Pray for Burma.
Pray for Aung San Su Kyi: Leader of the National League for Democracy
Please check out the Human Rights Watch web page at www.hrw.org. This past week Aung San Su Kyi and 17 other NLD leaders were taken into custody by the dictatorship military regime in Burma. Aung San is a peace activist and believes in opposition with non-violence. This past week supporters and protesters of the National League for Democracy were travelling and peacefully protesting against the regime-- when the regime opened fire-- killing approximately 70 people and injuring many more. The regime took Aung San into custody (she suffers a head injury) with several others. The UN has asked for her safe release and the opportunity to speak with her. The regime says 'no', but states that it is for her safety and assure the UN that she is well.
Please pray for resolution for the Burmese people. They have lived under oppression, poverty, slave labor, child labor, starvation, lack of medical supplies, torture and for many death.
There is a local non-profit agency called World Aid. They are located in Ballard. World Aid is founded by a Burmese man. There mission is to send resources to Burma to help the internally displaced refugees.
Thursday, June 05, 2003
Tuesday, May 27, 2003
I was able to enjoy a much needed three-day weekend. Frank and I went away overnight to Vancouver, B.C. It was so nice to get away and connect with my husband. It gave us the opportunity to dream together. Frank the philosopher and me the existential narrative therapist-- makes for an interesting and lively conversation.
Getting into Vancouver was interesting and frustrating, to say the least. We both had our birth certificates and photo ID so we felt ready to go, but when we got to the border we realized that Frank had changed his last name and didn't have the proper paperwork to show his name change. So we we're questioned and then finally told to go to the immigration office. I think we we're both feeling very anxious and for others this may be a routine check, but for us it felt intrusive-- like we had to prove who we are and what we are doing. Well... after a bit of time we were let in, but for the longest time I felt so much anger. The experience brought up so much frustration and tension and I didn't like being treated like I was under suspicion. It was humiliating. And as I fumed I started thinking about those that are underpriveledged... those who have no voice... those that are constantly under suspicion because of the color of their skin or their religious orientation or their sexual orientation.
But I don't want to just rant and rave about the injustice of life. I'd rather be pulled to move in compassion for those who are unable to respond to such struggles. I want my personal frustration, anger, and pain to fuel my work for others. As others journey through their reality of unjust moments... I want to be there to guide, comfort, and discern. My rants... my raves should never be left to stew on their own... On the other hand, they should be used in grace to journey with others. My story is never my own... it's for the greater good. It is an extension of the grace i've been given. Lately, i've continued to write about this enlightened experience in my life-- the recognition of my call. It has been an integral part in my journey... it has been liberating and freeing to see that I have been called to work on behalf of others.
As Christians, we have a reponsibility to respond to the 'unjust acts' around us. We have a responsibility to advocate for those who are displaced, marginalized, discriminated against.... We must remember the widow, the orphan, the oppressed... Isaiah 17 says, "Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow". We must be commited to seeking justice, because those who are fatherless, widowed, and oppressed are all around us. They are our neighbors, our friends, our family, members of our community... We must be seekers of love and humility so that our weapons against injustice are grounded in grace.
Each day I am reminded that 'The free must remember the forgotten'. (Author Unknown)
Getting into Vancouver was interesting and frustrating, to say the least. We both had our birth certificates and photo ID so we felt ready to go, but when we got to the border we realized that Frank had changed his last name and didn't have the proper paperwork to show his name change. So we we're questioned and then finally told to go to the immigration office. I think we we're both feeling very anxious and for others this may be a routine check, but for us it felt intrusive-- like we had to prove who we are and what we are doing. Well... after a bit of time we were let in, but for the longest time I felt so much anger. The experience brought up so much frustration and tension and I didn't like being treated like I was under suspicion. It was humiliating. And as I fumed I started thinking about those that are underpriveledged... those who have no voice... those that are constantly under suspicion because of the color of their skin or their religious orientation or their sexual orientation.
But I don't want to just rant and rave about the injustice of life. I'd rather be pulled to move in compassion for those who are unable to respond to such struggles. I want my personal frustration, anger, and pain to fuel my work for others. As others journey through their reality of unjust moments... I want to be there to guide, comfort, and discern. My rants... my raves should never be left to stew on their own... On the other hand, they should be used in grace to journey with others. My story is never my own... it's for the greater good. It is an extension of the grace i've been given. Lately, i've continued to write about this enlightened experience in my life-- the recognition of my call. It has been an integral part in my journey... it has been liberating and freeing to see that I have been called to work on behalf of others.
As Christians, we have a reponsibility to respond to the 'unjust acts' around us. We have a responsibility to advocate for those who are displaced, marginalized, discriminated against.... We must remember the widow, the orphan, the oppressed... Isaiah 17 says, "Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow". We must be commited to seeking justice, because those who are fatherless, widowed, and oppressed are all around us. They are our neighbors, our friends, our family, members of our community... We must be seekers of love and humility so that our weapons against injustice are grounded in grace.
Each day I am reminded that 'The free must remember the forgotten'. (Author Unknown)
Thursday, May 22, 2003
Building community: Deepening relationship.
I have an amazing job. I am privledged to walk by people, to journey with people every day. I get to listen to people's stories and walk along with those when they are struggling. It is a gift. A gift I take for granted. Because with all I have to give, with all I have to offer sometimes I hold back out of fear of my inabilities. My weakness is that I don't allow myself to be weak. And no matter how hard I fight to be less weak-- the truth remains-- I am weak.
My friend Eugene says, 'We don't have to, we get to'. Meaning this gift that I've been blessed with is not mine 'to do' something with-- it is a gift and I have a responsibility to the giver to respond.
This week has been a particularly difficult struggle as I try to find balance in giving and receiving. In my role in my community I realize that I do not have a choice to give on my whims. I am a leader-- one who is called to journey with others, stand by others, advocate for others and be a voice for justice and compassion. It is not a 9 to 5. I can't call in sick because I feel a bit disappointed or hurt or whatever the feeling may be... my call is to others. There are times when I wish I had a time card and could punch out whenever I felt a little under the weather, but I don't. Thus, bringing me to where I am at today... My Pastor gives so much to his community. He gives his support, his love, his compassion, his grace, his accountability-- all extentions of Christ's love. And I wonder if on Sundays he ever wishes he could bail? I'm sure that in all that life has to offer he has his struggles, yet every day I see him show up ready to give to those he loves. A true testimony of Christ's love-- God's grace.
Saint Catherine of Genoa says, "I am no longer my own. Whether I live or whether I die, I belong to my Saviour. I have nothing of my own. God is my all, and my whole being is His". I want a life where my extension of grace is a sacrifice of my needs for the needs of others. I want to find contentment in Him. And because my life is no longer my own-- I want to trust that He knows my being. And in knowing my core, only He could give such a gift.
"The prize with which God rewards our self-abandonment is Himself". (Mother Teresa)
I have an amazing job. I am privledged to walk by people, to journey with people every day. I get to listen to people's stories and walk along with those when they are struggling. It is a gift. A gift I take for granted. Because with all I have to give, with all I have to offer sometimes I hold back out of fear of my inabilities. My weakness is that I don't allow myself to be weak. And no matter how hard I fight to be less weak-- the truth remains-- I am weak.
My friend Eugene says, 'We don't have to, we get to'. Meaning this gift that I've been blessed with is not mine 'to do' something with-- it is a gift and I have a responsibility to the giver to respond.
This week has been a particularly difficult struggle as I try to find balance in giving and receiving. In my role in my community I realize that I do not have a choice to give on my whims. I am a leader-- one who is called to journey with others, stand by others, advocate for others and be a voice for justice and compassion. It is not a 9 to 5. I can't call in sick because I feel a bit disappointed or hurt or whatever the feeling may be... my call is to others. There are times when I wish I had a time card and could punch out whenever I felt a little under the weather, but I don't. Thus, bringing me to where I am at today... My Pastor gives so much to his community. He gives his support, his love, his compassion, his grace, his accountability-- all extentions of Christ's love. And I wonder if on Sundays he ever wishes he could bail? I'm sure that in all that life has to offer he has his struggles, yet every day I see him show up ready to give to those he loves. A true testimony of Christ's love-- God's grace.
Saint Catherine of Genoa says, "I am no longer my own. Whether I live or whether I die, I belong to my Saviour. I have nothing of my own. God is my all, and my whole being is His". I want a life where my extension of grace is a sacrifice of my needs for the needs of others. I want to find contentment in Him. And because my life is no longer my own-- I want to trust that He knows my being. And in knowing my core, only He could give such a gift.
"The prize with which God rewards our self-abandonment is Himself". (Mother Teresa)
Thursday, May 15, 2003
Finding comfort: Finding God.
Life continues. Whether I participate in it or not. It continues to roll right by. When I'm particularly reflective or a bit meloncholy I find myself searching for space. A space to be comforted. I pray, "O Lord, I call to you; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice" (Psalm 141:1-2). I do pray that He will come quickly. I pray that He'll give me peace, comfort and rest.
I've realized that I haven't made the time for quiet. Life continues to pass and I keep moving with it. When I was in seminary I took a class around spirituality. One of the requirements was that as a class we had to spend a day of silence at a monastary. There was about fifty of us that attended this day of silence. I found in myself the inability to silence my mind, my heart, my inner being. I prayed for this day of rest--this day of quiet and yet, I found that I could physically silence myself but I could not emotionally or spiritually sit in peace. This seems to be my perpetual existence. When will I rest? When will I find comfort or peace?
A portion of my unrest comes from a place where I am scratching to get God to see. I'm scratching to get him to find something in me-- something good, a redeemable quality. In my unrest, I fail to see that it is out of my hands. It is my faith that must sustain me-- my faith that God is God. God is good. God has provided redemption. It is in Him that I am saved. All my attempts to redeem myself are meaningless. Solomon says that everything is meaningless. All our toil is meaningless, because He is who He says He is. Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still, and know that I am God".
Life continues. Whether I participate in it or not. It continues to roll right by. When I'm particularly reflective or a bit meloncholy I find myself searching for space. A space to be comforted. I pray, "O Lord, I call to you; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice" (Psalm 141:1-2). I do pray that He will come quickly. I pray that He'll give me peace, comfort and rest.
I've realized that I haven't made the time for quiet. Life continues to pass and I keep moving with it. When I was in seminary I took a class around spirituality. One of the requirements was that as a class we had to spend a day of silence at a monastary. There was about fifty of us that attended this day of silence. I found in myself the inability to silence my mind, my heart, my inner being. I prayed for this day of rest--this day of quiet and yet, I found that I could physically silence myself but I could not emotionally or spiritually sit in peace. This seems to be my perpetual existence. When will I rest? When will I find comfort or peace?
A portion of my unrest comes from a place where I am scratching to get God to see. I'm scratching to get him to find something in me-- something good, a redeemable quality. In my unrest, I fail to see that it is out of my hands. It is my faith that must sustain me-- my faith that God is God. God is good. God has provided redemption. It is in Him that I am saved. All my attempts to redeem myself are meaningless. Solomon says that everything is meaningless. All our toil is meaningless, because He is who He says He is. Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still, and know that I am God".
Wednesday, May 14, 2003
Tuesday, May 13, 2003
Finding contentment.
In this western society it seems people are less and less content in life. Our motivations are fueled by our need to consume. Thus, leaving us in a state of discontent and in a constant need to search. We can never consume enough. The consumption only statisfies for a time-- propelling us to consume more or to feel discouraged by the lack of satisfaction. How do Christians live by this standard? And what are the implications, when we have a God who should fill the void?
Is it God not filling the void? Or is it that he doesn't always fill 'it' (the void) like we think he should? Or is it a combination of both? Do we not allow God to fill the void?
Is the void a constant state of reality, because we are fallen, sinful, broken people? Or is it our inability to accept that Christ's sacrifice is sufficient enough for our sin?
I sat with a client this week and we talked about his housing options. He is a homeless man. He temporarily lives in transitional housing and his time is coming to an end. My job is to help him find a place so that he doesn't end up back on the streets. In reviewing his options the opportunities looked bleak. And as I felt myself beginning to feel hopeless he said, 'It's not in my hands. Something will come up. He brought me this far and I don't expect that he'll let me down now.' He shared that he had been living on the street for 2 years and finally he said, 'I've had it God. Something has to change... either you bring something to me or i'll end up in prison, killing myself, or shot by someone else'. Two days later he found a job placement program and through that program found housing. He has peace even though he has nothing -- materially. He has his faith. Listening, I felt humbled. I don't have peace and I fight to keep it all in my hands. My faith is weak and waivering. It is easily swayed by this and that. When will I be content in the goodness of God's gift?
In this western society it seems people are less and less content in life. Our motivations are fueled by our need to consume. Thus, leaving us in a state of discontent and in a constant need to search. We can never consume enough. The consumption only statisfies for a time-- propelling us to consume more or to feel discouraged by the lack of satisfaction. How do Christians live by this standard? And what are the implications, when we have a God who should fill the void?
Is it God not filling the void? Or is it that he doesn't always fill 'it' (the void) like we think he should? Or is it a combination of both? Do we not allow God to fill the void?
Is the void a constant state of reality, because we are fallen, sinful, broken people? Or is it our inability to accept that Christ's sacrifice is sufficient enough for our sin?
I sat with a client this week and we talked about his housing options. He is a homeless man. He temporarily lives in transitional housing and his time is coming to an end. My job is to help him find a place so that he doesn't end up back on the streets. In reviewing his options the opportunities looked bleak. And as I felt myself beginning to feel hopeless he said, 'It's not in my hands. Something will come up. He brought me this far and I don't expect that he'll let me down now.' He shared that he had been living on the street for 2 years and finally he said, 'I've had it God. Something has to change... either you bring something to me or i'll end up in prison, killing myself, or shot by someone else'. Two days later he found a job placement program and through that program found housing. He has peace even though he has nothing -- materially. He has his faith. Listening, I felt humbled. I don't have peace and I fight to keep it all in my hands. My faith is weak and waivering. It is easily swayed by this and that. When will I be content in the goodness of God's gift?
Monday, May 12, 2003
Defending mine own when it is not mine to defend.
Everybody thinks that they know what is 'truth'. People define their truth based on their experience, creating a subjective reality and when another claims that there is another truth we feel the need to defend our previously defined 'truth'. C.S. Lewis calls this 'The Law of Decent Behaviour'. I believe that 'the law' is a subjective reality. For instance, how we define decent is different for every one. Frank (my husband) thinks that it is completely indecent to call people after 9 pm. I, on the other hand, have no problem with calling people at midnight. Our laws sometimes conflict when I feel the need to call someone late at night and Frank shares that I should wait til morning. Immediately I feel defensive because I interpret his caution as saying that I am insensitive, bad, etc. My 'truth' is put into question when Frank cautions me of the time. Why is that? Why do we feel the need to defend ourselves? It is a natural instinct to defend. Defense is not always wrong. But when it severs relationship-- it may need to be re-examined.
As Christ went to the cross, at no point did he feel that he needed to defend his position. He knew 'truth'. He was 'truth' and he did not try to convince others to believe him. He willingly went to the cross. I realize that I am never willing to go. I'm willing to go if the circumstances are right. I'm willing to go if I can be reassured that people will acknowledge me and I will be safe. I'm willing to go when I am in the right frame of mind. I am never willing to go in sacrifice of myself. I realize that my defense is the unwillingness to trust that God is God. That 'truth' is 'truth' without my defense. My arrogance keeps me from deeply experiencing the humble nature of Christ, because I am too fixed on my next defense. Thus, leaving me in suspicion of God and others. This 'truth' is not mine to defend. It doesn't need a defense, because grace never asks to be defended. Grace gives without protection and it is misunderstood daily. My 'truth' is an extention of the greater 'truth'. A bit skewed and sometimes misinterpreting the bigger meaning. And because of my human fallacies, my 'truth' is not mine to defend either. My 'truth' must always remember grace-- and be ready to give it without understanding, protection, or solitude.
Everybody thinks that they know what is 'truth'. People define their truth based on their experience, creating a subjective reality and when another claims that there is another truth we feel the need to defend our previously defined 'truth'. C.S. Lewis calls this 'The Law of Decent Behaviour'. I believe that 'the law' is a subjective reality. For instance, how we define decent is different for every one. Frank (my husband) thinks that it is completely indecent to call people after 9 pm. I, on the other hand, have no problem with calling people at midnight. Our laws sometimes conflict when I feel the need to call someone late at night and Frank shares that I should wait til morning. Immediately I feel defensive because I interpret his caution as saying that I am insensitive, bad, etc. My 'truth' is put into question when Frank cautions me of the time. Why is that? Why do we feel the need to defend ourselves? It is a natural instinct to defend. Defense is not always wrong. But when it severs relationship-- it may need to be re-examined.
As Christ went to the cross, at no point did he feel that he needed to defend his position. He knew 'truth'. He was 'truth' and he did not try to convince others to believe him. He willingly went to the cross. I realize that I am never willing to go. I'm willing to go if the circumstances are right. I'm willing to go if I can be reassured that people will acknowledge me and I will be safe. I'm willing to go when I am in the right frame of mind. I am never willing to go in sacrifice of myself. I realize that my defense is the unwillingness to trust that God is God. That 'truth' is 'truth' without my defense. My arrogance keeps me from deeply experiencing the humble nature of Christ, because I am too fixed on my next defense. Thus, leaving me in suspicion of God and others. This 'truth' is not mine to defend. It doesn't need a defense, because grace never asks to be defended. Grace gives without protection and it is misunderstood daily. My 'truth' is an extention of the greater 'truth'. A bit skewed and sometimes misinterpreting the bigger meaning. And because of my human fallacies, my 'truth' is not mine to defend either. My 'truth' must always remember grace-- and be ready to give it without understanding, protection, or solitude.
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