Category Archives: Sacred Mundane

How’s the challenge going? I’d love to hear your thoughts, insights, victories, challenges. If you’re just joining us, feel free to check out:

WEEK 1

WEEK 2

Now, ready for week 3? Let’s do it!

Monday, June 4: Galatians 6:2: “Carry each other’s burdens.”

Who around you is burdened today? In what way could you personally take part of that burden onto yourself in such a way that your friend is alleviated? Perhaps you can carry her burden by listening? Perhaps you can share your resources in such a way that a friend’s financial burden is lessened? Perhaps you can carry a friend’s burden in prayer, laying her needs before the Father faithfully all day. The essence of this day is this: Make her burden your burden. Make her concern your concern. Ask God how you may personally help your friend carry her burden today.

Tuesday, June 5: 1 Thessalonians 5:11: “Encourage one another.”

To encourage is to inspire courage in another. How can you do this today? By a hand-written card? By praying for her? By reminding her of all the amazing qualities you see in her? By throwing a party for someone and showering her with love? By taking the time to just be with someone who could use your presence? Think of someone who might need courage today and consider how you might inspire courage and inspire faith in her today.

Wednesday, June 6: Colossians 3:16: “Teach and admonish one another.”

We like to leave this one to the pastors, speakers, and Bible teachers, but scripture is clear we are to teach and admonish each other. What does it mean to admonish? To admonish is to 1)Warn or reprimand someone firmly. 2) Advise or urge (someone) earnestly. In other words, it is to warn – caution – exhort – reprimand – advise. Well… that doesn’t sound like very much fun! Now here’s the deal, don’t just go reprimand someone just to fulfill the day’s challenge, but do pray and ask God to show you if there is someone you can lovingly share God’s truth with. It  might be the form of a searching question (Can you tell me more about your decision to …?), a truth from Scripture (I came across this scripture today and wanted to share it with you …), a personal story or testimony which illustrates a biblical truth (Can I tell you something that happened to me and what God showed me through it?), or simply a nugget you discovered in the Word (Can I share with you what I discovered?!). However you do it, be sure it is scriptural, and done in love and humility, according to God’s timing and in God’s way. Easier said than done! If this sounds terrifying to you and you’ve never done it before, consider just sharing one verse with a friend. Be brave and be blessed!

Thursday, June 7: Ephesians 5:19: “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.”

Before you call your friend and leave her a voice mail with a rousing rendition of The Old Rugged Cross, think about what might bless her and draw her more to Jesus. Perhaps you want to send your friend a particular Psalm that God puts on your heart. Perhaps you’ve discovered a new favorite worship song or worship album that really lifts your heart in praise to God and you’d like to buy her a copy or send her a song? My new personal favorite is Rend the Heavens’ new album. Going to their CD release concert Wednesday night–awesome! What do you listen to? Does it draw you closer to Christ? Does it lift your heart up in praise and draw you to your knees in worship? How can you encourage your friend to worship God in this same way?

Friday, June 8: Romans 12:16: “Live in harmony with one another.”

Who do you live with? Is there harmony? Or, who do you “do life” with on a regular basis? Is there harmony in that relationship? Today, take a look at those relationships closest to you–spouse, roommate, parent, child, sibling, co-worker. Is there harmony in this relationship? Ask God to search your heart and know you, to point out any wicked way in you and lead you in the way everlasting. You are not in control of that other person, but “as much as depends on you, live at peace with all people.” Today, take steps toward peace and harmony in your closest relationships, the ones who you usually take for granted, or who usually see you at your worst. Focus there, and pursue harmony.

Saturday, June 9: 1 Corinthians 1:10: “Agree with one another.”

This is one I feel like I’ve constantly reinforcing with my kids. They are so prone to argue about things that do not matter (he called it a donkey but it’s really a horse!). You know what? We’re the same way. We can get so bent on being “right” that we win the argument but lose the relationship. Today, begin asking yourself, “Does this really matter?” Unless it is a core doctrine or someone’s well-being is at stake, just let it go. It is a glory to overlook an offense, love covers a multitude of sins, have nothing to do with foolish arguments. It takes two to fight, so today, consider how you can simply “agree” or keep quiet instead of insisting you are right or having to prove your points. In short: Let it go!

Sunday, June 10: James 5:16: “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other.”

This isn’t a real fun one either. And I don’t believe we are to just go willy-nilly hanging out all our dirty laundry. BUT, we are to confess our sin to each other so that we can pray for each other. Just last week a friend did this with me, and we were so able to mutually encourage each other, pray together, and be helping each other through text messages all week. Love that! Ask God to show you if there’s something He wants you to confess and receive prayer for. I have done this often and found such freedom in confession and the humility of asking for prayer! Be sure, also, to ask a trusted friend, who you can rely on to not talk to anyone about the issue other than God. And always be sure that anything you share does not break confidence of someone else or put anyone else in a negative light. This is just between you and God and asking a trusted friend for prayer. It can be as simple as, “I’m really struggling with …(this)… right now, can you please pray for me right now?”

Thanks so much for continuing along this path with me. I do pray you are seeing His Word come to life as you put these into practice. Bless you, and thanks for reading!

• Saturday-afternoon nap with my girl.
• Weeding all afternoon with my boy.
• Divine appointments walking right up to my door. Who said being a stay-at-home-mom is dull?
• Victory over the mice!
• My five minute stare-down competition between me and mr. mouse on the stairs while Jeff set the traps. We won.
• “Eve Noel Sternke” introducing herself over and over. Listening to her sing along to Rend the Heavens on the ipod. So fun have her with us this week.
• My husband who goes above and beyond. All the time.
• An epiphany about playdates.
• Kindred spirits.
• A pedicure.
• That real kind of amazing God-connection that’s so rare and so wonderful you can hardly put it to words.
• Choosing home.
• New ideas.
• Wedding pictures.
• Priya and Rachael–what gems!
• Pulled pork. Yes, please!
• Chocolate covered strawberries. Yes, please!
• The house quiet and clean on a Saturday night. Absolutely, please!
• Kids downing 4 lbs. of fresh strawberries in one day.
• Sleeptime tea before bed.
• Watching the sun set out my bedroom window.
• Clean sheets, crisp from the clothesline.
• Simple pleasures.
• So richly blessed.
• Thank you, Lord, for your amazing grace.

Happy weekend … thanks for reading.

In our house we have two extreme temperaments when it comes to stuff: The Keep-Everything person and the Toss-Everything person. I’ll let you guess which one I am.

The Keep-Everything person will not toss. Everything is held onto “just in case.” The Toss-Everything person will not keep. Voting cards and tax documents are virtually the only paper items which can survive this person’s ruthless purging habits.

Oddly enough, we both can have trouble finding things. Keep-Everything can’t find things because they are lost under the pile of other things. Toss-Everything can’t find things because she threw them all away. 🙂

Balance. 

This bite is really rather simple. Tsh just wants us to streamline our receipt system so we’re not drowning in a sea of unnecessary paper, while still tracking important purchases and documents.  For me, this bite is pretty simple. All large purchases are done online, so the receipt is electronic. Small stuff is all cash, so there isn’t a need to balance anything. Medical and housing expense receipts are needed for taxes, so I file those in their respective files.  I think that’s about it. Maybe the easiest way to streamline receipts is to not buy much stuff.

If you own your own business, chances are you have much more to track. So how do you do it? Can you offer some advice to all the Keep-Everything and Toss-Everything people out there? How do you decide what to keep and what to toss?

And again, if this bite is too easy for this week, consider heading back and tackling some important ones you don’t want to miss …

Create a Family Purpose Statement

Make a Debt-Free Plan

Wake Up Earlier (Summer is a great–and easy!–time to start this habit!)

Happy weekend! Thanks for reading… 

• Reunion with some of Jeff’s and my college friends … priceless gift.
• That all are still walking with Jesus.
• Laughter, laughter, and more laughter.
• Sleeping in.
• First run after a month of kicking that flu … tired but good.
• 3+ hour drive to talk with my man.
• Dutch with stetson hat, holster, spurs, guns. My little cowboy.
• Nana’s love, care, and delicious food.
• Coconut prawns.
• Finishing the busy season.
• Oregon Women of the Word conference; God’s amazing faithfulness.
• Perspective.
• Being reminded how big God is and all He’s doing around the world.
• Dreaming.
• Heart-talks.
• Learning to listen.
• Reading for fun.
• The Proposal with my man cuddled under a quilt.
• Baby ducks hatching on the front porch.
• Sleepy-eyed kids, so warm, puppy breath.
• Knowing Him by name.
• Warmth.
• Acceptance.
• Grace.
• A counselor who helps me find the broken places inside.
• Providence.
• How God directs our steps.
• That nothing’s wasted.
• That our misery is our ministry.
• Jane.
• My friend Dawson, of 28 years, going to be a daddy!
• Swapping stories and laughing until our sides hurt.
• Cookie dough in the kitchen with the girls (just a little!)
• Ping pong.
• Sneaking in late.
• Watching children sleep.
• Gratitude.
• A cup running over.
• Fresh coffee.
• His whisper, “Rest.”
• Obeying…

This past Tuesday marked the end of our busy season. You know, the season where you just focus on keeping everyone fed, clothed, and reasonably content, without much thought to organization, creativity, and goal-setting. That was pretty much our season since September 18th when our house sold and we entered a wonderful but indeed full season of moving and ministry. But we have purposefully slated our summer for family, recreation, and rest and we are so excited for it!

Now that my brain is a little less cluttered my house can follow suit. We have indeed been purging, organizing, de-cluttering everything from Jeff’s office at church to the kids’ toys to my clothes closet. It feels so good!

Thankfully, there is one area that remains reasonably under control and that is paper. I’m ruthless. Tsh encourages us to take this bite and streamline our mail so we’re not swallowed whole.  Here are my two favorite ways:

Automatic Bill-Pay/Paperless bills::

Hopefully by now we are all doing this, right? It makes life so much easier! All of our donations (except tithe) are automatic deductions, as well as our savings transfer, Roth IRA, utilities, and bills. I love that at this point the only thing I have to remember is to pay rent on the 1st. That’s it. Beautiful. This also means that not much mail comes to our door. We’ve opted for paperless, and I love that you can look up statements online anytime you wish. If you haven’t done this yet, take the time and sign-up and simplify your life!

Open the mail outside::

After the kids and I walk to the mailbox we walk straight into the carport, to the recycling bin, and toss almost everything straight inside. Junk mail isn’t allowed in the door and I don’t need catalogs laying around telling me about all the things I need (ok, occasionally I allow Anthroplogie in … it inspires me to take old things and make them look cool).  Anything worthwhile is taken out of the envelope and the envelope goes straight into the recycling. That way the only things allowed inside are the actual bill/correspondence/item of importance that requires attention or filing.

This, streamlining the mail, is really a rather small and insignificant item in the grand scheme of things. Since this week’s bite is fairly simple, consider re-visiting some of the other bites you haven’t tackled yet … For example:

Create a Family Purpose Statement (my personal favorite)

Make a Debt-Free Plan 

Establish Your Morning Routine

{I pray your Memorial Day weekend can be restful and restorative, wherever you are and whatever you do. Thank you so much for faithfully reading and traveling this sacred mundane road along with me. You’re a gift! }

*How’s the One Another Challenge going? Are you showing equal concern for friendships today? I pray God is meeting you as you choose His way!

Encourage one another daily.

 Hebrews 3:13

Happy Monday! I’ve been so excited to begin this challenge and today is the day! We’re kicking off a theme on Friendship, and we’ll be looking together on what God’s plan for friendship is, how to be better friends, and where to look for true, godly, rich friendships. I cannot tell you how the past few months of studying this material have blessed my life, and this past weekend we had the JOY of studying this topic together at the Oregon Women of the Word conference.  I truly believe this is something on God’s heart for us right now, and I’m thrilled to share and grow with you.

So, Will you join me?  Today we’re embarking on a simple One Another Challenge: 31 Days to Friendship God’s Way. Each day we will aim to live-out one of the biblical One Another commands in scripture in a practical way. I’ll post each Monday to give the week’s One Anothers and ideas for how to live them out, along with other thoughts periodically on friendship God’s way. You may want to print Monday’s post and have it handy so you can reference it each day.  Of course you’re welcome to do whichever one on whichever day, but I like a list telling me what to do each day! You can practice these on a girlfriend, a relative, your spouse, your children, whoever. But ask God for His Holy Spirit to guide you and truly work in your heart from the inside out. I truly believe that if we purposefully live these out for 31 days we will begin to see true transformation in our relationships. You game?

Week 1: 

Monday, May 21:  Romans 12:10: “Honor one another.”

Honoring a friend could be as simple as writing her a kind facebook message (or writing a status message ABOUT her), hand-writing her a note acknowledging her kindness, dropping off some flowers on her doorstep, or calling her “just because” and telling her several things you love about her. Consider this your “warm up” day. 🙂

Tuesday, May 22: James 5:9: “Don’t grumble against each other.”

Be mindful today to not complain or grumble about anyone … even in your heart. When speaking on the phone or in person, be careful to keep your words positive, encouraging, edifying. Since we often are critical in our thoughts, fix your mind on the good things about your friends and family today, rather than slipping into criticism or judgment. Be mindful all day to meditate on the things you love, admire, and appreciate about your loved ones.

Wednesday, May 23: Romans 12:3-8: Confirm the gifts of one another.

Take time today to tell a friend what gifts you see in her life. Is she a great organizer? Is she fun, does she have a great sense of humor? Is she wise and full of godly counsel? Does she raise her children well? Is her home welcoming? Does she show hospitality graciously? Think through the gifts and talents of your friends and take a moment to tell them what you see. You may be amazed at how they light up when you point out the beautiful gems you see inside. Be honest and lavish in your love!

 Thursday, May 24: Romans 15:7: “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you.”

Is there someone you have a hard time accepting? Someone’s attitude or choices? Is there a friend who is making unwise decisions and it frustrates you? Perhaps you may make some gesture that communicates your acceptance of that person. Though you are not condoning sin or encouraging a sinful behavior, communicate to someone that you accept and love them as a person. Perhaps something like this: “Even though we don’t see eye to eye, I want you to know that I love you, accept you, and appreciate you as a friend.”  Does someone come to mind?

Friday, May 25: 1 Corinthians 12:25: “Have equal concern for each other.”

Sometimes (we all do it) we tend to have more concern for some people and less for others. Let’s face it, some people require more energy, and we’re hesitant to reach out. Just for today–treat that “extra energy required” person as if they were your very bestest friend. Check on them. Call them and listen to them. Write them an email just to see how they are. But also, please be subtle and  show genuine concern, just in case she reads this blog and then thinks that she’s the “extra energy” friend in your life! 🙂 Above all, ask God to give you genuine concern for her, not just fulfilling your obligation or doing some duty.

Saturday, May 26: 1 Peter 5:5: “Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.”

Every single day affords us the opportunity to humble ourselves before each other. OFTEN. Today think of how you can take the low seat, and put someone else’s needs above your own. Perhaps that means listening instead of talking, or putting someone else’s schedule above your own. Or praising a friend who you might struggle with envy toward. Consider how you can promote and praise a friend, breaking the back of pride and walking in humility and grace. Think today of lifting a friend up high and being content to sit in the shade while she shines.

Sunday, May 27: James 2:1: “Don’t show favoritism.”

Where do you usually sit on Sundays at church? Do you always sit in the same spot? Next to the same friend? Your “favorite” friend? 🙂 Perhaps today you would consider looking around and finding someone alone, someone who looks a little down, someone who could use a friend? Perhaps you might stay and talk longer with someone instead of rushing off to meet your favorite person. Perhaps you might invite a family over for lunch who you normally might not choose. Basically, treat someone else the way you would your “favorite” — choosing to extend love in a practical way. 

{Thoughts, comments, ideas for how you might put these into practice? Thanks so much for joining this challenge, and for reading…}

• Dutch humming to himself while he plays.
• Singing in the car.
• Heidi doing “Bible ‘tudy” next to me in bed.
• The way his shaggy hair squirts over his ears.
• Examining bugs.
• Little grubby hands, dirt under tiny fingernails.
• The Community Garden, planted!
• Sunshine every day.
• That every day contains just enough time for it all.
• Letting the rest of it go.
• $100 air-conditioner in our bedroom window. Worth its weight in gold!
• Oregon Women of the Word conference this weekend. Believing God will meet us powerfully! (Prayers, please!)
• The Bible study year almost complete.
• Looking forward to summer.
• Bunches of bananas.
• Running through fields with kids.
• Building a “teepee” out of tree branches. Hours of fun.
• Processing my “madness” here and so glad to process it with you!
• Epiphanies and breakthroughs.
• White sheets waving on the clothesline.
• The feeling of clean.
• All four of us healthy … finally. So grateful!
• Leaning into my man.
• His smell.
• Snuggling under her covers.
• Her stinky-sweaty just-woke-up-from-a-nap smell… LOVE it!
• Kissing her open, laughing mouth.
• Getting some time to myself.
• Boundaries.
• Learning to say no.
• Still loving saying yes.
• A warm bath.
• Sleep.
• That it doesn’t depend on us.
• His voice.
• His love.
• His presence.
• HIM!

So … if you’re new around here it’s time you knew the truth: I’m a crazy locavore who loves supporting local farms and eating organic produce, raw honey, grass-fed beef, and those awesome brown eggs with dark yellow yokes. (Can we still be friends? I’m cool with your Captain Crunch if you’re down with my chia seeds.)

Perhaps you like to eat this way too? But the difficult part of that diet is fairly obvious: It’s really expensive to eat that way. But since I’m also a frugal-fanatic you better believe I was out there like a hound dog sniffin’ out some ways to make this work.

I found one way: The Full-Diet CSA through Afton Field Farm.{Read the rest over at Frugal Living NW… thanks!} 

*Don’t live in the Willamette Valley? Check out LocalHarvest.org to find local CSAs near you. Also see ideas on starting your own garden.

{*If you’re new to Sacred Mundane (welcome!), each Friday we take a “Bite” from Simple Mom’s 52-bites e-book on simplifying life. Feel free to hop in now and start eating that elephant! Click here see all we’ve eaten so far…}

Okay folks, have you ever lodged some idea into your mind and then been shocked when you realized you had the totally wrong idea? I remember one time I was in charge of interviewing possible candidates for a personal trainer position at the women’s fitness club where I worked. I interviewed Adrian over the phone, she sounded great, so I invited her in for an in-person interview. For almost a week I planned for this interview. When the time for the appointment came, Adrian walked in the door … it was a MAN. Oh I wanted to cry. I’m sure he must have figured it out when he looked around and realized it was a women’s gym. There was nothing I could do. We stumbled through a horrendously awkward interview and wished him well.

*SIGH*

Well this wasn’t that bad. I’d been planning to do this Bite for a few weeks now, but in my mind I thought Tsh was going to make me get rid of all my paper recipes and only do it online? Or only do online bill paying? Wasn’t quite sure but I was a little hesitant about getting rid of all my documents.

Aha! Getting rid of paper products. Paper towels. Napkins. Oh dear, my brain. Well it was perfect timing because I actually just did this the past month, but I didn’t know it was a Bite!

I just thought I was copying my friend Candi. To save money, Candi doesn’t use any napkins or paper towels. She uses rags and cloth napkins. So this past month, I didn’t buy any. I still have a 1/3-roll of paper towels hidden under the sink (just in case) and about 10 flowery spring napkins on hand, but other than that–we’re paperless. It definitely saves money.  It was nice to remove those two items off my grocery list. So here are some ideas from Maya Bissineer  for making this work well:: 

Four Categories of Cloth: (in different place, simple, distinctive)

1. Deep cleaning: “This category is for cleaning dirt, sticky stuff, grease, and pretty much any kitchen mess. I invested in ten really good, industrial-strength static cleaning cloths.”

2. Kids’ cloths:  “As I put the kids’ old clothes away, I discovered a number of washcloths and burp cloths—some even unopened. I put all of these into a little basket and my girls have that basket of napkins all to themselves for anything they like.”

3. Exclusive:  “This is the pile of napkins for the guests. A little nicer, these are mostly put away until the guests arrive.”

4. Everything Else: “This category consists of about 20 very generic napkins. This is the critical pile that we use for just about anything—when in doubt, we reach for these napkins.”

I love this! I’m totally going to do it. I actually have lots of really nice cloth napkins we received as gifts when we got married NINE years ago that we never use! Time to pull those out. And for the Everything Else rags I think I need look no further than my husband’s old t-shirt pile. Shhhh…. 

{Thanks for reading!}