Read THIS!

Okay—Last call for the big move!

On your way to emilygehman.com, check out an article called "Faith, Family, and Duck Dynasty" at todayschristianwoman.com. It's written by yours truly! 

THEN, go camp out at emilygehman.com. God is doing some cool things!

We've Moved!

 Feel like you may be missing something? Well, you are. 

EMpressions has moved! Come on over to emilygehman.com to see what's going on. See you there!

How to Declare Independence (with an important announcement!)

I, the author of EMpressions, in order to form a more perfect blog, establish literary justice, insure blogosphere tranquility, provide for the common reader, promote the general welfare (of the author and her readers), and secure the blessings of literature to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this WordPress website for the readers of the United States of America. 

Today, the fourth day of the seventh month of the year of our Lord 2013, I do hereby declare independence from Blogger.com, to move to a new host, namely, wordpress.com. 

I hold these truths to be self-evident, that all writers are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator certain publishing rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of excellence in blogging. 

Therefore, I now hereby solemnly consecrate and inaugurate this site, EMpressions (otherwise known and registered as emilygehman.com), in its new home via WordPress, for the reading pleasure of its patrons and the glorification of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. For this, I pledge my foreseeable future (that is, at least the next two weeks), my fortune (ha!) and my sacred honor...or something like that.

Okay, so maybe it’s not original, but it is true. I’ve moved EMpressions to emilygehman.com, to be hosted by WordPress. This host site is a bit more comprehensive, has wider capabilities, and all around more professional. So head on over there, to emilygehman.com! 

I’ll leave EMpressions up at blogger.com for a while, until I’ve recovered everyone (yes, all twelve of you) to the new site. And as always, thanks for reading!

Oh, and Happy Fourth of July. God Bless America!

How to Recharge After Being Recharged

I'm in recovery mode right now, so if I write something unintelligible here, just ignore it. My brain will catch up eventually.

Why am I in recovery mode, you ask?

Well, I spent last week hanging out with some really cool students at the GARBC (that's the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches) National Conference. It took place in Dearborn, Mich., about an hour away. I worked with Regular Baptist Press, reporting on Students Alive!—where all the cool kids hang out when their parents are in the general sessions.

The theme of the week was "Recharge Your Faith,"so everything revolved around encouragement from the Word of God...and who doesn't love that kind of encouragement?!?

They did a ton of stuff, too, including helping out at the Detroit Rescue Mission on one of the hottest days of the summer (seriously, it was warm).

I also reported on the Talents For Christ national competition (where my friend Molly took 2nd in the writing competition...SWEET!), which was pretty neat because I participated in TFC when I was in high school. (I may or may not have had some pretty intense flashbacks.)

It was really fun—hanging with the teens, working with the media team, writing on a midnight deadline, and drinking coffee almost nonstop. I mean, there's the whole I'm-excited-to-maybe-get-five-hours-of-sleep-tonight thing that we experienced each night, but that's okay.

Hence the recovery mode.

Purple because the pool is open and my shoes are tired. I'm hungry.

I should probably get back to that recovering thing.

If you're interested, here's a list of links to the stories I wrote last week during the conference:

Monday Students Alive!: Teens Recharge Faith as Conference Begins
Tuesday Students Alive!: Small Things, Big Effects
Wednesday Students Alive!: Renew, Recharge, Remember Who You Are
Wednesday Talents For Christ: TFC: All in the Family
Thursday Talents For Christ: High-Resolution Display

And here's a link to all the conference news items: 2013 GARBC Conference Links

Thanks for reading this semi-intelligible post. I think I might go take a nap. :)

How to Turn Into Your Dad (and be okay with it)

Apparently I turn into my dad at softball games. 

At our church softball game (yes, church softball is actually incredibly fun) last week, I’m hearing things like “Atta girl!” “Good cut!” “Straighten it out!” “Good eye!” come out of  my mouth. 

My mouth. This is interesting, because my mouth doesn’t typically yell anything, ever, unless I’m being chased by something large and furry...ya know, I’m just not the life of the party. 

These are things that my dad yells at softball games. And apparently now, I do too. 

This is terrifying. Have you ever come to this realization—that you’re just like your mom or your dad? 

I should clarify—luckily, my dad is really cool. So the fact that I’m turning into him isn’t bad, but still, kind of terrifying. 

I was reminded again, although in a different way, that we are a lot like our parents. I’m here at the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches annual conference in Dearborn, Michigan, reporting on the Students Alive! activities. 

On Monday’s kick off session, Pastor Mark Holeman made the point that we are supposed to be like our parents, because we are a product of them. Similarly, if you are God’s child, then you should be like Him, too. 

[Read the story about the day here.]

Makes sense, right? I'd never heard it said that way, but I like it. 

So maybe it's not so bad that I'm turning into my dad. But my prayer is that I'll catch myself more often turning into my heavenly Father, too. 

How to Wonder for 40 Years

Jimmy Hoffa’s name—but never his body—comes up regularly in the news around here, and like clockwork, it showed up again on Monday.

They’re digging again, and this time it’s in my neck of the woods—Oakland Township, in a field at Buell and Adams roads. I drive by there every week! Not sure if this is creepy or cool. 

Tony Zerilli, a respected mobster, was the one to give the tip that prompted the search. Fairly credible, if you ask me. So the FBI is at it again, excavators in tow. 

Hoffa was last seen at a Detroit restaurant in 1975. Yes, 1975. That’s 38 years ago. And we’re still looking for him. 

Read some news items about the dig here and here. 

What is it about the Jimmy Hoffa mystery that keeps us coming? Why are we still digging almost 40 years later? Why do we still care? Certainly it’s not to punish his captors/assumed killers who are now either dead or aging rapidly. 

But the teams stand ready to go, and every so often the search picks up again. The last time it was at a Roseville, MI residence; others rumor that he is under NY Giants’ stadium, and even the Everglades of Florida.

One question nobody is asking or answering: Are we even going to be able to identify him if we ever do find him? We're talking four decades of decay here. Lazarus began to smell after only four days! (Gross.) I know forensic teams can find out a lot about things that come out of the ground...but part of what makes the mobsters so elusive is that they’re really good at what they do. (That is, killing and covering.)

Just saying. 

I get the whole “closure” part of it. But sometimes, closure isn’t an option. We live in a sin-soaked world that often doesn’t afford the luxury of emotional closure. Take Job, for example. He lost everything—wealth, family, and health. And he never knew why. We read in the Bible that the truth of the story is that Satan was really messing with Job. But Job would never find this out. Yes, he walked through the test and came out on the other side with integrity in hand, and he did receive even greater blessing from the Lord. But it doesn’t say that he ever was told what was really happening. No closure. Sorry, Job.

For the record—I do hope that someday Hoffa’s body is found, just because that would be cool. But I do have to somewhat marvel at how we sit with rapt attention of a nearly 40-year-old mystery. 

What do you think? Why do we long for mysteries to be solved, however old and widespread they are? 

How to Have the World's Best Dad

It’s Father’s Day this weekend—you’re welcome for that reminder. You have 48 hours left to get a new golf club, a hideous tie, a pair of socks, or a goofy card. 

Sorry, Dad—I’m not getting you any of those. Mostly because I’m poor. All you get is a blog post this year. I might pop for a Wendy’s frosty, too. 

What can I say about my dad? He’s the best dad ever. I know everyone says that their dad is the best dad ever, but they’re wrong. Mine is. 

I’m pretty fond of my dad, and not just because he’s a world-champion ice-cream dipper (which he most certainly is). There are some things about my dad that I’m not so fond of, like how he cuts sandwiches—right down the middle, not diagonally. (This is not news to him.) Or how he has never organized the applications on his iPhone so that when searching for an app you have to scroll through ten (yes, ten) pages of apps. (Yes, Dad, that was the second time today I’ve harped on that. Sorry.)

But there are a lot of things that I absolutely love about my dad. I’m always jealous of his ability to get up in the morning. I don’t know how you morning people do it. I don’t have this ability, and it’s not fair. 

When he gets up, usually the first thing he does (after mixing all the crumbs of empty cereal boxes into one bowl for breakfast) is sit down to the Word of God. Actually, this is only a rumor, because I’m never up early enough to see this, but I see his Bible and study notes scattered all over the table when I do get up. So I’d say it’s a pretty solid hunch. 

The next thing he does when he gets up is make coffee for my mom (who does not share the waking ability). My dad has taken coffee and the paper into my mom before she wakes for as long as I can remember. True love!

I could go on forever about what I love most about my dad. Really, the list is extensive. But mostly, I love my dad because he loves the Lord, His Word and has a passion for teaching it to others...including me. I love our conversations. I love that I can ask my dad the dumbest questions EVER and he never makes me feel as dumb as I sound. 

So thanks, Dad, for being the best dad ever. Thanks for being the most excellent example of godly servanthood I’ve ever seen. Thanks for being committed to the Word of God and for teaching me how to follow the Lord at all costs. 

And thanks for loving me even though I ask (a lot of) dumb questions. 

Seriously—Best. Dad. Ever. 

Love you, Dad. 

How to Buy Gas in Nowhere, USA

Don’t worry, friends! I’m still alive! Well...at least I will be once I drink this cup of coffee.

Over the last two weeks, I have slept in four different states, traveled through seven, and even spent a little bit of time between states. Literally. I stopped at a gas station the other day (where I was excited to get it for $4.08...that’s sad) and on one side of the gas station was the “Welcome to Michigan” sign and on the other side of the gas station was the “Welcome to Indiana” sign. I’m really not sure where exactly I was!

Anyways, last week, I was in Wheaton, Illinois for the Write-to-Publish Conference at Wheaton College. Talk about information overload! But it was really, really good. I did learn a lot, and I got to meet some really cool people—including key editors from the Christian publishing world.

[I started writing about it last week while I was there—that was my last blog post, Information Overload—but obviously I didn’t quite make it in the blogosphere for the rest of the week. Sorry about that.]

The conference was helpful in the tips and tricks-of-the-trade, as well as encouraging through sound, biblical advice and motivation to continue on in the call of writing. (Because that’s mostly easier said than done.)

Not to mention the 17 books I brought home from the conference...don’t worry, I didn’t pay anywhere near full-price for all but two of them.

After the conference concluded on Saturday evening, I was able to spend some time with a really cool family. The Mungons let me crash at their house on Saturday and Sunday nights, giving me a bit of time to decompress as well as enjoy their company. They even saved me a bowl of ice cream...for which I was (and always am) incredibly grateful. 

My next big event on the calendar is the GARBC Conference in Dearborn, Mich. at the end of the month. I’ll be reporting on the Students Alive! program and the National Talents For Christ competition throughout the week. I might need to hibernate until then. 

So my conclusion, after the last two weeks?

God is good. I’m tired. God is good. Now go write. God is good. 

How to Enjoy Information Overload

"It's okay to call yourself a writer!" 

This statement seems like a no-brainer at a writer's conference, right? Well, it is. 

But that doesn't mean it doesn't need to be said! 

[I'm on a bit of information overload right now, unwinding from my first day at Write-to-Publish. I have listened to great teaching today, and have had some excellent conversations and opportunities that only our sovereign God could arrange. He indeed is good.]

I am reminded that every writer asks the same questions--what do I have to say? Why would anyone publish me? Does anybody even read anymore? (Here's where I thank YOU for reading this blog!) 

And while we still ask and search for answers...sometimes on a daily basis... there is comfort in knowing that I am not the only one asking them. 

I have seen God's hand in this conference for me; I couldn't have planned it any better (as if I thought I could have...what arrogance!). Seriously, that whole "more than you could ever ask or think" thing? Yeah, completely true. 

And it's only day one! I can't wait to tell you about ALL God has done through this week-so far, and yet to come. Stay tuned!

Looking forward to tomorrow...but now, sleep. Sleep would be good. 

How to Road Trip...Part III

Phew! Are you tired of driving? Me too. But it was fun, right? Thanks for coming along!

States covered: Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. West Virginia was a first for me! It is beautiful down there. The phrase that kept coming to my mind was, "What are men compared to rocks and mountains?" Glorious. Just glorious.

The rest of the LYFE Women's Conference was just as good as I described in my last post. More powerful teaching from women who love the Lord and His Word. The Holy Spirit was at work in the hearts of many women, including mine. God just keeps reminding me to trust Him, no matter what, and to stop worrying. I kept hearing this whisper in my heart: "When you know the One Who holds it all in the palm of His hand, why oh why do you ever worry?

It is so simple, but simple is not the same as easy. 

Ah, but God is faithful. And He is good. And I must simply trust Him.

In review, LYFE was encouraging and refreshing, but, I have to admit—a bit exhausting. :)

[It was also pretty exciting to see the final product of the book that I have been working on the last ten months. Sherrie Holloway's For the Love of God was released at the conference—I'm thankful for how God has directed this project and how He will use it. The glory belongs to Him!] 

Now, we are home, sweet home, and I'm taking the next 36 hours to recover from that road trip, only to start another one!

Tomorrow afternoon I will be traveling to the Chicagoland area to attend the Write-to-Publish conference in Wheaton, IL. I'm excited to learn a ton and make good connections, but I have to be honest, right now, I just want to take a nap.

So maybe I'll just do that.

...Oh wait. Laundry.

How to Road Trip...Part II

The drive hasn't been too bad, right? From Lancaster to Clarks Summit, PA is only about three hours, and a stop at Starbucks will cure just about anything that lasts three hours! Unless you're Gilligan...you'll need something a bit stronger for that three-hour tour!

We have arrived at Baptist Bible College for the LYFE Women's Conference. LYFE stands for Living Your Faith Everyday; this year's theme is "Simply Living: It's More!" and we are getting a good dose of the Word of God in order to do just that.

Sherrie Holloway, keynote speaker has been bringing such needed truth to the table this weekend. This morning we were in Romans. A quick synopsis of Romans, Holloway style, goes something like this:

Romans chapters 1-11—"This is the gospel."
Romans chapters 12-16—"This is your life on the gospel."

Yep, that's pretty much it.

Today she reminded us from Romans 12 that God's great love and mercy evoke a response of gratitude (worship) and full surrender. The gospel is the reason to do the next right thing.

In fact, Sherrie has just published a book about that very thing—God's love and the gospel. It's called For the Love of God. I'm honored and grateful to have been a part of this project...and I'm not gonna lie, it's pretty cool. The book is available on Amazon...check it out here!

[I will also have a limited number of copies available when I get home to the great state of Michigan. Let me know!]

Tomorrow, we will attend more workshops and sessions, and soak in more of the truth of God's Word. It has been rejuvenating to sit under clear, powerful Bible teaching, as well as reconnecting with dear friends. This is truly one of the best ways to spend time on this side of Heaven!

Are you tired out yet? Hang on—the road trip isn't over yet!

[Sherrie Holloway is a gifted communicator who loves the Lord and His Word. Learn more about Sherrie at her website, wellspringoverflow.com Don't forget to check out For the Love of God here!]

How to Road Trip Without Leaving Your Home

When was the last time you went on a road trip?  

Want to come on one with me? Don't worry-you don't have to drive, ride, pay for gas, eat junk food or try to sleep in a cramped car without enough legroom. You can tag along and I'll tell you all about it.  Ready? 

Most of the driving has already been done, but we are only getting started on the cool stuff! 

But why, you wonder?  I'm so glad you asked. My mom and I are enjoying a trip together in the eastern hills of America...The Appalachian mountains, to be exact. And no, we are definitely not hiking the Appalachian Trail. But we can almost see it from here!

Yesterday we were in West Virginia, where I met a new culture. Uh...we may not be in Kansas anymore, Toto. Okay, it's really not as bad as us northerners make it out to be. :) We spent some time with my mom's cousins who are sweet, sweet people. They were a blessing. 

Today, we drove to Lancaster, PA. It smells a bit different down here. But the food is good! We went to the Sight and Sound theatre to see "Noah," which was...uh, pretty spectacular.  A great reminder to trust God...He always keeps His promises!  

[if you're not familiar with Sight and Sound, check out their stage plays of the biblical accounts of Noah, Jonah, Moses, Ruth, and many others. They are legit!]

The real reason we are traveling begins tomorrow. Our final destination is Clarks Summit, PA, at the LYFE conference at Baptist Bible College. LYFE stands for Living Your Faith Everyday. I've helped Sherrie Holloway, keynote speaker, write her first book (I was the ghostwriter), and it will be released at the LYFE conference this weekend and next. So...I decided it was time for a road trip—The last year of my life is coming to fruition...and I want to be there to see it! 

So that's what I'm up to this week. Stay tuned...we've got more road tripping to do!

How to Dress Bullies

Last week there was some hubbub about some statements that Mike Jeffries, CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch made a while back. He explained the fact that they only wanted “cool kids” wearing A&F clothes, and that’s why they don’t sell larger sizes.

Admittedly, the company is using a smart marketing strategy, and it’s working for their business. However, the longer-term effects of Jeffries’ attitude and his example to the next generation is a bit disheartening. He’s leading the pack for bullies. Instead of throwing water on the bullying fire, he’s handing each one a can of gasoline. 

Read about Jeffries and the backlash here.

Now I’m not one to jump on the anti-bullying, politically correct bandwagon; I think school culture, of which bullying is a part, can be important for the formative years (if handled correctly by parents), developing morals and character. But I also won’t encourage it.

So when I see a mom like Ally from Murray, Utah, being a parent and teaching her daughter Kaylee about bullying, I do a little happy dance. 

When she found out her daughter was making fun of a classmate’s wardrobe, Ally decided to give Kaylee a taste of her own medicine. So she went to the thrift store and bought Kaylee a few “new” outfits. Watch what happened next here.

I wouldn’t call this cruel and unusual punishment. I call it parenting. And maybe we need  some more parents like Ally so that the Mike Jeffries of the world are kept to an absolute minimum...like, zero. Make that the maximum, too. 

How to Stop Listening

I know two words that can bring a tear to almost any woman’s eye. Want to hear them?

Swimsuit shopping. 

Ladies, am I right? 

I had to do this yesterday. Well, okay, I didn’t HAVE to, but they were a good price AND my mom had a 30% off coupon at Kohl’s. If you shop at Kohl’s, you know that it’s like gold when you get a 30% off coupon. Because you never buy anything full price at Kohl’s. 

Anyways, I’ll spare you the gory details (trust me, I don’t want to relive those); just take my word for it...swimsuit shopping is not fun, and I’ve not met many women who jump for joy about it. 

But why is it so painful? Because we listen too much.

We listen to the racks that tell us what size we should be. We listen to the ad pages that tell us what’s in, and if you can’t wear it, then you won’t be. We listen to that voice that keeps reminding us of everything we are and everything we aren’t.

Why is it that we listen to all the wrong stuff about ourselves? We dismiss genuine—and probably true—compliments, but then listen to and believe all the wrong things!

Ladies, listen to the truth about you:

“For you are God’s masterpiece. He has created you anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10

So...what are you listening to? Are you listening to truth?

Because the only thing that’s going to make it easier—or at least bearable—in the fitting room is the truth. Not the nonsense you keep listening to. 

Approach the 3-way mirror with confidence this swimsuit season...just make sure you're listening to the right thing!

How to Be a High School Graduate...Again

Open house season is upon us! Went to my first one of the year this weekend. You can’t go wrong with open houses. Free food, cake, and laughing at the graduate’s hilarious baby pictures. And if you look like me, a side of sunburn to go.

It’s an interesting cultural custom when you think about it. The graduate completes 12 years of school, so we throw them a big party (that costs a lot of money), invite a million people (even the ones you don’t like), and ask the guests for more money. I’m not sure who this is more painful for: the guests, the graduate, or the parents. 

At any rate, I enjoy open houses for the most part. I always get excited for the graduate, who will be experiencing many new things in the coming months. Celebrating with the grads throws me into ambition mode—It’s fun to think about the future...you know, in that dream kind of way. 

(When I think about the future in the practical kind of way, I kind of freak out. The intensity of freaking and the amount of sleep I get are usually directly related.)

Do you remember when you graduated from high school? Can you recall the moments of excitement and I-can’t-wait-to-get-started? 

So here’s the big question...have you started? 

I don’t know about you, but my dreams and goals are completely different now than they were when I graduated from high school. There are similar threads, but the overall 5- and 10-year pictures I paint in my head are pretty different. And I'm still painting new elements into those pictures. Which is kind of cool, because I don’t feel like I’m locked into one dream for my life.

You aren’t either. You know that, right?

No matter how long ago high school graduation was for you, it’s never too late to dream new dreams...or start working on old ones. 

When you start your 2013 open house tour, dream some things for yourself, along with the grads. And then...just do it! 

How to Be a Hero

If you’ve been paying any attention to the news at all, you know that last week, three women were pulled from a decade-long imprisonment. A Cleveland man kidnapped the  girls ten years ago and had been holding them in his house, not allowing them to leave for any reason. The horrors those girls know from the last ten years are too hideous to even imagine. 

How they were rescued, though, is what is so interesting to me.

The house sat in a regular neighborhood, with a regular lawn and regular neighbors. But none of the surrounding residents knew anything of the nightmare. 

Until last week, when Charles Ramsey heard a commotion next door. What he heard was the voice of Amanda Berry, one of the captive girls, yelling for help from the front door. So he went over to see what he could do.

Ramsey, a dishwasher at a local restaurant, wasn’t planning on being a hero that day. In fact, he was on suspension from work, which allowed him to be home to hear Amanda Berry’s scream. 

He did something simple. He opened a door—actually, he kicked it open—and freed the women from their ten-year long real nightmare. When he started walking to his neighbor’s house, he wasn’t expecting the following events.

It was small, it was simple, it was just opening the door. Surely he couldn’t have predicted that this act of kindness would make him a hero or overnight celebrity. He took the opportunity set before him, regardless of the outcome. 

What if we all did that? What if we all took the small opportunities we see to help other people? Now I’m not saying that you can or should expect fame from opening a door for someone. But I am saying that you never know how much an act of kindness could mean to someone.

It sure meant a lot to Amanda Berry. 

[Watch an interview with Charles from ABC News here; read a Washington Post article about the whole story here.]

How to Not Make Your Mom Cry

Dear Mom,

Yesterday was Mother's Day and I didn't get you a nice card like I probably should have. So I thought today's blog post should be dedicated to you. Besides, you deserve to be celebrated more than just once a year! (Er...make that twice a year, including your birthday.)

There are a lot of things I could say here. I could say how thankful I am that God has blessed me a with you: a woman who exemplifies godliness, who is gracious, who is beautiful inside and out, who is teaching me that growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ is a life-long endeavor; One who forgives freely, loves profoundly, and gives the perfect hugs. Not sure what could be better.

I could say that I count it a privilege and an enormous blessing to call you both mom and friend. Best friend, in fact.

I could say that everything I know I learned from you...which would be pretty true. Except for those four years of college. Actually, now that I think about it, those college classes only confirmed everything you've ever told me! (Just wish it wasn't so expensive.)

You see, I could say all of those things here, but I don't want to make you cry. And some things are just better coming from 10-year-old Kid President. So I'll let him do the talking.

[Just for the record, I love your meatloaf. So, disregard that part.]

Thanks, Mom. I love you.

How to Survive Spring in Michigan

It wouldn’t be Michigan if it weren’t 80 degrees one day and a rainy 50 degrees the next.  Sounds about right! Yesterday was cold and rainy... and it was a long day. Sometimes I let the weather shape my mood more than I should. Guess I should work on that. 

But I was reading some notes I had written a few weeks ago, when I was having “one of those days.” I’m pretty sure it was raining that day, too—yep, gotta work on that.

Anyways, the remedy I found that day was in the Psalms. The Psalms have a unique way of reminding me that God is bigger than the rainy weather, and that He is worthy to be trusted amidst all of “those” days.

In my notes, I wrote down a few words from some of my favorite Psalms. And although they may be short, they sure pack a lot of heat. Take a look:

31:24 “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.”
18:46 “Blessed be the rock; The Lord lives! Exalted be the God of my salvation.”
34:8 “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”
62:1-2 “For God alone my soul waits in silence; form Him comes my salvation. He only is my Rock and my Salvation; I will not be shaken!”

That last one, Psalm 62, goes on for twelve verses, reminding me of God’s faithfulness, power, and protection. He is a safe place in which to wait. This song—taken from Psalm 62—is one of my favorites.  

Are you having “one of those days?” Look to the Word of God and find rest in God alone—even on the rainy days. 

How to Remember on Accident

In the movie Inception, a frustratingly clever piece of cinema, dreaming is explored and consequently exploited. Dreams are entered by uninvited guests, and ideas are stolen from and/or planted in the dreamer’s mind. It’s actually pretty creepy when you think about it too long. But nonetheless, it’s an incredibly fascinating movie. 

While it’s not actually possible to do this (at least I don’t think it is!), there are some true observations made about dreams. At one point, the main character points out that when you’re dreaming, you get thrown into a dream—there isn’t a beginning, and you never know how you got there. You’re just there, standing in the middle of your wedding ceremony, wearing the wrong dress, hair not done, the groomsmen aren’t wearing pants, and Smokey the Bear is officiating. But you have no idea how you got there. Right?

Have you ever noticed that it’s kind of like that with memories, too?

In my last post, I talked about the evolution of pants. Inside about 75 years, our culture has moved pants from mens’ closets to womens’ closets—tentatively, at first—and now we don’t think twice about women wearing pants. 

In response to that post, two of the four comments I got were from readers who remembered when they first were allowed to wear pants. [I know what you’re thinking—a whole four comments! Hey, that’s like a solid 20% of my readers, so don’t rob me of my blogging joy!]

My post about pants thrust them back into a memory without asking them first. They probably weren’t planning on remembering those days at that moment, but they didn’t have a choice—the memory just came.

I’ve experienced this many times, often when I smell something that is connected with a place or time. Like when my mom wears my grandma’s perfume, I get thrown back to my 5-year-old self, in the safe embrace of my grandma, who is with the Lord now. I can’t help it, and I don’t try, it just happens. Memories.

Thankfully, my memories are usually much less strange than my dreams. But I have noticed that memories come like dreams—unsolicited and sometimes fragmented. Like when you’re sitting around the table at a family gathering, and someone says, “hey, remember that time we...” and then that sparks a memory in your mind and you say, “yeah, and how about when we...” and it keeps going until your stomachs hurt from so much laughing. Chances are you’ll run out of stomach muscles before you’ll run out of memories. 

I’ve just always thought that to be really interesting. I never plan on remembering. It just happens...on accident!

Has this ever happened to you? What sparks memories for you?

How to Take a Cue from Pants

It all started with pants. 

Well, sort of. In the literature discussion class that I teach, we are reading the American Girl books of Kirsten Larson. The stories are set in Minnesota in 1854. We were talking about the fact that Kirsten wore dresses everyday, and she had to tuck her skirt into her apron when she went fishing. 

And then we started talking about pants. 

Yes, pants. Revolutionary, I know. But for a ten-year-old girl, imagining a time when girls only ever wore dresses is quite the concept. So then I asked them when women started wearing pants. 

Do you wanna guess how much history we covered in the next four minutes of class? We went from 1854 Little House on the Prairie to WWII Rosie the Riveter to 2013 and pants ruling the world!

All about pants. 

Interesting discussion though. Women wearing pants was a pretty radical thing when it first happened, and now we don’t give a second thought to it. Women’s pants have really only been on the scene for a little over 70 years. That’s not very long, when you think about it. 

Then I started thinking about how quickly our world and culture changes, and not just in the fashion industry. (That’s a wholly different ballpark!) 

Just in the last fifty years—one generation ago—gender roles were clear and distinctive (not so much now), you couldn’t talk on the telephone if you weren’t inside your house, and if you had a TV, you only had one. Children played outside, switchboards actually had switches, and you could actually buy something with a nickel. 

And when we talk about technology, you only have to go back about 8 years to find a drastically different world. 

I do appreciate all the amenities we have today when I think about how fast things change. But it also helps me slow down and enjoy the moments I have now.

When was the last time you slowed down? Don’t move too quickly that you forget to enjoy today. 

So thank you, pants, for the way you’ve made me appreciate today. 

How to Be Humbled by Ice Cream

“If I have to feed you your ice cream, how’m I gonna eat mine?”

I’m sitting in a McDonald’s somewhere in Ohio (not my first choice of location, just to be clear). My parents are picking up a car here, and I will drive the other one home. 

A few minutes ago, a woman walked in pushing a girl in a wheelchair; another wheelchair-bound girl followed behind. The girls are clearly physically disabled, but also have severe mental difficulties.

She gets them in and they sit by the windows while she buys the ice cream. “No screaming,” she instructs after one of the girls bursts out in what I can only assume is joy. “No ice cream if you’re gonna scream.” 

Observing these sweet people is always humbling for me. First, because God has given me an abundant life, complete with full thinking and moving capacities and I take this grace for granted way too often. Second, because I know the love and devotion of their TSS worker stretches way beyond what I could ever have for those girls. Her patience far exceeds mine in any given seven-day period with my own family. 

She sits with the girls, talking with them like there’s not a thing wrong. A bite for the girls, a bite for herself. She leans over and one of the girls kisses her on the forehead. They talk about school, weekend plans, and how much they like ice cream. Sounds like a pretty normal conversation to me. 

The woman doesn’t look fancy, successful, or prestigious. She wears grey sweatpants and a t-shirt, probably ideal for the physical maneuvering she must do each day. I’m sure her paycheck does not by any means appropriately reflect the amount of work she does to get it. But I’m guessing that kiss on her forehead from a few minutes ago probably compensates the missing digits, at least in her mind.

Yes, I am humbled. 

The ice cream is finished, and they start to pack up. They will be gone in a few minutes, unaware of the joy they’ve fed my soul. 

What is something in your life that you take for granted? Stop and thank God for it today!

How to Understand Revenge

This might not surprise you, but I am Pro-life. 

(I know, that last post kind of gave it away. I’m okay with that.)

I repeat that I don’t mean to make this blog a political platform, but it’s a platform nonetheless. And I’m not afraid to let you know that I am definitely for babies getting to be babies—living, that is. 

Last week I went to hear radio personality Bob Dutko speak about the right-to-life conversation. Mr. Dutko enjoys a good debate, and as a Christian apologist, it’s his job. He hosts a talk show on the Detroit radio station,103.5 WMUZ, each afternoon talking through a variety of issues from the biblical standpoint. 

I, however, do not enjoy debating, which has more to do with my personality than my convictions (which I can assure you are strong). But I do enjoy good logic. And Mr. Dutko uses excellent logic. 

In the talk I attended, (hosted by the Pregnancy Resource Center of Lapeer ) he outlined several arguments that are a part of the debate. He walked through the logic—or lack thereof—in both sides of the debate, and gave tips on how to use correct logic when talking about this issue.

At the end of his talk, Mr. Dutko set aside the debating to make a simple, fascinating observation...which I’m about to share with you.

Ever heard the phrase “Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth?” I’m sure you have. It’s a pretty widely accepted phrase; we hear it and/or use it. It’s an idiom that means you harm me, I harm you in the same way. In other words, your knock my tooth out, I get to knock yours out—it works at a hockey game, but not at the dentist (sorry). 

Turns out it’s more than just an idiom. Do you know where the phrase comes from?  It’s actually straight from Scripture. The portion of Scripture in Exodus 21:22-25 describes—in no uncertain terms—the laws for the act of harming the unborn. Read it for yourself:

“When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her child[ren] come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the women’s husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine. But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.”
Exodus 21:22-25

I’d say that’s pretty clear: unborn life is precious. But isn’t it interesting that a phrase we know so well and use so often actually refers to protecting unborn life?

Interesting.

Now I’m wondering what other common ideas have deeper ties than we realize...what do you think?

How to Not Be Okay With Silence

Does the name Kermit Gosnell ring any bells for you?

I’m going to take a wild guess that it doesn’t. 

The mainstream media has ignored Kermit Gosnell. That’s why you don’t know his name. 

But you should.

You should know that Kermit Gosnell is on trial right now in Philadelphia for his practice of late-term abortions. The defining phrase “late-term” is used rather loosely. He delivers babies, and then “aborts” them—the newborn babies, that is—outside the womb. I could go on, but I might throw up. 

But why haven’t you heard about this? Is it just too grisly—a word used frequently by the few journalists who are reporting on this—to show the American people? That doesn’t seem to stop anything else from being shown. We saw the real-life nightmare in Boston, and the terrifying explosions in western Texas all in one week. 

Now I don’t have decades of journalism experience, but I can spot poor journalism when I see it. The purpose of journalism is to communicate truth, be it glee or gloom. And the politically-pulled mainstream media has completely, blatantly ignored Kermit Gosnell. Where is the truth in that? This is something you should know about. 

This issue has become more about politics than about babies, which is shameful and tragic, if you ask me. And I don’t plan on using this blog as a political platform, but sometimes there are things that need to be talked about.  This is one of them. 

So, political views aside, allow me to ask this question: Is it okay to ignore this story? Is it okay to ignore the truth of abortion practices just because the details make us squirm? Is it okay to turn a blind eye to the violence that is happening around us just to maintain a level of comfort? Is it okay?

You may have heard the adage, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” What are you standing for today? Are you standing for truth? Or are you falling for comfort? 

The Washington Times  is among the media agencies that is reporting with integrity, along with Fox News and the New York Times. To learn more about this story and read related ones, go here and continue to be well-informed. 

How to be Daring Even When You're Not

If you know me at all, you probably understand that I’m not a very adventurous person...unlike some of my friends. I know at least one person who wants to go backpacking across Europe, one who wants to move to Los Angeles just for the fun of it, and one who recently moved 700 miles from home by herself to start her career in the medical field. 

Me? Well, give me some books, my cozy writing desk, and some trail mix and I’m good to go. The past few months have held some adventures—in my estimation, at least—including writing a book, getting involved in a new church, and even a weekend in downtown Chicago. Okay, so it’s not backpacking across Europe, but for this homebody, it’s nearly the same. 

But I’m usually willing to try something new. Like last fall when I jumped on my bike and went for 33 miles in a local trail ride...that was a first! But I loved it, and now I’m just waiting for spring to get here so I can get back on my bike. (What? You mean spring has been here for a month? Don’t tell Michigan!)

I used to go shopping with a dear sweet lady every week when I lived in Pennsylvania. She was definitely more adventurous than me, and would pull things off the rack that I would never even consider. She would say, “You’ll never know unless you try it on!”

My last post discussed the idea of self-discovery or learning about yourself. I told you about the event I took part in called Teens Involved. Many students who come to Teens Involved come with something new they’ve tried learning. Some have been working diligently on a particular skill for several years, but the beauty of T.I. is that it includes students who are advanced and those who are just beginning. T.I. gives students the opportunity to try and learn something new. 

Now that they’ve learned a new skill, they can either decide to keep playing with it, or set it down for a while. They might pick it back up later, but at least they know they have options. As they continue to discover things about themselves, the more things they try, the more they will know what they’re good at, what they’re not good at, and where their passions lie. They’re following Socrates’ advice, “know thyself.”

Trying new things is a catalyst for knowing yourself. And knowing yourself is essential to successful careers and relationships. 

So here’s the big question: When was the last time you tried something new? 

Is there something you’ve always wanted to do but didn’t know if you would be any good at it? You’ll never know unless you try it on!

How to Take Socrates' Advice

I spent the better part of last Saturday hanging out with teenagers. 

[Read: Often, being with teenagers makes me grateful for my current place in life. There aren’t many things for which I would return to high school.]

We were in Canton, Michigan at Regional Teens Involved. If you’re not familiar with T.I. (I wasn’t until about three months ago), let me describe it to you. 

Students spend the months preceding T.I. developing and preparing a particular skill/s to perform before a panel of judges. It could be singing, playing an instrument, writing, graphic design...you get the picture. Students pick a category, prepare, present, and receive feedback to help them develop their skills.

[Teens Involved is part of Word Of Life student programs. Word Of Life Bible Institute, based in Schroon Lake, New York, is a one- or two-year post-high school educational institution that focuses on Bible study. Learn more here.] 

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to spend a lot of time hanging out with my students since I was involved in the event judging, but I did get to watch some of them perform. I know some extremely gifted students! 

The whole idea of Teens Involved is to get students to explore their God-given talents and abilities. From here, they can develop those skills into careers and ministry tools. It’s all about discovery.

The ancient greek philosopher, Socrates, believed this kind of thing was important: “Know thyself,” he said. 

Many people call this “finding yourself.” Personally, I don’t like that phrase, because it implies that you are somehow lost. I know exactly where I am, but I’m discovering some pretty cool things about myself (okay, and maybe some not-so-cool things). 

I’m discovering that I love teaching—that’s new! I’m also finding out that I’m less of a morning person than I originally thought I was. (Which means I’m really, really not a morning person!) And that I never made it in sports because I’m just not competitive enough—at least in sports. Academics, well that’s a different story...something else I’ve learned!

Discovering things about yourself is essential to success in your career, your relationships, and your dreams. Start learning more about yourself by asking some questions...

—What are your pet peeves?
—What are you good at?
—What are you not good at? 
—What do you love more than anything else in the world?

Ask yourself as many questions as you want. Observe your natural responses to everyday situations. Ask a close, trusted friend to help you.

A good resource and helpful tool for self-discovery is a book called Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath. Learn more about it here.

The students with whom I spent the weekend are well on their way to knowing themselves. Are you?

Know thyself.