just read: love does

One of my book clubs recently completed the book Love Does by Bob Goff. The book is a series of stories - some funny, some heartbreaking, all with the intention of moving us to action.

Bob has done some interesting things. In my book club, each meeting, there was a discussion about his adventures - most found them amazing. While they are out of the ordinary and some stories are pretty grand, I was thinking about all of the people I met along the journey of life who could share similar stories - rescuing slaves, helping those in extreme poverty, going to the far reaches of the world for that one lost sheep, surviving harrowing circumstances..

I believe it is possible for EVERY human being to live a life and write a book like Bob's, but most of us don't. Why? Oh, the reasons excuses are many: I am too busy. I am not qualified. I am not ready. I will later.              (fill in the blank)

God is calling each of us on the great adventure. Ours won't look just like Bob's because we are each uniquely gifted. But, our adventure could still be pretty amazing.

What is holding you back from living a great adventure?

just Sheri, compelled by love to keep moving

house rules: no spectators

Spectator: an observer of an event

When I host a game night at our house, there is one rule: no spectators. Sure, it can be entertaining to watch. It's a lot more comfortable to sit and observe than to create...it's also a lot easier to be a critic from the side lines. 

I make this rule because we [humans] are made to be active participants, rather than observers. The best products, or experiences, come when shared and each person gives their unique contribution. Criticism becomes more constructive when there is "skin in the game" or ownership of the activities and their end product.

I shared this house rule at a recent birthday party with friends: no spectators.

I've been thinking about it in relation to church.

[insert photo of one person at the front speaking and all others sitting and listening]

Church wasn't made to be a spectator sport. It wasn't meant to be entertainment that we come to watch. While it might be more comfortable to sit and observe rather than to create - we miss out on life changing, full on, mind blowing experiences; because our comfort zone keeps those things out. An environment where ownership isn't shared is ripe for criticism and discontent - when things aren't going right, who's problem is it? Not mine. I am not in charge, they are.

I want to be a part of something where folks are engaged. Where things are happening and where each person's unique contribution (regardless of age, gender, race, or background) has a place to grow and develop and be shared. Me and a few of my friends are setting out on an adventure to create such a place. 

Where will it lead? Only God knows....

just Sheri, embarking on a new adventure

director of the everyday, tedious, and mundane

In one of two book clubs which I am a member, we were discussing contentment. Many people spend their life looking forward to the next thing - when I...am older...married...have kids...am finished with school...retire...change jobs. When..the kids are older...

You get the picture. We think we will be content "when" - which really means "we will be content when?"

I have done this - looking forward to when, rather than finding contentment in the present.

But, that is not my current struggle. My current struggle is looking back. When my life was my ministry. When I woke each morning with a strong sense of purpose. When my days were consumed by a calling much bigger than I. When I was living the adventure with those who were consumed by it too. Aahhh, those were the days...when can I get back to that?

Though the question is different, the result is the same. DISCONTENT.

Through the course of the subsequent months I have been trying to root out my discontent. My biggest struggle is my job. I have a good job, it just doesn't engage my heart the way previous work did. I am the director of everyday, mundane, and tedious responsibilities. I shuffle paper from one place to another, write emails and answer phones. The decisions that are made between the paper shuffling and professional communications do make a difference to many who are doing good, life-saving work. 

So, I show up each day and try to convince myself that it matters that I am sitting in my desk chair shuffling paper, responding to email and answering phones. I try to follow Jehoshaphat's instructions to ancient judges to "serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the Lord." 

I want to be skilled at my work, but also satisfied with the task. I am asking God to change my heart. In place of restlessness, put peace. In place of discontent, put satisfaction. I must stop looking back and press on...toward whatever lies ahead.

just Sheri, reaching for the title of "surprisingly satisfied"

just read: Outliers

I read a lot. In fact I am currently a member of not one, but two book clubs...and I still have books I am reading independently.

There is one book I read this year that I have thought about again and again - Outliers by Malcom Gladwell.

This book has pertinent lessons in assertive communication - which is really important to leadership and relationship.

The author proposes that to be an expert at anything we must spend 10,000 hours practicing - which is really important when learning a new skill or encouraging those who think they cannot be successful. I used this concept with my students - "get up try again, keep practicing, you CAN succeed!"

The major concept, I will let the author describe in his own words:


"When outliers become outliers it is not just because of their own efforts. It's because of the contributions of lots of different people and lots of different circumstances— and that means that we, as a society, have more control about who succeeds—and how many of us succeed—than we think. That's an amazingly hopeful and uplifting idea." (taken from an interview found at www.gladwell.com).

I think another Gladwell book will make the reading list in the near future.

What do you think of this concept: no one succeeds on their own and we can contribute to the success of others?

just Sheri, grateful to all of my contributors

Marital Communications 501: Star Wars

One of my joys in life is exposing the Hubs to new experiences. The hotel where we spent our honeymoon had a video library. I picked out "West Side Story" and convinced Kenyon to watch it by telling him it is a movie about street gangs. I failed to mention the gang fights were lyrical, choreographed street dances.

I got him to watch "Sound of Music" by telling him it was a World War II movie (he is a WWII buff). True, that is the context of the movie, but (again) I failed to mention the singing and dancing. I used a similar tactic for "Gone with the Wind." At the end of that experience he said, "I total misjudged that movie!" He actually enjoyed the story after the multi-hour investment of time.

Our latest movie adventure is Star Wars. Yes, the Hubs is 35 years old and NEVER seen Star Wars. It came up because there was a joke referencing Darth Vader that he didn't understand. So, recently we have spent a couple of nights watching classic Star Wars movies.

I can tell you from experience that watching a grown man experience Star Wars for the first time is highly entertaining. He provides a unique perspective...to say the least. (apologies in advance to Star Wars fans)

About R2-D2:

K: What is the purpose of that rolling trash can?

I am not enough of a fan to be able to effectively defend R2-D2, but I can honestly say I did not see the resemblance to a trash can until the Hubs pointed it out.

About Jabba the Hut:

K: Why are they afraid of that fat earthworm?

I can't explain why Jabba the Hut is powerful...nor did I previously see him as an earthworm, but now I see the coloring, shape and motion do resemble a worm.

The Hubs has always provided a unique perspective.

just Sheri, enlightened