ALIVE...

I recently began working with middle school students through a program called Five Star. It’s a fairly new program, about four years old this year. (Check it out http://www.fivestarlife.org/)

The essence of the program is providing kids with an after-school option, rather than mindless video games or getting into trouble.

There are five basic principles that we will touch on throughout the three-season program. Dream, Excellence, Integrity, Responsibility, and Service are the five principles Five Star is based on. Currently, we are talking about dreams with the kids, and it’s quite inspiring to hear what some of the girls want to do; not only with their current living situations, or family situations, but with their futures.

It’s been an amazing journey thus far, and I must say, I’m so excited that there is more to come…

I have eight girls in my group, from Brown Intermediate Center. They are remarkable young ladies, and I can’t say it enough how lucky I am to be a part of their lives.

We started nearly four weeks ago and two Saturdays ago, we took nearly 130 kids to a camp called Manowe, located in Sturgis, Michigan. There, we were able to do a number of activities with our kids, including a high-ropes course. I must say, it was intimidating to look at and I’m 27! I can’t imagine a 12, 13, or 14-year-old looking up, saying, ‘I can do this’.

However, the strength and perseverance of these kids’ continues to amaze me to this day. And probably will for a LONG time.

As we get strapped in for our adventure, a number of the girls opted to not complete the course. However, after a little encouragement from us, their coaches, the girls, their peers, began cheering them on. Some still decided not to complete it, but a number of them tried. They tried and conquered. I guess it goes back to chasing a ‘dream’. It takes steps to get there and with a simple element, like a ropes course, they ALL took steps to get to the next level…even if it was only getting to the top and NOT completing the course. They were able to get to a level, that in the beginning, they thought wasn’t possible to get to. Amazing…these kids are amazing…

We were all meant to live for something, something that brings us ALIVE...which in turn, brings others ALIVE…

So…'don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come ALIVE, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come ALIVE'...

Uncertainty lingers...

It's that thing that runs through your mind on a daily basis...

The nagging, unprecedented uncertainty lingering around every turn you take, every choice you make...

We run this race called life so hard, that sometimes we miss the point, the angels that give us hope and make the race easier to take on...perhaps easier to run...

As you gaze upon the vastness of the next blue sky, or star filled sky, take a moment to remember why you're here...don't take this thing called life for granted, embrace every moment, embrace every memory...

Have you got it in you?

Have you got it in you?

Yeah, you!!!

How many times have you sat at the very place you are sitting now…how many times have you stared at the screen in front of you…how long have you been waiting to act instead of react???

Have you got it in you?

Why do we talk, but never act…why do we speak, but never listen…why do we have fear and never overcome it???

Have you got it in you?

STOP YOUR HESITATION...

Oh my God...

Lyrics to songs are sometimes parallel to life; they reflect at times, what we might be thinking, yet haven't spoken...this song, by Jars of Clay does just that. It's a cry, it's a plea, it's something relevant to this moment...this time...it's called 'Oh my God'...

Oh my God, look around this place
Your fingers reach around the bone
You set the break and set the tone
Flights of grace, and future falls
In present pain
All fools say, "Oh my God"

Oh my God, Why are we so afraid?
We make it worse when we don't bleed
There is no cure for our disease
Turn a phrase, and rise again
Or fake your death and only tell your closest friend
Oh my God.

Oh my God, can I complain?
You take away my firm belief and graft my soul upon your grief
Weddings, boats and alibis
All drift away, and a mother cries

Liars and fools; sons and failures
Thieves will always say
Lost and found; ailing wanderers
Healers always say
Whores and angels; men with problems
Leavers always say
Broken hearted; separated
Orphans always say
War creators; racial haters
Preachers always say
Distant fathers; fallen warriors
Givers always say
Pilgrim saints; lonely widows
Users always say
Fearful mothers; watchful doubters
Saviors always say

Sometimes I cannot forgive
And these days, mercy cuts so deep
If the world was how it should be, maybe I could get some sleep
While I lay, I dream we're better,
Scales were gone and faces light
When we wake, we hate our brother
We still move to hurt each other
Sometimes I can close my eyes,
And all the fear that keeps me silent falls below my heavy breathing,
What makes me so badly bent?
We all have a chance to murder
We all feel the need for wonder
We still want to be reminded that the pain is worth the thunder

Sometimes when I lose my grip, I wonder what to make of heaven
All the times I thought to reach up
All the times I had to give
Babies underneath their beds
Hospitals that cannot treat all the wounds that money causes,
All the comforts of cathedrals
All the cries of thirsty children - this is our inheritance
All the rage of watching mothers - this is our greatest offense

Oh my God...

Actions Speak Louder Than Words...

I don’t understand the essence of why things happen the way they do...I am continually dumbfounded by the chaos and commotion that life can bring…

…what is wrong with people? What is wrong with ‘Christians’? That term is used MUCH too often. Almost to the point where Christians choose NOT to label themselves as such, because the label just doesn’t fit what ‘Christians’ have become. I’d like to think of my self as a Jesus lover, Christ follower, God-fearing woman. When someone asks me if I am a ‘Christian’ I respond as such...

Is that wrong? I don’t necessarily believe that; however, I do believe that a revolution of sorts needs to happen…perhaps in the church itself, but what if a revolution happened OUTSIDE of those walls? With people who are tired with ONLY talking about it, but wanting to DO something about it? So often times, ‘talking about it’ is where it’s left. No ACTION is ever taken. Perhaps it’s fear, maybe it’s evil seeping though the cracks of our fragility, I don’t know…I DO know though that God is real; He is real to me; my heart pushes me to react instead of sit back and watch a world in peril.

We talk and talk about global warming, but what about the affects of what we are doing to souls? Does anyone ever ask THAT question? I don’t discount those who believe our planet is in danger if we do not stop our callousness, but again, what about the very nature of our human selves? We can talk all we want, but I truly believe that it’s what we DO that makes our lives matter; our ACTIONS make our lives represent the beauty and love that God so evidently displayed to each of us…on a cross…it was His ACTIONS that spoke more than words…

Perhaps I’m a little naive, but I think it’s our ACTIONS that speak much louder than ANY words that come out of our mouths...

Words of Enlightenment...

ENLIGHTENED PERSPECTIVE; all WORDS below were written by Andy Rooney, a man who has the gift of saying so much with so few words…

I've learned....That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned....That when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned....That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.

I've learned....That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned....That being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned....That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned....That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

I've learned....That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned....That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned....That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I've learned....That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned....That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned....That money doesn't buy class.

I've learned....That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned...That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned....That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I’ve learned....That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I've learned....That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned....That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned....That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned....That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I've learned...That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned....That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned....That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned....That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.

I've learned....That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned....That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned....That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.

I've learned....That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned....That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done...

Looking Fear in the Face...

Conquering your greatest fear is something that many can’t say they’ve ever done. Whether it’s because they choose NOT to face it, or they just simply couldn’t do it.

I’ve often thought that I was BIGGER than my fears; I could rise above them easily…but the thing is…it’s tough…It’s like riding a bike…you slowly begin to petal, then you take off, and sometimes, you fall. You fall flat on your face. But here is the thing with that…falling sometimes isn’t a bad thing. Falling can sometimes, make you strive even harder to conquer the thing you were up against, which ultimately helps you stare straight into the eye of fear itself.

Perhaps that’s gibberish to you, but failure is a culprit that many of us succumb to. Fear of failure, leads to fear of many other things…but it robs you of living life to the fullest, and doing the things that you were meant to do…

...believe me, I don’t have it all figured out, but I think that I’m starting to unravel my fears…stare them right in the eye…and despite my failures…I’ve learned that falling down isn’t so bad…it makes me try even harder to attain the impossible… because attempting to do something great isn’t easy, but it’s the journey that makes triumph attainable…

So...You Want Truth?

I read this a few weeks ago...thought I would share it here...

A prestigious university professor challenged his students with this question: "Did God create everything that exists?"

A student bravely replied "yes, He did!"

"God created everything?" The professor asked.

"Yes sir," the student replied. The professor answered, "If God created everything, then God created evil since evil exists, and according to the principal that our works define who we are, then God is evil."

The student became quiet before such an answer. The professor was quite pleased and boasted to the students that he had proven once more that the Christian faith was a myth.

Another student raised his hand and said, "Can I ask you a question professor?"

"Of course," replied the professor. The student stood up and asked, "Professor, does cold exist?"

"What kind of question is this? Of course it exists. Have you never been cold?"

The students snickered at the young man's question. The young man replied, "In fact sir, cold does not exist. According to the laws of physics, what we consider cold is in reality the absence of heat." Everybody or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-460 degrees F) is the total absence of heat; all matter becomes inert and incapable of reaction at that temperature. Cold does not exist. We have created this word to describe how we feel if we have no heat.

The student continued. "Professor, does darkness exist?"

The professor responded, "Of course it does."

The student replied, "Once again you are wrong sir, darkness does not exist either. Darkness is in reality the absence of light. Light we can study, but not darkness. In fact we can use Newton's prism to break white light into many colors and study the various wavelengths of each color. You cannot measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it. How can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of light present. Isn't this correct? Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is no light present."

Finally the young man asked the professor. "Sir, does evil exist?"

Now uncertain, the professor responded, "Of course as I have already said. We see it every day. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil."

To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, evil is a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is not like faith, or love that exists just as does light and heat. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light."

The professor sat down.

You may have heard of this student...













The young man's name --- Albert Einstein...

Crash Into Me…

…Life can be this never-ending, constant struggle for meaning, for purpose…we take so long ‘searching’ for it that sometimes, it passes us right by…we can miss it…

I love the show Heroes. Granted, it’s probably this ‘way out there’ phenomenon, yet it reveals this amazing portrayal of uncovering purpose, fulfilling a destiny that was meant for us, and only us.

We all want to be extraordinary; we all want to believe that there is something that WE can do to help ‘change the world’. We all believe that the impossible can truly be possible if we just believe…if we truly believe in ourselves…

So perhaps we’re all connected in that realm? We all believe that there is a purpose, something we’re meant for…It’s like that Dave Matthew’s song, Crash Into Me…all we really want is someone to relate to…all we really want is something to believe in, and perhaps, ‘crash into’…

Living Life to the Fullest...Indeed!

Check this out: http://www.jen365.blogspot.com/

This woman is doing ONE thing new everyday for a year. She decided to do this during her 29th year, leading to 30. I have found it SO interesting reading all of the quirky and amazing things that she has done and is doing! I think you might like it too!

Talk about living life to the fullest! This woman is doing just that, and enjoying every minute! Hermi, this one is for you!!!

Misguided Theory...

So I have this theory that perhaps, is a little erroneous, or misguided…I don’t know, but here it is…

When Jesus was on the earth, I’d like to imagine that he hung with the whores, prostitutes, homosexuals, drunkards, bastards, criminals, liars, cheaters…you get the point…

Anyway, I’d to think that he spent time with these people, loved them first, right where they were at. He loved them wholly, and conditionally, and in that, their lives were changed because he simply loved them first.

Ok, now I’m not saying he condoned their behaviors, their lifestyles, but he DID love them, despite their failures and shortcomings.

So…with that…what’s so wrong with US doing the same thing? Loving people, right where they are at? Why is it that we are so darn judgmental towards people who aren’t living the way WE think they should live?

Perhaps I am a little misguided with this, but I’d like to think that LOVING people first, with all their faults and failures, that change will eventually come, and lives would change...much like it happened so many years ago…

Through His Father’s Eyes

This is a short story I wrote a few years ago, for a class in college. Thought I would share it...

I saw Him stumble as he paced through the haze of the garden. “Why,” my Son asked staring up at Me while His companions slept in the distance. The air was thick, I could tell He wasn’t able to breathe steadily, but I knew what He must do. I saw my only Son’s tears hit the mist beneath Him and I couldn’t help but want to take away this burden.

He continued to pace through the dim lit night with distress in His words. He spoke silently for only my ears. “My Father, if there is any way, get me out of this. But please, not what I want, only what you want.”

I knew this was the only way.

The crowd began to approach where He prayed. “Wake up quickly,” I heard Him say to the men sleeping. They stood in fear as the crowd closed in around them.

The moon shone on the men’s frightened faces, and the uncertainty was more than they could bear. The man called Peter pushed himself through to the front of the mob. Peter’s rage then turned on the men who had gathered there. As they tried to grab Him to take Him away, Peter lashed out and severed the soldier’s ear with his sword; it fell to the haze below. I knew his pride was too much for him.

“Put your sword away, for all who take the sword, die by the sword,” I heard Him say. I could tell He felt my strength.

The gang, which captured Him, now led Him to the Priest, where many civilians and leaders were now assembled.

The accusations against Him came spewing from every leader, every civilian. Two men began to shout, “He claimed He could tear down the temple and after three days rebuild it. This man is ridiculous to claim such things.”

It took everything within me to stay silent…this was too much for a Father to allow…

He continued to say nothing to their allegations. He remained silent, and then the Priest asked Him boldly, with a glare of disgust, “Answer me you fool! Are you the Son of God, are you Jesus of Nazareth?”

I nudged His heart, knowing He needed to state the truth.

“ I am who you say,” Jesus spoke quietly, never looking up.

The Priest was much too angry now. He lost his temper with the words spoken, which began what I knew He’d have to endure.

Many men and women spat at Him as they dragged Him into the courtyard. The torture, His pain would be much more severe now.

The Priest turned Him over to the Governor; I wasn’t sure if I could watch Him suffer. What would happen next was all too clear to Me.

The Governor began to question Him over and over, “Are you the King of the Jews?” “Are you?”

Their yelling I couldn’t bear any longer. I nudged His heart once more. His response would seal the reason He came.

“I am Jesus, Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, just as you say.”

The Governor could find no fault in My Child; I knew he wouldn’t, but the people were shouting, ranting and raving for His death.

During the Feast for the Governor a prisoner, to be named by the crowd was to be pardoned. I knew Jesus wouldn’t be chosen.

The Governor then asked the people, asked them to choose between Jesus, who was a sinless man, or Barabbas, who was a rapist, murderer, and thief.

“Citizens, quiet please. Which prisoner do you want me to free: Barabbas, or Jesus, the so-called Christ?”

The crowd began to shout even louder than before.

“We want Barabbas, we want Barabbas!”

“Than what shall I do with Jesus,” the Governor asked, amazed by the people’s response to free Barabbas.

“Kill Him, nail Him to a cross,” the people shouted over and over.

“But what crime has he committed?” shouted the governor.

They yelled even louder now, “Nail Him to the cross, nail Him to the cross!”

When the Governor saw he was getting nowhere, he took a basin of water and washed his hands in full sight of the crowd, saying, “I’m washing my hands of responsibility for this man’s death. From now on, it’s in your hands. You’re judge and jury.”

His final hours were too close now, but I knew that it would soon be over. I waited, I sat in anguish, and my tears fell through the heavens, clouds, and then to the brittle earth. It was time.

The soldiers stripped Him and dragged Him outside into the courtyard. They attached his hands with metal shackles, welded to solid rocks and stones where blood had been spattered before. It was all too real at this moment…

He never looked up at the soldiers. They threw a red robe around Him, mocking Him, His flesh clinging to the fabric…and now, they handed Him the cross he would soon hang on.
He wavered from side to side as He walked to His death.

They arrived on the hill where they ripped the robe from His beaten body. The flesh came with the robe, as His wounds were still fresh. Then, they threw Him to the ground. His back broke in two places as the cross beneath Him crushed his bones as he fell upon it. The soldiers began to pound His flesh to the wooden cross where His blood was again spilled, His bones again broken, His death now imminent.

After they had finished nailing Him to the cross, they began to poke fun at Him, throwing dice for His clothes and robe with his torn flesh still attached. Above His head they had posted the criminal charge against Him: ‘This is Jesus, the King of the Jews’.

Alongside of Him, they also crucified two criminals. People passing along the road heckled, shaking their heads mocking Him: “You bragged that you could tear down the temple and then rebuild it in three days – so show us your stuff! Save yourself! If you’re really God’s Son, come down from that cross!”

I could have done it then, sent a legion of angels to His aid, but He looked up at me and His eyes told me to wait. My sorrow was unbearable. The heavens began to cry out…it was almost time.

He began to groan, tears streaming from His wide eyes. Then My Child cried out to Me, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?”(My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”)

My tears began to fall more steadily now; people fled the hill where He hung with fear and uncertainty.

It was finally time…He breathed His last breath on earth…

My earth cried out for Him…the universe mourned His death…the earth shook with resistance to let Him go…but they would soon embrace His resurrection. Three days from then, the stone would roll away.

Why Him, you ask? It was the only way I could get to you, the only way for you to know my love. He was my Son. He died for you.