This, That and The Other Thing

So, It's the end of the week - and it's been an interesting one. Lots of stuff to think about and process. It was a week to touch base with people I haven't had contact with for a good while. It was a week to learn more things about myself. It was a week of living with new decisions, seeing how they will work themselves out in practical every day life. So far, so good. It was a week of fighting the FAFSA website so I could finally submit my daughters information in a timely manner. So I just thought I'd do a "What did I do, find, read or learn this week post. Here goes.

First of all - Sunday. L O N G day. Really. Church was good. We were in our new space in Yorkville and it was great. Lunch.....oh my. Lunch was good - when we got it. LOL. One of those days. It took about an hour to get our food. But that gave us all lots of time for good conversation! I think lunch with our Via Christus family is one of my favorite times of the week.

That evening Dana and Jen came over to our house and we made Paula Deen's Pot Pie. Supposed to take 30 minutes. With the three of us - it took 90. It was a blast tho. We were supposed to eat, and then watch 24, but instead we were still cooking when 24 came on. Needless to say we didn't catch all the significant details that evening. I had to watch it again later. But we had a blast. Jen also shared her Breedlove interview - which was quite interesting. D and I are thinking about joining her for a week of her experiment.....

I read a really interesting post on GoteeMan's blog this week regarding friendship. It's not too long, so I thought I'd re-post it here:

People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need. You or they have come to assist through a difficulty, to provide encouragement, guidance and support, to aid physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend - and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that the need has been met, the desire fulfilled, the work is done, and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done before. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season, and once the season is over, it is time to move on again.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant. You grow together for a lifetime, and share deeply. This type of relationship is lifelong and lasting, and if we value it, can be a great treasure.

This post really spoke to me and helped me resolve some issues that I have been struggling with. Thanks Jeff!

Over at Darla's blog, Wild About Life, she has set up a forum to discuss issues that tend to pop up on everyone's blogs: finances, eating well, relationships, tips, books, movies, spiritual formation, resources, and just about anything else that seems relevant to life. I'm sure parenting will pop up there some time soon also. Check it out if you get a chance.

Also this week, we were exploring personality types at our Via Christus Leadership team meeting. Interesting and fun. And helpful to understanding each other. If you haven't taken the test, and are interested, here is an online version: personality test. Descriptions are here.
It would be fun to know what your personality type is - lemme know if you feel like sharing! I am an INFP. These descriptors are pretty dead on:

Quiet, reflective, and idealistic. Interested in serving humanity. Well-developed value system, which they strive to live in accordance with. Extremely loyal. Adaptable and laid-back unless a strongly-held value is threatened. Usually talented writers. Mentally quick, and able to see possibilities. Interested in understanding and helping people.

INFPs do not like conflict, and go to great lengths to avoid it. If they must face it, they will always approach it from the perspective of their feelings. In conflict situations, INFPs place little importance on who is right and who is wrong. They focus on the way that the conflict makes them feel, and indeed don't really care whether or not they're right.

Lots of other interesting insights too. Give it a try!

I just finished reading two good books - The Last Word by N.T. Wright - which deals with understanding what "authority of Scripture" means. I recommend it for a good overview, tho you may want to explore it in more depth after reading this book. And I also read Leading With a Limp: Turning Your Struggles into Strengths. Again - good read, and it had some practical insights and suggestions regarding leadership: what a leader is, what makes a good leader, right and wrong leadership styles, what to expect to experience if you are a leader - lots of good stuff. Good leaders, effective leadership - It might be different than you think!

And of course all these books and things I am learning point out nuances in my character, personality, and motives that I was unaware of and are quite helpful!

Monday night, for any of you that are in this area, we will be having our up/rooted meeting for January. The topic will be "Becoming Conversant With Islam" We will be watching Muslims and America, an episode of Morgan Spurlock's TV series 30 Days, and then discussing the issues raised with Pastor Fred Nelson from Redeemer Lutheran Church in Park Ridge IL. So, if you are in this area and are interested in learning more about Islam please join us!

OH, and Mike has a interesting post on his blog
about hell, and the taping he participated in for ASK GOD, a round table discussion among pastors and theologians on the local Christian TV network TLN. According to Mike, he was the heretical voice in the group and the Moody guy was attempting to get him saved before he left the studio. LOL.

OK - I think that's it for the week......