Mela Kamin – 4:10 Ministries

I wrote for 5-minutes, encouraged by Lisa-Jo, The Gypsy Mama, along with Gitz and many others. I linked up here. If you have some time, see what others are writing about in their 5-minutes and join in the fun. Make sure to read & encourage the person who linked before you (and others too!).



Here’s my 5-minute take on her chosen theme: “backwards.” I set the timer on my iPhone, started writing and when the timer went off, I took my hands off the keyboard. Try it – it’s a great exercise – (and challenging for this editor to not overthink it, delete, rewrite and try to craft a message).

BACKWARDS

So, I kind of did things backwards. I recorded an album and THEN told people I like to sing. Kind of odd, huh?

I never really felt comfortable telling people I wanted to sing, because I was afraid they would laugh and … I was afraid they’d be right.

Then, I went for it anyway and it’s been incredible and exhausting, overwhelming and exhilarating all at the same time.

I can’t say it’s been easy and many people would say, “nothing worth working for is easy anyway.”

It’s backwards to think that anybody could just decide one day to start writing songs. I mean people do that, right? But, to then meet some producers and musicians, go to Nashville and record is crazy.

Some could say it was humility that kept me quiet. It’s more likely to be my fear, foolishness and maybe even pride that didn’t want to get found out.

Backwards, huh?

I think of God’s grace and how backwards that is.

To get something truly remarkable lavished on us that we plain don’t deserve. And, telling my story about God showing up with the Holy Spirit moving and calling me out into a frightening, but faith-filled place is about as backwards as I can imagine. Me, the writer girl who didn’t grow up going to church.

Can’t argue with the direction He takes us – even if it seems backwards to the world.

The kids’s last day of school was Thursday and we’re officially in SUMMER mode, which means …

BASEBALL

ADVENTURE WALKS around the neighborhood

slumber parties in the basement

sleeping in (ok – that one’s only for Gus)

stocking up on a new set of adventures at the LIBRARY

and of course, FUN at the LAKE

FISHING off Papa’s dock

nothing quite makes me smile like watching these 3 smart, sweet, spirited BLESSINGS

being SILLY

soaking up every last SUNDROP

and melting me with MOMENTS like this


What are you doing for fun this Summer? Any trips planned? We’re looking forward to Yellowstone in a couple months.

A lot of people ask me what I’m reading. When I’m not in the Word through personal devotion or Wednesday morning Bible study with friends, I’m often reading on my iPhone – yes, I’m that person who actually reads on the small screen.
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I’m a fast reader and my kids are at ages, where I’m able to get reading time in without too much fuss. With my Kindle app on my iPhone filled to the gills, I sometimes bounce back and forth between a couple titles (or 3 or 4). And, sitting at swimming or gymnastics class, I find having a small library in my purse pretty handy.
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Here’s a glimpse into what interests me. I tend to purchase books right when I hear about them. I don’t like to miss out on a good thing and I figure I’ll forget if I don’t buy it right away!
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From Head to Foot: All of You Living All for Him by Annie F. Downs – reading this right now & it’s wonderful … insightful and witty. I’ve highlighted a ton to share with the girls I get to minister to.
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Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider – as we’re attempting to downsize, this has helped me focus in on areas I need help … great tips from someone who knows about living simply.
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The Grace of God by Andy Stanley – He is a phenomenal communicator – I’m kind of a sermon junkie and at night, since we don’t have cable, I’ll either watch a show on Hulu or watch sermons online. Andy is one of my go-to Pastors.
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Gracenomics: Unleash the Power of Second Chance Living by Mike Foster – I heard about this movement through Twitter and I must say, it’s convicted and challenged me to think of grace and how & who I administer it to in a whole new way.
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Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys by Stephen James & David Thomas – I have two wild things: 8 & 6 (the youngest is even named Max – ’nuff said).
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Love at Last Sight by Kerry & Chris Shook – as I look upon the handful of key relationships in my life, how can I make the most of my time, so I’m loving well up to the very last moment?
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The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning – quickly becoming a classic … heard of it from Michael W Smith (yes, that Michael W Smith) – ok, we never spoke, but he answered my question during a live chat about which book he was currently reading (this was it). Manning said he wrote it “for the bedraggled, beat-up, and burnt-out.” I’d say that fits most of us. Excellent, real-life account of what grace is and looks like.
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Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster – described as a classic, Foster defines what it looks like to strive for spiritual maturity and discipleship
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Books in my reader I’ve finished:
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Quitter by Jon Acuff – wrote about it here and just finished this in a couple sittings … really good – funny, affirming to what I’m doing and good fodder for talking with friends on cusp of big changes & life decisions.
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Mad Church Disease by Anne Jackson – for someone highly involved in congregational and personal ministry, I found this fascinating to hear of someone “confessing” to being burnt out – and what to be aware of. Interesting perspective and story.
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Plan B by Pete Wilson – Pete is another Pastor I watch on a regular basis … in fact, I just finished his sermon on mercy in the “Anything But Ordinary” series. Excellent look into the Beatitudes. Through Plan B, Pete reminds us that God’s plans are not always ours, but He is present in the midst of the plans that don’t go our way and redeems us with His own.
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Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit by Francis Chan – It’s easy to find books about our awesome God and our mighty Savior Jesus – not always on the Holy Spirit. You can’t have One without the others, but we often forget the third part of the Trinity that resides in us, brings us to faith and intercedes for us.
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Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller – Miller tells a great story about his journey in and out of mainstream Christianity … very readable & thought-provoking.
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Hear No Evil by Matthew Paul Turner – music industry, sarcasm, humorous life story – check, check, double-check … easy, fun read
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Picking Dandelions by Sarah Cunningham – this one spoke to me – totally different upbringing & story than mine, but I responded to getting to a place where I felt I was sitting stagnant in my faith and needing to move, grow & change to incorporate my life into God’s – not the other way around
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One Month to Live by Kerry Shook – need to revisit this one and act on some of the principles – he urges us to live with an urgency many of us never experience or carry out … if I had 30 days to live, what would I spend my time doing?
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A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller- another story about story – funny and insightful, he shows us sometimes we need live more boldly to create a better story for ourselves
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All the Way to Berlin by James Megellas (I’ve read the hardcover – it was written by my Grandpa’s Commander during WWII) – highly recommend this from-the-trenches true story … Megellas would come and visit my Grandparents in the Summer and talk about their Paratrooper days. He’s the most-decorated officer in the history of the 82nd Airborne Division.
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* I also listened to the audio version of Heaven is For Real, which I was given through Michael Hyatt’s giveaway. My husband & kids listened through it too. It’s provided some incredible conversations at our house.
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Are you a reader?
What’s on your physical or digital bookshelf right now?