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Brenda Who?

Have you ever met someone—three times? A dear, sweet, busy young mom and I have met three times now. Each time, I introduce myself to her, and each time, she states what a joy it is to finally meet me, because we have a mutual friend. She has many things on her mind, so when someone says to her, “Have you met Brenda yet?” she is undoubtedly put on the spot and her mind hurriedly tries to race back to the present instead of wondering how she’s going to accomplish everything she needs to do. She’s a genuinely kind woman, so I never take it personally when she states, “No, I don’t believe we’ve met.” I just reintroduce myself, shake her hand, and reply that I’m sure she meets many people in a week, and I say, “My name is Brenda.”

A few friends and I are reading Early To Rise: Learn To Rise Early in 30 Days, by Andy Traub, and we are taking his 30-Day Challenge to get up earlier (you don’t have to get up early—just earlier). In the midst of torrential rain, thunder, lightning, and a cloudy mind, I obediently got out of bed this morning when the alarm went off. I tried to remember exactly why it was that I wanted to get up earlier, and after heading out to the kitchen to make strong coffee, I remembered that I wanted to spend part of that “extra” time studying and meditating on Scripture.

It seemed almost ironic that today’s Scripture reading was Psalm 139. Though a familiar chapter, it contained one specific truth that hit me afresh this morning: “I awake, and I am still with You.” (v. 18, NIV) God didn’t wake up (He never slumbers or sleeps: Psalm 121) and have to remind Himself to think of me. I woke up, and He was still with me! How amazing is that?

I take great comfort in that thought. The greatest Servant of all is standing there, from my first waking moment, asking me, “How may I serve you today?” In learning more of His love for me, I cannot help but reply, “No. How may I serve You?”

By Petals from the Basket | April 10, 2013 | Bible Reading, Friends, God-and-I-Time |

The Chain of Productivity

This past Friday night, I was in one of those “if-I-don’t-do-something-other-than-work-tonight-I’m-gonna-freak-out” modes! I think that’s one of the great drawbacks of working from home: the need to occasionally compartmentalize my work space and my living space; otherwise, my work is always around me! However, the perks far outweigh those moments, so please don’t view that as whining!

At one point in my life, that feeling would have ignited the need to head to the mall or a great store somewhere to buy a new outfit, a new pair of shoes (of which, at that time, I had a gazillion plus seven—in every possible color and shade!), or maybe a great new gadget for my home! At another point in life, it might have entailed an evening out to an awesome restaurant for an evening of fine dining with a friend or two—or six.

For several reasons, my current stage on Friday night meant that I needed to stay home and rearrange something. So, I decided to tackle my bedroom. It’s a great room (not huge: just right), but there’s a very large window on one wall, and the door and a nice-sized closet are on the opposite wall. It limits where things can go, so I haven’t changed my room since I moved here almost four years ago. Eeesh! I get hives just thinking about something being the same for that long!

I basically moved the room from a horizontally based perspective (the room view was based on the “short sides”) to a vertically based perspective, where the room is now all about the “long sides.” It’s funny how a simple change like that could change my perspective in more than just visual areas! With my newly transformed room completed, I was inspired to work extra diligently on my writing course. I signed up for a 30-day “Early to Rise” e-mail reminder to help me increase my seemingly stale level of productivity. I updated my ideal weekly schedule—and color-coded it, of course! In other words, watch out world, Brenda done got inspired!

It’s funny to me that one little creative change set off a chain of productivity like that. There’s no great spiritual truth in that—believe me, I tried to think of one to share with this post—but there is a great reminder of the principle that I must keep moving forward and not grow stagnant in my creativity, my knowledge, or my character development. Sometimes, all it requires is taking the first step, and the next step just seems to follow. Accomplishment breeds productivity!

What first step do you need to take today? After you take that first step, feel free to come back and leave a comment to share what you did—and help ignite the fire of productivity or creativity in others!

Recommended reading: Philippians 3

 

By Petals from the Basket | April 8, 2013 | Ideas, Life Changes, Organization |

Book Review: Unexpected Love

Unexpected Love: God’s Heart Revealed in Jesus’ Conversations with Women, is a well-written book by Julie Zine Coleman. Though I had not read anything by Ms. Coleman before I selected to receive this one from BookSneeze in exchange for an honest review, I would definitely read more of her work!

The author takes often-misunderstood stories from Scripture and teaches those of us who are reading her book that Jesus was kind, respectful, and generous in nature to women of His day—and to us. This was not a common practice for men in those days, and the passages Ms. Coleman selects to share are often questioned because we tend to view them through modern-day filters.

Ms. Coleman looks at the following women in the Bible and carefully, honestly, and brilliantly sheds a light on Jesus’ interactions with them: Mary (His mother), the hemorrhaging woman, the sinful woman, the Syrophoenician Woman, the Adulterous Woman, Martha, the Samaritan Woman, Salome, and Mary Magdalene. With a strong emphasis on the fact that Jesus us meets us where we are, the author’s thorough research and her ability to clearly tell the stories in an understandable yet intelligent way make this a book worth using as a group or individual study.

 

By Petals from the Basket | April 7, 2013 | Books |

Taking the Next Step—Providing a Resource

“Ideas and Resources for Everyday Christian Living”—that’s the tagline for this blog. I’ve mentioned that line several times over this last year, but as you know, I love forward momentum. My desire is not only to use the blog to share places where resources can be found but also to provide a way for the blog to be a resource of its own.

Over the next several months, I’ll introduce some of these thoughts and ideas, and I’ll implement them gradually. But there is one that I simply can’t wait to begin: “Teen Talk Tuesdays!” Let me give you a brief back story and then share some fun news.

The Background

As a single woman who has never had a spouse and never had children, I will transparently share with you that I am often disappointed that we as believers often (not always!) compartmentalize our teaching within generational groups. One thing I loved about my former church in the Detroit area—from the first time I attended as a visitor in the 1980s—was the cross-generational interaction within the body of Christ. I’ve not seen many churches that do it as well as they do, so for that particular area, I give props and a shout out to Inter-City Baptist Church of Allen Park, Michigan. My current church, Spring Creek Church of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, runs a close second! I love learning from other women (and men) of all ages. I view each person I meet as someone who can teach me something—regardless of the year of their birth!

In writing the final stages of the major revision for The ABCs of T2:3, I have been reminded in my study of Titus 2:3-5 that teaching the younger women falls on all of us; as my mother often shares from what someone told her: “Each of us is older than someone!”

So, I would like to try something brand new for me, and something that will be a brand new element of this website. Every Tuesday during the summer months of June, July, and August, I will be handing over the blog (for that day) to two teen contributors. This will be a mentoring time for them, and it will give them the opportunity to try their hand at writing/blogging on an existing site. In the process, Petals from the Basket can be a resource for teaching, encouraging, and edifying young believers in using their talents and desires through this platform.

But, I need your help.

I need you to help spread the word by telling your friends, your students, and your children, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews about this opportunity! Starting today, and running through May 15th, I will be accepting “applications” for teen writers. This is a non-paid position, but a position that I hope will allow all of us to encourage those who are younger than we are—you as the supportive readers and I as the blog host and mentor. Two professional writers and I will be selecting the winners from all entries received. Please note that all five elements of the guidelines must be met prior to acceptance of the application.

Here are the guidelines.

1. Applicants must be between the ages of 13-18 at some point during the 2013 calendar year. The applicant may be either female or male. The blogger should note that the primary readership of Petals from the Basket is female (though we have numerous male readers) and literally range in age from 13–92!

2. Applicants must provide written consent from at least one parent or a legal guardian. This consent form will be sent to the applicant once the application essay is received.

3. Submit a short essay on the impact a Christian teen can have through blogging. Please note the impact as it relates to unbelievers, believers, or both. In addition, please include a minimum of one Scripture verse (please include the text of the verse and not just the reference).The essay must be double-spaced and at least one-half page in length. It should not exceed one full typewritten page. Please include your name, city, state, and an e-mail address where you may be reached—with the consent of your parent(s).

4. On a separate page—not as part of the essay—please share your faith story (testimony) in one-half page or less. (Because the focus of this blog is faith-based, this is an important step if I am to hand over the blog to you twice a month!)

5. Submit your two-page entry (essay and faith story) via e-mail attachment (either a Word document or a PDF) to PetalsfromtheBasket(at)gmail(dot)com. [Please use standard e-mail fomatting: this is altered to avoid spam.] Please use the words “Teen Talk” in the subject line. All entries must be received by midnight, CST, on Wednesday, May 15, 2013. The two winners will be announced on Friday, May 17, 2013. Two winners will be selected. Each winner will submit two blog posts a month for his or her two assigned Tuesdays (six blog posts total) in the months of June, July, and August 2013.

I look forward to taking this next step and reading your essays!

 

 

By Petals from the Basket | April 5, 2013 | Bible Reading, Events, Ideas |