This weekend I watched Slumdog Millionaire with family. I have been wanting to see it for a long time. Although I'm not quite sure why it got best film, I definitely liked the movie story. Then again, why does any film get the best film award? I think much of what is out today isn't that great. Oh well.
Slumdog for me was a strong reminder of 70% of the world that lives in abject poverty compared to what we know and experience in the US. It was a reminder of the kids around the world living in these conditions and knowing very little else.
Of course I also loved the romance in the story line. A childhood romance that lasts through life......that's painfully good.
I'm enjoying the song "Paper Planes" from the soundtrack and a few others that I just added on my playlist, so you can listen if you'd like. Great movie and great soundtrack for working out! :)
Sunday, April 12, 2009
It's 5 am and I'm up
I can hardly believe it's April. Where does the time go? These days are flying by.
This morning I'm up early. I went to bed at 9 pm after watching "Yes man" with the family last night.
Today is Easter and I usually get very nostalgic around this time of year. There are many reasons for this but the most prominent reason is because it was this month as a junior in high school that I became a Christ-follower. Perspectives changed. Friendships changed and my lifesyle changed quite dramatically. I guess you could say that for the first time I was alive inside. This may sound very corny but colors were brighter. My love for people was stronger. And life was abounding in hope. Nothing fazed me. I was definitely in a unique place and joy was my strength. Nothing would get me down. I was like a sponge and wanted to learn everything I could about this God who had so lavishly pursued me and loved me through dark days. His presence in my life made all the difference and I was ready to shed off everything from the past. I was looking forward to a bright future.
I've never really looked back. Much like a race where you set out to finish, my heart has been to finish well. And my life has been so incredibly rich and full. The people I've come to know, the perspectives I've come to share, the places I've been able to travel, the dreams and the lives that have also been shaped by this amazing God and His love are often times unbelievable to me.
Yet, life is so daily and there are discouragements, disappointments and challenges that come our way. Sometimes things faze me now. Joy is still my strength but it's different. Maybe life has been tempered with a wisdom perspective. I'm much more aware of the fallen nature and the tendency of mankind towards self and sin. I'm much more aware of how painful it can be to be human sometimes. Maybe I was a little more optimistic in the beginning. Not necessarily more optimistic about who God is in our lives but more optimistic about people. Don't get me wrong. I still love, still believe, still hope the best. But I'm also aware. I realize in a unique way our humanity is still very present. That doesn't completely bum me out.
What does bum me out on an Easter morning is realizing how many people I know (especially here in Reno, but other places too) who have been shipwrecked along the way in this race called life. And I constantly mull over in my mind, what it's going to take to finish this race strong, to live will. This morning my mind is thinking of others who have gone before me that I respected or trusted, whose families I love so dearly, and now their lives are washed up on a rocky shore, boat destroyed and seemingly no place to go. For me, I think divorce among Christians is so painful because your life is attached to so many other people and somehow God intended for marriage to be a positive, good reflection of His love for people. Yet we fall short and we fall so far away from that ideal.
As I ponder these things and pray for these people, I'm also asking God this Easter season to resurrect whatever has died in me so that I will make it to the other side of resurrection with faith, hope and love abounding within. I don't want to become cold, calloused or indifferent about the things of God. Yet, it's so easy to do in the midst of life.
Then I read this quote from Charles Spurgeon:
"Our drops of sorrow may well be forgotten in the ocean of His griefs; but how high ought our love to rise! Come in, O strong and deep love of Jesus, like the sea at the flood in spring tides, cover all my powers, drown all my sins, wash out all my cares, lift up my earth-bound soul, and float it right up to my Lord's feet, and there let me lie, a poor broken shell, washed up by His love, having no virtue or value; and only venturing to whisper to Him that if He will put His ear to me, He will hear within my heart faint echoes of the vast waves of His own love which have brought me where it is my delight to lie, even at His feet for ever."
This Easter my prayer is for each person reading this blog, that their hearts would be strengthened in that unique faith in Christ and given joy for the journey, that things that have died would be renewed and hope would blossom into new found treasure along this journey called life.
Happy Easter!
This morning I'm up early. I went to bed at 9 pm after watching "Yes man" with the family last night.
Today is Easter and I usually get very nostalgic around this time of year. There are many reasons for this but the most prominent reason is because it was this month as a junior in high school that I became a Christ-follower. Perspectives changed. Friendships changed and my lifesyle changed quite dramatically. I guess you could say that for the first time I was alive inside. This may sound very corny but colors were brighter. My love for people was stronger. And life was abounding in hope. Nothing fazed me. I was definitely in a unique place and joy was my strength. Nothing would get me down. I was like a sponge and wanted to learn everything I could about this God who had so lavishly pursued me and loved me through dark days. His presence in my life made all the difference and I was ready to shed off everything from the past. I was looking forward to a bright future.
I've never really looked back. Much like a race where you set out to finish, my heart has been to finish well. And my life has been so incredibly rich and full. The people I've come to know, the perspectives I've come to share, the places I've been able to travel, the dreams and the lives that have also been shaped by this amazing God and His love are often times unbelievable to me.
Yet, life is so daily and there are discouragements, disappointments and challenges that come our way. Sometimes things faze me now. Joy is still my strength but it's different. Maybe life has been tempered with a wisdom perspective. I'm much more aware of the fallen nature and the tendency of mankind towards self and sin. I'm much more aware of how painful it can be to be human sometimes. Maybe I was a little more optimistic in the beginning. Not necessarily more optimistic about who God is in our lives but more optimistic about people. Don't get me wrong. I still love, still believe, still hope the best. But I'm also aware. I realize in a unique way our humanity is still very present. That doesn't completely bum me out.
What does bum me out on an Easter morning is realizing how many people I know (especially here in Reno, but other places too) who have been shipwrecked along the way in this race called life. And I constantly mull over in my mind, what it's going to take to finish this race strong, to live will. This morning my mind is thinking of others who have gone before me that I respected or trusted, whose families I love so dearly, and now their lives are washed up on a rocky shore, boat destroyed and seemingly no place to go. For me, I think divorce among Christians is so painful because your life is attached to so many other people and somehow God intended for marriage to be a positive, good reflection of His love for people. Yet we fall short and we fall so far away from that ideal.
As I ponder these things and pray for these people, I'm also asking God this Easter season to resurrect whatever has died in me so that I will make it to the other side of resurrection with faith, hope and love abounding within. I don't want to become cold, calloused or indifferent about the things of God. Yet, it's so easy to do in the midst of life.
Then I read this quote from Charles Spurgeon:
"Our drops of sorrow may well be forgotten in the ocean of His griefs; but how high ought our love to rise! Come in, O strong and deep love of Jesus, like the sea at the flood in spring tides, cover all my powers, drown all my sins, wash out all my cares, lift up my earth-bound soul, and float it right up to my Lord's feet, and there let me lie, a poor broken shell, washed up by His love, having no virtue or value; and only venturing to whisper to Him that if He will put His ear to me, He will hear within my heart faint echoes of the vast waves of His own love which have brought me where it is my delight to lie, even at His feet for ever."
This Easter my prayer is for each person reading this blog, that their hearts would be strengthened in that unique faith in Christ and given joy for the journey, that things that have died would be renewed and hope would blossom into new found treasure along this journey called life.
Happy Easter!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
What remains the same is change & an unchanging hiding place
Thinking about how my life has changed now that I've been stateside and home for a few months, I began to look back on the things I've experienced in life this far. The one thing I can say for sure is that change is constant. In relationships, in purpose, in geographic locations, in wants, needs and desires, I'm finding that my life is often changing and transforming into something that I believe has become even more beautiful with time.
Although I never would have seen my life play out the way it has thus far, I have no regrets and I've thoroughly enjoyed trusting God in this life process. I've lived such an incredibly full life and for that I'm so grateful.
This morning I read in Joel 3:16 that God is a safe hiding place, a "granite safe" house for your children.
What does that mean in reality?
The night I was flying out of Nashville there were flash-flood rains and a few times Daniel and I could hardly see the road ahead while driving to the airport. Apparently, there were tornado warnings in the area. I vaguely remember hearing sounds of thunder or lightening and being reminded that one of the safest places to be is in a vehicle because of the rubber on the tires.
Maybe that's what God is saying here.
He's like the tire rubber that diffuses electrical shocks and helps us get through the challenges and trials of life.
For this unchanging hiding place, I'm thankful.
For the changes that remain, I'm thankful too and I found my anchor -- my anchor is in you, God.
Although I never would have seen my life play out the way it has thus far, I have no regrets and I've thoroughly enjoyed trusting God in this life process. I've lived such an incredibly full life and for that I'm so grateful.
This morning I read in Joel 3:16 that God is a safe hiding place, a "granite safe" house for your children.
What does that mean in reality?
The night I was flying out of Nashville there were flash-flood rains and a few times Daniel and I could hardly see the road ahead while driving to the airport. Apparently, there were tornado warnings in the area. I vaguely remember hearing sounds of thunder or lightening and being reminded that one of the safest places to be is in a vehicle because of the rubber on the tires.
Maybe that's what God is saying here.
He's like the tire rubber that diffuses electrical shocks and helps us get through the challenges and trials of life.
For this unchanging hiding place, I'm thankful.
For the changes that remain, I'm thankful too and I found my anchor -- my anchor is in you, God.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Random thoughts....
So a few mornings ago I biked 5 miles and tried out the Carson City Rec Department's swimming pool. Although it's nothing like the facility I got used to on Margaret Island in Budapest, I think it will be good to get one swim in there a week. I may check out the Moana pool too, but needless to say this is the time to get a move on practicing swim techniques and preparing for that portion of the Sprint Tri. As long as my knee heals, I don't think I'll have a problem with the running or the biking part of the race at the end of May. Last time the swim was the hardest for me. Well, when I get back to Reno, I plan to get a knee brace and figure out what I can do to see it heal quicker. I'm still moving forward though with workouts and hoping to get a few events on the books for 2009.
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I arrived in Raleigh-Durham at 1 am on Friday morning. Nicole picked me up from the airport and took me to her place in Cary. It's a darling neighborhood. I went walking this morning and found a bagel shop nearby and a grocery store to get dinner for the girls. Yum! The conference starts tonight. Seeing as I haven't been to a Campus Harvest for atleast four years, I'm curious to say the least. Nicole is going to help out with an "open mic" event tonight after the opener, so that should be fun to hang out with her and see some familiar faces. I'll also connect with Jeff and we'll set up a time to meet tomorrow and discuss the workshop for Saturday afternoon. I think I'm prepared as I whizzed through several chapters of "Waking the Giant" by Ryan Shaw while on the plane yesterday. The history of student missions in North America is awe-inspiring. I hope tomorrow we can inspire the students who come to the workshop about these truths, especially those considering more long-term missions among the least reach....which is (2-5 years or a life time call!).
-----------------
This morning I was reading the story of the women who loved Jesus. When he died, they went to his grave to find him but he wasn't there. An angel said, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?" The resurrection is a central part of the Christian faith. The fact that, against death itself, Christ conquered that and promised that all who trust Him will also come up with him into more living -- well, that's just an incredible truth. What got me thinking is the metaphorical significance of this. What I mean is this.Today, I'm not facing that kind of death but there are things inside my heart, my life that have died. Some of those things, no doubt, needed to die. But there are other things I believe need to be resurrected. As I mull through my thoughts on this, I realize I've been looking for life among dead things. Today I decided I need to go to the source of life and find life. :)
--------------
I arrived in Raleigh-Durham at 1 am on Friday morning. Nicole picked me up from the airport and took me to her place in Cary. It's a darling neighborhood. I went walking this morning and found a bagel shop nearby and a grocery store to get dinner for the girls. Yum! The conference starts tonight. Seeing as I haven't been to a Campus Harvest for atleast four years, I'm curious to say the least. Nicole is going to help out with an "open mic" event tonight after the opener, so that should be fun to hang out with her and see some familiar faces. I'll also connect with Jeff and we'll set up a time to meet tomorrow and discuss the workshop for Saturday afternoon. I think I'm prepared as I whizzed through several chapters of "Waking the Giant" by Ryan Shaw while on the plane yesterday. The history of student missions in North America is awe-inspiring. I hope tomorrow we can inspire the students who come to the workshop about these truths, especially those considering more long-term missions among the least reach....which is (2-5 years or a life time call!).
-----------------
This morning I was reading the story of the women who loved Jesus. When he died, they went to his grave to find him but he wasn't there. An angel said, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?" The resurrection is a central part of the Christian faith. The fact that, against death itself, Christ conquered that and promised that all who trust Him will also come up with him into more living -- well, that's just an incredible truth. What got me thinking is the metaphorical significance of this. What I mean is this.Today, I'm not facing that kind of death but there are things inside my heart, my life that have died. Some of those things, no doubt, needed to die. But there are other things I believe need to be resurrected. As I mull through my thoughts on this, I realize I've been looking for life among dead things. Today I decided I need to go to the source of life and find life. :)
Monday, March 23, 2009
RICE
So everything I've read about knee care has to do with RICE. Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. That's hard to do when you're always on the go. But, in between everything, I'm trying to do that!
Today I was inspired by a friend who started chocolatebaby.us, a specialty store out of Texas. Andrea and I were roommates in LA for a time and just to see her use her passion and gift for the finer things in life and market it to a specific audience has been inspirational. I think to myself, wow. Then, both my sister and another friend of mine are writing books. Talk about being inspired. I am. These are real people whom I know and love doing things that are in their heart to do.
Well, what can I do? Perhaps grow a garden? Maybe. I want to give it a shot.
Today I was inspired by a friend who started chocolatebaby.us, a specialty store out of Texas. Andrea and I were roommates in LA for a time and just to see her use her passion and gift for the finer things in life and market it to a specific audience has been inspirational. I think to myself, wow. Then, both my sister and another friend of mine are writing books. Talk about being inspired. I am. These are real people whom I know and love doing things that are in their heart to do.
Well, what can I do? Perhaps grow a garden? Maybe. I want to give it a shot.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
A deficit of love, knee musings and Oregon
Have you ever found yourself grasping for the true, the real, the authentic in life? Have you ever looked within and wondered how in one moment you can have everything aligned, everything in order, everything centered and focused and aiming toward your goal and then in what seems like the eye's blink, all seems off, uncentered, unclear.
This morning I woke up with a strong impression to read 1 Corinthians 13 and find that center. Last night I was talking with a friend and we were musing that ultimately, when it comes down to it, how did you love? As I re-read this chapter on love, I was impressed by this.....
One day we will be complete in our knowledge of God. Right now even what we know and say about God is always incomplete. There will be a day when it will all be completed and when that happens, all our incomplete and fragmented parts will come together under the banner of Him. There's a place in the Bible that says God is love.
This being true, we are encouraged in verses 12 and 13 that until that completeness comes, there are three things we should concentrate to lead us to that place.
1. Trust steadily in God
2. Hope unswervingly
3. Love extravagantly
and the best of these is love, we are told. So, where I hold a very large deficit in this area of my life, God does not and I will focus on these things in my life.
---------------------------
I have been working out but frustrated since returning to the states. There are two reasons for this. First, there are way too many food options here that taste quite delicious and are difficult to pass up consistently. I'm sure I've gained 5 pounds since I stepped off the plane. That doesn't bother me as much as the frustration I've had with my knee.
The morning I left Budapest, I tripped on a floor mat with some heavy luggage in hand and smacked it pretty hard on a marble floor. It hasnt been the same since. It bruised up at first and now it just hurts. I was reading up about knee injuries and found that often the ligaments surrounding the muscles and bones in the knee can be injured. If anyone knows of a quick way to heal knee injuries, please do tell!
---------------------------
This past weekend I went with my sister and her family and my mom to see a friend in Oregon. It was the first time seeing the coast in a long time! Fabulous, although windy, rainy and cold - I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
This morning I woke up with a strong impression to read 1 Corinthians 13 and find that center. Last night I was talking with a friend and we were musing that ultimately, when it comes down to it, how did you love? As I re-read this chapter on love, I was impressed by this.....
One day we will be complete in our knowledge of God. Right now even what we know and say about God is always incomplete. There will be a day when it will all be completed and when that happens, all our incomplete and fragmented parts will come together under the banner of Him. There's a place in the Bible that says God is love.
This being true, we are encouraged in verses 12 and 13 that until that completeness comes, there are three things we should concentrate to lead us to that place.
1. Trust steadily in God
2. Hope unswervingly
3. Love extravagantly
and the best of these is love, we are told. So, where I hold a very large deficit in this area of my life, God does not and I will focus on these things in my life.
---------------------------
I have been working out but frustrated since returning to the states. There are two reasons for this. First, there are way too many food options here that taste quite delicious and are difficult to pass up consistently. I'm sure I've gained 5 pounds since I stepped off the plane. That doesn't bother me as much as the frustration I've had with my knee.
The morning I left Budapest, I tripped on a floor mat with some heavy luggage in hand and smacked it pretty hard on a marble floor. It hasnt been the same since. It bruised up at first and now it just hurts. I was reading up about knee injuries and found that often the ligaments surrounding the muscles and bones in the knee can be injured. If anyone knows of a quick way to heal knee injuries, please do tell!
---------------------------
This past weekend I went with my sister and her family and my mom to see a friend in Oregon. It was the first time seeing the coast in a long time! Fabulous, although windy, rainy and cold - I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Seasons...
In some ways, I've been able to settle back into life in the US without any problems. In fact, I was honestly expecting quite a bit more of culture shock than I've actually experienced. While this is a delightful surprise, I find myself in an interesting place.
For those who don't know, this next season of my life is going to be just as exciting as the past. It's just going to look a lot different. Instead of living overseas, I have the opportunity to inspire, pray with, encourage and equip others to go. Back to short-term status, it doesn't look like I will be living overseas anytime soon "long-term".
This is a time when in between making phone calls, organizing events for college students regarding missions, traveling to said events, and that sort of thing, I have the added bonus of being close to home and hopefully jumping into life with my brothers and sisters and parents, aunts and uncles from time to time. It's actually been almost 7 years since I've lived in the area or stayed longer than a few months to see partners. So, this is where my biggest adjustment is taking place. In some ways, I will always feel as though I 'fit in' here. It's my family, it's my roots, it's the place I called home growing up. On the other hand, I don't 'fit' here at all. I can't describe it but I guess it's a lot like feeling you're a foreigner in your own home. Things - although familiar - also seem like a distant memory or like an outfit you've had in your closet since childhood that no longer fits in all the right places.
I'm sure it will be fine. I'm enjoying the journey and I'm trusting God to lead me through this time in my life. Part of the very reason I came back from Budapest was to be near family. This has it's benefits and drawbacks, mostly they are benefits and I'm thankful for a very strong family support system.
------------
I've been able to get into a workout schedule, which I'm excited about and have definitely set my sights on an event the end of May. I still hope to get a half marathon in sometime this year but as for now, I'm still working on miles.
I finally got a new pair of running shoes and I can't tell you how incredible that feels! I felt I was flying on my run a few days ago. I'm actually about to go for another one right now.
Hope your Sunday is terrific!
Jen
For those who don't know, this next season of my life is going to be just as exciting as the past. It's just going to look a lot different. Instead of living overseas, I have the opportunity to inspire, pray with, encourage and equip others to go. Back to short-term status, it doesn't look like I will be living overseas anytime soon "long-term".
This is a time when in between making phone calls, organizing events for college students regarding missions, traveling to said events, and that sort of thing, I have the added bonus of being close to home and hopefully jumping into life with my brothers and sisters and parents, aunts and uncles from time to time. It's actually been almost 7 years since I've lived in the area or stayed longer than a few months to see partners. So, this is where my biggest adjustment is taking place. In some ways, I will always feel as though I 'fit in' here. It's my family, it's my roots, it's the place I called home growing up. On the other hand, I don't 'fit' here at all. I can't describe it but I guess it's a lot like feeling you're a foreigner in your own home. Things - although familiar - also seem like a distant memory or like an outfit you've had in your closet since childhood that no longer fits in all the right places.
I'm sure it will be fine. I'm enjoying the journey and I'm trusting God to lead me through this time in my life. Part of the very reason I came back from Budapest was to be near family. This has it's benefits and drawbacks, mostly they are benefits and I'm thankful for a very strong family support system.
------------
I've been able to get into a workout schedule, which I'm excited about and have definitely set my sights on an event the end of May. I still hope to get a half marathon in sometime this year but as for now, I'm still working on miles.
I finally got a new pair of running shoes and I can't tell you how incredible that feels! I felt I was flying on my run a few days ago. I'm actually about to go for another one right now.
Hope your Sunday is terrific!
Jen
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