...of NEEDTOBREATHE in studio?! Yup. Love these guys, what else can be said?
Saturday, March 19, 2011
a little (or much) love.
I just wanted to say hi to everyone, and that I genuinely am excited to have almost 30 followers...some of whom I've never met. I am grateful for your loyal following and hope that some of my ramblings bless you from time to time. I know there are also people out there who apparently regularly read this but don't actually follow.
I started this blog for myself just over four years ago, as a way to give my brain an outlet. My mom had just passed away and I felt a strong need to have a forum to express all of that emotion. At first, I had no plans to share it with the world...but over the years, I've gotten feedback that some of the things I've written here have helped others in their walk. And literally, I have followers from around the world now...it's amazing what technology can do to bring people together.
Some good things continue to happen...like I shared, my vacation was wonderful! Now that I am back home, I am launching into some exciting new things. My church is starting to launch new ways to serve our community, and today was the first day I got to be a part of it. So simple, but I believe it will be life changing to some...we are "adopting" areas of our city and going every week to bring food and hopefully in the future, other things to help meet needs. We are building relationships and creating better, more connected communities. I got to personally give out about 10 bags of food to families, and I can't wait to get to know them. To me, it's a great way to give a little love to the people around us.
So, thanks again for following...I really do cherish each one of you! (If you haven't read my previous post and subsequently gone out and made yourself a little emergency kit, apologize to yourself and go out and do it!)
Much love.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
prepared.
I just got back from a wonderfully relaxing and adventurous vacation, and under normal circumstances, would be spilling all the details...like getting guest listed by the headliner of a show we weren't planning on going to OR having a different headliner invite you and your friend to come and hang while they prep for their show...and buy you coffee. Yeah, it was a great time. I love the south and almost everything about it! But my last day in Charleston, I woke up to news of the devastation in Japan.
I don't really know why this particular tragedy is sticking with me so much or why it is making me think differently about my own preparation for a disaster...but it is. For the last (almost) 30 years, disaster preparation was for school or work, and I never once thought that I should transfer that to my home. Maybe it's because I am older and realize how precious life is and how fast time passes that my point of view is shifting. Up to two days ago, I was completely unprepared for any kind of disaster.
This is not a 'Chicken Little' post where I am calling out that "the sky is falling!" I am not overly worried or paranoid...but the reality is that I live in a state that has the potential for fairly large earthquakes. Also, I happen to live about 15 miles from a nuclear power plant. To not be prepared for something, even somewhat minor, is foolish. The situation in Japan has made that glaringly clear. To pretend that we can't/won't have the potential of something similar is also foolish. It is inevitable that somewhere in California, possibly near where I live, that an earthquake of high magnitude will happen at some point in my life. Why not be prepared? That day could be days, weeks, months, even years away...but at least now I can say I am somewhat prepared.
I am not writing all of this to encourage people to live fear filled lives with impending doom ever lingering at the back of their minds. God has our days numbered...only He knows how and when we'll go. Until then, we should live a life of trust. However, I would love it if during a disaster, my preparedness was able to help someone else in need. I would also love it if this post encourages you to make a little kit so that you too can be ready.
I went out and bought some water (recommended 1 gallon per person per day) for three days, canned goods that don't need cooking (i.e. tuna, beans, fruit), crackers, granola bars, a couple of flashlights and some cups/etc. My roommate strongly suggested we add diet coke to that list...ha. I made sure that we had a few candles and matches set aside just in case. That's all for now. I have a gallon of water in my car and a blanket...and we have tools and extra blankets in our apartment. If you want a more extensive list, go here. No matter where you live, there really is no reason why you shouldn't take a little time and a little extra money to have something prepared. So I ask, are you...prepared?
I don't really know why this particular tragedy is sticking with me so much or why it is making me think differently about my own preparation for a disaster...but it is. For the last (almost) 30 years, disaster preparation was for school or work, and I never once thought that I should transfer that to my home. Maybe it's because I am older and realize how precious life is and how fast time passes that my point of view is shifting. Up to two days ago, I was completely unprepared for any kind of disaster.
This is not a 'Chicken Little' post where I am calling out that "the sky is falling!" I am not overly worried or paranoid...but the reality is that I live in a state that has the potential for fairly large earthquakes. Also, I happen to live about 15 miles from a nuclear power plant. To not be prepared for something, even somewhat minor, is foolish. The situation in Japan has made that glaringly clear. To pretend that we can't/won't have the potential of something similar is also foolish. It is inevitable that somewhere in California, possibly near where I live, that an earthquake of high magnitude will happen at some point in my life. Why not be prepared? That day could be days, weeks, months, even years away...but at least now I can say I am somewhat prepared.
I am not writing all of this to encourage people to live fear filled lives with impending doom ever lingering at the back of their minds. God has our days numbered...only He knows how and when we'll go. Until then, we should live a life of trust. However, I would love it if during a disaster, my preparedness was able to help someone else in need. I would also love it if this post encourages you to make a little kit so that you too can be ready.
I went out and bought some water (recommended 1 gallon per person per day) for three days, canned goods that don't need cooking (i.e. tuna, beans, fruit), crackers, granola bars, a couple of flashlights and some cups/etc. My roommate strongly suggested we add diet coke to that list...ha. I made sure that we had a few candles and matches set aside just in case. That's all for now. I have a gallon of water in my car and a blanket...and we have tools and extra blankets in our apartment. If you want a more extensive list, go here. No matter where you live, there really is no reason why you shouldn't take a little time and a little extra money to have something prepared. So I ask, are you...prepared?
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
resigned
This video, in a fun way, emphasizes the issue that I, and probably all people, struggle with. Giving God permission to make the decisions in our lives, even the small ones. I know that I don't come to God with all the situations I face, and at times, not even the biggest ones. I've been molded into the American dream, where I can do it all! Or if I don't/can't/won't, then I am not living up to expectations. I am an individual, headed for the best I can make in life.
The problem is that the American dream will and does leave you disappointed. Most times it requires sacrifice that actually steals away life, and attitudes that trample the heart. We buy into the lies and end up more confused and broken than we started. And instead of going to the one place, the one person who can help us, we continue the cycle of trying to seek the solution ourselves.
God will never take control of your life. I know that there have been days, moments, where all I want God to do is rip the control out of my hands and make me do His will. What a relief that would be...but, the truth is that if He did, I wouldn't have a relationship with Him. There is something beautiful about a willingness to trust and surrender. If we are willing, God promises not to fail us...
The problem is that the American dream will and does leave you disappointed. Most times it requires sacrifice that actually steals away life, and attitudes that trample the heart. We buy into the lies and end up more confused and broken than we started. And instead of going to the one place, the one person who can help us, we continue the cycle of trying to seek the solution ourselves.
God will never take control of your life. I know that there have been days, moments, where all I want God to do is rip the control out of my hands and make me do His will. What a relief that would be...but, the truth is that if He did, I wouldn't have a relationship with Him. There is something beautiful about a willingness to trust and surrender. If we are willing, God promises not to fail us...
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11
This verse is a simple reminder of the very reason I need to resign as the leader of my life. There is only so much I can do to prosper, only so much I can do to prevent harm. These things usually end up being a settlement for second best. God wants me to live. To be the full blessing He's created me to be...and to receive the full blessings He's reserved for me. It's starts with a resignation. A decision to agree with His word instead of circumstance or feeling. And so, here I go, resigning daily to my will, my thoughts, my actions. I choose God's. He has proven faithful and true, and those are the best odds.
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