Monday, August 11, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Home Sweet Home
Today is my last full day here in the Bronx. I board a plane heading for Texas at 11 am tomorrow. I'm sorry that I haven't kept up with my blog at all lately. These last few weeks have been pretty crazy. Not only have they been busy, but they've been filled with so many unexpected experiences. It is going to be really hard to leave tomorrow. There is definitely a part of me that wants to stay here. But I know that once I get on the plane and see New York City shrink away, I'll be excited to be coming home. I know that I need to get back to a sense of familiarity and consistency in order to work through everything I've experienced, to be surrounded by the support that I've been blessed with in my little family of friends. Perhaps after I've begun to do that, I'll be able to write about it more clearly.
Thanks to all of you who have supported me monetarily and spiritually this summer. You are all so special to me. Blessings!
Thanks to all of you who have supported me monetarily and spiritually this summer. You are all so special to me. Blessings!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Summer Soundtrack
These are the songs that have been playing repeatedly on my iPod all summer.
1.) All For You - Sister Hazel
2.) All This Beauty - The Weepies
3.) Beating Heart Baby - Head Automatica
4.) Brothers on a Hotel Bed - Death Cab for Cutie
5.) Campus - Vampire Weekend
6.) Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa - Vampire Weekend
7.) Cath - Death Cab for Cutie
8.) Do You Remember? - Jack Johnson
9.) Don't Be Shy - Cat Stevens
10.) Follow You Down - Gin Blossoms
11.) For the Widows in Paradise, For the Fatherless in Ypsilanti - Sufjan Stevens
12.) Get Up, Stand Up - Bob Marley
13.) Gotta Have You - The Weepies
14.) Head Over Feet - Alanis Morisette
15.) I've Just Seen a Face - Jim Sturgess (from the Across the Universe soundtrack)
16.) It Had to Be You - Motion City Soundtrack
17.) Let Your Troubles Roll By - CarbonLeaf
18.) Love Is My Religion - Ziggy Marley
19.) Merry Happy - Kate Nash
20.) Never Let You Go - Third Eye Blind
21.) Please, Before I Go - Derek Webb
22.) Poison - Bill Biv DeVoe
23.) Samson - Regina Spektor
24. ) Slide - GooGoo Dolls
25.) Slow Dancing in a Burning Room - John Mayer
26.) Such Great Heights - The Postal Service
27.) When You Come Back Down - Nickel Creek
28.) The Wind - Cat Stevens
29.) Wish You Were Here - Incubus
30.) World Spins Madly On - The Weepies
1.) All For You - Sister Hazel
2.) All This Beauty - The Weepies
3.) Beating Heart Baby - Head Automatica
4.) Brothers on a Hotel Bed - Death Cab for Cutie
5.) Campus - Vampire Weekend
6.) Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa - Vampire Weekend
7.) Cath - Death Cab for Cutie
8.) Do You Remember? - Jack Johnson
9.) Don't Be Shy - Cat Stevens
10.) Follow You Down - Gin Blossoms
11.) For the Widows in Paradise, For the Fatherless in Ypsilanti - Sufjan Stevens
12.) Get Up, Stand Up - Bob Marley
13.) Gotta Have You - The Weepies
14.) Head Over Feet - Alanis Morisette
15.) I've Just Seen a Face - Jim Sturgess (from the Across the Universe soundtrack)
16.) It Had to Be You - Motion City Soundtrack
17.) Let Your Troubles Roll By - CarbonLeaf
18.) Love Is My Religion - Ziggy Marley
19.) Merry Happy - Kate Nash
20.) Never Let You Go - Third Eye Blind
21.) Please, Before I Go - Derek Webb
22.) Poison - Bill Biv DeVoe
23.) Samson - Regina Spektor
24. ) Slide - GooGoo Dolls
25.) Slow Dancing in a Burning Room - John Mayer
26.) Such Great Heights - The Postal Service
27.) When You Come Back Down - Nickel Creek
28.) The Wind - Cat Stevens
29.) Wish You Were Here - Incubus
30.) World Spins Madly On - The Weepies
Friday, July 18, 2008
The light of my life
There is a convenient store on the corner underneath our train stop. It is open at almost all hours of the day, and we stop in there quite frequently. About a week ago, I discovered a tiny orange kitten that lives in the store. Now, I stop in every time I walk by so I can play with him. I call him Calcetines, which is Spanish for "socks." You guessed it: he has white paws. But it had to be Spanish, because the owners of the store, and many of the customers, speak Spanish.
When I hold him up to my face, he plays with my hair. And when I put him back on the ground, he chases after me and paws at my feet. It makes my heart all warm and fuzzy to hold Calcetines. Maybe because he is all warm and fuzzy.
When I hold him up to my face, he plays with my hair. And when I put him back on the ground, he chases after me and paws at my feet. It makes my heart all warm and fuzzy to hold Calcetines. Maybe because he is all warm and fuzzy.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Exchanging Pleasantries
The past few days have been so pleasant. Not fun, although there have been fun times, and not exciting, even though a few things have excited me, but pleasant. And this was precisely what I needed coming into this week.
When days are fun and exciting, its great, but that quickly becomes exhausting. I've been exhausted for a while. I was ready to try for restored. So on Monday, we had some time for reflection after our weekly meeting with Jared, and I went down to lower Manhattan and caught the ferry out to Staten Island. I love water, and boats, and while a ferry isn't exactly the same thing as a boat, and the East River isn't very pristine, it was still an excellent ride. I could go into all these descriptions of things I felt, saw, and experienced, but it would come out sounding cheesy to you, and I don't want to cheapen it. Let it suffice to say that I felt like a true and whole individual, glad to be where I was, but ready to reach land again.
Yesterday, on our day off, Clarissa and I went to the Bronx Zoo, which is supposed to be the best zoo in New York City. It was beautiful, and there was a new exhibit which opened recently: Madagascar! There were lemurs, fossas, and... Madagascarian hissing roaches! Oh heck no. They were disgusting. I avoided those and spent most of my time with the lemurs. After a few hours there, we left for Manhattan to meet up with a group of our friends in Central Park. The New York Philharmonic was playing their second free concert in the park. This is a truly New York experience, a summer tradition, that attracts thousands of people and packs out the Great Lawn. We had a huge spread of blankets, and all the wine and cheese we could desire. The best part about the night: one woman I had a conversation with asked me how I was enjoying my time in New York. Of course, I said that I loved it, that I could certainly see myself living here for some time. She replied that I already seem like I do.
I'm not sure what God is doing in my life, or where he is leading me. In fact, these past few weeks I've been faced with a great amount of doubt and questions, and I've wondered where God has been and what the heck has been going on. But these past few days have convinced me that he is moving slowly and steadily, which is... pleasant.
When days are fun and exciting, its great, but that quickly becomes exhausting. I've been exhausted for a while. I was ready to try for restored. So on Monday, we had some time for reflection after our weekly meeting with Jared, and I went down to lower Manhattan and caught the ferry out to Staten Island. I love water, and boats, and while a ferry isn't exactly the same thing as a boat, and the East River isn't very pristine, it was still an excellent ride. I could go into all these descriptions of things I felt, saw, and experienced, but it would come out sounding cheesy to you, and I don't want to cheapen it. Let it suffice to say that I felt like a true and whole individual, glad to be where I was, but ready to reach land again.
Yesterday, on our day off, Clarissa and I went to the Bronx Zoo, which is supposed to be the best zoo in New York City. It was beautiful, and there was a new exhibit which opened recently: Madagascar! There were lemurs, fossas, and... Madagascarian hissing roaches! Oh heck no. They were disgusting. I avoided those and spent most of my time with the lemurs. After a few hours there, we left for Manhattan to meet up with a group of our friends in Central Park. The New York Philharmonic was playing their second free concert in the park. This is a truly New York experience, a summer tradition, that attracts thousands of people and packs out the Great Lawn. We had a huge spread of blankets, and all the wine and cheese we could desire. The best part about the night: one woman I had a conversation with asked me how I was enjoying my time in New York. Of course, I said that I loved it, that I could certainly see myself living here for some time. She replied that I already seem like I do.
I'm not sure what God is doing in my life, or where he is leading me. In fact, these past few weeks I've been faced with a great amount of doubt and questions, and I've wondered where God has been and what the heck has been going on. But these past few days have convinced me that he is moving slowly and steadily, which is... pleasant.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
I haven't posted in a week
Wow! It's been a whole week since I've posted. I'm sorry! Things have been really busy, and it's hard for me to find internet these days.
Last Monday, we had a meeting with Hugo, who works with the church here. He is also a counselor, and that is what brought us to our meeting with him. Jared had scheduled for us to have a discussion on brokenness, which is really vague, I know, and Hugo was asked to lead the discussion. He has a great deal of experience dealing with brokenness here in the city, in situations ranging from divorce to deep psychological problems, so he had a lot to teach us. Basically, we barely skimmed the surface of everything we talked about, but it was one of the most engaging discussions, for me, that we've had so far.
I've been thinking about it a lot this week... See, much of the work that we do here is highly evangelical, and I'm beginning to discover that evangelism may not be one of my gifts. It's difficult for me to strike up spiritual conversations with complete strangers. For a while, I've felt like admitting that makes me a "bad Christian," or at least a bad missionary. A few of the other interns are really good at it, and so I've spent a lot of time feeling frustrated that I haven't been able to contribute as many potential contacts and people to follow up with as the others have.
But during our meeting with Hugo, some things started to click for me. I may not be good at most of the evangelism stuff (which doesn't stop me from trying), but I do care deeply for people. My gift may not be evangelism, but I am passionate about cultivating relationships, about truly getting to know people and being there for them. Listening to Hugo talk about the ways that he has worked with people - restoring marriages, helping women to get out of abusive relationships, and so on - it made me so excited.
It reminds me of the way Paul describes us in 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, as ministers of reconciliation:
"All this newness of life is from God, who brought us back to himself through what Christ did. And God has given us the task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others."
Sometimes we sing this song that asks the Lord to make us his instruments of peace, and I think that may be the best description of what I want to do with my life. It's broad, but I believe it is a good basis.
Last Monday, we had a meeting with Hugo, who works with the church here. He is also a counselor, and that is what brought us to our meeting with him. Jared had scheduled for us to have a discussion on brokenness, which is really vague, I know, and Hugo was asked to lead the discussion. He has a great deal of experience dealing with brokenness here in the city, in situations ranging from divorce to deep psychological problems, so he had a lot to teach us. Basically, we barely skimmed the surface of everything we talked about, but it was one of the most engaging discussions, for me, that we've had so far.
I've been thinking about it a lot this week... See, much of the work that we do here is highly evangelical, and I'm beginning to discover that evangelism may not be one of my gifts. It's difficult for me to strike up spiritual conversations with complete strangers. For a while, I've felt like admitting that makes me a "bad Christian," or at least a bad missionary. A few of the other interns are really good at it, and so I've spent a lot of time feeling frustrated that I haven't been able to contribute as many potential contacts and people to follow up with as the others have.
But during our meeting with Hugo, some things started to click for me. I may not be good at most of the evangelism stuff (which doesn't stop me from trying), but I do care deeply for people. My gift may not be evangelism, but I am passionate about cultivating relationships, about truly getting to know people and being there for them. Listening to Hugo talk about the ways that he has worked with people - restoring marriages, helping women to get out of abusive relationships, and so on - it made me so excited.
It reminds me of the way Paul describes us in 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, as ministers of reconciliation:
"All this newness of life is from God, who brought us back to himself through what Christ did. And God has given us the task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others."
Sometimes we sing this song that asks the Lord to make us his instruments of peace, and I think that may be the best description of what I want to do with my life. It's broad, but I believe it is a good basis.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
I don't care who you are - fried Oreos are mad tasty!
It's been raining every day... for the last few days at least. I don't care for rain when my main mode of transportation is walking. On the bright side, it keeps the city from getting too hot. That's nice.
I hope you had a fantastic fourth of July! Mine was awesome. We went out to Coney Island for the afternoon. Most New Yorkers I talked to told me not to do it. They all said it was run-down and dirty. It was both of these things, but it was glorious. We went by the original Nathan's and ate the famous hot dog. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at), we missed the hot dog eating contest. The little amusement park felt like a county fair, but Coney Island is home to the world's tallest ferris wheel of it's kind - it has stationary and swinging cars. We rode in a swinging car, obviously, which was super fun! Then we ate lots of sugary foods that are really bad for you, like fried Oreos - holy smokes! - and wandered through the crowded boardwalk.
We made our way over to the Brooklyn Bridge after that, where we managed to find a prime spot on the promenade in front of the Macy's barge, which is where the fireworks are set off. They were the loudest, most beautiful fireworks I've ever seen. But I'm lame, so I didn't take any pictures. Oops.
The fourth was a lot of fun, but I must also share this with you: I miss you. Whoever you are, I miss you!
I hope you had a fantastic fourth of July! Mine was awesome. We went out to Coney Island for the afternoon. Most New Yorkers I talked to told me not to do it. They all said it was run-down and dirty. It was both of these things, but it was glorious. We went by the original Nathan's and ate the famous hot dog. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at), we missed the hot dog eating contest. The little amusement park felt like a county fair, but Coney Island is home to the world's tallest ferris wheel of it's kind - it has stationary and swinging cars. We rode in a swinging car, obviously, which was super fun! Then we ate lots of sugary foods that are really bad for you, like fried Oreos - holy smokes! - and wandered through the crowded boardwalk.
We made our way over to the Brooklyn Bridge after that, where we managed to find a prime spot on the promenade in front of the Macy's barge, which is where the fireworks are set off. They were the loudest, most beautiful fireworks I've ever seen. But I'm lame, so I didn't take any pictures. Oops.
The fourth was a lot of fun, but I must also share this with you: I miss you. Whoever you are, I miss you!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
"The peace sign makes a comeback in the Bronx, where residents ..."
Lately it seems like everyone's got world peace on their minds. This past Friday at the prayer station, we had several people come by and write requests for world peace. There were a few variations of it, such as "Pray for world peace. We are all one family," but my personal favorite was written by a young girl, maybe 9 or 10 years old. She stopped by with her mom, and as her mom wrote her prayers on the board, she tugged at her sleeve and looked at her quizzically. "Write what you want to pray for," she told her. She stood with the marker in her hand and stared at the board for a few seconds, then wrote "All I want is peace."
There is a lot of strife in the Bronx. It seems like every person is dealing with at least one broken relationship that needs restoring. Many people are dealing with addictions, and others are suffering from serious illnesses. People are facing eviction, barely able to pay the rent that keeps them off the streets. There is not a lot of peace in the Bronx.
And there is not a lot of peace in our world. I'm not sure why so many people were so conscience of this last week. But I know that the only way to true peace is through God. Maybe we can start by seeing each other as the holy creations God made us, and honoring one another for being such a creation.
Last week, the lesson we taught the kids at Power Hour was "Love your neighbor as yourself." It's funny. We taught it, but I really don't think we get it. That message holds such great power to bring peace - it could transform our lives, and our world.
There is a lot of strife in the Bronx. It seems like every person is dealing with at least one broken relationship that needs restoring. Many people are dealing with addictions, and others are suffering from serious illnesses. People are facing eviction, barely able to pay the rent that keeps them off the streets. There is not a lot of peace in the Bronx.
And there is not a lot of peace in our world. I'm not sure why so many people were so conscience of this last week. But I know that the only way to true peace is through God. Maybe we can start by seeing each other as the holy creations God made us, and honoring one another for being such a creation.
Last week, the lesson we taught the kids at Power Hour was "Love your neighbor as yourself." It's funny. We taught it, but I really don't think we get it. That message holds such great power to bring peace - it could transform our lives, and our world.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Another Brick in the Wall
I didn't realize it until Monday night, but it turns out I am a real klutz. I jumped up (maybe 6 inches off the ground) to snatch a leaf off a tree branch, landed wrong, and now my foot is all swollen and bruised. Walking hurts, but I can walk. I'm going to assume for now that it is merely a sprain and will heal in time, because I refuse to deal with a broken foot in New York City. And that's that.
Mary is out of the hospital. We went over to her house for Bible study last night, where she cooked us a delicious meal, and we got to meet her daughter. Her daughter, along with her boyfriend, have just moved into Mary's house. I'm sure this is a real stress on Mary, but I think it is probably a good thing, because now her daughter is there living with Isaiah, who is her son. Isaiah needs his mother around.
Tuesday was our day off, which I spent relaxing in Manhattan. I got to go for a walk in Central Park, where it promptly began pouring down rain, but at least it waited until after I finished my ice cream! Anyways, by the time we reached our destination, the Poet's Walk, the rain was coming down hard and my clothes were soaked all the way through, but it was still absolutely beautiful in the rain. Maybe even more beautiful.
I was supposed to have a conversational English lesson with a young woman yesterday morning, but I found out at the last minute that it was canceled. That was a bummer. I didn't make it out to the prayer station yesterday, on account of my foot. I was so depressed laying in bed at home. I don't care what condition it is in tomorrow, though, because I can't stand to miss out on it again! Tomorrow is Friday, and Friday's are always good days. Prayer station, Power Hour, maybe some poetry late at night ... yes, tomorrow will be good.
Anyways, I am asking you for your prayers. I feel like I'm kind of hitting a wall here, and need some encouragement to push through to the other side. Lots of plans just aren't working out as well I as I hoped they would, and now I have a purple foot.
Mary is out of the hospital. We went over to her house for Bible study last night, where she cooked us a delicious meal, and we got to meet her daughter. Her daughter, along with her boyfriend, have just moved into Mary's house. I'm sure this is a real stress on Mary, but I think it is probably a good thing, because now her daughter is there living with Isaiah, who is her son. Isaiah needs his mother around.
Tuesday was our day off, which I spent relaxing in Manhattan. I got to go for a walk in Central Park, where it promptly began pouring down rain, but at least it waited until after I finished my ice cream! Anyways, by the time we reached our destination, the Poet's Walk, the rain was coming down hard and my clothes were soaked all the way through, but it was still absolutely beautiful in the rain. Maybe even more beautiful.
I was supposed to have a conversational English lesson with a young woman yesterday morning, but I found out at the last minute that it was canceled. That was a bummer. I didn't make it out to the prayer station yesterday, on account of my foot. I was so depressed laying in bed at home. I don't care what condition it is in tomorrow, though, because I can't stand to miss out on it again! Tomorrow is Friday, and Friday's are always good days. Prayer station, Power Hour, maybe some poetry late at night ... yes, tomorrow will be good.
Anyways, I am asking you for your prayers. I feel like I'm kind of hitting a wall here, and need some encouragement to push through to the other side. Lots of plans just aren't working out as well I as I hoped they would, and now I have a purple foot.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Where is the love? (Yes, I am quoting the Black Eyed Peas. I'm that cool)
Well, I finally feel as if life here in New York is becoming routine. The subway system is starting to feel a lot more familiar, I'm not getting lost very much anymore, and each day is beginning to have a rhythm. This is good. I want to feel as at home here as I can, and it feels like that is starting to happen.
Our various projects are going really well. There are lots of things I could tell you about the prayer station, Power Hour (kind of like a sidewalk Sunday school for kids), or our house church meetings, but that's not what is really on my mind.
Our friend Mary is in the hospital. We met her a little over a week ago when we went to have a Bible study with her in her home. She's been a member of BFC, but hasn't been around much lately. So last Wednesday, a few of us went over to meet her and study with her. I ended up playing with her 3 year old grandson, Isaiah, during the meeting. We played hide-and-seek (always in his little bedroom, where he hid under his blanket every time!), colored, and talked about Spider-Man.
Mary took her grandson in when her daughter could no longer take proper care of him. Yesterday, during our visit with Mary at the hospital, she was very upset about the state of her family. She believes her children have turned out poorly, and she believes it is all her fault. Please pray for her. Pray for her health, that she will heal quickly and get out of the hospital soon so that she can go back to work and continue to provide for Isaiah. Also, pray for her spirits, that they will be lifted by the Lord, the provider of divine healing and comfort. And pray for her children.
There is one story from the prayer station this past week that I feel compelled to share now, in light of Mary's situation. A few new teachers approached our station yesterday afternoon. They were three young women who were doing their training with the New York City Teaching Fellows (really cool program - Google it), and they were so passionate and excited about teaching here in the Bronx. They've been trying to get to know the area, to know the population of students they will be working with, and they asked a police officer what the biggest problem was in the Bronx. They expected to hear him say something like robbery, or gang murders, but he didn't. He said the biggest problem is that there are not enough fathers. Absent fathers who are not around to provide their children with the most basic need - to know they are loved by their father - is the biggest problem that plagues the Bronx, according to one police officer.
This is a spiritual battle. Children are growing up without knowing the love of their fathers, and ultimately, without knowing the love of their spiritual Father. I think that police officer is on to something.
Our various projects are going really well. There are lots of things I could tell you about the prayer station, Power Hour (kind of like a sidewalk Sunday school for kids), or our house church meetings, but that's not what is really on my mind.
Our friend Mary is in the hospital. We met her a little over a week ago when we went to have a Bible study with her in her home. She's been a member of BFC, but hasn't been around much lately. So last Wednesday, a few of us went over to meet her and study with her. I ended up playing with her 3 year old grandson, Isaiah, during the meeting. We played hide-and-seek (always in his little bedroom, where he hid under his blanket every time!), colored, and talked about Spider-Man.
Mary took her grandson in when her daughter could no longer take proper care of him. Yesterday, during our visit with Mary at the hospital, she was very upset about the state of her family. She believes her children have turned out poorly, and she believes it is all her fault. Please pray for her. Pray for her health, that she will heal quickly and get out of the hospital soon so that she can go back to work and continue to provide for Isaiah. Also, pray for her spirits, that they will be lifted by the Lord, the provider of divine healing and comfort. And pray for her children.
There is one story from the prayer station this past week that I feel compelled to share now, in light of Mary's situation. A few new teachers approached our station yesterday afternoon. They were three young women who were doing their training with the New York City Teaching Fellows (really cool program - Google it), and they were so passionate and excited about teaching here in the Bronx. They've been trying to get to know the area, to know the population of students they will be working with, and they asked a police officer what the biggest problem was in the Bronx. They expected to hear him say something like robbery, or gang murders, but he didn't. He said the biggest problem is that there are not enough fathers. Absent fathers who are not around to provide their children with the most basic need - to know they are loved by their father - is the biggest problem that plagues the Bronx, according to one police officer.
This is a spiritual battle. Children are growing up without knowing the love of their fathers, and ultimately, without knowing the love of their spiritual Father. I think that police officer is on to something.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Soul Poetry
I went to a poetry slam at the Nuyorican Poet's Cafe this past Friday night. Words flowed like honey from their lips. They were words of hope, pain, humor, and suffering, and I mixed them in with my milk, swallowed them like I'd never sipped milk before, and went back for more. Not only was the slam amazing, but the part of town the cafe was in was exactly my kind of place - kind of on the Lower East Side, in what is sometimes referred to as "Alphabet City."
It was a soul experience. I can't wait to go back. That's really all I can say about it.
It was a soul experience. I can't wait to go back. That's really all I can say about it.
Friday, June 13, 2008
An Unexpected Third Place
I spent half of yesterday in the emergency room. Don't worry! I'm fine.
Early in the morning, I started having pretty bad pain in my back, and began to feel nauseated, but after resting for an hour or so, I felt better. After lunch, and a good time playing in the park with some kiddos, the pain and nausea returned. This time, though, it got worse much quicker and wasn't going away. So after an hour, we went into the ER. By that time, the pain was in my abdomen. It took about 4 hours to be seen by a doctor, after being hooked up to an IV and laying on a stretcher, drifting in and out of sleep. The doctors couldn't find anything. Much of the pain had subsided, as had the nausea. They thought about doing a CT scan, thinking I may have appendicitis, but didn't want to make me go through it if my symptoms were improving so much. So finally, they released me with a few pain meds and an encouragement to come back for a follow-up.
None of that was fun. But some really amazing things happened in those hours. For one thing, Clarissa, my fellow intern and roomie for the summer, stayed with me all the time. Even when I threw up on her a little. She was so amazing. I can't express how thankful I am for her. My other fellow interns stuck out much of the evening with me, too. God has blessed me with great friends to work with.
Another cool thing was the community that was formed between the patients. We got to know some beautiful people there in the ER. Patients who were in pain and frustrated just like me were offering encouragement, sharing their stories, and being such a comfort. Clarissa, especially, got to know several of the women around my bed. As I drifted in and out of sleep, she just listened to them, laughed with them, and helped them find blankets when they were cold, or water when they were thirsty. By the time we left, Carmen, the woman next to me for most of the night, was giving us hugs, telling us she would come visit us in Texas, and even gifted Clarissa with her favorite sparkly hair clip!
We've been talking a lot about "third place" ministry here, which basically means finding the places where people have already formed community and joining them in order to bring the Gospel to them. This could be a gym, or coffee shop, or the park. Last night, we found one in the ER. It was unexpected, and maybe not the most enjoyable way to do it, but it happened. And for that experience, I am thankful :)
Early in the morning, I started having pretty bad pain in my back, and began to feel nauseated, but after resting for an hour or so, I felt better. After lunch, and a good time playing in the park with some kiddos, the pain and nausea returned. This time, though, it got worse much quicker and wasn't going away. So after an hour, we went into the ER. By that time, the pain was in my abdomen. It took about 4 hours to be seen by a doctor, after being hooked up to an IV and laying on a stretcher, drifting in and out of sleep. The doctors couldn't find anything. Much of the pain had subsided, as had the nausea. They thought about doing a CT scan, thinking I may have appendicitis, but didn't want to make me go through it if my symptoms were improving so much. So finally, they released me with a few pain meds and an encouragement to come back for a follow-up.
None of that was fun. But some really amazing things happened in those hours. For one thing, Clarissa, my fellow intern and roomie for the summer, stayed with me all the time. Even when I threw up on her a little. She was so amazing. I can't express how thankful I am for her. My other fellow interns stuck out much of the evening with me, too. God has blessed me with great friends to work with.
Another cool thing was the community that was formed between the patients. We got to know some beautiful people there in the ER. Patients who were in pain and frustrated just like me were offering encouragement, sharing their stories, and being such a comfort. Clarissa, especially, got to know several of the women around my bed. As I drifted in and out of sleep, she just listened to them, laughed with them, and helped them find blankets when they were cold, or water when they were thirsty. By the time we left, Carmen, the woman next to me for most of the night, was giving us hugs, telling us she would come visit us in Texas, and even gifted Clarissa with her favorite sparkly hair clip!
We've been talking a lot about "third place" ministry here, which basically means finding the places where people have already formed community and joining them in order to bring the Gospel to them. This could be a gym, or coffee shop, or the park. Last night, we found one in the ER. It was unexpected, and maybe not the most enjoyable way to do it, but it happened. And for that experience, I am thankful :)
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Poconos, Prayer, and Pizza
It's been a while since my last update, and there have been lots of great things going on that I could share with you. So many, in fact, that this post would be a short novel if I did, so I've chosen three things that kind of sum up this past week.
Poconos
Last weekend, we went on a camping/paintball trip with the youth group in the Poconos Mountains, which are in Pennsylvania. This was quite the experience! Some of the teens were excited about camping, but mostly, they couldn't wait to light each other up with paint. But first, we camped. When we arrived, we promptly assembled our tents and left to explore. We found a lake where Heath taught everyone to skip rocks, and returned to camp where a fire was ready to roast hot dogs for dinner. Yum! After dinner we had a devotion and a time of prayer around the fire. Some of these teens don't know God, or are just starting to find their way towards Him, and it was such a beautiful experience to stand hand-in-hand with them as they offered up some of their first prayers. They were simple, and humble, and so much more than the long-winded, superfluous prayers that some of us "mature" Christians sometimes resort to when we feel the need to impress God, or rather, to impress each other. I felt like I was witnessing a birth, only without all of the terrifying noises and gooey mess!
The next day, we went paintballing at Skirmish, which has been voted the best field in America. They have over 50 fields, with 700+ acres. Of course to me this only meant "How long will that take?!?!" I'd never been paintballing before. Each time I've discussed the possibility with various friends throughout the years, it always ended with them showing me their latest welps and bruises, and me saying, "Maybe some other time." But I went! And it was really scary at first. But I got hit once in the bicep, and decided it wasn't so bad. I started to get into it. I felt like Rambo, with my camo suit, helmet, and gun in hand. And I am pleased to say that my team won almost every game that day! There was lots of winning to be done, by the way. We played for 8 hours ... I know!! Crazy.
Prayer
Here in the Bronx, a large part of our job as interns is all about prayer. We've been doing a great deal of prayer walking, which has been good, but twice now, we've set up a "prayer station" on one of the busiest streets in New York. The first time, myself and two others prayer walked the area while the other two interns manned the station. The second time, though, I volunteered to hang out at the station. This was pretty far outside my comfort zone. I'm comfortable praying. Praying alone, silently, out loud, with friends, or even just with people I "kind of" know, but with complete strangers? I've never really done this before. And the fact that we were just standing on a street corner with this big sign ... I was doubtful that people would stop.
But they did! So many stopped. We set up a white board for people to write their prayers on, and offered to pray for them on the spot. Some took us up on this offer, and others didn't. Some came over to share with us about how God was blessing their lives, and others came over to mourn. Some were old, and some were young. No matter the case, though, it was clear that God was at work. And not because of anything we had done, and especially not because of anything I had done. I felt so foolish for being doubtful! I learned so much about God's power, the people He has created, and prayer. I can't wait till we do it again (Friday, 1 pm, at Fordham and Grand Concourse, just in case you're in the area!).
Pizza
This past Tuesday was our first official day off. We slept in a bit before heading towards Manhattan. The plan: explore the Metropolitan Museum of Art, eat some good food, and stay out of the heat. The heat has been nearly intolerable these past few days. On Monday and Tuesday, the highs were in the upper 90s, with the heat index over 100. And many apartments and establishments do not have AC. Yikes! So we were hoping to stay cool inside the museum for most of the day, which we did. We meandered through the Met for about 6 hours. This was almost enough to see everything. It's monstrous. And beautiful. I would try to explain the experience beyond that, but I can't. Just try it for yourself. Pop in your headphones and listen to whatever gives you good vibes (I recommend the Weepies), and stare at the most moving piece you can find.
So after that, we came back to the Bronx and ate dinner at Joe and John's Pizzeria... or was it John and Joe's? They've been there for 26 years, and it was the best atmosphere. John, or maybe it was Joe, invited us behind the counter, offered us an apron, and joked with us about soda prices, the heat, and the pizza oven. It was the first time I felt like I was experiencing the quintessential New York experience. While we stood at the counter, a little boy came up and ordered, handing over a $5 bill, which wasn't enough to cover the price of his order, and John/Joe gracefully made up the difference. Tell me, where else does that happen?! Anyways, I'm pretty confident that we will become regulars there.
Good times!
Poconos
Last weekend, we went on a camping/paintball trip with the youth group in the Poconos Mountains, which are in Pennsylvania. This was quite the experience! Some of the teens were excited about camping, but mostly, they couldn't wait to light each other up with paint. But first, we camped. When we arrived, we promptly assembled our tents and left to explore. We found a lake where Heath taught everyone to skip rocks, and returned to camp where a fire was ready to roast hot dogs for dinner. Yum! After dinner we had a devotion and a time of prayer around the fire. Some of these teens don't know God, or are just starting to find their way towards Him, and it was such a beautiful experience to stand hand-in-hand with them as they offered up some of their first prayers. They were simple, and humble, and so much more than the long-winded, superfluous prayers that some of us "mature" Christians sometimes resort to when we feel the need to impress God, or rather, to impress each other. I felt like I was witnessing a birth, only without all of the terrifying noises and gooey mess!
The next day, we went paintballing at Skirmish, which has been voted the best field in America. They have over 50 fields, with 700+ acres. Of course to me this only meant "How long will that take?!?!" I'd never been paintballing before. Each time I've discussed the possibility with various friends throughout the years, it always ended with them showing me their latest welps and bruises, and me saying, "Maybe some other time." But I went! And it was really scary at first. But I got hit once in the bicep, and decided it wasn't so bad. I started to get into it. I felt like Rambo, with my camo suit, helmet, and gun in hand. And I am pleased to say that my team won almost every game that day! There was lots of winning to be done, by the way. We played for 8 hours ... I know!! Crazy.
Prayer
Here in the Bronx, a large part of our job as interns is all about prayer. We've been doing a great deal of prayer walking, which has been good, but twice now, we've set up a "prayer station" on one of the busiest streets in New York. The first time, myself and two others prayer walked the area while the other two interns manned the station. The second time, though, I volunteered to hang out at the station. This was pretty far outside my comfort zone. I'm comfortable praying. Praying alone, silently, out loud, with friends, or even just with people I "kind of" know, but with complete strangers? I've never really done this before. And the fact that we were just standing on a street corner with this big sign ... I was doubtful that people would stop.
But they did! So many stopped. We set up a white board for people to write their prayers on, and offered to pray for them on the spot. Some took us up on this offer, and others didn't. Some came over to share with us about how God was blessing their lives, and others came over to mourn. Some were old, and some were young. No matter the case, though, it was clear that God was at work. And not because of anything we had done, and especially not because of anything I had done. I felt so foolish for being doubtful! I learned so much about God's power, the people He has created, and prayer. I can't wait till we do it again (Friday, 1 pm, at Fordham and Grand Concourse, just in case you're in the area!).
Pizza
This past Tuesday was our first official day off. We slept in a bit before heading towards Manhattan. The plan: explore the Metropolitan Museum of Art, eat some good food, and stay out of the heat. The heat has been nearly intolerable these past few days. On Monday and Tuesday, the highs were in the upper 90s, with the heat index over 100. And many apartments and establishments do not have AC. Yikes! So we were hoping to stay cool inside the museum for most of the day, which we did. We meandered through the Met for about 6 hours. This was almost enough to see everything. It's monstrous. And beautiful. I would try to explain the experience beyond that, but I can't. Just try it for yourself. Pop in your headphones and listen to whatever gives you good vibes (I recommend the Weepies), and stare at the most moving piece you can find.
So after that, we came back to the Bronx and ate dinner at Joe and John's Pizzeria... or was it John and Joe's? They've been there for 26 years, and it was the best atmosphere. John, or maybe it was Joe, invited us behind the counter, offered us an apron, and joked with us about soda prices, the heat, and the pizza oven. It was the first time I felt like I was experiencing the quintessential New York experience. While we stood at the counter, a little boy came up and ordered, handing over a $5 bill, which wasn't enough to cover the price of his order, and John/Joe gracefully made up the difference. Tell me, where else does that happen?! Anyways, I'm pretty confident that we will become regulars there.
Good times!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
All Things to All ... Yankees Fans?
Back in the day, I claimed I would never support the Yankees. But last night, I took one for the team. I decided to follow in the footsteps of Paul and be all things to all people. That is, last night, I was a Yankees fan.
A few of us interns ended up having the night off. We had work plans, but they fell through, so we decided to go out for dinner. We didn't know where we wanted to go, though, so we just hopped on the train at the nearest stop and rode until we felt like getting off. We just went down a few stops, two stops before we hit Manhattan.
We eventually ended up at a pizzeria which was only a few blocks from Yankee Stadium. After we ate, we had some time to kill, so we took a walk over to the stadium. We had no idea if there was a game last night or not, but we thought it would at least be cool to see the stadium. This is the last year the Yankees will be playing in their historic home; it is being torn down after this season. This means that the tickets to this season's games are expensive, and selling out quickly. We've been worried that we would never be able to get tickets for a game this summer.
But last night, we did. It turns out that there was a home game , against the Toronto Blue Jays, and we were able to get $10 bleacher seats! They weren't the greatest seats - we were at the back of the field - but they were cheap and they weren't nosebleeds. And wow! It was so much fun.
I've been to plenty of Astros games, which I love, but there was something different about a New York Yankees game. The fans, especially in the bleachers, are so much more dedicated and boisterous, which makes for a great atmosphere. There was one guy a few rows behind us wearing a Blue Jays t-shirt AND a Boston Red Sox hat. I guess he was hoping to get harassed. For example, when the song "YMCA" was played, the crowd surrounding him for at least 20 feet in every direction chanted at him, "Y R U gay?!" He took it like a man. You go, cuz!
I know I used to say I could never be a Yankees fan, and I still don't think I ever will be, but now I've decided that I could never be totally against them. And wow, it was really cool to be in the same stadium where guys like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig played, especially considering that this is the last season it will be standing. What a good night. The Yankees won, by the way.
Monday, June 2, 2008
No luggage? Oh no!
So my flight went fine, praise God! Upon arrival in NYC, however, I discovered that my luggage had been "delayed."
There are two possibilities concerning this incident:
1.) A spiritual attack. Instead of enjoying my first day here, I was stressed about whether or not I would ever see my suitcase, or rather, the stuff inside it, again. It was so difficult to participate in all of the conversation without allowing myself to be totally distracted. I was so excited and ready to take on whatever the city had to offer with confidence, but suddenly I was feeling severely unsettled and lost. It is intimidating to be facing an entirely new city and culture without the simplest of familiar possessions.
2.) A spiritual lesson. I felt like God was putting me in a place where I had no choice but to accept hospitality, a truly humbling position to be in. He could also be teaching me how little value material possessions have. They can be replaced. After all, He takes such good care of the lilies of the field. Surely, He will keep me clothed. And it is also possible that He is teaching me that I am truly lovely, and worthy of love, in my most vulnerable state, without my own clothing, makeup, or hair products to make me feel comfortable.
I believe that both of these possibilities go hand-in-hand. God taught me a lesson (a few, actually) through a spiritual attack. I woke up this morning after a good night's sleep, feeling much better, and read through Matthew 6:25-34 a few times. "So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing... Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern." God takes care of his children.
And at 7:00 this evening, I finally got my suitcase. Happy!
There are two possibilities concerning this incident:
1.) A spiritual attack. Instead of enjoying my first day here, I was stressed about whether or not I would ever see my suitcase, or rather, the stuff inside it, again. It was so difficult to participate in all of the conversation without allowing myself to be totally distracted. I was so excited and ready to take on whatever the city had to offer with confidence, but suddenly I was feeling severely unsettled and lost. It is intimidating to be facing an entirely new city and culture without the simplest of familiar possessions.
2.) A spiritual lesson. I felt like God was putting me in a place where I had no choice but to accept hospitality, a truly humbling position to be in. He could also be teaching me how little value material possessions have. They can be replaced. After all, He takes such good care of the lilies of the field. Surely, He will keep me clothed. And it is also possible that He is teaching me that I am truly lovely, and worthy of love, in my most vulnerable state, without my own clothing, makeup, or hair products to make me feel comfortable.
I believe that both of these possibilities go hand-in-hand. God taught me a lesson (a few, actually) through a spiritual attack. I woke up this morning after a good night's sleep, feeling much better, and read through Matthew 6:25-34 a few times. "So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing... Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern." God takes care of his children.
And at 7:00 this evening, I finally got my suitcase. Happy!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
I'm ready for take off!
Tomorrow is the big day! After six months of planning, fundraising, and anticipation, I finally arrive in New York City. I'm sure most of you already know, but incase you don't, I am going to live and work as a missionary intern in the Bronx for ten weeks this summer. I'll be working with Jared Looney and some other cool cats, and the Bronx Fellowship. The Bronx Fellowship is a simple church network, otherwise known as house churches. It's a totally awesome ministry. You can check them out at www.bronxfellowship.org.
I'm so excited about this opportunity. I've been blessed to be part of a house church here in Abilene this past semester, and have developed some meaningful relationships with people through it. Our church often met at the house I live in with three other girls, who were also part of the church, and our time together consistently entailed dinner and communion. We would sit around the table together and share with each other what God had been doing in our lives as of late, pray for each other, or share our creativity with each other. And we almost always ended up watching a movie. That was a typical Sunday at church.
The great thing about doing church the simple way was that we didn't just show up once a week and sit next to each other while we sang. We shared life together as we helped each other to walk in the way of the Lord. I know that sounds kind of heavy, and those of you who are reading this who were a part of church with me this past semester may be wondering why I say that, but that is how I view what we did. Because not only did we meet on Sundays, but we saw each other almost every day of the week. A few of us literally lived together, and a few others were over so often that they practically lived with us, which we loved. We were in each others lives in such a natural and pleasant way that we were able to be there for each other through good times and bad, to hold each other accountable in a way that wasn't forced by the familiar title of "accountability partner," and to share what we had with one another.
Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying it was a utopia. There were facets of church that we were lacking in. However, it gave me a glimpse into another way to be the church, a way that is as ancient as the very faith we participate in. This is the kind of church I will be a part of this summer, the kind of church that I will have the chance to learn about living and working in. The network of house churches in the Bronx has been around for some years now, and I am so psyched to see it in action.
I know that God has so much for me to learn this summer, and I plan on "taking notes with my eyes" (name that movie!). There is a great possibility that I may be doing what I learn this summer with some dear friends, Mark and Katrina Willis, in Chicago after I graduate. Check them out at http://godgrown.net. They're awesome.
So if you have a chance, please pray for my team and I. I will be there with four other college students: Heath, Katie, Jordan, and Clarissa. We will be living and working together all summer, so pray for our team, that we would work well together. Pray for our safety. But most of all, pray that God stretches and grows us in our faith, and that we learn what He has to teach us. Thanks for all your love and support!
PS: The movie was "Almost Famous." Go figure, right?!
I'm so excited about this opportunity. I've been blessed to be part of a house church here in Abilene this past semester, and have developed some meaningful relationships with people through it. Our church often met at the house I live in with three other girls, who were also part of the church, and our time together consistently entailed dinner and communion. We would sit around the table together and share with each other what God had been doing in our lives as of late, pray for each other, or share our creativity with each other. And we almost always ended up watching a movie. That was a typical Sunday at church.
The great thing about doing church the simple way was that we didn't just show up once a week and sit next to each other while we sang. We shared life together as we helped each other to walk in the way of the Lord. I know that sounds kind of heavy, and those of you who are reading this who were a part of church with me this past semester may be wondering why I say that, but that is how I view what we did. Because not only did we meet on Sundays, but we saw each other almost every day of the week. A few of us literally lived together, and a few others were over so often that they practically lived with us, which we loved. We were in each others lives in such a natural and pleasant way that we were able to be there for each other through good times and bad, to hold each other accountable in a way that wasn't forced by the familiar title of "accountability partner," and to share what we had with one another.
Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying it was a utopia. There were facets of church that we were lacking in. However, it gave me a glimpse into another way to be the church, a way that is as ancient as the very faith we participate in. This is the kind of church I will be a part of this summer, the kind of church that I will have the chance to learn about living and working in. The network of house churches in the Bronx has been around for some years now, and I am so psyched to see it in action.
I know that God has so much for me to learn this summer, and I plan on "taking notes with my eyes" (name that movie!). There is a great possibility that I may be doing what I learn this summer with some dear friends, Mark and Katrina Willis, in Chicago after I graduate. Check them out at http://godgrown.net. They're awesome.
So if you have a chance, please pray for my team and I. I will be there with four other college students: Heath, Katie, Jordan, and Clarissa. We will be living and working together all summer, so pray for our team, that we would work well together. Pray for our safety. But most of all, pray that God stretches and grows us in our faith, and that we learn what He has to teach us. Thanks for all your love and support!
PS: The movie was "Almost Famous." Go figure, right?!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Voy a casarme con Principe Caspian (I am going to marry Prince Caspian)
So I realize that the title of my blog makes no sense to anyone except Emily Jorgenson, and even she is probably wondering why I would choose this phrase as the title. Allow me to explain.
Last weekend, Emily and I tried and failed to go see Prince Caspian twice. It was sold out, even in the middle of the afternoon on the day after it opened! So after we were denied entrance the second time, we bought tickets for the next show, which would begin 3 and 1/2 hours later. Keep in mind that this was on a Saturday afternoon in Abilene, after most of our friends had left town for summer vacation. That means... we had nothing to do.
In Abilene, there are usually about five options:
1.) go to the movies
2.) get coffee
3.) go bowling/roller-skating/or putt-putting (I realize those are three separate things, but let's be honest... they're all pretty much the same thing)
4.) go out to eat
5.) go to church.
Okay, the last one is kind of a joke, but if you've ever spent an extended period of time in Abilene, you know just what I mean. Wow! I know - so many choices. But can you believe it? We weren't in the mood for any of them. And mostly, we were annoyed that our movie had been sold out again.
While we were driving home dejectedly, we passed by Primetime, this "family entertainment center" which is a lot like a Celebration Station, and thus began a ten minute rant about the lack of quality entertainment in Abilene. All Primetime could offer were high-priced activities similar to those listed in #3. Good times were had by all. Then Emily suggested going by Sonic for Happy Hour drinks. We're crazy, I know.
"Great!" I replied. "We could go to the batting cages!" The particular Sonic that we frequent has a sand volleyball court and a few batting cages for the entertainment of customers. I've never used a batting cage. And despite where you think this story may be leading, I still haven't. But Emily and I had a terrific time making jokes about the inevitable humor that would ensue if we did give it a whirl.
"A ball? Flying towards my face at 80 MPH?! Some man must have invented this. Leave it to men!" That is what Emily said her mom would say if she found herself trembling before the machine with bat in hand. I love it.
That day was just so telling of my life right now. Everyday, I wake up with a general plan, and some days it goes as planned, but most of the time, something unexpected happens. Occasionally, these unplanned events come on hard and strong, and the results of many of these experiences have been hugely life-shaping, for which I am thankful. But most of the time, these unexpected adventures are just a short and sweet experience. Like riding around with Emily, with no plan and lots of laughs. I can't wait to see her years from now and laugh about that day.
God is in all things. He is in the big and the small, the exciting and the mundane. Experiencing Him in the exciting is great, but experiencing Him in the mundane is a gift. So I've been training myself to view each day as a day with potential for grand adventures, and like I said, I can't wait to find out what tomorrow has to offer.
Last weekend, Emily and I tried and failed to go see Prince Caspian twice. It was sold out, even in the middle of the afternoon on the day after it opened! So after we were denied entrance the second time, we bought tickets for the next show, which would begin 3 and 1/2 hours later. Keep in mind that this was on a Saturday afternoon in Abilene, after most of our friends had left town for summer vacation. That means... we had nothing to do.
In Abilene, there are usually about five options:
1.) go to the movies
2.) get coffee
3.) go bowling/roller-skating/or putt-putting (I realize those are three separate things, but let's be honest... they're all pretty much the same thing)
4.) go out to eat
5.) go to church.
Okay, the last one is kind of a joke, but if you've ever spent an extended period of time in Abilene, you know just what I mean. Wow! I know - so many choices. But can you believe it? We weren't in the mood for any of them. And mostly, we were annoyed that our movie had been sold out again.
While we were driving home dejectedly, we passed by Primetime, this "family entertainment center" which is a lot like a Celebration Station, and thus began a ten minute rant about the lack of quality entertainment in Abilene. All Primetime could offer were high-priced activities similar to those listed in #3. Good times were had by all. Then Emily suggested going by Sonic for Happy Hour drinks. We're crazy, I know.
"Great!" I replied. "We could go to the batting cages!" The particular Sonic that we frequent has a sand volleyball court and a few batting cages for the entertainment of customers. I've never used a batting cage. And despite where you think this story may be leading, I still haven't. But Emily and I had a terrific time making jokes about the inevitable humor that would ensue if we did give it a whirl.
"A ball? Flying towards my face at 80 MPH?! Some man must have invented this. Leave it to men!" That is what Emily said her mom would say if she found herself trembling before the machine with bat in hand. I love it.
That day was just so telling of my life right now. Everyday, I wake up with a general plan, and some days it goes as planned, but most of the time, something unexpected happens. Occasionally, these unplanned events come on hard and strong, and the results of many of these experiences have been hugely life-shaping, for which I am thankful. But most of the time, these unexpected adventures are just a short and sweet experience. Like riding around with Emily, with no plan and lots of laughs. I can't wait to see her years from now and laugh about that day.
God is in all things. He is in the big and the small, the exciting and the mundane. Experiencing Him in the exciting is great, but experiencing Him in the mundane is a gift. So I've been training myself to view each day as a day with potential for grand adventures, and like I said, I can't wait to find out what tomorrow has to offer.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
So it begins.
This is my first official blog post, and be that as it may, I feel a lot of pressure for it to be good. Because what if it isn't? Will you, dear reader, ever return? I do hope so. I'll give it my most earnest effort with the most sincere of wishes that this would touch you, and thus, bring you back.
You see, I have been resistant to the thought of starting a blog for a few reasons. Let me begin by being completely transparent with you, something which I intend to do in all posts: I've been hesitant to start doing this because I'm afraid no one will read it. Yikes!
I've always felt it was a bit presumptuous to assume that if my musings were posted on the world wide web for all to read, they would surely do so. What makes my thoughts so special? Also, the temptation to allow this to become all about me is strong. In all things, I should seek to glorify God, to seek first his kingdom. I've struggled with how this accomplishes those things.
But I've decided it's time. It is time to start doing this because my friendships and relationships are becoming more and more scattered across the globe, and this is the most efficient way to keep people informed on the course my life is taking (at least my life for the next... however many days/months/years I keep up with this). It is also time for me to do my small part in claiming the resources of this world for the glory of God. The more I thought about it, the more blogging seemed like such an obvious way to do it, because it is true, what I wrote in the first paragraph. It is my most sincere wish that this would touch you, and that you would feel compelled to read more, but not because of anything I've done, but because of what the Lord has done.
I hope you read something here that makes you laugh, or makes you cry, and gives you a glimpse into the kingdom, because He is in all these things.
You see, I have been resistant to the thought of starting a blog for a few reasons. Let me begin by being completely transparent with you, something which I intend to do in all posts: I've been hesitant to start doing this because I'm afraid no one will read it. Yikes!
I've always felt it was a bit presumptuous to assume that if my musings were posted on the world wide web for all to read, they would surely do so. What makes my thoughts so special? Also, the temptation to allow this to become all about me is strong. In all things, I should seek to glorify God, to seek first his kingdom. I've struggled with how this accomplishes those things.
But I've decided it's time. It is time to start doing this because my friendships and relationships are becoming more and more scattered across the globe, and this is the most efficient way to keep people informed on the course my life is taking (at least my life for the next... however many days/months/years I keep up with this). It is also time for me to do my small part in claiming the resources of this world for the glory of God. The more I thought about it, the more blogging seemed like such an obvious way to do it, because it is true, what I wrote in the first paragraph. It is my most sincere wish that this would touch you, and that you would feel compelled to read more, but not because of anything I've done, but because of what the Lord has done.
I hope you read something here that makes you laugh, or makes you cry, and gives you a glimpse into the kingdom, because He is in all these things.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
