Time is a Funny Funny Thing

As with all CCEF materials, Tim Lane and Paul Tripp's workbook "Change and Your Relationships: A Mess Worth Making" has a cheesy title but a powerful message. Lesson 10 is on Time and Money (I spend neither of these extremely well). A helpful summary of the chapter: "one way to evaluate and discover what we treasure is to look at our schedules and checkbooks." (ouch)

I was particularly struck by the section on time, which comes out of Ephesians 5:15-21. Vs 15-16 state "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." (NIV 1984). In the King James, "making the most of every opportunity" is translated as "redeeming the time." The original Greek language uses time in two main ways throughout Scripture:

Chronos = time in general, hours/weeks/years/etc
Kairos = the specific time between Jesus' first and second comings

In vs 16, the original is the word "kairos." The distinction helps us to understand what the time is for. Rather than referring to time in general, giving the sense that it is eternal, Paul speaks to the Ephesians that they are to use time for a purpose. They are to redeem the time exactly because this time is not forever. We live in a certain time, the time waiting for Jesus to return. Lane and Tripp write "This is a time of unique opportunity for us to display the grace of Christ to others. One day this season will come to an end when Christ returns in power and glory. Thus a more awkward bu appropriate rendering of this verse would be, "As you go about your life in this in-between time use it to its fullest to display the grace of Christ to others." (pg 108). Chronos means that this time will end and that it is for a particular purpose. "Make the most of every area in which God has placed you ... daily struggles [are] critical moments of redemptive opportunity rather than hindrances or distractions." God commands us to redeem this time, but also equips us with the grace to be able to do this, and gives us the motivation - Jesus is coming back!

[There is no quick fix when it comes to our hearts, and the way we use our time is a heart issue, but sometimes practical help enables us both to see and to guard our hearts better. Check out this tool, especially if like me the internet is your biggest temptation to waste time: https://www.rescuetime.com/]

Birthday Fundraiser

My birthday is on 4/20 - as is Hitler's birthday, as is the anniversary of the Columbine shooting, and as is an infamous day of Bob Marley-esque behavior.

This year, I'm using the day for good. In the words of Razoo's amazing graphic designer I am going to "donate the birthday, keep the party."

Join me in supporting the work of Bethany House of Northern Virginia. They are a small nonprofit making a huge difference in the lives of victims of domestic violence. They run an emergency hot-line, provide safe shelter, and help women and their children escape domestic abuse. Once safe, Bethany House provides them with counseling, job training, material support of food and clothing, and help these women start over new and independent lives. Statistically, those who have been abused are the most likely to become the abusers. Bethany House is working to stop the cycle of violence by offering support, empowerment, and a way out.

You can donate to my fundraiser by clicking the button below. (If you do donate, make sure to watch the thank you video on the right hand side of the screen right after you give). Thank you for considering! Your generosity truly does make a difference.

Do Not Be Anxious

Find more here: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2011/04/12/scripture-memory-songs/

Life Lately in Links

Random life update with fun links, enjoy. 

Thanks to a beautifully awesome sister who lives in amazing vacation spots, I visited California for the first time, ever. We walked on cliffs, waded in the Pacific, tie-dyed shirts, hiked in a desert, hunted big-horned sheep, saw a dinosaur, ate apple pie, carne asado, cowgirl cookies (I could go on, let’s just say we ate a lot), saw seals, had a bonfire on the beach and roasted marshmallows, and dashed with warriors. I also experienced by first in-and-out burger and chocolate milkshake. Apparently there are a bajillion “secret” things I could have ordered.

A favorite, and perhaps most missed, Jersey tradition is pancakes with sweet sisters from Grace Tab. They gather edify one another by bashing each other’s taste in pancake stuffing or topping. Oh, and sometimes pray and say encouraging things to each other too. My heart is full of gratitude for these ladies – their kindness to me, their love for Jesus, and their service to build up the Church. (Even though Carrie likes her pancakes naked and can’t flip them). One day, we will be as cool as this guy:  (on page two there’s a toilet one… hehehe)

Baseball season has started. Someone please explain to me why it is necessary for one team to play another team five thousand times in a row. In what other sport do you play the same team over and over and over again?? I mean, if you didn’t win the first 15 games, I think you should just stop. But I enjoyed watching this.

I have a lot of pride in the fact that I have a dumb phone. It makes phone calls, like a phone should. And that is it. It also texts on occasion. But seriously, that is all. I have no idea what this phone does, but because of this commercial I very much want one: 

Bought tickets to Mumford and Sons in June with some lovely y'allternative ladies! 

Pretty Please

I would very much like this cake for my birthday

(http://www.loveandoliveoil.com/2010/11/rainbow-cake.html)

If you made it for me, I would share a slice with you.. perhaps even two.

(http://www.loveandoliveoil.com/2010/11/rainbow-cake.html)

Thank you