Sigh

"If you've got Jesus, why would you need the Bible?" - A peer in response to the idea that heaven is a Bible-study with Jesus

:-) Thank You, God, for that encouraging thought today. It was a rough one discussing clergy responses to abused people when biblical Peter commends being abused. Yeah, we delve into some pretty deep and crucial topics here. It makes my head spin and there are few opportunities to debrief. I'm thankful for the thought above.

Drippy Eyes

Honestly, this week has been pretty stressful in an emotionally draining way.
Remembering Gramps at two intense All Saints' worship services at the beginning of the week, watching four depressing plays including a professional performance of Romeo and Juliet and struggling with the social aspects of one of my most important relationships has somehow gotten me weepy this week. Surprisingly being pulled over by a policeman to learn that I had a flat tire and then forgetting my fresh homemade coffee on the counter of the mechanics didn't get a single tear.

I've also been thinking about this time last year. Here's what I was doing a year ago today: http://cryingoniontears.blogspot.com/search?q=fly+home

So glad that I'm here instead.

Taste Buds Craving Uganda

Eric and I were laughing today at the fact that we've started to judge food by its' similarity to Ugandian food. He was noting that the Snack Bar hasn't had the Fanta pineapple soda recently and I mentioned that they did have the avocado-turkey-blue cheese sandwich again this week. ;-)

Great Men

I have some pretty great men in my life. It's alright to brag about other people, right?

As Dad gets closer to retirement from his self-made chiropractic practice, his priorities are changing and he's looking for ways to help others around the world. He did some research and learned about a chiropractor in South America who goes between orphanages to give the children chiropractic care and now he's raising money for their needs. So cool!

Eric surprises me with his willingness to not only listen to my dreams ("What if I'm called to Africa? To adopt? To be a pastor? To...") but also to consider them and their possible implications in his life and he's still here! I can't believe the conversations we've had and his sensitivity (Arnold, don't you dare give him a hard time about it!). I'm pretty impressed by Eric and it's funny to think that four years ago when we were friends getting into as much mischievous as possible, I would have never guessed we would be in this situation.

Mr. Keith and Mr. Tim still call me when they're hanging out with HOPE campers so I can keep in touch with them. I appreciate them remembering me and letting me continue to be part of the HOPE family regardless of the fact I'm a state away.

My male seminary comrades are always good for conversations about social justice from a Christian perspective and for simple helps when needed.

I'm glad to know I can call Erik to get updates about his life as a new young pastor and his seminary advice. Luis is great for a giant hug and coffee conversations about everything. Pete inspires me with his faith journey and growth over the past five years. Arnold has a similar heart for the poor in Africa and I enjoy our opportunities to encourage each other. I'm sure I'm forgetting someone but I wanted to share my thankfulness for these men. Sorry I don't have pictures.

Called to what?

This past weekend, I organized a youth lock-in at the church where I'm the new youth director. It was amazing to have the opportunity to lead games, discussions and worship with the intention of challenging the 7th-college freshmen age youth to become willing to let God transform their lives rather than to become conformed to the world.

Granted, I felt challenged by Professor Sweet's teaching that we should be culturally relevantly while teaching Christian truths. But throughout the night while I was busy, I had a sense of peace. I could laugh with the youth and appreciate their comments about distractions that keep them from God. After about five hours of sleep, I woke up early and appreciated the quiet time making breakfast before I woke up the kids with "The Circle of Life" from the Lion King. It was so strange that I was that content with such a lack of sleep. It probably brought back my second nature of deaning HOPE Camp but this time, behavior issues were non-existent. Not that I necessarily called to work with youth in the second richest county in NJ for the rest of my life, but ...

Eric and I have often discussed the difference between physical and spiritual needs. Isn't it interesting that African churches are often bursting with people desperately dependent upon God who are so thankful for the meager blessings in their life (meager only by our standards) yet in all of our wealth, we are often spiritually independent from God going through the motions of religious ritual. Wow, I suddenly just realized what an amazing opportunity I have to encourage spiritual growth in Summit while offering aid for physical needs from here to the places that need them. Hm. I just can't forget the great needs in either place. Oh, gosh. God is really working on this heart and mind of mine. See how the global community affects just this one little life of mine-- wanting to bless people here and there. And honestly feeling called to it. Wow. God's amazing.