for (these) I am passionate
not what (foolishness) I get lost in
here.
so take me out of here
physically
mentally
spiritually
take me to where You are
give me your heart
break mine down for those same things
allow me to hurt in the ways you hurt
and see the world as you see it
take away my cynicism and doubt
my need to appear strong
the distance I keep myself away
the safety I’d easily fall into
I want to take the risks
that you say are worth it
in order that I might
love myself tired
spend myself empty
give myself away
because you said you came to give life
and I don’t want any other ‘life’
than the one you offer
so
shake me until I’m awake
shout until I pay attention
break my heart until the hardness has fallen away
then
rescue the beautiful pieces
and put me back together
so that I may go on.
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
prayer for today
I re-read this prayer yesterday and it came alive.
may God bless you with a restless discomfort about easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships, so that you may seek truth boldly and love deeply from the heart.
may God bless you with a holy anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may find strength to work for justice, freedom, and peace.
may God bless you with the gift of tears to shed with those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, or the loss of all that they cherish, so that you may reach out your hand to help comfort them.
may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you really can make a difference in this world, so that you are able, with God's grace,do to what others claim cannot be done.
and the blessing of God be with you and remain with you. Amen
~prayer based on a Franciscan blessing, and orginally posted by my friend pip. I loved it then, but felt like it needed to show up on my blog today as well.
thanks girl...
may God bless you with a restless discomfort about easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships, so that you may seek truth boldly and love deeply from the heart.
may God bless you with a holy anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may find strength to work for justice, freedom, and peace.
may God bless you with the gift of tears to shed with those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, or the loss of all that they cherish, so that you may reach out your hand to help comfort them.
may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you really can make a difference in this world, so that you are able, with God's grace,do to what others claim cannot be done.
and the blessing of God be with you and remain with you. Amen
~prayer based on a Franciscan blessing, and orginally posted by my friend pip. I loved it then, but felt like it needed to show up on my blog today as well.
thanks girl...
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
know
I’d like to sit with you
and drink my coffee today
I’d like to learn something
from meeting you
outside the boundaries
to learn because it’s personal
because today I’m not interested
in proper
what is it like to be told a truth
and then be forced to live it
to see the sunshine
and not feel it on your skin
to hope and dream
exhausted
to lose little pieces of yourself
emerging different
embracing uncertainty in each day
because you don’t know
you don't
have an option
trusting strangers
becoming a story
an open book
even if you didn’t want to
details written in codes and acronyms
do you know?
does it make you less of a person?
and drink my coffee today
I’d like to learn something
from meeting you
outside the boundaries
to learn because it’s personal
because today I’m not interested
in proper
what is it like to be told a truth
and then be forced to live it
to see the sunshine
and not feel it on your skin
to hope and dream
exhausted
to lose little pieces of yourself
emerging different
embracing uncertainty in each day
because you don’t know
you don't
have an option
trusting strangers
becoming a story
an open book
even if you didn’t want to
details written in codes and acronyms
do you know?
does it make you less of a person?
Monday, July 13, 2009
confessions on the sabbath
I am currently taking an Old Testament Survey class online. I was convicted recently as I listened to a lecture on the Ten Commandments and the professor spoke about remembering the Sabbath. I have recently felt way too busy and overwhelmed. A few friends suggested I take a day or two to do nothing. Relax. Rest. Pray. Read. Whatever. Just don’t work. It sounded great-- but I never made it happen. Why is a day of rest so hard? It’s not that I think that I am so important that something is going to fall apart without me. I just feel like there is always more work to do- and so it’s hard for me to stop until the work is done. Yeah, I know how silly that is. There will ALWAYS be more work to do. So I had to smile when I listened to the “Keep holy the Sabbath” part of the lecture. Seriously God? I get it.
This is one commandment I will admit I have never taken seriously. Why not? I don’t know. I used to think of the Sabbath as going to church. I’m not sure why. I love going to church, but I know that my presence at church on Sunday nights hardly equals keeping the Sabbath holy. But I want to start taking this commandment seriously. I want to change my habits and traditions one day every week. Because not only is it good, it was God’s idea. And not just an idea, or a suggestion- but a command. He knows my life. He knows what kind of crazy distracted world I live in. Just another reason I must rest. Thanks for the lesson. :)
This is one commandment I will admit I have never taken seriously. Why not? I don’t know. I used to think of the Sabbath as going to church. I’m not sure why. I love going to church, but I know that my presence at church on Sunday nights hardly equals keeping the Sabbath holy. But I want to start taking this commandment seriously. I want to change my habits and traditions one day every week. Because not only is it good, it was God’s idea. And not just an idea, or a suggestion- but a command. He knows my life. He knows what kind of crazy distracted world I live in. Just another reason I must rest. Thanks for the lesson. :)
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
life in pictures
In looking through my friends’ photo blogs, I have admired the way they simply but beautifully tell the stories of their lives. Minimal words, mostly pictures. Simple; but raw, genuine, and real. Vulnerable at times. Funny and lighthearted in others. Overall, I just love the way that a photo a day tells the story of life. I’m starting the project. I'm taking a picture every day for a year. I want to be intentional in my vision. I want to embrace moments and live aware of even the simple things. I am not going to go out of my way to take pictures of special or exotic things- I only want to document the things of my normal day-to-day life. I named it life in pictures on my links.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
just willing
In my Perspectives class, I read an article called Just Willing by a man named Casey Morgan. He writes about a two day seminar he and his wife attended in which God opened their eyes for the first time to His love for all nations and all peoples. He talked about how he and his wife discovered for the first time the biblical foundation for cross-cultural missions. God changed their perspective, and their lives were never the same because of it. They decided to sell their house in Texas and move to the “concrete jungle” of East Asia with their three small children.
He reflects on one day at the seminar when someone came up to him, looked him in the eye, and questioned:
“What part of your life reflects God’s desire to be known among every people group on the planet?”
He continues on:
“As far as we could tell, none.
There was no way we could ignore the new information. How could we walk away and continue on as we had been? We faced some major decisions. Our perspective on the world had changed. It was clear that the way we lived- even where we lived- was going to have to change, too.
...to be honest, the prospect of going somewhere halfway around the world was pretty scary. We tried to convince ourselves that because people right where we lived needed Jesus, maybe we ought to just stay put. Still, as we sifted through what God had brought to our attention, it became evident that the most impact we could have would be among those furthest removed from the gospel. So we decided to go. That’s when everyone thought we’d changed.
People around us would often say, “Wow, you guys have such a clear calling to serve overseas. I don’t think I could ever do that.” My wife and I didn’t know what to say. We felt like we were just like them. Why were we so different all of a sudden? Others would comment on how committed we must be. They applauded our self sacrifice and lifted us up as spiritual giants of sorts...
Recently, I’ve been able to put my finger on what separates us from the countless others back home. Willingness.
We never had a special calling to “go.” We’re not any more spiritual than you or the person sitting next to you in church. We’re just willing. That’s all.
If you’re content to stay without ever asking yourself, “what’s keeping me from going to the widest end of the gap?” you may end up wondering of the lack of risk was worth it. If it’s a missionary call you’re waiting for, here it is: Come, follow us.”
I loved this article because he put so many of my thoughts and feelings into words. I read it and thought, “Yes. This is it.” This thing- willingness, is simple and profound at the same time. I share with the author a knowledge that I don’t offer anything special or extraordinary. I believe that as He called his disciples, Jesus continues to call ordinary people. I am not extra holy, heroic, or any more put together than anyone else. In fact, I believe that He seeks to use me in the midst of all of my faults and weaknesses. I have a lot! Yet, when they are always before me, I remember that I can’t do any of this journey on my own. I am reminded every day.
I am just me. But God spoke of this love He has for the nations to me, too. I too have been left changed and made more aware. And I told God yes. I am willing.
He reflects on one day at the seminar when someone came up to him, looked him in the eye, and questioned:
“What part of your life reflects God’s desire to be known among every people group on the planet?”
He continues on:
“As far as we could tell, none.
There was no way we could ignore the new information. How could we walk away and continue on as we had been? We faced some major decisions. Our perspective on the world had changed. It was clear that the way we lived- even where we lived- was going to have to change, too.
...to be honest, the prospect of going somewhere halfway around the world was pretty scary. We tried to convince ourselves that because people right where we lived needed Jesus, maybe we ought to just stay put. Still, as we sifted through what God had brought to our attention, it became evident that the most impact we could have would be among those furthest removed from the gospel. So we decided to go. That’s when everyone thought we’d changed.
People around us would often say, “Wow, you guys have such a clear calling to serve overseas. I don’t think I could ever do that.” My wife and I didn’t know what to say. We felt like we were just like them. Why were we so different all of a sudden? Others would comment on how committed we must be. They applauded our self sacrifice and lifted us up as spiritual giants of sorts...
Recently, I’ve been able to put my finger on what separates us from the countless others back home. Willingness.
We never had a special calling to “go.” We’re not any more spiritual than you or the person sitting next to you in church. We’re just willing. That’s all.
If you’re content to stay without ever asking yourself, “what’s keeping me from going to the widest end of the gap?” you may end up wondering of the lack of risk was worth it. If it’s a missionary call you’re waiting for, here it is: Come, follow us.”
I loved this article because he put so many of my thoughts and feelings into words. I read it and thought, “Yes. This is it.” This thing- willingness, is simple and profound at the same time. I share with the author a knowledge that I don’t offer anything special or extraordinary. I believe that as He called his disciples, Jesus continues to call ordinary people. I am not extra holy, heroic, or any more put together than anyone else. In fact, I believe that He seeks to use me in the midst of all of my faults and weaknesses. I have a lot! Yet, when they are always before me, I remember that I can’t do any of this journey on my own. I am reminded every day.
I am just me. But God spoke of this love He has for the nations to me, too. I too have been left changed and made more aware. And I told God yes. I am willing.
Friday, June 26, 2009
awake
A friend commented recently that she thinks only a small percentage of people are living life awake. This may be on purpose or not. But I think it's true. I've been thinking about it ever since.
My patient tonight was sleepy when I opened the door to her room. I talked softly; telling her what I was going to do. She moved slightly as I uncovered her a little. When I was finished recording her vital signs and drawing some labs, I lifted her arm and covered her up again with the heavy white blankets. As I did, she stirred again; the kind of stirring where I realized she had completely drifted back to sleep in the few minutes it took me to complete my simple tasks. After being covered, I could see she was comfortable again. Wasn't about to wake up. Sound asleep. No longer knew I was standing there. I turned off the lights and closed the door.
And I thought again about this idea of living awake. Even when things are going on all around us, as they were for my patient- it doesn't necessarily mean we wake up. Or want to wake up. It's so much easier to sleep, to numb away the hard things, let the uncomfortable things pass by without dealing with them. Or even being aware of them. We get good at this- the act of forgetting, not noticing, proceeding forward, absent in some way. We don't mind being naive or apathetic. Sometimes, when too many things threaten to take over, I think about how I wish I could just go to sleep until it's over.
But I want to appreciate living awake. I want to be intentionally present in all the details. Even if it's painful. Or uncomfortable without heavy blankets to hide under. I don't want to be numb or absent from any part of my life.
My patient tonight was sleepy when I opened the door to her room. I talked softly; telling her what I was going to do. She moved slightly as I uncovered her a little. When I was finished recording her vital signs and drawing some labs, I lifted her arm and covered her up again with the heavy white blankets. As I did, she stirred again; the kind of stirring where I realized she had completely drifted back to sleep in the few minutes it took me to complete my simple tasks. After being covered, I could see she was comfortable again. Wasn't about to wake up. Sound asleep. No longer knew I was standing there. I turned off the lights and closed the door.
And I thought again about this idea of living awake. Even when things are going on all around us, as they were for my patient- it doesn't necessarily mean we wake up. Or want to wake up. It's so much easier to sleep, to numb away the hard things, let the uncomfortable things pass by without dealing with them. Or even being aware of them. We get good at this- the act of forgetting, not noticing, proceeding forward, absent in some way. We don't mind being naive or apathetic. Sometimes, when too many things threaten to take over, I think about how I wish I could just go to sleep until it's over.
But I want to appreciate living awake. I want to be intentionally present in all the details. Even if it's painful. Or uncomfortable without heavy blankets to hide under. I don't want to be numb or absent from any part of my life.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
drops of joy
It started with a gray sky. Then a few drops of rain fell. Then more, and more, until we found ourselves in the midst of a complete downpour. At first, it seemed like any other rainy afternoon in Cambodia during the rainy season. One minute it was sunny with a few clouds, the next minute the rain poured down. But this particular day was different. The rain hit my face. It soaked my shoulders. My dry hair was drenched, and it came down, harder, and harder... and harder. It poured down the front of my shirt, and as we rode home on the back of the little moped, I started to laugh. The rain tickled my skin, my ears, my face. I was completely saturated, and it just kept coming. And I laughed harder. I couldn’t stop laughing, until the tears ran from my eyes, mixing with the raindrops which already covered my face. I remember not even being sure of what it was that caused me to laugh until I cried. It was like the absurdity of the whole thing overtook me until I couldn’t control my emotions. I was living in a hard place, and the frequent rain was just one more thing. Yet on that day the rain and gray skies weren’t discouraging- although the rest of my week might have been. I remember God showing up in those ten minutes, reminding me that in the midst of it all, I was living- and living fully engaged and alive. It was a tangible reminder about beauty and hope in the mundane, wet, dirty, and messy pieces of life.
I have been swimming in my thoughts lately. Feeling discouraged sometimes too. Wondering what God is doing in me, and how He will choose to use my messy and imperfect life. Today I sat for awhile at Mt. Tabor park, under the tall trees and gray of the Portland sky. Then rain started to fall. Only a few drops at first; but soon it was another downpour. My clothes were stuck to my skin, my hair was dripping, and in the warm air I was reminded of that day in Cambodia. I smiled as I was reminded again of the deep joy and hope which lie in the midst of the gray and wet.
I have been swimming in my thoughts lately. Feeling discouraged sometimes too. Wondering what God is doing in me, and how He will choose to use my messy and imperfect life. Today I sat for awhile at Mt. Tabor park, under the tall trees and gray of the Portland sky. Then rain started to fall. Only a few drops at first; but soon it was another downpour. My clothes were stuck to my skin, my hair was dripping, and in the warm air I was reminded of that day in Cambodia. I smiled as I was reminded again of the deep joy and hope which lie in the midst of the gray and wet.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
on the way
i am just another traveler
in this little piece of time
i’m a drifter, i’m a seeker
waking to this thing called life
and i struggle like a baby for each little step i take
learning how to walk on the way
i am losing the familiar i’m not sure of anything
every new day it’s a new world that’s quick to steal my dreams
but the path of resistance
wasn’t meant for me to take
i’m learning who i am on the way
still i fall and you reach
i am foolish, so you teach
i wander but you stay
by my side on the way
this was not what i expected it’s not everything i planned
but there’s beauty in this mystery
i don’t have to understand
but i just have to keep on moving
not with vision but with faith
i’m learning how to see on the way
still i fall and you reach
i am foolish, so you teach
i wander but you stay
by my side on the way
so i feel these blessed burdens
and these weights upon my feet
no one said it would be easy
or that i’d ever find my peace
but i’m moving with assurance
through these fears and sweet mistakes
i’m learning how to live on the way
on the way,
elizabeth hunnicutt
in this little piece of time
i’m a drifter, i’m a seeker
waking to this thing called life
and i struggle like a baby for each little step i take
learning how to walk on the way
i am losing the familiar i’m not sure of anything
every new day it’s a new world that’s quick to steal my dreams
but the path of resistance
wasn’t meant for me to take
i’m learning who i am on the way
still i fall and you reach
i am foolish, so you teach
i wander but you stay
by my side on the way
this was not what i expected it’s not everything i planned
but there’s beauty in this mystery
i don’t have to understand
but i just have to keep on moving
not with vision but with faith
i’m learning how to see on the way
still i fall and you reach
i am foolish, so you teach
i wander but you stay
by my side on the way
so i feel these blessed burdens
and these weights upon my feet
no one said it would be easy
or that i’d ever find my peace
but i’m moving with assurance
through these fears and sweet mistakes
i’m learning how to live on the way
on the way,
elizabeth hunnicutt
Thursday, June 4, 2009
because justice matters
love BECAUSE darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. and all of life is interrelated because all men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be. Martin Luther King Jr. therefore, you shalt not be a victim. you shalt not be a perpetrator. above all, you shalt not be a bystander. Yehuda Bauer. the trouble is that once you see it, you can’t unsee it. and once you’ve seen it, keeping quiet, saying nothing, becomes as political an act as speaking out. either way, you’re accountable. Arundhati Roy. so listen because JUSTICE is conscience, not a personal conscience but the conscience of all of humanity. those who clearly recognize the voice of their own conscience usually recognize also the voice of justice. Alexander Solzhenitsyn. act in love knowing that in this life we cannot do great things. we can only do small things with great love. but it is not the magnitude of our actions but the amount of love that is put into them that MATTERS. Mother Teresa. and in the end justice will rise up and hope and history will rhyme. Seamus Heaney.
(thanks Juice!)
(thanks Juice!)
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Adventure of the Seas
We met in Puerto Rico last Sunday; my mom, sisi, and me
To board a ship and sail the Caribbean Sea
They took silly pictures before we even boarded the ship
And hand delivered our suitcases, almost too full to be zipped
We ran around to explore floors one through fourteen
Everything was so beautiful, glistening, and clean
The water refilled, three forks, fine wine...
We gathered each night in Vivaldi to dine
Ten at our table; four of them Brits
Stories and conversation was always a hit
Two desserts, the coffee, champagne as a treat
White linens, some singing, and new friends to meet
Lashana’s lovely bread and Derya’s smile
Made all at our table want to stay for awhile
The menu divine, the food always hot
I’d order two entrees, and hear Derya’s sweet “Why not?”
We stayed up late dancing outside under stars
Oriana received a free drink from the bar
In the middle of the ocean we climbed a rock wall
Went swimming, ice skating, and tried not to fall
Clear teal water and Aruba’s white sand
We left the island with a coconut in hand
The locals in Dominica were funny and kind
We floated the river and the boys didn’t mind
Curacao was beautiful, but we didn’t stay cool
So we boarded the ship and jumped in the pool
St. Thomas was sailing and endless rum punch
With the sun, waves, and dancing we made a lively bunch
On the ship was a line, and to the photographers dismay
We’d stick out our tongues and get pictures our way
Towels turned animals, crisp sheets, a clean floor
The room was transformed when Carl came through the door
The crew was amazing; working all day and night
Doing everything they could to make our vacation just right
Would you rather be an egg or a bee?
Or joke about awkward arms in the bag or the pets at sea?
I won’t soon forget this past week in May
I hope the Caribbean calls us back again one day!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Lord, I believe in you; help me to believe more firmly.
I trust in you; help me to trust more surely.
I love you; help me to love more ardently.
I am sorry for my sins; help me to deepen my sorrow.
Guide me by your wisdom, correct me by your justice.
Comfort me by your mercy, defend me with your power.
Lord, I offer you,
my thoughts to be centered on you, my words to speak of you,
my actions to do your will, my sufferings for your sake.
I want whatever you want;
Because you want it,
The way you want it,
As long as you want it.
Lord, enlighten my mind, strengthen my will,
purify my heart, and sanctify my spirit.
Lord, in your goodness, grant me the grace to love you
and to forget myself, to seek my neighbor's good
and despise the seduction of the world.
Teach me to obey those in authority, serve those under my care,
look after my friends, and forgive my enemies.
Teach me;
How trivial wordly interests are
How momentous is the Kingdom
How brief temporal concerns are
How lasting is life eternal!
Excerpts from the prayer of of Pope Clement XI
I trust in you; help me to trust more surely.
I love you; help me to love more ardently.
I am sorry for my sins; help me to deepen my sorrow.
Guide me by your wisdom, correct me by your justice.
Comfort me by your mercy, defend me with your power.
Lord, I offer you,
my thoughts to be centered on you, my words to speak of you,
my actions to do your will, my sufferings for your sake.
I want whatever you want;
Because you want it,
The way you want it,
As long as you want it.
Lord, enlighten my mind, strengthen my will,
purify my heart, and sanctify my spirit.
Lord, in your goodness, grant me the grace to love you
and to forget myself, to seek my neighbor's good
and despise the seduction of the world.
Teach me to obey those in authority, serve those under my care,
look after my friends, and forgive my enemies.
Teach me;
How trivial wordly interests are
How momentous is the Kingdom
How brief temporal concerns are
How lasting is life eternal!
Excerpts from the prayer of of Pope Clement XI
Friday, April 24, 2009
42.2km
My dear friend Pip and I have been training for the Canberra Marathon these past few months. Ever since we finished our first one last June, we have been hooked on this crazy running adventure- which is exhausting, exhilarating, and everything in between. Once again, during this race I wondered why exactly I do this-- but yet again, it was a fleeting thought which disappeared after a few minutes, and was gone completely after I crossed the line.
I didn't run as fast as I had wanted to- but I was filled with joy in the process of running this race. It was so much fun! Feeling the breeze. Energized by the crowd. Refreshed by water and cool sponges. Ready to fall over in fatigue. But just as ready to keep running and cross the line. What a blast! And now, just another reason to keep going...
I didn't run as fast as I had wanted to- but I was filled with joy in the process of running this race. It was so much fun! Feeling the breeze. Energized by the crowd. Refreshed by water and cool sponges. Ready to fall over in fatigue. But just as ready to keep running and cross the line. What a blast! And now, just another reason to keep going...
Thursday, April 23, 2009
New Life
I was baptized as a baby, in the tradition of my church. After seventh grade, I gave my life completely to Jesus, but at that time I didn’t think about being baptized again.
Yet after following Christ for some time now, I felt that it was important for me to be baptized- as His daughter who fully believes and understands the decision. To declare openly my love for Jesus and my desire and intent to follow Him for the rest of my life. Because I want to be obedient to what Jesus tells His followers to do. Because I recognize my desperate need for the Holy Spirit to do dangerous and impossible things. Because I turn from sin and believe that Jesus is stronger than the strongest evils of this life.
”We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—” Romans 6:4-6
“Peter said, "Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38
Thank you Pip and Rosie, for praying for and with me- immersing me in water, and blessing me by your presence. Praise God for his gift, too wonderful for words. I am blessed to know I don’t walk this Way alone.
Byron Bay, Australia
April 14, 2009
"Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new." 2 Corinthians 5:17
Yet after following Christ for some time now, I felt that it was important for me to be baptized- as His daughter who fully believes and understands the decision. To declare openly my love for Jesus and my desire and intent to follow Him for the rest of my life. Because I want to be obedient to what Jesus tells His followers to do. Because I recognize my desperate need for the Holy Spirit to do dangerous and impossible things. Because I turn from sin and believe that Jesus is stronger than the strongest evils of this life.
”We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—” Romans 6:4-6
“Peter said, "Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38
Thank you Pip and Rosie, for praying for and with me- immersing me in water, and blessing me by your presence. Praise God for his gift, too wonderful for words. I am blessed to know I don’t walk this Way alone.
Byron Bay, Australia
April 14, 2009
"Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new." 2 Corinthians 5:17
Monday, April 20, 2009
April!
what a great month!
birthday, baptism, best race times...
April 5- Race for the Roses in Portland- pb half marathon time
April 8- celebrated from midnight on- complete with Annie's lemon meringue pie at 2am ;)
April 14- got baptized at the ocean in Australia
April 19- pb time for marathon #2 in Canberra
more details soon!
birthday, baptism, best race times...
April 5- Race for the Roses in Portland- pb half marathon time
April 8- celebrated from midnight on- complete with Annie's lemon meringue pie at 2am ;)
April 14- got baptized at the ocean in Australia
April 19- pb time for marathon #2 in Canberra
more details soon!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
no regrets
About a week ago I had a patient whose situation rocked me. For some reason I could easily put myself in his place. The whole night I kept thinking: If my life and his were switched, would I have regrets? I pondered this all night, and into the week.
I decided no, I wouldn’t have any regrets. Yet it was still something I needed to think about. And I never want to get out of that place of being aware. Sensitive to people. Being grateful in the day to day. Noticing the little things. Celebrating my health. Rejoicing in being alive. Only the Lord knows when things may change.
Sometimes I feel calloused in my job- or because of it. I think it is natural, but I don’t want to be hardened to the things that matter. Life is short. I want mine to count.
“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath. We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. Rescue me from my rebellion.”
Psalm 39:4-8
I decided no, I wouldn’t have any regrets. Yet it was still something I needed to think about. And I never want to get out of that place of being aware. Sensitive to people. Being grateful in the day to day. Noticing the little things. Celebrating my health. Rejoicing in being alive. Only the Lord knows when things may change.
Sometimes I feel calloused in my job- or because of it. I think it is natural, but I don’t want to be hardened to the things that matter. Life is short. I want mine to count.
“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath. We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. Rescue me from my rebellion.”
Psalm 39:4-8
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