I've been thinking lately about fear and how people use it to manipulate people into responding a certain way. You see it a lot even in simple ways..."You better not do that or you might end up on Santa's naughty list."
Truth be told my biggest complaint with this is how the Republican party manipulates Christians using fear. I know I've mentioned this before but it just bothers me how easily manipulated people are and how we then as Christians defend not just the cause of Christ but the cause of the Republican party as if somehow they have anything to do with each other.
Now, just to preface, I don't think the Democrates are the greatest. Mainly because I wish they'd just stand up for something instead of sitting around waiting for the Republican party to implode.
But back to my complaint...did you see the ads during the last presidential campaign? They were meant to make you think liberals were predators, out to destroy our families, our country. Now I can say that a great deal of me fits into that category of what is deemed a "political liberal." I don't like the death pentalty, I don't like guns, I care about our environment, I think we spend too much money on war and not enough on fighting poverty, I disagree with most of the economic decisions made by our president (at least the ones I know about)etc.... But I don't think those things make me evil. Perhaps the very opposite of such.
Even now, the Rebulican party controls all three branches of government and yet Christians run around afraid of the crazy liberals ruining our country. If things are bad, we might want to take a look at who's running things.
I was talking to someone the other day about this whole mindset that the world is just getting so much worse and I have to laugh because I remember that God destroyed the entire world at one point because things were so bad. People used to sacrifice their kids to gods. Entire nations have been masacared. We've always been a bunch of "crapbags" as my friend Sean likes to say.
Anyway, I've just been annoyed about it lately. I don't like having to pretend I'm something that I'm not because in the minds of most Christians, if you don't tow the Republican party line, you're a liberal, and to be a liberal is to not be on God's side. I don't buy it.
Don't vote for Republicans because they convince you to be afraid of everyone else. See for yourself what candidates and parties stand for and have an intellectually informed vote. If you're a Christian, don't let fear be your guide. The Bible says it the best, "perfect love casts out fear."
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Beach Trip
Matt, Bella and I were lucky to get away last week over Spring Break for a relaxing trip to the beach! We stayed at this incredibly nice home that is owned by some people that we know. Luckily it is pet friendly so our little dear could come along with us.Bella was cracking me up as she ran around on the beach. I think she liked the sand as it got kicked up in the air. She was jumping and pouncing and running around...except when I took her near the water. As the ocean slowly crept closer to her, she slowly crept backwards, away from the water! She finally let me walk her close enough for the water to cover her legs.
The weather was beautiful so we walked on the beach a lot. I tried to make pizza one night but it was total crap so we tossed it and went and bought a pizza instead. :)
Here's a couple photos...
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Franz Ferdinand and Death Cab for Cutie
Wednesday I went with Matt, Joey and Kelly to see Franz and Death Cab and some band called the Cribs (I only heard a couple songs but wasn't a huge fan) in Portland. We enjoyed dinner at Rock Bottom (of course) and headed over in the Max which was actually my first ride. I know, I know, it's sad. I've lived here for two years and hadn't been on the Max.
Anyway, the concert was good. I really enjoyed Franz. It was the first time I'd seen them in concert. They are seriously the most catchy rock. Makes you just wanna jump up and dance! These two kids were down on the floor and this spot kept hitting them and they were dancing all over the place and they actually looked like they really knew what they were doing. They looked like they were maybe nine years old. It was cracking me up!
The weird thing was that they opened for Death Cab. Now I saw Death Cab at the Crystal Ballroom just a couple months ago and it was AWESOME! But I didn't enjoy it as much this time around. I think the band just didn't carry enough energy for that large of a room. It would have been better if Death Cab opened up for Franz and warmed us up. Instead the evening ended on a downer note and I was already pretty tired.
Don't get me wrong, Death Cab still rocks. I'll listen to them over and over on my CD player. But if I had a choice to see them in a smaller venue or a larger, I'd choose the smaller.
Anyway, the concert was good. I really enjoyed Franz. It was the first time I'd seen them in concert. They are seriously the most catchy rock. Makes you just wanna jump up and dance! These two kids were down on the floor and this spot kept hitting them and they were dancing all over the place and they actually looked like they really knew what they were doing. They looked like they were maybe nine years old. It was cracking me up!
The weird thing was that they opened for Death Cab. Now I saw Death Cab at the Crystal Ballroom just a couple months ago and it was AWESOME! But I didn't enjoy it as much this time around. I think the band just didn't carry enough energy for that large of a room. It would have been better if Death Cab opened up for Franz and warmed us up. Instead the evening ended on a downer note and I was already pretty tired.
Don't get me wrong, Death Cab still rocks. I'll listen to them over and over on my CD player. But if I had a choice to see them in a smaller venue or a larger, I'd choose the smaller.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
1 Corinthians 13: A Fresh Perspective
I recently read a GREAT article about 1 Corinthians 13 and it's context and a fresh look at it for the church as a whole rather than just as a marriage text. Check it out below. It's good for church leaders but also church attenders...
http://shop.grouppublishing.com/cvc/inside_track/2006_02/Youth.asp
http://shop.grouppublishing.com/cvc/inside_track/2006_02/Youth.asp
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Ignorance is Bliss
I'm apparently a VERY slow reader. I'm still wading my way through God's Politics. Of course it doesn't help that I read like once a week for half and hour. But I've decided as much as I enjoy this type of reading, I really shouldn't know anything about what the government does. It just REALLY irritates me. Ignorance is bliss.
The chapter I just finished was all about poverty and various policies regarding taxes and other things. For instance, it was talking about this child tax credit that was going to be giving money back to families but at the last minute the change was made to make it so that people in a lower income bracket wouldn't get the tax credit, only middle-upper class families would. What in the world!! You mean to tell me that there was free money going around and it went to families who didn't really need it in the first place because it's better to stimulate the economy by getting middle class families to spend more time at the mall than it is to help families who can barely feed their children from week to week? That's just sick.
The point the chapter made several times was that families who are working to provide for their families should have food to eat and a home to live in. Unfortunately many people living at the poverty level are working and doing the best they can but they can't keep up because their jobs don't provide adequate health care and the cost of owning a home or renting an apartment is astronmical and the cost of child care in order for single mothers to be able to work in the first place is insane.
Churches should be doing more than they do. I won't argue with that point. However, the government needs to have policies in affect that help those in the lower class rather than always favoring upper class families. The welfare system doesn't need to be dismantled, it needs to be changed so that working single moms have adequate childcare and all children have good health care available to them as well as proper education and people who are willing and physical able to better themselves by going to college to get more education to get a better job should be afforded that right without it causing them not to be able to pay for their housing.
Families who work should not be homeless. I spent some time at a homeless shelter and the gentleman giving the tour talked about how they have families living there who have both parents working but they lost their apartment because they couldn't make rent and then of course when they do get back of their feet, who will rent to them after being evicted. It's a nasty cycle that faith-based organizations need to be a part of solving but so does the government.
Tax breaks for rich people are not the answer. Cutting welfare programs is not the answer. Using the poor as a pawn for campaigns but never following through on promises is not the answer. Placing blame is not the answer either. The poor are caught in a battle of words between the two strong political parties but all the words aren't helping. The parties need to come together to work on a positive solution to the issues that face people living under the poverty level today.
The chapter I just finished was all about poverty and various policies regarding taxes and other things. For instance, it was talking about this child tax credit that was going to be giving money back to families but at the last minute the change was made to make it so that people in a lower income bracket wouldn't get the tax credit, only middle-upper class families would. What in the world!! You mean to tell me that there was free money going around and it went to families who didn't really need it in the first place because it's better to stimulate the economy by getting middle class families to spend more time at the mall than it is to help families who can barely feed their children from week to week? That's just sick.
The point the chapter made several times was that families who are working to provide for their families should have food to eat and a home to live in. Unfortunately many people living at the poverty level are working and doing the best they can but they can't keep up because their jobs don't provide adequate health care and the cost of owning a home or renting an apartment is astronmical and the cost of child care in order for single mothers to be able to work in the first place is insane.
Churches should be doing more than they do. I won't argue with that point. However, the government needs to have policies in affect that help those in the lower class rather than always favoring upper class families. The welfare system doesn't need to be dismantled, it needs to be changed so that working single moms have adequate childcare and all children have good health care available to them as well as proper education and people who are willing and physical able to better themselves by going to college to get more education to get a better job should be afforded that right without it causing them not to be able to pay for their housing.
Families who work should not be homeless. I spent some time at a homeless shelter and the gentleman giving the tour talked about how they have families living there who have both parents working but they lost their apartment because they couldn't make rent and then of course when they do get back of their feet, who will rent to them after being evicted. It's a nasty cycle that faith-based organizations need to be a part of solving but so does the government.
Tax breaks for rich people are not the answer. Cutting welfare programs is not the answer. Using the poor as a pawn for campaigns but never following through on promises is not the answer. Placing blame is not the answer either. The poor are caught in a battle of words between the two strong political parties but all the words aren't helping. The parties need to come together to work on a positive solution to the issues that face people living under the poverty level today.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Church Volunteer Central
Just a quick plug for all you church leadership people....
If your church doesn't have a membership to www.churchvolunteercentral.com you are really missing out on some wonderful resources! Church Volunteer Central REALLY cares about helping churches be more effective in ministering to, with and through volunteers. The membership cost is absolutely worth the resources you receive as a result.
Check it out!
By the way, if you're apart of my church and would like to check it out, please let me know and I will add you to our membership.
If your church doesn't have a membership to www.churchvolunteercentral.com you are really missing out on some wonderful resources! Church Volunteer Central REALLY cares about helping churches be more effective in ministering to, with and through volunteers. The membership cost is absolutely worth the resources you receive as a result.
Check it out!
By the way, if you're apart of my church and would like to check it out, please let me know and I will add you to our membership.
Honest Conversations
I've never really been a huge fan of attending Bible study groups. It always seemed like everyone just gives what they think are the right answers. Nothing ever really gets any where and we don't really grow because we are just touting off about what some preacher told us 10 years ago. We agree with what the Bible teaches but we don't face it in a way that helps us wrestle with it's application in real, messy, day to day life.
For those of us who've grown up in the church, some where along the way someone taught us what it looks like to be a good Christian. And every since we've been working hard at putting ourselves in that box and making everything we say and do reflect that image. I think a lot of us lose who Christ created us to be when we try so hard to fit a certain idea that others have imposed on us. I feel like for a long time I couldn't see what God had called me to be because I was stuck in that box. It's only been recently that I've really been trying to strip that away and understand who I am in relation to God and how I fit into His greater plan.
I think along with that image, I stopped thinking for myself. In college people were willing to and excited about having honest conversations about God and theology. But I wasn't really there then. I couldn't really talk honestly about what happens when your theology on homosexuality meets a person who loves God but is homosexual. I couldn't let myself think about the weird and confusing things in the Bible. I couldn't let myself question. Even though I lived in a world, created by God, that was full of color and beauty and diversity, I lived my life in black and white.
I'm a part of a group of people that meet weekly right now to talk about the Bible and stuff and it's the first time I feel like we're scratching the surface of talking about real stuff and wrestling with real life and real questions. It's the first time I've actually enjoyed being a part of that type of group. In my life I know I need more of that. I need to have honest conversations that don't put things into either/or categories. Through those conversations, I hope that God's Spirit will help me see the things I've been missing all along.
For those of us who've grown up in the church, some where along the way someone taught us what it looks like to be a good Christian. And every since we've been working hard at putting ourselves in that box and making everything we say and do reflect that image. I think a lot of us lose who Christ created us to be when we try so hard to fit a certain idea that others have imposed on us. I feel like for a long time I couldn't see what God had called me to be because I was stuck in that box. It's only been recently that I've really been trying to strip that away and understand who I am in relation to God and how I fit into His greater plan.
I think along with that image, I stopped thinking for myself. In college people were willing to and excited about having honest conversations about God and theology. But I wasn't really there then. I couldn't really talk honestly about what happens when your theology on homosexuality meets a person who loves God but is homosexual. I couldn't let myself think about the weird and confusing things in the Bible. I couldn't let myself question. Even though I lived in a world, created by God, that was full of color and beauty and diversity, I lived my life in black and white.
I'm a part of a group of people that meet weekly right now to talk about the Bible and stuff and it's the first time I feel like we're scratching the surface of talking about real stuff and wrestling with real life and real questions. It's the first time I've actually enjoyed being a part of that type of group. In my life I know I need more of that. I need to have honest conversations that don't put things into either/or categories. Through those conversations, I hope that God's Spirit will help me see the things I've been missing all along.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
For Church Leaders
I recently wrote this for Group Publishing. Just thought I'd include it here...
In less than two years a church can become stagnant, stuck in its ways and afraid of change. I know, I’ve seen it happen. One of my attractions to new church work was the fact that you weren’t fighting the “we’ve never done it that way” issues. The page was blank and ready to be written without the back story of tradition. I have discovered that the pages are quickly written and can be difficult to change even a year later.
In the beginnings of a church, everyone has to serve. A new church doesn’t have the luxury of having 20% of people serve while the other 80% sit back and enjoy the programs provided. Church plants are able to establish from the start, an expectation of ministry participation because their survival depends on it.
This can be good or bad depending on how it is approached. Starting out with a model of team ministry may be difficult when you have limited people who are already spread thin, setting up and tearing down every Sunday, running the children’s ministry, greeting guests, leading small groups and much more. Often one person is put in charge of an area whether they are gifted to serve in that capacity or not. The only requirement for service is availability.
The potential problem arises as the church begins to grow and suddenly there are more people to help and leadership and ministry become shared rather than a one-man show. It’s great to see people take ownership of a ministry but it can lead to a lack of willingness to share that ministry with others if that expectation isn’t stated from the beginning.
Ok, if you are just planting your church, my advice is this: VISION, VISION, VISION. Never stop communicating the idea that team-oriented ministry is the most effective and most biblical pattern. Every ministry leader should be trained with the idea in mind that they should find an apprentice. Each leader should have someone else who is learning how to lead the ministry. Don’t just talk about it though. Show that you are serious about being an equipping church by using that as a standard of evaluation. Put in place some type of process that allows you to sit down with your ministry leaders every few months to evaluate how things are going in their ministry. Building up and releasing other leaders should be one of the top priorities when evaluating a person’s leadership.
Also, giftedness is important. Young churches aren’t able to provide all the programs that a larger, more established church can. Don’t start ministries until you have leaders who are gifted and passionate about that area of ministry. Find ways to help people discover their giftedness from the start and place them in areas where they will be most effective.
And lastly, work with your leaders to help them develop a plan to build and release leaders within their ministry. Write it out and again, evaluate their progress as time goes on.
Most of us aren’t going to be able to start over and get it right from the beginning. My church will be two years old on Easter 2006. Already we are seeing that it is human nature to fear change. We did not start with the value of shared leadership. Again, availability was the only requirement. Someone once joked, “You step in the door for the first time and suddenly you are leading a ministry.” That wasn’t completely untrue of how we operated in the beginning of our church.
The ramifications of that are starting to hit us now as our church is growing and there are more people to share ministry responsibility. Some people are relieved and thrilled to lighten their load. Others are fearful to let others share in the work they have been doing. They’ve accepted ownership for the ministry and they are hesitant to let go of the control they’ve had.
Whenever you are going to attempt to bring about change in your church, start with prayer. Never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit to prepare people’s hearts for change.
After prayer, follow a few important steps to lead your church through this transition.
Communicate, communicate, communicate. The first step in transitioning a young church to becoming an equipping church is communicating vision. Staff members should begin meeting with and sharing the vision for an equipping church with the ministry leaders who are under their leadership. An equipping mindset has to come from every person in a position of leadership from your Sunday School teachers to your small group leaders. Find every opportunity to share about the benefits of being an equipping church. Communicating vision doesn’t always have to happen on a formal level. Go out for coffee, pass on helpful articles from respected authors, point out the giftedness in others and the benefits they would bring to the ministry if given an opportunity, share Scripture, and point out how even Jesus shared his ministry. Always communicate with enthusiasm and confidence. Excitement can be very contagious.
Don’t make assumptions about why a person is opposed to an equipping church model. As you communicate the vision of an equipping church you may be approached with some opposition. Don’t just assume they are simply difficult people who like to control things. It’s easy to see others as the villain when they communicate disagreement. Remember that God loves them and calls you to love them and that their reactions to the change you are trying to impose often come from a deeper reason than that they are simply troublemakers. Make every effort (with compassion) to get to the heart of their reaction.
Evaluate the current effectiveness of ministry leaders and their specific giftedness. Leaders may be unable to effectively train other leaders because they are in positions that are outside their gifts and passions. Before asking leaders to take on another responsibility, make sure they are all placed in positions where they can be successful.
Train your leaders how to equip and release others. Ministry leaders who are hesitant to accept an equipping church model may feel unprepared to train others. They may be fearful that they aren’t fully qualified. Give them the tools they need to confidently train other leaders and lead by example as you confidently train them.
Build relationships with your leaders. When you purposefully build relationships with the people you put in leadership you will earn the right to lead them. If they trust you, it will be easier for them to follow you. If you consistently prove that you will support them and help them through change, they will be less fearful in the face of it. Building relationships takes time. If it hasn’t happened before the change comes, it will be harder and take longer to lead them through change. Understand that and be prepared for it not to happen overnight.
Getting the support of your current leaders is the real challenge. If you win them over, they will be your greatest agents for change in your church. Unfortunately, from time to time, you will find a leader who is simply unwilling to change. There are times when it is ok to consider asking a person to step down from a leadership position. Don’t give up on them. Pray for them, keep seeking a relationship with them and continue to communicate and share the positive effects of the change as it happens.
People come first. Leading a church, even a young church, through a transition can be a difficult and even painful process. Love them even when they cause conflict, seek understanding and remember that Jesus would leave the 99 to find the one. Love that one.
In less than two years a church can become stagnant, stuck in its ways and afraid of change. I know, I’ve seen it happen. One of my attractions to new church work was the fact that you weren’t fighting the “we’ve never done it that way” issues. The page was blank and ready to be written without the back story of tradition. I have discovered that the pages are quickly written and can be difficult to change even a year later.
In the beginnings of a church, everyone has to serve. A new church doesn’t have the luxury of having 20% of people serve while the other 80% sit back and enjoy the programs provided. Church plants are able to establish from the start, an expectation of ministry participation because their survival depends on it.
This can be good or bad depending on how it is approached. Starting out with a model of team ministry may be difficult when you have limited people who are already spread thin, setting up and tearing down every Sunday, running the children’s ministry, greeting guests, leading small groups and much more. Often one person is put in charge of an area whether they are gifted to serve in that capacity or not. The only requirement for service is availability.
The potential problem arises as the church begins to grow and suddenly there are more people to help and leadership and ministry become shared rather than a one-man show. It’s great to see people take ownership of a ministry but it can lead to a lack of willingness to share that ministry with others if that expectation isn’t stated from the beginning.
Ok, if you are just planting your church, my advice is this: VISION, VISION, VISION. Never stop communicating the idea that team-oriented ministry is the most effective and most biblical pattern. Every ministry leader should be trained with the idea in mind that they should find an apprentice. Each leader should have someone else who is learning how to lead the ministry. Don’t just talk about it though. Show that you are serious about being an equipping church by using that as a standard of evaluation. Put in place some type of process that allows you to sit down with your ministry leaders every few months to evaluate how things are going in their ministry. Building up and releasing other leaders should be one of the top priorities when evaluating a person’s leadership.
Also, giftedness is important. Young churches aren’t able to provide all the programs that a larger, more established church can. Don’t start ministries until you have leaders who are gifted and passionate about that area of ministry. Find ways to help people discover their giftedness from the start and place them in areas where they will be most effective.
And lastly, work with your leaders to help them develop a plan to build and release leaders within their ministry. Write it out and again, evaluate their progress as time goes on.
Most of us aren’t going to be able to start over and get it right from the beginning. My church will be two years old on Easter 2006. Already we are seeing that it is human nature to fear change. We did not start with the value of shared leadership. Again, availability was the only requirement. Someone once joked, “You step in the door for the first time and suddenly you are leading a ministry.” That wasn’t completely untrue of how we operated in the beginning of our church.
The ramifications of that are starting to hit us now as our church is growing and there are more people to share ministry responsibility. Some people are relieved and thrilled to lighten their load. Others are fearful to let others share in the work they have been doing. They’ve accepted ownership for the ministry and they are hesitant to let go of the control they’ve had.
Whenever you are going to attempt to bring about change in your church, start with prayer. Never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit to prepare people’s hearts for change.
After prayer, follow a few important steps to lead your church through this transition.
Communicate, communicate, communicate. The first step in transitioning a young church to becoming an equipping church is communicating vision. Staff members should begin meeting with and sharing the vision for an equipping church with the ministry leaders who are under their leadership. An equipping mindset has to come from every person in a position of leadership from your Sunday School teachers to your small group leaders. Find every opportunity to share about the benefits of being an equipping church. Communicating vision doesn’t always have to happen on a formal level. Go out for coffee, pass on helpful articles from respected authors, point out the giftedness in others and the benefits they would bring to the ministry if given an opportunity, share Scripture, and point out how even Jesus shared his ministry. Always communicate with enthusiasm and confidence. Excitement can be very contagious.
Don’t make assumptions about why a person is opposed to an equipping church model. As you communicate the vision of an equipping church you may be approached with some opposition. Don’t just assume they are simply difficult people who like to control things. It’s easy to see others as the villain when they communicate disagreement. Remember that God loves them and calls you to love them and that their reactions to the change you are trying to impose often come from a deeper reason than that they are simply troublemakers. Make every effort (with compassion) to get to the heart of their reaction.
Evaluate the current effectiveness of ministry leaders and their specific giftedness. Leaders may be unable to effectively train other leaders because they are in positions that are outside their gifts and passions. Before asking leaders to take on another responsibility, make sure they are all placed in positions where they can be successful.
Train your leaders how to equip and release others. Ministry leaders who are hesitant to accept an equipping church model may feel unprepared to train others. They may be fearful that they aren’t fully qualified. Give them the tools they need to confidently train other leaders and lead by example as you confidently train them.
Build relationships with your leaders. When you purposefully build relationships with the people you put in leadership you will earn the right to lead them. If they trust you, it will be easier for them to follow you. If you consistently prove that you will support them and help them through change, they will be less fearful in the face of it. Building relationships takes time. If it hasn’t happened before the change comes, it will be harder and take longer to lead them through change. Understand that and be prepared for it not to happen overnight.
Getting the support of your current leaders is the real challenge. If you win them over, they will be your greatest agents for change in your church. Unfortunately, from time to time, you will find a leader who is simply unwilling to change. There are times when it is ok to consider asking a person to step down from a leadership position. Don’t give up on them. Pray for them, keep seeking a relationship with them and continue to communicate and share the positive effects of the change as it happens.
People come first. Leading a church, even a young church, through a transition can be a difficult and even painful process. Love them even when they cause conflict, seek understanding and remember that Jesus would leave the 99 to find the one. Love that one.
Having Hobbies is a Good Thing
I've noticed in my life that I have a tendency to work whenever I'm bored. I'm supposed to take a day off but I get bored and pull out my computer. So lately I've been forcing myself to enjoy a few new hobbies! That's part of the reason I haven't been blogging. I've been trying to do other things in my free time. Although I really like writing. Actually writing has been one of my hobbies. I recently wrote an article for Group Publishing. Maybe I'll post that next...
Painting has been one of my recent favorites. I've painted 3 small canvases and just bought 3 more of a larger size. I kinda want to take a class to actually learn how to do it! I already love to draw so this was a natural hobby for me to try.
Then I started a puzzle, a hard puzzle. I'm still working on it.
I don't really enjoy scrapbooking but I do it just to keep my pictures from piling up so I've done a little of that lately also.
I've noticed that "Sodoku" is a new popular puzzle hobby so I've been thinking about picking up a book and learning how to do it. So my sweet husband bought me a book of Sodoku puzzles from Valentine's Day.
And I decided to give cake decorating a try for a recent baby shower I threw. That was not my best attempt. It turned out a bit lopsided. Oh well....
What's my point...pick up a hobby! Not only does it provide a little fun for you, it helps you be more well-rounded and you may even find you have a special skill you never knew you had! Plus hobbies can really relieve stress!
Painting has been one of my recent favorites. I've painted 3 small canvases and just bought 3 more of a larger size. I kinda want to take a class to actually learn how to do it! I already love to draw so this was a natural hobby for me to try.
Then I started a puzzle, a hard puzzle. I'm still working on it.
I don't really enjoy scrapbooking but I do it just to keep my pictures from piling up so I've done a little of that lately also.
I've noticed that "Sodoku" is a new popular puzzle hobby so I've been thinking about picking up a book and learning how to do it. So my sweet husband bought me a book of Sodoku puzzles from Valentine's Day.
And I decided to give cake decorating a try for a recent baby shower I threw. That was not my best attempt. It turned out a bit lopsided. Oh well....
What's my point...pick up a hobby! Not only does it provide a little fun for you, it helps you be more well-rounded and you may even find you have a special skill you never knew you had! Plus hobbies can really relieve stress!
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Bono and The Constant Gardener
Ok so it seems I might be one of the few who really enjoyed the movie, "The Constant Gardener." Or perhaps I'm one of the few who actually saw it. Many of my Christian friends will see it and be so offended by the nudity that they won't be moved. I was moved. I know it's just a movie but I imagine the culture of Africa is very much like what this movie protrayed and I was moved. I was moved to want to help. I was angered by the thought that our government is perhaps not following through on their promises made at the G-8 Summit because we are putting too much money into killing lives rather than saving them.
Just today I was continuing to read through "God's Politics" by Jim Wallis when I came across this quote by Bono...
"So you've been doing God's work, but what's God working on now? What's God working on this year? Two and a half million African's are going to die of AIDS. What's God working on now? I meet the people who tell me it's going to take an act of God to stop this plague. Well, I don't believe that. I think that God is waiting for us to act. In fact, I think that God is on his knees to us, to the Church. God is on his knees to us, waiting for us to turn around this supertank of indiffernce, our own indifference a lot of the time. That God Almighty is on his knees to us - I don't know what that means. Waiting for us to recognize that distance can no longer decide who is our neighbor. We can't choose our neighbors anymore. We can't choose the benefits of globalization without some of the responsibilities, and we should remind ourselves that "love thy neighbor" is not advice: it is a command."
If you're interested in giving to help meet needs in Africa, go to www.samaritanspurse.org.
Just today I was continuing to read through "God's Politics" by Jim Wallis when I came across this quote by Bono...
"So you've been doing God's work, but what's God working on now? What's God working on this year? Two and a half million African's are going to die of AIDS. What's God working on now? I meet the people who tell me it's going to take an act of God to stop this plague. Well, I don't believe that. I think that God is waiting for us to act. In fact, I think that God is on his knees to us, to the Church. God is on his knees to us, waiting for us to turn around this supertank of indiffernce, our own indifference a lot of the time. That God Almighty is on his knees to us - I don't know what that means. Waiting for us to recognize that distance can no longer decide who is our neighbor. We can't choose our neighbors anymore. We can't choose the benefits of globalization without some of the responsibilities, and we should remind ourselves that "love thy neighbor" is not advice: it is a command."
If you're interested in giving to help meet needs in Africa, go to www.samaritanspurse.org.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Expanding our World View
I'm still wading my way through "God's Politics" by Jim Wallis, which I continue to say is an incredible book, easy to read and easy to understand. Currently I'm on a chapter about the struggle between Israelis and Palestinians and the need for peace. I hope to provide an abridged version of the struggle later for those of you who, like me, didn't know much existed outside of the United States for twenty some odd years.
I'm not really big on being taught but I love to learn. I tend to be more self-taught. Unfortunately, in order to teach yourself, you first have to be aware that you need to learn. Until the last few years I was never very curious about the things happening in the world around me.
COLLEGE STUDENTS....Don't miss out on the opportunity you have to educate yourself. Don't think that just because you are in college you are learning. You have highly intelligent people at your disposal. Soak up all you can from them and don't live your life unaware.
I think Christians can be especially guilty of this because often times if something doesn't have to do with a person's salvation, we don't catch the importance of it. The fact is, we can't imagine the life that people in places like Israel and Palestine have to live. We are very sheltered and very privileged. They live in constant fear of terrorism. Parents fear for the life of their children as they send them off to school or out to play.
We could all afford to expand our world view and open our eyes to the struggles of those living in world's outside of our own. So turn on the news (even the Daily Show can open your eyes to new things) or pick up a newspaper or browse the web.
Yes, there is life outside our little super power and it's time to start learning and start caring.
I'm not really big on being taught but I love to learn. I tend to be more self-taught. Unfortunately, in order to teach yourself, you first have to be aware that you need to learn. Until the last few years I was never very curious about the things happening in the world around me.
COLLEGE STUDENTS....Don't miss out on the opportunity you have to educate yourself. Don't think that just because you are in college you are learning. You have highly intelligent people at your disposal. Soak up all you can from them and don't live your life unaware.
I think Christians can be especially guilty of this because often times if something doesn't have to do with a person's salvation, we don't catch the importance of it. The fact is, we can't imagine the life that people in places like Israel and Palestine have to live. We are very sheltered and very privileged. They live in constant fear of terrorism. Parents fear for the life of their children as they send them off to school or out to play.
We could all afford to expand our world view and open our eyes to the struggles of those living in world's outside of our own. So turn on the news (even the Daily Show can open your eyes to new things) or pick up a newspaper or browse the web.
Yes, there is life outside our little super power and it's time to start learning and start caring.
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Christmas Eve Tradition
I love Christmas!! :) And Christmas Eve is great too because it means I can stay up late and eat lots of yummy goodies and watch the best Christmas movie ever...ELF.
If you haven't seen it, it should become your newest Christmas Eve tradition! :) That and Chinese food...yum!
Friday, December 23, 2005
You Can't Have it Both Ways
I really tried to leave this whole "war on Christmas" thing alone but sorry...I just can't do it. :) I just have a question first...why do Christians always have to find something to fight or "war" about? It seems strangely separated from the character of Christ.
Ok, on to my thoughts on this whole holiday issue. Oh wow...I'm about to stand up for something the President did...
Happy Holidays! Give the guy a break! A couple of things. 1) We can't complain that much, he did use Scripture in his "holiday" card. 2) We are a country that respects religious freedom and our country's leader must respect that as well. This time of year celebrates Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanza, New Year and probably others I don't even know about...count them...1, 2, 3, 4...at least 4 holidays represented in just 2 months time. I don't think this means Christmas is even remotely threatened.
Retail...we simply cannot have it both ways. We can't complain about the Christmas commercialism and then complain when companies start using "holiday" terminology instead of Christmas terminology. Christ does not equal retail. Who cares what the signs on the stores say because according to what we usually say, "Christmas isn't about all that...."
So be happy, maybe now we can start to separate the birthday of Jesus from all that happens in the retail world.
By the way, just because Bill O'Reily suggests that Christmas is threatened with extinction, doesn't make it true.
Ok, on to my thoughts on this whole holiday issue. Oh wow...I'm about to stand up for something the President did...
Happy Holidays! Give the guy a break! A couple of things. 1) We can't complain that much, he did use Scripture in his "holiday" card. 2) We are a country that respects religious freedom and our country's leader must respect that as well. This time of year celebrates Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanza, New Year and probably others I don't even know about...count them...1, 2, 3, 4...at least 4 holidays represented in just 2 months time. I don't think this means Christmas is even remotely threatened.
Retail...we simply cannot have it both ways. We can't complain about the Christmas commercialism and then complain when companies start using "holiday" terminology instead of Christmas terminology. Christ does not equal retail. Who cares what the signs on the stores say because according to what we usually say, "Christmas isn't about all that...."
So be happy, maybe now we can start to separate the birthday of Jesus from all that happens in the retail world.
By the way, just because Bill O'Reily suggests that Christmas is threatened with extinction, doesn't make it true.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Matt and I caught Death Cab at the Crystal Ballroom this week and it was such a good concert. To all you wanna-be-rock-stars out there...the great thing about bands like this is that they don't try to hard to "look the part." You can tell they're regular guys who just really enjoy playing their music. I've got these friends who are in a band. I know they're not that cool. They're normal, just like everybody else. It just makes me laugh when I see them trying to look like the image of a rock star. I can appreciate unprentious rock bands who know it's about the music and that's about it.
If you've never listened to Death Cab for Cutie, you have to start! You can listen to some of their songs online at...
http://www.deathcabforcutie.com/
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Brain Rest
Well I've had to take a break from my books and my thoughts for a while as I'm not getting much sleep! We're working on getting Bella to sleep past 5:30 am but often she gets up around 4:00 am or earlier! I think she's struggling with some seperation anxiety. She just loves to cuddle and sleeps great next to me on the couch, but isn't so happy about the crate. So, I'll be getting back to my heavier thoughts later...when my brain is functioning a little more! :)
Friday, November 18, 2005
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Welcome Home Bella
Well, we are happy to finally welcome little Bella Mia home! She's been an absolute sweetheart! She loves to cuddle and play! Now if we could just get her to sleep past 6:30 am!!
Sunday, November 13, 2005
A New Option
When I was old enough to understand the most general political ideas, I was confused by the fact that Christians were always Republicans. According to my understanding of the separations of the two parties, the Democratic party seemed to have more ideals that lined up with my understanding of God and faith.
For example: I understood Republicans as liking war, capital punishment, guns and big business. I understood them to not like abortion and not like the environment. I understood Democrats to like abortion and like the environment, care about the poor and dislike capital punishment, war and guns.
I understood God as caring for His world (environment) and people. So it seemed to me that politically God would care about the environment and helping poor people and he would not like war, capital punishment, guns and abortion because they all kill people.
I was always glad when my mom said she didn't really consider herself a Republican or a Democrat. It made sense to me to be more in the center.
Now that I'm older, my understanding of politics is a little bit deeper and I still feel conflicted. During this last presidential election I was one of those "undecided" people that the media acted like was so stupid. I understood that the candidates were very different. Some of what Bush said made sense to me and some of what Kerry said made sense to me.
The truth is there is no real option that fits how I see my faith relating to politics. There needs to be an option that doesn't fall to either of the extremes. In his book, God's Politics, Jim Wallis gave a beautiful description of a much needed option. When I think about politics, if this candidate were an option, he or she would have my vote. This option is....
"...traditional or conservative on issues of family values, sexual integrity and personal responsibility, while being very progressive, populist or even radical on issues like poverty and racial justice. It affirms good stewardship of the earth and its resources, supports gender equality, and is more internationally minded than nationalist - looking first to peacemaking and conflict resolution when it comes to foreign policy questions. The people it appeals to...are very strong on issues like marriage, raising kids, and individual ethics, but without being right-wing, reactionary, or mean-spirited or scapegoating against any group of people, such as homosexuals. They can be pro-life, pro-family and pro-feminist, all at the same time. They think issues of "moral character" are very important, both in a politician's personal life and in his or her policy choices. Yet they are decidedly pro-poor, for racial reconciliation, critical of purely military solutions, and defenders of the environment. At the heart of the fourth option is the integral link between personal ethics and social justice. And it appeals to people who refuse to make the choice between the two."
- Jim Wallis, "God's Politics"
For example: I understood Republicans as liking war, capital punishment, guns and big business. I understood them to not like abortion and not like the environment. I understood Democrats to like abortion and like the environment, care about the poor and dislike capital punishment, war and guns.
I understood God as caring for His world (environment) and people. So it seemed to me that politically God would care about the environment and helping poor people and he would not like war, capital punishment, guns and abortion because they all kill people.
I was always glad when my mom said she didn't really consider herself a Republican or a Democrat. It made sense to me to be more in the center.
Now that I'm older, my understanding of politics is a little bit deeper and I still feel conflicted. During this last presidential election I was one of those "undecided" people that the media acted like was so stupid. I understood that the candidates were very different. Some of what Bush said made sense to me and some of what Kerry said made sense to me.
The truth is there is no real option that fits how I see my faith relating to politics. There needs to be an option that doesn't fall to either of the extremes. In his book, God's Politics, Jim Wallis gave a beautiful description of a much needed option. When I think about politics, if this candidate were an option, he or she would have my vote. This option is....
"...traditional or conservative on issues of family values, sexual integrity and personal responsibility, while being very progressive, populist or even radical on issues like poverty and racial justice. It affirms good stewardship of the earth and its resources, supports gender equality, and is more internationally minded than nationalist - looking first to peacemaking and conflict resolution when it comes to foreign policy questions. The people it appeals to...are very strong on issues like marriage, raising kids, and individual ethics, but without being right-wing, reactionary, or mean-spirited or scapegoating against any group of people, such as homosexuals. They can be pro-life, pro-family and pro-feminist, all at the same time. They think issues of "moral character" are very important, both in a politician's personal life and in his or her policy choices. Yet they are decidedly pro-poor, for racial reconciliation, critical of purely military solutions, and defenders of the environment. At the heart of the fourth option is the integral link between personal ethics and social justice. And it appeals to people who refuse to make the choice between the two."
- Jim Wallis, "God's Politics"
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Poverty and Misplaced Priorities
I read an interesting stat in God's Politics (by Jim Wallis) the other night that I wanted to comment on.
Apparently, while Clinton was in office the rate of abortions was down. Now, with Bush in office, it has gone back up again. Wallis suggested that the reason for this is because poor women had more assistance when Clinton was in office than they do now.
This could possibly be an interesting point of misplaced priorities for those in the Right. I have to wonder if we spent less time and resources picketing abortion clinics and fighting Planned Parenthood and instead focused our time and energy on fighting poverty, if we would be more effective in lower the number of abortions that are performed each year.
The sanctity of life is a valuable concern and issue for anyone who understands God's love for humanity. We often don't see poverty as a moral issue so we put less of a priority on it. In the Bible, in the book of Matthew, Jesus talks about how when the end has come and he's ready to claim us as his children or not, he will look to see if we have clothed the naked, fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, visited and brought comfort to those sick and in prison...and whatever we have done or have not done for the least of these, we will have done or have not done for Jesus himself.
Faith can and should play a role in politics but perhaps we need to reconsider how.
Apparently, while Clinton was in office the rate of abortions was down. Now, with Bush in office, it has gone back up again. Wallis suggested that the reason for this is because poor women had more assistance when Clinton was in office than they do now.
This could possibly be an interesting point of misplaced priorities for those in the Right. I have to wonder if we spent less time and resources picketing abortion clinics and fighting Planned Parenthood and instead focused our time and energy on fighting poverty, if we would be more effective in lower the number of abortions that are performed each year.
The sanctity of life is a valuable concern and issue for anyone who understands God's love for humanity. We often don't see poverty as a moral issue so we put less of a priority on it. In the Bible, in the book of Matthew, Jesus talks about how when the end has come and he's ready to claim us as his children or not, he will look to see if we have clothed the naked, fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, visited and brought comfort to those sick and in prison...and whatever we have done or have not done for the least of these, we will have done or have not done for Jesus himself.
Faith can and should play a role in politics but perhaps we need to reconsider how.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
The Religious Voice
I recently started reading God's Politics, by Jim Wallis. I was going to wait until I finished to write a review but after reading one chapter I can tell I'm going to have enough thoughts on it to fill a book! :) So I want to start with a simple idea.
The Christianity community has a voice in America. Unfortunately that voice is coming from individuals such as Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell.
"It is the responsibility of every political conservative, every evangelical Christian, every pro-life Catholic, every traditional Jew, every Reagan Democrat, and everyone in between to get serious about re-electing president Bush." -Jerry Falwell as quoted in God's Politics.
"I think George Bush is going to win in a walk. I really believe I'm hearing from the Lord it's going to be like a blowout election in 2004. The Lord has just blessed him....It doesn't make any difference what he does, good or bad." - Pat Robertson as quoted in God's Politics.
Hmm.... I hardly feel like I need to say more. In the last presidential election, religious leaders mistakenly communicated that to vote for anyone other than George W. Bush was nothing less than sin.
The Religious Right has used fear and manipulation to convince Christians that values-driven politics centers around two issues...abortion and homosexuality. This is not biblical.
No political party has a monopoly on God and family values. It's time for Christians to broaden our understand of values and faith in politics and change our voice.
Helping the poor is a biblical issue. War vs. Peace is a biblical issue. Taking care of our environment is a biblical issue. How we respond to terrorism is a biblical issue. And yes, homosexuality and abortion are biblical issues. We must change our voice.
If our nation is becoming more hostile to Christianity it is because we are becoming more hostile to our nation. We must change our voice.
Progressive Christians have changed politics in the past through movements such as the Civil Rights movement, women's suffrage and more. We can change the face of politics today too. But we can't do it with the voices that currently represent us. It is time for a change. We must change our voice.
The Christianity community has a voice in America. Unfortunately that voice is coming from individuals such as Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell.
"It is the responsibility of every political conservative, every evangelical Christian, every pro-life Catholic, every traditional Jew, every Reagan Democrat, and everyone in between to get serious about re-electing president Bush." -Jerry Falwell as quoted in God's Politics.
"I think George Bush is going to win in a walk. I really believe I'm hearing from the Lord it's going to be like a blowout election in 2004. The Lord has just blessed him....It doesn't make any difference what he does, good or bad." - Pat Robertson as quoted in God's Politics.
Hmm.... I hardly feel like I need to say more. In the last presidential election, religious leaders mistakenly communicated that to vote for anyone other than George W. Bush was nothing less than sin.
The Religious Right has used fear and manipulation to convince Christians that values-driven politics centers around two issues...abortion and homosexuality. This is not biblical.
No political party has a monopoly on God and family values. It's time for Christians to broaden our understand of values and faith in politics and change our voice.
Helping the poor is a biblical issue. War vs. Peace is a biblical issue. Taking care of our environment is a biblical issue. How we respond to terrorism is a biblical issue. And yes, homosexuality and abortion are biblical issues. We must change our voice.
If our nation is becoming more hostile to Christianity it is because we are becoming more hostile to our nation. We must change our voice.
Progressive Christians have changed politics in the past through movements such as the Civil Rights movement, women's suffrage and more. We can change the face of politics today too. But we can't do it with the voices that currently represent us. It is time for a change. We must change our voice.
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