i have had a wonderful thanksgiving break. i have had the chance to spend time with my friends and family, while resting and forgetting about school for a bit. i also had the opportunity to join hands with hundreds of people i don't know in a effort to provide meals for those who otherwise would not have one on thanksgiving.
that day has come and gone, but i can't help but continue to think about. i can't help but think about the smiles on the faces of those who rarely have one on their face. i can't help but think about how many people's week went a little better because they know someone cares. that day was beautiful. that day was a "thin place", bringing many to the edge of the reality of the kingdom of god. that day got me thinking.
i love thanksgiving as much as the next person, but this year was different. it was hard to gorge on food when all i could think about were those i had looked in the eye earlier. i had never though much about it before, but thanksgiving doesn't make much sense when i look at it through my christian lense. sure, we should be thankful for all we have, but shouldn't we do that more often, rather than setting a day aside to eat rediculous amounts of food, all the while thinking about everything we have? it might just be me, but it seems sort of selfish in a way. though it may not sit well, i think we could make it work.
maybe it's time we try and reinvent thanksgiving. maybe it's time that we spend thanksgiving making sure others have something to be thankful for, instead of being so proud of all that we have, and forgetting about our neighbor. im not saying that thanksgiving is wrong, because it's not. it is a beautiful day of thankfulness and community, but too often we turn a blind eye to those with nothing so that we can handle eating our body weight in turkey and pie.
i can't help but wonder how many people spent that day alone because no one asked to to be apart of their family. i can't help but wonder how many people went that entire day without being told how much they are loved and cared about. and it scares me to think how many people went that entire day without anything to eat, because we were to busy cooking and stuffing our own faces.
what if we joined hands too ensure everyone had something to be thankful for?...
what if we gave someone with nothing a simple meal, rather than eating until we get the "meat sweats"?...
what if one day a year wasn't enough for us?...
what if we reinvented it?...
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
going
i want to go. i have wanted to go for a while now. i got sick and tired of talking about going and decided that i was going to go. so now, here i am diving into the deep end learning what means to go.
i am incredibly excited about all that i have been led to. i am apart of an amazing team of people here at the school called the "fuller group". we are a group fighting against substandard housing in the metro-atlanta area. we have completed our first project, and it was beautiful. we were given the opportunity to make some simple repairs on a home (caused by the tornado last march) in the community that the owners were not financially able to repair. we painted, cleaned, and dug up a huge stump and were the hands and feet of christ while doing it. the five people that head up this group are some of the most loving and caring people i have ever met, and i am honored to be able to work with these individuals (you know who you are guys, thanks you so much!). and this is how i am going.
from being involved in the fuller group i have been given the opportunity to serve on the "fuller center for housing" metro-atlanta board as student voice. for me this is a chance to motivate even more college students to make a difference in the community that they are in. i've been given a way to spread my passion for people, let others know that there is work to be done, and that they can make a difference in a family's life for the kingdom of god. and this is how i am going.
acc has decided that they want to take a group of college students to san tiago, chile. i heard about the chance to go and get involved in the ministry there, and i jumped at the chance to go. we will have the chance to see how their campus christian fellowship and various ministries and churches function. it costs money...alot of money, but it is a chance to love on someone who just wants to know that someone cares. and this is how i am going.
i was so sick and tired of not going that i applied to an organization called "camp china". this organization sends college students to provinces in china, vietnam, and hong kong to teach 14-18 year old students conversational english. it'll cost money...alot more money, but i will be able to spend five weeks with 15 chinese kids that i have never met to love on them. and be a friend to them. and hang out with them. and show them someone cares about whether they make it in life. and be christ to them. it'll be five weeks in a place i never thought that i would be. and this is how i am going.
i am seeing now what is to go. i want to go. i need to go. i MUST go, not becuase of me, but because my king has told me to. because my lord has ordered me to meet the needs of the broken, hurting, lonely, and lame. because my savior has given love and grace to me, so i must give love and grace to all those around me...so that they may know about him.
i got tired of not going, so i went, and doors opened, and beauty came out it. and i'm still going. and intend to keep it that way.
i don't know when, where, how, or what i'll be doing, but i'm going...
and i just want you to go with me...will you?
i am incredibly excited about all that i have been led to. i am apart of an amazing team of people here at the school called the "fuller group". we are a group fighting against substandard housing in the metro-atlanta area. we have completed our first project, and it was beautiful. we were given the opportunity to make some simple repairs on a home (caused by the tornado last march) in the community that the owners were not financially able to repair. we painted, cleaned, and dug up a huge stump and were the hands and feet of christ while doing it. the five people that head up this group are some of the most loving and caring people i have ever met, and i am honored to be able to work with these individuals (you know who you are guys, thanks you so much!). and this is how i am going.
from being involved in the fuller group i have been given the opportunity to serve on the "fuller center for housing" metro-atlanta board as student voice. for me this is a chance to motivate even more college students to make a difference in the community that they are in. i've been given a way to spread my passion for people, let others know that there is work to be done, and that they can make a difference in a family's life for the kingdom of god. and this is how i am going.
acc has decided that they want to take a group of college students to san tiago, chile. i heard about the chance to go and get involved in the ministry there, and i jumped at the chance to go. we will have the chance to see how their campus christian fellowship and various ministries and churches function. it costs money...alot of money, but it is a chance to love on someone who just wants to know that someone cares. and this is how i am going.
i was so sick and tired of not going that i applied to an organization called "camp china". this organization sends college students to provinces in china, vietnam, and hong kong to teach 14-18 year old students conversational english. it'll cost money...alot more money, but i will be able to spend five weeks with 15 chinese kids that i have never met to love on them. and be a friend to them. and hang out with them. and show them someone cares about whether they make it in life. and be christ to them. it'll be five weeks in a place i never thought that i would be. and this is how i am going.
i am seeing now what is to go. i want to go. i need to go. i MUST go, not becuase of me, but because my king has told me to. because my lord has ordered me to meet the needs of the broken, hurting, lonely, and lame. because my savior has given love and grace to me, so i must give love and grace to all those around me...so that they may know about him.
i got tired of not going, so i went, and doors opened, and beauty came out it. and i'm still going. and intend to keep it that way.
i don't know when, where, how, or what i'll be doing, but i'm going...
and i just want you to go with me...will you?
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
slapped in the face
you know in movies when one character is talking all kinds of silliness and starts to freak out, then another character slaps him/her in the face whilst yelling, "snap out of it!"? well i had one of those moments this week. just substitute me for the character talking all sorts of silliness and god for the guy slapping and yelling. let me elaborate...
the fuller center has their first project this saturday and all of us are so excited, but we had to raise $300 in 2 1/2 weeks. now, to us, it did not seem like it would be too hard, but after 2 weeks had past and we only had half the amount we needed, i began to stress. i do this from time to time, not because i was stressed for me, but because i HATE letting others down. the deadline was approaching, and we needed money.
when this group finally got established i actually felt like we could make a difference, like we change something, like we could bring justice where it was lacking. i was sure this is what god wanted for me for the next year of my life, but then we needed money. i began to question why god wouldn't provide the money if this is what he wanted? we are out to make a difference and change communities, but then the fact that we needed money distracted me from trusting this is what god wanted and that he would provide.
later that same day, after spending quite some time stressing about this, one of our team members (bethany) brought in the collection box to put the money with the rest. in that box was around $130...in one day! i didn't realize it at that moment, but it was right then that god slapped me accross the face and told me to wake up.
long story short...we have the money. and not just enough money, but almost 50% more than we set our goal for! it may seem small to some, but for me it was huge. god provides, but too many times i take my eyes off him to make sure i have all my bases covered. god provides, but too many times i want to fix it myself, rather than just trust that god will.
i am still unsure of what will come from this group, but i know that we WILL make a difference.
i don't know how we're going to do it, but we WILL change something for the better.
and in a world lacking in justice, i know that god WILL provide a way bring it here.
there is so much work to do, and we need help...
but god provides.
the fuller center has their first project this saturday and all of us are so excited, but we had to raise $300 in 2 1/2 weeks. now, to us, it did not seem like it would be too hard, but after 2 weeks had past and we only had half the amount we needed, i began to stress. i do this from time to time, not because i was stressed for me, but because i HATE letting others down. the deadline was approaching, and we needed money.
when this group finally got established i actually felt like we could make a difference, like we change something, like we could bring justice where it was lacking. i was sure this is what god wanted for me for the next year of my life, but then we needed money. i began to question why god wouldn't provide the money if this is what he wanted? we are out to make a difference and change communities, but then the fact that we needed money distracted me from trusting this is what god wanted and that he would provide.
later that same day, after spending quite some time stressing about this, one of our team members (bethany) brought in the collection box to put the money with the rest. in that box was around $130...in one day! i didn't realize it at that moment, but it was right then that god slapped me accross the face and told me to wake up.
long story short...we have the money. and not just enough money, but almost 50% more than we set our goal for! it may seem small to some, but for me it was huge. god provides, but too many times i take my eyes off him to make sure i have all my bases covered. god provides, but too many times i want to fix it myself, rather than just trust that god will.
i am still unsure of what will come from this group, but i know that we WILL make a difference.
i don't know how we're going to do it, but we WILL change something for the better.
and in a world lacking in justice, i know that god WILL provide a way bring it here.
there is so much work to do, and we need help...
but god provides.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
let down...
last night was a very depressing night. i do not make that statement because barack obama won, but because of the response to it from a certain group of people...the group of people that i stand with.
as i was sitting there watching the television waiting to hear the news about who won, i decided to get on facebook and check out what others were thinking and saying. i wish that i never did. it was some of the most depressing things that i have read in quite a while. i read things like: "america is going to hell now." "im leaving the country." "its the end of america as we know it."
now i expected to hear that from many different types of people, but i never expect my brothers and sisters in christ to say things like that. what has happened to christianity? do we really think god can only use the white collar, anglo-saxon republican? have we become so shallow and unfaithful that we are willing to bad mouth a man who is trying to do his best for his country? what has become of us that we are willing to stoop to such a low level?
i have done my share of bad mouthing, so i am by no means leaving myself out, but i am depressed that we have come to this point. we all made our own decisions (hopefully informed ones), and we should respect each others decisions. jesus did not have a candidate in mind that was better or holier than the other, because jesus works with what he has.
lets stop this childish argueing.
lets end this tension.
lets realize that it's not the end of the world because a black, democratic man is in the white house.
and lets embrace the fact that christ is in control, and it'll be ok.
P.S.-do not ask who i voted for, im not saying.
as i was sitting there watching the television waiting to hear the news about who won, i decided to get on facebook and check out what others were thinking and saying. i wish that i never did. it was some of the most depressing things that i have read in quite a while. i read things like: "america is going to hell now." "im leaving the country." "its the end of america as we know it."
now i expected to hear that from many different types of people, but i never expect my brothers and sisters in christ to say things like that. what has happened to christianity? do we really think god can only use the white collar, anglo-saxon republican? have we become so shallow and unfaithful that we are willing to bad mouth a man who is trying to do his best for his country? what has become of us that we are willing to stoop to such a low level?
i have done my share of bad mouthing, so i am by no means leaving myself out, but i am depressed that we have come to this point. we all made our own decisions (hopefully informed ones), and we should respect each others decisions. jesus did not have a candidate in mind that was better or holier than the other, because jesus works with what he has.
lets stop this childish argueing.
lets end this tension.
lets realize that it's not the end of the world because a black, democratic man is in the white house.
and lets embrace the fact that christ is in control, and it'll be ok.
P.S.-do not ask who i voted for, im not saying.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
defying gravity
it was a great night. i just got back from a wonderful night out with my friends, i'm listening to my favorite album (Once), it's warm inside and cold outside, and i'm writing. for me, it doesn't get much better. all in all, its just been a great weekend. the best part, hands down, would have to be that i had the pleasure of seeing the musical Wicked. it was fantastic musical, but the best part was the words of one of the songs (Defying Gravity).
the song came at the climax of the the story, when Elphaba discovers that the Wizard of Oz is not at all who she thought he was and can no longer go along with his plans. Elphaba decides at that moment that what she once wanted is not what she thought it to be, and she can't want it anymore. at one poin in the song, she sings these amazing words:
i can't want it anymore
something has changed within me.
something is not the same.
i'm through with playing by the rules of someone elses game.
too late for second-guessing.
too late to go back to sleep.
it's time to trust my instincts.
close my eyes and leap.
it's time to try defying gravity.
i think i'll try defying gravity, and you can't pull me down.
--exerpt from Defying Gravity from Wicked
when i heard those words, i nearly lept out of my seat to sing them myself. there comes a point in our lives, as followers of The Way, when we must decide what the calling of Christ means to us. i think that is where i am at in my life right now. i think that is what i am trying to figure out right now. there are times when i want to scream, cry and pull my hair out, but they pass. there are times when i am completely lost and disoriented, but they pass. and there are times that are full of beauty and truth (like my experience at the Fox Theater) and they stay with you for the rest of your life.
we go through life thinking that we know what we want, but one climatic moment can change everything. we are sure we know what life has in store for us and what we are going to use the life we have been given for. for me there came a moment when i realized that the calling of Christ MUST consume me. it was this moment when i realized that i can't want the old way of seeing things anymore, that i can't go back to sleep. i see the need for love everywhere i go now, and never want to go back.
i have come accross an amazing prayer on one of my friends facebook photo album. when i read it, i sat there and could not stop from thinking that maybe its time that i wake up. there is beauty in these words and i hope that she does not mind that i use it:
when i can no more stir my soul to move,
and life is but the ashes of a fire,
when i can but remember that my heart once used to live and love,
long and aspire--
oh, be the first, the one, the calling,
before all answering love,
and in me wake hope, fear and boundless desire.
friday night was that moment for me. i am finally at the point where i can only go one way or the other, and i have decided to do what may seem impossible. if we cannot come to such a point in our lives, then how will we ever know what we can do.
so i ask...will you join me? will you join hands in trying to make a difference? will you try to bring about kingdom change in this hurting world? will you close your eyes and and leap? will you join me on this journey? because when you are at this point in your life, there is no turning back.
this is what i have been waiting for....
a chance to try defying gravity
the song came at the climax of the the story, when Elphaba discovers that the Wizard of Oz is not at all who she thought he was and can no longer go along with his plans. Elphaba decides at that moment that what she once wanted is not what she thought it to be, and she can't want it anymore. at one poin in the song, she sings these amazing words:
i can't want it anymore
something has changed within me.
something is not the same.
i'm through with playing by the rules of someone elses game.
too late for second-guessing.
too late to go back to sleep.
it's time to trust my instincts.
close my eyes and leap.
it's time to try defying gravity.
i think i'll try defying gravity, and you can't pull me down.
--exerpt from Defying Gravity from Wicked
when i heard those words, i nearly lept out of my seat to sing them myself. there comes a point in our lives, as followers of The Way, when we must decide what the calling of Christ means to us. i think that is where i am at in my life right now. i think that is what i am trying to figure out right now. there are times when i want to scream, cry and pull my hair out, but they pass. there are times when i am completely lost and disoriented, but they pass. and there are times that are full of beauty and truth (like my experience at the Fox Theater) and they stay with you for the rest of your life.
we go through life thinking that we know what we want, but one climatic moment can change everything. we are sure we know what life has in store for us and what we are going to use the life we have been given for. for me there came a moment when i realized that the calling of Christ MUST consume me. it was this moment when i realized that i can't want the old way of seeing things anymore, that i can't go back to sleep. i see the need for love everywhere i go now, and never want to go back.
i have come accross an amazing prayer on one of my friends facebook photo album. when i read it, i sat there and could not stop from thinking that maybe its time that i wake up. there is beauty in these words and i hope that she does not mind that i use it:
when i can no more stir my soul to move,
and life is but the ashes of a fire,
when i can but remember that my heart once used to live and love,
long and aspire--
oh, be the first, the one, the calling,
before all answering love,
and in me wake hope, fear and boundless desire.
friday night was that moment for me. i am finally at the point where i can only go one way or the other, and i have decided to do what may seem impossible. if we cannot come to such a point in our lives, then how will we ever know what we can do.
so i ask...will you join me? will you join hands in trying to make a difference? will you try to bring about kingdom change in this hurting world? will you close your eyes and and leap? will you join me on this journey? because when you are at this point in your life, there is no turning back.
this is what i have been waiting for....
a chance to try defying gravity
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