March 22, 2011

Some New Favorites

Painting by Alex at The Spirit Orchard

Lately, the blog has been filled with my thoughts on some fairly serious topics. Although I’m quite introspective and enjoy writing about my faith journey, I also want to have some lighter posts in the mix as well!

So today, I want to share with you some of my favorite new finds.

Cooking Blogs

I recently stumbled upon two fabulous blogs about food and cooking. I love to find and try out new recipes. These two blogs make me so happy:

The Food Gospel According to Ruth:

Ruth shares her detailed recipes with photos, which makes it so much more fun. She often includes family recipes, and many of her dishes are reminiscent of my childhood. I made this dish over the weekend, and it was so yummy!

Miranda’s Untamed Kitchen:

Miranda posts gluten-free recipes that are actually good. I am not 100% gluten-free, but I try to reduce my intake whenever possible. This hummus recipe is my new favorite! And she’s promising that tikka masala recipe soon…

Baby Gifts and Art

A friend in Alabama recently started an Etsy business, and I love her products! Alex is a mom to three beautiful children, a talented artist, and she also makes these amazing knitted pea pods for infants…


How adorable! I love the pea pods and hats and diaper covers…such great gift ideas.

Alex sells her original art (see photo at the top of this post — also amazing!) and handmade products at The Spirit Orchard. Click the link to check out her other products.

Twitter

My last new favorite thing…Twitter. Yes, I realize I’m about 4 years behind, but–after years of resistance–I finally joined. And I’m actually enjoying it (much more than facebook). You can follow me @allisonkflex.

Have a great week! If you have any new favorite things, please share them in the comments.

(Disclaimer: These are some of my personal favorite things. No one asked me to post these links and I will receive nothing in exchange for posting these recommendations.)

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Filed under Random, Recommendations

March 14, 2011

Just Believe – Part 2

“Everything will work out in the end. If it’s not working out, it’s not the end.”
(From Fearless by Max Lucado)

Remember this post? When I wrote that post, I was experiencing a difficult time. Each moment, I had to remind myself to believe. There are times when believing God will show up is as easy as breathing. Other times, it’s a struggle. It’s not that I ever stop believing there is a God. I just start relying on my current feelings and circumstances instead of God’s plan for my life. I wonder whether he is really driving this crazy bus or whether it’s skidding out of control.

One thing I have learned: feelings cannot always be trusted. I may not feel like believing every day. But I do it anyway. On those days, I ask God to please help me overcome my unbelief and hold on for dear life.

Right now, belief comes easily. Like breathing in and out. But unbelief still finds a way to creep in. It slides in undetected—disguised as anxiety or stress or panic.

Anxiety. Will I make the right decisions? Will I be able to fulfill what God is asking me to do?

Stress. Will I be able to meet my deadline? What if I don’t finish everything in time?

Panic. God, you are telling me to wait and trust, but the numbers in my bank account keep getting smaller and smaller. Are you sure about this?

Last week, I had the privilege of attending a Hillsong United concert. Although it was a concert, it felt more like worship. We had church in Birmingham, Alabama for three hours that night.

During the concert, I noticed two teenage boys in the section next to us. Hands raised, eyes closed—they were totally lost in a moment of pure worship. I remember those days. I remember being that carefree teenager. I didn’t care what anyone thought of me. I was totally sold out for God.

It’s a beautiful thing. Of course I would never do this, but part of me wanted to lean over and tell them something. Hold on. It’s not as easy as it all seems right now. You won’t always feel like worshiping. You won’t always feel like believing. It won’t all work out the way you think it will.

But I would also tell them…

In spite of your feelings,

When it’s difficult to see through the fog,

When you are afraid,

If your faith is being tested,

Just Believe.

God is still there. He is in control, no matter the circumstances. He is driving the bus. It just may be going a different direction than you planned. It’s okay—you can trust him with your past, your present and your future.

Freely you gave it all for us
Surrendered your life upon that cross
Great is your love
Poured out for all
This is our God.

(Hillsong – This Is Our God, By Composer/Lyricist: Reuben Morgan, Copyright 2008, EMI Christian Music Group)

(Photo and Post, Copyright Allison at Anointed With Grace, 2011)

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Filed under Faith, God, Surviving the Dark Places, Who is God?

March 1, 2011

A Shield of Protection

A few weeks ago, I received a text from a friend describing some hurtful words spoken to her by a family member. The words were untrue and unreasonably harsh. I responded to her by saying:

I’m praying that Jesus will be a shield of protection for you in this moment—to stand guard between you and those words.

Once I sent the response, I continued to think about God as our shield. I wanted to research it further to see what the Bible says because it’s a powerful image.

I found that it’s a common theme throughout scripture…

After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” Genesis 15:1 (NIV)

But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. Psalm 3:3 (NIV)

My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart. Psalm 7:10 (NIV)

As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. Psalm 18:30 (NIV)

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. Psalm 119:114 (NIV)

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16 (NIV)

(Many more similar references can be found here).

Could I lean on the protection of God more often to shield the lies that I allow to enter my mind? At times, I try to do it all by myself. I depend on my own strength to filter out hurtful words and destructive lies.

When I looked up the verb “shield” in the dictionary, I found this definition:

–to prevent harm or damage to somebody or something by using a physical barrier or by intervening in a protective way

We have the ultimate protector. He is standing right beside us saying:

You don’t have to do it all alone.

I understand your pain.

I am your refuge.

I am your shield.

Lord, I invite you to intervene in a protective way in my life. Be my refuge and my shield. Lift my head high. I want to seek your truth above all else. Let me rest in you—my shield and my salvation. Amen.


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Filed under Faith, Who is God?

February 22, 2011

Who is God?

At church on Sunday, we sang the worship song, Forever Reign. I wanted to post the lyrics because they are so powerful. I truly believe “Who am I?” is a question best answered by asking, “Who is God?” This song does a great job of describing God’s character:

You are good, You are good
When there’s nothing good in me
You are love, You are love
On display for all to see
You are light, You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope, You are hope
You have covered all my sin

You are peace, You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy
You’re the reason that I sing
You are life, You are life
In You death has lost its sting

You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, You are here
In Your presence I’m made whole
You are God, You are God
Of all else I’m letting go

Oh, I’m running to Your arms
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

My heart will sing
no other Name
Jesus, Jesus

Copyright 2010 Hillsong Publishing. All rights reserved.
By: Hillsong Live
Album: A Beautiful Exchange

When we sang this at church, a part of the song really impacted me more than usual:

You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say

I can use my words—both written and verbal—to honor God. But I am reminded that he is so much more than my words will ever say.

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Filed under Faith, God, Who is God?, Writing

February 14, 2011

The Curse of Captain LaFoote

A few weeks ago, I attended a writer’s conference in North Carolina. I had the pleasure of meeting Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles that weekend. I enjoyed learning about their heart for ministry and their dedication to sharing the gospel through Christian Devotions Ministries.

Eddie has a new young adult novel, The Curse of Captain LaFoote, that is now available. Here is some information that I volunteered to share with you about the book and a unique opportunity to give back:

Young Adult Pirate Author Seeks to Raise $10,000 for the Epilepsy Foundation

Raleigh, NC— Social networking has changed the way young people communicate. Can we keep books in “their” loop?  According to KidSay Market Researchers, Facebook is now the favorite website among tween (8-11) boys and teen (12-15) girls. Over 90% of tween boys and girls play games online. Could a pirate tale be the perfect antidote to the adolescent blank-stare fascination with video games?

“My goal in writing this book was to spur the imagination of young readers. Boys especially,” says Young Adult author, Eddie Jones. “I wanted to create within them a desire to read and set sail for a life of adventure on the high seas.” Note: Eddie sails and surfs and sometimes works. “I also want to help kids (and adults) who suffer with epilepsy. My goal is to raise $10,000 for the Epilepsy Foundation in honor of Ricky Bradshaw, the hero of the book.” (Ricky suffers from epilepsy.) “For each book sold, the publisher will donate a few pieces of eight—half a sandy dollar—to the Epilepsy Foundation.”

Jones says, regardless of how well the book sells, if it helps others become “Seizure Smart!” and raises money to fight epilepsy, it’s a success.

About the Book:

RICKY BRADSHAW has never sailed the Caribbean Sea, searched for buried treasure or battled pirates on the deck of a Spanish Galleon. He’s never fallen through the floor of Davy Jones’ locker or watched an old fisherman morph into a porpoise. All Ricky knows is his lonely life with his widowed mom in a tiny apartment overlooking a marina on the Chesapeake Bay. But all that changes on a snowy Christmas Eve when Ricky’s apartment building burns down and he falls into the chilly waters while trying to save a dog with shrimp breath. Suddenly Ricky finds himself thrust into a world where there is surprising beauty on every island, danger around every corner and great honor and glory ahead of him… if only Ricky can summon the courage to survive the curse of Captain LaFoote.

About the Author:

Eddie Jones is a full time freelance writer and author of five non-fiction books, one young adult novel, and one adult romantic comedy. He sails, surfs and freely admits: “I’m a boat swab at heart and thief and liar when honest work proves unprofitable.”

A Young Adult / Tween novel, Rated PG13
eBook ISBN – 978-1-935600-05-3 Available in Kindle
Print ISBN – 978-1-935600-04-6 Available on February 14, 2011

Book Trailer:

Amazing, huh? The Kindle edition is only $2.99! At that price, you can afford to buy one for yourself and one for someone else. Click on the button below to find out more about the Buy a Boy a Book campaign to do just that:

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Filed under Recommendations, Writing

February 7, 2011

The Tradition of a Table

Growing up, I ate dinner with my family every night around the kitchen table—the same one that still sits in the kitchen of my parents’ house today. Each Sunday after church, we ate a home-cooked Sunday dinner at my grandparents’ house (dinner = lunch for any non-Southern readers out there). Our family of four plus my grandparents sitting around a long table passing around southern style vegetables and pot roast. I have wonderful memories of those meals and conversations.

As a single adult, I don’t often sit at the table to eat. Sometimes I do, but I’m usually accompanied by a book or a laptop. Occasionally, I have friends over for dinner but not as often as I should. This weekend was a great reminder of why I should make the effort more often.

We were celebrating the birthday of one of my best friends this weekend, so I invited my friend C and her younger sister over for supper at my house on Saturday night. I planned an entire menu—a home-cooked meal of crab cakes, prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, romaine salad with mandarin oranges and blueberries, rolls and a pie for dessert. It was so much fun to prepare a meal for my friends!

The table in my dining room (shown above) belonged to my grandmother—the same table where my dad ate dinner growing up, where I ate countless Thanksgiving dinners as a child, and where my mom and dad awkwardly sat as a dating couple while my mom attempted to make an extra-large hamburger disappear into her nervous stomach. Before my friends came over on Saturday, I set my beloved table with care. I lit candles; I used the best plates, silverware and glasses. I wanted to create a special ambiance for them.

C’s younger sister, B, is a freshman in college. Now that I have a home of my own, it’s easy to forget those days of dorms and cafeteria food. B was so excited to enjoy a real meal at a real table. When she texted her friends back on campus to tell them everything about the meal, I realized that my simple dinner was a big deal to her.

And I remembered those days in college when I lived on Captain Crunch cereal and rice with soy sauce. I remembered those days when I could not even imagine cooking a meal for myself, much less inviting people over for dinner. When I saw how much it meant to B, I made a decision. I will not let that dining room table continue to remain empty 95% of the time.

I want to carry on the tradition of my grandmother’s dining room table—a table where you come as you are, where you will feel loved, where you will laugh and eat until you’re stuffed. A table where, if you don’t finish everything on your plate, someone will surely ask, “What’s wrong? Are you in love?”—just like my grandmother asked me every single time I left anything uneaten on my plate.

What were some of your childhood mealtime traditions?

10 Comments

Filed under Community, Family, Friendship, Nashville

January 31, 2011

Happy 30th Birthday to Hilary!

One of my dear friends turned 30 yesterday. This weekend, we celebrated with a huge party in her honor. And today, my gift to her is in the form of a list:

30 Things I Love About Hilary

(1) She is brave

(2) She inspires me – to think deeper, to write more, to pray more

(3) Her energetic personality

(4) Her passion for the Lord

(5) She can dance to Billie Jean like no one else I know!

(6) Her beautiful smile

(7) She is introspective and self-aware

(8) Her love for her husband

(9) Her cooking skills; she invites me over on a whim and throws something (amazing) together

(10) Her passion for the cause of homelessness; she doesn’t just talk about it—she interacts with people on a daily basis who have no home

(11) Her adorable dog, Newman!

(12) Her blog

(13) She is spontaneous—she and her husband took a road trip across the entire country, camping along the way

(14) Her love for people, whether she knows them or not

(15) Her honesty

(16) She is transparent, even in the midst of really tough circumstances

(17) Her intelligence

(18) Her love for her parents

(19) She makes me laugh, a lot

(20) She challenges the status quo, especially in the area of “religion”

(21) The fact that she mourned the death of Michael Jackson for weeks (months?) and even wrote a blog post about him

(22) She doesn’t allow people to make her feel small; she stands up for herself

(23) She can be loud and crazy at times, and she can hold your hand and quietly pray for you in a public place with no hesitation

(24) Her dependence on God for guidance

(25) Her beautiful singing voice

(26) She encourages me to be the best version of myself

(27) She has big hopes and dreams

(28) Her loyalty to her friends

(29) She is beautiful—inside and out

(30) She is my friend!

Hilary, I am so glad that God made our paths cross (in a unique way)! I truly believe that he put us together at the exact right time to inspire and encourage each other. Happy Birthday! I love you and can’t wait to see what God has in store for your thirties.

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Filed under Friendship, Nashville

January 26, 2011

How well?

The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40

Recently, I heard a song on the radio; the lyrics made me think about what it will be like to stand before Jesus someday. When day-to-day circumstances seem too large, I try to shift my focus from temporal things to an eternal perspective.

At the end of my earthly life, Jesus won’t ask:

Did you make straight A’s in school? Did you ever finish that Master’s Degree?
Did you accomplish every item on your To Do List each day?
Did you make up your bed every day? Was your house always clean for guests?
Did you get promoted to Vice President? Did you get the corner office?
Did you have a big house and a nice car?

But I believe he will ask other questions. He will ask . . .

How well did you love . . .

the friends I put in your path?
that man on the street with no home and no food?
the spouse I gave you?
the children I entrusted to you?

How well did you love the other believers around you? How about that co-worker who irritated you each day?

How well did you love the cashier at the grocery store? What about the person driving 50 mph in a 65 mph speed zone?

How well did you love those who were not easy to love?

I want to be clear about something—salvation is a free gift that cannot be earned by how well we love or by anything else we do. Jesus paid it all for us on the cross.

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

But once I decide to accept this free gift of grace, forgiveness and eternal life, I need to start living with an eternal perspective. I need to start loving people more than my productivity. I need to be open to God’s prompting instead of clinging to my list of things I want to accomplish today.

Each day I need to ask, “How well did I love?”

Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?
Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:36-39

When it’s all said and done
No one remembers how far we have run
The only thing that matters is how we have loved
I don’t want to miss even just a second more of this
“Blink” by Revive

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Filed under Community, Faith, God

January 17, 2011

The Cowboy Boots

It’s a winter Sunday morning, the week before Christmas. I get ready for church as usual. I’m running a few minutes late, but as I leave the house, I take a self-assessment. I feel cute. I’m wearing a gray sweater dress with my old, comfortable cowboy boots from college. I feel “Nashville-hip”, which is good, because my church is in Nashville and it’s very hip. I want to fit in.

Arriving a few minutes late, I sneak into the dark auditorium and savor the lights and the upbeat Christmas music. The sermon starts out well. It’s a nice message about loving everyone with text from the parable of The Good Samaritan. Then, the pastor starts challenging us about who we love and how we love. He challenges us not to place limits on our love. He shows a video about children in Africa with no shoes. There are 300 million people in the world with no access to footwear. He challenges us to “go and do likewise” as the parable states in Luke 10:37.

I am starting to get uncomfortable. What is he going to ask us to do? Throughout the service, I caught myself admiring my cute, old cowboy boots. I probably have over fifty pairs of shoes at home, but these are my favorite. Then, our pastor drops the bomb. He asks us if we would be willing to leave the shoes we are wearing at church today. He asks us to donate our shoes in the lobby and leave church on this cold December day with no shoes. As soon as he says it, I know that God is asking me to give up my beloved cowboy boots.

I immediately start rationalizing. Those people in Africa do not need my cowboy boots. How impractical would that be? I have a box at home full of shoes that I have already planned to donate to Goodwill. I’ll just bring those to donate instead. Deep in my heart, I know that God wants to teach me a lesson. As usual, I’m being stubborn. I walk out of that church wearing my cowboy boots—in addition to a little guilt and shame.

Arriving back home, I cannot stop thinking about what God asked me to do. I realize that although I give money to church and volunteer my time, I really don’t give up anything that hurts me too much. I play it safe. I start thinking about the rich young man in Matthew 19:22. I remember how he “walked away sad” because he couldn’t do what Jesus asked him to do. When I left church this morning, I walked away sad.

Right then, I decide what I need to do. I must be obedient in this small thing. God is asking me to do this, not for him, but for myself and for my relationship with him. Our church has a 6pm evening service which is a repeat of the morning services.

I get ready for church . . . again.
I put on my cowboy boots . . . again.
I drive to church and walk into the service . . . all over again.

I sing and worship and let the pastor’s message wash over me, again. Then, I walk out into the lobby, take off my “Nashville-hip” cowboy boots, and walk outside into the cold December air with no shoes.

I drive home very much at peace—and not a bit sad.


(Copyright, Allison at Anointed With Grace, 01/17/2011)

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Filed under Faith, God, Nashville

January 2, 2011

A Prayer for the New Year

Father,

Looking back on the challenges that 2010 held, I realize that I am not sad to see this year come to a close. It was a year of sadness and grief. A year where I lost three close friends to death. A year of mourning and a year with disappointing ends to relationships. At the same time, it was a year of birth — my two nieces bring so much joy to our family. It was a year where I faced disappointment and some very dark times. I learned that I still have trouble letting go and giving complete control to you. However, I am thankful for the pain, though it was horrible, because it strengthened my relationship with you and my dependence on you. Thank you for showing me your character in 2010 — thank you for teaching me about your love and faithfulness.

Lord, on this brand new day of 2011, I want to make this a year of HOPE. I choose hope. I choose to be positive. I chose to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. I choose to say “it is well with my soul.” I choose to depend on you. Let your Spirit clearly guide me in the right direction. Father, I trust you. I trust you with the desires of my heart. I renounce the spirit of FEAR. I renounce despair. I renounce the lies from our enemy that I have believed. I choose to rest in you and believe your TRUTH.

I Believe….

I believe that you created me with love, exactly the way I am. (Psalm 139:13-14)

I believe that you have a unique purpose for me that only I can fulfill. (Jeremiah 29:11-12)

I believe that you have ordained my days upon this earth. (Psalm 139:16)

I believe that you sent your only son to be a living sacrifice for my sins and that you have completely forgiven me through the blood of Jesus. (John 3:16, Psalm 103:12)

I believe that you love me more than I can ever imagine. (Psalm 23:6)

I believe that you are faithful and good. (Psalm 100:5)

I believe that you have chosen me to be your daughter. (Hebrews 2:10, Ephesians 1:11)

I believe that someday I will live eternally with you in Heaven. (John 6:40)

I believe that each day is a gift from you. (Psalm 118:24)

I believe that all things work together for good in your master plan. (Romans 8:28)

I believe that your plans are better than my plans and your ways are higher than my ways. (Isaiah 55:9)

I believe that you are God, and I am not! (1 John 4:7-10)

Amen.


(Copyright Allison at Anointed With Grace, 1/01/11)

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Filed under Beginnings and Endings, Faith, God