Structure At Its Best

Early on as a Christ-follower, I had my quiet time with the Lord down to an art when it came to the time, place, and studies. It worked well. No regrets!

In recent years, not so much...at least in the same way. I began sensing that I had unknowingly allowed my need for structure to settle in to more of a system. (System defined: "An organized and coordinated method; a procedure.")

Quite frankly, I don't want my time with Christ to be defined as a method or procedure -- or any other feel good tactic. I no longer want a clock or a prescribed reading to define my time with Him either. I simply want Him.

This desire will always be grounded in the Word, for where else can we know Him best? While that's where it all begins, worship doesn't have to, nor should it, stop there. Worship isn't defined by the amount of time we stay seated or the number of passages we read.

"Worship is what spontaneously flows out of us when we come face-to-face with Him.
It's the natural response to all of who He is.
Worship is all about God.
It's for Him. Our worship is to Him."
Louie Giglio - "Wired for a Life of Worship"

When is the last time you spontaneously broke out in song because you couldn't hold back your praise any longer? Or read a psalm or other passage aloud to Him as an act of confession or other act of worship? Or sat outside, with a quieted heart, listening to the birds as they sang morning praises to their Maker or prayed for those passing by?

Don't get me wrong -- structure is not a dirty word. Throughout Scripture we see clearly that our God is one of order -- not chaos. Structure simply - and quietly - lays the foundation for a true house of freedom.

As you can see in the above picture, Lord willing, my morning will begin with my grandmother's Living Bible, my journal, and my oh-so-vital reading glasses. But it won't end there. In fact, it will be just the beginning.

"Worship is our response to what we value most."
Louie Giglio

How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! My soul yearns even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young-- a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. Psalm 84

My Name is Cathy, and I am...

...an Office Supply Geek.


I don't know what it is about notebooks, binders, folders, and such. The cool designs, the textures, the bindings. Empty canvases awaiting ideas, doodles dreamed up on a whim, and lists of daily get-to-do's.

Oh, the possibilities!

Friends Who Pedal Together, Stay Together

Imagine my surprise today when I looked up from running to see a familiar face peeking around the corner at the gym. In the few seconds required for the fuzziness to become familiar, I thought it was someone searching for an empty treadmill, but to my delight, it was in fact, my best friend Teresa doing the peeking!

She was in the area and had decided to stop by and give our location a try instead of making her normal trek to Five Forks. I'm sure our smaller facility must have seemed like the slums compared to the state-of-the-art facility, but if it did, she didn't seem to care.

As the calories melted off our hips at a ridiculous pace (experts say visualizing is half the battle!), we caught up on all the latest happenings in our lives. Our hubby's gigs, school updates, a new house and pup...and such. Teresa and I knew when we began attending different churches that we would have to become more intentional in holding fast to our times together, but I doubt we ever imagined sweating while doing so.

The gym, Coach House, our homes. The where has never really mattered. It's always been more about the why. And the why is clear. We're best friends regardless of where we worship, how quickly our children grow up, or how crowded our schedules become.

And that comes as no surprise, my friend.

The Shirt That Tells a Story

Three stories in fact!

Prior to meeting Zach and Sarah for supper Friday night, Brian and I decided to cruise through the local TJ Maxx store. I had a gift card so it seemed like the most logical place to spend time.

In the past, I've been able to find one or two "Life is Good" short-sleeved t-shirts, as well as a pair of LG shorts there, but never have I come across any long-sleeved shirts -- especially with such schweet designs.

I'm convinced that most people purchase these amusing Jake-with-the-dog-in-tow t-shirts because the designs remind them of an enjoyable time or life story-- either recent or reminiscent.

Here's why I snatched up my three-story-telling shirts:

• "Log on" - Long-sleeved shirts, marshmallows, and snuggling up to a cozy fire. It's everything summer is not. My kind of shirt.
  
• "Up 'n' Autumn" - The shirt contains the word "Autumn". Need I say more? I'm ready to kick summer to the proverbial curb and usher in the kind of fragrance only dried crunchy leaves can provide.
  
• "Van Go" - OK, so this shirt is a size or two too large for me, but the VW 70's van had our names written all over it as we one day hope to purchase our own small camper van. It will also serve as a reminder that the kids want to go skiing this Winter! (I have a feeling I just purchased a new pajama top.)
  

Three great shirts + three stories that make me smile + a gift card.

Life is good.

Rewind!

Last Thursday morning, I had the opportunity to attend the Christian Writer's Den, a group of both published and non-published writers who meet in Simpsonville once a month.

Most everyone in attendance is currently working on a novel -- something I have never contemplated, but now admit sounds a bit intriguing!

There was one particular writer, Cynthia, whose work absolutely captivated me! As she read from the pages of her soon-to-be-completed children's book, I couldn't help but jump ahead of her, anticipating the turning of the page, and the story that awaited. The creativity she captured in each rhythmic line was simply awe-inspiring.

I plan to purchase a copy of her book, with or without grandchildren in tow, as soon as it hits the press.

A New Fave for Sure

Any time I read two words -- "love" and "lists", I know something delightful is up!

In the September issue of Better Homes & Gardens, page 20, I saw this blog highlighted. Clean layout, lots of white space, and great tips to boot!

The Write Kind of Life

Writing.

It's a love affair of sorts.

One day, you love it – another day, you’re in love with it.

One day, you’re ignored – another day, it won’t let you be.

Over the years, I’ve struggled with my love of writing. Am I to keep all my thoughts tightly bound in a leather journal or do I dare post them on this blog for all five people to read? :)

Two weeks ago, I didn’t have an inkling as to the opportunity that would land in my inbox. I use the word “opportunity” loosely, but suffice it to say; I’m convinced that God’s fingerprints were all over it. If for no other reason, I sensed His spurring me on in my love affair with writing.

To where will this love affair lead? I don’t know, but it’s a place where I find rest. As the old adage goes, “It is better to have loved and lost than not to have loved at all.”

It is better to have taken the time and energy required in honing my writing skills, even with no guarantee of anything to show for it in the end, than not to have taken the time to write at all.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

The Rule of Twos

While ellipticizing myself in to a frenzy last Saturday, my eyes locked on to an article found in the most recent issue of Prevention magazine written by William Sears, MD. It was entitled, "The Supergrazer Solution". Any title that begins with the word "grazer" and ends with the word "solution" has my full attention.

After developing colon cancer some years ago, Dr. Sears realized that Gut Health 101 could be summed up by what he refers to as his rule of twos:

• Eat twice as often.

• Eat half as much.

• Chew twice as long.

It struck me that the physical benefits found in his rule of twos could also translate in to spiritual benefits when spending time in God's Word.

Eat twice as often.
Need I say more?

Eat half as much.
In the past, I've been guilty of checking off my mental "feel-good list" once I'd read a certain number of passages or chapters. In retrospect, I now realize that although my intentions were good, my goal was more about receiving information rather than experiencing transformation. Now, it's about reading less and meditating more.

Chew twice as long.
Chewing our food properly requires us to slow down. Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still and know that I am God". When we slowly partake of our food, our senses are heightened to the aromas and flavors. It becomes an enjoyable experience (especially if the aroma originates from a cocoa bean). Is it any different when we slow down long enough to allow God's Word to digest - to penetrate - every fiber of our being? What we read becomes a part of who we are rather than a part of our day.

I'm convinced that it is only when we choose to eat more often and savor smaller portions of Scripture that we leave the table nourished, truly satisfied, and more transformed than informed.

Care to join me?

It's That Time Again....

Brian... his band Last Road Bluegrass... playing in Fountain Inn! This is happening Saturday night, 7 p.m. in downtown Fountain Inn across the street from CVS.

I'm looking forward to hearing the new tunes on their latest CD. Should be a lot of fun. :) I'm proud of my hubster.

Bring your chair and join us if you like!

Destination...

Lake Lure!

We had such a great time with the extended family last Spring, we decided to head back to Lake Lure for a weekend getaway in September.

Although we searched for a place in the Rumbling Bald Resort, there was only one golf villa available that was pet-friendly. It was carpeted and seemed a bit dark. So the search continued. Then I came upon this home and it was love at first sight (okay, maybe twentieth sight...I looked at a lot of places!).



For $25.00 more, we were able to snag this 2600 square foot house with lots-o-light, hardwood floors, and a pool table in the basement area. While it's not on the lake, it has beautiful views of Chimney Rock and other surrounding mountains. And it's only a mile from the downtown area so it will be fun to explore a different side of the lake.

At first, we were a bit bummed by the fact we wouldn't be on the lake, but Brian and Zach will probably play a round of golf (the owner has resort passes we can use) and we'll stay busy throughout the day. We also hope to take the official afternoon/evening cruise around the lake, so we should get our fill. :)

We're also hoping to give kayaking another try! For everyone else, it was pure pleasure -- for me, the first 30 minutes was a "lion" straight from Mark Batterson's pit. But the final minutes were fun and relaxing. I believe the lion may have been tamed!

Apparently, since our last visit, the resort has also added stand up boards, better known as SUP's. We saw them in action while at the beach -- they look like a lot of fun and a good way to become well acquainted with the water.

Hopefully, by the end of September, the weather will be cooler, the breezes more brisk, and the weekend will seem more like a week. :)

Destination: Ahhhhh.....

Sunday Snippets

• Tray Strawhorn, one amazing young man who recently returned from a summer missions trip in Haiti, shared about his adventures with our group Sunday morning. Pictures of the children from the orphanage could melt even the hardest of hearts. Their bright wide smiles contrasted sharply against the poverty and destruction in their midst. Tray shared how he set his summer plans aside and simply asked God to lead him where He wanted him to go. God is already using this VT student in ways he never dreamed... and one can only imagine what God has planned for his future. I personally can't wait to find out!
• At the end of group time, we all grabbed something and headed to our "new" room which we plan to begin using next Sunday morning. Our stadium-seated (no windowed) room worked well initially, but some found the steep stairs hard to navigate, and there were other reasons as well. Our new room has two big windows! Yes, a small detail -- but it's a detail not lost on those of us who thrive on sunlight.
• Brian and I went to Joy of Tokyo for lunch and rested for most of the afternoon. It was a nice break and fun to catch up with the hubby over steak and rice.
• A NASCAR race, a mini-nap, and a search on the internet for our next weekend getaway all made for a relaxing time.
  
• Later in the afternoon, we checked out a few places for camper vans (long story...another posting) and ended up trying out the new ice cream shop in downtown Simpsonville (within walking distance of our house! ha....) It's located in the old train depot -- great ice cream (soft serve!) and unfortunately for my hips, the servings are more than sufficient. It's a place we'll visit occasionally and enjoy...
• You know it's been a good day when you can end it by watching Masterpiece Theater's, "Cat Among the Pigeons" by Agatha Christie. We're a new fan of Detective Poirot's!