Serious About Faith. Light-Hearted About Life.
Do you like sports?
I do… And I don’t. I enjoy watching them and cheering for them, especially the Kansas State University Wildcats! (GO STATE!)
But playing sports? Uh, no thanks. Please sign me up to be the dihydrogen monoxide manager. <Water girl.>
I have never enjoyed playing any sport other than Ultimate Frisbee for the following reasons: [Read more…]
I am a pretty social person.
On a scale of 1-10, I would say I fall somewhere around a 12.
My personality loves interacting and entertaining (except for the part where I have to prep and clean the guest bathroom.) Sure, I love time to myself, but I really enjoy hanging out with folks.
This used to be no big deal “back in the day” when I was footloose and fancy-free. Just myself (and my studies) to worry about. I didn’t attend every social event but it would take a pretty big college exam to keep me from “just dropping by.”
Now, as a wife, mama and minister who lives a couple thousand miles from family, I have to mark the “Regretfully will not be attending” box more than I would like. [Read more…]
Don’t be afraid to get close and crack up. Even if you have boogers on your face.
“Don’t take life too seriously because you won’t get out of it alive.”
I have heard that saying multiple times. It is plastered on Pinterest, bumper stickers and even T-shirts.
Although following Jesus is serious business, it isn’t supposed to be monotonous or boring. God created laughter for a reason.
How often are we intentionally engaging the gift of laughter?
I try to do so on a regular basis. Admittedly, I have my seasons where I forget, put my serious pants on and face each day with an intense grimace… Until my hubs reminds me to lighten up and enjoy the ride.
I want to pass that onto others– even if it might make me look a little goofy or make someone feel bit awkward. [Read more…]
Sometimes stories in the Bible make me grimace.
Not because I have a weak stomach but because this following Jesus business is dang serious.
There is a lot at stake and I am constantly asking God to do a “heart-check” to make sure my pulse still beats for Him… Because let’s be honest, it is crazy easy to get distracted in our world full of “bright and shiny” instant gratification teasers.
Which is what today’s parable is all about… Brace yourself. It’s about to get real all up in here as we dig into the Parable of the Tenants, found in Matthew 21:33-46 and Mark 12:1-12.
Our first dance started out all sweet and romantical… Then we busted out the salsa. With maracas. Seriously. I guess you had to be there.
You might have noticed that Wednesdays are my days to take a breath. To rest. Recharge. To work toward some super-awesome God-sized goals for 2014. So here is a blast from the past straight from the archives. Enjoy, dear friends… and thanks for the grace.
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“DUDE! It was awesome! There was like this guy and these three girls, and they sang some stuff, and then the stage lit up and sparks showered from the ceiling.”
Ever tried to share an incredible story or experience with someone and you are met with a dumbfounded look of incomprehension? When that happens in our household, my husband often says “Huh. Cool story, bro.” (Even though I’m not his bro. I’m his wife. But that’s besides the point.) [Read more…]
Image via Adelle & Justin @ Flickr
Sleeping through an alarm is zero fun.
Plus it takes away the need/enjoyment of a shot of caffeine in the morning because let’s be honest– when we are running behind, who has time?
Today’s video blog is all about waking up… And answering God’s call. [Read more…]
As a Christian, I sometimes feel like I have multiple personalities.
But in all actuality, those alleged split personalities are really just the yucky places in my heart (see also: sin) that are constantly at war with my call to be like Christ.
It’s exhausting, I tell you.
If we are honest with ourselves, there is probably a little bit of hypocrite in all of us. We say one thing and do another. We know how we are a supposed to love/behave/react as followers of Jesus but before you can say “Stop right there, word vomit!” we do or say something that might make folks raise a quick eyebrow as to our heart status. [Read more…]
Via National Acrobat @ Flickr
It had been a long time since I cried during church.
Crying on Sunday during worship used to be kind of my thing for awhile. Shortly after I really started walking close to Jesus a few years ago, Sunday church service would all but bring me to my knees. I had always struggled with being vulnerable… after all, I was the tough farm girl that everyone called the “Rock.”
But during that season of life, I was hurting. It was in the middle of the biggest storm to date and my heart was hurting. A deployment, a terrible job, no sleep, miles from friends/family… crying in church was a regular occurrence.
Afterwards, things simmered down for awhile but soon fired back up again. Hubs was working a ton of hours with his job and I was trying to keep my eyes focused on Jesus, battling the fear that our second pregnancy would end in miscarriage like our first.
So I cried a lot in church then too. [Read more…]
When my sister and I were growing up, it seemed like every other conversation with our parents ended with the phrase “It’s not fair!”
My sister got to take a bath second which mean a slightly later bedtime. It’s not fair.
I had to spend my precious time waiting for my sister to get her stuff together after school to give her a ride since I was already able to drive. It’s not fair.
Little brother, who was 12 years younger got to live like an only child because we were long gone. It’s not fair.
I could go on… but I won’t. Because this “It’s not fair” jam really shows my ugly side.
Yuck.
But when we really think about it, we probably all have a side like that… And most of us can probably relate to the experience of the workers in the vineyard as we walk through the Parable found in Matthew 20. [Read more…]
You might recall that 2014 is the Year of the Runner for this formerly anti-running chick.
I have learned that there are many, many lessons to be learned in this running journey– many of which relate directly to faith.
About a month ago, I was blessed to spend some quality time back home with my family in Kansas. Just because I was on “vacation” didn’t mean God released me to sit on my duff for those few weeks. Nope, I had to keep hitting the pavement… Er, I mean gravel.
It was the first time ever in my life doing some literal cross-country running on dusty (and sometimes muddy) roads. Miles and miles just me, God, and the sneaky rocks trying to trip me up. [Read more…]
It's been awhile since we have posted a fresh Factor of 7 here at 7 Days Time. We've done a few small ones over the last several months, but we wanted to share one of most recent random acts of kindness with you. Because it was fun. And hey, who … Interested? Read on...
So... let's get serious. (Well, not TOO serious.) Here at 7 Days Time, we have four coaching packages to choose from. As we work through your initial consultation call, together we can determine what package will best suit your coaching needs. … Interested? Read On...
