Geeks, Nerds, and Dorks - Oh My!

Thanks to Lori, I just had to find out for myself just how nerdy I am. Okay, I realize it isn't an IQ test, but 45? So I don't really qualify for geek status, no big surprise there, but I'm a little disappointed that my score isn't a little higher. I guess I was hoping to be more geek-nerd than dork-nerd. Is there a difference? The fact that you asked means you probably don't consider yourself a nerd. Your kids probably think you're cool. I bet you even have social skills. The fact that I think there is a difference is probably why I am more dork than geek, and the fact that I've actually given it any thought is evidence that I am, however lightly, a nerd. Go me!

What's your score?

Fantabulous Friday

Melissa at Breath of Life has come up with the fantabulous idea of recognizing a person, place, or thing that has had an impact on your life each week and giving a shout out to God for using him/her/it to bless you. Well, I don't know about you, but I sometimes need to be reminded to be thankful in everything. So how 'bout it? Let's lift our hearts toward heaven and praise the Lord!

This week, I have been most touched and inspired by a young mother who is undergoing treatments for leukemia. Through all of her pain and suffering, Amy Wilhoite's testimony of faith is amazing. What an example of being made strong in weakness. If you haven't read her story, please do so now. I promise you will be blessed.

Father, thank you for Amy and her wonderful example of praising You in all things. Pour out your blessings upon her and give her strength for the journey ahead. Steady the hands of the doctors and nurses who attend her and give them wisdom to aid in her fight against this cancer. Heal her body if that is Your will, Lord, and be with her family as they wait for her to return home. In Christ's precious name, amen.

Prayer Requests

Usually I put these posts on my prayer blog, but it doesn't get as much traffic, and we need to get the word out. Please pray for Amy and her family, Elise and her boys, Paulette and her children, this family, and this family. Updated to add Addison and her parents.

If I've missed anyone, please let me know. I consider it a privilege to lift up my brothers and sisters in prayer, whether or not I know their names or their needs.

God bless you!

Pondering the Purpose Driven Life

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (New International Version)

A few years ago, my church participated in the Purpose Driven Life study, and I don't remember the scriptural soundness of the book coming into question. I'm sure if there had been any doubt, my pastor would have declined to participate. However, I find myself in agreement with a few of the dissenting opinions I've read, which has me wondering why some of these issues weren't addressed during our 40 Days of Purpose. And I'm curious. Have you or your church participated in the study? Were any of these issues addressed by your pastor? What's your opinion of the study or of the dissentors?

Please share your thoughts.

Who Are Those Kids Anyway? (WFMW)

Emily, far left, is Carl's oldest child and the youngest of our three girls. Andrew, far right, is his son and the youngest of the bunch. Sarah, 2nd from left, is my youngest, and Lindsey, 2nd from right, is my firstborn and the oldest of the bunch. I've written quite a bit about Lindsey and Sarah, but Emily and Andrew don't get as much air time, mainly because they don't cause me as much grief, and also because they only live with us on weekends. We share them with their mother, April, whom I affectionately refer to as my ex-wife-in-law, and her husband, Andy. April and Carl have managed to remain best friends because they both are fiercely devoted to the children they share and are committed to raising them to be healthy and well-adjusted. She and I have become close friends as well as partners in prayer for our children.

Most everyone I know thinks it mighty peculiar that we would even consider being friendly, but I wouldn't have it any other way. One of the benefits is that there are never any arguments about what's best for the kids. Discussions are handled out of earshot of the kids, and decisions are agreed upon by the parents. Mom knows best, and we stand behind her decisions. The kids know this, and they rarely try to play one side against the other.

Another benefit is that she knows my husband as well as I do. I see the puzzled expression on your face. While you wipe it off, I'll explain. Carl is a prodigal. His godly mother raised him and his siblings in church. He accepted Christ as his personal Savior as a child, then somewhere along the way his faith took a nosedive. As his story is not mine to tell, I'll skip to the heart of the matter. A few years after he and April divorced, she remarried, gave her life to Christ, and led Emily and Andrew to the Lord. She and Andy began praying for Carl, specifically that he would find a godly woman to marry who would be a good influence on him and the kids. (Funny thought: I may not be the answer to his prayers, but his mother and his ex-wife tell me I'm the answer to theirs. That cracks me up.)

So April prayed me into his life, and we are now partners in prayer for his restoration. Here's the benefit of her knowing him so well: in discussions of matters of faith, she has no problem stepping on his toes or arguing a point with him. She'll get right up in his face without hesitation and tell it like it is. He rarely gets angry with her, no matter how spirited the discussion, and even if he does, the peace in our home remains intact. I don't have to say anything. I just nod in agreement with her and in keeping with the principle set forth in 1 Peter 3: 1-2 "Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives."

This didn't start out as a WFMW post, but let me tell you, being sisters in Christ with my ex-wife-in-law works for me!