Daily Challenge #35
What do you think about when you hear "Salt Life"?
Someone has taken those words and commercialized them, and they are making a killing at it! We see cars and SUVs with Salt Life window decals nearly every day. I think about Christ telling His disciples to be "the salt of the earth". Is that what the "Salt Life" is all about? After checking the website for Salt Life, I don't think that is what is meant. The skulls on the logo indicate to me that Christ's "salty" advice is not what they are emphasizing. But whatever the "Salt Life" window decals mean, I'm convinced that "Salt" and "Light" go together. Humor me for a minute.
Can you imagine going to the beach in the dark? Would seeing the partially clothed bodies have any appeal? How about listening to the waves but not being about to see them? Would that be a place you would want to go to on vacation? Personally I believe it's the light that gives the "Salt Life" so much meaning. But what do I know?
Maybe I can create a website and window decals which say, "Light Life". Think I could make a million dollars?
So the challenge is to think about the "salty" advice of Christ. What are you seeing with your eyes which draw your thoughts to Christ? What do you look at which pulls your affection away from Him? Next time you see a "Salt Life" window decal, you might think differently about what it means to you. Are you living the "Salt Life"?
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Someone has taken those words and commercialized them, and they are making a killing at it! We see cars and SUVs with Salt Life window decals nearly every day. I think about Christ telling His disciples to be "the salt of the earth". Is that what the "Salt Life" is all about? After checking the website for Salt Life, I don't think that is what is meant. The skulls on the logo indicate to me that Christ's "salty" advice is not what they are emphasizing. But whatever the "Salt Life" window decals mean, I'm convinced that "Salt" and "Light" go together. Humor me for a minute.
Can you imagine going to the beach in the dark? Would seeing the partially clothed bodies have any appeal? How about listening to the waves but not being about to see them? Would that be a place you would want to go to on vacation? Personally I believe it's the light that gives the "Salt Life" so much meaning. But what do I know?
Maybe I can create a website and window decals which say, "Light Life". Think I could make a million dollars?
So the challenge is to think about the "salty" advice of Christ. What are you seeing with your eyes which draw your thoughts to Christ? What do you look at which pulls your affection away from Him? Next time you see a "Salt Life" window decal, you might think differently about what it means to you. Are you living the "Salt Life"?
Luke 11.34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness.
Matthew 5.16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5.16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
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Nicaragua or Bust!!!
Hello,
Hope this email finds you well.
This last weekend our pastor was talking about how Jesus went to where the need was the greatest. He didn't wait for people to come to Him. This thought really set me thinking about our upcoming mission trip. Troy and I will be traveling to Nicaragua next month with City on a Hill United Methodist Church. We'll be co-leading the trip with another couple named Anna and Todd Mixon. We can hardly wait to see what God has in store for us in central America.
I've attached a letter, illustrating a few of things we'll be doing while were there. Please take a minute to read through.
We can use your prayers while we prepare for the trip and all the while were there.
Thanks in advance,
Tanya
Hope this email finds you well.
This last weekend our pastor was talking about how Jesus went to where the need was the greatest. He didn't wait for people to come to Him. This thought really set me thinking about our upcoming mission trip. Troy and I will be traveling to Nicaragua next month with City on a Hill United Methodist Church. We'll be co-leading the trip with another couple named Anna and Todd Mixon. We can hardly wait to see what God has in store for us in central America.
I've attached a letter, illustrating a few of things we'll be doing while were there. Please take a minute to read through.
We can use your prayers while we prepare for the trip and all the while were there.
Thanks in advance,
Tanya
Daily Challenge #34
What do others do for you that speaks clearly, "I love you"?
This is what Troy and I have been figuring out for each other. Troy does many things around the house, but that doesn't really express to me that he loves me. And I do things for him, but the message gets lost in the busyness of life. His "love language" is different than mine. Partly this comes from that fact that he's a guy and I'm a chick, but even then, we are very different.
When he helps out with the kids, that really helps me to know that he cares about the kids, and frees up some time for me to do other things. Parenting on the same page speaks clearly the Troy loves me and cares for me. (Crazy how love can be communicated!)
So what speaks "I love you" to you?
Your challenge is to make a list of these items. Troy was given a list of 61 items. If he could do one of these items every day, then he would be set for 2 months. Some are pretty hard to accomplish, but others would take very little effort. Some of the items he definitely would score lots of brownie points if he would do than more often!
Share the list with your friends, spouse, kids, anyone. It may benefit someone to know how you feel loved the most.
For me, I like to spend time with people - one on one communication. Anything we can do together, that's the key for me.
This is what Troy and I have been figuring out for each other. Troy does many things around the house, but that doesn't really express to me that he loves me. And I do things for him, but the message gets lost in the busyness of life. His "love language" is different than mine. Partly this comes from that fact that he's a guy and I'm a chick, but even then, we are very different.
When he helps out with the kids, that really helps me to know that he cares about the kids, and frees up some time for me to do other things. Parenting on the same page speaks clearly the Troy loves me and cares for me. (Crazy how love can be communicated!)
So what speaks "I love you" to you?
Your challenge is to make a list of these items. Troy was given a list of 61 items. If he could do one of these items every day, then he would be set for 2 months. Some are pretty hard to accomplish, but others would take very little effort. Some of the items he definitely would score lots of brownie points if he would do than more often!
Share the list with your friends, spouse, kids, anyone. It may benefit someone to know how you feel loved the most.
For me, I like to spend time with people - one on one communication. Anything we can do together, that's the key for me.
Daily Challenge #33
So my life got really busy all of a sudden.
So, what's going on with you? What's been happening in your world?
So your challenge: do something which has been on the back burner for far too long.
For me, I need to 1.) create and mail our support letter for the mission trip and 2.) write a couple letters to friends who have had some crazy life experiences.
- Been blessed with a new job which is a longer commute and more responsibility.
- School began for Michael & Alex - the older two kiddos. Carson is still hanging out at daycare.
- Carson is getting potty trained - (this is tough one for him!)
- Carson has moved from the crib to his racecar toddler bed.
- I've been selling lots of items on craigslist.
- Trying to plan for Troy's birthday which is 2 weeks away.
- Preparing for a mission trip which is in 6 weeks - still trying to get our letters sent out.
So your challenge: do something which has been on the back burner for far too long.
For me, I need to 1.) create and mail our support letter for the mission trip and 2.) write a couple letters to friends who have had some crazy life experiences.
Daily Challenge #32
Been slacking on getting out this Daily Challenge. Please accept my apologies for that.
Troy and I have been running everywhere! Welcome to summer insanity, right? Oh well, I'm sure we're not the only ones going through this craziness.
So our challenge today is to take a moment to sit back, relax and take a breather. Take at least 7 minutes to decompress.
Sit still. Let your muscle take a moment to relax. Focus on mind on something other than work, irritations, expectations, etc. Focus on a word: "Dreams". What would you really like to do? Where would you really like to be?
We've had some good things happening in the Brown house in the last couple of weeks, but these good things are causing us to scamper around like fools. I need a breather, a true breath of fresh air.
Daily Challenge #31
Sweet spot.
What do you think about when you hear those two words?
What's your sweet spot?
Some of us will be thinking about candy and chocolate. Some of us will be thinking about sports. Some of us will be thinking about relationships. Some of us may be thinking of a place where life feels perfect. Some of us will be thinking of something which makes us feel exhilarating.
How does your sweet spot feel? What emotions does it arouse within you? Do you get any satisfaction from even thinking about it? What reward to you get from your sweet spot? Could any of your friends or family name what your sweet spot is or do you keep it a secret? If found out, would you be humiliated? Is your sweet spot God-honoring or not?
Each of us has a different sweet spot.
So what is the challenge? The challenge is to share with someone what your sweet spot is. Then ask that person what their sweet spot is. You may be surprised at the answer.
When I hear the words "sweet spot" I think about this:
There's a place in South Dakota where I used to go when I was in high school. It's a cemetery on a hill near a large curve on a road overlooking a valley. I've been thinking about that place a bunch lately. I remember going up on that hill and pouring out my heart to God. He seemed to hear me there, and it seemed as though my heart was always mended after those moments up on that hill. I felt relief and freedom when I would go there. There was something magical (and mystical) about sitting among the dead while speaking with the Giver of life in that cemetery. For the record, no one knew how much time I spent on that hill, nor would anyone guess that is one of my sweet spots. Guess the secret is out.
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Daily Challenge #30
Another beautiful day is upon us.
As I sit here, staring out the office window, I'm reminded how fortunate I am to be American. Hot water every day. Internet that works. Power that stays on. Nearly everyone has a vehicle. Clean water. Medicine and medical technology to lengthen life and take away pain. Fire trucks. Trash service. Cell phones. Educational systems which provide knowledge. Freedom to worship without fear punishment. Coke. Peanut butter with honey. Trader Joe's. Ok, so now I'm daydreaming.
Anyway, what things in your life do you appreciate? What could you not live without?
After my 6 months in Tanzania, I discovered that there was very little which I could not live without. But there was one thing: I needed to able to communicate with people. I was forced to learn Swahili so that I could express myself. Without being about to communicate, I was dying.
Carson, our youngest son, is now 2. It's really hard for me to understand him. Most of the time I have no clue what the little guy is saying. I'm praying hard over him to speak clearly. I want so desperately to understand what he has to say. This is how my friends in Tanzania felt. They desperately wanted to know what I was all about, but we we couldn't communicate. One or both of us had to change, otherwise we would always struggle in our relationship.
The great thing about Carson is that he talks all the time, and I love that he doesn't get discouraged. He just keeps trying and trying to get me to understand what he's saying. I believe that he will speak clearly one day, and we won't struggle the way we do right now to communicate. What a glorious day that will be, because I can't wait to hear all the stories he will have to tell. It's going to be amazing!
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As I sit here, staring out the office window, I'm reminded how fortunate I am to be American. Hot water every day. Internet that works. Power that stays on. Nearly everyone has a vehicle. Clean water. Medicine and medical technology to lengthen life and take away pain. Fire trucks. Trash service. Cell phones. Educational systems which provide knowledge. Freedom to worship without fear punishment. Coke. Peanut butter with honey. Trader Joe's. Ok, so now I'm daydreaming.
Anyway, what things in your life do you appreciate? What could you not live without?
After my 6 months in Tanzania, I discovered that there was very little which I could not live without. But there was one thing: I needed to able to communicate with people. I was forced to learn Swahili so that I could express myself. Without being about to communicate, I was dying.
Carson, our youngest son, is now 2. It's really hard for me to understand him. Most of the time I have no clue what the little guy is saying. I'm praying hard over him to speak clearly. I want so desperately to understand what he has to say. This is how my friends in Tanzania felt. They desperately wanted to know what I was all about, but we we couldn't communicate. One or both of us had to change, otherwise we would always struggle in our relationship.
The great thing about Carson is that he talks all the time, and I love that he doesn't get discouraged. He just keeps trying and trying to get me to understand what he's saying. I believe that he will speak clearly one day, and we won't struggle the way we do right now to communicate. What a glorious day that will be, because I can't wait to hear all the stories he will have to tell. It's going to be amazing!
So what things in your life do you most cherish?
What could you not live without?
Who might you be struggling to communicate with?
Is there anyone in your life who you need to pray for lines of communication to be opened?
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Daily Challenge #29
Truth Versus Lies
These are some truths which I cling to:
I wanted to have this daily challenge be about exercising, and getting your life together, but.. I can't get out of my head this idea of truth versus lies. So how about we go with a little of both.
Exercise:
How does it feel? Can you feel your muscles stretching?Do some stretching - even if that means yawning with your arms stretched out over your head.Stand up and bend at your waist - trying to touch your feet with your hands.Balance on one leg for as long as you can stand. Switch legs and see how long you can balance on the other leg.Stand up straight, stretch your arms straight out in front of you. Bend your knees and then stand back up.
Ok, now onto lies versus truth.
Our past shapes who we are. I think everyone knows that to some extent. And we all to some extent believe that we are what we think. But the questions I'm wrestling with are "Can we control all our thoughts?" and "Why are some thoughts so hard to dislodge?"
Some of the lies which have sunk their evil talons into me are:
I realize these are all LIES. They are not the truth. I fight these thoughts/feelings often.I'm not a good momWe won't have enough money to cover the Nicaragua trip.I'm not a good wifeOur kids will fail because I have failedTroy will leave eventually and I'll be left with 3 kidsWe won't have enough money to cover all our bills
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deut. 31.6)
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29.13)So the second half of today's challenge is to name and write down what lies bounce around in your head. We all have lies which tempt us away from the truth. These lies will keep you for living life to the full. They will keep you from taking risks, growing in intimacy with your spouse, doing what God has called you do, etc.
Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17)
Come near to God and he will come near to you. (James 4.8)
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. (Prov. 16.3)
Let the word of God dwell in you richly. (Col. 3.16)
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