L.O.V.E.

Do you want me to tell you something really subversive? Love is everything that it’s cracked up to be. That’s why people are so cynical about it. It really is worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for. And the trouble is, if you don’t risk anything, you risk even more.

-Erica Jong

Multi-tasking…

…are you really good at it? Sometimes I feel like this word gets used in place of people just having “multiple things to do” rather than doing multiple things at once.

Multi-tasking: The ability of a person to perform more than one task at the same time

Multi-tasking  has benefits of course, yet last night I was experiencing some of the negatives…

Here’s how the situation went:

The television was on in the background–we weren’t really watching it.  My roommate was showing me a slideshow of boys, which turned out very good and was quite entertaining.    I was talking to 2 people on MSN Messenger…a boy and my other roommate who just got home from Guatemala (Carrie–see her blog on the side!).  To top it all off, I was eating Red Velvet cake too!

At the end, I wished I could have given each of them my full attention and focus to show how much I really cared and wanted to talk with them.  At least, I believe I’m pretty good at multi-tasking so I was able to continue to do all of the aforementioned tasks.  Yet, I want to be the type of person who is fully engaged and listens well to one at a time than listens okay to multiple.

There’s a few thoughts for you to ponder on such a FREEZING day Stay Warm!

Ministry Is Relationships

I started an “Adult Sunday School” today…how funny does that sound!? Ridiculous to me, but then again I don’t have too “churchy” of a background (eventually I’ll get to those stories).

The class obviously is called “Ministry is Relationships.”  Over the next 6 weeks, we’re going to explore how ministry without relationships is not ministry.

No Ministry=No relationships

Know Ministry=Know relationships

We’ll be exploring how to deal with “messy” relationships, how to listen well, and other related topics.  My plan is to blog after each session.  Also, if anyone wants to come with me–you’re more than welcome! 9am Sunday mornings

Today we began by delving into all of the messages the “world” sends, the effect of close relationships, of doing life with people, and about trust.

Specifically, the importance of gaining trust and authenticity  were stressed.

We also watched a heart breaking video of a teenager in a youth group that insisted they did a good job at inviting new comers…needless to say the teenager walked around for a painfully long time and not a soul said anything to him or even acknowledged his presence and during group prayer time he was alone…

My heart breaks over this.  I know the feeling.  I’m sure a lot of you can relate to a time when you just felt “left out, alone, lonely, invisible, unwanted, awkward, unsure, uninvited, ect.”  I’m naturally a quiet person, which makes it hard to strike up a conversation with strangers, but this was a HUGE reminder of the importance of welcoming others and having an open and inviting circle talking.

There’s more than enough to think about for one post. I’m sure there will be more to come on these subjects in the coming days or for sure by next Sunday.

Lyrical Listing: Sara Groves

“When the Saints” (not what you’re thinking!!) by Sara Grove

They played this song at church today and a few lyrics stuck out and so I thought I’d share…

“I see the young girl huddled on the brothel floor. I see the man with a passion come and kicking down the door.”

Songs on My Mind

A few songs on my mind lately:

1. Near to You by A Fine Frenzy

-My lovely roommate, Keely, introduced this amazing song to me and it’s been running through my head.

2. Song of Hope (Heaven Come Down) by Robbie Seay Band

-I’m loving this song!

3. All in All

-mmmm, worshipping in the car on a hard drive with good memories and a good God

One BIG Step Forward

Amazing. I am literally amazed and astounded at events that unfolded tonight.  On such a hard day, I took a huge step forward.  Not gonna lie, I’m surprised at how far I’ve come in a month.

Salty

Since I got my wisdom teeth out I have to drink salt water after every meal…yuck! I can’t stand salt water!! Every time I gag and want to throw up and then end up eating/drinking something afterward anyway to get the horrible taste out of my mouth.  Thank goodness I only have to do this until Friday and then I’m free.

But the thing about my lovely salt water mixes is that I control the amount of salt, how well mixed in, and the amount of water.  Sometimes I cheat and don’t mix the salt in and let it settle to the bottom.  Other times, I don’t put in enough salt or I put in too much water and the drink doesn’t taste quite as bad.

Here’s some of what the Bible says about salt:

Matthew 5:13

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

Mark 9:50

Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.

Luke 14:34

Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?

Colossians 4:5-6

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

James 3:11

Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?

—

Unfortunately, I do the same thing with conversations, relationships, and life in general that I do with my salt water mixes.  Sometimes I just don’t want to be salty.  I don’t want to “season” my conversation with salt–it’s much easier to let the salt settle and only infiltrate part of my life.  Compartmentalizing the salt happens far too easily…

Yet at the same time I desire to be so salty that whoever “drinks” me in can’t deny that the salt permeates my ENTIRE life–so salty that they can’t deny the presence and power of salt in my life.   To remain salty, I can’t choose a life of complacency.  I have to be filled through study, prayer, meditation, relationships, time, ect and I need to make sure I help fill others.

So, my challenge until Friday is to make sure my life and salt drinks are extra salty so I don’t get dry socket and the salt saturates my entire life.

Music Monday

Here’s a little compilation for you:

“Break Myself “by Something Corporate

“Wherever You Will Go” by The Calling

“House of Memories” by Ten Shekel Shirt

“Cowboy Take Me Away” by The Dixie Chicks

“So Far Away” by 9 Days

“Again” by Lenny Kravitz

How far is the east from the west???

How often do we find ourselves fixating on our past sins?! I may even question…do we worship our sin? I find myself doing this FAR too often! I dwell on the sin. I let the sin define me. I find doing these things much easier than letting God define me, letting God forgive my sin and remove my transgressions as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103). God doesn’t want us to worship our sin! He desires for ALL of creation to worship and glorify Him (Psalm 148). Not only does He call on humans, but He calls on the sun, the moon, the mountains, and the animals among others to praise Him.

Furthermore, we are called to throw off everything that hinders us–including the sin that so easily entangles us (Hebrews 12:1). Instead, let us fill ourselves with God; let us keep all these wrong things (sin included) from coming to our minds. Let God define us, let God fill us. Let us set our mind on things above (Colossians 3:2).

—
Other verses to ponder: James 5, Galatians 2:20, Hebrews 12, 1 John 1:8-10

- Some thoughts included are from the Hope Community Church sermon on February 27th, 2005 http://www.hopecc.com/sundays/sermons_archive.html

Stars

I love falling asleep and being able to see the stars! Last night, as I was still numb and puffy, I fell asleep on the couch and was able to see the stars. I’m at home so that means they’re much brighter than in the city! I love coming home late at night and being able to look up and see the entire sky filled with stars. Even better if the moon is huge! This usually puts me in a reverent and awe-filled state at how amazing and big my God is.

The scriptures are filled with stars…a few weeks ago I went through to find specific references.

Here are a couple references for easy access:
Matthew 2:10

10When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

Job 38:7

When the morning stars sang together
And all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Philippians 2:12-18

12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. 17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

And a few more to look up if you want….

Genesis 1:14-16, Genesis 15:15, Genesis 22:17, Numbers 24:17, Hebrews 11:12, Isaiah 14:12, Jeremiah 31:35, 2 Peter 1:19, Jude 13, Revelation 8:10 & 22:16, Nehemiah 9:6, Job 3:9, Psalm 8:3, Psalm 147:4, Psalm 148:3, Ecclesiastes 12:2, Song of Songs 6:10, Isaiah 47:13, 1 Corinthians 15:41, Luke 21:25

So, maybe not tonight since the weather has turned SUPER cold, but go look at the stars soon! I know I will as soon as I stop getting dizzy…until then I’ll stick with the view from the couch