Archive for God
Art Imitates Life :: My Try At Series
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Just want to throw this out there…having a baby changes your whole life! No news flash, there, but I can’t help but be inspired by the events of the past week. I’ve always tried to use this site to share portions of my life, and from what I can observe thus far, my newborn baby has taken up residence in almost every portion I have to offer.
Where does that leave us, then?
My only conclusion is to begin a series of posts that will chronicle the events in the life of the Payne family, the good and the bad, and the lessons I learn from them. I can already tell you this child has spurred my mind and awareness to keenly see and understand God working around us in ways that I never had before. I can tell you that I have quite a few posts in the chute inspired from only 7 days with this beautiful child. And I can tell you that there will be lots of content and lots of story and lots of connection.
What can I say? For now, this is my framework…
Hope you’ll come along for the journey!
State of the Blog Address :: One More Silent Week
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Those of you who follow this blog with any regularity know very well that my last week was spent in observance of Lent, denying myself each and every source of social media in an attempt to draw closer to God. It’s been a good week; a long week, for sure! Yet, I feel like the first three or four days were actually more like a much-needed break. An over-due nap, perhaps. Either way, I didn’t feel much self-denial or sacrifice and I don’t feel like it was a dedicated “draw closer to God” time at all.
I did seek His counsel on one very important issue regarding this blog, however, and that was the question of whether or not to continue. I believe He’s answered that with a definitive “yes.” And for that, I am so very grateful! I can honestly say I feel ready to return to regular writing and am invigorated to share life through this medium once again. I’m just not sure about the regularity just yet. As the last post stated, I have another site that is just beginning and seemingly tons of other weekly responsibilities I have to tend to. Responsibilities that I am unequivocally called to…I’m sure of that. And as difficult as it is to admit, this blog plays second fiddle to those responsibilities.
So, I continue to wrestle with those questions and continue seeking God in more deliberate ways this upcoming week. One way or another, the blog posts will resume. The interaction will continue. And the heart of this website will remain. I’m excited to return, but for at least another week I ask for your patience as I seek God’s heart a bit deeper. May you be blessed!
UPDATE: While I still hold to the fact that I will continue writing, I won’t be doing a whole lot on this site for the time being. Sometimes we just have to cut out the things that aren’t necessary for a season, and that’s exactly what I’m doing for now. I will, however, be doing lots of work with the Open House webpage and blog. So come by there often to connect!
Until then, thanks for coming by! I’m sure I’ll return some time in the future! =)
On Tiger Woods and Grace :: To Forgive or Not to Forgive
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As I watched Tiger Woods stand behind the podium on Saturday morning, delivering his “statement” to the general public, a few thoughts ran through my head.
- I know this is well-rehearsed and scripted, but is it sincere?
- Is there any way to know for sure?
- Even if I feel it is sincere, what are others thinking?
The only question I found a solid answer for was the first. I felt as I watched Tiger say the words “I’m so sorry…” that he actually meant them. I’m a Tiger Woods fan. I love watching him play golf and I was devastated on some deep level when I found out what he had been up to. Not that I felt he was perfect or above reproach, but I simply thought he had things together. No dirt was ever brought up on him. No bad press. No tabloid talk.
Nothing serious, anyway. Read More→
The Creation Museum :: Why It Made My Heart Ache
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This morning, Tricia and I had the privilege of visiting The Creation Museum just outside of Cincinnati, OH. We’d been once before, but really desired a return trip with more time set aside to read and experience all that the museum offers.
And we were not disappointed.
The collection of facts and theology, from a creationist point-of-view, is breathtaking. It is stunning and overwhelming all at the same time. Almost impossible to completely take it, the sheer volume of information is enough, if given the proper attention, to truly move you from a position of fact-seeking to a posture of worship.
Let me explain.
Only 30 minutes into our little journey, we found ourselves in a room that, on our last visit, we moved through entirely too quickly. This time, however, we made the decision to be more methodical and purposed in taking in all the small details and videos that the museum offers. And in this particular room, there is a collection of 15 very short videos that range from the complexity of the eye to the complexity of the universe. Each video is well-made and incredibly interesting, but sitting through all 15 seemed to be a bit of a chore. After the first four or five had elapsed, I was almost ready to move on. But I also considered the mindset we sought to stick to; methodical and purposed. So, we stuck it out. Read More→
Lip Balm and Need :: How Necessity Breeds Clear Thinking
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Few things are as painful and annoying simultaneously as severely chapped lips. Not only is there supreme discomfort, there is the constant re-injury of the already aggravated areas every time you smile, laugh, eat, yawn or do anything that involves your lips. The pain induces the dog-like response of licking the wound, which only serves to intensify the existing problem, making the whole process cyclical, repetitive, and incredibly annoying! I hate chapped lips!
Luckily for me, though, I only get this affliction a couple times per year. My lips are like the Porche of lips…0-60 so quick it makes your head spin. I go from normal, no-need chops to a hamburger-like orifice on my face in what seems like minutes. One minute I’m fine; the next, I’m shriveled and cracked, begging for some moisture. It’s really bizarre.
If you know me, you know that I don’t like anything that has to do with moisturizing. I don’t like lotion, conditioner, lip balm, hand cream, etc. Not that those things are bad, I just don’t like using them and I’m stubborn. I could probably benefit from all of the aforementioned products, but I really don’t like having ooey-gooey stuff on me and I’m reluctant to re-apply when needed.
I’m just not a moisturizer.
That is, until the chapped lips strike. Read More→
