I love when we all come together.
Even if it means watching Husky football.
The yelling. The laughing. The eating. (Lots of eating).
I love times like tonight, when everyone realizes that they are exactly where they want to be. Together.
It's beautiful moments of together that give me the most hope for our family. Still trying out our identities, we recognize more of each other in ourselves each day. Sometimes, the similarities frustrate or annoy us. Sometimes, the common thread is painful and offending. But sometimes, like tonight, our common ground makes for a great evening. Family is yet another clever expression of God's relational love in action.
"Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf where there is hatred." Proverbs 15:17 NIV
I didn't plan to throw a vegetarian party tonight.
And I wasn't sure that love would win, either. But we are blessed by a faithful God. I am grateful for a family that is humble enough to enjoy football and humus together. I love that these people get to be my family.
Love won, because God always wins.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
doing
A few years ago I realized my obsession with "doing". I like to have something to "do" for every moment. Whether it's preparing, enjoying, or reflecting, I am most satisfied by adventure.
Today, in all my doing, I forgot about a coffee date with a student. Today, in all my doing, I packed up my whole house even though I'm not moving until Monday. Today, in all my doing, I burned my hand in the oven trying to see if an apple pie was really done or not.
Finally, I realize that there's more to today than doing.
Time to find a quiet space and listen to the Word that comes from my Savior.
Reflecting on the author of the Season, and life altogether and eternal.
It's a good time to stop "doing."
Cease Striving and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10, again
Today, in all my doing, I forgot about a coffee date with a student. Today, in all my doing, I packed up my whole house even though I'm not moving until Monday. Today, in all my doing, I burned my hand in the oven trying to see if an apple pie was really done or not.
Finally, I realize that there's more to today than doing.
Time to find a quiet space and listen to the Word that comes from my Savior.
Reflecting on the author of the Season, and life altogether and eternal.
It's a good time to stop "doing."
Cease Striving and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10, again
Monday, December 19, 2011
professional pedestrian
I quit driving.
Who wants to be my chaffeur? I can't promise to pay you, but I can promise to stop wrecking cars.
Who wants to be my chaffeur? I can't promise to pay you, but I can promise to stop wrecking cars.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
very real
There are moments when Heaven intersects Earth and the future becomes tangible. Something you can taste or smell. More than just a concept.
Very real.
This morning, I woke up without an alarm. It was 8:45. The perfect amount of time to enjoy the morning. So much better than the last few mornings of a 5:30 am walk to the ferry in the cold, blowing wind!
Then, I went to the 10:15 gathering at our church. I sat one row in front of my mentor, Joy. She shared with me that she is fasting breakfast EVERY DAY to pray for my decision to move to Burkina Faso. What a humbling sacrifice. I don't feel worthy of such intercession. Time to claim identity in the loving King. Very real.
After the service was over, I ran into Tom & Katy, the founders of WITLI (the organization I'm hoping to partner with next year). Katy and I talked plane tickets. Very real.
Tomorrow is Millet Monday. Another opportunity to get my heart right before our Great Father. His will be done.
Life with Jesus is humbling, humiliating and hard. But the rewards are very real.
"Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing out of selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." Phil 2:1 -4 NASB
Very real.
This morning, I woke up without an alarm. It was 8:45. The perfect amount of time to enjoy the morning. So much better than the last few mornings of a 5:30 am walk to the ferry in the cold, blowing wind!
Then, I went to the 10:15 gathering at our church. I sat one row in front of my mentor, Joy. She shared with me that she is fasting breakfast EVERY DAY to pray for my decision to move to Burkina Faso. What a humbling sacrifice. I don't feel worthy of such intercession. Time to claim identity in the loving King. Very real.
After the service was over, I ran into Tom & Katy, the founders of WITLI (the organization I'm hoping to partner with next year). Katy and I talked plane tickets. Very real.
Tomorrow is Millet Monday. Another opportunity to get my heart right before our Great Father. His will be done.
Life with Jesus is humbling, humiliating and hard. But the rewards are very real.
"Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing out of selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." Phil 2:1 -4 NASB
Monday, December 5, 2011
fast
English is notorious for wearing out words. We take one short, simple word and load it down with multiple meanings. To be fair, the meanings are frequently connected. However, we end up with very tired words.
Love gets the attention, frequently, for being a tired word. And it should! We use love ALL the time. Where other languages have many words to explain affection, devotion, intention, and admiration, we get lazy and say we "love" something.
But what about the other tired words?
"Fast" is a tired word, I think.
In a culture of competition, we emphasize and celebrate speed. It's important to have the fastest wi-fi on your fastest phone in your fastest car. Our busy lives are "fast", mostly because (I believe) we like them that way!
When something is valuable, we hold "fast" to it. No one can tear away what is held fast. Nearness that implies value. A grip that won't let go for anyone.
My dilemma with English, however, comes with the other definition. To fast. No longer is the focus speed. No longer proximity. Instead, it would seem the opposite is true. To fast is to surrender control. To slow down one's pace. To focus on the essential instead of the urgent. The purpose, according to Christian doctrine, is to dedicate time to prayer and discerning the Father's will.
To give the tired little word a break, I've substituted the following alternatives:
In my over-scheduled day, where life refuses to slow for a second, I find sweet moments of conversation with the Father who made me, the Son who walked here for me, and the Spirit who lives within me. When I give up comforts that I feel are important is when I notice it most: He really loves me. He holds me tightly against His chest for the busy little details were long ago considered irrelevant.
Finally ate a bowl of millet tonight. What a difference a little food can make.
The pieces keep falling together. Almost as if someone planned it that way.
"Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and to break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; When you see the naked to cover, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; And your righteousness will go before you; the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard."-- Isaiah 58:6-8
Love gets the attention, frequently, for being a tired word. And it should! We use love ALL the time. Where other languages have many words to explain affection, devotion, intention, and admiration, we get lazy and say we "love" something.
But what about the other tired words?
"Fast" is a tired word, I think.
In a culture of competition, we emphasize and celebrate speed. It's important to have the fastest wi-fi on your fastest phone in your fastest car. Our busy lives are "fast", mostly because (I believe) we like them that way!
When something is valuable, we hold "fast" to it. No one can tear away what is held fast. Nearness that implies value. A grip that won't let go for anyone.
My dilemma with English, however, comes with the other definition. To fast. No longer is the focus speed. No longer proximity. Instead, it would seem the opposite is true. To fast is to surrender control. To slow down one's pace. To focus on the essential instead of the urgent. The purpose, according to Christian doctrine, is to dedicate time to prayer and discerning the Father's will.
To give the tired little word a break, I've substituted the following alternatives:
In my over-scheduled day, where life refuses to slow for a second, I find sweet moments of conversation with the Father who made me, the Son who walked here for me, and the Spirit who lives within me. When I give up comforts that I feel are important is when I notice it most: He really loves me. He holds me tightly against His chest for the busy little details were long ago considered irrelevant.
Finally ate a bowl of millet tonight. What a difference a little food can make.
The pieces keep falling together. Almost as if someone planned it that way.
"Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and to break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; When you see the naked to cover, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; And your righteousness will go before you; the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard."-- Isaiah 58:6-8
Thursday, December 1, 2011
10 years
There's been a map on my bedroom wall for a year now. It guards the prayer nook. Lately, though, the nook elicits more laundry and Christmas gifts than prayer and fasting.
Similarly, the vision has been on my heart for the last 10 years. Some years it sings loudly. Other years, it whispers like laundry.
Tonight I met with a brother and sister in Christ who love Jesus through their actions. Apostles, they begin and implement systems that practically show the love of Jesus. We spent four hours talking about what it would look like for me to move to Burkina Faso for a year.
I need to do my laundry. I need to wrap the Christmas gifts. But more importantly, I need to pour more time into prayer. Would you join me?
Please pray for wisdom and clarity, both for me and the WITLI organization. Their mission is to bring the Light of the Gospel into dark places. Equip church leaders. Introduce schools to communities with education for only the privileged.
Pray for the God of the Harvest to send workers.
Similarly, the vision has been on my heart for the last 10 years. Some years it sings loudly. Other years, it whispers like laundry.
Tonight I met with a brother and sister in Christ who love Jesus through their actions. Apostles, they begin and implement systems that practically show the love of Jesus. We spent four hours talking about what it would look like for me to move to Burkina Faso for a year.
I need to do my laundry. I need to wrap the Christmas gifts. But more importantly, I need to pour more time into prayer. Would you join me?
Please pray for wisdom and clarity, both for me and the WITLI organization. Their mission is to bring the Light of the Gospel into dark places. Equip church leaders. Introduce schools to communities with education for only the privileged.
Pray for the God of the Harvest to send workers.
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Ephesians 5
Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving. For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth – and find out what pleases the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says:
“Awake, O sleeper!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you!”
Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that he may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.