Anne Marie Miller

Blog

  • celebrating the church’s “big givers”

    sometimes churches have special events to celebrate their top givers. most of the churches i know do this for members who give over a certain amount of money per week/month/year. usually there is an appreciation dinner or vision casting event.

    so, i’ve always wondered why this is. don’t get me wrong…i realize those who give significant amounts of money to the church typically do it consistently and that saying goes “20 percent of the people give 80 percent of the income” and i do think giving (in general) should be celebrated.

    but equal giving does not mean equal sacrifice.

    someone who making six figures a year can easily drop $500 a month in tithing but for someone else to give $500 a month could be extremely sacrificial.

    why aren’t those things equally celebrated?

    does your church celebrate the “big givers?” do you celebrate all the givers? do you celebrate giving at all? what do you think?

  • loving linksys and kitty valium

    so…it has been a week without internet on my phone. and seriously, it hasn’t buzzed in over two days. i think i am past the original withdrawal/pity-party stage of “nobody loves me” because evidently my self-worth was tied up in how many times my phone pinged me a day…

    we also don’t have internet at home. or laptops at the moment. and i really don’t feel like hauling our iMac down to our nearest wifi provider…

    fortunately, someone named “linksys” occasionally pops up in our airport and we can get online. but it’s not always there…so i can’t guarantee how much i’ll be online this week…

    our internet guy will be coming out at the same time we are moving in on saturday (which, if you live in nashville and want to help, email me — anne @ flowerdust . net) so hopefully that will bring some consistency back to my online social interaction.

    back to packing…and to get valium for our cats. seriously. that’s what they drug your cats with for road trips. anyone ever done that?

  • casinos and drive-by shootings: my friends know how to say goodbye

    this is my last week in oklahoma city. two of my closest friends each wanted to celebrate the future with me one last time before I escape to nashville.

    last wednesday, my friend aaron and his wife lorren, could take me somewhere.

    where?

    somewhere.

    about thirty minutes later they were at my house, and thirty more minutes later we were at a casino in the middle of nowhere, oklahoma.

    aaron slapped a twenty-dollar bill in my hands and told me to go to town. lorren and i lost our money in the penny slots after about 15 minutes.

    it was certainly the most random farewell I have ever experienced…yet even though the cigarette smoke that permeated our clothes is now gone, our casino trip is something we’ll remember forever.

    ==

    last night, i went over to blake and ally’s house.  i’ve only known them a couple of months but every time we hang out, it’s well past 1 am when i leave.

    after dinner, we got snow cones, checked out the house they’re moving into, and headed back to their home where we began discussing important theological issues such as communal living and scary times in tijuana. as i spoke of my accidental trip into the slums of mexico, a loud bang echoed in the living room and glass shattered above the couch where blake and ally sat.

    blake threw ally on the ground, somehow i manged to fly about 25 feet and assume the army-crawl position in the kitchen whereas my friend looked ready to fly through the window and kick the crap out of whoever just shot/threw a bomb/threw a rock through the window.

    as ally and i looked at each other, trying not to let the fear-induced swear words wake their four children up, blake approached the front door.

    i suddenly remembered my life insurance policy ended thursday and got a little worried.

    blake’s brother along with his children had decided to TP blake and ally’s yard, and for fun, he also pounded loudly on the window causing it to break.

    at least nobody died.

    but my car was TP’ed.

    and after we recovered, continued our conversations about transgendered mexican prostitutes and (unrelated) marketing and target audiences, blake prayed over us and we drove home.

    this is life.
    the way it should be.
    unscripted.
    scary.
    random.
    fun.
    memorable.

    i feel completely unworthy of these friendships, yet completely grateful.

  • something gross about me you didn’t want to know

    when i get nervous, my feet sweat.

    your turn…share your grossest quirk!

  • 200 Pomegranates and an Audience of One

    Shawn Wood, the Experiences Pastor at Seacoast Church, has started a blog tour to support his new book, 200 Pomegranates and an Audience of One which releases September 2008 and is available for pre-order now at Amazon.com.

    =====

    Anne: Well it looks like everyone who has done the blog tour so far has made some type of joke in their first question so far about Pomegranates, so I will spare you any humor there. But what’s the book about and why would I want to read it?

    Shawn: Well, first of all Anne, I am so excited to be able to stop by THE flowerdust.net?wow. We met through the blogosphere and then were able to hang just a bit at MinistryCOM this past year – which I am excited to see you are speaking at this year – and it’s been great to learn from you and see your journey develop with your book Mad Church Disease.

    The story of the pomegranates in I Kings was a story that I heard a pastor speak on in the early 1990’s. For some reason it just stuck with me that this guy, Hurum, spent a ton of time carving pomegranates and lily work into the top of the columns of Solomon’s temple.

    I actually processed this book in my head for 15 years as I thought about what our lives could look like if we were to live as artist who were carrying out the details of our lives towards an audience of One. So the pomegranates that Hurum carved can be a symbol of our children who we are instructing, spreadsheets at work we are entering data into, a friend who we are helping come to grips with life’s tragedy or even something as huge as starting a church. The point is that each of us are artists and have an opportunity to create a life of influence. In fact Here is a snippet from the Intro that I think sums it up in part:

    As I watched every deliberate, yet seemingly effortless movement I was amazed. Each and every action led to yet another beautiful layer of the canvas that was taking shape. Color and imagination, heart and soul were being poured into each and every detail of this work before her and it was at this very moment that I knew I was watching an artist at her work. Her canvas seemed at times to war against her, but with determination she was creating something very special. The artist was my wife and the canvas my nearly 2-year old daughter.

    Mommies are artists. The opportunity for a hostile situation stood before him like a huge rock of granite. It seemed almost impossible to move and determined to stay hard and unshaped. But using the power of words my friend Josh has the ability to craft and sculpt beautiful art out of the most callous of situations. With the use of just the right words he creates an art show on display for the world to see.

    Co-workers are artists.

    Karen has lost her husband of nearly 30 years at the young age of 50. As I sit with her in a time of heart-ache I realize that just moments earlier she lost more than I can imagine and that she can barely breathe. In coming days we are both struck by the fact that God still has her here for a purpose, but through tear clouded eyes it seems hard to find. Then she says it. Words that will stay with me for some time. Through her grief she reminds herself that she has a group of 2nd graders waiting for her. She is the architect of these little lives and though that may be all that is left, that is a task worth living for. So every day she wakes up because there are lives to be built and dreams to be planned.

    Teachers are artists. Terry leaves no detail untouched. I have seen him take the extra time to look over a job a second or third time to make sure that his work is just right. I have seen him do this when the customer is there, but I happen to know that he does it when no one is looking as well. His job is more than making money to him, his business is more than just a reflection of himself. Every oil change is an opportunity to represent God and an opportunity to build a legacy. Every tune up is an orchestra he brings into harmony with a wave of his baton.

    Mechanics are artists. No longer is art limited to painters and musicians. Each one of us is an artist, endowed by our Creator with skills and talents that can make our world a more beautiful place. Every good mom is an artist, molding her children as a creation of God. Every teacher makes a mark on the young people in his classroom. Every ethical businessperson leaves a legacy of people seeing God through his or her careful and honest work.

    Anne: Well, you were nice enough to let me read your manuscript in its early stages and it captivated me. Your gift of storytelling, when combined with your passion for artistry, makes for an inspiring read. I know this is hard to decide as an author, but what was your favorite part of the book?

    Shawn: The stories. The book is simply me telling areas I have blown it. Areas I have learned from people older than me. Areas that I have figured it out with God’s help and some of the dumb stuff I have done while trying to live the life of a Christ follower. The book highlights the life of a Dentist, a working Mom of an Autistic child, a wonderful wife and home keeper, a Pastor, and a Welder to show that God can use the life of ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Everyone who has read the books has said, “man this book will be great for a _______________” and filled in the blank with a different noun. That was the book I was trying to write.

    Anne: So what do you hope readers will do after reading it?

    Shawn: At the end of the book I have a prayer that I would hope would be the heart-beat of someone who had read, experienced and responded to the stories and scripture presented in this book:

    God, I pray that you would remind me that you created me for a life of meaning and influence, ultimately to bring you fame. I pray that you would continue this work in me in me and hone my skills, talents and spiritual gifts in such a way that you would be honored by my greatness. As I walk in this journey, God, I pray that you would show me what to do, teaching me what the passion of my life should be. Along that journey, I pray that you would allow me to have the courage and the integrity to do something meaningful with my life. Lord, teach me to see the needs of others as you see them, and to invest in your other people your prized possessions. When I do this, I pray that it would be a beacon that shines on you. God, as I do these things I pray that you would be my audience. That my love and adoration would be for you and that you alone would get my praise. And lastly, God, allow me the grace to finish the race well. I look forward to seeing you and hearing you say, “well done.” Lord, give me your strength to finish strong in Jesus’ name. Amen.

    Anne: When will people be able to pick it up and how can they help spread the word?

    Shawn: The book will be available in September of 2008. In fact I am so excited to be releasing the book at Granger Church’s Innovate conference. It will be available through Abingdon press through Amazon, Barnes and Noble or as they say in the biz, wherever fine books are sold.

    You can also find out more information and help spread the word on 200pomegranates.com. I would really appreciate it if your readers would use one of the handy spread the word widgets?that would be awesome!

    Thanks so much for letting me have a few hundred words of your time! Carve Pomegranates!

    You can also download a sample of Shawn’s book right here, right now!

    ====
    Any other books you are looking forward to reading?

  • some noteworthy finds

    pete “the waxyone” wilson (who will be my new boss, so, treat him nicely) asked me to write a guest blog for him while he and his family are on vacation…you can read that here

    and the catalyst crew put a little guest diddy up for me yesterday on the catablog…which can read here

    in other news, my phone has not buzzed since 9:41 am. it is taking some getting used to!

    shaun reminded me why i rarely show my legs in public

    mike hyatt shares some great email tips

    seth makes me think twice (he does fairly often)

    and jarrod asks if jesus would have a beer with him

    anything cool you’ve come across lately?

  • kidnapped for chores

    ROME (Reuters) – An Italian man was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping his ex-girlfriend from a pub, taking her home and forcing her to iron his clothes and wash the dishes, police said Monday.

    The 43-year-old man dragged the woman out of a pub in the port city of Genoa, shoved her into a car and took her to his home where he made her iron and wash dishes after threatening her, they said.

    Police arrived at his house after being tipped off by a friend of the woman who watched the scene at the pub.

    The man, who was apparently furious at his ex-girlfriend for leaving him, was arrested on charges of kidnapping, police said.

    if chris ever left me, i’d kidnap him and make him do the dishes and take out the trash.

    what chores do you hate to do?

  • response to joel osteen apology & i made a decision about my phone

    don, who is the senior advisor for pastor osteen, sent me this email this morning:

    Anne: What a pleasure it was to read the kind words you posted on your blog. Joel does not use email or surf the net (he?s a bit old fashioned in that respect), but I will print and give your comments to him. He is the sweetest man you?ll ever meet, and I know he will greatly appreciate your words. I also know that he and Victoria would enjoy meeting you and hopefully one day that will happen. God bless. –Don

    okay. joel osteen doesn’t use email? that is just amazing.

    i replied to don, asking if it was okay to share our conversation with you (considering my previous post) and he said:

    Anne: You?ll love this? He only began to use text messaging a few months ago. I think it?s because his kids started sending him text messages and he had to adapt. Now he thinks texting is the coolest thing. Anyway, feel free to blog about it if you wish. Blessings –Don

    now that is just too sweet…i don’t care who you are!

    so…all this, plus your comments, put the nail in the coffin.

    I DID IT!!!!! i no longer have email or internet on my phone. it’s done. that’s it. finito!

    please pray for my withdrawals!

    maybe it’s time for you to leap, too?

  • my apology to pastor joel osteen

    Dear Pastor Osteen,

    Since I have not had cable for four of the last four and a half years, Sunday nights provide little entertainment. More often than not, I am left to veg in front of an infomercial for the Cookie Diet, the movie, Liar Liar (in Spanish), or your TV program.

    I must embarrassingly confess that in the last five years, we have intentionally tuned in (and affectionately named you “Smiley Pastor”) to do nothing more than to criticize you and the feel-good messages you have become so well known for.

    (I also admittedly enjoy your Texas accent, as I do miss my home state, but I digress.)

    People in my generation like to poke fun at things that are different than we are. And we tend to do this more in groups, egging each other on. I’d like to say I’ve done this out of a “fun and games” mindset but when I dig deep, I realize I’ve done it because of pride. 

    Trolls on the internet do not have the authority to hold you accountable. Even if they believe what you are teaching is false, aside from God, only the people in your life…who know you…have the scriptural “go ahead” to make sure you are not leading others astray.

    This Sunday was not unlike others. I flipped through the six or seven channels and landed again on your broadcast.

    And all of the sudden I realized that I have been a really petty person.

    This world is so negative. Even in our christian circles, there seems to be a spirit of cynicism and defeat. You are different. The joy I was making fun of is something I so desperately needed to experience. And I thank you for that.

    I don’t know you personally, Pastor Joel, and likely never will. And I’ve been in the church my entire life so I also understand that there are many dimensions to people God places on platforms. But in that moment I was entirely ashamed for the way I had talked about you, even in jest, or the times I’ve rolled my eyes at your books in Walmart or in airports or when someone talks about how your influence has impacted their life.

    So, Pastor Osteen…chances are you’ll never read this apology, but I pray that if you do, you’ll accept it. I ask for your forgiveness for my immaturity and pride.

    Yours,
    Anne Jackson