Coffee Talk Mom

GONE

I have come across a couple of blogs and books recently about the current church in America. Generally, the scriptures have been replaced by feel good video and softened to include the "everything goes" mentality. One article that struck me the most is titled, "Top 10 Reasons Our Kids Leave Church". You can find it here: http://marc5solas.wordpress.com/2013/02/08/top-10-reasons-our-kids-leave-church/. This article sparked a great conversation between myself and my oldest son in regards to what happens when our kids go off to college. It's very sad indeed to think that the many years we spend as parents teaching our kids biblical principals are all for the garbage when the self-help, multi-facetted philosophies and earth- oriented religions target our kids at a very impressionable age (18-23). I am blessed with my kids and I thank God every day and ask for their discernment (and mine). One aspect I hear many times through talking with young adults is this: I don't really need to walk in to a building to have a strong faith. I think it is important to impress on our kids the need to gather as believers, be responsible financially to our church, continue to serve, and most of all to worship…weekly.

I used to say…or think…"My teen will NEVER be allowed to do this or that"…Then you have teenagers. You send them out into the world and pray a ton. The control you thought you had is gone, and is replaced by a very open society (Christian school or not). Hopefully, you have instilled in them the JOY of their faith and how much Jesus wants you! I love the analogy of the grocery store doors. They don't open until you walk toward them and get close. Consider walking toward Jesus and seeing what he can do in your kids and your life.

Here are some of my favorite books (available at the library I am sure):

Love Does (Bob Goff)

Follow Me (David Platt)…currently reading and loving!

Radical (David Platt)

Jesus Calling (great small devotional book)

Crazy Love (Frances Chan)

 

Have a GREAT weekend …maybe by a fireplace with a good book!!

 

Coffee Talk Mom

 

What is Ash Wednesday?

Many of you were most probably church goers growing up and have heard of Ash Wednesday. My Dad was raised Catholic and I have many friends from that faith. One thing that I think we, as parents, drop the ball are relaying the tenants of our faith to our kids. Many of the churches offer GREAT kids programs and "activities", but I spent hours growing up with my head resting on my Mom's shoulder as a listened and followed my way through the Lutheran Service. As I write today, Dave and I woke and attended a fairly new tradition at our "evangelical" church of a 20 minute Ash Wednesday service. There was actually a responsive reading (remember those) and a meaningful time of reflection. I thought to myself that I should have encouraged Buzz to come along. I did relay my experience and read to him the meaning of Ash Wednesday, as well as encourage him (on his own and not as a mandate) to refrain from something for 40 days as a reminder of what Christ did for us. Stay tuned as I am constantly (and still!!) learning how to parent!

This comes as today marks the start of the Lenten season for Christians around the world. 40 days prior to Easter, we take time out to reflect on what we need to change in our lives (repentance), giving to others, and fasting. Speaking of fasting, this is an amazing and personal thing to do (even a couple of times a year)…It can be done in ANY given way you chose, and just taking that time of hunger and filling it with prayer for others can transform your life…or your crummy day…or your disappointing week. Lent also marks (for many) a time of "giving something up". I remember times growing up saying "Oh…I'm not a Catholic" as if this was relegated to some other "religion". All of us can stand to give something up and focuses our thoughts and cravings and attention on Christ for 40 days. For you, it may be chocolate. For me, I am not a big chocolate person, so giving up chocolate would be like giving up scratching on a chalkboard. It really would not affirm anything or make a dent in my day. If you feel led to try it, think of something that stands in the way of you being your best self. God will fill those empty places with something so much more important.

For now I will leave you with this :

Psalm 51:17

The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you will not despise.

 

Coffee Talk Mom

No Drinking Buddy=No FUN!

Drinking alone just doesn't have the same fun factor as partnering up! Case in point: Dave was just diagnosed with an "atrial flutter". This is a genetic heart defect that causes his heart to beat 3 times faster on one side of this amazing machine. First of all, I felt like I was in the bad dream the Saturday morning we spent in the ER. "Really God? Another major health issue after YEARS of good health??" That is a different blog for another time, but suffice it to say I am currently holding on to God's promise that He never gives us more than we can handle.

At one point, I rushed home to tell William that we didn't in fact go for coffee and a doughnut, but were at the emergency room. You know the stories you hear about the husband going out for a gallon of milk and a pack of cigarettes and never coming back? Well…this would have been the parental version of that.

Back to drinking. Before noon that day in the ER, we were told to contact a cardiologist Monday and stay off caffeine, alcohol, and exercise. WHAT? It has been a headache ever since (literally). You see, it's no fun to drink alone. Every morning I now rise to make myself a "half-caff" mini pot of coffee. No dark roast, no morning jolt, no fun! There is a joy in this vice! If you have to take an Advil with your weak coffee, what is the point? This week Dave informed me that he is just drinking a cup of weak tea in the morning. WEAK TEA?? What the heck is that? We are coffee drinkers to the highest degree. This is NOT right.

For full disclosure I must admit that alcohol is involved. THERE…I said it. I like myself a glass of white wine a couple of days a week. Dave likes a beer at night. This too is a thing of the past. It's no fun to have a glass of wine when Dave sits on the other chair staring at me like a cheetah going in for the prey.

I suppose I will have to for-go the vices for another month while Dave prepares for his surgical procedure in March. Ironic how this comes at Lent, isn't it?

For now, have a giant MUG of dark roast on me!

Carry On Coffee Talk Peeps!