by Elizabeth | Aug 14, 2012 | Learning Story
“you are her daughters if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.” 1 Peter 3:6
Yep, that's really her in front of the Taj Majal! (Can't say the study-abroad in India wasn't a little frightening!)
I’ve been making my way through 1 Peter 3, and yesterday I came across this fascinating little tidbit that goes into my file, “Never think the Bible is not humorous.” I mean, come on, “do not fear anything that is frightening.” That doesn’t make any sense. If it said, “do not fear, for I am with you,” as Isaiah 43 does, I would have nodded my head, knowing that’s harder in practice than in reality. But it’s just plain outlandish to say, “do not fear anything that is frightening.” Not to mention that it seemed Sarah did have some fears of frightening possibilities, for which reason she took things into her own hands to forestall the obvious reality (to her) that she would remain childless.
And what, you say, does this have to do with those of you who are taking your daughter (or son) to college for the first time, or to kindergarten, for that matter. Well, it’s been three years since I wrote a and one since I wrote about the second , and Thursday I will head to Greenville to help her move back into her dorm for her senior year. (She’s already there because she’s been working in a ministry that takes challenged teens on adventure trips — her favorite group is the sex offenders, and her favorite trip is the whitewater rafting!)…and since the first daughter-matriculation there has been a second daughter-matriculation. So it’s a good time to check in in my fear department. How am I doing? I can honestly say that some of the things that terrified me (because they were indeed frightening!) no longer have any hold over me. Perhaps because they haven’t happened. Most likely because God has shown me how little power and control I really have over my children’s lives, especially as they become adults. Probably because I’ve seen how God has redeemed painful stories in their lives along the way. Right now, I can honestly say, I haven’t thought of anything frightening to fear yet. But when I do, for surely I will, I pray that I will see the wonder of the gospel in helping me to live out this holy Word: “Do not fear anything that is frightening.” (Or the ridiculous horrific scenarios I create in my own imagination!:)
by Elizabeth | Aug 10, 2012 | Learning Story
Since ‘story’ is central to my thought, I loved this article that clarifies that The Story is the Trinitarian God and The living, breathing Word. Honestly, I’ve been concerned about some of the story stuff coming out, and Leslie Leyland Fields does a great job of voicing this concern. The Gospel Is More than a Story
While we’re at it, why not stop to read a poem from the Word of God: Psalm 97
And now, some of my favorite Olympic stories and photos. what are yours?
Where Was God When Lolo Jones Placed Fourth
Sex and the Single Olympian
And for photos – check out Olympic Beauty: The Bold, Bizarre, and Beautiful
by Elizabeth | Aug 7, 2012 | Learning Story
Yesterday, I posed the question, “Are Women Tired?” and today, I follow up with Dorothy Sayers, whose quotes I was just perusing on Goodreads. If you’ve never read this sharp, dry, witty woman, no time like the present to start. Try these two out to get you started…
“A man once asked me … how I managed in my books to write such natural conversation between men when they were by themselves. Was I, by any chance, a member of a large, mixed family with a lot of male friends? I replied that, on the contrary, I was an only child and had practically never seen or spoken to any men of my own age till I was about twenty-five. “Well,” said the man, “I shouldn’t have expected a woman (meaning me) to have been able to make it so convincing.” I replied that I had coped with this difficult problem by making my men talk, as far as possible, like ordinary human beings. This aspect of the matter seemed to surprise the other speaker; he said no more, but took it away to chew it over. One of these days it may quite likely occur to him that women, as well as men, when left to themselves, talk very much like human beings also.”
― Dorothy L. Sayers, Are Women Human?
and here’s a little freebie…thanks to www.goodreads.com for excellence in spreading the literary gospel!
“In the world it is called Tolerance, but in hell it is called Despair…the sin that believes in nothing, cares for nothing, seeks to know nothing, interferes with nothing, enjoys nothing, hates nothing, finds purpose in nothing, lives for nothing, and remains alive because there is nothing for which it will die.”
― Dorothy L. Sayers
by Elizabeth | Aug 6, 2012 | Learning Story
Maybe it’s just me. But I think this is true for a lot of us a lot of the time. Do you need to stop, rest, and remember?
Women are tired. Women struggle. We carry loads of responsibility – work and school assignments, caretaking of children and aging parents, ministry at church and beyond. With these responsibilities come great joy and privilege, but…
We are tired. For some of us, life barrages us like a sudden slew of group text messages, and
We forget…
We forget…our God-designed and designated meaning and mission.
We forget… how the Bible explains our compulsive need for control and the reason we struggle with shame.
We forget…the hope of the freedom for which Christ set us free.
We forget…the hope that comes when we set our sights on the full redemption to come.
Stop. Rest. Remember.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
by Elizabeth | Jul 30, 2012 | Learning Story
I’m writing on a short schedule today, working on the third in the Living Story series – the best topic of all – LOVE!
Since many people are curious about how writers write, I thought I’d show a few pics of my ‘early inceptionary process.’ (Yes, I made that up).
some of the books I gathered from my study.My computer’s in the shop, so I’m displaced today.
Page 1 of notes. (Yes, it’s on an old calendar, but it’s such good paper. Sometimes I still write handwritten notes till I am ready to start in on the computer.
a couple of more pages.
If you’re eager to see a finished product, please check out Learning God’s Story of Grace and Living God’s Story of Grace.
by Elizabeth | Jul 26, 2012 | Learning Story
I’m pretty excited about a conference I’m doing a lot of prep for right now. A group of women in the Shenandoah Valley area of Virginia decided they should bring various churches and ministries in the area together for a day of gathering as sisters in Christ to worship the Lord and remember the one true story that binds us. This is a concept that could be reproduced ANYWHERE, with the distinctive marks of the hosting community.
