Why can't we all be like baby ducks

This baby duck is selfless... Watch it feed the carp

Our Journey

Sometimes it just doesn't make sense until it applies to your own life.

Within the past few days, I've had reason to take a journey into my past. No, I didn't go on some trip to my ancestor's homeland to discover my roots; and no, I didn't discover some long-lost diary that exposes some deep, dark family secrets.

I went on this excursion sitting in front of my computer screen. How does that work, you may ask. It's simple really. I went to work transferring old digital images from cds that have been sitting around for ages, transferring them onto a more reliable storage medium. (In case you're wondering, yes, that's how I roll.)

What I wasn't prepared for was the frame of mind this little organizational task would put me in. You see, I once again was looking at parts of my life (and some people in my life) I really would rather forget. I remembered who I was at those times. I remembered the relationships I engaged in during those times. I remembered things that are still apart of me, even though they are years past. Needless to say, I ended up mentally beating myself up again for things I cannot change. My day and my mood was swiftly headed downhill.

Gradually the awakening began, prompted something other than my own self. I realized how grateful I am for current things in my life, especially in such contrast to these times in my past that were staring me in the face.

I cherish the healthy relationships I have currently. I am thankful for the community of people following God that I am able to be an active part of. I am amazed by the amount of growth that has begun and continues in me by the grace of God.

And I think I was about due for the reminder that I do live a good life. If it had to happen by facing the ghosts of my past, then so be it. I am glad for the heart check.

If you were around to hear Chris Coli speak on "Story," then hopefully these thoughts will make you revisit your own thoughts that were inspired by that series. Otherwise, hopefully it will cause you to examine your own life, where you are, where you've been and where you're going.

Myanmar's steps forward

Currently, the people of Myanmar are still living in the midst of disaster, but there is hope. That hope is what is fueling this post. It is important to not give in to the idea of despair.

My hope is that the information included here will serve as an update on the situation as it progresses, but also as a reminder to pray.

Some aid is getting through to the people of Myanmar. One of the fears in the aftermath of this disaster, is that people will die from untreated injuries or from disease spreading via poor living conditions. Reportedly, a medical team from Thailand will be allowed into the worst-hit area of the country. Although it is a small step, it is a step forward.

There has been much discussion about the government junta's misuse of the monetary and goods aid that is pouring into the country from foreign countries. Recently the government announced that they will allow workers to come in from the surrounding countries to distribute aid. Although it is a small amount, some cargo flights carrying supplies have been cleared for entry into the country.

The biggest demonstration of caring, however, seems to be coming from within the country itself. Although the junta is stalling help, the people of Myanmar apparently have stepped up into the existing need. It is reported that people who have already suffered through losing loved ones or their own homes, have joined the effort to help. These people who have already gone through so much are setting aside their own worries to help those who are even less fortunate than themselves. That is a huge example for the rest of the watching world and even the ruling government of Myanmar. The citizens are stepping in where others currently cannot or will not.

Please continue to pray for these people. We do not have to admit to understand this situation in order to bring it before God in prayer. My other encouragement is to keep an eye on the news and as more aid is allowed into the company, please consider donating to the cause.

Captivated

I am so excited to be writing my first Chard and compass blog, here I go!

A well known fact about me is that I am pretty obsessed with Jason Mraz, and not just his music. He shares something special with this planet, he has a beautiful way of looking at life and I have gained much insight from him. (if you are a fan and not aware of his rad blog check it out here)

Let me explain further - I had an ah-ha! Mraz moment last week when I attended a Shawn McDonald concert at my old church, University Covenant Church in Davis. I had been looking forward to the concert for a long time to catch up with old friends and to experience Shawn’s music in person. Shawn has written some wonderful songs that are my life theme songs (am I the only one who has theme songs? – I know I am not alone - you know you do too!) anyway back to the concert, I was waiting to hear Take My Hand, and as soon as the first chord started I whipped out my camera to record the song through my cameras video feature and I saw many around me do the exact same thing. Cell phones and cameras were all around me. All these people were digitally trying to perfectly capture the moment. There I was front row at an amazing concert, filled with God’s presence and what was I doing but watching and experiencing it all through the little screen on my camera, to make sure I captured this moment on my little camera and I had a sudden memory that jerked me back to reality….

A year or two ago while at a Jason Mraz concert, Jason stopped playing and turned on the house lights and chatted with the crowd. He wanted to tell us a story. Once when he was traveling in Egypt he was spending time at the Pyramids, he was taking his time to soak in being in such awesome presence of these monuments. Jason watched as many tourists came through to see the sites and would be carrying their camera, pulling it up to try and capture the perfect picture, being unhappy with the lighting in the first, deleting the picture they had taken and then trying again, after that process finally finding one they were content with and then the tourist would walk away from the pyramid looking at the image on their camera screen, not at the actual thing standing in front of them. In this moment Jason decided to LIVE life and SEE it and he lives in a way that is not rushed and tries to capture moments in his memory not memory SD stick. At his concert he encouraged us to do the same, stop taking his picture, stop recording the song and feel the music, to be in the moment with him, to dance and sing and to experience life in the instance. I was shook to reality in that moment and I thought about all the times I was so focused on capturing an image on my camera I did not fully experience the moment, the music, the view, the people. I tried to change, yet I found myself once again trying desperately to have Shawn McDonald on my little camera screen and in doing that failing to enjoy the entire moment and being in that place at that time. I need to continue to remind myself to be in the moment, to slow down and enjoy the moment that God has made.

My Karen Friends

My friend Ian found this video and sent it to me. It is some of the Karen people I met while I was in Thailand. My heart has been heavy these past few days with all that is going on in Myanmar (Burma) but seeing this video gave me so much joy. In this video you see some of the most oppressed people in the world singing Amazing Grace what a beautiful sight/sound

How to help with Myanmar (CLICK ME!!)

Hey all I'm sure you know what is going on with the situation in Myanmar. in the picture you see here we are outside an orphanage that has most likely been destroyed by the storm. As you know Our church is very involved with the country. I am writing this because I think it would be a shame if we sat by and did nothing. Crosswinds has already started moving on getting a check cut for $5,000 dollars. What a blessing that is. I do think that we can go above and beyond our giving. (for some of us it maybe a good time to start giving) I feel like if we can each give 100$ we can really make a difference. If you want to make a donation click the link above. I know money is tight right now but I think we can pull this together even if it is a small amount. Sorry if this post is a jumbled mess but time is an issue right now. FYI World vision is one of the few faith based NPO's being let into myanmar right now and thats why we have chosen to use them (plus they are pretty friggen awesome)
Much Love
Joshua
One last thing if you do donate money for myanmar let us know about it in the response not to be a bragger but maybe to encourage others to give

Myanmar News

Recently a natural disaster has torn through the country of Myanmar.

The most interesting thing about the situation is that this situation may provide a way for foreign countries access to the country, even if it is for a short time. Apparently there has already been a call for international aid, but from what I understand, the ruling party of Myanmar has not given express permission for people to enter the country yet.

Although this is a huge tragedy and many people's lives have been altered or destroyed; please pray that God will be continuing to use this situation for His plan.

A link to a news article is included if you would like more information.
http://license.icopyright.net/user/viewFreeUse.act?fuid=OTk0MTAz

Myanmar Campaign

Updated information surrounding the issues in Myanmar. Check out this website for current info: http://uscampaignforburma.org/

Included in the above page is also the celebrity campaign to raise awareness of what is going on within the country. Each day for the next 30 days a new video will be premiered, each featuring a different public voice who has given time for this cause.

Hey Boat... Where have you been?

I saw this picture today and it stirred something inside of me. To be honest anything that has to do with the ocean usually will get some sort of positive response from me. I look at these run aground boats and wonder, What have you seen? What is the weirdest thing that has ever happened to you at sea? Who made you? Did you ever come close to sinking? I think of the sweat and labor that went into the creation of these wave warriors. I hope when I get older I am not silent like these boats. I hope I keep telling stories upon stories of the wonders I have seen and the waters I have traveled. I would rather sink to the bottom doing what I love than be silent on the shore.

this is why i'm adopting...

Is blush the new pinkberry?

My friend Scott said "pinkberry is what snow should taste like" if
this is true I hope blush tastes like God's white fluffy hair.

You're that good...

I think Sunday night's discussion is bigger than the hour and a half we put into it... if you're reading this then you have obviously thought about questioning this thing deeper... keep going...



” if you’re human, you’ve been entrusted with living in the center of all creation… a difference than being the center of all creation, but living there… if you’re human, you’ve been made by someone who thinks you’re “very good”…. All of creation hasn’t done anything yet to “be good” and the one who made it calls it good, or very good in our case.

God has an idea of what life will look like, but before it has even begun to unfold he is already pleased with what he sees.

This sounds a lot like making a cappuccino, you know what I mean? If I’m asked to make a cappuccino, which often times I have a personal desire to do so, I know what I’ll need…

Freshly steamed milk, with an oh so creamy melted ice cream texture to it, but not too hot now!…. Espresso shots pulled to a golden brown perfection… oh the crème’ looks great after it has pulled into the cup for about 25-28 seconds, with a 3 second pre-infusion of course….. let’s not forget that once the espresso is in the cup and I am free pouring my rich milk that different designs will just inherently bubble to the top and I will be left with a unique cup full of what looks to be a thick marbled masterpiece! Are you with me??!

I don’t have to take a single sip of that cappuccino to know it will be good, which would be weird with someone standing there anyways… not because I am so full of myself as a barista but because I know what it is I have “poured” into the cup both ingredients and decisions on what/how/when/timing/design…. In fact, I am trusting the one who has received the cappuccino to do with it what it was meant for… enjoying it without limit…. It would be weird if I drank some of it and told them how to do it…I can just look at it and believe they will see what I see….

This is the place we live in as Christians…. That this barista God of ours loves what he has made, remember He calls it “very good”, places us at the center of his creation and even goes as far as to say we are his “masterpiece”…

Give a stranger a hug

The other day I got a call from my wife, she told me that she hugged a total stranger. My first thought went to her thinking she saw someone she knew and ran up and gave them a hug and it ended up being a stranger. (This once happened to me but I gave a guy a slap on the backside cos I thought it was my friend Shane the guy turned around and it was not my friend and I looked like a total weirdo) This was not the case. Carrie saw a guy on her way to work who was sobbing. She said to the man "I don't want to intrude... but are you ok? The sobbing man said he has had a really bad day. Carrie then wrapped her arms around the man and gave him a hug. This is love... This is Jesus.
I don't write this to brag about my wife (although she is friggen bomb) I share this because I think a lot of times we tend to see the sobbing man on the street, put our head down and walk on. Or sometimes we say to our selves "I should pray for that person" but forget to do that. My point is... take action. Im not saying go hug every person on the street, Use discernment and keep watch for the opportunity to love.

Continuing the conversation

This is a conversation that shouldn't be left behind.

I completely agree that people come to a deep personal relationship with Christ in different ways. Just like Chris Coli said in Sunday's talk, there are certain things that we, as followers, should be pursuing, but how we go about doing them can be very different.

(begin slight digression)
This idea became clearer in my mind while listening last night. We allow for individuals to be different, the hobbies they enjoy, the jobs they want, their favorite colors, the music they listen to; pretty much, the right to enjoy what they enjoy. People are believers in individuality, showing it in many ways.

So, how come this doesn't often extend into the Church? There is the idea that one must look a certain way or do certain things in order to be a "proper" Christian. But this isn't true, God is the one who spent the time to make each one of us unique, to give us each different likes and dislikes and strengths and weaknesses. For me personally, my strong point isn't being up front leading; instead, my leadership skills are best used behind the scenes, organizing things and following through. I'm not supposed to be the person on stage. That's who I am, that's how I'm made.
(end slight digression)

I want to flesh out the main idea with an example from my own experience: the world of design.

Having the design software or a brand new Mac doesn't make you a designer. Just like doing the "best practices" doesn't make you a Christian. Carrying your bible with you everywhere, getting up at 4 a.m. and praying doesn't make you a Christian.

We're different, there's other stuff involved.

Graphic designers learn in different ways: school courses, books, web resources, job experience or even just messing around with the program, trying stuff out. In fact, this seems to be one of the only fields where an applicant can either have a college degree or the same number of years of working experience. My point is, there are different ways to become a graphic designer, depending on how you learn. Just like there are different ways to talk to God (pray), different ways to spend time being quiet with Him, different ways to worship and different ways to interact with the bible.

There's no formula to follow that will guarantee a healthy ongoing relationship, just as Chris pointed out. We know that, as Christians, we need to pursue God, but how we engage in that looks different for each one of us.

I think part of individual faith maturing is coming to grips with being made individually and pursuing God through the methods he calls to us through, not just what we see others doing.

in thought,
faye

What beauty is

Society spreads lies about beauty in human form.

Individuals are told what they should look like every single day, when staring at advertisement. The point that must be achieved is always perfection, always something out of reach of the average individual. In pursuit of this, people spend money to achieve, they may choose the path of surgery, they may sink into depression because they don't match up or they may develop eating disorders as a result. So many people end up looking in the mirror each day and are continually disappointed by what they see. It's damaging and it ends up being such a huge part of how we see each other, how we see ourselves.

I have been thinking about this problem in terms of society in general for awhile. My realization is that some of the people who are a part of this very same society have started fighting back, starting to expose the lie. It's encouraging to me that there is a backlash against these ideals that have been perpetuated for so long.

Dove's "Campaign for Real Beauty" / (www.campaignforrealbeauty.com): The most interesting thing about this is that this is a company within the beauty industry, fighting from the inside out. They are standing among their peers and saying there is a lie behind what the industry says. Also, they strive to use real people, normal people in their advertising. One of the videos from the campaign is below, more are on the website.


"You Are Beautiful" project / (www.you-are-beautiful.com): This project is more subversive in a way, simply because of the way it is being dispersed. It relies on individuals getting behind the project and supporting it. What would your thoughts be if a random intrusion into your day was an out of place sign or sticker with the words "You Are Beautiful"? Would it make you think?

"We Are Loved" / (www.weareloved.info): Many reading this post will have some familiarity with the project, or may even own a shirt with this logo. It still deserves introspection though as a reminder. Much of this project is focused on the fact that there is something worth living this life for, that there is a reason for even being alive. It is something to inspire our interactions with others, our artistic expression and also our view of ourselves. The meaning in our life changes when we realize that we are loved, that we are not just on our own.

"Love Wins" is an idea that came from Rob Bell at Mars Hill Church: Despite all the bad in the world, the idea that love is greater than all of it. It is a greater force than anything we can experience. It presents the idea of living this out in human life, interacting with others with this idea in mind. It challenges us to think about what that would actually look like, to practice love towards all of God's created individuals.

Psalm 139:14 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." This is how our creator, God, sees His creation, us. As followers of Christ, do we (do you, do I) actually believe this as truth? It is not an easy thing to accept, not an easy thing to understand. But, like all of the great things God has for us, if we do the work to wrestle with it, our lives become fuller/richer and we are able to live within the reality that God has created for us.

In thought,
faye