So, it has officially been a year since I moved to the Land of Lincoln. What have I learned? Hmm...let me try to summarize...
-Midwesterners prefer to be called "midwesterners," not "yankees." :)
-Although the Chicago accent can be quite nasaly, it can be gotten used to.
-Winters suck!
-People up here don't drive trucks. In a place where it snows 12 inches at one time, you would think the contrary.
-Illinois-ians can actually be quite friendly--especially in the suburbs. However, don't get in their way on the road. "Aggressive, aggressive, aggressive" is their motto.
-Hills are pretty non-existent, so forget mountains. However, there are some very pretty prairie lands.
-Winters suck!
-Chacos are a rare treasure. When you find someone wearing them, you automatically become BFF.
-Killer mosquitoes live here. One night in the course of 30 minutes, I somehow achieved 15 bites!
-Great places to lay out in the sun are few and far between. The Illinois version of me is much whiter.
-Did I mention winters suck???
To be continued. Deeper life lessons to follow....
Friday, August 27, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
sacrificing our children
Ezekiel 16:21: "You slaughtered my children and sacrificed them to the idols."
Everytime I read of child sacrifice in the Old Testament, I cringe. When I think back to the history of the Israelites, I can't help but think how barbaric some of the customs were during that time. In Leviticus God had to give a specific command to the Israelites not to sacrifice their children to the god Molech. I mean, a specific order was needed not to kill your kids in the name of religion? It seems a little extreme to me. Yet, the nations that were surrounding the children of Israel were given such an influence that the Israelites found themselves doing just that. They got caught up in the cultural rituals and the worship of other gods--to the point of sacrificing their own offspring.
In today's time, it's hard for us to imagine such a thing. We seem to have advanced "above" such practices. Yet, when I went to China in 2005, I heard stories of families who would leave their unwanted deformed or handicapped (or female)babies out in the cold to die of exposure. I couldn't believe that went on in the world that we live in. Those are ancient practices, barbaric rituals of the past, right? How could this possibly go on in our advanced society? Yet, in the work I do with crisis pregnancies, I recognize that is far from the truth.
Every day the counselors in my office sit across from women who participate in the same rituals the Israelites did so long ago. They find themselves sacrificing their children, but it is given a different name these days. Now, it is called abortion.
These children are placed on the altar of selfishness, resources, timing, income, relationships, etc. These children are sacrificed to idols that our society has erected and our cultural influences have deemed "politically correct." These women are prasied for placing their children there and are then left utterly alone to pick up the pieces from their choice.
So, yes, as a society have have advanced leaps and bounds. Yet, throughout history some patterns seem to never change. Although it's very easy for me to look at Israel and stand in judgement of all their choices, I recognize that I am no different. I struggle with the same issues that they did; they just take a different form. I fight the same influences each day; they just aren't in the shape of graven images or false idols. They come in concepts and desires, influences and relationships. They are dangerous, sneaky, and lethal, sometimes disguising themselves as good, light, and true. It requires diligence, discernment, and strength.
Ephesians 5:10-14: "For you once were in darkness but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light...have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them...everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. That is why it is said: 'Wake up O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'"
Everytime I read of child sacrifice in the Old Testament, I cringe. When I think back to the history of the Israelites, I can't help but think how barbaric some of the customs were during that time. In Leviticus God had to give a specific command to the Israelites not to sacrifice their children to the god Molech. I mean, a specific order was needed not to kill your kids in the name of religion? It seems a little extreme to me. Yet, the nations that were surrounding the children of Israel were given such an influence that the Israelites found themselves doing just that. They got caught up in the cultural rituals and the worship of other gods--to the point of sacrificing their own offspring.
In today's time, it's hard for us to imagine such a thing. We seem to have advanced "above" such practices. Yet, when I went to China in 2005, I heard stories of families who would leave their unwanted deformed or handicapped (or female)babies out in the cold to die of exposure. I couldn't believe that went on in the world that we live in. Those are ancient practices, barbaric rituals of the past, right? How could this possibly go on in our advanced society? Yet, in the work I do with crisis pregnancies, I recognize that is far from the truth.
Every day the counselors in my office sit across from women who participate in the same rituals the Israelites did so long ago. They find themselves sacrificing their children, but it is given a different name these days. Now, it is called abortion.
These children are placed on the altar of selfishness, resources, timing, income, relationships, etc. These children are sacrificed to idols that our society has erected and our cultural influences have deemed "politically correct." These women are prasied for placing their children there and are then left utterly alone to pick up the pieces from their choice.
When I come face to face with women who are I am burdened for these women and the influences that have played a part in their decision. I am burdened for these children who were never given a chance. I hope that one day we can awaken to the reality of our situation and recognize the altars we have erected. For some it will have already been too late....
So, yes, as a society have have advanced leaps and bounds. Yet, throughout history some patterns seem to never change. Although it's very easy for me to look at Israel and stand in judgement of all their choices, I recognize that I am no different. I struggle with the same issues that they did; they just take a different form. I fight the same influences each day; they just aren't in the shape of graven images or false idols. They come in concepts and desires, influences and relationships. They are dangerous, sneaky, and lethal, sometimes disguising themselves as good, light, and true. It requires diligence, discernment, and strength.
Ephesians 5:10-14: "For you once were in darkness but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light...have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them...everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. That is why it is said: 'Wake up O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'"
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Book Review: "Princess"
I recently read a book entitled "Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia." It was recommended by a man who came to do a training at work on Muslims. I was curious to read this real-life recount of Muslim culture expressed in the Middle East. What I didn't realize was how much it would impact me.
I walked away from reading this book feeling like I had taken a peek inside the life of "Sultana," a Saudi Arabian royal princess. That peek left me feeling burdened for the women who are forced to live behind the veil. Sultana's life was filled with luxury and privilege, yet she was in bondage and unfulfilled.
Women in Saudi Arabia are treated as second-class citizens, with the cultural preference always being given to males. Women are forced to be completely veiled upon the time of their first menstruation. They may be given in marriage at any point after that and there is no age limit on the husband they may be married to. In Saudi Arabian society, if women rebel and commit any form of impropriety by violating Sharia law (Islamic regulations), they may be stoned, drowned, or placed in a darkened locked room for the remainder of their lives by their family members. (to find out more about Saudi Arabian laws for women there are several sites on the Internet)
Unfortunately, some of Sultana's friends find out the reality of these consequences. To hear the stories of these women's lives will leave you forever impacted.
Now, after the book is read and the last page is turned, I couldn't help but ask myself, "What can I do?" Sultana hired the author of this book, Jean Sasson, write her story for her. She hoped that someone would read it and the real lives of Saudi Arabian women would be exposed to the world. That was in 1995. Fifteen years later I'm not convinced that much has changed. I watched a special on the news recently of a reporter who traveled to Saudi Arabia this year. She observed that at the hotel she was staying at only the men were allowed to swim. While the men were splashing around in their swim trunks, their wives, who were veiled from head to toe in the sweltering Middle Eastern heat, merely dipped their toes in the water. Perhaps these were more Sultanas aching for their story to be heard as well.
With that said, what can I practically do to help? Here I am in suburban America, thousands of miles away both physically and mentally. I won't be booking any flights to Saudi Arabia anytime soon, yet does that keep me from doing something about it? I know that I won't ever fully be able to understand the culture or the implications of it all, but I can't seem to shake Sultana's story.
The last thing I want to do is to rush in with my "American Savior" mentality, seeking to rescue the women and push my cultural influences on them. So often we think we as Westerners know better, when perhaps there are several ways of bringing about change (and it doesn't necessarily mean ours is the best!). Yet, at the same time, I don't want to be immobilized by this thought and refuse to do anything altogether. Ideally, I would love to see the Saudi women rise up and bring about change amongst themselves. The most effective cultural shifts come from within.
So, how do I incorporate both of these--self-discipline to not "come to the rescue" while not forfeiting my momentum to see change brought to these women?
I think the best yet most simplistic answer is prayer. Although I can't rush over to Saudi Arabia right now, I can lift these women up to in prayer at any moment. I serve a God who is ever-present and hears the cries of His people. He sees the oppressed and broken and is able to lift them up. He is able to bring about change when all seems lost. This is the easiest yet most powerful way that I can reach out to help.
The second way that I can "do something" is to raise awareness. Before I read this book, I had no idea what was going on in Saudi Arabia. Since then, my knowledge has helped shape my understanding. Recently, I ran across an article in the news about an Iranian woman who is sentenced to be stoned to death any day now. Iran operates under some of the same Sharia laws as Saudi Arabia. The Western world has protested the stoning due to the fact that the woman was previously punished and later seemingly unjustly charged with the stoning offence. (See http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/middle-east/Irans-Judiciary-Halts-Stoning-of-Woman-For-Now-98203444.html for more info) I can't help but wonder if this would be happening if the suspect was a man.
In the end, what can I do? Pray and spread the word. Talk to people about meaningful things--injustice, oppression, need. Sultana would perhaps be proud that her story still affects people 15 years later. I try not to think about the possibility that she may be disappointed at how little things have changed so far. She risked her life to share it with others...what am I willing to do in exchange?
Sunday, June 20, 2010
"In our hearts, Lord, in this nation
Awakening
Holy Spirit, we desire
Awakening
For You and You alone
Awake my soul, awake my soul and sing
For the world You love
Your will be done, let Your will be done in me"
These are the lyrics to a Chris Tomlin song called "Awakening." Tonight I decided to listen to the Passion Awakening CD and this was the first song that popped up. I couldn't help but resonate with these words.
It seems like God has been stirring up something within me. I don't want to be satisfied with mediocrity. Even more, I don't want to be satisfied with just being "good." I want something deeper. I want to be part of a grand plan. I don't want to just settle for comfort or ease.
I'm not sure what all the implications may be, but I know that it won't be easy. Yet, although it may be a difficult road to walk, it will be a beautiful one. And I'm excited about the journey!
Awakening
Holy Spirit, we desire
Awakening
For You and You alone
Awake my soul, awake my soul and sing
For the world You love
Your will be done, let Your will be done in me"
These are the lyrics to a Chris Tomlin song called "Awakening." Tonight I decided to listen to the Passion Awakening CD and this was the first song that popped up. I couldn't help but resonate with these words.
It seems like God has been stirring up something within me. I don't want to be satisfied with mediocrity. Even more, I don't want to be satisfied with just being "good." I want something deeper. I want to be part of a grand plan. I don't want to just settle for comfort or ease.
I'm not sure what all the implications may be, but I know that it won't be easy. Yet, although it may be a difficult road to walk, it will be a beautiful one. And I'm excited about the journey!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
lessons from David
Lately, I have been reading through some of the Old Testament. There are certain parts of the Bible that I have re-read several times--Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel usually aren't included in that list! So, I have been journeying back through some of those less-read books. I just finished 2 Samuel last night and today I can't seem to get the closing lines out of my head. You know when you finish watching a movie and the characters or quotes just seem to linger with you? That's where I'm at right now.
Let me give you a little background. Here's what went down:
God spoke through a prophet to David, telling him to build an altar to on a threshing floor that happened to be owned by another man. So, David goes to visit this man and asks to buy his land that the threshing floor is located on. Since David is the king and he is coming with such a noble purpose of building an altar to God, the man offers to give David the land for free (I mean, who doesn't offer to give the king anything he asks for...especially if he's known for being an expert warrior!) Yet, David refuses his offer. Instead, he replies, "...I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing." So, he gives the guy some money for the land and some of his oxen and there the altar is errected and the burnt offering made. And the story ends happily ever after...or at least a plague that had been hitting up Israel was averted.
So, here I am, finishing up this book and I am left with it lingering in my head. Just like those famous quotes of "Hasta la vista, baby" or "Life is like a box of chocolates," I can't seem to get over David's starring line. At the close of the book, he rolls in with something that just keeps running over and over... "I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing."
And I'm left feeling the same as if I had just watched an epic film. I am gripped with the honesty, character and loyalty of the main character. I not only enjoyed the journey of reading the details of his life, but I want to emmulate him. I am compelled to be the person that says, "I will not offer God something that cost me absolutely nothing."
Yet, how difficult is that for me to do? I honestly don't encounter that much sacrifice on a daily basis. I live in a society of convenience and prosperity. Even my faith is filled with comfort and ease. To contrast this, I look at David's time. At the close of 2 Samuel, David and his people had just endured a plague that cost them a lot of lives. Yet, despite the state he was in, he still wanted to give an offering that came with a price. How much more difficult is it for me to do the same?
Not only does this Old Testament passage challenge me, but I look to the New Testament and the words of Christ as well. In Luke 14, He says: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple...any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple."
Those are tough words to swallow. Although, I don't believe Jesus is asking us to loathe everyone we come in contact with, I believe that He is calling us to give all we are to Him. Our love for friends, family, job, things, and even life itself should pale in comparison to our love for Him. The love that we exhibit to Christ should be so great that it would seem like our love for anything else would resemble hate. And that is an offering that costs something.
Can I live up to the challenge? Honestly, no. I get used to things being easy. Yet, by God's grace and the nudging of His Holy Spirit, He is calling me to something deeper. To get there, it's going to cost me something. It may be time, it may be money, it may be pieces of myself that I want to hold on to....it could be any number of things. But one thing I know is this--I want to offer myself to God because He has offered Himself to me. He has already paid the cost for the offering by giving His life. That compels me to give my own. His sacrifice did not just cost Him something, it costs Him everything...and He compels us to do the same.
"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it." Luke 9:24
Let me give you a little background. Here's what went down:
God spoke through a prophet to David, telling him to build an altar to on a threshing floor that happened to be owned by another man. So, David goes to visit this man and asks to buy his land that the threshing floor is located on. Since David is the king and he is coming with such a noble purpose of building an altar to God, the man offers to give David the land for free (I mean, who doesn't offer to give the king anything he asks for...especially if he's known for being an expert warrior!) Yet, David refuses his offer. Instead, he replies, "...I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing." So, he gives the guy some money for the land and some of his oxen and there the altar is errected and the burnt offering made. And the story ends happily ever after...or at least a plague that had been hitting up Israel was averted.
So, here I am, finishing up this book and I am left with it lingering in my head. Just like those famous quotes of "Hasta la vista, baby" or "Life is like a box of chocolates," I can't seem to get over David's starring line. At the close of the book, he rolls in with something that just keeps running over and over... "I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing."
And I'm left feeling the same as if I had just watched an epic film. I am gripped with the honesty, character and loyalty of the main character. I not only enjoyed the journey of reading the details of his life, but I want to emmulate him. I am compelled to be the person that says, "I will not offer God something that cost me absolutely nothing."
Yet, how difficult is that for me to do? I honestly don't encounter that much sacrifice on a daily basis. I live in a society of convenience and prosperity. Even my faith is filled with comfort and ease. To contrast this, I look at David's time. At the close of 2 Samuel, David and his people had just endured a plague that cost them a lot of lives. Yet, despite the state he was in, he still wanted to give an offering that came with a price. How much more difficult is it for me to do the same?
Not only does this Old Testament passage challenge me, but I look to the New Testament and the words of Christ as well. In Luke 14, He says: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple...any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple."
Those are tough words to swallow. Although, I don't believe Jesus is asking us to loathe everyone we come in contact with, I believe that He is calling us to give all we are to Him. Our love for friends, family, job, things, and even life itself should pale in comparison to our love for Him. The love that we exhibit to Christ should be so great that it would seem like our love for anything else would resemble hate. And that is an offering that costs something.
Can I live up to the challenge? Honestly, no. I get used to things being easy. Yet, by God's grace and the nudging of His Holy Spirit, He is calling me to something deeper. To get there, it's going to cost me something. It may be time, it may be money, it may be pieces of myself that I want to hold on to....it could be any number of things. But one thing I know is this--I want to offer myself to God because He has offered Himself to me. He has already paid the cost for the offering by giving His life. That compels me to give my own. His sacrifice did not just cost Him something, it costs Him everything...and He compels us to do the same.
"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it." Luke 9:24
Saturday, June 5, 2010
asking the right questions
So, someone got onto me for not updating my blog....sorry about that! Here is a post to appease the masses! :)
Lately, I have been challenged about "asking the right questions." Recently, I took a quick trip home to TN to visit my Dad who had back surgery last week. During my 9+hour ride in the car, I listened to a sermon series called "It's Personal" by Andy Stanley. (It was a very interesting series and I would definitely recommend it.) During one of his sermons he used the text from Matthew 18:1-4 where the disciples ask about which one of them will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
In this passage, the disciples came to Jesus with a very important question...or at least so they thought. At the time, the disciples believed Jesus was going to take over the Roman Empire and be the reigning King. He would come in with military power and establish an earthly kingdom where he would rule with authority. With this thought in mind, they were curious as to which disciple might be most favored in the future reign. They wanted to know who would sit at His right hand and serve alongside Him. (Basically, they were asking, "Who is your favorite? There has to be a Teacher's pet, right?")
As usual, Jesus responded to them with something they weren't quite expecting. He didn't call someone's name out or even scold them for asking such a question. Instead, He placed a little child in front of them and said, "whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
The disciples were trying. They didn't always have things right and sometimes they didn't even have the purest of intentions. However, they got the chance to live and walk alongside Jesus Christ. (What a privelege!) So, if those who saw Him tangibly can screw things up so royally, how much more am I capable of?!
Looking at this passage challenges me to seek to ask the right questions. Just like the disciples, I want answers that will appease me. I want to know "why this?" or "what's that?" when it comes to the Kingdom and its Ruler. Yet, I have to ask myself, are those the right questions? Is my focus in the right place? I wonder how different Jesus' response might have been if the disciples asked, "How can we best serve Your kingdom?" Or "What can we do to help establish it in this place?"
So, although, I know I will continue to ask a lot of "wrong" questions, I'm extremely grateful to serve a God that takes time to place a lesson in front of me and gives me grace to try again. And try again I will...
Lately, I have been challenged about "asking the right questions." Recently, I took a quick trip home to TN to visit my Dad who had back surgery last week. During my 9+hour ride in the car, I listened to a sermon series called "It's Personal" by Andy Stanley. (It was a very interesting series and I would definitely recommend it.) During one of his sermons he used the text from Matthew 18:1-4 where the disciples ask about which one of them will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
In this passage, the disciples came to Jesus with a very important question...or at least so they thought. At the time, the disciples believed Jesus was going to take over the Roman Empire and be the reigning King. He would come in with military power and establish an earthly kingdom where he would rule with authority. With this thought in mind, they were curious as to which disciple might be most favored in the future reign. They wanted to know who would sit at His right hand and serve alongside Him. (Basically, they were asking, "Who is your favorite? There has to be a Teacher's pet, right?")
As usual, Jesus responded to them with something they weren't quite expecting. He didn't call someone's name out or even scold them for asking such a question. Instead, He placed a little child in front of them and said, "whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
The disciples were trying. They didn't always have things right and sometimes they didn't even have the purest of intentions. However, they got the chance to live and walk alongside Jesus Christ. (What a privelege!) So, if those who saw Him tangibly can screw things up so royally, how much more am I capable of?!
Looking at this passage challenges me to seek to ask the right questions. Just like the disciples, I want answers that will appease me. I want to know "why this?" or "what's that?" when it comes to the Kingdom and its Ruler. Yet, I have to ask myself, are those the right questions? Is my focus in the right place? I wonder how different Jesus' response might have been if the disciples asked, "How can we best serve Your kingdom?" Or "What can we do to help establish it in this place?"
So, although, I know I will continue to ask a lot of "wrong" questions, I'm extremely grateful to serve a God that takes time to place a lesson in front of me and gives me grace to try again. And try again I will...
Friday, April 9, 2010
life update
i'm sure some of you are curious how chicago has been treating me lately...well, i will try to give you a mini-update.
first of all, i moved here under the pretense that i would be working as an Assistant Director of Counseling at a pregnancy center. i didn't realize at the time i was hired that my boss, the Director of Counseling, would soon be taking a 3 month maternity leave. so, i hit the ground running--learning my job as well as hers. then, we lost one of our employees unexpectedly. another one had a baby. so, we're running 3 pregnancy centers with a skeleton staff. and...by the way, another person is leaving soon. wow. that's a lot of change since August! (by the way, i work at a lovely place of employment--please don't think all these people are leaving b/c it's horrible!)
so, needless to say, i have learned a lot professionally...and it's only just begun. i have been forced to think outside of the box and be resourceful. i have tried to navigate a lack of resources and done my best to keep us afloat. everyone has pitched in and made it a team effort. i am so grateful to work with such gracious women of God!
i guess you could say that professionally, i've gotten a crash course in non-profit work. personally, i've had my own crashes to deal with as well! i have had to adjust to a new way of living and a new city. i have sought to build friendships and find community...while not losing the ones i already have. i have gone church-shopping and service-hopping. i have been challenged relationally, theologically, and emotionally. wow. that's a lot of change since August!
however, through all of this, i am blessed because i know i am learning...and hopefully changing for the better! change is a wonderful, painfully beautiful catalyst...a surgeon's scalpel at times, but one that helps remove some of the cancers of our lives (or at least forces us to wake up to the reality that they are there).
so, that's just a small slice of where i've been over the past 8 mos. i'm sure there's even more ahead for me to look forward to! thanks for all of you who have prayed for me or supported me through this process. i am so grateful for you.
first of all, i moved here under the pretense that i would be working as an Assistant Director of Counseling at a pregnancy center. i didn't realize at the time i was hired that my boss, the Director of Counseling, would soon be taking a 3 month maternity leave. so, i hit the ground running--learning my job as well as hers. then, we lost one of our employees unexpectedly. another one had a baby. so, we're running 3 pregnancy centers with a skeleton staff. and...by the way, another person is leaving soon. wow. that's a lot of change since August! (by the way, i work at a lovely place of employment--please don't think all these people are leaving b/c it's horrible!)
so, needless to say, i have learned a lot professionally...and it's only just begun. i have been forced to think outside of the box and be resourceful. i have tried to navigate a lack of resources and done my best to keep us afloat. everyone has pitched in and made it a team effort. i am so grateful to work with such gracious women of God!
i guess you could say that professionally, i've gotten a crash course in non-profit work. personally, i've had my own crashes to deal with as well! i have had to adjust to a new way of living and a new city. i have sought to build friendships and find community...while not losing the ones i already have. i have gone church-shopping and service-hopping. i have been challenged relationally, theologically, and emotionally. wow. that's a lot of change since August!
however, through all of this, i am blessed because i know i am learning...and hopefully changing for the better! change is a wonderful, painfully beautiful catalyst...a surgeon's scalpel at times, but one that helps remove some of the cancers of our lives (or at least forces us to wake up to the reality that they are there).
so, that's just a small slice of where i've been over the past 8 mos. i'm sure there's even more ahead for me to look forward to! thanks for all of you who have prayed for me or supported me through this process. i am so grateful for you.
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