I'm not very good at this....

Nothing like stating the obvious...but even I didn't realize it'd been six weeks since I posted anything to my blog. So, here's a bit of a hodge-podge update...

1. Back in October, I mentioned that my small group was beginning a new series where each member would share his/her life story in a way to engage our non-believing friends in the truth, power and love of Jesus. With the holidays and other random things that came up, it ended up being a series that lasted until about mid-January (!) but I think it was really a valuable exercise for the folks in my small group.

First, it gave everyone practice in really gathering up their thoughts and being able to tell their stories in succint, concise, directed ways. For some, they'd never ever actually consciously entertained the idea of "why" they follow Jesus personally and what it is about Him that makes following Him day after day worth it. I loved watching the folks in my small group wrestle with and ultimatley answer these questions.

Second, I can't begin to explain to you the depth of intimacy and the true, deep community that has emerged from everyone's sharing their stories. Everyone's hanging out together outside of our Thursday night meetings; they're (we're) living life together on an everyday, regular rhythm of life basis and I love it! Having everyone share the details of their lives forced us all to push past the superficial and really get to know one another in deep and rich ways.

So, overall, this endeavor was a great success!

2. You may remember that I gave up Facebook for Lent. Well, I have to say, that was another fabulous endeavor! Before Lent, I literally would be on Facebook at every idle moment of the day - while on hold on the phone, while waiting for a document to print or load at work, early in the morning before work, late at night before bed, and many many other moments throughout the day. I was addicted - as silly or unimaginable as that may sound.  There was no quiet center to my heart, mind or spirit. I never let myself have a down second of quiet, stillness.

So 40 days away from Facebook was about the best thing I could have done for myself in this season of my life. The stillness that replaced the constant information feed in my brain has been invaluable. I feel grounded, centered, settled and no longer addicted to Facebook. I'm back on it (occassionally) without feeling the desperate need to get on to find out what's gone on in my absense. And, I've also come to realize that there really wasn't anything all that life-alteringly important on Facebook anyway... :) I didn't miss much while I was away from it!

So, there's an update on a few items going on my life. There's (of course) lots more...maybe I'll actually take the time soon to write about some of it! :)