Blogging, God-style

Boundless webzine has posted a good article this week about using blogs for the glory of God. It definitely makes me think more carefully about the content on my blog, as well as how I spend my time.

Everyone's a Critic

Part of my job involves producing various publications for our office. I do a lot of the writing, graphic design, and editing, which can be equal parts fun and nervewracking at times. Most of the time, I do enjoy it.

I work with someone who I'll refer to as the Office Critic (O.C.). Lately, whenever I've cranked out one of our newsletters, the O.C. has bounded into my office and pointed out all the typos they found. Of course, this is after the newsletter has been printed and distributed, thus rendering their criticisms a tad too late.

It happened again today. O.C. took great delight in showing me a couple of misspelled words in the latest employee newsletter. Apparently I forgot to run spellcheck on one particular article, and today I was paying the price for it by way of O.C.

I've offered to let O.C. proofread the publications before they're printed (I already have three other staffers who regularly proofread my materials), but they don't want to do that.

Deep down, I know that the O.C. thinks that they're being funny and that they don't intend to hurt me. But I do take a lot of pride in my work, and it's embarrassing and annoying to have mistakes pointed out, especially in earshot of the rest of the office staff. Sure, everyone makes mistakes in their jobs. Mine just happen to be a little more public than others, due to the nature of my work.

I've been sorely tempted to wait til O.C. makes some mistake in their work and jump at the opportunity to rub it in their face. Of course, that's not the Christian thing to do. We're called to be salt and light, which is NOT the same as rubbing salt in the wounds. O.C. is not a Christian, so my reaction has to be weighed carefully. It is difficult, however, to act graciously in the face of criticism sometimes.

I am further reminded that I too am a critic, sometimes quite vocally. How often do I criticize God, who never makes mistakes, just because I do not like what He's doing in my life or I feel like He's being slow in bringing a prayer request to fruition? I am sometimes quick to jump on God's case about what He's doing. How thankful I am that He is everlasting graciousness in the face of extreme, and definitely unwarranted, criticism.

Maybe God's using O.C. to remind me to resist the urge to criticize others, especially Himself. I do think that I will seriously ask O.C. to either help with proofreading from now on or else to refrain from criticizing my work.

The "Before I Die" To-Do List

I've mentioned before that I live by my to-do lists, both at home and at work. I could probably wallpaper my living room with the post-it notes that I go through in a year. Writing everything down helps keep me focused and my mind fixed on a goal for that particular project.

Most of my to-do lists are rather mundane--items to get from the grocery store, things to pack for this weekend's beach trip, people to call for work--but now I'm working on a list that's a little more fun. I've started a list of things that I want to do before I die. It's part of living that abundant life to the full Jesus promised in John 10:10.

Naturally, I want to get married, have children, be involved in ministry, retire early, etc. But this list involves a little more dreaming. It's fun to dream, but in reality I know they're never going to come close to being accomplished unless I actually write them down first and make them sho-nuff bona fide goals, not merely dreams. So here's what I've got on my list so far:


Lisa's Things to Do Before I Die List
1. Go skydiving. (And I've had this in mind long before Tim McGraw). I think I'm close to getting the gumption up to do this. It would be an amazing thrill. I'm just debating about when to do it. I'd hate to spend football season in a full body cast, so I may hold off til spring...

2. Attend an NCAA Men's Final Four. AKA Mecca for college basketball fans. That would definitely be "One Shining Moment" for me.

3. Visit every Major League baseball park. Two down (Turner Field and Wrigley Field), 28 more to go!

4. Write a book and have it published. And I don't mean self-published, I mean published by a real live publishing house, complete with a book signing tour and the whole nine yards. Watch out, NY Times Bestseller List!

5. Travel to Europe. I'd love to visit England, France, and especially Italy, among other destinations.

6. Travel to Hawaii. Paradise. Every picture I've seen looks amazing.

7. Take ballroom and/or salsa dancing lessons. Great exercise, lots of fun, a good excuse to buy elegant clothes. What more could a girl ask for?

The list is growing...What's on YOUR list?

Veteran Athletes

I remember when Andre Agassi burst onto the tennis scene, with his wild long hair and cocky attitude. I was always more of a Pete Sampras fan, with his clean-cut look and quiet demeanor. An Agassi-Sampras match always made for good television.

Now, Andre Agassi is taking his final bow at the U.S. Open. He's gone from the top of the rankings to near rock bottom and back up again throughout his career. Plagued by back pain and considered a veteran at 36, Agassi is making his last professional tennis tournament appearance in the Big Apple this week.

There is something graceful about an athlete bowing out while there's still some fight left in him. It's sad to see players hauling themselves around the bases or up and down the field or gym floor way past their prime.

At the same time, it's thrilling when an athlete is able to perform well beyond expectations at an age when other players are calling it quits. What causes some athletes to last longer than their teammates? Why do some fade out after a season or two, while others endure for decades?

Certainly there are a lot of factors, including their physical health. But I think their motivation to succeed plays a large role as well. Focusing on the end result--the Lombardi trophy, the Stanley Cup, the World Series ring--can keep many athletes lasting longer than their peers.

Paul frequently used sports references throughout his letters, likening Christians to athletes. In his second letter to Timothy, he takes note of the reward waiting for his efforts:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (II Timothy 4:7-8)

As athletes of God, there are many days when we feel ready to give up and quit. Days where it seems like we can't possibly win. Yet, we are not called to shine for a season or two and then head to the sidelines to retire. The Hebrew writer reminds us to not give up, but rather to run a lifelong race with perserverance:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

We may be considered "veteran" athletes for God, but we should never consider ourselves retired. With God, there is no point of being past our prime. No matter how old we are, no matter what condition our physical bodies are in, God can and will use us to accomplish His will for His glory.

Take time today to rejoice in the race that God has set before you!

The Last Saturday

Today is the last Saturday that I'll be able to comfortably read the morning newspaper or check out ESPN.com without feeling those familiar butterflies in my stomach, at least for a few months. Next Saturday marks the start of college football season, and my beloved Crimson Tide will be taking the field against Hawaii.

To get in the spirit, I've already changed the ringtone on my cell phone to play "Yea Alabama". I got a little thrill yesterday at Publix seeing the special edition of Sports Illustrated for sale. (No, I haven't bought it...yet.)

Every fall, no matter what the hype is, I feel a combination of excitement and anxiety about the upcoming season. Last season was such an unexpectedly good one that I'm nervous about getting my hopes up for this season. A new starting quarterback, Prothro still on the injured list, the chilling prospect of seeing Tubby's thumb raised come November 18 all add up to make me one nervous nellie come kickoff. But I suppose that's also what makes college football so thrilling. Saturdays will definitely not be boring for the next four months or so.

Roll Tide! And pass the Tums, please.

Survivor

I'm not a die-hard "Survivor" fan, but I've watched the show on a few occasions. The producers are stirring up plenty of controversy this season over their decision to divide players into teams (or "tribes") based on race. Whether the casting and division of players based on the color of their skin will serve to dismantle racial stereotypes or perpetuate them remains to be seen. At any rate, I'm sure the producers and CBS are banking on the fact that it will, in theory, be "good television".

In an effort to continually push the envelope, I'm expecting that next season, the producers will create teams based on religious affiliation. Imagine a Protestant team, a Catholic team, a Buddhist team and an Islamic team. Or maybe an atheist team. That would certainly push the boundaries of good taste even further.

Or take it a step further, and have all Protestant Christian teams from different denominations. Baptists vs Methodists vs Pentecostals vs Church of Christ. Sadly, there might be more drama and fighting in that sort of competition than in previous "Survivor" casts.

Shameless Plug for a Good Cause

Good news from the past couple of weeks--I became an aunt again! My niece Sophia was born on August 10, and now I have two beautiful little girls to spoil. I love being an aunt.

Sophia was born one year and one week after we lost her big brother Noah to Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). When he was diagnosed in utero, none of us had ever heard of PKD. We didn't know that it's the most common life threatening genetic disease, affecting more people than cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, hemophilia, Down syndrome and sickle cell anemia combined.

After Noah's death, my sister and brother-in-law became involved with the PKD Foundation, which raises money to fund research to find a cure for PKD. For the past several months they've been busy organizing Montgomery's first Walk for PKD, which will be held on Saturday, September 16.

For those of you in the Montgomery area who are able, please come out and join us for the Walk. The more people we have participating, the more we'll be able to educate people about PKD (and, in turn, the more money we can raise so that a cure can be found).

You can learn more about the Walk for PKD here.

System Recovery

If you've been wondering why I haven't updated my blog in a long time, I have a very good reason why. Nearly 3 weeks ago, my hard drive crashed. Thankfully, my computer is new enough that it's still under warranty, so I was promised that a new hard drive would be shipped out right away.

Well, long story short, things were not as easy as just replacing the hard drive. After some shipping mix-ups and delays, I am finally back up and running with internet access.

Thankfully, I was able to check my email at work, so it didn't pile up during the 3 weeks I was without access at home. Now I begin the arduous task of reinstalling software, reestablishing "My Favorites", and resetting my settings so that everything is where it should be.

I'm sure if I gave it some more time and thought, I could come up with a great spiritual lesson in the midst of all of this. Certainly I have learned that I can live without reading blogs every morning and checking my e-mail every night. But I am definitely grateful to have that access once again.

More importantly, I have learned how crucial it is to BACK UP my computer on a regular basis!

I'll have to finish resetting everything over the weekend, but I think it's safe to say, in the words of Frank Costanza: "I'm back, baby!"