Simmer, if you will, on the idea of contentment. Being good even in a moment that isn't all that good. I've been doing some self-eximination since this message from our Pastor, Matt Williams, this past Sunday. I wanted to share.
I appreciate a good spiritual challenge and truly, the things of this world hog my focus all too often. I find it refreshing to be reminded that money can't buy everything. Certainly not the things in which my heart should be forever geared. My 20 something self messes that up over and over again, particularly out here near the start of this rat race. And my heart knows better, I know that it does. I'm constantly inspired by a healthy dose of minimalism, by generosity in any form, by those that put into practice the laying down of life for things off the map and out of the box, by a truly purposeful life. And ultimately I'm responsible for what I know, right?! So I ponder what my life should look like because of it. Just like any good 20 something should do.
1 Timothy - The Treasure Diagnostic
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Us against the world...
You've all heard the argument. Glass half empty? Or is it half full? Pessimists vs optimists all tied into realists vs. idealists. Well, I'm not ashamed to proclaim - I'm definitely an idealist. Quite proudly, although not 100% of the time. But I'm most myself when I'm seeing life through that side of the lens. And let me tell you why!
I would suppose that realists would argue that they see things as they really are. Time better spent in "the real world" than in lala-land, right? In my short span of years I've seen plenty of realists in action. The people in your workplace, my workplace that operate with a bad attitude and not one I even blame them for adopting. After years and years of simply knowing too well how it goes - over and over again witnessing that most often people slack off, that some people just don't value the job that they do, that the people that do value a higher standard quickly get worn back down into not caring because of the overwhelming drain it is to pick up the slack of the ones that never do. I get it. I really do. And a real view on those issues can certainly keep you from wearing yourself out trying to change things you just can't. Or probably can't. Or whatever. I hear ya - loud and clear. So sad that after an embarrassingly short time in the workforce so far, I get this and battle with it often.
And not just in the workplace, either. The two, in opposition, can even creep into other areas of life. You know what I'm talking about. Clemson's not going to finish this season strong because, well...they never do. We'll never be able to take that trip, achieve those dreams because of X, Y and Z. No use in battling out the issue that's important to you, fires you up because the good guys rarely win.
Now, I don't want to go any further without being honest. I have a deep appreciation for realism. I've been told over and over again that I have a knack for discernment and there's so much of that rooted in what I have learned to be real. Intuitively thinking things through, basing judgement off of such. I find myself practicing this all the time, and that kind of realism can hang around.
But in just about all other circumstances I've come across so far, I like myself, am more true to myself when I'm true to my idealism. And liking and being true to yourself is important, right? It may be ideal, but I say yes ;)
A Clemson game is much more fun when you can find yourself full of excitement and anticipation of those dear tigers leaving it all on the field at Death Valley. Win or lose, isn't it more fun to believe they can win?! And isn't it healthy to chase after dreams?! No matter what happens, you're motivating yourself and likely inspiring others along the way. If you're up for it, you could uphold that standard in the workplace that you can be counted on, that your intentions are solid and that you value the job at hand. Not everyone is going to join you, but standards are never raised unless someone is elevating to meet them. Why not be that someone?! And why not fight with no abandon over something you feel strongly about?! Sadly, few may join you in the stance and the outcome may be just what the realists expected - the bad guys win. But you stood, and you can feel good about that.
I hear people say "I've lost faith in blah blah blah." The justice system. Our country. Humanity. Losing faith is tough. Faith is a driving force - the most powerful there is. To believe in something, to be confident in it and trust in it on no basis of proof. To lose faith means that you once had it. My guess is that the process of losing faith comes when you're experiences, however understandable, lead you to a decreased confidence, trust and, finally, belief in something. That's as real as it gets. This is how it was, this is what happened and now this is just how it is.
But what standard is held to these entities. But perhaps an ideal one?! Most of us would like for the guilty to be punished, for victims to be honored through justice served. For our country to represent the people, evolve with our growth and operate on moral principles in all its dealings. Most would agree it would be certainly ideal that no one on earth goes without food, water, shelter, love and care.
I would venture to say even some realists hold these ideals, believe in them, wish to seem them and even renew faith in them. But those that can't appreciate a thin slice of idealism can have the mediocrity that awaits them. They may be more grounded in reality, better equipped to deal with the world, as it truly happens around them. They may be less likely to fail and deal better when things go wrong because they expect as much. And sad but true, the world can nurture such expectation.
But me, what I can say that some can't? Next time, and the time after that, and the time after that...I can believe that the good guys could just maybe win. That standards can be raised. That humanitarian needs can be met.
And because I can believe I can act accordingly, propped up on my faith in my ideals.
I would suppose that realists would argue that they see things as they really are. Time better spent in "the real world" than in lala-land, right? In my short span of years I've seen plenty of realists in action. The people in your workplace, my workplace that operate with a bad attitude and not one I even blame them for adopting. After years and years of simply knowing too well how it goes - over and over again witnessing that most often people slack off, that some people just don't value the job that they do, that the people that do value a higher standard quickly get worn back down into not caring because of the overwhelming drain it is to pick up the slack of the ones that never do. I get it. I really do. And a real view on those issues can certainly keep you from wearing yourself out trying to change things you just can't. Or probably can't. Or whatever. I hear ya - loud and clear. So sad that after an embarrassingly short time in the workforce so far, I get this and battle with it often.
And not just in the workplace, either. The two, in opposition, can even creep into other areas of life. You know what I'm talking about. Clemson's not going to finish this season strong because, well...they never do. We'll never be able to take that trip, achieve those dreams because of X, Y and Z. No use in battling out the issue that's important to you, fires you up because the good guys rarely win.
Now, I don't want to go any further without being honest. I have a deep appreciation for realism. I've been told over and over again that I have a knack for discernment and there's so much of that rooted in what I have learned to be real. Intuitively thinking things through, basing judgement off of such. I find myself practicing this all the time, and that kind of realism can hang around.
But in just about all other circumstances I've come across so far, I like myself, am more true to myself when I'm true to my idealism. And liking and being true to yourself is important, right? It may be ideal, but I say yes ;)
A Clemson game is much more fun when you can find yourself full of excitement and anticipation of those dear tigers leaving it all on the field at Death Valley. Win or lose, isn't it more fun to believe they can win?! And isn't it healthy to chase after dreams?! No matter what happens, you're motivating yourself and likely inspiring others along the way. If you're up for it, you could uphold that standard in the workplace that you can be counted on, that your intentions are solid and that you value the job at hand. Not everyone is going to join you, but standards are never raised unless someone is elevating to meet them. Why not be that someone?! And why not fight with no abandon over something you feel strongly about?! Sadly, few may join you in the stance and the outcome may be just what the realists expected - the bad guys win. But you stood, and you can feel good about that.
I hear people say "I've lost faith in blah blah blah." The justice system. Our country. Humanity. Losing faith is tough. Faith is a driving force - the most powerful there is. To believe in something, to be confident in it and trust in it on no basis of proof. To lose faith means that you once had it. My guess is that the process of losing faith comes when you're experiences, however understandable, lead you to a decreased confidence, trust and, finally, belief in something. That's as real as it gets. This is how it was, this is what happened and now this is just how it is.
But what standard is held to these entities. But perhaps an ideal one?! Most of us would like for the guilty to be punished, for victims to be honored through justice served. For our country to represent the people, evolve with our growth and operate on moral principles in all its dealings. Most would agree it would be certainly ideal that no one on earth goes without food, water, shelter, love and care.
I would venture to say even some realists hold these ideals, believe in them, wish to seem them and even renew faith in them. But those that can't appreciate a thin slice of idealism can have the mediocrity that awaits them. They may be more grounded in reality, better equipped to deal with the world, as it truly happens around them. They may be less likely to fail and deal better when things go wrong because they expect as much. And sad but true, the world can nurture such expectation.
But me, what I can say that some can't? Next time, and the time after that, and the time after that...I can believe that the good guys could just maybe win. That standards can be raised. That humanitarian needs can be met.
And because I can believe I can act accordingly, propped up on my faith in my ideals.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
For all you twentysomethings out there :)
Thanks to my dear Fuge friend Cassie Hill (with whom I share the exact same wedding anniversary - fun fact) I happened upon this article. The whole website has some great substance to dive into, but this particular article she shared strummed some heart strings.
For all of us twentysomethings looking to get a handle on all.things.life check it out for some food for thought about the essentials :)
11 Things to Know at 25-ish!
For all of us twentysomethings looking to get a handle on all.things.life check it out for some food for thought about the essentials :)
11 Things to Know at 25-ish!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Homeward Bound!!!
Sittin' here on the eve of our eastward trek back to HOME.SWEET.HOME, Mike and I have done some reflecting. Oh how we've missed our families and friends and the sweet, comfortable, easy kind of summer that goes along with living life in our neck of the woods. But we've certainly had ourselves the adventure we set out to have. From Great Sands to the Tetons there's been ups and downs, we'll make no bones about that, but we've lived. Lived a smidge of the dream we dreamt. Amen and Amen!
Fortunately the dream's not over just yet. We're stretching our homeward bound to accommodate 8 glorious days of visiting with precious friends and family! The lineup - Columbia, Missouri to visit and catch up with my cousin Laura, St. Louis to have such a sweet reunion with my dear camp friend Shaw, Kentucky to potentially crash on the lake with my BFF Meg and her boyfriend Dan, Nashville to stay and play in the brand spankin' new home of more dear camp friends, Julie and Jeremy Spencer, then finally up to Washington DC to reunite with my long lost Hokie, Katie freakin' Horner and to pay a solid visit my cousin, Harper, whom me and South Carolina miss so much! I CANNOT WAIT!!! No lie, we've seen some beautiful places, but seeing people is my absolute favorite and I'm so thankful to cap off our trip with such a special lineup.
But with the entirety of Kansas as our foe tomorrow, I truly need to get to sleep. Seriously, Kansas could burn. Am I right Megan and Mike Martin, Chris Ward, am I right?! But in honor of reflection I'll collect some of my favorite memories of our trip, although I know with such special people to visit there will be many more to collect.
Fortunately the dream's not over just yet. We're stretching our homeward bound to accommodate 8 glorious days of visiting with precious friends and family! The lineup - Columbia, Missouri to visit and catch up with my cousin Laura, St. Louis to have such a sweet reunion with my dear camp friend Shaw, Kentucky to potentially crash on the lake with my BFF Meg and her boyfriend Dan, Nashville to stay and play in the brand spankin' new home of more dear camp friends, Julie and Jeremy Spencer, then finally up to Washington DC to reunite with my long lost Hokie, Katie freakin' Horner and to pay a solid visit my cousin, Harper, whom me and South Carolina miss so much! I CANNOT WAIT!!! No lie, we've seen some beautiful places, but seeing people is my absolute favorite and I'm so thankful to cap off our trip with such a special lineup.
But with the entirety of Kansas as our foe tomorrow, I truly need to get to sleep. Seriously, Kansas could burn. Am I right Megan and Mike Martin, Chris Ward, am I right?! But in honor of reflection I'll collect some of my favorite memories of our trip, although I know with such special people to visit there will be many more to collect.
Feeling so small on top of the dunes at Great Sands
Catching it just right for a night on the town in Ouray during a local food festival
Hiking with my two favorite boys
Being joined by Ben and changing up some scenery to the red rocks of Utah
Getting to photograph some of America's most photographed places for myself
Climbing my first 14er and getting to wish my Dad a Happy Father's Day from the top of a mountain
Not that I liked the truck breaking down, but we did learn to roll with the punches
Auto-touring through Rocky Mountain NP
Besides the 5 star meal at Chico Hot Springs (thank you Bonnie!) and our post-14er meal at Outback (thank you Shellee!) the Mountain Buzz was our best meal of the trip
Our lazy day on the South Platte River near Denver
Exploring the winter wonderland that was the Beartooth Highway
Staying busy or not so busy at Chico
Seeing the double rainbow in the West Thumb of Yellowstone
Mike getting to fly fish in the premier Gibbon River
Getting to see all the wildlife, but especially the Mama Grizzly and her cubs (from a safe distance!)
Having Sully Bink with us every step of the way
Hiking with the family in the Tetons
Getting to play around and try out some bouldering at Enclosure in Jackson Hole - very cool!
Watching the sunset over the Tetons from Shadow Valley Road on the 4th of July per recommendation of a local
Sharing this adventure with the love of my life!
Hiking to Leigh Lake in Teton NP - hands down the place I would take home with me if I could!
"Happy are those who dream dreams and are willing to make them come true."
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
The Prayer of Jesus on Behalf of His Disciples
After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life - to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.
"I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me.
"My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name, now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that no one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.
"Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. and the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I'm not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong in the world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
"I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you an I are one - as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
"I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given to me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!
"O righteous Father, the world doesn't know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them."
John 17
"I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me.
"My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name, now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that no one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.
"Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. and the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I'm not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong in the world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
"I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you an I are one - as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
"I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given to me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!
"O righteous Father, the world doesn't know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them."
John 17
Thursday, February 3, 2011
The cycle...
I've had quite the morning. There's no mistaking it, God IS stirring. You see, pretty much all components of life as I know it are in a stage of change. I am all but done with being an intern, we are about to move, Mike quit his job yesterday, I am turning down an otherwise great and promising job offer as a dietitian...that combination would typically send me into a whirlwind of stress and worry and fixation on how to gain back control. Instead, I can truly say there is an unwavering peace of mind that has consumed us. Instead of grasping for control we are learning to be still in prayer, submerge ourselves in the Word and seek out and dream of His will in place of our own. We have no idea what that looks like, but there has been such a cycle in the ideas that stir our hearts. And I know and understand that God is doing the stirring, that He is the sole source of that peace of mind, hope, comfort and trust. Today He led me to a blog (while I seriously need to be doing homework, mind you. I love how He works through even our procrastination and search for distractions from productivity!) that further led me to the most intensely spiritual moment I've experienced in quite some time. It was and is powerful and I am thankful. The most intriguing aspect of the journey recorded in this blog is that it is happening. It is not an account of what has been done, what has occurred. It is playing out now. I cannot even begin to tell you how so many parts of the content touched and moved me and how those moving moments led to feelings of being encouraged, challenged, blessed, changed...
Like my friend Mc said, God is about to blow this world away! We feel it! I feel like He is working so hard to reveal Himself and His will to me, aching for me to choose Him, count all else as loss (Philippians 3:8), and follow Him to secure my part in it all - the JOY and the SUFFERING. I don't know if I've ever heard Him so strongly before. We are far from honed in, but we are excitedly expectant!
The story that moved my morning was the one of Katie - a 23 year old that left a life of American comfort, a loving family, the pursuit of her typical dreams to go to Uganda. At first just for a year, and then more, and more. Now she calls it home. She is a single mother to 13 girls, all of which she adopted and has loved and led. Her obedience to God's will for her life and transparency is truly inspiring.
Check it out - Kisses from Katie. Prepare to be moved.
Like my friend Mc said, God is about to blow this world away! We feel it! I feel like He is working so hard to reveal Himself and His will to me, aching for me to choose Him, count all else as loss (Philippians 3:8), and follow Him to secure my part in it all - the JOY and the SUFFERING. I don't know if I've ever heard Him so strongly before. We are far from honed in, but we are excitedly expectant!
The story that moved my morning was the one of Katie - a 23 year old that left a life of American comfort, a loving family, the pursuit of her typical dreams to go to Uganda. At first just for a year, and then more, and more. Now she calls it home. She is a single mother to 13 girls, all of which she adopted and has loved and led. Her obedience to God's will for her life and transparency is truly inspiring.
Check it out - Kisses from Katie. Prepare to be moved.
"If we are really following Jesus, we will go to the hard places. Being a Christ follower means being acquainted with sorrow. Because we must know sorrow to fully appreciate joy. Joy costs pain, but the pain is worth it."
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