Monday, August 20, 2012

Refresh 2012

I am so excited!

A couple of weeks ago I found myself ruminating about trivial things like the meaning of life and such. BTW, Luke is so grateful that I have this forum to dump my brain into when it gets too frothy (saves his ears...apparently he gets tired of hearing me talk...weird, huh!?).  And I floated a "mid-lear Lent thingy" idea.  That was basically the hook.  And, amazingly, some of you lovely people thought it was a timely idea.  So, that only means one thing...

We are on the verge of a complete and total universal epiphany!

Or...God seems to be moving in the heart of God's church.  God's people are hearing the call to enter into the Kingdom--to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, minds and spirits and to love our neighbors as ourselves.  Simple.  Straightforward.

Love.

Not complicated.

But, oh, so hard.

And the question for me (and maybe for you too) is, how do I hold my neighbor's hand when my arms are already full?  How do I love my children when I haven't slept through the night in years?  Does God have a special place in God's Kingdom for the helpers?  How can I love my neighbors when I am so overwhelmed I can't get through a single hour without wanting to scream?


Easy!  Just read these 46 scriptures, pray these seven prayers, memorize these verses and voila! Done.  Check.  Call discerned, Kingdom brought, love is all around!

Only, no, it doesn't work like that.  Not at all.  God is a God of wimps and losers after all, so more likely, this here "thingy" is going to do nothing but remind you that God's love is perfect, and that you are loved with that perfect, holy, wild, unnatural, magnificent love.  You.  And you.  And me.

So, I will post the 46 scriptures that I will be reading starting Wednesday, August 22, and if you are inclined, join me.  I will post each week's readings on Sunday night along with a theme, prayer, memory verse and (this is so cool!) my friend Stacy will be posting complimentary kid's activities on her blog, Blogging Mommy of Two.  The activities will go right along with the readings and memory verses (so awesome...right?).  She has songs picked out and coloring printables (ooh...need to unpack my printer...and find a place to plug it in...and find the paper...) and all kinds of ways to help kids journey through this with us (told you it was AWESOME).  I stayed up way too late working on a printable thing for each week which looked a lot cooler in my head, but I hope to have something for you to print off.  Also, I hope to have 3-5 reflections each week based on the scriptures.  Hopefully I will have a few guest submissions along the way, so get excited about that!

AFAQ's (Anticipated FAQ's)

Do I have to sign up? No...I wouldn't even know how to do that.

Do I get a prize for finishing 100%?  Do I?  Yes.  A big one.  Do you?  No.

What is the point of this?  To help the helpers be still and remember that, not only is God God, but that God is good.

Can I reblog/repost/rewhatever this material?  Yes.  Please.  If you know someone who might benefit from a print out, send me an address and I will send it.

Can I give your kids a puppy?  No.

Well that about covers it.  I hope.  Leave comments with questions.  Remember, please don't make this a checklist or stressor.  I am simply, simply hoping that "in returning and rest [we] will find strength."


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