Tell me what Sandwich you Ate Today...and I'll tell you Who you are!?! Sheesh!

Lately, Frank's been ordering Tuna Salad at Subway...I've been eating Veggies Only.  My sandwich isn't even on the list!!! I have NO personality! But, I do enjoy a good Egg Salad now and again.

 

Hmmm...Apparently if you think one of the following types of sandwiches, this accurately describes you.  Hogwarsh!!

 

Club Sandwich Agreeable and unselfish, club sandwich lovers seek comfort in close, secure relationships. Strongly devoted to work as well as relationships, they can always be counted upon. Best two words to describe those who prefer club sandwich: commitment and loyalty. Those who prefer club sandwich are most compatible with those who chose club, BLT or turkey.

Ham and Cheese Curious and intuitively oriented, those who prefer ham and cheese find their inquisitive nature directs them to a wide range of interests. Their serious nature can point them into the arena of existential concerns. They are most productive when allowed to work on their own, without micromanagement from supervisors. Down time allows their creativity to blossom. Those who prefer ham and cheese sandwich function best without strong romantic entanglements.

Turkey Sandwich Those who prefer turkey sandwich are free-thinkers, naturally rebellious against authority. They are their own boss and function best at work and in relationships when given "space" or when left to their own device. If not careful, turkey sandwich lovers can become mired down in a swamp of existential philosophy. Most romantically compatible with others who also prefer turkey sandwiches.

Tuna Sandwich Aggressive, achievement-oriented and natural leaders who are driven to succeed in both work and interpersonal relationships. Competitive, driven, intolerant of failure, they demand the best from themselves and those that surround them. However, they become irritated with the minor vicissitudes of life and demonstrate impatience with long lines, rush hour traffic or slow Internet connections. Those who prefer tuna sandwich are most romantically compatible with those who prefer egg salad and others who like tuna.

Egg Salad Sandwich Entertaining, lively, energetic, they thrive as the center of attention. Egg salad sandwich lovers crave novelty, excitement and adventure. They tend to be seductive, provocative and charming, but are also overly trusting and vulnerable to the influence of others who surround them. Those who prefer egg salad sandwich are the universal romantic. They are compatible with all sandwich lovers.

Chicken Salad Sandwich Easy-going, well-adjusted, empathic, and understanding. They are the perfect spouse or partner. Those who prefer chicken salad sandwich are most romantically compatible with those who prefer egg salad sandwich.

Seafood Salad Sandwich Agreeable, unselfish, seafood salad sandwich lovers seek comfort in close, secure relationships. Strongly devoted to work as well as relationships, they can always be counted upon. Best two words to describe those who prefer seafood sandwich: commitment and loyalty. Romantic compatibility is with those who prefer BLT and seafood salad.

Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Conscientious, perfectionist, devoted to work, home or relationship. Task-oriented and maintains the moral high ground at all times. Honest, forthright.Best described by the word "integrity." BLT sandwich lovers are most compatible with those who prefer seafood salad sandwich.

For complete results visit BuildthePerfectSandwich.com.
 

My Devotion

Growing up, I used to think I had been literally birthed in church.  It seemed like if we went anywhere, other than to school or a relative's house, it was always to church for some event, service, activity or program.  Even going out to dinner, which was rare when I was younger, was with church families we knew.  Mom was always preparing some yummy dish or dessert to take to church.  My sister and I would drool at the delicious aromas greeting us when we walked in the front door.  "One time," my mom recalled to me, "I was baking something and Judy asked me in a wistful way, 'is that for us or the church?'" To which my mom realized maybe she'd have to make more special stuff just for us at home.

 

There was Sunday School, the Sunday morning service, Sunday evening "training union", mid-week Bible study, Monday night men's study, Thursday night women's study, Vacation Bible School, Saturday "fellowship" suppers, and so on.  At one time, my dad was leading a men's quartet and the evening worship, so we had to go quite early for practice.  Then, mom was in the choir...so more early arrivals for practice.  At my young age, it seemed to me we spent more time at church than anywhere else!  But I loved it.  I loved all the commotion, fussing and playing that would go on while "us kids" roamed around the church grounds, before and after, the services.

 

Everybody knew everybody.  Dad would always be helping someone move, paint or build something.  There were always sleepovers, allnighters and Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer boutiques, pageants, festivals, etc.  Our church was the hub of the community and the buzz of excitement.  I don't recall it being an exceptionally large church.  Maybe 75-100 people regurlarly attended.  Oh! And back then, everyone was "brother Jim" and "sister Lena" or "Miss Lena."  They took the body of Christ literally as one family.  I really liked that.

 

That's probably why I felt instantly comfortable and "at home" with the little community church in Guatemala.  It reminded me of the churches we attended as a child.  Like this struggling little community church in Guatemala, the churches I grew up in focused on loving God and loving their neighbor.  They lived this out in all the small, less glorious ways.  Somebody was always pitching in to plant a garden, mend a fence, paint a house, etc.  When the need was known, it was tended to.

 

When Frank was getting ready to teach in Guatemala, he ran a joke by Pastor Jorge about "what does it mean when a preacher looks at his watch? Absolutely nothing!"  Pastor Jorge told Frank the church peoples wouldn't get the joke.  You see when the Guatemalans come to church, they are prepared to stay until the Pastor is done preaching - even if it takes 4 hours.  Wow!  We, in America, get antsy if the pastor takes more than 45 minutes.

 

The Bible doesn't say how long the early church services were, but it does say "they devoted themselves to the Apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." 

 

What would that look like today in our church? 

 

Today's Devo challenges us to rate ourselves and our churches on how well we are doing in this area.  However, I would argue our churches are a reflection of our devotion to God and then each other. 

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

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Are You Devoted? Posted: 29 Jul 2009 01:58 PM PDT "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." (Acts 2:42) Once the New Testament church had been launched, what did they do with themselves? That's the question we'll spend the rest of the week and weekend answering from the end of Acts 2. The first thing they did is the one thing Christian churches still focus on most clearly: They tuned into the apostles' teaching. The apostles were those guys who had been trained by Jesus and specifically chosen to teach the church how to walk after Him. A couple of millennia later, we're still devoting ourselves to their teaching in the pages of the New Testament. The church then, like yours today hopefully, was all about spending time together, as in "all for one and one for all." That meant eating and praying together became the norm for this growing family of brothers and sisters in Christ. Membership in the church was never meant to be an online-only kind of thing that you went off an did by yourself. God intended us to be a family, learning about Christ and following after Him together, asking Him for help because it's hard to follow Him, and "breaking bread" together (for Communion or "the Lord's Supper") to remember what He did and what He will do. Think: How does your church do in these areas? How do you do at participating in each of these things with the people in your church? Do you think you place enough value on participating in church life? Pray: Ask God to help you to devote yourself, along with other Christians, to studying God's Word and to the fellowship of believers by breaking bread and praying together. Do: Write down a number from 1 to 10 (with 10 being high), rating your opinion of how your church does at each of these areas: being devoted to the Bible's teaching, eating and/or sharing Communion together, and praying together. Then write down a number rating how you do at contributing to these areas in your church. Visit PlanetWisdom.com for more great resources!

Are you an Escapee?

I have to confess, I have missed going to Pismo this year for our Youth Group camping trip.   One of the many things I miss about this trip is playing Capture the Flag at night on the sand dunes.  At my 45+ years young...I still like the thrill of guarding the flag, deflecting flag stalkers and screaming at the top of my lungs for my team to rally around me to protect our flag from imminient capture.

 

I think those moments of Capture the Flag...remind me of other thrilling moments from my childhood.  The long hot days of summer and playing outside games in the neighborhood until there was just a pale orange afterglow on the horizon after the sun went down.  We'd all hope and pray and BEG someone's parents to sit out on their front porch so we could play a little longer "under adult supervision."

 

We'd play freeze tag.  We'd play hide-n-seek.  We'd play steal the bacon.  We'd play kick the can.  I LOVED playing games.  I loved just barely escaping the desperate reach of whomever was "it" and squealing with delight.  And, in my youth, I was fleet of foot and quick to slip through grasping/grabbing hands.  I had this false sense of invincibility.  I also had this big mouth and annoying bravado as I taunted whomever was "it."  Yeah, I was the bratty little sister.  Most times, I could back up my swagger with fast sprints.

 

You've all been there.  And, like me, you've all been caught.  The realization that your game-playing freedom has come to an end penetrates your juvenile brain and you react in, usually, one of two ways.  Either your squeal with frustrating, "say it ain't so" angst or you immediately begin to whine, beg and accuse someone of cheating.  Usually, I was the latter (hey, I ADMIT I was a bratty little sister).

 

As I grew older, and perhaps a tad more mature, I began to realize it was necessary for everyone to admit when they were caught...quickly...so gameplay could continue.  All the time spent arguing, debating, etc., chipped away at the time we had left to play for that particular evening.  We never had draws.  Every game resulted in someone being caught.  That was the way of games played on the street, after the sun went down, in the summers of my youth.

 

Today's Devo made me think about the games we played as children and even the games we now play with the Youth Group.  No one ever wants to get caught.  Everyone wants to keep playing.

 

This Devo also reminded me of the serious game everyone plays with eternity.    Those who have trusted Christ will escape the just wrath of God on their sin.  That is what we are saved from.  Those who reject Jesus as Savior will NOT escape and eternally experience the righteous wrath of God.  There is no whining, begging or "slipping" away anyone will be able to do to trick, or maneuver or sneak past God's certain punishment of sin.

 

The Gospel is serious Good News.  Peter was passionate about his plea with those listening to his message on the day of Pentecost.  Today's Devo elaborates on that.  Are you passionate about telling everyone you know about the serious Good News of the Gospel?  Or, are you still playing games thinking this life isn't about eternity?

 

I love you all and pray for you daily!
 

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

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Escape! Posted: 28 Jul 2009 02:22 PM PDT "With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, 'Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.' Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day." (Acts 2:40-41) We're continuing our snapshot look at the birth of the New Testament church. In a way, you could call Pentecost the church's grand opening. That's the day the Holy Spirit came and filled the new believers, the day Peter fearlessly preached the truth about Jesus right out loud in public, the day 3,000 became Christians. They responded to his pleading: "Save yourselves form this corrupt generation." He was likely talking about the generation of Israelites responsible for rejecting Jesus as Messiah. But it would be fair to call every generation corrupt, I guess. Yours is, too. The majority of your peers have rejected Jesus and operate according to a system that is all about searching for meaning in pleasure, possessions, and status -- and coming up short. Coming up doomed, in fact, to a hopeless eternity. The only escape from that system, from that fate -- from the path of your generation -- is through faith in Jesus into the family of God. In other words, the church is collection of escapees freed from a failed worldview and finally headed in the only direction that makes any sense -- toward our home with Christ. It's not the easy way right now, but it's easier when we all head that way together. Are you an escapee? If so, who are you running with? Think: If you've escaped a failed worldview (and hell) by putting your faith in Jesus instead of self (or anything else), are you doing anything to help anyone else make it over the wall? What could you do? Pray: If you're a Christian, thank God for helping you to escape from unbelief and into a relationship with Him through faith in Christ. Thank Him for all the others who have escaped since the day of Pentecost. Do: Get all of your friends together and wear prison-style orange jumpsuits to church next week, explaining to everyone that you are escapees from your unbelieving generation. Okay, we both know you won't really do that. But it's fun to think about. Visit PlanetWisdom.com for more great resources!

Sending Smiles

This is a picture of some "Schnoodles" my sister is breeding and getting ready to sell.  They look like they are smiling & laughing!  Too cute!! =D

Early Church History

I love reading about the early church in the New Testament!  It was an amazing time of the Holy Spirit at work to glorify God and call the unsaved to repentence.  There were the "big" names of the early church: Peter, John, Paul and the Apostles (almost sounds like a British invasion band, doesn't it?).  Make no mistake, God was the One doing the work and using the tools of these human vessels to work out His plan, His purpose and His message.

 

When you read on in Acts 2 you see thousands making decisions to follow Jesus Christ:

Acts 2:41-47 (41) So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.(42) They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.(43) Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. (44) And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; (45) and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. (46) Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, (47) praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

These verses almost sound like a utopian society, don't they?  I've often wondered what the early church would look like in our world today.  Recenlty, I got a chance to see.  For about a week 31 of us traveled from wealthy America to not so wealthy Guatemala.  However, as I reflect over the days there and being home now...I think we are the poor and they the wealthy.  Yes, we have tangible wealth...but they have hold of an eternal hope in Christ.  I know I've forgotten so many times about the "big" picture, namely, eternity.  What is the span of 65-85 years in comparision with FOREVER?

 

As I reflect on the fellowship, work and unity of heart we shared with the Guatemalans...the one thing we all had in common was our love for Jesus and a desire to share the Gospel (using words if necessary!).  As we saw needs, without exception, all of us wanted to help.  Before we left several trashbags were filled with our clothes, toiletry items, etc., to leave behind as a "help" to our brothers and sisters in Christ at Ciudad de Refugio (I love that name - City of Refuge).

 

What does this small struggling church in Guatemala have that we don't have here in the States?  My first response would be they lack "me-ism."  They are living out their love for Jesus by serving each other....putting others' needs ahead of their own.  They are living out their love for God by loving one another.

 

When did we lose that?

 

Don't tell me it is a cultural thing.  Don't tell me it is an early church New Testament only thing.  It's a "me" thing.  If I trust God and believe Him at His Word, my cultural is all about Christ now, right?  Isn't that what we're told in Colossians?

 

Colossians 3:1-3 (1) Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (2) Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. (3) For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

 

Pastor Jorge's daughter, Victoria and soon to be husband, Santos, plan to visit us in October.  I am excited for them to come and yet, ashamed, at the same time.  Why?  Because we are rich in worldy things and poor in spiritual things.  Our culture isn't about serving one another and spreading the Gospel. 

 

I want to make Guatemala happen here in our churches...homes...and relationships.  Just like the early church in Acts 2.

 

Don't you?  What do you think that would look like in our church right now?  I can only imagine!

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

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The Promise is for You Posted: 27 Jul 2009 03:02 PM PDT "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." (Acts 2:38-39) For the next few days, we're going to drop in on the first days of the church. The word "church" has a lot of different meanings to people. What we mean this week is a group made up of all Christians everywhere -- and also the members of that group that come together to "do church" in a certain town or neighborhood. Today's passage is the invitation from Peter at the end of his sermon just after the Holy Spirit had come to fill up all the believers in Jesus. This is after Jesus' resurrection and after He had gone back up into heaven. The arrival of the Spirit drew a huge crowd because it was loud and it involved supernatural sights ("fire tongues" above people's heads) and sounds (people speaking fluently in languages they didn't know so all could understand). Peter's testimony was that this display of spiritual power was evidence that Jesus -- the one that had just been crucified and resurrected -- is "both Christ and Lord." Convicted, the people wanted to know what they could do. Today's verse was Peter's answer -- and 2,000 years later we still offer Jesus as the answer to all who want to know what to do to be forgiven for their sins and receive the gift of Holy Spirit themselves. Think: How would you put into your own words the basic message we, the church, hold out to everyone who does not yet know Jesus as "Christ and Lord"? Pray: If you're a Christian, thank God for forgiving your sins through your faith in Jesus and for giving you the gift of the Holy Spirit. Do: Read Acts 2 to catch the entire story of this amazing day known as Pentecost. Visit PlanetWisdom.com for more great resources!

Bottled Water

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaack! Miss me?  Well I missed you (well, those of you who didn't go to Guatemala with us!)!!! Been keeping up with your daily devotions?  Like a plant needs soil to sink its roots deep into, sun to do that photo-synthesis thingy and water to grow...so you and I need to spend time daily with God to grow deep and strong in our relationship with Him! As soon as I collect my thoughts and notes from journaling on our trip, I'll start posting about our amazing trip to Guatemala.  I hope you don't get bored hearing about Guatemala!!!  In reading the following devo from Planet Wisdom, I instantly thought about our Guatemala trip.  It seemed like we were always using "good" water from provided water bottles to drink, brush our teeth, wash our faces, etc.  The water in Guatemala isn't treated like the water here in the USA.  And, we were told we'd probably get sick if we drank the water there. Every day, we'd lug around our 1.5 liter Agua Pura blue water bottles.  Every day, we'd brush our teeth with the bottled water. Almost every day, we were provided with new bottles of water.  Sometimes, we'd be told to grab two and carry them around.  As I had the backpack, sometimes I'd be carrying around 4 1.5 liter bottles.  They would get uber heavy and I'd start to get grouchy and look for Frank to haul our supply of drinking water.  The very thing we needed, to keep us from getting sick, was the thing that annoyed me and I took for granted. Kinda like the Israelites.  God had provided for them faithfully for 40 years while they wandered around the desert.  Now, when they are almost at the time where they can finally enter into the Promised Land...they still get all grouchy, annoyed and absolutely ridiculous in the things they say to Aaron, Moses and God! We all get like that even now.  Like Brian Dagen reminded us on Sunday, we are to be always thankful.  Read on. PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

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Better Off Dead? Posted: 20 Jul 2009 03:27 PM PDT "Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. They quarreled with Moses and said, 'If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the LORD!' " (Numbers 20:2-3) We're going to spend a few days with the ancient Israelites in a place called Kadesh. It's been 40 years since this community escaped from Egypt. When they had the chance to go straight into the Promised Land, they did not believe God could pull it off. In spite of seeing Him part the Red Sea and send those scary plagues on Egypt, they didn't believe He was strong enough to help them conquer the Land. Remember their penalty? God sent them back into the wilderness to wander around for 40 years until everyone 20 and older died off. Now, 39 years later, it's almost time for their grown-up kids to finally enter the Promised Land. But -- like all of us -- they still have issues with trusting God. When things went bad, they threw a fit. There was a well-known spring at Kadesh which provided much-need water. They'd been there before. When they showed up this time, though, it was dry. They panicked, apparently, and got mad at Moses and Aaron, both well over 100 years old: "We'd be better off dead than here and now with you and God," they might as well have said. Think: How do you react when things go wrong? Do you look for someone in charge to blame? When you get scared or find yourself in a potentially dangerous situation, are you more or less likely to trust God? Why? Pray: Ask God to help you to make the choice to trust Him more, not less, when things go wrong. Ask Him to give you the wisdom and faith not to look for someone to blame but to wait for Him to provide. Do: Notice this week how you and others react when things don't go according to plan. Visit PlanetWisdom.com for more great resources!

Too Smart for My Own Good...

I have a confession to make: Growing up I thought I was adopted.  Shhhh...don't tell anyone!

 

Somehow, I got to be the "smart" one in the family.  School came easily to me.  I had excellent retention skills, so pretty much anything I heard in a classroom lecture I could regurgitate on a test and score 100% every time.  I had to work a little harder when it came to being tested on textbook understanding, but I still pulled it off and sailed through elementary, jr. high & high school with mostly As & Bs.  Other than Geometry, I received a "C" in Civics my senior year in high school.  By the time I was a senior, I was only going to school 1/2 days and had senioritis big time (you know, short-timers syndrome).

 

I had a huge pride problem when I was a teenager.  Intellectual understanding came easily to me.  You only had to tell me once and I "got it."  I was a quick learner, efficient and organized.  My family, on the other hand, had not excelled educationally.  I had that "know it all" disease and didn't think too highly of my family nor their ability to problem solve, etc.  I was quite foolish and full of myself.

 

My dad was (and still is) great with tools, wood-working, construction projects, etc.  My mom was a brilliant cook.  She was the pre-school cook for 10 years.  She excelled at shopping, planning and organizing nutritious (why dose that spelling look so weird?) menus for the preschool children.  My sister was (and still is) a talented artist.  She is also incredible with animals.  In fact, she is a licensed dog breeder in Colorado.

 

In my youth, these intelligent qualities and life experiences of my family were lost on me.  I felt superior and was pretty sure I was adopted.  How could someone as brilliant as me come from such a common family?

 

Dosen't that just make you want to slap me?  I've talked a lot with my dad in recent weeks about "way back then."  My dad relayed that he and my mom were just happy I was doing so well in school and were proud of me.  They'd hoped I'd go to college (which I did), keep the Lord first in my life (which I eventually did) and find a way to serve in the local New Testament church (which I eventually did).

 

For all my smartness, I lacked wisdom.  I reasoned because I knew so much I had no need for advice from my family and after I turned 16, pretty much leaned on my own understanding of things.  Because of my pride and false sense of intelligence, I missed out on the wisdom my family could instruct me with.  I figured they had NO CLUE as to who I really was and could not instruct me on the guys I dated, the friends I hung out with nor the experiences I experimented with.  Because I lacked wisdom, I was unable to protect myself from the pitfalls of my own choices.

 

Biblical wisdom comes from knowing God and following Him.  Real wisdom is humble and eager to learn from the richness of others' experiences.  Hmmmm.....Read on.

 

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

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Wisdom Shows Posted: 29 Jun 2009 08:44 PM PDT "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom." (James 3:13) Are you a wise person? According to James, if I knew you I wouldn't have to ask that question. Having a high wisdom quotient (WQ?) isn't something that comes from filling in the right ovals on a multiple choice test. Wisdom shows. Wisdom stands out in our world in the same way that having purple hair or being eight feet tall stands out. What we're going to see in this week's devo's is that living wisely -- with the "wisdom of heaven" -- is not the norm in this zip code. It's weird, even. So if you're a wise person, people will notice. They'll see you living a good life. They'll see you making choices like a humble person, like someone who knows the story isn't about him. Come back tomorrow to see what wisdom ain't. Think: If "wisdom is as wisdom does," do you think many people would describe you as a wise person? Do you know any smart people who are not very wise? How about the reverse of that -- people who live wisely without being very "book smart"? Pray: Ask God to help you to be a wise and understanding person so that it becomes obvious by your good life and deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. Do: Make a quick list of the 5 wisest-living people you know. Visit PlanetWisdom.com for more great resources!