Posts tagged ‘High Calling Blogs’

I heard a rumor Lent starts Wednesday

By Monica Brand, 23 February, 2009, 3 Comments

And like a good evangelical, I’m wasn’t sure what to do with it.

Years ago, as a twentysomething and in college, which means I was meeting all sorts of folks, from all walks in church denominations, I attempted to do Lent. When I say attempt I mean I gave up something… can’t remember it now, but I do know I failed. I was a Lenten drop-out. Wasn’t able to go 40 days without that certain whatever it was I felt would be good to sacrifice.

As far as I can tell, evangelicals don’t go in for a proper Lenten season. We go from Christmas to Easter Sunday with maybe a New Year’s Eve midnight service in between.

I haven’t thought about Lent in years, happily approaching my spring with just Good Friday and Easter on my calendar. My deep thought of the approaching holy days would be to wonder if the egg hunt would be rained out.

Scrolling through the High Calling Blog’s RSS feed recently, I found an open invitation by Christine Sine of the Godspace blog to journey toward the Cross by observing Lent.

Journey toward the Cross. I liked that. I love the word picture there. Journey. Cross.

Plus, I love Christine’s blog header. And Christine lives in Seattle. I love Seattle (remind me to write a post about my Seattle lovefest and God-moment at the top of the Space Needle.)

Yeah, it didn’t take me long to decide this challenge would be in my best spiritual interest. I signed up, downloaded the booklet of exactly how this was going to work (which is great  – because don’t forget – I’m an evangelical and I have no idea what I’m doing.)

Lent A journey toward the Cross starts Wednesday. Anyone else in the God blogosphere willing to walk with us? Here is the link at Godspace. Hope you join in!

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Friends, one of the good things about belonging to a community of bloggers is that I’m constantly reading thoughts by people I wouldn’t normally meet as a homeschooling mom in New Jersey who only ventures to the Other Side (Catholic and Episcopal) for weddings and funerals. I (heart) High Calling Blogs.

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Mama Loves: kids with an attitude of gratitude

By Monica Brand, 9 December, 2008, 2 Comments

Mama Loves is a Tuesday meme hosted by Tanya Dennis, High Calling Blogger and kindred spirit. Just like me, she’s a Christian and New Jersey mommy. If she were a home schooler, she’d be my blogging twin. Mark my words: the day will come when we shall meet. O, the bloggy joy that will come of it!

But enough about that. To today’s meme:

What inspired thankfulness in my children recently:

1. Peanut butter and jelly (or jelly squishy bread for Lucy). No matter how many times I make it, they eat it. I attribute it to me eating PB&J while pregnant. I called it Teaching Baby to Love Peanut Butter. I think it worked. I’m thankful for quick and easy lunches too.

2. White fudge covered Oreo cookies. There was much happiness in the land when I pulled these from my closet the other day. Yes, I keep cookies in my closet, hidden underneath socks and underwear (this is a full disclosure blog, don’t forget.) If I want a chance to nibble on a fudge covered Oreo, I must squirrel them away until the big reveal. I’m also thankful for Two for $5.

3. A thoughtful neighbor lady. “Thank you, I love Lego’s!” That’s my boy overjoyed at getting a new toy. Yesterday, my neighbor appeared at our door with two big plastic bags bursting with educational books, activities, goodies and toys. She knows we home educate and wanted to share her old supplies she no longer needs. I’m thankful for my generous neighbor and to my sister-in-law giving us more bookshelves. Please, Santa. More bookshelves! I would never ask you to stop sending books.

How have your children shown an attitude of gratitude recently? Click over to In the Dailies blog to participate.

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Come join a Thanksgiving celebration

By Monica Brand, 17 November, 2008, 1 Comment

An invitation for a special cyber celebration from blogger L.L. Barkat:

You are cordially invited by L.L. Barkat to join a Thanksgiving Celebration. Just post about a Thanksgiving memory, something you are thankful for this year, a special family Thanksgiving tradition, your favorite “thanksgiving” bible verse, or anything else you can dream up.

Be serious, spiritual, creative, beautiful, humorous, whatever… it’s a celebration and good celebrations welcome all kinds of expression!

As a token of thanks for joining us, L.L. will link to you in the Thanksgiving Celebration post (and Christianity Today and High Calling Blogs will link back to said post, so their readers can check out the full celebration). You can make L.L.’s link-love job easier by dropping a comment at the Thanksgiving Celebration post. See you at the pie table!

To participate in the Thanksgiving Celebration:

1. post the invitation above and this little list of two
2. send the invitation to 5 or more friends (or just stash it in your cyber-drawer as a keepsake and take another bite of pie)

Dear readers, I invite you to participate with us. I was going to list a few bloggers I invite, but I think I’ll send out emails instead. Makes is more special that way.

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Life lessons from SpongeBob Squarepants

By Monica Brand, 6 June, 2008, 12 Comments

With apologies to Robert Fulghum, I’ve my own list of life lessons ripped right from the TV screen. In a moment of pure genius, or silliness, depending on your point of view, I found a way to use my children’s favorite cartoon to illustrate good and not-so-desirable behavior.

What I learned from SpongeBob Squarepants:spongebob has no sholders?

Lesson 1. Be determined like Plankton

Plankton is the villain of Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob’s hometown. Plankton is grouchy, he wants his way all the time, yet he does have one redeeming quality – he’s determined. He wants that secret Krabby Patty recipe, yet in every episode, he’s foiled. But does Plankton give up because his plan for restaurant domination is not going his way? No way. That’s what I tell my 9-year-old daughter as she memorizes multiplication facts- be determined like Plankton.

Lesson 2. Starfish have brains, you do too. Use your brain.

I feel sorry for Patrick. He means well, but he’s a bit of a bumbler. Contrary to what the cartoon writers tell you, starfish do have brains. So I tell my kids: God gave you a brain, don’t forget to use it. Don’t act stupid like Patrick. A few days after telling my kids this, I found myself explaining to one of my children why it’s a bad idea to burn leaves and sticks in the backyard with a magnifying glass. That child obviously needs a refresher of Lesson 2.

Lesson 3. Don’t do a Squidward

Complaining, lazy, never-satisfied Squidward is such a downer. He sits behind the register at the restaurant and looks for things to complain about. Does this guy ever smile? Don’t be like Squidward and complain when learning how to load the dishwasher, okay?

Lesson 4: Money will never love Mr. Krabs

Mr. Krabs is obsessed with his money making, he frets about it constantly, never seeming to enjoy the success he already has. I tell my children it’s okay to work hard for your money, but don’t obsess. Money can’t love you back. Be generous with the blessings in your life. Since my gang is still working on the fact that cash can get you more than toys and candy, I don’t dwell on No. 4 too much.

Lesson 5: SpongeBob is my hero

You have to applaud SpongeBob, he works in dire conditions as a fry cook, most likely for minimum wage, and he has to put up with Squidward and Mr. Krabs. But for all the negatives, our hero loves his work. Not only is SpongeBob a dedicated worker, he’s a loyal friend to Patrick. Be a patient friend too. I’ve watched SpongeBob be helpful and kind to those not so nice to him.

There you have it: lessons for living thanks to silly cartoon creatures on Nickelodeon. Be determined, use your brain, work hard, be loyal and a patient friend. Don’t love money or be a complainer.

Today’s post is dedicated to the wild creature known as the Five Year Old Boy. Especially mine with a fondness for singing the SpongeBob theme song full volume as he rides the swing in the backyard. My apologies to the neighbors.

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Once a month, members of the High Calling Blogs community may participate in a group writing project. This month the theme is “What I learned from animals.” On June 16, the list of all blogs with a post will be listed at Middle Zone Musings.

© 2008 Monica Brand | Paper Bridges

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