TAKING TIME OFF

Since my transcription CD blew up in the early hours of Saturday morning, I have been forced to take two days off. I am having so much fun--mostly just around home. But, I did hit the big sales at Kohls to get spring and summer clothes to take to KF & LG in Bratislava. And, the squishy little guy turns two on 4/13.

Small Group tonight using our new study format. We are each responsible for watching/listening to a John Ortberg series Flow online from Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. We download a study guide, and then when we meet for Small Group on the 1st and 3rd Sunday evening we base our discussion on a couple of those questions. It is going very well! And, Flow is one of my most favorite series that JO did at the mega church.

I took some freshly baked classic shortbread to each couple as an Easter treat--a big box for our hosts and a cutesy box for my girly friend JS. Think I should have baked it a bit longer, but we were running late. It was just fine. I just like it a bit more dry.

Still waiting to hear if I need to drive into the City tomorrow morning to pick up a new copy of the audio files. I will be working hard this week--at least 40 hours. More, if I can fit them in. Got to save up for EUROPE!

Ordered by business cards and labels last night. They will be here in about a week. Began building my web site today. So cool! Won't go live until I get back from Europe.

Merci beaucoup means thank you very much--as the old song truly says.

FINANCIAL TIMES

My best friend is distraught over the economy and the state of her investments. I have investments. I should be distraught. I'm not stupid, but I am not over-wrought. We are ALL in this boat together. This crosses all boundaries--national, international, socio-economic, etc.

I realize that I need to stop reassuring her. She deserves to vent her frustrations and fears. I thought, "What do I know?" Then, I read through a recent message by John Ortberg and was reassured... Not that all my money will be there again soon, but that it really doesn't matter.

I’ll give you the best investment advice you will ever receive, and you are not likely to hear it from Warren Buffet, and here it is: You’re going to die. You are going to die, rich or poor.

All the money in the world cannot change that, so do not buy the myth that enough money can ever make you one iota more secure than you are right now. You have to build your life on something stronger than that. The reality is housing values will go up and down. Bank accounts rise and fall. Financial conditions ebb and flow. I can't build my life on that stuff. What is more solid? I think what Jesus, the smartest guy about money who ever lived, would say today is build your life on what never changes and what never changes is the character and the power of our God.
I was thinking about how there’s a ticker that everybody pays attention to these days on the floor of the New York stock exchange—what’s up; what’s down; what’s unchanged. I was thinking, if there was a ticker for the kingdom of God…
What matters most is the character and the competence of our God. Here’s how that ticker would read:
God’s character today: Unchanged.
God’s patience today: Unchanged.
God’s commitment to justice today: Unchanged.
God’s heart of mercy today: Unchanged.
God’s love for you: Unchanged.
God’s moral compass: Unchanged.
The market has dropped, but nothing in Heaven has changed today. God is still sovereign. Jesus still sits on the throne at the right hand of His Father. He is our rock. He is the anchor in the storm. He is our only hope. He is the North Star that alone we can be guided by.
By the way, Congress does not get to vote on this, and by the way, the next president will not need to cobble a deal to make arrangements for the kingdom of God.
By the way, the kingdom of God will never need to bail out from the US Treasury. It’s doing real well. So don't buy the myth that money can make you secure. Get your security someplace else.

Where is God During Financial Melt Down

John Ortberg

Menlo Park Presbyterian Church

10/19/08

THEORY OF RELATIVITY... FOR LIFE

I think John Ortberg taught me this formula; or it could have been Bill Hybels. With apologies to Albert Einstein, this is like the theory of relativity, for life.

[This is not John Ortberg!]

EXPECTATIONS - REALITY = THE SIZE OF YOUR PAIN

Not to discourage risk taking and dreaming and strategizing on how to best tackle life and all its intricacies. Just keep this formula in mind and when you feel angry or frustrated, even depressed, examine your expectations and reflect on those plans. And, remember in Proverbs it says, "All progress is the result of adversity."

CELEBRATING LIFE CHANGE - JENGA!

SETUP

1. One player builds the tower on a flat, sturdy surface by using the loading tray as shown below. Place three blocks in each layer, at right angles to the previous layer. When you finish you'll have a solid, 18-story tower that can more than double during play!

2. Use the loading tray to set the tower upright Then carefully slide the tray away, and put it aside.

3. Remove one block at a time from the tower, and stack it on top. The last player to stack a block without making the tower fall wins the game, or...

JENGA!

Life change is hard, but I willing entered this tunnel of chaos just over one year ago. I didn't work for 8 - 9 months--traveled, rested, created, grandma'd, and just healed from the workplace turmoil. I don't talk about it any more even to close friends. I have processed everything. I really just stayed too long--it is like the game "Jenga." The last piece went on the pile and it all fell apart and I knew that I needed to get away to remain healthy and whole.

It was really John Ortberg's fault because I listened to one of his messages--he said that we are afraid of risk and many, many times stay in situations that no longer work for us just because we are afraid of the unknown. And, that God is in charge and we should take the risk, make the move, step out and trust God to not only catch us, but to lead us on better pathways where we can fully experience his love as we rely wholly on him. I am working again, but very intermittently. I take jobs on contract in Chicago--I ride the train. I treasure my down time and have gotten very busy with my blog, creative projects, traveling, friends, cooking and baking, etc. I am more of an introvert than ever, but still stimulated by social interactions! I love my quiet time and being alone in my home--sometimes I am home for several days at a time and that is no hardship!

God and I are doing just fine--smashingly, actually! We have attended services at various churches, but for much of this last year I have listened online or just walked quietly with God... Our small group has been together for about 13 years now, so that is a big part of our church community experience.

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For because of our faith, He has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to actually becoming all that God has had in mind for us to be.
Romans 5:2
Life Application Bible