 9am. CLICK HERE to read Sunday’s recap and Monday’s chemo schedule.
REST? WHAT REST?
ok, sooo, the last couple of weeks have been pretty non-stop. If you read this blog then you know that 2 weeks ago (the week before Christmas) was a week of extreme highs and lows. This last week was filled other kinds of highs and lows and next week is sure to be filled with more highs and lows…we’re humans…thus highs and lows.
BRIEF RECAP
-was still sick enough all weekend.
-Had lunch w/Ona on Saturday
-Sunday, went to church for the ‘Candle Light Service’
-helped Adam Powell move all of his belongings to his new place where he & his new bride will reside upon their return from Thailand
-went with J&E and Gail down to Glendale for a family night at Steve & Debra’s…though the flat tire on the way down made for more adventure than expected. Driving 50mph on LA freeways is AWESOME!
-On Monday, drove up to Hanford for some sweet love at the Harveys; filled with uniform, food, laughing, conversation, sickness, lively rounds of nerDs, hilarious Zach moments, Jennene’s blog updates, cool Christmas Eve Eve service , food, laughing, tech issues, conversation, uniform…
-Drove home early on Christmas morn, showered, made my over to the Brocks for Christmas brunch, which was FANTASTIC! Great company too…J&E, Jason & Steph, Mike, Gail (Js mom), Luke, Brad, Nadine. Hilarious range of conversation topics too. And, really great to get more than 2 minutes on Sunday am with the Beals!
-Spent the rest of the day in uniform at the Brocks with Mike (the Brocks went on to another family party); watching movies, reading dive magazines, planning dive destination trips and eating leftovers. Honestly, does it get any better?
-Friday worked in the morning and then ran down to Huntington Beach on an errand and in the process met the nicest people in the world (aunt/uncle of one David Wolter), then dinner near LAX, then dropped Mike off for his trip to Thailand (for AP’s wedding and sweet sweet diving).
-Today…working, planning, communicating….booked flights to/from Denver for a funeral next Friday…I leave on Wednesday New Years Eve…Jennene starts chemo on Monday…life just keeps on rolling…
FACEBOOK FOR GOOD OR FACEBOOK FOR EVIL
Soo, I’ve had this article open in a tab for a while, in hopes of reading it.
Turns out, it’s a pretty good article. It’s called ‘Redeeming Social Life OnLine’
Here’s an excerpt
“Like most other new things, Christians tend to either embrace Facebook uncritically, or retreat from it and condemn its use. Embracing technology uncritically—the “bear hug,” as I call it—means using a technology without thinking through its impact on yourself and others.
The “cold shoulder”—ignoring/retreating from/condemning a technology—is often driven by misguided fears and shallow biblical interpretation. While the problems with embracing uncritically are more easily discerned, giving a technology like Facebook the cold shoulder also has its problems. . . “
CLICK HERE for the whole article (which includes 9 ways to NOT use facebook and 6 ways TO use facebook. )
Thoughts?
INFOBESCITY
Soo, I got this post from Tim Challies’s blog. I literally copy/pasted it.
I love Challies.com because he is a fair reviewer. He’s discerning and is able to winnow through the glut of info and offer very relevant and intellectually and spiritually useful/engaging/nourishing food for thought. This post, entitled THINGS VAGUELY UNDERSTOOD, is somewhat exposing.
“Earlier this year John Naish, a British journalist, released a book titled Enough (which does not seem to be widely available in the United States). He subtitled the book, “Breaking free from the world of more.” He uses the book to encourage people to stop when they have enough–enough stuff, enough food, enough work, enough information. There were parts of the book I thought were much better than others; one part I thoroughly enjoyed was his discussion about information and the incredible volume of information we are exposed to today. In one part of this chapter he writes about his approach to tackling information overload. I thought I’d share that with you.
It involves fighting–and here’s my own new word–infobesity, by restricting one’s data diet. There are compelling reasons. The glut of information is not only causing stress and confusion; it also makes us do irrational things such as ignore crucial health information. The British Government’s latest survey on our food-buying patterns shows that while we are given more information than ever about healthy eating, our consumption of fresh food has fallen. This is partly because we are too busy getting and spending to enjoy the simple pleasures of cooking. But Catherine Collins, of the British Dietetic Association, says that info-overload is often to blame for this food-choice paradox: “We are so informed that we can’t be bothered.” That’s a fantastic slogan for the twenty-first century. We are so wired to gather information that often we no longer do anything useful with it. Instead of pausing to sift our intake for relevance and quality, the daily diet of prurient, profound, confusing and conflict information gets chucked on to a mental ash-heap of things vaguely comprehended. Then we rush to try to make sense of it all…by getting more.
As I read this, I thought of the Golden Labrador Retriever (i.e. Golden Lab), that ridiculous (but family-friendly) breed of dog that has a far bigger stomach than brain. The Lab, or at least the Labs I’ve known, cannot be trusted around food. They will eat until they are sick, throw up, and eat some more. Indefinitely. Some dogs have more common sense; they will eat for a while and save a portion of their food for another time. Not so the Lab. It will eat, and eat, and eat.
I do wonder if we are this way with information today–we eat and eat and eat, never pausing to digest, rarely showing any sensible moderation.”
HE GIVES & TAKES
It’s been an interesting week.
It’s been filled with joys and sorrow.
Seems like you can’t know one very well without knowing the other.
Joy is sweeter when you know sorrows.
And sorrows are endurable when you know joys.
This week
-My best friend was diagnosed with cancer
-Other friends prepare for their exciting and beautiful wedding that is next week
-Another friend’s young dad just died unexpectedly this afternoon (12/19/08)
-Another friend will wed her love tomorrow
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Job seems to be the guy whose story we all turn to when it all seems too weighty… so, I do again…
” ‘He said,
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked I shall return there
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away.
Blessed be the name of the LORD.”
Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.’ “
When Job’s wife had had enough of the adversity, she appealed to Job…here’s how it went…
” ‘Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!”
But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” In all this, Job did not sin with his lips.’ ”
Job eventually questions God. God brings down the smack down. Job shudders and responds with…
” ‘Then Job answered the LORD and said,
“I know that You can do all things,
And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
“Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand,
Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.”
‘Hear, now, and I will speak;
I will ask You, and You instruct me.’
“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear;
But now my eye sees You;
Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes.”‘ “
JENNENE’S ONCOLOGY APPT
Just a reminder that if you’d like updates on Jennene, please click on over to (and subscribe to) www.DontWasteMyCancer.wordpress.com
For the post specifically about OncologyAppt #1 click here
THE WORLD HATES OBEYING GOD=HATE THE CHURCH
A friend of mine is one of the pastors of this church. A woman refuses to stop sleeping with her boyfriend. The church is at the final stages of church discipline and plan on bringing it before the congregation this Sunday. Instead of repenting, she took it to the media. The church is now facing potential threats & violence… for loving her by obeying Scripture.
Just remember that (1 Corinthians 1:18 ) …”For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
Please pray for her, for the church, for the media, for the viewers/readers (please note the comments by readers). Not sure if this qualifies for persecution, but either way it’s an opportunity for followers of Christ to stand up for God and His wisdom and His church and His love for sinners through the doctrines of hell/heaven (practiced through discipline/grace/restoration . . . the gospel).
UPDATE
Here’s a post link with more data
http://theologica.blogspot.com/2008/12/church-discipline-in-news.html
WHILE IT’S NO CANCER…
Sooo, as noted in the previous post, Jennene has cancer. And, while that’s going to bring about some new ways of doing things, in the meantime the rest of the world and it’s goings on never seem to slow up.
Here’s an example… I’ve been sick since the night before Thanksgiving. Including Thanksgiving Day, I was in bed for a solid week. Then I had about 5 days of a reprieve during which time I taught at a junior high and a high school…germs never linger in those stomping grounds and they never go after weakened immune systems. And then I was/am in bed again. So, today, in fact, right this moment, marks my 3 week anniversary of having this bronchitus/flu plague that many people have had this season. One way that I’m celebrating is by staying in bed as much as possible.
Another,’ in honor of my 3 week anniversary’ celebration, and at the advice of 2 people, I went out and bought myself a ‘Neti Pot’.
Google it and then enjoy the Youtube videos demonstrating its’ use. Then find the guy that deviates from the healing saline solution and ventures to the coffee & wine (warning: he does swear at the end). For more entertainment, find the guy who does homeopathic remedies ‘white trash’ style (also swears). Wow.
In reality, when you get past the fact that you’re shoving a tea pot spout up your nose, it’s actually an amazingly relieving process…like a hot tub experience for your nasal pasages (and I didn’t swear).
In the last 3 weeks, I have
-spent more time in uniform than not
-coughed so hard that I’m pretty sure I have bruised/injured a rib on my right side (should I start Ace bandaging now)
-not had to feign ‘being awakened’ when i answer the phone
-had more non-doctors give me their unsolicited expert ‘diagnosis’ than is appropriate …even my bank teller had a few ‘you need to’ action items after hearing my cough.
-grown somewhat immune to codeine cough syrup
-felt like someone packed my nasal pasage with wet cement
-have sneezed so violently, I think I’m joking (but I’m not)
-have wondered if someone boxed my ears while I was sleeping
-started coughing almost everytime I start talking…hmmm…maybe there’s a correlation…and an exhortation
-woken up with a raging headache 70% of the time
-refined my ‘Harvey Fierstein’ voice impressions
-been really stoked my branding color is green, cuz I’ve been coughing up LOTS of it
-my eyes burning like little infernos; impairing my vision from time to time
-have dragged myself out of bed only for the ‘essentials’ (church Christmas service/rehearsals, RA Elf reunion party (!), client tasks cuz some agents still fax (?!?!?), finally turning the heater on today…1st time this winter, email/facebook, best friend’s post cancer diagnosis dinner, neti pot purchase and usage, the occasional shower, etc.)
-debated if I’m faking it or not; I always think I’m faking it. But, once I am better, the difference is so vast, that I realize I wasn’t faking it.
Have you experienced anything similar? If so, what are your remedies? What’s your expert opinion?
HELLO CANCER, WELCOME BACK
Ok, I have known many people, young/old, who have endured the embroiled battle with cancer. I have learned a lot, I have wondered a lot, I have not always known what to do (alot), but despite me (the friend) or them (the patient), I have seen God remain faithful.
After a week-ish of waiting (and me trying not to nag by asking for an update every 30 seconds), my friend of almost 20 years received the call from the doc. Yep, say hello to your new traveling companion, cancer.
She will know more on Friday (12/19) when she goes to meet with ‘her oncologist’. It’s weird that at 34 she’s going to have her own oncologist. We went to high school together and we’ve been in ministry together since we were 18/19 (even before I was a Christian). In some senses, we’ve grown up together…mostly spiritually, I would say. But, we have shared in many of life’s markers. We did attend the same high school, we attended the same college group at church, we ended up at the same college in LA, we sang our faces off with each other at a million different venues, we cut a 1st CD years ago and have another one currently ‘in production’, I stood in her wedding as maid of honor, we have traveled the world through different ministries, I’ve taught her classes in her absence, we’ve run ICU together, we’ve endured times of intense sanctification and times of total joy (particularly when she busts out her accents…I am on the floor in an instant), we’ve had countless hours of conversation (sharing counsel, rebuke, encouragement, etc), I love her husband and feel like he’s become one of my greatest friends too, I bought and sold their last 3 houses, we’re a part of each other’s families (the Driscolls LOVE her)… I have learned a lot from her and we would both say that it’s the most bizarre and hilarious pairing from the LORD. And, now, here we are in our friendship…at another life marker, welcoming an oncologist into the fold.
Here’s the thing about her though, she is almost unphased by having cancer. That’s not to say she’s unaware. Quite the opposite. She is rational, logical, well read, supported…all those good things. But moreover than any of those faculties, she trusts God. Always has. This ‘tragedy’ is really just another circumstance that the LORD is allowing her for His glory and her good…by her own mouth. I have watched her over the last 20 years. She has faithfully & quietly pursued God and pursued His will. She’s not ‘kicking it in gear’ now that there’s a ‘crisis’. In fact, her response is exactly what I would’ve expected it to be..because I know her humble and trusting walk with the LORD.
She doesn’t LOVE to be the center of attention, but cancer will force her there. I think what everyone will see as the microscope is on her is ‘Christ in me is to live. To die is to gain.’ She has no interest in taking any praise from Him, but rather giving it all to Him. The cancer patient gets to say whatever they want…how cool is it that she speaks His name? How stoked am I that this person is my best friend and that I get to continue learning from her and from God through her during this cancer era? I hope that when my time comes for the next big era (and it’s coming, they always are), that I will be like her… slow and steady… full of faith… as she is like Christ…
Below is the email she sent out to family/friends…(used with her permission of course)
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Hello everyone!
To those who knew I was getting tests done, thank you for praying. For those who didn’t, I didn’t want to alarm you until I knew what was going on, so, sorry about this being a shock. Here’s the deal — I found a lump, got it tested, and it is cancerous. My doctor wants to shrink it first and then do a lumpectomy.
I don’t know much about any of it, but I have a Friday appointment with an oncologist through Kaiser who will walk me & Eric through the treatment options. So any questions you may have, I won’t know the answers till Friday! The type of cancer is not the worst kind, but is a common form (which my mom also had), ductal cancer. (http://www.networkofstrength.org/information/diagnosis/types/dcis.php – thanks Sam for the link).
How I’m doing — well, I am okay. I’ve had a chance to think through the ramifications, and it’s a part of life — it’s just the next thing that needs to be dealt with, in my way of thinking. Even more, God has ordered my steps and I know I’ll be fine. I know it will bring changes and painful things and maybe people looking at me differently, but I’m glad to have the hope that God is sovereignly in control and cares about all I go through as he brings it about in my life. I’m even thankful and looking forward to some aspects.
One thing I hope people can understand is that I am not very emotional/worried about this (as of now) and I still want things to be normal and not awkward and morose — I still want to have fun with all of you and talk about normal things — so please don’t feel like this has to be the focus or monopolize our conversations. In fact, I’m not really even comfortable talking much about myself in general, so….should be interesting. ha ha So please don’t feel awkward or worry about what to say. I’m still the same person (i.e. Jennene, not freaky cancer victim). I’m happy to hear that you’re praying for me, but besides that, you don’t have to say much! Oh, and this week I happen to be finishing the semester with grading and finals, so if you write me back, please don’t be hurt if I don’t get back to you right away!
By the way, feel free to forward this on to others, if you would like. I will post updates on my facebook page. If you don’t have a facebook page, get one!! (if you want)
Love you all,
Jennene
P.S.Eric shared this with me a long time ago, and he shared it with me again today after hearing about the diagnosis, so I thought I’d include this link also so you all can know how to pray for me and encourage me!
10 thought-provoking points by Piper to remind ourselves of:
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2006/1776_Dont_Waste_Your_Cancer/
I copied the main points and verses below too:
Don’t Waste Your Cancer
Download: By John Piper February 15, 2006
I write this on the eve of prostate surgery. I believe in God’s power to heal-by miracle and by medicine. I believe it is right and good to pray for both kinds of healing. Cancer is not wasted when it is healed by God. He gets the glory and that is why cancer exists. So not to pray for healing may waste your cancer. But healing is not God’s plan for everyone. And there are many other ways to waste your cancer. I am praying for myself and for you that we will not waste this pain.
1. You will waste your cancer if you do not believe it is designed for you by God. “They . . . comforted him for all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him” (Job 42:11).
2. You will waste your cancer if you believe it is a curse and not a gift.
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).”Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13).”There is no enchantment against Jacob, no divination against Israel” (Numbers 23:23). “The Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11).
3. You will waste your cancer if you seek comfort from your odds rather than from God. Some count their chariots (percentages of survival) and some count their horses (side effects of treatment), but we trust in the name of the Lord our God (Psalm 20:7) 2 Corinthians 1:9, “We felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.”
4. You will waste your cancer if you refuse to think about death.
Ecclesiastes 7:2 says, “It is better to go to the house of mourning [a funeral] than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart.” Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Christ has defeated this last enemy: 1 Corinthians 15.
5. You will waste your cancer if you think that “beating” cancer means staying alive rather than cherishing Christ.
“I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” And to know that therefore, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 3:8; 1:21).
6. You will waste your cancer if you spend too much time reading about cancer and not enough time reading about God. “Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord” (Hosea 6:3). Daniel 11:32, “The people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.” “His delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers” (Psalm 1:2).
7. You will waste your cancer if you let it drive you into solitude instead of deepen your relationships with manifest affection. “He has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill” (Philippians 2:26-27).
8. You will waste your cancer if you grieve as those who have no hope. “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). “We would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). You follow in the image of “a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.” (Isaiah 53) But this Jesus chose his cross willingly “for the joy set before him.” (Philippians) “My joy will be in you, and your joy will be made full. Your grief will be turned to joy. No one will take your joy way from you. Ask, and you will receive, so that your joy will be made full. These things I speak in the world, so that they may have my joy made full in themselves” (selection from John 15-17).
9. You will waste your cancer if you treat sin as casually as before. “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?” (Luke 9:25). “For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity, for it is very great. Who is the man who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way he should choose” (Psalm 25).
10. You will waste your cancer if you fail to use it as a means of witness to the truth and glory of Christ. “They will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness” (Luke 21:12 -13). So it is with cancer.
Remember you are not left alone. You will have the help you need. “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
Pastor John
Christ be with me,
Christ within me,
Christ behind me,
Christ before me,
Christ beside me,
Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ in quiet,
Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger
(from “I bind unto myself the name”).
KID NAMES
I have several friends who are ‘with child’ and inevitably this question is asked, ‘So, have you guys thought of names yet?’
As is the trend, people are keeping it a secret, but taking submissions.
Who knew that CakeWrecks would be the source of the most bizarre and UN-acceptable names I have EVER heard of for children? But, humanity never ceases to amaze… I wonder if any of my friends will consider these 2 names… You know how families have favorite movies? I wonder if this family gathers round to cozy up with a blanket and the collector’s edition of American History X.
I haven’t been able to use the categories ‘creepy’ and ‘ridiculous headlines’ in a long time. Thanx, CakeWrecks!
BONUS THOUGHT
AND, I just thought of subbing for the classes that these kids are in and having to take roll by calling out their names! Oh, MAN, I wish it could be!
2008 IN BOOK REVIEW
Soooooo, when you’re in college you think, “When I’m done with college (or my college culture job) I’ll do so much ‘free reading’ ”.
Huh.
Well, I am here to say that I’ve been out of that environment for 4 years now and have done very little of that ‘extra curricular’ reading I’d always longed for.
So, in an effort to be slightly less-lame, though not having a TON of time, I have tried harder in 2008 to do some reading.
I am only posting this as a form of accountability and iron on iron. I am in NO way saying that I am proud of the number of books that I’ve read (or rather, not read).
I’ll break it down by categories: books I finished, books I’m currently reading, books that are on the ‘to read’ list and your welcomed recommendations. This list assumes the Bible.
BOOKS I FINISHED
1. Under The Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer
2. Mistaken Identity by Van Ryn, Cerak, Tabb
3. Beyond the Band of Brothers by Major Dick Winters
4. Stories In His Own Hand by Ronald Reagan
5. The Road of Lost Innocence by Somaly Mam
6. Open Water Diving Manual by PADI
7. Girl Soldier by Faith J.H. McDonnell & Grace Akallo
BOOKS I’M CURRENTLY READING
1. Do Hard Things by Alex & Brett Harris
2. The Last of the Just by Andre Schwarz-Bart
3. The Cross Centered Life by CJ Mahaney
4. The Millionaire Real Estate Agent by Gary Keller
5. Unpacking Forgiveness by Chris Braun
6. A Faith Worth Sharing by C. John Miller (aka ‘Jack’)
BOOKS ON THE ‘TO READ’ LIST (in no particular order)
1. Why We’re Not Emergent By Two Guys Who Should Be by DeYoung & Kluck
2. Relationships-A Mess Worth Making by Paul Tripp
3. Into Thin Air by John Krakuer
4. Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges
5. When Sinners Say I Do by Dave Harvey
6. PeaceMaker by Ken Sande (this would be a re-read)
7. Chinatown’s Angry Angel: The Story of Donaldina Cameron
8. The Good News About Injustice by Gary Haugen
9. The Prodigal God by Tim Keller
10. The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis
11. Escape by Carolyn Jessup
12. Awearness by Kenneth Cole
BOOKS THAT YOU RECOMMEND (and Why)…
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
etc.
So, here’s to looking back on 2008 and looking forward to 2009, from a literary perspective, of course.
MY 7th & 8th GRADERS FROM MON/TUES
As usual, I love these guys…
On Monday & Tuesday, I subbed at La Mesa Junior High for ‘Resource’ kids which basically means ‘not as smart or as disciplined as the other kids, but we cover it up with labels like ‘ADD’ etc. and then throw more tax dollars at it.’ While some of the kids really do need extra help, the majority of the drama comes from issues of discipline and focus and self control.
Soooo, I had them for 2 days. In addition to the discipline paragraph that I use for individual discipline, we also had a class behavior competition going: all classes competing against each other over the course of the 2 days. Stars represent good behavior, checks represent bad.
TWO AMAZING THINGS HAPPENED
1) Over the course of the 2 days, the class grid only had STARS…NO checks!!! In my 4 years of subbing, Stars only had NEVER happened.
2) Day one had many paragraphs (testing the boundaries), day two had none!
These kids really worked hard! They reminded each other to do their class work, learn and to behave themselves! They were polite. They were willing to serve each other. They really got the ‘Teamwork’ concept.
Awww, tear.
PS-Each class period, I try to dedicate a certain amount of time and let them ask me ‘any questions about anything at all’. On Tuesday, the kid who gets in trouble the most asked me ‘What’s the meaning of life?’. I confirmed that he really wanted to hear my answer. He confirmed.
I said that the meaning of life is to fear God and keep His commandments as that is the whole duty of man. To my delight, 2 other students chimed in and their comments led to a discussion of the Bible, the Trinity, Jesus dying on the cross…before I knew it they were well down the path of sharing the gospel (without knowing it). I love when they innocently say ‘Miss Neylan, doesn’t the Bible say…’ and we get to talk about what that ‘piece of literature’ says.
UPDATE:
Also, some of them had time to do my staple assignment of 10-things-about-me-that-miss-neylan-might-find-interesting2 …as you read it, maybe their spelling, grammar AND content will remind you to pray for America’s youth, will remind you to pray for America’s teachers, and will remind you that what fills their time, thoughts, dreams is incredibly worldy and void of almost all things related to God…the One who provides salvation, hope, love, forgiveness, joy, contentment…
(if the doc doesn’t work, will someone please let me know via a comment?)
CREATIVE OUTREACH
Whoa…I just read this post about a church that has a ministry called ‘Midnight Outreach’ … the opening line of the post is ‘The first time I walked into a strip club, I knew I was doing the right thing’…
I love that some churches are really willing to meet people where they are and to extend themselves to show the love of Christ. Accounts like this one are encouraging and inspiring… how can i engage in my own community more? How can I be more attentive to seeking and pursuing opportunities rather than letting them come to me?
If you have ideas about ministry efforts or you are involved in some creative ministries or whatever, I’d love to hear them. Thanx!
CHRISTMAS RECOMMENDATION
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The following post is a copy/paste from a college friend (and his wife), Dan & Karina Franklin. They have been doing their homework and have just posted a full endorsement of their support for Advent Conspiracy (I posted about it a few weeks ago). For those of you who commented to me and have talked to me about your thoughts, I though you might enjoy his thoughts.
“So, I know that many of you have heard of Advent Conspiracy, but I would guess that some of you have not. Advent Conspiracy is a movement amongst churches in the U.S. to enter into the true Christmas story instead of getting caught in the consumerism and commercialism that dominates Christmas in our culture. The concept is simple:
1. Worship Fully. Put the focus on Jesus, instead of on presents, decorations, and the normal Christmas stress.
2. Spend Less. Reject the consumerism. When it comes down to it, most presents that we give to one another do not have lasting impact on God’s kingdom. So, don’t get caught in it.
3. Give More. Give relationally instead of simply financially. Find creative (and inexpensive) ways to give of yourself, just as Jesus did.
4. Love All. Give what would have been spent on gifts to those who are most needy and marginalized. This could include both people overseas and people in the local community.
2 Corinthians 8:9 says this:
This is the Christmas story. Christ was rich, but He became poor for our sakes. We are invited to enter into this story.
Karina and I are excited to more intentionally enter into this story this year with our family and our church. We are excited to be stretched and challenged. We are excited about being more purposeful in doing Christmas in such a way that it reflects the true Christmas story to Matt and Jack. And we are excited to spend less so that we can give to those who are truly in need. So that we can follow Christ so that we could become poor, so that others through our poverty might become rich.
Check out www.adventconspiracy.org if you are interested in info on Advent Conspiracy. There are great videos and resources there.”
HA! I LOVE PIPER’S WILLINGNESS
I love Piper’s willingness to engage the world…and to do it through many mediums…this one happens to be art.
I ordered Desiring God’s new winter catalog...and in the spirit of ‘Don’t Waste Your _____’, their new catalog is not just for offering spiritual resources for sale. It’s also an artbook designed to be torn out and given away, one page at a time, with the intention of drawing attention to God and drawing people to Him. Talk about not wasting your catalog!
Watch this low budge, Invisible Children style video and see ways to use this catalog for more…
So creative and resourceful! I’m so thankful that these Christians have used their art to help further God’s glory!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyfGa6fwdHY
Oh, and my catalog came in the mail and it’s super cool!
Here’s to sharing Him with the world!
SOME OBSERVATIONS
-I am SO glad that I did not chose to drive home on Sunday. Thanksgiving traffic looked uncool.
-I am incredibly stoked that codine cough syrup was invented. So stoked.
-Planned Parenthood is outrageous for offering Gift Cards for this Christmas season’s abortions! The irony of a teenager enduring social scorn in order to bring baby Jesus into the world…to save it. And then 3,700 innocent babies are murdered daily in the US (not to mention the rest of the world), mostly due to their inconvenience to the mother/father.
-Everyone needs an AP in their life: good friend, good tech, good iron on iron
-Fingerprint scan security is awesome on my new laptop
-Sovereignty is a comforting thing
-Seriously, I love facebook. Oh, and Doug Bookman joined in September.
-It’s cool to accept God’s will rather than demand your own; He’s always right
-I love when cool people get engaged, like Lindsey Konecko and Jim Cosley
-I want desperately to obey God…it’s hard, but worth it
-I am pretty sure that I am never breaking my Thanksgiving tradition ever again; it wasn’t totally worth it
-I love my family, crazy and all!!!!
-Christina Seelye is truly one of the best cooks I’ve ever dined under, ever
-Everyone should watch Band of Brothers once a year
-Really? a 33-year old man was trampled to death at Wal-Mart on Black Friday? And 2 guys got in a shoot out at Wal-MArt in Palm desert on Black friday? Is crap on sale worth life? Advent Conspiracy all the way.
-Marrying the church versus dating the church… commitment…Christ showed it to us…why don’t we show it to Him as His bride?
-Our ICU club still wants all the books that you want to purge yourself of…
aaand scene…
