Rage Quit

I hate the term, but it has become a regular occurrence in our home.

According to the Oxford dictionary, to rage quit means:

VERB (rage-quits, rage-quitting; past and past participle rage-quitted or rage-quit)

Angrily abandon an activity or pursuit that has become frustrating, especially the playing of a video game:I tried to play it two different times and wound up rage-quitting both timeswe almost rage-quit while trying to get a couple of sandwiches and a pasta salad[WITH OBJECT]: I just about rage-quit that Metro game

How do I know this?

Well, my son will often get so frustrated with his video game that he will make silly noises, jump up and down, and even stomp off when he loses.

My daughter rage quits when trying to figure out technology when it is not cooperating.

And me?  I rage quit when I think I have disappointed others.  I pout.  I cry.  I say mean things about myself to myself.  But the worst part is, sometimes I say things I do not mean to those I love the most.  Unkept rooms, dirty dishes, and messy living rooms (things that, in the scheme of eternity are not that big of a deal) become gigantic issues when I am feeling this way.

The Scripture puts me in my place, however.

Proverbs 14:29

People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.

I have a lot of work to do, but I am very thankful that God never rage-quits on me...I just need to keep my eyes on Him.

Amberly

Easter Surprise

We got our first dog last night.

Mozzie, our ten-week-old Goldendoodle puppy, has already stolen our hearts (and my sleep) and he has only been in the house for 20 hours.

The expectation was the best part.  My co-workers, Chelsea and Nate, helped me scheme to surprise our kids with the sweetest Easter treat ever.  I bought items so we would be ready, I read 100 articles on dog training, signed up up for doggy obedience school, and had trouble sleeping the night before.  I asked Chelsea to record the look on the kids' faces when they laid eyes on him for the first time in our home.

When the women went to the tomb to "see" Him, Jesus must have been so excited to reveal himself as the Risen Lord.  These were His friends.  His Father had been crafting this "surprise" for a long time, and although Jesus had predicted that which would happen, his followers did not fully grasp it.

I pray the expectation of Easter never goes away.  I want to be so excited to relive the resurrection each day that I get up early as the ladies did and tell everyone about it when I do, as they did.

Blessings on your week!

Amberly

Embrace "Embrace"

I have been given the charge responsibility burden honor of planning a women's retreat for UCYC, the camp for which I work.

I am scared spitless anxious thrilled at the thought of being responsible for such a task and its success.

It is planned for the third weekend in April, 2016 and I want it to be okay not devastatingly bad amazing.

The theme, "Embrace: Connection. Identity. Freedom." is a direct reflection of my needs my creativity my neurosis what I want for attendees to experience.

It is about embracing who God is, who we are, and who others are fully so that we can make political judgment calls create snarky Facebook posts find freedom and grace.  It is about admitting those messages we "cross out" and focusing on the truths of the cross...

Needless to say, the process has been terrifying convicting enlightening.

For my female readers, would you please pray about joining me that weekend?  Vocal artist, Holly Starr will be leading worship that weekend and I think God has amazing things in store.  Especially for the staff worship leader retreat planner!  Spots are filling quickly, so hurry up get a move on sign up today!

Don't judge me Sincerely Love,

Amberly

The details are as follows:
April 22-24, 2016
$159
www.ucyc.com

oLIMPic Athlete

Well, I really did it this time.  I hurt my knee.

Between activity at camp, FitBit challenges, training for a 15K, and not listening to my body when it communicated pain, I tore a ligament in my knee.

At this point, I am an oLIMPian.  I feel broken.

The orthopedist was honest with me.  He suggested that I should give up running completely and find another sport.  Ouch. His words hurt more than my knee does.

It is not that I LOVE running.  However, jogging (or wogging = walk + jogging) has become a normal part of my daily routine as I attempt to keep my body healthy.

The interesting thing is that at the same time I got injured, one of my interns did as well.  He was playing basketball and sprained his ankle.  His foot has turned colors I thought impossible.  Yuck.

But being injured at the same time has meant that someone else "understands" our plight.  We are the first to ask each other about the injured area, to have compassion, and to hobble slowly together.  It is true empathy.

Paul in his second letter to the church in Corinth communicated this type of empathy and how God can use it: "3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

We were made for connection through pain.  

Which is weird, but strangely comforting.

Somehow, God is going to provide comfort and then will ask me to extend that comfort to others who need it.

It will truly be my weakness that can display God's power to comfort others through me, in me, around me, and despite me.

Are you ready to be used by God - even if it means some discomfort?

Amberly

Let's Take a Walk

I lost a FitBit challenge...again.  For the past five weekends or so, a group of staffers at the camp have challenged me (the one who is at least TWICE their age) to a Weekend Warrior competition for who can take the most steps.  I got schooled again this weekend.  It is hard to look at my phone (at the final scores) and be reminded that there are those who are much stronger than I.

In addition to the FitBit challenge, I was also challenged this weekend to find a Samuel.  A Samuel is that person who is bigger, faster, and stronger spiritually.  There is not FitBit for one's spiritual steps, but I am keenly aware of those who love more, know more, and serve more than I.  But am I ready for the challenge and vulnerability it takes to come alongside one of those folks and walk with them?  It is vulnerable to recognize how far I have to grow.

I think one of the other keys is also to BE a Samuel.  To encourage, challenge, cajole, pray for, uplight, spur, cheer, and love another who is not as strong in the faith is an honor indeed.  But it takes vulnerability to answer their questions, to leave room in one's schedule, and to prepare oneself for the lessons that can be learned from being a mentor.

I am ready.  I am having coffee with an amazing lady this morning.  My husband and I are mentoring her and her boyfriend.  They are amazing and it is an honor to walk alongside them.  There is no need for a FitBit on those walks, but as much as I would like to think that the mentoring is for them, Scott and I are equally if not more blessed by the time together.

Are you a Samuel?  Do you need one?

Pray about it and see who "walks" into your path.

Blessings on your week!

Amberly

Dare to Not Compare

This morning, in staff meeting, we had a local pastor revisit a story I had heard/ read a thousand times.  A thousand.  Okay, maybe 200 hundred, but nonetheless, I learned something new.

We were reading from Luke 10: "38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!'

41 'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'"

I have always known I am a Martha.  And not in the good "I am a lot like a character in the Bible" good.  

I love being busy.  It makes me (falsely) feel purposeful.

I (sadly) do not mind pointing out when I am working hard and others aren't or when things do not seem fair.  It makes me (falsely) feel important.

But this morning, I recognized that Martha also compared herself to her sister.  I compare myself ALL the TIME to others.  On Facebook.  In Christmas cards.  On Instagram.  Even in church. I try to (falsely) find satisfaction in doing better than others whilst being crushed when I fall short, which is every time.  Every time.

Jesus called Mary out on it in verses 41 and 42 and He called me out on it this morning.

Ouch.

Will you join me in giving up comparison for Lent?  Or for Wednesday?  Or just for this moment?

Let's choose the "better" together.

Amberly

A Note to Remember

My interns are awesome.  The other day, I was having a tough day.  I seem to be having a lot of those lately.  I think learning a new job and different leadership styles has proved new tricks for this old dog.  Seriously.  Hard.  My interns knew the stress of the day had taken its toll on me and I came back to my office to find this:

A note.  And a bouquet of flowers.  And a Starbucks iced tea.

I was one happy boss.

The flowers were beautiful and the iced tea was refreshing, but the note will stay on my office wall until it is too dusty, dirty, and soiled to be readable.

It is exactly what I needed.  I needed to be reminded that I am loved by God even when I don't feel lovable or worthy of love.  I needed to be reminded that I am supported even when I feel like I am falling.  I needed to be reminded that despite my shortcomings that God is tall in the grace department.

I needed a sticky note of kindness.

The flowers and Starbucks cost a good bit of money, but the note cost them nothing and yet was an invaluable tool of encouragement.

Do you have someone in your life who needs a sticky note of kindness?

Ask God to heighten your awareness.  Maybe it is a neighbor.  Or one of your kids.  Or your spouse.  Or an intern.  Or the cashier at your favorite grocery store.  Or the stay-at-home-mom with a ton of kidlets and a limited amount of energy.  Or yourself.

Write one (or twelve) and you may become the very encouragement that person needs today.

Need some incentive?  Here are a few from Proverbs:

Proverbs 12:25 "Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up."
Proverbs 15:23 "A person finds joy in giving an apt reply - a how good is a timely word!"
Proverbs 16:24 "Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."

I love the Proverbs - even the name inspires - "Pro"= for and "verb" = action.

Go and love others - one sticky note at a time.

Blessings!
Amberly (Mama Pines :))

I Do Not Want To Build A Snowman

I love snow.  I love the majesty of it.  I love how it makes everything look idyllic, almost magical.  I love the fact that I had to buy snow boots to traverse through it (any excuse to get new shoes works for me).

This is the view from my office this morning:



The snow is beautiful; it covers everything, including the path from my door at home to the front mat of my office door.

But it is also dangerous.  The very same substance that makes my front yard look like Narnia also contributes to the demise of people and vehicles.  Although usually not directly, people die in traffic accidents on icy roads, have heart attacks whilst shoveling snow, and can die from hypothermia from prolonged exposure (National Severe Storms Laboratory, 2016).

This provides an interesting juxtaposition.  The same mixture of precipitation and low temperature that kids build snowmen in can literally kill them.

When I am walking through the powdery glitter, I can hardly wrap my brain around the fact that it has the power to hurt me.

Similarly, I sometimes struggle when it comes to grasping both the beauty of God and His power.

I am so acquainted and comfortable with His love, grace, kindness, forgiveness, and goodness that sometimes I forget to fear His might.

The Psalmist somehow found a balance and decided to celebrate God for ALL the facets of His awesomeness: "But I will sing of your strength in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely." (Psalm 59:16 and 17)

I celebrate God through loving others, loving myself, enjoying His creations, singing His praises, entrusting Him with my concerns, and finding joy in the every day.

I am now going to leave the office and celebrate Him by playing in the snow He blanketed my front driveway with this morning.

Amberly

P.S. Those of you who follow me through blogspot, please feel free to follow me through my website, www.amberlyneese.com.  You can sign up through the RSS feed.

Promises, Promises

Well, it happened again.

My husband went for a job interview only to discover that the position was no longer available.

Six months without substantial employment has proved tiresome.  Yes, he has gone on a ton of interviews (most for which he is HIGHLY over-educated and over-qualified), and yet, nada.  Zilch.  Goose egg. Squat.

I know God has a plan (Proverbs 19:21) to prosper us (Jeremiah 29:11-13) for us to do good works (Ephesians 2:10).  I know all the verses, but I am having a hard time waiting for God in this season.  In other words, I have a serious WAIT problem.

In my quiet time the other day, I was reminded of the story of Abraham.  He had a WAIT problem, too.  He waited for a child.  He waited for protection.  He waited for God to provide.  But he did not do it very well.  He circumvented God's plan for a child by sleeping with his wife's maidservant.  He provided his own "plan B" by lying and saying that Sarai was only his sister.  

In Genesis 22:17, God promises Abraham something amazing.  God shows Abraham the stars.  He gives him a vision for his future: "I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies..."

The kicker is: it took 23 years for Abraham's future generation to be born.  In God's perfect timing, Isaac was born to old parents.  23 years.  That is the same number of years Scott and I have been married.  WOWZERS!

But it made them stronger in the process.  When God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac over a decade later, Abraham got up "early in the morning" to obey God (Genesis 22:3).

I want to be stronger.   I want to have faith that merits putting me on a list of the faithful (Hebrews 11).  I want to be so eager to do God's work that I get up "early in the morning" to do it.  Even if it means more job interviews for my husband.

Would you please pray for my husband as he searches for the right job?    Thank you!

How can I pray for you?!?!  Do you have a WAIT problem as well?

Maybe we should look up at the starts periodically and remind ourselves of the perfect timing of God.

Blessings on your week!
Amberly

Spit Take

I love to learn new verbiage.  Even if it means that I have been saying something wrong for all of my born days...

I came across this little beauty over Christmas break and it has been stuck in my craw ever since.

The term "Spitting image" is the usual modern form of the idiom meaning exact likeness, duplicate, or counterpart. The original phrase was spit and image, inspired by the Biblical God‘s use of spit and mud to create Adam in his image. But spitting image has been far more common than spit and image for over a century.

A few writers still use spit and image, but trying to keep the original idiom alive is probably a lost cause. Though it is older and makes more logical sense, it can also be distracting to readers who have been hearing spitting image their whole lives. Of course, spitting image can be just as distracting to some careful readers. (from http://grammarist.com/usage/spitting-image/)

Wow.  Although I have thought through being made in the image of God, I never pondered that we could actually be derived from the very SPIT of God. 

"Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." (Genesis 2:7)

This is such a cool image that our (meaning humankind's) lungs were formed and filled with the very breath of God.  Although spit is not mentioned, the dust God used may have included his spit as well (other translations imply the use of spit).

So, what does all this word-nerdiness have to do with anything?  Well, it has forced me to ask myself a couple of questions:

Do I act like the "spit and image" of my Heavenly Father?

Do I speak love and grace to others like my lungs were filled with His breath?

My intentions this year include researching who I am in Christ.  This has been a good thought on which I can chew this first week.

Happy New Year!

Amberly