The Noticer by Andy Andrews

This book is a fictional account of the journey of one man from homeless to success. It recounts the author's encounter with a mentor, Jones, who is able to provide a different perspective on life and circumstances that can consume, confuse and sometimes even control a person's life. The book covers, essentially, a town's response to Jones' different perspective and a call for change. It also shows the outcome of what real relationship can bring.

It is an easy read, though not a book I would recommend. The writing seems sometimes forced, but not bad at all. It offers logic as a base for change, and encourages readers to be who others want them to be in order to be successful. I enjoyed reading the encounters and hearing of Jones' perspective. However, I rarely agreed fully with Jones' "wisdom." I do not believe that it fully aligned with biblical truth and principles. It is dangerous to read partial truths.

This Past Sunday

This past Sunday, I was in church with my family. The message was on - well I can't say 100%. I know we talked about fasting. I know we talked about being lukewarm. We talked about light and dark - and how you can't be both. How you can't even really be in the middle - or you can try to be in the middle, but that by not choosing a side it makes things worse.
Somewhere in the middle of all this - I got probably the clearest picture of Jesus I've ever had and it made me want to know him. To have all my worldly images of his buried - and to only see, only know who he really is.
It feels weird typing this out, because it's probably the most personal thing I've ever blogged about. I was grasping at this image, this man, this truth - and I didn't/don't ever want to lose hold.
I'm not sure what's going on. Again, I just feel like I'm headed down a path and I will have - am being given the choice of pursuing this with all that it brings or living a life of complacency and mediocrity. What would that/this mean for me, my husband, our children, my family, my friends.
I do not want to be in the dark. But for some reason I am living in the non-existent middle - the most hated of all places. I'm done with it.
OK. So this is all my post is about. I don't even really know if it makes sense to others, but I wanted it in writing... like somehow that makes it official.

Randomness

So I just ran two miles... well "just" being maybe 3 hours ago. I'm sore already, not to mention tired. I don't think I've ran that far since before the wedding in December.
I'm on a 16wk training schedule for a 5k. I'm ready for some discipline - it's got to start somewhere... This weighs far more on the possible side, than the impossible. I'll keep you posted (posting alone will be a sign of new discipline!).
Also - I want to add that my most recent house project is almost done... I redid the flooring in our guest bathroom and painted - the walls, not the floor. Fun times!
The completion of the bathroom means I'm almost half way done with the house. It's hard work, but fun - and if you're willing to work at it a lot less expensive than you'd think. Just don't ask my husband!
He's in charge of the yard - which now has two lovely trees growing in it - one in the back and one in the front - thanks to my parents. We also have a newly repaired fence - thanks to Jerry, and our grass is growing - thanks to the rain God has been sending our way. Next he's planning on some tree and flower beds next.
Come visit us... I'm even learning to cook!

What a week it's been for me

This week's lesson/challenge comes from Stephanie's blog. www.stephaniecherry.blogspot.com. In summary, she asked us to consider how we love, how we serve. Do we make a difference and would our absence be noticed or felt. By "our" I mean the church, and by the church I include myself. She talks about us only serving each other and being in our comfort zone. This is not how she says it, but this is how she spoke to me. This is me.... Her ending note was about what we get from the Word of God, the Holy Spirit and church messages - do we walk away feeling that it was a "great message" or do we walk away and do something about it.

This compounded a challenge from a different source to evaluate my relationship with Christ. Is my motive to sit at the table so that I can be blessed by him, to come to him and get all that I can - whether it be peace, joy, glory, riches (not just financial), heaven, salvation? Do I come just to get? Or do I come to be in relationship and in turn receive. I know it's a fine line in some cases, on some days... but this hurt. I remember a day where I came just for the relationship, and I always relished the fruit of that relationship. I cannot say the same for the last few months. I don't know when or how things changed - neglect is the only word I would have for it.

I'm going to end with thankfulness that I have been given the ability to hear and receive this challenge - and that there is something to be done about it. I don't want to live the "comfortable" life. I don't want to be anxious or worry over anything. I want to be in relationship and bring glory to God - that I may love him more than myself, more than my husband, more than family or friends. That I may be a reflection of him - and not just my idea of him. That I would speak truth even when it offends and will not be received. That I will not minimize or neglect my relationship with God or those he has put in my life. That this life would not be about "this life," but about Life.

OK. I just thought I'd share. It's a new day, with new opportunities. I am blessed.

Tumbling Thoughts

So on my way to work this morning I was listening to a sermon by Neil McClendon from Houston. He has such a simple and great way of expressing truth. I love the fact that he doesn't care to soften his message to make it comfortable or easy for his "flock." So listen if you can - he's great - he's challenging. The podcast is on iTunes - it's free.

So back to the message. A few times a year the reality of eternity and it's never ending state sinks in and I get an incredible sensation. I can't even really describe it. It just makes me step back and view my life from a different perspective.

I've been challenged to look at what satisfies me, what takes up my time, what I fill my life/time with. Combined with Stephanie's study on Hosea - I have been challenged to change the way I love...

Do I love to get love back?
Do I love so the other person will like me or feel special?
Do I love because that is what God calls me to do? For his glory?
Do I love with alterior motives? Any alterior motive?
Am I loving my husband?
Am I loving my neighbor?
Am I loving my family?
Am I loving my friends?
Am I loving how I want to love, by my definition or God's?

I am so greatful that the kindness of God draws me to repentance. That his love has sought me out.

Then I Met You

So... I really like this song. Somewhere along the way I realized this could be sung about a woman, but from the beginning I always thought he was talking to Jesus.

"Then I Met You"

by The Proclaimers from Sunshine on Leith

Thought that I'd be happy

Gonna be so happy living life alone

And never sharing anything

Thought that I was finished,

Thought that I was complete

Thought that I was whole instead of being half of something

Thought that I was growing, growing older

Wiser, understanding why this world held nothing for my spirit

Thought that I was destined, destined to be nothing, destined

To be nothing in this world and then

I Met You.

I Met You

Thought that God had failed me

Thought may prayers were useless

Thought that he would never give the chance for me to praise

Thought the book was written

Thought the game had ended

Thought the song was sung and I could never sing another

Thought my faith was misplaced

Thought my back was broken

Broken by a weight that I was never fit to carry

Thought I knew this city, thought I knew all about it

And then one night I went to Morningside and you were waiting

Then I Met You

Introducing Ezra

Hello all. I wanted to introduce you to my fabulous nephew, Ezra. My husband, Mr. Wylie, is holding him. I figure it's never to early to start practicing.