Anxiety is crawling its way through the pit of my stomach up into my chest as I sit down to write. It is a palpable feeling that exists somewhere between excitement and terror. You see, from a very young age I possessed an immense joy for writing. Everything about it amazed me. The first time I could write a capital A, instead of an H still stands out in my mind as one of my most proud literary moments. Learning to write in cursive, the way the letters flowed, connecting, without ever picking up the pencil, felt so beautiful! I wrote my first poem in early elementary school and I can still remember it, word for word. Writing was, and continues to be, a joy. That's the problem.
Without bringing you along on the twenty-year journey that let me to this moment, let me just tell you that I have been led to a place in my life when I feel somewhat certain that I am supposed to write--to be a writer. There I said it! No taking it back now. I think I am supposed to be a writer and I hold within me now an immeasurable fear that you who are reading this, if anyone is reading this, are going to think, "This chic thinks she is a writer? Is she crazy??? She is a terrible writer!!" (Even as I write this, I don't know if it should be "chick" or "chic." What kind of a writer doesn't know how to spell that?) To put it plain and simple, my sweet, amazingly beautiful friends (maybe compliments will soften your blow), I am absolutely terrified of criticism if it is directed at a source of pride. My children, my family, and yes, even my writing. But, even more than my fear of criticism is my fear of failure. Criticism and failure lead me to a place of unadulterated self-doubt. I doubt myself, my talents, my very being. Oh me, of little faith.
How appropriate that the three verses I am blessed with the opportunity to study are James 1: 5-7. The NIV version says "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord: he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."
My middle child, a beautiful girl named Aubryn Grace, will be eight years old in three short months. It is hard to believe that little sprite joined our lives eight years ago, as the years have just flown by and my memory of her birth is as clear as the events of yesterday. I was ecstatic the moment I felt the pressure release and saw my wonderful doctor hold her up to reveal her gender. A girl! I had a girl!
I had been blessed 19 months prior with a wonderful baby boy and now God was blessing us again with a girl. I felt like the luckiest woman on the planet. How many couples received the blessings of both a healthy boy AND a healthy girl? The joy presented itself with salty tears streaming down my cheeks. I couldn't contain the bewilderment that I really was a mother to a daughter. Yes, that memory of her birth is crystal clear, unlike the year that followed.
Shortly after Aubryn was born it became very clear that I was suffering from postpartum depression. I hadn't slept in eight days and had not eaten since the day she was born. I had lost all of the weight I had gained in my pregnancy, plus an additional ten pounds. I was emaciated and scared beyond reason. When everything the doctors had suggested for me to try at home had failed to work, I was re-hospitalized and began a journey that involved intensive therapy, several medications, and a flock of support. My sweet mother stayed with us for a month and afterwards, my husband single-handedly raised our daughter, and our older son through that foggy time. I remember very little from that time. The medication had done wonders to my short-term memory. But, despite the lack of memories of Aubryn's baby milestones, I have vivid memories of mine as pertaining to my recovery. One in particular changed the course of my existence and gave me a hope I had never known.
I struggled a lot with God during that time. I felt I had lost contact with Him. Until that point I had usually been able to sense his presence, his voice speaking to my heart. Under the blanket of what turned out to be postpartum anxiety and OCD, in addition to the depression, His voice had become impossible to hear above the other, much louder, racing voice chanting in my head. One day I couldn't take the speedy voice any more and, feeling imprisoned by its constant unwelcome companionship, I panicked for a way to get out, a way to hide from it. Short of ripping out my hair, I could think of nothing else to do, except, literally, run away. I laced up my tennis shoes and took off out the front door. I was literally trying to outrun the voice in my head and, to my surprise, once I reached the end of the street, it was working! I was outrunning that little bugger!
Finally experiencing a sense of peace in my head, I knew I couldn't stop. The voice would come back soon enough, but I wasn't ready. I had just lost it. I had to keep going. Half a mile later I began praying out loud. My prayer was audible and forceful: "Help me God! Help me! Give me a sign!" For the first time in over a month, I sensed His response, His voice penetrating the deepest places of my soul, "Indeed I will."
It was the first time since my sweet Aubryn Grace was born that I felt peace. Real, raw, life-affirming peace. I finished my run without a doubt that indeed He would show Himself to me. And guess what? He did just that as soon as I walked in the door. What happened next I have replayed in my mind a million times.
But, I am not going to share that with you yet, because the point of my story is that it was in that brief time period that I finally understood what was meant by prayer and faith. Praying is only half the story. Praying is wonderful, freeing, a direct link to our Creator, but it is nothing without faith. It is nothing without the belief that God CAN and WILL hear our prayer and answer in His time. The answer may not be what we, in our selfish, earthly ways think it should be, but it will be an answer directed toward His will, formulated out of His unending love for us. When I finally prayed and believed, God indeed did show me a sign. I can't wait to tell you about that, but, God willing, it will have to wait for another post. And He didn't stop at just one sign. He showed His presence several times, over and over again, because I believed He could and He would! He slowly began to heal me by rewarding me for my faithfulness through His presence made known.
When I began writing this I prayed that God would ease my fear, calm the flutters in my heart and clear my mind so that my fingers may be used for His greater purpose. Every stroke of the keyboard felt deliberate and slow during the formulation of the first paragraph of this post. But then something amazing happened, something that shouldn't have surprised me, but did nonetheless. I reminded myself of all of the times before when, following my belief that He could and would, God revealed Himself and proved faithful in answering my prayers. The reminder caused me to believe, once again, that He would protect my heart and rest my unease; He did just that! You see, God freed my constricting heart, he freed my mind of anything accept his peace and clarity and He set my fingers in motion.
I wanted to insert a great simile here, "prayer without faith is like . . .", but God directed me right back to the words spoken in James and I realized I need not look any further for a more perfect example: ". . .he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." James 1: 6b. Nearly eight years ago, though I prayed and prayed, I felt exactly like that. I was being tossed around, trapped in the prison of my mind. There was no stability. "That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does." James 1:7. Unstable. Now that is a word I have used to describe myself time and time again.
Yes, without faith, I am, undeniably unstable. To this day the postpartum effects linger and I may always be in a state of "treatment" or "recovery." It took some time, but I completely accept that as part of my life, a cross to bare. But no matter how unstable I may feel, I need to look no further than God Himself to find my stability. Through prayer, thanksgiving and faith, He Himself will set me on solid ground, making me stable once again. Praise His name.
Heavenly Father, thank You for your unending presence and for the peace that can come from only You. Thank You for being faithful in your answer when we are faithful in our asking. Thank you Lord, for using my fingers to write what Your presence has laid on my heart. Lord, I doubt and I fear. Free me from this, Lord. Free me from all earthly doubts and fears, Lord. I believe, with all my heart that You can and will! All honor and glory are yours, almighty God, now and forever!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
The first three.....cont........
So, my reply was too many characters to list in the comments, bahahaha! So here it is in a "new" continued post! I love copy and paste by the way......
Well, 4 weeks later and it appears my procrastination actually has purpose. I find it no coincidence that in my Bible study this week we wrapped up Hebrews 10 which Paula so appropriately referenced in this discussion about the testing of our faith and the perseverance we are called to as believers.
I agree with Paula, in fact if you look up perseverance in the dictionary you very well might see a picture of Katie :) I cannot tell you the countless times she has quoted these very verses in James for either some struggle I've been dealing with or perhaps a personal struggle of her own she is sharing.
Let's talk about this "patience" part first? Without patience, the perseverance is pretty much impossible. One definition of patience I've found is "the ability or willingness (hmmmmn - interesting word choice), to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay." I think by nature people are not patient. Just look at our "gotta have it now", instant gratification society we live in. Fast food, instant messaging, answers at our fingertip (thank you google for that one!). Perhaps this has been a disadvantage to us though..... Have we lost the endurance and perseverance of previous generations? Have we lost our staying power? We are quick to give up on careers, on relationships, and sometimes on life in general. . . .
Probably the most challenging aspect of this though, for me at least, is to find joy in each storm we have to endure. I mean, let's face it, do you find yourself saying "bring it on?" We even read in Matthew 26 that Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane asked the father to "let this cup pass from Me." However, what we can find peace in is that very fact that Jesus was tempted in every single way we are. What a comfort that we have a high priest who can empathize with our trials because he has been there.
Have you ever really watched what happens during a storm? I love watching thunderstorms cross the lake in the summertime. Marvelous, yet sometimes scary sights can be witnessed. High winds can put a lot of stress on whatever stands in its way. If those objects are not tied down or rather anchored onto something they can be caught up in the wind and either damaged, overturned, ripped apart, or in some case completed displaced or even worse simply destroyed. This summer during a rather severe storm shingles off my mom's roof covered her entire yard (thankfully the house stood strong) and our neighbor's dock was overturned. Interestingly their boat was tied to it and guess what, it was found across the lake. Guess even though it was attached to something, WHAT it was anchored to just wasn't strong enough to hold fast during the roughest part of the storm.
A few months ago in our bible study we discussed the relevance of the anchor as the symbol the early Christian church used in the midst of Roman persecution. Interesting to me that they used an anchor, not a cross. They used the anchor to remind them of the eternal hope they had in Jesus that goes beyond this life, yes beyond any trial and tribulation that this life brings.
So not only do we have to make sure we set our anchor in anticipation of the storm, but in order for the anchor to hold in the roughest of waters we need to know what or more importantly WHO that anchor is! Hebrews 6:19 says "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul , a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil."
The link below will take you to a youtube video of "Cornerstone" by Hillsong United. Please take a second to listen :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZq9xTfHvgo
An interesting fact that you may or may not know is that the calmest waters come immediately after the storm. Our favorite time to waterski is right after a hard rain or thunderstorm. As soon as the rain stops the water is like glass. A smooth reflection just calling my name. Jason and I will eagerly ride out the storm just waiting for it to die down. We have our suits on raring to go, checking the radar, and just before the rain completely stops we are on dock prepping the boat and ourselves for what potentially could be the best ski of the year. Growth comes from difficult circumstances, from struggles, from effort. Whether learning a new skill, training for a triathlon , following God's calling outside of your own plans, or enduring an unexpected loss, or a betrayal.....but the end result yields progress, or in the spiritual arena, completeness. a V. 4 "and let endurance have it's perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
"God changes caterpillars into butterflies,
sand into pearls,
and coal into diamonds.
Using TIME and PRESSURE,
He's working on you too."
-Rick Warren
So, I guess I'm going to be joyful not necessarily in my trials but in the calm waters afterwards. Did I mention that there is only 6-8 more weeks until my first ski of 2013!!!
Saturday, February 23, 2013
The first three...
We are breaking James down into three verse bites; with each of us taking a turn at the lead post. Since each prefer a different version, we will post our version of the verses first, followed by our commentary. It so happens that James 1:4 is my favorite verse, so I was elected to take the first three!
James 1:2-4 (Amplified)
2 Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.
3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.
4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.
I first came upon these verses as a point of promise (something I could depend on as being true in my life) as a teenager. Gawky, gangly, socially an outcast and towering over others, I had decided dating could wait. Not that I didn't want to date, but it seemed so improbable, making it a choice was easier than rejection. I made a list of prospective husbandly traits, written in blue marker and done by candlelight. I told God that this was what I wanted in a husband (not a boyfriend) and that I was content not dating as I erroneously believed I would never have a broken heart. In searching scripture, my eyes lighted on James 1:4. "let patience have her perfect work, so that you may be fully developed and lack nothing." (the paraphrase I still think of it in!) I would patiently wait for my husband. Then I would lack nothing on my list.
My first husband came along when I was 20. Pulling out the dogearred list hours after our engagement, I wept happy tears as I was able to check off all my hopes for a husband my new fiancé possessed. At our wedding at age 21, it was on this page if the Bible, with this verse clearly showing, that we posed our newly ringed hands. Patience had taken and made a perfect work.
But what of verses 2 & 3? Count it all JOY when the world is falling apart?
That came into play just 2 1/2 years later, when in my fifth month of pregnancy my husband was diagnosed with brain cancer. He entered hospice care four days before our daughter was born. He could not remember her birth for the first few weeks, and kept asking why we had a baby in our house. He died 3 months later.
Joy. The emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires. What joy was there in a dying husband? One who couldn't seem to grasp his daughter's birth? Of being widowed at 24?
Count it wholly joyful.
It's a choice, you see. When accounting, you chose to put the sum in the debit or credit column. In life, you choose to see it as joy or trial.
As I was wheeled out of the hospital by my mother and sisters, I clung to joy. My husband wasn't with me-but I could choose to make the memory sweet. I put two bonnets on my newborn baby girl (the one I wore home from the hospital, and the winter one she needed) and we laughed at my determination she'd wear my summery little frock in January. At home I chose to enjoy my husband reliving the news over and over that his child had been born. I enjoyed those winter days and evening snuggled up on the coach (we could no longer sleep together- our room was on the second floor, so our dining room was converted) and having him here, somewhat comfortable. Days before he entered the hospital he looked at our sleeping baby and said simply, "You know? I love her." Somehow, despite the sickening cancer, she had crept into his heart.
He spent five weeks in the critical care unit. The baby wasn't allowed in his room. I spent hours by his side, reading scriptures and singing and talking to him. (I honestly think he lived longer, pulled to stay by our bond.) Was it horrible? Moments were; but overall I knew that I knew that I knew-no matter what his outcome-whether he lived or died-I would be ok. "know that the proving of your faith brings out endurance, steadfastness and patience...and let patience have her perfect work, so you may be fully developed and lack nothing." My choice of Joy made it bearable.
After his death, I spent many an evening contending with God. Many a day I had to make a choice for joy, instead of grief. Having a baby made it easier-how can one not find joy in a baby's firsts?
I remarried two years later, and we'll celebrate fifteen years together in April.
If I don't kill him first.
Lately, I have to remind myself to choose joy. To count it wholly joyful when you want to strangle your spouse, lash out at coworkers, smack your kids & tear up the mounting bills. Real life isn't as dramatic as the death of a spouse, so perhaps that is why it's harder to have joy in the everyday trials. As I have grown in my faith, I have learned that it seems to get particularly bad right before a big breakthrough...we must be on the verge of something major!! My endurance is about shot, I'm unsteady instead of steadfast, and my patience is wearing thin. And then Paula picks up the Book of James, and the first three verses are assigned to me.
2 Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. 3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.
But wait! I am to choose joy, then to be ASSURED that this trial BRINGS OUT endurance, steadfastness and patience.
4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.
At the end of it, we will be people perfectly and fully developed, lacking in nothing. It is my choice to believe this Word is true. My choice to have faith in this promise. My choice to consider it joy-The prospect of possessing well being (even though lately things seem grim.). To me, these verses are a command with a promise; a blueprint for success in battle. Writing tonight of past victories through this use of joy has reminded me again of His promise. Perfect and entire, lacking nothing.
James 1:2-4 (Amplified)
2 Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.
3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.
4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.
I first came upon these verses as a point of promise (something I could depend on as being true in my life) as a teenager. Gawky, gangly, socially an outcast and towering over others, I had decided dating could wait. Not that I didn't want to date, but it seemed so improbable, making it a choice was easier than rejection. I made a list of prospective husbandly traits, written in blue marker and done by candlelight. I told God that this was what I wanted in a husband (not a boyfriend) and that I was content not dating as I erroneously believed I would never have a broken heart. In searching scripture, my eyes lighted on James 1:4. "let patience have her perfect work, so that you may be fully developed and lack nothing." (the paraphrase I still think of it in!) I would patiently wait for my husband. Then I would lack nothing on my list.
My first husband came along when I was 20. Pulling out the dogearred list hours after our engagement, I wept happy tears as I was able to check off all my hopes for a husband my new fiancé possessed. At our wedding at age 21, it was on this page if the Bible, with this verse clearly showing, that we posed our newly ringed hands. Patience had taken and made a perfect work.
But what of verses 2 & 3? Count it all JOY when the world is falling apart?
That came into play just 2 1/2 years later, when in my fifth month of pregnancy my husband was diagnosed with brain cancer. He entered hospice care four days before our daughter was born. He could not remember her birth for the first few weeks, and kept asking why we had a baby in our house. He died 3 months later.
Joy. The emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires. What joy was there in a dying husband? One who couldn't seem to grasp his daughter's birth? Of being widowed at 24?
Count it wholly joyful.
It's a choice, you see. When accounting, you chose to put the sum in the debit or credit column. In life, you choose to see it as joy or trial.
As I was wheeled out of the hospital by my mother and sisters, I clung to joy. My husband wasn't with me-but I could choose to make the memory sweet. I put two bonnets on my newborn baby girl (the one I wore home from the hospital, and the winter one she needed) and we laughed at my determination she'd wear my summery little frock in January. At home I chose to enjoy my husband reliving the news over and over that his child had been born. I enjoyed those winter days and evening snuggled up on the coach (we could no longer sleep together- our room was on the second floor, so our dining room was converted) and having him here, somewhat comfortable. Days before he entered the hospital he looked at our sleeping baby and said simply, "You know? I love her." Somehow, despite the sickening cancer, she had crept into his heart.
He spent five weeks in the critical care unit. The baby wasn't allowed in his room. I spent hours by his side, reading scriptures and singing and talking to him. (I honestly think he lived longer, pulled to stay by our bond.) Was it horrible? Moments were; but overall I knew that I knew that I knew-no matter what his outcome-whether he lived or died-I would be ok. "know that the proving of your faith brings out endurance, steadfastness and patience...and let patience have her perfect work, so you may be fully developed and lack nothing." My choice of Joy made it bearable.
After his death, I spent many an evening contending with God. Many a day I had to make a choice for joy, instead of grief. Having a baby made it easier-how can one not find joy in a baby's firsts?
I remarried two years later, and we'll celebrate fifteen years together in April.
If I don't kill him first.
Lately, I have to remind myself to choose joy. To count it wholly joyful when you want to strangle your spouse, lash out at coworkers, smack your kids & tear up the mounting bills. Real life isn't as dramatic as the death of a spouse, so perhaps that is why it's harder to have joy in the everyday trials. As I have grown in my faith, I have learned that it seems to get particularly bad right before a big breakthrough...we must be on the verge of something major!! My endurance is about shot, I'm unsteady instead of steadfast, and my patience is wearing thin. And then Paula picks up the Book of James, and the first three verses are assigned to me.
2 Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. 3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.
But wait! I am to choose joy, then to be ASSURED that this trial BRINGS OUT endurance, steadfastness and patience.
4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.
At the end of it, we will be people perfectly and fully developed, lacking in nothing. It is my choice to believe this Word is true. My choice to have faith in this promise. My choice to consider it joy-The prospect of possessing well being (even though lately things seem grim.). To me, these verses are a command with a promise; a blueprint for success in battle. Writing tonight of past victories through this use of joy has reminded me again of His promise. Perfect and entire, lacking nothing.
All Good Things Come To Those Who Wait (Upon The Lord), Not Me!
Well finally, eh?! So first things first, yes I am Kelly (who you have apparently been waiting for) and I am a major procrastinator, or perhaps master of distraction (and as I just shared my first 2 sentences with my husband, his only response is "yes."). Well anyway, as Katie already relayed I am also a mom of 3 with my kids ranging from 8 to 2 years as well as a wife to Jason for 11 years. I am a speech pathologist by trade and a lia sophia jewelry lover, advisor, and team leader by convert. True story, I didn't wear a bit of jewelry until lia sophia, well except that belly button ring which was so unsightly during the first pregnancy that it really had to go.
Of the 3 of us, I am probably the worst writer and pay the least attention to details, well Paula may have me on the latter. Contrary to Katie, my house is never silent except perhaps in the wee hours of the morning when I am completely passed out from exhaustion. My current passion is health and nutrition and I would love nothing more than to have a sustainable farm and live completely off my own land. I am in the current process of trying to convince my husband to build a chicken coop so we can have our own laying hens and meat chickens!! He's not so on board yet..........yet.....I can be relatively persuasive so check back in a few weeks.
Speaking of meat, James.....wow what a meaty book of the bible. I suspect that we may need to chew on it slowly savoring every ounce of goodness it offers. Other times however I'm betting it will be tough to cut through. Not sure about you, but I am looking forward to diving into this with two amazing women who love Jesus with all they have. I have shared personal, professional, and spiritual struggles and triumphs with each of them and I am excited to dig deep and come out closer to Jesus and even closer to them! So what are you waiting for, join us!!
Oh Katie - no worries, I prefer the NASB or sometimes the NKJV!!
Of the 3 of us, I am probably the worst writer and pay the least attention to details, well Paula may have me on the latter. Contrary to Katie, my house is never silent except perhaps in the wee hours of the morning when I am completely passed out from exhaustion. My current passion is health and nutrition and I would love nothing more than to have a sustainable farm and live completely off my own land. I am in the current process of trying to convince my husband to build a chicken coop so we can have our own laying hens and meat chickens!! He's not so on board yet..........yet.....I can be relatively persuasive so check back in a few weeks.
Speaking of meat, James.....wow what a meaty book of the bible. I suspect that we may need to chew on it slowly savoring every ounce of goodness it offers. Other times however I'm betting it will be tough to cut through. Not sure about you, but I am looking forward to diving into this with two amazing women who love Jesus with all they have. I have shared personal, professional, and spiritual struggles and triumphs with each of them and I am excited to dig deep and come out closer to Jesus and even closer to them! So what are you waiting for, join us!!
Oh Katie - no worries, I prefer the NASB or sometimes the NKJV!!
Friday, February 15, 2013
The Waiting Game
We are waiting for Kelly to get on and introduce herself before we get started, but as she has a particularly busy week, I'll introduce myself further.
When I saw Paula's post on James, I immediately contacted her with the idea for this blog. James contains my favorite verse in the Bible, and chapter one is definitely ranked in the top chapters I enjoy. The idea of sharing my love of James, with other Christian women I love and admire, was highly appealing.
My favorite version of the Bible, and the one I will be using, is the Amplified. I was brought up on it; anything less seems to be leaving something out. Imagine my delight when Paula shared she uses the NIV exclusively. I don't like the NIV, she doesn't like the Amplified. We both feel strongly on it- PURE DELIGHT; what revelations this can add! I am so hopeful Kelly has a different version as her preferred, so that three different versions are used in exploring the text.
My daily life is a bit different from Paula and Kelly, my youngest is 10 (nearly 11) and in her final year of elementary school (I currently have one in high school, one in middle and one in elementary.) I cannot claim to be a stay-at-home-mom, for although I work from my home, there is no one here with me (except the dog, Bowie. We recently rescued him from the pound.) Sometimes the silence is deafening...but I am not one who ever wishes to return to the days of little ones underfoot. I must admit, I enjoy my children so thoroughly at the age they are, I don't pine for the baby days or feel their youth is flying by. Everyday I am so enamored with who they are becoming - it is much more fun as they grow than wishing for days past (that and I clearly recall how freaking hard those days were.)
This year I celebrate 15 years of marriage, my oldest is 17 and a product of my marriage with my late husband, who died of cancer at age 29 (we were married just under 3 years when he passed.) This life event has left me with powerful convictions...it will be interesting to explore them with James.
Please follow our blog (I assure you that there will be disagreements, agreements and great reading in the weeks ahead.) We look forward to you joining us on the journey!
When I saw Paula's post on James, I immediately contacted her with the idea for this blog. James contains my favorite verse in the Bible, and chapter one is definitely ranked in the top chapters I enjoy. The idea of sharing my love of James, with other Christian women I love and admire, was highly appealing.
My favorite version of the Bible, and the one I will be using, is the Amplified. I was brought up on it; anything less seems to be leaving something out. Imagine my delight when Paula shared she uses the NIV exclusively. I don't like the NIV, she doesn't like the Amplified. We both feel strongly on it- PURE DELIGHT; what revelations this can add! I am so hopeful Kelly has a different version as her preferred, so that three different versions are used in exploring the text.
My daily life is a bit different from Paula and Kelly, my youngest is 10 (nearly 11) and in her final year of elementary school (I currently have one in high school, one in middle and one in elementary.) I cannot claim to be a stay-at-home-mom, for although I work from my home, there is no one here with me (except the dog, Bowie. We recently rescued him from the pound.) Sometimes the silence is deafening...but I am not one who ever wishes to return to the days of little ones underfoot. I must admit, I enjoy my children so thoroughly at the age they are, I don't pine for the baby days or feel their youth is flying by. Everyday I am so enamored with who they are becoming - it is much more fun as they grow than wishing for days past (that and I clearly recall how freaking hard those days were.)
This year I celebrate 15 years of marriage, my oldest is 17 and a product of my marriage with my late husband, who died of cancer at age 29 (we were married just under 3 years when he passed.) This life event has left me with powerful convictions...it will be interesting to explore them with James.
Please follow our blog (I assure you that there will be disagreements, agreements and great reading in the weeks ahead.) We look forward to you joining us on the journey!
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Join Us!
Greetings! As Katie stated, I am Paula, a mother of three fabulous children (maybe she didn't say "fabulous") with a degree in Elementary Education. My Bachelor's is actually Elementary/Middle Ed with a minor in English. I have a Master's degree in Educational Administration and a Doctorate in Mommyology. :) (And yes, I am a writer who DOES use emoticons--shame on me.)
I have to tell you how this blog began, as it is stinkin' exciting!!!
So, I was minding my own business, relaxing in the jacuzzi tub with the jets on full blast reading the Good Book. I adore my bath times as they are quite often the only "alone" time I get during my day. Don't tell anyone, but sometimes I take two or three baths a day, just to get "away". Shhhhhh.
I fancy myself an avid reader and it is not a unique experience for me to get so wrapped up in a good book (mainly women's fiction, mind you. Unlike Katie, I am NOT scholarly), that I stay up for hours turning pages, physically unable to put the book down! When something captures my attention in such a way, I find it difficult to focus on anything else. Imagine my surprise when, as I am chillin' in the bath, the book of James hooks me like a Nicholas Sparks novel! I was so enthralled that I immediately posted about it on facebook!
God works in amazing ways, because Katie responded to my post and we had quite a conversation right there on my "wall!" And Katie, being the creative genius she is, came up with this super fun idea of creating a blog! I love it!!!
One of the greatest things about this blog is that Katie, Kelly and I are about as different as can be, yet we love each other dearly. Through this journey, a reader will truly experience three very different perspectives and personalities. Our writing styles will vary greatly. We each live in different states, love different people, but each of our hearts belong to the One and Only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! I am so excited about this journey and could not have hand-picked two more amazing women with whom to embark upon it! Grab your compass and your fanny pack. We're going on a journey!!!
I have to tell you how this blog began, as it is stinkin' exciting!!!
So, I was minding my own business, relaxing in the jacuzzi tub with the jets on full blast reading the Good Book. I adore my bath times as they are quite often the only "alone" time I get during my day. Don't tell anyone, but sometimes I take two or three baths a day, just to get "away". Shhhhhh.
I fancy myself an avid reader and it is not a unique experience for me to get so wrapped up in a good book (mainly women's fiction, mind you. Unlike Katie, I am NOT scholarly), that I stay up for hours turning pages, physically unable to put the book down! When something captures my attention in such a way, I find it difficult to focus on anything else. Imagine my surprise when, as I am chillin' in the bath, the book of James hooks me like a Nicholas Sparks novel! I was so enthralled that I immediately posted about it on facebook!
God works in amazing ways, because Katie responded to my post and we had quite a conversation right there on my "wall!" And Katie, being the creative genius she is, came up with this super fun idea of creating a blog! I love it!!!
One of the greatest things about this blog is that Katie, Kelly and I are about as different as can be, yet we love each other dearly. Through this journey, a reader will truly experience three very different perspectives and personalities. Our writing styles will vary greatly. We each live in different states, love different people, but each of our hearts belong to the One and Only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! I am so excited about this journey and could not have hand-picked two more amazing women with whom to embark upon it! Grab your compass and your fanny pack. We're going on a journey!!!
The Book of James
James 1:1 James, A servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered abroad [among the Gentiles in the dispersion]: Greetings (rejoice)!
So begins the Book of James, in the Amplified version of the Bible.
This blog chronicles the personal interpretations of three women as they explore the Book of James together.
Katie (myself) is a region leader with lia sophia jewelry. It was I who introduced the other two women, who are part of my jewelry downline, but in different groups. I am married, mom of three who has a history degree, and enjoy volunteering at the local history museum, Sharlot Hall. I live in Arizona.
Paula is currently an advisor with lia sophia jewelry; married, mom of three with an elementary teaching degree, who enjoys writing. Paula resides in Kansas.
Kelly is a unit leader with lia sophia jewelry; married, mom of three. She works part time as a speech therapist, and holds her master's in speech therapy. Kelly lives in Michigan.
My, don't we sound droll??
We each share a keen desire to know God more, but three more lively dames you have never met. I invite you to join us as we explore the Book of James in an unconventional, modern mom and entrepreneurial way!
So begins the Book of James, in the Amplified version of the Bible.
This blog chronicles the personal interpretations of three women as they explore the Book of James together.
Katie (myself) is a region leader with lia sophia jewelry. It was I who introduced the other two women, who are part of my jewelry downline, but in different groups. I am married, mom of three who has a history degree, and enjoy volunteering at the local history museum, Sharlot Hall. I live in Arizona.
Paula is currently an advisor with lia sophia jewelry; married, mom of three with an elementary teaching degree, who enjoys writing. Paula resides in Kansas.
Kelly is a unit leader with lia sophia jewelry; married, mom of three. She works part time as a speech therapist, and holds her master's in speech therapy. Kelly lives in Michigan.
My, don't we sound droll??
We each share a keen desire to know God more, but three more lively dames you have never met. I invite you to join us as we explore the Book of James in an unconventional, modern mom and entrepreneurial way!
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