Daily Challenge #6

Merry Christmas to you.

 

Hope you're filled with the spirit of generosity, patience, and self-control.

As Christmas quickly approaches, the challenge for this day is to put down all your electronic throughout the Christmas break. Get away from all the gadgets, so that you can spend time with your family and friends. Pull out a board game and play it with someone. Refrain from playing all those Facebook games during this extended break. Turn off the TV and computer. Make time to accomplish tasks around your house which you have been avoiding. Make a cup of tea, then sit and enjoy it in quiet. Find ways to relax – without filling your mind with mindless activities all by yourself. Get others involved.

 

Don't let this Christmas season slip by without giving 'Thanks' to the One who is the giver of all good gifts. (Matthew 7:11) Spend some quiet moments enjoy the presence of your Father in Heaven. Get away from all the distraction so that He can speak to you. Listen for His voice. You may be blow away at what He says to you.

 

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Luke 2:10

Daily Challenge #5

Good morning,

Are you ready for another Daily Challenge?

As Christmas approaches, our church always focuses outside of our church walls to see where there is need in the world. And since my passions involves world missions, I wanted you to join me a little challenge to make a difference in the lives of those outside of America.

I'm inviting for you to adopt a country for a week.  I want for you to investigate the needs of whatever country you choose. Google the country to see what news has happened there recently. Look up what the houses look like in this country. Find pictures of the people of this country - get to know them. Find out where the kids go to school.  Look up who a missionary is in this country. Email the missionary - send them a word of encouragement.

 

This is the real challenge: to pray. Pray for the country's leaders. Pray for the Spirit of the Lord to release His liberty and salvation over this country. Pray for the Christians in this country to stand up for Christ. Pray for the missionaries to be guarded against the devil's schemes. Pray for the children to be protected from sexual explotation.

 

Here's a great resource to help with this:

Operation World 

This link is a website which allows people to pray each day for a different country around the world. It offers information about each country and various needs of Christians in those countries.

 

I'm choosing the country of Azerbaijan, which sits in between Russia and Iran. When I was in high school, I was signed up to go on a mission trip to Azerbaijan, but it was canceled due to the political unrest in the country. I still would love to visit there, to see what the people in the capitol of Baku eat, what their homes look like, where the kids go to school, how they respond to wealth or poverty, etc.

 

I would love to hear which country you have chosen to adopt for the week.

 

-tanya

 

 

Daily Challenge #4

Daily Challenge #4

Clutter: (verb) to run in disorder, (noun) to fill or scatter with disordered things that impede movement or reduce effectiveness

My house is the epitome of this description. With 5 people living in a smaller house, we tend to spill over into every area of our living space. Here's an example: the Christmas tree takes up ¼ of our dining room. We also have a desk in the dining room for homework. I have a rather large plant stand in the dining room, because that room gets the most light. We have a round 4-person table with spinning chairs in the dining room. Carson usually likes to drive his cars in the dining room, because it has wood floors. Our shoes tend to end up in the dining room, because the front door opens into it. We usually eat dinner in the dining room together as a family. Oh, there is also a small book shelf to stash pencils and paper and a dictionary and cards. That's just one room. There's just STUFF all over.

So today's challenge is to find an area in your house which needs sorting. Perhaps it's the fridge or a closet. Perhaps every room in house needs a little sorting (like mine). Whatever the case, try a little de-cluttering.

When our house gets out of control, it feels like our moods seem to follow. Troy and I do best when things are set in a specific place. Troy is good at making sure things stay tidy; it's me who tends to create piles and stacks. Our bedroom is the perfect example. I have my clothes laying folding in piles on the floor, and he's really great about putting all his clothes away in drawers or on hangers.

It's good for the soul to do some cleaning.

Remember: Give, Keep, Toss – the 3 keys words to sorting anything.

Tanya

Daily Challenge #3

Good morning,

 

It's early. The sun has not even risen, and I'm already eager to send out this challenge.

 

I was reading something this morning and wanted to share it with you.

 

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. " 1 John 4:18

 

"You may say to yourselves, "These nations are stronger than we are. How can we drive them out?" ¹⁸ But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt. ¹⁹ You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the LORD your God brought you out. The LORD your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear. ²⁰ Moreover, the LORD your God will send the hornet among them until even the survivors who hide from you have perished. ²¹ Do not be terrified by them, for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God." Deut. 7:17-21

 

What is it that you fear? What do you worry about? Where does your anxiety stem from? What is it in your life that is causing you to feel overwhelmed? Finances? Loneliness? Marriage troubles? Career decisions? Kids? Lack of kids? Bad habit or addiction?

 

There are 2 things for me: one is a financial strain, and two is a constant struggle to guide/train our boys to maturity in their faith and wisdom. So I need to memorize this verse for the confidence that comes in knowing that the God, who is with me (Emmanuel), will drive out my fear. I can be made complete in love when I trust in Him to meet my needs. Fear is a trust issue. Just a reminder that the Lord (the baby Jesus born in a barn) is a great and awesome God, powerful enough to drive out whatever is causing me pain and hurt and worry.

 

 

So our Challenge today is the memorize 1 John 4:18. Grab your journal and write it down. Think about the verse. Meditate on it - Envision God driving out your fears. Imagine him taking care of whatever your are worried about. Talk to him about what's bothering you.

 

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. " 1 John 4:18

 

May you be released from the pain, hurt, and worry that evade your peace.

 

May you have enough courage to trust the GREAT and AWESOME God to deal with whatever is bothering you this day.

Daily Challenge #2

Good morning to you.

 

Hope you survived another Thanksgiving. We had a nice time with our family. Love when the grandparents and relatives take the kiddos for a few days!

 

I've been overwhelmed by how many people are responding to this daily challenge. People are coming out of the woodwork to be part of this community of friends.

 

Daily Challenge #2:

 

At the top of your first page in your journal write the words: "I am..."

 

Then ponder all the things you are. Write them down. Don't be afraid to use some honesty.

 

For me, the first things that comes to mind:

Hard-headed.

Stubborn.

Frustrated.

Hopeful.

Stressed.

Intelligent.

Mom.

Daughter.

Friend.

Worker.

Christian.

35.

Hungry.

Desiring something more out of life.

Loved.

 

This is who you are, faults and all... and God loves you for who you are. After you come to place where you feel like stopping, say a prayer over this list, thanking God for your life, or maybe a plea for some help that we may look more like Jesus.

 

Jesus,

Thanks for my life - short-comings and all. Help me to develop into the person You desire for me to be.

In Your Name ~ Amen.

 

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! " 1 John 3.1

 

Have a great day!

 

 

Daily Challenge #1

Good morning, Friend,

Happy early Thanksgiving to you. Having our kids out of school this week has reminded me how much I used to enjoy getting the time off from school during the holidays. Admittedly, I still look forward to getting a few days off from work!

What are your plans for the holiday?

You may already be aware of this little thing called 'Daily Challenge' Each day (or a couple of times a week depending how chaotic my life gets) I'll email out a Daily Challenge. These challenges range from attempting to do some exercise to writing a thank you note to a friend.

Lately my ears and heart have been filled by stories of others who are feeling worthless and down. I definitely have my struggles as well. My heart is heavy with these stories. I'm praying these little challenges will offer some hope and a purpose for each of us. Hopefully they will become a flicker of hope.

So with that being said, our first challenge is… (Drum roll, please.)

To acquire a blank notebook: It doesn't need to be anything fancy. It can simply be a 3-ring binder with loose leaf papers or a $.59 spiral notebook from the grocery store. This notebook will be used to jot down thoughts/ideas along the journey.

I'll be posting these Daily Challenges on my blog

Http://beautifuladventure.blogspot.com. If you have any comments regarding the challenge, I'd love to hear about them on my blog.

Until next time,

Tanya

Friends and Homework

I love going out with my friends. tonight we had an outing with a group of friends of mine. it's so good for my soul to re-connect with friends. we were designed to live in community. being american causes me to realize that even more. we are one of the loneliest countries on earth. i wonder why we are thought of as less than human if we want to live with roommates, share all our stuff, live in a little place, walk to where we're going? why does having more, bigger, better mean that we have accomplished something? i don't think it does. all that proves is that we are not content enough with what we already have. perhaps it even demonstrates that we are ungrateful for what we've been given. i don't want to be ungrateful. i desire to be a person who lives with a grateful heart... yet living here in the 'States sure does challenge those feelings.

so of the luxuries which I love:
hot water
cell phones
fresh produce at the grocer
flowers
clean water
acceptance at a good church
friends
a warm home
money to pay the bills
a good husband
healthy kids
good doctors
ability to read, to learn, to study, to comprehend, to relate, to interact, to love and receive love, to write, to speak, to be...

Life...

The dad of a dear friend of mine is about to take a step into heaven. He's going graciously with his family beside him. It's a step in the right direction, but it's a big step for everyone. My thoughts and prayers are with my friend and her family as they sit patiently for the big step. May God embrace you, Papa, as you enter into His glorious throne room. We'll see you soon.

On a family note, M. & A. are back in school. A. is struggling with the transition from summer to middle school. M. on the other hand, is embracing high school with a new passion. What a change for last semester. C. is still working on learning to walk.

Troy is working a bunch lately. It's a mixed blessing, but we're all enduring some change around here.

We have a new cat - which we have still not settled on a name yet. It might be KC for kittycat or it may be Buster Brown. He the sweetest little boy cat I've ever met. He's currently sleeping underneath one of C.'s toddler toys.

I've gotten into sewing later. I've made C. a pair of shorts, and some other projects. I'm working on some special gifts from my good friend, Kimberly, and our friend Kris. We'll see how they turn out. Oh, and KC had benefited with several cat toys from my glorious sewing-palooza!

Got cornered in the grocery store last night by a staff of our church. She would like for me to start a high school girls small group. That would be a good thing - that way I would be forced to dig into the Scriptures again. It's been too long.

This summer we've had a great wedding with Stacy and Chris, and a lovely funeral for my friend, Anne. Was trying to think if anyone had a baby during this summer, but no one close that I can remember.

Looking forward to a little trip Troy and I have planned for his b-day. We're meeting some friend at a Nascar race in Tennessee near the end of this month. Should be a great weekend and a happy b-day to my honey. Also, we have great parents who are gearing up on watching all 3 boys during those 3 days!!! Can't wait for a break!

And next month Troy and I are going to the Dominican Republic on a mission trip with a group of people from our church and Sixes Methodist. We'll be building an upstairs, helping with VBS, and some medical services. We're super excited about that one. We are taking donation, so if you are interested, you could mail a check to:
City on a Hill Church
7745 Main Street
Woodstock, GA  30188  In the "memo" line of the check, please be sure to write: DR Mission - Tanya and Troy Brown

A prayer request we have is for me to find a decent job during the day. I really need to be home for the boys to do their homework in the evenings. Praying for God to open up a position where my gifts can be utilized.

exhaustion and relief

So the last couple of days have been emotionally exhausting. We've spent some time in court, with the decision that we maintain full custody of Michael and Alex. This is a relief and blessing. Our lives are richer, more challenged, more blessed, and plain tired from having them, but it is worth every ounce of effort. We love having Michael and Alex under our roof.

Carson has a terrible rash again. He went about 2 months without any rash, now it is back in full force. He's not a very happy camper today.

I need to work on a support letter for our mission trip to the Dominican Republic in September. We are looking forward to seeing how that all falling into place.

Book signing in Woodstock tonight

Found this cool book 'Praying for Strangers: An Adventure of the Human Spirit'. Here's the link. The author is having a book signing this evening at 6.30. I'm thinking about going to FoxTale Book Shoppe for the event.

Exciting news: Michael and Alex both passed their CRCT tests! I'm so flippin' excited about that! They have both been working hard to get their grades up. It's been a tough year for all of us, but they are doing it! So thanks for all your prayers and kind words. They really mean so much to us.

Tomorrow is a big day for this Brown family. We go before the judge again to see if we can maintain full custody of Michael and Alex. Th

Feeling like worship

I'm still reading 'A Long Obedience in the Same Direction' by Eugene Peterson.

He writes, "We live in what one writer has called the 'age of sensation'. We think that if we don't feel something there can be no authenticity in doing it. But the wisdom of God says something different: that we can act ourselves into a new way of feeling much quicker than we can feel ourselves into a new way of acting. Worship is an act that develops feelings for God, not a feeling for God that is express in an act of worship. When we obey the command to praise God in worship, our deep, essential need to be in a relationship with God is nurtured. " (page 54)

For someone who lacks feelings, this passage tugs at my heart. I know people, some of them close to me, who struggle with feeling God and so they desperately feel alone. When times are good, God feels close to them, but when times go sour, God tends to feel a little more distant. Not sure how I got the way that I am, but from a young age I learned that feelings don't hold my stability. Truth runs deep; emotions are shallow. Probably why I'm quick to forgive on most occasions. People are genuinely real and good people, until they are proven different. I would stop on the side of the road and help nearly anyone who has a flat tire. I would allow someone who has run down on his luck into my home to get a new start. I don't lock our doors because I don't see a need for it. This is just who I am, trusting and thinking the best of people.

So when does God feel near to me? When I'm standing on a cliff, overlooking the valley below. When I see bears in the wild. When I'm by myself. (Kids are a major distraction when it comes to focusing on my personal relationship with Christ. I love them dearly, but they don't encourage my closeness.) When I'm reading a book where a new truth is revealed to me. When a friend lets me know that I'm out of line. When friends choose to do things with me, even if they are lame things. When I'm hiking through the mountains with my husband. When I'm getting to know people who are different from me, in color and race and language. So many ways God comes close and makes Himself known to me.

Magnolia Macrophylla

So we've had this crazy huge-leafed plant in our yard. I didn't know what they were. My neighbor told me about Walter Reeves. The people there have been more than helpful in telling me all about this crazy plant. It's a special type of magnolia with the larges leaves of any plant in north america. Good times. Know anyone who wants one?

Songs of Accent

From 'A Long Obedience in the Same Direction' by Eugene H. Peterson

The single word God occurs only twice in the psalm (120), but it is the clue to the whole. God, once admitted to the consciousness, fills the entire horizon. God, revealed in his creative and redemptive work, exposes all the lies. The moment the word God is uttered, the world's towering falsehood is exposed - we we the truth. The truth about me is that God made and loves me. The truth about those sitting beside me is that God made them and loves them, and each one is therefore my neighbor. The truth about the world is that God rules and provides for it. The truth about what is wrong with the world is that I and the neighbor sitting beside me have sinned in refusing to let God be for us, over us and in us. The truth about what is at the center of our lives and of our history is that Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross for our sins and raised from the tomb for our salvation and that we can participate in new life as we believe in him, accept his mercy, respond to his love, attend to his commands.

I've read and re-read this passage. Honestly, probably I have read this quote 50 times. And I'm still sitting here reading it. There is great truth/depth of knowledge (wisdom) in it.

Reading, Reflecting, Responding, and Resting. (Lectio Divina - holy reading of scripture)
Read, Meditate, Pray, Listen - RMPL... This is my translation. First read the passage. Then think about other passages which are similar - Brainstorm. Then pray about whatever you were thinking about. Then sit back and listen to what the Lord of the universe is trying to teach you. By doing these steps when reading your Bible, you can begin to see a relationship of Jesus Christ develop. It's not just about following what is in the Bible. It's not about being a good person. It's not about doing what is expecting of you. It's about the heart of Christ - knowing and communicating with the Creator of the universe.

There's something which is weighing on my heart. A few days ago, Osama Bin Laden was assassinated. My heart hurts for him. My heart hurts for his family. Especially after reading this passage about the person sitting beside me is my neighbor and that they need grace just as much I as do. I don't want the pictures of this fallen person to be published. I believe that his family deserves to have that dignity. If I were in his wife's shoes, which I bullet wound in my leg, I would not want my husband's photos released to the world. How about his daughter? She witnessed her dad's death. I honestly can't imagine what that poor girl is going through right about now. Somehow, in God's justice, He is the one who also is pained through all this. Mr. Laden was a creation of the Most High God. Sure God is not rejoicing in the death of this person. I'm not saying that Mr. Laden didn't deserve to be punished, nor am I saying that he was a good person. His actions were evil. He killed many innocent people. He was guilty of heinous crimes. Those are the facts. But where is the heart of our Christian country in all this? Where do we allow our faith to override our hatred? When do Christians get to step up and say that God will deal with this man, be it ever so severely? It is hard for me to rejoice in someone being killed.

Then again, this is coming from someone who knows where death sting lies.

Most Gracious Father,
Break my stony heart. Let the power of your words fall on me. Come in close and speak. Come closer to me. Let me not gloat over the death of a man who was led astray, but let me rejoice that You lead me into Your truth. Over the Bin Laden's I pray for you to open their eyes to Your truth. May somehow, You use this death for good. May Your unfailing love embrace this broken family. May Your peace rest easy on their hearts. I pray Your blood to penetrate their calloused souls, and for Your forgiveness to gently invade their bitterness. In Your name, oh Jesus, I bind satan and his minions from this Bin Laden family. Let Your light flood their darkness. Open their mind's eye to see Your grace.
In Jesus' Name ~ Amina

Song of Accent

God is telling me something. I'm beginning to get it. When I logged into Sara Groves website yesterday, I found this post. It's talking about a book from Eugene Peterson called, 'A Long Obedience in the Same Direction.'. It is a teaching from the psalms 120 - 134. You can see an excerpt here. Today I was reminded of a song from Charlie Hall. It's called 'Closer' by Charlie Hall. It's a very simple song, yet powerful.

Beautiful are the words spoken to me
Beautiful is the one who speaking (2x)

CHORUS:
Come in close, come in close and speak
Come in close, come closer to me

Beautiful are the words spoken to me
Beautiful is the one who speaking
(Chorus)

BRIDGE:
The power of your words are filled with grace and mercy
Let them fall on my ears and break my stony heart
(Chorus)

After finding the song on youtube, i decided to check out charlie hall's website. In the video on the frontpage, Charlie discusses writing about the songs of accent. So now I'm getting it. Got wants me to dig into these Psalms. So beginning today, I'm opening my bible and starting at Psalm 120.

And i want to buy the book and the new CD. I'm learning how to walk thru the difficulties and walk towards God... yet still reach out to people while I feel crushed.... ascending toward God... my journey... a long obedience in the same direction.

Life As I Know It

As Carson quickly approaches his 1st B-day, I'm amazed at how each day brings new and fascinating changes. Today he learned how to climb underneath his walker. He loves his walker, so he can go around the house and get into lots of things he shouldn't - like the trash can or clear off the shelves. Oh well, it's good to see him so active and alert. He's a great little kid.

Michael is struggling. He has a 'don't care' attitude about school and life in general. He's wrestling with who he is, where he belongs, and who really cares about him. He torn between two schools/group of friends. He knows that if he commits to liking life here in Woodstock that he will get hurt if he gets to return to live with his mom come May. He's struggling with rules and boundaries and structure in our home. He refuses to put any effort in school. It's a rough time for him.

Alex is thriving. He's a happy 11 year old. His school picture is great - he's even smiling in it. He teachers are trying so hard to help him get to 6th grade! It's cool to see how Alex has come out of his shell in the last 5 months.

Troy and I are doing well. Truly he is such a great husband. He's great at giving me space when life seems a little too overwhelming. He's a hard worker and provider for this family.

As for me, I'm getting through. It takes a lot of energy to keep the house (and clothes) clean, keep Carson occupied, helping Michael and Alex with their homework, etc.

Some of the highlights lately have been Carson's b-day party last Saturday and my parents being in town all of last week. We had a really good time.  They are considering moving down to Georgia sometime in the future.

For now, that is all i have.  Off to another adventure...