My desk at work sports a small note reminding me to "Remember the Important Things." An agile mind tends to over-analyze and be easily diverted by new details. Wistful conclusion? --One of the most delightful aspects of heaven will be the lack of distractions. Here are some timely thoughts on choosing focus: http://www.ccef.org/voices-vie-your-heart.
October 31, 2012
October 30, 2012
Momentum
A few "Graceland" songs did me proud this evening as I puttered about preparing for the Not For Sale Global Forum. My extra green button down sweater is rolled into my suitcase and Google directions are sitting on my purse. Tomorrow as everyone pulls out their latex werewolf heads and seven-legged spiders, I will be jaunting up the Central Coast, dreaming of freedom for all. Here's to like-minded activists, fair trade gourmet coffee, and sunlit waves.
October 26, 2012
Who is rich?
Who is rich? He who rejoices in His portion.
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October 16, 2012
Paris
Paris 2007
A skeptical small-town girl from Southern California finds herself escaping a crazed bus tour led by a skin-tight jeans party girl and sleep-deprived driver to wander the streets of the City of Lights. Face to face with Renoirs, chocolate croissants, and the Eiffel tour, will she claim her place with the aesthetes of history or simply snap a few obligatory tourist poses with the stalwart Aussie at her side?
Paris 2013: The Sequel
Romance and light-hearted traipsing ostensibly behind her, our heroine finds herself returning to Paris for some much needed repose. Will she regain her verve by ogling art and sipping lattes with her sister or does adventure wait on the steps of the Sacre Coeur?
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| En route to Paris via Dover ferry 10/2007 |
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| Sacre Coeur |
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| Notre Dame |
P.S. Don't bother calling me the last two weeks of February because I will be in Paris. This time I'm packing a black trench coat with a waist belt, an e-reader, and "Fifty City Walks".
October 12, 2012
The Freedom Commons
Want to help end modern-day slavery? Click here for some easy steps from International Justice Mission.
"Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?"
Isaiah 58:6
It's a multi-step process. You and I are not responsible for the fate of the world, but we are responsible to freely share what we have been given. Use your voice; use your dollars; use your votes.
"Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?"
Isaiah 58:6
It's a multi-step process. You and I are not responsible for the fate of the world, but we are responsible to freely share what we have been given. Use your voice; use your dollars; use your votes.
October 9, 2012
You Have Made Me Glad
I've had this song stuck in my head since Sunday night. Not a bad selection...
"I will not be moved
And I'll say of the Lord
You are my shield, my strength,
my portion, deliverer,
my shelter, strong tower,
my very present help in time of need."
Funnily enough, I had no idea it was called "You Have Made Me Glad." I suppose if you repeat the chorus enough times, you do come to that conclusion.
October 7, 2012
Television Filter
I've been watching quite a bit of online television as my sinus infection makes it difficult to concentrate or retain much energy. Today after church I made it outside to check on my (withering) succulent garden. Replanting a farmer's market purchase, I reflected on the allure of television. Escapism is frighteningly easy to the point where you almost forget that building your own life, one thirsty pink and green plant at time, is infinitely richer than watching pictures of someone else's.
October 5, 2012
October 4, 2012
40 hr/wk
It's hard to explain what I do as Coordinator of Cause 4 Life Global Missions and Internships. The purpose (Gospel, justice, training) gets mixed up with the who (Joni and Friends, people with disabilities, interns) and especially with the continually evolving what (buy plane tickets to Port au Prince, explain Matthew 25, respond to emails from Indonesia, order background checks, scope out the counter height in hotel rooms). Check out our newly posted 2013 internship opportunities for an overview of the program. We had 40 interns in 2012 and are expecting at least ten more next year!
Last day of the Ministry and Missions Academy this summer
It's a Conspiracy!
Email subscribers click here for the video above.
I gave up gift-giving last Christmas for pecuniary reasons. Simply, the occasions for gift-giving (birthday, baby, new home, graduation, wedding, just because) multiplied beyond my proverbial means. Although the occasion of greatest significance, Christ's birth seemed the least personal reason for giving gifts. Making the decision even easier is the matter of the "least of these". Matthew 25 and Isaiah 58 are pretty persuasive in detailing what God wants from us. Celebratory gifts without a lifestyle of justice are worse than empty to Him.
Enter Advent Conspiracy partnering with the International Justice Mission. The message of this video is not that gift-giving is atrociously evil but rather that we should strive to be intentional with our gifts. What is more beneficial: possessions or time? Luxury for me or justice for someone else? These are daily decisions magnified by the manufactured generosity of the holidays.
October 3, 2012
85% Oxygen
The heat + perpetual air conditioning has been exacerbating my chronic sinus swelling, and my energy levels have been low for the past two weeks. Last night my lungs screamed more than usual while exercising, and the proof of diminished oxygen flow finally convinced me to ask Kaiser for antibiotics. Here are some recent topics of contemplation from my (temporarily diagnosed) rhinitis infested brain:
People need time to grow, but some people are too selfish or scared to ever change. Over the past two years, I have developed noticeably more patience for people "in progress" and less for people who are disinclined to humbly seek more of God's character. Now I am working on deciding how close to stick to people who are not growing lest I become stuck with them. (Yes, bad pun.)
Is it important to keep up with political events? Knowing that I will research the candidates and propositions on my sample ballot, how would society benefit from my being informed year-round? What would I have to sacrifice to become informed?
The amount of time I spend on weekly personal upkeep is absurd: teethbrushing, shampooing, deodorant, exercise, diet, physical therapy, washing, clipping, dressing, shaving, moisturizing, stretching, hydration, supplements, etc. etc. etc. Sometimes it is hard to believe that being unhealthy is more work in the long run. If I am this run-down in my mid-twenties, what appalling amount of attention will my body demand when my years have doubled? How do people cope? No wonder age is a full-time occupation.
What makes Clif's kids bars so addicting at night? Maybe the chocolate brownie flavor not-so-disguised by the whole grains? Clif is so clever!
Today I am grateful for organic cat food, American Airlines only charging $26 to change a return flight, ikat print, sick days, gluten-free bread, and the letter K.
People need time to grow, but some people are too selfish or scared to ever change. Over the past two years, I have developed noticeably more patience for people "in progress" and less for people who are disinclined to humbly seek more of God's character. Now I am working on deciding how close to stick to people who are not growing lest I become stuck with them. (Yes, bad pun.)
Is it important to keep up with political events? Knowing that I will research the candidates and propositions on my sample ballot, how would society benefit from my being informed year-round? What would I have to sacrifice to become informed?
The amount of time I spend on weekly personal upkeep is absurd: teethbrushing, shampooing, deodorant, exercise, diet, physical therapy, washing, clipping, dressing, shaving, moisturizing, stretching, hydration, supplements, etc. etc. etc. Sometimes it is hard to believe that being unhealthy is more work in the long run. If I am this run-down in my mid-twenties, what appalling amount of attention will my body demand when my years have doubled? How do people cope? No wonder age is a full-time occupation.
What makes Clif's kids bars so addicting at night? Maybe the chocolate brownie flavor not-so-disguised by the whole grains? Clif is so clever!
Today I am grateful for organic cat food, American Airlines only charging $26 to change a return flight, ikat print, sick days, gluten-free bread, and the letter K.
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