Friday Jumbles

Alright bloggy people...here are my thoughts for this week:

--In this, the final chapter of the Chronicles of Charmia, I would like to report to you all (because, of course, you care) that the last of the John Wayne toilet paper is now currently somewhere in the depths of my septic tank. And in the drawers beside each toilet??? My beloved Charmin. (sigh) I considered taking this Chronicles of Narnia analogy to another level, renaming characters with potty words, but alas, as I thought it out to its logical conclusion, it took me down a road for which I would inevitably have to apologize. And so I won't.

--While eating my mini wheats yesterday morning, I noticed a claim printed on the box that stated that it is "clinically shown to improve kids attentiveness by nearly 20%." Oh, whatever. How in the world did they come up with those results and how can they be proven? Don't you love random studies and the claims they make supported by rediculous percentages?

--Perhaps I am a bit narcissistic, but I am pretty sure that I am the only person who seems to get the shopping cart at Walmart that has the broken wheel.

--In the spirit of thoughts two and three above, I would like to assert that I get a cart with a broken wheel on approximately 81% of my trips to Walmart.

--I am still reflecting/chewing on all of my notes from Catalyst last week. As leaders we should make time to fully digest all of the information and inspiration on which we feed. To swallow it whole and consider it no more will never bring about personal growth.

--Leaders who do not continually learn and grow are like hood ornaments. They serve absolutely no purpose in their ministry/organization

--Lesson from last nights' episode of The Office: Spelling is everything. Astrid....Astird....hmmmmm.

--You must check out Eddie's blog post from yesterday. Two words: armpit hair.

--And finally, if you are going to simmer pot pourri on your stove so your home will smell nice while the realtor is showing it to a prospective buyer, you should turn on the burner underneath the pot rather than the burner in front of it. One of the seven wonders of the modern world is the fact that my house is still standing and not a sad, charred heap of good intentions.

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The Sexual Christian

I know, I know, the title is unforgivable, but I swear it really is the title of a book. Years ago I was at the home of a friend and on her bookshelf was a copy of this book which is now out of print. In true "beth" style, I cracked up laughing because, really, doesn't it sound like a line from a Saturday Night Live skit? "I'm Beth Taylor and I AM........the SEXUAL CHRISTIAN!"

Anyhoo, as cornball as the title sounds, it is true that as Christians we should be comfortable with our sexuality, and as married christians we should be all about loving the spouse God gave us. After these years of pastoring I am well acquainted with how many troubled marriages there are in the church and how sexual dysfunction runs rampant among Christians. What is so very sad is that God intends for sex to be this incredible gift, but so often the church has no idea how to teach people to unwrap and enjoy it. I long to see marriages healed and husbands and wives free to give themselves wholeheartedly to one another. It is important for older couples with healthy marriages to come alongside younger couples and mentor them, giving encouragement and counsel as they work through their issues. Yet sadly, many couples struggle in a hellish, private world where they have no one with whom they can unmask and find the fulfillment that they find so elusive.

If you are struggling in your marriage, if physical intimacy is less than magical...do not lose hope. God can heal and restore, inspire and ignite. It is His deep desire that you might know heaven on earth. It is not some intangible fairy tale. It is real. And you can have it. Seek out that couple in your life that has a marriage you envy and pursue them as marriage mentors. Don't hide and pretend that all is well when you are dying inside. It could be that all you have to do is ask.

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Slip Into Something Comforting...

Humans are funny creatures.  When life gets unpredictable, scary or disappointing, we reach for whatever will bring us comfort.  For some of us that might be a favorite "comfort food" or even a comforting drink.  If the drink happens to require proper ID, well that is a whole other level of comfort.  Some folks reach for a familiar book or movie to bring them the comfort of escape.  And me?  Well, being the overachiever that I am, I reach for the "comfort combo".  This usually consists of one of my three favorite chick flicks accompanied by something luscious and chocolatey.  If this doesn't do the trick then I just have a little more chocolate and watch movie number two.  I know, I know...I should reach for something spiritual, but honestly now, dark chocolate IS a deeply moving and religious experience.  Really.  So what do you do when you need a little comfort??

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Out Of Seclusion

I am holding my breath as I write this post.  I have been blogging on this site for nearly a year and I have not yet written about the one issue in Christiandom that keeps me up at night.  I am passionate about a number of things, but this one issue is the sum total of all that has consumed me for the past two decades.  And this one thing is how the church limits women in leadership and how God wants to set them free.  

I became a Christian when I was fifteen years old and I began chasing God with a passion unlike any I had ever possessed.  I was mentored by my youth pastor, Ray Owens, and in all of those years I was never told that there would be limits put on me because of my gender.  I was raised in a home where gender was never an issue and I was always told by both of my parents that I could do anything to which I applied myself.  At the age of twenty I married a man who adored me and wanted to see me fulfill all of God's plans for me.  We were, and still are, a true team.  We walk side by side and we lead those around us hand in hand.  No heirarchy.  No power struggles.  Just mutual respect and mutual laying down of our lives for each other.  All was right in my world.

And then I met "the church".  After leaving the safety of Ray's leadership, I ran right smack into the deepest disappointment I have ever known.  And it has taken me nearly two decades to come to a place where I am now free to come out of seclusion to begin publicly speaking and writing about this.  It has taken me this long to understand that God's heart is not reflected in the church's narrow and culturally influenced interpretations of a handful of Scriptures.  It has also taken me this long to hear God's voice calling me out to be an instrument of revolution in His church.  I assumed that a man would need to be the one to proclaim freedom to God's daughters.  And there are a few.  Lee Grady is one such man and so is my amazing husband.  David Joel Hamilton and Loren Cunningham number among them, as well.  But God has also called me and the time is now.  I have nothing against the church.  I love her because God loves her.  I am not "against" anything.  I am "for" seeing God's heart exposed on this issue.  I have no axe to grind, I have a sword to brandish...the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.  And His Word has much to say.  But not what you have most likely heard.  So I am out and I have some things that I believe He would have me say....

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Inspiration Buffet

Many of the bloggers I read have posted notes from each of the Catalyst speakers.  Rather than do that, I am going to offer a tasty sampling of the high points (in my opinion, of course) from some of the speakers that truly spoke to my soul:

Tim Sanders:

   -A true leader gauges reality and gives hope.

Seth Godin:

   -Positive deviants: you have to do something people can criticize.

   -Become heretics! (person who holds controversial opinions in an area)

   -A heretic is someone whose faith is so deep, they are willing to endure the criticism of the status quo.

   -Heretics don't let the rules of religion get in the way of their faith.

William Young:

   -Can you get through your theological paradigms that don't work but you hold on to?

   -Many Christians have a problem with the book's depiction of the Trinity as a circle of relationship rather than a chain of command.  God is inviting us into His circle!

   -God has an affection that is relentless in our direction.

Jim Collins:

   -A "to-do" list without a "stop doing" list shows a profound lack of discipline.

   -Invest your time in being "interested" rather than "interesting".

Steven Furtick:

   -God is preparing you for what He is preparing for you.

   -Don't forget the promise and forfeit the payoff because you fainted in the process.

Andy Crouch:

   -There is something that you can create in our culture that may otherwise go undone.

Andy Stanley:

   -Pay attention to the people who are breaking the rules.  It is the rule-breakers who are often 

        the problem-solvers.

Yum yum!  Hope you enjoyed the random sampling from the feast that is Catalyst.

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Friday Jumbles

Wow...what a week...here goes...

--I am staying with friends who watch ER and I am about to pass out. This is not entertainment, it is torture. For all of my bloggy friends who find it entertaining to watch blood and pain and trauma, I must ask, "What is WRONG with you?????"

--I LOVE Catalyst! Thank you my good friends Tara and Chris (Hilderbrandt)!

--If you have never used Big Sexy Hair root pump, go get you some. I ran out recently and had to use something else. NOT a blessing.

--I will be posting some notes from the Catalyst Conference next week. Sharing the love...that's what I do.

--In my ongoing efforts at having a thankful heart for even the small things in this life I would just like to say how nice it is to get new underwear. Some folks only get excited over something big like a new car, and rightly so, but I get pretty dang happy over five new pairs of panties. And I don't care who knows it. Obviously.

--I missed the Office last night. Whatever will I do? Not to worry...my teenagers will re-enact the entire show for me when I get back home Saturday.

--I realized this week how much I need to write. I have felt sad and out of sorts at times during this transition, especially this past week, but when I sit down to write, I am at home and peace settles over me. I somehow find myself as I sit and stare at a blank screen with my fingers poised over the keys. I thank God for the solace of this gift.

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The Gift of Catalyst

Woo hoo!  I am away at Catalyst today!!  My merciful friend, Tara, from Tarpon Springs gave me an extra ticket she had so I am in Atlanta at the conference with her and as happy as a hog in slop.  I am not sure how much hogs really like slop but I am loving being here.  It has been a few years since I have been and it is good to be back.  There is an amazing line-up of speakers this year, such as Dave Ramsey, Seth Godin, Tim Sanders, Billy Graham, Craig Groeschel, Jim Collins, William Young (The Shack), and the list goes on.  More later,  my bloggy friends...

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