Something to Gain vs. Nothing to Lose

~ Allison ~ Leave a comment

This week I listened to Jen Hatmaker teaching from Mark 10.  She compared and contrasted James and John asking Jesus for a place of honor in glory to Bartimaeus calling to Jesus, saying, “Lord, have mercy!”

I paused podcast several times to write out her words verbatim because it convicted me so strongly.  I immediately thought of race relations in the United States when she spoke, though she did not mention them.  Here are my notes.

“Those of us at the top of the ladder are going to have the hardest time with this. Jesus said that in so many ways because the more we gain, the more we will feel like we earned it. The more we achieve, the more we want to protect it all.  The more we rise, the further we get from the bottom, which is where Jesus said he could always be found.  The more we have, the harder it is to count it all as loss.”

Those of us who are rich are going to have the hardest time following Jesus.

In both stories, Jesus asks the same question. “What do you want me to do for you?”  The answer to this question reveals our hearts.  Our words and actions may be “right” but our wants reveal what kind of disciple we really are.

Soren Kierkegaard calls the two groups “those who esteem Christ and those who follow Him.”

Am I lifting Jesus higher in hopes that I rise too?  Is my faith self-serving?  Am I pandering to Jesus while praying, “Lord, make me awesome”?

To follow Jesus is to live like He lived.

Do I follow Him because I have something to gain, or because I have nothing to lose?

“Loving Jesus and being loved by Him is going to have to be its own reward.”

What I Read: March 2016

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24 books through the first 25% of 2016!  I’ve consistently read 8 books a month even while taking 2 classes a week in the evening.  Not too shabby…

I will say that I had trouble in the second half of last month finding books that I LOVED.  My goal for April is to stop reading the book if I don’t enjoy it.  It may mean my monthly total goes down, but I’m okay with it.

Here’s what I read last month:

SUYL: Favorite Beauty Products

~ Allison ~ Leave a comment

Linking up with Kelly again for this week’s Show Us Your Life.  I get to talk about beauty products!

I am a former Mary Kay consultants, so I’ve got to give a plug here for that! I love Mary Kay’s skin care and foundation…I really do…even though my saleswoman days are over.  If any of you are consultants or directors, I applaud you.  It’s a great company.

The Timewise Miracle Set is wonderful.  I know there are four items pictured here but it’s a very simple routine and you really should wash your face morning and night. I can’t tell a huge difference when I don’t.

TimeWise® Miracle Set® (normal/dry)

I also use the matte wear foundation as I have somewhat oily skin and hate looking shiny.  This has great coverage without getting cakey.

TimeWise® Matte-Wear® Liquid Foundation

I recently reviewed the ISHBeauty Contour Kit in my FabFitFun box and I’ve had a lot of fun using it lately.  I followed a tutorial on the website and I’m enjoying my “new spring look.” The picture makes the bronzers look rather dark — it’s really not like that on your face.

Lastly, I recently bought this mascara at the recommendation of Jamie Ivey.  If you aren’t listening to the Happy Hour Podcast, you are missing out.

Voluminous<sup>®</sup> Carbon Black Mascara Carbon Black - Mascara

What I Learned: March 2016

~ Allison ~ Leave a comment

It’s so cliche but I really cannot believe we are 1/4 of the way through 2016! I’ve stayed busy with work and classwork and I guess I haven’t paid much attention.

I spent some time this morning looking over my quarterly goals from January to March.  Some were accomplished, but most were not.  As always, I did a better job meeting my external goals than internal ones.

For the second quarter of the year, I plan to focus on these internally centered goals: health and rest.  I listened to a sermon a few weeks ago about the importance of Sabbath rest.  It is a commandment, but I know I don’t heed it the way I do the others.  Intentional rest is an outside sign of trust…trust that the Father will take care of His child.

 

Here are a few other lessons I learned this March.

  1. Taking two classes at once was a big mistake.  By the grace of God, I am getting through it, but May 31 cannot come soon enough.  I finished one class on March 21, but another one start the 28th, so I will finish 3 this semester.
  2. Academic writing is HARD! This is a result of #1.  One of my classes is killing me.  I haven’t had to write in APA format for years.
  3. Fellowship brings life.  I started attending a new small group in February and it has been a joy.  I am so thankful.
  4. I tend to make life decisions out of fear.  This could be its own post but for now, I will just leave it here.  I don’t like this about myself. I think it is a big reason why I have trouble finding rest.

I’d Like to See a Real Doctor

~ Allison ~ 1 Comment

As someone whose brother just completed medical school in the last 12 months, I find it fascinating how immediate the transition from student to doctor occurs.  He’s 27 years old and performing ridiculous procedures every day.

I picked up this book in part because of the brilliant title, and also because I love a good medical story.  Matt McCarthy does not disappoint, as he shares the many highs and lows of his intern year of residency.  McCarthy is a great storyteller, and while I have my doubts that it is all true, I enjoyed the read.

I would love to hear a “real” doctor’s take on all this.  Oh wait… I know one.

 

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for this review.

 

 

The Value Gap We Need to Talk About

~ Allison ~ 2 Comments

“Whenever white America has a cold, black America has the flu…Claims that the recession is over…only confirm that much of what happens in black America is not a matter of national concern—unless, of course, it threatens people who ‘really matter.'”

I began reading this book and was hooked from the first chapter.  Since Ferguson I’ve read several books about race relations in America and the black experience.  I’ve read works of fiction and nonfiction, Christian thought and academic pieces, and white and black writers.

Democracy in Black is probably the one you should read if you are only going to read one book on the topic.  Eddie S. Glaude Jr. writes to both a white and black audience.  He discusses history, data and philosophy at length, but also writes from personal experience.  It’s not an easy read; Glaude calls out contradictions and  travesties of both races.

His main premise is simple: America is NOT a post-racial society, and that is why the #BlackLivesMatter movement is necessary.

You guys, today in America we incarcerate more black people than South Africa did at the height of apartheid.

We have a problem of race in America and declaring it over does  not make it over.  Glaude says the reason is because there is a value gap, that is, “white people are valued more than others in this country.”  All you have to do is watch a Trump rally to see that.  Glaude says, “BlackLivesMatter reminds white people that their lives do not matter more than others.  It is a direct challenge to white supremacy.”

I could go on, but don’t want to summarize the Glaude’s entire work.  This book broke my heart.  We must do better.

 

 

 

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for this review.

The Fab, the Fit, the Fun

~ Allison ~ Leave a comment

I’ve always been intrigued by those subscription boxes but never bit the bullet and got one until this Christmas (with the money my grandma gave me…woohoo!)

I just got my second box this afternoon and had so much fun opening the box and looking through what was inside.

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FabFitFun is different from most boxes because it includes FULL SIZED products…no two-use samples here.  Each season’s box has a variety of items that target glam, fashion, skincare and health and wellness.

The December box had a skincare set, some beautiful nail polish, a reed diffuser, warm gloves…and many other things!

Some of my favorites from this box include…

Kitchen Window Herb Garden – can’t wait to use this since I am moving in June and won’t have a real garden this year.

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This necklace: it’s plated with 18K gold (a $65 value)

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The Spring Box has a total retail value of $282.91, but if you use this link, you can get it for $39.99.  You’re gonna love it!

Show Us Your Life: Favorite Recipe

~ Allison ~ 2 Comments

Linking up to Kelly’s Show Us Your Life series again this week!

Today I’m sharing a recipe I made several times this winter.  It’s a great (and HEALTHY) comfort meal.  And really, I think it will still be good in the spring and summer.

I’m pretty sure you could also make this a crockpot meal but I’ve only ever made it on the stove.

Applesauce Chicken

Ingredients:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed of fat
  • 1 cup applesauce (no sugar added)
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 small onion, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 2 teaspoons apple cider or white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon (or more) of cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Sauté the onion and garlic over medium-high heat in a non-stick skillet in a tiny bit of your fat of choice. Add the chicken and sauté on both sides until browned. Add the remaining ingredients and heat until bubbly. Reduce heat to medium-low, then cover and cook for 15 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink.

I serve this with baked or roasted sweet potatoes and broccoli.  It’s simple and delicious!

Tethered

~ Allison ~ Leave a comment

“Wandering one: As it was Jesus who drew you when He said, ‘Come,’ so it is Jesus who keeps you when He says, ‘Abide’. The grace to come and the grace to abide are alike from Him alone…the chord of love that drew you near…holds you fast and binds you to Himself.” –Andrew Murray, in Abiding in Christ

What a comfort and joy to know that I do not have to hold on for dear life!  The True Vine has already tethered Himself to me.

If You’re New Here…

~ Allison ~ 3 Comments

…Then welcome!

I thought I’d link up to Kelly’s “Show Us Your Life” series this time around. I always enjoyed these link ups in the past but never participated.

I’m Allison.  I just turned 30 last month and I live in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with my sweet little dog.  I grew up in a large family and enjoy visiting my siblings and adorable nieces (in the picture above) whenever I can.  I work as a middle school counselor and am currently taking classes in educational leadership in hopes of one day becoming a school principal (although the amount of homework I have this weekend is making me question that decision at the moment)!

“This Cloudy Glass” refers to my spiritual journey and many of my blog posts are about what I’ve learned about my Savior.  You will also see me write a lot about books (I read 100 last year), music, and other random happenings.  I’m still finding my niche, so there may be surprises.

I love Virginia Tech sports, gardening, cooking, listening to podcasts, and watching TV.  I will try to avoid ever blogging about the Bachelor. 🙂

Thanks for stopping by!