Out of the Box

"Out of the Box... OUT of the box!"

Do you remember this TV show which was on Disney at about the 10 o clock hour during the weekdays in 1998? It was a bunch of kids and two grown-ups, Viv and Tony, who built a GIANT playhouse out of boxes and sang songs, played games, did crafts and all sorts of stuff which was easy to do at home. (Their crafts, most times, would end up being their puppets for the puppet show at the end.) As much as the show was called "Out of the Box," they were most certainly inside the giant box of a playhouse. So where did the title come from? Oh right, what they were taking from the playhouse, OUT of the box. ("take one box, put it with another, lets find one thats long and wideee-out of the box, out of the box!" -- theme song quote!)

Anyway, not the point. So, I'm excited. First of all, today has been a great day. But more importantly, about today, there was an international education fair at school and I got information on going to New Zealand. I'm planning for the spring of 2009 and through one university in Chirstchurch, I can study, history, theology/religion, and peace/conflict studies (all which integrate into my majors/minor as well). Plus they speak english there, it's warm (at least warmer than here!) and it's beauty is beyond words to describe (or so I've heard). (Sorry, there are a lot of parenthesis around here...)

However, I'm in conflict. I have never been away from my family with limited access to their voices or faces for more than two weeks at a time anywhere farther than Pittsburgh, PA. At least, not that I recall. I'm not sure, but that was hard at first. However, that was in high school. By that time, I will be 5/8ths done with college and will have had more experience away from home. I think as long as I'm being productive, making friends and doing stuff I love, I will be fine.

This is not a post for me to just worry and explain feelings, by any means, but an opportunity, rather, for me to talk about stepping out of the box. Getting out of your comfort zone. Jumping away from the norm. Moving away from home base.

This is unusual for me. Yes, I'm a liberal. Yes, I like change. Yes, I like exploring and traveling. YES I'm excited to go! BUT it will be a change. Five months in a country I've never been to before, with people I don't know, and a culture unlike my own. It sounds more exciting right now than anything. but the fact that I will be there for such a long time scares me. i know it's a great experience and even better opportunity. but it scares the shit out of me. I like planning and knowing whats going to happen. This will be a great chance to branch from that.

Wow, this isnt turning out how I wanted...

well, here's the moral of the story.

Branch out. Take a leap of faith. It will be awesome and you'll be happy you did it because when you ever get an experience like it again??

Still don't have it figured out...

Here are some amazing lyrics by a wonderful man named david m. bailey. He plays for the Summer Youth Institute every year and also does concerts around the country. Check him out...

Challenges

Tide comes in, tide goes out
Kinda like my faith and doubt
Some days I pray, some days I shout
Still don't have it figured out

Some days I could walk on water
Other days I know that I would sink
Every day brings a different challenge
To the things I feel and what I think

Sun will rise, sun will set
Like my hopes and my regrets
There's a reason we forget
I just haven't found it yet

Some days I can see forever
Other days I know that I am blind
Every day brings a different challenge
To the truth I'm trying to find

I know there are many others like me
For all I know this song was meant for you
Hang on to your faith & keep on looking
That's really the only thing to do

Couple things...

First, let me just say "PRAISE GOD!" God is so amazing, good, and faithful.

I have a friend who has lost her father, cousin, and uncle (within two months of each other) and then some. Her boyfriend lost his mother in 8th grade (same time the my friend lost her dad).

Not too long ago, in the same week, i found out her aunt had esophogeal (sp?) cancer, and her boyfriend's dad had prostate cancer.

First words in my mind were, "Well shit, she cannot lose another relative and he certainly can't lose both parents. This sucks. What the hell am i supposed to say..."

So I prayed. I prayed everytime I thought about them. I hate seeing people lose loved ones. It pains me to see that. I continuously prayed for their healing, recovery, life, loved ones.

"He can't lose his only other parent. She can't lose another relative. Please God."

Last weekend she went home to see her mom and to drive to Indy to see her aunt in the hospital because she wasn't doing too well.

I was informed today that her aunt is going really well. She was able to drink liquids other than water today and in a few weeks will be able to eat. (Assuming, Praying, and Hoping all goes well until then.) I then asked about her boyfriends dad. He is doing really well. Cancer-free and doing well.

God is so faithful to us, and so good. I used to think it took big events for me to finally realize God's love for us. I love it. Sometimes I really question my faith, but I love experiences like these when you realize that God is really there. here. around. all over.

And now for something completely different...
Reality Check...

I don't know that I've ever had a reality check like this...

We were in Ministry class today and were talking about helping the poor and homeless. Do you give money when you walk by someone on the street holding out a cup? Do you say, "Do you have Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior in your heart? Here, let me help you." ? What action do you take? Rather, think about what action you SHOULD take...

I shared an experience in class where I gave popcorn to a man on the street (rather than money because who knows if he would use it for drugs or alcohol) and said that he wasn't very grateful (or at least he didn't sound like it).

Then Dr. B said to me... "We have to quit being judgmental. We are all made in God's image, so what makes them any different?" I'm in line with the second half of that statement. I whole-heartedly believe that. But me? Judgmental? No way! This can't be! I always claim to be so not judgmental!

Well shit. This sucks. I can't believe I was judging people. I guess it makes sense. That is somewhat ridiculous for me to ASSUME he's going to use it for drugs/alcohol. Who am I to say that it matters what he uses it on? Sure, we'd rather have it not be either of the aformentioned entities. But really now. Dr. B said, "What if he uses it for a bottle of [insert alcohol here] which warms you? What if he's really cold in the winter and this is the only thing he can afford that will warm him inside to keep warm overnight?" Ok, so it's still not helping his alcohol thing (ASSuming he has one).... but. ok. I can see that. I'm convinced.

I decided that everytime I give money to someone, I'll pray that they use it in whatever way best helps them. No matter what it is. God's faithful right? I already figured that one out. Surely God will do what He/She/It can to help this person.

I fully believe that. What is this revival of faith suddenly? In the midst of uncertainties, issues with my self-[insert whatever here], among other things... I'm still believing this.

It brings tears of joy and a smile to my face. I'm content. Thank God. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Shalom.




Hopefully this quote hits, lands upon, rests, runs into you....

"We can be realistic about what we face because that's exactly where God's love finds us, restoring hope and confidence when all seemed lost."

...Jesus...

So I was thinking the other day while in the midst of everything going on in my life...

As much as I hate it when people say "I love Jesus" and "Jesus is my hero" and sincerely mean it, these statements are true for me also. I don't like publicizing it just because there is this stigma placed with being a "Jesus-freak." However, it doesn't make sense. Most of these people who "love Jesus" are the extreme Christians with extreme values. (Ok, so maybe values is the wrong word... hopefully you still know what I mean. I'm tired, so bloodflow to my brain is a little slow this morning.) It is amazing how ignorant I have been to this. Jesus really is one of the most influential people for my life. The terms that come with my wanting to go to seminary and being a Social Justice minor lead me to believe I need to live my life like Jesus.

For a lot of people who "LOVE JESUS" this means that they are thankful for Christ dying on the cross to save us of our sins and grant us with grace for our lives beyond belief. While I'm thankful for this, this is not the first thing I think of when Jesus comes to mind. For me, it is his influential actions over his disciples and followers and how incredibly inviting and loving he was to everyone he met, came in contact, or with whom he ate dinner.

(On a sidenote: May I just say how much I love that food was an integral part of Jesus' ministry? I mean, really. All the bread and fish, bread and wine, more wine, dinner here and dinner there. It's all over in the gospels. What does this mean for us? Eat all the time? Not quite. This shows us that fellowship is one of the most important things in our ministry and faith. It just is. Take it and run with it... It's an AWESOME concept.)

So, if we are loving Jesus and taking his ideologies and being just like him, what should life look like? For us, it should be compassionate and helpful, loving and kindness. Inclusiveness, acceptance, and joy also come to mind.

But more importantly, what would life look like for others? Hopeful. Satisfying. Complete. Reassuring. Full of Love. Uplifting.

It is not my world I wish to make better, but it is the world of others. The world of those who are in unfortunate circumstances, downtrodden, destitute, lonely, hopeless, and looked down upon. Those who no one want to touch, make eye contact with or get close to.

This is what I want to help do with my life.

It pains me when I hear comments made against those who can't help their circumstances, or their life for that matter. "They can get a job and pay for their bills. It isn't that hard." But it is. That's the thing. They can't get a job because they might have been in jail who knows how long ago. They can't make money because they can't look their best on interview day. They don't have the car or the money to get to work or take the bus. It's a vicious cycle in the business world. And I hate it.

What can we do to make this world a better place? To give hope to the hopeless?

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind; Love your neighbors as yourself; do unto others as you would like for them to do unto you; Love your Enemies; Pray for those who persecute you."

It's all there. These are some of the most important passages of the Bible and some of the most quoted.

Yet, some of the least followed.

Change that.

Change the world.

Three days down...

So, it is now Friday. I have not been complaining for three days. At least, that's what I'd like to think. It is really hard. I suggest you try it for a day. For me, it is just part of my natural dialogue. And it isn't as though I'm so complainy that my friends can't stand me, it's just part of me.

I see myself as such a pessemistic person that it is just natural. It flows. I don't feel as though it is annoying. I mean, as I reflect on how much I do it, I can see where people would think so, but I have been catching myself and I do have friends that complain a WHOLE lot more than me.

I'm not complaining though! Just stating the facts!

Actually, that's what I say when I catch myself complaining. I don't think all complaining is bad. There are definitely legit complaints. I'm just trying to cut down on the petty crap. It's good for me.



That's all i have for today, as far as a Lenten update goes. But here's a quote I got in my i.ucc lenten email devotional today...

"We can be realistic about what we face because that's exactly where God's love finds us, restoring hope and confidence when all seemed lost."


That's so relieving. Even though I might not be dealing with anything too rough right now, it is still reassuring and helpful. Maybe I'll be more inspired tomorrow to write something more about it, but I think it is self-explanitory. And amazing.


Sorry, nothing too in depth tonight. I'm happy though. :]