True statement: If I just get another tattoo, a calculator watch, a new pair of shoes, and a new lens for my camera I will be SO HAPPY.
I will suddenly become completely and totally content and I won't ever want another thing again. Or at least until the new Apple processor comes out this summer! Or until I see a new phone case I want. Or until I see an adorable summer dress I just HAVE to have!
Hold the phone. Sounds like I need to watch Madame Blueberry's Veggie Tale episode again. Stuff Mart didn't do her any good. And it doesn't do us any good either. The culture is great at making me think I just can't live without that certain hair styling product and eye makeup. I just won't be as pretty as the girl who uses that product! And everyone knows I have to be as pretty as her! What would I do if I wasn't!?
News flash America: tons of people survive every day without half the BALDERDASH you buy. So how about you try remembering that the ultimate price was paid for you. So no amount of BALDERDASH will ever make you happy.
Believer, you have joy, happiness, peace and contentment in Christ. So try seeking it in Christ today, rather than in the isle you just turned down as you read this on your smart phone with your cart full of BALDERDASH you simply don't need.
"I thank God for this day/for the sun in the sky/for my mom and my dad/for my piece of apple pie/for our home on the ground/for His love that's all around/that's why I say thanks everyday/because a thankful heart is a happy heart/I'm glad for what I have that's an easy way to start/for the love that He shares/'cause He listens to my prayers/that's why I say thanks everyday."
Such a simple melody and words. But how often we forget them. There's grace for you. And thank God Almighty there's grace for me. Lord knows I need it.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Monday, November 28, 2011
It's Christmas, how can you say no!?
GET THIS.
For you and everyone I know, I have the proposition of a lifetime!! But first let me give you a little background.
As some of you might know, I work at Ridgeview Elementary school in Olathe. It has changed my life and how I look at people. That sounds cliche, but it's SO true. I have seen more abuse, neglect, poverty, pain, suffering, addiction, and bitterness than I've ever seen in my life. The children with whom I have come in contact have absolutely stolen my heart. I didn't know my heart could feel so much love and so much hurt for children I've known for such a short time. I came into this job with the mindset I would bless these kids and I would change their lives for the better. But God blew that idea out of the water. These children have blessed and changed my life more than I ever thought possible. Let me share a couple stories and then I'll give you my proposition.
It was a regular Tuesday when I clocked into work. I wasn't on my game. I didn't have a smile on my face and I didn't really want to be there. At 3:40 when the kids are let out of school they walk down to the cafeteria for a snack and the commencement of Y-care. But this day, as I stood ready to greet the children, (I'm hall monitor) my heart was heavy. I wasn't feeling ready or feeling able to deal with the pain that loving these children brings. As the children started streaming down the hall I saw little faces light up at the sight of me. A chorus of "Hola Miss Ruuuuthi!!!" greeted and warmed my heart. I felt a little hand slip into mine. Bright little eyes met mine with a smile that melted my heart. She said, "Miss Ruthi! I have something for you!" A brown paper bag was pushed into my arms. I knelt to be on her level and look into her vibrant brown eyes. I carefully opened the brown paper bag so as to preserve the delicate wrapping. I reached in to pull out a half empty box of expired cereal. "It was the last box in the kitchen!!" she exclaimed in Spanish. I looked up to see those beautiful brown eyes. My own green eyes filled with tears. She had given me food. In her mind she was enabling my existence. She was enabling me to continue to LIVE. She was showing me love.
Another one of my favorite memories is from a sunny day in September. He and I were playing with chalk on the blacktop of the playground. He drew a heart. I said, "What's that!?" He replied with confidence, "It's a heart! Es un corazon!" He paused with a pensive look on his little first grade face. "I have a heart! And you have a heart! My heart loves you, Miss Ruthi!" I wanted to take him home and make him mine.
If you haven't at LEAST teared up, I'm tempted to question whether you have a heart.
Now after dissing you, my proposition!
In my education class at MidAmerica Nazarene University, we are collecting gifts for the kids at Ridgeview. My professor is friends with the principal at Ridgeview Elementary. So we're collecting brand new clothes, toys and books for my kids! How exciting is that!?!?
So you might be thinking, "I'm a poor college student, I don't have money for those shenanigans!" I beg to differ. If you even buy one Starbucks cup of coffee a week, you have money to buy a toy or socks or a book for children who don't get "new" things. Their idea of "new" is a coat with holes in it. If you have ever looked at a person in need and recognized it and thought, "Wow, I'm blessed", then think that now! Buy a new book for a kid! Buy a new shirt! Buy a new toy! You don't realize HOW MUCH you will bless these children! You will put radiant little smiles on their beautiful faces! You might not be able to see their joy from this, but rest assured I will tell you all about it! And I'll probably cry when telling you!!
So don't think about it. Don't think it's a nice gesture that you should probably do. Follow Nike's advice and "JUST DO IT!" Bless a kid a stone's throw away from you! Please my dear friends, please, join me in blessing these kids.
If you join with me in this I am MORE THAN HAPPY to come pick up the items you buy! If you go to JUCO, bring them to school and I'll come pick them up! If you go to MNU, I'll walk over to your dorm, if you live in Kansas City I WILL DRIVE TO YOU!
THE DEADLINE FOR THE GIFTS IS THE 15TH OF DECEMBER. HAVE THEM TO ME BEFORE THEN!
But even if you don't buy a toy, clothes or a book: PRAY.
Pray for my kids.
Pray that they would see believers in their lives.
Pray that they would feel the love of our precious Jesus Christ.
Pray that they would love Him.
Merry Christmas, my dear friends. God loves us more than we can fathom. How fantastic is that?
P.M.S.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. I love these kids. They stole my heart. Thank you for praying for them, and loving them well.
For you and everyone I know, I have the proposition of a lifetime!! But first let me give you a little background.
As some of you might know, I work at Ridgeview Elementary school in Olathe. It has changed my life and how I look at people. That sounds cliche, but it's SO true. I have seen more abuse, neglect, poverty, pain, suffering, addiction, and bitterness than I've ever seen in my life. The children with whom I have come in contact have absolutely stolen my heart. I didn't know my heart could feel so much love and so much hurt for children I've known for such a short time. I came into this job with the mindset I would bless these kids and I would change their lives for the better. But God blew that idea out of the water. These children have blessed and changed my life more than I ever thought possible. Let me share a couple stories and then I'll give you my proposition.
It was a regular Tuesday when I clocked into work. I wasn't on my game. I didn't have a smile on my face and I didn't really want to be there. At 3:40 when the kids are let out of school they walk down to the cafeteria for a snack and the commencement of Y-care. But this day, as I stood ready to greet the children, (I'm hall monitor) my heart was heavy. I wasn't feeling ready or feeling able to deal with the pain that loving these children brings. As the children started streaming down the hall I saw little faces light up at the sight of me. A chorus of "Hola Miss Ruuuuthi!!!" greeted and warmed my heart. I felt a little hand slip into mine. Bright little eyes met mine with a smile that melted my heart. She said, "Miss Ruthi! I have something for you!" A brown paper bag was pushed into my arms. I knelt to be on her level and look into her vibrant brown eyes. I carefully opened the brown paper bag so as to preserve the delicate wrapping. I reached in to pull out a half empty box of expired cereal. "It was the last box in the kitchen!!" she exclaimed in Spanish. I looked up to see those beautiful brown eyes. My own green eyes filled with tears. She had given me food. In her mind she was enabling my existence. She was enabling me to continue to LIVE. She was showing me love.
Another one of my favorite memories is from a sunny day in September. He and I were playing with chalk on the blacktop of the playground. He drew a heart. I said, "What's that!?" He replied with confidence, "It's a heart! Es un corazon!" He paused with a pensive look on his little first grade face. "I have a heart! And you have a heart! My heart loves you, Miss Ruthi!" I wanted to take him home and make him mine.
If you haven't at LEAST teared up, I'm tempted to question whether you have a heart.
Now after dissing you, my proposition!
In my education class at MidAmerica Nazarene University, we are collecting gifts for the kids at Ridgeview. My professor is friends with the principal at Ridgeview Elementary. So we're collecting brand new clothes, toys and books for my kids! How exciting is that!?!?
So you might be thinking, "I'm a poor college student, I don't have money for those shenanigans!" I beg to differ. If you even buy one Starbucks cup of coffee a week, you have money to buy a toy or socks or a book for children who don't get "new" things. Their idea of "new" is a coat with holes in it. If you have ever looked at a person in need and recognized it and thought, "Wow, I'm blessed", then think that now! Buy a new book for a kid! Buy a new shirt! Buy a new toy! You don't realize HOW MUCH you will bless these children! You will put radiant little smiles on their beautiful faces! You might not be able to see their joy from this, but rest assured I will tell you all about it! And I'll probably cry when telling you!!
So don't think about it. Don't think it's a nice gesture that you should probably do. Follow Nike's advice and "JUST DO IT!" Bless a kid a stone's throw away from you! Please my dear friends, please, join me in blessing these kids.
If you join with me in this I am MORE THAN HAPPY to come pick up the items you buy! If you go to JUCO, bring them to school and I'll come pick them up! If you go to MNU, I'll walk over to your dorm, if you live in Kansas City I WILL DRIVE TO YOU!
THE DEADLINE FOR THE GIFTS IS THE 15TH OF DECEMBER. HAVE THEM TO ME BEFORE THEN!
But even if you don't buy a toy, clothes or a book: PRAY.
Pray for my kids.
Pray that they would see believers in their lives.
Pray that they would feel the love of our precious Jesus Christ.
Pray that they would love Him.
Merry Christmas, my dear friends. God loves us more than we can fathom. How fantastic is that?
P.M.S.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. I love these kids. They stole my heart. Thank you for praying for them, and loving them well.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Worship
worship |ˈwər sh əp|
noun
the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity
Worship is the articulation of admiration for something or someone. Worship is often a word that is associated with religion. However, I would contend that everyone worships. If it's not God, or a god, than it's a something or someone. For some it could be money, sex, acceptance, success, or a myriad of other things. These are idols. Whether we are willing to admit it or not, they are idols. Worship is found in the lives of secularists, agnostics, believers and atheists alike. Worship reveals the somethings and someones we value most.
How do we truly worship Christ if we so clearly are torn and broken beings who worship somethings and someones? True worship of our Abba Father happens when we put God first.
Worship is often mistaken for emotion and feeling. But overwhelming emotions we can't explain aren't worship. Just like fuzzy feelings aren't love. Feelings come and go. The joy of the Trinity remains true for all time. In light of the Trinity's beauty and loveliness we everything else on the horizon of our attention takes its proper secondary place. Above and before all other good things remains the Pearl of great price, the King of kings and Lord or lords.
Brothers, worship Christ. He has loved the unloveable. He has forgiven the unforgivable. He has redeemed you. Open your eyes to His mercy and grace and worship!
noun
the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity
Worship is the articulation of admiration for something or someone. Worship is often a word that is associated with religion. However, I would contend that everyone worships. If it's not God, or a god, than it's a something or someone. For some it could be money, sex, acceptance, success, or a myriad of other things. These are idols. Whether we are willing to admit it or not, they are idols. Worship is found in the lives of secularists, agnostics, believers and atheists alike. Worship reveals the somethings and someones we value most.
How do we truly worship Christ if we so clearly are torn and broken beings who worship somethings and someones? True worship of our Abba Father happens when we put God first.
Worship is often mistaken for emotion and feeling. But overwhelming emotions we can't explain aren't worship. Just like fuzzy feelings aren't love. Feelings come and go. The joy of the Trinity remains true for all time. In light of the Trinity's beauty and loveliness we everything else on the horizon of our attention takes its proper secondary place. Above and before all other good things remains the Pearl of great price, the King of kings and Lord or lords.
Brothers, worship Christ. He has loved the unloveable. He has forgiven the unforgivable. He has redeemed you. Open your eyes to His mercy and grace and worship!
Monday, October 10, 2011
Holy Communion
communion |kəˈmyoōnyən|
noun
1 the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, esp. when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level
Communion. The table where we come to remember Christ's ultimate sacrifice for us. God's radical rescue of mankind and the Old Testament sacrifices of blood are tied together in this beautiful Supper of remembrance. Jesus was the innocent lamb who came for us. How could any human turn away from that gift? Christ opened a door from death to life, from disobedience to relationship, from detachment to unity. How lovely is the gift of His love for us. Communion invites us into relationship with Christ. This sacred table nourishes us and strengthens us with heavenly food. It is the table of eternal union and communion.
Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again. Christian, delight in that fact. He will come again. He will come for you.
Participating in the the Lord's Supper is a lovely reminder for me. A reminder of the sacrifice my God has made for ME. He came to earth in human form to die for MY life. He died to save ME. Every time I take communion my heart breaks with joy for His ultimate gift to me. The only thing I could hope to receive from the table is what I do receive. Hope for a better life. Hope in Christ. Hope in Heaven. He gives me hope in Him. I receive Christ at His table.
The Lord of light stepped forth and said, "This is my body broken for you."
Christian, hope in Christ. Commune with Christ.
noun
1 the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, esp. when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level
Communion. The table where we come to remember Christ's ultimate sacrifice for us. God's radical rescue of mankind and the Old Testament sacrifices of blood are tied together in this beautiful Supper of remembrance. Jesus was the innocent lamb who came for us. How could any human turn away from that gift? Christ opened a door from death to life, from disobedience to relationship, from detachment to unity. How lovely is the gift of His love for us. Communion invites us into relationship with Christ. This sacred table nourishes us and strengthens us with heavenly food. It is the table of eternal union and communion.
Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again. Christian, delight in that fact. He will come again. He will come for you.
Participating in the the Lord's Supper is a lovely reminder for me. A reminder of the sacrifice my God has made for ME. He came to earth in human form to die for MY life. He died to save ME. Every time I take communion my heart breaks with joy for His ultimate gift to me. The only thing I could hope to receive from the table is what I do receive. Hope for a better life. Hope in Christ. Hope in Heaven. He gives me hope in Him. I receive Christ at His table.
The Lord of light stepped forth and said, "This is my body broken for you."
Christian, hope in Christ. Commune with Christ.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Gratitude
gratitude |ˈgratəˌt(y)oōd|
noun
the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness
How many days do I fill with complaints? How many minutes and hours and days do I waste thinking about the things I don't have? Too many. Every minute we have on this beautiful earth is a blessing. Even when it feels like a curse. God has given us everything. We owe Him our praise and adoration! But what do we do? We complain. Let's remember all we have today that we can be glad and have joy!
Think of this life as a quilt. Let's sow together all of the sadness and happiness, sickness and wealth with the thread of thankfulness. Let's create a beautiful quilt of joy from gratitude. Gratitude to our Savior who owes us nothing and yet so graciously provides us with all things! How lovely is His mercy. How thankful we should be! Gratitude is not because we have perfect lives and nothing goes wrong. Gratitude is because the Spirit of God is within us. He is ever present in our lives! That is reason to have gratitude!
Dispositions often influence our attitudes toward or against gratitude. For me personally my disposition is a huge indicator of whether or not my heart wants to be thankful. But why does what you want win over what you should do!? I should be thankful for all my Savior gives me. And yet, I complain. So many people are addicted to criticism, analysis and negativity; me included. Our world gives us a constant view of how things should be, what we should say, how we should look and if we're not up to their standards, we are criticized. Our outfits are analyzed and many times the first thing out of our mouth is not positive. Brother, change this. Be the example of Christ to which we are called. Be full of gratitude and thankfulness. Let it flow freely from your heart.
"Vocatus atque non vocatus, deus aderit." - Erasmus
"Bidden or unbidden, God is present." - Erasmus
BIDDEN OR UNBIDDEN OUR GOD IS PRESENT.
Christian be grateful! Have gratitude to your Lord and Savior for He is present! Always.
noun
the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness
How many days do I fill with complaints? How many minutes and hours and days do I waste thinking about the things I don't have? Too many. Every minute we have on this beautiful earth is a blessing. Even when it feels like a curse. God has given us everything. We owe Him our praise and adoration! But what do we do? We complain. Let's remember all we have today that we can be glad and have joy!
Think of this life as a quilt. Let's sow together all of the sadness and happiness, sickness and wealth with the thread of thankfulness. Let's create a beautiful quilt of joy from gratitude. Gratitude to our Savior who owes us nothing and yet so graciously provides us with all things! How lovely is His mercy. How thankful we should be! Gratitude is not because we have perfect lives and nothing goes wrong. Gratitude is because the Spirit of God is within us. He is ever present in our lives! That is reason to have gratitude!
Dispositions often influence our attitudes toward or against gratitude. For me personally my disposition is a huge indicator of whether or not my heart wants to be thankful. But why does what you want win over what you should do!? I should be thankful for all my Savior gives me. And yet, I complain. So many people are addicted to criticism, analysis and negativity; me included. Our world gives us a constant view of how things should be, what we should say, how we should look and if we're not up to their standards, we are criticized. Our outfits are analyzed and many times the first thing out of our mouth is not positive. Brother, change this. Be the example of Christ to which we are called. Be full of gratitude and thankfulness. Let it flow freely from your heart.
"Vocatus atque non vocatus, deus aderit." - Erasmus
"Bidden or unbidden, God is present." - Erasmus
BIDDEN OR UNBIDDEN OUR GOD IS PRESENT.
Christian be grateful! Have gratitude to your Lord and Savior for He is present! Always.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Celebration
Celebration |ˌseləˈbrā sh ən|
noun
the action of marking one's pleasure at an important event or occasion by engaging in enjoyable, typically social, activity.
God invented delight. Has that ever crossed your mind? He came up with the idea of delight, joy and celebration! When we celebrate in the Lord, we are a part of the divine life of the Trinity. Celebration doesn't have to be happy. It doesn't bank on our emotions and feelings. Celebration can be solemn or exhilarating, formal or spontaneous! But no matter how you feel, celebration enlarges our capacity to enjoy and serve our wonderful Father! Perfect circumstances and happy feelings are not a necessity for joy and celebration.
Everyday we are plagued with reasons to be downcast. But God's joy is an unbroken pulse. We are blessed people. We can be freely sorrowful. We do not have to have sorrow like the world's because we have the blessing of a sorrow with HOPE! We have a hope in Christ Jesus that overcomes all else! We are NOT alone---that in itself is reason to celebrate.
Brothers, CELEBRATE!
Two people in my life are phenomenal examples of celebration: my mother and my Aunt Jill. Both of them have a joy in Christ that is not matched by many. They exult in the Lord in everything they do! They are true Proverbs 31 women. They find joy in the dark. They find hope in sorrow. They know they have hope through the sorrow. How wonderful to live a life of hope through the sorrow?
Christian, exult the Lord. Be joyful! Celebrate!
noun
the action of marking one's pleasure at an important event or occasion by engaging in enjoyable, typically social, activity.
God invented delight. Has that ever crossed your mind? He came up with the idea of delight, joy and celebration! When we celebrate in the Lord, we are a part of the divine life of the Trinity. Celebration doesn't have to be happy. It doesn't bank on our emotions and feelings. Celebration can be solemn or exhilarating, formal or spontaneous! But no matter how you feel, celebration enlarges our capacity to enjoy and serve our wonderful Father! Perfect circumstances and happy feelings are not a necessity for joy and celebration.
Everyday we are plagued with reasons to be downcast. But God's joy is an unbroken pulse. We are blessed people. We can be freely sorrowful. We do not have to have sorrow like the world's because we have the blessing of a sorrow with HOPE! We have a hope in Christ Jesus that overcomes all else! We are NOT alone---that in itself is reason to celebrate.
Brothers, CELEBRATE!
Two people in my life are phenomenal examples of celebration: my mother and my Aunt Jill. Both of them have a joy in Christ that is not matched by many. They exult in the Lord in everything they do! They are true Proverbs 31 women. They find joy in the dark. They find hope in sorrow. They know they have hope through the sorrow. How wonderful to live a life of hope through the sorrow?
Christian, exult the Lord. Be joyful! Celebrate!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Of vagabonds and vagrants and rest.
Vagabonds.
Those vagrants and derelicts. They inhabit our very souls. Something about them draw and allure us. Though we deny it, they are at our very core.
Oh the life of a drifter. To be tossed to and fro through life. To live without care of time or place, status or the implied caste system that engulfs the subconscious of all cultures. Oh to be free. Free of the judgement, the worries, the stresses. The ramblings of such people, when they unleash the inner vagabond, is a beautiful freedom and release. The liberation of that part of the depraved mortal soul and heart, pouring out in various and sundry outlets is a beauty that cannot be matched or compared to any other. The intricacy of those wandering desires and intentions is irrefutable.
The human heart is an organ unique and utterly necessary to human survival. With that simple fist-sized organ, our very existence relies. It literally pumps life through our veins. It "stimulates" feelings even the most composed of mortals cannot always deny and repress. It causes pain unimaginable to any beast without a soul.
Humans.
Mortals.
The beings who are known as little glimpses of the Father due to being made in His image. We have been pronounced blessed creatures in the Potter's hands.
Blessed with the gift of emotions.
Blessed with a function we often wish to extinguish.
Blessed with the ability to praise with our gifts and talents. Such gifts! Such a blessing we so often mistake for cursing. Oh Creator. Thank you for such a function. Thank you for the ability to express our deep love in a way dumb beasts cannot comprehend. Thank you for worship!
So what will it be? Continue to repress the amazing beauty that is creativity and feeling? Or give way to the terrifying truth that seeps into our souls?
Let out the vagabond!
Embrace the vagrants and derelicts. Rejoice! Worship! Seek the Lord!
And when you have found a peace that passes all understanding: rest.
Enter His rest.
I dare you.
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