Monthly Archives: October 2008
Heart’s Desire
My Heart’s Desire
by Lori Poppinga
I long to long for Christ
Deep down inside
In the inner most part
Of my life
Not just on the surface
For show
But down in my heart
Where I’ll grow
I need to need Him
For my daily bread
Deep down in my heart
Not just in my head
To know, really know,
He’s sustainer of all
And all on my own
I will fall
I desire to desire His Word
All day long
Where the praise of my heart
Overflows in a song
The words of my mouth
Honestly reflect
Christ in my life
In every respect
Col 2:6-8: So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
Pick a phrase in the poem or from the scripture to tuck in your pocket today. Share it with us please. Mine… rooted and built up in Him from Col 2.
True Worship continues
I love how God works! Yesterday I had worship on my mind. Today, God continued my heart’s search.
When I picked up the mail today I received the P31 Woman November 2008 issue. The second article is called “Here I Am to Worship?” The author, Lori Poppinga, said, “I have come to realize that what takes place in the [worship] service corporately is only as meaningful as what takes place at home individually. If I am not worshipping God intimately in private, then I am not worshipping Him corporately.”
Lori continues, “The real reason I fail to worship [on Sunday morning] is that I am not connected with the worship enhancer, the Holy Spirit. No amount of praise team practice or expensive equipment can change that. Through the power of the Holy Spirit I can live on praise-filled day after another.”
As a pastor’s wife, worship leader and singer, worship is often on my mind. I seek to make worship a moving experience for church members. However, if I only perform a song, I drastically miss the point.
Earlier this year I attended Seminars4Worship. The entire focus of the conference was real life worship. The seminar challenged me to find worship in my daily life. To seek true worship in my heart. And to worship in praise team practice. Then when Sunday morning comes, worship will flow out of my every move. I move from performer to real life worshiper.
These principles aren’t just for worship leaders… it’s for all of us. If you haven’t seen the video from yesterday’s post, don’t miss it, click here.
So, what can we do today to incorporate worship in our every moment?
Your daily act, not just for Sundays anymore!
I often view worship as something I particpate in or attend. Recently, God has been challenging me to hear His call for true worship. Each breath can be an act of worship. If I look back over my day, could I classify any details as worship? Honestly, not today. How about you? What’s worship look like for you today?
Have you seen it?
Have you seen it? If so, let me know. If you haven’t, click the picture to find out more.
My husband and I have NEEDED a date for so long! Finally, Sunday evening we were able to get out for dinner and a movie. Instead of sharing the pleasure of High School Musical with my husband we decided to check out a Christian movie on marriage – Fireproof. We cried, we laughed, we held hands… it’s a good movie. The website has good resources to check out. Just click on the pic. You can also view the movie’s trailer.
Happy Monday!
Time for a winner + dog trivia!
Congratulations to Mama Zen. She is the winner of Darlene Schacht’s book The Mom Complex. Thanks again Darlene for taking the time to answer our questions!
Our sweet new adoptee is getting into trouble. 
She has been snapping at my youngest daughter (5 yr old) lately. And quite honestly, I’m getting nervous about the safety of my kids. I hate to give up on this lovable girl, especially since someone else has already let her down. But it’s definitely not worth the risk. I’m hopeful that with training she’ll get better. But is that realistic? Anyone have any experience in this area? Thanks!
Passionate about Pink
Here is a fun story that you may have seen before on my blog. I’m re-running it along with some fun pictures that I made up to give you the idea of what my daughter looked like! Enjoy!
God has blessed my hubby and I with two amazing daughters. The oldest is now in 2nd grade, and the baby is in Kindergarten. They have provided us with multiple entertaining stories! Many stories make other parents happy that such event didn’t happen within their own 4 walls! But we chose to laugh, often after the event, such as this one. (and we’ve chosen NOT to take pictures… which is why I had to generate them myself!)
My dear oldest, at the terrific age of 3, was coping with the arrival of her new baby sister. So being the kind hearted mother that I am, I decided to cheer her up by redecorating her room. She was moving from a toddler bed to the real big girl bed. I hunted down a great buy for a beautiful quilt and chose to do a handcrafted painting motif on her walls.
My parents helped by taking the kids for a few days so that we could get things settled without little hands and messy fingerprints!
I bought 2 small cans of paint – one pink – one green as well as multiple brushes in varying sizes. Her room was already painted in a beautiful warm yellow. So on 2 opposing walls I painted stripes in both pink and green, all with different sizes. Then on one wall I took a rag, rolled it up, dipped it in the pink and made little rose buds all over, and later went back and crafted green leaves. It turned out really cute.
Of course, the big girl was THRILLED to see her new room. The first night was great! She slept wonderfully. She didn’t even want to leave the room in the morning. But I willingly promised her that she would be able to visit her new room again during the day for a nap!
So when it was nap time I wasn’t surprised to hear her rustling around. Truthfully, I was so tired, I just didn’t want to deal with her. She was happy and semi-quiet in her new room, the baby was sleeping, and I was on my way!
It seemed like I had just fallen to dreamland when I started to hear the pitter patter of a 3 yr old’s feet coming down the wood stairs. When she arrived in the living room I had to blink a few times before I could see her clearly. I thought I saw Pepto-Bismol oozing out of her pores. But when I got myself on my feet I could clearly see that she was head to toe covered in pink paint. SHE HAD PAINTED HERSELF PINK!
Now the details of how she found the paint and actually got the lid off… I just don’t know. But this child was – no lie – a walking pink paint can!
Upon further inspection and numerous finger AND foot prints tracking the way from the living room to her bedroom, I found the finely decorated room had now been turned into a pink washing machine. This child had pulled all her clothes, her blankets, including her NEW quilt into the center of her room and literally washed them thoroughly in pink paint. I was flabbergasted! She was so proud of her new creation (yet at the same time, she knew she was in trouble)! She had decorated just like mommy!
Honestly, she probably looked more like the Blue Man Group in pink!
For more humor head over to Moms, Ministry and More and for more fun with pictures check out We are THAT Family.
Make sure to submit your comments by Thursday on Darlene’s interview for your chance at a free book!
Failing Mother, Loving Father
(Make sure to submit your comments by Thursday on Darlene’s interview for your chance at a free book!)
The transition from full time teacher to full time mother was not easy for me. I often blame my post partum depression that occurred with baby number 1 more than 7 years ago. But I still find myself constantly struggling to find my place, my role, as a mother.
Motherhood doesn’t come easy for me. I’m not a neat and tidy person. I don’t like cleaning. And I can be very disorganized. I’m a mess! So, when it comes to being the keeper of the house, I often fall short of the mark of a “true” homemaker.
Lately I’ve been struggling with a resurgence in my depression. The doctor prescribed a routine of healthy behaviors which I’ve been faithful to do – but the results are showing yet.
So, when the daily demands of being a mother kick into gear I feel as if I’m being crushed under the pressure. I’m annoyed, irritated, short fused, frustrated and just don’t want to be bothered! All these characteristics lead up to Mother-of-the-Year, don’t they?!
I know it wasn’t a coincidence that my morning devotion time was focused on El Roi – the God who sees. In my study, it gave 2 different Old Testament examples of El Roi. Exodus 3:7-10 when God talks to Moses through the burning bush and the story of Hagar (Sarai’s slave) in Genesis 16. In both situations God reveals Himself as someone who sees the suffering of his prized possession.
Genesis 16:13 She [Hagar] gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”
Exodus 3:7 The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.”
Now, I am not claiming that my husband or my children are like slave drivers. They certainly aren’t oppressing me, like the characters were being oppressed in the Bible. The point here is that God sees, God cares, and He is working in your life to help remedy your circumstance. He may find a way out for you. He may find a way for you to be changed. No matter what the outcome, we can be assured that He Sees.
A song comes to mind by Lindsey Kane called He Knows. Listen to her words today, and see if they don’t speak directly to your heart.
Darlene Schacht is here plus a GIVEAWAY!
Welcome! I am thrilled to have Darlene here 
sharing her thoughts on writing, motherhood, and answering your questions! Also, she is offering a FREE book to one of our commenters, which will be picked randomly, and posted Friday, October 24th. So, don’t forgot to leave your comments on this interview!
Tea With Tiffany asked: And as a writer, I’d be interested in reading about her writing journey. [How did you get started?]
I started online. Unless I consider the countless coil notebooks I’ve filled over the years with jots of my thoughts, but let’s not.
It started with a blog called “What Would Jesus Blog?” about four years ago, where I found myself primarily writing humor. My family and friends were a huge encouragement, which I think was the boost I needed to seriously pursue this dream.
I had wanted to write for several years already, but up to that point my writing had been rather dry–it was more technical, and matter of fact, than it was creative.
Once I had a few stories written there, I started to approach small publishers such as our local newspapers, and Christian websites. Through online friends I discovered writing opportunities, through which two articles were published by Thomas Nelson and Tyndale Publishing.
I polished and compiled the stories I had written on my blog, which is what I now have published in my own book “The Mom Complex.”
Over the past few years, I have veered off from humor writing somewhat, but I do enjoy the relaxed style I gleaned from that, and that is something I still carry in my writing at Christian Women Online. I like to have fun!
Most recently I have been hanging my hat over at Live Well, which is a monthly column I carry at Christian Women Online. Live Well takes readers on a Christ-centered journey through weight-loss to freedom. It’s been going so well, that I’ve teamed up with actress Candace Cameron Bure to write a book on the Live Well premise. Our agent is currently seeking a publisher for us, so I’m excited about that one!
Mama Zen asked: I’d like to learn more about the online magazine. [Why did you start the magazine? How does it get "published"? Who is your target audience? What types of articles are included? How many people subscribe?]
While still writing at WWJB? I decided to venture out and get some of my humorous articles published, and so I started approaching small publications including websites. While doing so, I heard a voice telling me, “You can do this yourself. Why not just start your own site?” That voice was my husbands, who has always been the biggest supporter of Christian Women Online.
When I get an idea, I move quickly, and so within about six hours I had a small team of writers gathered and I was working on a design. I had really only expected us to have a little writing site-a team blog sort of thing-but the gears started turning and I figured, why not put in the extra time and design it like a magazine? I didn’t know that online magazines already existed, in fact I was a little shy about calling it a magazine since the technical name is ezine, but when it’s your baby, you can call it what you want, right?
My goal has always been about content first-traffic last. I like diversity, and most of all-I like truth. I need the articles to be spiritual. Even if we’re only discussing Grilled Cheese sandwiches, I want Jesus to be in the kitchen with us.
The blogroll was quite an interesting endeavor. I needed about six bloggers to start, and ever dreamed I’d even have a hundred members, but the blogrollhas been one of the biggest parts of who we are as a website. After all, it’s a great way of uniting women of faith.
We have something like 4,000 blogroll members, maybe more now. And we have 2,600 regular subscribers.
I think that the site has had the greatest appeal to stay-at-home moms since so many of them connect through blogging.
Elizabeth said: When I saw this phrase, I knew this book would be important for me to read: It urges us to search inside ourselves, so that we may uncover the path that God has placed our feet on. 
[Can you tell us more about your book?]
The book is a collection of humorous stories that stem from my childhood through to my life as a mom. It’s about finding God’s hand through the chaos of life-the joys amidst the toys.
I think that many moms are so frazzled with life as it is today, that they are always looking to the next destination in hopes of relief. What I hope the book will show them is that peace and joy are right beneath our feet, we just need to dust off the path to see it. If only we could all enjoy the bumpy ride while it lasts!
Elaine asked: Can you tell us more about the self-publishing world?
I’ll start by saying that I don’t believe that an author sells a book as much as a book sells an author! Having a book in hand is a great way to promote yourself as a writer. It opens so many doors that may not have been opened before.
There are two main ways of publishing in the self-publishing world. One is print-on-demand, and the other is what our company does “short-run publishing.”
Some print-on-demand companies will offer to print your book for free, so customers order the book (at a hefty price) and it’s printed and sent out directly to them. That’s okay for someone who isn’t a serious author, but if you want to promote your writing, you need books on hand.
With short-run publishing, you can order anywhere from 50-200 books (or more) and because you pay a low price you make a profit on each. Authors use the 200 books for book signing parties, online book tours, speaking engagements, giveaways, self-promotion, local bookstores, listings on Amazon, etc. That’s where the book sells them!
The other difference is that with print-on-demand, you get what you send. If you send a book in for print and it doesn’t have a bar code, or the cover your nephew designed doesn’t fit quite right, it comes off the press that way. Whereas a company like http://www.artbookbindery.com (our company) works alongside the author through the process and aids in the layout and design. This ensures that the books are print perfect.
You can read more about writing and self-publishing at my Writing Fundamentals website: www.writingfundamentals.com
My monthly column: http://www.christianwomenonline.net/live_well.html
My Websites:
www.christianwomenonline.net
www.darleneschacht.com
www.writingFUNdamentals.com
Thanks Darlene! Also, thank you for the free book to one of our commenters. Please leave your thoughts or follow-up questions for Darlene in order to enter the drawing for her inspiring book. The winner will be posted on Friday, October 24th.
What’s your prescription for the day?
Friday is the day! Darlene will be here answering your questions PLUS a giveaway! Don’t miss it!
I had a doctor’s appointment today
UGH. I tried to cancel.
Cancelling would cost $190.
So, I went.
Afterwards, I paid $190!
I’ve been feeling a little blue lately. Not bad enough for an intervention. But, just enough to know that my depression isn’t “under control.”
That’s why I didn’t want to see my doctor today.
Once I got done sharing my month load of drama, he asked me three questions:
- Have you been exercising?
- Are you taking your vitamins?
- Have you been out in the sun?
My answer to all three questions were, “NO!” Didn’t you hear me? I don’t feel good, I can’t do those things!
I waited for him to write me a prescription to feel better.
But, do you know what he did? He told me to do three things:
- You need to exercise every day.
- Take your vitamins.
- Get out in the sun, or go tanning (vitamin D).
What? I didn’t want homework! I wanted the drive-through prescription!
He told me, stop settling for mediocre.
Ouch! That comment hit me between the eyes. That’s exactly how I’ve been living. It’s so much easier to say to myself, I have depression, therefore, I have to sit here and mope all day.
After going to the True Woman Conference this past weekend, I was reminded that women sometimes live mediocre lives. We allow the world to tell us how to live, instead of doing the God-homework to find out how He wants us to live. It’s sometimes easier to follow the trends of the world, rather than counter the world with the truth of God’s Word.
Here are three pieces of homework that I KNOW I need to do in order to thrive, instead of survive, and not settle for mediocre living.
- Get into God’s Word every day.
- Be “current”* with my husband.
- Set the table** and open conversation over dinner with my girls.
There are many other disciplines that I need to work on. But I’ll start there today.
What’s your prescription for the day?
Subscribe to Heart Reflections by Email
* Getting “current” with my husband is from an incredible book on marriage (non-Christian, but very appropriate) The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work.
** “Setting the table” comes from a workshop that I attended at True Woman with Devi Titus and her book The Home Experience
One woman’s dumpster dive!
I have a wonderful friend who shared an awesome story of TRUE WOMANHOOD today! I asked her if I could share it with you. By the way, if you haven’t been over to truewoman.com, head over after you answer the question below! This week I hope to post my thoughts on the conference. Also, be watching for the Q & A with Darlene Schacht!
Recently, I discovered a recipe for homemade Italian beef that could be made in the crock pot. For those of you who don’t understand my hubby, though he is only half Italian, when it comes to food he is ALL Italian. And Italian beef is just NOT made in a crock pot. So, I did it. And he loved it! Then I shared my secret and he was happy and I was happy and we rode off into the sunset….
Until in one of my “time to clear up the counter clutter” raids, I misplaced (actually came to find out I threw away) the recipe. Well before I realized I threw it out, I googled, I went to bookstores, I went through old magazines (I could not remember where I got the recipe). Then horror struck me. The kind where you feel you know what you must do, but oh the drudgery.
what I am about to share caused me much misery, nausea and lightheadedness…
Since tomorrow is garbage day, I figured if I DID throw it out, today would be my last chance to dig through a week’s worth of garbage to find out. I put on my gloves, of course, and started digging. And there it was, in the LAST bag, in pieces! I pieced it together, (as I was dry heaving, no joke) and after removing the gloves and washing my hands, wrote the recipe down.
What have you done for love recently? Would you dumpster dive for a recipe for your beloved or am I completely alone in this?
Please share your comments to give my friend some grand encouragement!
