What's In A Name?

I thought you might like to know why this blog is named "Plunged Into The Deep".
Is that too corny?
I don't know... It doesn't roll off the tongue, it's not catchy, and it doesn't excite your curiosity really.

I named this blog after some words my cousin wrote in a letter to me.
I had just announced my fifth pregnancy to her, and she wrote me back a letter that has stuck with me ever since.

In it, she recounted her six pregnancies, and how (humanly speaking) there could have been better timing for some of them.
Such as the one who came when their tiny little nest was already bursting at the seams.
And another new baby joined their family when in the process of fixing up a tired old "new" house...

...with one bathroom.

In my cousin's letter to me, she said that "...Sometimes God plunges us into the deep..."

She was wisely observing that often, the Lord doesn't wait for us to be "ready" for the life-defining events that we like to think we can plan. How we determine "ready" is generally not the measuring stick He uses.

What happens when I am plunged into the deep?
When I get pushed over the edge before I think I'm ready?

I get wet.

I protest.

Water envelopes me from head to toe.

I sputter.

I flail.

I panic.

And then finally...

I learn to swim.

Because the only other option, is to sink.
But my Heavenly Father holds my head above water and shows me how to tread. He teaches me the strokes that move me forward.
And all to His Glory, because if I wait to get all those things perfect before I jump in, I will take the credit for my accomplishments.
God knows what will bring HIM the most glory, and if I ask Him to be glorified in me, I'd better prepare for a change in my own carefully laid plans!

God's ways are not our ways.
It is good to keep in mind that HE is GOD.

It's scary being plunged into the deep. But from my limited experience I can truthfully say there are wonders in the deep that are known only if you are plunged in.

If it means that I have the privilege of experiencing God's glory, and His marvelous wonders in my life, I am willing.
I hope the Lord continues to push me over the edge.

Are you?

Marveling at His mercy,
~Analene~

Taking The Plunge

I know. It seems a bit insane to be starting a second blog, but here it is all the same.

I would really prefer to use Momma Bug's Blog as a place for ALL my musings, but allow me to describe what this new blog will be for me, what I hope it to be for you, and why it has it's own little place in the blogosphere.

Since I began my blog "Momma Bug's..." at the beginning of this year, I have been struggling with what to write about, and what to keep private (the proverbial problem).
My blogging experience at that time was then next to nil, and over some short period of posting a little of this and a little of that, I was experiencing the usual blogger's block. An identity crises of sorts:-)

Should I post only the humorous?
More of a journal style?
More pictures and fewer words?
More content and fewer pictures?
Personal thoughts, opinions, and values?
Keep it light, and avoid offense?

Ultimately I had to decide the blogging audience I was writing to please, and amazingly, I was able to define the purpose for Momma Bug's Blog very quickly.

I started it originally to keep long-distance family connected with us and our goings-on, via pictures and journal like entries. Over time I found that I wanted to write to for multiple purposes - specifically for inspiration, encouragement, personal sharpening of my faith in Jesus Christ, and possibly to sharpen my blogging friends in THEIR walk with the Lord, by sharing deeper ideas than "Church was amazing", "God is good", and other rather cliche and non-specific thoughts.
The idea of writing opinions, thoughts, and Biblical truths that might cause some of my dearest not to return to my blog, did not seem acceptable to me in light of it's intended purpose (again, that of splashing light and laughter into the lives of those dear family far away).

In conclusion I decided to keep up that blog with it's original purpose in mind, and throw in a piece of content here and there.

I have finally settled on starting this new blog as a place where I may plunge into the deep (possibly dragging you with me) becoming fully wet before I know where the bottom is - or even if there IS a bottom.
Hence this Blogs name; it's a place where I may plunge into the deep (possibly dragging you with me) becoming fully wet before I know where the bottom is - or even if there IS a bottom.
I expect to ramble quite a bit before I am coherent, but for me that is a great way to line up my thoughts and discipline them to sense.

I enjoy a good firm opinion too, and think everyone should have some, (I certainly do, and you'll hear about them here!) but opinions are subject to change where truth never will.

I will attempt to make Truth first, because people more dedicated to finding Truth and obeying Jesus, than they are dedicated to preserving their own cherished opinions or the traditions of men... are few.
I hope to be numbered among them.

In addition to all this, I haven't decided whether to allow comments or not.
I may dig into some sensitive topics, and would prefer not to turn this into a forum for debates.
Please give me grace if you find that the comments have been disabled. If I turn off that feature, I will have done it to best serve my vision for this blog.

One more thing; It is probable that my posts on this blog will be sporadic, so I have put a feed here that will notify you when I have written a new post (if you choose to use it). Plus you may want to add yourself to the "followers" list as an alternative way to keep up with this blog.
I will be be checking my live feed on the sidebar to see who is lurking in these parts, and I would be very encouraged to know you are visiting!

In conclusion

I am not a deep thinker, I am not an intellectual. I am not a visionary.

What I am, is a person free from sin and death because of Jesus Christ the Son of God.
And because of Him, I am also free to think outside of the box if/when evidence is presented which merits closer inspection on any subject that God Almighty has not nailed down specifically in His Word, and by His nature as He has demonstrated in His Word , The Holy Bible.

Come plunge into the deep with me!

In His gracious love,

~Analene~