Does God Care About Trick-or-Treat?

Does God care about Trick-or-Treat?

I happen to think he does.

No, this isn’t a post about whether Halloween is evil or whether God approves of Trick-or-Treat (I’ll save that for next year).

This post is about prayer.

I told my kids about a month ago that I would be gone for Trick-or-Treat.

“I’m so sorry guys, but Mom will be out of town for work.  I’ll try to plan around it next year.  Dad will take you around, and you’ll still have fun.”

They weren’t happy. (About this same time Nick announced that he was never going to be a lawyer – that he’d rather be a “stay-at-home dad, like Dad.”)

So Anna started to pray.  Every night, at bedtime, she would finish, “And please God, we pray that Mom will be at Trick-or-Treat.”

Talk about a guilt trip. 

I almost told her to stop praying about it.  The meeting had been scheduled for months.  It would never be cancelled.  Besides, there are more important things to be praying about.

Then, it happened.  For reasons completely outside of my control, my schedule changed.  And I found myself home for Trick-or-Treat last night.

I think I had more fun than the kids.  Our whole street lit up, and the evening turned into a block party.  We stayed up too late and ate too much candy. 

But my favorite thing about Trick-or-Treat wasn’t the neighbors, the fun, or the candy.

It was answered prayer.  

Who says God doesn't care about Trick-or-Treat?

What’s Your Major?

 
What was your college major?  And did you end up taking a different path? 

That's the question today on Working Mommy Wednesday.

I have a short answer and a long answer.

First, the short answer.

I majored in political science and minored in history.  And I loved every minute of it.  I could have stayed in college forever.  Which is why I didn’t get a real job after graduation.  Instead, I went to law school.  (And, for the record, law school isn’t nearly as fun as college.)  But I do love practicing law.

That was the short answer.

There’s also a longer answer – there’s more to the story.

I didn’t just major in political science in college.  I had something else up my sleeve.  Something more important.

In college, I majored in Jesus.

That’s right.  College was a defining moment for my spiritual journey.  I decided in college that I was going to follow a guy with long hair and sandals who said he was God.  A guy who walked the earth over 2000 years ago and gave his life for others.  A guy who claimed to raise from the dead.

I had always believed in Jesus.  But college is when I decided I was going to take him seriously.  He became my major for almost 4 years.

But that was almost 20 years ago.

If you looked at my life today, what would you say I am majoring in? 

Law?

Motherhood?

Writing?

The American Dream?

I’m not sure you would say I’m majoring in Jesus.  As much as I want to major in Jesus, life has become so complicated.  Most days, he gets crowded out by other demands.  Most days, he’s a minor – not a major.

***************

The fact of the matter is, we’re all majoring in something.

When people look at your life, what would they say is your major?

Are You Losing It?

Do you ever feel like you’re losing it?  If so, you're not alone.

Last week, I was getting ready for work when Anna pulled out a note in her back pack and exclaimed, “Mom, I didn’t know you were volunteering today!”

I didn’t know either.  I had apparently forgotten about helping out in second grade.

How am I going to swing this when I’m getting ready to go out of town?

Anna continued, “Mommy, I’m so excited for you to come to my class.  What time are you going to be there?”

I couldn’t say no.

“I’ll have to call your teacher, Anna.  It depends on what time she needs me.”

Anna was so excited she could hardly contain herself.  I headed into the office, trying to figure out how I was going to be two places at once.  I left Anna’s teacher an email.  I left her a voicemail.  I finally tracked down the school secretary and found out I needed to be there at 12:15 p.m. – right after lunch.

I had exactly two hours and thirty minutes to accomplish eight hours of work.

So I kicked into scary-high gear.  Scary-high gear doesn’t happen very often, but look out when it does.  Don’t get in my way.  Don’t interrupt me.  And don’t expect me to be rational. 

By 11:30, I was on fire (and running ahead of schedule).  I called a couple of co-workers to load several boxes of documents into my car and announced I would be back in the office in a few days.

The only problem?

I couldn’t find my car keys. 

So we looked everywhere.  A team of people helped me turn my office upside down.  We looked in the conference room.  The bathroom.  My secretary called security.  She next called the coffee shop in our building.  I looked in my car.

It was 11:50 a.m.  Still no keys.

I started to panic.

Anna is going to think I’ve forgotten about her.  I’m going to be late.  Quick, I need a car.  Somebody call a cab.  I need to get to the grade school.

Another lawyer-mom knew I was desperate and offered her keys.  I had to move fast.  I’ll deal with the boxes later.  I’ll just have to delay my trip.  Then, I heard a voice inside of me.  Check your purse again.

Right there.  Right in my purse, I found my car keys.

I looked at the blank stares around me, and I knew what my colleagues were thinking.  She’s officially losing it.

They were right.  I’m not afraid to admit when I’m losing it.  It only happens once or twice a year.  I’m not sure it’s preventable, so I’m not going to try to blog about any “lessons learned.”

Instead, I’d like hear how you know when you’re losing it.

Please tell me I’m not alone.

Is A Clean House Overrated?

I really hate to clean.  I can think of about a thousand other things I would like to do.  Like pulling out my eyelashes one by one.

Ok, maybe cleaning isn’t that bad.  Besides, my husband, Doug, is a clean freak.  He tends to keep our house in order.

Last week, I was talking to my Artist Sister, and I could tell she was really stressed out.  She has this showing coming up at the university where she works.   She said to me, “I really need to get painting.  I’m just not going to be able to clean the house this week!”

My response?  “Don’t worry about cleaning the house.  Have your husband do it.”

She started laughing over the phone.

Most guys don’t like to clean.  But not Doug.

As I was talking to her on the phone, I started coughing from the fumes.  Doug was cleaning the kitchen again.  He is obsessed with this all-purpose kitchen cleaner, and I keep saying to him, “Your going to kill us with all these chemicals!”  I even went out and bought the echo-friendly kitchen cleaner (the kind that's not supposed to kill you) but it still makes my nose burn.

I know.  I know.  I shouldn’t complain.  I should be thankful that he has such high standards.

You’re never going to convince me that “cleanliness is next to godliness” but I’m the first to admit it’s pretty nice to live in a clean house. 

What do you think, is a clean house overrated? 

Maybe the key is to have someone else do the cleaning.  Have a good weekend!

What’s In Your Purse?

 
My purse is a mystery.

To start, I can never find it.  My girls are obsessed with my purse (I stopped counting how many tubes of lipstick have been destroyed by little people!) and I usually end up finding my purse in the most unusual places.  Like the bathtub.

I know.  I know.  I should just say NO!  “Hands off Mommy’s purse!”

But my girls are intrigued by the mystery.  So am I.  You never know what you’re going to find in my purse.
Just for kicks, I'll tell you what’s in my purse today.  I don’t even know yet.  Here goes:

• Wallet
• Blackberry
• Lipstick
• Old napkins from Panera
• Chocolate wrappers (3 to be exact)
• Business cards from people I’ve met on airplanes 
• A granola bar
• Receipts
• Expired coupons
• Post-it notes (including addresses of people I’ve met at book events; notes from a conference call I took on the road; and random ideas for blog posts)
• A flash drive
• Three pens, one pencil, and one highlighter
• Part of a broken toy

There, that wasn’t so bad.

Are you brave enough to tell me what’s in your purse?  And, for the record, this post isn’t just for women.  I hear that “Man Purses” are the new rage!  (No, I can’t convince Doug to carry one.)

Cookies For Kids

Before bed, my 4-year-old Abby prays, “Dear God, help all the kids in the world to have food, water, and cookies.”

Her older sister, Anna, interrupts her.

“Abby, you can’t pray for cookies.  All the kids in the world don’t have toothbrushes.  They’re going to get cavities!”

Abby is quick to respond.

“Dear God, I pray that all the kids in the world would have toothbrushes.”

I try not to laugh.  I can almost see God smiling.

Have you ever been reluctant to ask God for something big, just because you think he can’t provide something little?

I think about this for awhile after I put Abby to bed.

Sometimes, I assume God won’t answer my prayers.  So I don’t even ask.  Or I ask for something that I know is within reach.  I make sure my prayers are “logical.”

But then I wonder, is faith really supposed to be logical?  Are we limiting God by settling for crumbs when he really wants to give us cookies?

So I picture all the children of the world eating cookies.  And it’s beautiful. 

You don't have enough faith," Jesus told them. "I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.  Matt 17:20 (NLT)

How Do You Deal With Workplace Stress?

 
Today, at Working Mommy Wednesday, we’re answering the following question:  What do you do when you get overwhelmed at work?

In other words, how do you handle workplace stress?

For me, workplace stress invokes three predictable coping strategies:  Coffee, Potty Mouth, and Prayer.

Coping mechanism #1:  Coffee.  Coffee is key.  And when I get stressed, more coffee is key.  I am known to run on caffeine and shear adrenaline for days.  Who said anything about regular nutrition and self care? 

I’ll be sitting in a meeting -- working on a tight deadline – and I’ll turn to my colleagues and say, “How would you like to step out and get some coffee?”

Coffee helps me think.

And it’s not just the coffee.  It’s the 5-minute walk out of the office.  It’s the fresh air.  It’s taking a moment to be human.

A coffee break helps me put things in perspective and get outside of the four walls of my office.

Coping mechanism #2:  Potty mouth.   As much as I hate to admit it, stress in my life invokes potty mouth.  And something about using strong language – calling it like it is – feels good in the moment. 

It’s a release.

The other day, a nameless opposing counsel was being extremely annoying.   And there were no PG words to describe his behavior (I looked hard for them – ok, maybe not that hard, but you get the point). 
Sometimes, you need to call a spade a spade.

I’m not saying it’s right.  It’s just my reality. 

Coping mechanism #3:  Prayer.  I’d like to say that I pray first, but I’d be lying.  When I’m at work, prayer is often at the bottom of the list. 

So when my caffeine and potty mouth aren’t working, I think to myself, Oh yeah, I guess I could pray about it, huh?

Why don’t I pray first?  I’m really not sure.  Maybe it’s because I think God doesn’t care about my work.  God, do you really want me to pray about document productions and jury verdicts?  Maybe it’s because I work in such a secular environment.  God, sometimes I just can’t see any evidence of spiritual activity around me.  Maybe it’s because I’m human.  God, I’m sorry I don’t come to you first, frankly I tend to forget.

Sometimes, workplace stress brings out the worst in me.  Other times, it brings out the best in me.  I’m guessing I’m not alone.

********

So, how do you deal with workplace stress?

Hate Mail

On Friday, we talked about Fan Mail.  It’s Monday. And Monday is a good time to tackle the hard issues.  So today we’re addressing a more difficult topic: hate mail. 

I’ve written about Dealing With Negative Feedback before.  But hate mail is different.  Hate mail isn’t constructive, it’s destructive.  It’s one thing to disagree with someone.  It’s another thing to tear them apart.

Every writer who says something slightly provocative or controversial is a target for hate mail.  And hate mail can come in many forms – including blog posts, anononoymous comments, emails, and letters.  Hate mail never intends to start a discussion.  The goal is to silence.

Let me give you a hypothetical. 

Hate-Mail Helen reads Chasing Superwoman, and she thinks I’m evil.  She posts on her blog that I’m an unfit mother, declares that I’m not a real “Christian” and she even attacks my children.

Should I respond?

As I see it, here are my options. 

1.  Ignore Helen.  I don’t have to engage.  Hate-Mail Helen probably just wants attention.  And she doesn’t want to have a dialogue.  So I shouldn’t respond.  Instead, I can seek support from people I respect and trust.  At the end of the day, I don’t answer to Helen. 

2.  Respond directly. I can also confront Helen. I can call her on the carpet – and I can even take an army of bloggers with me!  We can post thoughtful yet pointed comments on her blog.  Or I can write her a private email, explaining that I’m really not Evil Mommy (it was just a joke in the book), and she shouldn’t be so judgmental. 

3.  Respond indirectly.  Maybe I won’t post a comment on Helen’s blog.  Instead, I’ll write a few of my own posts to address Helen’s comments. I’ll talk about how deep my faith is, and how my kids are really well-adjusted and obedient (at least most of the time).  We can even poke some fun at Helen’s comments – just to show how silly they really are. 

4.  Write a response, but don’t send it.  This may be my favorite option.  The lawyer in me really wants to respond to Helen.  But I know there’s probably no point.  I know it’s wrong to strike back.  But I really want to have the last word.  I want to set the record straight, even if no one will read it.

I’ll have to admit, I really don’t like any of these options.  Probably because I really don’t like hate mail.

How would you respond to Hate-Mail Helen?

Fan Mail

Writers live for fan mail.  And even though we try not to exist for the approval of others, it sure feels good when someone says, “You’re a really great writer” or “You really helped me think about this in a new way.”
I have a folder that I keep of “fans” – people who have gone out of their way to encourage me on my writing journey.  Some of them I’ve never met.  Some of them I haven’t talked to in years.  But I consider them all dear friends.

Today, I thought I’d share about a special relationship I’ve developed with a woman named Linda.

Linda isn’t a blogger.  She isn’t a writer.  And she isn’t a working mom.

Linda is a devoted wife, mother, and grandma.  And her daughter-in-law works in a fast-paced career with small children.  So when she heard about Chasing Superwoman, she reached out to me and said, “I get it!  You have my full support!”

I met Linda at my first book signing in North Canton, Ohio.  And we became instant friends.  Linda sends me encouraging emails.  She prays for me.  And when I’m really struggling, I know I can reach out to Linda for support and say, “Help, I need a few extra prayers today!”

In fact, some days when I wonder – Why do I keep writing these posts? Who the heck is going to read this anyway? – I think about Linda.  Linda will read this.  Linda is listening.  Linda is cheering me on.
We all need a Linda, don’t we?

(If you’re thinking --Wow, this is really a touchy-feely post -- don’t worry.  We’ll be coming back to reality on Monday when we talk about hate mail.  Have a good weekend!)

Top Ten Reasons To Read I’m Outnumbered! (Plus, A Give-Away)

Today, on Working Mommy Wednesday, we’re sharing top ten lists.  And I couldn’t think of a better place to share the top ten reasons to read I’m Outnumbered! One Mom’s Lessons in the Lively Art of Raising Boys, by Laura Lee Groves.

1.  Laura is a fellow working mom.  As an English teacher and mother of four boys (that’s right four boys), Laura is a kindred spirit to busy, overworked mothers.
2.  The tone is spiritual yet realistic. I’m Outnumbered is written from a biblical perspective.  But I also didn’t find it to be overly preachy or unrealistic.  Laura acknowledges that no parents are perfect, and we all need God’s grace to get us through the journey. 
3.  Laura speaks from the heart.  In fact, Laura is pretty transparent and vulnerable about her own journey – including lessons learns and teachable moments.
4.  Nothing beats experience.  I don’t know about you, but I can’t stand getting parenting advice from people who haven’t been in the trenches.  (Like, “Gee, I read that you should ignore your child when he has a tantrum.”)  Laura speaks from a wealth of experience. 
5.  Laura offers lots of practical tips.  I’m Outnumbered doesn’t just give advice – it gives examples, resources, and creative parenting ideas.  (Yeah, it’s also a nice compliment to Chasing Superwoman, which by my own admission is more of a rant than an instruction manual.)
6.  Finally, a female voice about boys!  A handful of books have already been written about raising boys.  But few if any are from a female perspective.  (As someone who grew up with all sisters, I really need that female perspective!)
7.  Her sons actually contribute to the book.  One of my favorite parts of the book is where Laura’s sons provide first-hand insight.  (See Chapter 10 – A Word From The Boys.)  It’s one thing to talk about raising boys – but it’s another thing to actually hear from them directly!
8.  Help promote a new author.  This is Laura’s first book.  And first-time authors are always looking for creative ways to get the word out.  Once you read I’m Outnumbered, please consider passing it along to a friend or doing your own book review.
9.  We all need mentors.  I’m always looking for mentors on my parenting journey.  And I love connecting with moms I respect – especially when they’re a couple of steps ahead of me.  Laura is one of those moms!  Her blog is also a great source of encouragement. 
10.  I’ll send you a copy!  Last but certainly not least, I’d love to send you a copy.  By posting a comment on my blog before 5:00 p.m. Sunday, you can enter a drawing to win a free copy.  (Winners win be announced in the comment section of this post Sunday evening.)

Happy Wednesday, and thanks Laura for writing I’m Outnumbered!

Which Disciple Are You?

Just like there are different kinds of people, there are different kinds of disciples.  (For purposes of this post, I’m using the term “disciple” to refer to people who follow Jesus.)

Consider three different disciples who followed Jesus:  Peter, Thomas, and Phillip. 

We’ll start with Peter.  Peter is always jumping in head first.  He acts without thinking.  He’s extremely zealous, and because he’s impulsive by nature he makes lots of mistakes. 

Peter likes action.  He’s the guy (or gal) who thinks, Wow, walking on water looks pretty cool, I think I’ll give it a try.  But then he gets in over his head, loses sight of Jesus, and falls in.  At least none of us would accuse Peter of standing still.

Thomas, on the other hand, is slow to act.  You have to push Thomas into the water.  He doesn’t like to get wet.

In addition, Thomas has to see it to believe it.  And even when he sees it, it’s still so hard to believe.  Thomas is thoughtful and deliberate.  He’s not going to drink the Kool-Aid without reading the ingredients and doing some research.  Yet when Thomas is convinced, you know it’s for real.

Finally, Phillip has a completely different style all together.  Phillip isn’t afraid to experience his faith.  He longs to be in the middle of spiritual activity, and he tends to bring others along on his journey.  For Phillip, faith is relational.  He’s not afraid to jump in the water, but he might just take you with him. 

Most of us are some combination of Peter, Thomas, or Phillip.  When I first heard it explained this way, I thought, Which disciple am I?  Then I thought about my closest family and friends and thought,  Which disciple are they?  Then I immediately thought, Which disciple is the best?

I started to miss the point. 

Peter, Thomas, and Phillip all approached Jesus with unique backgrounds, strengths, and weaknesses.  Yes, we can learn from them.  But thank God they’re different.

Do any of them sound familiar? 

******

So, which disciple are you?

Join Me To Support Breast Cancer Research Today At Huffman’s Market

The books are ready.

My mother's sauce is cooking (click here for the recipe).

The gift bags are being prepared.

Yeah, and we also have a few surprises up our sleeves! 

But that’s not the best news. 

The best news is that 100% of the proceeds from book sales at Huffman’s Market today will go to support breast cancer research!

This October marks the 26th anniversary of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  And Tim and Glenda Huffman, together with Chasing Superwoman, are passionate about raising awareness and finding a cure!

It’s not about the books.  It’s not about the sauce.  It’s not about the olive oil or the wine.  It’s not even about the ice cream for kids.

Sure, we’re going to have lots of fun.  But we’re coming together for a bigger purpose!

So join me today at Huffman’s Market from 3:00 to 6:30 p.m.

What about those of you who are out of town?  Well, you’re part of this event too.  In fact, anyone who posts a comment on the blog between now and 6:00 a.m. Monday morning will be eligible for a drawing to win a copy of Chasing Superwoman or a gift from Huffman’s Market.  (Just make sure you indicate in your comment whether you would like to be in the drawing for the “book” or the “gift.")

See you later today.  We’ll be posting updates on Twitter throughout the evening!

Does Work Make You A Bad Mommy?

Today, on Working Mommy Wednesday, we’re answering a tough question:  Does your job make you a better or worse mother?

This question is so difficult that I’m not going to give you a straight answer.

My answer?  It depends.

Some days, I feel really good about work/life balance.  I enjoy my job tremendously, and when I come home from work to be with my kids I am more than ready to see them!  In fact, I can honestly say that I never get tired of being with them because I know each moment is precious.  My kids know how much I love to hang out with them.

I’ve talked to some of my working mom friends about this before, and we like to pat each other on the back and say things like, “Gosh, I’m more patient with my kids because I’m not with them all day,” or “I think my kids are better off with me working outside the home.”

I would be lying to you if I told you that this is the whole story. 

There’s always another side, isn’t there?

If I’m really honest, I have to admit that my job has the capacity to make me a worse mother.  To be less involved with my kids.  More distracted.  More impatient.  And more focused on what’s going on outside my home than what’s going on inside my home. 

And some days, I’m probably a worse mother because I’m a busy lawyer.

So I’m sticking to my initial answer:  It depends.

I’m just trying to be the person I’m created to be.  And, at this point in my life, that includes both a Lawyer and a Mommy!

Thank God for grace.

We All Make Assumptions

I hate it when people make assumptions about me.

Like when I was standing in the check-out line several years ago– holding a newborn in one arm, unloading groceries, and chasing around two toddlers. An elderly woman watched me with doting eyes. She gave me a warm smile and said, “My, you are busy, aren’t you? I remember those days like they were yesterday.”

She started to help me with my groceries and we struck up a conversation. I learned that she had five grandchildren, and her granddaughter had curly hair just like my Anna. Then she said to me, “I know how hard it is being at home all day with them. You must feel like you never get a break.”

I replied, “Well, actually, I work full time as a lawyer. Most days, I don’t get to see them until after dinner.”

Her warm smile turned into a scowl. Then she gave me The Look. She didn’t have to say a word.

[Click here to continue reading at High Calling Blogs]

The Last Flight Out

I was tired and cranky.  I was determined.  And I knew I had to make the last flight out.

The only problem?  There aren’t that many direct flights to my home town of Columbus, Ohio on a Saturday evening.  In fact, the only non-direct flight would get me home at 1:00 a.m. Sunday morning.  Assuming no airport delays, canceled flights, or late connections.

My husband, Doug, told me just to leave on Sunday morning.  “We’ll be fine without you.  What’s another night?  Why do you always have to kill yourself?”

Maybe he was right.  If I left Sunday, I could still be home by lunch.  I could even get some sleep.  And I wouldn’t be hanging out in connecting airports on a Saturday evening. 

But I couldn’t do it.  I needed to get home.

Why was I so determined?

Well, there are a couple of reasons.  First and foremost, I’m a mom.  I hadn’t seen my kids in five days, and I missed them.  Terribly.  I missed my philosophical discussions with Nick (right before bed, of course) and I missed Anna’s constant hugs and affection.  And, yes, I even missed Abby’s booming voice and her favorite words, “Daddy can do it.” 

And while I know the kids are “fine” without me, I still couldn’t wait to see them.  Plus, I missed Doug and knew he needed a break from full-time daddy duty.

The other reason I needed to get home?  Twelve preschoolers were expecting me on Sunday morning.  Sure, I could have arranged a substitute for my Sunday school class, but I wanted to be there.  Plus, some of these kids are just getting over their own separation anxiety.  They’re just getting to know me.  So the last thing they need is another new face on Sunday morning.

Have you ever just known you needed to get home? 

It’s Monday.  And I’m back to work.

But I’m so glad to be home.

Join Me For Family Meal Night At Huffman’s Market!

Do you ever have a hard time getting a family meal on the table?  Are you tired of your kids eating junk?  Do you get home from work and wonder, What am I going to feed everyone for dinner?

You’re not alone.

Today, at Working Mommy Wednesday, we’re answering the question:  “You know you’re a working mom when….”

In my world, I know I’m a working mom because I just can’t seem to get my act together to make everyone a healthy dinner.  And food is important to me.  I mean really important.

I grew up in a family that ate meals together.  Every night.  We weren’t allowed to miss dinner – but even more importantly, we didn’t want to miss dinner.  Dinner was sacred.

Besides the fact that we all loved my mother’s cooking, we also loved being together.  Family meals helped us connect and reconnect.  And the dinner table was always filled with drama and laughter.

So what’s a modern family to do?  Most moms today – whether or not they work outside the home – can’t spend hours during the week planning and preparing family meals.  And bulk cooking is great if you have the time, but sometimes I just can’t squeeze another minute out of my schedule.

The answer?  Chasing Superwoman and Huffman’s Family Meal Night!

Let me explain.  I’m teaming up with my neighbors, Tim and Glenda Huffman, to support the Ohio Grocer Association Parents’ Week at the Huffman’s Market.   (For those of you who live out of town, Huffman’s is our locally owned and operated grocery store.  And among other things, they specialize in affordable, nutritious, pre-made family meals.)

On Friday, October 1 from 3:00 to 6:30 p.m., we’ll be celebrating food, wine, and books at the Huffman’s Market.  I’ll be signing books, AND I’ll be making my mother’s homemade sauce (some of you have seen the recipe in the back of my book).

Most importantly, we’ll be having lots of fun.  I just can’t wait for this event!   Some of you know that my neighbors are a pretty wild bunch, so we’ll have lots of blogs to post and tweets to share.

What about my online friends who can’t come to the event?  Don’t worry, we’ll be doing something extra special on the blog for you next Friday.  So please come back on October 1!

Now, I have to get busy buying the ingredients for my sauce….

Radical: Chapter Two

For those of you who are joining me, today I’m continuing the online discussion of Radical:  Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream.

First, a couple logistical points.  A few of you have asked me where and how to join the book club.  Just click here, and you’ll find Marla Taviano’s website and instructions.

Second, my current plan is to post every Tuesday, in schedule with the online book club.  The next month looks pretty hectic, so if I skip a week I’ll just pick up the following week.

Now, on to Chapter Two.

David Platt lays it on pretty thick in this chapter.  (Yeah, even a bit too thick for me.)

But I’ll start with the positive.  Chapter Two makes the point that God doesn’t need us, we need him.  I couldn’t agree more.

Platt explains that Christians on the other side of the world are risking their lives to meet in secret, simply because they hunger and thirst for God.  Yet the American church is more interested in programs, comfortable seats, and cool music.  In Platt’s words, many of us have reduced the costly sacrifice of Jesus to a sales pitch.  “Our attempt to reduce this gospel to a shrink-wrapped presentation that persuades someone to say to pray the right things back to us no longer seems appropriate.”  (p. 37)

Again, I couldn’t agree more.

Where Platt and I differ is in his statement that God “hates” sinners.  (p. 29)  First and foremost, I’m pretty sure I’m a sinner.  And I’m also pretty sure God doesn’t hate me.

According to John 3:16, God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son.  The love came first.  And according to Romans 5:8, God demonstrated his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.

Call me optimistic, but I still believe that God loves me and has a wonderful plan for my life.  I may be taking Platt too literally, but I’m a lawyer, remember?  We tend to get hung up on words. 

I also don’t think it’s a bad thing for Christians to be culturally relevant.  In fact, the Christian subculture often gets in the way of the gospel.  Many Americans walk away from church because they think, I’ve got to become some weirdo in order to be accepted here.  I’ve got to act a certain way, dress a certain way, and think a certain way. 

My fear is that folks who are looking for Jesus might just miss him in church. 

I do agree with Platt’s conclusion that the gospel is costly – it’s a gospel that calls us to “turn from our sin, to take up our cross, to dies to ourselves….” (p. 39)  It’s a gospel I fail to live out every day.  It’s a gospel that motivates me to keep at it – because of grace, not guilt!

Yes, Platt lays it on pretty thick in Chapter 2.  But he has my attention.

Does he have yours?

Visit Me At The High Calling

In case you missed it, I hope you’ll join me over at The High Calling. Click here to read my article, published just yesterday.

The article was inspired by a post I wrote this summer titled What Are We Working For?  Expanding upon the original post, I interviewed my colleague Peter to get his perspective on how music has made him an ever better lawyer.

Thanks much to Peter for being the subject of the article and allowing me to share his story.  I love it when writing brings my worlds of work and faith together!

Early Bird Or Night Owl?

Are you an early bird or a night owl?

You guessed it, I’m a night owl.  Sure, I can function early in the morning if I have to, but I’d much prefer the late evening – when my creative juices start flowing.

To tell you the truth, I’m sick and tired of all these people (you may be one of them!) who over-spiritualize the morning.  Some of them claim that all the “important” prayers and spiritual moments happen in the early morning.

Are they right?

I think not!

To prove my point, I’ll use the Apostle Paul as an example. 

Nick and I just finished reading the book of Acts, and for the very first time I noticed that Paul is known to pull all-nighters.  I’m not kidding.  According to Acts 20, he preached until midnight – which ended up turning into daybreak.  I can just picture him sitting around the kitchen table with the believers in Ephesus.  Some of them were probably thinking, “When is he going to shut up.  Doesn’t he want to get some sleep?”


I may be partial, but it seems to me that Paul was a night owl.  On another occasion, he even stayed up all night in prison – singing instead of sleeping!

Of course, those of you who rise early in the morning will probably claim that Jesus was known to be an early bird.  I can’t argue with that one.  Maybe the important point is that we need to come to God when we can give him our best – when he can have our full, undivided attention.

So when are you at your best?  Morning, noon, or night?

My Life In Pictures

 
Today, at Working Mommy Wednesday, we’re sharing our lives in pictures. 

Frankly, it’s often easier for me to describe things in words, so I thought this would be a nice change – sharing through pictures instead.  We’ll focus on a short tour of the last six months.


 One of the most memorable moments of 2010 was spending the weekend with my four fabulous sisters in Utah, celebrating Amy’s 50th birthday (she’s the beauty in the green shirt). 
Doug and I continue our family camping excursions, most recently to Lake Michigan.  (I wanted to put a picture up of Doug roasting marshmallows, but I’m not allowed to post pictures of him on the blog -- which is too bad, because he’s really cute.)


Of course, I continue to work work work.  This picture shows me billing some hours in the office.  (Or maybe I'm blogging!)








My parents continue to be my dearest friends and role models.  I’m especially proud of my dad for continuing to fight his disease and gaining new strength every day.  This is a picture of my parents with my kids, celebrating Nick’s first piano recital. 


Thanks for sharing a slice of my life today in pictures. 

We’ll go back to writing on Friday!