Process - a series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end. I'm talking about mental processing here.
Dennis and I do this differently. He is an inward processor and I'm an outward processor.
Inward = sorting through thoughts, feelings, ideas, and dreams without expressing them until a conclusion (or near) has been reached. Expression of any thoughts usually happens selectively and strategically.
Outward = expressing thoughts, feelings, ideas, and dreams openly, often with several people, and not just at any one time, but rehashing them over and over again in order to reach a conclusion.
Did you catch the beginning word of each phrase? His starts with sorting, then expression; mine starts with expression, then sorting. And by the way, this isn't a gender thing, it can go either way.
This can get tricky in our marriage (more for me than him :). Well, tricky for me, but he can go crazy with my outward processing - "Honey, I'm done talking." This transitional time in our lives gives me the opportunity to put into practice what's it's taken me nearly 30 years to discover. Proves the point that marriage is a lifetime of discovering each other.
I've got just a few women in my life (this is where I am selective and strategic) who love to process out loud, providing a wonderful platform to rehash all my thoughts. And, I ask God to help me keep in pace with Dennis' processing, so I don't weigh in on his thoughts too soon. Finally, we both come to a place where we can dialogue (this takes discernment on my part) about all that we've been sorting through inwardly and outwardly.
So, after all the processing and lots of prayer, I know we'll get to some conclusions about our future. What about you? Inward or outward processor?
2.25.2008
2.21.2008
Trust . . .
Although this passage is very familiar to us, Proverbs 3:5&6 is something we are taking to heart and desiring to live out in our lives right now.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
He knows the path ahead. I really have no clue, so I'll follow his lead.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
He knows the path ahead. I really have no clue, so I'll follow his lead.
2.15.2008
Fears . . .
There's a reason I started memorizing Psalm 34 last November. No, I'm not done yet. I've got 15 verses down, 7 to go. Actually (and I don't use this as an excuse), I've been mulling a few of these verses over in my head for some time now. So, even though it's taking me a little while to get the whole chapter down, the verses I have memorized have sunk deeply into my heart. Several of them have become my heart's prayer.What I thought were verses for one thing, became verses for yet another. Little did I know then that God would use these verses to prepare me for what I know now. . . Dennis and I finding ourselves in a place of transition.
To be quite honest, the question of what's next? can produce anxiety in me. The known to the unknown, the familiar to the unfamiliar. Usually when we make a change it can be pretty significant, so you would think by now I would have these life transitions down to a science, but no, the "faith versus fear" class always has lessons to teach me.
Psalm 34:4 - I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears.
I can trust Him.
He will keep my thoughts and my heart quiet and at rest as I trust in Him (Phil. 4:6-7). Quiet and at rest. . . the complete opposite of fear.
I will trust Him.
Psalm 34:8 - Oh, the joys of those who trust in Him!
2.12.2008
Receive His Love, Follow His Lead. . .
This past Sunday was a big day in our lives and in the life of Spring Lake Wesleyan Church. It is definitely a bittersweet time as we make ready to leave a wonderful church family, treasured friendships and a community that we have enjoyed, while at the same time anticipate what God has in store for us in the months ahead. Dennis' announcement given on Sunday will give you a glimpse into our hearts as we have come to this decision of resignation.
Receive His Love, Follow His Lead. Flowing out of my summer Sabbatical, those words have been a sort of mantra for me over these past months. Nearly 11 years ago, following His lead brought us to Spring Lake Wesleyan Church. With great confidence on our part and yours, we began this journey together to fulfill His purposes in this community, region, and world.
Over the past few weeks, God has been leading again – this time to lead us to resign and complete our ministry here.
Gwen and I have always followed God’s leading to be released before pursuing any next place. We have no options yet for our future nor have we pursued any possibilities. We have great peace in this leading and believe that God will open up a very clear sweet spot for us in the days ahead.
Some might ask, “Did this decision flow out of the Sabbatical?” I answered before I left that it was not my intention to leave going into the Sabbatical, nor was it my intention when I returned. I did come back with a resolve and a surrender to receive His love and to follow His lead. That resolve and surrender has led us to this point of resignation today.
It would be hard to describe the grief we are experiencing in this decision. We are grateful to God for all He has led us through – the forging of friendships; the development of leaders; so many shepherding moments; growth in teaching times; deep times of prayer; the Unexplainable God Factor; and – perhaps most of all, life transformation.
These moments are way too brief and way too early to begin sharing how much joy Gwen and I and our family have experienced in our lives over these past 11 years. It has been a privilege and an honor to be your pastor. We celebrate the journey of prayer, faith, love, and hope we have shared.
Gwen and I plan to complete our ministry among you in late May. The time will go by quickly but we look forward to treasuring this time with you. We love you and thank God for the joy it has been to serve this God-blessed congregation.
Dennis and I would greatly appreciate your prayers for SLWC as they process this transition and for us as we trust God for our future. No doubt, my blog posts over the next few months will keep you updated as to how God is leading.
As I create this post, another snowfall blankets Spring Lake :). Perhaps someplace warm?
Receive His Love, Follow His Lead. Flowing out of my summer Sabbatical, those words have been a sort of mantra for me over these past months. Nearly 11 years ago, following His lead brought us to Spring Lake Wesleyan Church. With great confidence on our part and yours, we began this journey together to fulfill His purposes in this community, region, and world.
Over the past few weeks, God has been leading again – this time to lead us to resign and complete our ministry here.
Gwen and I have always followed God’s leading to be released before pursuing any next place. We have no options yet for our future nor have we pursued any possibilities. We have great peace in this leading and believe that God will open up a very clear sweet spot for us in the days ahead.
Some might ask, “Did this decision flow out of the Sabbatical?” I answered before I left that it was not my intention to leave going into the Sabbatical, nor was it my intention when I returned. I did come back with a resolve and a surrender to receive His love and to follow His lead. That resolve and surrender has led us to this point of resignation today.
It would be hard to describe the grief we are experiencing in this decision. We are grateful to God for all He has led us through – the forging of friendships; the development of leaders; so many shepherding moments; growth in teaching times; deep times of prayer; the Unexplainable God Factor; and – perhaps most of all, life transformation.
These moments are way too brief and way too early to begin sharing how much joy Gwen and I and our family have experienced in our lives over these past 11 years. It has been a privilege and an honor to be your pastor. We celebrate the journey of prayer, faith, love, and hope we have shared.
Gwen and I plan to complete our ministry among you in late May. The time will go by quickly but we look forward to treasuring this time with you. We love you and thank God for the joy it has been to serve this God-blessed congregation.
Dennis and I would greatly appreciate your prayers for SLWC as they process this transition and for us as we trust God for our future. No doubt, my blog posts over the next few months will keep you updated as to how God is leading.
As I create this post, another snowfall blankets Spring Lake :). Perhaps someplace warm?
2.07.2008
Say it ain't snow!
Okay, so I'm a little obsessed with the weather these days.
Today I was to meet someone for lunch and had to call Dennis home to shovel me out of the driveway because my car got stuck in the packed mound of snow the snowplow left at the end of the driveway. While we were out shoveling the car out, the mailman came by and just handed us the mail since he wasn't going to make it to the mailbox.
Later I decided to walk out to the front of our house and capture a picture of the snow and found the newspaper bagged and thrown on our driveway because the newspaper delivery man couldn't pull up to our paper box. I found it somewhat amusing to read the headlines, which is the title of my blog - Say it ain't snow!
And you wonder how it is that I'm preoccupied with the weather? We've had 73.4 inches of snow this season, 14 inches short of the total for last season.
Here's some pictures of the stuff, whatever it is. Say it ain't snow!
The forecast? More snow!
Today I was to meet someone for lunch and had to call Dennis home to shovel me out of the driveway because my car got stuck in the packed mound of snow the snowplow left at the end of the driveway. While we were out shoveling the car out, the mailman came by and just handed us the mail since he wasn't going to make it to the mailbox.
Later I decided to walk out to the front of our house and capture a picture of the snow and found the newspaper bagged and thrown on our driveway because the newspaper delivery man couldn't pull up to our paper box. I found it somewhat amusing to read the headlines, which is the title of my blog - Say it ain't snow!
And you wonder how it is that I'm preoccupied with the weather? We've had 73.4 inches of snow this season, 14 inches short of the total for last season.
Here's some pictures of the stuff, whatever it is. Say it ain't snow!
The forecast? More snow!
2.05.2008
Sunning in the Dentist Chair
Yesterday I had my 6-month dental check-up. The hygienist gave me yellow tinted goggles to protect my glasses from the cleaning elements. Tilted back in the dental chair with the bright lights shining down on me, I closed my eyes and for a moment I imagined I was out on the beach on a bright, sunny day soaking up that warm sunshine. Oh, how I wish! OK, I admit, these cloudy, gray days of winter are getting to me.
Here's the 10-day forecast for Spring Lake. It looks like next Wednesday there might be a ray of sunlight shining through. I'm really, really, missing the sun!!
Here's the 10-day forecast for Spring Lake. It looks like next Wednesday there might be a ray of sunlight shining through. I'm really, really, missing the sun!!
|  High not valid after 2pm | ||||||||
| 33°F | ||||||||
| 28°F | ||||||||
| 33°F | ||||||||
| 31°F | ||||||||
| 12°F | ||||||||
| 20°F | ||||||||
| 28°F | ||||||||
| 30°F | ||||||||
| 33°F | ||||||||
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