O.L.D. Syndrome

I hate having O.L.D. syndrome. It’s one of those things that creeps up on me when I least expect it. You would think being twenty-five with a mere fifteen years of practice, I wouldn’t have to deal with O.L.D. yet, but I guess it’s true that it’s the miles and not the years that count.

Yesterday, the boys and I decided to take in an extra taekwondo practice in preparation for the tournament coming in another week. Our school work was well on its way and we had the time, so why not a little extra exercise?

Things during the first half of the class went very well. We stretched, we jogged, we put on our protection for sparring – a typical class.
  

Line up! Here we go… My job was to be on the attack while my partner was to defend. Mind you, we weren’t sparring at this point, just practicing. Nothing too strenuous. I executed a nice kick with the right, followed by a round house with the left, and mid-air – POP!

Yes, POP! In my calf. No other way to explain it. In fact, I believe the words out of my mouth were – “Oh! Something just popped!” Yes, then there was pain…

So, long story long, I had it confirmed by the doctor – I tore my calf muscle. Total – O.L.D. There’s no way around it. No reason other than I'm decrepit is the cause for this very annoying injury.

Now, I’m expected to spend the next several weeks gingerly doing exercises to rehab the muscle. Can’t walk on it quite yet, but in a day or two, I’ll be able to. At least, that’s the story I’m going with.

I have neither the patience nor the time to deal with this, so I’m hoping, praying, expecting miraculous healing, stat!

Adding insult to injury, I gave up sweets for Lent so I can’t even drown my sorrows in a nice bucket of chocolate. Sigh!

Being O.L.D. is no fun. I don’t recommend it. Avoid it at all costs!

31 Days of Power Review

31 Days of Power: Learning to Live in Spiritual Victory

Authors:  Ruth Myers with Warren Myers

I chose 31 Days of Power: Learning to Live in Spiritual Victory with the hopes of spending thirty-one days really learning about spiritual warfare through scripture. Setting my expectations as such, I was surprised when the book arrived and the days are each filled with prayer and scripture reference but no real devotional content.

While the prayers are certainly uplifting, I found them to be a little like listening in on other’s prayer rather than learning to use scripture myself.   I also found it unappealing that the scripture is simply referenced and not written out.

The book also contains a second section that covers what spiritual warfare is and how the Bible describes the attacks by Satan. I was a little surprised to read that all attacks are sanctioned by God. The author, of course, references Job as an example. While I see her point, I’m not sure I believe that fully. I do, however, believe that all events are used by God for his purposes. The rest of the content is a good basic guide for Satan's role on Earth and his downfall in the coming times.  Myers does a good job of illustrating how attacks are launched and what we are called upon to do to keep the Lord and his Word tucked away in our hearts.

Marketed differently, this book would offer a person seeking daily prayer and insight into spiritual warfare a good resource. However, marketed as a devotional, it falls short. Perhaps weaving the two sections of the book together instead of maintaining separation would have met this need.

*** I received this book free from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

Memoir Mondays Week 23

Two more days of sweets!  I'm getting ready by making a lovely blueberry cream dessert for the family tonight.  I'm going to have two helpings!  I hope God doesn't mind.  :-)

1.  Did you or your family give up anything for Lent growing up?  Are you giving up anything for Lent this year?

2.  How were you first introduced to God?



1. Did you or your family give up anything for Lent growing up? Are you giving up anything for Lent this year?

I remember going to church for Lenten services as a kid.  Not every year, but some years.  The ash on the foreheads was always interesting to me.  My mom would leave it on for some time.  I was always ready to get it off.  I don't really think I understood Christ's sacrifice until I was in my twenties.  I've been to Lenten services where nails are nailed into a cross as well.  It's powerful imagery.  I know some people like to watch Passion of Christ around this time.  I've never brought myself to watch it. 

This year, as you know, it's sweets.  I love love love sweets.  Surprising since I've only had three cavaties in my life.  I've been trying to really understand fasting and I thought this was a way to start in that direction.  This is the first year I feel I'll be doing it to give it up for God instead of just trying to accomplish the goal of not doing something. 

2. How were you first introduced to God?

Good question.  I'm not positive I know the answer.  We went to church when I was growing up.  Not all the time, but we went.  So, God has always been a part of my life.  As mentioned above, I don't think I really began to know him until I was in my mid-twenties.  While I had gone to church, I really didn't understand the relevance of Jesus.  I'm not sure what that says about my early church experiences or me for that matter.  I would say I met God as a saved person after attending church with my now husband.  He and his family really helped me to see what faith in my life is all about.
 
What about you?  Where did your walk start?  Link up - I'd love to read about it!
 

Memoir Monday Sneak Peek - Week 23

Lent starts on Wednesday.  I'm giving up sweets - all sweets.  That will be a challenge as I'm quite the sweet tooth.  My goal is to grow closer to God.  Sort of a fasting, but based on the Lenten schedule.  If I keep my eyes on Him, I'm pretty sure I won't falter. 

1.  Did you or your family give up anything for Lent growing up?  Are you giving up anything for Lent this year?

2.  How were you first introduced to God?

Come on back Monday and link up your answers!

Five Question Friday

Join me in a little Five Question Friday? When you are done visit the My Little Life blog to see what others had to say.

1. Have you ever forgotten your child in a store or at school?

No.  I did lose track of time once and not pick up my son from his football practice.  I felt really bad about that.  I don't remember where I was, but I do remember looking at the clock, panicing and racing to pick him up.  That was before we all had cell phones.  He forgave me, but he's never forgotten.

2. Where did you go on your very first date? (Like...first first, not first with your spouse or current significant other!)

Very first date.  Geesh - I have no idea!  I remember taking a boy I met in swimming class to a Jr. High dance.  That might have been my first date, but I'm not sure.  Something vaguely in the back of my mind makes me think we went to a movie or something before that, but nothing concrete.  I guess it wasn't that amazing since it didn't make much of an impression.

3. What's your "silly" fear? (We're not talking water and heights.)

I have a phobia about my kids being near heights.  I can be near them no problem, but if one of them so much as leans over a high railing, I panic.  It's weird because that's the only thing that triggers that intense of a panic response in me.  All my kids know not to go near a ledge of any kind. 

4. Confrontation: do you cause it, deal with is as it comes, or run far far away?

Totally depends on the situation and what is at stake.  If it comes to someone wronging my children, look out!  If it's just day to day stuff, I'll either deal with it or walk away.

5. Wood floors or carpet?

Wood in most of the house.  Carpet in the bedrooms and bonus room.

God in the Garage

My oldest son has decided to pursue Automotive Technology in college. He’ll start in August. This is a good choice for him as he is very hand’s on and doesn’t really like academics. He’ll have the opportunity to spend half his time in the classroom learning from the instructors and working in the labs on campus, and the other half of the time is spent on “real-world” application in a garage. It’s called an earn and learn program.

The only issue with him choosing this avenue is that he doesn’t have a lot of experience working on cars. He has the drive, but not much experience. He can do brakes, change oil, and rotate tires, but beyond that he has relatively little experience. So, while the earn and learn program sounds good, I was worried that he’d be a little behind the other students who have more experience.

Enter God. Well, God’s always been there of course, but He showed His presence in a mighty way. My son has been pursing job opportunities since graduating early from public high school in January. He didn’t like high school at all. We thought the early graduation would work and allow him to take twelve credits at the local community college to supplement what he’ll need in his automotive program starting in August. Three of those classes fell through due to lack of enrollment. We were discouraged. He’s taking one online class – Art Appreciation. Urgh! Needless to say, he doesn’t appreciate this opportunity much.

However, I mentioned God, right? Well, God has a plan. He knew the four classes wouldn’t be good for my son while he was working almost full time in a GARAGE! Yes, my son got a job working in a garage almost full time where he’ll be learning the ropes. Praises abound! The men who own the shop will be teaching him all about cars while he works there. He’s going to start in August with plenty of experience! I’m so excited for him! Additionally, the shop is willing to sponsor him while he’s in school – so he’s got the “earn” part of learn already taken care of.

God is taking care of things. Why am I surprised? Because I need more faith, that’s why! I’m learning, God. I truly am!

Dear Lord,


Thank you so much for taking care of my son, for finding him just the right opportunity to allow him to mature and grow in the field he has chosen. I pray that the people mentoring him will know you or come to know you through him. I pray they will be positive mentors on his walk to adulthood. I am sorry Lord for my lack of faith – I do know that it is through You that all things are possible.


I praise You and thank You!


April

Couples Who Pray Review

Couples Who Pray: The Most Intimate Act Between A Man and a Woman

Authors:  Squire Rushnell & Louise DuArt

I’m really on the fence about Couples Who Pray. There are certainly some aspects of the book that I find uplifting and helpful. However, there are other aspects of the book and the authors’ approach that left me wondering. The book is encouragement for starting the 40-Day Prayer Challenge with your spouse. I think the challenge itself is a good idea. Praying together can be very powerful as well as intimate, as the book tells us.

What I did like about the book was the encouragement for marital connection in the area of prayer. As Christians, we often consider our prayer time to be a solitary time, but the Bible tells us that “wherever two or more are gathered”, God is. Rushnell and DuArt engage in discussion about forgiveness, money, and defending against the attacks of evil on a marriage. All of these topics I found to be relevant and helpful.

What I didn’t like, however, was the approach taken when writing Couples Who Pray. The book begins by espousing how “satisfaction in lovemaking will soar” when couples pray. While I appreciate this advantage, I felt like they were trying to hook the audience (especially males) with the prospect of better lovemaking. There are so many other benefits of prayer that this gain seems to be highlighted early on unnecessarily. Additionally, while I really enjoyed the stories by the couples included, I found it interesting that they used popular media figures. Again, this read more like a hook than an authentic assessment of the power of prayer for couples.

Further, the outcome of prayer, with one exception at the end, was very pie-in-the-sky. Every example ends with magnificent rewards for prayer. While this does happen, not all prayers are answered with a “yes” or with bounty. Finally, I have to question some of the statistics. Not because I believe they are invalid, but because they don’t seem thorough enough. The authors took a Gallup Poll survey conducted in 1991 and asked a person at Baylor University to do a comparison on couples who said they prayed together “sometimes” and those who prayed together “a lot”. The authors mention wishing they knew how these compared to those that didn’t pray together. They had the survey – why wasn’t this assessed?

All this being said, I’m not sorry I read it. I can see where committing to praying together as a couple would be a healthy addition to my marriage, especially since we attend separate churches. If a couple commits to prayer time together, then the book has been worth the read.

***  I received this book free of charge from BookSneeze for my honest review.