Here are a couple of "blog housekeeping" updates I wanted to bring to your attention:
I have added a "subscribe to" option to my blog. This will allow you to receive an e-mail notification when there is a new post rather than having to check in periodically. It is in the top right corner. Let me know if you have questions or need help with that.
Also, I changed the settings so that anyone can post a comment. Those of you who had mentioned having trouble with that can now comment to your heart's content!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
The Clutter Battle
I'm engaged in a clutter battle and winning. I've been inspired by www.FlyLady.net. I have started asking myself "is there anything here I would rather not have?" and I am amused by how often I give an emphatic "YES!"
This past weekend Aaron and I went through our nightstands and I cleared off my dresser. I had a too small jewelry box from childhood that caused more harm than good to be brief. I had been wanting to make something to display my jewelry neatly and finally just did it. You gotta love functional art. :)
One day I tore through a box of old school notebooks. I only saved about 4 things, releasing this stack of papers to be recycled. That felt so good!
This past weekend Aaron and I went through our nightstands and I cleared off my dresser. I had a too small jewelry box from childhood that caused more harm than good to be brief. I had been wanting to make something to display my jewelry neatly and finally just did it. You gotta love functional art. :)
One day I tore through a box of old school notebooks. I only saved about 4 things, releasing this stack of papers to be recycled. That felt so good!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Love
Yesterday I heard a sermon that answers a question I have been pondering.
Our church is going through a series titled "The Mark of a Christian". I was getting stuck on the following verse: 1 John 4: 7-8 "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."
I know people that have not been born of God and do not know God, yet they love (at least they would say they do and I think they do).
The trouble is that English only has one word for love where Greek has 4. They are Storge (affection), Eros (attraction), Phileo (companionship), and Agape (self-sacrificing). Basically, the first three, Storge, Eros, and Phileo, are natural loves (everyone can experience these) and Agape is a supernatural love. Agape is the kind of love God demonstrated for us when Christ died on the cross to pay for our sins. That is the kind of love we cannot know apart from knowing God. God is love.
My trusty New Testament Expositor's Bible Commnetary put it this way: "Moreover, God's love for us defines what true love requires- the commitment to sacrifice one's most beloved possession for another's gain."
Before, thinking "How can I show love to this person?" or "How can I love this person"? could easily lead to things that would please that person or make me feel good.
Now it is "What sacrifice can I make (that honors God) for this person?" No surprise, the answers have often had to do with my time and treasures.
Our church is going through a series titled "The Mark of a Christian". I was getting stuck on the following verse: 1 John 4: 7-8 "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."
I know people that have not been born of God and do not know God, yet they love (at least they would say they do and I think they do).
The trouble is that English only has one word for love where Greek has 4. They are Storge (affection), Eros (attraction), Phileo (companionship), and Agape (self-sacrificing). Basically, the first three, Storge, Eros, and Phileo, are natural loves (everyone can experience these) and Agape is a supernatural love. Agape is the kind of love God demonstrated for us when Christ died on the cross to pay for our sins. That is the kind of love we cannot know apart from knowing God. God is love.
My trusty New Testament Expositor's Bible Commnetary put it this way: "Moreover, God's love for us defines what true love requires- the commitment to sacrifice one's most beloved possession for another's gain."
Before, thinking "How can I show love to this person?" or "How can I love this person"? could easily lead to things that would please that person or make me feel good.
Now it is "What sacrifice can I make (that honors God) for this person?" No surprise, the answers have often had to do with my time and treasures.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Triathlon Training
I recently decided to enter a mini triathlon at one of our Wichita YMCAs. This is something that I have always wanted to do, but never seriously considered. Better now than never. Aaron quickly caught the bug and we are both training. He has chosen Dec. 5th and I had planned to do it in the spring, but may change my mind to do it earlier. The air is thick with a competitive spirit around the Timmons' household. My strength is swimming and my weakness running. Aaron's weakness is swimming and his strength is running. My advantage is that the swim is 500 yds and the run is only 2 miles. Aaron's advantage is that he is overall in better shape. We'll keep you posted!
Sarah's Personal Mission Statement
As my 30th birthday approaches, I have been increasingly aware of the facts that I am getting older and time is short. Last weekend I took some time to develop a personal mission statement. I realized that the process of just thinking through my values and what I want to do with my life was more valuable than the words I used to express it.
Sarah’s Personal Mission Statement
I will love the Lord with all my heart, soul mind and strength and love others as myself. I will pursue wisdom, excellence, discipline, and beauty in all that I do. I will honor my husband, nurture my children, and take care of myself. I will be a faithful steward of my time, talents, and treasures as I manage my home, pursue healthy relationships, and serve my community.
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