Archive for General Conversation


Election results and happy people

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008

Everyone I’ve spoken to this morning lights up when I mention the election. It’s fun being around happy people. Yesterday everyone was smiling because of the weather: it’s unseasonably warm, with temperatures in the low 70s. It’s still warm today and now they’re thrilled that Obama won the election.

I suppose it’s probably different where people voted for McCain and the weather sucks, but it’s fun to be where I live today.

Posted in General Conversation | 24 Comments »

Leadership: what it means to me

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

This post is part of a syncroblog on leadership. I’ve listed all the other posts in it at the end of mine. <

I think anyone can be a leader, whether they are in an official leadership role or not. To me being a leader is about character and behavior rather than what your title is.

I think of a leader as someone who takes initiative yet doesn’t act without considering others. If they’re in a situation where help is needed and they can help, they get involved rather than waiting for someone else to do it. If something needs to be said, they say it even if it rocks the boat.

According to the stories about him Jesus was a leader. When he said “follow me” I think he meant “follow me in being a leader” rather than “be a follower”. There’s a big difference. Leaders need to think carefully and exercise discernment because they can’t rely on being able to follow someone in front of them. Often they’re the one in front, figuring out which way to go.

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Posted in General Conversation | 18 Comments »

“You cannot be a Christian and vote for Obama”

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

If you thought last week’s video was pushy, what about this?

You cannot be a Christian and vote for Obama

To all those who name the name of Christ who plan to willfully disobey Him by voting for Obama, take warning. Not only is our nation in grave danger, according to the Word of God, so are you.

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Posted in General Conversation | 24 Comments »

Safety precautions for Halloween

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

Shelly posted this question on here.

What’s everyone doing for safety precautions for Halloween? My husband came across an article (http://i-newswire.com/pr220892.html) with some info about background checking neighbors. I thought that may be a little overboard but it had some other good suggestions for some precautions I haven’t thought about. Last year my youngest son came down with a massive fever after Halloween. I almost thought about just taking the kids to our church’s fall festival this year instead of door-to-door to prevent that from happening again. I don’t know yet. What’s your advice? Am I over-reacted or just being a concerned mom?

Posted in General Conversation | 5 Comments »

Domestic Violence

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

For the last few days the local news has been all about the deaths of Jennifer Hudson’s mother, brother and nephew.

The main suspect is the ex-husband of Jennifer’s sister and the deaths are thought to have been sparked by domestic disputes. If this is what happened it seems very sad to me that someone would deal with anger towards his ex-wife by shooting her mother, brother and 7 year old son.

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A new stage of parenting: driving

Monday, October 27th, 2008

My son now has a driving permit!

He turned 15 1/2 last week. At that age his school provides paperwork allowing students enrolled in a future driver’s education course to get a permit.

He went to get the paperwork the day he turned 15 1/2 and asked if we could go to a driver’s license facility first thing Saturday. He spent his free time last week reading the Illinois Rules of the Road. In order to get a permit you have to pass a written test based on that book.

He was nervous about the written test but it turned out to be easy for him. By 9 a.m. Saturday he was the excited owner of a driving permit. As I expected, he was ready to find an empty parking lot on the way home and have his first driving experience.

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Posted in General Conversation | 9 Comments »

Friday Video: how Catholics should vote

Friday, October 24th, 2008

Craig (I had the pleasure of meeting Craig’s awesome wife Sarah in Denver - here’s their website) sent me this video as a suggestion for an interesting blog post. What do you think of it?

Posted in General Conversation, Videos | 22 Comments »

My workshop: Life after Church

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008

Life after Church workshopI was pleased how my workshop went at Off The Map Live in Denver.

Jim said to expect about 10 people. I was happy that about 13 people showed up. All women except for the pastor of the host church, which he pointed out!

I wanted it to be friendly, informal and interactive. We arranged the chairs in a circle. The photo is of my workshop, except me and the two people next to me (you can see the three of us in this closer up photo; I’m on the right)

I briefly said how I used to love going to church and never thought that would change, but it did. Then I asked the question “Why have you left a church, or why do you think other people leave churches?”

At that point almost everyone shared about why they had left a church. Some of the reasons were: different priorities (like too much money going towards the building), they or others not fitting or not feeling welcome, lack of community. I loved the comment of the person who said she came back from being a missionary thinking “I hate people”.

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Posted in General Conversation | 25 Comments »

Off The Map Live in Denver

Monday, October 20th, 2008

I’m very glad I was able to be in Denver for the Born Again Church Tour on Friday and Saturday.

These were some of the highlights for me

The Green Apron Team

Just like in Phoenix I was amazed at the cheerful attitude and initiative and willingness of the Green Apron Team to help in so many ways throughout the event.

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Posted in General Conversation | 5 Comments »

Off to Denver today

Thursday, October 16th, 2008

I’m leaving for Denver this morning for The Born Again Church Tour. I’ll be back Saturday evening (all going well with the travel).

Posted in General Conversation | 1 Comment »
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