The Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

THIS VERY NIGHTDecember 10-12, 2010

For me, the most wonderful time of the year starts in June when planning for This Very Night  begins in earnest. For as long I can remember, I have loved Christmas... the lights, the sparkle and shine of the decorations, the chocolate, the parties, the smell of evergreen, turkey dinner (especially the stuffing and the traditional chocolate pie for dessert), the presents under the tree and the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Since getting involved with This Very Night three years ago, Christmas has taken on even more meaning for me. I don't think I could explain it in words if I had to. But I think anyone who has experienced me when I'm in TVN mode would verify that my love for this ministry oozes from the depth of my soul and radiates from my entire being. It honestly doesn't matter if I'm working on the budget, sweeping up straw tracked in by the animals or counting down to the opening music... I love very minute of this! And we're just three weeks away from opening night! The anticipation is building...!!

If you're not familiar with This Very Night, it is the annual Christmas presentation at StoneRidge Fellowship... the life-changing story of Jesus' birth in drama and song. I realize I might be biased, but it truly is an exceptional production. Every year I am humbled by the many compliments we receive on the quality and content of our production. We are truly blessed with incredible talent and amazing people who are willing to commit to months of weekly rehearsals to stage this show. It takes thousands of volunteer hours to make TVN happen. 

I invite you to check us out... we still have a few tickets available at www.srfconnect.com/events. You can even watch the highlights from This Very Night '09. The heart of Christmas was born more than 2,000 years ago in a manger in Bethlehem and is still beating today... bringing new life, hope and peace to everyone willing to open their heart to Him. Jesus is the best thing that ever happened to me! 

I'm Just Too "Successful!"

I learned something this last week... for about the gazillionth time: I am only ONE woman. Yes, you'd think I would have that figured out by now. But no, I really am that slow or that delusional; take your pick! ;) All it took was my presence required in three places at the same time (fortunately in the same building) and trying to make it happen that broke me. It wasn't pretty!

If you know me well, you know that I absolutely thrive on being busy... or as one friend would say, successful. My definition of busy/successful would make most people tired just thinking about it. However, that same friend's husband reminded me recently that I need to schedule in some time for rest. Who me?! Superwoman, Wonder Woman and She-Ra all rolled into one!

I hate to admit it, but he was right. Guess who spent all week fighting off the flu! There is so much to be said for balance... not just in the number of things I take on, but in the time spent doing and resting. I am a Martha at heart; the busier the better! But my body, mind, emotions and spirit can only take so much. If I could just learn to find those quiet moments every day, to not try to do 3 days work in 1, to go to bed instead of doing "just 1 more thing," I would be so much better off on all fronts. And I probably wouldn't be feeling icky at the moment. Yes, there is such a thing as being "too successful." How are you doing on the "success" front?

Lasting Legacy

Sometimes I think too much. Other times not enough. But one thing I do think about a lot is the question "does my life matter?" Am I investing myself, my time, my talents, my resources in things with eternal value? Or am I spending it all on myself and things that really won't matter in a week, let alone for eternity? If today was my last day, what would my legacy be? Would I even leave one?

I know what I want to be remembered for: a life lived full-out for God... a light to those who don't know God, an encouragement to those who do, the hands and feet of Christ to those in need. I fail a lot, more than I care to admit, but I trust God is working this out in my life. When I do reach my last day and go home to be with the Lord, I want to hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." 

I'm not a Nickelback fan at all, but "If Today Was Your Last Day" strikes a chord with me every time I hear it. If those things that come to mind are important enough to be the last things I would do, what am I waiting for? I may not ever have that last minute chance to do them. I should be living like every day is my last!

I Got the Message!

One of my favourite events each year is the Global Leadership Summit... live via satellite from Willow Creek Community Church outside Chicago to hundreds of cities and thousands of leaders. I always come away with a lot of great practical advice and new insight.


It's often hard to sum up the day in a few words, but today is an exception. During the opening session, Bill Hybels talked about whispers from God. The entire time all I heard in my head was "don't quit." What's the first thing he says when he starts listing examples to close?! DON'T QUIT! Follow that with Jim Collins in session two... key point for me... NEVER EVER GIVE UP. Hmmm... !! Honestly, I've been thinking about quitting something recently... more out of frustration and a sense of impossibility than anything else, even though my spirit resists actually doing it. I absolutely believe in whispers from God. I've heard too many of them over the years not to. And I always regret it when I don't heed those whispers. Every time. And this wouldn't be an exception.


In John 10:27 Jesus says, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." His voice is truly unmistakable to those who know Him and are willing to listen. What is God saying to you? Take the time to listen; your life will never be the same. I say that from experience. And I wouldn't want to have missed it!

Wanted: Expert Tongue Tamer

I just love sermons that get under my skin. Really, I do. I heard just such a sermon this past Sunday from James 3 about that wild beast known as the tongue! (Check it out at www.srfconnect.com; Basic Training, Week 6). It's really humbling to admit that my words wouldn't always pass muster.


I've said a lot of things I shouldn't have... and wish I hadn't. Sometimes in the heat of the moment, sometimes unintentionally, but more often disguised as opinions. I'm thankful I've never been much of a gossip. Being the subject of some ridiculous gossip recently (the details of which no longer matter) has given me pause to really think about my own words no matter what the context. Would I want someone to say those things about me? Would I say the same thing directly to the person? Moreover, do my words honour God? It's so easy to let hurt, anger, frustration, disappointment or confusion spill over into a barrage of words that would be better directed to God (who knows what we're thinking and feeling anyway) than to those around us.


I'm not saying we shouldn't talk over troubles, concerns, hurts and such with trusted friends and family members. I am saying we should choose our words and our confidantes very carefully. If the feelings of those around me and my own reputation aren't enough to compel me to speak with care, this should be: "But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment." (Matthew 12:36) A sobering thought, for sure. But I am encouraged to know that God forgives.  He is able to help me conquer and control my wayward tongue, if I'm willing to allow Him to. And I am. How about you?

Hard Habit to Break

Yes, the first thing that comes to my mind after typing the title is that great Chicago ballad of the same name... but no, that's not really what's on my mind.

Why is it that good habits are so easy to break - and bad habits nearly impossible to break? Conversely, why is it that good habits are so hard to form - and bad habits so easy?

Take food, for example. I can go along for weeks and make good choices with no trouble... then BAM! In about 3 seconds, one impulsive bad choice leads to a week of bad choices and a struggle to get back in the habit of making good ones. I don't even enjoy the bad choices all that much (unless plain rippled potato chips and chocolate soy milk or chocolate pie and real whipped cream are involved), so why do I continue to sabotage my health goals with bad choices? (On a side note: Why oh why was I cursed with the metabolism of a rock?!)

This has been one of those weeks. I can't even remember what started it right now, so whatever it was clearly wasn't worth it. Believe me, I'd remember it if a slice of Mom's chocolate pie was involved! :) Yet it started a landslide of bad choices. However today is a new day. And to quote one of my favourite characters of all time, "Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it." (That is, of course, Anne Shirley.)

Lessons from Dust Bunny Ranch

Honestly! I could spend my life sweeping and still not keep up with the dust bunnies that accumulate before I've even put the broom away... or so it seems. It was much less noticeable when I had carpet rather than all hardwood and ceramic tile. Seriously, where does it all come from?!

Yes, this is what it looks like under my bed right now!

I wish I could say I swept every day. I don't. I mean to, but somehow other things just seem to take precedence... work, eating, sleeping, Bejeweled Blitz... you know, the important things in life!

I run into that same problem when it comes to reading my Bible. Those same things - and a lack of discipline - keep me from that, too. And just like the dust that accumulates on my floor, so too do I get covered in the dust that comes from the ins and outs of every day life. Like the dust on the floor, I don't notice it right away, but all of a sudden it piles up and I wonder how it happened. If I had just taken a few minutes each day to run the Swiffer over the floors, dust wouldn't accumulate. Likewise, if I would set aside time each day to spend in God's word (and stick with it), the dust of this world wouldn't have a chance to accumulate and weigh me down and wear me out.

So I guess this is my declaration that I am going to make a concerted effort to be more disciplined both with sweeping and spending time in the Word. Feel free to hold me accountable!

Mission: PURGE!

Two or three times a year I experience an irrepressible urge to purge! Closets, drawers, cupboards... if it can hold stuff, it's in my sights! And I'm ruthless. If I don't like it, use it, want it... it goes! That could mean it goes in the trash, the recycling, the Red Cross donation bin or... gasp... the re-gifting pile! No, I have no shame in that. And honestly, I'm not ungrateful. I'm just not a stuff person; I hate to dust and I'm very practical. So better that than throw out a perfectly good something that someone else would enjoy, right? For me, the best gifts are generally the ones I can use... dishes, cookware, sheets (100% cotton with a high thread count!), an iTunes gift card... but I would take an all-expenses-paid vacation to any sun destination! 

So, another large bag of stuff for the garbage. Two small bags for the Red Cross. Nothing for the re-gifting pile this time. And more space in my closets, drawers and cupboards. One of these days I'm going to run out of stuff to purge. Every time I do this, it makes me think about how I spend my money. And that, in turn, makes me think twice when I'm in the mall and contemplating a purchase. Do I really want or need it? Will I get bored with it in a month or two? Is it an impulse purchase? Most of the time, I walk away without the item. Honestly, I can't even think of an instance when I've been sorry that I walked away. I can think of a few things that I wish I had walked away from, though.

All in all, a very productive day. Now, if only my sink weren't full of dirty dishes... !

Sun Stand Still

Ever feel like your prayers don't even hit the ceiling sometimes? That God just isn't listening? I think we all feel that way at times. But the truth is, God hears every cry of our heart. Even when we don't realize He's listening... and responding.

Have you ever thought about how much power there is in prayer? It's uncontainable! It's mind-boggling! And it's right there at your finger tips 24/7! But how do you pray with boldness... with audacity? The expectation that God will not only hear, but that He will move in unbelievable ways? I'm still learning. But I've seen the evidence of it.

I'm excited to read Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick (Lead Pastor, Elevation Church, Matthew, NC). I just perused the preview of the first chapter. I can't wait for September so I can read the whole thing! I need to learn how to pray to effect change in my life and my world! If this book is anything like his sermons, I expect great insight and to be challenged to take my faith and prayers to a whole new level!


             www.sunstandstill.org