Finding Rest

I'm tired.  it's that point in the summer really.  camps have been going in full force, I've got another one next week...not only that, the football season is about to launch and with Mandy taking on the cheer role, its added different challenges.

don't get me wrong, I'm excited, really am.  it's so cool to see where our lives are at, and how God has blessed us and given us opportunities to love on His people.  one of the things I'm so thankful for is my default when I'm tired.  my energy level started dipping about 45 minutes ago, as did a bit of my spirit as I was overcome with the workload on me for the week and rather than thinking about what craptastic food I could go consume, I thought about going to the gym for 30 min or pounding out an 8 min ab routine...this one being a favorite:

 

even after not consuming the garbage and thinking about what exercise I could crank out, I found myself breathing deep and resting in Christ.  as crazy as it seems, I find myself taking more moments to rest in Jesus, the busier I am.  I don't know if it has anything to do with I'm far more aware of my need for the presence of the Spirit then or what...but I'm definitely grateful for the presence and assurance of the Spirit in the midst of the exhaustion and massive task list. 

 

do me a favor and say this with me...no one will die if it doesn't get done today.  what a relief huh?  the more I tell myself that, the more freedom I've given myself to take those moments and rest in Christ.  go figure...

Read More

momma didn't say anything about this

what a week.  momma never, ever, ever told me there would be days like this.  ever.  i'm not sure my momma even knew days like this existed.  multiple shootings in a few days.  2 guys i know arrested.  as i sat across from a mentor/counselor today, seeking his prayers, counsel and encouragement, while sharing my last few days, his jaw began to drop...i don't think his momma ever said anything about days like this.

the range of emotions these last few days has been training.  thank the Lord that we had 'happened' to schedule a sabbath for me today.  i've been off thinking, sleeping, reading, and praying about the things that have happened.  i've rejoiced over guys who weren't involved and mourned a bit about those who were involved.  i've tried to be a voice of encouragement to those in our community and tried to be honest with my own fears and concerns.

here's what i know though....

1. we aren't leaving.  sorry mom.  this is our community, we won't be scared away from it.  we won't worry about what will happen to us because this is not all there is.  i know there is a kingdom that is here and that is coming that shows me this way of living is passing and a kingdom of love reigns.  we're not leaving because Jesus is a beast and he's King...'nuff said.

2.  i'm still not ok with this.  i'm still not ok with young men shooting each other.  i'm still not ok with kids being left without positive male mentors, without fathers.  i talked with a guy just 2 weeks ago about his needing to be around for his daughter because she needed her dad.  his eyes filled with tears as he shared with me that he never knew his father.  then just last week he was arrested.  fatherlessness can become a nasty cycle.  we need to see some of these young men re-fathered.  and we know just  Who can do it.

here's what i need from you.  check out the B. Moore Project web-site.  Give, help us paint a new picture of manhood, help us transform our community.  second, watch this video...Odd Thomas is a beast, lives in Portland...and we need to spread this message, that God replaces and heals all that we go through.  whether we are young men without fathers or young girls with abusive fathers...God takes care of that.

Read More

YML

Friday has quickly become one of my favorite days of the week.  Not because it is the start of the weekend, but due to the time I get to spend with the young men over at Roosevelt High School.  These cats crack me up, inspire me, and motivate me to continue to be more, so that I can in turn encourage them to be more in the midst of their daily challenges and struggles.

we've been working through different chapters in the 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader by John Maxwell.  we've covered a few qualities and each week as I prepare...i'm challenged myself.  reading through John's quick short chapters and reflecting on different things we can do with the young men or the things ways we can relate it to them and their situation...i find myself stopping and thinking.  wow, i could really use some of this advice.  i ask myself how can i apply it; to my parenting, my husbanding, my leading, my dreaming, pastoring and creating.  i love that when i spend time there, its never as an expert, but as one who is on the same journey.  i've just been on it a little longer.

love the Young Men Leaders at RHS.

Read More

snowballs, snowmen, and community

so it snowed.  i have all kinds of comments but apparently my mocking has struck a nerve ;) anyway.  whenever it has snowed and i've then gone to work; i've expected something. i've expected every kid, who is loving their free day from school to take some of that snow, wad it up into a spherical shape and then see if they can hit my moving golf-cart ride.  so this time...this time, i prepared myself.  i made snowball after snowball while i waited for the compactor to finish its job.  I would head out armed and prepared...

the utter joy that ensued was wonderful.  i loved watching these kids light up when i not only didn't yell at them for hitting my cart, but got out of the cart wielding my own ammunition.  i spent half of the day smiling and laughing as kids would chase me and my cart around the property seeing if they could get me.  the kids made snowmen, big ones, small ones.  they made snowballs.

you know, that story, it will never make the news.  stories of kids of 4-5 different ethnicities and cultures building snowmen in the middle of our park won't make any of the news sites or news shows.  Because those stories are reserved for the nice neighborhoods.  Stories from our neighborhood are usually reserved for tragedies.  Yeah, i went there.  I celebrate our neighborhood, I celebrate the fact that kids all over New Columbia in North Portland, played, laughed and were united together in joy and peace...playing.  Something small, I know, but there was a common language today.  A language of fun, of seeing what could be made with snow, of laughter.  In a small way, this was a moment of community building if there ever was.  I wish I could have stopped working and gathered all the kids from all over the property for an epic snowball war right in the middle of McCoy Park.  It was wonderful watching them today.  There was no fear, no worry.  They had a blast...and you know what...so did i.

i love my neighborhood.

Read More