Katy’s Weblog
I read this good analogy about God’s love for us and the forgiveness we have in Jesus who died to pay for our sin.
(From “How Good is Good Enough?” by Andy Stanley)
When my children were very young, I bought a used Infiniti. It was the nicest car I have ever owned. It was in mint condition, and I intended to keep it that way. Unfortunately, I was alone in my pursuit.
Going to church brings out the best in me, giving me a false sense of “righteousness.” After all, I am doing good works by helping at church, loving people (at least superficially), and giving money. But those very acts can make me blind to the real sins in my life. Sins of pride, selfishness, worldliness. I begin to feel comfortable desiring the things of the world (don’t I deserve something nice?), I can justify my selfishness (don’t I need to take care of my needs first to be more effective in serving others?), I can ignore my indifference to those in need (someone else is more gifted in helping them).
I have a feeling that when I am on my deathbed, I will regret not taking more risks in doing adventurous things – skydiving, waterskiing, traveling, etc.
Yet, when I consider doing those things now, I say, “Why? Why should I want to get out of my comfort zone? Is there anything to gain other than the thrill of the moment and to say that I’ve done it?”
I would say this is a must read for every parent. While I do not agree with everything the author says, Shepherding a Child’s Heart gives very good clear Biblical ways to raise our children. The priniciples are not new to me, but they are articulated well.
I have 4-5 books by my bed that I am reading. And I just finished this one.
The Greatest Business Decisions of All Time gives stories of companies such as Zappos, Apple, Ford that made innovative decisions that made a huge positive impact on their company. In hindsight some of their decision was counterintuitive, but later those decisions defined the company.
One of those forwards, kind of cute.
Dancing With God
I remember reading that doing God’s will is a lot like dancing. When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement does not flow with the music and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky. When one person realizes that and lets the other…
I’ve been in 4 car accidents and am very thankful that none were catastrophic.
#1 When I was in college I borrowed a friend’s car to go to an early morning internship. I was rushing to a prime open space in the parking lot and didn’t see a car backing out of a space. It was minor, but I had to pay the guy a couple hundred for the damage. My friend’s car had a slight paint scratch. He was not happy, but he was ok. (It was a yellow Mustang.)
“Many Christians think stoicism is a good antidote to sensuality. It isn’t. It is hopelessly weak and ineffective. Willpower religion usually fails, and even when it succeeds, it gets glory for the will, not for God. It produces legalists, not lovers. ” (In Our Joy by John Piper, p 35)
What are you thankful for this year that you couldn’t say last year?
I am thankful that my son is living closer to home, at least for now.
I am thankful for my new job as children director at a church with many fellow faithful servants.
I am thankful for the memory foam on my new firm bed – SO comfortable!
A simple act of kindness I saw made me realize how weak I am in living up to my value system.
Here’s the scene:
I attend an exercise class at the senior center 3 times a week. The room is packed wall-to-wall with about 80 people, mainly because the price is right – it’s a…