Eclectic Waters

Spiritual Growth

DeeDee — Sat, 05 May 2012 00:03:39 +0000

A vague term. What does spiritual growth mean to you? How can it be measured?

My book club is reading an excellent book on the topic, Thirsting for God by Gary Thomas. His chapters go beyond the usual list of disciplines (fasting, prayer, praise…) and his thoughts and probing questions have touched and been a catalyst of growth to each of us in the club.

Here are some kernels from the most recent chapters we have read:

Difficulty teaches us to be pastoral people, something that does not come naturally to us. If we deny our pain, we must also blind ourselves to the pain of others. We need difficulty because without it we become proud, self-centered, and uncaring monsters who are full of ourselves - Gary Thomas

and another quote talking about the deserts (difficult times) in our lives:

One of the great temptations during the desert is to arrogantly demand that God end the dryness at once. We remind God how much we have left for Him when we should actually be praising Him for how much He has delivered us from. We remind God how zealously we have served Him when we should actually be thanking Him for giving us purpose…If we do not embrace humility–if we do not go to the cross–we will very likely embrace anger, and instead of maturing in our walk with Christ, we will be stuck in a spiritual cul-de-sac.

The book is just the beginning. The other members of the book club challenge and encourage me to grow through their questions, personal stories and support.

I look forward to reading your answers on spiritual growth. I have thoughts and ideas on what it is… but feel there is more to be discovered.

Our Story

DeeDee — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 01:00:40 +0000

We met on October 6th 2010.

Jon joined eharmony in the hopes of finding a woman with a heart for God, and I joined eharmony as a symbol of trusting God with bringing me to the right man in His timing.

After going through the e-harmony ‘hoops’, sending a few emails and talking on the phone, we met at a coffee shop.

One of the first things we noticed was how easy it was to talk to each other. We felt comfortable and as though we had met an old friend.

After chatting over coffee, we decided to walk and when we passed his car, Jon said he had something for me. Handing me a white flower, he said he wanted to give me a flower and had chosen white because it was a symbol of purity.

He didn’t elaborate, but I appreciated the gift and the knowledge that purity was important to him.

That was the beginning.

We continued to go out and from there it was time, conversations and an ever-deepening friendship and relationship.

We made memories. Jon remembers the first time I told him, “You are officially awesome” after he pulled a goofy move while walking in Old Town. He brought out my own goofyness. Jon told me he loved me while driving. I told him I loved him in Old Town.

Time. Laughter. Discussions. Decisions.

Knowledge of each other.

The most important thing for both of us was finding a companion who would seek God above all else.

We have mutual friends but would not have met if not for eharmony.

We are thankful for God’s guiding, timing and provision.

We are looking forward to beginning our life together with God at the center.

To HIM be the glory.

Jon’s Proposal :0)

DeeDee — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 02:41:52 +0000

It was a normal Sunday until I heard music coming from outside as I was hastily applying my make-up. Surprised I rushed to the front door. Jon was going to pick me up at 8:30 a.m. and it was 8:30 a.m., but what was the music?

Stepping outside the first person I saw was Jon, smiling at me, in a suit, as he played a cajon. His friend Danny stood beside him, playing the guitar and singing a serenade. Out of my peripheral vision, I saw Jon’s brother Jasper and sister in law Debby filming and taking pictures on my right and Rachael & Erik filming and taking pictures on my left.

I stood in the doorway, thinking This is it. I think this is it…

We’ve discussed marriage and just completed our premarital counseling, but Jon had mentioned wanting to wait to propose and so I was not expecting a proposal for another four or five months. SURPRISE!

I stood in the doorway, enjoying the serenade, eyes fixed on Jon as I smiled.

The serenade ended and Jon stood up. His friend Danny counted him in and after a shy start, he sang lines from Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars. He had edited a few of the lines to sing about our commitment to God and our future together, giving God all the glory. While Jon is not a singer, he has been taking voice lessons and it was beautiful hearing him sing and especially hearing the words that came from his heart.

After the song he walked to me, up the steps of the house, and said some things. I can’t remember what he said But it’s on film As soon as he knelt, I said yes, and then felt silly because he had not asked the question yet. I’m not sure which of us was more nervous/excited. He asked if I would marry him. ”Yes!”

YAY! It was wonderful having Erik, Rachael, Jasper and Debby there to share our joy!

:0) I LOVE JON :0)

Settling In After Change

DeeDee — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 19:36:34 +0000

I am happy to report that I have been settling into my new place and my new routine. It’s taken some shaking down of my soul to be still and at rest in this new place, but it has happened.

I should know this by now. No change, no move, no alteration is too vast to be adjusted to. Not that all adjustments are made well – but adjust we do.

Part of living life on earth – being human. We are continually growing, learning, and our friends and family and circumstances are continually changing.

Seasons can stretch forward into years, or they can change in the blink of an eye.

Sometimes change is slow. C h a n g e.

Other times it is fast. ChangeChangeChange. It is all we can do to keep breathing and moving in the midst of the whirlwind.

Here’s to rest in the midst of changes. I hope you are finding peace in the midst of any change you may be facing.

new place new mindset

DeeDee — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:38:33 +0000

I’ve moved into a new place. Not my own – but renting a room from a lady from church.

So far it has been a big improvement from where I was previously living.

Moving has meant living further from work and adjusting my schedule to include a new gym, somewhere to go on my lunch break (I used to jet home) and a new room set up.

While these seem like small things, change is hard. My emotions take a hit when I move or things change and it takes me awhile to regain equilibrium.

During this time I’m taking time to reflect, re-orient myself, and prioritize where I want to spend my time. So far: spending time with Abba, morning pages, working out and writing are at the top of my list because if I am doing those things consistently I feel healthy and connected to God and myself – ready to engage the world and other people.

open hands

DeeDee — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 18:19:49 +0000

After writing the post earlier today, I find the following quote on my desk calendar.

Everything in life is most fundamentally a gift. And you receive it best and you live it best by holding it with very open hands.

Leo O’ Donovan

Okay, God. I hear you…

clear mind

DeeDee — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:27:49 +0000

Each morning I sit down and write. The goal is 3 pages, but usually it’s 2.

Picking up my pink pen, I try not to edit my thoughts but allow them to drift seamlessly from my mind to the paper. When a thought strikes me, I try to follow it deeper. Describing the emotions and thoughts connected to it.

Last night I had a dream telling me to let go. Trust God with those that I love. It sounds easy but I wrestled against it – “but I know better”, before shaking my head at myself and realizing, “No Deanne. You don’t.” Simple. But in the shadows of my heart – difficult to admit.

He loves them more than I do.

There is freedom in this thought. That I can trust those I love to His care. While I love them, He loves them better and He directs the details and steps of their life.

I thought I had left the struggle in the night and had completely surrendered, but this morning my pink pen uncovered remnants of doubt and tension that don’t want to let go.

So I go into the day, whispering to myself, let go, let go. While I opened my hands last night, today I find them clenched. Surrender is a continual choice.

flashback

DeeDee — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:46:03 +0000

writing my am pages this morning, i had a flashback to when i was 13:

newly moved to the ship

bent over my journal

fervently writing my thoughts and feelings down

my excitement at this new life and my sadness of friends left behind.

In my am pages I was pouring my heart out to God -

giving Him my fears and thoughts

asking for His guidance and blessing.

In that moment when I flashed back and remembered myself at 13, I was overwhelmed with a deep joy that brought tears to my eyes.

God has heard every word I have whispered, spoken, written or cried to Him.

I am so thankful to serve such a loving and wonderful God. He has brought me from far off lands, carried me across the sea, and healed my heart that I thought would always be broken.

Thank you my faithful and loving LORD & GOD. I will wait for you because true life and hope abide in YOU alone.