Well then...it seems that life got ahold of me and took me on a year-long hiatus!
And what a year it was...
...lovely trips to the beach...learning to quilt...church renovation plans...baseball games...Tough Mudder (twice!)...meeting/holding my nephew for the first time...lots of "I love you"s...one of the best renaissance festivals I can remember...the beauty of Canaan Valley...an interesting interpretation of Hamlet...a renewed love of bike-rides...the most magical Christmas store ever!...North Carolina BBQ...new family traditions...craft festivals...Quiet Night dinners...a whimsical Christmas tree farm...spiders in the Christmas tree!!...Beatles Rock Band...the best Valentine a girl could ask for...The Quest of Palindra...a new love for sushi...24 hour prayer/Bible reading...a hysterical mystery dinner night...snow...Snow...and SNOW...an unfortunate case of Mono...DC cooking class...beautifully relaxing visits to North Carolina...the best words I've ever had said to me...and SO MUCH MORE!
And now?? We'll see. ;)
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Thursday, May 16, 2013
48 Hours...
It's amazing what can be accomplished in 48 hours.
Ok, I've never actually stopped everything and only done one thing for 48 hours straight, but based on what I can do in 4 or 5 hours, I can imagine (and use some math) to come to the realization that if 48 hours were set aside to accomplish something, amazing things could be done! Assuming, of course, that this power were used for good and not evil.
A couple weekends ago, I had the honored privilege of working with Star Wipe Films on their 11th (I think) 48 Hour film project. Out of these 48 hours came an amazing short film, Distilled. I recommend watching it............like, now.
http://starwipefilms.com/films/
Now, with my props & costumes responsibilities, I wasn't actually involved from start to finish for the full 48 hours, but I witnessed a lot of what was happening during that timeframe. 48 hours of quick-thinking...48 hours of creativity...48 hours of diligence...48 hours of being on your feet...48 hours of crunch-time...48 hours of improvising as necessary...48 hours of possibly learning how to do something as quickly as you can...48 hours of not sitting around.
As the time ticked on, I have to admit, I began to wonder if certain goals would be achieved, or if certain parts of the movie would have to be changed because the plan wasn't unfolding the way they had anticipated. But still, they moved forward. With every hour that passed, they kept working towards their goal.
In reflection, I can't help but think about Paul: Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:12-14).
It's amazing what can be accomplished in 48 hours. It's even more amazing what can be accomplished in our lifetime.....especially if we keep pressing on toward the goal, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.
Ok, I've never actually stopped everything and only done one thing for 48 hours straight, but based on what I can do in 4 or 5 hours, I can imagine (and use some math) to come to the realization that if 48 hours were set aside to accomplish something, amazing things could be done! Assuming, of course, that this power were used for good and not evil.
A couple weekends ago, I had the honored privilege of working with Star Wipe Films on their 11th (I think) 48 Hour film project. Out of these 48 hours came an amazing short film, Distilled. I recommend watching it............like, now.
http://starwipefilms.com/films/
Now, with my props & costumes responsibilities, I wasn't actually involved from start to finish for the full 48 hours, but I witnessed a lot of what was happening during that timeframe. 48 hours of quick-thinking...48 hours of creativity...48 hours of diligence...48 hours of being on your feet...48 hours of crunch-time...48 hours of improvising as necessary...48 hours of possibly learning how to do something as quickly as you can...48 hours of not sitting around.
As the time ticked on, I have to admit, I began to wonder if certain goals would be achieved, or if certain parts of the movie would have to be changed because the plan wasn't unfolding the way they had anticipated. But still, they moved forward. With every hour that passed, they kept working towards their goal.
In reflection, I can't help but think about Paul: Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:12-14).
It's amazing what can be accomplished in 48 hours. It's even more amazing what can be accomplished in our lifetime.....especially if we keep pressing on toward the goal, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.
**As a side note: I was not skeptical that their film would be awesome. Star Wipe Films always impress! But I was skeptical that certain things throughout the process would take place according to plan. :)
Monday, April 8, 2013
A Heart of Prayer
I realized a few years ago that as a teacher, I will forever be a student. And not just in the form of classes, conferences, and workshops. As a teacher, learning opportunities sneak up on you as you're preparing your lessons, as you're teaching the kids, or shortly there after as you look back on a unit in review. As a leader and teacher in Children's Ministry, I look forward to these moments when God speaks Truth to me--whether it's meant to form me into a better teacher, or whether it's meant to form me into a better follower of my Lord.
For all you teachers or leaders in Children's Ministry who are reading along, this brief curriculum review is for you (all, however, are welcome to read along). For the past few weeks, our Jr. Worship Service (1st-5th grade) has been learning about Prayer using Discipleship Junction: Talking with God. I rearranged the lesson order a bit and came up with my own Prayer Center activities, but overall, it was a great resource to instruct our students on Prayer. I highly recommend it. We even had a Prayer Wall up throughout the course of the unit for the students to add their prayer requests and prayer praises. It was the perfect way for the kids to share with God all that was on their hearts, while putting into practice all that they were learning about their conversations with God.
So, what did I learn from all this? Other than the obvious reminder that my prayer life needs more attention that I've been giving it?
In the middle of one of the lessons, as I spoke to the students about Joshua praying to God with great faith, I realized something. For some of us, prayer is an obvious response to life. We confidently turn to God, knowing that not only will He respond, but He will respond in the very best way.
But what if you lack that faith? Even if just for the moment? Is your prayer suddenly meaningless?
It was in this moment of teaching that I was reminded that not only can we pray to God with great faith, but we can pray to God to gain great faith. There is power in prayer that can change the heart and mind of the weak, the lost, the skeptical, and the unsure.
Maybe this nugget of Truth is obvious to most. Maybe most of the time, it's obvious to me too. But on that day in Jr. Worship, I was reminded what it means to 'pray continually' (1 Thessalonians 5:17). When I'm strong or when I'm weak. When I'm nervous or when I'm confident. When I'm prepared to listen or when I'm not prepared to listen. When I understand or when I'm confused. When I'm broken or when I'm whole.
Pray continually. When I have great faith or when I need great faith. Pray continually.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Blue Like Jazz
Blue Like Jazz. This movie has been on my mind since I watched it last week. Maybe it's not the film you recommend to friends as a way to share the Gospel, but there is just something about it...something that makes you think--makes you think beyond yourself--or deep within yourself.
Now, movie reviews are not my strong point, so I won't even begin to pick Blue Like Jazz apart in order to list its strengths and weaknesses. However, I will highlight something that has been pulling at me since the movie closed and the credits began to roll.
Spoiler--Beware.
At the end of the film, Donald Miller asks his unbelieving friend, 'Do you forgive me for misrepresenting God?'
Hmmmm......
Now at this point, some viewers may quickly begin thinking back to all that Miller had said, done, and thought throughout the movie that got him to the point of realizing that he had, in fact, done a poor job of representing God. But all I could think was 'How often do I misrepresent God?' Quite honestly, that's what I keep coming back to, several days after watching it. As someone who claims to follow God and His Word, and live a life for Him, how often do I misrepresent the very God I love, serve, and call Father, Savior, and King?
Miller continues after asking his question with a simple, 'He's not like me.'
I agree. He's not like me either.
God doesn't love the way I love. His love is deeper and richer than my love, and certainly more so unconditional. God doesn't forgive the way I forgive. Sometimes I wait for a reason, and even then, it takes a long time for me to let go of things. God doesn't make sacrifices the way I make sacrifices, because even my greatest sacrifices are laced with selfish gains. God doesn't care for people the way I care for people. I'm a compulsive planner and sometimes find myself tied to my To-Do list, unwilling to make adjustments or allow for unexpected opportunities to serve.
So. Do you forgive me for misrepresenting God? He's not like me.
Now, movie reviews are not my strong point, so I won't even begin to pick Blue Like Jazz apart in order to list its strengths and weaknesses. However, I will highlight something that has been pulling at me since the movie closed and the credits began to roll.
Spoiler--Beware.
At the end of the film, Donald Miller asks his unbelieving friend, 'Do you forgive me for misrepresenting God?'
Hmmmm......
Now at this point, some viewers may quickly begin thinking back to all that Miller had said, done, and thought throughout the movie that got him to the point of realizing that he had, in fact, done a poor job of representing God. But all I could think was 'How often do I misrepresent God?' Quite honestly, that's what I keep coming back to, several days after watching it. As someone who claims to follow God and His Word, and live a life for Him, how often do I misrepresent the very God I love, serve, and call Father, Savior, and King?
Miller continues after asking his question with a simple, 'He's not like me.'
I agree. He's not like me either.
God doesn't love the way I love. His love is deeper and richer than my love, and certainly more so unconditional. God doesn't forgive the way I forgive. Sometimes I wait for a reason, and even then, it takes a long time for me to let go of things. God doesn't make sacrifices the way I make sacrifices, because even my greatest sacrifices are laced with selfish gains. God doesn't care for people the way I care for people. I'm a compulsive planner and sometimes find myself tied to my To-Do list, unwilling to make adjustments or allow for unexpected opportunities to serve.
So. Do you forgive me for misrepresenting God? He's not like me.
Monday, March 11, 2013
A Farewell to Winter
In honor of this year's sad non-winter, and even sadder attempt at the end-of-season snow storm, which was perfectly sandwiched between two beautiful, practically spring-time weather days, I give you my farewell to winter with, in my opinion, the...
Top Magically Beautiful Snow Scenes that Stick It to Maryland's Eye Roll of a Winter!
Farewell winter...don't come back until you get your act together!
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