HOPE drives

What drives you?

Rich told me today that he has to wonder why I am the way I am. And I retorted that I also wonder the same of him. I think that is just the nature of marriage, and living with another human being. We all tic the way we do because of a number of things; our family, our genes, and our situations in life. Even two people growing up together may handle the very same situation completely different; in the same way that those who grow up completely opposite may also handle the same situation the very same. We all have heros, life changing events, moments; and these all occur at different times and places, based on what I believe, is God's sovereignty in putting them there to make you who you are.

So it is, with my busy personality, that he wonders why I never stop. I came to a concise conclusion during the sermon today which out of Romans 8, pointed us to the fact that we have a hope- which is obviously not seen, because what is hope in something that is already seen? It isn't hope at all.

And so I have this hope, not just in the spiritual sense which does of course trump all other hopes, but I have hope in life. I truely hold strong faith in many things and avenues of exciting potential for life that I simply cannot stand to waste my life not pursuing them, almost to the point of error.

I cannot watch much tv, I cannot spend too much time doing the same thing as there is too much else out there to not be a part of. I cannot have one best friend (besides Rich:), and I cannot stand to take the Bible as I know it, and not search for more great truths yet to be learned.

God's Word has given us so much to uncover, that we scarcely understand all that He intends. I hope also that my life will be worth something to those who it touches, in the way of impact and inspiration, and as I know that no one leads others by sitting around and staying stagnant; I also cannot do this.

I think we all can have faith and hope in life that true joy comes from knowing our God, and the ability He gives us to learn about and contribute to this world He's created to order.

Motives

So as we often discuss with people who are yet to be married, or now have been for sometime, the topic of 'motives' driving this union inevitably come up. We all have our grounds for 'why' we do the things that we do, and can argue quite reasonably (at least I'd hope so). But sometimes our reasoning sounds so good in our heads, while out loud really just stinks.

We just got through a sermon series at our church going through Ephesians, and of course then ending on the topic of spiritual warfare in chapter 6.

Well one of the tactics of spiritual warfare which I believe bids us much frustration in life, is that of our very own thought life and self talk. Ephesians 6 tells us that we must prepare for the battle we are fighting against the enemy; taking on faith, which quenches the fiery darts of the wicked one. And so we must drown out also, the ways of selfish talk that comes from every angle around us, predisposing us to a life of unhappiness while seeking self gratification 24/7.

How hard it is, for us to forget ourselves, and put others in front of our pressing desires so natural to strive for. Within reason, we of course must maintain what we must to live and be able to serve; but then as in most relationships, with marriage it is supposed to be about the 'giving,' and not so much the taking (although receiving on the other end does make for an easier time together).

We read books, including the Bible, influencing our ways of thought and helping us transform our innate pursuit of egotism, and slowly we realize that it is more blessed to give than to recieve, that encouragment indeed breeds reciprocal encouragment, doing to others often ends up in the same treament being directed back, and so on.

But behind the motives of anything can still creep in slightly selfishly hinted desires. Money, recognition, and of course love, are not bad things, but alone can drive us to stomp on those we love to receive them; which in turn does just exactly opposite of what was initially intended.

And so as in marriage, I often wonder how much of our minds are really ready to just lay down all we are, when at the marriage alter, to ensure that this person we share our vows with will enjoy their life to the best of their ability, and become better through it. As Christ followers we are to take up our cross and die to our own self while putting others first, as His love allows us to do. If we focus on His sacrifice and our purpose in this life, it is easiER, and much more then gratifying for all!

God help us remember that! If we don't, we will suffer, for noone is more miserable that those who are in a rutt to seek out the best life for theirself. Even the most moral of human beings regardless of spiritual beliefs knows this. And so as those who know the very God of heaven and earth who has given us a real purpose in life AND death, we must live in reflection of His sacrificial love and mercy to those both deserving and undeserving; for we ourselves, also are not deserving for such love. It is mercy we've been given, and so we must give it back!

Rejoicing like a strong man to run its race

I can't say that yesterday I ran what I did in Durham's annual 8k race, with complete rejoicing as in a strong man running his race. I do, however, give thanks to the Lord for strength to run, for a community of people who enjoy the same sport, for beautiful weather, and an opportunity to come together for an overall enjoyable event.

Again, I believe running points to SO many life analogies. I signed up for this race awhile back, with the great 'intention' of pushing myself to train hard, in hopes of some sort of prize. Now not knowing what the competition would be, nor having the experience of running an 8k length before, combined with lack of motivation to push myself against the wind which gives no frame of reference for competition, I fell a little short.

Again, an enjoyable experience, but this time I learned something that I already knew- if that's possible, that I simply cannot train alone.

And so out of it comes another sermon for thought- that even as a runner cannot train alone, (or at least not nearly as well as with others beside him), our Christian walk is the same; not meant to be walked alone. God did not intend for us to be lone rangers, and we hear this all the time.

We know we have weaknesses, but that when surrounded by others, we can together pull one another up when the others fall. Or even better, when we run against someone with more strength altogether, or whose already been past the mile marker we are running on, they can help explain just how it may go, and what helped them when they were there. They can explain obstacles in the way, or again just simply let competition's drive push them in their stride to compare, match, or outrun those next to them; in all actuality just making the one next to them work harder too, at becoming better than he was before.

We are to sharpen eachother in our skills, or lack thereof. We are to train, not just hope to train, and then think we will just somehow win.

We run for a prize in these life events sometimes, but ultimately our goal should be to honor Christ, and find joy in Him through all of life's races. We are to see that all this world has fades in comparison to the joy and satisfaction that knowing GOD brings, and therefore not continually fail or allow ourselves to be disappointed when we don't match up to the world's standards. This world is not our home, we are just passin' through..as an old hymn says, and we can keep that outlook if we sharpen each other to stride our best through this life, seeing everything that comes and goes as a sharpening tool.

So as the picture in the verse I read in Psalms 19 today states, "The heavens declare the glory of God;..In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, (boasting almost), and rejoicing like a strong man to run its race." We are to be ready, prepared, strengthened, and embody the picture of strength on the race of life- as we take heed from the power of the Lord and His Word, allowing it to sharpen us along with others to run as a strong man would be after training hard. We have the tools, we must use them, and our race will be all the better for it.

Vergissmeinnicht!

SO I copied the below paragraph from Wikipedia instead of trying to rewrite what was unnecessary to do so. I thought it to be a fascinating little story, at least to those of us with a fondness in German folklore:) I had to research these flowers a bit before I planted them, after having been given a tiny packet as a going away gift from our German friends.

"In a German legend, God named all the plants when a tiny unnamed one cried out, "Forget-me-not, O Lord!" God replied, "That shall be your name."[2] In another legend, the little flower cried out, "Forget-me-not!" as Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden.[2]
The Christ Child was sitting on Mary's lap one day and said that he wished that future generations could see her eyes. He touched her eyes and then waved his hand over the ground and blue forget-me-nots appeared, hence the name forget-me-not.
Henry IV adopted the flower as his symbol during his exile in 1398, and retained the symbol upon his return to England the following year.[2]
In 15th-century Germany, it was supposed that the wearers of the flower would not be forgotten by their lovers. Legend has it that in medieval times, a knight and his lady were walking along the side of a river. He picked a posy of flowers, but because of the weight of his armour he fell into the river. As he was drowning he threw the posy to his loved one and shouted "Forget-me-not". This is a flower connected with romance and tragic fate. It was often worn by ladies as a sign of faithfulness and enduring love."

So too, we should be!; faithful to God, and to the ones we've committed our lives to in love, whether that be a spouse or friend. Our friend Marion gave these to us, and Im thankful we have them now to remember our German friends by, as each time we walk past the will in their own little way cry out "Forget me not!"

Home

SO we are finally HOME. Whatever home really means; I suppose for us at this point home is truely only where the heart is. Our family and friends and various homes of the last three years are all so widespread, we believe finally now we will be here for a period of time longer than one year. It is a good feeling, yet as on the plane I listened to the ironic lyrics of Michael Buble's hit "Home," I found it nastalgically bringing me mixed thoughts as we returned "home." Home was where we lived in Germany, but home is also where friends and family are here in the states. The lyrics even mention places like Paris and Rome, and while we went to Paris and were only kept from going to Rome due to the recently cancelled flights, I resonate that it is great to travel, but home is by far the greatest place to be. I always read the life of the apostle Paul as seemingly exciting, and feel privileged to have been a part of now so many churches, ministries, and different people's lives. I guess that's why God's allowed us to do so.

And as we all know, our real home dosn't settle in till we are gone from this earth, and if we find Heaven our resting place. That will be our real home. Yet for now, it is good to say, we are finally "home!"

Vanity

So we thoroughly enjoyed our recent nine hour flight filled with reading, relaxing and watching movies. From speculating on the lives of those in movie documentaries from the editor of Vogue, to the drug worn Rolling Stones. Oh how I do not desire the spotlight of vanity they enjoy- as it has brought them somewhat into hints of artificial realities of life. Touching the greatness of love and adoration, yet being in their overly elevated and improper positions, their lives are in bondage to outperform even themselves- a burden too heavy for any human being. Their professions in and of themselves can be fun, creative, and produce a life full of joy I believe, but IF a soul source of satisfaction- seem to prove empty, and ever changing. Fasion changes, rotating decades in between, and people, driven by the luxuries that only accessorize their egocentrically adorned bodies only for their own glory, are never a fun bunch to mingle with.

I realize that my fascination in watching them though, is proven by my own habits of watching reality movies and shows, and only reading non fiction and biographies. I do so because I love meeting new people, learning their lives, and understanding why they do what they do. I cannot even put down my pen when I watch them or read, as I am fascinated by the similarities in all people; the need for the basic loves, etc., and also continuous results in the lives of most people, whether different by culture or custom; seeking to enhance their current state of happiness by deriving it from false and boastful sources.

I rarely finish a movie, or a book- without a long lapse in between. I am always eager to meet the next character, and can't deal with too slowly drawn out plots. I tend to get lost in day dreaming, and need a purpose to my step. I'm sure there is some error to this, but I also see it as something that is ingrained in me for a reason, and I intend to try to use it.
I like to read a little, watch a little, and then write a lot.

Rich and I love to watch movies and see parallels into life, and even the Gospel, as far as the need for a Savior's love that is so everpresent. I also love to do the same as I write, and reflect on the lives of those who I in the moment surmise to be ever so short of this love. All I know is people's stories drive me, and I long to make them even more impactful by drawing these points out of them to show a world who needs to hear current testimonies of what we've already seen and heard written in God's Word. It's a wonder that when we read it we can actually prevent the chaotic lives that we too often produce by our ignorance. Let's take heed, and watch for our lives not to be caught in the same tread.

Flug, Zug, und Autobahn

So this week we have spent more time in transit than anything else. Whether that be on a plane, a train, an automobile, or just our own two feet- we have have the privilege of enjoying many memories with many people whom we could only meet if caught in the circumstances we have been in.

Germany has a little system they like to call 'mitfahrgelegenheit,' meaning- the opportunity to ride 'with' someone else. It is a more organized way of hitchhiking to put it simply. We pitched in a very reasonable price to ride with a van full of the most collectic group of people you could imagine, for 5 straight hours. In the US we are afraid of getting a gun pulled, while to Germans- well this is just simply- a cheaper way to go, no worries about it.

Then we, by mishap of a wrong way ticket by one I wont name, (thought not myself:), we had to rent a car to leave Berlin- of which ended up bumping us to a C class Mercedes which Rich took the liberty of 'flying' us in, to Frankfurt just an hour short of our destined time:)

And last but not least, as the infamous Volcano blew, we were stranded one extra day in Vienna with friends for an enjoyable longer weekend than originally planned as well.

We then proceeded to spend 9 hours traveling shoulder to shoulder with foreigners from all over the EU, interspursed with a few hours of sitting. We met marathoners from the day before in Vienna, missionary anthropologists to Holland, a really tall law student from Lithuania (who informed me a bit on their ever shrinking population), and last but not least, a lady who literally talked our ears off for almost two hours straight! It's one thing to listen to German- another to engage in a conversation in German, and a whole other thing to engage in German with an 80 year old woman with a dialect from who knows where, and who humored not just us, but herself quite as well.

Needless to say, our long and stuffy journey ended up being a great experience that will, for our memorable circumstances, go down in history for life:)