Just Do It!

So Monday night I was doing a little weight lifting in the living room during one of my favorite shows (The Sing-off) and I told Zack, “I used to hate weight lifting cuz it was so hard. But now that I’ve been doing it awhile and I’m getting stronger, I don’t mind it as much.”

He replied with his usual Mom, you’re cluless edge to his voice, “That’s the way it is with everything.”

He’s right of course. I knew that. It’s obvious. The more you do something, the easier it gets. What’s weird is how it still surprises me when it happens.

For example, I’ve been playing guitar for years now, but I’ve never really been all that great at it. Then a few weeks ago I started practicing daily and guess what. I’m actually starting to sound pretty good. My scales are improving, and the torturous F-chord hardly sounds tortured at all. How did it happen? Not overnight. It happened because I worked at it. Day after day after day, and I got better.

Dah.

But for some reason, I’m still a little amazed by this. Maybe it’s less amazing to a 16-year old, because he’s been learning new things for as long as he can remember. But I’ve been an adult for a while now, and at some point I guess I plateaued. I stopped learning new things, because I stopped working at learning new things. Maybe you’ve been there too. You know enough to function and you figure, why do any more? Besides, learning new stuff is hard. And it gets harder the older you get!

But I’m here to urge you to keep learning new things. Exercise the muscles God gave you. Practice the many talents you've been given. Nurture those gifts. Stretch that beautiful brain of yours. Don't get stuck in a rut. Live it up! It’s not only good for you. It’s God’s will too.

Here’s a little illustration to help explain what I’m talking about.

Imagine someone you love is about to celebrate their birthday. Because they are so special to you, you decide to make them an extra-special gift. A sweater. You pick out just the right kind of yarn, in their favorite color, and find the perfect pattern in a style you know will look great on them. When you have everything you need, you begin to knit and knit and knit until it’s finally finished. You wrap it up quickly but neatly. You can’t wait for them to see it.

The big day arrives. You hand over your special gift and hold your breath as they tear open the box. You watch this person’s face, waiting to see the joy your gift has brought reflected in their eyes.

But it doesn’t happen. Instead, the gift is tossed aside with hardly a glance. Before you know it, they’ve left the party, and the gift, without even saying thanks. You look at the now crumpled garment and you shake your head. How could they not see how beautiful it is? How beautiful it would look on them? If only they had tried it on. But they didn’t even do that. They just tossed it aside.

If you haven’t figured it out, this story is a parable. The person with the birthday is you. And the one who made you a special gift, is none other than God himself. The sweater is all of your gifts and talents. He’s picked them out just for you, and he’s given them to you to use! Not to toss aside. He wants you to use them, and enjoy them, and be thankful for them too!

Are you? Are you using your gifts? Are you enjoying them? Are you thankful for them?

I know it’s hard, because sometimes we don’t think the gift fits. We think, “That sweater will never look good on me.” But I’m saying, try it on! Trust in the One who made it for you and wear it for a while. See what people say when they see you wearing it out in public. I can almost guarantee you’ll get a bunch of compliments. People will say, “Boy. That sure looks good on you!” And you can say, “Thanks! I like it too. It was a gift from my dad.”


Romans 12: 6 – 8 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Or as Nike says… Just do it!

Thinking of all your excuses? Think instead about Joni (pronouced like Johnny) Eareckson Tada. When she was a teenager she dove headfirst into too-shallow water and broke her neck, leaving her a quadriplegic. Since then she's become a successful artist, singer, writer, and inspirational speaker. Here's a short video of her talking about using your gifts.

Joni Eareckson Tada on Art

Fall Check List

Autumn is officially here. Time to get out your fall check list. Don’t have a fall check list? That’s okay. You can use mine.

1. Rake leaves into a pile

2. Jump in leaves

3. Repeat

4. Bake something with "tart apples thinly sliced" in the list of ingredients

5. Bake something with "Pumkin" in the title

6. Treat yourself to some Brach’s Candy Corn and/or Kraft Caramels

7. Get out the box labeled "WINTER CLOTHES" from the store room

8. Lovingly remove each sweater, turtle neck, and Cuddl Dud™ from the box

9. Refill the box with shorts and tank tops

10. Cross the word "WINTER" off the box, and scribble "SUMMER" below it

11. Return it to the storeroom

12. Keep your calendar handy and update as needed with joyfully anticipated concerts, retreats, Holiday parties, and family gatherings. (They'll be here before you know it!)

To help you with number 5, here's a little recipe I like that's fun and easy to make. I found it in a Weight Watcher's Cookbook, so it's not all that bad for you either. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Crescent Rolls

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Baking Time: 9 minutes

INGREDIENTS

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup canned pumpkin

3 tablespoons cooking oil

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 teaspoons granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium mixing bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt.

2. In a small mixing bowl combine pumpkin, oil, and brown sugar. Add pumpkin mixture to flour mixture, stirring with a fork until combined. Form into a ball.

3. Line a large baking sheet with foil. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough gently for 10 to 12 stokes. Divide the dough in half. Roll each half into a 10-inch circle. Cut each circle into 8 wedges. Starting at the wide end of each wedge, loosely roll toward the point. Place, point side down, about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Curve ends of rolls slightly.

4. Combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over crescents. Bake in a 400° oven for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm. Makes 16 rolls.

An Experiment in Self-Discipline

For the past month or so I’ve been conducting an experiment. The results are in!

I wanted to test the following hypothesis: If I practice certain positive behaviors for a period of 26 days, I will see positive results.

The positive behaviors I’m referring to were of this sort: stretch each morning for 8 minutes, sweep the kitchen floor once a day, practice my guitar daily, and so on. Nothing huge. But I had gotten into a bit of a slump. I wasn’t doing much of anything, and I felt a bit like my life was wasting away. So I needed to do something to prove to myself, it didn’t need to be like this. I could do something about it. Or could I? Hence, the hypothesis was formed.

In truth, it took me 37 days to do it. I had a bad week in there. But eventually I chalked off day 26 and my experiment was complete. That was yesterday. Here are the results.

By stretching each morning for 26 days, and doing an assortment of crunches and other simple exercises, I achieved a more limber and toned body. I could actually see and feel the difference.

By keeping a cleaner house for 26 days, it was easier to keep clean, nicer to come home to, and easier to find things. My family appreciated all of those things too, though they never said it. I could just tell.

By practicing guitar daily for 12 days (I added that one about halfway through the experiment) I learned Lisa McCormick's four-step picking style, and have almost mastered St. James Infirmary.

So it worked.

I sort of figured it would. You see, the experiment wasn’t so much to test if it would work, but rather, if I had the self-discipline to keep at it for 26 days. And to be honest, I almost didn’t make it. But in the end I prevailed, and I earned my reward, a brand new copy of Mark Paustian’s book, “Prepared to Answer,” which I recently checked out from the library and decided I wanted to own for myself.

Now, I’m not telling you this story to brag. (Okay, maybe a little.) I’m sharing this with you to try and encourage you to do your own little experiment. It doesn’t have to be anything big. Maybe one of these can be your goal for the next 26 days:

• try to touch your toes each morning and evening
• read one verse of the Bible each morning
• march in place during the commercials when watching TV
• clean off the kitchen counter each day after supper
• eat an apple instead of ice cream for your bedtime snack

Pick something simple to start out with, and see how it goes. It might help to pick a reward for yourself or find a buddy to do it with you. Can’t find one? I’ll be your buddy. Actually, I’m hoping to try for another 26 days. That should take me to somewhere in late October. Maybe you and I could race to see who can complete their 26 days first! Just an idea.

And now, a Bible passage. This one is from Proverbs 14:23.

All hard work brings a profit.

It’s true. I tested it.

My Must-See TV Favorites

The other day my brother Tim called and we got to talking about a bunch of stuff. At one point I asked him, “How much TV do you watch?” “A lot,” he admitted. “Me too,” I confessed.
It’s true. I love winding down at the end of the day by watching the ol’ boob tube. Here are a few of my must-see TV favorites.

Tuesday nights, The Food Chanel, Chopped

My mother-in-law, of all people, first told me about this show. I watched it once and now I'm hooked. It’s a cooking competition where contestants race the clock to make an appetizer (round 1), an entrée (round 2), and a dessert (round 3), incorporating the items they find in their baskets into their finished products for each round. I’m not even into cooking, but I love this show. Each contestant has their own personality, and their own cooking style, and most are extremely good at what they do. The crazy part is when they open their baskets and find things like fish heads, or goat brain, or frozen waffles. Usually there's at least one ingredient in there I never even knew existed! But 20 minutes later they've turned it into a restaurant quality dish. Amazing stuff.

Wednesday Nights, FOX, Buried Treasure

This relatively new show follows those twin heroes from Antiques Roadshow, Leigh and Leslie Keno, as they travel the US looking for treasure in regular people's homes. Each family has a different story to tell. Some need the money to "save the farm." Others just want the old stuff gone. Whatever the case, the show does a great job of keeping viewers, like me, on the edge of their seats to see if these "treasures" are worth hundreds, thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, or if it’s just old junk.

Thursday Nights, PBS, Doc Martin

I can’t get enough of Doc Martin. This show is so fun, so quirky, so unpredictable, and yet at the same time oddly believable. The title character is a miserable, rude, unattractive and unfriendly man who makes you cringe with his blunt and inappropriate comments. Then why do I love him so? I do not know, but I do. Lots.

And now, for your viewing pleasure, I have for you the very first episode of Doc Martin. But be warned. It's about 45 minutes long, and once you start watching, you're not going to want to stop. Enjoy!

Additional warning: This is a British comedy, so it will also be somewhat racy at times. Funny story…so I was visiting with Jeff’s 94-year-old Grandmother last Thursday and she asked if I watch much TV. Of course I said I do, and then I told her my favorite show was Doc Martin. I gave it a glowing recommendation and encouraged her to tune in. That night there was a scene in the second episode (they show 2 back to back) where the doc walks in on his Auntie Joan having sex on the kitchen table! What will Grandma think! I can only hope she wasn't watching...or that she dozed off by then. How embarrassing. Actually, this episode has a few embarrassing parts in it too. Please don't be offended. If you think you might be, don't watch it. Nah. You should watch it. Learn what Doc Martin can't and "go with the flow!"

Just As I Am

I have a question for you.

Why do you go to church?

To worship God?

To sing His praises?

To strengthen your faith through the Word and Sacrament?

Those are all good answers.

And if you would have asked me that same question a few weeks ago, I probably would have responded with one or all of those answers myself.

But God, in his wisdom, showed me this past month, I may not be the good-little-church-goer I thought I was.

Here’s what happened.

For the past several years I have volunteered my services, in church services, running the projector. As old and traditional as our congregation is, we have one of those large screens that are popping up all over churches these days. We use ours to display the liturgy, readings, hymns and other helpful info during the services. The entire service is programmed into the computer beforehand by church workers, but volunteers are needed during the services to advance the screens at the proper times. It’s not terribly difficult to do, and I like doing it.

In most churches, the projectionist is seated up in the balcony or in the last pew. But at our church, we have what we call "the projection room." It's got a sound panel, several camera monitors, a dvd player, as well as the computer with the pre-programmed service ready to go. It's a pretty cool little room. It’s also a pretty solitary room. When I'm back there, all alone, with the door closed, as I usually am for services, I can sit however I like, sing however I like, talk to myself, laugh, blow my nose, fart (excuse me) and no one can see or hear me do it. I like that too.

But a few weeks ago the projector began experiencing technical difficulties. Actually, I believe it was the computer that was having problems, but whatever the cause, our lovely screen was non-functioning. Consequently, my services as projectionist were no longer needed. I had to sit in the sanctuary with everyone else.

As I took my seat in the pew beside my husband, I began to think about things. Things I hadn't thought about in many months. Things like, "I wonder if my hair looks good," and "There's Mr. So-and-So, and his daughter, but where's Mrs. So-and-So?" When I belted out the wrong words to a hymn, I wondered if anyone noticed, and sang a little softer. During the sermon I wondered if I was fidgeting too much, or if the Pastor saw me when I yawned and took it personally. When I went up to take communion I even wondered how my butt looked in my new dress pants. No kidding! Then I wondered how I could partake in the Lord's Supper with such sinful thoughts circling around in my head. I tried to push them aside, but they kept popping up, each one worse than the one before.

By the time the service ended I realized this had to stop. It’s just wrong to be thinking such things when I’m supposed to be focused on worship.

But the following weekend the projector was still on the fritz, and I was back in the pew. As much as I tried not to let it, it happened again. All those stupid, trivial, self-centered, and inappropriate thoughts came popping back up into my head. Erg.

That’s when I really began to ask myself, “Self, why do you go to church? Is it for worship, to praise the Lord, to hear his Word and be strengthened by His Body and Blood? Or is it to out-shine, out-sing, and check-out everyone else???” The evidence was hard to deny. My motivations were clearly off track.

“Oh, Lord. What a sinner I am. It would be better to put me back in a room all by myself, where no one could see me, and where I could focus on the service and ON YOU without distraction.”

God must have agreed, because the projector’s working again. I’m back in that small room, all alone, and am I ever glad.

As I think about it, I can’t help but wonder if God’s been keeping me back there because He knows what I’m like. He knows how easily I can get distracted, and so He gave me this little volunteer job to keep me from my sin. It’s not only possible. I believe that was His plan all along.

Not only that, I suspect He put me in a pew those few Sundays to help me realize all this. To show me how easily I lose my way, and make me realize how desperately I need Him to wipe away these and all of those other sins I don’t even know I’m doing. What an amazing Lord we have.

I took communion again last week, and as I walked up to the front of church I didn’t care as much how I looked. I only cared that God was letting me come…just as I am. He knows my thoughts are often not where they should be, but He still invites me to come to Him. And as I took the wafer and the wine I knew Jesus was saying, “This is my body, given for you…” and “This is my blood, shed for you.” And I went back to that little room, and worshipped Him.

Just As I Am

Lyrics by Charlotte Elliott

1. Just as I am, without one plea,

but that thy blood was shed for me,

and that thou bidst me come to thee,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

2. Just as I am, and waiting not

to rid my soul of one dark blot,

to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

3. Just as I am, though tossed about

with many a conflict, many a doubt,

fightings and fears within, without,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

4. Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;

sight, riches, healing of the mind,

yea, all I need in thee to find,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

5. Just as I am, thou wilt receive,

wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;

because thy promise I believe,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

6. Just as I am, thy love unknown

hath broken every barrier down;

now, to be thine, yea thine alone,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.