Basics

My dear friend Ivana pointed out, after reading the recent ‘Debate’ blog, how I was all fiery and passionate and then…Garden.  It came to this abrupt halt when the last statement ended and the very next post (really the preceding post) was this sunny little blurb about our wee garden ;-) 

Then she said something profound, “I think it works.  I think if flows.  Because when it comes to all things religion and Christianity we desperately need to get back to the basics, the simple things.  Like gardening.  Like growing our own food, watching it spring up from the earth.  So yeah, it caught me off guard because I was all fired up too, but I like it.  Back to basics.  It’s what’s important.”

Reason number #1042 I adore her.

A return to basics?  What do YOU think?

Strawberry

Do you see it?  

We've grown a strawberry!!  This is breaking news!

Okay technically we didn't grow it, considering it was already on the plant when we bought it and all...but we did manage to keep it alive until it ripened!!  And that's huge!

I knew we could do it.  Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration, too.  I hoped we could do it.  No...  I thought perhaps there was some miraculous chance this side of heaven that we might just possibly be able to keep one of the plants alive by not over watering or under watering or scorching in the sun or forgetting to feed them or watching them die helplessly of bug bites for a short time at least...yes, that's more like it.

So far so good then!  And I must say this little guy has given me great confidence.

As to the fate of the rest of our little 'family' (as Josh lovingly refers to our wee porch garden)... I'll keep you posted ;-)

PS-Linda was walking slowly up the sidewalk when I went out front to meet her yesterday morning for an early stroll down Swiss.  She looked at me curiously, a little alarmed, "Were you seriously just on the porch talking to your plants?  I thought you were joking about that."

;-)

Are you growing anything this spring?  Flowers, an herb garden, or a big vegetable garden perhaps??

Debate

Provoked by all of the theological debate surrounding Rob Bell's new book, Love Wins, I wrote this lengthy blog post about all of my not-so-pretty thoughts regarding Christianity.  Reading it over, though, I realize it's probably not wise I share it with the world ;-)  It essentially reeks of my sentiments that 'Christianity sucks' and 'when will we get over ourselves'...you know...that kind of stuff ;-)  Not exactly exciting, affirming reading. So rather than post my venting in all it's disdainful glory, I thought I'd just share a few snippets.  Though I'm fully aware I still may upset or polarize a few readers, I firmly believe in being authentic.  So here ya go:

... if we did away with our self-centered, me-centric, every-program-imaginable-to-make-everyone-happy churches…we’d probably all be a lot better off.  How about we stop focusing on personal growth so much, and instead focus on the single mom down the street who’s barely getting by?  Instead of yet another Bible study, how about a neighborhood study to determine what the real needs of our community are?  How about, rather than debating who’s wrong and who’s right about heaven and hell, we spend an hour with the elderly man next door who's been living alone for two decades?  Rather than discussing movies and reality tv over dinner, let's discuss the sex-trafficking happening in our backyards, the misplaced refugees huddling together in tiny apartments across town, or the number of hurting children silently, hopelessly enduring exploitation in child pornography as we speak....

...How about, in general, we shut our mouths for once and actually DO something?...  

...Far as I’m concerned, you can have your debates and arguments and studies and programs.  Take your formulas and opinions and hierarchies of holiness, your uninspiring ‘art’ and cliché mementos.  And while you’re at it, your superior, judgmental attitude as well...I’ll have Jesus.  That’s really, truly all I need, and furthermore, it’s all I want.  I’ve feasted on everything else Christianity has to offer, and quite frankly, He’s the only thing that’s satisfied... 

So um, there ya have it, my thoughts on the debate...sort of.

Have you been following the Love Wins debate?  What are YOUR thoughts??

Garden

Just a wee little garden on the porch in the sun.  

We are in love.  With our tiny garden.  We check on her every day.  Usually together.

We created her together.  We'll nurture her together.  Cause that's how it should be.  

Truth is, I usually kill plants.  Like, murder them.  However I'm believing this little garden will THRIVE, because we're doing it together.  And that makes all the difference in the world.  

What did you do this weekend??

Winners!

Chose at random via www.random.org the winners of the Anthropologie giveaway are:

Unfortunately, it isn't creative or unusual. . . a cup of black expired organic vanilla-hazelnut coffee and a kiss goodbye from your father-in-law. . . .a hug from Dakotah is an added bonus. -Deb

AND

I cannot face the day...or even begin to start my morning without my simple offering of love, reverence, and obedience...intimacy with Father...His Word....accompanied with a fresh brewed cup of Java.... This is my perfect morning!....and I LOVE them.... -Valorie Davis Cartwright

Congrats, Deb and Valorie!  Shoot me an email at terrica@terricajoy.com to claim your prizes.

Granny

My Mom, Tirzah and I took my Granny to the Arboretum yesterday to celebrate her birthday.  She's a lover of flowers and color, a bird-watcher, someone who appreciates the simple things.  (It's in our blood, I think ;-)  In all her years she's never visited the Arboretum, so of course it seemed the perfect celebration adventure.  We had a picnic lunch picked up from Whole Foods on the patio overlooking the lake before heading off to explore the grounds.

She pointed out a few buds here and there, wisteria, redbuds...

...but I was really waiting to see what she'd have to say when we got to the vast lawn where the tulip beds are displayed in breaktaking splendor.  As we rounded the corner and the vivid beds came into view, we stopped and stared for a moment, taking it all in.  As we started towards the lawn to squish our toes in the lush grass she said it, quietly, "Man may plow the ground and plant the seeds...man may even tend to these beds day in and out...but it's God who makes them grow.  No man could do that.  I just don't understand how anyone could say there's no God."

I smiled, "Indeed, Granny.  Couldn't have said it better myself."

They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.  Romans 1:19-20

Isn't she cute?!  Don't you just love Grandmas??  What simple truths has your Granny taught you?