Yesterday in service I had people add up the dollar amount of what they were wearing and of items they were carrying. The list consisted of:
Clothing
Shoes
Undergarments
Jewelry
Purse/wallet
Electronic devices-- phones, ipods, etc.
Glasses/contacts
Money
My clothing and items totaled $247 without the jewelry or $1047 with it. In Kenya the average household income is $245. It stopped me in my tracks to realize just how much it cost to be me. Apparently alot of you had similar feelings. You tried explaining how if I just hadn't included the one category your number would have been in a more "acceptable" range. I believe I am socially aware and try to make wise choices. I simply had not thought about the sheer amount of money that I have on me at any given time.
It jarred me. I'm grateful to have glimpses of clarity into my life, even when I am not sure that I always want to hear it. Thank you God for teaching me in a variety of ways.
On the journey,
Alecia
Monday, November 22, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Privileges
As much as I loathed all of the political junk mail of the last two months, I always love the process of voting. I look forward to going to the polls whether it is an off-year election or not, which begs the question as to whether any year is truly an "off" year. Yes, I know it means it is not a presidential year; however as I have looked at the ballot, there are important issues to be decided.
For all of the complaining about local, state and national elections, a surprisingly small amount of people actually turn out to vote. Wouldn't it be a sad commentary on life if more people vote on "Dancing With the Stars" than on our off-year election. It's easy to get fed-up with all of the negative commercials and print ads. It's much more satisfying though to walk into the voting booth and cast your vote.
On the journey,
Alecia
For all of the complaining about local, state and national elections, a surprisingly small amount of people actually turn out to vote. Wouldn't it be a sad commentary on life if more people vote on "Dancing With the Stars" than on our off-year election. It's easy to get fed-up with all of the negative commercials and print ads. It's much more satisfying though to walk into the voting booth and cast your vote.
On the journey,
Alecia
Friday, October 29, 2010
Unsolicited
It feels like everytime I answer the phone at home that another pre-recorded message plays in my ear. My mailbox is under-seige with voter recommendation guides. This does not bode well for the 2012 election. Yet I am still grateful to be part of the election process.
What I don't appreciate, to put it mildly, is unsolicited, unsigned and partisan materials showing up at the church. Anonymous and sometimes graphic materials (abortion) being placed on the wooden table for all to pick up as they enter. This year seems like we are encountering more and more at the church. I don't understand the anonymity to it all. Obviously the views are strongly felt, yet they won't sign their name to it.
A new sign is up on the doors through election day.
Notice:
Unsolicited voting and religious materials will be removed and thrown away.
To the anonymous purveyors of matierials: Stop. Materials without local identification on them do not merit the time of day. Last I checked there is a separation of church and state. My home is one thing, but the church is another.
Well-informed voting is critical and vital. If you haven't already sent in your absentee ballot, then make sure you schedule in time to vote. See you at the polls.
On the journey.
Alecia
What I don't appreciate, to put it mildly, is unsolicited, unsigned and partisan materials showing up at the church. Anonymous and sometimes graphic materials (abortion) being placed on the wooden table for all to pick up as they enter. This year seems like we are encountering more and more at the church. I don't understand the anonymity to it all. Obviously the views are strongly felt, yet they won't sign their name to it.
A new sign is up on the doors through election day.
Notice:
Unsolicited voting and religious materials will be removed and thrown away.
To the anonymous purveyors of matierials: Stop. Materials without local identification on them do not merit the time of day. Last I checked there is a separation of church and state. My home is one thing, but the church is another.
Well-informed voting is critical and vital. If you haven't already sent in your absentee ballot, then make sure you schedule in time to vote. See you at the polls.
On the journey.
Alecia
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Digging Deeper
For someone who is so verbal in her communication, I always find it puzzling that I struggle with getting my thoughts down on a blog. I will endeavor to keep a weekly commitment with writing.
Two things cross my mind today. First, just a reminder that for those of you that found the Enneagram to be helpful, there is a retreat at my house the first Saturday of November from 9-3:30. You may sign up on the info-stub or by emailing me at pastor@southslope.net.
Perhaps what has caused me to pause and think more critically is the question which came out of the Sunday night small group discussing theological issues from the "Living the Questions Series". Whether or not we agree with the theologians on the screen is secondary to spending good energy on what we as individuals believe, given our background, life experience and Biblical views. This week the question centered on "Who is Jesus?" It seems like a simple enough question, yet conveying our thoughts in a few sentences was harder than it at first looks. I appreciated hearing from one of the group members via email this morning. He wrote poignantly, answering the question. I hope my response is as thoughtful and discerning.
Today on your journey, ponder the question, "Who is Jesus?"
Peace,
Alecia
Two things cross my mind today. First, just a reminder that for those of you that found the Enneagram to be helpful, there is a retreat at my house the first Saturday of November from 9-3:30. You may sign up on the info-stub or by emailing me at pastor@southslope.net.
Perhaps what has caused me to pause and think more critically is the question which came out of the Sunday night small group discussing theological issues from the "Living the Questions Series". Whether or not we agree with the theologians on the screen is secondary to spending good energy on what we as individuals believe, given our background, life experience and Biblical views. This week the question centered on "Who is Jesus?" It seems like a simple enough question, yet conveying our thoughts in a few sentences was harder than it at first looks. I appreciated hearing from one of the group members via email this morning. He wrote poignantly, answering the question. I hope my response is as thoughtful and discerning.
Today on your journey, ponder the question, "Who is Jesus?"
Peace,
Alecia
Thursday, September 9, 2010
A Response for Terry
I find myself outraged at the possibility of a Florida church choosing to burn the Quran on Saturday. Certainly I not alone in my anger. I found myself reacting to the situation. It was at this point I heard the Lord directing me to 2 Chronicles 7:14:
Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
Our call is not to react with a response, but to be proactive with the action of prayer. There is great power in prayer; particularly when groups of people seek God. Allowing my anger to be re-directed by the Lord allows for the most powerful of responses. Must the people of God respond -- absolutely. Seek God first.
Join me in prayer -- in your home, as a family, at the church. I will be at the church from 8:30-9:30 am on Saturday the 11th if you would care to join me. What else could be more important than prayer. Find a time to live out your life in God in prayer.
On the journey,
Alecia
Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
Our call is not to react with a response, but to be proactive with the action of prayer. There is great power in prayer; particularly when groups of people seek God. Allowing my anger to be re-directed by the Lord allows for the most powerful of responses. Must the people of God respond -- absolutely. Seek God first.
Join me in prayer -- in your home, as a family, at the church. I will be at the church from 8:30-9:30 am on Saturday the 11th if you would care to join me. What else could be more important than prayer. Find a time to live out your life in God in prayer.
On the journey,
Alecia
Monday, August 30, 2010
Saying Goodbye to Polly
Polly died on Sunday, August 29 surrounded by her family. I was taken back by the simple innocence of her faith in God. Polly barely had a week to digest her fate, yet she did it with an openness to God that I have rarely seen.
Native Americans believe that people with special needs are especially close to God. After listening to her testimony of faith, I believe this as well. Polly became a teacher of life and faith to anyone who was open to her words.
I am grateful to have crossed paths with her. Polly reminded me to love God with all of my mind, my heart and my soul. I hope she is enjoying her palace in the sky with the little garden filled with yellow flowers.
When I lift up an A & W root beer later, I will join many others as we speak out, "To Polly".
On the journey,
Alecia
Native Americans believe that people with special needs are especially close to God. After listening to her testimony of faith, I believe this as well. Polly became a teacher of life and faith to anyone who was open to her words.
I am grateful to have crossed paths with her. Polly reminded me to love God with all of my mind, my heart and my soul. I hope she is enjoying her palace in the sky with the little garden filled with yellow flowers.
When I lift up an A & W root beer later, I will join many others as we speak out, "To Polly".
On the journey,
Alecia
Monday, August 16, 2010
Hurried Lives
A hurried life implies that a Christian has lost the balance between abiding in God's grace and abounding in God's work. As promised here are the observations John Ortberg concerning the matter from his book, The Me I Want to Be.
1. When can I expect the tension between abiding and abounding to go away? The short answer is when you die! Jesus faced the same issues. Read Mark 1.
2. Who is responsible for getting the tension right?
While the church can be helpful in pointing folks the right direction, the answer is that each individual must continue to seek the balancing point. Often times balance is a moving target, depending on life stage and and obligations.
3. Each person needs certain practices and systems in place.
For me it is not the traditional quiet time, rather it is meditating on a passage while walking. There are a myriad of ways to abide in God's presence. The key is determining which is life-giving and brings you to the presence of God.
4. It is critical to abandon the hope of pleasing everyone.
Because of time restraints, we did not speak about this one in service; however, people pleasing or living up to another's observations sabotages many spiritual lives.
5. Recognize destructive patterns in life, such as:
* Chronic sense of never enough time
* Physica tension in the body
* Inappropriate escapist behavior
* Pre-occupied or inability to be fully present.
I would be interested in hearing what practices work for you.
On the journey,
Alecia
1. When can I expect the tension between abiding and abounding to go away? The short answer is when you die! Jesus faced the same issues. Read Mark 1.
2. Who is responsible for getting the tension right?
While the church can be helpful in pointing folks the right direction, the answer is that each individual must continue to seek the balancing point. Often times balance is a moving target, depending on life stage and and obligations.
3. Each person needs certain practices and systems in place.
For me it is not the traditional quiet time, rather it is meditating on a passage while walking. There are a myriad of ways to abide in God's presence. The key is determining which is life-giving and brings you to the presence of God.
4. It is critical to abandon the hope of pleasing everyone.
Because of time restraints, we did not speak about this one in service; however, people pleasing or living up to another's observations sabotages many spiritual lives.
5. Recognize destructive patterns in life, such as:
* Chronic sense of never enough time
* Physica tension in the body
* Inappropriate escapist behavior
* Pre-occupied or inability to be fully present.
I would be interested in hearing what practices work for you.
On the journey,
Alecia
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