Reclamation

So, wow, yep, its been two months. Two months of pondering and deeply considering what exactly to say on my next post - actually I've just sorta abandoned blogger for a time. But i'm back. Today atleast.

So I was thinking today - Ive been struggling with something for sometime now - something thats affected a lot of what i do and how I live - and I came to this peace today. In the bathroom actually. I was just passing through, don't worry. I'm pretty sure I was just checking myself out in the mirror. But I thought to myself - life isn't worth worrying over every detail and every circumstance. I've had that said to me SO so so many times, and I've never been able to say it myself. But today (and hopefully tomorrow), I just told myself - It's time to enjoy life and the things God has given me and will continually given me - the relationships, my husband, all those moments that I WANT to enjoy - There's always this thing in the way, nagging in the back of my mind telling me I can't enjoy life until my problems are solved, but WHY NOT???

Wouldn't it be SOO freeing if we could just give it up? Just let it go and move on? Im going to try to. It doesn't mean I'm going to push my problems away and pretend they don't exist, but they don't have to consume me. They don't have to decide my future. I believe we can live in faith and expectation of what God will do.

I'm sorry this is so vague - but I hope in some way it makes sense to you - it's just given me a totaly sense of freedom. Of being able to reclaim my life and my dreams - and even just the small enjoyments of every day. Circumstances don't have to control us! And that's pretty amazing.

Caring Equals Sharing

Okay that has got to be THE worst sounding title ever. But as I thought of what to call this blog - it just made perfect sense.

I saw a movie, and it really struck me...

"The Pursuit of Happyness". (I know, the spelling is wrong, but see the movie and you'll understand)

Anyways, I don't feel like explaining the movie, see it for yourself, it was phenomenal. But this is what I took from it, and really, it doesn't have much to do with the plot of the movie, but I think God just really used it to shake me up a little about my life -
So basically the guy (will smith) and his son, are extremely poor, barely getting by, his wife leaves him, and they have to make it, so he pursues a career as a stock broker and works without a wage for 6 months, meanwhile, unable to make ends meet, etc. etc. you get the point. ( I just explained the movie didn't I?)

But somehow, as I was watching this, I got really angry, and annoyed. With myself, and with other people, and the point that it hit me, was when Will smith and his kid were lined up for a homeless shelter, and a convertable flies by with happy (likely intoxicated) young adults laughing and joyful - and they'ere a line up of hundreds of people who are starving and homeless.

And so - this is my question: and weirdly enough, this verse that came to my mind during the movie, came up twice the next day, and I was challenged again in two different sermons:

How are we as the church supposed to be supporting and sacrificing for our communities?

Acts 4:32 says: 32 "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had". In another translation it says they sold their belongings so that they could provide for each other. (Immediatley i thought of ebay)

Is this no longer relevant for us today? Is it okay that we hold onto things (that aren't even ours to begin with, they're God's), and watch people around us suffer? We can say the church is giving and providing, but I'm part of the church, and Im not suring I'm doing it. Sure we give our 'tithes and offerings", and part of that goes to helping those in need, but are we willing to "sell our posessions", to GIVE of ourselves so that other's can live? i might think I'm poor...sure we have debt and low paying jobs, but I have it GREAT compared to others.

So am I supposed to give up what I have for people I don't even know? Or am I allowed to hang onto my posessions and live in my life of "luxury"?

And what responsibility does the church have? Should we be making the extra effort to open our doors to the homeless?? Or is it not worth the hassle?

I'm actually super frusterated, and unsure with these questions. I actually don't know how to answer them, and what part I need to play. Maybe part of me knows - but that part of me doesn't want to care, because it means I have to give up the things I hold on to so tight.

We've got this so called "Standard of Living" a way of life that is comfortable and satisfying to us, but then there are people who's standard of living consists of a box and a buggy- and I'm not promoting communism, but some of its idealism is great - why should anyone have to suffer?

Imagine how the world would view the church if the church cared about the world.

anyways, that was way too long, but its on my heart. and I really want to hear what you have to say!

The Creation Fallacy - Creation vs. Evolution

Jabin recently published a blog about the awesomeness of creation that we have experienced through this not so awesome snowfall! He got a reply from a newcomer to blogger world, Joecool, who wrote a blog called "The Creation Fallacy" - in response to Jabin's blog. There's been an ongoing discussion for the last week or so from people who seem to have just stumbled across his page. If anyone wnats to add to this discussion, or check out his views, its been interesting. It's good, as a christian, to challenge your thoughts and views with those of very much opposite views. I've got nothing on the issue of evolution except for what grade 11 science, and what Dr.Dino taught me! Anyways, check it out if you are interested!!

My Big Fat Golden Calf

i‧dol‧a‧try-[ahy-dol-uh-tree]

1. - the religious worship of idols.
2. - excessive or blind adoration, reverence, devotion, etc.

I don't know about you, but when I see and or hear this word, I instinctivly think of definition #1 - religous worship of idols. And then I run the course of things like - TV, Internet, money - and every other typical answer.

But something I've learned recently, in the life of someone's other than my own, is that idolatry can be really good things, that we worship in a really bad, but often, unnoticed and misconceived way. This person (who I will leave unnamed), had an issue with wanting to get married. A perfectly wonderful thing (I'm married, its wonderful), but it became such an issue, that it consumed this person thoughts, it took over much of her personal/family life, and became, obviously, an idol. It's no longer that way for this person at all, and thankfully I've been able to learn from this before its too late!

I never realized it until recently, but I've totally done this in my own life. When we put something first and foremost in our life, whether it's a good thing or not, it is detrimental to ourselves, our relationships with others, and foremost, our relationship with God. Idols bring us to a place of complete selfishness, and we (well, if your like me) find any way possible to feed that idol - to attain what you want, regardless of circumstances around you, or what it might take to get what you want. From there, we can end of forfeiting our morals, standards, expectations, loyalty - etc. etc.

It's just messy.

So I challenge to you to evaluate your life. Maybe you need to lay down some of your dreams. And maybe not forever, but look at the priorities that God's set before you, and recognize those things that might hinder his plan.

Spa la la alone

I held a work spa at my house tonight. And nobody came...!
For anyone who doesn't know what I do, I am a consultant for a business called BeautiControl, and I do a mini at home spa, as well as selling skincare, makeup, and the spa products. Its a great business, and I'm excited to move forward with it, but there will always be shortfalls.

My immediate reaction was different than I exepected. I was watching the clock, waiting for someone to knock on the door..but by 10 till 8 I realized it was slightly hopeless, but I wasn't upset. I really want to do an at home business, and what I'm really aspiring to do is do aesthetics and combine it with BeautiControl. But its a process. I really know little about business. My dad is a business man, and he hasn't worked for anyone other than himself for the last 20 years. He's incredible at what he does, but apart from the odd thing I've learned from him (because I never really cared until recently), I know almost nothing.

Every successful business person (apart from a lucky few), have to overcome adversity to succeed. You don't learn to be better from being good, you learn from your mistakes. So I'll contrinue on this journey, and see where it takes me. As long as I stay on for the ride...

Enough is Never Enough

I was visiting my mom last Sunday, and we were talking over dinner about the ministry my mom and stepdad volunteer at, its at a church in Chilliwack, and my mom is incharge of the free clothing station, helping the homeless or those in dire need of warm clothes for a cold winter on the streets. The church has a thrift store that they pull some of the clothes they'll give away, but its not enough. She was telling us that one lady came in from outside wearing clothes that would not keep her dry and warm, but there was nothing left to give away, my mom later went to the woman and gave her her own jacket, telling her that she'd 'found something' for her to have. This really challenged me. My mom has a heart that loves nothing more than to give to others, but what does my heart look like? What does your heart look like?

I overheard a girl while I was working (at Bootlegger) the other day, and she said to her friend "I love this sweater! I think i need it!" and her friend replied "you DONT need it, you have SO many", to which she replied "Yeah, but only a couple that i actually WEAR!!" immediatly I start thinking - man, what a spoiled brat. And then I realized how many times I have tried to justify buying something. I have more clothes than I need, yet I never have enough. I buy one thing, and hate the last thing I bought. And they just keep piling up. And Im never satisifed. I never feel like I have enough, I always want the newest and hottest item.

Do you ever wonder why what you have is NEVER quite enough?

I think i may have realized it, or atleast part of it. Its because as humans we're not made to be satisfied by consuming, we're made to be satisfied by giving. No matter what aquire, we'll have that humanly craving to have more, but we will find so much more fufillment, and I believe, contentment, if we give more OF ourselves, than we take FOR ourselves.

So how do we find a medium?
Should we give a little? Give a lot? How about giving until it hurts? Or are we supposed to live in luxury, and maybe devote ourselves to one charity a lifetime?

What about Jesus? What about the demonstration of the church and community in Acts when they all gave of themselves so that ALL could be taken care of?

I'm really unsure of what that medium is. Looking at my own life, I might call myself a giving person. I care about the homeless, the poor. I see people on the streets, and my heart breaks for them. but not enough to do much about it. I've really done very little. But I want to do more.

My mom is collecting clothes, particularily jackets and sweatshirts, but anything will be great, as well as blankets, to keep the people on the streets warm and dry over the winter. If anyone has something in there closet they dont need. Or maybe its something in your closet you just bought and love - you can contact me or Jabin or drop it off at our apartment!

Any comments, ideas, thoughts, agreeing words, disagreeing arguments, whatever you've got, is welcomed!

Mad at Madonna?

Madonna Louise Ciccone - I bet nobody knew that was her full name! I didn't either until I googled it. It's actually Madonna Louise Vernonica Ciccone. Veronica was the name given to her after she was dedicated or something. Anyways - thats not what I'm here to talk about.

If you've been following the news lately, you would have heard about Madonna's infamous adoption 'scandal'. Madonna went to Malawi and adopted a baby, skipping the system procedures and cutting right to the chase. Its created an uproar, particularily among human rights activists, and especially among those who have been going through the adoption system slowly and painfully without success. Or atleast without the shorterm success that Madonna had.

So with this being said, there are two views on this. (And none of you may really care about this, but I think the issue itself brings up an interesting point) On one hand, Madonna was given STAR treatment, dodging rules and regulations, and getting what she wanted, when she wanted it, making those who don't have that ability, to feel as though they've been ripped off. Which they have. On the other hand, a child that needed a home, now has one. A child that maybe would have had a terrible life in Malawi, likely succumbing to starvation or Malayria...Is now able to live a comfortable, healthy life (whether or not we all think Madonna's the perfect scenario..really isn't the point).

In one sense, I feel for the family's who maybe can't have children, and have worked so hard to adopt, and then they see this happen, and it makes them angry. But on the otherhand, regardless of what we need and want, these children are desperate for a new life, and if one more child can be spared today - that seems of much greater importance to me.

Any thoughts?