In reading through Jason Mandryk’s (author of Operation World) word on prayer, I came across a quote that is both convicting and motivating…

‘Here lies the supreme missionary motivation. It is neither obedience to the Great Commission, nor compassion for the lost, nor excitement over the gospel, but zeal (even ‘jealousy’) for the honour of Christ’s name…no incentive is stronger than the longing that Christ should be given the honour that is due to His name.’ (John Stott)

In all we do, let us honor Him. Let us concern ourselves with HIS glory and HIS namesake. All too often I am struggling for my own glory… Does she like me? Does he think I’m a good mom? Am I pretty? Will they think I’m smart enough? Will I fail? Does he believe in me?… I don’t consciously recognize how often I seek my own glory. Everything I do should bear the question, ‘What does this make of God?’ Worrying over my own reputation is foolish and a waste of time. It doesn’t matter if I’m smart, or pretty, or whether or not I fail. What matters is HIS GLORY being made known to the world through me.

It may be worth asking yourself who’s glory you sought today.

Reading through the Word is going really well. Every now and then I miss a chapter or two, but I’ve found time to catch up. I’m currently at the end of Genesis; I will have completed Genesis and Job. Only 64 books to go.

In regards to prayer, we began praying for the world in general for the first few weeks.  We are now on to the continents… we have prayed for America and are now moving on to Asia. One of the sweetest things thus far about this challenge is to see Noah’s heart to pray. He used to pray when he was very small and then, one day, decided he didn’t want to anymore. Thankfully he has had a renewed vigor for praying! It melts my heart every time he talks to the Lord in that adorable little voice of his.

Thanks for walking alongside me during this journey. Please pray for continued motivation and desire to finish well.

I am so small. I sense my fragility tonight more than I have in quite awhile. I continue to grieve for a dear friend of mine who recently lost her husband to suicide. As I told her, I often pray for her and sometimes in those moments I feel unbearably heavy, like someone of very large stature is standing on my chest. It’s like I almost have to catch my breath. I wish I could say that I’ve stopped asking the Lord why??, but I haven’t.

Uncoincidentally I’m reading in Job right now, just finishing up chapters 38 & 39. The Lord explicitly describes his unmatchable power to Job (if you need a moment of humbling, please read these two chapters). I couldn’t resist and moved on to chapter 40, though that’s part of tomorrow’s reading:

“Then Job answered the Lord and said: ‘Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further.”

Lord, I, too, am of small account. In my view, even much smaller than Job. I have spoken too many times. You are so mighty, Father. You number the clouds, command the morning, and hold storehouses of snow. My life is but a breath. Please continue to exhibit your power when tragedy strikes. Praise You, Lord, for You are good.

For the last eleven days, I’ve been praying for the world, in general (following Operation World schedule). It’s been wonderful. I start out by laying in bed at night before I go to sleep and just allow my mind to think about the world and start to pray as I feel led. I’ve noticed it catches my attention during the day. For instance, a few days ago I stood at the door of my pantry looking at the four or five shelves full of food. It made me think of all the starvation in the world and how most people on this earth would see the food in my pantry as a feast fit for kings. Praying for the world for eleven days is already changing my heart.

The map and book I ordered came in the mail. Photos are below. Tomorrow Noah and I begin praying for Africa. Lord be with us as we seek You and connect with You regarding all the nations of this world… all of which you’ve created and loved. To You be the glory.

Time to celebrate! I’ve officially finished 1% of my reading for the year! WOOHOO!! I laugh every time I see the percentage of how much I’ve done. I kind of wish they wouldn’t show that until it’s at least 50% or so. It almost causes some anxiety. Ha!

I’m doing the You Version chronological reading plan. I read the first bit of Genesis and am now in Job. I think I’ll enjoy this method. I’ve always been a bit blurry on the actual chronology of the Scriptures.

I am also using Operation World as a guide to pray for the world. I ordered the book but haven’t gotten it yet, so I’ve been looking online. So far we’re just praying for the world in general. Did you know that the world population is 6.9 billion?? And there are 6,909 world languages. The largest ‘religion’ is actually Christianity at 32%, but only 7.9% Evangelical. Along with the book I’ve ordered a large world map and small black dot stickers. We will be praying for the world with Noah and placing a black dot on every country for which we’ve prayed. I’m excited to get that map in the mail and get started! I’ll post a pic once I have it up.

Thankfully there are at least a few people who have also committed to read the Bible this year and a few others who are going through Radical. Glory to God for sending His son and allowing us the opportunity to be near to Him!

I realize that naming my blog ‘Attempting Radical’ is a bit strange.  I was thinking about it last night as I was going to sleep.  It seems as though a person is either radical… or not; trying to get radical may be a waste of time.  But my attempt is in response to realizing that I have the head knowledge about trusting the Lord but, on a daily basis, my heart forgets Him. Not to mention that to most of the world being radical is not a good thing, no matter what you’re radical about.  So, though the world may prefer ‘everything in moderation,’ I’d rather not take a lukewarm approach to my devotion to Christ.  Radical doesn’t have to look weird; it can simply be the position of your heart and focus of your affections.  It was the Lord’s timing, really.  He revealed to me that I am oblivious to how desperately I need Him.  All of my stuff distracts me and deceives me daily.  Everything I have is from Him, but I want to make sure it doesn’t detract from my remembrance that the very air I breathe is HIM.

To make a long story short, I have recently recognized how distant I am from the Lord.  I love Him.  I pray.  I read (sometimes).  I talk about Him.  But my heart is very unaware of how desperately I need Him.  All the things of this world distract me.  I have never wanted for a thing and, by the way things are looking, I probably never will.  But how ignorant I am to continue to walk through life as if I am in control.  He’s gotten my attention once in my life for living this way.  I think I’ll make an attempt at correcting it myself this time (though it may be meager, it will be worth it, for sure).

Thankfully, in His sovereignty, just as I was coming to this realization, I decided to read Radical by David Platt (read it… but be aware; there are topics in the book that you absolutely cannot ignore if you love Christ).  In the book, Platt challenges you to ‘The Radical Experiment’ (www.radicalexperiment.org).  It is a 5-part commitment that you will complete in a year’s time.  It involves these 5 components:

• To pray for the entire world
• To read through the entire Word
• To commit our lives to multiplying community
• To sacrifice our money for a specific purpose
• To give our time in another context

I have committed to these 5 things beginning TODAY.  I know that I can’t simply conjure up a complete understanding of who the Lord is and how desperately I need Him.  But I do know and believe that my heart will forever be changed for the good if I do this.  I don’t tread lightly with this.  I know it will be a battle.  I know I will have successes and failures… it will be hard.  But I want to face it as bravely as I can, continually asking God for grace and endurance and, by the end of 2012, be able to say that I finished well.  Follow me on this journey if you’d like.  

I am now 27 weeks pregnant with Baby Girl.  No, we have not decided on a name. *sigh*  I wish she could just read my list of about 15 names and tell me which one she likes best.  This is torture!  I refuse to be the mom who still doesn’t know her baby’s name the day she’s born… just not my style!  I’m not that laid back!  I’m reluctantly attaching 2 photos of me at 27 weeks, due to popular demand.  Enjoy, because this is the last time you’ll see me like this!

Well, it just occurred to me, due to my friend, Julie MacManus, that I never posted what we’re having… IT’S A GIRL!!  My favorite color is pink, so I’m excited.  It seems really weird that we’ll have pink around here after having all boy stuff, but it will be so much fun to have one of each.  We’re so excited!!!!!