Wednesday was originally scheduled as "Sight" day in our experiment.
Most of our day rotated around Jake and the infection he is fighting - leaving little time to dedicate to using our sense of sight.
Not wanting to miss the opportunity - Sight day has been rescheduled for Saturday.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Day 2 - Smell
I have to tell you that, for me, there was nothing profound about about Day 2 - smell.
Apparently we are a nasally challenged family.
As we talked about it Tuesday morning I explained to the boys the idea that our Pastor had shared on Sunday, lighting a candle during a time of prayer and bible study, and having that scent be associated with meeting God. I really like the idea of it - but maybe it takes more then one day for it to work. When I lit the candle my thoughts were much more of, "Hey - that would be great in the master bathroom!" then, "Wow, I am really connecting to God".
Jacob came up with his idea right away, which cracked me up because at the moment his nose was so stuffed up he couldn't breathe let alone smell. He explained that the smell of wood helped him connect with God because it reminded him of the cross. Joshua quickly added his thought that the smell of communion helped him remember that Jesus died on the cross.
My cynical instinct was to be dismissive of their ideas - Ok, great! You came up with an answer because I asked a question - but that is not really a way of connecting. I chose instead to think about the fact that Jesus is personal with everyone who follows him.
What about you? Is there anyone out there with thoughts / experience with using smell to connect to God?
Apparently we are a nasally challenged family.
As we talked about it Tuesday morning I explained to the boys the idea that our Pastor had shared on Sunday, lighting a candle during a time of prayer and bible study, and having that scent be associated with meeting God. I really like the idea of it - but maybe it takes more then one day for it to work. When I lit the candle my thoughts were much more of, "Hey - that would be great in the master bathroom!" then, "Wow, I am really connecting to God".
Jacob came up with his idea right away, which cracked me up because at the moment his nose was so stuffed up he couldn't breathe let alone smell. He explained that the smell of wood helped him connect with God because it reminded him of the cross. Joshua quickly added his thought that the smell of communion helped him remember that Jesus died on the cross.
My cynical instinct was to be dismissive of their ideas - Ok, great! You came up with an answer because I asked a question - but that is not really a way of connecting. I chose instead to think about the fact that Jesus is personal with everyone who follows him.
What about you? Is there anyone out there with thoughts / experience with using smell to connect to God?
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Experiment Day 1 - Hearing
Our Monday night discussion did not go as I had imagined it (which is so often true of our family times), due largely in part to the high fever, hacking cough and nose blowing of my oldest son. While it did not live up to my Rockwell musings it was really good and surprisingly deep.
Jacob shared how hearing other peoples prayers helped him connect with God. He explained that over the last year as he has heard people pray for, with and over him - it helped him to know that God was big and able to take care of him.
This reminded me of a comment made by a wise woman on my scrapbooking retreat. 16 women talking and sharing stories of life while we get the pictures in an album. One friend said in passing, "I like hearing everyone's stories because they know something about my God I haven't learned yet." That thought has lingered with me for weeks and I love that thought. When we live life together, sharing stories and prayers, we learn more about God.
Joshua told us that he learns a lot about God by listening to the stories and teaching at church. I have to brag a little and say that we have the best people ever working in our Kid Connect Church. They do such an amazing job at not just teaching the story and bible facts but making sure that the kids understand the meaning and how that impacts and effects thier life.
For me listening to music has always been a great way of connecting to God. Over the last year in particular there have been several songs that have really helped me anchor in my faith. The week after Jake was diagnosed I was driving back to the hospital and my mind and emotions were spiralling out of control. Every possible negative outcome was playing out in my imagination and I could not stop... I was to the point where I was having trouble breathing... and then a new song came on the radio, "Voice of Truth" by Steven Curtis Chapman. Hearing this song helped me focus on God's truth and the promise we have in him. It was exactly what I needed in that moment and now everytime I hear the song it takes me back to that place of faith. Another song that has kinda became my mantra is "Counting On God" by Desperation Band. First of all, it is just an awesome song and I love to sing it, not that I sing good - but I do sing loud! But the words - that is what I want my life to look like - that is how I want my life lived. When I hear the words - it connects me to God.
Hear it for yourself at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RTR5EYnit4
Jacob shared how hearing other peoples prayers helped him connect with God. He explained that over the last year as he has heard people pray for, with and over him - it helped him to know that God was big and able to take care of him.
This reminded me of a comment made by a wise woman on my scrapbooking retreat. 16 women talking and sharing stories of life while we get the pictures in an album. One friend said in passing, "I like hearing everyone's stories because they know something about my God I haven't learned yet." That thought has lingered with me for weeks and I love that thought. When we live life together, sharing stories and prayers, we learn more about God.
Joshua told us that he learns a lot about God by listening to the stories and teaching at church. I have to brag a little and say that we have the best people ever working in our Kid Connect Church. They do such an amazing job at not just teaching the story and bible facts but making sure that the kids understand the meaning and how that impacts and effects thier life.
For me listening to music has always been a great way of connecting to God. Over the last year in particular there have been several songs that have really helped me anchor in my faith. The week after Jake was diagnosed I was driving back to the hospital and my mind and emotions were spiralling out of control. Every possible negative outcome was playing out in my imagination and I could not stop... I was to the point where I was having trouble breathing... and then a new song came on the radio, "Voice of Truth" by Steven Curtis Chapman. Hearing this song helped me focus on God's truth and the promise we have in him. It was exactly what I needed in that moment and now everytime I hear the song it takes me back to that place of faith. Another song that has kinda became my mantra is "Counting On God" by Desperation Band. First of all, it is just an awesome song and I love to sing it, not that I sing good - but I do sing loud! But the words - that is what I want my life to look like - that is how I want my life lived. When I hear the words - it connects me to God.
Hear it for yourself at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RTR5EYnit4
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Sacred Pathways
Our church is doing a series on Sacred Pathways for Lent and this week we looked at the Naturalists and the Sensates. I love the opportunity to pursue God in different ways so I am taking the "homework" assignments to heart.
The challenge for this week is two-fold
As a family we are going to tackle one sense a day and focus on ways we can use that sense to pursue God and learn more about him and his character. We will then debrief at the end of the day.
The challenge for this week is two-fold
- Schedule some time with God outside.
- Use all 5 senses this week in worship.
As a family we are going to tackle one sense a day and focus on ways we can use that sense to pursue God and learn more about him and his character. We will then debrief at the end of the day.
- Monday - Hearing
- Tuesday - Smell
- Wednesday - Sight
- Thursday - Touch
- Friday - Taste
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Looking Back.....Looking Forward
The Carlson family looked back on an incredible 2008. We learned this year just how essential it is to have an incredible family surrounding you. A family that includes those who appear on a family tree, and those who are considered family simply because of their proximity in our lives. We have taken an initiative in our family to pour ourselves into the lives of those around us. We reached a point this year where our pitcher had run dry and needed to be refilled. The love and support that we received from those around us was comforting and overwhelming all at the same time. There were people there for us when we needed physical support, mental support, and spiritual support. 2008 was a year where we got a chance to see the very best in people.
As we look forward to 2009 - we are anxious for the awesome things that God has in store for our family as well as for each of us individually. There are a number of areas where we have felt that God has been preparing the soil for an incredible harvest. Some of these areas will stretch us more than we would probably like. But many of them will allow us to grow in ways that can bring us closer to Him.
My prayer for our family in 2009 is that God continues to work His will in our lives and that we become increasingly purposeful in seeking after Him and listening for His guidance.
We thank you all for helping make 2008 a year that will never be forgotten. We also pray that 2009 brings incredible blessings in to all areas of your lives.
As we look forward to 2009 - we are anxious for the awesome things that God has in store for our family as well as for each of us individually. There are a number of areas where we have felt that God has been preparing the soil for an incredible harvest. Some of these areas will stretch us more than we would probably like. But many of them will allow us to grow in ways that can bring us closer to Him.
My prayer for our family in 2009 is that God continues to work His will in our lives and that we become increasingly purposeful in seeking after Him and listening for His guidance.
We thank you all for helping make 2008 a year that will never be forgotten. We also pray that 2009 brings incredible blessings in to all areas of your lives.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Celebrating Joshua!
Starting Monday morning Joshua will be Star of the Week in his 2nd grade class.
Here are a few great photo's celebrating our awesome son.
Here are a few great photo's celebrating our awesome son.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Growing up!
Joshua - 2nd Grade
Jacob - 3rd GradeThis weekend both boys surprised me by wanting to post on the blog. Jacob got things started after he spent an afternoon building with Lego's. He has so much imagination - he doesn't just build, he creates entire universes filled with action and adventure. Every piece is part of the story and has so much detail behind.
Joshua wanted in on the action the moment he saw his brother typing. His love and passion is baseball and he wanted to share a few of his favorite baseball cards with all of our friends and family. This year when we ordered school pictures, some of the wallets came "baseball card" style. Joshua immediately got out his binder for 2008 and put his new card in with all of the other Red Soxs players. How cute will that be to show when he is rookie of the year!
Joshua wanted in on the action the moment he saw his brother typing. His love and passion is baseball and he wanted to share a few of his favorite baseball cards with all of our friends and family. This year when we ordered school pictures, some of the wallets came "baseball card" style. Joshua immediately got out his binder for 2008 and put his new card in with all of the other Red Soxs players. How cute will that be to show when he is rookie of the year!
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