Just in case anybody was not aware of this:
I LOVE MY JOB!
(I feel compelled to mention that frequently, because I realize that not so many people are blessed to have a job that they absolutely want to be doing.)
Today I cleaned my room (yes, a small miracle), and had plenty of time to think... a couple times I recalled points in my life where I almost moved away (once during college and once after), and I just thought: Wow, how different my life would be if I had done that! But right now, it's hard to imagine that anything could be better than this... just staying here, in the place I call "home" and pursuing the dreams God has given me, in the simple, everyday opportunities... without necessarily attempting anything grand. (Well, I guess it depends on your definition of grand...)
So yes, back to the point: I love my job because I get to work with poor people, and that is what I've wanted to do for a long time. It's perfect.
"For from God's fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace..."
Monday, May 11, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
I like this song
I don't know whose it is or where it came from, but the choir sang this at church Sunday and I really liked it. (And anymore, especially at this particular service, it is really rare for me to find a song that I can really sing all of the words sincerely!) But these are good words...
Who is this child asleep in the manger?
Tender and mild, this intimate Stranger?
Recklessly, wildly loving a dangerous world
Who is this light invading our darkness?
Glorious might, the sun rising for us.
Conquering night, He captures the hardest of hearts
We sing:
This is our God, living and breathing
Call Him courageous, relentless, and brave
This is our God, loving and reaching,
Scandalous mercy and mighty to save.
Hallelujah! This is our God!
Hallelujah! This is our God!
Hallelujah! This is our God!
Sing praise.
Who is this One who will not condemn us?
Why would He come to shoulder our sentence?
Nothing we've done will keep Him from giving us grace.
Who is this One we watch and we're speechless?
God's only Son embracing our weakness.
He overcomes all death and he frees us to live
And we sing:
This is our God, suffering and dying.
Call Him the Hero redeeming the lost.
This is our God, love sacrificing,
All that is holy, accepting our cross.
Hallelujah! This is our God!
Hallelujah! This is our God!
Hallelujah! This is our God!
Sing praise.
Who is this child asleep in the manger?
Tender and mild, this intimate Stranger?
Recklessly, wildly loving a dangerous world
Who is this light invading our darkness?
Glorious might, the sun rising for us.
Conquering night, He captures the hardest of hearts
We sing:
This is our God, living and breathing
Call Him courageous, relentless, and brave
This is our God, loving and reaching,
Scandalous mercy and mighty to save.
Hallelujah! This is our God!
Hallelujah! This is our God!
Hallelujah! This is our God!
Sing praise.
Who is this One who will not condemn us?
Why would He come to shoulder our sentence?
Nothing we've done will keep Him from giving us grace.
Who is this One we watch and we're speechless?
God's only Son embracing our weakness.
He overcomes all death and he frees us to live
And we sing:
This is our God, suffering and dying.
Call Him the Hero redeeming the lost.
This is our God, love sacrificing,
All that is holy, accepting our cross.
Hallelujah! This is our God!
Hallelujah! This is our God!
Hallelujah! This is our God!
Sing praise.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Trip Pictures!
Here is a sampling of my many facebook albums full of pictures from my CPT delegation to Israel/Palestine.
Enjoy!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=20967&id=1013829573&l=50ca19596a
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=20971&id=1013829573&l=2387624bfb
Enjoy!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=20967&id=1013829573&l=50ca19596a
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=20971&id=1013829573&l=2387624bfb
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter
Searching, searching, searching.
Where is the light?
Where is the life?
Where is the joy?
Waiting, weeping, watching.
When will day break?
When will death end?
When will He come?
I do not know where You have gone.
I do not know when I see You.
I do not know how to let go.
You tell me:
My Father is your Father,
My God is your God.
That is all I need.
Where is the light?
Where is the life?
Where is the joy?
Waiting, weeping, watching.
When will day break?
When will death end?
When will He come?
I do not know where You have gone.
I do not know when I see You.
I do not know how to let go.
You tell me:
My Father is your Father,
My God is your God.
That is all I need.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Jesus said "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Mt. 19:14)
When I look at a baby, so flawless and beautiful, it's easy to believe that someday Good will triumph over Evil. And it's hard to believe that anyone would ever want to harm such a life.
When I look at a child, in all his innocence, filled with curiosity and joy, it's easy to imagine that he will do great things someday. And I wish so desperately that he can grow up and reach his potential without being attacked, injured, altered by the lies of a world telling him who to be or not be.
When I look at a youth, bold and proud, I am startled to think of the changes taking place in a life, just like happened in my own life. What influences will sway this one, and in what direction?
When I look at you, your hardened face peering at me and your abrasive voice challenging me, I wonder why you are the way you are. But then I remember, you were a child once too.
When I look at myself, questioning the one in the mirror, I realize I am trying so hard to become... someone. But maybe what I really need is to unbecome, and to undo what I've done to the other children.
When I look at a baby, so flawless and beautiful, it's easy to believe that someday Good will triumph over Evil. And it's hard to believe that anyone would ever want to harm such a life.
When I look at a child, in all his innocence, filled with curiosity and joy, it's easy to imagine that he will do great things someday. And I wish so desperately that he can grow up and reach his potential without being attacked, injured, altered by the lies of a world telling him who to be or not be.
When I look at a youth, bold and proud, I am startled to think of the changes taking place in a life, just like happened in my own life. What influences will sway this one, and in what direction?
When I look at you, your hardened face peering at me and your abrasive voice challenging me, I wonder why you are the way you are. But then I remember, you were a child once too.
When I look at myself, questioning the one in the mirror, I realize I am trying so hard to become... someone. But maybe what I really need is to unbecome, and to undo what I've done to the other children.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
derek webb says it best
poverty is so hard to see
when it’s only on your tv
and twenty miles across town
where we’re all living so good
that we moved out of Jesus’ neighborhood
where he’s hungry and not feeling so good
from going through our trash
he says, more than just your cash and coin
i want your time, i want your voice
i want the things you just can’t give me
so what must we do
here in the west we want to follow you
we speak the language and we keep all the rules
even a few we made up
come on and follow me
but sell your house, sell your suv
sell your stocks, sell your security
and give it to the poor
what is this, hey what’s the deal
i don’t sleep around and i don’t steal
i want the things you just can’t give me
because what you do to the least of these
my brothers, you have done it to me
because i want the things you just can’t give me
(-"rich young ruler")
when it’s only on your tv
and twenty miles across town
where we’re all living so good
that we moved out of Jesus’ neighborhood
where he’s hungry and not feeling so good
from going through our trash
he says, more than just your cash and coin
i want your time, i want your voice
i want the things you just can’t give me
so what must we do
here in the west we want to follow you
we speak the language and we keep all the rules
even a few we made up
come on and follow me
but sell your house, sell your suv
sell your stocks, sell your security
and give it to the poor
what is this, hey what’s the deal
i don’t sleep around and i don’t steal
i want the things you just can’t give me
because what you do to the least of these
my brothers, you have done it to me
because i want the things you just can’t give me
(-"rich young ruler")
Monday, March 9, 2009
Resurrection
A day or two ago I was telling Jake about how much I am looking forward to Easter - because the holiday always brings me a renewed sense of joy, as well as somewhat of a new perspective on resurrection... I guess resurrection is one of those things that I'm always learning more about. Except, sadly, I don't really think about it that much. That's why the holiday is good for me. Jake & I agreed that we humans need to celebrate things frequently, or else we forget them. Later, I was thinking about celebrating resurrection, and remembered that that is what the Christian church is supposed to be doing every Sunday! Imagine that - Easter, once a week. I should probably keep that in mind more often while I am in weekly worship with my church family.
But of course... it's not Easter yet, and we are still in Lent... a time for learning more about, and in some way participating in, the suffering - the "passion" - of Jesus Christ. So let me not get ahead of myself... before I get to Easter I have to go through Lent. It's been intersting, so far, and I think it will only get more interesting in the next few weeks. I really am thankful for opportunities to better understand Christ's passion... but I won't lie: I've still got my hope set on the resurrection morning.
But of course... it's not Easter yet, and we are still in Lent... a time for learning more about, and in some way participating in, the suffering - the "passion" - of Jesus Christ. So let me not get ahead of myself... before I get to Easter I have to go through Lent. It's been intersting, so far, and I think it will only get more interesting in the next few weeks. I really am thankful for opportunities to better understand Christ's passion... but I won't lie: I've still got my hope set on the resurrection morning.
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