Sad story about a tree.

Oh Minnesota, how I love thee

I read this little article and it made me smile. The small things in life...

Honk Honk!

This also reminded me of the children's book The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.
It is interesting how a tree can be the main subject of literature. A single tree for that matter.
hmmm. =) I like it.


P.S. Happy Mother's Day & Good Morning!

America Abroad...

AmericaAbroadMedia

In the past year I have found this website and their radio broadcasting to really open my eyes and ears to some of the most crucial, current global issues . In the past 6-12 months when the word "crisis" has come up, my train of thought jumps to the current "economic crisis."

Just wanted to remind you that there are very serious "crisis'" occurring every day all over this world. I hope I am not naive to the fact that many of these issues and conflicts are connected with poorly managed money, economic failures and sinful nature. However it is interesting to see what draws mass media attention and causes an outcry to our nation and individuals.

Living in D.C. for the past three months has also been eye-opening. Everyday there are groups of people, many 'groupies' for that matter I'm sure, but none-the-less large groups assembling to protest or petition against some injustice they feel they have experienced. Sometimes I can't help but stop and listen to what groups truly believe are 'injustices' against them.

Just two weeks ago a group of handicapped individuals literally wheeled their wheelchairs across both Independence Ave and Constitution Ave blocking the busiest intersections outside of our nations capitol. As I was running by the group of people I stopped and talked to one woman who had use of both of her legs, and definitely was not handicapped (though that is debatable-forgive me, that was unkind...) and was shouting loudly protesting against President Obama's lack of support for subsidized handicap housing. wow. She explained to me that her dear friends were unable to find affordable housing for handicapped individuals because the government did not mandate it (or enough of it) in their section 8 housing act. aye aye aye- that just opens an entire can of worms...but what was interesting to me is that this woman had devoted her entire life for the cause of this group. As I walked away from her I not only thought of my first apartment post-college that was extremely handicap accessable (shout out VFJ-I'm smiling...) to the point of inconvenience, but also that this was some cause. Interesting, specific, of great inconvenince for the handicap, and extremely unfortunate.

I have much more to say about that entire shenanigan, however I must stop here.

It just really made me think twice about the way I'm just like that woman. The way I live my life or choose not to live my life shouts loudly to the people around me. As a professing Christian I know what my life ought to be professing loudly Jeremiah 9:24, 1 Corinthians 1:31,
2 Corinthians 1:12, Galatians 2:20 and so forth- but, many times, the actuality of what is professed is another story.

I don't know how to write into words where I am going with this thought process or what I am trying to relay, but all I do know is that I want to live for the cause of Christ. Not because Christ needs me to advocate his exsistence or Being, but because he calls me to it. He calls us all to do it. To daily be obedient unto him.

Matthew 10:38-39 states "And whoever does not take his cross and folllow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

Luke 9:23-25 "And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?"

Daily obedience looks different for every human being according to the gifts and talents he has given each one of us. However, if those gifts are not grounded in scripture and have a proper view of Christ and the cross the 'cause' being fought for is in vain. He may well use it under his sovereign rule, but as a believer we miss out on the blessing of obedience. There is great blessing in obedience.

Does this make sense? I think what I'm trying to say is, whether I am working at the bedside as a nurse in the hospital, or overseas advocating on behalf of a sick child, or reading a newspaper, or spending time at the crisis pregnancy center...or wherever and whatever I'm doing, I am ultimately representing Jesus Christ. He desires for ALL to come to know him and trusting in the truth of his word and the facts of the this present world... knowing that perfect justice will one day be achieved or redeemed is a great hope.

I guess I just want to encourage you to continue to fight against injustice but don't lose sight of Perfect Justice. On that note...

"So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be
revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell
you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim
on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body
but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can
destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for
a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart
from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.
Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge
before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before
men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven."
Matthew 10:26-33

Power as a believer.

Book suggestion for those interested...
I have found this book to really help me align my thinking with
Biblical truth and the work of the Spirit.
Judson had been asking many questions in the past few months about the role of the Holy Spirit.
There are many people who have controversial opinions and significantly different views on the work and role of the Spirit in a believers life. There are also many books published on this topic.
I have found this book to not only align solidly with scripture but also challenge me to rely on the Spirit within me.
It is worth your time and money to browse these pages!

small sample:
J.I. Packer writes....

The Christian's motto should not be "Let go and let God" but "Trust God and get going!" So if, for instance, you are fighting a bad habit, work out before God a strategy for ensuring that you will not fall victim to it again, ask him to bless your plan, and go out in his strength, ready to say no next time the temptation comes. Or if you are seeking to form a good habit, work out a strategy in the same way, ask God's help, and then try your hardest. But passivity is never the way, and the overtones of passivity in Keswick teaching ("don't struggle with the matter yourself, just hand it over to the Lord") are unbiblical in themselves and hostile to Christian maturity.

Blessings my friends. =) love you

The White House Garden's & Grounds

Spring 2009 White House Garden's and Grounds...

Benjamin and Toni were able to visit DC this weekend. It was a brief, but sweet time. We were able to visit the White House Garden's- a tradition which First Lady Pat Nixon began. 

It was very endearing to see the magnolia trees planted by late President Andrew Jackson in honor of his wife, and also the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden. It was an honor to walk the property of our nation's leader. Such a beautiful place. 

The neatest part of the grounds is the children's garden, created by Lady Bird Johnson. The small stones which wind through the smaller proportioned garden have hand and feet prints of the children and grandchildren of the presidents. I can only imagine what it would have been like growing up as a child in the White House.

The part of the tour which I received a large grin out of was the tennis courts. First of all, I don't know how often, if ever, they are used. Secondly, there is a huge sign on the entrance gate of the courts which reads "white soled shoes only." Can you imagine if the president or guest of the president arrived with shoes otherwise!? Who would stop them from playing? The secret service!? "Excuse me Mr. President, I'm going to have to ask you to change your tennies?"

=) right.

Oh the joys... 

Thank you Paul and Jodi for providing us with the fun tour, and Ben & Toni for coming down. 

Bow chick a wow wow...

Interesting article... click on the link.
Bow chick a wow wow

Another article...very sad- Article

On a lighter note...

Congratulations Ben on passing your exams/orals for your PhD!
Way to be accomplished!?!?!? I'm proud...

When Ben is not studying...he likes to pretend he is from Saudi.

I think your height might give you away... what's with the other two guys? I hope they are not your body guards. YIKES! =) oh man.

A golden nugget of scripture...

Romans 12:9-13

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 

Love one another with brotherly affection. 

Outdo one another in showing honor.

Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 

Good Morning!

Happy Birthday to Momma McLaren!

Love you!

Becoming mainstream?

I've been keeping my eye on this for the past year. I find this extremely interesting, slightly disturbing, and all together very fascinating.
The article references the Chinese farmer who was attacked by a bear and received one of the first deemed 'successful' face transplants. What it does not mention is that he failed to take his several anti-rejection medications and is now dead.

Interesting...

BBC article

Really a success?

Did the undertones of this blog sound cynical?
Perhaps because I am.

Must Read...

Different perspective on the continual Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Very convicting and eye-opening.

After reading this book my heart was once again grieved about the tiny bits of history and humanity that I truly understand. 

It's when I finish books like this, or speak with others with different perspectives on life than I, that I become overwhelmed with 'littleness.' Sometimes I even think -perhaps it is better if I don't know.

But this is where the great mystery of life lies...in books, people and relationships. 

I am so thankful that the Lord has given me opportunities to meet the people I have met and travel to the places I have seen. What a true honor to meet and hopefully serve/enjoy fellow mankind. So many times I want to hug the disgruntled man/woman walking down the street(there are many in DC). I want them to understand their worth. (And for my tabloid/lack of good news, so read the horrible news junkies- I think The First Lady's sweet shoulder embrace to the Queen mum was fantastic! Way to go woman.) 

Now I'm rambling- anyways... I am reminded of what Packer writes on living with an eternal perspective in mind- 

The everlastingness of this life was spelled out in the vividest possible way by the anonymous benefactor who appended to John Newton's "Amazing Grace" this extra verse:

When we've been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun, 

We've no less days to sing God's praise

Than when we first begun.

I have been writing with enthusiasm, for this everlasting life is something to which I look forward. Why? Not because I am out of love with life here- just the reverse! My life is full of joy, from four sources- knowing God, and people, and the good and pleasant things that God and men under God have created, and doing things which are worthwhile for God or others, or for myself as God's man. But my reach exceeds my grasp. My relationships with God and others are never as rich and full as I want them to be, and I am always finding more than I thought was there in great music, great verse, great books, great lives, and the great kaleidoscope of the natural order. 

As I get older, I find that I appreciate God, and people, and good and lovely and noble things, more and more intensely; so it is pure delight to think that this enjoyment will continue and increase in some form (what form, God knows, and I am content to wait and see), literally forever. Christians inherit in fact the destiny which fairy tales envisage in fancy: we(yes, you and I, the silly saved sinners) live, and live happily, and by God's endless mercy will live happily ever after. 

We cannot visualize heaven's life, and the wise man will not try.  Instead, he will dwell on the doctrine of heaven, which is that there the redeemed find all their heart's desire: joy with their Lord, joy with his people, and joy in the ending of all frustration and distress and supply of all wants.  What was said to the child- "If you want sweets and hamsters in heaven, they'll be there"- was not an evasion, but a witness to the truth that in heaven no felt needs or longings go unsatisfied.  What our wants will actually be, however, we hardly know, save that the first and foremost we shall want to be "always...with the Lord" -1 Thessalonians 4:17.

Often now we say in moments of great enjoyment, "I don't want this ever to stop"- but it does.  Heaven, however, is different.  May heaven's joys be yours, and mine. 

What a writer. Beautifully coined. 

Interesting Book Review...

Thank you Dr. Jen Prior...
(and of course BBB) =)

Interesting article that makes me smile and also feel proud about my education.

Surprised by Love...

enjoy!

The Nations

Probably a month ago now I sat under a man who was teaching on Colossians 1:9-14.  He discussed how Paul's prayer life was essential in his ministry & pleasing to the Lord- and how we also need to follow in the example given to us by Paul in the same way.  He was very compelling on the urgency and importance of our prayers for our brothers and sisters in Christ; Specifically those among the nations.  He openly asked the attendees of this small group if they were actively praying for the nations and if so, how? A few people gave their methods of prayers to the group. One person shared how they pick a nation each time they are praying- and pray specifically for the Christians living there. Another person suggested to the group that you could use a method of prayer...starting with the broad and narrowing to personal specifics.  In that sense nothing would be left out of his/her prayers at a global level to the most intimate personal level. 

These were just two thoughts- I am sure there were more, I cannot remember exactly now what the others were.

At the time of this discussion- I was living close to Massachusetts Avenue where many of the Embassy's stand. I have biked this road a dozen times and many times have felt an inclination to pray for these beautiful homes...or I should say the people who inhabit them and in a deeper sense...the people they are here representing. It has been one of the neatest experiences of truly praying for the nations.  As I pass by each nation- often represented by its national emblem/flag I am burdened in my heart to pray for this specific group of people. I find it curiously interesting how the Lord will lay certain people/places on our hearts for specific purposes- all to do with His ultimate glory and plan...especially when we have no idea why? and thus have to hold tight to our faith in grace and trust in his sovereignty of all things.

Greg Gilbert, the leader/teacher of the evening quoted a few lines from John Stott's book Basic Chritianity. 

"The Christian life is not just our own private affair.  If we have been born again into God's family, not only has he become our Father but every other Christian believer in the world, whatever his nation or denomination, has become our brother or sister in Christ."

So good- and so very true. I sometimes get overwhelmed thinking about praying for Toni (&Ben of course) and Judson- wow. Talk about a load of prayers that must/should be offered up. I guess that is why scripture commands us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to pray without ceasing!

I write this all now- because I received this email today from Samaritan's Purse and have enclosed the link to update you on what is happening in Sudan (I am sure many of you are already aware).  It is by God's grace alone that SP has been able to keep staff- and volunteers there at this time. Pray, however, specifically for the citizens of Sudan who know Jesus Christ- that they would be bold and strong and filled with the Spirit of truth to lead one another in truth & grace- and that they would be filled with an overwhelming peace that their God is still truly in control. 

Darfur- SP link

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

James 5:16