haven. just saying this word exudes serenity.
as i go about my day today i am realizing that i want to make my life a haven. i want my life to be marked by tranquility, calmness, and consideration. i want to take the time to breathe and embrace.
september has been an overwhelmingly busy month. i am over-committed and running dry. i am literally working at least sixty hours a week. this doesn't work so well with maintaining good relationships.
i feel guilty for not being there for my family and friends. i don't want to be that person.
so, today is a new day. i am lighting my pumpkin spice and caramel apple scented candle. im stepping back and bringing balance into my life. i am doing what i need to do and not taking on more than i can afford. im praying today and connecting with those that are most important to me.
10.04.2010
5.18.2010
building bridges
This morning I read a bit of Cornell West and I was encouraged by his insightful words. Mr. West says the ideally educated person is the prophetic thinker, ‘one who lives in and understands multiple realities and uses such understanding in building bridges between and among these varied worlds.’
This quote reminds me of who we are called to be as Christians...
We are called to live in this world, and bring the hope of the future (and even present) reality that awaits those who receive salvation from Jesus.
To be this prophetic thinker, West says discernment, tracking hypocrisy, hope, and connection are whats most important.
‘We must keep foremost in mind the notion that history is incomplete, that the world is unfinished, that the future is open-ended and that what we think and what we do can make a difference.’ - Cornell West
This quote reminds me of who we are called to be as Christians...
We are called to live in this world, and bring the hope of the future (and even present) reality that awaits those who receive salvation from Jesus.
To be this prophetic thinker, West says discernment, tracking hypocrisy, hope, and connection are whats most important.
‘We must keep foremost in mind the notion that history is incomplete, that the world is unfinished, that the future is open-ended and that what we think and what we do can make a difference.’ - Cornell West
4.16.2010
discipline and compassion
“It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through.”
“Discipline is remembering what you want.”
“Many of life's circumstances are created by three basic choices: the disciplines you choose to keep, the people you choose to be with; and, the laws you choose to obey”
I took some sort of self assessment a few years ago and scored the highest on discipline and compassion. These days...I'm not quite sure were this once ever present discipline went. I am sure it is hiding somewhere, but I'm not sure where.
I hate fighting this daily battle within myself: Doing Enough vs. Not Doing Enough
How do you know?
Lately, I don't feel as if I am doing 'enough.' But I know I am doing a lot. Maybe I am just not doing the right things...or the things I want to be doing; building relationships, establishing roots, growing in my relationship with Jesus, reading his word.
“Discipline is remembering what you want.”
“Many of life's circumstances are created by three basic choices: the disciplines you choose to keep, the people you choose to be with; and, the laws you choose to obey”
I took some sort of self assessment a few years ago and scored the highest on discipline and compassion. These days...I'm not quite sure were this once ever present discipline went. I am sure it is hiding somewhere, but I'm not sure where.
I hate fighting this daily battle within myself: Doing Enough vs. Not Doing Enough
How do you know?
Lately, I don't feel as if I am doing 'enough.' But I know I am doing a lot. Maybe I am just not doing the right things...or the things I want to be doing; building relationships, establishing roots, growing in my relationship with Jesus, reading his word.
4.14.2010
to cook
I didn't grow up cooking, but oh how I love making beautiful and yummy food.
I have been slowly gathering recipes, and I don't want to forget them. So I'm blogging the down... :)
Pineapple Ginger Rice
Ingredients: Pineapple, Brown Rice, Edamame, 1 Tablespoon Ginger, Cilantro
Pineapple Salsa
2 Cups Diced Pineapple, ½ Cup Chopped Cilantro, ¼ Cup Chopped Red Onion, 1 Chopped Serrano Pepper, 1 Lime (juice and zest) More Options: Dash of Dark Rum, Spearmint, Chopped Red Peppers, Chopped Apple
Coconut Mushroom Rice
1 Cup Coconut Milk, 2 Cups White Rice, 1 Splenda, 1 Cup Mushrooms, ½ Cup Crushed Peanuts, Red Chili Pepper Sauce
More Options: Add Chicken
My Favorite Pita
Pita Bread, Regular Hummus, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Basil, Feta
More Options: Add Chicken
Bruschetta
1 Dozen Roma Tomatoes, Basil, Three Cloves of Fresh Garlic, Olive Oil, Lemon, Balsamic Reduction, Feta, Crostinis
Veggie Delite
Kidney Beans, Sweet Red Onion, Peppers, Feta
Remember: Fridge Life
• Cooked leftovers, four days
• Raw eggs, three to five weeks
• Hard boiled eggs, one week
• Salads, such as egg, macaroni, potato or tuna, three to five days
• Stuffed pork and lamb chops or chicken breasts, one day
• Ground beef/chicken/turkey/veal, one to two days
• Stew meats, one to two days
• Ham, three to seven days
• Hot dogs, one week if opened, two weeks if unopened
• Bacon, seven days
• Steaks/roasts, three to five days
• Poultry, one to two days
• Fresh fish/shellfish, one to two days
I have been slowly gathering recipes, and I don't want to forget them. So I'm blogging the down... :)
Pineapple Ginger Rice
Ingredients: Pineapple, Brown Rice, Edamame, 1 Tablespoon Ginger, Cilantro
Pineapple Salsa
2 Cups Diced Pineapple, ½ Cup Chopped Cilantro, ¼ Cup Chopped Red Onion, 1 Chopped Serrano Pepper, 1 Lime (juice and zest) More Options: Dash of Dark Rum, Spearmint, Chopped Red Peppers, Chopped Apple
Coconut Mushroom Rice
1 Cup Coconut Milk, 2 Cups White Rice, 1 Splenda, 1 Cup Mushrooms, ½ Cup Crushed Peanuts, Red Chili Pepper Sauce
More Options: Add Chicken
My Favorite Pita
Pita Bread, Regular Hummus, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Basil, Feta
More Options: Add Chicken
Bruschetta
1 Dozen Roma Tomatoes, Basil, Three Cloves of Fresh Garlic, Olive Oil, Lemon, Balsamic Reduction, Feta, Crostinis
Veggie Delite
Kidney Beans, Sweet Red Onion, Peppers, Feta
Remember: Fridge Life
• Cooked leftovers, four days
• Raw eggs, three to five weeks
• Hard boiled eggs, one week
• Salads, such as egg, macaroni, potato or tuna, three to five days
• Stuffed pork and lamb chops or chicken breasts, one day
• Ground beef/chicken/turkey/veal, one to two days
• Stew meats, one to two days
• Ham, three to seven days
• Hot dogs, one week if opened, two weeks if unopened
• Bacon, seven days
• Steaks/roasts, three to five days
• Poultry, one to two days
• Fresh fish/shellfish, one to two days
3.26.2010
this is why : Forgiveness and Freedom
When I take a look around, I see so much wrong with Christianity. People use and abuse it. Its hard to miss the greed, hate, pain, and judgment that are all associated with what being a Christian looks like.
But according to Galatians, there is Freedom in Christ. All of those things associated with Christians come from our fallen selves, not Christ. Christ offers Grace. And that is His message. None of us is worthy and none of us will ever be able to uphold the law and do what is right 100 percent of the time. We can't even try....because in that, we lose the value of Christ. If we could gain merit my obedience, Christ died for nothing.
'It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery.'
In this verse Paul is encouraging us to not try to gain righteousness or salvation by the Law. The yoke of Slavery is referring to the yoke of the Law. Paul even says that if we do, Christ will be of no value to us at all. 'You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.' Galatians 5
This righteousness is not something that will be obtained perfectly now, on earth. But Christ calls us righteous...and is making us righteous. One day we will be, but not now.
And isn't this so comforting? We don't have to worry about not being perfect now and we don't have to expect others to be perfect. When we wrong one another, we can forgive because we know that He has forgiven us.
But according to Galatians, there is Freedom in Christ. All of those things associated with Christians come from our fallen selves, not Christ. Christ offers Grace. And that is His message. None of us is worthy and none of us will ever be able to uphold the law and do what is right 100 percent of the time. We can't even try....because in that, we lose the value of Christ. If we could gain merit my obedience, Christ died for nothing.
'It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery.'
In this verse Paul is encouraging us to not try to gain righteousness or salvation by the Law. The yoke of Slavery is referring to the yoke of the Law. Paul even says that if we do, Christ will be of no value to us at all. 'You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.' Galatians 5
This righteousness is not something that will be obtained perfectly now, on earth. But Christ calls us righteous...and is making us righteous. One day we will be, but not now.
And isn't this so comforting? We don't have to worry about not being perfect now and we don't have to expect others to be perfect. When we wrong one another, we can forgive because we know that He has forgiven us.
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