tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239100752572706012011-04-21T14:13:11.193-05:00Beth's Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06529447374785097536noreply@blogger.comBlogger191100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723910075257270601.post-71438600389313463952007-11-02T17:06:00.000-05:002007-11-02T17:10:36.797-05:00

River City is in trouble. We’re not in trouble because we don’t have a band and our children are going bad, rather it’s because of our inability to create a place for God in our lives and invite him to stay without running him out later when something better comes along. As many of you know, I have struggled with consistently pursuing my own spiritual development. This has, in part, led me

Beth's Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06529447374785097536noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723910075257270601.post-90072129125104966072007-10-15T21:27:00.000-05:002007-10-15T21:45:41.144-05:00

Well, I'm almost finished with my first class. It's hard to believe, but it's been 8 weeks since we started. The first feeling I have is relief. I'm glad we're to this point. The strongest feeling I have is overload - it's just too much to process in this amount of time. Too much reading, too much writing, too much reading others' writing. Too much!I think for the next class that I'll try to

Beth's Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06529447374785097536noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723910075257270601.post-7257603588451188692007-09-25T21:38:00.001-05:002007-09-25T21:59:18.237-05:00

Richard Foster, in his book Streams of Living Water, describe 6 streams that we can use to describe our work/time here on earth. One stream, the Contemplative Stream (read prayer) has been the topic of study in my graduate program.The Contemplative Stream includes solitude, silence, short (one word) prayers, unceasing prayer, and all inclusive prayers (that is the dreaded prayer list). Some of

Beth's Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06529447374785097536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723910075257270601.post-26090742436893473312007-09-15T22:50:00.000-05:002007-09-15T23:12:08.926-05:00

"A process designed by God in which we encounter, respond and yield to His Spirit so that we are transformed into the visible image of Jesus Christ on this earth."That is the definition of Spiritual Formation that our discussion group wrote over the last 10 (or so) days.Process - we don't ever 'arrive' at spiritual formation, we continue to workDesigned by God - God is the creator of us, the one

Beth's Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06529447374785097536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723910075257270601.post-1121035467355843922007-09-04T18:26:00.000-05:002007-09-04T19:15:14.170-05:00

One of my first school assignments includes writing a narrative of my spiritual life. One part of the assignment included deciding if you are naturally a "Mary" or a "Martha." I am naturally a Martha, but have worked to develop Mary tendencies during while on my own spiritual journey.Now, there's not anything wrong with being a Martha, unless you get involved in hurrying and worrying.

Beth's Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06529447374785097536noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723910075257270601.post-7167413496754976712007-08-28T13:29:00.001-05:002007-08-28T14:15:47.187-05:00

School has begun - for the kids and for me.The kids started school on Monday (along with most of Texas). They are at 3 separate campuses this year, so it is interesting. Thankfully, the schools are only a couple of miles apart. They all came home happy and even excited about the year. I'm sure it will be another great one!As for me, as with most of my college career, the beginning of the

Beth's Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06529447374785097536noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723910075257270601.post-42438335577441927382007-08-17T19:52:00.000-05:002007-08-17T21:15:56.681-05:00

School starts in about a week - for the kids and for me. For me, I think they actually have everything ready a week early, so I can start next week. I'm just waiting on my books to arrive.Work is a blessing. I feel very competent and fulfilled in my work. I thank God for providing this place to work so that I can pay for school. He is amazing!I received a book from the school that I am

Beth's Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06529447374785097536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723910075257270601.post-75846349534886559282007-08-06T20:26:00.000-05:002007-08-12T22:22:44.439-05:00

It feels good . . . and bad . . . and at the same time.In my mind there are two kinds of anger; justified and unjustified. Justified for those, admittedly few, occasions when I've been mistreated. Unjustified, when I (through unproductive and unGodly thinking) decide to be angry at someone or some situation.But, I don't deal in anger much these days. Anger and I have a long and not at all

Beth's Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06529447374785097536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723910075257270601.post-53669597990267407652007-07-30T19:41:00.000-05:002007-08-12T22:24:20.585-05:00

According to my daughter, children are like grapes ... sweet. And now more from our guest blogger; my daughter:"God made all children different. Some can be sweet like grapes, some can be sour like lemons. We argue sometimes - over things we don't even know about. We make good grades in school work. We play outside, draw with chalk, ride bikes and be ourselves. All people are children

Beth's Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06529447374785097536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723910075257270601.post-21267614457041672072007-07-28T21:36:00.000-05:002007-08-12T22:25:19.812-05:00

The word brings to mind family, warmth, good food, and many memories.I have long believed that "home" is where the ones you love are. Not a place, but rather the reality of being surrounded by the ones you love.That being said, it is interesting the process one goes through to call a place home.Just a few days over one year ago, we moved into a new house in a new town. And I love our house!

Beth's Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06529447374785097536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723910075257270601.post-11301137512337805602007-07-24T21:33:00.000-05:002007-08-12T22:26:15.689-05:00

Alone.I'm certain this is the first time, in 6 years, that my husband and I have been alone, at home, together. The kids are at camp this week (see below) and we are alone in a quiet, cozy, comfortable house - enjoying each other's company without interruption. Is this what life will be like when all the kids are gone? It's great! ... And, of course, I'm not quite ready for them to be gone

Beth's Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06529447374785097536noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723910075257270601.post-48576573195809759642007-07-02T20:43:00.000-05:002007-08-12T22:26:52.609-05:00

Tortilla soup (thanks for the recipe, Clay)Easy LasagnaTaco QuicheChicken and Sausage GumboBreakfast CasseroleLemon PiePumpkin BreadIt must be cooking day.For the uninitiated, "cooking day" at our house comes around about once a month. Plan, shop, prep and cook (preferably not all in the same day). The result is 15-25 (usually) delicious meals for our family.I have to admit, I love to cook.

Beth's Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06529447374785097536noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723910075257270601.post-77021900977009442332007-06-25T22:39:00.000-05:002007-06-25T23:16:57.246-05:00

It is interesting to write a blog about something about which you know absolutely nothing. Meditation is not to be confused with mediation (which I do know a little about). So here it goes.I'm reading a book right now that is titled, "Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life." The book is really an eye opener for me about the impact of practicing the spiritual disciplines in your life.One

Beth's Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06529447374785097536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723910075257270601.post-57781134916607071682007-06-19T21:38:00.000-05:002007-06-25T23:21:23.099-05:00

Ahhh . . . Vacation.Images of sleepy afternoons, napping in the hammock. Fun times swimming, playing ping-pong, or canoing on the river.Nice.We were again blessed with a great opportunity to go on a nice vacation. The stage is set: a sleepy small camp (which we have all to ourselves), ping-pong, pool, foosball, tetherball, basketball, volleyball, badminton, horseshoes, canoeing, paddle boat,

Beth's Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06529447374785097536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723910075257270601.post-20541568993636457782007-05-28T21:45:00.000-05:002007-08-12T22:29:00.812-05:00

What a great day. We had a surprise visit from some old friends, a quiet morning at home and an afternoon of one of our top activities - a visit to the bookstore. (We like to think of the bookstore as our private reading room.)This day cannot pass without considering its true meaning; remembering those who have died in military service to our country. Days like this stir a patriotism in me

Beth's Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06529447374785097536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723910075257270601.post-72972105022437991472007-05-21T22:15:00.000-05:002007-08-12T22:29:27.562-05:00

At what point in my life did my own birthday become insignificant? I think I saw the writing on the wall when I was pregnant with our oldest child. As the month of May approached and I approached my due date at the end of May, I began to understand. I was no longer going to have a birthday after the current year.My husband, God bless his soul, tries really hard every year to make my birthday

Beth's Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06529447374785097536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723910075257270601.post-5336798883406616022007-05-14T22:26:00.000-05:002007-08-12T22:30:20.814-05:00

After finding a Master's program, getting a job to pay for school and being accepted into the MSFL program, I am now at The Next Step; getting a new computer.We all now can have our collective *moan* because you probably hate getting a new computer as much as I do. I spent four years getting my laptop computer just the way I wanted it and now I have a new one. Of course the old one was sick (

Beth's Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06529447374785097536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723910075257270601.post-70395431902418374372007-05-07T21:21:00.000-05:002007-08-12T22:30:46.226-05:00

My salvation came at a young age. I saw myself as full of sin and needing God’s grace. I accepted His grace and was baptized. This cleansing of my sin gave me a new life and a new appreciation for Jesus’ sinless life. Growing in God’s grace came in fits and spurts. Though my commitment to God never wavered, my focus did. At one point, I “cleared the coffee table” of my life and got out

Beth's Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06529447374785097536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723910075257270601.post-74410898466079479232007-05-07T20:40:00.000-05:002007-08-12T22:31:30.254-05:00

And so we begin a new chapter in my life; blogging.I can't imagine what I will say. I'm not sure I have anything to add to the constant flow of words in the universe, but still I begin.I think my desire to begin this journey stems from what I am facing; I have prayerfully decided to begin graduate school in the fall (2007). I am beginning a Masters in Spiritual Formation through Spring Arbor

Beth's Reflectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06529447374785097536noreply@blogger.com0