32. The MELT Method: A Breakthrough Self-Treatment System to Eliminate Chronic Pain

So interesting that LibraryThing predicted that I probably would not like this book. I have not posted many of the books I read for fitness. So, I am sure based on all the classics I have read over the years that LibraryThing assumes I am a couch potato! Fitness books have many diagrams showing one how to perform the exercises, so I have not posted them as "reading" because I don't know if I "read" the whole book from cover to cover, but this one, I read all the introductions and most of the exercises (Once I got to the "Maps" I got confused and just ordered her DVD's that I can do like any old fitness DVD). I have been doing fascia release on my feet and a little on my legs for about two years now, but this takes fascia "rehydration" to a whole other level. Her introduction goes into a lot of detail about the science behind all of this, and she tends to repeat things over and over. So, I did not like that about the book.I also thought the "sequences" and "maps" were really confusing. I still don't get that and hope to go to a live class that is being taught in my town on Tuesdays. All that said, I have lived with some level of pain my whole life. Most of the time, I can moderate it by standing instead of sitting for too long (as I type this with my stand up desk), regular massage and osteopathic adjustment, core conditioning through Pilates, posterior chain strengthening through foundationtraining.com, and proper posture through the Gokhale Method. I really manage my pain well, actually. I do not have the luxury of being a couch potato having been through three major car accidents before the age of 19 (hit with my mom but cannot remember what happened, spun around in a 180 on the way to school when I was 16, and totally rolled my car Freshman year in college) and having one leg longer than the other and hips that do weird things causing unilateral sacral flexion without rhyme nor reason (so glad I married into a family with an osteopath!). It is true, most of my passions involve SITTING (writing, Bible Book Club blogging and book writing, photography [most time involves sitting to do post-processing rather than being out in the field shooting], communicating by email with numerous groups of people because of our ministry), but my other passion IS health, fitness, and nutrition (I have a B.S. in Food and Nutrition with a Community Nutrition Emphasis and am a former college athlete). I am becoming certified as a personal trainer and Pilates instructor over the next few months. So, this will be part of my "toolbox" for helping people relieve pain. I am also good at motivating people to lose weight as I have kept most of mine of for two and a half years. Actually, I am just into WELLNESS: physical, mental, spiritual, emotional (see the reason for this blog above). I will be posting more of the books I am reading for my personal training and Pilates endeavors from now on. Maybe LibraryThing will deem that I "like" it after I do that! LOL! 

31. Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather

This is a slow, meandering book without any big plot line but little vignettes about life for two priest in the rugged southwest (New Mexico). I love Willa Cather's writing. She paints pictures of places like an artist. Really enjoyed that aspect even though the story was not particularly gripping in plot. 

Funny that I saw the movie Swing Vote, set in New Mexico, the same week I finished this book.

I read this for my "Book Dames" Book Club that will be discussing it on July 25. 

On Track to be a Very Low Volume Blogging Year

I have not done a lot of sitting this year. When I do blog, I try to do it while standing at my stand up desk I got for Christmas. I am on board to get a Treadmill Desk from our local "Play it Again Sports" outlet here. I am getting practically a FREE anniversary week because a friend is giving us their townhouse for two nights, and we are going to the place we spent our honeymoon for two nights and we have more than enough Capital One miles to cover that! I had saved enough money for an overseas anniversary getaway. SO, I will buy the treadmill desk! (Also decided against a hot tub on our deck. We found a used one for 1/3 the price, but it was going to cost 1200 to rewire and another 300 to get a crane to put it on our deck. What a pain! More trouble that it is worth since I do not anticipate we will live here for more than five years.)

I will do brief reviews of my last two books though and then go back to finding an 8 x 10 picture I had printed of Michael for his high school graduation that I want to put in a frame. As many times I have run across this picture through the last four years, I cannot find it now that I am ready to put it in a frame and finish my living room project! UGH! Where is it???? In the meantime, my office has been torn apart! But that is good. I need to do some decluttering in there! 

So here I go!

Monday Fifteen Freewrite

We are so blessed in so many ways. I just made the decision to not plan a big anniversary trip. It is too exhausting for me, but I feel like we need to be all here. I started trying to plan, and I got a call from someone distressed. So much of what I do is not planned on a day to day basis. So much of what I do is connect people, help people, dream with people. So, I have to have such fluidity to my schedule that I cannot put on a time card. It is an interesting thing.

Anyway, I just realized it was getting too stressful to try to plan something, and I was not enjoying it anymore. I think there will be a simple trip to the coast, to the same hotel we went to on our honeymoon, 25 years ago. No big trip. Just a couple of nights together on the Oregon coast. I do think that is plenty. If God wants to drop something in our lap, then I am totally up for that, but it has to be God directing the ship (or plane), not me. So I am crossing it off my list and saying: WAIT!

I just have this feeling that it is going to be much better than anything that we would have ever been able to plan. God just said, "Be a light" when we were praying about it. Again, he said "Wait on France." So, I am going to do just that.

This will be a summer of jaw surgery and carpet laying so I am totally fine with waiting for something to become really clear! 

I am excited to see what He will do when we just let go. :) Last year was the fulfillment of so many dreams in Europe. I know I have other ones that I just will have to wait on. I have no problem with that. :)

30. The Making of an Ordinary Saint: My Journey from Frustration to Joy with the Spiritual Disciplines by Nathan Foster

 I read Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster in the 80s not long after it came out. This is a book by his son, Nathan, as he tried putting those disciplines into practice. While Richard's book is more teaching, Nathan's is a heartfelt memoir of his struggles to practice them. It is beautiful, easy reading. 

Richard and Nathan did a conference by the same name in my husband's hometown. They did not do that many of them, and they did one in this little town because Richard wrote his book when he was a pastor at the Newberg Friends Church in the 70s. It was fun to go to it. 

Friday Fifteen Freewrite

I really need to reinstate the tradition of freewriting on Fridays. I have had so much happening this week. It is good for me to process through the keyboard and give myself some time to reflect about all the goings on.  I think there are some exciting things afoot. I just have to pace myself and pray and obey accordingly. I do not want my enthusiasm to get in the way of the Spirit's leading. 

Had a good conversation with J yesterday about what they do up in Portland. I want to see a partnership happen with them. They are a dynamic foursome up here. They are doing great things. Somewhere along the way there was a big miscommunication over a very minor issue that made for a disengagement with my boss and them. Also, we let a third party interpret some things they did and communicate it to a whole team of people that made us think they were not open to working as a team. My meeting with them could not have been farther from the truth! UGH! Four years of miscommunication is really not a good thing. I am so glad that I obeyed and made the connection with them!

 I am wondering if we are to be the connectors (as that is one of my StrengthsFinder key themes along with Learner, Empathy, Achiever, Relator).  I need to tread carefully. I need to listen to the Lord. I need to do just what He is telling me, no more and no less! There is power in proper partnership. You know. I just obeyed when You told me to make contact. 

Also had a lovely meeting with the B's and M's. I had a fun adventure taking the MAX to the eastside and Lloyd Center area. Met with M first for some enthusiastic talking with this like-hearted friend of mine. My picture of our meeting never posted, and I have no idea why! I tried three times! I will have to try again. 

After that, I went to this big apartment complex to meet with people I have never met before and other people I have only met once. It is amazing how God can knit hearts immediately. We are going to have a "Portland Prayer Pow Wow" to beat all! I don't know who will spearhead it. I think I will just be the connector of all things.

I also walked with Caroline from college and my sorority. That was fun. We also visited with T and K, and I will go with K for a Swedish tasting treat in about an hour. Should be fun. Been visiting with my mother-in-law and aunt-in-law this morning too. Took MIL out for her 86th birthday last night. Red Mill Market in Dundee! SO GOOD! Loved my steak salad and bites of George's pizza!!!! 

In between all the meetings, I have been reading The Making of an Ordinary Saint: My Journey from Frustration to Joy with the Spiritual Disciplines and am about halfway through it. I went to Nathan and Richard Foster's conference in Newberg in April, and it was good. Just getting around to reading the book that it was based on. I want to discuss it with Jamie. That is who is on my heart about it. 

Well, I think I might end this fifteen a little early so I can go and read a bit more before Katherine comes and fetches me for our little outing OR I might take a walk!  I cannot decide!

TTFN! TGIF! :) 

29. Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything?

I have always known that detox cleanses were not possible, but this author refers to all the studies that prove you cannot detox your body by buying expensive cleanses. He also discusses myths about juicing and gluten-free diets.

He also debunks the myths about anti-aging products. I like his practical, down-to-earth, and humorous approach to these myths. The part about plastic surgery is just plain scary (go to Sun Valley and drive around, and you will see REALLY SCARY results of the "fake and bake" culture there!).

I have been a nutritionist for 34 years. I have to hold my tongue when people are doing the latest detox or diet. Usually the person telling me usually has a degree in history, and I paid thousands of dollars to learn the science behind nutrition, but they know more than I do. I could have saved my money and just read the internet! Who knew? 

It just does not work to try to tell them otherwise. Even some of the reviews for this book still will not believe this author who carefully researched everything. They slander him something terrible. 

Over the years, I have learned that the placebo effect is REAL. So, there is no use talking people out of their misconceptions. You will be crucified if you try. Just last week I was having a private conversation, and someone who knows my nutrition background (and my success at keeping my weight down at 55 years of age) was asking me sincere questions about how to lose and keep off weight. Another person overheard the conversation and started challenging me. This is why I do not usually share my expertise (Yes, it is expertise - like I said, I paid a lot of money for my degree, and I am not afraid to say that it does allow me to say I have expertise in the area of nutrition. I graduated with high honors, by the way) in groups. 

So, I think that if they think it is working for them, let them do it. If they do not want my expertise, I do not give my opinion. I only share it when I am asked. This time I was asked, and I have learned that I will pull the conversation to the side and have it privately. It really bothered me for days afterward. 

The only things that are proven as helping in the anti-aging process are:

1) Retinoids 

2) Resurfacing  

3) Fillers 

He concludes Part I by saying that, "We should not let celebrity lies defy the science-informed six." 

Here are the six: 

1. Don't smoke, and drink alcohol in moderation. 

2. Stay active, stand often, exercise regularly, and include some vigorous activities.  

3. Eat a balanced and calorie-appropriate diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein (such as fish, chicken, beans, and nuts), and healthy fats (such as olive oil); avoid bad fats (those of the trans variety). 

4. Maintain a healthy weight (tough, I know). 

5. Wear sunscreen. 

6. Get an appropriate amount of sleep (which for most, is between seven and nine hours). p. 119

Part II of the book was not as appealing for me as Part I. It was more in the psychology of why we admire celebrities, and the low-probability of becoming famous. It is alarming that children today want to be famous. 

"Twenty-five years ago the top five career ambitions of grade-school children were teacher, banker, doctor, scientist, and vet. Now according to a recent UK survey, they are, in descending order of awesomeness: sports star, pop star, actor, astronaut, and lawyer." p. 124. 

SAD! 

I forgive

Forgiveness is such a beautiful thing. It is what Jesus did for those who were crucifying Him. It is the least we can do for others. A woman I worked with through almost three years of very painful abuse from her husband said how important forgiveness has been for her journey and something she wished she had learned sooner rather than later. I have found that I can educate on this, but it is a choice on the other person's part that cannot be rushed or forced upon them. God has to work the forgiveness in them. It is beautiful that she reminded me that one thing I need to do is provide a safe environment for the person to forgive as I am counseling people. His kindness leads us to that. I gently and safely lead, but I cannot make a person drink the peace that forgiveness brings to the soul. 

So, I am going to put these two readings forth.

1) The chapter on forgiveness in Healing Life's Hurts by Ed Smith: 

"Releasing Those Who Have Hurt Us"

2. This lovely article is on my other blog called the Bible Book Club. It is related to the Genesis 50 and Joseph's forgiveness of his brothers and it in the APPLICATION section of this post:

http://3yearbiblebookclub.blogspot.com/2011/02/genesis-50-get-bitter-or-grow-better.html

28. Son of Hamas by Mosab Hassan Yousef

"As long as we search for enemies anywhere but inside ourselves, there will always be a Middle East problem."

This is a fascinating look from the inside by a son of the religious leader of the Hamas organization. It gives one important historical background that helps one understand the who, what, when, where, why, and how of this most complicated problem. 

In the midst of this coming of age story, he was asked to come and discuss the Bible. It is his personal journey toward Jesus too. 

Loved this book in so many ways. I feel like I understand things so much better. 

Every Once in a While . . .

I get the blues!

Which is weird because I was fine this morning, but then something turned for me at about 1 pm, and I struggled for a few hours. Nancy was SO SWEET to call me even though she has family coming from out of town. George listened and then Nancy listened, and God pieced it all together. I was great for a bit. Then another little dip. You know what really shook me out of it?

Looking at all those refugees in the boat on the Mediterranean, and I felt God say, "YOU are not alone!" :) Those people are in such desperate situations. I have so much! I have it so well. 

Then a friend texted me, "It is national best friend day" with a very sweet little message attached. So I texted my besties! And they both responded with the sweetest texts back.

I really need to text George too because he is my best of the besties! 

So, I am so much better. Just a little six hour dip. Not too bad if you ask me! Thanks for speaking truth to me so quickly, Lord. 

(Tomorrow morning will be so much better!) 

27. A Guide for Listening and Inner Healing Prayer: Meeting God in the Broken Places by Rusty Rustenbach

My friend wrote this, and I finally got around to reading it since he was coming to give a conference on the subject for my church. I have always believed that God can speak to us, and I have been facilitating Inner Healing Prayer since 2001. What I like about this book is it is written by someone who didn't really know that God could speak directly until 1999, after many years of being a believer, so he gives a good biblical basis for the whole subject before he launches into the particulars. I really appreciate that. I have already loaned my copy to a kid that my kids grew up with who questions whether God can speak. 

It was fun to have Rusty stay with us and to see the personal transformation in his own life. I have known him since 1980 but have not seen him since 1983!  It was delightful to see that he is "walking his talk" regarding this book. 

Thursday Thirteen Freewrite

I think I like this font best. I am going to the timer and standing up as I do this freewrite!

May was a "wonderful whirlwind." Now I am taking today to just "chill" and listen to God. I was going to go up to Lafayette to the monastery, and I still might do that, but right now, I am POOPED. I stayed up too late watching Pride and Prejudice and doing the Jane Austen puzzle and slept in until 8 am. That never happens! I had a full day yesterday, unintentionally.  Nancy, Rebekah, and Kim trying to find a time to have me facilitate a listening prayer day, talking to "A" about what she is hearing from God about her future (2 1/2 hours), unpacking the listening prayer conference with my mentor in TX, Carol, talking with Chris L. about two women possibly moving here from Iowa to do our internship that we have not decided whether we are going to run, emailing about getting more listening prayer books, housecleaning, going to get money at the bank, then Kellie time and starting that puzzle (My need for closure can sometimes be so funny - I don't even like puzzles, but I had a hard time just letting it sit there unfinished after Kellie left!) and P & P. A good dose of Austen was good for my soul and fun to just chill with Kellie after a really hard week on her part. 

Oh, I also made oatmeal raisin cookies because I was craving something sweet and had nothing in the house! Paul was so appreciative, and I realized that I really should do that more often! I love that he made an extra effort to come back upstairs to tell me how much he appreciated me making cookies. What a sweet guy. Hang what everyone says about him moving out. I like him here. 

This morning was time in Isaiah 14 & 15. Learning about the Moabites, talking with Sinor (my Kurdish friend) who liked one of my Facebook posts while I was reading my Bible Book Club post about Isaiah 14 and telling people about her experience. Then Kimberly popped up and I sent her the ISIS prayer guide and talked about a trip to that region to help refugees. Then I responded to Luke's inquiry about the strengths and weaknesses of our internship versus other ones. That has led me to doing this freewrite. I will pray and maybe even take Paul to his class since I need to go to the library to do Dial a Book. Oh, I also ordered 6 LP facilitating workbooks and 6 Personal LP workbooks. they will be good tools for the TOAG! 

So, should we do another internship next year, Lord? I am just not very sure about all of this. So many opportunities and so little time. I love my life.  I am tired, but I am surprisingly NOT as tired as I was when Elizabeth was staying here, primarily because I got more sleep while Rusty was here and he was only here four days as opposed to seventeen! 

The good news about today is my house is spic-and-span clean, my laundry is pretty caught up (other than Rusty's sheets and towels from his visit, and I do not anticipate another guest for quite some time), the new carpet is ordered, the Bible Book Club is DONE, and I am just enjoying reading my posts as just a participant in the club rather than writing and editing. 

I was going to head up to Newberg for an overnighter with my sweet husband and mother in law and his aunt, but I am just too tired to do that. I am going to chill here.

Well there you go, my thirteen minutes is officially up!!!! Bike ride? Walk in the sunshine?

No proofreading! No judging! That is why it is a freewrite! 

BHAG

I have reached a milestone. I was telling my husband on our walk this morning that I'm someone who sets my mind to a goal, and if I don't complete it it hangs over my head. So it is amazing for me to wake up two mornings in a row and know I am not working on the Bible Book Club. It was an amazing 7 1/2 year journey, but I am ready to move on to other things. I think my back will thank me also. I think sitting in my chair and typing was a lot on my back. 

Yesterday, I woke up and did stuff around the house all day long and I burned 3100 cal. I think it's time this summer to work on the house: get a new bedspread, get a new carpet, help Paul recover from this jaw surgery. Then I think I'm going to fulfill my lifelong dream of integrating the physical (by becoming a personal trainer since I am already a nutritionist), and then I can integrate my spiritual,  physical, and emotional (with my background in counseling) and help people become whole. I love my life!

26. Jesse Tree Devotional

I proofread my last book! YAY! I can go back to regular reading now!

JESSE TREE DEVOTIONAL (December Devotional for you and your kids) 

24-25: Bible Book Club New Testament Volumes 4 and 5

I am done reading through the Bible Book Club. It turned out to be 3250 pages in 12 pt Verdana type! 

Here are the final books:

Volume 4: General Letters: Hebrews - Jude

Volume 5: Revelation 

Here is the whole page with all the downloadable books:

http://3yearbiblebookclub.blogspot.com/p/downloads-of-bible-book-club-posts.html

23. Bible Book Club NT: Volume 3: Paul's Letters

Volume 3 - Paul's Letters: Romans - Philemon

This was my fun reading over Memorial Day weekend. It ended up being 300 pages! 

Here is the page with all the books I have proofread since March:

http://3yearbiblebookclub.blogspot.com/p/downloads-of-bible-book-club-posts.html

22. Reflections on the Psalms by C.S. Lewis

For the first time, I purchased a Kindle book that has Whispersync  for voice. It goes back and forth seamlessly between the audio version and the book version. I read a little and then listened a little when I was walking. It was only $2.99 for both too. 

It was read by one of my favorite narrators, Ralph Cosham, whom I feel is already one of my best friends as he has read me many C.S. Lewis books in addition to Animal Farm, Watership Down, and David Copperfield! 

I have to say that I think Whispersync could get very addicting, and I am not usually one to BUY a book. I usually check them out, but it was on sale one day, and I had a book credit that I needed to use or I would lose it. 

Now to the actual book review. It is his "musings" on psalms organized according to topic and not the particular psalms themselves. At first, I did not like it, but part of it might have been that he started with the subjects of  judgment, cursings, and death in the Psalms! I walked along listening thinking to myself, "My, this is a cheery book!" 

Then he got to the subjects I like: "The Fair Beauty of the Lord" "Sweeter than Honey" (beauty of the Word), "Nature," "Praising," and my favorite, "Second Meanings" (referring to the prophecies of Jesus and such). 

It got very serendipitous because I was already editing the psalms in the reflection books I have been writing about the Bible. So, it was helpful.

I love C.S. Lewis. I love how he weaves in ancient literature of the time. It helps you see Psalms in the midst of the pagan cultures in which they were written. As I read many of this during my Well-Educated Mind journey, I can understand Lewis better and appreciate his brilliance!  

21. Bible Book Club NT: Volume 2 - The Acts of the Apostles

I am having fun reading through these books even if I wrote them!

Here is the page with all the book:

http://3yearbiblebookclub.blogspot.com/p/downloads-of-bible-book-club-posts.html

Here is the book that you can download: 

Volume 2 - The Acts of the Apostles: NT Book 5

20. The Sacred Search by Gary Thomas

The Sacred Search: What If It's Not about Who You Marry, But Why?

One of the girls who I meet with wanted me to read this. It is excellent. The "WHY" behind the choice of a spouse. It is excellent and has great questions to ponder! 

19. Bible Book Club NT: Volume 1 by Carol Weaver

It was a fun read and write! 

Volume 1 - The Harmony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

18. Bible Book Club Volume 4: Exile & Return

Volume 4: Exile & Return
EZRA, NEHEMIAH, ESTHER with Psalms, Ezekiel, Daniel, Haggai, Zechariah,  and Malachi

17. Bible Book Club Volume 3: Kingdom to Captivity by Carol Weaver

I couldn't stop reading this!

Volume 3: Kingdom of Judah to Captivity
2 KINGS 21-25; 2 CHRONICLES 33-36 with Psalms, Isaiah, Micah, Nahum, Zephaniah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, and Habakkuk

Tuesday Fifteen Freewrite

I cannot even think how long it has been since I had a freewrite time. I am in the middle of the book of Isaiah (actually more than halfway. woohoo.), and I am taking a break. I was supposed to meet with Teala today, but she canceled, which was God's wonderful sovereignty because one of the Kingdom Community girls stopped by, and we talked about some pretty important stuff until I had to start my staff meeting. That has been done for twenty minutes, and I have been working on this book. I have finished most of Volume 3 of the Old Testament Year Two which is the Kingdom of Judah to Captivity; but I saved Isaiah and Jeremiah for last because they are such big books.  I always forget how much I LOVE Isaiah! So much juicy, wonderful stuff there, but I have to admit that Jesus is only about 700 years away. I cannot wait. About this time, I do go through "battle fatigue" after all the wars and bad kings and then all the gloom and doom of some the prophets, but Isaiah says that help is on the way, and I am glad for that.

I was just in a meeting with a lot of people very down. It makes me sad. Morale is low, and I need to just lift that up to You in prayer and leave it there. 

Well, I am sure my 15 minutes is up, but I forgot to put on the timer. I want to get back to work and finish Isaiah by tonight! WOOHOO!

16. Bible Book Club Year Two, Volume Two: Divided Kingdom to Assyrian Captivity

Just finished reading (and editing) a new volume from the Bible Book Club: 

Volume 2: Divided Kingdom to Assyrian Captivity
1 KINGS 12-2 KINGS 20; 2 CHRONICLES 10-32 with Psalms and Obadiah, Joel, Jonah, Amos, and Hosea

All of the books can be found here:

http://3yearbiblebookclub.blogspot.com/p/downloads-of-bible-book-club-posts.html

4-15. Bible Book Club Books 1-12 by Carol Weaver

I was wondering why I was not reading as much this year, and I realized it is because I am reading the books I wrote everyday! I am doing my final editing before I put them online as downloadable documents. So, I think I should count them as reading!

Here are the ones I have completed so far (the stand alone books are if someone is studying a book all on their own so I don't count them as "reading" a book because I just cut and pasted them from the other book. :)

All the links to these books can be found here: 

http://3yearbiblebookclub.blogspot.com/p/downloads-of-bible-book-club-posts.html

I will be adding to this as I finish them up in Word.

YEAR ONE 
Creation to Kingdom of Solomon: 

GENESIS 

EXODUS

LEVITICUS

NUMBERS

DEUTERONOMY

JOSHUA

JUDGES

RUTH

1 SAMUEL with Psalms

2 SAMUEL with Psalms 

1 KINGS 1-11 with Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon

STAND ALONE BOOKS from YEAR ONE (also chronologically within 1 Samuel - 1 Kings): 

PSALMS: Part I

PROVERBS  

ECCLESIASTES 

SONG OF SOLOMON 

1 KINGS (all) with Psalms Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon (Spans Year One and Two)

YEAR TWO 


1: History Review from Year ONE:
1 CHRONICLES 1:1 - 2 CHRONICLES 9:31 with Psalms and Job

2: Divided Kingdom (coming soon)
1 KINGS 12-22 and 2 KINGS; 2 CHRONICLES 10-36 with Psalms and Prophets

3: Exile & Return (coming soon)
EZRA, NEHEMIAH, ESTHER with Psalms and Prophets

STAND ALONE BOOKS from YEAR TWO (also chronologically within 1 Kings - 2 Chronicles) 

1 KINGS 12-22 with Psalms 

JOB 

Luke 24:13-32 Two Men on the Road to Emmaus

HIS WORDS

And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad. One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?” And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened. But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see.” And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther. But they urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.” So He went in to stay with them. When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:13–32, NASB95)  

MY WORDS

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 

I WILL

Review all the stories from Creation to Christ that I have learned.

18 - Food and Fitness VLOG: Weigh Yourself!

17 - Food and Fitness: HIKE!

Resurrection Sunday Freewrite

HE IS RISEN!

I just came back from a fabulous 48 hour prayer retreat at the Abbey. The first day was gorgeous sunshine. I prepared my house by morning affirmations by Kenneth Boa that I recorded in 2012. I listened to them in the car along with my worship playlist ("Soothing Worship" and other songs by Jon Thurlow and a few others). When I got there, I had to walk because it was a wonderful day. I meditated on the LORD's Supper as I wrote it out in my own words. Then, I went to the LORD's Supper Service at the Abbey, and they read the same verses along with the Exodus account where the Passover comes from. Then, I went for another walk (I walked over 10 miles over the course of the 48 hours). 

I meditated on and wrote the Garden and Arrest of Jesus and praised God through the "Hallel" Psalms 133-118. WOW! Powerful. I went to sleep at 9:15.

I awoke at 3:15 and had great time in Jeremiah and Isaiah before meditating on the Trials of Jesus and Peter's Denial right before dawn. Then, I walked down to the downtown of Mt. Angel and wrote out the crucifixion in my own words (after having a lovely talk with an 18 year old girl in the coffee shop). Then, I walked back to the Abbey and stopped at each Station of the Cross. The Crucifixion was between 9 am and noon (see what I referenced in the Gospel Harmony Book Club about the time). I went back at about 11 am to do another walk through the Stations of the Cross. Each one is tagged with a German description so I translated all the German into English and meditated at each station. There were many more people than usual there as is understandable since it was Good Friday. 

Then I had more personal prayer and connected some wonderful dots from previous prayer journaling over the last year, and I also read what someone prayed over us on Valentine's Day. It was the exact SAME vision that Stacy had when we were praying on Wednesday afternoon before my prayer retreat! I have chills even writing about it. God is good. I had some personal evaluation and confession time as I headed into Jesus' death on the cross. What was amazing is the sunny day gave way to a very DARK day and then lots of rain ("there was darkness from noon to 3 pm," Mark 15:33). 

Then I headed into the Good Friday service at 2:55 pm. They read the exact passage in John about the Crucifixion that I had meditated on earlier that day. They use a narrator, person representing Jesus, and we were the crowd saying "Crucify Him!" That was pretty powerful. What would I have done at that time? Sobering. 

It was still raining but it cleared up at about 6 pm just in time for a glorious sunset. "It's Friday but Sunday's Comin'!"

 I went back to my room and was snug as a bug in a rug as I journaled more. God really showed me that I had neglected my "Weight/Wellness" goals over the last few months due to busy times with ministry. There is a balance in EVERYTHING! He clearly showed me that caring for my temple was very important. My weight increase since last October is the only thing I went into the prayer retreat frustrated about. So mad at myself because I kept all of the weight off for 18 months but it started creeping up after October. I did have a major back blow out, busy time getting TOAG up and running, more women to meet with, Christmas, melanoma diagnosis and subsequent surgery to remove it in January, Valentine's Day. I did not intentionally overeat, and it turns out it was only 180 calories a day. But I did not weigh myself from November 14 to March 28 because I was afraid! 

These are two things I wrote in my journal:

"DO NOT BE AFRAID TO WEIGH"

"FACE THE FAT FEAR" 

 Then God led me to evaluate that it really started creeping up after a husband of a woman I was counseling attacked me verbally (He is an abuser. Thus why I was counseling the wife) and a conflict with a friend that I have never really had a conflict with in 35 years of being friends. Then I carried the burden of her problems with me (Part of the conflict was me realizing I cannot be her friend and her counselor. I carried the burden of the conflict until I worked it all out with God on a day in prayer on New Year's Eve. Then, I worked out carrying the burden of all her problems at the Pastor's Prayer Summit in February). I was also EMOTIONALLY EATING!

ACK!

This led me to realize that another one of my goals carried over from 2013 was to WAKE UP AND WALK AWAY from drama and toxic situations. My friend's problems are just that, her problems. We are called to bear one another's burdens, but I need to constantly give them over to the LORD. I also need to set better boundaries as I felt this friend pushed my boundaries last summer, I was not firm enough (because she is pretty controlling and has gotten more so as she has gotten older). The husband was a matter of not engaging with him anymore and know I was called to help the wife (sadly they are not longer married as of January 28). I could walk away from him.  God led me to Psalm 91:14-16 which were my verses for 2013. 

On Holy Saturday I woke up and had time to intercede for all the lovely women God has placed in my life. I prayed that they would live into the "identity/destiny names" God had given them. I had to text some of them to remind me what they were, but I had such fun hearing from them and praying for each one. I also reviewed my days of prayer to see what He had said to me. Things are lining up. Dots are connecting. 

I also reviewed my 2015 FRUITFUL FIVE:

1) WORSHIP - through Word writing (BBC) and Walking for the world

2) WEAVERS - Family First and Foremost. Prayed for my husband and kids. Prayed about our 25th anniversary trip I have been saving for. Michael cannot remember his ID (Identity/Destiny) name though! :) Paul never heard about one. George is "trustworthy/reliable" and that is so true!

3) WOW (Women of the World) - Launch them in Love and invest deeply as they go into the four corners of the earth! 

4) WEIGHT/WELLNESS - Be in my "high school years" weight range" (the last two digits of those years correspond to my favorite weight fluctuation of four pounds with the 100 in the front). I am 5.4 pounds over that. I am at a healthy BMI now, but I like to be at my ideal weight for my frame rather that at the upper middle of my range! I will be in that upper of my favorite fluctuation my May 2 - the 30th anniversary of my dad's passing. I am stilling to my plan of 1000 calories deficits until I reach that goal. More walking (for the world and weight loss) and lots of strengthening.

5) WICKEDNESS WAKE UP AND WALK AWAY - I already explained that above. Do not get caught in other people's drama. I am a BURDEN BEARER but I am BOLDLY BELOVED (MY ID)  so I need to be that way when saying, "No!" I tried that with my friend, but she did not get it and bashed over my boundaries until I could not take it anymore!

With that I prayed some more for the people we have invested in over the last six years and went home to my loving family! 

HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY! He is RISEN! 

International Volleyball Association 1979 Championship: Tucson Sky vs S...

LINK: BACKGROUNDREFLECTIONAPPLICATIONPRAYER

16 - Food and Fitness VLOG

15 - Food and Fitness VLOG: REBOOT

Tuesday Morning Soothing Worship Freewrite

I am setting the timer for fifteen minutes and listening to my Creation to Christ recordings. I told someone yesterday (who was it?) that I was a little down (Oh, it was Michelle D.), and I listened to all these recordings on the way home from Newberg, and I was so encouraged by the end of my drive. There is something about listening to these recordings that let me see the "Bird's Eye View" of God's illustrious plan for all peoples. It gives such insight into the very character of God. :) 

It was a good talk with Michelle. It ended up being two hours! Ack! I did not expect to spend so much time doing that in the middle of the day. I tried to not do any work yesterday, but I updated the "Kingdom and Gospel in Luke" handout because I had made a HUGE mistake.

I also made the schedule for the September launch of the Kingdom Community Light. I am still praying into it and hope that God will bring people to it. 

I wonder if Calvary will have us come and give a training on what we do. :) 

I just finished listening to Jon Thurlow, Soothing Worship. I should find the link and put it on this blog. It is such a great 24 minute time of focus and worship. God is longing for us.

I had two days in a row of food recording! YAY! I am so glad that I am not alone anymore because Rachel and Katrina both decided that they needed to be accountable again. I got tired of sending in my reports without any response. I don't know what it is like to have multiple children (I think there are 11 between the two of them). So, I cannot fault them for not responding, but I was all alone. I just needed to focus again because other than a two week pull in in July and October and a one week pull in in January, I have been eating with abandon for the last fourteen months. 

The good news is that my average daily overeating has only been 116 calories!  That is all it takes to put weight back on. Thankfully I had those pull in times, but now I am looking at a five week pull in time versus 1-2 weeks to get things back in place. So, I am two days into this 35 day process. Only 33 more days to go! WOOHOO! I can do it. I have this rule that I will not do a Bible Book Club editing day unless I had a 1000 calorie deficit the day before. Yesterday, I was going to go out and walk, but it POURED. I thought I had a little break and was planning on a long walk, but about five minutes into the walk, I was SOAKED. So, I came home saying, "I will go to Snap Fitness tonight." Yah, right!  It did not happen. So, while my eating was awesome yesterday, I did not make my calorie burn goal! So, my deficit was less then 1000. So, there you go. I will not sit as long if I do not do a post. 

Here is my result from yesterday:

Oh there goes the timer. Here is a link to the Jon Thurlow "Soothing Worship":

http://mfi.re/play/oyeko374wlvlvro/Jon-Thurlow-Soothing-Worship.mp3

Friday Fifteen Freewrite

I ended up having a free day today because Joanne moved to Dayton so we are no longer meeting on Friday mornings, and Kellie and I met last Wednesday instead of the Friday before so I am thinking we will also not meet today.

All that said, I am somewhat "stuck" in doors until the peak of the flowering trees is over. Even Zertex and Xlear nasal spray cannot stem the pollen attack during these peak days. So, I am working out indoors too today by going to Snap Fitness later on today. 

I have been putting the final touches on Genesis to have it available in a word processor for those who do not want to have to look online and read it backwards on the blog! 

I was challenged to be able to explain the process of transformation that God has brought me on in the last few months. I cannot articulate it other than He has gotten my priorities VERY straight, given me an accurate picture of my strengths, weaknesses, and limitations (not inferiority but accuracy - some would define this accurate picture as a step toward humility), given me a group to pour into, and been very confident of His calling on me. This newest calling toward a group that I have otherwise avoided has been interesting, but I am not afraid. I felt a bit misunderstood by one person in our little small group who gave me a prophetic rebuke yesterday, but she doesn't know me very well. So I asked God about it, and he laughed and told me to forget about it so I did. That is true growth! I haven't stewed on it. I just wanted to be open and teachable about what was said to me. And I discarded it. I am sure the person meant for it to be encouraging, but it was not. I asked a friend who knows me well if I "always" do what this person said that I do, and she said, "No." So that was also confirmation. It was strange, but it was not unnerving. I just needed to treat it rationally and objectively, listening to God's voice versus the voice of my emotions! :) 

So this morning has been very rich in review of God's word, and the word transformation came up over and over. I really feel like transformation continues because of making the choice to "Steep" in God's word. That has been really true in my life over the years and over the course of the Bible Book Club, I have had a running log of my reflections since 2007, and it has been so encouraging to have "updates" to previous reflections because I do not feel or act that way any longer. That is true growth!  YAY!

Oh, those flowering trees really look so inviting! Should I just risk it because the rain comes tomorrow, and it will be harder to walk? Hmm. I really need to think about it.

I have put on a bit of weight during the winter so I am attempting to lose that before we go on our 25th wedding anniversary trip in the summer! YAY! I am not too worried because it is not that many pounds, but it is definitely the highest I have been in many years, but it is still the low for what it used to be! I just like those love handles to be GONE. That is when I feel uncomfortable now, ,and it is my red light.

I had to discontinue my March fasting because of the allergies though. Not eating and taking Zertex was really upsetting my stomach! 

Well, I have three more minutes, but I am tired of writing, and I think I need to get up and walk around and do some household duties.

Bye. TGIF! 

Wednesday Freewrite

I love that I can talk to God seekers everywhere. I love the bird outside that is peaking at the grass and the walker walking by at Dawson Creek. I have not worked down here on the first floor of the Hillsboro Public Library for a very long time, maybe two years. It is not as busy as it usually is. Maybe because it is right before finals week, and there are not that many studying here these days. I like the downstairs because it faces the ponds and creek, and there are so many birds. It is a much better view than the parking lot.

I had a delightful walk around the Tualatin Hills Nature Park with Linda Dean. We met her on the boat in Europe. It was fun to hear about her upcoming adventure to China, and it was fun to reminisce about our trip last May/June. It made me want to go back and see that part of the world again. 

I am now listening to Jon Thurlow Soothing Worship, and I am enjoying it . My favorite YouTube videos of him were taken down this last week. I do not know why because they were not copyrighted works. So I am sad about that because I have been listening to them for two years! WAHHH.

Well, I am supposed to write for fifteen to make it an "official" freewrite, but I want to get to Genesis. 

BYE! 

2. Choose Joy by Kay Warren

 I forgot to write this review. I finished this in February. I was pleasantly surprised at the beauty of this book. It is simple and refers to lots of Scripture (although she keeps referring to the "Fall" in Genesis 2 when it was in Genesis 3!) and personal experience. I got it as a free download many months ago and listened to it while traveling. It is very uplifting and was perfect for when I had melanoma (Stage 0) and had to have it removed. It kept me focused on Jesus and JOY (which I like to say is Jesus Over You!).

Since she wrote this book, Kay lost her son to suicide. I am sure she has had to "choose joy" much in the last year. I am praying for her today! 

3. Contagious Disciple Making by David L. and Paul D. Watson

I like Miraculous Movements by Jerry Trousdale that covers much of the same information here only in an international setting. (I had dinner with Jerry in January, and he is a delightful individual!) This is very similar only it does go into more detail about the disciple making process.

Most of this book has basic information about disciple making that has been covered in books before it with one significant difference, David and Paul Watson make a case for discipling people in their networks which goes along with the research from Greg Ogden's book Transforming Discipleship: we grow in groups more than we grow in one-on-one discipling relationships. (A drum I have been tapping for years!) 

This book's uniqueness is that it goes beyond disciple making methodology to looking at the big picture of reaching the world. I like that. I particularly like the chapters on "Prayer" and "Church".  David Watson is also someone who has seen disciple making movements happen all over the world. He is worth being read, and this is straight from him rather than from someone who is reporting on the results of his methodology. 

Sometimes, he gives you the impression that he invented "true discipling" and that he created some of the tools they use. One example is S.P.E.C.K. for making "I will" statements. I learned this term in 1978 while in the Navigators. "I will" statements, while called "application" in the Navigators, have been the hallmark of the Navigators for years. Accountability in "obedience-based" discipleship is also nothing new, but I like that David Watson has been the champion for it even though he did not invent it.  I don't think anyone knows who coined the SPECK acronym, but the authors sound like they are saying, "this is what we do because we invented it" rather than saying, "this is a tool that has been around for many years, and it really helps people make an "I will" statements. 

While I like Miraculous Movements more because it explains the methodology via exciting stories, this one has examples in a North American setting and might be easier for a pastor to implement in his church. This one also goes more into detail about developing leaders and being a mentor which I appreciated. If you have never discipled anyone before, this would be a very good basic book to help you get started. Its real strength lies in going beyond discipleship to starting a disciple making movement which is very exciting and strategic. 

There was one particular paragraph regarding people who come to Christ and are pulled out of their silo (affinity group, network, oikos) and no longer have influence there. I will quote it without giving my opinion until after:

In our opinion, Satan is at work in these extraction methodologies. Satan encourages the use of extraction evangelism and discipleship strategies because these strategies do not take silos into serious account, and the result is the "winning" of one at the loss of the rest of the family, community, or silo. These are good odds for Satan -- he will encourage us to win one and lose ten or more as a result of these methodologies. Most of us play into Satan's hand, thinking we have done something great by "winning" one, when what we have really accomplished is the losing of a family, community, or silo as a result of extraction strategies. (p.108)

I can see that it goes against the philosophy of disciple making movements. I agree that it is not strategic, but it is certainly not Satanic. Get real! 

But do not let that little bit turn you off. It is a valuable book because disciple making is part of maturing in Christ. We need to mentor and be mentored. I love that part of the book!

Here is a little handout I adapted from their material that gives you the "nuts and bolts" of facilitating groups from not-yet followers of Jesus to leaders. Gather a group (silo, affinity network, family) and facilitate discovery through four different studies today!

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY WITH LISTS

Soup Psalm

SOUP PSALM

My pen is the tongue of a ready writer.

I have so much that bubbles over in ink onto paper

I love the fragrance of the things you have made

All put together and baked together in a roll!

The smell wafting through my home of

Split peas and meat and spices are mingling together.

This will soon mingle with love and laughter

Of people who love You

Slurping it all down with a BIG soup spoon.

They are the mingling together of people You have made.

They spice the pot of fellowship

And the delicious aroma of the mingling

Makes You smell it and say,

“Ah, smells so good!

This is a soothing aroma and pleasing to Me!

I want to slurp these beautiful people up with a BIG spoon!”

Then You say,

“That is what will happen at the Revelation 7:9 time:

People too huge to count,

Ingredients of cultures, nations, tribes, races, and languages

Standing before me in one big spicy SOUP of humanity - -

Oh and the aroma delights every bit of me,

So yummy as they sing,

‘Salvation to our God on His throne!

Salvation to the Lamb!”

Falling on face before Me with praise.

I am satiated.

I am pleased

With this GOOD soup!”

The Sound of Music

BBC BHAG

BBC  BHAG = Bible Book Club Big Hairy Audacious Goal

I have been pretty focused for the last few months. So I have not been reading very much. I have now TOTALLY completed the third cycle of the Bible Book Club, I edited and updated all the posts and put them in a word processor. I woke up at 2 am yesterday with 2,3 John, Jude, and Revelation on my heart and finished them by 9 am. Seven RICH hours in the Word! 

Then I wanted to update my Jesse Tree Devotional, something we do at the end of the third year because we finish the whole Bible by the end of October (in your face Halloween!). So, I worked starting at 9:07 am and took breaks for my walks, household things,  prayer time, TOAG work, and arranging for the Prayer Conference in May, and I finished that by 11:53 pm last night. My word processor said it took me 851 minutes to complete it, over 14 hours!

How weird to wake up this morning and not have my routine of making tea and listening to my Bible (also weird that the guy who narrates the NASB died in a car accident last Wednesday night as I was finishing up this goal. He has been my companion every morning for so many years!). 

Of course, I will still read my Bible, but that labor of love (and it really WAS my devotional time for the last 7 years and 2 months and 1 week) has some completeness to it. :) 

Update: I decided to go through everything again in order to proofread. So I am still getting up and reading every morning like before! This has taken me 12 1/2 weeks so far, but I am on 1 Corinthians today and should be done by the end of the week! :)