Faithful

It's funny how Gods faithfulness becomes clear. When we have nothing certain to cling to, his goodness draws us close.

At the Foot of the Cross

I love this song.

 

Lyrics

I trade this ashes in for beauty

And wear forgiveness like a crown

Coming to kiss the feet of mercy

I lay every burden down

At the foot of the cross

So amazing. How thankful I am for the cross. When I think about the times I have been so lost, so far from God because of my idols (relationships, achievements, future), I realize how faithful Christ is. He draws me back to him when I am lost. 

A Christmas Carol

Rehearsal for A Christmas Carol makes me realize what a wonderful thing theatre is! Contradictory to the individualistic lifestyles promoted by modern American consumerism, theatre brings people together. Total strangers working towards a common goal: to tell a story. A story that stirs, inspires, challenges, and awakens the heart to the beauty of relationships and the importance of being thankful for the people in our lives.  And we as a community of storytellers invite audiences to participate in this story with us. Each performance is unique because the audience is another character in the mold. Theatre unveils the beauty of unpredictability. Uncertainty allows unexpected wonder to arise-all the hardships, struggles, challenges of putting together a show are worthwhile for those moments of joy, connection, laughter one finds in theatre.  Life is like this too. The bad is worth enduring because the good greatly surpasses any memory of struggle.  So much beauty to give life loveliness.

Who said that success, wealth, and achievement are more important than community, service, and relationships??? Isn't the point of "work" to contribute to the world with ones gifts?  Your calling in life is where your great joy meets the worlds great need. We are all fearfully and wonderfully made.

I am so glad to be me! And I am so glad you are you!

UnReal

Amazing trio gymnastics routine!  Unbelievable.

http://bbh.cc/mouth-open/

Sometimes I wonder who I might be had I continued to train as a gymnast...
Rio 2016?
Once upon a time, I dreamed I might be in the olympics...
sometimes dreams change...

Personal Stories from Women who have had Abortions

http://nymag.com/news/features/abortion-stories-2013-11/

Abortion never seems to be discussed in any kind of personal way, but what could be more personal than a woman deciding whether or not to allow her unborn child to live?  These vulnerable stories shed light on the emotional struggles connected to the issue of abortion.

What strikes me most after reading these stories is that the girls are alone in facing the confusion, uncertainty, regret, shame, and other emotions accompanying abortion.  Why do we allow these women to face this kind of trauma alone?  What can we do, as a nation, to better care for these women who are often victims of disillusionment, manipulation, and recklessness?

What can we do?

For these women to vulnerably share their stories--without justifying the behavior or qualifying their actions--is a start.  Young women need to be able to talk with friends and family without the fear of judgment, especially when it comes to something as life-changing as pregnancy.  How do we stop stigmatizing the women but instead publicly and privately offer love, comfort, and support?

Many pregnancies that women choose to terminate may be accidental, even though the women took every precaution possible.   But there are also many situations in which women make rash choices, this seems especially true for the stories written by young women.  What's unsettling is that often women bear the consequences of rash choices while men can walk away "guiltless".

Why isn't there more initiative to challenge men to act responsibly? If abortion is such a HUGE issue in our nation, then why aren't policy makers, educators, and protestors confronting the underlying reality that both men and women must be held accountable for their choices?  Unfortunately, our government doesn't regulate moral values.  It's time to broaden the conversation and challenge men and women to look at the overall picture. 

Two Examples taken from the stories in the article
Scenario A
Woman gets pregnant.
Boyfriend convinces her to have an abortion.
She does.
She deals with the regret, shame, fear of that action her whole life.
Boyfriend leaves.

Who loses?

Scenario B
Woman gets pregnant.
She decides to have the child.
She must raise the child.
Boyfriend leaves (but pays child welfare fees).

Who loses?

It seems like women inevitably lose. And what are we doing to care for them?

How to change this?
Education.
Conversation.
Dialogue.
Free of judgment.
But dialogue nonetheless.
What is the value of human life?
What is the value of abstinence?
What is the value of marriage?
What responsibility accompanies accidental pregnancy?
What consequences accompany abortion?

Conversation in which people can be honest about their perspectives and actions--that freedom to be known and understood could possibly prevent harmful scenarios (A & B) and also allow space for much needed healing.

Feminism

http://redemptionpictures.com/2013/11/12/how-feminism-hurts-men/

Christian man writing about feminism. The perfect article for this blog.

Family

I think the secret to happiness is family-not biological family but the feeling of family, the feeling of being at home. It's amazing to me that every transition has an adjustment phase, and usually the beginning is the most difficult. But ever so slowly, the feeling of family sneaks up and you realize you feel safe, valued for you as you.  I think this has got to be what we all really crave-the safety and ease of being authentic and being loved (or accepted and celebrated).

I'm finding that Im starting to feel the joy of family in the theatre company. Honesty, authenticity, ease. Good feeling.

We really don't need anything but a good home and people to love- it's amazing how I and so many people waste time striving for what does not satisfy, for what does not bring lasting joy.

The secret of a contented heart? Gratitude for the people God puts in our path, loving them enough to put their needs before ones own.

Delight yourself in The Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Pondering the meaning of delighting in the Lord. So much to learn.