faith* fear * feast

2010-09-16T13:00:00.000-07:00

2010-09-16T12:52:00.001-07:00

So,
I'm at Calvin Theological Sem this semester, and i'm ready to buy my 4.0 Logos!!

Indeed it will help me dig deeper into hebrew, greek, exegetical study, and sermon preparation!

Logos 4Mac is ALSO doing this incredible giveaway people -- so check out logos.com and put your order in for the software of a lifetime! ;-)

THANK YOU INDIA

2009-02-19T22:07:00.000-08:00

... Back from cultural immersion...
Back from layers
of pray-ers
wrapped up in rainbow colors draped across coffee-and-cream skin.
Back from peering eyes
deep set
heads bent
They look up
to look at
plain white me.

...Back
and forth...
to carry the curry taste like a passport
as if one stamp, like one taste, will cure the India addiction....
but one stamp is not enough...
one taste makes waste...
of all the more times i must go
..... back.

.

Sarah Palin: the Greek connection

2008-09-10T08:20:00.000-07:00

craziness.
just in time for my recent plunge (back) into the Greek language and amidst the recent swirl of the politcal debates comes a clever, quirky article from the National Review that ties Greek and the Repubican party together.

Or Greek and the Palin Party together.

Greek and Palin.

Apparently, the Greek word for re-birth in New Testament Greek is "Palingensia."

The article goes on to joke: Is this perhaps a prophecy in Bible code? Could it be a favorable omen for the Republican party? (These days it is probably wise to explicitly state that I’m kidding . . .)”

well, there u go. a laugh-out-loud connection.
I laughed, at least.

wireless wisdom.

2008-08-29T08:21:00.000-07:00

First of all, wi-fi at Mc Donald’s is not free.

$3.11 for 2 hours.

Just so ya know. if you were hoping to duck in for a mocha and a quick, free visit to the web. Perhaps the first is still enjoyable (yes, they have good Mochas! Do not judge me), but you can check the latter off your list.

Also, check off getting your wisdom teeth pulled out.

With their removal came just more holes in my life. Needing to be filled. And so, with the ever-slow, pain-killer-filled process followed by nausea and puking from the couch, awakens the new me. Fresh off the ‘ole couch. And realizing that with the loss of my wisdom comes the promise of much more to gain. At year #2 in seminary. Woo hoo!

Some may argue that I was under the influence of meds when I chose to accept the teaching position at my local WI high school just a few weeks ago. Yes, the very high school which I graduated from not many light years ago. I accepted the teaching position via the phone from my finishing-up weeks in Hawaii. A real passionate, exciting idea it was in my mind. But alas, I hit the ground running from the moment my plane hit the ocean-less, mountain-less WI ground.

And I felt the force of revelation hit me like I ran into a tree: an awakening. I was not prepared to teach. And, as I realized, passion for something is not a substitute for proper preparation.

It was humbling, disappointing, and challenging to admit that I made the wrong decision. But as I seem to travel through life in a mad series of circles (and dashes), I soon found myself back-tracking, reversing, or, u might say, propelling ahead once again to plan A. Back to seminary in Holland, MI with the subject I love. With the friends that have helped form, free, and find me in so many ways, and a lot of stories to share straight from the island of Kauai.

It’s now been a week since I lost my wisdom (teeth).

But, with the promise of inspiring classes on the way, and a new language (Hebrew) to add to my in-the-process body art, I take a deep breath. and smile. The smile a mixture of pain meds, mocha latte, and more tattoos to come. And the reminder from the Beloved today that He has made me glorious. Not sure that I see the latter, but hey, I now have more space to let Him work His magic.

And I have a GPS now.

So, maybe I can stop traveling in circles. For a while.

Let’s remember the words of our late friend: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: “One lives but once in the world.”

Is It WORTH IT?!

2008-08-08T02:04:00.000-07:00

Along the way to hiking to the most amazing falls E*V*E*R, me and the youth group ( pretty huge, scott and rach):) nearly didn't make it due to hunger. i mean really. no joke. a 7 hour hike, folks. think about it.

But....we found: dun dun dun: MOUNTAIN APPLES! yayaaah!
So...here is us...trying to get them down from the very high trees!
And then,-- it paid off. the waterfall cascading down from, I don't know, maybe 1,000 feet?!! I mean, HOW BIG IS GOD, people? that's what i'm saying.

It was, by the way, worth it.

2008-07-15T12:14:00.000-07:00

Saturday night, July 12 ~ Enjoying the Obon season festivities -- the dancers of all ages, sizes, and race make their moves in the bon dance ring, easing into the movement in time with the slowly fading sun. Lights, drums, food, laughs, action!

Glenn, Mary, and I enjoy the Japanese food (aka, corn dog?!) and excitement of observing a much-esteemed tradition. This Buddhist tradition comes from the legend of a man dancing for joy holding a bon (aka, round tray piled with food) after he set his mother free from hell due to his penitence on her behalf...

But I wonder how many people actually know that story.

I also enjoyed the really beautiful temple; beautiful people; beautiful costumes and rich display of the many cultures of which the Hawaiian island wears like its heart on its sleeve! Like Joseph and the "coat of many colors," I find that Kaua'i is indeed draped with a coat of many cultures -- each shade and hue highlighted by different ethnic groups, island locations, and rich heritage that drapes the island in mysterious beauty. Enjoy!

room for thought...with Rumi

2008-06-28T13:29:00.001-07:00

always an inspiration, I came across this poem by the Persian poet, Rumi:
...who is "You"? well, You tell me.

Only You

Only you
I choose among the entire world.
Is it fair of you
letting me be unhappy?

My heart is a pen in your hand.
It is all up to you
to write me happy or sad.

I see only what you reveal
and live as you say.
All my feelings have the color
you desire to paint.

From the beginning to the end,
no one but you.

Please make my future
better than the past.

When you hide I change
to a Godless person,
and when you appear,
I find my faith.

Don't expect to find
any more in me
than what you give.

Don't search for
hidden pockets because
I've shown you that
all I have is all you gave.

Preach it sista!

2008-06-24T14:09:00.000-07:00

~ As I wrestle with whether I am indeed being called to preach, and as i wonder about my feelings of women preaching that shift inside me like a fault line and hesitate like a teeter totter, I embrace this hilarious little forward that one of my extremely gifted and spirit-led chicas sent to me...
Feel free to laugh out loud. I did. And still am.

(if you are in a more conservative circle, perhaps read it on your own time -- heh heh).

Ten Reasons Why Men Should Not Be Ordained For Ministry
10. A man's place is in the army.
9. The pastoral duties of men who have children might distract them from the responsibility of being a parent.
8. The physique of men indicates that they are more suited to such tasks as chopping down trees and wrestling mountain lions. It would be "unnatural"for them to do ministerial tasks.
7. Man was created before woman, obviously as a prototype. Thus, they represent an experiment rather than the crowning achievement of creation.
6. Men are too emotional to be priests or pastors. Their conduct at football and basketball games demonstrates this.
5. Some men are handsome, and this will distract women worshipers.
4. Pastors need to nurture their congregations. But this is not a traditional male role. Throughout history, women have been recognized as not only more skilled than men at nurturing, but also more fervently attracted to it. This makes them the obvious choice for ordination.
3. Men are prone to violence. No really masculine man wants to settle disputes except by fighting about them. Thus they would be poor role models as well as dangerously unstable in positions of leadership.
2. The New Testament tells us that Jesus was betrayed by a man. His lack of faith and ensuing punishment remind us of the subordinated position that all men should take.
1. Men can still be involved in church activities, even without being ordained. They can sweep sidewalks, repair the church roof, and perhaps even lead the song service on Father's Day. By confining themselves to such traditional male roles, they can still be vitally important in the life of the church.

2008-06-19T16:09:00.000-07:00

Lyche trees! the fruit is deeelicious :)

Pastor Glenn....showing just how big the winning "jack fruit" was (which he proudly picked) from last year's island fair

Glenn and his grandson Steele Jay (his name is as cool as he is) picking me some fresh papya!

My book club:) Marjery; Margaret, Cathy (in back) and Mary:) 1st book: "3 Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin(absolutely a must read!)

"Somewhere...over the rainbow..." -- how fitting to see a prism of God's promises scrolled atop the weekly 7:30 a.m. line up for food at the food pantry held at the Church of the Pacific (COP)

2nd week

2008-06-19T13:27:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe that I've been in Kaua'i for 2 weeks now. today, in fact. I need to catch y'all up on my experiences. Here's some thoughts from the very first days -- and a perspective into the atmosphere here at the Church of the Pacific (COP).

I was introduced to the island by the beloved group of friends of which I feel I could immediately and can belovedly call family: Caroline and her grandkids Lilly and Rachel. They showed me some of their favorite views and allowed me to take in the hues of the beautiful blue ocean both from afar and into the depths of it -- snorkeling, splashing, and picking up sea cucumbers and swimming amidst schools of fish with Lilly. If only I could describe this awesome, chaotic, tornado-like family with better descriptions...they make me feel at home with their 14 cats, 2 dogs, 1 rabbit, the exercise machine plopped in the middle of the living room, and enjoying ice cream and noodles at 10:30 p.m. Laughter is free and the pains in my belly after I leave their house are due from the amount of chuckling I get to take part in with them.

If i ever write a novel, they'll be in it!

*The first worship service I experienced*

The relaxed and welcoming worship service and style of the COP (church of the Pacific) washed over me like the beach waves had the previous afternoon. The early morning sun beamed from atop the mountains facing me -- the picturesque scene is the reward for all who sit in the seats -- inspiration for an artist to paint a masterpiece, and I didn’t feel guilty for looking out the window like a wayward child – but loved, in receiving a message of the Creator’s love for little ole me.

The Church of the Pacific is unique in the fact that the members and attenders operate somewhat like a revolving door – some stay for 4 months, then stay on the mainland for the remaining 8; some pop back through the doors, magnetically, every year or 2 years, and still others are first-time visitors taking in the tropical paradise and just looking for (and usually, always feeling that they found) a Sunday morning service to substitute for their normal place of worship on the "mainland."

I think that’s part of the mystery and awe, which this small, window-filled church seems to contain. When up in front of church, I catch an equally awesome view looking out the opened, double doors of the church entrance: bursting past the doors, past the grass and fresh flower trees, past the Princeville golf course greens that roll like countless, larger-than-life turtle shells, and beyond the ocean. Whether there’s 20 or 30, or less gathered, there’s a holy sense of wonder that I’ve yet to put my finger on – as Carmen beautifully strums the harp, Glen props up the baritone, and Cathy’s fingers lean deeply into the ivory keys of the black grand piano.

It’s small, to be sure, and the choir is a 12-person crowd at best, even inviting early newcomers to quickly grab a black folder and join the choir practice before church – which takes place every Sunday morning around 8:15, just through the kitchen entrance. Judging from the small number of singers, one may assume that the gurgling pot of coffee (brewed for those who need a jolt before the after-church java juice) would drown out the music – but never fear, for the sopranos and descants are here: belting out their wavering praise -- and their large-print flowered dresses (uniquely fashionable in Hawaii) move in rhythm to their swaying bodies. The leading elderly men bravely bring in the baritone.

The closing of the church service always contains singing a Hawaiian hymn/song, and everyone in church (that day -- for one never knows who will join us the next) is invited to hold hands and encircle the church room.

It’s quaint, but not cliché.

And as I stand in front of the "congregation," which seems too big of a word to call our gathering, I stand at the front podium looking out past the opened doors to the ocean and I feel, that like the waves that follow the paths toward the shore, I too rolled in these doors for a reason, compelled and pulled into this magnetic field of faith.

*******

Having arrived in Kauai, shuffling over to Dick and Cathy’s house for about 2 ½ days and trying to get used to the 5 hour (earlier) Pacific time,I was then whisked off to Maui after the first Sunday service at the Church of the Pacific. Though I was uncertain about what to expect at the Aha Pae’aina youth camp (which, after the camp, I finally learned that the ever-intimidating Hawaiian word merely meant ‘big gathering’, God once again stretched me to make room inside my soul and then fill it with His presence through the lives of amazing people.