We’ve all heard the statement “When you say yes to something, you’re saying no to something else.”
What are you saying yes to? What are you saying no to?
This Thanksgiving, I considered myself lucky. Why? I got punched in the face with a migraine and started coming down with the cold [...]
Google Reader is my RSS tool of choice, and when you press “P” it goes to the previous post and when you press “N” it goes to the next post. It helps when you’re scanning new blogs or just trying to keep up with what you’re reading.
I don’t [...]
I grew up in really small towns.
Circle Back, Texas: Population 4.
McCamey, Texas: Population 2500.
Veribest, Texas: Population 16
These west Texas towns are mere dots lost on the maps, off rural roads and an hour away from a supermarket.
The schools I attended were respectively small, and all of us were bussed in [...]
I’ve said it a million times myself.
“I want to give a voice to the people that don’t have one.”
But after going to India a few months ago, it began to occur to me that my philosophy is completely off track.
Everyone has a voice. Even the people who are the most [...]
Every few years, I’ve taken the Meyer’s Brigg personality test. My standard result has been an INFJ (Introverted, iNtuitive, Feeling, Judging) which essentially means I find energy in solitude, think with my “gut” rather than facts, make decisions based on feelings instead of logic, and process information and events [...]
I’m about six months out from embarking on a 3100 mile cycling trip across the southern USA, so I figure it would probably be a good idea to actually begin working out, getting in shape, and say, maybe buy a bike.
In August, I had my heart condition corrected [...]
I’m wrapping up my manuscript for Permission to Speak Freely this week, so I’ve decided to repost previous blog material from the archives. I went and found some that had great conversation in the comments, and since there are so many new readers, figure it would probably be new [...]
Today is my monthly contribution over at inCourage. Below is a sneak peek. You have to visit over there to read the full article. Enjoy!
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It had been a really long day.
6 am came too soon, and as [...]
Sometimes I wonder what I’m going to be like as an old woman.
When I was eighteen, I wondered what I would be like when I was thirty and my imagination then and the current reality are very far apart from each other.
I think I would like to be the [...]
I heard somewhere once that during Billy Graham’s crusades, after he finishes his message, he returns to a chair and closes his eyes and prays. From what I understand, he doesn’t want to see how many people were (or were not) coming forward, and just wanted to pray for the [...]
Watch the video below for some big news about how I’m spending my summer vacation!
*Even though the crazy-eyed freeze frame implies it, I will not eat you.
Or, if you’re lazy and don’t watch videos…
3100 miles + 2 months in the Summer + Bike + Raising $$ for Water in Africa [...]
I got word a couple days ago that Mad Church Disease is on its fourth printing. Especially considering it’s a niche book in a struggling economy, I am so thankful that the words are bringing hope and healing to many people. It’s not like it’s sold a billion copies, but [...]
Today is my day to post over at (in)courage…here’s a snippet…head over there to catch the rest and comment!
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When I wrote about being hurt by someone I trusted in my book, Mad Church Disease, I wrote about how forgiveness is a decision I needed to [...]
I’ve been in New York City over the weekend…a last minute trip to meet with some amazing people and hopefully share a very powerful story in Permission to Speak Freely. It was a spur of the moment trip, sans The Hubs. Thankfully, we were just here a couple of [...]
So.
I decided to take the month of December off.
But then I realized that would be silly.
I don’t need a whole month off.
So I talked to The Hubs, and we decided that I could speak one weekend anywhere in the world.
I would love to spend time at your church and share [...]
Sorry it’s been quiet here lately.
Really quiet.
The manuscript for Permission to Speak Freely is due in a couple of weeks, and I’m traveling to six cities (from San Diego to NYC and everything in between) and speaking while trying to finish writing the book…so…it’s been a bit hectic, but [...]
Patient Trust
Above all, trust in the slow work of God.
We are quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay.
We should like to skip the intermediate stages.
We are impatient of being on the way to something unknown, something new.
And yet it is the law [...]
I just woke up an hour ago.
Flooded in my “@” column in Twitter were tweets about an article TIME magazine released about sex offenders attending church, and in some cases, being arrested for it.
No doubt this question is a highly sensitive one, and one most people in churches don’t [...]
Every Monday I sit down to watch Intervention. Sometimes it makes me feel not alone in the daily battles that rage in my head and sometimes it scares me just how much I can still relate to the people on the show.
I know if it wasn’t for certain people [...]
My mom reads my blog, so if I were to discuss the hereditary likelihood that one day, I may indeed grow a genetically handed down mustache, she may be offended. So, we’ll just get to the point.
I’ve been invited to venture into a place not many women can go.
The [...]
A couple of weeks ago, Atlanta was hit by serious flooding. As in, houses were submerged…completely devastated. In an area called Austell, thousands of families are displaced because of the damage.
People. Have. Lost. Their. Lives.
Last week, I met Pastor Shaun King for the first time, face to face. He [...]
First thing’s first. I got a face lift. Well, my blog did anyway. So if you read this via email or RSS, hop on over and check it out. Many thanks to Brad Ruggles for his amazing design work on figuring out “if Anne Jackson was a website, [...]
I am so excited to announce that the official site for my new book Permission to Speak Freely: Essays and Art on Fear, Confession and Grace is LIVE. Huge thanks to Brad Ruggles for his tireless work on this project. He did an amazing job with the design…it [...]
When I first started talking about Permission to Speak Freely, I said it had been brewing in my head since May 2008.
But I think it has actually be inside my heart for a LOT longer – like, the last thirteen years.
I found this letter in a journal I kept [...]
I’ve been offline a bit more than usual lately, but tried my best to catch up with some of the interesting things on the interwebs. If you’re like me, you probably read a lot of the same blogs that say the [...]
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that God created rain in such a fashion that it mimics the human tear.
Have you ever had that moment when there’s nothing left inside of you, not even a tear to shed, and at the [...]
I’m happily in isolation on an island that can only be reached by seaplane or ferry. During this week away, I’ve asked several friends to fill in for me this week. Hopefully you’ll meet some new voices of people I admire.
Today’s post [...]
I’m happily in isolation on an island that can only be reached by seaplane or ferry. During this week away, I’ve asked several friends to fill in for me this week. Hopefully you’ll meet some new voices of people I admire.
Today’s post comes [...]
I’m happily in isolation on an island that can only be reached by seaplane or ferry. During this week away, I’ve asked several friends to fill in for me this week. Hopefully you’ll meet some new voices of people I admire.
Today’s post comes [...]
I’m happily in isolation on an island that can only be reached by seaplane or ferry. During this week away, I’ve asked several friends to fill in for me this week. Hopefully you’ll meet some new voices of people I admire.
Today’s post [...]
This week will be a little different on FlowerDust.net. I am headed up to a friend’s cabin on Orcas Island and since I’m trying to squeeze the juices from every creative verbal node in my brain, I’ve asked a few friends [...]
It was unseasonably cold in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, last December.
When I arrived Wednesday, it was 75 and muggy. By the same time Thursday, it was 32 degrees and windy – a cold, damp, biting wind that messed up [...]
Momma always said, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothin’ at all.”
But I’ve taken it a step further.
If you don’t have anything to say, don’t say anything.
This year I’ve been more intentional in practicing the discipline of solitude. Taking regular days [...]
Reason #2 why The Hubs and I should probably never have children.
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*(Courtesy Natalie Dee. Fair Warning for the more conservative viewers: Some of her cartoons are rated PG13 and maybe an R.)
May I begin by saying it’s incredibly uncomfortable for me to type “Church Leader/Pastor World?” I’m not a fan of separating whole things into parts and giving them a title.
Oh well.
It’s for communication’s sake, I suppose…
Anyway, If there was one thing you (regardless of if you are [...]
About 10 am, I was taken back to the Cardio Cath lab.
Which was about 30 degrees. Below zero.
They stuck me in all awkward places with little pads and wires and gave me some lovely medicine where I dozed off to Coldplay. I woke up once when my [...]
When this post is published, I’ll be checking in at the hospital. My surgery begins around 7-7:30 am and will last two to four hours. I’ll stay overnight (Oh, please Jesus, let them have internet!) and will be rocking a healthy heart after a few days of rest. To see [...]
In under 24 hours over 500 people took the “Do Women Dress too Sexy” survey, which was the least scientific, most general survey the researchers at FlowerDust.net has ever conducted.
It was a short survey, so here are some of the results:
On a scale of 1-10 (1 being [...]
A little over a year ago, I told Chris I’d really like to write full time.
As in, not have a 9-5 job. Not have a steady paycheck and not have health insurance and a not have a steady paycheck and not have office hours and not have [...]
This week is “Sex Week” on my friend Matthew Paul Turner’s website. If you head over there today, you’ll see I answered a question via video (really, via two videos) about why men have affairs.
However, the question did bring up another question as far as modesty [...]
It is a rare thing when I finish a book in less than a month. I’m a fast reader, but have such a short attention span, I typically leap from book to book to book (to book to book) within a month or two’s time frame.
It’s even [...]
Yes - despite the name of this blog (trust me, it’s a fluke I’ll share with you over coffee and tea one day), I am not a flowery girl.
I own 2.5 dresses.
Don’t ask.
Imagine my surprise (which eventually turned into a form of delight) when I get an email from a [...]
I’ve been frantically dutifully writing, deleting, loving, hating, closing my computer, eating too much ice cream and crying because I’m a terrible writer, opening my computer, eating too much ice cream to celebrate because I’m an awesome writer, delete, wait, what? crafting my new book.
Here’s one of the essays that [...]
The first half of 2009 has been incredible! Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined I’d get to travel and meet so many of you face to face. It has been AWESOME!
I thought I’d take a moment and share some places I will be either speaking at or [...]
Chris and Anne are making BLTs for dinner with a new, expensive, thick-cut bacon. Anne finishes putting her sandwich together first and takes a bite.
Anne: OH MY. OH MY GOSH. OH WOW. MMM….(Other unintelligible noises of deliciousness)…
Chris: Good Gosh. You’re getting more excited about that bacon than you get [...]
Let’s jump into a topic that normally we wouldn’t talk about on here….
Health Care Reform!
Why not?
I realize there is no heath care system that is perfect, however, I’ve had the chance to experience the NHS in the UK when I spent some time in Scotland, and of course, our fabulous [...]
Some of you have asked if it’s too late for you to send in a confession for Permission to Speak Freely.
The answer is no! We will always be taking submissions, even after the book is published to go on the website and maybe be used in future books or videos [...]
Last week, like many others, I received a mysterious box in the mail from my friend Ben Arment, Purveyor of Extraordinary Experiences and genius behind the Story Conference.
The box did not let down.
Yesterday I read about a rescue mission in South Asia on IJM’s website. The rescue included a mother and her one day old baby.
Today our staff, in cooperation with the local police, were able to bring many laborers out of a slavery facility. One of the laborers was a [...]
Once again, I’ve found myself so easily wrapped up in doing, that I’ve strayed away from being.
Pray for this person. Counsel this person. Preach on Sunday here and there. Encourage church leaders. Help some friends. Squeeze in some Bible reading. Turn my journal into a check list. Study Ezra backwards [...]
I’ve been wanting to write a post for a few weeks now about a couple of things I’ve been feeling “passionate” about.
Please note when I am “passionate” about something that usually means I need to wait a few days, and reframe my way of communication into a much less [...]
I am not a girl with answers.
As much as I tend to live in a very black and white world simply due to my nature of being, not everything has a black and white answer.
Yet when it comes to matters of the faith, I’m pretty flexible. If you had to [...]
It’s official.
My second book, Permission to Speak Freely, will be released with Zondervan next fall. It’s inspired a bit creatively by the Post Secret movement and the content is completely driven by the post Things You Can’t Say in Church (which is now up to over 400 [...]
Much to contrary belief, the type of person the 21st century needs is not:
the most innovative the most technologically inclined the most intellectual the most educated the most creative the most beautiful the most gifted the most ambitious the best leaders the visionaries the productive the entrepreneurial the most articulateThe type of person the 21st Century needs is…(drumroll please…)
Yourself.
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A few months ago, we had a friend visit the Compassion International Ethiopia offices. Since we sponsor a boy, Abdulkerim, in Ethiopia, we asked our friend to drop off a bag with some small gifts for him. The Compassion country staff would make sure our child got the items [...]
I’ll be speaking this weekend in the Dallas area at The Oaks Fellowship (the Red Oak Campus). They’re ending the series called “I Want an Answer” and I’ll be on a panel with Dr. Len Sweet and Oaks Pastor Scott Wilson to discuss the most frequently asked [...]
The results are in.
Over 400 of you took my FlowerDust.net reader survey and I thought I’d share some intresting demographics about you group of crazy kids.
If you’re interested in all the details, you can download a nifty PDF I made of the results here.
60% of the readers who took [...]=====
Late one night in our new, much smaller bed with much smaller blankets…
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Anne: Give me some of the blanket. You have it all.
Chris: I barely have enough to go over the edge.
Anne: I barely have any at all.
Chris: I told you we should have kept our old comforter.
Anne: It was [...]
My friend Ben Arment is a genius. Not just a genius, but the kind who’s fearless, too. That makes him one of the biggest threats to the bad guys in this world. You see, Ben had an amazing job with an amazing organization. But beyond that, he had [...]
Getting to know Christine Caine the last couple of months has been amazing. For those who aren’t familiar with Chris, you can read (and should read) more about her here. The girl preaches at Hillsong - heck, preaches all over the world for crying out loud - while [...]
Over the last few months, I’ve had the opportunity to speak at several Sunday morning worship gatherings. Recently, I was thinking about one when a guy fell asleep (I’m pretty sure before I took the stage — I hope…) during the service.
It was a wide room, and he was a [...]
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At least for a little while. Be back soon.
Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listening speaking no longer heals, that without distance closeness cannot cure. - Henri Nouwen
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Related posts:The Drawbridge [...]
My best friend got married last Friday.
Her husband Shawn has a Harley.
About ten years ago, I saw a guy get hit by an 18-wheeler on a motorcycle on I635 in Dallas (a HUGE highway). Then, my friend Denise fell off of one and had a compound [...]
One of the “second opinions” in Mad Church Disease was written by my friends Shawn Wood. I met Shawn at a conference three years ago. Shawn did a talk called “Brand Schizophrenia” which he ended with what he called “the artist’s mandate.” The mandate was [...]
Last year, I had the amazing opportunity to host Catalyst Backstage - a behind the scenes look at Catalyst with interviews with speakers, pastors, and conference attenders. You can see some of those interviews here.
This year, I will be hosting Backstage again, and also will be speaking at [...]
The Hubs says I look drunk in this video. I’m not. I promise.
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Anyway, so there you have it. A little surgery for this little heart problem. August 14.
I’d appreciate the prayers, and any other reposting of this video to get your readers praying too.
Much love.
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The last few days, I’ve been in the Kansas City area for my best friend’s wedding. The Hubs and I fell in love, got engaged, and were married here. A few months after our wedding in 2003, I started working full time at a church here.
I don’t mention it in [...]
Six months ago, I had the opportunity to chat a little with Gary Haugen, the founder of International Justice Mission. My friend Bethany, who also works at IJM, set up the call and I blogged about it here.
As I was flipping through the channels a [...]
Recently, there have been some very serious questions asked about Mad Church Disease, and instead of writing an impersonal post, I thought I’d address you guys a little more formally, via video.
Please see below:
(This is what happens when you have some free time and a video camera [...]
It was the best of phones, it was the worst of phones.
Let me begin by saying I am not a technically apt person. I understand how to use a smart phone. I understand how to even set up a smart phone. Heck, on this journey, I learned (after a painstaking [...]
A little over a year ago, I posted a question:
What’s one thing you feel like you can’t say in church?
337 responses later, it was clear that there are a lot of things many of us keep tucked inside for some reason or another. The question and overwhelming response was [...]
what is something you feel you can’t say in church, or around other christians?
for example…mine would be, “sometimes i feel like i can’t share how i really feel inside.”
funny, serious, whatever…what’s yours?
Related posts:[...]
Every once in a while, you’ll stumble on an author who makes you say, “That’s exactly what I’ve been feeling!” Someone, somewhere found the ability and artistry to take an emotion and name it. But not only do they label it, they expound on it. Where did this emotion come [...]
When I saw this, I believed it.
I just showed Pete. He doesn’t.
What do you think? Possible?
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Tweets about this post:
johncanalesusa at 2009-06-11T06:50:36Z: Skeptical? http://www.flowerdust.net/?p=2752
billyritchie at 2009-06-10T18:46:38Z: Man what I could acomplish if I [...]
A few weeks ago, I told you about a partnership that I’m very honored to be in with a new web video teaching community called Innovative Ministry Leader.
Today, they launch! And they’re using a session of Mad Church Disease to kick it off! In this 20-ish minute video, I [...]
Have I ever told you that I wish I could just give everything away? I really do.
The wonderful people at Zondervan have now made another chapter of Mad Church Disease available FREE online (in case you haven’t downloaded the first free chapter, Chapter 11, you [...]
Literally.
I had the opportunity to write a more in depth article on my three year Facebook journey — the good, the bad, the ugly, for PurposeDriven.com. And see, Rick and I are on the same page.
At least the same webpage. I really have no idea [...]
When I was seven, I “won” a trip to Schlitterbahn because I memorized all the books in the Bible and could recite them to our small, West Texas congregation. There is nothing quite like trying to say “Habakkuk” while standing on a milk crate (and three hymnals) in order [...]
Ok, so, we’ve debunked the myth that building a platform is the most important thing for an emerging artist and instead discussed how building character and relationships first will eventually lead to a more solid way to spread a message.
Here is the third and final part of this [...]
It’s been a trip to read a few of the emails I’ve received since shutting down my Facebook. If you don’t spell out everything, people make assumptions. Here are a couple of my favorite “Is this really why you shut down Facebook?” questions:
Were you being tempted to get involved [...]If I had a dollar for every time somebody asked, “How can I build an online platform?” I’d probably have more money than Oprah. Okay. Maybe not that much money, but I’d definitely be a little better off.
With social media being the giant that it is today, every artist is [...]
Unfortunately (and if you follow my Twitter account you already know this), I got pretty sick Thursday night. As in wake-up-at-2:30AM-Emergency Room-CT Scan-sick. After it came back all clear for appendicitis and other scary things, I thought I’d just fight through whatever it is and press on to Atlanta.
I [...]
This weekend, I have the privilege of speaking at Oak Leaf Church in Cartersville, GA. I have admired Michael and what the people at OLC are doing in their community for the last couple years. I’ll be speaking about God’s plan for poverty and the people of Oak [...]
Well, this is ironic.
I had the good intent of getting this post up about five hours ago, but you know what? I had a mess of random things come up in my schedule and I’ve literally spent most of my day away from my computer.
If, by some [...]
You must decide for yourself to whom and when you give access to your interior life. For years, you have permitted others to walk in and out of your life according to their needs and desires. Thus you were no longer master in your own house, and [...]
I was having a little Twitter chat with a friend of mine yesterday - one who has been a big cheerleader in my life. After sending me a bit of encouragement about the roads I’m taking, and ones I am considering taking over the next six months to a year, [...]
Normally I reserve Thursdays for book giveaways but I discovered something today that I wanted to celebrate!
(We’ll still be doing our typical Thursday giveaway too!)
I found out that Mad Church Disease is on its third run of printing and wanted to say THANK YOU!
And as a thank you, [...]
Seriously.
I met Jud through my friend Mike Foster. The two of those guys authored a great book called Deadly Viper Character Assassins and every once in a while, I pop over and contribute on the Deadly Viper blog.
Jud and I met [...]
You know the whole picture of having an angel on one shoudler and a devil on the other?
Is it just me, or does that really seem to happen a lot?
Most of the time, the devil stays pretty quiet and the angel and I have some good conversations.
But every once in [...]
All of us bloggerfolk made it back to the States uneventfully…well, as uneventfully as one can when traveling between three airports in India before finally heading home. I am looking forward to taking today to unplug, relax, and reconnect with life back here in Nashville.
One of the things we [...]
Seriously.
I have no idea how in the world I am ever going to blog again after a day like today.
I haven’t laughed harder - or cried harder - in my life.
And it all has to do with this little boy.
His name is Tushar. He’s five. [...]
Today was an INCREDIBLE day.
We spent all day with our individual sponsor children. I had the chance to meet Tushar, mine and The Hub’s sponsor child…who was the most ADD, hyperactive, bright, hilarious five year old I have EVER EVER met.
We are about to head out [...]
Just in case you think I have it all figured out (which I pray you don’t) I’m just going to be honest here and tell you what’s in my head. It may not be the most uplifting, call to action post you’ve ever experienced, but it’s me. And it’s what [...]
It’s difficult to think one could be frozen when it’s 115 degrees outside.
When your body is drenched in sweat and covered in smoke and smog and the warm hands of children.
But I am.
Physically, no. I’m not frozen. Although the room from which I type this post is easily under 60 [...]
Your $32 a month does amazing things for a child.
Education. Medical care. Spiritual care. Food.
And it doesn’t just influence the child you sponsor, it influences the whole family.
Pretty much anyone of us can send $32/month and not think twice about it.
And as that $32 represents amazing opportunities for a child, [...]
Her name is Anne.
She has fallen victim to some bad curry.
Or maybe it was the pizza.
Either way.
She wears no makeup today.
She doesn’t fix her hair.
Her eyes are red because she’s been crying.
And her bed has been one of her two closest friends.
(I’ll let you guess what her other friend has [...]
