I can't remember where I read this statement so as to give proper credit, but it's too good not to share anyway.

The christian life is not the imitation of the life of Christ - it's the participation in the life of Christ.

*updated on 4-19-2010 - Husband helped me to remember. I actually heard this statement on a CD of talks that we listen to. It was said by Alan. Once I find out his last name I'll let you know.

=)

Bridget

Losing

A fun movie to watch is A Knight's Tale. We own it and the other night while watching I had to stop it and write down a certain dialogue in it. To set it up: William (a peasant) is posing as a knight and traveling around to jousting competitions. Jocelyn is a rich man's daughter that also travels around to these competitions (no idea why). William and Jocelyn have seen each other and flirted and danced and whathaveyou. Upon entering a new town and therefore a new competition this is their exchange inside a church building:

William: Jocelyn, how may I prove my love to you?

How?

Jocelyn: Do you ask in earnest?

William: Yes.

Jocelyn: If you would prove your love you should do your worst.

William: My worst?

What do you mean?

Jocelyn: Instead of winning to honor me with YOUR high reputation, I want you to act AGAINST your normal character and do badly.

Lose.

William: Losing proves nothing except that I'm a loser.

Jocelyn: WRONG. Losing is a much keener test of your love.

Losing would contradict your self-love and losing would show your obedience to your lover and not yourself.

William: (thinking, reeling, not happy)

Jocelyn: What is your answer?

William: (deciding)

I. will. not. lose.

Jocelyn: Then you do not love me.

He who has found his life shall lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake shall find it. -Jesus Christ (Matt. 10:39)

For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it. -Jesus Christ (Matt 16:25)

Jesus wasn't just speaking of dying. He was speaking of laying down our own personal dreams, goals, desires, and seeking after God's dreams, goals, desires. God's eternal purpose.

If you would like to know more about God's eternal purpose than I highly recommend the book From Eternity to Here.

And just in case you think you have God's eternal purpose figured out (I know I once did) let me say that, no, it's not JUST saving lost souls or fellowshipping with us or having us worship Him.

It's MUCH grander than that!

And it's for Himself.

Praise God!

Bridget

Life, Not Light

So, I took this picture last week when the kids were outside playing. That's Bobo on the right and Studly on the left. It was in the 50s and we (the adults) found it funny that Bobo had on long pants, a long sleeved shirt, a jacket, and earmuffs while Studly had on shorts and a t-shirt. For kicks I ran outside and snapped this pic: Then yesterday I read a post on Milt's blog and I thought of this picture. You see, Bobo and Studly are standing in the exact same temperature. It's not 40* for Bobo and 60* for Studly. It's 50* for both, yet their differing opinions are revealed in their choice of clothing. But this doesn't stop them from playing together and accepting one another.

Oh, for the Body of Christ to stop gathering together with and accepting only those that share their same opinions (like if Studly would only play with kids who also wore shorts and t-shirts in 50* weather) and to start accepting and gathering together with those who have the life of Christ no matter our differing opinions for that is the only biblical grounds we are given for accepting our brothers and sisters in the family of God.

Milt puts this so much more eloquently and fills in all my gaps. Please take the time to read his post. Once you do you will totally get the title of this post. =) And I'm sure it will stir your spirit like it stirred mine.

Bridget

Life is Better Lived Together

There used to be a car commercial that had that tag line. "Life is better lived together." RC and I would always comment when we saw that commercial how we totally agreed. Life is better lived together.

Basically, that's the whole point of this blog. Because I believe that life is better lived together I have put our life here on this blog to share with friends and family. And because I am finally firm in that being the sole purpose of this here blog I am changing some things.

First, I will now be posting every Tuesday and Friday. I will only post on other days if there is something vitally important to tell and since that has never happened in the 2 year life of this blog I don't expect it to happen now. If something is vitally important it usually isn't something I'm willing to post on the blog right away or ever. So there you go. Tuesdays and Fridays it is.

Second, because I have determined a set posting schedule I will no longer be sending out email reminders. I know they are handy, but with my new email I can only send out 5 at a time and it is taking longer than it used to. If you can't remember to check my blog - Good! It means you a) rarely get on the computer, b) see or talk to me on a regular basis and don't need to check my blog to know the Babione6 happenings, or c) rarely see or talk to me and therefore rarely think about me and therefore don't need to know the happenings of Babione6. I'm sure there are more reasons, but you get my point. If checking my blog isn't something you ever think of doing I am perfectly fine with that!!!

Third, I am going to post things that I would normally share with friends and family in conversation or if you were to visit our home. Because that is the purpose of this blog. If you want more information (like how to do something I've done, or where I got something, etc.) then ask. I am now thinking of this blog more like a conversation rather than an instrument for transmitting information.

Likewise, I love receiving feedback from you all. I'm not looking for validation or praise. I'm looking for living life together. This is why I've stopped listing the blogs of people I don't personally know. All the blogs in my blog list are written by people whose names and faces I know AND who know my name and face too. I'm not looking to be a professional blogger I'm looking to stay better connected with those I know and love. So please continue the conversation with me as though we were on the phone or drinking cherry coke / diet coke / sweet tea / kool-aid / water / or a Bacardi together. And I'll do the same for those of you who have blogs or email.

If you happen to be reading this blog and don't personally know us please know that you are welcome. However, having a large following of people I don't personally know is not the intent of this blog. So I will be writing with family and friends in mind, not strangers.

I love you all and I appreciate you taking time out of your life to get a glimpse into ours. Because life is truly better lived together.

Bridget