The coach of our swim team during my younger years had this saying. But it really wasn’t a saying it was a yelling. He had to make himself heard over the splashes and we were all wearing those flattering plastic caps that squeezed our ears making it almost impossible to hear anything. I guess that it was smart of him to have only one thing that he said, so that we always knew just what he wanted us to do. So when I looked up and saw his brow furrowed and his mouth moving around like the fakey dinosaurs on Jurassic Park there was no doubt as to what he was bellowing out:
“Sprint, Sprint, Sprint, Gut!”
His voice has been ringing in my ears as of late. It is not that I don’t like what I am doing; just the same as when I was swimming. I liked swimming (even if I was in the turtle lane and the other three lanes above me were called: bronze, silver and gold). I still love to swim laps. I like what I do as a wife, as a mother, as a home school teacher, as a missionary, as … well, as me. I have a good life. I simply feel like I have been in sprint mode for a long while and now my coach is yelling in my ear to gut that last lap.
Monday, January 28
Thursday, January 24
Mist over Majesty
Misty clouds have settled on the mountains surrounding the city this drippy morning. They mask the majestic layers of the green wooded hills. All the while the little people below slowly go about cleaning up from the raucous the night before. They are wearing the same clothes that they slept in because they were too drunk and weary from the party to change. The expression of dull pain and exhaustion on their face is darkened by the bags under their eyes. This will be a long foggy day for them.
Just as their minds are clouded from all the loud music, dancing and strong drink the night before the city also lays shrouded in wet grayness. It makes me wonder if these are physical encounters for what is happening in the unseen realm. Do these ancient annual rituals of Caranval some how mask the glory of God with a mist that makes his majesty unidentifiable? My heart is disgusted and aches at this libertine time of such obvious denial of God in the land. These days of Carnaval are the last hoorah for the people before the 40 days of Lent; 40 days of restraint and fasting. This is the last opportunity to do all badness that can be done. Dances such as the “Diablada” (the deviled one) attest to the sheer evil worshipped now.
The layers of the grace and goodness of God are beautiful. Gazing out at the hills that grow from the flat ground inspire you to think about the powerful change that happens in the heart of a person that was once flattened by sin but that now is under the influence of the most power Force in the universe. Traditions simplify and cancel out the wonder attributed to our Maker. God is marvelous and full of mystery.
Pray for the Bolivian people. Pray that the Christians would be strong. Pray that this mist would be lifted from the land so that the majesty of God would be made known. Or rather, pray that the majesty and glory of God would be made known so that this mist would be lifted from the hearts of the people. For the truth is that just because the clouds are present does not mean that the mountains do not exist. The mountains are not affected by the cloud cover. God does not cease to exist when evil is exalted. God will remain. God will prevail. This is the more sure hope that I have in my heart.
Just as their minds are clouded from all the loud music, dancing and strong drink the night before the city also lays shrouded in wet grayness. It makes me wonder if these are physical encounters for what is happening in the unseen realm. Do these ancient annual rituals of Caranval some how mask the glory of God with a mist that makes his majesty unidentifiable? My heart is disgusted and aches at this libertine time of such obvious denial of God in the land. These days of Carnaval are the last hoorah for the people before the 40 days of Lent; 40 days of restraint and fasting. This is the last opportunity to do all badness that can be done. Dances such as the “Diablada” (the deviled one) attest to the sheer evil worshipped now.
The layers of the grace and goodness of God are beautiful. Gazing out at the hills that grow from the flat ground inspire you to think about the powerful change that happens in the heart of a person that was once flattened by sin but that now is under the influence of the most power Force in the universe. Traditions simplify and cancel out the wonder attributed to our Maker. God is marvelous and full of mystery.
Pray for the Bolivian people. Pray that the Christians would be strong. Pray that this mist would be lifted from the land so that the majesty of God would be made known. Or rather, pray that the majesty and glory of God would be made known so that this mist would be lifted from the hearts of the people. For the truth is that just because the clouds are present does not mean that the mountains do not exist. The mountains are not affected by the cloud cover. God does not cease to exist when evil is exalted. God will remain. God will prevail. This is the more sure hope that I have in my heart.
Tuesday, January 22
If I Gave You…
A thought hit me this morning that prompted me to ask my children the following question individually:
If I gave you $10,000.00 what would you do with it?
My nine year old, my oldest daughter said (in Spanglish I might add), “I would tithe, give an offering and then buy stuff I wanted.” My eight year old, my oldest son said confidently, “I would give it to the poor.” And then he told me of the story of the rich young man that he learned about in Sunday school who was told to give all his money to the poor but didn’t. My six year old daughter said, “I would give it in the offering because I don’t care about money. God says to not care about money so I don’t care about money.”
In the book “Rich Dad Poor Dad” the author describes the differences between the way a rich person and poor person think and act in reference to money. He says that if a poor person was given this amount of money he or she would use it to pay off debt and then spend the rest. The rich person would invest the money so as to make more money.
In the same chapter (Matthew 6) that Jesus teaches his followers how to pray we find thorough instructions about striving, worry, material gain and treasure. He says, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (6:21) Does this indicate that the heart follows what it treasures most? Logic, reason and a close look at people’s behavior throughout time would affirm this truth. The gospels are not shy about revealing how people dealt with money. It is amazing to me how many of the parables Jesus gave us talk about money.
To recap: we have just briefly looked at what my kids have to say about ten thousand dollars, what a financial guru has to say about ten thousand dollars and a bit what Jesus has to say about significant sums of money.
If someone gave ten thousand undesignated dollars to me… after the tithe I am pretty sure I know what I would do.
If someone gave you $10,000.00, no strings attached; what would you do?
If I gave you $10,000.00 what would you do with it?
My nine year old, my oldest daughter said (in Spanglish I might add), “I would tithe, give an offering and then buy stuff I wanted.” My eight year old, my oldest son said confidently, “I would give it to the poor.” And then he told me of the story of the rich young man that he learned about in Sunday school who was told to give all his money to the poor but didn’t. My six year old daughter said, “I would give it in the offering because I don’t care about money. God says to not care about money so I don’t care about money.”
In the book “Rich Dad Poor Dad” the author describes the differences between the way a rich person and poor person think and act in reference to money. He says that if a poor person was given this amount of money he or she would use it to pay off debt and then spend the rest. The rich person would invest the money so as to make more money.
In the same chapter (Matthew 6) that Jesus teaches his followers how to pray we find thorough instructions about striving, worry, material gain and treasure. He says, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (6:21) Does this indicate that the heart follows what it treasures most? Logic, reason and a close look at people’s behavior throughout time would affirm this truth. The gospels are not shy about revealing how people dealt with money. It is amazing to me how many of the parables Jesus gave us talk about money.
To recap: we have just briefly looked at what my kids have to say about ten thousand dollars, what a financial guru has to say about ten thousand dollars and a bit what Jesus has to say about significant sums of money.
If someone gave ten thousand undesignated dollars to me… after the tithe I am pretty sure I know what I would do.
If someone gave you $10,000.00, no strings attached; what would you do?
Wednesday, January 16
Run, Mama, Run
Ringtones are out of my league; but I do know how to assign different ring sounds to individuals on my contacts list from the options in my cell phone. I have one general ring sound for the whole world – except one person: my husband. His ring sound is called bullfighter – it’s that cheesy music that you hear whenever you see some commercial of someone running. Well, I was in my room and the phone was in the dining room. Papa’s ring sounded for all to hear. I rushed out to the dining room and my kids saw me coming. My youngest daughter yells out to me as I whiz by, “Run, Mama, Run!” It sounded just like the famous Forest Gump phrase. It was so funny!
Things I am lovin’ today:
- A well made turkey cold cut sandwich purchased for lunch
- Bugles and Mineragua – a great combo
- Google Reader – I just switched all my subs – it is great
- Lists and charts
- Pilates
- A clean desk top even after a week
- Our 2 cute guinea pigs
- The fact that I remembered how to spell guinea pig
- On line Scrabble
- The book of First John
- Driving
- Hooded sweatshirts with pockets for these drippy days
Books I am reading at this point in time:
- “Mere Christianity” by: C.S. Lewis
- “The Lie that Tells a Truth” by: John Dufresne
- “Sacred Parenting” by: Gary Thomas
Projects I am working on right now:
- A surprise party
- Organizing for this year of home schooling – first week of February we start
- Church leadership get together on Saturday
Did I mention that I like lists and charts?
Things I am lovin’ today:
- A well made turkey cold cut sandwich purchased for lunch
- Bugles and Mineragua – a great combo
- Google Reader – I just switched all my subs – it is great
- Lists and charts
- Pilates
- A clean desk top even after a week
- Our 2 cute guinea pigs
- The fact that I remembered how to spell guinea pig
- On line Scrabble
- The book of First John
- Driving
- Hooded sweatshirts with pockets for these drippy days
Books I am reading at this point in time:
- “Mere Christianity” by: C.S. Lewis
- “The Lie that Tells a Truth” by: John Dufresne
- “Sacred Parenting” by: Gary Thomas
Projects I am working on right now:
- A surprise party
- Organizing for this year of home schooling – first week of February we start
- Church leadership get together on Saturday
Did I mention that I like lists and charts?
Monday, January 14
The Learning Curve
Why are my emotions so connected to the process of learning?
Ignorance
As they say “Ignorance is bliss”
In the dark with a blind fold on
You don’t know that you don’t know something
Emotions: content
Dissatisfaction
Frustration, embarrassment, discontent
In the dark with the blind fold off
You know that you don’t know something; but you know that you could know it
Emotions: unhappy
Learning
The ups and downs of trial and error are at the same time difficult but hopeful
Groping around for the light switch
You know that you are going to know something
Emotions: mixed
Knowledge
Satisfaction, sense of accomplishment
Found the light switch and turned the light on
You know something
Emotions: content
Making charts and lists is soothing to me. I am processing some things right now so some of this may be what some may call “half-baked”. What I mean to say is that I might have struck on some bit of genius here as to the explanations of my state at this time – or I might pitch it all in the garbage.
At times I wish I could just be in a constant state of such extreme self-control that I am content at all times. But then I think it through and it might just be that the times of frustration make the times of joy that much brighter.
Can I determine how long I stay at each particular level? To some extent, yes, but there are many other factors that attribute to what takes place on a certain level. And this process is taking place on different levels in many different areas of my life. So my best option right now is to first identify where I am (as best I can) and then go with the flow.
I am throwing this out there in cyber-land because maybe one of you has some insight you would like to share.
Ignorance
As they say “Ignorance is bliss”
In the dark with a blind fold on
You don’t know that you don’t know something
Emotions: content
Dissatisfaction
Frustration, embarrassment, discontent
In the dark with the blind fold off
You know that you don’t know something; but you know that you could know it
Emotions: unhappy
Learning
The ups and downs of trial and error are at the same time difficult but hopeful
Groping around for the light switch
You know that you are going to know something
Emotions: mixed
Knowledge
Satisfaction, sense of accomplishment
Found the light switch and turned the light on
You know something
Emotions: content
Making charts and lists is soothing to me. I am processing some things right now so some of this may be what some may call “half-baked”. What I mean to say is that I might have struck on some bit of genius here as to the explanations of my state at this time – or I might pitch it all in the garbage.
At times I wish I could just be in a constant state of such extreme self-control that I am content at all times. But then I think it through and it might just be that the times of frustration make the times of joy that much brighter.
Can I determine how long I stay at each particular level? To some extent, yes, but there are many other factors that attribute to what takes place on a certain level. And this process is taking place on different levels in many different areas of my life. So my best option right now is to first identify where I am (as best I can) and then go with the flow.
I am throwing this out there in cyber-land because maybe one of you has some insight you would like to share.
Friday, January 11
Feathery Fun Friday
This fun short from Pixar shows how vital perspective is in interpersonal relationships. Which bird have you felt like before and why? hmmm... :-)
EDIT: the video was not working for a bit, hopefully it will now...
Thursday, January 10
Validation
Does the failure of another person punctuate my success?
Validation is something that we strive for on a daily basis. We ask ourselves, “Does what I am doing count?” It has at the start the word valid. Validity leads the hearer to assume that a thing has identifiable worth usually supported by concrete proof.
So when a person desires to find some kind of validation they do their very best to earn the respect and recognition and, dare I say it, the love of the people around them. But this kind of validation is received only when a comparison is made with other people. And, sadly, as humans when competition is present we sometimes resort to the cruel practice of pushing others down so that we seem to appear taller; when in fact we are groveling along with the rest in a mucky mire of self-righteousness. And evidence that we are truly lost in the vicious cycle of validation is when we answer an emphatic, “Yes!” to the postulation above.
But here is the core problem with the search for validation… we already have it! Our identifiable worth lies in the unique fingerprints that God the creator left on our precious hands. Our identifiable worth lies in the unmatched speech patterns floating on every simple word we utter. Our identifiable proof is that we are not ‘things’ we are human ‘beings’. We ‘be’. And that is all the validation that Christ needed to provide the concrete proof that supports these findings. He added his DNA to the scene when he shed his blood for us on the cross.
We don’t need to compete and compare ourselves amongst ourselves. The only validation that we need today is the assurance that for God so loved the world. Because he first loved us is the only validation we need to stand tall and be the brother or sister to come alongside another and not be too insecure to say, “Come on. You’re going to make it. Let’s walk together.”
Affirm the validation of the love of Christ for all humankind. Remind someone today that their life counts.
As a P.S. for further discussion I might add if it is true that we are to rejoice with them that rejoice and weep with them that weep it could be assumed that we are to fail with those who fail. The felt failure of another person does not punctuate my success, rather it bids me to come and empathize, pray with, encourage and forgive. For, are we not a body? Does not the pain of another member of the family affect me? Is it not by this treatment of the fallen that all men will know?
Validation is something that we strive for on a daily basis. We ask ourselves, “Does what I am doing count?” It has at the start the word valid. Validity leads the hearer to assume that a thing has identifiable worth usually supported by concrete proof.
So when a person desires to find some kind of validation they do their very best to earn the respect and recognition and, dare I say it, the love of the people around them. But this kind of validation is received only when a comparison is made with other people. And, sadly, as humans when competition is present we sometimes resort to the cruel practice of pushing others down so that we seem to appear taller; when in fact we are groveling along with the rest in a mucky mire of self-righteousness. And evidence that we are truly lost in the vicious cycle of validation is when we answer an emphatic, “Yes!” to the postulation above.
But here is the core problem with the search for validation… we already have it! Our identifiable worth lies in the unique fingerprints that God the creator left on our precious hands. Our identifiable worth lies in the unmatched speech patterns floating on every simple word we utter. Our identifiable proof is that we are not ‘things’ we are human ‘beings’. We ‘be’. And that is all the validation that Christ needed to provide the concrete proof that supports these findings. He added his DNA to the scene when he shed his blood for us on the cross.
We don’t need to compete and compare ourselves amongst ourselves. The only validation that we need today is the assurance that for God so loved the world. Because he first loved us is the only validation we need to stand tall and be the brother or sister to come alongside another and not be too insecure to say, “Come on. You’re going to make it. Let’s walk together.”
Affirm the validation of the love of Christ for all humankind. Remind someone today that their life counts.
As a P.S. for further discussion I might add if it is true that we are to rejoice with them that rejoice and weep with them that weep it could be assumed that we are to fail with those who fail. The felt failure of another person does not punctuate my success, rather it bids me to come and empathize, pray with, encourage and forgive. For, are we not a body? Does not the pain of another member of the family affect me? Is it not by this treatment of the fallen that all men will know?
Tuesday, January 8
Thursday, January 3
Become
Anymore in the hurry of life where the entire world is competing for attention messages get watered down so that they can be captured in nanoseconds. Slogans, sound bytes and logos are purchased with unbelievable fortunes just so that a company can make a lasting imprint on the grey matter in our heads.
But what about the soul? There may be commercial sciences that tell us how to make an impression on the mind of a person; but how do we make a lasting impression on the soul? The first few things that pop into my mind are art, music and great literature. Next I think that relationships, more than anything, shape our soul. And then even deeper than that is God. God knows the depths of the human soul.
Will God compete for our minds when his ultimate goal is our soul? When he does capture our soul does the mind simply follow along? What methods does God employ to draw us to him? Are the mysterious and miraculous any more effective than the simplicity and detail in the intricacies of his creation?
Seeing as he is God I could only assume that he would do anything it takes to captivate the human soul. But I do believe that there in one element that stands shining above the rest. He tells us that we can become.
Throughout history and the amazing accounts we read about the godly heroes of old attest to the truth that we can become. And not just “become somebody” as the superficial clichés of the day would entice to you buy into. Rather to really become and continue becoming. That, to me, is the most enticing aspect of God. He tells us we can become.
But what about the soul? There may be commercial sciences that tell us how to make an impression on the mind of a person; but how do we make a lasting impression on the soul? The first few things that pop into my mind are art, music and great literature. Next I think that relationships, more than anything, shape our soul. And then even deeper than that is God. God knows the depths of the human soul.
Will God compete for our minds when his ultimate goal is our soul? When he does capture our soul does the mind simply follow along? What methods does God employ to draw us to him? Are the mysterious and miraculous any more effective than the simplicity and detail in the intricacies of his creation?
Seeing as he is God I could only assume that he would do anything it takes to captivate the human soul. But I do believe that there in one element that stands shining above the rest. He tells us that we can become.
Throughout history and the amazing accounts we read about the godly heroes of old attest to the truth that we can become. And not just “become somebody” as the superficial clichés of the day would entice to you buy into. Rather to really become and continue becoming. That, to me, is the most enticing aspect of God. He tells us we can become.
Tuesday, January 1
Yapa
The “yapa” is like the bakers dozen; a little extra of something from the vender for your business. This year the resolutionists have a yapa of an extra day to get done what you have resolved to do. Have at it my ambitious beaver-like friends.
Happy New Year!!!
Happy New Year!!!
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