Lectio Divina
I wanted to share an ancient prayer practice called Lectio Divina. I just learned this technique in Betsy's Wednesday night (6pm, 4th floor) class about the book "Creating a Life with God" by Daniel Wolpert. Although I still struggle to settle my mind, I find that this technique allows a particular Bible phrase or verse to pop back into my mind throughout the day. Give it a try and see if it works for you!
Lectio Divina has 4 steps: lectio (reading), meditatio (pondering), oratio (responding), contemplatio (resting). Basically, you pick a Bible passage and read it through twice. This is not a Bible study but rather a chance to allow a certain phrase or idea to catch your attention. Once you find your phrase you can repeat it to yourself many times and allow God a chance to conjure up images in your mind or respond to you in various ways. At last, you are to respond and you pray to God about how the phrase works in your life. Once your conversation with God comes to a natural close you may rest a minute before saying, "Amen." The book suggests starting with Mark 1:14-20 or Isaiah 40:1-5.
Money, Athletics and Jobs
Ok as many of you know, I'm a huge fan of Arkansas State University football. What you also might not know is that I'm also a Saint Louis Cardinals fan. Recently both programs had some personell decisions to make.
Saint Louis was working on a contract with Albert Pujols, who is arguably the best player in all of baseball. Pujols has been with the Cardinals for the entirety of his professional baseball career. In 2000 he was in the Cardinals farm system and in 2001 he began starting for the major league team. In negotiations, Albert was looking for a 10-year contract in the range of $19 to $20 million per year. Through the mess of it all, the Cardinals made a final offer of around $200 million over 10 years only to be surpassed by an offer from the Los Angeles Angels for around $250 million over 10 years. Albert ends up signing an agreement with the Angels and leaves the team he has been with for 10 years.
Arkansas State was looking for a new head coach after the previous coach left for a job at the University of Mississippi. There was an intense search, but one night the athletic director, Dean Lee, received a call from Gus Malzahn. Malzahn was the offensive coordinator for Auburn University. The previous year, Auburn had won the National Championship in college football and their quarterback, Cam Newton, had won the Heisman Trophey. Gus was one of the most desired applicants for any open coaching position. It was reported that he turned down a head coaching job offer at Vanderbilt for $3 million per year in late 2010. He could have had most any job with just a phone call, and that phone call was to Dean Lee. It was reported that Malzahn was making approximately $1.1 million at Auburn and was the highest paid coordinator in all of college football. He would sign a contract to become the head coach of Arkansas State University for a base salary of $156,000 plus a series of perks that would be estimated to an annual salary of $750,000 to $800,000 per year.
Now I'm not sure of all the details surrounding the separate deals, but in my mind I see two examples of responses to money that are opposed. One in which money was given priority and one wasn't. Now there's a lot to be said about that, but I would just encourage everyone not to let money be your ultimate reason for making a decision. I've worked for three different companies since I've graduated and I can tell you that money and joy do not correlate.
Adorable Christmas Story
I have nothing to say about this other than it's adorable.
As we learned in the Poteet Class, some aspects of this video maybe inaccurate, but whatever. It's adorable.
Thank You!
Last night the REstore group went to Our House shelter and decorated for Christmas. There was an amazing turnout. I just wanted to thank everyone who took the time to come out or give supplies for this event. Also to the ones who helped with preparations. This year was the best year yet. We had more decorations in better condition and the younger ones made ornaments to put on the tree. Another thanks to the five guys it took to put the outdoor lit Christmas Trees into the ground. I think the residents enjoy the little extra Christmas cheer at their home. The children definitely did. I'm looking forward to next year.
Christmas Movies
I am really bad at posting things of importance here. Get used to it. Nothing is changing today. Normally, I jump on the "REstore current events" bandwagon. It's the holiday season, so I guess I can switch things up a bit. At this time of year I (and the rest of the world) feel like I get so overwhelmed with seasonal events, charity work, and family functions, etc. This leads to me neglect one of my favorite this in the world, movies. Every year I will undoubtedly get into a conversation about the "best Christmas movie of all time." People love to tell you what their favorite holiday movie are. My mothers: It's a Wonderful Life. My best friend: A Muppet Christmas Carol (feel like she should feel ashamed.) Co-worker: Christmas Vacation. Personally, I never really had one. I would claim Home Alone, but that was because I loved it as a kid and gave me a real nostalgic feeling. That movie was watched so many times at the Eisenhart household that the VHS tape was messed up from over use. Fast forward to 2004... I was a Sophomore at ATU and went to see The Polar Express at the Pickwood Theater. From that point on The Polar Express was my favorite Christmas movie. It is a beautiful, action fill adventure with a heartwarming ending. Everything you need to get you in the holiday spirit. Below is the trailer for the movie. I would like to highly encourage everyone to see it; especially, if you have never seen it before. The bigger the TV screen, the better. The animation is larger than life.
If you would like... share with me your favorite holiday movies.
Kid’s Shows
Ok let me preface this post by saying it really has little to nothing to do with REstore. Ready? Ok.
I'm a weirdo that likes to watch children's shows. And the way I watch them is a little different than the way I would watch Monday Night Football or CSI. I study them and try and figure out what the show is trying to teach the kids and how the show is trying to teach them. I especially like shows that are bright and colorful. Example: Yo Gabba Gabba
Now I'm not sure what the ultimate lesson is here, but I know there are a lot of bright colors and there is dancing. I think maybe it's just enforcing the importance of moving.
It kind of reminds me of Rent. In rent there are 8 main characters. Four are girls. Four are boys. Four are white. Four are black. Four are gay. Four are straight.
It's like we're all different, but we're all the same.
Check out the Wiggles. They're similar, but they have the weirdo who is Captain Feathersword.
Can't forget the Teletubbies.
Here's a "Christian" kid's show, the Flizbins. Lots of autotune here.
No lesson or deep thoughts, just bright colors.
Let it all out
So this "Holy Conversation" series has really resonated with me, especially with my current season of life.
Like so many stories and testimonies we have heard these last couple of weeks, I too come from a heritage of Christ-following. I can remember being 3 years old and hearing my grandmother singing hymns while hand washing dishes. I can still feel her sweet and pleasant spirit and recall her daily quiet times that seemed to go on for hours. I grew up in a family that loves the Lord. My parents were ever faithful to take me to church, honored God in their discipline and made me feel so loved. I walked the aisle/prayed the prayer at age 8 at church camp and was baptized the next year. It was all so natural (and boring!) Those first steps as a Christian were nothing in comparison to what I have experienced in my entire life as a Christ-follower, specifically in the last year.
Some of you know that I am struggling with some unexplained fertility issues. Another part of my life that you probably don't know is that so far, I've been pretty spoiled. I had no real difficulty landing a (handsome, intelligent, and strong )husband, getting my credentials, and becoming gainfully employed all before turning 25. And all those things are blessings that I am so thankful for. But attaining those goals gave me a false sense of security and personal strength. I had become self-reliant. I could do anything I wanted! After graduate school we finally decided we were ready to move from training wheels (dogs) to the real deal (a baby!). Within the first month of trying, we got a positive pregnancy test! I couldn't believe it! I had done it again! I was so crafty that I made a person! Three days and a negative test later, I miscarried. I was devastated. I had an impending feeling of "This is it. This is going to be my testimony."
For the next several months we kept trying, hoping, praying with no results. I was so hurt and confused. I kept this secret of miscarriage and our trials all to myself. And it festered. The ugly cycle of hope and sadness, hope and sadness with no one to share it with. I decided to start telling people about our recent struggles and when I did it was like weights were being lifted, one by one off of my heavy heart. The process of trying unsuccessfully was still hard, but I knew that my family and friends supported me and it made me feel comfort.
So, we're still not pregnant, and that's okay. It's still hard and I'm not always positive. However, God has shown me so much grace and has fostered a reliance on Him that I would not have if I hadn't gone through this trial. I know he is faithful and feel Him working in my life. I tell you all this for two reasons:
1) I am a full believer that your testimony is ongoing. Now that I am going through this difficult time in my life, I can testify to God's goodness in the midst of my pain. My faith is strengthened knowing that if God can see me through this, then he will help me with even greater trials that are yet to come. God continues to move in all of our lives and will until we see Him again.
2)If you are going through a hard time, I know that it is easy to want to hold it inside and not let anyone know that you have a problem. But it hinders your healing. I pray that you allow others to share in your burden and God's community of faith to reach out to you and make you feel loved. It has healing powers-no lie!
This has been my anthem for the last year. Give it a listen.
"You say, "I know that this will hurt. But if I don't break your heart, then things will just get worse. When the burden seems too much to bear, remember, the end will justify the pain it took to get us there."
1 Peter 5:6-10
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."
Christmas in July
If you are like me, you like to celebrate your half birthday. (Mine happens to be May 29th if anyone cares) I don't see anything wrong with finding a reason to a celebrate pointless day. Hallmark does it, right? So why not make up our own REstore holiday?
This Friday night at 7pm we will be meeting at the Ellis' house for Christmas in July! Chris and Liz will have Christmas beverages to enjoy and will lead us in a crazy game of white elephant. If the REstore Christmas party at the Kinser's is an indication of how this game will go, you never know what you might end up with. Gifts ranged from cool beverages to great reading material. I think Liz even ended up with exercise equipment! If you were clueless about what to bring, I just gave you some ideas. Just remember: bring a gift that is $5 (or less) or bring something from your house. Please bring them wrapped because that can be the best part of the gift!
Let Chris Ellis know if you are going to be able to make it cellis@2bclr.com.
I hope you all are as excited as I am to celebrate Jesus' half birthday, as I am. I've even pulled out my tacky Christmas sweater for the event!
Ready and Willing, Lord, Here am I.
Gotta Testify!
Last Sunday one of REstore's own, David McDaniel was ordained as a minister. David is a special person and his family, friends, co-workers and members of the 2bc body came to show support and lay hands on a man who God will surely use to bring Himself glory and bring help and healing in our hurting world.
After being nominated for ordination and confirmed by the church members present, David was given the opportunity to present his testimony. He comes from a long line of Christians active in the church and community-at-large. He has been educated in the faith and has also had the opportunity to apply his knowledge at a chaplain residency at Baptist Hospital for the last year. He is excited for the future and his heart's desire is to be a pastor, helping those in need and investing in the body of believers. Then came the laying of hands. Everyone was invited to lay hands on David and Erin as they set out on their new adventure in Kansas City. James and I were a little nervous about what to say during the laying of hands so we decided that we would ask the Carberry's to join us. The four of us together came up with a four-part cheer in which each of us spoke a syllable of "Con-Grat-U-La-tions!" We even practiced! But our plans were abandoned when we reached the front of the line. Instead we hugged and wished them well. It was a bittersweet moment. I'm sad that we didn't get to spend more time with them. I hope in the future David and Erin remember this time and feel blessed and encouraged.
David and Erin, we are praying for you and we hope that you come back to visit us often. We know that God has great things in store for your lives and your marriage! You always have a place at 2bc-Downtown Little Rock! Also, don't be surprised if we call you next time we're in KC and invite you to go get some burnt ends!