You know how every so often, you have one of those days where it seems you have all the time in the world. For me, today has been one of those days. This morning I decided to take a long drive in the country to clear my head and think about upcoming events. I was able to walk away from the experience refreshed and re-energized. I also walked away from the experience with more questions than I had answers, which is not a bad thing.
So, as an added treat I decided to go to the local book store. The book is called Stones into Schools, it's a followup from the book Three Cups of Tea.
A group of us will be traveling in the coming weeks to Missouri for a weekend conference with the author and watch him accept an International Peace Ward handed out by the Community of Christ.
If you have not read Three Cups of Tea, I would highly recommend it. It gives an interesting perspective about those living on the other side of the world. It also gives an insider perspective on the events of September 11th.
I will keep you posted on how the other book is. If it is half as good as the first it should make for an interesting read.
You know facebook can be a powerful tool. Today I noticed one of my dear friends was having a bad day. It was obvious by his status updates. So being a good friend, I decided to call him.
Not to go into to many details, but he said he appreciated the call more than I would ever realize. Needless to say tears were shed on both ends of the phone. It was a great conversation that I would not have given the world for, I hope he knows that.........
Next month (November) I will be participating in an event called "Give It Up," to benefit Outreach International, Here is what the event description says.... "What would you be willing to give up for one month if you knew it could change someone’s life? How about wearing make-up, or one meal a day, or that second Diet Coke?
Join with people of all ages as we “Give It Up” for the month of November to raise $10,000 for Outreach International.
The concept is simple: each person pledges to Give Up one thing for the month, and re-direct the money we would have spent on that item as a contribution to OI. Giving up our luxury item for November and generously sharing that money helps OI in their mission of creating Sustainable Good throughout the world and promotes the spiritual discipline of sacrificial giving within our own lives."
I will be giving up bottled water and switching to a reusable water bottle. I realize that's really giving up something. It's the thought that counts. So if you see me out and about, you know what's going on.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Oh, What a Week
This week has been one for the record books. Last weekend I was at Camp Bountiful for the Fall Young Adult Retreat. It was awesome, there was a good spirit with us. We learned about the five love languages. To find yours you had to take a short survey. My was quality time, which surprised me in a number of ways. So I have committed myself to discover what that means and how I can best apply that to my life.
On Tuesday, most of the way through the day I am asked to go on an assignment to take photos of the flood wall and a team of people that are inspecting the wall. I get done taking the photo and one the way back to my car, I step into a pot-hole and severely sprain my ankle. After that I went back to work and finished a number of things I had going that day. Throughout that time the pain got so bad that I was convinced a bone had been broken.
So after work I went to SOMC Urgent Care to get it checked out. An hour later I was informed nothing was broken only severely sprained.
This morning I went into work a little later than normal.....While walking though my house I somehow jammed my little tow into a door. It has been back and blue all day.......
So, if you are wondering yes it has been a good week and here is hoping for an injury free rest of the week.
On Tuesday, most of the way through the day I am asked to go on an assignment to take photos of the flood wall and a team of people that are inspecting the wall. I get done taking the photo and one the way back to my car, I step into a pot-hole and severely sprain my ankle. After that I went back to work and finished a number of things I had going that day. Throughout that time the pain got so bad that I was convinced a bone had been broken.
So after work I went to SOMC Urgent Care to get it checked out. An hour later I was informed nothing was broken only severely sprained.
This morning I went into work a little later than normal.....While walking though my house I somehow jammed my little tow into a door. It has been back and blue all day.......
So, if you are wondering yes it has been a good week and here is hoping for an injury free rest of the week.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Sometimes it takes me forever to do anything
I have to admit sometimes it takes me forever and a day to get somethings finished. I have been working for a while to clean my house. Some attempts have been somewhat successful while others barely make an impact.
Other examples include my car, sometimes I let my car get WAY to dirty. With my job I travel a lot, so its easier to throw wrappers in my backseat with the notion I will clean it out when it gets super bad.
Books, it takes me on average about a month to read a book. Currently I am reading "Three Cups of Tea," by Greg Mortenson and David Relin. Plans have been made to go to a weekend conference in October to see Mortenson accept an award and hear about his travels.
This weekend I will be traveling to Camp Bountiful to spend time with some of the greatest people I know. I am also looking for great things to come out of this weekend.......So here is hoping for a productive couple of days......
Other examples include my car, sometimes I let my car get WAY to dirty. With my job I travel a lot, so its easier to throw wrappers in my backseat with the notion I will clean it out when it gets super bad.
Books, it takes me on average about a month to read a book. Currently I am reading "Three Cups of Tea," by Greg Mortenson and David Relin. Plans have been made to go to a weekend conference in October to see Mortenson accept an award and hear about his travels.
This weekend I will be traveling to Camp Bountiful to spend time with some of the greatest people I know. I am also looking for great things to come out of this weekend.......So here is hoping for a productive couple of days......
Monday, September 20, 2010
Happy Monday
I am having my car worked on AGAIN today.....There is a leak somewhere and it's causing some issues. Here's hoping this will fix things. Besides a new House comes on tonight, with new Maroon 5 music coming out tomorrow. Along with the Young Adult Retreat this weekend. Happy Monday
Friday, September 17, 2010
Sometimes The Things People Do Just Bother Me
Let me start this out by saying I am going to talk in general terms with no specifics...
Over the past few days somethings have been happening to a place I hold dear to my heart. The things that have happened are a result of people being greedy and wanting something that is not there's. These people do not care what is in there way, and left a path of destruction that will likely take weeks to fix.
As a result of these actions other measures will have to be taken to ensure it does not happen again. That disturbs me. I have come to know this as a safe place, a place where I can bee free of fear.
Whoever is doing this, does not know what this place means to me and a large number of people.
Over the past few days somethings have been happening to a place I hold dear to my heart. The things that have happened are a result of people being greedy and wanting something that is not there's. These people do not care what is in there way, and left a path of destruction that will likely take weeks to fix.
As a result of these actions other measures will have to be taken to ensure it does not happen again. That disturbs me. I have come to know this as a safe place, a place where I can bee free of fear.
Whoever is doing this, does not know what this place means to me and a large number of people.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
I Choose To Be Revolutionary
It's a work in progress......
What does it mean to be revolutionary? To me, it means to lead yourself and sometimes others to a new way of thinking on certain issues, or to look at something from a new perspective.
One of the things I find amazing about Community of Christ camps, is how quickly the participants come together to form a community that will only grow in strength. Looking back on the experience I believe the participants of Spectacular 2010 were able to form a community divinely created, to see the gospel how its supposed to be lived out.
The formation of the community became evident on Wednesday night when President Steve Veazey was moved by the spirit in such a way that prompted him to tell of an experience he had with the Holy Spirit during that service.
I can only somewhat remember what was shared, but early on you can tell it was going to be something important.
Many people after that experience used it as a reference point for the camp. In the fact where were no boundaries between us (everyone that was there), only love. It was interesting, because he shared in devotions with the West Pony delegation after the service. Much laughter and tears were shared during those devotions.
That experience served as an eye opener for me. I have been struggling with the concept of vulnerability. To be comfortable enough with myself and my surroundings to truly be who I am. One of the daily themes was revolutionary vulnerability as a result my understanding has been further developed, I will not say I am there yet but I am on my way.
Other daily themes included, Revolutionary invitation, inclusion, grace, generosity and life.
On Tuesday night a campus wide worship was held in the football stadium. President David Schaal gave the keynote address. The offering during this year helped SPEC become the first large donor to the churches human trafficking fund. Over $5,000 was raised.
I had no idea of this prior to SPEC but James Mulholland was in attendance. By chance he was at my branch several years ago to do a workshop and I purchased his book, 'If God Is Love.' This summer I picked it up for the first time to read. It was neat to get to spend time with him and pick his brain about the book. The good news is that I was able to finish the book while I was there.
To quote the book, "I need to get out of the pew and into the world. The religious were to be agents of transformation rather than allies of the status quo....The problem with waiting is that nothing really changes. The problem with the change is that it requires our involvement." To me those lines speak of being revolutionary.
There is a great deal of things, I could about this revolutionary camp. But to make a long story short, SPEC this year reaffirmed to me why I am a member of this church. Because of the community that was created and because of the love that was shared on and off the court, I believe we have all heard the message loud and clear. It's time for a new way of thinking. It's time for us to be the change this world needs to see...
What does it mean to be revolutionary? To me, it means to lead yourself and sometimes others to a new way of thinking on certain issues, or to look at something from a new perspective.
One of the things I find amazing about Community of Christ camps, is how quickly the participants come together to form a community that will only grow in strength. Looking back on the experience I believe the participants of Spectacular 2010 were able to form a community divinely created, to see the gospel how its supposed to be lived out.
The formation of the community became evident on Wednesday night when President Steve Veazey was moved by the spirit in such a way that prompted him to tell of an experience he had with the Holy Spirit during that service.
I can only somewhat remember what was shared, but early on you can tell it was going to be something important.
Many people after that experience used it as a reference point for the camp. In the fact where were no boundaries between us (everyone that was there), only love. It was interesting, because he shared in devotions with the West Pony delegation after the service. Much laughter and tears were shared during those devotions.
That experience served as an eye opener for me. I have been struggling with the concept of vulnerability. To be comfortable enough with myself and my surroundings to truly be who I am. One of the daily themes was revolutionary vulnerability as a result my understanding has been further developed, I will not say I am there yet but I am on my way.
Other daily themes included, Revolutionary invitation, inclusion, grace, generosity and life.
On Tuesday night a campus wide worship was held in the football stadium. President David Schaal gave the keynote address. The offering during this year helped SPEC become the first large donor to the churches human trafficking fund. Over $5,000 was raised.
I had no idea of this prior to SPEC but James Mulholland was in attendance. By chance he was at my branch several years ago to do a workshop and I purchased his book, 'If God Is Love.' This summer I picked it up for the first time to read. It was neat to get to spend time with him and pick his brain about the book. The good news is that I was able to finish the book while I was there.
To quote the book, "I need to get out of the pew and into the world. The religious were to be agents of transformation rather than allies of the status quo....The problem with waiting is that nothing really changes. The problem with the change is that it requires our involvement." To me those lines speak of being revolutionary.
There is a great deal of things, I could about this revolutionary camp. But to make a long story short, SPEC this year reaffirmed to me why I am a member of this church. Because of the community that was created and because of the love that was shared on and off the court, I believe we have all heard the message loud and clear. It's time for a new way of thinking. It's time for us to be the change this world needs to see...
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Giving A Hand Up Not A Hand Out
"The finest gift you can give anyone is encouragement. Yet, almost no one get the encouragement they need to grow to their full potential. If everyone received the encouragement they need to grow, the genius in most everyone would blossom and the world would produce abundance beyond our wildest dreams," -Sidney Madwed.
One of the organizations I have become involved with in recent years is the Scioto County Chapter of Habitat For Humanity. One of the goals of habitat is to help break the poverty cycle in our community for qualifying and deserving families.
This group of people have and will continue to do great things in this community, by helping people realize what some have called the American Dream. The dream of homeownership.
The group has constructed seven houses in Scioto County and are looking to possibly build another another house in the fall.
One of many things that impresses me about this organization is that it's not a hand out organization.
The families that are interested have to apply and submit a amount of paperwork to that habitat can look over each application to see if the family will meet habitat standards.
Once the families qualify and are accepted by habitat. They begin a partnership that will last a lifetime. The family support committee then helps guide the family through the construction process.
In order for a family to qualify they have to be willing to put in as many as 350 "sweat equity" (labor) into the construction of their home. This way the future homeowner is not only invested but also vested in their home.
One of the biggest misconceptions about habitat is that it gives away the homes it builds. That is not true. The reality is that habitat holds a mortgage on the home for as much as 30 years. The number of years and the monthly payments are based on what the family can afford based on income.
Habitat does not believe in pricing the houses to the families to the point were it put the families further down the poverty cycle. It's our goal to help break that cycle not contribute to it.
Poverty is a huge issue in this community and it will take organizations like Habitat to stand up against it, and work to a solution.
Does habitat have all the answers when it comes to the issue of poverty, no. Can Habitat come to the table to help find a solution to the answer yes.
There are many aspects to habitat and there are many many people that help and have helped make the organization what it is today.
For more information about the Scioto County Habitat For Humanity visit www.sciotohabitat.org.
One of the organizations I have become involved with in recent years is the Scioto County Chapter of Habitat For Humanity. One of the goals of habitat is to help break the poverty cycle in our community for qualifying and deserving families.
This group of people have and will continue to do great things in this community, by helping people realize what some have called the American Dream. The dream of homeownership.
The group has constructed seven houses in Scioto County and are looking to possibly build another another house in the fall.
One of many things that impresses me about this organization is that it's not a hand out organization.
The families that are interested have to apply and submit a amount of paperwork to that habitat can look over each application to see if the family will meet habitat standards.
Once the families qualify and are accepted by habitat. They begin a partnership that will last a lifetime. The family support committee then helps guide the family through the construction process.
In order for a family to qualify they have to be willing to put in as many as 350 "sweat equity" (labor) into the construction of their home. This way the future homeowner is not only invested but also vested in their home.
One of the biggest misconceptions about habitat is that it gives away the homes it builds. That is not true. The reality is that habitat holds a mortgage on the home for as much as 30 years. The number of years and the monthly payments are based on what the family can afford based on income.
Habitat does not believe in pricing the houses to the families to the point were it put the families further down the poverty cycle. It's our goal to help break that cycle not contribute to it.
Poverty is a huge issue in this community and it will take organizations like Habitat to stand up against it, and work to a solution.
Does habitat have all the answers when it comes to the issue of poverty, no. Can Habitat come to the table to help find a solution to the answer yes.
There are many aspects to habitat and there are many many people that help and have helped make the organization what it is today.
For more information about the Scioto County Habitat For Humanity visit www.sciotohabitat.org.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)