Not EVERYONE sleeps during the night!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
The words of Floyd McClung met me today, as I read his article, Apostolic Passion:
"A young man in Bible school offered to help David Wilkerson years ago when he was ministering on the streets of New York City. Wilkerson asked him how much time he spent in prayer. The young student estimated about 20 minutes a day. Wilkerson told him, "Go back, young man. Go back for a month and pray two hours a day, every day for 30 days. When you've done that, come back. Come back, and I might consider turning you loose on the streets where there is murder, rape, violence and danger. If I sent you out now on 20 minutes a day, I'd be sending a soldier into battle without any weapons, and you would get killed."
"A young man in Bible school offered to help David Wilkerson years ago when he was ministering on the streets of New York City. Wilkerson asked him how much time he spent in prayer. The young student estimated about 20 minutes a day. Wilkerson told him, "Go back, young man. Go back for a month and pray two hours a day, every day for 30 days. When you've done that, come back. Come back, and I might consider turning you loose on the streets where there is murder, rape, violence and danger. If I sent you out now on 20 minutes a day, I'd be sending a soldier into battle without any weapons, and you would get killed."
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Glory despite the stench
In John 11, Mary and Martha ask Jesus to come and heal their brother Lazarus. Jesus comes two days later, and Lazarus has already died.
“When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. "Where have you laid him?" he asked. "Come and see, Lord," they replied.
Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?" Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. "Take away the stone," he said. "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go." John 11:32-44
I love this story. Jesus knows human nature; that those around Lazarus are mourning his death, and wondering why Jesus didn't do something. And the stink of the dead after four days...
But He asks; "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"
It’s awesome.
It’s easy to doubt and despair in the stench of life. Evil, human need, and injustice have a paralyzing effect- a smell that it’s easier to turn from than embrace. Father, remind me that as You chose to embrace and become engaged in our world with it’s awful stench, you invite me to do the same. I fully believe that the glory of God is stronger than the worst smells on earth.
“When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. "Where have you laid him?" he asked. "Come and see, Lord," they replied.
Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?" Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. "Take away the stone," he said. "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go." John 11:32-44
I love this story. Jesus knows human nature; that those around Lazarus are mourning his death, and wondering why Jesus didn't do something. And the stink of the dead after four days...
But He asks; "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"
It’s awesome.
It’s easy to doubt and despair in the stench of life. Evil, human need, and injustice have a paralyzing effect- a smell that it’s easier to turn from than embrace. Father, remind me that as You chose to embrace and become engaged in our world with it’s awful stench, you invite me to do the same. I fully believe that the glory of God is stronger than the worst smells on earth.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
i love my family!
We don't all get together much.... but we always have time to take a few pictures, much to my dad's dismay.
He loves us, though ;)
Sunday, January 25, 2009
January 20, 2009!
LOVED the cover of the Oregonian the other day. Thought it should be commemorated on my blog...
Monday, January 19, 2009
MLK
"The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: "If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"
“Cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'Is it politic?' But conscience asks the question, 'Is it right?' And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but because conscience tells one it is right.”
"I decided early to give my life to something eternal and absolute. Not to these little gods that are here today and gone tomorrow, but to God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
Martin Luther King, Jr 1929–1968
“Cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'Is it politic?' But conscience asks the question, 'Is it right?' And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but because conscience tells one it is right.”
"I decided early to give my life to something eternal and absolute. Not to these little gods that are here today and gone tomorrow, but to God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
Martin Luther King, Jr 1929–1968
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
safe or brave?
I recently finished a book by Gary Haugen, founder of International Justice Mission. I have since been contemplating one of the questions he proposes. Would you rather be safe or brave? In following God, can we be both? What are we supposed to do when following the will of God is scary?
He mentions a colleague who recalls his journey to give up his career as a lawyer and life in the United States to move to the Philippines and work for justice. The things that held him back were the losses of comfort, security, control, and success. Yet these were the things he was forced to let go of in order to receive the life that Jesus promised. As he did, he said he instead received adventure, faith, miracles, and a deep knowledge of Jesus.
The author says, “Jesus knows I must make a choice for myself. He is inviting all of us on his great, costly expedition of transformation in the world- but we must respond. Are we coming or staying? Jesus is relentlessly issuing the invitation and forcing a choice to action. What are we going to DO? I am much more interested in telling Jesus and others what I BELIEVE, but Jesus (and the watching world) knows that what I truly believe will be manifested in what I choose to DO.”
Today I have been doing much thinking about this question of being safe or brave. It’s easy for me to say I want to be brave. But if that means giving up being safe, that is scary. What does it mean to give up safety? I don’t know if I want to really know that at this point. But day by day, I do choose to trust God. And for me, this is bigger than my fear of being “unsafe.”
As his colleague recognized the things like comfort, security, and control that he would probably lose, I am reminded that I have also known these things well (maybe too well). I like them. They make me comfortable. Sometimes I get upset when I don't have them. But may I be reminded again and again that I would rather have the life that Jesus promises even if it means I lose what I perceive to be "comfort" or "security."
As Jesus tells the young ruler in Matthew, “Come, follow me.”
Lord make me BRAVE because I want to follow You.
He mentions a colleague who recalls his journey to give up his career as a lawyer and life in the United States to move to the Philippines and work for justice. The things that held him back were the losses of comfort, security, control, and success. Yet these were the things he was forced to let go of in order to receive the life that Jesus promised. As he did, he said he instead received adventure, faith, miracles, and a deep knowledge of Jesus.
The author says, “Jesus knows I must make a choice for myself. He is inviting all of us on his great, costly expedition of transformation in the world- but we must respond. Are we coming or staying? Jesus is relentlessly issuing the invitation and forcing a choice to action. What are we going to DO? I am much more interested in telling Jesus and others what I BELIEVE, but Jesus (and the watching world) knows that what I truly believe will be manifested in what I choose to DO.”
Today I have been doing much thinking about this question of being safe or brave. It’s easy for me to say I want to be brave. But if that means giving up being safe, that is scary. What does it mean to give up safety? I don’t know if I want to really know that at this point. But day by day, I do choose to trust God. And for me, this is bigger than my fear of being “unsafe.”
As his colleague recognized the things like comfort, security, and control that he would probably lose, I am reminded that I have also known these things well (maybe too well). I like them. They make me comfortable. Sometimes I get upset when I don't have them. But may I be reminded again and again that I would rather have the life that Jesus promises even if it means I lose what I perceive to be "comfort" or "security."
As Jesus tells the young ruler in Matthew, “Come, follow me.”
Lord make me BRAVE because I want to follow You.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
inspiration to run
I came across this song as I ran this morning.
My new song to ponder...
I have been pondering, but have failed to blog. I'm working on it.
Run
Stoplights, breakdown, we cry, last try
Worlds collide, time to decide
Where you want to go in this great big world
Where you want to go in this great big world
Stuck here too long in this sad song
Lost on a street, everyone has
Vanished and you're all alone
But you don't know where to go
You're all alone
And you want to go home
Run just as fast as you can
Run, 'til you reach the end
Where the fallen finally land
And your world starts over again
Run
Next page, new day, finding my way
Stumble upon the strength to move on
I am not alone in this great big world
And you are not alone in this great big world
Run just as fast as you can
Run, 'til you reach the end
Where the fallen finally land
And your world starts over again
Run
Run now don't you look back
Run towards the light straight ahead
Where the lost souls make a beautiful sound
And new life is finally found
Run
Music and lyrics by Travis Lawerence, Jenny Simmons, and Clint Lagerberg of Addison Road
My new song to ponder...
I have been pondering, but have failed to blog. I'm working on it.
Run
Stoplights, breakdown, we cry, last try
Worlds collide, time to decide
Where you want to go in this great big world
Where you want to go in this great big world
Stuck here too long in this sad song
Lost on a street, everyone has
Vanished and you're all alone
But you don't know where to go
You're all alone
And you want to go home
Run just as fast as you can
Run, 'til you reach the end
Where the fallen finally land
And your world starts over again
Run
Next page, new day, finding my way
Stumble upon the strength to move on
I am not alone in this great big world
And you are not alone in this great big world
Run just as fast as you can
Run, 'til you reach the end
Where the fallen finally land
And your world starts over again
Run
Run now don't you look back
Run towards the light straight ahead
Where the lost souls make a beautiful sound
And new life is finally found
Run
Music and lyrics by Travis Lawerence, Jenny Simmons, and Clint Lagerberg of Addison Road
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
(snow)cover
Sunnyside Environmental Elementary School is a few blocks away. They teach kids about growing all sorts of things in their various garden plots. The kids always make colorful signs to label the things they've planted. I wonder if they ever expected nature would cover their crops... (and their sign!)
Monday, December 22, 2008
snowed in day 2- cross training
I was DETERMINED to work out today, and I didn't want to take the bus to the gym. I can't drive because my car is covered with ice and there are drifts in the streets...so I dug out my snowshoes and boots, found my ski pants and a vest, put on some gloves and my ipod, and went out to explore the streets on foot! I don't think this has been done on Portland streets by many people before. I even caught a cute older woman taking a picture of me when she thought I didn't notice. But although I felt a little silly when I left my house, after traipsing a few blocks, I spotted a woman coming towards me on skis! It was awesome. I wish the news people were out- seriously a woman on skis and another on snowshoes on the same neighborhood street is SO enough to make the news -at least here! I think this is one of the most unusal winters Portland has ever had! And the snow is still coming down...
Sunday, December 21, 2008
snowed in!
The temperature difference between where I lived last December and this December is about 70 degrees....YIKES! Portland is known for mild winters- and NOT for snow- but this winter has been crazy! I am currently stranded in my apartment, and there are SNOW DRIFTS outside my window!! I am skipping my running workout tomorrow to snowshoe at the park instead! I decided this morning after I finished running in this winter wonderland (imagine cold air, fresh tracks on 2 inches of light clean snow, no traffic, and the sun just coming up... ;) that you haven't LIVED until you have experienced winter snow! It is BeAuTiFuL!!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
tribute to banya
I found out today that yesterday one of my precious little girls went home to be with Jesus. Banya was about 3 years old, and she was HIV+. Ironically, this is not what took her life. I'm sure she was off playing and being her sweet, mischievous self, and she drowned in a nearby pond. She leaves behind her mom, Sitow, who is one of the sweetest women I met while in Cambodia. She also lives with AIDS. She has now lost both of her children as well as her husband. I'm praying for her today; that she would not feel responsible, but know her daughter is being cared for in the BEST way- and that she will herself be cared for by those around her and her loving Father in heaven. I'll miss you, Banya!
Monday, December 1, 2008
advent conspiracy
The following is the vision my church has for Advent Conspiracy, an international movement to refocus our hearts and lives around Jesus during this busy season of the year. I am so excited to be a part of it, and am already thinking of creative ways to give relationally, and intentionally focus on Christ instead of the things this culture tells me are important. I am trying to examine how those who follow Christ can lead the world in taking care of others near and far, and send the message by our actions and lifestyles that truly Christ is our most valuable gift!
Christmas can (still) change the world.
Freedom, restoration. Joy. For everyone. This was God’s agenda 2,000 years ago when he sent his son into our broken world with an outrageous plan to rescue us. This was his gift to humanity.
Today, Americans celebrate this act of revolutionary love by spending 450 billion dollars each Christmas. On December 26, after months of chaos, we may look back and wonder if we somehow missed the point.
The story of Christ’s birth is subversive; it tells of an upside-down kingdom. It’s a story of promise and hope in which the blind see, the lame walk and the least become the greatest. So what if Christmas became a world-changing event again by turning our focus back to the birth of Christ? What if we could trade our celebration of stuff for a celebration of hope and unbelievable memories with family and friends? What if all this could save a life at the same time?
Concepts:
Worship Fully- It starts with Jesus. It ends with Jesus. Christmas is a season where love wins, peace reigns, and a king is celebrated with each breath. Entering the story of advent means entering this season with an overwhelming passion to worship Jesus to the fullest.
Spend Less- We live in a culture that guilts us into overspending. But is buying a loved one the latest gadget really the best way show you care? This Christmas, resist the message that stuff will satisfy and become more available to celebrate Jesus’ birth.
Give More- God didn’t spend a dime when he gave us the greatest gift ever known – the loving presence of his son in our world. So it’s no wonder that we’re drawn to the idea that Christmas should be a time to love our friends, family and people in need. Instead of shopping for excess things, consider writing your mom a letter, taking your kids sledding, serving a homeless family and visibly showing love through relational giving.
Love All- When Jesus loved, He loved in ways never imagined before. He entered our world and gave up everything to bring God’s kingdom to those who were physically and spiritually poor, forgotten, overlooked and sick. By spending less on presents, we can free up our resources and join Him in meeting physical and spiritual needs around the world.
Throughout the month of December, there will be opportunities to give away money you would have otherwise spent on holiday loot by putting it in a red advent conspiracy envelope and dropping it in Mosaic’s offering. 100% of the funds will be redistributed to projects to serve Portland, Haiti, Kosovo, and provide clean water through Living Water International.
I think it's a pretty cool conspiracy....
the never ending list...
November 27-waking up early to start the day with a run and a friend, starbucks peppermint mochas, baking with cinnamon, journaling, playing games, watching movies, ice cream, eating a traditional thanksgiving dinner, friends to hang out with, my family!!!
November 28- sleeping in, running up stairs, stretching, trader joe's, candles, silence, cleaning with bleach, the library, going to work and liking it
November 29- work with friends, finally being able to sleep after 24 hours
November 30- learning new things at work, times to laugh (and practice IV starts ;) stairs with Katie, the beginning of advent, community, good songs on the radio
Well, I could do this every day- but it has been a fun activity for the month of November. Thanks, God, for abundant blessings, and allowing me to remember all of the reasons I am so thankful.
"Let your roots grow down deep in Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong... and you will OVERFLOW WITH THANKFULNESS." Colossians 2:7
November 28- sleeping in, running up stairs, stretching, trader joe's, candles, silence, cleaning with bleach, the library, going to work and liking it
November 29- work with friends, finally being able to sleep after 24 hours
November 30- learning new things at work, times to laugh (and practice IV starts ;) stairs with Katie, the beginning of advent, community, good songs on the radio
Well, I could do this every day- but it has been a fun activity for the month of November. Thanks, God, for abundant blessings, and allowing me to remember all of the reasons I am so thankful.
"Let your roots grow down deep in Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong... and you will OVERFLOW WITH THANKFULNESS." Colossians 2:7
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thanksgiving eve week in review~
November 19- chiropractic adjustments, reflection, driving under the dusky sunset listening to missy higgins, a new sweater, shopping at Target
November 20- encouraging words, hanging out in my cozy apartment in my pajamas all afternoon with coffee and chocolate doing "work", praying my plans, networking, a great workout, Thai food
November 21- finishing a book, papaya, being able to communicate easily with friends around the world
November 22- the comfort of familiar, fresh fruit and vegetables
November 23- thanksgiving dinner #1, surprise skype conversations, things to look forward to
November 24- running across the Hawthorne Bridge in the early morning cold air, my kind patients, tea, my car, getting to wear scrubs and a down vest
November 25- dinner invitations, studying the Bible, warm peanut butter cookies, conversations, pictures and stories of hope from Kosovo
November 26- phone conversations lasting over 2 hours (and having multiple friends who will talk to me for that long!) a good workout, sunshine, great harvest bread, dinner conversations (and thanksgiving dinner #2!) seeing families together
November 20- encouraging words, hanging out in my cozy apartment in my pajamas all afternoon with coffee and chocolate doing "work", praying my plans, networking, a great workout, Thai food
November 21- finishing a book, papaya, being able to communicate easily with friends around the world
November 22- the comfort of familiar, fresh fruit and vegetables
November 23- thanksgiving dinner #1, surprise skype conversations, things to look forward to
November 24- running across the Hawthorne Bridge in the early morning cold air, my kind patients, tea, my car, getting to wear scrubs and a down vest
November 25- dinner invitations, studying the Bible, warm peanut butter cookies, conversations, pictures and stories of hope from Kosovo
November 26- phone conversations lasting over 2 hours (and having multiple friends who will talk to me for that long!) a good workout, sunshine, great harvest bread, dinner conversations (and thanksgiving dinner #2!) seeing families together
Friday, November 21, 2008
worth a thought...
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
-Mary Oliver
-Mary Oliver
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
another week of THANKFUL
November 11- early morning spinning, genuine compliments, reading the Bible and remembering again and again how fascinating it is
November 12- baking, a clean apartment, friends dropping by, good new music, reading in bed
November 13- drinking cold water, snacks at work, having some knowledge to share
November 14- a weekend away, fun friends, laughing, good songs that get in your head
NOvember 15- beach hiking, bonfire and making smores, watching a movie, staying up late
November 16- early morning run on the beach, coffee at Bella, good conversation
November 17- shared Thai food at 3am, sleeping deeply all day
November 18- hot showers, dinner with friends at a table, coconut gelato, a fabulous run, fresh clean clothes
November 12- baking, a clean apartment, friends dropping by, good new music, reading in bed
November 13- drinking cold water, snacks at work, having some knowledge to share
November 14- a weekend away, fun friends, laughing, good songs that get in your head
NOvember 15- beach hiking, bonfire and making smores, watching a movie, staying up late
November 16- early morning run on the beach, coffee at Bella, good conversation
November 17- shared Thai food at 3am, sleeping deeply all day
November 18- hot showers, dinner with friends at a table, coconut gelato, a fabulous run, fresh clean clothes
Thursday, November 13, 2008
wet, dirty, smelly...
welcome to running in oregon in november...
am I really going to do this all winter?!
well, my shoes were clean...
am I really going to do this all winter?!
well, my shoes were clean...
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
adding to the list...
November 5- the opportunity to recieve medical care, inspiration through music, text messages, talking to my grandma
November 6- new music to run to, productive morning with coffee, a new stethoscope!
November 7- chocolate ice cream, being immersed in a book, great coworkers
November 8-God’s provision, friends, diet coke, scripture
November 9- lots of sleep, meeting new people, going to church
November 10- working out, skype conversations, memories, being reminded of God’s arms around the whole world, the beauty of the blanket of yellow leaves which covers the sidewalks and streets like confetti
November 6- new music to run to, productive morning with coffee, a new stethoscope!
November 7- chocolate ice cream, being immersed in a book, great coworkers
November 8-God’s provision, friends, diet coke, scripture
November 9- lots of sleep, meeting new people, going to church
November 10- working out, skype conversations, memories, being reminded of God’s arms around the whole world, the beauty of the blanket of yellow leaves which covers the sidewalks and streets like confetti
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
November thankfulness
In keeping with my tradition, I'm going to make a list on Thanksgiving day of every possible thing I can think of that I am thankful for. My sister and I have been doing this for years, and have recruited whomever we can get to join the list-making tradition. This "list" has been going on in my head for the past few weeks, however. So I decided that I am going to remember the little things from every day in November, and post them once a week.
November 1-beautiful weather (rain, fall leaves, and cool air) living in oregon, free time
November 2-finishing an awesome book, talking to God, laughs at work (being able to go to work!)
November 3-afternoon sleep, dinner and deep conversation, FRIENDS!
November 4-hilly morning run over a blanket of yellow leaves, stumptown coffee (the BEST!) with annie, democracy (and the energy surrounding it!)
November 1-beautiful weather (rain, fall leaves, and cool air) living in oregon, free time
November 2-finishing an awesome book, talking to God, laughs at work (being able to go to work!)
November 3-afternoon sleep, dinner and deep conversation, FRIENDS!
November 4-hilly morning run over a blanket of yellow leaves, stumptown coffee (the BEST!) with annie, democracy (and the energy surrounding it!)
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