Temporal vs Eternal

Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's gods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world--wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important--has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from Him. The world and all it's wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out--but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity. 1 John 2:17

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Delayed Obedience

Today I was reminded of a principle that we've been revisiting in disciplining our almost three year old son, a principle that was desperately needing to work in my own heart this morning.

Delayed obedience=disobedience.

This morning was a busy morning for me so I planned to skip out on a last minute park playdate that some of my friends initiated. However, as the morning was rolling along I felt like I was supposed to be there (even though that feeling came about 30minutes after the playdate started). I followed the prompting and endured a bit of chaos in order to get the kids quickly packed up and in the car. You can imagine my disappointment when I got there only to find out that I was the only one there.

I decided to make the best of it and enjoy the day outside by myself and ended up seeing somebody at the park that I had never met, but I had been praying for for quite some time. You see, this woman was a friend of a friend facing a tragic family situation so while I knew who she was I had never met her. The Lord had put her and her story on my heart so much that I almost felt like I've been carrying her particular burden right along with her for many months now. In fact, my son has been praying for her children by name each night before bed and I've found myself moved to tears while praying for her at random times during the week. I felt like the Lord was asking me to go over and tell her I've been praying for her but I quickly dismissed the prompting and eventually (after several conversations in my head) convinced myself that it was fine if I didn't. It felt intimidating to me. It felt like an inconvenience. She was ALL the way on the opposite end of a huge park. She was too busy with her own friends. I didn't want to interrupt her day or be a bother to her. I didn't want to go out of my comfort zone, or worse, be perceived as this crazy woman coming out of nowhere to say "Hey, I've been praying for you..." This conversation of excuses carried on in my head and I justified somehow that if if the Lord really wanted me to talk to her then he would have her walk over in my direction so that could happen more easily. (Ha!) Well, that didn't happen so I was off the hook. I went about my morning and a few minutes later left the park "telling" the Lord that if I was supposed to talk to her, I'd probably run into her again sometime....

Delayed obedience=Disobedience.

I was doing exactly this and as soon as I got in my car the conviction set in. Simply put, the Lord was asking me to do something and I was saying no---or at least not yet (which sounds a lot prettier that no). The very thing I disciplined my son for I was doing at that moment. Basically, I wanted all the facts before listening to the Lord. I wanted to know the end result before stepping out in faith. I let fear seize the divine opportunity that God had put in my path for the day. He had put a stirring in my heart to head over to some park so I could meet and encourage a random woman I'd been praying for! He sent me there and I said no.

I came home this afternoon filled with a bit of sadness and regret, not just about this morning's incident but thinking about how many times I don't automatically respond to obedience to God's leadings---without question, without negotiation, without delay.

The good news is that God's kindness leads us to repentance and even in my disobedience the Lord was able to use this morning to draw me closer to Him. Instead of spending the afternoon wallowing in my mistake, I chose to repent and to move forward. To committ to not missing another opportunity. To committ to saying YES to the little things that He has planned for me so I am prepared and equipped to say YES when the bigger things come along and hopefully to encourage you to do the same.

Deuteronomy 13:4 It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.

I'm clinging to the above verse because I know God is a God of second chances and I have a feeling there is another moment for me to seize---another opportunity that the Lord has ordained for me to move from fear to faith. For me to strategically be sent to encourage another person and speak to them whatever God lays on my heart. Maybe it's the couple we're meeting for dinner. We'll see:)

In the meantime, are there any areas of your life that you are living in delayed obedience?

The only mistake is not to risk making one. (Max Lucado)

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St. Patrick's Prayer


We are told that St. Patrick wrote the following prayer to strengthen himself with God's protection. This was written at a time when he was preparing to convert a high king of Ireland, Loegaire. Be encouraged by this excerpt...

I bind to myself today God's power to guide me, God's might to uphold me, God's wisdom to teach me, God's eye to watch over me, God's ear to hear me, God's word to give me speech, God's hand to guide me, God's Way to lie before me, God's Shield to shelter me, God's host to secure me.

Christ protect me today against every poison, That I may receive abundant reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ at my right, Christ at my left, Christ in heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.

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Celestial Seasonings and the Aroma of Christ


2 Corinthians 2:15
For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

I love tea. It's kind of my go-to drink when I want to relax, get well or have a great conversation with somebody. When I was living in Colorado, my sister and I went to the Celestial Seasonings tour in Boulder. Step by step they walk you through the most advanced tea production facility in the world. Although I thoroughly enjoyed watching the fascinating process of tea production, I must say that my personal highlight was the famous mint room.

When you walk into the mint room you are literally overwhelmed with this intense, almost palpable aroma of peppermint and spearmint. I'm pretty confident the smell in and of itself has a healing component. We were told the mint has many active chemicals like beta-carotene, calcium, beta-sitosterol, trace minerals and other energy boosting vitamins. Not only were my sinuses cleared up after experiencing the mint room, I also noticed that almost everyone on the tour was fighting back tears from the strong smell.

It was amazing to see how impacted we could all be by the leaves of spearmint and peppermint without touching or tasting them. The aroma alone told us everything we needed to know to try (and buy!) this tea immediately following the tour.

Even though my Celestial Tea tour took place many years ago, it always gives me this incredible visual into understanding the phrase the aroma of Christ. I think we often use that phrase without really understanding or being able to picture what it means to give off the aroma of Christ to the world.

For me, exuding the aroma of Christ simply means portraying characteristics of Him in a way that is undeniable. In a way that can't be ignored.

Characteristics like love, joy and patience.

I truly believe that if we all gave off the aroma of Christ the way God intended that the world's reaction would be as dramatic as the reaction of those in the mint room.

People would be overwhelmed. They would experience the instant healing power that is inevitable in the aroma of Christ.

The Message version of the passion in 2 Corinthians says it this way....
Through us, God brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation--an aroma redolent with life.

Are you giving off the sweet aroma of Christ in your life?

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Happy Holland (Michigan)


My friend from Cali just told me about an ABC news report featuring a story about Holland, Michigan---the place I spent my last two years of high school and four years of college. Guess they're calling it the happy town. I had a lot of great memories in Holland and had to school Johnny on the Holland-isms after we met. Things like Tulip Time, the Flying Dutchman, JP's, Windmill Island, the Wooden Shoe Factory, Captain Sundae, Craig's Cruisers, Sluggo's by the Beach, Ottawa Beach Inn, Big Red, and of course the gorgeous beaches of Lake Michigan.

All of these memories got me thinking about seasons of time. While I loved my time living in Michigan, I can certainly see ways that I resisted rather than embraced that season of time. I did it in small ways like complaining about the long, cold winters. And I did in deeper ways like wrestling with God over what major I was supposed to be choosing and wondering where this husband of mine was that I was supposed to be meeting.

When I think of the word season, I immediately think of the beautiful seasons in Michigan--the distinct separation of summer, fall, winter and spring. The amazing memories I have of long summer days at the beach and brisk fall walks filled with piles of crips fall leaves. Ahhh, what a beautiful picture of God appointing the seasons of time. I wish I would have embraced the word picture He was giving me during my time living in Michigan. Looking back, I can see that the season of time He appointed for me in Michigan was a time of opportunity, of growth, of blessing, of divine connection. It was an appointed time. All I had to do was embrace what He had for me.

In Daniel 2:21 we read that it is GOD who changes the times and seasons. It really is comforting to hold on to this truth. By doing so, we can come against that natural desire to envy the season that another person is in and, instead, embrace the season that we are in. We can choose not to glorify a season in our past and instead find peace and joy in our currently appointed season.

Right now the season I'm in involves certain things that can be tempting to resist. Things like diaper changing, potty training, muddy shoes on the carpet, sleepless nights, spilled milk, and limited opportunities to shower:) But it also involves an incredible amount of deep joys. Things like creating a home, having babies, building a family, watching the daily growth of a new baby, reading bedtime stories, tickles and kisses, forts and bike rides, innocence and laughter. It's my appointed time. All I have to do is embrace what He has for me.

What if we spent our days truly embracing the season we are currently living in---our NOW season? The very season appointed by the God of the Universe.

P.S. Thanks to all who commented for last month's giveaway. Your marriage thoughts were encouraging. Congrats to the big winner, Niki! Your gift is on the way...

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Star Wars and Birthday Parties


I'm pretty certain Emma Joy deserved the best costume award at her buddy's Star Wars themed birthday party. Here she is as Chewbacca.

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Love Love Love

1 Corinthians 13

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, buthave not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

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Practical Valentine's Day Suggestions for Men:In No Particular Order

This was an email recently forwarded to me by a friend. Thought I'd share in time for Valentine's Day...
"I know. Let's take you shoe shopping!"



"Ooh, look, the NFL playoffs are today. I bet we'll have no trouble parking at the crafts fair."



"As long as I have legs to walk on, you'll never have to take out the garbage."



"I made some Niman Ranch lamb tenderloin with garlic, black pepper, and Indonesian soy sauce for dinner. I hope that sounds OK.






"I'll like to get these things before I have to be asked."


"Don't want anyone 'falling in' in the middle of the night."

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My Girl




This young lady has kept me from blogging---But you must agree that she is adorable:) We did manage to get some shopping in for a few new hats for less than a dollar each at The Children's Place!

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Make A Difference Monday: From Michigan to Ethiopia

There are a lot of people out there making a difference in the world. Doing good things. They're not always the ones we see on the news or read about in magazines. Barb Osburn is one of those people. A young woman raised in Naperville, Illinois, Barb ventured out to Holland, Michigan in 1976 to attend college and has since made her home home there. She's been married to Paul for 31 years and has 5 awesome children, Ben (25), Zach (24), Jake (20), Aster (13) and Dawit (11). For the past ten years, Barb has worked in campus ministry at Hope College encouraging college students to passionately seek God and serve His people.




The Osburn's have been dear friends of my family and were even neighbors during my 5 years living in Michigan. Because of this, I've been able to see first hand the passion and integrity they have in their desire to reach the lost. Barb and her family have fearlessly put into practice many of the commandments that modern-day Christians tend to ignore. When you cross paths with them you cross path with the Lord and this is what will leave you forever changed. Enjoy an excerpt from my time together with Barb and allow your heart to be changed as well...


C: In an effort to get our female readers to bond with you Barb, I must ask the essential questions up front. What is your favorite chick flick?

B: The Notebook.

C: What about your favorite dessert?

B: I think I'd have to say cherry pie.

C: OK, based on those answers, I think I feel good about going ahead with the rest of the interview. So here we go...

What is the passion God has given you and how are you using that?

B: Well, there's a lot that God has put in me but one of them is a desire to see Him in the lives of others, especially people who are from different cultures. I desire to see Him throughout the world knowing that heaven will be the most beautiful place partially because we will be from every language and nation. Becoming a new mom again at 50 to Dawit and Aster from Ethiopia has given me the daily joy of seeing God in them. After adopting the kids, I started a non-profit organization so that more orphans could be supported. The orphan project, Yezelalum Minch, where they were loved and cared for for five years is an amazing place and we wanted to support them in any way we can. We thought that we could sell coffee from Ethiopia (the place where coffee was discovered) to people in the US who love (and are maybe even addicted to) coffee and feed orphans in the process. After starting a non-profit business, we are now able to do this. We are committed to helping Yezelalum Minch ("eternal spring") care for more children. They already care for more than 700! Every time we come up against a challenge we are reminded that God will not let our efforts to feed the orphans fail.


C: It's so neat to see how God is using your and your family, Barb. Where can our readers find out more about your non-profit business and get information about the coffee?
B: http://www.blueniletraders.org/


What's the biggest challenge you've faced along the way?
B: Life before being a Christ follower.


How can readers get involved?
B: Learn about what God is doing in the world (I mean the world outside the USA) and see what your place in His kingdom advancing is. Take the Bible seriously and follow the command to go and make disciples and make sure you take care of the orphans and widows and buy our coffee so you can feed orphans while you enjoy some awesome Ethiopian coffee:)


C: I think I can work on weaning J from Dunkin'.....


What are some of the deepest joys you've experienced?
B: Being a mother and a wife.



C: Well it's obvious that you are an amazing one Barb! Aster and Dawit are especially blessed to have you loving them. Just think of how their lives as well as generations of people are being changed because you and your family said YES to the Lord, allowing Him to use you in such incredible ways. My prayer for every reader of this blog is that they are discovering their purpose and moving from fear to faith in order to have that purpose realized this side of heaven. Thanks for inspiring all of us to do just that! I pray that He continues to bless your family and your ministry with abundance, giving you His wisdom and knowledge with each step that you take. Thanks again Barb!


For a further look at this Global Initiative, I invite you to take a look at the following video. Ask the Lord where He might have you get involved. For some it may be to pray, for other to give, and for some of us it may even mean go.

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Thought For The Day: Think Outside The Box

Without lifting/letting your pencil leave the paper, can you draw four straight lines to connect all nine dots?

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Cadbury Cravings

J was sent out to get us a Friday night treat. Something to go with the movie once the kids go down. I said surprise me. This is what he came home with.

I'm thoroughly impressed. Haven't had one of these in years....

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There's No Such Thing As A Secret

One can really get out of touch with the world quickly when they are sick for a week and holed up in their house with the blinds shut. At least that's the realization I came to a few days ago. I'm grateful for the internet because it seems to have allowed me to remain somewhat connected. Basically I'm about 5 days behind on any type of local or national news reports which is why it was just yesterday that I found out about the whole John Edward's fiasco.

I felt sad for him. I felt sad for his wife. And then I was reminded of a message my husband and I heard at our old church in Colorado Springs. That message, repeatedly and passionately preached, could be summed up in one sentence that goes something like this. There's no such thing as a secret.

It may seem like a fairly obvious statement. And even one that is backed up by the Scriptures itself. We read over and over that it is God who sees your heart, all your thoughts, all your motives. Nothing can be hidden from Him. In Ephesians 5:11 we're encouraged to have nothing to do with fruitless deeds or darkness, but rather to expose them.

In other words, there is no such thing as a secret.

Yet week after week we hear stories shared publicly of things that people thought they were living privately. Stories that cause an unimaginable depth of pain, hurt and rejection. Stories of people like Tiger Woods, John Edwards, your neighbor and your friend. Stories of people who believed the lie that their sin could be kept a secret.

How many times, in our own lives, do we believe the exact same lie? We believe that we can keep our stuff a secret. We live secret lives, we think secret thoughts. Perhaps our stories aren't featured on the evening news and our pictures aren't plastered on the latest tabloids, but we, too, engage in behavior privately that we would never want anyone to know about publicly. Like fools, we have been falsely convinced that our actions will be kept a secret. But we must remember that there is no such thing as a secret. 1 Corinthians 4:5 states that God will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts.

While this truth can be hard to swallow, it can also bring great freedom. My hope today is that you see the freedom and peace that comes from the truth there's no such thing as a secret. And the freedom comes in this. God did not design you to live with the guilt and shame that a secret can often bring. He didn't design you to hide your sin. Instead, He kindly invites us to bring all of our stuff into the light before Him. And when we come with honesty, with humility, with a repentant heart, He promises to forgive us. This is true for John Edwards. It's true for your neighbor or friend. And it's true for you and I.

If there's anything operating in your heart and life that you wouldn't want shared publicly and the enemy has convinced you that it is a better kept a secret---Remember, there is no such thing as a secret. Bring it into the light and fully experience the forgiveness and grace that God has to offer.

Psalm 103:3 He forgives your sins---every one. He heals your diseases---every one. He redeems you from hell---saves your life! He crowns you with love and mercy---a paradise crown.

Hebrews 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

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Coffee, Marriage and Giveaways



Ok, so A Life In Process is going to venture out today and hold its very first blog giveaway. Contain your excitement for just one moment.

Since marriage is one of the things I'm passionate about, I will be giving away a personalized, autographed copy of the book Real Life Marriage: It's Not About Me along with a $10 giftcard to Starbucks so you can read your new book over a good cup o' joe.

All you have to do to "enter" is leave a comment on this post. The only requirement is that the comment must be on marriage. A funny memory, a quote, a quip, a piece of advice, a testimony from your own marriage, what you hope for a in spouse someday, or even just one word on marriage....You get the idea.

One week from now, I will draw from the names and select the winner! I'll contact you so you can let me know how you'd like the authors to inscribe the book.

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"I Fearless": Lessons On Speaking Life

A little over a decade ago I was on a mission trip to Cuba with Josh McDowell Ministries, and on that trip I had a window of opportunity to interact with some emotionally and physically neglected children. The stories being told through the lives of these children were stories of hurt, pain and injustice, but on that day God wanted to tell a different story. A larger story. He wanted to use our team to speak words of hope and life into their desperate situations and wounded identities.


I remember approaching the children with a bit of intimidation, wondering what in the world I could ever do or say to alleviate any of their pain. When I look back at pictures of the trip I realize that it wasn't the supplies or the books or the donations given that really changed these kids' lives. Instead, it was the words of life spoken to them. We told them who they were---Beautiful. Talented. Loved. Accepted.

I'll never forget the look in some of their eyes as they received our praise. It was as if they had never heard those words before. And the sad reality was, they probably hadn't. Instead, they spent their entire lives bombarded with lies---phrases of negativity and destruction. And with shame and despair written all over their faces, you could physically see every bit of that false identity they had embraced.

A passionate young student at the time, I wrote in my journal that if the Lord blessed me with my own children someday, I would intentionally and consistently speak LIFE into them, teaching them their identity and showing them exactly who God created them to be.

One decade and two kids later, I'm happy to have stumbled upon that old journal entry because I'm reminded of the power of words. While at a secular graduate university, I was consistently taught the researched facts related to the power of using words. Words to instill confidence and self-worth during various stages of development. Words to strengthen and empower in the midst of hopelessness. I'm thankful that those learned facts are much more than just concepts on human behavior and development. They are reflections of a spiritual principle. The power of words. The power of speaking life.

John and I kind of fell into a tradition with our 2 year old that basically involves telling him who he IS. It all started when we were teaching him his name. Over and over he would walk through the house saying, "I Trey Stickl. I John William the Third." We praised him for learning his name which would only motivate him to say it more.

Since then, often during teaching moments involving discipline, we'll add another word. A couple months ago, after refusing to share a toy with a friend, John took him aside and told him. You're Trey Stickl. And you're a leader. And leaders share.

The next day, Trey would walk through the house boldly saying, "Mom, I Trey Stickl. I a leader."

And so it went. In the days that followed, we added words like courageous, generous, smart, funny, and most recently, fearless. So tonight as I'm tucking Trey in bed, he says to me, "Ask me who I is mom."

"Okay, Trey, who are you?" He confidently went on to say, "I strong, I smart, I generous, I a leader, I fearless, I a big brother, and I funny. G'Night!"

We live in a world where you often hear who you're NOT.

Are you speaking LIFE to the people around you? Taking the time to tell them who they ARE?

I pray that when my kids are grown and find themselves in places of discouragement or despair, they'll remember who they are. Not because of some silly game we played with them when they were toddlers. But because of the eternal truth that God has given them through a glorious identity in Christ. An identity of a child that is chosen. Accepted. Forgiven. Loved.

Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death.

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Starting A Movement: The Game At Wrigley Field

A couple of weeks ago I was flipping through Dov Seidman's book, "How: Why HOW We Do Anything Means Everything." The little bit that I read was thought provoking and quite profound. The prologue of the book tells of a man named Krazy George Henderson---the man credited for starting the first Wave at a New York Yankees game. The story brought me back to this fond childhood memory...

I distinctly remember that clear spring day---My dad had sacrificially taken me and my two sisters to a Cubs game at Wrigley Field. I use the term sacrificially because I'm quite certain the game experience was much more enjoyable when my brother went with dad. You see, the boys paid attention to what they viewed as the important things of the game. Things like the score and the players stats. Talk was minimal. Focus was intense.

Us girls, on the other hand, took note of the finer points of the game like what type of ivy was lining the outfield walls and the new color scheme and design of the opposing teams' uniforms. We talked endlessly before each play and savored the much anticipated 7th inning stretch malt cups.

It was sometime in the 5th inning that my dad posed a challenge to me and my freckled-faced sisters. A challenge that would turn another childhood moment into a lifetime memory.

The challenge was this. If any of us were willing to start a "Let's go Cubs" cheer in our section and get that cheer to spread throughout the ENTIRE stadium, he would give us $20. A 5th grader at the time, I realized that the challenge's payoff was quite lucrative especially considering my allowance was probably running about a buck every two weeks. Way below minimum wage I might add.

My older and younger siblings instantly rejected the proposition realizing the effort and embarrassment it would entail. I, too, was a bit shy and embarrassed by the whole idea but the visions of cash payoff were overriding my intense feelings of fear. I strategically came back with a casual muttering of, "$30 and I'll consider." Shortly after our settlement was reached I mustered up some vision casting techniques to rally the nosebleed section. The initial feelings of intimidation were put to the wayside and my efforts culminated in the sight of an entire stadium of once despondent Cubs fan now boisterously chanting the words "Let's Go Cubs. Let's Go Cubs."

My dad gave me two things that day. $30 in cold hard cash and a glimpse into what an extremely eclectic fan base is able to achieve when united by a common vision. He claimed I started a Movement.

Everyday we have opportunities to start movements. To inspire and lead people. To rally them around a common cause.

When I read this chapter, I started to think about movements in the church. Movements that carried momentum because all of the people were united by common vision. All to often, people in the church have uncanny similarities to those despondent Cubs fans I mentioned earlier. I wonder if they could learn a thing or two from a guy like Krazy George Henderson.

Here are some thoughts, as outlined by Dov Seidman, that we might be able to apply:

*Starting a Wave requires an act of leadership, so you must be willing to stand up and lead.

*Starting a Wave requires reaching out to those around you, sharing your vision with them, and enlisting them in a common purpose.

"The Wave is an extraordinary act. All those people, spread out over a vast stadium, with limited ability to connect or communicate, somehow come together in a giant cooperative act inspired by a common goal: to help the home team win."

Are you catching the vision? Go then, and take that Wave, outside the stadium and into the world.

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Superman Takes A Nap: Thoughts on Rest


This is an old picture of Trey, in full Superman attire, taking an afternoon nap. For some reason, Trey does not like taking naps. He wants to be where the action is. He wants to be exploring and running and playing. At his age, he does't understand the importance of sleep to his growth and his overall well-being (okay, to mommy's overall well-being too). Still, we have to train Trey that naps make you strong. And as we've told him "Even Superman needs a nap every once in a while." This mantra has worked wonders in the nap department and consistently produces one well-rested boy.

Ernest Hemingway
I still need more healthy rest in order to work at my best. My health is the main capital I have and I want to administer it intelligently.

Leonardo Da Vinci
Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer. Go some distance away because then the work appears smaller and more of it can be taken in at a glance and a lack of harmony and proportion is more readily seen.

Benjamin Franklin
He that can take rest is greater than he that can take cities.

Genesis 2:2-3
By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

Are you taking a regular Sabbath time of rest? More specifically, are you getting enough sleep? If the words above haven't been inspiration enough to rest more which includes adequate sleep, then consider the following:
Sleep reduces cancer, increases heart health, makes you more alert, reduces depression, and bolsters your memory.

Remember, even Superman needs a nap every once in a while.

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A Taste Of Home

best pizza in Chicago

There are a lot of things I loved about growing up in the suburbs of Chicago. Cubs Games at Wrigley Field, Tea at The Drake, The Art Institute, The Magnificent Mile, Garrett's Popcorn, Water Tower Place, Navy Pier, Buckingham Fountain, 96th floor of the John Hancock Building, and the list goes on...

But hands down the best taste of home is Lou Malnati's pizza. I think having my wedding rehearsal dinner at Lou's demonstrates my intense love for their deep dish yumminess.

So, if you're thinking of sending me a Valentine, I'm going to go ahead and eliminate any potential guesswork.

Just ship the following directly to my house.

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Super Star



This is Trey's star chart which is taped up on our kitchen wall. Notice the stars are a bit lacking in the "Go Potty" and "Eat Veggies" columns. Zero to be exact.

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Nebulizers, Steroids And A Farewell to Control


It's 3:02am in the Stickl household and oddly enough, I am the only one wide awake. Unable to fall asleep, I'm going to take advantage of this rare opportunity and blog about my unusual day yesterday. With a house full of sickies and children who've spent the past week with some not-so-desirable sleeping patterns (aka 3 hours of consecutive sleep is considered a "good" night), I'm thankful for this moment of peace and quiet.

So here I sit with my chamomile tea and honey in hand, selfishly praying for my throat to feel better while pondering some sobering thoughts. My thought for the night, or I guess for the morning, is this. God is in control. And we are not.

God is in control. And we are not. While this personal revelation may seem like Christianity 101 to you, I want you to step back and really think about its implications. When I refer to its implications, I'm talking about this----does the truth that God is in control and you are not change the way you live? You see, although I believe this truth with all that I am, I find myself (and lots of others) spending way too much of our time, efforts, energies and talents trying to control things, trying to hold things together. Thankfully, God has a unique way of using times of crisis or the unknown to boldly confront our behavior with a reality that had been staring us in the face for quite some time. The reality that the control we so tightly cling to is merely an illusion and, ultimately, a behavior rooted in pride. The reality that God is control. And we are not.

So back to my unusual day. After several days of miserableness, I decided to take Emma in to the doctor. What I thought would be a quick appointment with her pediatrician and a possible double ear infection diagnosis resulted in a 3 hour fiasco that landed us in the emergency room at Children's Hospital with a diagnosis of RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) resulting in acute bronchiolitis. I realize, especially in light of the much more severe trials many of my friends are facing, that this may seem like small potatoes. But it wasn't for me. And it isn't for God. Why? Because this is the trail that He had for my family for January 20, 2010. It was part of our journey. It hasn't been the first and I'm confident it won't be the last.

I'm fighting the urge to share all those "mom" details with you--you know the ones about every little symptom my poor baby girl experienced and every little emotion I felt throughout the day. But I fear in doing so, I may dilute the purpose and message of the post. God is in control. And we are not.

See, your crisis experiences may look a lot different from mine. Maybe you are dealing with unemployment or significant financial turmoil. Maybe you are praying for a terminally-ill family member. Maybe, like our Haitian brothers and sisters, you are witnessing one unthinkable tragedy after the next, forcing you to cling to the mere breath of life. Maybe you are holding on to a marriage that seems to be failing or a child that seems to be drifting. Still, God is in control. And we are not.

En route to the hospital, I spoke briefly with a friend who reminded of the truth that God is in control. Not only were her words exactly what I needed to hear at the time, they also proved to be the divine echo of my day--the message that seemed to be reverberating in my heart over and over.

Colossians 1:17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

I can't help but wonder how differently life might look for us if the only thing we clung to was the fact that God is in control. For most, I imagine even the thought of this type of life provides quite a bit of freedom and joy. Perhaps it is a far cry from your current state of living---one too often filled with anxiety, fear and chaos.

But the truth is this faith driven type of life is not an unattainable, illusive kind of existence I'm suggesting you work toward. No, this is the life that God designed for us. The life he calls us to in His Word. An abundant life. A life where we say risk fearlessly, trust extravagantly, and live hopefully.

If you find yourself in a season of victory, abundance and joy, know this---God is in control. And we are not. If you find yourself in a season of hopelessness, anxiety and despair, know this---God is in control. And we are not. Instead of striving so very hard to be in control, spend some more time getting to know and worshipping the One who IS in control. There's freedom in that. Freedom for the taking.

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Turn Right to Go Left: Paradoxes of the Kingdom

This morning I was reminded of a scene from the Disney Movie Cars. It seems that Cars is a frequent source of inspiration for me during this season. The particular scene that came to mind involves former race car champion Doc Hudson and hot-shot rookie Lightening McQueen. In preparation for a race, Doc Hudson decides to share some tricks of the trade with young Lightening McQueen. With wisdom and maturity he explains a well-tested principle from his years of racing and it's this, Turn Right to Go Left.


That's right, Doc tells McQueen that "if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." Lightening McQueen quickly mocks and dismisses the advice because it makes no sense to him and it's certainly not what the car racing world has taught him. With pride and arrogance, he goes on to follow his own ideas about racing and after making a hard left finds himself broken down and stuck in a ditch.

Turn right to go Left. A Paradox of the Kingdom. I think often times in our daily life we are challenged by the paradoxes of the Kingdom. We're challenged by truth.

If you're sitting here scratching your head, still trying to figure out who the heck Lightening McQueen is, let me further explain this concept...

A paradox is a statement that leads to a contradiction or defies intution. It's a way that doesn't always make sense and may often seem illogical. In Luke 22:26, for instance, Jesus says "but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant." In other words, to lead and to rule, you must serve. And that's just one of many paradoxes of the Kingdom. Here are a few more: To be strong you must be made weak (2 Corinthians 12:10 ), to save your life you must lose your life (Luke 9:24), and humble yourself and you'll be exalted (Matthew 23:12). In His infinte wisdom, God consistenly lays out clear principles regarding His Kingdom that we are to follow.

Many of us have a Doc Hudson in our life that continues to share these principles and truths that defy logic. And just like a hot shot racecar we often deny those truths. We go our own way, making decisions based on what makes sense to us or what our limited experiences have taught us. Ultimately, our actions come from a place of what we think we know rather than from a place of faith. Ever been there?

I know I have. And I've consistently found myself broken down. At a dead end.

So thanks, Doc, for challenging me to embrace the Paradoxes of the Kingdom--choosing to act and live out of a place of faith. And thank you Lord for illuminating truth, always invading the natural with the supernatural.

(Is there a certain Kingdom paradox that the Lord is teaching you during this season? Do you have a testimony of a paradox that has proven true in your own life?)

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You Are What You Think


Lately I've been thinking a lot about thoughts. Yes, I just said I've been thinking about thoughts. The things that occupy our mind and often way too much of our time. I've been thinking of the power in a thought. These thoughts that turn into memories not only impact us on a spiritual level, they affect the actual chemistry of our brain. The photo above shows an extremely toxic memory being pointed out in an actual photo of the brain (captured from Lifetoday.org).


Last year I went to an excellent class that focused on the brain and how it is affected by the things that we think. Although some of the content was way over my head, I was completely intrigued by the concepts presented by the speaker, Dr. Caroline Leaf. So anyways, here I am months later pulling out the notes that I scribbled on the folded up piece of paper in my diaper bag hoping they may be of encouragement to you.

The big takeaway for me was the importance of taking captive every thought to Christ. When it's in bold it means I'm screaming it out loud and very s-l-o-w-l-y.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

I've read this verse many times over, but I don't think I've ever understood the weight and gravity of the truth presented through its words. Do I take captive my thoughts to make them obedient to Christ? Yes, of course. Do I take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ? No, I can't say that I do.

The reality is this---You are what you think. You never say or do anything without first thinking it. Because of this, there is no such thing as a harmless thought.

Thoughts that come up to the conscious mind NEVER GO BACK UNCHANGED. They either go back toxic or untoxic so it's vitally important to capture and detox our thoughts. Yes, we must capture and detox our thoughts, rather than letting them go back unchanged.

The notes I took from Dr. Leaf's class will give you a further look at this process. Take a look--

-You have a choice to accept or reject incoming information. In other words, if you are controlling your thought life, you don’t have to just receive all of this input that is coming in from the outside world, from the media, from external and also from your internal world.

-So you’re going to have information coming from the outside that meets up with the information that is already inside---and it comes together at this point called the free will in the brain. You can make a decision at that point to accept or reject that information.

-If you decide this is not good for me and you actually analyze that thought and say, this is not good for me, this is not healthy. You can reject that thought and it does not become part of you. But if you choose to think about it, if you choose to meditate on that thought, if you choose to ask, answer, discuss, analyze to give meaning, you push it into these memory trees of the mind, into the memory circuits and once they’re there, they are there for good.

-Once they’ve moved into what the neuro-scientists call the magic trees of the mind, once they’re there, they’re there for good, you can’t get rid of them. Then you’ve got to rebuild, that’s the renewing of the mind. Much more difficult to rebuild than it is to reject."

I hope these notes will impact your spiritual journey, prompting you to reject the poisonous lies of the enemy immediately. To view those lies in light of the depth of their impact rather than just viewing them as "bad thoughts." We think nothing of detoxing our bodies so why not consider detoxing our thoughts?

Again, take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. Choose today to meditate on the Word of the Lord.

Joshua 1:8 "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."

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I Have A Dream

Today we celebrate Martin Luther King's life---remembering him as a man of great courage, strength and integrity. The reality is that MLK faced a lot of hardships that are unknown to many of us today. Though mocked, persecuted and discriminated against, he bravely led a significant movement of social justice that has forever changed our nation.


Just shortly after his own home was bombed he shared this thought, "Keep moving...with the faith that what we are doing is right, and with the even greater faith that God is with us in the struggle." As you go about your day today, ask God in what area of my life am I in need of faith and even perseverance in doing what is right? Then give thanks for the obedience of the faithful ones who led through the struggle with excellence.

Today I am thankful that the Sovereign Lord gave a man named Martin Luther King, Jr. a dream. And I'm thankful to Martin Luther King, Jr. for embracing that dream with a faith that moved mountains.

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Deal or No Deal?

I experience an unusually deep and very possibly unhealthy level of joy when I get an incredible deal on something. In fact, it's become a hobby of mine to look at home magazines and get an idea of a "look" and then try to recreate that same look in a much cheaper way:)

Johnny used to make fun of my negotiating/bartering/bargain shopping ways until they were put to use in the Cabela's Bargain Cave.

Anyways, here is my latest snatch.
Stats: White Pottery Barn Side Table
Item Found At: Craigslist
Selling Price: $25.
I wonder what Howie Mandel would say?

Holla!

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Mysteries, Miracles and Marriage

I just read an interesting post on marriage that came from Beth Moore's blog. The post, Burning Down the House, was written by her daughter and for some reason the words on the screen seemed to be screaming at me. My husband and I are in a season where a lot of people we know are quitting on the whole marriage thing (or at least seriously considering it). They're giving up. They're walking away. They're trying to escape and hoping that in doing so they will find something better and more fulfilling.

I know that people in my generation are even wondering if there's really a point to getting married. I mean if you love someone and want to spend the rest of your life with them, then why would you get married? One friend of mine said that statistics prove that marriage will only ruin things. Why? Because you're more likely to get divorced than you are to stay together. Week after week we see politicans, celebrities, neighbors and friends throw away their marriages and families in a humiliating, heartbreaking and often public way.

I wonder if our perspective and, more importantly, our choices would change if we really understood the why behind marriage. If we really had a grasp on God's original purpose and design for marriage, would things change? The idealist in me says YES. In fact, I think this may be the only way to move people from simply surviving marriage to experiencing the fullness and beauty of the unity and intimacy that the God of the Universe created for us. The authors of the book Real Life Marriage: It's Not About Me describe it this way:

"The miracle is a husband and wife become one. Their two stories intersect and a new story begins. The mystery in marriage is God invites a couple to Reflect and Reveal His image and character, first to each other, and then to the world. Every man and woman can choose to live life in one of two stories; the Larger story or the smaller story. In the Larger story, God is the main character; in the smaller story, self is the main character. Take a look around and you will see that marriage is under attack. We believe this is because couples live their life with a wrong belief system. A belief system that adopts an attitude and lifestyle that says; "it's all about me." The good news is God invites every couple to return to His original, Plan A design for marriage. His design opens the door for husbands and wives to live out the truth; it’s not about me!

If you're looking to gain a greater understanding on the purpose of marriage and how to live that out in a practical and authentic way, then I highly suggest you check out this book. As a daughter of the authors:), I can confidently say that their message is not merely well thought out words and concepts. Instead, it is the fruit and testimony of a real life marriage lived out with a passionate, God-centered focus---one chasing hard after God in hopes of recapturing His original design.

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