‘Cute Shoes’ Online Discussion ~Chapter Four

When I began typing this morning my first thought was “What?  Could it be possible that we are already on Chapter Five?”  The answer to that was clearly “no”.  We are only on Chapter Four (..because I ditched y’all last week. Sorry about that.) but man is it a loaded one.  Church Can Hurt, girls.  ’Tis sad, but true. 

Before we get rolling, I want to be sure to say once again that you are always free to jump in the discussion at any time whether you’ve participated at all or randomly. 

So, yeah.  Church can hurt.  I don’t want to sound flip but I need to let y’all know up front that I am one who deals with painful/complicated things in a private way and will then try to smile my way through it in public.  Healthy, right?  My therapist thinks so, too.  If I seem like I’m not laid low by the heartbreak we’ve experienced in ministry, it’s for two reasons:  a) I refuse to be.  b) If I were I probably couldn’t tell you in this format.

Vague much?

With that said, if you’ve read the book you heard me tell about a heart-wrenching ministry experience (p. 87-90) that at the time was very painful.  However, I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything and I mean ANYTHING because it literally saved us later when we saw a similar situation begin to rear it’s ugly head again.  We wouldn’t have known how in the world to stop it in it’s tracks had the same scenario not played out from beginning to end once before.

What I want to encourage you with today is the knowledge that NOTHING you will undergo as a shepherd of the church is a wasted suffering.  We are refined through persecution and we are perfected by learning that we are sometimes the ones in the wrong. As impossible as it may seem, as much as you are able, embrace the ugly. God speaks through it all, girlfriends. Luke and I wouldn’t be even one fraction as capable ministers if it weren’t for the mileage of misery. We want to be shocked by people and their actions but the truth is, when Satan is in the mix, anyone is capable of anything – even the family serving behind the pulpit. Knowing that, we can be aware of his schemes to divide the body and hopefully head his forked tail off at the pass.

I want to keep today’s discussion positive without ignoring the fact that many of you may be in the midst of hot controversy even as we speak.  Here are a couple of questions to consider.  You are free to elaborate but try to keep the length manageable:

1.  What lessons have you learned in your most current season of church conflict that have made you and your hubby better servant leaders?   What methods of forgiveness did you employ?  Did you realize your own mistake and make amends? 
2.  If you are still embittered because of a painful church experience, state as succinctly as possible why you’ve been unable to move forward. If you aren’t currently in a mess, speak encouragement in your comment to a sister who is.
3.  Anything in particular resonate with you from this chapter?

Thank you girls for hanging in with me!  Oh, how I’d love to have these conversations in a coffee shop with you somewhere. In the meantime, consider yourself hugged.

March 30, 2010 | Filed Under Cute Shoes Online Discussion | 18 Comments 

Things Found

This week I’ve been cleaning out closets and organizing drawers because I couldn’t find a fork to stick in my eye while watching the House vote on health care reform. I didn’t take before and after pictures of my projects because truly, you would judge me. However, I did find a couple of things that gave me my smile back:

This is a Thanksgiving place mat The Girl made for us. I’ve seen the front of this in my night stand drawer 50 times. Pretty self explanatory:

I have no idea why I’ve never paid any attention to the back of the placemat.

My precious little daughter wished her parents a Happy Thanksgivings with a p.s. Pease Out Sukers (translation: peace out suckers). Totally having a Thanksgiving banner printed for this year’s dinner. (Or maybe the Republicans can use it for their campaign slogan when they take back the Senate and House this fall.)

(Sorry.)

(Couldn’t resist.)

(Moving on now.)

Then there was this little treasure I found in my desk drawer.

I’m not altogether certain if Mary is overcome by the sight of Baby Jesus or by her husband’s unfortunate headlessness.  Call me weird, but I can’t quite bring myself to throw the Holy Child into the garbage.  It went back in the drawer until I can get Joseph’s head reattached.

So, is anyone else in the spring cleaning mood?  

Or not?

March 26, 2010 | Filed Under Girls Just Wanna Have Fun | 25 Comments 

Urgent Alert

UPDATE: Phoenix has been FOUND! Thank all of you for your prayers and concern. He is safe at home and I’m certain this precious family would appreciate your continued support.

Also, ‘Cute Shoes’ Online Discussion will resume next Tuesday. My head just hasn’t been in it considering all that’s been going on. I hope y’all will forgive me and use the time to catch up on previous weeks if you’ve fallen behind. Much love to you girls!

This is Phoenix Boek.  He and his family attend our church and he is a member of our youth group.  Phoenix has been missing since this morning and was last seen walking down Hwy. 75 between Fyffe and Geraldine at about 7 p.m. CST.  He is Native American, about 5’10, 15 years old, wears glasses and is accompanied by a very large dog. 

Locals, please keep your eyes open and ask questions of businesses, etc. if you are in the area as to whether they may have spotted him.  Phoenix’s family used to live in the Asbury/Albertville area so he may be trying to connect with someone there.  Foul play is not suspected but obviously the world is not a safe place for a young boy alone – especially at night.   If you are not local, please pray for Phoenix’s safety and swift return home.

If you are a friend of Phoenix’s and have any knowledge of his whereabouts, please, please let someone know.  This situation is much bigger than simply being a loyal friend.  Event though protecting him feels like it is helping, in this instance it is only hurting all involved.  His family desperately needs to know he is safe.

Anyone with information should contact the DeKalb Co. Sheriff’s Department at (256) 845-8561 or call 911.

March 23, 2010 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 9 Comments 

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