We are in the process of cleaning out our house because we are moving. (See our newsletter for more details- if you don’t get it already you can sign up to receive it here)

One of the first things we did was order a dumpster. This has proved amazingly valuable for us in the past because if you have a dumpster you can look at things differently.

For example: If you’re cleaning the basement and don’t want that old artificial Christmas tree with the broken lights that doesn’t stand straight anymore, you have to make a choice.

1. Throw it away.
2. Give it away
3. Keep it and hope to fix it someday
4. Sell it.

If you don’t have enough room in your garbage, the tossing it option is out. And then you find yourself stuck with a pile of stuff you still don’t want and no one else really does either…

By the way, we completely filled our dumpster. It was so gratifying the day they removed it – knowing that huge obnoxious eyesore was GONE from my driveway.

But then I found myself in my bathroom with no “throw away” bucket big enough to begin the task of sorting through the medicines, hotel shampoos and other various sundries that have cluttered my closet and cabinets for over 7 years. The small waste basket behind the toilet just wasn’t sufficient for the task. So every time I went to shower I kept thinking “if only I could just get started on this monumental project.” But each time I found myself avoiding it.

Why?

I didn’t have a container big enough to handle all my stuff.

My experience reminds me of life…

Often we keep unnecessary “junk” because we don’t have a convenient or sufficient disposal option. We might try to give it away to someone else (dumping), or even “sell it” (a really persuasive gossip session) or put it in a closet for later (stuffing our emotions). When in reality, if we used the proper method for getting rid of our unwanted baggage, we’d be thrilled with the results (a completely full dumpster in my driveway…taken away!!!!!)

When we go to God he will “Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” Not only that, he promises to remove them far, far away!

What are you hanging on to? “Order a dumpster” and get rid of it!

A few weeks back I wrote about “Why I’m working on putting my family first.” I promised to continue this discussion, and I received lots of comments regarding this post through various mediums. It struck a chord.

Let me back up to the reason I wrote the blog in the first place: I was struggling with my natural tendency toward serving outwardly (not in my home) more often than in my inner sanctum.

This hit me profoundly one day a few weeks ago when I was making dessert for our marriage class small group. I had to make something with ingredients on hand, so I began a cut-out cookie adventure at 7:15 a.m. that day. (I’m not an early riser!) By the time I had mixed, rolled, cut out, decorated and tended to each heart shape cookie with more time and “love” than I necessarily had to give that day, I was into this extravaganza for 3+ hours. Maybe a pan of brownies would have been easier????

But what happened somewhere during the 4th rolling of the dough and the end of the whole matter was the realization that I was working so hard to create beautiful treasures for someone else, and hadn’t even thought about my own little treasures…my kids!

Thankfully, I had the presence of mind to cut out 3 large heart cookies before the dough was all gone. Then I decorated them specially for each of my children. And somehow, God multiplied my time and I wrote each of them a love letter telling them what I appreciated about them.

When they each got home from school their note and cookie were waiting on the counter…AND I had a beautiful tray of heart cookies to share with my small group that night.

This may seem elementary to you, or even second nature, to think first of your kids…but what I have been taking to heart is that I have to be conscious of my time, talent, energy, passions and resources. And I have to be certain that I’m using them in my home – while I have these little people (not really, they are 15, 12, 10) in my home!

For one day, at least, I had a small, shining example of success giving my more of my firstfruits to my family.

Has this conversation compelled you to see your family differently? Any successes you’d like to share? We’d love to hear them in the comments below.

This Christmas, I’m compelled to look at the Christmas story differently. I mean there has to be more to it all than a quaint little family in a stable with animals adorning the hay, doesn’t there?

Even if you’re not a sports fan you can understand the concept of game changing events, people, or actions. With just 6 days till Christmas, we know many things have the potential to be game-changers for our Christmas plans.

Snowstorms, stomach flu, forgotten ingredients, last minute gift requests, family politics. We’ve all been affected by one game-changer or another at Christmas.

But Christmas itself was a “game-changer” of epic proportions. Here are 3 reasons why:

Reason #1:
God made good on his promise.

The Messiah had been promised for thousands of years. And after all those years of waiting for the Messiah…he had come to Earth.

God as man.

Savior of the World.

The game changing event of all time. Think of all those people who “by faith” had been doing the will of God with just the promise of a Messiah. And now, there would be no more wondering.

He was here. At last.

Reason #2:
The Savior changed the game for all of us.

Jesus came to Earth as a man, so we could finally have the chance to be made right with him, for eternity! But he ministered among us, changing perceptions of “religion”, teaching the gospel as opposed to just Law, speaking truth, healing body and spirit, walking on water, feeding thousands – literally and figuratively, preaching to the few, and the many.

Changing lives, one sinner at a time.

Demonstrating love, not just talking about it.

Pretty game-changing, I’d say.

Reason #3:
Christmas creates opportunity for us to be “game-changers” too.

Why did God bring us Christmas?

So we would be CHANGED. So we could experience saving grace. And as a result step out accordingly in faith.

God wants us to shine His light to others. Especially at Christmas.

And lucky for you, we’re going to tell you exactly how in our next post!
Stay tuned…

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Hey fans of Salt & clay, guest writer clay here – filling in for Salty Sarah.

I went for a bike ride last week, between monsoons that is, and ended up riding into a mean headwind. It was blowing 15 – 20 from the NW so I rode to Excelsior and then wound my way back to Eden Prairie. What struck me was how hard it was to ride into the wind.

I was only 20 minutes into the ride and already exhausted from fighting that unseen force. And starting to wish I stayed home and caught up on emails…

While I was not having fun riding into the headwind,I still didn’t know how bad it was until I turned down wind and started heading home. It was like a completely different activity. I was pedaling just as hard, but going much faster and smiling while I did it. I was making progress not just working. It reminded me again why I love biking and that I should get out more often. That same force I was cursing earlier had brought me pure joy.

I have some friends and family that are riding against life’s headwind at present. Cancer, job loss and failed marriages are leaving them exhausted and wondering about the meaning and purpose of this journey called life. They are struggling to just to move ahead each day, let alone find joy.

Now I am not really qualified to understand their struggles since I’m blessed to have the wind at my back most days. But I have had enough experience to know that much like my ride, the time will come to turn downwind. Life is much like riding on a very windy day. In order to go around the circuit we will all need to go into the wind for a spell, but will get to turn downwind soon enough and find joy.

In fact Paul wrote about this same subject a few thousand years ago. In a letter to his friends in Rome, he explained riding into life’s headwind brings perseverance which produces character which leads to hope. So this day for all of you exhausted from life’s headwinds – try to hold on to that hope until you get to turn for home.

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I’m back from my revelationary two days of solitude, and everyone wants to know “How was it?” “Are you changed?” “What great things did you uncover?”

It’s hard to consolidate one’s deep moments into talking points for the average guy. I mean, me and God were up to something, and that’s sorta personal, you know? So for a few days now I’ve answered with, “it was really relaxing, restoring and quiet.”

But upon further reflection, I’m willing to come out with some truths that I wrestled with then, and will continue to wrestle with in the future.

Saying them sometimes makes them more real.

And although accountability in all things is good, I have to remember that if I strive for perfection I will quit before I begin! That’s why I’ve always been anti-resolutions. I’m more of the “He who began a good work in me will carry it on to the time of completion” (Phil 1:6) kinda girl.

So I’m just going to say, these are a few things I am going to try in 2011.

Maybe that will give you permission to try something too, or maybe it will provide fodder for conversation, or even self-awareness. Doesn’t matter much to me, because after all, this is my thing with God.

I am going to try to discern between fixed (what must be done) and discretionary (what I would like to do) items as it pertains to my time and schedule each week.

I am going to try and create more “margin” in my life, (by applying previous time principle) so I can follow the Holy Spirit’s leading more often.

I am going to try to journal my thoughts and insights with more clarity, purpose and organization.

I am going to try and take tangible measures toward working on my personal challenge (and eventual frustration) that comes with having a perfectionist tendency.

I am going to try and let more things go! (as it relates to perfectionism!)

I am going to try and give God my firstfruits, instead of my leftovers.

For each of these items I hope to try, I have thought through how to make them a reality. And now that I’m broadcasting to the “world” I will have added that accountability thing.

I pray that when 2012 comes, I can report back to you that God has helped achieve a mighty work in me. I wait in joyful expectation of the future glory he will accomplish!

Blessings on your NEW YEAR, dear friends.
May you set out to just try.