First quarter of 2010 is moving towards a close. I still seem to be perennially engulfed by things around me--online work, routine household chores, ministry stuff, Facebook, Twitter, people, my kids...I had really really hoped for CHANGE.
I regret not starting my long planned attempt at getting into shape--brisk walking (from our house to the highway; it's really not that far), or sticking to the discipline of drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day, or blogging on a daily basis even if only to keep my writing chops sharp.
I wonder if I'm truly making an impact with my life or if I'm just bumming my life away with the routines I've gotten myself into.
Then I get to asking myself: What is it that you are most passionate about? Teaching kids.
But then I seemed to have "lost" that passion since last year...since I began feeling fatigued and burned out...and finally admitting these to myself.
But I still want to teach kids. Teach them about God. Teach them about HIS incredible love. Kids are just so open and trusting even when surprisingly, they ask tougher and more sensible questions than most adults. I really feel guilty about putting the Children's ministry on hold--again. I am honestly torn between wanting to teach them and feeling so tired. At the same time so frustrated with budget constraints that seem to prevent us from procuring much needed equipment, furniture, and materials to continue such a precious ministry.
I wonder if I'm still qualified to do my job. My online work. Again, I feel guilty when I groan inwardly about the tasks and the nature of these tasks assigned to us. Lately, I hear myself telling myself: "For goodness sakes I'm a WRITER. I write. I don't totally comprehend technical stuff. What am I doing here?" And guilt follows after that because I am only too aware that this online job was literally a God-given gift about three years ago. It's homebased. The company pays for internet connection. I can log in for work while still in my PJs and even when I haven't brushed my teeth yet. So, the nerve of me to complain. I've met people who learn about my job and I see them longing for such a job. So now I hate myself for being a totally ungrateful whiner.
I wonder if I truly love my husband. There are days when I just want to strangle him or kick him hard on the shins for not being more understanding or for being so focused on the ministry that I feel neglected and yet it's crazy that on the same day I have these feelings, I desire him so much...yes I get horny over him. It's maddening! Then I get to the place where I wonder if he was ever in love with me. I know, I sound like a crazy woman.
And then it's ironic for me to have this homebased job so I can be with the kids but I still don't get enough quality time with each of them on an individual basis or even together--doing stuff together. I'm either glued to the computer or to the stove or to the sink or to the washing machine. And then I go back to thinking if I should just quit my job so I can concentrate on the kids.
And now I feel like a basket case.
The weirdest thing of it all is that I know that all these musings, rantings and ravings, vague feelings, and inner unrest boils down to my relationship with Christ. Where am I in this divine relationship? I am not sure really. Some days so in love with HIM. Some days I take HIM for granted. And just now I just so desperately want to reach out and have HIM hold my hand...and feel it FOR REAL--not just in my soul or spirit but feel HIS hand holding my hand. I don't know, I just think that it might finally make things on my patch of planet OK.
God, I really need that real break from everything and everybody so I can just be with me and rethink my life so I don't waste any more of Your precious time.
15 March 2010
06 February 2010
Most Plagiarized Book
The Bible is said to be the world’s bestseller for all time. But has anyone also noticed that it is the most shamelessly pirated and plagiarized book the world over—especially where religion is concerned.
I mean just look at all those religions claiming stuff like zen (simplicity), minimalism, yin and yang (balance) to name a popular few. Whoever their founders/philosophers/gurus, whatchamacalits were, those people actually took a Bible principle, called it by a different name and passed it on as their truth, their personal revelation. Worse, others have adulterated Bible truths with their perverted concepts of spirituality.
Could Jehovah charge these copycats with religious piracy? Or spiritual plagiarism? If there ever were such concepts. Still, when I think about this, it just amazes me how the Author of the Good Book hasn’t zapped them all into nothingness—which He could simply do with a snap of the all-powerful fingers. He has chosen not to. It’s not His nature to be vindictive. Just goes to show that God Almighty is mercy to the very core of His awesome being. And royally confident that in reality ALL things are HIS.
As for us humans, we are terribly territorial and sadly unforgiving when it comes to things we think we’ve originally created. Even a slight copy-paste of a written work would generate the crisp sound of lawsuit slaps.
The Author of the universe must be laughing Himself in amusement at the audacity of mere mortals who claim HIS precepts as their own religious truth.
I mean just look at all those religions claiming stuff like zen (simplicity), minimalism, yin and yang (balance) to name a popular few. Whoever their founders/philosophers/gurus, whatchamacalits were, those people actually took a Bible principle, called it by a different name and passed it on as their truth, their personal revelation. Worse, others have adulterated Bible truths with their perverted concepts of spirituality.Could Jehovah charge these copycats with religious piracy? Or spiritual plagiarism? If there ever were such concepts. Still, when I think about this, it just amazes me how the Author of the Good Book hasn’t zapped them all into nothingness—which He could simply do with a snap of the all-powerful fingers. He has chosen not to. It’s not His nature to be vindictive. Just goes to show that God Almighty is mercy to the very core of His awesome being. And royally confident that in reality ALL things are HIS.
As for us humans, we are terribly territorial and sadly unforgiving when it comes to things we think we’ve originally created. Even a slight copy-paste of a written work would generate the crisp sound of lawsuit slaps.
The Author of the universe must be laughing Himself in amusement at the audacity of mere mortals who claim HIS precepts as their own religious truth.
03 February 2010
Extravagant Love
01 February 2010
6:56pm
Extravagant love. Just crossed my mind. Just a few moments ago—after musing on my relationship with my husband, after desiring him all day even if only yesterday I wanted to kick him in the shins because of something he said; after watching a really really nice wedding video; after reading 1 Corinthians 13 again…
Extravagant love—God did it first. No one for all eternity can ever ever trump HIM on what HE has done for the love of mankind.
No I didn’t think about this because it’s the first day of the month of hearts. In fact, I have come to deem the day of hearts as corny and really cheesy. Am sure whoever started the now globally celebrated day had romantic notions at heart. But people tend to abuse even the most pristine of concepts and feelings.
Perhaps God, Who is the very essence of love just wanted me to meditate on it at the closing of this day. Extravagant love. HIS extravagant love. Something I don’t deserve. Yet everyday HE surrounds me with it. I am not sure if I can afford to give it to another human being. Extravagant love--I can only hope to offer it to the ONE who endured the most horrifying experience and went through the most excruciating pain to ensure my soul’s safety for all eternity.
I am not worthy of His extravagant love.
6:56pm
Extravagant love. Just crossed my mind. Just a few moments ago—after musing on my relationship with my husband, after desiring him all day even if only yesterday I wanted to kick him in the shins because of something he said; after watching a really really nice wedding video; after reading 1 Corinthians 13 again…
Extravagant love—God did it first. No one for all eternity can ever ever trump HIM on what HE has done for the love of mankind.No I didn’t think about this because it’s the first day of the month of hearts. In fact, I have come to deem the day of hearts as corny and really cheesy. Am sure whoever started the now globally celebrated day had romantic notions at heart. But people tend to abuse even the most pristine of concepts and feelings.
Perhaps God, Who is the very essence of love just wanted me to meditate on it at the closing of this day. Extravagant love. HIS extravagant love. Something I don’t deserve. Yet everyday HE surrounds me with it. I am not sure if I can afford to give it to another human being. Extravagant love--I can only hope to offer it to the ONE who endured the most horrifying experience and went through the most excruciating pain to ensure my soul’s safety for all eternity.
I am not worthy of His extravagant love.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
