Ms. Hagadorn and I truly know how to have a wild Saturday night.

That is, if your idea of wild is Panera Bread, Target, Michael’s, Office Depot, and Giant.

Inspired by the brilliance of Pinterest we decided to have a crafting session which included canvases, paint, clipboards, Mod Podge, and scrapbook paper.

Check out my wonderful artistry!

The “art” was modeled after Jordan Ferney’s at Oh Happy Day.  I can’t wait to hang it in my bedroom!

OHMYWORD.  I couldn’t stop craving Potbelly.  All. day. long.  All I wanted was a chicken salad sandwich.  WHAT IN THE WORLD?!  I have one maybe twice a year and I have never crave it.  So why?  Why my first day of this self-imposed fast that I have been super excited about?

Gladly, I didn’t cave.   I didn’t even cheat when I made brownies yesterday evening.  I didn’t lick the bowl or spoon.  I didn’t have any of the wonderful, rich caramel that was spread on top.  I’m pretty sure it was the strongest act of will-power that I have ever displayed.  Caramel is my Kryptonite.

No major revelations.  No grand acts of God.  No hand writing on the wall.

But Day 2 is here now.  And yesterday a friend posted “Pray bigger prayers” on his Facebook page.  So that’s what I’m doing.  I’m praying big prayers.  I’m fasting for a purpose and I’m confident that God will honor that.

If you’ve been around me for any length of time over the past three weeks there is no doubt that you have heard about my love of Jen Hatmaker‘s newest book 7.  In it, Hatmaker (and occassionally her family and friends) partake in seven month-long fasts (only one is food related) in order to gain a greater understanding of God’s heart for the poor and what their response should be.  I can’t even do the book justice.  I have laughed and  I have cried.  My soul has been challenged and has found renewed sensitivity towards the things that are  closest to the heart of God.

Another reason it has resonated? I love me some good social experiments and times of discipline.  Although it is rarely comfortable and welcome at the time, I love being challenged to step outside of my comfort zone and to dig deeper.  7 has made me contemplate doing just that.  As I read I began to think, “What could I stand to give up in order to gain more (sensitivity, discipline, focus, etc)?”

Around the same time a friend approached me about doing a 30-day Paleo challenge.  For those of you haven’t heard of the Paleo Diet I’m pretty sure you’ve not been around DC for the past few months.  Crossfit and Paleo are brought up at least once a conversation.  She challenged me to join her in the endevour and I quickly agreed.

So, for the month of February, for 29 days, I’m doing just that.  I’m setting it apart as a time of discipline – physically, spiritually, mentally.  My prayer is that God uses this time in order to create habits that will glorify Him more and that He will reveal Himself in new ways.  Not only will I be partaking in the Paleo Challenge (no gluten, no dairy, no sugar) and going to the gym more regularly (and by regularly, I mean going) but also setting aside some very purposeful time to pray through and reflect, read, and talk to people in order to explore some things that have been put on my heart.

Now I know she challenged me to 30 days and not 29 – so why skimp on the extra day?

Well… that’s another story for another day.

This early-to-bed lady stayed up late last night.

Not only that, but I stayed up late to watch football, a game I usually only gain interest in if there’s a boyfriend attached at the other end.

No, there’s no boyfriend.

I’m totally on Team Tebow.

Big time.

I watched the New England Patriots beat the Denver Broncos 45-10 in the playoff game.  It was a game that had more frustrating moments than moments of celebration and while I was driving home I kept replaying it over in my mind. Am I disappointed for the Broncos and for Tim Tebow that they didn’t win? Sure. But in a way, I’m also relieved for them.  There has been an amazing amount of scrutiny, criticism, and pedestal raising taking place over the past few months and I can’t help but wonder about the toll that it has taken on each of the individuals involved.

This morning I checked Twitter to hear more about it and one of the tweets that came up was from TT’s brother, Peter (@petertebow).  It read, “Sometimes victories come in the form of seeming defeats #thecross #thingsmoreimportantthanfootball”

He’s right.

Football isn’t our Savior.  Tim Tebow isn’t either.  God is.  Our hope, assurance and praise belong at the feet of the One who created all things and gave His only Son to die as a ransom for our sins. The One who is unchanging, perfect, and just.  God didn’t decide that He didn’t love Tim anymore and was no longer going to support him.  God’s primary concern is not the score on a football field but that His glory will be made known.  That can happen with or without a win.  My literal prayer is that regardless of what happened last night, Tim continues to proclaim Christ and uses his platform and resources to share Him with others.  I have a feeling he’s going to be asked a lot of questions that are going to give him the opportunity to do so.

This morning I’m pondering the following questions: What areas of my life have seemed like defeats but are really opportunities for God to be made known greater?  What things do I get wrapped up in that take my eyes off of what is truly important?  How can I share the work of the cross with others even more?

Let’s celebrate seeming defeat that, in actuality, was the greatest victory.

As we quickly approach the end of the ear I thought I would be nostalgic and review some of my very favorite things from 2011.  Pipe in each day and let me know what your top picks are!

Today’s Favorites are from my never-ending reading list.   Oh how I love thee, non-fiction.

Enjoy!