tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-189410032012-01-29T06:45:41.408-08:00A place to come to teach, learn, and dialogue about painful and deep struggles that everyone in the church is dealing with.Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.comBlogger1231100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-15487398030442625512010-05-22T06:06:00.001-07:002010-05-22T06:06:53.707-07:00

What I most want to communicate in this blog post is the reality that we all struggle with unbelief. The sermon this morning was about unbelief, and I realized that reality so clearly just yesterday with our garage sale. I have been praying for weeks for this sale to be successful, and I have been very anxious that it would not go well and we would have to break our backs hauling away all the

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-28683226955411431682010-02-15T10:00:00.000-08:002010-10-26T06:03:43.942-07:00

Wow. Just within the last week I was praying Psalm 88, and today I am bouncing around the house with an engagement ring on my finger, feeling ecstatic! Life is a roller coaster ride. I was just reading from Jeremiah 10:23 "I know, O Lord, that my life is not my own; It is not for me to direct my steps." Thankfully, even at the times I unbelieve, God is in control of all and He knows best

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-50876518938633556642009-05-06T17:00:00.001-07:002009-05-06T17:03:30.129-07:00

In the very middle of the mess and the depression and the discouragement and the frustration that I feel right now, I would still say what I said 4 weeks ago when life felt much easier - that I am CONVINCED that suffering and messiness is God's blessing to us. How can I say that? Not because I am some major righteous and holy dude, but because God has taught me that himself. For real, people,

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-10846218628402742432009-04-23T06:10:00.000-07:002009-04-23T06:21:48.732-07:00

Life feels so hard today. It feels constantly hard so often to me. My friend Courtney wrote a great comment at the end of the last blog post, and I want to say more about that, but I don't really have the energy right now. Look back for more another time, I hope.?.? I desire that in blogging about my thyroid stuff and how exhausting it is, it sets the stage for maybe one or two others to

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-43505675846210593072009-04-21T18:58:00.000-07:002009-04-21T19:12:53.281-07:00

So I still don't know what the results of the yucky I-felt-him-digging-the-needle-in-my-throat biopsy. I'm not sure if I want surgery or not. I really don't want surgery, but I don't want frequent biopsies either. This growth in my neck isn't the only uncertainty in my life right now. I feel like I mostly live at about 1 millimeter above being defeated. And its like I'll sink under the water,

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-45528464951784972372009-04-15T17:57:00.000-07:002009-04-15T18:56:14.601-07:00

Well the thyroid surgeon today told me what I think might be the worst news she could have told me. The ultrasounds confirm that I have "thyroiditis" where my body is slowly killing my thyroid gland. It will continue to produce up and down levels of thyroid hormone as long as it is in me, causing up and down levels of energy. However, they will not take it out until it becomes cancerous or

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-55521575790834871722009-04-14T10:04:00.000-07:002009-04-14T10:25:13.757-07:00

Things are really bizarre with me right now. There's a "mass" growing in my thyroid and its sucking up nourishment from the rest of the thyroid. Its really making bizarre energy levels for me. Three hours ago I had already downed 6 cups of coffee, taken my medicine, eaten breakfast, turned on all the lights, and yet was laying there sobbing and asking Jesus to PLEASE help me get out of bed.

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-68892514065195141262009-02-28T06:21:00.000-08:002009-02-28T06:42:40.799-08:00

OK so I am not going to be able to go to Uganda. I was asked to go on a medical mission trip coming up in May to Uganda, and I was so very very excited about it! To give some history, I had wanted to go to Africa always - I'm not quite sure why, but I have always wanted to go my whole life. Then there was a foreign study trip in college to Kenya and Tanzania and I was all signed up. My best

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-74031785806159286882009-02-12T17:14:00.000-08:002009-02-12T17:41:57.644-08:00

She can't even say the word correctly. And I knew her for 2 whole years before I knew she had it. She told me about going to prison before she told me she had schizophrenia. She always says that it doesn't affect her at all. But I have worked harder to show love to her than almost anyone in my life, and yet she can still turn on me in a minute, saying and believing I'm evil and hate her. But

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-74775660076476714842009-01-23T17:40:00.000-08:002009-01-23T17:48:48.887-08:00

Today I was talking with a friend who has her child in public school, who wishes more Christians would join her, and who feels the pressure that I have sensed and heard about, that a good Christian homeschools their child or puts them in a Christian school, but does horrible harm if you send them to public school. But this strong believing Mom's child is getting a great education in the public

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-22424371390574420012009-01-03T07:58:00.000-08:002009-01-03T08:51:17.988-08:00

Well friends, I think I am making a shift in my blog writing. God is showing me how life is as much about being as doing. So my mindset is more on how we can BE a vulnerable church, not just ACT as a vulnerable church. I am sure that I will still write about doing, but I think mainly in the past I have written only about doing, and I want to learn to BE more, and God wants me to learn to BE

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-22670594455473929092008-12-13T11:36:00.000-08:002010-10-26T06:30:19.548-07:00

Hi friends and family! December 2008I'm so glad to be in touch with you! I don't do the Christmas letter thing every year, and so I'm glad to be getting my act together and sending one out to everyone. Its so important to me to keep in touch with all of my relationships. So I'll tell you about my life right now.I am a child of God, deeply loved, still surprised by the gospel, and who has a

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-2479884683875342962008-12-11T17:11:00.000-08:002008-12-11T17:17:57.348-08:00

OK I am not depressed anymore and am wanting to start blogging again, so we'll see how quickly I get back in the swing of it. I plan to put my Christmas letter here so it will explain some of my really hard journey this year. This morning I got paperwork done and then it was time to go to work and lo and behold I had not spent time with the Lord. Unfortunately this happens often. As I got in

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-13370268173749659912008-09-30T17:55:00.000-07:002008-09-30T18:03:14.100-07:00

Right now I have no motivation to write on my blog. I'm not going to give up though. One day I'd love to write again. I've had a hard hard hard summer, dealing with a lot of deep depression, loneliness, relational struggles and disappointments, and physical problems. I have barely had the strength to shower and cook food, much less write. SO.... not writing for now. But I wanted to bring a

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-32581176810109294182008-07-08T05:04:00.000-07:002008-07-08T05:20:22.789-07:00

I was just being challenged by Denis Haack (see ransomfellowship.org if you're interested in reading him!) to think about what is out of my comfort zone as a believer. For example, is it another religion, he asked? He said that he went to visit a Mosque because that's out of his comfort zone, and it was so helpful because he could imagine that people who never set foot inside a church would

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-22758884812796729152008-06-14T19:38:00.001-07:002008-06-14T20:22:46.730-07:00

I am discouraged. My dear friend is making what I am gravely afraid are bad choices. I want to be with someone and I cannot have a relationship with that person at that point in time. For some reason, I am not someone who makes friends who push into my life to be supportive. All of these things get me discouraged. And lonely. But then I remember that I have hope. While on the one hand I

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-45251324733637298392008-05-30T07:07:00.001-07:002008-05-30T07:08:01.791-07:00

I am really discouraged lately and don't feel like blogging. So if you read this, you will know why I am not writing, and also you can pray for me! Thanks.

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-81202380245959531402008-05-25T11:44:00.000-07:002008-05-25T11:45:04.551-07:00

I encourage everyone to read the posts and comments for the post two back called "Does everyone fit??" because there is a good discussion going on there. Please join in the discussion.

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-22224006148352570322008-05-24T18:15:00.000-07:002008-05-24T19:49:36.694-07:00

Don't we all walk around wishing we were as happy as our neighbor? I mean our Christian neighbor with whom we sit in the pew. We think they have it far more together than we do. I am just not hunky dorey happy all day. I'm just not. Actually true joy comes as rarely as belly hurting laughter. And I think maybe that's the way its supposed to be while we are on this earth. We are made for

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-29511398363265243942008-05-15T18:58:00.000-07:002008-05-15T19:03:16.583-07:00

Does everyone feel comfortable at church? In God's economy then they would. According to his Word, then that's how the church would be. but what about the woman who is a single mom to a 4 year old girl who was sexually abused by her father and now is a chronic masturbator, and the single mom has a sister who is involved in an abusive homosexual relationship - all of the dysfunction stemming

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-57314130385409262092008-05-03T14:00:00.000-07:002008-05-03T14:00:01.561-07:00

I know immediately that this kind of blog that I am fixin to write may really push some buttons. That is not my desire - to make others angry or defensive. But this is a topic that I long for the church to discuss more and more. The topic of race relations. The women of my church went on a retreat this weekend. I noticed how the black women and the white women never sat together unless there

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-6904298995589795232008-03-22T14:55:00.000-07:002008-03-22T17:30:50.602-07:00

Has it really been almost a month since I wrote last? Wow, you can tell that I was involved in relationship where I spent a lot of time focusing on that! I don't want to be the kind of person who lets everything go when I am relating to another, particularly a terrific man, but I also don't want to try to do everything I do as a totally single woman. That's then too much to cram into a life.

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-45974095288067431922008-02-23T14:00:00.000-08:002008-02-23T12:44:45.700-08:00

I had a discussion that is still ringing in my ears. I talked a man who really admires General Sherman from the Civil War. He talked about what a great leader he was. Its so interesting because from my perspective I have never thought of Sherman as great. But that is because I come from the South where there is still a greater poverty rate than the rest of the country because of the way he

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-54880101162147100812008-02-03T19:33:00.000-08:002008-02-03T19:35:09.499-08:00

I took a class this weekend on the history of the black church in America. Very good stuff. I took it because its another way that we can understand each other better. Race relations are so poor in this country. We need to do all we can to work on them. This is what the Bible calls us to.

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-73527532597975985292008-01-19T07:31:00.000-08:002008-01-19T07:44:27.170-08:00

Have you seen this movie? (I LOVED it by the way) Basically the cartoon princess is thrown down the well by the wicked stepmother and she comes up in New York City as a live person. Well she is convinced of "true love's kiss" as the most powerful thing in the world, and she is convinced that her prince is coming for her. So she sings and dances all throughout the city, never letting anything

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-35228289828864021842007-12-29T10:00:00.000-08:002008-02-13T15:32:40.182-08:00

I wanted to do one of these Christmas/New Year's letters, so I thought my blog was a good place to put it. I am still living in St Louis. Let me tell you about my life in sections. My ChurchI am totally a part of this Body. I get to serve right alongside many and get to use my gifts. There are dear dear friends here too. I get to serve on the women's ministry team, the worship music team,

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-88789153576853852242007-12-29T09:25:00.000-08:002007-12-29T09:28:24.019-08:00

I've realized something huge as I've asked for help from the church and they have come along side me. Its that I had to ASK. People were so happy to know how to help and to help. But they didn't know how on their own. Its not fair for me to expect others to read my mind. And many people's personalities are not ones that bust into your home and start cleaning your kitchen. We need to do

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-46416752314747940132007-12-29T08:59:00.000-08:002007-12-29T09:23:26.864-08:00

I loaned the book "Search For Significance" by Robert McGee to the woman I am discipling. Its where she needed to go next to grow in the Lord, and she has recently finished it. She told me last night that it really drew her closer to the Lord and helped her understand the gospel better. Here's the thing I'm writing about today - I gave her my copy that I went through 9 years ago, which has a

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-71653838678363844472007-12-02T17:50:00.000-08:002007-12-02T18:16:01.009-08:00

While I have an incredible biological family that I love dearly, I want to write about my church family. I have had some health problems lately with certain glands not working right, making me really fatigued and feeling lousy. Hence the long gap of over a month in my blog. My health problems are on their way to being fixed. And for a while I was very scared to be alone with all this since my

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-48999080486065109632007-11-26T07:28:00.000-08:002007-11-26T07:50:02.475-08:00

Hi y'all. Sorry I've been neglecting my blog. I'm kind of angry right now. I don't know if that's good for me to be writing angry, because I may be too honest. But that could be good as long as I'm tactful. So I'll write it and then see if I'll post it. One thing that singles have to deal with (and I am one of them), is getting the feeling that we are dangers to the marriage of others

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-53460745037894987002007-10-13T06:13:00.000-07:002007-10-13T06:26:32.522-07:00

Here's a true situation. D is going through a hard season of life right now. Much of her life has been really tough and she has had to struggle, and her church has been there and seen it. But she is also seeking healing and growth, unlike many of the struggling people that her church has helped. D doesn't feel like she cries wolf because even tho she cries for help often, each time it is

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-71188590135846893202007-10-02T17:46:00.000-07:002007-10-02T18:12:50.594-07:00

What do you think about this letter? I absolutely hate church lately and go as little as I can.~ Where the hell is the Holy Spirit who is supposed to be clinging to me?~ There is NO ONE who can and is or will help me stay close.~ What can mere man do anyway?~ NOTHING really.~ I don't know why I've even cried out to people lately, because they can't fix me.~ Only the Lord can.~ I've screamed out

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-26401664063036779722007-09-29T19:09:00.001-07:002007-09-29T19:10:44.204-07:00

Today I'm going to refer you to my friend's blog and video he posted. http://skubalon.net/

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-11799918065188789222007-09-22T17:44:00.000-07:002007-09-22T17:46:36.374-07:00

I keep hoping to return to regular blogging. My family is getting ready to move out of town, and I think that is zapping all of my emotional energy. So I get to the end of the day and haven't blogged. Being sad is something that can really use up a lot of energy, can't it?

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-19789458294641772332007-09-13T19:12:00.000-07:002007-09-13T19:51:50.546-07:00

I have a little bit more from "The Emotionally Healthy Church" that I want to post. "Remember that the most important time is between the dreams, not the dreams themselves." and "Out of the greatest evil, the death of Jesus, came the greatest good. God transforms evil into good without diminishing the awfulness of evil." Its talking about living in the reality of the pain of this world and

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-28523010849039395612007-08-14T18:10:00.000-07:002007-08-14T18:18:58.346-07:00

I want to quote some more from the book The Emotionally Healthy Church (by Peter Scazzero), and remind us all to think about paying attention to pain. On page 161 he says, "Year after year we deny and avoid the difficulties and losses of life, the rejections and frustrations. People in our churches minimize their failures and disappointments. The result is that for many today, at least in

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-68331130787891364562007-08-07T08:17:00.000-07:002007-08-07T08:24:59.925-07:00

I worked in a hospital on Saturday. While I am so used to the ICU as a health care provider, I was reminded how most people aren't, as I passed a man going to visit a loved one in the ICU. He was about 25ish and had very red puffy eyes with tears streaming down his face. Obviously pained about the fact that someone he loves may be dying or permanently wounded, in the ICU.I also do a lot of

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-10833628790108585992007-07-31T19:41:00.000-07:002007-07-31T19:55:15.065-07:00

I am now 37 years old, and I am still single while I desire marriage. If you don't already grasp it, let me let you in on some of the pain of being in this position. I want you to have compassion and not judgment for we who are in this place. So often I get told that marriage isn't all its cracked up to be or to have faith and contentment with where God has me in life. And while I fully

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-67526043325179279462007-07-17T11:41:00.000-07:002007-07-17T11:43:43.494-07:00

Here is my dialogue with fellow church members about dealing with one with whom I work closely who is diagnosed with both bipolar and schizophrenia. I thought it would be helpful to see and to read. OK here's some info I already know - in general, bipolar causes great mood swings, from depressed where you can't get out of bed and want to die because all seems so hopeless, to manic where you

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-54032806750460608442007-07-03T06:47:00.000-07:002007-07-03T07:06:26.962-07:00

Hi all - I had to take time grieve the loss of my seminary friends. Sometimes I am not good at having a ton on my plate at once, and not only was I sad about so many of my dear friends moving away, but I worked an extra job for the last month too. I had too much on my plate and didn't have the capacity to blog also. Now I have more room to think and want to start tending to my blog again. It

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-14628045242717384902007-05-22T20:12:00.000-07:002007-05-22T20:13:25.929-07:00

I seem to be way more busy than expected with the end of the seminary year and all the graduation parties of my friends. I'll write soon!

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-57726823578242328582007-05-09T05:07:00.000-07:002007-05-09T06:41:21.011-07:00

I am realizing that God does something when he doesn't do something. Like the other day, I was somewhere, and I was praying "God can I run into that guy here, please? Can I get to see him and talk to him, please?" but I didn't see him. So God did something. He answered my prayer. I used to think and act like He was ignoring me if He didn't work the magic I was demanding. But thankfully I'm

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-23987353948395448122007-05-01T15:16:00.000-07:002007-07-03T06:47:52.720-07:00

As I was just hanging out at the Douglass Manor apartment complex for an hour or so with some of my black (I put that in for a reason that they are black) friends there, we were chatting about how I'd like to foster and adopt one day. They asked me what race would I want to adopt and I said probably black because everyone seems to want a white baby more. They agreed. And I also told them that

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-69944997373343334102007-05-01T12:53:00.000-07:002007-05-01T13:11:49.619-07:00

Ah, to have free time to work on my blog! There's so much that has happened and conferences I've been to that I've wanted to write about. I'll start with 1 big thing - finishing reading a book on Borderline Personality Disorder. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious mental illness characterized by pervasive instability in moods, interpersonal relationships, self-image, and

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-86163526333478046382007-04-29T12:37:00.000-07:002007-04-29T12:39:25.057-07:00

A friend sent me this. It could totally not be true, but it still is very like things we know are going on in this world. Its intense, and is the kind of pain and struggle that a vulnerable church should be aware of and not denying. A letter to the Global Church from The Protestant Church of Smyrna Dear friends,This past week has been filled with much sorrow. Many of you have heard by now of

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1971449353398625762007-04-28T19:49:00.000-07:002007-04-28T19:52:56.857-07:00

I wrote this to my session as a report of the conference I went to last weekend - the PCA Mercy Ministry conference. And so I thought posting in here would be a good thing. PROBLEM:I went to the conference realizing that we as a church:1. don't have many people who are involved in Mercy ministry2. have a lot of people weary of those who are continually taking and manipulating at the same time3.

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-25748963160557952882007-04-14T07:40:00.000-07:002007-04-14T07:41:48.325-07:00

Here's a note I wrote to a Kingdom Group leader in our church giving advice for how to run a group with participants with bipolar, and I thought it might be helpful to post here also. With bipolar they are usually either totally down or manic-ly up. Its very hard for them to find an in between. Everything is in extremes. So when they come to KG then they are probably extra "up" and with that

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-22858922766076267112007-04-10T04:39:00.000-07:002007-04-10T05:35:21.025-07:00

I want to post this, not because I agree with it all, but because some of it is very thought provoking on good thoughts that the church as a whole often misses. Don't get hung up on the part that he misses the gospel (a very big flaw!!) but listen to what he says about the poor. Click on the box above; I'm still not good at adding stuff to my blog, so that box looks funny but it works!

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-21168162490451280422007-04-07T06:08:00.000-07:002007-04-07T06:20:49.935-07:00

I was just thinking that statement a minute ago, and I believe that it applies to a vulnerable church. If we believe that with God, all things have a purpose, then we are more able to be vulnerable with each other.Here was my thought process: I was looking out the window at the sad trees and flowers. They are sad because they are cold because its 23 degrees outside. We're having a cold snap

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-18062102163789896952007-03-25T13:06:00.000-07:002007-03-25T20:09:14.576-07:00

I celebrate March 25th every year. It was a turning point in my life 9 years ago. I was a mess and God turned me around. I hated life, and he began to teach me joy. Now I have tons of joy! Oh yes, I did have a part in it too. But God totally enabled me - in a sense he did it all. Also, I had full personal responsibility that went hand in hand with God's work and power, somehow, in some

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-68600766495198025582007-03-24T14:24:00.000-07:002007-03-24T14:47:43.012-07:00

I am white and middle class. Have been all my life. So that is how I've learned to relate. And I've noticed a difference between white middle class and all of the black culture, and the lower class no matter what race. I remember talking about this a lot when I went to Mexico, and learned that Mexicans are in general much more relational than Americans. They take time to have meals together

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-26230195299546028092007-03-11T13:53:00.002-07:002007-03-11T14:06:06.725-07:00

In the church, crossing racial barriers isn't near as difficult as crossing social class barriers. But both take effort. I hope that having good diverse relationships is something that most all believers are concerned about. I just finished reading a book so that I can learn more about my black brothers and sisters, and that will help me better cross racial barriers in relationships. Its

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-83751415483839677012007-03-05T19:02:00.001-08:002007-03-05T19:02:21.833-08:00

The other night in our small group we were discussing the sermon and we realized a way that we don't really grasp our Lord very well. We were talking about "what if Jesus were here with us right now," and we very easily missed that it would be both very disruptive and very delightful. One of us pointed out how Jesus said things such as "don't take the time to go and bury your father, come and

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-14689188556355059442007-03-02T09:12:00.000-08:002007-03-03T18:14:07.259-08:00

I listened to this talk by Keller at the Mercy ministry conference of the PCA, and really wanted to share it. So I decided to take notes and write them here and then encourage you to listen to Tim Keller as he speaks on mercy ministry because he is really wise in that area. He has sermons on the Redeemer Presbyterian NYC website, and he's also written books on the topic. You can find it all on

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-53543520479912806682007-02-25T18:35:00.000-08:002007-02-27T18:36:42.921-08:00

There have been plenty of times in my life that I literally can't go without others in my life coming alongside me. I mean I would have really not been able to keep going in life. I would make really bad choices instead. I know that none of my motives are ever totally pure, nobody's are. But I don't think that that is all idolatry of others for me to need them so much. On the other hand, I

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-58887627711601508622007-02-25T18:27:00.000-08:002007-02-25T18:35:06.667-08:00

There are tons of thoughts in my head lately and I'm just getting the chance to sit down and blog them. Hence the 3 blogs in 1 night! :) I check out at least some of Oprah every so often because she affects our culture and the world so much. Most women I know who aren't Christians follow Oprah religiously and believe everything she says. So I think its good to know what is influencing the

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-90494372583694131902007-02-25T18:23:00.000-08:002007-02-25T18:27:25.282-08:00

When we are authentically who we are. children of God, then it shows to others. I go to a parole officer monthly with a woman that I disciple, and the hardened PO is frequently asking me why I do what I do. She thinks I am a terrific friend to this woman. And it shocks her that someone would enter another's yuckiness. And the other week when we were talking then she downright asked me why and

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-30785962335568924992007-02-13T18:34:00.000-08:002007-02-25T18:22:43.579-08:00

So we started Job last week in the small group of women that I am leading, and I said quite some time ago that I wanted to share on this blog what I have learned in two key classes at seminary: Job and Sickness & Suffering. Last week we started out the book of Job by discussing the fact that Job was struck with a great deal of pain and suffering, physically, emotionally, and relationally. And so

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-74900173301007588362007-02-04T18:53:00.000-08:002007-02-09T13:07:32.555-08:00

Our pastor, Andrew, preached on relationships and how we often look to them to give us what only Christ can give us. But that also we vitally need relationships to know God better. Its interesting to me how for years I felt guilty for wanting relationships. I felt like I was being selfish by wanting friendships, and that I should only need God. This was for at least 8 years after I became a

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-47464037235786917642007-02-02T12:19:00.000-08:002007-02-02T12:31:18.334-08:00

I work in a nursing home a little bit, and those people need a lot of encouragement. If someone is physically disabled and can no longer take care of themselves, that is very sad to that person, to say the least. If they are mentally disabled, then most of the time they still have the mental capacity to realize that they are not able to take care of themselves, that they don't have control of

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-8910809509336271592007-01-30T20:00:00.000-08:002007-01-30T20:25:11.322-08:00

I struggle with depression, but depression does not define who I am. Actually, it is just a tool that God has used greatly in my life to make me into a great person. God always takes the weak and makes them great. My friend was reminding me of that today - God doesn't bring greatness out of the strong and mighty, but out of weak places. God uses the weak things of the world to shame the wise

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-19054584425297474852007-01-30T07:26:00.000-08:002007-01-30T07:50:20.854-08:00

I'm going to share about my heart today. I've wanted this blog to be about things that I am processing in life, thoughts that can help the Church learn to have more vulnerable authentic community where we can be there for each other in new and atypical ways. I am trying to follow the Lord, but I also know that I have a lot to learn. But I want to do my best at obedience and love for Him. So

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-48067669612124069182007-01-26T16:23:00.000-08:002007-01-26T16:24:23.372-08:00

I have a good friend who is a single mom. She also has been hurt by the Church different times and is wary of trusting her. Since she is a single mom, she is especially fearful of being judged by the church for being a single mom. To her, I am a major connection to the church. So when I prayed for her during her baby shower, she almost looked for me to say something judgemental. I prayed about

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-33341051393653067512007-01-13T18:05:00.000-08:002007-01-13T18:08:00.397-08:00

Have you ever seen the movie Wit? I highly recommend watching it with someone else and then discussing it. Its about a woman dying of cancer. Use it to get in touch with how people who are suffering feel. Then also use it to talk about how you could love this woman well if you were her friend. You can also do this with Schindler's List and A Beautiful Mind.

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-79154928822186869862007-01-09T19:14:00.000-08:002007-01-09T19:17:06.537-08:00

http://www.clearings.blogspot.comI want to refer y'all to this blog. It is written by a friend of mine who has cerebral palsy. It gives great insight on how you can love and understand one living with pain and suffering.

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-9884516668204335152007-01-06T16:54:00.000-08:002007-01-06T16:57:17.218-08:00

I want to start blogging more about how to love those who are hurting, since I have been asked this a lot lately. So that will be a theme for a while. Here's the first installment. I asked friends who had faced difficult suffering what they wish had NOT been said to them. What they said underscores how helpful it can be to simply listen."I think you need to get some professional help.""'I can

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-64680373908485138652007-01-02T14:50:00.000-08:002007-01-02T14:54:58.640-08:00

I've decided that I have several new pet peeves. They aren't really related. One is about men and women relating. I don't like how single women (maybe married ones too) expect men to act like women and then get aggravated when they don't, instead of appreciating the differences between the sexes. I think its wrong, plus it rubs off on me too easily when I am tempted to be aggravated at a man

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-67243387887972578692006-12-22T18:56:00.002-08:002006-12-22T19:00:38.504-08:00

I was invited to a Christmas Feast that was such a great way to spend an evening. There were 12 of us, and the entire evening was devoted to feasting in celebration and remembrance of Christmas. We had a delicious 5 course meal, we rotated seats in between every course so that we could all talk to everyone else, we sang Christmas hymns, read Christmas scripture, prayed together, and drank good

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-88690480301230248212006-12-06T16:18:00.001-08:002006-12-06T16:18:33.063-08:00

Let me tell you about my Bible study today. We have 11 women, and 10 kids under 4. We are single and married, kids and no kids, different ages and races. Its a nice mix. And we all do the best we can just loving the kids while studying God's Word. It can get pretty over-stimulating really. They wander in and out, have dirty diapers, cry for food, bang toys. But they are around the Word of

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-8295026839641002442006-11-26T13:10:00.000-08:002006-11-26T13:12:03.629-08:00

It's easy to be scared isn't it? We were talking about that in our Bible study the other day. Some were talking about the fear of losing their husband or their child. Some talking about the fear of being humbled. I get scared that God isn't going to take care of me. It seems silly when I read all of his promises, and when I read how good and holy he is, but we can't just "poof" the fear away

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-41193974906656797272006-11-17T11:00:00.000-08:002006-11-17T11:01:32.861-08:00

"Margie and I work hard to keep our fingers on the pulse of our postmodern world. None of the themes which are woven into Thirteen are new to us. We know about the constant barrage of pressure that descends on young people concerning body image—and know that no one who lives in our culture can escape the relentless messages that are displayed on billboards, magazine covers, and even many

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-77525598953341200602006-11-12T19:37:00.000-08:002006-11-12T19:39:57.455-08:00

My church is very much a family to me. I desire to have children of my own; I don't, but I still have many opportunities to "parent" and to be in the lives of children. Here are some examples. This morning I was sitting behind a family who has invited me to be really involved in their family. And because of their invitation and my desire and willingness to enter in, then as I watched the mom

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1162993615614661682006-11-08T04:56:00.000-08:002006-11-12T13:44:21.862-08:00

I know woman who was sexually abused as a child. Her father sexually abused her, mostly with sexual kissing. And so did the basketball coach, and the father of the friends down the street. And her father also brought the business men that he was trying to win the approval of, to her, so that these men too could kiss her. She's now in her mid 30's. She's dealt with it as well as anyone can,

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1162333157725650772006-10-31T14:18:00.000-08:002006-11-12T13:44:21.774-08:00

I live in a mostly middle class world. And I don't think that's what the Lord wants. I think we are to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6), that we are all one Body with different members, and that each member belongs to all the others (Romans 12). I don't want we who are middle class to be out of touch with the rest of the world. Its tempting to stay there and to not enter into problems

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1162176830426781172006-10-29T18:40:00.000-08:002006-11-12T13:44:21.648-08:00

So I've been reading a book called Real Sex by Lauren Winner. What makes sex real in her terms is sex that is within the context of marriage as God designed it. In one part of the book she is making the case that we need to be in each others' lives and in each others' business to the extent that it helps our single brothers and sisters keep sex for marriage. She writes, "But the Bible tells us

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1161744071442634272006-10-24T19:39:00.000-07:002006-11-12T13:44:21.554-08:00

This short little video has a lot to say about the world's lies about what defines beauty in women. I think its so important that we look at outward beauty as important, but beautiful even if it doesn't match the skinny models. www.campaignforrealbeauty.com

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1161393842907492032006-10-20T18:18:00.000-07:002006-11-12T13:44:21.457-08:00

Last night there were 20 people from my church family over to celebrate one of us getting out of jail. My friends often come to my home, adults and kids of all ages, and make themselves at home. We were all packed in my little living room living life together. When one child bumps his head, we all reach down to help. Today I was at my friend's house who is just very overwhelmed. I got to

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1161020642100595182006-10-16T10:43:00.000-07:002006-11-12T13:44:21.345-08:00

OK I've talked about this before but it keeps coming up. I did a kind of experiment on datng web sites and compared the Christian ones to the non Chrisitan ones. This was the first time I have been around a lot of single non Christians in a context of potential dating in a long time. The non Christian guys were so much nicer! They just talked so freely and were so much more interested in

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1160608018178274902006-10-11T16:06:00.000-07:002006-11-12T13:44:21.127-08:00

Is God good? Is God good to me? I've had this discussion so many times and with so many people. Its something that many many believers ask, deep down in their hearts. How can a child be sexually abused and God still be good to them? How can we loose our 4th job and God still be good to us? Those questions are there, nagging at our hearts until we face them. I believe that the Word tells us

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1160173330250612082006-10-06T13:17:00.000-07:002006-11-12T13:44:20.934-08:00

So I got dumped last week, and it turned out to be a great object lesson for my women's group on guilt. We are talking about how to discern true guilt from false guilt. True guilt is conviction by the Holy Spirit that we have sinned. We can be free from true guilt by asking forgiveness from the Holy Spirit because we are cleansed by the blood of Christ. That and that alone frees and saves us

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1159669882664793862006-09-30T19:12:00.000-07:002006-11-12T13:44:20.833-08:00

I had a lot of opportunity for experiencing and seeing freedom in Christ this weekend. First, I watched the movie "The Woodsman." It is about a man who gets out of prison as a sex offender and truly wants to be free from the perversion that grips him. He does begin to find freedom and discovers that he is able to resist sin. It's an intense but good movie. Then I also went to a course at

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1159392969379038502006-09-27T14:28:00.000-07:002006-11-12T13:44:20.731-08:00

My friend's husband died a week ago. He died on their 7 month anniversary. It took our whole Body to help me have hope in the midst of it all. The day after he died, we just wanted to be together, so 5 of us families got together for dinner and to talk about how we'd miss him. Tons of my friends helped me with arrangements, tons of my friends called to check on me or give me a hug. And then

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1155942547187850402006-08-18T16:08:00.000-07:002006-11-12T13:44:20.625-08:00

I have been somewhat lazy this summer. I've turned on the TV when I would often read a book instead. I haven't been faithful to blog here, even though I believe God has called me to it. I've said to myself - well nobody hardly reads it anyway, why write? I haven't exercised well and I've eaten a lot of junk. And most of all, I have not been faithful to seek God. I know that he seeks me

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1154487590091261842006-08-01T19:55:00.000-07:002006-11-12T13:44:20.508-08:00

This will be really short because I am very busy this week. I have been on a few different dating web sites. In general (and that in general is really important because I've met a few great Christian guys), the Christian guys are much more passive and seem to be so intimidated to even chat with women. The non-Christian guys are great at beginning a friendship and then at appropriately

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1153714144882489622006-07-23T20:55:00.000-07:002006-11-12T13:44:20.388-08:00

OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH WWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!! I just got in from sitting on the front row to watch the musical "Les Miserables." First of all, that is my favorite musical ever. I delight in the redemptive themes, the grace, the love, the honesty about life on earth, and the anticipation of the Creation restored. I already saw it this week (I am a big sucker for musicals)

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1153138959481292472006-07-17T05:18:00.000-07:002006-11-12T13:44:20.266-08:00

Hi everyone. The women's ministry team at my church decided that the best way we can get all the women in our church access to this survey is to post it on my blog. So I'm using my vulnerable church blog to help my church specifically become more vulnerable! Spiritual Gift Assessment 1 Cor. 12:1 (RSV) Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be uninformed. Women of

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1152793825210945212006-07-13T05:30:00.000-07:002006-11-12T13:44:20.062-08:00

Boy, I'm having a bad day. And its only 6:30 in the morning. My head hurts because I didn't get enough sleep, and my foot and back hurt because I am getting old! All night long, Satan pelted me with dreams concerning my biggest fears, one of them being about loneliness. I am tired and frustrated. I am definitely not happy. So what I am tempted to do is numb or distract myself from the pain.

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1151674925676969152006-06-30T06:41:00.000-07:002006-11-12T13:44:19.687-08:00

I try to blog on Tuesdays and Fridays. As I was thinking about what I wanted to write today, then I was reviewing the days events. I have a friend named Laura who is REALLY special to me. We started seminary together and have walked through some really significant, really joyful, and really hard events together in each others' lives. Laura is one of those kindred spirit friends who knows how

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1150831281693928732006-06-20T12:20:00.000-07:002006-11-12T13:44:19.562-08:00

I purposely left my last entry hanging so that you could feel with me the longing for more. We women always want more of something, and that's why we so often have the fear that we are too much. The curse that we received in Genesis is a relational type curse, and so we are cursed and never fulfilled, and contentment is therefore hard. I think that's why David Wilcox' song (that I posted a few

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1150654904164895572006-06-18T10:59:00.000-07:002006-11-12T13:44:19.276-08:00

So yesterday I fought for single women everywhere. There's a man who gave me what I considered to be clear communication that he was going to pursue me when he moved to St Louis, and yet when he got here he was pretty much either quiet or speaking to me about other women he might be interested in. After the hurt and disappointment passed, then I wanted to give him the opportunity for him to

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1150316371458608402006-06-14T13:18:00.000-07:002006-11-12T13:44:19.181-08:00

i highly recommend David Wilcox' music. He really speaks truth. http://www.davidwilcox.com Here are some lyrics:Hard Partfrom the album VistaHard Part:(David Wilcox and John Whalen)I see the look that's in your eyesThat says 'I must keep most of me inside'Cause you'd never love me if I didn't hidethe secrets of my heart"Well I'm not here for the surface stuffI just get bored with all that

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1150236079909288572006-06-13T12:36:00.000-07:002006-11-12T13:44:19.087-08:00

This week, I was a part of a meeting where we are attempting to establish a women's ministry at our church. I was glad that I was there and that I had just come from leading the women's study that I do on Sundays. My women's study is a time where women come with some really deep hurts and seek to know Jesus more, studying His life, and applying his Word to our lives, hurts, and struggles. As I

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1150227320454612772006-06-13T12:22:00.000-07:002006-11-12T13:44:18.990-08:00

I had a really hard week last week. Several things happened, and I felt really beaten down. Not depressed, but you know how hard this world is to live in sometimes! Then I went to church on Sunday. The Body of believers that I belong to is a sweet place to be. I told them about my hard week and they prayed for me. Then afterward, they all came over to see my new apartment. As they stayed

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1148674464201557622006-05-26T13:12:00.000-07:002006-11-12T13:44:18.899-08:00

HI Y'ALL! I DON'T HAVE INTERNET RIGHT NOW AND SO THE BEST IT GETS IS TO GET ON ANOTHER COMPUTER REALLY QUICK, AND I DON'T HAVE TIME TO REALLY WRITE. SO DON'T GIVE UP ON MY BLOG! I SHOULD HAVE INTERNET AND START POSTING AGAIN IN 1 WEEK MAX!

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1148006870418398092006-05-18T19:39:00.001-07:002006-11-12T13:44:18.717-08:00

Oh how heavy my heart is lately. Transitions are abounding and dear friends are moving away. It is so special to have a friend with whom you can share the depths of your heart. And I've gotten to have several of those kinds of friendships the past 4 years that I have been here in St Louis. Oh if y'all only knew what a great privilege its been to come from where I've been, to this incredible

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1147054394654457742006-05-07T05:30:00.000-07:002006-11-12T13:44:18.559-08:00

First of all, y'all, sorry I'm not writing more lately. I'm in the middle of moving and this keeps getting put off. G has come to our church for the past couple of months at least, on Sunday evenings. We first made contact with him when he came with another woman in the neighborhood. She has started coming, and so he decided he wanted to check us out. Shortly after he first came, he asked us

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1146320640824646992006-04-29T07:11:00.000-07:002006-11-12T13:44:18.463-08:00

Oh how easily I forget that non- believers expect the church to judge them. New believers expect the church to judge them. Many in the church who have even been there a long time expect judgement. Not the kind of judgement that the Bible says is right judgement, but the kind of judgement that it means when it says that we try to take the speck out of our brother's eye before we remove the log

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1145581125775388722006-04-20T17:37:00.000-07:002006-11-12T13:44:18.378-08:00

I have lived in lower class housing for the past 2 years, and as I am getting ready to move, I notice the obvious differences between lower and middle class that are apparent constantly as I interact with my new apartment, landlord, and neighborhood. I chose to live in lower class housing because I wanted to live among the reality in which most of the world lives. And I am moving because God is

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1145235710051968422006-04-16T17:55:00.000-07:002006-11-12T13:44:18.303-08:00

Have you ever had a friend betray you? I mean a really good friend. I have. Its been a year and a half, and I still have flashbacks about it often. It was so painful that I contemplated suicide for a split second when it happened. Then I was sick for days and I wanted to run away from all of life. I was thinking about what an incredible thing Jesus did by becoming man. He was betrayed by a

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18941003.post-1144450022036761062006-04-07T15:38:00.000-07:002006-11-12T13:44:18.219-08:00

Many people often imply that if we don't have a smile on our faces, then we don't have enough joy. This has gotten somewhat better in recent years in the church. My pastor preached a few months ago about depression and referred to those in the Bible who were seeking after God and yet still struggled with depression. But still, most people don't seem to want someone around them to stay sad for

Ann Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09627419453907092487noreply@blogger.com0