My church did the coolest thing this past weekend. We had a garage sale where we gave away everything for FREE. People were shocked and so excited when they realized that they didn't have to pay. I was amazed at how quickly people snatched up their bargains. My husband unloaded an old porch rocking chair and within 20 seconds some man was carrying it away from the truck. People were truly behaving like kids in a candy store.
But that was the point. We wanted people to feel blessed and loved. And we handed out over 100 invitations to our Easter service. I don't know if people are still doing door-to-door visitation, but I do know that a quick way to reach out to a large number of people is to have a free garage sale. Maybe next year we can have one that is bigger and badder. And maybe we can pass out 200 invitations...
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
The Perfect Patent Pump
This is the perfect shoe. This is a Jimmy Choo. Four years ago, I drove by the Jimmy Choo store and made up my mind that when I graduated from law school, I was going to buy myself a perfect pair of Jimmy Choo shoes as a graduation present for myself. I thought that every aspiring lawyer needed a pair...
Fast forward to today and reality has set in that I may never own a pair of Jimmy's. In fact, I've come to realize that it would be foolish to own a pair. Who really needs a pair of $500 pumps? Definitely, not me.
Four years and 2 kids later, I need pumps with rubber soles that will support me when I'm carrying 25 pounds of baby. I need pumps with super soft insoles to comfort my feet when I'm chasing my toddler around the house. I need pumps that don't make holes in my grass as I'm trying to get my kiddo buckled into his car seat. Ok, to be honest, I guess I need tennis shoes. (Yeah right you're really going to catch me in sneakers!)
Anyway, the moral to the story is that over the past four years, my attitude, heart, and desires have changed a lot. I'm starting to get a grasp on money and the value of things--$500 shoes are just stupid when I can buy $15 black patent pumps at Ross. I'm understanding how to prioritize my life--having money for diapers is so much more important than having cash for Starbucks. I'm learning patience--that's why God made toddlers. And I've come to understand how the pursuit of worldly endeavors is meaningless and can make you miserable--you've never seen misery until you've met a first year law student.
I know that a lot of people think that going to law school was a waste of four years of my life since I'm not planning on working right now. I've even had Christians tell me that college, in general, is a waste of time for women. But it's not. God used this time to teach me, to mature me, and to open my eyes to the battles that my children will face in this world. I can't wait to see what God has in store for me next. Who knows, maybe someday He'll give me the opportunity to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States and He'll make sure I'm wearing a pair of Jimmy's... Hey, miracles happen!
Since I don't want to violate any copyright laws, you can find this shoe and much more at http://www.jimmychoo.com/.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Time to Get Your Fan Gear
Now that baseball season is here, I know that I can expect to have to go to at least a few Ranger games this year--especially if we make the playoffs again. This means it's time to get my fan gear. I don't know if you've noticed, but Ranger fans last year all seemed to have the same shirts. We saw lots of claws and antlers and we saw the same ladies' t-shirts over and over again. And you can totally blame Academy for that. Isn't that where we all went for Ranger gear? (Well, you should have, because the Ranger gift shop is lots more expensive and has most of the same clothes.)
I'm very excited to announce that there is a new store carrying Ranger gear this year. Thanks to our stint in the playoffs, Victoria's Secret has added the Rangers to their MLB collection. This means that if you're like me and want some really blinged out fan wear, Victoria's Secret is for you! Check out some of their collection:
I'm very excited to announce that there is a new store carrying Ranger gear this year. Thanks to our stint in the playoffs, Victoria's Secret has added the Rangers to their MLB collection. This means that if you're like me and want some really blinged out fan wear, Victoria's Secret is for you! Check out some of their collection:
Aren't these cute? To see more, you can go directly to the VS Ranger's Collection at Victoria's Secret.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
It's the Thought That Counts
My 2 year old informed me today that he wanted to get me flowers. (He was apparently troubled because I had thrown away the previous flowers that were starting to wilt.) When he was grocery shopping with Grandma yesterday he told her that he wanted to get me flowers too! Even though he can't buy any on his own, it made me happy to know that my little man wanted me to have flowers. He's so sweet and sensitive to what his mommy needs. Every woman needs a little man like this in her life...
Taking a Man's Last Name
"The man said, 'This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." Genesis 2:23; "Now the man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all the living." Genesis 3:20
I saw a story on Yahoo a couple of weeks ago discussing the trend in last names. It apparently really bothers some women to take on their husband's last name. Thus, we have married persons with different names or hyphenated names or 3rd party names (yes, some couples create new names). So what's the deal with changing last names? Should women take on their husband's name?
Yes. If you want to make a commitment to a man, you should take his last name. Why? Because from the beginning, in Genesis, God allowed Adam to name his wife as a symbol that she was his girl. It's about the symbolism. When a woman takes a man's name she's proclaiming to everyone that she is not only taken (as evidenced by her ring) but that Mr. So-and-so has taken her.
I know that a lot of women will say that it would hurt their career and their marketing plan to change their name, so their professional name should continue to be their name. Well here's the deal, the marriage should come first--before the career. Plenty of professional women have changed their names and done really well for themselves! If you're truly committing to another person, you should seal the deal with the name. If this commitment is too much of a burden, don't get married!
I think it's beautiful that Adam named his wife. And I'm glad that I carry my husband's last name.
Yes. If you want to make a commitment to a man, you should take his last name. Why? Because from the beginning, in Genesis, God allowed Adam to name his wife as a symbol that she was his girl. It's about the symbolism. When a woman takes a man's name she's proclaiming to everyone that she is not only taken (as evidenced by her ring) but that Mr. So-and-so has taken her.
I know that a lot of women will say that it would hurt their career and their marketing plan to change their name, so their professional name should continue to be their name. Well here's the deal, the marriage should come first--before the career. Plenty of professional women have changed their names and done really well for themselves! If you're truly committing to another person, you should seal the deal with the name. If this commitment is too much of a burden, don't get married!
I think it's beautiful that Adam named his wife. And I'm glad that I carry my husband's last name.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Teaching Life and Death Lessons
"Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment." James 3:1
As a registered nurse, one of my jobs was to teach patients all of the information a doctor wanted them to know prior to discharging them from the hospital. This meant that before I let them leave the hospital, it was my responsibility to make sure they knew how to change their dressings, what medications they could take and how much they could take, how to empty out any drains that were still in them, how to know if there was an infection, when to call the doctor, and what they should look out for. This task is hard. Patients usually don't listen well because they're anxious to go home. And you have to know about each doctor's preferences, surgeries, medication regimens, plus the side effects of all medications and surgeries.
If I failed to properly teach my patients, it could result in their death or injury. I could also lose my license or get sued for malpractice. Patient teaching is a very crucial job. That's why nurses are in charge of it. Nursing assistants, translators, unit secretaries, and other hospital personnel have no business instructing patients, because it's a big deal with life or death consequences.
James says that being a teacher in the church is also a big deal. Church leaders, like nurses, deal with life and death situations. The only difference is that church leaders are liable to God, not a licensing board or to patients and church leaders are dealing with ETERNAL life and death situations.
This doesn't mean that people shouldn't become teachers in the church. This just means that people who teach in the church have a huge responsibility. What they teach better align with Scriptures. How they live ought to reflect God's will for their life. And their testimony better remain intact.
If you're a church teacher or leader, please consider the impact that you have on people. Let's pray for our leaders. Let's pray that they will lead by example and teach the Truth.
As a registered nurse, one of my jobs was to teach patients all of the information a doctor wanted them to know prior to discharging them from the hospital. This meant that before I let them leave the hospital, it was my responsibility to make sure they knew how to change their dressings, what medications they could take and how much they could take, how to empty out any drains that were still in them, how to know if there was an infection, when to call the doctor, and what they should look out for. This task is hard. Patients usually don't listen well because they're anxious to go home. And you have to know about each doctor's preferences, surgeries, medication regimens, plus the side effects of all medications and surgeries.
If I failed to properly teach my patients, it could result in their death or injury. I could also lose my license or get sued for malpractice. Patient teaching is a very crucial job. That's why nurses are in charge of it. Nursing assistants, translators, unit secretaries, and other hospital personnel have no business instructing patients, because it's a big deal with life or death consequences.
James says that being a teacher in the church is also a big deal. Church leaders, like nurses, deal with life and death situations. The only difference is that church leaders are liable to God, not a licensing board or to patients and church leaders are dealing with ETERNAL life and death situations.
This doesn't mean that people shouldn't become teachers in the church. This just means that people who teach in the church have a huge responsibility. What they teach better align with Scriptures. How they live ought to reflect God's will for their life. And their testimony better remain intact.
If you're a church teacher or leader, please consider the impact that you have on people. Let's pray for our leaders. Let's pray that they will lead by example and teach the Truth.
Restoration Texas
I don't know if they've been reading my blog, but the Texas Bar Journal published a story in April about the courthouse restoration project that turned our old courthouses into beautiful historical buildings. In fact, they highlighted the Milan County Courthouse in the article! If you're interested in seeing pictures of more great buildings you can read the entire article here: Texas Bar Journal Online.
Photo by Joe Mabel
(CC) Larry D. Moore
(CC) Larry D. Moore
Monday, April 4, 2011
A New Perspective on Clothes
"Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments." 1 Timothy 2:9
During my freshman year of high school, my church youth group went on an amazing trip to Washington D.C. where we had a blast. When I think of that trip, I have to laugh about all the drama that went on between the Senior girls and the youth leaders. Here's what happened:
We weren't given a list of what clothes we shouldn't bring. So, the girls packed their bags and brought the clothes that normal Senior girls would wear. And then the female youth leaders got really mad when the girls pulled out short shorts, short dresses, and spaghetti strap shirts/tank tops. And then the girls and leaders spent the rest of the week fighting about clothing. (Oh, and there was an incident when someone got this great idea to dye her hair too.) The freshmen girls all thought the ordeal was funny. The clothes in question weren't that bad. The girls being criticized were nice girls who were active in the church. And the youth leaders who were arguing about the clothes were the LAST people I would have sought fashion advice from.
We seemed to have a repeat of D.C. on every other youth trip. Why? Because the youth leaders never grasped the proper way to teach modesty. (Personally, I think parents are better suited to teach this lesson--and my parents did!)
As I was reading the Girls Gone Wise book this weekend, I had an enlightened moment. Mary Kassian explains in 1 chapter, what our youth leaders should have been able to teach. She discussed 1 Timothy 2:9 in a way I had never heard it taught. She breaks down the verse into 3 commands:
1) We should wear proper clothing. In the Greek, the word proper is Kosmio and can be read to mean that we are to dress "like the universe, all the parts should be aptly and harmoniously arranged with the other parts." In other words, we are called to dress in a way that is "becoming." This means that just as it is sinful to be too extravagant or extreme with our appearance, it is also sinful to be a frump! Our clothing should look tasteful and "harmonious" with fashion and our body types.
2) We should wear modest clothing. The Greek word aidous stands for humility and shame. We are to dress in such a way that we can present ourselves to God. Adam and Eve needed God to make them clothing when they sinned. And God is the only one who can clothes us in true righteousness and make us presentable to Himself. We need to remember that the way we dress, is the way we want to present ourselves to Him. I've always said that if I am embarrassed to wear an outfit in front of a human judge in court, then I ought to be embarrassed to wear that outfit to church before my Judge. In court, lawyers dress in a way to show respect and to not draw attention to themselves. This is a good rule for real life too when it comes to clothes.
3) We should dress discreetly. The Greek word sophrosunes indicates that we should not dress in a way that is crazy or insane. Extreme fashion and extreme hair or make-up are unreasonable and indiscreet. So are clothes that cost too much. We just need to use common sense and good judgment with regards to our wardrobe.
I think the denim jumper wearing mom, the frumpy former jock, the goth wannabe and the high maintenance beauty queen can all learn something from this verse. We ought to dress in such a way that makes us look good, but doesn't draw attention to ourselves, and ultimately honors God. If my youth leaders in high school had taught this verse in this way and had lived it themselves, we probably wouldn't have had the drama in D.C.
Just remember that sin is the reason we have to wear clothes in the first place. Our clothing is symbolic of the fact that we need something other than our own skin to become presentable before God. He clothed us in righteousness, and we should clothe ourselves tastefully.
Isn't it cool to learn about clothes from this perspective? I didn't mention one word about men and their perception about women and lusting, blah blah blah. Nope. Clothes are for God. So we should be proud of our appearance and make ourselves look appropriate before our Judge and Creator.
We weren't given a list of what clothes we shouldn't bring. So, the girls packed their bags and brought the clothes that normal Senior girls would wear. And then the female youth leaders got really mad when the girls pulled out short shorts, short dresses, and spaghetti strap shirts/tank tops. And then the girls and leaders spent the rest of the week fighting about clothing. (Oh, and there was an incident when someone got this great idea to dye her hair too.) The freshmen girls all thought the ordeal was funny. The clothes in question weren't that bad. The girls being criticized were nice girls who were active in the church. And the youth leaders who were arguing about the clothes were the LAST people I would have sought fashion advice from.
We seemed to have a repeat of D.C. on every other youth trip. Why? Because the youth leaders never grasped the proper way to teach modesty. (Personally, I think parents are better suited to teach this lesson--and my parents did!)
As I was reading the Girls Gone Wise book this weekend, I had an enlightened moment. Mary Kassian explains in 1 chapter, what our youth leaders should have been able to teach. She discussed 1 Timothy 2:9 in a way I had never heard it taught. She breaks down the verse into 3 commands:
1) We should wear proper clothing. In the Greek, the word proper is Kosmio and can be read to mean that we are to dress "like the universe, all the parts should be aptly and harmoniously arranged with the other parts." In other words, we are called to dress in a way that is "becoming." This means that just as it is sinful to be too extravagant or extreme with our appearance, it is also sinful to be a frump! Our clothing should look tasteful and "harmonious" with fashion and our body types.
2) We should wear modest clothing. The Greek word aidous stands for humility and shame. We are to dress in such a way that we can present ourselves to God. Adam and Eve needed God to make them clothing when they sinned. And God is the only one who can clothes us in true righteousness and make us presentable to Himself. We need to remember that the way we dress, is the way we want to present ourselves to Him. I've always said that if I am embarrassed to wear an outfit in front of a human judge in court, then I ought to be embarrassed to wear that outfit to church before my Judge. In court, lawyers dress in a way to show respect and to not draw attention to themselves. This is a good rule for real life too when it comes to clothes.
3) We should dress discreetly. The Greek word sophrosunes indicates that we should not dress in a way that is crazy or insane. Extreme fashion and extreme hair or make-up are unreasonable and indiscreet. So are clothes that cost too much. We just need to use common sense and good judgment with regards to our wardrobe.
I think the denim jumper wearing mom, the frumpy former jock, the goth wannabe and the high maintenance beauty queen can all learn something from this verse. We ought to dress in such a way that makes us look good, but doesn't draw attention to ourselves, and ultimately honors God. If my youth leaders in high school had taught this verse in this way and had lived it themselves, we probably wouldn't have had the drama in D.C.
Just remember that sin is the reason we have to wear clothes in the first place. Our clothing is symbolic of the fact that we need something other than our own skin to become presentable before God. He clothed us in righteousness, and we should clothe ourselves tastefully.
Isn't it cool to learn about clothes from this perspective? I didn't mention one word about men and their perception about women and lusting, blah blah blah. Nope. Clothes are for God. So we should be proud of our appearance and make ourselves look appropriate before our Judge and Creator.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Digging Up the Past...
Friday afternoon I was sick to my stomach. I was actually scared of this weekend. Why? Because I was supposed to coordinate and attend my 10 year high school class reunion on Saturday. Knowing how worked up I was about the event, a lot of people would have told me not to go. But I was the class president--and there were only 18 people in my class! It would have been obvious if I had skipped.
I was really afraid of digging up the past. I have tried (and succeeded) to suppress many memories from high school. My good memories were with my church youth group involving church camp, ski trips, mission trips, pool parties, and movie nights. And my bad memories involved my high school, mean girls, a horrible teacher, and some boys who were just cruel. The funny thing is that on paper, high school was a success. I was on the student council, praise team, yearbook staff, cheerleading squad, National Honor Society, and tennis team. I even had great relationships with most of my teachers. I just didn't enjoy high school. Thankfully, life has only gone uphill since then.
That said, I'm really glad that I attended my 10 year reunion. 9 of the 18 people showed up on Saturday. It's weird how we all went different ways after high school, but we're all still so much alike. Most of my class is married and have started or are getting ready to start families. I think we all share many of the same values. And we're all currently attending Bible teaching churches. It was neat to see that all the time and money our parents invested in a Christian education paid off--at least spiritually-speaking.
When I graduated from high school 10 years ago, I pretty much wanted nothing to do with most of my classmates. But now, I kind of like them. Ok, I had fun with them and would definitely be interested in hanging out with them in the future. I guess time, life experience, and spiritual growth has healed some wounds. The past wasn't as bad as I expected.
I was really afraid of digging up the past. I have tried (and succeeded) to suppress many memories from high school. My good memories were with my church youth group involving church camp, ski trips, mission trips, pool parties, and movie nights. And my bad memories involved my high school, mean girls, a horrible teacher, and some boys who were just cruel. The funny thing is that on paper, high school was a success. I was on the student council, praise team, yearbook staff, cheerleading squad, National Honor Society, and tennis team. I even had great relationships with most of my teachers. I just didn't enjoy high school. Thankfully, life has only gone uphill since then.
That said, I'm really glad that I attended my 10 year reunion. 9 of the 18 people showed up on Saturday. It's weird how we all went different ways after high school, but we're all still so much alike. Most of my class is married and have started or are getting ready to start families. I think we all share many of the same values. And we're all currently attending Bible teaching churches. It was neat to see that all the time and money our parents invested in a Christian education paid off--at least spiritually-speaking.
When I graduated from high school 10 years ago, I pretty much wanted nothing to do with most of my classmates. But now, I kind of like them. Ok, I had fun with them and would definitely be interested in hanging out with them in the future. I guess time, life experience, and spiritual growth has healed some wounds. The past wasn't as bad as I expected.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Maslow's Mess
"Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, it if is not accompanied by action is dead." James 2:15-16
When I was working as a nurse, the cardinal rule of patient care was that you have to tend to physical pain and needs before you can encourage a patient to do anything else. For example, before you get a patient out of bed for their physical therapy, you need to make sure that they have had their breakfast and pain medicine. Otherwise, their physical needs will consume them and they won't be able to mentally or physically accomplish the requested task. It's psychology 101: Maslow's heirarchy of needs:
Maslow was on the right track with that rule, but he missed the point (I'll get to that in a minute). James says that if you really care about someone's physical needs, you need to help meet the needs. Merely having good intentions for other people isn't useful and doesn't show that your intentions are real. It's like giving a patient physical therapy without pain medicine--a complete waste of time and a painful experience for the patient. In the same way, claiming you have faith, but not backing up that faith with actions is useless. No one's going to believe you have faith unless you demonstrate the faith, and you could really hurt your testimony.
As to the rest of Maslow's pyramid, he got really confused, huh? There's not even a place for spiritual needs; instead, the top is self-actualization. If you want to know what a world with self-actualization would be like, just sit in a faculty lounge of any public university. It's nauseating and annoying that so many professors think so highly of themselves and their knowledge. What good does that do to the rest of the world? Not much. Professors exist solely to indoctrinate others with their ideas. Sometimes these ideas are good and useful (nursing school comes to mind), and sometimes they're worth the computer games that the students play during class.
So what should go on the top of the pyramid? How about "the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." Westminster Catechism. How do we get there? Faith first, then good works. Ephesians 2:8-10 says "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Once we're saved, we should exist solely to glorify God. We should demonstrate our faith in Him through our actions to others. We should love others and meet their needs. We shouldn't just say "get well soon" but should bring them meals. We shouldn't just say, "hope you find a job." We should pay their bills if they can't. We shouldn't just teach poor people how to dress for work, we should give them the clothes they need!
If we say that we have faith that God will provide, let's put our money where are mouth is. If we say that we have faith that God will bring us a job, let's stop acting like desperate people. If we say that we believe God will bring us a spouse, let's stop hunting for and dating losers. If we say that we believe that God knows best, let's stop seeking the world's opinion.
Let's throw out the psychology pyramid and focus on the cross! Let's meet the needs of others and demonstrate our faith!
When I was working as a nurse, the cardinal rule of patient care was that you have to tend to physical pain and needs before you can encourage a patient to do anything else. For example, before you get a patient out of bed for their physical therapy, you need to make sure that they have had their breakfast and pain medicine. Otherwise, their physical needs will consume them and they won't be able to mentally or physically accomplish the requested task. It's psychology 101: Maslow's heirarchy of needs:
Maslow was on the right track with that rule, but he missed the point (I'll get to that in a minute). James says that if you really care about someone's physical needs, you need to help meet the needs. Merely having good intentions for other people isn't useful and doesn't show that your intentions are real. It's like giving a patient physical therapy without pain medicine--a complete waste of time and a painful experience for the patient. In the same way, claiming you have faith, but not backing up that faith with actions is useless. No one's going to believe you have faith unless you demonstrate the faith, and you could really hurt your testimony.
As to the rest of Maslow's pyramid, he got really confused, huh? There's not even a place for spiritual needs; instead, the top is self-actualization. If you want to know what a world with self-actualization would be like, just sit in a faculty lounge of any public university. It's nauseating and annoying that so many professors think so highly of themselves and their knowledge. What good does that do to the rest of the world? Not much. Professors exist solely to indoctrinate others with their ideas. Sometimes these ideas are good and useful (nursing school comes to mind), and sometimes they're worth the computer games that the students play during class.
So what should go on the top of the pyramid? How about "the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." Westminster Catechism. How do we get there? Faith first, then good works. Ephesians 2:8-10 says "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Once we're saved, we should exist solely to glorify God. We should demonstrate our faith in Him through our actions to others. We should love others and meet their needs. We shouldn't just say "get well soon" but should bring them meals. We shouldn't just say, "hope you find a job." We should pay their bills if they can't. We shouldn't just teach poor people how to dress for work, we should give them the clothes they need!
If we say that we have faith that God will provide, let's put our money where are mouth is. If we say that we have faith that God will bring us a job, let's stop acting like desperate people. If we say that we believe God will bring us a spouse, let's stop hunting for and dating losers. If we say that we believe that God knows best, let's stop seeking the world's opinion.
Let's throw out the psychology pyramid and focus on the cross! Let's meet the needs of others and demonstrate our faith!
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