A Change In Thinking

There has been a shift, a shift in the way I view this blog. It is not about my mistakes. It is about my learning. The thought came to me quietly as I typed a recent post. It is my learning that is important. I don't feel so bad now. I am learning!

I hope you are too. I know these topics seem so random, but when I have a "light comes on" moment, those are the topics I am sharing with you. I do it in part to help me remember because explaining it to you adds a new layer of recall for me. I hope you don't mind me sharing a part of my mind with you.

How do you like that equivocation on the word "mind"? Well, I know it is not a part of a misleading argument, but I do want to give a shout out to Classical Conversations for using the book The Fallacy Detective by Nathaniel Bluedorn and Hans Bluedorn in their Challenge curriculum.

My daughter and I are enjoying it's content and teaching style. It is for ages twelve through adult. Check it out. I have never studied logic before so it is quite an eye opener to the world around me. "Whoomp, there it is" ... another shift in thinking.

The Good Lie

I have to return a movie to the library today. So I thought it would be a good day to write about it. I have been mulling it over for several days now. One critic said it is a movie that simultaneously enlightens and inspires. It does that and left me silent.

What I saw was the power of the gospel. What I saw was the power of sacrifices. What I saw was that I have much more room to grow in both areas. The movie so stuck a cord with me that during it I found myself starting to pray about the needs of the characters. I had to remind myself this is just a movie. This stuff has already happened.

"In 1983, orphans of the civil war in Sudan, known as The Lost Boys, traveled nearly a thousand miles on foot, enduring unspeakable circumstances in search of refuge. Over a decade later, a humanitarian effort would bring thousands of these survivors to America. The Good Lie is the uplifting, true-to-life tale of four friends' journey from their devastated homeland to the foreign world that is modern America, and the people who helped empower them to begin again." (Movie Jacket)

The movie is PG-13, and I started making my 13-year-old watch it with me. Just the first few minutes about the civil war were enough for me to let her move on to another activity for the evening. Parents, the scenes are not graphic. It was because of the heartache that comes with them that I was glad she did not watch the whole movie.

Refuges are now on my radar thanks to this movie. I have learned more about something I never thought about. Now that is something.

Official Movie Trailer

Husband Love

Dear Lord,

What would you like to say to me today? I am listening.

If you speak in the tongues of humans and of angels ...

Wait a minute, Lord. I'm tired of this chapter. I know it by heart.

... but don't communicate love to your husband in a way he understands, you are only a nagging nuisance, and irritating noise.

Well, okay. I do nag now and then ...

If you give all you can to him -- pick up his socks, make his favorite dinners, give your energy to make his dreams come true --

That's it, Lord. I give and give to this marriage -- and I hardly remember who am I or what I wanted ...

... but he doesn't feel loved by you, you aren't accomplishing anything.

Now wait, Lord. I said I give almost everything for him. That should count for something.

Love is patient: love is kind.

But that's not always possible! He's so completely, frustratingly ... male! He gets glued all weekend to TV sports. Or, he disappears into the garage. I wish I had that kind of luxury. I wish I had a wife ...

Love doesn't envy or boast.

You're right, Lord. I'm not better than he is. And I have my own ideas about fun and relaxation.

Love doesn't put its own needs first.

Lord, I do want to serve and honor my husband -- even when his needs are directly opposite of mine. Help me to remember that when I'm willing to meet his needs first, he's usually eager to serve me too. Help me see the big picture when it doesn't seem to be working out that way and my blood pressure starts to rise.

Love doesn't get angry or keep score.

Yes, Lord!  Help me to stop trying to remake my guy into some perfect husband that doesn't even exist. Help me. He tries hard. He comes home every night. He cares about our family. He wants to do what's right. He wants to honor You ...

Love always works hard to believe the best, to trust the motives of others.

You've given me a good man, Lord. Give me Your strength to love him well -- to believe in his good intentions and to trust what You're doing in his life.

Thank you, Father, for this husband of mine.

Love never gives up or gives out.

Please give me many more years of Monday Night football with the man I love. May we always bless each with Your "most excellent way."

Amen.

This prayer is number 106 from Praying the Bible for Your Marriage by David and Heather Kopp. Thought I would share it with you because the day I read it I needed to get my eyes off myself once again!

Did You Know?

Did you know the 39 days were over? Did you know I only wrote 8 posts?

Did you know that every post of this blog in the 39 days had at least one reader? Did you know one post reached a readership high point of six people?

Did you know I received the first comment ever on a post in those 39 days? Did you know I am excited?

I may not have set the world on fire with my public failures, simple thoughts, and low readership numbers, but I did gain ground in my walk with the Lord.

Just yesterday Joyce Meyer's chapter was on gaining ground little by little. She quoted Deuteronomy 7:22.

And the Lord your God will clear out those nations before you, little by little, you may not consume them quickly, lest the beasts of the field increase among you.

She says that that is the secret of a victorious Christian life - inching forward over months and years. That is humbling and encouraging. If you make a mistake, get up to try it again.

Blog. Blog. Blog. I had 31 days of failure. Six people, do you hear me? I made mistakes, but God loves me anyway and helps me get back on the right track.

And here is what I am adding to her lesson  ... Don't disdain others who are not making progress at your pace. Remember we are all behind Jesus in that! Pride is a nasty beast that will consume each one of us. Beware!