Tag Archives: community

Aaaaand the Winner is!

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I am not easy to impress. I am jaded and cynical, if truth be told.

But the past 24 hours have impressed me. I’m impressed by these stories. And by those of you who would nominate someone else to get a little bit of a surprise handed to them by life. (Well, except for Jenni, who is always trying to angle her Asian-awesomeness. Love you girl.)

Because I know and love you commenters and some of the nominated, I asked Moxie Mandie herself to choose the winner.

And, without hesitation, she recognized Joy Renee’s friend Maryanne. Here’s just a snippet of what JR had to say:

Even though it doesn’t read as brave and generous and courageous as some stories, I have seen first hand just how giving and strong she can be even in the midst of broken dreams, plans that crumble, and a family that desperately needs grace and mercy.

And with that, I’m happy to say that Maryanne gets fifteen dollars worth of love from Moxie Mandie’s Etsy store. I’m hoping she buys herself one of those fabulous yellow pillows.

Maryanne, if you’re reading this, I’m so sorry to read about your story. It touches a deep place in my heart. I want to introduce you to Cindy Beall, who’s walked a similar road as yours, who’s husband is back on staff at a church, and  who’s lived to write a book about it. I think very highly of her, and also you, Maryanne. Bless you and your family as you work your way through this.

Who Are You?

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A LOT of new people have come through here recently. Hello new readers!

And hello old readers!! Hello everybody! :)

It’s roll call time. Just checking to see who’s around, because we’re going to do some group stuff this month that I’m pretty excited about. (Don’t worry. It’ll be quick & painless  & yes creative!)

But first:

  1. Name
  2. General location (no addresses please)
  3. Website
  4. Creative Outlet (anything from design to cooking for 1)
Talk to me, y’all. Who’s here?

The importance of having an “us.”

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The future is now!

Ok. Let’s not be that dramatic. But, the future is in the journey we take with others who are like-minded. I’ll give you an example of the future, by looking at the past.

Ever heard of the Inklings, with their fabulous British accents and cigar smoke? The accents and smoke belonged to the likes of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. And legend says that some lighthearted challenge between the two of them birthed The Chronicles of Narnia and those Hobbit creatures. Or something like that.

So, maybe the brilliance of The Lord of the Rings or the Narnia series will shine forth from us! No? Well, I’m confident that something will transpire (oh! See? I’m already using smart-people words!).

I’ve witnessed this in my own life–the surge of creativity through communal energy–through the “us.”

  • Staff Creativity: I work/serve/minister/create in a fairly limitless environment. We get together and ideas start flying. And I’m sure sometimes our congregation thinks we’re crazy. BUT, some of the ideas actually work! And the freedom makes me more creative.
  • Songwriting peers: In 2010, I walked with two other local songwriters, and we challenged and cheered each other on. And, co-writing is my new favorite thing to do. And my songwriting is the better for it.
  • All the online creatives: I have a short list of those who fuel me and inspire me and invite me to more profound areas of my own creativity–all through the power of online community. More on that later.

You can probably relate. You probably have a few community relationships that you draw from already. But, my hope is that the conversation and community in this corner of the internet becomes a well of inspiration and ideas for you.

Until then: Who’s your “us?” Who inspires you? Who cheers you on? Who runs with you and alongside you?

Are you my ideal reader?

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These words are always written to be read. Always. They would have no life, and no place, without readers. It’s true. Your eyes are a mirror.

And I couldn’t be more excited about the words that will follow.

Why?

This weekend, I went through a few exercises to bring focus and intent to my blog. For instance, I described my ideal reader:

My ideal reader loves conversation, loves sharing ideas, and loves considering new possibilities. My ideal reader is as interested in the journey as the destination. He wants more out of life. He appreciates ways to improve himself, and is a dreamer. He is passionate about pursuing the things he loves, and makes no apologies for those pursuits. My ideal reader is honest, curious, and creative.

Let’s add that my ideal reader possesses those qualities I most admire and want to attain. Therefore, he is the type of person I want to engage in dialog.

The discussion is paramount to future discoveries, as we walk this road together. I greatly value the community experience here. If this reader description suits you, speaks to you, & calls out to you, then stick around. There’s more to come!

But, for now: do you see yourself in this description?

A year to forget…

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I know a lot of you have faced tough situations this year; so have a lot of my friends, family members, and church family. The phone calls, faces, hospital visits, letters, and questions are rolling through my mind as I type this. You know who you are and you’re on my mind.

This year, for many, has been a nightmare and a lot of us are ready for this round to be over. So, this post is for you: For those of you who don’t think you can take one more blow this year. For those of you who have been to hell and back and live to tell about it. Who have dealt with loss. With confusion. With anger. With disappointment. For those of you who see 2010 as a year to forget. For those of you who know 2011 has got to be better than 2010.

This is your time to think about it. To hope about it. To maybe even offer up a typed prayer to the heavens for a better year ahead. For some of you, it wouldn’t take much. It wouldn’t take much at all to spark a tiny flame of hope in your heart… What could light that flame? What’s something you can hold on to–some tiny piece of hope–that would assure you that 2011 is better than 2010?

Type it out here. And I promise you that this little blog community will be praying that our God of Grace reaches down to give exactly what you’re asking for.