Yesterday we got a tour of the wooded nature trails and I learned perhaps one of the most valuable pieces of information thus far in my “beware of creepy critters” file in my mind: the obvious difference between poisonous and non-poisonous snakes. The difference lies in the shape of their head.
It is rather comical to consider that non-poisonous snakes are rather plain in color and tend to blend in with their surroundings. They have a round shaped head that follows the contour of their body and do not change shape as they slither around on the ground. The poisonous snakes however, have a diamond shaped head, and tend to attract great curiosity. They may have pretty skin-tones (copperhead) or make inviting noises (rattlers), and yet their bite may be lethal, especially babies because their venom is so potent.
As I consider and reflect upon this nature lesson from a distance, my mind has begun to relate the nature and makeup of these poisonous and non-poisonous snakes to people we encounter in our lives each day. It is easy most of the time for us to recognize plain ol’ snakes and to shoo them away, to flick them off the trail we are so obediently walking on. However, it is not only difficult to handle the poisonous ones. We sometimes lose sight of the lethality of their bite and perhaps even compromise our caution in trying to “handle” them in a situation.
The charm and fright of the noise they produce, the colors of their skin, or maybe even the thrill of exploring just a “little bit” off the trail tend to distract us just long enough to be struck. James chapter 3 speaks about the tongue being “filled with deadly poison”. Likewise, so are some of the “snakes” we allow into our lives without a second thought. They represent the “snakes” that distract or lure us off the safety of the trail. I want to be vigilant and wise in steering clear of the poisonous snakes that try to lure me off the correct pathway. I am reminded that the only way I can accomplish this is by resting in, trusting, and relying upon the Word.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
unexpected friendly company
Just over a week ago, I arrived in Macon, Georgia with my parents, ready to explore where I will be living for the next six months. The week flew by complete with three days of intensive life guarding and First Aid/CPR training. As Sunday rolled around I was ready for some rest. Some of the residents invited me and a few of my housemates to attend church with them about ten minutes away from the facility. This was a good opportunity to reconnect in the body of Christ and to worship the Lord freely. I was reminded however, that big lights and distracting movements are rather unappealing when one leads worship, and that it is not a matter of how giant the stage, nor how grand the decorations or marvelous the facility, but it is Christ alive in us, in our hearts, and the grandness of His presence beating, breathing, and overflowing in and through our lives.
Later Sunday evening we were invited to the Macon Wesleyan Church to share in fellowship at a church barbeque. The closeness and intimacy of this small group of people blessed my heart. Their warm smiles and openness in conversation helped me flee from any temptation to be shy in a new environment. Matt, one of our staff leaders gave us a tour of some of the beautiful neighborhoods around us and I was captivated by the glory and beauty of God in the Georgia landscape as the sun closed on a rather intense and busy week.
Memorial Day for me marked the official start and beginning of my internship journey. Today was a good day for reflection and rest as we prepare for yet another intense week of staff training beginning tomorrow morning bright n’ early at 8:00am. My supervisor visited our house tonight to meet with myself and the other six girls who I will be living with this summer at Hephzibah. We were reminded that we are to set an example for the residents here and what is expected of us this summer as camp-staff and young adult representatives of Christ. It felt good to finally connect as an entire group and to gauge the dynamics of what our living arrangement for the summer has in store.
I spent the better part of the morning at the health clinic down the road waiting to be seen for swimmer’s ear. I woke up knowing that I had likely developed swimmer’s ear from all our rescuing and time spent in the pool last week during lifeguard training. However, the Lord is always faithful in providing divine appointments when we least expect them. Busily reading a book for internship Mrs. Charlane assigned to me, I sat, ear throbbing, only to be greeted by the pleasant smile of an older woman. She inquired about whether or not my book was Christian and I told her it was written from a Christian perspective and then shared with her my love for the Lord only to watch as her husbands grin grew larger and deeper into his face. This was a bit of a challenge for me to speak about the Lord in a hospital clinic, but my heart felt at rest and overjoyed at the opportunity. They in turn shared their love for Jesus as well and we spent the next two hours in conversation (though they did most of the talking) as we waited.
What amazed me most about this couple was their shamelessness and passion for Christ. Their lives of devotion and loyalty were evident as they spoke and interacted with people at the clinic. I soon learned that The Popes celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary just a few days ago and they were quick to share with me the testimony of God’s blessings in their lives over their lifetime. Just as they are dedicated to one another, they are seemingly also dedicated to the Lord. Sometimes being sick can be a drag, but I know the Lord showed His purpose in this visit.
I hope and pray to one day share a devoted life of love and service to Christ with whoever my future husband may be. In the meantime, I hope to be empowered by the Lord to have many more conversations and divine appointments with the people in Macon, GA about the love of Jesus Christ. After all, this is what life is truly ALL about!
Later Sunday evening we were invited to the Macon Wesleyan Church to share in fellowship at a church barbeque. The closeness and intimacy of this small group of people blessed my heart. Their warm smiles and openness in conversation helped me flee from any temptation to be shy in a new environment. Matt, one of our staff leaders gave us a tour of some of the beautiful neighborhoods around us and I was captivated by the glory and beauty of God in the Georgia landscape as the sun closed on a rather intense and busy week.
Memorial Day for me marked the official start and beginning of my internship journey. Today was a good day for reflection and rest as we prepare for yet another intense week of staff training beginning tomorrow morning bright n’ early at 8:00am. My supervisor visited our house tonight to meet with myself and the other six girls who I will be living with this summer at Hephzibah. We were reminded that we are to set an example for the residents here and what is expected of us this summer as camp-staff and young adult representatives of Christ. It felt good to finally connect as an entire group and to gauge the dynamics of what our living arrangement for the summer has in store.
I spent the better part of the morning at the health clinic down the road waiting to be seen for swimmer’s ear. I woke up knowing that I had likely developed swimmer’s ear from all our rescuing and time spent in the pool last week during lifeguard training. However, the Lord is always faithful in providing divine appointments when we least expect them. Busily reading a book for internship Mrs. Charlane assigned to me, I sat, ear throbbing, only to be greeted by the pleasant smile of an older woman. She inquired about whether or not my book was Christian and I told her it was written from a Christian perspective and then shared with her my love for the Lord only to watch as her husbands grin grew larger and deeper into his face. This was a bit of a challenge for me to speak about the Lord in a hospital clinic, but my heart felt at rest and overjoyed at the opportunity. They in turn shared their love for Jesus as well and we spent the next two hours in conversation (though they did most of the talking) as we waited.
What amazed me most about this couple was their shamelessness and passion for Christ. Their lives of devotion and loyalty were evident as they spoke and interacted with people at the clinic. I soon learned that The Popes celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary just a few days ago and they were quick to share with me the testimony of God’s blessings in their lives over their lifetime. Just as they are dedicated to one another, they are seemingly also dedicated to the Lord. Sometimes being sick can be a drag, but I know the Lord showed His purpose in this visit.
I hope and pray to one day share a devoted life of love and service to Christ with whoever my future husband may be. In the meantime, I hope to be empowered by the Lord to have many more conversations and divine appointments with the people in Macon, GA about the love of Jesus Christ. After all, this is what life is truly ALL about!
Monday, May 25, 2009
transitioning and preparing
I became a lifeguard this week.
We had a few days of intense training - and fun staff bonding.
Staff training for camp and our summer preparation will be in full swing this week.
I'm excited to see what God has in store for this next season of internship.
I'm blown away by His daily faithfulness and outpouring of love.
Developed swimmer's ear and had to get some ear drops today at the clinic.
Met an older couple who, this week, celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary.
It blows me away how people can spend an entire *lifetime* together.
I hope one day to love like this - to share a life for the glory of God.
I trust that though I don't know who "he" is yet, that God is right now raising up and preparing a wonderful, faithful, strong, and consistent man of God to be my husband - who values purity, lives with Christ at the center of all he does and thinks, and whose character is a reflection of the Lord.
I'll update later on this week about intern adventures.
I appreciate your prayers and thoughts! God bless!
We had a few days of intense training - and fun staff bonding.
Staff training for camp and our summer preparation will be in full swing this week.
I'm excited to see what God has in store for this next season of internship.
I'm blown away by His daily faithfulness and outpouring of love.
Developed swimmer's ear and had to get some ear drops today at the clinic.
Met an older couple who, this week, celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary.
It blows me away how people can spend an entire *lifetime* together.
I hope one day to love like this - to share a life for the glory of God.
I trust that though I don't know who "he" is yet, that God is right now raising up and preparing a wonderful, faithful, strong, and consistent man of God to be my husband - who values purity, lives with Christ at the center of all he does and thinks, and whose character is a reflection of the Lord.
I'll update later on this week about intern adventures.
I appreciate your prayers and thoughts! God bless!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Welcome to Macon, Georgia
This afternoon we (mom, dad, and I) arrived in Macon, GA...to begin the first leg of this new journey: internship. On Wednesday, Mom and Dad will return to the chilly county of Aroostook in Northern Maine, lucky them!
Complete with sunshine, a warm breeze, and beautiful budding magnolias, we felt very welcomed by the southern charm of the residents and peacefulness of this countryside. We've done a little exploring around the area and I'm excited to see what God has planned for me here over these next 6 1/2 months.
Stay tuned for more updates on this season of life and some pictures to show you what this place is all about!
Complete with sunshine, a warm breeze, and beautiful budding magnolias, we felt very welcomed by the southern charm of the residents and peacefulness of this countryside. We've done a little exploring around the area and I'm excited to see what God has planned for me here over these next 6 1/2 months.
Stay tuned for more updates on this season of life and some pictures to show you what this place is all about!
Friday, May 15, 2009
laugh out loud
Running errands for my dad yesterday afternoon led me to Walmart - as I was checking out with some groceries I glanced to my right and behold I saw something quite comical - there in a cart piled high in every direction, angle and pocket of space in the cart sat a little toddler. This little blonde girl wearing a bright pink dress sat patiently playing with groceries that were not only packed all around and aboveher, but were packed beside, behind, etc. It was hilarious. This little girl actually looked like a grocery. It was a picture perfect moment, I wish I'd had my camera, but this is my best attempt at drawing what I saw:
Saturday, May 09, 2009
inspiration
I was sitting at my computer tonight and the Lord led me to review my blogs from December of last year. I found this post here (12/8/08) and it ministered greatly to my heart...I felt that for some reason it needed to be published a second time. May the Lord speak also to your hearts as you read:
What inspires you?
What touches the very depths of your heart?
Is it new life? the passing of old?
What about triumph? trials? failure?
Perhaps success? romance? love and kindness?
What about breath? life? awakening each morning?
So much is set before us that may liven our hearts
yet so often we miss it.
We trudge our way through the dance of our day,
never once caring to lift our foot from its sorry place,
never once giggling and delighting in an unexpected twirl.
We moan and groan, complain, and hope for the next day,
while the present still remains.
Our hearts are walled in with schedules, agendas, meetings,
and selfish plans...we silence the laughter...
we silence the dance...we silence the silliness and freedom...
sometimes we silence the King.
I know I made it through my day,
What a bles-sed day it was...
but I'm far too tired to spend time now with You Lord, just because.
Priorities, priorities, where are your priorities?
Does the Word gather dust while your tv glimmers and shines?
Does the Word disappear along the shelf as your photos pollute its view?
Does your prayer time shorten and shorten on behalf of that ringing tone?
A text, a message, a call for sure...from that lovely one that you adore.
"My child, my child...why won't you hear me?
Come beloved, I long to meet with you.
Stop honoring me with your mouth - while your heart is far from me.
Stop going through the motions, you mean more than that to me.
I created you with purpose...not to make it or scrape by...
I created you for excellence - come beloved don't be shy.
My plans for you are good and great, if only you will hear.
Silence those silly idol distractions, set your eyes upon this prize.
I want your heart, your life, your everything - more than I want
your habits and rituals. Come, beloved, come! Let me be your inspiration!
Let me be your life!"
What inspires you?
What touches the very depths of your heart?
Is it new life? the passing of old?
What about triumph? trials? failure?
Perhaps success? romance? love and kindness?
What about breath? life? awakening each morning?
So much is set before us that may liven our hearts
yet so often we miss it.
We trudge our way through the dance of our day,
never once caring to lift our foot from its sorry place,
never once giggling and delighting in an unexpected twirl.
We moan and groan, complain, and hope for the next day,
while the present still remains.
Our hearts are walled in with schedules, agendas, meetings,
and selfish plans...we silence the laughter...
we silence the dance...we silence the silliness and freedom...
sometimes we silence the King.
I know I made it through my day,
What a bles-sed day it was...
but I'm far too tired to spend time now with You Lord, just because.
Priorities, priorities, where are your priorities?
Does the Word gather dust while your tv glimmers and shines?
Does the Word disappear along the shelf as your photos pollute its view?
Does your prayer time shorten and shorten on behalf of that ringing tone?
A text, a message, a call for sure...from that lovely one that you adore.
"My child, my child...why won't you hear me?
Come beloved, I long to meet with you.
Stop honoring me with your mouth - while your heart is far from me.
Stop going through the motions, you mean more than that to me.
I created you with purpose...not to make it or scrape by...
I created you for excellence - come beloved don't be shy.
My plans for you are good and great, if only you will hear.
Silence those silly idol distractions, set your eyes upon this prize.
I want your heart, your life, your everything - more than I want
your habits and rituals. Come, beloved, come! Let me be your inspiration!
Let me be your life!"
Thursday, May 07, 2009
relationship
The concept of "relationship" has been a running theme over the last year or so in my life - a concept which I have thought over, chewed on, brainstormed, resented, enjoyed, appreciated, feared, run from, and embraced. Recently I've been exposed through the news, television, and various magazine articles to the reality of poor relationship in our world and reminded about just how real this issue is.
Yesterday I realized how much help people need in "real" relationship. We so often fail at keeping it pure - so miserably so that no one even dares to do it right. No one seems to know how. We've told ourselves, convinced ourselves into this mechanical way of operating with one another. Most times it's not relationship at all...it's mere acquaintanceship or simply knowing the right people because you have to or need to in order to achieve something. Since when have people ever legitimately been rightly considered as pons opposed to persons?
There's always some sort of twist, some distraction, perversion, agenda, or false thinking that gets in the way. Assumptions rot at the heart like some deadly sickness but are contagious at first glance. They feed on the mind, body & general well being of the assumer until they are entirely preoccupied with themselves, with this sickness, their assumptions and they no longer find it of any value to purely pursue and seek appropriate boundaries within the scope of relationship.
Relationship becomes a matter of 'yeh or neh', 'go or stay'. No one is privileged nor permitted to simply "be". What a terrible sickness - this plaque of the heart - soot of the mind sort of thing. If only we could fully, unmistakeably embrace our roles as male & female in accordance with the great Creator's original design - rather than aligning ourselves with selfish fantasies and naive expectations in life - to LIVE in relationship with others as a direct overflow of our devoted relationship with Him.
...Father teach us how to Love like You...
......... teach us to walk in relationship with You...
.................. to be as You would have us be...
.................. to honor You in our words, thoughts & actions...
.................. to keep You at the center of our relationships...
.................. ALWAYS!
Yesterday I realized how much help people need in "real" relationship. We so often fail at keeping it pure - so miserably so that no one even dares to do it right. No one seems to know how. We've told ourselves, convinced ourselves into this mechanical way of operating with one another. Most times it's not relationship at all...it's mere acquaintanceship or simply knowing the right people because you have to or need to in order to achieve something. Since when have people ever legitimately been rightly considered as pons opposed to persons?
There's always some sort of twist, some distraction, perversion, agenda, or false thinking that gets in the way. Assumptions rot at the heart like some deadly sickness but are contagious at first glance. They feed on the mind, body & general well being of the assumer until they are entirely preoccupied with themselves, with this sickness, their assumptions and they no longer find it of any value to purely pursue and seek appropriate boundaries within the scope of relationship.
Relationship becomes a matter of 'yeh or neh', 'go or stay'. No one is privileged nor permitted to simply "be". What a terrible sickness - this plaque of the heart - soot of the mind sort of thing. If only we could fully, unmistakeably embrace our roles as male & female in accordance with the great Creator's original design - rather than aligning ourselves with selfish fantasies and naive expectations in life - to LIVE in relationship with others as a direct overflow of our devoted relationship with Him.
...Father teach us how to Love like You...
......... teach us to walk in relationship with You...
.................. to be as You would have us be...
.................. to honor You in our words, thoughts & actions...
.................. to keep You at the center of our relationships...
.................. ALWAYS!
Sunday, May 03, 2009
a cycle of breath
breathing slowly
hoping
waiting
breathing stillness
waiting
silence
open
broken
wonder
loss
breathing hard
fury
fear
confusion
doubt
frustration
annoyance
insecurity
adrenaline
fast
hard
nerves
anxiety
growing
oppressing
screaming
crying
breaking
breathing deepness
broken
silence
thinking
wonder
hoping
waiting
freedom
breathing slowly
waiting
resting
hoping
crying
weeping
panting
hungering
thirsting
breathing, breathing, breathing...
hoping
waiting
breathing stillness
waiting
silence
open
broken
wonder
loss
breathing hard
fury
fear
confusion
doubt
frustration
annoyance
insecurity
adrenaline
fast
hard
nerves
anxiety
growing
oppressing
screaming
crying
breaking
breathing deepness
broken
silence
thinking
wonder
hoping
waiting
freedom
breathing slowly
waiting
resting
hoping
crying
weeping
panting
hungering
thirsting
breathing, breathing, breathing...
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