"The Link Between" is one of the best websites I've seen on the topic of intercultural marriage. Definitely check it out at thelinkbetween.wordpress.com/.
I also love the Marriage Missions website. It contains lots of fantastic articles for intercultural couples. Check out this one: marriagemissions.com/intercultural-marriages-assumptionsmy-way-the-right-way/
Also check out this intriguing site and interview: matadornetwork.com/abroad/on-blogs-of-the-world-intercultural-marriage-and-travel-writing-an-interview-with-liz-chatburn-of-pocket-cultures/
I've been contacted recently by several media folks requesting statistics, information and personal stories related to intercultural marriage. How exciting! Looks like people are catching on to the crucial need for resources on this topic. Let me know if I can be of help to you by providing articles, resources, recommendations or advice on this topic. You can also glean lots from my book, titled Your Intercultural Marriage: A Guide to a Healthy, Happy Relationship from Moody Publishers. It's available on Amazon and at bookstores. Thanks!
viernes, 12 de noviembre de 2010
sábado, 6 de noviembre de 2010
Great Article on The Do's and Don'ts of Blogging
Hello! Here's a great article on the do's and don'ts of blogging from Michael Hyatt, who operates an "Intentional Leadership" blog. Since most of us have blogs, I thought I'd share it with my readers. Thanks!
michaelhyatt.com/do-you-make-these-10-mistakes-when-you-blog.html
michaelhyatt.com/do-you-make-these-10-mistakes-when-you-blog.html
lunes, 1 de noviembre de 2010
Loving Your Choice...
I recently saw a quote that stopped me in my tracks. It said, "Choose your love; then love your choice."
God spoke to my heart through that quotation, reminding me that love is a choice. Isn't it sad that we fall in love and believe that our significant other is pretty much perfect in every way, and then as time passes, we tend to dwell on the things about him or her that we don't like?
I'm also impressed by the double entendre in this quote. Not only are we called to love our choice (as in the PERSON that we chose), but we are also called to love our choice (as in the fact that WE chose that person and it's up to us to live with the consequences). Every day, we must make it a point to focus on our spouse's best qualities and help him or her to become who he/she is meant to be in Christ.
Yesterday I was thinking that it would be cool to list 31 things I love about my husband, in celebration of Halloween. So here goes:
1) I know he loves me.
2) He buys me roses.
3) He loves the Lord.
4) He's very intelligent.
5) He is well spoken and gifted with languages.
6) He has adapted extremely well to life in America.
7) He understands my near-addiction to McDonald's Coke. :)
8) He is a fantastic dad.
9) He is not a violent person (both of us have been impacted by domestic violence, so this means a lot to me).
10) He loves good food.
11) He is amazing to travel with and can decode any type of map.
12) He works very hard at his job and is dependable.
13) He likes to spend lots of time with his family.
14) He is a good friend.
15) He is sensitive and caring.
16) He loves music.
17) He likes to exercise (sometimes, anyway!)
18) He loves to read and discuss books with me.
19) He's hot (why did I not mention that before?????)
20) He can carry on an interesting and intelligent conversation on any topic - so useful at parties.
21) He doesn't drink, smoke, do drugs, or anything like that.
22) He cares about my safety and that of the children.
23) He does tons of research before buying anything to be sure we get the best value.
24) He is tall, dark and handsome.
25) He enjoys going to church and connecting with friends.
26) He makes sacrifices for me and the kids.
27) He left his home country and family in order to marry me and move to the States!
28) He is a true international, a citizen of the world.
29) He is very devoted to our marriage.
30) He has a gentle spirit.
31) He has compassion for people and roots for the underdog. That will be helpful when the Rangers play the Giants tonight!
God spoke to my heart through that quotation, reminding me that love is a choice. Isn't it sad that we fall in love and believe that our significant other is pretty much perfect in every way, and then as time passes, we tend to dwell on the things about him or her that we don't like?
I'm also impressed by the double entendre in this quote. Not only are we called to love our choice (as in the PERSON that we chose), but we are also called to love our choice (as in the fact that WE chose that person and it's up to us to live with the consequences). Every day, we must make it a point to focus on our spouse's best qualities and help him or her to become who he/she is meant to be in Christ.
Yesterday I was thinking that it would be cool to list 31 things I love about my husband, in celebration of Halloween. So here goes:
1) I know he loves me.
2) He buys me roses.
3) He loves the Lord.
4) He's very intelligent.
5) He is well spoken and gifted with languages.
6) He has adapted extremely well to life in America.
7) He understands my near-addiction to McDonald's Coke. :)
8) He is a fantastic dad.
9) He is not a violent person (both of us have been impacted by domestic violence, so this means a lot to me).
10) He loves good food.
11) He is amazing to travel with and can decode any type of map.
12) He works very hard at his job and is dependable.
13) He likes to spend lots of time with his family.
14) He is a good friend.
15) He is sensitive and caring.
16) He loves music.
17) He likes to exercise (sometimes, anyway!)
18) He loves to read and discuss books with me.
19) He's hot (why did I not mention that before?????)
20) He can carry on an interesting and intelligent conversation on any topic - so useful at parties.
21) He doesn't drink, smoke, do drugs, or anything like that.
22) He cares about my safety and that of the children.
23) He does tons of research before buying anything to be sure we get the best value.
24) He is tall, dark and handsome.
25) He enjoys going to church and connecting with friends.
26) He makes sacrifices for me and the kids.
27) He left his home country and family in order to marry me and move to the States!
28) He is a true international, a citizen of the world.
29) He is very devoted to our marriage.
30) He has a gentle spirit.
31) He has compassion for people and roots for the underdog. That will be helpful when the Rangers play the Giants tonight!
jueves, 28 de octubre de 2010
Being Jesus to Other People
Dr. Kevin Leman, the author of several bestselling Christian books, shares this story: "A mother caught her two boys arguing over who would get the first pancake. The mother thought she had a golden opportunity to provide a moral lesson, so she said, 'If Jesus were sitting here, he would say, 'Let my brother have the first pancake. I can wait.' The older son turned to his brother and said, 'Okay, Ryan, you be Jesus.'"
I love this story! Not only is it hilarious, but it reveals an integral aspect of human nature: selfishness. Wanting the best for ourselves may be funny when we're kids, but we have to learn to overcome this type of selfishness in order to truly love and serve other people. A me-first attitude is what we must battle daily in order to be Jesus to other people.
In marriage, in ministry, in my family relationships, and in my friendships, I sometimes wait around for the other person to do the right thing (or apologize, or take the first step in mending a relationship). In essence, I am waiting for them to be Jesus to me instead of taking the high road and deciding to be like Jesus myself - WITHOUT EXPECTING ANYTHING IN RETURN.
I find this particularly difficult in marriage and with those people that we love most. Ever noticed how sometimes, the people that we really do love the MOST are not those we love the BEST? Sometimes they get our crumbs instead of the best that we have to offer. Jesus always gave His best and offered His full attention to even the lowliest of people in His culture. Very convicting!
I think that our heavenly Father is prompting all of us to try to "be Jesus" to those in our sphere of influence. How is He leading you to be like Jesus today? Please post a comment and share your thoughts! Thanks!
I love this story! Not only is it hilarious, but it reveals an integral aspect of human nature: selfishness. Wanting the best for ourselves may be funny when we're kids, but we have to learn to overcome this type of selfishness in order to truly love and serve other people. A me-first attitude is what we must battle daily in order to be Jesus to other people.
In marriage, in ministry, in my family relationships, and in my friendships, I sometimes wait around for the other person to do the right thing (or apologize, or take the first step in mending a relationship). In essence, I am waiting for them to be Jesus to me instead of taking the high road and deciding to be like Jesus myself - WITHOUT EXPECTING ANYTHING IN RETURN.
I find this particularly difficult in marriage and with those people that we love most. Ever noticed how sometimes, the people that we really do love the MOST are not those we love the BEST? Sometimes they get our crumbs instead of the best that we have to offer. Jesus always gave His best and offered His full attention to even the lowliest of people in His culture. Very convicting!
I think that our heavenly Father is prompting all of us to try to "be Jesus" to those in our sphere of influence. How is He leading you to be like Jesus today? Please post a comment and share your thoughts! Thanks!
sábado, 14 de agosto de 2010
Six Degrees of Separation...
I love this story that Chip MacGregor tells on his blog:
"In 1919, a young man who had been injured in the war in Europe moved to Chicago, picking one particular neighborhood in order to be close to the noted author Sherwood Anderson. The young writer, impressed with the critical praise heaped on Anderson’s Winesburg, Ohio, had heard the novelist was willing to assist beginning writers. The two men became close. They met every day to read together, exploring the writing of newspapers and magazines, and eventually tearing apart the inner workings of novels. The young man brought his own work to Anderson, who helped him see how he could improve his craft. Anderson even introduced the young writer to his network of publishing associates, and helped him publish his first novel, which was met with critical acclaim. Its title was The Sun Also Rises. The young man’s name was Ernest Hemingway.
Sherwood Anderson then moved to New Orleans, where he took another young author through those same paces, even putting up $300 of his own money to help that beginning writer’s first novel get published. The novel was entitled Soldier Pay. The author’s name was William Faulkner.
Anderson would then move to California, where he worked with a young writer by the name of John Steinbeck. Sherwood Anderson shaped modern American writing more profoundly than any author except Mark Twain. Most of the writing instructors of the late 20th century were, in one way or another, disciples of Anderson.
And the reason Sherwood Anderson was so committed to mentoring beginning writers? Because when he was young, a more experienced author by the name of Theodore Dreiser had invested in his own life and craft. It's why I'm a fan of beginning writers finding a Sherwood Anderson to help them develop."
What a cool and intriguing testimony to the power of helping others succeed! And Theodore Dreiser just happens to be from my hometown of Terre Haute, IN, which makes this story even more fascinating to me! Thanks for sharing, Chip.
"In 1919, a young man who had been injured in the war in Europe moved to Chicago, picking one particular neighborhood in order to be close to the noted author Sherwood Anderson. The young writer, impressed with the critical praise heaped on Anderson’s Winesburg, Ohio, had heard the novelist was willing to assist beginning writers. The two men became close. They met every day to read together, exploring the writing of newspapers and magazines, and eventually tearing apart the inner workings of novels. The young man brought his own work to Anderson, who helped him see how he could improve his craft. Anderson even introduced the young writer to his network of publishing associates, and helped him publish his first novel, which was met with critical acclaim. Its title was The Sun Also Rises. The young man’s name was Ernest Hemingway.
Sherwood Anderson then moved to New Orleans, where he took another young author through those same paces, even putting up $300 of his own money to help that beginning writer’s first novel get published. The novel was entitled Soldier Pay. The author’s name was William Faulkner.
Anderson would then move to California, where he worked with a young writer by the name of John Steinbeck. Sherwood Anderson shaped modern American writing more profoundly than any author except Mark Twain. Most of the writing instructors of the late 20th century were, in one way or another, disciples of Anderson.
And the reason Sherwood Anderson was so committed to mentoring beginning writers? Because when he was young, a more experienced author by the name of Theodore Dreiser had invested in his own life and craft. It's why I'm a fan of beginning writers finding a Sherwood Anderson to help them develop."
What a cool and intriguing testimony to the power of helping others succeed! And Theodore Dreiser just happens to be from my hometown of Terre Haute, IN, which makes this story even more fascinating to me! Thanks for sharing, Chip.
jueves, 12 de agosto de 2010
Pointers for Parents
My blog friend Courtney posted these notes from a talk by Sally Clarkson, a Christian author and speaker who homeschools her children. I loved some of her insightful comments about parenting:
1. Read great books to your children and introduce them to the best minds in the world.
2. Satan hates children. They are the next generation and he'll do anything to distract them with television, video games etc. Remember to continually prepare your children to serve God.
3. Create a foundation of love in your home. Teach them to obey the greatest commands, to love God and love others. Just as Jesus spent time with the disciples eating, laughing and doing life with them, as parents we must build bridges of love to our children's hearts. Live, laugh and do life together.
4. Establish a foundation of grace in your home. From Genesis to Revelation we see the grace of God revealed. Teach your children to offer God's grace to others - many times this is displayed through good manners.
5. Inspire your children. They were created to do good works. Find their talents and let them be who they are. Fill their hearts and minds with heroes and those who made a mark on this world for Jesus. Stand with your children through trials knowing that this is making them a stronger man or woman of God. Don't always protect them; let God build their character and grow them through their trials.
6. Teach your children scripture and live out a faithful story before them. They will have to be warriors for God one day and they are watching us. What are we role modeling? They need to see our passion for the Lord which gives them a foundation for their faith.
7. Train your children to be self-controlled, to work hard and long hours, to be creative and grow them into maturity. Be intentional about your training. This is a long process. Proverbs 22:6 says "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." "When he is old" means when he grows a beard. This is a process. And remember - at what age did we become perfect? We are working towards maturity not perfection. Filter television. Be sure to fill their minds with truth.
8. Teach your children to serve others. Train them to take initiative in relationships. If you want to see them as a servant of God, you must incorporate it into their lives. Show them the needs of the world through missions, homeless shelters, serving your neighbors and opening your home. Do not let your children become the future Pharisees of America; teach them to serve.
1. Read great books to your children and introduce them to the best minds in the world.
2. Satan hates children. They are the next generation and he'll do anything to distract them with television, video games etc. Remember to continually prepare your children to serve God.
3. Create a foundation of love in your home. Teach them to obey the greatest commands, to love God and love others. Just as Jesus spent time with the disciples eating, laughing and doing life with them, as parents we must build bridges of love to our children's hearts. Live, laugh and do life together.
4. Establish a foundation of grace in your home. From Genesis to Revelation we see the grace of God revealed. Teach your children to offer God's grace to others - many times this is displayed through good manners.
5. Inspire your children. They were created to do good works. Find their talents and let them be who they are. Fill their hearts and minds with heroes and those who made a mark on this world for Jesus. Stand with your children through trials knowing that this is making them a stronger man or woman of God. Don't always protect them; let God build their character and grow them through their trials.
6. Teach your children scripture and live out a faithful story before them. They will have to be warriors for God one day and they are watching us. What are we role modeling? They need to see our passion for the Lord which gives them a foundation for their faith.
7. Train your children to be self-controlled, to work hard and long hours, to be creative and grow them into maturity. Be intentional about your training. This is a long process. Proverbs 22:6 says "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." "When he is old" means when he grows a beard. This is a process. And remember - at what age did we become perfect? We are working towards maturity not perfection. Filter television. Be sure to fill their minds with truth.
8. Teach your children to serve others. Train them to take initiative in relationships. If you want to see them as a servant of God, you must incorporate it into their lives. Show them the needs of the world through missions, homeless shelters, serving your neighbors and opening your home. Do not let your children become the future Pharisees of America; teach them to serve.
God is in the Details
Writing allows us the opportunity and privilege to record the minute details of our lives, to explore and redeem tragedy as well as reflect glory, and to express what we love, who we are and why our experiences are important. I love this quote by Natalie Goldberg:
“Our lives are at once ordinary and mythical. We live and die, age beautifully or full of wrinkles… At the same instant we have these magnificent hearts that pump through all sorrow and all winters we are alive on the earth. We are important and our lives are important, magnificent really, and their details are worthy to be recorded. This is how writers must think, this is how we must sit down with pen in hand. We were here; we are human beings; this is how we lived. Let it be known, the earth passed before us. Our details are important.”
Natalie Goldberg, Writing Down the Bones, p. 43
“Our lives are at once ordinary and mythical. We live and die, age beautifully or full of wrinkles… At the same instant we have these magnificent hearts that pump through all sorrow and all winters we are alive on the earth. We are important and our lives are important, magnificent really, and their details are worthy to be recorded. This is how writers must think, this is how we must sit down with pen in hand. We were here; we are human beings; this is how we lived. Let it be known, the earth passed before us. Our details are important.”
Natalie Goldberg, Writing Down the Bones, p. 43
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