Men's Ministry and Women's Ministry

Alternate title: If your marriage sucks, maybe don't spend all your time with other men/women who's marriages suck.

Hear me: I'm not completely against men/women's ministry. I think they can be healthy and do a lot of great things. I do take issue with "Wild at Heart" and "Captivating" focused ministries, though. I think these books generally miss the mark, especially in their view of God. They also seem to spend a lot of the book building people up. If I have the potential to be completely awesome, why do I need God? A self-centered life is a lonely life.

"Wild at Heart" Excerpt:

"Deep in his heart, every man longs for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue. That is how he bears the image of God; that is what God made him to be." -John Eldredge

"Captivating" Excerpts:

"Sometime between the dreams of your youth and yesterday, something precious has been lost. And that treasure is your heart, your priceless feminine heart. God has set within you a femininity that is powerful and tender, fierce and alluring. No doubt it has been misunderstood. Surely it has been assaulted. But it is in there, your true heart, and it is worth recovering. You are captivating." -John AND Stasi Eldredge.

"How does a woman best love a man? The answer is simple: seduce him." -John AND Stasi Eldredge*.

These are the three things John and Stasi think all women long for:

1. To be romanced.

2. To play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure.

3. To unveil beauty

I was recently talking with some people about this, and here's my takeaway after thinking it over:

• Even though we're all created by God, we're all different. There isn't one set of steps that will work for all of us.
• Not all men will be better husbands after riding a horse or camping in Colorado.
• Not all women have a deep desire to be a princess and to be rescued.
• John Eldredge seems to have an unbiblical view of God and man.
• Self-centeredness isn't going to make me a better woman.

Maybe there's something wrong with me. These books are pretty dang popular. They just don't sit right with me, I guess. I think most people read books like this because they want to be better people. I'm just not sure this book describes the kind of woman I want to become or the kind of God I am compelled serve.

*Seriously? she can't write it on her own? I guess that's about the whole, "play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure," thing.

I Forgot to Tell You That We Got a Grill

(oh, and I have a new blog header which is a sneak peak for my new website coming soon)


That'll be all. Thanks.

Getting Your Team on the Love Track

I love the people I work with.

No, really.

I LOVE them.

I think it's important to love the people you work closely with, whether it is a paid staff or a volunteer team. Why would we want to chase a God-honoring vision with people we can't stand? That just doesn't make sense.

Why love?

• It creates a safe culture.
• There is a synergy that happens when love and respect rule.
• Loyalty is not an automatic thing: love helps that along.
• I'm convinced that love makes creative juices flow.
• It makes work fun.
• Jesus' ministry is a model of community and love. That's a good enough reason for me.

Here are a couple of ideas to get your teams on the love track:

• Spend a chunk of time in your meetings getting to know each other (no, not "what is your favorite ice cream?").
• Pray for each other. If you're a leader, pray FOR your team (see Colossians 1:9-12 and Ephesians 1:15-21 for the kinds of things Paul prayed for).
• Listen and respond to each other (Acts 6:1-7).
• Encourage each other (Hebrews 10:23-25).
• Challenge each other (Hebrews 3:13).

Even if you don't think you can love everyone you work with, I'd challenge you to try. I think you might be surprised at the result.

(Adapted from a lesson on "Caring for Those You Lead" from Derek.)

I Have a Desk/Couch Problem

See this? This is our living room (TV is in the right hand corner off of the photo). Usually, the couches and tables are pushed back to the wall of windows, but we moved everything up as an experiment.

Question: Should we put Dave's desk behind the couch and use it as a couch table (picture frames/vase on it) when he's not working (monitors stored under the desk unless being used).

Reasoning: He works on videos from home A LOT, and now that we both work full time, we don't see each other, so the last thing we need is him in the office and me in the living room all night.

There's a poll in my side bar. Please vote! Yes, this is THAT important to me.

New Invitation Design

DEPPENcover

Originally uploaded by DanielleSuzanne

(Click to photo to see more)

I just finished up some awesome wedding invitations. There was a lot of last minute drama to get it done, but my printer came through for me! They always do.

I absolutely love this design, and if I could do my wedding over again this would be my invitation.

Not only do I love the design, but I love the bride. I was so honored to work on this. I can't wait to complete to rest of the designs for her special day.

Love you, Megan!