What do I want to be about? I am challenged by this question on several levels. In church today, I was thinking about what is it that I am more passionate about than seeking Jesus? I love Jesus, don't get me wrong... I love to worship, grow and be challenged to walk the talk. Is my pursuit of Jesus the biggest thing in my life though? What takes first place?
First place is probably tied across several areas... I am passionate about education. Early childhood education specifically. I don't know why, but I become irritated when I see educational practices that are not appropriate. The educational system in general is greatly flawed. This is why reform keeps happening. We can't seem to perfect the "system," partly because we do have to "systemize" it.
Advocating for children is another passion of mine. Children who do not have a voice and are trapped in situations that they are not responsible for. From irresponsible parents to commercialized sex slaves, I want to change the world - but alas, it is much too big for me.
Marriage is another passion of mine. Seeing couples growing in unity together, living out marriage the way God intended. Working through stuff, being real and vulnerable with each other, building each other up. Too many people live in insecurity within the most precious relationship they should have. They react out of self-preservation and attack instead of protect. Your spouse is not your enemy, but there is one who has determined to make you think otherwise.
One way to identify passion is to determine what gets your goat. What makes you mad? What irritates you? It doesn't matter how noble the cause, if it takes a stride ahead of my desire for Jesus, it is not properly prioritized.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
What is Kindergarten?
Play is the purest, most spiritual activity of man at this stage and, at the same time, typical of human life as a whole—of the inner hidden natural life in man and all things. It gives, therefore, joy, freedom, contentment, inner and outer rest, peace with the world. It holds the sources of all that is good. A child that plays thoroughly, with self-active determination, persevering until physical fatigue forbids, will surely be a thorough, determined man, capable of self-sacrifice for the promotion of the welfare of himself and others. Is not the most beautiful expression of child-life at this time a playing child?—a child wholly absorbed in his play?—a child that has fallen asleep while so absorbed?
As already indicated, play at this time is not trivial, it is highly serious and of deep significance. Cultivate and foster it, O mother; protect and guard it, O father!" The name Friedrich Froebel gave to his system of education for children ages three through six; means “garden of children.”
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Saturday, March 12, 2011
Millions are suffering while I clean my light fixtures...
Yes, I am spring cleaning. I was thinking about all the troubling, heart wrenching things going on in our world. The tsunami that has brought with it loads and loads of devestating destruction, the sex trafficking epidemic, seeing in print yesterday that 1 in 6 Americans are hungry... All of this is going on while I tediously take my light fixtures apart and hand wash each and every fixture piece.
I was just commenting earlier today that I don't know where to start with all the needs... what should I do? I don't feel like I have time, and yet with the first few hours I find without homework - I am cleaning my light fixtures.
Something is so wrong with the way we live here. Middle Class Suburban America - we gave our Saturday away to maintaining the central vac, cleaning carpets, dusting ceiling fans, scouring window sills and cleaning light fixtures. All of these things have to be done in order to be good stewards of the things we have, but our priorities are askew. In fact, we are waaayyy off target.
The problem is, when Jesus commands us to sell all that we have and follow Him, does He mean it literally in our culture? Am I so caught up in fear and comfort that I refuse to acknowledge that command for what it is?
It seems easier to think in terms like these if I was feeling called to serve in a bush country somewhere overseas where people survive in huts with dirt floors on a daily basis. Yes, Jesus, I will follow you there. But, He is calling me to follow Him HERE, and I can't figure out what that really looks like.
I was just commenting earlier today that I don't know where to start with all the needs... what should I do? I don't feel like I have time, and yet with the first few hours I find without homework - I am cleaning my light fixtures.
Something is so wrong with the way we live here. Middle Class Suburban America - we gave our Saturday away to maintaining the central vac, cleaning carpets, dusting ceiling fans, scouring window sills and cleaning light fixtures. All of these things have to be done in order to be good stewards of the things we have, but our priorities are askew. In fact, we are waaayyy off target.
The problem is, when Jesus commands us to sell all that we have and follow Him, does He mean it literally in our culture? Am I so caught up in fear and comfort that I refuse to acknowledge that command for what it is?
It seems easier to think in terms like these if I was feeling called to serve in a bush country somewhere overseas where people survive in huts with dirt floors on a daily basis. Yes, Jesus, I will follow you there. But, He is calling me to follow Him HERE, and I can't figure out what that really looks like.
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