G-force. It references free fall. The g in g force stands for gravity, being the force in which you fall in gravity. For most people that is their understanding of g-force. It was mine too, until I picked up my little miss on the last day of school this past week. Normally I would wait outside in the car for her, but this half day I went inside to help carry the containers that held her birthday cupcakes. Summer birthday's don't make for good class parties so the teacher allowed a last minute 'party' with the class. 

As I approached the classroom door 10 minutes before class let out, I could hear loud sobbing. I thought maybe they were doing a play or that someone had been hurt, but when I looked in I saw the teacher, Mr. G surrounded by kids who were sobbing and crying, heartbroken to see the end of the year. Only four kids out of 21 were not crying. On my way out, I could spot Mr. G's students by their elephant tears and heart wrenching sobs.

Mr. G was a firm but fun teacher who pushed his students hard, who gave out 'power pills' (skittles) and was generous with the compliments and tags that resulted marble parties. Life of the party for sure, but also someone who experienced deep sorrow. In his 25th year as a 2nd grade teacher he was,…yet claimed this was his best class ever. They will be forever changed by the small things he did everyday this past year. 

Sometimes it's easy to think that we need fame or fortune to change the world, but reality is the biggest impact happens on a much smaller scale. Mr. G just changed the lives of 21 students. Jesus influenced a group of 12 men who carried his message to the world. Both demonstrated that the biggest impact is a result of burying and planting seeds of hope, encouragement, and love in another person's heart. That's the g-force and it's how you change the world.


Image details: Mr. G's favorite quote

On Sunday my dear husband and I celebrated our 17th anniversary. The reality is we have 3 anniversary dates, this one being the official church wedding date. (1 was for immigration purposes and 3 was for a vow renewal after separating briefly...long story.) 

In my web wanderings this week, I came across this nugget: 15 blogging tips from John Newton. John Newton wrote Amazing Grace, being qualified to write such a song because of the life he led before Jesus called him and he finally listened.

Tony Reinke, the author of this post uses excerpts from Newton's writings to support his points. These stood out to me:
"But I trust, while my heart continues to beat, it will feel a warm desire for the prosperity of souls; and while my hand can write, and my tongue speak, it will be the business and the pleasure of my life, to aim at promoting their growth and establishment in the grace of our God and Savior" (3:304–305)."

and  

 "Oh! that the power of God would set my heart and pen at liberty while writing, and fill your hearts while reading, that we may rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory" (6:18).

Seems there is nothing new under the sun...writing to benefit others. The main difference is the breadth of reach, instead of 1 to 1, bloggers can potentially reach an infinite number of people. Blogging takes courage because the words we put out there are up for criticism and evaluation.

Blogs also provide a window into a life. These are a couple of lives I've been glimpsing into: 
http://aisforamyinafrica.blogspot.com/
http://www.lauraparkerblog.com/
http://hishandshisfeettoday.blogspot.com/
http://mendingheartsandbendingknees.blogspot.com/
http://everybitterthingissweet.com/

Hope you enjoy their writings!

I have a fascination with rags to riches stories. It's amazing to me that someone can pull themselves up by their bootstraps and make it. Most of them tell of how they slugged through with the tenacity of a bulldog until they made it. One such individual is the man who invented the Dyson vacuum cleaner – he toiled for 17 years and built 50 prototypes and almost went broke before he lurched over the hill to success.

Some people believe that poverty can be alleviated without charity. Ankesh Kothari writes, "Give the poor people heroes. Tell them rags-to-riches stories. These stories will satisfy their hunger a lot more effectively than any free food programs. Because these stories will empower the poor people to earn their own food instead of relying on charity." (Source: http://www.nontoxin.com/how-to-eradicate-poverty-without-doing-charity/)

I'm not sure what his belief system is, but it seems he just described what Jesus did for everyone. His story is the most astounding rags to riches story ever told. Really when you think about it, it's quite miraculous.

Here are some thoughts about this, from www.revelation.co:
1. Jesus was born in a poor manger in poor circumstances (very humble circumstances)
2. He  grew up as a well liked person (according to the bible).
3. His parents were relatively poor his whole life
4. Jesus never had any formal education that we know of–and yet every day schools all over the world teach about Jesus.
5. He started his public ministry around the age of 30 (and before that worked as a humble carpenter).
6. He picked 12 "nobodies" to help him with his teachings (the disciples). These men were mostly poor, and uneducated (not exactly who I would pick if I was trying to change the world).
7. Jesus never wrote a book so far as we know–yet thousands upon thousands (if not millions) of books have been printed about him.
8. He never had a lot of money throughout his whole life, –yet millions of dollars are given every year in his name.
9. He was homeless throughout his ministry, and yet thousands upon thousands of buildings and churches bear his name throughout the world.
10. He never traveled more than a few miles in his life, and yet his teachings were so profound that it spread throughout all the world.
11. Jesus never made a movie, and yet movies and plays are recorded about his life every year.
12. Jesus never wrote a song as far as we know, and yet people write music referencing Jesus’ life and death.
13. After only 3 years of teaching, he was killed on the cross. Yet his messages, miracles, and teachings were so incredible, that the disciples spent the rest of their lives telling others. Many died terrible deaths, were tortured, thrown in prison, and worse. Yet, they continued to tell everyone of the message of Jesus. They could have stopped, and been spared. Many were told that if they didn’t stop teaching, they would be stoned to death. Yet many chose being "stoned" to denying what they saw and felt.  

Just think about it: Millions pray to God every day in Jesus’ name. Millions hear his teachings every week in church. Millions wear a "cross" around their necks. Millions of people argue, go on forums, debate, and talk about this Jesus person. Every day, Jesus is taught, thought about, prayed to, and more.
(Source: http://www.revelation.co/2009/02/01/jesus-the-best-rags-to-riches-success-story-in-history/)

It's because people who have experienced Jesus and his story have been changed by it. We all are in spiritual poverty, spiritual poverty due to sin. But when Jesus cleanses us from sin and begins working on the rough spots in our character, our countenance and hope changes. Our whole perspective changes…we have become children of a (conquering) King, adopted as his sons and daughters. He lavishes on us the bounty that is his: peace, love, mercy, hope, and wisdom. Our riches are his Glory. 

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe." – Ephesians 1:18-19a
(New American Standard Bible ©1995)

This weekend we attended the 90th birthday of my dear husband's great aunt 7 hour drive  away. On the outside looking in this could appear to be a boring event, but the reality is events like this are a teaching ground and place to connect. Here's what I learned:

1. Opportunities to build relationships need to be taken even when it seems inconvenient. 

2. God's glory can be revealed in a bright smile or in a quiet room one small stitch at a time. 

3. Sunset rides on the back of a four wheeler driven by your husband are awesome and a great way to get a temporary tan (from the dirt).

4. Nothing beats beef brisket.

5. Be careful about giving a quilter fabric. They might just want to make you a quilt.

6. Try to get to church early so you have time to encourage and welcome other people. (credit goes to my father-in-law for this bit of wisdom)

7. Mullets are making a comeback. (Yes you heard it here first!)

The funny thing about blogging is I tend to write about things I'm thinking about or that strikes me as interesting. It's hard to balance trivial posts with deeper ones so I guess you get what you get. Seems I've been delving deep lately so this one is one the lighter side…the happenings at our house.

The last few weeks it's been tree removal. The first tree, a 60 foot giant in our front yard, was systematically removed by my dear husband with the help of his dad. There is nothing like keeping your prayer life strong then seeing your husband precariously perched on a 40 foot ladder leaning against an old tree with a chain saw in his hand. We were so thankful that all ended well, and the tree is gone.

After that ordeal we decided to hire the backyard tree done (see above photo). A tree company in our neighborhood offered to cut it down for less then our other quotes so we said sure…take it away. And they did, but not without some hair raising moments due to the brittle dead limbs (and it was close to the house). The company owner came by and was surprised to hear that my dear husband had taken down the front tree. He knows the danger involved and told us that just that day he had driven by a house where an elderly man was on a ladder attempting the same thing because he didn't have the money to hire a tree company. The tree guy told him he'd rather have his guys do it for free then see him risk his health and safety over a tree.

The moral of the story...always hire a tree guy. It's just not worth the risk.

As designers sometimes you are asked by clients to add a bit of pizzaz to a design. Make it 'pop' they'll say. It's always difficult to gage their meaning, but from a designer perspective we hear add some clutter. A well crafted design should be subtle without the need to look like it's been bedazzled.

Reading a portion of Zechariah this week, I came across this verse. "The LORD their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. (speaking of the coming of the Messiah - Jesus) They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown." Obviously God is not going to bedazzle us (like glittering sheep), with a glaring obnoxious shine once we become his. He, like a good designer :), takes a more subtle approach. He adorns us with peace, he declares us beautiful, he covers our sin, he gives us strength to face the great heartache and lonely struggles so that we sparkle among those we live. 

According to Dan Allender, author of Intimate Allies (listen to him here), one of women's primary fears is being 'too much'. Too much emotion, too much feeling, too sensitive, knowing and sensing too much. This coupled with a man's tendency feel they aren't enough and to quickly move on from emotionally upsetting situations makes for a recipe ripe for disaster. 

The website, Combating Pornography, describes the process as follows:

"Unfortunately, one partner’s attempts to make things better may be at odds with the other’s sense of where things need to go. As a result, husbands and wives can end up putting all their effort into cross-purposes. For instance, let’s say she’s hoping they’ll get to the point where they can talk openly about the problem, while he really wants to get to the point where they’ve moved past it. To him, her efforts seem counterproductive, and vice-versa. As she becomes more adamant about the need to talk, he tries to avoid the topic more. Rather than feeling understood, she feels dismissed. She concludes that he doesn’t take the problem seriously enough."

It's interesting how this dynamic feeds into her fear of being 'too much' and a man's fear of not being enough. Also interesting is how Jesus handles the 'too muchness' of a woman in the story of his trip through Samaria. "Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days." (John 4:39-40) Not only did he talk with her through her history, pain and struggle, he stayed two extra days. I wonder what he said to her right before he left...

When you have a business, writing proposals is part of the job. They are time consuming and usually more than a few pages. Having just completed a 20 page proposal it got me thinking about the varying lengths of proposals. Part of the art of proposal writing is knowing whether to go long or short.

A marriage proposal is one of the shortest in length. Four words: 'Will you marry me?'. Usually the response is instant. (Maybe the shorter the proposal the quicker the turn around?). Though short - answer and proposal - it's impact is life long. 

I think God is a fan of simple proposals. This is his 'I love you, will you believe and trust in me to save you?' Again an answer of yes or no can have huge ramifications on life. 

Check out these fun marriage proposals…
And these stories of people who said yes to God's proposal.

Image Credit and to purchase: Zero Comrade on Deviant Art

So my son has a sore throat. I gave him some Halls lozenges to see if that will help. Each lozenge wrapper contains messages like 'You got it in you' or 'Don't try harder, do harder' or 'Take charge and mean it'. Just the things you want to hear when you are feeling crappy.

Reality is life is full of moments when we feel less than capable. The life of an entrepreneur, for example, is not for the faint of heart. Nor is it easy for anyone stepping out of their comfort zone to start new ventures, whether it be a business, adoption or non-profit. Creating today's graphic reminded me of the messages God sends us in his word. Somehow they have more sustenance than the 'buck up' messages on the wrappers.

Be encouraged today:
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:8-10