Review: Letters to a Young Pastor

Letters to a Young Pastor by Calvin Miller is a great guide to leading a church by a man with 25+ years as a pastor. It has some great pieces of advice. Byron has read several books like this, and this book was one of the most detailed and practical with advice on a depth of issues and some solid instruction. Calvin Miller gives instruction and personal stories without holding back. It seems to lack some of the love of some other books of this type Byron and I both have read. I think that is because it has a formality in the tone, like a college professor instead of a chat with a good friend, but it is balanced out by some amazing stories told with vulnerability. The stories of Calvin's struggles really made this book enjoyable to read. The letters have great honest, humor, and encouragement and this book is an excellent addition to Byron's ministry books.

I would highly recommend Letters to a Young Pastor -for a pastor of any age. It would be a great Christmas gift for a pastor with a gift card tucked in it for some extra love! ;)

You can purchase Letters to a Young Pastor for $14.99 from David C. Cook HERE.

I was given Letters to a Young Pastor by B& B Media group and David C. Cook for the purposes of review only.

Getting ready for the Spring!

We've been consumed with so many projects lately! I haven't had much time for so many things I had planned for October! We have been doing a lot of clearing of our woods! We are so excited every time we manage to dispose of a nasty Mesquite tree! These pictures don't really do justice to the process since you can't see how thick it was "before." We still have a long way to go, but the burn ban was only lifted yesterday. Finally! We can now start burning the large piles of trees and brush, burning the nasty Mesquite stumps, and cooking out and roasting marshmallows! Yae! Because of the drought, even cooking with a charcoal grill has been outlawed around here since June or July, so we are so excited!

We're preparing our garden area for Spring. I sure hate to lose those cedar trees that have turned orange. Cedar trees don't really do that unless they are dead, but I'm still holding out hope that these babies will recover. We have about 5 of them turning orange at the perimeter of our property. They provide a lot of privacy and I sure hope they rebound. We are dumping lots of horse manure on the garden plot. Byron loves to play on that tractor. He had visions of working the soil with the tractor all winter to get it nice and ready for spring planting, but you have to think back before machines, chemicals, and science. God planned for things to grow - he made the leaves fall and the earth lay dormant during winter. All this serves a purpose. Microbes and pathogens and bugs and decay all need to do their thing in the winter. So, really the best way to prepare for spring planting is to do nothing. We'll cover the dirt with horse manure, dead leaves, and some mulchy stuff before winter. And... I am hoping to build some great compost bins. From what I have read, once we have planted we only need to use horse manure that has been properly composted. I worry about using Saxie's manure since one of her very favorite foods seems to be - Mesquite beans. I sure hope I am not fighting Mesquites out of the garden too!

And this nasty looking disaster is our pool. Yep. It's a mess! Best advice I could find on the Internet and pool store said that this is what you have to do to winterize your pool. Byron never liked the idea, but I pushed for it because, cover it up, and I am done till May. Done with all the chemicals and vacuuming and expense. Then we started talking to people around here who have pools. Nobody in our area really does this. Some do if they have a $300 water pump on the top of the cover, but most just keep chemicaling and vacuuming. So I guess we are going to scrap the pool cover fiasco and get back to it. Oh well, maybe I can plan a youth group polar plunge in January, float some candles in it at Christmas - get SOME use out of it.

Interruptions

I saw a quote somewhere that really stuck with me, "An interrupted day is God's plan for a mother." Such a true statement! Especially when your kids are little, interruptions are what we do.

Unfortunately, as my kids have gotten older, the interruptions haven't stopped. Sure they know the basic boundaries - basic ones such as don't barge into the bathroom when mom's in there - be quiet when mom is on the phone. Some boundaries, however, are still difficult for them, like knocking and waiting to be told to come into mom & dad's room - instead of barging in with the old, "Mom!" shout.

A few nights ago I was cooking a new recipe, some brownie cookies. They weren't very good, not sweet enough - so I started to throw away the recipe. Then I remembered the 3 hours of distractions in making them and wondered if maybe I just left something out, some of the sugar perhaps? Highly possible. I was helping with homework, getting football pads into pants, saddling a horse, solving crimes, doctoring injuries, picking up and dropping off kids at various practices during which time the cookies were in progress on the counter.

The answer, truly is - to embrace it. To once again let go of your expectations, to understand that this is how it is, and love them all through it, interruptions included. We've still got to train them to respect our boundaries. We've still got to teach them not to interrupt when we are speaking, basic manners of not interrupting is all a part of learning patience. We've still got to keep making to- do lists and planning, just don't let it get to you when it doesn't all get accomplished in your ideal time frame.

I am loving my more relaxed role as a mother this year. Without kids at home all day, it has been kind of nice. But, I have been kind of testy with them in the evenings. They come home and my marvelous clean, serene house is no more. I didn't realize it until recently, but I sometimes find myself feeling frustrated and I always stop and check myself, try to trace it back and think, "Why am I feeling this way?" "Who or what was it that set me off?" Now that the kids aren't with me all day, I want the time that I do have with them to be sweet.

And, as I look back some of the sweetest moments we've ever had, some of the most special memories were those times when I DID embrace interruptions and go with the flow. And you know, it all goes back to expectations - interruptions are upsetting because the chores won't get done, or some other expectation based on what other people think won't be met. Kids are more important than that... Even if they are walking interruptions.

Around the Farm

I hung my tree painting in my bedroom. I suppose I am pleased with the finished product, I didn't really feel like it was done, but I was tired of tripping over it. I like the symbolic nature of it - it is part prophetic. I feel like so much of what we do as student ministers is planting seeds in someone else's garden. We present the Word to students, but so often the rest is up to God. The emphasis of my tree is really the roots - I pray that the seeds we plant would go down deep into fertile soil and form strong roots. I think I got carried away and I ended up needing a larger canvas. I think this will be a picture I would like to do again, I love drawing trees anyway. I wrote on it, "Rooted in Love." Eph. 3:17-18. We need that reminder - it's all got to be rooted in Love, or what is it for?

We put the kids to work shoveling the poop which the horse has deposited all over the yard and moving it all over to the garden area. It was gettin' pretty nasty looking since the horse has free run of the yard and pasture area to get any grass that is left around here.

My dad taught Ally to jump onto the horse's back like an Indian.

Daniel's team paid tribute to one of the teammate's mothers who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. He didn't mind the pink, but he gladly gave the pink socks to Gracie after the game. He is loving playing football.

I don't know if you can tell, but it is pouring down rain in this picture. Gracie has really enjoyed taking care of Saxie. They have quickly become best buddies. Gracie is gobbling up all the Margerite Henry horse books she can find (Misty, Born to Trot). She just started Black Beauty. She is loving the beginning because it is written from the horse's viewpoint. I warned her that the book is meant to expose poor treatment of horses, but I know she is going to hate that book in the end, just like I did. Too much sadness.

Yae for RAIN! We've had 2 or 3 good rainy days around here finally. The cracks still haven't all closed up, but we shoved some of the plentiful horse poop into them hoping that would help. We are going to begin preparing our garden plot for the Spring.

Meanwhile, we are getting a lot of outside chores accomplished with the cooler temperatures! What we need now if for the burn ban to be lifted so we can enjoy some firepit marshmallow roasting and hot dog roasting! Love and God's peace to you all!

Loch Ness Monster Found in Local Pool

Can you believe the size of this thing? It is enormous! I haven't googled it yet, but it looks like something you'd expect to see somebody getting out of the Amazon on the Nature channel! That's Ally's size 8's up next to it just for perspective. Nasty! We are currently getting about about 10-12 pretty large scorpions out of the pool skimmer each day. On tomorrow's agenda winterizing and covering the pool - which I am looking forward to. I am kind of tired of maintaining it - and pullin' stuff like this out of the skimmer. But... that also brings about the question, without the pool, where will all these nasty creatures go to hang out? Hmmm.

Sifted

I've been seeing the book Sifted by Rick Lawrence in a lot of bookstores lately, and it looked really interesting, so I jumped at the chance to review it! The subtitle reads: "God's scandalous response to Satan's outrageous demand." It focuses on the story of Luke 22:2034 and Jesus' conversation with Peter when Jesus reveals some tough times ahead for Peter.

The themes of this book must be something God is trying to pound into my head because it seems to be recurring a lot lately. Byron is also teaching a series with the students this month called, "The Big God Questions," and of course, the biggest God question most people have is, "Why do bad things happen to good people." The author does an amazing job really digging into these kinds of questions. He really analyzes scripture and comes out with some great insight.

I love this quote from the book promo; "If we believe that Christians are still sifted today, why do we so often judge those who are experiencing hardships? They must have done something wrong. God must be punishing them. But suffering is inevitable, whether it comes in the form of life-shifting catastrophe or the drip-drip-dripping of daily troubles. Sifted will encourage those who are facing trouble now and those who will face it in the future. It will encourage us to see our pain as a means to greater knowledge and intimacy with Christ. Lawrence offers a rigorously honest, deeply challenging, yet powerfully comforting exploration of the trials that beat us down, the good God who allows our troubles, and the incredible beauty the process of sifting can reveal in us."

It's such a hard truth -this concept of Sifting. I think it is a passage of scripture a lot of pastors even avoid. It is a hard thing to talk about with students because in their narrow minds it just doesn't seem"fair." They struggle to see the down the road benefits of trails we face now. I am really enjoying Sifted, I really feel like I have really gained a lot by reading it. I would highly recommend this book, it is a complicated concept; yet it is readable and enjoyable. I think it is a book that I would like to have 3-5 copies of on my bookshelf to give away to those with these kinds of big questions. You can buy it HERE for $9.97. Rick Lawrence has a site with more information on the book, and a video of him talking about it HERE.

I was given a copy of Sifted by B&B Media and David C. Cook for the purpose of review only.

Cherished -book review

You know, you know. Every time I review a Christian fiction novel I tell you what I hate about Christian fiction. Well, Cherished has none of that. It is an extremely well done novel. Kim Tate did a great job making this an enjoyable, well-written book that also really portrays Christian truths and illustrates the practical use of faith and God's love. Love that. Through the characters we see the themes of:

· Learning to forgive ourselves

· Choosing to forgive others and allowing God to change them

· Following the dreams God has for us

· Surrounding ourselves with Christian friends who will pray for and encourage us

· Understanding God’s unchanging love

I had a hard time putting this book down, then I loaned it out to my sister and niece and they really enjoyed it too.

Tate was a speaker for Women of Faith in both 2010 and 2011. She appeared as the cover girl for the May issue of Empowering Everyday Women and will be featured in the September edition of Significant Living. A song based on Cherished will be featured on the newest album for Da’ T.R.U.T.H., a Christian wrapper. Tate is also the founder of Colored in Christ Ministries. Her appeal as a Bible teacher and a “big sister” in ministry, as well as her messages of hope, is what attracts discerning fiction lovers worldwide.

Tate’s characters bring a reflection of our own poor choices. Readers walk away knowing that despite their worst mistakes, they are cherished by their Creator. “The enemy will try to make you feel guilty about your past, and he’ll use your own thoughts or he’ll use other people. But if you know who you are, he won’t succeed,” says Tate.

Love it. You can buy Cherished for $10.99 HERE. Kim's website is pretty great - she also has a book trailer that includes the song mentioned above and a neat interview with Da'TRUTH. I loved the Cherished song! I'm going to have to download it! I would highly recommend this novel and I'd like to read some more by Kim Cash Tate.

I was given a copy of Cherished by B&B Media and Thomas Nelson for the purposes of review only.

Craftiness

I have avoided Pinterest. I've heard stories about its fabulousness. I knew I would love it. But, I try to limit my computer interests, not increase them. And I have TOO many interests - do I really need to pin up more? So, finally I couldn't stand it anymore & I had to go check it out. Oh mercy, what a crafty heaven! My crafty juices are flowin' and my hands are twitchin' to create some stuff! It's a medical condition with me I think - I almost get the shakes wanting to paint or craft something. I think I'll give up Facebook and replace it with Pinterest. So, I'm all crafty -inspired but so incredibly swamped with stuff to do this morning. I finally gave in and decided I would devote ONE hour to some craftiness - or risk some kind of craft-coma.

It actually took me less than an hour- hence the time to blog about it. Notice the nice garden fertilizer blessings in the background.

Add some flowers and weeds from the side yard and there you go. I think I might live to craft another day.

Now, can I just please keep the mums alive 'till maybe Thanksgiving?

Prayer Stations

We had a great time during the planning and doing of our fall youth retreat. We called it Revolution Weekend instead of D'Now. We continued our Make War theme and really talked a lot about spiritual warfare and taking thoughts captive. This prayer center focused on places where restoration or healing is needed. Students had to tack a card on the wall with a prayer request on it.

Though it doesn't look like much from this picture, this was my favorite prayer station. It focused on the underground church and had lots of pictures and stories about people in places were talking about Jesus is against the law - and stories of persecuted Christians. We used a pop up tent only 1/2 way up so you had to kind of sneak in. It was pretty dark inside, with only candles for light.

In this station students were to pray about people who they need to tell about Jesus & write their names on a card and put in the basket. They also wrote some precious thank you notes to Jesus at this station too.

Okay, this one was half gone by the time I took this picture so it doesn't look too great. We had little battery operated tea lights and mirrors on the ground. Students were to pray about the church, write a prayer for the church, and pray about the church. I put out my wedding dress for decoration and the Bride of Christ symbolism.

I was busy leading a group and didn't get to put as much time into these as I had hoped. These things always spin around in my head much more elaborately than they turn out. And...I didn't have the benefit of working on these with the assistance of my brilliant husband. We do well working together on this kind of thing. I provide the artistic vision, and he provides the practical reason.

This one is the river.

At this station you read verses about worry, then pray, asking God to convict you of worry in your life. Then, you untie a knot as a symbol of letting it go, and ask God's forgiveness for worry.

Okay again, I was in a hurry and I totally free-handed this map. This map has prayer requests from missionaries around the world during the last 24 hours. Among them, prayers for the Key family in the Middle East during the soon to come birth of their new baby! Still prayin' Cara!
We had a few more stations, they went really well. I love the different approach to worship and the interactive-ness of this idea. I love to ask people to write or draw a prayer instead of say it. It worked well to keep our sleepy teenagers moving and praising instead of sitting.

We did some paint balling during the weekend as well. My husband set up 3 compass courses in the woods and students followed points to Bible study stations on Spiritual warfare, all the while being aggressed by the enemy. It was intense, but most of us had a great time. We still haven't fully recovered.

missiolife

I recently had the opportunity to review a digital online curriculum for churches, which was right up my alley! I love a good curriculum. MissioLife is a little different than a normal curriculum, though. MissioLife is intended to be experienced together as a community. Unlike individual devotionals designed for only one person or one learning group, MissioLife is intentional about involving everyone in your faith community. MissioLife is divided into three learning groups: children, youth and adults. With the entire church community journeying through MissioLife together, families and multi-generational communities will be able to share in this formative experience together.

This resource is discussion-driven and easy-to-use. For adults (Breathe) and youth (Image), each week you get a 3-page in depth biblical reflection to help you engage in the story of God, a 2-page facilitator’s guide to equip the leader with weekly encounter sessions and community discussions, and a 1-page participant’s handout to help everyone join in the conversation.
Rhythms is the MissioLife small group resource for children. God’s heartbeat is the rhythm of a child’s life. Rhythms invites elementary children, ages 6-12, into the story of God.

I used the Rhythms children's curriculum and it really had some great elements. Using an easy-to-follow small group plan, Rhythms will help children explore a Bible story, be informed by the narrative, and be transformed through reflective questions, deeper thinking, and purposeful prayer to live into the mission of God.

MissioLife is easy to use and I really appreciate the way it is set up topically, growing on more advanced themes. It is all digital, so you download it off of your computer. I liked how discussion-centered it is. To really check it out, visit the website HERE. You'll find sample lessons, videos and tons of information there. It is around $60, and I initially thought that was pricey, but in light of the fact that it is actually curriculum for so many age groups, that's not so bad.

I recieved MissioLife from B&B Media Group for the purposes of review only.