It was the catchy headline wasn't it...
I guess I should say NO MORE LONG UNDERWEAR!!!! I left the house today (for the 1st time since November) with just jeans on...I didn't have to wear all my layers today!
Rejoice with me people! It's going to be above freezing all week! Sunshine! Warm Weather! Rejoice!
My walk to work today was GLORIOUS! The sun...the warmth...i heard birds...it was super great. I love Spring. I can't wait for it to really be here.
Hooray!
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Monday, March 13, 2006
This week
Hey there all you fans...wanted to let you know I would be gone for the whole week and probably would not be posting while I am away. I am going to a conference in Croatia and looking forward to some solitude and some good time with God. Praying about some specific things and being taught some specific things lately. Look forward to tell y'all about it next week. Have a good one :)
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Music that rocks my face off
Most of you know that I am a huge, obsessive, music lover. I really just love hearing new stuff and being exposed to bands that maybe aren't mainstream but are doing cool things and have interesting things to say. Thought I would do a little post about some stuff I am listening to currently that you may want to check out. I will list a band and a few songs that I think are tops pics from the CD. check them out...you might like them. Most of them aren't traditionally "Christian" but that doesn't make them any less amazing. Enjoy.
Iron and Wine (pretty mellow and "folky")
-Naked as we came
-Such Great Heights
-Woman King
Sufjan Stevens (a little eclectic and quirky...but beautiful songs and really interesting instrumentation)
-Chicago
-Casimir Pulaski Day
-7 Swans
Hem (hard to describe...)
-The present
-The Beaufiul Sea
Imogen Heap (electronic "ish"...she is the lead singer for Frou Frou if you are familar. Had music on the Narnia soundtrack)
-Clear the Area
-Hide and Seek
-The Moment I said it
The Weepies
-This whole CD is INSANELY GOOD. It's my favorite of any of the new stuff I am listening to
Jenny Lewis (kind of a edgy, darker Allison Krause sound. It's almost country but with deep lyrics and cooler sounds)
-Rise up with Fists!
Jose Gonzalez (super mellow guitar and vocal)
-Heartbeats
-Love Stain
The Perishers (just good jangly guitar rock)
-Sway
-Still here
Rosie Thomas (incredible vocals...mellow...good for rainy days)
-Pretty Dress
-Death came and got me
-I play music
PS-I have to give my friend Dan Portnoy credit for introducing me to most of this music. He's the reason I am going broke buying music :)
Iron and Wine (pretty mellow and "folky")
-Naked as we came
-Such Great Heights
-Woman King
Sufjan Stevens (a little eclectic and quirky...but beautiful songs and really interesting instrumentation)
-Chicago
-Casimir Pulaski Day
-7 Swans
Hem (hard to describe...)
-The present
-The Beaufiul Sea
Imogen Heap (electronic "ish"...she is the lead singer for Frou Frou if you are familar. Had music on the Narnia soundtrack)
-Clear the Area
-Hide and Seek
-The Moment I said it
The Weepies
-This whole CD is INSANELY GOOD. It's my favorite of any of the new stuff I am listening to
Jenny Lewis (kind of a edgy, darker Allison Krause sound. It's almost country but with deep lyrics and cooler sounds)
-Rise up with Fists!
Jose Gonzalez (super mellow guitar and vocal)
-Heartbeats
-Love Stain
The Perishers (just good jangly guitar rock)
-Sway
-Still here
Rosie Thomas (incredible vocals...mellow...good for rainy days)
-Pretty Dress
-Death came and got me
-I play music
PS-I have to give my friend Dan Portnoy credit for introducing me to most of this music. He's the reason I am going broke buying music :)
Thursday in SK
It snowed here all day. Every day when I walk outside I think..."surely Spring will be here soon" but alas another day of snow makes the impending hope of Spring still seem far away. Not that the snow isn't beautiful...it is. Not that I am not thankful to live in a country with 4 really distinct, really beautiful seasons...I am. But I'm gonna be needing some sunshine soon. Some warmer temps. To wear something a bit less than 37 layers of underwear. I am so excited for sping and in a way it's really cool to have it come later and to really be excited and amazed to watch it slowly happen. In atlanta we have about 3 days of spring where everything turns yellow from the pollen. This is followed by 4 months of bursting
into flames as soon as you walk out of your front door.
I actually didn't even leave the house today...the beautiful of being able to work from home when need be. I had no intention of staying inside all day. I mean I showered, put on real clothes...even a little makeup. I just never managed to walk out the door.
I am working on a large update letter to send out (I try to do that monthly) but find myself with writers block (or perhaps it's sheer laziness).
I have meetings most of the day tomorrow. Our team is still trying to put together the most effective way to train youth leaders in SLovakia on how to create and execute a summer English camp. We have some tough questions to answer and some difficult issues to think through. If you are reading this...and you are one of the ones who prays for us here I would love to ask you to keep us in your minds. OUr church here in Zilina as well as our training ministry. Please pray that we would be focused on what God is doing and how he wants to use us. thanks for that...really.
into flames as soon as you walk out of your front door.
I actually didn't even leave the house today...the beautiful of being able to work from home when need be. I had no intention of staying inside all day. I mean I showered, put on real clothes...even a little makeup. I just never managed to walk out the door.
I am working on a large update letter to send out (I try to do that monthly) but find myself with writers block (or perhaps it's sheer laziness).
I have meetings most of the day tomorrow. Our team is still trying to put together the most effective way to train youth leaders in SLovakia on how to create and execute a summer English camp. We have some tough questions to answer and some difficult issues to think through. If you are reading this...and you are one of the ones who prays for us here I would love to ask you to keep us in your minds. OUr church here in Zilina as well as our training ministry. Please pray that we would be focused on what God is doing and how he wants to use us. thanks for that...really.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
unrequited
There are times where I am pretty darn excited to post on this thing. If I feel like I have something funny or insightful or helpful to share and I wonder/hope that I may have entertained or spoken to someone or something like that. Some people have a "counter" on their blog...and some even have systems that tell them who logged on to their blog, who is reading it, what country they are in, and other important info. I don't have one of those...so I honestly have no idea if there are 5 people or 500 people cruising past this thing.
But I want to extend the invitation to post comments. Or even just shoot me an email if you have a comment and are reluctant to lose anonymity. It's great to hear from people...even those who may disagree. And if you read this and like it or feel like you have something to add I would be glad to hear it. Or even if we haven't talked in a while and you want to say hi...that's ok too.
otherwise I will be forced to add a counter to this thing and track my fan base which I am sure will be a huge encouragement.
PS-I am going to have to ask if anyone is ok with Handkerchiefs anymore. This is a country of runny noses and "sniffing" is a cultural no no so people are constantly blowing their noses. And I see countless people honk some nastiness into a piece of cloth and then wad it up and shove it back into their pants. HELLO! GROSS! Why is that ok??? Just thought I'd mention it.
But I want to extend the invitation to post comments. Or even just shoot me an email if you have a comment and are reluctant to lose anonymity. It's great to hear from people...even those who may disagree. And if you read this and like it or feel like you have something to add I would be glad to hear it. Or even if we haven't talked in a while and you want to say hi...that's ok too.
otherwise I will be forced to add a counter to this thing and track my fan base which I am sure will be a huge encouragement.
PS-I am going to have to ask if anyone is ok with Handkerchiefs anymore. This is a country of runny noses and "sniffing" is a cultural no no so people are constantly blowing their noses. And I see countless people honk some nastiness into a piece of cloth and then wad it up and shove it back into their pants. HELLO! GROSS! Why is that ok??? Just thought I'd mention it.
Monday, March 06, 2006
the point
Over the last few days I have found myself thinking, "What's the point?"...now hear my tone in that. it's not a defeated fatalistic kind of thing but rather a "seriously God...I want to know what the point is, and to make sure I don't miss it." And I realize I have posted similar thoughts to what I really feel I need to post here but this morning it overtook me in a way that doesn't happen very often. Most of us are dealing with this question regardless of our belief system, or if we work in ministry full time, or if we sit in an office all day marketing widgets. But seriously...ask yourself what is the point. Life, work, relationships, faith, love, all of it.
The disciples and even Paul once they realized that jesus was the messiah and that their lives, purposes, beliefs, futures were forever changed went out and talked about the Jesus they knew. They went to various communities (some of them stayed close to home and some of them traveled to the ends of the earth) and they said, "Hey! You guys...here in Corinth or Ephesus, or Jerusalem, or wherever. Here is how you maximize the person you were created as. Here is how you bring purpose to your life. Here is the point of this whole thing. It's Christ. End of story. The point is that Christ is #1 in all circumstances and in him you live free and forgiven and eternally. Now do it. Put him first in your life and watch the change that takes place. Live free, forgiven, powerful radical lives and you will change the world". They didn't tell them the types of programs to start or how to mobilize people or what ministries to promote or what desk jobs they should and shouldn't have. That wasn't the point. it was that Christ is LIFE CHANGING. Meeting Christ and really "getting it" knocks you off your horse, blinds you and realigns your path in RADICAL ways.
The point is that in living a life so radically changed and dramatically different that the people in your circle/community (wherever that may be) can't help but notice...and that the only answer you could give them would be Jesus. I feel like I (and you may agree in your life) am substituting good deeds and programs and plans for this radically changed life. The radicalness (i know that isn't a word but you get it) of our lives isn't so much a "go crazy! throw yourself off a cliff. stand on the street corners and rant and rave. move to zimbabwe and "convert" the natives". The radicalness is that you are so monstrously loving, kind, compassionate, forgiving, holy, Christ-honoring, righteous, humble (and so many other things that are pure human nature is INCAPABLE of without Christ doing it for us) that we would blow people's minds with it. That our lives would be so counter-cultural (in a character way...not a wow, that guy is a crazy religious freak way) that people would stop and say "how in the world could someone really be like that".
I am not living a life of radically changed heart, character, desire...so instead I substitute and believe that doing enough good things, or "christian" things will make up for it. But I can do the most amazing "christian" stuff in the world and if my life doesn't reflect Christ then it's WORTHLESS. I have not been knocked off my horse, blinded, and refocused on the singular goal of bringing glory to my God. And I know this, so I try to make up for it in other ways. People look at WHAT I DO and think it's great or that I must love God or have faith, but I would so much rather people look at WHO I AM and think those things.
I want my heart and character to be transformed by Christ into the image of Christ so that if I am in Slovakia, or Africa, or in a cube pushing papers around, or sitting at the dinner table with my parents that something about me is OBVIOUS and BEAUTIFUL in the same way that Jesus was. And that when people ask "why" I am the way I am, my answer is sincere and it points in the only direction that matters.
The disciples and even Paul once they realized that jesus was the messiah and that their lives, purposes, beliefs, futures were forever changed went out and talked about the Jesus they knew. They went to various communities (some of them stayed close to home and some of them traveled to the ends of the earth) and they said, "Hey! You guys...here in Corinth or Ephesus, or Jerusalem, or wherever. Here is how you maximize the person you were created as. Here is how you bring purpose to your life. Here is the point of this whole thing. It's Christ. End of story. The point is that Christ is #1 in all circumstances and in him you live free and forgiven and eternally. Now do it. Put him first in your life and watch the change that takes place. Live free, forgiven, powerful radical lives and you will change the world". They didn't tell them the types of programs to start or how to mobilize people or what ministries to promote or what desk jobs they should and shouldn't have. That wasn't the point. it was that Christ is LIFE CHANGING. Meeting Christ and really "getting it" knocks you off your horse, blinds you and realigns your path in RADICAL ways.
The point is that in living a life so radically changed and dramatically different that the people in your circle/community (wherever that may be) can't help but notice...and that the only answer you could give them would be Jesus. I feel like I (and you may agree in your life) am substituting good deeds and programs and plans for this radically changed life. The radicalness (i know that isn't a word but you get it) of our lives isn't so much a "go crazy! throw yourself off a cliff. stand on the street corners and rant and rave. move to zimbabwe and "convert" the natives". The radicalness is that you are so monstrously loving, kind, compassionate, forgiving, holy, Christ-honoring, righteous, humble (and so many other things that are pure human nature is INCAPABLE of without Christ doing it for us) that we would blow people's minds with it. That our lives would be so counter-cultural (in a character way...not a wow, that guy is a crazy religious freak way) that people would stop and say "how in the world could someone really be like that".
I am not living a life of radically changed heart, character, desire...so instead I substitute and believe that doing enough good things, or "christian" things will make up for it. But I can do the most amazing "christian" stuff in the world and if my life doesn't reflect Christ then it's WORTHLESS. I have not been knocked off my horse, blinded, and refocused on the singular goal of bringing glory to my God. And I know this, so I try to make up for it in other ways. People look at WHAT I DO and think it's great or that I must love God or have faith, but I would so much rather people look at WHO I AM and think those things.
I want my heart and character to be transformed by Christ into the image of Christ so that if I am in Slovakia, or Africa, or in a cube pushing papers around, or sitting at the dinner table with my parents that something about me is OBVIOUS and BEAUTIFUL in the same way that Jesus was. And that when people ask "why" I am the way I am, my answer is sincere and it points in the only direction that matters.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
staring out the window
a couple of things...
first of all since I announced the directive to blog about something funny i feel like I am going to let you down. as much as I have been trying to come up with something funny...I am drawing a blank. Not that my life is so mediocre or depressing that there is nothing lighthearted in my world. but as for laugh out loud "that would make a great story" I am at a loss. And as most of you know, when you go looking for something it becomes all elusive and we can't find what we are looking for. or maybe it's just me. so...if you are looking for a laugh out loud moment with me here I am sorry! maybe next time
secondly I find myself staring out the window a lot. the kitchen window which looks out at another grey aparment building or the living room window which looks out at my street. I just stare. sometimes I think or pray or blank out or whatever. for a few weeks there was an old woman (it actually took me a few days to figure out it was a woman) who would come outside super early in the morning with a snow shovel and some sort of metal ice chopping hoe/shovel deal. she would be outside for several hours chopping at the ice on the sidewalk in front of her building. Clank, Clank,Clank...trying to work through the 4 inch thick layer of ice that is on all the sidewalks. So she'd spend hours doing this. And have to do it again the next day.
I watch the snow. I watch the people falling down because the sidewalks are covered in ice. I watch the people who think no one sees them let their dog poop on the sidewalk. But mostly I am just looking at nothing. I suppose I could have some philosophical take on this, or use it as some sort of spiritual metaphor. but honestly I just wanted to tell you about staring out the window.
I am sure you are hoping my next post will be about watching paint dry...and it might be but probably not.
first of all since I announced the directive to blog about something funny i feel like I am going to let you down. as much as I have been trying to come up with something funny...I am drawing a blank. Not that my life is so mediocre or depressing that there is nothing lighthearted in my world. but as for laugh out loud "that would make a great story" I am at a loss. And as most of you know, when you go looking for something it becomes all elusive and we can't find what we are looking for. or maybe it's just me. so...if you are looking for a laugh out loud moment with me here I am sorry! maybe next time
secondly I find myself staring out the window a lot. the kitchen window which looks out at another grey aparment building or the living room window which looks out at my street. I just stare. sometimes I think or pray or blank out or whatever. for a few weeks there was an old woman (it actually took me a few days to figure out it was a woman) who would come outside super early in the morning with a snow shovel and some sort of metal ice chopping hoe/shovel deal. she would be outside for several hours chopping at the ice on the sidewalk in front of her building. Clank, Clank,Clank...trying to work through the 4 inch thick layer of ice that is on all the sidewalks. So she'd spend hours doing this. And have to do it again the next day.
I watch the snow. I watch the people falling down because the sidewalks are covered in ice. I watch the people who think no one sees them let their dog poop on the sidewalk. But mostly I am just looking at nothing. I suppose I could have some philosophical take on this, or use it as some sort of spiritual metaphor. but honestly I just wanted to tell you about staring out the window.
I am sure you are hoping my next post will be about watching paint dry...and it might be but probably not.
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