Bearing the Banner
My favorite read from 2011 was the book Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, who wrote the story of Louis Zamperini’s most remarkable life. I eagerly tuned into the the podcast of his recent visit to a church in the Bay Area.
At 94 years of age, undeterred by a broken leg, this man was intent on sharing his story: God’s story as revealed in his life. He was, by all accounts, a hooligan in his younger years, then discovered a more productive (and legal) use of his energy: running. He competed in the Olympics before becoming a bombardier in WWII, only to endure the unthinkable (that word scarcely does it justice; please read the book). His reflections, shared with those in attendance, bore God’s message of hope, faith, forgiveness and redemption.
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
— 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
The Most Hazardous Shopping Trip Ever
By now you know that I take God’s Word seriously. I want you to also know that I don’t take myself too seriously. Life in a fallen world can be heavy and painful, which must be answered with Defiant Praise. I think it also warrants purposeful seeking of laughter and levity, so we interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to bring you this message:
I was scheduled to attend a special event and had bought an outfit to wear to it. The new clothing warranted some more ‘substantial’ undergarments than I currently had in my wardrobe. Off I went to the nearest department store and surveyed the vast array of options to lift, slenderize, and smooth my lumpy self. It appeared that all the marketing adjectives were just euphemisms for ‘squeeze’ or ‘squish’.
I selected several tank tops and camisoles in my size and ducked covertly into the dressing room. As I pulled the first candidate over my head, it required some rather exaggerated movements to get it into position.
I think I stood a few inches taller in that narrow mirror: the sausage casing had redistributed my volume into a longer but narrower profile. My breathing was shallower, but not so much so that I felt lightheaded. Surely these were indications of the efficacy of the not-your-grandmother’s-girdle? The fluorescent lights seemed to offset whatever bulge-reducing benefits the apparatus offered. As a gal who really doesn’t enjoy shopping, I was eager to draw this escapade to a close. No need to try on the others; this one would suffice.
I crossed my arms, grasped the hem of the camisole near my hips and started to pull it off. I was successful in my effort until I reached the bottom of my ribcage. I couldn’t get it up any higher, much less all the way over my head and off. These garments should come with warning labels like toddler pajamas that aren’t flame retardant: caveat try-er on-er.
In the last year I’ve been suffering from a shoulder injury: an inflamed rotator cuff. Raising my arms more than 60° from hanging at my sides results in sharp pain. As a result, I’m extremely weak on my left side. The ugly truth set in: getting out of that camisole was going to require strength I simply didn’t have. I actually began to panic as I realized the gravity of my situation:
I was stuck.
In shapewear.
In a fitting room.
What does one do in such a situation? Rational thought escaped me. Was it oxygen depletion?
LifeCall commercials from years-past flashed through my mind: “Help, I’m stuck in some Spanx and I can’t get out.” I wasn’t wearing my necklace.
Dressing rooms, unlike hospital rooms, don’t have an emergency call button to page the nurses’ station.
Dial 911 on the phone and help is on the way for life-threatening circumstances. What’s the number for emergency underwear extraction?
Suddenly the thought of help arriving to deliver me from the fashion flames was more frightening than staying in the dressing room eternally. Generations of mothers have warned their children to always change their underwear in case they’re found in an unfortunate predicament. Well, this yet-unpurchased underwear was definitely clean, but I had absolutely no desire to be found only partially in it. Some sausage had escaped the casing and its’ bulge was exaggerated by the tourniquet-effect of the shapewear sitting mid-midriff.
No, I’ll just stay here. In the dressing room. Surely after a number of days without nourishment it won’t be so tight and I’ll be able to get myself out. I clearly wasn’t considering how the lack of nourishment would also affect my strength. (I told you rational thought had escaped me.)
Minutes passed as I sat on the narrow bench under the fluorescent glow, deliberating on my predicament. I decided to make one more attempt having rested my shoulder briefly. This was my Hail Mary: everything depended on it.
I made it out. A bit unconventionally (think down, not up), but nonetheless out. It was like wrestling a crocodile. Steve Irwin (may he rest in peace) ain’t got nothin’ on me. No, siree.
Is this why women go shopping together? To prevent accidents such as these? We need to have an ECT (Emergency Clothing Technician) with us when we brave the dressing room?
By the time I’d paid for my goods and made it to the car, the whole situation was hilarious to me.
Perhaps it was oxygen circulating properly again.
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Gait Analysis: Five Faith Lessons Learned from Running
For more than six years, on and off, I’ve been battling an injury to my left foot. As someone who classifies herself as a runner, this has been a major disruption to my singular choice of physical activity. I have pursued multiple interventions: rest (temporary and prolonged), chiropractic, oral and injected anti-inflammatories, boot immobilization, taping, and physical therapy. While each mitigated the effects, none corrected the problem completely.
That’s because I continue to cause the problem with my biomechanics. My stride is shorter on my right foot than on my left so, over many miles, I spend a disproportionate amount of time on the left, resulting in stress that mimics a fracture. The only long-term solution is to retrain my gait. As a human born with Adam’s sin, my relationship with God is dysfunctional apart from the sacrifice of Christ. After trusting in Him for my salvation, His Spirit begins the work of sanctification in my life: reshaping my spiritual gait. The lessons I’ve learned from running while retraining my gait had striking similarities to the process of spiritual formation.
It’s personal:
I have had multiple running comrades over the years. Some of them have near-flawless form and rarely suffer injuries. Their good form didn’t rub off on me; I had to do the work. My fellow sojourners play a role in my salvation by sharing the truth of the gospel and inspiring me to mature in my faith. But I am not saved by their words or proximity to them: I must square my accounts with God myself through Christ.
It’s painful:
My right adductor is weak, allowing my right foot to turn out. As a result my stride is shortened, which in turn has permitted my hamstring to tighten up. My efforts to keep my feet parallel are fatiguing my puny little adductor and causing intense stretching in my hamstring. Bringing my life into conformity with Christ stretches and reshapes my mind and heart. I surrender habits, thought patterns, language and maybe even suffer the loss of some friendships when I pursue God with all I am.
It’s purposeful:
I have to focus my mental energy on every step I take. When my mind wanders, my wayward right foot goes with it. I must continuously and deliberately place my plantar with every turnover. My natural gait is defective and detrimental to my health. Similarly, my sinful nature is corrupt and costs me my life in eternity apart from Christ. Though I can do nothing to earn the gift He gave, I can strive to live a redeemed life that gives Him the glory. It will require effort and a continual submission to His will and the instruction His Word offers.
It’s about progress, not perfection:
My gait will never be perfect. I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), but my body suffers under the curse of a fallen world. Every degree of improvement I make to my stride will garner me more steps that aren’t as prone to injury. Though I will never attain perfection this side of heaven, I know that with every step I move closer to Christ, He is honored and more visible in me.
It requires perseverance, but is profitable:
It will take a long time to have the new gait feel natural instead of alien. My body was designed with the capacity for running, but my form must be true to the design to avoid injury. I must be dedicated in my effort: giving up would only end in further injury, robbing myself of something I was meant to enjoy. If I persevere, the result will be less pain in my foot. Likewise, I can continue to live according to my flesh and never look any different than one who doesn’t know Jesus. But He meant for me to know and experience the abundant life of a believer abiding in Him transformed by the renewing of my mind (Romans 12). What greater gain could there be?
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
— Hebrews 12:1-3
Let’s run! I’ll see you out there…
Thanks to Beholding Glory for hosting the link up!
Guest Post: Exercise is just another word for “play”…
The advent of a new year sets in motion resolutions that often involve dieting, weight loss, exercise and appearance. Dr. Megan Osborne’s blog is a source of encouragement to me to have healthy body esteem and to instill the same in my kids. Dr. Osborne is the founder of Shaped with Love Ministries, targeting the reversal of cultural norms beginning with the prevention parents can give their small children. Visit her website to read more of her blog which addresses body image issues through resources, activity suggestions and Biblical wisdom. Be blessed by Megan’s post:
Exercise is just another word for “play”…
I was up to my elbows in peanut butter preparing lunch recently while my kids were watching a cartoon. Lost in my own thoughts, I was brought back to the moment when I overheard the main character of the cartoon say, “Exercise is just another word for play!” Brilliantly put. Incredible the things gleaned from a preschool cartoon!
I am often asked about how to teach both children and adults healthy exercise lifestyle. In my private practice I deal so often with the “reintroduction” of exercise to clients who deal with exercise addictions with or without a clinical diagnosis of an eating disorder.
The mindset of these clients is strict- calories in, exercise out. Their minds are fast working calculators: if I eat X many calories, then I must exercise for X many minutes in order to avoid weight gain. This becomes a problem as the joy of movement is replaced by the anxiety of weight management. It is not much fun when exercise becomes a stronghold or an idol in our lives, and is not what God has in mind for His children.
When I am speaking to people about exercise, I always work first from the discussion of how God made our bodies as physical beings. Exercise is important for the body to function optimally. Part of honoring our bodies is fueling it properly and moving it properly.
The most important things to consider about exercise is that it is something you ENJOY doing and that you look FORWARD to doing every day. In other words, this is our PLAY!
We should take cues from our children. Have you ever sat in wonderment at the amount of energy children devote to play?
Exercise should not be something we dread. We should always factor in our God-given temperament/personality…are you drawn to social exercise to connect with girlfriends or do you need to be recharged with solitude in solo runs or walks alone?
Exercise changes as our lifestyles change. For example, in my college years, before I had children, I would enjoy training for half-marathons with girlfriends…then it gradually evolved to solo daily walks as part of my quiet time with God. Other moms enjoy spinning classes or swimming as their “mommy-break.”
In my life currently, as I balance my private practice/writing/speaking schedules, I do not have the time to devote away from my little ones to fill my physical activity needs. For me, physical activity is playtime with my children.
When I brought my daughter home from the hospital to an active one-year old brother, my physical activity immediately became to keep up with him while my daughter was strapped tightly to my body. Now that I have running 2 and 3 year olds, my goal is to keep up with their every step when we go the park or play in the backyard. Although I regularly schedule play dates with other moms to visit, I also regularly schedule time alone to play alongside of my children. And the best part:they love it.
When I physically join my children in playtime I always make a point to share how blessed we are to have a body design by God for us to move about and enjoy the world around us. I tell them that our fingers, arms, knees, legs, and feet are gifts from the Creator.
May this weekend and coming week bring many opportunities for you to purposely join your child in play. Share with them in the gift of movement and exercise because it truly is just another word for “play.”
Our Good
The dawning of a new year brings optimism to my perspective that isn’t normally there. I find myself eager and undaunted by the enormity of my goals. While it’s true that we have opportunity to make changes and set goals every day, the January 1 juncture catalyzes my review of year-past and desires for year-future.
After reflecting on the recent months of blogging, one post stood out to me: the post that we wrote together for Thanksgiving. It expressed the true desire of my heart for the purpose of Eight Twenty-Eight, that we would see God’s redemptive purpose achieved in all the happenings of our lives. We are often the tools He uses — through our shared stories, mutual encouragement and burdens borne. And yet, the tagline didn’t adequately capture that. So, I present to you the new Eight Twenty-Eight tagline:
All things. Our good. His glory.
We’re on this journey together, for God has brought us here. Participate with me, as you already have, through your comments and emails. Be a part of His work in the lives of “those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.”
What are your hopes for this year? Are you reading the Bible all the way through? Memorizing scripture? Committing to prayer at a certain point in your day? Joining a study? Aiding widows, orphans or those suffering injustice? Finding new ways to love your neighbor? Reducing your spending to increase your giving?
Whatever it may be, I pray your resolve includes allowing others to see how God is using you, shaping you, growing you. Invite them into your heart so they may see the work of Christ. I’d love to hear about it, too.
Some passages to consider as you ponder and plan for 2012:
Philippians 3:
Remember what we have gained in Christ, and what we strain for.
1 Corinthians 10:
Our choices should glorify God and not cause others to falter.
Colossians 3:
Live as a redeemed person, and help others do the same.
My prayer for each of us is that God’s Word will illumine our paths (Psalm 119:105) and make them straight (Proverbs 3:6). Happy New Year!
Offerings of Thanks
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Over the last two weeks, as your stories have slipped into my soul through your notes, I have found myself brought low with humility and tears at how readily you have extolled the Lord and His work in your lives through even the most devastating life circumstances. Likewise, I have soared with hope and gratitude because of the inspiration you have blessed me with through them.
I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. –Psalm 34:1-3 NIV
How you have lived out this verse in rich fullness through sharing these stories!
Thank you. My prayer, as you read, is that you find yourself praising God, exalting and glorifying Him for the redemption of hardship and suffering. You join the chorus by simply reading along – whether you contributed or not – and God will be blessed. Feel free to use the comments section to add your voice in praise, as well.
With thanksgiving… for each of you,
—Kirsten
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Thanksgiving Offerings Final Writing Prompt
If you’ve been putting it off, now’s the time: just another day to send in your offering to our Thanksgiving project! Please take the short time it takes to jot a few brief sentences today so I can include it.
Consider what aspects of your faith and character would be different, less mature, were it not for the challenges you’ve faced. What were the circumstances that cultivated that growth? Has someone benefitted from your learning – you, your family, your friends, your church body?
Be blessed by what you discover in reflecting on it. Has someone else’s story benefitted you? Ask them to participate, too.
Thanksgiving Offerings Project→
Thanksgiving Offerings Writing Prompt #5
What unexpected blessing did God bring from a move to a new place that you found difficult? How did God work through loneliness you might have experienced during the transition? Did you see growth in your children that would not have otherwise occurred?
Your ability to recognize God’s handiwork in hard situations brings honor to Him and encourages the rest of us. Share your Thanksgiving Offering and invite others to do the same.
Ghost Writer
I am a ghost writer. It’s scary enough to think that I’m gainfully employed after more than a decade as full-time mama, but the title has me a bit itchy. The ‘writer’ portion of the job description is daunting, considering my background is in Finance, not English. It’s the ‘ghost’ part that really unsettles me.
ghost writer –
a professional writer who is paid to write books, articles, stories, reports, or other texts that are officially credited to another person
Another person receives credit for my work, and that’s why it’s unnerving. I don’t mind not getting the byline; I’m worried about whether or not I’ve represented them accurately. I paint the client through content and voice. I am the channel through which the client’s story is told, communicating their knowledge, expertise and abilities.
At the end of a project, I want to know they are pleased with my efforts and feel well-represented. If I do my job correctly, I am unseen — virtually transparent to the readers. As such, the credited ‘author’ gets exactly that: the credit.
The Christian life is no different. We are all ghost writers, employed by God Himself to represent His character, work and love. I think this is the heart of Matthew 5:16:
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (ESV)
If we allow Christ’s light to radiate through us, then He will receive the glory for our good works. Some of our good deeds must be done in private (Matthew 6:3); when deeds will be seen by others, we must mindfully redirect accolades to the One who inspires and enables them. Like a ghost writer, we should be transparent to the observer; they should see only Him in those good works.
We must tell His story faithfully, truthfully, and authentically through our own. If we do our jobs properly, the Author will receive the glory.
Thanksgiving Offerings Writing Prompt #4
How has your marriage been strengthened through the struggles in it? Are you and your spouse closer now than if you hadn’t experienced it? What did you learn from persevering that you wouldn’t know otherwise? Has it shaped the way you think about your relationship with God?
Return thanks to Him on this topic and bless others by sharing your story as part of the Thanksgiving Offerings Project. Inspire someone! Who inspired and encouraged you?
Ask them to participate, too.
