Tuesday, September 27, 2011

To Warm the Heart When Life is Hard

The Road Not Taken
Robert Frost 
TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;        5
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,        10
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.        15
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.        20




Don't You Quit
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out-- 
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.


-Anonymous 


Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us
-Hebrews 12:1




Monday, September 19, 2011

A Walk


On Saturday, Caleb and I went on a 6K walk up Brooklyn.
We chose a beautiful road that lead the way to an old army fortress.
The walk was stunning, picturesque in the early spring weather.


 There is something very awe inspiring about being up that high.
When we looked down, everything was frozen and at peace.
 None of the hustle and bustle of everyday life exists up there.
It is the kind of place that makes your soul feel well.


One thing that surprised me was the reminders of man amongst such a beautiful place.
There was a set of concrete stairs built into the grass, overgrown and forgotten.
These date back to the World War 2.


So often on the walk of life we can get caught up in the hustle and bustle
We plan what direction we want to go and try and to do it in our own might. 

The flowers and moments along the way are easily forgotten. 
But no matter how hard we try it is only with God that we can have truly full life. 
If we commit our steps to him he will direct us. 

Proverbs 16:9 says

"In their hearts human beings plan their course,
   but the LORD establishes their steps." 

The Message puts it 
"We plan the way we want to live, 
but only God makes us able to live it."


In everyday life don't forget to take the time to ask God for direction. 
When I am old,
I want to look back and see my life as a walk up in Brooklyn
not a power walk through the city. 
Take time to see through the busyness and notice the details that make life beautiful. 




Monday, September 12, 2011

Remembering 9/11

This week, the World has been remembering the lives lost on 9/11.  I was 11 years old at the time. My mum woke me up to watch as the twin towers collapsed. 

How do you process such a huge disaster at 11? I responded by drawing. The picture was of a small girl covered in cuts and ash with the towers collapsing in the background. 


In the ten years since, I have often thought about the many children who had their lives tipped upside down that day. Somewhere, amongst my childhood treasures, I still have that picture. 

Among the ash and the heartbreak that was 9/11, came stories of heroism and the greatest acts of love.
Frank De Martini and Pablo Ortiz were among those who perished in 9/11. However their story is not one of death but of life and bravery. Between them they rescued over 50 people from 14 different floors. They were not fire-fighters or police officers but ordinary men. 

I like to think that if I am ever faced with the chance, I would react in that way. That I would have the courage to rescue others over myself. But how can we know what separates man in that situation. What made those two men stay, rather than flee? 


343. The number of fire-fighters and paramedics killed in the attacks. They all died rescuing others. I admire these men and woman because they reacted to a cry. It must take a lot of courage to look at a burning, collapsing building and instead of running away, run into it. 

What makes a hero? The heros of 9/11 were not super-human but ordinary men and woman. They reacted to a need. A hero is not made in the moment but in the days and years leading up to that moment. A hero is made by character. The 9/11 heroes displayed the greatest act of love, laying down their lives for strangers and friends. 

" There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends"
 John 15:13 


As we remember 9/11,let us remember that life is short. 
The things that really matter are God and people.
Let us do little acts of love and bravery every day.
  


Thursday, September 8, 2011

Cookies, Kids and Media


 On Thursdays I spend the day with the gorgeous Marychurch babies. Sometimes we go to Chipmunks or the park, while other days we just stay home. Today I organized a play-date with the lovely Kelly Henderson and the Teal kiddies. Of course, a play date is not complete without Chocolate Chip Cookies. Ryder and I spent the morning in the kitchen creating these mouth-watering treats.




Apparently Kelly and Ruben were thinking the same thing and we ended up with two plates of cookies.
While the children created caos with the toys, Kelly and I managed to chat for a bit. Our conversation led to the media and all things to do with it (what can you expect from two communications/media students?). We do have a very exciting project growing, but you will have to wait to find out what it is.

If you know me well, you have probably realized,  I am passionate about the role of the media. I believe film, music, photography, magazines, the internet and books can reach millions of people.

Every day people are listening to the media to get advice on self-esteem, love, friendship and life. The scary thing is, its often the first place they look.

A few years ago I listened to a message at Parachute Music Festival about creative ministry. It changed my view drastically. The creative industry desperately needs truth and the love of God. Creative media can play a powerful role in communicating God's message. In fact there isn't just a role for it but it is a crucial part of reaching people in the 21st century.

The speaker talked about how after the film Juno was released in America, the teenage abortion rate dropped phenomenally. Experts could not explain it until they realized it was because of the film.
This example has always stuck with me. If a film about a teenage girl who gave her baby up for adoption can change a whole countries abortion statistics,  imagine what we could do if we realized the potential in the media.

Lets get passionate about the power of creative media.

"Your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of  this glorious way of life he has for his followers." 
Ephesians 1:18




Tuesday, September 6, 2011

How has God wired you?

While making delicious Lemon Bread this afternoon I was listening to a CD by Martin Steel.  He happened to be talking about God's mision for your life. As I was kneading the bread and placing it in the oven, what he was saying was touching my heart. "What are the needs in our world?", "What is God's plan for my life?". These questions began to flood my mind. Three questions by John Maxwell stuck with me. Questions that will help you know God's will for your life.


What would you do if you had unlimited funds?
Would you start an orphanage in Africa? Would you sow into the Christian music industry? Your answer to this question reveals the frequency God has in your heart?



I love laughing! A few nights ago I was lying in bed and heard my neighbors upstairs laughing. I felt like getting out of bed and going up there because I felt like a good laugh. 
 What is it that gives you joy? What is it that makes your heart sing? 


This is a hard one for me as a lot of things make me cry. 
What moves you emotionally? I really love these lyrics by Hillsong; 
"Break my heart for what breaks your's".
                                     What is the burning burden God has placed on your heart?

The answer to these questions can reveal how God has wired you. The unique gifts and burdens He has placed in you all lead into the plan he has for your life. 
I love that before we were born God thought about what our mark would be in this world. He planned the things that would make us happy and touch our heart. He placed dreams in us. 
"'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future'"  
Jeremiah 29:11.

Monday, September 5, 2011

The First

I have been sitting in front of my heater for the last hour, thinking of what to say. What came of this hour was the question, "why I am writing this blog?” That is a good a place as any to start. 

At 21 years old I am married, completing my degree in Media Studies, a youth leader, a nanny, daughter and friend.  While I love all these areas of my life none of this defines me. What defines me is living dedicated to Jesus Christ. 

This blog is about: laughter and love, justice and injustice, serious moments as well as fun. At the very centre of this is living life With Everything God coloured. 

 Often in my day-to-day wonderings I am in awe of Gods creation, caught in some embarrassing moment, frustrated by a situation or just enjoying myself. Through pictures and words I want to share with you what God is doing in the world around me.

To finish off this first posting, I want to leave you with a verse. In Matthew 5:16...
"You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill."