Thinking Leads to...

Way back in the beginning of this month, a bunch of friends and I went to see Joyce Meyer at the Hershey Giant Center (thanks Wayne!).  Because we’ve had a wedding and Big Life Decisions in our family (more in another blog-- don't worry, everything's fine), it has taken me a while to go back to my notes and think things through.  So, here are Things I Learned from Joyce Meyer in August 2011…

Before you pray anything else, make sure you have no unforgiveness or offense in your heart; no anger toward anyone.  If you’re still complaining about someone, that means you still have anger or offense about them and you haven’t forgiven them yet!  Can you truthfully pray something like this?  “Father, I’m not mad at anybody and have no unforgiveness in my heart; or if I do, please show it to me.”  These are not direct quotes, just the gist of what she was saying. (I had to look up gist.  I thought it was jist, or gyst…)  The italicized ideas above had quite an impact on me.  You see, I am a big criticizer/complainer.  I don’t normally think about it in terms of unforgiveness though.  But she’s right!  If I go on and on about what “she” said ... and what “he” did… and “how dare they!”… then, yep!  Apparently I am offended and harboring something against another person!  Ugh.  Another ugly thing to bring to God and ask Him to work on in my life.  Thankfully, God likes it when I figure out stuff like this and ask Him to fix it.

I like pictures in a blog, so here's some of my friends who have heard me in the midst of the complaining/unforgiving/offended-type of venting.  Everyone needs some friends they can be honest with... and who will tell you the truth.  Some of them were at Joyce Meyer giving me knowing looks while Joyce preached this part:  thanks for holding my feet to the fire, my friends!

We talk

We eat

We relax

We laugh

We get it.  Whatever it is.

But, I digress...

I need to back up to say that the theme of Joyce's conference was “Power Thoughts.”  She has a new book out by this name.  (I need it to come out on Kindle.  I don't want to accumulate more book-books).

She says that our thoughts lead to words and actions.  I agree.  And that we can learn to control our thoughts  because the Bible says we can.   I agree, although I find it EXTREMELY difficult.  And she says we need to replace wrong thoughts with right ones.  Then she proceeded to give us some great ideas on what those right thoughts are.  Here’s the list:

1. I can do whatever I need to do in life through Christ
2. God loves me unconditionally
3. I will not live in fear
4. I am difficult to offend
5. I love people and enjoy helping them
6. I trust God completely, there's no need for me to worry
7. I am content and emotionally stable
8. God meets all of my needs abundantly
9. I pursue peace with God, myself and others
10. I live in the present and I enjoy each moment
11. I am a disciplined and self-controlled person
12. I PUT GOD FIRST IN MY LIFE

Now, before you get all bent out of shape saying— “here’s another one of those power-of-positive-thinking-hokey-preachers” (I admit to having such thoughts about Joyce myself from time to time), what she says is true and has a SOLID SCRIPTURAL BASIS.

But, this is getting too long for a blog.  And I need to go find some pictures to somehow relate to all of this.  (I found them and stuck them in up above here!  Aren't you glad to meet some of my friends?)   So, I’m going to leave you in suspense and come back to these 12 things another time.  I want to delve into that scriptural background myself, so I’ll share it with you when I do.  For right now, I’ve gotta go.  Bekah will be home soon from our family’s last first-day-of-school ever.  I need to be ready to hear all about it.  Talk to you later!

--Lisa

The morning of our last first day.  She's a senior!

Isn't she cute?  She didn't even try to coordinate her outfit with her after-school snack.  This is the end of the last first day.

 Does Ninja look offended to you?  You need to forgive, buddy!

THE WEDDING

It has taken me such a long time to do this blog.  I wanted it to be perfect.  To describe everything.  To get everything across just right.  I don't think that's even possible... so here goes...

Our son, David, got married to a beautiful (inside & out) girl named Emily a little over a week ago.  The wedding was in Vermont, the scenery was spectacular, the bride and groom were gorgeous, and the wedding itself was deeply meaningful.

The wedding was on a dock by Lake Champlain

I was touched that David wanted to walk me down the aisle himself.  Isn't that sweet?

Don't father and son look dashing in their tuxes??!!

Emily was absolutely radiant.  She glowed as she walked down the aisle on her father's arm.

Her dress was perfect.  Isn't she gorgeous?

Their "wedding officiant" was Justin, the leader of their college Navigators group.  Navigators is a Christian organization that has college discipleship ministries among many others.  He conducted a wonderful wedding ceremony.  My favorite part was near the beginning when he was explained how David and Emily described each other.  Keep in mind the long-distance pre-marital counseling:  David was in Texas and Europe and Emily was in Pennsylvania most of the time they were engaged-- and Justin was in Georgia.

Here's how they looked during this part of the ceremony. 

So, here's what Justin said... I videotaped this part with my little camera so I have this verbatim...  he starts with what Emily had to say about David. 

“ ‘I simply love being with Dave:  whether we’re lost in the woods or on a drive to Sonic.  I love his passion for life, for God and for people.'  And she really did say this [Justin said to David]:  she said she loves your passion for fishing.  I’ve got it written down.  I asked Emily if she could describe you, Dave, in one word, and true to form, she couldn't send me one word, she sent me nine.  She said ‘best friend, humorous, protector, partner, leader, driven and extremely handsome.’  Emily, I asked Dave some of the same questions and I want you to hear the sweet things he had to say about you.  He said, “I love the way that she reminds me that I have a heart.  I love the way she loves everyone she meets and how they feel loved and valued around her.  I love how she loves all kids and has a nurturing heart.  I love how she describes a movie and how it can take longer for her to describe the movie than the movie itself.  And Emily, I asked Dave if he could describe you in one word and true to form he sent me one word.  And he said, “Exciting.”   It's so apparent from these statements that you guys love each other and appreciate each other.  But  my hope and prayer is that you’ll be saying the same things about each other 50 years from now.”

 Doesn't that just make your heart go zingety-zing?  Maybe it's because I'm the mother-of-the-groom, but I thought that was--- wonderful.  You probably won't believe that I didn't even cry.  I was too busy smiling.  I love these two!

I may have a few more wedding-related posts later.  I really don't know.  If you want to keep up with David & Emily and their adventures, you can check out their blog at http://twitterpatedtravelers.blogspot.com/.  I am sure honeymoon pictures from Greece will be up there soon.

Meanwhile here's a few more wedding pictures-- just because I like showing them to people.

Immediate families of the bride & groom.

THE END.  Or as we say in wedding-speak-- THE BEGINNING!

Book Review: Dinner With a Perfect Stranger

"Apologetics Lite" is my title for this review.  This was an engaging little book about Nick Cominsky, who has increasingly neglected his wife, family, and his own spirituality to pursue work and his own interests.  He accepts a dinner invitation with Jesus thinking it is a prank his friends are pulling on him.  He arrives at the restaurant to find a pleasant, well-dressed man who disarms Nick and puts him at ease without being judgmental or harsh (as Nick apparently expected Jesus to be).

I have entitled this review "Apologetics Lite" because although the book does address hard questions skeptics usually ask, there are no in-depth answers.  I do realize that the book's purpose is not provide them.  It seems that the purpose is probably to draw people in and engage them, so that they will delve deeper into issues of faith.  If that's the case, I think it accomplishes that purpose and may be a great book to hand out to "searchers."  Personally, already being a firm-in-her-faith Christian, I was left with the feeling of wanting more from a dinner with Jesus.  This book was a lovely appetizer, but you'll have to look elsewhere for a satisfying main course.