say whatcha need to say

Apart from being a catchy song by John Mayer....today's post is about saying what needs to be said. I think it's pretty easy for me to just "talk" but not say anything important. Or sometimes even talking about "important matters" but never saying the truly hard things. Part of this is confrontation. I am scared to death to confront certain issues or certain people. I am mostly afraid of what they will think of me or losing the relationship altogether. The more life I live, the more I am challenged with how and when to confront, what to say, how to approach with love, etc. This can play out day to day in marriage, with friends, co-workers, etc. 


Recently, my church- Christ Central Church, has been doing a sermon series entitled "God _____ America". Howard Brown, our senior pastor, is preaching on issues that aren't usually addressed from the pulpit, but surround us everyday. The past few sermons have been: Freedom of Speech, Race and Ethnicity, Women's Rights, and Ageism. I would have never heard these sermons growing up, which is part of the reason I love this church. They have all been personally convicting and have started great conversations among the congregation. They are bold and his words are blunt, but I am proud that he is addressing these issues and has the courage to say hard things....things most of us don't want to hear. 


So in light of these sermons, I have been challenged and want to challenge others. Life is too short to NOT say what is needed to be said. 


Sermons can be found on iTunes or soundcloud. 

Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose

We just finished the best TV series EVER- Friday Night Lights. A lot of our friends have watched it and now my brother and sis-in-law have too. All recommend it. I haven't heard a negative thing about it yet....except for wishing it lasted longer!  If you have never seen it, WATCH it! You will thank me :) All 5 seasons are on Netflix. 

Here is a brief synopsis- 

Friday Night Lights is an American sports drama television series adapted from a book and film of the same name. The series details events surrounding a high school football team based in fictional Dillon, Texas, with particular focus given to coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler) and his family. The show uses this small town backdrop to address many issues facing contemporary American culture, including school funding, racism, drugs, abortion, and lack of economic opportunities.

Coach Eric Taylor

Riggins

Tim Riggins is Robert and I's favorite character. Don't be surprised if a pet or child is named after him at some point-- we love him that much. Riggins is reason enough to watch the show. 

"Moving, life-changing, Texas Forever"- Robert Akin

You Never Marry the Right Person

Don't get me started on Tim Keller.... he is AMAZING and can be quoted all day long. Here is an excerpt from his newer book The Meaning of Marriage. Enjoy!

You Never Marry the Right Person

New Year, New List?

New Years resolutions are NOT for the lazy (like me). Every year on January 1st I become all to aware of all the things I need to "do better" for the next year. Usually this list is EXACTLY the same as the list the year before. I feel defeated even thinking about it. Ughh... Does anyone else have the same resolutions every year? You would think I could conquer one and move on to the next. But every year around January 7th I say, "the heck with it, maybe next year?" Here are a few repeats on my list:

1. Floss-- why is this SO hard!!!

2. Eat better

3. Work out more

4. Read my Bible (I'm not even going to pretend like Bible makes #1 on the list, the fact that I forget it before flossing shows you how much I need to read my Bible)

5. Cook REAL meals...mac and cheese/cereal doesn't count

I also make statements to myself like "This is the year I will make more money/finish that project/ find the perfect job"! Am I setting myself up to fail? And why do we always have to "completely change" when the ball drops?  Why don't we wake up on June 15th and say, "Starting today I will give up __" or "This is the year I will ___!" 

Don't get me wrong, I don't think its completely a loss to have resolutions. Deep down, I think there is something inside of us longing for that chance to be better... to change something "negative" about ourselves. I think that longing is good....but I'm not so sure setting unrealistic goals on one day of the year is helpful. Not to me anyways!! 

This year I think I might try to set one realistic goal- something I know on the front end that I won't have a hard time doing. Once I get into that routine, maybe I will add something else to the list? Maybe something harder...like flossing! 

So 2012....my first little resolution is to BLOG! At least once a week. It might bring me sanity to write something. Plus, you can read about our life since we are so horrible at calling people. Yes, Robert, you are included in this part :) 

I am also going to start a Bible Reading Program for slackers...no seriously, it is a program for slackers...it's in the title. Since it's designed specifically for slackers, I feel like I can participate. The best part is the readings aren't assigned to dates...so when I fail, which I will, I won't feel overwhelmed and behind :) Yay! 

What are YOUR resolutions for 2012?!