Month One: Media

Nope, I haven't forgotten...7 is quickly approaching it's debut in the Rimar home. (Not sure what 7 is? Check is out here!) Month One starts in a week and we'll be giving up 7 forms of media for the entire month of February.

Here is what we'll be doing without:
~TV
~Internet*
~Radio
~Movies
~Video Games
~Texting**
~Phone Apps
*The use of internet is allowed for email. While we are more than happy to check out of cyberworld for a month, others who get in touch primarily through email (mainly work) might not understand this phenomena. In addition, I know you all are eager to watch us succeed squirm through the month, so Phil said I'd be able to update the blog on how things are going.
**Texting, at times, is much more efficient and even appropriate than a phone call. So, texting for this purpose is allowed, whereas texting simply so I can occupy my boredom or avoid actual human conversing (??) won't happen.

Let me also preface this by saying that of these seven things, the only two that actually suck the life out of us are the tv and internet. The rest are simply every form of media I can think of in the house (which happen to equal 7) that we could possibly default to given a 4 week depreciation of our two favorites. You see, the purpose of this isn't to remove one form of excess only to replace it with another. It's to simply remove the excess and deliberately make room for God.

So what might you give up for a month? Come on...you knew I was going to ask! A handful of ladies have decided to walk alongside me during this process. Each will be giving up at least 1 form of media...some for the entire month, others for specific days of the week during that month. My sweet friend Katie even shared with me that in The Cove at Southbrook they recently asked the kids to think about what is taking their time from God. Her son's answer was his new DS. Now, he may regret being so honest come next month when his new DS gets put on the shelf for an entire day each week, but I'd bet he'll also quickly understand that making sacrifices for the Lord can sometimes hurt...if we really are honest. But in the end they are oh so worth it (and the pain often temporary) if only we seek Him wholeheartedly.

So...what's it gonna be?!

An Anniversary

Today marks 2 years since a devastating earthquake shook Port-au-Prince, Haiti. My heart breaks for those who have nothing, still. But I am so comforted in knowing that our God of hope and strength has a plan and is moving in this country.


Will you spend some time today and pray with me?

I'm praying for God's plan and perfect timing. For the lives of those who are still hurting, that they too will find comfort in our Father. For those who are new to trusting God's plan, that their faith will continue to grow and spread to others. For leaders, like Pastor Rene Joseph, and their steadfastness in chasing after the plans God has for them and their people.

I'm praying for the next team from Southbrook that is going to Port-a-Prince in just 1 week. That the 6 of them (Bethany, Allen, Andrew, Krystal, Austin, and Pastor Geoffrey) will be able to continue the vision of Southbrook Church in marking the world. That they are able to further extend the relationships being built with those in the area, being led by the Holy Spirit themselves, and showing the love of God.

I'm also praying for ways that I can continue to tangibly help. Whether that's going to Haiti, financially assisting others who are going, sponsoring a child, sending supplies, or anything else.

none are benign.

Ladies, I pray this morning that these words are as convicting to each one of you as they are to me.


From Proverbs 31 Ministries Daily Devotions:
Mean Girls
by Lynn Cowell

“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” Colossians 3:8 (NIV)

Standing in line for the concert gave my family plenty of people-watching time. As girls and guys made their way to the back of the line, I pointed out all the immodest clothing. “Why would she wear those in public?” “Oh my! I can’t believe she feels comfortable dressed like that!” I commented as one-by-one they passed us.

I must have shared quite a few of these statements because my oldest teenaged daughter finally said, “Mom, you are being mean!”

I felt so small. I hadn’t thought I was being mean. I was simply pointing out to my girls how not to dress. But my daughter was right.

The truth is, my girls already know how not to dress; I have been teaching them since they were five. And now I was teaching them how to judge another woman. I was teaching them to be mean.

Since that night at the concert I’ve come to the conclusion that mean girls often come from mean mamas. When we point out other’s flaws, we are modeling for our kids a judgmental heart. Instead, what we mamas need to demonstrate is compassion.

Our key verse today says we are to rid ourselves of slander, which means a scandalous remark. In fact, in the verses before and the verses that follow, it doesn’t mention of any time when it is okay to slander others.

One way we are overcoming a mean spirit in our family is through accountability. When my girls are gossiping or putting another girl down, I gently point it out and my girls do the same for me.

At first, having my child call me out was a bit uncomfortable. But making this a family issue, rather than just me correcting my kids, is bringing us to a deeper level of kindness.

Like me, you may be surprised to discover just how often you say unkind things . If you watch each other’s words, both you and your child will become more compassionate, less judgmental and a whole lot more careful about the words you say! It’s working for me; I know it will work for you too!

Dear Lord, I want to rid myself of slander and in turn teach my children to do the same. Please cleanse my heart of judgment and help me to set a guard over my mouth. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Application Steps:
In the next 24 hours, spy on yourself. Are your words building or breaking?
When you have a critical thought toward a person, intentionally look for a positive remark you can make about them.

Reflections:
My words are either building or breaking; none of them are benign.

Power Verses:
Romans 12:10, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (NIV)

7

It's been a while, I know...let's jump right in!

I found another book.... Seriously, I think I've become that girl. Anywho...let me first start this post with this... I've heard it before, and I must agree, that it is often scarier when God does answer a prayer than when he doesn't.

Saturday evening Phil and I met with other LifeGroup (small group) leaders from Southbrook in order to check in with our Champions (leaders over the leaders). After some scrumptious dinner, we spent some time talking about our expectations for the year for both our groups and ourselves. I shared with everyone that I truly didn't know what to expect from 2012. If you had asked me one year ago today what I could have expected God to do in my life I never would have answered with any, let alone all, of the following:
   Serving at church
   Going on 2 international mission trips
   Faithful tithing
   Joining a LifeGroup
   Becoming a member of Southbrook
   Seeing Phil get baptized
   An eagerness for sacrificial giving
   Leading a LifeGroup
   Discovering a passion for missions
A complete transformation from fan to follower, and God gets all of the glory. This time last year, Phil and I finally realized that we both had to relinquish all control to our Father and submit our lives and our marriage fully to His plan for us. What happened throughout 2011 was intense, amazing, and something neither one of us could have predicted! So, Saturday night I simply shared that I could only hope and expect to continue this year, just as last, with complete submission of myself to whatever the Lord has in store for us.

On the car ride home, Phil and I confessed to each other that while we are outrageously blown away at all that God has done within our hearts in the past year, we certainly feel as though we could have given more in our relationship with Him. If He could work in such great ways through us then, how much more could we let Him live all out in us this year if we actually came to Him every single day, really read His word EVERYday (truth: we failed at this more often than we'd like to admit), and pressed even more eagerly into a relationship with Him? HUGE! 2012 could be even more mind blowing than the last year!

So that part about God actually answering prayers....sometimes He doesn't waste any time! Yesterday, Phil and I were in Sam's Club and he happened to notice a book with an oddly simple cover. He picked it up, read the back and just smiled. I immediately wanted to be in on the secret, but he wouldn't give me the book right away, simply stating that he knew if I read this book excerpt that things would change. He. Was. Right.

One of the biggest things that sticks out in my mind from being in Haiti is surprisingly not how much we have compared to how little they do. That was blatantly obvious, and I could have told you this fact without ever stepping foot in the country. Instead, it was the experience of finally giving God one full uninterrupted week of my complete devotion and utter dependence. And what I will also never forget is the experience of returning home to a life that simply gets in the way of my life with God. I'm painfully excited to see just how big God becomes in the Rimar household as life get awfully simple in the next 7 months.

Check back later and I'll talk more about what 7 will look like for us.