so, i am hitting a creative block at the moment and thought i would take this time to see if there are any questions you, the flowerdust faithful, have for me?anything you?ve ever wanted to know? i will answer in the comments section. nothing?s off limit! so, ask!
also, if you are an RSS fan, i have changed the look of my blog, so click over and hit refresh to see the latest. i also added a new feature on my sidebar, ?anne?s current thought.?
Comments
64 responses to “ask me…”
Dear Laura… errrrrr Anne,
When times are tough. When you start to feel an internal tension. Maybe you let someone down, you just got a speeding ticket, or you found out some bad news. How does your body want to alleviate the pain? How do you eventually deal with it?
Tim-
Great question! How I *want* to handle it and how I *choose* to handle it are really different.
Because of my past struggles, it is easy for me to want to medicate the bad feeling and make it (temporarily) disappear. When I was younger this would include drinking…a lot…now when those tough days come, my body and mind revert desiring old coping skills, but thankfully now I have the knowledge and accountability to be able to say no thanks…my relationship with God has changed my decisions and my desires so….
Now I typically go for a long drive with my iPod plugged in and speakers blaring, I’ll drive to a place and get lost and try to find my way back. I’ll write out all the things I’m thinking in my journal.
And sometimes I just kick the closest person to me.
Just kidding on that last one.
I really like your new colors…very nice.
I would like to ask your new address. (for keeping up purposes. I’ll put you on our mailing list if you want.) But you don’t have to answer it on here. email me.
:-)
what is a nubby?
Debbie – Thanks! I’ll email you!
Crystal-
According to an online dictionary, “nubby – of textiles; having a rough surface; “a sweater knitted of nubbly homespun yarns”
Accorrding to the Urban Dictionary – “a fat cat”
:)
If you were a musical instrument, what would you be… and why?
How did you get into blogging? Who told you about it or how did you hear about it? Why do you continue to do it?
3 questions….sorry ;)
Jordan –
I would be a Jomama. Because how cool would it be to introduce yourself as, “Hi, I’m jomama!”
(Jomama: A fretless baritone 5-string banjo)
Lynse-
I started blogging when I worked in student ministry. There was a guy on xanga who visited our church’s high school program who was an atheist, and we were able to start discussing from that forum. He ended up coming more and more and became a believer. But I stayed on xanga for a year or so, just to keep up with my kids and interact in their world…then i realized, “heck, I really love to write” and through a long and winding road ended up moving off xanga and taking it to here!
I continue to do it for a few reasons…one, I LOVE meeting the people and getting to know people from it. I’ve actually met probably 10 people face to face that I only knew through blogging prior to meeting. That’s about to increase in June to 12 :) I love learning what other people are thinking, getting different perspectives on things and it’s an easy way for me to communicate…I’m not the greatest speaker but writing really is great for me.
ohh, i like the new header…
i like the new look, it’s very clean and sophisticated :-)
do you watch the office? if so what is your favorite episode. Next question: are you a calvanist? if so which point in tulip do you feel is the strongest point? if not which point of calvanism is the weakest point?
i spelled calvinism and calvinist wrong. sorry.
Chris –
I do watch the office. I think my favorite episode so far…wow…so many from which to choose! The Diversity one stands out, as does the one where Dwight is researching health plans! :)
I wouldn’t say I’m a calvinist, but I wouldn’t say I’m not. I am not really fond of labeling things. I would say that irresistible grace has always been something amazing and beyond my comprehension!
Sola gratia!
Mrs. Jackson
First Off:
As I am a Tennessean and you are a Texan, I am curious what food you think would be the next nominee for fried food fad. (You know like the Mac & Cheese, Green Beans, Coke, Etc.)
More seriously, I have admired your transition from Xanga gal to full fledged writer/creative artist working in a huge church. I see this as a progress of moving forward in your life, I may be wrong, let me know if so. I can see myself embarking on a voyage to “recreate” myself and move forward into my plan taking place in the next year as I begin looking at going to MBA and moving away from my beloved Knox-Vegas.
What advice would you give a dreamer as he gets ready to put the first steps of his plan into motion.
Oh, and I like the new look too!
~ The Mattchews
Love the new look! Very nice!
Where did you get your blog header? :) (I like it.)
Hi Anne! You don’t know me yet, but I’m Lynse’s roommate/co-worker. Yes, you’re famous ’round these parts. :)
My question: At what point do you think a church’s acceptance of sinners turns into a tolerance for sin? It seems to be a fine line these days and (merely from my observation) can take churches in extreme directions. Christ-like unconditional love for fallen people vs. careful admonition in truth. Tricky, tricky.
(Yay! My first comment!)
This is so much fun…
The Mattchews-
As a Texan, I know it is odd, but I do not participate in very Texan-like things such as steak (or any other red meat, except a Wendy’s cheeseburger on rare occasion, no pun intended, as I like it as well done as possible)…and fried foods are also in that category.
I think fried Starbucks would be interesting though…
On to your second question….thank you. God is moving me, and hopefully I am making the right decisions and the direction is positive, it sure seems that way! :) Plans are great…but DREAMS are better. If you are really living a life in which God is the central force, your dreams are His…keep dreaming…and keep walking. Go until you hear a no. And don’t take no as a rejection, see it as God’s sovreignty, knowing he has something even better than you can ever HOPE FOR or IMAGINE!! (Eph. 3:20). Your excitment is contagious!! Please let me know how you’re doing!
Anna – istockphoto.com, and then a little editing from there!
if you could suggest one book to read, what would it be?
I am also a designer and aspiring writer and would like to know how you were able to land the opportunities to be a consultant and to write reviews? I am only 2 years younger than you and feel so ill accomplished but capable of more. Do you have any advice/suggestions?
Anne, can you find me a beautiful Texan woman between the ages of 22 and 26?
Just kidding.
But really, do you think you could?
what is the square root of pi?
I’m sorry Ms. Jackson….I am for real!
Do you think you could find me a job in Texas? I’m looking to get the heck out of dodge (I live in Riverside, not far from some of your other readers) with my family and to do so, I need a J-O-B before I split. Got any ideas on helping out?
Do you ever practice fasting? If so, how have you benefited from it? If not, why have you chosen not to?
Phew! I have a lot of catching up to do!
Kat – I think there is a big difference between tolerance and acceptance. Acceptance, to me, equals grace. Unconditional love. And with that unconditional love also comes speaking truth in love…(Eph 4:14-16 speaks a lot about discipling and growing up believers).
Tolerance, on the other hand, I think is allowing sin to continue without Biblical confrontation. A good example of acceptance and not tolerating sin is in John 8:6-11.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again, he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
“No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
See that last part? I think that’s a great example…does that help? I am no theologian though… :)
Tracie-
“The Dream Giver” by Bruce Wilkinson…
Jason-
The writing review thing just happened to be a guy that I knew…total luck…but in a way…networking.
If I could make it as simple as 1-2-3 I would say
1) DREAM BIG (cliche, but true)
2) GO FOR IT (again, cliche…but just do whatever it is you want to do. Find opportunities, be proactive, take chances!)
3) NETWORK…comment on other peoples’ blogs, email those who you respect for advice, make business cards, talk to people in line where you wait for coffee, find area-wide events like festivals or concerts and just go hang out. I’m an introvert by nature but when it comes to something I love, I have to put the shyness aside and meet people. These connections have always proved to be mutually fruitful.
Hope that helps!!
Joe-
My church is huge. Come visit. I know people. :)
Shari –
1.77245385
(I googled it, I suck at math)
West –
I can try and help! Send me your resume and your dreams. See answer above to Jason…networking is great! And housing is so cheap here. :)
Blake –
I have. In certain situations, I have fasted for a particular request or person as part of intercsession. The last time I fasted was a specific thing (caffeine) before a specific mission trip (Scotland). I was already stressed from preparing for the trip that it wasn’t healthy for me. It was so hard to go cold turkey and it was for 32 days. But it really allowed my mind to calm down and prepare for the trip ahead. There is something about realizing the things we need and that we want, and allowing God to really become a focal point. Fasting, for me, helps that happen.
How did I fond you? (See. There is one you have to go to my site and look at my links for. Like how I did that?)
More seriously, how would you suggest someone who also cares deeply for the church and ministry and loves to write transition from working at a TV station to working in/for a church? How did you go about it?
Now. If only I could spell.
fond=find
One last thing…who hosts your blog? Very nice layout.
what is the best question to ask?
what is my best feature?
haha.
Steven-
I am going to guess through Los’ blog????
And…two things….one, you can work in/for a church regardless of where you really work! Some of the best “pastors” I know don’t vocationally work “in ministry” but in the marketplace.
However, if you do sense God is calling you in such a direction, I would recommend getting very involved in an area of your local church in which you’d like to work vocationally. For me, initially, it was students. Stick with it for a year and see if it really energizes you…if it’s your sweet spot. And if so, when the timing is right a vocational position could open for you. And if not, keep exploring and seeking God’s face for his plans! (Prov 3:5-6)
Andrew-
For you, it is to walk in my office and say, “madame, may I get you anything while I am up?”
Crystal-
Your meat lap.
The Office, Diversity Day – hilarious!
ok, i have a question about an answer:
what is it about “The Dream Giver” that makes it your #1 recommendation?
i don’t have one of those. :)
Steven –
I use wordpress for my blog (the install version)…the theme is a modified version of Mesozoic-20…sidebar widgets installed…and has probably seen three color/graphics schemes in the last four months :)
Kevin – er – I mean, Mr. Wade :)
Dream Giver was great for a few reasons…one, sentiment. A person I esteem highly recommended it to me in an almost prophetic conversation. It’s kind of personal, the things he said, but he said this book would really inspire some things he saw in me.
And it did. It’s told in story-like format the first half of the book, which is very easy to relate to, while the second half of the book is scriptural guidance for coming in tune with your God-given dream, how to deal with difficulties and presevere through the valleys…
I need to read it again. But if you want to borrow my copy, you know where to find me :)
What are the Mavs doing with all their spare time these days?
Tony-
Accepting MVP awards.
Getting ready to kill everyone next season.
It’s a good thing those MVP awards get handed out before the playoffs.
Next season? They went from the Finals to a first round exit. If the trend holds, they should be scouting college talent this year since they’re assured a high draft pick next year when they finish in the cellar.
(said dejected Laker fan. sigh)
Anne,
Last question from me. Have you gotten over the Mavericks getting stunned in the first round?
what’s the question you’d like to ask me? :)
how do you order $1 sushi?
which is better: india pale or extra stout?
i am becoming anglican.
Tim-
NO. If I ever just run into Dirk, I will kick him :) And then hug him.
Paul –
What’s your middle name? My brother’s name is Paul.
Andrew –
A) Divided by 2. Or let me do it next time.
B) I couldn’t tell you, but Chris purchased some nice glasses today.
Ok…
what is my favorite quote?
I’m going to cheat and comment first—
I agree with #1 book Dream Giver–awesome!! also recommended to me by great friend who is moving in less than a month to plant a church–just a ordinary guy with a dream…
1-2-3…dream big, go for it, network…couldn’t have said it better!!
Love your comments–feel like you are a step ahead of where I seem to be going and it’s awesome to hear…had some of the same experiences, felt like “who am I?” to think God could use me, am feeling a calling toward ministry…so cool to see you that bit ahead and doing well!!
My question–why do you think there are so few women chasing dreams in ministry? and even more so…leading? and few women writing books with “meat”? I know we have it in us…not with an “agenda” as women, not because we are women, just as children of God…
Clay – I am going to guess the quote on your blog header. And admit I cheated since we already talked about this! :)
Rindy-
Thanks. Any place I am today is because God has dragged me here, usually kicking and screaming :-)
And to answer your question – I dont know…I know sometimes I feel inadequate as a woman and that probably hinders me from taking risks. So maybe others feel that way?
that was such an arrogant “ok.”
must have been the ellipsis.
never…
it’s Raymond :)