Meet My Vati (Daddy)...

I want to take some time to introduce you to my incredible Dad, Mirv - who goes by "Vati" to me (Vati is "Daddy" in German).   Vati is an amazing man.  Anyone that meets my Dad finds him interesting and likable.  He is the real deal MacGuyver, has a quirky sense of humor, a soft heart for his wife and family and a caring for others in his own unique way.  There are two additional things he loves/is passionate about (besides his family) and they are: sharing his faith in Jesus (specifically as an online missionary with Global Media Outreach) and being a pilot flying a single engine airplane!

Recently, Vati was diagnosed with prostate cancer.  It all was very overwhelming for me to hear about.  I know that treatment these days are way more advanced then in years past....I just remember both of my Opas (Grandfathers) having health issues and dying within a short period of time of each other -- and hearing the news of this health issue with my Dad really threw my emotions for a loop.

As we found out more information about the procedure it made is somewhat easier to deal with.  I think even more than that though, has been my Dad's perspective and attitude through this whole thing.  I don't think I would've had the same reaction/attitude.  Maybe that is why he has been given this trial.

Anyhow, I thought I'd attach the link to his caringbridge website so you can read it all in his own words.  (Note:  You will have to sign in/log in on the main page before you can look up his site.)  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mirvwondracek   For those of you not able to access the caringbridge site, I've attached his most recent posting below.

He has two more procedures after today.  Please pray for him and my family.  Thanks everyone!  Your support means so much.

I love you Vati!!  (_)?
~Joyce

p.s. I'll be writing about my time management challenge results next week. 

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1st Cyberknife treatment 9/19/2013

Ev and I traveled to UNC got there on time (a bit early ) and had the luxury of using the Valet Parking (yes that also is a God provision) free for Cancer Patients.   Checked in and they took me away ( but no to the funny farm haha hehe hoho like that old song goes) to the recovery area for stats and some steroids to prevent inflammation. Of course there my BP went up there again and after 45 minutes of allowing the meds to take affect I guess off we go on a wheelchair for 1/4 mile to the CyberKnife room. 

WOW several monitors, controls etc. now the grand entry to the "Ultimate Robot" with the end-effector being the x-ray beam module.  I believe it was a 7 axis motion control the arms being about 6 ft in length and sounded like stepping motors with closed loop feedback.  In the days of working with robots there were always safety gates around the working envelope of a live robot glad that they are watching every move with several cameras.

Thought it was going to be 45 min to 1 hr NOT. Try 1.5 hrs on the table laying still (Mirv and still???) after one hour they came in and asked if I needed to go to the bathroom I said that would be a good idea... me how did you know? Then the movement of the prostate, empty bladder, re- zero or initialize system again for the last 90 beams yes the total intersecting beams were 270 with 3 apertures.

While listening to nice music, I was just thinking how this treatment parallels with how God works in us, namely the radiation is invisible and one cannot tell on the outside of the body that there was cancer likewise when we were yet sinners with a sick heart it does not always show on the outside and God invisibly fixes that,  not just by knowing that He can, but only if you accept the treatment and seek the help. Jn. 3:16 allows each one of us to receive this treatment.

Praise be to Him, Thank you all for your faithfulness in your prayers, I really love you guys.
-Mirv

Time Management Challenge

I read a really great article this week about distractions in the workplace and how it affects our productivity.  It stated that it takes people (on average) twenty minutes to get re-focused on the task they were working on during the time of getting interrupted.    That is a long time -- and a waste of time!  Wow.  

I have a position at work that demands my attention from multiple directions at any given time - and that is not counting the interruptions I get on a daily basis!   That being said, it is quite a challenge to "manage my time".  There are days I feel like I am on top of it all with "the ship" running on pace with only minor course adjustments.  Then there are other days in which I feel completely out of control and overwhelmed.  I am always looking to tweak my time management - but how does one account for unplanned interruptions?  

I've decided that for the next week I am going to try out a couple of new "time management" strategies to see if it helps me manage my day/week better.   It will be hard to stick to, but I have to try it.    I will report back on my blog next Friday to let you know the outcome of my little test/challenge.

Here are the following things I am going to do for the coming work week:

1. I am going to only check (and reply to) my email and voice-mail at 2 given times each day.  (8:30-9:30am and then again from 1:30-2:30pm.)
2. When I have a scheduled meeting/conference call, I will go to a conference room or empty office so I am not at my desk (where I could get interrupted) - and I can focus fully on what the conf. call is about.
3. I am going to actually take a lunch break each day for at least 30 minutes - OUTSIDE of the office.
4. I am going to walk each day for the other 30min. of my lunch break. 

So there you have it.  The challenge begins starting Monday!  Let me know if you plan on joining me on my little time management pilot program!  It would be great to hear what other strategies are being tested next week in addition to mine.

See you all next week for the results!

~Joyce

Complacency in Creation

"Asphalt, steel and buildings all surround me.

But I'm stranded in the city, with a mountain in my heart."

 

-The Hills - Josh Pepper Band

 

One of our newest songs is called The Hills. It is a song that I wrote a few years back when I had to move my entire family from the calm, quiet life that we knew in our suburban home just outside of Raleigh, NC to the hustle of Minneapolis, MN for Carter's (my oldest son) bone marrow transplant and treatments for Fanconi Anemia. It is a song about a small town boy transplanted to the city and all of the culture shock that goes along with it.

 

As much as I love Minneapolis, and any other large metropolitan area, I'll always be a small town kind of guy. I like the idea of acres and acres of land. Free rolling hills. NO skyscrapers as far as you can see. And the only noise you hear is insects, animals and the occasional tractor.

 

Sometimes I feel like we all get complacent. We see all of the things around us, be it architecture, electronics, technology and we lose sight of the ONE TRUE CREATOR. We think that we can build anything and do anything.

 

This is why I have made it a point to visit places that are untouched by humans....We haven't had the chance to ruin everything yet....and over the last few weeks and forever to come, I'll be showing you some of the places and things you can do to realize that someone created a world prior to us creating THINGS.

 

One of the things that Crystal, Carter, Ethan and myself have really started to enjoy is biking...Novice bikers at best, we don't yet, nor will we, have full body spandex and tiny seats...BUT we can gently glide down the Greenways's set up to take you down the bank of the Neuse river. A place called Sam's Branch Greenway that is only 4 minutes outside of downtown Clayton, NC can show you in NO uncertain terms- sights, sounds, smells- that WE cannot create anything as beautiful as the parts of the world left untouched by human hands and enjoying it with family makes it all that much better....Here are a couple pics from our last couple trips...

 

 

 

Another place that we went just this past weekend is Raven Rock State Park in Lillington, NC.

 

 Carter took a picture of us on the way...

...Once there, it is MILES upon MILES of trails, camping and picnic areas...Just walking the trails, listening to sounds, smelling the freshness of the air, and feeling the cool breeze through the tree's is enough to make anyone step back and say, "Thank you Lord for all you have created!"

 

 

The first stop on the trail that we took, was down about 150 steps....STRAIGHT DOWN....

 

It is enough to make you question whether it could possibly be worth the trip down...IT IS! The river has cut trough the rock to leave you with stunningly large rocks hanging over your head and river views that are unreal...

 

 

 

After stumbling up the  previously mentioned stairway......and about a 15 minute rest break....you head to the overlook. Neither words nor these pictures can describe what you are able to see and feel while standing at the overlook...I will not try, just show you the picture...

 

 

 

 

The point of this post is simple. Should you ever be overwhelmed by your hectic schedule, and never slow down attitude in life, take a break...go far away from the things that WE created and the man made stress and get back into the real world...the places that are touched by God and GOD only. And do it with your family, because the people that we care about should be there to experience the natural beauties with us.

 

Until the next travel into the woods, God Bless You all -

 

-The Pepper Family (Josh, Crystal, Carter and Ethan)

 

 

 

Jack of all trades or Master of one?

I have to admit, that I used to really hate that saying "Jack of all trades, master of none."   I hated it because it describes me.  Ok, maybe I am not a "Jack of ALL trades"....but you get the point.  I don't have one particular specialized skill/talent.  I am what you might call in broad terms - a generalist. 

In my opinion, our present day world/society of "Be #1", "Be The Best", American Idol, Master Chef and the like, we are all made to feel insignificant and insecure if we don't "make it" in one specialized talent or skill.   This view can mess people up bad. It is a suffocating pressure that surrounds us all and if we don't reach for the air-mask of our identity, we are bound to live (as Thoreau put it) quiet lives of desperation (and I'll add - defeat).  

Don't get me wrong, we are ALL wonderfully and uniquely made by our awesome Creator!   I will tell you that I would most definitely want a specialist in the medical profession when I or someone I love needs a particular ailment cured.  I would also want a specialist when it comes to the engineering of a building, bridge or home.  

However, with that being said, there are many of us out there that are made with a large handful of (what this society might call) "average" -- and that is not a bad thing!    Honestly, I think it is what keeps the Home Depot and Lowes home improvement stores profitable.  They are counting on the the "average" person who has curiosity combined with just enough guts (and general knowledge/skill) to try out a variety of DIY projects.   

I think it is important that we have both specialist AND generalist.  If we only had one and not the other, this world wouldn't work right.  What we need to do is not just celebrate those who are masters at their skill/talents (as our society does)....but also those who are the "Jack of all trades", for God made us all - for His glory and purposes.


~Joyce

Losing Time Making Memories

Been a couple weeks since I posted...Josh here...

Over the last few weeks I've noticed some drastic changes in my household...My two boys are getting older. I used to have one baby...Then overnight I had a new baby and a little boy...Seemingly in the blink of an eye, I now live with an incredible wife and two little men.

I don't know how to describe the last few weeks, but they have been awesome! The more I see my little boys, the more I realize that they are getting SOOOOO big. Every time I look at them I see new things. New behaviors. New words are being said. Heck just a few weeks ago Ethan, my youngest, was cooing and mumbling nothings...Now we are having full blown conversations. In this realization, i have realized (redundant) I LOVE MY LIFE AND MY BOYS MORE THAN ANYTHING I HAVE EVER LOVED BEFORE!!!!!!! They are my world! My life revolves around them and I LOVE IT. Wouldn't change it for anything!!!

Moral of this story...DON'T BLINK...Carter and Ethan are 6 and 2 and I already feel like I missed so many things along the way even though I've been right here the whole time!!! Here's to not missing anything...Here's to baseball games and Boy Scouts...Here's to homework and lost teeth. I can't wait. I wanna be right beside them for EVERY pivotal moment from now till I am not walking on this earth any longer. I love you boys. When you get older I hope you look back and say, "my parents loved me so much. They were always there no matter what." And we will be.....

I'll leave you with a timeline of pictures.....BEST FRIENDS FOREVER...

 

 

 

 

AND ONE DAY.....

 

 

 

 

 

Live Auction!

Have you ever been to a live Auction?  You'd think that with all the PBS Antiques Roadshows Michael and I have watched in the last 14 yrs or so that we have been to many auctions, but that isn't the case.  While we were in Sabetha, Kansas (for the annual Wenger reunion) we found out about a live auction that was taking place through Hartter Auction at the old Armory on Main Street in Sabetha.  We decided to go and check it out!

I was so excited I couldn't stand it!  Before walking in, you have to register/sign up for a number if you want to bid on anything.  Michael and I both signed up for a different number so we could both bid on different items.  We walked around before the auction started to see what treasures we would be interested to bid on.  Wow, there was so much to look at!  Old tools, old barber shop items, old coins, furniture, jewelry, household items, comic books and more!

The first box I put my bid in for was a box of misc. stainless steel looking items.  I mostly wanted the one vase in it - but I already knew I would not go very high in my bid.  I ended up getting the whole box for $1.  There were some real treasures in there including a whole tea service set, a beer stein from Germany and a silver plated bowl from Oneida!

Michael and I were able to talk with other bidders when we weren't focused on making bids.  We made friends with Kevin and Sharon from Missouri ~ who are dealers and have been doing this sort of thing for over 20yrs!  They had some good advice for us and great stories as we continued on in our auction experience.  They do have an e-bay site ~ so make sure to go check it out!  They are great folks and have great seller reviews on e-bay!

One of the items I really really wanted is an old print stamp set.  As you might know from reading my craft blog post, I am into stamping, scrapbooking, cards and crafts.  When I saw this set and found that all alphas and numbers were accounted for, I couldn't keep my eyes off them!  I was prepared to bid up to $40 if I had too!  I ended up getting them for $15 and it also included a couple of lithographic tins too!

I did also bid on a couple of boxes of costume jewelry ~ and when I got back to the house, while I was showing off my treasures, some of Michael's cousins were interested in some of it and ended up buying some pieces!  So, basically, I made all the bidding money back for the jewelry items.  (I can see now why dealers are in this whole auction / reselling business!  It did make me think about maybe learning more about doing it myself!)

I will say that I really enjoyed going to my first auction and totally plan on attending more in the future!  I have attached a link for any of you thinking about going to an auction in the future!   Here it is:  Good Advice before going to an Auction.

Happy treasure hunting!

~Joyce

Our new friends Sharon & Kevin

   

Freedom of ?

I know that everyone always says that two things you don't talk about for fear of what will happen are politics and religion. I think that the results of a good or bad conversation about either of the two is exactly what our forefathers intended to create with the first amendment.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

The time in which our forefathers gathered to create our constitution is a lot like today...Believe it or not, while creating the greatest government ever, there were vastly differing opinions. Much like the society that we live in today, these men gathered and knew that government was necessary yet they all had different avenues to get to the final result. One thing that is apparent in the first amendment in particular is the fact that conversation is a GOOD thing. We aren't all supposed to think the same way. We aren't all supposed to agree all of the time. In fact, the very freedom of speech that was protected was not so that boisterous people can get their way and not be ridiculed, yet so that an open discussion could be held without persecution.

People who stand behind the idea that MY opinion is the only way. And MY way of doing things is the only correct way and hide behind this amendment are fundamentally wrong in their thinking. This country has risen to be the most powerful nation in the world because of open, intelligent discussions between people who hardly agree at all. Yet one thing is true of all of us....we believe it is our RIGHT to HAVE these discussions.

In some parts of the world, the mere mentioning of something that is different from someone else is punishable by law.

If our law makers today would sit back and think about this concept, maybe we(the US taxpayer) wouldn't be paying a salary to people who ABSOLUTELY, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES would even listen to each other's side of the story.

It's gone far beyond just politics though. It's become a part of our ever day life to ignore other people's views because of the idea that we are the only ones who could be right. Sometimes in life there isn't a definite right and wrong way of accomplishing things. As long as we are heading the same direction and have our eyes set on the one and only absolute truth in this world which is the teachings and moral standards of Jesus Christ we should be able to have these conversations without feeling discriminated against.

Our freedom of speech DOES NOT give us the right to say whatever we want to without scrutiny from others which creates dialog. ALL it protects us from is being criminally persecuted because of our words.

What are your thoughts? I want to know. We all should want to know. Lets have a discussion. I, personally, LOVE nothing more than to have educated discussions with people, even and especially when it is a belief or idea that is the opposite of what I hold. It gives me the opportunity to understand things from ALL points of view. It gives me the opportunity to decide for myself and educate myself on other ideas if I so choose. It gives me the feeling of a TRUE AMERICAN! Politics and religion (and nothing else) for that matter scares me to talk about with anyone. I'm not afraid.

God bless you all! Please comment!

LEEEEERRRROOOOOOYYYYYY JEEEEEEENNNNNKKKKIIIIINNNNNNNNNNSSS!!!!

Yup...that's all I got...Busy week...Writers block....Love you guys, and I want to write something good...but all I got is nothing.

On the Pontoon

Out here in the open....

Ok, so, I guess it is obvious that the whole band is needing some R&R, since no one else posted to the blog this week!  ;-)

We (the band) are going to spend some time together at the lake this weekend.  Interestingly enough, we've been working on the cover song "Pontoon" from Little Big Town.  I have to admit it sounds pretty darn good!  You'll have to come out and hear it at one of our upcoming shows.  (Next two shows are both Aug. 17th!  Just sayin'....)

I look forward to just having chill time with no agenda.  Since our lives are all so different, we don't always have time to just be together.  Usually we see each other at practice each week - but it isn't the same as just enjoying one another's company and building tighter relationships.  I am guessing this outing will only strengthen our bond as a band/musical group.  Who knows...maybe with no time pressures or agendas, we'll even have time to write some new music together - or take some personal interview videos to share with you all in the future!

Well, I hope you have a wonderful weekend!  We'll see you out on the pontoon!

  ~Joyce

Beth, Eric, Josh, Michael & Joyce

12 Step for thrifty craft purchases?

Some of you know this about me already, but some may not know that when God made me, he put the crafting/artsy gene in my DNA makeup.  I have always loved art ever since I can remember.  

I think the earliest memory I have is art class in 3^rd grade (age 6/7).  We made all sorts of different art projects and I remember many of them from that particular year.  This art teacher was very innovative and I think her creativity and style of teaching was what grew the seed (of creating and love for art/crafts) already planted inside of me.  Our class project would be regularly displayed near the lunch room and the art teacher would pick one student’s project to be the main display for the whole class with everyone else’s project surrounding the selected display.  One of the projects we did was making a winter postage stamp on a large size piece of construction paper.  Most of the kids – including myself – copied the teacher’s example and created a snowman on a hilly winter backdrop.  Well, I was super excited when I passed by our class’s display to find my snowman as the chosen piece for our class display! 

One view of the craft closet

Fast forward 30 or so years, and I realize how out of control this lover of creating/art has become!

I had a recent awakening to a not-so-serious but potentially “hazardous” silent problem – maybe even addiction.   This recent awakening/revelation came when I had a couple of open evenings on my schedule and decided that I was going to tidy up my craft closet.   Yes – I have a closet full of crafting supplies.   A closet.  Did I mention that it is FULL of crafting/art supplies?  Yikes!  Maybe my sister was right about me.   I just couldn’t help myself when I saw someone getting rid of craft supplies – I’d ask for them so they wouldn’t be thrown out.  Or how about the dollar/clearance bins at Michael’s and AC Moore stores?  I’d only get a couple of items here and there…

What was I thinking?

Well, “here and there” ended up becoming a closet full of supplies!  I looked at all of the supplies and wondered, “What was I thinking?” 

A recent co-worker who found out I like to scrapbook, sent me a youtube video that really made me laugh out loud.  I felt like she found me on youtube without even knowing it!  (Click here for ScrapbookHoarders Youtube video.)

After watching this video and the awakening after my closet clean up, I decided to modify the original 12 step program to fit my situation with crafting supplies:

1. I admit I am powerless over free or dollar deal crafting purchases - that my crafting/art supply closet has become unmanageable.
2. I have come to believe that a power greater than myself could restore me to sanity. [Gravity!  I had items fall over and on top of me when I went into my craft closet!]
3. Made a decision to turn my crafting purchasing/collecting portion of my life over to the care of Bonnie, My Sister, fellow crafter and Sponsor.
4. Make a searching and fearless honest inventory of my craft closet.
5. Admitted to Bonnie (my crafting Sponsor), to myself, and to another human beings (all of my blog post readers) the exact nature of my crafting purchase/collecting habit wrongs.
6. Be entirely ready to delete all coupon emails from AC Moore, Michaels, JoAnn’s and ARCHIVERS in order to remove all possible temptations of being lured into the store(s).
7. Humbly ask my Sponsor to do random craft check ins to help me remove my craft purchasing shortcomings.
8. Make a list of all persons I have harmed (with my craft creations), and become willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continue to take personal craft supply inventory, and when I have purchased craft items and not actually made a craft, promptly admit it.
11. Sought through my Sponsor, make sure she validates that a craft purchase truly is needed before I make a purchase.
12. Having had an awakening as the result of these steps, I will try to carry this message to craft/art collecting addicts, and to practice these principles in all my crafting affairs.

I’ve also posted another crafter’s 12 steps here:  http://www.craftsayings.com/projects/gag_gifts/craftaholic/index.shtml

In all seriousness, I do love to create/craft/scrapbook/make cards, etc.  It is therapeutic for me.  What I need to do is make sure I set aside time to create/craft more often.  

So, if anyone of you out there can relate, I'd love to hear from you!  Better yet, let's plan a time to craft/create!  

See you at Michael's/AC Moore!  ;-)

~Joyce

Swimming Lessons

So I have been on Hiatus the past week, but I'm back!!!! We have been taking Royce twice a week to swimming lessons. Now, I know some of you are thinking "What could a 15 month old seriously learn at swimming lessons"? Well, definitely not how to swim. My family has a lake house at Kerr Lake and we go a lot in the summer. We are always out on the boat and Royce is really getting curious about the water and the boat especially.We also have a pool in our neighborhood and every time we go he just cries when we put in the water! So I just want him to get comfortable being in the water and since I am not the best swimmer myself, I thought a swim teacher would know better than me!


So two weeks ago we went to our first lesson. I swear I almost left that very first night! Bart got in the water with him that night. To say that he did not like it would be the biggest understatement of the year. He clung to Bart's neck and cried the entire lesson. Of course mine was the only one crying to add insult to injury! I forced myself to take him to the second lesson. I am so glad I did! Bart wasn't able to go, so it was my turn! After we got in and he got used to the water temperature, he slowly let go of his death grip on my neck and actually let me turn him around and interact with the other children. Now at week three of our lessons, he is doing SO much better! He splashes and kicks his legs. Last night he even let me put his face down in the water!


So, for everybody who thinks I am crazy, I am so glad we did this! We went to the lake this past weekend with family, and he really did so much better. If it wasn't for the fact that he has to wear this ridiculous life jacket, I think he might have actually enjoyed himself! Although he did relax in his lifr jacket enough to go to sleep while were at the fireworks!


Anyway, so that is what I have been up to in my crazy little life lately! Between work, family, and the band, sometimes I feel like there is not enough of me to go around! But I wouldn't have it any other way! Hope you guys have a great week!!!!


Beth

The Demise of Country Music

I, like many people in this world, am a huge country music fan. I love what it stands for. I love the storytelling. I love the instruments. I love EVERYTHING about country music. I owe a great deal of my songwriting and style to country music. That said, there has been a definite decline in the "realness" of country music over the past few years.

To fully understand my dislike for the direction of today's country music, one must first understand where country music got it's roots. In the early 20's a ton of people from the Appalachian areas moved into the cities to work in cotton mills, and the factories. When these "backwoods" people brought their "hillbilly music" to the city, it was something completely different to the more urban people. They didn't care much for it actually. However, with the influx of hillbillies into the city, there was a definite market for this music. And a MUCH larger market than the market they had on their front porch in the middle of nowhere. They brought a unique sound and a level of emotion to the music that most people hadn't heard before, much like the blues music from the same era. In fact there were many early country artists that recorded blues music while the country music scene was taking shape. One thing was the backbone of the music....It was real. The stories that were told were those that many of the cotton mill workers could relate to.

In the 30's and 40's came the Western movement...Cowboys. REAL cowboys. Real hardworking cowboys with incredible stories to tell...Stories that could break your heart, paint you a picture and make you smile, all at the same time.

This trend kept going for years and years. Different times brought different styles of music. Yet the backbone remained the same. The instruments, the theme, the feel of the songwriting and storytelling kept everything in tact. Whether its the hillbilly boogie, rockabilly, gospel-folk,  honky-tonk, outlaw country, even country rock like Bob Dylan and John Denver fell into the same niche of instruments, songwriting and storytelling. All was well....

....And then came the "I'll write a song just to get a single" country music. Leading the way was "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk"...Pure crap. Country music had gotten so commercialized that artists went from writing and performing the songs that touched them and the songs that made them who they were to singers whose only purpose in the business was to make a dollar by singing about the stereotypes that the REAL country artist had EARNED.

Country music was NEVER intended to be mainstream, but now that it was, people were going to make some money and put out catchy hooks about horses they've never ridden,  guns they had never shot, whiskey they had never drank and worst of all, a Lord that they didn't seem to know very well.

There are still a few Jamey Johnson's in the crowd who write songs about their life with no restraint on the realness of what they sing about. Songs that you can feel just as much as you can hear like Miranda Lambert's "House that Built Me" or ANY Gary Allen song.

On the other hand, there is Blake Shelton singing his song "Boys 'Round Here" ...Quite possible the worst song to ever grace the Country music radio stations. It is a disgrace...Like 100 years of songwriting and storytelling has been thrown away just so these CITY-SLICKER PANSIES can sing songs about things they OBVIOUSLY know nothing about. Living in the country doesn't make you "Country". Being country makes you country....

And I leave you with the worst of all of them....TOBY KEITH....Suck to a never ending level of SUCK...Toby Keith is like a NASCAR...I think he writes songs and gets paid to drop names...There is no telling how many "Red SOLO Cups" have been sold since they obviously took out an advertising slot on his album...

Get real people. Writing songs is IN YOU. It is ABOUT YOU. And good songs come FROM YOU and  your experiences. Not from what you think it would be like to be country....

Here's to decent songwriting/storytellers in the VERY NEAR FUTURE...I don't think I can handle anymore....

Unlocking the chains of the "Lawspel"

"It's not what we do that determines who we are; it is who we are and how we perceive ourselves that determines what we do."         -N.Anderson/M.Quarles

This quote goes against everything we are taught today.  Everything - our identity - ends up being wrapped up in what we do.  We even start out that way when we introduce ourselves to people.  "Nice to meet you John. So, what do you do?"  We follow up quickly by mentioning we work for such-n-such company for so many years and before that it was so-n-so company.  This do-ing seeps into every aspect of our lives and slowly somehow our doing/actions end up defining us.  This even ends up happening in the church today.

So many Christians are walking around thinking it is what they do that defines their faith.   This is a very tricky and slippery slope that can lead quickly to discouraging thoughts, depression and despair.  Why?  Because if we look to what WE do, we know we fail - or better yet, we did lots of "good deeds" so we consider ourselves to be a good person.  Our identity becomes wrapped up in how good or bad we are instead of who we are in Christ.   Moralistic based religion instead of true Christianity.  (I know, because I used to be in that frame of mind/thought for years and it paralyzed me.)  

I created a word that helps define this awkward and paralyzing land of limbo.  It's called the "lawspel".  The definition is when the Law (rules and regulations) is mixed with the Gospel (grace and freedom through our identity in Christ).  It is a faith that starts out knowing you're saved - but then after you are saved, you just better work hard at being a good man/woman/boy/girl - or else!  There is a familiar saying out there, "Don't smoke, drink or chew - or hang out with people that do!"  Simply put, it is "works based" chains of bondage religion.  It is not true Christianity.  It is exactly what Paul wrote about to the Galatians.    

The only way to unlock the chains of works based lawspel bondage is by having the right keys.  The keys are grace (the gospel) and (a correct understanding of one's) identity in Christ.  God's grace and love are so much bigger than we think.  Many of us already have heard about Christ dying in our place but what we skip over so many times is the fact that his dying on the cross and being raised again paid for ALL of our sin - past, present AND future sin.  Yes - all of it....including future sin!  At the cross, Christ sealed our identity in HIM.   When God the Father sees us (those who believe), He sees Christ.   Forever. Period. Always. That is my identity.  And if you believe in Christ, it is your identity as well.  His love for us never ends.  I mean, never ever!  It doesn't mean we won't sin again, or that we should sin up a storm - but it does mean that it is ALL paid for even when we do!  God's mercy and love is THAT big and unending.  Now that is good news!  That is truth that is truly heart changing.  To know that no matter what I do, good or bad, I am loved and accepted by God because of Christ.  That knowledge and understanding of the gospel is what drives my motivation to want to love more and sin less - not the reverse.  

This is so hard for some to grasp because our culture is so works oriented.  We applaud and reward for good behavior and punish for bad/wrong behavior.  With God, it is all based on what his son did - not on what we did, or do or will do.  It's all about Jesus.  His grace really is sufficient.  

2 Peter 3:18 "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

-Michael

P.S. If you are searching to know more about grace and true freedom in Christ, I've added a couple of resources that helped me break free of the "lawspel":

Christless Christianity by Michael Horton (The book that started it all for me - thanks for recommending it Phil in NY!  This book should be mandatory reading for all Christians.)

The Gospel Driven Life by Michael Horton  (The follow up book to Christless Christianity.)

4 years of messages by my good friend Gordon Duncan:  You can find some of those messages here on Sermoncloud.   

Freedom from Addiction by Neil T.Anderson and Mike & Julia Quarles   (This book is not just for people struggling with addictions - it is a great resource for learning about identity in Christ.)

QBQ ~ Peeling the onion, Time Management and a Fearless Heart

This week I was so frustrated with some of my work - with some people and also myself - all for different reasons.  I got so frustrated after a certain conference call this week that I just had to get it out and talk to someone.  This particular day (of the conf.call), I was able to find an open office of an exec (whom I call Yoda) and plopped myself in a chair and started spitting out frustrations.   After about 10 minutes of talking back and forth he finally asked me "Why are you so frustrated? Better yet, what really is making you frustrated?"

Those two questions made me stop and think for a bit.  It helped snap me out of the downward spiral of whining/complaining. It reminded me of what Michael is always bringing up in conversations we have.  "What is the QBQ (question behind the question)?  Peel the onion." he always says to me.  He received this from reading a book by John G. Miller a while ago.  QBQ focuses on the personal accountability part of our daily lives.

What was making me feel really frustrated?  Was frustration even the right word to use?  I had to look up the definition.

Yup.  That was the right word, alright - at least for some things like the particular conference call I mentioned and also other people.  As for the frustration with myself - well, that I do have the ability to make some changes - so I decided that I need some time to re-calibrate.  I need to renew my mind and what is truly important in my life and make sure that I am putting the important things first as best as possible.   Something that helps me "re-calibrate" is sitting outside in nature and just taking time to think.  As I sat outside this week, I look around and when I saw rocks and pebbles around my feet, it reminded me of Covey's principle of time management told through the rocks/pebbles/sand visual.  (Big rocks first, then little rocks, then sand -- any other way and it all gets messed up.)

Another way I renew is with music - of course.  Sometimes I write songs, sometimes I listen to songs.  Music is therapy.  I think that's why I also like the book of Psalms so much - many of those songs are life re-calibration / renewal thoughts.  

This morning I was listening to one of my favorite group artists - Point of Grace - while getting ready for work.  While listening to their 24 album, a couple of songs came on that really "spoke" to me (and the week that I had).  [Fearless Heart and Blue Skies]   I have to remember that when I am frustrated with things that I cannot change, I can trust in God because he is over it all.  

I'll leave you with this rock and serenity prayer to think about when you're having a day of frustration:

until next blog post,

~Joyce

From a Musician's Wife...To being a mother...To Fighting for life!

     Some of you may know me as "Josh's wife". Over 9 years ago, after Josh and I had gotten out of bad relationships, we were introduced by our mutual friend, Beth (one singer of the JPB). We became best friends instantly and within a few months, Josh asked me (on an old couch in his barn where he practiced) if I would be his wife...of course, I said YES! The following July we were married and have been married for 8 years at this end of this month.
     Our marriage has been amazing! There have been good and bad times but there is nobody that I would rather share my life with other than Josh. We were married 6 months when I found out I was pregnant with our first child! We were so excited!
     When our first child, a son, Carter, was born, our life was forever changed! We saw what a true gift from God was. It was a beautiful, red headed, 5 lb baby boy. But this also began a journey that I never would have dreamt of.
     Carter was born with two holes in his heart, a hypoplastic thumb and a missing right kidney. But he was PERFECT! He had the most infectious smile, energetic, loved Elmo and Thomas the Train. He was a typical boy that loved to fish and ride his bicycle. At 13 months old, however, our life was turned upside down. Our baby boy was sick...he was diagnosed with Fanconi anemia.
     Fanconi anemia(FA) is a rare, genetic recessive disease that carries a lifetime of problems. This causes multiple birth defects, failure to thrive, bone marrow failure, cancer, hormone deficiencies, vision and hearing loss, and the list can go on and on.
     To make a long story short, Carter's immediate risk was of bone marrow failure. We met with an FA specialist and he told us that the best chance for Carter surviving a bone marrow transplant, was for us to conceive a perfectly matched sibling. How do we go about doing this, we asked our doctor? Well, we basically had to "make" a perfectly HLA matched sibling to Carter but the sibling could not have FA. Since FA is genetic, there is a 1 in 4 chance we could conceive another child with this disease. At this point, we started IVF and PGD. IVF (in vitro fertilization) and PGD (preimplantation genetic diagnosis) is a combination of retrieving and fertilizing eggs and testing to see if the embryos are a perfect match to Carter and if they are free of FA. We had a total of 5 matches between two cycles of this but none of them took.
     After Carter's 3rd birthday, his health declined rapidly. We had run out of time. A bone marrow transplant with a matched sibling donor would have given Carter a 95% survival rater but with a unrelated donor, his chances were only 70%. Our transplant doctor called us and said we had to proceed with transplant. In January of 2010, we moved our family to Minneapolis, MN and began this journey. We left our home, our family, our friends, our community. We were scared. The doctor came in and told us to be prepared because there is a chance we may not come home with Carter alive. Six months went by and Carter did well through out transplant.
     When Josh and I left that cold, January day for Minnesota, we were two very different people than when we returned. We had witnessed our one and only son literally fight for his life. Many people asked us how we handled it with us being so young? Well, we didn't but God did! God is the reason Carter is with us today! God did this!
     During my IVF/PGD cycles I had some complications and was told I would not be able to become pregnant again on my own. This was hard for us because we always wanted a house full of children! But the doctors were wrong...I gave birth to our second son, Ethan, almost exactly one year after Carter's transplant! Ethan is our second miracle and he has completed our family!
     Over the past 3 years since Carter's transplant, there have been a lot of ups and downs. Carter has had to endure multiple surgeries, hospital stays, illnesses and missed just being a kid. We are at a point now that while the transplant is over, Carter is NOT cured. There is NO CURE for FA! He has to be screened for cancer several times per year, he has to have supplemental nutrition through a feeding tube, he is on a handful of medications and growth hormone shots daily. He has some hearing and vision loss. His little body has to endure a lot but this disease is cruel. It is not a matter of IF Carter will get cancer, it is WHEN he gets it. We know that he will get cancer. We know that most children with FA don't live much past their early adult hood but we are not the one who knows when Carter will lose his fight with this disease. Instead, we just try to live life as much as we can with caution and make every day with our precious children count! We have to trust that God will give us more time with our children, as we know that none of us are promised tomorrow!
     I encourage each of you to not take one day with your loved ones for granted. We have had a lot of scary situations with Carter and have almost lost him several times but there is one thing I can tell you, I will never give up fighting for him and with him! I will always fight the good fight for both of my children and Josh! They are everything to me!
     As a wise older woman once told me "speak to your mountain. claim your mountain. God can move that mountain'. I am sure many of you are faced with different circumstances in your life but always remember that things could be so much worse. Every day I have to watch a disease slowly take my son from me and I know that one day, cancer will take over his body. This is something I can never change. But I could also be mourning the loss already of my son. I could not have my children. So for every day that I am given to wake up, kiss my children's cheeks and give them a hug, is always a great day! For every night that Josh wakes me because he wrote a new song, I am thankful! Because its moments like this, we can never get back when they are gone.

Live, laugh and love and always have FAITH!
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

What has God done for you? What miracles are in your life?

Until another time,
Crystal aka Josh's wife