Lori

A few weeks ago I said I would be writing posts about people who have "marked" my life in some significant way.  Well, it has been crazy, busy and I'm sure there are even more people who have been added to the list but today I'm getting ready to see one of my dearest (was going to write oldest, but she isn't old) friends, so she is who you get to hear about this time.

Lori is kind, gentle, generous, persistent, kind, strong, beautiful, kind, creative, hardworking, and oh, did I mention kind?  You know those people that make you think differently, ask better questions and hopefully bring out the best qualities in you?  Well, Lori is one of those people in my world.  We haven't lived in the same city for more than 5 years now but she still influences the way I do ministry, forgive people when I'm hurt and helps me remember that true kindness is as valuable as being right.

I have learned to love people that I will likely never see because Lori brought them to life! She helped kids (and adults) learn about other kids that don't look like us. eat like us or play like us, but that God loves as much as He loves us. 

She is the one person who could say, "Debby, go in your office and close the door.  I will let you know when you are allowed to come out and talk to people again." By the way, this was usually after a very long day in the office when all of my "filter" was gone. 

I really could go on and on about what a terrific wife, mom, daughter, friend she is and I could tell you story after story of how we laughed until we cried but let me just say this:
If there has been a time when I have interacted with you and spoken a kind word rather than just being direct, it might have been influenced by this woman's ability to speak truth in love.

I am forever "marked" by this most amazing woman, can't wait to see her again!

Christine

she may appreciate not having her last name mentioned here but she will know who she is!
Christine has beautiful, sparkling blue eyes and a contagious smile.  I have never seen her look frazzled!  Now that doesn't mean that she would have reason to be frazzled, just that the normal mom, wife, family, work, church and school stuff never seems to dampen that amazing spirit.
She is the only person I have ever met that would show up to do something just because you put her name on your list.  She loves kids, everyone's kids...especially the ones that are hard to love! 
I will never forget this crazy lady who lives in the frozen tundra but radiates Jesus like a roaring fire.  She has changed who I am and I will always be grateful. 

"marked" by people

The other day I started listing some of the places I've lived (and ministered) and how I have been changed by them.  That short post ended up reminding me of God's faithfulness to me and those I love.

It also reminded me that places alone don't leave the marks that make us who we are; the people who enter our lives are what do that best. And I have had the privilege of knowing my fair share of people.  As I think through the people who have marked my life (and ministry) there are a couple of categories.

1. People that are still in my life, and hopefully always will be. I hope that I am as precious to them as they are to me.
2. Those whose relationships may have been short but marked me in ways that still make me feel valued, loved and make me a better person.
3. Those who left marks that were painful, but used by God to draw me closer to Himself.

Each of us could likely make a list of people who fit these categories...I'm not going to do that here.  Instead, I'll write a little something each time one of these people comes to mind.

This really isn't for you...just a way for me to mark God's faithfulness in my life.

A review of Nudge by Leonard Sweet

I have been a fan of Leonard Sweet's writing for many years so I am very pleased to have the opportunity to review Nudge for the Ooze. 

The subtitle of this work, Awakening Each Other to the God Who's Already There, provides a great framework for the rest of the book. At it's heart this book is about evangelism but not the confrontational, I have all the answers type of evangelism with which we are so familiar.

Sweet's contention is that we need to be watching closely, listening intently, even tasting with more intention so that we can discern where God is already present so that we can "nudge" others in His direction.  Allowing them to experience Him as He is already active in their lives.


My recommendation is that you read this book slowly, spend time and pay attention to the way God uses it to "nudge" you toward Himself.

Marked

What kinds of things have "marked" you?  You know - those people, circumstances and places that change you.  Lately I've been thinking about the things in my life that have made an impression, have changed who I am, have marked me for the rest of my life.  Some of them feel like crazy, amazing blessings while others were excruciating at the time; but all of them can be used by God!  I'm reminded of a phrase I heard my friend Tina use when telling her story, "no wasted experiences."


Here are just some of the places (experiences) that I want to make sure are not wasted:

Grand Rapids - so many amazing things there!  people that I absolutely love with all of my heart, a church that saw qualities in me I didn't knew existed and a terrific place to raise my babies!
Southern California - learned that I'm probably never going to be a beach bunny but made a couple of friends that I hope to have forever.
Detroit - experienced some smoothing of some sharp edges - met Tina there.  I will never forget her.
Fargo - what's to say about Fargo...too much and not enough for this short blog!  I have some very funny stories to share over coffee :)
Chicago!  here now...hoping that God has us here for many, many years to come.  it has been less than a year but I will be forever marked by these people, this place and this time.  grace is abundant and people are real...God is good!

People and circumstances are for another time.

A Review of Chasing Francis

After giving several mediocre reviews of selections from The Ooze Viral Bloggers I am very pleased to be able to highly recommend Chasing Francis by Ian Morgan Cron.

This work of fiction pulls you in immediately.  I generally avoid fiction so that I can spend my time on books that will challenge a way of thinking or teach me something, this book does just that! Walking the journey from lost faith to renewed faith with Chase Falson (and St. Francis) was both moving and challenging.


I would recommend this book to every "evangelical" who wants to be challenged to live a life or lead a church that will truly impact their world for Jesus Christ.  
#ChasingFrancisSpeakEasy

Review of Sacred Unions, Sacred Passions

In the last several months I have read and reviewed quite a few books from for The Ooze - Viral Bloggers.  This time I am doing a short review of Sacred Union, Sacred Passions by Dan Brennan.

I started this book with anticipation but finished it, just relieved to be finished. While I really appreciate the need to engage one in relationships with people of the opposite sex and would agree that we lose when we do not. It felt as if Dan was stretching the biblical narrative to fit his position.  This seems especially true when he speaks of the relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene.

In addition to these concerns, it was just a difficult read. Too many outside sources and writing style that is difficult to follow.

This subject certainly merits further discussion and I would love to see more written on the topic. Follow this link to read other reviews of this work.
http://viralbloggers.com/2010/04/sacred-unions-sacred-passions-by-dan-brennan/