tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17862625781850136942024-02-18T19:47:26.584-08:00Learning to MoveSometimes the steps are small, and sometimes I panic, but I am compelled to keep movingErin Flewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788737381363149249noreply@blogger.comBlogger389125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1786262578185013694.post-23316250662195434772016-05-27T06:51:00.000-07:002016-05-27T06:51:06.005-07:00The Burning Bush: Paying Attention and Asking Questions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think I have always known the story about how God speaks to Moses through the burning bush. That's what happens when you go to Sunday School. You hear the same stories over and over until they take on a tone of familiarity. And once you have the basics down, you tend to skim over the details.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Okay, maybe that's my own experience. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As I'm going through the Bible, I'm trying to see new things, trying to notice the details that the Sunday School teachers may have glossed over in trying to present the story of </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">God </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and humanity to small </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">children. (By the way, this is in no way critical of my Sunday </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">School education.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So yesterday, I was reading about Moses and how he was shepherding his father-in-law's flocks in the desert when he decided to take the sheep to new territory. Who knows why he headed off to a new area. Was he bored? What he asking questions about his purpose in life? Was he wondering about the circumstances that had led him from prince of Egypt to shepherd watching someone else's flocks? Was he grateful his life had been saved? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Bible doesn't tell us. But it does tell us that he went to the other side of the desert, and while he was there, he saw flames. He went to check them out and discovered a bush burning, but to this was no ordinary fire. He asks himself why the bush isn't totally burning up. That's what fires do. They burn things up and then they spread. This fire was doing neither of those things, and so he gets closer to check it out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And that's when the Special Messenger, the Holy God, speaks to Moses from the center of the bush. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The rest of the story is pretty fascinating, but this is the part that stood out to me, maybe because I'm always asking myself how I can hear God's direction in my life more clearly. And so this is my takeaway from this short passage. </span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Moses goes someplace new. He does something a little out of the ordinary. We're more likely to pay attention to our surroundings if they aren't completely familiar to us. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I gravitate to the same places and do the same things the same way. Not always, but mostly. This lowers my anxiety level and makes me feel in control. I don't have to think about what's new. I don't have to process what I see. I can just be. And while that's probably fine some of the time, if I don't venture into new places, I am probably missing opportunities to hear God's voice speak to me in new ways. </span></div>
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2. <span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Moses is paying attention! He notices something new, and he goes to check it out. He's got questions, and he wants answers.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He could have just said, "Hey! that's weird." But instead he moves closer. I picture him circling the bush, examining it. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's always interesting to note that God doesn't speak to Moses until he approaches the bush. God doesn't call out, "Hey, Moses. Come over here." It's only when Moses moves toward God that God calls his name. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Much of my life is lived in automatic pilot. I do the same things over and over. Facebook has a feature that reminds users of old posts from the same day. It was freaky how they could easily have been current posts. It's quite possible that I need to shake things up in my life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Do I want to hear God? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Do I want to make myself available to be used by him? </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Do you? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Are we more comfortable with the status quo? Why?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What holds us back from venturing into new territory? What keeps us from seeing what's going on around us? What prevents us from looking more closely? Asking questions? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Of note, I tend to be a little fearful of heading in new directions, and it is reassuring to remember that Moses is too, but God uses him anyway. </span></div>
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Erin Flewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788737381363149249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1786262578185013694.post-8023861758560386782016-05-23T09:13:00.002-07:002016-05-23T09:13:47.513-07:00In the Beginning<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My world revolves around me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It began the day I was born. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Or perhaps the day I developed consciousness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It's hard to see it any other way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And yet, when I see the world like this, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am wrong. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>In the beginning, God . . . </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">God created the earth. The sky. The stars. The sun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">God created the seas and the sea creatures. The land and the land creatures. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">God created humanity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And it was all good. Until one day, humanity said, "I want to be like God." And then, in an attempt to be like God, humanity started to mess up the goodness. </span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Eve disobeyed God.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So did Adam, but he blamed Eve. And God, who made Eve.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Cain killed his brother Abel.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Lamech killed someone else.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Violence spread, and God decided to destroy the earth.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He saved Noah, who did right. Except Noah didn't always do right, and he cursed his son with slavery. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And so on. And so on. Through the generations. People destroying the goodness God created. God intervening to set things right. People destroying the goodness God created, and God intervening to set things right. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The story isn't about me. Or about Eve. Or Adam. Or Noah. Or any of the other people. In fact, when they saw the story as being about them, they totally messed things up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This story is about God. His goodness. His love. His mercy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Oh yes, I can learn about myself and what I should be doing and how I should live, but it's not my story. I am not the protagonist. And that's so hard because I am the only person whose thoughts I can hear in my head. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Unless I learn to hear God's voice. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The more I immerse myself in God's Word, His Scripture, the more I will hear God's voice. Which is kind of weird. But not.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The more I immerse myself in God's Word, His Scripture, the more I will see how God's story is still unfolding and how I can play a role in God's story. I am not central. God is. This is HIS story. I am part of a larger narrative. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It's not your story either. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Together, we are part of this larger narrative. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And so God leads, and we follow. Sometimes faithfully and sometimes not. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And when we get caught up in our own stories, we tend to mess things up. Like Adam and Eve did. Like Cain did. Like Lamech did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://kenwytsma.com/" target="_blank">Ken Wytsma </a>writes, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Grand-Paradox-Messiness-Necessity/dp/0718031393" target="_blank">Life finds its harmony when we're centered on God, walking in faith, and experiencing the fullness of life He designed for us to experience</a>." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">How can we do that? How can we get our eyes off ourselves and refocused on the true protagonist? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To start with, we can read the story a new way, asking God to show us where He is at work and asking Him to give us power and courage to follow Him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It's not about me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It never is. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></div>
Erin Flewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788737381363149249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1786262578185013694.post-67897375440208603342016-05-22T08:58:00.002-07:002016-05-22T10:24:14.538-07:00Well, it's been about a year. Time to start blogging again.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I should just let this blog go. I don't seem to be able to maintain it for more than a week. Or maybe a month. It seems like there's always something else to write. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lesson plans. Power points. Prompts. Handouts. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And if I'm not writing for my students, I'm grading their papers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And if I'm not writing for my students or grading their papers, I'm trying to maintain healthy relationships with my family, my long-suffering husband Duane, my three adult children. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And when I'm not doing any of those things, I'm tired, and I just don't want to do anything. I just want to shut down my brain and vegetate. Television is good for that. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But most of my life is consumed with teaching, which I love. I think I've always wanted to be a teacher. If tomorrow I won the lottery (which you have to play to win, so there's not much chance of that), I would still want to teach. Just not as much as I teach right now. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The 2015-2016 school year has been brutal for me. For a variety of very practical reasons, I took on eight classes for the semester. To give some context, five courses is considered full-time. Eight classes was tough but doable as I only taught two courses and I was only at two schools. Plus, I believed this was a short-term thing and I would have a rest after the semester and Caitlin's wedding because I anticipated that I would have a very light spring schedule with only five classes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I didn't think I would be back at SDSU again until fall. Good news--they invited me back. Bad news--now I had eight classes again. This time I had five courses and I was at three schools. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Long story short, after four weeks, I realized I was in over my head, and because two of the eight classes were short-term classes, I could give one away. I also made the decision at that time to take the summer off. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And here I am. With a whole summer to breathe. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I feel like I've been holding my breath for the last year, racing from here to there, trying to be the best teacher I can be, the best mom I can be, the best wife I can be. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I haven't had time to be the best me I can be. I've lost touch with most of my friends. I've gained six pounds. I've stopped eating healthily. I haven't been to the dentist. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the hustle and bustle and the general busy-ness of trying to work to live and then finding out that I'm living to work, I have lost myself. In order to find myself, I need to look beyond myself because honestly, I'm only the best me I can be when I'm in touch with the one who made me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Spiritually, I'm worn out. I'm grateful God is gracious and merciful, but honestly, my heart for is not where I want it to be. I remember the days when I eagerly read God's word, when I memorized verses every week, when I joyfully sang along with worship music throughout the day. I <i>felt </i>God's presence throughout the day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I remember those days, and I wonder if they were real. And I wonder, if they were real, are they gone? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">By faith, I know that those days were real, and by faith, I know God is a God of restoration. I've been to the empty place before, and God has restored me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And I have a summer to breathe. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Last summer's restoration process (I told you, I've been here before) included a 90-day Bible reading plan. Actually it took me about five months instead of three to get through the Bible, but I'm not sure the number of days matters at all. This was an amazing time of refreshing, of re-centering my life, not on my own crazy, mixed up story, but on God's story.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was so great that I decided to go through the Bible again this summer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A lot of people say that reading the Bible rapidly doesn't allow for transformative meditation, important life change that can only happen when we focus on distinct words from God and intentionally allow them to seep into our lives. They say that can't happen when we are moving through Scripture rapidly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">While I agree that it is essential to focus on individual passages and even verses and to apply them to our lives, I believe that the other type of reading also has value. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When we go through Scripture rapidly, we get a sense of the continuity of God's story. We begin to get a holistic sense of what God is doing that can be missed if we only look at a few words. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thus, both types of reading have value, and something is lost if we don't prayerfully engage in both styles of reading. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At any rate, I pulled out the reading plan in order to start today, I printed a copy, and was just about to start reading<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis+1-12&version=VOICE" target="_blank"> Genesis 1-12</a><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis+1&version=VOICE" target="_blank"> </a>and <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+1-2&version=VOICE" target="_blank">Psalms 1-2 </a>when I remembered that last year, a</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">bout a third of the way through the Bible, I wished I had been blogging my thoughts in response to the readings. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And so here I am, creating context for what I hope will be a series of blogs that serve multiple purposes.</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Reflecting on what God shows me about himself or His story or His story and my life allows me to record and remember these things for the future. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Writing regularly improves my writing and inspires me to do more writing. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Committing to a blog keeps me accountable to write and read. Just in case I think about quitting. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I don't actually think anyone will read any of this, but I always write for an audience. In a way, writing is a way of teaching, and my imaginary audience is a group of men and women who, for a variety of reasons, are also worn out trying to be the best they can. They want a deeper relationship with God, but they're not sure how to go about it. They want something, but they're not sure what it is. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Maybe I'm just writing for myself. It doesn't matter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Okay--off to Genesis. </span></div>
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Erin Flewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788737381363149249noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1786262578185013694.post-81833008810354515982015-04-20T19:25:00.001-07:002015-04-20T19:25:47.295-07:00Identity Theft: Labels<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This post is in response to Newbreak's latest sermon series: <i><a href="http://newbreak.org/resources/messages/identity-theft/fearless-dreamer" target="_blank">Identity Theft. </a></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have long been aware of the power of names or labels. For years I lived under the label "Not good enough. Yet." This label kept me waiting until I got better. I would write when I was a better writer. I would sing when I was a better singer. I would talk to people when I had something interesting to say. I would move forward when someone gave me the new label, "Good enough."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was frustrated and discouraged because other people, whose efforts seemed less polished than mine, seemed to be given the label I desired: "Good enough." I felt misunderstood. When would I be good enough?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My pride kept me from doing anything that was less than good enough.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then I realized that I would never be as good as I wanted to be, which was perfect. And that was okay. I would never be given opportunities until I stepped forward boldly, confident in my efforts, which were not perfect but which came from my heart. My responsibility wasn't to be perfect, but to continue to do the things God had called me to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And when I stopped living under this identity-stealing label "Not good enough. Yet.," I gave myself a new label: "In process." And so I began writing. My writing didn't need to be perfect. It was "in process" and getting better. I began speaking up and sharing my ideas. I began going to school. I became an "in process" teacher, getting better all the time. And I began applying this label to others. We are all "in process."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Changing the label changed my life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In last Saturday's service, Pastor Mike asked each of us to write down a label, a false identity, one that was stealing out ability to live out our true identity. I felt like I had dealt with my false identity, and so I didn't know what to write.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then Pastor Mike began to pray. As the Holy Spirit began to speak, I began to write: "Unloved." "Misunderstood." "Rejected."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Vignettes from the past flitted through my memory, and I could see myself being chosen last for sports teams. I saw myself ignored in small groups and large groups, my voice seemingly silent. I saw myself sitting alone, invisible, wanting friends, afraid to reach out to others, afraid of being rejected again. Tears slipped down my cheeks as I relived my past.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One of the ways God has used me in the past is to disciple young women, to encourage them in their faith, to challenge them to follow their dreams or to follow Christ. My labels, my fears of rejection and being misunderstood, change the way I live; they limit my ability to do what God has asked me to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And as Pastor Mike prayed, I confessed that I cling to these labels as a means of protection. As long as I live with these names, I can limit the people I reach out to based on how I think I will be perceived. I don't take risks. I don't contact people who might not like me or my faith or my ideas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And so I confessed: Father, forgive me for living out of false labels. I don't want these labels to control me. I want to live out of your power. Out of the identity you have given me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then I heard the new label: "Loved." "Chosen."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is an identity I know intellectually, but which is hard to walk in. True identities often are. How do I reach out to people I don't know? How do I love with God's love? How do I live authentically, with openness and vulnerability, willing to follow God wherever He calls me? Knowing He loves me and that is all that matters? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When Jesus says, "The thief approaches with malicious intent, looking to steal, slaughter, and destroy" (John 10:10, The Voice), the thief is Satan. He isn't trying to steal our money; he is isn't trying to kill our bodies or destroy our possessions. He is stealing, killing, destroying our true identities.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jesus has come to give us joyful life, and Satan wants to take that away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Satan takes my experiences and suggests labels like "rejected." I choose to live with those labels instead of the ones that God has given me. Living under these negative labels prevents me from participating in God's mission.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In Christ, I am a new creation. The old me is gone, and I have a new identity in Christ. I am adopted into God's family. I am chosen to serve God's purposes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What are some of the labels that define you, limit your choices and your actions? What does God say about who you are?</span><br />
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Erin Flewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788737381363149249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1786262578185013694.post-58731984513101441682015-04-19T12:17:00.000-07:002015-04-20T19:18:29.047-07:00Identity Theft: Dreamer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This post is in response to Newbreak's latest sermon series: <i><a href="http://newbreak.org/resources/messages/identity-theft/fearless-dreamer" target="_blank">Identity Theft. </a></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I first heard about the danger of identity theft on some kind of nighttime news show. It seemed pretty horrible. Someone can steal your name and your social security number and then open up credit accounts, destroying your credit and ruining your life. Pretty scary stuff. Back in those days, experts warned people to shred their mail to prevent this from happening. Of course that wouldn't prevent an unscrupulous store clerk from the dangers of identity theft.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nowadays technology opens up apparently unlimited ways for someone to steal your identity. Unscrupulous people can research archives can access your history. I saw an article this morning warning that these criminals can steal your kids' social security numbers. There's an easier way to steal an identity. Most of our lives are posted online. Hackers can set up ways to see what we do on the internet and they can break into the data posted on sites we do business with. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So we set up firewalls and change our passwords so often we can't remember them. (Maybe that's just me.) And we're still exposed. The faster we come up with ways to prevent identity theft, the faster the thieves come up with ways to steal our identities, destroy our reputations, and take our money. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm not trying to minimize this type of identity theft, but at the end of the day, even if these thieves take my identity, I'm still me, and while my creditors may be confused, I'm not, and my friends and family aren't confused either.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There's another type of identity theft that may be more dangerous, at least to my true identity, the way I view myself and the way others view me. This identity theft changes the way I live, the choices I make, the way I interact with the people around me and with God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our true identities are often formed by the identities we assign to ourselves, and those identities or names we give ourselves have the power to shape our lives. They can open up possibilities; they can shut down our dreams. They can propel us to move forward; they can paralyze us so that we can't move at all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Think about it. If I see myself as a dancer, I dance boldly and confidently. And I hone my skills. If I think I can't dance, then I just don't dance. Incidentally, I don't see myself as a dancer. I wish I were, but I gave that dream up long ago.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If I see myself as a student, I believe my efforts at learning will be successful, and so I move forward with conviction that I will do well in my classes. I keep up on my homework. I study. I put forth efforts to absorb the material. If I don't think I can learn, if I doubt my ability to succeed, then I think, why even try? (I have a lot of students who take on this pattern.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If I see myself as a teacher, I teach. I watch my students and assess their learning. I critique my lesson plans and make them better. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If I think I am a writer, I think my writing has purpose and power. This gives me the power to write, and as I write, I get better. If I think I am not a writer, why bother writing? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My identity is closely linked with learning, teaching, and writing. I believe God created me to use this identity for His glory, and He has used this identity to draw people closer to Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And yet, there have been moments when I doubted my identity. I was tempted to stop learning, thinking that I was too old to learn new things. I was tempted to give up my dream of becoming a teacher. I have given up my identity as a writer more than once. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2:8-10" target="_blank">Ephesians 2</a>, Paul tells us that we are saved by grace; we did not earn our salvation, our acceptance into God's family. He adds that this salvation is not merely for our benefit, that we are God's masterpieces and He has prepared good works for us to accomplish. These are His dreams for us, and as we set out to do these works, He gives us strength to accomplish them. We are part of His family, and we join Him in reaching out to the rest of the world by beginning these works. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There is no greater joy than this. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And this is part of the abundant life Jesus promises in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+10%3A10&version=VOICE" target="_blank">John 10:10</a> when he says, "The thief approaches with malicious intent, looking to steal, slaughter, and destroy; I came to give life with joy and abundance." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To put the passage in terms of this discussion, Satan wants to steal your identity, your dreams, and your joy in joining Christ to reach the world. He wants to stop you from doing the things God planned for you long ago. We need to become increasingly focused on Jesus and His plans for our lives so that we can experience the abundant life He promised. We need to allow Him to establish our identity and our dreams as well as to protect this identity from those who would steal it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Long ago I allowed the thief, the enemy of my soul, to begin erasing my identity, and out of desperation I cried out to Jesus to rescue me. I am so grateful that He did. He is restoring and recreating my identity and my dreams. He is doing more than I could have imagined. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hesitate to think what my life would be like if I had let the enemy win. </span><br />
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Erin Flewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788737381363149249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1786262578185013694.post-2826498193311345252015-04-19T09:46:00.001-07:002015-04-19T09:46:30.097-07:00Priorities. Or Lack of Well-Defined Priorities. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">WARNING: <i>This blog is basically a synopsis of my existential angst, an inability to come to terms with myself. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have always wanted to be a writer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Technically, I have always wanted to be a writer, a teacher, and an actor. There was also a brief period of time when I wanted to be president of the United States, but I think that was mostly because I was told that women can't be presidents, and I thought that limitation was stupid. I still do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But back to my real ambitions. After eliminating actor from the list, I was down to two things I really wanted to be: writer and teacher. My challenge has always been that I don't know which one of these ambitions to focus on. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Honestly, these two life goals are so intermingled in my head that I have a hard time separating them. And these two goals are also linked to my insatiable desire to learn. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let me explain: I learn in order to open up new worlds, to understand these worlds, to make my life richer and more interesting and more meaningful. Writing helps me make sense of what I learn and then internalize. It also allows me to pass on all the amazing things I learn about the world. Writing is a way of learning and teaching at the same time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Teaching is a way of interacting with people on a more personal level. I meet the most amazing students, and I want to pass on the joy of learning to them. I teach to open up new worlds to my students, to explain these worlds, in order to make their lives richer and more interesting and more meaningful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I <i>want </i>to do <i>both </i>things, to write and to teach. But pretty much I'm just teaching. Teaching is also the way I make money, something that was never on my list of ambitions but which is pretty important. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By the way, when I say I'm pretty much <i>just teaching</i>, I don't mean that teaching is not valuable or meaningful. I just mean that I'm not doing the other thing that is valuable and meaningful. At least to me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And there's my dilemma: I'm not sure how to do both things at the same time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last fall I had lunch with my friend <a href="http://jsandz.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2015-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2016-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=1">Sara Dunn</a> and her adorable little girl Zoe. This was a period of time when I thought my life was settling down and I would have time to write again, a period of time before I took on some extra classes that sent my life spiraling back into the crazy zone. Sara is also a blogger, but she blogs more often than I do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sara has a knack for posing questions that make me rethink my life. And this time was no exception. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Are you still blogging," she asked. She is very straightforward, and I like that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I wanted to say yes, I was just on a writing hiatus because of my schedule, but I didn't know how to answer her question because I wasn't sure how long this indefinite hiatus would last. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Well, sort of," I hedged. "I'm just really busy right now, and so I haven't had time to write." I couldn't actually remember my last post. And I was sad because I could remember how much I loved writing and sort of wondered if I would ever start writing again. It's not like I'm getting any younger. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sara knows that I tend to overpack my schedule. At least I think she knows that. I'm not good at hiding my flaws.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Oh," she responded. "It's just not a priority right now." She is very straightforward.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That stung. I wanted to say, "Yes, writing is a priority. I just don't currently have time." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But that's sort of the meaning of a priority. It's important enough to make the time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't remember what I actually said after that, but I did make a note to talk about this conversation in a blog. And here I am. Talking about this conversation in a blog. At least six months later.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And that brings me back to my dilemma, one I have been thinking about for some time. Do I want to be a writer or a teacher? Can I be both? Can I prioritize my life so that I have room for both in my schedule--and also make room for relationships and reading and exercise and cooking and cleaning and all the other things that make up a life worth living? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And can I make room for listening to God? Making sure that my life and my schedule follow His plans and His mission and not the one that's so very fuzzy in my head? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think it comes down to priorities, something I have already established that I am not good at establishing. </span></div>
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Erin Flewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788737381363149249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1786262578185013694.post-57076256386345200622015-02-08T15:31:00.001-08:002015-02-08T15:32:10.689-08:00The Power of ONE: The Church <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 23.1000022888184px;">This blog is a response to the current sermon series at Newbreak Church. To watch the message, you can log on to Newbreak's website and </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 23.1000022888184px;">watch </span><a href="http://newbreak.org/resources/messages/one/one-direction" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 23.1000022888184px; text-decoration: none;">ONE: One Direction</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 23.1000022888184px;">. </span></div>
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When I was a kid, we went to church on Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night. If there was a special event or we sang in the choir, we went again.<br />
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And that was it. Church-related activities took place in the church. Well, we were supposed to read the Bible and pray everyday, but mostly I just felt guilty because I didn't.<br />
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A few years ago, people started saying, "Don't just <i>go </i>to church; <i>be </i>the church."<br />
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In other words, don't just learn more about God with other people who already believe in God; instead, serve people outside church. Serve your community. Hand out water. Feed the homeless. Clean the canyons. Do something.<br />
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Going to church is good. Going to church gives us the opportunity to worship God with other Christ followers. <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews+10%3A25&version=VOICE">Hebrews 10:25 </a>instructs followers of Jesus Christ to gather together in order to "inspire each other to greater love and to righteous deeds." When we go to church, we hear God's Word proclaimed and explained, and we're challenged to follow Christ in our daily lives.<br />
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Being the church, or serving the community, is also good--and essential. In Matthew 25, Jesus describes the end of days, when he gathers together the nations. He separates people into two categories, those who have fed the hungry, given water to the thirsty, welcomed strangers, nursed the sick, and visited prisoners. He honors those who lived lives of service and rejects those who did not, saying,"whenever you saw a brother hungry or cold, when you saw a sister weak and without friends, when you saw the least of these and ignored their suffering, so you ignored me." If we don't serve the people around us, we are missing a vital part of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.<br />
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And so both of these actions, going to church and being the church, are biblical.<br />
And although they both use the same word: <i>church</i>, they are using the word in two different ways. When we say, "<i>go to church</i>," the word church denotes a place. When I say, "<i>be the church,</i>" the word church denotes a certain type of behavior representative of service. Quite frankly, I'm not sure how to define the word <i>church</i> when used this way. <br />
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Definitions matter. Otherwise we're using the same words, but we're talking about two entirely different things, which is bound to result in misunderstanding or disagreement. <br />
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To clarify discussions, we need to make sure we're talking about the same things.<br />
How should we define the word <i>church</i>? More importantly, what definition can we form by examining the way the New Testament uses the word <i>church</i>? What is it? How does it function? What is its purpose?<br />
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This discussion could fill a book (and many books have been written to address these questions), and blog format is adequate to fully explore the topic; nevertheless, I do want to join the discussion.<br />
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In Ephesians, Paul describes the church as the " body of Christ." This is a beautiful image; Christ is the head, and we are are all united functioning together as his hands and his feet. Just as our physical bodies were designed to work together rather than individually, Christ's body is designed to function today. We are not individuals in the body of Christ; we are a team. Christ is the head, and we are his body, responding to his direction, working in conjunction with each other.<br />
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My two hands can do different things at the same time, but they must all work toward the same purpose, moving in the same direction, at the same time. Think of it a pianist. Each hand, even each finger, plays different keys, sometimes separately, sometimes together. Individually, the effect isn't that exciting, but together, the music can be incredible. Each digit works with the others to achieve melodies and harmonies and rhythms. The feet work the pedals to sustain notes. All parts, even other parts I have not discussed, are essential.<br />
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This is the body of Christ. We need each other. Individually, we are fairly insignificant. Together we can do magnificent things.<br />
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And so we gather together regularly, at least once a week, to make sure we are moving in the same direction, learning the same things, working toward the same purpose. That's the "go to church" part. And then we work together toward that purpose. That's the "be the church" part.<br />
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Together we worship God, glorifying His name, Together we illustrate the power of unity. Together we embody His heart of love and service. Together we show the power of Christ, that so many individuals can humble themselves and allow the power of God to empower them.<br />
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I can go to church without being part of the church, and I can do good things on my own without being the church. The goal is to be part of the body of Christ, something I will probably be learning my entire life. <br />
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<i>Of note, this sermon series is specifically about Newbreak church, but there when the New Testament speaks of the body of Christ, it is describing the entire body of believers. I've never heard this discussed before, but I wonder if perhap each individual church body could be described as a part of the larger body. If that is the case, then we must learn how to work together in a unified way to glorify the name of God. </i><br />
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Erin Flewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788737381363149249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1786262578185013694.post-3102681296730343322015-01-19T11:15:00.002-08:002015-01-19T17:22:15.589-08:00The Power of ONE: Lost <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>This blog is a response to the current sermon series at Newbreak Church. To watch the message, you can log on to Newbreak's website and </i>watch <a href="http://newbreak.org/resources/messages/one/one-direction">ONE: One Direction</a>. </div>
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Duane and I have had a lot of experience with being lost lately, with walking in circles, confused by GPS directions that tell us to turn down streets we can't see, that aren't labeled, that look like driveways. Everything looks the same. But it's not. Getting lost is exhausting. </div>
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Instead of being paralyzed by our lost-ness, Duane and I embraced the adventure of exploring new places. And we developed a system. He kept track of shifting gears and watching for oncoming traffic, and I kept track of street signs and direction. Together, we stayed on track.</div>
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Most of the time. And when we got lost, we got "unlost" together. (Unlost is not a word, but it works well here.)</div>
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We definitely needed maps and GPS directions. Somebody (or something) needed to know where we were actually going. But we also needed each other. </div>
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Getting geographically lost is one thing, but every now and then, I feel emotionally and spiritually lost. Disoriented. Confused. Disconnected. </div>
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I don't know where I'm going or what I'm going to do next. I don't know where I'm going. Or what I'm doing next. </div>
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I'm in limbo. Waiting for direction. </div>
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I don't know where to turn. </div>
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I don't know what to do next. Sometimes that's because there are too many options. And sometimes because I don't see any options. At least not the options I want. </div>
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God seems far away. Or at least not near. I don't hear Him. I don't sense His guidance. </div>
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And so, in my confusion, I cling to anything that is familiar. </div>
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And something the only thing that is familiar is the feeling of being lost. </div>
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Feeling lost is such a lonely, isolating feeling. </div>
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I've been journaling for nearly twenty years now, and my journals are sprinkled with this quotation from Psalm 119: </div>
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<i>I've strayed like a lost sheep; </i><br />
<i>seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands. </i></div>
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Only God can take away the feeling of being lost. We need someone who knows how to get where we're actually going. Someone who knows where we're actually going even when don't. </div>
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When I recognize that I'm lost--and sometimes I don't realize it for a while--I call out to God. And when I call out to God, I can trust that God loves me enough to reach out and find me. I cannot get "unlost" on my own. </div>
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At the same time, I also need people around me to let me know that it's okay to feel lost, to be confused or disoriented, who remind me that even if I don't know exactly where I'm headed, God does. And He will find me. </div>
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Hopefully we have those people around us. But what happens if we don't have those people? For a long time, I lived life on my own. I didn't know how to build relationships. </div>
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But there are a lot of reasons why we might not have people around us, even if we've established those relationships in the past. Things change. They always do. </div>
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In that case, we need to start all over.<br />
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I was thinking about all these things as I listened to the message on Saturday evening, and then Pastor Mike asked the church: Where are <i>you </i>lost? </div>
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Maybe that question was for me. Right now I feel like I'm lost, and I'm trying to figure out how I got off track.<br />
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In some ways I I feel like I'm starting all over. After the Santee Campus closed, I seemed to drift relationally. Some Santee friends didn't follow us over to EC, and because the church was larger, I didn't see other Santee friends every weekend anymore. Added to that, I had a heavy work schedule and wasn't involved in church activities as much as I had been before.<br />
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After a year in EC, I'm back at the Tierrasanta Campus, a church I attended for fifteen years but haven't attended in six years, surrounded by people I know but haven't spent time with in years. And I'm surrounded by people I don't know. More than that, I'm at a new school. I'm living in a new house. My ministry roles are changing. I'm a little lost. </div>
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I've been here before, and I think I know what to do. </div>
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I'm calling out: <i>Abba, I'm lost. I don't know where I'm going. Come find me. I need you. I need people to help me. I need to help other people. </i><br />
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I'm embracing the adventure of exploring new places in life. </div>
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And I'm joining a life group. I'm embracing my confusion so I can meet new people, so I can form new communities in my new church that is my old church, so that together we can help each other get "unlost." </div>
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I'll repeat Pastor Mike's question: Where are you lost? </div>
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Have you told your Heavenly Father? Who are your people? </div>
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If you don't have people, what's your plan for finding them? </div>
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Erin Flewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788737381363149249noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1786262578185013694.post-10648316596926862062015-01-19T10:04:00.000-08:002015-01-19T10:04:39.926-08:00Resolutions Part 8: Returning to San Diego (Let the BELLS Ring)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, my first day back from Europe has come and gone. It wasn't nearly as productive as I might have hoped. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have a lot to get done before school starts in a week. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Aargh! Is it really only a week? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And there I go. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've had this lovely vacation of discovery and rest and now I'm headed back to the craziness that is my life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And I don't want to do that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I resolve to live less like a tourist, rushing to see this and that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Instead, I want to slow down and spend time getting to know the people in my life, even getting to know new people.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I resolve to sit and sip coffee, less mindful of the time than of my surroundings.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I resolve to explore new things, dream new dreams, venture forth into the unknown. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I resolve to get off the expressway and engage with life and with people and with God. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And yet . . . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now that I'm back, with only a week before school starts, I have stuff to do. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How do I slow down when I feel like I need to speed up? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I need a plan, some guidelines to help me to live deliberately. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In his book <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Incarnate-The-Body-Christ-Disengagement/dp/0830844171">Incarnate: The Body of Christ in an Era of Disengagement,</a> </i>Australian and theologian Michael Frost challenged his church with the acronym BELLS. This is a plan for engaging with community, becoming part of the community and inviting the community to join something bigger.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I thought about bells as Duane and I visited numerous churches in Paris, Southwest England, Wales, and London. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Honestly, it seems like there's a church in every neighborhood. Huge churches with amazing artwork. And bell towers reaching into the sky. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And yet, we rarely ever heard the bells. I'm not really sure why. The bells are old, so maybe they're broken.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At Sacre Coeur in Montmartre, Paris, the <a href="http://www.wellandtribune.ca/2014/05/29/time-has-taken-its-toll-on-sacre-coeur-bells">multi-ton bell in the tower fell silent</a> last summer, and now the church is raising money to fix it so they can once again ring the bells, calling the community to prayer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That's what church bells do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They reach out into the community and speak of God's glory and God's love. They remind the community to worship God on a moment by moment basis. Conversely, at the same time, they invite the community into the church. Come. Come join us. Come worship God with us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We who are followers of Jesus Christ need to do the same.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We need to go out into the community and live and speak and sing God's truths, and we need to invite people to join us and welcome them openly when they do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I thought about Frost's challenge as I wandered through the churches, and I see it as a plan for the year. This (with some modifications) is my plan to keep me on track, engaging, connecting, getting off the expressway. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This year I will:</span><br />
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<b><i>Bless</i></b> at least one member of my spiritual community and at least one person from the other parts of my life every week. These blessings might take the form of a letter, a word of encouragement, or an act of service. This doesn't seem like much, but sometimes I get so focused on my own projects that I forget to bless people. Sometimes I bless people inadvertently, but I want my blessings to be deliberate and intentional, fueled by love.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I "[c]ommit myself to the weekly rhythm of performing acts of kindness and generosity."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Eat </i>with at least one member of my spiritual community and at least one person from the other parts of my life every week. Frost explains, "Sharing a table is the great equalizer in human relationships. Eating together breaks down barriers and promotes a healthy sense of solidarity. It models hospitality and fulfils the model presented in Luke 10 of sharing table fellowship with others."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love cooking for people. Eating with people. Sharing laughter and good food. I've been so busy that I've crowded this out of my life. I want to make room for this again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I commit to sharing meals with people in my life, to opening my home on a regular basis. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Listen</i> - I will commit to listen to the prompting of God in my life. For me, this means reading Scripture and books and articles from Christ followers from various spiritual communities. It means journaling. Praying. Walking. Exercising. Meditating. Slowing down. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is hard sometimes. But I need this. I need this in order to clear my head. In order to hear God's voice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Learn</i> - I will read from the Gospels each week. Of course I will keep reading from other parts of the Bible, but how can I be a follower of Jesus Christ unless I keep my eyes on Him? And how can I keep my eyes on Him unless I read his acts, unless I hear his voice?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Send </i>- I will see my daily life as an expression of <i>sent-ness</i> by God into the world. Too often Christians see that "life outside the church is irrelevant to the expression of God's kingdom," but my daily life can be an expression of God's love to the world if I see myself as an agent of God's mission on the planet. This might include "acts of hospitality and the just stewardship of our stewardship as well as working for justice and striving for global peace" (212).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I see myself as "sent," my words and my responses and my actions become become deliberate and focused rather than random. I am on a mission. I am Christ's representative.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>BELLS. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A plan for getting off the expressway, slowing down, and engaging with my world. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A plan for deliberate living. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A plan for not letting the craziness take over. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A plan. </span></div>
Erin Flewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788737381363149249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1786262578185013694.post-10670780401417407902015-01-14T17:35:00.000-08:002015-01-14T17:35:29.984-08:00Resolutions Part 7: Getting Off the Expressway<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Duane's family is from Wales. We think. <div>
At least the Flewelling name is Welsh. We think. </div>
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And so in the quest to learn more about our heritage, we headed up to Wales. </div>
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I wasn't impressed.</div>
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The drive took us on the expressway through two large cities along the coast, and instead of the rolling hills with stone walls, sheep, and intermittent gothic churches, we saw industry and suburbs. </div>
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Surely, the bed and breakfast in a conservation village would be a little different. </div>
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A little different but not much. </div>
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The expressway dropped us off at a stunning stone house built in the 17th century, but the house was located in the suburbs, surrounded by much newer homes.</div>
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At lunch, we asked the waiter for suggestions on what to do in the afternoon. He suggested the coastal village of Porthcawl, located on the Bristol Channel. </div>
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I'm not really sure why. </div>
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More suburbs. </div>
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Ah well. At least the B&B was lovely.</div>
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And the church across the road surprised us with headstones naming possible ancestors. </div>
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Maybe something more amazing was out there, but with a huge storm headed in, I didn't think we would get to see it.<br />
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On Friday morning, the rain died down enough that I talked Duane into stopping at some castle ruins on the way home.<br />
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And so we drove away from the expressway, past the suburbs, beyond GPS navigation, and into a faerie world of castle ruins and ancient bridges. <br />
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We almost turned around after losing the GPS signal and coming across water across the road. Instead I put on my boots and marched into the water to see if our little car could make it through. <br />
And it did. <br />
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And one discovery led to another. And another. And another.<br />
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We just had to get off the expressway.<br />
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At the end of the day, as Duane and I drove back on the expressway, through suburbs and cities, I reflected on what we would have missed if we had not gotten off the expressway.<br />
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When we got off the expressway, away from the cities and the suburbs, we discovered unique stone ruins and living villages and people who laughed and asked about San Diego and told us about things we should not miss before leaving Wales.<br />
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Getting off the expressway allowed me to see Wales in a new way.<br />
Actually it just allowed me to see Wales. And it made me want to go back and see more. <br />
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Too much of life is spent on the expressway.<br />
We need to get off the expressway if we really want to experience life, if we want to connect with people, if we want to make a difference. <br />
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Erin Flewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788737381363149249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1786262578185013694.post-57675947911387209452015-01-08T14:56:00.001-08:002015-04-20T19:23:10.095-07:00Resolutions Part 6: Perceptions of Safety<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last week we wandered through Paris. Our only concerns were:1) not getting lost; 2) avoiding pickpockets. Every now and then we saw soldiers in green, armed with automatic machine guns. They stood guard near the Arc of Triomphe. At Sacree Coeur. At the Louvre.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We didn't think too much of them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We felt safe with or without soldiers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We felt safe both day and night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We left on Sunday morning. Three days later, on Wednesday, 12 people died at the hands of French citizens, in response to cartoons mocking Muhammad. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTz62FbTm9iTJTscihyphenhyphenmKoAmI1zfumAU8gmjnVArOSad4MWR7TqQ-ra-8q9rPawJnFPiQS1_4zRK7K-RKuHRICPptnWHC0U9B62bc3-vMISoSMH05vfKiz8SX9nM7eS6rJqqr3mPfM0Rt/s1600/eiffel+tower+after+the+attacks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTz62FbTm9iTJTscihyphenhyphenmKoAmI1zfumAU8gmjnVArOSad4MWR7TqQ-ra-8q9rPawJnFPiQS1_4zRK7K-RKuHRICPptnWHC0U9B62bc3-vMISoSMH05vfKiz8SX9nM7eS6rJqqr3mPfM0Rt/s1600/eiffel+tower+after+the+attacks.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Ps-46-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16.3636360168457px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Ps-46-2" id="en-VOICE-14023" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16.3636360168457px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;">No fear, <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">no pacing, no biting fingernails.</i></span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16.3636360168457px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-46-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">When the earth spins out of control, <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">we are sure and fearless.</i></span></span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16.3636360168457px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-46-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">When mountains crumble and the waters run wild, <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">we are sure and fearless.</i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Ps-46-3" id="en-VOICE-14024" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16.3636360168457px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Ps-46-3" id="en-VOICE-14024" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16.3636360168457px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;">Even in heavy winds and huge waves,</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16.3636360168457px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-46-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">or as mountains shake, <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">we are sure and fearless. </i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">(Psalm 46:1-3)</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last Monday, we thought about climbing the steps of the Eiffel Tower, but the line was too long.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today there was no line. Only police cars. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our trip would have been so very different if we had chosen to go to Paris this week instead of last week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm grateful we're not there right now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I feel safe at my little bed and breakfast in southern Wales.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But I also felt safe in Paris last week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I feel safe at home in San Diego.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What is safety?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Perhaps safety is only a perception of security. The feeling that we are out of the reach of harm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sometimes we're safe, but we don't feel safe.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And sometimes we feel safe, and we don't see the danger that's coming.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thinks can change quickly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There are no guarantees to life. Ever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And so we live. We live fully.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With no guarantees.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We embrace life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We laugh. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With no guarantees.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We venture forth boldly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With no guarantees.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Ps-46-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-size: 16.3636360168457px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;">God is our shelter and our strength.</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-size: 16.3636360168457px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-46-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">When troubles seem near, God is nearer, and He’s ready to help.</span></span><span class="text Ps-46-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-size: 16.3636360168457px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">So why run and hide?</i></span><span class="text Ps-46-2" id="en-VOICE-14023" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-size: 16.3636360168457px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Ps-46-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-size: 16.3636360168457px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Ps-46-2" id="en-VOICE-14023" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-size: 16.3636360168457px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;">No fear, <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">no pacing, no biting fingernails.</i></span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-size: 16.3636360168457px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-46-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">When the earth spins out of control, <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">we are sure and fearless.</i></span></span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-size: 16.3636360168457px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-46-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">When mountains crumble and the waters run wild, <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">we are sure and fearless.</i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Ps-46-3" id="en-VOICE-14024" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-size: 16.3636360168457px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Ps-46-3" id="en-VOICE-14024" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-size: 16.3636360168457px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;">Even in heavy winds and huge waves,</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-size: 16.3636360168457px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-46-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">or as mountains shake, <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">we are sure and fearless. </i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">(Psalm 46:1-3)</span></span></span></span><br />
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Erin Flewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788737381363149249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1786262578185013694.post-6615434595760811142015-01-07T12:22:00.000-08:002015-01-07T12:25:05.242-08:00Resolutions Part 5: Journeying (in Southwest England) and Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yesterday Duane and I set out on an adventure, driving on the left side of narrow roads barely wide enough for one small car let alone two normal size cars, navigating roundabouts, and towns we cannot pronounce.<br />
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Our destination: <a href="http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/visiting/vi-planningyourvisit/vi-visitingtownsvillages">Dartmoor,</a> a national park "famed for its wide open spaces, its dramatic tors, wooded valleys, rushing rivers and . . . its wildlife" as well as for "its diverse cultural heritage" </div>
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It's a large park, as national parks go, so I thought that I would narrow our focus to somewhere in the center, so I chose to go to Widecombe, the quintessential Devon village in the center, the home of a 15th century church. <br />
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When our daughter Kirsten suggested that we rent a car to explore Southwest England, I knew Duane would love the adventure of driving on the left side of the road. I pictured driving down open roads and countryside. I pictured random discoveries of hidden villages and monuments.<br />
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I didn't think about traffic, confusing signage, or the real possibility of getting lost or turned around. On the first day of the car rental, on the way back to Kirsten's house after renting the vehicle, we missed the turn off three times.<br />
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Our GPS lady, referred to as Sat Nav in Great Britain, was very patient with us, but her calm, repetitive, and incomprehensible commands were not helpful. <br />
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At one point, Duane suggested that we return the vehicle. <br />
I thought it might be a good idea.<br />
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I'm glad we didn't because we would have missed the rolling green countryside and thatched roof cottages. We would have missed discovering the Widecombe Cathedral in the center of Dartmoor. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEIPUjwydktNmli8kugPWPza2mubCfc2x3oM9vdTQFoEig0QmvvfToLrQavsFyuF1nzuujCsceC9veGaXFUcIDoJ-Bxwo9na-jwJLHTBVB2yhj33bdXvk6s35BT1IjVZnFtZq3c2E-fU7/s1600/DSC_0399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEIPUjwydktNmli8kugPWPza2mubCfc2x3oM9vdTQFoEig0QmvvfToLrQavsFyuF1nzuujCsceC9veGaXFUcIDoJ-Bxwo9na-jwJLHTBVB2yhj33bdXvk6s35BT1IjVZnFtZq3c2E-fU7/s1600/DSC_0399.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a>\</div>
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We would have missed sitting in front of a fire in a local pub and eating bap with gammon. </div>
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We would have missed discovering a twisted stick and fetching it out of the river.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgobiNzqbTfWiVnBcueT8TqVFKkSFuvnumdlSBea1Pvy2z4LrziaQMU9Q3bmDgOLwerrh_vFvCKhXsDQCaJDQkaAR33nwAI6a3llpZyBiuSD_Nj8YRafVl4NgP-SD94tSL0kJSwu6RDAaG_/s1600/DSC_0352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgobiNzqbTfWiVnBcueT8TqVFKkSFuvnumdlSBea1Pvy2z4LrziaQMU9Q3bmDgOLwerrh_vFvCKhXsDQCaJDQkaAR33nwAI6a3llpZyBiuSD_Nj8YRafVl4NgP-SD94tSL0kJSwu6RDAaG_/s1600/DSC_0352.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wandering creek. Duane's walking slowly.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmns6S4dI15G-KYouRnGmaz0W_R0IDAumQNfTzNHelYRGaPa0tLh4dJxFmFUdDy2DiVn_SH9ahMblA7xaSzBMGQFgThUpupRmhs_M3ue36DPNLMEdPoAwRqmS0WAhPo1C2rMKE5503UfOR/s1600/DSC_0353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmns6S4dI15G-KYouRnGmaz0W_R0IDAumQNfTzNHelYRGaPa0tLh4dJxFmFUdDy2DiVn_SH9ahMblA7xaSzBMGQFgThUpupRmhs_M3ue36DPNLMEdPoAwRqmS0WAhPo1C2rMKE5503UfOR/s1600/DSC_0353.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I turn around, and Duane is doing something. I have no idea what.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTz7m7fVRuPB1L7vG5qW0ID0KCbNdFywT55WNQG7XcdBpvjN-_PDPHwfgYxIyzFUEOvIRi9mJtFggCDDhZ3TCJNiOuxwKvzLkpqEewb0OIF9xzX2RWrBK1FabV_FJJiP4QGvMBAr9Oop6o/s1600/DSC_0354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTz7m7fVRuPB1L7vG5qW0ID0KCbNdFywT55WNQG7XcdBpvjN-_PDPHwfgYxIyzFUEOvIRi9mJtFggCDDhZ3TCJNiOuxwKvzLkpqEewb0OIF9xzX2RWrBK1FabV_FJJiP4QGvMBAr9Oop6o/s1600/DSC_0354.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whatever he did before didn't work. But he's thinking.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplWQLS0EsCrXHmKILFc8ZqTmT8Bj1syKoODtr-h5jnx5Z0F_90vvc82V2OqRwz0xpop2_5o66VO3Hha2NfmFVN5kwG1X0fasA2XBm5DIaMwtDwJgEtK0KaL7WPJds3rMatECz3041F6v1/s1600/DSC_0355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplWQLS0EsCrXHmKILFc8ZqTmT8Bj1syKoODtr-h5jnx5Z0F_90vvc82V2OqRwz0xpop2_5o66VO3Hha2NfmFVN5kwG1X0fasA2XBm5DIaMwtDwJgEtK0KaL7WPJds3rMatECz3041F6v1/s1600/DSC_0355.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmmm. What to do next.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLlHRK5hE64qTlsTI34eZ_mGL89Lp7XbyYULZbGLHQHFEhbXyQvDK_X92HptrLIYbwtHA4-1AOpS48ev80JTwGIHm1AqX4LF1rZG2c9VAYUIiqZtNuMBN1pYLLgrZjFQg3iOtH33iWrV7/s1600/DSC_0356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLlHRK5hE64qTlsTI34eZ_mGL89Lp7XbyYULZbGLHQHFEhbXyQvDK_X92HptrLIYbwtHA4-1AOpS48ev80JTwGIHm1AqX4LF1rZG2c9VAYUIiqZtNuMBN1pYLLgrZjFQg3iOtH33iWrV7/s1600/DSC_0356.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He looks at me, but I have no suggestions. That's okay. He has another plan.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZj4lqU7X7pM9LViDIByWnsE4NqdhyphenhyphenbleaSkhds5J6Kww-aDbViOTv6UOtM9IR37gvoXbeYsqMge8HxBuNDZilNtxbWHB_0uJmU9fuAPqSUD58o0eJlmrNHKYZaHLl12zOmR_MhWlM_XhO/s1600/DSC_0357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZj4lqU7X7pM9LViDIByWnsE4NqdhyphenhyphenbleaSkhds5J6Kww-aDbViOTv6UOtM9IR37gvoXbeYsqMge8HxBuNDZilNtxbWHB_0uJmU9fuAPqSUD58o0eJlmrNHKYZaHLl12zOmR_MhWlM_XhO/s1600/DSC_0357.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And now he means serious business.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPppUMO5ehPYRegTNVTcD_vrVNPXWPeargDwfM0I9VaFevCho2VVoorolYItfMJWqru6ZUA7ojEJXRZgpSi2m46T67Aorqjx7Fr66vyfbBGcyoSqw1why0UHrgIf3SZ7l55oqP8kPXEmm/s1600/DSC_0358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPppUMO5ehPYRegTNVTcD_vrVNPXWPeargDwfM0I9VaFevCho2VVoorolYItfMJWqru6ZUA7ojEJXRZgpSi2m46T67Aorqjx7Fr66vyfbBGcyoSqw1why0UHrgIf3SZ7l55oqP8kPXEmm/s1600/DSC_0358.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Discovery of the twisted stick. <br />
Not sure what we'll do with it since it doesn't really fit in our suitcase, but it sure is cool. </td></tr>
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We walked up the road and discovered farms. I took another twenty pictures of the cathedral. And then we took a "public footpath." It was super muddy. I was glad I wore boots because the mud came up past my ankles. But Duane's feet were mostly clean.</div>
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And then we started our drive back to Exeter but stopped to climb a hill and a rock and felt like the wind would blow us away. Along the way we discovered some roaming sheep. </div>
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And then we drove back to Exeter and only got lost once. </div>
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There are more things I could say, but I suppose my point, and it took me a long time to get there, is that sometimes we set out on a journey, and our goal is good, but our expectations are unrealistic. And then we encounter challenges and want to quit. </div>
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But if we keep going, adjusting along the way, we may discover some really amazing things. Keep calm and enjoy the journey.</div>
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Erin Flewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788737381363149249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1786262578185013694.post-83942235220164940432015-01-05T01:37:00.000-08:002015-01-07T12:34:25.981-08:00Resolutions Part 4: The Long Train to England<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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After an exhilarating day walking the streets of Paris and discovering wonderful things at every turn, I should have been exhausted, but I lay in bed almost all night long. It was our last night, and I wondered when I would return, if I would return.<br />
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In the morning, we packed our bags and walked to <i>la Gare du Nord</i>, went through customs, waited in line unsuccessfully for one last Parisian meal to eat on the train, and said goodbye as the train set off for London. </div>
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We picked up some sandwiches on the train, but they weren't nearly as satisfying. And our credit cards didn't work, so we had to pay cash. <br />
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I thought about sleeping, something people often do on trains, but instead I occupied my mind playing Sudoku. Two hours later we disembarked at St. Pancras Station in London, rushed onto the Underground to get to another Underground to get to another train station to get on a train to Exeter. </div>
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Along the way our suitcase broke and Duane spilled hot coffee on his arm. </div>
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Another four or was it was it five hours on the train? I don't know.</div>
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I had to keep track of five tickets for two people for one train ride.</div>
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I didn't do very well, but in the end it was okay. </div>
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Our daughter Kirsten explained why each ticket was important, but I didn't understand. </div>
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Kirsten is our guide to England and to trains because she works in England and spends a lot of time on trains. She says at first she liked them, but she isn't very fond of them now. They're boring.</div>
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When you are on the train, or in a train station, you are not really in one place or another. You are on your way to one place or another. You're waiting quietly in the place you don't want to be, doing the thing you don't want to do, in order to get to the place you do want to be, to do the thing you do want to do. </div>
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You don't engage the people next to you. Why? You likely won't see them again. </div>
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Sometimes you sleep. Sometimes you work. Sometimes you stare out the window. </div>
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Sometimes you play with your mobile device and talk to someone who isn't there. Or play Candy Crush. </div>
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Mostly you wait until your train arrives at your destination. So you can start your plans. So you can start engaging other people. So you can start real life. </div>
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I suppose that makes sense if we're talking about trains or train stations.</div>
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But too often we can live our whole lives this way.</div>
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We wait to do one thing until something else happens. </div>
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I'll start ___________ when I __________.</div>
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I'll start exercising when the semester ends.</div>
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I'll have people over for dinner when life slows down. </div>
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I'll start blogging again when I have more time. </div>
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Those are some of my mine. What are yours? </div>
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When we live as if we're in an in-between space, waiting to get to where we really want to be so we can do what we really want to do, we get stuck. We wait. We don't engage. We check out. We solve Sudoku puzzles. Or something else. </div>
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The thing is, if we want to live as followers of Jesus Christ, we must make every moment count, even the in-between times of our lives. We can live present, taking in the moments, taking advantage of opportunities, engaging people, loving people, making a difference. </div>
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Erin Flewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788737381363149249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1786262578185013694.post-54463305213683418352015-01-03T12:44:00.000-08:002015-01-05T01:37:40.970-08:00Resolutions Part 3: Creating a plan. And then changing the plan. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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And so today was the last day of my Paris trip. Duane and I decided to walk, and we set out from the 18th Arrondissement, the north east corner of Paris, to the center, trying to find the Musee d'Orsay. Those of you who know Paris also know that's a pretty long walk. In the rain.<br />
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We almost made it there.<br />
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Actually, we were really close, but we got distracted. We also discovered some beautiful neighborhoods and some amazing sites.<br />
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The National Academy of Music. A band was playing on the front steps.<br />
The Grands Magasins. Huge in-door enormous shopping. I wanted to stop. <br />
The Place du Vendome. Some of the most expensive stores in the world. Piaget. Dior. Cristal.<br />
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We paused briefly. We took pictures. We marched on.<br />
We were going to find the Musee d'Orsay.<br />
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And then we discovered the Jardin des Tuileries.<br />
A garden. With sculptures.<br />
And I wanted to walk through.<br />
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And this was on the way.<br />
So glorious.<br />
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We could see the museum. It was in reach. But we were cold, and the rain was coming down harder. And so we stopped for lunch at the Cafe des Medicis.<br />
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Le vin rouge and Quiche Lorraine for me and a vin chaud and the hamburger du chef for my husband. Duane and I eat slowly, savoring each bite. Afterward, le cafe noir.<br />
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I'm trying to slow down. To live like the French. To be present and experience each moment. We wait patiently for the check. This is the French way.<br />
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No hurries. I am in the city I love. I am living my dream, and there is no rush. I don't want to rush. I want to make this moment last. <br />
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This is hard for me. Most of the time I live by lists. And deadlines.<br />
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But I take a breath and slow down. I am with the man I love,the man I've known for 38 years, who knows all the worst things about me and loves me anyway. We're not talking. We don't have to.<br />
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It was at this point that I saw the Grande Roule de Paris. A huge ferris wheel.<br />
We immediately decide to veer off the plan and go up on the ferris wheel.<br />
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We could see everything from the top of the Grande Roule. Sacree Coeur. Notre Dame. La Tour Eiffel. L'Arc de Triomphe. The Musee d'Orsay.<br />
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And then I saw the Louvre. <br />
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It turns out that many renowned museums are next to the Jardin des Tuileries. Duane wanted to go to the most famous one. And so we did. <br />
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Today was a fantastic day. Not because we went to the Louvre or because we found le Jardin des Tuileries or the Grande Roule. But because we slowed down and experienced every minute of the day.<br />
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We are tourists in a city we don't know, but we want to really see the city, to understand it incrementally, and so we move slowly, deliberately, thoughtfully. We have a plan, but we're willing to deviate from that plan if it means something better.<br />
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I think this is true of life in general, whether I am in Paris or London or San Diego.<br />
I must choose to live one moment at a time. Changing my plans if necessary in order to live fully.<br />
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Yes, today was a fantastic day.<br />
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Erin Flewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788737381363149249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1786262578185013694.post-15225857928810198032015-01-03T02:20:00.000-08:002015-01-05T01:38:06.016-08:00Resolutions Part 2: The Crown of Thorns and a Touristy Visit to Notre Dame<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yesterday I went to Notre Dame de Paris a learned a new word: <i>parvis. </i><br />
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No, that is not a French word. Well, it is, but the English translation is the same. The parvis is the open space in front of and around a cathedral. Sometimes it is enclosed by columns. Sometimes it is not.<br />
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In the case of Notre Dame de Paris, the parvis is entirely open and long and covered with tourists lining up for entry into the cathedral. We walked to the very end of the parvis and stood in line with the tourists. This is a real church with real church services, and I wondered if the parishioners needed to wait in line with all of the tourists in order to get into the church. That would be incredibly inconvenient.<br />
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After a while, I saw that there were actually two entry points. One was for tourists (<i>visite</i>), and the other one was for the parishioners (<i>messe). </i>There was no line for the parishioners. They basically walked right in.<br />
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As we waited in line, my son-in-law Patrick regaled us with a history of Notre Dame de Paris learned through a Google search. For example, in 1450, a pack of wolves infiltrated the city walls, killed 40 people, and were finally speared to death right in front Notre Dame, on the very parvis where we stood.<br />
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Another thing Patrick learned was that Notre Dame houses fragments of the crown of thorns worn by Christ at the crucifixion. On the first Friday of the month, at the 3:00 mass, the priests bring out the gold container with the crown of thorns. It was 2:45 p.m. when we arrived, and I thought this might account for the very long line.<br />
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Mass started right after we got in. The center of the cathedral is reserved for parishioners, and sides are lined up with tourists who around and take pictures while the parishioners pray. As a tourist, I feel very awkward and disrespectful. I mean, this is a real house of worship. As a result, I try to be very worshipful as I walk around, to try to be reverential. But in fact, I am a tourist. I'm watching as people worship. I'm walking around. I'm having side conversations with my family.<br />
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We paused at the back and listened to the mass. It was at that point I noticed that a lot of people who had gone in through the parishioner entrance were leaving the center of the church and joining the tourist area. It turns out they were actually tourists who pretended to be parishioners in order to cut in line. That seems like a very touristy thing to do, actually. <br />
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We got to the front of the church, and we watched from the side as people lined up to kiss the gold container with the crown of thorns. I wondered if this was truly the crown of thorns. I tend to be a little skeptical. Nevertheless, it is good to remember the suffering of Christ, how he was "wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities" (Isaiah 53:5). It is good to remember and to give thanks, to fall on our knees in adoration of the one who loves me and forgives my sins.<br />
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For a moment, I thought about joining the mass, about surrendering my tourist status to become part of the community. I wanted to sit and listen to the reading of Scripture, absorb the sacred beauty of the stained glass, and fellowship with Christians from a different culture who love God but who worship differently than I do. For a moment.<br />
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But this wasn't part of the plan.<br />
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And so I walked on. It's not good to mess with plans when you are a tourist. Especially if you are traveling with a group. <br />
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It occurred to me that if I want to stop living as a tourist in my own life, I need to create a new plan, one that connects me to the world I live in, the one I am not merely passing through. <br />
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Erin Flewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788737381363149249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1786262578185013694.post-8542350819220410112015-01-01T13:08:00.001-08:002015-01-05T01:37:51.290-08:00New Year's Resolutions Part 1: A Tourist in Paris (and in Life)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsib40ULiTmsAMLX11VMNtYGJnXrg_GanEXyYTyfoWEOJl15-gas1wj56XCUEETPrZfifup4QLYqX-QNjElNrKUWVk4lkSU3wJ2CMK3koTc2zdfQMMBqsNhP6fEjEj_ADwzt2jqazJFb4/s1600/DSC_0964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsib40ULiTmsAMLX11VMNtYGJnXrg_GanEXyYTyfoWEOJl15-gas1wj56XCUEETPrZfifup4QLYqX-QNjElNrKUWVk4lkSU3wJ2CMK3koTc2zdfQMMBqsNhP6fEjEj_ADwzt2jqazJFb4/s1600/DSC_0964.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a>It's New Year's Day, and I am in Paris, sitting at a table in a Parisian <i>appartment </i>after a day riding around the Metro and climbing the stairs of Montmartre. I've wanted to start blogging again, and today seems like a good time to do that.<br />
<br />
But this blog isn't really about Paris.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>This blog is about my New Year's Resolutions. </b><br />
<br />
To talk about that, I first have to talk about a dream I have held in my heart since I was a little girl, maybe six or seven or eight, and my mom asked me if I wanted to take French lessons. I told her yes, but the lessons were cancelled. Apparently not that many kids (or their parents) thought French lessons were important.<br />
<br />
I was disappointed. For some reason, and I don't know what it was, I wanted to learn French more than almost anything else in the world. I finally got to begin studying French in ninth grade, and I embraced all things French in ninth grade. I memorized the dialogues the verb conjugations. I practiced the sound of the French "r." (It comes from the back of the throat and was very fun to say.)<br />
<br />
Learning French seemed to come naturally to me. If I had believed in reincarnation, I would have believed I had been French in another life. I thought I would grow up to teach French. I loved French. I wanted to be French. I dreamt about going to France. About immersing myself in all things French.<br />
<br />
That didn't happen for a variety of reasons. <br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
Part of the problem was that although I mastered many aspects of the grammar, refined my pronunciation, read the classics, and wrote essays in French, I never actually spoke French with French people. I was waiting until my grammar, my pronunciation, and my listening comprehension got good enough. That never happened, and I wasn't willing to risk making mistakes. <br />
<br />
<b>This week I am in Paris. </b>Prior to our arrival, I Yelped multiple restaurants to try. I watched Youtube videos of neighborhoods to familiarize myself with what I would see. I practiced my very rusty French. I learned how to order coffee and to indicate how I wanted my steak done. I wanted to be as prepared as possible.<br />
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<br />
On our first day, we started at the equivalent of a French farmer's market where I spoke in French bought cheese and sausages. We took the Metro to the Eiffel Tower and then marched to the Arch of Triumph and walked down the Champs-D'Elysees. We made plans to go to Montmartre the next day to see Sacree Coeur, and we had reservations at a place near the Eiffel Tower for dinner on New Year's Eve.<br />
<br />
This was what I had dreamed of as a teenager, but now it's not enough to see monuments and museums. It's not enough to greet people in French and use my limited French to buy agricultural projects and order in restaurants.<br />
<br />
I am here in Paris, but I am on the outside looking at a culture that is not my own. I am not French. I am a tourist from America, and there is nothing wrong with this, but being a tourist has never been my dream. If I want to be part of this culture, if I want to engage this culture and these people, I can't approach them as a subject to be learned or a project. It's not possible in six days.<br />
<br />
And that's when I realized that if I'm not careful, I can become a tourist in my own life. I can set out to the sights in my church or my work or my community without ever getting to know anyone. I can read a book and learn something new. I can try something unique. I can create a new project. And then I can create conclusions or judgments without taking time to see all the complexities.<br />
<br />
Honestly, I think I do this all the time. It's a lot easier, really. No risks of rejection or being wrong. I don't realize my mistakes, my faulty conclusions, because I'm not around long enough to recognize them.<br />
<br />
I don't want to live my life as a tourist. I've been praying about this for some time now, and I don't know what this means exactly, but I do know I want to engage the culture I live in and the people around me, and so I can't approach them as a subject to be learned or project to be completed. I must find a new way. I must suspend my judgments and get to know people.<br />
<br />
In my typical tourist way, I have been reading books about the topic. Two books in particular have been very challenging. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dwell-World-Barry-D-Jones/dp/0830836691" style="font-style: italic;">Dwell</a>: <i>Life with God for the World, </i>by Barry Jones, is about engaging in and being transformed by spiritual disciplines for the purpose of living out Christ's mission in the world. <i>Incarnate: The Body of Christ in an Age of Disengagement</i>, by Michel Frost, is about what it looks like to live Christ's mission in the world. Together, these books paint a picture of what it means to life as a Christ follower in the world rather than as a tourist passing through. <br />
<br />
And this is my New Year's Resolution. To move beyond the books. To be present. To engage with the people around me.<br />
<br />
To stop being a tourist.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
</div>
Erin Flewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788737381363149249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1786262578185013694.post-23445428906680323022013-09-19T18:01:00.000-07:002013-09-19T18:04:09.568-07:00And so today was terrible.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3aaK-tUp-vhtVMThkdi_aBmh7hCduWsuV0vvlKc0buzBVneKaXDNMj7GxGcUggG7sA4yiUdgbYAiGOdOLeuslZsK36NNtxGOXKx3s7V4WYUudT91Oynxivrebe4wPix8aprSTzBk90Bsw/s1600/we+write+to+taste+life+twice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3aaK-tUp-vhtVMThkdi_aBmh7hCduWsuV0vvlKc0buzBVneKaXDNMj7GxGcUggG7sA4yiUdgbYAiGOdOLeuslZsK36NNtxGOXKx3s7V4WYUudT91Oynxivrebe4wPix8aprSTzBk90Bsw/s1600/we+write+to+taste+life+twice.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And so today
was terrible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I teach
three classes on Tuesday, and I start at 8:00. I wasn’t prepared, so I got up
at 5:00. No big deal, except that today I woke up with the alarm. Not only
that, but I wove the alarm into my dream. That means I was very asleep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I got up. Got
my coffee. And sat down with my Bible. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Except that
I opened my computer first.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I never even
opened my Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I ran into
traffic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Somebody got
into an accident on the westbound 52, and the people in front of me wanted to
look. I parked my car at Mesa College at
7:59. Class starts at 8:00. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Class was
great. Mostly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then I
walked to my next class.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This class
is part of a learning community. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A learning
community with a call to group unity and group success.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ten out of
25 students came in late. Very late. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They talked
constantly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They couldn’t
hear me. Or they didn’t understand. Or something.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They argued
with each other. Across the room. Students taking sides. Students defending
themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I
intervened. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I reaffirmed
the call of this class to unity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And we got
back to work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I wanted to
cry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This has
been a very difficult class. From the very beginning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Half the
students don’t listen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Half don’t
do their work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Half don’t
seem to care.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After class
I did cry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Am I okay?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Am I a good
teacher?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then I sent
a venting letter to the director of the learning community. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then I
cried again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And yet, I
know God is in control. I know He loves me. I know I can make a difference.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If God empowers
me and I rest in Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But I didn’t
even open my Bible today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I miss your
voice, God. I miss your word. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I need you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I had
another class at 2:30. This class went great. Most classes do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I was
glad when it was over, so I could go home and grade papers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Or do
nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But after
class a former student walked in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She brought
me a new journal. A beautiful blue-green journal with the words, “We write to
taste life twice” written on the cover and the words “You are expert at writing so I just
going to write. Thank you!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">No, that is
not a typo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And she gave
me the journal and a Nestle’s chocolate bar with almonds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She
apologized for not stopping in sooner because she had purchased the journal a
few weeks ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I cried
again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy tears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Because I am
not a bad teacher.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I do
care about my students.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I can
make a difference. Not just in their academics, but in their lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I heard
God say, “I love you. I’m with you. You are never alone. And I knew this day
was coming.” </span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Erin Flewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788737381363149249noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1786262578185013694.post-91341809277248315062013-09-15T17:16:00.003-07:002013-09-15T17:16:31.683-07:00Life Lessons from Dr. Seuss: Fear and the Pale Green Pants<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzcqt31aSlS1kxqGkIubV2eQC2o97wq0-sxrbnXP2Ya8xZSYmUcOFMqg3cDyXhWfvDbl-UzjSYSjNMXSDE0Wq4KWNBgfKHf8SUJz3QhXj1zefFw13ZL7QEnO3JfnF9l9tO-UCLX64_dXb/s1600/pale-green-pants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzcqt31aSlS1kxqGkIubV2eQC2o97wq0-sxrbnXP2Ya8xZSYmUcOFMqg3cDyXhWfvDbl-UzjSYSjNMXSDE0Wq4KWNBgfKHf8SUJz3QhXj1zefFw13ZL7QEnO3JfnF9l9tO-UCLX64_dXb/s1600/pale-green-pants.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Another
week. Another obscure Dr. Seuss story. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This time
the story of the Pale Green Pants. Of note, an internet search to find more
about this story revealed that these pants have sort of a cult following. Who
knew?</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The story
goes something like this: A young boy goes walking late at night and runs into
a pair of pale green pants. The pants can run. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Understandably
the boy is completely and totally freaked out. He runs straight home to safety.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Uninhabited
pants, green or any other color, are not supposed to run.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And yet,
there they are. Running. Biking.
Colliding with the boy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The boy has
never seen pants like this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He escapes
when he can—or hides.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then one
day he can’t avoid the pants any longer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He yells for
help. He screams, he shrieks, he howls, he yowls, he cries, “Oh, save me from
these pale green pants with nobody inside!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And the most
amazing thing happens. The pale green pants, these strange unfamiliar pants
begin to cry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It seems the
pale green pants are actually afraid of the little boy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The boy says,
“I began to see that I was just as strange to them as they were strange to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And that is
a profound statement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The story
reminds me of something that happened in one of my English classes last week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I asked my
students to read an article about names published in <i>Wired Science. </i>The author
discussed a Yale study which suggested that people with easy to pronounce names
are more popular and even make more money than people with difficult to
pronounce names.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My students
were mortified. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That’s not
fair, they protested. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That can’t
be right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And yet, the
more we discussed it, the more we admitted that the study might be at least
partially right. Most easy to pronounce names are familiar, and most difficult
to pronounce names are unfamiliar. And we like things that are familiar to us.
And that’s not fair at all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The
principle behind this finding at least partly explains why we tend to hang out
with people who are like us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And people
who aren’t like us? We’re often a little cautious about them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And they are
cautious about us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When you
come down to it, most of us are a little strange. It’s a wonder we ever make
friends with anyone. And yet we must. Life
alone is lonely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We can
respond to the fear by running and hiding and crying like the boy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Or we can
recognize that even when people seem strange, they are a lot like us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I’ve seen
this in life groups. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I’ve seen
this as I’ve traveled around the United States.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I’ve seen
this as I’ve visited other countries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Like the
pale green pants, some things—and some people—seem very strange. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But if we
slow down and say hi, the strangeness faces away.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">For more Life Lessons from Dr. Seuss, check out </i><a href="http://newbreak.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Newbreak Church</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">'s </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">sermon series titled<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1668643856" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;"> </a></i><a href="http://newbreak.org/resources/messages/sermon-archive/" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Whoville.</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifv0-8asMht6w3xq7IkBjoFz3LYyw7JRBOZIJZfzLxFqeWYbtLZP5Pxt0GErIxAwyYs0Jm3ZEcZrXW1JriWyQgJQds6ZDX5rf9ywOK96mS3zHEfgGZ1U5ET8g0QXaMKpHglI67O0-w_IvV/s1600/pale+green+pants+for+real+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifv0-8asMht6w3xq7IkBjoFz3LYyw7JRBOZIJZfzLxFqeWYbtLZP5Pxt0GErIxAwyYs0Jm3ZEcZrXW1JriWyQgJQds6ZDX5rf9ywOK96mS3zHEfgGZ1U5ET8g0QXaMKpHglI67O0-w_IvV/s640/pale+green+pants+for+real+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Erin Flewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788737381363149249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1786262578185013694.post-17836547484545172222013-09-13T12:40:00.000-07:002013-09-13T12:40:03.086-07:00Life Lessons From Dr. Seuss: On Becoming a Star-Belly Sneetch<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjw26fhAbeFx9_9i8HEWCJEJKhjSDxOZUIOuTzMz3itJY00tFZGf96iT4CT_9Uh3mPV9kO5ylLBMKL1EEPlQsVN5_PxMr9LqV7hSka22HH4_Y8uOT7bN4fcK6qZ-HaWgd9zGJg_fMwiCa/s1600/kimmie+star+bellied+sneetch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjw26fhAbeFx9_9i8HEWCJEJKhjSDxOZUIOuTzMz3itJY00tFZGf96iT4CT_9Uh3mPV9kO5ylLBMKL1EEPlQsVN5_PxMr9LqV7hSka22HH4_Y8uOT7bN4fcK6qZ-HaWgd9zGJg_fMwiCa/s1600/kimmie+star+bellied+sneetch.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 15.989583969116211px; padding: 0px;">
<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 22.22222328186035px;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This post is from my good friend Kimmie Walk. You can read more by her at her blog <a href="http://www.queenofmalfunction.blogspot.com/" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Queen of Malfunction.</a></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 15.989583969116211px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 15.989583969116211px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Once upon a time, I lived in an affluent beach community with my best friend and her family. I was a Plain-Bellied Sneetch in a Star-Bellied Sneetch world. So, I did what any nineteen year old would do, I converted to a Star-Bellied Sneetch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br style="line-height: 16px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Life was a blur once I got my Star. I spent my nights (and even some of my days) doing drugs and my days laying out at the beach. For the first time in my life, I was one of the glamourous girls I’d always wanted to be. But what was even more than that, I finally fit in somewhere. I was finally one of the beautiful people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br style="line-height: 16px;" /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 15.989583969116211px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I lost myself in that world. I became a shell of the person I once was. I was unkind and disrespectful. I was vain and conceited. I had no problem putting others down to raise myself up. I was deceitful, and I knew how to use my looks and my body to get what I wanted. Oh, I was good at getting my way. On the outside, I was flawless. With blonde hair that glistened in the sunlight and a slim body that wore expensive clothing. That star on my belly got bigger and bigger.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br style="line-height: 16px;" /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 15.989583969116211px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then I got a reality check when my friend was murdered. My grief consumed me, yet, there was much more to it. My friend’s murder case was all over the news, and I was forced to take a step back and re-examine my life and the people I surrounded myself with. Suddenly, those Plain-Bellied Sneetches didn’t seem so bad. And so, I decided to get my Star removed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyM1jPfADFuzgewdF4iho_4wD61sLR7Dztu-gOFTu2idk_tv7t2RGvAScBBZ39qW7BEvPlBpzckHBRQASHxxjJwtMH1ky4pe5VLo6ehdJcDh6X1GC97ryJKliY8ufR8GwQfmfENifIISzo/s1600/star-belly+sneetch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyM1jPfADFuzgewdF4iho_4wD61sLR7Dztu-gOFTu2idk_tv7t2RGvAScBBZ39qW7BEvPlBpzckHBRQASHxxjJwtMH1ky4pe5VLo6ehdJcDh6X1GC97ryJKliY8ufR8GwQfmfENifIISzo/s1600/star-belly+sneetch.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Throughout the entire two years that I wore my Star proudly, I had been at church and I had attended a life group with those Plain-Bellied Sneetches. Those Sneetches had loved me regardless of my Star. Even when I was the most unloveable. <em style="line-height: 16px;">Especially</em> when I was the most unloveable. And so, when I told those women I was ready for change, they helped erase that star, little by little.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br style="line-height: 16px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I once lost myself in a fantasy world, filled with promises of glamour and fulfillment. I often get nostalgic for those days, remembering the fun that I had; and then, I remember Emery. I remember the pain of losing him. The pain of realizing I’d lost myself, and that brief moment of nostalgia is erased.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br style="line-height: 16px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now I know who I am. I know that my identity is not found in the clothes I wear, the lifestyle I live, or the friends that I have. My identity is found in Christ alone. He’s chosen me. He’s brought me out of darkness and into his marvelous Light. It seems that being a Plain-Bellied Sneetch isn’t so bad after all.</span></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">For more Life Lessons from Dr. Seuss, check out </i><a href="http://newbreak.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Newbreak Church</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">'s </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">sermon series titled<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1668643856" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;"> </a></i><a href="http://newbreak.org/resources/messages/sermon-archive/" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Whoville.</a></div>
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Erin Flewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788737381363149249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1786262578185013694.post-45366582867041222382013-09-11T21:11:00.001-07:002013-09-11T21:21:58.671-07:00Life Lessons from Dr. Seuss: Confessions of a Plain-Belly Sneetch<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAHyRfyU7aRumu8GWCtxs4ocJf_KdDZ1tSFf1Kg0SMy6ZW1LklEP6ib6Zed6IHIcpLGFMy9myCadRNwTtSQjfvFKUTObXHrEn41Lq1_NaERv5fzXWM_AeXujoOE453hhWDn9es56dWXLi/s1600/sneetch+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAHyRfyU7aRumu8GWCtxs4ocJf_KdDZ1tSFf1Kg0SMy6ZW1LklEP6ib6Zed6IHIcpLGFMy9myCadRNwTtSQjfvFKUTObXHrEn41Lq1_NaERv5fzXWM_AeXujoOE453hhWDn9es56dWXLi/s320/sneetch+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><i>Now the Star-Belly Sneetches </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><i>Had bellies with stars. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><i>The Plain-Belly Sneetches </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><i>Had none upon thars.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><i>Those stars weren't so big. they were really so small. You might think such a thing wouldn't matter at all.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><i>But because they had stars, all the Star-Belly Sneetches would brag, "We're the best kind of Sneetch on the Beaches.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><i>With their snoots in the air, they would sniff and they'd snort, "We'll have nothing to do with the Plain-Belly sort." </i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">To be honest, up until last
weekend, I had never heard the story of the Sneetches, Star-Belly or otherwise.
It’s the story of a group of, well, Sneetches. Some have stars on their
bellies; those are the totally cool Sneetches. They have parties. They laugh.
They play games and go to BBQs. They don’t invite the Plain-Belly Sneetches.
The Plain-Belly Sneetches are not cool.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I am a Plain-Belly Sneetch. I
have been a Plain-Belly Sneetch my whole life. I was the last one picked for
games like dodge ball. I suppose my small size had something to do with that.
But even though I was one of the best spellers in the class, I still got
picked almost last. I didn’t get invited to parties. It was okay. I
preferred to read books in my bedroom. Or draw pictures. Or play the piano.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I did wish I could be a
Star-Belly Sneetch and have lots of friends and get picfa</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">ked for teams. I did wish I
could be cool. And popular.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But I didn’t want to give up
my books or my music or my solitude.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And so I sat on the sidelines
and wished I was just a little different.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Even at church, I existed on
the margins. And that continued even when I got older. I was everyone’s
favorite volunteer, but I didn’t have friends.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I wondered why. Why was I so
alone? Why did God make me a Plain-Belly Sneetch?</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the midst of my
loneliness, God reminded me that I wasn’t the only Plain-Belly Sneetch.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">There were others just like
me. People who saw themselves as Plain-Belly Sneetches. People who felt alone
and left out.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And so I began to reach out.
To invite and include Plain-Belly Sneetches to have fun.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And then I seemed like a
Star-Belly Sneetch including some people and not others.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And that’s when I realized
that there’s not that much difference between Star-Belly and Plain-Belly
Sneetches. We’re all pretty much the same. We’re Sneetches. And we need all
kinds of Sneetches.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In Romans 12, Paul
acknowledges that we’re all a little different and he cautions followers of
Jesus Christ not to take themselves too seriously, not to consider themselves
more important than they actually are. He says, “For in the same way that
one body has so many different parts, each with different functions; we,
too—the many—are different parts that form one body in the Anointed One. Each
one of us is joined with one another<em><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">,
and we become together what we could not be alone.</span></em>” In other
words, we need each other.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">God has made us and gifted us
uniquely.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">God made prophets and
servants and teachers.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">God made encouragers and
leaders and givers.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">God made people who are
merciful.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And no matter what our gift
is, our gifts came from God.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">We need to use them. Humbly.
Faithfully.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And whether we are
Plain-Belly or Star-Belly Sneetches, God made us. And we need to love each
other.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.989583969116211px; padding: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The most important thing is
love. For God and for all Sneetches. </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span>
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">For more Life Lessons from Dr. Seuss, check out </i><a href="http://newbreak.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Newbreak Church</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">'s </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;">sermon series titled<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1668643856" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;"> </a></i><a href="http://newbreak.org/resources/messages/sermon-archive/" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Whoville.</a></div>
</div>
Erin Flewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788737381363149249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1786262578185013694.post-56683723504809013232013-09-07T21:23:00.000-07:002013-09-08T07:12:12.855-07:00Life Lessons from Dr. Seuss: All Alone!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6zg3dPtnhBUir0MgVqqyb4MKFiHb-yJgAIYw-ICCI31ap-5kXRbhX7NKLHeCNzJgsMygAlAxPpwcmfAsAILKyYeKNv7c8VdLX62TFKZ_r_622bnHZTJTA3X88YFM3dbXsb6Dfj-U6Fmc/s1600/all+alone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6zg3dPtnhBUir0MgVqqyb4MKFiHb-yJgAIYw-ICCI31ap-5kXRbhX7NKLHeCNzJgsMygAlAxPpwcmfAsAILKyYeKNv7c8VdLX62TFKZ_r_622bnHZTJTA3X88YFM3dbXsb6Dfj-U6Fmc/s1600/all+alone.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All alone!</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Whether you like it or not,</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Alone will be something</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You’ll be quite a lot.</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And when you’re alone, there’s a very good chance</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There are some, down the road between hither and yon,</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on</i>. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">From Oh, the Places You’ll Go!</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Setting off on journeys can be exciting. And terrifying.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And isolating.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When you’re venturing into unknown territory, whether it’s going back to school or moving to a new duty station or starting a new job or having a new baby, you will feel alone. Like you are the only person who has ever traveled this path.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But you don’t have to be alone.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It’s not even good to be alone.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In fact, we need each other more than ever when we’ve started off on unknown journeys.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">King Solomon wrote:</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: <strong> </strong>If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. <strong> </strong>Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? <strong> </strong>Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.<br />A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) </span></blockquote>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I used to spend a lot of time alone. I still do, I think.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In fact, as much as I love my friends and family, alone is sort of my default place.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don’t ask questions. I don’t ask for help. I try to figure things out on my own.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I’m pretty good at that, but not good enough, and that creates problems that could easily be avoided if I just had people in my life.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And yet I’m learning.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Back when I was in my 30s, I had a surprise pregnancy. This would have been my fourth child, and Duane and I had only planned on having three children. Nevertheless, after the shock, we were super excited about having another baby. We didn’t expect any problems. My previous three pregnancies were textbook. And then, after 14 weeks, there was no heartbeat. The baby had died.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was devastated. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I had no close friends to turn to, and I didn’t know anyone who had walked through this. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My husband did not understand my sorrow. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My kids were too young to talk to about the depth of my loss.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I felt alone.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">God, in His mercy, sent me a couple of women who listened. I didn’t know them well, but they had experienced their own pregnancy losses. This was good. But for the most part I was still alone.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then, surprise, one week after my fortieth birthday, I found out I was pregnant again.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Once again, I was shocked. Once again, I recovered from the shock and became excited about the new life inside of me. Once again, I miscarried at the end of the first trimester.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I wanted to die.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But this time was different.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Alone the way, I had started forming friendships. Not just casual friendships, but deep spiritual friendships. And God used these friendships to comfort me, to encourage me, to strengthen me.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This time I had the kind of friends who pray with each other, hug each other, cry with each other, laugh and celebrate with each other. The kinds of friends who take care of each other when one of them walks through something that seems impossible.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My sorrow was deep. I still struggled. But this time I was not alone. This time was different.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It sounds cliché, but I formed these friends in small group Bible studies, around dinner tables, and across cups of coffee. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It took time. Time outside of group.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sometimes there were conflicts. But we cared enough to work things out.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I wouldn’t trade these friendships for anything.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes, we need each other. To pick each other up when we fall down, when we struggle with new challenges. To keep each other warm, to comfort and encourage one another when we begin to doubt ourselves. To protect each other when we face difficulties.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px;">For more Life Lessons from Dr. Seuss, check out <a href="http://newbreak.org/" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Newbreak Church</a>'s sermon series titled<a href="http://newbreak.org/resources/messages/sermon-archive/" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"> Whoville.</a></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Erin Flewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788737381363149249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1786262578185013694.post-27133846405864294542013-09-07T07:08:00.002-07:002013-09-07T07:08:57.740-07:00Life Lessons from Dr. Seuss: The Slump<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PjVQiIg3BP9OnLnVVEWgAWyJLWa8b-1ENwMUOUTJ5mctvVXQ-RneANz1YsSUcjw0s8XigfqvLOhcTBt6JxmE3tM0CofzYS9osoIOrpSvkj8yysFxEGzTA3RIQ3gkXNTPl5H6oXBeFKuq/s1600/the+slump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PjVQiIg3BP9OnLnVVEWgAWyJLWa8b-1ENwMUOUTJ5mctvVXQ-RneANz1YsSUcjw0s8XigfqvLOhcTBt6JxmE3tM0CofzYS9osoIOrpSvkj8yysFxEGzTA3RIQ3gkXNTPl5H6oXBeFKuq/s1600/the+slump.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This post is from my good friend Kimmie Walk. You can read more by her at her blog <a href="http://www.queenofmalfunction.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Queen of Malfunction.</a></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></b>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And when you're in a Slump, you're not in for much fun. Un-slumping yourself is not easily done.</span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last year, I went through what may have been the darkest period of my life so far. At the end of September, I lost my uncle and my job on the same day. My relationship with my mom was in a bad place, and my dad was so overwhelmed with grief that he wasn’t always very nice. It felt like my entire world was falling apart. Finally, in November, I was offered a job at a preschool. Things were finally starting to look up; and then I got a phone call informing me that my fingerprints hadn’t cleared due to something that had happened five years earlier. I completely lost it.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The thoughts that went through my head on a daily basis ranged from “your existence on earth is a mistake,” “you have no purpose in this life,” and, the worst, “if you drove your car off a cliff today, nobody would miss you tomorrow.” I finally called up my friend and life group leader Dana and said “I’m not doing well, and I really want to kill myself, and that scares me.” It was the first time, ever, that I’d admitted I was living in the darkness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I tried everything to come back into the light. I read my Bible when I couldn’t sleep at night, I listened to worship music repeatedly, I listened to sermon podcasts, I journaled, I cried, I prayed, and nothing made me feel closer to God. It felt like God wasn’t even a presence in my life. I spent my days eating or sleeping, and I spent my nights crying. I didn’t want to be around anybody, and I hated myself even more every time I looked in the mirror. In February, my grandmother died. Her death opened up childhood wounds that I never had any intention of revisiting. Even after being on medication and being in therapy, I finally decided to end my life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I woke up one Friday morning in March and said, “I’m done, God. I’m done living this life. Where are you? If I’m supposed to be on this earth, you need to prove it to me. I need you to give me a reason to live.” I got in my car and drove to the gym. I checked my phone after the gym and saw that I’d missed a call from the preschool. I listened to the message. My appeal to the state was approved, and I was asked to start work that coming Monday. After six months, God had finally revealed himself, and the plans I’d made to kill myself that day were canceled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I’ve grown in ways unimaginable over the past six months. I’ve learned to love myself and view myself as the woman God views me as. I’ve allowed people in my bubble and I’ve stopped isolating myself. But most of all, I’ve learned that He still holds the whole world in His hands, and He still loves me enough to pull me out of the darkness and back into His light.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">No matter what is going on our lives, God is faithful. He always loves us. We are never alone, and He will deliver us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>For more Life Lessons from Dr. Seuss, check out </i><a href="http://newbreak.org/" target="_blank">Newbreak Church</a>'s <i>sermon series titled<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1668643856"> </a></i><a href="http://newbreak.org/resources/messages/sermon-archive/">Whoville.</a></span><br />
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<b>Slumps can come when we walk through dark places, but sometimes they can come out of nowhere. Dr. Seuss says it's not easy to unslump ourselves, and while I don't think he's an expert in this field, I do agree. We need other people, we need God, and sometimes we need outside help from counselors or physicians. </b></div>
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Erin Flewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788737381363149249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1786262578185013694.post-75573704569986911422013-09-06T15:25:00.000-07:002013-09-06T15:50:39.651-07:00Life Lessons from Dr. Seuss: The Waiting Place<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Congratulations!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Today is your day.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>You’re off to Great Places!</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>You’re off and away!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Life is full of infinite possibilities. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Or at least it seems like that when we start out on the journey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After a few bumps—and a few slumps—and a lot of travel—we find ourselves in the Waiting Place, which Dr. Seuss describes as “a most useless place.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It’s filled with people. People who are waiting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <i> Waiting for a train to go</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> or a bus to come, or a plane to go</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> or the mail to come, or the rain to go</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> or waiting around for a Yes or No</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> or waiting for their hair to grow.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> Everyone is just waiting.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I agree with Dr. Seuss. It is a useless place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know because I’ve been there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I started off my journey with lots of dreams. Someday I was going to travel. Go on a mission trip. Lots of mission trips. Learn Spanish. Get a Master’s Degree. Teach at a university. Write a book. Someday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The thing is, nothing ever changes in the waiting place. Nothing is ever quite right. And so we stay. In the Waiting Place. Waiting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I got very discouraged in the Waiting Place. I started to forget my dreams. It didn’t seem like my life had any purpose. And I asked God, “Why doesn’t anything ever happen?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And God said, “Move.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He didn’t say where to move. How to move. How fast to move. Just move.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And so I started moving.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Every step was hard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Was I moving in the right direction?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Was I doing the right things? Was I making the right decisions?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What if I did something wrong?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The thing is, once we start moving, God starts directing us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That’s what He did for Abraham.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That’s what He’s doing for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That’s what He’ll do for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Moving in new directions means sometimes I don’t know how things will turn out, and I’m sorry, Dr. Seuss’s 98 and ¾ percent guarantee doesn’t always mean things turn out the way I want them to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sometimes I panic because I think I will fail.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sometimes I panic because I don’t know what will happen next.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sometimes I panic because moving ahead is hard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Moving means I encounter challenges I would never have experienced in the waiting place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But I don’t go back.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Along the way, God says,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Trust me. Keep moving.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have plans, but you need to get ready for them. Stay close to me.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Listen carefully, and I let you know which way to turn.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I will create a pathway for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not someday. But now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Even if you can’t see where you’re going, I can.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The journey is long. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Trust me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And so I keep moving.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At times the pace seems incredibly slow, but I am no longer in the waiting place.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you’ll have it all—life healed and whole. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 Peter 1:3-5</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></strong>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>For more Life Lessons from Dr. Seuss, check out <a href="http://newbreak.org/" target="_blank">Newbreak Church</a>'s sermon series titled<a href="http://newbreak.org/resources/messages/sermon-archive/" target="_blank"> Whoville.</a></i></span></div>
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Erin Flewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788737381363149249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1786262578185013694.post-30209744176154144882013-09-06T15:16:00.001-07:002013-09-11T21:28:45.417-07:00Whoville: Life Lessons from Dr. Seuss<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_uTUYTEEEYaMKL7g_7ZO8Zqaxz4SqLxP0MvdgwOJiZaFw6Rtb40REg6lE31wqN8oJ4EOmpcKXJieWPhesIyPD8L5lLONItzbI6EREZFeWPfHmJKKmNWJ23AllY2_CMfRbL2w6JxsJLAB/s1600/dr.+seuss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_uTUYTEEEYaMKL7g_7ZO8Zqaxz4SqLxP0MvdgwOJiZaFw6Rtb40REg6lE31wqN8oJ4EOmpcKXJieWPhesIyPD8L5lLONItzbI6EREZFeWPfHmJKKmNWJ23AllY2_CMfRbL2w6JxsJLAB/s1600/dr.+seuss.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love Dr. Seuss books. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love the rhythm of the stories, the feel of the words rolling off my tongue. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love the made up words. I love the pictures.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've read these books aloud so many times that I still remember parts of them nearly 20 years after my kids stopped clamoring to hear them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And so I was curious when I heard <a href="http://newbreak.org/" target="_blank">Newbreak Church'</a>s sermon team planned to base an entire sermon series on stories from Dr. Seuss--and the Bible, of course.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Life lessons from Dr. Seuss? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Why not? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We can learn from all kinds of sources because God's truth is God's truth. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last week Pastor Mike extracted words of wisdom from <i><a href="http://newbreak.org/resources/messages/whoville/oh-the-places-youll-go" target="_blank">Oh, the Places You'll Go. </a></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then I started writing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The posts are available on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NBgirlfriends" target="_blank">Newbreak Girlfriends Facebook page</a>, but I decided I would put them here too. Some will be from me, but I want to share some from other bloggers too. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By the way, this blog post would be <i>so </i>much better if I could somehow make it rhyme. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can't. </span></div>
Erin Flewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788737381363149249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1786262578185013694.post-32584956713425690762013-08-17T08:53:00.000-07:002013-08-17T08:53:15.175-07:00If Only I Could Grasp the Greatness of God<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0pEQyf8NilRuwlO_W2kXv5ez5O7QKopvcme6jqLth3fFDv6gNwgM7G7DYQ6GPS5j2SuWBR3k2m3gpl5tLLf_g70cg7jqvoZjdzTYqbUfMBvfdh0DBSxwxippDpyFRtYQk5eDYQAgt9jH/s1600/worship+in+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0pEQyf8NilRuwlO_W2kXv5ez5O7QKopvcme6jqLth3fFDv6gNwgM7G7DYQ6GPS5j2SuWBR3k2m3gpl5tLLf_g70cg7jqvoZjdzTYqbUfMBvfdh0DBSxwxippDpyFRtYQk5eDYQAgt9jH/s1600/worship+in+water.jpg" /></a></div>
If only I could grasp the greatness of God.<br />
My default view of God is much smaller than I cognitively know Him to be.<br />
I want to be caught up in the wonder of who He is. The wonder of His creation. The wonder of his power.<br />
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I want to expect the unexpected. To pray for the unexpected.<br />
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I want to delight in the simple. To see the beauty in things I overlook.<br />
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I want to see God's face in every person I encounter. Because each one is created in His image.<br />
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I want to always know that He loves me. That His plans for me are excellent. Even when they are hard.<br />
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I want to be in awe of God's ability to see and know not only me, but every single person.<br />
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He loves me. He knows me. He desires a relationship with me.<br />
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And He loves the people around me. He knows them. He desires a relationship with each of them.<br />
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He loves the people I have never met. He knows them by name. He knows them inside out. He desires a relationship with each of them. <br />
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How can that be?<br />
And yet it is.<br />
It's mind boggling.<br />
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How can I not be in awe?<br />
How can I not fall on my knees and surrender every aspect of my life?<br />
Not just in my mind but in the way I live my life, in the way I respond to stress and work and friends and family?<br />
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How can I not serve Him in every aspect of my life?<br />
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If only I could grasp the greatness of God.<br />
Always. </div>
Erin Flewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16788737381363149249noreply@blogger.com2