Minot Monday and this post about Kroll’s Diner in Minot is made possible through a partnership with BeLOCAL Minot. BeLOCAL is a guide to living like a local. See other eateries listed here. All thoughts and opinions seen here are my own.
Happy Minot Monday! I thought it was high time I start adding some food profiles into our Minot Monday posts. When I move to a new place I like to explore eateries. So mixed in with tips on things to do and how to navigate life in Minot, I’ll start adding in some of my favorite places to eat. Today, because I’m a huge fan of diners and dives, I’m profiling Kroll’s Diner in Minot.
Where is Kroll’s Diner in Minot?
Kroll’s Diner is an adorable 50’s style diner that specializes in German and American food. It’s got a pretty chrome exterior and the inside is decked out with checkered floors, vinyl seats and neon lights. Kroll’s Diner in Minot is easy to get to. It’s just off of 20th Ave SE. From Broadway, you’ll drive all the way until 20th starts to turn by the Sierra Inn. By that point you’ll be looking right at Kroll’s.
Kneophla Soup
For nearly a week now, I’ve had a hankering for Kroll’s. It’s been cold (obviously, it’s winter in Minot), and temps have been fluctuating above freezing. Snow has melted a bit, leaving me damp and chilled to the bone. When I get cold like that I want a good, hot bowl of soup.
Particularly knoephla soup.
Kneophla soup is a German dish, and in my opinion Kroll’s has the best. Oh, wait. You don’t know what kneophla soup is? Let me enlighten you.
Kneophla soup is potato soup with little doughy dumplings in it. It’s broth is thick and creamy. If you are into doughy textures, you’ll love it. If that thought makes you gag, you better skip it.
Last night, we went out and I finally got the big bowl of kneophla soup I’ve been craving so long.
My Other Favorite Menu Items
Outside of the soup, I’m also a big fan of another German dish called, fleischkuekle. It’s meat wrapped in a pastry and fried. At Kroll’s Diner it comes with mashed potatoes and choice of side (obviously, I think you should get the kneophla.)
Besides that, I love the grilled cheese, any of their burgers, and anything off of the breakfast menu (which is served all day.)
Dessert
Lots of folks rave about the milkshakes, but I prefer their sundaes or root beer floats. Sometimes when the shake machine is really busy, the shakes can start to taste machine-y. (Just my opinion, like I said, most people love the shakes and malts.) Also, you should know the pastries and baked goods are top notch.
Last night when we were at Kroll’s Diner in Minot, they were busy and understaffed. However, the service was spectacular–especially when I mentioned that I was with a hungry (boarder line hangry) toddler. Guys, our food came our lightning fast. It was incredible.
Eating With Kids
Pro tip–if you’re with a hungry kid, take a look at their kids menu online and put that order in when you order drinks. Then you can get the littles settled and eating before your food comes and yours will still be hot when you are ready to eat. (Pssst–BeLOCAL has a list of places in town where kids eat FREE!)
Tips and Specials at Kroll’s Diner in Minot
If you really want to eat like a pro at Kroll’s Diner in Minot, take advantage of their specials and these tips.
It’s a great and often overlooked breakfast spot.
All items are available to go.
Weekdays they offer a $5.99 lunch special, it’s really good value.
Mondays are 2-for-1 milkshakes
Wednesday is 2-for-1 root beer floats
Sunday after 3pm is 2-for-1 root beer floats
Happy eating! For other Minot eateries, see the listings in BeLOCAL Minot.
I know it looks like I’m pulling up carpet, but I’m actually “reading.”
Are you ready for book recommendations? Here are eight Christian nonfiction books to read this year!
Some people think winter is the perfect time to curl up with a good book. I think winter is the perfect time to plug in my ear buds and get stuff done. That’s right, I’m an unapologetic, audiobook junkie. And yes, I consider listening to books reading. So when you hear me say, “I just finished reading ______…” It’s safe to assume I mean listening. No matter how you like to take your stories, I know most of us kindred “readers” like recommendations from friends. Today I’m sharing eight great nonfiction books read this year.
If you want different genres recommended, by all means let me know! I’ve got a million books on my “have read” list I’d love to share with you.
I find faith journeys and memoirs endlessly fascinating. Stories are wonderful, and often the true tales are those most perfectly written. The following list of Christian nonfiction books to read is in the order of most recently returned to the library (app.) All of the books below are among those I read in 2019. Descriptions have been pulled from their official blurbs.
Gay Girl Good God
In Gay Girl, Good God, author Jackie Hill Perry shares her own story, offering practical tools that helped her in the process of finding wholeness. Jackie grew up fatherless and experienced gender confusion. She embraced masculinity and homosexuality with every fiber of her being. She knew that Christians had a lot to say about all of the above. But was she supposed to change herself? How was she supposed to stop loving women, when homosexuality felt more natural to her than heterosexuality ever could?
At age nineteen, Jackie came face-to-face with what it meant to be made new. And not in a church, or through contact with Christians. God broke in and turned her heart toward Him right in her own bedroom in light of His gospel.
Read in order to understand. Read in order to hope. Or read in order, like Jackie, to be made new.
Why I like it: Jackie Hill Perry is a poet and you can tell the minute you start reading. The language might be a little flowery for some, but I found her poetic style perfect for understanding the emotion she conveys as she explains her story.
Becoming a Welcoming Church
Most church members don’t see their churches clearly.
In almost all of Thom S. Rainer’s consultations, church members perceive their church to be friendly. But as he surveyed guests, he found that the guests typically saw church members as unfriendly. The perception chasm existed because the members were indeed friendly . . . to one another.
The guests felt like they crashed a private party.
Bestselling author Thom Rainer (I Am a Church Member, Autopsy of a Deceased Church) has a game plan for churches to become more hospitable. In a format that is suitable for church members to read individually or study together, Rainer guides readers toward a practical framework for making a difference for those who visit their church. Churches may use Becoming a Welcoming Church to assess and audit where they are on a spectrum between welcoming and wanting. Additionally, churches can use the companion book We Want You Here to send guests home with a compelling vision for what pastors want every guest to know when they visit.
Why I like it: As far as Christian nonfiction books to read go, I loved this book and plan to reread it again soon. As a self-described “church lady” I love the Church and want others to love it too. However, as an individual who has moved frequently and been a visitor to many churches, I understand the hurt that can come from an “unwelcoming” church.
This book is well studied and backed by lots of data. It offers solutions for becoming welcoming on both a corporate and individual level. Best of all, it sees being welcoming as something that may have eternal impact–a perspective I deeply appreciate.
Forensic Faith
Forensic Faith will help readers:
• understand why they have a duty to defend the truth • develop a training strategy to master the evidence for Christianity • learn how to employ the techniques of a detective to discover new insights from God’s Word • become better communicators by learning the skills of professional case makers
With real-life detective stories, fascinating strategies, and biblical insights, Wallace teaches readers cold-case investigative disciplines they can apply to their Christian faith. Forensic Faith is an engaging, fresh look at what it means to be a Christian.
Why I like it: Years ago a friend and fellow high school youth group volunteer told me he’d asked his student small group, “Why are you a Christian.” He said hardly any could articulate a reason. At that moment I was convicted. Could I articulate the reason for my own faith? Since then, I’ve been intentional about feeding my mind “facts for my faith.” I’m not talking deep apologetics or even being able to debate someone. Just easy, consice items I find compelling reasons for my faith.
I’m a huge J Warner Wallace fan. His writing style is engaging and the information he presents makes sense and is easy to apply. I think it’s important for all Christians to be able to give reasons for our belief and J Warner Wallace’s books are a great place to start.
Lies Women Believe
Satan is the master deceiver; his lies are endless. And the lies Christian women believe are at the root of most of their struggles.
“Many women live under a cloud of personal guilt and condemnation,” says Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth. “Many are in bondage to their past. Others are gripped by fear of rejection and a longing for approval. Still others are emotional prisoners.”
In this bestseller, Lies Women Believe, Nancy exposes those areas of deception most commonly believed by Christian women—lies about God, sin, priorities, marriage and family, emotions, and more. She then sheds light on how we can be delivered from bondage and set free to walk in God’s grace, forgiveness, and abundant life. Nancy offers the most effective weapon to counter and overcome Satan’s deceptions: God’s truth!
Why I liked it: I have gained so much mental, emotional and spiritual freedom by identifying lies in my life and dispelling them with God’s truth. (See a post all about this here and here.) Lies Women Believe helped me see commonalities in the deception in my life. It also let me know that I’m not the only one who believe hurtful lies. The truth presented is easy to understand and apply to daily living.
Unveiling Grace
From a rare insider’s point of view, Unveiling Grace looks at how Latter-day Saints are “wooing our country” with their religion, lifestyle, and culture. It is also a gripping story of how an entire family, deeply enmeshed in Mormonism, found their way out and what they can tell others about their lives as faithful Mormons.
Why I liked it: This is one of my favorite Christian nonfiction books to read. I liked this book so much I listened to it twice in a row. (All within the allotted fourteen day loan period from the library.) Seriously, I thought it was that good. Unveiling Grace is the best book I’ve read regarding Mormonism. It’s not scandalous–no plural marriages, or abuse here. The pages explore a “normal” family’s life in the Mormon church and how/why they all eventually left and turned to Christ and the God of the Bible.
As a Christian, I’m deeply interested what draws individuals of other religions to Christ. This book cleared up misconceptions and left me less ignorant about a religion that is mainstream in America.
The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert
Rosaria, by the standards of many, was living a very good life. She had a tenured position at a large university in a field for which she cared deeply. She owned two homes with her partner, in which they provided hospitality to students and activists that were looking to make a difference in the world. In the community, Rosaria was involved in volunteer work. At the university, she was a respected advisor of students and her department’s curriculum.
Then, in her late 30’s, Rosaria encountered something that turned her world upside down–the idea that Christianity, a religion she had regarded as problematic and sometimes downright damaging, might be right about who God was. That idea seemed to fly in the face of the people and causes that she most loved. What follows is a story of what she describes as a train wreck at the hand of the supernatural. These are her secret thoughts about those events, written as only a reflective English professor could.
Why I liked it: This is another Christian testimony memoir (are you seeing that this is one of my favorite genres?) Rosaria’s testimony is a great reminder that kindness and hospitality are some of God’s best evangelism tools. Rosaria’s heart wasn’t won over by a debate or deep apologetics. Genuine love from a Christian couple softened her heart to God’s truth.
For Christians who think they need all the answers before reaching out to someone of a radically different mindset or culture–this is a great read. Her story is a clear picture of how Jesus still transforms lives–even in our secular culture.
Escape From Camp 14
North Korea’s political prison camps have existed twice as long as Stalin’s Soviet gulags and twelve times as long as the Nazi concentration camps. No one born and raised in these camps is known to have escaped. No one, that is, except Shin Dong-hyuk.
In Escape From Camp 14, Blaine Harden unlocks the secrets of the world’s most repressive totalitarian state through the story of Shin’s shocking imprisonment and his astounding getaway. Shin knew nothing of civilized existence—he saw his mother as a competitor for food, guards raised him to be a snitch, and he witnessed the execution of his mother and brother.
The late “Dear Leader” Kim Jong Il was recognized throughout the world, but his country remains sealed as his third son and chosen heir, Kim Jong Eun, consolidates power. Few foreigners are allowed in, and few North Koreans are able to leave. North Korea is hungry, bankrupt, and armed with nuclear weapons. It is also a human rights catastrophe. Between 150,000 and 200,000 people work as slaves in its political prison camps. These camps are clearly visible in satellite photographs, yet North Korea’s government denies they exist.
Harden’s harrowing narrative exposes this hidden dystopia, focusing on an extraordinary young man who came of age inside the highest security prison in the highest security state. Escape from Camp 14 offers an unequalled inside account of one of the world’s darkest nations. It is a tale of endurance and courage, survival and hope.
Why I liked it: This isn’t strictly a Christian nonfiction book to read. Shin Dong-hyuk’s story isn’t a conversion story. It’s an escape story. I think believers should be invested in prayer toward the priceless men, women and children of North Korea. After his escape, the book does indicate he encountered and embraced Christianity.
Christian NonFiction Books To Read
There you have it! I hope these recommendations of Christian nonfiction books to read come in handy this year. Happy reading (or listening). What books did you love this year?
Welcome to the last post in the godly goals series–it’s all about what it mans to work for the Lord. I’ve had such a sweet time digging into what the Bible has to say about goals and working toward them. In case you’ve missed a post–I’ve linked them all here:
The previous posts will explain the premise of this series. Today we’ll just dive in. The last “goal-y” word we are going to examine is “Labor/Work.” When we think about goal setting it’s hard not to think about work. These words will help us see what it looks like to work for the Lord.
Ergon
Ergon: business, employment, that which any one is occupied
We’ll start our discussion of doing work for the Lord with a straightforward word. Ergon directly correlates to our modern understanding of “job.” When it comes to goals–our career ambitions (keep last week’s discussion of ambition in mind) tend to be near the top of the list. This is especially true when I speak with young adults leaving high school, or in the throws of deciding “what to do” with their life.
While I cannot give tell you what type of career you should pursue. I can point you to Scripture. Throughout the Bible, God tells us what His will looks like and what He wants us to focus on. He doesn’t tell us specifically to be a nurse or a designer, but He does tell us to love Him, cultivate peace, love each other and tell others about the Salvation Jesus offers. If you are running after godly goals, you are pursing God’s work–no matter what your 9-5 might be.
In addition to describing jobs/tasks, Ergon can also mean deeds that we work at and “works” of art. This word is used well over 100 times throughout the New Testament. For this study, we are looking specifically at how ergon is used to describe jobs/tasks. (If you are interested in its other uses, follow this link to see the concordance page with all of its uses.)
The Work of the Lord
Many of the verses below reference “the work of the Lord.” This primarily refers to the work God has for all believers. There are many references to this type of work that can give us specifics–but Jesus summed it up with the Great Commission.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20
Our godly goals should ultimately align with Jesus’ commission to us. No matter what we are working at, everything should point back to Jesus, the Christ, our Savior. As you work for the Lord your day-to-day work may look different than mine. Together as members of the “body of Christ” we are all working toward this common goal.
Ergon in Scripture
Now that we’ve got an understanding of the word, let’s see how ergon is used in the Bible and what it teaches us about our duty to work for the Lord. The word translated from “ergon” is in bold in the verses.
God is glorified when we complete the tasks He gives us. Some God-given works are able to be completed. (Be sure to understand this verse in context as the speaker is Jesus Himself. See the full chapter here.)
I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.
Godly work can be collaborative. When carrying out godly goals and work, we should us discretion about partnerships.
Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.
We should be all-in when pursuing godly work. When we work at godly goals, our labor is not in vain.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Kopiaō occurs in the New Testament 28 times. Whereas ergon refers to something more akin to employment or a job, kopiaō speaks of the effort and toll working can take on us.
Kopiaō describes the utter fatigue labor can bring onto us. It’s usually used in the realm of physical exhaustion–being spent after an outpouring of effort.
Kopiaō is something I relate to every day as I drag myself out of bed and work on our remodel while also being a stay-at-home-mom to a toddler. I get it. You probably do too. The work of our daily lives is exhausting. God understands. Let’s see what Scripture can teach us about this kind of labor. The word translated from kopiao is in bold.
God knows work is tiresome. He understands our limits. And most of all He knows that labor of all kinds (whether after godly goals or worldly goals) leaves us exhausted. When understanding labor, it’s vital to believe Jesus offers us true rest.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
This kind of effort should be used to supply our own needs and those who cannot work in this manner themselves.
I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
One goal of our work is to supply for our needs and share the excess of our labor with others.
Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
Energeō: to be operative, be at work, put forth power
Does the word energeō look familiar? It shares a root with our modern, English word for energy. It’s a no-brainer that pursuing godly goals will require us to put forth energy. However, when I looked in to the words I’d be covering for today’s final post in this series–I was surprised to see who is putting forth energy in Scripture.
Unlike ergon (a job) and kopiaō (tiresome effort), energeō is typically reserved to describe the work of God or another un-mortal force. God cannot grow weary–therefore kopiaō will never describe him. Let’s look at a couple verses to remind ourselves that pursuing godly goals is not a lonely walk. God is alongside us, pouring out effort in the things that truly matter most.
God is at work in our gifts.
[After a discussion on spiritual giftings.]…There are different kinds of working [literally activity/effort], but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Thanks for joining me and please tell me your thoughts on this series–or shoot me ideas of other topics you’d like to see here on the blog. What are you godly goals? I’m praying that you are fining lots of joy as you align your personal goals with God’s heart.
Minot Monday is made possible through a partnership with BeLOCAL Minot. A guide to living like a local. You should totally check them out for tips/tricks on loving life in Minot. All thoughts, opinions and anecdotes below are mine alone.
Several years ago when we lived in Minot the first time around, I remember watching a story on the local news about speeding fines. The point was that the state of North Dakota was collecting far less income from speeding tickets than other states. At that point, Derek and I both laughed out loud and commented on the fact that North Dakota speeding tickets are basically just “pretend-toy-tickets” anyway. In this edition of Minot Monday, we are talking about the silly, unbelievable world of the North Dakota speeding ticket.
I’ll preface everything else I’m going to say by reiterating the fact that I love life in North Dakota. However, my love for the state only stems from the truth that this place is totally unique among the rest of our nation. North Dakota moves at a different speed. Trends hit us late (sometimes years late), things are slow to change, and good-golly there are just so many odd nuances about life in North Dakota that make it utterly fascinating.
It’s just a weird, wonderful place. I often describe it as life inside a mashup of a mockumentary and Hallmark movie. But I’m getting off topic.
The point of today’s Minot Monday is North Dakota speeding tickets. (I should take a second and give another warning. I do not condone breaking the law. Not even speeding. This article is not an endorsement to break the law in any manner.)
Our North Dakota Speeding Ticket
I’ve never been issued a North Dakota speeding ticket. I do, however vividly remember the day Derek came home with a speeding ticket after work. When he told me he’d gotten a ticket, my heart sank. Tickets are expensive. This would suck the “fun money” right out of that month’s budget.
But wait! This isn’t a speeding ticket in Florida, Oklahoma, Indiana or Louisiana (the other places we’ve lived.) This was a North Dakota speeding ticket. No need to cancel plans! No need to fret!
Why?
Because at that time tickets amounted to $1 per mph you were exceeding the speed limit. Derek’s infraction didn’t even cost us $15!
Yes, you’re reading that right. If you aren’t living in North Dakota, you can just add this to the list of things you envy about us. It’s just one more reason life in the Legendary North is so sweet.
Remember where this article started? The news story about low revenue from speeding tickets–now can you see why it was so silly?
North Dakota Speeding Ticket Changes
Before you throw all caution to the wind (and remember, this is not an article encouraging you to speed), let’s look at how the speeding ticket fines have changed since we’ve lived out of state and moved back.
Like my search for landfill/waste management answers in last week’s post, this proved to be trickier than it should have been. As of publishing this post, I still don’t have a link to a 2020 list of speeding fines. While fines have increased, they are still laughably low. Derek’s same infraction would have cost us nearly $160 back in our home state of Indiana.
Something else that makes North Dakota so great is how genuinely shocked locals are when they realize a $10 speeding ticket isn’t the norm. I love everything about living here. (Well…not the wind chill. But the summers and the people make up for it.)
Absolute Speed Limits
Speed limits are posted, but here is a group of “absolute speed limits” in North Dakota in case you’re wondering. It’s good information to have tucked away in your brain.
North Dakota Speeding Ticket Costs
The most recent information I can find indicates that North Dakota has added a $30 fine for breaking the speeding law. Drivers will pay that plus a fine for their speed. Fines for speed look like this:
1-5mph over the limit=$5
5-15mph over the limit=$1/mph exceeding the limit
16-20mph over the limit=Fine of $15 plus $2 for each mile per hour in excess of 15 miles per hour that the driver exceeds the limit.
21 -25 miles per hour over the limit=Fine of $25 plus $3 for each mile per hour in excess of 20 miles per hour that the driver exceeds the limit.
Beyond that, rates continue to go up. See the full scale here.
In this case going 10mph over
the limit would result in a $40 fine.
Highway Speeding Ticket Costs
For offenses on highways
where the speed limit is above 55mph things are a little different. I believe
the most recent fine scale to be $5 for every mph exceeding the limit. For
example:
5mph over=$25
15 mph over=$75
25 mph over=$125
It’s all very weird and
quaint, right? For the most accurate information check with local law
enforcement or the clerk’s office. Or you can ask a local with a heavy foot.
For more on North Dakota speeding tickets see the funny story here, the Bismarck
Trib article comparing our rates
to surrounding states, or this OpEd
piece from the Grand Forks Herald
calling for a raise in speeding fines.
And now that you are fully
armed with a little extra knowledge of North Dakota roads this just might be
the perfect time to take a road trip. BeLOCAL has a list of day/weekend trip
ideas right
here. Happy driving!
First, a quick recap. In short, I’m a goal-oriented person who is historically bad at goal setting. I’ve placed by value in the hands of my goals and spent many New Year’s “goal seasons” burnt out, feeling like a failure. Last year I ditched traditional goal-setting to simply focus on grace. Both, God’s grace toward me, and learning to extend more grace toward myself and others.
This year I wanted to explore what the Bible has to say about goals and working toward them. I made a list of “goal-ish” words and studied what Scripture has to say about each one. This was a personal study, but I came away with too many notes and geekery not to share. The words on my list were: Goal, Strive, Ambition, Aim, Intend, and Labor. Today we’ll look at “Ambition”. Next week will be our last post in the series.
Ambition
I love it when my Bible geeking surprises me. When I looked into the word ambition I was surprised by what I found. The Bible makes it clear what a godly goal looks like, that we should be moving forward in faith, growing to maturity in Christ and setting Christ centered goals. However, when I looked at what the Bible says about ambition I found more warning than offensive instruction.
The heart of this series is meant to help us (me) align our goals more closely with God’s heart. The old cliche is very true, life IS short. Our days on this side of eternity are a gift–we need to steward them well. I don’t know about you, but I want to spend my days working at things that matter. I’ve spend too many Januaries setting goals that worked me to the bone, but didn’t matter at all. Let’s leave that pattern for good.
A good first step is examining ambition, both what the dictionary and the Bible says about ambition.
The English definition of “ambition.”
am·bi·tion | amˈbiSH(ə)n
an earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction, as power, honor, fame, or wealth, and the willingness to strive for its attainment
a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work.
desire and determination to achieve success.
Ambition is Heart Oriented
Can you see that ambition is a little more heart-oriented than a goal? A goal/aim is passive. It’s an object. An ambition is desire. Ambition is personal, often dependent on our own labor.
In every translation of Scripture, “ambition” is usually used in tandem with “selfish.” As in, “selfish ambition.” (Some translations do use the word “ambition” in place of goal, ie 1 Thes 4:1q and Rom 15:20–both discussed in this post.)
Because I truly do believe that Scripture is God-breathed, I believe all the words in the Bible are placed with meaning.
So why does the Bible typically speak of ambition in terms of selfishness? Let’s see what we can learn.
What the Bible Says About Ambition
The word most commonly translated into occurrences of the English word “ambition” is actually a Greek word denoting selfish-ambition.
eritheia: a desire to put one’s self forward; self-seeking pursuit of political office by unfair means
Eritheia has a political background. Outside of the Bible it was used to describe unfair power grabs and seeking to place oneself in a high-ranking position. Keep this and the definition in mind as you read the following verses that use eritheia in them.
For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition (eritheia), slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition (eritheia) or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
I don’t want you to walk away from this post discouraged, or thinking that ambition is negative. Ambition is not negative. Remember, there are verses that translate “philotimeomai” (to strive, goal, aspire) into “ambition.”
Instead, as we examine our goals–the things we are striving toward and setting our eyes upon–we must intentionally ward off eritheia, selfish ambition. What do can learn about selfish ambition from the verses above? Here is my list from my study notes. By all means, this is not everything we can learn from these passages, nor are these the only right answers. (And remember to read the verses in context.)
Paul had godly goals for the church in Corinth–selfish ambition is among the things that could derail those goals. (See examples of godly goals here and here.) (2 Cor 12:20)
Selfish ambition is companion to other undesirable/selfish qualities. (2 Cor 12:20)
We should not pursue our godly goals from a heart posture of selfish ambition. (Phil 2:3)
Humility and genuine interest/care/concern for others is the opposite and antidote of selfish ambition. (Phil 2:3)
Selfish ambition breeds disorder and other bad, hurtful practices. (Jas 3:16)
Guarding Against Selfish Ambition
As we seek to create godly goals, we must guard against selfish ambition. As we’ve learned so far in this series, godly goals are not self seeking. They are peace-driven, church-edifying, God-glorifying. If our goals are truly aligned with God’s heart and what His Word tells us to strive for, we will not operate out of selfish ambition.
It’s also important to remember the character of God when considering our goals. God is all-knowing, all-powerful. He knows us fully and loves us fully. God’s primary concern is not our accomplishments, it’s our heart. (1 Sam 16:7) The God of the Bible will never berate you for not being enough.
Here is the truth. You are perfectly enough when you take your not-enoughness and let Christ complete you with His grace.
Friends, the amount of water you drink, money you make, miles you log at the gym–they are all inconsequential when compared to your heart posture. If your heart is out of alignment, you can do all the things, loose the weight, get the job, etc, etc, etc and still feel like it’s not enough. If your ambition is selfish, there will always be a gnawing emptiness in your belly.
God sees and cares about our heart.
One of my favorite verses is Psalm 37:4.
“Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Can you see that this is a self-fulfilling prophecy? When the Lord is our delight our heart’s deepest ambitions/desires will be met. If our goals are godly and in line with what the Bible tells us is worth setting our eyes on and striving toward, He will be our desire. And God never withholds Himself from those who seek Him.
Your Challenge
Your challenge this week is to prayerfully assess your goals. Check back in. What are you working toward? How are you striving? Why are those the things you’ve chosen to focus on? What is your heart posture? What is your motive? If you uncover selfish ambition (I’ve uncovered more than my fair share in my own heart), ask God to help you realign that goal with His heart.
Next week we’ll wrap up the series by looking at “labor.” Thanks for stopping in. Join me on Facebook or Instagram for more fun. I’d love to get to know you!
Today’s Minot Monday, all about the Minot Landfill and Waste Management is made possible through a partnership with BeLOCAL Minot. BeLOCAL is a publication and guide to living like a local. All content and opinions in this post are my own.
Today might not be the most exciting Minot Monday post ever to grace the blog–but it’s going to be useful. Today, I’m talking about trash. Specifically the Minot landfill. A lot can be said about the trash situation here. Locals don’t think about it, but when you move in it can be a little jarring. Because I’m your friend, I don’t mind sitting down to write a post completely dedicated to how you can dispose of your garbage. Let’s go.
As I said, I’ll be focusing mainly on the Minot landfill today. But I’ll touch on a couple other issues first.
I’ve lived in a lot of places. If I were to do a side by side comparison of waste management from all of those places–Minot would not come in first place. Don’t get me wrong. You know I love Minot. I’m the town’s biggest cheerleader. So everything I say from this point on is simply to help you navigate life here. Not negative, just fact.
Curbside Trash Pick Up
Minot offers curbside garbage pick up in the city. It’s pretty standard. Where we live the truck comes twice each week–which means our bin is never full or overflowing. I’ve had a hard time finding a list of what is acceptable to put in the dumpster. After much searching I dug this up from the City website. This PDF includes a complete list of what you can and cannot put in the trash bin at the curb.
If you’ve got large items, you can add them to your curbside lot, but additional fees apply. (See here.) To arrange a pick up of a large item (furniture, appliances, etc–this does not include building materials) you’ll need to call Public Works (701-857-4140) and schedule a pick up. BeLOCAL has a quick guide to all important “city” phone numbers here.
Yard Waste
One specific rule is that yard waste (think leaves, grass, etc) cannot be placed into your curbside dumpster. This can go to the Minot landfill (we’ll chat more about that in a minute) or one of the yard waste collection sites. Again, I’ll link up this PDF, because it can be hard to find on the City’s website. (Spoiler, if you look under collection locations…you won’t find it.)
There are special yard waste collection sites (see a map here) open until the end of November. After that, yard waste must be taken to the landfill. Unlike other debris–the Minot landfill accepts yard waste at no cost. AKA, for free.
Christmas Trees and Free Mulch
After Christmas two of the yard waste sites reopen to collect Christmas trees. You can drop your tree off at Oak Park or the 16th Ave/16th St SW location. Trees are taken to the Minot landfill and turned into mulch. Then something super cool happens–that mulch is available FOR FREE to residents!
Spring and Fall Clean Up
Twice a year (in October and May) a giant clean up week happens. During Fall and Spring Clean up, you can put basically anything out at the curb for pickup. An-y-thing. Things that don’t fit in your bin, things that normally aren’t picked up by waste crews. It’s pretty much all fair game. It’s free and convenient. You can see the FAQ here for all the details. (Again, you’re welcome. This information is really well hidden on the website.) Dates will be posted here once announced.
Hazardous Waste and Freebies
Now let’s talk hazardous waste. Hazardous waste is anything chemical/liquid that should not be put out with more “traditional” trash. The category includes things like paint, stain, pesticides, etc. The Minot landfill accepts hazardous waste spring through fall. And here is a little known fact: anything suitable for reuse is available, free of charge to anyone who wants it. There is more information on hazardous waste disposal here and here.
Recycling in Minot
Something Derek and I consistently struggle with is how to dispose of our recyclables. The city of Minot doesn’t offer a recycling program or recyclable pick up. There are several places in town where you can take recyclables–and all are a little different. (I plan to do a full post on recycling once I’ve done a little more research.) Here are all the places you can recycle and links to their information.
Best Buy (appliances and electronics of all kinds)
Plastic bags are collected at Market Place Foods or can be donated to any of the thrift stores in town.
The Minot Landfill
Now let’s talk about the Minot landfill. The landfill is on the outskirts of town, up a hill. If roads are snowy or icy it can be hard to get up the hill without four-wheel drive.
To drop items off at the landfill there is a minimum $10 fee. The landfill used to accept items for free from residents (with proof in the form of a city water bill). However, they’ve no longer do that.
Upon entry, your vehicle is weighed. Then, you are given a number and instructions on where to drop off your waste. After you finish, you are weighed again and pay the fee on your way out.
Before making my first trip to the landfill (first since moving back to Minot) I tried to find a schedule of fees online. I was initially unsuccessful–so after dropping items off I snapped this photo from the payment window for future reference.
The Minot landfill offers lots more than what is easily found on the website, so I hope this helps you navigate the system. Remember to meet up with me on Instagram or Facebook stories to see this week’s event round up. Every Monday I share my picks for fun events going on in town. I’d love to connect with you!
What says “strive” more than rugged hiking images?
Today’s post contains Part III of a series on godly goal setting. In this post, I’m focusing on the word “strive.” We’ll continue looking at what Christ centered goals look like and how to pursue them. Together, we’ll continue to learn what Scripture has to say about goals and what we should be working toward. This series is not meant to set goals for you–only to help us all closer align our ambitions with Jesus.
If you missed the earlier posts you can find them at the links below.
As I explain in Part I–I began this study as a way to personally explore Christ centered goals for my own life. I made a list of “goal-y” words and researched how they are used in the Bible. It was a long process of cross referencing and using interlinear resources. The information I discovered was too sweet not to share. So here we are.
Strive
Today we’ll be looking at the word “strive.” When I made a list of goal-related words I wanted to look into, strive was second on my list (only after the word “goal.) When I think about goal setting, the word “work” doesn’t come to my mind as readily as “strive.”
Examining Scripture makes it clear: Striving has a richer meaning than simply “working.” It’s physical, mental, emotional. Striving is seeking with the intention to find. To strive is to pursue something with the cunning of a hunter intent on prey. Striving is athletic, relational and intercessional.
The Bible has a lot to say about what is worthy of such effort. To get to the things that are really worth pursuing, we need a striver’s mindset.
While doing my word studies I found five Greek words (I focused on the New Testament) the correlate to our English word “strive.” There may be more, but this is a good sampling. Some of these words translate directly to the English word, “strive.” Others use “strive” as a descriptor in their definition, or as a synonym. I’ll go through each and reiterate conclusions at the end. Sound good? Let’s get started.
To Earnestly Endeavor
Diōkō
Diōkō: to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavor to acquire; to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive (diōkō) to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 1 Thessalonians 5:15
Diōkō is a word much like our English interpretation of “pursue.” Most often in Scripture, we see it translated in a negative way, to mean “persecute.” But in 1 Thess and elsewhere it’s used in the context of striving.
Overall, this word shows us how to pursue Christ centered goals. We must work eagerly and expectantly. As one pursuing something with the goal of capturing it. But how exactly do we strive? What should we strive for? Let’s look at other uses of the word. As you read these verses, keep the definition in mind. Replace the word in the sentence with “strive” or “eagerly pursue.”
Follow(diōkō) the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. (1 Cor 14:1)
I press on(diōkō) toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Phil 3:14)
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue(diōkō) righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. (1 Tim 6:11)
Make every effort(diōkō) to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (Heb 12:14)
They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue(diōkō) it. (1 Peter 3:11)
So I strive(askeō) always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.Acts 24:16
Askeō indicates trying. Something we are working toward. In some translations of this verse it says, “So I do my best…” Working toward a clear conscience before God and others is a godly, Christ centered goal.
To Seek After
Zēteō
Zēteō: to seek after, seek for, aim at, strive after
This word is most often translated to “seek.” However, when thinking about how we are to strive after Christ centered goals, it’s important to read the “striving” into the “seeking.” This is not aimless looking around, hoping to stumble onto the right path. Zēteō means we are putting our energy and efforts into our seeking.
Don’t strive (zēteō) for what you should eat and what you should drink, and don’t be anxious.Luke 12:29
Zēteō is used more than 100 times throughout the New Testament. Here are a few other verses that shed light on how we can apply zēteō to striving after Christ centered goals. Remember to read the verse with this enriched definition in mind.
But seek(zēteō) first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. (Matt 6:33)
By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek(zēteō) not to please myself but him who sent me. (Jn 5:30)
Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking(zēteō) my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. (1 Cor 10:32-33)
It [love] does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking(zēteō), it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. (1 Cor 13:5)
So also you — since you are zealous for spiritual gifts,seek(zēteō) to excel in building up the church. (1 Cor 14:12)
Striving Together
Synagōnizomai
Synagōnizomai: to strive together with one, to help one in striving
Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to strive (synagōnizomai) together with me in fervent prayers to God on my behalf.Romans 15:30
Synagōnizomai specifically speaks of striving together. Godly goals do not all need to be accomplished independently. When looking at the things God calls us to strive toward, it’s important to also recognize He doesn’t call us to do it alone.
Strenuous Zeal
Agōnizomai
Agōnizomai: to endeavour with strenuous zeal, strive: to obtain something
For this reason we labor and strive(agōnizomai), because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:10
Agōnizomai has athletic connotations. It’s often used to describe a fight, contending, or a contest. It’s interesting to apply this type of striving toward godly goals. Here are a couple other verses that use this word for “strive.” Keep in mind the physical, strenuous definition of the word used here.
We proclaim him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. I labor for this, striving(agōnizomai) with his strength that works powerfully in me. (Col 1:28-29)
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling(agōnizomai) for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured in everything God wills. (Col 4:12)
Striving for Christ Centered Goals: Application Examples
Here are things I jotted down in my study notes about striving toward godly goals–and the things worth striving. I encourage you to make your own list.
Doing what’s right is a godly goal. (1 Th 5:15)
I should strive to do good for others (1 Th 5:15)
Christ centered striving is intentional and requires effort. (Phil 3:14
Righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness are godly goals. (1 Tim 6:11)
I should pursue to cultivate those attributes in my life. (1 Tim 6:11)
Living in peace is a godly goal. I should strive for peace. (Hb 12:14, 1 Pe 3:11)
Godly goals pursue love (multiple verses)
Peace with others is worth striving for (multiple verses)
Repentance and confession is a godly goal. (Acts 24:16)
A clear conscience is worth striving toward. (Acts 24:16)
Material things are not a godly goal; this is not what I should be striving for. (Luke 12:29)
God’s kingdom is something to seek/strive toward. (Matt 6:33)
Do not strive to please myself, but God; pleasing God is a godly goal–worth striving toward. (John 5:30)
Godly goals seek the good of others and are not self-serving. (1 Cor 10:33)
Love is a godly goal; it is not selfish (1 Cor 13:5)
Building up the Church is a godly goal. (1 Cor 14:12)
We are called to strive together. (Rom 15:30)
I can strive in prayer, alongside others. (Rom 15:30)
My hope in Jesus gives me the strength to strive forward toward godly goals, even when it is laborious. (1 Tim 4:10, Col 1:29)
Helping one another to maturity in Christ is a godly goal. (Col 1:29)
I can strive toward godly goals in prayer. (Col 4:12)
Final Thoughts
One of my over arching observations about striving–in the context of godly goals is that it is often cooperative and relational. We are called to strive alongside others. We are called to strive for the good of others–not toward our own happiness or material desires. In some ways that is convicting. In other ways, it’s freeing to understand that the goals God wants me to set my eyes upon are simple. He’s not commanding me to build a company, remodel my house, work out, or even drink more water. He is calling us to strive toward love, peace, prayer, repentance.
Consider the goals you may have set for yourself with the onset of the New Year. Do they align with the godly goals we looked at last week, or what we’ve learned about striving this week?
**Always take caution when thinking about goals. God does want us striving toward maturity in faith and a heart aligned with His. However, our Salvation, justification before God and sanctification are not reliant on goal setting. Those things were all accomplished for us by Jesus on the cross. All we have to do to obtain those things is to rest in His grace.**
This post is part of a series on godly goals. Together we’ll be exploring what the Bible has to say about goals and the things we work toward. Here are other posts in this series:
Last week I told you a bit about my struggles with goal setting. In the past I’ve been guilty of setting the wrong kind of goals and putting too much stock in my goals to uphold and define my identity. Today, we’ll continue our discussion on setting godly goals. I spent a lot of time searching and discovering what the Bible has to say about setting godly goals. Now, I’m excited to start sharing what I found.
In true Bible geek fashion, I spent a full week pouring over texts to discover all I could about setting godly goals. I started with a quickly brainstormed list of “goaly” words–goal, strive, aim, ambition, intend and labor. At the conclusion, I was left with lots of insight, better goals, peace in my heart and a lengthy outline of Hebrew and Greek words along with their various uses.
Exploring Godly Goals as a Series
I didn’t set out to publish what I learned. However, the things I found are things I wish I would have known years ago. If you have ever felt burned out, burdened or devalued because you can’t live up to the goals you set for yourself–this series is for you. First, be sure to put goals in their proper place (see part I), then step into the peace-making, joy-breeding space of godly goals.
First, be sure to put goals in their proper place (see part I), then step into the peace-making, joy-breeding space of godly goals.
To be totally honest with you (something you can always count on me to do), once I decided to write a series on goals, I intended to share all my findings in one long post. But after writing and rewriting several times it was clear we are meant to take this one slow. I’ll be sharing what I learned about each word that I studied over the coming weeks. Today, we’ll look at what I discovered about the word “Goal.”
At first, I was apprehensive about splitting this into a longer series. There is so much pressure to assess and create goals at the beginning of the year–cementing them in place by January 30. Then we turn on auto pilot. We pursue the goals we set for ourselves or let them go to the wayside. It can seem that our only two options are to achieve what we desired on January 1st, or beat ourselves up for being a failure. (Those are the options I’ve yo-yo-ed between in the past.)
Commit to Realigning Your Goals Regularly
Any life coach or “goal expert” (of which I am not) will tell you that a goal is more likely to be reached if you continue to revisit it. Friends, godly goals are worth pursuing. They are worthy of cultivation.
Let’s start this year by making our goals, but continue over the next weeks to reassess. Join me in discovering more about the kind of goals God has for you. Week by week examine the things you are striving for and use what we’ll learn together to realign them fully with our wonderful God.
What is a Goal?
Before we start, let’s grab a definition for the word “goal” to make sure we are all on the same page.
Running a quick Google search on “goal setting” will yield lots of tips. Most of these are on creating an action plan that will move you from where you are at this very moment to the desired “end toward which your effort is directed.”
In last week’s post I told you that I’ve spent many years setting the wrong kind of goals and that my goals lacked grace. On top of that, I bound my ability to complete goals to my identity and self-worth. Last January I took a new, more graceful approach to goal-setting. At year’s end for the first time in many years I was at peace, even joyful. Content with where I’d been and ready to step forward.
This year, I want to keep my goal-setting on this healthy trajectory. I want to understand what Scripture says about goals. In my study I discovered two Greek words that are used in Scripture for the English word “goal” as we typically use it. Philotimeomai and skopos. Let’s look at verses that use these words and apply them to our goal setting.
Skopos: the distant mark looked at, the goal or end one has in view
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal (skopos) to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more,and to make it your ambition (philotimeomai) to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you,so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Now that we’ve seen how these words are used, it’s time to apply them. Remember, we want to be doers of the Word, not just hearers. (James 1:22-25) Let’s take a look at what we can learn about goals by examining these verses. (I’ve quoted singular verses here, but remember to always read the Bible within its intended context.)
Here are application examples straight from my notebook. This is not an exhaustive list. How can you apply skopos and philotimeomai to your goal setting?
Godly goals look forward and do not dwell on the past. (Phil 3:14)
Aiming to live a quiet (literally peaceful, intentional–not running “hither and tither”) life is a godly goal. (1 Thess 4:11)
Working toward a quiet life, doesn’t mean an unproductive life. Paul tells his readers to be productive, by working with their hands. (1 Thess 4:11)
The godly goal of a quiet (again, literally peaceful, intentional) life will yield respect and independence. (1 Thess 4:12)
Spreading the Gospel is a godly goal. (Rom 15:20)
Thanks for being here and learning with me. Take some time this week to pray about godly goals. I’ll be back next week to discuss the word “strive.” Together we’ll discover what the Bible has to say about working toward a goal–how to strive and what is worthy of striving toward.
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