Conversations in the car

Is honesty a hard character trait to come by? It has become clear to me through prayer and real self searching that I am not always the most honest person.

Shocked? I was.

No, I don’t have a problem with lying. And, no, I probably haven’t been deceiving you or leading you on. Yes, I really am your friend, and things I share with you are most likely true. Where’s the dishonesty, then?

Really, it’s been with myself. And with God. In an effort to better our relationship I’ve been thinking a lot about how to be more honest with God about what is going on – how I’m really feeling or what I’m really thinking. And that forces me to be honest with myself.

And it’s not always pretty. Or easy. Or nice. And I’m uncomfortable with that.

So in an effort to practice “honesty,” that’s what I told God in the car today. And it wasn’t so bad. It was real, and that felt good.

Is there something you’ve been putting off telling Him, because you hate to admit it to yourself?

Enough is enough…

When I took a break from this blog several months ago, there were a lot of changes happening in my heart all to prepare me for the changes that I did not know were around the corner in my life.  There are several, in fact.  But I only have time to share one with you right now.  Take a close look:

Yes…in June 2009 there will be another member of the Gancer family. (Lord, help me.)

I’ll give you a moment to get over the shock.

Just to tease you a bit…

and in keeping with the theme of my last post, stay tuned for an update on all the “changes” going on in my life. 

I know, it’s been a while.

: )

Changes.

Change.  Autumn typically brings change in my life.  (I think God knows that I appreciate the symbolism of the changing seasons…) Over the past few days there have been many changes..tho they’re not specifically what I want to talk about.

I used to be a big proponent of change.  I liked things spiced up all the time.  I loved learning on the fly and rolling with however the world turned.  I needed stimuli, and change was stimulating.  If things stayed the same, everything would be boring, and I’d have to move on to something else.  I loved change.

Then, change became hard.  I got used to doing things a certain way.  It became easy to live “easy.”  Routine made life smooth and predictable.  Random was even in measured portions, and sprinkled just so over the top of everything else familiar.  It’s comfortable.  I would run from change.

And now…I’m not sure.  I am not either of those things, entirely.  I like predictablity, and routine, though things can become old.  And religious.  And boring. A healthy mix perhaps?

So, the moral of the story is, God is changing a lot in me.  And I like it. (most of the time.)

Is He changing something in you?

Friday Random

My week, in bullet points:

• new planner filled with…plans
• an empty sink before bed
• packed lunches
• Birmingham?
• ESV Study Bible
• logos
• riding in Mo’s car
• work..work..work..boss out of town
• my friend Shelia
• ordered Grandma plane tickets
• took 14 phone calls to do so
• two apple orchards
• both closed
• cider anyway
• and caramel apples
• autumn in small towns
• romeo family restaurant
• ick stomach from caramel
• no credit accepted
• packing for the farm

This is what has stood out in my week…what’s made  your week memorable?

Lessons from King Solomon

This summer my pastor’s wife taught an awesome series on how to study the Bible – different methods and resources to dig deeper into the Word.  It was awesome!  So this past month I’ve been putting some of the methods into practice rather than letting them rot on the pages in my journal. 

I’ve been focusing my study on Ecclesiasties this past month..and now that I’m moving on I wanted to share what has impacted me the most:

Vanity. 

When I think of the word “vanity” I used to think of the stick girls that stand in front of the mirror primping when they already look perfect..or the pretty boy who cannot help but glance at his reflection whenever he passed a glass storefront.  It was because of this that I never really understood what King Solomon meant when he wrote, “Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” (Ecc. 1:2)

Revelation came as I sought out the real meaning of that word – Vanity: “hebel.”  Hebel means emptiness; something transitory or unsatisfactory.

King Solomon, as the Preacher, declares every facet of his life vanity.  It was unsatisfactory, and only transitory.  It held no real value.  Even the good things, work done for others, wisdom acquired..it all is worthless and doesn’t last. 

I look at my life, and all the time I spend doing “things.”  Everything in this world is only transitory, yet I can put so much weight on what I DO or STUFF that I acquire…even the my “good” things are really worth nothing…

BUT

“Fear God and keep his comandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecc. 12:13) The only thing not transitory, the only thing not done in vain, is to worship the LORD and obey his commandments.  To tell others about Him. 

I’m provoked to view my whole life through this lense once again, to weed out everything that I do for my own pleasure or benefit, and ask God to take what I have to use for His Kingdom.  I do not want to live in vain.

Do You?