I came across one of my old newsletters, and this one in particular really jumped out at me. I wrote this almost a year ago...which made me sad. Sad because it took little introspection to realize I'm still living in that sad shadow of a slave. I pray it would cause you to take a second and ask yourself," Am I living as the child He intended, or the slave?"
Tim Keller has done a great study on the book of Galatians. Each week my team and I read through the study through winces and cringing. It tends to cut straight to the heart of the matter, bypassing the pleasantries and getting right at it…just hurts so good. Before I begin each week, I take a deep breath and pray God’s grace to grow and be challenged. All that to say, it’s good stuff…
So, a couple of weeks ago brought us to Galatians 5:1-15. Paul is re-introducing the truths of our freedom found in Christ. He’s confronting the problems coming from those misusing that freedom. That understanding our freedom; the gift of Christ on the Cross, and the love He poured on us, that is what propels us to obey. This lead us to ask ourselves the question, “Am I living as a Son of slave?” So, take a deep breath, and meditate on the differences. Are you living as a Son or as a slave? (Here we go…)
Slave: Compulsive obedience. Obeys God and moral codes out of fear of rejection- a compulsive, driven moralism.
Child: Obeys out of joy in your Father and out of gratitude for the certainty of his love.
Slave: Hiding. Lots of strategies to hide our inner and outer failings from one another and ourselves. Lots of gossip, blame shifting, defensiveness…
Child: Open and transparent. Freedom from having to put up a front. Able to appreciate people who are different and hurting.
Slave: Isolation. Feeling that no one understands, that no one cares. An unwillingness to trust or intense, idolatrous trust of someone who inevitably disappoints.
Child: Because of openness and transparency and a lack of self-absorbed self-pity, a growing circle of friends with whom you are neither too independent nor over dependent.
Slave: Controlled by people’s opinion. Expectations and approval of others become the real moral standard
Child: Integrity and courage regardless of who is watching. “The only person whose opinion counts is my Father’s!”
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Trust
“Pray that I would have clarity,” he said. Mother Teresa replied firmly, “No, I will not do that. Clarity is the last thing you are clinging to and must let go of.” When the young man commented that she always seemed to have the clarity he longed for, she laughed. “I have never had clarity; what I have always had is trust. So I will pray that you trust God.”
What I often pray for others and myself is that we will have clarity. That God will give us discernment and wisdom. What I’m realizing more and more is that although these things can be good, what we really should be craving is trust in Him. What I should be praying for others and myself is for God to grant us the ability to trust. Trust is a hard thing. It takes an enormous amount of courage to say with complete truth, “I trust in You. Wherever you lead, I will follow.” Knowledge is so much more comforting than blindly walking. Unfortunately clarity is fleeting, and rarely cultivates lasting trust. It really just temporarily alleviates uncertainty.
As always, I believe this comes back to love. If we cannot say from the depths of our souls that we are cherished and loved by the One and Only, then trust is really just a lofty notion. How can we trust all that we are and will be to someone we don’t believe loves us? If I know God’s love for me is never-ending (Eph 3:17-18), that He will always fight for me (Ex 14:13-14), and His protection never ends (Ps 121:8), then how can I not trust Him? If trusting Him is as hard for you as it is for me, may we revisit daily, hourly if necessary, the depths of His love for us. I long to trust Him completely.
What I often pray for others and myself is that we will have clarity. That God will give us discernment and wisdom. What I’m realizing more and more is that although these things can be good, what we really should be craving is trust in Him. What I should be praying for others and myself is for God to grant us the ability to trust. Trust is a hard thing. It takes an enormous amount of courage to say with complete truth, “I trust in You. Wherever you lead, I will follow.” Knowledge is so much more comforting than blindly walking. Unfortunately clarity is fleeting, and rarely cultivates lasting trust. It really just temporarily alleviates uncertainty.
As always, I believe this comes back to love. If we cannot say from the depths of our souls that we are cherished and loved by the One and Only, then trust is really just a lofty notion. How can we trust all that we are and will be to someone we don’t believe loves us? If I know God’s love for me is never-ending (Eph 3:17-18), that He will always fight for me (Ex 14:13-14), and His protection never ends (Ps 121:8), then how can I not trust Him? If trusting Him is as hard for you as it is for me, may we revisit daily, hourly if necessary, the depths of His love for us. I long to trust Him completely.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Some Favs
A friend and I were walking down memory lane, discussing some of our favorite things of the past. It got us reflecting on some of our favorite things, which resulted in this post. I wanted to do top ten's, but decided to do top five instead. Not quite the same ring, but it'll work...Let me know some of YOUR favorite things!
Top 5 Cartoons from my childhood:
5. Gummy Bears : Who didn't want some gummy bearry juice?
4. Garfield : Jon Arbuckle and Odie. Enough said.
3. Alvin and the Chipmunks
2. Pee-Wee's Playhouse : Ms Chairry, the ant farm, Penny...classic
1. Smurfs
Top 5 shows that impacted my world:
5. Saved By the Bell
4. Charles In Charge
3. Felicity
2. ER (early days)
1. Bevery Hills 90210
Foods I couldn't do without:
5. Salad
4. Wedding Cake
3. Chips and Salsa
2. Peanut Butter
1. Cereal
Top 5 Places I've traveled:
5. Venice, Italy
4. Recife, Brazil
3. Istanbul, Turkey
2. Salzburg, Austria
1. Prague, Czech Republic
Top 5 movies:
5. Pretty Women
4. Beaches
3. Dumb and Dumber
2. Last of the Mohicans
1. Pride and Prejudice
Top 5 fun memories:
5. Beginning of senior year in high school
4. Countless memories at Frontier with the wonderful Fronterns
3. Concerts with Lace
2. Freshmen year of college
1. My 25th Birthday
We're goin 10 on this one...
Top 10 songs to break it down to. Now, small disclaimer: Some of us may not want to admit it, but we all know that when we hear them, they definitely make us want to break it down. So, here they are:
10."Hot In Herre" - Nelly
9. "The Way You Move" - Outkast
8. "Vivrant Thing" - Q Tip
7. "Bootylicious" - Destiny's Child
6. "Hypnotize" - Biggie
5. "Gold Digger" - Kanye
4. "In Da Clube"- 50
3. "Gotta Give It Up" - Marvin Gaye
2. "Yeah" - Usher
1. "Livin La Vida Loca" - Ricky Martin SIKE!
1. "Gettin Jiggy Wit It" - Will Smith
Top 5 Cartoons from my childhood:
5. Gummy Bears : Who didn't want some gummy bearry juice?
4. Garfield : Jon Arbuckle and Odie. Enough said.
3. Alvin and the Chipmunks
2. Pee-Wee's Playhouse : Ms Chairry, the ant farm, Penny...classic
1. Smurfs
Top 5 shows that impacted my world:
5. Saved By the Bell
4. Charles In Charge
3. Felicity
2. ER (early days)
1. Bevery Hills 90210
Foods I couldn't do without:
5. Salad
4. Wedding Cake
3. Chips and Salsa
2. Peanut Butter
1. Cereal
Top 5 Places I've traveled:
5. Venice, Italy
4. Recife, Brazil
3. Istanbul, Turkey
2. Salzburg, Austria
1. Prague, Czech Republic
Top 5 movies:
5. Pretty Women
4. Beaches
3. Dumb and Dumber
2. Last of the Mohicans
1. Pride and Prejudice
Top 5 fun memories:
5. Beginning of senior year in high school
4. Countless memories at Frontier with the wonderful Fronterns
3. Concerts with Lace
2. Freshmen year of college
1. My 25th Birthday
We're goin 10 on this one...
Top 10 songs to break it down to. Now, small disclaimer: Some of us may not want to admit it, but we all know that when we hear them, they definitely make us want to break it down. So, here they are:
10."Hot In Herre" - Nelly
9. "The Way You Move" - Outkast
8. "Vivrant Thing" - Q Tip
7. "Bootylicious" - Destiny's Child
6. "Hypnotize" - Biggie
5. "Gold Digger" - Kanye
4. "In Da Clube"- 50
3. "Gotta Give It Up" - Marvin Gaye
2. "Yeah" - Usher
1. "Livin La Vida Loca" - Ricky Martin SIKE!
1. "Gettin Jiggy Wit It" - Will Smith
Thursday, February 12, 2009
I Need Africa...
More than Africa needs me...
I have had the privilege of partnering with a great organization called Mocha Club for a little while now. I first got to know this organization through a couple artist I love; Matt Wertz and Dave Barnes. Their thinking is that if you save the money you would spend on a couple of mochas ($7) a month, and use it to help people in Africa it can do one of the following things:
~feed a person for a month
~save one person's life from malaria
~educate 2 children one full school term
~provide clean water for 7 Africans for one year
I don't drink mochas, or coffee for that matter, BUT I can spare at least $7 a month. Can you? If so, go to www.MochaClub.org for info.
Below is a great video on why we need Africa more than Africa needs us....
"My new reality...My joy should have no regard for my circumstances."
I have had the privilege of partnering with a great organization called Mocha Club for a little while now. I first got to know this organization through a couple artist I love; Matt Wertz and Dave Barnes. Their thinking is that if you save the money you would spend on a couple of mochas ($7) a month, and use it to help people in Africa it can do one of the following things:
~feed a person for a month
~save one person's life from malaria
~educate 2 children one full school term
~provide clean water for 7 Africans for one year
I don't drink mochas, or coffee for that matter, BUT I can spare at least $7 a month. Can you? If so, go to www.MochaClub.org for info.
Below is a great video on why we need Africa more than Africa needs us....
"My new reality...My joy should have no regard for my circumstances."
Sunday, January 25, 2009
What's In A Name...
The name Heather is of Middle English origin...an evergreen flowering plant that thrives on peaty barren lands. Has an upper-class aura. A variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers which commonly grow in rocky areas.
Have you ever really looked into the meaning of your name? I have really only read the quick description given in random baby name books, and that usually say "flowering herb." I know, be jealous. I never really thought much about it. I decided to breakdown some of the words in the description.
"Evergreen" - Having foliage that persists and remains green throughout the year. Perenially fresh or interesting; enduring.
Not only remains green through different seasons, but actually "thrives on peaty barren lands"...
"Barren" - Incapable of producing, not producing, lacking
Doesn't that seem like a bit of an oxymoron? Thriving on barren lands? Sounds nice, but a bit ironic. Barren is incapable of producing, and yet the heather plant thrives in those exact conditions. It's the "peaty" part of the lands that make the thriving possible. As much as peat is good for growth, it's equally as dangerous.
And I'm sure it's more of a coincidence in timing, but I can't help but "feel" the similarities of the above description and my current state in life. Although, I'm not really feeling the whole "thriving" part as of late (as of late meaning the last 9 months) I definitely feel the peaty, barren lands. It's a fine balance of good and bad...life-giving and life-ending.
Maybe I'm in the wrong barren land...not enough "peat." I haven't really been having the "fresh green feeling" the last year...
BUT then again, maybe I'm just reading to much into it. You can also find Heather defined as "a shrub." Maybe I'll just go with that one.
Have you ever really looked into the meaning of your name? I have really only read the quick description given in random baby name books, and that usually say "flowering herb." I know, be jealous. I never really thought much about it. I decided to breakdown some of the words in the description.
"Evergreen" - Having foliage that persists and remains green throughout the year. Perenially fresh or interesting; enduring.
Not only remains green through different seasons, but actually "thrives on peaty barren lands"...
"Barren" - Incapable of producing, not producing, lacking
Doesn't that seem like a bit of an oxymoron? Thriving on barren lands? Sounds nice, but a bit ironic. Barren is incapable of producing, and yet the heather plant thrives in those exact conditions. It's the "peaty" part of the lands that make the thriving possible. As much as peat is good for growth, it's equally as dangerous.
And I'm sure it's more of a coincidence in timing, but I can't help but "feel" the similarities of the above description and my current state in life. Although, I'm not really feeling the whole "thriving" part as of late (as of late meaning the last 9 months) I definitely feel the peaty, barren lands. It's a fine balance of good and bad...life-giving and life-ending.
Maybe I'm in the wrong barren land...not enough "peat." I haven't really been having the "fresh green feeling" the last year...
BUT then again, maybe I'm just reading to much into it. You can also find Heather defined as "a shrub." Maybe I'll just go with that one.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
2008
I think this might have been my favorite New Years ever. Yes, I had great company. Yes, I was surrounded by the beautiful mountains of Colorado. Most importantly, what made this year the best ever was the fact I got to spend New Year's day skiing...all day. I didn't really take the time to look back and reflect until I got on the bus and headed home. I made sure to soak up as much of my surroundings as possible. I didn't want to waste a moment looking back, when my present was so perfect.
But now I'm ready to look back and ponder on 2008...It's ups and downs, joys and sadness, firsts and lasts...I've decided to go month by month, briefly highlighting the important (or not so important) happenings.
January: Hungary. AIA Conference.
February: 27. Roadtrip. Katie. Vienna. Salzburg. Liechtenstein. Zurich. Munich.
March: Poland. Auschwitz. Intense.
April: Uneventful.
May: Praha Goodbyes. Marathon training begin...
June: Philly hellos. World Harvest newest member. Katie's married!
July: QT with the fam. Texas Peach Festival
August: Still running...
September: Ran the half. Became "Miss Heather" to some cutie 4 year olds.
October: Roadtrip with fam to Tennessee. Biggest black eye ever.
November: Saw the beautiful CA-Nada. Jax and Michael! Become "Coach Heather."
December: Ran a marathon. And ended the year in the beautiful state of Colorado.
What a year! It was one of the most challenging, interesting, and blessed years of my life. I'm thankful the Lord has graced me with another year to grow and be refined into His image. I'm thankful for the people He has in my life at this exact moment in time. Here's to 2008, and to the great moments to come in 2009!
But now I'm ready to look back and ponder on 2008...It's ups and downs, joys and sadness, firsts and lasts...I've decided to go month by month, briefly highlighting the important (or not so important) happenings.
January: Hungary. AIA Conference.
February: 27. Roadtrip. Katie. Vienna. Salzburg. Liechtenstein. Zurich. Munich.
March: Poland. Auschwitz. Intense.
April: Uneventful.
May: Praha Goodbyes. Marathon training begin...
June: Philly hellos. World Harvest newest member. Katie's married!
July: QT with the fam. Texas Peach Festival
August: Still running...
September: Ran the half. Became "Miss Heather" to some cutie 4 year olds.
October: Roadtrip with fam to Tennessee. Biggest black eye ever.
November: Saw the beautiful CA-Nada. Jax and Michael! Become "Coach Heather."
December: Ran a marathon. And ended the year in the beautiful state of Colorado.
What a year! It was one of the most challenging, interesting, and blessed years of my life. I'm thankful the Lord has graced me with another year to grow and be refined into His image. I'm thankful for the people He has in my life at this exact moment in time. Here's to 2008, and to the great moments to come in 2009!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Home is where your heart is...
And my heart is most certainly found in the mountains of Colorado. There's just something so incredibly amazing about the endless trees, perfect white, and stillness of the mountains. My soul is at rest, my world is in perfect peace...I just freakin love it! (And I have to give the above pic credit to Mr. Mac. Thanks Mac!)
I had the great honor of being a leader on our high school ski trip. I had a fabulous room (handicap room forever!!), great ski buddies, and fun memories to keep forever. Here are some pics from the trip.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Marathon Madness
So, I did it. I ran 26.2 miles. I didn't exactly get the time I wanted, but considering the conditions I'm learning to be content with the results. I heard the White Rock Marathon had a reputation for brutally cold weather, but this year brought ridiculously warm weather and 30-40 mph winds. And let me tell you, after 15 miles of running, 30 mph might as well be 100 mph.
I am definitely an ipod runner, without question. Never did I ever go on a run without it. I know some of you expert runners out there get pretty bent out of shape over this topic, but I have never and will never claim to be mentally tough enough to run those kinds of distances without serious distractions. That just seems painful to me. My ipod is my best friend. BUT, I must admit, I think I only listened to it maybe an hour or so on the entire run. You're trying so hard to keep track of your mile pace, when you last took in calories, how you're doing hydration wise, and, honestly, simply trying to convince your body to keep going that I could hardly enjoy even one glorious note.
One song that I did listen to over and over was Robbie Seay's Song of Hope. Here's the chorus:
"I will sing a song of hope
Sing along
God of heaven come down
Heaven come down
Just to know that You are near is enough
God of heaven come down, heaven come down"
You have no idea how much I was screaming out in my head, "Lord, that Heaven would come down right now!" By mile 20 my body was definitely screaming, "Why in the world aren't you stopping!!" I'm forever grateful for my two friends that came along side of me the last few 6 miles to finish. Adrianne, a good family friend, and one of my high school bible study girls, Kathryn, came in the last 6 miles or so to help get me to that finish line. I definitely recommend this to anyone about to run a marathon. It is such a HUGE blessing! Thanks girls!!!
And now for some more thank you's... Billy, how much I miss you!! You were the reason this whole thing started. You equipped me with everything I would need to accomplish the race. Thanks for the prayers, support, and encouragement...you're the best!! Thanks to Chris who gave me all my nutritional information. And for kicking my butt when I wasn't eating what I was suppose to. Thanks to Kim, Mike, and Alex for cheering me on. It was so nice having familiar faces along the way. And a great, big, giant thank you to my mom and Joe. Knowing I would be unable to walk after, they drove me there bright and early. They met me every 6 miles or so with goos and other much needed goodies. And most importantly, were waiting at the finish line screaming my name. And thanks to all of you who encouraged and prayed along the way. It was great having so much wonderful support!!
People kept telling me before the race marathons are addicting, but I'm pretty sure no addiction was started. BUT who knows...you might see me signing up for marathon #2 here pretty soon...
I am definitely an ipod runner, without question. Never did I ever go on a run without it. I know some of you expert runners out there get pretty bent out of shape over this topic, but I have never and will never claim to be mentally tough enough to run those kinds of distances without serious distractions. That just seems painful to me. My ipod is my best friend. BUT, I must admit, I think I only listened to it maybe an hour or so on the entire run. You're trying so hard to keep track of your mile pace, when you last took in calories, how you're doing hydration wise, and, honestly, simply trying to convince your body to keep going that I could hardly enjoy even one glorious note.
One song that I did listen to over and over was Robbie Seay's Song of Hope. Here's the chorus:
"I will sing a song of hope
Sing along
God of heaven come down
Heaven come down
Just to know that You are near is enough
God of heaven come down, heaven come down"
You have no idea how much I was screaming out in my head, "Lord, that Heaven would come down right now!" By mile 20 my body was definitely screaming, "Why in the world aren't you stopping!!" I'm forever grateful for my two friends that came along side of me the last few 6 miles to finish. Adrianne, a good family friend, and one of my high school bible study girls, Kathryn, came in the last 6 miles or so to help get me to that finish line. I definitely recommend this to anyone about to run a marathon. It is such a HUGE blessing! Thanks girls!!!
And now for some more thank you's... Billy, how much I miss you!! You were the reason this whole thing started. You equipped me with everything I would need to accomplish the race. Thanks for the prayers, support, and encouragement...you're the best!! Thanks to Chris who gave me all my nutritional information. And for kicking my butt when I wasn't eating what I was suppose to. Thanks to Kim, Mike, and Alex for cheering me on. It was so nice having familiar faces along the way. And a great, big, giant thank you to my mom and Joe. Knowing I would be unable to walk after, they drove me there bright and early. They met me every 6 miles or so with goos and other much needed goodies. And most importantly, were waiting at the finish line screaming my name. And thanks to all of you who encouraged and prayed along the way. It was great having so much wonderful support!!
People kept telling me before the race marathons are addicting, but I'm pretty sure no addiction was started. BUT who knows...you might see me signing up for marathon #2 here pretty soon...
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
My Favorites
Here's a few of my favorite things this time of year. I must admit I've found it a bit hard getting into the "Christmas spirit" when we're still having 70 degree days, but I am in Texas, what else should I expect?
On to my favorites...First and foremost I want to make sure and state the amazing gift given to each of us that makes this time of year so incredibly personal and special: The birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. How incredibly undeserving and hard to comprehend the magnitude of this gift...
Now, the following are other things that make this time of year oh so special and fun!
1. The smell of Christmas trees
2. Listening to Christmas music...all the time
3. Stockings hanging from the mantle
4. Making Christmas cookies
5. Christmas movies, especially Burl Ives Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!
My top favorite Christmas songs:
1. Kelly Clarkson- Oh Holy Night (my all time favorite! especially sung acappella)
2. Amy Grant- Breath of Heaven
3. Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You
4. Joy Williams- Here With Us
5. Andrea Bocelli&Celine Dion- The Prayer
New additions to this year's Christmas song list:
1. Harry Connick Jr- It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas
2. Lenka- All My Bells Are Ringing
3. Zach Gill- Silent Night
4. KT Tunstall- Sleigh Ride
5. Zee Avi- No Christmas For Me
I'll leave you with one of the best Christmas movie scenes ever...
On to my favorites...First and foremost I want to make sure and state the amazing gift given to each of us that makes this time of year so incredibly personal and special: The birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. How incredibly undeserving and hard to comprehend the magnitude of this gift...
Now, the following are other things that make this time of year oh so special and fun!
1. The smell of Christmas trees
2. Listening to Christmas music...all the time
3. Stockings hanging from the mantle
4. Making Christmas cookies
5. Christmas movies, especially Burl Ives Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!
My top favorite Christmas songs:
1. Kelly Clarkson- Oh Holy Night (my all time favorite! especially sung acappella)
2. Amy Grant- Breath of Heaven
3. Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You
4. Joy Williams- Here With Us
5. Andrea Bocelli&Celine Dion- The Prayer
New additions to this year's Christmas song list:
1. Harry Connick Jr- It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas
2. Lenka- All My Bells Are Ringing
3. Zach Gill- Silent Night
4. KT Tunstall- Sleigh Ride
5. Zee Avi- No Christmas For Me
I'll leave you with one of the best Christmas movie scenes ever...
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