How do we keep being captivated anew with radical faith in a "Jesus bubble", where Jesus is familiar and has always been there? How do you create an expectant faith filled atmosphere as we raise our kids?
When I was journaling through Mark I found this question surface.
I think when Jesus has been taught to us from childhood the thrill of what he does in our lives is mistaken for something small, and we loose the significance of it or because he so common we forget to see him and maybe sometimes we loose faith, or forget to have faith.
So since our home would be considered a Christian home, where Jesus is a big part of our everyday, I have been thinking about this. How do we keep Jesus fresh and vibrant in our little "bubble"? How have you tried to do this in your home?
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
In the Name of Creativity
"A recipe is merely words on paper; a guideline, a starting point from which to improvise." I read this on recipe site a while ago and now I can't remember where but I couldn't agree more, this is my view of cooking. It is what my mother instinctively taught me. I do few things exactly as I'm told actually. I like to be creative and try to do almost everything some way that maybe few people have ever done it. Things don't always go well though, for instance I came up with a really bad one the other night in the name of creativity, awful really. I was trying to make my own version of Kari Kari, which is a Filipino dish. I didn't have all the ingredients so as you can guess I either skipped them or added something similar, oh and I didn't follow the cooking instructions at all either. When it was all said and done I had a feeling it wasn't going to go well at the supper table that night. I contemplated not even serving it but I'd invested too much time, pride and ingredients to just toss it, so I looked at it more as a character building experience. My hunch-niggles where right, "what is this?", "It smells weird", "Is this all we're having?", "I'm not hungry." I forced the kids to eat it, I saw Ben grimace as he told me "It's OK....."(do you think he lied?), I Could barely stomach 1/2 my plate. Later that evening Ben said, "Can I just say one thing, can you not make that again." We laughed and I said "I know it smelled like dog food. I will never intentionally make that again."
Oh ya in the name of creativity I have made some pretty awful things, but I've also made some good ones I think.
Ok ok I have one more wipe-out story for you due to my over creativeness. Some of you will have witnessed this unfortunate birth of my imagination. In one of the first years when Ben and I came to this church I was in charge of something creative for the Purpose driven life and I created this huge globe, I think about 5 foot circumference, for the church stage. It was paper mache and tin foil. The skeleton of the globe was something like 6 hula hoops. Plus it had several directional arrows shooting out from its surface. Oh it was ugly, the tin foil kept falling off and I keep sticking it back on with a opened stapler or sticky tack, the arrows kept slinking lower and lower, some eventually pointed down and then fell off. Every Sunday it was up there I was so embarrassed by it but of course I kept those insecurities buried deep below my confident creators mask. I don't remember anyone ever saying anything to me about what they really though about it but I can only imagine how many other people have heard about it. Anyway I am laughing about it now because I feel like I was able to redeem myself with this last project that hangs on the wall. Besides why not laugh about it. If you remember it I am so sorry you had to endure it on stage all those weeks.
The trash heap is bigger because of me ;)
Oh ya in the name of creativity I have made some pretty awful things, but I've also made some good ones I think.
Ok ok I have one more wipe-out story for you due to my over creativeness. Some of you will have witnessed this unfortunate birth of my imagination. In one of the first years when Ben and I came to this church I was in charge of something creative for the Purpose driven life and I created this huge globe, I think about 5 foot circumference, for the church stage. It was paper mache and tin foil. The skeleton of the globe was something like 6 hula hoops. Plus it had several directional arrows shooting out from its surface. Oh it was ugly, the tin foil kept falling off and I keep sticking it back on with a opened stapler or sticky tack, the arrows kept slinking lower and lower, some eventually pointed down and then fell off. Every Sunday it was up there I was so embarrassed by it but of course I kept those insecurities buried deep below my confident creators mask. I don't remember anyone ever saying anything to me about what they really though about it but I can only imagine how many other people have heard about it. Anyway I am laughing about it now because I feel like I was able to redeem myself with this last project that hangs on the wall. Besides why not laugh about it. If you remember it I am so sorry you had to endure it on stage all those weeks.
The trash heap is bigger because of me ;)
Best photo of the year
I also love what this photo captures - pure enjoyment of the moment, Joelle is captivated by the beauty and the fun of the huge flakes.
Thanks to all who played along.
Thanks to all who played along.
Thursday, January 07, 2010
2009 Best Photo Contest
I'm a little behind (6 days) but I know you still want to see them - the best photos of 2009(our kids) And you get to vote for your favorite.
January - The Attempt to Sleep in the Quinzee
February - It's a Krazee House Hold
March - Zoom Zoom
April - Happy Hat
May - Play Day
June - Old Fashioned Picnic
July - Aaaaa the Ocean Air
August - Sshhh... Attack
September - Abandoned Baby
October - First Snow
November - The Best Thing About a Twin is ...
December - The Happiest Days of our Lives
January - The Attempt to Sleep in the Quinzee
February - It's a Krazee House Hold
March - Zoom Zoom
April - Happy Hat
May - Play Day
June - Old Fashioned Picnic
July - Aaaaa the Ocean Air
August - Sshhh... Attack
September - Abandoned Baby
October - First Snow
November - The Best Thing About a Twin is ...
December - The Happiest Days of our Lives
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Mark 16
The end but not really the end. Jesus is raised. Jesus is alive.
V. 9-16 I decided the ending of Mark is not my favorite. The "added" portion just felt wrong. After reading and listening through Mark I feel like I have a sense of Mark as a writer and of course Jesus, his subject. These last verses didn't fit for me and there is doubt in my mind as to how serious to take them. That said verse 8 is a very strange place to end too.
I have been so thankful for the accountability journaling here has given me, but I have to admit it was a challenge some days, I don't think I would have been so faithful had I been doing it on my own.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Mark 15
Jesus innocent but treated like a criminal
Jesus on the cross for all to mock
Jesus willing to do God's will but asking "why?"
Jesus dies
Jesus' body is laid in a tomb and sealed
After listening to this chapter I feel sorry and then grateful and humbled by the way Jesus dies willing to do his fathers will, he dies so I can be free, so I can have wholeness and eternity, that should've been me, for my sins, he is my replacement, he sacrifices for me, for us, ....Jesus I thank you. I love you .... these pathetic English words just doesn't seem like enough.
Jesus on the cross for all to mock
Jesus willing to do God's will but asking "why?"
Jesus dies
Jesus' body is laid in a tomb and sealed
After listening to this chapter I feel sorry and then grateful and humbled by the way Jesus dies willing to do his fathers will, he dies so I can be free, so I can have wholeness and eternity, that should've been me, for my sins, he is my replacement, he sacrifices for me, for us, ....Jesus I thank you. I love you .... these pathetic English words just doesn't seem like enough.
Monday, January 04, 2010
Mark 14
Thanks to all those that have been following along in Mark, we're almost done. If you haven't been on in a while here is what I'm up to with this Mark thing. Click on these words to find out.
The first story in this chapter I always find so beautiful. I wish I could do that for Jesus. I find his acceptance of extravagance rather interesting because from my upbringing extravagance for Jesus has not been looked upon with kind eyes. Like those present at the pouring out of the perfume,is how I naturally feel like responding, "What?! Don't waste the money, don't spend money on fancy stuff for the church building or worship service, go practical and simple." yet I see Jesus here accepting this extravagant offering as an act of worship. I am now conflicted. I sometimes wish reading the bible made things easier to understand but in this case it makes things complicated, because Jesus lived such a sacrificial life for the poor and sick. What do you think? Should we be extravagant in order to better worship God, even if people look on saying, "Why this waste? It could have been sold and the money given to the poor." Or should we keep a small worship budget and spend more money on the poor?
Maybe the story no longer holds us to do as the woman did because Jesus says "...You will not always have me." Times changed.
Ya ... so the outcome of that was clear as mud. I love the bible, makes me think.
As i was reading the part about the Lord supper preparations I realized something I hadn't really thought of before. Jesus knew what the disciples would encounter(V.16). He did this with the donkey a few days ago too. Now I am a firm believer that Jesus was fully human and he gave up his godness when he came to earth, that would mean whatever he does on earth is possible for us as well with the holy spirit in us. This to me is fascinating that we can know the future if we need to. What do you think of that?
Mark 14:38 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the body is weak." This is a verse that I have memorized and recited many times. It is a powerful verse for me because it helps me keep my freedom. I know it would take a lot more words to really explain this but let me try. When I discovered where I was weak, where I was trapped in sin and then found freedom, I had some safe guards to place in my life and this verse was what led me to understand that it is more than pray, it is keeping watch. Watch for where the weak points were in my armor, where the enemy could try to take me captive again. Watch means to me to toss thoughts, small thoughts out of my mind as soon as they come in.... and of course pray. That is the short version. I love this verse.
I was listening to this chapter through the Bible experience (which is the audio dramatized bible on MP3) it brought tears to my eyes and gave me chills. I am like peter sometimes, I am like Jesus accusers sometimes ....am I like Jesus sometimes? - not in this story.
The first story in this chapter I always find so beautiful. I wish I could do that for Jesus. I find his acceptance of extravagance rather interesting because from my upbringing extravagance for Jesus has not been looked upon with kind eyes. Like those present at the pouring out of the perfume,is how I naturally feel like responding, "What?! Don't waste the money, don't spend money on fancy stuff for the church building or worship service, go practical and simple." yet I see Jesus here accepting this extravagant offering as an act of worship. I am now conflicted. I sometimes wish reading the bible made things easier to understand but in this case it makes things complicated, because Jesus lived such a sacrificial life for the poor and sick. What do you think? Should we be extravagant in order to better worship God, even if people look on saying, "Why this waste? It could have been sold and the money given to the poor." Or should we keep a small worship budget and spend more money on the poor?
Maybe the story no longer holds us to do as the woman did because Jesus says "...You will not always have me." Times changed.
Ya ... so the outcome of that was clear as mud. I love the bible, makes me think.
As i was reading the part about the Lord supper preparations I realized something I hadn't really thought of before. Jesus knew what the disciples would encounter(V.16). He did this with the donkey a few days ago too. Now I am a firm believer that Jesus was fully human and he gave up his godness when he came to earth, that would mean whatever he does on earth is possible for us as well with the holy spirit in us. This to me is fascinating that we can know the future if we need to. What do you think of that?
Mark 14:38 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the body is weak." This is a verse that I have memorized and recited many times. It is a powerful verse for me because it helps me keep my freedom. I know it would take a lot more words to really explain this but let me try. When I discovered where I was weak, where I was trapped in sin and then found freedom, I had some safe guards to place in my life and this verse was what led me to understand that it is more than pray, it is keeping watch. Watch for where the weak points were in my armor, where the enemy could try to take me captive again. Watch means to me to toss thoughts, small thoughts out of my mind as soon as they come in.... and of course pray. That is the short version. I love this verse.
I was listening to this chapter through the Bible experience (which is the audio dramatized bible on MP3) it brought tears to my eyes and gave me chills. I am like peter sometimes, I am like Jesus accusers sometimes ....am I like Jesus sometimes? - not in this story.
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Mark 13
Signs of the end of days- Any day it could be the end of all this, do you ever think of that? I don't normally think about it at all but as I read this it does make me wonder. The world seems to be falling apart, and I wonder, when I think of how long ago Jesus said these words, is it really going to happen? "At that time men will see the son of man coming in the clouds.. this generation will not pass away until all 
these things have happened....therefore keep watch... I say to everyone: 'watch!'" It has been so long since he said those words, what is God waiting for? .... I guess the part that makes me wonder and seems strange is when he says "this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened." Didn't they all die, we are all still here? What did he mean? .. I guess it's even silly to ask is the end going to come. Of course it is. Jesus said it is. I guess the real question is, am I ready and doing as he commanded in his final imperative of the chapter? "Watch!".
these things have happened....therefore keep watch... I say to everyone: 'watch!'" It has been so long since he said those words, what is God waiting for? .... I guess the part that makes me wonder and seems strange is when he says "this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened." Didn't they all die, we are all still here? What did he mean? .. I guess it's even silly to ask is the end going to come. Of course it is. Jesus said it is. I guess the real question is, am I ready and doing as he commanded in his final imperative of the chapter? "Watch!".
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Mark 12
V. 15-17 Jesus has wise answers for the Pharisees and Herodians and he amazes many with the way he speaks to them.
V. 29-31 the most important commandments. Good to memorize and remind ourselves of daily.
Interesting there were no miracles in this chapter just teaching and answering the attacks of the Pharisees.
V. 29-31 the most important commandments. Good to memorize and remind ourselves of daily.
Interesting there were no miracles in this chapter just teaching and answering the attacks of the Pharisees.
Friday, January 01, 2010
Mark 11
V. 11 "he looked around at everything but since it was late he went." It seems like a strange thing to mention. He doesn't give a speech he just observes. The "but" in there makes me think he wanted to do more that just observe, but time was not available to him.
V. 12-19 Jesus goes the next day when he has the time, and he seems ticked. He "gives it" to the fig tree on the way to the temple and then he "gives it" to the buyers and the sellers and the chief priests and teachers of the law.
V. 22-25 doubt is a crippling enemy and belief in God is powerful to change things.
V. 27-33 Jesus doesn't try to defend himself, he knows it would be wasted words, instead I think by the question he asks the teachers, he is trying to show them the error in their thinking.
What does this chapter say to me? - Don't let doubt in. and ...The image of God being human, again, seems to stand out to me from verse 11 where Jesus is constrained by time. God the age less, endless, creator of time is trapped by it, as he lives as a man among us. Truly amazing that he did this for us.
Happy New year everyone!
V. 12-19 Jesus goes the next day when he has the time, and he seems ticked. He "gives it" to the fig tree on the way to the temple and then he "gives it" to the buyers and the sellers and the chief priests and teachers of the law.
V. 22-25 doubt is a crippling enemy and belief in God is powerful to change things.
V. 27-33 Jesus doesn't try to defend himself, he knows it would be wasted words, instead I think by the question he asks the teachers, he is trying to show them the error in their thinking.
What does this chapter say to me? - Don't let doubt in. and ...The image of God being human, again, seems to stand out to me from verse 11 where Jesus is constrained by time. God the age less, endless, creator of time is trapped by it, as he lives as a man among us. Truly amazing that he did this for us.
Happy New year everyone!
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