Dumpster Diving

By Nancy Ann | Filed under Christian Living

One of the central ways we overcome the temptations to fear, worry, anxiety, or bitterness is to obey the Scriptures that tell us to set our minds on things above. Consider these commands to set, seek, and meditate:

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:5-6).

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1-2).

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

We all know how our minds drift all the day long, and we tend to be easily carried along to where ever they might take us. But thoughts left to themselves often go dumpster diving, digging through fleshly things, carnal things, earthly things, untrue, ignoble, unjust, impure, unlovely, and unkind things. The dumpster is always full of this stuff: your own past sins and failures, the sins of others, bitterness, worries, and lusts. And then we wonder why we are worried, envious, lustful, bitter, anxious, or fearful. But we’ve been feeding on this stuff from the dumpster all day!

Dying Well

6 / 9 / 163 / 3 / 22

By Nancy Ann | Filed under Friends

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. Eileen Lawyer’s death was precious to us as well. She taught us how to live, and she has taught us how to die.

What did she teach us about living? Eileen taught us to give ourselves away. She was a devoted wife, and signed all her emails with “Eileen Lawyer, treasured wife of Mike Lawyer.” Her identity was first in Christ, and then joyfully wrapped up in her husband and daughter. What Mike was doing, Eileen was doing alongside. How Rachel was doing was always a chief concern.

During her life, Eileen was always a picture of health: energetic and cheerful. None of us was expecting her to be taken away so suddenly by cancer. But we learned from her during her wise stewardship of this hardship. She continued to be devoted to others, always considerate and grateful. Doug conducted a small worship service around her bed a few days before her passing. Even there, she was thanking everyone for coming, and I will never forget how determined she was to take the Lord’s Supper, embracing the difficulty of eating the bread and drinking the wine. She wanted all of Christ.

The cross stitch above is a gift Eileen made for us many years ago. And how appropriate is this verse now as ever. God has shown Eileen the path of life, and now she has entered into His presence in fulness of joy. We will miss her. No one can fill her shoes. But that is how it should be. In the missing, we will continue to thank God for her, a dear sister and friend.

Lily Trotter

5 / 2 / 165 / 2 / 16

By Nancy Ann | Filed under Book Plugs

Lily

If you’ve never heard of Lilias Trotter, here is a lovely little introduction which you can share with your kids. Lily, the Girl Who Could See is beautifully illustrated by Tim Ladwig and sweetly told by Sally Oxley & Tim Ladwig. It is the story of the Victorian English woman, student of the great artist John Ruskin, who chose to give her life ministering in Algeria and North Africa rather than follow Ruskin’s encouragement to become a famous artist. And of course, if you have heard of Lilias Trotter, you will definitely want to get this book, even if you don’t have children.

Then go ahead and find out more about this impressive lady, and order A Blossom in the Desert by Miriam Huffman. This book includes some of Trotter’s lovely sketches and paintings, as well as samples of her writing from her diaries and journals. From there you may as well go whole hog and order her biography, A Passion for the Impossible, by Miriam Huffman Rockness, because Lilias Trotter is a woman worth knowing.

Come Down!

4 / 19 / 164 / 19 / 16

By lizziejank | Filed under Christian Living, Mothering

FullSizeRender Let me tell you a little something about myself as a way of breaking the rather prolonged silence on my part. Life has been so wildly busy! We are getting deeper and deeper into what feels like the splits of parenting. A nursing baby but also junior high track meets. Moses is a darling, wonderful, lively and cheerful 6 month old. So far, his spiritual gifts have not included napping. He dabbles in them at best. I am not complaining, because really he is so happy and thriving – but he certainly makes sure that even though he is number 7, he gets his full share of our attention. He has initiative, that one.

The other day, it took me about 3 hours to do 15 minutes’worth of dishes. Because every two or three minutes I had to go nurse, or go change the venue of play, or put the baby in the ergo on my back, or take a shower, or whatever. Read More

Coming Soon!

3 / 12 / 163 / 12 / 16

By Nancy Ann | Filed under Grace Agenda

Friday 9:00 am -3:00 pm at the Church of the Nazarene
In every age Christian women need faith and courage to follow Christ, but this is all the more pressing today with our culture’s attack on marriage and motherhood. A woman who is not threatened by the current tides of opinion, but who finds her identity and satisfaction in following Christ will always be a dangerous woman.

   Rachel Jankovic: Identity, Calling, and Joy
                                                 Bekah Merkle: A Biblical Femininity
                                               Nancy Wilson: Faithful Not Fearful
                                                 Heather Wilson: Your Life Now

A lunch hosted at the Ladies’ Seminar is available for $7. Please save your spot on the registration page.
Childcare (9 months and up) will be available during the Ladies’ Seminar on Friday. There will be no childcare during the main Grace Agenda conference (Friday evening and Saturday). However, a room with audio will be available for parents to use. If you plan to use childcare during the Ladies’ Seminar on Friday, please sign up here.

Happy Super Tuesday!

3 / 1 / 168 / 10 / 22

By heatherlinn | Filed under In the News | Tags: election2016, politics

Happy Super Tuesday! That’s how I woke up my kids this morning. That and Psalm 2. Nations and kings will do what they do but God is in the heavens and holds it all in His hands. God is good to His people and we will rejoice. Cue our favorite Psalms CD, and sing along.

(Do you feel the Bern? We don’t but I like his button)

Our kids, from six to thirteen, have been playing close attention this election cycle. They have opinions. Lots of opinions. The comedy and tragedy of the current candidates and our fine system hasn’t been lost on their wee brains and their observations bless me. They listen to the debates, to the press conferences, and report. At times entertained, at times appalled, but learning. Learning about our American political process. Thinking about what it means to be a citizen. And what a season this is to come of age. The farcical quality of US politics is at an all-time high. The eldest, in all seriousness (but with a wry grin), asked yesterday what I am going to do when it’s Hillary vs. Trump. We laugh but it does pain my soul. Read More