Walk with the Spirit

I am sure that those who have been visiting this blog have noticed that I haven't posted anything in a while. Last week I got a little involved in planning out my thoughts about AEDs. The more I learn about that amazing little device....the more that I want one for our church. Needless to say, I got a little involved in that little project.

So, here we are....roughly half way through our walk to Rough Rock. I've done a little changing. I don't know about you. The last three meetings that I have had at the church, where I don't have my three kids in tow, I have chosen to ride my bike. Wow. That, for me, is a real personal victory. You see, I am really a lazy person at heart. To realize that it really doesn't take that much effort to climb on my bike and get to the church...I can hardly wait for the next opportunity to ride my bike. That's huge, I tell you, huge! Just think of the gas savings, too!!

Another side effect of being about half way through is what I am going to call A Slump. The hype of The Start has worn off. The financial class that unified many of us for a number of weeks has come and gone. Yikes....I start feeling like I am walking this road by myself. I will admit...I definitely work better under pressure. When the eyes are on me, I compete like a champ. When I am all alone....I'm lazy. Plain and simple.

This last week, we did our special offering for our sought-after AED. Like I said, I had become quite invested in this little project. When you have the information in your heart...and you realize the value of this item, you can't help but become passionate about acquiring the goal. I think, as we entered into Sunday morning, I had visions of our Moringa Tree success. A couple of years ago, the children of our church asked the church to participate in an offering to meet a goal to purchase moringa trees in Africa. Our church not only met that goal....but we blew it out of the water. What a faith building experience that was for our children. So, here I thought that somehow our offering for the AED would meet or exceed the desired goal.

My thoughts were definitely lofty. The offering received was roughly $500. It is definitely a generous amount. Nothing to be ashamed about....but admittedly, I am a little disappointed. As far as I know, we don't have another plan to implement in order to bridge the gap. I suppose that if God wants our church to have that AED, He will fashion a way for us to make it happen. Delays....hmmmm....seems like I heard something about that this last week at church. Maybe God has something up His sleeve.......

So, there is my slump. Are you in a slump? Are you still pressing on toward the goal? Do you need encouraged? After I have a day or so to process my thoughts, I hope that I can come back and encourage us all to keep on keepin' on. Guess I need to start praying about that.

In the meantime, I will be praying that those who are participating in our Walk will continue to meet with Jesus every day, down every path. May you be blessed this week.

Laying it out there....

Christine

Posted in: on Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at at 4:06 PM 0 comments  

While researching my information for my previous post, I noticed that American Heart was advertising that April 16 is National Start Walking Day. That little tid bit of information really felt like a Divine Leading that I found it. So, in the midst of our Walk, I would like to take a moment to promote the National Start Walking Day.

Here are a few of their suggestions:

• 
  Show your support and wear your sneakers to work.
• 
  Take a 30-minute walk during the day.
• 
  Make your pledge to live a longer, healthier life.
• 
  Get involved in our goal to reach a million miles walked and a million dollars donated by the end of the day.**Details coming soon

Heart Disease is the number 1 killer in the United States. Physical Inactivity doubles that risk. That is reason alone to start walking. American Heart Association also offered some other reasons to walk. First off, walking is the activity that people are least likely to give up; and, it is the simplest way to start making a change for a healthier life. Since I can't say it any better than they can....they said:

"Research has shown that the benefits of walking and moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes total on most or every day of the week can help you:

**Reduce the risk of coronary heart disease

**Improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels

**Improve blood lipid profile

**Maintain body weight and lower the risk of obesity

**Enhance mental well-being

**Reduce the risk of osteoporosis

**Reduce the risk of breast and colon cancer

**Reduce the risk of non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes

Did you know that for every hour of regular, vigorous exercise we do -- like brisk walking -- we can live two hours longer?"

What other reason do you need? Let's get walking!!

Posted in: on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at at 9:48 PM 0 comments  

Hello, Fellow Walkers. How are your personal journeys? I haven't done another tally since I blogged last, but I know that I gained a few miles this week as I spent a few hours working on the school's garden. I need to tally it up so that I can be excited about my personal journey. Can hardly wait to see how far our group has traveled together.

Rough Rock.....Here we come!!

This week, I thought I would discuss the benefits of our church owning an Automatic External Defibrillator. Were you aware that our hope was to raise enough funds to purchase one? I did a quick Google search and it looks like it would cost roughly $1200. If all of us walkers were to give up just one of our small "luxuries" for one week...I bet we could do it!! Let's do it!! Are you up to the challenge?

I am sure that there are some of you wondering why in the world we should spend the money on such an expensive piece of machinery that we hope that we never have to use. And we truly hope that, should the church own one, we truly hope that we will never have to use it. Same deal with insurance....we have it in the hope that we never have to use it. But, in the case of an emergency, how relieved we would be to have one on the premises.

Here are a few details that I discovered on the American Heart website. In the case of cardiac arrest, if early CPR and defibrillation are performed within 3-5 minutes, the chance of long term survival hits over 50%. CPR alone will not save a victim of cardiac arrest. It will only buy the victim more time as it maintains blood flow to the heart and brain. CPR is important in the process...but its value is lessened if defibrillation occurs later than 8-12 minutes. Having an AED on the premises would definitely garner those precious minutes in our favor!

Sudden death by cardiac arrest occurs over 900 times per day in the United States. Cardiac risks stand at 1 in 1000 per year for adults ages 35 and older. In children, 0.5 to 1 in 100,000 per year for children. I think I was a little shocked by the 900 times per day. 900 times! It kind of makes me feel like it is only a matter of time before a member of Sherwood Community Friends Church falls victim to a cardiac arrest.

Here are a couple of basic facts about AEDs. They are a small computerized devise that is about the size of a laptop. They use to weigh about 110 pounds. Today, they weigh about 8 pounds. Way to go, Progress!! Once attached to a cardiac arrest victim, it prompts the rescuer with voice and visual prompts and leads them through the process. It analyzes the victim's heart rhythms; and, if needed will tell the rescuer to "clear" and then will issue the possible life-saving shock.

With a program that includes adequate training and a planned response, I truly believe that our church could provide an amazing service to our congregation. One of my thoughts to raise funds for our AED would be to give up one latte a week. I personally enjoy a medium Cinnamon Dolce Latte at Starbucks. I use to make it my Wednesday treat. I have now taken that treat down to once a month. Those lattes cost me $3.80! I plan on donating my "savings" towards our AED Fund.

Care to join me?

Posted in: on at at 8:48 PM 1 comments  

I hope that you can forgive me for taking a focus on our Fiscal Health this week. As our class on fiscal health comes to a close this week, it only seems appropriate that I give it a little bit of attention on our blog.

Week one of our Fiscal Health discussions was focused on Wills and Trusts. This particular topic has been a burr under my family's saddle for quite some time. Writing a will is so easy to discuss; and, so difficult to carry out. Why do you think that is? I know that it can be a lengthy, and somewhat costly adventure. Ultimately, it could end up saving a lot in the end. If you can handle a little bit of my personal history, I would like to discuss these thoughts for just a bit.

Back a couple of years before I was born and my sister was just a babe, my family was faced with the unthinkable. As my aunt and uncle were traveling from Woodburn, OR to Hayden Lake, ID for a family wedding, they were struck and killed by a semi-truck. Traveling with them, and surviving, was my cousin, Kevin. He was 3 months old. Being young, and supposedly invincible, my aunt and uncle left this world without a will....without a plan to care for their infant son.

For at least two years, my parents fought the courts of Oregon for the legal right to adopt my cousin. If you noticed, I said cousin....not brother. In my personal opinion, without divulging too much information, I don't believe that the courts made a good choice in the life of my cousin. It was a heartbreaking, life changing event in my family's history. We have a relationship with my cousin....but not anywhere near what I feel it should have, could have, been. Things could have been so much different....if there had been a will.

Now, you would think that with a family history like that, Tim and I would have a will. Unfortunately, we don't. My mother often reminds me of that particular oversight. Would it be fair to put my children, and our families, through the same heartache my parents went through nearly 40 years ago? No. Heaven forbid should something happen to Tim and I before we finally get our will made out!!!

A will is a way of passing on not just your assets....but your values. What is the legacy that you want to leave behind? When you write your will...you decide where your possessions go. You decide who will raise your children. You decide who will be responsible for carrying your wishes out. A will is your final thoughts, wishes....words. You finally get the last word....no arguments.

There is the greatest benefit of a will.....no arguments. Families are easily torn apart when the vultures sweep in to claim their portion of the booty. What an ugly legacy to leave behind. Instead of leaving words of blessing, fighting and bickering over possessions becomes the final word...the final taste left in your survivors' mouths. Take control now of what will happen then....leave a will.

What happens if you don't leave a will? Who will decide what happens with your possessions.... or who will care for your children? If you don't decide, the State makes the decision for you. I won't even go there on my thoughts about that. Just, please, write that will.

So, what is the first step in getting your will written? Hopefully I have taken care of the first step by getting you motivated. The second step in my opinion? Come to this last fiscal health class. There are "coupons" to pick up that give you a free half-hour consultation with a lawyer to discuss a will. Perfect.

As for me? I noticed that my husband picked up one of those coupons this last Sunday. If we actually get that will written before our Walk is over, I am tacking on a truckload of miles to my tally! Care to walk with us?

Laying it bare again.....

Christine

Posted in: on Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at at 10:30 AM 0 comments  

There seems to be no universal concern greater than money. As I see it, money can either be a blessing or a curse....all depending on how you let it rule your life. The last two weeks, our Sunday school class has met in the Fellowship Hall and discussed topics related to our Fiscal Health. Apparently, it has been a good topic for discussion, as attendance has been close to 30 people. (Way to go! That is at least 30 miles a week....as I see it. Right????) As my husband stated, there has been nothing earth shattering said, but it sure has definitely been thought-provoking.

As money is a concern for all, there is value in attending the last class on our Fiscal health. This class will be held this coming Sunday, April 13 at 9:00. Don't worry about having missed the previous two weeks of class....there is still much to be learned.

Drop in...and walk a mile close to Rough Rock with us.

Posted in: on at at 10:25 AM 0 comments  

So, we are headed into week three on our Walk with the Spirit. Rick gave us a number on Sunday of around 110 miles. I know that my numbers were not included in there because I need to remember to turn in my sheet. I was glad that I hashed through my post from last week to kick myself into gear and get my feet moving.

So, how are we doing out there? I did a quick tally this morning to see where I am at personally for the last week and couple of days. I got a tally of 22 miles! That was encouraging for me to see. So, get out your tally sheets....add up your miles. I promise that it will give you an encouraging boost to see how far you have already gone.

Each journey begins with a single step. We've got more than that. Let's keep going!

Posted in: on at at 10:02 AM 0 comments  

As I was writing out the previous post, I was reminded of a beautiful story that Beth Moore had added to her devotional book, Breaking Free. It paints a beautiful picture of what we could miss out on by not taking the first step. May you be blessed...and inspired....

Imagine going to heaven and standing by God as He lovingly shows you the calendar of His plan for your earthly life. It begins with the day you are born. Once you received Christ as Savior, every day that follows is outlined in red. You see footprints walking through each day of each week of your life. On many of the days, two sets of footprints appear. You inquire: "Father, are those my footprints on the calendar every day and is the second set of prints when you joined me?"

He answers, "No, My precious Child. The consistent footprints on your calendar are Mine. The second set of footprints are when you joined Me."

"Where were You going, Father?"

"To the destiny I planned for you, hoping you'd follow."

"But, Father, where are my footprints all those times?"

He answers, "Sometimes you went back to look at old resentments and habits while I was still going forward, hoping you'd join Me. Sometimes, you departed from My path and chose your own calendar instead. Other times, your footprints can even be seen in another person's calendar because you thought you liked their plan better. At other times, you simply stopped because you would not let go of something you could not take to the next day."

"But, Father, we ended up OK even if I didn't walk with You everyday, didn't we?"

He holds you close and smiles, "Yes, Child, we ended up OK. But, you see, OK was never what I had in mind for you."

"Father, what are those golden treasure boxes on certain days?"

"Blessings, My child, I had for you along the way. Those that are open are those you received. Those still closed were days you did not walk with Me."

Posted in: on Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at at 11:52 AM 0 comments  

Sometimes starting something new is hard. I don't know about you, but I am a creature of habit. Routines rule my life and bring me a lot of comfort. New programs mean new routines....new habits. Ugh. Where and how to start? Those thoughts alone can put a kabosh on an well-laid intentions.

To be completely honest, even as a a member of this class that is the Start Up Team for our Walk with the Spirit program, it has been hard for me to take the First Step. Last week was Spring break, and even all my "old" routines went out the window. I probably earned "negative" miles for our journey to Rough Rock! You can tell how difficult the first step has been for me just by the mere fact that I haven't written in this blog since its beginning!!

Then, come Sunday. To have Rick stand up in front of the entire congregation and admit that he has already completed 27 miles (!) toward our Journey, that really gave me a swift kick. I need to get my act in gear and get moving! What would I miss out on if I allowed Rick to walk to Rough Rock all by himself? There is no knowing what was missed if I never take the first step and at least give the journey a taste.

Faith is a lot like that. To all who have never tasted the Lord and found out that life with Him really is beyond good, have no comparison to make. Bread from the grocery store can taste pretty good. We may even declare it to be the best we have ever had. Yet, when we take a taste of fresh-baked bread made with premium ingredients and mixed with love.....WOW! Would we want to go back to store-bought? No. Way. If each person on earth would allow themselves to take that first bite of faith, they would never go back. But until they take the first bite, they'll never know what they're missing.

So, are you ready to take the first step? Getting my kids back in school, and back into routine, helped me get back in gear with the healthy things I had already been doing before we started our Walk. For me, that is my first step. My next step? Find new ways to, in essence, go the "extra" mile in my life. I am currently looking into ways to eat better, maybe even pick up a new skill, and even sharpen my brain with some new books to read.

This is where it gets difficult though. Good intentions are easy to write about. It is carrying it out that I find difficult. As a busy mom, to add one more thing to my schedule seems daunting. At the end of the day, I don't want to do one more thing....I want to rest. Yet, am I missing out on some hidden blessing in taking an extra step on my Walk with Jesus? In writing out my weaknesses, I am forcing myself into accountability with you. I don't want to be asked on Sunday if I failed to take the first step. I don't want to miss out on the possible blessing that God has for me, waiting just around the corner.

What is your blessing? What is keeping you from taking your first step? Let's share the load and spur each other on. Do you have any great ideas to share? Do you have a great book that has encouraged you? Have you sat in on a great financial class that has encouraged you to make a change? Come, share the Walk with us.

There's a blessing waiting for you....just around the corner. Go ahead...take the first step!

Baring my heart for Jesus....for you....for myself.....
Christine

Posted in: on at at 11:12 AM 0 comments  

Welcome to the first blog of Sherwood Friends Church!!

We thank you for your interest in joining our Walk with the Spirit program. Whether you walk with us physically, spiritually, mentally, or fiscally, our prayer is that in which ever form you choose to walk, you will find a better way....a better way to live, to love, to commune, and to worship.

So....what is Walk with the Spirit? How did it come about? What does it mean for me? What am I suppose to do? What is our common goal? I can imagine that these are all some of the questions you may be experiencing as we present this new ministry option. I will attempt to answer many of these questions in the hope that it will inspire you to join with us on The Walk.

What is Walk with the Spirit?

Walk with the Spirit is a program that is designed to improve community, improve our health, and improve our connection with Jesus Christ. As we "walk" together through personal physical activity, building our spiritual muscles, streamlining our fiscal health, and sharping our mental capabilities, we will be "walking" to our local Mission points. Through this, we hope that we will not only get in touch with our bodies, souls, and minds, but we will be more in touch with what is happening in our church family and the greater community of Northwest Yearly Meeting missions. We will earn "miles" through exercising, healthy eating, improved devotional activity, social interactions, and mental activities. How much more fun this will be when we walk the journey together!

How did Walk with the Spirit Come About?

Walk with the Spirit is a program that rose out of the book, Body Talk by Ingrid Friesen Moser. Our Sunday school class, led by Rick and Kristin Reid, developed a vision for a program that would serve along many facets. We wanted this vision to reflect the basic foundation of the book that said: "As stewards of God's gifts, and certainly one of those gifts is our health, we are consciously choosing a different path--a path where we have a responsibility and opportunity to show gratitude to God and to make choices about living that reflect our faith."

What does this mean for me?

The answers to this question are limitless....or limited only by you. We are providing an opportunity to join forces in improving many areas of the overall health of our church and the individuals who make up the whole. As we walk together through the many paths of our overall health, the strength and unity of our church will explode! We will have a common goal. We will be encouraging each other to go just a step further, to love a little more, to praise God for another day, another hour, another moment. I see a church opened to God, to others, to themselves in a whole new way. Are you willing to be stretched, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Join Us!!

What is the goal of Walk with the Spirit?

Our goal is that through improving our spiritual, physical, and mental health we will improve our sense of communty within Sherwood Friends Church and our sense of awareness of our NWYM Missions programs that stretch all over the globe.

What am I suppose to do?

In joining Walk with the Spirit, we are asking you to make a commitment to walk with us to our first mission point, Rough Rock, Arizona. (Were you aware that there is a mission point in Arizona?) The ways in which we actually "walk" the miles to Rough Rock (roughly 1217 miles!!) are going to be many. We will offer a variety of ways in which you can walk. We will walk through physical exercise, through mental achievement, through spiritual endeavors. Each area of our "health" will have the ability to get us a step closer to our destination. When you join the Walk, we ask that you track your miles through the sheets provided and then turn these into the office. As we log in those miles, we will have a map posted how much we walked each week. We will also present information that will encourage you and inform you all along the way. It would take one person a long time to walk all the way to Rough Rock....but together...maybe we could take on the world!

I know that this first post doesn't even begin to touch the surface of all that Walk with the Spirit will entail. It is a program in process, but it will be a lot of fun to figure it all out as we walk together! Check back on this blog often. Our hope is that we will have posts that will encourage you in all the aspects we have mentioned before. Feel free to claim this blog as your own. If you want to report your progress through the comments....comment away. If God speaks to you in a unique way during the week....add your thoughts through the comments. Let us reach out to each other and encourage each other as we walk together to improve ourselves to the glory of God.

Posted in: on Thursday, March 13, 2008 at at 1:38 PM 1 comments