God Space

I am reading a book called God Space by Doug Pollock. It is an excellent book  about encouraging spiritual conversations with our friends in a natural way.

Here is a quote from the end of chapter one that I wanted to share:
God Space is where...
...God is felt and encountered in tangible ways that address the longings and crieds of the heart.
...we come to the end of our own finite resources and experience infinite resources of God.
...the natural gives way to the supernatural.
...seeds of faith are planted, watered, and nurtured.
...gentleness and respect are present, judgment is absent, and divine dialogue flows naturally because trust has been established.
...the invisible principles of God's kingdom are made visible in ways people can see, touch, and feel.
...friends of sinners- in other words, our friends- dwell.
...the topic of God can be explored freely without agendas, biases, and personal convictions getting in the way.
...cynics, skeptics, scoffers, and spiritually curious people alike can raise their quesions, share their doubts, voice their concerns, and even vent their anger toward God and the church.
...the "unworthy" feel safe enough to bring their real selves out into the light, and to journey, one step at a time, toward the magnetic pull they sense deep in their souls.
...spiritual curiosity is aroused, and the message of Christianity becomes plausible.

Stomach Flu Week at the Henry's

Our house was attacked this week! Attacked by a very angry, very busy virus. Only Phil has yet to get sick.

The throwing up came on sudden and strong. It started with Stasi. I thought that was going to be it, but I got a call from the school nurse that Grace was not feeling well, but that she went ahead and put on the bus ride home. I got off the phone and immediately prayed that she wouldn't throw up on the bus. Sure enough, just before she was to get off, she "lost her cookies" all over the floor of the bus. After that, the nasty virus made it's way up the line.

Maggie was the next victim, then Lydia, then ME, then another call from the school nurse that Noah was under the weather. (We went and picked him up... we wouldn't want to bother the bus driver again!) Finally, Fitch had his turn with the bucket last night. I'm not just talking one or two episodes of hurling. This was more like 10-15 times per person!

I am so glad my kids know how to get it all in the bucket or the toilet!!! We are joking that we need to have t-shirts made: "I survived stomach flu week at the Henry's!"

Coffee Time!

Any ladies want to join me this Friday for coffee? We will be getting together at my house at 8:30a to share in some great coffee and then a discussion about how Jesus is relevant in our everyday lives.... kids, marriage, work, etc!

New Friends

We are busy making new friends everyday. As a mom, I think I have it easy. Our neighborhood is filled with moms that have been very friendly to me, there are moms' groups in our township, and numerous ways to get involved in the elementary school. I now have a group of moms that I go out with once a month for "book club." Oddly enough, there are no books involved, just lots of laughter and a few drinks that our husbands would be embarrassed to order! Most of the mom's refuse to head home until they are sure everyone at their house is safely tucked in bed. Makes for a very late night out!

Slowly, as I continue to build relationships with some of these ladies, I find that they have questions about God, and the conversations turn to spiritual things. I feel privileged to get to wrestle through these questions with them.  Being the "pastor's wife," in their minds I guess, qualifies me to be  the "go-to girl" for all things Bible related!

For the older kids, finding friends has not been as easy, but they have done a great job. They have the pleasure of learning the social maze of high school and middle school, and even, in Lydia's case dodging fist fights in art class! Tennis helped Lydia meet a great group of girls and running winter track has certainly broadened her horizons even more.

As we talk about their new friendships, we often come back to the idea of having "tell all" friends- those that we trust with our hearts- "fun" friends- those that we simply enjoy being around- and "ministry" friends- those that we really need to reach out to and help them feel like they belong. But most importantly, we remind them that because they are unconditionally accepted by Jesus, they can love others without the fear of being rejected. In other words, they ultimately don't need the approval of their peers because they already have the approval of Jesus. Hopefully, that knowledge will give them the ability to make wise decisions and be friends with lots of kids.