Spring Wellness Event - April 30 - May 3rd 2012

Are you in need of rest and the chance to step away from the busyness of daily life?   Consider attending “Living Well As We Trust God For Everything”, a 4-day wellness retreat for women where you will have the opportunity to focus on spiritual and physical well-being.  We invite you to join us for several days of quiet and to take pleasure in simplicity of time.

Wellness flows from those who live in confidence with God as the daily companion of their soul.  Psalm 23 is full of pictures that help us obey the most frequent command in the Bible: Don’t be afraid. As we trust God, we release our fears and can begin to walk the path of assurance found in His Word and grace.  International author and speaker Jan Johnson’s solid biblical teaching will inspire us to embrace a daily, with-God life.

Discover how to fight fat, fight fatigue and fight disease; and learn how to manage weight and nourish your body the way God intended.  Dr. Kristen Bentson will share principles designed to unleash the best, healthiest and strongest version of you.  Participants will leave with the knowledge of how to live long, live strong and look fabulous.  

Join us at The Pines, nestled in the rolling hills of eastern Pennsylvania.  The sprawling grounds boast three tranquil ponds, a number of tall pines, a bon fire pit and fruit tree orchard.   Guests will enjoy this beautiful serene and natural setting.

Breakfast and lunch will be served in The Manor House, a castle-chalet style dwelling with a large stone fireplace, several cozy gathering areas and an extensive theological library.  Dinner will be at Tuscarora Inn.  Choose one of several Manor House rooms, motel-style lodging, or one of the pond-view duplex efficiency units. 

This all-inclusive retreat is $595.  You receive:

·      4 nights lodging, 9 nutritionally-balanced, delicious meals and healthy snacks

·      Morning and afternoon fitness activities led by a certified instructor

·      4 keynotes sessions with speaker & author Jan Johnson, D. Min

·      3 nutritional presentations by Dr. Kristen Bentson, M.S. (Nutr.)

·      30 minute massage with a certified female massage therapist

·      Special activities, creative sessions & optional, extended spa services

·      Guided river-side trail walk (weather permitting)

·      Individual appointments with Jan Johnson to explore your life with God

Relax and renew at this Spring Wellness Retreat.  Come alone or bring a friend – and learn how to live well in mind, body and soul. 

Only a limited number of spots are available.  Contact Tuscarora Inn & Conference Center at 570 897 6000 to register.

Need a weekend get-away?

Today is a beautiful spring-like day --and even though we’ve barely experienced winter here in the northeast, I have such a longing for extended daylight, warm breezes and windows open wide -- spring is nearly here!

This coming week is always a busy one as I prepare for Tuscarora Inn & Conference Center’s annual women’s weekend.   I’ve had the privilege of coordinating this 3-day women’s event for several years, working closely with Tuscarora staff, gifted worship artists and musicians, seasoned speakers and talented writers – all of us with a common goal of sharing the message of hope that faith in Jesus brings.

Our weekend includes plenty of fun (karaoke on Friday night and a late-night movie Saturday), delicious food, optional spa services as well as inspiring and creative workshops.  New for this year is a spin class (held at a local, off-site, boutique gym) and guided Appalachian Trail hike.   Detailed workshop descriptions can be found at Tuscarora’s website.

Melissa Milbourn will lead worship prior to each keynote session and we’ve invited Compassion International to share the joys and challenges of their work amongst the world’s most vulnerable children. 

Our keynote speaker is Renee Swope, an author, national conference speaker, and co-host of Proverbs 31 Ministries’ international radio program.  Renee will share insights from her latest book, A Confident Heart: how to stop doubting yourself and live in the security of God’s promises. 

Personally, I can’t wait to hear what she has to say!  A self-professed doubter, I struggle daily with finding the courage to move forward and step confidently into the dreams God has birthed in my heart.  I am looking forward to Renee showing me how to identify, overcome and learn from my doubting so that the roots of my faith grow deeper  -- both in the soil of God’s grace and the promises in His word. 

Are you struggling with self-doubt, worry or insecurity?  Or maybe your life situations have left you discouraged and overwhelmed, wondering if God is even aware of your sorrow and disappointment.  

Friend, God is crazy about you – He longs, even waits for you to share your heart openly and honestly with Him.   And He wants you to know just how much He loves you.  Perhaps this entire weekend has been planned with you in mind.  Consider joining me for a weekend away from the cares and worries of everyday life. You’ll leave relaxed, refreshed and inspired!

For more information about attending this event call 570 897 6000 or visit Tuscarora’s website.  

My thoughts on reading LIGHT UNDER THE HOUSE

Reading is one of my favorite pastimes and as a kid, I would spend hours and hours curled up with a good book.   Mysteries and historical fiction are my favorite reading genres, so when both of them come together in a page-turner that can't be put down -- I'm thrilled!  

Filled with history, family drama and suspense, Light Under the House is one of those stories that draws a reader deep within the pages wondering what's next.  Although some of the material may be disturbing for young readers, there is also the promise of redemption and purpose to struggle and suffering.

The characters are realistic and well-developed --  each with their own dysfunction woven into the plot.  Some have compared this to Frank Peretti's, This Present Darkness -- another story with dark, spiritual themes.


From Amazon.com : "Light Under the House is the saga of an American family--the Levis, a family of secrets. None greater than the secret of what lies under their house, a secret that could destroy them. A secret that an ancient evil will stop at nothing to uncover. The novel follows the Levi family line for a generation, creating a story that explores lives lived in the aftermath of the cultural rebellion of the late 1960's. It is a historical fiction novel that shows the power of consequence and the hope of redemption. Most of all, it is a story about fathers and their children."


Following is an interview with the author:


What inspired you to write this story?
I feel very strongly about the breakdown of the family and fatherlessness and how there is much dysfunction and despair because of it. I wanted to tell a story to shed some light on the situations that many face and hopefully bring some type of reversal to the current dynamic in whatever small way I could. I wanted to challenge men, fathers especially, to be who they were created to be ... its certainly a challenge I face myself daily. A challenge that I often fail at but keeping picking myself up to start again.

Did you model any of the characters after people you know?
I used many things to model the characters ... people I know, other literary figures, actors, biblical characters, celebrities ... the characters are a combination of all of these. I wanted them to be new and familiar at the same time, universal.

Why did you choose the Dallas/Ft Worth area as your primary setting?
First of all, the south has a certain reputation for is deep spiritual roots (bible belt and all). I patterned the book in part after GONE WITH THE WIND (another book set in the south) ... not in the sense of a love story but in the sense of "here is civilization that is about to cease to exist, come see it before its gone". In the case of my novel it is a spiritual civilization on the brink. Dallas just seemed to have everything I needed to make the story work from both a symbolic and technical standpoint.

Do you have plans to write more books?
i have an idea or two floating around ... nothing concrete yet.

What sort of research did you do for the historical portions of your book? What did you like best about the research? The least?
My co-author and I researched deeply into ancient history for some aspects of the book ... I learned a lot of things ... some things I'd rather forget but most of it was enlightening. What I liked best was that it confirmed for me mostly what I already knew, there really is nothing new under the sun.

Where can we find out about more opportunities for a free copy of this book? 
Follow @ChristianSpkrs on Twitter. You can purchase the book through Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Light-Under-the-House-ebook/dp/B0060C2O92.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting the author’s interview on my blog. This blog tour is managed by Christian Speakers Services (http://ChristianSpeakersServices.com).

World Aids Day 2011

Today marks the 23^rd annual World Aids Day, the day established by the World Health Organization to raise awareness of this disease, to remember those who have died, and to support the estimated 33 million who are living with HIV/AIDS worldwide (95% of them in developing countries). 

“Getting to Zero” is the theme for World Aids Day 2011.  The hope is for zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths.    

Since the first cases surfaced in 1981, an estimated 60 million people have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.  According to UNAIDS, an estimated 2 million people are newly diagnosed each year.  If we consider those untested and those who remain unaware of their exposure – these numbers, in reality, are much higher.

A staggering 25 million people have lost their lives to this dreadful disease leaving behind grieving lovers, children, relatives and friends.

For me -- this issue hits close to home.

It’s been 4531 days since I said my earthly good-byes to a loved one who lost his battle with AIDS. 

I miss him. 

I often think of who he may have become had he lived beyond his 29 years.  His eye for design (both interior and exterior) was keen and he was renowned for his ability to transform trash into treasure.   He was interesting, witty and full-of-life. 

To his friends he was the life of the party.  Always fun-loving, outgoing and ready for adventure. 

To his family – he was the “baby”, the youngest of 4 children. 

It was a heartbreaking, complicated, frustrating and at times even comical 18-month good-by.

When he first became sick, he claimed all sorts of maladies.  While several of the diagnosis were realistic and at first seemed the reason behind the drastic weight loss and repeated respiratory infections, it soon became clear there was more to his multitude of health issues. 

I shudder to recall the moment I recognized it as HIV.  I had seen that look before – the gaunt face, graying skin and wasting physique.  It was as if -- all of the sudden – I knew.  The weeks of helping him manage ongoing illness, infections and chronic fatigue made sense.   

For him, the mental toll of keeping the lies alive as well as the emotional pain knowing death was ahead must have been exhausting, overwhelming and frightening.    

To my knowledge he suffered alone in that he neither revealed nor confessed his diagnosis to anyone. 

I may never understand this side of heaven his reasons for never acknowledging the obvious.  Nor may I ever understand why he refused all medical intervention.

Its taken years for me to come to a place of peace with my sorrow over his decisions – often asking myself those obvious questions…over and over and over again.  

“Could I have done or said something that may have paved the way for him to pursue treatment for his disease?” 

“Did I contribute to any negative stigma he may have felt?” 

“Did any of my words or behavior create a perception of judgment due to his lifestyle and subsequent illness?” 

Emerging amidst these melancholy memories has been an increasing awareness of the unique challenges experienced by those affected by and living with HIV/AIDS. 

This disease is not slowing in its indiscriminate attack – there is much that can still be done to combat the negative stigma and prejudice towards its victims and to support research towards a cure. 

Recently I had the privilege of hearing one woman tell of her 20-year “battle” with HIV.   Since being diagnosed she has married and given birth to a child free of HIV.  As I listened intently, she shared how she is fighting this disease with all she’s got and that her life, albeit shadowed by this diagnosis, is a healthy one -- full of love and appreciation for each added year.   

We cried tears of mutual sorrow -- for the loved ones we’ve lost and for the hope of a future cure. 

Perhaps we will one day “get to zero”. 

Let us not forget that today is World Aids Day – a day to be aware of the risks and available resources; to remember the victims; and to support research as well as the tens of millions living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Simple Strategies for Fostering Resiliency in Parenting

One need not be a parent long to acknowledge this privilege isn’t for cowards.  While frequently an indescribable joy it is also a momentous responsibility – for which there is little training, no qualification checks, no periodic evaluations nor are there performance guarantees. 

Plain and simple….parenting is hard work.

However – we are not without help.  Resources abound – from parenting seminars and support groups to online-forums and published works, we are nearly overwhelmed with an assortment of support for this life-long journey.

Approaches to parenting differ as well.  If you're anything like me, you’ve tried a wide variety.  A quick search for parenting books on a popular on-line store turned up such titles as:  Simplicity Parenting, Grace-based Parenting, Playful Parenting, Positive Parenting, Purposeful Parenting, Unconditional Parenting, and, my personal favorite, Screamfree Parenting. 

Sometimes, especially when passing through a difficult season or experience with one of my children, I wind up feeling as if I’ve exhausted my parenting resources and tried every trick in the book to no avail.  So, when persuasive counsel and barking instructions cultivate more tension than positive results, its time to apply a different strategy. 

Resiliency….

Not necessarily in my child …… but for me.

Some define resiliency as an innate ability to bounce back following adversity or failure.  Others claim it to be an acquired skill-set that enables one to survive major setbacks and successfully navigate the storms and trauma of life. 

For me – it is a basic necessity in the course of my parenting and a prerequisite for peace during seasons of strife.  Resiliency enables me to rebound from most parenting faux pas, fostering a hopeful outlook on life (and parenting!).

So – here are several strategies I employ amid those bleak parenting moments when I'm not sure what to do next.  They may sound simple – but I find they break the ice, cultivate dialogue, and ease the tension – first and foremost for me – and then also for my children.

Remain stable and steady and dependable – perhaps more so during the adolescent years than any other, our children need a safe and secure place to land.  Experts claim that brain development accelerates dramatically during the teen years, which partially explains why adolescents are prone to drastic mood swings and strong emotional outbursts.  Therefore it’s important for parents to remain calm, cool and collected despite our teenager’s irrational or unexpected behavior.  For me, remaining firm in my convictions and managing my expectations is important.   My schedule needs to have added margin and I often mentally prepare myself for stressful encounters.  Breathing exercises, counting to 10, choosing to say nothing (not even under my breath) are all safe behaviors.  A few sessions with a professional counselor or trusted advisor helps too!

Acknowledge, Affirm and Assure – In addition to being a season filled with significant mood swings and drastic physical changes, adolescence is a breeding ground for insecurities, misunderstandings and, at times, near paranoia.  One moment our teens are assured of our love and next (usually following a corrective discussion, loss of a privilege or push in the right direction) they see us as the enemy and themselves as an inconvenience and a burden.  Its equally important to acknowledge their worth.  Tell them they are special, affirm their talents and God-given gifts, and assure them they are loved…..over and over and over again.  Write it down.  Put a note on their pillow, tape it to the bathroom mirror, stick it in their book-bag or lunch box and secure it to the car dashboard.  They cannot hear it or read it enough!

Hug – a lot.  There are times when a warm hand on the shoulder or gentle squeeze connects us in ways which go beyond what is possible with mere words -- especially when the right words are hard to come by.  Research indicates that children who experience healthy physical affection within their family relationships have higher self-esteem and a greater sense of well-being throughout life. 

Retell a treasured memory from their childhood – Consider jotting down several “firsts” – first words, first steps, first time riding a bike, first camping trip, you get the picture.  How about a favorite toy, TV show or movie?  Who was their favorite childhood friend and what was the activity they enjoyed the most?  Better yet, recall some of their funny habits or tendencies.   Sharing these memories will bring both smiles and a feeling of cheer to the room, lightening the overall atmosphere.

This list is certainly not exhaustive.  For a brief list of websites on pursuing healthy relationships and raising children click here. 

I'm currently readin, For Parents Only by Shaunti Feldhahn and Lisa a. Rice and often look to the topical resource Parenting with Scripture by Kara Durbin.  

Question:  Do you have some strategies that help you bounce back following a challenging parenting moment?