one word: choose

Control is the greatest of all illusions.

We don’t have as much control as we think we do, and yet, at the same time, we have more control than we realize.

Let me try to explain.

I have no control over other drivers on the road or how fast (or slow) my Starbucks barista makes my drink. I can’t control what people think about me. I can’t control the answers to my prayers or the ways I’d like to see God show up in my life. I can’t control crazy circumstances like accidents, surprise illnesses, or high pain days. I can’t control the ways other people’s decisions impact my life.

I have zero control over any of those things, no matter how badly I wish I did.

But — and this is a big but — I do have control over more than I like to admit. It’s just not over the things I’d like to be in control of.

I don’t have control over my circumstances. But I do have control over myself.

No matter what happens to me or what others do, I can control my own choices, responses, and actions.

If I choose to.

But the choice is mine.

In difficult situations, it’s up to me to choose joy. When the wait is long, it’s up to me to choose patience. When trust is hard, it is up to me to choose to trust anyway.

So my One Word for 2012?

I want to be more mindful of the choices I have when everything seems out of control. I want to be more intentional to choose Him and His ways, even when it’s hard. I want to be more purposeful in my responses and reactions to circumstances and people in my life.

I want to remember that while there may be many things I lack, I always have a choice.

And I want to choose well…

Have you chosen your One Word for 2012?

one word 365

The challenge is simple:

Scrap the long list of resolutions you want to make this year (even though you know you really won’t keep them) and instead, pick just one word.

There is so much clarity in the simplicity of one word.

It narrows down all your big life-change plans into one single thing. It paints a picture for your future — a clear vision you can take steps toward. It focuses you more on the journey than a to-do list, because that’s where character is built.

One word that will serve as a compass for your actions, decisions, and priorities. All year long.

One word. 365 days.

Deep-down heart change can be found in a single word.

What’s yours?

Check out the brand-new One Word 365 site:

i looked for God

I looked for God this year.

I found Him in the breathtaking coast of the Pacific Northwest, the smile of my godson, the matchless feeling of being believed in, and the beautiful liturgy of Communion.

I saw Him in friends who journey with me for the long haul, from mourning with me when I mourn all the way to rejoicing with me when I rejoice… and back again.

I found Him in the the tear-stained pillowcase of a broken heart. And in the stomach-hurts-can’t-breathe laughter of pure joy.

I saw Him in the glimmers of hope awakened in my heart, the generosity of friends acting as His hands of provision, and the signs of autumn promising me that this season is drawing to a close.

I looked for God this year.

I saw Him in gifts given and taken away… In endings and beginnings, doors closing and opening, friendships starting and ceasing.

I found Him in the life and death of one of His beloved servants.

I saw Him in the small minutia of my every day, discovering again how much He cares about my small things.

I found Him in pain-ridden arms held high, music that steals my breath and draws my heart ever closer to Him, and a candlelit gymnasium cathedral on Christmas Eve.

I saw Him in my own desperate need for grace.

I looked for God this year.

And looking will remain my lifelong journey…

one word 2012

I have had so many incredible conversations about One Word over the past few weeks. I love hearing and reading about people’s journeys this past year and how God’s used their word to shape their life.

A. Ma. Zing.

If you write a year-end post, make sure you come back here to link up. (Which reminds me… I still need to write mine!)

I’m working on a new website for One Word 2012… I’m so sorry I haven’t rolled it out yet. I’d hoped to, but… well… technical and schedule difficulties prevailed…

In the meantime, start thinking about your word for next year.

And have an amazing Christmas, my friends.

God is with us!

perspective changer

the treasure of Christ

You know all of Jesus’ “the Kingdom of heaven is like…” talks? I’ve heard them a lot, so sometimes I stop hearing them. But the other day I heard one of them with new ears.

I was reading about the guy who found the treasure in the field.

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”

I’ve read that passage quite a few times in my life, but this time I saw something I’d never seen before. The man found the treasure and then hid it again. For the first time, I asked myself why he didn’t just take it.

Selling his stuff and buying the field proved the value the treasure held for him.

It was worth more than petty larceny. It was worth all he had, and his actions demonstrated that.

Yes, he could have just pocketed the treasure, walked off with it and no one would have known. But he decided it was worth more than that.

Worth so much, in fact, that he hid it again, went and sold all his belongings, and then came back and bought the field.

He didn’t buy the field for the field’s sake. He bought it for the sake of the treasure.

The field had value only because of the treasure it held.

And I have value because of the treasure I hold—Christ in me, the hope of glory.

The treasure of Christ is freely mine for the taking, but if I truly value that gift, I will sacrifice to lay hold of it. To lay hold of Him.

Too many days I just pocket the Treasure. Or worse, I leave it buried.

I want my life to show the value I place on the Treasure that is Christ.

thankful for different

One of the things I love most about living in Nashville is the sheer amount of creativity that resides here.

Seriously. Everyone seems to be oozing with talent and giftedness.

The most obvious are the musicians, of which there are many. And they have more musical talent in their pinky fingers than I have in my whole body. I absolutely love and appreciate good music, so it’s incredible to live somewhere where there’s always good music to be found.

But the creative genius in this city spreads much wider than the music industry.

Writers. Speakers. Artists. Photographers.

I’ve witnessed creative parenting. Cooking. Blogging. Couponing (mm-hmm, you read that right).

All creative story-tellers and story-makers in their own unique ways.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to interact with people who are very different from me. I thrive on conversations that stretch my thinking and my natural bent.

I’ve had access to a friend’s car for the past few weeks, so I’ve purposefully filled my days with people. Friends, old and new. Creatives in diversely unique areas. Conversations that leave me thinking for days afterward.

I’ve sought out awkward and uncomfortable situations (for this introvert) because they challenge me in good ways. In the words of my friend Blaine Hogan, “Awkwardness creates space for us to transform into better versions of ourselves if we let it.” So I’ve been intentional about spending time in new places, uncommon situations, and with people who differ greatly from me.

And it leaves me feeling overwhelmingly grateful. For creative differences. For opportunities. For people who see and embrace me for me.

I’m thankful for different.

Because different keeps me from staying stuck in same.

What’s something uncomfortable that
you can intentionally pursue this week?

acquired taste

I met my friend Jen Price on Twitter. (Story of my life these days… And I love it!) After a few Tweet convos, blog visits, and emails, I knew we were kindred spirits.

She and her husband Jeremy pioneered a ministry in South Africa a decade+ ago and are currently back in the States on sabbatical. Jeremy just finished up work on his debut EP project, and I got a sneak peek a few weeks ago.

Now, those who know me well know I have zero music skills, but that I love love love good music.

Believe me when I tell you, Jeremy’s EP Acquired Taste is definitely good music.

I love the irony of the album name, because it’s certainly anything but an acquired taste. Right off the bat, Jeremy drew me in with his raw honesty, the simplicity of his acoustic style, and his poignant lyrics. (I’m such a words girl!)

Acquired Taste is peaceful and profound. It is compelling,  unique, and soul-stirring.

I asked Jeremy about his heart and journey with this project, and how his work in Africa ties in with it all. In his own words—

I have been writing songs for over 15 years and spent much of my early adult life playing music all over the world. The last few years I have set it aside while building Ten Thousand Homes. But now is the time.

Ten Thousand Homes is a movement of ordinary people actively building HOPE and creating HOMES for Africa’s orphans and vulnerable children.

In creating home for these children we try to inspire them to pursue joy. In the midst of great tragedy and loss, we desire for them to pursue their dreams, that which gives them joy.

My pursuit in joy has always led me to music. And one day I realized that to really help these guys I must all out pursue that which gives me joy. So for the first time, freaked out and completely blessed, I am releasing my first EP, Acquired Taste.

I chose songs that were not all written recently. One was written this year, while others go back as far as 8 years ago. The title track Acquired Taste was written while in the bush of Africa. I really wanted to represent a journey, and while this is a simple recording, I am extremely proud of it! What I know now is that this is only the beginning!

I continue to work in Africa, and while Ten Thousand Homes has no paid staff, the sale of these albums does help the work continue. Thank you for listening. Thank you for investing in dreams. Now, go pursue that which brings you joy!

So do yourself a favor, and go listen to Jeremy’s incredible album. If you like what you hear, and I know you will, you can download it for as little as $3! You can’t beat that!

going to church together

Sounds a bit strange to say this, but one of the very few constants I’ve had over the past 4 years is my online community.

The other day, my friend Tracee described my blog as being my “one consistent home.” I love the imagery of that because it perfectly describes how my heart feels with my friends around the world, even if I may only get to connect with them through a computer screen.

For years while living overseas, my lifeline was found in emails, blogs, podcasts, & downloadable sermons.

It’s how I stayed connected to people and found ways to keep my heart and spirit filled up. I never really had internet reliable or fast enough to stream a live church service, but dang I would have loved that!

As I’ve moved around America over the past couple years, my online friends were the only ones who moved with me everywhere I went.

Having known what it’s like to rely on the internet for community—due to location, circumstances, whatever—I believe strongly in social media and online church. I just appreciate and value the impact it can make in someone’s life, because I know the impact it’s had in mine.

So even though I attend church on Sunday mornings, I’m also involved in Cross Point’s Internet Campus in the evenings. And I love it.

We watch the same message that is shared at all Cross Point campuses that day, and there is always great discussion in the chat. People share their thoughts, ask questions, pray for one another… It’s insightful and, honestly, a lot of fun.

My favorite element is that after the message, Pete Wilson (or whoever spoke that day) makes himself available for a live Q&A with those watching online.

I love that!

I have never before known a pastor who openly invites people to ask him questions about his message and his own faith journey. I’ve seen Pete get asked some difficult questions, and he always responds with honesty and humility.

So… If you’re craving some more community, aren’t able to make it out to church, or just want to hear some solid teaching… then you should join us at the Internet Campus.

Let’s go to church together this Sunday night!

Sundays at 6:00 PM Central Time
crosspoint.tv/live

Have you ever done church online?
What are your thoughts?

on friendships

I moved to Nashville to chase down community.

With everything I’ve gone through in the past few years, I knew I needed a strong group of people around me as I get settled back into life in America and embark on Me 2.0. Through social media, I’d gotten to know quite a few people in and around Nashville. I’d found friends. I’d found an amazing church. I’d found community. So this is where I decided to land.

And there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.

Though since I’ve gotten here, community hasn’t taken shape like I fairy-tale-hoped it would. Like everything in life, it doesn’t just happen. It takes hard work. I’ve been seeking it out as I’ve been able, and learning to trust God with all of it.

Friendships don’t always pan out the way you’d like them to. People move away; seasons change; life is busy. So my community looks very different than I’d anticipated. Not in a bad way… just different. I love the unexpected new friends God has brought into my life, and at times still mourn the loss of others.

Finding out who your friends are — and who they aren’t — is sometimes a painful lesson. Ultimately good, but hard nonetheless.

So I’m on a journey of discovering what it means to hold people and relationships loosely while still investing deeply and authentically. (I’m pretty sure I’ve been on this journey my whole life…)

I don’t know where the line is. Or if there even is a line.

How do I maintain a soft heart and tough skin? I honestly don’t know.

As usual, I have more questions than answers here at The Grit. There’s no red bow to wrap this up neatly, because these are lessons I’m still learning. A path I’m still navigating. Things I’m still just Forrest-Gumping my way through.

But this much I know is true: I am so very grateful for the incredible people God has placed in my life, near and far. My friends truly make my life richer. I owe so much to the grace, generosity, faithfulness, and love of friends.

On friendships…
What’s something you struggle with?
What’s something you know for sure?

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