Words on the Wall

April 26, 2016 by Lindsay Oaks

Slowing down to Discover the Heart of a Child

Mark Twain, Thomas Edison, Albus Dumbledore, Bruce Wayne, the Dalai Lama, Waddles the Pig, Jesus, and Dilgo Khyentse, a Buddhist poet. Words of all these men (or animals) are on the bedroom wall of my 11 year old son. I honestly didn’t realize he had quotes of these wise ones penciled on post-it notes until I checked his room this morning to confirm he had finished yesterday’s chores. On this occasion, by God’s grace, my heart was proportionately balanced to see past the overflowing drawers, overlook the half eaten chocolate bunny, and (again by God’s grace) to not mind having to brush crumbs off the bottom of my bare feet - thank goodness I didn’t step on a lego! Credit to Christ, instead of scoffing I actually smiled looking around at all the relics he values and knelt down to pick up my heart that had melted to the floor. I absolutely adore this boy. He is hands down the most kind person I have ever known. And yes, he did somewhat clean his room… it’s a bit better than it was!

Sometimes we need to lower our standards and enjoy the grubbiness and grit of life.

Sometimes we need to raise our standards and believe deeply our kids can succeed.

Sometimes we need to throw everything out the window and just love them.

What is most important?

April 19, 2016 by Lindsay Oaks

AND WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?

I am who I am. - God

I am who I am. - Jesus

I am what I am. - Paul

I am what I am. - me

“I want to clarify for you, fellow believers, the gospel I proclaimed. You received it and have taken your stand on it. I passed on what is most important, and have also received it:

that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day...

How have I taken my stand on it?

With repetitious prayers, shared likes for verse images, sporadic worship, rhetorical answers to life questions, petty requests for more, opening one eye to social injustice?

perhaps.

Yes,

And.

Blessed are the grays

April 04, 2016 by Lindsay Oaks

Can we disagree and still be friends?

Mama, can we disagree and still be friends?: lesson #35 that I hope to teach my kids, especially my daughter. (Maybe I’ll list them all one day… if I actually write them down.)

It’s not a myth, or an unattainable attribute that we idealize yet so often flip when we find ourselves in its grasp. It’s easier to drop. walk away. push back. defend. conform and agree. Anything is easier but to listen, stay, and love.

Watch and Wait

March 21, 2016 by Lindsay Oaks

experience HOLY WEEK with Mary Magdalene

My heart is breathing Jesus of Nazareth. In the rhythmic way of a pulse at rest - waiting.

Waiting on edge for Friday, waiting more expectantly for Sunday. This week is Holy Week and I find my heart just breathing in Jesus steady and deep. I thought I would join in the celebration of Palm Sunday and praise our King in exaltation, but honestly I didn't. I thought perhaps I would sink somberly into the days leading toward his death, but I haven't. Not yet.

40 Verses Every Family Should Read Together

March 10, 2016 by Lindsay Oaks

- Our family journey through Lent 2016 -

I love communion. I know some places and people feel they should only take communion from ordained ministers, or only on special occasions, or perhaps weekly on the Sabbath, but I like to take it myself at any time, any place, any day. It started years ago after reading With Burning Hearts: a meditation on the Eucharistic Life by Henri Nouwen. I honestly don't remember a word in it, but I do recall it dawning on me that I can break bread with Jesus all by myself any day.

My kids have grown up giving themselves communion sporadically whenever their mama decides to spark interest. But typically the matzah goes stale and the grape juice is slurped down with after school snacks without being replenished.

Teach Girls Bravery, Not Perfection

March 07, 2016 by Lindsay Oaks

- and how dads can help -

I am 37 years old, consider myself to be brave, a risk-taker, adventurous. I try to teach my only daughter to be brave, to disregard what other people think, please stay true to your inner heart where God dwells.

But still I struggle daily with feelings of inferiority that culture settles on my shoulders, subtly pressing down secretly growing heavier. Some days I realize that my dreams are hiding in the junk drawer with courage as their companion. Some days I happen upon them, fiddle with them a bit, write a bit, open up a bit, speak truth a bit. Then get distracted when daily tasks demand attention, and out into the world I go, passively accepting the feminine place without even knowing it.

Unscripted highlights of the #BestWayToLead Conference

March 06, 2016 by Lindsay Oaks

Three of us showed up at NewSpring Church for Perry’s 2016 Leadership Conference last week. Drove through the night. Slept in a cheap hotel. Rushed in a bit late to a distant row in the balcony. Squeezed past three conservative observers who didn’t seem delighted to have us climbing over them at each break. They peered over the rims of their glasses; I hoped i didn’t slosh my coffee onto their leather bibles.

We settled in. I reviewed the schedule for the day observing the precise details the marketing crew far from overlooked. I love paper and pencils, print and fonts.

Perry Noble spoke. Lisa Terkeurst. Mark Driscoll. Brad Cooper. Steven Furtick. Dave Ramsey. Music dispersed throughout.

How can i be perfect?

February 26, 2016 by Lindsay Oaks

-finding freedom in Perfection, Pride and Prejudice-

be perfect. be. perfect. be. just be.

I am perfect. I am.

You are nothing. Without Me.

says He.

i am perfect. i say.

today.

Bits and pieces of Jesus’ words in Matthew 5 saunter through my mind pacing leisurely around the room while I sit in the center, minding my own business, much like Mr. Darcy writing his letters, yet aware of the graceful stroll.

Truth today

February 15, 2016 by Lindsay Oaks

I am no better than you. You are no better than me.

Sometimes life is that simple.

And also that hard.

Social Media for Kids

February 12, 2016 by Lindsay Oaks

Social media for kids... what apps should i let my kids download?

School is out today. Not for snow, not for a holiday, not for beloved spring, fall, or summer break, but for sickness. The flu has splattered it’s way into homes and hallways, churches and classrooms, fields and friends. It hit us too.

As I lay in bed, wishing my door was locked, my kids were quiet, my head would simmer, I perused the steadfast Facebook and occasioned the flitting images of Instagram. If I found a good quote or scripture that hit home, I might even tweet it out.

I’m not a diehard social media fan. I’m not even a mediocre stalker of diehard FB fans. I’m probably in the lower tier of users who mainly get online to post something work related or to check the authenticity meter between reality and fantasy world of some of the many teenagers we love. How are they doing? It it real? Should we worry? ...

Sorry, I forgot. Again. Are you overwhelmed?

February 05, 2016 by Lindsay Oaks

Are you overwhelmed?

August is closing in. The corner is close and September approaches and I think in just a few more weeks I’ll be sane again. I’ve forgotten birthdays, meals, and even meetings I was to lead.

Once the schedule is routine, classes are comfortable, house is somewhat clean, dinner has the potential to be made. Once dates have an opportunity to reappear, ministry becomes rhythmic, volunteers are trained. Once bosses and clients are serene from their own desire to accomplish the exact list above or whose spouses have nested the family for fall and they have had their own share of dates and naps and family dinners… once all that happens, then I’ll be good. Surely just a few more weeks. Once that happens I won’t be so forgetful. Hey family, let’s just get through this season.

Is your soul echoing the demands and subsequent excuses that mine spills out? Are you overwhelmed? Forgetful? Tired? ...

Trusting in the silence

January 29, 2016 by Lindsay Oaks

When God sounds silent, and God feels absent, TRUST his presence.

When going through a time of silence, God is always working behind the scenes. I just don’t know what he’s doing there... but I can trust it is for GOOD because God promises that.

There were 400 years after the last verse in Malachi (the last book of the Old Testament) and the birth of Jesus, the first chapter in Matthew. 400 years it seemed that God was silent. On the contrary, God was busy at work setting the scene, leveraging leaders, and preparing people for the tidal wave of His grace...

Hiding the men of God

January 22, 2016 by Lindsay Oaks

“When we heard of it [all the Lord had done for you], our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” - Joshua 2:11

Rahab pleads that her heart melted in fear. I wonder if Rahab’s heart melted in the kind of fear that springs and settles with awe and wonder. She was in awe at all Joshua’s God had done, in parting the Red Sea and driving out cities before the Israelites, preparing a new home for them. A new Jerusalem. I don’t believe the fear was a terror for her own life. If that were the case, she would have immediately told the guards where the men were...