Looking Ahead

Today is the last (sniff) day of my month of blogging for you (honk). I know you can’t possibly have enjoyed it as much as I have, but I do hope you gleaned a few nuggets of insight or were at least mildly entertained at my expense. I’m trying not to be too sad (sob) because the guy who’s coming in here next is one I’m looking forward to hearing more from. He should also relieve this blog of all its hearts, flowers, rainbows and other estrogen-induced ramblings and give it a nice dose of testosterone. (And all the guys breathed a sigh of relief.)

Not-So-Shy Guy Update
In the meantime, I promised you an update on how things are going with this guy. Well, he calls me at work a lot and makes me laugh (you didn’t just read that, Bill), and tonight he is taking Mack and me to see Ice Age 2. Apparently, he and Mack have the same fond affection for that nut-crazed squirrel.

So last night, Mack and I did what all ordinary girls do in preparation for a date: We bought new shoes. Mine are these strappy, studded numbers in bronze (a purchased justified by a matching purse at home) and hers are these cute little sandals with hearts cut through the wooden sole. I will probably file my fingernails, which haven’t looked decent in months, and I also bought some new cream to tame my frizzy tresses, all the while remembering this Zits comic I read awhile back:

In it, Jeremy’s girlfriend Sara is explaining to him that before a girl goes out, she concentrates primarily on her hair and her shoes. Meanwhile, Jeremy’s sitting there with this bubble thought over his head that says something like: “Man! And we guys only notice the stuff in between!”

So . . . even knowing my currently French pedicured toes will be the last thing on his mind, I’m still waiting impatiently anyway for him to pass the test of all acid tests: acknowledging the stunning gorgeousness of my feet, which happen to contain the world’s cutest toes except the little one that has a corn on the side. Unless he begins oohing and aahing over my feet pretty soon, I’m not sure how many more times I’ll be willing to go out with him.

Amish Update
Since I also promised you an update on how the Amish people reacted to their five days in Mississippi at the hurricane relief camp, I called Sabrina for a report. She said they had very mellow week; the Holy Spirit didn’t do anything to make anyone freak out. No demons got cast out, no one got slain in the spirit. Therefore, they probably left thinking whoever said Rick was the anti-Christ must’ve just been jealous of the fact that he bears a close resemblance to Barney Rubble.

I learned a few more interesting tidbits as well: The Amish are modern enough to cook cakes from box mixes, and they call all non-Amish people “English” while calling themselves Dutch. Most of them are also bilingual, speaking Dutch (German?) and English. Cool, huh?

The Finale
Well (sniff) this is the end for a while, at least until I get Kent all the articles I have in the works for him (but don’t hold your breath, Kent). I’m looking forward to the future though. Now that I have my own place and my own kitchen, I can’t wait to have some victims – I mean, friends – over for meals I’m just learning how to cook. Mackie is also looking forward to having her first sleepover (although I’m not . . . okay, maybe a little), and we’ve got vacations scheduled for June and December to Colorado and Vermont, respectively.

I hope all of you I’ve recently gotten back in touch with as a result of this blog will stay in touch (and I’m sure I will since most of you have blogs of your own).

So, as always it’s a good life living for the Lord! Peace out!

(SNIFF)

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

The Blog Wars, Round 3

You've been with me long enough and enjoyed them so much that they no longer need much of an explanation . . . Yes, Shana and Robert are continuing to battle it out in Round 3 of the Blog Wars. The topic this time is "Pet Peeves" and boy, are these capitalization-averse bloggers ticked off.

Check out Robert, of where the sidewalk ends: "whenever i encounter one of these fell beasts in a group or at a party, part of me longs desperately to be standing on a grassy knoll with a smoking rifle and at least one less regret."

And Shana, of if only it were fiction: "i wish these types of people could be quarantined together on an island. then, all their business would be made public, their insecurities could be openly mocked, and all those other irreverent things that they do could be imposed on each other instead of the rest of us."

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Things Better Left Said, Part 2

[You gotta love this guy's humility. He could definitely teach me a thing or two about that.]

Dear Wendy,
Somewhere, deep in the recesses of my mind, I was afraid that you'd label me a reprobate and not even respond. I know it's silly but there was a fear there.

I'll probably spend a lot of time reading and rereading your response. There's a lot of wisdom in there and I appreciate the fact that what you say has come from your experience and commitment in prayer and reading the Word with an open heart, seeking answers.

That will also be a good start for me to alleviate my Pharisee personna. You can use my email in the blog. I'm sure it will bring about a few comments and perhaps it'll help you end your month with a bang.

As for carrying on the coversation, I'm at a loss for words. I see my error, know where to start with fixing it, but until I get the opportunity to pass the test again, I really don't know how I'll do. I've learned that whether it is intentional or not, I am always judging people. I'm really not a bad guy or a mean spirited Christian. Most anyone will tell you that I'm very loving, compassionate, and merciful.

I often answer questions that come in on our church website about all sorts of dilemmas. I always copy them to my pastor and bishop. Once, Bishop XXX wrote me back and said that my gift in writing was that he'd never seen me once fail to proclaim truth in the most compassionate, loving, and non-judgmental way. He said that while I showed people the right way, there was never an ounce of condemnation in my tone if they were in the wrong.

But that's what I come off as. That's what I want people to see because deep down, I know that's what Jesus would be but the real war looms in my mind. I guess it just bothers me that I can't just love people and let it stop at that. I have to judge them. I can't stop it - I've really tried.

I have an aunt who has been a faithful Church of God member all her life. She's never touched her hair with a pair of scissors, her standards put us to shame, her life puts me to shame. She is a constant rock of faith, prayer, and loving God and people. I know she has the Holy Ghost as I've heard her speak in tongues, but she has not received a revelation of the oneness of God. I mean, she is really sincere.

But now she has cancer and it torments me wondering "Will she go to hell if she dies before getting baptized in Jesus' Name?"Now, there's a part of my thinking that is good here. I don't want her to be lost and I have shared my beliefs with her but she doesn't agree. Is it ok for me to simply relax my fears and say "God will judge, He knows best." Or should I really be actively telling her "NO, Acts 4:12 says there is NO other name. . "

This is another part of my dilemma. When do I cross the threshold of caring vs. judging? For the time being, I have come to the conclusion that I have done all I can do, and I should not speculate, but leave it in God's hands. That doesn't mean, however, that I won't go through the same process the next time I encounter a similar situation. I just want to know where the line is.

Ok, I never meant to write that much. But feel free to use me in your blog. ;)

Soooo . . .
What advice would YOU give to this Anonymous Guy?

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Easter Story Cookies

Part 2 of Things Better Left Said will be coming up later on this evening, but in the meantime, a friend of mine sent me this recipe for Easter Story Cookies, and I thought it sounded like an awesome idea to do with your children, grandchildren, nieces/nephews, etc.

Easter Story Cookies
To be made the evening before Easter
(Heard on The Scott Wilder Show)

You need:
1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important-don't wait until you'rehalf done with the recipe!)

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. ReadLuke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matt. 27:65-66.

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt. 28:1-9

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Things Better Left Said, Part 1

By the way, the results from ninetyandnine.com's State of the Apostolic Nation - Media Consumption is up this week. Definitely go check it out; it's quite interesting and quite telling. And now, for our feature:

Dear Wendy,
I have a very serious problem. It bothers me very much that you’re rubbing shoulders and helping out down there with people who are not Oneness Pentecostals. In fact, it makes me downright uncomfortable. I feel like somehow you are a compromiser for not throwing a hissy fit and making every last one of them go to the water right now and get baptized in Jesus Name. Deep down, when I read your blog, I want it to end with “And then I told them that they’re all going to hell unless they obey Acts 2:38.”

And I am deeply ashamed that I feel this way, so please do not tell anyone. But it’s true. I feel this way and I know that it is wrong for me to do so but it is what I have been taught by the church since I was a little boy – that we can not fellowship with other denominations because their theology is flawed and wrong and they don’t know who Jesus really is and they’re lost.

How screwed up is my mentality? What kind of person would profess that he loves God yet squirm in his seat at the very mention of helping desperate people if it meant working with Methodists and Baptists and trinitarians? My whole attitude and my emotions betray what I’m saying with my mouth. I feel like I should get a “Pharisee” t-shirt, go stand on the corner and pray really loud for as long as I can. At least then my words would match up with my heart.

I’m not saying that our doctrine isn’t true or that it should be silenced for the sake of getting along, but what is wrong with me that I take this so far as to feel like association with people who believe different somehow makes me a less holy person? Where is the line? How does someone in your situation share truth in love. When can you say “Hey, what’s your take on Acts 2:38,” without coming off as the mean little church lady with her legal pad, deciding who gets to go to heaven or not?

How do we, as Pentecostals, hold a bright message of truth and simultaneously rid ourselves of this disgusting arrogance we have developed? And finally, how many of your readers probably feel the same as I do to some degree but will never admit it? Or am I the only true nut job out here?

Dear Anonymous Guy,
Ah, I do love your honesty! And I am so glad you are thinking about these things. Sit back, put your feet up and relax, because I have lots to say about this subject.

First of all, you're not nuts. Check out the article, The Nut Test, by my man Wayne Jacobsen and you'll see why I think that. And then let me assure you that you have not expressed any thoughts or feelings that I haven't experienced myself thousands of times. Like you, I have been taught from an early age that "we can not fellowship with other denominations because their theology is flawed and wrong and they don’t know who Jesus really is and they’re lost."

Now, I hope I'm not twisting Kent's point here, but you remember what he said in that last ninetyandnine.com article he wrote, Controversialists or Revolutionary Traditionalists? Which Century Are You In? He wrote about scripturally rethinking issues that "are reframing models of thinking that may have worked even 10 years ago, yet are noticeably deflating today." He even went as far to say, "Sometimes that reflection is unusual and mold-breaking compared to previous mindsets, but that doesn’t mean it’s neither scriptural nor effective."

I loved the way he put that, because I guess that's what I am: a scriptural rethinker. And I've come up with some ideas that would probably be considered non-traditional by most A/P standards, particularly in this area. In my blog the other day, I quoted John 17, which also includes the following in verses 14-19,

"I have given and delivered to them Your word (message) and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world [do not belong to the world], just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that You will take them out of the world, but that You will keep and protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world (worldly, belonging to the world), [just] as I am not of the world. Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth. Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And so for their sake and on their behalf I sanctify (dedicate, consecrate) Myself, that they also may be sanctified (dedicated, consecrated, made holy) in the Truth (emphasis mine)."

Now, we know that when Jesus was sent into this world, he spent large chunks of his time hanging out with sinners and doing things that were traditionally thought of as sinful by people who followed the letter of the law and totally missed the spirit of the law. I think I can tell you in one word why He did that: relationships.

You asked, "How does someone in your situation share truth in love. When can you say 'Hey, what’s your take on Acts 2:38,' without coming off as the mean little church lady with her legal pad, deciding who gets to go to heaven or not?" From all that I've learned so far, I believe I can tell you the key to that lies in the power of building relationships. I've been downright amazed to discover what happens when you work alongside a person, or become a person's friend, or help a person. When you are demonstrating that you truly care about a person, that opens the door to a tremendous opportunity to share what you believe and have that person be receptive to it. I think I should add, too, that I discovered this by accident. When I came down here -- and I carry this principle into my own life -- I had no agenda to proselytize or preach. I just wanted to serve and love people without strings attached. And in doing so, I've been given opportunity after opportunity to share what I believe.

Another thing I've learned is just to relax. Jesus said He would build His church, not me. I'm not in control; He is. He's in charge of who belongs to His body and what they believe; all that He asks of me is to remain faithful to all He's showed me. Truth need not be silenced for the sake of getting along, but we can -- and should -- present truth without cramming it down people's throats, without conducting what I call "guerilla warfare": showing up, hollering out our message, and then disappearing without ever investing our time into the lives of others like Jesus did.

I do need to throw this in here, as well. When I work with folks or build relationships with people who disagree with me on certain issues, I always try to keep an open mind. I know who I am and why I believe what I believe, so there's a line in my heart that doesn't get crossed. Still, there are still a lot of things I don't know, and those people have taught me and blessed me as many times as I hope I've taught and blessed them. It's important, I think, to have that give and take so that the relationship doesn't feel one-sided. I'm not about patronizing people. When I am non-judgmental and receptive to discussing their beliefs, more times than not they will return the favor.

Finally, God showed me something awhile back about wheat that I think is applicable. Now, we know that in the harvest, one plants, another waters, and God gives the increase. That's the funny thing about wheat: we don't create it and we can't make it grow. It's already there; all we have to do is just gather it into the barn. And I believe a large part of that wheat God wants to harvest is among those who already call themselves Christian. That's why I'm here.

You asked, "How do we, as Pentecostals, hold a bright message of truth and simultaneously rid ourselves of this disgusting arrogance we have developed?" The answer, I think, is simple. Be Christlike. Follow His example. Believe that truth isn't more important than love, but that love is the most important part of truth.

And since we're being honest here, allow me to be blunt: Yes, I agree your attitude reeks of Phariseeism, and you should really examine why that's so. But cheer up: Very few Pharisees ever realize they're Pharisees. That means there's hope for you :) In fact, I used to be quite a Pharisee myself, and look at me now! Of course, I owe all that to the transforming power of my Savior and feel deeply appreciative that He loves Pharisees too.

Can I use this convo in my blog? Like you, I believe there are a LOT of A/Ps out there who feel the same way as you but just don't have the guts to say anything, and they might appreciate having this question answered.

As always, this can be an on-going convo if you're so inclined. Thanks, as always, for the fascinating conversation :)

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

More About the Amish and the Geek That is Me

Considering the 80-some-odd coming down to the hurricane relief base house this week, my job was to make sure Sabrina, Rick’s daughter and the chief cook and bottlewasher, had a relaxing weekend. So we went out and got pedicures, and boy! Do my feet look even more beautiful than usual!

We got to know each other a lot better, and she couldn’t believe I used to be a first-grade geek as a teenager, so I convinced her with this picture of me at fourteen:


Meanwhile, a couple from Kansas bought Rick a plane ticket home, where he went to de-stress. And believe me, Rick was definitely stressin’ there for awhile.

See, apparently, the group of Amish people coming down are from the same part of the country as the last bunch – the ones who are no longer Amish. Also quite apparently, some folks aren’t too happy about what’s been going on down here among their young people, to put it delicately. This group has been warned twice that Rick is “anti-Christ.” They’re pretty concerned, and seem to be pre-judging, but they’re coming anyway because they can’t cancel their bus reservation.

Unfortunately, I won’t be there to witness what happens. I had to make a quick trip back home to take care of some family issues that cropped up, so my two-week vacation has been cut in half, much to my disappointment. However, I’ll try to get you guys an update before my month is over.

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Deeper Things

This place has a way of getting under my skin, of seeping into my bones. It’s almost like an addiction, the reason I keep coming back. I love what I feel here, I love the person I am here, but it’s hard to precisely define why I feel that way.

I breathe easier here. I am not judged by human standards and found wanting; I am loved and accepted solely because I am a beloved child of God. Here I can question to my heart’s content and am given latitude to come to my own conclusions, surrounded by a safety net of a multitude of counselors. Here, I am not expected to busy myself with a bunch of religious activity and obligations; the good works that I do flow only from the abundance of life within me. Here, I am not expected to measure up to anyone’s ideal except what Christ would have me be. Here, I can minister and be ministered to. Here I am well watered in the gentlest of environments, and here I blossom easily. There’s no pretense, no striving, no condemnation, no need for lengthy explanations because I’m already understood. Here, I am truly free to be who I am in Christ, nothing more and nothing less.

I have no intent to portray this place as paradise, because it certainly isn’t. I’m pretty sure paradise has more bathrooms. But there are things I find here that I have yet to find elsewhere. There are places, among the family of God, that we can experience, for a precious, fleeting moment in time, the kingdom of heaven on earth. And to me, this is one such time and place.

Neither am I alone in my thinking. There are many who have come to visit and never left. Others return time and time again, bringing someone with them every time. There’s something special about this place, and although we may not be able to describe why, we all know it.

We're not here because of all of the work being done. In fact, we're well aware that another tumultuous hurricane season could wipe out in an instant everything our physical efforts have accomplished in the past seven months. We're here because God is working here, and He's graciously invited us to come along.

That, and also because Sabrina cooks ribs like, at least once a week.

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!