Mar 24, 2013
Update
I can not believe how quickly time has passed. A quick update: I have now entered my last semester of graduate school. I am in the middle of my full time internship at a local Behavior Health Hospital. I have unofficially been offered a job at my internship site after I graduate. Praise be to God! I have started a Sunday night service at my church with the tag line: an alternative worship experience. I have realized a lot more of what makes a true friend. I have realized that some of who I thought were real friends; were really just there out of convenience. Andrew and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary, and we are talking a lot more about tying the knot. His sister, Cait, got engaged and I am going to be a bridesmaid! So honored! I've realized my love for dogs. (for those of you who know me, you will understand how big of a deal this is) I will turn 25 in the next few weeks. I am going to make a commitment to document my 25th year via blog. I think this is going to be a big year for me. I am excited about all the growth and the changes. I'm excited about the journey. Come along.
Sep 13, 2012
Sep 5, 2012
Jesus did not say....
Jesus said give all you have to the poor.
Jesus did not say give all you have to the poor only if they would be willing to work.
Jesus did not say give all you have to the poor if they deserve it.
Jesus did not say give all you have to the poor if they are Caucasian.
Jesus said to love your neighbor.
Jesus did not say to love the neighbor who thinks like you do.
Jesus did not say to love the neighbor who treats you right.
Jesus did not say to love the neighbor who loves you back.
Jesus said to seek justice.
Jesus did not say to only seek justice for issues that will benefit you.
Jesus did not say to seek justice for those who deserve it.
Jesus did not say to seek partial justice.
Jesus said to care for the widows and orphans.
Jesus did not say to care for the widows and orphans in your own country first.
Jesus did not say he cared how they got in their situation.
Jesus did not say to isolate single/young moms into a stigma impossible to escape.
Jesus expects us, as Christians, to be him on earth. And that is a lot more radical than signing a check, attending a church, or having a bumper sticker. Today with my youth we talked about being the body of Christ. They started to see that God has placed them where they are with a purpose, and they are all needed. every. last. one. Jesus did not say that only the people who deserve health care, are the people who work for it. Jesus did not say that the only people to deserve to eat, are the people willing to work. Jesus did not tell us that our focus needed to be on politics, social programs, or broad issues. Maybe if the church would step up and do what Jesus said we wouldn't need things like Food Stamps, WIC, or Medicare. Jesus did not say that issues about people are more important than actual people. Jesus did not say we should treat someone different because of the color of their skin, their sexual orientation, or their life choices. Jesus was not a Republican. More importantly, Jesus was not an American.
Who are we really trying to please? Who is really benefiting from what we do? Who are we really trying to be?
Jesus did not say give all you have to the poor only if they would be willing to work.
Jesus did not say give all you have to the poor if they deserve it.
Jesus did not say give all you have to the poor if they are Caucasian.
Jesus said to love your neighbor.
Jesus did not say to love the neighbor who thinks like you do.
Jesus did not say to love the neighbor who treats you right.
Jesus did not say to love the neighbor who loves you back.
Jesus said to seek justice.
Jesus did not say to only seek justice for issues that will benefit you.
Jesus did not say to seek justice for those who deserve it.
Jesus did not say to seek partial justice.
Jesus said to care for the widows and orphans.
Jesus did not say to care for the widows and orphans in your own country first.
Jesus did not say he cared how they got in their situation.
Jesus did not say to isolate single/young moms into a stigma impossible to escape.
Jesus expects us, as Christians, to be him on earth. And that is a lot more radical than signing a check, attending a church, or having a bumper sticker. Today with my youth we talked about being the body of Christ. They started to see that God has placed them where they are with a purpose, and they are all needed. every. last. one. Jesus did not say that only the people who deserve health care, are the people who work for it. Jesus did not say that the only people to deserve to eat, are the people willing to work. Jesus did not tell us that our focus needed to be on politics, social programs, or broad issues. Maybe if the church would step up and do what Jesus said we wouldn't need things like Food Stamps, WIC, or Medicare. Jesus did not say that issues about people are more important than actual people. Jesus did not say we should treat someone different because of the color of their skin, their sexual orientation, or their life choices. Jesus was not a Republican. More importantly, Jesus was not an American.
Who are we really trying to please? Who is really benefiting from what we do? Who are we really trying to be?
Aug 28, 2012
i'm trusting you.
God.
in this world of injustice and pain, there is so much i do not understand. when people are broken and crying out for answers, i have nothing to say. i hurt for those who are hurting. i long for answers right a long with them. somethings are not fair. they do not make sense. when families are broken. siblings are torn apart. lies are told. the truth is hard to hear. is creates bitterness. it creates anger. it creates resentment. in this world it is so easily to become lost. to find ourselves alone. i do not know what to do but, i'm trusting you.
in this world of injustice and pain, there is so much i do not understand. when people are broken and crying out for answers, i have nothing to say. i hurt for those who are hurting. i long for answers right a long with them. somethings are not fair. they do not make sense. when families are broken. siblings are torn apart. lies are told. the truth is hard to hear. is creates bitterness. it creates anger. it creates resentment. in this world it is so easily to become lost. to find ourselves alone. i do not know what to do but, i'm trusting you.
Aug 8, 2012
rain dance
I've heard the saying 'when it rains, it pours' a lot lately. I think I have come to realize that life is just one big storm and you only make it if you learn to dance in the rain.
I wish for things. My wish comes true. I wish for something else. A cycle. It is always something, and I am not talking about material things. I believe finding a sense of personal peace in this day and age is more difficult than almost anything else. I'm not even striving for happiness any more, I would settle for contentment. Settle for contentment, that sounds funny. I often wonder if I will ever live in a place where people are uplifting...encouraging. I feel like I am constantly fighting a battle for people I haven't even met. A harder battle for people I have. Why are we so mean? So judgemental? Who do we think we are? As if we are smart enough to have all the answers...to know how it is suppose to be. Who am I to say you are wrong? We are just different. The differences in us today is what the historians will write about later. Embrace the beauty of it. Let go of what cannot be changed. Myself is all I can control.
and I just want to dance.
I wish for things. My wish comes true. I wish for something else. A cycle. It is always something, and I am not talking about material things. I believe finding a sense of personal peace in this day and age is more difficult than almost anything else. I'm not even striving for happiness any more, I would settle for contentment. Settle for contentment, that sounds funny. I often wonder if I will ever live in a place where people are uplifting...encouraging. I feel like I am constantly fighting a battle for people I haven't even met. A harder battle for people I have. Why are we so mean? So judgemental? Who do we think we are? As if we are smart enough to have all the answers...to know how it is suppose to be. Who am I to say you are wrong? We are just different. The differences in us today is what the historians will write about later. Embrace the beauty of it. Let go of what cannot be changed. Myself is all I can control.
and I just want to dance.
Jun 20, 2012
Seasons Change
Though here in Mississippi it has felt like summer since April, today is the official first day of summer and the longest day of the year. As I watch the seasons change I am reminded of the ways that God changes us.
Last week I took the youth from my church to Eureka Springs, AR on a mission trip. We did some exterior painting on an artist's house. He had the most beautiful assortment of Earth toned colors, and I honestly have no idea how he knew they would look so well together. As the youth worked hard and they got to know the home owner, I could start to see some changes in them. Worship each night was focused on baggage, and letting go of the sin and things that hold us down so that we can run the race that God has set out for us. We were taught to see each person equal to the next. There was a focus on material baggage, pride, and the hurtful things people say about us and the hurtful things we say about people. Eyes were opened and each person was given an opportunity to look within themselves and realize the types of baggage they were holding on to. God provided relief to those who were weight down and comfort for those who afraid to move forward. It was a truly amazing experience, and great reminder of how blessed I am to have my job.
Last week I took the youth from my church to Eureka Springs, AR on a mission trip. We did some exterior painting on an artist's house. He had the most beautiful assortment of Earth toned colors, and I honestly have no idea how he knew they would look so well together. As the youth worked hard and they got to know the home owner, I could start to see some changes in them. Worship each night was focused on baggage, and letting go of the sin and things that hold us down so that we can run the race that God has set out for us. We were taught to see each person equal to the next. There was a focus on material baggage, pride, and the hurtful things people say about us and the hurtful things we say about people. Eyes were opened and each person was given an opportunity to look within themselves and realize the types of baggage they were holding on to. God provided relief to those who were weight down and comfort for those who afraid to move forward. It was a truly amazing experience, and great reminder of how blessed I am to have my job.
May 20, 2012
control
The only person you have any type of control over is yourself. You can not change a person. They have to choose to be different. I will not deny the power of influence, but regardless it is still a choice to change. You choose to worry. You choose to let someone/thing bother you. You choose to be angry. You choose to forgive. You choose to love. You choose to believe. You choose to pray. You choose to set a positive example. Your life is a series of choices.
I am going to choose what is right regardless of what everyone else decides to do. I can not determine what is important to someone else, but I can choose to fight for what is important to me. Again, I do not have control over anyone by myself. Why waist so much effort getting someone else to change.... to see things the way I see them? What would happen if I stopped looking at what is wrong with everyone else and started look at myself? (the only person I can actually do something about) Just because I am one person does not mean that I cannot make a difference. Just because people do not do things the way I would do them, does not make them wrong. It makes them different. This world is made up of about 7 billion different people. Welcome. Explore. Change you to make it better.
I am going to choose what is right regardless of what everyone else decides to do. I can not determine what is important to someone else, but I can choose to fight for what is important to me. Again, I do not have control over anyone by myself. Why waist so much effort getting someone else to change.... to see things the way I see them? What would happen if I stopped looking at what is wrong with everyone else and started look at myself? (the only person I can actually do something about) Just because I am one person does not mean that I cannot make a difference. Just because people do not do things the way I would do them, does not make them wrong. It makes them different. This world is made up of about 7 billion different people. Welcome. Explore. Change you to make it better.
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