The Good Stuff

I've been reading health books lately—The Gluten Effect, Metabolism Miracle, Seven Layers of Health—plus visiting a plethora of websites discussing health issues. And the bottom line is, to be healthy, we must fill up with good food and clean water.

For too long I've taken a fast-food approach to home cooking. I call a cake made from a box a homemade dessert. Instant potatoes? Definitely a home-cooked entrée. Soup from a can? Yes! Kind of makes me cringe. What it really comes down to, if it doesn't come from the earth—or a tree—or a healthy living animal (I do eat meat) it isn't the best choice.

Most health books are shouting out a universal message: we need to eat better! Too much bad stuff is happening to the food we buy at the grocery store. I've got to fill myself with healthy, living food—or I'll continue to suffer the consequences.

And then, just as quickly, my mind dashes off to an important correlation. While food intake can make a startling difference between me feeling great or not, what I fill my inner self with is dramatically affecting my soul's inner strength, stamina, and well-being. What do I fill myself with? What programs and movies am I inhaling? What talk am I participating in that fills me with anger, frustration, or stress? Are the things I read, watch, and spend my time doing beneficial to my spiritual growth? And will a quick meal of worship and hearing a word on Sunday morning be enough to feed me and make me strong throughout the week? Is it the kind of good-stuff nutrition I need to walk through my life? Or is the quickie Sunday morning stuff kind of like fast food?

We need to fill up with the good stuff.

To live strong as a believer I need to fill myself with the fullness of the Lord in my house, in my own closet place, throughout the day, before I go to sleep, and the first thing when I wake up in the morning. To know Him personally, I need to be filled with His anointing oil—the best oil in His kingdom—and let it seep into my pores, into my bloodstream, and heart.

Did you realize, if you divide your body weight in half, that's how much water, in ounces, you should be drinking a day? That's a lot of water! Our bodies are made up of about 60% water, and our blood is over 90% water. Impressive. We must daily replenish this supply.

And so it is, for our minds to be renewed, our hearts to be recharged, our lives to be changed, we need to fill ourselves with Jesus daily, to rest at our Father's feet daily, to be filling up with the Holy Spirit's presence daily.

A little taste of healthy eating isn't enough. We have to be radical about it if we want to see a vibrant change in our body. And so it is in the spirit. A little spiritual fast food won't suffice.

We need more. I need more.

More, Lord.

Mirror Talk

Do you ever stand in front of the mirror and remind yourself of something? Sometimes I do that. Sometimes I have to tell myself the same thing over and over until I start to believe it. And even then I wrestle with myself over the idea.

You may think that's really silly. And indeed it does seem that way. But as I talk to myself, it's good to hear someone say the words--even if it's me--and I know that over time, my inner self will begin to realize the words are true.

Now, I won't tell you all about my mirror-side conversations, but I will share one thing I say on a regular basis. I look in the mirror and boldly proclaim, "You are a writer." 

You might wonder why I would need this ritual when the definition of a writer is "one that writes" and I do.

Maybe it's because my personal definition of a writer is more like...one who writes successfully. Or one who writes for many to read. Or one who can write the first draft exceedingly well.

People say writers write every day. And I don't. People say writers write because they can't "not" write. And that simply isn't true for me. Sometimes I go a couple of months without writing anything besides emails or posts in twitter.

I wish to be that person who writes snappy and cool every day, where the words flow like honey off my spoon. But so far, that isn't me.

I'm a playwright, in the process of editing my 18th stage play--and yet, I still need to tell myself "I'm a writer." 

It is humorous.
But one of these days, I may actually believe myself.

Do We Ever Feel Satisfied?

What does it take to satisfy us?

An amazing piece of chocolate?

A great movie?

A personal accomplishment?

A perfect moment with our family?

The best-ever date?

These are some of the things I love. Moments that make me say...ah.
But the satisfaction in these amazing times are short-lived.
They don't last.
I wake up wanting something more.
Something else.
They don't fill the empty space in my soul.

The only place and the only One I've ever discovered true, lasting satisfaction in is when I spend alone-time with Jesus. He is my satisfaction. My fulfillment. My everything.

Minutes—hours—with Him change me, absorb me, fill me like no other.
Jesus Christ transforms my longings...aches...aloneness...with Himself.

His love, mercy, joy,
Changes everything.
And makes me satisfied.

What is a "radical" Christian?

I ordered the book Radical by David Platt.

Before it arrives, I find myself questioning what it means to be a “radical” Christian.

In my Christian walk, there were times when I was “on fire” for the Lord. Other times I fell into religiosity. And the saddest of times, mediocrity.

The hot. The cold. And the lukewarm.
I've lived them all.

Right now, in the autumn of my life, I'm experiencing a deep hunger to know the move of God, to walk in a fervency in Jesus like I've never experienced before, to listen to the Holy Spirit on a moment-by-moment basis. Sometimes God's love and His presence is so big, so wide, I barely know what to do.

But there's one thing I do know...I don't want anything to do with religiosity. A token hour spent in church on Sunday morning won't suffice ever again. I want so much more.

So I've decided to make a list of what I think being a “radical” Christian is before I read the book Radical. I may be way off, but I'm going to start with a few things like...

• being willing to give up everything...houses, cars, comfort.
• to have nothing, so I can give everything.
• to serve anywhere Jesus asks.
• to share the Gospel like today is my last day to do so.

What do you think being a “radical” Christian is? Are you dissatisfied with the status quo of Christianity?

A Tribute to Trouble Junction

Messy James & Calamity Pain are ready for the bad guy.

I love live theater. There's something sparkling and exciting about watching people perform onstage. This summer I wrote and directed a young adult theater production called Trouble Junction--A Wild West Spoof. This was my second young adult theater play, my 22nd lifetime production. 

The thrill of opening night never dims. Whether a small or large crowd shows up, the excitement on each actor's face is contagious. We perform for three nights in a row. Usually the first night is the smallest crowd, but the energy is sky-high as actors finally get to speak in front of a live audience for the first time. We've practiced and practiced, all the while wondering whether or not the crowd will "get it". Is this part funny enough? Will they understand that line? 

At the sound of applause and laughter, a sigh ripples through me. I was holding my breath up to that point.

Laughter is a language of its own. It gives reassurance that we're doing a good job, we're being successful in our comedy, and they want more.

Sad plays like sad stories still abound, but there's something pretty special about a night out with lots of laughter and joy. And for me, there's nothing in the world like watching a live performance, mistakes and all, especially one like Trouble Junction.

I know I'll never forget it.

A Close to Home Journey

It's been a stay home summer for me, but one day a few weeks ago, my husband and I climbed Schweitzer Mt in Sandpoint, Idaho. It was a 2.5 mile climb. We hadn't even planned to hike that day. They actually have a nice chair lift you can pay to ride. But when we drove up the mountain road, something inside of us wanted to take on a challenge.

Sometimes there are things in life that you just want to do. It might not make sense. But the doing brings such great satisfaction. My husband and I faced a mountain, and climbed it together.

It was our journey.
Alone.
We hadn't brought enough water.
I had sandals on.
But it was a wonderful trip. Just him and me.
On this day we were celebrating 36 years of marriage.
Many mountains and valleys we had climbed together.
Our special journey.

Is THIS the Right Road?

I can't believe three months have passed since my last blog.

Recently I've taken a writing break. I was busy finishing up my big production, but—I hate to admit—I got discouraged with my book writing. I even told myself I was not a writer. It was silly, I know. But it was there, nonetheless.

Writing is a gift.

Maybe one I've taken for granted.

For now, I'm taking it slow and seeing where the Lord leads. After all, it is His gift, and the road of His choosing is the one I want to follow.

We are on a journey, every one of us.

The road sometimes veers in a direction we hadn't expected. With all of the potholes, sharp corners, and difficult climbs, we might wonder if we are on the right road.

Faith, in all its wonder, bids us to keep moving forward. Always believing. Always trusting He is working for our good.

And He is.