REFRESHER PERFECTION...

Well, I suppose that title is a bit exaggerated...but I really loved the recent women's event we had at church!  It's hard to believe that something we tried as an alternative to having yearly women's retreats ten years ago is still going!  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but here's my take on it.

The women's RefresHER last week was themed "Inspiring a Child-like Faith," and I thought it sounded interesting and definitely unique!  I wasn't quite sure how it would all come together but this group did a beautiful job with little input from me.  What I loved most about it was it was a great blend of comedy with Christianity!  We reminisced over our childhood with old toys on the tables for decoration, had a game on powerpoint (Name that Toy), followed the lesson with an unusual way to take notes on a "Scrabble" page, and laughed a lot.

Our speakers were two women who are known for their sense of humor, so of course that helps! Their self deprecating humor and their comedy came through with a song about "RefresHER."  Of course, when someone spends the time writing a song for something you care about, you feel loved! They also showed ability to think deeply about having a childlike faith and shared a great message with us.  Some take aways from the evening:

• Be childLIKE, not childISH
• Do hard things - we encourage children to do hard things, so why do we shy away from them?
• What if we trusted God like the children in our lives trust us?
• Trust without skepticism.
• Be transparent - think about Jesus with his friends

So blessed and thankful for the many years RefresHER has been in place in our congregation and giving God the glory!

MY WINTER READS...

Chasing Slow by Erin Loechner

Loved this read!  I thought I was getting a book to help me learn more about slower paced living, enjoying the moments, etc.  And it was that.  But it was also a trip with Erin through her times of plenty and leaner times.  Learning what matters most and how being insecure is a part of your life and to accept it for what it is.  I totally related to her journey and was the perfect thing to think about while on a break from our everyday life. 

True Worshipers by Bob Kauflin

Something  that my husband has been studying for a while, and searching the scriptures about…so I found him this book at Mardel.  We read it and discussed it while we were on vacation in January.  It’s about seeking what matters to God.  Although it didn’t address all the things we’ve been talking about, it brought up some good points about worship.  One was that we don’t have to repress our emotions.  Emotionalism as an end in itself is not good, but if your emotions are stirred while worshipping God, that’s okay. 

Jesus Feminist by Sarah Bessey

Curious to read this because the author went to college in my home state.  She grew up in Canada and has an interesting faith story to tell.  Basically, her view after feeling stifled as an adult Christian woman in a conservative church is that if you are gifted to do something, do it.  She raises some interesting points which I still have yet to reconcile in my mind but worth pondering. 

The Big Tiny by Dee Williams

I picked this one up off the New Book shelf at the library.  Since my son is building a tiny house in our driveway, I’m finding it entertaining and interesting.  After experiencing a health event in mid-life, the author decided to drastically simplify her life by building a tiny house.  I love her style and am not finished with the book yet, but would recommend.