The day was clear and brisk. I was doing an afternoon walk/jog and once again I wasn't exactly sure if I was going the long way or the really long way around town in Gumligen, Switzerland. All I knew for sure was that every time I stopped to catch my breath or kept going, I was headed in the direction of the mountains:). I loved gazing at them, as this trip to student teach abroad was my first time actually exposed to mountains. They never failed to amaze me...although I have to say, I started to expect them, became immune to seeing them, like I had become immune to hearing the cowbells as I faded off to sleep, or the expectation of the morning train. Somehow, even in a distant land where I was the foreigner, I was getting used to the routine there.
But the next day I, along with my 3 traveling companions, were headed back to the states, back to what really was routine: the pace and the structure we'd grown up with, yet for the past 3 months had only been a memory.
All of a sudden, despite my anticipation of returning home, I was sad thinking about how this beautiful horizon and everything wonderful about the strange and rustic land we'd come to know would soon be a mere memory as well.
I remember standing there in the middle of some street (strasse) trying to hold it all in my mind as long as I could, so not to just glimpse over anything. I knew I would want to return someday, yet I had no idea when this would take place and if things would be feel the same. I think I decided right then and there that this place and what I felt when I was there at that moment..freedom, peace, surprise, unpredicatability- were so magical and out of the ordinary that I should call upon them whenever I needed to feel that way. And I have been able to do that- I've noticed many times when I just need some solace I think of the great moments from that trip. I've never denied that there was difficulty with the experience as well, but I think I just choose to think of it differently.
Wouldn't it be amazing if we could do this with all our past experiences? And, if something like mountains and a beautiful countryside can symbolize clarity, wonder, adventure, and limitless possibilities, can't we connect to our surroundings that way no matter what they are if we choose? I think it can be done.
Still, since I left I've had a longing to go back. It's not feasible now, but someday I will make it possible. I think of this place now for many reasons, part of which because it's almost been 3 years since I went.
The strange way my mind works resonates to my writing, and I always want there to be a point to a story..I want it to relate to something bigger, some a-ha moment, something thoughtful or reflective. I guess I like to draw conclusions...I think I like to connect to things outside of everyday life. And maybe figure out how to make it more part of everyday life. I've recently thought that oddly, I enjoy missing things, even if it's hard to do. People, places, experiences, moments in my life..I like thinking back on them, and usually they can be almost as present to me as when they occurred. Maybe missing something reminds you why it's important to you in the first place. As long as you don't dwell on it, I guess.
You always appreciate things more with time, and distance. And when you don't get to see them like you once did. I feel that way about my family sometimes, too. But in terms of places, I love calling this country home, but still, there's something fascinating about living a different way for awhile. In my dreams, I can just do that all over again..
One of my favorite things was when I stepped out on top of a very, very tall mountain, I felt as if I was really really small and the world was really really big. Strange that I like that feeling, but I do. Maybe because we're used to the opposite feeling. And I also liked, on the really cloudy days, when we couldn't even see past the cliff...feeling like all the little stuff isn't as significant as it seems. Maybe this wasn't reality, but draw some conclusions of your own...maybe it's possible to make this a reality without a big ball of clouds and higher-than-imaginable elevation:).
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Can we change anything?
Mother Theresa once said, "We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop."
Ok...how I feel about this quote is how I feel sometimes about the major, overwhelming problems of the world. Doing something is important, but does it really make any difference? Maybe if I didn't do something, the ocean wouldn't be that much smaller. But if all of us doing something can be compared to drops in the ocean, well, then, without any of our efforts we would barely have enough water for a pond, right?
After reading an article this morning on the problem of human hunger, I was alarmed at how much God was moving in my heart for groups of people in the world that I’ve never really felt connected to. I’ve always felt something for people who are poor, hungry, homeless, etc. but I feel I’ve been used to reacting to this disparity in a few different ways: not knowing how anything I do can help such global and overwhelming problems, thinking that because the world is so broken there’s always going to be these problems, thinking that it’s just because of their circumstances or things they have done which has brought them to the point where they are. I’ve also thought, it’s enough to take on my own problems let alone the burdens of the world. Some of these reactions are cruel-sounding, I know, but nothing about anyone’s perspective will ever change unless they’re honest. So I’m laying it all out...
Then I had two thoughts. One, what would I desire most for these people, in my thinking that wide-spread social change would be great but isn’t really realistic? And two, where has my heart gravitated toward in the past, as I know I’m much more soft-hearted than it sounds from my above comments?
The answer to number one is that I desire for them to really know Christ. As I’ve begun learning and growing more in what that means for my life, I want others who are in pain, hurting, feeling lost to experience that, too. Maybe then, they will be able to turn their lives around, I think, or latch on to the resources for them to do so, or at least stop being caught up in the whirlwind cycle of rottenness that plagues a lot of their day-to-day lives because of the situations they find themselves in.
But, along these lines, I was moved today as I read about chronically hungry people, and Christians who were seeking to “bring the good news” to them in other places of the world. Well, as a side-note, I know there are lots of hungry people right here around us, too, who don’t know the good news either. But the article said that before any of these people can understand or even “hear” the good news, they have to stop starving. For them, at the beginning, food is their source of “good news.” They can’t operate any other way unless their basic needs are met. This is scary and also liberating, because I think it can relate to people who are hungry for a lot of things, not just food. But it definitely speaks to me when I think about how much I take for granted and people who live off of practically nothing and are always starving.
Sure, it’s not to say we shouldn’t enjoy and experience the life we’ve been given, with the blessings and luxuries we have, but I realize there is a danger in never leaving that zone and experiencing what others feel on a day-to-day basis. This led me to the second question.
I do feel I have a desire to help hungry people, but we all have to work our way up slowly. I’m not yet fully equipped to help people more than I know how (besides just donating canned items and filling up backpacks to send overseas or something small like that, still not really connecting me to people or allowing me to use my skills to help them), even though I feel I want to really help in the “hunger” domain someday.
So then, not speaking of food, where am I tangibly helping people who are hungry right now? I guess it’s good that for this moment in time, even if I sometimes grumble, I can see my job in a new light, that children who are hungry for love are being served by engaging in positive interactions with adults in the community who have a drive to care, to mentor, to be a helping hand in pulling at-risk children out of their potential to continue down a vicious cycle of trouble and heartache. I think it’s very meaningful to do something to stop the cycle while people are young, by letting them know that someone cares about and is invested in them and whether they sink or swim.
We go through life knowing what we’ve been exposed to. I’ve seen that our world is troubled and broken, and I’ve not been removed from experiencing pain in different forms, however, I’ve never had to go through life wondering if I was going to go on “hungry” like so many people do, in so many different ways.
I wonder how we all can find out what it is we are equipped to do at this moment, and go for it, and not even stop there. I’m not content to stop in just the job I have now. I want to pull myself further- and I’m not sure what that means, but I think if you follow your passions, the work will seem easy. Maybe not always easy, but at least natural. If we all did this, perhaps we would have the kind of movement we and God have probably been dreaming of.
P.S. My friends who always seem to be in tune to how they can "be the change they wish to see in the world" inspire me to not loose sight of that desire being in me, too. Thanks for that. :)
Ok...how I feel about this quote is how I feel sometimes about the major, overwhelming problems of the world. Doing something is important, but does it really make any difference? Maybe if I didn't do something, the ocean wouldn't be that much smaller. But if all of us doing something can be compared to drops in the ocean, well, then, without any of our efforts we would barely have enough water for a pond, right?
After reading an article this morning on the problem of human hunger, I was alarmed at how much God was moving in my heart for groups of people in the world that I’ve never really felt connected to. I’ve always felt something for people who are poor, hungry, homeless, etc. but I feel I’ve been used to reacting to this disparity in a few different ways: not knowing how anything I do can help such global and overwhelming problems, thinking that because the world is so broken there’s always going to be these problems, thinking that it’s just because of their circumstances or things they have done which has brought them to the point where they are. I’ve also thought, it’s enough to take on my own problems let alone the burdens of the world. Some of these reactions are cruel-sounding, I know, but nothing about anyone’s perspective will ever change unless they’re honest. So I’m laying it all out...
Then I had two thoughts. One, what would I desire most for these people, in my thinking that wide-spread social change would be great but isn’t really realistic? And two, where has my heart gravitated toward in the past, as I know I’m much more soft-hearted than it sounds from my above comments?
The answer to number one is that I desire for them to really know Christ. As I’ve begun learning and growing more in what that means for my life, I want others who are in pain, hurting, feeling lost to experience that, too. Maybe then, they will be able to turn their lives around, I think, or latch on to the resources for them to do so, or at least stop being caught up in the whirlwind cycle of rottenness that plagues a lot of their day-to-day lives because of the situations they find themselves in.
But, along these lines, I was moved today as I read about chronically hungry people, and Christians who were seeking to “bring the good news” to them in other places of the world. Well, as a side-note, I know there are lots of hungry people right here around us, too, who don’t know the good news either. But the article said that before any of these people can understand or even “hear” the good news, they have to stop starving. For them, at the beginning, food is their source of “good news.” They can’t operate any other way unless their basic needs are met. This is scary and also liberating, because I think it can relate to people who are hungry for a lot of things, not just food. But it definitely speaks to me when I think about how much I take for granted and people who live off of practically nothing and are always starving.
Sure, it’s not to say we shouldn’t enjoy and experience the life we’ve been given, with the blessings and luxuries we have, but I realize there is a danger in never leaving that zone and experiencing what others feel on a day-to-day basis. This led me to the second question.
I do feel I have a desire to help hungry people, but we all have to work our way up slowly. I’m not yet fully equipped to help people more than I know how (besides just donating canned items and filling up backpacks to send overseas or something small like that, still not really connecting me to people or allowing me to use my skills to help them), even though I feel I want to really help in the “hunger” domain someday.
So then, not speaking of food, where am I tangibly helping people who are hungry right now? I guess it’s good that for this moment in time, even if I sometimes grumble, I can see my job in a new light, that children who are hungry for love are being served by engaging in positive interactions with adults in the community who have a drive to care, to mentor, to be a helping hand in pulling at-risk children out of their potential to continue down a vicious cycle of trouble and heartache. I think it’s very meaningful to do something to stop the cycle while people are young, by letting them know that someone cares about and is invested in them and whether they sink or swim.
We go through life knowing what we’ve been exposed to. I’ve seen that our world is troubled and broken, and I’ve not been removed from experiencing pain in different forms, however, I’ve never had to go through life wondering if I was going to go on “hungry” like so many people do, in so many different ways.
I wonder how we all can find out what it is we are equipped to do at this moment, and go for it, and not even stop there. I’m not content to stop in just the job I have now. I want to pull myself further- and I’m not sure what that means, but I think if you follow your passions, the work will seem easy. Maybe not always easy, but at least natural. If we all did this, perhaps we would have the kind of movement we and God have probably been dreaming of.
P.S. My friends who always seem to be in tune to how they can "be the change they wish to see in the world" inspire me to not loose sight of that desire being in me, too. Thanks for that. :)
Friday, September 19, 2008
Life is weird, funny, and many other things..
I was trying to find some funny jokes to post on here, but it's hard to find a good and funny joke..so I settled for just finding a couple just quotes share that I found while searching around and thought they were interesting..they probably aren't as funny as say a Seinfeld episode:) or the lame jokes in Get Smart (I have to say, thoroughly entertained by the silliness of that movie tonight)..but it was worth a shot, just to change things up a little. Do any of YOU (meaning the 3 people who might read my blog) have any other good comments, quotes or actual jokes to spread around here. Let it be a Free To Joke and Not Be Judged Zone. I have a couple others up my sleeve but I think it's getting to be past my bedtime:).
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman where the Self Help section was. She said if she told me it would defeat the purpose.
In spite of the cost of living, it's still popular.
Adults are always asking little kids what they want to be when they grow up because they're looking for ideas.
Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.
Finally..I will end with a quote that just made the end of my day after some funny comments about my sincere love of reading at work. I was behind a bumper sticker that said, no joke, "Reading is Sexy." So there, all you reading bashers out there;).
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman where the Self Help section was. She said if she told me it would defeat the purpose.
In spite of the cost of living, it's still popular.
Adults are always asking little kids what they want to be when they grow up because they're looking for ideas.
Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.
Finally..I will end with a quote that just made the end of my day after some funny comments about my sincere love of reading at work. I was behind a bumper sticker that said, no joke, "Reading is Sexy." So there, all you reading bashers out there;).
Friday, September 12, 2008
Take a hike, Ike! (my one shot at humor in another serious post).
Tonight I am saying some prayers for the people who are now in the midst of Hurricane Ike and other storms arising from it and the other hurricanes of this season. Even though crazy weather scares me, it's always fascninated me in a weird way. I don't like people getting hurt, but somehow the excitement of odd weather gets me excited too, if nothing else than it just changes things up a bit. And it reminds me of the bigness of things happening in our world.
BUT, that doesn't mean I like the repercussions of all of it. My brother moved from Dallas to Houston a few months ago and since then it's been tropical storm after tropical storm and now he has had to evacuate because of Ike hitting Texas with a storm "the size of Texas itself" some weather stories noted. That is so insane I can't comprehend it. There are many people who didn't flee, taking their chances, and while some may trust in God, there's no where that it says those who hold faith will be spared, is there? There's a lot of people of faith who get stuck in things like this all the time. Towns are most likely going to get swept away by this storm. I just pray that it doesn't overtake the people and the city as hard as they are predicting. Sometimes I wonder if God is trying to send a message with all this stuff, or if that is being read into??
We really do not have control, and that can be scary, but something to come to terms with.
I know growing up in the midwest and we were always having near-tornadoes, semi-floods, etc. We had lots of storms, power outages, in the winter we had white-outs. I know what it's like on a small level to have serious things happen, but not on this grand scale. Somehow, I pray that as much unnecessary hurt and damage can be spared from those who have to live with the destruction. It's something so outside of us, but it can't be beyond us. I know it's not for me because a close family member is experiencing it right now, but it makes me more curious about how people respond to things differently when it hits home versus when it doesn't. There's so much heartache and destruction in this world, we can't feel it all can we?
BUT, that doesn't mean I like the repercussions of all of it. My brother moved from Dallas to Houston a few months ago and since then it's been tropical storm after tropical storm and now he has had to evacuate because of Ike hitting Texas with a storm "the size of Texas itself" some weather stories noted. That is so insane I can't comprehend it. There are many people who didn't flee, taking their chances, and while some may trust in God, there's no where that it says those who hold faith will be spared, is there? There's a lot of people of faith who get stuck in things like this all the time. Towns are most likely going to get swept away by this storm. I just pray that it doesn't overtake the people and the city as hard as they are predicting. Sometimes I wonder if God is trying to send a message with all this stuff, or if that is being read into??
We really do not have control, and that can be scary, but something to come to terms with.
I know growing up in the midwest and we were always having near-tornadoes, semi-floods, etc. We had lots of storms, power outages, in the winter we had white-outs. I know what it's like on a small level to have serious things happen, but not on this grand scale. Somehow, I pray that as much unnecessary hurt and damage can be spared from those who have to live with the destruction. It's something so outside of us, but it can't be beyond us. I know it's not for me because a close family member is experiencing it right now, but it makes me more curious about how people respond to things differently when it hits home versus when it doesn't. There's so much heartache and destruction in this world, we can't feel it all can we?
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
I can't stop!
I am almost done with my blog fever for today.
I decided to email a couple pals tonight because I was moved after homegroup to write to them and thank them for their prayers..I sometimes forget that prayer has power even if it's for something that hasn't come into being yet, and you don't know if it ever will..but praying for it still is believing and trusting that God has it in His hands and He will deliver.
These two girls came into my life more FULLY in a random way. But is anything random? Huh. Sit on that for awhile. Anyways, I never feel so free as when I am laughing and being with them. I think when we were about 12 if we would have fallen into each other's paths we would have been friends then too, and probably acted the same way we do when we're together now. HOW do certain people find each other? I'm ever thankful that I have been given the opportunity to swim alongside them, in both rough and still waters.
I decided to email a couple pals tonight because I was moved after homegroup to write to them and thank them for their prayers..I sometimes forget that prayer has power even if it's for something that hasn't come into being yet, and you don't know if it ever will..but praying for it still is believing and trusting that God has it in His hands and He will deliver.
These two girls came into my life more FULLY in a random way. But is anything random? Huh. Sit on that for awhile. Anyways, I never feel so free as when I am laughing and being with them. I think when we were about 12 if we would have fallen into each other's paths we would have been friends then too, and probably acted the same way we do when we're together now. HOW do certain people find each other? I'm ever thankful that I have been given the opportunity to swim alongside them, in both rough and still waters.
Hope for all days.
I see it every day but only tonight did it hit home for me: the sign on my refrigerator Traci made me for my birthday that was my name spelled down with adjectives describing me in every letter (I used to love making those with people's names too). For L she put "Loves God."
Hmm...when I saw that tonight, I thought to myself, that's true, I do love you, Lord. As much as we hear that phrase and probably use that phrase ourselves all the time without even realizing how much we mean it, tonight I feel as though I really heard God impress something deeply into my soul that I'd needed to face within myself for a long time.
What do I love most? I mean, God, sure, but really God?
Yes. I say that not just because it's the right answer or because a lot of things feel broken lately, but I suddenly feel that God's been trying to tell me I need to accept that I'm to love him more than the prospect of good health, more than the goodness of life here itself, more than the people whom I love and couldn't imagine living without, more than the friends that are my saving graces. I do seem to love him more when things are rotten (maybe that's opposite of how some people feel?) but I also feel He's trying to prepare me for when things get better..slowly, slowly, things are better every day, even if they're not (doesn't make sense I know). And when do reach a point of true true beyond survival mode, I will need to love God just as much if not more. Remember that, is what I'm hearing.
Also..I feel I've always been so determined on fulfilling a "mission" for what my life is supposed to be, or the great amount of things God wants me to accomplish, but maybe I just need to reframe that mission. Could it be that it's not God's mission for my life but for His life to be more evident in this world? Is that what we could say we're all called for, so that we make apparent the living God as Jeff talked about on Sunday to people who don't see Him as being present here in this world and in our lives?
OK, heavy, heavy, heavy, I know. But this blogging business is also getting me through. I like the idea of shoving off my thoughts into the world.
One last thought and I know it's grim but also hopeful: The world doesn't work right, but God does.
I believe that you provide the way out of the darkness, Lord.
Hmm...when I saw that tonight, I thought to myself, that's true, I do love you, Lord. As much as we hear that phrase and probably use that phrase ourselves all the time without even realizing how much we mean it, tonight I feel as though I really heard God impress something deeply into my soul that I'd needed to face within myself for a long time.
What do I love most? I mean, God, sure, but really God?
Yes. I say that not just because it's the right answer or because a lot of things feel broken lately, but I suddenly feel that God's been trying to tell me I need to accept that I'm to love him more than the prospect of good health, more than the goodness of life here itself, more than the people whom I love and couldn't imagine living without, more than the friends that are my saving graces. I do seem to love him more when things are rotten (maybe that's opposite of how some people feel?) but I also feel He's trying to prepare me for when things get better..slowly, slowly, things are better every day, even if they're not (doesn't make sense I know). And when do reach a point of true true beyond survival mode, I will need to love God just as much if not more. Remember that, is what I'm hearing.
Also..I feel I've always been so determined on fulfilling a "mission" for what my life is supposed to be, or the great amount of things God wants me to accomplish, but maybe I just need to reframe that mission. Could it be that it's not God's mission for my life but for His life to be more evident in this world? Is that what we could say we're all called for, so that we make apparent the living God as Jeff talked about on Sunday to people who don't see Him as being present here in this world and in our lives?
OK, heavy, heavy, heavy, I know. But this blogging business is also getting me through. I like the idea of shoving off my thoughts into the world.
One last thought and I know it's grim but also hopeful: The world doesn't work right, but God does.
I believe that you provide the way out of the darkness, Lord.
Just right.
It's hard to believe sometimes that God has a purpose for making us the way he made us...I was searching for something today and I'm glad I found this:
Psalms: 139:16 "You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book."
-Nothing about hwho we are and how we are formed was an accident.
It's so easy to live in an "if only" mindset. But God makes no mistakes when he makes his people, just how he wants each of them to be, to serve their purpose.
Psalms: 139:16 "You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book."
-Nothing about hwho we are and how we are formed was an accident.
It's so easy to live in an "if only" mindset. But God makes no mistakes when he makes his people, just how he wants each of them to be, to serve their purpose.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
A little lighter :)
Here's only a few reasons why I love my journal group gals:
Traci:
-she wears shirts in public that say "I may not be perfect but some parts of me are pretty spectacular".
-some people have mistaken her as my sister and that makes me smile.
-she likes to talk about deep things as much as me and can handle all my analysis' and questions about life.
-she's very passionate about people and helping them draw nearer to God.
-she has helped me through many tough times and still does to this day.
-she nurtures the child in her by laughing, dancing, and coloring as much as she can.
-she never makes me feel silly when I do silly things like get lost in her neighborhood (on foot) and call her to pick me up.
Jenny:
-her name stands alone. she is not a nickname of any other name
-she enables me to learn more about the unbelievable world of archetecture and allows me to pretend to have a job along with her and her collegues.
-she listens to me talk and humors me.
-she has lots of interesting things to say.
-she helps me remember that everyone sees the world differently and that makes living more fun.
-she was one of the first friends I had when I decided to stop being anynonomous at Visio Dei and be friends with people. she has always welcomed me into groups of people and made me feel accepted.
-she's an amazing cook and hostess and pulls both off with such ease.
Together, I really like them because (and it doesn't stop here...)
-they too never had detention in high school
-they may be among the only people who read my blog.
Traci:
-she wears shirts in public that say "I may not be perfect but some parts of me are pretty spectacular".
-some people have mistaken her as my sister and that makes me smile.
-she likes to talk about deep things as much as me and can handle all my analysis' and questions about life.
-she's very passionate about people and helping them draw nearer to God.
-she has helped me through many tough times and still does to this day.
-she nurtures the child in her by laughing, dancing, and coloring as much as she can.
-she never makes me feel silly when I do silly things like get lost in her neighborhood (on foot) and call her to pick me up.
Jenny:
-her name stands alone. she is not a nickname of any other name
-she enables me to learn more about the unbelievable world of archetecture and allows me to pretend to have a job along with her and her collegues.
-she listens to me talk and humors me.
-she has lots of interesting things to say.
-she helps me remember that everyone sees the world differently and that makes living more fun.
-she was one of the first friends I had when I decided to stop being anynonomous at Visio Dei and be friends with people. she has always welcomed me into groups of people and made me feel accepted.
-she's an amazing cook and hostess and pulls both off with such ease.
Together, I really like them because (and it doesn't stop here...)
-they too never had detention in high school
-they may be among the only people who read my blog.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Reminder.
My times are in your hands, Lord. That's what I'm praying tonight as I go to sleep, after reading some of the Psalms! Thank you for the reminder that your timetable is for a reason and it is right. Whatever it is you are doing with my life, I will allow it.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Blessed
Romans 5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
2Cor 4:16-18
Therefore, do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
-It is easy to want to just let go of trouble or heartache, but it won't do any good to give up, when in weakness the strength of the power of Christ is even stronger, and the committment to following Him no matter what more intensely needed.
-Tonight I pray that I will not let myself feel worn down, and thank God for the many blessings in my life, despite anything I feel hit with momentarily. I pray that those who don't know the strength you can bring in difficult times or the unmerited love you shower all of us with during any times, will learn of the need for you in their lives.
Please, Lord, help me to focus on only the hope you bring.
2Cor 4:16-18
Therefore, do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
-It is easy to want to just let go of trouble or heartache, but it won't do any good to give up, when in weakness the strength of the power of Christ is even stronger, and the committment to following Him no matter what more intensely needed.
-Tonight I pray that I will not let myself feel worn down, and thank God for the many blessings in my life, despite anything I feel hit with momentarily. I pray that those who don't know the strength you can bring in difficult times or the unmerited love you shower all of us with during any times, will learn of the need for you in their lives.
Please, Lord, help me to focus on only the hope you bring.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Again with seriousness...someday soon I'm going to tell some jokes:)
I stumbled upon A Love Worth Giving by Max Lucado tonight. I've read some of it before but I was going to lend it out and it ended up not working out, so I decided to read some of it over myself. The text gives a detailed explaination of 1Corinthians 13, also known as the "wedding verse." As a side-note, before I understood what it really meant, I used to think this verse was just overused and by no means realistic for how people could really show love to others. It took me a long time and a closer walk in my faith to realize that it was describing God's perfect love for us, the model to use in our relationships with others, still knowing that by our nature we can never love the way He loves us. It was very encouraging for me to be reminded of these truths about God. I'll just focus on a couple I liked reading about and some thoughts about them...
Before anything else, Love is patient.
God is ever patient with us, but in light of that, why is it still hard many times to be patient with others?
Love does not anger.
I liked how the writing described how anger isn't a sin in and of itself, but it can lead to sin. The author also said anger often comes from rejection, in any form. If we remember that we are not rejected by God but accepted, it helps deal with feeling rejected by others or even God sometimes. I liked this..and the example given of how much Paul changed when he turned his life over to God and was transformed from being so full of anger to full of joy and being thankful for those who shared in his burdens and gave him encouragement along the way.
Love never fails.
God loves us simply because he's chosen to do so. His love is uncaused and spontaneous. In our world, our love depends on what we feel from the receiver of that love. Not so with God. We have no thermostatic impact on his love for us.
He is the one who bears the fruit of love, as spoken in Galatians..of the fruits of the Spirit first listed is love. We have one job: to receive nourishment/love from Jesus. “I am the Vine, you are the branches." Apart from him we cannot produce anything. Through him we can do more than we ever thought and love others in ways we never imagined.
Not trying to make it sound so simple, because it's really not...it's HARD to do the things descibed in that verse. But it is encouraging that even in the times when I miss the mark, I know He will always be there, drawing me closer, loving me still, and urging me to love some more.
Before anything else, Love is patient.
God is ever patient with us, but in light of that, why is it still hard many times to be patient with others?
Love does not anger.
I liked how the writing described how anger isn't a sin in and of itself, but it can lead to sin. The author also said anger often comes from rejection, in any form. If we remember that we are not rejected by God but accepted, it helps deal with feeling rejected by others or even God sometimes. I liked this..and the example given of how much Paul changed when he turned his life over to God and was transformed from being so full of anger to full of joy and being thankful for those who shared in his burdens and gave him encouragement along the way.
Love never fails.
God loves us simply because he's chosen to do so. His love is uncaused and spontaneous. In our world, our love depends on what we feel from the receiver of that love. Not so with God. We have no thermostatic impact on his love for us.
He is the one who bears the fruit of love, as spoken in Galatians..of the fruits of the Spirit first listed is love. We have one job: to receive nourishment/love from Jesus. “I am the Vine, you are the branches." Apart from him we cannot produce anything. Through him we can do more than we ever thought and love others in ways we never imagined.
Not trying to make it sound so simple, because it's really not...it's HARD to do the things descibed in that verse. But it is encouraging that even in the times when I miss the mark, I know He will always be there, drawing me closer, loving me still, and urging me to love some more.
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