Don't let anyone look down on you because...

Ever heard of Susan Boyle? If you haven't it means you haven't watched TV, not seem U Tube for some time and hadn't had time to check people's blogs and face book because everyone is talking about her. This middle aged English lady who lives with her cat and mother, looks like everyone's village neighbor. Her hair is thinning, her figure is round and no one would look at her twice at the grocery store check out line. Yet she had the courage to step onto the stage of "Britain's got talent" TV reality show. The crowd and judges smirked as they watch her step up to the mike and tell them she would sing for them. Some outright laughed as they waited to see her making a fool of herself.

As she sang the first few notes, all laughter stopped, jaws opened and eyes widened in disbelief. Within a few bars of the song, people were clapping and on their feet in admiration and shock. She became an instant world celebrity in that moment.

What was the difference between the Susan coming onto the stage and the one leaving? She was the same person but the world were seeing her very differently. I like the verse in the Bible that says I Tim :12 "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example..."

Do you ever feel people really don't know you? In fact, do you sometimes feel people are looking down on you because ________? You fill in the blank. maybe you are looking down on yourself because ________?

God has given all of us gifts and abilities- he is not surprised when we start using them! We might surprise others and even ourselves! Isn't is affirming that when we "walk onto the stage" of using our gifts, God is already on his feet applauding.

Limitations of Technology

If someone wanted to clone me (not sure why they would want to!) or find out anything about me all they have to do is investigate what is on my computer. They will see my family, musings, letters, business world, passwords, devotional notes and prayer diary, poems and songs, pictures and my recipes. When the electricity is cut and my battery runs out I have nothing to do it seems. Anything I think of to do, is all on my machine! How sad!

Much of my relationships now are cultivated through facebook, e mails, skype calls and the such, because of the travel demand from my work presently. How safe or good is that? I am wondering? I NEVER want to loose the face to face, the touch, the warmth of just being in a good friend’s presence, or finding a resolution to a misunderstanding without being there in person if possible. The smiley face characters cannot replace the real thing! So much of communication is unspoken and needs to be seen and felt, not just heard.

I am fighting the danger of just keeping relationships “the easy way”- chatting on the phone, skype calling etc. I am needing to convince myself again and again that the walk to someone’s office or a jeepney ride to a restaurant to meet a friend or even a flight to be with someone is so WORTH it!

May I never replace technology for human touch! How about you?

Rhythms of Rest and Renewal

My Life seems to get fuller, faster, more demanding yet richer! But oh I long to remember and keep rhythms of Rest and Renewal. I will pray for you as you pray for me as we remind each other to rest and renew routinely!

"In order to grow towards wholeness,
accepting our brokenness
and gradually becoming more compassionate,
we need the power of the Spirit.
But we are humans
and must also know the ways of our own bodies and beings...
Each one of us must find our own secret rhythm
of how to rest, relax and find re-creation
for each one of our bodies is different.
We need personal space and time...
Each of us must discover our own
real nourishment...
We must learn
not just to free ourselves from tension and fatigue...
We must learn
As the mother must learn
in front of the never-ending needs of her children,
how to respect our energy
and relax in all the moments of our day
filled as they may be with arduous work
or often tiresome meetings,
and crises of all sorts,
and the hundred and one things that have to be done.
To do this we must discover how to harmonize
the active and the passive in us.
If we are just doers,
feeling terribly responsible and serious,
we will crack up one day.
We must nourish the passive part of us,
our hearts made for a personal love,
learning to listen to others,
to marvel at nature,
to rest a moment in the presence of Jesus,
to receive the love of those around us
and be nourished by their trust,
enjoying the little things of each day,
not taking ourselves too seriously,
accepting to become like little children."
Jean Vanier

Canvas of Society

I dare you to take 20 minutes and watch this U tube video. It is a piece written by a Filipino painter who paints the Last Supper with Jesus at the table with street children and narrates on the Canvas of Society. A very moving piece.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/yt-bzYgSJCPEtY/sa_kambas_ng_lipunan_on_the_canvas_of_society/

The more I deal with adults that suffer from insecurity, low self image, anger issues and are negative and critical, the more I can trace back a difficulty from their childhood. Parents, we have so much influence on our young children. Give them a heritage that will last a lifetime. I am not talking about presents cheap or expensive, educational pursuits or a classic ballet lessons. I am talking about unconditional love no matter their IQ, personality, weight or prowess at sports or music; teaching them to consider others better than themselves, that life is not fair but we should try to be; that we can live within our means and be content with what we have- others will always have more and many more have less; be respectful of country, authority and laws, that we should live with life goals and seek to pursue those; that life without God is no life at all.

When we do this we can change what is on the Canvas of our Society

Don’t Short Change Christmas

Let’s exchange

Worry for Worship

Shopping for Singing

Clamor for Calm

Parties for Peace

Jollies for Joy

Santa for Savior

Christmas lights for Christ the Light

Gifts that fade for the Gift that lasts forever

Baking for the Bread of life

Holly for Holiness

Christmas tree for the Cross

Presents for His Presence

Let’s not short change this wonderful Season!

Coincidence?

Some may call it coincidence, I prefer to call it tracing God’s hand in putting a picture together, piece by piece. I have been asked to take on a new role. My first reaction was “No way, I have enough on my plate and feel quite stretched already!” But I promised to pray about it and after several weeks, felt I should say that I would be willing to tackle it.

If I took on this more-expanded-job, I would need some help in the job I already have. One of the first people I skyped seemed ready for my question before I asked. He and his wife had been feeling that they needed to stream line into one direction, for about a week already. And the direction was in helping in what I am doing!

One of the most overwhelming parts of the job I have now is the administration load. Two people have already said they would and are helping carry that load!

As I have been praying and thinking through this new job, ideas have been bombarding my thoughts day and night. LOTS yet to learn, but the learning seems like something I will enjoy.

We bought a new book called Axiom by Bill Hybel and I have been reading a bit each day. Almost every day God has used that book to speak into the different questions or doubts I have had concerning this new job.

Family, friends and colleagues have all given me their confidence vote!

There are still many pieces missing to clearly see the big picture but there are enough pieces in place that I am starting to see the shape. Coincidence? Nah! Just pieces coming together and I can’t wait for the next one!

Prayer

I am reading Philip Yancey’s book on Prayer: Does it make difference. A good provocative read.

Prayer is vital to me, yet it is one of the biggest mysteries I have concerning my faith walk with Christ. I continue to grapple with how prayer affects my walk with God and God’s working in my life and in the world around me.

Eugene Peterson says it this way

“My grammar book said, “The middle voice is that use of the verb which describes the subjects as participating in the results of the action.” I read that now, and it reads like a description of Christian prayer- “the subject as participating in the results of the action.” I do not control the action: that is a pagan concept of prayer, putting the gods to work by my incantations or rituals. I am not controlled by the action: that is a Hindu concept of prayer in which I slump passively into the impersonal and fated will of gods and goddesses. I enter into the action begun by another, my creating and saving Lord, and find myself participating in the results of the action. I neither do it, nor have it done to me; I will to participate in what is willed.

As I continue to try to understand prayer there is one thing I know for certain. Prayer is commanded by my Lord so I am all the more determined to pray and keep asking for prayer; working in partnership with my Savior and Creator.