Stretch Marks The Spot

Stretching my legs a bit at an other blog. It's helping me lose the tiniest bit of anxiety about this old dwelling. Ironic though...the name and all...bivouac...

I've had half a second to speed through a post in a group on Facebook, regarding mobile blogging - it shined a light on an other aspect; I haven't had time to get to the pc during the day and post all day, as I use to. Little time to navigate mobile blogging on my Blackberry... Therein, lies part of the solution. Making time to at least jot a few notes, spit out a few blurbs, to later become a cohesive piece, something with heft...

In the words of an old writing friend...till soon...

One Moment, Please

Image courtesy,  notalonemom.com

This is my current "just outta' bed" read.  I won't quote, or give away the plot but, I will tell you this; it is one of the BEST moments in tarry, I've enjoyed. Every read has either been a reflection of the previous day's events, or an instruction (as I keep finding if I read later in the day) for the day.

Image courtesy, mammadweeb.com

Here's the companion go-to, I'm using to read/reflect further as I read each day's passage, if I'm out and about. I stumbled on it the same day I purchased "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young (BOM Gift Card, Babeee!). I can't gush enough about how I adore this translation of the Bible.

*Pliability is everything for me, I've learned as a greedy student of scripture. I have struggled for years, with a hardback study bible containing four translations per page. No mistake, it has been EXCELLENT, in study within a curriculum. On a table. Old school style. I'm usually a mom on the move, though. Pliability equals work-ability  in my world.
*The format allows my schedule to breath - I can take a brisk walk, or a leisurely contemplative stroll, depending on my clock...and how it's ticking.
*It is WAY portable (an other mom-friendly attribute). My purse size is usually small (we're out of diapers here...no more cute diaper bags doubling as Mom's purse), and I don't usually carry all the "girl schtuff", so it fits nicely in my smallest bag...and helps to fill in my too-big-and-yet-not-a-diaper bag-bag.
*And, because fashion matters (albeit largely forgotten in MY closet...), it's CUTE! in its two-tone pink and chocolate Italian leather jacket with a chocolate satin attached bookmark.

Image courtesy, en.over-blog.com

When I have more than a moment (and don't land at FB because my brain is too geeked to do much else than pop around like the vapid little dusker I am...) to drench myself in my favourite words, I slow down and relax with this, to delve deeper.

Everyone - You want "Jesus Calling" by, Sarah Young

Moms - You REE-LEE want "The Busy Mom's Bible" by, Zondervan

Disclaimer: It may seem odd, I source different site for the books listed above, other than where I actually bought them but; I want everyone to grab the benefit of these books. And, I'm cheap. I dig a great buy. YOUR WELCOME!

Welcome To The Lenten Season

  Today (yesterday now, as I've had to walk away from this one too many times) begins the Lenten Season, and as is the case with me every year, I tend to kvetch a great deal about what my choice might be, in the fasting and "denying thyself". It's a process. Serious biz, for me. I'm Lutheran. It's supposed to be. Right?

We don't just dive in, go all willy-nilly, run amok, get down and party loud singing "Hallelujah!". We're only two steps away from our oldest brethren in the broken body of Christ we humans have created; the even more entrenched in stoicism and pomp, the Catholics. We have to look really deep.

You know I'm attempting snark, right? How's it workin' for me? Eh?

I've given up every typical choice a person could make during this season. Meat. Sugar. Caffeine. Facebook. I. GAVE. UP. FACEBOOK. Forty days. Yes I did. I gave up mascara one year, with the sin of "vanity" in mind. I have plenty of baby fine lashes, only, well...they're baby fine. I look like a twelve year old boy without my magic mascara. VANITY. More recently, I gave up my quad venti hazelnut latte. Know me, know what hell for forty days is. :-) (Kidding, it really was much easier than I imagined). I've even gone so far as to try to give up my beloved books. THAT was a dismal season; I failed, miserably.

This evening, as I was being let down, TERRIBLY, as my hurt heart and mind were screaming to me; by my family who didn't attend our church's 7pm Lenten Service with me, my disappointment became the catalyst to my choice this year. I'm not giving up one single material ANYTHING. I really am going deeper. Digging harder.

I'm giving up complaining. I'm giving up being offended, and I'm giving up allowing my feelings to be hurt.

I realized all this, going in. I was given a tool to begin my work (and BOY is it going to be some difficult work), going out. My pastor recommended two books to us, to help us reflect, through this season. He suggested we might find them online. I was fortunate to snag one of the two copies in my church's library.

Welcome to the Lenten Season, and HAPPIEST of reading to you.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1380885.What_s_So_Amazing_about_Grace_