It’s been two years since I launched my blog.  I remember it like it was yesterday… it all began with my first domain name.  Born from a love and passion for good coffee my creativity overwhelmed me and I came up with the blog name…

www.javagina.com

But all my twisted, sick friends could see was the word vagina.

So, I abandoned that domain name and moved to jabberfrog.com.  Why?

Because it was unused, unusual and completely unrelated to any anatomical body part known to man.  That’s why.

So here we are 2 years later.  Where would I be without my blog?

Truly, I don’t know.  This blog is the source of some very valuable relationships I wouldn’t know outside of the blogging world.  I’m a better leader, a better parent and a better Christ follower as a result.  So, I’m embarking on another year.  Excited to see what God will do.

Thank you to all my blogging friends.  Looking forward to more. 

I hope it sticks.  But I know that I’ll probably fall off the wagon soon.  That’s the way of addiction, right?  But with time, prayer and accountability possibly the falls off the wagon grow farther apart.  I hope.

I confess to an addiction.  Probably not the first few vices that pop in your head.  Alcohol.  Drugs.  Whipped Cream cans.  (although there was a time…  But I digress. )

My addiction is far more suttle.  And far more socially acceptable. 

I’m addicted to comfort. 

I like being comfortable. 

I like my warm clothes.  I love my bed.  My pillow and I are pretty tight.  I’m so addicted to these creature comforts that I take for granted the blessing they are. 

Yesterday it would have been a foreign thought that my bed and pillow are blessings.  Yet today I look at them entirely different.  I spent the morning serving breakfast to a group of people that don’t have such simple comfort.  It’s sobering. 

Lord, place people in my life to draw me out and keep me out of my inward-focused world!  Break this addiction in me. 

Here are some great blogs that caught my attention.

Floating Axhead talks about crossing the line. You be the judge.

Eric’s thoughts sober me.

Feeling trapped? Here’s what Scott has to say.

One of the most creative blogs I’ve seen.  Explicit verbage.

And… Bob reminded me how to serve my husband. Thanks Bob!

I confess. I am the Christian Gigolo.

You know what I’m talking about. The right look. The right hair. The ‘holier-than-thou’ pick up line.

“You know, as I sat reciting Romans 6 in my prayer closet before sunrise I heard the Lord speak to me…”

I talked up the need for authenticity.

“We just gotta’ get real, man!”

I touted the necessity of real community. Yet when people shared their challenges, their struggles, their messy lives… I took a step back, gave them a wink, and shot them the classic line…

“Hey, good luck with that. I’ll be prayin’ for ya’.”

Makes me sick.

I spent Monday night at Freedom Farm. A rehab place that houses 12 guys. All have a history of drug and alcohol abuse (to start). All are facing potential prison sentences when they leave. All are followers of Christ.

Kyle and I sat and listened to these men sharing their stories. Everyone of them believes God saved them from destroying their lives, brought them to Freedom Farm where they met Jesus and are now growing in their relationship with Him. I found myself sorely convicted by the safety at which I live my life. The boundary that I set between myself and others.

Jesus, remove the boundaries!

My son, Connor (20 months), is sick. Spent the evening at the ER last night. It appears he has asthma (like his older brother). A bacterial infection that lead to chest congestion triggered asthmatic symptoms yesterday. Thankfully our experience with Keegan (8 years) has taught us the signs.

We took him to the hospital last night. X-rays revealed a small spot of pneumonia on his right lung. Thankfully his asthmatic reaction led us to the hospital which brought about X-rays to discover pneumonia in it’s early stages. We’re grateful for the doctor’s cautious, “let’s be certain” approach.

Connor is doing better today. Actually up and running around like a toddler should.

So, I’m sharing this with my community of friends so you will surround us in prayers. Pray for his recovery. That we slow down our world and allow him time to heal.

Thanks for praying.

I’ve been thinking more about a few encounters I blogged about the other day.

You’ve seen him. Weathered, beaten down, tired, alone. Standing at an intersection with a cardboard sign.

“Homeless. Hungry. God Bless”

Want to know the thoughts that run through my head?

“He’ll just blow it on liquor.”

That’s how I justify my selfishness. Sounds good. As if I’m protecting him. Saving him from himself.

How noble of me.

Here’s the truth. His actions don’t determine mine. I have no control over what he does. That’s between him and God.

When given the chance, I can influence. When the opportunity arises, I can lead him to a right decision.

But he’s the one to make the choice. I have to leave that process in God’s hands.

I have to do what the Spirit prompts me to do. Rather than justifying my inaction with assumptions of his.

Does this happen to you? What do you do?

In light of the recent 10 Commandments for motorists, Sam Luce posted the 10 Commandments of Online Safety for Kids.  Good tips!

• you paid the Barista an extra $4 to buy coffee for the next patron?
• you paid for the meals for the car behind you in the drive-thru?
• your small group (i.e. bible study group, peeps, those with whom you ‘hang’) had a garage sale, took all the proceeds, loaded it onto a Visa check card, stood at the local gas pump and bought people gas?
• you pulled your dilapidated fence down and didn’t replace it?

What if we became radically generous?  What if…

Just read a post from Mark Waltz about the expecations christians place on the church for their spiritual development.

Made me want to jump on my chair, wave the ‘Arsenio Hall’ fist yelling, “AMEN, Brotha’”! But I didn’t. Even sitting alone in my living room I can’t pull that off without embarrassing myself. I refrained.

But I did get excited. This speaks to much of what is happening inside my spirit. So comfortable, we are. So dependant on others for what is our own to take hold. (Do I sound like Yoda?)

I have the Spirit within me. I hold God’s Word in my hand. I have all it takes to grow in my faith. I have all it takes to lead others to Jesus. I have all it takes to transform my world. And yet my knee-jerk response is to look to someone other than myself.

Why? Because taking hold of my own spiritual growth means owning what God’s Word actually says. That leads to getting involved in other people’s lives. In a messy way, rather than at a safe distance.

Ouch. I posted recently on my Holy Discontent. Sounded great. Very profound. Does little good when no action follows.

Cari, in response to your comment… No. I didn’t have anyone over for spaghetti. But I’m more convicted today to make that happen. Please ask me again. I hope my answer is different next time.