Kookie Cut-Outs by Rachel Britz

Delivering cookies and good news.

Jesus Freak

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Yesterday I surprised my husband with a little getaway. Okay, it was just a one night- getaway. Nothing fancy. We drove to the Twin Cities, had a wonderful Italian dinner, and goofed off the rest of the evening. The best part was that we actually talked to one another. A rarity these days. With this one going here and the other going there, it was just what we needed.

Today he had a few meetings to attend to, so after dropping him off I headed to a coffee shop down the street. My plan was to accomplish some writing. I got settled into a cozy corner of this bustling little shop, and while sipping on my almond mocha, I flipped open my Mac. Attempting to get into the zone. You know, the creative one.  
When all of a sudden this man was just standing at the corner of my table. I looked up at him, snapping back to reality, and he says “You know Jesus.”

Whoa. < my eyes bulging >

“What do you mean?” I guarded my reply. I’m still processing why but I think I was defending myself. From what, not sure yet. 
He replies “You see your life is like an open book. It’s written upon the pages. And I can see that you know Jesus.” 

As he was talking, a thought came over me. This is a prophetic word. Then I smiled at his gesture and said to him “Yes, I do know Jesus. Very well thank you!” 
He stood there for a moment and quietly said “And you know that He is returning one day.” 
“Yep” I replied.
“And you know that He is going to return soon” he continues. 
“Mmmm-hmmm” I say. 
Then the man turns around, weaves his way through the crowded room, and disappears out the door. As I watched him walk down the sidewalk, I shook my head. Wowza!

So what’s the point? I’ve been wondering all day too. So, I prayed about it and here’s my two-cents. 

1st Penny – The dude’s a Jesus Freak. And the truth is I love it! He said what he meant and he meant what he said. Sure it was odd – for me. Yet, I’ve been smiling all day. It just made me a bit happy but mostly in awe that this guy would be so bold. If we could all just be so bold, step out of our cozy shells, and shock someone with something good, and powerful, and lovely. 
2nd Penny- Pass it on. For me, the message is pass it on. 
“You see your life is like an open book. It’s written upon the pages. And I can see …”  fill in the blank. 
When people look at you, who do they see? 
   

Shades of Grace Book Club

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Unless you have been hiding under a rock you know all about that certain book creating such a buzz. I haven’t read the book but most of my friends have. The truth is that this blog post really has nothing to do with the book.  And that’s all I have to say about it.

But because I have taken advantage of a few choice buzz words, I hope I’ve gotten your attention. What I really want to do is share with you a new thing I’m doing here in my hometown of Mankato, Minnesota.

It’s a Christian book club for women called Shades of Grace. Like traditional book clubs, we will me meeting once a month after reading a determined book. Like traditional book clubs, we will giggle and talk and get carried away in rants and ramblings. But unlike traditional book clubs, we will set apart a little bit of our time together to worship and also find inspiration through God’s word.

Does this sound like something of interest to you? If so, consider this my personal invitation to have you join us this Thursday, September 20th at 6pm for our kick-off event. During our initial time together we will get to know each other, have some treats, worship a little through music, hear a cool message on Delight, and lastly (most importantly) launch our first book together. I can hardly wait!

If you would like more information and/or updates about Shades of Grace please message me your email address. Otherwise, feel free to LIKE our Facebook page here.

I hope you can make it!

Summer Reading Recap

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Last night when I was tucking my 7 year old into bed I reminded her that today was the last day of summer. Without hesitation she blurted, “Oh, Poop!”

Where do they get this stuff anyways? It’s true though, anytime a happy, joy filled season comes to an end it’s disappointing. But I can say, we had a great time. This summer was filled with lots and lots of swimming, play dates with cousins and friends, the cabin and camping, clarity (direction for my next season), and lastly books! Ahhh, the joys!

If you’ve followed along, in June I announced my Summer Reading List. I’m happy to say that it was a success! Success meaning I’ve finished the books I set out to read. Here again is my list and my overview of them.

3X

In the Woods by Tana French


Earlier this summer I wrote a review of this book. You can read it here.


4X

Permission to Speak Freely by Anne Jackson 

A telling story of Anne Jackson’s journey of grace. Growing up a preachers kid she describes her experiences of how “the church” in all its rules and religiosity distorted many truths for her. Anne courageously tells of personal struggles with her addiction to pornography and finding her place among God’s people and in the church despite her brokenness. This books ends as a commission for the reader to go forth and tell their own story.

3.5X


The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

Victoria Jones has grown up in the foster care system most of her life. Emancipated and homeless, Victoria takes refuge working for a flower shop conveying to the customers the mysteries of the secret language of flowers. One day she has an unexpected reunion with someone from her past and through this encounter begins to unravel a past filled with secrets and hurt. This is a story of redemption and second chances.  

4.5X


Harvest of Rubies by Tessa Afshar

Sarah is a woman working in a mans world. She is the cousin of the prophet Nehimiah and works as a scribe keeping accounts and writing on parchment and tablets for the Queen. Content and competent in her work, Sarah’s life takes an abrupt turn when she is catapulted into the limelight of the Persian Court.  Harvest of Rubies is a beautiful story of discovering your worth in the midst of weakness and uncertainty. 

3.5X

Born to Run by Christopher McDougall

For journalist Christopher McDougall it all began with one question, “Why does my foot hurt?” This single question sent him on a quest into the depths of Mexico’s Copper Canyon in search of the Tarahumara Indians who have been known to run hundreds of miles with out rest or injury. This is a great and inspirational story for every runner who is inspired by the power of the human spirit.

The Purpose of Money

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The other night I had dinner with five of my long time besties. There is not much that we do not know about each other and really no topic of conversation that we haven’t covered. I suppose in part because we have been through so many life seasons together. Middle school through adolescence, college, boyfriends, marriage, divorce, babies and more. Almost all of life’s major firsts have passed through this circle of friends.

Arriving at the restaurant our conversation swayed from food and drinks to after dinner plans. One friend suggesting that we go shopping.

“Dang! I didn’t bring my money.” I said.

Confused, she says “What do you mean, no money? Don’t you have your card with you?”

And so it began, the convo about money. 96 seconds into sharing about my budget, cash, and a spending allowance and the topic is quickly shut down.

“Let’s not talk about this, I don’t like it.” said one bestie. Another nodding in agreement.

This is the story of my (professional) life. I don’t want to talk about money. Let’s not talk about money. Another time we’ll talk about money. The topic of money makes people want to run for the hills with their hands over there ears screaming LaLaLa. It’s true. I know this for an absolute fact.

Money creates and evokes the most incredible range of thoughts, feelings, and philosophy.Why this happens, I believe is different for everyone.

So what’s the purpose of money? Who cares anyways? In my estimation, it all comes down to one word.

Root.

The anchor of our soul. The deepest, most sacred place in our inmost being. This is where our true being lies. Our longings live here. This is the home of our values. Those things that we treasure and cherish most. From these roots, everything in your life will spring forth.

Whenever I go out and speak on money and financial organization, I always begin with one very simple question, “What’s important about money to you?” 

From this rooted question, a process begins which helps people dig into their own lives and identify the true meaning and purpose for money in their own lives.

In the Bible it says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wondered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

Notice, money itself is not evil. The love of it is.

Money is so private, intimately attached to some root buried deep within us. Not to say that this is always evil or bad,  but I think the key for all of us is to identify its purpose in our own lives. Identify the root.

So how do we do that? Here are 3 steps you can take to discovering the true purpose that money holds in your life.

1. Make Quiet Time- We live in a crazy, busy world. Distractions come our way each and every mila-second. Taking time to think in quiet and solitude is rare. Yet- this is where it starts. For starters, carve out some me time. Even if its for 15 minutes. Commit to making some quiet time for yourself.

2. Talk to Yourself- That’s right, have a conversation with yourself. I like to call it the Values Conversation. This is the point where you begin by asking yourself  “What’s important about money to me?” Once you identify the first thought, emotion, or feeling write it down on a piece of paper. Next ask yourself the same question, only replace the word money with your first answer. For example; if you answered Paying My Bills on the first line then you would ask yourself  “What’s important about paying my bills?” on the next line. Keep moving through this process.The further you go, the more meaningful values will be revealed. I recently wrote a guide to Creating Your Financial Legacy. In it you will find a worksheet that helps you go through this discovery process. You can subscribe to receive this free guide here.

3. Think it Through– Back to thinking again. It’s so important that its worth repeating. Our daily demands are great, so being able to quickly move through all our tasks, appointments, and to-do’s gives us a sense of great accomplishment. However; in the case of truly identifying a root or purpose (in anything in life) we need to place an emphasis on the art of reflection. To ponder or think something through, can give you more power when it comes time to move or take the next step.

Taking the time to think through and identify your values, as it relates to money, will not only give you a deeper insight into who you are and the root of your ambitions, thoughts, and philosophies but will also aid in any of your future decision making. When we understand that our decisions (money or otherwise) are shaping our legacy and will leave an imprint in this world, our motivations then become worthwhile.

Social Graces

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In 1855 Anna Gallagher placed an advertisement in the Boston Pilot newspaper in search of her three older sisters. Having emigrated from Ireland earlier, Anna was sent to America to find them. Reports later surfaced that her sisters had headed west on a wagon train for California. They never made it. Somewhere in Idaho or Colorado their wagon train was ambushed by Indians and they were killed. 

True story. Anna is my Great, Great, Great Grandmother. Although this piece of her story is tragic, I can hardly believe that I have been given the gift of receiving such snapshots of her life. Written upon the pages of our Irish families geneology, this is but one of many stories told. 

All this has got me thinking about my Great, Great, Great Grandchildren. I wonder what they might find out about me long after I’m gone. The beauty (or curse) in the world we live in today is that they probably wont have to go too far to find artifacts of my legacy. 

With the advent of Facebook, blogs, and all things social our unforseen predecessors will not have to cross oceans and pilgrimage historical societies to uncover a glimpse of who we are and how we chose to live our lives. 

I wonder if I’m rare to think about these things. Do we all consider the legacy we are creating for ourselves? Maybe since I spend time, by vocation, emersed into the world of loss and widowhood I consider more of those things. None the less, it has been on my heart to write about social grace. This very simple notion that the things we choose to share on the social sphere or the topics we decide to bear to our blogging world, will one day be the measure of who we are. If we were to all take a glance upon our timeline, what good favor would we find?

A friend recently added this picture to her timeline. It captured my thoughts behind this post, so I wanted to share it with you. The acronym says it all. No need for further explanation.


Agent Janet Grant says, “Often, when we do tell something that we shouldn’t, we’re motivated by wanting to look important. But a lack of discretion actually has the opposite affect; we are diminished in the eyes of others.” 

Yikes! Well, maybe your not so big on social graces and would rather slip on down to the oasis…Okay, okay I won’t end in a low place here but I would like to share a reflective song that reminds me every time of my motivation in life.



Here’s to living a thought filled, socially graced life!