Lately I've been doing a "heart-check"...getting my priorities in line if you will. It's funny how struggle can bring clarity. In a time past the things I thought were important in God's Kingdom were flashy websites, movie clips and rocking music, as if somehow those things were required to help people see God. In recent past I saw the ugliness of those things and what a life can become when it is void of the true heart beat of God and began to understand that so much of my time and energy was wasted on things not valued by God.
I was hanging out at Multnomah Bible College at a ministry fair not too long ago (recruiting volunteers) when I happened to start up a conversation with the girl in the booth next to mine. She happen to work for the Portland Rescue Mission. I'd been searching for a way to start reconciling my reality with the things swirling around in my heart and mind and God opened the perfect door. She mentioned that the ministry was looking for someone to help head up their decorating team for their big holiday events. I just happen to LOVE decorating....especially for parties. Hmm...could God be giving me the opportunity I've been asking for? I tend to wait and chicken out when these things present themselves...I didn't, I just said yes.
Now having been in the process of better understanding the organization and what my role will be, I am even more convinced that God is at work. The heart beat of this ministry is beautifully aligned with the desires of God's heart to bring hope to the hopeless and to love those who can't even yet love themselves. Providing food, shelter, clean clothes, showers, laundry facilities, and a long term program that helps overcome addictions, emotional pain, gain education and career experience and so much more is only the beginning of the work the people involved in the mission are doing.
I believe that when Jesus says the end will come and we will be seperated on how we loved, this is what he means....and they do love, with everything they have to give.
It's an honor to be a part of something so beautiful. You can check out more about the mission and how you can help to by going to their website. www.portlandrescuemission.org
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Switchfoot at the Crystal Ballroom
I saw Switchfoot in concert my freshman year of college when their first CD had come out and they were touring with Third Day and All-Star United. Let's just say that they've gotten better...a lot better! It's a fuzzy photo because I scanned it from my scrapbook but here's a photo of me and my friend Jen with them. We all look about 12 years old!
If you haven't had the chance to attend a concert at the Crystal Ballroom, make time...it's awesome! There's nothing like rock-n-roll blaring in your ears, standing on a suspended floor that bounces with every step while enjoying the museum-like beauty of the room. It's fascinating.
On to the concert.... First of all, it's amazing to me the following that Switchfoot has in Portland. People love them. The concert was better attended and the energy was higher than when I saw Jimmy Eat World there. (Who by the way happen to be one of my favorite bands.) I thought the audience was going to revolt. As each "listen to this CD until we're ready" song came to a close, the room would chant "Switchfoot...Switchfoot....Switchfoot" until another song played from the CD and so on until finally the room filled with screams and I knew (I was too short to really see) that it was time.
Lyrically, Switchfoot provides hope to a world without it. Though never coming out and singing that Jesus died for you, you sense that there is something bigger that you were made to be a part of. It's beautiful. The lyrics are honest and raw and are relatable to the human condition.
Their songwriting demonstrates an appreciation for a quality hook and singable melody. People at this concert didn't just sing along with the most popular radio hits, they sang along with it all. There were several times the band laid back and just let the audience blend their voices with the power of a gospel choir.
Imagine the beauty of standing in a room full of people who do and do not consider themselves followers of Christ, singing together with one strong voice...
"We want more than this world has to offer. We want more than this world has to offer. We want more than the wars of our fathers. And everything inside, screams for second life. We were meant to live for so much more..."
And musically, well they rock! The groove of the rhythm section and driving force of the guitars reminded me how much I love music. Matt often teases me because I can't let a groove go by without starting to dance. And there's nothing better than loud, melodic, passionate rock-n-roll to set you in motion.
Overall, I had a blast and would totally see them in concert again. When I took that photo with them in college, I never expected they would become the powerful band that they have. I'm thrilled that the industry took a chance and let the grow into what they are today!
If you haven't had the chance to attend a concert at the Crystal Ballroom, make time...it's awesome! There's nothing like rock-n-roll blaring in your ears, standing on a suspended floor that bounces with every step while enjoying the museum-like beauty of the room. It's fascinating.
On to the concert.... First of all, it's amazing to me the following that Switchfoot has in Portland. People love them. The concert was better attended and the energy was higher than when I saw Jimmy Eat World there. (Who by the way happen to be one of my favorite bands.) I thought the audience was going to revolt. As each "listen to this CD until we're ready" song came to a close, the room would chant "Switchfoot...Switchfoot....Switchfoot" until another song played from the CD and so on until finally the room filled with screams and I knew (I was too short to really see) that it was time.
Lyrically, Switchfoot provides hope to a world without it. Though never coming out and singing that Jesus died for you, you sense that there is something bigger that you were made to be a part of. It's beautiful. The lyrics are honest and raw and are relatable to the human condition.
Their songwriting demonstrates an appreciation for a quality hook and singable melody. People at this concert didn't just sing along with the most popular radio hits, they sang along with it all. There were several times the band laid back and just let the audience blend their voices with the power of a gospel choir.
Imagine the beauty of standing in a room full of people who do and do not consider themselves followers of Christ, singing together with one strong voice...
"We want more than this world has to offer. We want more than this world has to offer. We want more than the wars of our fathers. And everything inside, screams for second life. We were meant to live for so much more..."
And musically, well they rock! The groove of the rhythm section and driving force of the guitars reminded me how much I love music. Matt often teases me because I can't let a groove go by without starting to dance. And there's nothing better than loud, melodic, passionate rock-n-roll to set you in motion.
Overall, I had a blast and would totally see them in concert again. When I took that photo with them in college, I never expected they would become the powerful band that they have. I'm thrilled that the industry took a chance and let the grow into what they are today!
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Photos of Friends
Matt, Joey and Jessica at the beach in Seaside, OR. I'm behind the camera....
A bunch of us went hiking on Labor Day.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Friday, October 14, 2005
Redemption & My Golf Swing
I fully enjoy a sunny day spent at the golf course with my husband who may on occasion throw a golf club in my vicinity (unintentionally) after a sad attempt to reach the green. We encourage each other and laugh at each other and from time to time go home feeling good about our improvement.
Golf is a game I would give up completely if it weren't for the occasional beautiful (relatively) swing. It's that one swing that when it happens you know it's right and it feels so natural. The club connects and the ball soars ahead many more yards than the 10-20 I'm used to hitting. That one in fifty swing brings me back again and again.
Today I realized I often feel that way about Christianity. Not God. I know and sense that God is eternally good. But we, as humans, have a long, long way to go. My progress it seems is often slow, if it's moving in the right direction at all. Occasionally I think it flies back a few yards (as my golf ball does at times, nearly killing anyone standing nearby). But then there are those moments when I catch a glimpse of a tiny particle of my character, redeemed and beautiful as God desires.
I see those glimpes in the church as well. If you've been around it very long you can understand that there are moments you feel ready to walk away. You see what seems to be complacency and a lack of progress. And then there are those beautiful moments when the light of God shows through and somehow you see the possibility in others. Those are the moments that bring me back. When my hope is lost for what we can be, God gives me a glimpse of how far we've already come.
How often do we look at our culture, our society and talk about how awful it has become. Truthfully, if we know anything about history, we see that we've always been messed up. We've never had it right. There was never any "Christian" nation or even a moral nation for that matter. Even in Rome when Constantine made Christianity the main religion of the Empire, he was doing it for political reasons. And America? Our history speaks for itself.
My desire is that we can become a people who stop fearing the moral decline of a nation and instead, start catching glimpses of how God is redeeming all of creation and what a beautiful process we have been invited to take part in. I wonder if we will ask God to show us where he is working, if he will begin to give us those moments that bring us back again and again, believing that all of creation can be fully redeemed, beautiful in the eyes of God.
Golf is a game I would give up completely if it weren't for the occasional beautiful (relatively) swing. It's that one swing that when it happens you know it's right and it feels so natural. The club connects and the ball soars ahead many more yards than the 10-20 I'm used to hitting. That one in fifty swing brings me back again and again.
Today I realized I often feel that way about Christianity. Not God. I know and sense that God is eternally good. But we, as humans, have a long, long way to go. My progress it seems is often slow, if it's moving in the right direction at all. Occasionally I think it flies back a few yards (as my golf ball does at times, nearly killing anyone standing nearby). But then there are those moments when I catch a glimpse of a tiny particle of my character, redeemed and beautiful as God desires.
I see those glimpes in the church as well. If you've been around it very long you can understand that there are moments you feel ready to walk away. You see what seems to be complacency and a lack of progress. And then there are those beautiful moments when the light of God shows through and somehow you see the possibility in others. Those are the moments that bring me back. When my hope is lost for what we can be, God gives me a glimpse of how far we've already come.
How often do we look at our culture, our society and talk about how awful it has become. Truthfully, if we know anything about history, we see that we've always been messed up. We've never had it right. There was never any "Christian" nation or even a moral nation for that matter. Even in Rome when Constantine made Christianity the main religion of the Empire, he was doing it for political reasons. And America? Our history speaks for itself.
My desire is that we can become a people who stop fearing the moral decline of a nation and instead, start catching glimpses of how God is redeeming all of creation and what a beautiful process we have been invited to take part in. I wonder if we will ask God to show us where he is working, if he will begin to give us those moments that bring us back again and again, believing that all of creation can be fully redeemed, beautiful in the eyes of God.
Sunday, October 09, 2005
The Last Word and the Word After That: A Review
I just finished reading a fascinating book titled, "The Last Word and the Word After That" by Brian McLaren. First let me say that if you don't feel strong enough to have your beliefs challenged without losing your faith, don't read it. It's fair to say that not all people are at a comfortable enough place in their faith to be able to be challenged in the way this book challenges. If you do feel you are mature enough I encourage to read it with the mind set that you might not like or agree with everything he writes and you may really hate the fact that some of the subject matter is even considered in the way that it is, but it will make you think. And that, I believe, is a good thing.
The book is essentially a "creative non-fiction," meaning that it communicates theological ideas through a fictional story. While it is still a complicated read, it is much easier to accept theology in terms of story than textbook. Perhaps that is what makes the Bible such a wonderful book. It communicates timeless truths using stories, some real life, some parable.
The theme of the book is centered around a re-evaluation of the concept or physical place of hell. The pastor and main character in the book is struggling with his exclusivity view of hell while not yet feeling comfortable enough to accept either the inclusive or universalist view either. The book is his process of wading his way through a thick history of varied ideas on the subject and coming to a better understanding that seems to him to be more in line with the character of God.
One of the things I found most compelling about the book is that eternity or the idea of heaven and hell were new to the Jewish religion sometime between the Old and New Testament. Previously the religions that had an understanding of an afterlife were more Greek and Babylonian rather than Jewish. During Jesus' time the Sadducces still didn't believe in the afterlife which is one of the things that set the Pharisees and Sadducces apart from one another. Secondly, a lot of the "hell" terminology used in the Bible is actually terminology from other religions. For instance, Hades, is a term for hell in Greek Mythology. There were a few others that I can't remember right now. You'd actually be amazed to see how many of the biblical stories of creation, the flood and other things are incredibly similar to the stories of other religions.
I don't want to give away the conclusions and questions that are brought up throughout the book because they are so difficult to grapple with that it's best to take them in full context rather than in my little blog.
But the ideas fascinate me and challenge me to look at the Bible with great respect and consideration, always seeking God for wisdom and never assuming everything I hear or read in regards to the Bible is simply true.
We know but in part....
The book is essentially a "creative non-fiction," meaning that it communicates theological ideas through a fictional story. While it is still a complicated read, it is much easier to accept theology in terms of story than textbook. Perhaps that is what makes the Bible such a wonderful book. It communicates timeless truths using stories, some real life, some parable.
The theme of the book is centered around a re-evaluation of the concept or physical place of hell. The pastor and main character in the book is struggling with his exclusivity view of hell while not yet feeling comfortable enough to accept either the inclusive or universalist view either. The book is his process of wading his way through a thick history of varied ideas on the subject and coming to a better understanding that seems to him to be more in line with the character of God.
One of the things I found most compelling about the book is that eternity or the idea of heaven and hell were new to the Jewish religion sometime between the Old and New Testament. Previously the religions that had an understanding of an afterlife were more Greek and Babylonian rather than Jewish. During Jesus' time the Sadducces still didn't believe in the afterlife which is one of the things that set the Pharisees and Sadducces apart from one another. Secondly, a lot of the "hell" terminology used in the Bible is actually terminology from other religions. For instance, Hades, is a term for hell in Greek Mythology. There were a few others that I can't remember right now. You'd actually be amazed to see how many of the biblical stories of creation, the flood and other things are incredibly similar to the stories of other religions.
I don't want to give away the conclusions and questions that are brought up throughout the book because they are so difficult to grapple with that it's best to take them in full context rather than in my little blog.
But the ideas fascinate me and challenge me to look at the Bible with great respect and consideration, always seeking God for wisdom and never assuming everything I hear or read in regards to the Bible is simply true.
We know but in part....
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Hannity & Colmes
I've been sitting here watching Fox News (Matt holds the remote) and I've been reminded once again why it drives me crazy that Sean Hannity's books are being sold in local Christian bookstores.
Now, I'm not going to go into political beliefs because I have only a few friends who have the ability to respectfully disagree on these types of issues.
What I will say is that this guy is ABSOLUTELY RUDE on this TV program to anyone who disagrees with him in the slightest. His TV personality is incredibly far from what I would consider to be a great demonstration of being a follower of Christ and I'm incredibly disappointed that we as a Christian community support this type of public behavior.
And that's all I'm going to say about that....
Now, I'm not going to go into political beliefs because I have only a few friends who have the ability to respectfully disagree on these types of issues.
What I will say is that this guy is ABSOLUTELY RUDE on this TV program to anyone who disagrees with him in the slightest. His TV personality is incredibly far from what I would consider to be a great demonstration of being a follower of Christ and I'm incredibly disappointed that we as a Christian community support this type of public behavior.
And that's all I'm going to say about that....
Monday, October 03, 2005
Sweet Bella
Here's another sweet picture of my little puppy coming home to live with me the week of November 15-19. I can't wait! And my friend (who shall remain nameless...but his name starts with J and ends with Y) better leave his mean mean nickname for her in his little head if he wants to come over any more!! :)
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